The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Life of James Renwick, by Thomas Houston
This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or
re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net
Title: The Life of James Renwick
A Historical Sketch Of His Life, Labours And Martyrdom And A
Vindication Of His Character And Testimony
Author: Thomas Houston
Release Date: October 18, 2004 [EBook #13781]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LIFE OF JAMES RENWICK ***
Produced by Jordan Dohms and the PG Online Distributed Proofreading Team.
[Illustration]
The Life of
JAMES RENWICK
A historical sketch of his life,
labours and martyrdom and a
vindication of his character
and testimony.
_by Thomas Houston, D.D._
Originally this life was written as an introduction to "The Letters of
Renwick" Published by Alex. Gardner, Paisley, 1865.
Cover Picture: Execution of James Renwick, Edinburgh, 1688.
HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION.
The prophet's message to Eli, "Wherefore the Lord God of Israel said
* * * THEM THAT HONOUR ME, I WILL HONOUR," (1 Sam. ii. 30,) declares a
fundamental law of the divine government, which the history alike of
individuals and of communities has illustrated in all by-past ages. The
works of many men of eminent talent and remarkable energy--admired in
their own day,--have speedily passed into oblivion, or have been
productive of few permanently salutary results. Despising God, "they
have been lightly esteemed." Those, on the other hand, who honoured God,
and were devoted to His service--however humble their talents or
position in society,--however contemned and persecuted by the
world--have been honoured of God. Their labours have been accepted to
advance His glory in the earth--their memories have continued long
fragrant, and their principles and character have furnished the most
valuable instruction and the brightest examples to future generations.
Of this we have a striking instance in JAMES RENWICK,--the last, and in
various respects the most illustrious of the Scottish martyrs of the
seventeenth century. Hated and persecuted in his own day, by the men in
authority in Church and State--caluminated and reproached by ministers
and others, who professed evang
|