ly he
continued (not without enduring many hardships) till the year 1670, that
by his fame for courage, wisdom and resolution among the sufferers, when
that party who were assembled near Loudon-hill to hear the gospel, June
1st, came in view of an engagement with Claverhouse (who attacked them
that day at Drumclog), Hardhill, not being present, was sent for by one
Woodborn in the mains of Loudon, to come in all haste to their
assistance. But before they got half-way they heard the platoons of the
engagement, and yet they rode with such alacrity, that they just came up
as the firing was over. Upon their approach, Hardhill (for so he was
commonly called) cried to them to jump the ditch, and get over upon the
enemy sword in hand. Which they did with so great resolution and
success, that in a little they obtained a complete victory over the
enemy, wherein Hardhill had a share, by his vigorous activity in the
latter end of that skirmish.

The suffering party, knowing now that they were fully exposed to the
rage and resentment of their bloody persecuting foes, resolved to abide
together. And for that purpose sent a party to Glasgow in pursuit of the
enemy, among whom Hardhill was one. After which he continued with them
and was of no small advantage to the honest party, till that fatal day
June 22d, that they fled and fell before the enemy at Bothwel-bridge.
Here, says Wodrow, he was a captain, if I mistake not. And being sent
with his party along with those who defended the bridge, he fought with
great gallantry, and stood as long as any man would stand by him, and
then made his retreat just in time, and through the goodness of God, he
escaped from their hands at this time also.

After Bothwel, he was denounced a rebel, and a large reward offered to
such as could apprehend him. At which time the enemy seized all that he
had, stripped his wife and four children of all, turning them out of
doors, whereby he was reduced as one of those mentioned Hebrews xi. 38.
_They wandered about in desarts and in mountains, and in dens and caves
of the earth_, &c. Thus he lived for near the space of five years,
suffering all manner of hardships, not accepting deliverance, that he
might preserve to himself the free enjoyment of the gospel, faithfully
preached in the fields. And being a man of a public spirit, a great
observer of fellowship meetings (alas, a duty now too much neglected!)
and very staunch upon points of testimony, and become ve