12. Die Dom. I heard that Papists giv the Sacrament now in both kinds, to allur us, as is said. They yet dispenc indulgences, thogh not so grosli, and for money, yet frivoulouslie. Oh deliver us from seing such a relligion set up! . . .

...

I dind with Eglingtoun, and liberallie, and found heaviness in the worship of God. I heard that Register and others purposd to prosecut ther design of fynning, and did cast of al bands. I again remitt this to God.

Ther was this day a fast intimat for the season, to be on Weddnesday next, the 15, which I desird to concurr in; and to consider what further the Lord is calling to; why he threatens and contends.

14.-I spok with Register anent Cromartie. I heard that M. and L. wer not agreing weil anent Lorn.

I din'd with Carmichael, and had mor liberti with Kinlos, and Mr. An. and Thom. stay, then I should weil allow myself; therfor I desird grac to reflect on myself aright and to consider. I met with Dumfreis, and spok to him anent what concernd himself. My darknes remaind, and I knew not quhat to doe. I desird to mak this knoun to God, who sees al things.

15. This was a solemn fast throgh al this Kingdom for the season. I did desir to exercis my soul on the grounds mentiond 12 Jan. last. Mani days hav we fasted and prayd in our late troubls; which this day is a reproach unto us, and a snar to manie Now I yet desir to thank the Lord who, passing by our sins and transgressions in the publick matters, yet did not giv us up to the will of thes men. And now qhuil al thes seims to be rejected, and He [is] angri at our prayers, and at thes exercises, quhil al is overturnd and broken doun, I desir to acknowledg the Lord, and ador His wisdom, righteousnes, holines, for it has proceeded from our selvs.

a

18. I heard that Latherdale and Midl. wer agreid, and that they had condescended -- - I desird to acknowledg the Lord's wisdom and goodnes in it, and to be instructed. Lorn fell sick. These of hope that I seemd to have. Kirkmichall desird me to put Eglington on it to oun me and my familie].

19.-I found my self immoderatlie troubld with the uneffectualnes off my being heir as to that purpos which concerns my fa[milie]. And with Latherdale this

a Short-hand in MS.

b Or Carmichael.

a

20.-My perplexiti continues whither I shal move now or not, stay or return, hold by Latherdaill, or mak use of Bp. Egl. Midl. Dumf. --Woe to me if I be left to my oun counsel. Oh, so blind, witles, and unabl to bring ani thing to pass!

26. Die Dom. I did this day go to Martin's, Ludgat, with the Ladi Cassils, and heard Mr. Jacomb, and thoght to hav heard Mr. Beats. I desir to be exercisd on his word which I heard, that it might edifi and build me up.

27.-I met with the Bishop of Glasgow, and wished that he might expres moderation, and by that comend himself to the affections of the people.

I did see the 3 prisoners dragd in hurdles; from which spectacl I desird to draw som instruction. 1. How could I bear such contempt, and scorn, disgrac, and ignominie. My soul ansuered, Lord! with Thee, or for Thee, I would desir not to refus the lyk, thogh it be bitter enogh.

I spok with B. Dumblain. He told me he feard he shold be disappointed in them he was to be joind with; and he exprest his desir and purpos to know and doe the wil of God. Oh, let the Lord grant him and me also this mercie!

e

I did see Dr. Burnet; and heard that the Bishop of Edinburgh was a stomacked proud man. Oh Lord! bring forth good out of the euels, sins, and corruption of men.

...

29. The next day is a Fast in memori of the King's death. I desird to hav a due consideration of the occasion, and off the manner.

30.-Ther was caus to reflect on this day as a day of darknes in regard of the wrath of God on thes lands; wherof the death of the King by the hand of the subjects was one effect, which speaks much displeasur and confusion from the Lord; and the long bloodi war in thes lands, quherby one has bein dashd against the other.

February 2.-. . . I desird to reflect on my complying with Bishops,

a Short-hand in MS.

Samuel Jacomb, M.A., Fellow of Queen's College in Cambridge, and pastor of Mary Woolnoth, Ludgate, London. Ejected for Nonconformity in 1662.

Dr. William Bates, the eminent Nonconformist divine, at this time vicar of St. Dunstan's-in-the-West, London.

d

Leighton, Bishop of Dumblane.

Mr. George Wishart was at this time Bishop of Edinburgh. He was formerly minister of North Leith, but was deposed in 1638. He was consecrated Bishop of Edinburgh, 1st June, 1662. He wrote in elegant Latin the History of the War in Scotland under the conduct of Montrose.

and speaking fair, giuing titls and the lyk. Oh Lord! let this be no snar to me, but keep me from euri appearanc of euel.

3.-I was convincd of the vaniti of my strong imaginations of effectuating ani thing by Sir Wm. Davison. I found Latherdale changd to me, and now gav me smal ground of incouradgment or hop. I desird to spread this befor God.

I was efternoon in the feilds, and cam in with . . and Sir Jhon Cuninghame. I heard by the L. Andouer that ther had bein great debat in the hous anent ordination, and the putting out or keeping in these ministers which had not bein ordained by Bishops; and it carried that we should be continu'd. I heard som Jesuits had put out Theses, that the Pope in cathedra could not err, and ther was ansuer giuen against it by som Papists.

Wil. Chisli returnd hom. L' [Latherdaill] desird me to stay till M. [Middleton] was gon. I heard that ther was som purposes against myself of fynning. I desird to remitt all this to the wisdom, goodnes, and merci of God.

5.-Mr. Rob. Gordoun was with me this day. I found him of an unsound judgment, and therfor desird to be watchful how I mad use of him, or was familiar with him. He told me Liut. Strang was a feire sanguinary man.

I had convers anent the E. Murray, and was veri passionat and zealous for him. 1st. I desir to reflect on my affections, earnestnes, and to obtain a sober mind, and to hau my affections guided by the spirit of a sound mind, right understanding with thes parties, and sobrieti.

6.—I found that L1 [Lauderdale] had don litl for E. Murray. I am discontent and frets when al is not don for me that I would. This may be a motiv to sobrietie and patienc. I saw L' [Lauderdale] passionatli angri. I desird to be stil. He exprest him self against Rr. [Rothes?] I could doe no mor for

b

7. My cousin Alexander cam to me, and his wyf and his child. I desird to hav a du consideration of his cace. Egl. told me he aprehended that K.'s favour was something alterd. I did in this see how unstabl ́ar al human things, and noe trust to be put in them. Midl. was sick. "Our breath is in our nostrills." . . . The King went to goulf in Titl [Spittle] Feilds.

a See Row's Life of Robert Blair, p. 338.

b Short-hand in MS.

12.—I heard that ther was new differs falen in betuix La". and M[idelton] anent Craford's buisines in the excise. 1. This disturbd al our privat matters and retarded them. 2. I see how unsur human friendship is. 3. They that ar most prosperous want not ther croces. . . . I heard the L. Dun was dead.

14. I heard what had fallen out at Kineil, for Mr. Wm. Wishart,a and I desird to acknowledg the Lord. Let not thes poor souls be forsaken that

b

I heard of the dangerous condition of this land throgh the humours of discontented persons, one and another. . . . On the 12 died the Queen of Bohemia, the last off the Scots birth of the royal familie; and manie of other peopl had died heir this short tym past. I desir to observ and consider it. 16.-Die Dom. I dind with Eglingtoun, but regreted to see

.b I did at night goe to the burial of Sir George Mushet, quher I was lookd on, as I thoght, as a speckld bird.

17.-I spent most of the efternoon with Lorne. I heard Latherdaill had yielded much in the matter of the docketting: he had lost ground in Lorne's buisinese, and was in danger to los in the matter of Crafourd. I desird to consider and be instructed by it. This night the Queen of Bohemia was buried. The night and the day follouing wer veri tempestuous wether, wind and som rain, mani houses fell, chimneys and walls. The King's fyre, but did no great harm. I was dull and could not get that use made of the Lord's mighti voic and speeking by his creaturs as I oght to doe. Sea and winds do obey and fulfil his will; ar but his messengers. Oh, so great and dreadful a God is our God!

b

18.-I spent the efternoon with Sir Jho. Cunningham. Som words we fell on that might edifi; but of the lyk discours I soon weari, and hav no pleasur in it.

19.-Hearing that the E. of Murray had written, and not to me, my hart b until I was

20.-I found my mistak anent the E of Murray his not writting to me :

and I may get mor of it, if I could wish. Oh! so blind and feebl minded a creatur as I am.

21. I heard ther wer som inconsiderabl amendment in the Servic Book : That the King was to send the Lord Hollic, Ambassador to Franc. I markd the sobrietie of the ther differs besid us. They will trust thes that hav differed and bein contrair to them, and to the King. But oh! the factions and passions of poor Scotland.

25.—I did this day and yesterday offer to see my ladi Balcarras, and to hav spok to her anent my

b

I heard off the robberi and murther committed by the E. of Dorset's two sons, the L. Bukhurst, a parliament man, and his brother Sackwill: the L. Bellix [Belasyse]d and his brother, and a son of the L. Falconbridg: and that such things should fall out, and by the hand of parliamentary men, members of the privie Counsel: and that the suprem judicatour should be constitute of such persons, and that ther I desird to be afflicted

b

under it, and burthend. For this may these poor lands mourn.

E. Midleton gau in 5 signatours to Latherdaill for the stat of Huntli. I did see euel determind against that poor famili of Argyl.

26.-I was sent for to my L. Midlton, and sent by him to my L. Lall. anent Morton's buisiness. I found and observd L.

b fiat justitia,

b if the

et ruat mundus. Alac! we b I had gon 3 tyms to [the Lady] Balcaras and misd her. I was purposing to hav made use of Lord thoght fitt, and that it be noe snar to me.

27. At my L Midlton's I fell in a veri great strait. For my lord had fallen tob of Laitherdaill, and I chanc'd to be in the hous, and was loth to hear ther secrit, and loth to remoue. I cried to God in my perplexiti. He knew I was not ther of ani purpos, presumption, deceit, or design. The Lord was pleasd to ridd me of the inconvenience; and for it I desir to bless his nam and to beleev in him. Oh! if I could attain to uprightnes, he would tak the guiding of me, and the ordouring of what concerns me, and would not leav me to my self, my own guidship or councel.

a Denzil Hollis, who was created Lord Hollis after the Restoration. He wrote Memoirs of his Life from 1641 to 1648. b Short-hand in MS.

Charles, eldest son of Richard, fifth earl of Dorset. After the Restoration,

he represented East Grimstead in Parlia

ment.

4 John, second son of Thomas Belasyse, first Lord Fauconberg. He was created Lord Belasyse, by Charles the First, Jan. 27th, 1644-5.