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shall say no more to this, but desire my blessing to all my friends in Christ; and now, I must bid farewell to all earthly pleasures and enjoyments, all kinsfolk and relations, and farewell to my loving mother, and all other friends, and welcome Christ, heaven, and eternity, and farewell sorrow and sighing, and farewell losses and crosses, punishments and banishments, farewell all earthly sorrows, and welcome Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for evermore ; Even so, come, Lord Jesus, come quickly,' and receive my spirit! Amen. Sic Sub.-JOHN CLYDE."*

XXIX. THOMAS BROWN AND OTHERS.

SECT. III. THEIR DYING Speech.

[The designation we have given to the following paper is in a great measure arbitrary. We conceive it, however, justified by the probable design with which it was written, and for any thing certain, that appears to the contrary-which it actually served. It seems to embrace a brief view of the principal topics discussed in their Joint Testimony, which they probably reduced to this more concise form, with the intention of delivering it at the place of execution. Whether it was so delivered or not, we have not ascertained. But at all events, it being necessary to distinguish it by a separate title, the present one seemed proper, from certain forms of expression employed in it, especially towards the beginning.]

"Men and Brethren,-We are come here this day in your presence to lay down this life of ours, being in our own defence, and defence of the gospel, as ye know we are bound in the covenants, to defend our religion, lives, liberties, and all in our stations. My dear friends, mind your vows and engagements, that ye are lying under, and the Church of Scotland is lying under this day. Now we come to give you an account of the reasons, why we are come here to this place of execution, this day. The thing was, our refusing of a bond, which we could not take, no not for our lives, which were offered us, upon condition of subscribing it. 1. The first thing that was in it, was that we should acknowledge our being at Bothwell-bridge to be rebellion, which we profess to be our duty. 2. We are commanded never to lift arms against the king and his authority, in which authority these acts establishing prelacy and the supremacy are included. So we are commanded to maintain and defend them, never to rise against them, which we know to be contrary to sound doctrine. So according to our covenant we give our witness and testimony against them, and as for rebellion, we never intended any such thing against the king or his lawful authority, which we are all sworn to defend, with our lives, and all that we have, in our station. But our appearing at Bothwell

• Naphtali, pp. 488-495.

bridge we count no rebellion, but our bounden duty, and no sin, for it was grievous to our hearts to see the work of God borne down, and trode under foot by a generation that have discovered themselves to be stated enemies to the cross of Christ, by shutting up his faithful servants of the ministry, some in the rocks of the sea, part also banished, others expelled to corners, private persons being put to flee to mountains, rocks, dens, and caves of the earth; so, we thought ourselves obliged in our station to appear there with others, for the defence of the gospel, according as we are all sworn in the National and Solemn League and Covenants, and Solemn Acknowledgment of Sins, to defend the work of reformation against Popery, Prelacy, Quakerism, and all manner of unsound doctrines and wicked practices abounding in these times. So also, my friends, when we considered the bonds of these covenants that we are all lying under, we durst not subscribe any other bonds contrary unto them. Wherefore, we desire all the Lord's people, in so far as it may consist with the word of God, [to consider] the engagements of these covenants that are lying upon them. As for our part, when we considered the obligations of them, we thought it was not a time for us to lie at ease in Zion, lest we should bring the curse of Meroz upon ourselves, if we went not out to the help of the Lord against the mighty;' for ye know it is said in the word, Shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?' So we give our witness and testimony to the cross of Christ, and blessed be the Lord that ever we appeared at Bothwell-bridge for the defence of his persecuted cause, which within a little we shall seal with our blood.

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"We desire you all not to cast a reproach on that late appearing at Bothwell-bridge, lest ye state God an enemy against you; for we bless him that ever he fell upon such a method with the like of us, as to make us appear for so honourable a cause as that.

"We give our joint witness and testimony against Popery, Prelacy, and all other corruptions abounding in these loose times, particularly against bishops, curates, and malignants, and all who connive with them in that black course they are in for the present, and strengthen the hands of the adversary, in carrying on a course of defection. And we give our testimony against indifferent and lukewarm professors, who follow Christ as the times make for them. We give our testimony against all profligate and wicked livers, who know not God, nor will acknowledge him to be Head of his church, whose judgment lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.' We give our testimony against that calumny cast upon presbyterians, that they are not loyal to their king, which aspersion as false we abhor; so we desire you all to obey your king in all his lawful commands, according as ye are bound in the word of God, and your covenants: but when God's laws and the king's laws are contrary one to another, do not stretch your consciences for the saving of your life; for he that seeks to save his life, shall lose it,' saith Christ; but he who loseth his life, for my sake, shall find it.'

"Likewise, we give our testimony against the taking of unlawful bonds or declarations for the saving of the life, for which cause we come here to lay down our lives, even for refusing to take such

bonds; we bless the Lord who hath kept us free from these things, and we hope to praise Him through all eternity: for since he called us to the hardest task, which is not hard at all through his help, but very refreshful, he has fully made out unto us, that he sends none a warfare upon their own charges; and also that promise in Isa. xli. 10. Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.' So, my friends,' Cast not away your confidence, which hath a great recompense of reward; for ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye may receive the promise:' no more, but we commit 'you to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up unto the day of redemption.' Ye will get our mind more fully in another paper elsewhere. Farewell time, and all earthly enjoyments; welcome blessed Christ; into thy hands we commit our spirits.

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THOMAS BROWN, ANDREW SWORD, JAMES WOOD, JOHN CLYDE, JOHN WADDEL."*

XXX. THOMAS BROWN AND OTHERS.

SECT. IV. THEIR LAST Words.

[We have stated it as uncertain, whether the preceding speech was actually delivered by these Five sufferers. And though we have no decisive evidence on the point to the contrary, it seems most probable that it was not, particularly from the following title prefixed to the present article as given in Naphtali: "A short sum of what was delivered upon the place of execution, by these five men who suffered at Magus Moor in Fife, being sentenced to die in that place, upon the account of the bishop of St. Andrews' death."From the latter part of this announcement, it has frequently been supposed that these individuals were charged or chargeable with the death of the Primate. The contrary of this we have already shown to have been the case. It is pleasing to observe from the details which follow, that the same unshrinking resolution, decided principle, and stedfast confidence, which characterize their testimonies, were evident in their last and dying moments.]

1. THOMAS BROWN.

THOMAS BROWN was the first of the Five that was executed. After he was settled upon the ladder, he said, that Providence having ordered his coming there, to die in that place upon the account of the bishop's death: he behoved to declare unto the world, and before these witnesses, his innocence. "Some of you," said he, may judge our dying and hanging here is upon the account of the

• Naphtali, pp. 496-499.

bishop's death; and that I was accessory thereunto: but I must tell you as to that, that I was never in this country before this time but the ground of my sentence is, because I will not call my being with that party that was in arms at Bothwell-bridge, rebellion: and because I will not take that bond so vigorously pressed by adversaries, and persuaded unto by friends: Therefore I am here to offer my life a sacrifice to God. And for my part, in rising in arms I intended no rebellion, but was there with that party in defence of the gospel, which I judged my duty, and I hope you yourselves cannot deny it. As for these favours offered to, and received by many preaching the gospel, entering through the indulgence first and last, I look upon them as the ruin of the Church of Scotland" And speaking of the work of reformation, he cited that scripture, Lev. xxvi. 25. That the Lord would arise, and avenge the quarrel of his broken covenant;' and that in Ezek. xvii. 15. Shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?' "And though that poor handful had no success, yet it hath been the lot of the people of God in former times, that the children of Ephraim turned their backs, though they lacked neither bow nor sword.' After he had prayed, he blessed the Lord, that if this day every hair of his head were a man, and every drop of his blood were a life, he would cordially and heartily lay them down for Christ and the cause for which he is now sentenced.*

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2. ANDREW SWORD.

ANDREW SWORD sang the xxxiv. Psalm, and thereafter said, "The bishop of St. Andrews' death I am free of, having lived four or five score miles from this, and having never been in this place before : neither did I ever see a bishop in the face that I knew to be a bishop. My coming here is for refusing to take the bond at Edinburgh: I bless the Lord for keeping me from that snare: I bless the Lord for keeping me since I came to prison, both at Edinburgh and St. Andrews. I exhort you all to seek the Lord, and not to fear suffering, but to credit the Lord for through-bearing. I bear testimony against the wicked abominations of these times, named by him, that is gone before me and I cannot but commend Christ and his cross to you. I would not exchange my lot for a thousand worlds. Farewell all created comforts." Then he prayed before he died.†

3. JAMES WOOD.

JAMES WOOD being upon the ladder, said, "As for our comin here upon the account of the bishop's death, for my own part, I was never in this part of the country before, nor ever saw I a bishop in my life, that I could say there was the man. I am here this day to lay down my life that God hath given me, because I could not call my appearance in arms with those at Bothwell-bridge, rebellion; and because I would not take the bond. As for my own part, I am so far from calling or thinking it rebellion, that I bless God I was a man to be there with that party, though a man most unable for war, and † Ibid. p. 500.

• Naphtali, pp. 499, 500.

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unskilful because of my infirm arm. And all the arms I had was a halbert upon my shoulder; and it was not for any thing I did or could do with it; but I behoved to be there, to show my good will to the work of God, and the respect I had to the interest of our Lord. For I got a command or charge from God, as though he had been a most strict Master, to go and join with that party, and venture my life, which I did most cheerfully: and I bless God that gave me a life to lay down for his cause; and though in remarkable providence he took not my life in that day, yet for holy and good ends, he spared it to lay it down this day. And now, my friends, I am so far from rueing any thing, that I have done that day, in my appearing for Christ and his cause, that I would heartily (wish, if I were to live) to see as many men every year for the defence of the gospel gathered together, and I would count it my honour to be with them. It was my desire to the Lord, that he would let me die a martyr, and I sought it of him; and blessed be his name he hath answered me according to that scripture, Delight thyself in the Lord, and he shall give thee the desire of thy heart; and now he hath granted me the desire of my heart on earth, and I shall have the desire of my heart throughout all eternity; and what would any of you have more, Sirs? And now, my friends, I am not a whit afraid to go up this ladder, and to lay down my life this day; for it is the best day that ever yet mine eyes saw; and I am as sure of my interest, as the word of God, and the Lord's Spirit by his word can make me;"--whereat he smiled. Afterwards he said, "I bless the Lord again for honouring me so highly, as to lay down my life for this cause." And turning himself about to some friends, he said, "If I had another life to lay down to-morrow, it were something, but he will accept of this as the widow's mite, for I have no more." And being up almost to the top of the ladder, plucking up the napkin, he said, "Now I am going to lay down this life, and to step out of time into eternity, and if I had as many lives as there are hairs on mine head, and drops of blood in my body, I would willingly lay them down for Christ, and for you all that are here upon Christ's account. It is like, you may think this a frothy word, but it is the word of a dying man." And turning to his friends, he said, "Seek him, for he is well worth the seeking; credit him, Sirs, give him meikle credit, for he is well worth the crediting, and blame yourselves if you want; for he wants but employment, and he likes well to be employed: and make the bargain sure. Take hills and mountains, or wood, or trees, or any thing that's near to you, to witness; and see if once ye can get a hair in his neck, for he will be as good as his promise; get once his promise, and I warrant you."

4. JOHN WAddel.

JOHN WADDEL, being on the ladder, said, "As for my accession to the bishop's death, wherefore we are sentenced to die in this place, I declare I was never over the water of Forth, in this country, before this time. I have only two words to say to you, my friends, for I

Naphtali, pp. 500-502.

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