1698. MR THOMAS BOSTON. 85 ed at Clackmannan, the Lord helping me ; and that night going to bed weakened and wearied, I found myfelf, notwithlianding, able to lie on my back ; a polture which for a long time before I could not place myfelf in, without being in hazard of fainting. Some were much offended at that day's work, others much en- deared to me. But about this time the bufinel's of my fettle- went there being !till in agitation, and the elders not fpeaking of it to me, till they might fee the matter brought to a bearing, I thought it meet to thew one ofthem, that it was needlefs to make a buttle between heritors and elders on my account, in regard, for any thing I knew, I lhould never accept of a call to Clack- mannan. So, on Oéì. 5. I went to the prefbytery, with an intention to crave my teftimonials, in order to leave that country ; but ere I got it moved, there was produced and reada letter fromKennet, defiring, that in regard the parifh of Clackmannan had a delire for me to be their minifter, they would interpofe with me not to leave the bounds, and appoint me to preach three Sabbaths at Clackmannan, in regard force of the heritors had not heard me. Whereupon the prefbytery urged me to ftay till the next prefby- tery-day at leaft, and appointed me two daysat Clackmannan ; whereto I at length yielded ; though it troubled me fornewhat after, that I Ihould have confented to preach there on that ac- count. On the 18th came to me an elder of Carnock, with a line . figned by five of their number, !hewing, that they had the prefby- teiy's allowance for drawing up a call to me ; but that Kincair- dine arid Sir Patrick Murray would not allow it to be done for any young man, till once the paridh had a hearing of him ; and defiring me to thew, whether they might go on or not. I found by the bearer that they were not unanimous; !hewed them I could not have accefs to preach a day to them ; left them to their liberty ; and defired they might not on my account deprive them -. (elves of any other whom they pleafed. Having preached the two days at Clackmannan, the elders could not prevail with the heritors to join in a call to me. Mr Inglis aforefaid let himfelf againft me particularly, alledging for a reafon, that I wasyoung, and but a probationer. It was fup- poled, that my not bowing in the pulpit, and going with none of them on the Sabbath-nghts, rendered me unacceptable : and I do believe, that they and I both agreed, that, in refpe& of my temper and way, I was not fit for the parifh of Clackmannan. However, the faid Mr Inglis, who was a friend of Brea's told me force time or other, while in that country, (I apprehend it has been after this, when Brea was deceafed), that there was fomething in my fermons fo like Brea's, that one would have. thought I had Peen his notes, but that he knew I had no accefs to them ; which Taft was very true. By this time I, had preached twice at Dollar then lately be-
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