The Works of Mr. George Gillespie (Vol. 1 of 2)Gillespie, George
Religion
The Works of Mr. George Gillespie (Vol. 1 of 2)
Gillespie, George
Church of Scotland -- History; Gillespie, George, 1613-1648
Monday, December 11, 1648, came my Lords Argyle, Cassils, Elcho, and
Warriston to visit him. He did faithfully declare his mind to them, as
public men, in that point whereof he hath left a testimony to the view of
the world, as afterwards; and the speaking was very burdensome, yet he
spared not very freely to fasten their duty upon them. The exercise of his
mind all the time of his sickness was vary sad and constant, without
comfortable manifestations, and sensible presence for the time, yet he
continued in a constant faith of adherence, which ended in an adhering
assurance, his grips growing still the stronger.
“One day, a fortnight before his death, he had leaned down on a little
bed, and taking a fit of faintness, and his mind being heavily exercised,
and lifting up his eyes, this expression fell with great weight from his
mouth, ‘O my dear Lord, forsake me not forever!’ His weariness of this
life was very great, and his longing to be relieved, and to be where the
veil would be taken away.
“Tuesday, December 14, (1648) he was in heavy sickness, and three pastors
came in the afternoon to visit him, of whom one said to him, ‘The Lord
hath made you faithful in all he hath employed you in, and it’s likely we
be put to the trial; therefore what encouragement give you us thereanent!’
Whereto he answered in few words, ‘I have gotten more by the Lord’s
immediate assistance than ever I had by study, in the disputes I had in
the Assembly of Divines in England; therefore let never man distrust God
for assistance that cast themselves on him, and follow his calling. For my
own part, the time that I have had in the exercise of the ministry is but
a moment.’ To which sentence another pastor answered, ‘But your moment
hath exceeded the gray heads of others! This I may speak without
flattery.’ To which he answered disclaiming it with a ‘no;’ for he desired
still to have Christ exalted, as he said at the same time, and another.
And at other times, when any such things were spoken to him, ‘What are all
my righteousnesses but rotten rags? All that I have done cannot abide the
touchstone of his justice. They are all but abominations, and as an
unclean thing, when they are reckoned between my God and me. Christ is all
things, and I am nothing!’ The other pastor when the rest were out, asked,
‘Whether he was enjoying the comforts of God’s presence, or if they were
for a time suspended! He answered, Indeed they were suspended.’ Then
within a little while he said, ‘Comforts! aye comforts!’ meaning, that
they were not easily attained. His wife said, ‘What reck’d the comfort if
believing is not suspended!’ He said, ‘No.’ Speaking farther to that his
condition, he said, ‘Although that I should never see any more light of
comfort than I do see, yet I shall adhere, and do believe that He is mine,
and I am his!’
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account