ainst preaching the
gospel. Chan. Not against the gospel, but against preaching
rebellion--The chancellor asked, if he kept conventicles in Fife? which
he did not deny.--He was carried to the guard. The council sat in the
afternoon; but he was not again called before them; but without a
farther hearing, was sentenced to go to the Bass. Accordingly, April
7th, he was carried thither, when on the way, at Fisher's-row there
happened to be a gathering of people, the captain, apprehending it might
be for his rescue, told Mr. Blackadder, if they attempted any thing of
this kind, he would instantly shoot him through the head: He told the
captain he knew nothing of any such design.

He continued there, till the end of this year 1685, when he contracted a
rheumatism from the air of the place. A motion was made for his
liberation on bail on this account; but it never took effect; and so he
entered into the joy of his Lord about the beginning of the year 1686
and as the interest of Christ always lay near his heart through his
life, so amongst his last words he said, "The Lord would yet arise, and
defend his own cause in spite of all his enemies." Thus died Mr. John
Blackadder, a pious man, and a powerful preacher. There are several well
vouched instances of the Lord's countenancing his ministry, while in the
fields, and of the remarkable success of his sermons, (which were not so
low and flat but the pious learned might admire them, nor so learned but
the plainest capacity might understand them). In a word, he was
possessed of many singular virtues. His going through so many eminent
dangers with such undaunted courage, was remarkable, and his love to God
and his church exemplary.

I have only seen two of his many pathetick sermons, which are very
extensive upon the sufferings of Christ from Isa. liii. 11. _He shall
see of the travail of his soul and shall be satisfied_, &c--The reader
will find them in a small collection of sermons lately published.

_The Life of Mr. JAMES RENWICK._

Mr. James Renwick was born in the parish of Glencairn in Nithsdale, Feb.
15, 1662. His parents though not rich, yet were exemplary for piety. His
father Andrew Renwick (a weaver to trade) and his mother Elizabeth
Corsan, had several children before Mr. James, who died young; for which
when his mother was pouring forth her motherly grief, her husband used
to comfort her with declaring, that he was well satisfied to have
children, whether th