ers, but it was remarked, that within a few days after, he
killed one Nicol Torrie, a young boy, because the boy's father had beat
him for stealing his pease, and though at that time he escaped justice,
yet he was again taken and executed in the year 1644. Such was the
consequence of disturbing the worship of God, and mocking at the
ambassadors of Jesus Christ.

In the same year, at that famous general assembly convened at Glasgow
(where many of the nobility were present) Mr. Henderson, without one
contrary vote, was chosen moderator, when he did by solemn prayer,
constitute that assembly _de novo_ in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ;
for "among that man's other qualifications (saith Mr. Bailey) he had a
faculty of grave, good and fervent prayer, which he exercised without
fainting unto the end of that assembly[62]."

It was in the 20th session of this assembly, that Mr. Henderson the
moderator, after a most pious and learned sermon (to a very great
auditory) from Psal. cx. 1. _The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my
right hand_, &c. did in a most grave and solemn manner, excommunicate
and depose the bishops, according to the form published among the
printed acts of that assembly. In the 21st session, a supplication was
given in for liberty to transport him from Leuchars to Edinburgh, but
this he was unwilling to do, having been near eighteen years minister
there.--He pled that he was now too old a plant to take root in another
soil, &c. yet, after much contest betwixt the two parties for some
day, Edinburgh carried it by 75 votes, very much against his own
inclination. However he submitted, on condition that when old age should
overtake him, he should be again removed to a country charge. At the
conclusion of this assembly he said, "We have now cast down the walls of
Jericho (meaning prelacy) let him that buildeth them beware of the curse
of Hiel the Bethelite, &c."

In the year 1639. he was one of those commissioned for the church, to
treat upon the articles of pacification[63] with the king and his
commissioners at Birks near Berwick, where he behaved with great
prudence and candor. And when the general assembly, the same year, sat
down at Edinburgh, _August_ 12, Mr. Henderson (having been the former
moderator) preached to them from Acts v. 33 when _they heard that, they
were cut to the heart_, &c. did towards the close of his discourse,
address John earl of Traquair, his majesty's commissioner, in these
words,-