The Fulfilling of the Scripture, Argument 5

The Fulfilling of the Scripture · Argument 5

p. 211THE FIFTH ARGUMENT.

THat which not only is for the moſt part already accomplished, but is a thing whereof we have ſo ſure confirmations, yea, ſo great a pledge in our hand from the Lord, that what yet remaineth shall be certainly fulfilled, muſt is not be an undoubted truth? But the Scripture as to theſe ſpecial predictions, that are not yet made out, is ſuch, anent which the Lord hath given his People, a very large pledge, and ſtrong confirmations now in theſe latter times, to believe their certain accomplishment, Therefore, &c.

It is ſure that a part of the Scripture ſome ſpecial prophecyes, which do concern the ſtate of the Church in theſe laſt times, hath not yet had an accomplishment, which are already touched in the former argument, and are indeed ſo great concerning truths, that may cauſe us ſit down, and wonder, when we think theſe shall shortly come to paſſe; yet ſuch, whereof we may be fully perſwaded, if we conſider that they are held forth, and promiſed, by him who is the God of truth, and the begun performance thereof, now ſo manifeſt, yea what hath been the Lords way, and the eminent providences of theſe laſt times which may fully ſatiſfy our ſpirits that Gods work is near to a cloſe, and the accomplishing of the whole Scripture now at hand.

I shall here point at 3 ſpecial grounds whence the godly in theſe times may be throughly confirmed anent the truth, and certain out making of the Scripture, and theſe prophecyes p. 212thereof, that yet are not fulfilled, which we should look on, as a very convincing pledge in our hand of the ſame.

I. Ground whence we may be thus confirmed in our faith is this; that not only the moſt part of the Scripture is already proved, and verifyed in the event, but alſo, Theſe truths which of the whole Scripture, are most ſtrange, and marvellous, yea, should have much ſtaggered our faith if they were yet ſtill in a promiſe are this day certainly accomplished, I shall but only inſtance the comming of the Meſſias, which the Prophets of old foretold, that God should be manifeſt in the flesh, and a virgin bring forth a ſon, whoſe name should be Emmanuel, that was to dye, and be cut off out of the land of the living, not for himſelf but for the tranſgreſſion of his People, is not this now ſurely accomplished… Which we may ſay is the greateſt wonder, the moſt aſtonishing thing that ever was, or shall be, and should fully ſilence our thoughts, anent any other Scripture truth, that is yet to be made out, for we now know that the great buſſines of redemption is put to a cloſe, the ranſome and price thereof fully told down, now is the doctrine of the Goſpel ſealed, and atteſted by blood even the blood of the Teſtator, it is now ſure the promiſed Meſſias hath come, and this is he, who in the dayes of Pilat ſuffered at Jeruſalem, in whom all things which were written by the Prophets, were truly accomplished. And is not this a great pledge, to aſſure us of the real outmaking of every other promiſe? It is ſure he did dye, his bleſſed ſide was pierced with a ſpear, and upon the croſſe he cryed with a loud voice and gave up the ghoſt. O Here lyeth the greateſt cauſe of wonder, not what doth yet remain of the Scripture but that which is already fulfilled, not that Chriſt should come again to judge the World, but that once he did come to the World, and become man; for God to be found in the form of a ſervant and dye, that is beyond expreſſion wonderful, for the other muſt neceſſarly as a conſequent follow, that he who hath redeemed the p. 213Church, and did pay her ranſome should ſee the travel of his ſoul, and be ſatisfied, that having made ſuch a purchaſe, he should alſo have poſſeſſion and finish the building the foundation whereof was his own blood; I confeſſe what we do yet expect according to the promiſe, are great, and aſtonishing truths, the full overthrow of Antichriſt, and his Kingdome, that the dead bones of the Jewish Church should again live, but eſpecially Chriſts return to judgement, who shall be revealed from Heaven with flaming fire, the ſound of the trumpet, and voice of the Archangel, yet, how great ſo ever they are, and may ſeem hard for us to believe, O how ſmall comparatively are they, with that which is already done and accomplished, the incarnation of the Son of God, a myſtery hid from ages, wherein the Angels with wonder doe look, which we may ſay, is unſpeakably more great, then to creat this World, and turn it again to nothing, it may be truely ſtrange, whileſt we read theſe prophecyes anent Chriſt, and his Kingdome, in ſo plain an hiſtory, and profeſſe that we believe he did dye, and riſe again, we should have ſuch heſitation, anent the performance of any other Scripture promiſe; is it not this day much more eaſy, to believe the Scripture and fulfilling thereof, then it was of old for the Jewish Church before Chriſts comming? And how may we not with as much aſſurance, wait for the ſecond coming of the Lord, and a full perfecting of his word even from that which is already verifyed thereof, as we are ſure of the return of the ſun after it is gone down, and of the breaking of the day when once the night is paſt.

II. Ground whence the godly in theſe times should be confirmed, anent the full performance of that which is yet remaining of the Scripture, that it is ſure, yea, now near at hand, is this, that Jeſus Chriſt is come to action against the enemies of his Church, and hath taken the fields, that ſurely he is now gone forth in the greatnes of his ſtrength conquering, and to …onquer.

p. 214This is a grave truth vvhichwhich might give us very ſweet refreshing thoughts in ſo shaking a time that whileſt we have ſeen the Lords appearing by a great, and outſtretched hand for his people, theſe terrible ſtirrs, and concuſſions of the nations, have ſeen him ſtrike through Kings in the day of his wrath, and fill the place with the dead bodye of his adverſaryes, we may alſo on clear Scripture grounds conclude, that the Lord is now awaked as a mighty man, and upon the fields, yea, that the war is ſurely begun againſt Antichriſt, and all the adverſaryes of his Church, which shall not ceaſe until the full victory be obtained, for indeed theſe providences which in theſe laſt times, should be very affrighting, and terrible, when we go in to the word, we shall find they have a comfortable aſpect on the Church, and do preſage her greater enlargement, which as the tender buds, and leaves of the fig tree, are put forth to shew the ſommers approach, Luc. 21: ver. 28. it is true the Church is now low, and the work of God meets with very ſad interruptions which are needful, both for tryal, and rebuke, but this alſo is ſure which none can deny, that the Lord hath eminently appeared, and done great things for his Church, yea, we muſt ſay, he hath, by a confluence of very remarkable providences, thus condeſcended to ſtrengthen his peoples hands, to confirm ſuch who are ready to ſtagger, even as it were by cruches, anent the greatnes of theſe things which are yet promiſed.

Now to clear this truth a little we would conſider. Firſt, How it is very conſonant to the Scripture and expreſly held forth in the ſame, that in the laſt times, and turn of the Churches caſe from Antichriſt, the Lord will thus appear, in his great ſtrength, and ſet up his ſtandard againſt his adverſaryes, yea, will then in a ſpecial way call forth his people, to glorify him by an active teſtimony. 2. That the Lord hath thus begun to appear according to his word is a truth that is alſo undenyable, & should much help to confirm our faith, anent the performance of that which further remains of the Scripture.

p. 2151. That this is manifeſt from the word may be thus clear. Firſt, Though the Church militant muſt not want an adverſary, and ſome perſecution from the World, even in her beſt eſtate, yet, we have a ſafe warrant to expect that the Lord will glorify himſelfe in a peculiar way in his people now in theſe latter dayes, by doing, and acting for the truth, as in former ages his glory did moſt appear, dnreing Antichriſts Reign, in his Churches ſuffering; for then the faith, and patience of his Saints was to be witneſſed in its ſeaſon, Rev. 13: ver. 10. and thus he would ſerve himſelfe of his people, and bring forth his glory, until that time of retribution, when theſe who had killed with the ſword, should be killed by the ſword, and theſe who led unto captivity, be ſo dealt with, which doth alſo clearly promiſe ſome ſpecial outletting of the Spirit for acting with theſe gifts of courage, and reſolution ſutable to the ſervice of the Church in the latter dayes, and truely I think it is a great want we ſtudy not more the accomplishing of the promiſes, and how to improve the ſame for gifts, as well as grace in order to the ſeveral times, and neceſſities of the Church.

2. It is very clear from the Scripture that in the laſt dayes, when Chriſt is to raiſe his Church from under the power, and tyranny of Antichriſt he shall then appear in a warlike poſture, which John had shewed to him, Rev. 19: v. 13, 14. as one upon the head of his forces, with his veſture dipped in blood, to shew that vvhen once the vvar is begun, againſt his adverſary, and this Lyon of the tribe of Juda begins to rouze himſelfe up, vvhat a terrible appearance he vvil have in that undertaking, and it is clear, that the Lord hath declared in this his counſel, and vvill, that his Son Chriſt should in the latter times, take unto himſelfe his great povver, and reign, Rev. 11: ver. 17. yea, cauſe the World knovv him to be Head of principalityes, and povvers, as vvell as of the Church, for his glory in this truth as a King, which former ages ſeemed in ſo great a meaſure to darken, muſt then clearly shine forth. I truely think mens appearing with ſuch violence, and rage p. 216againſt ſo concerning a truth, now in theſe dayes doth promiſe ſome eminent appearance of the Lord therein, and that he shall yet more ſolemnly aſſert the ſame before the World.

3. Doth not the Scripture point at the laſt times, as that ſpecial time of recompence for the controverſy of Sion to which the Lord hath reſerved a ſolemn triumph of his juſtice, over all his Churches enemyes, when he shall enquire for the blood of his Saints, shed upon the earth ſince the dayes of Abel, at Babylons hand, Revelat. 18: ver. 24. that great adverſary, who ſtands in law guilty, and hath ſerved her ſelfe heire to all the violence & cruelty done in former ages, for in her hand muſt that cup be found full which the enemyes of the Church, from the beginning hath been filling up, and as ſo many rivers, and fountaines hath run unto this great ſea.

4. It is alſo clear that in the laſt times, when the Lord shall bind up the breach of his people, and heal the ſtroke of their wound, who, for ſo long a time, had been trampled under by Antichriſt, he shall by ſome ſignal providences roll away this reproach, and ſcandal of meannes, contempt, and perſecution, shall put ſome glory on his Church proportionable to its former abaſement, yea, thus comfort her, according to the dayes, wherein he had afflicted her, and cauſe his peoples upriſing, in meaſure, and kind to anſwer their low, and ſuffering ſtate from Antichriſt, even in the laſt times, when the Lord shall make them appear with the face of a Lion, when the feeble shall be as David, and as the Angel of the Lord, Zach. 12: ver. 8. which promiſe doth clearly point at the Churches raiſing, and delivery from Antichriſt; upon the back whereof we find the Prophet doth foretel the laſt converſion, and incomming of Iſrael.

5. I shall only adde what the Scripture doth moſt expreſly shew, that the Lord shall ſo gloriouſly appear in bringing his Church out of Babylon, and executing his judgement on that adverſary, as in the day when he brought his people out of Egypt, and therefore shall they ſing, the p. 217ſong of Moſes, and the lamb, Rev. 15: ver. 3. his great power, and outſtretched hand, being no leſſe diſcernable therein, then if they had been ſtanding with Iſrael at the red Sea, when they ſaw their enemyes lying dead upon the shore, yea, have we not ground to believe, that the Lord shall make himſelf very evidently knowen in raiſing inſtruments, and acting them forth, which hath been already ſeen, and I am ſure the World muſt confeſſe what great things have been done by theſe of whom little was expected.

III. That the Lord hath thus begun to appear, and make himſelf known to the World in theſe laſt ages according to his word is a thing very eaſy to demonſtrat, for.

1. Is it not clear how in theſe laſt times, he hath met his enemyes upon their high places, and in their greateſt ſtrength, that by a ſtrong hand he did make room for his truth, when both Law, and force did withſtand the ſame, and put the marks of his wrath, on ſuch who would oppoſe the ſpreading of his Kingdome, that they have been as viſible, as ſometimes their rage, and violence againſt the Church was, yea, ſince the Lord begun to lift up a ſtandard for the truth, and call forth his People to act, hath it not been ſeen they have loſed their ground more by underhand treaties, and turning aſide to carnall politick shifts then by open force, and violence, vvhichwhich the French Maſſacre, vvith other ſad inſtances can vvitnes; for indeed the Church hath ſtill loſt leaſt, by greateſt oppoſition.

2. Have vve not ſeen by vvhat dreadful shakings, and alterations of the earth, this late glorious reformation of the Church from Antichriſtianiſme hath been ushered in, vvhichwhich hath been more ſtrange, and frequent, then in many ages before; hath not the Lord cauſed the Nations shake, and the earth to reel like a drunken man, to shevv men that though he ſuffered long in former times of the p. 218Worlds ignorance, he vvill not ſo novv bear vvith oppoſing his truth.

3. Have vve not alſo ſeen the Lords raiſing up men fit for action, in theſe laſt times, men of a great heroick ſpirit, vvith ſome more then ordinary elevation of the ſame, to appear for his intreſt; ſuch vve may ſay that many former ages could not inſtance, in vvhichwhich the Lords helping his People to do great things, his ſuiting them vvith enduments for the ſervice, and vvork of the time, hath been moſt diſcernable? Was not that excellent man the Admiral of France, vvith many others in that place, eminently raiſed up, for the neceſſity of that time, and doe we not find, theſe Princes of Orange William, and Maurice, and Mauritius of Saxony, whom the Lord raiſed againſt Charles the V. and cauſed him flee over the Alpes, yea, what marvellous reſolution, and courage, did attend the actings of the confederates of the Low Countryes, & in latter times doe we not find Guſtavus King of Sweden, Bernard Duke of Weymar, Lantsgrave of Heſſe, with many others eminently raiſed to avenge the Lords quarrel againſt that bloody houſe of Auſtria, have we not alſo ſeen very great inſtrumemts raiſed up in Brittain, and Ireland, (who were followed with wonderful ſucceſſe,) to act for the truth againſt Antichriſtian Prelacy, and truely we muſt ſay the withdrawing in ſuch a meaſure of that ſpirit of courage, and reſolution, which once was ſo viſibly let forth in the firſt dawning of the Reformation, may ſadly point at a great decay of zeal, ſelfe confidence, unfaithfulnes as to the improving of opportunities, for the Lord was with his People, whileſt they were with him, and did ſingly follow him, in his way, but alace, with their departing, it may be ſaid their ſtrength hath departed from them, however, the quarrel is clear for an oppreſſed Peoples acting, upon ſo juſt, ſo neceſſary an account as the intereſt of Religion againſt the cruelty and violent encroachments of Antichriſt, wherein as the Lord hath eminently owned his People, ſo, I dare not queſtion he will yet appear, and ſilence the adverſaryes of this truth, by p. 219ſuch an argument, againſt vvhichwhich they shall not debate.

4. That unuſual deludge of blood which for the 100 yeares paſt hath overflowed much of Europe can be a witnes to this; that the Lord hath taken peace from men who vvould not embrace the peace of the Goſpel offered in theſe laſt times, and given his enemyes who had shed the blood of the ſaints, blood to drink in great meaſure. I am ſure poor Germany can prove this, which for 20 years together, was a field of dead men, & France from the dayes of Henry the II. to the eſtablishment of Henry the IV. hovv long vvas the Low Countryes made a ſtage of vvarr, vvhere many a cruell Spanjard did fall under the ſvvord of an avenging God, beſids the late bloody vvarres in Brittain, and Ireland, and vvhat doth this declare, but that Jeſus Chriſt hath taken the fields, and it vvil not be novv vvith the Kings of the earth, to oppreſſe his Church, and withſtand the truth as in former times.

I shall but adde, hovv vvonderfully hath the Lord appeared in delivering his Church at the greateſt extremity, hath turned his enemyes counſels and deſignes upon themſelves, brought about the great vvorks of theſe laſt times by meanes ſo unexpected, and improbable, that vve may ſay, as to vvhat of his judgement is already execute againſt Antichriſt, hath been no leſſe marvellous then that Jerichoes vvals should fall at the ſound of a trumpet of ramhorn, or a cake of barley bread tumbling into the hoſt of Midian should ſmite, and overthrow the ſame, ſurely when we conſider, what the Lord hath done, and how exactly that doth anſwer the Scripture we may have much to confirm us, anent the further accomplishment of his word, and be aſſured that the term of his long ſuffering towards Babylon is at an end, war is denounced, and the execution already begun, which muſt not have a cloſe untill judgement be accomplished into victory.

p. 220IV. Ground which may confirm the faith of the ſaints, and be as a pledge in their hand of the full accomplishing of the Scripture, yea, that this is near is this, that the day is now turned and that prophecyed victory which the Church should have over Antichrist before the end, is not only begun, but in a great meaſure advanced.

This is indeed a great confirmation when we ſee ſo marvellous a criſis in the Churches caſe, her recovery from ſo deſperat, and hopeleſſe a diſeaſe, already begun, that it shall be furder perfected, we are made to wonder at the greatnes of theſe things yet promiſed, but why should we not alſo wonder at that which God hath already done for his Church in our dayes, the Scripture doth shew that Antichriſts ruin muſt begin by the word, that this ſtroke shall be gradual, and however, that great work of God meet with much oppoſition, yet, it shall no more go back in the whole, and muſt we not ſay in all this the word is fulfilled, it hath not hitherto failed the Church, but the event in every circumſtance made to anſwer to the ſame.

Now to clear this we would conſider theſe two. Firſt, that the Churches victory over Antichriſt is this day ſo farr advanced. 2. How the Lords very immediat hand hath been moſt diſcernable therein.

I. The firſt I need but name whileſt it is ſo manifeſt, what the Lord hath wrought for his Church, for we have ſeen Kingdomes, and Nations, ſubject themſelves to the truth, the kingdome of Antichriſt grow dark, with the breaking up of the light, and many of his followers made to gnash their teeth, being ſcorched with the heat and power of the goſpel, in how great a meaſure is that intereſt now shaken, if we conſider, what the Lord hath wrough, what a great reformation hath been in Brittain & Jreland, through much of France, Germany, Sueden, the Low Countries, Pole, Denemark, yea, even in Hungary, & Tranſilvania, ſure this was a great work, which should be marvellous inour eyes, how that Antichriſtian p. 221Empire contrived with ſuch wiſdome underpropt with ſo great ſtrength, whoſe commands not long ſince were receaved as Oracles, with an avv, and reſpect onelyonly due to God hath in ſuch a meaſure begun to fall before the power of the word. O the righteous judgement of the Lord. which he hath shewed forth upon that adverſary, and should be a pledge to us of the further manifeſtation thereof, an adverſary we may ſay the greateſt that ever the Church had, whoſe little finger hath been ſorer, then the loins of all who went before, if we conſider his cruelty over mens bodyes, tyrannie over their conſcience, with ſo long a continuance of that tryal; in reſpect of whom it may be ſaid Pharaoh was an eaſy taskmaſter, Antiochus, and the Roman Emperours milde, who for neer 1200 year did carry on a deſpeart, and bloody war againſt the Church.

II. The Second which I would at ſome more length follow forth is this, how the Lords hand and ſomething of an extraordinary providence hath been no leſſe diſcernable in this late raiſing of the Church, and her begun victory over Antichriſt then in the Firſt planting of Chriſtianity by the Apoſtles, this is a truth which to many may ſeem ſtrange, but when ſeriouſly conſidered, if prejudice do not darken mens judgement, will appear from ſure and ſolid grounds; now to demonſtrat this I would here offer ſome very convincing witneſſes, which may help to ſtrengthen the faith of the Godly, and give Atheiſme ſome dash.

FIRST Witnes to this truth is that wonderful ſucceſſe which the Goſpel in theſe laſt times hath had, wherein men muſt ſee, the great power of God, and efficacy of the Spirit, in ſome meaſure as manifeſt, as in the firſt riſe of the Chriſtian Church, if we conſider.

1. From what a ſmall ſpark, ſo great a fire did break up which in a short time put Europe in a flame, and made ſo great a change therein, even Luthers appearing againſt p. 222Texelius upon the account of his indulgencies. O but Gods time of working may be oft contraire to our time of expecting.

2. What a ſwift progreſſe did the goſpel have? may we not ſay with wonder can a nation be born at once, yet, this we have ſeen how many Nations and Cityes in one, and the ſame age yea, in leſſe then 40. yeares, was brought in ſubjection to the truth, and theſe inſtruments whom ſcarce any durſt own at firſt, made to ſee great Princes with armyes on the fields for the intereſts of Chriſt.

3. Have we not ſeen Religion propagated by martyrdome, no leſſe then in the primitive times, and mens eſſaies to ruin the Church helped it further to grow. O what but a divine power could thus bring gold out of iron, and clay, bring a flowrishing Church out of their ashes, and turn her poiſon to a preſervative, but alace it is ſad that whileſt men were burned for the truth, and reading the Scripture, their affection did alſo burn in reading the ſame, but now with our liberty there is ſo great a decay.

4. Muſt not the wiſe, and polititians of the World, confeſſe this late encreaſe of the Church is a thing above their reach, moſt croſſe to all their rules, which they cannot ſee how in an ordinary way it could be brought about.

5. Were not inſtruments moſt unlikely for ſo great a work if we would judge as men, that ſuch a poor handful, as Luther, Zuinglius, Melanchton, Bucere, &c. should go forth to confront that power which then made the earth to tremble, might it not ſeem as improbable as the ſending forth of ſome fisher men to ſubdue the Nations?

6. It is knowen they were none of the Rabbies of the time. whoſe repute and fame might have purchaſed eaſy acceſſe to their meſſage, nay they were loaded with all the reproach which their adverſaryes could deviſe, with novelty of doctrine, deceit and falshood in their dealing, repreſented to the World as Monſters, Luther was forced to anſwer himſelfe a printed relation of his death, how he was carried away ſoul and body by the Devil.

p. 2237. Was not the meſſage they carried moſt oppoſit to mens carnal inclinations, to theſe principles they had ſuckt in from their infancy, to the religion of their Fathers, yea, in a word, had no outward encouragements, the whole World ſeemed to combine againſt them; Luther, at his firſt appearance excommunicated by the Pope, proſcribed by the Emperour, and good Melanchton was oft made to faint, when he thought on ſo great a ſpeat of oppoſition, ſo that without the convoy of an extraordinary power, nothing could have looked more improbable.

SECOND. Witnes that may let the World ſee a wonderful providence in this late raiſing of the Church is this, theſe sharp aſsaults which the Church met with from a party, no leſse cruel, and powerfull then any adverſary which the Church had in the primitive times, for I am ſure the World muſt confeſſe that no ordinary mean had wanted for an eſſay to crush the goſpel in its firſt budding forth, that both counſel, and force, the authority of law, backed vvhith greateſt rage and violence in its execution, yea, the power of the Princes of the earth was put forth to the utmoſt, to withſtand this great work of God in theſe laſt ages, to clear this I shall only point at ſome remarkable aſſaults which did tryſt the dauning of the goſpel that may shew ſomething above nature going alongſt with it.

1. We find a Spanish Emperour devoted to the popish intereſt, more powerful then any who went before, brought in on Germany with the very firſt breaking up of the light, which might ſeem a dreadful let to the Goſpels ſpreading.

2. The riſe of the Boores, and Anabaptiſt party, whoſe way being ſo groſſe, deſtructive to civil order, to the intereſts, and proprieties of men, did look like a ſad tryſt, and a probable mean to beget much prejudice againſt the truth.

p. 2243. That ſad overthrow of the Duke of Saxony, and Landgrave of Heſſe, who were ſuch great patriots to the Church, did then threaten the very ruin of the Proteſtant intereſt in Germany.

4. The Councel of Trent where the Popish party had all their politicks on foot in a ſtrong combination, how to ruin the Church.

5. The Interim of Germany a moſt ſubtile contrivance to divide, and thus break the ſtrength of the Proteſtants, was alſo a ſore aſſault, a ſnare to ſome, and cauſe of perſecution to others.

6. That Spanish Inquiſition eſtablished through Spain, Italy, and the Low Countreyes, a horrid cruel engine which did reach to prevent the ſmalleſt glancings of the truth:

7. The French Maſſacre where not only the Admiral, but moſt of the conſiderable Proteſtants vvere through all France in a few dayes cut off, O vvould not this ſeem an irrecoverable ſtroke together with that Catholick league, vvhichwhich did quickly follovv upon the back thereof, a very ſtrong and formidable combination to root out the Proteſtant intereſt.

8. The taking away of Edward the ſixth of England, & eſtablishing of a cruel perſecutor Queen Mary did indeed look like a ſtroke that should root out the Church in that part, and deſtroy that famous plantation of the Goſpel, in its tender grouth.

9. I muſt adde that vvhichwhich vvas as ſore an aſſault to the Church as any, ſo grievous a difference vvhichwhich vvith the firſt breaking up of the vvork of Reformation, did begin betvvixt Luther, and Zvvinglius about Chriſts preſence in the Sacrament, yea, came to ſuch an height, and vvith ſo great heat, and animoſity vvas follovved, as in appearance vvould have vvholly fruſtrat the vvork they vvere about.

p. 225THIRD. Witnes to this truth is that wonderful patience, and reſolution of the Saints, yea, with much chearfulnes in their greateſt ſufferings, which in theſe late times did appear. Wherein the World muſt confeſſe that ſame immediat ſupport from Heaven, yea, the Lords owning his People in a very extraordinary way, was no leſſe manifeſt, then in theſe primitive ſufferings of the Church from heathens. Sure no by paſt times, even in theſe bloody dayes of Nero, Domitian, &c. can shew more horrid, more ſtrange engines of torment, and cruelty then what in theſe laſt ages the Church did endure, from the Popish party, whoſe ſavage, and barbarous uſage of the poor flock of Chriſt, where ever they had acceſſe, may witnes a cruelty more then humane, and as to the number, are they not almoſt without reckoning, who in France, Germany, Brittain, and the Low Countries, beſide other parts, were ſlain within this 150. Yeares, for the word of God, and the teſtimony of his truth. Now as this is moſt manifeſt it is alſo known what a divine, and an invincible ſpirit vvith an aſtonishing courage, and reſolution, did appear in the carriage of the People of God, under this ſore perſecution, hovv they triumphed over their oppreſſours, and did chearfully meet death in its moſt terrible shape, a thing vvhichwhich the Schooles of Socrates, and Plato, vvith all their rules could never reach, yea, should be reckoned, amongſt the miracles of theſe later dayes, anent vvhichwhich vve vvould conſider theſe things.

1. That ſomething more then nature, a ſpirit, and reſolution above the ordinary rate of men, yea, ſomething much above themſelves, their natural temper, and diſpoſition did in their moſt extream ſufferings oft appear, and this without the leaſt shadow of affectation, and deceit, I am ſure the World in theſe laſt ages, yea, the conſcience of their perſecutors, and of the greateſt Atheiſts muſt witnes this.

2. That many of the moſt ſoft, tender diſpoſition, many women whoſe complexion would declare more p. 226weaknes, yet in this late Antichriſtian perſecution, did en dure greateſt torments, and by ſuffering triumphed over the fury, and rage of their adverſaryes, whereof we have many inſtances in record.

3. The World hath been alſo a witnes how ſerious, and deliberat the Saints were in this, that they made ſuffering their choiſe, which they could eaſily have shunned, at the rate of yeelding ſomething in the truth, but ere they would doe this, or give the adverſary ſuch a bribe, they choiſed to embrace death, and goe to a ſtake for Chriſt, even when they wanted not moſt perſwading offers to turn them aſide: for inſtance I would here mention that excellent man in Queen Maryes time Julius Palmer who not only had life, but preferment offered if he would recant, to which his anſwer was, that he had quit his living in two places for Chriſt, and now was ready to yeeld his life alſo on that accompt: likewiſe one William Hunter, whom Bishop Bonar did urge with many offers to recant, told him it muſt be Scripture arguments, and not perfwaſions of that kinde, for he reckoned all earthly things, but droſſe, and dung in reſpect of Chriſt, and at the ſtake when a pardon by the Sheriffe was offered upon ſuch an accompt, did peremptorly reject the ſame. Antonius Riceto a Venetian when condemned for the truth had a large offer to have his patrimony reſtored, which was much morgadged with debt, and made free, beſide his life, if he would but a little yeeld, and likevviſe had his ſon vveeping on him for that cauſe gave this anſvver he vvas reſolved to loſe both Children, and eſtate for Chriſt. I shall adde vvhat vve have related of one Hervvin, vvho ſuffered in the lovv countryes, to vvhom the Magiſtrates made great intreaties vvith large promiſes to recant, which he vvholly ſlighted, many more inſtances of this kinde here might be ſet dovvn.

4. It is knowen, that ſuch who were of great repute in the World, and had a large share of outward things to tempt them, did in theſe laſt times moſt chearfully part with the ſame, and choiſe rather ſuffering for the truth: p. 227we may inſtance theſe 2. great witneſſes Iohn Frederick of Saxony, and the Lantſgrave of Heſſe, who under that long impriſonment by Charles the 5. bare out many sharp aſſaults both by threatnings and offers, without yeelding in the leaſt to the prejudice of the truth, yea, on this accompt did the Duke of Sanony forgoe with his eſtate, and dignity. Annas Du Burg counſellour of the Parliament at Paris of great parts, and repute, who before Henry the II. had an excellent ſpeech in Parliament, for the Proteſtant party, for which by him being impriſoned, did forgoe all his honours, and intereſts in the World, which otherwayes he might have brooked, and embraced death for Chriſt. The Prince of Condee at the maſſacre of Paris, when the King expreſly shewed him he should within 3 dayes dye, if he did not renounce his Religion, told him, his eſtate, and life were in his hand, but ere he renounced the truth he would quite both. Charles de Zeroton a Moravian Barron of great intereſt, and authority in that countrey in the late Bohemian perſecution did quite all his eſtate, and poſſeſſions for the Goſpel, not withſtanding of many large offers, and perſwaſions, we find alſo in England the Dutches of Suffolk, a lady who lived in the fulnes of the World, and pleaſures thereof, yet in Queen Maries time, did quite both eſtate, and countrey for the truth, and on that accompt did choiſe a very hard lot in other parts.

5. Is it not alſo known how theſe who had been ready to faint, and be overcharged with diſcouragement, yet, at death in the extremity of their ſuffering, did shew a marvellous reſolution, and chearfulnes, a thing which no Atheiſt can poſſibly anſwer, and sheweth Gods very immediat ſupport. Mr Glover how ſore was he caſt down, and could feel no joy, or comfort after much wreſtling, but no ſooner did come in ſight of the ſtake, but his ſoul was filled with the joy of the Lord, and with his ſtrength, which forced him to clap his hands, and cry forth to a friend who knew his former damp, and diſcouragement. Oh Auſline he is come, he is come, and thus chearfully went to p. 228death. Thomas Hudſon a choiſe Chriſtian vvho ſuffered in Queen Maryes time, vvhen at the ſtake, did ſlip ſuddenly from under the chain, to the aſtonishment of the People, but not from fear of death, but from the vvant of feeling of Chriſt, vvhichwhich made him full of heavines, but after his turning aſide, that he had got his ſoul poured out to God, he returned as one raiſed from death to life, crying out, Now I am ſtrong, and do not care what man can do, and thus with much joy, did yeeld up his ſpirit. Likewiſe Annas Du Burg whom we before mentioned being through fear, and diſcouragement drawen to recant, had no reſt in his ſpirit, until he retracted the ſame, and after did chearfully undergoe death; with what marvellous reſolution did that excellent man Doctor Cranmer put his right hand to the fire when he came to the ſtake, and ſuffered to burn vvithout shrinking, vvhichwhich as he ſaid he vvould punish, for ſubſcribing a recantation vvhichwhich vvas ſo much thereafter his grief.

Laſt I muſt adde, that marvellous joy, and reſolution vvhichwhich the Saints in theſe late times, did in their greateſt ſufferings shevv, is very notoure, and knovven to the World, for their ſufferinge vvas not in a corner, and vve may ſay, hath not come short of the primitive martyrs but did vvitnes the ſame ſpirit, and povver accompanying them. I cannot paſſe this in a general vvithout giving ſome touch, amidſt ſuch a multitude of convincing inſtances, let us hear bleſſed Bradfoord at the ſtake, thus ſpeak to his fellovv ſufferer, be of good comfort, for we shall have this night a merry ſupper with the Lord. Latimer to Ridley … shall this day light ſuch a candle in England, as I truſt shall never be put out. Mr Sanders, I was in priſ…n until I got … priſon; and at the ſtake embracing cryes welcome the … of Chriſt, welcome everlaſting life. Doctor Ferrer to a gentleman vvho bemoaned his death, and the painfulnes of it, if …ow ſee mee once ſtirr in the fire, beleeve not my doctrine, as did after appear, for he ſtood vvithout moving in the midſt of the flame. Iohn Ardley, if every ha…r of my head …ere a man, it should ſuffer death in the faith I … ſtand … p. 229Eliſabeth Folks embraceing the ſtake cryed fare well World, fare well faith, and hope, and welcome love. Robert aguires ſon vvhen at Lile in the Lovv countries he ſuffered vvith his father for the truth, in the year 1556. did cry forth at the ſtake, behold millions of Angels about us, and the heaven opened to receive us after he had ſometime fixed his eyes on heaven, and vvhen the fire vvas kindled, ſayes to his father yet a very little, and we shall enter into the heavenly manſion. Mr. Tims an English miniſter in Queen Maryes dayes thus vvrits to his friends, I am going to the Bishops colehouſe but shall not be long there, before I be carried up to my brethren, vvho are gone to heaven before mee in a fiery chariot; follovv yovv after mee, vvhere yovv shall find mee ſinging merily at my jurneyes end, holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth. Algerius an Italian martyr thus vvrits from his priſon a little before his death, vvho vvould believe that in this dungeon I should finde a paradiſe ſo pleaſant; in a place of ſorrow and death, tranquillity, and hope of life; vvhere others vveep I rejoyce. O hovv eaſy and ſvveet is his yoke, and this he ſubſcribs from that delectable orchard of the Leonine priſon. Guy de Bres the ringing of my chain hath been ſweet …ſick in my eares, all my former diſcourſes were but as a blind wans of collours, in reſpect of my preſent feeling. O what a …ious comforter is a good conſcience. The Lord Henry Otto a Bohemian, vvho ſuffered in the late perſecution, ſaid to the miniſter, I vvas troubled but novv I feel a vvonfull refreshment. O now I fear death no longer I will dye with joy and on the ſcaffold cryed out, behold I ſee the heavens opened, pointing with his hands at the place where others obſerved a certain brightnes that did dazel their eyes, and thus dyed with great chearfulnes. I shall but adde the laſt vvords of that holy, and great Mr Wishart, vvho thus ſpake amidſt the fire, this flame doth torment my body, but no whit abate my ſpirits.

FOVRTH. Witnes is theſe great, and remarkable judgements of God, which in theſe laſt times have befallon the adverſaryes, p. 230and perſecutus of the Church who have been moſt notour for their oppoſition to the truth, wherein we muſt ſay a divine hand hath been ſo diſcernable that ordinary obſervers could not paſſe the ſame without a remark, but muſt acknowledge the righteous judgement of God, that it cometh not by gueſſe and at an adventure, but doth convincingly ſeal the word.

This is indeed a grave ſubject wherein we should be very ſerious, and ſober, for the judgements of God are a great depth, nor can we determine from events, but in ſo far as they anſwer to the word, it may ſometime happen to wicked men according to the work of the righteous, but on the other hand it is a ſure truth that God is knowen by the judgement he executs, and in every age doth point out ſin to the World by remarkable ſtrokes, ſome great examples of judgement, which as a beacon are ſet forth for men to obſerve, and truely we may ſay theſe remarkable inſtances of the judgement of God, ſince he begun to ſound a retreat to his Church from Babylon are fan beyond other preceeding ages. I would be ſpareing to repeat what of this kinde is published by others, b…t that in ſpeaking to this truth, I cannot paſſe it in a general… whileſt there are ſo many inſtances wherein the Lord hath made himſelf knowen, and theſe ſuch a convincing ſeal, and confimation of the truth, and Proteſtant cauſe in theſe laſt times, anent which, and the following relations, I dare with confidence ſay, there is not any paſſage, or matter of fact, here ſet down without ſome clear, and ſatiſfying grounds as to the certainty thereof.

I shall firſt inſtance Charles the V. whoſe undertakings, for many yeares were followed with ſucceſſe, untill once he ſet himſelfe to perſecute and oppreſſe the Church, and bathed his ſword in the blood of the Proteſtants, with his cruel, and unjuſt uſage of the Duke of Saxony, from which time, his affaires begun viſibly to decline, he is forced to fly before Mauritius, and ſeek a retreat in the furtheſt confines of the Empire, and after broken with melancholy, p. 231and diſcontent, like another Diocleſian, doth reſign his empire, and turn to a privat life.

Philip the II. of Spain, one of the greateſt perſecutors of the Church in theſe laſt ages, whoſe work was to root out the Proteſtant Religion in his dominions, and therefore ſet on foot that horrid engine of the Inquiſition, yet, at laſt finds all his eſſayes fruſtrat, and after the loſſe of many millions of treaſures, and of ſome 100000 Lives by war, yea, of a conſiderable part of the Netherlands, and after the breaking his great Armade at ſea againſt the English by every remarkable ſtroke from Heaven, is at laſt ſmitten of the Lord in his body by a ſtrange diſeaſe, or rather a con…uence of diſeaſes, which his phiſitians could neither underſtand, nor cure, his body falling out in grievous boyſs, whence (beſids putride matter) there did iſſue ſuch abundance of Vermin that byſtanders could hardly cleanſe, or endure the horrid ſmel thereof, that he who had put ſo many of the Saints to cruel torments by the Inquiſition, was himſelfe tormented, for 2 years together with unexpreſſible pain and anguish.

Henry the II. of France a moſt violent enemy to the Church whileſt he had cauſed ſentence Annas Du Burg to death, having ſolemnly proteſted in ſuch words, theſe eyes of mine shall ſee thee burnt; a little before the appointed time of his execution, running in the liſts with a ſpear againſt Count Montgumry, is pierced through the eye, with ſuch a wound, that in a short time ſent him to his grave, and fruſtrat his expectation of ſeeing the death of that excellent man. His ſon Charles the IX. that bloody perſecutor, I shall mention elſewhere how remarkably the judgement of God did purſue him.

Henry the III. vvho (vvhilſt he vvas Duke of Anjou) did aſſiſt at that horrid Councel keept at St. Cloud, neer Paris where the Maſſacre was concluded is ſome yeares after ſtobbed to death by a Jacobin frier in that very chamber, a thing which Du Serres doth twice mention with a remark, as a ma…vellous inſtance of the judgement of God,

p. 232The Duke of Guiſe, the great executioner of that Maſſacre, with his brother the Cardinal, a ſpecial contriver of the ſame, are not long after killed by Henry the III. at Blois, with whom they had oft joyned in Councel, to root out the Proteſtants, and which is very obſervable, by a ſpecious show of friendship were circumvented, and with ſolemn oathes, and promiſes as treacherouſly reached as the Admiral, and Proteſtants by Charles the IX. was at Paris, and theſe 2 who were his great Counſellers, thus are they dealt with, blood meaſured out to them for blood, and treachery as they had dealt treacherouſly with the Saints.

We find alſo the Duke of Aumale who was a joynt actor with the Duke of Guiſe in that maſſacre doth a litle after fall by a shot off the walls at the ſiege of Rochel, which not only Du Serres, but alſo Davilla, who was very popish doth particularly relate, where we may ſee, what a bloody end the great contrivers, and actors of that horrid maſſacre had.

Henry the IIII. a P…ince of excellent parts and great natural accomplishments, was followed with marvellous ſucceſſe whileſt he owned the truth, yet, after many victoryes, and the breaking of the Catholick League, turns popish, and ab…ures the proteſtant Religion, but lo within a litle, he is ſtobbed in the mouth by a Jeſuit, on which a proteſtant Gentleman uſed this freedome with him, Sir, you have denyed God, and his truth with your mouth, and he hath given you there a ſtroke, take heed you, deny him not alſo with your heart; leſt the next ſtroke be there, which as the French Hiſtory sheweth, did accordingly fall out, when he was ſtobbed by Ravilack, Du Serres his own Hiſtoriographer doth shew it vvas through the very heart, and it vvas too evident, that ſometime before his death, he had turned too cordial; and zealous for the popish intereſt.

Ferdinand the II. a great perſecutor of the Church in Germany, who after his victory over Frederick and the Bohemian States, made it his vvork to root out the Church & Proteſtant Religion there, & turned that countrey unto p. 233a bloody shambles, not ſparing any rank, vvho vvould not abjure the truth, but a short time after vve find the avenger of blood (in vvhoſe ſight that of his Saints is precious) perſueth him, raiſeth up the Svveds for an adverſary under vvhoſe ſvvord moſt of theſe cruel vvretches, that vvere the Bohemian ſcourge doth fall, turneth Germany, and the Emperours countreyes in a field of blood, breaketh that great army vvhichwhich for many yeares had given Lavv to Germany, ſo that as ſome hiſtorians mention, an army of 24000 Captains, becauſe all old expert ſouldiers vvas broken in the plain fields vvith a hudge ſlaughter, yea, the violence, and cruelty of the popish party, thus meaſured out to them, as they had meaſured to the poor Church of Bohemia, and the Palatinat, and Ferdinand the Emperour broken vvith breach upon breach, that men may ſee, the judgement of God perſuing a bloody perſecutor.

Theſe barbarous cruel Irish who of late carried on that horrid Maſſacre there, ſparing no Proteſtans what ever was their age, or rank without compaſſion to women, or children. O how viſibly did the judgement of the Lord reach them, and for that ſavage blood shed give them blood to drink in great meaſure, their chief leader Marguier, Machune, and after Philomy Oneale taken, publickly execute, moſt of them conſumed by the ſword, their ſpirits ſo debaſed, that a few English, or Scots Souldiers would have chaſed multitudes of them, ſo that the World might ſee divine vengeance eminently perſueing them, which in a few years did root out moſt of that cruel generation.

We have an obſervable inſtance alſo recorded of Sir Iames Hamiltone natural Brother to the Earle of Arran who in King Iames the V. time was by the Popish Clergy promoted againſt ſuch as was then ſuſpected of favouring the Proteſtant Religion, in which place he was moſt terrible, and cruel againſt all he could reach, yea, ſo violent that ſome of his near kinſmen, were by him brought under the lash of his power, but lo, when at his greateſt height, p. 234whileſt, he is making it his work to cru…h the Goſpel in its budding forth, this is made the mean of his ruine, and by one of his friends whom he perſued on the accompt of Religion, he is accuſed of treaſon, and notwithſtanding of the ſoliſtation of the Popish clergy for him as their great Patriot, he is preſently arraigned, beheaded, and quartered in the publick ſtreet of Edinburg.

It is alſo known what violent perſecutors Cardinal Beaton, and his ſucceſſor Bishop Hamilton were, who were no leſſe conſpicuous inſtances of the judgements of the Lord in that time, alſo what befel one frier Cambel, who did bitterly rail on that excellent man Mr Patrick Hamiltonne when he was burnt at St Audrews, to whom Mr Hamiltonne at the ſtake in great vehemency ſaid, wicked man thou knoweſt the contrare, and haſt ſometime profeſſed the ſame, I appeal the to anſwer before the judgement ſeat of Chriſt, and within a few dayes after, (which in that time was very notoure) this frier fell ſick, and in great horrour of conſcience as one mad died.

There are indeed many ſuch remarkable inſtances, it is known how the judgement of God did perſue theſe 2 great Apoſtates from the truth, Olivares Chancellour of France, Latomus, & Francis Spira, who after they had quit their profeſſion, and over their light denyed the truth dyed with great horrour of conſcience, crying out to byſtanders what a hell they found within them, Du Serres doth shew, how that Chancellour of France through the torment, and anguish of his minde, cauſed the very bed to shake under him, but ſince there are many examples of this kinde, already upon record, I do the more briefly touch it; and shall onelyonly adde, ſome few, which are worthy of a remark in our own land, how viſibly the Lord did purſue by his judgement, ſome who had deſerted the truth, and turned oppoſers, and perſecutors thereof in their promoting Antichriſtian Prelacy contrare to their former profeſſion, and engadgements.

p. 2351. I shall inſtance Mr Patrick Adamſone, a Preacher once of great repute in this land, but one whom ambition, and privat intereſt ſwayed more, then the intereſt of Chriſt, who inſinuating himſelf in the Kings favour made it his work to overturn the eſtablished government and diſcipline of the Church until he got himſelfe ſetled Archbishop of St Andrewes, and Prelacy by his means advanced, which the Church from her firſt Reformation from Popery had diſclaimed, yea, in this height of his power, and grandour, turned an avowed perſecutor of his brethren; at which time he uſed to boaſt of 3. things that he ſaid could not fail him, his riches, learning, and the Kings favour, but a little after, as was then moſt known, he was by the righteous judgement of God brought to this paſs that his parts did ſo far wither, and dry up, that in ſeeking a bleſſing on his meat he could ſcarce ſpeak a few words to ſence, though once admired for his eloquence, as for his riches, he was forced to get charity from theſe Miniſters whom he before perſecuted, and for the Kings favour he was ſo abhorred by him that as he himſelf profeſſed when the ſtroke of God brought him to ſome ſenſe of his condition, he was ſure the King did care more for the worſt of his dogges then for him, and thus in great miſery dyed, caſt off by the World whoſe favour he had onelyonly ſought, his publick acknovvledgement of his guilt, and apoſtacy, and of the Lords hand purſuing the ſame, vvas by himſelfe ſubſcribed, before divers eminent, and vvorthy Miniſters of the Church, vvho did alſo by their ſubſcription atteſt the ſame, and vvas aftervvards printed.

It is alſo manifeſt hovv the Lord in his judgement did perſue that vvretched man his ſucceſſour Bishop Spotſwood vvho in a more ſubtile vvay did endeavour the overturning the diſcipline, and liberties of the Church, for ſetting up of Prelacy, and by underhand dealing got himſelfe firſt thruſt in Glaſgow, and after to be Archbishop of St Andrews, yea, at laſt, was Chancellour of Scotland, his eldeſt Son a Barron in Fife, and his ſecond Son Preſident of the Seſſion, his Daughter alſo married to Roſtine then p. 236a conſiderable Barron, but let us ſee vvhither this ends, what an eminent example in all theſe reſpects of the judgement of God he was, and therein the prophecy of that great man Mr Welsh accomplished, who did foretel in a letter whileſt he was priſoner at Blackneſſe, that he should be as a ſtone caſt out of a ſting by the hand of God, his name should rot, and a malediction on his poſterity, and truely this is known what become of himſelf in the year 1638. how he was excommunicated by the Church, did flee into England vvhere in great miſery he dyed, his eldeſt Son Sir Iohn Spotſwood vvas ſometime brought to beg his bread vvhichwhich is knovvn to many yet alive, his ſecond Son vvho vvas Preſident of the Seſſion, being taken at the battel of Philips hauch, was beheaded at St Andrews, and his Oy young Darzie beheaded at Edinburgh, and for his daughter who was married to Roſlin, it is knowen how quickly after that eſtate was rooted out, and turned from that race.

Mr Iames Nicolſonne one very eminent in his time for parts, and judgement in the effaires of the Church, yea, once very zealous for the truth, and a great oppoſer of Prelacy, when it firſt begun to aſſault the Church, but at laſt was turned aſide, by Court inſinuations, gets the Bishoprick of Dunkel, yea, turns moſt fordward to promote that intereſt, but lo in a short time he is ſtricken by the Lord with ſicknes, and great horrour of conſcience within, can get no reſt, his friends in vain endeavouring to comfort him, and when they would have brought phiſitians, he told them his diſeaſe was of another kind, for which they could give no phiſick, which preſſed him more then his ſicknes, that againſt ſo much light, and over the belly of his conſcience he had oppoſed the truth, and yeelded up the liberties of the Kingdome of Chriſt to pleaſe an earthly King, and he charged his Children that nothing which he had acquired ſince he was Prelate, should go amongſt the reſt of his eſtate, and thus in great bitternes, and grief died, whereupon p. 237his brother in Law Mr David Lindſey then a witnes made ſome Verſes is Latin.

Solatur fruſtra conjunx, ſolantur amici,

Et medicum accerſi, ſedulo quiſque jubet.

Sed dare ſolamen nemo, dare nemo ſalutem,

Te praeier poterit, Rex Iacobe, mihi.

Quae corpus gravat, atque animam, tantum exime mitra

Huic caput, hujus onus me premit, & perimit.

Mr William Couper, ſometime miniſter of Perth one who witneſſed much zeal againſt Prelacy, both by preaching, and writting, in a letter to Mr Greorge Grhame, who had writ to him entreating his charity towards his own conforming, he hath theſe words. Sir, for your ſelf I never hated yow, but the courſe yow are in I never loved, how dangerous is their eſtate who cannot riſe but with the fall of many, who in Christ have entred the right way to the miniſtry, cloſing theſe fountaines which God hath opened; doing in a matter of conſcience with doubting, turns mens light to darknes, whence followes induration, therefore I cannot ſtand with you except to witnes to God in my heart against yow, and thus shuts up his letter, oonſider your ſelfe where yow was, and where yow now are, & quantulum ſit illud propter quod nos reliquiſti, this I ſet down to shew what ſometimes he was, yet shortly after this man turns to a Bishoprick, was loathed by the Godly in that time, ſome of his old friends brought his own ſermons to him, and deſired him to reconcile them with his after actings, which did viſibly affright and diſquiet him, and one day being at paſtime near to Leith, he was ſuddenly terrified with apprehenſion that he ſaw armed men, comming upon him; theſe who were vvich him told him, there vvas no ſuch thing, it vvas only a dream, vvhereupon he became ſilent, and fell a trembling, but after he vvent home, took bed, and dyed in much anguish, and trouble of ſpirit, being obſerved to point oft vvith his finger to the earth crying out theſe vvords, a fallen Starr, a fallen Starr. It was alſo knovvn hovv for divers years, he had been ſeiſed upon vvith an p. 238Hypochondriack diſtemper apprehending he vvas all glaſſe, vvhereupon vvorthy Mr Simſon of Sterling vvho had ſometimes been his familiar, hearing of his Court-advancement had this line. Aureus, hen, fragilem confregit malleus urnam.

A very convincing inſtance of the judgement of God in that time, vvas one Mr Andrew Foſter, Miniſter at Dumfermling vvho being ſent Commiſſioner to the Aſſembly at Glaſgovv 1610, and ſolemnly adjured as he should anſvver to Jeſus Chriſt by his brethren, not to conſent to any alteration of the governement of the Church, yet notvvithſtanding, voted for Prelacy having got 50 Merks from the Earle of Dumbar, who made uſe of that argument to break ſome of theſe wretches, a ſmall ſum indeed to ſell the cauſe of Chriſt, and by him very dear bought, for after his return, he falleth in ſicknes, and upon his recovery from that was ſeiſed with horrour of conſcience, ſo that he run out of the pulpit whileſt he was going to preach, confeſſing he had ſold Chriſt at that Aſſembly for money, that being poor, and having a numerous family, he chuſed rather to make haſt, then beleeve, and thus laid aſide his miniſtry requeſting Mr Iohn Murrey, who then was ſilenced by the Bishop that for Chriſts ſake he would take the charge of that place, after which he fell in a great diſtraction, and became in ſome meaſure madde, and though he did ſomething recover, yet, dyed in great infamy, poor, and drouned in debt, a very convincing example of the judgement of God. This old Mr Row of Carnock being then a miniſter in the ſame Presbitery ſets down under his hand vvhichwhich he moſt certainly knew.

I shall only adde 2 remarkable inſtances of the Lords judgement, vvithin theſe few yeares that should not be paſt without a remark.

The firſt, relats to a conſiderable family in this countrey, who made it their vvork to trouble, and perſecute the Miniſter of that Parish, an eminently holy, and faithfull p. 239man, yea, upon the accompt of his faithfulnes; the old Laird of that houſe, out of malice doth purſue him vvith a falſe libel before the Sinod uſing all means he could to reproach his name, having it as his deſign, either to get him broken, and put out of the Parish, or at leaſt to crush his ſpirit, and vveaken him in the exerciſe of the miniſtry; but doth there meet vvith a diſappointment, the Lord cleiring the innocence of his ſervant, and the malice of the other, ſo that even ſuch who otherwayes wanted not a prejudice at him, were forced to acknowledge this, at which time that Gentleman, whileſt he went to the ſtable where his horſes were, being then at the Sinod upon that accompt, is in the place ſtricken with ſicknes, forced to haſte home and take bed and there ſeiſed with ſuch horrour of conſcience, which made him oft cry, intreating moſt earneſtly for his Miniſter whom he had thus perſecuted, and oft had theſe words, O to ſee his face, yea told his friends that if he would not come to him, they would cauſe carry him to his houſe, but his Lady out of malice did in a moſt rude, and violent way hinder the Miniſters acceſſe to him, and thus that poor Gentleman in great horrour, and anguish dyeth: after his death his Lady doth ſtill perſue the quarrel with no leſſe malice until she alſo falleth ſick, and therewith had much terrour upon her conſcience, yea, did no leſſe cry out for the Miniſter, then her husband, who then was providentially abſent, ſo that she was put to cry, and in that denyed, which she did hinder to her poor husband, though at laſt, he came to her before her death, to whom shee vvith much bitternes confeſſed her vvrong. After this a young man their chaplain, vvho had been engadged by them to appear as a vvitnes againſt that godly man vvas ſo terrified in his conſcience that he could get no reſt until he vvent to the next Sinod, to acknovvledge that horrid ſin, in bearing falſe vvitnes againſt his Miniſter, but being there keept by ſome from a publick appearance, he vvent to another part of the countrey, vvhere it is certainly reported he dyed diſtracted. Novv laſt of all the young Laird vvho did ſucced in that p. 240eſtate, vvould needs purſue the quarrel, and finding more acceſſe through the change of the time, did ſo endeavour vvith ſome vvho vvere in povver, that an order vvas paſt for banishing him out of that Parish, and though he vvas then othervvayes ſtaged, upon the accompt of the publick cauſe, yet, it vvas knovvn the violent purſuit of that Gentleman vvas the main cauſe of this ſentence, vvhichwhich theſe vvho had hand in paſſing it did themſelves confeſſe, for he had ſolemnly ſvvorn, that if he lived in that place, that man should not be Miniſter there, but lo a fevv dayes after, having returned to his houſe, and boaſting, hovv he had keept his vvord, and novv got his Miniſter caſt out of the parish, he vvas ſuddenly ſtruck by the Lord vvith an high fever, vvhichwhich plucked him avvay in the very ſtrength of his yeares. This I had related as it is here ſet down, from a grave Chriſtian, the party himſelfe being preſent, which he did humbly decline to relate, though he could not but aſſent thereto.

Second is one David Mackbryar who was a member of the late Parliament being one of the commiſſioners of the Burrowes, a man moſt notour in the countrey where he lived for a leud, and groſſe practice, but moſt remarkable and knowen beyond others, for his violence, and rage againſt the Godly, as he shewed by his carriage, both in the Parliament, and afterwards where he could have acceſſe did ſet himſelfe to trouble, and perſecute ſuch under that reproachful name of fanaticks, but within ſome time thereafter whileſt he was forced to retire by reaſon of debt, for fear of caption, he was found one day walking alone by one who was then comed out of the North to that countrey, and had riden forth, to ſee if he could catch any of that party whom he judged was then lurking, and ſuppoſing upon his rencounter that he was ſurely one of theſe, would needs apprehend him, but he upon his reſiſtance, and ſtrugling againſt him was by him run through with a ſword, and immediatly killed on the place, upon that very accompt, and perſwaſion, that he was a phanatick, and rebel as he then tearmed him, p. 241thus he who had declared himſelf an enemy to the people of God whom he was wont in reproach to call phanaticks, was himſelf under that very notion, and upon that ground cutted down by one of his own ſtamp, and principles. O was not this the finger of God, and a convincing proof of his righteous judgement.

FIFTH Witnes which holds forth the Lords eminent appearing, and ſomething of an extraordinary power, in the late raiſing, and reformation of the Church from Antichriſtianiſme, is this that large meaſure of the Spirit, and outletting thereof which did convincingly follow the Goſpel and miniſtry of the word in theſe laſt times a truth which we muſt ſay, hath been manifeſt and by many ſolemn proofes thereof demonſtrat, no leſſe then in the firſt planting of the chriſtian Church.

It is undenyable how great a witnes to the truth, the Spirit, & down-powring thereof is, for this is Gods own ſeal, which is not put to a lye, or falſehood, thus he beares witnes to his work in the hearts of his people, and by this alſo the Lord doth ſeal, and atteſt the doctrine of the Church, and commiſſion of his ſervants who publisheth the ſame, yea, at ſome ſpecial ſeaſons, when the truth hath leaſt countenance, or encouragement from without, times of contradiction, when men will not receive its teſtimony, and a great ſpeate of oppoſition is to the Goſpel, then hath this in a more full and large measure been diſcernable, thus did the Lord eminently own, and confirm the Chriſtian Religion in the dayes of the Apoſtles, and for ſome following ages, by ſo great a downpowring of the Spirit, ſuch viſible, and extraordinary effects thereof, as did then aſtonish the World, and force men to confeſſe ſomething above nature, that this was ſurely the great work, and power of God; and have we not alſo cauſe to ſay, that thus the Lord hath born p. 242a very ſolemn teſtimony to his truth, the work of reformation, and doctrine of the reformed Churches in theſe late times; anent which I dare appeal by ſtanders, yea, the adverſaryes to their conſcience, if without shutting their eyes, they could shift the conviction of a convincing appearance of God in the power, and efficacy of the Spirit, even in a more then ordinary way, accompanying the word, and ordinances, a power which carried kingdomes, and cityes before it, yea in a very short time over the belly of greateſt violence, and oppoſition: to clear this a little I shall point at ſome few remarkable evidences, which might ſtare the groſſeſt of men in the face, and in ſome meaſure convince them of this truth.

1. It is evident that marvellous conqueſt which the Goſpel had in Germany, by the miniſtry of Luther, Melanchton, Bucer, Martyr, Muſculus, and a few others of theſe excellent inſtruments whom the Lord then ſent forth, O was not this a day of the Spirit, and powring forth thereof in a large meaſure, a day of the goſpels triumph, not by might, or by power, yet ſuch as before it the World could not ſtand, cityes and countryes might then be ſaid to be born at once the arme of the Lord revealed with the ſame, that men were either ſcorched, or truely warmed and gained thereby. Did not that marvellous power, and efficacy of the ſpirit alſo attend the miniſtry of Zuinglius, and Oecolampadius, in Zurick, and Baſile, when ſo through a reformation followed, to the throwing down of Images, abolishing of the Maſſe by publick authority notwitſtanding of its long continuance; and this in a short time; the ſpirit, and power of God did very eminently appear alſo, in theſe famons plantations of the Goſpel by the Miniſtry of Calvine, Farel, and Vires in Geneva, Lauſanna, and other adjacent Provinces. It is written in the life of Vires, that at Lyons which was a p. 243great populous city, he preached in an open place, where divers thouſands were converted to the truth, yea, ſome who came by with no purpoſe to hear, only out of curioſity ſtepped in, were ſo wrought on, and overcome with the power of the word, as for that time made them neglect their other buſineſſe.

2. That great ſucceſſe which did attend the miniſtry of Mr Wishart in Scotland can alſo witnes this truth, whence ſo marvellous a change did quickly follow, in theſe places where he preached through Angus, Lothian, and the weſtern parts, yea, how much the ſpirits of the people, were then raiſed and affected with the word, but this being a thing ſo known from the hiſtoryes of that time, I only name.

3. Beſides theſe which are more known, and upon publick record, I muſt here inſtance a very ſolemn, and extraordinary outletting of the ſpirit, which about the year 1625. and thereafter was in the Weſt of Scotland, whileſt the perſecution of the Church there was not from the prelatick party; this by the prophane rabble of that time was called the Stewarton Sicknes, for in that parish firſt, but after through much of that countrey particularly at Irwine under the miniſtry of famous Mr Dickson it was moſt remarkable, where it can be ſaid (which divers Miniſters, and Chriſtians yet alive can witnes) that for conſiderable time, few Sabbaths did paſſe without ſome evidently converted, and ſome convincing proofes of the power of God accompanying his word, yea that many were ſo choaked and taken by the heart, that through terrour, the ſpirit in ſuch a meaſure convincing them of ſin, in hearing of the word, they have been made to fall over, and thus carried out of the Church who after proved moſt ſolid, and lively Chriſtians, and as it was knowen ſome … the moſt groſſe who uſed to mock at religion, being engadged upon the p. 244ſame that went abroad of ſuch things, …o go to ſome of theſe parts where the Goſpel was then moſt lively▪ have been effectually reached before their return; with a viſible change following the ſame, and truely, this great ſpring tide which I may ſo call of the Goſpel, was not of a short time, but for ſome yeares continuanc… ▪ yea thus like a ſpreading moor—burn, the power of Godlines did advance from one place to another▪ which put a marvellous luſtre on theſe parts of the countrey, the ſavour whereof brought many from other parts of the land to ſee the truth of the ſame.

4. I muſt alſo mention that ſolemn Communion at the Kirk of the Shots 20 June 1630. at which time there was ſo convincing an appearance of God, and downpowring of the Spirit, even in an extraordinary way, that did follow the ordinances eſpecially that ſermon on the Munday 21 June, with a ſtrange unuſual motion on the hearers, who in a great multitude were there conveened of divers ranks, that it was known, which I can ſpeak on ſure ground, near 500, had at that time a diſcernable change wrought on them, of whom moſt proved lively Chriſtians afterward, it was the ſowing of a ſeed through Clideſdeal, ſo as many of moſt eminent Chriſtians in that countrey, could date either their converſion, or ſome remarkable confirmation in their caſe from that day, and truely this was the more remarkable that one after much reluctance by a ſpecial, and unexpected providence was called to preach that ſermon on the Munday, which then was not uſually practiſed, and that …ight before by moſt of the Chriſtians there was ſpent in prayer, ſo that the Mundays work, as a convincing return of prayer might be diſcerned.

5. I shall he… …lſo inſtance that ſolemn, and great work of God, which was in the Church of Ireland ſome p. 245years before the fall of Prelacy about the yeare 1628. & ſome yeares thereafter, which as many grave, and ſolid Chriſtians yet alive can witnes, who were there preſent, was a bright, and hot ſun-blink of the Goſpel, yea, may with ſobriety be ſaid, to have been one of the largeſt manifeſtations of the Spirit and of the moſt ſolemn times of the downpowring thereof that almoſt ſince the dayes of the Apoſtles hath been ſeen, where the power of God did ſenſibly accompany the word with an unuſual motion upon the hearers, and a very great tack as to the converſion of ſouls to Chriſt, the goings of the Lord then full of Majeſty, and the shout of a King was heard in the ſolemn meetings of his people, that as a judicious old Chriſtian, who was there preſent, did expreſſe it, he thought it was like a dazeling beam, and ray of the glory of God, with ſuch an unuſual brightnes, as even forced by ſtanders to an aſtonishment, a very …ffectual door opened, with more then ordinary enlargement, which the Miniſters of Chriſt there did find in preaching the word, whileſt the people might be ſeen hearing the ſame in a melting frame with much tendernes of ſpirit; ſurely this was the very power of God a convincing ſeal to the truth, and miniſtry of his Servants, who were then perſecuted by the Prelats, yea, … thing which as it was known, had an awfull impreſſion, and was a terrour to their adve…ſaryes. I remember amongſt other paſſages what a worthy Chriſtian told me, how ſometimes in hearing the word, ſuch a power, and evidence of the Lords preſence was with it, that he hath been forced to riſe, and look through the Church, and ſee what the people were doing, thinking from what he felt on his own ſpirit it was a wonder how any could go away without ſome change upon them. And then▪ it was ſweet, and eaſy for Chriſtians to come 30▪ 40 miles to theſe ſolemn Communions which they had, and there continue from the time they came▪ until they returned, without wearying, or making uſe of ſteep▪ p. 246yea, but little of either meat, or drink, and as ſome of them profeſſed did not feel the need thereof, but went away moſt fresh, and vigorous, their ſouls ſo filled with the ſenſe of God.

6. That was alſo a remarkable time wherein the Lord did let forth much of the Spirit on his people in the year 1638, when this Nation did ſolemnly enter in Convenant▪ vvhichwhich many yet alive at this day do knovv, hovv the ſpirits of men vvere raiſed, and vvrought on by the vvord, the ordinances lively, and longed after, for then did the Nation ovvn the Lord, and vvas viſibly ovvned by him, much zeal, and an enlarged heart did appear for the publick cauſe, perſonal reformation ſeriouſly ſet about, and then alſo vvas there a remarkable gale of providence that did attend the actings of his people, vvhichwhich did aſtonish their adverſaryes, and forced many of them to feign ſubjection. Alace hovv is our night comed on, for the Lord hath in anger covered the face of the Daughter of Zion vvith a dark cloud.

7. Muſt not vve alſo ſay, ſince the land vvas engadged by Covenant to the Lord in theſe late times, vvhat a ſolemn outletting of the ſpirit hath been ſeen, a large harveſt with much of the fruit of the Goſpel diſcernable, which we may ſay with a warrant, hath been proven in the inbringing of thouſands to Chriſt, a part whereof now are in glory and many yet live who are a viſible ſeal to this truth▪ of whom I am ſure ſome will not loſe the remembrance of theſe ſweet refreshing times, which the land for ſeveral yeares did enjoy of the Goſpel and of many ſolemn Communions, where a large bleſſing with much of the Spirit, and power of God was felt ac…ompanying the ordinances; if it were expedient to ſet down circumſtances, I could here point at many ſuch remarkable p. 247times, and places, which should clearly demonſtrat this.

Now beſids theſe more publick, and obvious proofes, it is knowen what a great teſtimony, the experience of the godly in theſe late times could give to this truth, what they have in a large meaſure felt of the power, and refreshing outlettings of the ſpirit within their …oul, yea, how oft after ſoreſt downcaſting have been wonderfully raiſed above themſelves▪ and filled with the conſolation of God, and joy unſpeakable; this would indeed make a great volum, to reckon over all theſe inſtances, even theſe whoſe experience in theſe laſt ages could in a large meaſure witnes this truth, only to s…ut this up I shall name theſe two.

1. Mr Welsh, and Mr Forhes two great witneſſes of Chriſt in this land, when they were priſoners, give this accompt of their caſe in a letter to Mr Iames Melvin, and his Uncle, then at London, which under the ſaid Mr Melvins hand is ſet down in a manuſcript of his, their wotds are theſe. Dear Brethren, we dare ſay by experience, and our God is witnes we lye not, that unſpeaka…le is the joy, that is in a free, and full teſtimony of Christs royall authority, unſpeakable is the joy of ſuffering for his Kingdome… (for on that truth was their ſuffering ſtated.) we had never ſuch joy, and peace in preaching of it, as we have found in ſuffering for the ſame, we ſpake before in knowledge, we now ſpeak by experience that the Kingdome of God conſiſts in peace and joy, and in an other letter, thus they ſay, our joy hath greatly abounded, ſince the last day (which was after paſſing ſentence of death on them by an aſſize at Linlithgow) ſo that we cannot enough wonder▪ at the riches of his free grace, that should have vouchafed ſuch a gift upon us to ſuffer for his Kingdome in which there is joy unſpeakable, and glorious, and we are rather in fear, that they (to wit the ſufferings) be not con…n…ed, and ſo we be robbed of further conſolatio…, then p. 248that they …hould encreaſe, ſurely there is great conſolation in ſuffering for Chriſt, we dow not expreſſe unto you the joy which our God hath cauſed abound in ….

2. I shall alſo mention that great Servant of Chriſt Mr Rutherfoard whoſe Letters now published can witnes what ſolemn dayes of the Spirit and ſenſible outlettings thereof; he oft had in his experience. Though books can tell but little what he really felt, and enjoyed. I shall onelyonly ſet down ſome of his laſt, and dying expreſſions, which I had from theſe who were then preſent, and cauſed write down the ſame from his mouth, that may shew, how lovely he alſo was in his death, and how well that did correſpond with his former life, ſome of his words are theſe, I shall shine, I shall ſee him as he is, and all the fair company with him, and shall have my large share, it is no eaſy thing to be a Christian, but as for me I have got the victory, and Chriſt is holding forth his armes to embrace mee. I have had my feares, and faintings as an other ſinful man to be carried through creditably, but as ſure as ever he ſpake to me in his word, his ſpirit witneſſed to my heart, ſaying fear not, he had accepted my ſuffering, and the outgate should not be matter of prayer, but of praiſe, he ſaid alſo, thy word was found, and I did eat it, and it was to me the joy, and rejoycing of my heart, and a little before his death after ſome fainting, he ſayeth now I feell, I beleeve, I enjoy, I rejoyce, and turning to Mr Blair then preſent he ſaid; I feed on Manna I have Angels food, my eyes shall ſee my Redeemer, I know that he shall ſtand at the latter day on the earth, and I shall be caught up in the clouds to meet him in the air, and afterwards hath theſe words, I ſleep in Christ, and when I awake, I shall be ſatisfyed with his likenes. O for armes to embrace him; and to one ſpeaking anent his painfulnes in the miniſtry; he cryeth out I…diſclaim all, the port I would be in at, is redemption and forgivenes if ſins through his blood. And thus full of the ſpirit, yea, as it were overcome with ſenſible enjoyment, he breaths out his p. 249ſoul. His laſt words being Glory, Glory, dwelleth in Em…nuels land.

SIXTH Witnes is that convincing appearance of an extraordinary, and Apoſtolick ſpirit on ſome of theſe inſtruments whom the Lord raiſed up in theſe laſt times, and theſe great enduements wherewith they were ſent for the fervice of the Church, and overthrow of the Kingdome of Antichriſt, a truth which we muſt ſay if not in ſuch a meaſure, yet, hath been no leſſe evident then in theſe primitive times, when the Chriſtian Church was planted.

It is clear that extraordinary gifts, and enduements have been let forrh to the Church under the New Teſtament, for with the firſt dawning of the Goſpel there was both Apoſtles, and Prophets raiſed up, it cannot be alſo denyed that ſince the Cannon of the Scripture was cloſed, yea, in theſe late ages there hath been very extraordinary men given to the Church, who had ſpecial revelations from the Lord of his minde anent things to come, which though we should not now look after, yet herein did the Lord remarkably condeſcend, when ſome great piece of ſervice, and neceſſity of the Church did more call for it, and truely theſe were led in no other path then that of the word, though they had a more ſpecial diſcovery, and immediat inbreathing of Gods minde as to the application thereof in particular caſes, neither did they preſſe upon mens conſcience to credit the ſame, but were moſt cautious, witneſſing much humble ſobriety on that account.

It is knowen what extraordinary inſtruments, how wonderfully called, and qualified, Luther, Zuingliu…, Calvine, Mr Wishart, and Mr Knox were, whom God ſent in theſe latter dayes to grapple with Antichriſt, and ſound a retreat to his Church from Babylon, likewiſe p. 250…, Beza, Bacere, and Martyr, with divers in England ſuch as Latimer, Ridley, Bradfoord; &c. Who indeed were burning, and shining lights in their time, mighty in the Scripture fervent in ſpirit, were cloathed with the power, and authority of God, before which the World could not ſtand. But beſides theſe famous witneſſes, of whoſe life vve have ſomething this day on publick record, I muſt here craveliberty to ſet dovvn a fevv moe, more late inſtances of our ovvn Church in Scotland to confirm this truth, ſuch as are but little knovvn to the World, nor any thing of their lives published, vvhichwhich I think a great loſſe to after generations, vvhom vve may ſay (and this vvith a vvarrant, and in ſobriety) were men truely extraordinary, eminently ſerviceable in the work of the Lord; yea, of a Prophetick, and Apoſtolick Spirit, and ſuch vvho through grace, did not even come short of the firſt three. I mean not only theſe before mentioned but alſo ſome of theſe great lights vvho vvere in the firſt age of the Church after the aſcenſion of Chriſt.

1. I shall inſtance Mr Iohn Welsh whom the Lord called forth to the miniſtry at Kirck cubright in Galloway, and afterwards was tranſported to the Church of An, whom Mr Rutherfoord in one of his bookes calleth that heavenly Prophetical and Apoſtolick Man of God, and sheweth that from the witneſſes of his life, he had this accompt that of every 24 houres, he gave uſually eight to prayer, if other neceſſary, and urgent dueties did not hinder, yea, ſpent many dayes, and nights which he ſet apart in faſting, and prayer, for the condition of the Church, and the ſufferings of the reformed Churches abroad. I can alſo adde this, from very ſure information (and truely anent any of thoſe particulars, I ſeriouſly ſtudie to have ſatisfying grounds anent the certainty thereof) that it was his uſe even in p. 251the coldeſt winter nights, to riſe for prayer, and oft times his wife who was an excellent woman, hath riſen to ſeek after him, where he hath been found lying on the ground weeping, and wreſtling with the Lord, yea; ſometimes would have been much of the night alone, in the Church of Aire on that accompt. One time eſpecially his wife finding him overcharged with grief he told her he had that to preſſe him which she had not, the ſoules of 3000 to anſwer for, whileſt he knew not how it was with many of them, And an other time whileſt she found him alone; his ſpirit almoſt overcharged with anguish, and grier, upon her ſerious enquiry, ſaid, that the times which were to come on Scotland, were heavy, and ſad though she should not ſee them, and this for the contempt of the Goſpel.

Whileſt he was priſoner in the Blackneſſe in a letter to a Chriſtian lady, he giveth this accompt what large joy he had to ſuffer for ſuch a truth, that Ieſus Chriſt was a King, and had a viſible Kingdome in the World, even his Church, which was as free to keep its Courts, and exerce diſcipline by vertue of an intrinſick power from Chriſt, as any Kingdome on the earth, for which he was ready to lay down his life, yea, would rejoyce to be offered up a ſacrifice on ſo glorious a truth, in the cloſe of that letter, he doth alſo forewarn that judgement was coming to Scotland which should be blood, first by an inteſtine ſword, and then by the ſword of a ſtranger, and that a great ſacrifice should be there, both of great men, and mean, the fulfilling whereof hath ſince been very ſenſible and is known by many alive, who had that letter long before the late troubles begun; whileſt he was thus priſoner, two of …mankable paſſages I have had confirmed by divers worthy of credit, ſome of whom shewed me they had them from theſe who were moſt familiar with the perſones themſelves, they are indeed p. 252ſtrange, but we muſt alſo conſider he was an extraordinary man.

The firſt was this, that one night whileſt he did expound the Scripture after his ſupper, in the priſon (at his cuſtome was,) whileſt he, with much power; and authority was preſſing home the truth, one of the company who had ſome charge in the Caſtell, fell a jearing, which Mr Welsh obſerving, and looking earneſtly to him, did preſently cloſe the Bible, and ceaſe, and a little after having a drink in his hand, he ſayeth to a friend at the table before all that were preſent, there is one ſo profane and groſſe as to contemn and mock at the word of the Lord, but ere a little God shall ſmite him, with a remarkable ſtroke of his judgement, which accordingly fell out to the aſtonishment of the company, for that man did preſently drop down to the ground, and dyed. A lady that was then Popish being preſent by reaſon of a friend of hers that was priſoner in the caſtle, was ſo moved therewith that it proved an help to her after-converſion.

The other paſſage is this, one Iohn Steward, an eminent Chriſtian who lived at Aire having conted to viſit Mr Welsh in priſon, found him in a more then ordinary way troubled, and ſad, and upon his enquiry there anent he ſayeth, Iohn, ye should not be here, go home to Aire, for the plague of God is broken up in that place, and cauſe Hew Kennedy proveſt of that toun (who was alſo a very ſingular Chriſtian) conveeh the people to the ſtreets, and pray together, and the Lord shall hear How Kennedy, and remove that ſtroke; this at the firſt did ſomething aſtonish the ſaid Iohn, and put him to queſtion its truth, having ſo lately comed out of that place, but at his return found it ſo, and accordingly p. 253in every thing it fell out as the man of God had shewed.

After his banishment to which the King did change the ſentence of death paſt upon him at Linlithgo, he in a very short time acquired the French tongue, with ſuch a facility therein, as was thought ſtrange by theſe who knew it; Trochrig in his Commentar on the Epheſians, ſets down this paſſage how being called to preach at Salmur a famous Univerſity, yea, one of the moſt learned auditors in France, he did with ſuch boldnes, and authority preach, as though he had been before the meaneſt congregation, whereat Trochrig being aſtonished, could not but on his acquaintance with him queſtion him thereanent, whence he had ſuch confidence, and was ſo little moved, whileſt he preached before ſtrangers, ſo grave, and judicious an auditory, and in a ſtrange tongue, to whom in a humble way as one more dejected, then lifted up, he gave that anſwer, when he conſidered his being before the Lord, and that he was delivering his meſſage, he could not regard, either great, or ſmall, but all flesh did then go out of his minde.

Whileſt he was Miniſter at S. Jane de Angeli a proteſtant town in France, where his Miniſtry was much bleſſed with ſucceſſe, the civil warres did break up, where that city was twice beſieged on the Proteſtant intereſt, during which time theſe paſſages fell out moſt remarkable, One was, the town being fore ſtraited, and ready to be taken, the enemyes having raiſed a battery, and by a cloſe approach had made a great breach in the wall, Mr Welsh hearing thereof (who had much encouraged the People, that their adverſaries should not then prevail) went himſelf with the Cannonier up the walls, and deſired he would charge ſuch a piece of cannon, and shoot, for God should direct p. 254that shot, and cauſe it proſper, which accordingly did to the aſtonishment of onlookers diſmount that battery, and the Lord ſo ordered things after, that the King did parley on favourable termes with the city, and did only himſelf with his court come in without doing any violence. An other marvellous paſſage was this, the following Sabbath ſome of the godly in that place, fearing Mr Welsh his hazard, did ſeriouſly deal with him that he would forbear to go forth, and preach, the Court being there, from which he by no intreaty would be hindred, but shewed them he would adventure to preach the word to his People, and truſt the Lord with what concerned himſelfe, being more grieved at their fear, and deſpondence, and that day had a very great auditory both of friends, and others, who come upon the fame of ſuch a man, but in time of ſermon, a great man of the Court, with ſome of the Kings own guard was ſent to bring him forthwith before the King, and whileſt he was entring the Church which had ſome difficulty by reaſon of the multitude, Mr Welsh did turn himſelfe toward that entry, and deſired the People to give way to one of the great Piers of France that was coming in, but after whileſt he was coming near the pulpit, to execut his commiſſion, by putting force on the ſervant of Chriſt, for his deſiſting, he did with great authority ſpeak to him, before all the People, and in the name of his Maſter Jeſus Chriſt charged him that he would not diſturb the Worship of God; wherewith that man was ſo affrighted that he fell a shaking, yea was forced to crutch down, and make no further trouble. A third paſſage no leſſe remarkable was upon the cloſe of ſermon, whileſt Mr Welsh with much ſubmiſſion, went to the King who was then greatly incenſed, and with a threatning countenance asked, what he was, and how he durſt preach haereſy ſo near his perſon, and with ſuch contumacy carry himſelf, to vvhichwhich vvith due p. 255reverence howing himſelf he did anſwer, I am Sir, the Servant, and Miniſter of Jeſus Chriſt, whoſe truth I preached this day, which if your Majeſty rightly knew, ye would have judged it your duety to have comed your ſelf, and heard, and for my doctrine I did this day preach theſe 3 truths to your People. 1. That man is fallen, and by nature in a loſt condition, yea, by his own power, and abilityes is not able to help himſelfe from that eſtate. 2. That there is no ſalvation, or deliverance from wrath by our ovvn merits, but by Jeſus Chriſt and his merit alone. 3. I did alſo preach this day the juſt liberties of the Kingdome of France, that your Majeſty ovveth obedience to Chriſt onelyonly, vvho 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, vvhom he keepeth under ſlavery to his uſurped povver. Where at the King for a time keeping ſilence vvith great aſtonishment turned to ſome about him, and ſaid ſurely this is a man of God. Yea, after did commun vvith him, and vvith great reſpect diſmiſſed him. The year follovving vvhileſt the differences betvvixt the King, and Proteſtant party did grovv, that city vvas again beſieged, taken, and in part ſacked as Mr Welsh did publickly foretel, at vvhichwhich time, it is knovvn, hovv the King paſt a ſolemn order, that none should in the leaſt vvrong Mr Welsh, or any thing that belonged to him under higheſt paines, and did after give a ſafe conduct to him, for tranſporting himſelf to England vvhere he died, King James refuſing his return to his ovvn countrey, though earneſtly petioned by his vvife for her husbands health.

During his ſicknes he vvas ſo filled, and overcome vvith the ſenſible enjoyment of God, that he vvas ſometime overheard in prayer, to have theſe vvords, Lord, hold thy hand, it is eneugh thy ſervant is a clay veſſel, and can hold no more.

p. 256II. I shall alſo here inſtance Mr Robert Bruce vvho in a very extraordinary vvay vvas called to the Miniſtry, having for a long time follovved the ſtudy or the Lavv, both in this countrey, and in France, yea, had ſome ground to expect a place amongſt the Lords of the Seſſion, his father being then a conſiderable Barron, vvho had many friends, but a more preſſing, and irreſiſtible call from God did othervviſe determine.

Whileſt he vvas in the Miniſtry at Edinburgh he shined as a great light through the vvhole land, the povver and efficacy of the ſpirit moſt ſenſibly accompanying the vvord he preached, he vvas a terrour to evil doers, and the authority of God did ſo appear upon him, and his carriage, vvith ſuch a Majeſty in his countenance, as forced fear, and reſpect from the greateſt in the land, even theſe vvho vvere moſt avovved haters of Godlines, yea, it vvas knovvn vvhat an avvful impreſſion King James had of him, and did once give him that teſtimony before many, that he judged Mr Bruce vvas vvorthy of the halfe of his Kingdome.

He vvas a man that had much invvard exerciſe about his ovvn perſonal caſe, had been oft aſſaulted anent that great foundation of truth, if there vvas a God, vvhichwhich coſt him many dayes, and nights wreſtling, and vvhen he hath comed up to the pulpit, after being ſometime ſilent, vvhichwhich vvas his uſual vvay, he vvould have ſaid I think it is a great matter to believe there is a God, telling the People, it vvas an other thing to believe that then they judged. But it vvas alſo knovvn, by his friends vvith vvhom he vvas familiar, vvhat extraordinary confirmations he had from the Lord therein, vvhat near familiarity he did attain in his ſecret converſe vvith God, yea, truely ſomethings I have had p. 257from perſons worthy of credit thereanent, vvould ſeem ſo ſtrange, and marvellous, that I forbear to ſet them dovvn.

The great ſucceſſe of his Miniſtry at Edenburgh, Innerneſſe, and other places whither providence called him is aboundantly known, whileſt he was confined at Innerneſſe that poor dark countrey was marvellouſly enlightned, many brought in to Chriſt by his Miniſtry, and a ſeed ſown in theſe places, which even to this day is not wholly worn out. I shall here ſet down one paſſage of famous Mr Henderſon who at his firſt entry to the Miniſtry at Leuchars, was very prelatick and by the Bishop of St Andrewes brought in againſt the parishes conſent; ſo that the day of his admiſſion, the Church doores being shut by the People, they were forced to break in by a window to get him entrance, but a little after this, upon the report of a Communion where Mr Bruce was to help, he would needs from a longing he had to hear and ſee ſuch a man, go ſecretly there, and placed himſelfe in a dark part of the Church where he might not be known, when Mr Bruce was come to the pulpit he did for a conſiderable time keep ſilence as his maner was, which did ſome way aſtonish Mr Henderſon, but much more when he heard the firſt vvords wherewith he begun, which were theſe, He that cometh not in by the door, but climbeth up another way, the ſame is a thief, and a robber; Which did by the Lords bleſſing at the very preſent take him by the heart, and had ſo great an impreſſion on him, that it was the firſt mean of his converſion.

He was one that had the ſpirit of diſcerning in a great meaſure, did prophetically ſpeak of many things which afterwards came to paſſe, yea, which I had atteſted by ſober, and grave Chriſtians, who were familiar with him, that divers perſons diſtracted, and of p. 258theſe who were paſſed all hope of recovery in the falling ſicknes, were brought to Mr Bruce and after prayer by him in their behalfe were fully recovered: this indeed may ſeem ſtrange, but it is alſo true, Mr Bruce was a great wreſtler who had more then ordinary familiarity with his Maſter.

A little before his death when he was at Edenbrugh and through weaknes keept his chamber, there was a meeting of divers godly Miniſters at that time there, on ſome ſpecial ground of the Churches concernment, who hearing he was in the town came together, and gave him an account of the actings of theſe times, the Prelats then deſigning the ſervice book, after which Mr Bruce prayed, and did therein tell over again to the Lord the very ſubſtance of their diſcourſe, vvhichwhich vvas a ſad repreſentation of the caſe of the Church, at vvhichwhich time there vvas ſuch an extraordinary motion on all preſent, ſo ſenſible a dovvnpovvring of the Spirit, that they could hardly contain themſelves, yea, vvhichwhich vvas moſt ſtrange, even ſome unuſual motion on theſe vvho vvere in other parts of the houſe, not knovving the cauſe at that very inſtant, one Mr Weemes of Lothaker being then occaſionally preſent, vvhen he vvent avvay, ſaid, O hovv ſtrange a man is this, for he knocked dovvn the Spirit of God on us all, this he ſaid becauſe Mr Bruce did divers times knock vvith his fingers on the table; I had this from a vvorthy Chriſtian Gentleman in vvhoſe mothers houſe this vvas.

He vvas deeply affected vvith the naughtines and prophanity of many Miniſters then in the Church, and the unſuitable carriage of others to ſo great a calling, and did expreſſe much his fear that the miniſtry of Scotland vvould prove the greateſt perſecutors of the Goſpel that it had. If there vvere a full collection of theſe remarkable paſſages, vvhichwhich have been knovvn to others p. 259in his life, it vvould further vvitnes vvhat an extraordinary man that vvas. I shall only shut this up vvith learned Didoclavius his teſtimony in his preface to his Altera Damaſcus, Robertus Bruſius ver genere & virtute nobilis, majeſtate vultus venerabilis, qui plura animarum millia Chriſto lucrifecit, cujus anima, ſi ullius mortalium, abſit verbo invidia, ſedet in coeleſtibus, anima mea, cum anima tua, Bruſi, ſi ex aliena fide eſſet pendendum.

III. Mr Davidſone Miniſter of the Goſpel at Salt-Preſtoun, may be truly here inſtanced as one of an extraordinary prophetick Spirit, vvho vvas likevviſe eminently zealous, and faithful for his Maſter in a time of the Churches defection, as Didoclavius in that forementioned preface termes him; Cato, & Conſtani Cato ſui temporis. He did then foreſee Prelacyes breaking in upon the Church, vvhen King James vvas preſſing the ſetting up of ſuperintendents under a very ſpecious pretext, and vvas for that end himſelf preſent at the aſſembly in Dundee, having engadged many, alace too many to conſent thereto, but Mr Davidſone vvith great boldnes roſe up, and vvarned the aſſembly of the hazard, and told them he ſavv the knave Bishop, vvith his mitre comming in under that mask, yea, did ſolemnly in his own name, and name of the Church of Scotland enter a proteſtation againſt that ſtep of defection, and their yeelding up in ſo far the liberties of the Church to pleaſe men.

Whileſt he vvas Miniſter at Salt-Preſtoun the building of a Church vvas by him much endevoured vvhichwhich then vvas vvanting, for vvhichwhich he did advance ſo much out of his ovvn privat intereſt, my Lord Nevvbatle vvho then had a great intereſt in the Parish engadging to help it fordvvard, from vvhichwhich he after refiled, and thereby fruſtrated the vvork, Whereupon Mr Davidſone told him, theſe vvalls that vvere then p. 260begun to be builded, should ſtand as a witnes againſt him▪ and that ere long God should root out him, and his eſtate out of that Parish, and should not have a piece of land in the ſame, vvhichwhich shorthy after had a viſible accomplishment. It vvas very clear from many paſſages of his life that the ſecret of the Lord vvas in an extraordinary vvay vvith him. Some of theſe vvhichwhich have been tranſmitted from theſe vvho particularly knevv the ſame are indeed moſt vvorthy of a remark.

At a certain aſſembly of the Church Mr Iohn Spotſwood, and Mr Iames Law vvho vvere then entred into the miniſtry, vvere proceſſed for ſome groſſe acts of prophanity, vvhere Mr Davidſon finding the aſſembly too eaſy to paſſe the ſame in regard of their parts, and gifts, onelyonly vvith a rebuke, he did vvith much ve…emency preſſe their depoſition, and after being croſſed therein, ſaid, you vvill needs ſpare theſe 2 men, vvhereat I am grieved, but the time is comming vvhen they shall trample upon your necks▪ and upon the Church of Scotland. And it is well knovven what an accomplishment this prediction had.

Being with Mr Bruce one time at dinner who vvas then in great favour vvith the King, he had theſe vvords in giving thanks after meat. Lord, they ſervant here is novv a great favorite of the Court, and in much reſpect, but he shall be within a litle as much perſecuted as he is now in favour, and go down the ſtreets, when many who have him this day in eſteem will not give him a ſalutation, vvhichwhich vvas very manifeſt afterwards. And at an other time whileſt Mr Robert Bruce, and he were dyning together in the houſe of one of the Magiſtrates of the town, who was then a cordial friend to godly Miniſters, he did alſo in his plain, and free way break forth with theſe words, whileſt he was p. 261giving thanks, Lord, this good man hath reſpect for thy ſake to thy ſervants, but he litle knoweth that in a short time he muſt carry us both who are here to priſon, which words did much trouble that honeſt man, though afterwards it came moſt exactly to paſſe.

There is one more remarkable paſſage which I should fear to ſet, down it is ſo ſtrange, but that I had the ſame confirmed by ſome worthy of credit, who shewed me, that from theſe that were preſent, and familiar with Mr Davidſone they had it related. A Gentleman nearly related to a great family of that Parish, bnt a moſt violent hater of piety, did upon that account beat a poor honeſt man who lived there, having not the feaſt shadow of a provocation, and amongſt other ſore ſtrokes gave one upon the back with theſe words, take this for▪ Mr Davidſons ſake, after which the honeſt man was for a time forced to keep his bed, and complained moſt of that ſtroke which he gave him on the back, as that which he felt more then all the reſt; but the Sabbath following, Mr Davidſon ſpeaking in the cloſe of his Sermon anent the oppreſſion of the godly, and enmity which wicked men had to ſuch, did very particularly touch that late inſtance, ſaying, it was a ſad time, whileſt a prophane man would thus openly adventure to vent his rage againſt theſe who were ſeekers of God in the place, whileſt he could have no cauſe but the very appearance of his image, and with great authority ſaid, he who hath done this, were he the Laird, or the Lairds brother, ere a few dayes paſſe, God shall give him a ſtroke that all the Monarches of the earth dare not challenge, which was then publickly known how in the cloſe of that very week, ſtanding before his dore, he was ſtruck dead with a thunder bolt and all his bones crusht.

p. 262A little before the death of this great Servant of Chriſt having an occaſional rencounter with Mr Iohn … a young Gentleman who was lately come from Fr… ▪ and had then no though…s of the miniſtry▪ but … in a very cou…ly dreſſe▪ Mr. Davidſon did in a … lemn way charge him to caſt off his ſcarlet cloak, and lay aſide his guilded rapper, and take him to his book▪ for you are the man, ſayes he, who is to ſucceed me i… the miniſtry at this place, which ſo very aſtonishing … that Gentleman for the preſent, yet accordingly fell out, he did immediatly ſucceed him there, where he was for many▪ yeares an holy, and faithfull Miniſter of the Goſpel. This laſt paſſage many yet alive who had the ſame from the ſaid Mr Iohn Ker can witnes.

IV. Mr Patrik Simſon who was once Miniſter of …ramond, and after tranſported to Stirling may be here alſo inſtanced▪ as a very extraordinary man in the Church, in his youth he attained to great knowledge in the languages, did much ſtudy Greek and L…ti…e A… thors, and gave this reaſon to ſuch who vvondred … should ſpend ſo much time in reading theſe vvho vver… but pagans, that he purpoſed to dedicat all theſe …evvels vvhichwhich he borrovved from the Egyptians, to the building of the houſe of the Lord, it is knovven vvith vvhat zeal he did oppoſe himſelfe to the corruptions of that time, in the year 1584, whileſt there was an expreſſ… charge from the King, for acknowledging Mr Pat…ic… Adamſon Archbishop of S. Andrewes, or elſe loſe th… maintenance, he did with great vehemency appear againſt the ſame, though that man was his uncle upon the mothe… ▪ ſide, and ſome who ſeemed willing to ſubſcribe there▪ to with ſuch a condition, according to the Word of God, he did gravely rebuke, shewing them it could be no ſalve to their conſcience, ſince it was repugnantia in adjecto, to p. 263ſubſcribe to any inſtitution according to the word, when the word did expreſly condemn the ſame. It was alſo known, he refuſed the offer of a Bishoprick, and af…wards of a yearly penſion from the King, which he looked on as a deſign only to bribe his conſcience, which was more dear to him then all the World; and when that 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 …dgement of God againſt theſe accuſers, and convicters of theſe excellent men, at Linlithgow, who ſtood for the liberty of that aſſembly; that notable paper, and proteſtation given in to the Parliament 1606 (where Prelacy was further eſtablished) was by him penned, and out of his own hand given to the Earle of Dumbar, ſubſcribed by many Miniſters of the Church who were then there on that account.

His life was moſt examplary for piety, and faithfulnes in ſerving his Maſter, which did preach no leſſe to that part of the countrey wherein he lived then his doctrine, one very remarkable paſſage of his life I do here adventure to ſet down, having very ſatisfying grounds as to the certainty of it, from theſe who knew the ſame, and had a particular relation, of all its circumſtances from a grave Chriſtian who had it out of his own mouth, and likewiſe hath it written under old Mr Row of Car…ocks hand, who was his familiar intimat friend; it is this. His Wife Martha Barron a gracious woman, the wife of his youth with whom he had lived in great love, fell ſick, which proved her laſt ſicknes, where she was firſt ſore aſſaulted by the Devil, who preſſed in upon her that she should be given over to his hand, and after it did reſolve in a viſible diſtraction which for a time grew upon her, ſo that moſt unlike to her former way, she would have broke forth with dreadfull, and horrid expreſſions, it did moſt appear on a Sabbath morning p. 264whileſt Mr Simpſ…n was going to preach, and wh…gſt for a time he was forced with a heavy countenance to ſtand ſilent, he at laſt kneeled down, and prayed, which she did no wayes regard, but a little after he turning to the company that were preſent, told them he was ſure that theſe who now were witneſſes of that ſad houre, should yet ſee a gracious work of God on this his Servant, and that the Devils malice againſt that poor woman, should have a shameful …oil; her diſtraction did ſtill continue until the Tueſday which was the 9 of Auguſt, which morning at the very dawning of it, he gooth to his garden, and shut the doore behinde him, where for many houres he was alone; but a godly woman who that night was with his wiſe, Hel… Garner wi…e to one of the Bailyes of Stirling, being apprehenſive of his hazard, through his grief, and faſting, could have no reſt till she knew his cafe, and by ſome help climbed up, and wan in to the garden, but on a near approach to that place, where Mr S…mpſ… then was, she was terrified with an extraordinary noiſe which through fear made her fall to the ground, it ſeemed, as she related after to others, it was like the noiſe of a great rushing of multitudes together, and therewith ſuch a melodious ſound, as did make her know it was ſomething more then humane, and turned to player entreating the Lord would pardon her rashnes, which affection to his Servant who had been the inſtrument of her good, had carried her to; and after going forward finds him lying upon the ground, it was with much entreaty that he did then reveal himſelfe in that particular, until she promiſed cloſſenes; not to ſpeak it to others ſo long as he lived, but had his allowance if she should …urvive him, which promiſe she keept, but after his death, did relate it to theſe from whom I have had this, he ſaid, O what am I being dust and ashes that the holy Ministring ſpirits should be ſent by the Lord to deliver a meſsage to me, and shewed he had a vilion of Angels, p. 265who did with an audible voice give him an anſwer from the Lord of his wifes condition, and coming over to his houſe, he ſaid to all who were preſent, be of good comfort for ere 10 houres of this day I am ſure that brand shall be plucked out of the fire, after which he went to prayer at his wifes bedſide, where for a time she la… quiet, but whileſt he mentioned Iacobs wreſtling in prayer, she …its ſtraight up in the bed, caſting aſide the courtain, and ſayeth, Thou art this day Iacob, who haſt wreſtled, and alſo prevailed, and nou God hath made good his words, which he ſpake this morning to you, for I am plucked out of the hands of Satan, and he shall have no power over me. Which interruption made him for a ſpace ſilent, but after with great melting of heart proceeded in prayer, and magnified the riches of Gods love towards him; and after prayer there was ſweet, and Chriſtian embracements betwixt them, yea, from that houre she did ſpeak moſt Chriſtianly, and comfortably even to her death, which was on the Friday following Auguſt 13. 1601, whoſe laſt words in the moment of her departure was with a loud voice, Come Lord, in thy hands I commend my ſpirit.

After this Mr S…mpſon lived ſeveral yeares fervent, and faithful in the work of the Lord, and one who in privat walk witneſſed ſuch mortification, that all who knew him might clearly ſee, his converſe was little in the World, in March 1618. he ſayd now shall this monethmonth put an end to all theſe things, and accordingly towards the cloſe of it was removed by death, at which time he expreſſed much joy, bleſſing the Lord for his kindnes, that he had not been perverted by the ſinful courſes of theſe times, and might ſay as the Lord fed Elijah in the wildernes, ſo in ſome reſpect he had dealt with him all his life time, and having theſe words, upon ſome of his bookes written, Rememmember O my ſoul, and never forget the 9 of Auguſt, what p. 266conſolation the Lord gave thee, and how he performed …hat … ſpoke, according to Za…h. 3: ver. 2. it not th… a brand plu…k… out of the fire, upon which ſome of his friends ſpeaking … him anent the ſame, his anſwer was, Abſit miht … … aliquo, niſi in Domino Deo meo.

Now beſides theſe great men, many others who at that time did shine as lights in the Church may be here alſo mentioned, who were indeed ſtars of the firſt magnitude, eminently zealous, and faithful, and their Miniſtry followed with much of the power; and authority of God, ſuch as Mr Andrew Mel…ne, of whom it might be ſaid, he had the face of a lyon in his maſters cauſe, and feared not to ſpeak before Princes and great men, when the truth called for it; likewiſe his nevoy Mr Iames Melvine that holy grave, and prudent Servant of Chriſt, Mr. Andrew Dunkan, Mr Iohn Scringer, Mr Chartes Fere… Mr. Iames Balfure, &c. One paſſage I shall here …et down worthy of a remark of Mr Andrew Melvine who being priſoner in the Tower, a Gentleman of his acquaintance, got acceſſe to viſit him, but found him in a ſad, and deep muſe, anent the defection of many Miniſters in Scotland, and did deplore the ſtate of the Church there, having lately got an account of their way at that aſſembly at Glaſgow 1610. where the Earle of Dumbar had been active to corrupt divers with money: this Gentleman, deſiring to know what word he had for his own countrey got no anſwer, but upon a ſecond enquiry, he ſaid, I have no word to ſend, but am heavily grieved, that the glorious governement of the Church of Scotland should be ſo defaced, and a Popish tyrannical government ſet up, and thou Manderſton (for out of that houſe Dumbar was come, and he thus ſtiled him) Hast thou no other thing to do but carry down to Scotland ſuch commiſſions, whereby the poore Church there is wracked; the Lord shall be avenged upon thee, and thou shalt never again go down for all thy grandour; which words took ſuch impreſſion on p. 267that Gentleman that when he went forth he deſired ſome friends, who then waited to get a buſſineſſe at court …ped by Dumbars moyen, that they would in time, … their affaires to a cloſe, for he was perſwaded, the words of that ſervant of Chriſt should nor fall to the ground; and truely this did very quickly take place, that Earle being ſuddenly ſtruck by death, within a few moneths after, and thus thrown down from the top of his grandour, whileſt he was buſſie, perfecting that great houſe of his at Berwick, and had appointed a ſumptuous feaſt for his daughters marriage, even then did his thoughts perish.

I shall here but adde one inſtance more of one whom we before named, though not a Miniſter, yet a great inſtrument for promoting the work of the Goſpel in the place he lived, and one we may ſay, of an extraordinary ſpirit, Hew Kennedy proveſt of Aire, of vvhom I would mention theſe two paſſages from ſure knowledge, One was whileſt the Merchant Ships of that town were at …e… amongſt whom his ſon Iohn, who was alſo a choiſe Chriſtian, was at that time, he did one night riſe before the breaking of day, and came to the houſe of his familiar friend Iohn Steward deſiring he would riſe, & go along with him to ſome room; whereat the ſaid Iohn being exceedingly aſtonished, he ſayeth 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 houre on the very nick of perishing, and after they had ſpent ſome time in prayer, he aroſe chearfully, and ſaid now they are ſafe. Within a little after Iohn Steward who had writ this down, with the day, and houre, at the return of the Ships, did moſt particularly enquire, and found hovv it did anſwer in all the circumſtances, and in that very houre of that night, they were to appearance paſt hope of ſafety upon a very dangerous place, and by an extraordinary unexpected providence then delivered.

p. 268The other is this, one day being for many houres alone in prayer, whileſt ſome of his Chriſtian friends did, wait long for him, at laſt, with an unuſual chearfulnes, he came forth, and upon their enquiry anent his ſtay, he told them; it was no wonder, for he had that day got mercy to him, and all his, and truely it was very evident, that not one of his Children, but there was large ground of charity that they were truely godly.

Whileſt he was dying Mr Ferguſon a godly Miniſter, ſayeth to him, yow have cauſe, Sir, to be aſſured that the Angels of God are novv vvaiting at the ſtoups of this bed to convoy your ſoul into Abrahams boſome, to vvhom his anſvver vvas; I am ſure thereof, and if the wals of this houſe could ſpeak, they could tell h… many ſweet dayes I have had in ſecret fellowship with God, and how, familiar he hath been with my ſoul. I shall only adde Mr. Welshes teſtimony in a letter from France to this great man, his words were theſe, Happy is that city, yea, happy is that Nation that hath a Hew Kenneay in it, I have my ſelfe certainly found the anſwers of his prayers from the Lord in my behalfe.

SEVENTH Witnes to this truth, that the Lord hath in ſo ſolemn, and extraordinary a way appeared for his Church in theſe laſt times, is this, theſe great, and marvellous providences (which we may call magnalia Der) by which he hath witneſſed his truth, and confirmed the ſame ſince the breaking up of the Goſpel, in this late raiſing of the Church from Antichrist; For we may truely ſay there hath not wanted a viſible atteſtation from Heaven, and a convincing teſtimony, by ſome great workes of the Lord, to his truth, as well as in the primitive times of the Church.

p. 269We do here underſtand by ſuch providences, theſe wherein man cannot but ſee ſomething above nature and naturall cauſes, yea, above the ordinary way of the Lords working, which doth evidently witnes his great, and immediat hand, ſome whereof have been ſo wonderful, which can be inſtanced in theſe late times, as might truely be called miracles; it is true this is not the Lords uſuall way, neither maketh he uſe of ſuch a ſolemn teſtimony, but on ſpecial, and weighty grounds vvhen the neceſſity of the Church called for it, vvhileſt he is about ſome extraordinary piece of vvork, or vvhen the Goſpel cometh firſt to a land that hath been long overſpread vvith darknes, vvhen ordinary meanes of conviction are vvanting, or in times of great oppoſition, vvhen the commiſſion of his ſervants needeth ſome extraordinary ſeal; in ſuch a time as that of Achabs, vvhen the People are made to halt betvvixt truth, and a falſe vvay, and thus vve find the Lord did confirm the firſt breaking up of the Goſpel, and make uſe of ſuch a mean to ſpread the Chriſtian Church through the World, and should this ſeem ſtrange that in ſo great a change of the Churches caſe novv in theſe latter dayes, vvhen he vvas to raiſe her up, after ſo long a ruin, and deſolation, vvhileſt Antichriſtianiſme ſo many ages had overſpread the face of the World, that he should thus appear, and give ſome ſignal demonſtration of his povver in behalfe of his People, ſuch as vve have ſeen vvith our eyes, and our fathers did tell us.

It is not miracles, or any extraordinary providence on vvhichwhich men should reſolve their faith, nor do vve here mention theſe, for laying ſtreſſe thereon in believing the truth, no, the Proteſtant doctrine, and cauſe doth lean on a ſtronger gtound, it can vvith confidence appeal the adverſary to the Scripture theſe divine records vvhichwhich they do not pretend to deny, this, even this is the reaſon of our hope, vvhichwhich vve offer to all that p. 270ask for the ſame; and there let the God of truth vvho hath revealed his vvill, and anſwers men by the written word be judge, a…d we shall demand no greater advantage, nor juſtice at the hand of our enemyes; we know miracles cannot authorize a lye, or be a ſeal to any thing repugnant to the Scripture; and truely theſe lying wonders which have been ſo frequent in the World, which the Apoſtle doth foretel that ſuch an engine the Devil wil make uſe of, to turn men aſide from the truth, beſids other marks of their falſehood, they have this one moſt diſcernable, that they are the ſupport and warrant of that which cannot ſtand alone by the Word; and thence are the popish miracles made uſe of to confirm ſuch tenets which of all their doctrine do moſt directly contradict the Scripture, as the merit of works, purgatory, praying for the dead, &c. Bus as we will not boaſt of ſuch as the authority, or proof of our doctrine, ſo we judge it a grave, and a concerning duety to obſerve the wondrous work of the Lord in our times, yea, to make a diligent ſearch thereanent, that we may tell poſterity ſome of theſe great acts of our God, for his Church in bringing her again from Babell.

I would deſire to be very tender, and cautious upon ſuch a ſubject, for I judge it horrid divinity to make a lye for God; it is not the truth, but a falſe way which requireth ſuch a help, and truely anent theſe following inſtances, which are but a few of many that might be brought if there were more ſerious enquiry, I dare atteſt the Lord, the great witnes that I have not knowingly ſet down here any thing falſe, yea, not without ſome diligent ſearch, and ſatisfying grounds anent the certainty thereof. I judge it not neceſſary to repeat theſe which are ſo known already to the World from publick records, and therefore shall but briefly point at p. 271ſome of theſe, and adde a few moe particular inſtances of this kinde, which I may with ſome confidence bring to the light, from clear evidences of the truth thereof.

I shall firſt mention that ſolemn teſtimony of Mr Baynam in Queen Maryes time who in the midſt of the fire, whileſt his body was all in a flame, his armes, and legs halfe burnt, cryed out to byſtanders, O Papiſts, ye look after miracles, lo here is one, I am now burning in this fire, but feels no more pain then if I were in a bed of roſes, O muſt not this be called a miracle, and an extraordinary ſeal from the Lord, to his ttuth, wherein the World would conſider, this was the teſtimony of one, who was upon the borders of eternity, which he did declare before a great multitude, atteſted by Mr Fox that holy ſervant of Chriſt who in things of that kinde ſo extraordinary was moſt cautious, and did much ſearch out the truth, and certainty of what he ſets down, and by him was published whileſt many of that time, who might have been preſent were alive, yea, it is the more remarkable, the sharp combat that this Martyr had through the terrour of the fire a little before his death, fearing he should never be able to endure the ſame.

What a remarkable providence was that at a town in the Low Countryes, whileſt ſome of the Saints were put to death, by the Popish party, and among theſe one Michael Bomboutius a Deacon of the reformed Church, whileſt they were going to ſuffer about midday the Heavens being moſt clear, there came ſuddenly ſo great a darknes, and ſo horrible, and unuſual a tempeſt which was onelyonly in that place and above that city diſcerned, that men were generally shaken with fear, thinking there should be a preſent diſſolution of the World, this famous Voetius in that piece de ſignis, doth witnes p. 272that from divers there preſent even ſome of them popish he had this related to himſelfe; and as he ſayeth ſuch… thing Papiſts would have with greateſt obſervation published, as the very finger of God, if they had the ſame occaſion.

At a town Alſa in Weſtſlanders whileſt a godly man whom the Inquiſition there had purſued, was leading to the ſtake, and was by the way ſinging Pſalmes, th… Captain of theſe who guarded him was ſo enraged, that he cauſed preſently his tongue be plucked out by the rootes, but lo… a few moneths after, this wretched man hath a Childe born with his tongue hanging out a great way, which by no meanes could be keep… within his mouth, this Doctor Hall being himſel… afterwards in that town had shewed him from ſome who were moſt conſiderable there, as he ſets down in his Epiſtles.

Charles the IX. of France vvho was author of that horrid Maſſacre where the blood of many thouſand Proteſtants at Paris, and other parts was shed, did a very little after dye in the ſtrength of his years, by an extraordinary effuſion of blood from all paſſages of his body that as Du Serres, and other french vvriters of that time do shew he was made to vvallow in his own blood before his death. O vvas not this the very finger of God, a moſt convincing ſtupendious piece of his judgement?

What an extraordinary providence vvas that vvhichwhich is atteſted by divers vvitneſſes thereto, in the late bloody Maſſacre of Ireland; a young vvoman vvho by the Irishes vvas ſtript almoſt naked, and after by one of, them threatned that except she vvould give him her money, he vvould forthvvith run her through, to vvhichwhich she gravely anſvvered; I knovv you cannot kill me: p. 273except God give you leave whereupon he did three … with his ſword run at her naked body, but could not once pierce her skin, which did ſo confound this wretched man, that with a kinde of horrour he went away, and ceaſed to trouble her further.

Did not God wonderfully appear in the raiſing of the late King of Sweden, with that aſtonishing ſucceſſe, which did attend him in breaking the power of the houſe of Auſtria, whileſt they were at ſo great an height, and had their hands hot reeking in the blood of the Proteſtants through Bohemia, and other places of Germany, O but the Lords hand might be clearly ſeen in acting forth, and fitting that party of the Swedes, for ſuch a piece of his ſervice, even in a more then ordinary vvay, vvho like that he goat mentioned in Damel did come ſo ſwiftly that they touched not the ground, as it were, but like a mighty ſpeate bare down all before them.

The breaking of that great Spanish Armado in the Year 88. which had been 3 Yeares in contriving, did convincingly witnes a divine hand oppoſing the ſame, and how remarkable was that iſſue of all the Counſels, expence, and cruelty, which Philip the ſecond, had made uſe of to bear down the riſing of the Goſpel in the Netherlands, for it is notour that after many eſſayes, the loſſe of an 100 Millions of gold, with near 400000 Lives, the reckoning of all his gain, and purchaſe was only the loſſe of conſiderable part of theſe countryes, and helping fordward the eſtablishment of the united Provinces, and truely we muſt ſay the Lord did by his great, and outſtretched hand wonderfully appear in raiſing that Common wealth, ſo that they may date their flowrishing in outward intereſts from their owning of the intereſts of God. Religion did raiſe them and no People this day hath more p. 274cauſe, and are under greater engadgements to be zealous for the truth, and defence of the Proteſtant Cauſe.

The breaking of that formidable league of the Catholicks in France for rooting out the Proteſtant Religion there was very wonderful, how all their Counſels, and deſignes should reſolve in their own ruin, ſo that the moſt ordinary onlookers, could not but ſee, a divine hand counteracting the ſame: Davila though an adverſary, in ſetting down that hiſtory, giveth a large account of this.

What a great appearance of the Lords hand, yea, of an extraordinary providence, vvas there in the throvving dovvn of the Popish images, and altar… almoſt in one night throvv much of the Netherlands, vvhichwhich for ſo many 100 Yeares had been made uſe of for idolatry. O did not Sathan thus fall as lightning from Heaven, it being very evident hovv ſtrange an impulſe did carry out the People in this, over all difficulties, or fear of hazard, vvhat a vvonderful conſent and agreement amongſt places ſo remote about one thing, and almoſt at one time; hovv quickly alſo vvas it executed through theſe Provinces almoſt in an inſtant, the authors did never appear, nor any noiſe of their boaſting thereanent, and vvhichwhich vvas ſtrange the Magiſtrates of the cityes, having both povver and vvill to hinder, yet vvere ſo over ruled, and ſtruck vvith aſtonishment, that they could not reſiſt; and as Famianus Strada a great enemy to the truth doth shevv vvhat fell out in Antvverp, and other places, conſidering the greatnes of the vvork, the multitude, and height of theſe idolatrous monuments it might have been eneugh for many dayes, vvhat vvas done in one night, and yet not any in the leaſt prejudged or hurt thereby, vvhichwhich made him cry p. 275…ut, that ſure this vvas the vvork of the Devil, and his help eminently therein: but I doe not vvonder, to hear theſe in ſuch a manner blaſpheme, vvhileſt they are tormented vvith ſo clear a diſcovery of Gods hand againſt them.

Muſt vve not here mention that great deliverance of the town of Leyden from the Spanjard vvith a ſpeciall remark, vvhileſt it vvas then manifeſt, if the enemy had made uſe of Cannon in battering the vvals, they could not have come short of their deſigne: in what an extraordinary vvay alſo vvere the vvinds tryſted to raiſe the vvaters in order to the touns relief, vvhen they vvere at the utmoſt extremity, yea for driving the vvaters back again, vvhen the toun vvas once delivered, and which was very marvellous, that the ſame night, wherein the Spanjards were forced to retire, a part of the wals fell down, which if it had fallen out a little before, that city had been utterly loſt. O vvas not this a divine hand, vvhichwhich even the greateſt Atheiſts, and ſuch vvho judge things to fall out by chance, muſt confeſſe?

What vvonderful providences did attend the actings of that poor handful of proteſtants in the Valleyes of Piemont, for their neceſſary ſelfe-defence; Fox vvith other vvriters give a clear account in ſetting dovvn that horrid perſecution vvhichwhich they endured in the Year 1555. I shall here onelyonly touch ſome paſſages mentioned by Mr Morland in his Hiſtory, who upon the account of that bloody Maſſacte, vvhichwhich vvas there vvithin theſe fevv Years, vvas then near that place, and from ſure knovvledge, and information doth very gravely hold forth the ſame; and truely they are providences ſo marvellous, and aſtonishing, that men cannot but ſee the Lord in an extraordinary vvay helping that poore People, his acting p. 276forth a fevv to do ſuch exploits, beyond any thing that can be mentioned of theſe great Heroes, whom the World in former Yeares did admire; ſo that we muſt ſay, as this was a convincing proof of the great power of God, put forth for his People, when help in an ordinary way failed, it was alſo a ſolemn teſtimony to their cauſe, and of the Lords approbation of his Peoples ſtanding for their own defence againſt the cruelty, and violence of a perſecuting Magiſtrat. We have there held forth, how after that bloody perſecution by an order from the Duke of Savoy, a ſmall number was in a remarkable way raiſed up, and upon their firſt eſſay 7 or 8 under the conduct of that worthy Gentleman Ioſua Gianavell (whom God made uſe of as a choiſe inſtrument, to help that poor ſcattered remnant) was made to fight 300 ſouldiers who were ſent to excerce further cruelty in that place, killing many of them and purſueing the reſt for a conſiderable time. After, a party of 500 being ſent by the Marqueſſe of Fianem who then commanded the Duke of Savoyes forces, were oppoſed by 11 of the Proteſtants, and other 6 with ſlings, and after a short conflict were forced to flee with conſiderable ſlaughter, the terrour of the Lord upon the one, and a Spirit of courage and reſolution in the other being very manifeſt. After theſe, there was another party ſent forth of 700 ſouldiers to ſeaſe on all the paſſages, upon which about 17 Maſters of familyes, whoſe hearts God had in ſignal manner ſtrengthned to the battel, for their poor brethrens preſervation, reſolved to caſt themſelves upon the Lord for the ſucceſſe of their undertakings, and with ſuch marvellous boldnes faced their adverſaries as put them in amazement and made them draw off, reſolving to take another way, but vvere ſtill purſued by this little handful, vvho killed many vvithout the loſſe of one man. At an other time the Proteſtants there joyning in a greater number, being 300 under the conduct of the forementioned p. 277Captain Gianavel vvere aſſaulted by 2500 of the adverſaries, but the Lord ſo ordered that this little party getting the advantage of the place, after ſome conflict did force them to retire purſueing them into the vvoods, and ſteep rocks vvith great ſlaughter, and thus vvith a marvellous courage in a continued fight for 8 houres together, did drive the enemy before them. Divers other remarkable paſſages of this kinde, are at more length mentioned in that Hiſtory vvhichwhich the Author after moſt exact ſearch, and enquiry thereanent, doth ſolemnly atteſt, and truely it might be much cauſe for vvonder as it is there obſerved that through the Lords ominent appearance, and his bleſſing on his poor Peoples endeavours, for the intereſt of Religion, and their own preſervation they did in a short time diſpute the matter vvith ſuch a proſperous ſucceſſe, againſt all the forces, vvhichwhich the Duke of Savoy ſent, that their enemyes at laſt began to fear vvhat effect it might produce, and therefore having no better game to play, were glad by a treaty of peace, to get the ſword out of their …nds, how ever they pretended it as a complement, put on neighbouring Princes, who did interceed for the ſame.

Have we not alſo to reckon among the great workes of the Lord in theſe laſt times, Henry the VIII. of England moſt violent in oppoſition to the truth, who by the Pope was ſtiled Defender of the faith upon that account, and for his writing againſt Luther, and yet the ſame man shal be the inſtrument made uſe of by the Lord, to throw down the Pope, & his power in his Dominions and give ſome beginning to a great reformation of the Church there.

Vergerius the popes Nuncio, for many years in Germany, whileſt he is writing againſt the truth, is even then converted, and forced to yeeld to the power of p. 278the ſame, turne Proteſtant, and a zealous preacher of the Goſpel to his death.

Galeacaeus Garracceolus an Italian Marqueſſe of great place, and eſtate in the World; was ſo taken by the hear… with one word in hearing Peter Martyr as made him quite not only all his hopes of preferment, a moſt pleaſant place as was in the earth, and a great inheritance, but to go over the belly of the moſt preſſing intreaties, and inſinuations of his friends, the weeping cryes of his Lady, and Children, and go to a ſtrange place quiting all, that he might preſerve his conſcience, and enjoy fellowship with the Church. O what a ſolemn witnes was this to the truth, and of the conquering power of Chriſt.

And in a word what a marvellous thing was it that poor Luther, againſt whom ſo much of the World was aloft, with greateſt rage and violence, should yet live to an old age, and go to the grave in peace. And truely the Spirit and appearance of this great, and f…ſt witnes to the truth might be a convincing evidence, that the Lord was then to raiſe up a People to himſelfe in whom he would be glorified, by an active teſtimony, as well as by ſuffering.

Beſides theſe inſtances I would here mention ſome remarkable providences worthy indeed to be obſerved, though they are little knowen to the World, which we may ſay doth not only witnes the power of God; but are a convincing ſeal to his truth, and the Churches Reformation in theſe laſt times.

It is a remarkable paſſage which worthy Mr Forbes ſets down under his hand, whileſt he was banished for the truth; whoſe words are theſe. In the year 1607. p. 279being at Ruan in France, and meeting with Monſieur … that auncient, and famous divine, and then Paſtor of the Reformed Church in that city, he had from him this following relation: After the cloſe of the Councel of Trent in the time of Pius the V. there was a conſultation in Italy by the Pope, and Cardinals, for an utter extirpation of the Reformed Churches in Europe; and to this end every Prince of the Romish Religion had a certain part deſigned where this great project should be put in practice; The death of Pius the V. hindred a preſent proſecuting of this deſign. And his ſucceſſor Gregorius XIII. did ſuffer it to ly dead having no heart that way, and ſo until that time of Clemens VIII. it was not revived, but then this bloody reſolution was of new ratified by him, and his Cardinals under their hands, and ſeals; the onelyonly difficulty was in this, to find a fit, and truſty perſon whom they should make uſe of to the Princes of the Romish Religion, for engadgeing them to ſubſcrive the ſaid ordinance, and ſet about the execution thereof: At length a Gentleman of good parts, near in blood to the Cardinal Baronius is choiſed; which to him was a matter of much grief, and ſorrow, for unknown to them he was of the Reformed Religion, but this grief in his countenance, and carriage, put his friends who obſerved the ſame to ſtrange thoughts, and ſo much the more, that he did expreſly declare to ſome of theſe who asked thereanent, that what to them ſeemed a cauſe of rejoycing, was to him a juſt occaſion of grief, yet at laſt finding his ha…ard, upon a bitter challenge from the foreſaid Cardinal who had heard thereof, he judged it his wiſdome to diſſemble, shewing him his unſuitablenes to ſo great an employment could not but be ground of trouble, and fear; and ſo was ſomeway forced to engadge, getting his commiſſions, the decree of the Conclave, with letters to the foreſaid Princes, ſealed, and p. 280ſubſcribed. But lo whileſt this poor Gentleman is on his journey, having found wayes to free himſelf of his ſervants, and other company, his ſpirit was in great perplexity betwixt theſe two grievous temptations, either to be inſtrument of utter ruin to the truth, and Churches of Chriſt, or forſake his countrey, inheritance and all he had in the World, upon which he reſolved to retire himſelf out of the high way to an obſcure village, where for three dayes he gave himſelf to faſting and prayer for direction, and reſolution from the Lord, and after this had his heart ſo ſtrengthned againſt the care of his wordly eſtate, that he reſolved to forſake all, and to reveal this bloody conſpiracy to the Churches of Chriſt, and caſt himſelf on Gods hand for his future eſtate, ſo that he turned his face from Spain, and took journey to France, and to Paris, where at that time remained the ſiſter of Henry the IIII. a Religions Princeſſe, afterwards Dutcheſſe of Lorraine to whom the foreſaid Monſieur Figureus was her preacher, and unto him made his addreſſe (though after divers refuſals of admiſſion upon ſuſpicion) shewing him the whole buſſines, and delivered the ſealed decree with his letters of co…miſſion for that effect, and did likewiſe shew him (who was then aſtonished at ſuch a wonderful providence of God, in foſtering ſome of his own Children in the midſt of Babylon, and that to ſo comfortable an uſe for his Churches ſafety) that there were many others in Italy, yea, in Rome it ſelf of the Reformed Religion, who had their ſecret meetings, and even Gregory the XIII. before his advancement to the Papacy, was throughly clear thereanent in his judgement, whereof he gave him divers evidences: This foreſaid relation did ſo affect Mr Forbes that he shewed his marvellous deſire to ſee that man who had done ſo worthy, and gracious a work for the glory of God and good of his Church, and by a recommendation from p. 281Mouſieur. Figureus, he did afterwards go of ſet …poſe to that place, taking the firſt opportunity for He…delberg, where this Gentleman was then retired for his further ſecurity, and honourably entertaind by that Prince, where he sheweth that he ſaw him, and from his own mouth received the aſſurance of this former narration to his great ſatiſfaction, and comfort: This is the very ſu…me which I have here ſet down and truely …ſcribed off the principale, which I had beſide me, both written, and ſubſcribed by Mr Forbes his own hand.

A remarkable providence I shall alſo here ſet down, which did tryſt with ſome very convincing circumſtances, at the Parliament 1621. at their bringing in of Popish Geremonies upon the Church, which was then a ſad ſtep of the lands defection from the truth, contraire to their engadgements; whileſt the faithful Miniſters of Jeſus Chriſt at that time did with greateſt ſeriousnes and freedome obteſt, and warn theſe who were in power (alace, that now there is litle of ſuch a Spirit appearing) that they would not, to pleaſe men corrupt the Worship of God, but the ſpeat being violent, it did at laſt reſolve in a Law; at which very time, whileſt the Kings Commiſſioner did riſe from the throne to ratify this woeful act, by the touch of the Scepter, was even in this moment of that ratification tryſted by the God of Heaven, with an extraordinary lightning, and very unuſual great claps of thunder, and theſe followed with a moſt ſtrange, and extraordinary darknes, which both for the ſuddennes, and greatnes of the ſame did aſtonish, and affright all who were preſent, and after all, ſo violent a downpowring of rain, as made the ſtreets to run like a river, impriſoning the Lords within that houſe for an houre and an half; and truely as we are not hereon to lay ſtreſſe, or be peremptory in the application of particular providences, p. 282yet, this was ſo very convincing as should not be paſſed without a ſpecial remark, conſidering firſt how at that time many of the choiſe Miniſters of the Land, were together near the town, at faſting, and prayer, bewailing before the Lord ſuch an avowed defection from the truth. 2. That likewiſe this horrid tempeſt, and darknes appeared to theſe who were at ſome diſtances to be moſt directly above the toun, the darknes overshadowing that part …onelyonly, and was not ſo in other places. 3. That they had by the inſtigation of the Prelats; guarded the entry to the Parliament that day, leſt any Miniſters should have entred a proteſtation in behalf of the Church againſt theſe Articles, … thus thought themſelves ſeoure from any oppoſition of that kinde; but whileſt they leaſt ſuſpected, they are met with a more publick, and viſible witnes from Heaven againſt the ſame. 4. Which was alſo moſt ſtrange upon the monday following, whileſt theſe acts were proclained, the Heavens did in the ſame manner, put on darknes with a moſt fearful tempeſt, of th…der lightning and rain, which continued all the time of their reading at the Croſſe. And truely when the Lord thus doubled his warnings it might cry aloud formens obſervation thereof.

The breaking of that journey to New-England which about the year 1636, was ſeriouſly intended by ſome of the choiſe Miniſters and Chriſtians in Ireland, who were then much perſecuted by the Prelates, though not from any fear of their own ſufferings, but with a reſpect to a further liberty to ſerve the Lord in the work of the Goſpel, when that door was …hut upon them in their own countrey: This was truely a ſtrange, and remarkable providence, and their preſervation in ſome kind miraculous, anent which theſe circumſtances are worthy to be obſerved. 1. That whileſt their veſſel amidſt a tempeſtrous ſea, and far from any land, p. 283was like a riddle with ſo many lakes, yea, the rudder of the Ship breaking, ſo that the Pilots were turned wholly hopeleſſe, and could not ſee any ground of ſafety in an ordinary way, a poor ſea man by a remarkable providence, whoſe company they had much shunned was made the inſtrument of preſerving the whole veſſel, with a marvellous dexterity faſtening the rudder, which others had given over, as one viſibly ſent by the Lord for that end. 2. The ſtrong perſwaſion that ſome of theſe worthy Miniſters had of their ſafety, which with great confidence they declared before the paſſengers, whileſt the Pilot, and others were giving it over as a hopeleſſe buſſineſſe, and ſeeing a convincing neceſſity for a return though it was very aſtonishing, and bitter at the firſt look, yet was: afterwards followed with a clear diſcovery from the Lord, as one of them with much freedom did expreſſe his aſſurance to the reſt of his brethren, that ſince the Lord would not accept their ſervice in America, they should not want work, and ſervice, whither he was ſending them back by ſo remarkable a providence, as within a short time was evident, the downfal of the Prelats in Scotland and after in Ireland tryſting shortly upon the back thereof, ſo that it may be ſaid this was a convincing preſage thereof, the Lord by a ſtrong hand bringing back ſuch choiſe, and uſeful inſtruments for that great harveſt vvhichwhich did after follovv, ſo that they could not but ſay, the Lord did in a very marvellous, and immediat vvay appear in that croſſe vvind, and ſtorm, and thereby as if vvith an audible voice did vvitnes his minde in ſuch a diſappointment. 3. It vvas alſo moſt obſervable that none of theſe vvho on the account of their conſciences, that they might enjoy the purity of the ordinances, vvent in that journey vvas the vvorſe, but had a ſafe return, only ſome perſons vvho upon another account, expecting a fat ſoil, and outward p. 284advantage in that place, and had unexpectedly ſlipt in the veſſel, did all dye upon the ſea ſave one being 5 in number, and it vvas alſo vvonderful upon their return hovv the Lord as he had ſtayed the rage of the ſea, did alſo ſtill the tumults of People, vvhichwhich they found by experience, ſo that it did evidently give a dash, and became a terrour to their adverſaries.

I muſt here alſo ſet down a very ſingular, and ſtrange inſtance, we may ſay both of judgement and mercy which was in this land, not many yeares ago, a Gentleman whoſe ſtyle was Waſtraw a moſt bloodyman, and otherwayes notour for profanity, but moſt in this, that it vvas his great vvork, and pleaſure to put difference betvvixt men, and as it vvas at that time very eaſy to engadge them in blood, vvhileſt he had thus ſtirred up a neighbour Gentleman to kill an other in that place, finding him after ſore troubled in mind thereanent, he told him more of that practice vvould be the beſt cure, for he himſelf had killed 6, and at the firſt time was much diſquieted, but the longer he did continue, it became the more eaſy. But one day vvhileſt he vvas on ſuch an account riding to a place vvhere 2 had tryſted to decide a privat quarrel by fighting, his horſe ſtumbles on the ſide of a ſteep rock, and he falls a great vvay dovvn, his ſvvord falling out before him, yet vvithout any hurt; and here by ſuch a ſtrange piece of providence did the Lord tryſt and break in upon his conſcience, ſo that he quits his journey turns home vvith great trouble and remorſe, a moſt kindly change follovving thereon, and for ſome yeares after vvitneſſed much tendernes and repentance by his after vvalk, ſpent much time alone mourning before his death, and that day he dyed having no viſible appearance thereof to theſe vvho looked on, he vvas heard in his chamber much vvreſtling in prayer, and after long continuance, theſe of the houſe vvere forced to break up the p. 285door getting no anſwer after their long knocking, & finds him dead in the room, but upon his knees in a prayer poſture, & the vvhole blood of his body, vvhichwhich from every paſſages thereof had iſſued out, ſvveeming about him in the floore, it being viſible hovv all theſe pasſages vvere opened for that effect, a moſt aſtonishing inſtance, declaring this to the World, though He pardon the inquity of his People, yet ſome ſins he vvill not let pasſe vvithout a viſible mark of his anger, but vvill take vengeance on their inventions.

What an obſervation pasſage is that alſo, knovvn to many yet alive, anent a notorious robber in the ſouth parts of this land, called Iohn of the Score who for many years having driven that woefull trade did one day rencounter a poor man travelling with 2 horſes which he according to his cuſtome takes away, the poor countryman falling down on his knees, did earneſtly beg, that for Jeſus Chriſts ſake, he would give the one again, for he had no more to maintain his poor family, but what he could gain by them, but it was in vain, he carryeth them home with him, leaving the poor man in that deſolate condition, but a little after, he turns dumpish, and melancholy, could get no reſt, or quiet not knowing the cauſe, but as he profeſſed, that theſe words the poor man had ſpoke to him, (though he was ſo great an Atheiſt, that he underſtood not what he meant when he ſpake of Chriſt) were lying like a heavy weight upon his ſpirit, and whileſt he was ſought after for his robberies he deſired his ſonnes to shift for themſelves, for he could not go out of the vvay, there being a reſtraint upon him, and ſomething vvithin him that in a kinde bound him from going out of the way, and thus ſtayed at his houſe until he was apprehended, brought in to Edinburgh and there put up in priſon, upon which a godly Miniſter Mr Henry Blyth, with a Chriſtian Gentleman William Cunir ghame Tutor of Bonitoun p. 286who had ſometimes known him, make a viſit, holding forth to him his miſerable eſtate, and the he…rd of his ſoul, (for he vvas judged by the Law to dye) and amongſt other vvords shewing him the neceſſity to flee to Jeſus Chriſt, he doth ſuddenly break out vvith a cry, O what word is that, for it hath been my death, that is the word that hath lyen upon my heart ſince the poor man ſpake it to me; ſo that I had no power from that time to go out of the way, and after being told what an one Chriſt vvas vvithout whom he could not be ſaved, he cryeth. O will he ever look to me, and shew mercy, that for his ſake would not shew mercy to that poor man, and give him back his horſe, but after further inſtruction, a moſt real, and gracious change did appear upon him, he gave moſt convincing evidences of the reality thereof, attained to great aſſurance before his death, and upon the ſcaffold in the publick ſtreets vvhere he vvas executed did ſpeak ſo vvonderfully of the Lords dealing vvith him, and vvith ſuch knovvledge, and judgement, as left a conviction on all preſent, and forced them to ſee a truth, and reality in the grace of God.

An other notable inſtance of grace, vvith a very remarkable paſſage in his condition, I shall here mention, one Patrick Mackelwrath vvho lived in the vveſt parts of Scotland vvhoſe heart the Lord in a remarkable vvay touched, and after his converſion, as he shevved to many of his Chriſtian friends vvas in ſuch a frame ſo affected vvith that nevv World vvherein he vvas entred, the diſcoveries of God, and of a life to come, that for ſome moneths together he did ſcarce ever ſleep but vvas ſtill taken up in vvondring, his life vvas very remarkable for tenderneſſe, and near converſe vvith God in his vvalk, and vvhichwhich vvas vvorthy to be noticed, one day after a sharp tryal, having his only ſon ſuddenly taken avvay by death he retired alone for ſeveral houres, and vvhen he came forth did look ſo chearfully p. 287that to thoſe who asked him the reaſon thereof, & vvondered at the ſame in ſuch a time, he told them he had got that in his retirement vvith the Lord, that to have it afterwards renewed he would be content to loſſe a ſon every day. This one remarkable paſſage I would ſet down, it had been long his burden the want of memory that he could retain almoſt nothing of what he heard from the word, and bitterly complaining thereof to worthy Maſter James English Miniſter of Daly, his counſel to him was when he heard any truth which he deſired to remember, to hold it up to the Lord, and deſire him to keep it for him, and give him it back according to his need, which accordingly this bleſſed man did with much ſeriouſnes practice, and on his death bed, to his Miniſter, and divers Chriſtians that were preſent, he did ſolemnly declare how wonderfully the Lord had anſvvered, and condeſcended to him in that particular, for as they knew how much formerly it had been his burden, the want of memory, now the Lord had given him back all theſe truths that he had put in his keeping, ſo that what for many yeares before he had heard, was now moſt clearly brought to his remembrance, which he witneſſed by repeating many particular truths, and notes of Sermons which at ſuch, and ſuch times he had heard.

Now to shut up this, we have truely cauſe to ſay even from late experience ſince this dark night came upon the Church in theſe Nations, with ſo sharp a ſtorm of perſecution, there hath not wanted ſome very ſignal, and convincing providences witneſſing the Lords appearance for his People, and againſt their enemyes; which are worthy of a remark, and may let men ſee that there is one higher then the higheſt, who ruleth in the Kingdomes of the Children of men, for it is manifeſt.

p. 2881. How eminently the Lord did appear in breaking that party vvho had been the great inſtruments both in Counſel, and Action to break the governement of the Church of Chriſt in this land, and lay ſo much of his vineyeard waſte, and deſolate, and this, in the height of their povver, and greatnes, vvhileſt they ſeemed moſt firmly rooted. O hovv evident vvas a divine hand there, that this Cabbal vvho made it their great work to raiſe up Prelacy, and oppreſſe the poor Church, and like a violent tempeſt did carry all before them, in a moment, vvhen they could have leaſt expected, should be made to fall, yea, in ſo short a time be turned out of their places, and offices, who but a little before had turned out ſo many of the faithfull Miniſters of Chriſt, and that great man, who put forth his power and authority ſo much to turn many of the godly of the Land both Miniſters and others, out of their houſes and familyes, toſſing them from place to place, should thus be dealt with from the Lord, and recompenced vvith that meaſure, being forced to quite his lodging once, and again, yea, even to banish himſelf out of the countrey, vvho had been the chief inſtrument to banish ſome of the moſt choiſe ſervants of Chriſt, and this ſtroke alſo made to tryſt them from that hand whence they could have leaſt exepected, whoſe intereſt they ſtudied to promote in oppoſition to Gods; truely I should deſire to ſtudy ſobriety, and fear in application of the judgements of God, but vvhen the Lord doth ſo clearly reveal himſelf and shevv forth ſuch an evident reſemblance, betvvixt mens ſins, and their ſtroke, it cryeth aloud for a ſerious obſerving thereof.

2. Should vve paſſe without a remark ſo ſolemn 2 vvitnes from the Lord of his reſpect to his Peoples ſufferings in this late time? for it is knovvn, vvith vvhat marvellous reſolution, and chearfulnes, theſe have p. 289been carried through, who were called forth to reſiſt unto the blood in their adherence to the truth, witneſſing to the conviction of onlookers even their greateſt enemyes, ſomething above Roman Gallantry, yea, ſomething above nature in that ſtayednes and elevation of their Spirits, and as ſome of all rancks in the land the Lord would have brought forth to ſeal, and witnes his truth, and the work of Reformation, ſo it hath been alſo clear, that none wanted a large meaſure of ſupport, and ſtrength for the tryall, their ſuffering ſtill giving a further dash to their adverſaries.

3. It is alſo manifeſt, and may be truly matter of wonder, by what a marvellous providence ſo many ſuffering and deſolat familyes have been carried through without any obvious noiſe of their ſtraites, now for theſe divers yeares, with ſuch convincing chearfulnes, yea, the experience of many made to witnes that they never leſſe knew a ſtrait, then ſince they were put from the ordinary meanes of their ſupport, and others who have been more sharply tryed, could not reckon any ſuch plunging ſtrait and difficulty, but have alſo found outgate by ſome remarkable providence tryſted, I am very ſure amongſt other advantages yet of theſe times, this shall be one, a large Regiſter of Experience, and remarkable confirmations of the truth of the word, and promiſe, which the godly have had under this sharp tryal, that will be ſweet matter for an after reckoning and a greater gain then any loſſe their former ſufferance did occaſion, Yea, have not ſeen, what in an ordinary way looked as irrecoverable, a ſtroke which a generation could not have made up, hath been a mean the Lord hath choiſed to promote his glory, and thereby declare himſelfe to be God, hath he not made us ſee, how eaſy it is for him to turn the sharpeſt ſtorm to the great advantage of his Church, that he can act in deſperate p. 290caſes, above the skill both of Angels, and men, and truely though we should be brought yet more low, even to the place of Dragons, this may uphold the shaking hearts of his People, and be ſolid ground of confidence, that Chriſts power and faithfulnes is this day engadged for his Church, and truth, he muſt encreaſe, his Kingdome is upon the riſing hand, and shall yet have a more glorious appearance in the World, what ever become of inſtruments, the reviving of his work is not in the reverence of men, and ſince we know the Lord hath ſolemnly declared war againſt Antichriſt, and all who will oppoſe the ſpreading of the Goſpel in theſe laſt times, yea, hath paſt his word to the Church, for the fall and ruin of that adverſary, fall he muſt though the duſt of the earth should ariſe for that end, and it is ſure Prelacy muſt alſo wither, that hath its life, and ſap from that accurſed root; they have this day a deſperat cauſe in hand, who do engadge their power to ſupport the throne of the Beaſt, for they run in the way of the wrath, and vengeance of the Lord, and shall ſurely involve themſelves in that ruin; though they were the greateſt Princes of the earth. I shall onelyonly adde, we have much ground in theſe times to believe that the Lord shall yet appear, and make himſelf known in the earth, by as great, and convincing providences both of judgement and mercy, as in any former ages, and thus vindicat his glory, and refute the Atheiſme of this generation, by ſuch an argument, as shall force iniquity to ſtop its mouth.

Now ſince this is ſure, which none can get denyed if they will but allow ſome ſerious thoughts thereanent, that the Scripture falleth not to the ground, for Gods way is perfect and his word is tryed, Pſ. 18: ver. 30. O is it not alſo ſure, and a concluſion well grounded that He is a buckler to thoſe who trust in him, none needs fear to venture his intereſts through time on the word, yea, if there could be any thing greater then a Heaven, or p. 291eternal ſalvation, the teſtimony of the God of truth might be ſufficient ſecurity for the ſame, it is a ſmall matter how this World doth reel, and ſtagger, or what be the changes of outward things, that is eneugh, the promiſes of the Word shall certainly take place and the expectation of the Saints shall not make them ashamed.

FINIS,