Memoirs of the Maxwells of Pollok > Correspondence

118 STATE AND OFFICIAL LETTERS. [1699.
or jealousie that you may have at any time, and you shall be very safe in my
hands ; and I will let you know any thing I understand in this place. I have
nothing to acquaint you with at present ; therfor I shall only add that I am,
My Lord, your Lordship's most faithful and most humble servant,
Seafield.
Lord Justice Clerk.
David Home, Lord Crossrio, to Sir John Maxwell, Lord Justice Clerk,
13th May, 1699.
105. My Lord, I have a letter from my Lord Aberuchel of the 8, and one from
my Lord Rankillor of the 9 currant, agreeing to the adjournment of our
court from 19 instant to August 17. I haA^e not yet heard from my Lord
Fountainhall and Phesdoe, but your lordship has warrant enough when the
plurality concurr, to adjourn the court ; so it is my opinion also it be adjourned
till the said day : though, I must say, if the Advocate had been at home, I
would have been of another mind. I was of opinion a commission would have
done as well as we, which made me in council to be against our going ; but
after that was over ruled, and that the trial behoved either to be by us, or not
to be at all, I was for appointing the diet at Glasgow. I think ah 1 who pray
that the Kingdom of God may come, ought to use all then endeavours as they
are called, to destroy the Kingdom of Satan. This profane and lukewarm
generation makes a mock at witchcraft, as they do at most other sins, but I am
hopefull it is not without the good conduct of Divine providence that the trial
is delayed ; and I think it ought to be all our prayers that it may please God
to clear up our way to the conviction of scoffers, and purging the land of that
abominable crime : and therefore I should be very sorry if the trial go not on
in August. A great deal of latitude, not allowable in more open crimes, must
be taken in this, which is amongst the most occult ; tho' I wish all the further
evidence that can be had, may be enquired after. I am,
My Lord, your Lordship's most humble servant,
David Home.
Edinburgh, Saturday, May 13, 1699.
To my Lord Justice Clerk at Pollock, Glasgow.