Page:Life of James Renwick.pdf/13

13 destroying innocents, &c. When this declaration was first proposed, Mr Renwick was somewhat averse to it, fearing the sad effects it might produce; but, considering that the necessity of the case would admit of no delay, he consented, and concurred in the publication thereof. Accordingly it was fixed upon several market-crosses and parish church doors, November 8th, 1684.

After the publication of this declaration, rage and reproach seemed to strive which should shew the greatest violence against the publishers and owners of it. The Council published a proclamation for discovering such as owned or would not disown it; requiring that none above the age of sixteen travel without a pass, and that any who would apprehend any of them should have 500 merks for each person; and that every one should take the oath of abjuration; whereby the temptation and hazard became so dreadful, that many were shot instantly in the fields; others, refusing the oath, were brought in, sentenced and executed in one day; yea, spectators at executions were required to say, whether these men suffered jnstlyjustly [sic] or not. All which dolorous effects, and more, when Mr Renwick, with a sad and troubled heart observed, he was often heard to sa y, though he had peace in his end and aim by it, yet he wished from his heart, that that declaration had never been published.

Neither was the year 1685 any thing better. For it became now the enemy's greatest ambition and emulation, who could destroy most of these poor wandering mountain men, (as they were called;) and when they had spent all their balls, they were nothing nearer their purpose than when they began; for the more they were afflicted, the more they grew. The bush did burn, but was not consumed, because the Lord was in the bush.

Charles II being dead, and the Duke of York, a professed Papist, being proclaimed in February,