they came there, they discovered to their consternation, that it had been their minister himself who had allured them thither!" de groot bg.

"There was also another person in his parish, who had a custom of going d-fowling' on the Sabbath-day, and neglecting the church; in which practice he had continued for a considerable time. Mr. Guthrie asked him, what was the reason he had for so doing? He told him, that the Sabbath-day was the most fortunate day in all the week. Mr. Guthrie asked, what he could make by that 'day's exercise? He He replied that he would make half-acrown. Mr. Guthrie told him if he would go to church on Sabbath, he would give him as much; and by that means got his promise. After sermon was over, Mr. Guthrie asked, if he would come back the next Sabbath-day, and he would give him the same? which he did, and from that time afterwards never failed to keep the church. wards became a member of his session."

He after

His fluency and acuteness, command of temper, a powerful observer of the minds and tendencies of others, with his agreeable manners and extensive knowledge, made him a distinguished member of church-courts-in the debates and business of which he took a considerable share. He was the person, who, in the Synod of Glasgow, held April, 1661, presented the draught of an address to the Parliament, in order the better to secure the privileges of the Church and the purity of religion in Scotland. The Synod approved of it, as "containing a faithful testimony of the purity of our reformation in worship,

doctrine, discipline, and government, in terms equally remarkable for their prudence and their courage." But the great agitation of the times prevented its transmission.

In his session his candour and humility were as conspicuous, as his talents and learning in the higher church-courts. During the whole time of his ministry there never happened the slightest irruption in his session. Perfect confidence always existed between his elders and him. So that the discipline of his parish was maintained with vigour, and with perfect harmony.

Such was the person introduced to the parochial charge of Fenwick, and such were his talents and manner in the discharge of his official duties.

He had not been above a twelvemonth settled, when he married Agnes Campbell, daughter of David Campbell, Esq. of Skeldon, in Ayrshire, a remote branch of the Loudon family. This connection proved a happy one. The happy disposition of his own mind was increased by the amiable qualities of his wife. To a handsome form and fine features, she added the more substantial beauties of good sense, an excellent education, great sweetness of temper, and a humility of mind, which was too deep to arise from any thing less than the proper view she took of herself in the gospel. Of six children, the offspring of their union, two only survived them, both daughters, who showed by their piety and eminent qualities, that the care, and attention, and example of their parents, were well bestowed. One was married to Miller of Glenlee, a gentleman in

Ayrshire; and the other became the wife of the Rev. Patrick Warner, December 1681, and was a great source of comfort to him, "in tribulation, imprisonment, and banishment, for the truth's sake." Their daughter, Margaret, was married to Mr. Robert Wodrow, minister of Eastwood, near Glasgow, who has given so faithful an account of the history of the Church of Scotland, and the lives of many of her most distinguished and afflicted sons.*

Shortly after his marriage, he was chosen by the General Assembly, to attend the army as chaplain. To part so soon from an amiable wife, was a severe trial to his feelings, but he yielded to duty, and remained with it, until the party to which he had been attached, suffered discomfiture, when he was wonderfully preserved. The remembrance of his preservation was a source of gratitude to his heavenly Father, during the remainder of his life, and he returned to his parish, with great ardour and devotedness to his sacred duties, and with increased affection for his parish and his home.

His great talents and splendid powers in the pulpit, brought many solicitations to him from several distinguished places to become their pastor. Linlithgow, Stirling, Glasgow, and Edinburgh, all in their turn presented calls to him, but without effect. The sacred tie which had bound him at first to Fenwick continued to strengthen, and he would not leave

* To Mr. Wodrow we are indebted for the most of the materials of this memoir. The facts not acknowledged are from this source.

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his country parish with its green fields, and its cottages, for all the grandeur, and emolument, and distinction, which the metropolis could hold out to him. He was not, however, careless about extending his influence and his usefulness, in a proper manner; but his retired habits, his taste, and above all, the preservation of his health, which required free rural exercises, gave him a decided preference to remain in his country charge. Here he continued till his ejection by the Episcopal party, which happened about twenty or twenty-one years after his settlement, a faithful watchman of Zion, and was distinguished in those dark and disastrous times, no less for his prudence and skill, than for his zeal and boldness in not shrinking to declare his sentiments upon all matters regarding the welfare of his flock, and the good of the church at large.

His manners gained him the esteem of all, and he often accomplished his aim by a beautiful combination of gentleness and firmness. When it was

necessary to exert the latter, he did it with great effect. Few men showed more the wisdom of the serpent with the innocence and harmlessness of the dove. On one occasion, when assisting the Rev. Andrew Gray of Glasgow, at the celebration of the Lord's supper, during the time that Cromwell's army was in Scotland, a few of the officers of that army were in church, and had formed the impious resolution of a promiscuous participation of that holy ordinance, and were in the act of coming forward in the crowd, when Mr. Guthrie, in language and in a manner that perfectly overawed them, obliged them

to retreat to their seats again. And this too when no civil authority could avail any thing, against a power which had become predominant in the country.

An abundant testimony of the affection of his parishioners to him is given by Mr. Livingstone, his contemporary, in these words: "In his doctrine, Mr. William Guthrie was as full and free as any man in Scotland had ever been, which, together with the excellency of his preaching gift, did so recommend him to the affections of his people, that they turned the corn-field of his glebe to a little town; every one building a house for his family upon it, that they might live in the enjoyment of his ministry.

But this godly minister was to be driven from his flock, and all the hopes and expectations of his much-endeared people were to be buried under that general ruin which fell upon Scotland, when the unhappy house of Stewart was again recalled to the throne. The people seemed to feel that this great light was soon to be extinguished by their increased attachment to him, and the tears that were shed on every Lord's day, during the last of his ministry.

Under these gloomy apprehensions, he visited his cousin, Mr. James Guthrie. He happened to be very melancholy and silent, which made James say, "A penny for your thought, cousin." Mr. Guthrie answered, "There is a poor man at the door, give him a penny;" which being done, he proceeded and said, "I'll tell you, cousin, what I am not only thinking upon, but am sure of, if I be not under a delusion. The malignants will be your