ST. ANDREWS, _Sept. 12, 1659_.
CCCLV.--_To the PRESBYTERY OF KIRKCUDBRIGHT, anent Union, with a
desire to have Mr. William Rait Professor at St. Andrews._[511]
[511] From the original among the Wodrow MSS. vol. xxix. 4to, No. 88.
The letter is addressed on the back, "For the very Reverend and
honoured of the Lord, the Moderator and Remanent Brethren of the
Presbytery of Kirkcudbright." That Presbytery particularly
distinguished itself by its earnest endeavours to restore harmony
between the Resolutioners and Protesters; to which they were stirred
up chiefly by Mr. Thomas Wylie. But their laudable efforts, though
partially successful in allaying animosity, failed to heal the breach.
On this subject, Mr. George Hutchison, in a letter to Mr. Thomas
Wylie, dated March 12, 1660, says: "That little essay towards union
hath been followed with the blessing of much less animosity than was
wont to be before, in actings and walkings one with another; though,
as yet, it is to be regretted that little can be got done for healing
particular ruptures of parishes and presbyteries, even upon seeming
equal overtures; and, it fears me, some elsewhere are more stiff than
needful in such an exigent. But I apprehend that either our trials or
God's appearing, among others, may press the necessity of union more
upon us" (Wodrow's MSS. vol. xxix.).
(_UNION--HUMILIATION--CHOICE OF A PROFESSOR._)
REVEREND,--The desire of your W[isdoms] for union to me, who am below
such a public mercy, and of so high concernment to the Church of
Scotland, ought to be most acceptable. The name of peace is savoury,
both good and pleasant. I so close with your godly and religious aim
therein, as judging the Lord hath from heaven suggested to you, and
inspired your spirits with, a fervent thirst and intention to promote
the Gospel, that though I should judge myself (as in truth I am) lower
than to suit[512] from either Presbytery or Synod any favour, yet I
shall, in all humility, beseech your W[isdoms] to prosecute with the
power which Christ hath given you the work of union; and so much the
more that I must shortly put off this my tabernacle. I offer to your
W[isdoms'] serious consideration, the evident necessity of union with
God, and of a serious and sound humiliation, and lying in the dust
before the Lord for a broken covenant, declining from our former love,
owning of such as we sometime judged to be malignant enemies and
opposers of the work of reformation and of the sworn covenant of God,
despising of the offered salvation of the Gospel, and coldness and
indifferency in purging the house of God, and other causes of the sad
judgments which we now are under. And my last and humble suit to your
W[isdoms] is, that ye would be pleased to take in with this union the
planting of the New College[513] with a third master. It is a matter
that concerns the whole Church of Scotland and seminary of the
ministry thereof, and cannot be done but by a General Assembly. If,
therefore, you have, dear brethren, judged me faithful of the Lord,
and regard the work of the Lord, and the promoting of the kingdom of
Christ (as I nothing doubt but it is the desire of your souls), give
commission to the brethren sent to treat for union, at the meeting in
Edinburgh or elsewhere, to join their authority and power, such as now
may be had, to call, invite, and obtest some godly and able man, to
embrace the charge of Professor in the College of Divinity in St.
Andrews. And because Mr. William Rait, minister at Brechin, is a man
for learning, godliness, prudence, and eminent authority in the Church
of Scotland, sought for to the ministry by the town of Edinburgh, and
also by Aberdeen, to preach the Gospel and to profess in the College,
and hath the approbation of the present masters of the New College,
the godly ministers of the Synod of Fife, of the Presbytery of St.
Andrews, ministers of the city of St. Andrews, it is my soul's desire,
and the heart-cry of students in the College, and of the godly in the
city, that Mr. William Rait may be the man; and that your
commissioners may be moved to deal with the commissioners of the Synod
of Fife and Angus for that effect; so shall you be instrumental to
repair our breaches, and build His house. So praying that your labours
may not be in vain in the Lord, I rest (the Lord Jesus be with your
spirit!) your unworthy brother and fellow-labourer in the Lord,