therefore, what ye will do. O seek for the
fulness of the Spirit of Christ, and rest upon nothing but upon himself
alone; and seek to be in the kingdom of God, by the thorough work of
conversion upon your souls.

"And now to all that are in the kingdom, I proclaim peace in the name of
God, whatever troubles they are under here. So enter into the kingdom
through Christ only, for that is the way to it. But as for you who will
not come to him, and enter into the kingdom through Christ only, who is
the way to it, I do, in like manner, proclaim war with that soul from
God, whatever ye be in profession. O friends, lay it to heart, and
choose you whether it be better to have heaven's peace, and the devil
and the world's feud; or to have the devil and the world's peace, and
feud with God for ever! And now to Him who is purchaser of true peace,
be glory and praise for ever. Amen."

When it is understood that the discourses from which these extracts are
taken were preached in the open air, and often in the night time, amidst
the exposure both of the preacher and the hearers to all changes of the
weather, not unfrequently in rain and tempest; and that the "Sermons and
Lectures" that bear Renwick's name, were not prepared in a quiet study,
in peaceful times, but in the midst of frequent removings, incessant
labours, and manifold dangers, and that they are transmitted to us from
the imperfect notes, and the recollection of attached
hearers,--themselves the objects of fierce persecution,--they cannot
fail to impress us with a vivid idea of the remarkable power and
fidelity as a preacher of the youthful martyr, and to account, at the
same time, for the popularity and salutary effects of his preaching.

RENWICK'S SPECIAL TESTIMONY.

To understand properly the position of James Renwick and his associates,
and the distinctive testimony which they maintained at the peril of
life, and transmitted, sealed with their blood, to posterity, it is
necessary to advert to the particular time in which these devoted
witnesses were called to appear in behalf of precious truth; and to the
public measures which had been adopted at that period for extinguishing
the liberties of the nation, and for destroying the independence and
purity of the church.

The Prelatic persecution in Scotland, which commenced with the
restoration of Charles II. to the throne of his ancestors in 1660, had
continued for nearly _twenty-three_ years, when Renwick entered