[The following account of the revival at Shots, in Scotland, A. D. 1630, has been substantially, perhaps verbatim, published before now. We publish it, not only because it is interesting, but because it was found among the papers of the late venerable Dr. Rodgers. For the same reason we publish the accompanying letter of Mr. John Livingston.]

The revival at Shots, in Scotland, A. D. 1630.

I MUST mention that solemn communion at the

kirk of Shots, June 20th, 1630; at which time * there was so convincing an appearance of God, and down-pouring of the Spirit, even in an extraordinary way, that did follow that ordinance; especially that sermon on the Monday, June 21, with a strange, unusual motion on the hearers, who in a great multitude were there convened, of divers ranks, that it was known, which I can speak on sure grounds, near 500 had at that time a discernible change wrought on them, of whom most proved lively Christians afterwards. And truly this was the more remarkable, that one, after much reluctance, by a special and unexpected providence, was called to preach that sermon-and that the night before, by most of the Christians there, was spent in prayer, so that the Monday's work might be discerned as a convincing return of prayer.'

* Mr. Livingston was at this time 27 years of age,

Another hand says, "There was a vast confluence of choice Christians, with several eminent ministers, from almost all corners of the land. While their hearts were warmed with the love of God, some expressing their desire of a sermon, on the Monday, were joined by others, and in a little time the desire became very general. Mr. John Livingston, chaplain to the countess of Wigtoun, (at that time only a preacher, not an ordained minister,) was, with very much ado, prevailed on to think of giving the sermon. He had spent the night before in prayer and conference; but when he was alone in the fields, about eight or nine in the morning, there came such a misgiving of heart upon him, under a sense of unworthiness and unfitness to speak before so many aged and worthy ministers, and so many eminent and experienced Christians, that he wished to have stolen quite away; and was actually gone at some distance: but when just about to lose sight of the kirk of Shots, these words, "Was I ever a barren wilderness, or a land of darkness?" were brought into his heart with such an overcoming power, as constrained him to think it his duty to return and comply with the call to preach; which he accordingly did, with good assistance, for about an hour and a half, on the points he had meditated, on Ezek. xxxvi. 25, 26.

"As he was about to close, a heavy shower coming suddenly on, which made the people hastily take to their cloaks and mantles, says he, "If a few drops of rain from the clouds so discompose you, how discomposed will you be, how full of horror and despair, if God should deal with you as you deserve and thus he will deal with all the finally impenitent. God may now justly rain fire and brimstone upon you, as upon Sodom and Go

morrah, and the other cities of the plain. The Son of God, by tabernacling in our nature, and obeying and suffering in it, is the only refuge and covert from the storm of divine wrath due to us for sin. His merits and mediation are the only screen from that storm, and none but penitent believers shall have the benefit of that shelter." In these and such like words, and many others, he was led on about an hour's time after he had done with what he had premeditated, in a strain of exhortation and warning, with great enlargement and melting of heart. And God was graciously pleased to crown his labour with abundant success.

Extracts of a Letter he wrote to his parishioners of Ancrum, in Scotland, from Rotterdam, October 7th, 1671.

"NOTWITHSTANDING of all the sad things that have fallen out of late, I would put you in mind of the many good days we have seen together, both of Sabbath days, and solemn communion days, wherein we saw the Lord's power and his grace in his sanctuary; that, in remembrance thereof, we may exalt his name together. For my part, I have challenges, beside many others, that, in my ministry, I did not so stir up or improve the gift, that the Lord had given me, nor so carry myself like a spiritual, grave, diligent, and faithful servant of Christ, as I ought to have done: that, in my ministry among you, I was not more frequent in visiting families, and dealing with persons in particular, to bring them to, and keep them in, the ways of God. As for you, I may reckon you all in three ranks: the firet rank, and I fear the far greater number, is of

those, who, although in general, professors of Christianity, yet, so far as could be observed, never laid. religion to heart; and some of these, for gross ignorance and looseness, were always debarred from the Lord's supper: others, although having some knowledge and civil walk, yet, upon good grounds were always suspected to be void of the love and fear of God; continuing in their natural, unrenewed condition, neglecting the worship of God in their families, and alone; and showing, by all their carriage, that their thoughts and desires were never beyond the world: these, no doubt, are glad of the change now come, that they may cast off Christ's yoke, and be free of the word and discipline which terrified and tormented them; and may now both swear terrible oaths, and drink drunk, which by some will be expounded as an evidence of their loyalty; they may now, after the example of many great ones, in the lust of uncleanness, mind nothing but how, justly or unjustly, to get the world, and then, how to spend it on their lusts, and hate, and to the utmost of their power, persecute, all who will not run with them to the same excess of riot. Now, as I have often in public, with as great earnestness and tenderness as I could, warned these to flee from the wrath to come, so I would yet desire them to stand still a little before they go to the pit, and hear from a truly loving friend a few words, which I am confident, in the day of the great reckoning, shall be found a message from the living God.

"Do you believe there is a God, or heaven, or hell? or can you, with all your will and strength, scrape the thoughts of these out of your sleeping consciences? or do ye, in such sort, hate God, that, because ye are his creatures, ye will so far be avenged, as to sell yourselves to his enemy, the devil, for naught,

to be tormented to all eternity? I am most sure, none of you all can be sure, that you are reprobates; and I can give you assurance, greater than the stability of heaven and earth, even the sworn word of him that liveth and reigneth for ever, that if you will forsake your wicked way, and yet betake yourselves to the only Saviour of lost sinners, ye are no reprobates. O! what advantage have ye, when ye have gained all the world, and all the pleasures, all the riches, and all the favour of it, and have lost your own immortal and precious souls? Is it utterly impossible, but that some times your own beart tells you, there will be bitterness in the end? Doth not whoredom and drunkenness waste the body, take away the judgment, and leave a sting in the conscience? Can any avoid the curse that goods gotten by falsehood or oppression, bring upon the man, and all he hath, yea, on his posterity? Is it not sad that Satan can prompt men to swear, curse, and blaspheme, and utter that which he dare not utter himself? And, although ye were free of all out-breakings, doth not an unrenewed estate, the neglect of commanded duties, sabbath-breaking, and such evils, bind you over to the wrath of Him, who is coming in flaming fire, to take vengeance on them who know not God, and obey not the Gospel? Ye may possibly think you are so far gone on, that there is no retreat, and the ways of the Lord are such as your disposition can never agree with; but how can your disposition agree to burn and consume, and never and never consume, in everlasting flames, where each of all your sins shall have their own particular torment? How can ye agree to dwell with infernal furies? Or, will ye add to your other wickedness, despair, and despising of all the Lord's loving, loud, and long-continued invitations? What shall you answer, if, here