Series 1 > Diary of Sir Archibald Johnston of Wariston 1632-1639

312
DIARY OF LORD WARISTON
I came in to Edr., met the Chancelor and Clerk Register going
to Stirlin.
On Wednesday morning I remembred I had bein idle thir
three or foor dayes. I wrot ane letter to my L. Rothes. I
remembred that on Sunday in Riccarton I thanked God for
hearing my last weeks prayer in maiking me light on som fit
passages of lau for the busines in hand; praying for the lyk
this week, and for ane greater occasion and motion of thankful-
nes; quhilk I pray the Lord to grant for Chrysts saik. After¬
noon I conferred with Mr. H. Rollok in a verry sensible, practical
discours. About night, after a slight recomendation of my-
selth to God, halving gottin Menochius De Arbitrariis? I
lighted presently on som passages de collegiis licitis ac illicitis,
for the quhilk I was forced presently to bou my knee and thank
the Lord, and to pray the Lord to contineu that outward
providence in casting in my hand, and his inward assistance
in casting in my mynd sick thoughts and meditations as might
furder the cause in hand and advance his glory, and that for
Chrysts saik.
[/<?/. 26.] Upon Foorsday I heard thair was no good neues com with
my L. Hadingtons post. I conferred that afternoone with
young Mr. Tho. Nicolson, and was taiken of the cassie to Mr.
Jhon Aibernethys consultation, quhair I got ane double peice.
Discoursed long with Mr. R. Burnat about the pouer of a king
and of the three estaits.
9 Febr. Qn Frayday morning remembring that the Thres. was to be
at hom again the 12 of Feb. witli the kings resolutions, quhilk
was thought to perseu Edr.; and, considering thy impraspaired¬
oes thou was first in a confusion; then, mor distinctly finding
the Lords offering to give the present hearing, thou recomended
earnestly to the Lord his auin glory, his worschip, his churche,
his cause, our posteritie, and ourselves ; then thou remembring
the Lord of thy inabilities, incapabilities of nature, thy present
spritual indispositions, thy negligent use of the means, thy
fruitles use of them quhilk ansuered not thy expectation, thou
despaired, altogither and absolutly, quhyl thou looked to thy-
1 Jacobus Menochius, De arbitrariis judicum qucestionibus et causis, libri duo,
1607, folio.