9th verse, where he asserted,
"That the nearer the delivery, our pains and showers would come thicker
and sorer upon us; and that we had been in the fields; but ere we were
delivered, we would go down to Babylon; that either popery would
overspread the land, or else would be at the breaking in upon us, like
an inundation of water." He preached upon 1 Thess. iii. 3. And, amongst
other things desired people to take good heed what ministers they heard,
and what advice they followed: and, praying, he said, he was as clear
and willing to hold up the blest standard of the gospel, as ever, and
blessed the Lord he was free of every bond and imposition; and said,
"The Lord rebuke, give repentance and forgiveness to these ministers who
persuaded the poor prisoners to take the bond; for their perishing at
sea was more shaking to him than some thousands of them that had been
slain in the fields." He went to Edinburgh, and being got notice of by
major Johnston, he was by him apprehended upon the 6th of April
following, and brought first to general Dalziel, then to the guard, and
then before a committee of council, consisting of the chancellor,
general, advocate, and bishop Paterson. The chancellor asked, if he had
excommunicated the king, or was at Torwood? He answered, he was not
there these four years. Chan. But do ye approve of what was done there?
Answ. I am not free to declare my inward sentiments of things and
persons; and therefore I humbly beg to be excused[229]: You may form a
libel against me, and I shall endeavour to answer it as I can. Chan. But
we hear you keep conventicles since the indemnity. Answ. I am a minister
of the gospel, though unworthy, and under the strictest obligation to
exercise my ministry as I shall be answerable at the great day. I did
and do full count it my duty to exercise my ministry as I am called
thereunto. Chan. But you have preached in the fields, that is to say, on
moors and hill sides. I shall not ask you, if ye have preached in
houses, though there is no liberty even for that. Answ. I place no case
of conscience, nor make any difference between preaching in houses and
in the fields, but as it may best serve the conveniency of the hearers;
nor know I any restriction as to either in the word. My commission
reaches to houses and fields, within and without doors. Chan. We doubt,
you know and have seen the laws discharging such preaching. Answ. I
have, and I am sorry that ever any laws were made ag