第29章 THE PENTLAND RISING(6)

The goods of those who perished were confiscated,and their bodies were dismembered and distributed to different parts of the country;'the heads of Major M'Culloch and the two Gordons,'it was resolved,says Kirkton,'should be pitched on the gate of Kirkcudbright;the two Hamiltons and Strong's head should be affixed at Hamilton,and Captain Arnot's sett on the Watter Gate at Edinburgh.The armes of all the ten,because they hade with uplifted hands renewed the Covenant at Lanark,were sent to the people of that town to expiate that crime,by placing these arms on the top of the prison.'(27)Among these was John Neilson,the Laird of Corsack,who saved Turner's life at Dumfries;in return for which service Sir James attempted,though without success,to get the poor man reprieved.One of the condemned died of his wounds between the day of condemnation and the day of execution.'None of them,'says Kirkton,'would save their life by taking the declaration and renouncing the Covenant,though it was offered to them....But never men died in Scotland so much lamented by the people,not only spectators,but those in the country.When Knockbreck and his brother were turned over,they clasped each other in their armes,and so endured the pangs of death.When Humphrey Colquhoun died,he spoke not like an ordinary citizen,but like a heavenly minister,relating his comfortable Christian experiences,and called for his Bible,and laid it on his wounded arm,and read John iii.8,and spoke upon it to the admiration of all.But most of all,when Mr.M'Kail died,there was such a lamentation as was never known in Scotland before;not one dry cheek upon all the street,or in all the numberless windows in the mercate place.'(28)The following passage from this speech speaks for itself and its author:

'Hereafter I will not talk with flesh and blood,nor think on the world's consolations.Farewell to all my friends,whose company hath been refreshful to me in my pilgrimage.I have done with the light of the sun and the moon;welcome eternal light,eternal life,everlasting love,everlasting praise,everlasting glory.Praise to Him that sits upon the throne,and to the Lamb for ever!Bless the Lord,O my soul,that hath pardoned all my iniquities in the blood of His Son,and healed all my diseases.Bless Him,O all ye His angels that excel in strength,ye ministers of His that do His pleasure.

Bless the Lord,O my soul!'(29)

After having ascended the gallows ladder he again broke forth in the following words of touching eloquence:'And now Ileave off to speak any more to creatures,and begin my intercourse with God,which shall never be broken off.

Farewell father and mother,friends and relations!Farewell the world and all delights!Farewell meat and drink!

Farewell sun,moon,and stars!-Welcome God and Father!

Welcome sweet Jesus Christ,the Mediator of the new covenant!

Welcome blessed Spirit of grace and God of all consolation!