Ste , MEMOIRS OP PERIOD XI. to have given him a fuitable education in every neceffary branch of literature, I took care to have him taught at the college, Humanity, Greek, Hebrew, Mathematics, as well as Philofophy ; and allowed him for that end a courfe of five years there. But that courfe being ended this year, he would not once enter on the fludy of Theology, which I had defigned him for. But, after fome ftruggle with him, all in vain, I behoved to advance Mtn money, for betaking himfelf to the employment of a fheep- mafter. This difappointment lay with a particular weight upon me, when my ftrength failing more, I greatly needed help : but all expeátation of help from him was cut off; efpecially when I faw his comrade Mr George Byres, fon to Mr George above mentioned, in cafe to help his father, Rill vigorous, and fit for his own bufinefs. But, O ! the admirable conduct of Pro- vidence, 'challengingan entire refignation ! The Paid Mr George Byres elder is now removed by death : and I am yet fpared, doing my work, though in much weaknefs. In March 1722, we appeared again before the commitlion, and our anfwers to their queries were then given in. Theyare extant in print, with the proteftation above mentioned prefixed to them. Thefe anfwers were, as I remember, begun by Mr Ebenezer Erfkine ; but much extended and perfe&ed by my friendMr Wilfon : where his vaft compafs of reading, with his great colle&ion of books, were of fìngular ufe, and fuccefsfully employed. In Maywe appeared before the General Affembly, where the affair was at length brought to an end, by their a& May 21. 1722, which may be confulted : and we were admonished and rebuked. Eafily forfeeing what would be the iffue, in the af- fembly's determination of the affair, I drew a proteftation while I was yet at home, and carried along with me. And the admonition and rebuke being received with all gravity, the fail proteftation, fubfcribed by us all, was given in by the hand of Mr Kid ; and instruments taken thereon in due form. But the af- femblywould not read it, but quickly clofed the federunt. The Paid proteftation isalto extant in print. I received the rebukeand ad- monition as an ornament put upon me, being for the caúfe of truth. This affair was brought to the iffue forefaid in the after- noon-felon of that day : and their meeting for that black work being appointed to be at three o'clock that day, there came on, a little before the hour, a molt dreadful ftorm of thunder and hail, by means whereof their meetingwas for a confiderable time hindered. Ín the time thereof, I came down, with fome others ofour number, from the weftbow-head, to the chamber where we attended till called ; and that almoft running, the ftreet being in a manner defolate. I well remember, with what ferenity of mind, and comfort of heart, I heard the thunder of that day, the molt terrible thunder-clap being juft about three o'clock. Itmade impreffron on many, as Heaven's teftimony
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