Page:Life of James Renwick.pdf/21

21 was sorry for his death, and that it should fall out his short time. Several Popish priests and of the guard, with some of the tolerated , were premitted to converse with him. A, at leaving him, was over-heard saying, he a most obstinate heretic; for he had used such with him, that it became a proverb in the at the time, “Begone, as Mr Renwick said the priests."

Several petitions were written from several hands, the most favourable strain that could be invented, sent him to subscribe, but all in vain; yea, it offered to him, if he would but let a drop of fall on a bit of paper, it would satisfy, but he not. In the mean time, he was kept so close he could get nothing wrote. His begun testimony which he was writing was taken from him, pen and ink removed. However, he got a short wrote the night before, which is to be found the Cloud of Witnesses, as his last speech and

On Tuesday, the 14th, he was brought before council on account of The informatory vindication; but what passed there cannot be learned, than their signifying how much kindness had shewn him, in that they had reprieved without his application, a thing never done . He answered with extraordinary cheerfulness, rejoicing that he was counted worthy to suffer for the name of his Master. A friend asking how he was? he said, “Very well;” and he would be better within three days. He told his mother, That the last execution he was witness to, was Robert Gray’s; and that he had a strong impression in his mind that he should be the next. He often said, He saw need for his suffering at this ; and that he was persuaded his death would more good than his life for many years could have done. Being asked, What he thought God