em; but the fear and apprehension of what ensued, kept him back from
going, and he went home until he got the sad news of the defeat at
Dumbar. After which Cromwel wrote to him from Edinburgh to come and
speak to him; but he excused himself. That winter the unhappy difference
fell out anent the public resolutions; his light carried him to join the
protestors against the resolutioners; and the assembly that followed
thereafter, he was present at their first meeting in the west at
Kilmarnock, and several other meetings of the protesting brethren
afterwards; but not being satisfied with keeping these meetings so
often, and continuing them so long, which he imagined made the breach
wider, he declined them for some time.

After this, he spent the rest of his time in the exercise of the
ministry, both at Ancrum and other places, until summer 1660, that news
was brought him that the king was called home, and then he clearly
foresaw that the overturning of the whole work of reformation would
ensue, and a trial to all who would adhere to the same. But _anno_ 1662,
when the parliament and council had, by proclamation, ordered all
ministers, who had come in since 1649, and had not kept the holy day of
the 29th of May, either to acknowledge the prelates or remove, he then
more clearly foresaw a storm approaching. At the last communion which he
had at Ancrum, in the month of October, he says, That after sermon on
Monday, it pleased the Lord to open his mouth, in a reasonably large
discourse anent the grounds and encouragements to suffer for the present
controversy of the kingdom of Christ, in the appointing the government
of his house; then he took his leave of that place, although he knew
nothing of what was shortly to follow after.

After he had, with Elijah, eaten before a great journey, having
communicated before he entered upon suffering, he heard in a little
time, of the council's procedure against him and about twelve or sixteen
others who were to be brought before them; he went presently to
Edinburgh (before the summons could reach him) and lurked there some
time, until he got certain information of the council's design, whether
they were for their life, like as was done with Mr. Guthrie, or only for
banishment, as was done with Mr. Mac Ward and Mr. Simpson; but, finding
that they intended only the last, he accordingly resolved to appear with
his brethren. He appeared Dec. 11, and was examined[149] before the
council; the s