had both spent and been spent, with the apostle, for the cause
and interest of Jesus Christ, when the English army lay at Lothian
_anno_ 1651, he went to Jedburgh, where he sickened and died in a good
old age. He was another valiant champion for the truth, who, in pleading
for the crown and interest of Jesus Christ, knew not what it was to be
daunted by the face and frowns of the highest and most incensed
adversaries.

Before he went to Holland, he wrote the book intitled, Perth Assembly.
While in Holland he wrote that learned book called, _Altare Damascenum_
with some other pieces in English, which contributed somewhat to keep
many straight in that declining period. After his return he wrote the
history of our church as far down as the year 1625, of which the
printed copy that we have is only a short abstract of that large written
history, which both as to the stile and the manner wherein it is
executed, is far preferable to the printed copy; and whoever compares
the two or the last with his _Altare Damascenum,_ both of which are yet
in the hands of some, will readily grant the truth of this assertion;
and yet all this derogates nothing from the truth of the facts reported
in the printed copy, and therefore no offence need be taken at the
information, that there is a more full and better copy than is yet
extant. See the note on the 78th page of Mr. Livingston's life and
memorable characteristics, &c.

_The Life of Mr. HUGH BINNING._

He was son to John Binning of Dalvennan, and Margaret M'Kell daughter of
Mr. Matthew M'Kell minister at Bothwel, and sister to Mr. Hugh M'Kell
one of the ministers of Edinburgh, His father's worldly circumstances
were so good (being possest of no inconsiderable estate in the shire of
Ayr), that he was enabled to give his son Hugh a very liberal education,
the good effects of which appeared very early upon him;--for the
greatness of his spirit and capacity of judgment, gave his parents good
grounds to conceive the pleasing hopes of his being a promising child.

When he was at the grammar-school, he made so great proficiency in the
knowledge of the Latin tongue, and the Roman authors, that he
out-stripped his fellow-scholars, even such as were by some years older
than himself. When they went to their diversions he declined their
society, and choosed to employ himself either in secret duty with God,
or conference with religious people, thinking time was too precious to
be lavished