and renew their engagements, and carry themselves like ministers of Jesus Christ afterward. Is this erroneous? Is not this according to presbyterian principles? Does not the confession of our faith, say, that those who offend the church, and their brethren, shall make their repentance as public as their offences have been? Is not this the plain meaning of that article, yea the very words almost, of the Confession of Faith, chap. xv. art. last? without which thing be done, (if any would take my counsel, who am looking to receive the sentence of death every hour) I would say, meddle not with them, for they have not only sinned against the church of God and their brethren, and their own souls, but against God: and have they not been light and treacherous?—whereof many instances may be given. Have they not polluted the sanctuary? Have they not done violence to the law? Have they not been unfaithful? Are they not walking very openly amongst God's stated enemies, while the people of God dare not be seen? I fear, if they make not haste to come off these courses, that God's wrath shall overtake them, ere it be long. And lastly, I bear my testimony against them, for their untenderness to weak consciences, and making use of their gifts and parts to wrest the word of God, to put out that light which God has given poor things; of which I among others, have a proof; for one of them came into the prison and told me, that he had been dealing with him, who had been pursuing us to death, (the king's advocate) that he would not take innocent blood upon him; and out of love and tenderness to our souls, he came to pay us a visit; and said, he was neither a curate nor an indulged man, but a minister of the gospel : so he said, that we would be well advised what we were doing, for the advocate had said, we were shortly to be before the criminal court. And I asked, what he advised us to do? and began to tell him the ground whereupon we were accused, which was this, that Charles Stuart, having broken and burnt God's covenant, and compelled all that he could by his forces to do the like, and slain many upon that account, I upon this head, declined his authority; and being hard questioned, confessed, that I thought it lawful to kill him; but I did not say by whose hands: and he said, that all that would not free me from being his subject, and instanced Zedekiah's case to prove it but I was not in case to speak to him, (being confused with a distracted man who was in with us,)—only I told him, there was as great a difference betwixt that of Zedekiah, and this in hand, as east was from the west, and he called us Jannes and Jambres who withstood the truth, when we would not hear him; and said, there was no such thing as any condition holden out in the form and order of the coronation, that did free us from allegiance to Charles Stuart upon that account. But what do they think, that every one can reason and debate with them, or else that they are not Christians, but gainstanders of the truth! Hath not God given to every man his measure of light and grace both? If they know not this, and walk not accordingly, they were never worthy to be ministers of the gospel. He said, that he would send me any of the ministers whom I pleased to call for; I said, that I heard tell Mr. Donald Cargill was

taken, would he send him to me, and I would take it as a great kindness of his hand; but he said, that he had taken a way by himself. But what shall I say! my heart is like to sink, when I think on them, and the case of the land! OI think, it is a desperate like case! only, I know God can, and I hope he will cure it.

"Next, I bear my testimony against all that pay cess and locality to uphold Christ's enemies, the bloody soldiers, or any of that cursed crew; yea, against all that give them meat or drink, when they come to their houses, it being so expressly against Christ and the covenant; and against all that pay customs or duties, belonging to the crown of Scotland, unto Charles Stuart, his officers, collectors, or tacksmen ; seeing all that is employed against Christ, and against all that shall do it, till they wit well that it be otherwise employed; and against all bonders with them, or to him, or any in his name, or delegated by him, or clothed with his authority; seeing they are persons worthy of no credit; whereof I have a proof in my taking. Ye would do well to believe the wise man, Solomon, who says, when he speaks fair, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart.'

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"Next, I leave my testimony against all that side with, or strengthen the hands of the adversaries of the Lord, in less or more, against clear conviction from the word of God, or sound reason ; and particularly against this duke-that bold and truculent papist, who hath defiled the Lord's land with his altars and images. And I protest against this ensuing parliament, for putting power in his hand to do what he pleaseth; for, by the word of God, and the laws of the land, he should die the death. And also, I bear testimony against those who have sided with, or strengthened the foresaid enemy, and will not come off again. O if they will not help the people of God, that they would let them alone, and not help their adversaries!

"Next, I leave my testimony against the gentry and commonalty, for letting so much innocent blood be shed, some of which ranks, I think God hath a turn to put into their hands yet, if they would espouse his quarrel, and turn to him with all their hearts, and not suffer the work to go as it does; but indeed they must keep company with God's stated enemies, and learn the court fashion. I will tell you one thing, ye have lost the manners of the court of heaven, by learning the manners of the courts of men. O what think ye to do? Or how think ye to be accountable to God? Will ye but speak your minds; who, think ye, hath the best end of the controversy? Will ye let the fear of men and the devil prevail with you more than the fear of God? Or what think ye this duke would do to you, when he sees his opportunity? Will ye trust bloody papists? It may be, ye may be put to suffer on worse accounts yet, ye will not own God and his people; but there are but very few of you now, who are aught but mockers. Will ye turn to the Lord with all your hearts? Is it any shame to you to take shame to yourselves, in glorifying God, by confessing your sins, and turning from them? But will you tell me now, who think ye can be at one with

if

you, while ye are standing out against God? Will ye read but the first chapter of Isaiah, and consider it, and the first two chapters of Jeremiah, the second of Joel, the prophecy of Haggai, Isa. xxii. Ezek. vii.? O consider! and if not, the Lord and you take it between you. Read and consider, Psal. 1. 5.

"Now, what shall I say to you, who own and adhere to God's cause, against all the enemies? O that I could let you see the inside of my heart! Will ye learn Christianity?-seek the Lord, and get him on your side. I think, it is a good token of a sanctified heart, that longs more to be in God's company, than other folks, that sees the worst of evil lies in committing sin. Beware of heart risings and grudgings one against another; know, that there is a great difference between sins of weakness, and sins of wickedness; ye may not mark every failing, for if ye do, ye shall not have two to stay together in Scotland. O but there is much need of the gospel, and these ministers will not come out and contend for Christ!-without which, though I were at liberty, God knows, I durst not meddle with them, and I would rather keep a-back from them than other folk; for I think, there are many of them either unconcerned, or then, dreadfully misled; for how can it be otherwise, not bearing with tender consciences ?—for they will rather strive to break folk than build them up; but how can any that has love to Christ look on them with good will; I do verily think, if ever they turn again, the world shall hear tell of it. It is beyond all controversy, that they have quit their first works, and their first love. O will ye learn to be sober and grave. Cleave to your covenants and engagements: I say, mind your engagements; look what becomes of covenant-breakers! I would say unto you, Take no courses by the end, till God give you clearness; but indeed, I know, that God will reprove many in this generation, because they put away light from them. Now ye are deprived of all cleanly preaching; but will ye observe Christ's answer to the spouse in the Song, when she says, Where makest thou thy flocks to rest at noon?' He says, 'If thou knowest not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds tents:' beware of turning aside after the flocks of his companions.' Beware of these ministers of Charles Stuart, these indulged and these prelatic, these mockers of God, and contemners of the godly, these Christ deserters, these undervaluers of heaven, these scandalous and insignificant timeservers, whom God hath blasted, to the conviction of all the generation that see any thing; these monsters of men, the disgrace of the ministry, the just contempt of the generation! God hath sometimes had a church without a ministry, but he never had a ministry without a church. Doth not the scripture say, That for many days Israel shall be without a priest, without a teraphim,' &c. Do we not see in the Revelation, The two witnesses slain, and lying three days and an half!' But O cry to God, That he would send forth labourers to his vineyard;' for verily the harvest is great, but the labourers are few. If there be a casting at the gospel on the people's side, then I think they shall be in extreme hazard of losing their soul, if God's mercy prevent it not; for then they refuse to be

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guided by God: but if when the hireling sees the wolf come, he run away, and leave the sheep, because he is an hireling,' then I think the mercy of God is engaged for the sheep, because they have no shepherd.' It is not the first time that Israel has been scattered as sheep having no shepherd,' but it is as sure as the sun shines, none can keep himself nor guide himself: it is not in him that walketh, to direct his steps.' And God hath sown a joyful light to the upright;' and he has said, him that sitteth in darkness, and hath no light, let him trust in the Lord, and stay himself upon his God.' But could the spouse rest in Jerusalem, and her husband not to be found? It is beyond debate, that she made all the fields ado before she wanted him. Can the spouse see another wear her husband's clothes, and be well satisfied? yea, one that has robbed, spoiled, and shut him to the doors, with disgrace, contempt and shame, and as one unworthy to manage the affairs of his own house; and has defied him to take any thing back again, and has set up legs and arms, heads and hands, and quarters of the children, as trophies of victory, over the goodman of the house, and has triumphed with spite and contempt, and is only seeking it of the poor widow, the wife and the bairns to be quiet, and accept of him for a husband and father: so I say, shall the wife and children of such a Husband and Father be peaceable to see this? I trow, there are few earthly folk would do so: but O! who can show the difference here, as to searching out it cannot be. The Lord keep you from dwelling at ease, under one roof, with such an one! Beware of making any treaty of peace with such a robber and murderer as this; beware of feeding these his soldiers, or giving them quarters, when they come to your houses. O but the kings of Assyria knew well enough, that the kings of Israel were merciful kings!' If ye will not use the sword at God's bidding, God will put it (as he bath) into the hands of his and your enemies, to use it against you. Indeed I think, till Saul's sons be hanged up before the Lord, the plague of famine shall not be stayed from Israel.'

"Now in the next place, I witness by this testimony, my adherence to the Scriptures of truth, the Holy Bible, the Old and New Testament, which has been made sweet to me. The fault is not in them that we understand them not, but in us; and this we have as our old father Adam's heirship. I witness my adherence to the Covenants,— National and Solemn League,-Confession of Faith; only there is in it something concerning the magistrate's calling a synod of ministers, by virtue of his magistratical power, which ought to be cautiously understood, according to the general assembly's explication. I adhere to the Catechisms Larger and Shorter, Psalms in metre, Directory for worship, Form of Church-government, the doctrine of the church or Scotland, as it is held out in the word of God, and laid down in the foresaid papers. I adhere to all the faithful testimonies for truth in Scotland of one sort and another, and particularly these three,—the papers found at the Queensferry of date the 3d of June,-the Sanquhar Declaration, the Rutherglen Testimony, and every other paper tending to the good of religion,-particularly the Causes of Wrath; and I request all to read and consider them. I leave my testimony

against them that say, That I am a self-murderer, because I spake that which God gave me to speak, before his adversaries: and I think that it is my great mercy, that he hath helped me to be free before them in matters of truth, relating to the disowning of them, and standing to our God's and our own rights. This paper I leave as my testimony, and formed and deliberate thoughts; and request all to bear with faults of weakness, especially when the sword of the adversary is above a man's head. Now, farewell world, and all things in it Welcome Lord Jesus Christ, into thy hands I commend my spirit. Sic sub. WILLIAM CUTHIL."

XVI. ROBERT GARNOCK.

[This man was born in Stirling, of decent and pious parents; and being educated in the principles of the Church of Scotland, frequently attended on the ministrations of its outed ministers. He thus became an object of suspicion to the supporters of prelacy, and being apprehended (though no charge could be brought against him) was with difficulty liberated by the interference of a friend. He still, however, persevered in his nonconformity, which he evinced by refusing to pay cess and by attending on conventicles, and having been present at one which was dispersed by the military, in the neighbourhood of Fintry, on the 18th of May, 1679, he was taken while returning to Stirling that night. He was, soon after sent to Edinburgh with some others, and confined with the prisoners taken at Bothwell; and having steadily refused the bond, he was at length taken out of the Church-yard and put into the iron house of the tolbooth. There, he was kept till October 1st, 1681, when he was, for the second time, brought before the council; and having disowned their authority, and that of the king and his government, he was indicted with five others to stand trial on the 7th, and notwithstanding their solemn protestation to the contrary, they were brought in guilty, sentenced, and with one exception, executed on the 10th of that month. Here follows his Testimony.]

"MEN and brethren,-I, having received a sentence of death from men, for adhering to the truth, against Popery, Prelacy, Erastianism and Indulgences first and last, and all that was contrary to sound doctrine-am now to leave a line behind me, as the Lord will help me to write, and to tell you, That however this generation may condemn me, as having a hand in my own death, I declare that it is not so; for I die a Presbyterian in my judgment. For I considering, how solemnly Scotland was bound to defend truth against all encroachments made thereon, with their lives and liberties, and how they of this nation had so easily broken their vows and engagements; and then seeing through the scriptures, how deep covenant-breaking draws,

Cload of Witnesses, pp. 179–189.