Page:Last publick sermon, being a faithful and free one, preached by Mr. Hugh Mackaile ... upon the Sabbath immediately preceeding that 8th of September 1662, the day affixed for the removing of the ministers of Edinburgh from their kirks.pdf/37

( 37 ) However, it was there after underſtood, that four or five of the Aſſize did with Reluctancy pronounce this Verdict, thinking Death too great a Puniſhment for ſo ſlender a Guilt, and that the major Part of the Aſſize had cleanſed him, if the Fear of an Aſſize of Error had not prevailed with them. The Verdict being reported, Doom was pronounced, decerning and adjudging him, and the reſt, to be taken, on Saturday December 22d, to the Market Croſs of Edinburgh, and there to be hanged on a Gibbet till they be dead, and that their Goods and Lands be eſcheated and forfeited for his Highneſs's Uſe. At the Hearing of which Sentence, he chearfully ſaid, “The Lord giveth Life, and the Lord "taketh, bleſſed be the Name of the Lord. And as he was carried back through the Guards to the Tolbooth, when the People made Lamentation, he anſwered, “ Thongh “ Men cut us off, God will receive us ; truſt in God, " truſt in God." Being come to his Chamber, he immediately addreſſed himſelf to God by Prayer, with great Enlargement of Heart, for himſelf and his Fellow Priſoners condemned with him. Being afterwards asked how his Leg was, which was tortured, he anſwered merrily, “ The Fear of my my Neck now maketh me forget my Leg.” Thereafter he ſaid to another Friend, " O how good News, to be " within four Days Journey to enjoy the sight of Jeſus Chriſt! and proteſted he was not ſo cumbered how to " die, as he had been ſometime to preach a Sermon.” To ſome Women, lamenting for him, he ſaid, " That his Condition, though he was young, and in the Budding of " his Hopes and Labours in the Miniſtry, yet it was not " to be mourned for ; for, ſaid he, one Drop of my Blood, " through the Grace of God, may make moe Hearts con- “ trite, than many Years Sermons might have done." D This