Biographia Scoticana (Scots Worthies) Part 30

They had hitherto been of one heart and one mind, but a certain party of horse from Carrick came to them (with whom were Mr. Welch, and some other ministers who favoured the indulgence), after which they never had a day to do well, until they were defeated at Bothwel-bridge, upon the 22d of June following.

The protesting party were not for joining with those of the Erastian side, till they should declare themselves fully for G.o.d and his cause, against all and every defection whatever; but Mr. Welch and his party found out a way to get rid of such officers as they feared most opposition from: For orders were given to Rathillet, Haugh-head, Carmichael, and Mr. Smith, to go to Glasgow, to meet with Mr. King and captain Paton; and they obeyed. When at Glasgow, Mr. King and captain Paton led them out of the town, as they apprehended, to preach somewhere without the town; but at last, upon inquiry where they were going, it was answered (according to orders sent privately to Mr. King and captain Paton), That they were to go and disperse a meeting of the enemy at Campsie; but upon going there, they found no such thing, which made them believe it was only a stratagem to get free of Mr. King and the rest of the faithful officers; upon which they returned.

The faithful officers were Mr. Hamilton, general Hackston of Rathillet, Hall of Haugh-head, captain Paton in Meadow-head, John Balfour of Kinloch, Mr. Walter Smith, William Carmichael, William Cleland, James Henderson, and Robert Fleming. Their ministers were Messrs. Donald Cargil, Thomas Douglas, John Kid, and John King; for Mr. Richard Cameron was then in Holland. Henry Hall of Haugh-head, John Paton in Meadow-head, William Carmichael, and Andrew Turnbull, were ruling elders of the church of Scotland.

Thus the protesting party continued to struggle with the Erastian party (in which contending captain Paton had no small share) until that fatal day June 22d, when they were broke, and made to flee before the enemy.

The captain, at this time, was made a major; and some accounts bear, that the day preceding, he was made a colonel. An author[210], when writing upon that affair, says, That he supposes John Paton, Robert Fleming, James Henderson and William Cleland were chosen to be colonels of regiments; however, as he did not enjoy this place long, we find him still afterward continued in the character of captain John Paton.

After the defeat at Bothwel-bridge, captain Paton made the best of his way homeward; and having had a fine horse, with all manner of furniture from the sheriff of Ayr, upon the way he gave him to one to take home to his master, but being robbed of all its fine mounting, by an old intelligencer (of the same name as was supposed), which very much surprised the sheriff when he received the horse, and the captain when he got notice thereof. This was a most base and shameful action, designing to stain the character of this honest and good man.

The sufferers were now exposed to new hards.h.i.+ps, and none more than captain Paton, who was not only declared rebel by order of proclamation, but also a round sum offered for his head, which made him be more hotly pursued, and that even in his most secret lurking places. In which time, a little after Bothwel, he had another most remarkable escape and deliverance from his blood-thirsty enemies, which fell out in this manner.----

The captain, with a few more, being one night quartered in the forementioned house of Lochgoin[211], with James Howie (who was one of his fellow sufferers), at which time one captain Ingles, with a party, lay at the dean of Kilmarnock's, who sent out partie, on all hands, to see what they could apprehend; and that night, a party, being out in quest of some of the sufferers, came to Meadow-head, and from thence went to another remote place in the muirs of Finwick, called Croilburn, but finding nothing there, they went next to Lochgoin, as apprehending they would not miss their design there; and that they might come upon this place more securely, they sent about five men, with one serjeant Rae, by another way whereby the main body could not come so well up undiscovered.

The sufferers had watched all night (which was very stormy) by turns, and about day-break the captain, on account of his asthmatical disorder, went to the far end of the house for some rest. In the mean while, one George Woodburn went out to see if he could observe any thing (but it seems he looked not very surely), and going to secret duty instead of this, from which he was but a little time returned, until on a sudden, ere they were aware, serjeant Rae came to the inner door of the house, and cried out, Dogs, he had found them now. The four men took to the spence--James and John Howie happened to be then in the byre, among the cattle. The wife of the house, one Isabel Howie, seeing none but the serjeant, cried to them to take the hills, and not be killed in the house. She took hold of Rae, as he was coming boldly forward to the door of the place in which they were, and ran him backward out of the outer door of the house, giving him such a hasty turn as made him ly on the ground. In the mean while, the captain, being alarmed, got up, put on his shoes (though not very hastily,) and they got all out; by which time the rest of the party was up. The serjeant fired his gun at them, which one John Kirkland answered by the like with his. The bullet pa.s.sed so near the serjeant, that it took off the knot of hair on the side of his head. The whole crew being now alarmed, the captain and the rest took the way for Eglesham muirs; and they followed. Two of the men ran with the captain, and other two stayed by turns and fired back on the enemy, the enemy firing on them likewise; but by reason of some wetness their guns had got, in coming through the water, they were not so ready to fire, which helped the others to escape.

After they had pursued them some time, John Kirkland turned about, and stooped down on his knee, and aimed so well, that he shot a highland sarjeant through the thigh, which made the front still stoop as they came forward, till they were again commanded to run. By this time the sufferers had got some ground, and, being come to the muirs of Eglesham, the four men went to the height in view of the enemy, and caused the captain (who was old and not able to run) take another way by himself.

At last he got a mare upon the field, and took the liberty to mount her a little, that he might be more suddenly out of their reach. But ere he was aware, a party of dragoons going for Newmills was at hand, and what was more observeable, he wanted his shoes (having cast them off before, and was riding on the beasts bare back), but he pa.s.sed by them very slowly, and got off undiscovered; and at length gave the mare her liberty (which returned home) and went unto another of his lurking-places. All this happened on a Monday morning, and on the morrow these persecutors returned, and plundered the house, drove off their cattle and left almost nothing remaining[212].

About this time the captain met with another deliverance. For, he having a child removed by death, the inc.u.mbent of the parish, knowing the time when the corpse was to be interred, gave notice to a party of soldiers at Kilmarnock to come up and take him at the burial of his child. But some persons present at the burial, persuaded him to return back in case the enemy should come upon them at the church-yard, which he accordingly did (when he was but a little distant from the church).

He was also a great succourer of those sufferers himself, in so far as his circ.u.mstances could admit, several of his fellow-companions in the tribulation and patience of Jesus Christ, resorting at certain times to him: Such as worthy David Hackston of Rathillet, Balfour of Kinloch, and Mr Donald Cargil; and it is said, That Mr. Cargil dispensed the sacrament of baptism to twenty-two children in his barn at Meadow-head, sometime after the engagement at Bothwel-bridge[213].

But, being now near the end of his race and weary pilgrimage, about the beginning of Aug. 1684. he came to the house of one Robert Howie in Floack, in the parish of Mearns (formerly one of his hiding places) where he was, by five soldiers, apprehended before ever he or any in the house were aware. He had no arms, yet the indwellers there offered him their a.s.sistance, if he wanted it. Indeed they were in a condition to have refused him, yea, he himself, once in a day, was in case to have extricated himself from double that number. But he said, It would bring them to further trouble, &c. and as for himself, he was now become weary of his life, being so hunted from place to place, and being now well stricken in years, his hidings became the more irksome; and he was not afraid to die, for he knew well, that, whenever he fell into their hands, this would be the case, and he had got time to think thereon for many years; and for his interest in Christ, of that he was sure. They took him to Kilmarnock, but knew not who he was (taking him for some old minister or other) till they came to a place on the high-way, called Moor-yeat, where the good man of that place, seeing him in these circ.u.mstances, said, Alas! captain Paton, are you there! And then to their joy, they knew who they had got into their hands. He was carried from Kilmarnock (where his eldest daughter, being about 14 years of age, got access to see him) to Ayr, and then back to Glasgow, and soon after to Edinburgh.

It is reported as a fact, that general Dalziel met him here, and took him in his arms, saying, "John, I am both glad and sorry to see you. If I had met you on the way before you came hither I should have set you at liberty: But now it is too late. But be not afraid, I will write to his majesty for your life." The captain replied, "You will not be heard."

Dalziel said, "Will I not! If he does not grant me the life of one man, I shall never draw a sword for him again." And it is said, That, having spoken some time together, a man came and said to the captain, You are a rebel to the king. To whom he replied, Friend, I have done more for the king than perhaps thou hast done. Dalziel said, Yes, John, that is true, (perhaps he meant at Worcester). And struck the man on the head with his cane till he staggered, saying, He would learn him other manners than to use such a prisoner so. After this and more reasoning, the captain thanked him for his courtesy, and they parted.

His trial was not long delayed. I find (says a historian[214]) that April 16th, the council ordered a reward of 20 pounds sterling to Cornet Lewis Louder, for apprehending John Paton who had been a notorious rebel these 18 years. He was brought before the justiciary, and indicted for being with the rebels at Glasgow, Bothwel, &c. The advocate, _ex super abundanti_, pa.s.sed his being at Pentland, and insisted on his being at Bothwel. The lords found his libel relevant, and for probation they refer to his own confession before the council: John Paton in Meadow-head in Finwick, that he was taken in the parish of Mearns, in the house of Robert Howie in Floack, and that he haunted ordinarily in the fields and muirs, confesses that he was moved by the country people to go out in the year 1666, commanded a party at Pentland, confesses that he joined with the rebels at Glasgow, about eight days before the engagement, commanded a party at Bothwel, &c. The a.s.size had no more to cognize upon, but his own confession, yet brought him in guilty. The Lords condemned him to be hanged at the gra.s.s-market of Edinburgh on Wednesday the 23d of April. But, by other accounts he was charged before the council for being a rebel since the year 1640; his being an opposer of Montrose; his being at Mauchlin muir, &c.

He was prevailed on to pet.i.tion the council, upon which he was respited to the 30th, and from that to May 9th, when he suffered according to his sentence. And no doubt, Dalziel was as good as his word.--For it is said that he obtained a reprieve for him from the king; but that coming to the hands of bishop Paterson, was kept up by him, till he was executed, which enraged the general not a little. It seems that they had a mind to spare him, but as he observed in his last speech, the prelates put an effectual stop to that. In the last eight days that he lived, he got a room by himself, that he might more conveniently prepare for death, which was a favour at that time granted him above many others.

What his conduct or deportment at the place of execution was, we are now at a loss to know, only we must believe it was such as well became such a valiant servant and soldier of Jesus Christ, an evidence of which we have in his last speech and dying testimony wherein among other things he says, "You are come here to look on me a dying man, and you need not expect that I shall say much, for I was never a great orator or eloquent of tongue, though I may say as much to the commendation of G.o.d in Christ Jesus, as ever a poor sinner had to say, &c.--I bless the Lord I am not come here as a thief or murderer, and I am free of the blood of all men and hate bloodshed directly or indirectly, and now I am a poor sinner; and never could merit any thing but wrath: and I have no righteousness of my own, all is Jesus Christ's and his alone. Now as to my interrogations I was not clear to deny Pentland or Bothwel. The council asked me if I acknowledged authority; I said, All authority according to the word of G.o.d. They charged me with many things as if I had been a rebel since the year 1640, at Montrose's taking, and at Mauchlin-muir.

Lord, forgive them, for they know not what they do." In the next place he adheres to the scriptures, the covenants and the whole of the work of reformation, and then says, "Now, I leave my testimony as a dying man against that horrid usurpation of our Lord's prerogative and crown-rights, I mean that supremacy established by law in these lands, which is a manifest usurpation of his crown, for he is given by the Father to be head to the church, Col. i. 18, &c." And further, he addressed himself in a few words to two or three sorts of people, exhorting them to be diligent in the exercise of duty, and then in the last place comes to salute all his friends in Christ, whether prisoned, banished, widows, the fatherless, wandering and cast out for Christ's sake and the gospel's. He forgave all his enemies in these words, "Now as to my persecutors, I forgive all of them, instigators, reproachers, soldiers, private council, judiciaries, apprehenders, in what they have done to me, but what they have done in despite against the image of G.o.d in me, who am a poor thing, without that, it is not mine to forgive them, but I wish they may seek forgiveness of him who hath it to give, and would do no more wickedly." Then he leaves his wife and six small children on the Lord, takes his leave of worldly enjoyments, and concludes, saying, "Farewel, sweet scriptures, preaching, praying, reading, singing, and all duties. Welcome Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I desire to commit my soul to thee in well doing: Lord, receive my spirit[215]."

Thus another gallant soldier of Jesus Christ came to his end, the actions of whose life and demeanour at death, do fully indicate that he was of no rugged disposition (as has been by some a.s.serted of these our late sufferers) but rather of a meek, judicious and Christian conversation, tempered with true zeal and faithfulness for the cause and interest of Zion's King and Lord. He was of a middle stature (as accounts bear) large and robust, somewhat fair of complexion, with large eye-brows. But what enhanced him more was courage and magnanimity of mind, which accompanied him upon every emergent occasion; and though his extraction was but mean, it might be truly said of him, That he lived a hero and died a martyr.

_The Life of JOHN NISBET of Hardhill._

John Nisbet born about the year 1627, was son to James Nisbet, and lineally descended from one Murdoch Nisbet in Hardhill, who about 1500, joined those called the Lollards of Kyle; but, a persecution being raised against them, he fled over seas, and took a copy of the new Testament in writing. Sometime after, he returned home, digged a vault in the bottom of his own house, unto which he retired, serving G.o.d, reading his new book, and instructing such as had access to him. But to return,

John Nisbet, being somewhat advanced in years, and one who had the advantage of a tall, strong, well-built body, and of a bold, daring, public spirit, went abroad and joined in the military, which was of great use to him afterwards. Having spent some time in foreign countries, he returned to Scotland, and swore the covenants when king Charles at his coronation swore them at Sc.o.o.n in 1650. Then, having left the military, he came home and married one Margaret Law, who proved an equal, true and kind yoke-fellow to him all the days of her life, and by whom he had several children, three of whom survived himself, _viz._ Hugh, James and Alexander.

In the month of Dec. 1683, she died on the 8th day of her sickness, and was buried in Stone-house church-yard. This behoved to be done in the night, because it might not be known, neither would any do it but such as might not appear in the day-time. The curate having knowledge of it, threatened to take the corpse up, burn it or cast it to the dogs; but some of the persecuted party sent him a letter, a.s.suring him, That if he touched these graves they would burn him and his family, and all he had;--so he forbare.

He early applied himself to the study of the holy scriptures, which, through the grace of G.o.d, was so effectual, that he not only became at last one well acquainted with the most interesting parts of practical religion, but also he attained no small degree of knowledge in points of principle, which proved of unspeakable advantage to him in all that occurred to him in the after-part of his life, in maintaining the testimony of that day.

He married and took up the Hardhill in the parish of Loudon, in which station he behaved with much discretion and prudence. For no sooner did prelacy and Erastianism appear on the field, in opposition to our antient and laudable form of church-government, at the restoration of Charles II. than he took part with the presbyterian side. And having _anno_ 1664, got a child baptized by one of the ejected ministers (as they were then called), the inc.u.mbent or curate of the parish was so enraged, that he declared his resolution from the pulpit, to excommunicate him the next Lord's day. But behold the Lord's hand interposed here; for, before that day came, the curate was landed in eternity.

This gentleman, being always active for religion, and a great encourager of field-meetings, was, with the rest of Christ's faithful witnesses, obliged to go without the camp bearing his reproach. When that faithful remnant a.s.sembled together, and renewed the covenant at Lanerk 1666, his conscience summoned him out to join them in that particular circ.u.mstance, which being known and he threatened for such an action, he resolved to follow these persecuted people, and so kept with them in arms till their defeat upon the 28th of Nov. at Pentland hills, at which fight he behaved with great courage and resolution. He fought till he was so wounded, that he was stript for dead among the slain, and yet such was the providence of G.o.d, that (having more work for him to accomplish) he was preserved.

He had espoused Christ's cause by deliberate choice, and was indeed of an excellent spirit; and, as Solomon says, _more excellent than his neighbour_. His natural temper was likewise n.o.ble and generous: As he was travelling through a muir on a snowy day, one of his old neighbours (who was seeking sheep) met him, and cried out, "O Hardhill, are you yet alive! I was told, you was going in a pilgrim's habit, and that your burns were begging, and yet I see you look as well as ever." Then taking out a six-dollar, he offered it to him. John, seeing this, took out a ducat, and offered it to him, saying, "I will have none of yours, but will give you if you please; for you may see that nothing is wanting to him that fears the Lord, and I would never have thought that you (calling him by his name) would have gone so far with the enemies of G.o.d, as to sell your conscience to save your gear, &c. Take warning, H. go home and mourn for that, and all your other sins, before G.o.d; for, if mercy do not prevent, you will certainly perish." The poor man thanked him, put up his money, and went home.

After this remarkable escape he returned home, where probably he continued (not without enduring many hards.h.i.+ps) till the year 1670, that by his fame for courage, wisdom and resolution among the sufferers, when that party who were a.s.sembled near Loudon-hill to hear the gospel, June 1st, came in view of an engagement with Claverhouse (who attacked them that day at Drumclog), Hardhill, not being present, was sent for by one Woodborn in the mains of Loudon, to come in all haste to their a.s.sistance. But before they got half-way they heard the platoons of the engagement, and yet they rode with such alacrity, that they just came up as the firing was over. Upon their approach, Hardhill (for so he was commonly called) cried to them to jump the ditch, and get over upon the enemy sword in hand. Which they did with so great resolution and success, that in a little they obtained a complete victory over the enemy, wherein Hardhill had a share, by his vigorous activity in the latter end of that skirmish.

The suffering party, knowing now that they were fully exposed to the rage and resentment of their b.l.o.o.d.y persecuting foes, resolved to abide together. And for that purpose sent a party to Glasgow in pursuit of the enemy, among whom Hardhill was one. After which he continued with them and was of no small advantage to the honest party, till that fatal day June 22d, that they fled and fell before the enemy at Bothwel-bridge.

Here, says Wodrow, he was a captain, if I mistake not. And being sent with his party along with those who defended the bridge, he fought with great gallantry, and stood as long as any man would stand by him, and then made his retreat just in time, and through the goodness of G.o.d, he escaped from their hands at this time also.

After Bothwel, he was denounced a rebel, and a large reward offered to such as could apprehend him. At which time the enemy seized all that he had, stripped his wife and four children of all, turning them out of doors, whereby he was reduced as one of those mentioned Hebrews xi. 38.

_They wandered about in desarts and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth_, &c. Thus he lived for near the s.p.a.ce of five years, suffering all manner of hards.h.i.+ps, not accepting deliverance, that he might preserve to himself the free enjoyment of the gospel, faithfully preached in the fields. And being a man of a public spirit, a great observer of fellows.h.i.+p meetings (alas, a duty now too much neglected!) and very staunch upon points of testimony, and become very popular among the more faithful part of our sufferers, and was by them often employed as one of their commissioners to their general meetings, which they had erected some years before this, that they might the better understand the mind of one another in carrying on a testimony in that broken state.

One thing very remarkable was--The Sabbath night (being that day eight days before he was taken) as he and four more were travelling, it being very dark, no wind, but a thick small rain: no moon, for that was not her season; behold, suddenly the clouds clave asunder, toward east and west, over their heads, and a light sprang out beyond that of the sun, which lasted above the s.p.a.ce of two minutes. They heard a noise, and were much amazed, saying one to another, What may that mean? but he spoke none, only uttering three deep groans, one of them asked him, What it might mean? He said, "We know not well at present, but within a little we shall know better: yet we have a _more sure word of prophecy_, unto which we would do well to take heed:" And then he groaned again, saying, "As for me, I am ready to live or to die for him, as he in his providence shall call me to it, and bear me through in it; and although I have suffered much from prelates and false friends these 21 years, yet now I would not for a thousand worlds I had done otherwise; and if the Lord spare me, I will be more zealous for his precious truths, and if not, I am ready to seal his cause with my blood; for I have longed for it these 16 years, and it may be I will ere long get it to do. Welcome be his will, and if he will help me through with it, I shall praise him to all eternity." Which made them all wonder, he being a very reserved man; for although he was a strict observer of the Sabbath, a great examiner of the scripture, and a great wrestler in prayer, yet he was so reserved as to his own case and soul's concernment, that few knew how it was with him as to that, until he came to prison.

All this and more could not escape the knowledge of the managers, as is evident from Earlston's answers before the council 1683, and we find that one of the articles that John Richmond suffered for, at the cross of Glasgow, March 19th 1684, was his being in company with John Nisbet.

This made the search after him and other sufferers more desperate.

Whereupon in the month of November 1683, having retired amongst other of his lurking places, unto a certain house called Midland, in the parish of Fenwick, where were a.s.sembled for prayer and other religious exercises (on a Sat.u.r.day's night) other three of his faithful brethren, _viz._ Peter Gemmel, a younger brother of the house of Horse-hill in the same parish, George Woodburn, a brother of the Woodburns in the Muirs of Loudon, and one John Fergus.h.i.+ll from Tarbolton. Upon notice that lieutenant Nisbet, and a party of col. Buchan's dragoons were out in quest of the wanderers (as they were sometimes called) they resolved on the Sabbath morning to depart. But old John Fergus.h.i.+ll, not being able to go by reason of some infirmities, they were obliged to return back with him, after they had gone a little way from the house; and were, the same day, apprehended. The way and manner of which, with his answers both at Ayr, and before the council at Edinburgh, as they stand in an old ma.n.u.script given under his own hand, while he was their prisoner, is as follows:

"First when the enemy came within sight of the house, we seeing no way of escape, John Fergus.h.i.+ll went to the far end of the house, and the other two and I followed. And ere we were well at the far end of the house, some of the enemy were in the house. And then in a little after they came and put in their horses, and went to and fro in the house for more than an hour, and we four still at the far end of the house; And we resolved with one another to keep close till they should come just on us; and if it should have pleased the Lord to have hid us there, we resolved not to have owned them; but if they found us out, we thought to fight, saying one to another, It was death at length. They got all out of the house, and had their horses drawn forth. But in a little time came back[216], t.i.ttling one to another, and at last cried for a candle to search the house with; and came within a yard of us with a light burning in their hand. According to our former resolution, we did resist them, having only three shot; and one of them misgiving, and they fired above twenty-four shot at us, and when we had nothing else, we clubbed our guns, till two of them were quite broke, and then went in grips with some of them; and when they saw they could not prevail, they cried, All to go out and fire the house. Upon which we went out after them, and I received six wounds in the going out. After which, they getting notice what I was, some of themselves cried out to spare my life, for the council had offered 3000 merks for me. So they brought me towards the end of the yard, and tied my hands behind my back, (having shot the other three to death). He that commanded them, scoffingly asked me, What I thought of my self now? I smiled and said, I had full contentment with my lot, but thought that I was at a loss that I was yet in time and my brethren in eternity. At which he swore he had reserved my life for a farther judgment to me. When we were going towards Kilmarnock; he (the lieutenant, who was a cousin of his own) called for me, and he and I went before the rest, and discoursed soberly about several things. I was free in telling him what I held to be sin, and what I held to be duty; and when we came to Kilmarnock tolbooth, he caused slack my arms a-little, and inquired if I desired my wounds dressed: and at the desire of some friends in the town, he caused bring in straw and some cloaths for my brother John Gemmel[217] and me to lie upon, but would not suffer us to cast off our cloaths. On Monday, on the way to Ayr, he raged against me, and said that I had the blood of the three men on my head that were killed yesterday; and that I was guilty of all, and the cause of all the troubles that were come on the poor barony of Cunningham first and last. But when we came near the town, he called me out from the rest, and soberly asked me, What he should say to the superior officers in my behalf? I told him, That if the Lord would keep me from wronging truth, I was at a point already in what he put me to, as to suffering. When we first entered the tolbooth of Ayr, there came two and asked some things at me, but they were to little purpose. Then I was taken out with a guard and brought before Buchan. He asked me, _1st_, If I was at that conventicle? I told him, I looked upon it as my duty. _2dly_, How many armed were there? I told him, I went to hear the gospel preached, and not to take up the account of what men were there. _3dly_, Where away went they, &c.? I told him it was more than I could tell. _4thly_, Do you own the king? I told him, while he owned the way and work of G.o.d, I thought myself bound both to own and fight for him, but when he quitted the way of G.o.d, I thought I was obliged to quit him. _5thly_, Will ye own the duke of York as king?

I told him, I would not; for it was both against my principles and the laws of the nation. _6thly_, Was you clear to join with Argyle? I said, No. He held me long, and spoke of many things. We had the musters through hands, popery, prelacy, presbyterianism, malignants, defensive and offensive arms, there being none in the room but him and I. I thought it remarkable, that all the time from sabbath and to this present, I had and have as much peace and quietness of my mind, as ever in my life. O help me to praise him! for he alone did it. Now, my dear friends and acquaintance, cease not to pray for me while I am in the body, for I may say I fear nothing, but that, thro' weakness, I wrong truth. And my last advice is, that ye be more diligent in following Christian duties. Alas! that I was not more sincere, zealous and forward for his work and cause in my day.--Cease to be jealous one of another, and only let self-examination be more studied, and this, through his blessing, shall open a door to more of a Christian soul-exercise; and more of a soul-exercise, through his blessing, would keep away vain jangling, that does no way profit, but gives way to Satan and his temptations, &c.

"When I came to Edinburgh, I was the first night kept in the guard. The next night I was brought into their council-house, where were present Drummond (_viz._ Perth) Linlithgow and one Paterson, together with some others. They first said to me, that they looked upon me as one acquainted with all that was done amongst these rebellious persons, therefore the lords of his majesty's privy council would take it as a great favour that I would be free in telling them what I knew, that might most conduce to the peace and security of the nation. I told them, That when I came to particulars, I should speak nothing but truth, for I was more afraid to lie than to die, but I hoped they would be so much christians as not to bid me tell any thing that would burden my conscience. Then they began thus: (1.) What did ye in your meetings? I told them, We only sung a part of a psalm, read a part of the scripture, and prayed time about. (2.) Why call ye them fellows.h.i.+p and society-meetings? _A._ I wonder why you ask such questions, for these meetings were called so when our church was in her power. (3.) Were there any such meetings at that time? _A._ There were in some places of the land. (4.) Did the ministers of the place meet with them in these?

_A._ Sometimes they did, and sometimes they did not. (5.) What mean you by your general meeting, and what do you do at them? While I was thinking what to answer, one of themselves told them more distinctly than I could have done, and jeeringly said, looking to me, When they have done, then they distribute their collections. I held my peace all the time. (6.) Where keep ye these meetings? _A._ In the wildest muirs we can think off. (7.) Will ye own the king's authority? _A._ No. (8.) What is your reason? you own the scriptures and your own confession of faith? _A._ That I do with all my heart. (9.) Why do ye not own the king's authority (naming several pa.s.sages of scripture, and that in the 23d chapter of the confession)? _A._ There is a vast difference, for he being a Roman catholic, and I being not only brought up in the presbyterian principles from my youth, but also sworn against popery.

(10.) What is that to you though he be popish, he is not bidding you be a papist, nor hindring you to live in your own religion? _A._ The contrary does appear, for we have not liberty to hear a gospel-preaching, but we are taken, killed and put to the hardest of sufferings. They said, It was not so, for we might have the gospel, if our wild principles would suffer us to hear it. I said, They might say so, but the contrary was well known through the land, for ye banished away our faithful ministers, and thrust in such as live rather like profligates than like ministers; so that poor things neither can nor dare join with them. (11.) Are ye clear to join with Argyle? _A._ No.

Then one of them said, Ye will have no king but Mr. James Renwick; and asked, If I conversed with any other minister upon the field than Mr.

Renwick? I told them, I conversed with no other:----And a number of other things that were to little purpose.

"Sirs, this is a true hint of any material thing that pa.s.sed betwixt them and me. As for their drinking of healths, never one of them spoke of it to me, neither did ever any of them bid me pray for their king; but they said, That they knew I was that much of a christian, that I would pray for all men. I told them, I was bound to pray for all; but prayer being inst.i.tuted by a holy G.o.d, who was the hearer of prayer, no christian could pray when every profligate did bid them, and it was no advantage to their cause to suffer such a thing.

"How it may be afterwards with me, I cannot positively say, for he is a free Sovereign, and may come and go as he pleaseth. But this I say and can affirm, that he has not quarreled with me since I was prisoner; but has always waited on to supply me with all consolation and strength, as my necessity required; and now when I cannot lay down my own head nor lift it without help, yet of all the cases that ever I was, I had never more contentment. I can now give the cross of Christ a n.o.ble commendation. It was always sweet and pleasant, but never so sweet and pleasant as now. Under all my wanderings, and all my toilings, a prison was still so terrifying to me, that I could never have been so sure as I would have been. But immediately at my taking, he so s.h.i.+ned on me, and ever since that, he and his cross are to me far beyond whatever he was before. Therefore let none scare or stand at a distance from their duty for fear of the cross, for now I can say from experience, that it is as easy, yea, and more sweet, to ly in prison in irons, than it is to be at liberty. But I must forbear at present."

Upon the 26th, he was ordered by the council to be prosecuted before the justiciary. Accordingly on the 30th he was before the justiciary, and arraigned, his own confession being the only proof against him, which runs thus, "John Nisbet of Hardhill, prisoner, confesses, when examined before the council, That he was at Drumclog, had arms, and made use of them against the king's forces; and that he was at Glasgow; and that he was at a field meeting within these two months, betwixt Eglesham and Kilbride; &c." The which being read, he adhered to, but refused to subscribe it. The a.s.size brought him in guilty, and the lords sentenced him to be hanged at the gra.s.s-market, Dec. 4th, betwixt two and four in the afternoon, and his lands, goods and gear to be forfeited to the king's use.

It was inserted by the council in his confession, That the reason why he could not join with Argyle was, that one Cleland told him, that Argyle and his party were against all kingly government. Mr. Wodrow thinks this false, and that it was only foisted in by the clerk of the council, it not being the first time that things of this nature had been done by them. But he behoves to have been in a mistake here, for in one of Hardhill's papers, in ma.n.u.script, left behind him in way of testimony, he gives this as the first reason for his not joining with Argyle, and the second was to the same purpose with what Mr. Wodrow has observed, _viz._ because the societies could not espouse his declaration, as the state of the quarrel was not concerted according to the ancient plea of the Scottish covenanters, and because it opened a door to a sinful confederacy.

His sentence was accordingly executed, and he appeared upon the scaffold with a great deal of courage and christian composure, and died in much a.s.surance, and with a joy which none of his persecutors could intermeddle with. It was affirmed by some, who were present at his execution, that the scaffold or gibbet gave way and came down, which made some present flatter themselves, that by some laws in being, he had won his life (as they used to say in such cases). But behold a disappointment here, for he behoved not to escape so (for to this end he was born). Immediately all was reared up, and the martyr executed.

In his last testimony, which is inserted in the cloud of witnesses, after a recital of many choice scripture texts, which had been comforting and strengthening to him in the house of his pilgrimage, he comes among other things in point of testimony, to say, "Now, my dear friends in Christ, I have alway since the public resolutioners were for bringing in the malignants, and their interest, thought it my duty to join with the Lord's people, in witnessing against these sinful courses, and now see clearly that it has ended in nothing less than the making us captains, that we may return to Egypt by the open doors, that are made wide to bring in popery, and set up idolatry in the Lord's covenanted land, to defile it. Wherefore it is the unquestionable and indispensible duty of all who have any love to G.o.d and to his son Jesus Christ, to witness faithfully, constantly and conscientiously against all that the enemies have done or are doing to the overthrow of the glorious work of reformation, and banis.h.i.+ng Christ out of these lands, by robbing him of his crown rights.----And however it be, that many, both ministers and professors, are turning their back upon Christ and his cause, reproaching and casting dirt upon you and the testimony of the day. Yet let not this weaken your hands, for I a.s.sure you it will not be long to the fourth watch, and then he will come in garments dyed in blood, to raise up saviours in mount Zion, and to judge the mount of Esau; and then the cause of Jacob and Joseph shall be for fire, and the malignants, prelates and papists, shall be for stubble; the flame thereof shall be great: But my generation work being done with my time, I go to him who loved me, and washed me from all my sins."

Then he goes on declaring, that he adhered to the scripture, confession of faith, catechisms larger and shorter, and all the pieces of reformation attained to in Scotland from 1638, to 1649, with all the protestations, declarations, &c. given by the faithful since that time; owns all their appearances in arms, at Pentland, Drumclog, Bothwel, Airs-moss, &c. against G.o.d's stated enemies, and the enemies of the gospel, and kingly government, as appointed and emitted in the word of G.o.d, they entering covenant ways and with covenant qualifications. And withal adds, "But I am persuaded, Scotland's covenanted G.o.d will cut off the name of Stuart, because they have stated themselves against religion, reformation, and the thriving of Christ's kingdom and kingly government in these lands; and although men idolize them so much now, yet ere long there shall none of them be to tyrannize in covenanted Britain any more."

Then he proceeds in protesting against popery, prelacy, the granters and accepters of the indulgence, and exhorting the people of G.o.d to forbear contention and censuring one another; to keep up their sweet fellows.h.i.+p and society-meetings, with which he had been much comforted:----And concludes, bidding farewel to all his dear fellow-sufferers, to his children, christian friends, sweet Bible, and to his wanderings, and contendings for truth. Welcomes death, the city of his G.o.d, the blessed company of angels, and the spirits of just men; but above all, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost;----Into whose hands he commits his spirit.

Amen.

After he wrote his last speech, he was taken out immediately to the council, and from that to the place of execution. All the way thither he had his eyes lifted up to heaven. He seemed to rejoice, and his face s.h.i.+ned visibly. He spoke but little till he came to the scaffold. When he came there, he jumped upon it and cried out, "My soul doth magnify the Lord, my soul doth magnify the Lord. I have longed these 16 years to seal the precious cause and interest of precious Christ with my blood, who hath answered and granted my request, and has left me no more to do but to come here and pour out my last prayer,--sing forth my last praises of him in time on this sweet and desirable scaffold, mount that ladder, and then I shall get home to my father's house, see, enjoy, serve and sing forth the praises of my glorious Redeemer for ever, world without end." Then he resumed the heads of his last testimony to the truth, and enlarged on what he owned and disowned, but the drums being beat, little could be heard. Only with difficulty he was heard to say, "The covenanted G.o.d of Scotland hath a dreadful storm of wrath provided, which he will surely pour out suddenly and unexpectedly, like a thunderbolt, upon these covenanted lands, for their perfidy, treachery, and apostacy, and then men shall say, they have got well away that got a scaffold for Christ." He exhorted all to "make use of Christ for a hiding place; for blood, blood, shall be the judgment of these lands."

He sang the first six verses of the 34th psalm, and read the 8th of the Romans, and prayed divinely with great presence of mind and very loud.