offences, in such a way as may be most con- catechising and examining their people, they venient and feasible in each of their respec- would take particular notice of young persons, tive parishes. towards their first admission to the holy com5. That they will endeavour, both by ex-munion; and, having before taken account hortation, and, where need is, by use of of their knowledge of the grounds of relidiscipline, to bring their people to more care-gion, would then cause them, each one parful and constant attendance on all the ordi- ticularly and expressly, to declare their be nances of God, at all times of the accustomed lief of the Christian faith, into which, in their public meetings, and to a more religious infancy, they were baptized; and, reminding and reverend deportment in them throughout them of that their baptismal vow, and the the whole, but particularly in time of prayer. great engagements it lays upon them to a 6. That they be particularly careful to in-holy and Christian life, would require of them quire after the daily performance of the wor- an explicit owning of that vow and engageship of God in families, and, where they ment, and their solemn promise accordingly, find it wanting, to enjoin it, and make into endeavour the observing and performance quiry again after it; and this would be es- of it, in the whole course of their following pecially provided for, in the choice and most eminent families in the several congregations, as exemplary to all the rest.

life: and then, in their prayer with which they use to conclude those meetings, would recommend the said young persons, now thus engaged, to the effectual blessing of God, beseeching him to own them for his, and to bestow on them the sanctifying and strengthening grace of his Holy Spirit, as his signaThe Bishop, having commended the Bre-ture upon them, sealing them to the day of thren for their unity and concord, and good redemption.

VI. Concluding Paragraph, April 1688.

conversation, exhorted them to continue And this practice, as it hath nothing in it therein, and to be more and more exemplary that can offend any, even the most scrupulous in holiness, and in modesty and gravity, even minds, so it may be a very fit suppletory of in the externals of their air and habit, and that defect in infant baptism, which the enetheir whole deportment; and to the regulat-mies of it do mainly object against it, and ing of their children, and their whole families, may, through the blessing of God, make a to be patterns of religion and sobriety to all about them; and that they themselves aspire daily to greater abstraction from the world, and contempt of things below; giving them. selves wholly to their great work of watching over souls, for which they must give account; and to reading and meditation; and to prayer, that draws continual fresh supplies from heaven, to enable them for all these duties.

VII. Paragraph respecting Baptismal
Vows, October 1668.

That which had been sometimes spoke of before, the Bishop now again recommended to the Brethren, that at their set times of

lasting impression of religion upon the hearts of those young persons towards whom it is used, and effectually engage them to a Christian life; and if they swerve from it, make them the more inexcusable, and clearly convincible of their unfaithfulness, and breach of that great promise, and sacred vow, they have so renewed to God before his people. And for authority of divines, if we regard it, it hath the general approbation of the most famous reformers, and of the most pious and learned that have followed them since their time and, being performed in that evangelical simplicity, as it is here propounded, they do not only allow it as lawful, but desire it, and advise it as laudable and profitable, and of very good use, in all Christian churches.

LETTERS,

WRITTEN BY BISHOP LEIGHTON ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS; THE FIRST, TAKEN FROM AN AUTHENTIC COPY; THE REST, FROM THE AUTHOR'S

ORIGINALS. [Edit. 1748.]

Letter to the Synod of Glasgow, convened his infinite holiness, and greatness, and

April 1673.

REVEREND BRETHREN,

goodness; and are accordingly burnt up with ardent love! And where that holy fire is wanting, there can be no sacrifice, whatsoever our invention, or utterance, or gifts may be, and how blameless soever the externals of our life may be, and even our hearts free from gross pollutions; for it is scarce to be suspected, that any of us will suffer any of those strange, yet infernal fires of ambition or avarice, or malice, or impure lusts and

It is neither a matter of much importance, nor can I yet give you a particular and satisfying account of the reasons of my absence from your meeting, which I trust, with the help of a little time, will clear itself: but I can assure you, I am present with you in my most affectionate wishes of the gracious pre-sensualities, to burn within us, which would sence of that Holy Spirit amongst you, and within you all, who alone can make this and all your meetings, and the whole work of your ministry, happy and successful, to the good of souls, and His glory that bought them with his own blood. And I doubt not, that your own great desire, each for yourself, and all for one another, is the same; and that your daily and great employment is, by incessant and fervent prayer, to draw down from above large supplies and increases of that blessed Spirit, which our Lord and Master hath assured us that our heavenly Father will not fail to give to them that ask it. And how extreme a negligence and folly were it to want so rich a gift for want of asking, especially in those devoted to so high and holy a service, that requires so great degrees of that spirit of holiness and divine love to purify their minds, and to raise them above their senses and this present world! Oh! my dear Brethren, what are we doing, that suffer our souls to creep and grovel on this earth, and do so little aspire to the heavenly life of Christians, and more eminently of the messengers and ministers of God, as stars, yea, as angels, which he hath made spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire! | Oh! where are souls to be found amongst us, that represent their own original, that are possessed with pure and sublime apprehen- so much the more that sweet temper within sions of God, the Father of spirits, and are often raised to the astonishing contemplation of his eternal and blessed being, and

render us priests of idols, of airy nothings, and of dunghill gods, yea, of the very god of this world, the prince of darkness. Let men judge us, and revile us, as they please, that imports nothing at all; but God forbid any thing should possess our hearts but He that loved us, and gave himself for us; for we know we cannot be vessels of honour meet for the Master's use, unless we purge ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, and empty our hearts of all things beside him, and even of ourselves and own will, and have no more any desires nor delights, but his will alone, and his glory, who is our peace, and our life, and our all. And, truly, I think it were our best and wisest reflection, upon the many difficulties and discouragements without us, to be driven by them to live more within; as they observe of the bees, that when it is foul weather abroad, they are busy in their hives. If the power of external discipline be enervated in our hands, yet, who can hinder us to try, and judge, and censure ourselves; and to purge the inner temples, our own hearts, with the more severity and exactness ? And if we be dashed and bespattered with reproaches abroad, to study to be the cleaner at home; and the less we find of meekness and charity in the world about us, to preserve

our own hearts; blessing them that curse us, and praying for them that persecute us; so shall we most effectually prove ourselves

to be the children of our heavenly Father, by a word, can turn the violentest storm into even to their conviction, that will scarce a great calm. What the particular thoughts allow us, in any sense, to be called his ser- or temptations that disquiet you, I know not but whatsoever they are, look above them,

vants.

As for the confusions and contentions that and labour to fix your eye on that infinite still abound and increase in this Church, and goodness, which never faileth them, that, by threaten to undo it, I think our wisdom shall naked faith, do absolutely rely and rest upon be, to cease from man, and look for no help it, and patiently wait upon Him, who hath till we look more upwards, and dispute and pronounced them all, without exception, discourse less, and fast and pray more; and blessed that do so. Say often within your so draw down our relief from the God of own heart, Though he slay me, yet will I order and peace, who made the heavens and the earth.

trust in him; and if, after some intervals, your troubled thoughts do return, check Concerning myself, I have nothing to say, them still with the holy Psalmist's words, but humbly to entreat you to pass by the Why art thou cast down, O my soul? &c. many failings and weaknesses you may have If you can thoroughly sink yourself down perceived in me during my abode amongst through your own nothingness, into Him you; and if in any thing I have injured or who is all, and entirely renouncing your own offended you, or any of you, in the manage- will, embrace that blest and holy will in all ment of my public charge, or in private con- things, there, I am sure, you shall find that verse, I do sincerely beg your pardon : rest, which all your own distempers, and all though, I confess, I cannot make any requi- the powers of darkness, shall not be able to tal in that kind; for I do not know of any bereave you of. I incline not to multiply thing towards me, from any of you, that needs words; and indeed other advice than this I a pardon in the least; having generally paid have none to give you. The Lord of peace, me more kindness and respect, than a much by the sprinkling of the blood of his Son better or wiser man could either have expect- Jesus, and the sweet breathings of the great ed or deserved. Nor am I only a suitor Comforter, his own Holy Spirit, give you for your pardon, but for the addition of a peace in himself. Amen. further charity, and that so great a one, that I have nothing to plead for it, but that I need it much, your prayers. And I am Though I have not the honour to be achopeful as to that, to make you some little quainted with your Ladyship, yet a friend though very disproportioned return: for of yours has acquainted me with your conwhatsoever becomes of me, (through the help dition, though I confess the unfittest of all of God,) while I live, you shall be no one day of my life forgotten, by Your most unworthy, but most affectionate, Brother and Servant, R. LEIGHTON.

P. S. I do not see whom it can offend, or how any shall disapprove of it, if you will appoint a fast throughout your bounds, to entreat a blessing on the seed committed to the ground, and for the other grave causes that are still the same they were the last year, and the urgency of them no whit abated, but rather increased; but in this I prescribe nothing, but leave it to your discretion, and the direction of God.

MADAM,

men to minister any thing of spiritual relief to any person, either by prayer or advice to you; but he could have imparted such a thing to none of greater secrecy, and withal of greater sympathy and tender compassion kinds of conflicts; as having been formerly towards such as are exercised with those acquainted with the like myself, all sorts of those great points, having not only past sceptical and doubtful thoughts, touching through my head, but some of them have for some time sat more fast and painfully upon my mind; but in the name of the Lord, they And Oh! that I could love and bless Him, were at length quite dispelled and scattered. who is my deliverer and strength, my rock and fortress, where I have now found safety from these incursions; and I am very con

The two following Letters were written to fident you shall very shortly find the same;
Persons under Trouble of Mind.
CHRISTIAN FRIEND,

only wait patiently on the Lord, and hope in him, for you shall yet praise him for the help Though I had very little vacant time for of his countenance; and it is that alone that it, yet I would have seen you, if I could can enlighten you, and clear your mind of have presumed it might have been any way all those fogs and mists that now possess it, useful for the quieting of your mind; however, and calm the storms that are raised within since I heard of your condition, I cease not it. You do well to read good books that are daily, as I can, to present it to Him, who alone proper for your help, but rather the shortest can effectually speak peace to your heart, and I and plainest, than the more tedious and voam confident, in due time, will do so. It is luminous, that sometimes entangle a perplexhe that stilleth the raging of the sea; and, ed mind yet more, by grasping many more

questions, and answers, and arguments, than and not to yours. Think you, that infinite is needful; but, above all, still cleave to the goodness is ready to take advantage of his incomparable spring of light and divine com- poor creatures, and to reject and condemn fort, the Holy Scriptures, even in despite of those, that, against all the assaults made upon all doubts concerning them; and when you them, desire to keep their heart for him, and find your thoughts in disorder, and at a loss, to acknowledge him, and to love him, and entertain no dispute with them, by any means, live to him. He made us, and knows our at that time, but rather divert from them to mould, and, as a father pities his children, short prayer, or to other thoughts, and some- he pities them that fear him; for he is their times to well chosen company, or the best you father, and the tenderest and kindest of all can have where you are; and at some other fathers; and, as a father pities his child when time, when you find yourself in a calmer and it is sick, and in the rage and reverie of a serener temper, and upon the vantage ground fever, though it even utter reproachful words of a little more confidence in God, then you against himself, shall not our dearest Father may resume your reasons against unbelief, both forgive and pity those thoughts in any yet so as to beware of casting yourself into child of his, that arise not from any wilful new disturbance; for when your mind is in hatred of him, but are kindled in hell within a sober temper, there is nothing so suitable them? And no temptation hath befallen to its strongest reason, nothing so wise and you in this, but that which has been incident noble, as religion; and believe it is so ra- to men, and to the best of men; and their tional, that, as now I am framed, I am afraid heavenly Father hath not only forgiven them, that my belief proceeds too much from reason, but in due time hath given them an happy and is not so divine and spiritual as I would issue out of them, and so he will assuredly have it; only when I find (as in some mea- do to you; in the mean time, when these sure through the grace of God I do,) that it assaults come thickest and violentest upon hath some real virtue and influence upon my you, throw yourself down at his footstool, affections and track of life, I hope there is and say, "O God, father of mercies, save somewhat of a higher tincture in it; but, in me from this hell within me. I acknowledge, point of reason, I am well assured, that all I adore, I bless thee, whose throne is in I have heard from the wittiest atheists and heaven, with thy blessed Son and crucified libertines in the world, is nothing but bold Jesus, and thy Holy Spirit, and also, though reverie and madness, and their whole dis- thou slay me, yet will I trust in thee: but course a heap of folly and ridiculous non- I cannot think thou canst hate and reject a sense for, what probable account can they poor soul that desires to love thee, and cleave give of the wonderful frame of the visible to thee, so long as I can hold by the skirts world, without the supposition of an eternal of thy garments, until thou violently shake and infinite power, and wisdom, and good-me off, which I am confident thou would not ness, that formed it and themselves, and all do, because thou art love and goodness things in it? And what can they think of itself, and thy mercies endure for ever." the many thousands of martyrs in the first Thus, or in what other frame your soul age of Christianity, that endured not simple shall be carried to vent itself into his bosom, death, but all the inventions of the most ex-be sure your words, yea, your silent sighs quisite tortures, for their belief of that most and breathings shall not be lost, but shall holy faith; which, if the miracles that con- have a most powerful voice, and ascend into firmed it had not persuaded them to, they his ear, and shall return to you with mesthemselves had been thought the most pro- sages of peace and love in due time, and, digious miracles of madness in all the world? in the mean time, with secret supports, It is not want of reason on the side of re- that you faint not, nor sink in those deeps ligion that makes fools disbelieve it, but that threaten to swallow you up. But I the interest of their brutish lusts and disso-have wearied you, instead of refreshing lute lives makes them wish it were not true: you. I will add no more, but that the and there is the vast difference betwixt you poor prayers of one of the most unworthy and them; they would gladly believe less caitiffs in the world, such as they be, shall than they do, and you would also gladly not be wanting on your behalf, and he begs believe more than they do: they are some-a share in yours; for neither you, nor any times pained and tormented with appre- in the world, needs that charity more than hensions, that the doctrine of religion is or he does. Wait on the Lord, and be of may be true; and you are perplexed with good courage, and he shall strengthen your suggestions to doubt of it, which are to you heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. as unwilling and unwelcome, as these appre

Straton.

hensions of its truth are to them. Believe' Letter to the Heritors of the Parish of it, Madam, these different thoughts of yours, are not yours, but his that inserts them, and] throws them, as fiery darts, into your mind;, and the shall assuredly be laid to his charge,

WORTHY GENTLEMEN AND FRIENDS,
Being informed that it is my duty to pre-

sent a person fit for the charge of the ministry your mind, your reasonable satisfaction shall now vacant with you, I have thought of one be to my utmost power endeavoured, by

FINIS

H. & J. PILLANS, Printers, Edinburgh.