Series 2 > Diary of Sir Archibald Johnston of Wariston, 1650-1654

WARISTON’S DIARY, 1651
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awen chalmerforal His countenances, assistances, influences
and good providences, since I went out of it. . . . The
spring is going on, tyme of warre, and therby of great
chaynges aprocheth. . . .
30 Merch [Sabbath]. . . . After prayer in family . . .
recommending to God ... to protect and preserve my
children and papers. . . .
31 Merch. ... At night with difficulty I got on word
of the Genferal],1 for the poor men who delayed me becaus
of their alarum, which maid them that night to merch to
Blaknesse.
Apryle 1651
On Tuesday, the 1 of Apryle, . . . afternoon I prayed
in privat with Col[onel] Ker and Lady Inglest[on] ... I
heard of Provest’s, S. J. C., and Inglest[on’s] 2 melan-
choliousnesse, and did wryte to them against it. ... I
heard from M. J. G.3 of som lords protesting in Parlia¬
ment and leaving it, which wil be a straunge passage ;
and of his going from Stirling on the Mononday to Glascou.
The ministers and I, at desner, fell in an discourse of
Carberry, Carlowry, on Patrik Young, and another,
William Nisbet, brother to the minister of Irwyng, who
was eminent professors for many yeirs, and then the first
tuo fell into play, and dyceing and carding, and uther
scandals, and the uther tuo into drunkennesse, and that
the Lord befor their death brought them to great terrors,
and at last to mercy as thro the fyre, but never recalled
them to a profession, let be that eminency of it agayne.
Wherupon I observed hou dangerous it was, far mor to
eminent instruments, to fall in God’s work; for tho He
wil saive their soules, yet readily He never maiks that
great use of them as befor, which troubled me in relation
to M. R. D., M. D. D., M. R. B., M. J. D.,4 and maid me
crye to the Lord never to leave me to myself. . . .
1 Cromwell.
2 Sir James Stewart, Sir John Cheisly and Major Inglis of Ingliston.
3 Mr. James Guthrie.
4 Apparently Mr. Robert Douglas, Mr. David Dickson, Mr. Robert Blair,
and Mr. James Durham.
vol. n. c