stry, and took on him to baptize two children at Hamilton, and blundered, and forgot prayer before the action. My respects to Mr Guthrie. The author of the Humble Pleadings is Mr Gavin Mitchell. We hear Mr M Millan is dead. I'll be glad to hear if it hold,' and what influence it's like to have on your bounds, and what is done with Taylor and Gilchrist since the last Commission. I have no apology to make for all this trouble, but that I am a universal beggar for accounts, and presumed upon your kindness, and ventured on my father's friend, and know none so much in case to help me as you. I'll be glad of your news from London by post, where I give my humble duty to your son; and am, yours in many bonds, Feb. 19, 1717. R. W. To-morrow comes on my process before the Presbytery anent the call to Stirling, which probably will go to the next Commission in March. LETTER LXXI. TOLERATION OF THE PRESBYTERIANS IN IRELAND. The Rev. Alexander M'Cracken to Wodrow.3 Lisburn, Feb. 1, 1716-17. REV. DEAR BROTHER,-I have yours of the 7th of November, which is all I have from you since mine of June. I much longed to hear from you. I am truly concerned to hear how some things are going with you. I pray God may prevent the evils impending. I have the paper you sent, but we have nothing I know of lately printed, or you should have it. As for what you desire relating to the formula, I formerly gave you what I then had. Since that This is really too bad, and affords a melancholy proof how far the odium theologicum had overcome the better feelings of Wodrow's heart. 2 Two Nonjurors. 3 Letters to Wodrow, vol. xx. No. 126. there is something fallen in, viz., some people have presented a protestation against proceeding to seek a toleration upon the formula, and are against its being the terms, but are for having the Confession of Faith the terms of the toleration. This being from the people threatens some discord. How far it may go is not yet known. We had a quarterly Synod lately at Belfast, (but I could not go to it,) before whom this matter came. They had some discourse about it, and finding the dissatisfaction that is amongst many about this, they came to resolve that, for the quieting of the people, they would declare that they will not go on with the toleration unless the Confession of Faith be secured to us. What this may do time must tell. Some ministers have been with me about this, and have let me see the formula as it now is, which hath something in it, the former, which I saw, had not, viz., in their and our Confession of Faith; so that the formula now is: "I profess faith in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ the eternal Son of God, the true God, and in God the Holy Ghost; and that these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory. I believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament were given by divine inspiration, and that they are a perfect rule of Christian faith and practice; and, in obedience and pursuant to this belief, I agree to all the doctrines common to the Protestant Churches at home and abroad, contained in their and our Confessions of Faith." I find those that are for the formula lay great weight upon the naming of our Confession in the formula; but others do not think so much of it, especially considering that the Confession is first to be offered to be the terms, and it is taken for granted that the government will not allow of the Confession; and then, upon that, the formula is to be given in. Upon which, it's plain the Confession is once laid formally aside from being the terms, and the formula is in so far put in its place. Now, some cannot see that the naming of the Confession, considering with what it is joined, doth bring back the Confession to be the terms of the toleration. I find, if God prevent it not, we are like to be divided upon it; but our Lord rules. I have not been able to visit the sick out of the town these several months past. My recovery is very uncertain. This, with affectionate service to all with you, is from, Dear Brother, yours to power, ALEXANDER M'CRACKEN. I'll be glad to hear from you. I suppose you know that there are two of our ministers to be with you next Assembly. LETTER LXXII. SAME SUBJECT. To Mr Alexander M'Cracken, Minister at Lisburn. REV. DEAR BROTHER,-I have yours of the first instant. I thank you for the accounts you send me. The formula appears to me some better than before. But I wish the Westminster Confession had been specified; and if it were, I am of opinion all the rest of the formula might be spared. But I want not my fears that such generals are not insisted upon without some cause, and that direct engagements are not satisfying to some. It appears plain to me, that if those who are applied to, grant a toleration upon this draught of a formula, they will grant it upon the bottom of the Confession itself. You signified to me in June last that two were coming over to our next Assembly, but do not tell me who they are. I wish if your health allow you were one of them; but I doubt this will not answer the design. If the Lord will, I design to be there, and. as soon as this comes to hand, I could wish to know all you think proper to communicate of their powers and commission, and whatever may give light in that affair. I regret your want of health, and fear you may be calling off from an ill time to the joy of your Lord. Therefore, while you are able, let me have the benefit of your letters as frequently as you can; for they are very refreshing. I am, yours, &c. Feb. 22, 1717. LETTER LXXIII. SAME SUBJECT. R. W. To the Rev. Mr Robert M'Bride, Minister at Ballymony, Ireland.' REV. DEAR BROTHER,-I have yours of the 23d of January, and congratulate you on your entrance to the holy ministry, and pray for a double portion of the Spirit to be on you. The God of your fathers be with you! When you write to your dear father give him my kindest respects, and tell him for as ill as his hand is I can read it very well, and I'll be glad that he make a new trial of my skill this way. I am glad any differences from misunderstanding the overtures of your late Synod are over. I love debates nowhere, especially in Synods, and shall be glad of a full account of what is done and doing anent a toleration. The formula I have seen appears to me to be very general. And as I still looked on the Presbyterians in Ireland as a part of this National Church, or rather one of our sister Churches; so I'll be afflicted to hear of their quitting our standard of doctrine, which I hope I shall never live to see. Pray, let me have all the accounts of what is done at your general Synods and quarterly meetings. I am, yours most affectionately, Feb. 22, 1717. R. W. The son of the Rev. John M'Bride, Belfast, of whom see vol. i. p. 482. VOL. II. Q LETTER LXXIV. SCHEME FOR SUPPORTING MINISTERS' WIDOWS AND ORPHANS. To Mr Patrick Cowper, Minister at Pittenweem. REV. DEAR BROTHER,-As to your proposal about orphans and widows of ministers, I have communicate with several ministers and others here, who all seem much pleased with it. I dare promise nothing for myself, far less others, but am made to believe it will meet with encouragement. I should be much for P. [Principal] Haddow's opinion in yours of the 13th instant, were it not that I think an abstract, in half a sheet, or both sides, might suffice to let brethren fully into the design; and then, when you see how this takes, I would have the whole of the paper printed and sent to Presbyteries. I would have room left in the abstract for ministers to send in their proposals for facilitating this design, and these to come to your friends in every Synod, who shall transmit them to you, that the larger accounts of this pious project may come forth with greater advantage. You'll consider how far a fund of this nature may be augmented with voluntary collections in every parish, and some small thing to be given yearly by each session able to do so. People who pay nothing to maintenance of ministers, as tradesmen, merchants, &c., should be dealt with; and since the management of such funds is the main thing [that] encourages contributions, some lawyers and others, and ministers from every Synod, should be thought on. An estimate would [should] be made of the number of widows and orphans, and some guess may be given at the general sum that is needful, and care would [should] be taken that nothing of this kind may hinder ministers' children from access to mortifications already given, as bursaries, hospitals, &c. These, and many other things, will offer |