discourse to keep silence. I leave my testimony against all giving bond and caution, or petitioning the stated enemies of our Lord Jesus Christ. I leave my testimony against all these cess-payers, and doing any other thing that strengthens the enemies' hands, and against jailors' fees paying, for by so doing it says, we have done wrong to them; which I deny that we have done any, but they have done to us. I leave my testimony against these ministers that sat in a presbytery against worthy Mr. Richard Cameron,-that highly honoured martyr of Jesus Christ, and thought to have deposed him from his ministry. I also leave my testimony against that meeting that sat at Sundowal in Nithsdale, which I was a witness to; ye will see it more fully spoken to in that paper of mine which was found at Kelso, which I own, and desire that it may be put in with this;* that they may go together, and my indictment with the letter. I am called to set to my seal to the faithfulness of that worthy man's doctrine, viz. worthy Mr. Richard Cameron, who was the man the Lord made use of to establish me in the faith. I bless the Lord that ever I saw him, or was honoured to be in his company. I bless the Lord that ever I was in the company of worthy Mr. Donald Cargill. I am likewise here to bear witness to the faithful warning these two worthies gave, in Northumberland. I likewise leave my testimony against the professors in Northumberland, that 'came not out to help the Lord against the mighty;' when I myself gave them warning, some of them mocked at me: for which, I will be a witness against them, at the great day of account. I leave my testimony against the giving bond to assizers or sessions,+ or answering their courts. My work, while I am here, is only to witness against the sins of the times wherein I live, and the wrongs done to my Lord and Master. I leave my testimony against those four men that were prisoners in the Canongate tolbooth,-John Gib, and the other three that held his principles; I disown, detest and abominate their principles, though some were pleased to brand me with them since I came to prison. I heartily forgive them, whatever they have said of me, as I desire to be forgiven of my Father which is in heaven. Now, my time here is but short; and I think it needless to write any more; the testimonies of the Worthies being so little valued by this generation, that nothing will do it but wrath and judgments,-that though an angel should come down from heaven, it will avail nothing; for nothing I can see but wrath, wrath, wrath; judgments, judgments, sad judgments, coming on this land very suddenly; but my eyes shall be closed, and I shall not see it, and well is this for me; therefore I am content, and heartily content, seeing I get my soul for a prey. I have only a short word to say to the remnant of the Lord's people that is to be left behind, who only were my delight in the world: my soul trembles to think what was amongst you this day, especially those of you that were in one mind iu contending for the truth of our Lord Jesus Christ! Whatever has fallen out among you or any that have fallen back, seek to reclaim them, that they may be brought in again. *This cannot be done, no copy of that paper being found.-C. W. Let self be done away, and partiality,-and let the way of God be taken in time, for it will be but short that ye will have it: And think not that ye will wait for better times and opportunities: wait not for that, for ye have time and opportunity now, that ye will not have afterwards; and if ye get not together presently, you will meet with something shortly that will make you blyth to be together; and 'let those that think they are standing, take heed lest they fall.' Now those that have gone out from us, by complying with the malignant party, and pleading for Baal's interest,-I mean Charles Stuart's interest, and taking shelter under their wings,-I have less hope of them than any. If ye can set up your face to God, and say, that ye never durst comply with these tyrants and usurpers, to wrong the interest of God for the loss of your life, or gear; then I will assure you of your soul for a prey. Though ye have lost all that ye have in the world, your children shall see brave days, and ye shall have all your wants made up, when ye shall get Christ himself. Now, I can stay no longer, nor take up my time any more; for, my work is finished, and I have fought the good fight, and finished my course! Strong have been the assaults and trials that I have had from the devil, by all sorts,-both ministers and professors; but my God hath helped me to withstand them,-for which, I bless his holy name, and desire to praise him while I am here. O let all the zealous godly in Scotland praise him on my behalf, that he chose the like of me, who have been a vile sinner. Now, I am this day free of the blood of all men in the world. I desire to forgive all men the wrongs done to me, as I desire to be forgiven of my Father, which is in heaven. But for those who have wrongfully taken away my life, simply for adhering to truth, and for no matters of fact,-for my part, I forgive them; but my God shall resent it, with the rest of my dear brethren's blood, that has been shed on fields and scaffolds. Now, farewell all creature-comforts in time; farewell sweet societies of the Lord's people, that were my only delight in the world; farewell holy and sweet Scriptures, which only were my comfort in all my straits; farewell all friends and Christian acquaintances; farewell mother, brother, and all relations in the world; and farewell sun, moon and stars! Welcome scaffold, for my sweet Lord Jesus Christ; welcome gibbet; and welcome heaven; welcome immediate presence of God, and his son Jesus Christ, who only has redeemed me by his blood; welcome angels, and the spirits of just men made perfect, where we shall never part again! Now, Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit, that is thine! Now, come Lord Jesus Christ! come quickly and receive me hence to my resting place, where my portion is! HIS LAST WORDS. ROBERT GRAY."* This worthy martyr coming out of the tolbooth, to the place of execution, was taken, as the custom is, first into the Town-council * Cloud of Witnesses. house; where, the town council desired, that he would purge the city of his blood. And he told them, that judgment would overtake the city, for the innocent blood shed therein, and bade them assure themselves of it, for it was without doubt. They said to him, that he had access to pray, if he would. He told them, that he had committed himself to God already. Then they said, if he had not freedom, they were there who would pray for him; but he looking round, said, he saw none whom he would employ, but he had an advocate with the Father. Then being brought from thence to his execution-place,-after a little discourse to the pretended magistrates of the city, some of them being present, he sung the lxxxiv. Psalm, and read the xv. chapter of the gospel according to John, and after the reading thereof, he said to the multitude, "Sirs, ye should remember that that is the word of God, and not of man, and that we are to follow no man further than he follows the word of God;" and said, if light had not come into Scotland, they had been more excusable, but now they had no cloak nor excuse for their sin, and their wrongs done to God; and because of despised light, and the despised gospel, there was assuredly great wrath coming upon them." And then he prayed; and, after prayer, went up the ladder, and looking about to the multitude said, "Sirs, you are feeding your eyes upon me, but what see you upon me? Surely you see not the wrath of God upon me: but if ye would look up to the heavens, ye may see the wrath of an angry God against yourselves." And he said, "I am brought out of another nation to own that covenant which ye have broken, and to seal it, and the glorious work of reformation, with my blood. Which covenant, ye have not only broken, but ye have given it under your hands, that ye shall never own God any more, nor have any more of him!" And he blessed the Lord saying, "Glory, glory, glory be to his name, that ever he gave me a life to lay down for him, in witnessing against his enemies, and the wrongs done my Lord and Master Jesus Christ." And said, "the Lord be judge between me and you, who have taken away my life,-which of us have been in the wrong to the other; and assure yourselves there is wrath, sad wrath, hanging over this city, for the innocent blood shed therein. But as for you, who are the remnant of the Lord's people, I would say this to you, keep your ground, and beware of turning aside to one hand or another, and I will assure you, the Lord will prepare a Zoar for you. Cleave to truth, and cleave to one another, and as sure as God lives, ye shall yet see glorious days in Scotland; for I die in the faith of it, that He is on his way, returning to the land; but wo, wo, wo will be to those who are enemies and strangers to him!" Then praying a little with himself, when some bade put him over, and others cried out, spare him a little! he cried, "I am ready." Whereupon the executioner threw him over. XXI. JAMES ROBERTSON. [James Robertson was a travelling merchant, and belonged to Stonehouse, in Lanarkshire. In October, 1682, being at Kilmarnock on business, he went to visit an acquaintance* who was then a prisoner; and while with him, he was without the least offence, apprehended, and brought before Major White, who at that time commanded in the district. Upon refusing the inquisitorial oath then usually administered, he was sent to Edinburgh,—was treated during his journey with the greatest cruelty and indignity, and when arrived, was sisted before the council. He answered to their ensnaring questions with much caution and propriety; but yet an indictment was drawn, charging him with holding the opinion-that the insurgents at Pentland and Bothwell were not rebels; and for this and similar matters of sentiment, he was with two other persons equally innocent, condemned and executed on the 15th of December following. He left behind him the two papers which are subjoined.] 1. HIS EXAMINATION BEFORE THE COUNCIL. "Quest. 1. Is the king your lawful prince, yea, or not? Ans. Since you have made your questions matters of life and death, ye ought to give time to deliberate upon them: but seeing I am put to it, I answer, -as he is 'a terror to evil-doers, and a praise to them that do well,' he is, or is not. Q. 2. Were Pentland and Bothwell acts of traitory? A. They being in their own defence, and the defence of the gospel, they are not acts of traitory or rebellion, self-defence being always lawful; which I prove by the Confession of Faith, in that article whereon ye ground yourselves, which is, That subjects may resist unjust violence and tyranny. Q. 3. But wherein lies his tyranny? A. If robbing the privileges of the Church be not an act of tyranny, I refer it to be judged. Q. 4. Is the king a tyrant? A. I refer it to his obligation in the coronation oath, and his present actings and practices, in robbing the privileges of the gospel, with the usurpation on the church's liberties, and the prerogatives royal of Jesus Christ, the anointed of the Father, in making himself supreme: and I refer it to persons at home and nations abroad. Q. 5. Was you at Bothwellbridge? A. Ye count it an act of traitory, and also rebellion, which is criminal: bear witness of it, and so make it, evident. Q. 6. They said, 'purge yourself by oath, and so we offer to set you at liberty.' I answered, 'I will say no more of it; for when I told the truth to some of you, I was not believed.'-One of them said, now I will try if ye be a man of parts. Q. 7. There was an act of parliament, when the Confession of Faith was made, declaring, that the king was supreme, and it was owned by the Presbyterians of that time. A. How could that be owned, seeing the Confession was owned.—And I called for the act, but it was not brought. Q. 8. Was the Bishop's death murder? A. When I am a Judge set on the bench, I shall pass sentence there * Viz. John Finlay, the person whose Testimony follows. 6 upon. Being questioned further anent it, I said, I have answered that already; I will say no more to it. Q. 9. Own you Lanark and Sanquhar declarations? A. I cannot own any thing, till I see and consider it. Q. 10. Keep you your parish kirk? A. If the minister have ought to challenge me with, he may do it. Q. 11. Now as a test of your loyalty, will you say, God save the King?' A. Prayer ought to be gone about with composure and deliberation, and I am not in a composure for it. Q. 12. Would ye not seek a blessing if at meat? A. If ye were present ye would see. One of them said, these principles will condemn you. I answered, If I be absolved of God, it is the less matter though men condemn me." 2. HIS TESTIMONY.* "Dear friends, true lovers of Zion's righteous cause, if I could speak or write any thing to the commendation of the covenanted God of the church and kingdom of Scotland, I have surely many things to do it for, 1st, That he trysted my lot to be in a nation where he hath set up his pure worship, whereas he might have let my lot be among the pagan and heathen nations that know nothing of the true God. Or, 2dly, He might have ordered it to be among those that are worshipping Antichrist, that whore of Rome, that monstrous beast, that sitteth upon many waters;' whose sentence may be read, Rev. xiv. 9. And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,' ver. 10. The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture, into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone, in the presence of his holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb;' ver. 11. And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name,'-so that, it is as sure as God is God, and the holy Scriptures are his word, according to which all men that have heard or seen it, shall be judged, having the sentence of absolution or condemnation past according thereto; Rom. ii. 12. For as many as have sinned without law, shall also perish without law; and as many as have sinned in the law, shall be judged by the law;'-so that, it is clear, that the first will surely perish, viz. all Infidels, Atheists, and Pagans, that know not the true God, nor his law. And as many as have sinned in the law, shall be judged by the law,'--so that, whatever vain hopes Papists may * Whether this testimony was actually delivered or not, cannot now be ascer tained. It is stated by Wodrow, however, that when its author began to speak on the scaffold, he was immediately interrupted by the ruffling of drums, and on his complaining of this, the Town Major beat him with his cane in a most barbarous manner. "This abominable rudeness to a dying man," he adds, "and the patience and cheerfulness of the good man in suffering it, was, I know, the occasion of deep conviction to some who were present, of the evil of persecution and prelacy; and there are several yet alive who can date their first serious impressions of religion from seeing some of the persecuted party suffer;-as they themselves have informed me."-Wodrow, Vol. II. |