Lord to remove out of the body our dear and precious Friend, Alexander Jaffray, at his own house in Kingswells, the 7th of the 5th month, 1673, at one in the morning; who was buried in his own burial-ground there, upon the 8th day. He was a sincere, uprighthearted man all his time, and one that had been a seeker of the Lord from his youth up, and had much of the life of Jesus and spirit of holiness attending his heart all along, as his conversation witnessed; and died with blessed and living testimonies to the honour of Truth, before many professors and profane, who came to see him."

Little more than three months elapsed after the death of Alexander Jaffray, when Sarah his wife was called away, to join him and "the spirits of just men made perfect." Her maiden name was Cant, a daughter of Andrew Cant. From one passage in the Diary, it may be inferred, that, at least on the particular occasion of trial there alluded to, this helpmeet of our Friend was in some danger of adding, by her unbelief or impatience, to his many sources of trial, rather than of mitigating his sorrows. However this may have actually been, the sequel will prove, that her end was a striking comment on her husband's path, and even as a seal to his dying testimony:-so remarkably, oftentimes, are the expectations, endeavours, and prayers of the faithful answered; whether they be permitted or not, to see the travail of their soul accomplished, the ends of their faith fully brought about. The above authentic record, which has been just quoted, furnishes us with this short but very interesting document respecting her: "The 2nd of 7th month, 1673""The same day, Sarah Cant, relict of our late dear Friend, Alexander Jaffray, came into our meeting, and owned [the way of] truth publicly, [as it is professed by Friends;] which was a speaking testimony, considering her parentage and education; [she] being mightily wrought upon to avow truth publicly, by her worthy husband's remarkable dying, with such

demonstration therein." Her decease took place as early after this circumstance, as the 24th of the next month, and her remains were interred at Kingswells. See Appendix, S.

The author of these pages has not been able definitively to ascertain, that Alexander Jaffray was ever actually considered in the light of a minister; although he is fully prepared to suppose this was not the case. At this early period, it does not appear to have been a stated practice among the Friends in Scotland, to give forth any testimonial, either in the name of one or more individuals, or in that of a congregation, declaratory of the character of deceased worthies, and of the estimation in which they had been held by their friends. This obligation towards the departed, soon, however fastened on the minds of the living, in such a way, that few, especially among those whose doctrine and life had conspiciously shone forth, but were held up to the view of succeeding generations, as examples "whose faith" they might be encouraged to "follow, considering the end of their conversation, Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-day, and for

ever."

Without conceding, in the slightest degree, the safe and true position, that those in this character must be expressly ordained, raised up, put forth, and furnished for the awfully-humbling work committed to them; there is great occasion for us prominently to bear in mind, that these, thus selected for a particular service, are but vessels,-as indeed are all other members of the church,-mere instruments, made use of just in such manner and so long as the chief Shepherd, "the Lord, hath need of " them. When Peter, accompanied by John, wrought a special miracle on the lame man, Acts, 3rd chapter, he said, "Such as I have, give I unto thee;" and afterward, to the Jews, "Why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness, we had made this man to walk?" And certainly, "His name," (which comprehends his power,) "through

faith in his name,"-yea," the faith which is by him," when rightly received and applied, is that which the followers of a crucified Redeemer, in every age, as well ministers as hearers, have alone to look to for sufficiency unto every good word and work. Various are the dispensations of what are termed the ordinary spiritual gifts conveyed to the members of that mystical body, of which Christ is the Head; and, if we have been baptized by one Spirit into this one body, we have each of us "severally" received a share in these, which it becomes our duty to occupy with and to improve. While, then, we are bound to "esteem" those "very highly in love, for their work's sake," who labour in word and doctrine, let us also deeply sympathize with them. These messengers have no exclusive claim or prerogative on Divine bounty. Like the beautiful cloud in the heaven, they may be laden with a blessing, like the trumpet, they may be filled with "a certain" and a thrilling sound; but we have no proof, they are privileged beyond what may be the attainment of those who have no such peculiar vocation. God hath preeminently chosen, in every age, the weak things, the foolish things, and things that are not, to be his instruments in this line, lest we should unduly look to or lean upon them, and that "no flesh should glory in his presence." And those that "will be the chiefest," that seem to be somewhat, that are even "worthy of double honour," commonly have laid upon them the heavier burdens, have to pass under more humiliating baptisms, and are placed obvious to greater temptations. Not only have they nothing but what they receive, but they have the more to account for, and in a more full sense than any others, are made servants of all. They point to the Giver of every good and perfect gift, which is also the case with all who let their "light shine;" they testify of that grace and truth, which is at once sufficient for others as for themselves, and which can come by Him alone, who is given to be "Head over all things to the church."

With these observations on the agency and help of our fellow-mortals, shall the memorial of so estimable a Christian as Alexander Jaffray be dismissed; under a fervent feeling of desire,-which has uniformly attended the mind of his Biographer, whilst holding up so bright an example,-that, as of men he sought not glory, so all may be ascribed to the Great First Cause, who is supremely and everlastingly worthy!

CHAPTER VII.

1673: The magistrates make a second application to the king's council, and the "clergy" solicit Archbishop Sharpe against the " Quakers" -proclamation against house and field conventicles-1674: Friends are forcibly put out of their meeting-house-Thomas Dockery taken from prayer to prison, also William Gellie-Friends are denounced by name as rebels at the market-cross, and their personal property declared forfeited to the king-David Rait's disturbance of them in their meetings; his fearful end-1675: conference of Robert Barclay and George Keith with some college students, four of whom join the society-1676: declaration relative to conventicles-thirty-four Friends are imprisoned-they are tried by a court of commissionerstheir defence, sentence, and treatment-letter of Isaac PeningtonRobert Barclay, visiting the churches, on his return from Holland and Germany, petitions the king on behalf of Friends—further proceedings of the commissioners-case of John Thompson.

THE magistrates of Aberdeen were not discouraged by their late unsuccessful attempts against the Society of Friends, but renewed their application to the king's council at Edinburgh; whilst those called clergy, on their part, strenuously solicited Archbishop Sharpe's patronage; alleging, that "the Quakers' schism was prejudicial to the interest of the church, and that by using a separate burial-place, they prevented the payment of the fees customary on these occasions." But this complaint, when laid before the council, was effectually obviated by the representation of Friends, with

regard to their disinterment of the dead bodies, before related. The council, upon hearing both sides, did not think proper to interpose their authority in this case; the deputation were accordingly dismissed, and returned home, without attaining their purpose.

This people, however, were not long left unmolested. A proclamation had lately been issued from the king's council against house or field conventicles, with a bond attached, to be subscribed by heads of families and others, obliging themselves and those under them not to keep such meetings or be present at them, under a penalty. The magistrates of Aberdeen, making use of this handle, came several times to the meetings of Friends in that city, requiring all present to subscribe the bond; and on their refusal, took down their names. But, on the 7th of 5th month, 1674, in particular, the provost, with other magistrates and officers, commanded them to depart, and because they refused, directed that they should be forcibly put out of their meetinghouse; which was done. Friends, nevertheless, quietly resumed their station within the walls, on the magistrates withdrawing from the spot; and in the performance of their reasonable, unobtrusive service towards their Maker, felt the strength of his divine presence in measure amongst them, whereby some, particularly Robert Barclay and George Keith, were enabled to declare of his goodness, and vocally to celebrate his worthy name!

On that and a succeeding day, Friends were generally fined according to the bond; and, on the 15th, Thomas Dockery, an English Friend, being engaged in prayer, was taken by the town-sergeants, and lodged in the Tolbooth for upwards of thirteen weeks; as was also William Gellie soon after, for the like offence, during nearly the same period. The next step taken against Friends, in pursuance of the act of Parliament against conventicles, and the order in council, was to denounce them all by name at the market-cross as rebels against the state, and to declare their personal