Series 1 > Journal of the Hon. John Erskine of Carnock, 1683-1687

JOHN ERSKINE OF CARNOCK
143
1685]
had it from Glasgow in a line from a good hand that he was
yet alive. There were now so many lies going that we be¬
hooved to suspend judging of all reports untill time confirmed
such as were true. At night I went out to the fields and lay.
1th.—After daylight I came in to the house. Andrew Ure
was with me, it rained on us in the night. I observe that
ministers, or any other persons whose proper work it is, and
who by their places and in their stations ought to edify and be
exemplary to others in their lives, ought also to be very care-
full not to give any ground of offence at them, least thereby
they and their offices and their ministry be made useless and
despised, but should rather yeild to the humours of others in
things indifferent and meerly civil, being very humble and
curteous, but not complimenting, least all be suspected. Paul
became all things to all men. I have observed very little in
the carriage of ministers make others take exceptions, so as the
offence taken came too near making them hatefull, and their
gifts and graces useless to the offended, and yet little or no
ground of offence given; on the other hand, people ought to
guard against such a temptation of the devil as taking or
keeping up groundless offence, which frequently has very sad
effects, especially when it tends to the casting at ministers by
disowning them and their ministry, which, alas, is a great part
of Scotland’s sin at this time ; and lay aside all such ground¬
less prejudice, yea, and not offend at a man’s gifts and graces,
and the ordinances of God, because of his sin and personal
failing, without a declared scandall, or otherways upon very
solid grounds, which is little regarded by many now, more
offending or rather humouring themselves by keeping up a
groundless prejudice, if well searched, and when there is
ground, not using the gospel means to reclaim. I stayed in
the house all day, and went not out at night: I read a while.
Sth.—I came from Cardross through the moss to Boquhaple
with Andrew Ure, and then to Ballinton with John Miller,
where was Mr. Forrester. I was ill, or rather well, wet with a
continued rain all the way, being weary with coming through
the moss by going deep in it, sometimes not going the ordinary
way; being thus a little toiled, I was moved to impatience by
reflecting on my coming away, suggesting that by this present