Page:Sketches of conversations with James Wilson, alias M'Lusky.pdf/8

 in suffering,) entered the Court Hall, decently dressed, when Psalms were sung, a portion of Scripture read, and prayer offered up in behalf of the dying men.—They returned their best thanks to the Magistrates, Ministers, and Mr. M‘Gregor the jailor, for their humanity and kindness during their confinement. About three o’clock, they ascended the platform, when they again spent a short time in prayer, and after the fatal cords were adjusted, a handkerchief was dropped as a signal that they were ready, and they were launched into eternity.

Perhaps, some may ask “ Why was this Narrative published?” In answer I would say; to shew the riches of Divine grace, in the salvation of a wicked profligate youth, who had early filled up the measure of his iniquities.

Some indeed may be ready to say, “You encourage sinners to continue in crime, by such representations of the astonishing grace of God to a condemned malefactor, and you have not substantial evidence to judge of the reality of the change professed to be wrought.” As to the first objection, I would answer, We denounce as horribly impious, the doctrine that teacheth to sin that grace may abound. Such presumptuous transgressors are, we believe, often cut off in their crimes, having no space for repentance, nor grace of penitence given. They justly provoke God’s righteous indignation, and he sometimes wounds the hairy scalp of such daring rebels, by the glittering sword of his vengeance. But I would ask such objectors, what they would have us to say to a poor wretched criminal who smites upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. Should we talk to him in the strange and unscriptural way of making atonement to God for his transgression? Surely not. Who can make atonement to God for human guilt? No man, nor all the men upon earth : for no man can redeem his brother, or give to God a ransom for his soul. The redemption of the soul is so precious, that nothing less than the blood of Christ can redeem us from the