A New Martyrology, Introduction 2 · Life 7
The Earl of Argyle.
WE must now take a step over into Scotland that poor Country, which has been harass'd and tired for these many years to render them perfect Slaves, that they might help to enslave England, to prevent which, and secure the Protestant Religion, which 'twas grown impossible to do, but by Arms; this good Lord embark'd from Holland about the same time with the Duke, and arrived in Scotland with what Forces he could make; to which were added some others who joyn'd him; which after several Marches and Counter-Marches, were at length led into a Boggy sort of a place on pretence, or with intention to bring him off from the other Army then upon the heels of 'em, where they all lost one another, dispers'd and shifted for themselves; the E. being taken by a Country-man, and brought to Edinburgh, where he suffer'd for his former unpardonable Crime— requiring Care shou'd be taken of the Protestant Religion, and explaining his taking the Test conformable thereto; for the Legality of which he had the hands of most of the eminent Lawyers about the City. He suffer'd at Edinburgh the 30th of June, 1685. His Speech has a great deal of Piety and Religion, nor will it be any disgrace to say, 'twas more like a Sermon.—'Tis as follows.
The Earl of Argyle's last Speech, June 30. 1685.
JOB tells us, Man that is born of a Woman, is of few days and full of trouble; and I am a clear Instance of it. I shall not now say any thing of my Sentence, or escape about three years and a half ago; nor of my return, lest I may thereby give Offence, or be tedious: Only being to end my days in your Presence, I shall, as some of my last Words, assert the truth of the matter of Fact, and the Sincerity of my Intentions, and Professions that are published.
That which I intend mainly now to say, is, To express my humble, and (I thank God) chearful Submission to his Divine Will; and my willingness to forgive all Men, even my Enemies, and I am heartily well satisfied there is no more Blood spilt, and I shall wish the stream thereof may stop at me: And that (if it please God) to say, as to Zerubbabel, Zech. 4.6. Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts.
I know Afflictions spring not out of the dust: God did wonderfully deliver and provide for me, and has now by his special Providence brought me to this place; and I hope none will either insult, or stumble at it, seeing they ought not; for God Almighty does all things well, for good and holy. Ends, tho we do not always understand it. Love and hatred is not known by what is before us, Eccles. 9.1. and 8.11, 12, 13.
Afflictions are not only foretold, but promised to Christians; and are not only tolerable: but desirable.
We ought to have a deep Reverence and Fear of God's displeasure; but withall, a firm hope and dependance on him for a blessed Issue, in compliance with his Will; for God chastens his own, to re…ine them, and not to ruine them, whatever the World may think, Heb. 12.3. to 12. Prov. 3.11, 12. 2 Tim. 1.8. 2 Tim. 2.11, 12. Math. 10.18. to 40. Matth. 16.24. to 28.
We are to imitate our Saviour in his Sufferings, as 1 Pet. 2.23. and 1 Pet. 4.16. to 20.
We are neither to despise our Afflictions, nor to faint under them; both are extreams.
We are not to suffer our Spirits to be exasperated against the Instruments of our trouble; for the same Affliction may be an effect of their Passion, and yet sent by God to punish us for sin: Tho 'tis a comfort when we may say to them, with David, Psal. 59.3. Not for my transgession, nor for my sin, O Lord.
Nor are we, by fraudulent, pusillanimous Compliances in wicked Courses, to bring sin upon our selves: Faint Hearts are ordinary false Hearts; choosing Sin rather than Sufferings, and a short Life with eternal Death, before Temporal Death and a Crown of Glory: Such seeking to save a litle, loses all; and God readily hardens them to proceed to their own destruction. How many, like Haza…l, 2 King. 8.13. run to excesses they never thought they were capable of! Let Rulers and others read seriously, and weigh Prov. 1.10. to 20. 2 Chr. 28.6. to 17. Prov. 24.11, 12. and Prov. 2… ▪ 10. and avoid what is bad, and follow what is good
For me, I hope by Gods strength to joyn with Job, chap. 13.15. and the Psalmist, Psal. 22.4. and 167. and shall pray, as Psal. 74.19. to 24. And Psal. 122.6. to 9. And Luke 1.74, 75. and shall hope, as Psal. 94.14, 15.
I do freely forgive all that directly or indirectly have b…n …he cause of my being brought to this place, first or last; and I pray God forgive them. I pray God send Truth and Peace in these Three Kingdoms; and continue and increase the glorious Light of the Gospel, and restrain the Spirit of Prophanity, Atheism, Superstition, Popery, and Persecution, and restore all that have back-slidden from the Purity of their Life or Principles; and bless his whole People with all Blessings, spiritual and temporal, and put an end to their present Trials.
And I intreat all People to forgive me wherein I have offended, and concur with me to pray, That the great, good, and merciful God would sanctifie my present Lot, and for Jesus Christ his sake Pardon all my Sins, and receive me to his Eternal Glory.
It is suggested to me, That I have said nothing of the Royal Family; and it remembers me, that before the Justices at my Trial about the Test, I said, That at my Death I would pray, That there should never want one of the Royal Family to be a Defender of the True, Ancient, Apostolick, Catholick, Protestant Faith; which I do now: And that GOD would enlighten and forgive all of them that are either luke-warm, or have shrunk from the Profession of it. And in all Events, I pray God may provide for the Security of his Church, that Antichrist, nor the Gates of Hell may never prevail against it.