The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Life of James Renwick, by Thomas Houston

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Title: The Life of James Renwick
A Historical Sketch Of His Life, Labours And Martyrdom And A
Vindication Of His Character And Testimony

Author: Thomas Houston

Release Date: October 18, 2004 [EBook #13781]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

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[Illustration]

The Life of

JAMES RENWICK

A historical sketch of his life,
labours and martyrdom and a
vindication of his character
and testimony.

_by Thomas Houston, D.D._

Originally this life was written as an introduction to "The Letters of
Renwick" Published by Alex. Gardner, Paisley, 1865.

Cover Picture: Execution of James Renwick, Edinburgh, 1688.

HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION.

The prophet's message to Eli, "Wherefore the Lord God of Israel said
* * * THEM THAT HONOUR ME, I WILL HONOUR," (1 Sam. ii. 30,) declares a
fundamental law of the divine government, which the history alike of
individuals and of communities has illustrated in all by-past ages. The
works of many men of eminent talent and remarkable energy--admired in
their own day,--have speedily passed into oblivion, or have been
productive of few permanently salutary results. Despising God, "they
have been lightly esteemed." Those, on the other hand, who honoured God,
and were devoted to His service--however humble their talents or
position in society,--however contemned and persecuted by the
world--have been honoured of God. Their labours have been accepted to
advance His glory in the earth--their memories have continued long
fragrant, and their principles and character have furnished the most
valuable instruction and the brightest examples to future generations.

Of this we have a striking instance in JAMES RENWICK,--the last, and in
various respects the most illustrious of the Scottish martyrs of the
seventeenth century. Hated and persecuted in his own day, by the men in
authority in Church and State--caluminated and reproached by ministers
and others, who professed evang