Religion & morality > Cloud of witnesses, for the royal prerogatives of Jesus Christ, or, The last speeches and testimonies of those who suffered for the truth in Scotland, in the years 1681-1688, with an appendix, containing the Queensferry paper, Torwood excommunications, &c

IJAVID KACKSTOUN OP RATKILLET.
37
had owned it with the hazard of their blood before me. Then
I was called by all a murderer. I answered, God should
decide it betwixt us, to whom I refer it, who were most mur*
derers in his sight, they or I.
Ye have an account, as near as 1 can give, of what passed
between us. Be ye, and desire all others to be, earnest with
God in my behalf: for I am weak, and cannot stand with¬
out constant supplies of the graces of his Spirit. O ! I am
afraid lest I deny him : I have rich promises, bdt I want
faith. Pray and wrestle in my behalf, and in behalf of my
companions. Show this letter to my friends, especially D.
K. Let all beseech the Lord for us, that he would show us
the cause of his anger against us ; and let me know by the
first opportunity who of us were slain. Commend me to all
friends, and let none stumble at the cause, because of this.
I have often said, that if we purged not ourselves of the
public and particular sins among us, God would break us,
and bring a delivery out of our ashes. Let none murmur
at what we should esteem our glory. And let ministers and
others be afraid of being more tender of men than God’s
glory. And however it be a stumbling to some, let it be a
token of God’s love to his church, to you, and all that love
his truth. Pray for the out-pourings of all the graces of
God’s Spirit to me, and those who are with me in bonds. I
have need of patience, submission, humility, love to, and zeal
for God; above all, hope and faith, without which I am but a
frail worm, and will fall before mine enemies, inward and out¬
ward. And thus recommending you to his grace, who hath
bought us with his precious blood, and remembering my
love to all friends, I am, yours in our Lord, and who sympa¬
thizes in our afflictions.
David Hackstouic.
P. S. You may show this letter, but preserve it; as I
have no duplicate, and it may be all my testimony. Send
nothing to me, for I am strictly guarded. I have met with
kindness from all classes, only friends have not liberty to
see me. My love to you and all friends. I said to Clerk
Paterson, that I should have seen Mr. Cargil’s papers before
I had answered anent them.
Tolbooth, Edinburgh, )
July 26,1680. $