ore
his death, "I have been a rude stunkard all my life, and now by this
pain the Lord is humbling me to make me as a lamb, before he take me to
himself."

He was a man somewhat rude-like in his clothing, and in some of his
expressions and behaviour; and yet was a very loving tender hearted man;
of a deep natural judgment; and very learned, especially in Hebrew. He
often wished that most part of books were burnt, except the bible, and
some short notes thereon. He had a peculiar talent for comforting the
dejected. He used a very familiar but pressing manner of preaching. He
was also an eminent wrestler with God, and had more than ordinary power
and familiarity with him, as appears from the following instances.

When he was minister at Kinghorn, there was a certain godly woman under
his charge, who fell sick of a very lingering disease, and was all the
while assaulted with strong temptations, leading her to think that she
was a cast-away, notwithstanding that her whole conversation had put the
reality of grace in her beyond a doubt. He often visited her while in
this deep exercise, but her trouble and terrors still remained; as her
dissolution drew on, her spiritual trouble increased. He went with two
of his elders to her, and began first, in their presence, to comfort her
and pray with her, but she still grew worse: He ordered his elders to
pray, and afterwards prayed himself, but no relief came. Then sitting
pensive for a little space, he thus broke silence, "What is this! Our
laying grounds of comfort before her will not do; prayer will not do: We
must try another remedy. Sure I am, this is a daughter of Abraham; sure
I am, she hath sent for me, and therefore, in the name of God, the
Father of our Lord Jesus, who sent him to redeem sinners; in the name
of Jesus Christ, who obeyed the Father, and came to save us; and in the
name of the Holy and blessed Spirit, our Quickner and Sanctifier--I, the
elder, command thee, a daughter of Abraham, to be loosed from these
bonds." And immediately peace and joy ensued.

Mr. Scrimzeor had several friends and children taken away by death, and
his only daughter who, at that time survived (and whom he dearly loved),
being seized with the king's evil, by which she was reduced to the very
point of death, so that he was called up to see her die; and finding her
in this condition, he went out to the fields (as he himself told) in the
night-time, in great grief and anxiety, and began to e