Page:Life of James Renwick.pdf/18

18 which were once generally professed and maintained by the nation, from 1610 to 1660; from which they had apostatized for a little liberty, they knew not how long, as you yourselves have done for a little honour. The Chancellor replied, and the rest applauded, That they believed that these were the Presbyterian principles, and that all Presbyterians would own them as well as he, if they had but the courage. However, on February 3rd, he received his indictment upon the three foresaid heads, viz., disowning the King’s authority, the unlawfulness of paying the cess, and the unlawfulness of defensive arms; all which he was to answer to on the 8th of February. To the indictment was added a list of forty-five persons, out of which the jury was to be chosen, and a list of the witnesses to be brought against him.

After receiving his indictment, his mother got access to see him, to whom he spoke many savoury words. On Sabbath, February 5th, he regretted that now he must leave his poor floekflock [sic], and declared “That if it were his choice, he could not think of it without terror, to enter again into and venture upon that conflict with a body of sin and death yet, if he were again to go and preach in the field he durst not vary in the least, nor flinch one hairs breadth from the testimony, but would look on himself as obliged to use the same freedom and faithfulness as he had done before.” And in a letter, on February 6th, he desired that the persons whose names were decyphered, might be acquainted with it; and concludes, “I desire none may be troubled on my behalf, but rather rejoice with him who, with hope and joy, is waiting for his coronation-hour.” Another time his mother having asked him how he was,? he answered, He was well, that since his last examination he could scarcely pray. At which she looked on him with an affrighted countenance, and he told her, he could hardly pray