man hath respect, for thy sake, to thy servants, but he little knoweth,
that in a short time, he shall carry us both to prison;" which
afterwards came to pass, although, at the time, it grieved the baillie
exceedingly. Mr Fleming, in his fulfilling of the scriptures, relates
another remarkable instance of this kind--A gentleman nearly related to
a great family in that parish, but a most violent hater of true piety,
did, on that account, beat a poor man who lived there, although he had
no manner of provocation. Among other strokes which he gave him, he gave
him one on the back, saying, "Take that for Mr Davidson's sake." This
mal-treatment obliged the poor man, to take to his bed; he complained
most of the blow which he had received on his back. In the close of his
sermon on the sabbath following, Mr. Davidson, speaking of the
oppression of the godly, and the enmity which the wicked had to such,
and, in a particular manner, mentioned this last instance, saying, "It
was a sad time, when a profane man would thus openly adventure to vent
his rage against such as were seekers of God in the place, whilst he
could have no cause but the appearance of his image," and then said,
with great boldness, "He, who hath done this, were he the laird or the
laird's brother, ere a few days pass, God shall give him a stroke, that
all the monarchs on earth dare not challenge." Which accordingly came to
pass in the close of that very same week, for this gentleman, while
standing before his own door, was struck dead with lightening, and had
all his bones crushed to pieces.

A little before his death, he happened occasionally to meet with Mr
Kerr, a young gentleman lately come from France, and dressed in the
court fashion. Mr Davidson charged him to lay aside his scarlet cloke
and gilt rapier, for, said he, "You are the man who shall succeed me in
the ministry of this place;" which surprized the youth exceedingly, but
was exactly accomplished, for he became an eminent and faithful minister
at that place.

Such as would see more of Mr Davidson's faithful labours in the work of
the ministry may consult the apologetical relation, Sec. 2. p. 30. and
Calderwood, p. 310,--373.

_The Life of Mr. WILLIAM ROW._

He was a son of Mr. John Row minister at Perth, who gave him a very
liberal education under his own eye. He was settled minister at
Strathmiglo, in the shire of Fyfe, about the year 1600, and continued
there for several years.

H