ST. ANDREWS, _Sept. 5, 1650_.
CCCXXX.--_To MR. WILLIAM GUTHRIE, when the army was at Stirling, after
the defeat at Dunbar,[475] and the godly in the West were falsely
branded with intended compliance with the usurpers, about the time
when those debates and that difference concerning the Public
Resolutions arose._[476]
[475] The battle was fought between Cromwell and the Scots, and the
latter were completely defeated, with great loss. It was fought on the
3rd September 1650.
[476] After the battle of Dunbar, it was proposed that the restraints
by which such as had, by various Acts of Parliament, been excluded
from places of power and trust in the army and state, on account of
their Malignancy, or opposition to the Covenant and liberties of the
nation, should be removed. This was at first refused; but after the
defeat at Hamilton, the Commission agreed to certain resolutions, for
admitting into places of power and trust in the Army and State such as
had been excluded by the Acts of Parliament referred to. These were
called "Public Resolutions," and they became a source of much
dissension in the church. At last they were formally approved of by
the General Assembly held in July 1651, at St. Andrews, and adjourned
to Dundee. At the last sederunt at St. Andrews, Rutherford, who was
strongly opposed to the Resolutions, gave in a protestation against
the lawfulness of that Assembly. It was subscribed by twenty-one
besides himself. Hence those opposed to the Public Resolutions were
called "Protesters," and those friendly to them, "Resolutioners."
[WILLIAM GUTHRIE was born at Pitforthy, in the shire of Angus, in
the year 1620. He was the eldest son of the Laird of Pitforthy, a
cadet of the old family of Guthrie, and by his mother's side was
descended from the ancient house of Easter-Ogle. He attended the
literary and philosophical classes at the University of St.
Andrews, and studied theology under Rutherford. On the 7th of
November 1644, he was ordained minister of Fenwick. There he
continued successfully to discharge his ministry till the 24th of
July 1664, when, for nonconformity, he was suspended from and
discharged to exercise his ministry, and his church declared
vacant, by order of Bishop Burnet. He died at Brechin on the 10th
of October 1665.
It may be mentioned here that William Guthrie of Fenwick was
cousin to the famous James Guthrie, and was brought to Christ by
Samuel Rutherford's ministry at St. Andrews, being one of his
first fruits there. ("Life" by Wodrow.) It was he who wrote "The
Trial of a Saving Interest in Christ," so well known.]
(_DEPRESSION UNDER DARK TRIALS--DANGER OF COMPLIANCE._)
REVEREND BROTHER,--I did not dream of such shortness of breath, and
fainting in the way toward our country. I thought that I had no more
to do than die in my nest, and bow down my sinful head, and let Him
put on the crown, and so end. I have suffered much; but this is the
thickest darkness, and the straitest step of the way I have yet
trodden. I see more suffering yet behind, and, I fear, from the
keepers of the vine. Let me obtain of you, that you would press upon
the Lord's people that they would stand far off from these merchants
of souls who have come in amongst you. If the way revealed in the word
be that way, we then know that these soul-cowpers and traffickers show
not the way of salvation. Alas, alas! poor I am utterly lost, my share
of heaven is gone, and my hope is poor; I am perished, and I am cut
off from the Lord, if hitherto out of the way! But I dare not judge
kind Christ; for, if it may be but permitted (with reverence to His
greatness and highness be it spoken), I will, before witnesses,
produce His own hand that He said, "This is the way, walk thou in it."
And He cannot except against His own seal. I profess that I am almost
broken and a little sleepy, and would fain put off this body. But this
is my infirmity, who would be under the shadow and covert of that Good
Land, once[477] to be without the reach and blast of that terrible
One. But I am a fool: there is none that can overbid, or take my
lodging over my head, since Christ hath taken it for me.
[477] Once for all; completely.
Dear brother, help me, and get me the help of their prayers who are
with you in whom is my delight. You are much suspected of intended
compliance; I mean, not of you only, but of all the people of God with
you. It is but a poor thing the fulfilling of my joy; but let me
obtest all the serious seekers of His face, His secret sealed ones, by
the strongest consolations of the Spirit, by the gentleness of Jesus
Christ, that Plant of Renown, by your last accounts and appearing
before God, when the White Throne shall be set up, be not deceived
with their fair words. Though my spirit be astonished at the cunning
distinctions which are found out in the matters of the Covenant, that
help may be had against these men; yet my heart trembleth to
entertain the least thought of joining with those deceivers.
Grace, grace be with you. Amen.
Your own brother, in our common Lord and Saviour,