Anonymous

“ He further observes, That he could not remember any particular tine of conversion, or that he was much cast down, or lifted up: only one night; in the Dean of Kilmarnock, having been most of the day before, in company with some people of Stuarton, who were under rare and sacred exercise of mind; he lay down under some heaviness, that he never had such experience of; but, in the midst of his sleep there came such a terror of the wrath of God upon him, that if it had but increased a little higher, or continued but a few minutes longer, he had been in a most dreadful condition! ”

“ This summer, being in Irvine, he got letters from Viscount Clanniboy to come to Ireland, in reference to a call in Killinchie; and, seeing no appearance of entering into the ministry in Scotland, he went thither, and got an unanimous call from that parish. Here he laboured with the utmost assiduity among that people, who were both rude and profane before that, and they became the most experienced Christians in that country. ”

“ After this, he spent the rest of his time in the exercise of the ministry, both at Ancrum and other places, until summer 1660, that news was brought him that the King was called home, and then he clearly foresaw that the overturning of the whole work of reformation would ensue, and a trial to all who would adhere to the same. ”

“ Livingstone's influence in Scotland, said, "Let him alone, he is a good man; and what are we, poor men, in comparison of the Kings of England?"
The General Assembly appointed some ministers, and him among the rest, to wait upon the army and the Committee of Estates that resided with them; but the fear and apprehension of what ensued, kept him back from going, and he went home until he got the sad news of the defeat at Dumbar.—After which Cromwel wrote to him from Edinburgh to come and speak to him ”

“ In his preaching he was sometimes much deserted and cast down; and again, at other times, tolerably assisted: He himself declares. That he never preached a sermon excepting two, that he would be earnest to see again in print; the first was at the Kirk of Shots (as was already noticed) and the other at a Communion Monday at Holywood in Ireland; and both there times he had spent the night before in conference and prayer with some Christians, without any more than ordinary preparation: For otherwise, says he, his gift was rather suited to common people than to learned judicious auditors. ”

“ At the last Communion which he had at Ancrum, in the month of October, he says, That after sermon on Monday, it pleased the Lord to open his mouth, in a very large discourse anent the grounds and encouragements to suffer for the present controversy of the Kingdom of Christ, in appointing the Government of his House. ”