Part 44 (2/2)
[205] Blair's memoirs, page 113.
[206] See this engagement in Cromwel's life.
[207] See a more full account of the battle in Wodrow's history, vol. 1.
page 250, &c.
[208] Their sword or short shabble yet remains, and may now be seen in the hands of the publisher of this collection. It was then by his progenitors, counted to have twenty eight gaps in its edge, which made them afterwards observe that there were just as many years in the time of the persecution, as there were steps or broken pieces in the edge thereof.
[209] Hebrews xi. 57, 58.
[210] Wilson's history of Bothwel-bridge, page 41.
[211] This house and family was always a harbour and succour to our late sufferers both gentlemen, ministers and private Christians; for which, after this and their non conformity to prelacy, they were not only harra.s.sed, pilaged and plundered to the number of ten or twelve times during that period, but also both the said James Howie the possessor, and John Howie his son, was by virtue of a proclamation, May 5th, 1689, declared rebels, their names inserted in the fugitive roll, and put up on the parish church-doors, whereby they were exposed to close hiding, in which they escaped many imminent dangers, and yet were so happy as to survive the revolution at last, yet never acceded to the revolution church, &c. But the said James Howie, when dying, Nov. 1691, emitted a latter will or testimony, wherein he not only gave good and satisfying evidence of his own well being, and having interest in Jesus Christ, but also gave a most faithful testimony to Scotland's covenanted work of reformation, and that in all the parts and periods thereof.
[212] In the time of this, or another plunder shortly after this, some of the soldiers burnt the Bible in the fire in a most audacious manner.
[213] This seems to have been when he made a tour through Ayr-s.h.i.+re to Galloway: a little after they were surprized by the enemy on a fast day, near Loudon hill, upon May 5th 1681.
[214] Mr. Wodrow's history, Vol. II.
[215] The reader may consult his last speech, which is at full in the cloud of witnesses.
[216] Here it was commonly said, that after the enemy went off at the first, they met with two persons one of whom told them, They were good seekers but ill finders; or somewhat to that purpose, which made them return. It has also been said, that one of their men confessed this at his death. However this be, people could not help observing that not many years ago three of the offspring of the other person blamed lost their lives by fire near the same place where these three gallant martyrs were killed. Whether it had any reference to that, G.o.d knoweth, I shall not, can not determine. Only we may say, _The Lord is known by the judgment he executeth_, Psal. ix. 16.
[217] This John Gemmel was brother to the martyr, and being lying of a fever in a house in the same parish, called Derwholling, he was that day apprehended by some of the same party, together with the goodman of the house Thomas Wylie, and his son William Wylie for reset. They were all taken to Ayr, where the said Thomas Wylie died. While in Ayr, it is said, this John Gemmel dreamed one night that he should be banished, and his fellow-sufferer Hardhill should be hanged: which accordingly came to pa.s.s.--They were taken to Edinburgh and examined, and the foresaid William Wylie was required to take the oath of allegiance, but refused.
They ordered him to take the test. This he refused also. They asked his reasons. He said, He had taken more oaths already than he had well kept, and if there should come a change of government, where stood he then?
Bishop Paterson's brother came, and clapping his hands on his shoulder said, Thomas, as sure as G.o.d is in the heavens, you'll never see a change of government. But in this he proved a false prophet. However, he and John Gemmel were, with eleven more banished to Barbadoes, and sold for slaves there, where they continued for about three years, and at last purchased their liberty and returned home at the Revolution. The first known person they saw, after their landing at Irvine, was lieutenant Nisbet, by whom they had been apprehended; and of whom see more in the appendix.
[218] According to Mr. Wodrow he was sometime also precentor at Finwick.
See the History, Vol. I. page 443.
[219] Wodrow's History, Vol. I. page 235.
[220] Walker, in his eighth additional pa.s.sage, &c. says, That he was in Ireland in the year 1670.; but of this we have no farther ac-{footnote truncated}
[221] In an old copy there are these words. ”In the hands of a few who shall have neither magistrate nor minister among them, who shall be sore despised and undervalued of all, &c.” Whether this alteration proceeds from different informations or from partiality is hard to determine, only it is affirmed that the author of these pa.s.sages was then amongst that party who had neither magistrate nor minister at that time; Or at least was not in full communication with any party, if it was not those adhering to Mr. Hepburn.
[222] The foresaid old copy says, This was within two hours of his death.
[223] Renwick's life wrote by Mr. s.h.i.+elds, page 99.
[224] Some have doubted of the certainty of this interview; however, there is no seeming improbability in it, nor does it make any thing to the disparagement of either Mr. Peden, or Mr. Renwick.
[225] After this (says Patrick Walker) that troop of dragoons came to quarter in Cambusnethen, two of them were quartered in the house of James Gray (one of his acquaintance) and being frighted in their sleep, they started up and clapped their hands, crying, Peden, Peden. These two dragoons affirmed, That out of their curiosity they opened his coffin to see his corps, and yet they had no smell, though he had been forty days dead.
[226] John Ker of Kersland, in his memoirs, page 8 where he adds, that when some people were going to join Argyle in 1685, Mr. Peden after a short e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.n, bid them stop, for Argyle was fallen a sacrifice that minute. Some taking out their watches marked the time, which accordingly answered his being taken.
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