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Whether by constant sitting at these studies, or for some other reasons, the infirmities of old age creeping on, he could not determine, but since the year 1664, there was such a continual pain contracted in his bladder, that he could not walk abroad, and a skaking of his hands, that he could scarcely write any; otherwise, he blessed the Lord that hitherto he had found no great defection either of body or mind.
Thus he continued at Rotterdam until August 9th. 1672. when he died.
Some of his last words were. "Carry my commendation to heaven to Jesus Chriſt, till I come there myself." After a pause, he added, "I die in the faith, that the truths of God, which he hath helped the Church of Scotland to own, shall be owned by him as truths so long as sun and moon endure; and that Independency, though there be good men and well-meaning professors of that way, will be found more to the prejudice of the work of God than many are aware of for they evanish into vain opinions. I have had my own faults, as well as other men, but he made me always abhor shews. I have, I know, given offence to many, through my slackness and negligence, but I forgive, and"desire
