The Lives of Sundry Eminent Persons, Part 1 · Passages
Some Remarkable Passages in the Lives of divers Eminent Divines of the Church of Scotland.
Of Mr. Hugh Kennedy.
HUgh Kennedy, though he was no Minister, yet was he an Eminent Instrument of promoting the work of the Gospel in the place where he lived. He was Prov…st of Air: Once when the Merchants Ships which belonged to that T…n, were at Sea, amongst whom was his Son John (who was also a choice Christian) he went early one Morning before Break-a-Day to the House of his Familiar Friend John Steward, desiring him to rise and to go with him to a private Room; whereat the said John was exceedingly astonished; but whilst he delayed, he said to him: It is no time to linger: let us go Pray; for my Son, with the rest of our Friends now at Sea, are at this very time upon the nick of perishing: And after he had spent some time in Prayer, he arose chearfully, and said, now they are safe. A while after John Steward, who had writ this down, with the Day and Hour, at the Return of the Ship, did most perticularly enquire, and found that it exactly answered all Circumstances; and that in that very Hour they were in appearance past hope of safety in a very dangerous place, and by an extraordinary unexpected Providence delivered from the same.
One Day, being for many Hours alone in Prayer, while some of his Christian Friends did wait long for him, at last he came forth with an unusual chearfulness, and his Friends enquiring of him the reason of it, he said, That it was no wonder, for he that Day had obtained mercy of God for himself, and all his: which also came to pass, for there was not one of his Children but in the Judgment of Charity was truly Godly. Whilst he was Dying, Mr. Ferguson, a godly Minister said to him, you have cause Sir to be assured that the Angels of God are waiting about your Bed to convey your Soul into Abrahams Bosom: to whom he answered: I am sure thereof; and if the walls of this House could speak, they could tell how many sweet Days I have had in secret Communion with God, and how Familiarly he hath dealt with my Soul.
Mr. Bruse, the Morning before God took him away (his sickness being mostly a weakness through Age) came to break his Fast at his Table, and having (as he used) eaten an Egg, he said to his Daughter, I think I am yet hungry, bring me another Egg, but presently after, falling into a deep Meditation, after he had mused a while, he said, Hold Daughter, hold: my Master calls me, with which words his Sight failed him: whereupon he called for a Bible, but finding his Sight gone, he said, turn me to the Eighth Chapter of the Epistle to the Romans, and set my Finger at these words, I am perswaded that neither Death not Life, &c. shall be able to seperate me from the Love of God, which is in Christ Jesus my Lord: Now said he, is my Finger upon them? And when they told him it was, without speaking any more he said, Now God be with you my Children: I have Breakfasted with you, and shall Sup with my Lord Jesus Christ this Night, and so he gave up the Ghost, Death shutting up his Eyes that he might see God.
Of Mr. John Scrimger.
MR. John Scrimger was Minister at Kinghorn: At which time there was a godly Woman under his charge, who fell sick of a very lingring Disease, and was all the while assaulted with strong Temptations that she was a Cast-away. Master Scrimger often Visited her, Conferred with her, and Prayed over her: yet did her trouble still remain, and the terrours of the Almighty lay upon her. When she drew near to the time of her Dissolution, she being worse, both in Body and Soul, and sending for Mr. Scrimger, he took two of his Elders with him, and in their presence first endeavoured to comfort her, both by Exhortations and Conference, and then Prayed with her, and seeing that the nearer she was to her end, the worse she was, he caused his Elders to Pray with her, after which himself Prayed again. But Satan still raged more and more, and her Soul was far removed from Peace. Hereupon he sat musing for a while, and then said: What is this? Our laying before her grounds of Comfort will not do it, Conference will not do it, Prayer will not do it, we must use another Remedy. Sure I am, that this is a Daughter of Abraham: Sure I am, that I am the Elder: Sure I am, that she hath sent for me: And therefore in the Name of God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who sent him to redeem Sinners in the Name of Jesus Christ, who obeyed the Father, and came to save us: In the Name of the Holy and Blessed Spirit our Quickner, and Sanctifier, I the Elder command thee a Daughter of Abraham to be loosed from these Bonds; and immediatly Peace and Joy succeeded.
Of Mr. Robert Blair.
MR. Robert Blair in his Younger Days out-ran many others in his Studies. It pleased God to convert him by the Ministry of Famous Mr. Trochrig, into into whose hands (said he) it pleased God to put the Key that first opened my Heart. When he first began to Preach, by a remarkable Providence, he had Mr. Bruce (before mentioned) to be his Hearer; and indeed, he was desirous to have the Judgment of so great a Man about his Discourse, to whom Mr. Bruce said, I found your Sermon very well polished, and digested (which indeed was easie to one of his Parts) But there is one thing I missed in it; namely, the Spirit of God, that I found not. This made a great Impression upon Mr. Blair, and did him much good all his Life after, as himself oft acknowledged. For divers Years he was a Regent in the Colledg of Glasgow, where he made it his work to train up those under his charge in the Study of godliness, as well as of humane learning: But by reason of the prejudice of some that had Power in that place, he could not stay there long. Upon the Report of a sinful Oath that was to be pressed upon the Masters of the Colledg, he enquired of one of his Fellow Regents, what he would do in that matter: his name was Gawin Forsyth, who thus answered: By my Faith I must live. Sir, (said Mr. Blair) I will not swear by my Faith as you do, but truly I intend to live by my Faith. You may chcose your own way, but I will adventure upon the Lord: That wretched man (to whom the matter of an Oath was a small thing) continued in the Colledg after Mr. Blair was gone: But many Years after Mr. Forsyth fell into such Poverty that he was forced to Petition the General Assembly for some Relief, at which time Mr. Blair was Moderator, and upon his appearing in so deplorable a condition, he could not but recall that former passage, and upon his Adress to him in private, he minded him thereof, yet with great tenderness, not in the least to upbraid him with his low Condition, but to let him see that he had been carried through by his Faith, at which Forsyth had formerly scoffed.
When Mr. Blair was put from the Colledg, he went to his Brother then Minister at Dumbarton, to whom he confessed, that by the way, he could not but sing for Joy in the remembrance of Gods being with him, and helping him to be Instrumental for the good of the young Men committed to his charge. Afterwards he went into Ireland, having a Call to Bangor, and upon the sight of Land, his Heart was made to leap within him for Joy, so far, that (as himself professed) he was scarce able to bear it. When he came near to Bangor, he had a strong impression upon him that the Dean of Bangor was sick unto Death, and should rise no more, which at first he rejected as an impertinent suggestion; but going forward, it was with such power impressed upon his Spirit, as forced him to take notice of it. When he came thither he found indeed that the Dean was sick, and though he was a naughty Man, yet he made Mr. Blair very welcome, and encouraged him to hold on in his way, and told him that he was to succeed him in that charge: Yea, he spake so unlike himself, and in a strain so different from what was his usual manner, that a Gentlewoman standing by, said to some others, that an Angel spake out of the Deans Bed to Mr. Blair, thinking that it could not proceed from such a Man.
Whilst Mr. Blair was a Regent in the College, once the Devil appeared to him like a crooked Boy that waited on him, and laughed in his Face, whilst he was serious in his Chamber, but presently disappeared.
Whilst he was in Bangor, there was one in that Parish, who carried over into Scotland some Horses to sell; and at a Fair met with a Man that was willing to buy them all: But pretending that he had not Money to pay for all at present, he gave him his Bond to pay at Martlemass: The poor Man, suspecting nothing, returned home, and near unto that time, one Night as he went homeward from Bangor, his Merchant met him; who was the Devil. Now (said he) you know my Bargain how I bought you at such a place, and I am come as I promised to pay you the price. Bought me? Said the Man, trembling: You bought not me, but my Horses. Nay (said the Devil) you shall know that I bought your self: And speaking farther to this poor Man, who was confounded with fear, he said, you must kill some body or else I will not free you, and the more excellent the Party is, the better it will be for you, and in perticuler he mentioned Mr. Blair to him. The Man being overcome with terrour, and by the violence of the temptation, resolved to do it, and went to Mr. Blairs House, having a Dagger in his right hand, hid under his Cloke, and was endeavouring to get it out: But after Mr. Blair had for a while talked with him, he fell into an extream trembling, and upon further enquiring what was the cause of it: he freely confessed for what end he came, and how he had endeavoured to draw his Dagger, but could not, and knew not what hindered: For now assaying to do it, it came out very easily. Mr. Blair Blessing the Lord for his deliverance, exhorted him to make God his refuge: Yet, afterwards he was much threatned, and terrified by the Devil, but nothing more followed.
After some time Mr. Blair with some of his Worthy Brethren, were silenced by B. B. Ecklin, who in the Church of Bangor did himself pronounce the Sentence, whereupon Mr. Blair rose up publickly in the Congregation, and with great Authority did Cite the B B. to appear before the Tribunal Seat of Jesus Christ, to answer for what he was doing contrary to the Light of his own Conscience against such whom he knew to be faithful Ministers of the Gospel; whereupon the B. B. was so astonished that he cryed out, I appeal from the Tribunal of God's Justice to the Throne of his Mercy: To whom Mr. Blair replied, Sir, your Appeal is rejected: For you know that what you are doing is directly against your Conscience: which hath made you to bear witness to us as the Servants of Jesus Christ. A few Months after the B. B. fell sick, and that Physitians enquiring of him what was the cause, he could only say, my Conscience, and so Dyed.
Whilst they were under restraint, Mr. Blair was by his Brethren sent into England to Petition the King for their Liberty: and as he was upon the way, he was taken with an extream fit of the Stone, which made him lye upon his Horses neck, not being able to sit upright, which much troubled him, beinga hindrance to him in so important a business: Hereupon he applied himself to God in Prayer, and immediatly after, trying if possibly he could lift up his Back, he found to his astonishment his tormenting pain quite gone, and that he had perfect ease, nor did it return upon him for two Years after.
A few Days after, in the same Journy, his Horse fell very lame, which much troubled him, having no opportunity to provide himself of another: and hereupon also he made his Addresses unto God by Prayer, which the Lord graciously inclined his Ear unto, so that his Horse was (to his amazoment) perfectly cured, and without halting at all carried him to London.
When he came to London, he endeavoured what he could to dispatch his business, but could get no access to the King: Yea, some that were his Friends at Court, after tryal, assured him that he could have no ground of hope to speed therein, Yet he resolved not to give over, but to cast the business upon the Lord: for whose Service onelyonly he was importuning for an open Door. One Day going to Greenwich, where the Court then was, and being weary of waiting without success, he retired into the Park to Pray, and after much wrestling with the Lord, he had so clear a return that he could not but be assured that his way should be succesful: Yet, the appearance thereof being in an ordinary way so unlikely; he, in an humble manner begged a sign of the Lord, and immediatly after the wind blowing hard, which made a Noise among the Rushes, so great a Calm did suddenly follow, that not the least Plant did move or stir. Thence he went back to London, and within a few Days (in a strange manner) had his Petition presented to the King, who accepted of it, and in St. James his Park called for him, and with his own hand the King did not only Sign it, but Wrote in the Margin these Words, directed to the Lord Deputy of Ireland, Indulg the Education of these Ministers: For they are Scotch-Men.
Whilst he was in England he had a strong discovery concerning the Death of his Wife, who was a very Gracious Woman, and of her lying in such a Bed, and of a Christian Friend being by her, who was his perticular acquaintance: When he came Home he found his Wife well, but a little after she fell sick, and Died in the same Bed, with that Friend sitting by her, and with all the other particular Circumstances.
Of Mr. Andrew Steward.
THere was in Ireland an Exercise held, whereunto a great Multitude of the choisest Christians in those parts Assembled, and while Mr. Andrew Steward, Minister of Dunagor, was Feeding his Flock in a large place (for the numerousness of the Hearers Imposed a Necessity upon him to Preach in the Field) an Horrid Black Cloud, and fearful to look upon, hung directly over their Heads, which, to all present, Threatned a strange pouring down of Rain, whereby the Exercise would have been interrupted: Yea, some drops began to fall: But Mr. Steward, being much enlarged in his own Spirit, craved their patience whilst he retired a little into another place to Pray: And whilst he was Praying it was Observed, that the Cloud removed about half a Mile off to the Southward, and there fell in so mighty a Rain, as (though it was in Summer) it caused the Brooks so to swell, that some who came later then the rest, could not get over, but where they were Assembled there fell not a drop, so that he had opportunity to proceed with a full Gale, to the close of the work of the day, to the great Benefit and Conviction of the Hearers.
Anno Christ, 1634. Mr. Steward being Invited to the Funeral of that Excellent Man of God, Mr. Josiah Welch, the Son of that great Mr. Welch before mentioned, he stood silent for a time at the Grave as a serious Observer of that sad dispensation: Some that stood by, said, God knows who will be next, and when none Answered, he said, I do know, and so turning away, he went home to Dunagor a Foot, and entring into the Church, he Bolted the Door to him, where he continued about Two Hours, and then going home to his House, he fell asleep on his Bed through Excess of Grief, from whence he did never arise in Health, but was Buried that Day Month.
When his Wife came home, whom he had left with Mr. Welch his Widow, she asked him what he had been doing? He Answered, I have been taking my leave of the Church of Dunagor, and I was there calling the Stones and Timber to witness, that in my short time I had laboured to be Faithful; and that, according to my Light, I have Revealed the whole Counsel of God to the People. After he had lain about Fourteen Days, Mr. Ridg, a choise English Minister, came to visit him, and said, I hope, Sir, you do not now Repent that you have been Faithful? He Answered, I am sorry for nothing but that I was too long before I began (he meant his Resisting for several Years, a Call to the Ministry, to which he had been much urged,) and I will tell you a strange thing, which hath much holpen me to be Faithful. These last Seven Years there hath not One Day passed, without thoughts of Death, and renewed Submission to the Will of God therein. Yea, this made me neglect my Body, which should have Served the Lord more, as if it had been Mire in the Street, which now troubles me.
That Night wherin he Died, sundry Godly Christians were with him, when, for a long time he fell into a deep silence, which ended with Groanings often Intreated. A Christian there present, desired to know what it was that troubled him; but he refused to tell: But being much urged, he at length said, I tell you that my Hair stands an end to foresee what is coming upon these Lands: And being farther pressed, he said, The Bloody Wars of Germany cannot be Ballanced with the Wars of these Three Kingdoms. What say you Sir? said one of the Company. To whom he Answered, The Dead Bodies of many Thousands, who now despise the Glorious Gospel, shall lie Unburied as Dung upon the Earth. What then (said some) shall become of us and our Posterity? He lifted up his Voice and said, He that is for the Sword to the Sword: He that is for Captivity to Captivity: And he that is for Famine to Famine; for God shall be Avenged upon these Lands. And when one said, Is there no Remedy? He Cried Thrice, No Remedy, No Remedy, No Remedy, and so held his Peace. And a while after he said, The broken Covenant of Scotland must be renewed: The Formality of Ireland must be purged: The Prodigality of England removed, and the Sons of Saul must be hung up before the Sun: Of which last Words none knew his meaning.
Some of his own Parish being present, Asked what he would say to them, to whom he Replied, Wo to thee Dunagor, for the Nettles and the long Grass shall be in greater Plenty in thee, then ever were People to hear the Word of God. And Three Years together after the late Rebellion, this was fully Accomplished. Some Asked him, if he would have his Children come to him? He Answered, No, He had done with them. And when they mentioned one of his Daughters to him, he desired them to forbear, saying, She shall see Glorious Days after all this. Then having taken his Wife by the Hand (who had but Lien-in but Four Days, and now crept out of her Bed to give and take a long Farewel) he said, Thou hast in Faithfulness suffered many things with me in my Pilgrimage, and now where…ith shall I comfort thee (My Love) (He left her with Four Children, under much Debt, and but Thirty Shillings Sterling to do all with) A Father to the Fatherless, and a Judg to the Widow, is God in his Holy Habitation. As God is God thou shalt never want, nor none of thine: But in all the Sad Days that are coming, you shall be a wonder of Mercy in every place whether you are carried, and not a Hair of your Heads shall fall to the Ground. This was fully Accomplished, to the Conviction and Edification of many which saw it.
Of Mr. John Welch.
MR. John Welch, a very Holy Man, was not long since Minister of Kirckcubright in Gatloway in Scotland, and afterwards Translated to the Church of Air, whom Mr. Rutherfort in one of his Books, calleth, an Heavenly Prophetical, and Apostolick Man, assuring us, that of each Twenty Four Hours, he spent Eight in Prayer, if other necessary and urgent Duties did not hinder him: Yea, he spent many Days and Nights in Fasting and Prayer for the Afflicted condition of the Church, and for the Sufferings of the Reformed Churches abroad. It was oft his usual manner in the Coldest Winter Nights to Rise for Prayer; and oft-times his Wife (who was an Excellent Woman) hath Risen to seek him, and found him lying on the Ground Weeping, and Wrestling with the Lord by Prayer: and sometimes he would be much of the Night in the Church of Air upon that account. One time especially she found him over-charged with Sorrow, whereupon he told her, That he had that to press him, which she had not, namely, the Charge of Three Thousand Souls which he must Answer for, whilst he knew not how it was with many of them. And at another time, when she found him alone, his Spirit was overwhelmed with Anguish and Grief, and when she Asked him the Reason of it? He Answered, That the Times that were coming upon Scotland for the Contempt of the Gospel, would be very Heavy and Sad, but she should not Live to see them.
Whilst he was a Prisoner in Blackness he Wrote thus to a Christian Lady, concerning those large Joys which he had in his Sufferings for this Truth, That Jesus Christ is a King, and hath a visible Kingdom in the World, even his Church, which is as free to keep its Courts, and to Exert Discipline, by Vertue of an Intrinsick Power from Christ, as hath any Kingdom on the Earth: For which he was ready to lay down his Life; yea, that he would be glad and rejoyce to be offered up a Sacrifice for so Glorious a Truth. And in the close of his Letter, he foretold, that Judgment was coming upon Scotland, which should be Blood, first by an Intestine Sword, and then by the Sword of a Stranger, and that there should be a great Slaughter, both of Great Men and Mean; which many Lived to see Accomplished, who had the Letter among them long before the War began.
One John Steward, an Eminent Christian that lived at Air, coming to visit Mr. Welch in Prison, found him in a more then ordinary way troubled and sad, and enquiring of him what was the reason of it? He said, John, you should not be here, go home to Air; for the Plague of God is broken in upon that place; and cause Hugh Kennedy, Provest of that Town (who also was a choise Christian) to Convene the People in the Streets and Pray together, and the Lord shall hear Hugh Kennedy, and remove that Stroke. This at first Astonished the said John, and made him Question the Truth hereof, having come so lately from thence: But at his return, he found it so, and accordingly in every thing he found it so as this Man of God had foretold.
The King changing the Sentence of Death that was passed upon him at Linlithgo, into Banishment, he went over into France, where in a short time he Learned the French Language, and acquired such a Dexterity therein as was thought strange by them that knew it. Trochrig, in his Comment upon the Ephesians, sets down this passage concerning him; that being called to Preach at Salmurz, before one of the most Learned Auditories in all France, he performed it with such Boldness and Authority, as though he had been before a mean Congregation. Trochrig being Astonished at it, and familiarly acquainted with him, Asked him, Whence he had that Confidence, Preaching before such a Judicious Congregation of Strangers, and in a strange Tongue? To which he Answered, In an Humble and Modest manner, as one rather Dejected then Elated, That when he considered his being before the Lord, and that he was delivering his Message, he could not regard the Persons, either of Great or Mean, &c.
Whilst he was Minister at St. John de Angeli, a Protestant Town in France, where his Ministry was Blessed with great Success, the Civil Wars breaking out, that City was Twice Besieged by the Popish Party, during which time these Remarkable passages fell out; The Town being straitly Besieged, and ready to be taken, the Enemies having Raised a Battery, and by their near approach, had made a considerable Breach in the Wall, Mr. Welch, being informed hereof (who had much encouraged the Citizens by telling them that their Enemies should not prevail against them) he went himself with the Canonier, up to the Walls, and desired him to Charge such a Peice of Canon, and Shoot; for God would direct that Shot, and cause it to prosper, which accordingly was done, and to the Astonishment of the Spectators, it dismounted the Enemies Canon from that Battery, and the Lord was pleased so to order things afterwards, that the King Parlied with the Citizens upon good Tearms, and only himself and Court came into the City, without profering any Violence.
Another marvelous passage was this, The Sabbath following some of the Godly in that place, fearing Mr. Welch his danger, did seriously deal with him, that he would not go forth, nor Preach that Day, for that the Court was there: But by no Intreaty would he be hindred from the discharge of his Duty, telling them, That he would adventure to Preach Gods Word to his People, and trust the Lord with what concerned himself (being much grieved at their Fear and Despondency) and had that Day a very great Auditory, both of Friends and others, who came upon the Fame of such a Mans Preaching: But whilst he was in his Sermon, a Great Man of the Court was sent with some of the Kings own Guard, to bring him presently before the King. And whilst he was entring the Church, with some difficulty by reason of the Croud, Mr. Welch turning himself towards the Door, desired the People to make way for one of the Great Peers of France, who was coming in: And when he was come near unto the Pulpit to Execute his Commission, Mr. Welch, with great Authority spake to him before all the People, and in the Name of his Master Jesus Christ charged him, that he should not Disturb the Worship of God, wherewith the Noble-man was so affrighted, that he fell a Trembling, yea, was forced to Crouch down, and make no farther Disturbance.
The Sermon being ended, Mr. Welch, with great Submission, went to the King, who was much Incensed, and with a frowning Countenance, asked, who he was, and how he durst be so Bold as to Preach Heresie so near his Person, and carry himself with such Contumacy? To which, with due Reverence bowing himself, he Answered, I am, Sir, a Servant, and Minister of Jesus Christ, whose Truth I Preached this Day, which if your Majesty did rightly know, you would have come to it your self, and heard it. And for my Doctrine, I did this Day Preach these Truths.
First, That Man is fallen, and by Nature is in a lost Condition: Yea, and that by his own Power and Abilities he is not able to help himself.
Secondly, That there is no Salvation, or Deliverance from Gods Wrath by our own Merits, but by Jesus Christ, and his Merit alone.
Thirdly, I Preached this Day the Just Liberties of the Kingdom of France; That your Majesty oweth Obedience to Christ only, who is Head of the Church: And that the Pope, as he is an Enemy to Christ and his Truth, so also to the Kings of the Earth, whom he keepeth under Slavery to his Usurped Power. The King for a time, being silent, and Astonished, turned to some about him, and said, Surely this is a Man of God: Yea, after he Communed with him, and dismissed him with great Respect.
The Year following, The Differences continuing betwixt the King and Protestants, that City was again Besieged, taken, and in part Plundered, as Mr. Welch did publickly foretel: At which time the King past a solemn Order, That none should in the least wroung Mr. Welch, or any thing that belonged to him under the highest Penalties, and afterwards gave him a safe Conduct to Transport himself into England, where he Died: King James refusing to give him leave to return into his own Country, though he was earnestly Petitioned by his Wife to grant that Favour to her Husband for his Health-sake. During his Sickness he was so filled and overcome with the sensible Injoyment of God, that he was sometimes over-heard in Prayer, to use these words, Lord hold thy Hand; it is enough: Thy Servant is a Clay Vessel, and can hold no more.
Whilst this Mr. John Welch was Minister at Air, there came two Men with Packs of Cloath to the Towns-end from a Neighbour Town, in a time when a Plague was in some places of the Country, yet the Town whence they came was not at all suspected to be infected. The Sentry at the Bridg stopped them till the Magistrate came, though they had a Pass, and though he could not disallow their Pass, yet would not the Magistrate suffer them to come in, till he had sent for Mr. Welch, onelyonly he bad them disburden their Beasts till he had considered what to do. A little after Mr. Welch coming, the Magistrate said to him; Sir, here are Men come from such a place; we have heard of no Plague there: Besides, they have a Pass from known Men: what would you advise us to do? Mr: Welch answered nothing for the present, but uncovering his Head in the midst of the Company that followed him, and lifting up his Eyes to Heaven (yet without speaking) near half a quarter of an hour, at last he said, Bayly, cause these Men to load their Packs and be gone: for if God be in Heaven, the Plague is in these Packs. The Men going away, opened their Packs at Cumnock, which so infected the Town, that all the Inhabitants Dyed, not one being left to Bury the Dead.
One night, being under an extraordinary pressure of Spirit to go and pour forth his Soul unto God: he left his Wife in Bed, and going out into a Garden, he spent most of the night in Prayer and Praise: But his Wife, missing him so long, at length went to seek him, and not finding him in his ordinary place, she went into other Gardens by such passages as she knew: At last she heard a Voice, and drawing near she heard him speak these words with great fervency, and accompanied with a flood of Tears, O God! wilt thou not give me Scotland? O God wilt thou not give me Scotland? She being afraid to interrupt him, went home, and heard not the close. At length he came home, and going to Bed, his Wife mildly reproved him for his unmercifulness to himself: then she asked him what it was that he was saying? For she told him, she heard him: Well said he, you had better have been in your Bed: I tell you I have endured a great fight for Scotland this night, and hardly could I prevail that a Remnant should be reserved: Yet God will be gracious.
Afterwards he arose another night (as his frequent manner was) but went not out into the Garden, but into another Chamber, where he so laboured and groaned, that his Wife hearing him, went several times to draw him to Bed: but he stayed his time, and then returned. His Wife with a modest expostulation, blamed him for tarrying so long: Hold thy Peace (said he) it will be well with us: but I shall never Preach another Sermon in Air. Then falling asleep, before he awaked, a Messenger came who was sent to carry him Prisoner to Edenburg Castle.
Whilst he was Prisoner there, the Lord Uchiltry was Governour of the Castle, whose Sister was Mr. Welch his Mother in Law, being John Knox his Wife. This Lord being much imployed in King James his Court, had not oppertunity to shew his kindness to his Kinsman Mr. Welch as he should. But being sensible of his unkindness, he caused Mr. Welch to sup with him one night at his own Table, where also were several other Gentlemen, and among them a Popish Youth that sat towards the lower end of the Table: and Mr. Welch being by the Governour, sate at the upper end, laboured to entertain the Company with Grave and Edifying Discourse, which all attended unto with seriousness, save this young Papist, who with laughter and derision sought to silence him, which Mr. Welch little regarded. But after Supper, the Guests sitting still, this Youth stood up at the lower end of the Table, and whilst Mr. Welch proceeded from grave to gracious Discourses, the Youth grew to that insolency as with his Finger to point at him, and to make wry mouths at him, whereby he so grieved that Holy Man, that on a suddain he was forced to silence.
The whole Company, that were much delighted with his Discourses, were silent also▪ But a while after Mr. Welch, being moved by the Spirit of God: brake forth into these Words: Gentlemen, the Spirit of God is provoked against us, and I shall intreat you not to be afraid to see what God will do amongst you before you rise from the Table: For he will strike some one of you with Death before you go hence. All were silently astonished, waiting with fear to see the issue: And while all Men feared themselves: except this insolent Youth, he fell down Dead among them.
One Day as Mr. Welch looked out of his Window in the Castle, he saw the Governour, to whom he said, God save you, my Lord: The Governour asked him how he did: and wherein he might serve him? In nothing (said Mr. Welch) if you be well, except you would carry a Petition to His Majesty for my Liberty to Preach the Gospel. I willingly will (said the Governour) therefore send it to me, Nay (said Mr. Welch) I am your Kinsman, and love you so well as to warn you not to undertake it except you resolve to deal truly in delivering it, and in getting me an Answer. I will bear the blame (said the Governour) if I do it not. I beseech you, my Lord, said Mr. Welch, undertake it not unless you resolve to do it; for the hazard is great; So Uchiltry undertook it: But when he came to the King, finding him in a great Passion upon some other occasion, he judged it not meet at that time to present it; and afterwards neglected, and at last, quite forgot it, for which, his heart smiting him, he durst hardly be seen of Mr. Welch for Three Months after. Yet at length, his Conscience forgetting as well as he, he came to the same place where Mr. Welch at first called to him. And now Master Welch asked him how he did, and what was become of his Petition? The Governour being surprized, answered; I delivered it to his Majesty; but he being in a Passion, it seems that it was neglected: for I have not gotten an Answer. Nay my Lord (said Mr. Welch) you should not lye to God and me; I know that you delivered it not, and I am sorry my Lord for your Lot: I warned you not to be false to God, and now I tell you, God shall take your Estate, and Honours in Scotland from you, and give them to your Neighbour, and this in your own time. This much troubled the Lord Uchiltry: And as it was foretold, so it came to pass: For he being the Eldest Son of the good Lord Uchiltry (one of the Reformers) was forced in his own time to quit all, and to give both his Estate and Honours to James, the Son of Captain James, the Second Brother, who was the last of that House.
Of Mr. Robert Bruce.
MR. Robert Bruce, was by an extraordinary manner called to the work of the Ministry, having for a long time followed the Study of the Law both in Scotland and France, and had some reason to expect a place among the Lords of the Session, his Father being a considerable Baron, and one that had many Friends: But a more pressing and irresistable Call from God, did otherwise determine of him.
Whilst he was Minister at Edenburgh, he shined as a Great Light through the whole Land: The Power and Efficacy of Gods Spirit most sensibly accompanying the Word which he Preached. He was a Terror to Evil-doers, and the Authority of God did so appear upon him, with such a Majesty in his Countenance, as forced Fear and Reverence from the Greatest in the Land; even from those who were the most Avowed Haters of the Power of Godliness. Yea, his Carriage had such an awful Impression upon King James himself, that he once before many, gave this Testimony of him, That Mr. Bruce was worthy of half his Kingdom.
Mr. Bruce was a Man that had much inward trouble about his own Spiritual Condition, and had been oft assaulted by Satan to question that Fundamental Truth, whether there was a God: This cost him many Days and Nights wrestling before he could clear it up to his own Soul, which occasioned him, when he came up into the Pulpit, after a short silence (which was his usual way) he would say, I think it is a great matter to believe that there is a God: telling the People, that it was not so easie a thing as they judged. It was known unto his Friends with whom he was Familiar, what extraordinary conformation he had hereof from the Lord: what Familiarity he did attain in his secret converses with God.
The great success of his Ministry at Edenburgh, Innerness, and other Places whither Providence called him, is well known to very many. Whilst he was confined at Innerness, that poor dark Country was marvellously enlightned by him, and many were brought home to Christ by his Ministry, and a Seed was sowen in those places which was not wholly worn out for many years after.
Famous Mr. Henderson at his first embrace into the Ministry at Leuchars, was very Prelatick, and was, by the B. B. of St. Andrews brought in thither against the Parishes consent; So that upon the Day of his Admission, the Church Doors being by the People shut against him, he was fain to break a Window to get entrance.
Not long after Mr. Henderson hearing of an Exercise where Mr. Bruce was to help, from a longing which he had to see and hear such a Famous Man, he would needs go secretly thither, and placed himself in a dark corner of the Church: where he might not be seen or known. When Mr. Bruce was come into the Pulpit, for a considerable time he kept silence, as his manner was, which somewhat astonished Mr. Henderson: but much more when he heard his first words, which were these: He that cometh not in by the Door, but climbs up another way, the same is a Thief and a Rohber: This by Gods Blessing did so affect Mr. Henderson for the present, and made so great an Impression upon him, that it was the first means of his Conversion.
Mr. Bruce had the Spirit of discerning in a great measure, and did Prophetically foretel many things which did afterwards come to pass: Diverse distracted Persons, and others who were past hope of recovery by the Falling-Sickness, were brought to him, who by the Power and Efficacy of his Prayers, were fully Recovered. He was a great wrestler with God, and had more than ordinary Familiarity with him.
A little before his Death, when he was at Edenburgh, and through weakness kept his Chamber, there was a meeting of divers godly Ministers at that time there, upon some special grounds of the Church concernment, who hearing that he was in Town, came to him, and gave him an account of the Actings of those times; Mr. Bruce went to Prayer, and therein spread before the Lord the substance of their Discourse, which was a sad representation of the State the Church was then in, at which time there was such an extraordinary motion upon all present, and so sensible a powring down of the Spirit, that they could hardly contain themselves: Yea, there was an universal motion upon others who were in other parts of the House▪ though they then knew not the cause of it: And Mr. Weems of Lothaker, being occasionally present, at his going away, said, how strange a Man is this: for he draws down the Spirit of God upon us all, by knocking his Fingers upon the Tahle, which indeed he many times did.
He was deeply affected with the wickedness and profanity of many Ministers then in the Church, and the unsuitable carriage of others in so high a Calling, and did express much fear that the Ministry of Scotland, would prove the greatest Prosecutors of that Church: Learned Didoclavius in his Preface to his Altare Doenascenum gives this Testimony of him: Robertus Brusius, Vir Genere, & virtute Nobilis, Magistate vultus venerabilis, qui plura animarum millia Christo lucrificit, cujus Anima, si villius mortalium (absit verbo invidia) sedet in Coelestibus: Anima mea, cum Anima tua, Brusi, si ex aliena Fide esset pendendum.
Of Mr. Davidson.
MR. Davidson, Minister of the Gospel at Salt-Preston, had an extraordinary Prophetick Spirit, and was Eminently Zealous and Faithful in a time of the Churches defection, whence Didoclavius in that aforementioned Preface, tearms him, Cato, & constans Cato sui temporis: King James pressing the setting up of Superintendents in the Scottish Church: Mr. Davidson being present in an Assembly at Dundee, where many were drawn over by the King to consent to it, rose up boldly in the Assembly, and in his own Name, and in the Name of the Church of Scotland, did enter a Protestation against that step of defection, and in yeilding up so far the Liberties of the Church to please Men.
Whilst he was Minister at Salt-Preston, the Building of the Church was much desired by him, which also he much advanced out of his own private Interest: The Lord Newbattel (who had great Authority in that Parish) promising to promote it, from which, yet he afterwards drew back, so that the Work ceased; whereupon Mr. Davidson said to him: These Walls that were begun to be Built shall stand as a Witness against you, that ere long God shall root you out, and your Estate out of this Parish, so that you shall not have a piece of Land in the same, which shortly after had a visible accomplishment.
In an Assembly of the Church Mr. John Spotswood, and Mr. Law had a Process put in against them for some gross misdemeanours, where Mr. Davidson, finding a readiness in the Assembly to acquit them by reason of their good Parts and Gifts, onelyonly with a reproof, he did with earnestness press their Deposition; But being crossed therein, he said, you will needs spare these two Men, whereat I am grieved: For the time is coming wherein they will trample upon your Necks, which prediction had shortly after its accomplishment.
He being on a time at Dinner with Mr. Bruse, who was then in great Favour with the King, in returning thanks after Meat he had this expression: Lord, thy Servant hear is a great Favourite at Court, and had in much Respect: But he shall ere long be as much Persecuted as he is now Favoured, and shall go down the Streets when many who now Esteem him greatly, will not vouchsafe to give him a Salutation: which afterwards came to pass.
At another time Mr. Robert Bruce and he, Dining together at the House of a Magistrate at Edenburg, who was then a Cordial Friend to godly Ministers, in his plain and free way, whilst he was giving of thanks, he said, Lord, this good Man for thy sake hath respect to thy Servants: But he little knows that within a short time he must carry us two, who are present hear to Prison: which words did much trouble that honest Magistrate, though afterward it came exactly to pass.
A Gentleman neary related to a great Family in that Parish where Mr. Davidson was Minister, a violent hater of Piety, did upon that account Beat a poor honest Man that lived there, having not the least shadow of provocation from him; and among many sore strokes, he gave him one upon the Back, using these words, Take this for Mr. Davidsons sake: After which, this honest Man, was forced for a time, to keep his Bed, complaining most of the stroke upon his Back. The Sabbath following, in the close of his Sermon, Mr. Davidson speaking about the oppression of the Godly, and the Enmity which Wicked Men had to such, did particularly instance in that late Insolence, saying, That it was a sad Time, when Profane Men would thus openly adventure to vent their Rage against such as were Seekers of God in the place, having no cause of Provocation, saving the Image of God in the Person. And then, with great Authority added, He who hath done this, be he the Laird, or the Lairds Brother, e're a few Days be past, God shall give him such a Stroke, as all the Monarchs in the Earth cannot do, and the Saturday following, as this Gentleman, stood before his Door, he was stricken Dead with a Thunder-bolt, and had all his Bones broken.
This Mr. Davidson, not long before his Death, occasionally meeting with Mr. John Ker, a Young Gentleman who was lately come out of France, and had then no thoughts of entring into the Ministry, and was in a very Courtly Dress; Mr. Davidson did solemnly charge him to put off his Scarlet Cloak, and to lay aside his Guilded Rapier, and to betake himself to his Book: For you are the Man (said he) who must Succeed me in the Ministry at this place. This much Astonished the Gentleman for the present, yet did he Obey, and as it was foretold, did immediately Succeed him; and was a Faithful and Painful Pastor in that place many Years after.
Of Mr. Patrick Simpson.
MR. Patrick Simpson was sometime Minister at Cramond, and afterwards Translated to Sterling. In his Youth he attained to great Exactness in the Languages, and Read many Authors, and being told by some, that they wondered why he spent so much time in Reading Pagan Authors? He Answered, That he purposed to Dedicate all these Jewels which he borrowed from the Aegyptians, towards the Building of the House of God. He did much oppose himself to the Corruptions of the Times: And in the Year 1584, when the King gave an Express Charge. That they should acknowledg Mr. Patrick Adamson for Arch-Bishop of St. Andrews, or else lose their Maintenance, he with great Vehemency opposed the same, though that Man was his Unkle by the Mothers side: and whereas some were willing to Subscribe, with this Proviso, According to the Word of God, He told them, That this could not secure their Consciences, it being Contradictio in Adjecto, to Subscribe to any Humane Institution, according to the Word, when the Word did Expresly Condemn the same.
He himself refused the offer of a Bishoprick, and afterwards, of a Yearly Pension, which he looked upon as a Design to Bribe his Conscience, which was more dear to him then all the World. And when the Assembly at Aberdeen was Condemned by the State, he did openly own and avow the same, and in a very solemn manner Denounced the Wrath and Judgment of God against the Accusers and Convictors of those excellent Men at Linlithgow, who stood for the Liberty of that Assembly. And that notable Paper and Protestation which was given in to the Parliament, Anno Christi, 1606. was penned by him, and with his own Hand delivered to the Earl of Dunbar, subscribed by many Ministers, who met there upon that account.
His Life was most exemplary for Piety, and Faithfulness in the Service of his Master, which Preached no less in that part of the Country where he lived, then did his Doctrine. His Wife, Martha Barson, a Gracious Woman, and the Wife of his Youth, with whom he had lived in great Love, fell sick, which proved her last Sickness. In her weakness she was sorely assaulted by Satan, who suggested to her, That she should be given over into his Hands: And it ended in a visible Distraction, which for a time grew upon her: So that, most unlike to her former practice, she would break forth into dreadful and horrid Expressions, and it was most violent on a Sabbath Morning, when Mr. Simpson was going to Preach; whereupon, with an heavy Countenance he stood silent for a time, and at last Kneeled down and Prayed, which she no whit regarded: After which, he, turning to the Company that were present, said, That he was sure that they who were now Witnesses of that sad Hour, stould yet see a Gracious Change, and that the Devils Malice against that poor Woman should have a shameful Foil.
Her Distraction still continued until Tuesday, August the Ninth, which Morning, at the very Dawning of it, he went into his Garden, and shut the Door, where, for many Hours he was alone: But a Godly Woman, one Helen Garner, Wise to one of the Bayliffs of Sterling, who had been with his Wife all Night; apprehending that Mr. Simpson might much wrong himself by much Grief and Fasting, by some help, she did climb over into the Garden: But as she came near to the place where Mr. Simpson was, she was terrified with an extraordinary Noise, which made her fall to the Ground: It seemed to her like a mighty Rushing of Multitudes running together, and withal, she heard such a Melodious Sound, as made her Judg, that it was more then Humane. Whereupon she Prayed to God to pardon her Rashness, which her Affections to that Man of God had carried her to. Yet afterwards, going forwards, she found him lying upon the Ground; she earnestly intreated him to tell her what he had from God? He (till she had promised not to Reveal it so long as he Lived, yet giving her leave to do it, after his Death) said, O what am I, being but Dust and Ashes, that the Holy Ministring Spirit should be sent by the Lord to deliver a Message to me? And he told her that he had a Vision of Angels, who did, with an Audible Voice give him an Answer from the Lord, concerning his Wives condition. And returning into his House, he said to all that were present, Be of good Comfort, for e're Ten Hours be past, I am sure that this Brand shall be pluck'd out of the Fire. After, he Prayed by his Wives Bed-side, and whilst he was mentioning Jacobs wrestling in Prayer, she sat upright in the Bed, and casting by the Curtain, said, Thou art this Day Jacob, who hast wrestled, and also prevailed: And now God hath made good his Words, which he spake this Morning to you: for I am pluck'd out of the hands of Satan, and he shall have no more power over me. This interruption made him silent for a time, but afterwards, with great melting of heart, he proceeded in Prayer, and magnified the Riches of Gods Love towards her. And from that Hour she spake most Christianly, and comfortably, even to her Death, which was the Fryday following, August the 13th Anno Christi, 1601. Her last words were with a Loud Voice, Come Lord, into thy Hands I commend my Spirit.
Mr. Simpson lived several Years after, even till March, 1618. At which time he said, Now shall this Month put an end to all my Labors; and accordingly, towards the end of it, he was removed by Death; at which time he expressed much Joy: Blessing the Lord for all his kindness towards him, that he had not been perverted by the sinful courses of those Times: and that he might say, That as the Lord had sed Elijah in the Wilderness; so in some respect, he had dealt with him all his Life long. Upon some of his Books were these words written, Remember, O my Soul, and never forget the Ninth of August, what Consolation the Lord then gave thee, and how he performed what he spake, according to Zach. 3. 2. Is not this a Brand pluck'd out of the Fire?
Providences, Strange and Extraordinary.
ANno Christi, 1636. Divers choise Ministers and Christians in Ireland, (Mr. Blair, Mr. Levinston, and Mr. Ma…kleland, were Three of them,) being much Persecuted, intended to Transplant themselves into New-England, not from any fear of their own Sufferings, but that they might have more liberty to Serve the Lord in the Work of the Gospel, when the Door was shut against them in their own Country: At which time there was a strange and remarkable Providence appearing in sundry particulars: As
First, The Vessel wherein they went, in the midst of a Tempestuous Sea, and far from any Land, proved like a Riddle, by reason of its many Leaks, the Rudder of the Ship being also broke off, so that the Pilot and Marriners despaired of safety, not seeing any means of deliverance in an ordinary way: But then God made a poor Seamon, whose company they had shunned, to be an Instrument of saving the Vessel, and all that were in it; for by a marvelous dexterity, he fastened on the Rudder (which others had attempted in vain, and given over all hopes of affecting it) as one Eminently sent by God for that purpose.
Secondly, Some of these Eminent Ministers had a strong perswasion of their safety and deliverance in the greatest Extremity, which they also declared before the Master and Passengers, whilst they were giving it over as a hopeless Business. Thus seeing an Invincible necessity of returning, though it was very Astonishing and bitter at the first look, yet it afterwards clearly appeared to be from the Lord. And one of the Ministers did express to the rest of his Brethren, That he was assured, that since the Lord would not accept of their Service in America, they should not want Work and Employment in the place whether he was sending them back by so remarkable a Providence, which also within a short time came to pass; so that they could not but say, that the Lord did in a very marvellous and immediate way appear in that cross Wind, to make them Instrumental for that great Harvest which afterwards followed.
Thirdly, It was also most Observable, That none of those, who upon the account of their Consciences, to enjoy the purity of Christs Ordinances, undertook that Voyage, miscarried, whereas Five Persons who went upon another account to enrich themselves, and had unexpectedly slipt into the Ship, all of them, but one, Died upon the Sea. It was also wonderful, that the Lord, as he had stilled the Raging of the Sea, so did he also quiet the Raging of the People, which they found by Experience to their comfort, and the terror of their Adversaries.
There was, not many Years since, in Scotland a Gentleman, whose Stile was Wastraw; a most Bloody Man, and Notorious for Profaneness, who made it his chief Business to stir up Quarrels, and to Engage Men in Blood. Amongst others, he provoked a Neighbouring Gentleman to Kill another in that place, which he did accordingly; but afterwards was much troubled in Conscience for it, whereupon this former person told him, That more of that Practice would be the best Cure for him, saying, that himself had Killed Six, and that at the first he was much troubled, but the oftner he did it, it became the more easie. One Day as he was Riding to a place where Two had appointed to decide a private Quarrel by Fighting, his Horse stumbled on the side of a steep Rock, and he fell a great way down, his Sword falling out before him, yet he received no hurt. By this strange Providence God awakened his Conscience, so that stopping his Jorney, he returned home with much Anguish and Remorse, and a strange change followed, whereby he witnessed his Tenderness and Repentance: Before his Death he spent much time alone in Mourning for his Sins: And the Day wherein he Died (though no such thing appeared to them about him) he was heard in his Chamber wrestling very much in Prayer: But after long continuance, when he answered not at their Knocking, they broke open the Door upon him, and found him Dead, but upon his Knees in a Praying posture; and all the Blood in his Body swiming about him in the Floor, all the passages of his Body being opened to give it vent. Thus, though God giveth Pardon to his People, yet some Sins he will not let pass without a visible Token of his Anger, but will take Vengeance of their Inventions.
There was a notorious Thief in the South parts of Scotland not many Years ago, called John of the Score, who for many Years had followed that Wicked Trade. At length he met with a poor Man Traveling with Two Horses, which Score took from him: The poor Country-man falling upon his Knees, earnestly Begged, that for Jesus Christs sake he would give him the one again; for he had no more to maintain his poor Family with, but what he could get by their Labor: But all was in vain: For the Thief carried both away to his own Home, leaving the poor Man in a very desolate Condition. But not long after, Score became very Dumpish and Melancholy, and could get no Rest nor Quiet, and yet knew not the cause, only he professed, that the Words which the poor Man spake, (though he was so great an Atheist, that he understood not what he meant when he spake of Christ,) did lie like a great weight upon his Spirit: And when he was sought after for his Robberies, he bad his Sons to shift out of the way, but for himself he could not flie, there being a restraint upon him, and something within him that bound him from going out of the way: And so he staid in his House till he was apprehended, and brought up to Edenburgh, and there put in Prison: whilst he was there, a Godly Minister [Mr. Henry Blith,] and a Christian Gentleman [William Cunningham, Tutor of Boniton] who had sometimes known him, gave him a Visit, holding forth to him his miserable Estate, and the danger that his Soul was in (for he was Condemned by the Law to Die) and among other Words, they shewed him the necessity of Flying to Jesus Christ, whereupon he suddenly Cried out. O what word is that! for it hath been my Death: That's the Word that hath lain upon my Heart ever since the poor Man spake it to me, so that from that time I had no power to shift out of the way: Afterwards, being told what an one Christ was, without whom he could not be Saved, he Cried, Oh, will he ever look to me? and shew me Mercy, who for his sake would not sh…w Mercy to that poor Man, and give him back his Horse? Yet after further Instruction, a real and gracious Change did appear upon him, and he gave most convincing Evidences of the reality thereof: Yea, he attained to great Assurance before his Death, and upon the Scaffold, in the Publick Street, where he was Executed, spake so wonderfully of the Lords dealing with him, and that with such Knowledg and Judgment, as left a Conviction upon all present, that he had the Grace of God in reality.
There was one Patrick Mackelwroth in the West part of Scotland, who had his Heart touched in a most remarkable way, by the Lord, and after his Conversion, (as he told many of his Christian Friends) he was so affected with the new World, into which he was entred, together with the discoveries of God, and of a Life to come, that for some Months together, he could scarce ever sleep, but was continually taken up in Admiration. His Life was very remarkable, for Tenderness and near Converse with God, in his Daily walk. One Day after a sharp Tryal (having his only Son suddenly taken away by Death) he retired into private for several Hours; and when he came forth, he looked so chearfully, that to those who asked him the reason of it, and wondred at it in such a time; he told them, That he had got that in his retirement with the Lord, that to have it again renewed, he would be content to lose a Son every Day.
It had been long his Burden, that he had such a bad Memory, so that he could retain almost nothing of what he heard: And bitterly complaining thereof to a worthy Minister, [Mr. James English] of Dally, he advised him, That when he heard any Truth which he desired to remember, he should commend it to the Lord, and intreat him to keep it for him, and to give it to him back again when he should stand in most need of it: Which accordingly this Holy Man did put in practice most seriously, and when he came to lie on his Death-Bed, to his Ministers, and divers other Christians that were present, he did solemnly declare, how wonderfully the Lord had Answered his Prayers: For whereas want of Memory had been his great Burden, now the Lord had given him back all those Truths that he had put into his Keeping, so that what he had heard many Years before, was now most clearly brought into his Remembrance, which he shewed by repeating many particular Truths, and Notes of Sermons, which at such and such times he had heard.
All these Scotish Stories are related by a Godly old Scotish Minister, who professeth that he hath written nothing but what he hath either upon his own knowledg, or else from the Testimony of such Faithful Witnesses, as that he had no reason to question the Truth of them.
Not many Years since, in the Town of Air in Scotland, there was a poor Man Committed to Prison for the filthy Sin of Buggery. And before his Imprisonment, he was in the Judgment of all that knew him, a most stupid Brutish Person, far from God, and from the knowledg of him: But whilst he was in Prison the Lord did marvelous declare the power of his Grace, and in such a measure discovered to him his great Wickedness, that after many conflicts in his Soul, and great wrestling in Prayer, a most kindly work of Repentance did appear in him, which was accompanied with great Assurance, insomuch; as when he came to the Stake, he could not cease from Crying out to the People, under the sense of Pardon, and that comforting Sunshine of Gods presence and favour, Oh! he is a great Forgiver: He is a great Forgiver. Adding these words, Now hath perfect Love cast out all Fear: For Jesus Christ hath paid all: I know that the Lord hath nothing to lay to my Charge; for Jesus Christ hath paid all; and such are free indeed, whom the Son makes free: And thus Died in a Ravishment of Joy and Wonder.
Mr. Beza in his Younger Years, having his Heart touched by the word, being at Paris, went to the Protestant Church at Charenton, where he heard the Ninety First Psalm Read and Expounded, and God followed it with so much power, that he not only found it marvelous sweet for the present, but was sttengthened to believe it: Yea, had wrought in him a strong perswasion, that the Lord would make good to him all those Promises contained in it: which afterwards he found verified, as with much comfort he Testified at his Death, saying, That a sat that time he had been holpen to close with that great Truth, Verse the Second, of taking the Lord for his God, and got a sure claim thereto: Yea, that he would be his Refuge and Fortress, he had found it performed remarkably in the course of his Life. That he had been delivered from the Snare of the Fowler, and from the Noisome Pestilence, having in frequent hazards been delivered from many that did lie in wait for him: And sometime he was in great danger of the Pestilence, which was in those places where he was called to reside. Yea, in the time of the Civil Wars which were then hot in France, he had convincing Deliverances from many Eminent Dangers, at such times as he was called by the Protestant Princes into the Field, where Thousands did fall on his Right and Left hand, &c. And upon his death Bed he did, with much comfort, declare in all the perticulars the Accomplishment of those Promises to him: Adding that he had found that God had given his Angils charge over him, and had often heard when he called upon him, and had been with him in trouble, and delivered him, yea, had satisfied him with a long life: And now (said he) I have no more to wait for, but the fulfilling of that last Promise in the Psalm, I will shew him my Salvation. Idem.
The Laird of Raith of a known and Ancient Family in Scotland, in the beginning of the Reformation of Religion in the Kingdom, was a Profess't Papist. But the Lord directed that great Servant of his Mr. Wiseheart, to come one Night late to his House, who, after some Repulses by a Servant, got access to this Gentleman, and told him, that he was come to offer the Gospel of Jesus Christ to him and his Family if he pleased to receive it. This was spoken with such Authority and Power upon the Gentlemans Conscience that he most kindly received him, and told him that he was Welcome. And it pleased God that a little after, this Visit was made so Succesful, upon Mr. Wisehearts Instructing him and his Family in the Truth, that they made a Publick Profession of the same, and the Gentleman Evidenced the Truth of his Conversion.
Not long after, by that Subtilty and Malice of Cardinal Beaton, this Laird of Raith was seized upon in the Laird of Grange his House, and carried Prisoner to the Castle of Edenburg, and so hotly pursued by that Wretched Cardinal (who was then in his greatest Power) that within a short time he was Condemned to Dye. His Lady being overwhelmed with grief upon her Husbands Sufferings, and the Forfiture of his Estate, (having five Sons and some Daughters to provide for) endeavoured to draw him to a Recantation. But as one that was much with God, he told her that that God, for whom he Suffered (he was assured) would provide for his Family, and Posterity; & that she should yet live to see her youngest Son to be in a better Condition than himself had ever been, in which also came to pass. His second Son went into France, & was there raised to great Honour, & upon his return Home, purchased a considerable Estate, and was made Lord Melvin, and he bought also part of the Cardinals Estate. His third Son was Lord Tongland, and one of the Judges of the Sessions, and another of them was Laird of Halhill. And which was most strange, the French King (moved by the great respect he had for that worthy Gentleman Sir Robert Melvin the second Son formerly mentioned) did upon a Treaty with Scotland, move & procure the taking off the Forfiture of that Estate of Raith, whereby the Eldest Son was restored to his Inheritance. And its known to this Day, how graciously the Lord hath witnessed his respect to that Family, which is now enjoyed by the Lord Melvin, who, by a continued Succession is descended from that worthy Gentleman who so suffered for the Truth.
Not long after the Sun of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ began to spread its Rays in the Kingdom of France, there was one James Faber, a Native of a Steeple in Picardy, a most Faithful and Eminent Minister of the Gospel there, who, in a time of Persecution, was forced (with others) to retire for Security to the Queen of Navar, who was at Albert in Gascoin, who had him in high esteem. On a certain Day the Queen gave him notice that she meant to come and dine with him, and for that end invited some learned Men, whose conference she took much delight in. At Dinner Mr. Faber became exceeding sad, and now and then brake out into bitter weeping, of which the Queen complained, and required of him the cause why he wept when she came to be merry with him? To which he answered, Most Serene Queen, how can I be glad, or make others glad, who am as wicked a man as the Earth bears? And what is that wickedness (said she) you complain of, who are known from your Youth to have lived so holily? He Answered; I am now an hundred years old, free from the touch of any Woman, and remember not that have committed any thing that should be a burden to my Conscience, or that should make me afraid to leave the World, except one Sin, for which yet I am assured that there is a Propitiation. And as she pressed him to declare what it was? He could scarse speak for abundance of Tears, and said, How can I appear before the Throne of God, who having taught others in Purity, and Sincerity, the Holy Gospel of the Son of God, many of which, having followed my Doctrine, have constantly suffered a Thousand Torments, and Death it self, whereas I in the mean time, like an unconstant Doctor did fly, and tho I had lived long enough, and should not have feared Death, but rather desired it, yet did withdraw my self, and thus cowardly transgressed the Command of my God. Hereupon the Queen (as she was most Eloquent) did by Reason and Examples shew him that this had befaln divers of the holy Servants of God. Others there present also did add such considerations as made him more cheerful. And thereupon he said, there remains now nothing but that I go to my God, and having made my Will, I have an Impression that I must delay no longer, knowing that the Lord calls for me. Then having fixed his Eyes upon the Queen, he said, Madam, I make you my Heir, and to your Preacher Mounsieur Gerard I leave my Books: And to the Poor I give my Cloaths, and what else I have. The Queen, smiling said, what then Mr. Faber, shall I have? The Care, Madam (said he) to see this Distributed to the Poor. It is well (said she) and I solemnly Prosess, that this Legacy is more acceptable unto me, than if the King my Brother had named me his Heir.
After this he was more Joyful, and at last, he said, I have need of some rest: be you merry and joyful, and in the mean time adue. Having thus spoken, he laid himself down upon a Bed that was near; where (as they judged) he lay sleeping, but was indeed faln a sleep in the Lord, without the least sign of any previous indisposition, and when they were about to awake him, to their great admiration, found him dead This Narrative the Queen of Navar did relate her self to Frederick the Second, Prince Elector Palatine, when he lay sick at Paris, and it was communicated by a worthy Gentleman, Mr. Hubertus Thomas, a Counsellor to the said Fredederick, who was present at this Relation of the Queens, from whom Dr. Rivet had it, who hath set it down in an Epistle to his Brother.
There was a Famous Christian in Scotland called John Stewart, Provist of Aire, who from his very younger Years was much inclined to Piety. He had a considerable Estate left him by his Father: But considering the great straits and necessitous condition of many good People that he knew in the Countrey, and from his love to Jesus Christ and his Truth, upon deliberation he called them together in Edenburg, and having spent some time in Prayer, he took their solemn Promise, that what he was about to do they should not reveale so long as he lived. He said, he knew the straits that many of them were in to hold up their Credit, and therefore he had brought a little mony to lend to each of them; yet so, as that they should never offer to repay it, till he required the same.
Some time after he had distributed this Mony, the Plague having been much in Air, and they by Trade decaying, himself fell under some straits, and some Profane Persons in the place began to make it their sport, saying, that Religion had made him poor, and his giving much to others, like a Fool, made him now w…nt it himself: The Profession and Credit of Religion had been always dear to this good Man, which made him resolve for a time to leave his Country, and so, borrowing a little Mony, he went over into France, and coming into Rochel, he found that Salt and other Commodities were very Cheap, because of a long time they had had no Trading: hereupon he adventured to Fraught a Ship upon his Credit, which when he had done and sent it away, he himself came the nearest way into England, and from thence to Aire, expecting the return of his Ship. But after long waiting, he was informed for certain, that his Ship was taken by the Turks, which became a matter of great grief to him; not because he knew not how to be abased, as well as how to abound: But, fearing that the Mouths of wicked Men would now much more be opened, to reproach the Profession of Religion, which made him, for many days keep to his Chamber. At length a Maid that had heard among the People that John Stewards Ship was Arrived in the Road, came running in, and cryed at the Door, that his Ship was come. But he, being at Prayer, would not stir till he had done serving his Master, and then went forth, and saw that it was a Truth. But as a further occasion of Exercise to him, there was a worthy Christian, and an Intimate of this [John Kennedy,] who for Joy, had gon forth in a small Boat to the Ship; but a suddain Storm arising, he was carried beyond the Ship, and in the Judgment of all that looked on, he and the Boat were devoured by the Seas: Yea, the Storm encreased to such an height, that they feared the loss of the Ship also, which did so deeply affect this gracious Man, that, retiring into his Chamber, he would be seen by none for three days. But at last, coming forth, he went to visit the Widdow (as he supposed) of his dear Friend: But whilst in that Family they were mutually witnessing their Grief, John Kennedy came in among them, who had not been cast away (as was supposed) but by a strange Providence had been driven far away to another part of the Coast. Hear many Mercies met at once: He vended his Commodities in the Ship, with which he payed all his Debts, and had Twenty Thousand Marks over to himself: Thus that Bread that was cast upon the Waters, after many Days was restored again: and by liberal devices the liberal Man doth stand.
This John Stewart when he came to dye, his Friends standing about him, he oft exhorted them to be humble: And concerning himself he said, It may be some of you doubt nothing of my good Estate now I am going the way of all Flesh: Yea, and I testify, that except when I slept, or was upon business, I was not these Ten Years without thoughts of God, so long as I could go from mine own House to the Cross, and yet I much doubt of my self, and am in a great Agony, and near the brink of Despair. But a day or two before his Death, he turned his Face to the Wall for the space of about two hours, and then Mr. Fergusson, a grave and godly Minister of that place, coming in, asked him what he was doing Hereupon he turned himself, and said, I have been fighting, and working out my Salvation with fear, and trembling▪ And now (I bless God) it is perfected, sealed, and confirmed, and now all fears are gone: and so he dyed comfortably.
In the North of Ireland there was a Godly and Gracious Gentlewoman, where the Rebellion brake out there, Anno, Christi. 1641. who, with some other Persons, and her three Children, whereof, one was sucking on the Breast, fled, They had not gon far where by the Irish they were stripped stark naked, yet (to admiration) they spared their Lives; Probably thinking that Hunger and Cold would soon kill them. Afterwards, going on at the Foot of a River that runs into the Lockeach, another Company of Irish met them, and would have them cast into the River. duplicate page duplicate page This Godly Woman, nothing dismaied, asked only a little forbearance whilst she prayed. And as she lay naked upon the Frozen Ground, she resolved not to go her self to such an un-just Death. They called her and she refusing to come, They dragged her by the Heels along that rugged way to the River, to be cast in with the rest of her Company. But she turning on her Knees said, you should (I am sure) be Christians, and men I see you are. In taking away our miserable Lives, you will do us a Pleasure. But know as we never wronged you nor yours. Remember that you must dye also your selves, and give an account of this Cruelty to the great Judg of Heaven and Earth. Hereupon an Irish Priest, then present, said, Let us not take away their Lives, but we will put them into the Iland in this Lake, and a Boat being in the River, they put all these Eight naked Persons, and destitute of all Food into it, and carring them into the Iland, left them there. After four days of their being there, some of the Company dyed of Hunger and Cold; but neither this Woman nor any of her Children; For she lived by Faith upon the Word of God, and not by Bread only. The day after two of her boys crept a side and found the Hide of a Beast at the Root of a Great Tree, which the Mother and they Endeavoured to cast over them, there lying upon the Snow. The next day a little Boat passed by, whom she requested, for Gods Sake to carry them out of that desolate Place; But they being Irish would not. Then she begged a little Bread of them, They said they had none there (seeing Fire in the Boat) she begged a cole of Fire of them, which they gave her. And so with some small Chips, they made a Fire, and the Boyes, taking a peice of the Hide, laid it upon the Coals, and began to knaw the Leather. But this, without an extraordinary support, could do them little good.
Then they continued ten Days without any visible means of Delivery, and this good Woman professed that it was by Faith and Joy in God, that she so lived. Nor had they any Food but Ice and Snow, nor Drink but Water; yet she thought that God put more nourishment into them than ordinary, for she found them Clammy. Gods Providence so ordered it, that the next day a Boat carried them out to the side of the Band-Water, where yet they had Perished, but that she could not endure to see her Children dye in her sight: and tho her two Boyes were young, and so starved that they were scarce able to go, yet she pressed them to go out of her sight, under a pretence of seeking some fire, and she bad them to hold their Faces towards such a place, where (in that desolate Country) she knew they could have no Fire, yet, in such an Extremity, leaving room for God to work their safety, the poor Children had not crawled far before they saw two or three great dogs preying upon a Man that had been slain. At the sight of them the Children were much affraid (who needed not to fear any thing, but living in such a Condition.) One of these Dogs came running and leaping upon one of the Children without doing him the least hurt, only fawned on him, and would run a little before him, and then tarry till the Children came up, and so by degrees he led them to an House where Smoke appeared, which was an Irish Mans who was protected by the English of Antrum, by which meanes they were marvellously preserved; and the Mother was sent for, and sucored by a party from Antrum.
The Husband of this Gentlewoman, was a sweat-humoured Gentleman and godly, and one who was used to frequent that famous Fridays-Meeting at Antrum before the Rebellion brake forth: But being ensnared by some Arminians that liv'd in those Parts, the worthy Ministers thereabout, after much pains taken with him, could not reclaim him; whereupon Reverend M. Blair said to another godly Minister, I am of opinion that this Gentleman shall either turn Patient, or Madder many Days: which was soon aftrr accomplished, for he fell so furiously mad, that they were forced to keep him bound; and thus he continued for a Year, only with some lucida intervalla. At the end of the Year, being very furious, the Devil taught him (yet by an over-ruling Providence of God) to feign himself sober: and then he intreated his Wife to free him from his Bonds, which she did accordingly: But rising at Breek-a-day, and wrapping himself in the Coverlet, he went to a River, with a Resolution to drown himself: Yet when he was at the very Brink, he had this suggested to him: what a Fool am I to drown the Coverlet, which may be useful to some Body, and thereupon he went back a little, and laid it down at the Root of a Tree, and then was fully purposed to throw himself into the River. But at the very Brink, this also was suggested: were it not best to pray before I dye. Hereupon, turning a little aside, he fell down to prayer, and ere he had done, his Reason and Understanding were Restored to him, with Peace of Conscience, and assurance of Pardon in as large a measure as ever in his Life he enjoyed it before, to the great Joy and Comfort of his Wife and Friends.
Tha End of the Second Part.