on; and though his
extraction was but mean, it might be truly said of him, That he lived a
hero and died a martyr.

_The Life of JOHN NISBET of Hardhill._

John Nisbet born about the year 1627, was son to James Nisbet, and
lineally descended from one Murdoch Nisbet in Hardhill, who about 1500,
joined those called the Lollards of Kyle; but, a persecution being
raised against them, he fled over seas, and took a copy of the new
Testament in writing. Sometime after, he returned home, digged a vault
in the bottom of his own house, unto which he retired, serving God,
reading his new book, and instructing such as had access to him. But to
return,

John Nisbet, being somewhat advanced in years, and one who had the
advantage of a tall, strong, well-built body, and of a bold, daring,
public spirit, went abroad and joined in the military, which was of
great use to him afterwards. Having spent some time in foreign
countries, he returned to Scotland, and swore the covenants when king
Charles at his coronation swore them at Scoon in 1650. Then, having left
the military, he came home and married one Margaret Law, who proved an
equal, true and kind yoke-fellow to him all the days of her life, and by
whom he had several children, three of whom survived himself, _viz._
Hugh, James and Alexander.

In the month of Dec. 1683, she died on the 8th day of her sickness, and
was buried in Stone-house church-yard. This behoved to be done in the
night, because it might not be known, neither would any do it but such
as might not appear in the day-time. The curate having knowledge of it,
threatened to take the corpse up, burn it or cast it to the dogs; but
some of the persecuted party sent him a letter, assuring him, That if he
touched these graves they would burn him and his family, and all he
had;--so he forbare.

He early applied himself to the study of the holy scriptures, which,
through the grace of God, was so effectual, that he not only became at
last one well acquainted with the most interesting parts of practical
religion, but also he attained no small degree of knowledge in points of
principle, which proved of unspeakable advantage to him in all that
occurred to him in the after-part of his life, in maintaining the
testimony of that day.

He married and took up the Hardhill in the parish of Loudon, in which
station he behaved with much discretion and prudence. For no sooner did
prelacy and Erastianism appear on the field, i