Page:Life of the martyr, John Brown, of Priesthill, in the parish of Muirkirk, Ayrshire (3).pdf/11

11 followers and lie published their Apologetic Declaration. Mr. Renwiek was at first averse to the measure, but at last agreed. It was under such circumstances that the Apologetic Declaration was published. In it may be seen a spirit, still in Scotland, that dared to be free from tyranny ; a spirit that animated the first Reformers ; that would, one day speak terrible things in righteousness. Although this effort of freedom was like the child threshing the mountain, and its consequence apparently the same save, that the church on this account suffered much ; the court-party making it a pretence for sending more soldiers on the country, particularly about Lanark, vainly thinking it would never be, well with them, till the south and west of Scotland were made a hunting field ; and the better to execute this, any soldier in the ranks had liberty to shoot all they thought suspicious ; and it was not long, till there was scarce a moss or mountain in the west of Scotland but was flowered with martyrs. The Society that met at Priesthill was soon broken up. John Wilson, and John Smith, of Lesmahago, were shot by Colonel Buchan and the Laird of Lee, in February 1685. John Brown of Blackwood, in the same parish, was shot in the beginning of March following, by Lieutenant Murray, after the promise of quarter. The pure snow, then on the ground, was stained with his blood. His corpse was buried, under cloud of night, near to the spot where he was treacherously slain. Murray might murder such as godly Brown, But could not rob him of that glorious crown, He now enjoys. His credit, not his crime. Was non-compliance with a wicked time. These lines are inscribed on the stone that covers his grave. Alter this, John Brown could not continue his