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

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LAST SPEECH ANP TESTIMONY OF
of love, the grace of holy fear and humility. 0 but there
is much need of this and the promised Spirit.
Now, I desire to salute you, dear friends in the Lord Jesus
Christ, whether imprisoned, banished, widowed, and father¬
less, or wandering and cast out for Christ’s sake and the
gospel’s ; the blessing of Christ’s sufferings be with you all,
strengthen, stablish, support and settle you, and the bless¬
ings of him who was in the bush, which while it burnt, was
not consumed, and my poor blessing be with you all. Now, !
as to my persecutors, I forgive all of them ; instigators, re-
proachers, soldiers, privy council, justiciaries, apprehenders,
in what they have done to me ; but what they have done in
despite against the image of God’s name in me, who am a
poor thing without that, it is not mine to forgive them ; but I
I wish they would seek forgiveness of him who hath it to
give, and do no more wickedness.
Now, I leave my poor sympathising wife and six small
children upon the Almighty Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
who hath promised to be “ a Father to the fatherless, and a
Husband to the widow, and the orphan’s stay be thou all
in all unto them, O Lord. Now, the blessing of God, and
my poor blessing be with them. And my suit to thee is
that thou wouldst give them thy salvation. And now, fare- j
well, wife and children ; farewell, all friends and relations ;
farewell, all worldly enjoyments ; farewell, sweet Scriptures, |
preaching, praying, reading, singing, and all other duties.
Welcome, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I desire to com¬
mit my soul to thee in well-doing. Lord, receive my spirit.
John Paton.
Last Testimony of James Nisbet, of the Parish of Loudon, who
suffered at the Howgale-head, Glasgow, June 5, 1684.
Now, I am brought hither this day, to lay down my life for
the testimony of Jesus Christ, and for asserting him to be
Head and King in his own house, and for no matter of fact,
that they have against me. Wherefore, dear friends, and all
true lovers of Zion’s cause, although I can neither speak nor
write any thing to the praise and commendation of my
lovely Lord and princely Master, Jesus Christ, King and