Ayrshire > Volume 2

84 HISTORY OF AYRSHIRE
wee have lost in our choicest cretur comforts. But
I crave mercy for presuminge to wryte to you on such
a subject, who, I know, is soe weel acquainted with
thes sweet cordialls of comfort, edefienge lessons of
instructiones, and most equitable precepts for
direction, which the spirit of God hath laid up in
Scriptur for one in such a case : Only, my afection
and respect to your grace hath constraned me to goe
this far (it may be thought) out of my statione, that
you may thereby know you are in a gret missur
simpathized with by — Your grace most obledged
humble servant."
Lord Eglinton's letter afforded great consolation to the
Archbishop, as the response to it shows : —
" My deare lord — I have had very many and
ample testimonies of your lordship's undeserved
respect and favour since first I had the honour of your
lordship's acquaintance ; but never any of which I
was more sensible, or with which I was more satisfied
than your lordship's last most Christian and com-
passionate letter, which spake your lordship as much
a Christian and a person of true honour as any I have
mett with in my time ; and I must thankfully confess
to your lordship that it did very much to asswage and
mitigate my griefs, and promise that it shall lie by me
as a pledge of your lordship's respect, and ane evidence
of my obligation to your lordship."
The Militia were a product of the troublous times
during which the seventh Earl lived. By letter from the
Privy Council of date September 3, he, the Earl cf
Cassillis, and the Master of Cochrane were appointed
Captains of the three troops that were to be enlisted from
the counties of Ayr and Renfrew ; and they were
instructed to call the Commissioners of both shires to
meet at Irvine, where they were to present to them
their commissions and instructions and " to act and
proceed forthwith according thereto with all possible