Page:Life and prophecies of that faithful minister of God's word, Mr. Donald Cargill.pdf/35

Rh Malloch had in his packſheet: and if Malloch or any other that trade in ſuch wares, be not great loſers, I am far miſtaken.

In that ſhort time that bleſt Cargill had to run, he van faſt on foot, having loſt ſeveral horſes in his remarkable eſcapes. Wherever he was called, in ſeveral times, and different places of the land, when he ſat down for reſt, being old and weary, he took a look of the many gentlemen's buildings, and ſaid. Your Lords, lairds, and gentlemen are making brave houſes, and large parks: they may build at leaſure, it will not be long many of them will poſſeſs their houſes, which have been neſts of wickedneſs and uncleanneſs: They have dipt their hands in the perſecution and deep compliance, but few of them have had a fur of land to ſpare for the intereſt of Chriſt, and it will go a worſe gate, and their inheritance will vomit out their names. The accompliſhment of this ſaying cannot paſs the obſervation of any who ſee with half an eye, being ſo univerſal: And their own ſad experience can teſtify, that ſince that time, being now forty-nine years ſince his death, more eſtates of hundred of years ſtanding, have changed maſters, than did for a hundred years before, almoſt in all corners of the land. Befdes theſe lamentable holding reaſons that he gave, ſeveral other reaſons and occurrences have fallen out ſince, to bring it to paſs, ſuch as, we always bear the name of the poor proud Scots, through the world; and, as our poverty increaſeth, ſo our pride, vanity, prodigality, and ambition grow of airy fool ſtiles and titles. We were all once fairly. ranked in our ſolemn national covenants, all noblemen, gentlemen, barons, burgeſſes, miniſters, and commons of all ranks: But ſince theſe covenants were broken, burnt, and caſt by, as almanacks out of date, we are all gone out of rank and file; the honour due to the ſuperior is given to the inferior, our goodman, and goodwife is turned to Sir and Miſtreſs, and our Sir and Miſtreſs to your honour and Madam: Since