rise, and was invigorated by a spirit so pure and active, made Mr. Guthrie prefer Finwick, a poor obscure parish, to the most considerable charges in the nation; which was a proof of his mortification to the world, and that he was moved by views superior to temporal interests.

Thus Mr. Guthrie continued with his old parish till the great alteration which the restoration of king Charles II. made in public affairs. The first discovery that the measures of the court gave. of a design to overturn the government of the church, affected the worthy Mr. Guthrie in the most sensible part; nor could any thing afford him satisfaction while she was in trouble, and about to be laid desolate; nor did he let any occasion slip of showing his concern for that which was dearer to him than his other interests. At the synod of Glasgow, held April 1661, after long reasoning about proper measures for the security of religion, the matter was referred to a committee: Mr. Guthrie presented the draught of an address to the parliament, wherein a faithful testimony was given to the purity of our reformation in worship, doctrine, discipline, and government, in terms equally remarkable for their prudence and their courage. Every body approved of it, and it was transmitted to the synod: but some worthy ministers of the side of the public Resolutioners, being doubtful of the seasonableness of such a representation, and considering the difficulties of the times, gave an opportunity to those who designed to comply with prelacy, to procure a delay, and so to crush it; which did not prevent its being serviceable to

the end of our now mentioning it, namely, affording a proof of the zealous honesty and firmness of Mr. Guthrie.

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Another instance whereof was, the resolution he took to wait upon his worthy friend, Mr. James Guthrie, at his execution, notwithstanding the apparent hazards he must thereby have exposed himself to. But his session prevailed upon him, though not without difficulty, by their earnest entreaties, to lay aside a design that could not miss to deprive them immediately of his ministry, which, by the goodness of God,they enjoyed some years after his brethren were ejected.

Next to the protection of a kind providence, and the fervent prayers of his own people, and of many others, unto which he always attributed this distinguished favour in the first place, Mr. Guthrie's being connived at for some time, was principally owing to the favour of some great men in the government, particularly the Earls of Eglintoun and Glencairn, the last of whom had a regard for him which was heightened by a conjunction of esteem and gratitude, Mr. Guthrie having had occasion to oblige him when imprisoned for his loyalty before the restoration, which that noble lord never forgot, and when he was chancellor, contributed what he could to his preservation, by which means he enjoyed the peaceable possession of his church, till the year 1664.

As God had designed and prepared him for eminent and extensive services during this period, his excellent accomplishments now exerted themselves with the greatest efficacy, and his usefulness was more universally diffused through the

whole country, which was in a great measure deprived of their pastors. Many then hungered after the word of the Lord, and this made them with more eagerness embrace the advantage which a merciful providence afforded them, of Mr. Guthrie's ministry. Great multitudes resorted to him from all the parts of the west country; his large church was crowded with hearers from Glasgow, Paisly, Lanerk, Hamilton, and other distant places, and his strong and clear voice enabled him to extend the profit of his discourses to the many hundreds who were obliged to keep without doors.

An extraordinary zeal then enlivened the souls of sincere christians; they were animated by a warm affection to the truth, and an uncommon delight in hearing the joyful sound; and this made them despise the difficulties that lay in their way, and bear cheerfully with many inconveniences, which attendance upon the sacred ordinances was then accompanied with: so that we are assured by several worthy persons who enjoy. ed Mr. Guthrie's ministry at that time, that it was their usual practice to come to Finwick upon Saturday, spend the greatest part of that night in prayer to God, and conversation about the great concerns of their souls, attend on the public worship on the Sabbath, dedicate the remainder of that holy day to religious exercise, and then on the Monday, go home ten, twelve, or twenty miles, without grudging the fatigue of so long a way, and the want of sleep, and other re freshments or finding, themselves less prepared for any business throughout the week, so much

was their heart engaged in the attendance they gave to these sacred administrations. A remark. able blessing accompanied ordinances that were dispensed to people who came with such a disposition of soul; great numbers were converted unto the truth, and many were built up in their most holy faith. A divine power animated the gospel that was preached, and exerted itself in a holy warmth of sanctified affections, a ravishing pleasure in divine fellowship, and a noble joy and triumph in their king and Saviour, which were to be visibly discerned in the hearers; many were confirmed in the good ways of the Lord, strengthened and comforted against temporal fears and discouragements; and the fruits of righteousness, discovering their beauty and excellency in a holy conversation, were a glorious proof of the sincerity of their profession, and the wonderful success of Mr. Guthrie's ministry; some of whom did attest afterwards much more than hath been just now said, and never could think, without an exultation of soul, and emotion of revived affections, upon the memory of their spiritual father, and the power of that victorious grace which, in those days, triumphed so gloriously.

During these few years, while Mr. Guthrie was connived at, the dangers of the time never frightened him from his duty; but, with a becoming boldness, fortified his people in a zealous adherence to the purity of our reformation, warned them of the defection that was then made by the introduction of prelacy, and instructed them in the duties of so difficult a season; while he recommended by his own steadiness what he

taught in the pulpit, he constantly maintained fellowship with his ejected brethren, and never making the least compliance with the prelatical schemes. And yet in his sermons he governed his courage and faithfulness by christian pru-, dence; and with reference to civil affairs, confined himself so much to the language of the sacred oracles, and expressed himself with such a just regard to lawful authority, that his enemies could find no cccasion against him.

The extraordinary reputation and usefulness of Mr. Guthrie, who was admired and followed by all the country, provoked the jealous and angry passions of the prelates; and his excellent merit became one of the causes of his being attacked. Intercessions were indeed made in his behalf, but without success, particularly by the earl of Glencairn, then chancellor, who made a visit to the archbishop of Glasgow, at his house there, and, at parting, asked it as a particular favour from him that Mr. Guthrie might be overlooked, he knowing him to be an excellent man, and well affected to the civil government: but the bishop not only refused him, but did it with a haughty and disdainful air, telling him, "that cannot be done, it shall not; he is a ringleader and keeper up of schism in my diocese:" and then pretty abruptly left the chancellor. Row. allan, Cunninghamhead, and some other Presbyterian gentlemen who were waiting on him, ob. serving the chancellor discomposed when he left the archbishop, presumed to ask what the matter might be? To which the earl answered, "we have set up these men, and they will tread