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Christ in this kingdom,-so much cheated by these perfidious prelates and in opposition to whom, and in testimony of the cause of Christ, I at this time willingly lay down my life. And I thank God, that he hath thought me so worthy as to do the same for his glory and interest. Finally, conceiving it a Christian duty in a singular and extraordinary case anent my particular judgment concerning both church and state, it is evidently declared and manifested more fully elsewhere;* so farewell all earthly enjoyments, and welcome Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, into whose hands I commit my spirit."

"Edinburgh Tolbooth, Jan. 18th, 1678."

Sic Sub.-JAMES MITCHEL."+

XXIV. JAMES LEARMONTH.

[Perhaps there are few cases of more lawless oppression, and more wanton cruelty, than that exhibited in the death of this good man. He was by trade a Chapman, and probably belonged to East Lothian. At all events, being present at a conventicle which met in that district, just over against the Bass, in May, 1678, when a soldier of the party sent to attack them was killed; he was apprehended, and along with another individual, called William Temple, indicted upon this charge. Both of them were freed by the verdict of the assize, of any actual participation in the death; but it being proved that Temple had a sword, (though not drawn,) and that Learmonth, (though unarmed,) had exhorted his fellow worshippers to make resistance; an order of council was procured, authorizing the court to sentence them: upon which, Temple was condemned to perpetual banishment, and Learmonth to be beheaded as a traitor, and to have his property confiscated for his majesty's use. This sentence he accordingly underwent on the 27th September, 1678. He prepared and left behind him the following documents.] 1. HIS TESTIMONY.

"Men and Brethren,-I am come here this day to lay down my life, and I bless the Lord I die with a willing heart, and a cheerful mind, as being conscious to myself before God, angels, and men, that I am most innocent of that man's blood, for which I am condemned to die, that I am as free as the child new born, and that I had neither art nor part in taking of his life, as was proven before the justice court and the assize declared me not guilty of the foresaid blood; but after the assizers' declaration, some of the lords thirsting after my blood, unjustly passed sentence to take my life. It was also proved before the justiciary court, that all the weapons I had, was only a wand in

• Here he refers to the foregoing Testimony, in which his sentiments on the points alluded to are declared most fully. Naphtali, pp. 412-414.

my hand. And also it was proved, that when the man was killed, I was at a great distance from the place; only this is all they charge on me, that I should bave spoken such words as to provoke the meeting, to fall upon the party that came to interrupt the worship of God, and to scatter the meeting; yet, God is my witness, before whom I must shortly appear, that I had no intention for blood, but only for our own defence, being violently pursued, to hinder us in following the service of God upon his own day, and being upon our own just self-defence, and the defence of the gospel. I hope none can deny, much less Christians, that it was not out of contempt of lawful authority; but that it was grievous to me to see the work of the Lord hindered, and his day profaned. Therefore, my dear friends, I do here declare to you all, as the words of a dying man, that I desire to bless the Lord, although I be but a poor wretched sinner of myself, by reason of my original and actual transgressions, yet I have reason again and again to bless and magnify the Lord, that it hath pleased his gracious Majesty so far to condescend to manifest himself to me, as not only to show me my misery, but also to call me, and reveal Christ by his grace in me; also, I bless the Lord, that hitherto he hath kept me from all scandalous sins that are reigning and raging in these times, and the Lord hath made out that word to my experience:-2 Pet. i. 3-8. According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue, whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these ye might be made partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust; and besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly-kindness; and to brotherly-kindness, charity; for if these things be in you and abound, they make you, that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.'

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My friends, I earnestly desire you, that you would not stumble at the cross of Christ, and his despised gospel, because of my sufferings, and especially ye that are dear to me in East Lothian; for since I have received this sentence of death, I have found his gracious presence and love manifested to my soul, in sustaining both me and my cross; for he hath made out that to me, that he sends none a warfare upon their own charges. Ye may also call to mind that scripture, Philip. i. 27-30. Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel, that whether I come and see you, or be absent, I may hear of your affairs; that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel, and in nothing be terrified by your adversaries, which is to them an evident token of perdition, but unto you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for his sake, having the same conflict ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.'-I also bless the Lord, that I am a member of the church of Scotland, which was once one of the purest and best reformed

churches for doctrine, government, discipline, and worship, according to the word of God, as it is expressed in the national covenant, the solemn league and covenant, the Confession of Faith, the Larger and Shorter Catechisms, and that blessed work of reformation so far once advanced, though now brought low, by the usurpation of the crown which belongs only to Jesus Christ, as head of his church; to all which truths, I adhere, and resolve through the Lord's grace and strength to seal the same with my blood. Particularly, I adhere to the national covenant and solemn league and covenant, as we are all sworn therein against all popery, prelacy, and all the corruptions thereon depending. As also, I adhere to the solemn league and covenant, as a holy contrivance of the holy Lord for the three kingdoms in a holy harmony and union, for the advancement of Christ's kingdom in the world; and

die in the faith of it, that however this blessed work of reformation be brought low, yet the Lord in his own time, who is king and captain of salvation, shall make it glorious and renowned in the eyes of the world, in despite of all adversaries whatsoever. Though it please the Lord to let them triumph and insult for a time, yet he will defend and revive his own work, and the spirits of his own oppressed remnant also, in these barren places; the seed of the gospel that hath been sown in East Lothian, shall have a spring season and a harvest in despite of devils and men, to the glory of God, and the comfort of his own people. Therefore, I do here give my testimony against all persecutors of the Lord's people and interest, in this sad time of defection; I also testify against all these that have intruded themselves into the calling of the ministry, and upon the labours of his faithful sent servants. And I give my testimony against all apostates and indifferent lukewarm professors, who only follow Christ as the times make for them. Likewise, I give my testimony against all profane, profligate, wicked livers, who carry themselves so as if there were not a God, all whose damnation slumbers not, except it please the Lord to give them repentance and mercy. I also desire the Lord to make Alexander Maitland sensible,-who first apprehended me, and who promised upon his faith and conscience, that he would not see me wronged,—at whose door and his brother's, lies immediately my innocent blood, and that they may repent for the same. I desire the Lord to show them mercy, and freely forgive them. And as for the magistrates of Haddington, they are not free of my blood; I wish the Lord may make them sensible thereof, and give them repentance. Also, I declare my blood lieth at the bishop of St. Andrews' door, to stand against

The reader, it is presumed, need scarcely be told, that Mr. Learmonth here refers to the Episcopal curates, by whom the places of the presbyterian clergy, who were outed by the Glasgow act of 1662, were supplied. These were men of whom it might well be alleged, that they sought to be "put into the priest'a office for a bit of bread;" whose characters and conduct must have rendered them contemptible, even if their principles, and the system under which they served, had been less obnoxious to the people; and who therefore might well be viewed as "intruders into the ministry," when compared with the able, zeal. ous, and conscientious pastors, "the faithful sent servants," by whom they were preceded.

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him; for, since I received this sentence of death, it hath been frequently brought to my ears, that he pressed the king's advocate to take my life, although he needed not for want of malice :*—Isa. xxvi. 11. Lord, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see, but they shall see, and be ashamed for their envy at thy people; yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them.' Rev. vi. 10. And they cried with a loud voice, and said, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth :' -And I hope my blood shall still cry to the Lord against them, with all the innocent blood that hath been shed for the truth. I here most freely, before I go hence (without desire of revenge upon the forenamed persons, or any other, who have been the occasion of my blood shedding, now in my last words, after the example of my Lord and Master,) say, as is mentioned in that Scripture, Luke xxiii. 34. And Jesus said, Father forgive them, for they know not what they do, and they parted his garments, and cast lots,' &c.

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"My dear friends, I give my testimony against that calumny cast upon presbyterians, that they are seditious and disloyal persons; the which aspersion I do abhor. Therefore, I exhort all people, that they will show loyalty to the king, and all lawful magistrates, and all their just and lawful commands, in so far as their commands agree with the word of God. I also desire all the Lord's people to continue faithful, and persevere to the end; for only such shall be saved. I also request you for the Lord's sake, to be straight in the matters of God, which are of so high concernment, as the glory of our dearest Lord and Master, for God will not be mocked, Isa. xxviii. 22. Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong; for I have heard from the Lord God of hosts, even a consumption determined upon the whole earth.' And do not halt between two opinions; and let that scripture be always before you, and lay it to mind, Rev. xix. 4. These are they that have not been defiled with women, for they are virgins: these are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth; these were redeemed from among men, being the first-fruits unto God, and to the Lamb.' Likewise, take notice of the word, All that will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution.' But again, precious Christ comforteth his followers with these words, John xvi. last verse, These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace; in the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.' And this I must say

• Here there are two persons named by this martyr as accessory to his death. With regard to the first,-it is probable that the name should have been printed Charles instead of Alexander Maitland, as that was the name of the ensign, by whose party the conventicle was attacked: or, it is possible he might refer to some one of the countrymen, whom it appears the ensign had compelled to accompany and assist him, on that occasion. With regard to the other person named, -Archbishop Sharp, we quote the following statement of the circumstance referred to, from Wodrow. After saying that Learmonth's "trial and sentence were mightily cried out upon," be continues :-" Some papers before me say, he was assoilized by the jury, but Bishop Sharp being peremptory that he must die, moved the advocate to threaten them with the utmost severity, and at length they were prevailed with, to bring him in guilty."-History, vol. i.

to the commendation of our blessed Lord, that in my experience I have found that scripture verified to me, Prov. iii. 17. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.' Although to flesh and blood the cross of Christ be irksome, yet to the renewed part, Christ's yoke is easy, and his burden light; as it is Mat. xi. 28-30. Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. My brethren, but especially of East Lothian, do not scare at the precious cross of Christ Jesus for my suffering, for I can assure you, Christ's cross is beautiful, and fruitful, and not to be stumbled at, as it is Isa. xxvii. 8. If ye take it on you willingly, and draw kindly in it, it shall be the heartsomest work in the world, to work and the cross upon your back; for, he will bear you and it both, as I have found it in my experience, ever since I began to seek his face, but especially, since he called me to the hardest task; but no task is hard that he hath called me unto: but I may say, what am I, or my Father's house, or any of the lost posterity of Adam, Psal. viii. 2-4. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast ordained strength, because of the enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and avenger. When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars which thou hast ordained: -What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?' That such a holy one as He, should have singled out such a poor silly man as I, out of that country-side wherein I lived, and that he should have honoured me, by calling me to lay down my life for adhering and following of him in the way of duty,in countenancing his despised gospel and persecuted cause, now preached in the fields, by his lawfully called servants,-whereby he hath sealed to my soul, that he owns these field meetings, and doth tryst with his friends there, as I have found in a singular manner both in word and sacraments, -as I have found it to my comfort at East Nisbet in the Merse, 1 Cor. i. 13. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish, foolishness; but unto them that are saved, it is the power of God:-and there he dealt bountifully with his friends, as in Isa. xxvii. 7. I hope ere long the following words of the forenamed chapter shall be made out to me, and I shall enjoy him to all eternity. Be exhorted, to follow this way of the Lord, though unjustly reproached in that calumny of sedition and rebellion. And again, I exhort you to follow Christ in the use of all his commanded services both in public and private, cost what it will:-As Mat. x. 37-39. He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of And be that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake, shall find it.' As for my part, now in my last words, I declare, if all the hairs of my head were men, I would willingly lay them down with my life, for owning my Master Jesus Christ, and his cause, in the field meetings, when you cannot get the liberty of a house as formerly,-where his goings hath been seen in

me.

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