THE SPEECH OF Mr. JOHN KID.

COnsidering what bodily distempers I have been exercised with since I came out of the Torture, (viz.) Scarce two hours out of my naked bed in one day, it cannot be expected, that I should be in Case to say any thing to purpose at this Juncture, especially seeing I am not as yet free of it, however I cannot but Reve∣rence the good hand of God upon me, and desires with all my Soul to bless him for this my present Lot.

It may be there are a great many here that Judge my Lot very sad and deplorable. I must confess Page  18 death it self, is very Terrible to Flesh and blood, but as it is an out-let to sin, and an in-let to righ∣teousness, it is the Christians great and inexpressible priviledge, and give me leave to say this, that there is somthing in a Christians Condition, that can ne∣ver put him without the reach of insufferableness, even shame, death, and the Cross being inclu∣ded.

And then if there be peace betwixt God and the Soul, nothing can damp peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, this is a most supporting ingredient in the bitterest Cup, and under the shar∣pest, and firiest Tryal he c•n be exposed unto▪ this is my mercy, That I have somthing of this to lay Claim unto, viz. The intimations of pardon, and peace betwixt God and my Soul.

And as concerning that, for which I am con∣demned, I magnifie his grace, that I never had the least challenge for it, but on the contrary, I Judge it my Honour, that ever I was counted worthy to come upon the Stage upon such a consideration; another thing that renders the most despicable Lot of the Christian, and mine sufferable, is a felt and sensible presence from the Lord, strengthening the Soul when most put to it, and if I could have this for my Allowance this day, I could be bold to say, Oh death where is thy sting, and could not but cry out Welcome to it, and all that follows upon it: I grant the Lord from an Act of Soveraignity may come, and go as he pleases, but yet he will Page  19 never forsake his people, and this is a Cordial to me in the Case I am now exposed unto.

Thirdly, The exercising and puting forth his glo∣rious power, is able to Transport the Soul of the believer, and mine, above the reach of all Sublu∣nary difficulties, and therefore seeing I have hope to be kept up by this power, I would not have you to look upon my Lot, or any other that is or may be in my Case, in the least deplorable, seeing we have ground to believe, that in more or less he will perfect his power and strength in weakness.

Fourthly, That I may come a little nearer to the purpose in hand, I declare before you all, in the sight of God, Angels and men, and in the sight of that Son and all that he has Created, that I am a most miserable sinner, in regard of my Original and Actual Transgressions. I must confess they are more in number then the Haires of my Head. They are gone up above my Head, and are past num∣bering, I cannot but say as Jacob said, I am less then the least of all Gods mercies, yet I must de∣clare to the exalting of his free grace, That to me who am the least of all Saints is this grace made known, and that by a strong hand, and I dare not but say he has loved me, and washed me in his own blood from all iniquities, and well is it for me this day, That ever I heard or read that faithful saying; that Jesus Christ, came into the World to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

Fifthly, I must also declare in his sight, I am the Page  20 most unworthiest that ever opened his mouth to preach the unsearchable Riches of Christ in the Gospel. Yea the sense of this made me altogether unwilling to fall about so great a work, until by the importunity of some whose names are precious and savoury to me and many others, I was prevail∣ed with to fall about it, and yet I am hopeful not altogether without some fruit, and if I durst say it without vanity, I never found so much of the presence of God upon my Spirit, as I have found in exercises of that nature, though I must still con∣fess attended with inexpressible weakness, and this is the main thing for which I must lay down my Tabernacle this day, viz. That I did preach Christ and the Gospel in several places of this Nation; for which I bless him (as I can), That ever such a poor obscure person as I am, have been thus priviledged by him, for making mention of his grace as I was able.

Sixthly, Give me leave to add this word farther, that though there be great appearances, for spread∣ing and preaching this Glorious Gospel, yet I fear there is a snare at the bottom, and poyson in that dish which may gender, and be productive, of not only greater Scarcity of Honest preaching and preachers, but a Real Famine of the Word, this I say is my fear, and I hope God will keep his servants and people from fomenting any thing to the detriment of the Gospel.

Seventhly, I am also afraid that the Lord is in∣tending Page  21 to multiply his stroaks upon the Land, we have walked seven times contrary to him, and therefore we may lay our account (unless Repen∣tance prevent it) that he will walk seven times contrary to us, there is more and more grounds to fear that a Sword is Brandished in Heaven, a Glittering Sword, sharpned and forbished against the Guilty and Harlot Scotland.

Eightly, As for the Fifth Cause in my indict∣ment, upon which my sentence of death is foun∣ded, (viz.) Personal presence, Twice or thrice, with that party whom they call the Rebels; for my own part I never Judged them such: I Acknowledge and do believe there were many there that came in the simplicity of their hearts, like those that followed Absolom long ago, and I am as sure on the other hand there were a great party there that had nothing before them but the repairing of the Fal∣len work, and the restoring the breach, which is wide as the Sea, and I am apt to think that such of these who were most branded with mistake, will be found to be most single: but for Rebellion against his Majesties person or Lawful Authority, the Lord knows my Soul Abhorreth the name and thing; Loyal I have been, and I wish every Christi∣an to be so, and I was ever of this Judgment, To give to Caesar the things that are Caesars, and to God the things that are Gods.

Ninthly, Since I came to prison, I have been much branded with many that I must call Asper∣sions Page  22 whereof Jesuitisme is one, I am hopeful there was never one that did converse with me that had the least ground for laying this to my Charge, I know not how it comes to pass it is laid upon me now, except implacable prejudice that some have been prepossest with against me. I am not Ig∣norant that near two years ago, a person of some note in this Church while Living, was pleased to say, I was dyed in that Judgment: after he was better informed, he Changed his Note, and said it was misinformation: but now the Lord, before whom I must stand, and be Judged by and by, knows I have a perfect Abhorrence of that thing. And that it was never my Temptation directly nor indirectly. Though I must confess, some few years ago, some were very pressing upon me that I would conform, and imbrace Prelacy? But for Po∣pery, and that Trash, it never came nearer my heart than the Popes Conclave, and the Alcoran, which my Soul Abhors.

Tenthly, I Have also been branded with facti∣ousness, divisive, and seditious preaching, and practices. I must confess if it be so, it was more then ever I was aware of: according to the mea∣sure that God has given me, it was my endeavor to commend Christ to the hearts and Souls of the peo∣ple, even repentance towards God and Faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ, according to the word of God, confession of faith, and Catechismes Larger and Shorter, yea I did press them, when God did cast it in my way to remember their former Obligations Page  23 in Doctrine, worship, Discipline and Government, and that they would make it their work to stand to it, in substance and Circumstance, seeing it is so Cryed down in this day, and if this be divisive preaching, I cannot deny it.

Eleventhly, I am prest in Conscience to bear my Testimony to and Abhorrence of every Invasion, Usurpation, and incroachment that is made or has been made against Christs Royal prerogative, Crown, and Kingdome, Originate upon and derivate from that which they call the Supremacy, I was never free to say a Confedcracy with those that I Judge have in a great part said a Confederacy with that thing, and the Lord is my record, I was never free in my Conscience for that that is called indulgence, neither first nor second, as it was tendered by the Counsel, and as it was imbraced by a great many Godly men in this Land, yea it was never Lau∣dable nor expedient to me, and in effect this is one of the main grounds, why I am rendred so Obnoxi∣ous to so many imputations, that I have been all along contrary to that indulgence in my Judgment, I confess I have been so, and I die in my Judgment contrary to it, and this I Crave Leave to say with∣out any Offence given to the many Godly and Learn∣ed, that are of another Judgment.

Twelfthly, I Judge it fit likewise in this Case to leave my Testimony against that Stent, Taxation and Cess, that has been so injustly imposed, so fri∣volently founded, and vigorously carried on by the Page  24 Abettors of that contention, and meerly upon no o∣ther account imaginable, but to make a Final Extir∣pation of Christ, and his Gospel Ordinances out of the Land, and how Lamentable it is to consider how many professors did willingly pay it, and were most forward for inciting others to do the same.

In the next place, though to many I die desired, yet I know to not a few my death is not desired, and it is the rejoycing of my heart, that I die in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has loved me, and given himself for me, and in the faith of the Prophets and Apostles, and in this faith that there's not a name under heaven by which men can be saved, but the name of Jesus, and in the Faith of the Doctrine and Worship of the Kirke of Scotland, as it is now established according to the word of God, Confession of faith, Catechisms Larger and shor∣ter, and likewise I joyn my Testimony against Po∣pery, Perjury, Profanity, Heresie, and every thing contrary to sound Doctrine.

In the Close, as a dying person, and as one who has obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful, I would Humbly leave it upon godly Ministers to be faithful for their Lord and Master, and not to hold their peace in such a day, when so many ways are taken for injuring of him, his name, way, Sanctu∣ary, Ordinances, Crown and Kingdome, I hope there will be found a party in this Land, that will con∣tinue for him, and his Matters, in all Hazzards, and as faithfulness is called for in Ministers, so pro∣fessors Page  25 would concern themselves that they Coun∣tenance not, nor abet any thing inconsistent with former Principles and practices. Let the Land con∣sider how Neuteral and indifferent we are grown in the matters of God, even like Ephraim long ago, a Cake not turned.

Next how far we are fallen from our first love, how far we are degenerated from the noble Vine into which the Lord did once plant us; Lamentable it is how far we are gone in the way of Egypt, drinking the Wa∣ters of Sichar, &c.

Again, What a woeful Spirit of bitterness is pre∣dominate in this Land, in this our Age, Ephraim vex∣ing Judah, and Judah Ephraim; Manasseth Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseth, the growing dogedness of this temper almost amongst us all, portends terrible things from the Lord against Scotland.

Fourthly, Reformation neither designed nor pra∣ctised; what means all this deformity that is come to pass in these days, instead of the contrary? how many of us are pulling down that which we have been building up; how many of us calling good evil, and evil good, dis-owning and dis-savouring that which some∣time we judged our honour to testifie for and to a∣vouch.

Fifthly, A Publick Spirit in contending for God in his matters, in substance and circumstance, according to our Vows and Obligations, is much wanting amongst us at this day.

Farther I am prest in Conscience to make honourable mention of all those glorious things that God has done in Scot. since the year 1638. the abundant measure of his spirit that has been power'd out upon his people.

Here he spoke much concerning the Solemn League and Covenant; and afterwards pro∣ceeded as followeth.

Page  27And moreover I bear my Testimonies against all other Confusions, Imprisonment and Blood, that is or may be intended against those of the Land that desire to keep their Garments clean, whether in Prison or out of Prison

6thly, As concerning that which is the ground of my death, viz. Preaching here and there in some Cor∣ners, I bless my God I have not the least challenge for it; and though those that Condemned me are pleased to call such Preachings Rendezvouses of Rebellion, yet I must say this of them, they were so far from be∣ing reputed such in my Eyes, that if ever Christ had a People or Party wherein his Soul took pleasure, I am bold to say these Meetings were a great part of them; the shineing and Glory of God was eminently seen amongst these Meetings, the convincing Power and Authority of our Lord went out with his Ser∣vants in those blasphemously nick-named Conventi∣cles; this I say without reflection upon any; I have a word to say farther, that God is calling persons to Re∣pentance, and to do their first work; Oh that Scot∣land were a mourning Land, and that Reformation were our practice, according as we are sworn in the Covenant.

Again, that Christians of Grace and Experience would study more streightness and stability in this day, when so many are turning to the right hand, and ma∣ny to the left; he that endureth to the end shall be sav∣ed; he has appointed the Kingdom for such as con∣tinue with him in his Temptations.

Next, if ever you expect to have the Form of the House shewed you in all the Laws thereof, goings out thereof, and comings in thereof, then think it no Page  28 shame to take shame to you for all that has been done, sitting down on this side Jordan is like to be our bane. Oh when shall we get up and run after him till he bring us into the promised Land, let us up and after him with all our heart, and never rest till he return.

I recommend my Wife and young one to the care and faithfulness of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God that has fed me to this day, and who is the God of my Salvation, their God and my God, their Father and my Father, I am also hopeful, that Christians, Friends, and Relations, will not be un∣mindful of them when I am gone.

Lastly, I do further bear my Testimony to the Cross of Christ, and bless him that ever he count∣ed me worthy to appear for him in such a lot as this: Glory to him that ever I heard tell of him, and that ever he fell upon such a method of dealing with me as this, and therefore let none that loves Christ and his Righteous Cause be offended in me.

And as I have lived in the faith of this, that the three Kingdoms are married Lands, so I dye in the faith of it, that there will be a resurrection of his Name, Word, Cause, and of all his Interest therein, though I dare not determine the time when, nor the manner how, but leave all these things to the infinitely wise God, who has done, and will do all things well. Oh that he would return to this Land again, to repair our breaches, and take away our back-sliding, and appear for his work: Oh that he were pacified towards us; Oh that he would pass by Scotland once again, and make our time a time of Love, Come Lord Jesus, come quickly. Himself hasten it in his own time and way. The Lord is my light and life, my joy, my song, Page  29 and my salvation; the God of his chosen be my Mer∣cy this day, and the inriching comforts of the holy Ghost keep up and carry me fair through, to the Glo∣ry of his Grace, to the edification of his people, and my own eternal advantage. Amen.