The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

Some zealous of the Parish, amongst whom was Hugh Campbell of Kingarcleuch, offended that they should be debarred their Parish Church, concluded by force to enter. But the said M. George withdrew the said Hugh, and said unto him, Brother, Christ Jesus is as mighty upon the fields as in the Church; And I find that •e himself after Preached in the Desert, at the sea side, and other places judged profane then, he did in the Temple of Jerusalem. ⟨p. 49⟩It is the word of Peace that God sends by me: The blood of no man shall be shed this day for the Preaching of it. And so withdrawing the whole people, he came to a ditch in a More-edge, upon the South-west side of Machlyne, upon the which he ascended: The whole multitude stood and sate about him (God gave the day pleasant and hot) he continued in Preaching more then three hours: In that Sermon God wrought so wonderfully with him,¹ that one of the most wicked men that was in that country, named Lawrence Rankin, Laird of Shield, was converted. The tears ran from his eyes in such abundance, that all men wondered; His conversion was without hypocrisy, for his life and conversation witnessed it in all times to come. While this faithful servant of God was thus occupied in Kyle, word rose, that the Plague of Pestilence rose in Dundee, which began four days after that the said M. George was inhibited Preaching, and was so vehement, that it passed almost credibility, to hear how many departed every four and twenty hours. The certainty understood, the said Master George took his leave of Kyle, and that with the regrate of many. But no request could make him to remain;² His reason was, They are now in trouble, and they need comfort: Perchance this hand of God will make them now to magnify and reverence that word which before (for the fear of men) they set at light price. Coming unto Dundee, the joy of the faithful was exceeding great. He delayed no time, but even upon the morrow gave signification that he would Preach. And because the most part were either sick, or else were in company with those that were sick, he chose the head of the East port of the Town for his Preaching place, and so the whole stood or sat within, the sick and suspected without the Port or gate. The Text upon the which his first Sermon was made, he took from the hundred and seventh Psalm;