[JOHN MEINE, merchant in Edinburgh, was a man of enlightened piety,
and a decided Presbyterian. His zeal and stedfastness in maintaining
Presbyterian principles exposed him to the resentment of the court and
prelates. Having, with other citizens of Edinburgh, encouraged
Nonconforming ministers, by accompanying them to the court when they
were dragged before the High Commission, he was, without citation or
trial, banished to Wigtown by the Privy Council, according to the
orders of the king. But the execution of the sentence was suspended.
In regard to the Perth Articles, he would make no compromise. In 1624,
when the Town Council, Session, and citizens of Edinburgh, convened,
according to an ancient custom observed among them from the time of
the Reformation, to remove such grounds of difference as might have
arisen, before uniting in the celebration of the Lord's Supper, Meine
strongly pleaded that the ordinance should be solemnised without
kneeling, a ceremony with which (he said) he could not comply. On
account of his zeal in this matter, he was summoned before the Privy
Council. The result was, that in June that year, he was sentenced to
be banished to the north and confined within the town of Elgin. About
the beginning of January next year, he obtained liberty for a few days
to visit his family, but on the understanding that he should
afterwards return to his place of confinement. However, the death of
James VI. on the 27th of March that year, put an end to his trouble
for a time. Livingstone, describing him in his Memorable
Characteristics, says, "He used, summer and winter, to rise about
three in the morning, and always sing some psalm as he put on his
clothes. He spent till six o'clock alone in religious exercises, and
at six worshipped God with his family, and then went to his shop."
Meine was married to Barbara Hamilton, sister to the first wife of the
famous Robert Blair.]
(_ENJOYMENT OF GOD'S LOVE--NEED OF HELP--BURDENS._)
DEAR BROTHER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I wonder that ye
sent me not an answer to my last letter, for I stand in need of it. I
am in some piece of court, with our great King, whose love would cause
a dead man to speak, and live. Whether my court will continue or not,
I cannot well say; but I have His ear frequently, and (to His glory
only I speak it) no penury of the love-kisses of the Son of God. He
thinketh good to cast apples to me in my prison to play withal, lest I
should think long and faint. I must give over all attempts to fathom
the depth of His love. All I can do is, but to stand beside His great
love, and look and wonder. My debts of thankfulness affright me; I
fear that my creditor get a dyvour-bill and ragged account.
I would be much the better of help. Oh for help! and that ye would
take notice of my case. Your not writing to me maketh me think ye
suppose that I am not to be bemoaned, because He sendeth comfort. But
I have pain in my unthankfulness, and pain in the feeling of His love,
whill I am sick again for real presence and real possession of Christ.
Yet there is no gowked (if I may so speak), nor fond love in Christ.
He casteth me down sometimes for old faults; and I know that He
knoweth well that sweet comforts are swelling, and therefore sorrow
must take a vent to the wind.
My dumb Sabbaths are undercoating wounds. The condition of this
oppressed kirk, and my brother's case (I thank you and your wife for
your kindness to him), hold my sore smarting, and keep my wounds
bleeding. But the groundwork standeth sure. Pray for me. Grace be with
you. Remember me to your wife.
Yours, in his sweet Lord Jesus,