Page:Life & prophecies of Mr. Alexr. Peden.pdf/9

 prisoners, have done something to save their lives that shall not do with them, for the sea-billows shall be many of their winding sheets; and the few of them that escape, shall not be useful to God in their generation.". That was sadly verified thereafter. That which the greatest part of these prisoners did was taking of that bond commonly called the Black Band, after Bothwel wherein they acknowledged their appearance in arms, for the defence of the gospel and their own lives, to be rebellion; and engaged themselves never to make any more opposition: upon doing of which, these perfidious enemies promised them life and liberty. This, with the cursed and sub til arguments and advices of ministers, who went into the New Yard, where they were prisoners particularly, Mr. Hugh Kenedy, Mr William Crighton, Mr. Edward Jamieson and Mr George Johnston: these took their turn in the year where the prisoners were, together with a letter that was sent from that Erastian meeting of ministers, met at Edinburgh in ugustAugust [sic] 1679, for the acceptance of a third indulgence with a cautionary bond. Notwithstanding of the enemies' promise, and the unhappy advice of ministers not indulged, after they were ensnared in this foul compliance, they banished 255, whereof 205 perished in the Orkney-sea. This foul step, as some of them told, both in their life, and when dying, lay heavy upon them all their days; and, that these unhappy arguments and advices of ministers, prevailed more with them than the enemies' promise of life and liberty.

In August 1679, fifteen of Bothwel prisoners got indictments of death. Mr Edward Jamieson, a worthy Presbyterian minister, as Mr Woodrow calls him and sent from that Erastian meeting of ministers, into the tolbooth of these fifteen,