er, where one
of his nearest intimates, that gallant and religious gentleman Thomas
Ker of Hayhop, fell. Upon which he was obliged to return again to
Scotland, where he wandered up and down in the hottest time of the
persecution, mostly with Mr. Donald Cargil and Mr. Richard Cameron.
During which time, beside his many other Christian virtues, he
signalized himself by a real zeal, in defence of the persecuted gospel
in the fields. He was one of these four elders of the church of
Scotland, who at the council of war at Shawhead-muir June 18. 1769, were
chosen, with Messrs Cargil, Douglas, King and Barclay, to draw up the
causes of the Lord's wrath against the land, which were to be the causes
of a fast on the day following. He had, indeed, an active hand in the
most part of the transactions among the covenanters at that time; as
being one of the commanding officers in that army, from the skirmish at
Drumclog, to their defeat at Bothwel-bridge.

After this, being forfeited, and diligently searched for and pursued
after, to eschew the violent hands of these his indefatigable
persecutors, he was forced to go over to Holland (the only refuge then
of our Scots sufferers). But he had not stayed there long, until his
zeal for the persecuted interest of Christ, and his tender sympathy for
the afflicted remnant of his covenanted brethren, who were then
wandering in Scotland, through the desolate caves and dens of the earth,
drew him home again; choosing rather to undergo the utmost efforts of
persecuting fury, than to live at ease in the time of Joseph's
affliction, making Moses's generous choice, rather to suffer affliction
with the people of God, than to enjoy what momentary pleasures the ease
of the world could afford. Nor was he very much concerned with the
riches of this world; for he stood not to give his ground[170] to hold
field preachings on, when few or none else would do it; for he was
still a true lover of the free and faithful preached gospel, and was
always against the indulgence.

About a quarter of a year after his return from Holland, he was mostly
with Mr. Cargil, lurking as privily as they could about Borrowstoness
and other places on this and the other side the frith of Forth. At last
they were taken notice of by these two bloody hounds, the curates of
Borrowstoness and Carridden, who soon smelled out Mr. Cargil and his
companion, and presently sent information to Middleton, governor of
Blackness castle (who w