Page:Life of James Renwick.pdf/24

24 all usurpations and encroachments made upon Christ’s right the Prince of the kings of the earth, who alone must hear the glory of ruling in his own kingdom the church; and in particular against this absolute power usurped by this usurper, that belongs to no mortal, but is the incommunicable prerogative of Jehovah, and against his toleration flowing from this absolute power.”

Here he was ordered to have done. He answered, I have near done; and then said, ” Ye that are the people of God, do not weary to maintain the testimony of the day in your stations and places, and, whatever ye do, make sure an interest in Christ; for there is a storm coming that shall try your foundation. Scotland must be rid of Scotland before the delivery come; and you that are strangers to God, break off your sins by repentance, else I will be a sad witness against you in the day of the Lord.”

Here the made him desist, and go up the ladder, where he prayed, and said, “ Lord, I die in the faith that thou wilt not leave Scotland, but that thou wilt make the blood of thy witnesses the seed of thy church, and return again and be glorious in our land. And now. Lord, I am ready; the bride, the Lamb’s wife, hath made herself ready.” The napkin being tied about his face, he said to his friend attending, “Farewell, be diligent in duty, make your peace with God through Christ. There is a great trial coming. As to the remnant I leave I have committed them to God. Tell them from me, not to weary nor be discouraged in maintaining the testimony, and the Lord will provide you teachers and ministers, and when he comes, he will make these despised truths glorious in the earth.” He win turned over, with these words in his mouth, “Lord, into thy hands I commend my spirit, for thou hast redeemed me. Lord God of truth.”

Thus died the faithful, pious, and zealous Mr James Renwick, on the third day over the 26th year of his age; a young man, and a young minister, but a ripe Christian, and renowned martyr of Christ, for whose sake he loved not his life unto the death, by whose blood, and the word of his testimony, he overcame, and thus got above all snares and sorrow, and, to the conviction of many that formerly reproached him, was as signally vindicated, as he was in his life shamefully reproached, with all the aspersions, obloquies, and calumnies, that were cast upon him, for prosecuting that testimony for truth, which now he sealed with his blood, in such a treasure of patience, meekness, humility, constancy, courage, burning love, and blazing zeal, as did very much confound enemies, convince neutrals, confirm halters, comfort friends, and astonish all.

He was of stature somewhat low, of a fair complexion, and like another young David, of a ruddy and beautiful countenance. The Viscount of Tarbet, one of the councillors, one day in company, when speaking of him, said, ”That he was one of the stillest maintainers afof [sic] his principles that ever came before them.” He was the last that on a scaffold sealed his testimony for religion, liberty, and the covenanted work of refornation in Scotland.

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