his writings (tho' but few) making as
striking and lively an impression upon the mind, as any man's of his
time.

_The Life of Sir ROB^T. HAMILTON of Preston_.

Mr. Hamilton (afterwards Sir Robert Hamilton) brother to Sir William
Hamilton of Preston, was born about 1650, and probably a son to Sir
Walter Hamilton the reformer, and lineally descended from that famous
Sir John Hamilton of Preston, who was commissioner for east Lothian at
that black parliament held at Edinburgh, 1621, where he most boldly
voted against the ratification of the five articles of Perth; for which,
and because he would not recall his vote, the king's commissioner, the
marquis of Hamilton, and the secretary, thought to have disgraced him,
but found themselves utterly disappointed: For although they sent the
bishop of Dumblane, and after him lord Scone for that purpose, he would
not; and when by the secretary desired to absent, he told him, he would
stay and bear witness to the truth, and would render his life and all he
had, before he would recall one word he had spoke; and that they should
find him as true to his word as any Hamilton in Scotland[254].

Mr. Hamilton having received a liberal education (as is usual for men in
such circumstances) before he was twenty-six years of age or thereby,
the Lord, in his free and sovereign mercy, and by the efficacious
working of the Holy Spirit, inclined his heart to fall in love with his
service; and for that purpose he made him attend the free and faithful,
(though persecuted) gospel, at that time preached in the fields; whereby
in a short time he came to espouse the true covenanted testimony of the
church of Christ in Scotland, for which he was, through divine grace,
enabled to be a true and faithful witness to his life's end.

The first of his public appearances, we find he made in defence of that
noble cause wherein he had embarked, was in the year 1679; when (after
consulting with faithful Mr. Cargil) he, with Mr. Thomas Douglas and
faithful Rathillet, drew up that declaration (afterward called the
Rutherglen declaration) which they published upon the 27th of May, at
the market-cross of that burgh, after they had extinguished the
bone-fires; that day being kept as a holy anniversary-day for the birth
and restoration of Charles II. After this he returned with that little
handful to Evandale, where he was by them appointed to command in chief
June 1st, at the skirmish of Drumclog, wherein h