vourably of him, as one who wished their souls well;
insomuch as one time, some persons of quality calling him a varlet,
another person of quality (whom he had often reproved for his
wickedness) being present, said, he was sure if he was a varlet he was
one of God's varlets, &c. At another time, when a certain gentleman,
from whose house he was going home, sent one of the rudest of his
servants, well furnished, with a horse, broad sword and loaded pistols,
to attack him in a desert place in the night time; and the servant was
ordered to do all that he could to fright him.--Accordingly he surprized
him with holding a pistol to his breast, bidding him render up his purse
under pain of being shot; but, Mr. Semple, with much presence of mind
(although he knew nothing of the pre-conceit), answered, It seems you
are a wicked man, who will either take my life or my purse, if God gives
you leave; as for my purse, it will not do you much service, though you
had it; and for my life, I am willing to lay it down when and where God
pleaseth; however if you will lay bye your weapons I will wrestle a
fall with you for my life, which if you be a man, you cannot refuse,
seeing I have no weapons to fight with you.----In short, after many
threats (though all in vain), the servant discovered the whole plot, and
asked him, If he was not at the first afraid?--Not in the least,
answered he, for although you had killed me, as I knew not but you
might, I was sure to get the sooner to heaven; and then they parted.

Mr. Semple was a man who knew much of his Master's mind, as evidently
appears by his discovering of several future events:--for on a time when
news came, that Cromwel and those with him were upon the trial of
Charles I. some persons asked him, What he thought would become of the
king? He went to his closet a little, and coming back he said to them,
The king is gone, he will neither do us good nor ill any more; which of
a truth came to pass. At another time, passing by the house of Kenmuir,
as the masons were making some additions thereunto, he said, Lads, ye
are busy, enlarging and repairing the house, but it will be burnt like a
crow's nest in a misty morning, which accordingly came to pass, for it
was burnt in a dark misty morning by the English.

Upon a certain time, when a neighbouring minister was distributing
tokens before the sacrament, and when reaching a token to a certain
woman, Mr. Semple (standing by) said, Hold your hand,