f the Lord, we
persuade men_; and when he perceived, at this juncture, a separation (at
least for a time); the Sabbath before his compearance, he chose the next
words of that text, _but we are made manifest unto God_: extraordinary
power and singular movings of the affections accompanied that parting
sermon.

Mr. Dickson appeared before the commission, where after the summons
being read, and some other reasoning among the bishops, he gave in his
declinature, upon which some of the bishops whispering in his ear (as if
they had favoured him upon the good report they had heard of him and his
ministry), said to him, Take it up, take it up.----He answered calmly, I
laid it not down for that end, to take it up again. Spotswood, arch
bishop of St. Andrews, asked if he would subscribe it. He professed
himself ready. The clerk, at the bishop's desire, began to read it, but
had scarce read three lines, till the bishop burst forth in railing
speeches, full of gall and bitterness, and turning to Mr. David, he
said, "These men will speak of humility and meekness, and talk of the
Spirit of God, &c. but ye are led by the spirit of the devil; there is
more pride in you, I dare say, than in all the bishops of Scotland. I
hanged a jesuit in Glasgow for the like fault." Mr. David answered, "I
am not a rebel; I stand here as the king's subject, &c. grant me the
benefit of the law, and of a subject, and I crave no more." But the
bishop seemed to take no notice of these words. Aberdeen asked him,
Whether he would obey the king or not? He answered, "I will obey the
king in all things in the Lord." I told you that, said Glasgow, I knew
he would seek to his limitation. Aberdeen asked again, May not the king
give his authority that we have, to as many sutors and taylors in
Edinburgh, to sit and see whether ye be doing your duty or not? Mr.
David said, My declinature answers to that. Then St. Andrews fell again
to railing, The devil, said he, will devise, he has scripture enough;
and then called him knave, swinger, a young lad, and said, He might have
been teaching bairns in the school, thou knowest what Aristotle saith,
said he, but thou hast no theology, because he perceived that Mr.
Dickson gave him no titles, but once called him Sir, he gnashed his
teeth, and said Sir, you might have called me lord; when I was in
Glasgow long since, you called me so, but I cannot tell how, ye are
become a puritan now. All this time he stood silent, and once l