was constantly careful to promote practical godliness.  His sole fault in the eyes of the Indulged was that he strictly adhered to the great principles of the Covenanted Reformation, when his opponents had plainly abandoned them,—­that he refused to accept a royal toleration which was designed to establish Popery and absolute power, and that he disowned a perfidious race of monarchs, whose oppressive and galling yoke was felt by many, and whose rule the whole nation soon after rejected.  The fidelity of Renwick to the cause of God and truth powerfully reproved those who had made defection; while his holy living and devotedness strongly condemned such as, to secure immunity from suffering and the world’s favour, were at ease in Zion.  Therefore was it, that, in the spirit of apostates in all ages, they laboured to misrepresent and calumniate him and the cause which he maintained, and abetted the designs of those who persecuted him to the death.

RENWICK’S MARTYRDOM AND TESTIMONY.

This devoted servant of Christ, though worn with incessant labours, was found actively engaged in his darling work when he was called to receive his reward.  On the 24th and 27th of January, he preached in Fifeshire, and at Borrowstoness, on the 29th.  The last night of the month, he lodged with a friend in Edinburgh.  On the morning of the 1st of February, the house was beset with soldiers, in the employment of the persecuting Council.  When Renwick attempted to escape, he was arrested near the Cowgate, and was carried by Graham the captain of the guard, before a quorum of the Council, by whom he was committed to close prison, and laid in irons.  When he stood in the presence of those who had issued against him fierce proclamations, and had sought his life, they were surprised at his youthful appearance, and his comely countenance, and one exclaimed, “Is this the boy Renwick, that the whole nation was so troubled with,” Renwick replied only with a quiet smile.

On the 3d of February, he was brought before the Council, and received his indictment.  In it, he was charged with casting off the fear of God—­disowning the king’s authority—­preaching in the fields—­and teaching the people to refuse to pay cess, and to carry arms in self-defence.  It is related of Renwick, when he became a prisoner, that, though he had grace given willingly to offer his life to confirm his testimony, he yet dreaded torture.  Having in prayer freely surrendered his life to God, he obtained in answer the assurance that enemies would not have the power to inflict on him torture.  This he afterwards told his mother in prison, shortly before his execution, when she was expressing concern about seeing his head and hands on the ports of the city.  He said he was persuaded that the persecutors would “not be permitted to torture his body, nor touch one hair of his head farther.”