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

400
DIARY OF LORD WARISTON
of Jhon Du Gars company1 be the waye, and we protested at
65 ] the Crosse. That day I was taiken out by my L. Lindsay
to Keneit, quhair by the way I fand som light in disput¬
ing anent bischops being the thrid estait. I got grit good
befor I gaid to my bed, and a great libertie the morrou
morning. My L. Balmerinos freie gift had maid me ryde
easie aneugh.
i7- Upon Saturday morning, Mr. Airthour Mortoun and I dis¬
puted anent constant moderators and anent bischops, and
anent the expedience or inexpediencie of offending the king
or the weak Christian, quhairin I got and gaive mor and mor
light. By the way, Mr. Air. Henderson told me, quhen I
was schauing him the absolut necessitie that he most be the
Moderator, that the Lord had bein humbling him and
exercising his mynd the whol moneth befor, quhilk I told him
I took as ane praesage that the Lord was to use him as ane
greater instrument of his work in his hand, albeit he was
emptying him out of himselth befor hand : and, I thinking
again and again, I took sutch ane impression of Gods will in
poynting out that man as the man quhos hand he had blissed
hitherto and wald blisse cheifly in that main work, that I
went through the noblemen, and barons, and maid every on
sensible of that impression.
Haiving come to Glascou and brought in the Commiss.
with intelligence of the bischops being in Hamilton, I was
vexed that night with irresolution anent my lodging; at last
I was forced to goe up to my L. Loudons chalmer, quhair I
got libertie both at night in privat and publik, bot especyaly
i8. in the morning of the Saboth in my bed and, after my rysing,
in his bakstaire. That night we held som privat meitings
anent choysing the Moderator and the Clerk. I got libertie
at night.
Mononday al day I went from hous to hous seiking lodging
1 John Dugar, a notorious robber, who was much feared, especially in the
north-eastern counties. Spalding says, ‘ He gave himself out to be the king’s
man, and sua micht tak and oppress the Covenanteris and their goodis at his
plesour,’vol. i. p. 94. Gordon says his name was John MacGregor, ‘a Ren-
nache man borne (known by the Irish nickname of John Dow Geare), and a
notorious robber.’—Scots Affairs, vol. ii. p. 267.