missioners, and to request some relief out of the exchequer. By the Archbishop's influence in their favour, these students obtained from the Commissioners an order upon Captain Melvill, to pay them a part of the "Quakers"" fines in his hand; upon which he gave them David Barclay's oxen, and with this they raised the money they wanted.

CHAPTER IX.

1676: FURTHER SEIZURES AND IMPRISONMENTS-LETTER OF GAVINE LAURIE TO FRIENDS-GEORGE GRAY AND ALEXANDER SEATON'S TREATMENT AT OLD MELDRUM-CASE OF ALEXANDER CHALMERS AND WIFE-1677: ALEXANDER BURNETT, BAILIE, ENDEAVOURS TO INCENSE THE COMMISSIONERS AGAINST FRIENDS TO PREVENT THE PRISONERS FROM PREACHING, THEIR PRISONWINDOWS ARE CLOSED UP-SOME OF THEM ARE REMOVED TO A PLACE CALLED THE CHAPEL, OTHERS FROM THE LOWER TO THE HIGHER PRISON-THEIR SITUATION AND HARD USAGE-A FRIEND OF THE PRISONERS ADDRESSES THE PROVOST.

BUT Melvill had not yet finished his work in making seizures; some further instances of which may be mentioned, as tending, in connexion with what has gone before, to set forth the persecuting spirit of that day, when our predecessors had, at a rate thus dear, to pay for even attempting to worship their God in the way of his leading.-From George Grey, a poor weaver, for a fine of twenty merks, were taken cattle and goods worth £28, besides linen, which the soldiers privately stole and carried off. From William Wishart, John Glenny, Alexander Gellie, and William Spark of Stonehaven, the several amounts of £40, £40, £140, and £50. The lastnamed individual had obtained his liberty to go home from Aberdeen, where he was prisoner, that he might look to his own affairs; but as soon as the undersheriff of Stonehaven knew of this, and that he was returned, he caused him to be put into prison at the latter place, till, the above distraint taking place, he was obliged to discharge him. The same undersheriff had several times before, during David Barclay's imprisonment, committed those who met there for the purpose of divine worship, and detained them

several days, until he was ordered to release them, they being mostly the servants of David Barclay.

On the 6th of the 12th month, 1676, the last mentioned Friend, together with George Gray, John Forbes, and Robert Milne, were taken at a Monthly Meeting, and recommitted; three of these being put into the upper prison, but David Barclay, by the express interference of one of the magistrates, into the lower gaol. About a month after this, Andrew Jaffray was again taken into custody: for the constancy of these sufferers was such, that when, upon the levying of their fines, they were liberated, forthwith they frequented their religious assemblies, where they were consequently soon retaken, and consigned to their previous allotment.

While thus situated, the prisoners were saluted with the succeeding effusion of gospel love from a brother at a distance.

"To George Keith, Robert Barclay, and the rest of

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Dear Friends,

Friends.

"11th of 12th Month, 1676.

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Your letter some time since I saw, which was read at London in the meeting, and copies sent as you did desire.

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"O dear hearts! my soul melted at the reading thereof, for joy and gladness, that the Lord hath raised up living witnesses for his name, and that he hath appeared in his mighty power in my native country, to raise him up a people there, to bear witness to his blessed Truth, and to be valiant sufferers for the same, to count nothing too dear unto them, being willing to give all up for the blessed testimony of his Truth, forsaking what is near and dear unto them,

that they may follow his leadings. Oh! blessed day for ever, that we should come to be witnesses of it.

And now, you valiant lambs, whom the Lord hath honoured to stand under the banner that he hath lifted up in that corner of the nation,-the Lord hath blessed you, and will bless and prosper you; as you abide faithful, you shall overcome; the cedars shall fall before you, and the mountains be trodden down. Your strength is in the Lord, who will go through the briars and thorns, which are set in battle array against you. You are the seed of the Blessed and the offspring of the Lord, whom he hath made, and will yet make as threshing instruments in his hands, to be a dread and a terror to the enemies of his Truth. O dear lambs! keep your habitation, in subjection to the weighty Life, which keeps all low, meek, and humble, feeling all to be from Him, your strength and courage. My soul is united with you in the one bundle of life, and in this I feel your strength; here I can lie down and even rejoice with you in your bonds! Many a blessed night and day have I felt, when the body hath been in bonds; and I know the same Life is with you. That fountain is but one, and your refreshings are from it. This gives patience to wait, until he say to the winds and storms, and foaming boisterous sea, Be still:'-for he will not let his people be overwhelmed.

"And it is in my heart, that the Lord hath a day of breaking through, yet more and more, in that nation. There hath been a darkness over the land as yet, only some seed sown here and there; and by suffering, will the Lord raise it yet more plentifully. And the cry is in my heart, and many a day hath been for the land of my nativity, that the veil might be rent, that the power of death might be broken, that the captives

might come forth and a faith is with me, that the Lord will visit, and the blessed day will yet break forth more and more there. You have been made to sound the alarm;-glory to our God for it for ever! Rejoice and be glad, that you are some of the first fruits' there unto God. And the breathing of my soul to the Lord is, that you may be preserved and kept, over all temptations and snares, suffering patiently, waiting the Lord's way and time for your bonds to be taken off. Our God is a God of love, pity, and compassion; he hath been with us in trials, hath visited us in bonds; yea, our strength hath been renewed, and in the patience have we overcome. Dear hearts! it is a part of your way. The time is not long-we are near our homes, where the devil and his instruments shall not reach us. We are now travelling in our journey; and they seek to hinder us, and now and then buffet us; this is all they can do. The body is often in their power, for the trial of our faith; but, glory to our God! our anchor is sure; they cannot break our hold: but, as gold, shall all the faithful sufferers come forth, to the eternal praise of our God.

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"O how have I been filled with joy, when I have heard, how God's power hath broke forth amongst you in prison, and how the glory of the Lord hath filled your vessels!-no news was so welcome to me ;— yea, I have tasted of that joy with you.

"Dear Friends; I could write much; but I know God's presence is your all, and is beyond all words :— only, that you may feel my joy in the Lord for you, and may feel my love to you all, who are the faithful sufferers for his Truth. Yea, dear Friends, I could lie down with you in your bonds, if it were the will of my Father; and I wait till it may be his will that I see you.

"Friends were refreshed in reading your letter,