ST. ANDREWS, _July 24_.
CCCVI.--_To_ MR. THOMAS WYLIE, _Minister of Borgue_.
[MR. THOMAS WYLIE was minister of Borgue, a parish in the
stewartry of Kirkcudbright, in which are to be seen, close to the
sea-shore, the remains of what is supposed to have been one of
the old Culdee churches, _Kirk Andrews_. He was afterwards
translated to Mauchline, a parish in Ayrshire; but he remained
there only a short time, having soon after his translation to it
accepted a call to Kirkcudbright. But he was not allowed long to
prosecute his useful labours in that place. Shortly after the
restoration of Charles II., his fidelity to his Presbyterian
principles rendering him obnoxious to the Government, he was, by
a particular act of Privy Council, ejected from his charge, and
banished to the north of Tay, with his family. In 1670 he went
over to Ireland (where some of his relatives appear to have
resided), and officiated in a congregation at Coleraine for
nearly three years, when he returned to Scotland, and was settled
minister of Fenwick, in the Presbytery of Irvine, under the
second Indulgence. He died on July 20, 1676.]
(_SUFFICIENCY OF DIVINE GRACE--CALL TO ENGLAND TO ASSIST AT
WESTMINSTER ASSEMBLY--FELT UNWORTHINESS._)
REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--I neither can nor dow write to you anent
the business, in respect it is my case more as yours, and ye write to
me that which I should write to you. If grace pay not our debts and
bond-surety for us, I see not how I shall make a reckoning for one
soul, far less for multitudes; only it is God's will that we put
grace to the utmost, and engage Christ for His own work. If He refuse
charges to His own factors, the lost bankruptcy will redound to Him.
But He must not be a loser, nor can His glory suffer. But I must
entreat you for the help of your prayers, as you will do for me
anything out of heaven, and possible to you. I am now called for to
England; the government of the Lord's house in England and Ireland is
to be handled.[436] My heart beareth me witness, and the Lord who is
greater knoweth, my faith was never prouder than to be a common rough
country barrowman in Anwoth; and that I could not look at the honour
of being a mason to lay the foundation for many generations, and to
build the waste places of Zion in another kingdom, or to have a hand
or finger in that carved work in the cedar and almug trees in that new
temple. I desire but to lend a shut,[437] and cry, "Grace, grace upon
the building." I hope ye will help my weakness in this; and seek help
to me from others as if I had named them, and intercede for the favour
of my Father's seas, winds, and tides, and for the victory of strong
and prevailing truth.
[436] On the 18th of August 1643, the General Assembly appointed a
committee to proceed to London, to consult, treat, and conclude with
the Assembly of Divines then sitting at Westminster, in all matters
which might further the union of the churches of Scotland and England
in one form of Church Government, one Confession of Faith, one
Catechism, and one Directory for the worship of God. Of this committee
Rutherford was one. The others were--Mr. Alexander Henderson, Mr.
Robert Douglas, Mr. Robert Baillie, and Mr. George Gillespie,
ministers; John Earl of Cassillis, John Lord Maitland, and Sir
Archibald Johnston of Warriston, elders.
[437] A push; but probably we should read "shout."
Grace be with you.
Yours in Christ,