d from the original, written with his own
hand,) wherein he says, 'Likewise, according to your direction, I
challenged Mrs. Binning upon the commendation she gave to John
Wilson in her letter to you. But she says that she had not then seen
his testimony, and was sorry when she saw it that it was so contrary
both to her thoughts and commendation of him.' And likewise a
postscript to the 20th Letter, relative to the same matter is also
omitted. And about the same time that Mr. Binning's book was
printed, while Sir Robert Hamilton was prisoner, upon account of the
declaration [Sanquhar Declaration] in 1692, he wrote a letter to
Mrs. Binning, wherein he complains of her unwonted silence, in his
honourable bonds for such a noble Master. Yet trusting her sympathy
is not diminished, he adds, 'O, my worthy friend, I cannot express
Christ's love and kindness since the time of my bonds. He hath broke
up new treasures of felt love and sweetness, and hath been pleased
to give me visitations of love and access to himself, to comfort and
confirm poor feckless me many ways, that this is his way that is now
persecuted, and that it is his precious truths, interests, and
concerns, that I am now suffering for, whatever enemies with their
associated ministers and professors may allege, &c.' "

"By which it is evident that they had much correspondence with Mrs.
Binning. And there is yet a fair and correct manuscript copy of the
foresaid book extant, which was in Sir Robert's custody, and it is
more than probable that it was procured from Mrs. Binning,
especially as she survived its publication without quarrelling it.

"It is unnecessary to notice what further is thrown out by the
foresaid anonymous writer, against the book and the publisher, as
Mr. Wodrow, in the preface to Mr. Binning's octavo volume of
sermons, printed 1760, hath modestly animadverted thereupon, and
says there is no reason to doubt if it was Mr. Binning's. He also
ingenuously confesseth, that there is in it the best collection of
scriptures he knows, concerning the sin and danger of joining with
wicked and ungodly men, &c., and that it was wrote in a smooth good
style, agreeable enough to Mr. Binning's sentiments in some of his
sermons." Faithful Contendings Displayed, pp.