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Mr. M'Ward was the first that prayed, with more than ordinary enlargement and gale upon his spirit, earnestly begging of the Lord, that in mercy, love and pity, he would seal, spirit, and fit a remnant to stand stedfast, whatever, and from whatsoever airth the winds might blow; and that there might be a succession of faithful witnesses raised up to follow the Lord fully in life and death: but Charles and his interest came not in his way. When ended, they challenged him for it: he said, Let alone, if it be with you as it hath been with me, you will all go the same road; and so it was with all of them: From whence they concluded, that it would be wasted time and prayers that were spent about him. Mr. Cargill, after that, was never heard to pray for him in public. His unhappy birth and restoration day, May 29th 1660 which was enacted to be an universal Thanksgiving day, became a trial to some, and a land-sin and snare to many, and observed to this day, by castle-guns roaring, though even upon the Sabbath, at twelve of the clock; which day was Mr. Cargill's ordinary weekly sermon-day. His kirk being very throng with tears he said, Do you expect more or better preaching this day than other days? Or, is it upon account of your king? It is like that is many of your errands; for me I desire to be found in the way of my duty, being our ordinary day, otherwise I would not have preached a word upon that account. Rejoice not, O Israel, as other people rejoice; for thou art gone a-whoring from thy God. And this is the first step of your going a whoring, which will make way to lead and draw on too many long and great: and whoever of tha Lord's people are this day rejoicing, their joy will be like the crackling of thorns under a pot; it will soon be turned to mourning: He will be the wofullest sight that ever the poor Church of Scotland saw. Wo wo, wo to him; his name shall stink while the world stands, for treachery, tyranny, and leachery. I had this account from several old Christians who were his hearers that day; especially that serious zealous Christian, Robert Goodwin, one of Mr. Durham's elders, when in prison with him.
