when he had nothing elfe to complain of (being for many days together before his death, filled with as much joy of the Holy Ghoft as he could hold) he went away regretting this (though with a fweet fubmission to his Mafter's will) that he died not in that bed of honour, and was not brought forth, to breathe out his life and laft upon a fcaffold, fince his Mafter was dealing fuch favours amongft his followers (for to fome (and bleffed be he eternally who carried them honourably through) it was given, not only to believe, but alfo to fuffer, and to the convictions of their enemies, as men who feemed rather to triumph over that king of terrors, than to be daunted by its dreadful afpect :) and fince he was taking fuch proofs of the fidelity and affection of fome of his followers, it will not be amifs, for this purpose, to infert his own words, which were taken from his mouth, not once, but often reiterate Now (faid that faithful fervant, even when he was upon the threshold of glory, ready to receive the immortal crown) My tabernacle is weak, and I would think it a more glorious way of going hence, to lay down my life for the caufe, at the crefs of Edinburgh or St. Andrews; but I fubmit to my Master's will. Is it any wonder then, I fay, fince he, and thofe other worthy mens way in witneffing for God, was fo unlike ours, and fo far beyond what is to be found in our faint appearances for him, as the one keeps no proportion with the other; that there fhould be fo remarkable a difference, betwixt his bearing witnefs to, and teftifying his complacency in what they did, and what we do: if there be, for the moft part, fome proportion, betwixt the difpenfation of God, and the difpofition of men; what wonder, that he who admitted them to the nearest familiarity with himfelf, deal thus with us, and fo let us know our breach of promife? Nay, if there be any thing strange, and to be wondered at in this, it is rather, that he hath not been more terrible to us, by writing his displeasure againft our lukewarmnefs in greater characters, than that we have not been more indulgently dealt with. It is exceedingly of all our concernments, to lay this to heart, and ferioufly to confider, whether this be not the very thing that makes him keep a diftance from us. I fuppofe upon a very overly fearch, and furvey of our way, it will be found, that by our unworthy carriage in his matters, we have rewarded this evil to our own fouls: our fuffering (if it deferve that name) is with lefs edification and advantage to the church, and lefs comfort to our own fouls; becaufe if our teftimony be weighed in the balance of the fanctuary, it will be found light, and to want ma ny pounds, not only of what it ought to have, but what theirs had whofe work was found perfect before God. But if we be really defirous, to be dealt with as they were (and what is fo defireable, next to heaven, and the coming of the kingdom of the Son of God upon the earth) let us endeavour to carry as they did: were they not men of the like paffions and infirmities with us? Why then fhould not we aim, to be men of the like faithfulness and zeal with them: then is it, that we may hope to have fweet and halcyon days in his fervice; fuch as will make us the envy of our enemies, a comfort to our friends, and an or nament to our profeffion: hereby fhall a good report be brought up u pon the ways of God, and we fhall be living witneffes, that godlinefs with all difadvantages, and when accompanied with the fiery trial, is great gain, and hath its hundred fold in this life, even with perfecution. Let us ftudy to be like them in going about our Mafter's work, and then we have rational ground to hope, that he who fhewed by his dealing with the cloud of witneffes that went before us (and do ftill compafs us about, and call to follow on) that he was not unrighteous, to forget their zeal in doing, their patience in fuffering, their work and

b 24

labour

labour of love; will alfo remember us, with the favour that he bore ta thefe who went before us: then may we expect that he will fay to our fouls in fecret, when we have faithfully acquit ourselves for him in public, go your way now, and eat your bread, though it be brown, with joy, and drink your drink, though it be not wine, with a merry heart: for I have accepted your works, and thefe are come up in remembrance with me. O but one of these hours, which Mr. Rutherfoord had in God's company, were worth many years fuffering, and fweating in the heat of the day! I know the Prelates and their party, will think themfelves at a lofs, to hear of it, or have it faid, that God did admit to fuch familiarity with himself, his faithful witnefs against the wickednefs of their way (I grant indeed, it is a fpecial prejudice to them; for though it be ftrange, yet they who perfecute his favourites and followers, would even be thought to do God good fervice) but left I fhould feem to fay, that there was fome fingularity in God's dealing with him (which I know would grate the ear of fome of them, who pretend to be chief amongst the reft, that had a particular fpleen againft this eminent fervant of Jefus Chrift, I need not trouble the world in telling them who he is,, that being no fecret, though I know not whether he would blush to have it faid, he hated and perfecuted a man, fo greatly beloved of God, and dear to all his people, or if he would not rather boaft of it; I owe him the charity that the latter of the two will be his choice, and that for fear of being charmed he will stop his ear from hearing that, Why perfecuteft thou me? and will effay to juftify himself, and fatisfy others, by faying (according to his accuftomed candor and confcience) that he was a ring-leader amongft the phanatics: it will found harfh also I know, in the ears of them, who, in joining with him, have ferved themfelves heirs, to thefe, who went before them, in perfecuting him, and fuch faithful men as he was: for as they have come in their places, fo they perfift in their practices, only with this difference, that in making havock of the church of God, they out-do all that ever made apoftafy to that way and run at that rate, in endeavouring the ruin of the work of reformation, as if they were afraid to be out-run by any who fhould come after them, or have it faid, that there had ever been men, who with more malice did perfecute, and ftretch forth their hands, not a gainst certain of the difciples, but against the whole church of God, Reader, pardon I pray thee, that I now and then digrefs in a parenthe fis, while thefe wife men come in my way, for thou knoweft very well according to the proverb, that the devil fhould have his due, and I de fire to do them juftice, and here I clofe it, if they fhould take it ill, I fay, to have fo much faid to the advantage of this worthy man. If it will be acceptable to them to hear it, I have a mind to gratify them fo far, as to fay, that Mr. Rutherfoord was not alone in this, as his practice in that oppofition was not peculiar to himself (for he but walked in the way of them who left him an example, to continue with Chrift in his temptations) fo, his privileges were not fo peculiar to himself, that he had none to fhare with him: and therefore I fay (if they can reap any fatisfaction by having it faid, or if they have a mind ftill to quarrel, fee if there be any of them in cafe to convince me of a falfhood) that God made it known, not only to themfelves, but to the world, how highly he efteemed the fidelity of others alfo before him, who were his conftant witneffes against introducing and establishing of prelacy in Scotland, he not only made themfelves find what favourites they were, by putting them (if I may fay fo) upon his fecrets: (for Mr. Davidfon, Mr. Welch, Mr. Bruce, and many others of the valiant foldiers of Chrift, and worthy witneffes in their time, were known to have been prophets

(which I could evince by many particular paffages, but they deferve a more honourable mention, and it may be fome will undertake it, than to be fhut up within the limits of a parenthesis) particularly removed Mr. Welch, who at home, and abroad in France, was taken notice of, as an extraordinary Man, as a fervant from whom his Mafter did not conceal what he was about to do: not one word hath fallen to the ground, of all that which by that feer was foretold, concerning the troubles of Scotland; hath not the fword of ftrangers, according to his prediction, been made drunk with the blood of the flain? Is not Chrift crucified this day in Scotland, which he forefaw would follow? Yea, and buried too; and for fear that he fhould rife again, there is by the procurement of the chief priests, a watch fet, the great ftone rolled to the mouth of the fepulchre is fealed, and all made as fure as they can: becaufe if he rife upon them again, this laft error will prove worfe than the firft by far the Lord, I fay, hath fulfilled in every circumítance the word of his fervant hitherto; only the laft part of it is not yet accomplifhed, wherein he foretelleth of the glorious refurrection of Chrift crucified and buried in Scotland; but the exact accomplishment of the former, puts us in expectation of the latter, notwithstanding that the great ftone of an act Reciflory, and many fubfequent acts fuitable to that fad one, is rolled to the mouth of the fepulchre, and notwithstanding that the priefts (the prelates I thould fay) have by their importunity, procured an order from the magiftrate to make it as fure as they can, and being now clothed with the formality of that law whereby he was crucified (for alas ! we have a law now, by which law he muft die!) they are most diligent in fetting their watches and making all faft: this is the thing, I fay, that his fad-hearted difciples are in expectation of; notwithstanding of all the endeavours of his enemies to the contrary, and then prelacy in Scotland will breathe out its life and laft together: for between Chrift's rifing and reigning, and their falling, there hath ever been seen amongst us, a certain connection: and truly for as great an enemy as they may think me, I would make a very friendly overture unto them (I grant I come to counfel uncalled, and I hope alfo, that my foul fhall never enter into their fecrets) and this is the advice I have to give them, that they would even look fo far before their nofe, as to make their teftament, fo long as they are in cafe to go to kirk and mar◄ ket; but I fear I lofe my labour; for ere ever Judas will part with his pieces, he is in the next door to hang himself, and who can help it, God not only dealt with them, I fay, as to put them upon his fecrets, but he made their very enemies take notice of them oftentimes, as men that had been with Jefus. Hath it not been a heart-staying, and handftrengthening remark amongst the fervants and people of God in our native land, efpecially in a declining time, that God did fingularly thine from heaven upon, and fhew his fatisfaction in the way, and towards the perfons of thofe of his fervants, who stood firm in their oppofition to prelacy; and that he did as fignally, one way or other, either fooner or later, give fignifications of his diflike of the way and perfons of them who turned afide to thefe crooked courfes? And was it ever more vifible (as to the latter part) than at this day? It may be that they will think it fufficient to convince me of a lie, that their greatnefs and grandeur is fuch, as if they had monopolized to themfelves all the riches and honour of the nation; but if they will have patience to hear me to Amen, I may poffibly convince them of a truth that they are not willing to hear; for I only grant, that they have forgotten their Mafter's directions, inhibiting them, to lift up themfelves above their brethren, but I will grant them this alfo (for they must have much given them)

that

that they have carried away the primacy, and precedency from the no bility, on whofe necks they now trample; but when all this is granted them, yet they have not convinced me of telling an untruth: they muft have leave to put out mine and other mens eyes befides, (which we are not willing to give them: though if any man would gratify his grace, and their lord/hips, he muft part with thefe in the firft place; for an implicite faith is the bafis and foundation of their kingdom of darkness, without which it would fall about their ears, and but overwhelm them in the rubbish, and that would be very fad to them, for I fufpect they have no great mind to die) before this come fo much as under debate, almoft with indifferent men; whether God be angry at their way; his very giving of them up, to perfecute his people and fervants, fays nothing, if it fay not this; that whatever be their outward profperity, he. hath claffed them with Pharaoh, in pouring out his plagues upon their heart is not this feen, that fo foon as a man becomes ferious in feeking of God, he becomes the butt of their malice, and the mark against which they bend their bow, and fhoot the arrows of their indignation? And fo foon as any begins to mind feriously the concernments of his foul, then, fine monitore, he falls in a dislike with them, and their way: I do not fay, that all who hate the prelates are faints; for there is fufficient in their way to make them odious to others; but is not this known, that these who once begin to fet their face towards God, turn their back upon them? I am fure this obfervation does feldom fail, or can be proved falfe in our native land: and then on the other hand, fince thefe men were exalted, do not the wicked walk on every fide? Is there not a profane fpirit (the conftant attendant of epifcopacy in Scotland) broken loofe in the land? Is there not fuch a flood of impiety running through the land, that carries moft men down the current, as hath hardly been feen? Hath not this leprofy fpread itself over the whole land? So that we are an abomination, and talk to all about us: and if any would endeavour to accomplish a diligent fearch, to find out the fountain that cafts forth this mire and dirt, to the defiling of the land, and defacing of congregations, he would, it may be, find it where it ought leaft to be expected: thefe ftreams of impiety and impurity run from the fanctuary; hence is it, that profanity goes forth through the whole land: and can it be otherwife, when fo many faithful minifters are driven away, and men put in their places to handle the law, of most of whom without breach of charity, it may be faid, that they know not God, and care not for the fouls of his people: it is under the shadow of this plant (which because it is not of our heavenly Father's planting, we live under the expectation, and, though our eyes fhould be fhut before we fee it, we hope to die in the faith of its being pluckt up) that thefe weeds have grown up, fo that alas! the vineyard of the Lord of hofts is now no more like his inclosure, it bringeth forth briers and thorns instead of good fruit: he planted the church of Scotland a noble vine, wholly a right feed, but fince it became a feminary for prelates, the converfation of the generality proclaims this, that we are turned into the degenerate plant of a ftrange vine unto him: this is the prelatical reformation, which is fuitable to itfelf all along; for having purged out of the church the faithful minifters of Chrift (and the few who are yet remaining, being in expectation of the fame lot) what can follow among the people; but, that the land fhould be drowned with a deluge of profanity? And are we not for the moft part (oh if with a fuitable meafure of forrow I could make mention of it) as the children of the Ethiopians to him? Are not our spots unlike the fpots of his people? This obfervation, I fay, as it was a very heart-staying confideration in

former

former times, and was inftead of many arguments amongst them who were no great difputants: fo I hope, (fince it was never more evident) it will fill prove a heart-eftablishing confideration in the faith once delivered to the faints.

Reader how defirous foever thou mayft be, to have dead Mr. Rutherfoord live in the hearts of the prefent and fucceeding generations, by an account of his fingular gracious life, and answerably glorious Death: yet, I fhall not (for that would lead me a length beyond the juft limits of an epiftle, where, contrary to my purpose, I find myself almoft arrived already) be able to fatisfy thy defire, nor answer thy expectation. It's not my prefent work to tell thee, that he was a gentleman by Extraction. That he was educated at schools and colleges, where he was admitted for the pregnancy of his parts, and defervedly looked upon, even then as a perfon of whom great things might be expected: of his being pitched upon for aprofeffion of philofophyby the college of Edinburgh (where he was educate) when he was yet very young. Of his being called thence to the Miniftry in Anwoth (to which charge he entered, by the means of that worthy nobleman my Lord Kenmure, without giving any engagement to the Bishop) where he laboured night and day with great fuccefs, the whole country being to him, and accounting themfelves, as his particular flock: There it was, where he wrote that great Mafter piece of learning against the Arminians (which yet was but a compend of what he then intended,) his Exercitationes Apologetica: Of his perfecution by the Prelates, who were fo found in the faith, as to challenge and accufe him for writing that book. Being called before their high commiffion court, he appeared and declined it, as none of the courts of Chrift (nor was there need of any thing elfe for a confirmation, that it came not from on high, but from below fave its procedure; for its Acts had the very dy and vifage of hell upon them: if they will plead that it is from above, they will be puzzled to pitch upon a period, or fix upon any other time when it came down, except with the fallen Angels; but it may be, this pleafes fuch Angels of the church (fo they will be called) for they boaft much of antiquity and truly that which gives ground for this conjecture, that it came down from heaven in that company, is that, it perfecutes the faints and fervants of the Moft High; and if there were none fuch upon earth, it would have no work) and was by this high commiffion put from his ministry, and sent to Aberdeen, where the doctors found to their confufion, that the puritans were clergy-men as well as they, on his returning to his former charge, upon that happy change of affairs in the year 1638. and his being fhortly after fent to the profeffion of Theology in the Univerfity of St. Andrews by the General Affembly (where he was alfo called to be worthy Mr. Blairs Colleague in the miniftry which being the feat of the arch prelate, was the very nursery of all fuperftition in worship, and error in doctrine, and thefink of all profanity in converfation among the students: where God did fo fingularly fecond his fervants indefatigable pains, both in teaching in the fchools, and preaching in the congregation, that it became forth with a Lebanon, out of which were taken cedars for building the house of the Lord through the whole land: not a few of whom are this day, amongst thofe, who have obtained mercy of the Lord, to be his faithful witneffes, againft Scotland's prefent fhameful and unparalleled defection of his being fent with other worthy minifters, by the general affembly, to the famous fynod at London; where, during the time of his abode, he published feveral pieces: In a word, of his unparal leled painfulness, and holy zeal in being about his mafter's bufinefs;

fo