order of the high commission in
April following, deserves a place here.

"I James Wood, being very shortly, by appearance, to render up my spirit
to the Lord, find myself obliged to leave a word behind me, for my
vindication before the world.----It hath been said of me, That I have,
in word at least, departed from my wonted zeal for the presbyterian
government, expressing myself concerning it, as if it were a matter not
to be accounted of, and that no man should trouble himself therefore in
matter of practice--Surely any Christian that knows me in this kirk,
will judge that this is a wrong done to me.--It is true, that I being
under sickness, have said sometimes, in conference about my soul's
state, that I was taken up about greater business, than any thing of
that kind; and what wonder I said so, being under such wrestling anent
my interest in Jesus Christ, which is a matter of far greater
concernment than any external ordinance. But for my estimation of
presbyterian government, the Lord knoweth, that since the day he
convinced my heart, which was by a strong hand, that it is the ordinance
of God, appointed by Jesus Christ, for governing and ordering his
visible church, I never had the least change of thought concerning the
necessity of it, nor of the necessity of the use of it.--And I declare
before God and the world, that I still account so of it, and that,
however there may be some more precious ordinances, that is so precious,
that a true Christian is obliged to lay down his life for the profession
thereof, if the Lord shall see meet to put him to the trial; and for
myself, if I were to live, I would account it my glory to seal this word
of my testimony with my blood. Of this declaration I take God, angels
and men to be my witness, and have subscribed these presents at St.
Andrews on the 2d of March 1664, about seven hours in the afternoon,
before these witnesses, &c."

Mr. William Tullidaff,
Mr. John Carstairs,
John Pitcairn, _writer_.

JAMES WOOD.

After this he uttered many heavenly expressions, to several persons who
came to see him, all setting forth the sweet experience of his soul,
until, upon the 5th of March, he made a happy and glorious exit,
exchanging this present life for a crown of righteousness.

Mr. Wood was among the brightest lights of that period. He had been
colleague to Mr. Sharp, and, after the restoration, he lamented much,
that he had been deceived by that unhappy man. He refuted the