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COLLECTION
O F
LETTERS,
Confiiling of Ninety-three.
Sixty-one of which wrote by the Rev. Mr. yames Renwick; the remainder, by the Rev. Mefcs.John Living/Ion, John Brown , John King, ^Donald Cargil, Richard Ca- meron y *Alex. Pedany and *Alex. Shit Ids.
Alfo a few by Mr. Michael Shields, at the dire&i* on of the General CorrefpoDdence.
From the years 1663 to 1689 inclufive.
Containing many remarkable Occurrences hither- to unknown in that Period.
Wherein is difcovered the true State of the Caufe and Teftiniony at that Time.
[The molt of which never before printe4^<*>"^*
E DINBURGK?
Printed by David Paterson,
And fold by him at hr Piinr^ng; lioufe, Lawc:
market, M DCCLXIV.
f Price Eighteen Pence boucdj
PREFACE.
Cbriflian Reader %
THOU haft here prefented to thy view, fome of the valuable letters of the worthy and bow glorified Mr. James Renivick, whofe memory will be dear while reformation-principles are re- garded in Scotland; together with fome others, all relative to the fins and duties of that day, and BOt at all impertinent in our day, wherein fuch duties are much flighted, and the fame or like defcdlion, as keenly and effectually carried on and corroborated, not only by profeffed ene- mies to the covenanted intereit of Chrift, but by profefled friends thereunto. It is certain that Zion'sKmg, did in afign^l manner,' difplay his banner in the Ides of the fea, and engaged them to himfclf by folemn facred oaths and covenants: he animated the fpirits of his followers with zeal, refolution and faithfulnefs in their appearances and contendings for him and his truths, and e- fpecially for ihe dignity of his kingly office; he defeated the defigns of enemies, and advanced to himfelf.a rooft glorious building, of a molt beautiful church, founded upon the prophets and npcjlles, Jefus Chrift himfelf being the chief ccrr.er jione ; fo that this church and nation was blefled with a more glorious and perftft leformation "than any of her neighbour churches : 7 he doc- tune, worlhip, diiclpline and government, in all points agreeable to the word of truth, was eita- blilbed by ecclefiaftic and civil laws, fworn and fubicribed to by the king's majefty, and all ranks and degrees in the land: but it is no Ids certain, that this church and nation, which was once (o a 2 great
iv PREFACE.
great a praife in the earth, is deeply corrupted, and hath turned afide quickly out of the way, into the moft fhameful defection, and heaven* provoking apoftacy, from the purity of a cove* ranted reformation ; fo that the Lord's contro- verfy againft Britain and Ireland, but efpecially harlot Scotland, is, as exprefled, Jer. ii. 21. I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right feed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a flrange vine P Yet, as an evidence that our Ifracl hath not been forfaken, nor Judah cf his God, of the Lord ofhojls; though their land was filled with fin again]} the holy One of Ifrael ; it hath pleafed the covenanted God of the Iires, for his own glory, and for keeping up the me- mory of his work in thefe lands, everfince the national overthrow of reformation, and almoft univerfal defe&ion of all ranks, to preferve a remnant, to witnefs and teftify for his kingly authority, caufe and covenants, many of which were animated with divine courage to triumph over the greateft difficulties and dangers, and feal their teftimony to his caufe with their blood, in the open fields, on fcaffolds and gibbets, to the confuting of enemies, and the ftrengthening and confirming of the faithful ; and ft ill the Lord has left a very fmall remnant, whom he hath de- termined to declare and teftify againfl: the de- fections, evils and abominations of the times ; endeavouring to follow the voice of the great Shepherd, and to go forth by the footjleps of the flock, and example of the faithful cloud of wit- nefles, feeding by the ihepherds tents, and to keep clofe by bis ftanda'rd who is the chiefeft a- mong ten thoufand, and to follow him, upon all hazards, through good report and bad report.
As-
PREFACE. v
As thefe Letters need not human commen- dation, fo neither will the detraction of any who are fo difpofed blaft their reputation ; they a^e above the one, and defpife the other. They will recommend themfelves to all who have their fenfes exercifed to difcern good and evil, and can favour the things that are of God ; who- ever have any acquaintance with the fweet breathings of the Spirit of God, and have-placed their fatisfaflion fo intirely in the light of his countenance lifted up upon their fouls, that they cannot enjoy themfelves when they do not enjoy a God in Chrift, will here find exemplified in an eminent manner, what a heaven the faints fotne- times have, or may have, on this fide of glory. Perhaps fome inaccuracies maybe met with ia the following Letters, which would not have been found in them, had the honoured writers- either defigned or corre&ed them for the prefs ; but, if any fuch are, it is hoped the candid reader will throw the mantle of love over them ; as thefe Letters were never intended for the reflec- tions of critics, but the inftrudtion of Chriftians. As a fine ftile or florid language is no great re-' commendation initfelf; fo the embellilhmems of oratory could not be expe&ed to be ra^t with in fuch an age,* when men were continually harrafTed, and in danger every moment of falling a prey to ueir enemies : but they are full of the language of heaven, which is many degrees more forcible than all artificial rhetoric. We indeed live ia an age when men are generally more taken with the manner of adejrefs than with the matter fpoken, at lead, as to the concerns of God's glory, their own falvation, or what God hath done for as in thefe lands. Jfrael of old com- a 3 Diemoraied
vi PREFACE.
memorated the wonders God had wrought for them with an outftretched arm; faying, I -will fing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed glori- oiijly ; his right hand and his holy arm hath gotten him the vifiory, and calls all to remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his ivonders, and the judgments ef his mouth. Such was the exercife of the church and people of God of old, while we, in this age, are fo far from faying, What hath God wrought ? that the moft part de- iire not the knowledge thereof: We are at eafe 5n Zion, although Chrift's crown is profaned, his prerogatives royal trampled on, his ordinances contemned, his church and people epprefled; yet we, like Gallio, care for none of thefe things; yea, our backflidings are juftificd, and what im- mediately brought on the national overthrow of the Lord's work, viz. the admitting oi malig- nants into places of power and truft, contrary lo the nations vows unto God; when now it is done, is defended and pled for, as lawful and right ; and the memory of our renowned martyrs* whofe dying teftimonies witnefs their explicit re- je fling the pretended authority of the impious brothers, who then tyrannized, is belied by pro- ftffed witnefs-bearers for reformation truths.
The Reader, by the perufal of thefe letters, away fee by what a different fpirit thefe worthies were a&ed, what value they put upon truth, what a lively fenfe they bad of their vows and obligations to Chrift, perfonal and national, there- fore they durfl: not deny his name, nor break his bonds and caft away his cords, as the wicked doj what hardihips they underwent, rather than part with a good coclciecce, or comply with e-
cemies
PREFACE. vii
nemies in the leaft; and indeed, the fmallefl compliance would have been a yielding fo far to the ruin of the work and people of God, which was undoubtedly the principal defign of their opprefTors, and what, even in their favours, as they called tfiem, they intended; thereby veri- fying that fcripture, The tender mercies of the wicked are cruel They had fuch large difcove- ries of the love ofChrift, efpecially under the crofs, that their hardeft trials were accounted light: But how unlike are we to them. They were zealous for the honour of Chrift, and burnt in love to him, his truths, ordinances and people, but we are cold ^nj lukewarm, have little concern for the caufe of Chrift ; what they accounted their ornament and glory, we are afliamed of, and look upon it as a difgrace.
By thefe letters alfo the Reader may evident- ly difcover what a falfe and invidious calumny it is to alledge, that an owning of the lawfulnefs of an Eraftian authority is agreeable to the prin- ciples and practice of our Reformers, and of our Martyrs, in the bloody reigns of Charles 1L and James VII. fuch an ignorant and lying afperfion is abundantly confuted from the contents of thefe valuable letters.
As the manufcripts, from which thefe letters are carefully printed, are (till in the hands of the publilhers, any who ilia II queflion their authenti- city may eafily be fatisScd.
Thus much, ChrilVian Reader, by the impor- tunity of thefe concerned in the publication, I have been conflrained to fay. That the God and Father of our Lord Jefus Chrift, who enabled Lis people to witncfs a good confefSon, for his
truths
via
PREFACE.
truths and caufe, may make thefe Letters ufefu! to unite all the lovers of truth in the way of duty, and animate them with the like refolutioD, in ftriving together for the valuable intercft or our reformed religion ; and that they may be bled for awakening a fecure fleepy generation, to attend to the concerns of God?s glory, the interefts of religion in -themfelves, and in the world ; and to create in them a love to refor- mation principles, is the earned defire of
Thine, to ferve thee, n the go/pel of Chi
JO. M'MILLA]
Pentland, ? hi the go/pel of Chrifl,
June2i.i764 5
The
The CONTENTS.
Sixtyone Letters from Mr. James Ren-wick,
to different perfons, from page i. to 22 r
Letter Page h To the Honourab'e Mr. Robert Hamilton,
Edinburgh, July 8. 1682. *
II. To ditto. Edin. Sept. A 5
HI. To ditto. Edin, Oft. 3. 9
IV. To Mr. Henry Jenkinfon, &c. at New-
cajile, Edin. Oft. 3. . 13
V. To the Rev. Mr. Willia?n Bracket minirter
in Holland, Edin. Oft. 5. 16
VI. To the Laird of Earljlon, at Levjarde?}?
Rotterdam, Nov. 20. 20
VII. To Mr. Robert Hamilton,
Rott. Jan. 18. 1683. 22
VIII. To ditto. Rott. Jan. 22 24
IX. To ditto. Groningen, Feb. 6. 25
X- To Mrs J. H. at Le'warden in Friefiand,
Gron. Feb. 13. 27
XI. To Mr. R. Hamilton, Gron Feb. 22. 20
XII. To ditto. Ore?: March 6. 32
Kill. To ditto. Amjlerdam, March 30; 35
XIV. To Mrs. J. H. at Leivarden,
Gron. March 31. 36
XV. To Mr. R Hamilton, Gron. Apr. 23. 37
XVI. To .Mrs. J.Hamilton, Gron. Apr. 25. 38
XVII. To Lady Earljlon younger,
Gron. May 5. 40
XVIII. To Mr. Robert Hamilton,
Amjl. Mav 30. 43
XIX. To ditto. Amjl. May 31 44
XX. To ditto. /?*//. J™, 18. 46
XXI. To ditto. Rott. June 23. 5;
XXII. To ditto. Dublin, Augujl 24. 52
XXUL
x The CONTENTS.
Letter Page
XXIII. To Mr. R. Hamilton, Sept. 26. 1683. 54
XXIV. To the honouiable fociety of ftrangers
at Lenvarden in Friejland, Nov. 13. 1683. 59
XXV. ToiMr. R Hamilton, Edin. AW. 14. 63
XXVI. To the Ladies Van Heerm. at Letvar-
den in Friejland 1 683. 66
XXVII. To Mr k. Hamilton, Jan. 1684. 69
XXVIII. To ditto. March 29. 70
XXIX. To Mrs. Jean Ha?nilton at Leivarden,
in Friejland, June 20k 73
XXX. To Mr. R. Hamilton* July 9. 75
XXXI. To ditto. Augujl 23. 85
XXXII. To ditto. 89
XXXIII. To- Feb. 28. 1685. 93
XXXI V. 1 o Mrs. 7. Hamilton, Mar. 2. 98
XXXV. To Mr. Robert Hamilton,
Edin. May 13. 100
XXXVI. To ditto. July 9. 101
XXXVII. To Robert Speir at Edinburgh,
Oflober 23. 104
XXXVIII. To Mrs. J.Hamilton, Nov. 18. 106
XXXIX. To the honourable fociety of ftrangers at Lenuarden in Friejland, Feb. 18. 1686.
XL. To Mr. Robert Hamilton, May 3. XLI. To the Ladies Van Heerm. May 8. XLII. To the hon. Lady E. B. May 13, XLI II. To Mr. Robert Hamilton, May 22. XLIV. To ditto. Jug, 13.
XLV. To ditto. Oil. 23.
XLVI. To January 10.
XLVII. To Mr. R. Ha?nilton, Jan. 1 1 .
XLVJILTotheLairdof^r//?^, Jan. 27. 162
XLIX. To Mr. Jacob Koelmaa minifter of the
gofpel in Holland, April 4. 165
L. To April 170
LI. To Mr. Robert Hamilton, July 15. 171
LII. To ditto. 180
L1II. To the honourable Ladies — Aug. 13. 185
LIV.
The CONTENTS. Xi
1
Letter Page
LIV. To Mr. Robert Hamilton, Nov. 5. 1687. 194
LV. To ditto. Dec. 2. 197
LVJ. To forae perfons under fenience of
banimment, 2CO
LVII. To Mr Alex. Shields, Jan. 12. 1688. 203 LVIIL To the prifoners in theCannong. tolbooth, 206 LIX. To the prifoners in the tolbooths of Edin- burgh, Cla/gcrjj, and elf e where in Scotland, 207
XX. To Feb. 6. 1688. 216
LXL To Mr. Robert Hamilton, Feb. 17, 219
LXII. Mr. John Livingjions letter to his parifh of Ancrum, being his farewell before his banilhment, upon his refuting the oath of Supremacy, Leitb, April 13. 1663. 221
•LXIII. From Mr. John Brown, to Mrs. Jean Ker, daughter to the Laird of Kerjland, prifoner in Dumbarton Cajlle,
Utrecht, Sept. 24. 1670. 227
LXlV.From ditto, to ditto. Aug. 9 1677. 23°
LXV. From Mr. John King, to the prifoners
in the Gray friars church- yard, 1679. 232
LXVI. From Mr.' Dcnald Cargil, to the Lady
Earl/ion younger, Feb* 22. 1680 240
LXVII. From ditto, to Alexander Gordon of
. Earljlon, Sec. Gilkie, April 14. 1680. 242
LXVIII. From Mr. Richard Cameron, to Mr.
A. Gordon of Earljlon, Mar. 22. 1 680. 244
LXIX. From ditto to ditto. May 22. 246
LXX. From ditto, to the Lady Earljlon younger, 247
LXXI. From Mr. Alex. Pedan, to fome friends. 249
LXXIi. From Meffrs. James Renivick, William Boyd and John Flinty to their friends in Scotland, Groningen, Feb. 24 1683 253
LXXIII. From Mr William Bracket minifter in Holland^ to the ftrict perfecuted party of the Prtfbyteriansin Scotland 1682. 2c%
LXXIV, From ditto to ditto, Feb, 9.1683. 263
LXXV.
xii The CONTENTS.
Letter Page
LXXV. From Mr. Alex. Shields, to the pri- foners for Chrift in Dunnottar Caflle,
Edinburgh y June 1685. 267 LXJCVI. From ditto, to the Ladies Van Beer.
Oclober 1687. 306 LXXV1I. From Mr. Robert Hamilton, to fome friends in Scotland, Le*warden, May 24. 1683. 3 1 5
The following letters were wrote by Mr. Mi- chael Shields, moftly at the dire&ion of the General meeting. LXXVIII. To Tome friends, July $.1683. 341
LXXIX. To Augufi 1 347
LXXX. To friends at Dublin, Ocl. 3. 350
LXXXI. To fiiends in Friejland, Oil. 28. 358
LXXX 1 1. To the claffis of Groningen,
November 28. 362
LXXXIII. To the Proteftant churches,
November 28. 364
LXXXIV. To the reformed churdi at Embden,
July 31. 1684. 368
LXXXV. To Mr. Robert Hamilton, 372
LXXX VI. To the reformed church at Gronin- gen, 375
LXXXVII. To fome friends in Nenvcajlle,
Jan. 8. 1685. 380
LXXXVIH. To the Laird of Earljlon, 382
LXXXIX To Mr. David Houjlon, Sept. 23. 1686 386 XC To friends in Ireland, March 2. 1 687. 388
XCL To Mr. Robert Hamilton, July 6. 416
XCII. To friends in Ireland,
Sanquhar, Jan. 24 1689. 421 XCIII. To the hon. Mr Robert Hamilton,
Craivf99rd-John> Feb. 14. 1689. 426
A
COLLECTION
O F
LETTERS.
L E T T E R I.
Mr. James Rcnwick, to the Ho:: . Mr. Robert Hamilton.
Aired Sir, Edinburgh, Jalj H 1-682,
E do not queftion your concerned.
tod our caufe at the prefent; lc: do we doubt of your defire to k 1 and what the rit ere are doing;, in refen 1
to that which God is calling there to in this Upon that confidcration, and out of obedience to your defire, intimate to me in a letter f friend And. Rend* I have prefumed, though, unac-
:y great lofs, to w line (though confuted) unto you. And zr, | ters before your brother S. his departure from dsf , whom wecxincl you I ;tly, God
we remit you to his iriforiDirioo, as be ing more feen and perceiving than we ; and as to our procedure in matters (ince, [ (hall labour to •ou a brief, yet true account. We do not on but ye know already, how that, by the A
2 LETTERS.
Lord's fpecial providence, there is a general cor- refpondence, which, for awhile by-paft, hath been kept up among the focieties of this land, who profefs to own the way of God, and not to fay a confederacy with this untoward generation; for which end there have commifiioners from their re- fpe&ive focieties met togetner, at lead once a quarter, that they might treat and confer anent what is required in this day. And as to what was done the laft meeting, the fir ft thing after prayer, which was fallen about, was this: The commiffi- oners names, together with the names of the ftiires from which they came, were written down ; and out of thefe, fifteen were fele&ed, beca-uie the whole would breed confullon, and thefe being thus feledted went by themlelves: then it was afked at £very one of thenvmaa by man, if they knew the ;\mid of thofe with whom they were embarked in uciety ; and how they and their focicty carried as I o the owning of our public declarations, and if the%y any ways contributed brick to Babel, by ac- tive ly ftrengtheniog the hands of the enemies of our ir^ord; and if they joined with thefe once mi- DilTer.s, who had now left their Mafter, and ftep- ped a^ide from the way of the Lord. All profefTed that t*Hey and their iocieties were clear for our de- clarations; but there were fome found, who join- ed with Jhofe whopayed cefs and locality, which we may ofcferve in thofe who fay they own our declarations, io be a confefling God with the inouth, but denying him in works; and though they were not4 guilty -of thofe things themfelves, yet being cloatned with the authority of thefe who were guilty, they were for that time caften, and defired, if the perfons in their focieties would not forbear thefe fmful courfes, to feparate from them ;
and
LETTERS. 3
and though there were pone to be found in that corner where they lived, who would forbear [hem, by keeping, at a diftance from them while lb, they fhould be received in the convention as particular perfons. There were alio fornc there, who were found to have accepted the lacrament of baptiim and ordinance of marriage, admimrtred by Mr. Pedan, who were for the time fufpended from fit- ting, but this was after a long and ftiff debate; for fome laid, how could they upon Mr Pedarfs account be. lufpended, before trial was made and he was found unfaithful ? Then it was replied, that he had been many times tried, and pra&ice had proved him unfaithful in this time bypjft ; fo the mod honeft thought it only bed, not to truft implicitly, but after trial, to truft according as he was found to be. Then their empty places being filled with commiifioners ielcfted,. who- were noi found to be guilty of thefe things; it was pro- ceeded (as ordinary) Firft, to ratify and approve what had been done by the foregoing convention; from which fome receded, becaufe it had been e^l a<5ed, that your brother Ihouldgo abroad, and *ive true information of our cafe, and the heads of our fuffc rings, to any godly Chriftian defirous to know, and unwilling to believe mifinformaiions and faife calumnies, which enemies of all forts are very vi- gilant to caft upon us. And fome (tboogb few) who were for his going abroad at firlt, and would approve of fending, were not for his continuing any longer. But as ro the illegal and dilorderly manner of their diflentment, having at firft agreed with the thing, we remit you to our friends, your brother, or A. H. Whereupon I confulion, and nothing could be done till, the dil- fenters drawing afide, there was a new election of A ? thofe
4 LETTERS.
thofe who were both for his going abroad and con- tinuance for a while And the day being fperit all that was gotten done was only a ratification of .what had been done by the foregoing convention; ano- ther day when to meet appointed, and ibme fall dav nominated.
No.v Sir, you have here a biief account of our late conftiiiofjs; but I think we ought to look up- on them as the Lord's breaking us by thefe things, ay and while we break fully qfPfrom our dotal ■counts direft or indirect: But this is very obferv- abie, that thofe who deferred from that duty of fending our friend, your brother abroad, .ire the only pleaders for trufting Mr. Pedan before trial, and juflify their joining with the abominaioi s of the time, though they do not juftify the abominations, which in them is a direct finning, and an indirect: following of their duty But 0 ! Sir, wreftle much for the poor remnant, that they may be united ia truth and hoiinefs, which cantiot be without iepa- ratiog from both the abominations and abomina- tors of this time: for as the Lord hsth faid, "There is * no peace to the v/tcked, contcquentljf there will "be no peace to thefe who are at p£ace with the wicked as fuch. No more to trouble you at the . but leaving you on him who hath kept you hitherto, iliac he may keep you to the end. I an:,
SIR,
Your entire mid obedient
f errant in the Lord,
JAMES RENVvrICK.
LET.
# L E T T E Pv S. 5
LETTER IT. Tr. James Reowick, to Mr. R. Hamilton.
Much honoured Sir, Edin. Sept. 6. 1682.
THE confcioufnefs of my duty makes me pre- 0 write unto you; and alio your ho- nouring me wii;i a pi.ticuUr line from your | (being unwo.'thy & far as to be countenanced by eradds a ti( no. We re-
ceived there foui-refrclhing letters of yours to our . friend •, which to them are vcr encourag
the Lo d he hath done, and to cry that he would carry on what he hath lb nobly begun, and to be co-wreCt- lers with all thai i the ac-
count of her defoUtion. And according to your defire, all friends, having; occafion to come to phce, fee what ye wiote; and I alio take f copies thereof and fend them" to feveral come; the country: But indeed I canr:r
hear thereof are refrelhed and overjoyed, B:it, O! S r, pray j may not be abufer
mercies, and that we may get the Lord put
lis room ; and beeaufe of thefe things, that earts may only rejoice in the Lord. 1 cannpc iixked admire enough bow fome behaved to you while here; but we may hr.ve peace, bee.. it wras upop the accoiapt of duty, liat this 1 i ■.ervable in fuch cafe*, that lie Lord then .mielf to refreih the foulf of his people-; and it is ordinary with him when there is leafi outward encouragements to r^ive mod inward er.cou:^ rient from bimfelf; He flays bis rough u// day of his infi-wind . O! doth 001 this $aag .
6 LETTERS.
wifdom and gracioufnefs? who killetb, and yet maketh alive : and does it not tell us that he is unwilling to affiifi? and fho'jld it not teach us on- ly to look to himfelf for encouragement, with whom there is no fhadow of change? And as to your call abroad, and especially your (laying where you are, furely the Lord's hand hath been only in it, which his difpenfations fince hath confirmed. But, O! labour to be thankful to the Lord, who hath made you any ways ufeful where he calls your lot: And, if my heart deceive me not, my foul ihall be thankful to him upon your account; and whatever he does, or whoever he makes ufe of to do any thing for him, let us only attribute the praife thereof to his free grace and mercy that ho- nours any fo far.
When thefe refrefhing news came to our hands, my fpirit was overjoyed with the hearing of them; but immediately this thought (truck into my mind, that wftat if the Lord be now going to leave Scot- land, feeing he is making his candle ihine fo clear in another place; but this thought got no abode, for it was greatly refented in the time; and the "thought of the many noble teftimonies that he hath honoured a remnant here to give for him, and the precious blood that he had taken in fields and oh fcaffoJds, to feal his caufe and quarrel. I fay, the cries of thefe, I thought, (though there were no more) ^vould not let him give up altogether with this land, efpeciaHy feeing it was married unto him, *nd his keeping a remnant in it even to this very day, fpeaking good unto us. Then again, I was made to think that this rather might be the thing which the Lord would do, becauie we have been generally fo treacherous a people, that he might poffibly honour any of us to have any hand
in
LETTERS. 7
in the delivery ; yet he would deliver, and could command deliverance from afar. However I de- fire to believe, that he who hath preferved a rem- nant here to contend for him, will do fo Hill : But 0! he is a fovereign God; well would it become us to put a blank in his hand, and to leave the fill- ing up thereof to himfelf, and not to limit the Ho- ly One of Ifrael, but rather believe in his word, who hath condefcended fo far as to tell us, that all pall work together for good to them that love and fear him; he is wife and mighty, his end (which is his owo glory, and the good of his peo- ple) cannot be fruftrate, and he can well make means woik together for that end, when the con- trary is intended by them. And what you wrote, Sir, among many things, I think, to me it fpeaks this, the making out of his word, that he fnallfee the travel of his foul, and that he is able, if it were, out of fiones to raife up children to Abraham, and that he will not want a teftimony; yea, that if thefe were filent the fiones -would cry out: So this (hould learn us to credit him with the caufe who is the maintainer thereof, and will fhew himfelf to be the avenger thereof alfo.
Be pleafed to {how Mr. Brackel that fome friends here, and I, have our fervices prefented to him ; and that, when fiiends meet, I think, they will write to him in particular, from them in general, and ihow him that the lad day of the laft month was nominate by fome friends, having met in this place, a day of thankfgivin^, for the noble tefti- niony the Lord had helped him to give, and for his enabling him fo fignally to (land out, and nor to qui: any of his Miftei's rights. The relation of the whole bufioefs (which ye wrote) being in the entry of the day read in ihcir hearing, that it might
p;o\e
8 LETTERS.
prove a mean to fratyie r.cm for that duty, and lh< w that t emitters of what be defines
of them, it greatly their duty, and
rejoice in thi his account, And that
you, a*;d frier you, and friends here, may
1). one in'the :nd one in all our duties, I
gitot If toidmiate here, that (as we reckon) the lift \lwrfday of this infta&r* and the fecond Tburfday ciCJhLcr are denominated days of public fafting !v : here, an c next ge-
nera I ; of owr friends is to be on the fecond
day of November. And as to what was done the lalt meeting, we refer you to the confufed account - thereof in your brother's letter,
'You (hall receive from the bearer all our r/ tyrs teihtHODies that are imprinted, but there are wrkten*in toitb the , two particular teftimonies, or rather letter:, oi James Skeen, which he never intended to publifh as teft'imonies; Jo, if you think it fit (it being congruous with rcafons) they need not be printed, or at lead, {act as fuch ; the. one tvhpreof i?*direded to all profefTors* in the ihire of Aberdeen ; the other, to all and fundry profef- fors in the South! Receive alio fome fennons of Mr.IVelujGod's in a little book; but let the ler- mons, and alfo the teflimonies, be well noticed ;. . for not having con eel copies, though I write them, . I cannot anfwejr for the correclnefs of them. — We have fent you alfo a letter, with a paper written by "Mr. Donald's own hand, in anfwer thereunto: hex it is unperfecled, he being taken away before he got time to finiiht it. But as for that book . which is in Gla/goiv, it is not as yet come to our hand ; but when corrected, it is promifed, and when gotten it lhall be fenr, with all the ((a called) ads of parliament. So, leaving you and
ail
LETTERS. 9
all his people upon the Lord, for counfel and dU re&ion, I am,
SIR,
Yours y to my full power
to ferje you in the Lord,
J \MES RENWICK.
LETTER III.
From Mr. James Renwick, to the much honoured R. Hamilton at Lewarden.
Much honoured Sir, Edln. Oftoher 3. 1682.
TT, E received yours, which was very refreihful
\ V unto us, and alio very feafonable, becaufe
of the many wholiome adv ces therein unto us,
whereof we greatly ftand in need, efpecially in
this juncture of time. Bat O chat we could gel
the Lord acknowledged in all our ways, then he
Id dired our paths ; for they are only well led
and guided whom the L rd leads and guides O
Dobie guide! O fufficient guide! O true guide!
and O tonftant guide! he is nearer than a bro-
: though fa:her and mother (hould both for-
fakr. brill not ; ' us, nor
ke us. Tho' c: I e fo unperccivin^
, I : to fay, that ) ;;;a cy /a . .
alls and by the I
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.Pfal. Ixxiii. 22, 23 0 is not fuck a guide well wotth the following, with all joy and alacrity ? Is not fuch a matter well worth, the ferving, with all the ibul, heart, mind, and ftrength? He is Dot like other matters; for- there is an infinite difproportion betwixt his work and his reward; and he gives no work, but he gives alfo a heart for the fame, and all furniture fuitable and requi- site for the doing thereof, which is the thing that other makers cannot do. And, the more he gives, the more we may expeit ^ for the more he gives, there is not the iefs behind ; becaufe that which
.is infinite. cannot be exhaufted, yea, not diminiih- ed; O this is not after the manner of man! that the more he give?, the more we may expert. And doth he not many times lay abundantly what- ever we need unto our hand, when we dare not fay, that either we were right in feeking thereof, or exercifing faith and dependence upon him for the fame ? O! does not this hold forth the free- dom, freedom, of his irtty free grace? And lhouid not this (lop our mouths, and caufe us be lilent before him? andihould not this ftiame us out of our mifbelief, and caufe us credit him fully and freely with all his matters, and our matters? for bis foundation fiandeth Jure, he knows who are hisj znivjbom he loves y he loves unto the end. There is no ihadow of change with hirm O let us follow him ! O let us ferve him ! O noble Ma- tter! O noble fervice ! In ferving of hirif, therein we (hall get ail our ambition fatisfied. O let us follow him, and ferve him in his own way: he cannot be found otrt of his own way ; in his light we ihaii fee light; in the light of his paths, and there ojaly, we (hall ice tiie comfortable light of his ccunienar.c^: O light! 0 comfortable light !
there
LETTER S. n
There le many that fay , who will/hew us any good? but let us fay, Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. He can, yea, doth gladden our hearts more than the enemies hearts in the rime when their corn and wine were increaied. O let us leave the world and follow him : Is he not faying, Come with me from Lebanon, myfpoufe, 'with me from Lebanon, O if his company will not allure us, furely nothing *.vill ; and both to ravifti us therewith, and make us lure thereof, he fays, With me from Lebanon, voith viefrcm Lebanon.
O worthy Sir, the Lord hath been kind unto you, and made you an inilrnment of much good; O ye are the more obliged to his free grace ! Therefore, O be humble, and O be thankful ; and my foul (hall defire to be thankful to him upon your account: and the more he does for you, and by you, be ye the more engaged to be for him, ai;d for him only.
We have no news to write unto you; but this is very obferveable now, and clearly to be ieen, That the fear and terror of the Lord is legibly written upon the conferences of malrgnants and backflidden profeiTors : there is not lo much heart and hand to be leen amongft any, as amongft: the poor remnant. And how can it be otherways with thefe backflidden and backfliding profeiTors? for they are fufFering and finning, finning and fuffering; and in their fullering they want the world's peace; and by their finning, they want the fweer, fweet enjoyment of a peaceable con- fcience, and breaks and mars their peace with God. They are really deadened, their hearts are ftneken with fainting, and their knees with feeble- nefs : and any life or heart that is to be feen, is among the poor remnant, whom the Lord helps,
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in any meafure, to make Mofcs and Jofiud>s choicr, O ! what means all this terror/' Is it not the fore- runner of fudden and lore judgments? He is on his way, he is on his way ; bit lied are they, who, when he corres, ihall be fouud in his way, and prepared to meet him. Worthy Mr. Bracket's let- ter was very refreihful to all who have heard it; and there are copies thereof en.diiiied, asd lent to feveral corners of the country. He may -exixft a line from the remnant when they meet, which, God willing, will be on the eleventh of this inftant, it being called iooner than expectation, for choof- ing out of thefe joung men But go who v the work they are to go for is mod weighty; and tbfir going in facta a manner is alfo molt weigh- ty : but there is all furniture with him, wl the life and the light of men. O that none may go but thefe whom the Lord fends, and along with ; and whom he heips, and will he»p to look to himfelf, and to himfelt only, for all ft s and furniture fuitabie. But we marvel greatly what you mean in your letters, by ipeaking of ordination aguiniT: the Spring; for your worthy brother knows afluredly, that we have none of whom that, or any thing like unto it, can be ex- pedite!.
The afls cf the pretended parliament (according to your defire) and the book ye wrofe for, ihall come with the next occafion, God willing. Let us know if you received thefe papers, and that bock, which we Cent with your coufins. We know it is the defire of the people, and we expect it will be done at the meeting, that you ihould be conjunct with your brother in his commifiion. We hope we need not defire you, and friends
with
LETTERS. 13
with you, to mind us. So, leaving you on him who is wife, mighry, and gracious, with my endeared love to yourleit* and worthy Mr. Brackel, and all our godly and concerned friends in our Lo d Jefus. I am, .$r
Much honoured Sir,
Yours, to my full power
toferveyou in the Lord,
JAMES RENWICK.
LETTER IV.
From Mr* James Renw'ck. to Mr Henry Jenkin- ton, frc* at Newcadle.
Endeared Friends, Edin. October 3 1682.
E wrote to you, and gave you notice of our appointed public ft ft days, bu never heard if it came to your hands; and our ftill waiting to hear from you in ?.:rfwer to ours, was th~ caufe of oar (o long delay now : B-it, however, at this time our concernednefs > you, and rhe great if ve wc have unto you in the Lord, puts cs to it, that we can no longer forbear; and that became we have heai one Mr. John Hepburn, a preacher, v/:s atrfpi yon; and we kz it affirvdly to be our duty to defire you to beware of Lim; for he is one of tndks the wdfd of God deceitfully: and though he be not ahdg ;'l|1'ry °*
pub.! :on, and of compliance, a
B vet
M LETTERS.
yet he condemns t! i e practices of the
g/>dly party, who were hcl|
jiy for troth, and a^ainfl the ene
and he is incorporated with the reft id
, reproaching and condemning theie, in any meafure, were kept faithful tor their Lord and Mifter Jefus Chrift; and his incorporation with them therein is enough to us, tho be other variances amongfi: themfclves. Let us not own the way of God by halves, but wholly, fully, and in ail things. And particularly, he our noble and faithful declaration
ihed at Sanquhar , whereby that wre tyrant Charles Stewart, and all his accomplt-
..ere caft off by us. as we ou^ht ; which, alas! was too long a doing: and b) this he j the blood, and condemns the faithful tef- timonies of fo many worthies who have died upon that head, and therein have been emi- nently owned and aflifted of the Lord. In- deed, herein he will run this fubterfuge, and fay, He acknowledges he ought to be rejected, and depoled ; yea, poffibly grant, that he de- ferveth death, both by the laws of Go juft laws of man ; yet he cannot lee how that can be done without another nwgiftrate or jnagiftratcs : But we would anfwer, It* he lees no otherways than fo, he is but blind, and that is a deceitful and double deahng ; for ma- giftratcs have no power but what is deriva- tive from the people; and irugihVates hav -
i actually,, but what the people have vir-
; yea, and more than visually, for they
cay ftuilly confer it upon whom they think
m. ft tit, for the power of govern natural
ud radical to them, being unitely in the v
auJ
LETTERS. 15
aivd Angularly in every one : fo whatever magi- {hates may do, the people may do the !:mc, either wanting magillrates, or the mag'ftrates failing or refuting to do their duty. Wc need iniift no further upon the lawfulnefs of the thing ; for is not this mod confonant to the law of God, and the law of nature? and is fufficieiitly cleared by all our moft found divines, particu- larly worthy Mr. Knox, who herein had the approbation of Calvin, and other learned di- vines of his time, under their hand writings : and alfo is clear enough by the laudable pr dice of our refolute and worthy Reformers. But as to the neceflity of the thing, to wit, of the reject- Charles Stewart, as he is inftalled this day ; hath he any p*Wer to govern, but what is efta- ! >ed upon the ruins of the land's engagements* and hath not tlie excrdie thereof been ftill ac- cording thereunto? What then can we own in him, if neither the eflabliftiment nor the exercife of aiuhcrrity ? And d< es he not ad: in all things by virtue of bia blafphemous (upremacj ? And the owning of him in leis or in more, is the owning thereof, beeaufeuhe fupremacy is made the eflential of the crown ; and it is but one fu- premacy that he arrogantly hath both in mat- ters civil and ecclefuilical, which is clear from the Explanatory AS. of the Supremacy : fo that it is clfcotial to the crown, is the fame with 1 crown, and that which is one cannot be di- vided.
Now, dear friends, what ye have done in , to wit, in your joining with Mr Htpbu Jo not impute it to y ur wilful (kpping alidc, but to the iniinuation, or realbnlcfs recommen- dation oi Mr. .5 hugely 1
U 2 the]
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therein, and which is both a grief and an offeree [o the remnant. But, O! ftaud ftill, go ;iOC ye to them, but let them come to you: join with none out of the way of God, but labour to "bring all into it that ye can, yet go not out of it yourfelves to fetch ihera thither ; and give no- ear to the in ft Midi on that caufcth to err. We hope we need uot bid you beware ot Mr. 'James Welch, for he will loon kyth in his ovvn colours. Labour to walk according to that pa- per lent by vou unro us, and walk with none but thefe who will walk according thereunto. . And we are lure if you would pole M . Hepburn upon thefe things in your paper, you ihould not find him to fatisfy you. And if you will defend or continue in your joining, with him, or any o- ther who (lands where he is, or where he was while he was here, we mud deny correfpoa- dence with you: But, hoping for better thingi of you, an^ dcfiring an anivver hereof we leave you on the Lord for light and life. I am,
Yow friend and fervaxt in the Lad,
JAMES RENWICIC
LETTER V.
From Mr. J. Renwick, to the Rev. Mr. William Braekel tninifier of the go/pel in Hoiland.
Mojl Rev. Sir, Edhi. CCiobcr 5. 16&2.
f- Lthough our friends when met, are intend. 1 1 ed, wail one coofent, to write unto you,
it*
LETTERS. 17
in token of thankfalnefs unto the Lord, for what he hath helped and honoured you to do^ for himfelf; and in token of their foul concern- cdnefs with, and real affection for all thofe whom the Lord helps and honours to follow himfelf in his own way, in owning oi, adhering to, and contending for the faith once delivered to the faints: Eut efpecially, I fay, in token of their foul concernednefs with you whom the Lord hath fo fignaliy helped to advance in his v,*y, and content! for all his rights and pri- vileges, being carried above, the fear of frail mortal man. whofe breath is in his noftrils, and only fearing him who is Lord of lords, and King ef '■ kings, the terrible M'.jcfty of heaven and earth/ the high andlofy One who inhabUeth eler- Yet my foul is {o unite unto you upon that account, andbecaufe of your real concern* ednefs and fouUfympathy with all of us in Scot- land who defire to be helped of the Lord, to efpoufe his quarrei :o be oaly ours, and his con- cernment:- to be only ours; I fay, -fo unite (tho* little or nothing I Qf I ought) that I can-
not keepfilenr.
Bir:, 0! What (hill I fay? Is not the Lord God of hods worthy and only worthy of all fer-
. May not that in- finite zti'A tranfcentl - (in the profound the admiration whereof angels are d h he bore unto man before the .foundations of the world" were laid, and fill our fouls, as that we might fay, Him 2 ferve who loved us ; nothing prefent or to come (hall be able to feparate us from- the love of Gcd that is in Chrift ? 0 ! is net his yok± . I his burden
1 8 LETTERS.
° his croCs is no crofs, for he bears it hinr- felf, and alfo thore who tike it up. His will p holy, juft, good and fpirirual in all that he does. O! what is more driirablc than to live and die with htm, and for him? for our which is but for a moment, worh eth for us afar ,
of glory ; while we look not at the thinp whi feen, hit at the things which mc \ Let
lis not weary in well-doing, for in due feaf Jhall reap if ive faint not. It is ajaitbfutf if ive be dead with him, ive /hall alfo live with him; if ive fuffer, we [hall alfo reign with him; if we deny him, he will alfo deny uk O! is not Mofes's choice very defirable? A*e not all his ways pleafantnefs, and his paths peace ? Where is peace to be found ? is it not in his way? and 'when he gives peace, who can create trouble? He gives, and dun give joy whith no man can take from as. Now,
Mofl Reverend Sir, my foul defire?, while I Iiver to rraife the Lord, for wbat*great things he bath helped you to do, in fo nobly, fait ]? and freely witneffing for bis noble caufe, ami J'.vect Scotland's caufe : and my fonl dcfires to ho- nour you, becaufe he hath fo honoured you; and to love you, becaufe he loves you, atod fi canfed you to love and own his caufe, and re- ceive ; is truths in love; and aHcr.ro be aftliflcd in all it*e affl:dt:ons of his people, and to be fuch a fympathizer, and a burden-bearer with his poor remnant in this land, as that we may fay of you, zs Paul of the Hebrews, Ye have had
i on us in our bonds. O Sir, go on in his
way, a ncc valiantly; be zealous for him
. . c fhs 1! animate you : Cajl not away your con-
Jidenee,
LETTERS. r9
fidence, which hath great recompense of reward;
for ye have need of patience that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the protnife : for
yet a Little , and he that flail come, will ccn.e, and -will not tarry: Now the jujl flail live by faith ; but if any man draw back my foul flail have no
pleafare in him, faith the Lord. 0 ! who is he that will harm yau if ye be followers of that which is good. Therefore, ceafe from man ivhofe breath is in his nojhils for wherein is he to be accounted of P Now, the Lord let you feed up- on his all-fufficiency, and give all fuitable frame and furniture unio you for his work in your hands ; and give you his Spirit whereby you may goon in his way, with all magnanimity, Chrifti- an boldnefs, and free fpeakiug for him unco the fons of men.
O Sir! do not impute any thing faid to you in tjiis (hort and confufed line to arrogance in me; for \vb.at may, if miftaken, give occafion thereof, flows only from my concernednefs and foul-uni- on with you. So, at the time I ihali trouble you no further. But this I mud tell you, and I think it is to be remarked, and may be cl< ariy feen all this time, that the terrors of the Lcrd is greatly engraven and legibly written upon the
" conferences of all the compliers with the abominations of this land. They are re deadened, and it is no wonder, for they have forfaken the Lord, and he hath forfaken them: He cannot be found out of his own way. A guilty confeience b bad company, and what l ill this terror of fudden and fqi
" merits from the Lord? and there is not fo much fpirit, courage, and voidnefs of fiavilh fear a-
■ mong any, whether avowed malignants or com- plies
ao LETTERS.
pliers with them, as amongft the poor remnant, vtho arc defiring to be helped of the Lord, in all things to make a i ght choice. O ! pray for the Lord's return to poor Scotland, and for his ap- pearance unto the rejoicing of his people, and confufion of his adveiiaries. And pray for iim, who is,
Mojl reverend Sir,
Yquu, to bis full power
to fervc you in the Lord,
JAMES RENWICK.
L ETTER VL
-From Mr James- Renwick, to the honourable the Laud of Earlfton, at Lcwarden.
Much honour ed Sir, Rotterdam, Nov. ao. 1 6fcz~
IT is not a little trouhlefome to me, that 1 fhbuld. he in this place, fo long; but I have oecafion togo away whenever the wind offers: an J I hope, yobr Honour will be careful to get con- veyed.unto Scotland, wit!) all expedition, an ac- count of what you thick fit to be contained in lhat letter which is to be written; for out of Scotland I cannot come, if once it pleafed the Lord that I were there, nntill that I get that let- ter with me. And it will be alfo very neceffary " that fome fliould be pitched upon for catechizing* and this muft be recommended to the carefulnefsof foaie who will'fee it done at the general meeting.
And
LETTERS. it
And if J. V. be gotten reclaimed (for your ho- Bouf knows, that he walked contrary to his own duty, and our appointments, in joming witii Mr. Htptum while out of the way of God ; I fay, if he be gotten reclaimed, amongfl: others, he may be one, as I think. Ii is reported in the Scottifb news, that the actually indulged (f* cajltd) minifters are required, either immediate- ly to uke their teft, otherwise to lay down their charges at the feet of ihofe men of whom they took them up; and if it be fo, let the .world think what they will. I dare not be forry there- at, but on the coutrary rejoice, becaufe that in- dulgence hath been, and is yet a ftumbling- block unto the people of God; and is not the removing of {tumbling blocks a token of fudden
food to his people, how low foever they be rought! It is alfo reported, that Charles Stew- art hath ordained his council in Scotland to pro- ceed againft Haltoun in making him accountable for the mint: Hamarfs rejoicing is (hort. O S r, I cannot get the thoughts of the weighted cafe I left you in, when we parted, out of my mind:. But this I think, the Lord is taking feveral ways, ■with your honour, in discommending ail other thing« unto you, that lb he may con mend him- felf unto }our foul, and that ye may be kept fora rejoicing in any thing but himlelf alone ; and wljea he is the matter of our joy, that is the joy that no man can take from us. O! 'tis huideif that is the portion of his people, and the world cannot i rive them thereof, and this is our comfvr, ember me to your worthy brother, your her filter: and as I have been partly an more an ^ar wine s umo lome of the tiouUes yt have been put 10 upon our bh-lleJ
LoitTs
LETTERS.
to he a witnefs t<» th( ng inconceivable joy yc Hull be
ten thefe who overcome (hall be liu ng in a >, upon thrones, with crowns
upon their heads judging the world. O arc ye n t high up n').v ! are yc not far ben in the k D ye arc fitting upon thrones
giving your amen to the fentence. which he will pals upon the world Walk worthy of the name by which ye are called. S> leaving you on him Wie is the Rock of ages, whofe work is peifc<ft, for perfeftibg whit concerns you. I am,
Your Honour's fervant in all Cbriftian duty,
JAMES RENWICFt.
LETTER VII.
From Mr. James Renwick, to the much honour* ed Mr. Robert Hamilton.
Much honoured Sir , Ron. Jan. 18. 1683.
I Received your letter, but the intervening of fome difpenfations put me fp that I was not in cafe for anlweri.g it. Our friend G IL having written to you ; therefore, I fhall not now {peak, neither of our own prog cis, nor of what fad news otherwife we have heard. The Lord help us to patience, for we have need of ir, and make us lubmiffive to his will, who can do nothing but good. O they are happy who •li away! and they are happy who will be carried through, for there are fad days coming,
and
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antUbir lands (hall not efcape. I cannot exprefs , the weighty impreflions I have of if, especially (ince the lafl fa ft day that they had in this pro- vince, in the morning whereof I fell into a dream, and thought, that I was preaching upon thefe words, Zcch. vii. 5. at the end of the verie, Did ye at all fail unto me% even unto me? ( poke 11 by the Lord) and thought that I brought in this from it, that they were hypocritical, formal and outfide folk, or outward-only in their faftings, that did not flit unto the Lord. And idly They who faded, and yet ret lined fin, and refufed to let it go. And then, made appli- cation to many particular fins in thir lands. I think little of this a; a dream, however it harh fome impreffion upon me. O to be helped to obey our Lord's command, and to exhort others I .eunio, Luke xxi. 36. Watch ye therefore, and fray always^ that ye may h accounted worthy to efcape all thefe things that /hall come to pafs, and tojland before the f on of man. 0 dear Sir ! 1 can- not exprefs the cafe i am in, partly, with our dear friends falling into the hands of our Lord's * enemies, and pauly, with my being fo long de- tained from my brethren. I cannot tell v. may be before my hand ; but, my longings to be in Scotland I cannot exprels, I would (pare no us, or travel, and fear no hazard ; only, I do Dot tlimk it duty to go on deliberately in a feet* &ard, where there is no of fafety.
O ! 1 lay, that the Lord would be pleafed to pro- vide (brnc o( jbt be my duty to ..brace; aod lb a the would order all tilings aright : ent of his kingdom: 0. pre*
nd 0 noble v;ay that he is taking ibis day 10 enlarge k, by ftretcbing out the bor- ders
24 LETTERS.
ders thereof with blood! His houle is a coftly houfe, and it is well worthy of coftly cement- ing. I hope I need ret bid you labour to lubmic diearfully to the holy and wife will of the Loid, and be (lengthening unto thefe with you. The Lo d ftrcngthen, the Lord comfort and give himielf inftead of ail thipgs to them, and to you, is, and ihali be the earnelt prayer of him who is,
Much honoured Sir,
Yours, to firve you in the Lord, while he bath a being in time, JAMES RENWIC.tr
LETTER VIII.
From Mr. J. Renwick, to the much honoured Mr. Robert Hamiltoun.
Rott,Jan. 22. 1683. Right hon.,and dear Sir, '
His afternoon I have received two letters from you, wherein ye call me unto you, by the define of that worthy lady and her fami- ly. I am very lorry I cannot get you (o foott anfwered as I would defire ; for this day or to- morrow I cannot come, being detained here Ky a certain difpenfatlon fallen out, of which T ofi not now write ; but when met (if the Lore I (lull give you an account of the matter an$ manner of it. However upon Monday I refolvd
to
LETTERS. 25
to come away, and (hall {lay fo long as I may and can be ferviceable to any there. But 0! that I could commend the Lord and bis noble way to the world: and I muft fay this to his praife, that he is daily giving me confirmations of his way, and engaging me thereunto, and folding rae in all circumftances with his own concernments. Being in hafte I fnall fay no more ; recommending you and that worthy fa- mily to the Lord, for all ye Hand in need of. I am,
Yours toferveyou in the Lord, 'while
JAMES RENWICK.
LETTER IX.
From Mr. J. Ren wick, to the much honoured Mr R. Hamikoun.
Much honoured Sir, Groningen, Feb. 6. 1683. /^\ That now when I write to you there were V>J for every drop of ink that falls from my pen, a tear falling from my eye: There is more than caufe enough for it, yea, I cannot fay bur I am iL3detofee the fame ; for, in fome meafure, I fee and know the poor affiidjted, tof- fiug and paoderiog remnanr, in fuch a cafe ae the waters haw overflowed their heads, the Lord having cov /;d himfelf with a cloud. But for all this (woes me) my eye doth not nghtly and thoroughly affe<ft my heart. O! ii we could confider, that the Lord doth not afflift u-ilHflgly, nor grieve the children of men 5 and C then
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then refleft upon our griefs and affli&ions in this clay, we would be put, with amazement, to wonder at the greatnefs of our fins: And in- ftead of coming to the Lord with this in our mouths and in our hearts, That which we fee ?wt, teach thou us : Wherein we have offended, we will offend no more, we are (till adding Tin to fin, which are both the tokens and the caufes of the Lord's difpleafure. O! there is nothing, I think, fo fad as the fpiritual judgments of the Lord, and nothing betokens fo much of his difpleafure. OSirs! cry and wreftle, and de- fire all that love Zion, to cry to, and wreftle with the Lord, that he would preferve a rem- nant from being fwallowed up by this weighty cloud of wrath hanging over our heads, ready to break forth, now when we are fo ripening for the lame.
I fhaW let you know my mind in all our parti- culars ; but as yet I can fay nothing : but as for my own prefent cafe, ye may know that fro:n what 1 have faid ; for thefe things that ought, and that I fee, do not rightly affe&my heart: And by feeing this alfo, I am in a confufed, anxious, and diiconfolate condition at prefent; yet I dare not lay but the Lord is kind, though I be iroward: and, I think, that which my foul would take as the greatelt proof of his kindnefs, wnuld be a melting frame of fpiric from himfelf. But O ! in alt cafes, let us have our recourfe to that Rock that is higher than we, where we ilia I i find comfort for our hearts that are per- plexed; and let us lay our All under the feet of all men, bur quite a hoof of God's matters to no man. Let us be lions in God's cauie, and lambs in our own. Remember me to your bro- ther
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27
ther E and fitters : I hope, God willing, to write to him (hortly. I am,
Much Innoared Sir,
Your fonts fympathizer,
JAMES RENWICK.
LETTER X.
From Mr. J. Renwick, to Mrs. J. H. at Lewar- den in Friefland.
Worthy Madam, Gron. Feb. 13. 1683.
THE fenfe of my duty will not let me omit writing unto you; although, if it r. pleafe the Lord, I would defire a clearer of fome things than I have at prefent, that might be admitted to tell you my thoi more diftin&ly : but his way wich me is h depths. I cannot tell what methed he v. bave me to take in things ; for I find my or- dinary ftu&e* that are more dire&ly for exerci- tation than for edification, put me out of a concerned frame with the afflictions of Jofeph. And then feeing this, when I fet upon other things, my thoughts beq;in to flight thefe ordi- nary means. What the Lord would have me to do therein, as yet I wot not. O that he that hitherto hath condefcended, would condefcend to let me know what courie he would have me to take, and make me willing to follow the fame. O it is hard to carry within meafure, and to give any thing its own place. O let us C 2 earneitly
28 LETTERS.
carneftly labour to get a fyrnpathizing frame of Ipiric keeped up, with that poor, affli&ed, chat- tered, and broken remnant in Scotland; for I obferve this palpably, that I am never in any fort of a good frame, but when they are lying near my heart, and when their affliftions are touching me. There are many things that are very difcouragirjg like; but there is comfort, Jefus Chrift is a King, and feeing he is a King, lie will have fubje&s ; yea, he will reign till he put all his enemies under his feet. Shall not the pleafure of the Lord profper in his hand?
will fee the travel of his foul , and be fatis- jied. And may not our fouls feed upon the ra- viihing thoughts of the purenefs of that church which he will have in Scotland? What fhall be the end of all thefe things? fhall they not all tend to the purging Jacob from his fin. O Madam, live near the Lord, and labour to him prefent with you; his prefence will make all trials fweet. Who would not come off with him from Amana, I fay with him from
aha P He is the chief among ten thoufand ; his countenance is comely as Lebanon9 excellent as tk* lavs ; yea, he is altogether lovely. A fight of the precioufnefs that is in him ***fl caufe us to go through fire and water wir.fi him and for him : Will "not the confutations of his Spirit bear up the foul in all its difficulties? efpecially when it
ty made to lee in the end, that it could not
it one dram weight of its cup. And O the cr- at need that there is of the confolations of his Spirit this day ! for I have had thefe thoughts this long time, that many would be tryfted with
h dilpenfations, as would not lb much call for
!i£ht
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light to lead them, as for heart comforting grace to bear up their fpirits in them. I think e of our difpenfations will be to forae more difcouraging tiun darkening. O mind fweet&ro;- land9 and him who is '
Your Ladyjhifi s fervam
in all Cbrijlian duty,
-JAMES RENWK
LETTER XL
From Mr. J. Renwick, to the much bonou Mr*R. Hamiltoun.
Honoured Sir, Gron. Feb* 22. 16C
I -Cannot exprefs my ob!:gation to you writing tome, a poor empty nothing; and confidering my prefenc cafe, your letter was very feafouable : for my great exercife is, and , how to know the motions of the Spirit, and what he would have me to do in the circum- ftances wherein I ftand ; and ye have given - fome marks. ihereof, which I think indeed a: c very holding. But in this I mult reverence higher hand than yc,
you laft, had as fad conflicts, yea more lad dun *ver 1 had heretofore : but O that I could bl .and praifc the name of the only holy ai God. There is not one dra.n in the mixture my cup that I can want ; yea, I lee a n< • for all that I meet witl*i and 1 G •;
LETTERS.
very fad conftifls, the Lord (O infinite conde- scendence !) hath made mc to poffefs Tweet hours both in the night and day. And'as to my cafe, I may fay, The Lord jlays his rough wind in the day of his eafl wind ; for notwithstanding that deep calleth unto deep, yet the Lord keeps my fpint, in fome meafure, ftayed and ftabliih- ed as to that : but when I ponder other circum- ftauces, I am put to many ftrange thoughts; yet the Lord makes me even feed many times up- on this, and that even with great joy, that as he is dealing with his church this day, fo is he dealing with me ; yea, I fee not one circum- stance in the one, but I muft fee it in the o- ther : yea, and is not this matter of great joy. ■" The Lord forbid that I {hould defire to be other- wife dealt with than his church : O how unnatural like would that defire be ! When his way is in the depths with his church, why (hould it not be fo with us? But, O Sir, I fee a cloud of wrath ready to fall out ; and I fear, I fear that we will mot be found free of it. O may not any thing be eafily born ; but how can this be born I O for grace to turn fpeedily and repent, it may be the. Lord would repent him of the evil. There is mourning and humiliation that the Lord is calling for ; and the Lord will ay, I think, give us ftroke upon ftroke, and blow upon blow, until he get that efftftuate If my heart de- ceive me not, I could fubmit (at leaft defire to fubmit) to any thing in time, but to this, viz. to have a deep hand in drawing more wrath forth, I cannot fubmit, I ought not to fubmit : O that the Lord would rather take me away in the midft of my days. But I ought not to miibe- lieve; Ue can keep my feet irom falling, he
can
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can perfect ftrcngth in my weaknefs. But this is the way that the Lord would have me to take; yea, I think aflbredly, this is the courfe he would have me to fall upon, to feek all that I need from himfelf by prayer : for, to the praife of his free grace I mull fpeak it, when he helps me either to pray or meditate, he is not want- ing ; but in other things I do not find hira. However, I think, this may be the caufe of it, I cannot win to ufe them and keep them in, their own places. But there are fome things good in themfelves, and good when made right ufe of; but to me they are as Saul's armour to David, I can put them on, but I cannot walk with them: and I cannot fay. but I could put them on, unlefs I fhould lie of the Lord, who (blef- fed be his name) hath given me, in fome mea- fure, a difpofitiorr.
O Sir, as your letter was very refrefhful, on the one hand ; fo, upon the other, it was very weighty unto me; becaufe you fay the trouble you told me of is not yet away : But, O I fear there may be much of a temptation in it, for I cannot fee caufe for trouble upon that account. But my hearing that you are troubled is no furprizal unto me, for you were often brought before me fince I parted with you, and you was ay reprefented as one overwhelmed and weighted, and this was fometimes troublefome unto me ; but when ' thought upon the cafe of the Lord's church, I was then made to think, why lhould I with it to be otherways with you, than it is with your mother: But is not the Lord taking all ways with u:>, to lpean us from all things ; yea, even to make 11 s denied to one another? He will have us to take himfelf for
all
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all out-content ment and fatisfaftion : O noble contentment ! O fwect fatisfa&ion ! Oiber
airths may fail qs, but the Lord will never fail any that put their trull in hi in : and whatever the Lord hath to do with you in any place, as he calls you forth, fo he will alfo, in his own blefied time, lead you whither you ftiouldgo; Heb. xi. 8. By faith Abraham, when he was i to go out unto a place. which hefliould after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. O Sir, pray for -Twee t Scotland ; pray that zeal and tendernefs may be kept there : and pray for him who is, .
Much honoured Sir,
Your foiiVs-fympathizer,
and feroant in the Lord,
JAMES RENWICK.
LETT E.R.XII. .
From Mr. James Renwick, to Mr. Robert Ha* niilton, at Lewarden.
Much honoured Sir, Gron. March 6. 1683.
I Received your letter wirh worthy Mr. Brac- ket's, which were very fnrprifing to„me, in refpeft of the circuraftance of the time ; and the fenle x>f the work, together with my own unfit- Dels, came fo upon my lpirir, that I began to give place to this reiblution, that I would defire fome more time ; but therein I could find 110 peace,
the
LETTERS. 33
the mind being tortured and racked. And up- on the other hand, when I confidered the afflict- ed and affedting cafe of the remnant, both in refpeft of the open adverfaries, and of treache- rous fitterrat eafe, who fland in the crofs-w*y; I fay, when I confidered how the glorious^uths of God were wronged, by cruelty again-* them, on the one hantf, and perfidious tic^hery and double-dealing on the other; I tho*ht »* +od$ be a honourable thing, the Lod calling me thereto, and fitting me thereto^* jf u were but to give one public tefJimoiK ag^inft i'ne feme : Yet many objections aroir^ tje heart, flowing all from the fenfe of myjefitnefs; but the Lord, (0 praife be to his lyy came!) anfwered them all with your letter; a"d with that word, Pjal. Ixxxix. 10. / hve b*d Mp uPon one &* ls mighty. And &* * &c«g&> that it was la like the way of U* dealing with his chinch, ard 'aw io much (/g'ori°us wifdom and infinite love to- ward n)/in it, (for 'if I had any dung in me, I woiA*be ready to forget him, and not to report \o that inexhauftible and precious treaiurc : but now I was put to n?" to bimfelf, havii do other airih to betake me to) that I cou find no place for my objections more. But O ! a weighty work indeed j I iec that we can never run to him to get the weight of any thing taken o:Your fpirrts and laid on himfelf, till he let us once find iomewhat of the weightioefs thereof ar,d get it, as it w7ere, laid heavy upon us. O! I fay, a weighty work indeed ! who is fit for iing up themyfteries of lalvation? Who is declai fwcet Lord Jelus Chrift,
"ell and king in Zioti, without any LOfj and for opening up the fame: Wl
II
34 LETTERS.
is fit for difpenfing thefe glorious benefits of the covenant of redemption? O! whols fufficient for thefe things? And why is he calling poor| •an worthy nothing me out to fuch a great and glorious work? I think that he is faying, that the excellency of the power may be of hirnfelf, *nd m of me. So, having the mouth of all objciftioni (topped, I offer myielf in all trem- bling, feared humility; vet having great rea- fon to believe |n him for all things, though I be altogether unfit. 0 dear Sir, wreftle, wreftle, and defire all troeiovcryof Zion to wrcftlc with the Lord, that ye aw we may t>e direded in this great affair: O fet t^e apart, and feek the ramd of the Lord theren. ye wjjj meet w^j, difficulties in it; but I hope the Lord will have a care of his own work. ana^lre<c^ yOU wifely* For my own part I defire gothhrbut what may b? for the advantage of the cault. and I hope ihe Lord hath fo framed my affedjons, that whatever is feen not to be advantagioin> 1 {hall not defire.
\Y* defire humbly to thank you for yt^r books, the Lord he will repay you: and as for your letter from Scotland, which ye fent to me, it was very refrefhful : I am fure the Lord moved you to fend it;' for I was made therein to fee a great proof of the Lord's condefcendency to poor me. That which it contains of Andrew Yoling, being the thing which I was expecting, for he was ftill brought before me, and represented as a man full of bitter paflion ; yea, he was fo brought frill in my way, that the day, or two days be- fore I received -the letter, I faid fevcral times to neighbours, that I was fure I would hear fomething of him. O ! that I had the tongue of
the
LETTERS. 35
ithe learned, to fee forth the praife of that fo glorious and excellent, yet fo condefcending a Cod. O! there is none that knows him but they will love him. The many proofs of his kindnefs and cocdefcendency, make me many times to cry out, What is man that he is mindful tfhbn> or the fan of man that he flmildjl vifit )nm? But he loves, becaufe he loves; and there can be no other reafon given for it. I (hall trouble you no further at the time, but prefeut my love and fervicc to your worthy brother; I hope he is not unconcerned at this time : and as for his going to Scotland, the Lord will direft him what to do: and I ihall labour, through the L jrd's ftrength, to obey your anfwer hereof. O Sir! wreftle, wreftle, and defire all to wreftle with the Lord, that he would carry on his own •work, and get glory to himielf in fitting inftru- ments, and in making his people a zealous peo- ple, a holy people, a felt-denied people. I am,
Much honoured Sir, Your fympathijing friend, and fervant in the Lord,
JAMES RENYVTCK.
LETTER XIII.
From Mr. James Ren wick, to the much honour* ed Mr. Robert Hamilton.
Much hou. Sirt Amflerdam, R la rch 30.1 683 .
AFTER I Ind fent away your French mail, and a letter with it, I received yours, but
the
36 LETTERS.
the poll being jufl now going away, I have n© time to write. But 0 I what would I, or could I fay, but only defirc to be fubnvflive to the Lord's will, who hath made a neceflary feparanon fretwixt us, that I cannot have the comfort and advantage of your company : But, though you be abfent from me as to bodily prefence, you are not long out of my mind ; I wifh I may get you kept in your own place, and be kept from mur- muring and difcontent at my want. I refolve to pafs for a while under the name of James Bruce. I have no time now to write to theie worthy la- dies; but before I go to Scotland I (hall fee to get it done, yet if once I were there, I think, I would know better how to write of matters. The Lord himfelf be with you. I am,
Much honoured Sir,
Yours tojerve you in the Lord,
while I have a being in time,
JAMES RENWICK.
LETTER XIV.
To Mrs. J. H. at Lewarden in Friefland.
Worthy Madam,. Groningen, March 31. 1683.
I have no time to write any thing to you, but I hope you will not think me to be fo far out of my duty as to be unmindful of your cafe; for I am very fenfible of the circumftances where- in you ftand: However, though your trials bc^
many.
LETTERS. 37
many, and your fcrs not few, yet I think not your cafe ftrange, the like hath happened to the Xord's people. O take all well out of the Lord's hand; look to his purpofes in his di'penfations, 2nd then you will be made to read love to )ou in the faddefl: of them. Away with fcnmpit kvXc, which conftruSs ay God'j heart to be as his face is : Faith is a noble thing, it foars high, and can read love in God's heart when his face frowns : Have you not reafon to conftrudt well ot him? Bode good upon his hand: your evening of forrow fnall be turned unto an everlafting morning ot joy- Let the faith of this fweeten your prefent cafe unto you. The Lord be with you all. Mind him who is,
Worthy Madam,
Your friend and fervant in the Lord,
and afympathizer with you in your trials 9
JAMES RENWICK.
LETTER XV.
&*. James Renwick, to the much ed Mr. Robert Hamilton.
Much honoured Sir, Grotu April 23. 160 j.
I Received the inclofed yeflerday, but I no time to write an> thing for the occaficn is now going; only I have written this day to Mr. Br at Lee aid !\ ■'■ e 1. d's graciom >ndei<:enacii^; i good
J) (1:
38 LETTERS.
frame all the while: Oi that Icopld praife him for his free, free love. He lets me fee much fin, and yet lets me fee alfo, that he does doc contend for the fame, which cannot hat be great matter of wonder. O ! no fight.- I think, is fo fweet as that fight, for it is backed with admiration of his free love, and alfo with felf- loathing. Hoping that ye will be mindful of poor unworthy me, as with my whole heart! defire to^ be of you. I am,
Much honoured Sir,
Yours at command,
toferve you in the Lord,
JAMES REN WICK,
i. E T T E R XVL
From Mr. James Ren wick, to Mrs. Jean Ha- milton at Lewarden.
Worthy Madam, Gron. jfyril 25. 1683.
I Thought it my duty to acquaint you with what great things the Lord hath done in this place, for his own noble caufe, an*d for us poor, weak, empty nothings : For when upon Thwfday !aft, being the \<)th. of this' inflant, Mr. /. F. and I went in before the Synod, which was then fitting, and fought ordination from them ; they, for the mod part not knowing us, after we had removed for a little fpace, began to aft. among tfiemlclves what we were, and
what
LETTERS. 39
what we were feeking, having heard fomething thereof from* oorfelves. Whereupon, „firft Dom. Pbilirtgius, then Dom. ALbringba rofe up and de- clared unio them fomewhat of the cafe of our church ; at which, fome of them fell out with tears, and-faid, Though the kings of the earth ihould be againft them, they would go on in our affairs. Whereupon, we were called in again unto them, and three men were appointed for Cur trials; and the tenth of the next month, for the day; the minifters of this town having un- dertaken for the expence which we ought to have been at. So, having -many things to do, I (hall detain your Ladyfhip no further. Bat O! is not this great matter of praife, that the Lord fhould let his own hand-be {irmuch teen, in pro- curing fuch teflimonies to his noble caufe ; yea, before he want a teftimony, the very /tones would be made to cry out: Therefore, come and let us worfcip him, come and let us exalt his name together^ he reigns, and therefore let his followers be glad. Recommendiug you to his fatherly care; hoping, that ye will not be un- mindful of poor unworthy me, upon whom the Lord hath laid fo many obligations to be for him, and whom he is now calling forth to his vine- yard in fuch a weak condition : But my fuffici- ency is of him, and to be found faithful is all ray defire. My love and fervice to your won filter, the Lady and her children.
Worthy Madam,
Yours , to my full power , to feroe you in the LvJ,
JAMES RENWICK.
D 2 LET-
40 LETTERS.
LETTER XVIL
To the Lady Earlfton Younger.
Worthy Madam, Groningen, May 5. 1683.
I Received your Ladyfaip's letter- but I am forry I had not the time to write fooner back ro you : However, I hope you will excufe me, confidering the circumftances I ftand in at this time. Your letter reprefents to me a troubled cafe; bat, I think, not a bad cafe, becaule ye have the fenfe of it upon your fpirit. You fay, a hiding God, who can bear it ? O that I could fee thefe pleafant days, to hear many crying that cry, to hear many fignifjing their defire after himfelf, by crying out, they could not want liim, that they could not be content without him; yea, and that they could not be content with a- ny thing elfe, being wilful in the matter. It is frue indeed, they who know what his fenfible prefence is, they will not get born up in his con- ceived abfence; and if I could, I would defire to mourn. over their unperceiving temper, who can equally bear up in both : Bur, when the foul, not being filled with fenfe, pants after him as the hart pants after the water-brooks , and getting up, and running through the whole fields, crying out, Saiu' ye him whom my Jon I loveth; I cannot but think, that the Lord is eminently prefent with that foul, though not to its own apprehen- sion ; yea, and though there be no changes in the Lord, nor in his love; yet of all times, as to the cutletting thereof, he is at fuch a time, mod fafht to keep it in. And who knows not,
mat
LETTERS. 4£
that love, the more it is covered, the more it burns ; as fire, the more it be covered, the more it 'mokes, unlefs it be extinguilhed ; for, ~ivhom he loves, he laves unto the end. O let us not mif- confrru<fi him, for he dow not abide it. And for mine own part, I am made many times to go and blefs his holy name, becaufe of his with- drawing; for I fee much more of his love mani- fested therein, than if he were fenfibly prefent; becaufe then I am made to fee many things h myfelf I faw not before; for, it is mod: dijnc to carry aright upon the mount: Do we not find this, that in fuch cafes, we forget ourfelves many times? as Peter, when he was with our Lord on the -mount and faw his glory, faid, It is good \
to be here ; let us make three tabernacles, for thee, one for Mofes, and one for Ellas; which Luke notes with that, that he knew not vjhal he faid. O! let us ftudy.that noble life of faith,
ich the Lord is at fo much pains to learn us; for it is faith followed with holinefs that all the promifes are made unto," not one unto kvte.
Your Ladylhip writes, that fince you came unto this land, the Lord's way hath not been or- dinary with you ; and I think, it looks the liker his way that it is fo: and though (poffibly at the time) you cannot fee what is the language there- of, I am fure that afterwards he will let you ice i: ; we hate the fwellings of Jordan to pais thro' yer, and the L:vd feems to be training you np jfor what is before your hand learning you only to live the life of faith. O lef us wait upon him, for we many times lofs our alms becaufe we vi patience to vvait d"n a little. Ler us ly near hi m-
:', that we ma/ not be confuied.nor furprifed in a day of iirey trial n D 3
42 L L i 1 L K S-
run. And as for that trouble which arifeth from the finding of friends like to take offence at your not going to the kirk; I confefs, in its own place, it is a matter of concernment; but we have one who is higher, whom we rauft look to that w offend not; and to feek their countenance fuch a way, 1 dare not, nor will not counfel you to it. Labour to follow the Lord leading yoa, .for I think, your cafe in that particular is from the Lord; and although that ye are humbled Vith your fabbath days being your word days, be not too much troubled, for the Lord feems only to be trying yon; and if Satan get in his foot, and make you to qneftion duty for the want of fenfe, he will get his end mightily gained* O what is the matter though all the world fhould forfake us, and though all men lhouldturn againfl us, if he be for us we need not care. Ofweet word, Though father and mother lhould forfake us, yet he will not : And though our heart and fltfh faint and fail us, yet he never will fail us. 0 Madam! I have not time to fay what I would, but I fhall omit the reft until meeting, which, )f the Lord will, fhall be fhortly. Our ordinati- on is going on; but, for outfit I think, Mr. J. F. will not go thoraw. O! pray, pray that the Lord may let his hand be feen, with poor weak, unworthy me; without him I can do no- Thing ; O what excellive madnefs will it be for me to go on without himfelf. If he go not with Hie, I pray that he may not carry me up. My love and fervice.to your worthy iifter and all jour family. I am,
Your Lady/hip's fenkUit toferve you in all things in the Lord,
JAMES RENWICK.
LETTERS. 43
LETTER XVIII.
From ^Mr. James Renwick, to the much honour* ed Mr. Robert Hamilton.
Much honoured Sir, Amft. May 30. 1683.
YOU know what a great work the Lord hath laid upon me, and how he hath laid fo many obligations upon me to be for him, and him only : I hope that ye will be mindful there- of; praying that he will endow me with zeal, courage, refolutioo, conftancy, tendernefs and humility; and give* a door of utterance, that With all boldnefs I may fpeak all his words, and that he may follow the fame with his rich blef- fing. I do not think, but tryals and difficulties are abiding me, but if he be with me I (hall not care. We muft not this day feck ourielves great things, when the Lord is bringing evil up- on all flelh, and is breaking down what he hath built, and plucking up what he hath planted. O I I muft fay this indeed to the praife of his free grace, that he is continuing and increafmg his kindly dealing with my foul. O that I could praife him, and commend him to all flefh. Re- member me to all our friends in the Lo- d, particu- larly to worthy Mr. Bracket, if ye have occafion ; your worthy lifter, and the worthy lady Van. Her. whom Jam Angularly obliged to be mindful of, and not only I, but the church of God. The Lord's Welling be with you, and the earncft good wiihes
of him who ii, ' Mnchhono,tredSir>
Yours to fine you in the Lord, JAMES RENWICK.
44 LETTERS.
LETTER XIX.
From Mr. J. Renwick, to the much honoured Mr. Robert Hamilton.
Mitch honoured Sir, Amfl. May 31. 1683.
HAving met with E. D. who is coming to be your fitter's fervant, I thought it rny duty to acquaint you, that your worthy brother Earl- fton is a long while ago come from Scotland; having met. with friends there, and, as I hear, there are three papers drawn up ; one including fome reafons why we have reje&ed the tyrant 5 another, fome reafons of our feparating from thefe (fo called) minifters; and the third, fhe fays, is a call to, and a proteftation againfl: them : I wiih it may be a bringing us out of the mire (and not a cafting us into it over again) as - I hope it will. But the reafon of your brother's not cbming hither ere this time, is his com- ing by London : I hope he knows his errand and call thereunto, tho' I cannot fee it. E. A, is- alio coming alongfl: with him ; but I hope ye will not meddle with J. N. the Lord counfel him and L-ad him, for that land is a valley of fnares, efpecially at this time. Of the feven who were apprehended, four have taken the Teft ; whereof one is Alexander Millar, a young man. O ! all flejl? is grafs ; for I thought once, if there was a zealous man in Scotland, he was one: yet the Lord hath nor left us (0$ for he hath accepted a bloody facrifice ofFour hands two men being execute, viz. John IVilfon in Ldtterk, a young gentleman, and David MMilLm in
Galloway ,
LETTERS. 45
Galloway, of whom I hear nothing but what is matter of praife, and caufe of encouragement. O! let us go on and run our race rejoicing, and Will) patience: The cup cf the Amorites is faft filling, and their day is near at hand, when they (hall get their own blood to drink, for they are worthy. . Robert Law/to is fayirg lie will cot die at this time, but I like not fuch prophe- cies as our cafe ftands. John Gib and his com- panions are freed both from death and baniih- ment, and have their liberty to go through all the prifon, and large expence daily allowed un- to them, by him whom they call the Chancel- lor. If the enemies had dor:e otherwa\s, thy would not aft like themielves. Courage, dear Sir, they will drop ripe very fcddenly.
I have fent you with the laid E D. the expo- sition of the text which you deiired, and (nail take care to get a true copy of your letter fecurcd unto you. I fhall add no further at the time, but praying that the Lord may be unu> you a prefent help in all times of need ; for I ihink difficulties and difcouragements are many, bot ye know where your fhength lies, and what mull comfort you. O! hitherto be hath n wanting, neither will lie be wanting, for he
a faithful God, who kecpeth covenant; and he knows this, that if he had not now put another work in mine hand, and were calling ine to an- other place, it would be my hearts defire to ferve you (as indeed is my duty many wtfys) and to take part with yoa in ail your troubles ;but what 1 cannot do by bbdily prclcr.ee, I h aid
II help me to do it by hcai
46 LETTERS.
willingnefs. Leaving you on your Matter's hand, I am,
Much honoured Sir,
Your J ; toferveyou in the Lord,
while I have a bring in time,
JAiMES KENWICK.
L E T TER XX,
From Mr. James Renwick, to the honourable- Mr. Robert Hamilton.
Honourable Sir, Rotterdam, June 1 8. i 683 .
I Have received both your former and later letters : but you may fee an emblem of the eafe I was in when I wrote lafl: unto you, by my not anfwering fome particulars in your former letter, which I ought to have done. However, I have heard that our friend G. hath written to you, wherein, I hope, he hath given you a fair account of his paflage at Utrecht; and alfo o9 fome ftrange difapointments that have happened : unto us fince, which made me often remember a word of yours to myfelf, That ye thought I . fliould meet with fome ftrange things in my go- ing home. I have met with fome ftrange things indeed, and have nothing to boaft of, but only of the Lord; who is to be admired in all his doings; for they ?^e works of wonder: and O that he would help me to fubmit to his holy^ acd wirc will, in keeping me fo long here ; yet I think the work is the liker his work
LETTERS. 47
hat there fo many difficulties in the way of it. But as for Mr. A Cameron I did not fee him, but [hear that he is come unto you. The Lord, I bcpe, will let you know your duty, and will *Jear that bell unto you, by converfmg with himfelfc O! add not druokennefs to third; but, if the Lord call, fee that you beftir your- felf in it all that you can : he that hath had his hand Angularly with you in many pieces of great fervice, will not leave you in this. And as for J. H. and A. H. they know indeed of my ordination ; and the way they came to know re was, by their peremptor queftions, to which I could not negatively anfwer ; and then finding them gather the affirmative, I told them it was fo, but injoined filence upon them : but as tor other particulars of our affairs they know none by me, fave that James Rujftl and we, whea we met, could not agree.
You wrote anent Mr. Fiint aad Mr. Boyd, their beftowing three hours each day upon James Ruffel and his comrade, in teaching of them ; but as matters itand, I cannot approve of it, upon many coi.fiderations; for it is both encouraging and h-ardening to them: I fa-y, encouraging to them to hold on their courfes, for I lee very liitle hope of what they pretend unto. I fear that there be rather in it a faftion feeking to make a party. And as for Mr. Binny's being employed to teach our expedants, the Lord, I icpe, will give me to know my duty in it, ah* drafting from all perlons whatsoever
As for what you wrote of fairs and mercats on
days, I agree heartily with it; it was my
own thought before, but confufedly. However,
I defire to blefs the Lord, who hath made you a
meat
AS LETTERS.
mean in that (as in fome other things) to make me more diftind: therein. O! I cannot exprefs what I owe unto you; I fay, I cannot exprefs what I owe unto the Lord, whom I defire to b!efs while I live, that ever I faw your face. The Lord hath alib made you to back what I was refolved on before, byyour wholefome ad- vice, in counfeiling me to take up an inventory of the Lord's way ok dealing with friends and enemies in their pcrfons and families, particu- larly and generally. And be affured, much ho- noured and dear Sir, that I fhall, as I ought, keep nothing back from you ; for, unVder the Lord himfeif. I have none- that I can expeft fuch counfel from as from you : therefore you mud rt III be giving me your advice, and Jay it out before the Lord ere you give it to me ; for, indeed, I will lay much weight upon it: how- ever, I deiire to weigh it in the balance of the fan&uary. As for your going further away, I deiire indeed to believe, that the Lord harli fpme work ado further abroad; but, I think, the change of difpenfations. calls you to flay ftiil a while with our friends that are with you ; for afiuredly they will be much affe&ed with the news of our dear friend Earlfton, your dear bro- ther's being taken : and alfo, I think, you can- not move until you hear what comes of him, (the Lord, I think, hath a great kindnefs for him, and will honour him) and till you receive letters from Scotland, both to yourfelf, to the prefbytery of Groningcn, and other friends.
I am not a little lorrowful at the very heart, that I am not in Scotland, to obey all your com- mands anent your dear brother. The Lord bimfelf knows, that nothing that ever I was
try (ted
LETTERS.
49
tryfted with, was fuch an exercife to me, as my being detained now out of it is. My longings and earned defires to he in that land, and with that pleafant remnant, are very great. I cannot tell what may be in it, but I hope the Lord fclber lorae work to woik, or e!fe is minded preicntly to call for a teftimony at my hard ; and if he give frame and furniture, 1 defire to welcome either of them. O ! dear Sir, mini me, become of me what will. I have much ado, many obligations lying upon me ; and the Lord hat!) laid on not a few of theft by your hands; and therefore you are ti\c more engaged to be ; and, I may fay it, your God left
. iodful of you ; and I am of the mind, that fometimea he is very kind unto you,
res of joy and rejoicing in him- . into your cup of for row.
en I am writing this line, I received from erf letters, di reded for your fi ;e Lady I .ling that there
.tters ioi therein, I prelum-
up the packet, but did not read he ter; a I three for rnyfelf, but none from
fome that I moil: cxpefted a line from, M. E. ^ear I any word of news, for
are not e<9 it is long fiuce
were written. However, I hear that all the forces of S the rendezvous c\
a*foot, became there is o; ; one
of our focieiies, and a godly youth, whom I
taking him from co be executed, of their
E
p 3 19 : : fiorr.
5o LETTERS
guard being (lain. The Lord be thanked, that he is ftirring up any to vex the Midianites, and to account their brother's cafe to be their own. I muft alio tell you this, that I hear in one of my letters, that the Lord is making the increafing of the periecution to blow up iomc's zeal to a greater height than it was before. O good -news! dear Sir, it minds me of PauW words, Phil. i. 28. And in nothing terrified by your ad* zwfmiesy &c. It is not long till the cup of the Amorite and Edonrite (hall be brim-full. Cou- rage yet, for all that is come and gone ; the lois of men is not the lofs of the cauie: what is the matter tho' we (bould all fall, 1 affure all men that the caufe (ball not fall.
I thought fit alfo to fend you the Martyrs Teftimonies (not having gotten one of them read) altho' that my letters fpeak nothing of them, yet I know none elfe that they are or- dained for, or that (hould have them but you. And as for the taking away of that every way abufed oath, if it be not already taken away, through the Lord's ftrength, I (hall fee unto it. But do not think, much honoured and dear Sir, • - that Mr. Boyd will get any thing done, as he vents himfelf ; for no preibytery will ordain him, unlets he be called by the remnant of the church -et Scotland; and it they lhall now write to the contrary, he will have no ground to plead upon from their fending of him hither, and giving him a commiffion ; For, Pofterior ulu everterc .friorem. I iliall fay no more, but my love and .fervice to Mx.- Bracket, and theie ladies V. H. whom, I hope, the Lord will help to.fympathtzc '•tvith you in your preient condition. The bleff-
foe
LETTERS. 51
ing of the God of Jacob be with you, and the earned good wifties of him, who is,
Hon. and dear Sir,
Yours, to ferve you in the Lord \ 'while he hath a being in time, JAMES RENWICK.
LETTER XXI.
From the Rev. Mr. James Renwick, to M>\ Robert Hamilton.
Hon. and dear Sir, Rott. June 23 . 1683, .
I Thought it. fit (fuppofing that poffibly you may not fee it nor hear of it) to write tor you, that I hate feen in the Evgii/h News Pa- pers, that there was a company of granadlers appointed to meet Meldrutn's troop, that they might receive fiom them our worthy friend Earljlon, in order to the bringing him to (din* burgh: but it is alio inferted, that fome fay he is efcaped. O! if it hath pleafed the Lord fo to order it, both his taking and his efcape may have many languages unto us : But what I think I fee is in the one, and will be in the or her; if it be true (as I would gladly hope it will, becaufe they never ufe to iaferl fuch things but when they are true) I forbear to mention until mect- ipg, which, if the Lord will, (hall be on Mori- . night, or Tuefday morning? O dear and honourable Sir, we have many enemies, let E 2
52 LETTERS.
ly near our ftrength : wicked men and backflid- crs will do more and more wickedly. I ihall fay no more, having many things to tell you when met ; but think it fit that notice hereof be fent to your worthy filler Mrs. Jean, if fo be that ye think (lie will not otherwiie hear. Leav- ing you on our Mafter. I am,
Honourable and dear Sir,
Your j ioferve you in the Lord, while I am
JAMES RENWICK.
LETTER XXII.
V
From the Rev. Mr. James Ren wick, to the ho* ' nourabie Mr. Robert Hamilton.
Honourable Sir, Dublin, Aug. 24. 1683.
Am adored that ye will think it fbange that
ere this time I fiifculd not have written unto*
you, but many hinderances hath been ca ft in my
, by reafoh of the .3 and dangers of
rime; all thir lands being, in a manper, in an
Mr$ by reaion of challenging zna fbfpefling
jrfons, and the tranfmittirig of aity letters.
However, I can no r to write,
though it fhould never come to yc^r hand ; hav-
Hig many ibirgs to "fay to the eoBAmehdatfou of
.'s wildorn and power in out witting ai d
ng men. But O I tliiiik, the Lord hath
had a fpedal hand in tnj coitiing to this
lor
LETTERS.
fqr he hath not fuffered me to be idle ; and hlef- fcd be his name, he hath kindled a fire which, I hope, Satan Pnall net foon qoeoch : For all the people of this place were following men who did not follow the Lord, and thought ihefe were right enough; yet now, foine of them are fay- ing, we have been mi fled ; we never knew be- fore tills, that we were flanding between the Lords camp and the adverfary's. O ! what (hall I fay i bit (Ted be the name of the Lord, who lets me fee that be ivill fee the travel of his foul and befatisfied; and gives me many confirmations of his calling me to this work, wherein my defire is only to be faithful. O rejoice in him who hath called me forth to fight againfl: thefe oppofe themfelves, notwuhftandiug of all their malice at me; and pretended friends their meet- ing to confult upon my apprehending. I (hall fay no more, he hath found fbme who have en- gaged to do for me, in taking me home to Scot* Bat I have the more patience here, be-. paufe of the Lord's doing g^at things. The Lord be with yon, and all his ///.
Honourable Sir,
Yours, to fcrve yon hi the Lord,
lie I am
JAMES .RENV/IC
E 3
54
LETTERS. LETTER XXIIL
From the B.ev. Zlfr.. James Rciiwick, to the Honourable Mr. Robert Hamilton.
Hon. and dear Sir, Edhu Sept. 26. 1683.
I Have been thinking much long for an oppor- tunity of writing untoyou. but I hope, your goodnefs will not draw any wrong conftru&ions from my necefiitate delay - for, bleft be the on- ly holy and wife Lord, I am made to rrioice in him thereanent, and have been kept, by bis grace, from murmuring and quarrelling againfl him, becaufe I faw much of himfclf, and his ho- ly and wife purpofes, yea, even toward me,* in the circumftances I ftand in, in every ftep, fince my departure from your Honour. For, being kept fome days at the Texel, where I was, in fume meafurr, exercifed to know what might be the language thereof, which I could not know till afterwards ; we launched forth into the fea, where we were toffed for fome days with a vio lent contrary wind, and driven within uptaking of the coaft of France, before that we could gee the EngliJI) coaft taken up; and all with very great hazard, for the veffel was but little, and not at all firm, which occafioned our fetting into an harbour in England called Rye ; where we went afhore and were much noticed by the ty- rant's waiters, it being upon the back of the dif- covery. of their plot ; yer, the Lord fo retrained them that we were not challenged ; however, we thought it not fit (fearing fnares) to fhy alhore, and therefore went aboard again. B it after foms day?, the faid y/airers in their puffing by, came
abroad
LETTERS. c5
aboard of us, and afced very redely of tbi per, where we were; who replied, that we were aboard ; and then alking what men we were, was anfwered^ by the fbpper, that he knew not; which I overhearing, thought that his anfwer would make the (aid waiters more incpifitivc : However the Lord fo reftrained them, that whea they came unto us, they had no power to chal- lenge us. Now all this time, we ItiJl concluded that we were already apprehended, feeing no probability of ibunning it: But, bleffed be the Lord, that was no wa"y terrifying to me ; tar notwithftanding of his other fpecial affiftance, I faw fo much of his hand in it (we being driven feven leagues back unto that place) that I could cot quarrel, but was much refrefhed with that word. It is the Lord, let him do what feemetb him good. Then, after this, the ikipper did what he could to enfnare us on the fabbath-day, but the Lord fo ftruck him with his own hand, that he was not able to go forth to give any informa- tion of us; and in the A? iday morning the Lord fent a fair wind, which was embraced, and fo brought us fafe away, far beyond our ex- pectation. 01 all this lhould learn us to cre- dit him with his own caule, and with our cafe; and may let us (te, that enemies, farther than 19 permitted, ihall not prevail. Then after this, winning forward unto Dublin; from whence there was no way of departing without a pa.s; but defiring to wait the Lord's time, and to commit our cafe unto him, he wonderfully pro- vided an occafioTi for ou: friend G. Hilly but in flo ways they would condescend to take me with them, which was a p'ece of exercife unto me to know what might be the language of it; yet in
the
f 56 LETTER S.
the time, I could not fee it fully; but afterwards was made to fee, that the Lord had fome piece of work to do there. O ! blcfl be his narhe, for he harh let fome upon a fearch of their ways, and to know that they had not been right;. Who* were fo affiled with my departure from them, (when the Lord had wondei fully provided an occafion, whereby I was caft out in the night-time at a hill-fide, fome few miles below Greenock,) that they entreated me with tears to ftay ; fay- ing, that their neceffiry was greater than Scot- land\% and would not part with me, until, that upon fome fuppofitions, I promifed to return a- gain. But, as the Lord ftirred up fome people to all this, their (to called) minifters increafed their malice, especially one Mr. Jack, the ring-leader of the reft, who fought to fpeak with me: which I would not, nor could, with- out (tumbling of the people, refufe; who, .when met, we reafoned upon feveral heads, parti- cularly this, Whether or not a perfon attacked for duty might choi'e a puniihment? whereof I held the negative. But, in a fecond conference, he having fome cf his companions tryfted with him. fell on more brifkly, and afked, How came I to draw away his congicgation ? To which I replied, That I denied him to have a congrega- tion, and did only labour and defire to draw the people from fin unto their duty; and for accept- ing his call to preach, that* I ought not, nor would not, becaufe I could not own him as z faithful minifter of Jefus Chrift; for he had be* tiayed the caufe of the Lord. And for fatisfy* ing him anent my ordination, I told, when I met with faithful minifters of Chrift, 1 (hould fubjeft myfelf to them, but hhn 1 declined as
coin-
-LETTERS. 57
competent to require that of me; and alfo, that I behoved firft to be fatisfied anent his entry to that congregation ; the exercife of his miniftry daring 'his continuance therein ; and now his yielding u up at the enemies command; all which was to be reconciled with the word of God, our engagements, and the duty of a mini- Iter; which when he heard, he grew mightily pafiionate, falling out in bitter rcfle&ions ; and I perceiving the d ihonour done to God the: told him, that I would Ipeak no more to Inch men in fuch a frame, and fo departed. I had alfo ibme battles upon your account ; but the .Lord affiled in that, as in all other thugs; for I nw it was not you, but the caufe and party which they reviled. O! honourable and dear Siry What lhail I fay to all thole things? It is good keeping the Lord's way; for he will not leave Dor forfake.
. Now, fmce I came to my own land and peo- ple, I have feen feveral things which art couraging and promifing; as the Lord's kt fome, of whom little was expected, to Ihew bom zeal and fledfaftnefs in his caufe: And otner ! which Ipeak out wrath to be ar the doors, as the neutrality and lukewannneis, yea declin- ing cf many, who have been he Iped to be hi to valiant. 01 blclTed be tl who will
not give his gloiy to another, and blafls e our eyes aTe upon. As (or news, the Lord is wonderfully to be fctB,in every thing, and alfifts in what he calls unto. For in c e countr .
ie me to : that if the Loi d , it is
O! !.«
have
58 L E T T E R S.
have a day of his power to be feen in this land. I fay, he is ro be -fee n in hiding, preferviog and providing for his people-in fuch-a dav of the ene- mies cruelty, and feems to have fome ftrange thing upon the wheels, efpecially in your Ho- nour's dear brother's cafe, which we defire to wait upon and behold; for enemies cruelty and threatirngs againfthim are great, and their fnares and fubtilties no lefs ; however, tfyey are won- derfully reft-ained, and he ftrangely reproached, but very caufelefly. And as for Robert Lawfon, (lb fad and P.veet in feveral refpe&s) he is fuffer- cd to cafl: al! his former doings, to the harden- ing of backfliders, and the grieving of the godly. But Edward Aitken is efcaped, and intends to come to you and follow his books: but his car- riage in the public matters hath been very hurt- ful to the cauie, and in private, very lrochrifti- an, opening mouths to reproach and blalpheme ; therefore, I hope ye will not move in it, with- eur the general meeting's advice. Alfo, I ex- p 8. that Thomaj Limnng will be fent to you, and hope, ye will be fdtisfied with him, for he hath been very fatisfying, refrefhing and en- coungiug to me fince I came home.
We are in fome confufion now through the want of time, and upon other accounts. Howe- ver, as occalion offers, I will labour to get a full information of every thing lent unto you; for I am fenfible of the advantage that it will be unto the Lord's cauie.
Now, the Lord be with your honour, making yoi a brazen wall and irun pillar againftvall enemies and forfakers of his truth as hitherto, by his grace, be hath done ; and point out unto you your duty in every cafe, helping you to fol- low
LETTERS. 59
low it. Write to friends, for your letter was very refreihing, rejoicing, and (lengthening unto them, and to him who looks upon you as his father and brother ; and remains
Your Honour's ajjured friend,
fympatbizer, and fervant in the Lord,
JAMES RENWICK.
LETTER XXIV.
From the Rev- Mr. James Renwick, to the ho- nourable Society of Jlrangers at Lewarden in Eriefiand.
Nov. 13. 1683.
Honourable and dear Ft tends in our Lord,
I Have not only heard, but alfo, in the little Ipace I was amongft you, faw, many tokens and evidences of your love to our lovely Lord, and tender lympaihy with his affli&ed lufferers; ch was no l'mall refrelhing and encourage- ment to me, and alfo a great engaging and endearing ot my heart unto you ; lo that I know rot how to unfold my thoughts, nor unboiom mv ardent aff.&ions. But as my heart is much with you, lo, I may fay, you are frequently with mc, and that in the times which you mod re- quire, when I dtfire to proftrate myielf at the fuoiftool of the throne of grace. However, I could not forbear, neither thought I it my doty to omit writing unto you But, what ihall £ Jay, but that which you yourielves know? the
LorJ
60 LETTERS.
Lord, being the only objefl whereupon all our defires can famfyingly terminate, is worthy of all honour, fear, love, and fervicc; yea, and at the mentioning of this, we may ftand aftonith- ed, and wonder, that he in himfelfr, fupenran- fcendently and infinitely glorious, uncmpable of receiving any additional glory from his crea- tures, fliould call fuch unworthy worm*, felf-de- ftroyed creatures, to ferve him; which, though he had not freely and gracioufly promifed any reward after time, would be a reward unto its felf. But, O! what can be his end in calling and drawing out fuch deftroyed and unworthy creatures, as any of the loft poftcnty of Adam, to love and ferve him ? It is not that he may get good (of which he is uncapabie) but that he may give good. O ! praifed be his free grace, he hath provided and laid open a way whereby \ve may have both accefs and right unto him/ by the mediation of his Son, our Lord Jefus Chrilt: Therefore let us anfwer Lis call, 3nd come unto him, where alJ, and only our happi- nefs lies, with hearts fo enlarged, and concep- tions ib framed and Unpen out, as that nothing leis than himfdf may fatisfy ; for more canroc be delired : Le: us come unto him, follow him fully; take up bis crof?, and our engagements againft the world, the devil, and the fleih; for he is a noble and glorious Captain whole banner we have to fight under, who not only bears his foldiers charges (ufficiently here, all their ftock being only in his own hand, but alio makes them fure of the vi<3o:y, and of the kingdom and crown in the end of their battle ; they being to walk with him in glorious white robes, throughout all eternity. Let us dpoufe his quarrel for our
own,
LETTERS. 6-i
ottn, and not be difcouraged for what oppoines » ; for, in all their intended actings againft :hey are but pulling down themfelves, and ; up his kingdom ; and neither be annoyed vicb the d fficukies m time, but look above and beyond thefe, unto the rich recompence of reward ; for the day is near at hand, when chefc tabernacles of clay fliall fall down about out- ears, and we (hall be fet at liberty; made un- capable of grieving his Spirit, or ibrrowing any more, and fitted for the bleft, full and eternal enjoyment ot Father, Son, and Holy Ghoft. O what a da\ will that be, when the faints fliall get their till of him, incirchng him with both their arms; or rather being incircled by him? Let us wait and look out for it, longing for the day when that fhall be heard in heaven; O! how fweetly will it be fung ! Arife, arife, arife, my love, my dove, my fair one, and come away ; for heboid your -winter is poll, and your ever- lafting funnier is come. O let the thoughts of that fammer, and tailing of the firft-fruits thereof, fwceten this our winter unto us; mak- ing us chearfuliy to travel through the fame, i with fongs of our Beloved in our mouths, and patiently to endure what travel or tribulations, either for our chaftifement or irJlru&ion, he who doth all things well may be pleafcd to let out upon us. And as ye have been helped thro* grace to become companions with us in our Tribulation; lb I would have you look out for tl;e fame upon yourfelves, for the Lord will come and (hake terribly the earth and punifn the inhabitants thereof for their iniquity, lay waftc cities, and defolate laud.- : for ail na- tions are overfpread with a lupine and loath- F foac
6z LETTERS.
fome formality ; yea, avowed profanity, and dreadful blafphemy againft the heavens. I Jay not this, my honourable and dear friends, to difcourage you, but rather for the continuance and encreafe of your holy zeal, which ye mani- feft towards the Lord's caufe and intereft. O! go on in it, for therein (hall be your peace as io duly, and he himielf is your exceeding rich reward.
Now, for your great kindnefs, love unto, and fympathy with our bleeding and wounded mo- ther-church, which Haw amongft you; and par- ticularly for your heart love and tender refpe&s toward myfelf, though altogether undeferved, I cannot exprefs how I am engaged to the Lord, and obliged unto you; yea, itpafleth my appre- henfion. But I am Angularly obliged indeed ; fo I rauft beg further matter (though already enough be had) by the continuance of your mi ndfulnefs of our diftrefied and wounded church ; and of that exceeding great and weighty work, -which ye know the Lord hath laid upon me. But why fhould I fear ? the work is his own ; and he fends none a warfare on their own char- ges : and, ever blefled be his holy name, 1 may fay this from iwcet experience ; for I have found him a prelent help in all my neccffities, and many ways beyond my expe&ation, confirm- ing my call, and countenancing his work both at home, and elfewhere were he was pkafed to cafl and detain me. Now, the Lord be with you. -Again mind me, asldefire to do you. Remaining, Honourable and dear Friends, Your hearty ivellwijher,
ajjiif ed and obliged friend and fervent, to my pill oowet in the Lord,
JAMES REN WICK.
LETTERS. 63
LETTER XXV:
From the Rev. Mr. James R<:nwick, to the ho- nourable Mr. Robert Hamilton,
Honourable and dear Sir, Edin. Nov. 14. 1683.
T Hough I have many things that I would and could fay, yet I am fo bulled, which I think ye may know, that I cannot be fo large in writing to you as I would : However, I tee ma* ny encouragements and difcouragements ; en- couragements from the Lord's omnipotency, condefcendency, and faithfulnefs ; yea, rheg!o-» ry that is to be feen in his noble way of manag. ing his own caufe: and discouragements from fevcral airths which I expected 'not ; for fincel came home, I have found fome, o\ whom I ex- pected better things, cleave to crooked and perverfe ways ; yea, and turn very imbittered a- gainlt us: and at the prelent (oh (ad! but too true) we are peftered wkfo a company of prejudiced evil perfons, who join bands and ilLe with backfliders, and make known every thi unto them ; wherein I only defire and labour, t! at the particular perfons may be found out, rhaf fo we may proceed againfl them according to the word of God, and our duty;
My coming home hath had luch effects as I expected indeed, for enemies are more cruel and eager in periccution than ever, and back- ers more imbittered with malice than here- fore ; but fome of whom I expc&ed to be c h, I have not found it fo ; neither ihoulJ i that they are upon : and this Imli F 2 been
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been chiefly occafioned by my teftimony ; whicl as it hath, by the Lord's goodnefs, been refrefh- ing, encouraging and ftrengthening to fome, fc it hath made others vent more what they were. And hereia I rejoice, yea, and will rejoice (there being not an article in it, but what I ami more and more confirmed of) becaufe it hath a tendency to the fiding of us, either for or a- gainft the Lord. But among all friends none (o helpful and ftrengthening unto me, as our friend George Hill. However, I muft fay, that I find the Lord countenancing and bleffrng his work, yea, and giving teftimonies for his caufe : O! ever bleffed be his holy name therefore.
As for informations in other things, there is little to give your Honour ; only at our laft meet- ing, all that we did was the pending of the tefti- mony, fome papers for coming to you, and; fubferibing them ; laying afide the abufed oath of fecrecy ; and ordaining T. L. to teach our fcholats. At this meeting prefently enfuing, I know of nothing to be done, but fome other papers to be fublcribed ; our fcholars, fome of whom we are jealous of, examined ; and fome fought out to be fent unto your Honour, with our letrers and papers ; and (that which will be our continual work) a way thought upon for finding out of thefe, whofe tongues and hands are (o againft the Lord. And as for myfelf, ] in other things, fince I came home, I have \ been more pained and indifpofed of body, than I ihefe feveral years before : however it was made, fweet unro me, for I faw two things in it ; firft, I when before I was calling up, and counting all pieces of colt, I thought I faw my All in the Lord's hand, but only bodily ftrcngth, thinking
that
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that there was enough of that in mine own ; and he takes that way with me, which, O! is glo- rious, that I may have the ftrength as well as other furniture from his own hand, in more than an ordinary manner, that fo his name may get the more praife therefore. Secondly, I faw this in it, that though I have been in fome places of the country, yet I have 'out win through little of it: and where I have not been, I fear more an anxiety after the ordinances, than a thirfting after the Lord; fo that, I think, the Lord is feeking to get his people both to prize, and yet to be denied to the means.
O! dear Sir, the thoughts of our long ab- fence is frequently troublefome unto me; but lhall we not have a joyful, a joyful meeting in heaveD; and who knows, but we may meet in time? In the mean time, only be mindful of me, and the work which you know the Lord hath laid upon me, as lam, and defire to be of you, both in public and private. The Lord be with you. I am,
Your Hwour's hearty wellvjijlw,
realfympathlzer, greatly endeared frit
and mojl obliged fcrvant in ibe Lofd,
JAMES REN\THCK.
LET*
LETTERS-
LETTER XXVI.
From the Rev. Mr. James Renwick, to the La, dies Van, Heennaen, at Lewarden in FrieC- land, 1683.
Worthy Ladles, beloved in the Lord,
T Hough it haih- pleafed the holy God, in bis wife providence, to carve out my lot un^ to me, fmce my departure from you, that I had no time and occafion of writing; yet the Searcher of hearts knows (as I hope your good*- Defs will conftrudt it) that I have not been for- getful of you, nor of your heart concernednefs with Ziotih cafe, and fympatby with heraiHifled. children* particularly us ia Scotland; whereof I have fees great tokens and evidences. Ogo ©n ip holy terdernefs: |o on in zeal, for there- in lhilj ly your peace, as to dutjv Follow the Captain of Solvation folly, for he makes all his followers to enjoy the pnze; his foldiers he- 'makes them overcomers, and his fe wants kings, ' to reign with him for ever more, in his inherit taace, wJiereuoto he> their elder Brother, hath entered, to take pofleffion in their names* What ilia 1 1 we fay of thefe unfpeak&ble privileges af his people? Shall we not tiand' ftill (truck with wonder and admiration, having our mouths-, filled with the prai'fe of hrm, who left the glory of heaven, and the bofom of the Father, to come down, and to take upon him our nature,, that therein he might imerpofe himfelf betwixt die Father's wrath and ds, both by bis futfering,. and fulfilling of |hc law for us, that we might
not
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pot only be frted from fin and the ccnfeqjenrs thereof, but be made partakers of fuch ineorN eeiveable privileges, ard be reftored to a more happy and fure eftate than what we fell from* It is angels work to dcfire to look into this, and it will be our work thionghout all eternity ; and ftould we not fludy to be more in it now, viz, in praifing of him for his covenant of free g;ace, and for bis works of vjonders done w:to the fons of men; who delighteth to manikft his mercy, his power, and his holy wifdom, and to let poor things find fomething of himfelf in all his at- tributes, in their own experience; fo that they are made to fay, He is good, and do^s good. And for mine own part I may fay, that tho', when I had the occafion to fee your Lady [hips, he had done great things for poor unworthy me ; fo that I had great reafon to fct forth his praife, if I could have done it ; yet now he hath doDe much more, whk:h may furni fn new matter of prarfe : for, fince my departure from you, the Lord hath been pieafed to tryll me with feveral difficulties that he might have occafion of ma- BifelVing himfelf, in bringing me through the lame. In fire or water I dare not fay he hath left me or forlaken roe; and though penis by fea, and perils by land, and the fnares or enemies to the caufeand crofsof Chrift, have been mauy, yet he hath wonderfully brought me hitherto through the fame, and fruflratc the expeditions of the wicked; and nor only hath be. n at great colt and pains to lay obligations on me to be for hrm ; but alfo hath taken many ways to train Die up for this work he has laid upon me, and the circumfhnces of the time wherein my lot is fallen. Eat the greateft of all, I think, is, the
maBy
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many confirmations he hath £iven me of his owo caufe; and alfo, of his call to fuch a weighty bo- finefs; and his letting me fee what hath been a great part of his end in detaining mc fo long from my own land and people; which was, to cad mc and keep me a little fpace in Ireland, where he hath kindled a fire, which I hope, he will not fuffer to die out ; and hath put feme peo- \ :e upon a fearcbing of their ways, wherein they had turned from him. O! blefled be his name, •who will fee of the travel of bis fold, and be fatis- fied ; and who is that good lhepherd, out of whofe hand none fliall pluck his iheep; for the gates of hell fnall not prevail Agavijl his church \ and no wonder, for k is a rock, and built upon a rock. O ! come, let us lift ourfelves under his banner, and take his part againft: a lukewarm ge- neration, and refolve upon trials; for, I think, he loves none whom he lets want them : But confider for whom it is, it is for his name's fake, who is the chief among ten thonfand, who is alto- gether lovely.
Now, the Lord, who is not unrighteous to forget your labour of love, be all things unco you, and reward you for your fympathy and concernedneis with the Lord's people in this land, who are very fenfible of your becoming companions with them in their tribulations, and that ye have had com- panion upon them in their bonds, and defire the help of your prayers for the defolations of the Lord's holy mountain. So, no more at the time, being allured of your concernednefs with our .much honoured friend Robert Hamilton, of whofe .courage, constancy, and zeal for the Lord's caufe ye have proof; lor, what is done to him is, as it were doue to us all. Mind poor me,
anl
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and the great work the Lord hath laid upon me* The Lord be with you.
MADA M S,
Your Lady/hips affefiionate fervantt
and fympathizer in the Lord.
JAMES RENWICK.
LETTER XXVH.
From the Reverend Mr. James Ren wick, to the honourable Mr Robert Hamilton.
Hon. and dear Sir, Jan. 1684.
BEing by the Lord's providence with the La- dy Earljion, when fending away her totter*} I behoved to falute you with this line, ihewirg you, that (blefled be the Lord) I -am well every way, though my cafe be Angular, and my trials no lefs foch; yet I may turn my complaints into triumphant fongs ; tor I have i'^eh the Lord's wonders in the land of the living, and he is ftill recreating the number of his followers: for, tho' I (hould go over and over again to any country. iide, at every time there tome others ay out who did not come out before. But enemies are intending lad things againft us; for they are now leading ol; to* the Weft, threatning
to lay it defolate; laying, Thai ! never be
curbed till the;. that country a hont
field. But, let them prat, a higher hand all : and I am perfoaded, thai til thereby
be
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be more affrighted than fkaithed; though our- fears be not great, whatever be the fears of th apoftate party. Know alio, that Mr. Shields i brought to Scotland: I know that he and M». Ak drew Cameron and Mr Flint were joined toge tf\er in ieeking after ordination, that they nrgh cone home to Scotland: But when I heard it, I was not fatisfied thai you was not owned in ilf However, this hath a ftrange language : the Lon * hath cruihcd it; for their papers anent the fame and many books were caft away at lea. O'! th« majefty of your God and my God, that (bines ii his management of affair?: Let you and me (lam ftill aud admire this. So, leaving you to hi aH-Iufficiency ; with my love to all my friend with you. 1 am,
As formerly,
JAMES RENWICKl
LETTER XXVIiL
From the Rev. Mr. James Renwick, to the ho< able Mr. Robert Hamilton.
Hon. and dear Sir % March 29. 1684,
I Have very much to fay, but I have no time to exprefs m.ytelf : However, though I had ten thoufand" times ten thouland years, yea, the faculty of angels, I could, in no ways, lay out mine obligations to free grace ; but behoved, when I had babied my fill, to fcal op all with this, Christ is matchless: O he is the wonder of the higher houfet and will he not be
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jur wonder and my wonder throughout the ;es of lafting eternity ! Come away then, Jet us hour to keep up that work now, wherein eter- Xy will not weary us: We cannot now think ghtly of him, but we fhall get eternity to the ork : His beauty and excellency is (o raviihing, iat a poor weak, doilt-fond foul will be made > turn itsdazled eyes away from him, when yec ie heart will be melting in love's hand. CM at we be narrow veflels that can receive no- ling; but hereafter we fliall fee him as he is. ' what is he! Angels cannot define him, and e muft be filent; yet this I mull fay, he is Ht chiefs: all perfections meet in him ; he is rorious, and he is the only bed of choices; O! p is glorious in himfelf, and manifefts that in li his actings; his doings are like himfelf, and lirry large characters of ail his attributes engraven |)on them. Why are fuch confufions upon his lurch, but that he may get occafion to make s wifdom conipicuous in bringing order out ereof? O! he will do it, and his carrying on jftrange work of diicovery is a pledge of it: his
[ithfulncfs is engaged to do it. Let us not fear, ough enemies cruelty, and fteppersafuL^s ma- ;e, be more than formerly, yet his word fliall ind lure: And poor mad fools, what are they t>ipg, but crulhing themfelvcs, and letting up is rhrone? Now,
iRiglu honourable and dear Sir, there are ma- p paiticulars which I would write, but I cannot ft it done; howbeit I llnll wait to catch fome Importunity for it. Our fiend George having jven you at the time, a brief touch of feme lings; the Lord helps him to give many evi- i es ofJiacerity and ftedfaftjicli to the caufe,
aud
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and affe&ion to fuch in all places who are mofc< forely ihut at upon the caufe's account. I thought to have written fomething unto you anelu T L. but George having fpoken my mind, 1 (hall for- bear. Yet there is one thing which is your duty, and which is alio my duty to mention unto you, and that is, that you would take pains upon J.F. . to wear out that bad imprefiion which James Kuffel hath given him of us : O deal tenderly; with him, for he is but young, yet I hope, of; zealous intentions. Be concerned with him in that ftrange place, for he is a child of many prayers ; his relations bear a great affeftion ttm the caufe, and to all who own the fame; amhi your name is very favoury unto them. It is weighty; to me, that James BjiJJel hath infiiniate himleliB fo much upon him; for, his beinj; lent abroadi was, in fome meafure, upon expectation that bin and I fliould be together. Now,
Right honourable and dear Sir, let not diffi-; culties damp you; there is nothing that falls out' but what is in kindnefs both to the remnant and : to you: Regard cot the reproaches of toDgues;V are not theie the badges of your honour? oar- lot muft not be thought ftrange, for the Lord's, people heretofore have met with the like. Re* member ye have need of patience: we have e- nemies now upon all hands; and I muft fay, that man James Ruff el hath been a coftly James.. Kiiffel to the poor church of Scotland. I ihall fay no more; but as malice of oppofites to the caufe increafeth, let our love thereunto and to one another increafe.
You?' affured friend and fervant in the Lord, and your unworthy brother in afflitfions and reproaches for his name's fake, JAMES RENWICK.
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LETTER XXIX.
From the Rev. Mr. James Renwick, to Mrs. Jean Hamilton, at Lcwarden in Friefland.
Worthy Madam, June 20. 1634*
I Received your letter, which unbofomed to me a troubled cale, which in no (mail mea- ure does affieS my fpirit ; but as I am affet^ed .vith the.trouble of fpirit which ye exprefs; io, I un refreihed with my obferving that you are not Wenfible of your cafe, your great complaint be- ng of the want of light and life : But I am per- uaJed, that a creature altogether wanting the >i)e and the other, cannot be troubled anent :heir apprehended want of either; for none mifs hit which doth not belong unto them : a horfe path no fonfe of his want of the wings of an- *agle, becaufe thefe are not proper to him ; but /ant of his feet, he prefentiy mifleth the a me, when he is put to gc: Thefe who never knew any thing of light and life cannot mil? the I grant indeed, many unregeneratc have ing of common influences, which flalhes are far from that heart-fealing that the believer is acquainted with. However I conceive, that as poinmon influences are not permanent, and tend nothing to the changing of the heait; fo, the joor creature gets leave to red: in them, feeking .10 further; and when miffing them, is troubled :hiefly, if not only, -becaufe external duty then s neither fo eafy nor ire depths
•>ere that I da:
iin.e will not allow me to bring my (elf out a]
gain.
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gain. But, O Madam! what fhall I fay unto you ? Let no lcfs than Chrift himfelf fatisfy you mK ftudy to dwell under the impreflion of his prcciouf- nefs, for the contemplation thereof fills the heart with love to him ; and love, you know, is a moll eclive and lively thing: and judge not yourfftate by what you find your cafe, as to your fenfe, ibinetimes to be; for a very fruitful tree will bear neither fruit nor leaves in the winter feaibo, while as much fap will be in the root: Spend not time in debating, but in the fincere and fe- rious ufe of thefe means that ye have of union and communion with -Chrift, and this is both the fureft and the Ihorteft way to win to fixed- nefs ; neither feek fenfe's fatisfa&ion for the pre- fent, but a well grounded aflurance for the fu- ture: Look to the infinite power, and infinite love of Chrift ; there is a two-edged fword to cut aflbn- der all your Gordian knots. Infinite power, what can it not do? and infinite love, what will it not do! Never feek any thing in yourfelf to com- mend you to Chrift, for that will keep you ftill daggering; fo to his grace who is able to per- fect what concerneth you, do I recommend you. But as to your troubled cafe, in not knowing well whether you be called to ftay where you, are, or to come home; I confefs, when I pon- der all circumftances I find it very pulling, and I may fay, it hath given me fome errands to God, and am* in no fmall meafure concerned therewith: ''. But I would defire \ou, without anxiety, to wait on a little; for the Lord by his providential dif- penfations, or in a more extraordinary manner, will determine you: fome concerned friends are alio fpok: n to anent it, that they wouid ponder the c<iic before the Lord, and lee whether they
will
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will defire the babies to come home or not ; and their mind, I think, will be foon reported to your worthy brother, as this comes into your hands; fo at the time, 1 can write the lei's ancct it, and therefore leave you upon the Lord, is all in all; begging, worthy Madam, that you "would not forget the cafe that ye know he is in, who remains
Your LadyJIAp's foul's wellwifier, fympathizer,
and obedient fervant in the Lord,
JAMES RENWICK.
LETTER XXX.
From the Rev. Mr. James Renwick, to the Honourable Mr. Robert Hamilton.
Hon. and dear Sir, July 9. 1684.
YOur letter which I received was wonderfully fweet and refreshing to me, and was made a mean, in fome meafure, to prepare ine for whit I was to meet with ; for immediately there- after I was involved in fuch troubles as before I had not been tryftcd with, but all indeed, to manifeft, in a wonderful manner, the Lord's love and power to and for his people. For, upon the labbath, I fay, after your letter came to my hand, we met for public worlhip, near the lonkland; but that country bei. illyapoftatized into an open hoitiiity
the Lord, fome went quickJy a^ rave notice unto the ( G 2
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forces : Ilowbeit we heard thereof ere forenoon's fermon was ended, yet continued untill that part of the work was gone about: And thereafter, thought it fit to depart from that bounds, and that the armed men fhould keep together for their better defence and fafety ; which, through) God's goodnefs, was a mean to keep the enemjj from noticing and purfuing ftrangers, that being ftricken into fome confufion and terror, and keeping both their horfe and foot in one body j) yet they lodged all night, we not knowing of it, within a mile of fome, and two miles of others] of us, intending to fet fore ward toward thefe jioufes where we were. But the Lord, whofe ways are wonderful, made ufe of a malignant gentleman to detain them, he afferting that none] of us went toward that airth. Notwithftanding,, this wakened up the adverfaries more ; fo that, they kept up a purfuit and fearch, which proved very obftru&ive to our general meeting, which was upon that Tbitrfday thereafter : For upon that very day, they came with horfe and foot to fearch thefe muirs where we were, and came near upon upon us ere we got any thing conclud- ed ; Which thing moved us (we fufpe&ing that they, fome way or other, had gotten notice of fome of us being together) to remove from that place fome way off into a little glen, where -we reiolved to keep ourfdves obfeure : but after we had refled and refrefhed ourfelves a little, we e- fpied four of their foot marching toward u?, whereupon it was thought fit, to fend out fo ma- ny to meet with them, who when they came to- gether fired upon one another : but, the Lord's gracious providence fo ordered it, that there was not the Icaft'fKauh upon our fide; there being
L E T T E' R S. 77
one of the enemies wounded To that he died fince. Howbeit the ihots alarmed the reft of the enemies which were upon the hill ; and, when we drew out fo the open fields, we few their foot not very far from us, and got prefent advertifement that the enemy was ftill upon the purfuit and near unto us: We, in all haile, fet foreward through the raofs^ having no outward ftrength to fly unto, but by croiTing the way of the adver- fary ; whereupon we expected an encounter with them ; yet committing ourielves into the Lo band, we went on, uncil we came unto another cer- tain mofs, where we ftaid until night, and got much of our builnefs done. Bat in all this, the won- derful power of God was.feen, both in fpiritihg his people for that exigence, and prcferving us from failing amonglt the hands of the advc yea, though he [hewed us wonders therein, yet he delighred to fhew us more ; for, upon the Saturday night thereafter, there was a compe- tent number of us met in a barn for worihip; had not well begun until we heard b drums and trumpets of the enemies; but thought it mofl: expedient'to for Watches without, and continue at our work until we law further,
verthelefs, In all thefe tumults and dan;5;. Lord's goodnefs was fo manifefted to I people, thai he not only hid wincrs, and preferved them ; but: their fpirits from the leaft fear, <
ii motion ; yea, the vei them, would have made refc a-
So after i of u if it con .
were (k I woody place)
It : But, t
• G 3
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we got an alarm that the enemy was within two miles or thereabout, coming toward that airth ; whereupon we went over Clyde ; but fo foon as that was, we being in number about fix or feven, had almoft rencountered with a party of the ene- my's horfe, who at the croffing of our way, had inevitably met with us, if that the Lord had not fo ordered it, that a friend of ours had feen them ere they could fee us, who thereupon came run- xiyig toward us with a white napkrn (becaufe con- spicuous to us) flouriihing in his hand; whereup. on we halted, and when he came to us, we lurk- ed among fome bufhes until the enemy paft by ; and thereafter we fetting foreward by two and two upon our journey, which was intended to be but fhort, fome two of us met with one of the adverfary's number upon horfeback, who pre- fently fled with all his might toward Loner k, we being within three Ihort miles thereof; which forced us to take a defperate courfe, in running through that plenilhed country unto Darmead Mofs, ftill expecting to forgather with that hof- lile town of Lanerk, both horfe and foot; but the Lord's power and goodnefs was fach' toward us, that weefcaped all their hands; which thing was great matter of admiration unto us all, and made me to wonder no little. That fcripture, Pfal. exxvi. a, 3. being my companion^ Then faid they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them. The Lord hath done great things for us ; whereof tve are glad. And alfo, that other Pfalm, cxi. 6 He hath Jhev:cd his people the power of his works, thai he may give them the heritage of the heathen. O ! all theie things that he did to us and for us, were matter of great rejoicing in biinfelf : Bu: as I thought I fawjbenx
IL E T T E R S. 79
be pledges of greater things, whereby his at- butes might be more maoifefted, they were ade matter of double and greater joy unto me. z hath given us proofs of what he can do for people in the day of their ftraif, and gives us lod caufe to commit unto his faithfulnefs the an2gemect and railing up of his feemingly bu- ed work, and the carrying through of his peo- and ever fmce, it hath been my chief exer- fe, yea, and a while before that, the deep and aiding impreilion, of his unexpe&ed, fuddenacd lorious appearing for his name and people. I think we are like unto a poor helplefs, de- jicable, dead-like company, lying depieifed i a valley ; and he, as it were, by his word nd works difcoyering himfelf upon a hill top n our view, ftretching out his arms, and ail lightering to be at us, calling unto us that we jvould join our hearts and voices together, and :ry him down unto us; offering that his power and love meeting together, ihall trade down and diflipate unto nothing our dreaded obitroc- tions of one fort and another ; yea, I fay, if I know any thing of the mind of the Lord, that this is his fpecial call unto all his fincere follow- ers this day, Ifa. Ixii. 6, 7. Ye that make 1 lion of the Lord, hep nut filencc ; and give him no rej}, till be eJIMiJh m9 and till he
make it a praife in the whole earth. O ! let us all join together in this exercife, and let us be iiDcerc, ferver.t and copftant in it. Let us be at no manner of eafc while Zion is in trouble: for though we fhould be content with our cala- mity, yet ' I In no ways b ..: with our fin ptoc :he prefer. vation of cj and rebel-
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lion againft the Lord, whereby his name . ]y blaiphemed; alfo procured by our backflj ing. I fay, let us join in this exercife, in cryirjL to the Lord for his appearing ; for his people I delivery ihall be fo glorious, that it (hall a bull dandy make up all the coft, wreftling, a»L fuffering that they can be at: and though mail L of thera with their bodily eyes may never fee m g, and though fome of thefe that, in their placl and ftations, are employed about the building* many never fee the cape-ftone put thereupon for as flioit a work as the great Mafter-buM, er will make of it, yet what's the mattcrj| they are about their duty ; and their deliver ihall be more complete and more glorious And, for mine own part, though the end my (hould not get me reached,, feemingly thiri tabernacle of clay will focm fall ; for I am oftenl times varioufly and greatly diftempered in my] body; but while the Lord hath any thing rol do \vi:h me, I fhall continue, and I defire rol continue no longer ; though 'many live longer! than the Lord hath work for them. Hcwbcit,! ...any times admire the Lord's kindnefs toward! "me, for I never find any diftemper cf my body! 'but when I am fo circumftantiate, as, in marry! refpecfts, I may difpenfe with it ; and, through ( Iiis grace, this all my defire, to fpend and be* fpent for him in his work, until my courfe be* ended: and for feeing better days with my bo-jj dily eyes (chough I am pcrfuaded they 2re rear -• hand} I am not in the lead anxious, neither that defire cither foon or late my exercife ; for though they will be a happy people who wi be f6 privileged ; yet I coun: them more happy
•
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aho are altogether without fear, care, finning, or forrowing.
As for other news, Right honourable and dear- y beloved in our Lord, very many of u? with- n theie three quarters of a year, have fallen a- tnongft the ene; ds, and fome they exe-
tuted upon Icaffolds ; bur the Lord fo owned and countenanced fuch, efpecially tht Glafgow, that the fight of them took great effect: opon the generality of the people, and n fuch a frame amongfl them, which was dreaded by the enemy; yea, and a grand perfecutor, balled Major Windram, had three , who
within a little while of oiher died, one of them
very young boy, and two daughters come to the years of difcretion, who died very fweetly and fatisfyingly ; declaring, that the L hand was itretched forth againfl them, becanfe of the hand their father hath in {bedding the iblood of the faints; and obtefted him before Go,4,, that he would quite the courfe that he fol- lowed : which things had fomc, though no pro- Jnifing effect upon him. Whereupon, fince the enemy thought it moft conducing to rhcir pur- pofe to baniih them all; fo many who carried very ftedfallly were fent away, tkey leaving faith, fu! joint teftimonies behind th^m; whereof one was fubferibed by twenty. two hands, twenty of them having carried honeftly; and the other two acknowledging their fainting, in either feek- ing or conferring unto banilhraent : But, I think, the Lord hath a fpecial end in the fuch,
fending them away to be wkneffes againft the many complying mioiftets and profeflbrs, are going to that lame place: and may not wc be content to want a company of our {: >
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out of our own land, that they may be a teftip mony for the Lord in another place. Howbeit the enemies Jiands are wonderfully bound u] now from (hedding of blood. I do not knot what may be done, through the Lord's per mil f fion, by thefe new created powers, the Earf of Perth being called chancellor ; but York\± faftioo is difcourted, there being a variance, a f lead pretended, betwixt his brother and hinr.f but if real, I think, it maybe a mean to fliortcrT feme of their days. And as for what we did ii ou) lalt general meeting, after we had conde fcended to anlwer your ch fires, we laid it upor ¥. Linning to write his refhmony, and (hew it tc the next meeting, which he engaged to do? and if the meeting be pleafed therewith, I think ! he will go abroad unto you And, for my owa 1 part, if his teftimony be fatisfying, I can fay nothing againlt it ; for I think he is the moll1 hopeful lad, by appearance, that we have ;, and hath kythed much wiilingnefs to ferve the rem-*1 riant any way. But at our lafl: meeting we got not Mr. William Boyd fpoicen to, nor heard; neverthelefs I am fadly afraid that he breed us work yet: but I pray the Lord may difappoiat my fears.
Now, right honourable and dearly beloved ih our fweet and precious Lord, what fhall 1 fay unto yo.u? or how fhall I exprefs myfelf? The incomparablenefs of times trials and fufferings, frith the lovelineis of Chrift, and the glory that fhall be revealed thereafter, makes me forae- times I fee neither trouble nor danger, mine eyes being (hut thereat, and carried to behold a froall glim pie of that which is beyond tribula- tion's reach ; but in fuch a cafe fiient wonder-
ing
LETTERS. S3
ig is mofl: my exercife. O! what a life will it e, when we ihall neither fin ror forrow ! when e (hall lay down our arms, and take up the aim of victory and triumph in our hands, and >llow the Lamb with fongs of praife in our louths! everlaiting love and joy will be all the rork that is there. O ! what manner of work
that? The ardency of love, without abat- 1g or internvflions ariling. from the contU pal beholding of crowned Chrift's fupertranf- endent lovelinefs and excellency, and the ^lnefs of joy, without intermiflions and allay- jients, arifing from the enjoyment of that fo ,)ve!y and beloved objefl ; What manner of ?o\k is that? They that get a fighr of that, will je made to cry out, We will jpend no more la- our for that -which Jatisfyetb not. Of the full iid iufficient fatisfaft on that is in the matchleis iearl, Ciirift : he is all things defirable. Let us jeftow all our love, our whole *aff< dions upou itn : and when we have done, let us wonder iat he fiiould feek it, and take it off our hands. Vhile in thefe lids of juftling, let us put all ,ur weapons in love's hand : love is a rcfolutc pldier, love is an undaunted champion; love's fo much taken up with contemplating le Beloved, that it cannot lee dingers in the
ay, but runs blindly upon them ; and yet not Jlindly, but knoweth for, whom, and for vvhat ; io ventureth. Love will never turn the wea- ols againlt the Beloved; yea, will never turn lie back upon the Beloved's quarrel. O! what
champion is love ? I confefs good company, ► nd abiding company, is much to be defired,
nd love is that. Faith at length willevanifti sto light, and hope into pofleiliou ; but love is
the
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the Chriftian's continual companion, £nd a brave companion it is; for it is no burden to love, when there is the lading enjoyment of the Be- loved, and the full and continual allurance of immenfurable love again, as it is when love u igade perfect.
. Ah! if time woald (lay, I would not wtary to: write unto your Honour ; for, I do not know^ when, if ever, I may have the occafion again. But while I am, I defire to be concerned with you. O! go on, and fear not. The Lord, Ij hope, will ihew you a token for good, that they who hate you may lee it and be aihamed. Diead muling in your intended journey, the Lord v/ill be with you; and I pray again and again that fo it may be, and that he may blefs your labours, and make them contribute to the pro-- curing an uniformity amongft churches, that fo* he may be one, and his name one amongfl: us., I hope I need not deiire you to mind me a-i poor thing, who have much to do, and nothing in myfelf to do with, and who remains,
Honourable and dear Sir,
Your real, conftant fympathijlng friend
andfervant in the Lord,
JAMES RENWICK.I
LET-
LETTERS. *5
LETTER XXXI.
Fro'.n the Rev. Mr. James Renwick, to Mr. Robert Hamilton.
Honourable and dear Sir, Augufl 23. 1684.
I Thought once that your expectation of our letters (hould have been more quickly an* wered than cow it could be ; but the holy md wife God, who doth all things well, fo or- dered it that it is fallen out otherwife : for upon :he 3'jch day of July, when L was going, m company with other three, to the general meet- ing, we efpied two dragoons meeting uz. not expelling any more to be following, we >vent foreward, not dreading them; but when eve came with in word and ihot, we faw a party of about twent) more very near upon i>s: where- feeing there was no probability of refili- ng Afcm, we turned up to a hill called Dun- But my three neighbours being; on foot md I on horfe- back, they rompafied about the "not of the hill, but I took up to the height, being hotly purfued by many of that party; bme whereof were at my right-hand to keep me from the modes, and others behind,
as they came within ihot, difcharged up- on me : fo being near unto the top of the hill, and finding myfelf belet round abou:.
r no vifiblt* door to efcape, I thought fit to tkc horfe which I had, and to wait till I / what God did in it. But after I hadlighted m the horfe, \ faw befoe n-e a piece of good Enable gioand, whereopoa 1 cil'i/cd to mount II
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sgain upon the horfe, but the bead would noz (land unto me; whereupon I rdolved to kill the horfe, left the enemy fhould be thereby ftrengchned ; howbeit, having bin one fnot, I thought fit to keep it for a greater extremity ; finding the bead iuch as would not ftaud (till, I reached it with a {babble which I had, con- jecturing, that poffibly (the place being unin- habited) the beaft might fave my wallet and the papers, together with Mr. B's waller. Thus I went up to the top of the hill upon foot, and feeing myfelf fo encompalfed that I could not run from them, and that I was in no ways able to fight with them, I judged it my beft to clap/ upon the ground: fo \ went unto a cairn, which by fituation was about fix or feven pace of ground out of all their eyes, thinking to ly down upon it ; all the hill being green,, and bare in that place, knowing that God could carry their fight over it; fo coming to the top of it, ■ efpied in it a pit, which when I faw, it entered into my mind, that it was ordained of God for hiding of me: Thus I lay down into it, winning by God's goodnefs, to a chcarful fubmiffion to death, torture, or whatsoever his will might be* But I was, in no fmall meafure confident, tha£ no evil at that time could happen unto me, the* Lord giving me that fcripture, Pfal. vi. 8. De- part from me, all ye workers of iniquity ; — which was fc powerful, that I was made, I think, a hundred times to repeat it over, ere I could get* myfelf (layed ; together with that other Pfalniy xci. ii. For he ftall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways : which was. fuch unto me, that I lifted up' my head to fee *hele angels ; but, confidering my folly in
that
LETTERS. 87
that particular, I was made to laugh at my own wicieliheis. So I lay ftiii until the fun fet, iome- times praying and fometimes praifing God, tho* Oh ! I can do neither to purpofe. But joy that the Lord's works of wonder for me afford, were (wallowed up in forrow, becaufe what befel my dear brethren, who (all that were with me) fell into the enemies hands, one
m receiving ele\en wounds. Then, after all, nl thought upon drawing oft' the hill, n ving the way to one friend's houle iu the whole country; 1 betought the Lord, that as he had hid me, fo he would lead and guide me.. Thus I let my face toward Clyde, and after I I towelled about four miles, 1 met with Wind-hill, wuii wliom I if ayed two days, and kept a meei, upon the fecond Dfght, even while the militia
:ching that fide of the country; and tv, that night I rowly elcaped, as it had
been even out of lb paws. O! time would
faii me to relate the Lord's works of wonder . poor unworthy me: for even iince, I have in one day cleaned three or four fignal hazards. O ! what ihall I fay of the Lord's way v.iih me? He will either have ir.e 1 will
have me appear to be indociole. O for grace anlwcr his pains taken upon me. And as for the prefect - .and, it was never fuch ; enemies
ha.- orth a proclamation, calling ail
-north Tay to be in readinefs agai
of this month with fifteen daysprovi- . .1 it is thought, to fpread over the v. land ; but the Lord koows what th<
pole* are. However, v ; proclaim.
U all m:n i wherever *
1 .e to be dull .::d kept ::
8S LETTERS.
known what they are. Now, the adverfary is inoft cruel, and apprehends not only all men, but even the women whom they can get their hands nporr, and ufe them moll barbarouily. O what ineaneth this hot^furnace ! furely it is not to con- fume, it is to purge and refine. O for grace, for grace to endure unto the end. I think Scotland. is now like a woman in hard labour, who mufti] either get a fpeedy help and delivery, elfe fhe.: will be in peril of dying in travel. But courage! yet, her (harpeft (bower is at the minute of her delivery. Die, die (he will not, for the Lord is!} but hafting through her travel. The more fore \ the pains be, the more joyful her delivery will be $1 yea, the Lord will make brave mirth at it; forr he will have a feaft of many a man's carcafe atv it. As for more particular news, JV. K. will give>, you an account; I have not feeii his teftimonyj but I think, he is a good honeft lad. R. G. hatlig carried always very ftedfaftly, and is .now fen-*; tenced with banilliment; a wonderful reftraint i upon enemies indeed.
I law your honour's letters which you wroie home anentMr. Flint's bufmefs; and I cannot pafsjj this, that 1 obferved in, the drain of them much trouble, if not difcouragement to be held forth.. 0 fy upon you, where is all your undaunted bold-'& > and true magnanimity now ? what fear you ? | what can he and his party do? they are incapable 1 of doing barm here; they are but rendering themfelves fuch, as Yhat their memories ill a 1 1 be written over with contempt and ignominy to all after generations.
Now, the Lord be with you, and teach you * to ufe your weapons rightly for him in this dav
of
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of rencounter. 0 ceafe not to pray for poor Scotland, now in travel, and for him who is,
Yours, as forme; [ ■,
JAMES RENWTCK.
P. S. If time ?rould permit, ilk day furniihes me both with fad and refrefhful tidings to repre- sent unto your honour; refreihful, for our pri- fon houfes are filled with Tongs of joy and praife, yea, they were never more refreihful, for they 'are palaces indeed. But our fad cafe other-.vifc iliil inc;c2leth ; for many are apprehended; yea, : women incarcerate* and fome of them baniflicd, and men execute upon the very diy when they receive the lenience of death, .
JAMES RENWIC
LET T.E R XXXIL
From Mr. James Ren wick, to the bono:: Mr. Robert Hamilton.
Hon. and dear Sir, 1 684*
I Received yours, and vns refrePned to fee z line from your hand again ; yet I am not a little troubled that our converfc by tetters Ribald not be more frequent; bo: continual hurrying and toffiricr flops it on my part, together with foch a multitude of bufinefs, that fometimes [ would put a greater price upon an hour of than upon much riches. 0 Si ; knew my
H 3
<?o LETTERS.
work, if they had not hearts harder than ada- mants, they would be affe&ed with commifera.- tion ; but -why fhould I fay thus, for who kcew the Lord's Rindnefs to poor unworthy me, they would make me the objeft of their envy. I may fay this indeed, that the Lord fufiers not my work, however unfupportable to flcth and blood, to be burdenfome unto me ; for, though the world think my cafe mod niiferable, yet, I think, it is fo happy that I know Dot a man this day, upon the face of the earth with whom I would exchange my lor. 01 it is ra<>re fweet and pleafant to be fwiming in the fwellings- of Jordan for Chrift and with Chrift, than to Uvat- ter in the pleafures of fin, and delights of the flefh; y£a, though Chriftians had not a heaven hereafter, I cannot but judge their cafe, even; here, happy beyond all others; as the Pfalmift Uyeth, That haft put gladuefs in my heart, more than in the time when their com and their ivine in- aeafed, Pfal. iv. 7. And when the world frowns jnoiT:, I know, it is the time wherein the Lord fmiles mod upon his own : O rherefore, let none of them fear a Offering lot: enemies think them- selves famfied that we are put to wander in daric florray nights thro* mofles and mountains ; but if they knew how we were feafted, when others are Seeping, they would gnafti their teeth for anger. Q) I cannot exprefs, how fweet times I have bad when the curtains of heaven have been drawn, when the quietnefs of all things in the- filent watches of the night, has brought to my. mind the.diny of admiring the deep, filent and uncxpreflible ocean of joy and wonder, wherein the whole family of the higher houfe are ever- tellingly drowned; each ftar leading me out to,
wondet
LETTERS. ci
omler whdt he muft be, who is the ftar of Jj. 'Jjy the bright and morning ftar, who maketh 11 his own to (hine as ftars in the firmament. In- eed (if! may term it fo) I am much obliged to Demies, for, though they purpofe my mifery,. et they are inftrumental of covering many a fac able to me ; and while they are pining away in ufk envy and pale fear, I am feeding in peace nd joy. O poor fools! what can they do? the reateft wrong they can do, is, to be inftrument- i in bringing a chariot to carry us to that high- r houfe, and ihould we not think this the great- ft favour. Let enemies never think that tiiey an make the people of God's cafe mifersble, hile he lives and reigns; and I wot well, he ath that to give, and will give that which will sveeten all the fears of his followers. And I lay fay this to his praife, thai I have found fo auch of his kindnefs and fupply. in fetting a- out his work in fuch hard circumftances, that irough the prevailing of a body of death fom-e- mes, and defire to be with himfelf, makes me |)ng for a diffolution; yet, I think, I could be ontent to dwell if it were a thoufand years io lis iniirm and weakened body of clay, with ontinual roil and hazard, to carry his name to is people*.
Now, Right honourable, as to news here, now, that the Lord is (till increafing his peo- le in nunvber and fpiritnal ftrength ; and many
facrifice he is taking off their hands; for there re not many days wherein his truths are not feal- d with blood, and that in all places, fo tbftl
m*k, within a little, there iliall not be a mofs r mountain in the Weft of Scotland which thall •t be flowered with martyrs. Enemies have
brc.
%1
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brought down the Highlanders upon us, and the with the forces do run through the countr (Lord give direction and ftrength) and kill ai whom they meet with, if they do not fay whatfo ever they bid rhem. We are fearing mafTacres here is a maflacre indeed. Ob that my bead wen waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that . might weep without intermiffion, for the flain c the daughter of my people. Alfo, they have givex out, by aft of parliament and open proclamation that all mipifters and hearers ^vho are to be foum in the fields, are to be killed prefently; and i found in houfes, the minifter is to be killed, anc the people fined. The devil now is come dow in great wrath, becaufe he knoweth his time tc be but fliort. Mr. Alexander Shields is yet alive. and feems ay to be more and more right ; tc* indeed hath made a foul fall, but I think, he \i duly fenfible. All the reft of the prifoners are very well encouraged. I have of late made a hafty journey into England the length of Arew* caftle, and (blefled be the Lord) with much more nor expected encouiagement and fuccefs.l I car not at this inftant grant your defire, but I ilia II keep your memorandum till I get it done, for I have been thefe eight days fo harried andchafid Vith continual alarms, that Icould not get felted to write any; andjhe Lord, to manifeft his power, gave me a moft remarkable delivery.
Now, dear Sir, begging it of you and all friends, that you will be bufy and inftant with God, thai1 he tniy be with us in the day of our extremity: I and commending you all to the grace of God, ; with my love and fervice to yourlelf, and them of whole concernednefs with the Lord's caufe, we j are all fenfible, and that they are moft ftrength*
ening
LETTERS. 93
: cning to you againfl all your antsgonirts, parti- ! cularly to the En. V. H. to whom I purpofe, . God willing, to write. I am ever,
As formerly,
JAMES RENWICK.
LETTER XXXIil.
'From the Rev. Mr. James Renwick, to —
Hon. and dear Sir, Feb. 28. 1685.
H Received your letter, which was many ways refreshing unto me ; as alio, the way of its coming to my hand, for when I was upon my travels, about the letting forth of my mailer's ware, there arofe fuch a ftorm of weather, which forced me to turn off my journey a little, to tLe Dearefl: great inn?, and there I £ot your letter, and alio my wares better received off my hand :han ever before in that place: Hence I am made :o(ee, that divine provide nee is a myfterious thing, nd thai I never lofs a whit more of 3 ftorm. Alfo, 'here is one thing in your letter which made me not a little to admire, to wit, your apprehenfiou :hat I was forely fit] there was a great
Icaith among traders, and that my fie
K mean of my preservation; a leel guefs ndeed. In reference hereunto, I II you
1 pretty paffage. Upon a c< he dilmilTion of a market, there went about for- y of our merchants foreward a littl re me,
jpgn the way that I wa« go i fig, with whom I
tryfted
94 LETTERS.
tryfted to meet the night following: Bat after a little deep, ficknefs fo pofleft me that I was not able to keep my *ryft; whereupon I lent awaj fome merchants that were with me to go fore- ward with the reft about their bufinels; whe upon the day following, were aflaulted with a great multitude of our antagonifts, who were fix for one, (o that our merchants were not able to ftand ; whereupon they took the jetrcat, and cutftripped their antagonifts with out any fkaith, fave the lofs of one : Now: before this came to pafs I dreaded it. But what think you of my ficknefs and your, guefs? for if I had been with the reft I had been taken frcm all trading; for my body is fo weakened with much travel, ■ that though I travel more than any, yet I cannot com.e.fo good ipeed as a thers, when need required") : Alio within two days my ficknefs left me. Now, I leave all this to your thoughts, for it would be tedious for me to write mine; and I think, you may guefs at them, as you did a: rich was more dark.
But to come to the fubftance of your letter, you have opened up the myfteiy of our trade abroad, which I dreaded, yet 1 undcrftood it not; but I agree with your advice, as to thefe men's fub- fcribing of our principal accounts. But my mafter is ta.kieg the wifeft way ia it; for now he hath ;.ed Gffcur antagonift's chief factor; fo that I think, all merchants will now ihortty fide them- , and when at the pu(h they declare them- s willingly whole trade they are for, it will k forth the more ingenuity, and we will . better what to think of them; (o we not be rain in our proposals, till we fee how thefe mcij fettle, for now ihey muft fettle fome
way
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way or other. This is my poor advice at the time, but I have not as yet met with any num- ber of our merchants to confult with anent it. However, the lame myftery from abroad is 2lfo at home with us, but I find all our merchants pretty ftedfaft; for ail forts are mod earneft the: we fhould tread with them, and they with us But tl judge, they refpe'et not the advantage of our trcde therein, but of their own: Xeverthelefs, what think you, makes them fo earned to trade with us? Our wares go well off our hand* at borne; this is part of the reafon of it : Our mer- chants daily iocreafe, this is another part: But I judge, the chief re a,' on be this, They look up- on us as venturous merchants, that dow not a- bide pinging with naughty commodities, but let out ay for wholefale ; and that we are refolute, ft that no florin will keep us back from our in- tended voyage: Whereupon they think, if we would trade with them, they would get us fet up- on all defperate traffic, and if we did won, it would be to their hand ; and if we loft, we would 3Ut lofe ourielves, which the moil: part of them would not regard much. Here, I think, lies the knack.
But, worthy Sir, for your further fatisfaflion and information anent our trade at home, thefe few things, I think fit to tell you that I obferve, (i.) That the greatefl part of the country give their approbation to our trade, and the way there- of, though they have not hea«s to give their gold and, money for our wares. (2.) That very many think our wares lo worthy, that they (pare not to be flow either gold or money upon them. (3.) That very many, who, I thought, would aot have looked us in the face, refort to our
irkeu
$6 LETTERS.
markets in all places, (4.) Very many are feek-
ing to be in our incorporations, who, I think,
are downright for our trade ; but I fear fome of
them are feeking rather, that we fhonld have a
great (lock, and that they thould (hare with us,
than, that my mafter fhould get credit; whereas
he refpe&s his credit more than he doth all the
gold ajid money in the world. . (5.) None are
received in amongft us, who eitherjeave us, or
rue their trading with us. (6.) Our merchants
ere all fearlefs, as if they could not lose any
thing. (7.) They are refolute, they will not flip
a market for a foul day, or ly ia the harbour be-
caufe of a ftorm. (8.) The waiters are fo angry
at our goods, that ordinarily they do not bring
them, when they catch them, to public roupings,
or to be burnt by the hands of the common
hangman, but deftrojuhem where they may find
them: This is occafioned partly by the refolut*
nets of ojr merchants, who will not let the
waiters carry away any of our goods, fo they come
to be deftroyed when the waiters are the ftrong-
eft party ; and partly by the malicioufnefs of the
waiters, who, unlefs our merchants renounce
their trade, they prefently deftroy their goods.
I may fay, my mafter hath gotten us fome braved
refolute merchants, whom an hafty propofal ne-:
ver furprifeth. (9) The waiters have gotten
many of the bell: of our goods deftroyed ; yea,;
they have caped more from us within thefe
two years, than I thought then we had ; '
and the more they take, we have the iQore bcM
hind ; but this is only through the wit of my'
mafter; yea, he is fo wife, that ere he want
wares he will make (tones give Giver. (10.)
There is fome difference amongft our merchants
anen:
LETTERS, 97
6 aaent the manner of feeking in our debts of the t i all: accounts, which we gave in againfl: our an- ' ragonifts; but I do not fear that my mafter will i| fuffer a breach among us upon that head, for wc i all agree in, the matter.
Now, to come to what is your defire in your memorandum fent unto me.
i. As to that information anent Mr. Lap. I got it from young Mr. Fi/fjer, who had it from his brother at London. As alfo, I know, that his brother hath left trading with the leading merchants at London, fave with Mr. Fife, with whom I hear not that he trades much.
2. As to correfpondence with Groetnvezyb, (by whom I underftand Mr. Br.) there hath been more fmce his flitting ; and as for any letters be- twixt him and Mr. Fifier Elder, is a thing un- known to me ; neither have I any diftinft notion of his feeking to-trade with us, fave by the ap- prentice you lent over.
3. As to our late accounts, we (hall fee to get them unto you; as alfo how that money may be received off your hand.
Now, R'ght honourable Sir, at the time, I (hall trouble you no further, not knowing v. how to get this conveyed to your hand; buf leave you to my matter's direftion and counfel, who, I know, can make known unto yot1 the fe- crets. of our trade, and the engines of our op- pofers. My love to all friends who wnh us a ^ood market, and (how them I forget them not,
Yours 9 toftrve you to my power in my majier's em}
J. RENWIC
9% L E T T E R S,
LETTER XXXIV.
From Mr. James Renwick, to Mrs. Jean Ha milton at Lewarden in Frieiland.
Worthy Madam, March 2. 1685.
YOur letter was long in coming to my hand, and it hath been long in anfwering; but I had never the expe&ation of an occafion before this ; as alio your cafe was troubleforae to me, and [ knew not well what to fay anent it; and the moil that I can fay yet, is, that I defire ear- neftly to fympathize with you, and to mind you before the Lord, for I know your burdens. How- ever I dare not advife yon to it ;
1. Becaufe of the many corruptions, which, I fear, are not fo burdenlome to them now, as once I apprehended they were to fome of them.
2. Becaufe of your own unclearnefs anent it: I fay this, not that I make our clearnefs a fuffici- ent warrant either to do or not do; for then the fcriptures would not be the rule ; yet to him that efteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean : As alfo, I think, your unclearnefs is not groundless. But here arifeth the difficulties.
(1.) How {hall this be reconciled with your wor-
. thy brother's praftice ? yet I do not fee them
juftle together ; for though, he heareth, yet I
know, he withdraweth from what is corrupt,
which you would not get fo handfomely done.
(2.) How ihallthis be reconciled with the ordi- nation ? yet neither is there any contradiction fyere.; for in the ordination they came to us, and ac:ed according to Scotland's reformation, and if
thcfe
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thefe whom you were to bear, would do fo in all points of worfiiip, you need not have any ibruple.
But as for your coming here with the children, I fee not how you can refolve upon it as yet, for though your cafe be fad there, as to many things, it would be more fad here. Therefore my poor advice is, that you would contentedly ftay a little, till you fee what the Lord doth, and wreftle through your difficulties the beft way you can ; for we are expe&ing ftrange things fuddenly at home : Yet if you law a general calamity coming upon that place, better to come home and ihare in Scotland's calamity, in whofe fin we have all a {hare, than to lhare in the calamities of ano- ther place.
Now, Dear Madam, my dear and worthy friend, look to the Lord himfelf for your direc- tion, upholding, encouragement, comfort, and upmaking; for come what will it will be well with the righteous, and all lliall end in public teftimony of divine favour to thefe who wait up- on the Lord; though he fhould (hake heaven and earth yet he will be the hope of his people, and the rigth of the children of Ifrael, Joel iii. li
iw, to the word of his grace I commend you^.
Worthy Madam,
YoiwLadyflntfs 'indonbted fympath'fing friend in the Lord, JAMES RENWICK. I 2 LET-
loo LETTERS.
LETTER XXXV.
From the Rev. Mr. James Renwick, to the ho nourable Mr* Robert Hamilton.
Hon. and dear Sir, Edin. May 13. 1685
I Have been with your friend Robert, and got fome account of affairs, whrch made me to wonder not a little; but Andrew Cameron's in- formation hath made me to wonder much more ; for I could not believe that policy could mafic 0- ver temporal defigns with fo fair colours and pretences. ^Whereupon, we have great need of the wifdom of the ferpent, as well as the harm- leffhefs of the dove. I find, Andrew Cameron's drift is to get in with Argyle; but to me his ar- guments are more diiluafive than perfuafive. But I dread W. B. greatly, having feen a paper from his own hand, where he yields to all their defire ; I fear the hand ofjoab hath been in it; and he, forfooth, woukl have it publiihed in cor
.e; bu*, through grace, I will oppofe it v. my whole vitals. I am likewise afraid of jpipe others anidngfl: us, but of none lave of fuch as I had former jjiloufies, but codd not bottom fuf-
fnt reafons againfl: them. I have feen . your animadveriions- upon the aflbciation, wl I agree with; for as a Crott
and Butbwclian cocnpou. d: But as for your s
averdons on our declarat on, 1 think, the co-
..taries of politics have made you look upon it after another fort tl ould
have done; lor we defig > be taken joii
ale; i our other tefti monies and
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iot
and fo the door is not wider than it was : neither can any ftiow ar>y thing in that declaration but what I think may be eaiily reconciled with our other tefti monies and actings; To, I think it a thing below you or me to trouble ourfelves with the various expofuions that perfons, for their bwn ends, put upon it: for fome represent it as the ftricteft thing that ever came from our hands, thereby to make us odious; lbroe again, as the laxeft that ever came from our hands, that there- upon they may get a door to enter; but there is none opened, and our wall is fo well cerfenrcd, that, through our camp-raafter, they will not break thorough : If fome ihall jump over it, and
fo out from us, yet our wall fhall iland inviola- le. Wherefore trouble not yourfelf, . O right honourable, about Logomachies, for our practice will comment upon j
Hoping ts meet with friends (hortly, I will be in a capacity \c inform yon fully. And praying' ihtf the Lo;'u°may give light and life. Ian,
Right honoured, \
Yours as former J \ t
TAMES RENWICK.
LETTER XXXVL
horn the Rev. Mr, James Ren wick, to the . now able Mr. Robert Hamilton.
i
Honour die Sir> July 9. 1685
F I durft have ventured this with the pef- could have had another pcuiloD, I I 3
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have written to you ere this time; for, I know you will be anxious to hear how it is with u$ But it would take a great volume, and require ailr accurate obferving capacity to write our cafe Howbcit this is no (mail comfort and encourage ment, that the Lord fo vifibly takes our matter:] in his own guiding; for, before Argyle brake] many of our friends were greatly puzzled, whe-1 ther the Lord was calling them to follow thei former methods, or to draw altogether by them felves, and to emit a declaration of their own; whereupon, there was a meeting appointed to coniiderthe matter, and alfo a day for prayer; but the Lord difappointed our meetings, one after another, until Argyle was apprehended and his party fcattered ; to this was put out of our heads : yet our fnares fince have been greater than here- tofore ; for Mr. Barclay and Mr. Langlandj pafs up and down the country, and have got them- felves too much infmuate upon fr£^i*al of our wanderers, pretending no difference Trora us, but a willingnefs to join. Howheit, I met with Mr, Langlands, and lound him no otherways ' than when I was in Holland: He owned his writing that letter to Mr. Bracket, but would grant with no wrong therein; fo the main thing that they drive at, is, to have us lay afide our challenges, and they would be filent. But it is clear to me, that the Lord doth not fend them ; for, if he did, they would not cover their iniquity; alfo their need, and not our need hath moved them ; but if they lhall, infuch a drain, ftep to the fields with public preaching, I think, they will not keep them long, for he hath taken pofleffion of our high places until he return to our temple again. Hjwbeic, if it were the Lord's will you were a>
mongfl
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njongft us, I think (through the Lord's grace and affiftance) that mighr be inftrumental of very 3i much good; but for my foul, I dare not advife you to come, confidering what hazards you may run in your coming ; yet you may lay it out be- fore the Lord, and if he do not open a door for your journey, do not venture upon it ; for, I hope, he is referving you for fome greater work. O be not anxious, for the Lord will. make a ftroke clear our controverfies.
As for our news, Argyle7s party is wholly dif- fipate; for they difagreed amongfl: themfelves, not upon the dating of their quarrel, but upo'n the way of profccuting it. No conditions to them were keeped, and this rendered rhem very diflatisfied A* gyle is beheaded; Rombold exe- cute, after the manner of worthy Rathillet ; Sir J. C. apprehended, and his fon, with feveral o- thers. Bat Monmouth is yet bulled in England, whereby the Scots forces are marched right to- wards the border, which animates JVillunn Cle- land, &c. to make a new flir, and fo our difficul- ties are as formerly. As for your brother Sir JVilliam, he was lieutenant to Rombold ; he i.s yet alive, with fome of his friends. I refolve to ipeer him out, and inform him I have feen J. N. who faith, he is with us in all things, and that he came with Argyle on\y for paffage, being under no engagements, and taking no place from thcHn. Andrew Cameron is a great agent for them, and not fimple in their buiinefs; here* fofeth joining with no miniiters wiio were not a&ually indeed, or defenders of fuch. G. H.; R. Sfiiitb, and David Steel; are well; but R. Smith cannot find an open door to come unto
you.
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you. M. B. is like to die in pfifcn. Mr. Alex- ander Shields feem not to be of a right ftamp *. Now, I hope your Honour will pardon ray con- fufion, occafioned by my hafty pen. I cannct exprefs my thoughts to you ; but I fay again, the Lord will take our matters in his own hand : O! let us be bufy with himfelf, and commit all unto him, who hath the government upon his ihoul- ders. Scotland's day is coming; happy thofe who are in their chambers. My love and fervice to all friends with you, foreigners and others. The blefling of him who is in the burning bulk be with you. I am,
Honourable Sir, .
Your fervant as formerly, .
JAMES RENWICK;,
LETTER XXXVIL
From the &rv* Mr. James Ren wick, to Robert Speir at Edinburgh.
Dear Friend, Oiicber 23. 1685^
WHut paft at our lafl: meeting time will not al'ow me to inform you off, neither need I be careful about the fame ; for I know that ;he bearer can do it as diftinctly as I: however, I thought fit to write unto you, lhewing that the meeting is no ways difcontenc with your purpofe
of
* He took the Abjuration Oath the 6th of Auguji after this, as H^drcw isitifies, vol, ii.
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cf going abroad at this time. And as to what I have writtten to my honourable and dear friend; which I did let you fee, though I judged it not fit to communicate the fame to other friends; as I was telling yoa by word, fo I defire that you would fignify to him, that he mud take it only as my thoughts at that time, which, in a great raeafurc, were undigefled, and through the multitude of bufmefs and contendings, and various weight! upon my fpirir, not a little con- fufed: alfo, as I was telling you my mind more fully auent ihefe things than I have written it, fo I defire that you would fpeak with him con- cerning the fame, (hewing my thoughts more confpicuoufly than my letter doth. Moreover, if I have written any thing which is unfeafon- able, or not right and equal, I am content to be informed and inflructed by him : but it is my deiire, if he will agree therewith, that after his reading and confidering the fame it may be deftroycd; for I think it not any advantage to the caufe, to keep any letter (vo:n friends, but what is written as their fixed and deliberate thoughts about matters.
Now, for your coining home, I think ;. u have feen many depths of mercy and judgment mani- fested to tiie poor church of Scotland ; you have feen the afflicted remnant brougl C unto, and through many difficulties ; you have feen much matter of joy and forrow ; (of I hope, your tra- vels hither have not been without fruit, i praying that the Lord may appear at his own work, ant in his own way, in the ing d ;, and to
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re&ion, afliftance, prote&ion, and provifion,
am,
Dear Sirr
Your ajpured friend,
and fervant in the Lord,
J 9
JAMES RENWICKp LETTER XXXVIII.
From the Rev- Mr. James Renwick, to Mrs. J Hamilton, at Lewarden in Friefland.
Worthy Madam, Nov. 18. 1685,
YOU doubtlefs think it ftrange of my long filence, and it is far contrary to my own refolution ; but the abounding of inward care, and the continuing of outward toffing, blocketh me up from doing many things which I would :. and it is no great wonder that a man under fuch1 variety of providences as I am, cannot be matter of his own purpofes. Howbeit, I may fay, your cafe, and the cafe of the family, lieth in fuch a meafure upon my heart, that I cannot get the fame forgotten ; and though this bean infignifi- cant thing, and of little purpofe to your Lady.' Ihip, yet I own it is my duty. I never look up- onN your cafe but^I think it is in k>me things lingular. Your lot is caft in a ftrange land, fc- pa rated from ycur friends and acquaintances, but communion and fellowlhip with God will make your lot ftvee: and pleafant unto ycu, and furoifli you with abundance of joy in every
outward
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©utward condition ; and this, I hope, you are fometimes fenfibly tailing: alio, I doubt not but the company of your worthy brother, and fome dear foreigners, is not a little refrefhful unto you. Moreover, when I confider your circum— fiances, Ruth's cleaving to Naomi is (till brought before me; and without the lead of flattery I fay it, I think what you have done for your dear filter's family (coming from (incerity, of which, charity which is not blind, will not let me doubt) is as acceptable before God, and as much to be praifed amongfl men. But knowing that this is a fubjed, which, though I could not pafs, yet Jyou, Madam, defire it not to be treated upon; (therefore I (hall forbear it, and (hall {hew you fome of my thoughts (undiftind and infignificant as they are) anent our poor Scotland.
1. I think we are not yet entered our Jordan; for though we have come through a miry and thorny wildernefs, yet our Jordan is before us, md it will be very deep, but it will not be very
toad : when the ark of God enters it, it (hall be :e to drown, but it (hall fuddenly and and mirably win to the other fide.
2. I think fafety lhall only be to thofe who jhave their hands neareft the ark. Oh then ! .many a woe to the minivers and prokflbrs whofe bands have been drawn back from the work, md thefe whofe malice is againft the burden- bearers ; it (hall be as is (aid. If a. xxvi. II. Lord, when thy band is lifted up, they will not ree : but they fi) all fee, and be a famed for their ntvy at the people ; yea, the fire of thine enemies T?all devour them.
3. I think that Scotland (hall be made a wafle and, ere God's controverfy againft it be ended;
he
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he will fell the heritages of earls, lords, and others, yea, and their carcafTes good cheap.
4. I think the Lord (until he raife his work a- gain) wilh guide and manage it more by provi- dences than by inftruments ; and this is, that his hand maybe alone feen in it, and that he may, get the glory; and what is mod glorifying to him, fhould it not be mofl pleafant and rejoicing; ( to us.
5. I think that when the Lord returns to us again, it will be with fuch a meafare and out- pouring of his Spirit, that the remnant that ihall be left ihall have a very heaven upon earth, and' our land fhail be made the joy of all lands.
Bat as to thefe, or fuch like, I (hall fay no; more, knowing you are both really and diftindt- ]y exercifed anent our cafe : And what is for us this day, bin that we make Chrifl fure for our- felves, and fpcnd our days here below in admir- ing the lovelinefs and condcfcendency of our Beloved, and our own happinefs in enjoying fuch a portion. But this is a great work, time is not equal for it, therefore we (hall get eterni- ty for it. O let us ftudy the increaie of the beauty of holinef?, for happinefs is inferior unto it. It is by holinefs we a*c made like unto God, and is not this true nobility ? O ! what is like unto it! If we knew more of this ftudy and attainment, defertion would be lefs of our exer- cife, and we fhould enjoy more of the fmilings ofhisfweet countenance, and breathings of his Spirit. Alfo, while in this our pilgrimage, let his will be ours in all things; whatever he may carve out for us, or any that we are concerned in, let us fay amen to it; for if he will it, it is enough for us: Yea, let us lay our account with
the
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j the word of it, that whatever come we may
not be furprized. Now, not to trouble your Ladyfhip further, ■ praying that the all fufficiency which is in Chrifl i may be forthcoming for you, that lb you may
fnilh your courfe with his honour, and your own i true joy, with the teflimony of a confeience
kept void of offence towards God, and towards
all men; and that, you may fuck of the breads rof his confolations here, until you come to drink
abundantly of the rivers of pleafure at his right
band. I am,
Worthy Madam, Your obliged and ajfured friend, and fympathizing fervant in our fweet Lord, JAMES RENWICK.
LETTER XXXIX.
From the Rev, Mr. James Renwick, to the honourable Societies of Strangers at Lewarden in Friefland.
Feb. 1 8. 1686.
lion, and dearly beloved in our fweet Lord,
I Have had ofren bluthes with myfelf, when * thought upon my omitting to write unto you ; but I may fay, it was neither voluntary nor wil- ful, but neceffity : for a man under fuch various exigences of providence a<: I am, cannot be ma- tter of his own purpofes. And befides that, I -am daily looking cut, either to be ureieutly kill- K ed.
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cd, where I may be found, or elfe dragged into a prifon or fcaffold ; various weighty and per- plexing occurrences, day by day, come inevita- bly into my way, which take up my thoughts, filling my fpirit with care, and my hands with bufinefs. But if I had proven as forgetful of you, as I have been blocked up from fainting* you with a line from my hand, I had been far out of my duty before the Lord, and grofly ungrateful toward you. Howbeit, right honour- able and dearly beloved, I need not infift in a- pologizing for myfelf with you, for I know you have fuch a feeling of our burdens, that ye commiferate our cafe, and pity our perplexities: therefore I'll break off this, and go on in what the Lord giveth me to fay.
There is no rational creature which doth not fet fome one thing or other before its eyes, as its main end, and chief good ; and according to the various predominants, in fenfual and mad- men, are their various main ends. Hence it is, that there did refult-fo many different opinions among Heathen philofophers about man's chief good. But here is the great miftake with foolifli vain men, that whatever they leek after, it is but few who bend toward the true chief good, which is God. There are indeed gods many arid lords many; for whatever any fketh his defires upon, andaimeth in all hisadtions at the obtain^ ing and enjoying thereof, is hisJord and his god, whether it be honour or riches, or fome objedt or other of vile concupifcence ; yet there is but one God who is truly and only defire-worthy, love-worthy, and honour-worthy. This one hath not a tnatch, or a parallel ; for what can C^ual hinj? yea, what in any worth can come
the
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the length of the latchet of his (hoes? He is that inestimable jewel, invaluable treafure, and in- comparable pearl of price, that only worthy defire of all nations. O ! take a look of him as he is the Being of beings, having being cf himfelf independent of all other beings ; and upon whom all other things depend in their being and operations: /;/ him ive? live, in him we move, and of him we have our being. Doth not all the pieces of the creation, heaven, earth, and fea, fun, moon, and ftars, the commoneft and unworthieft creature that moveth upon the earth, bear large chara&ers of his wifdom, power, andgoodnefs? Doth not his myfterious. common providence, making the (harpeft fight- cd of his creatures hide their faces, and be- come filent before him, declare him to be God, and that he is of cue mind, and v:lo lan turn him? Do not the various inPiru- ments that execute his will, fignified by four chariots, Zccb. vi. I. bringing about various ^ifpeufations, fignified by the different co- Jours of the horles; whether calamities cf iignified by the red; or other doleful mifei fignified by the black; mixed difpenfations, I and white, fo to fpeak, of mercy and ',. fignified by the grizled and bay; or diipenfa- tions of mercy, fignified by the white? 1 does not all theie come forth from between the two mountains of brafs ? The one mount figniiith his unalterable decree, and the other his clicftual providence, which watcheth and waituh that inftruments bring nothing to the birth but what has been conceived in the womb of his eternal purpoie . O take a look ot : . ; he is
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nits, without beginning and ending: he is one and the lame in his nature, in his counfels, : d in his love; he perfe&ly knoweth himfelf, t and all things that are pofTible; he can do ill ingsthat donot imply a contradiction, and argue imperfe&ion : he is good and doeth good ; he is righteous in himfelf, and equal in all his ways' of dealing with his creatures ; he is true with- out any diffiinulation ; he is holy and del ettj in his own holinefs, and in every refemblance of it, in his angels, and in his faints. Bjt O! nho can think of him, and who can fpeak of him? He is infinite in all his attributes; and e- very perfection hath a perfect meeting in him: aibeit (ome of his attrioutes be in iome degree communicable to his creatures, yet they are in him in an altogether incommunicable manner 2nd mea'ure : and there is nothing in God, but it is God ; for this is his name, I am that I . And again I fay, Who can think of him, i a who can fpeak of him ? who can compre-
.1 him, or compals him about? Who u:i(' ng can fearch out God? Humble
2nd !):. trance is better than curious
and pry !edge : for all .that weean know
.row that we cannot know him. :)e a little nearer, and take a >• is ojr Saviour, in his • er. fakhfulnefs, an
tho* and lofty One . t h fo low as :
>:e of man, and ai!
'::}dii; he became fie ft and
' of our bot c lowly condition
tit* the creature's affect. a
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a? if it were of feme worth, and feeks men ;
icn to match with him. O how loving is h< Ic is a ftrong love that he beareth to that :icA of Abraham* Doth not this fuine in all that he bath done ? He emptied himfelf that they might become fall ; he made himfelf poor, though ker and polTeffbr of heaven and earth, that they ;ht become rich; he fulfilled the law for them, c he might purcbafe to them life -and happi- nefs; he made himfelf a facrifice unto the death, that he might fatisfy offended juflice, and make reconciliation for them. O fuch a death ! fu cur;ed! io ihameful ! fo painful! and fo lingei- : shove all, he had the full weight of the wrath of God to bear, which ail the ftrength angels and men could not have endured : but he log Cod, he could not fall under it. O what ,ner of love is this! In effeft he did not care what he fullered ; let juftice charge home upon hi^ with all its rigour and feverity, ft rng he was to gain his point, and purchafe part ot-maokkid from Satan to himfelf, from fiu to holiuefs, from roifery to happinefs: fo that roan, however unworthy, bale, finful, and mi- lerabie, yet is the centre of his lover O ! how ill is he? He is mighty to fave, ahle to lave to the Utter mod; all the ftrong-holds of the foul cannot hold out a^ainft him ; his p is irreiiftibie, by this he cju do w!nt he and by his. love he will do what : and
kithfut, that what he .octh ;
he will not rctrad one promife that is goi;. of his mouth; neither will he fail in fulfil all his threateoioj
Much might be faid of thefe things; but not h part of the \ i be toid \
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when we win to his houfe ab6ve, and fee him as he is, we will be alhamed of all our babblings about him. They that have been molt ravifhed with his love, and moil eloquent to fpeak fonh the praife of his comelinefs and properties, will fee that they have been but, at bed, babes learn- ing to fpeak. O what (hall I fay 1 he is the won! derful, matchlefs, and glorious ineftimable jewel, and incomparable pearl of price: O who would not choice him ! who would not give away them- selves to him ! Let man look thro' heaven and earth, and feek a portion where he will, he ihail Dot find the like of Chrifl. O then ! let us be alto- gether his, and nothing our own; our time let it be his, onr underflandlnglet it be his, our will let it be his, our affe&ions let them be his, the travel of our fouls let it be his, our flrergth let it be his, cur names, lives and enjoyments let them all be hk; let us be fully furrendered and entirely confecratcd unto him. This is a comprehenfive matter indeed. But what elfe Ihould we be taken up with, but with the improvement of this refignation, always J travelling through his properties, viewing the in as our riches, delighting to improve our intereft in him, by receiving from his hand what we \ need; and that he improve his intereft in us, by j doing with us, and taking from us, what he pleaf-, eth. Let us fee him, and obferve, and fay, What \ have we to do any wore with our idols. Oh ! that vanity ihould get fo much as one look fiom me. I think, he never took more pains upon any that I they might be emptied of all things befide him- ■ felf, and not have a will of their own, nor affec- tion to any other thing; and yet, ah! the bad entertainment he gets off my hand. I can nei- ther efteem him jnyfelf, nor commend him to
ethers; ,
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ofeers; though my work be to trumpet aloud his praife, and be an under fuiter to gain the bride's confent to the lovely bridegroom, I can do nothing in it, and little can angeis do in it to any purpofe : Yet, I can tell this unto all, that my Mafter infinitely paffeth my commenda- tions; he is fo excellent, that it would but be an obicuring his excellency, for me to babble a- bouc it.
O right honourable and dear friends, are ye not longing for the full enjoyment of him, looking- out for the breaking of the day, and the flying away of the fnadows, that ye may no more fee him darkly as through a glafs, but may behold him as he is, and enjoy him perfectly and con- ftantly? This, O this.' what a happinefs is this? and what fhall I fay more? for ye know n;ore of him than I can rell you; and all that I can {ay is bur, as it were, to bring you to remembrance, I think God on your behalf, that your zeal is heard of in many places: ye have become com- panions with us in our afflictions ; your fympathy with this perfecuted party is evident to us all, and we hear that we have a great room in your prayers. Man cannot repay your kindnefs 10 us, but I know ye look not to man in it, but do it out of love to the Lord, for ye have no outward encouragement to it. 0 that the Lord who harh joined together, a few in Lnvarden, and a party in Scotland, in fuch onenefs of mind and affedion, may, when he returns to us again, join Scotland and Friejland in covenant together, to ferve the Lord their God. And ye, O beloved, grow in grace, and endure to the end. I doubt not but yc have laid your all at Ch rift's feet. 0 take nothing back again: lie refolute in his cauie,
and
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and valiant in his matters; when bis kingdom is fo low, let him want none of your help that is competent for you, and lie fhall help you; own him, and he will own you; (land with hira, and he will ftandXvith you, and make you victorious; whoever fhall fight againft you, ye ihall over- come: It is good lighting in Chrift's camp, for all his foldiers lhall certainly prevail. O look to your captain and his encouragements that ye faint not; I apprehend that ye meet with fore blows and bickerings; yea, I think, ye fcarcely want any conflict that we have, fave only that ye are rot as yet in fuch hazard of your lives: But, as nothing. more than this doth endear you unto us ; fo, no external condition will more draw oat God's heart towards you. Bur, this I will fay, be well refolved againft: whatever man can do unto you. I think, no Chriftian ought now to be fe- cure, the man of fia is plotting and (lengthen- ing his fosce.what he can, and he will not be content with part of Ch rift's kingdom, his aim is at all; he ftirs himfelf now (o faft in his faddle, that, I think, it is not long to his fall : Howe- ver, many lands may look for ftrange plagues ; though Britain and Ireland lhall be made the . center of his judgments) yet his indignation ihall not be contained within their limits: O judg- ments! fudden and fore wafteing judgments are coming on Britain and Ireland; Chrift mounted j on the red horfe of feverity will ride through the breadth and length of thir lands. The appear- ance of fome parties did fo fill me with temporal cxpedations, but they did not make iome change their thoughts. As they knew little of God's way, who looked for fuch good from fuch hands; fo I thought them fools who conje&ured, that a*
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1 delivery (liould come before a defolation. I fay :- again, be well refolved againft what man can do 1 unto you; for, there are no moe Christians than 1 there are martyrs in refolution and affeclion : The kingdom of heaven tnuft be taken by violence •, mid the violent take it by force ; and the moe and greater d.fficulties be in the way, a right fight of the kingdom makes the way the more plea- feat. O fear not difficulties ; for, many trials, that, when looked upon at a diftance, feem big, and mounting, yet when they and you meet, ye ftiall find them nothing. If I could commend a- ny thing befide Chrift, it would be the crofs of Chrift: Thefe things which make carnal onlook- ers think my condition hard and miserable, make me think it iweet and pleifant; I have found hazards, reproaches, contempt, wearinefs, cold, toight-wanderirigs, ftormy tempefls, and defarts fo defirable, that it is a greater difficulty to me, not to be ambitious of thefe things, than to tub- mit unto them. O rejoice in the crofs, for it is all paved. with love; the fewer that will bear ir, it is your greater honour to be friends to it. Follow Chrift with the crofs upon your backs, and let none elfe before you as your leader, for man is a poor fallible changeable creature; let it he your care not to fall upon the ftumbiing- •blccks cafl: in your way.' Wo to the world be- fciule ot oiTences: Though ye have your own (hare of the reviling* of this time, yet be not reproached with reproachers ; though the neis of others grieve you, yet let it not i
and let zeal be accompanu befs, that ye may be uce from p judiec; and let metknefs be backed Willi that yc may be fret of lukewurmefs and
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ferency ; let meeknefs be extended toward all perfons, and zeal againft al! fins; and if ye would not lofe your ground, be pofitive againft fin in the firft propofal and motion thereof; ye will not get it ilYifted by, and yourftrlves kept free of it by huting yourfelves, and not appearing freely again!!: it, though there may an unwillingneis ; unto it. I conceive, Aaron had no will to make the golden calf, and he thought to have put it out of the Ifraeiites minds, by biding them break off their golden ear-rings, and bring them unto him; but this fimple ihift would not do it, the faint of God is pitifully enfnared; and if he was fimple in oppofing that abomination, he got as filly an excufe for himfelf; it would not have been thought that a t:hild would have faid, there came out this calf.
Now, commit your caufe unto the Lord, for judgment and righteoufnefs fhall yet meet toge- ther again upon the earth: He is interefted in his own work, and therefore he can neither for- get it nor forfske it; and fuch as wait for him mall never be put to fliamc. But, O long ami cry for his appearance, that he may right wrongs, and rule for himfelf and claim his own right of poffeffion ; that the promifed day may come, that this ih all be voiced along the heavens, The Kingdoms of the earth are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Chrift .• He is bufy in order to this; he is carrying on a diicovery of all forts of folk, enemies and others. I thought his dif- covery had been near through in Scotland before this, but he lets "me fee myfelf a fool for fo judg- ing; he fees many.things to be difcovered that jnan fees not : but happy are th?y who are fin- cere
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cere and intire ; they need not fear, for ivben they are tried, they /hall come forth as gold.
Now, as to our preient cafe, I wot not wcU what to fay anent it, there are fo many mercies and judgments in it to be fpoken of. God harh taken this laft year many from us, by baniihment, I aod by death on fcaffolds, efpeciallv on the fields, where none (for the moft part) were to fee them die, but the executioners ; and yet God fills up their rooms again : neither are thefe things per- mitred to damp fuch as are left. Some have, which is more fad, fallen off from us; and yet God is filling up their places alio, and making o- thers more fledfift ; and notwithstanding both of pcrfecutions and reproaches, the Lord hath opened doors for me in feveral places of Scotland, where there ufed to be no fuch accefs before, and hath multiplied my work fo upon my hand?, (I fpeak it to his praife) that I have obferved my work, I fay, to be now in fome lhires threefold, and, in fome, fourfold more than it was. O that God would fend forth labourers, there feems to be much ado in Scotland with them : Alfo, ic is almoft incredible, to tell what zeal, what ten- dernefs, what painfulnefs in duty, what circum- fpe&nefs of walk, in many young ones of ten, eleven, twelve and fourteen years of age, in many places of Scotland; which I look upon as one of the vifible and greateft tokens for good that we have.
But, right honourable and dearly beloved, not to detain you further, I acknowledge myfelf your debtor while I live, for your many prayers put up for this poor diftrelfed church, whereof I kno.v I have had a lhare; for your fympathy and kiodnefs otherways maaifefted to us; for
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your care of thai? family with you, wherein we are all concerned ; and particularly for your en- couraging, ftrengthning of, and kindncfs to my dear and worthy friend, our right honourable delegate. I blefs the Lord who hath given you zeal for himfelf, and hath helped you to {land with a poor defpifed party in making ftours for his intereft. 1 commend you to him, that he may make his rich grace abound in you ; that he may perfect what concerns you, and make you perfevere unto the end, and himfelf be your exceeding rich reward. I hope I need not de- fire you to pray for me. I am,
Honourable and dearly beloved,
Your obliged friend, and
obedient fervant in the Lord,
JAMES RENWICKJ
LETTER XL.
From the Rev. Mr. James Ren wick, to the^ honourable Mr. Robert Hamilton. .
Honourable mid dear Sir, May 3 . 1 686.
I Have feen your letter to your dear and wor-, thy fifters: as it fpeaks forth your forel bickerings and hot rencounters, it maketh mel fad; but again I rejoice that your lot is fquared* out fo like the cafe of rhe Lord's work this day. O though your travels be through many deep*, and the floods feem to be waxing upon you, yet
whet,
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^when your feet (hall be eftablilhed upon Canaan's banks, you (hall forget die fame ; though now you be {landing in the fwellings of Jordan, yet thefe lhall away from you, and you ihall be lift- ed up, and be let before the throne of the Lamb of God cloathed With the robes of righteoufnefj, crowned with the crown of glory ; with the palm of vi&ory and triumph in your hand; with the fong of Mofes and of the Lamb in your mouth, finging hallelujahs for ever and ever. O what will you think of yourfeif then? 0 what will you think of that pofture? Let your eyes be flill up- on thefe, and glory in your prefent tribulation; rejoice in your light affliction which is but for a nioment; count your antagonifts your greateft friends, for what are they doing by all the dorms they raife againft you, but contributing to the inafs of your glory? O fear them not, but keep your Captain-general upon your right hand, and then cry to them to (hoot their fill. I had writ- ten to your Honour far fooner, but as my work keepeth me bufy, fo much of it lies in the re- note corners of the land, as Gal!ovj/iy} Nitbf- dale, Anandale, &c. I have not been near £- dmbwgb fiuce the 16th of Oftober, 1685, and I have travelled fince through Clyde/dale, E/kdale, fome of the Forrefl, Annandale, fome of Gallaivay, Kyle and Cunningham ; and all thefe ways I exa- mined the focieties as I pafled through, fcveral other perfons coming to hear, and I found my work greater this lart journey than ever before; alfo in lower Cunningha»i, where there had ne- ver been any field-preachings, I got kindly ac- ceptance, and great multitudes came to hear; and I have had feveral cajls fioce from x\\it coun- trj.fide; fuch like have I found thro'g' Ren- L frrx*
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frew. Moreover, the Lord hath wrought a great change upon the barony of Sanquhar, the pariih of Kirkconnel, and thefe dark corners; generally they come to hear the gofpel, and are quitting many of the defeclions of the time; yea, I may Jay (to the Lord's praifc) that our meetings were never fo numerous, and the work did never thrive more than fince man oppofed it Co much. As for Mr. Langlands and my agreeing, there is little appearance of it ; for I am where I was, and he is rather further off than nearer hand. As for difowning the Lanerk Declaration, I think, you look upon it as fo falfe, that I need fay nothing; and as for the minifters, they wot not what to do anent us, for, fo far as I can know, they can- not two of them agree (for the mod part) intent upon one thing. I heard of none of them com- ing forth to the country yet, but Mr. Lang- lands and Mr. Alcorn, and they travelled through fome of Kyle, through Carrick, and fome of the Shire of Gallovjay, and fome of Clyde/dale, and their preachings were kept, in a great meafure, ohfeure. And as for fuch as are gone off from us, they are the moft bitter againft us. Alexander Gordon went into the Bafs and Blacknefs with an information againft us, containing many charges, wherewith, I hear, the minifters of Edinburgh are difpleafed, he having done it without their advice : Howbeit, we have written about fix fheets of paper in anfwer to it, and we are to meet within two days about the concluding upon it; however we will do nothing in it ralhly, for every word in fuch a matter ought to be well weighed and confidered. But there are none gone off from us, but thefe who at that party's appearance in Summer, Vent off : alfo, we have
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had fome conference with foir.e of thefe, an ac- count whereof 1 (hall fend you with foine other papers. I have written a letter to the fweet fo- cieties at Lewarden, and will fend it with the reft of the papers, and fome other letters that I am to write: Moreover, I thought fit to acquaint you, that M. S. hath a purpofe to go over a- gain to Groningen ; I defire you may be concern- ed with it, and lay it out before the Lord. O dear Sir, cry, cry for labourers to God's vine- yard in Scotland, for I cannot exprefs how much need there is of them, great is the work that is here for them. If an honeft way of fending forth T. could be had, I would gladly have ic embraced, for I do not dread the young man, he is not of a dangerous fpirit; O lay it out before the Lord.
Now, go on refolutely in the ftrength of our God, and regard not your oppofers. Hold faft what is right; but be not reviling unto a rcviler, Dor feeffing unto a fcoffer; let zeal and meeknefs be your companions, the one in your one hand, and the other in your other hand, and wait on the Lord, and he (hall give teflimony for you.
Now, my love to the honourable fweet Ibcie- ty, your dear filler, and all the fweet family. I am,
Honour die and dear Sir,
Yours, as formerly,
JAMES RENWICK.
L 2 LET-
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LETTER XLI.
From the Rev. Air. James Renwkk, to the bo> nourabU Ladies Vac Hecrm. at Lewarden.
May 8. 1686.
Right hon. Ladier, dearly beloved in the Lord.
Multiplied confufions, and not forgetfulnefs j of you, have fo long hindered my writing unto, you ; but being confident of your conftrud- ing favourably of me as to this, I ihall add no more for my own apology, and what elfe can I lay which ye know not? Ye have learned both from the Bible and experience, that the Chriiti- an's travel to the kingdom, is through much tri- bulation ; and I hope, ye have laid your account, for all that can come in your way: Our natures, would have the way fo fquared as we might travel without a rub, but it lieth thro'inany a rencounter* we would have it through a valley of rofes, but it lieth through a valley of tears; we would have it fo as to be travelled deeping, but it muft: be travelled waking, and watching, and fighting; we would have it to be travelled with laughing, Sue it muft be travelled with weeping. But what- ever folks do think, when great neceffity for, -nd advantage by every difficulty is feen, the e that they meet with, the way is the more aiant to the believers; and a fight of the re- ,: pence of reward maketh bold and refolute :o pafs through every oppofition: If they were pofiible, ten thoufand deaths, tea thoufand hells, would feem nothing to a foul, who gets a fight of thrift at the other fide of all theie. 0 Chrift
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is precious, Chrift is your up-making. O what think ye of that noble exchange, to embrace Chrift entirely, and quit felf entirely? is not ! that receiving new wares for old? is not that a receiving of gold, yea, of gold more precious than the gold of Sbeba, and a quitting of dull more vile than the duft of the earth? O lovely foul that hath embraced lovely Chrift, rich and happy that hath embraced precious Chrift! but wo unto them that would divide him, and not take him in all his offices; for they have not yet learned him : Wo unto them that think that they have no need of Chrift ; for they know not themfelves : Wo to them that think they caa dole with him when they pleafe ; for they are ignorant of grace: Wo :o them that would have Chrift and their own fomething befide ; for they have neither loved nor conceived rightly of him : Wo to them that make excufe for their not fol- lowing of him; for they koQW not their foliy : Wo to tbem that will no: dofe with all the c. aud'the inconveniences that they may meet with I rift ; for they are rebellious fools that look only to the ccft, and not- to the advantages of religion; they fear at it, and give this anfwer to ChnfVs call, Hi? fayings are hard, and who bear them? but none do account fo of I/is yoke. but they who have not taken it on ; for it is eafv, and his burden is Light. And thefc who will not , believe his word for it, nor the cxperieiu many faints and martyrs, let tf^m take a trial of it themfelves, and if they get leave to weary-, lee them cait it off again: But, I am fu .was never one that fully engaged with him.Aat ever could find a heart to quit him again. O! that folks would not itacd at fuch a diftancc, ^ 3
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come near and take a view of him, and they would fee that which would inevitably win their hearts. There are two things at which I cannot wonder enough ; and thefe are, the invaluablenefs of Chrift, and the low value which the children of men put upon him ; Judas fold him for thirty pieces of illver, but many now a-days fell him for lefs; and though they could get ten thoufand worlds for him, they but make a mad and foolifh bargain, who would quit him for thefe! Yea, fuppofe that it were poffible that one perfon could pofTefs ten thoufand worlds, and that ever- iaftingly, they could not have, in the ufe thereof, fo much contentment by far, as the fmalleft part of Chrift can give; yea, one half hour's enjoy, ment of him would far furpafs all the fatisfadion in the fuppofed cafe. O then! what mud the eternal and full enjoyment of him be.*
Now, dearly beloved, ye who have made choice cf Chrift, what think ye of your choice ? O ! ad- mire his excellency, and wonder at your own happinefs ; and bend all your love towards him, who hath made yon fo happy: feek to fhed a- broad the favour of his fweet ointments, by a holy and fpiritual walk ; and improve difpenfa- tions to his glory, and your own good ; and lean upon hira in your travel through the wildemefs; and though there be fiery ferpents and drought in it, yet folace yourfelves with his company,, who hath faid, that be will never leave you, mr forfake you. Regard not loffes, regard not re- proaches, for he is your exceeding rich reward. J doubt not but you meet with your own mea- fure of reproaches and contempt at the hands •f this generation, for the great kicduefs you have frown to z mounded and wrerged wreftfiug
i*rta
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) party in the furnace of affli&ion. But as this • doth endear our affeftions unto you lb much the more; fo, I hope, you are better fixed than i that fhould prove a ftumbling-block unto you. The parties that we have to contend with, dis- cover fo much of a fpirit of lying and prejudice, for the mod part of them, that none of tender- Defs, who know them, will be in great hazard to be taken away with them. I am confident God will (lain their pride, and faience their boaft. ing, and that in a fudden : I may fay, I am for- ry for what I lee coming upon them. But, Q worthy Ladies, kcep-yc near Gcd, and go on in your zeal, and perfift in your ftedfaftnefs, and in the clofe of the day ye (hall be made to re- joice.
Now, I cannot exprefs how much we are o- bliged unto you, for your tender care of our fa- mily that is with you, and the great encourage- ment that ye are to our dear and honourable delegate : the Lord be your reward, and keep not back his hand from helping you in the time of your need.
No more at the time, bat, taking my leave of you in the words of the Apoftle. 1 Cor. xvL 23, 24. The grace of our Lord Jefiu Chrift It with you. My love be with yon all in Chtijt Je ■ fits. I am,
Right honourable Ladies,
Ycur ajfurcd and obliged friend
audfervant in our fwcct Lord, .
JAMES REN WICK.
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LETTER XL1I.
Trom the Rev. Mr. James Renwick, to the\ right honourable lady E. B.
Right honourable Lady, May 13. 1686I
D Early beloved in the Lord, my inefficiency being in part known ro me, doth make, me (land in awe ro write to you ; but if I had the tongue of the learned, and the pen of a ready writer, I would imploy them both in fpeaking well of the name of Chrift, and com- mending his way. O! his name is as ointment poured forth ; and wbofo gets a fmell thereof cannot but love him ; and his way is fo lovely,; thai a poor foul that once gets his foot upon it, and the eye looking forward, cannot but chufe to trade in thefe paths, though rubs and crofles from enemies, both from within and without, fhould be never fo multiplied : and no wonder, for when the children of God begin by grace to turn their backs upon their old lovers, and to- fhake off rheir weights, they get in hand the hundred-fold, ten thcufand times told, and are made to fay, as PfuL iv. 7. Thou haft put glad- nefs in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their ivine increafed. Many a time I think they can have no pleafant life who have not the Chriftian's life ; whatever the world think; yet the believer gets that in time, which may fufficiently engage him to go through, if it x*ere poffible, a thoufand deaths in obedience to the Lord. O then! fince the imperfect and in- constant enjoyment of Chrift is fuch a thing,
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?bat mud the fall and eternal enjoyment of him >e! Of this it may be faid, Eye hath not feen, tor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart f man to conceive, the things which God hath * prepared for them that love him. The believer annot but have a happy life, when they have our things which the fcripture calls precious, )iz. The precious redemption of the foul, a >recious faith, a precious Chrift, and precious iromifes ; and the redemption of the foul which s precious, is by a precious faith, laying hold )n a precious Chrift, held forth in precious pro- nifes. But when their happinefs ihall be com- peted, than faith fliall evaniihrn to fight, by the :ntire fulfilling of the promifes, and the foul be Irowned in the bottomlefs ocean of the love of >recious Chrift, and burfting up with love, con- iaually flaming toward him again. O what a ife mud a life of love be? and what inconceiv- ible joy will it yield? Chrift will rejoice over lis own fpoufe when he hath taken her home to lis own houfe, made with his own hand, and :lothes her with robes of his own making, and rntertains her with a banquet of his own dref- fing ; and the invitation-word of the giver of :hat banquet will be this, Song v. j. Eat, O rriends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, 0 beloveds and that table will never be drawn, and the dain- ties will never wear taftclefs; for, as our Lord faith, Matth. xxvi. 29. the wine there is newy and it never groweih old ; end his fpouie's fto- mach will never fuffocate, nor her appetite be fatisfied ; fo, in heaven there is a continual eat- ing and drinking, and a continual hungering and thirfting; a continual rifting, end yet a never refting : Then ihall the fpoufe rejoice in her
hufband :
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huiband: all ber love (hall be bended towanl him, and her joy (hall arife from her enjoyirj him; her love (hall be full and conftant, not a<| mitring of intermiflions or variablenefs ; her jc full and perpetual, not admitting of defeft < changeablenefs: and that which is a great pa f of the Chriftian's exercife here, to wit, thc| doubting of Chrift's love, and their complainicj of coldrifenels of love to him again, fhall the! be wholly removed ; and inftead of grief, at leal mixtures of forrow with their joy, they (lull tbcl have inconceivable joy : And is not Chrift fulll enjoyed, a match to love, and a prize to rejoicl in? Now, long for this, and feek after the a| biding affurance of Chrift's love, and more awl more love-communications thereof in your heart! until you arrive at this; and feparate yourfell more and more from every unclean thing, thai cannot enter the gates of the city, where all thitl is to be enjoyed : and feeing fuch rich upmakingl is to be had in Chrift, efpecially feeing he is (3 worthy, regard not what you may be called to undergo in your owning of him. I hope ye have ftudied to let yourfelf, your name, your enjoy- ments, and your all, ly at Chrift's feet ; fo as] ye can fay of thefe, they are not your own ; andj the more ye do prove that they are his, by hbi calling for them, and making ufc of them, the more of his love be evidenceth towards yoo, 4and the more honour he putteth upon you ; and^ I think, men and women are for no ufe, but W far as they are for Chrift : and whatever errands he calls you to run, fear not fkaith nor hazard, for it is he that rideth thefe ways upon you, and fo ye iliail not ftumble : for he hath promifed, PJaL exxi. 3. lie pall not fitffer' thy foQt to be
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gloved. Let the low ftate of the church of .cotland, and the dangerous cafe of the church .1 other lands, ly near your heart; for ah! we ,iay fay at this day, The hmife of David is taxing weaker and weaker, and the houfe of xaul waxing flronger and flronger. I fear a fad ;nd general ftroke before it be better with the hurches, for few are valiant for the truth upon Ihc earth; and nothing brings a church more pw, and a readier deftruftion upon a land, than LegardlefTnefs of Cbrift's matters, and filly and aameful flipping from them; and this is that 7hich hath occafioned our breaches, and bred Jl our divifions in this church : and becaufe fome four worthies in our day, who have gone be- ore us, have been honoured and helped to hold /hat our worthy fathers did conquer with their ■lood, and bind over upon us by holy covenants, nd we are endeavouring to do the fame, they nd we have been reproached as followers of lew ways; but wifdom ff?all be juftified of her bildren: and feeing our way-marks in the fcrip- ures, and our never to be forgotten reformation, ,nd the cloud of witneffes walking in the fame !>aths, we are not to regard much what mea ay ; but it were good for our reproachers to be bber, for a little time will filence their boati- ng, and make them change their thoughts, ?hen they lhall not get fpace to amend them* Now, dear and worthy Lady, I cannot ex- )refs my fenfe that I even have of the many obligations which we all ftand under unto you, or your bowels have not been (hut up, nor your lands fhortened towards us; for your benefice* :owards us in this land, and thefe of us who are uaongfhyou, have been large indeed;, but we
are
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are nor (o refrefhed with what we enjoy thereby as that thefe things are demonftrations of youl Jove to God, and refped to his work. Ancf what further ihall I fay, but go on in the waj and ftrengthof the Lord; be watchful, diligent, and fpiritual ; grow in grace, and perfeverc therein to the end. The God of all peace be with you. I am.
Right honourable Lady,
Your affured friend, and
obliged fervant in the Lord,
JAMES RENWICK.
:.:
LETTER XLIII.
:
Fnm the Rev. Mr. James Renwick, to the ho- nourable Mr. Robert Hamilton.
l\ Hon. and dear Sir, May 12. 1686.
I Have written to you a brief account of our af- fairs in another letter, but I know not if it be away yet; howbeit, I hope, it ihall come to; your hand; therefore, I (hall now be the more1 ihort in what I have to fay. As for news, thej^ are not many amongft us: Only York hath writ- j ten to his parliament for a liberty to the Papifh, ( commending them, in his own way, very highly,.* as thefe who h*ve been faithful to the crown fcpon all hazards; fo the parliamentarians arc' confultipg about refcinding the penal ftatutes a- gtinfl Papifts, but are not like tntirely to agree i ►'. aboat
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\ ibout the fame ; however, they liave written * Dack, that they will yield fo far to his defire in ^f that, as their ccnfciences will allow; and have Difered a bond themfelves to oppofe all who may rife againft him upon any pretext whatfomever. But a great many folk are gaping for a diffention between the Popifn and Prelatic parties; which if it be, there will be an uncouth hotch-potch, for the moft part of old traders (to-wit Argyl^s par- ty) will ftrike in with the latter. Kerjland and Mr. Boyd Avere both of fome purpofe to go to Holland when I laft parted with them, but as to the time I am uncertain.
In my other letter I (poke offending you fome papers; but now, the ftortnefs of time will not allow me to get them tranferibed, but I purpofe to do it afterwards. Alfo there is a rude draugh: of a vindication fix fneets long or thereabouts, drawn up chiefty by Mr. B. in anfwer to what charges are caft upon us; in which are many things very ufeful. However, as it is not likely to have pailage for the Llnnwg> I durft not pro- pofe it to friends that they ihould fend for it without being ftampt (f. e. Mr Linnhig's ordina- tion) but this is my humble advice unto you, •that if you can get it {lamped, and think d it will do good fervice, to tfTay it; snd if you have any except L the lumping of it,
our merchants will no: prefs for it; but if you have no exceptions, hue only fears, which may fay fomething to yourfelf, but would not bear weight before men, then I would have thefe no more fpoken of than neceffitj calls for, and not • made mention of in the Lhmngi not being ftamped. Alfo, it will be fitter that you propofe to our merchatrts the fendiug for the - M
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than I, hecaufe I am rather for wreftling under xl^ heavy burden, thrw to have an ill neighbour :f Some apprehend that I am for no help at all,! but it would be moft fit that the Linriwg (liould fpeak, and fignify to our merchants the cafe, and ib you and I both fhould come under the lefs iufpicion, for we have a flrange generation to deal with. And as for K. his carriage here, fo far as we can learn, he feems not to defign the introducing of other parties, for he neither fpeaks nor a&s in their favours; as for your Ho- nour, I can hear of nothing that he fpeaks againft. you, relative to Lhe public caufe ; but to fome he hath faid, that ye have not carried right towards their family : and as for Mr. Flint he is married by Tbo. Rujfel to one Mrs. Moor, who had been one with J. Gib. Now, to be free with you about your letter, it hath indeed gained the end of it, in clearing you of what ye were- charged with, and fatisfied friends as to that ; but many take it very ill; fome faying, that it hath too much bitternefs towards the antagonifts, and*adduceth perfoiial failings. And fome, tljac it infinuates too much of a commendatiop of yourfelf, hold- ing forth that you are almoft alone in all your afiions; and fome,' that it leemed to Hatter this party by too much commending of then}; but, for mine own part, I could take it all in good part, and not mifconftruft your intentions; but what you write to the whole, I would have you fo to write as to men, fome of whom may be your greatcft reproachers the next day, and fo • may bv feeking all imaginable advantages againft you. But let the world fay what they will, I mud fay this, and I fay it without vanity or flat- tcry, that a little of Robert Hamilton's -fpirit in
fuch
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fnch a day as this, is very much worth. Alfo, I think fit to intimate unto you my purppfe cf re- ferring my teftimony; not that lam refilir from any article thereof, but that I would have the fame wiielier, and yet as plainly and free cxprefled, and more confirmed and corroborat- ed; and alfo my mind anent fome other exi- gences and connoverfies inferted : Moreover, I know not a man uncter whole name and patrcci- ny I would commend it to following generati- ons, but to defpifed, and yet much honoured Robert Hamilton.
Now, I ill a 1 1 fay no more; Only, take fuch a wife way with foreigners, as truth may get no lots, and they kept as much upon your fide as can be; for they come under another confideration than tjbefe that are under the fame bond of a covenant with ourfelves, and have the fame word of tefti- mony, and whofe profeffion imports not an oppo- fite parry, fuch as Independents, Anabaptifts, &r.
So, Wortliy and dear Sir, go on in the name and ftrength of your God, and quit not your con- iidence, though probability be againft you, for it is a changeable rule; and thefe who win not to judge by another rule, I never look for ftedfafl- ueis at their hand; and wait upon the Lord, who will guide all matters aright, and brings tort!: advantage to his work out of every oppofitioDj and that, as univerfal as the oppofition hath been i}ray for him, who is,
anifervarti in the Loj
JAMES R CK.
M 2
i3<) LETTER S.
LETTER XLIV.
From the Rev. Mr. James Renwick, to the ho iiourable Mr. Robert Hamilton.
Hon. and dear Sir, Aug. 13. 1686.
I Have not many news to write to you at this time ; yej . I .thought it. my duty to acquaint you with fom6?£ffing3. Our condition is in fome ineafure changed in this refpeft; the enemies for this year now have not been fo hotly purg- ing after us as they were ; whatever it may flow from upon the enemies part, whether from the Popiih party being fo bufied in their contrivance, and other grand perfecutors difcourred, or from fome other thing ; yet, we are to fee the Lord's refiraining hand in it, and that he flays his rough iv'md in the day of his eajl wind: We being fo taken up with other things, that, I think, it (hall be a plague to the generation in making them carnal and fecure. I have been for a feafon in England, where, by the good hand of the Lord, we kept oar Sabbath meeting-, all except one day, in the fields, without any diftnrbance, but upon our days of the week they were kept in the rngbt time. And in that land, I got lome dif- \zs of the Sectaries ; for at one preaching, where there were many Anabaptifts hearing be- ra^fe that I afierted the divhe right of infant- baptifm from Scripture, clearing the fame from the teftimony of fome ancient authors; they who hetore had feemed to have much love arjd affccli- oi?, would not afterwards carry civil ; and told ns that they had been always willing to do, and
had
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for Sottifli fufTerers, and that oilier 5 aiiniflers had not fallen upon fach heads. aq upcaft was a little troublefome unto me; y it I perceived, as alto I cxpreft, that their i\\ty to Scoitifo minifters and fufTerers had both done the minifters and themfelves ill, for it itopp'd the minifters mouths from declaring the counfel of God, and made tbemfetves lay weight upon fuch deeds, and look upon Scotti/h mini a? fo much obliged to them, that they behoved to ■re them: Butthislfay, that they that deal freely with them, will not get long their couniz- Dance. Howbeit, at ray coming away, one of them told me, that they were relolved to collet for me, but they were informed that I would no: accept thereof; whereupon I told, that were my friends that informed fo rightly, for 1 went not thither for neceffity, neither to theirs, but them: alfo, at the deiire of friends in Sci'tUfidy fome of us went* to converfe wit Prefoytenan minifter, whom we heard to be well d coward this party, and found him, a* *e a very humble tender man, 1 exercifed with that church's cafe, and afta formation, did agree with cw in the word of o*jr teftirnoiiy, only he was not fo itreight as to fome matters cf England as we would del : it is
not to be thought ftrange of, cor.;' Lath none, either to go before in thefc things.
I now fince we came to Scotland, I of thefe rail..
in different places it not tell of i : Cut fome of th<
-
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through wiih as grofs flanders- as can be invent- ed ; for one thing they are faying, thru they can prove that I was with the Chancellor at Edinburgh; and they mod partly profefs, that irv their travels they are in a continual fear of us, that we deliver them up to the enemy.
Now, What ihall I fay? Our cafe is fmgular; it is matter of great concernednefs, the Lord hath feen that our furnace by that inquifition and tor- ture of the common enemies, hath not been fearching enough, therefore he muft carve ano- ther kind of furnace to try us better: B!efTed are they who ihall come forth as gold. God mil a rife, and difpell thefe prefent mills and confj- fions, and let it be feen what great need there bath been of all that comes to pafs. O faith is- a brave interpreter of difpenfations, and never carries bad tidings.
O dear Sir, you are called forth to fail thro* a raging and rough-fea, but truft to your pilot, and he will bring you to your harbour. O fear not, he will not let the waves overwhelm you, and the rougher the fea be, the fweeter will your harbour be. Think not (trange of that tumbling difpenfation fallen out with you, for God hath a mind to let a generation (tumble, whom he thinks worthy cf no other thing; it f peaks out anger towards us, but more anger to them that (tumble at it : God is taking pains to purify, refine, and purge us; and he fays he •will have a pure people in Scotland, elfe he Ihall have none at all : that difpenfation feems to be 4b immediately from Go '*i hand, that we ihculd fay, It is the Lord, let him do ivhatfeemetb him good .- and our fludy {hould be to make a right u(e of it.
As
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As for the papers you received frc; fern you them, ani left the&i uncWfed, that
n his paflage he might let fome friends fee hem, efpecially that thefe at Newcaftle might .ee them. And I defire to know your thoughts of the reply to Mr. Robert Langlands's letter, which I wrote, moftly for the behoof of fome that feem to be godly and exercifed, whole affe&ions are towards us, but through variou3 informations are perplexed about fome of our matters: fo I laboured to take that way in it which I thought might be mod convincing, and for their advantage, without truths prejudice. And as to the vindication we are about, it is doc yet perfected ; neither in it will we do any thing raihlv; and friends have concluded, that you and I (hall fee it before it go forth. And concerning Mr. Boyd's bufinefs, friends (ex- cept a very few) were againft the giving him a rellificate for ordination, but yet did give it ; and the occafion of a faft >n his account,
was to prevent difagreemen: that was like to be amongft friends anent his bufinefo And as for that affair concerning you and J. H. I blefs the Lord that he hath helped you to lay it afide. I ihiifk it is according to his will ; ar.d I hope you will have much peace in it. She was with us few day?, and was pretty free with us anent ieveral things, particularly the trials of their family, and tlu'ir being puzzled whether or not to come home to Scotland, if fo be their brother "would not ftay abroad; but I would not advife 1 to one thing nor another in that. As to your own coming home or (laying abroad, I apprehend that friends would eafiJy confent to your ftaying, cr yet call you home, but I can.
not
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not well advife ihem to citljer of ihefe, till ]| know upon what grounds to do it from yourfelfB 'Tis like that you and the family both will neceffitate through fhattenedneis id living inl th2t land to come home; but if it come to that,! I would have you acquainting me, that youl might be called, which may be a mean to ftopl the infuiting of many; or if it were better tol flay there, and if a little fupply from our haodl could keep you there, we would be content to give it. But man's malice is fo-much againft you, that I am afraid of you in flaying, and I am afraid of you in your voyage hither, and I am afraid of you in your being here: but if the Lord bring you home, I think you and I mufl not part, till the Lord by death, or fome fignal way, do it.
Now, dear Sir, what fhall I fay t The Lord hath carved out your lot after a ftrange fort : O fludy to get good by all his difpenfations toward you, that you may bring forth the more fruir, for every branch that iearzth fruit, he purgeth it that it may bring forth more fniit. Let your burdens all ly upon the Lord, his back is ftrong enough. is not his alUfjfficiency your portion ? Are you not then rich enough ? and what can ycu want? O rejoice in reproaches, rejoice in ignominy, rejoice in wants, in perils, and in fuffeiings, for his name ; the more of that you are called to endure, .the more true honour is put upon you; and feek you the more to honour and glo- rify him: Figbt not 9{Taio(t the world with the world's weapon? of the flefli, war.- Pride, pai-ion, prejudice, lies, and contempt ; but let yours be the weapons of the^Tpirit, viz. Zeal, meeknefs, patience, and prayer to God, that he would ei- ther
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ther pity them and heal thera, elfe draw them . out of the way. And whatever you write unto friends, write as unto men, who are for you to- day, and may be againfl: you to-morrow.
Now, I pray that the Lord may be with you, and that poor and fweet family; that he may give ycu enlargement in your diltrefles; and when your forrows abound, he may make your confolation to fuperabound. My love to your dear and worthy fifter, the fweet children J. and R. the worthy ladies V. Heer. and any other of your flrengtheners in the Lord. I am,
Honourable oil! dear Sir,
Even as formerly,
JAMES RENWICK.
LETTER XLV.
From the Rev. Mr. James Renwick, to the honourable Mr. Robert Hamilton.
1 Hon. and dear Sir, October 23. 1686.
I Received your letters, they were very re- frelhing unto me. Your rencounters are fierce, and you {fond in the (lour; but I you look upon your condition rather to be en- vied than pitied O can you not fay, that the fat feaft of a peaceable conference', and the en- joyment of the light of the Lord's countenance, is the hundred fold, athoufnnd tin is forum
1 1. 0 read tha; pfalm^
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pfalm, and meditate upon it; and when you mind it, remember me, for it is a golden Scrip- tare unto me. What would you and 1 have more than that, The Lord reigneth, let us rejoice: Righteoufnefs and judgment are the habitation of his throne. But O who can take him up? who can behold his glory? Therefore htcz&tih clouds round about him .* let lis he glad becaiife of his Judgments. A fire goeih before himy to burn up his enemies.
As to what you write about my teftimony, I am refrefhed ; yet' when I look back upon the frame that I was then in, I have much peace in my ingenuity, and though weakly, yet I think, it hath the right (late of the caufe in if, and I hope never to refile from it: Alfo, it, having your name, doth the more commend it ujvto me; and when I ill a 1 1 write (which I have been hitherto diverted from) it will be but an en- largement upon, and confirmation of the fore laid teftimony, with reafons, together \^th fome additions as to what hath fallen out fince; and for my changing my method in dealing with nts of children to be baptized, I declare ihem to be milin formers who have fo faid unto you ; for, thefe perfons that have complied with one thing or other, I do not admit them topre- fent their children, unlefs they have evidenced a right fenfe and pra&ical reformation, by (land- ing out the temptation unto thefe things they h#ive been chargeable with, and their engage- ment to give due fatisfa&ion when lawfully call- >r ; or elfe the atteltaticn of fome acquaint- their cafe, that in the judgment of charity, tjiey appear to be convinced of, and humbled for their fin, and their engagement to forbear
their
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their fin, and give fatisfa&ion in manner fore- faid. But when compilers and perfons guilty of defe&ion come, who have not as yet defifted from their orfenfive courfes, I do not let thera prefen: tf.eir children ; neither will or do I let other perfons pre'ent their children, left the pa- rents iiiouid be hardened in their fin thereby, unlefs they engage to forbear, and give fatisfac- tion as faid is ; and fome prove true and fome prove faJfe : Further, when the parents are guilty of very grofs compliance, even though they have given evidences of a right fenfe there of, I do not admit them, but another to prefeuc their children, for fear of reproach, albeit I might do it lawfully.
iiut, dear Sir, my difficulty upon this head is cfien times very great, the different cafes of per- fons puts me fometimes to a nonplus. And this I think ftrange of, that now when the minifters are paifmg through the country, many perfons e- ven involved in the courfes of defection fcruple to tike their children unto them. But in anfwer to what you write concerning KeiJL I know him to be nothing the better of the company of fome, and I refolve that he (hall be dealt with, loth freely and tenderly at the next general meeting. And as for Mr. Boyd, I ufed freedom with him, in a line, before he went away; but the reports that I have heard of him fi-nce I faw him, have been both troublefome and difpleaiing unto me : 1 know not upon what grounds he cau exprefs his hope of union; for 1 fee no way as yet how it flu 11 be obuined in the Lord : yea, as matters now (land, I hold myfelf obliged to re- fent that information of his, for it puts fuch as • g forewar'd to (land dill ; and for mine
owa
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own part, though I ftiould be left alone, and \ branded with Angularity, while they continue as I they are, I relolve not to unite, dum fpiritus bos t regit artus ; and there is little hope of their grow- 1 ing better : Neither will Mr. Boyd find that par- I ty amongft us, who are inclined to hear thefe, &c. I to ftrong as he expe&s ; but after pains for in- 1 formation and admonition, we fhall then lhow how we will carry towards them. And let mc be miftaken as men pleafe, this is my ftudy not to partake in other men's fins, neither to cover them ; but confidering the confufions of| this time, and the weaknefs of poor people, I hold it my duty to be a help and a prop, as I can, to thefe that are ftaggering, and to carry fo toward fuch as will go off, as their {tumbling neither in law, nor in my own confeience may be charged upon me : And this is like unto my Matter, who hath promifed tofave them that halt, and gather them tliat are driven out. As for the vindication which Mr. B. did let you fee, I need not fpeak any thing, for we have altered it, and fent untQ you a tranfeript of the prefent draught, which is not yet condescended upon, until you and our lbcieties fee it. So let it not trouble you, nei- ther the tettificate that was granted unto him; for though the moft part were diflatisfied with fome things in him, and had their jeaioufies a- cent him; yet confidering what he left behind him written with his own hand, and that he was not fully difcovered, they thought that they could not deny fuch a tettificate unto him; hut if he (hould make a bad ufe of it againft us, he will be a man moft ungrate, and will contra- dift what he hath left under his own hand a- Biongft us; and if fo, I wiih, it had never been
granted
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granted unto him. Your coufm Mrs. 7. £ with us Come days, and we were pretty free with her ; but you know, Hie is ordinarily referr- ed. As for what you wrote about the laying a- fide of that bufinefs, I blefs the Lord that he hath helped you unto it ; for many confiderations called for it.
Now, Right honourable and comfortable Sir, I remit you to the bearer for news ainongft us; he can give you an account of my progrefs in England; and alfo of Colin's going to Ireland: But I think fit to fhew you, that at the laft cor- refpondence, friends judged it conveuient to fend one to Mr. Thomas Douglas to converfe with him, and know where he (lands; (which this bearer is rcfolved, according to their conclufion, to fet a- bout) When they afked my concurrence and con- fent, I anfwered that I could not aftively concur therewith; becaufe I knew not what to expert "by it ; yet I {hould not oppofe their (ending any of their number to confer with him ; for I thought the thing in itfelf could no* well be de- nied to them: And alfo, I am (with many) un- der the fufpicion, that I defire no help, though the perfons were never fo right; whereas, the Lord is my witnefs, it would be my greatefl: re- joicing this day, to have fome minifters to con- cur with me; for it would be a great advantage to the work, and a great eafe to me ; for, not- withftanding of all breakings, my buiinefs muN tiplies dill upon my hand, and people are more earneft now than ever I knew them after t!rc gofpel: O that the Lord would feud forth labour- ers. As for this/bcarcr, I am glad that' be hath come unto you, for he hath his own diffatirfadi- on he and I have had fome bicker-
i46 LETTERS.
bickerings; but I do not know him to vent him-l felf to your prejudice : Alfo he is very honeft to- ward the caufe, and fingulafly ufeful ; therefore you may be free with, and tender of him, fori expcdt he will be free with you.
Now, Dear and honourable Sir, being in hafte, cud alfo difturbed ycfternight from writing, by an alarm of the enemy, I (hall add no further; but defires to know your mind anent a particular, which is like to break u$ more than any thing that the minifters can do; and it is, the joining of children, fervants and others in the family- exercife of their parents, mafters and others who are compilers. Thus committing you, yoor fitter and the fweet family unto the Lord. I am,
Honourable and dear Sir, Ever as formerly,
JAMES RENWICK.
LETTER XLVL
From the Rev. Mr. James Renwick, to -
Hon. and dear Sir, Jan. 10. 1687.
I Received yours, and am greatly refrefhed with it, both in refpeft of its coming from you, and in refpedt of the drain of it; for I perceive in it a zeal for the right carrying of the ark of God through- this howling wildernefs: it would be matter of my joy to obferve this fpirit in any who beareth the ark, and in all who profefs to follow it; forLam perfuaded, that the wrong way
of
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of bearing and handling the ark, will keep ir le- er in the wildernefs, but will never carry it thr</ J'jrdan and fettle it in the land of Canaan: And for mine own part, I fee it fo difficult a thing to move one ftep rightly forward with it, that I am in a continual fear anent what I do; and I wiih, I were more in the exercife of that fear, for it would put me to look more unto the Lord, whom I defire and aim to fet before mine eyes at all times; and if I lhall give the ark a wrong touch, I may fay (lb far as I can fee into mice own heart) it will be through blindnefs and not thro' byafildnefs. O to be framed for the work of the day; for there is none fit for it but fuch as hjjvc honeft hearts, ingenious fpirits, and the faces of lions; they will be ftrange fort of folk whom the Lord will make any lingular ufe of. As for the cafe of our focieties, am I in fome confternatioa of fpiiit when I reflect upon it : There are a choice handful amongft them, whom I hope, the Lord will not forfake; but fome are not fc fixed and refolute as they ought to be, and ethers, 1 fear, have little principle, but follow example ; and fcverals little exercifed with their foul's cafes; and the Lord is hiding his face in fome meafurc from the whole, which fome are fenlible of, and groaning under : Wherefore, I look for a mere carrow fieve yet to go through us, and that the Lord will lay by many : O that fanning and win- nowing that is coming ! but the lead good grain ill r;ot fall to the ground. Yea, I do not I it the Lord's work lhall be delivered till l generation of Lis wrath be huri. •an .1
N 2
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folate, even great and f ah without inhabitant A Ifa. v. 9. But be that is left in Zion, and he than remdhteth in Jerufalsm, f?all be called holy, event every one that is written among the living in JeruA falem ; Ifa. iv. 3. And for mine own part, I ap- prehend, that that dark hour- is now very near hand, which (hall come upon the church before the fall of Antichrift, and the Lord's glorious ap- pearing for his church, which ihall be in the laft days. O bleffed (hall they be who wait for the Lord in the way of his judgments, and who are of the righteous nation which keep the truth, for the gates ihall be opened unto them, Ifa. xxvi. 2. 8. I am,
Your honour's fympathifing friend
and fervant in the Lwd,
JAMES RENWICK.
LETTER XLVII.
Froni the Kev. Mr. James Renwick, to the honourable Mr. Robert Hamilton.
Hon- and dear Sir, Jan. 11. 1687.
I Conceive it is both to your lofs and our lofs, yea, to the difadvantage of the caufe, that you hear fo feldom from us, and how matters are amongft us; but for my parr, I cannot help it; having always fuch throng of weighty bufinefs, continual travel through many a valt wilderneis, retimes bad accommodation ; fo that it is for me to get a fpare Lour.
How-
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However, confidering die importance of what , was done at the lafi general meeting, I judge it :eflary to give you a true account thereof, ere came two miniflers to the laft meeting December 22. 1686. viz. Mr. David Hon and Mr. Alt xander Shields. But I (hill Srft give j an account of our carrying toward the laid . David, and toward the forefaid Mr Alexan- der. When I was in England the lafi Summer . general meeting cf o-jr fo« heicg Mi-
med that Mr. David h afed concur-
rence with, and fubje&ion to the minifters in Ireland becaufe of their defection?, 2nd that preached faithfully againft all ! - f :!;e
rimes, did lend un:o him Colin Alifon and >
£ verity thereof ; who afre: and free communing with the faid Mr. David a- nent all the heads of our prefent teftimony, ceived great fatisfaclion ; who al 0 fignified 10 them his resolution of coming unto us. * before we lent any ur.ro him again, we did CC vocate all our friends who had been livifig al time in Ireland, and now come over to us, thac we might inform ourfelvet: anent what they knew of the faid Mr. David, who could not relate any difference in his principles from us, but gave in fome accufation againft him which they had ! by report, and were all perfonalia : ac-
Cufationa were drawn up and delivered to 'James Boyle, who was lent to Ireland to > icy
or faifehood of every one of thele things in- ftrudted, and finding them to be" but calumnfea^ to conduft the forefaid Mr. DavM to ord-
g :o his own rcibhuion. So the faid James lay- ing out fcarch for information anent thefe re- . s, tonfciring with fome of Mr. .
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cufers, bringing him and feme of them face to J face ; likewife conferring with fome of his neigh- 7*jurs and ordinary hearers, and finding noj ground for the forefaid accufations, did conduAj Mr. David unto us, that we might fatisfy our-l felves anent him in a free communing with I Limfelf.
Wherefore, Mr. David came to our laft gene- ral meeting, which was upon December 22. 1686. being accompanied with one James Kinlocb, who was particularly fent by fome focieties in Ireland to our correfpondence, and who alfo teftified be- fore us all for Mr. David's honefly and inno- cency of the forefaid allcdgances, after which,. ■we did read over in Mr. D'avid'h hearing, the in- troduction to our vindication, wherein are fum-« raarily comprehended fome fignal fteps of our churches defe&ion, and a brief declaration of our prefent teftimony, both as to what we own and difown, together with the fifth head of the fame vindication, containing (among other things) *en grounds, every one of which, we judge fof- iicient for withdrawing from minifters of this co- venanted and reformed church, la whom they are applicable in this broken and declining x4ate:. and then we afted Mr. David's judgment of what he had heard, and whether or no he was of one mind with us as to every part of our prefent tefti- mony. To which he replied, that as to fome matters of faft he was ignorant, but he agiv Vuh our judgment and principles in all that he had heard, adding, that it was foretold by La~ ther, That before Chrift's glorious appearance for his church in the laft days, the controverfy ihonld be flared and rid about miniftry and ma- giitracy. So Mr. David being defircd tc remove,
v;e
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we gave in our minds about his anfwer, and it was lbftainjrd as iatisfying in that point. After this, we confulted among ourfclves what was fur- ther neceffary to deiire for our further fatisfafti- ©n anent him ; and having heard from himieif, that he had fome papers with him which could tend to our information and clearing, concerning his carriage for many years ; we called him to us again, and defired to bear thefe papers. Sd, there was read in our hearing, firft his licence, then his ordination, which was to the parifh of Straftrie, a lirtle before the Reftoration. Next (.as I remember) a paper which he had drawn up himieif, and given to the minifters in Ireland, containing his reafons wherefore he would net be fubordinate unto, nor concur with them, where- of their eppefition to the fufferirig party in Scot- land was one. Afterward were read fome leftiiir cates, from the people in the refpe&ive places in Ireland, where he ha i exercifed his miniftry^ fome whereof being cf a very late daie, and one of them bearing, that they had been greatly re- medied and edified with his preaching the gofpel amongft them ;, but that he had denied them o-« ther privileges for reafons fatisfying to himieif % by which he declared, they "understood his refuf- ing to baptize their children, becaufe of their paying exactions to the enemy, and this we look- ed upon as the greater tefcimony. Further, we enquired how long he had kept a meeiing-houfe in Ireland, and upon what terms; and dccU:xd the terms of his holding were not finful ; for he was fettled by the minifters upon the call of the people; and whenfoever he knew of any tranf- aftion of the faid minillers with the lb called inagiftrate, that he foriook hi? nk<. uufc,
and
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and refuted fubordination to tbefe mifiiftersi tohtch was a little zher Bothwel. Mfneover, he declared, and jfa*;.^/ Kinloch wftnefled the fame, that at the incoming of the aiTociators, Anno 1685, he gave a plain and public teftimony againft that ho; b confederacy. Now, Mr. David be-
ing deiired to remove again, we communed to- gether anent what we had heard from his papers and frpm his own mouth, and found a great meafure of fatlsfadion therefrom. Howbeit, to remove fcruples yet further, we called him again to us, and dealt freely with him in telling him what was reported, byfome, of him, defiring to hear what he would fay to thefe things himlelf. All which alledgances he heard very patiently, and anfwered to them one by one, as they were given in, very pleafantly, and gave very demon- ftrating evidences of his innocency.
Now, from all the forefaids, we being in fuch a meafure fatisfied in c^r consciences, concern- ing the faid Mr* David; our focieiies do both call htm, and hear him preach for further trial, whereunto I gave my confent, feeing no reafon •wherefore I could deny it. But he is not as yet fettled amongft ifs as our minifter by a formal and a folenin call for that effeft. Howbeit, for the tittie, I know not of any ground that will be for excepting againft it ; for I hear that he preaches very zealoufly and faithfully whither he goes, and carries ftriftly in adminiftering the facrament of baptifm. And for mine own pait, from his expreffing himfelf at our correfpondence ; I thought he feemed to have the right ftste of the caufe, to have a right imprcflion of the csfe of the church, to be tender-hearted and zealous in the frame of His fpirit, particularly for the
loyalties
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royalties of Chrifc, and againft the idol cf the Lord's jealoufy, the eccleiiaftic fupremacy and civil tyranny.
As for our carriage towards the forefaid Mr. Alexander Shields, lie having by the providence of God made hisefcape outof prifon, after a lit- tle fpace of time (without feeking after any party of minifters againft whom we have exceptions) came to the country, unto this contending and fuffering party. And at length, upon the 5th of December 1686, came to a meeting which we had in Galloway, in the Wcod of Earlflon, for preaching; and (o going alongfl with me from thence, upon the day following, I told him, al- beit I had fome fatisfa&ion concerning him from what I had feen under his own hand, and albeit I expected more by further converfe with him; yet I thought it mod rational in itfelf, mod con- ducing to the prefervation of union amongft us, and alfo according to the conclufion of our gene- ral meeting, viz. that nothing which concerns the whole Ihould be done without acquainting them therewith ; that the forefaid Mr. Alex- ander fhould not be employed in the public work until he came to the general correfpond- ence, that all might be faiisfied a dent bid 1 which he did take very well, and defired us to take that method with him which we would do with any backflidden minifler, if God fhould touch his heart and bring him out from his defections 1 to the public work. Howbeir, wc though: 6t to employ him fometimes to go about family cxrr- , not feeing any reafon why this ihould be born, for thereby we might attain to more nt him. And indeed, in a certain e fame neighbours (a? is ordinary)
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were gathered unto the worfhip, I was greatly refreQied with what he (pake from Rom. xii. 12. efpecially with what he had in prayer, with a heavy lamentation to this purpoie; " I cannot u longer contain, but I muft confefs unto the €i Lord before this people, I am aihamed to of- " fer my body a living facrifice to thee, yet I " muft do it; for I a prifoner and a preacher, •' might have been a martyr, and in glory with " thee and thy glorified martyrs above ; but 41 I iinfully and ihamefully faved my life with " difovvning thy friends and owning thy e- u nemies; and it wiil be a wonder if ever thou " put fuch a honourable opportunity in my hand " again." And very feldom did be go about ex- ercife, but either in prayer, or in fpeaking from the fcripture, he brake forth into heavy lamen- tations, confeffing particularly his defections. So, the time of our general meeting coming, which1 was December 22. as faid is, the forefaid Mr. Alexander came to the lame ; and we did read o- ver in his hearing (he being prefent with Mr. David) the introduction to our vindication, wherein are comprehended fome fpecial fteps of j our church's defection, and a brief declaration of our prefent teftimony, both as to what we own and difown ; together with the fifth head of the fame vindication, containing, among other things, ten grounds, every one of which we judge fuffi- cient for withdrawing from minifters of this co- venanted and reformed church to whom they are applicable, in this broken and declining ftate. And then we afced Mr. Alexander's judgment- concerning what he had heard, and whether or i/o he was ofbne mind with us as to every part of our prefent teftimony. To which he replied,
that
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that he agreed cordially with us in all that he had heard, and particularly in the forefaid ten grounds, judging every one of them to bear a iolidity and fufficiency in point of withdrawing. But, faid he, there are fome things there tefti- fied againft, whereof I am guilty ; and I will take 2 little time to unbofom m.yfelf unto you anenc the fame. So he began his confeffion with fome pre-occupying cautions; defiring that none might think he was moved to what he wa3 now about to do, from the affe&ation of applaufe from any man, or, that he might be in with a party (for he knew he would not want alluring imployments it he had freedom to embrace it) but only that he might give God the glory, vindicate the caufe, exonour his own confcicnce, and iatisfy orfended brethren: Intimating alfo, that he look ed not upon the focieties as competent for handling ecclefiaftic matters, and that he knew, they did not aflume the fame unto themfelves, though they were falfely branded therewith : Yet he held himfelf bound in duty, to declare with forrow before them, wherein he had denied any part of the teftimony which they did own. Then he proceeded to the particulars of his confeflion, and acknowledged>
J. That he had involved himfelf in the guilt of owning the (fo called) authority of James VII. lhewing an exceeding finfulnefb in it, and taking lharae unto himfelf.
2. He acknowledged himfelf guilty of taking the oath of Abjuration, and of relapfing into the fame iniquity; the finfulnefs whereof he held out at a great length, making it appear, that by that oath many orthodox principles which con- cern us greatly to contend for, are objured. He
de-
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declared the occafion of his being inveigled in thefe tranfgreflions, was, the entering into an accommodation with the enemy ; for he could propofe nothing unto them but they ftill addsd and yielded to it, until they got him a filly fifh catched in their angle. Howbeit, hereby (as he faid) he did not extenuate or excufe his fin, for, albeit he had as much to lay for hirafelf as any man could have, who had declared in fuch a meafure, yet he would neither ftifiie his own con- fcience, nor blind the eyes of others; where- fore, he ihewed both the fin and danger of en- tering upon any accommodation whatfoever with the enemy.
Now, he fpoke largely to all thefe particulars, difcovering fuch hainous and manifold fin there- in, that, 1 think, none could have done it, un- lets they had known the terrors of the Lord : Shewing alfo the aggravations thereof, defiring every one talook upon their fin with the aggra- vating circumflances they can fee in it*: And he exprefled fo much fenfe and ingenuity, that none, I think, could require more of him, and I . know not who would not have been fatisfied as to the forefaids, who had heard him exprels hitn- iclf fo fully, fo plainly, fo freely, and with (o much fenfe, grief, and felf-con'demning; and I thought it both lingular and promiling, to fee a clergy-man come forth with fuch a confeflion of his own defe&ions, when fo few of that fet are feen in our age to be honoured with the like.
So Mr. Alexander being defired to remove, . we communed together about what we heard, and alldeelared, they found themfelves fatisfied *s to the forefaids. After this, it was confulted amongft us, what was neccflary to deiire for our ,
further
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further fatisfa&ion anent him ; and we judged it expedient to enquire how and by whom he was licenfed to preach ; whereupon, I having confer- red with him before thereanent, gave a brief ac- count thereof; and fignified that a confiderable | while ago, I faw it under his own hand, that if i the bnfinefs of his licence were to be done yet, he would neither take it from fuch perfons, nei- ther would they give it him ; and that of late he had faid unto myfelf, that he knew not one ef thefe who had granted it, that now he could concur with. However, we thought it conveni- ent to call himfelf, that he might give an ac- count thereof before us all ; which he did, Plow- ing that he went to London with an intention to -be an amacuenfis to Owen, or fome of their great 'do&ors, who were writing books for the prefs, and had a letter of recommendation to one Mr. Blaekie, a Scottifo minifter, who tryfted him to fpeak with him a certain feafon, and had fevcral minifters convened, unknown to Mr. Alexander, and did prefs and enjoin him to take licence; fo,. he being carried unto it in that fudden and fur- pi ifing way, he accepted it from the hands of iiunifters then at London, but without any impofiribns or finful refcri&ions. However, a little after, the oath of allegiance becoming the trial of that place, the forefaid Mr. Alexander (ludied, as he had occafion in preaching, plainly and fatisfyingly to difcovcr the fin of it ; which was fo ill taken by the minifters by whom he was licenced, that they threatened and fought to (lop his mouth, but he refufed to fubmit unto inem. Now, £o this very purpofe was tie relation that Mr. Alexander himfelf gave. So, confider- lug what is before related, the (ocieties for O rhcoi-
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themfelves, and I, with the concurrence of {brae elders then prefent, did call him to officiate in preaching the word to the fuffering remnant of this, church. Wherefore, upon the Sabbath fol- lowing he aod I did preach together, he having his text 2 Cor. v. m; in thefe words in the for- mer part of the verfe, viz. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we perfnade men. In • which preaching, I may fay, he particularly af- fcrted every part of our prefent teftimony, btftfai as to non-compliance with enemies, non-concur- renee with defective parties, and difowning the pretended authority of James VII. ; and alio doc- trinally confefled his own particular defections; and cryed out, that knowing the terror of the Lord in thefe things, he perfuaded men. And having appointed a fad upon the Tlntrfday fol- lowing, I briefly drew up about the number of. forty four caufes of humiliation, omitting no. piece of defe&ion of old or of late, tbat-I knew . or could remember, which caufes he cordially agreed with, and exprefled the fame publicly in* his preaching before the congregation, declaring every one of them to be a great caufe of humilia- tion ; and confefled again hisowndefe&ions, hold- ing forth the fin thereof to be very hainous, witk much forrow and regrete. So I find Mr. Alexander to be one with us in our prefent teftimony. ; I look wpon him as having the zeal of God in his fpirit, and the poor remnant have much of his heart;, and I think, the Lord is with him, and he can- Bot be challenged as deficient in the application of his do&rine ; and, for mine own part* I have been refrelhed with hearing of him, and have teen animated to zeal by his preaching and difc «ourfe, . ; . ■ t
But;
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• But there was a certain offence given by fome, wherein Mr, Alexander was a partaker, and wherewith I was dhTatisfied, and that was their deferring of the teftimony which fome eminent worthies at Utrecht keep- up againft>Ir. jF/w«wg minifter to the Scottifh congregation at Rotter- dam, in withdrawing from him for his manifeft fcandal; which teftimony I cordially (as hereto- fore) agree with, and look upon it (according as I know) as the firft clear Rating of our teftimo- ny in our latter times, againft the daubers and plaifterers of defc&icn. Wherefore I did fpeak with Mr. Alexander anent the fame, who knows my mind well enough in that affair, and exprefled my d;Tatisfa6tion, and apprehended him to be fcnfible of the evils of that breach : And as we were occafionally fpeaking of it at another time, Ye called their withdrawing, their teftimony a- gainft Mr. Fleming. Kowbeit, confide ring I Alexander's partaking in the forefaid offence be- 1 )Dg very little here known in Scotland, and (o, 1 they not being the perfons offended, cODfideriog his giving a practical teftimony in that affair, by discountenancing the forefaid congregation, fuch time lince that he hath been in Holland-, confi- dering his prefent ftri&nefs, and cordial agree- ment with us in all our prefent controvert and not knowing how to manage that affair to the edification of the focieties ; 1 fay, upon thefe and foch confiderations it was not brought before the general correfpondence.
Now, Right honourable and dear Sir, I given you a true and full account of our car; ward Mr.AUx \ and if you v.
with him now, J exu would fay as much
for him as I have iYid, for he doth uot clan
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mids-man betwixt us and other parties, or on< who endeavours to obfeure and caft dirt upon on: contendings, to juftle us off our feet and perveT us from the right ways of the Lord, but hath tak en the defence of every part of our prefent tefti- inony. And when I was telling him in difcourfc that the famous Mr. Cameron had faid in a fermon, that the Sanquhar declaration would fhake the throne of Britain', Mr. Alexander replied, Yea, and the thrones of the kingdoms through the world : And he hath a high efteem of the Shieenu ferry Papers, and exprefled his diflatisfatfhon that they were not more valued* All which fpoke forth his zeal and cordial agreement with the ho- ueft ftate of the caufe; and in hearing whereof I was not a little refrelhed. I think, the Lord hath (uffered him to fall into the hands of ene- mies and fall before them, for laying him low ia humility, and raifing him up in zeal; fo, what- ever come to pafs afterward, in the mean time> I am made to look upon both Mr. David and his coming forth in fuch a manner, as a mercy to the poor church of Scotland, and it hath been * mean to wipe away fome of our reproach from among men, and to put fome dafti upon the con- fidence of our oppofers, who, for ought I can. hear, do look upon them both, as upon thefe whom they judge mofl obftinate among us. How. beit, (mi -pater) I fliall be glad to have your thoughts anent what I have written, for I do re- verence you and your judgment as much as ever* Right honourable and comfortable Sir, I kno^r your bickerings are hot, and your rencounters fierce, and thefe multiplied upon you: You are hated and defpil'ed of men for your faithfulcefs and jealoufy for your God. Yea, I am in great
fear
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fear of your being in continual hazard of your life
from Scotti/h men, or thro' their iniiigation ; the
confederation of all which fills my heart with for-
w, when it comes before me, and fometimes
•vs water from mine eyes. But again, v*\.
fl remember what a fat feaft- you have of peace of conscience and joy in the Lord, together with ' what ye have -in hope, I am made to rejoice in : the miJfc of my forrow, and to account you a bleffird man. O go on in the ftrength of the Lord; fear not the amichriftian enemie?, nor
10 are fallen in among the limbs of the Grace is fumcient for you, victory
is certain, and the prize waits for you. . Now, I leave the work upon him, upon wfcofc fhouldcrs the government is laid. I ara ap~ bcnfive that the dark hour is now near hand, which will come upon the church before Chrift'? glorious appearance .in the latt dzyz ; but he w]Il r;fc and make, a difcufiion of his enemies, and r/ho endureth to the end ihali be faved. I im9
Right honourable, . Yoiirs as formerly,
JAMES RENWIL
P. S: I am fometimcs very much e&rcifc cd in my thoughts about your coming to S land, but, conlidering what ftrange things i come out of it, ai>d what hazard you will r I dare not be peremptorin defiring you, kihl fee a weighty and" urgent call unco ;t; but if matters be i'o with you, as to determine pofitive- me know, and a handful will call y
O 3 # wh£»
102 L L 1 1 £ R 5.
who will be your brethren and fervacts in tribe! ^ lation for ChrifL
JAMES RENWICICl
LETTER XLVI1L
From the Rei\ Mr. James Ren wick, to tfx ho- nourable the Laird of Earlfton.
Hon. and dear Sir> Jan. 27. 1687.
I Have not been forgetful of you, though I have long delayed to write, and the real oc- cafion of my fo long delay was, the throng of bufinefs, (for having fo much to do, I being in continual travel) together with a defigned for- bearance, until I had this courfe finiihed in Gal* ioway, that I might give yon an account of the prefect cafe of this coentry. I had great accefs in it to preach the gofpel, the Lord wonderfully reftraiaing enemies, and drawing out very many to hear, and moving them to give great outward encouragemenr. We kept thirteen field-meet- ings, whereof four were in the day-light; and I ftudicd pubHckly to declare and affert in its own place, every part of our prefent teftimony. W5c Ivad alfo nine meetings foV examinatiou ol the lo- cieties, calling the mod adjacent together into one meeting tor that efft&: And I hope, tfarqugb the Lord's blefiing, that that fmall piece of ia- bour Ihall not want its frait. But upon the other hand, I meet with no fm*U oppolition \uGallo* ivay, I went to that (hire, and preached there; a great many were vexed, and did their ourmoii
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to oppofe it : and when I came to Kirkmabreak, there came two men and gave me a paper, fub- fcribed by one in Carrick, in name of all therein between Cree and Dee, and alfo in name of the whole ; which paper overturns many noble pieces of our reformation, calling hearing of curares, paying of cefs, and fwearing the abjuration oath debateable principles, and above their capacity to determine, and bears a viperous protefhtion a- gainft my preaching, befidcs many other abfur- ditics in it: Which when I read, I gave my ani- madverfions upon it before the two men : And "upon the Thnrfday following, we keeping a pub- lie day meeting in the fields, between Cree and Dee, I thought tit after lecture, which was upon the 'xv.Pfalm, andfermon, which was upon5o;(g-ii.2. 10 read over the paper before the multitude, that I might let them know what was done in their names, giving my own animadverfions upon the fame, and exhorting them, if any fuch w£re there, who had given their countenance and concurrence to it, that they would fpeedily with forrow draw back their hand from Juch an iniqui- ty ; and thefe who were free to' take their pro- leftation before the Lord that they vrere in- K Docent, and did refent the doing of fuch a deed in their name: and withal warning them of the dangeroufnefs of that courfe, and fpirit of that party* Likewiie, v. hen I came to Irongray, Cornice came unto me,- and before fome ie.v, Xvho were meeting for examination, and fome others who accompui/ied me in my travels, took inftruments agaiuft: me, and againfl my entering into Irongray ; whereupon 1 gave fome weighty reafons, wherefore I could not look upon his as the deed of a faithful elder in that parilh,
and
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and cleared fome controverted points of our teftt- mony. But he was Co drunk either with wine*, op with the fury of the Lord, or with both, that he could hear nothing, and anfwer with nothing, but with clamour and crying,(the depths of Satan !)that I had deflroyed the church, and that the minifters had a lible drawn up againft me ; whereupon I, declaring that none of thefe things did terrify me, and that this was the work of the Lord, and that I was refolved, in his ftrength, to go on in it, while my breath governed my joints, and en- joined filence upon him. But, I think,by (uch an attempt that he hath done no fkaith either ta the work or to the owners of it.
Now, Right honourable Sir, you fee fome of tny conflicts. I blefs the Lord, none of thefe things terrify me : I think, they are very pufiU laniinous, who would not find iuch hot bicker- ings a mean, to ding a fpirit in them. O, that we might be fuch as we might fay,. Ifa. viii. p. 10. Ajfociate your [elves, 0 ye people, and ye /hall be broken in pieces: — gird your felves, and ye flail he broken in pieces. Take counfel together, and is flail come to nought ; [peak the ivord, and it flail not jland ; for God is with ui. But further, as to the focieties in Gallovjay ; there are fome of them fimple, whom we have much ado to keep right, do what we can: But there are. fome o- thers, both in Glenkers and other places, whom I look upon as bows of fteel in the Lord's hand ; and who, I hope, through his grace ihall abide in ftrength.
Now, Right noble and dear Sir, I hope not to forger you, but to mind your cafe in my weak,* addrefles to the Lord ; I may fay, you are very olkn brought before me; and next to my owm>
cafe
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cafe, and the church's cafe, the cafe of you and your family, they abroad, and they at home, do ly upon my heart. Ly near the Lord and wait opon him ; who knoweth what the Lord may do with you, and for you ; he may be humbling and polifhing you for fome great piece of work. As to our way at our lad meeting with Mr. David Houfton and Mr. Alexander Shields, you will fee it in the letter directed to your worthy brother, to whom I defire you may fend this, and the o- ther directed for yourfelf, for his information, at leaft fo much extracted out of this, as you think fit, becaufe I cannot have*time to write anent the fame things unto him. I commend you to your God, and am,
Your Honour's obliged friend,
*nd ferwnt in the Lord,
JAMES RENWrCK.
LETTER XLIX.
Train the Rev. Mr. James Renwitk, to the t Reverend Mr. Jacob Rgolinan, ndti tf the gofpel in Holland.
April 4. 1637.
Right Reverend and beloved bother ,
I Received your letter in Latin, but knowing that you are well verfed in the Engli/bt I Deed not write back to you in that lame lan- I beg your excufe, for !b long delay of
an
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ap anfwer ; for, as :it was a confiderable fpace ot time after the date of your letter, ere it came te Eiy hapd; fo, fince I received it, I have beea in fuch a roeafure. bulled with weighty work and exceflive travel, that fcarcely could I borrow one hour from the one or from the other^
I thankfully accept of your miaifterial, friends ly and brotherly advice unto uniom So far as i can fee into my heart (but a man cannot fee fai into a milflone) I am. as much for a right quali- £ed union as any, and looks upon that as good and pleafant, as PfaL exxxiii. i.: But, the union which is had without truth and holinefs, lean call no other thing but a confpiracy ; fuch as was found among the men of Judah, Jer. xi. 9. and the bets oiJenifalemy Ezek. xxii. 25. I cannot unite, where I muft therfehy harden the hearts and ftrengthen the hands of fuch as are engaged in, and carrying on a courfe of defection and backfliding from the Lord; and fo partake of their &ns, and render myfelf obnoxious to their plagues. I. cannot unite, where I cannot exped the propagating the words of Chrifl's patience, depofited to trs at this time to contend and.fuffef for. In reference to both cafes, in regulating my carriage toward minifters of this organic! church in this her broken and declining (late, I defire to mind what is given in command to J?4 remiah, Chap. xv. 1 9. Let them reiurn unto tbee,i but return not thou unto them, Jmuft not divide1 from the Head,, to unite with any profef&d memi bers. Eat minifters, even of this church, who1 are clothed with Chrift's cotnrniilion, who are: free or cenfurable perfonal fcandal, who do owoj and maintain this church's te.ftimony, and who j cither h:vve kept free of the pal d <rrofs<
defeftioc3
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eftSions of the time, or elfe do relinquifli and efent the fame ; I fay, with all fuch. I account t my joy, horjour and duty to unite; and my ra&ice proveth as much as I fay. As for my ►rinciples, I am able to manifeft them to have heir warrant bo:h from the fupreme divine au- horky in the word of God in the fcriptures, and he fubordinate ecclefiaftic authority of our :hurch conftitutions : So this is no new way that am following, but the good old way, wherein i fee the footfteps .of our Lord, citjus vita no: wrrnia docere poteft, and the print of the feec rf our worthy and refolute reformers, and thefe &ho in our day have valiantly and faithfully naintained and fealed with their blood the rc- :eived^nd fworn principles of our reformation.
I acknowledge, as you write, (Reverend and beloved) that I may learn many thisgs from my brethren into which I have not enough penetrat- ed, for I am but of yefterday, and what know [? Though they were in a worfe courfe than :hey are, I would learn what is good from them ; for as famous Luther lays, Fas eft ab hojle docsri. [acknowledge many of them to be pious and' earned, and I will imitate them in what I find :o be right : But ah, 1 canno: fee, as they now land, how I can learn faithfulnefs and zeal from' :hem ; and as for their worldly prudentials, I lope not to learn thefe; they have loft a good pecial for the general ; they have quit the Pref-* Dyterian plea tor the Protectant, as is clear in heir declaration, wherein malignants and feeta- :*ies may compear for their intereft.* But for my uart, I much rather agree with our- venerable \ffembly, who, in a paper bearitg" the date of* fuly 25th, 1648, iu aniwer to the otfbr of rile1
Com-
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Committee of Eftates, do {hew, that they had reprefented to the high court of Parliament, that for fecuring of religion it was necclTary that the Popiih, Prelatical and malignant party be declared enemies to the caufe, upon the one hand, as well as fedtaries, upon the other; and that all affociations, either in forces or counfeis with the former, as well as the later, be avoid*' ed. I cannot fee, that thefe means that have . deftroyed the work of the Lord {hall ever be made ufe of by him, for railing up the fame a- gain. You fay well, that this irruita longe fortior . eft quant difperfa ; yet that mud be taken with a grain of fait ; for I mud: take heed in quo ct cum quibus vim irruitum; I rauft unite my poor force both in a good caufe, and with fuch perfons asl may lawfully do it.
Now, I hope you will not take it in ill part that I defire you to beware of precipitancy, in receiving and Spreading informations againft us. I know you are informed in many falfities, and you do creduloufly believe and fedulouily ipread the fame; (this from the hand of famous, learn- ed and godly Rodman is mod wounding to me) but you will find in the end that they have not. been your friends who have prompted you ffl fuch a work.
I cannot but admire the difference of your difcourfe with Mr. Hamilton at Lewarden, from, the (train of your difcreet letter unto me. Wc little need any to cafl oil into our flames : for my part, it is my ftudy not to be bitter againft the bitternefs of others ; not to be reviled into*. reviler, nor fcoffed into a fcoffer ; fo as to tura the fame to others as they are to me ; neither to :Iirow back my brothers fire-balls into hi*
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LETTER S. 169
own face, left in cenfuring him I alfo be my own judge; though the fourneis of others offend me, yet it ihould not. But I will quiet my fpirit in waiting upon the Lord, until he bring forth the righteoufnefs of his caufc, and the innocence of his fervants. I know fome cm accufe or excufe as they fee it makes for their purpofe: I can prove it by many witneffes, that Mr. George Barclay, and Mr. Robert Langlands, before a multitude, accufed the church of Holland of Popery, in three fprinklings in baptifm ; and of the giofleft of Eraftianifm, faying, That the magiflrate would fend the minifter a pair of (hoes, and difmifs him when he pleafed. This was exhibited as a charge againft your whole church ; but now I am informed, that Mr. Barclay flatly denieth fuch a thing : I defire to know whither or no you judge the church of Holland wronged by this means ? And certain I am that a caufe maintain- ed after fuch a manner {hall not fucceed. Like- wife I mufl fay, that I think ftrange that any of our minifters lhould feek to have an union pro- cured betwixt them and us, while they do repre- fent us to be as bad as heretics, and look upon us as unworthy of a charitable conftrudtion. I like not to beg charity, but I would not defire (if I may fay, demand) what is not right. How- ever, until he be melted, we can never be moulded up into one. If \vc had nothing a-do but to pleafe one another ; and if we were once fet right in our «cnds, an accommodation about all the differences as to the means would be the more facile and feafibie ; Prov. xi. 3. 5. Now, right Reverend, I (hall not detain you further; Ido thankfully accept your neccfiafy and Christian advices, toward the clofe of your P letter ;
i7o l l i i r, k ^.
letter ; it is my prayer to the Lord that I may I be helped to follow them. I heartily with you may foon come to a better underftanding of this poor aifii&ed, reproached remnant. I am,
Right reverend and beloved Brother,
Your affefiionate friend,
and fervant in the Lord,
JAMES RENWICK
LETTER L.
from the Rev.Mr. James Renwick, to
Beloved Friends, April, 1687.
AS my time will not allow me to write large- ly unto you ; fo ye mud accept this lliort and infignificant line, as a token of my confi- deration of your lot, and con-cernednefs with it. Your cafe is fomewhat fingular; for banifh- ment will readily be looked upon as a great trial « for you, through the profped of many fnares, fears, and diftrefles, whereunto ye may be fub- jefted; howbeit, ye may have no fmall peace and confolation from the confideration that ye could not evite it, unlefs ye had denied truth-: i and whatever fufferirgs ye may meet with from your country-men, from the feas, and from fo- reigners, ye may reckon it all upon the ho- nourable account of your duty. Bur, my friends, j O do not fear the difficulties and perplexities that ienfe and rcafon may apprehend to be be abiding you ; for the Lord's children have often
fouai
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found ic in experience, that their prefect fears have been greater than their future troubles ; and that they have oftentimes been more frighted than hurt : He that made a paffage for his chofen thro* the Red-fea and the fwellings of Jordan, can give you dry.foot paffage thro* all the waters and floods of your affli&ions. Take your eyes off the vain things of this world ; look not back to old lovers ; but delight your fouls in Chrift alone, who is your exceeding rich reward, your farisfying and everlafling por- tion. Take him with you ; O he is fweet com- pany ! and he will never leave you, nor*forfaks you; yea, in the time of your greateft trouble he will be mod near you, and in your greateft diftreffes he will be mod kind. Be careful of nothing but how to pleafe him, and to honour him in all places whither ye may be fcattered. Now, commending you to his grace, which I pray may be fufficient for you, I am,
Your fympathizing friend,
and Jervant in the Lord,
JAMES RENWICK.
LETTER LL
From the Rev. Mr. James Renwick, to the
Honourable Mr. Robert Hamilton.
Honourable and dear Sir, July 15. 1687,
OU may readily be offended with ray long
delay in writing to you, but your know.
P 2 ing
Y
i72 LETTERS.
ing the caufe thereof, lam hbpeful, will remove it ; my bufinefs was never fo weighty, fo mul- tiplied, and fo ill to be guided, to my apprehen- fion, as it hath been this year ; and my body! was never fo frail : Exceflive travel, night waa- dermgSj unfeafonable fleep and diet, and fre- . qu£nt preaching in all feafons of weather, efpe- dally in the night, have fo debilitate me, that I am often incapable for any work; I find my- felf greatly weakened inwardly, fo that I feme* times fall into fits of fwooning and fainting; I take feldom any meat or drink, but it fights with my ftomach; and for ftrong drink, I can take almoft none of it. When I ufe means for my recovery, I find it fomeways effe&ual ; but my defire to the work, and the neceffity and impor- tunity of people, prompts me to do more than. my catura' ihq.ngth will well allow ; and to under- take fach tpilfome bufinefs, as cafts my body prefendy down again. I mention not this through any anxiery, quarrelling or difcontent, bat to ihow you my condition in this refpecft. I may fay, that uudei all my frailties and diflem- pers, I find great peace and fweetnefs in reflect- ing upon the occafion thereof: it is a part of my glory and joy to bear fuch infirmities, con- iraited through my poor and fmall labour, in my Matter's vineyard. But to leave this, I tell ycu truly, that I have no more jealoufy of you :han ever, for I know no ground for it ; and I hope you will not take up ray fufpicion of mc: Therefore though multitude of bufinefs, or bo- '..'ly fickneis, may divert me from fo frequent Writing unto yon, us need were, you would have me excufed, and conftruA rightly and fa- vourably of me; I fay not this, that I. purpose
to
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tonegleft it, or that I will allow myfelf in that iregleft, but to prevent my need of ufing any further apology of this kind.
Right honourable and comfortable Sir, if I had tne tongue of the eloquent, and the pen of a ready writer, my defire would be to employ both in praife of the great King. 0 ! JVho is like the Lord mnongft the gods? Who is like him> glorious in boiinefs, fearful in praifes, doing ders i We are rebels and out-laws, we are loft and undone for ever; but he hath made a cove- nant with us, and given himfelf a ranfom: this covenant is everlafting, ivell ordered in nil things aidfure: It hath all fulnefs in it, for the mat- ter; all wifdoro, for the manner; all conde- scendence, in the terms: it is moft engaging in its end, being made to bring about the peace and falvation of tinners ; and it is moft necefTafy, for there is no journeying to heaven without ir, This then is the chariot that will carry us into th'e joy and reft of our Lord ; this is the charioc wherein his glory, and oar good, ride triumph- atuly together; for it is made for himfelf and the daughters of Jerufalem* this is the chario: ihat h&tfl the pillars of Jihery the bottom of gold , \ering of purple , and the midfi of i: paved vj'uh iovc. O what a pavement is there I w&at lining and fluffing is there ! O happy are ih'ey who are tiken up into this chariot ! They Upon love, they fit upon love, they ly upon love, and if they fall, they fall foft, for they hll upon love. Tliefe who are without, may fee fome- what of its glifteringand beauty, yet no'\ know the heart and the bowels of ir, am love rhat is there, but thefe that are wirhin. CJ' £>:r; can you not
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King into this glorious piece of lis workman- ihip? Then why fliould you fear? though Satan and his inftrucnents compafs you about, and flioot at you upon all hands, yet you are welt guarded; you are not only riding with the King in his chariot, bat lying with him in his bed, which hath about threefcore valiant men, of the va- liant of Ifrael, (landing well appointed, and in a ready pofture, for your defence ; the angels and the attributes of God are a good and fure defence : and however you are furrounded with tne world's malice and hatred, his love is ftil! about you, and always next unto you. O ad- vance with that princely difpofuion and carriage lhat becometh one of fo royal a defcent, being a fon of the great King, the Almighty Lord God, by your adoption and regeneration. O fear not what the worms of the earth can do unto you, they are his poor, chained, weak treaties ; let thembecouoted as alhes under the foles of your feet ; your caufe is glorious, your leader gracious, your viflory certain, your re- ward fure, and you» triumph everlafting. O let all your care be to chufe and do. in every thing,, what may pleafe him; and encourage yourfelf in him, for he will not fail you nor farfake you;, and you know not what great things he may da for you, and by you, ere you pafs your fojourn- 5ng and pilgrimage in this earth. The more dark and ftorrny that our night be, the nearer is our morning. Tiie hour of our great tabula- tion and temptation is coming, it is fad ap-. proaching, and it will hafte to its end, and hleffd ihall every one be who keep the word of Chrifl's patience. I can it form you of little, a* to the cafe of
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this land, but what you knov. The enemies* are reftrained from the execution of their rage in the foimcr tneafure, hut they are confuting and plotting the utter ruin andraz-ngof the intcrefts and followers of Chrift ; for tluy neither follow their nature nor defigns, whatever method they follow: if this were believed, people would not fo readily be hoodwinked witii their pretences of favour ; but after fo much fad experience, none, who will not wilfully blindfold rhemlelves, need to be beguiled. There is a liberty now iflbed forth from the arrogated, abfolute, and encontroulable power of the intruder and ufjrper, upon the prerogative of the great God, bounded with the redriftion that his government may not • be fpoken againfl, and nothing faid that may I alienate the hearts of people from him ; pre- \ fcribing the place of preaching to be only in houfes, inhibiting the worfhip of God in the fields, commanding the feverc execution of ail the iniquitous laws again ft ailiucb meetings; and reqjiring ministers to give up their names to fome one or ether of their civil powers; which reftri&ed and ftrangely.q.ialified liberties to Prci- byterians, is conveyed through the calling and disenabling all our penal laws and fhtutes enact- ed againfl Papifts, and toleration of all herefies and fe£b.
The generality of thisgencration efleemp^rc a9 their great good; and they cove: and deli- derate it upoa» any terms; but the Lord fail , Vbey flhiU not have pi ace : ti left the
way of peace, and he will citable them. The cloud is fall, fart gathering, which will fall down as the irruption and ix: - \ and
ever-
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overflow the land: happy are they who are fiedfa into their city of refuge.
Before the -publication of this Indulgence,!, »<j fundry Preibyterian minifies, who had been more lurking formerly, began to travel through the country, and officiate in houfes, and that in fomewhat of a public manner. But Mr. Samuel Arnot preaching upon a Sabbath, in the day. light, about a mile from Glafgovj, a confiderable company cf people, being within and without* doors, a party of fol-diers went out of the town, and Scattered the meeting, apprehending near ta an hundred men and women, (tripping them of their cloaths, and taking their money from them, and laying them in prifon> who after* wards were fent to Edinburgh, and, as I am in«v formed are all liberate, lave one man, who- would not call Botbwell bridge rebellion. But now the minifters are .all generally preaching, J and lb me who had been hearing the Curates . are falling to again; but I hear of little freedoms amongft them anent the fins of the time : foria^ of them who had profeffed clearnefs againft the paying "the cefs, begin now to tolerate it ; fay- ing) that tbe narrative of the a^51 falls, feeing : the term is expired, though the cefs be continu- ed, and fo it is not finful : others fay, there i$; * no 'fcandal in paying it, becaufe they alleoge k to be an epidemical fault, if tfcey make it a fault, (O fuch horrid juggling with. God.) IA know none of them but who preach in houfes;-: and I fee not but they inuft be interpreted to oflichte under the cover and eolonr of this chur- liih 'rserty; for, befide what compliance is with it, 1 hear not of a confcionable and practical leiliiiicny given againft it. Tbcy do generally
{hew
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Jbcw thcicfelves more than formerly to be of the contrary part, and fet againft this pogr-wk- lieffing and (offering handful; jfofufifil not to
I cry out againft us, they<;i^ange us with falfe and grofs tranigreflions; they prefs people every way ^to difcourage and difcoantenance us ; they carry as if their great defign were to crufh and ruin us; they fpare no pains in preaching, converie, and writing, to effe&uate this : and hereby they make many violent upon their way, but fome arc gueftioning, and likely to come freely off from them ; the courfe they take is ready to let none halt between them and us: and none more brilk frnd headftrong than Mr. Gab* Semple, Mr. fV. jL>jkine% Mr. Robert LanglanJs, particularly }Ar. Samuel Af not, who fey iundry means difco- vers no fmall byaflcdcefs, credulity, and imper- i tinence, to fay no vvorfe. I fear ere all be done, that it come to the putting forth of the hand with feme of the ; but if it were
once at this, I hope our trial would not be much prolonged, whatever might be our extremity and perplexity for a time- Since I knew any thing of the corruptnefs of their way, I thbu they were men of a ftraDge fpirit; but now L think more ftrange than ever. O to live near .God that we may endure the ftcrm. Mr. Flint and Mr. RuJfcL are pitted ; the rumher of theft rs is not increasing. I have been often >rmed of Mr. Rofs's ng one time v*
a curate. But my great discouragement is from ou.rlelvcs ; though there be one part that is
light and ftedtaft in the matters of (J there is another part that d to, lax: i
ly : they will not leave us, and e nut as yet fufficient enough grouud to re- fute
17*
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fufe their concurrence ; but they are as weights 1 upon our hands, and are always to be drawn, becaufe ihey will not follow. I think fome will -1 yet fcour off, for, alas ! we are not all right in j bean with God.
As for Mi'. David Houfton he carries very I flraight: I think him both learned and zealous ; I he feems to have much of the fpirit of our I worthy profdTors ; for he much oppofes the I pafling from any part of our leftimony, yea, and flicks clofs to every form and order where- unto wc have attained ; aflerting, pertinently, tnat if we follow not even the method where- in God hath countenanced us, and keep not by every orderly form, we cannot but be juftled out of the matter. He hath authority with him* which fome way dallies thefe who oppofe them- fe-lves ; he difcovers the myftery of the work* ing of the fpirit of Antichrift more fully and: clearly than ever I have heard it.
As for Mr. Kerfland, I know nothing of his pirriage here, but that it is both humble and ftraight. I am informed, by fome very zealous, . that in conference both with minifters and pro- fl'fibrs of the contrary part, he hath fpoken pemnently ; yea, I have been witnefs to fome- what of it: I have heard him condemn the bu- fioefs of the afTociation wherein we condemn it, but he much deuies his being embodied with them: he takes upon him very much toil and travel to fcrve the fcfcieties in the corner where he Wanders, and to further and attend the work •if ihc gofpel amongft them: And to fpeak freely, according to my conceptions, I am afraid cf him in nothing io much as iirdic bufineis of Mr. Fojti.
There
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There are fundry focieties in Ireland come out from the defections of the time, wi o are keeping correfpondence with us ; I am defired to vifit them, and I purpofe, God willing, to do it. When Mr. David Houjton was there in the end of the fpring, he was very free, and confiderable numbers attended his preaching. I fuppofe ere this time he hath admitted Tome elders in Galloway or Nithifdale, and I am to fet about it the week following. But a part of my bufinefs this while hath been, to travel thro* fome places of the country where I had not been heretofore, and I hope not without fome fruit. When I was laft at Edinburgh, a cons- iderable number of choice friends were baniflied i to Barbadoes. Mrs. Binning is gone to Ireland. I am glad of your travels through other S churches; your difficulties have been many, yet [the Lord hath been with you. I am affrighted and aftoniftied with the abounding of iniquity amongftthem: The Lord hath a controverfy with all flelh, and he will plead it. Let us look through the whole world, they are but very few whom we can lee or fay, that they are for him. As to the letters of information that are to be fent abroad, I (hall endeavour that it be done, and to fend you fome fermons ; but I have fo much upon my hand, that I cannot get all done. I will be for fome weeks that I will icaicely get one night's reft, or be two days in one place ; and where I am, there I am fo taken up,' either with preaching, examination, or conference, I that I alraoft can get no other thing done. I )j would gladly hear if you have feen the Vindica- tion, and what are your thoughts of it ; and if J -you and Mr. Alexander Shields have met, and
how
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how you have accorded : I am hopeful, if you did not miftake one anothdr, there would be little or no difTention between you. As to your coming to Scotland, I can fay no other thing no wr than I faid in my former.
Now, the Lord be with you; I forget yon not, J (eldom go to God but you go with me; and I have fome confidence that Ineed not de- fire you to remember him, who is,
Honourable and dear Sir,
Yours, as formerly,
JAMES RENWIC1C
LETTER LIL
From the Rev. Mr. James Renwick, to the honourable Mr. Robert Hamilton.
Honourable Sir,
Since my lad I have travelled through many damps and deeps, and feen many discove- ries of many things : the Lord by all difpenfa* tions,' faying, that he will have rhalice and mis- takes, right and wrong, righteoufnefs and un» righ'teoulnefs, brought to light. O nbblc con- trivarice! Onobteway! What lhall the upftiot of all the lofles, fufferings, and contenciings, and difficulties of the remnant be, but the clear- ing the caufe to all beholders, fo that be whd runs mfcy read the righteoufnefs of it? Shall not! truth be made thereby more precious 'an3 know? The Lord will have a people to reap
the
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the fweet fruit of that we are put to this day. Let us then be content to lay name, credit, en* joyments, life, and all, under his feet, that he may Hand thereupon, to advance the glory of his own name, and to bring about the advance- ment of his kingdom.
As to what friends have written to you, I hope, you will not be troubled thereat, but take it in good part, for it hath flowed in real refpeft to the caufc, and love and tendernefs towards you in the mod part; whatever you were pre- vailed to cede unto, through your own confufi- on, fimplicity, and inadvertency, by the over- powering of a furious byafled party, at Botlrwel; I would advife your honour to this anent it; to write to the remnant the way, and any reality thereof, exprefling your own fenfe thereof; to- gether with your willingnefs to make acknow- ledgment thereof, according to the degree of ihe offence, in the true church of Scotland. This, I think, would be mod for the glory of God, the vindication of his caufe, your own honour, and Che endearing of the remnant unto you. Alfa you mufl write your innocency of what other things are laid to your charge, with what proba- tion there can be had, with this bearer; and if we had thefe, we couid flop the mouths of (ten- derers. Likewife, you mud not be offended that Robert is not fent unto you, for the meeting did it not out of any diffatisfa&ion with him, or with your defiring him, hut as a mean to wipe away that malice-like afperfion, that we are all lead by you; and that by the mouth of nore witnefTet words may be more confirmed. Alio, I hope, you will find the young man both didiuft and honed anent matters; and I doubt nothing, but you will Ct be
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be well pleafed with him. Moreover, friends are- moft delirous to know how it is with Thomas ; and if he be found, in fome meafure, qualified, as to zeal, piety and parts, they would gladly have all means ufed for the honefteft ordination ; and I muft joiifmy deflre with theirs; for there is as much work to be had in Scotland-, notwith- flanding of all the perfecution, as would hold ten miniders bufy: (O blefled be the name of the Lord) And if I had fome with me, to help to plenifh the country, and to a£t more judicially and autboritativejy, through the Lord's afliftance, the cruelty of the enemy and the malice and underminings of other parties, woqld not be able :o mar the work in our hands. And as to foreign churches, I would offer your honour my humble advice, that, confidering the bad information that they have got from thefe that have pafl: as fuf- ferers, you would with patience wait on them, for a little time will give them a clearer infight of our matters : I think no wonder, though the various confufions of Scotland jumble them, anent the uptaking of Scotland's caufe : and give not over to deal with fuch as are not pofleft with prejudice and malice ; and for ordination for Thomas, if no other thing ftood in the way of it, I could be clear, that ye fought it from the pureft amongft the reformed; though they can-
. not win the length of approving all the circum- ftauces of our caufe, providing they be faithful againft the fins of their own place, and not, with prejudice at us, fided with the backfliders in the church of Scotland: For there is a great differ- ence between joining with minillers o*f foreign churches, and minifters of our own church ; lor
^the former, (as I have often told to thefe that
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objected againft my ordination) cones under a general confideration as ProtefUnts, but the hi- rer, under a far more fpecial consideration, may be clear from the fuppofed example ; The reformed minifters abroad, who keep up a tefti- mocy againft the fins of their own place, and -fide not themfeives again ft us, I could lawfully join with them, though they cry not out againft the fteps of our defection, became that is not t'rie matter ef 'their prefent teftimony; yet if any of them were coming to Scotland, and offering them- feives miiiffters to us of one organical church, .we could not accept of them, unlefs they would keep up our prefent teftimony againft all the fins of our place.
As for what r^ft betwixt thefe minifters and us, I can inform your honour no more fully tl our friend's letter doth. And as to the prefect date of the country, Clyde/dale continueth f as it is one man upon their 1
mer grcur.d, together witft Attatutale ; fomcJu but many continue; many in Ginkk are j . ne, for the timv, are
quit < ontinue; the few that
are in Li tnd C.ii*r are put all in a reel,
Lord kooweth how fhey will fculc. Since our thefe minifters, I made a
proj I found nc
an open door for preaching thegofpel, the peo- ple comil out than they did before; and we got ei^ht field-meetings kept there with. out any dift&rbance, and fix in NitbfdaUj many con, 2\{i places (1
a
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trovcrfies againfl tbefe minifters; Robert Goodwin hath made his-cfcape likewife, and continues al- fo clear in our matters. George Hill's family hath all been fick: And Mrs. B. hath been long fick in frifon; bin this. is but the ordinary cala- mity of >he country ; for I never heard of fuch a general ficknefs in Scotland.
As for choofing of elders, according to ybnr deiire, we have fomc hbneft old men, members of our focieties, who were elders in our fettled ftate ; and we are refolying to fet about the chuf- 'ingofmoe, with fome deacons: But our various confufions and debates have much retarded this and other things hitherto.
In what I have here written, I intreat your honour that I may not be miflaken ; for the Lord know, eth, lam the fame both anent the caufe and to- ward you that ever I was; all that byafled folk can fay, doth neither leflen my confidence in, nor eftimation of you: and what I have faid of Thomas, understand me fo, that I would mod gladly have him for a help, but I would either want him ere he ihould be a hinderance; .but becaufe I judge him not to be of a dangerous fpirit, I fufpect him lefs than many other&j alfo I think it is more iimplicity of nature nBBn want of honefty that is with him. Alio, you would fpeak with this bear- er anent fetting foreward to the work, for he hath pad: bis courfe at the college, and I think, tuth the caufe honeftly dated in his heart, tho* he hath but fmall means for enduing him with gifts; yet he wants not a fpirit for contending for the honeft fide. And as for ordination a- broad, I would have all means elfayed before we took another courfe;, for we cannot defend our doing any thing of that nature, before all o-
tlicr
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her lawful ways eflayed do fail us, while we are, n fucb a cafe. 1 thought St alfo to inform roa, that there is a general defire among friends hat you (hould come home a vifit, and return igain, through the appreheafion that they have i your doing a great good at this time; but fi nee «r debates were brought to fome clofe, I cannot" >e fo anxious for it as I was. Now, dear Sir, take heed ro yourfclf, there re iruny looking out for your hairing, many lets are fpread againft you, both at home and a- >road ; but exercife yourfelf in this, to keep a onfeience void of offence both toward God and nan, and the Lord iball bring forth your righre- >ufnefs as the noon-tide of the day. Remember ne kindly to your worthy dear filter, to Tbo;. cd all the family. Pray for him who is,
Ever as formerly,
JAM£S RENWICK.
LETTER LIII.
tyom the Rev. Mr. James Renwick, t: IwiQtirable Ladies
Much honoured Ladies , Aug. 13. 1687.
THE zeal which I defire^o have- for the ad- vancement of Chad's kingdom, the love riich I bear to your fouls, and my fenfc 0
cions which I ftaod under unto you in par- r, have moved me to take upon roc to fa- ute jou with this line. ThcrQ is not a rational Q. 3 cteai
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creature, that doth not propone unto itfelf for chief good, the obtaining and enjoying wherejHI is the great intent and end of all its a&ions. Whqill will fliew us any good? But, the woful evil a-^li mong men is, their fettingup to themfelves fomeni naughty, vain, and petty nothing, and defpiiing I :hat wherein their real and chief happinefs dotlrl only ly, reje fling the counfel of God agalnfl tbenu}\ felves: this miflake is deplorable, for man is an infinite lofer by it; it is defperate, for he refuf-M eth to be inftrutfted. Hence is fo many different^! prevailing natural inclinations and predomini ing lulls as there are among the children of - dam; fo many different chief goods; There t gods many> and lords many* I am fad, to think*! upon the folly and madnefs of the poor creature, * that thus doth forfake its own mercy ; but leC'J the world choofe and follow what they pleafe/i to us there is but one Lord.
I am hopeful, much honoured Ladies, thatl ye are turning your backs upon created and car*] Dal delights, and fetting your faces toward Chrift,* feeking after union and communion with him. It/' is my fouPs earned defire, that it iliould be fo;d and if the comfortlefs and diftra&ing vanities of a prefent perifhing world lhall wheedle and be* witch you, that ye ftudy not the wildom of God, it dull bring great grief and forrow of heart un- to me. I fay, I am carried betwixt hope and fear; I hope, the Lord will work a good work in you ; I hope it v.Ul be, for I would have it to "be, and there are lb me appearances of it: And I fear that the pkaiant and eafy yoke of Chrift be looked upon as irkfome and wearifome by you, when I confider your temptations, and the {feemingly) promifing beginnings, and fair hjof-
lbnis
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fonts that I have feen in many, which have fal- len away without bringing forth mature fruit. I>o not take my freedom in ill part, neither be offended with it, for it cometh fromafk&ion, and my ardent defire that ye fhould not negledl the great falvation. Religion is a great myflery, and a far other thing than even the profefling world taketh it to be. There are many hinderances in the way of flying to Chrift, and clofing with him. The natural biindnefs that is in man, whereby he neither fees his fin and danger, nor his Saviour, is a great hinderance, Rev. iii. 17, 18. His natu- ral unwillingnefs and flat averilon to the way of falvation laid down in the covenant, and held forth in the gofpel, John v. 40. His hard heart- ed milbelief, whereby he giveth no aflent to rhe' righteonfncis of Scripture precept and doctrine, andjuftice of fcripture threatening; nor confent lo fcripture promifes, making fiducial application of them, John v. 38. Hcb. xi. 6. His whorith addictednefs to his Infts, idols, and carnal en- tanglements, Whereby he doth not quit his pro-" fanity, nor leave rhe honour, applaufe, profit' and pleafure of this world, PfaL xlv. 10, 11. Song iii. 11. Chap. iv. 8. His miftaking the g
omentof Cbrift, counting it hard, mehncho.
lie and unpleafant, Mattb. xi. 28, 29, 30. His
judging religion but a fancy, and a politic in-'
vention to amaze and amufe the minds of men,
1 Mattb. xxii. 5. His conceiving a. facility in re-
.], thinking there needeth not be lb much ado about it, and that he can do all that is need- ful, when he pleafeth, Mattb. viii. 19. John vi. s poftponing the bulinefs of life eternal iroia time to time, leaving that lafl in doing,'
winch
188 LETTERS.
which oogbt to be firfl done, refolving to a* mend ere he end; whereby his vain heart de- ceives him, and Satan juitles him out of all rime, Luke ix. 61. His peevilh and fooliili impatience, whereby he doth not forfake a. prefent imaginary good, for a future real hap-, pinefs. A man may think it a good thing to en- joy everlafling life; fc^t becaufe that is an here- after happinefs, and lieth now only in promife, J he cannot wait for it and take it as his portion, but grafps at what is prefent, though it be nei- ther contenting nor conftant, Pfal. iv. 6; 2 Tin:, iv. 10. I fay, all thefcare great hinder- ances; fee that ye get oyerthefe, and all other ©bftrucftions, and lay hold upon Clirift. 0 that I could bewail the lamentable condition of man, . who is held in fo many chains, from, this work of great concern and eternal moment!
O, much honoured Ladies, confider the indif- penfible and abfolute need ye have of a Saviour; confider the awful commands, full promifes, free offers, hearty invitations, and ferious requefts given forth in the word, all crying aloud with one voice unto you, to match with the Lord o£. glory : Confider the aflurance that his own tei'ti- niony hath given you, of dwelling with him throughout eternity, in his heavenly manfions, where ye lhall fee him as he is, have a full fenfe of his love, and a pei fed love to him again, and ever drink of the rivers of pleafure that flow st his right hand, if ye ilnll embrace him upon his own terms. Confider the peremptory certificati- on of everlafting dcilru&ion, of dwelling with continual burnings,. and lying under the burdeii of his wrath; a curfe running always out upon }ou in the overflowing flood, if ye lhall negleft
to
LETTERS. 289
to make your peace with him, and rejeft his fal- vation. I fay, confider thofe things, and give all diligence to make your calling and eletiion fare ; and fee well that ye be not deceived, for there are many miftakes, and a great myftery in that bufmefs. Many think themfelves to be fome- thing when they are nothing, and fo deceive themfelves, and come (hort of the grace of God : inftead of founding upon the immoveable rock of ages, they build upon th'e fand of their own attainments. JJpr folk may go a great length, and yet be void of true faving grace; they may have a great fpeculative knowledge of the mat- ters of God and myftery of falvation, and ftror.g gifts, 1 Cor. xiii. 2. They may abftain from many pollutions, and the grofs evils that others are given unto, Luke xviii. ; t, 12, 13, 14. Ti cy may externally perform many dimes, as r; ing, prayer, and be very mu^ii >n thefe, Luke xviii. 11, 12, 13, 14. T iiave a very
great forrow for fin, not becaufe of the di (ho- nour done to God, but the hurt to l pmfel* not becaufe they arc polluted, but becaufe they are deflroycd by it, Mattb. x:;vii. 3. Hei. xii. 17. They may have a deiire af:tr ^tace, which yet is not for grace's fake, but for heaven's fake, Mattb. xxv. 8. They may have an historical frith, and give an afient of the mind to al! that is revealed in the word, yea, to the fpirirual Cleaning of the law, Mark xii. 32, 33, 34. They e big hopes, and that in the mercy of God, which neverthelei prefomption ; for
they forget that i t, and neglcft to lay
hold upon Chrift for fatisfaftion of hisjoftig
icas, he is merciful to
viii. 13, 14. The . common
ope-
i9o LETTERS.
operations of the Spirit, and a tafte of the hea- venly gift, and the powers of the world to xoinwb'.: Heb. vi. 4, 5, 6. They may be convinced thaff^ it is good to clofe with Chrift, and comfbrff*', themfelves as if they had .done it ; whereas theyr. arc It ill in r',r'Tr natural ftate, Hof viii. 2, li They may fnlfer many things materially for thcL caufe of God, 2 id toil much in following ordi- r.ances, undergoing the fame out of refpeft for their own credit, 1 Cor. xiii. 3. I fay, people] may, and many do arrive at ill thefc and fucW like attan ,ients, and notwithstanding remain id] the gall • i bktfefnefs and bond of iniquity. In may make us all tremble to think what a leng " ' folk may go, and yet never have gone out of the felves," and pafled through the fteps of effefti calling. Many \. Il fay to him in that c}ay, i have eaten and drunhm in thy pre fence, and thb\ hall taught in our jlreets ; have we not prophefid in thy name ? and in thy name caft out devils, an< in thy name done many vjonder fid vjorks ? who: he will chafe away from his -prefence, with tha awful fentenee, DEPART YE; profiling un to them thit he never knew them.
Let this alarm you 10 make fure work in this} great concern, and -not deceive yourfelves with ill counterfeit, infkad of a reality, with a flalh in4 {lead of conversion, and a delufion inftcad bfV Chrift. But get ye a fight of your fitiful and ; i- ftfahle ftate, a fenfe and feeling thereof, putting you in a perplexity, and difcouraging yeu from .
Ling in it ; a conviction of your inability to help yourfelves, and of your unworthinefs that. Ged Ihotild he'p you out of it; and iook unto -
rift, as your alone Saviour, receiving him whe his threefold, office, of King, Pric
and
LETTER S. 191
ad-Prophet, welcoming him, and taking up his ro!s, 2gainft the world, the devil, ard the fleih, id reding upon him alone for falvation; and ien the bufinefs will be done, and all will be we; and then you may defy devils and men, >r plucking you out of his hand. . And if ye have thus clofed the bargain with him, ien yc will find in you a war declared and main- d againft all fin, Rotn. vii. 15. -Ezek. xviii. 21. John iii. 9. A rei'pedt to all the command- ments of the Lord, Ezek. xviii- 21. A liking of ie way of happicefs, as well as happinefs itlelf, ohn iii. 14, 15. An high efteem of justification ad fan&ification, Pfal. xxxii. 2. A prizing of ihrift, and a longing to be with him, Phil. i. 3. And an admirable change wrought in you; new judgment, new will, new conscience, new emory, new afft &ions : In a word, all the fa- ilties of the foul will be new, in regard of their salifications; and all the members of the body, 1 regard of their ufe, 2 Cor. v. 17. Now, if 1 have attained to a faving intereft in Chrift, ye ay find thefe, and the likff marks and evi- :nces of it.
0 lult not in this great matter, reft not in un- :rtainty, and farisfy not yourfelves with a may- i: But examine yourfelves, whether ye be in the lib; prove your own /elves; know ye not your
n [elves , how that Je (Us. Ch?ijt is in you, ex- t ye be reprobates ? In letting your faces to- rd Zion, ye may exptd that Satan will raife
1 his (lorms againft you ; but fear him nor, for e grace of God is Sufficient for you. Give
rlelves wholly to the Lord, to fervc him, and love his name, to choole and follow the things at pleafe him ; your greateft honour lieth in
this,
i9* LETTERS.
this, your greateft duty, your greateft profit, and your greateft pleafure. Count the colt of religion ; God is a liberal dealer, deal not nig- gardly with him, prig not with hrm about your eftates; Who is in heaven Jike. unto him? and who in the earth is to be defired like him ? Lay down to him your names, your enjoyments, your lives, and your all at his feet ; for he is only worthy to have the difpofal of them; and the furTerings of this prefent time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that (hall be reveal- ed. Think not much to quit* the vain and car- x\il delights of the world ; they cannot fttisfy ^orur fenfes, and much lefs your fouls : The earth; is round, and the heart of man three- nookedjf therefore this cannot be filled by that:' And though ye could find content in thenv yet how vain were it, becaufe unconftant? and how un- folid, becaufe uncertain?
Regard not mens reproach, for fo reproached they our Lord arid the prophets; yea, there can be no contetegt or calumny caft upon you, for the gofpel's fake, but what hath been calt tipon the faithful in all ages : Remember Mo* fes, who efleemed the reproach of Cbrift, great* er riches than the treafures of Egypt : aod go ye forth without the camp bearing his reproach. drift's new name will more than enough com- penfe the world's nick-name. Advance refo- lutely in the way of godlinefs; your guide is faithful, your vi&ory certain, your reward fure, and your triumph everlafting: Stumble not, be- caufe religion is mocked at ; for it is not the worfe that man thinketh fo little of it : count it not a fancy, becaufe men defcrt it; but tafte qnd fee that God is good. Follow no man further
than
LETTERS. i93
tftan lie follows Chrifl: ; divide not from the bead, to unite with any prof.flld members: walk not with them who renounce their depen- dence vpon Chrifl:; or who are carrying on a courfe of defection, preffing a reliDquilhing of the prefent testimony, and cafting reproaches upon the way of God. Keep yourfelves from the pollutions of this time, and partake not witk other men in their fins ; but ftudy to have a good coofcience, and a good confcience will be a peaceable confcience, and a peaceable con- fcience will be a fat feaft. Shun as much as ye can the company of carnal and vain perfons : ye will not get this wholly evited, but ye may avoid unneceflary converfe, frequency and fami- liarity with them : We are obliged to carry our- felves with courtefy, humanity and pity towards all, but not with friendlinefs and familiarity: ye know, evil company and communication cor- rupteth good manners. O! what (hall I fay > Watch always, be much in fecret prayer, felf- cxamination, fpiritual meditation : Read the written word of God ; feck to have your minds understanding it, your hearts affe&ing it, and your confciences and a&ions guided by it : Get his Spirit to dwell in you, by dire&ing you in- to all truth, reproving you for fin, and bringing every thought in obedience to drift, and lead- ing you into fupplication. Lay afidc every Weight, and run the race that is fet before you with cheerfulnefs and alacrity; defpife every oppofition and obftruftion in the way, and keep your eyes ftill upon the prize, having a refpeft to the recompence of reward.
Now, The very God of pea wfjoL
lyf and, I pray God, your whole fpiti
K mi
i94 " LETTERS.
and body, be preferved blamelefs, unto the coniin, of our Lord Jefus Chrift. I am,
f
1
Much honoured Ladies, Your ajfured and obliged friend
andfervant in the Lord,
JAMES RENWICK
LETTER LIV.
From the Kev. Mr. James Ren wick, to the honourable Mr. Robert Hamilton. ,
Hon. and dear Sir, Nov. 5. 1687.
OUR troubles are growing, and enemies arc ftretching forth their hands violently to perfecute ; and they want not infligations from our falfe brethren ; fo we are made the contempt of the proud, and the fcorn of them that are at cafe. Our fufferings were always rightly dated, but never fo cleanly as now ; and why ftiould we not endure thefe trials? for they fhall work for truth's victory, and Chrifl/s glory. O let all the fuffeiing remnant keep clean hand?, for therein (hall be their ftrength ; and wait with patience, for he will not tarry,* who cometh to plead his own caufe, to lay claim to his own in- tereft, thai is bafely and deceitfully abandoned, and betrayed into the hands of man, to give a fair decifion. Thefe whofe fouls are vexed with the now abounding abominations, (hall have a , Zoar to fly unto, when the fire of God lliall fall
down
LETTERS. 195
2down upon our Sodom : I an* certain the Lord will have a fan&uary for his people. We mutt once be brought to that extremity, wherein there can be fto longer fubfiftence without prefent help; but God will not leave his people there. 0 tl:s liberty hath let Satan loofe, and brought the trjihs of God, and the faithful, into great bondage : but God will loofe his judgments, and pour them out upon this woeful generation, tha* will not fee, till they be made to feel. There is now ftrange thirfling after my -blood, but that moves me not ; though they had it, they would not be fatisfied, for nothing will quench, them till they get their own blood to drink.
As to Mr. Boyd, he came to our laft general correfpondence, and defired, that feeing he knew there was fomething wherefore we were diffatisfied with him, as alfo he was with us, we might commune freely with him upon the fame. So, firft, we fhewed our diflatisfa&ion with his taking licence without our knowledge, which was contrary to his own engagement, at lead declared purpofe and rcfolution. Next, we took his paper, which he left in our hands when he went abroad, wherein, amongit other things, he afcrtcd, his withdrawing out of the land, was no way to feparate or disjoin from us, and fignitied his diflike of countenancing thefe mini- >, a^aiiift whom we had valid exceptions. When wc alked, How could his declaring, that he neither v.-us joined, nor would join with us, Dor any other party, confift with the former; and from the latter, wc defircd to know, if he ting of that liberty, as they call it, a id of difc< :ing mi-
nuter*? H:s anl'.ver to the f::.- , .1 no
R 2 way
jg6 LETTERS.
way help him, Sor fatibfy us. Hrs anfsver t the lafl was, If the queftion was concerning fuc mipifters as might fie in aflemblies with th addrcfTers, and go out to places of the countr; at their direction and preacli, he would not for bid people to hear them, whatever he would dc himfelf. So, after fome debating againft hi: mind in this, I lhewed the meeting, that I nei ther could uor would determine matters of fuch extent and importance without my brethren, v;ho by providence were not prefent ; yet, in the mean time, I would keep at a diflance, and not concur with him in the public work. And they concluded that they would not call him, nor hear him elicitely ; yet they would not difcourage and difcountenance him fo far as not to hear him, in cafe of neceffity, as if they (hould be providentially caft with him in- to one family, and he going about exercife, or the like. Moreover, he himfelf was not defir- ous to incorporate with us, what he may do af- ter, I know no:, There were alfo other parti- culars wherewith we were dilTatisfied, bur the fbrcfaid were the mod material, and alfo in- cluded fundry of the other, and much time was ipe;it in reaibning about them.
I have feen the account which you gave to
fifter Mrs. J. of E. B. H. her affair, you
i not be too much prdled with it; the
Lord is taking all pains to wean you more and
i frem the world, and win you more and
more to himfelf: Remember Jofetb in thedun-
; God hath vindicated, and will yet more
:ate you. Friends arc very well, and de-
firous to hate you at home; and I ihall endea-
to maoage that bulineis fufficiectiy, and as
may
LETTERS. 197
may be rnoft for the advantage of the c
Now, the Lord be your guide, and heap the bleffings of the everlafting covenant upon your head. Pray that the Lord may fpare his people, that he may purge his houfe, and pray for him, who is,
Honourable mid dear Sir,
Yours as formerly,
JAMES RENWICK.
L E TTE R LV.
From the Rev. Mr. James Renwick, to i
honourable and well deferving gentlemau Mr, Robert Hamilton. .
Hon. and dear Sir, . Dec. 29. 1687%
THo' I know not how this (hall be tranfmit- ted to your hands, yet I judge it my duty to write a brief account of fome things at pre- fect amongft us- Mr. Boyd cimc to our lafl ge- neral correspondence, profclfing his agreement with our teftrmorjy, and bis willingnels to join with, us: and when wfe came to fpeak about the duty of teaching people the neceitity of abftradl- ing themfelves from the accepters of the prefent toleration, he granted that it is lawful to teach ir, but the expediency of it he did not G however he had endeavoured to di.'cover . fin of the toleration's being accepted : thus flood at this time. Aud when we were rca( ing with him, he faid, ere he were the infl ment of a b/each amongfl us, that he woold
R 3
19* LETTERS.
leave Scotland. But it was no fmall perplexity j to us, to know bow to carry anent him ; it waa \ thought that the refilling either to call or heai | him would caufe a very great animofity anc preach, and the ground of it was not valid ej cough. So, they came at length to conclude^ (with fome averfenefs in the mod part) that un- til the time of our next meeting, thefe who hac not clearnefs to call and hear him ftiould not be offended with thefe that might do it ; and theft, again, that might do it (hould not be offended with thefe who had no clearnefs for it: Howbeis,i they were not for entirely incorporating who him, and giving him a joint folemn call. And as I declined to preach with him ; fo I denied my confent to the forefaid conclufion, and wasj put in a perplexity, not knowing what to do, feeing many fad inconveniences to follow, if [I had oppofed their determination; fo with a fulli heart I forebore : but afterwards I opened my heart to Mr. Boyd himfelf. I heard that K, was of my judgment in this matter.
As for Mr. David Houjlon, he went long ago Snto Ireland, and is not yet returned, whereby we have fuffered no fmall lofs. i am certain, fome ftrange thing hath happened him : the re- port is, that he hath been fore fick: and I hear there are many in Ireland turning Diifenter?. Kerfldnd hath taken from his fa&ors about fixteen hundred merks of his own rents. For what was communed anent yourfelf and Mr. Thomas Dou- glas, your letter from the meeting will inform you. We have written a teftimony of about five er fix fheets of paper, witneffing aga'mft this to- leration, the accepting of it, addreiling for it, and hearing of the acceptors: Testifying alfo
for
LETTERS. 199
l»pr the obligation of our covenants ; and Ihcuing e neceffary duty of field-preaching, in the pie- ^nt ci re urn fiances of this church.
I have been at Peebles this week, and thro'
: Lord's providence wonderfully efcaped ; our
ended meeting near to the town, about nine
the clock at night, in the time of ourgatber-
:, being by a ftrar-ge providence difcovered:
is a place I had not been in before, and we
Ld no armed men ; there are four taken and
rrifoned. Sir, I hear, Siansfield is murdered
Liy his own family, his eldell ion had a chief
:i ;:.
Now, honourable and comfortable Sir, I have
-no more at the time to inform you of, but I
I : much to write if time would allow me. My
fears were never greater anent the intereft of
Chrift in thir lands, there is fuch an inclinable-
nefs in people to defection. But I believe, he
will not want fome to own his controverted
truths. The next time I write to you, I purpofe
to write alio to Lew ar den friends. The Lord
be with you. I am,
Right honourable and dear S/V,
Your fympatbifing friend
and fervant in the Lord,
JAMES RENWICR. LETTER
2co LETTER S.
L ETTER LVI.
From the Rev. Mr. James Renwick, to fom\ pcrfons under fenience of baniflmient.
Beloved Friends, 1 68 7. 1 1
IT is both my duty and defife to fympathizJ with all who are {uttering for the preciouJ name of Chrift, efpecially wkh you who are callT led to partake fo deeply of the affi&ions of the children of Zion. Ye are now ro be banilhed out of your native land, but your enemies could not have appointed that for you, unlefs the Lord had from all eternity ordained it, His infinite love and wifdom hath confulted and meafbred out your lot ; and as this fhould make you defpife the in- ftruments of your afflictions, fo it may help yoa to (loop, and chearfully fubmit unto the provi- dence 01 God, who is of one mind, andv^ho can turn himi Yea, confidering the precibufnefs of the caufe for which ye are perfected, ye may rejoice that you are are counted worthy to fuffer fuch things: for it is no lefs than the gofpel of Ciirift, and liis great prerogatives, as he is King of his own church, which he nath purchased with his own blood; and as he is fupreme Governor and Sovereign of the whole world. O is not this a precious caufe? are not thefe great heads of fuf-> fering? If every one of you had a thoufand worlds cf enjoyments, and a thoufand lives* they would be all too little to Signify your love to Chiift, and your refpe<S to lb honourable a caufe. You can- not glorify your Lord fo much on earth, as by be- ing faithful to the word cf your testimony, and
iuffering
LET T E R S. 201
buffering for him now, when men are declaredly topping with him about his fupremacy both in his kingdom of grace and power. O my friends, re- gard not what you may meet with in this prefenc orld, but be careful to have matters (landing Tight between God and you: fee that ye attain to a faving intereft in Chrift, for if that be not fecured, your duties will not be acceptable, your bufferings will not be acceptable ; and whatever ye may endure here for a profeflion, ye may lay youraccount with lying under hiscurfe and wrath, and the immediate ilrokes of his feverr venge- ance, to all eternity* O make Chrift your owo, and then ye may defy devils and men, to come between you and your happy flare: give youf- felves who!!/ to his difpofal, for he h gracious and faithful, and will order every thing for his own glory and your good; fludy to maintain his caufe whale, and wherever your lot may be, keep up the teflimony of the < hurch of Scotland; quite none of your fvvorn and received principles, whatever way thefe may iofinuate opon y , who are engaged and perfiftiog in a courie of de- fection; mak r bargaining with any, where it mil \»fc-r a condemning of the caufe of your fufferings, and ^the ini- quitous fentence that men have pad upon you: keep all (ledfait and unite together in the truths of God; and beware of defection, which brecd- divifion ; fall not a . any of the words of Ch rift's patiencd ; hut ii.un ail unneceflary queilion*, neediefs ftrifes, and vain janglings; I yourfelves, ib far as holi- may fuflain no prejudice by it, and this will
for )ou. Now, l), I hau" no I
202 LETTERS.
time to enlarge. Do not fay becaufe of your ba nithment, Is there any forrow like uuto your (or* row? for I am perfuaded, that thefe whom ye leave behind you have a greater forrow; I do not fay, that any (hould flee out of Scotland, or leave it without a neceflary and fufficient call yet that is coming upon the inhabitants, which will make the ears of them that hear thereof to tingle : The confumption determined ihall pafs through, and the Lord will quiet his fpirit in our definition ; for his foul/hall be avenged on fucb a nation as this: And who knoweth, but your banifhment may be for the prefervation and hid- ing of (at leaft) fome of you, until the indigna- tion overpafs. But when the time of gathering- comet:]!, the Lord will bring agnin his banifned, he will bring them from all places whether they have been driven ; He will fay to the eaft, give up, , and to the weft, keep not back. Fear not a long fea voyage ; for they that go down to the fea in /hips, that do bufmefs in the great waters, thefe fee the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep: Yea, though the deep ihould be your grave, or though ye ihould die in a Grange Und, yet your death of that kind ihall be a teilimony, and cry for vengeance upon perfecutori; and fliall be an outlet of all your mifery, and inlet of your everlafling glory. But if the Lord (haU meet you with providential mercies, whether ye are carried, and give you any tolerable cafe, fafety, or foftenance; then, I fay, as ye would not have your bleflings curfed, ye would not lofe the badge of ChriftiaAs and iufferers, fit not down upon thefe things, content not yourfelves with thefe things, and forget not the cafe of the rtmcaiu whom ye leave behind you.
Now,
ff1
LETTERS. 203
Now, I commend you all to the grace of God, hoping not to forget you in my weak addreffes to the throne of him who is the hearer of pray, ers; and hoping to be remembered by you in like fort. I am,
Beloved friends.
Your fympathizing friend and fervent in the Lord,
JAMES RENWICK.
LETTER LVIL
from the Rev. Mr. James Renwick, to Mr. Alexander Shields, preacher of the gofpeU
Dear Brother, Jan. 12. 1688.
I Long to hear much how you are ; the third . right after I parted with you, I had a fore fit of fitknefs, but it lafted not, and throcgh the ; goodnefs of God, I have been in ordinary health fince ; however, it occafioned a difappoictment of a meeting for examination. And 1 came fore- ; ward to Peebles, where our meeting in the time f of gathering was difcovered by a wonderful pro- f vidence, namely, as I am informed, the purfu- j ing of fome for thefr, when people were observ- ed to croud out of the town; which made the clerk to enquire what they were, and whither i they were going; the repoit thereof coming i unto me, being lodged in a mod fuipedled houfc, I went forth, and paffed on towards the place of meeting, until [ came witbifl (peaking and hear- ing
2C4 LETTER S.
ing of the clerk and fome with him, who were without all the town challenging people, and being in no capacity to refift, I turned again in- to the town, where there was fome little uproar, and went forth of it another way, where I vvaic- ed a confiderable fpace for my horfe, which was at length got unto me, with fome difficulty; and finding that the meeting could not be kept, I came away; but there were four perfons taken. And fince I came to this place, I have lodged with Thomas and John, and left I iliould trouble mine own fpirit, I have not defired any to keep filent anent my'being here, nor reproved any for coming into my quarters, whatever the ha- zard might be ; but left that to the providence of God, and people to their own difcretion, and, I find it not the worfe way.
As for the books, they are come fafe in boxes to Woolen. I have inferted in the papers which you left, what you defired to be tranferibed out of Durham upon the Revelation; but I thought, I could not fitly add what concerneth Ketfland% becaufe I know not diftinftly the manner of hf and to exprefs it fuitable to the matter of faft. But I have written to the Lady, dcliring that ihe may give to Mr. Had. and Mr. Lin. a plain and1 full account of it; and I have written alfo to them, that they may infert it, and fhown diftinft- ly the place where it is to be added. And I thought this the fitteft way, becaufe people might pofiibly carp, if they were not acquainted with what concerneth them fo near; and again, it will prevent any cavil about mifreprefentation of that matter of faft. As for the teftimony, the publifliing of it is longer retarded than I expected, becaufe $icbael was not in health for writing;
but
LETTERS.
20 <
but I (hall be careful about it. I have added what was to be tranfcribed out of Durham upon fcandal, and did overfee the writing of the moft jdifficult places, and taken out fome of the biggots, becaufe the recurring too oft upon fuch epithets makes them unfavoury. I have not got any of the letters fent abroad, but I am ufmg diligence. There are few news here: They are to proceed againft: Sir James Stamfield's family for the murder. Mr. Hardie is {till in prifon, ^bnt it is thought, he will be liberate ; he refuf- eth to tell the council what be had preached, but put them to prove what they could againft him ; whereupon they called fome of his hearers, but they faid, they were either fleeping, or at a great diftance, and could not hear ; \o they were not the nearer their purpofe. There are orders given forth for a day of thankfgiving, for the conception .of the queen, and (as is reported) to pray that it may be a man-child. I am detained in this place fome few days beyond my purpofe, through the want of a guide ; but I am now a- bout to remove.
Now, being in great hafte, I mud defift. Your dire&ion, encouragement, ftreugthening, comfort, health, and pote&ion is prayed for by him, who is,
Your brother andfervant,
JAMES RENWICK.
S LETTER
»6 LETTERS.
LETTER LVIII.
From Mr. J. Renwick, to the fri/bm Cannongate Tottooib.
-Dearly B :n our Lord, and much h:
Differ ers for bis name.
I Hear u*a: men have palled fentence of banifh- ment againft you, but I hope, what man can do is no lurprizal to you, ye having counted all colt that ye may be put to: Hcwbeit, as no created power can banith you from your God, or your God from you ; fo I hope, what men have now done againft you, iliall, by God's blefling, be a means to chafe you nearer unto your relt. Yea, moreover ye do not know but that it is to you from the preient calamity, which the Lord is immediately to bring on this land ; I fay, immediately, for he is hafteninghis work; ay, he is working faft, oneftep of his now, cannot (lay iipon another, for he is coming poll unto usf and how he muft come, for our mother is in her pangs, and now the muft either get help and be i ered, or elfe the will die in travel ; but die (lie will not, tbo' Ihe be in hard labour, for the great, nefs of her pain will only teud to make 1:. ;he more joyful. O joyful! a joyful delivery, icd to make it joyful, our Lord moll have a lingular feaft at it; he will give whole bouks good cheap; yea, he will have iuch a feaft in Scotland, that pro- clamation ihall go forth from the one end of hea- ven to the other, inviting all the fowls of the hea- vens, and tfce beads of the earth to come unto the Lord's feaft; a feaft of the carcafles of the inha- bitant! of Scotland, great and ftaall. Neither
fciftatf
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[their wit nor their might will deliver them in that day. O happy h the man or the woman that is removed from hearing the very report of what is immediately coming on this land. Yea, the earth lha] 1 be made to tremble, ears to tingle, hearts to melt, bowels to found, and knees to one upon another, at the report of Scot- land's judgments. They (hall in that dr. thought to have fped well, who have win away out of the gate of thefe things. Yet I cannot look upon this, but I mud caft a view 1 is beyond it , , mercies, mcrces are
r.ing towaid the Lord's people; O the ftrange mercies, and he will make ... gu'ar
H be privileged with thern. , a* for your parts, remember, the earth u the Lord's and ihe fidfiefs thereof ; wherever ye may be caft, fludy always to be in your duty, and iet the Lord be your -portion in the land of the living. And that he may make up all your wants
..felf, (hall be the prayer of him, who is ur real and conflant Sympathizer,
JA:
LETT E R Lt
•xmes Rcowick, t
in i'
effez iiid.
r~l i: noiy and wife Cod
JL people, in t
S 2
2c8 L E T T JE R S. '
the fubtilty and cruelty of ftafed enemies, and) alfo of pretended declining friends to graple with ; yea, I think, there was never a genera- tion who had fuch fnares fl rawed in their way, yea, fo many ftumbling-blocks laid before them as we have. And is not this to be feen, that e- aiemies to God and his truths have much more prevailed, by their hidden fnares, their fubtife plots againft the work and people of God, vail- ed and mafked over with a pretence of favour, than by their cruel outrages, virulent and violent perfections, fcrewed up to the higheft pitch of :heir bounded power? the confideration there- of, (together with a defire to refpe& the advan- tage of the public work of God, and the welfare of the fouls of people, and that we may be wife at the laft, [* conftdering] we have been made to know by fad experiences the fin and danger q£ [accepting] their pretended favours, and to be mindful of the many bonds and obligations that ly upon us from the Lord, and to difcharge my duty and exonour my confcience as in his fight) bath moved me to prefume to write to you, my dear friends in bonds for Chrifl, my poor advice anent your duty under your prefent trials and tuf- ferings, especially in reference to that late in- demnity of the date of February 26th, 1685. given out by the duke of York, under the name of King Jame s VII. I think, all pretended fa- vouis coming from the hands of fuch enemies, mayjuftly be fufpe&ed by us, confidering how great ikaiih and damage that heretofore the work
and
* The words in this Letter put in the Italic cha- racter, enclofed thus [ ] are fupplied by the Prin- ter, as there was a blank ia the manufcript wheie they are pkevd.
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and people of God have endured thereby; as witne's by that indulgence before and after Both. iueL I hope, in the Lord's goodnefs, that this prefent fnare ftiall not have fuch prevalency. Howbelt, that ye (whofe foul's welfare I tender very much, and in whofe trials and fufferings I defire to be a burden bearer and co-partener) may be guarded the more agarnfl it, in all friendlinefs and humility, I call you to confider thefe few, among many other evils in the forefaid indemnity, As (:'.) That thefe who accept of c: indemnity do moft direcftly homologate the pre- tended authority of James Duke of York, which far contrary to our covenants, whereby we arc fworn, in our (rations, and to the utmoft ofveur power to extirpate fuch • an'! do fay, that it v. lawful, Jutland legal, to proclaim him kingofScor- land, &c. whereupon that indemnity ifrgran^ . (2 ) Thefe who accept of that indemnity do take with the name of wicked and feditious fubjecis and rebels, v;hich the enemies in their procla- mation pur upon them; yea, they call themfelvea tranfgreiTors, for an indemnity or pardon is only extended toward fuch ; and tnefe who accept of i: do palpably acknowledge a crime. (3.) Thefe who accept of that indemnity da moft gfpiy conrr with The granters of it, who require that fugi- tives, in fign (mark it) of their acceptance of the fame, do either take the Oath of Allegiance* or elfc find caution to tranfpoi t themselves out of the three dominions of Scotland, EHgtjmJj - Ireland, and never to return again without li- cence, under pain of death. Now, enemies require fuch grofs compliance, in fign and token of the acceptance of that indemnity, tiihat mud they held the acceptance of Itfelf tc S 3
210 LETTERS.
be? There are only two things, which they pro- pone to the acceptors thereof to make choice of, and thefe are, i/?, The oath of allegiance; but of this I fhall not fpeak, judging that none, who have not furrendered altogether their confci- ences, and renounced their covenants, will fwear allegiance to fuch enemies, efprcially to Papifts, who are difcerned by afls of Parliament, to be punifned as idolaters, as enemies to the true re- ligion, and all Chriftian government ; and whom we are, with uplifted hands to the mod high God, many times fworn to extirpate; which is inconfiftent with any allegiance. The 2d. is. They muft find caution to tranfport themfelves (as faid is) out of thefe three dominions, and not to return without licence, under the pain of death. This may prove enfnaring to forr.e; but it (hould not, neither will it, if they confider what it implies : For they cannot make that choice, without acknowledging, and taking with fuch grofs tranfgreflions and malversations as maketh them juftly to forfault all right of fub- jtfts in thefe three kingdoms. 0! I hope, no true fons of the church of Scotland will fo re- nounce their intereft in Scotland's caufe, cove- nants and centendings. Yea moreover, they cannot make fuch a choice, unlefs they engage to thefe enemies, for their peaceable behaviour ; which is to be understood, as in their fenfe, a re- nouncing of duty, and a complying with their impofirions, in that time, whatfomever, betwixt the publico. , on of the forefaid indemnity, and the 20th of May, which is the time appointed for their tranfportation. (4.) Thefe who accept ©f that indemnity, do greatly tranfgrefs and fm agaicft thefe who aie excepted out of it, fucb as
minifters,
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minifters, heritors, &c. For thereby they ex- Dofe the forefaids, to be the butt of the adver- sary's malice and fury, and do deny to be any more fufferers with them for the intereft cf Cbrift. (5.) Thefe who accept of this indemni- ty, do comply with the purpofes of the enemies in general {and particular] which are to ruin the work and people of God, by breaking and {di- viding themy and] cheating fome of them out of their confeiences ; as we are to confider {them as following'] the lame purpofes in their granting of pretended favours, and in {thdr grievous] perfe- ctions and bloodilied; fo we are to fufped and dread their fa?ours {as the height of] cruelty, yea more, becaufe vailed and mafked over with {fur pretences-,] like unto thefe who fhoulJ make- a bed to repofe thcmfelves in, and lay therein a naked knife or dagger with the point upward; As Obad. v. 7. They that eat thy bread have laid a wound under thee ; whereupon, he is declared to be of no under ft andiyig, becaufe he yielded him- felf to {them, and was brought] over by the fub- tilty of his confederates, and thefe that v:ere at peace uith him. (6.) Thofe who accept of that indemnity, do help foreward that purpofe of e- nemies, in particular, in granting of it ; which is, that they may get the better courfe taken with ihe more fafthful, who trouble their kingdom mod, and fuch as they are mod m2d againft : For, as they fay in their proclamation, they grant the faid indemnity, before they determine their plea- sure concerning fuch, which, lay they, they hope to attain in a very fhort time. B'Jt as the hope of hypocrites, fo the hope cf enemies perifheth ; for Zion is a burdaifomc tlouc, Zech. xii. 3. and their backs flnll be broken with lifting at it. (7.)
Thefe
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Thefe who accept of that indemnity do palpably break their covenant to the mod high God; for there we are fworn not to be divided and broken off from our blefTed union, either direflly or in- directly by terror or perfuafion. Now, that in- demnity doth manifestly break off thefe- who are excepted cut of it; and thefe included, who do take it, from either afling in, or fuffering for their duty together. (8.) Thele who accept of that indemnity do bind up their hands from a fl- ing any more For God, or againfl his enemies: for as in accepting of it, they take with a tranf-j grcflion; fo, upon the matter, they engage not ro tranfgrefs again; yea, do not the conditions of that pardon hold out very formally fo much J And is net here a mod direfl breach of covenant, yea, a receding from the fum thereof? (9.) It would be confidered that that indefnnity is no indemnity, but (under that name) a fubtile and maflced traducing of people to a compliance; for it is granted upon fuch and fuch conditions, and that in fign and token of accepance thereof. O \ then! is not that granter a liberal churl? -
Now, dear friends, as to this purpofe, I hope, I need fay no more unto you, having (poken u thefe things for your confirmation; judging that v ye are clear of them already : Let enemies pain: over their feeming favours as they will, yet con- fidering the hand that reacheth them, we may juft- ]y dread them, and fufpefl them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs oftbiftles? Can any drink clean water out of a corrupt fountain ? Shall Zion ever expefl any thing but a poifonabie herb out of Babylon's garden? Or will ever an enemy do a favour? What hold ihall we lay on Papifb, whofe principles lead them neither to give faith
10,
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to, nor keep faith with hereticks, as they term us? If ye would keep near God, keep far from enemies both within and without, and make it your work to be acquaint with the excrcife of re- al religon: Ye have a noble opportunity for this jftudy; for the Lord hath blocked you up from many worldly cares and outward diflurbances ; and why hath he done this? but that he may get you taken up only with himfelf? I have heard it of prifoners, that God made himfelf much more inowu to them in bonds, than ever at liberty; and I hope, that it is fo with not a few of you. 0 the wiidom of God ! who (hould make ene- mies inftruments of fo much good to his people. O take him for you* all, who^s a non-fuch por- tion! In the fuppofed enjoyment of nll created things, there are ftill wants; but in the enjoy- ment of himfelf there is nothing wanting; yea, more than a foul can delire, and than all creat- ed capacities are able to comprehend, is to be found in him, for he is ail in all. He is that [treafurc~\ of which enemies cannot rob you, though ihey be permitted to come [ami bereave you of life,'] and all created comforts; and is not this a part of his excellency. [0 then\ make him your choice, and according to his piomife, III go through fiiG lev with you;
he wili be with you in a prifon, in torture, in bond.-, in banilhment, and in death; and is
s prcfence enough ; yea, all your I Omll ivofk together for' your good, (as he hath laid) and therefore rejoice, not only in thetn, but becaufe of them; and in all your feek.. feck to have his image more and more re::r in you. O employ the power and dficscy of his jrace for carrying on in you a pro^refs in boli-
fiefs;
ai4 LETTERS.
nek ; for the more of this ye attain to, the more of his fpecial manifestations ye fhall enjoy, for it is his own i mage that the Lord delighteth to fmile and breath upon, and toconverfe with. Oholinefs! is it not many ways preferable to happinefs? al- beit man's nature doth more affect happinefs than, bolinefs, beciufe he defires more that which is more pleafant, than that which is more excel- lent; yet without holinefs there can be no hap- pinefs; for what is it that maketh heaven to be heaven, but becaufe there is there the full en- joyment of God, and perfed immunity and free- dom from fin?
And as for the work and people of God, tho' I leave you to the Lord's free Spirit, for his exercifing you always fuitably anent their prefent cafe, yet there are thefe things, which I think ye (hould be much in wreflling for with God on their behalf; That he may give grace to hi people to guide rightly their prefent cafe, for it is very hard to be guided, in refpeft of the many mercies and judgments that are in their cup; alio they are dow, as it were, at fome pnfh and extremity, the work being (if I may exprefs it fo) between the lofing and the winning; but it is in his hand, with whom nothing can mif- carry, let as leave it there, and be about our du- ty : That he may give direction to his people; for extreme difficulties put people to the greated puzzle to know what to do; a!fo a wrong flep now will do very much fkaith ; but his name is Coiwfcllor : And that he may give them grace to* perfevere and endure to the end ; for I think we nay exped the iharpeft of our trials to be yet to come ; but his grace is diffident : O ! as they will be fharp, pray that they may be fhort, for the elc&'s fake, as the Lord hath faid. And
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And as 10 your own imprifonment, 0 my dear friends, wait upon the Lord for your outgate; ye know not what he may do: he can mnke prifon-houfes hiding-places. As 1 believe there is mercy in your lot, fo there may be more than either ye or others can fee : believe the bed -may be, and yet prepare for the worft ; put ye a blank in the Lord's hand, and refolve upon the worft that men can do unto you, for that is the fafeft, and it (lull not fare the worfe with you, even as to the outward. And withall, I lay, do not mifbelieve, for God who hath hitherto reftrained enemies, can bind them yet up from executing of their purpofes againfl: you.
Now, the multitude of bufinefs, and the fhorr- nefs of time, forcing me to be but brief, which, I hope, your charity will cover with the mantle •of a favourable conflru6tion : I fhall detain you no further ; but unto the Lord's grace I leave you, praying that ye may be kept faithful in this hour ot temptation, that ye may be help- ed always to make a right choice in every condi- tion ; that ye may be fo enabled to war againfl the world, the devil, and the fkfh, as ye may not put a fbdn upon the honour of that holy name by which ye are called ; and that ye may beftill fed with the fatnefs of that land afar of, until ye come to the complete and full enjoy- ment [pfbim.~\ And, begging the help of your prayers, 1 am,
Dear Ft tends,
Your ajfured fytnpathiCing friend in your tribulation, and
your ferv 'ant in our Lord Cbrifl, JAMES RENWICK.
si6 LETTERS.
LETTER LX.
From the Rev. Mr. James Renwick, to
Dear Friend in the Lord, Feb. 6. 1688.
I Have no caufe of complaining of my lot, there is a great neceflity for it, and the Lord hath feen it for his glory, and he maketh.me. joyful in it. But there is one thing that doth a little trouble me, and yet when I look upon it again, I think there is not much caufe of trouble. The matter is this : When I was apprehended and fearched, there was found upon me a little memorandum, containing the names of fome perfons, to whom I had lent, and from whom I had borrowed fome books : as alfo, a dire&ion of letters to fome do&ors of divinity, or mini- iters, abroad. Upon this I was interrogate in the tolbooth, by a committee, who faid, they had orders to torture me if I was not ingenuous. So as to the dire&ion to the doctors, or minifters, abroad, which were full in the memorandum, I told, that there was a purpofe of writing let- ters to them, but none were written : and being aiked about the fcope and defign of the letters, I told that it was to reprefent our fufferings, and to procure their fympathy. It was afked, with whom I kept correfpondence abroad? I told, with Mr. Robert Hamilton, which, I thought, could do no injury. And as to the names of o- ther perfons, which were written ftiort, I judged there was no hazard in explaining their names, ^ho were in the fame hazard already : fo I told,
that
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hat A. S. was Alexander Shields. And being iked, if he was in Scotland? I thinking thac lis public preaching would not let him be hid, aid, I fuppofed he was; but told no definite )lace. That Af. S. was Michael Shields ; but old no place of abode : That J a. Wil. and At\ Vil. was James and Archibald IVilforts ; and being - liked about the place of their abode, I anfwered, *>nly in Clyde/dale: That C. A. was Colin Alifon; 3ut fpoke of no place of abode : That Peter R. was Peter Raining; for I thought he was with- DUt their reach : and being aiked about his oc- cupation and abode, I told, he trafficked within the border of England. Peter Aird's name was written full, and being afked particularly about him, I told, he was a man of the country of Nrw-tmlls, Galfton, or Evandale, I knew not: whither. James Coftourfs name was thus full, and being aiked of his abode, I told, he lived in the Newtoun of Galloway, or thereabout; you know the man, and this was true of him, where- ever he is now : That M. was my mother, br' fpoke of no place of abode. I was mofl preffcd to tell who M. M. at GL was, with v horn a hat was left ; and I anfwered, that I was not free to bring any other perfon into trouble, whatever they might do with me. They faid that the bufinefs could not bring any into trou- ble, for they did not now proceed againft folk for fuch matters ; and that their defign was on- ly to fave me from torture, which thy could not do, unlefs that I would be ingenuous about that name. I anfwered, that I would in no ways ex- plain the name, unlefs they would not trouble the perfon. They faid, They would endeavour to prevent all trouble of that kind. Therefore, T )
ai8 - LET T E R S.
I chinking that the perfon's name was already among enemies in the place, and fuppofing there were iome others of that name ; and alio con- ceiving, that trouble upon that account could hardly be expe&ed ; they guefling that GL was Glafgow, I told the advocate alone, that M. M. was Mrs. Millar. Her name was not fet down in write by their clerk as the reft were, and he hath no witnefles upon it ; fo'I think it not probable that ihe can incur any injury, fori was not more particular, .
Now, I (hall fay no more as to this, but only advife perfons in my circumftances, either not to write fuch memorandums, or not to keep them upon them, which I did inadvertently and incon- fiderately. You may communicate this to whom you think fit, efpecially to the perfons concern- ed; but fee that you take along with you all the circumftances. I ftudied to fave myfelf from ly- ing, to preferve them from trouble, and to evite the threatened torture. I was preffed much to tell my haunts and abodes theie feveral years by-paft ; and I told them I fometimes refortedto John Lookups houfe, where the officers came upon me, but further I would give them no no- tice : fo I pafled.
Now, if there be any thing in this that may be offenfive to friends, I feek their forgivenefs for it; for if I had apprehended any fin in all this, or that any perfon would thereby incur injury, I would then, and now alfo, rather un- dergo all the threatened torture.
The keepers of the tolbooth have frequently told me of marrying the herd in the Leeps, and feme perfons in Pentland. And Alexander IVeir, who is with the provoft; told ine of baptifing a
child
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child to one Scot's hufband, but I endea- voured to boaft them out of it. As for my pocket-book, which contained only the fum of my two laft fermons at Braid's Craigs, with the time and place: I owned fuch dodrine.
I have do farther to write at the time, for I . refolve to write fome after this, which I would have more public than this. I defire that nons may be troubled upon my behalf, but rather re- joice with hrm, who, with hope and joy, is waiting for his marriage, and coronation hour. I am,
Your friend andfervant in the L
JAMES RENWTCK.
; LETTER LXI.
The Rro.Mr. James RenwickV laft Letter to the livbt honourable Mr. Robert Hamilton.
Right hotu and dear Sir, . 17. 168 8.
THis being my laft day upon earth, I thought it ray duty to fend you this my laft Salu- tation. The Lord hath been wonderfully graci- ous to me lince I came to prifon, he hath allur- ed me of bis falvation, helped me to give a teftimony for hin;, and own before his enemies all that I have taught, and ft lengthened me to refift and repell many temptations and aflaults, O! praife to his name.
Now, as to my teftimony, which I left in
your hands, when I entered into the work of the
T 2 mini-
aao LETTERS.
miniftry, I do ftill adhere unto the matter© it ; but I think the manner of expreflion is ii fome things too tart, and it containeth fundr; mens names, fome whereof are now in eternity alfo it is not fo pertinent to our prefetit affairs for the (late of our controveriies is altered therefore I judge it may be deftroyed, for I hav< teftimony fufficient left behind me in my writtet fermons, and in my letters. But if this tronblt you, and if you deiire to keep it for yourfelf and your own ufe, you would keep this lettei with it, and not publiih it further abroad: yei you may make ufe of any part of the matter o it, that may conduce to the clearing of any con- :roverfy. And as for the direction of it untc you, if I had lived, and been qualified for wri$ ing a book, and if it had been dedicated to anj man, you would have been the man : For I have loved you, and I have peace before God in that and I blefs his name that I have been acquainted with you.
Remember me to all that are friends to youj particularly to the Ladies at Leivarden, to whom I would have written, if I had not been kept clofe in prifoo, and pen, ink, and paper kept from me. But I mull break off. I go to your God and my God. Death to me is as a bed to the weary. Now, be not anxious, the Lord will maintain his caufe, and own his people; he will thew his glory yet in Scotland. Farewel beloved and comfortable Sir,
Sic JuhfcriHtitr,
JAMES RENWICK.
71*
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XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The following L E TTE R S were written by different ^Perfons, during the perfecuting T }eriod ; Jeueral of * which are printed from the original ivlanufcripts.
LETTER LXIL
Mx.John Living/ten's letter to his parifh o^ Ancrum, being his farewell before his ba- il i (lament from Britain and Ireland^ upon his rcfufing the oath of fupremacy.
the flock of Jefus Cbrlfl at Ancrum, lights life, and love, and the cotifoUaions of the Holy C le muhipiici'
j irellbcloved in the Lord> ,
THat which your fins, even your fins i mine, Lath been a long; time procuring, and which haa been often threatened, is notf ; come, even a fcparauon ; ho.v long ir may con tinue is in the Lord's hand, but ir will be our - part to fearch out and mourn far have drawn down fuch a ftroke. It is rot needl to look much to ioftruments, I ha- heart forgiven them all, and wiih you to )ik*, and to pray for them, that it be not ' rge. But let us look to I T
m LETTERS.
whole doings there is no evil in the city ; for, be hath torn, and he will heal ; he bath [mitten, and be will bind us up : Let us neither defpife his chaftening, nor faint when we are rebuked of him* It may be we fhall not fuddenly find out every controverfy he has againfl: us ; bat if there be upright dealing in fuch things as are obvious, and an impartial endeavour of difcovering what is hid, he will reveal even that unto usi neither is there a greater hinderer of repentance, than a fecure defperate queftionirg whether he will, accept or not. Jel'us Chrift has been and will. ' be in all ages, aftone of flumbling, and a rock of cjfence, to thofe that {tumble at the word, and. refufe to receive his rich offers ; but to others a. foundation and eomer flone^ elect and precious^ and he that believeth in him pall not be confound- ed. We have reafon to believe, that wharevxyrl "he does is only heft : God faw all that he had made, and behold it was very good ; that word* will hold good to the end of world. For my part, I have reafon to blefs his name, I have! great peace in the matter of my fuffering : \ need not repent. Ye know my teftimony of the things in controverfy : Jeius Chrift is a KmgJ and he alone hath power to appoint the officers* and government of his church-. 'Tis a fearful thing to violate God's oath, and to fall into the living God's hand. It could not well be cxpeftJ ed, there having been fo fair and genera] profef^ lions through the land, but that the Lord would put men to it; and it is like the trial will come to every man's private door, that when every one have, according to their inclination! afted their parr, and he Teems to itatd by, he
' so a/
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may come at the laft and aa his part, and vindi- cate his glory and truth.
I have often {hewed yon that it is the greateft difficulty under heaven to believe there is a God, and a life after this; and for my own parr, I have often told you, I could never make it a chief part of my work to infill: upon the parti- cular debates of the time, as being affiled, that if one do drink in the knowledge and love of the main foundations of the Chriftian religion, and have the work of God's Spirit upon his heart, to make him walk with God, and make confeience of his ways, fuch a one, except he be giddy with fclf-conceit, (hall not readily mif- take God's quarrel to join either with an atheifti- cal profane party, or with an atheiftical phana- tic party ; but the fecret of the Lord will be ivirb them that fear him, he witljfiao them his covenant. And I have thought it not far from a fure argu- ment, that what courfe is not approven of God, generally all the godly, and all the pro- fane turning penitent, fcunner at it, and it may be cannot well tell why ; and generally all the profane, at the firft fight, and all that had a profcliion of piety, when they turn loofe, em- brace it, and it may be can jot tell why. There may be both diverfity of judgments, and fome- times iharp debates among them that are go- ing to heaven; but certainly one fpirir^u: the feed of the woman, and another fpirit guides the feed of the ferpent : and bldf- ed are they that know their Madeira will and doth it.; blejjld are they that endure to the . And both you and I have rtafon to bid's the Lord, that however 1 be the 1 f all
.'. ever fpake in his naine; yet my lafroor
224
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mongfl yon hath not been in vain altogether ; bud Tf fome have given evidence of a real workof thejj r Spirit of God upon their hearc and life, of which* f0 fbmc arc already in glory, and others wreftling r thro' an til world : and, I trufi, fome that has noc| j; given great evidence yet, may have that feed of J J; God in their heart, which may in due time bud] >^ forth, at lead at their death. Bat, ah! whatl'i J? may be faid of ihem in whom there is an ill J . (pint dlidrunkennefs, of greed and falfehood, ai ]j m fpirit of licentioufnefs and wilful ignorance, andM £o zeal of prayer, for all the means of ialvation « / that have b^en ftirring araongd us,- who poffiblv J will be glad now that they get loofe reins to run I to all wickeunefs ; they may be carried on tofl '* open apoilacy and periecution. Thefe, and all* of you, I requeft, in the bowels of Jefus Chrift, I yea, I obteft and charge you, in the name a authority df him that (hall judge, the quick and the dead, that ye turn fpeedsly to the Lor<J, and make confeience of praying morning and evening, and read, or caufe to be read to you, fome of his word, where you will find -all things necefiary for faith and conversation. 'Tis true, fnares and temptations are many and ftrong from Satan, from the world, from the mind and . heart within; but faith in God, and diligen: feeking of him (hall overcome them all. ShouhU sot tic care bf your immortal fouls go beyond | the love of this hfe, or any thing in this world ? I 0 that ye would tafte and fee the goodnefs of the Lord, and take an eiTay of the fincere ferv- ing of God for a while, and prove if he. will not open the windows of heaven, and pour I out a bleffir.g. Let me obtain this of you as a jrccoippcncc of all the labour I have had among |
i
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you, and as an allaying cf <*y fuiferings I am put to, that, after you read this, you will fet lbrae time apart, alone, or in your families, as you have convenience, to think on thefe direc- tions, that have been formerly given you from the word of God ; and deal you earneftly with him, that ye may remember them, and lopk them over, and engage your hearts to him, that in his (Irength ye will walk in bis way£ And if any lhall ftubbornly negledt fucb'i whole- fome counfel, that comes from -an eamcft de^ fire of your falvation, I will be forced to bear witnefs againft you in the day of the Lord, that light was holden forth to you ; but I defire to hope better things of you. If the Lord fee it good we may fee the day wherein we may meet again, and blefs his name folemnly, that although he was angry, yet bis anger is turned a* tuny; but, if not, the goodwill of the Lord be done. I think, I may fay, I could have been well content, although it had been with many difcouragements, to have gone and fervcd you all, aslcould, in the gofpei of Jefus Chrilt ; but the prerogative royal of Jefus Chrift. and the peace of a man's confcience, are not to be vio- hrcd upon any comideration ; neither could re be a bleffing expetfed when ought is done oil thefc. I was deJirous, and have ufed means, that I ;ht have come and leen you, and, at lead in a private way, bidden you faiewcll ere left the country ; but wife providence has ot! wife oidered it : However, I carry your nan aiougft: in my book, yea, i thfctia on
Rcarc whitherfoever I go, and our
mutual 1 • >r mej tl
Ltful,
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fruuful, and fdhhful, and blamelefs, even to the! end ; and that, if it be his will, I may be reflor- ed to you. Wean time, love and help one an
fr; have a care to breed your children to 7 the Lord, and to keep themfelves from pollutions of an ill world. I commend to above all books (except the bleiTed Bible, the word of God) the Confefiion of Faith, and Larger Catechifm : Be grounding yourfelves and one another againft the abomination of Popery, in cafe it (hoold prove the trial of the time. Let ^a care be had of the poor and fick ; there is as much left as will fuffice for meat and money a year and more- I cannot infift in the feveral particulars poflibly wherein ye would take ad- vice: the word is a -damp, and the Spirit of Chrifl: will guide you in all truth. The light that comes after unfeigned humiliation, felf- den'tal; earned prayer, and fearching of the Scriptures, is a-fure light.
I know, that my word and write are of fmall value, yet I could not forbear, but in few words falute you ere I went. And now, farewell, dear- ly beloved and longed for : The Lord of all grace, iv bo bath called lis into bis eternal glory by Jefus Cbrift, after ye have fuffered a while, make you perfeft, ftablifh and firengtben you :■ To bim be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
By your loving fervant and pafior,
JOHN LIVINCSTON.
LETTER
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LETTER LXIII.
Trom the Rev. Mr. John Brown, to the much re- fitted and worthy Mrs. Jean Ker, daughter to the Laird of Kerfland, now a prifoner for Chriji within the caftleof Dumbarton.
Utrecht, Sept. 24. 1670. Worthy and dear Mijlrefs,
HAving this occafion to falote your dear fa- ther, now a prifccer for Chrift, and not knowing when I (hould have occafion to write a- gain, I thought I was called of God to write this line to you, and therein to exhort you ia the Lord to rejoice in your lot ; which love, free ovc, "and everlafting free love, hath meafqred out to you. All your toffings, and the time when your toffings (hould begin, and the manner of your toffings, and the occafion of your toffings, all was wilely decreed from everlafting; yea, all was covenanted from eternity betwixt the Fa- her and the Son. (O blefled bargain ! the folid and comfortable ftay to all poor tofled fouls.) Means and ends were both covenanted and de- termined; for, whom he did foreknow, he alfo did predeftinate to be conformed to the image of his m, that he might be the fi? (i born among many cthrcnt Rom. viii. 29. Now then, it was a decreed thing, that as the Captain of our falva- vation was made perfeft through fufferings, fo, through much tribulation ihould we alio enter into the kingdom of heaven. Head and mem- bers mud wear one livery ; and this ia our crown, and our glory, that we are put to follow his foot-
fleps,
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fteps, and to be conformed to his image. May not this fatisfy us, that neither tribulation, nor diflrefs, nor perfecution, nor j amine, nor naked* fiefs , nor peril, no?' fword, nor death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things prefent, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, fl?all be able to feparate us from the love of God which is in Chrift Jefus our Lord!
Dear Miftrefs, the Lord hath feen it meet to tryft you with toflings in your young days, that you may learn betimes to be acquainted witk Chrift's . fchool; and to know that ive have no continuing city here, and nut you may feek one to come, and look out for that city which hath foun- dations, wbofe builder and maker is God. And now, the folitary walls of that rocky hill is as near to this city above, to this new Jcrufalem, which cometh down from heaven, as any place in the world; as was the foil of your nativity. And thofe barren walls cry, O Miftrefs Jean, Look up above where is your Father's houfe, that pleafant foil ; your elder Brother is there, your huiband is before you : There, there, is your reft ; there lliall you have fatisfaftion ; and the confolation which we cannot yield ; nay, nor the moft pleafant, ferule, and defirable fpot in all the world. 'Dear Miftrefs, it fhall be no grief of heart to you one day, that you was forced for Chrift's fake, to dwell on that barren and dry rock of Dumbarton : No, it lliall in- creafe your joy (o much the more. O Miftrefs, mind your love, your only hufband, to whom you have given yourfelf; forget him not, for lie doth not, he will not Jorget you: you are engraven upon the palms of his hands. Yon
arc
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arc written up with your mother Zion there; you are {baring with her, therefore rejoice in your lot. Though you mourn now, you ihall rejoice when God fliall put a fong in her mouth. We fhould wait and believe ; and though the fig- tree bloffom nor, we fhould rejoice. Oh! if we ■would fing on luck's head ; and indeed we have good ground., for al! was well concluded in the parliament of heaven ; and all the powers and parliaments on earth cannot change or alter one article of this grand parliament. Miitrefs, hold fail your grip of him, or rather put your poor weak hand in his, that he may hold your grips of him fafl: and fure. The time is coming, when time {bill -be no more; no more toflings, and no more temptations; no more mourning, but an everlafting fong of praife to God, and to him who futeth upon the throne, even the Lamb, world without end. Since we can do no more now, let us join oxxr Amsn to all the -fongs of praifes, which the blefTed choir of angels, and the fpirks of juit men made perfect, are Tinging this day, and will never give it over. You have reaion to blefs God, who hitherto hath lettcn 3/011 fee your own 1 . and miiery, and hath
frop your eyes. O be humble ftill, ami walk under th? fenfecf a body of death; for the puffing up of lome (of whom I had expeded belter things) makes me fear what the iflue ft be. Some of thefe perfons are already Ana. baptifts and Antinomiaiis, and *re fad drink- ing in the notions of the Families, and other phantaftic perfons. whole carriage, in a great part, became at length fcandalous. My foul is feared fat thei 1; 1 Lord prevent them with 7. Dear Miftrcis, keep humbly and U keep
s3o LETTERS.
keep near Chrift, then you lhallbe happy. Good words, and fair fpeeches will not be enough. Let our hearts be right with him ; and ucz think that all is gold which gliders. His grace be with you.
Dear Miftrefs,
Yours in the Lord Jefus Cbrift.
JOHN BROWN.
L ETTER LXIV.
From the Rev. Mr. John Brown to Mrs. Jean Ker, daughter to the Laird of Kerfland.
Miftrefs^ Aug. 9. 1677.
% /f A 'or'£ fileBce z$ t0 writing, hath not been iVX through forgetfulnefs. I may confidently fay, I neither do, nor can forget you ; and, which ">s to you infinitely more, the Father of mercies neither doth, nor will forget yon : O how happy >s it to be interefted in him, to have a fliare of hiscrofs, to be following him through adverfi- \y, and to be owning him and his defpifed caufe. it may be, it is fomewbat bitter at prefent; but afterward, O what joy and confolation will ic yield to a foul going into eternity, to remem- ber, and reflect upon the toffings and hardihips he hath endured, and been put to fuffer for the fake of Jefus, and his glorious truth and inter- eft, and there fee the fpecial love of God, call- ing him or her out to ierve him, and to endure the difp!«afure of men for his fake. I hope,
yon
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yon find, Dear Miftrefs, the unfeen incomes of joy, refreftiing your foul, in the midft of all your other hardihips, that make you fay, you would not change lots with the beft: the four crofs is made fweeter than all the honied reft, wealth, pleafure and eafe would be, that others delig themfelves with, and fit down upon as their por- tion. Up your heart, my dearly beloved, the Lord is coming. He hath ktn all that young Jean Ker hath been made to fuffer for his fake; all is frefii in his rememberance ; and all Jean AVs tears, toffings, groans, fighs, and fore hearts, &c. are written up in his boo!; of re- membrance- You will think all little enough one day: and when you fee, with a full fight, his glorious face, you will fay, O is this he for whom I fuffered difgrace, harralungs, difaccom- modations and other evils? had I kno wi an one he was and is, I would have been willing, and accounted it my glory, to have (offered I thoufand times more than I did. O mii;r; Low joyful will your heart be, when he mill come to the door of heaver, and welcaj into glory, and with his foil hand wipe all your tenrs away, and pur on beauty for aftfes, the
heaviuefs ; and put the new long, the g of" Mofcs, and of the redeemed, nth J Can you now imagine, ho
.1 for joy! Take tours , be-
ve and hope, lie is true,
word is tried ; his proi litt ui give him :
0 to get
0 2 I IQSj
izt LETTERS.
him, and to wonder at his difpcnfations of love toward you. Give him glory that ever he put that honour upon your father's family, to (land by the banner of Chrift, when many that item- ed fomething of old, have forfaken him, and have embraced this prefeht world. Fear not, a • delivery will come; but I am afraid, the dawn- ; ing of that day {hall be terrible: The righteous l God muft be avenged on an adulterous genera- ! tion. But, in the mean time, he will be an hid- ' ing place to his own. His grace be with you bow and evermore. I remain,
Yours in the Lord,
JOHN BROWN.
LETTER LXV.
From the Rev. Mr. John King, unto the pri* /oners in the back of the Gray- friars church- yard. * 1679.
My dearly beloved in the Lord, and highly ho- noured prifoners for Chrift,
I Have my love chearfolly remembered to you all, who am alfo your fellow-fufferer and companion in tribulation, for the fame 1 oncur- abfe caufe. Dear friends, I would not have you think it ftrange concerning the fiery trial, as though fome ftrange thing happened unto you, end to the remnant in Scotland, by this prefcnt difpenfation; for rhe like has fallen out, v
opie cf God has got a call from the Lord,
and
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and yet have fallen before the enemy, as ye may find in Judges xx. chap, and ye may read at length what follows; therefore I am lure, \- is the fins of the people of the Lord, which has
| provoked the Lord to let his people fall before his .enemies, and yet have no refpeft to the ene- my ; for, no doubt, they are a people devoted to dcftruclion, except they repent. ¥? fee in Jer. . 4, 7. he has been provoked to do this to his people, even to give the dearly beloved of kis foul into the hand of their eitemies, and with- no refped to tfiefe whom they are given up to, as* ye will find it in the 14. verfe, Thus ; Lord again]* all mine evil neighbours, that iou the i . Inch I caufed my people If aet
:, Behold, I will pluck them out of ft. land, and pinch out the boufe ofJ:idahfro7n an:,
-:. This is the thing, we may fee the Lord's anger not turned away from the remnant !q Scotland, but his hand is ftretched out ftill, t has caufed him deliver up his Jireagth into captU , and his glory into the enemies hands. And 1 am lure, my dear friends, you are Ghrifl glory in Scotland, io manv young men jeopard- log their lives in the high places of the ticlds for rift, whom he has given into the'handS of the er:emy ; and I hope that the Lord v. yet,
ls t flrong man after \ . elhed. and finite •
his- enemies upon their hinder ; fore, my d<:^ friends, fee
.glory, it is your gloiy to I r his name's-
jake, and it fhauld be yon • that ye
* counted worthy to fofl
;eaily concerned has a ill yocr hc I
U 3
•^
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and Chrifl is fuffeiirig more in his glcry ihatn - .
or fufFerings ; and therefore be encourage dear friends, feeing Chn ft is fuffering with yoi Jfeb. iv. 15. who cannot but be touched with youri infirmities. John xv. 20. If they have per fecuted\ me, they will perfecute you : if they have kept my] fnyiugs , they will keep yours alfo. Zech. ii. 8.I He that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of his eye. I But that may be your complaint, which was the church'?, Ifa. xlix. 14. But Zionfaid, The Lord\ bath forfaken me, arid my Lord hath forgotten me; but yet the Lord anfwers in the 15 vet. Can a woman forget her fucking child, that foejfmdd not have companion on the f on of her womb; yea, fie may forget, yet will I not fo) get thee. Behold I have graven thee upon the palms of my bands, ihy r vails are continually before me. There;. 5t is your part to aft faith upon the promifes, al- though your cafe and the church of ScotlafiiTi feem very difmal like; for if ye presently look through the cloud unto Chrift,, and take a h of Chrift's fufferings, what he fuffered for your fakes, and for the fake of the elec>, and that she faints before now have fuffered; for Chrill has told his people, that through many tribula- tions they mitfl enter the kingdc?:: ; and all that will live godly in Chrifl Jefus, fhall fuffer peffe- sMtion, 2 Tim. iii. 12. Thefe that will be iphrilt's difciples muft deny tbemfeives, a'nd take up their mfs, and follow him, Mark viii. 34. Indeed, Jear friends, it is fad to you, to endure what you are put to, fo many of you together, what hy the fcorching heat of the fun, and what by rain, there is no doubt your vifage is marred; bnt yet, I would have yon taking this for your encouragement, in Ifii. lii, 14. As
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'/flowed at him, bis vifage vjas fu marred r. than any ftiant and bis form mot 1 ns of
men; and therefore, dear friends, be encou- raged, 2 Tim. ii. 12. if ye fiffir vjitb bim, /ball aljo reign v-ith him. Luke xxii. 28. 2g. ye continue with h::n in his : , "he has pro-
mifed to you the Kingdom and honour, and your momentary 0 file;: /■: is n . y to be compared
to the glory thai is to be revealed; and lb do not fret nor repine under your troubles, 1 Pet. iv. 14. For the fp'wit of gi id of God (ball reji
upon you, if ye fuffer chearfully; 2nd blefs God
t ever he choofed the like ci you to be w toefs for him ; and ye may all cry out with Dtn .
t am Iy and what 's houfe, that
tt'ou bajl b)Q\ for him, for
had it rot been free love that prevented you-, ye might have been atnofcg thefe that have been lifting up a banner againft the Son of God; which fume, alas t whom we w6uld cot have expected, have joined in this combination a- gainft Ciirifl, for them repentance,
or ellc they (hall flUrt for ir. The Lord has honoured you before many of the proftflbrs of Scotland, ilia: were ss much concerned, a perfonal'y fwoin and engaged to (land to the de. fence of that ijntertft. Due alas 2 I think, this one of the greateft controverfies the Lord hath with Scotland, that is, not adhering to our Covc^ nants; the League a;: National
Covenant are call behii d tl ration; not only by the malignant party \\±o have perjufed themfelves, but alio by a gr< part of the mini(ie:s and ; In not adhering to but haw \ j aid cc
rics
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ries, and flrengthened their hands again ft their poor hrethen, that are now bearing the burden, and in the heat of the day, and they are (land- ing aloof at their fcorn, counting ic their wifdom to ftand at a diftance: and the Lord has been Tvitnefling, dear friends, by your-eflay to fet Chrift upon his throne again in Scotland, and re- ftoring the ancient liberties of our church from under the bondage of tyrannizing Prelacy, that the land has been groaning under the'e eighteen years by-gone; a yoke that neither we nor our fathers were able to bear, and which has been contended againft at the hazard of lives, yea, many lives have gone in that quarrel- and this appearance of yours doth not only witnefs againft the open and avowed enemies, but alfo againft all thcfe that have not joined with you that were in a capacity, that is, profeffed friends; and he has taken you, O poor things in the \Yoild, :o confound the rich ; and foolifli things to con- found the wife; and young things to confound the old; and things that iepmed not to be, to counfound the things that were. Although the Lord hath not favoured you with vi&ory, yet it tends to the praife of the Lord's rich grace In you, and ye are the Lord's witneffes this day in Scotland, witntiling againft lL* defe&ion of your brethren, and againft all the avowed ene- mies of Chrift's crown and kingdom in thefe na- tions. And as to you that are old men, highly honoured of the Lord, your gray hairs are a fcrown of glory;, like Zabulon and Napbtali ye ftave jeoparded your lives upon the high places of the field, for your reader's honourable caufe; and although, JofepbMke, fhe archers are lhoof- ing fore a: you, yet your I 1 abide in
Strength,
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1 ftrength, and ere it be long ye (hall be promot- ed to a greater kingdom than Pharaoh's, ye fliall reign with the Lord Chrift through all the ages of eternity ; and no doubt the Lord will be : forth-coming to your pofterity : but I wifti from my heart fpeedy repentance to thefe your bre- thren, that it may be, counted it their wifdorn, that they have not joined with you in the de- fence of fo honourable a caule. I am fure, that their wifdom is foolilhnefs with God, and I can- not tell how they cannot tell how they can be free of that curfe that is mentioned in Judges v. 23. Curfe ye Meroz, /aid the angel of the Lord, curfe ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof, becaufe they came not out to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord againft the mighty. They may think to enjoy their liberty and their eftates, but it is like, if it be fo, it (hall be at a dear rate. But as for you, my dear friends, that have jeo- parded your aJl for Chrift, lives and liberties, relations and pcfleflions, you have Chrifl's pro- mife, you ilia] I hava a hundred fold in this life, and life cverlaiting in that which rs to come. Ye have the word of a kin^; for this who cannot err, who is the true and faithfal witnels; aid there- fore it is is your part to a& faith opon the pro- miles. Whatfo Pent ftraits you and your families may l>c Reacted to, the Lord will be forthcoming to you and yours. Thcr. 'ear friends, beware of any finful way to relieve you or yours. Although you may have tempta- tions by your friends, for that may be fome of your trials, as it was Job's, by his own friends and his own wife; yet refill the temptation come from what airth it will, and tell them that ;hcy fpeak foolillily : for we doubt Satan will
feck
0
238 LETTERS.
feek to winnow you as wheat in a fieve, for he likes to fi!h in drumley waters; and ye know, what blafphemies and reproaches ic will occa- sion againil God, and againrt his ways, as it is already, and how wounding it is to you that ane godly, to hear enemies mouths opened; and ye may judge what iorrow it will be to the godly in , Scotland it ye mifcarry, and how more and more it will open the mouths of the adverfaries : and therefore, dear friends, feeing it is like to be the lot of the people of God either to (in or fuf- fer ; it is your part rather to fuffer, and to choofe with Mofes, rather to fuffer affliction with the peo* fie of God, than to enjoy the pleafures of fin for a feafon; for ye fee what the cloud of witnefle® ill fuifered, Hcb. xi. Tortured, not accepting delu n fie) ance, that they might obtain a better re jure. • en. Some have had trials, as yours, of cructm trackings, fome, of bonds and imprifonmen; • . fome were Jioned, fome were fawn of under, werq \) Died, were fain with the fword; they wanjV ed about in fheep-Jkins and goat fkir.s, being di-m <ie, afflided, tormented; of whom the iuc i was not worthy: Yea, they wandered in defiv , /mi m mountains, and in dens and caves cf earth. Chap. xii. a. Looking unto Jefus the r - thor and Jini/her of their faith; who for the joy \ that was Jet before him, endured the crefs, deji - big the Jhame, and is Jet down at J he tk of the majejly on high; Considering ■
edfuch contradiction of J inner s agi r,
left ye he weary and faint in your minds. Look into all the lcrip.ures, and there ye will fee what has been the lot cf the faints that are all
liij&h at the Fa I ibis j
A*y: and it ye follow them with faiih and p;
er.v
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er,ce, it (ball be your lot ere long, as it is the lot of fome of your honourable and renowned brethren; therefore I would Dot have you to be diicouraged, for the Lord cgn make the day's breaking and fcattering of his people tend to the furthering of the gofpel, and the Lord has faid it, Ronj. viii. 28. that all things /ball vjork together for good to them that love him, and t* thefe that are called according to his pxirpofe. Al- though this feems very improbable 10 lenfe and reafoD, yet the I/ord's word cannot lie; and it has been an old faying among the worthies, that the blood of the faints is the feed of the church, which has been made out in all days ; alfo we have the experience of it in cur own day; for fmce the break of Pent land 9 fince the honourable worthies fullered, fome in the fields, and fome on fcaffblds, that was the beginning of a great rij° of tlie gofpel in Scotland, which many of you ere the feals of, and all of you that are young men, ^ which are witnefies to that fame caufe: Therefore be of good chear, for the Lord can make you conquerors by your fuffer- ings; therefore although it hath given a daih :o the faith of the people of God in Scotland, yet .there is hope, feeing the Lord hath taken a fa- criGce off fome of your hands. But I would that ye and all the protefiors in Scotland were fearch- ing and trying our ways, and turning again un- to the Lord. Doubtleis there is an Ah an in the camp of our Ifrael, io that we could not ftand before our enemies; but Ephrmni like when the day of battle came, ihey were faint-hearted, and turned back, Pfal. lxxviii. becaufe they were not faithful, nor ftedlaft in God's covenant. And ivc (ball fay no more but commit you to the great
Shep-
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Shepherd of the flock, that brought again our Lord from the dead, that he may watch over you, and judge his people, and repent him for his fervants, when he fees their power is gone, and there is none Ihut up or left. Rejoice, 0 ye nations, with bis people, for he iiill avenge the . blood of his fervants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful to bis land, and to his people.
Yours, to power \
Sic fubfcribittir,
JOHN KING.
LETTER XXVI.
From the Rev. Mr. Donald Cargil, to the La- dy Earlfton, younger.
Madam, Feb. 22. 1680.
I Shall not pafs the exprefliofts of your affection to me : I am truely forry, that there is no- thing'in me that can either requit the kindneis, or anfwer the expectations of any. And I am traely refrefhed to hear of your frame, and your courage and ftedfaftnefs in that way, which is God's. And I am perfuaded, the further you ftand off from them, and the more zealoufly you deteft their doings, it is (till the better. Fear not, your forfeiture (hall not be long, and your de novo damns (hall be from heaven, more lure, and more blefled, if you take it not fiorn earth ; and your rent of one year lifted by another,
(which
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(which to me yet is doubted) fliali not enrich the receiver, and {hall bear intereit unto jrou. He is not only putting me on petitions for high- er and greater things than thefe private, bet alfo himfelf is making me to crave of himfdiF, in behalf of thefe that are afilifled, the hundred- fold in this life, and it (hall be fure to them, or* to their heirs. However, for the prefent, make fure, and bring your comfort not only mainly, but only from the other; for, as this is your feafon to feek, fo you fliali find it his feafon gra- cioufly to give ; for, I think, he would never have fuffered you to come to this ftrait for him, if he had not purpofed to gratify you with his -exceeding great reward : and I am perfuaded if if be fought by all, nothing will hinder the per- formance ; no, not our own perfonal fins, if
they be rightly acknowledged.
As for Mr. Richard Cameron, 1 never heard any thing from him, in the Lord's truth, but I am both ready and willing to confirm it. But woes me that I have not more worth and autho- rity for that caufe : but truth itfelf, if it be right- ly pleaded, will have authority upon ences. My re efts being remembered to your nearefl: friends, and all other friends that *ro right i a his cauie,
Your /errant in our Lord,
DONALD CARGIL,
X LETTER
342 LETTER S.
LETTER LXV1I.
From the Rev. Mr. Donald Cargi], to bis ivelU beloved friends Alexander Gordon of Earlfton, Mr. Ardoch, md Mr. M'Millan in Arrendar- roch.
Dearly Beloved, Gilkie, April 14. 1680.
I Have purpofed, according to your defire, to vifit you, but have been hitherto hindered. The caufe of my prefent return, after I was come mid-way, our brother will ihew you, and, I hope, will Satisfy you; and if the Lord give opportuni- ty, I fhall yet fulfil my purpofe. What I pur- pofed to have imparted to : — , who was
gone before I came, I have imparted it to him, who will communicate it to you ; fo chat I need not write of them further. Only leave your ewn things for a little, till ye receive them from God in a better way ; for not only is the feeking but the receiving of favours from men, dated in fuch oppofition to God, as not without a fnare to the foul: and if it begets a ^uft jealoufy in God, to have any conversation with thofe with whom he hath fuch enmity, and feeing provi- dence hath clofed the door of doing for your- feives in thefe things, lay ye them afide alfo: and what comfort ye have within yourfeives, ^hat 'work ye lhall give yourfeives too ; and v;hat intereft ye (hall efpoufe : but let all things be little to you in refpeft of this, to have the land brought about to be the Lord's, and to have the Lord reigning in it. Be frequent in grayer and humiliation, for I will aflTure you, ye
will
LETTERS. 243
-will find thofe duties to be. more eafy and fweet in performance, more hopeful in their expecta- tion, and more prevalent as to their effefls, than before they have been. But never think yourfelves right till ye have repented of what is pad, and have intended to reformation in all things. And let the defires and defigos of your hearts be fuch, that, in a manner, he cannot but both avouch you, and profper them ; and fevcre yourfelves from the fins, huerefts, and courfes of this prefent generation; ocherwoys thefe who have been chadifed by themfelves, may be again chaflifed with them in their judg- ments, which (hall be both dreadful and near. But hade you out of the city, for that hinders, and feek to be united to God, and to one an- other in truth and love ; and this cannot be with- out the pouring out of the Spirit, which mud be obtained by prayer; and beware of patching up with men, for they have their own cards to play, and their own way to go, which are not only diverfe from, but direftly oppofite to God's; and if I midake not, God-* intention this time is clearly to fever us, that he may (hew us kiodotfa by ourfelves (and till that be, we lhall never have him as we would) and employ us as we defire tc be employed: and fear not, for the fewer, we ihall not be the lefs drong; and fciget not to fhut yourfelves up in a covenant with him, that if we mud die in the common lot, we may die with repentance, and fuch purpofes b our heart, and leave a model to them that co:ne after, of the temple we minded to build to him, that may go on according to that pattcra, and do well. As for our brother, ye bo:h oojht, and T X 2 know-
*44 LETTERS.
know ye will receive him gladly, and encourage him in all things, for he doth the work of the Lord ; and ye (hall find the Lord hath provided better for you than if I had come. The Lord cftablilh you in every good work. Anen*
Yours, in true affeftion,
DONALD CARGIL.
P. S. There .is one thing I have forgotten ; Seek not to them that have been joined with us in fome things, if they have owned that intereft,. or fided with thefe courfes of defe&ion : nor though they feek to you, accept of them not^ till they ferioufly refent, and utterly renounce thefe things.
LETTER LXVIII.
From the Rev. Mr. Richard Cameron, to Mr. Alexander Gordon of Earlfton.
Right Honour abley March 22. 1680.
I Was this day within five miles of Nhh, in or-' der to meet with your Honour; but one is come to me from other friends, who has made.; me turn my head to another airth : the bufinefs ; is of moment, of which you vmay after this (ifi the Lord will) be informed. But if you be to:; write to Holland (as I doubt not but both you and -your hdy will) I am to fend a brother of dubb thither; his voyage is not to be delayed, and fore you will not delay to have one in once
this
LETTERS. 245
this week to Edinburgh: I mean I will be con- tent, if bafinefs will permit, and counfel fought from the Lord, thatyourfelf were there ; for we are to have confiderable things in hand ; but if you cannot win, I'll make all the hade I can to fee you and friends with you, I intreat you to fignify this to our friends in Dalray, Kds, and GUncairn : I hope the Lord has fome work for them yet, though I were gone, which will not be while my Mafter has work for me. O to be ready to be bound, yea, and to die. I dare net fit this call, whatever be the hazard. Tie Lord will carry on his work maugre ail oppofition : The daughter of Zion flail yet arife andthre/I;, &c, .0 iv. 13.
I have feveral encouraging things to impart jo you when there is an opportunity of once meeting afforded. I hope to meet in heaven with not a few out of the houfe of Kirljlon and Ard't one family. O hov/ refreihiag will it- be to fee in that day feverals who lived in the GienkeriSy together with fome from Baltnagie snd Corfennchal. .
The Lord be with you all. I doubt not but you mind me in your prayers. My refpect to both your ladies, filters, &c. not forgetting the young bird, asfureasany I know, and my own Mrs. Ann. . Referring other things tili meeting, Sir, I bid you farewell.
RICHARD CAMERON. .
A3 LETTER
LETTERS.
LETTER LXIX.
From the Rev Mr Richard Cameron, to Mr Alexander Gordon o/Earlfton.
* he
Right Honourable, May 22. 168a.
I Hope you'll have me excufed for cot writing to you on Thurfday laft, for I was then per- plexed for Mr. Donald's not coming-, and had no time, but I met with him fince : he is not to come to this country at this time. Kflwever, if you know nothing to obflruft our appointment on Friday next, I am willing, in the Lord's rtrcngtb, to keep it, and before that, if heakh and other things will permit you. I defire to meet with your Honour upon Wednefday't night, or Thurs- day's nig'it at fartheft. You may appoint the place, and I lhall endeavour to wait upon you. If you be not able, you will write to me witH the bearer, that he may be again at me once Dpon JVednefday.
We muft go on in the ftrength of the Lord, whatever be the difficulties and difcouragements in our way: Our Lord's ends are well worth the purfuing, he is coming, his reward is -with him, and his work, to wit, of judgment, is before him. Eye hath not feen, nor ear heard, what he hath prepared for them that wait for him £ yea, bluffed are the eyes who lhall fee what he- will do for the remnant that are in this land, and for ni^ church throughout the earth. Hap- py are they whom he is now chaftening, that lie may hid them from the day of evil : A large tiare of prefect fufferingsis well worri* the hav- ing;
LETTERS. 247
ing; for. the confolations of fuch ftiall much more abound : the Lord will make our hearts glad, according to toe days wherein he affiifted us, and makes us to fee evil. Ir is the better we cannot eafily win out of our aiiii&ions.
The bleffing of the Lo;d be upon your lady and children, whom I falure in the Lord ; as aJfo your fitter, and other friends, both young and old, particularly David Gordon, whom I look upon to be fiourifhing and full of lap in old age, which is rare in this day. Referring other things till meeting. Farewell.
If you can let us meet on Wednefdafs night, I would be content to be at your houfe if con- venient \ but the Lord will do all well.
RICHARD CAMERON.
LETTER LXX,
From the Rev. Mr. Richard Cameron, to the Lady Earlilon, younger.
1
Madam,
Once intended to have been at Earlfton the _ laft week, but was detained by the unfea- fonablenefs of the weather, an'd the prefent dif- compofure of the country, with the alarm of the foldiers being come to D:m:fnes, bc^aufe the country will be unfeuled, until they fee what courfe is taken by the adveriaiies; and alfo be- caufe Mr. Donald has not come.* 1 have now re- folvea to go to a place in Clyde/dale, if the Lord will, from which I may conveniently ride into
Edin-
248 LETTERS.
Edinburgh f in order to meeting with friends, and after that to return with all the fpeed I can to Galloway, that I may fee your Ladyfhip, or at lead try ft with the Laird. My Matter laid ties on me to the Glenkens> and fome other two pa- jifhes in Galloway, that I was not looking for. I am bound, while I live, to remember with thanklgiving the Lord's condefcendence • and kindneis to me in Earl/ion, where I am fure we liad fome good days, not to be forgotten. I am more and more refrefhed with my thoughts of the Laird, and of what God hath done and is doing to him. I am hopeful that the Lord fnall carry him and you through your tribula- tions, which may be great for a little time. Ard now you may be fure that your fteps (hall be] more obferved than any forfeited family in Gal' low ay : therefore I hope you will not be high- minded, but fear; happy is the man that feareth the Lord always: You lhould alfo trujl in him at all times, for in the Lord Jehovah there is e^^er- Lifting ftrength : There is enough in him for bearing your charges. You have now a notable opportunity of giving proof of your love to our: fweeteft Lord Jefus, who hath done fo much for , us. Praife, praife, to him that hath pitched up- on you to witnefs for him, and that he is ftill keeping pofltffion of that family of which you are row a mother,— and that the honour thereof is . fcrewed up to fo high a pitch in your time; andi that this laird, who feems to be far inferior to the three that have gone before him, lhould < in fome refpe&s be honoured even above his , uncle and grandfather, whofe names are, and, will be favoury to the generations to xome : This is the Lord's doing; his ways and thoughts
arc
M
it:
r
LETTERS 249
arc not as our ways and thoughts- I defire to remember your fon and daughter, &-c. I in- treat that your Lady (hip. and filler may remem* ber me: ye know what need there is for pray.
ing for one another. The Lord be with you
all.
Madam, Farewell;
RICHARD CAMERON,
LETTER LXXI.
From the Rev. Mr. Alexander Pedan, to fome Friends.
Dear Friends,
I Long to hear how you fpend your time, and how the grace of God groweth in your hearts. I know you and fome other of the people of God, by reafon of the prefent trial, have got up a falhion of complaining on Cbriit ; but I you all to fay any ill of him, except you wrong fpeak as ye can, and fpare not ; only I re- quell you, let your expreffions of Chrift be luit- ableto your experiences ol him; and if ye think Chrift's houte to be bire and ill provided, and harder than ye looked for, I allure you Chrilt's mind is only to didt you, and not to hunger you: Ojr Steward k::< jure, aud when
to fpend : C;uift knu.vs whecher heaping or flraiking agrees btft with our both are alike to him; fpariug will never en- rich
25» L E T T E R S.
lich him, and fpending will never impoverish him: he thinks it ill won which is holden oiTl r-
ILO
k I
Be
t
his people. Grace asd glory comes out of ^ Chrift's lucky hand: our gifts are but fecklefs ' W gifts ; his fulnefs is mod ftraitened when it wants P[{ a vent : 'tis fweet and eafy to Chrift when he is 'ty holden bu(y in dividing the fulnefs of his Fa- *r therms houfe to his poor friends : he defires not to keep mercy over night ; every new day brings new mercies to the people of God. 'Chrift is the bed mercy that ever the people of God yoked with : if ye pleafe the wares, and what of his grace makes for you, he and you will fort about the price ; he will fell good cheap that ye may fpeer for his ihop again, and draw all the fale to himfelf. I counfel to go no further than Chrift : and now when itfeems to become to your y door, cither to fin or fuffer, I cojunfel you to lay?J( your account for fuffering; for an outgate coming from any other airth will be prejudicial to your fouls intereft. For your encouragement, remem- ber he fends none a warfare upon their own expences: and bkfled be the man who gives Chrift all his money ; for ye will be forced to block with him at laft, when ye have no hand- money, and thou haft no heart to fuffer ; and fo it is beft for you to keep in with your old ac- quaintance, for new acquaintance with ftrange lords is a ready way to make a woundin graced fide, that will not heal in hafte ; yea, your eyes may clofe before your wounds dry up ; for grace- is a tender piece, and is very eafily diftempered in the backflidings of our times; and if the wheels of it be once broken with fin, all the moyen in the world will not make them go about again, until they be once through Chrift's Land?.
LETTER S. ay*
I hope I have faid more upon the fubjeft thaa
needed ; for I have feen the marks of tender- icfs deeply drawn upon your carriages : but the ?emper of our declining and backiliding t'mes -nvites you to double your diligence in feeking 3od ; for I think God has a mind to fearch Je- nifalem with lighted candles, and to go thro' the whole houfe to vifit all your chambers, and there ihall not be one pin within all your gates, !>ut Godftall knew whether it be crooked or even. He will never reft till he be at the bottom of Hiens hearts : he has turned out fome folks hearts
ready, and flitted others ; it Teems he has a Blind to make the infide the outfide. There was but a weak wind in former trials, and therefore much chaff was flickered and hid amongft corn; but God now has raifed a ftrong wind, and yet Chrift's own cannot be driven away; he will not loie one hair of his peoples heads, he knows ihem ail by head-mark; O ! if our hearts and k>vc were blazing after him, we would rather choofe to die believing, than to fin by compli- ance.
I defy the world to fteal a lamb out of Chrift's fold unmifled. What is wanting on the laft day of judgment. Chrift rauft make them all up. That itorm will not ly long, when the peo- ple of God have the word of it ; when the wind isb*jthon their face and on their back, a great fire in God's furnace will foon divide the gold from ihe drofs. God's mill hath been grinding faft, and it will not ftand for want of water. If the people of God would but hold out of the gate, and give enemies a redd field, that God may be full of his enemies fleih : why, may he ■ot jjiye enewies a ftroke over his peoples heads.?
Go4
c:
If
252 LETTERS.
God is giving his faints a little trial, fomewhat lharper than ordinary, that they may come out' | of the furnace like a refined lump, that the^ may run and be ready at tuck of drum. Ic i honourable toferve and be a footman in ChrifqHI company. The weakefl of God's people to run at Chrift's foot from morn to even, he will not , tyre, to gang and ride time about ; he will take his friends on behind him, when they begin t<h weary, anddow not hold foot, Chrid will wait on. O bow fweet will it be to fee Chrid march-1 ing up in a full body, and all the trumpets found- ing the triumph of the Lamb's vi&ory, when the (word lhall be red with the blood of enemies;, when all the Heathen lhall be rounding amongfb themfelves, that he hath done great things for them. Verily I fear the followers of the Lamb lhall be forced to tread upon the dead bodies* of the wicked ere all be done : the whole land j lhall have enough to do to Ihool them in thef I earth, ere all the play be play'd. Chrift will kill" \ fader with his own hand, than all the hands of ■<{ the kingdom lhall be able to bury, Many lhalL-ij be buried unftreight; and moals fnall be the winding- iheet of many that look life-like the day. The blood of God's foes lhall preach ftrangc | things to his people, and we (hall rejoice with 1 Trembling. They that will not ferve God, to themfelves be it laid. The day is near, when BLOOD lhall be the fign of -Chrift's foldiers* and, NO gJJJRTERS fliall be their word- DEATH and DESTRUCTION (hall ba written with broad letters on our Lord's ftan- dard. A look of him (hall be a dead ftroke i to any that runs in his gate. It is bell for you to keep within the flndow of God's wings, to
caft .
LL E T T E R S. 253
ft Ciirift's cloak over your heads, until you bear him fay, The brunt of the battle is over, and the flower is /lacked. And I am confident the faireft way to cheap the way, is to fpeal ouc of God's gate, and keep within the doors until the violence of the ftorm be gone, and begin to ebb, which is not full tide as yet. Chrift deals tenderly with young plants, and waters them oft, Jeaft they* go back. Be painful, and lofe not iffe for the feeking.
I recommend this to you, to be read as an ex* trafi of God's love, that in crofles, and out of croiTes, ye may rejoice.
ALEXANDER PEDAN.
LETTER LXXIL
From Mejfrs. James Renwick, William Boyd, and John Flint, to their fristids in Scotland.
1
Grotiingcn, February 24. 1683.
'Dearly Beloved in our Lord Je/iu Cbtift,
T is a great part of our duty to be mindful of
to be keeping up a iympathizing frame
of f] you, and to be wreftling with the
Lord upon c4ie behalf of his broken down work,
and precious truths, which are fet at nought and
trampled upon: Bjt, O! we fail in all duties,
and come lhort in tins alio. Yet we may
funded, if we thai I forget you, theLoi arc
and if we rake eafe to ourltlves in this day
of Jacob's trouble the Lord will leau l~ forth
; the workers of iiiiquiry, when he fnall caufe
peace to teft upon his IJratU 0 'car
V friei:d.,
254 LETTERS.
friends, let us join all hand in hand top-ether, and wreftle with the Lord; who knows but Ire may come and leave a bleiiing behind him ; let us cry unto him, and refufeto be comforted, un- til he come and comfort our mother that is caft out in the wildernels. Are not all the Lord's, difpenfations calling for this at all our hands, to return unto the Lord our God, for we have fallen: by our iniquity: For JJJmr flail not Jaroe us, vm will not ride upon borfes ; for in the Lord tlje fa- therlefs findeth mercy. If it were fo with us, would not the Lord heal our backilidings, he would love us freely, and his anger would be turned away. O! may not our fouls rejoice V think upon the many, the noble, the ftrangej ways, that the Lord hath taken to purge away ourjl drofs, and to make us a peoplezealoiis of goo4H works; and upon the other hand, lhould we nofl be aihamed at ourfelves, becaufe the Lard's deaLM ing with us hath had fo little effeft, for we have! not yet learned the language of the rod and hwJH who hath appointed h. O ! he is faking alfl ways with us, tocaufe us take himfelf, and himJB felf only for our all. Why hath he brought us fo I low, but that we may be made high, to fee our« ftrength only to be in himfelf, and that his hand ' may be on*/ feen in raifing us up? Why doth> he fuffer us to be brought into fo many difficult ties, but that he may manifeft and magnify him-} felf in taking us out of them, and carrying usri through them? and alfo to try our patience, J whether we will bear his indignation b«:caufe we 1 have finned againft him. And we think, there J is nothing will help us fo well to patience, as a full iipjhc of the wrongs that we have done to the work of 'a holy God; we would then be
made
LETTERS. 255.
made re fay, we are offJicied lefs than iqui-
ties defewe. We would be then put 10 defire deliverance from the yoke of cur oppreifioD,
yerance from the yoke of cur in 11 grtffions. And why hath the Lord brought us 10
a pafs both as to our fpiritual and Dan food, being deprived of the one as to the pti lie ordinances, and brought to great ftraits to the other; but that he, for both, may be only depended upon: be will have his people's e) this day, to be upon nothing but himfelf for all that they need. O noble contrivance! O noble mean that the Lord makes ufe of to gee
elf made great to his people. Is it nc Bough to us that he lives and reigns? Are «te not rich enough, who have him to go unto? O I kt us remember that the Lord hath laid, JVben the poor and needy ft ek water, and there is m : and their tongue faileth for thirjl ; I the Lord bear them, I the Gcd of Ifrael will not for joke them. I will make the wiidernefs a pool of water, and the dry land ffrings of water. 2 may fee, and know, and a
together, that the hand of the Lord hath done this, and the holy One of 1 This is the thing the Lord will do unto you, and he will have himlclf only to be ieen :. Your children ihall have this to fay unto r Idren, The Lord brought our fathers into wiidernefs, that he might thew them his v. drous and mighty works there: fie made tl to wander from mountain to mountain, in peril of their lives, that he might teach tl to feek red only in hirr.fclf, refi, mighty lock in a
aLv! [ betake ll
Y 2
756 LETTERS.
him, who is life itfelf. Pie made them to travel in the wildernefs without leaders and teacheK> that he who teacheth as never man taught, might teach them, yea, be their only teacher, : who is the true Shepherd, who makes his own fheep to hear his voice: He difcovered unto them the treachery of hirelings, that thereby' his care of his own fheep might be made tnani-i fed: He led them through a valley offaltpitv that his fkill in leading them might appear:. Yea, he fuffered rocks to be upon ail -hands, that ] Lis own might have himfelf only to glory in for guiding him by thefe.- He brought them into ail extremities, that he might have opportunity to do them good, and that they might be made to fee himfelf only therein. O dear friends, as the children of Ifrael had many of the Lord's won ders to tell, in leading their fathers out of Egypt through the wildernefs ; fo fhall your childVen have many of his wonders to tell in leading you through fuch wildernefies ; but the carcaffes of the murmurers mud firft fall and dung the land.
O therefore trufl in God ; it mufc be by faith ] that ye muft overcome ; through faith ye (hall quench the violence of fire ; out of vveaknefs *t ihall be made (Irong ; ye are com palled abc with a great cloud of witnefles, who have all ob tained a good report through faith ; they bad trial of cruel mockings, they were jloned, fawn a /under, tempted ', and jlain with the edge of the /word; they wandered in de farts, arid innnAin- tavns, and in dens and caves of the earth: Yea, they were tortured, not accepting deliverance, thai they might obtain abetter rejurrefficn. There- lore, lay ajide cveiy weight , and run witt
t .
i
LETTERS. 2-7
fnce the race that is fit before you, lookl Jefus the author and firtifk&r of jour faith, wh&is touched with the feeling of all your infi Therefore go boldly unto the throne of his grn
■' ye may find grace to help in the time ot need. And feeing ye have a great high-pritjl, that is
ned into the heavens, Jefus the fun of God, hold fajt your piofeffion. O be zealous for him, whi for tht t before him, endured \
crofs9 and defpifed the f)a7iie. And he fays unro you, I will never leave you nor for fake ypu*, fo that ye may boldly fay, The Lord is our helper,
we veill not fear whai n do unto us.
trouble from the world abounds, let your love to God and your zeal for him increafe ; :. he a good mark of true zeal. O be zealous, be fceaious; there is a generation rifing up, who will wifh to have been living in our days, that they plight have given a proof of their zeal for God, And for ourfelves, not well what to Tr
bot we mod be otherwife framed and tftfpofed, ere the Lord make any uf* of us: The cafe this day is extraordinary^ and \c Lord
will make ufe of in any piece of wofk, he w alio give more than an ordinarj il!
have theft) humbled* :
■led, he will have .ill
have them to be lions in his cDufe. O pray, O pray, that the Lord would work hi:
and J A MI
WILL. BOYD, IT.
3 LE
258 LETTERS.
LETTER LXXIIL
r
IC ^
From the Rev. Mr. William Brackel, minijler of the gofbet in Holland, To the ftritf perfecutcd ty of the Prefoyterians in the Church of Scotland. 1682. *
To cur Fathers and Brethren that are under the tion, in the Church of Scotland.
ALthotigh I do net efteem ray gifts fo gr as to write to you who are fo emu. taught of the Holy Spirit; yet I cannot keep Jem from the wing you, that my foul is knit ta 3'0urs, which fometimes ufes to be a com! the afflicted, to wit, to have fome to 3 with them.
Whether I (hall weep for fadnefs, or 1 gladoefs, is to me a great douht. If 1 gave way. ro afle&ion, grief would prevail; but when I con* fair, with reafon, joy abounds; becaufe I heartily embrace the caufe of this, although joined with the came of the other; and I would rot wiih the of that taken away, with any disadvantage- 10 this.
My heart is not a little wounded with Sympa- thy, when 1 call to mind the fad dungs yoa aie meeting with ; when I confider how you are de- prived of all the good things and means of life, that you are put to lodge day and night in the open air, without any flicker from the fun's heat, rain or cold, (how do you Jive? furely God feeds
you
* This Letter was w.ittcn originally in Latin* and faithfully uanflated by one who defifts to be a ttknd, Fei. iyc r6Sj.
LETTERS.
you from heaven) when you embrace the hare rock for a ns, or it
be the cold fnow for a covering; when I c der what it is to fee the es (it may be)
weeping for hunger and cold, and cannot get wherewith to warm them ; when I confide: it is to be always furrounded with deadly and to hear fometimes of the htrfbac times cf ihe father or mother, wife, Ion or daughter to be taken to execution, the day to be as Iambs allote'd to the daughter; what brother? what Chriftian? yea, u ailed man i things but
txcefs of grief? upon the heavenly abounding bleflings, the great abundance
. things, the ardent love to God ar.d tyrdom foj name < which
God your father has in a mo. ved on you than r . e times When I call to mind, thai
o.i as an of anciently a
nioft fiourii ing you a
firft fruits, yea, 1 . , the firft fruits of ach (hortly ; yea, I fay, fboftfy to be raifed Dp: When ' Ufler Jefus Chriit,
the only head of Lis church, glorified in your miraculous prefcrvation, and encompaffing yoa as v. ill of lire round about, calling you
I cither living or dying, and letting you forth, J and preferring you to all, either godly or ungod- ly, who arc lurking in q e and there, for to give a tefliraon) bed
ad?
l6o
LETT
R S.
if
what flia'll I fa ory be to the Lord ? what I
{bail I do, but moff willingly approve of his moft r. holy and wife government of his boufchold, whoi , follows you with a greater and more infinite and!' eternal love and good-will than I can cxprefs: . f fliould I feem to repine by wifhing a changcSr and fo disapproving of his diipenfations? nay,W£. the mofl holy and merciful God does all tilings well.
But what (hall I fay unto you, my dear bre- thren? I approve of your careful and mutual correfpondence with one another, and all the churches ; I approve of your ftrict difeipline, both as to the private life of every member, and aifo as to your feparation from thefe fwelling in- pride Biihops and their adherent?. And like wife .1 approve of your feparation from thefe who have accepted the indulgence from the civil ma- giltrate, and fo have acknowledged a foteign and extraneous power in the church, and introduced it into the church againft the fole government of ojr only King Jefus Cbrift, which bath proven the deftrudtion of the church, and the greateft" binderance to its reftoration. I approve aifo pf yocr feparation from the frighted and fearing, though othervVife pious men, and thefe who are inclining to the indulged tide, loving a fhort bo- dily eafe, though with a check of ccnfciance; who deprive themfelves of all that open boldnefs tftey ought to have, and entrap themfelves in in- extricable fnarcs, not confidrring how grtat hurt they do to the church. O how much rather ia it to be choiced to die a noble and Clxrift-glori- fying death, and to obtain the crown of martyr- dom, or to endure all forts of injuries and op- prcHIojas in the defaits and mountains; than to
LETTERS. 261
enjoy the pleafures of fin for a feafon, for feilowfr'p kali? righteoufnefs ivitb unrighteoufnefs.
Co on therefore, dear brethren, as ye have begun ; Cl frwn among ilcm, faith the
Lord, and touch not the U ;ig; Then flail
I receive you, arid be to you a father, and ye flail be unto me as fans and daughters, faith the Lord of ho/is. Let not the devil and his inftrumeots and followers fright you, who is come unto you full of great wrath, becaufe he^tnows his time is but more, for the God of peace lhall bruife him under your feet.
Let not the cruelty nor fubtilty of enemies, nor hunger, nor coid, nor the prifon, nor a gal- low?, nor the fword, fear you : none ofthefe things canfeparate you from the love oj God. Yea, your Mght :, which is but for a moment, zvorketh
for you a far more exceeding and eternal -weight of glory. Let always that laying of our Saviour's be in your mind, He that takes not up his crofs and follows me, is not f me. He that finds
. -fe fiyall lofe it, but he thai lofeth his life for my lhall find ;.' re entice you
toco who, ah ho' ihey be godly
men,y ve only for themielves, and not for
the good of the church ; nay rather for its hurt. G how pleafant aid noble a thing is it to lay the foundation o£ 2 ure church, to make a
a way I c nter to reitore
his church in Scotland. 0 ! ho 1 profitable will it be to after generations to have you for a good example to foil- can fay of >ou,
fo and fo did our I
I •
iGi LETTERS.
dons are ever) (hall fee the people cf God i» peace glorifying him. How {hall they then be •confounded who are fitting filent, frighted, and deferring the caufe and people of God? How lhall they then come trembling and confeffing their faults to you? and thefe who are now per. {ecu ting you, how ftufi they blufti and be aiham- ed? Let me fpeak to you in the words of Ifcaam Hear ye the word of the Lord, ye that tremble at his w brethren that hated you> that cajt
you cut for my name's fake, faid, Let the Lord be glorified ^ but he fell appear to your joy, and tkef\\ fall be afhamed. Then fays the Pfalmift, Theri, - teous fall rejoice when he feet h vengeance: he fhammk wajh his feet in the blood of the wicked. So that tm man fall fay, verily there is a reward for the righMt teous, verily there is a God to judge in ihe earth JA Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recom^vi pence tribulation to them that trouble you; but to A you who are troubled reft.
Therefore, my brethren, ward], fund faft iai the faith, quit yourfelves like men, he ftrong,! and God will ftrengthen your foul. All ye that j hope in him, be ye ftabl-e, unmoved, always a- bounding in the work of the Lord. Hold fajtm that you have, let no man take your crown. ye faithful unto the death, and God /hall give yoXM a crown of life. For ike rod of the wicked fain not reli always upon the lot of the righteous.
jkrewel, Reverend Fathers, dear brothers -J and lifters; the Lord enlighten you with the, light of his countenance, and grant you to tafte I ©f his all-iufficiency, and ftrengthen you in the I faith that ye may always behold thefe things \ inviiiblc, and. live by them ; and that . L- may fill you mxh the ipuit of joy aad glad- ,
f tET T E R S. s53
jaefs, and that he may cherifli you in the hope of the life to come, and fan&ify you more and more, that ye may do all things in his fight, in faith, as the ions of God through Chrift Jefus, in love, in fear, in obedience, with chearful- nefs/ wifdora, patience and conftancy.
The Lord be your fun and fhidd, and rock of habitation, yea, all in all to you, both in time-
atnd throughout all eternity. lhall
(hew you our mind in the reft. Be mindful of me in j ers, that the Almighty may give
me a greater meafure of his Spirit, tor comfort, holinels and faithfulnefs in my work, and ftrnels to go about it. The Lord be with you. I greet btfa the right hand of fellowfhip.
WILLIAM BRACKED
LETTER LXXIV.
From the Rev. I iam Brackel, to the
fathers mid brethren who are in Scotland under
uary yth 1683,
r mid brethren in Chrijl Je/us our glorious K
IT is not only come to my cars that ye wrote arii fent to me a lei : 1 but alio
a copy of it is come to my hand; but where itfelf (licks, oj -d I know
not.
It rejoiced my foul greatly to know your af- fairs both by the fo; . y, and alfo by your
letter j
264 LETTERS.
letters fent to us ; efpecially the miraculous divine f prote&ion of you makes me both greatly to admire and rejoice; who being courageous and bufied in your convention, by taking a care of your church affairs, did fee the cruel enemies even l threatening death, feeking you, even comparing °f about the houfef (Iricken with a certain Sodom- itifh blindnefs that they could not enter.
How admirable are the works of God! how unfearchable is his deep goodnefs ! truely we find that he hath favour and mercy towards his faints, and perpetual care towards the ele&; truely he is a firey wail about Jerufalem} and his angels compafs about thole that fear him, and deli- vers them. He fhat fits under the covert of the Mo ft High iball lodge under the (hadow of him that is omnipotent. Let praife and glory befungto our Lord,by all who hear thefe things, both angels and me*. It is needful that this experience of the moft efficacious prefence of God faould ftrengthen your confidence; that he who deli- vered you out of the mouth of the bear and lion, fhall alfo in the time to come deliver you from all dangers that iliall fall in your lot, to the glory of his waitedfor divine defence. But if God fnould fuffer this or that man, or even many, to fall into the hands of enemies, or rather, that he himfelf fhould give them ; by this ye fhall be taught experience, that that has not fallen out, becaufe of the defeft of divine protec- tion; but that God has called them out, name by name for a teftimony of himfelf; yea, although they fliould feem to die in the^ eyes of enemies, and their end to be an ignominious afflidion, yet they, I fay, go away in peace, and are crowned with a joyful crown and immortality. Neither
are
LETTERS. z65
tre the martyrs of the church of Scotland killed, hat it may be extirpate, but that it may be >uilded; for the blood of the martyrs is the feed )f the church : the church was founded by blood, ind it grew by blood : the more cruelly Pharaoh jppreffjd the people of God, the more fertilely ;hey were multiplied. We are very defirous of he coming of the Lord; faying, we with that ralvation may come out ofZion ; when the Lord Ojall turn again the captivity of bis people, Jacob (])all be glad, and Ifracl fncdl rejoice. But let do man ca(t down his heart, becaufe God is only rying your patience ; he is alfo making cur way plain, and a way to himfelf, to his greater 2;lory in all lands. Would Ifrael have been more happy if he had been delivered out of !efs t>pprefion in Egypt F Was not his deliverance the more glorious the heavier the perfection was ? Waft therefore for the falvation of the Lord: how great {hill his gooduefs be, which he hath laid up for them thai fear him, which he hath prepared for thole that betnke themfelvcs o him, before the fons of men. Shew yourfelves men in the time of diibeis. Let him that is weak id ftrengtb, leaning u| j fay,
I am a man of excellent valour. i !;ath
God near unto him (as ii made known to you by many, both public and private experiences) from no man would fear either threatenings, fwords, or ropes. Learned men, great men, albeit godly, of great name, err i mat-
ter, but God hath chofen thefe that were fcols in the world, as wife; thole that were wc:k, cs IlrOBgi the ignoble, ard-thofe cf no cftccm, that he might bring to difgrace thoft who arc in honour. In : the mean time, let unanimity, Z love,
266 LETTERS.
love, fervency of mind, gladnefs in juflrnca-?, tion, remain among you; and out of thefe,j holinefs, and a perpetual intercourle of the ioul • with God. This one thing I exhort you, thati every one may teach another; the fathers, mo-., thers, aged and more learned, may teach the: little ones, and others who are more ignorant of< the way of the Lord, the fundamentals of reli- gion; leaft the church ftiould perifli through lack1 of knowledge, or lead any fhould waver in the true faith.
The three ftudents chofen by you tp the pafto- ral office are bufy at their ftudies ; the fourth we are waiting for: By God's grace we hope you fhall fee them the next -year, and hear them preaching.
Since the time tEat I have known your eftate, I have judged it neceflary that certain men, en- dued with the Holy Ghoft, piety, authority, and years, fliould be chofen to the paftoral office, and ihould be fent unto us, for the fpace of one or'two months, that they might be inftru&ed in the method of forming of preachings, and fome other things. Ne^t that they ihould be examin- ed in a lawful way by fome paftor in an ecclefiaf- < tic convention, (let not little knowledge deter any man) and in the name of the Lord fent unto his vineyard, and be confirmed in that office by the impofition of hands ; and fo return to you in fuch a ftate of the church* I care not much for the knowledge of tongues, and literal in- . ftruftion, although in itielf and other circum- ftances, I think much of it ; for- not by the de- feat of learning, but of the Spirit and piety, is the church of Scotland brought into fo miferable -a condition ; and I think it is not to be reftored
br
LET T E'R S. 267
by learning, but by the Spirit and piety. I pro- pofc thir things to you, that you may feriouily coniider rhat thing of fo great moment ; and that ye may either do or rejcft that, as ye fliall think fit. The Lord be a lun and ihield udIo ygu. And, I am,
Your lover, and promoted minifler,
WILLIAM BRACi;: ■
LETTER LXXV.
Front the Rev. Mr. Alexander Shields, to the PriJ oners for Chrijl in Dunnottar Caftle; con- cerning the Boundaries of Cbriftian Fellow flnvi efpecially -with vjhom it is lawful to join in di- vine WorjIAft and from whom it is duty to withdraw.
Edin, June i63j,
IVeilbeloved and honoured in the Lord,
S^OD is love-, -and he that dv:clleth in God, ^ divcllcth in Itj: ; and he that dw'-lleih hi love deligbtetl) in uuion, the native froit and effed of it: That union tint hith moft of God and love in it, and hath a tendency to lead to, and keep near God; that uriiori, than hath love for its cement, and Chriil for its cen- tre, and truth for its foundation : l it follows, time theclofct a pe4pb and his truths, the more ioclwablc they will union, rtx they will obtain it, audi iurer they keep it • that b tt belt me
'L 2 and
268 LETTERS.
and the trueft meafures I can conceive, eltfcctl for attaining or entertaining union, in a divid- ed and declining day, as this our day cf bLiphe. my, trouble, and rebuke fs It huh always been found, that departing from God hath beeu both the father, the fofterer, and the fomenccr of divifion ; as our wretched defections have been' the unhappy caufe of all our Tvofurdiftrd(ftions among profeflbrs in this age: Therefore, excepi the caufe be removed by ioine jointnefs in turn iog unto the Lord, and an unanin.ous acknow- ledging and difowning of thefe, the effrfts can; never ceafe. All other healing methods of for- getting or forgiving, or forbearing to refencil things difhonourable to Chrifl, 01 dcfnu&ive to*1 his caufe, are but ill-tempered plaiftcrs, cover- } ing the wound (lightly; not curing remedies,, r to take away the malignity of the hurt. This \{ is always defirable, as abiolutely neceiTary for j the well-being of a church, efpecially while ia \ the furnace of affliction; then, if ever, it may- be expelled; then, if ever, it ought to be I ftudied. The union of enemies ought to be an upflirring motive to it, and the fenfe of our ! own preiTures Ihould make us leave nothing unefTayed to accomplifli it; efpecially there is nothing more fuitable than for prifoners to ex- hort apd itir up one another to this, after the example of the Apoftle, Epb. iv. i, 2, 3. It is one way of walking worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called, to endeavour to keep ■illy of the Spirit hi the bond of peace. Bur, as this is an unity of the Spirit's working and in- .iluencing, fo it mutl be of the Spirit's ordering and directing; and not a<j£o;dmg to the di di maa's reafeu or prudence, to the pre;.
of
LETTERS. 269
of frutb. O if the Spirit of God, in mercy to ou!d exert Lis power and gracious conduct, in di {covering and determining all of us to fub- mit to the means and meafure thereof, laid down in his word ! O if there were a joining in pray- ing for, and purfuing after this! then all our disjoinings would be loon jointed together.
Now, the greateft matter or our divifions h about joining in worlhip ; for our c^efeaions have been lb d.. orderly, chat the rcod tender have thought they fall under that command of with- drawing from diforderly walkers n and this is the qucllion we would enquire a little into.
I would not have you to expert a decifion of it from me, with any tolerable accuracy; for the queftion.itfclf is fo difficult, the (rating of ic fo imrica:e% the cafes fo various, and my unac- qniintcdnefs with circu: nuances, and infufficien- cy for folving doubts fa palpable;- that, were it not that I would do all things to teftify my re- fpect to yon, and contribute my poor mite for your help and inftruftion, I fhould not have dared to mi h it : And all that I can do
15, to propofe fome generals to gpar confidera- j diftinftions to clear the ftate of the queflion, not im poling upon you, but only og you my judgment.
I think then there may be confidered feve- ral foas of JOINING io worlhip.
Fir ft) There is a joining which we call C &Cj amoogft Chciftians, confidered as fuch ; and there is a joining which, for diminutions fike, . among the members of the ch, confidered as church members. ThejSW? is founded upon the communion of faints 7 obliging all the members of the lame . inyfticaV
77o LETTERS.
bjdy, to join in all things that may cvidencelill that union: And this is capable of feveral fukm'< itftinttiom ; as,
i. There maybe a joining more general with' p all Chriftians, holding the fame fundamectal^H being of-, the lame one body, under the conduflB of the fame one fpirir, maintaining ihe famelm one hope of their calling, confeff\ng the fameiUi one Lord, profeifing the fame one faith, andfltt partaking of the fame one baptifm, Epb iv. 3 — 6mk Holy devout men out of every nation ur:der l|ff heaven, may be capable of joint afts ct worll:
ed with him, A£tsx. 34, 3c;. And forafmuch God is plealed to give any, of whaifoe\er na- tion, the like gift as he has given t:o us ; we mud BOt withftandGod. h) accounting of any unclean,] vr feparating from them, as unclean; as PeteA expounds his vifion, ACts xi. 9. 17. And (oA
;;cvcr providence calls our lot, we may join, even in woribip with all, in whom we find tbgl fime fpirit of faith, though their caufe and thel'
rd of their teftimony be not the fajnc way Rated as ours is: ai:d fo we might join in wor- Jhip with any that we find feiioas among the A- es, if we w^re in Ethiopia, whole tcitjmony is ftated againft Gentilifm ; or, if we were Anncnia, and fome other places, as the LeJJer I we might p\n in worlhip with Chrifhacs there, whole ttftimony is itated againft Twk[fm,. and that abomination of M ribomet, foppofe they were qualified, as is above mentioned.
2 There may be a joining more fpeel .
all
LETTERS. 271
ill Proteftant?, conceited in one common oppo- (ition to all the enemies of truth, and owning and defigning the advancement of reformation ; though their refpective oppofitions, contending?, and wreftlings be not the fame waj dated, nor againft the fame enemies, and the teiV.moniesbe not the fame, for one and the fame troth that oUrs is; and even though their fenrimeots about jot her thiols, extraneous te their teftimony, be Dot the fame : Providing always they hold by the truth, and nothing truth, and no-
ig contrary to any of the reformed churches tefti monies. Hence, as we nfray pray for, we may pray with, all that are fauCiiJie-.l in L , and all thai in evtry place call up \ name, who \%eur Lord and ilxlrs both, i C •>.-. With all that hold the k^e head Chrifr, and c-vn the fame allegiance to him, and depen- dence upon him ; and are not can led : every wind of do:i/:;:e; but truth
in love, iv up into biin \n all things; from
ttber, and by that which t ;, ac-
cording to the t
tvety part, ■??.. reafk of the body, tt
Eph. iv. 14, 15, 16. Withr
II who leek ami .. trine of
/, and do earn Mend
for the faith (Met ; though
their contentions be cot
his with , ver. 3. With all that
fiji the form of found iv
fus ; tho' the form in e
part and refptet be not the faro ', 7 I
luppoling it is not contradictory; for that rUte
mail be obferved, in iTj/jlyj. 3. (/
7f% L E T T E R S.
teach otherwayj) and confent not to ivbnL; \ words, even the words of our Lg> d Jtfus Chriftp\ and to the doclilne that is according to godlinefs;\ ye muft carry towards him, as ne is there de^ lcribcd by withdrawing fropt him i And yet if" we rind ProtcfUius found iruhe main, and faith^j ful to their own peculiar teftimony,- even thoughj they d ffer in fomc things from us (and, may be,j in fuch things as were not fo tcJeraWe in thofe of ] our own church, owning the fame teftimony^ with ourfelves) yet that is nor fofficient to fix a disjoining from them upon-*: For, faith the A- poftle, If in any thing ye be otberwife minded, God (hall even reveal that unto you ; never thelefj. ^hereunto zue have already attained r, let us vjalk j by the fame rule,- Phil. iii. 15, 16. And fo, e- very church and party -hath their peculiar word cf Chi id's patience to fuffer and wreftle for; fo we may join in worfhip with any of them, qua- lified as above faid; without farther fcruple or inquiry, if they hold not fome corruptions in- confident with their own teftimony: As if we were in France, we might join with Proteftants there, conteftding againft Popery, though they do not contend with us again ft Prelacy : if we were in Holland, we might join with the re- formed there, witneffing againft Socinian and Arnmian errors, though they de-cot wit ik With us againft Erqftianifnt? If in Hungary and Germany, we might join with Calvinijls there, wrcftling againft the Lutheran divifiens, though they do not wreftle againft thofe defections that are amongft us: If in England, we might j« with D'Jfjnters there, reftifying againft confor- mity with liturgical wcrihip, and the impofitions, fnares and lias they have among; them, though
they
• LETTERS. 273
they do cot teftify againft: our compliances, or indulgences,, or teftf &c. or oar otner oaths and bonds ; and even with Independents we might jo'a occallonally, for that difference is not the mat- ter of our prefect testimony. And this leads me to another fub-dift:nftion, viz.
3. There way be a joining more particularly wiib all our covenanted brethren, all our fellow- confederates in the fame Solemn League, own- ing the fame Covenant, and profecuting the fame ends thereof, though there be difference of judg- ment about the circumftantiate duties of it; and inequality as to the attainment of the ends of it ; and a d:fconformity in fome points of prac- tice, that are extraneous to them, and not the matter of cur prefent teilimony ; yet if there be an unanimous concurrence for the eftablilh- ment of the things covenanted, and for the ex- tirpation of the things abjured, we may join in ip with them upon occafion, and in every thing thstmay ftrengAen ard ftablilh them ia that covenant ; fee f/h. ii. 3. Jer. 1. 4, 5. Efpe- eially I fpeak of fellow covenanters of feveral rches and nations in league together, and not of the members of one Church, I am not come to thai ye* j As if wc were in England, or Ire* land, many things might be allowed among our 1 j both minivers and profcilbrs then*, which cannot be fo amongrt ourfelves in our own land, without fcandal: for the con-fVitution of ns governments is different, and the ics that the fame int obliges to,
a reference to rbefe fcive govern-
s are differeot, ami they never attained 1 of reformation thai we afrv re there 111 7 I
274 LETTERS.
fit
in their practice not confentaneous with oars, and yet we may join with them. There is not the fame reafon for our joining with the like a* *rcong ourfelves; they may take an indulgence, for freedom to their meetings, on far other terms than we can do; for it is not derived from \he fame fupremacy, nor pretended to be given by virtue of the fame ; though I think theirs was not right neither; yet there was not the lame fuffi- eiency of a foundation to withdraw from it, as".|n •there was from ours: and theirs did not belong to our teftimony. They might acknowledge and L plead for the freedom of their parliaments; itl were fcandalous to 60 [0 for ours, which are (oil corrupted, that they require perjury, as the ncJ|[ e'eflary qualification of their members: TheyH may own aod acknowledge a inagiftracy without jl thefe terms, that the conifcruuon of our govern* }| ment, and the obligation of our covenants, to«i| us make indifpenfible ; and fo they may have fe«4| veral tranfa&ions with their rulers, thatwecan*-! not admit of with ours: they may take the oath! of allegiance in England, as it is there conceiv-4 ed, and yet I think we may admit of a catholi<2.i joining in ads of worfhip with them. Not that 1 think thefe things are not faults ; but I jodge, they are uot fuch things as may oblige us to break - •ff from this that I call catholic Chriftian join-.- ing with them in worfhip.
Secondly, There is a joining which we call ec* cltfiojllcal, among the members of one churchy^ or formed faciety of profeffing believers, not only concerted together in the fame caule, and, tt&y be, engaged in the fome covenant, for promoving and profecuting the fame covenanted reformation ; but alfo owning an uaamia 1
fubjefiion
LETTERS. 275
rubje£tion to the fame reformed do&rine, wor- . difcipline and government, enjoying the ame pure ordinances of Chrift, difpcnfed ac- :ording to his own inftitution, by his own ap- pvinted officers and minifters, approven and :hofen, or fubmitted unto, by all the fellow- memfcers of that fociety or church : and this is i nearer joinirig, and requires more drift condi- tions, and more certain qualifications than the other. Yet this alfo may be confidered in feve- ral cafes : As,
i/?. There may be an ecclefiadical joining ia urch conftituted, and in a beautiful order, and in a fettled condition, with all the fellow- members of that church, of a found faith, and Dlamelefs profeftion; and holding forth the word oF life, with all that own the common principles, follow the common duties, profecute the common intereft, feek the common peace, oppofe the com- mon enemies of that church, even though there be fome corruptions in it. that we cannot help, fome infirmities that we mod bemoan, and yet bear with what we cannot help ; we cannot have • fo pure a church, but it will have a fpot in it: It is only the completement of the love of Chrift, when he fliall prefent it a glorious church, that can nuke it without fpot or wrinkle, or any funh thing. All the churches that Paul wrote to, had faults, errors and corruptions taxed in them ; and yet he enjoins the receiving one anoth r, bearing with infirmities, bearing one anothu's burdens, forbearing one another, and calls for love, peace and concord. The churches of had fevcral corruptions io them, and fleps of defection charged upon them, in our Lord's e- jiiftles to them ; as eutertiiuiug them that held
tkc
z?6 LETTERS.
' the do&rine of Balaam, and the Nicolaitans, and filtering Jezebel to feduce; lukewarmncfs, in- drfferency, &c. and yet there was no disjoining amongfl them upon thefe accounts, wo fcbifm fix- ed thereon. There was, no doubt, among the faithful, a confcientious withdrawing from them that held thefe dodbines, and maintained fuch pra&ices ; for no pretence of prudence, or peace and concord, can ever difpenfe with the obliga- tion of that : this (lull be at all times, and in aH cafes. But there was not a disjointing from that church, that was deficient in their difcipline a- gainft, and corredion of thefe doftrines and practices, for that would have been fcbifm: For I take the true notion of fchifm to be not every debate, diflention, or contention about truths, that's divifion, not fcbifm ; nor every falling a. way into error, that's apoftacy, not fcbifm; nor every withdrawing from the communion of the church, upon grounds true or falfe, tlm may be feparation, not fcbifm: but I take fcbifm to be a factious and diforderly disjoining and breaking1 off from a conftitute church, into which perfons' were formerly joined ; and taking feparate courfes at their own hand, without any refped: to the peace, or order of the church; or the methods laid down by Chrift; to take away that which' fcatidalized ; or to their own fphere or capacity in which they are, that is fcbifm. I cannot find it but once esprefl: in our transition, that is, i Cor. xii. 25. where the way to cure and prevent it, gives us fome underflanding of the nature of it, to wir, That the members flioaldbaie the fame care cne for another ; ar»d where, without any re- gard to this, we turn a fide by theflcckr cfCbrift's companions, and leave the ihepherds a:,d the
flocks,
LETTERS. 277
flocks, and will feed by ourfelves, Cant. i. 7, 8. we commit fchifm, a great fin; but it is many times charged on practices which will not bear \z? i in feaions when it cannot readily be com- I mitted; for, in the broken ftate of a church, lifcepi ng ourfelves free ofdcfe&ions, though in* feparare way, withdrawing from perfons which. wc were never joined with, in a time when the church hath no order to reftify or remove offen- ces, and Chrift's method cannot be obtained,, that can be no fchifm; but when the church is rightly conftitute, as the caufes of disjoining; and withdrawing from congregations, or perfons, bay be orderly removed; fo the cafes where! a k may be allowed, and the methods of it, may. be more eaf:!y flared; Chrift's common rule doth fufikiendy order all things in that cafe. Matib. xviii. 15 — 2c. I ftay the longer upon this, to obviate the cavils of fome, againft con- uious withdrawn from, and wkneilers a- lefe&ions, whom they call, upon thac accent, SckilhiLitks and Sspnratifts, becaufc j!: oti from them at their own band, not join with perfons guilty of defec- cr fcandals; and yet the C3ie is not deter- lcd by a church judicatory. I grant indeed, from what is laid, it willrfollow, that if < church were coiijlitute as formerly , if we ihould disjoin from worihip with the Indulged, or Conn- tcnanccrs of Prelacy, or Banders, or Tellers, or Alledgcrs, &t. we might incur a cenlure for what like that; but it cannot be fo now, when that method cannot be followed; yet we arc obliged ro follow it as much as we can, and thac i? by doing the equivM :h as, it is ma-
ou!d incur the fentence of excommv: A a cation,
y
p1
i-
k
t
278 LETTER S.
cation, after admonition reje&ed, we may with- draw our communion from them ; fuch as would be liable to a fufpenfion, we may withhold our1' hearing and joining with them ; fuch as would be feverely rebuked, we may fhow fome difcoun tenance, to reftify our diflike of their ways ; not taking upon us to infiidtthefe things as cenfures, for we have no power, but only iignifying our fenfe of the moral obligation and equity cf thele cenfures, whether they be infliSed or nor. Bdt before I leave this I would add a fuhordi- nate diftinction of this joining, in a twofold cafe.
1. Y/hen a conflitute church is advancing, snJ growing up gradually unto a reformation, f !:crc may be a joining with many thing?, that btberwife we ought not to couutenance: we may rhen wave and forbear fome debates about things not fo material, nor the matter of the prelent teftimony ; contending about which might retard and hinder rhe intended reforma- rioti. Hereupon we find that the apoftles and elders, in the firft general aflembly at Jerufdem, condefcendedto fome things, to pleafe the Jetvs, laying upon the Gentiles iome things (only cere- monial burdens) as abiavkmgfrom meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things jlr angled, A&s xv. 19. 29. which decrees were afterward retracted, and were of no force : In thi3 cafe the Apoitle'-iJ rule is to be obferved. 1 Cor, h. 19 — 24. and all things are to be done by way of condefcendency, confiftent with duty and edifi- . to avoid offence to the church of God, 1 Cor. x. 32, 33. Then fpecial regard is to be had to thefe^excellent gofpel-commands, ofhav* beats with one another, Mark ix. 50. 1 The(T.
V. 17.
LETTERS. 279
13 By love ferving one another, without biting and devouring one another, Gal. v. 13. 15. With nil loirlinefs, and vieeknefs, and long-Jujfering, forbearing one another in love, Eph. iv. 2. Bear- ing one another9! burdens, Gal. vi. 2. and many o- t-hers. And fo we find that our father? (offered many tilings, that are not fo tolerable, as hear- ing of Epiicopal men ; bearing long with lay- patronages ; voluntary fubmittmg to the ma, Urates uujiht ientence of confinement, &c. all which are exploded and expelled out of the fo* cieties of the faithful.
2. When the fame conftitute church is dc: dining: and filling backward from a decree of Reformation attained, tho' there may be joining with the fame church (as was formerly proved from the inftance of ibme of the Afian churches) yet there mud not be a joining in thefe defec- tions, nor with tho;e that promove them ; but an earneit contending, and a zealous witn< and wreftling ag'ainfl the firft motions of them ; and a contending for the faith once delivered to the faints, Jude 3. Then we niuit with all dili- gence and hkhlulncis, hold faft what \ e hare attained, Rev.ii. 25. chap. iii. 1 1. Then we mult ftrengthenthe things that remain and ate ready to die, v. 2. and Jl and faft in the liberty when .: us free, and not to be enta with any yoke of bondage, Gal. v. 1. 1 :ft fame decrees of the apoflles, of abftaining f;oru meats ottered to idols, were afterwards declared indifferent, 1 Cor. viii. and x'. chap, and after- ward both that, and other indifferent ol ances, were condemned, as in the cafe c! ter% doing the fame, Gal. ii. n. It was allow- that Tmvjthy (hould be riroimctfed 5 bin A a 2 this
alo LETTERS.
this would have been finful to do it to Titus, No, Paid would not fubject to that for an hour, nor condelcend to the quitting the feail hair- breadth of truth, or Chriftian liberty, topleafure- them, whom yet he had pleafured before, GaL it. 3. 5. no, the cafe was now altered.
idly. There may be a joining in a church brok- en and born down, and perfecuted ; th^n uoion is mod defirable and neceflary. The ihetp Ihould run together when the wolves are ravening a- mongft them : Chrift's doves flioald flock toge- ther to their rocks, when the ftorm is mod boif- terous; then a gathering togetber, though as a nation not defired with one confent before the, decree bring forth, and the clay pafs as the chaff;, and a feeking the Lord, and a feeking with one- confent; and a feeking meeknefs as well as ?igb- teoufnefs, that it may be they be hid together % And it is very fuitable, that the furnace fliould make the gold run together in a lump, even though forae drofs be inseparable from it. Then an union in the Lord, and a joining, as far. as it can confift with truth and duty, is a thing; earneftly to be endeavoured, and, I hope, in- lenfly defired by all, who are fenfible of the pre- ient breach and woful defection, and wretched di» vifion of the church of Scotland But in this cafef as this joining is moll defirable, fo it is moll difficult; and the due meafurea thereof hardeft to be determined, and the true methods there- of moft warily to be fixed ; for certain it is that it muft not be unlimited and unreftri&ed, cor proraifenoufiy to be fought and kept with ail,, with whom formerly in the church's conftitute and lettled condition we joined, and with whom we tetk fuaeet Counfel together, and went into the
bouji
LETTERS. 28£
boufe of God in company. We woul d i ndeed j oi a with ail that will declare themfelves for our Lord, in this day of the heathen's raging, a*id the people's tumultuating againfl hirn^^nd his lDterefts; with all the faithful friends of Chrilr, in a joint oppofition againft all his enemies; with all the lovers uf Ziony that take pleafurc in the ftones, and favour the duji thereof; with all that own and efpoufe our Lord's quarrel, and every part of it, which the enemy oppofeth : la a word, with all that keep their ground and go forward, but will not go back one ftep from U attained-unto reforrrjaiion. But we muft not joia wiih all, nor fay, A confederacy wi:h all i it, out of fear, or a prepofterous defire of peace, with prejudice to truth and duty; even thong we fnould be for figns and wonders in Ifraely Iia. viii. 12. 1 8. For that were a combination a- gainft the Lord, rather than an union in the Lord: Nay, we muft rather prefer toembaik our lot with the little flock, that foilows Chriit, and refufes to hear the voice of it rangers, and i *he few names that have kept cleaned garments, than the multitude of thofe, who leave the right way; even though reputed wifer and more pru- dent, and continuing ftill eminent in piety : We would love peace, but we muft love the truth firft, and beft, Zech. viii. 19. As I laid, in a declining time, even while the church continues conilitutc, we muft not give fuch a latitude u> our joining with perfons and things, as formerly we might, when reformation was iipoa the a- fcendaut ; fo much more in a broken ftate ought it to be re ft ruled yet more ; for neither are we to join with all whom, :fervation oi'
the thuich's order, we might
A a 3 ioi
i$i LETTERS.
for now that is not, nor can that fame methoc and order of fufpending our withdrawing from perfons or things, until the church's jurifdiftior decide ;lt, be obferved; for then it would folljc low, tliat nothing, or no perfon, fhould be with-|i drawn from at all ; for the church now hath no juridical power. In this cafe, then the queftioa may be twofold:
(i.) What minifters we may join with?
\2>) What profeflbrs we may join with?
(i.) For the firft, we need not infift on it; for neither do ye itand in need to be informed of that, nor is it the prefent queftion that ye are inquifitrve about; nor, alas! are ye in a ca- pacity to hear any, nor (which requires a move weighty alas /J are ihere many to be heard by any that long after Chrift's pure ordinances I but yet, by the way, becaufe it falls in here, I ihall hinta fhort word of my thoughts onthattoo.
I judge then they may come under a twofold comlderation. Either as they are minifters of a national church, devorcd to the fervice of that confociation of churches in one nation, united under one kind of government, and fubject to the conftitutions of that collective church ; for fo, next to this their relation to the church uni- verfal vifible, they are to be confidered, as hav- jng a primary relation unto, and a dependence •upon, and incorporation with that church, as the cbjedt of their miniftry : Or, they may be confidered, as the particular pallors of a coiigre- l Rational church, ordained for and cholen by the members of that particular congregation. This hit, as to the exercife of it, may be hindered by mens violence, though the relation itfelf can cever be taken away, but by them that gave
" *and •
LETTERS. 283
and confented unto it ; fothat we ought to have a particular tendernefs of refpcft to them, who were our padors by and according to Cbrift's ap- pointment, when we cannot enjoy their fixed minidry; aDd we fliould be loather to difcounte- cance them than any : and if we could do it ei- ther in confeience or fafcty, if he will abide Vfhh us, we ou'jjht to adhere to him ; but fo, as not to confine him, or monopolize tbegofpcl to ourfclves, with prejudice of the public good of the national church. Yet I think every parith, as it is called, that had a faithful minirter, continues io dill, lhould mahnain and entertain him, as much as they can, without wronging others. Bjt fuppofe a minifter could have a fixed Ration amongd a people, even in this dif. turbed date of the church, and turned either in- efficient or fcandalous, dfr unfaithful, and fo de- ferved a fufpenlion, I conceive the people have power from Chrift, when a prcibytery cannot be had, to do the equivalent of it. Burrow, when this is not pra i look upon all
our miniders under the firft confideration, and them, by joining with them, or m them, a), or elfe
e unfaithful miniders of the church of according as they carry toward* the common caufe for which they are coniecrated, and the common tedimony for the word of Chrid's patience, which they are cal'ed to And hence, becauie^thcy are oar own jniniders by the ncared ties, that we can have in this dilor- dcrcd time; therefore, be iful, we owe to
them all the :othemin
this national capacity, ;e to them
in acongregatic C were IJ9 that czjfz
as
i
i
284 L E T T E R S.
as w.know them that labour amongft u?, and admo* nijb us,and to efleeni them very highly far their work's fake, 1 Tbefl'. v. 12. 13. and to obey them that have rule over us, and iubmic ourfelves; feeing they watch for our fouls, as they that mujl give an ' account ; that they may do it with joy, and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for Utr Heb. xiii. 17. And it follows alfo, bccaufe they are our own, therefore, being unfaithful, we fliould take the greater faithful freedom to tell them when they offend ais, and difcountenance them, when they deferve it, more than is incum- bent upon us, or pertinent for us to do with o- thers; we would not take upon us to judge them, but we would have a judgment of our own duty, how to carry towards them: and this cannot be: offenfive to confcientious minifters, who, as they (hould be, are more tender of their Maker's ho- nour, than of their own perfonal credit : sndX judge, there are none fuch in Scotland this day,\ whom the zeal of their God, and c-f his houfe i$! eating up, and on whom the reproaches ofl them that reproached him are fallen, and who! are confeientioufly tender alfo of the church's? peace, confident with truths but they are fo coni fcious of their own fhort- comings, faintings antfl failings in the duty of this day, that they wilB be content, the bell: of them to be reproved, by the pooreit plowman in the nation, that hatty the caufe of God rightly ftated in his heart; amf will take it as oil to his head. And I am fare*; if more of this gofpel fpirit were among (I usf ©ur difficulties and divifions might foon be over£ toaac : but alas! it is not fo; and therefore roa.< j:y poor mourners are in the mift what to do, tnd with whom to join.
LETTERS. 285
I would only propofe in the general, who I ;hink we fliould have a care of joining with: It s difficult to determine particulars, a ad I think X a great defecl, that hitherto (norwithftanding >f the heat of this debate, and the hurt of our larknefs about it; yet) this quefiion hath not )een determined about hearing and not bea are would be tender of minifters, and think ic langerous, upon light grounds, to break or deny l minifler's cornmifiion; it cannot be every dif- ference of judgment, or perfonal failing of infir- nity, or fome difcoveredhypocrify, felf-feeking, >r emulation, that may be a fuiScient ground of xur withdrawing from a minuter ; fome may neach Cbrijl out of envy andftrife, of contention, lot fincerely ; noiwithftanding every way^ whether u pretence or in truth , Cbrijl is preached, and herein we ought to rejoice; if he be preached jy them that have a call to it, BkiL i. 15, — 18-. fet upon feveral grounds we may warrantably withdraw, and refute to join with many,
1. As firft, we cannot join with fuch as Chrift'i toibafladors, who never had a commiifion from }im in his orderly appointed way, but either 00k it up at their own hand, or eife from I
hat have none themfclves to give ; as the Pre- atic curates, ordained by the bilhops; thefe are ucli as run, and are not lent, .1 21,22.
|,nd how /hall they preach, except they he Jent * R.OW. x. 15. thefe are Grangers, that the ilieep hould not hear, John x. 15,
2. We cannot join with iuch, as it m.i lad a commifTio.
• ay it tilde, or to take a 1 "uch old IV as as conformed 10 .
a d
286 L E T T E 11 S.
and fach as fuhmitted by the a6t of Glafgovj, t« their deposition,, and never avouched publiclj their minifterial exercife fince ; but privately would preach now and then : and fuch likewise who have confented to the giving a bond not to exercife their miniftry for fuch a. time-, upon the councils order ; theie are light and treacherous perfons, polluting the fan&uary, who have done, and fuffered violence to be done to the law oi their matter, Zeph. iii. 4.
3. We cannot join with fuch, who pretend to keep their old coiumiffion, but they have chang- ed the holding of it, and taken a new grant of it from the ufurper of their Matter's prerogatives, with fuch inftruitions as are difhonourable to him, and deftrudlive to his kingdom's liberties; which, though they did not keep, nor poffibl did not mind to keep them, yet they did not di own and reject them with a teftiraony: the: have become fervants of men, and have not kept their Matter's command without fpot, um rebukable, until his appearing; fuch are the in dulged, and their brethren, the connived clergy, who tacitely, though not lb expredy dii officiate by virtue of the fame new grant. |H could never find % folid argument again ft hearing cf the curates, which did not as forcibly mili- tate a^ainft the indulged.
4. We cannot jom with fuch a3 have pervert- •! ed their commifTion, or corruped it, either by preaching falfe do&rine, or making falfe appli- cation of true doflrine; condemning the genera- tion of the righteous, perverting people from the right ways of the Lord, condemning duty, j and approving fin, and leading into fnares, and j defending and pleading for defection. We mutt
ceafi
LETTER S. 287
teafe to hear the infxruCiion that catifeth to err from the words of knowledge, Prov. xix. 27. And fuch leaders caufe the people to err, and they that a?e led of them we dejtroyed, Ifa. ix. 16. Such are many of 'cur time-ierving daubers with untempered mortar, Ezek xxii. 28.
5. We cannot join with fuch as thereupon caufe divifions and offences, contrary to the doc- trine which we have learned ; either by maintain- irg the caufes of thefe divifions, or cading fewel on that fire, by reproaching the faithful; or by good words and fair fpeeches deceiving the hearts of the fimple, Rom. xvi. 17, 18.
6. We cannot join with fuch as have forfeited their com miffion, either by grofsfcandals and dif- orderly walking, either in their perlonal or mi- hifteria! capacity ; or by lying fey, and doing no- thing in fuch a day, wherein there is fo much to do, not lifting up their voice like a trum- pet, C-c. but are finfuliy filent, as to the fins
:res of the time; have not difcovered our feenfor ns falfe hfcdcnf, and , Lam. ii. 14. We ice the lotence and cenfure of fuch Lcvites from the ford, Ezek. xliv. 9, — 15. Thefe would defervc the cenfure of the church, if ever they recover- td their orderly jurifdiclion ; but all that Chrifli- ans can do in recognition of that, is to withdraw from them; thee is no other remedy without of their fin: but I do not think this :(liouii be done haftify at firft, bi:t in the gofpd method, after admonition, and reliin^ them to eed to their miniftry, again and again re- peated, and rcjefled ; and then it mull needs fol- low, ay and while the offence be taken awaj by iQme acknowledgment or amendment.
The
sSB LETTERS.
Thefecond inquiry is more of your concern
ment, What profcffjrs may be joined with i
foch a day? And alas, that there (hould be fuc
occafion given for that cueflion by the fcanda
ous ftumoiiogs of many, and jumblings of others
but it is a day wherein the joining that is defire*
cannot be in and upon the fame centre Chrift
-aud fo cannot be fledfaft; a day wherein he tha
is for a fandtuary to fome, is a ftone of ftumbliq
and rock of o&nce to others ; and fo there car
not be a good agreement among fuch, and many, e
ven thegreateft pzn, have fiiwibled, and are fallen
and broken, and flared, and taken, Ifa. viii. 14
15. and this makes it> a day of trouble, and o
treading down, and perpiexky in the valley o
vifion, Ifa. xxii.,5. This makes it difficult t(
determine ; and this difficulty is fo much th<
greater mifery, that there are fo few that re-
Caip any profeffion ; and yet among theie few
there cannot be a joining in the Loid, withou
,0 and vmglings : this is fad, and ought tc
be mourned over, and all endeavours ought tc
be ufed to have it removed: we would deiire tc!
\&j tendernefs, to frrengthen that much decay.
ed brotherly love, fo much commended, anc
ftridlly commanded in the gofpel; it is the nes*
commandment of our Lord, in the New Tefta
ment, whereby we (hall be known to be hi*
difcipies, John xiii. 34, 35. The followers 0)
God, as dear children, lhould walk in love, as
Chriji alfo lovsd them, Eph. v. 1, 2. It is the
defire ot my foul to be at that conflift, that
the apollle had, for all the profeflbrs in Scotland,
that their hearts might be comforted, being hnt
together in love, and unto all riches of the full af
finance of iindcrjtanding9'~Go\* ii. 1, 2. But as
for
LETTERS. 289
■ Jr you brethren, as touching brotherly love, I
Iipe, ye need not that I Jhould write unto you;
: t r your/elves nre taught cf God to love one ano-
;r% 1 ThefT. iv. 9. Divifion is always a great
:.;Tiifchief; but never fo miferable, as in a declin-
j deftroying time, and a defolating day as this
. See how much the holy apoftle is concern-
1 about it, and what account tlie Spirit of God
(lakes of it, 1 Cor. i. 10. iii. 3. xi.18, 33. ArA here would be lefs divifion, if love to Chrifl .1 the brethren were in vigour; and I am con- »[, that where it is fincere, differences in ^Htuent will nor alienate mutual affection, nor ^■different pra&ice. or fault which the mrr, ; love can cover, will be a fufficient ground of joining amongft friends to the canfe of Chrift. U would fain join with all that are faithful to Ithe intereft of Chrift, as in their underftanding fit is dated, that are foreward in expreffing. their . z to Chrift, that are faithful in agofpelconver- - on, that will join with us in a free and J confefiion, forfaking and mourning over the ini- ies of the time; even though they and .:ot fay the fame thing in every refpeft; yet if we can agree in the matter of the prefl imony, and' word of Chrift's patience, in 1 hour of temptation, we defire to join with thetfr, as fir as may be. Bat it is undeniable, that we cannot join with all that have a profefton, or a ne; (or fame do walk, of whom ' fay.
tell it with im )at they iv
the oofs cf Chrift, both to the do&rine, and matter, and reproaches, and bearing of the crofs ofChrift; many fo diforderly in theii that
1 for the honour of the gofpei, for our own for their edification and cotrttdv B.b we
29o LETTERS.
we muft withdraw both from their way and fj| their worihip ; many fo whorilh in their J ing from the Lord, and fo treacherous in til departings from his right way to the coml ances of the time, that we muft not join u| them in their facrifices, becaufe dilpleaiingl the Lord, their offerings are as the bread of moi\ ers ; all that eat thereof ft all be -polluted, for t\ bread for their foul flail not come into the lxA of the Lord ; and (hould not, by our confel Hof ix. 4. And fo much the rather we fnoil note them, and be cautious in our joining wf them, becaufe they are brethren; if they were loo ed upon only as Chriftians in a common relatic we could allow many of them a catholic joinin] if they were only refpefted under the notion! Protectants, we could allow many of them a g neral joining; if only as our covenanted conf derates or Prefbyterians, we could allow them more particular joining: but being brethren the fame national church, we muft take a mo: narrow and particular cognizance of their carr age to us, and of ours to them. We grant, the church were in its eftablifhed ftrength c order, we needed not be fo pinched, cor fo pre ci!e in our withdraw'! ngs in Chriftian feOowlhip . for then congregational, or preibyterial, or pre vincial dilcipline, would, by their cenfures, pre elude all fuch fcrnplings, by putting a note upoi fuch, in an orderly way : bat now, all that i ]eft us to do in the cale, is to teftify our difap ^proving their enormities, by our withdrawing from, and non-communion with them. But hen alfo, leveral cafes are to be diftinguilhed.
Firft, There may be an occafional joining wit! ;,prcfdlbrs, whom providence may call in on
cos*
LETTERS. 291
".;/, or us into theirs; and in this, I think ■ need not be fo critic, but we may very ccr- ally join with fucfc, who in their difcourfes and "age favour the things of God, and the con- Iras of hi3 kingdom ; with all who feem to have |e image of Chrift itamped on them, with all jfio feem to be fellow-heirs of the grace of life, fith all who in the judgment of charity canno: lr charged or fuipedted to be fcandalous, or di- iders, or patrons of defection: For, as on the
! :d, ChrilVians (though unknown to c::e Hither) yet have a fecrct fenfe andfeelipg of o- afcrs their fei low- partakers of the like precious/ aith, and the fame divine nature; as they that ttve the mafon-word are faid to know bre'.; if the trade by their common figns; fo they feve a common inclination of love one to ano- ther, and a conftaut likiug of that mcflage we lieaid from the beginning, that we ihouid iove &ne another, 1 John iii. 11. And this is the property of love, that it is not iuipicious, love fchaveth not itfelf unfeemly, ihinketh ne 1 it beareth all things, believeth all things, hop-- Cth all things, erdurcth all things, 1 Cor. xiii. 5. 7. Therefore we ought not to withdraw 1 our brethren, whom wediicover to be fuch, before *e discover them alio to be falle brethren, or fuch as we cancel-join with ; except in diicourf- ing ot the courfes of the times, ibej
jlvcs to be guilty of luih things, a cannot join with.
luiiy, There may a fixed, flated j( with profeffing brethren in iocietics and fcl fcrps, formed and appointed tor prayer arid
1 is the heft model we Bpw; inilcad of, and in imitation ol bui B b 2 brc
292 LETTERS.
broken congregations; and mod neceflary to kept up, as being often blefled feminaries of ligion, nurferies of zeal, and of the life of gc linefs ; blefled often with the prcfence and couit tenance of God, and not wanting his inllitutioli as well as approbation. It was the approval pra&ice of the fearers of the Lord under the 0 \\ Tellament, to /peak often one to another, and it Lord hearkened and heard it : and a book of rJ membranes was written before him for them; tht fball be mine, faith he, in the day that 1 r, my jewels: If any be fpared in a day of de(jH| tion it (lull be they, Mal.\\\. 16. 17. This wal in their private focieties. So we find in the Ne\j Teftaroerit, both the places where they were! and their work they were employed about; thai was one of them at Philippi, where Paid wen: out by the river fide, where prayer was w be made, where iome women reforted, Ac is xvi.j 1 j. And iome alfo that were not baptized, a- mong whom was Lydia; and therefore I think, fome ignorant creatures that defire to be inflat- ed, iliould be admitted to your Chriftiau fellow- fliips to hear, where conveniency will allow, though not to be employed. So I think, fucb private focieties as thefe are intimated, wheo we read of a church in fuch a family or houfe- hold, as in Rom. xvi. The church in P and Aquila's houl'e ; them which are of Jrijtobm lush houfehold; thefe of the houfehold 0: €iffus, and the like ; they were only families; ihele cannot be called churches, nor were they congregations, having their own eleded elders and minifters; there could not be fo many of thenrin the church of Rome at that time ; there- fore they mufthave been only Chriftian fellowfhips.
Their
LETTERS. 293
Their work was, to comfort themfelves toge- ther, and eclify one another, and warn the un- ruly, confirm the feeble minded, and ibpporc the weak; to confider one another, and^o pro- voke one another to love, and to good work?, tnd exhort one another. For this caufe, they re not to for fake the ajfttnbling themfelves lege- as the manner of fome ivas, Heb._ x. a ■ d it is to be remarked, that it is reckoned a ilful finning, the danger of which is there held forth, to forfetae fuch meetings. Bat there is not fceh queftion made about their inftirutibn as B*fbeir conltitution, or who they are that may be I admitted members of fuch focieties? and who [ ought not to be admitted ? It is difficult to p;e- Thrit>e particular rules in this matter ; only in the general, I think it unliable, that there inoft no: ■ba promifcunus admiffion of all that may d:: k, nor of. all that might be continued members of a particular congregation ; for perfons may beadn-ittedtothat who are ignorant, or children ; here that were very unfuitab-e, for there is a great difference betwixt the two. They differ in the terms of the entry, as we may perceive; for either if they be children of church members, cr perfons of a blamelefs walk, they may be -admir- ed there: this requires more qoalvfioattoot fer in the order of exclufion ; there th< the advantage of an authoritatr tod
; (tative fentence; here only can be a b therly and charitative difcountenr.. Bote of nor- communion : they differ in tbe na- ture and ends of their conftitotion ; the one for gathering and converting of fouls to [| grace of the gofpcl by officers, as well as .
s94 LETTERS.
only for confirming, comforting, admonifhing, exhorting profeffing believers, and praying to gether for their mutual help in the duties of Chriftitnity ; fo that it is fuppofed, that they arel qualified Clfnftians, at leaft vifibly called and. profeffing faints, that are to join together in juch a fociety ; and therefore, as they ought to be perfons of unftained profeffion, and unre buyable integrity, and fome experience in the way of God, who are by turns to be employ- ed as the mouth of the reft in prayer or confer- ence; though it be not requifite that they gives a diftin<5t account of their being in a ftite of! grace, or evidence much knowledge, yet the more of that the better, and the more comfort- able, at leaft they ought to give difcoverie$ or their ferioufnefs, m minding religion as their bj- iinefs; fo there mull be fome kind of trial and knowledge of the perfons prerequifite : and ak beit it be not necelfary, and is not attainable* that the perfons be all of one mind in every, thing, yet there muft be an agreement in the chief controverfies of the time, and the matters* of the prefent teftimeny, and in the things that that community have ftated their witneffing and-, fuffcriog upon; otherwife they cannot avoid de- bates in their conference, and jars and jufllings. in their prayers,, and fo can have no comfortable communion together, which is very inconveni- ent; and therefore, there may be tomewhat like articles condescended upon ; but iliefe lhould- be as few and general as may be, to avoid the cenfure and fcandal of fi-ngularity or feparation. I lhall therefore give a h n't wbil I think ought cot to debar perfons frcja our fecictlcs, and
what
LETTERS. i9S
;hat ought, and may be (efficient grounds of on-admiffion, or exclufion.
i. I conceive, that ignorance in matters of aft, or of duty in fome things, through want of nformation, fhould not debar a man ; or that /hich follows upon the former, a fcrupling cr oubting to approve or condemn fome things, hat they had no opportunity to be inftrufted in >efore, need not hinder a joining ; for fo we find jquila and Pfijcilla took unto them Apolios, to© wing only the baptifm of John, and expound- 4 to him die way of God aore perfe&ly, Acts iviii. 26.
2. Difference of j-jdgment ought not to hin- ler joining, if it be either in thing* indifferent >r not material, nor not the prefect word of pa- ience and matter of teftimony; for in theft lliings ; if we account ourfelves ftmnger and more knowing, we ought to receive him that is weak} kit not to d'Atbtful deputations > Rom. xiv. 1. Nor, that which follows upon the former, every dif- ference in practice according to light and the judgment of conscience ; in things that are not formally diiordcrly, though we could not allow it in ourfelves, ought not to demur us in our pining with the man, that did it with regard to the Lord, Rom. xiv. 6. &c. Judge nothing I the time, until the Ltrd come, who will Mix I'gb't tic hidden things of d.vhiefs, and manifeji the coimfels cf the hearts; an 1 every
man have praife of God, 1 Cor. Wt 5. See alio Phil. iii. 15, 16. a paflagc much to be pondered. 3. JVeabicfs or infirmities ought not to liin.ier our joining: We then thai are f\ 1 i to hear with the iiifii mities of the 1 not to ptrafe our/elves x kcui. xv< 1. This v
yxis
a96 LETTERS.
Bcfs may be considered as threefold : (r.) tfg I rural wcaknefs, as infirmity of parrs, of know ledge, or courage, &c. Thefe arc infirmities and very disadvantageous to thole that laboui under them : but we mud bear one another's bto dens, and fo fulfil the law ofCbrift, Gal. vi. 2 (2.) Spiritual weaknefs, as of the grace of faith or love, zeal or patience ; when we perceive fome evidences of hypocrify, or unbelief, or fe- curity, orcoldnefs, or fome rifings of paffion 6r. we muft not caft at them for fuel] things; but bear with ihem, and forbear, with all low^incfi and meeknefs, Epb.'w. 2. (3.) Mo*al vjeaknefi) that is, fins of infirmity :• I call fins of ini ,
either fins of ignorance, or perianal efcapc 1 m allowed, or fuch as the perfon hath bfen hurrijM into by a furprifing temptation, out of fear, or in delation, &c. which we duift net do.^^H would he have done, if -he. bad been hiimH though we ought to reprove our brother for thefe things, and not fuffer fin upon him ; yet we mu . not disjoin from h'm, but receive him for all that; Receive ye one- another, as Chrifi alfo re- ceived its to the glory of Gody Rom. xv. 7, Now, ye know Chrift received us with many faults; lo like wife if a man be overt aken-in a fault, we which ^ *re fpiriutal fhould reftore fitch a one in thefpirit cfmeeknefs, confidering omfelves, led we alf tempted, Gal. vi. 1. Thele, and the like, are not fufficient grounds of demurring, or refufi. g to join with our profefung brethren. But,
Secondly, I think thefe following are iLfficicr:.
1. Herefy, or dangerous errors, ought to ds- bar men from our fellowthip, and us from theirs, Titus 111 . to. A man that is an heretic, after tl firji ax* fecund admonition^ rejttt: which, com-
maud
LETTERS. 297
laand mufl have place, even when ordinary ju- rifdi&ion, and orderly procedure of church di£ cipline cannot be had ; for the reafon iubjoined cleareth it, Knowing that he that is fuch, is fub* iverted, and jinneih, being condemned of himfelf : And therefore, where the error is fuch, that the pcribn owning it is fubvtrted, and it is of a fub- vertiug nature, and others like to be in danger ief the leaven of it, he is condemned of him- jelf, there is no need of our fufpending, of our withdrawing from him, till he be legally con- demned. 1 do not think that this is to be re- J to theic errors that are called fundameth- tal, overturning the dodrine of falvation ; but to be extended even to thole that are contra- dictory to our common Confeflion of all ortho- dox troths, as received by all of our commu- nion; either by maintaining errors condemned thereby, or condemning truths maintained there- - (by: \Vc mean, if fuch errors be owned by fuch or are, looked upon as our brethren ; for otherwifc we may allow them a catholic or Sonal communion.
cy, or falling from the truth former- lild by our brother, and now Hated by as tie matter of our wirnefs and teftimon) ; at as John defines it, ard prefcribes our car- ge in that cafe, IVhofoever tranfgreffeth, < ifieth not in the doctrine <f Chiij}, and vihsfocvcr ill come unto you, and brings not this doc- trine, receive bim ftot into your boufes, neither him God fpeed .• for he that b'uUL tb him God is partaker of his evil deeds, 2 John 9, 10, 11. This is no breach of brotherly love; for his is love, that we walk after h 1 uidmtnts;
d this is the commandment, thai as ye heard]
tbe
298 LETTERS.
the beginning, ye Jliould vjalkin it, verfes5ih and 6th of that epiftle.
3. Such as do not, in their own judgment and practice, fall from the truth, yet maintain, de- fend, and patronize defection, and ftrengthen it, , and harden them that are engaged in it ; To that none doth return from his wickedneis ; fuch mud not be joined with: which was the hor- rible thing the Lord law in the prophets of Jem- falem, Jer. xxiii. 14. It is aUo horrible in pro- feflbrs. Some will not' a&ually joiu in building the wall themfelves, but they will daub it with nntempered mortar, and by their countenances and concurrence ftrengthen the .builders, Ezeh xhi. 10. &e. A WO is there pronounced again ft' fuch as few pillows tinder arm-holes, and mak& kerchiefs upon the head of every /future ; and upon fuch as make the heart of the righteous fad, whom the Lord hath not made fad; and ftrengthen the bands of the wicked, v. 18 — 22. We ihould have a care to avoid that wo, which we cannot doll if we be partakers with them, Eph. v. 7. WcJ make ourfelves partakers with them, when w« countenance them : we muft have a care oli fuch leaven in our focieties ; for -a Utile leavtn leaveneth the whole lump: fo we mud not be un- equally yoked in our joinings in fellowflim What fellow/hip hath righieoufiiefs with un.ighvm onlhefs ?-light with dai kuefs •'?--Chrijt with Belitdw Wherefore come ye out from among them, and be ye feparate, and touch not the Unclean thing, &c? iCor. vi. 14. to the end. The place is not only meant 'of affinity in marriage, bur of Chnftian church -fellowttnp; and is fpoken of fuch as did not make confeienceof feparating from idolatry and uncleanaefs altogether, bur thought that they a m might
LETTERS. 299
Hjighi join with both. The Apoftle calls thac an unequal yoking. If then we muft feparate from all tbeie things that are unfuitable to Chriftiaa communion, then we mud leave thefe that will not feparate, but will maintain their own, or o- thers way ot lax compliances, which do provoke 6od to feparate from them. I do not fay, that we muft feparate from all, that have not the fame clearnefs of feparating from every thing that we feparate from; for that may proceed, either from ignorance, or want of informaron, or difference ofjudgfnent, or weaknefs ; which, I was (hewing before, could not be ftfficient ro found a withdrawing upon : but I fpeak now of te defenders of palpable deft&ions; I udge thefe are not to be with.
4. More especially and undeniably, fuch as ire guilty of defeSicru in their practice, unruly nd drorde . ir way, walking contrary to
he rec: e, and in a way inconiiftent with
he prefent v cf the godly, are not to
e joined with ; elpecially if they have the re- nte, and come under the notion of brethren: or fo much ma; oftle's diffuafivc bear in
he genera!, when lie wrote unto the Corintl
epiftle, Not to keep company with formca* wetous, extortioners ; not fo much with thcrs in the world (for, if common converlc pft be thefe, then muft we go out
vorld) as efpecially, if any that is called a be fuch, with fuch an one, no not to car, or communicat iftian fel-
, 1 Cor. v. 9 10, 11. Muc muft
e avo: if they be de < rters
f the caufe and truths of Chrift : if compilers fnarei of the time ; if
CGQ-
3oo LETTERS.
conformers with the gayfe of this world, in op pofing our teftimony, the argument will hole good a fortiori-: You have the Apoftle's indifpen- able command, in the name of our Lord Jefus Cbriji, that ye withdraw yourfelves from every brother that vjalketb diforderly9 and not after the tradition he bath received of us .• And, if any man obey not the word, (efpecially if it be the word of Chrift's patience) note that many and have no company with bhn, that he may be aflmmed ; yet to account him, not as an enemy, hut to admomfb . him as a brother, 2 Theff iii. 6, 14, 15.
5. I think a!fo, fomewhat of that enjoinec order of Chrift's mud not be baulked, anc wholly laid alide, even when the church cannot have its exercife of jiirifdi&ion and legal cenfure, in the cafe of a brother's perfonal trefpafs, or offence, or feudal, even in lefler matters, if he be obftinaie and contumacious, after many re- peated admonitions; then, when we cannot get a church to tell it to, we may put a note upon 1 him (at leaft when we cannot pafs a fencence] that he may be alhamed ; that is, by withdraw- ing from him, and not to admit him to join, as before, in our fellowihips. 1 doubt not but our' Lord did leave fomething of this order to be ob- ferved :a all times, even when in his wifdom he did forefee, that his people might be in fuch a condition, as that they could not have a church- judicatory ; and this he feeras to innnuate, when he allows fomething of this power and promifq alfo, to two or three met together in his name, Mattb. iii. 15 — 20. There is certainly much need of caution here, to beware of prejudice or pre- fump:ion, or precipitancy: but as far as can confiit with our own peace of confeience, or
OUf
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[)ur brother's edification, all place would be given 1 0 bearing with, and forbearing, and forgiving ill trefpafles againft ourfelves ; as Peter's quei- :ion, Kow often he mud forgive his brother, 2nd our Lord's parahjc in explaining the anfwer :o that quedion, makes apparent, Mattb. xviii. [21.10 the clofe. But this ihould not hinder that thefe and other fcandalous offences, though not Gmply very hainous in themfelves, attended with obdinacy, (hould be thus noted, as I have jfaid.
Lajlly, I find the Apoftle gives dire&'on, and by way of earned intreaty, to mark them that caufe dlvijhns and offences, contrary to the doc* trine -which ye have learned, and avoid them, Rom. jcvi. 17. If, therefore, any of our brethren will needs take dividing courfes from, and contrary to that which we have learned to be truth and duty, and which we have dated as the matter of «>ur prefent witneffing and fuffering, and will op- .'pofe our way, aBd will maintain and propagate his own, and go to profelyre us into his way, •by involving us into debates, not for informa- tion, but for divifion ; I can fee no other way,
[ to refufe to join with him, as the mark we fliould put upon him.
Poflibly fome other grounds of warrantable withdrawing you may tlriuk upon; but none o- ther occur to me at prefent : thefe in the gene- ral to me are clear, and may be to many more than will fubferibe to particulars, when conde- scended upon, as the grounds of our difowning and withdrawing fiom ou: proldling biethren in ilatid. Bdt to give my thougius of il.eiealfo,
[hall diftinguifl] <.ntaiy and *
forced joi&iog.
C c Firjt,
302 LETTERS.
Firft, There may be a voluntary joining in am with fixed focieties, in admitting others, and ac cepting of admittance of ourfelves imo the fel lowllup of all that love and adhere to the Lord' righteous caufe, as it is ftated this day againif his enemies; with all that own, and wreftle and witnefs and fuffer for the covenanted worl of reformation from Popery, Prelacy, and Era ftianifm in Scotland; with all that are ferious ir mourning over all the evidences and effefls o the Lord's anger againft us, and are impartial ir fearchiog into all the procuring, caufes of it: though perhaps, we may find out moe fteps and degrees of both, than they find. Finally, Witl; all that are willing to concur with us, and \m bark their lot with the perfecuted remnant, in, the profecution of the duties of the day: and from others we muft -withdraw. But who thefe are, and how to rank them, you, who are more experimentally acquainted with cafes incident; know better than I; fo that J need not in lift to {pecify particulars. Only I think, that, upon the former general grounds,
i. All that conform andfubmit to Prelacy, by hearing curates, &c. are to be noted, and feilow- ihip to be refufed with them : that being an er- ror long fmce exploded and abjured by the church vt Scotland, and engaged againft by Covenant; all who decline, or difowri that Covenant, ought co be withdrawn from.
2. All Se&arians, who do not own our cove- nanted reformation, nor the government of our church, by prefbyteries, fynods, and general af- fembiies, ought not to be owned, nor adjoined with in our focieties.
Such as do a&ually countenance, or con
-cur
LETTERS. 303
cur to die upholding of the wretched Indul- gence, the bane of our church, by hearing the indulged, or pleading for, or taking the patro- t ,y of their woeful, Chrift-diihonouring, and l ^rch-rending defections; for which they de-
ifcrve to be noted, as the betrayers of th: tights of the church of Scotland, by all wiio do con- cert with that caufe, and teftimony thereof: . cfc are not to be joined with. 4. Such as pra&ically and intentionally con- j trad:6l and condemn the prefent ftated teftimo- j ny of the fuffering and witaefling remnant ( ned of God, fealed by their blood, and for • which others fuffer great alfMions; either by Brirulent and viperous reproaching, flandering and calumniating them; or by renouncing and abjurin^.(efpecialiy before the enemy) their de- clarations, apologies and vindications of them- lelves, and the truths they adhere to: Such as Pflifown their avowed oppofition to the tyranny of the times, and their rejecting the prefent tyrant's ulurpations, and their neceffitate endea- vours to defend tlicmiclves from, or to avenge themfelves on their murderers, or to bring them to condign punilhment, as the Lord (hall give them a call, opportunity, and capacity; inch, I fay, arc to be withdrawn from, as being not only offenders but coudemners of the generation of the righteous; and confenters to, and jufti- fiers of the cftolion of their blood. Then I think, that the takers of the late Oath of Ab- juration, do deferve this kind of note : I thefe that did it practically before the ene for, I do not think, that all that cannot own
lor that to be icpir
C c 2
3°4
LETTERS.
:.
fcruples out of ignorance, or mifconflruftiort rfgainft forae things in the/orw, or fome exprej fions of it; yet will not condemn the matter c it alfolutely, nor any part of it practically befor< L the enemy. Some again may .quarrel at th« '.. unfeafonableneis of it ; others, through mi fin |. formation, may have condemned it pra&ically L but not intentionally ; conceiving that that A L pologetical Declaration did affert the lawfulnefs o '. murder, and aflailination. Thefe are not tot*, withdrawn from, meerly becaufe they have done h fo ; if fo be, after better information and ad- monition, they do not obftinately defend theii own deed, and condemn the faid Declaration intentionally.
5. All fuch compilers, as do not only own the authority of the prefent party now in power, but tranfaft and bargain with them, by fuhfcriB- ing their oaths, tenders, bonds, and impofitions whatfoever: As, for inftance, the takers of that de ted able Teft, the Bond of Peace, Regulation, Conformity, &c. the fubfcribers of their oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy ; fuch as engaged ne- ver ro rife in arms againll the prefent govern- ment upon no pretence whatfoever; and all flrengtheners of the prefent oppofition of Ch rift's kingdom, by paying eels or the like, arc to be withdrawn from.
6. All fuch as are deprehended in any fcandal, or offenfive pra&ice, diihonourable to the pro- feffion, fuch as drunkennefc, or lyeing, &c, arc to-be feparated from,
Secoridly, There is a forced joining-, in a for-
ced fociety ; that is in your cafe, that are by the
lence of men lhut up in aprifon, in one
room with locked doors, wherein yc cannot,
DOT
LETTERS. 3c5
jor : : omit public wordiip; in wh
!xn »lj I
■ iec :
' oj :o apply pirti for it will
;! >f any man
^Hr join with all from whom ye r 3t virh-
^Hr io your voluntary ftated fc
. and duty, or yo^r
Teftirsony and ftate of yoar fuffering. ojM
jraih , for .your owe peace and
. {oriole.. rflrip
WGod without difcorx - . oiding tbs odious
malicious obfervations of your com*
jmoD eneiriie?, who arc y to fee
land efpy your breaches. Bit yoc mo& prefet
Hfty and truth to all conveniences and
[luges whatfoever, aod bold faf:
'laud what you bave learced of O.
Iwiil be offec . :here would be
■Hftr carriage to thefe v
Bfire to be : ole who defire to
::r communicr
other, c J pcreo3:
you are wbeu yo-j tba: ou, and if they will :
a
from I e pr vilege of fbemfclvc cut terns, if l
geiher uitbrotherly, aod ch ol fu] %e the Tiber there, and cacnot join
nk, yoofoould plead fc. of keepiog up pub p arcoDg
. . . i
r
a placel^
306 LETTERS.
ing, yet in an inoffenfive poilure, and fcparate by yourlelves: fo they cannot deny, anc you cannot well refufe, to take either one da) and they another, or rather one time of the daj of your .own choofmg, and let them take the reft for gomg about their duty ; for this is noi joining with them by turns, but a feparate fel lowfhip of your own, taking your own turns, anc b pleading your own privilege, whereby you ma) have the advantage of leuing them hear youi public regrete, and bemoanings of their offenfiv* courfes and diforders, for which ye cannot jotr with them; whoreby alio much contention anc irritation may be prevented, and mutual r on convincingly entertained, ootwithftandtng Op differences; which, that it may obtain with tu< ■bleffing of the Lord, (hall he the prayer of tliauijher, md companion in tribulation,
ALE| SHIELDS
N. B. Mr, Alexander Shields, wrote this Letter duiing the time he was prifoner in Edinburgh
LETTER LXX-VI.
From Mr. Alexander Shields, Preacher of tlj* Go/pel, to the Ladies Van. Her. and E. T. V. in Lewarden in Friefland. Oilober 1687.
Mif' cd in our Lord
Jefus Chrift, £~^ Race, mercy, and peace be with you, from V-I God our Father, and. from our Lord
LETTERS. 307
A'as Cbrift, in whom, and through' wbofe grace, :ifon have been called to a participation of his heavenly blefiing and onfearcbable riches; fo out of his abundance, jou have been helped to give fuch experiments of love to him, in com- panion to his affli&ed members, that ye have won the bleffings of them that are ready to perift, and have can fed the widow's heart to £ng for joy, in laying many obligations on the poor wounded and wafted remnant of Chrift's persecuted witnefies in Scotland, to mske joy- ful and thankfol remembrance of you in their prayers and praifes on your behalf; with whom, and in whofe name, I take the boldnefs, though I cannot have the bappinefs lo ee you at this time, which is my rcgrete, to confort and corr- •cur in returning bleffings to our God, and con- gratulations to you, for the graces bt flowed on you, and fruits thereof bYocght forth by you.
Ki. That the Lord hath been pleafed to en- s': ten you with the knowledge of his truth as it is in Jefus ; and given you to nnderftand by experience, the excellency of the - knowk\ of-Chrift, infinitely preferable to all tin things and fancied excellencies, which aft
s and dung beiides it; the worms, whofe eyes the god of this world harh blinded, and bewitched with the charms of eva- ding vanities, cannot and will not behold the vanity thereof, jet to believers, Chrift is only pearl of price; and to loie all to win him, is thought the greateft gain. Ic is matter of joy, to the (offerers of ScotL By, that
eir beloved matchlefs One is in fuch cfteem ith you, and his great falvatiou meets with
welcome
3o8 LETTERS.
welcome entertainment among you, which if little regarded by the moft part of men-
2. That not only you lay religion to hea and make it your choice and exercife, which the main bufinefs ; bat the caufe of Chrift, whic is fo univerfally {tumbled at and forfaken, is tc you the great intereft, for whom ye would have a throne fet up in the church, that there hitr royal fcepter may bear fway, as well as in yoiirr hearts; and a reformation may be advancedf from remaining corruptions, according to ther kingly ftandard of his law and revealed will ;f the defe<5t whereof is to you a burden, as it is to all the faithful fubje&s of our exalted Prince,] who will not be content to have his favour and fellowihip for themfelves only (though that be their heaven here to have it, and iheir hell to want it) but they mud have this for their defign, to defire to bring him to their mo- ther's boufe, and to the chambers of her that conceived them.
3. It is the joy of all the lovers of Chrift, to hear, that not only the cauie is feated in your hearts, but avowed and defended in your profeflion; being not afhamed even of the re- proaches of Ghrift, whom not only you love, with fuch fervency of zeal, that you will not leek him by night on your bed only, but rife and profefs it, in going about the city, in the ftreets and in the broadways, and make, ferious enquiry for him, whom your foul loveth, even thOugti the watchmen (hould finite you, anduhe keepers of the wall ihould take away your veil, hecaufe you cannot, you muft not want him : for whofe indignities, done to him, and jhe injuries, done to his . church, you are- na*
LETTERS. 309
Jiot only fccretly difcontented, but openly de- Iclare your diflatisfa&ion, in a profefled difcoun- tenancing of them.
4. It is their rejoicing, that your name is gjaot only favoury among the ferious- profeflbrs lof Chrift, but enrolled among the fairhful con- Ifeflbrs and witnefles of Jefus Chrift, contending Ifor the truths, and eipoufing his fide of the Icontroverfy in their teftimony for reformation, lagainft the relief of mens inventions, againft: ■ the Cocceian novations, and againfl: the Eraftian Icrtcroachments and ufurpations, under which the \ Netherlands are labouring as a woman in her Ipains. yVherein, though you have few to con* Icert it with you, or to afliffc you in it, yet, be- [caufe the caufc is Ch rift's, it thall overcome^ land you in it and by it.
5. All your Lord's weeping friends rejoice to tear, that though ye have yet been preferved Bom the firey trial, yet you are not at eafe in Hfo;;, but are ambitious to be marked among
ihe mourners, that figh and cry for tnlnations done mjcru/hlem, \\: after
the Lord, and for the diihonour done to his Hajcfty, both by his declared enemies and pro- fe fling people ; and all the caofeft and eftecls of his holy indignation, go;:e forth againft them this day through the churches; and for this end to ftir up and encourage ore other to this work, you keep fellowship together, as becomes the fearers of the Lord in ! .. day, to fpeak often one to another, which the Lord will hearken to, and note it up in his book of remembrance, for your behalf, in the day when he maketh up his jewels.
6. The poor afflicted remnaut in Scotland are
much
3» L E T T E R S.
much encouraged to know that ye fympaihii with their cafe, and are concerned in the •* caufe, when they Hand io much in need of i and can find To little either it home or abroat : But, their foul is exceedingly filled with the foot of them that are at eafe, and with the contenij of the proud: And were it not that they hav • fome feelings of your High-prieii's fympath | fupporting them under all their burdens, would fink under the fame, in the fight, an , without the pity of all fpeftators.
7. It is in afpecial manner refrefhing to then I that all the calumnies and reproaches whercwi they are induftrioully and invidiouily laden, by enemies and profelTed friends, to male the and their caufe odious, get not fuch creduloi entertainment with you, as to make you (land far off from their fere, for the niifinformatio
. iducers, from which, we have confidence Lord, that at length he will bring forth th
righteoufnefs as the hght, and their judgment noonday, when he will arife and pltud t
caure that is his own.
8. They are bound to return all thankful a knowledgment of obliged gratitude; and I defi for myfelf, and have their allowance, and defi in their n-me (which is ail the recompence the can make) to give. unfeigned thanks for vo tender fympathy, affectionate kindnefs, Chrifi an c: d ioving liberality, io long coni Bued, fo largely extended, and fo frequently r newed towards Ch rift's perfecuted little liock confefibrs and witacflcs in Scotland, and parrif
their dear and much respect* .ho are the more endeared to
.0 they have differed fc mm
LETTERS. 311
reproach and rage ; namely Mr. B.obert HamiU row 'and others, with that poor affli&ed family, of whom ye have taken fneh courteous care and infpe&ion; for which, asi hope, fo long as there \% a feed of that fuffering remnant in Sceiland to pro fe cute the teftimony, your kindneis fnall ne- ver be forgotten ; fo he, for whole iake, and opon whofe account ye (how it, ihall remember this your labour of love, in the day when he (hall make inquiry what good or hurt hath been done to his little ones, to repay it as done to himfelf ; and then 1 am confident ye (hall not have ca.ufe • repent of your kindneis to them, to \\ he m all Arts have been fo cruel; and f perfuade tuyielf, ■par continuance in giving them your counte- Bnce and the encouragement of your favour, fctwithftanding all reproaches and attempts to
Ice you againft them, will yield ydu lweet ice in the -end, and that yon (hall never have ifon to be aihamed of it. That poor handful Scotland are indeed a very fuitable object of ur pity, and not unworthy your pairociny, dntenance and protection, their cafe being now idly circumstantiate, by reafon of the op- ^Hlion they meet with from all hands; the rage mi enemies, incenfed by their contempt of their enfnaring favours, and the envy of them that are at eafe, becaufe they continue (till in their con- tendings againft the aatichriftian party ; from nhich the other are laid by, and lulled allcep [ by this bewitching toleration, and laden with , the reproach of both. Yet they are encouraged the goodnefs of their Captain, and juftnefs of :ir caufe, to fuftain all conflicts, feeing their Limony is honourably dated for the covenant- 1 eformation of the church of Scvtlatul, wbe
-of
3iz LETTERS,
of what is left unruined, is now defigned to b& totally razed, by this gap opened by this liberty to introduce Popery and eftabith tyranny: particu- larly it hath been their honour to vvitnefs andfuf- fer for the prerogatives of Chrift's kingly glory, both as he is a king in the church, and hath the folc fovereignty over his own myftical body, u/ ap- point his ordinances, inftitute his officers, make laws binding the confeience, $nd eftablilh the doftrine, worfhip, difcipline and government that he, as only law giver, will have obierved in his church, without cither addition, diminution, or alteration, which prerogative hath been en- croached cpon and ufurped by Prelacy, by the Eraftian fnpremacy, and new by the open at- tempts to bring io Popery ; againft all which they have wreftled and witnefled, by following their pure gofpel ordinances, by their declarati- ons, by their fuffcring of great oppofitions, hoods, baniihments and blood, and for which they have been killed all day long, and counted as fteep for the flaughter. And they have been called likewife to contend for the prerogatives of his kingly glory, as he is a king of the world, whole incommunicable property it is to be abfo- lute, in fubordination to which he hath ordained and reftri&ed magiitracy for, his glory and the good of mankind, which prerogative hath been invaded by tyranny and abfolute power, arrogat- ed over all law, confeience, reafon, religion, and liberty of the people, againft which they have been called to witnefs; maintaining their teftiniony againft the leviathan of illimited and abfolute tyranny, and declining and refuting to own it as the authority of God's appointment, whea, upofl paiu of death this wasimpoied upon
their
LETTERS.
313
their conferences; for which they have been tra- duced by enemies, and reproached by many profeffbrs, as feditious defpifers of government, or at leaft fufferers for phamaftic points, wherein
(religion is little or nothing concerned. But, though this be the great device of the dragon, |his day, to deftroy religion and the fingle lin- cere profeiTors thereof, covertly under another BOtion ; yet, as wifdora is, and will be juftified of her children, fo it is their peace and confi- dence before God and man, that they fuffer for the caufe of Chrift, the concern of all churches, and the intereft of all mankind, and for noihing I which is not confonant to, founde^ upon, and ^confirmed by the teftimonies of the church of tivid in all her periods, and have been aim- Ling at a -witnefs and teftimony againft all defe&i- Nkis and declinings from the attained reformation f©f that church, without being filent at any; as I now they find themfelves obliged to teftify a- vgainit this abominable toleration, and the accep- tance thereof, and addreffing for the fame; and Beeping up their meetings in the fields, though - jd and discharged, under pain of death both to preacher* and hearers, looking upon it ■H a cafe of confefiion to wknefs againft that pre- sent confederacy with E ; cies, to v y her ordinances there, where her favours not, and where they are interdicted or barged by the fame wicked arts that allow a u to all that will net oppofe her ; wbere- in, though they arc expoicd to all the ra^e and reproach that men cm invent a^ain" . yet they expert the Lord's counter- cpr- rence, and that he will b< hat znen are Co cruel; and do hojw for the continu-
3i4 LETTERS,
ation of your fympathy, and are confident tf. their long intermiffions of their correfpondinj in returning due acknowledgment for all yo i favours, will not interrupt either your kindn< or their gratitude.
And now, much honoured and dear friends, mud conclude with a regrete and confeflion, (lead of an apology for my omiflion, in not k ing you, and writing t(Kyou before this tim I have nothing to fay for myfelf, but that I a grieved for my unhappinefs, that I have n been in capacity to difcharge the bufincfs I ha< been called to here, nor to have liberty to enj< myfelf, cor time to obtain the comfort of yo communion, and chiefly, that I have been fo loi detained from the public work of my fun&io to which I have impatient longing to be reftore and therefore having this opportunity, I am n cetfkated to return homeward, and leave th work I have been waiting upon, and taken i with incefTantly, night and day, fince I came \ this country, unperfedled and not abfolved, bi left to be printed and lying at the prefs, not b ing able to defray the charges : But what is dor already, I thought it my duty to communicai unto you, and therefore have fent you fome vii dications of the poor perlecuted remnant, repn fenting their contefts with, and clearing them the reproaches caft upon them by their profeffi antagonifls; there is another larger treatiie r< prefenting all the fucceffion of testimonies of ot church, and dating the prefcnt teftimony with dedu&ion of heads of fufferings fuftained there upon, and vindication of all the heads thereol which is now interrupted at the prefs, but when: it can be let foreward and finifhed, cari
(ha
LETTERS. 315
all be taken to convey it to your hands. Now, egging your excufe, and entreating your pray. ■s; I reft
Your real, though unworthy and
unacquainted friend andfervant, '
in the Lord Jefits,
ALEX. SHIELDS.
LETTER LXXVIL
from the honourable Mr. Robert Hamilton "% to fume Friends in Scotland.
Lew ar den, May 24. 1683, Rivht honourable and dear Brethren.
T Hough, as the Lord know?, I have been often made to defire and refolve upon a cottage in the wildernefs, yet it has feemed good in his eyes, to have me otherways empi< land kept up, not only at heme, but 1 ^places of my pilgrimage, as a beacon on the top >of a mountain, and a witnefs for his precious ;and honourable caufe, intereft and people, a. 'gainft all his and their enemies, whether coun- Ky-men or ftrangers : and, however, my real infufiiciency and great empanels did often terri- D d 2 f y
* It was thought proper to fnfert this letter of Mr. Ummilton% in this collection, as it is not amongfi thofc of h»s, published fome time ago, in. a pamphlet called Th: ChriJIiar. 7 Condutt) &c.
••
I
316 LETTERS.
fy and affright m?, at firfl fight, to venture up on fo great and fo hot encounters, as I havi been tryfted with ; yet he, in his great lovt Irj and infinite condefcendency, fpared no pains k (as forfooth, I had been fomewhat, and conk have done fcmething for him) once to allure me; and next, as ir were, to get my confent to the fervice. And when he did let me find (01 wonder of wonders!) in fome u^afure what he rr- would do for his own name's fake, in abundant- ly furnilhing, wonderfully leading on, and ho. nourabiy bringing me off; that, O praife to hi glorious name! he made it often, not only a- ftoniihing to myfelf, but admirable to onlookers, and the greatefl of my enemies: for once hav- ing entered and got me to a cheerful fuhmiffion* and rejoicing in his will and way, I may fay,, I had often no more ado, but to ftanci Jiill, and fee bis falvation : and though he ufed his own way in correcting my untowardnefs and mifbe- lief, yet, O my friends! in fuch a way, that the world could never difcern it. O what am T, fuch a lump of fin, that ever was counted worthy to be fo dealt with, and chaftifed with fuch fweet, fugared, and honourable rods ; no lefs than the golden rod wherewith our lovely Lord, heir of the inheritance, was ftriken wkh. Courage, my honourable brethren, your chafings, wanderings, fightings, and contendingsfor match- Ids, O matchlefs Him ! cannot but be infinitely more glorious than all the painted, crowned vanities of the world : O they bear their reward with them, that the world knows not of; and no wonder, when dealt out by fuch a lovely hand, and in the fight of facb a noble General, wfoo deals out to c\!cry man his poll, and his
blows,
LETTERS. 3r7
lows, and furnifhes accordingly; and is mod ;on-cern'cd himfelf in the battle, and in the car- iage of his own, that they may be ail honour- able, and receive the crown, and the noble preparations of eternal glory with himfelf thro* eternity, which he has laid up and purchafed with his own blood. O continue, continue to the end ; and he and you fnall once judge the ty- rants, and the furious bulls of Baflxm here be- low ; keep by him, and ye fhall get the victory, yea, and be more than conquerors, .
Now, my Chriftian friends, having this fc noble occahon; I could not but give you fome (mall account, as to the Lord's leading, in and through this great and laft piece of fervice, not knowing but it may be the laft edition of fervice to you and the land that ever I ihall be honour- ed to perform ; as alfo, hoping it might be for your encouraging and (lengthening, and a mean to endear you to the bearer. And, I hope, through the grace cf God, the great Matter of the aflemWics, his embaflige and mafter-:ike furniture, (hall be more than able to commend him unto you all. And I have been made to ■ think, if he might be the firft flone of cur new building, and indeed to fome in this ptac his firft fermon was to them, as the laying the foundation of the fecond temple, ivecp'mg a rejoicing. Bjt however it be, I ho; :\1
ftiall get great glory by it, and yel more approve, as he hath hitherto done in wonderful way. But,
As to the Lord's preparing and l( me
on- to this work, it was thus : He hath been cd fometiincs (praife, O praife to his name!) . jiidefcend to me a poor woroi, to
D d 3 ice
3i8 LETTERS.
fee fomething of his (lately goings and manage- ments in this day, as his working out of his mod noble and mod intricate pieces of fervice, through poor defpifed means and feckleis in- ftrumems, and that both of the miniders and others; as alfo, his mod glorious viftories ob- tained of the enemies, when feemingly they were I moll: conquering; as alfo, making many as pro- phets in and for his houfc,_giving warning o£ the trials that were to come, and partly as come, and of the deft dtions, with great bleffings on thenv that ihould faithfully (land out ; indeed, Balaam- like, the mod of them, and now, all of them in the enemies camp, are dating themfelves as head of the rebels, and chief in the rebellion againft thefe, who through the blefling of the Lord, took with the warning, and are to this day Handing faithfully to their pod; as alio, h'u making the greated of our enemies (even when our Eliafej were taken away) on their death-beds, confirming to the remnant, in being theirewn heralds, denouncing the righteous judgments of God againd themfelves and their poderity; and in all, vindicating the poor wredling rem- nant, whom they in their health delighted to butcher, and breathing out their lad, foretelling the glorious days that ihould be yet in Scotland, with the railing that buried like cauie again; as alfo, his righteous judgment, and holy juftice, -m taking the discipline of his own houie out of ihe hands of the perfidious ihepherds, who, at their bed, in a terrible manner mifemploycd it. O what dateJy goings, doing more,asto the difcoveiy of jugglers, mocker?, and hypocrite:, than ihe wit of man could have done in a-genc- rariOD \ ar J it is obkr\ab:r, that ii) a fecial
way
LETTERS. 3i£
vay it reaches thefe who looked upon them- elves, and would have others to do fo, as above ill reproofs and cenfures; fo chat if any poor hbg out of a holy zeal and tendernefs, had st ventured to reprove a minifter, it was as t e-majefty, and no more peace for them. O : :hen the righteoufnefsof God! let us fall in love ■ with it, and his infinite love in managing of that : which was fo grievoufly mifmanaged; and in fo wealing out our rods, that he that runs may re^d our fin in our judgment ; (or how has be ftir- Ire.d up one within ourfelve?, blalpbemouilycloath- iog himielt with that fupremacy, to drive our (and punilh (and he flull yet puniih in another y than ever) for that horrid fupremacy that ■M rage in our bed times amongft profeilbrs, aud efpecially minifters, and this day doth as fad cleave to them and the generation as ever* O glorious! O (lately goings! who notwith- ftanding that he hides himfeif, yet abundant- ly ihews that he isGcd and King of Jacob, tho3 r igmpon an afs, and upon a colt the file of an */}, yet king of Zion, and mailer of rejoicing to ail the daughters thereof* O noble ground of rejoicing, when he gives out the order, and tunes the instrument for that efkft, when it nei- ther can nor will mifgive. And 0! unfpeakabic love and tendernefs! in keeping up hitherto a remnant, witneffiiig and contending as nobly and valiantly this day as ever ; having it to declare I re the world, that the) have hitherto lacked nothing : and no wonder, I cannot but tiiink, that in a fpecijl way the credit of our Lord, !o to fpe3k, is engaged for that land, and for you,
:;d body ie hand.
Now,
310 LET-TE US.
Now, thus as to his preparing of me ; next a: to his leading of me.
When our worthy friend Mi1*. Remvick came hit over, I was very inquifitive (being for a long time greatly weighted with that bufinefs) tc know of two things from him. ift. How it war betwixt him and the Lord, as to his ftatc and intereft:. idly. As to his inward encouragement! " and call from the Lord as to his undertaking in that great work of the miniftry. To both which I had very great fatisfa&ion from him: as alfo, of his lively uptakings of the Lord's way #itfl his church and people in this day, all which were engaging to me. After his parting with me, and going to Groningen, I was made to bear, as it were continually in my ears, Byiuhom f!,all Jacob wife, for be is very -final I P Wherewith I was for a time greatly weighted, till it plea-fed the Lord, after the fame manner, to give me ill at other word, as I thought, an aafaer of the former; Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, faith the Lord. And by thfc the Lord, as it were, anew again, let me fee his glorious and (lately dealings, after the fame manner as formerly, viz. his going by that which the world calls great' parts, learning, po- licy, and worldly wifdom, and the idols of this generation ; and not only fo, but has had them, end to this day has them, all muftered againft him; and O the noble foils they have gotten al- ready, and that by the world's fools, from babes and fuckiings trained up in Chrifl's fchool. While I lay again wonderfully led in, and wo* feting in theie tilings, I received a line from our friend Mr, Renwkkj with a fhort account of a notable piece of foul excrcifc he was in at that prefect, fctteh
was
. LETTERS. 321
s after this manner. " (To the praife of his
? free grace I muft fpeak it) when he helps mc
:;u either to pray or medirate he is not want-
iu ing; but in other things I do not find him.
However, I think this may be the caufe of ir, u I cannot win to cfe and keep them in u own places: but there are fome things good I in themfelves, and good when made right ufe " of; bat to me they are as Saul's armour to I David, I can put them on, but I cannot walk " with them; and I cannot fay but 1 could put li them on, unlefs 1 fhould lie of the Lord, who,
(blefled be his name) hath given me in (ome " ' nieafure, a difpofition*."
After the reading over of his letter, I found my heart greatly tycd to him, and was brought into a pleafant frame and calmnefs of fpirit. But again, in two or three days, I was brought into great perplexities for the cafe of the church ia general, and more efpecialiy for my mother- church ; but I thought I found always my former folution founding within me, and that with great power, yet not fo as perfectly to calm me ; till fome days after Mr. Kemvick wrote another letter to my fitter concerning his foul's cafe, which I alfo, as the Lord helped me, returned my thought* of. And the evening after, going out to walk, I was ftrongly overpowered with ihe impreffion that Mr. Kemvkk was prefently to be ordained, and that I mull lay out myfelf there- in ; and as I thought, v.-n to great certainty, that whatever dffficulti I be in the way,
they lhould be removed : for Be hinfcfelf IhouM concern himiell in it. While thus, I went to 1
worthy
# See Letter XI. page 31..
32x LETTER S.
worthy friend Mr. Brackle, and laid out the- whole cafe to him; who do fooner heard of it,, but was as one out of himfelf, with the great fatisfa&ion and joy he had in it, which helped to my (lengthening. Whereupon we refolved to write preiently to Mr. Rjemuick anent it, and that without the leaft thoughts or relation to the other two ; and having but fmall time, we wrote but in ihort to him; which letter you may fee: from himfelf, as it came to his hands: he ihew- ed- it to the other two; who, on what grounds. I know not, refolved to concern themfelves alike, in the affair as if the letter had been written to. all of them. And after fome days, Mr. Ken-wick, fent us a very (atisfying and refreilring. letter, for our encouragement to move further in it; as alio, the other two pretending the fame clear- Defs, wrote to me thereanent, which indeed was both furprizing and weighty to me, on many ac- counts^ for the Lord, from my veryfirft hear- ing ot them named, led me in a quite contrary way as to them than to the other ; and I think I am not, and alas for it, dilappointed of any of them, turn as they will.
Nov:, as to the difficulties I had to wreftle fcith, and our Lord's noble managing of his own eaufe, and poor worms concerned in it, it was thus; rji. Our friend Mr. Bracket had not only a great inclination, but told me, after the receiving of the letters, that he was fully determined, that they ihould all of them be ordained at Embden ; which 1 durft not confent to; for the main mark intended to have the management of it was Coc- ccian in his judgment, though he fecmingly pre- tended otherwife, however I could not get him off that. kfecQnd reafon, as I told him, of my
being.,
Bff
LETTERS. 3t3
being againft it, was that fince the Lord had moved Groningen to own us, and to (hew kind- Hefs to us in our low eftate, we could not pafs by them, without firft giving them the offer. However, nothing could prevail, and we were like to lofe our friend in it ; as alfo, others of my friends at Lewarden, who would not conde- scend to let roe go from them. Yet I durft not yield, neither durft I ftay, but as I had done formerly, venture myfelf on my fweet, rich, and lovely, and O kind Lord's hand, who never fail- ed me ; yea, was ay better than his promife; when they iawjl wa-s coming away, Mr. Bracket promifed to follow me within fome days, and gave me a letter to one of the minifters, (which was all the recommendation I had from men) defiring me to deliver it to one of the minifters at Groningen9 providing he was any thing acquainted by friends at Groningen of my defign ot coming there ; and finding them all ftrangers to it, I refolved as to my recommendation, to caft myfelf on the Lord, and not to deiiver my letter until Mr. B?ackel came hiinfelf, thinking it m;ght be a mean to engage him the more for us. When he came, I lold him my refolutions as to E?)ibden were the lame as formerly, and that I was rather confirmed than altered, having got further notice from one of the profcllbrs in the place, that Embden was not lb pure in fome things, efpecially as to the ma- giftrate's usurpation, as Groningen; and withal begging lie might propofc it to the minifters in Groningen, which he did; who told him, that it might be done well, and with great fecrccy by the profcllbrs of the college, which fatisfied our friend greatly; who alone hid down the whole >, after his acqjainting;
QIC
LETTERS.
me of it, departed out of the town, leaving me to manage what he had propofed and concluded. • But, before I go farther, I (hail give a (hori; account of Mr. Flint and Mr. Boyd: So foon as J came to the town, I examined all of them feve rally, but really I could find no fatisfaetion in a- ny. of them, fave in our friend. Mr. Flint, 1 found him Heating and unliable : 3s for Mr. Boyd, Mr Flint informed me and the reft very fadly of him, both of his untendernefs in his walk> and unacqjainrednefs in our cafe; that he was not only ignorant of much of it, but nken up, for the. molt part, with the arguments of the adver- iaries, a defending ag^infl his brethren ; though indeed I did meet with no great difappointment, yet on many accounts it was trying, and many were our fears, as to acquainting him with our refolutions, in not letting him pals at the time However, when we wan to be pofitive in it, and ftited upon fuch noble grounds, as not daring to lay his houfe with fuch (tones, &c. the Lord removed that difficulty wonderfully, and made Mr. Boyd not only feemingly willing to omir, bur alio, confirmed others as to their duty in what they had done. Now, I fay, this being done, and our worthy friend Mr. Bracket out of town, I went to the chief profeffor, and confer- ing of our bufinefs with him, I found it could not be done without the concurrence of another bro- ther-prcfeiTor of his, who was profefTed Coccei- an; and uling freedom w;th him, to tell him my fcruples; he anfwered me, that the other was but to examine, and not to lay on hands i I afked, if it could be dore without him; who (aid, no: then I told him pofitively, that we could uot admit of it in iuch a way; his being , pre fen t,
LETTERS. ?*5
)refer,t, viz. a Cocceian, was eflential to the J Drdination. So parting with them, with this re- solution, to write to Tvlr. Bracket what was nex: b be done, and acquaint him with the cafe; So writing to him; he eould fee no hazard in that yay : However, if I could cot grant it, tl was a neceflity yet to rcfoive upon Embden: and there was a ftrange providence in his letter.; for in the end of it, to make me come over my for- mer fcruple, he tells me, that he could aflure mey unlefs I had a full teftimony from the whole profeflbrs oiCronhigen to the minifters of Emb* den {o: the ftodfcnts, they could not be owned there. This was a mean to clear me the more, that Embden was not the place that the Lord feemed to be then calling m unto, fince we could no more accept of the Cocce'uvfs recommendation than ordination, as it was then circumftantiate. Go that matters again feemed worfo than ever, kely to have both Embden and the whole profpiTors, and others our friends, again ft u;. But cur kind Lord was then at hand, who determined otherwife; that when I went again
\% the honeft profeiLr, and to one of the minifters, and told them our life, and the weightinefs cf it, and that t was no other thing before our eyes in it, but the glory of God, and durft do r.o ether way than
e had told. So begging they wouL it to heart, and .take it upon them to prevail Vvidi the clafis, that they would take it in hand, which, to the great admiration of ibme t undertook moll willingly. However the profef- ibr called for their teftimonies, (for they were to have his alfo to the claffis) ami ..-as ob-
"rvabie, all was miffing lave Mr. Rem
c
p
326 LETTERS.
which was to the fore by a fpecial providena ' having got it in my hand but fome few days b< :- fore. When the profeflbr did fee it, he wj |DS willing to rake it off our hand, but one of tl minifters being then prefent, told, it would nt ver pafs before the clafiis ; fo I told them, thr it could not be expected, confidering the tofle cafe of our church, that it could be in fuch drefs and order as otherwife were to be defired- and the profeflbr owned me, and backed me in il So that both faid, fmce it was fo, they though l( my teftimony, with Mr. Bracket's, to the claffis J ay until another was procured, were fufficient which I could not refuie, and it was of the Lon in a fpecial way. However, there lay a trial 1 me in it, which was very great, viz/ to have ¥ fpecial hand in Mr. Flint's paifing, the teflhr.on; f being laid fo to my door; and corfideripg hov the Lord bad led me, and I thought, by all dif penfations, was even leading me by him; as al E: {0, from what I was difcovering in him, it wa to me a fore (trait; for he, on the other hand was preffing it violently. Whereupon, I wen to him, and fpake in private to him, anen the bufinefs, with great tender nefs, jfignifying the weightinefs thereof; as &lfo, how tkl Lord feemed every way to difcountenance hi paffing; foi^ as to myfelf, I told him, I couk give him no encouragement to it; but en the contrary, from the firfl time that I had feen hirr and Mr. Boyd, I was made to tremble at then coming over upon fuch a defign. As alfo, that the letter that Mr. Bracket and I wrote to Mr. -Renwick was no ways defigned for him : and alfe of the miffing of his teftimonial. However, 1 told him, if he had the Lord's call to it, as he
wrotf
;■
LETTERS. 327-
Totc to me, thefe all might be but as trials and jurs in his way. However I again begged him, s he loved his own foul, that he would not ven- tre on fuch a weighty work raflily. Notwith- ;anding of all, he faid he would go foreward ; •o I, not without great heavinefs of mind, was arced to countenance him ; and fo going 61 ft to he profeff)r for his teftimony, I wrote next for ur worthy Mr. Bracket's, which he prefently, nd mod chearfully fent me; afuer thefe were fad, and the day of the claffis come, being de- ivered to them, they were fuftained valid; and Tter Mr. Flint had a little harangue before hem, they were fent out a little, and the claflis piking our caufe into confideration, after, firft <ne of the minifters rifing up, and laying ic ipenlyout, and then another, all of them, with ears, cried out, It is the Lord's caufe, and cod. /hat it would, if all the kings of the eanh were ,gainft it, they would go on in it. And, which ^obieryable, one of them afoing, How it came /e paffed by the profeflbrs, and took not ordi- ation from them? another of themfclves rofe p, and from that took occafion to lay out the government and difcipline of our church ; and hat it was inconfiftent with our noble order to ake fuch a courfe, and that we were much to )t encouraged for it. Another that was a de- pute of the general fynod, defiied to be CH€ufed^ or be feared he could not -attend, it befog at uch a diftar.ee where he lived from the pi
I oj his brethren, with tears in their t food up, and requefted that no coft, pair/
s might be looked unto in fuch a :. :auie • whereupon he confefled that it was lo. It igpg alio the cuftom of that place, that every E e 2 oae
328 LETTERS.
one that pa fled mud pay twenty guilders for th< public ufe of the church; the brethren jointl) declared that they would be at all the charg< themielves. O dear friends, praife him ! prai(< him! who has been fo mindful of us in our lov eftate. And after all this, calling them in gain, they received them in a mod friendly way as never hitherto had been ; their injun&ion our friend himfelf will (how you. But, which " alfo remarkable, that Mr. Flint in his harangu gave an open teftimony againft all the forms an< enormities in their church. O wonderful guidinj
Now, after all tbefe wondrous ways of the Lon with us, it might have been expe&ed that we fhouU have been more knit to one another, more ferious tender, and zealous than ever. However, on th, contrary, Mr. Flint ftrikes in with his old antago t uift, he had informed fo againft, and dates himiel jnoft bitterly againft our friend Mr. Renwick, to th' great grief of friends, and (tumbling of ftrangers who were wimefles to it. When it came to n, cars, however heavy his carriage was to me, e fpeciaUy confidering the circumftances, yet '. :; thought it was not without the lingular provi deuee of God, who had permitted him to k and di.cover himfeH before he came a greuei . : as alfo I thought I had now fair ground: )p his going on any further in thai io grea a work; fo I lent for our worthy friend G, H (who has been greatly encouraging to me fine* he carae over, and a great help to me) and foj Mr. Flint, and in all tenderneis to lay it to hijr what an extraordinary work he was about, auci ho v extraordinary his catl to the land W2j, arc the- way of his now designing to return; andj
that'
LETTERS. 329
fcat in all, I thought it required more than an
ordinary cafe, frame and walk, of which I could
fee no evidences in him. While I was to go 011
c in my difcourfe, he interrup>:d me, falling out
1 in £*-eat bitternefs, declaring he would no more
ddle in it; and that he was pofuive, that up-
,,on no account he would go on in the work, nor
go home with our friend Mr. Renmck; giving
thefe for bis three unreafonable reafons; 1. He
laid, he was fure he would never agree with him.
2. Becaufe, he faid, He (viz. Mr. Rerrwick) did
read too little. 3. Becaufe of his fpirit of fupre- N
I mzcy he (hewed in Scotland. I aiked him, why he
Ipould not agree with him? He could give no rea-
t-fon. As to the fecond, I aiked hira, if he did noc
[read, I defired to know how he fpeht his time?
:'If in prayer, or meditating, or any other way?
•.He anfwered, hedurft not but think he was much
in that excrcife. To which I anfwered, thefe were
the ftudies in this day mod accornplifning for e- *
. very work, and efpccially the work in hand.
And for his laft, he could alio give no ground
for it. After I had got this from his own mootb,
I thought we were fairly looted from doing any
'imore with him> and then we fent for Mr. Reiu
fxvick, who came; and we gave him, before Mr.
Flintr a relation of what had palTed; who wouid
have pafled from fome things that he aflcrted,
' yet adhering to his non-palling at that time, but
to flay a longer time, and another cccafion: fo
* having prayed, I again begged him to lay things
to heart; how the Lord was provoked; and
prefled, that whether he ftaid or went, th<
might be as one heart. However, when he went
home, he fignified to all, his resolutions to (lay,
jM*d .bought books at a ftrange rate, and fe; him-
Ec 3
330 LETTERS.
felfto learn the Dutch, and went, without ad venifing any of us, to the Dutch kirk on'th< -;; Lords day, and was prefect at ail1 their form: without the leaft: refenttnent ; all fad tokens And as before he had joined hand in hand wirl Mr. Boyd againft Mr. Kemvkk, now again hi; « pafrion turned into its old channel againii Boyd, which is wrath-like.
Now, dear Brethren, I (land aftoniflied, ar wonder how we are now again put to it, for ht had received the profeflbr's teftimony, with MrJ Bracket's; as alio his being before, and haranguJ ing before the elaffis: fo that it threatened ncl lefs than a fad blow to all the beginnings and af-l ter expectations in that piace ; as alio to the caafe and whoW remnant at home; as alio tcl put a flop to our friend's palling. This coil forel fighting and wrefrling, though indeed Mr. Flivl yd were no more concerned in it than! no fuch riring had been; but on the contrary,! evidenced tokens of their fatisfa*3ion with all ; asl >>, in their expecting a flop a-s to our friend's! paflrog. At laft I wrote to Mr. Brackel, advcr-F liling him that we thought Mr. Flint qould notl: p^fs: and with his anfwer I was yet more dif- couraged than ever, preffing me by all arguments, that he fnould pafs; and if he did not, how pre- c J it wculd be to the caufe, and fuch hke; Now$ (which made our cafe heavier) we durit i;ot vent ourfelves fo freely to grangers as we ivouFd^, fearing the conftquences that mig^u fol- low. However, travelling in thir difficulties un- til time would fiffer of no more delay, the time oi on bt'iLg at hand,%we refolved to go
]to es of the clafiis, and give him notice
lat Mr. Flint could not pafs. When he firft
heard
LETTERS. - 331
Beard' of it he was greatly difconraged^ and had this wcrd which was obftrvable; "
if ye rrad told me of it but a day "petit
u could have flopped it, andgorten a delay nn- 1 til Mf. Flint was ready, and folly recovered." (for he himfe If pretended a diftemper of body). I told him, I hoped, he would le: if be no derance to our friend's paffing: lie ohjeded a- gain, If that Mr. Flint was but able to lit on a chair before the ciaffis, it would I and he might ftey after in the land until he were recovered. At lad, I did let fomewhat fall of his other di (tempers thai we feared were raging in him; which, when he perceived, he feemtd prefently fatisfied, and undertook moft Chrifl;an- lv the management of the buiinefs, and that .M^, Rcuwick lhould be oidained. O wonderful love and condefcendency ! and noble Governor, who can ply, and doth ply the hearts of all as he will! Then I went to another of the miuifters, who had all along been a great agent in the bu- finefs, and told him Mr. Flint was refolded not to pais. He enquired a reafon ; I told him, he pretended his ficknefs ; he told me, thit coold be none, for he and all the minifters and pre U fors of the town faw him daily on the ftreet?, "and but one day before in the public college. , v.v the ordination was to be the next day) Seeing it was fo, I told him the whGie of him, which when he heard, he was fo far from being offended, that he adhered to approved of .our tendcrnefs; yet , it
would greatly reflect upon us, our caufe, and the whole remnant at home; and ; that if it
were poffiNe, he might ofrer himfelf to the -ordi- nation; ; . .! not let him go home
until
t
332 LETTERS:
until we found him accomplifhed. This again began to work new ftirs upon us; yet after fome time laying it before the Lord, he was pleafed to let us lee that it was but a temptation, and that upon no account were we to offer him a fa- crifice of that we could not take to ourielves. After this, all our fears and fcruples were re- moved, and we fully determined to lay it all on the L.vd, and the management of events and confequenrs on himfelf. So immediately go- ing to Mr. Flinty I defired to know his-mind; which, he, faid, was the fame, not to pafs, or go home. After feme fpeaking to him, I defir- ed he might go to the prcfes himfelf, and make his own excuie, but not to pretend that which was not, viz. his ficknefs; which be did, and the prefes accepted of it well. O my friends, who is to mean, that has fuch a God for their God! fo condefcending, fo loving, fo mighty, and fo powerful, that he can do in heaven andj earth what he will. There is yet one remarkable trial, and honourable outgate that we had, viz. before the ordination; the minifter had told me that it was impoffible, and could not pafs, with- out fubferibing three things; the one was, their catechifms; the other two cur friend will give you an account of: I defired to fee their confef- lion, and we find that there is in it mention of the forms, and enormities of their church, which we plainly told them we difowned, and were engaged in our folemn vows to the con- trary. This was again like to flop all. Howe- ver, I went to others of them, and gave them an account of our Confeffion and Catechifmjs, and • that we could fubferibe none but thefe, which, at laft; they condefcended umo> Ta praftice ne- ver.
LETTERS. 333
ver before heard of in thefe lands. O praife and' wonder! and wonder and praife! for his yet minding of us in cur low eftate,' and concern- ing himfelf in as before ftrangers. I alfo defired of them to have liberty, with our friend G. H. and my brother Mr. Gordon, to have accefs, to be witneffes to the on-laying of the hands of the claffis, or prefbytery, which likewife they grant- ed, though nor ufed in that place.
Now the day of ordination'being come, Mr. Renwick, with iny brother Mr. Gordo?:, and G. H. came into my chamber, but none of the reft; after prayer we went out to the church, where the claffis was to hold; and walking toge- ther in an outer room there, as we had been de- fired, until our friend was called in, which they did in a mod honourable way, not only by the ordinary fervant, but by one of the brethren mi- nifters. After he was in, we returned, and fpend- ing fome time together in prayer, we again ■•?- turned, and about two in the afternoon, (the ex- amination laiiing from ten to two) one of the oldeft of the minifters was fent out (as they had promifed) to call us in, to be witnefles to the on- laying of the hands: when we came in, the whole of the miniflers faluted us mod kindly, af- fectionately aud friendly ; after fome exhortati- ons, they propofed to him the fubfeription, which they joiutly declared to be nothing die that fubicribing of our own confeffion. After their reading it over again and again, Mr. J ftarted a fcruple in :r, which, through the L bleffing, was both feafonahle, and made accep- table to all, and then he fubferibed it. Then with prayer they went about t g on of the
hinds, in a molt foleimi, and a moil tender way ;
and
I
334 L- E T T E R S.
and the whole time our friend was upon his] knees, the mod of the whole meeting were joining with the tears in their eyes. After, he was dcfired by the prefcs to take the brethren byl the hand, Which they all gave him in a mod af-l fe&ionate way; and after he had done, he (our|!:,: friend I mean) had a mod ferious, grave and taking difconrfe to the whole claffis, and fo was* difmiffed. When going out of the room, the* prefes called me, and defired that Mr. Remvick and I might dine with the claffis; which we pro- filed ; and coming in. amongfl them, they were as brethren at a (trait, every one of them how to exprefs their kindnefs to us. The prefes de fired me to fit on his right hand at the head of the table; and after a little fitting, he declared to me the great fatisfa&ion the whole brethren had had in Mr. Rematch, that they thought, the whole time he was before them he was fo rilled with the Spirit, that his face did ihine; and thar. he had never feen fuch evident tokens of the Lord's being with them, as in this affair all a-* long!!:, and fo blefled and praifed the Lord for what he had feen. Then lie defired a relation might be given to the brethren of our cauie; j I did, both of our fuffeiings and wreftlings; who were all foaffe&edjt.h at ye would have though t, ! both weeping and rejoicing; grieving. for our cafe, as they faid ; and rejoicing that the Lord liad honoured us in fuch a noble piece of iervice; premifing to mind us both in public and private; and aifo offered themiclves anew again for the fame fervice, whatever might be the ha- Then the prefes told them, that the ma- gift r_ jrping as much upon them, and ;reat yielding, amongft them as in
our
LETTERS. 335
bur land ; and if they followed not our practice, the church would be ruined, and they and their pofterity rooted out. There was alio another minifter who declared, he had been twenty r< 2l minifter in that place, hut had never feen cor found to much of the Lord's Spirit, accom- panying a work, as that; and declared, he would -die and live with us. O tune up your harps, and ling praifes unto him, whole mercy endureth for ever, and has had yet compaflion on ls in our -low eftafs
Now, my honourable Brethren, here ye have
I a (hort account, yet not the hundred-fold of
what the Loid hath done for us in this ?fFa:r;
the bearer, with our dear and honoured friend
in the Lord, mil give yoj? a fuller account of
matters than I was able in the time to do, {viz.
■♦G. H. But now, when we thought the battle was
.fought, and the dorm over, it begun afrefti again
I -upon us from another airth, reprefenting itielf
• as terrible as any of the former • though, blcffed
• be his name, through his rich hTefung, we were .never once fuffered :o be call down at the
jghts of it! and 0 again admire and wonder! The morning after the ordination, as I was lying in my bed, I received a letter from Mr. Bracket, wherein he gives me an account of a letter from Holland to (lop the ordination, for he was to re- ceive a lybel againft us all, fubferibed by the church of Rotterdam, Mr. Br. Mr. Hog younger, and Mr. Thomas Langlands, accufing us of many terrible things, and lent me three or four of the prime of them, which I have fent with our friend; and withal defiring me, h foon as it came to my hands, to (how his letters to me to the ciailiS; and either to vindicate ourfclves before
them
Ill
336 LETTERS.
them, or otherways to flop Mr. Remvick am Mr. Flint's ordination ; (for then he had no known Mr. Flmfs determination and ours) an( upon tfiat pretence of Mr. Flint's iicknefs, the letter was fent by an exprefs to me for if; greater hafte, and might, have come three day foonei to my hand than it did, but the Lord i a wonderful way (lopped it, but what way wi could never yet learn. O wonderful Counfellor for if it had come but a day fooner, by all pro bribility it had flopped our friend's paffing, f( there had been a neceifity for my fliewing it t< the chilis ; and they could have done no othei at lead, than to have taken it to confideration and to have delayed the diet for that time: bul
0 his wifdom! infini^ wifdom and power 1 Afte:
1 got it, I went to the profeffjrs, and minifters, and others of the godly, and gave them a full account of ail, and of all my letters, who were nothing troubled, but juflified us in all our deal isgs againfl: thrijs minifters, and promifed to own es in all, and give us an account of any informa- tions that flioukl come againfl us; for Mr. Bracket's letters, told us, they were prefently to write to Groningen againfl us, and caufe print their accufations againfl us. So the Lord was (till gracious unto us, in keeping us in continual exercife, that our dependance might be the more on^bimfelf: for when he had wrought for us and broken ^the fnare, we were made to fear Mr* Bracket and friends in Friejland; for in his let- ters, they had promifed to have their libel ready againfl us at Amfterdam, againfl fuch a day asl they named; and Mr. Bracket^ without acquaint- ing any but one or two, calls himfelf to be at Jmftcrdarn the &aie day, but when lie came, the
libel
LETTERS. 337
: libel was not ready, but they would have been
:o|ac telling it by word of mouth to him, but he
:; refufed to hear them unlefs in write; and indeed
.: lie was wonderfully helped to own the Lord's
' caufe, and poor Scotland's caufe. When he left
A them, they promifed to have the information
I. and libel againfl: as at him within four or five
er days : But now the time is long over, and there
! is no word of it ! And fo he returned to us a!i,
J to the wonder of all, and the joy of many, more
rf our friend, and Scotland's friend than ever.
)| And he told me a ftrange paflage, Tiiat the day
•| before he went to their meeting, he was walking
j in his own yard, and there he law a little (mail
Hbird hotly purfued by a great hawk, and, aftei*
many tofung> and turnings, the bird, at laft, flies
to him for lhelter, and he relieved it, wl
was born in upon him at the time, as a lively
emblem of ours and the church's cafe. 6
praife to him! when we had win to good hopes
I -of that fiorm's being broken, we mufl yet a-
gain enter into another, threatening as terrible
• as the other. That fame day, in the evening,
.that I rcr "vfr. Bracket's letter with the a-
.poflite minifters libel, arrives James B.u/Jel,
. -Patrick Grant , and David Robert/on, with full
atfhrancc to flop the ordination; but, through
'the Lord's goodnefs, they came alfo a day too
late, and were difappointed, 1 think, every way ;
as to thai affair I refer you wholly to the bearer.
They are ftill (laying here, I fear their defign
be no: good ; and I think, in that place they
(lull have none of our two, Mr. Flint and Mr.
Boyd, much againfl: them. 0 Lord, give wif-
c'o.n, and come yet and be feen. O.houourablc
F I friend;,
338 LETTERS.
friends, hath he not been glorioully feen in th Ji bufinefs'
Now, what can I fay unto you, our engage ments are great, let our thankfulnefs be anfvve able ; get you the gofpel, O the precious gofpc -?gain amongft you ; hold it up by prayer among you; be more in tendernefs, humility, watch fulnefs, crying, and wreftling than ever; for h is a holy and jealous God. O be much for him downright and upright for him, coft what it will he is more than able to bear your charges, o^ whofe flioulders the government is laid. A1I1 my poor advice would be, That; with all haft, you would write to London, difcharging Mr. Nij bet to come here, for his bafe fitting of time and fuch fpecial calls. As alfo to fend tor th< two that are here; tor now we are keeping fin in our own bofoms, and, if the Lord prevent i not, putting weapons in mad-mens hands. A;
• alfo, to feek the Lord's mind in ordaining o moe miniftersx and that among yourfelves. M)l own judgment has been, that providing you cai!
-find fuch qualified with h )linefs, tendernefs, cxJ: amples, as Paul fays of the believers, in word, in converfation, in fpirit, in faith and purity and fuch zsAJls i. 21. which accompanied you i your tribulations, and hive been witneffes to yo
^ontendings and wreftlmgs, and given proof o;
. their- conftancy and faithfulnefs. And indeed that is the way, I think, that would bring i mod glory to our Lord, and which would b much iike our cafe, and my foul would mod pi; with every way; for I am far from the mind that the Lord will make much ufe of learning for the building: of his houfe again. It is, and has been
>ib-ciuch boaded of amongfl: us, fo truflcd 10,
and
LET T E. R Si 339-
fermd improven againft our Lord, that, I think, "or a time, he will put a mark of ignominy upon ;: t, and train up at his own fchool. O my bre- r. hrcn, it is Scotland that muft make fit for mini- sters, elfe here it will never be. I thii k;
ft Ihould fend over three of the mod eminenc ufafliong you, with the firft cocafion, in room cfr £thefe ye arc to call home, that our caufe^ may :tbe keeped up in that college, and feme t'o"/wi:- '< {nefs againfl James Rujjel, and the others, whtr Jbave feated there, or any that may oppofe us. JAs-alfo, letters of thanks (hould be written to ,'tihat college, and to the claflis; as alfo, an 2p- •■probation of what they have done. As alfo, a [joint declaration againfl: the church of Rotterdam, \jirft, for their fetting down to the Lord's table a • f promifcuous multitude, men of blood, that have : been at Pentland and Botbwel -againft the Lorcfe; men banded, cefled, and what not : as alfo, de- baring from it fuch-as were faithful, as worthy Ratbillet, Sec. Item, for receiving in amongit them Mr. Fleming, who is rather Charles Stuart's minifler than Quid's. As alfo, their crue! deal- ing and handling of their countrymen that came there, who are faithful in their day, threatening to ftarve them out of their confcicnces, notwith- ftanding of the large fupply, they have from the-, magistrates of that place, for the effedi of the poor. Item, Their taking into their feffions, :-• members thereof, men void of both principled and tendernefs, and their not exercifiog the dif- cipline of our church, nor preaching i : againft the fins of our time. As alio, their li- cenfing all to preach amongft: them, howe TrOtour for their open defection, and avo.ved rebel* >fl againfl Chrift; fucli as have devoored \
F f 2 flock,
)i
340 LETTERS.
:iock at home, and feek to purfue thofe in ; llrange had who have efcaped oat of tbei claws. As alio, their open and pra&ically dii covering themfelves this day sgainfl our mother church, &c.
My advice would be alfo, that your tcilimo. p,y would relate of a declaration, that yoi would let ou: a!fo, laying out the rebellion- oi xaibifters ail alongft it, and how they have now forfaken Chrift and the poor remnant ; fo that if ye had the oecaiion, ye durft not further own ihcm; and lay it out to the churches, that pro- viding any of them come by them, that they or noac others be owned without they have a tefti^ mony and approbation from the {offering church oi Scotland. As alfo, letters of thanks would be lent to Mr. Bracket, for his kindneis and faith ftfitaeli in the craic of God, and to the fufferers here.
I can fay no more, my dear and honourable Brethren, but what I omit, I hope the bearers wi!! fupply it.- Let me hear more frequent- ly from you all, for jour letters are very re- frefhing to me; though many times I be, b.Lt i ittle in ca'e to write liuo you, yet 1 defire that you may f:nd my practical kincineis, and not miftake my filence.
1 -v, the buffing of bim that dvjeli in the lufb U all.
Vizing hctker,
OBERT HAMILTON. LETTER
LETTERS • 34i
LETTER LXXVIII.
The following Letters by Mr. Mi- chael Shields were moftly wrote \jt at the direction of the General Meeting.
/ om Mr. Michael Shields, to fane Friends,
■■ Dear Friends, July 5. 16? 1.
HAving the occafion of the bearer, I though: I could not omit, but write a line to you; infignificant as it is, counting myfelf obliged tc do it, and more many ways.* It is our duty to be fympathizing with, bearing burden, and mind- ing one another ; but as 1 am fliort in all duties, fo in this alfo. Diftance of place, or reparation <me of us from another, or being in diveife na- tions, lhculd not be a ciufe of our torgetu, one another ; efpecially in this day when lb ma- ny have forgotten God their Maker, their vov to him, and his people, with whom they were once embarked. O let us not do lb, but be mind- ing and praying with and for one another, and provoking and flirring up one another to love, and to good works. And now when I have ; pen to paper, what can I fay ? I am unfit f< any thing ; little I can fay either for counfcl or ^encouragement : but this I fay, Look unto and, depend upon him who is all-iu.'Rcicnt for both- yea, for all things ye wan: or can want, lie the foundation and well
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and happincfs. Delight yourfelves in him, anc ye fhall have the defire of your fouls.
Dear Friends, fince it hath pleafed the Lorcl to determine your hearts to fall in love witl him, and in token thereof to meet together ii Chriftian fellowfhip for prayer, and other duties! incumbent for you in your ftation : and not onlj fo, but to join with, and caft in your lot amon^ the poor fuffering, tofled, reproached, condeian-i cd, and difperfed remnanf of the church of Scotland, who is this day like a lily amor.g thorns, and a filly chafed bird among vultures and ravens-. As you have beguo, fo hold on : endurers to the end only get the crown. Ol labour (if fuch an one as I may defire) to keep up your meetings ; forget- not the aflcmbling of yourfelves together; let not that ftately tower that we have yet left in our Zion (of the many ftrong bulwarks, comely ramparts, and high hedges that ouce we had in and about her) fall down ; left it prove crufhing and piercing. Seek' him where he hath promifed to be found ; reft not till ye find him ; refufe to be comforted till he return and be gracious, and be pacified to- "wards the remnant of his heritage. Let your light fo Jhine- (ye dwell in a dark place) before men, that they feeing yoitr goodivotks may glorify God; and that they may have no ground to blame your good conversion in Chrift. Labour to be liv- ing witnefies for Chrift and his precious truths, and agairft the enemies and their abomina- tions in the place you live in : and your fym* pathy with your affii&ed brethren in Scotland, let it continue. It is a duty much command- ed a^.d commended by Cod in his woid; and fellow-feeling with the fuffering members of
Chrift,
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Chrifl:, is a mark that we are members of that fame. body whereof he is the head. Let us not be lying at eafe in a day of Jacob's trouble, eating, drinking, and making merry, left we be guilty of the woe pronounced againft fuch, and be led forth with the workep of iniquity, when peace lhall be upon his IfraeL When trouble from the world abounds, let our love to him, and zeal for him, increafe ; and the more our Lord Jefus is perfecuted by the wicked of ibis generation, and his image in his members bated, lee us love him the more, and be known to rhewci Id that we do fo, although persecution never fo great foltow ; and -labour to get his- image more renewed in your fouls. This is a day wherein we* have a fair opportunity to give a proof of our love and loyalty to King Chrift, who is wronged, wounded, flighted, defpifed and contemned, and fpittedupon by the wicked of this generation; yea, and many of the wounds and wrongs he gets is in the houfe of his friends. O let us lay hold upon fuch oppor- tunities : for many have longed for the like, and have not obtained. It fets us well, and is well ojr common, to lear, love and obey him, who loved us when we could not love ourielves, nor no^ye pity us. O wonderful condefcen- dency>0 let us labour to get our eyes and ears to affeft our hearts, that we may be fuitably affe&ed, and deeply wounded and concerned with the many wounds precious Chrift hath got- ten, his glory, truths, caufe, covenant and people havegotten and are getting this day. Let as re- fent and teftify againft thele wrongs, left we be found guilty. We ought to contend and fuffer for hairs, hoofs, and pins of precious truth.
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O noble privilege, and high dignity to he ho- noured to fdffer for the leaft of them, if any of them may he fo called.
Dear Friends, let us rejoice in tribulation and perfecution for his fake ; let- us rejoice in being robbed, fpoiled, and nothing left us; let us re- joice in being put to wander, though it were in mountains, dens, and caves of the earth ; (we have a cloud of witneffes that have gone be- fore us) let u» rejoice in cruel mockings, re- proaches from. enemies and pretended friends ; yea, in being put to cruel tortures and deaths ; none of all thefe things (hall harm us, if we be followers of that which is good ; yea, in ail thefe things we {hail be more than con- querors, through him that loved us, and iva/hed us in his Hood, Here is enough though we be under perfecution all our days, it fets us 10 be filent, and not to quarrel with his do- ings, for he is the governor of heaven and earth, he can do us no wrong. O for fub- miiiive fpirits, Let us bear his indignation pa- tiently, becaufe ive have finned againji hint: and to be learning the language of the rod, and hitn who ha-ih appointed it. The difpenfarions thar fall out in our day are very (trange, deep, and myfterious: he is bringing to pafs his aft, his firangeaci. He is by them making himfelf to bs known to be God, whofe ways are equal, al- though many a time to us they feem crooked, when we meafure them by the crooked rule of our own making. He is taking many ways to »iake himfelf great and high in his peoples eyes and eflimation, by taking instruments (and thefe great ones) and means out of the way* I think "this is one language chat thir difpen*
fanoas
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fations have, Befiill, and know that I am God, &c. It lets us better to be fitting filent, and wonder- ; ing and adoring at infinite fovereignty in bis way of working, than to quarrel and cry our, Why is it thus ? And^another language is, Look- unto me all ye ends of the earth, and be ye fared; Jet us look, to him only for lalvation, both from inward and outward enemies, and no longer to hills aud mountains. Le: us fiand ftill- and fee the falvation of the Lord, who hath a holy hand in fuffering us to be brought into fo great diffi- culties, as it were the Red-fea before us, rocks on every hand, and the Egyptians behind, that he alone may be feen exalted and glorified in delivering us out of them. A look from him- lelf can divide the Red-fea, and make his people to walk on dry land, and make the chariot- wheels of our enemies to drive heavily.
Dear Friends, there is cne thing I am fome- what prefled in confeience to tell you of, and that is, fince you have joined with the fuffering remnant in Scotland, and adhered to the contro- verted truths our dying martyrs have laid down their lives for, and our living witneiles are con- tending for, and in particular, that in protefting againft the unfaithfulnefs and finful iilence Fn miniftcrs, by their withdrawing from them, it were your wifdom to be even-down in this, and to take good heed whom ye hear, leaft, if rafli in this, ye be found to contradict what they have done ; efpecially now when we have given them a call, which if they embrace, it is well, if :.ot we, muft ftand flil! and not go to them, leaft we loo!r our ground, but they nuift return to is. Do not miftake me, as if 1 were defiling to caft at the gofpel, or mimfters : No; !
for-
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forbid ; the Lord js my witnefs, that is not my I defirc: it is only to have you to ceafe to hear! the inftpu&ion that caufeth to* err from the) words of knowledge, aDd to wait till we get th: gofpel, which we have finned away, back again, I faithfully preached by faithful minifters, that 1 1 defign. It is my foul's deiire, if my heart deceive me not, to long to hear the gofpel, and to feel faithful minifters ; (O what is more defireablej than to hear Chrift Tpeaking to us in the calm* voice of the go'pe! again, who hath been long, fpeaking to us in the loud voice of.his judgments . and threatenings) and to long to fee that day. when the reproach of being againft miniftry and magistracy ihall be rolled away from his. people; and when both (hall be duely and right- ly adminiftrcd according to his word. Dear Friends, let us mourn and weep for our former flighting of the f.vcet gofpel, and wreftle with him n'ght and day,, that he. would .return ai I viiit us with the oilers of his gofpel, and let yet the voice of the turtle be heard in. our land, the, time of the finging of the birds, and the fpring time come. O let us long and.thirft for fuch. fweet and defirablcdays.
I draw to a clofe with this : Thefe three of you whom the Lord bath honoured with a pri- lon, and to bear his crofs, have the foreftart of
e reft. I with heartily grace, mercy, and peace, ne their allowance, and the confolations of his
Tit make their prifons fweet to them; and
at he may keep them in the hour of tempta-, on, and help them to endure to the end: and
is the duty of all the reft of you to be prepar- ing for ilfiering.
LETTERS. 347
I earneftly defire ye would do me the favour as to write to me. I remain,
Your feivant at command in the Lord,
MICHAEL SHIELDS,
LETTER LXXIX.
From Mr. Michael Shields, to ■ —
Rev. atid ivortky Sir, Augufti. 16S3.
WE defire to blefs the Lord on your behalf, that he hath made choice of you to be -an ioftrunieDt to appear for your Matter's wrong- ed caufe in this persecuted church, which, thro* the good hand of God, hath proven an ef- fectual mean for the raifing up of ChriiVs fallen banner in this backflidden land, wherein there is none to appear valiantly for him, according to the command of God, and our folenin vows and engagements; but, upon the other hand, are homologating with the enemy, and have turned violent reproachers and periecutors of the poor ,aiJMed, perfecuted, furring remnant, and that both of the living and the dead, to the (tumbling., weakening, and turning hack of many who were beginning to look after the Lord, and had put their hand to the plough, in witneiling and tes- tifying againft the abominations of our day aud time, which clearly doth-appear from thele their mod odious and ridiculous calumnies, which the letter feet to us by our faithful delegate, is a new certification of.
Sir,
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343 LETTERS.
Sir, we (hall, as in the fight of an holy God declare the truth in every point of thefe accufa tions ye received from thefe minifters of Rotter dam againft us.
1. As for our rafting off and rejecting 0 Charles Stewart, and all them they call magi (traces ruling under him, we own it ; and defirc to mourn for cur being fo long in doing o it : the reafons of our doing thereof, we hope. ye are fufftciently informed by our worthy and faithful delegate fent to you. But as to fetting up of magiftrates among ourfelves, there is no truth in it. And as to that of our killing all that will not adhere to us, and are not of our opinion we declare to be falfe and calumnious, and a thing detefted by us.
2. As to the fecond accufaticn, that we are not pure in religion: Alas! we are not as w ought to be in that. But as to the putting an/ queftions to thefe whom we admit to fellowfhips, we declare we put none but fuch as we have from divine precept, and former engagements to God, and to one another.
3. As for the third acenfation, we think not ftrange that they calumniate us as a faftion, and not as a church 5 for thefe minifters and people whom they hold to be the church, did reproach our moft noble furTering minifters and martyrs as erroneous, and of a Jefuitical prin- ciple; aswitnefs, Mr. Kid, Mr. King, hit. Came- ron, and Mr. Cargil, who, in our declining age, were the only witnefles, as minifters, for the true church of our Lord JefusChrift, and againft: the incroachments made thereupon
As to the fecond part of the third accufation, that the filent minifters fay, that they are the
moft
LETTERS. 349
; oil pure church, and that they have paftors and prdbyteries: Ic is true they lit in preiby- terv and condemn the innocent, bv fuftify the lawfulnefs of taking the Bond and the late ;. ialgence, upon which head, amongfl "ers, our worthies have fuffered, teftifyinjr a- dnftit; and feveral of them hear the tefted cu- i tes themfelves, and advife others to do fo ; ;, ar,d the generality of them refufe either to or adminifter the facraments: as witnefs, 'v comes :o them, with a teftificate, fee of baprifm, they refufe, and del :hem to go to the tefted curates. And this is a part of the parity of their church. 4, to to the fourth accufation, that the ftu- :;r.3 are not of unblameable life. In a&fwer that, thefe three who are fent to you, to be edu- I 'Cited in order to the miniflry, as to their life •and cenverfation while they were with us t! -walked blameleily, fo far as could be difcerned I by us.
Worthy Sir, to conclude, not defiling to be tedious, we, the poor fullering remnant in -church of Sc ;ive you hearty thanks fo\-
your faithful pains and diligence aoeHC the or- . dination cf Mr. Jamc; R 2nd are gl \
. ! rei-Vice to hear of your, and your worthy b ther's latisfadion with him; and take it for a to] for g it the Lord will vifit and gather to-
get':, poor fcattered ilieep in our land.
And alio, that our and your God I pence your lahour of love and pai^s, and d gence, feventold in your bofora. Sic tur,
MICHAEL SH]
-to LETTERS,
LETTER LXXX.
From the Antlpopifi), Antlprelatlc, Antler afliait true Prefbyterian church of Scotland, To theft that dejire to join with the caufe of God} Dublin in Ireland.
Odober^ 1683. Dear Friends and covenanted Brethren,
THE Lord brought us to a high pitch of a glorious and bleiTed reformation, in the .feveral iteps thereof, from Popery, Prelacy, and Eraftian fupremacy; and took us into covenant -with himfelf, to ierve him after the due orde^ and to maintain his intereft with our lives and li 'berties, as we ihould anfwer to him at the great ,day. Whereby cur land was made the glory of the nations, and our church terrible to her ene< mies, as an army with banners, holinefs to the Lord being the badge; fo that we may fay, our -Jvine which the Lord brought out of Egypt, did fill the land, and the hills were covered with the foa- dovj of it, and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedars. But alas! there are crept in a- inongft us little foxes to ipoil the tender grapes.; .Malignant men difaffefted to the caufe and peo pie of God, ; who got footing in judicatories .and armies, who ought to have been purged out, that their places might be filled up with men of -known integrity, according to the word of God, Exod. xviii. 21. 2 Sar,z. xxiii. 3. Yet that duty was net only hindered and condemned by .prevailing company of carnal hearts; but alfo, pubiic reiolutious were fallen upon to bring in
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toown malignants, enemies to God and p nefs, into places of power and truft : and com- mifiioners authorized to clofe a treaty with this man Charles Stuart, king of malignants, and to give him the crown, upon his fubfcribing fuch demands as were fent to him, after fo many dis- coveries of his malice agaiaft G'od, and of his Hill perfnling ii> the fame, and notwithftand':; Ig they knew him not to be hearty, bucjoggliig in what he condefcended to ; who no (boner footing, but ufed all means to ruin the work or G6d. And in their firft parliament took, as ic were, the royal diadem off King Chrift's head, (O horrid blafphemy!) and fe{ it upon their king, whereby they made him- an idol in his per- fon ; who, by virtue of that facrilegious robbing of the Son of God, commanded our minifters to leave their flocks, over which the principal and good Shepherd had fet them,- which they altnoil all did, as if they had been hirelings, and fi3 ed the wolf to catch and fcatter the ilieep; fo that we may fay, Our pleafant things were noc taken from us, but we gave them away with ou;* own hands. We betrayed the intereft of Chrift, and gave enemies all their aflcing, and made the Lord's pleafant portion a defolate wildernefs. Vet the Lord, becaufe he had compaffion on his people, and on his dwelling place, ftirred up fome to go to the high places of the fields, and jeopard their lives unto the death, in proclaiming the truths of God; whereby there were great inroads made upon Satan's territories, who tinding himielf at a lofs and difadvantage, fpewed out finful (baits amongft us, to ruin the work of God, and to break us, viz; indulgences and indemnities, thereby ChriPJs crown was eftablilhcd upon a- G g 2 (Qaa'j
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man's head, which fome men, loving worldly eaie more than truth, embracing, they betrayed the caufe of God, and yielded the day to the dr2gon and his angels; others who had not the offer, yet gaping after it, ftruck in with them, io ftrengthen the devil's iide ; and many who profefttd to be againft fuch courfes tbemfelves, yet tendered more the credit of difcreditable men than the honour of God ; and inftead of uf- ing means for their reclaiming, ftrengthned their hands in their perverfe ways, and iided with them againft thofe whom the Lord railed up to he faithful and free, and (weakly, though not de- signedly I hope, for we defire to be charitable 10 them) wrought together to gain the end of the common adverfary ; who, as they gained ground, increafed the perfection ; which now hath difcovered the thoughts and hidden hypo- crify of man) hearts. Yet in all this, (blefied be the holy and wife Lord) he had ftill a remnant who keeped their ground, and through his *ffi(b 2 nee, wreftled for him, by faithful preaching of Lis will, appearances, teftimonies, declarations, vud lufrermgs; fo that there is not one flep of all our public defection, but that he hath honour- ed and helped a party to witnefs againft, and to ieal their teftirnonies with their blood, both mi- killers and people of divers qualities.
And now, we defire nothing but, the Lord ^lifting, to follow the good old way, and to ilaad upon the ground whereunto the Lord, by opr worthy reformers, brought us, and for which we have been wrelllingand contending: we fay, • -e are feeking nothing but to take the Lord's part againft his enemies, to (land under Michael's tt rgainft the dragon, and to have
our
LETTERS. 353
our banifhed King Chrift brought back again ; and in order to this, ftudying to fhake our hands clean of the caufes of his difpteafure at us, which keeps him fo long away, and to fet about the duties of Chriiiianity with mourning, humiliati- on, faftibg, and prayer.
Therefore, being all engaged in one common caufe, ard bound in covenant together, ah
forae knowledge of your cafe, ?nd alio of your defire to know and follow duty ; wc thought it expedient to write unto you, ye hav- ing been, to the grief of our fouls, led afide by the cruel and iubtile dealing of adverfaries, a; the treachery and unfaithfulnefs of thefe who gave themfelves out for your leaders; defiring, as brethren, that ye would lay to heart the fad- cafe our church is reda&ed unto by reafon of our fin againft the Lord : and cohfider what is called for at your hands, if either you defire to fee his return again to Britain and Ireland, or to tranf- rnit his truths to the fucceeding generation, as to the fhaking yourfelves clean of the abomi- nations of the times, and alio withdrawing your- felves from thefe baekfi'dden minifters altogether unfaithful to our wronged Lord and Mafter: for as to your meeting-houfes, not knowing whit underhand dealing hath been with the wicked .- powers of the time, neither thinking the cafe to be formally the fame with our helhhatched in- dulgences in ScotIa)id; yet the cffc&s are much one. For,
i. The embracing of thefe mceringhc was a dividing of themfelves from then righteous brethren and their fufFerinj
n to be the only butt of the adversaries m lice, and to ihif: for tl Dnti f u
Gg 3
3£4 LETTER S.
engagements, whereby we were to take one com- mon lot with the common caufe.
2. It was an embracing of a fnare, whereby [k they were drawn into, doe only, a fupine and loathfome formality and neutrality in the Lord's caufe, but into unfaithfulnefs in the higheft de- gree, paliating the fins, and covering the abo- minations of the tyrannical powers, leaft they, having the arm of flefti upon their fide, ihould caft down their meeting-houfes, and caft out themfelves; and in no meafure discovering the duty of the day to people, fo that they are igno- rant of what thefe cruel adverfaries have done againft our blefled Lord, and of their own fin in ilrengthening their hands in their working wic- jkednefs, and upholding that fabric of rebellion againft the heavens. Oh! what (hall we fay, fin and duty hath been both hid, and the fouls of the people not cared for, neither the (landing of the intereft of Jefus Chrift which they have palpably betrayed ; and have moft actively given their confent to the enemies taking and keeping the houfes of God in pofleffion. And,
3. They have quit their meeting houfes a; the command and threatning of men ; for albe- it their entry was hurifome to the caufe, and ihe exercife of their miniftry nothing but a felling of truth, and a buying of finful liberty to themfelves; yet that does not warrant ano- ther ftep of declining duty, in explicitly and more fully delivering up the privileges of Je- fus Chrift ; yea, one pendule cf his crown fhould cot be yielded, though it ihould coft us all our lives: ar,d we may cry out, Let it not be beard in G.:ihyimr puhlijhed in the Jheets of Afkelon, that the Covenanters in Britain and Ireland
fhould
LETTERS. 355
fhould be ftandirg with their heads upon their Decks in that day when King Chrift's crown was taken from him.
O beloved Friends and covenanted Brethren, go on in your duty, and fcliow no men, but them who will follow the L-ord Jefus drift ; confider truth as naked, abftra&ing from all perfons, and refolve firmly in Jehovah's ftrength to (land to i: alone, albeit none (hould (land with you; and never take carnal reafons and arguments to plead yourlelves out of your duty, but confider ay the cLicy whether it be duty or not, in all its cir- cumstances; and if found to be fo, then up and do it upon the greateft of hazards ; and think not to walk fo as the abuied laws of man fhaU not reach you, for if they do not, the law of Go J will ; for they are now confronted one again ft a- noiher, and the cry is gone forth from the Lord to all that will fide themfelves with him, to take his part againft a cruel and a treacherous ge- neration. Say not a confederacy unto them, neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. But/ft tify the Lord of he/is himfelf and let him be your fear, and let him be ycur dread; and he JJ;all be for a fanftuary unto you, Ifa. viii. 12, 13, 14. ere fore come out from them, and beyefeparatc,
th the Lord, and touch not the unclean thinz; and I will receive you, and be a father unto you, and ye Jhall be my fons and daughters, faith the Lord Almighty, 2 Cor. vi. 17, 18. O come out from amon^ them, that ye be not partakers of their fins, and that ye receive not of their plagues: fir their fins hath reached unto heaven, and God ba remembered their iniquities, Rev. xviii. 4, 5. O make hafte, and get in under the ihadow of the Lord's wirgs, and give up with every f3lfe and
nicked
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wicked wiy, that now ye may be hid from the fire- ry indignation ; for he is coming to pake terribly the earth, and to pwiifo the inhabitants thereof for their iniquities. There is a /word bathed in heaven to come ddvm upon Jdumea, and upon the people* of his enrfe ; and fpare whom lie will, he will not fpare minifters, yea Prcfbyterian ministers, for they have betrayed the intereft of Jefus Chrifl; yea, not only confented unto, but con. curred with enemies fpoiling him of his prince- ly robes, and of the power he hath in his own houfe : They have made fad the hearts of the righteous, whom the Lord hath not made fad, and ftrengthened the hands of the wicked, that he fhould not return from his wicked way, by proroiiing him life, and have feduced the peo- ple, by ieeing vifions of peace for them in their finful backfliding courfes, when there was do peace from the Lord.
0 dearly Beloved in our blefled Lord, follow none further than they follow Chrift:; and ceafe* to hear the inftru&ion which caufeth to err from the words of knowledge ; and mark and avoid them who canfe divifims and offences contrary to the doctrine v:hich ye have learned \ for they that arejuch, fervc not our Lord Jefus Chrift, but their own bellies, and by good words and fair fpeeches, deceive the hearts oj the fimple.
We iha'l trouble you no further at the time, bui heartily and fully approving of the caniage of your hearty friend and wellwiftier in the Lord, Mr. James Kcmvick, among you, (who is for us a iaithful minifler of Jefu* Chrift) in not joining, with thefe men-minifters with you, and in de- clining them as to the feeking and acccepting their call to preach, or giving them fatisfcftion
as
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as to his ordination; yet, as often he faid unto youtfelves, we hold ourfelves obliged in duty to iatisfy you who have been his hearers; therefore we have fent unto you a true tranfcript of the teftificate of his ordination 'in Latin, and the Engli/I) verfion thereof, with fome other papers for your clearing and information in the Lord's caufe; thanking you heartily for the great kind- uefe, he reports, that ye (hewed untohiui, tak- ing it as if it had been done to all of us: And defiring that ye, fnaking ycuifelves clean of the jabominations of the time, may embody your- felves in Chriflian fellowfkips and focierics, with all tendernefs and brokennefs of heart, crying mightily to the Lord, that he would return and be reconciled unto the remnant of his heritage, and reclaim his captivate declarative glory out of the hands of the proud enemy; and we (lull keep a correlpondence with you, aud help you with any whom the Lord fends forth unto us, cloathed with his commiffion, to prodau: glad tidings of lalvation. The Lord, the Loid Qod, the covenanted God of Britain and Ireland. be with ycu.
LT.TTER
358. L E T T E R £-..
LETTER LXXXL
From the Antlpopijl), AntUprelatick, Anti-era- ftian, true Pre jbylerun, but poor and perfecuted Church of Scotland, to the right honourable, tritely gracious, ami. re ally fyrnpathizmg Bre- thren and Sifter / in Friefland, and more efpe- cially in the city o/Lewarden.
Otfober 28. 1683.
THE Lord did vouchfafe fuch gracious and glorious privileges upon us, that lie brought us unto a high pitch of reformation, and many engagements to be for him, be- yond many (yea, we may fay to the praife of his free grace, and with refie&ion upon our heinous ingratitude, beyond any) lands: but he hath been many ways provoked by us to lay us low as at this day, which indeed we muft con- fefs we hive deferved, yea, and- more at his liand ; but we defire to take all in love from him, who chafteneth and loves, and loves in chaftifemem ; and in feeking by this hot and fiery furnace to get a lemnant purified for him- feif, amongft whom he may take delight to dwell , And now when the furnace is (till grow* jag hotter and hotter, (hould not we look be- yond the ootfide of difpenfations, into the Lords glorious purpofes and intentions; who, the more hot he makes the furnace, minds to produce the more pure metal thereby? Alio we think upon (of which we are fure ye ere cot without the apprebeniions) the fad and 3 r able cafe of all national and other churches,
by
LETTER S. 359
.by reafon of unfaithfulnefs to the Lord, little €lleern of his precious truths, want of zeal for his glory, and not following him fully as lie ought to be; we are indeed perfuaded, that where he hath thoughts of love, and purpofes of kindnefs, thither he will come, and fit as a refiner's lire to purge and refine. But, 0! ever bleiTed be his holy and exalted name, he who is able to raife children unto *4brabam ou: of the ftcces, will not want a teftimony far himfelf, and a company of living wLtneikrs : and we may (ay, to the praile of his glorious free ; grace, and gracious condefccndency to our once glorious, but now bleeding and wounded, yet wreftling and contending mother church, that -.in our laud he hath had this; we fay, a compa- ny, a party whom he dill honoured, and is yet honouring and helping to burft out with decla- rations, protections, teftimonies,*refifi:ance2, .and that unto blood, again ft ail the heinous in- dignities done to him, whom he hath not left -Jiclplefs nor comfortiefe. And among our other refre things from himielf, this is one, and not a fmall one, that he hath ftirred you, our right , honourable 2nd dearly beloved brethren and iif- .rers, to wreftle fo diligently, and to contend fo •faithfully, zealonily, and valiantly for our church; *.£iid to bear burden, and really to fyrnp .with us in our affli&ions, trials and: tribula- ; tions, evidenced by your fincere love, and great • kindnefs unto, aud finguter fympathy wit! right honourable friend Mr.. Robert Hamilton, -who hath been much dignified and owned ot the Lord, in his many engagements, appear- , contendings, and fufferings at borne, for fs caufe, and ouncaufe ; and in his ma-
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ny wredlings abroad, which ye are not ignorant ( of, having given many evidences cf his care,i' diligence, faithfulnefs, and zeal for the Lord:) ( And alfo evidenced by your great love and (ym. l pathy with our right honourable friend EarlJionA1 and his perfecuted and cad-out family, who the branch of an old (landing houfe for the Lord ; he himfelf honoured to be greatly ac tive for his caufe, and now called to be imme- diately under the enemies lafh upon that account And, moreover, evidenced by the great charge* ye have been at in helping our diftreflfed anc cad-out families, in collefting fo liberally for the fame; for which we defire'to blefs the Lord and to thank yon. praying earnedly that he himfelf may reward you, who will not forge" your labour of love and compaflion of ns if our bonds. 0! what lliall we fay, we are al members of one body, fobject to one gloriou head, our Lord Jefus Chiift, who hath purchafe us to himfelf: and this is manifefted by you in deed. Therefore let us go on in evidencin, the drift conjaB&ion of us his members, tha when one fuffers, all fuffer with it; an/1 whet one rejoiceth, all rejoice with. it. And alf< making to appear our lovo to our lovely am blefled Lord, by following him fully ; labour ing not to be put off our ground by the violen andboiderous winds of perlecutiou which we an tolled with, and which ye may expeft to be liabl unto. 0 ! have we not a noble and gloriou Captain to follow, who hath differed more h us than we can do for him, delivering bimfel for our offences, and rifing again for our jujiifka tion. 0! it is highly defirable to be like him yea, fuch a high defire, that lod worm ma
durJ
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durft nor have attempted it, if the Lord himfclf had not, out of his infinite and free love, con- defcended both to provide the means, and call us unto it: and as it is highly defirable to be like him in every thing, fo alfo in his fuffering, (who was made perfett through J uffe.ing) not be* ing divided from him in Ins patience. O ! ihall we not looic beyond what is in time, and in this howling but ihort wildernefs, unto what he hath provided for, and promifed unto thofe who over- come ? who hath faid, They fimll walk vmh hirn in white.
Now, right honourable Friends, we cannot exprefe the love we owe unto you ; but we may fay, we have our hearts unite unto you, as wc do not doubt but yours are alfo unto us, though we be not in the capacity to manifeft the fame, as you have done many ways: but we defire to be often and much at a throne of grace for you, begging that ye will be fo for us, in our con- tendings and extreme fufferings. So remains,
Your hearty wellwifinng, really endeared, and very much ibliged brethren, filters and feruants in our ever bleffed Lord,
Subfcribed in our name, and by our direction, by the clerk of our general meeting,
MIC SHIELDS,
H k BETTER
362 LETTERS.
H
LET TER' LXXXII.
'Eccle/ia Scoticana Claffi Groningance falutem*
Nov. 28. 1683.
Reverendiffimi Domini vigilantifimi Paftores,
THE Lord having now, to our great joy and encouragement, reftored unto. us our beloved friend and minifter Mr. James Reirwick, -and brought him through many imminent dan- gers; (for which we deiire to rejoice in him,praif- ing his holy name) who hath given us iuch aa ample and favory account of your real concern- ednefs with our Matter's caufe, and affe&ion to and fympathy with us in Scotland, that we.muft burfl: out in expreflingour fenfiblenefs of, and joy in the fame, by writing unto you: again and again bleffing the Lord, and thanking you for the fingular mercy which we enjoy, by your con- firming of our forefaid beloved friend Mr. James Jienwick in the work of the miniftry (for which he was fent over unto you by us) whereof the Lord gives fpecial evidences of his own appro- bation, being Angularly with him in that great and weighty work, to our great refrefhing and encouragement : and alio teftifying and confirm- ing the truth of that faithful Mr. William Brae- fo/ minifter at Lewarden, witnefled in his friend- ly teftimony of our ftudents before your prefby- tery, viz. That the teflificates and calls fub- fcribed by us unto them, particularly to the .forefaid Mr. James Remvick, were delivered in- to the hand of the right honourable the laird of
Earl/Ion.
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jEarlfton. We acknowledge ourfelves many ways your debtors, both in fpirituals and temporals, and are very fenfible of your care of the church of God, evidenced fo many ways unto us in our low cafe and condition, now when the enemies of our Lord in this land have caften down the Lord's houfe to the ground, and laid his plea- fanr portion defolate, and caften many of us out of our houfes, being violently perfecute, and that unto death, with all the fubtiky and cruelty which the powers of hell and earth can devife. O! the fury andwickednefs of enemies is cone to a great height, and the malice of backiliders is fwelled to a great meafure, not only Chriftia- fiiry bat humanity being altogether given up by the mod part of the nation ; fo that all things fpeak forth the cap of the Anmite and Edormte to be near full, and that the Lord is even at the doors with a great deluge of his wrath, to be let loofe upon the generation. But in the midft of all our diftrefTes and difficulties (0! blriTed be> the name of the Lord) we have no reafon to complain, for he fpeaks comfortably to us in this wildcrnefs ; he is a prelent #help to us in the time of our need, and puts longs in our mouths in the midft of this hot fire ; and is wonderfully feen in hiding, preferving and en- couraging us ; it being no fmall refrelhment un- to us, that he hath put into your hearts to (land ftill and to hear our complaints, and to become companions with us in our tribulations ; for which we defire to praife the Lord, and to pray unto him, that he who is not unrighteous to forget your labour of love may reward you, far putting to your hands to flrengthen and help a wreftling and bleeding church ; and tha| H h 2 he
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he may make you ever faithful in his vineyard, following your labours with his rich blefling, to the glory of his great name, and the advance- ment of his kingdom in the earth, and in the fouls of his people. O ! mind the diflrefled and afili&ed, bleeding cafe of the once glorious church of Scotland, as we defire to mind you, both in public and in private. We remain,
Your affured friends and obliged fervants to our full power in the Lord,
Subfcribed in our name by the clerk of our ge- neral meeting, MIC. SHIELDS.
LETTER LXXX1II.
To all andfundry true Protejlant Churches to ivhom ihir prefents may come.
Nov. 28. 1683.
WE do nor in the lead doubt, but in fome meafure it is known unto you, how that our antient and reformed church of Scotland did fometime glorioufly flourifli wiih the great and bright fpiendourof the true religion, lo that her light was vifible to all adjacent churches: but now, defervedly for our finning againft the Lord, we have occasioned his vineyard in our land to be overfpread and trodden down with foxes, and devoured with the wild beads of the field ; we being under various and fad exigences, great perfecutions and reproaches, which alfo we may J>e perfuaded are come unto your ears. The
weighty
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weighty confideration whereof (together with the great hope we have of your concernednefs with us in our low and defolate cafe, whercunto, as to the external face of our church, we are redacted ; yet dignified and helped, though weakly, but willingly to contend for the faith once delivered to the faints, and for the privileges of the church of God) moved us to fend and commiffionate the right honourable Mr. Kohrt Hamilton, unto all you who are wellwifhers unto the commonwealth of Jfrael, and that upon many deliberate and weighty grounds ; knowing that our caufe and cafe is fadly mifreprefented unto you by the fubtile dealings of our adver- saries and backflidders, who are fin fully adiive, but moft vigilant in giving mifmformation, and falfe relations of what we aft and do ; as if our principles and proceedings were contrary to the written word of God, the fupreme judge of all controverfies, and true Proteftantifm. Whereas, we jointly and. unanimouily declare, that we neither maintain nor hold any thing contrary to the fcriptures of truth, our ancient laws ec- clefiaftic and civil, and our noble work of re- formation; but deiire (yea, and have been help- ed through the Lord's grace) tc fquarc our ao tions and proceedings according thereunto, for which we this day, and for more than the (pace of twenty years, are, and have been fuffering af- flictions, perfections, outcaftings, banithments, imprifonments, and reproaches, yea, and death icfcif.
We therefore, the true Proteftant, Anti-pc- pith, Anti-prelatick, Anticraftian, and pc; cuted Preibyterian church of S. .. do con-
credit this- our commifiioner, giving him < f II h 3 fait
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full power, content and aflent, faithfully and truly to inform all true Proteflant and reformed churches, kingdoms and commonwealths, unto which he (hall or may come, of our prefent cafe, principles, former and later proceedings: and that we are only, through God's grace, labouring to keep ourfelves Itill clean in the \vay of the Lord, as it hath been walked in by our predecelTors, (of truly worthy memory) in their carrying on of our noble and glorious work of reformation, in the feveral fteps there- of, from Popery, Prelacy, and Eraftian faprema- cy ; and it is upon thefe heads that our fufferings have been and are ftated. And for the more clear and full knowledge thereof, we recom- mend you to the information of this our right honourable and faithful commiflioner, as being feen in all our affairs, and of one judgment, and vmder the fame fufferings with us ; and alfo, while he was in our own land, highly dignified and countenanced of the Lord in his many con- tendings and wreftlings, engagements, rencoun- ters and appearances againft the common ad- verfary, contendings and wreftlings againft de- fection and backfliding courfes, and great and many fufferings for truth.
So we humbly intreat and defire that whatever information ye have gouen, or may get, from any hand whatever, either enemies orbackfliders, par- ticularly miniftcrs who have forfaken theLord, and deferted us, of us, our principles and proceedings, contrary to the word of God, our Covenants and engagements unto him, may not be credited nor believed by you, they being only falfe afperfi- OBS and calumnies, through malice, cafl: upon us, yea, nor ctftotrary to the information of this
our
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our right honourable trufiee, and faithful com- miffioner, whom and whole information we humbly, but earncftly, defire and requeft all churches, kingdoms, and commonwealths, whi- ther he may come, to receive and entertain him, as ye would not rejett the fuits and petitions of the once glorious, but now afflicted, toffed, wounded, and bleeding, yet wreftling church of Scotland-, and in receiving of him, it ihall be as done to all of us. Therefore all ye lovers of ZioUy do not flight, but ponder deeply, the fad cafe, we, as a fhare of the proieftant inte- left, are redacted unto, holding up the fame in your prayers to the Lord : for God calls all to Sympathize together, and to confider, that the plottings, confultations, malchievraents, and actings of adverftries, are intended againfl the whole; and when one member fuffers, all ought to fuffer with it. And we, for cur parts, (which is all the remuneration that, at the time, we can give) lhall not ceafe to pray for your flouriihing in fpirituals and temporals.
Subfcribed in our name, and by our direction, by the clerk of our general meeting,
MIC. SHIELDS.
LETTER
363 LETTERS.
LETTER LXXXIV.
The contending and ivreji ling fuffering and diftrep fed reformed church of Scotland, to the true re- formed church at Embdcn.
July 31. 1684..
Right Revd. and dearly Beloved in the. Lord,
OUR long delaying to teftify oor acknow* ledgment of your kindly fympathy and friendly commiferation of us in our diftrcfied, bleeding and perplexed cafe, may make you ap- prehend that we are forgetful of the great bene- fits which we received from your hands, and un- grateful towards yonrfelves : but we earneftly- intreat, that no fach thoughts may be entertain- ed ; for though our tranfmiffions of letters to yoa hath hitherto, by reafon of fome providential exigences, been obftrufted, yet the fenfe of the duty of thankfulnefs, which we owe unto you is* and we hope will be, always upon our fpirks, Albeit we be in fuch a poor cafe, as we are not able, though mod willing, to manifeft the fame by remunerating you any manner of way, ac- cording to your kindnefs fhowp, and liberality extended towards us ; but we know in what ye did, therein ye had your eye upon duty, and not upon reward. And your charitable frame of fpirit which was evidenced to us by your bounty, and declared by our right honourable commiffi- oner, was more encouraging and refreshing to us than all wordly things could be: for we look- upon the founding of bowels' among Christians as a grea* token of good to the univerfal church,
which
LETTERS. 369
tvhich (as we a poor part thereof are in a de- plorable cafe) is in a very dangerous condition ; the rage ot enemies being infatiable, not bended againft us as men, but as Chriftians, yea as Pro- teftants; and the more they prevail againft us, the more courage they take :o enter into univer- sal plots and confpiracies againft the whole re.- formed churches. Therefore let us account the Suffering of one member as imerded againft all; and fo let us take heed to ourfelves and to our common gofpel intereft ; for the plots of Satan and his inftruments are no more deep than uni- versal. Let it be our ftudy to be led in the way of truth and holincfs, which is always the way of pleafantnefs, and to ftand up as one man a- gainil Antkhrift, and whatever men of auti- chriftian and malignant fpirits would intrude up- on the kingdom of our Lord. Let us beware of affronting our noble Captain by yielding to his enemies one foot of ground, for the cauie is his, and therefore it is worth the contending for. It is fo honpurable and precious as nothing is too coftly to beftow upon it. And if the Loid were Dot letting us fee that this cauie, which we a poor broken and diftrefled church are contending and (uffering for, were his own caufe, and that the heads ot our (ufferings are his crown, and iJie pendicles thereof, were it not fo, we would loon yield and give it over; for thefe men who are the rod of the Lord's anger againft us have their fpirits let on edge by the fire of hell; their fury is fo firey, their rage fo cruel, and their fnares fo fubtile, that our cafe hath none fo like it, as was the condition of the godly in the Netherlands, m the time of the SpaniJJ) inquiiition. But we cannot get time to look upon our miicrics and dangers,
being
37® LETTER S.
being forced to tarn our contemplation another way, to wit, to behold the wonderful works of the Lord in. his doing for us in this our low condition, by ftirring up the fpirits of you, and of fome, to fympathize with us, by bearing up I" eur fpirits under this firey trial, you drawing out I his breads of confolation in fuch meafure amongfl: us that are the burden-bearers in the heat of this our day that many are made to cry out, Their work is eafy, their lines are- fallen to them in pleafant places; and by wonderful delivering us out of the claws of this roaring adverfary, and plucking us a prey out of their teeth, when fenfe reafon, and probability faid the contrary ; fo that from his power and faithfulnefs, meeting with many inexprefiible proofs of the fame, we <teiire to believe, that becaufe of the glory of his great name, he will do great things for us, yea work wonders; for indeed no lefs can raife up his born-down, yea ruined work in Scotland. BlvE though the church's difeafe at this time be de- sperate, yet we dare not look, upon it as incur- able, feeing Jefus Chrift the faithful phyfician (who meddles only with defperate difeafes, that his fkilfulnefs may the more appear) is engaged to look upon it, and to help it. He villi heal her back* fadings, and will love her freely ; and will turn away his anger from her, yea, and will be- as the dew unto her, fo that (he /hall grow as the lily, and caft forth her roots as Lebanon. Her branches fijll /pre ad, her beauty JJ?all be as the olive tree, and her fmell as Lebanon. We defire to wait for that longed-for day, and for the time when judg- ment (hall return again to righteoufnefs, and when men fhall difcern between she righteous and the wicked.
So2
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So, Right Reverend, much Honoured, and learly Beloved, make many errands to the :hrone of grace for us, praying eameftly and frequently that the Lord, who is the great ma- ler-builder of his own work, may work, and ac- :ompli(h his work amongft us, and perfeft the fame over the belly of all oppofition ; and that we may be ftrengthened with patience to endure to the end, Handing out refolutely againft: our outward and inward enemies, and no ways ftain- mg the honour of the. glorious Captain x)f our falvation.
Now, the Lord God of hofts be with you, and fortify your fpirits againft all the machinations of Satan, making you all good foldiers, cloathed ivith his armour of proof, that ye may endure to the end, and enjoy the crown which he hath kid up for all that fear him. We ihall detain you no further at the time, humbly defiring (if poffible) to be dignified with a line from your hands, which (hall be moft refrefhing and reviv- ing unto
Your moft obliged and endeared friends , and obedient fervants in all Cbriftian duty,
Subfcribed in our name, and by our dire£tion# by the clerk of the general meeting.
MIC. SHIELDS.
LETTER
372 LETTERS.
LETTER LXXXV.
From the contending and fufering reformed church of Scotland, to their Right Honourable and trufty Delegate Mr. Robert Hamilton.
July 31. 1684.
Right Hon. and dearly Beloved in the Lord,
ris like our correfpondence together, by reafon of the di (lance of place, your intend- ed travels, and the difficulty of transmitting let- ters, may be for a feafon interrupted. However, as we are bound in duty, we lhall endeavour, through the Lord's gracious afiiftance, to keep up a mindfulnefs of you, and that work where- in the Lord hath employed you for us, always praying the Lord may dire& you wifely to ma- nage his caufe againft all his oppofites; (as in a great meafure he hath done heretofore) may make you a brazen wall and an iron pillar in his houfe; may blefs your labours and travels ; and that, when his holy will is, he (preferving you in your work) may reftore yop unto us, loaded with the fpoils of Antichrift, tropies of the kirk of Chrift, and the longed for fruits of your pain- ful labours.
O right honourable and trufty Commiflioner, go on in your work, fear not man, the caufe is the Lord's, and he will glorioufly own it. What (hall we fay to his prane and to your en- couragement, but we are meeting with many proofs of his power and faithfulnefs even when our furnace is hotted; we may fay, he is (till delivering us# either by preventing trials, or
ftip-
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fupportiDg under trials; he, as ir were, lays the bridle upon the mane of adverfaries, and yet lets it be feen thac in iome meafure they cannot get us reached O how glorious is he in wifdom,
r, holinefs, juftice, goodnefs, and truth; he is laying pledges into our hands that he will do great things for us, whereof we ihall be g'ad, and which he ihall proclaim among the heathen*
re perfuaded he is polling upon his way to appear for his broken and buried work ; he will cox.e at an unexpected time, and in an unexpeft- ,ed raan-ner, and happy (haH they be whom he
i A at their work, and who are not deeping with the -generality of this generation : But fure we are. there are fad days abiding' fuch as are
lg with a (lack hand this day, and who re-
q anfwer his call now, when he is many* ways prefenting himfelf to his people, and tefti- fying his wiiiingnefs to return-again to them. O
i not .doubt but he will return, and fuddenly ; and he har.h great mercies abiding thefe that are wailing for hiui ; but judgment, judgments* judgments we arefure Oull utherthem in. Let aa prepare to wade through judgment mercies; and O noble way that he takes, for we cannot be otherwiie prepared for mercies. '
i Ihall we open up cur hearts, or unfold oughts unto you ? the Lord he is God and the caprain of our falvation, a cleared fight where- of would obfeurate all the difficulties that are in the way, and carry the eye over both the long, weary, flimy, and thorny wilderneis, and the proud Dwellings of Jordan, beholding and con- templating the good and promifed land. We Jiope, the Lord hath taught you better than to I i rcgird
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regard oppofition in your way of ferving and fol- lowing him, for the more fad your ways be, the more glorious (hall be your vidtory ; you will mif- ken yourfelf when, inftead of a crown of thorns, you get an immortal crown of glory put upon your heads, and a cloathing of white raiment, al- ways beholding him who is the wonder and praile of the family of that higher houfe.
But now, we commit you to the Lord for di- recting, comforting and fuppcrting grace, pray- ing that he may be with you in your intended travels, and make your pains tend to the up-raifing of his work; and for what he hath done by you, we defire to blefs him, putting a prize upon all his mercies, efpecially upon that inestimable be- nefit of his gofpel, which is as reviving from the dead. Let us, if poffible, hear from you ere you depart from the place where you now are, and let us know wherein it lies in our power to be encouraging and ftrengthening unro you. So a- gaiii we leave yoq upon the good hand of your God and our God, hoping that we need not defire you in prayer to be mindful of usf who
cU'G,
Your Honour's obliged and endeared friends, brethren, and fervants in the Lord,
..oubferibed in our name and by our direction, by the clerk of our general meeting,
MICHAEL SHIELDS. LETTE
LETTERS. 375
LETTER LXXXVI.
From the contending, ivrefllwg, fuffering and dif- treffed reformed church of Scotland, to the true Protejlant and reformed church at Groningen, particularly the minijters thereof.
July 31. 1684.
'Right Reverend and dearly Beloved^
THE fwect experience which we have had of your receiving, and faithfulnefs in weighing, our former addrefles, with the circum- ftances wherein we (land, hath given us abundant encouragement to catch hold of this preient op- portunity of the unfolding lomewhat of our for- rows, which your love and cur neceflity invites and calls, yea commands us, to reprefent to your fympathy and compaflion ; however, we are con- fident we mav commit much to the faithfulnefs of our right honourable Delegate, to lay open unto you our fad and deplorable condition. And we are allured that the love ye bear ro the com- mon cauie of all Chriftians will not fuffcr you to fhut your eyes from the bleeding and lamentable condition of the poor diftrefled church ot iYor- land. Should we not therefore lee k to eale our burdened hearts, by pouring them out into your bofoms? for if we llionld neglect this, we would feem ungrateful towards you, who have given io large and ample evidences of ycur readineis to to do for us and iufFer with us.
Afiuredly, if ever a poor church was battered
at by Satan and his infbumems, we are that
church jifever a poor people were bc(eticui:d with
I i 7, right
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right and left hand oppofites, we are that peo- ple! if ever a poor remnant were the obj eh of Antichrift's cruelty, and apoftatical malice, we are that remnant; for the Lord hath called forth and firengthened an enemy againft us, the rod of bis anger j and the jlaff of kis indignation^ a ge- neration of men whole fpirita are fee on edge by the fury of hell, under whoie eKafperate cruel- ties we figh and mourn, they drawing their fur- rows upon your backs: many of us are daily fed as lambs to the (laughter; yea, and at the hour of oar death not permitted to commend the free grace of God in Chrift, to fpeak to the iove- l'inefs and defirablenefs of the crofs, to exhort others to fledfaftnefs in the caufe, nor to pro- claim that the lines are fallen to us in p\ places; fome are lhut up in prifon houfes, laid in irons, 2nd fo barbaroufly kept that thefe who they ~re mod (tri&ly tied unto, either by the bonds of nature or Chriftianity, can have no accefs unco them : others are fent away to foreign Plantati- ons to.be fold as (laves: and all of us, we may fay, put to wander with cur lives in our hands, and to eat ou!* bread in the peril of our lives, many of our refidences bring in the wild moun- tains, dens and caves of the earth, the enraged adverfary ftill (Searching and puriuing after us, and many ftill permitted to fall into their hands. Bjt O ! we need nor cxprefs unto you the in- veterate and deadly malice of this otflignanr, prophane, and antichriftian faftion ; for what true Proreftants know it not, that the rage of dated enemies againft the church of Chrift is irr- fatiable. However, the Lord is our witnefs, that our grief and trouble is not fo much bceaiife of the dangers we are in, and of the roifery which
LETTERS. 377
we are liable to; but that which rnoftly aftefts our hearts, is the danger which we behold the whole Protcftant reformed churches are in at this jun&ure, through the univerfal confpiracies and combinations amongft avowed enemies to religion, their ftrength, by appearance, ftil creafing. If our God will lay our bodies as the flreet under our feet, and pour out our bleed
: before their fury, his holy and wife be done; for if our blood would be a mean to recover or preferve the re ; true churx
of Chrift from ai e arc will.
ing to offer it up for the fervice; box we know , their fu'-y is infaliaSle; and will not dte with us, they being armed i * btit as
Chriftians • ; ill we fay / e no:
quarrel nor repine at our low ( l l ro rejo:ce in :ea fa*
the ma on of :he Lord's attribute,
us; fol 5 new occaiion to
bis power manifeft, taking bajd of our extremity as his o; port.
e are troubled on every flroyed; we are perplexed nut nor fecuted, b^r not for fake:: I no:
ch to mourn becau.e of the length t i • a r enemies are permitted to proceed agaimb us, ai we arc i
more of their y and night tl I
limes we a . ; as a
prey p] a: of tin and thii I
■ it man ' wards og, and eticoo
It 3
378 LETTERS.
{hall do great things for us : Wherefore, ow; mouths ihall be filled with laughter, our tongu© with finging, and we fhall be made to proclaim* among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad ; Yea we ar always delivered, for we account it a bleiTed and'j happy deliverance, that (though fome faint, yet}] many are kept faithful unto the death, choofiua rather to quite with their heads than any cf tbd precious truths of Chrift, they finging in the hot furnace, and crying out that their lines are fal- len to them in pleafant places.
Now, Right Reverend and dearly Beloved' in our Lord, we have the more encouragment: to lay out our cafe every way unto you, thai- your brotherly fympathy and labours of love iiath been manifeft to us all, and throughout the: world, by your kindly acceptance of our right honourable and faithful Delegate's informations,, your refpe&ing and crediting him whom we owe fo much refpefl and credit unto: By your affec- tionate kindne-fs unto, and ordaining of Mr.. James Remvick, who is for u? a faithful minifter of Jefus Chiift, which hath fumiflied us no imall encouragement and refreftiment in this day of our diltrefs; the Lord giving evidences that he is his. n.efferger. And aifo, by'your hitherto friendly entertaining cf fuch as have been fent from u& uiito your co-leges. Withal, earneflly, though humbly, begging and intreating, that (if there be any pcffibility of it) ye would condelceud up- on fome way, for the future maintaining of fome: of our youths at your colleges; for we may fay, as we are cot able to maintain them abroad, fa our fchbols zmd colleges at heme are fo corrupt acd clearing, that uone who will not run wkh
the ai'
LETTERS 379
them into the fame exeefs of error and r-iot, can or dare meddle with the iame. However, we feri- oufly defire that none from this land be owned or acknowledged by you, who have not our tef- tiScate, or the recommendation of our Delegate. And as to thefe, who, without our knowledge or counfel, have already crept in amongft you with their errors and calumnies, tending to the weakening ot the Proteftant interefl; we hope we need not again warn you, jutiging that fnare to be already broken. So, in a deeper fenfe of our cafe, and with greater confidence of your fympathy (having had many proofs of the fame) than we can expreis, we make this humble addrefs junto you, in the bowels of Chrift, earn-eftly im- ploring your mod fervent prayers for us to the Lord, who is the hearer of prayer, that he who hides his face from us-, may yet return again and lift up the light of his countenance upon us, may reclaim his captivate declarative glory, and fub- due and Icatter the enemies thereof.
Now,, the Lord pfofper ycu, and preferve us, that we may all as one man, Hand up a^ainfl Antichrift and ailhishmbs, and whatever is con- trary to ionnd doctrine and the power of godli- uefs, that fo the work of thele htter ages may be carried on, to the honour of Cod and the church's joy, through Jefus Clirift. So, we remain,
Your obliged f? lends, and
humble fen ants in the Lo?d,
Sjbfcribed in our,name, and by our direction, by the cleik of our general meeting,
MICHAEL SHIELDS.
380 LET
LETTER LXXXVIL
To fome Friends in Neweaftle.
Jan. 8. i685. Dearly beloved Brethren in the Lord,
WE have heard from John Scot, whom wdl conceive to have had com million from you for that fame effect, the difficulty and trials in your prefent cafe, which are in . no f mall incafure affecting to fis. But, O! be not dif- couraged, but rather rejoice., that the Lord will not give unto you eafe, which is very undefirabje now when Zion is in trouble; neither think your firey trials ftrange, for it is but the fame in mea- fure with what happens unto your brethren: And though no affliction for the prefent be joyous but grievous to flefti and blood, yet we cannot but Jook upon the greateft tribulation, when the work of God is fo low, to-be the greater teftimony of his love.
However, as to our mind and advice scent ■ your prefent ftrait, we judge it,
ijly Matter of great concernednefs, both to you and us, that fome of you (hould be redacted to that intricate extremity, that your fin and. ftifferiog is upon the one hand, and the fuffering of cur neareft and cleared: relations upon -the ether, which we know afTuredly, will be more bitter to you than any thing that can be brought upon yourfelves in following your duty. B r,
2d!y, Ye, as we hope, not having contented actively or paffively, by filence or concurrence, to your relations their purchafing your liberty
by
LETTERS. 38r
>y a bond to prefent you 2gain before the fef- ions. We judge it cannot be your doty to bo *ither a&ive or paffive in prefeotiwg yowfelves, rxji- that ye ought to make mn of the way, fee- ing ye kuo»v afluredly that ye will be apprehend- ed, (i.) It would bfer yourconfenting to what your relations have done, in tampering v.itk the adverfary. (2.) It would infer your having a hand in your latter fufkrings, which furt^y rs both a fin in the fight of God, and very quieting to the confeience ; for though we ought cheartully to imbrace fuff-ring when the Lord fends it in our way, yet we ought firft to have no hand in it ourfelves, no not by omitting our duty in uiing what lawful means may prevent the fame: When we are perfecuted in one city r we are commanded to fly to another. Let allot you that are at liberty ufe all lawful means to keep yourlelves fo ; for -if you (hall caft y our- felves into the trial, ye know cot what fnares the Lord may fubject you unto, as your punish- ment, whereof ye may be made lo repent out of time.
dear Brethren, let not your prefent trials damp or confufe you, for if the Lord had not feen fuch a cafe for his glory and your good, he had not brought you irotd it. Seek not the carving out of your own lot, but put it in the Lord's hand, and iubferibe your ton i what he fees meet to do unto you ; Rudy to walk before him in the way 0! lis apjMO-
ven by him to him; and there,.
and there only, yfc (hall enjoy the comfortable light of his p!carai!t countenance, wherewith liokieih the upright : Ittk the upmaking of all your wants in himlclf, who luih promiicd
to
382 LET T E R S.
to take you up, though father and mother fiouli bothforfake you*
Now, if ye incline thereunto, and fee it _. to come into Scotland, and take part and lot] with us, know affjredly, that ye ihall be mod acceptable; and though we can promife yoL, nothing but perfecution, yet ye (hall have our1 countenance, and all the encouragement that wc can beftow upon you : and vfe fcsope that ye (lull not think your lot hard. So, leaving you upon the Lord, for the light of dire£hon andi confolation, we remain,
Your affectionate brethren, fympatbizing friends r and jervants in the Lord,
Subfcribed in our name, and by onr dire&on,. by the clerk of our general meeting,
MIC. SHIELDS,
LETTER LXXXVIIL
Ftom the foffering and ivreftlinv remnant of the church of Scotland, to the rigfn honourable the || laird of Earlfton,. prifoner for the caufe of
Cbrijl.
Much honoured Sir, Jan. 8. 1685.
YOur letter, dire&ed to the right reverend Mr. James P\.enwick. was very refrething and encouraging to us all; yea, we may fay, a little reviving to our fpirits in our bondage, having not heard from yourfelf, nor particu- larly of your cafe, for a confulerablc time be*
fore,
LETTERS. 383
bre, which, together with the many troubles we have been and are tryfted with, hath occa- fioned our not writing unto you : and although you have not heard from us alter this manner, yet you have not been forgotten by us. But we were and are defirous to know your cafe, and to keep up that due fympathy and fellow-feeling with you, in your bonds for pre- cious Chrift, which we ought. However, we defire ublcfs the Lord upon your account, who hath brought you, for the manifefting the riches of his free grace, through io many and fo vari- ous trials and temptations, from within and without, from malicious enemies and flattering pretended friends ; yea, bath brought you again from the gates of death, and fides of the grave, gaping ready to devour you, thereby difapoint- ing the fears of his people, and expeftations of his enemies, which you ought to look upon as tcflimonics of his love and fatherly chaftife- raents, that before you be unpurged and turn drofs in the furnace, he will take great pains upon you, and take you from one fire to an- other, till ye be a veflel fitted for his fervice; and when enemies think to add forrow to your affliction, in making you like an owl in the de- fart, or a peiican in the wildernefs, by fnutting you up in dole prifon, far from the convene of your friends and relations ; that then and" there he ihculd vific you with his loving kind- nefs, and fill your foul with a fenfe of his love, and make you ling in the riaidft of thefe hot fires, (O wonderful love, and matchlels conde- fcenderjcy!) and to lay that heart- raviihing ar.d fouWcomforting w);d, mentioned in your letter, AJ) Lord; and not only foj Lui 10 give you fucha
lively
384 L E T T E' R S.
lively and favoury impreffion upon your fplr of his public work, and noble caule in thii day, when it is worn off the fpirits of many^j who feemingly hid it once; and, alas! tc much off many of our own, All which, we fay as it is ground of encouragement, and matter 1 praife to us before! the. Lord; ■ fo you ought in a fpecial manner, to praife and magnify bin for the fame, and to make the experiences his former loving kindnefs to your foul, as mc tives to believe, and helps to confide in him for^ •the future; that he, who hath brought you thrc/r the depths before, remains faithful and. cannort change,, can md will bring. you through the ltk£> again; yea, though he ihould fee it fit. in his holy wifdom to make you wade through waters-, deep md booad, and to make you go through fires more large and hot; yet, O faint not, trufl: in him who hath dene fo great things. to you and for you: Remember Chrift, your jiead and Captain, is above the waters ; he waded thro' deeper waters, and ran through hotter firev (and all for the redemption of poor loft finners) than you or any of his .people can do: Re- member him, ivbo endured fuch contraditiion of finners, and for finners ; who being tempted, k?iows how to fuccour thefe that are fo. Labour to put a. blank in his hand, that you may -not quarrel with him, whatever lot he may tryft you with. O his prefence will make any lot defirable, for it fupplies all wants, and makes the creature to rejoice, when robbed and fpoiled of all other things; k makes affli&ions light, and trialseafy; it makes a prifon a palace, and the threaten- ' ings of men to be defpifed ; yea. it will make
the
LETTERS. 585
ne foul fmg and rejoice, when going thro* the wlley and fhadow of death. Much honoured Sir, what (hall we fay mora tor your encouragement, but this, Go on, go in, in your fuflkring for precious Ciinft; tha laufe you are fuffering for is Chrift's own caafe, .nd he will own it in his own due time, and >wn all who own it fincere'y : He lives and eigns, and will reign ; The crown fidl flourifh m his head, and all his enemies be cloathed with frame. And although enemies in this land will not have Ch rift to reign over them, having obbed him of his crown and royal preroga- ives; and (enfe and rcafon would fay, he would never reign in this land, yet faith, which fees clearly in the darkeft nighr, will fee him fitting on his throne, reigning and ruling in and a- mongft his people, and over his enemies ; coming cloathed with the garments of ven- geance, and cloak of zeal againft them, and with the garments of falvation and mercy to his people. O happy foul that will be found in his way, and about their work when he comes, to whom liiscoming will only be fweet. What lhall we fay more to his commendation? He is good and does good, his crofs is eafy, and his bur- den is light. He hath done antHs doing great things for us and to us ; he hath been and is at great pains with us to purge us from our drofs, and make us a holy and cleanly people for himfelf. He hath given us the golpel, and it feems he is countenancing the fame, and en- creafing the followers thereof. And O lie fcems to be about to do fomc great work in this land, to bring to pjfi his afl, his jl range ad.
Much honoured Sir, you make m niion m K k your
•*86 .LETTERS.
your letter of your refolution to write at mon^ length to us, when the opportunity ferve&fo That opportunity is longed for by us; for yooi^ laft was So refreihful, that we earneftly defiretcit
hear from you again. So, leaving you upi
on the God of Jacob, for his dire&ion, afliftanc^I and confolation in rime, and the enjoyment oil bimfelf throughout eternity ; begging that while! in the body, you will not be unmindful of i^ who are not forgetful of you. We arc,
Your Honour's ajfured and fympatHzing friends l brethren andfervaritsin the Lord,
Subfcribed in our name, and by ourdireflion^ •by the clerk of our general meeting,
MIC. SHIELDS.
LETTER LXXXIX.
\To Mr.. David Hoofton mhnfter of the gofpel in Ireland.
Ar. i i ■ the 23d. of Sept. 1686.
Right reverend. Sir, X T I Hen we confider the neceffity of a ftand- VV ing gofpel minrftry, for the converfion ©f fouls, the confirmation of the converted,; and the difcoveryof the fins ajid duties of the <time, and the -great lofs that his poor affii&ed and wreltling church hath fuifered, in being de« -prived in a great meafure, for fome years, of v~*he faithful and free preaching of the gofpel; « look- upon it ^s a great duty incumbent up- on
LETTERS. 3^
ki3s, to lay out ourfelves, in our places and fla- ms, to the utmoftof our power, to- recover :h a fad and lamentable lofs, and that our ad may enjoy the ineftimable benefit of a pure, werful and plentiful gofpel : Wherefore, we •aring of your zealous inclinations and affeCti- Is to this poor fuffering church, did fend over oie to confer with you, whofe information a- M you hath been fatisfying to us ; whereupon Srhave jointly relolved to fend over the bearer :reof, to confer further with you, and to con- \y you unto us, according to your refolution ;. at lb we may meet together, which we defire Lat it may, through the Lord's goodnefs, tend )th to your and our fatisfatTion. Nov, reverend Sir, we hope that you will ke this to your confideration, and not look »htly upon the cafe of our land ; for though e be low, and Co our need of help the greattr, ?t we may fry, that through many pta'ces of :otlandy there is now among people more long- ig and earned defire after the faithful aud ure preaching of the gofpel than'formerly we ave obferved. But we ihall not infill upon this. ^nd as for reports anent yourfelf, (which we lought not fit to infert here, and whereof you 'ould do well to clear yourfelf of) we refer ou to the information of the bearer, until that bu and we meet together, if the Lord pleafe border it fo in his holy providence. Thus, de- ling to. intreat the Loid, that he may conduft ou fafely unto us; aod that our meeting to- other may be blefled with a right and full un- Icrftanding of one another, and joint concur- ing together, for the advancement of his pub- ic, work; and earneflly begging the help ot 1U a your
388 LETTERS.
your prayers, we commend you to the grac* I that is in Chrift Jefus, your mafter^ and we are, , i
Reverend Sir,
Your endeared friends and
fervants in the Lord,
Subfcribeil in our name, and by our direction, 1 by the clerk of our general meeting,
MIC. SHIELDS. I!
LETTER XC
To Friends in Ireland,
March %. 1687. 1
Loving Friends, and dearly beloved in our Lord; ; Jejits Chrift,
X T 7E received your kind and chriftian letter^ I VV very refrefhful and acceptable to us-- i not only becaufe coming from fuch who have obtained like precious faith ivith us, through the righteoufnefs of God, and our Saviour Jefu^l Chrift, and whom we reiptft as our brethren, j tinder the fame indiflblvable bond of our holy. Covenants, engaged to concert the fame com- mon *:aufe, and teftimony for the precious,-! interefls of our princely Mafler; with whom we have defired a more clofe and intimate cor- refpondence than hitherto we have obtained;, arid coming from fuch, at fuch a time, when we were groaning under that bitter grievance, a- mong many others, of being deprived of, and -
fe-
LETTERS. 389
queftcred from that defirable and much defired omfqrt of communion with our brethren in o- 1er churches, which we could not enjoy as we efired, becaufe of the univerfal decay of love, £al and fympathy, every where too vifibly de- reafing, and becaufe of the many odious and ovidious obloquies we and our caufe have been fperfed with, which yet we find hath not go: 0 credulous entertainment wkh you, as to block ip your hearts, and bind up your hands from [hewing fuch tender affe&ion toward us as ye dif- bover in your letter: but alio, becaufe of the nanner of its conveyance, by a hand very wel- come to us, wherein you demonftrate no fmali :are and concern to be informed of our cafe lodcane, in that you fpare no pains to purchafe :he underftand'mg of it, . And chiefly your letter was very grateful to us, becauie of the matter of it; rehlhing fo much of a gofpel fpirit of rympathy with us, in our conflicts of fufterings and contendings for truth and duty, and of a farv'oury fenfe of our worthies witneffings tor the regalities of our royal Miller, which they fealed ! with their bonds and blood ; and of heart »sJc&< ing grief, condoling the milery of our unhappy diviiions, and of love to us, prompting you lo fuch a ferious folickoufnds to be informed t our integrity to the fworn truths, and of out, way in the Lord, the better to (lop the calm.. nies of adverlariesj and of zeal for the com nv caufe in cxpreffing your defire, to keep up har- mony w:th us if) puriiuncc of the ends of the Covenants, and ads of venerable alfenibhcs, and* that the mouths of liars may be flopped. T fragrancy of which graces that your letter d iavour of, did very much endear it to B . K k 7
390 LETTERS.
incites us to fome earned diligence (as our un- certain wanderings would allow) to endeavour a fpeedy return. But, in confidence of your kind conftrudlion, we mud apologize with regrere, |ji that neither our condition for the time will adT mit, nor our capacity furnifli us with fo fpeedy and fatisfa&ory an jinfwer to fend you as we Ae fire ; and therefore muft entreat your favour, both for our (hortnefs in the abrupt abridgment of our anfwer, and for our longfomne k in fend- in .
It would be tedious both for yoa and for us, to give a full deduflion of the manifold trafts and fteps, travels and travelings, turnings and. windings, ups and downs we have had in our confh&s and contendings, with open enemies and profeffed friends, with cruelty and craft,, with rage and reproach, with cenfures and ca- lumnies, with perfecutors of hand and perfecu- lors of tongue, with defection and divifion, with the extremes of left hand dedtnfions aci right band extravagancies, in our continued (and yet, through mercy, uninterrupted) courfe of our weak -.vrefllings againft the corruptions of the times, and the indignities done to our Lord Je^ jus Chrift, and his crown prerogatives. We nrufV refer the more ample account of thefe, to our itformatory Vindication we propofe to emit ; and* alio to lend to you, affoon as the times difficul- ties will permit us: only at the time to anfwer your de-fire in fome meafure, that you may be informed about thefe reports of our animefiues- ialicn cut amorg curfelves; and how it comes, and why it ia, that now in our land, Juch:b ftfjuld fight agaipft JuJab, even at Jervjalcviy. which catifes your ipuits to faint tc bur the va- rious
LETTERS. 391
rious reports of it; we would, in Tome fhort hints, and open hearted ingenuity, give you to underfland fomething of the caufes and effects, rife and refuk of thefe animofuies, and what our carriage hath been under thefe diflfentions, and of our prefent abflraSion, amidfl thefe dif- tra&ions, whence it (prang, and where it itands with us.
Though we be moft unworthy of the honour, and very uncapable and inefficient for the work ©f profecuting a teftimony for the covenanted reformation of this once renowned cjhurch; yet it hath ever been, and ftiif is our ambition and endeavour to aim at it, and rnfifl in the footfteps of the moil zealous and faithful promoters of it that have gone before us, and to advance in it as ihey left it, without any abandoning or fore- going any part of it, or altering, (further-thaa that progrefs, or rather application to our pre- ftn-t cafe, the times have called us to make) fo that however we be reproached with new prin- ciples or pra&ices, which we have forged and fortered to maintain our new way, as many even of opr backfl.ding brethren do call our prefent tef- tirnony, yet we can truly fay, we know of none that we have efpoufeJ, either contrary to the venerable church conftitutions, in our heft and purelt times, or contradictory to what oof mini- Iters preached before thefe divifions began, or to what we our (elves profiled when united with them, who now brand us with the odious eha- ra&ers of changli rigs .and fchifmatics, which we will not now (land to refute by recriminations, but can eafily vindicate ourfelvca from it, by a inked dcduvTcion of the controverfy, as managed by
Ojr
392 LETTERS.
Our teftimony haih been in fome meafure continued and propagated ever fince the fatal cataflroplie of overturning the work of refor- mation, by the reintrodudtion of tyranny, fu~ premacy* and Prelacy, fince which time, we have always defigned and defired to adhere to, , and imbark with fuch minifters and profeflbrs, as did from time to time zealoufly withftand and witnefs againft all the feveral fucceffive grada- tions of this national revolt from the Lord, and were incorporate with the body of them that did bear and follow the Lord's ftandard, in the work of field-preaching before Botknvel ; with whom we had fweet and foul- fa tidying communion*; while their feet mere beautiful upon the mountain/, , bringing; glad tidings , publifning falvatlon, and proclaiming, as heralds, that Zion's King reign- ed; while they jeoparded their lives in the high- places of the fields with us, in the work of the Lord, in negotiating a treaty of reconciliation between the Lord and us; (hewing forth all the- coutifel of God to us, and all the caufes of his eontendings with us, and prtfling us to all the duties of the day, neceflary for keeping up the teftimony, and bringing our King backagain to the land, whom our provocations had banifbed: for which end they inculcated upon us, our covenant engagements, to keep and contend for the word of the church of Scotland's patience, to wreftle againft all the encroachments made upon our Mafter's kingdom, and to weep over all the indignities done unto his name, by this apoftate and malignant party, revolted from, and rebelling againft him, and to ftand at the. fartbeft from all countenancing of, cr comply- ing with them; or ftren^ther/.ng their hands by
hearing
LETTERS. 393
bctri'ng of the curates, or anfwering their courts, or traufa&ing with them any. manner of way, in taking their enfnaring bonds or oaths, (where- of we had many then impofed, of the fame na- ture with thefe forged fmce, though now more univerfally accepted) or in paying their ini- quitous exa&ions, for maintaining them in their wickedneis, profeffcdly impoied and re quirt d for that end; yea, when many of our much ho- noured watchmen fpared not to let their trum- pet to their mouth, apd cry againft all the de- feftions of their brethren impartially, part cu- larly againft all that t!ruith-reJ7drng and ruin- ing defc&ion of the acce-punce of that indul- gence, the baftard brat of the blafphMnous fu- premacy, then our fouls were rtfrtlhed in go- ing alongft with them; but when fell credit and intereft did ingage fome to uke the pa- trociny of that flep of defection, and picpo- fterous prudence and refpeft to peace, with pre- judice of truth, did prompt others to palliate and daub it, we adhered to thefe that faithfully con- tinned to contend againft it-, who, for iheir fo ■ doing, were much contemned and condemned; and fome of them in fundry prefbyteries uere eenfured and rebuked ; yet did r/e not break iff communion with thefe who then were labouring to quench our zeal, and cool our favour againit that Chrift-diihonouring fin, though at that time we were much dilcountenarced by them, but endeavoured to go on with the ttftimony, both againft the dtkdion, and the tyrant's ufurpa- tion upon ChrilVs crown, thereby explicittly exau&orated, from which it had its rife; and. accordingly the tcftimony at RmbergUn was e- nutted May 29. 1679. againft the declaration
con-
394 LET T E R S.
condemning our Covenants, the aft for keeping that anniverfary day for the letting up the U- furper, and againft other wicked adh made a- gainft the interefl of Chrift in the laud, which were then pnbiicMy burnt, which is now con- demned by many that :hei> approved and ap- plauded it. After which, when, in profecution of the fame teftimony,. the Lord favoured us with a notable viflory at Drumclog* that ex- pedition of Both-wel following thereupon was broken, by a holy provoked God, for our fins, by occafion of our divifions and confufions, fo- mented by the oppofers of oar teftimony, wherein we were unite, before fome minifters * and others favouring the Indulgence, did con- tender inferring the interefl of the ufurping indulger in the (late of the quarrel, and oppofed the inletting of the indulgence, as- it was ob- truded and accepted, among the caufesof humi* liation>.that\ye then pleaded for as a neceflary duty that appearance called for : whereupon followed that lamentable overthrow, wherein much precious blood was ftied, and many of' cur dear brethren were led in- triuipph captives by the infulting enemy 5 Tome of them fealed tfoat teftimony we then contended for with their blood ; others of them refufing the infnar- ing indemnity (condemning that, and all other appearances as fin) and the Bond of Peace then tendered, as the teft of that compliance, were banifhed : and in their voyage murdered, by be- ing (hut up under hatchets, when the fhip was loft. Many came off by taking that bond, be- ing tempted by the perfuafions of fome mini- fters, and the filence of others, .who refufed to gwe their advice. At which time. a number ofo
our
LET T E H S. 395
oar miniftcrs formed themfelves into an afTem- bly, wherein they voted for a new indulgence, with the Cautionary Bond, in fome reipeds more derogatory to Chrifl's prerogative, and the gofpel's liberty, than the former : and frota that time, fuch as had not the benefit of the indul- gence, iff homologation of that impofition, did
rconfine their preaching within doors, or near houfes, that that fliadow of obedience, might be a fconce for their protection. Then did ocr
, perplexities begin, that did much aftoniih us, and brought us to our wits end; yet did not
, our hunger after the ordinances abate, bac
- we adhered to the few miniilers we had, that would concur and venture in the work of
• the gojpel. And when Mr. Richard Cameron uied all diligence and patience in inviting and
- inciting othersof his brethren, then lurking, *o a concurrence, he could not obtain it ; yet with
: the concurrence he had, and our adherence, he . went on with the teftimony, both againft ene- mies ufurpations, and the ihameful and finfel yielding* of his brethren thereunto. And ac* cording!;/, confidering the wickednefs, ufurpa- tions, and tyranny of the late tyrant, then ra- -. glng as a roaring lion, and ranging bear over . the poor people, impofing upon their confciences, robbing, fpoiling, and P'Haging their po(lcflion% hunting and cruelly handling, imprifoning, tor- -turing, butchering, and murdering, their bodies, for confeience of duty ; affronting and defying the mod high God, in heaven-diring wicked- Dcl's; inverting, perverting, and diverting, the • ordinance of magiftracy ; and deftroying all laws and liberties, all fecurities of mankind, and overturning the whole work of reformation,
breaking
30 LETT E R S.
breaking and burning the covenant with Goi, and compaft with the people, and arrogating to himfelf a blafphemous fupremacy over the church of Chrfft: he did, with the concur- rence and adherence aforefaid, publifti a De- claration at SanqitbaVy Junezz. 1680. drown- ing and difclaiming the tyrant; and in foroe ex- pectation of a further capacity, did declare a war agiinlt him, and all that took his part. Bat, inflead of that obliged concurrence which mini- fters ought to have given to this teftimony (o ftated, this action and the owners thereof were generally condemned by them: and "being fo deferted and abandoned of them, in the holy providence of God, we loft that worthy ftandard- bearer, and many other worthies, at Airfmofs; where many died valiantly fighting for that tef- timony, others were taken anil barbaroufly butchered, hanged, and quartered, fealing the fame with heroick courage, and the countenance of the Lord fignally Ihining upon them, who yet, by the oppofers of our teftimony, though pro- fefied friends to the caufe, were condemned as dying foolifhly, upon infufficieiit grounds. Then had we none to concur with us but worthy Mr. Donald Cargil, of whom, the land and we were not worthy ; and therefore ihortly after this, the. Lord deprived us of him like wile, and gave him the crown of martyrdom, in owning the' lame teftimony. That was a day of our perplexi- ty and treading dowji in our valley of vrfion. Then the word of the Lord was , precious, and there was no open vifion ; the ftandard was fal- len, aird there was none to take it up, of ail the Bbuu liters ^hat were rhen in the land ; tho* they kid many reiterated calls from leveral corners,
yet
LETTERS. 397
yet none would come forth to preach publickly, but fitting and flighting w fhifiingour calls, did either lurk in the land, or went abroad and deferr- ed their work. Whence, being left in that dark- nefs, many went aftray to the right and left hand. On the one hand John Gib and his accomplices difcovered their wild extravagances, to the re- proach of the way of God. On the other hand, many deferted cur teftitnony, and made defecti- on unto the time's compliances: and generally all were jumbled into fuch confafions, that fcarce- \ly could one underftand the language cf another, or know who concurred in the teftitnony : But in that extremity, the Lord made fome mftru- mental to gather us together in a general corre- spondence; where this method was fallen upon, which we have hitherto kept up, of -meeting to- gether from all the focieties of our embodied community, to underftand one another's minds about the duties or tins of the times, and to en- courage one another, and to do 3!! things joint- ly, by mutual advice and common confent, ia profecution of the common teftitnony, which we *Cjll our General Meeting; which proved in fome mealing encouraging to us. For immediately, upon the iiV^ commencement hereof, though when we were fe>; in number and deftitute of paftors, another decla»':!j°n was.ppbhthcd at iLanerky January 12. 1682. con8fZ:}*g the for- mer, and further teftifying *gainrt the°receptfon of the duke cf York, and admitting him ro pre- fide in parliament, and againft the reft, < which declaration did fct us more alcrc, and made us more the butt of enemies malice, and of our brethren's contempt than any thing for- merly; for from tlicrcefoirh, nuny did morr L 1 iTn.
39« LETTERS.
declaredly oppofe ns, and informed sgainft at both at home and abroad; laying heavy things, which we knew not, to our charge, without ei. -ther trying the truth of them, or taking pains to* admonifh us of them. Wherefore, in the next* 'general meeting, we fell to deliberate how our cafe might be reprefented, and our caufe vindi- cated to (Irangers ; and we refolve'ci to fend fome abroad to make it known, that we adhered to all the principles of the true Prelbyterian church of -Scotland, in its doftrine, worftiip, difcipline and government; after which, by fpecial providence, a door being opened -for the infbu&ion of fomc ♦ ftudents at a college in the Netherlands, we lent -fome young men thither to ftudy; and in pro- ,cefs of time received back Mr. James Renwiuk an ordained minifter, who hath hitherto laboured among us in the work of the gofpel, not without a feal of his miniftry through the Lord's bkffing.; however it be oppofed and defpifed of men. Af* ter which, the fury and violence of enemies was let loofe upon us, as well as the fcourge of tongues, to the effufion of much of the preci ous blood of our brethren, and the bondage an4 banilhment of others; and wicked ads were giv- en out for all to apprehend us wherever we couli be found, and to raife the hue and cry after us, inhibiting all to refet i>r correfpond any man- Her of way with us, under the fevereft penalties, -which brought us to great (Iraits, and even tc defperate extremity, without any probable hope of relief, by reafan of. the enemy's vigilancy the country's readinefs to obey, (being alreadj much wafted with oppreflioo, and fearing greate: -devaftations) and the wicked mahce of many in >telligeacers and informers, whence we were ne
cefState*
LETTERS. 39a
sefiitated to put forth another declaration, affixed on feveral market crofles and church doors, November — 1684. confirming and explaining the former, and vindicating us and our teftimo- uy from fome odious afperflons, to the intent to deter and fear the country from giving intelli- gence of us: which, though it did (crew up our trial to a greater height than ever, (the enemies bloody cut-throats having a commifliorv to murder us where ever they met with us) and though it proved a fnare to many, while an oath abjuring the fame was generally prefled through the country, in very fmooth and fuitile terms, which coczened many ; yet it deterred many from their former diligence in informing againft us and alfo drew out fome to job with us, even fome who had taken that oath of abjuration; when they had difcovered the guilt ox it in their wounded confeiences. However, we cannot re- count the number of our dear brethren that we loft in this deluge of blood that was flied at this time by foldiers, and fome gentlemen, that r-ade it their work to kill us where ever we could be found, withooc either trial or fentence, or time to prepare for death, or refpeel to age or fex ; n women, fome of a very young, lome of an old g drowofd to their fury. But in the
rht of this rage, the Lord did remove the tyrant Cb<vles U. which did put tome flop to it. Thereafter, when his brother James duke of Yotk was proclaimed, and a par-
iment copvocated for eftablithing him in usurpation, we rcfolved upon a telhmony againft
~iomc; and lb emitted another declaration at
28. 1685. not only protcfting a*
gauiil the (oreiaid uiurpation, cui.trary to our
L 1 2 cove-
aqq LETTERS.
covenanted reformation and laws of the country % \ but giving our teftimony againft all kind of Pi- piftry in general and particular heads, as is ex* preft in car National Covenants. This was done in the mean time of the earl of At gyle's expedi- tion, with which we were much prefled to concur,, and many embodied with us were drawn away trith the importunity of fome minifters and o- thers of that aflbciation ; yet we could not join with them, nor efponfe their declaration as the ftate of our quarrel, becaufe it was not concert- ed according to the ancient plea of the Scotti/b- Covenanters, againft both right and left hand oppofitos, in defence of our reformation, ex- pretty according to our Covenants, National and Solemn League ; becaufe no mention is 3nade of our covenants, nor of Prefbyterian go- vernment, which was of purpofe left the Secta- rians lliould be irritate; becaufe it opened a lioor for a confederacy with Sectarians and ma- Jignants, of which malignants they 1ml fome a- mong thera guilty of lhedding our blood at Air/l mofs. After the defeat of this expedition, in anftver to the deiire of fome minifters, who came over with Argyle, we had a conference with them, July 22. 1685. in which, inftead of allaying differences, the propofals that \\ere made for union did heighten our breaches, both b them and among ourfelves, as d;d appear by the confeqnents; herein though they offered accommodations, yet in conference to bring it about, they mentioned and did not difowir that which bred alienation, to wit, a previous infor- mation they had fent to ftrangers, accufing us of heavy things, that we had not only caft off all magiftrates in Scotland, but had constitute
among
LETTERS. 401
kilrtn| - kinds of raagiilrates, and
were tor totting off all as open enemies, v did not acknowledge our imaginary govern- ment -ere only in erroneous fc&ion, and have no power of calling patters, & which information of calumnies, though did extenuate, altedgiogihl - py of it E J, yet they coa- mc fuch information was written, : ..: on to profecute, in effeel, the faa:e epi- lation; and hid, they excf rpted ail cj: o:r public papers: and further challenged t for falfely accuting them in our proteftation a- gainfl the Scotiijl) congregation at Rotterdam ■ here- they with others weie promifcuoufiy charg- - ec • i ere MtgoHty of. We coofffled it \\n an overH^; y to accumulate thefe charges •.... >n; but taking them feparately, we of- g there cha'rg* rues inferted. Add vei^hing agair.it Mr. R utic , I
ed the church of Holland of 1 and many other corruptions : To which he on* -
cplied, that he had re. ::oo
from the Prefoytery of Groningen. and tl
uners, and not chargeable - our defe&ions, or any declining from the tci
y of their own church, but ad\ a groaning under fome conmptic they were never refo
another confederation thau minifters of,our c church defending a courfe of defection;
i :s he protected in the lace of ibeir bytt ; i, againlt
402 LETTER S.
of reformation of the church of Scotland; fo he^ told his purpofe to inform that venerable pre!- bytery how they were represented in Scotland ; and if they could not clear themfelves, at lead, of fome of the grofTefl: of thefe things, he would \ be willing to acknowledge before f&ch as were competent, that he had offended in meddling with ; them. The accommodation which they offered, was upon terms, which we thought, deftru&ive to our teftimony, to lay afide all debates, and let by- : gonespafs, andgoon in the public work; which we did not think was the way to heal our {ore : But we offered, if d fferences and exceptions could be removed in a right and honeft way, we would be moft willing to join with them; which ex- ceptions were given in, in thefe particulars following, viz. Their leaving the country and defertiiig the publick work, when it was fo necef- fary to concur in the teftimony, but condemning it in Sanquhar and Lanetk Declarations, even as to the matter of them ; and not condemning the paying of the locality impofed for maintaining; folders againft the work and people of God; their countenancing the complicrs of the time, while in ihe land, and when abroad; joining with i he Scottifh congregation at Rotterdam? and hearing the indulged preach there; then, informing againft us, and aipe rfirg us with (lan- ders, fuch as thefe in the forementioned infor- mation; and then, concurring in the earl of Ar* gyle's aUbciauon, againft which we had fo many things to objvft, as above hinted, Which ex- ceptions (though among the leaft we have a- gainft many other minifters, with whom we have no clearnefs to join in our now circum- ftaaces, jet) we thought iti&cient to demur
tpou ;
LETTERS. 403
upon; when, after many fruitlefs janglings, we could receive no fatisfaclion -about them, nor a public teftimony latisfyingiy ftated, wherein we might both agree and concur ; fo the conference broke up. And thereafter we were more unten- derly dealt with by them y and alio deferted by many embodied with us in fellowfliip, who from that time left off corning to our general meetings, and to take feparate ways, without refped to o^r former confented agreements; and alio did hear, receive, and fpread abroad fome falfe reports given forth againft us, without premonifhing us about the fame ; and drew many off from oar {6- cietics by fuch means. With (ome of which we had a conference, January 2&. 1686. who faid they had a verbal cemmiflion from fbme Societies in Carricky &c* the effedt whereof (whatever was the intent of their coming) tended to a further breach, though we were not confeious to our- felves of any untender dealing with them. For fitft, we did endeavour to remove all fuppofed grounds upon which they might ftumble ir.to alienation from us, by clearing our minds about all thefe things the minirters laid to our charge: then ieveral questions of weight about our prelent d ffcrences \v<:re propounded to the meeting, about a letter of accufation fpread againft us, which they did not pofitively difclaim; and about Argyle'z declaration, which they would own or dilown, accordingly as it was diverfely interpreted; a- bout the exceptions given in againft the mimfters, which they alledged were not valid ; and finally, we afked the lortfaid perfons, whether or not they were clear to join with us in general and particular fdlowfhips, now when they had heard us fpeak our mindb lb freely ? this they refufed to
anfwer,
4o4 LETTERS.
aniwer, patting the queftion back, Whether or not we would join with them? and generally in all thefe quefboDS they declined freedom and piainnefs, and feemed averfe from fatisfying us, arid to be rather for contending, than a free communing for union ; chiefly they (tickled a- bout a general concluiion previoufly agreed to and refolved upon among us, That nothing re- lative to the public, and concerning the whole of ns, fnould be done without the confent, or at lead the knowledge of the whole; which cen- clufion, though formerly they agreed to, yet row they called an impofition; alledging that hereby they might not hear a faithful minifter when occalion offered; though we told, them, . we did not take that.conclufion in an ablolute fenfe, as a reflriction frmply neceflary, for all times, all places, all perfons, things and cafes; and in neceflary duties, if the reft fliall finfully deny their concurrence, they proponing it, may lawfully without breach of the conclufion, do it for themfelves; but in points doubtful and con- troverted, it is neceflary tor advifing and delibe- rating, as a hedge ag-ainft precipitancy and rafh- nefs, ufeful for prefervation of union, excluding confufion, curbing petulent fpirits, and for the right management of affairs. In fine, for the refult of this conference, when we were urged i as above, whether we would join with them as formerly, by way of retortion to our propofals of * the fame to them ; we told them, we could not anfwer in name of our focieties, having no di- rection from them for that effect; and that for our own parts, we would not relufe accidental or occafional communion with them as brethren and Cnriftians ; but in the prelect cireumftances, .
we
i
LETTERS. 405-
we could not be clear to concur with them as formerly, in carrying on the public work har- Hiomoufly, and habitually, until our exceptions were removed ; which were, their breaking that conclufioa of brotherhood formerly condefcend* ed to, in their calling minifters againft whom we had exceptions unremoved, without acquaint- ing us therewith; in their drawing together in arms without our knowledge, and contrary to what was concluded by themfelves with our and their friends: their fiding with other peribns ia points of difagreemenc againft us. Whereupon, they broke away abruptly ; and their carr'age fince hath been very difengaging, and difcover- ed a great deal of alienation from us, by their labouring many ways to represent us unto the world to make us odious, in their informations given in to minifters againft us, and by their protefling againft and hindering Mr. Jm Kemvick to enter their borders, yea, refufing to communicate wi|h him fo much "as in family- worihip, albeit it wasfometimefarcthenvifc,when they agreed with us in their teftimon? againft Papifts, malignants, Se&aries, and backikders. ILc DOW v/e rouft bear many obloqptei from thtm and others, waiting in dependance on the !'.>; vindication, who will bring forth our teeufuefs, or rather the rigbteoafnefe of his own ciufe by us maintained, as the light, and our judgment as the noon day ; and in the mean time, carry ourfelves abftraftly, and let them be faying, we mufc always be aiming at doing.
Now, dear Brethren, we ha^C thus far, with all unfeigned fieedom, unbow< bre yon
the naked account of our conrendings, in lhort hints, withou: ail prevarication, or taking ad*
vantage
4o6 L E T T E K S.
vantage of your unacquaintednefs to reprefent our caufe better than it is. We (hall now (hut pp our tetter with a brief declaration of our tef-' timo^y, which we; now (land and fuffer for, and of our principles that we own and difown.
We do therefore teftify our holding and ad- hering to the written word of God, as the ogly rule of faith and manners, and all the received principles of this reformed church, founded thereupon, and confonant thereunto; as, our Confcffion of Faith, Catechifms Larger and Shorter, Covenants National and Solemn League, Acknowledgment of Sins, and Engagement to- Duties, the Caufes of God's Wrath, &c. W& adhere unto the do&rine, worihip, difciplina 2nd government ot this reformed church, as we: are covenanted to maintain ; and to all the a&a and proceedings of our genera! aflemblies for promoving the reformation. We own and ad- here iKito. all the faithful te(limon:,ts of the. church, or of any of its faithful members or, officers, former, old or later, particular or more general : again ft the public relolutions, Cro?n-> idelh ufurpatiofr, and toleration of feds and he- re fies in his time, before the overturning, and- fince ; againfi Prelacy, fupremacy, or the com- pliances- and defe&ions cf minifters and profef- ion ; particularly, we own the Rutberglen, San- qiinaV) and Lanerk Declarations, and the late. Apoiogetica! Declaration again ft intelligencers, and informers. We own all the duties profef- fed and profecuted by the faithful, for the pro- moval and defence of thefe teftimonies ; as, preaching in the fields, and defending the fame. by arms, and appearing in a declared war againft the public enemies of this kirk, and kingdom*
at
LETTER S. w
~3X Pent land, Drumclog, Botbwel, and Abfmofs.; and all (offering upon the account of thele, ox any part of non conformity, with the Cod- pro- evoking courfes of the time.
We difown and obteit whatfoever, in dc&rine, worlhip, discipline and government, is sgainft, beyond, or be fide the written word of God 5 all damnable herefy, as, Quake rifm, Popery, "Libertiniim, Antincmianifm, Arminianifm, So- cinianifm, and all other, under whatfoever de- fignation; together with the wild extravagan- cies of John Gib: as alfo, all kinJ of idolatry, .fuperditioa and .profanenefs'; all feds upon trie right hand, as, Anabaptifm, Independency, Mil- lenarianilm, and all other kcts and fchilms, and divifivc courfes : and on the left hand, we dif- own and deteft Prelacy and Eraftianifm, and whatfoever elfe is contrary to found doctrine and the power of godlinefs; aid ail counte- nancing of or compl ying with Prelacy, Suprema- cy, or tyranny, or any uiurpation upon churqh or ftate, made by ti:s nvaiignant enemy; alt hearing of curates or indulged, or paying either of them ftipends, enacted by iniquious laws, fet- ting them up: all aniwering to the courts of peiiecutors, taking any of tl eir oaths, as, the Declaration, Ted, the oath of Abjuration, or any other oaths pf Supremacy or allegiance; fubferibing any of their bonds, as, the B^nd of Peace, Bond of Regulation, the Bond of Com- pearance, or any other of that nature; paying any of their wicked 1: , as, militia mo-
ney, ceis, locality, or tines or any rhing that may ftreugtlten the I and* of luch evil doers. As alio, we d lcouiucnance ail tl :cfec-
*>ion, declining from, or dory to our
fore-
4<5$* L E T T E R S.
fore-tnentioned reftimony; and difown all afIJ> ciation and confederacies with malignanrs cr fec- taries.
But, more particularly, *becaufe our principles are mod fufpefted upon the ordinances of .ma- -giftracy and miniftry, therefore we (hall plain- ly unbofom our hearts about thefe alfo.
We profefs then concerning magiftracy, That as it is not founded fubjecYively upon grace, fo it is a holy divine inftirution, for the good of human fociety, the encouragement of virtue, and curbing of vice, competent unto, and ho- nourable among both Chriftians and Heathens ; and for fuch magiftrates as bein^ rightful and lawfully conftitute over us, do ad as the mini- sters of God, in a due line of fubordination to God, in the defence of our covenanted refor- mation, and the lubje&s liberties, we will own, embrace, obey, and defend them, to the ut- raoftof our power. In church matters we allow the magiftrate a power over the outward things of the church, but not over the inward things, as doclrine, worftiip, difcipline, and government. We allow him the cuftody of both the tables of the law, and a power to punilh corporally all of- fenders, even church officers, againft the fame ; not under the coiifideration of a icandal but of a crime: We allow him a power of ordering things for the wcllbeing of the church; and in fomc cafes of convocating fynods. pro re nata> befides their ordinary meetings, and being prelent there, but not to precede in their debates ; and of add- ing their civil fan&ion to (ynodical reiults. but no power to reftrain them in the power -Chnft hath givrn them : we allow him a cumulative power, to aflift, (trengthen, and ratify, what
church
LETTERS. 4c9
church officers do, by virtue of their office ; but not a privative power to detraft any way from the churches authority : we aliow him an imperative powci to command church officers to do their duties, but not an eleftive power, either to do himlelf what is incumbent to churt officers, or to depute others to do in his name, or by any rr.in.fterial power received from him. Finally, we grant this to be the full extent of the magiftrate's fupremacy in church affairs, to order whatever is commanded by the God of heaven, that it be diligently done for the houfe of the God of heaven ; and what further he may ufurp, we diibwn and deteft:. But in thing: civil, though we do not lay that every tyrannical a£t doth make a tyrant, yet we hold, that habitual, obtlinate, and declared oppofition to, and over- turning of religion, laws and liberties, and mak- ing void all contracts with the fubjefis, inter- ceptingand interdicting all redrefs, by foppli- cationsor otherways, doth fefficiently invalidate his right and relation of magiftracy, and war- rant iubjefts, efpecially in covenanted lands, to revolt from under and diibwn allegiance to fuch a power : yet they may not lawfully arro- gate to themfelves that authority which the tyrant hatii forfeited, or aft judicially, either in civil or criminal courts; only they may do that which is neceflary, for fecuring themfelves, liberty, and religion. B jt for the late tyrant, as we did diibwn and do deteft the memory of his firft ercftion, and unhappy reftauration, / after, by many evidences, he was known to be an enemy to God and the country ; of his nefa- rious wickedoefs in ejefting the miniftrrs of Chrift from their charges, and introducing ah- M m jured
4io LETTERS.
jured Prelacy; his attrocious arrogance in re- icinding all a£h for the work of reformation; his unparalleled perfidy and perjury, in- break- ing, making void, and burning the Covenants ; his heaven daring usurpation, in arrogating to bimfelf that blafphemous fuprcmacy ; his auda- cious and treacherous exerting of that ufurped power in giving indulgences to onted minifters, to divide and deftroy the church ; his tyranny over the confciences of poor people, preffing them to conformity with the times abominations, and impofmg upon them conicience-debauching oaths; his tyranny over the whole land, in levy- ing militia and other forces, for carrying on his wicked defigns, of advancing himlelf to arbitra- rian abfolutenefs, and impofing wicked exa&ons for their maintainance, profefledly required for fappreffing religion and liberty ; his cruelty over the bodies of Chriftians, in chafing, and killing upon the fields, many without- fentence^ and bloody butchering, hanging, hiding, man- gling, difmembering alive, quartering upon fcaf- iolds, impri(bning, laying in irons, torturing by boots, thumbkins, fire-matches, cutting pieces out of the ears of others, baniihing and felling as flaves old and young men and women in great numbers ; oppreffing many others in their e- flates, forfeiting, robbing, fpoiling, pillaging their goods, calling them out of their habita- tions, interdicting any to refet them, onder the pain of being treated after the fame manner: So for the continued and habitual trade of thefe, and many other ads of tyranny, we did difown, and do yet adhere to our revolt from under the yoke of his tyranny. And for the fame reafons, *we difown the ufurpation of James Duke of
York,
LETTER S. 41*
York, fucceed'mg and infilling in the fame foot- fteps of lyranny, treachery and cruelty, and la- bouring to bring thefe lands in fubje&ion again •to the yoke of Antichrift, being a profeifed P** pift, and therefore by many laws of the land, .incapable of bearing any rule. And here we (land as to the point of magiftracy.
Concerning the miniftry, we own the lawfut nefs and the neceffity of that ordinance, againft Quakers, and all its other oppofers ; and hold it our duty to obey and encourage all true and faithful paftors, and highly to honour them in love, for their work's fake, And we hold ic unlawful for any man, though never fo well qualified, ro take upon him the work of the mi- uiiiry without licence and ordination, by laying on of the hands of the prefbytery, or any com- petent number of thefe, to whom Chrift hath commuted the power of the keys. And we hold, that power ot church government and difciplinc, and every part of the minifterial fun&ion, does not appertain to pope, prelate, magiftrate, nor multitude of believers, but only to the offi- cers of Chrift's appointment, as the fubj ck: and receptacle of all fuch power. We therefore profcls our (incere refpedt unto, and will own, in- vite and imbracc all fuch minifters as are cloath- ed with ChriIVs cam million, in his orderly and appojnted way; all fuch as are cloathed with rightcoulhefs and falvation, confirming and a- dornin^ rheir do&rinc by their practice; all inch as are (ound, ipiritua-1, and orthodox in the doftrine, holding forth the word of life io incorruptnefs, gravity, fiuccrity, found fpeech, that cannot be condemned, and are faithful in the dilcharge of their co.urailfion, crying aloud, M in 2
4i2 LETTERS.
and not /paring, /hewing Jacob bis fins, and If- rael his tranfgrejfiom J conftant and inftant in their work, infeafon and out of feafon, reprov* fafjr, rebuking, exhorting with all long-fuffering and patience y making full proof of their miniftry. Yea further, we profefs, we will withdraw from no minifters, upon fuch inefficient grounds as their infirmities, their different judgment or practice in things that are either indifferent, or not material, or not contradictory to the tefti- mony of the church oi Scotland ; their ignorance oftheftate of oar t^ftimony, having no occa- sion to be informed thereof, which haih made them heretofore (land back from concu.rence With us; and even their real fcandals. not attend- ed with obftmacy, but confefled and forfaken. But, we j jdge we have fufikient ground to with- draw from all who cannot inftruA (heir being cloathed with Chrift's call, in his orderly way ; as the curares, &-c. from all who have fubjected their miniftry to the difpofal of ftrange lords, and taken a new holding from and upon a new architect «nic and ufurped power in the extrcife thereof, by accepting a new grant, licence, and warrant from the ufurper of their Matter's crown; as the indulged, arc. From all fuch who pervert and corrupt their miniftry, by preaching and maintaining errors, either in do&rine, worfc
j.pline or government, contrary to the Scrip. tores and our Confeffions, and principles of our covenanted reformation, and contradictory to cur prefent teftimony founded thereupon, aiid 2greeable thereunto; from all minifters guiky of grols compliances with the public enemies of this covenanted and reformed church, whr> have broken the covenant, deftroyed the refor- matio^
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ma:bn, ufbrped the prerogatives of Chrift, and are ftill, and by all means, feeking the extir- pation of all the owners of the caue of God; from fuch minifters who take the defence and patrociny of thefe courfes, and palliate and plaif- tcrthem, (trengthening the hanJs, and harden- ing the hearts of thele who are engaged in them,, fo thatnon* doth turn from thefe wicked things; from fuch minilters as are unfaithful in the ex- ercife of their minilieria! funct'on, < or in z fmocth, general, flattering way, applying, or ra:her mifapply ng, their doelriiKMo the times; from fuch as are finfully lilent, in defer!) . their duty, and lying by from the public work of preaching the go!pel, when the peoples ur* gen: necefTity and prefling call doth make it in- d;ipcnfible, when people are deiYttute of public warning, in the times when fnares are molt a- bonnd'ug, and the poor flock in the greatefc hazard to be. timed a≤ from fuch as are fthifnntical and pragmric.;! dividers of the church, and wideners of the breaches thereof, . already brokeo and divided,, lowing difcoru. mong brethren, and promoving their conten- tions: Finally, from all fuca a^ are and diforderty, either in their mmiiterial peifonal walk; from all minifters that delervs thele characters, we think, we have fia grounds, from fcripture and aftl or to withdraw cur communion. And therefc. 2% wc hold ourfelvcs bound in cenfeierrce a duty, with all due refpcA. to the miniflry a love to their perlons, to bear witnels Mi
t the l\c\\:ll 0 of [I f the church ol
the N ig °f our re'or:nat,o:i; pnd
ID 3
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duflion of Prelacy ; their fainting, and not giving a teflimony for the church's liberties, againfl: its deftroyers, at their firfl introduction ; their leaving their charges at their command ; their deficiency in not giving a teflimony when the covenant was broken and burnt, nor when the fupremacy was eftablifhcd ; their general lying by from their work, the poor people thereby wanting warning; fome accepting of the indd- gence, others not witneffing againft it, but-plead- ing for it, as no defe&ion, or for union with the indulged; their meeting in prefbyteries for the rebuking and centring the more faithful, who did witnefs againft that fin; their laying bonds on fome young men, not to fpeak of it; their pleading for the Tyrant^ intereft at Btib- luel ; their accepting of the Cautionary Bond, to obferve his orders in preaching; after Both- ive! ; their perfuading to, or not difluading from taking many enfnaring bonds and oaths, impofed Upon prifoners and others; their leaving the work of preaching the gofpel in the fields, when they were mcftly called to the dury, in a time of abounding fnares from the rh ht and left hand, and reproaching and condemning others, who did jeopard and loofe their lives in that work ; their complying with the enemies, in bonding with their courts, (fome to that length, " as to come under obligations to forbear the ex- ercife of their miniflry) and hearing of their curates; their joining with fuch confederacies" and adbciations, that did open a door for the in- troduction of malignanrs and feftarics, contrary to our covenant engagements; and the like fteps of defection, which we defire to mourn for: So, for thefe, and the like defeftioas, we
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rauft withdraw from, and discountenance many of our minifters, whom otherwtfe we love a honour. And feeing in thefe times of diftem- pering confufions, we are now deprived of the remedy of thefe fettled jodica lories, whereunto we might recur in the ca'e, and yet are bound in our capacities to witnefs agajnft thefe defec rions, whereby the wrath of our God is fo much kindled againft the land ; therefore, we judge it lawful, reafonable, and necefluy, in this de- clining and difordered (tare of the church, to leave that part of the church which hath gone sftray inro fuch defections, whether minifters or profcfioFS, as to a joint concurrence in car- rying on the public work (and let them return 10 us, but we not to them) and to adhere to the other part of the church, minifters and-profeflors, though fewer and weaker, who are (landing fled- faftly to the defence of reformation, witnefling againfl the declinings, until the defc&jons of the backfliding party be confefled and forfaken; wherein we altogether deny we can be charged wth pofuive feparation from the church of Scotland; yea, nor negative reparation, if it he confidered adtively : We only acknowledge a feparation negative, paffively conlidered, in our being left alone in the time of our greateft (traits, and forfaken by the red ; endeavouring, I mean while, with many failings and much weak- refs, to retain and maintain the covenanted work of reformation, in all its parts, as it was attain- ed unto in our beft: and pureft times; and choof- ing rather to (land (tilt and walk alone, than to go along with others in declining and oifenfive coorfes. Now, havirg alfbgiven you, in all well-mean-
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ing plainnef^ltlns declaration of our tefHmony:, we (hill not trouble you farther, but conclude with a humble defire, That, as ye would weigh what we have fald in the ballance of truth and charity, fo you would acquaint us with your fen- tioients of the fame, and deal freely in admenifh- ing us, wherein you think we err, or go beyond, or cone Ihort of our duty. Your correfpondeuce Ihould be very acceptable and comfortable unto m : (o, recommending you to the grace and mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jcfus -Chriii, we reft, Your affectionate ft i&Tdf and brethren in the Lord,
Subfcribed incur name, and by our direction, by t:.e clerk oi our general meeting,
MIC. SHIELDS.
LETTE R XCL
To the honourable Mr. Robert Hamilton.
Hm. and dear Sir, July 6. 1687,
YuU may know from manifold experiences, thar through much tribulation vje tnufl enter into hm cj God: The way to the heaven-
ly Canaan herh through awalle and howling wil- tfernefs; our pi'ninuge is through a valley of tears, and over mountains of difficulties : but as we have a good and comfortable guide, fo he can bring meat out of the eater, and fweet out of the jfliong, and n:ake the ftinty rocks give water to us; yea, he czn make our bitter waters fweet un- to us, and in abundance of forrow give fuper- abuudancc of joy, We doubt not bur you have
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often found this, which helps and animates you, in obedience to the will of God, to undergo fo many perplexities and discouragements.
We received your letters. In' that which {hows your purpofe of travelling through other churches, we obferve the various and lingular troubles wfvch you did meet wich at Lewarden; your cocfl&s in that place have been lharp and multiplied; and we reckon it our part to be b'irden-bearers with you, though we be far fhorc of this, as cf all other duties. But we hope, you have both peace and joy in your lot, confi- dering the precous and honourable caufe for which you are redacted unto it. And we arc greatly refrclhed with the report of the tender- nefs, zeal and ftedfaftnefs of thefe few worthy friends at Lewardeti, who have been encourag- ing to you, and took a (hare with you of all your afrhftions. In the letter "which gives a re- lation of your travels through fome other churches, as we fee your care to lay out unto them our priltine reformation and prelent fuffer- ings; fo alio, to fnow us in what ftate affairs are amongft them ; whereby we judge ourfelves greatly obl;ged unto you, for that might be greatly to our advantage if we could improve! it. 0!i! we underftand that hateful profanity, de- teflable carnality, vile iuperft;tion, deplorable defection, loathfome lukewarmnefs and infatu- ated iecurity, are much abounding in thcie churches. The generality, both rt home and abroad, feem to have conipired together to lec go piety, and to cleave to ;i policy
is kept as piety's iervant, it helps to fecure it ; but when it is advanced a - matter, it does much to undo it ; the rule of fcripture-fimphcity and
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carnal wifdomr ave fquaved very unlike to other. O what can we exped but a deiolation upon ma- jiy lands! Chrift hath a great conqueft to make in the earth, and there rnult be a ftrange (baking and overturning of kngdoms, that his kingdom may get place, as Hag. ii. 6, 7. ; in fuch a cafe we lliould be careful to bold faft that which we have, Rev. iii. 2. ; we have a great word of testimony delivered to us, which (we are hope- ful) (hall yet empty thrones and pulpits; O how worthy is it, of all that we can witnefs and fuffer for iii and how unworthy are we of it, if we (ball defert it ? in fuch a cafe we (bould ftudy to be wholly and only for the Lord God of hods. The profanity, carnality and indiiferency of the ge- nerality (bould provoke us to holinefs, fpiritualu ty and zeal ; but alas! in the midft of all this, we have our deep (lure of the fpiricual plagues that are abounding in this day; it is not with us as fometimes it hath been. O Lord pour out thy fpirit upon us. In fuch a cafe we lliould be mourning for all the abominations commuted in the earth, efpecially in the churches: O happy (hall they be who (hall be found marked among the mourners in Zion, for they (lull be fpared, Ezck. ix. 6. O wire re is Jove to God? where is zeal for his concerns? where is tendernefs now , to be found? when there is fa little, holy indig- nation, fo little forrow and mourning for the magnitude and multitude of the tranfgreffions of this generation. In fuch a cafe, we Ihould be laying our own things amongfl: our feet, and pre- paring to meet our God, who is coming out of his pLice to pumjh the inhabitants of the earth for their iiiguity, Amos iv. 12. Ifa. xxvi. 21. The information which you give us of the fad
over-
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overthrow, yea almoft extirpation, of the anci- etft and famous Waldenfis in the valley of Pied* mknty is very grieving and affrighting to us O what may other churches expeft, when fuch things are done unto them ! 0 that all churches would take warning from their fad and lament- able cofl, of the fia and danger of compounding with, or trufling enemies, whofe offers are fnares, and who know not to keep oath or pro- mife cither to God or man. We biefs the Lord for any kindly acceptance ycu got in any place of your travels: We d.fire, trut in our name, you may thank thefe (whether in Geneva or Switzerland) who have received your informati- on, or (lie wed you kindnefs. And when ycir write, fignify unto them that we purpefe (ac- cording to your defire) to keep up a correfpond- ence with them, and ro fend them letters and informations; but apolog'ze for the delay, con- fidering cur fcanered condition, and the weighty affairs at prefent, among our hands, which we cannot defer.
We have few particulars to inform you of at the time; the adverfaries are retrained from tint meafure of outrage where unto once they were given up ; they change their methods, but they do not change their natures : the eyes of many are like to fail, with waiting for a liber- ty and free toleration, fuch as is given to £ttj| land, and we hear that the enemies are divided about it; they may be divided about the means, but they are united in the end and dc^ri. Mi- ny mimlteis who formerly were lying by from their work, are now beftirring themfelves more about it, and frequently , g; but they do
generally declare (or rather difcovcr) themfelves
more
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more fully than before, by loading us with falfc imputations, and by pre fling people in their let- ters and fermons, not only, not to concur with us in our prefent teftimony; but to flee from us. Yet the more that they are of this drain, they gain not the more ground. We may lay, hy the good hand of the Lord, our number is rather encreafing than decreafiug : we are doing our endeavour to have elders eledted and admit- ted amongfl: us.
Now, worthy and dear Sir, we hope we need not put you in mind to ftudy all neceflary fiee- d<3tii and tendernefs toward them ot foreign churches, and patiently to wait upon any of them fo long as there may be hope; by your frequent converiing amongftthem, you will know better what may be for their advantage and the advancement or the kingdom of Chriit, than we can tell you. The Lord be your leader and guide,, the eyes of many are upon you. O ftudy that every word and a&ion may be lo exprefled and done, as you may not be aihamed to avow it, if it were before the whole generation of mankind, whatever be their different humours, perfuafions and inclinations; and alo, as you may have peace in it before God. There heth much advantage to the caufe in our expreffing ourfelves in fuch a form of found words as may pertinently lignify the matter, faithiully declare our minds, and notl'avour of prejudice, pride or paflion, or in their own nature tend to irritate thele who do oppofe themfelves. We would feek the good of every foul; and though as to many we mifs our end, yet we ihould cairy fo towards them as may leave a convi&ion upon their confeiences, ibatk was their good we werefeekirg: whatever
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others are id their way, we are the fame by na- ture, and we fhould pity them, lament over them, and yet hate the garments fpotted with the fleft, and carefully keep ourfelvcs from par- taking of their fins. Now we do heartily and jointly commend you to the all-fufficiency and taithfulnefs of your God, not ceaflng to pray for you; and that any work you have been, or may beinftumemal to begin abroad, may be car- tied on by the good band of the Lord. Wc are,
Honourable and dear Sir, Your fympathizing friends, and obliged fervants in the Lord,
Subfcribed in our name, and by our deiire, by the clerk of the general conefpocdence,
MICHAEL SHIELDS.
LETTER XCII. To Frtot&s in Ireland.
Dear Brethren, Sanquhar, Jan. 24. 1 689*
YOur letter dire&ed to our minifters was read to us, which affords matter both of joy and forrow. Albeit we cannot but rejoice to fee fuch ardent defires, as your letter demon- flrates to be among you, to have the gofpel faith- fully preached, and the facraments adminiftered, by fuch minifters againfl whom we had no ex- ception : Yet we ought to lament, with a fad la- mentation, that in covenanted Ireland there are iwch defections from approyen, received, and N n
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fworn to principles, and compliances v;ith luted avowed enemies to truth and godlinefs, as gives you folid ground of withdrawing from minilters guilty of the fame, whom, notwithftanding, ye, and we, and all, (hould reverence, refped: and love. It is alfo grievous to us, when we confi- der not only your fad want of the faithfully preached gofpei, from thefe againft whom ye have no ground of exception; but likewife, that the fame from hence cannot be fo fully fupplied as yourfelves and we both could defire; for tho' fome other of our miniilers intend lhortly (if the Lord will) to'give you a vifit, yet, at this time, their abfenee from this land cannot be thought convenient. And we dellre, as well as expeit, that, upon their not coming, ye may put a more favourable conftruftion, than to think the fame proceeds from forgetfulnefsof you, or unconcern- ednefs with you, feeing, as we have, though in vveaknefs, fo now we defire to have a brotherly affe&ion to, and fympathy with you in all your trials for the caufe of Chrift. However, the Rev. Mr. David Houflon is coming over to you, whofe labours in the gofpei among you we hear- tily pray may be crowned with fuccefs, to the glo- ry of free grace. We hear it is reported with you, he and we fliould be feparated one from another, which here we declare to be fajfe. As formerly, fo now, we much efleem him, though many (who had their tongues bended like their bows for lies, but they were not valiant for the truth upon the earth) have been at no fmall pains to load his name with reproaches and bafe calumnies; which, as they are grievous to us to hear, fo we have endeavoured to iearch out the the truth of them; but after trial, (excepting
fome
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fotne (harp and too vehement expreinons con- cerning the indulged party, which we vvif'i and hope he will forbear) do find that the fame hath chiefly flowed from prejudice in Tome, and ignorance in others ; and all we ill all fay of them .who have fo done, (hall be cordial withes, thac they may fee the evil of it, and do fo no more.
Dear friends, we hope it is needlefs to make apologies for our fheknefs in writing to you, feeing fome of your number may know our {hare in the times confufions hath not been leaft, which proved oftentimes diverting from fo ne- cellary a duty. Though thefe few months bypaft hath been a time of many confufions, great reel- ings, and ftrange ovei turnings, yet it hath been very fertile in bringing forth wonders; which ks they are the Lord's doings, and ihould be mar- velous in our eyes, fo, at the time, though they be much admired and (ought out by all the Lord's loyal lovers, and fearers of his great and dread- ful name; yet, in after generations, they fi » a I i be more wondered at, to the praife of him who brought them to* pals; when it ihall be laid, ac fuch a time the Lord did great tilings for Britain, which it looked not for, yea for Scotland in par- ticular, which it had little ground to expert ; and that which makes it the more remark a and worthy of obicrvation is, the Lord's right hand that doth valiantly is fo eminently feci] in it, and the hand of men of high and low degree fo little, fo that none can lay, their (word or their bow hath done it; to him alone who is the Lord of hofls belongs the glory; we may L a»nd fay, He hath triumphed vfe
I his rider bath he thrown into the fca: be bath pun \gi away
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/polled: the wicked are fnared in the vjork of their hands ; and he hath brought to nought the counfel of the heathen, he hath broken the yoke of the op- preffbr, and made the opprejfed to go free .- Yea, what (hall we fay, he hath brought down in a great meafure, the throne of iniquity in Britain and Ireland, under which his people hath beea long groaning, and hath given a great dafli to Popilh idolatry. But though great and unex- pected mercies call for great tlunkfulnefs, and much pains taken upon a people, fhould have more than ordinary fruitfulnefs following the fame : Yet we cannot lay our thankfulnefs is an- fwerable to the mercies received, iior the fruit correfpondent to the pains taken upon us. It might have been expe&ed that mercies fhould have melted our hearts in kindly forrow for tin, even after we had not been humbled under judg- ments, which for a long time had been lying upon us; yet alas! we are not fo humbled, mourning, repenting and praying a people as we ihould be ; and until we be fuch, it is preemption for us to expert that his anger will be turned away, but his hand will be ltretched out ftiil ; fo that we may fear we provoke the holy Lord :o change his difpenfations from manifeftations of loving kind- Kefs, to declarations of holy anger and indigna- tion, and to flop the current of mercy which hath been for a time running, and in place there- of, that wrath, judgment and defolation {hall run through thisgofpel defpifing and mercy-con- temning land. O pray for us, that we may be helped greatly to improve prefent mercies, and be preparing for future judgments.
Now," dear Brethren, as ye have begun, fo hold on, in profeffing and contending for the
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covenanted work of reformation, which both ye and we are bound in our covenants to the mofl high God, to defend and maintain. Let not the threatenings of men fear you, or their flatteries entice you to abandon fo noble a caufe; re mem--. ber that only thefe who endure to the end get the crown. Let pins, hairs and hoove? of Chrift's truths be precious unto you, although the gene- rality of mankind defpife them ; the more they are contemned, they ihoiild be the dearer to us* Beware, upon the one hand, of defe&ion, and upon the other, of running into unwarrantable extremes and extravagancies. Let not (ecarity feize upon you, under the prelent favourable diipenfuion, as thinking Zionh warfare is ac- compliflied, the enemies fallen-, arrd the church delivered; if any think lb, they are but dread- ing : they are happy who are preparing for fad and evil days, which at the time are likely to be near the door ; for the report of thefe bloody cutthroat Papilts, the wild Irifies* their bemg in arms are come to our ears, which is, at lealt, fnould be very wounding andaffli&ing :o us. As your fathers and ours have experienced their barbarous cruelty and belli fh rage formerly, ., and ail Europe heard of the fame ; fo, for former fins nd again may feci a little of the ftroke of their bloody and devouring fwords: Yet tho' i\\\$> ihould be, let not the forethoughts thereof prove hand weaken' ng and heart-fainting, but rather alarming and upftirring ta yon, to enter into your chambers and (but the doors about you; and kfa cc7, as it ivere fjr a litth
ment% until the indignation Ic werpa I. () fear Lot though the earth he retnoved, and tains c*Jl into the nridft of the fea} for I .. N 0 3
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refuge, a prefent help in the time of trouble* What though thefe wild and wicked creatures rage and roar, yet mind that they are bounded by him who fet bounds to the fea, and faid, Hi- therto ft alt thou come, hit no further , and here fiall thy proud ivaves be flayed. What the the floods lift up their waves, yet remember tbc Lord on high is mightier than the noife of many waters, yea than the mighty waves of the lea. Labour to have faith and patience in exercife, for this is a time that calls for it. Thus rec< mending you to the Lord, and heartily wi:.. liis grace to be with you. We remain,
Your ivellwi/bing and fympathizing friends aud brethren in Cbrift,
Subfcribed in our name, and.at our defire, by *be clerk of our general meeting,
MICHAEL SHIELDS,.
LETTER XCIIL
To the honourable Mr. Robert Hamilton..
Craivfoord-John, February 14. 1689*
Right honourable Sir,
WE ftiall not much apologize for our long forbearance to write to you, but rather take with a fault in the fame: However, as we may fay, it is not the want of affe&ion to you which hath hindered; fo, fince thHaft time we wrote, many reelings and coniuiions hath oc- curred, and our fiiarc thereof hath not been the
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leaft, which oftentimes proved diverting from fo neceffiry 1 duty. We acknowledge indeed, we are many, ways obliged to j bag
other things, for laying*out your'r for procuring the ordination of rung at Btoidtn, now preachirg the gofpei a- rnong us, we hope, with fuccefs, to the pra'ife of the riches of free giace. Bat as oft times we are remifs in giving fignihcations of our thanks to them who well deferve the fame, efpecialiy to you; and when given, they are infignificant : fo we hope, though you want this from us, ic will not demur you from laying out ] fur-
r in your tlation for propagating :ke teitimo- r,y cf Chrift, nor make you repent of what you e done already, tor which you will not want a reward.
Knowing you will be dcfirous to know how matters have gone here thefe few month? by* gone, we fnall briefly relate only Point of 1
t memorable pafiages which hath come to pafs in and about this wonderful rial,
cia!!y thefe things wherein we are more near- ly concerned: To give a full and particular count of all the reelings and ovei turnings which have bet tabout this little t\!:i e bygone,
would fo far exceed the bounds of a letter, that it i La volume. However, by wu
c given, you may fee much of the Lo
this poor land, in his (lately fteps of pre Many, wonderful and
ftrangc are the revolution?, 1 have produced, whereat we ftai 1 \\cd,
end adore the Lord's holy and infinite foveit ty in his way cf working in and among the chil- dren of men ; ihc Lord hath put a qew long in
our
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our mouth, but alas we cannot fmg it. He hath in a way very wonderful, difappointed the fears of his people, and hopes of his enemies, when they were ready to fpring their mines, and ao complifti their long intended and wicked enter- prizes ; behold, on a fudden their deflgns are cruihed, and themielves taken in the pit which they were digging for others, and they were en- inared in the work of their own hands.
In September laft, fome folciers got fecret or* ders to go through the five weftern lhires, and take from the people all their arms; which was obeyed: whereby the country being difarmed, were unfit to defend themfelves againfl the at faults of bloody Papifts: but fmce, they are ge- nerally provided better than before. About this time, there were courts of inquitaion to be kept in the weft, and fome of them begun, wherein fome profeffing lairds were to have a hand, in order to the finding out of thofe who had a hand in refcuing Mr. Houfion, and about going to field-meetings; which if they had gone on would kave tended much to our bondage. But the news of the coming of the Dutch put a ftop to this threatened ftorm ; whereby, and by the foldiers going to England; we got a little refpite. In this juncture, when nothing but wars was expect- ed, we thought it duty to deliberate upon what was called (or at our hands. Whereupon, after ferious deliberation and consideration, we re- folvtd not to ly by, but to aft againfl: the com- mon enemy, yet in a diftinft body from others, with whom we could not affociate. But when noihirg was looked for but wars and confufions, behold, in a way very flrange, all turned to ru- mours of peace. The Lord, who is terrible to
the,
LETTERS. 429
the kings of the earth, and cuts off the fpirits of princes, made the tyrant to tumble oil his throne and run for it, and his army to defert him* whereby an eminent teftimony was given againll that abfolute power arrogate by that poor mortal roan. Likewife there was a teftimony given a- gainit and a dafh unto Popery, yea more than had been for feveral years before: many monu- ments of idolatry were defrroyed, and (everals -of them burnt in public places, in doing where- of (everals of our number were a&ive : the heads, hands and quarters of our maityrs were taken down and buried, and prifoners for truth fee at liberty. When this was going on, there was a report fpread through the country, of the Iriflies being at Kirkcudbright , and railing fire and fword, which proved fo alarming, that in a few days many hundreds were in arms in the weft, especi- ally many of our number appeared : But the re- port proving faife, moft part of us dilmifTed. However a part of us flood together fome days in ana*, snd coming to Douglas, emitted a de- claration (which is here lent) for their own vifl- dication, and to make the intention of their appearance known to the world. After this, many of the curates were put from the kirks; fo that at this time, there aie few of them preaching in the weft. Theft things, as they were ftrange, furprizing and aitoniflung, and much of the Lord's power, wiMom, mercy and faith- fulnefs to be feen and o';>fervcd in them ; fo they call aloud for great fruitfulnefs and thankfulnefs at our hands. Bur alas, our (kort-comiog in this may make us afraid, that we provoke tie Lord ..nge Lis way of d; nth us, ai
nuni
3f3a LETTERS.
mamfeft his anger 3gab(t us, as he hath of late fliown his mercy towards us.
There is one thing, worthy Sir, which often- times we know not to determine about, which is, concerning your home-coming ; when we confider how defirabie your company would be to many here, and alfo your own defire to come home, we would gladly comply with it. But a- gain, when we call to mind your ufefulnefs abroad, wherein the Lord hath helped and honoured yea above others to iay out yourfelf for the advantage and comfort of his followers; and not knowing what larger door of accefs may be opened for you to be uleful there, we d.ire not be pofmve id our defire to you to come home : fo we leave it wholly to yourfelf to be determined as the Lord lhali direct you ; heartily wilhing thauvhei e- ever you are the Lord may be with you, leading and guiding, prote&ing and preferving, com- forting and encouraging you. We earneftiy de- . fire you would refrelh us with a line, giving us an account cf the Lord's care of, and kindnefs ■. . to you thefe months pad. We remain
Your affedionate friends and vjellwifters,
Subieribed in the name, and at the defire of our general meeting, by
MICHAEL SHIELDS..
F I N I Si\
SUBS CRI3ERS NAMES.
Edinburgh
THe rev. Mr. James Hall minifler of the gofpel Charles Brown druggift Bofw^l Rofs ftud. of phiiofophy John Ainot ditto John Hall ditto John Mofman ditto
Thomas Hall miner William Innes wright John Allen tenant
Dalkeith Francis Eliot weaver
Colhngion parijb John Chrifty mafon John Mather d:tto
James Liddle (tud. in medicine J »hn Ciarkfon ditto
John Hutchefon ditto Robert M« Michael ftudeht James M'Clielh bookbinder Robert Curric merchant William Taylor printer Ebenczer Currie ditto Robert Miln rhx dialer Michael Naifmith mafon Mofes Lothian ftaymaker William Walker writer James Paterfon tat William Foord (
: ftaymaket Alex Stewart mer Cannongaie Robt. Will merchant there ]i Wauchop turner Caftoun Geo. Cromar gardner Moul-
tree^hill Slobd^ Morifon Co2ch\u:?ht V tfi^fance Ja. Eitaopwe,a\-Pr,1Caurey-ndc
I 'ion
Jimes Farningfton mafon James Youn- William Yorkfton ditto
Libbertcn pariJJ? Chriflian Salmon David Aitkin farmer Lafwade /
Alexander Fleming wright William Gibfon qmrricr Rob. Thomfon herd Kirk ton Archibald Keddic tenant Tem- ple parifn Ja Grieve tenant RinAdnhope Roh. Armftong herdBowrhope Mifs Arrnie Laurie, nerfwell Geo. Sommerville wright.Len- ton, 11 copies
Calder /h*r$Jh
John KLrkUni Wright Garcofiu
Tifejbire
Ja. Balmain ftioemaker, King- horn is cop.
William Forgan weaver, in Dunnykeir
Alexander Anderfon ditto
John V.
David Littlejohn, Shaws miU am SlficlJs in binctair thcrc
Robert M4thicfon coalier^irk- caldy
Wil. Glaf^ merchant Kinrod
Andrew GaUowty grocer
rider Bow James Brown Max drcfler
The Rev. Mr J ;hn M'MilUa j ,im I'rath weaver
min. of the gofpel Pcntland
Charles Umphcrfton aright John DonJd diftillcr Anabcll Umpherfton • weaver
V/illiam M'Nicl wright .')Cicr
James Melrofe t..-. Thom
;e John (ton di James FuUon workman* "Walter Johnfton collier (Seorge to!
William Lictch ditto John Gillcs fhocrr
John Gilles weaver
David Girdwood wright
Alex Hamilton tobacco-fpinner
Jvlargarct ^Hamilton
James Hood cooper
John Kay weaver
Mrs. Lennox
Waiter Lilburn taylor
Robert M'Lae jpaith
Mary M'Nab
John M'Kindley workman
Mungo M*Farlane ditto
F.obert M'Lintock fhoemaker
John ilf'^Cinlay taylor
William Robertfon merchant
Thomas Rodger ftay-raaker
Louifa Sharp
Archibald Simfon fmith
James Storie weaver
John Smith ditto
Miry Stirling
Widow Tod
Elifaberh William fon
John Wilfon fhoemaker
James Walker wright
Robert Waterftone
James Youn£ printer
James Turnbuil 1
David Turnbuil
Matthew Turnbuil
James Cherrie
John Fulton
John Jervey
Alexander tfrown
Robert Nairn
John Thomfon
Andrew Brown
William Rodger taylor
Mary Campbell
David Miller, Calder bridge
John Anderfon, Airdrie, 2 cop.
Arch. Hamilton, in Cathkin
Paijley. Ja. M'Quhae flud. of divinity Wil. Brown ftocking- weaver John Bain merchant Agnes Brown Daniel Brown weaver John Ballantyne taylor James Laugh t taylor
( 43* )
\
J
>■ weavei:
Robert Beveridge ^ Thomas Beveridge Robert Black Robert Arthur Robert Carfewell William Carlifle George Caldwell John Ciaig John Dreghorn John Darling John Gib John Glasford J mes Finlay James Goldie Kichard Henderfon Alexander Hill Hugh Howie John Hutchefon James Keir John Knox John Lang David Ligget James Miller James Mitchel Michael Ma km an James M'Lintock John M'Niel Ebenezer picken William Robfon James Simp fon Samuel Smith John Scot -» *, »-%' William Thomfon William Taylor William Whytc Jofeph Willie David Willie James Hod^ert, Renfrew par. -Matthew Biggar weaver Pol- lockfhaws
Greenock. Alex. G la fs tobacconift, 12 cop. John Buchanan merchant vVilliam Wallace grocer James Zuili (locking- maker Archibald Shaw fhoemaker James Carfewell ditto John M'Carter couper . William Parker fmith Ja.Park flioem.Crawfordfdyke
dkhi
Port Gla'\
lorifon merchant - M'Pherfon ditto i Taylor junior U) Matthew Crawford porter Jimes Taylor cHl
Mat. Aitken in Eait Barnock s Armour in Turnerfhieids Patrick RoNertion of Trees
Hou
William Dick merchant nith
Mat B-r farmer, Gri William Galbreath fmith at
Burns of Inchennao George Bir in K
Kilmacolm parijh Glen merchant Lang ditto Taylor ditto Boyd ditto John Baird ilax-drefTcr
: vjper Alexander Laird : lier Liird C James Laird clock maker William Lyle weaver
Laird Wil. Menzies (locking-maker Jim. .oemaker
Alexander temple J i L in Romour
fmith xllan
(433 )
dkinc dyfter there for there
0
Adam Brown weaver J hn Brown uright David Allan merchant Hugh Bel!
Andrew Campbell drover Alexander Combs mafon John Gcbbie fhoemaker Chrittian Graham John Hunter mafon Alexand;
im Lambie weaver Andrew Manlbn farmer A le>:a r : ihocnuker
George M'Coul he. George Paterfon malller
ilJ Piercie faoemafcer J jhn Smith dyfter James Smith fhoemaker cher Woolock taylor
Parr"? of Ki. 5 Broun faro John Lsime bonnet- maker John Airkland calenture Samuel Spier mi! Thomas Wright weaver
□ Smith (hot. William Steven dyer
Par
J )hn Dykes farmer Andrew Mkchel bleat! J -an I I Thomas P2ton farmer
Kjbert Woodburn i
The re
: gofpcl ac "ood
James {
ylor
Kirkpat
Sum. C 0
( 434 )
John Cocts travelling-chapman William M' George weaver in
Lairdlaugh William Haighallfhoemaker in
Coalfad John M'Connel miller in Kirk-
patrick mill William Gillefpie tenant in
Lairdlaugh John Kirk (hoem.in Moorwhirn William Coupland l'mith R.Cunningham taylorweftland John Canon travelling chapman 3fcop. Kirkpatrick -juxta Edward Thomfon tenant in tfnockhill
Glencairn parljh Walter fclark merchant in Min-
niehive John Cunningham farmer Bar-
bowie John Edgar weaver Dalwinton Samuel Grierfon taylorinMin-
nihive James Grierfon taylor there Thomas Gracie dyer there William M* Whir there Murdoch iVIurphie inkeeper
there Elizabeth Smith in Glenfan Alexander Grierfon tenant in Lochenkitt Lochruton parijh Jofeph Laurie in Hills Thomas Halliday there John Carfcn there John Clark fchoolmalter in
Betty knows Alex. C'ark tenant Bnrnfide
Terregles par. Andrew M4Ghie in Kirk land John Grierfon weaver there John Sloan there Samuel M* George in Bowfe
Dunfcfire pariJJ? John Turner in Strawhan William Wau&h ttnant ia Far- denruiii
Kirkmahoe pariJI? George Halliday weaver ia
R^ddingwood Wil. Brand wright Auchincairn Wil. Srcfc tenant in Ruletown
Kirkynichal pari/h
James Patie tenant in Nether-
nocheoihang
Balmaclellan pari/]?
Robert Cunningham tenant in
Drumwhirn
Johhfton parifh William Thorburn miller iri Borland- mill
Parton parijh Pat. M' George in Blackfhill Samuel M'Michael in Upper-
Corfock Martin Beg weaver BlackihilL George M'Lean weaver in
Armannoch James MConnel miller in Cor- fock mill Car [phairn parijh John Hairftones Sam. Harries tenant in Kilnair Wil. Robfon weaver in Crofts Samuei M'Keur farmer in
Darngerroch Mrs. M' George in Lary Wil. .Rowan in Stroanpatrick .Rob. Smith in Xetherwhitelide J-mcs Wil ion in Slcngebar James Wallet there Agnes Hunter there Hugh Smith fcoolmafler in
Galloway John Miliigan chapman at
Corfemichael-kirk Robert Wright mafon at C flream, n cop. Irvine James Craig fhoemaker Finixrick parijh John Howie farmer John jBoyd ditto William Wilton faarrta
( 435 )
P grift -of Rider ton i e Goudie miller Httgh Paton farmer Hugh Pack coalhewer Jam's Adam taylor J ames V ilfon farmer Thorn as Wright James Guill-nd farmer John Morton farmer David Sawer
Hamilton parifh James Caimichael merchant Thomas Weir weaver James Lang merchant WilliamCunningham merchant Gavin Rowat wright John Naifmith ftocking-maker Ja. Morton taylor jGarvelhead Alexander Turnbull farmer
Haughhead Jo. Fleming Dunsyftine carrier James Rodger carter Laughup Jo Smellie farmer Motherwell Jean Cuthbert Mirriton Bothwl parifh John Jamiefon merchant Cte-
land James Cieland miller. William Smith w right John .Rodger carter Airdrie Ann Cieland merchant Piiiicl Corfe bright
Stonehoufe James flowat wright John Smith fmith Andrew Jick taylor
\1U Rowat Ifobel Craig
Robert Wilfon farmer Watrton AVilliam Laurie weaver Hofenet John Craig taylor Dervil Dal/erf parijh James Watt firmer Cannerfide fames Af uir (hoemaker Thomas Aitkin Coal-hewer William Couper ditto Robert Summers ditto Alexander £cll ditto. Wcrtburn
Carluke parifh William Nicol (hoemaker 5ufannah Muir John Allan quarrier Thomas Allan ditto James Calderhead William Calderhead William Forefl fervant Thomas Gray John Gijchrift quarrier James Lang weaver William Newlands John Pettigrew William Storie
MurdieJJon Ja. Inglis farmer, WcfterhoufJb Walter Paterfon taylor Thomas Steel William Gowans Alexander Gowans Janer Kimmo Mrs. Janet Meikifon James Watt
Thomas Willnx gardener Agnes Alexander James M'Carter lint-dreflcr
Cambufnethan parijh 'John Sandihnds fmith Thomas Pettigrew Marion Bruce Thomas Scot farmer Robert Young James Lindfay farmer John Burns ditto Walftom Marion Shaddow Marion Shots
Rob. Reid farmer in Foulburn James Roger (hoemaker Thomas Johnfton coalhewer William Ruflel hammerman Ja. Steel portioncr in the Stone Jean Muirhead
Jo. Hamilton farm. CaWcrpead Wil. Dunfe merch. Grecnhead James Young farmer Thomas Smellie in Evertown Rob Billie portioncr in theMorc William Mackic lint-drcflcr
Davie V Dykes ^"Irnnas RufTel portiouer *'john RufTel Thomas RufTel Robert PufTel
J wart tjrmer, Townhead
4rs Gray in Auchterhead Jo. Foreft coupcr in Kilhegie
Shots John Reid farm t Wlhdyage William 5rown lint JrcfTer
Crineldyk: Alexander Muirhead John Dobie weaver William Law
Tames Bell farmer Greenhead William Robertfon Patrick Nifbet wright M argaret Kirkland Gavin Laurie Ceorge Carmichael taylor James Scot Robert Young James Lind&y farmer in Wal-
ftonhead John Smellie weaver James Smith ditto Archibald Prentice John Cameron James Davidfon James Smith
iames Melvin carrier ames Petticrew farmer in Kin^'shill John Dalzitl XJaniel Bailie wright Middle-
houfe Robert Brownlee wright Hugh Smith wright Jo. Morton farmer Wefterhill Ann Brownlee
XatharineGilchrid Eafterhoufe John Brodie in Heckler's- hall James Jch.-ron lint-dreiTer
Carniiath parijlo Johr. Career on Danie! Simfon bookfdler Thorn sCarh! ertfon merchant George Liw icnuu
436 )
Lamington />.;- James Douglas fchoolmaftcr Mary Wight mam John Wigntman miller William Smith fmith William Li nd fay wright Charles Ramfay clotier Malcolm Wilfon James Jack foil flax-dreffer lie weaver . h J'»hnflon John In^lisin Cutter
V/anlockhead James Ramige miner John Ramage ditto Alexander Robertfon dittc Robert Tait wafher James M'Millan miner Thomas Watfon ditto Alexander Lecky ditto Charles Ramage dilto Charles Lindfay John Cuthbertfon miner Robert Colthart fmclter Archibald Rogerfon ditto Nathaniel Patcrlon ditto
Lead hills Andrew Kennedy fmith John Williamfon miner Chriftian 5rown Mary Drips John Young ftorcmafter \\
Craikbridgs-end Mrs. Gordon there
Peebles William Veitch mafort
Dutife, tec. Andrew Newt#n farrier Andrew Newton merchant Alexander 7?ruce lint-drefTer John i>ruce meal-feller Robert Brown fhoemaker William Boyd weaver Alexander Cairns baxtcr treorge Cochran wright is Gray merchant John Hunter we?
( 43
ktr
vfter ]©hn Paron chapman rge Ralph ma
Janet Redpath merchant ohn StriUgban weaver i'eter Dztlc weaver in town
Tiith grieve there
i ant there 'here Andre : in Long-
town mill Thorrm Henderfon fchool-
• ivobert Young uylor tl Ja. Cochran moemaker there George Johnrion maibn Black -
adder Thomas Johnftoo hedger there Jcobert Taylor ir. David Cockbura tenant Bo:h-
wick James Foreman in Chirnfide Thomas Thomfon ter . Leedbraes a I>ods in Woodhead
7 )
ant in iaC in
Fairly
James Btgg fchoolmafter
John C.
Thomas Yeitch carrier
:rk
Geo. Leiilmanmercht. 4 cop.
Bathgate John Morton te:.-
James 5 ::crof
Lcith,
ADVERTISEMENT.
There is in the Hands of fome Wellwifliers, a valuable Manu- script of the late reverend, learn- ed and pious Mr. John Brown's, Mi- nifter of the Gofpel at Wamphray, being an Expofition of TauH E- piftle to the Romans, which is pro- mifed, but not yet come to Hand, • and for which Propofals will be publifhed in a fhort Time, by the Printer of thefe Letters.
Edinburgh, June iG^ytiSfc-
PROPOSALS
For Printing by Subfcription,
A New WORK, entitled, A
DICTIONARY
O F T H E
HOLY BIBLE ••
CONTAINING, An hiftorical and explanatory Account of the Perfons; a geographical Account of the Places; and literal and critical Defcriptions of other Obje&s, whether natural or ar- tificial, civil or religious, mentioned in the Holy Scriptures.
Alfo, unfolding the different Acceptations of the moil expreffive Appellatives; explaining Scrip- ture Types; clearing the Meaning of many obfeare Paffiges; and reconciling feeming In- confntencies.
The whole forming A Body of Scripture Hiftory, Chronology, and Divi- nity ; and ferfing, in a great Meafure, as a Con- cordance to the B;ble.
Subfcripiions are received by D.xvid PateR- son, the Publiihcr, at his Print! ng-houic, Lawn-market, where may be
Proppfals at large, with a Specimen of the fpcand Paper.
C 0 N.D ITI 0 N S.
I. The book to be contained in two large octavo vo- lumes, of about 600 pages each,, to be printed on a fine demy paper, and an excellent good type; the price of each volume (titched to be only 3 /.
II For the conveniency of fubfcribers, a number, containing twe/ve meets, will be pubiifhed every fix weeks, at 1 /. Pitched in blue paper ; the vo- lume, altho' fome flieets more, to be contained in three numbers
III. Subfcnbeis for 12 copies mall have one gratis.
To the PUBLIC.
As this DiCTioNARVof the Bible, or Chriflian* Diftionaryy is undoubtedly a work of great trouble r.nd expence, fo alfo of great utility The defign hereof is to diffufe that knowledge, and explain thole fubjeels, which it is the indifpenfible duty of every one to be acquainted uith ; and certainly it claims erufal of prions of every rank and condition of life It will cohtribute much to a right and diftincl underftand'ng of the Scriptures; and by the alpha- betical order in which it is difpofed, any perfon may, with the greateif eafe, find out whatever article he de fires
Here will be given an explanation of the fcripture names of perfons, together with a full account of their anions as recorded in the Holy Bible, and the periods wheiein fuch actions weie performed ; the meaning of fcripture types unfolded; the feftivals, fails, laws, ceremonies and folemnities of the ancient Hebrews iiluflrated ; their money, weights, and lneafures reduced to the Englifh ftandard ; and the time when any particular occurrences took place difHnclly related.
The whole collected from the beft authorities an- cient and modern, fuch as Jofephus, Eufebius, Cal- met, Buxtorf, Uiher, Sir ifaac Newton*, Grotius, Le Clerc, Wilfon, Poole, Henry, ij^pwel, Stack- lioufe, Ray, Prideaux, Cruder], (j&'iff. <&c
*..
1 6