The Life of James Renwick - A Historical Sketch Of His Life, Labours And Martyrdom And A - Vindication Of His Character And Testimony by Thomas Houston
page 42 of 61 (68%)
page 42 of 61 (68%)
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before his enemies all that I have taught, and strengthened me to resist
and repel many temptations and assaults." He closes, with these simple, solemn, and affecting words--"But I must break off, I go to your God and my God. _Death is to me as a bed to the weary._" When the drums beat for his execution, he exclaimed, "Yonder is my welcome call to the marriage. The Bridegroom is coming. I am ready." On the scaffold, he sung the first part of the 3d Psalm, read the 19th chapter of Revelations, and prayed. When he was rudely interrupted, he said, "I shall soon be above these clouds. Then shall I enjoy Thee and glorify Thee, O my Father, without intermission and interruption for ever." In the few sentences that he was permitted to speak to the spectators from the scaffold, after commending the Lord's special mercy to him, in washing away his sins, and honouring him to suffer for His name's sake, he declared he laid down his life mainly for three things: 1. For disavowing the usurpation and tyranny of James, Duke of York. 2. Preaching that it is unlawful to pay cess, expressly exacted for bearing down the gospel, and 3. Teaching that it is lawful for people to carry arms for defending themselves in their meetings for persecuted gospel ordinances." At the close, he said, "I leave my testimony against Popery, Prelacy, and Erastianism, and against all profanity, and every thing contrary to sound doctrine, and the power of godliness; particularly against all usurpations and encroachments made upon Christ's rights, who alone must bear the glory of ruling His own kingdom, the Church; and in particular, against this absolute power, usurped by this usurper, that belongs to no mortal; but is the incommunicable property of Jehovah; and against this toleration flowing from this absolute power." Here he was compelled to leave off speaking, and to go up the ladder. He then prayed again, and said, "Lord! I die in the faith that Thou wilt not leave Scotland, but that Thou will make the |
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