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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
lo LETTERS.
.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,
ia LETTERS.
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]
i6 LETTERS.
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
LETTERS. 23
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
26 LETTERS.
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
LETTERS.
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
LETTERS.
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
LETTERS. 31
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
32 LETTERS.
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
64 LETTERS.
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
LETTERS. 6$
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
LETTERS. 67
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
68 LETTERS.
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
LETTERS. 69
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
7o LETTERS.
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
LETT-ERS, ,7.t
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
72 LETTERS.
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.
LETTERS. 73
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.
74 LETTERS.
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
LETTERS. 75
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
6 LETTERS.
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
78 LETTERS.
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-
8o LETTERS.
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
•
LETTERS. 81
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 {: >
82 LETTERS.
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
84 LETTERS.
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
LETTERS,
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
LETTERS.' 89
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
LETTERS.
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
LETTERS. c;
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
LETTERS. 99
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
LETTERS.
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
io2 LETTERS.
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
LETTERS. 103
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.
io4 LETTERS.
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.
LETTERS. 105
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
io6 LETTERS.
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
LETTERS. 107
©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
io8 LETTERS.
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
LETTERS. io9
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.
no LETTERS.
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
LETTERS. in
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
K 2 li:..
n2 LETTERS.
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
LETTERS. 1T3
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 \
K 3
ii4 LETTERS.
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; ,
LETTER S. 115
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
ji6 LETTERS.
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*
lie-
LETTERS. 117
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
n8 LETTERS.
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
LETTERS. 119
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
i2o LETTERS.
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,
LETTERS. i2i
^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*
i2i LETTERS.
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
bad
LETTERS. i2S
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-
:24 LETTERS.
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
is
LETTERS. 125
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
i26 LETTER S.
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
LETTERS. 127
) 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.
ii8 LETTER S.
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,
whaE
LETTERS. 129
?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 :
i3» LETTERS.
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
tmued
LETTERS. 131
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
i32 LETTERS.
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
LETTERS. i33
\ 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
*34
LETTERS,
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
LETTERS. i35
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
LETTERS, 137
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<
-
i33 BETTERS,
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
LETTERS. 139
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
140 LETTERS.
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
LETTERS. 141
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^
i42 LETTERS.
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
LETTERS. 143
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
i44 LETTERS.
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
LETTERS. 145
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
LETTERS. 147
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
148 LETTERS.
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-
LETTERS. .i49
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. .
i5o .LETTERS.
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
LETTERS, i5f
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
i52 LETTERS
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
LETTERS. 153
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)
i34 LETTERS.
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
LETTERS. 155
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-
j56 LETTERS,
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
LETTERS. tS7
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-
j58* LETTERS.
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;
LETTERS. 159
• 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
O 2 mids-
i6o LETTERS.
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
LETTER S. i6x
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
LETTERS. -163
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
i64 LETTERS.
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
LETTERS. 165
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
:.i66 L E T T E R . S.
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
LETTER S. 167
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-
i68 LETTERS.
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*
owa
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
LETTERS. i7r
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
LETTERS. i73
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
174 LETTERS.
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
this
LETTERS. 175
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-
i76 LETTERS.
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
LETTERS. i7f
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*
LETTERS.
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
LETTERS. 179
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
fto . LETTERS.
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
LETTERS. i8r
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
i82 L E T T E R S.
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
Oil-
LETTERS. 183
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
i84 LETTERS.
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
LETTERS. i§5
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
1 86 LETTERS.
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
LETTERS. 187
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
LETTERS. 207
[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.
LETTERS. <2op
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,
LETTERS. 211
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
*ia LETTERS.
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,
LETTERS. 213
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
LETTERS. 215
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
LETTERS. 217
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
LETTERS. 219
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*
LETTERS. 221
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/
LETTERS. 223
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
LETTERS.
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
LETTERS. 225
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,
226 LETTERS.
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
LETTERS. 227
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,
228 LETTERS.
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
LETTERS. 129
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
LETTERS. 231
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
LETTERS.
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
•^
LETTERS.
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
L E T T E R S. 235
'/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
LETTERS.
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,
LETTERS. 237
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
LETTERS. 239
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-
Mo LETTERS.
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
LETTERS. 241
(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
LETTERS 301
[)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
H 3
342 LETTERS.
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,
LETTERS. 343
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.
O
344 LETTER S.
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
LETTERS. 345
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-
5^6 L E T T E R S.
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,
r
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
known
L E T T E R S.
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
p
LETTERS.
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
K
?5tf LETTERS.
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
LETTERS. 357
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-
360 LETTERS.
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
LETTERS. 361
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.
LETTERS. 363
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
364 LETTERS.
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
LETTERS. 365
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
366 LETTERS.
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
LETTERS. 367
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
LETTERS. 371
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-
LETTERS, 373
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
374 LETTERS.
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
376 LETTERS.
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^
LETTERS. 4:3
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
4i4 LETTERS.
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
muft
LETTERS. 415
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-
4:6 LETTERS.
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
of'e«:
LETTERS. 417
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
4i8 LETTERS;
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-
LETTERS. 419
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
42o LETTERS.
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
others
LETTERS. 421
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
42a LETTERS.
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
LETTERS. 423.
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
N n z
424 LETTERS.
/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
CO-
LETTERS. 425
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
426 LET T-E R S.
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
lead
LETTERS. 427
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
4*8 LETTER S.
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
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