Page:Testimony to the work of reformation in Britain and Ireland (1).pdf/13

Rh high commiion-court for his non-conformity, his preaching againt the five articles of Perth, and his forementioned book of exercitations apologetica por divina gratia, which book they alledged did reflect upon the church of Scotland ; but the truth was, ays a late hitorian, (Stevenon,) The argument of that book did cut the inews of Arminianim, and galled the Epicopal clergy to the very quick, and o bihop Syderf could endure him no longer. When he came before the commiion-court, he altogether declined it as a lawful judicatory, and would not give the chancellor (being a clergyman) and the bihops their titles by lording of them; yet ome had the courage to befriend him, particularly the lord Lorn, (afterwards the famous marquis of Argyle) who did as much for him as was within his power; but the bihop of Galloway threatening that if he got not his will of him, he would write to the king; it was carried againt him, and upon the 17th of July 1636, he was dicharged to exercie any part of his minitry within the kingdom of Scotland, under pain of rebellion, and ordered within ix months to confine himelf within the city of Aberdeen, &c. during the king's pleaure;——— which entence he obeyed, and forthwith went to the place of his confinement.

From Aberdeen he wrote many of his famous letters, from which it is evident that the conolation of the Holy Spirit did greatly abound with him in his ufferings, yea, in one of thee letters, he exprees it in the tronget terms, when he ays, 'I never knew before, his love was in uch a meaure. If he leave me, he leaves me in pain, and ick of love, and yet my icknes is my life and health. I have a fire within me, I defy all the devils in hell and all the prelates in Scotland to cat water on it.' Here he remained upwards of a year and a half, by which time he made the doctors of Aberdeen know