onfirm my faith from Heb. xi. and Exod.
xxxiii. and at other times at London, and the last night there before I
went away. 27. These extraordinary and signal times I had at my first
entering at Rotterdam. 28. These two marvellous providences that did
occur to me at Worden, and about the business of William Mader. 29. The
marvellous sign given me of the state of my family, in what happened as
to the sudden withering of the tree, and its extraordinary reviving
again at my first entry to my house at Rotterdam. 30. The great
deliverance from fire in the high street. 31. The good providence in
returning my diary after it had been long lost. 32. The special
providence in preserving my son from perishing in water. 33. The
surprizing relief when cited by the council[244] of Scotland to appear,
with that sweet resignation to the Lord which I had then under such a
pungent trial. 34. The remarkable event of a warning I was forced to
give that some present should be taken away by death before the next
Lord's day. 35. The Lord's immediate supporting under a long series of
wonders (I may truly say) for which I am obliged in a singular way to
set up my Ebenezer, that hitherto hath the Lord helped. 36. The
remarkable appearance of the Lord with me (which I omitted in its place)
in the strange providence relating to Mr. Monypenny's death in
Preston-pans. 37. The solemn providence and wonder in my life, my fall
under the York coach in August 1654, when the great wheel went over my
leg, so as I could feel it passing me without hurting, far less breaking
my leg, as if it had been thus carried over in a just poise, to let me
see how providence watched over me, &c. 38. The comfort God gave me in
my children, and those extraordinary confirmations I got from God upon
the death of those sweet children whom God removed from me to himself."

Now, reader, go and do thou likewise, for _blessed is that servant, whom
his Lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing_, Matth. xxiv.

_The Life of Mr. ALEXANDER SHIELDS._

Mr. Alexander Shields, son to James Shields of Haugh-head in the Merse,
born _anno_ 1660, or 1661, and being sent to school (when capable of
instruction) made such proficiency there, that in a short time he
entered upon the study of philosophy under Sir William Paterson, then
regent of the college of Edinburgh, (afterwards clerk to the bloody
council) where he made no less progress. For, being of a lively genius
and penetrating w