The Life and Times of John Livingston [pp. 428-450]

7The Life anCd Tinees of
minister, said, that it was all but impossible to refrain from
tears when he preached. "Sometimes, before he went to
sermon, he would send for his elders, and tell them he was
afraid to go to the pulpit, because he found himself sore deserted;
and therefore desire one or more of them to pray; and then
he would venture to the pulpit. But it was observed, that this
humbling exercise Lfsed ordinarily to be followed with a flame
of extraordinary assistance." " He would many times retire
to the church of Ayr, which was at some distance from the
town, and there spend the whlole night in prayer; for he
used to allow his affections full expressions, and prayed not only
with an audible, but sometimes a loud voice; nor dlid he irk
in that solitude, all the night over; which hath (it may be)
occasioned the contemptible slander of some malicious enemies, who were so bold, as to call him no less than a wizard."
(Life, p. 15.) "He wondered how a Christian could lie in a
bed all night, and not rise to pray." After being long a prisoner in his native land, he went to France, where he lived
about sixteen years, as pastor of a church in St. Jeant de
Angely. He returned to England, without being able however to obtain leave of James I. to revisit his beloved country.
He died in London.
Among those ministers with whom Mlr. Livingston was
personally acquainted, is named Robert Bruce, of Edinburgh,
second son of the " laird of Airth." His academical education was received in France; but he studied theology at St.
Andrews. lie began to preach in 1540. "No man," says
Livingston, "had so many seals of his ministry; yea, many
of his hearers thought no man since the days of the Apostles
did speak with such power. He had a very majestic counte nance, and whenever he did speak in public or private, yea,
whenever he read the word, I thought it had such force as I
never discerned in any other man. Hie had a notable faculty
of searching the Scriptures, and explaining the most obscure
mysteries in it. He was much exercised in conscience,
whereby he was signally fitted to deal with others under
troubles of mind." "1 was his hearer there [at the parish
of Larber] a great part of the summer 1627, and many others
beside the parishioners attended on his ministry from dif ferent quarters. It was his custom after the first sermon,
to retire by himself for prayer, and one day sonme noblemen
who had far to ride, wearying at his long stay, sent the beadle
to learn if there was any appearance of his coming; the man
returned and told them'I think he shall not comne out this
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