Life and diary of Lieut. Col. J. Blackader

CHAP. XX. MISCELLANEOUS EXTRACTS. 483
that whoever serves the King with fidelity, or de-
serves well of our country and our church, will have
a good title to the favour and thanks of the General
Assembly.
It was carried to name the Duke alone, and I went
cheerfully along with it. I know by this I lose the
favour of both sides, but I hate to be a tool or a party
man. I would join with both when they are right,
and with none of them when they are wrong.
May 12. This day came on the affair of Mr. Web-
ster and Mr. Simpson.* There seems to be much
heat and party spirit about it. After some members
had delivered their opinion, I spoke to this purpose.
Moderator, — We have spent much time upon this
business both in the last Assembly and in this. We
have heard much reasoning about it, or to speak more
properly, much speaking, and some reasoning; for
where reason ends, there passion begins ; and of that
there is no end while there is so much fuel in our
breasts to feed it. Moderator, if this business be ripe
for the Assembly — if Mr. Webster's first libel and
answers to it be prepared by the Committee, and if
his last libel and answers to it be ready for the As-
sembly, then let us go on to the judging of it, in the
* This was the noted case of Mr. John Simpson, Professor of Divinity
at Glasgow, who was accused of teaching and preaching heretical doc-
trines, for which, by appointment of the Synod of Lothian, he was libelled
by Mr. James Webster. The Assembly of this year, not having leisure
fully to consider the erroneous points charged against him, remitted the
case for more thorough examination. This intricate process agitated
the country, and the Supreme Court of the Church, for fourteen or
fifteen years. In 1729, the Professor was, by a sentence of the As-
sembly, suspended from preaching and teaching, and all exercises of
ecclesiastical power or function. Vid. Acts of Ass. Periodical Pamph.