in taking the office of clerk register, and sitting and presiding in some meetings at London, after Cromwell's death. In the year 1657, after many and long struggles against Cromwell's usurpation, when he was sent up from Scotland about some important affairs, he was prevailed upon to re-enter upon his former office of the clerk register, by Cromwell, who was abundantly sensible how much it would be for his interest to have so bright a person gained over to him. During five years and more, he wrestled and acted with the utmost vigour for the king's interest, and being a man of great resolution, he both spoke very openly, and wrote against Scotsmen's submitting to take offices under the usurper. I have it from good hands, that in the meeting at Edinburgh, which sent him up to London upon business, he reasoned against, and to his utmost opposed his being sent up. With great ingenuity he acquainted them with what he thought was his weak side, and that he was sensible of the easiness of his temper, and that he could not resist importunity, and begged he might not be sent among snares; but after all he was peremptorily named. My lord's family was numerous, and very considerable sums were owing him, which he had advanced for the public service, and a good many years of bygone salaries: and when no other way appeared to recover what was justly his, he

ness and malice of physicians; then he delivered the above discourse, and repeated it again on the other side of the scaffold. After this he prayed with the greatest fervour and humility, beginning thus, "Abba, Abba, Father, Father, accept this thy poor sinful servant, coming unto thee through the merits of Jesus Christ," &c. After he had taken his leave of his friends, he

prayed again at the foot of the ladder, cheerfully resigning God's interests and his own soul into the hands of his heavenly Father. There were

no ministers allowed to be with him, but a person present observed, that there was no missing of ministers there, and the Lord made good those blessed words, Phil. iv. 19. and 2 Cor. i. 5. The executioner came to him desiring his forgiveness, to whom he said, "the Lord forgive thee, poor man, which I also do," and gave him some money, and bade him do his work right. He was helped up the ladder by some of his friends in deep mourning: as he

ascended, he said, "your prayers, your prayers; I desire your prayers in the name of the Lord;" so great at all times was his esteem of prayers.

The other circumstances of his death have been already noticed in the history.

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was, through importunity, prevailed upon to fall in with the usurper, there being now no other door open for his relief. Thus he fell before the temptation that all flesh, even the best, may appear to be, grass. After his compliance he was observed to be generally sad and heavy, and not what he had been formerly; neither did his outward affairs thrive much upon his hand. But it is certain enough, that it was neither his lamented compliance under the usurpation, nor his great activity in the work of reformation, both which the government now were pretty much above; but a personal prejudice and pique at this good man, for his freedom in reproving vice, was at bottom of this bitter persecuting him to the death. This was what could never be forgot or forgiven, either to him or the marquis of Argyle, as was pretty plainly intimated to the earl of Bristol, when interceding for my lord Warriston. I have an account of this holy freedom my lord used, from a reverend minister not many years ago dead, who was his chaplain at the time, and took the freedom to advise my lord not to adventure upon it: yet this excellent person having the glory of God, and the honour of religion more in his eye than his own safety, went on in his designed reproof; and would not for a compliment quit the peace he expected in his own conscience, be the event what it would by disburdening himself. He got a great many fair words, and all was pretended to be taken well from my good lord register, but as he was told by his wellwishers, it was never forgot.

To shut up this section, my lord Warriston was a man of great learning and eloquence, of very much wisdom, and extraordinary zeal for the public cause of religion and reformation, in which he was a chief actor; but above all, he was extraordi nary in piety and devotion, as to which he had scarce any equal in the age he lived in. One who was his intimate acquaintance says, he spent more time, notwithstanding the great throng of public business upon his hand, in prayer, meditation, and close observation of providences, and self-examination, than any ever he knew or heard of: and as he was very diligent in making ob

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servations of the Lord's way, so he was visited with extraordinary discoveries of the Lord's mind, and very remarkable providences. He wrote a large diary, which yet remains in the hands of his relations, an invaluable treasure of Christian experiences and observations; and, as 1 am told by one who had the happiness to see some part of it, there is mixed in sometimes matters of fact very little known now, which would bring a great deal of light to the history of Scots affairs, in that period wherein he lived. There he records his sure hopes after wrestling, in which he was mighty, that the church of Scotland would be mercifully visited, and freed from the evils she fell under after the restoration. His numerous family he left upon the Lord's providence cheerfully, who provided as well for most of them, as they could have expected though he had continued in his outward prosperity. But it is time to come forward to other particular sufferers this year.

SECT. V.

Of the particular hardships and suffering of great numbers of ministers, gentlemen, and others, this year, 1663.

HAVING delayed the accounts of the severe persecution of vast numbers of presbyterian ministers, gentlemen, and people this year, especially before the council, to this place; I come now to give them altogether, mostly from the records of that court, and that much in the order of time they lie in.

The council are scarce ended with the west country ministers last year, and their banishing good numbers to foreign places, yea, even before the banished ministers went off, but they begin, February 24th, a new process against a greater number of ministers in Galloway. Few or none in that synod had conformed, and, we have heard, the bishop's diocesan meeting was adjourned, because there were few or none to wait upon it: therefore, probably at his instigation, the council pass the following act. "The lords of his majesty's privy council being informed, that there are several ministers in the diocese of Galloway, who not

only contrary to the order of council, dated at Glasgow, October 1st last, do continue at their former residences and churches, but in manifest contempt thereof, and contrary to the indulgence granted them by the late act, dated December 23d last, do yet persist in their wicked practices, still labouring to keep the hearts of people from the present government in church and state, by their pernicious doctrine; and more particularly that Messrs. Archibald Hamilton minister at Wigton, William Maitland at Whitthorn, Robert Richardson at Mochrum, George Wauch at Kirkindair, Alexander Ross at Kirkowan, Alexander (it ought to be Fergusson) Hutcheson at Sorbie, ministers in the presbytery of Wigton; Messrs. Alexander Pedin at the Muirchurch of Glenluce, John Park at the Shappel, Thomas Kennedy at Lisward, James Lawrie at Stainkirk, James Wilson at Kirkmaiden, John M'Broom at Portpatrick, ministers within the presbytery of Stranraer; Messrs. Patrick Peacock at Kirmabreck, William Erskine minister at Garston, Adam Kay minister at Borg, Robert Fergusson at Boittil, Samuel Arnot at Tongland, John Wilkie at Twinam, James Buglos minister at Corsmichael, Thomas Warner at Balmaclelland, John Cant at Kells, Adam Alison at Balmagie, John M'Michan at Dalry, John Duncan at Dundrenean and Rerick, and Thomas Thomson minister at Parton, ministers in the presbytery of Kirkcudbright; and Mr. Alexander Smith at Cowend and Siddick, are chief instruments in carrying on that wicked course: have therefore ordained letters to be directed against the forenamed persons, charging and commanding them, and every one of them, to remove themselves, wives, bairns, servants, goods and gear, forth and from their respective dwellingplaces and manses, and out of the bounds of the presbytery where now they live, betwixt and the 20th day of March next; and that they do not take upon them to exercise any part of the ministerial function: and also charging them to appear before the council, the 24th of March next to come, to answer for their former disobedience; with certification as is above specified."

In the registers there are five or six of those ministers' names blank, and only the name of the parishes, which I have filled up from another list I have before me; by which I find, that Mr. Robert Fergusson and Mr. James Lawrie were ordained before the (year) 1649, and so in law came not under the two acts it is alleged they broke. Upon the 24th of March, I find Messrs. Maitland, Kay, Wilkie, Wauch, Lawrie, Cant, Alison, M'Gachan, and Smith, "being called, compeared personally, and being severally examined upon their obedience to the late acts of parliament and council, anent their obedience and submission to the government of the church, as the same is presently established by law, declared, they were not yet clear to give obedience thereunto; but they were ready and willing, likeas they then judicially promised to obey the said acts, for removing from their manses and parishes, and desisting from preaching, conform to the same in every point. In consideration whereof, the lords declare, that they do continue [i. e. delay,] to insist against them for their former carriages, while they be of new cited." The others who did not compear, were obliged to leave the manses and kirks; and I find no more about them this year in the registers. We shall meet with Mr. Samuel Arnot, Mr. John Park, and Mr. Thomas Warner, and some others of them, under new hardships, in the progress of this work.

At that same diet the council cite another considerable number of ministers before them. "The lords of his majesty's privy council being informed, that several ministers in the diocese of Dunkeld, who not only contrary to the order of council, dated at Glasgow, October 1st last, do continue at their former residence and churches; but in manifest contempt thereof, and contrary to the indulgence granted to them by the late act, December 23d, do persist in their wicked courses, still labouring to keep the hearts of the people from the present government of church and state, by their pernicious doctrine; and more particularly, that Messrs. Patrick Campbell minister at Kilinnie, John Anderson at Auchtergavan, Francis Pearson at Kirkrauchael, David Graham at

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Forgondenny, George Halyburton at Duplin, Richard Ferret at Ava, John Miniman at Abernytie, David Campbell, at Minnimore, Thomas Lundy at Rattray, Robert Campbell, at Mullen, John Cruikshanks at Rogertoun, Thomas Glassie at Little Dunkeld, Andrew Donaldson at Dalgety, and Thomas Black at Lesley, are chief instruments in carrying on these wicked courses: therefore the lords of council ordain letters to be directed to charge the forenamed persons to remove (as above, with relation to the Galloway ministers) and that they take not upon them to exercise any part of the ministerial function, either privately or publicly. As also command them and every one of them to compear before the council the day of for their former disobedience. With certification." I find no more about those ministers in the registers. I am ready to think, that they obeyed the charge to remove from their kirks and manses, and their compearing before the council was not insisted upon. The bishops at present were pressing to have the churches vacated of those who did not wait on their synods; and we have heard, that by the acts of parliament and council this year, a general course was taken with the whole nonconformist ministers, and they removed at such and such distances from their congregations.

to answer.

It hath been noticed already, with what reluctancy a great many parishes in the south and west, permitted the curates to enter among them, when presbyterian ministers were turned out. In some places open opposition was made to them, especially in Irongray near Dumfries, and Kirkcudbright. The tumults in those two places, as they were the first of this kind, so they were severely noticed by the council; and I shall give as distinct an account of this as I can, from the registers; if once I had set down an abbreviate of it, I find in the papers of a worthy minister who lived at the time.

"The first open opposition to the settle. ment of the curates, I have heard of, was at Irongray, where Mr. John Welsh was minister. The curate at first not finding peaceable access, returned upon them with an armed force. None ventured to appear

As

for supplying the places of such as are wanting, or who refuse to accept: otherwise, by the advice of such as are well affected within the said burgh, to nominate such persons as they shall think fit, for discharging the office of magistracy, and ruling the people within the said burgh, till further order. also, that the said commissioners, if they shall see cause, call for the charters, rights, and securities, made and granted in favours of the said burgh, and concerning their privileges and liberties, to the effect they may be secured and exhibited before the parliament or council. And likewise, to be aiding and assisting to the bishops of the respective dioceses, for settling such ministers in those places, as they shall ordain and appoint.

"And for the more exact performance of the premises, that the said earl of Linlithgow cause march alongst with him, an hundred horse, and two hundred foot of his majesty's guards, or such other number as he shall think fit, to the effect such as will not willingly submit and give obedience, may be forced thereunto. And for the entertaining the said horse and foot, the said earl is hereby empowered, either to take free quarters within the said burgh, and parish of Irongray, or then, with concourse of the magistrates of the said burgh, or such others in the said places as he shall call for, to raise so much money off the burgh and and parish, as will satisfy the said horsemen and footmen, at thirty shillings Scots to each horseman, and twelve shillings to each footman per diem, during their abode there, by and attour the paying the officers their ordinary pay. With power also to the said commissioners, by force of arms, to suppress all meetings or insurrections of the people, if any shall happen. And, if need be, that the said commissioners shall call to their aid and assistance, the sheriffs, stewarts, heritable bailies, and others within the sheriffdom of Galloway, and stewartry of Kirkcudbright, and all noblemen, gentlemen, stewarts, heritable bailies, and others his majesty's good subjects within those bounds, with command to them readily to answer, obey, assist, and concur with the said commissioners, to the effect foresaid, as they

When this commission is granted, the council join with it an order, that five hundred pounds sterling be advanced by the receivers of the excise to the soldiers, as part payment of their pay; with one hundred and twenty pounds sterling to the earl of Linlithgow, and fifty pounds to the laird of Niddry, for bearing their charges.

That such a sputter should be made because a few women in two parishes had put some affronts upon the curates, when forced in upon them, may seem odd enough, and could not fail to increase the dislike the people in the southern shires had against them. I scarce know what could have been done further, if the highest acts of treason had been committed: but the general aversation of that part of the country from prelacy, and the complaints of the bishops upon that score, put them on those harsh measures; and we shall after this meet with a constant tract of oppression and devastation in that corner, till they were forced to the rising in Pentland. And for about twenty-four years, the west and south of Scotland were the continual scene of such severities: but I go on to the procedure of these commissioners. June 9th, they make their report to the council, and it is very large; I shall give as short and distinct an abstract of it as I can, that we may have some view of this first public step of heavy oppression of country people, for their adherence to their principles, and aversion to prelacy. Their report was given in in writ, and is in short.

"At Kirkcudbright, May 25th, 1663.

"In obedience to our commission, we having met at sundry diets, and caused convene before us such persons as were committers of, or assisters at the tumult at Kirkcudbright, to wit, Agnes Maxwell, and about thirty-two women, (most of them