Page:Brief historical relation of the life of Mr. John Livingston Minister of the Gospel.pdf/69

( 69 ) befel Mr. Livingſton after this, is recorded by himſelf. It was intended to have given a copy of his examination before the Privy-council, and of his letters to his pariſhioners; but theſe are already in print: and what hath diſpoſed us the rather to omit theſe, is, to make way for the memorable characters given by Mr. Livingſton of the eminent miniſters and profeſſors of his time, which came to hand after propoſing the other. And therefore it ſhall only be further obſerved here. That this eminent miniſter died at Rotterdam, Auguſt 9th, 1672. Some of his laſt words were, "Carry my commendations to, till I come there myſelf." After a pauſe, he added, "I die in the faith That the truths of God which he hath helped the Church of Scotland to own, shall be owned by him as truths, ſo long as ſun and moon endure: and that Independency, though there be good men and well-meaning profeſſors of that way, will be found more to the prejudice of the work of God than many are aware of, for they evaniſh into vain opinions. I have had my own faults as other men, but he made me always abhor ſhows. I have I know given offence to many, through my ſlackneſs and negligence, but I forgive and deſire to be forgiven. I cannot ſay much of great ſervices, yet if ever my heart was lifted up, it was in preaching ." After a pauſe, for he was not able to fpeak much at a time, he ſaid, "I would not have people to forecaſt the worſt, but there is a dark cloud above the Reformed churches, which prognoſticates a ſtorm coming." His wife fearing what ſhortly followed, deſired him to take leave of his friends; "I dare not," replied he, with an affectionate tenderneſs, "but it is like our parting will only be for a ſhort time." And then he ſlept in the Lord.

Them that ſleep in Jeſus will God bring with him.