Appendix.
James Dodson
THE DYING TESTIMONY OF JAMES CARMICHAEL.
Who Lived at Ponfeigh, Douglas-Water.
I, under subscriber, being now very weak in my condition, through the affliction and sickness of my body, and in all appearance drawing near to the time of my dissolution; I think it my duty, for truth’s vindication, and for friends their satisfaction, to leave this short word of testimony to the truths of Jesus Christ, which I have been endeavouring (although in much weakness) to adhere to through this dark, declining time wherein my lot hath fallen; and that because of the many reproaches that I have lain under, as being a man misled, and maintaining strange and unwarrantable principles, &c., I do hereby declare that I do adhere with my soul and heart to the holy and sweet scriptures of truth contained in the Old and New Testaments, and to the Confession of Faith, Larger and Shorter Catechisms, our Covenants, Nation and Solemn League, causes of God’s wrath, and to the whole of our covenanted work of reformation, and to all the testimonies for the same truths, whether of martyrs or faithful contenders, particularly these contained in our Informatory vindication and testimony against toleration; and our last three testimonies since the Revolution. And, likewise, I leave my testimony against, and declair my detestation and abhorrence of the long-continued tract of the nation’s backslidings and defection since the covenanted work of reformation began to be overturned. Particularly against
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the public resolutions, which laid the foundation of all these defections that hath since ensued; against Cromwell’s usurpation, and the toleration of heresies and sects in his time. Against the usurpation and tyranny of Charles the Second, his overturning, and by his act rescinding, our whole covenanted work of reformation; the burning of our holy covenants, an unparalleled act of heaven-daring wickedness. His imposing contradictory oaths, to debauch the conscience of the people; his divisive and church renting indulgence. As likewise, I leave my testimony against the nation’s concurring and complying with these abominable courses; particularly against ministers and professors, and that because they are neither judicially condemned, nor any resentment of them apparent in a national way. But on the contrary a practical approving of them; by suffering these covenants to be buried, by complying with all the mandates of the state, in their practical erastianism; and their professing to retain the name of presbyterianism and yet practising the contrary, makes their course and way the more hateful; it being but a mocking of God, and cheating and blindfolding the generations. All which courses and practices in ministers and professors, I, as a dying man (who expects shortly to stand before my judge), testify against and declare my detestation of.
And now, my dear friends, my last advice to you is, that you continue fixed and steadfast in your adherence to these truths, and witnessing against the courses of defection and backsliding. Wherein, I declare, I have sweet peace and satisfaction; and not a doubting nor a hesitating thought to the contrary. But, O! study to be more serious in the substantials of religion and godliness; and to be diligent in the use of the means that is left you. Be much in reading the holy scriptures; much in secret prayer, and
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prayer in your families and societies; much in godly conference, wherein you may be mutually edified. And think not your straightness in the Lord’s cause, the word of his patience; and public matters will do your turn, or satisfy the law and justice of God for you. Except ye savingly close with God by faith in Jesus Christ; be interested in the new covenant, and have union and communion with him. Now, my dear friends, farewell; the blessing of the Lord be with you all, and the good will of him that dwelt in the burning bush, yet not consumed, be with you henceforth, to lead, guide, and direct you in every step of your wilderness journey.
Now, because of my weak condition, I add no more. Subscribed before these witnesses, the 2nd day of April, 1707, at my own house.
Sic subscribitur,
JAMES CARMICHAEL.
Francis Graham, Witness.
William Symington, Witness.
James Thomson, Witness.
John Young, Witness.
John Curry, Witness.
John Carmichael, Witness.
The following illustrates the spiritual life of the time:—
PERSONAL COVENANT.
O great and dreadful Jehovah, for as much as Thou hast, of Thy bottomless mercy, offered to me, a wretched sinner, to be a God and Guide to me through Jesus Christ, if I accept of Thee, I call heaven and earth to record this day that I do here solemnly avouch Thee for the Lord my God; and with all possible veneration,
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bowing the knees of my soul under the feet of Thy Majesty, even of Thy most sacred Majesty. And I do here take Thee, the Lord Jehovah, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for my portion and chief good; and do give up myself, soul and body, to Thy service, vowing and promising to serve Thee all the days of my life, in holiness and righteousness. And since Thou hast granted the Lord Jesus Christ as the only mids or means of coming unto Thee, I do. with all my heart, and on the very knees of my soul, accept of Him as the only true and living way by which sinners may have access unto Thee. And hereby I join myself in marriage unto Thee, and covenant with Thee. in Him. O, blessed Lord! I do come to Thee, being both hungry and hard bestead; a poor, wretched, miserable, and blind, yea, a most loathsome and polluted creature; and justly condemned if Thou should deal so with me, as I am sinful in myself and in Thy sight. I am small, and for ever unworthy to wipe the feet of the servants of the Lord; but far more unworthy to be solemnly married to the King of Glory. But since such is Thy unparalleled love, I do here with all my power accept Thee, and do take Thee for my head and husband, for better and for worse; for richer and for poorer cases, yea, and for times, cases, and conditions to love, honour, and obey Thee before and above all others. And thus, to the death, I embrace Thee in all Thy three offices. I renounce my own worthiness, and do here avouch Thee to be the Lord, my righteousness. I renounce my own wisdom, and do flee unto Thee as my only guide. I renounce my own will, and take Thy will for my law. And since Thou hast told me that I must suffer in the world if I would reign, I do here covenant with Thee to take my lot as it pleases Thee; and, by Thy grace assisting me, to run all hazards with Thee, my Lord: as supposing that neither death nor life shall part between Thee and me. And because Thou hast been pleased to give me Thy holy law, as the rule of my life and the way in which I may walk to Thy kingdom, I do here come under Thy yoke and put my shoulder under Thy burden; and so I subscribe to Thy holy laws, as holy, just, and good. And I solemnly take them as the rule of my thoughts, words, and actions. Promising Thee, though my flesh contradict and rebel, yet will I endeavour to order and govern my whole life according to Thy direction therein; and will not allow myself in the neglect of anything I know to be duty. Only because through the frailty of the flesh I am subject to many
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failings; I am bold here to protest that all my unallowed miscarriages, contrary to the settled bensil and inclination of my heart, shall not make void this covenant with Thee, which I make this day; for then who should in Thy sight be justified.
And now, O Almighty One! Thou knowest that I make this covenant with Thee this day without any known guile or reservation. Beseeching Thee, that if Thou seest any flaw or falsehood herein, that Thou wouldest discover it to me and help me to perform it aright. And now glory to Thee, O Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! whom I shall be bold to look upon, from this time forward, as my God and Father. Glory to Thee that Thou hast found such a way for the recovery of lost and undone sinners. And glory to Thee, O God, the Son! who hast loved, saved, and washed me from my sin in Thine own blood, and art become my Saviour and Redeemer. Glory be to Thee, O God, the Holy Ghost! who, by the finger of Thy almighty power, hast turned about my heart from sin unto God. O, Dreadful Jehovah, Thou who art the Lord God Omnipotent! Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! Thou art now become my covenanted husband and friend; and I, through Thy infinite grace, am become Thy covenanted servant. Amen! Even so be it. And this covenant which I have made on earth let it be ratified in heaven.
Sic subscribitur,
JOHN WILSON.
May 29, 1682.
June 24, 1710.
July 18, 1711.
Note.—These dates lead us to infer that he had covenanted with the Lord three times in the same words.