a

22.-I heard that the Lord Tofts was dead: and I desir'd to consider this and to be instructed.

It was a great flood of rain: by which I saw how great a God He was that did hang up thes botls aboue, and squeiz them forth upon our heads at his pleasur. I looked on the water as I went forth to the field, and saw the trees, they could not resist the waters, albeit strongli rooted. . . .

26. . . . I obserud the water taking away much ground, yong trees, corn, land, and grass. .

31. The storm of wind and water detain'd me in Forres til the 31 January; on which day, I saw the children of the school act and personat the 2 great vices of prodigaliti and couetousnes, and saw something of the euels and natur both of them and other deficiencies.

I obscrud swelling tempests and rains this year, and desir'd to discern. the seasons.

I spok to Mr. Tho. Urquhart, and exhorted him to deal in al simplicitie and uprightnes in the matter of his call, and to tak heed of ani other carnal motiv, that it doe not biaz him, to the one hand or the other.

February 6.— . . . Mr. Brodley, an English man cam to me this night: by him I heard much of the Lord's prouidences in New England; the riches of his goodnes, the varietie of his wisdome. The admirabl protection and care of his poor church ther, amidst the Infidels that ar mor in number then they, and hau mani ways to destroy, if the Lord did let them forth. 2. Amidst men of ther own countre noe church members, that far exceeds them. 3. The miseri of thes poor Infidels, that by al they enjoy doe not know nor acknowledg the Lord, but worship the Diuel that is frequent among them; and neuer heard of the true God, nor of the maker of the world, creation, or miserie, sin, or redemption of man. Yet is ther land, for outward things, better then ours; thogh they mak smal use of it. Oh that as thes infidels ar easilie contented with food and a lit clothing, desir not land, care not for it; that I wer so also, and could learn some thing from them! . . .

8. The post returud from Edinburg, showing the expediencie of my

a Sir Alexander Belsches of Tofts, in Berwickshire. He was knighted and appointed a Lord of Session, 2nd July, 1646.

Ꮓ

He was nominated one of the Committee of Estates in 1651. According to Lamont's Diary, he died suddenly.

9. This day did Archibald Campbell leave me, and tak his journey towards Ila. One Mr. Herin, broght me a letter from the General anent being Clerk to the Justices of Peace: I cannot justifie my double deceitful profession of respect to him; but I purposd to a

10. Die Dom. . . Yesternight we spok of the sin of stealing how ryf it was heer among us. I desird to be affected heerwith befor the

Lord.

13. The lard of Calder took journey south.

15.-I planted trees in the gald, and on the green. Ther is a season to sow and plant, which, if it be neglected, cannot be again recoverd. Al that's planted of tre is lorch.

16.-I was lykwys snedding and planting; but oh! soe litl as I saw or discernd of the Lord in all my imployment.

17.-Die Dom. I heard that the K. of Denmark had prohibited the exercyss of an other religion then the Luthran: that warr was begun among the Switsers: that the King of Sweden and Brandeburg was agreed. For this I desir'd to be cast doun, being of but little use, and so much concerning the glori of God.

23.-This day Mr. Hugh Anderson cam to me, and told me, that Mr. Andro Gray was remoud from this lyf by death. This I desird to consider, and to be cast down under it. 1. The taking away such a person in his flour speaks wrath. 2. It may put me in a preparation for death. 3. He [is taken] from the euel to com, and few tak it to hart. 4. Our too much dotting on him may be one caus why the Lord has remoud him . . . 5. I will wryt, God willing, to Waristoun about it, and enquir what he and others haue obserud from this. 6. To pray the Lord to mak up the loss...

I heard lykwyss of the chang of the sheriffs, and I desird to be instructed by it.

24. Die Dom. . . . It moved mind to the minister, that a day may be appointed to consider, how the peopl profit in knouledg. 2. What car is taken in families to teach ther children and servants the grounds of religion;

a

The concluding words of the sentence are worn away in the MS.

b Mr. Andrew Gray, one of the ministers of Glasgow.

for mani ar slaik heer, great and small. 3. How the families may be visited, and inquiri taken, if they pray and examin ther famili. 4. To look out the overtours, interogatours, and questions set doun by the General Assembli for visiting families and catechizing. 5. That on this occasion, I may, in the Lord's name, speak to Mr. William anent his prayer and preaching. Oh if the Lord would put a word in my mouth! .

a

28.-Yesterday, died Le March, the Frenchman's wife; wherin I saw that no art, age, or strenth, could save or continue lyf.

Tanach was with

5 March. Walter Ogilvi was buried. I was warnd of my frailti by that occasion. I met with the E. of Cathnes, and spok to him, and exhorted, and warnd him of his former conversation and courses. him; but I did purposlie pas him by as a wild person. or indiscretion was in this let the Lord pardoun.

8.-I spok with Mr. Jhon M'Gulican anent his charge, be doing good always, and in all companie: to be as salt. be soe myself!

What imprudenc

and that he may Oh that I could

21.-Sir Robert Gordoun was buried; hauing had a long and effectual warning, by the continuance of his sicknes and infirmiti several years. 2. I obserud his apetit did continue: yet meat cannot keep in lyfe. 3. Oh! when we ar to tak farewel of the world, how litl does al avail which we haue been most taken up with in our lyftym! . . . Yesterday, we drew up the Act anent the practis of godlines, reforming of Elders. I did imprison

Hutchon for Greinwood: ther pouerti and complaint moud me; and albeit they had deserud it, I resolud not to tak ani thing from him, but to convoy it secretlie to him again. . .

22.-. . . The Ladie Leathin took travelling, and desird to be recoverd, which unfeinedlie I desird to doe: wherin the Lord heard us.

23. Die Dom. I was cald to Aldearn, to be witnes to the entring into the Lord's Couenant yong Leathin's daughter, Margarat: and in the father's absence, I held up and presented the child to be admitted as a member of the Lord's bodie. I desird to beleeu on the Lord Jesus for making effectual this ordinance, as to this poor child, so to me, who was also baptized to His nam, that I might liue to it, and beleeue on it, to my lyfe's end.

My nos[e] did fall a bleeding quhen I was going to stand up. I Mr. William Falconar: see p. 179.

found a superstitious hart apt to remark that, and found something on it.

This day Catenoch and Stasbin wer excommunicated

Oh that the Lord would sometym or other mak this work of darknes manifest, and would confirm and countenance this ordinance, that it may not be derided and without effect!

28. I heard that Hervie, the Englishman, gaue out an ill report of me; and in this I acknouledg the Lord, for I had carnalie flatterd and commended him, and us'd carnal policie, that he might not report ill of me, and now thus he requits.

I heard that the Duk of Lenox was lyk to be depriud of the feuduti of Ila and our labours frustrat. . .

2 April. The Lord did asist us at Aldearn in the discouering and finding out of the wickednes of Al. Roy and Ch. Wood; and we lookd up to Him and prayd, that He would destroy the work of the diuel: and let fear, thy fear, com on al, quhen they hear that nothing can be hid from thee, but that thou brings the works of darknes to light! We desir to fear and worship thee, and to be thankful. We obserud the Lord discouering the blind addictednes of men to superstition, charming, and diuelrie, and desird to be instructed and guided in the reprouing, supressing, and punishing thes things.

5.I heard the sad letters from Mr. Andro Gray to Warriston, in apprehension of the judgments to com upon Scotland for our defection and his own expectation of death, and his broken condition; and under al this I desird to be humbld, and to learn what he cals us unto.

6. Die Dom. This night Calder cam hom from Edinburgh, and did put me in hope that he had prevaild with Mr. Wil. Ross. For this I did acknowledg and ador the Lord.

He told me something of the ministers of Edinburgh anent ther complying. I considerd, and lookd up, and desird to be instructed by thes things.

9.I went to Elgin, and was pusld anent the oath of the Justices of Peace, but we did unanimousli declin it: yet wer willing to declair our purpos (God willing) to walk impartiallie. . . .

12. I wryt to Torwoodley, and exhorted him to watchfulnes against the creeping on of spiritual diseases and decay.

a I

gave

it noe

Mr. Tho. Hogg did move mariage to my intertainment. In this I desir to look up to the Lord, and to be directed. 13.—I heard of the Lord's asistance to Mr. Harie: Al. Roy his confession and breaking out in the midst of the prayer; and I adord the Lord from my soul, who gav edg, power, and virtew to his word,

15.-Mr. Wil. Ross cam. But alac[e]! unresolvd anent the embracing of Ila. I desir to be humbld, and to commend this matter to God. Mr. Rutherfoord wryt to Ila anent ther keeping fasts and frequent famili fasts. This is a neglected duti among us.

17.-I observd the Lord's providenc crocing the purpos of Mr. Tho. Urquhart his coming to Kinloss. And by Leathin's means and myn, I hinderd them from sending until Mr. Hari might goe, and so al wer hinderd... We sent Pa. Campbel to Duncpain of Logie to induce his consent, and to loos the band anent Mr. Wil. Ross.

18.-I heard that the supplication of the Shyr was so ill taken, that I had incurd much indignation for it. Now this is matter of exercyss to me, when I was purposing to goe to London, that this had fallen in which did seem to lay an impediment in my way, and stopd all appearance of success. Francis was contracted with Lilias Dumbar: ther was infirmities in this buisines let not the Lord imput it.

20. Die Dom. We met with much wickednes this day. Jan[et] Bel, when she heard of excom[munication], cried out, and wept bitterli. The other woman in Kintessak wept. Alex. Rob, for perjuri and whordom, had smal sens of his sin, but sor troubld with the punishment. Janet Dick would have sworn, and yet conversd and lay in our hous with the man. Oh how ryf is wickednes! oh so litle fear of God as is among us! When shal the gospel tak som effect? Will thou bind up this devil as thou does discover? Let a tym of grace come! Com! com! even to thes by whom Thy nam is prohand.

23.--I went to the quarie (the day being rainie), and found how much pains I could indur in anie servil work with my servants; but could not tak pains to lead them unto Jesus Christ, or to teach them the way of salvation.

28.-I was to goe this day to Forres anent that buisines of Kinloss. This I desird to commend to God; and the Lord heard and broght that

a

Probably Brodie's daughter. The name is written in short-hand.