YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

SELECT PASSAGES

FROM THE

DIARY and LETTERS

OJ THE LATE

John Blackader, Efq.

SELECT PASSAGES

FROM THE

DIARY and LETTERS
-rj , OF THE LATE
JOHN BLACKADER, Esq.
FORMERLY LIEUTENANT CCLONIL OF THE XXVITH OR
CAMERONIAN REGIMENT OF FOOT, AND AFTERWARDS
DEPUTY GOVERNOR OF STIRLING CASTLE.
Written chiefly during the most interesting Scenes and
Engagements of the War in Flanders and Germany,
{ conducted by John Duke of Marlborough.
NonvJirst Published from bis aim MSS,
And interspersed with Explanatory and Historical Notes,

TO WHICH IS PREFIXED,
AN ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE AND PARENTAGE
OF THE WRITER.

WITH A PREFACE,
By JOHN NEWTON,
Reitor of St Mary Woolnoth, London.

EDINBURGH:
PRINTED BY J. RITCHIE.
SOLD FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE EDINBURGH
MAGDALENE ASYLUM.

1806.

ADVERTISEMENT.

The greater part of the Manufcripts from
which the following pages are printed, were
fold a few years ago as wafle paper. But
they happily came into the poffeffion of thofe
who difcovered the writer of them, and
perceived their value. They were after-
*wards fhewn to Mr John Newton of Lon
don, who having perufed fever al parts of
them, expreffed his -opinion that their pu
blication might be ufeful, and agreed to
recommend them in the following Preface^
written more than five years ago. He ad-
vifed that with this view they fhould be put
into the hands of Mr John Campbell,
then of this place, novo Minifler of the
Gofpel at Kingsland, pear London. Mr
Campbell be/lowed much time and atten
tion upon them, and tranfcribed the Ex trails
and mojl of the Letters here prefente4 to the
Public — a tajk of no fmall labour and diffi
culty, from the fmallnefs and faititnefs of the
c-harabler in which they are Written. His
numerous engagements, however, prevented.

ADVERTISEMENT.
ibn from< preparing them for the prefs. i
He committed them to the care of the pre-
fent Editor, with the view of their being
ilhtji rated with fuch notes as might point
out the occurrences to which the Diary and
Letters refer, and accompanied with fome
account of the life and parentage of the
Writer'. This the Editor willingly under
took, but various hindrances, with which it
is unnecejfary to trouble the Public, have
delayed the appearance of this fmall volume
till now. The delay, however, has in fome
refpetls improved the book. It put it in the
Editor's power to make inquiry among Co
lonel Blackader's relations and friends re-
fpedting his papers, and he has recovered
fo many in addition to thofe at firfl obtained,
that a complete feries of his Diary is now
in his poffefjion, from A.D. 1701 to 1725
inch/five. For ihefe he is chiefly indebted
to the Colonel's grand-nephew and reprefen-
tative, Mr John Blackader, Accomptant
General oj Excife.
Mr Campbell originally intended and of
fered the profits of the Publication to be devo
ted to the Magdalene Afylum, an Inflitiitidn
then in its infancy, happily now producing the
advantages to not a few wretched indivl-

ADVERTISEMENT.
duals, and to fociety, which were expefled
from it.
The Managers of this mofl excellent Ef-
tablifhment have accepted the offer ; and
thefe pages are now printed at their ex-
pence, and fold for its benefit. As nei
ther they, Mr. Newton, nor Mr Campbell,
have feen any of the Editor's part of this
fmall volume previous to publication, they
are not anfwerable for any thing he ha&~
written.

Edinburgh,
September iSo4*.

83

PREFACE.

THEN Letters here prefented to the
Public, were providentially pre
served from being deftroyed as wafte pa
per, by coming, after having been thrown
afide and neglected for many years, into
the hands of a perfon who knew their
value. When I was favoured with the perufai
of a few of them, I felt a ftrong defire
that they might be printed ; and if they
fhould be fent to the prefs, I promifed to
recommend them (fo far as my poor name
and judgment can be a recommendation)
by a lhort Preface. 1 have fince read
them all ; and am now called upon for
the performance of what I promifed.
Some Memoirs are to be prefixed by a
Gentleman competent to the fervice. It
appears from his letters that he was an
Officer of rank in the army of the Duke
of Marlborough in Flanders, during that
war with France which was terminated
by the peace of Utrecht. He was a mar-

MR NEWTON'S PREFACE.
ried man, and happily married. The
Letters, molt of which were written ta
his wife when he was engaged in milita
ry duty, and fome of them from the field
of battle, are chiefly in the fame (train,
and do not afford that variety which may
be expected from writers who have much
leifure. But they exhibit a beautiful pic
ture of tender conjugal affection, height
ened and fanctified by true religion ; the
fure tendency and effects of which, when
it really pofrefTes- and influences the heart,
are to increafe the relifh of our temporal
comforts, and to* fweeten and alleviate
the cares and trials incident to our re-
fpective fituations in life.
The officers and men who compofe our
armies, are juftly entitled to our refpect,
gratitude, and prayers ; and, on fome ac
counts, to our compafiion. They are ex-
pofed to many hardships and dangers.
" For us they fuffer, and* for us they
bleed." They hazard their lives to pro
tect out liberty, property, &.c. The like
may be faid of the officers and feamen of
our navy. They are daily and equally
liable to be called into conteft with the
enemies of our country, in which, if they '

mr newton's- preface.
fall,' they die indeed upon the bed of ho
nour, and are juftly lamented by us, who
are indebted, under God, for our peace
and" fafety to their exertions and to their
blood. But the chief concern of a ferious
mind arifes from a fear that many of them
are cutoff in a moment, and hurried into
an eternal ftate without any due consider
ation of their latter end.
But thanks be to God, we have had,
and ftill have both officers and privates,
in the navy and in the army, whofe cou
rage is animated by Chriftian principles.
They are not only defenders tof their
king and country, but are the fervatits of
the Lord of hofts. They truft in him to
cover their heads in the day of battle,
and if he is pleafed to give them the vic
tory, they gladly afcribe to him all the
praife. Thefe are true patriots ; the de
fence and glory of the land. They de
light not in war, but when it is juft and
neceflary they feel themfelves in their
proper and lawful ftate. They fight not
for fame, or from a fpiiit of animofity
and revenge, but to anfwer. the truft re-
pofed in them by God and their country.
They give proofs of their courage in the

MR NEWTON'S PREFACE;
hour of battle, and of their humanity
when God gives fuccefs to their arms.
Pofterity will venerate fuch ch-aracter!f
of this defcription as are now living. It
becomes us to commemorate thofe who
have finiihed their courfe ; who , have
been made, in every fenfe, more than
conquerors through him who loved them,,
and are already in that happy ftate where.
the noife of war is heard no more.
Such a one was the late Colonel Gar
diner. He' was equally bold and con-
fiftent as a, foldier and as a Chriftian. In:
the rebellion 1745, he loft his life in the
defence of his king and country ; but he
knew whom he believed, and died in
peace in the midft of his enemies. For*
he likewife fought the good-fight of faith.
It requires no lefs courage to withftand
the fmiles and baits, the frowns and fnares.
of a world that lieth in wickednefs, and
to act uniformly upon that maxim, (howe
ver obvious and indifputable)." We ought
to obey God- rather than man," than to
march up to a. formidable battery. But
it is courage of a different kind, and
derived from a much higher fource tharc
natural conftitution or military conne#-

mr newton's preface.
tions. In this, point, many who are not
afraid to meet the events of wai, are very
cowards. They feel in their confciences
that they ought to obey God, but they
are afhamed or afraid to do fo, left they
fliould incur the fcorn or difpleafure of
th^ir fellow-creatures. The Lord ena
bled Colonel Gardiner to break through
this fmart. It is probable fome of his
former gay companions thought him a
ftrange man when he forfook them, and
joined himfelf to thofe who feared the
Lord ; but his exemplary conduct, his
firmnefs to his religious principles, his
wifdom in avoiding all needlefs and often-
tatious Angularities, his integrity, humi
lity and benevolence, in a couvfe of years
flopped the mouths of gainfayers, and
extorted reverence for his perfon, not
only from the pious, but from the pro
fane. The Letters of Colonel Blackader ma-
nifeft the fame fpirit and aims. He was
a wife and brave officer, a folid, pjous,
and confident Chriftian. The God whom
he ferved and trufted protected him in
many feafons of danger ; his dependence
upon his providence and care was habi-

MR NEWTON'S PREFACE.
tual. The example and influence of
fuch officers, whether in the army or na
vy, mull doubtlefs have a "good effect
upon thofe who ferve under them. The
prefent unhappy war in which our fins
have involved us, is fui generis ; per-'
haps it has had no parallel in paft ages.,:
We Certainly are not now fighting for
the extenfion of dominion and commerce,,
our all is at ftake. The conteft is. lite
rally and ftrictly, Pro aris etfocis. But
our enemies are only inftruments in the
hand of God to inflict his fevere and juft
difpleafure againft fin and finners. What
he permits they will do, and they can
do no more. He has already permitted
them to ravage a great part of Eu
rope, but we know that they cannot ex
ceed their fecret commiffion. He will
overrule their wrath, in the iffue, to the
purpofes of his praife and glory ; and the
remainder of their wrath, all their defignd
which are not fubfervient to his plan, he
will reitrain. He has appointed them
bounds which they cannot pafs, and will
fay to them, as to the fea in a ftorav;
Hitherto fhalt thou come, but no farther,

mr" newton's preface.
and here fhall thy proud waves be flay
ed. Though the. overflowing fcourge has
reached our lifter kingdom of Ireland, the
inhabitants of Great Britain are ftill fa
voured with peace at home, and prefer-
ved from foreign invafion. In general
we know little of war but from the news
papers, and by the increafe of taxes.
Surely this exemption is not becaufe we
are better than thofe who are fuffering
by fire, fword, and rapine. Our national
fins are of a deeper dye, and more aggra
vated than the fins of any nation around
us, being committed againft clearer light
and greater privileges than any other' na
tion has enjoyed. Nor are we yet dif-
pofed to take warning by thefe Calami
ties. The Lord's band is awfully- lifted
up, but we feem determined that we will
not fee it. Inftead of that humiliation and
^repentance for which the ftate of public
.affairs fo loudly calls, behold infidelity,
,idiffipation, profufion and riot are advan
cing amongft us, perhaps with more ra-
|.pid ftrides than at any former period.
,Yet we are ftill fpared, for God has a
eemnant amongft us, who figh and mourn
b

mr newton's preface.
tor the abominations and miferies which
they cannot prevent, and ftand continu
ally in the breach* fupplicating his mercy j
for themfelves and their country. And
though they are few compared with the
'multitude around them, by whom they
-are defpifed for their Angularity and pre-
-cifenefs, yet I hope, in the aggregate,
they are not a few. They are precious
•in the fight of the Lord, and I afcribe ta
his gracious attention to their prayers,
(while the hearts of the many are flout
againft him) the late favourable changes
which have alleviated the terrors of the
profpect which not long fince made all
faces gather • blacknefs. To them I be-
lieve we owe the unhoped for, fudden,
and wonderful fuppreflion of the mutiny
in our fleets, and the fignal victories ob
tained by Lord Duncan and Lord Nel
son. I have faid that our officers, foldiers
and feamen, have a juft claim, not only
to our refpeet and gratitude, but to om
companion. The nature of their ferviil
precludes -them from many, advantajH
and expofes them to many temptation!
They live in the midft of incitements tt

MR newton's preface.
evil, and have few opportunities of Inw
ftruction or advice refpecting the wrafhi
to come, and the obtaining falvation
through our Lord Jefus Chrilt. They are
immortals but too often unapprifed of
the worth of their fouls, and the impor
tance of that eternal unchangeable ftate
in which the next fkirmifh or battle may
fix them. How earneftly therefore fhould
we pray, that our gallant foldiers and fea
men, who all venture their lives, and too
many of them more than their lives, to
defend us from our enemies, might be
commanded by officers who, like Black
ader or Gardiner, would, befides form
ing and animating them for battle, by
their example and influence endeavour to
knprefs them with a fenfe of their depen
dence upon God, and the nature and ne-
ceffity of that religion which is revealed by
the gofpel, and which teaches thofe who-
embrace it, to renounce all ungodlinefs
and worldly lulls, and to live foberly, righ-
teoufly and godly, in this prefent world.
That the Lord may blefs this Publica
tion to the Reader, is the fincere prayer
of his affectionate wellwifher,
J London, June i799. JOHN, NEWTON,

ACCOUNT

Lieut. Col. BLACKADER'S

LIFE

PARENTAGE.

LIEUTENANT Colonel John BlackadeTK
was fon to Mr John Blackader, Minifter
of the pariih of Troqueer, fituated in the county,
and very near the town of Dumfries. He was the
defcendant and reprefentative of an ancient and
refpeftable Scottifh family *. The inftrudtion,
example, and fufferings of this excellent man,
muff have had fo much influence, it is probable,
in forming the character of his Son, that thofe
who may feel an intereft in- the papers now laid
• See Sir Robert Douglas's Baronage of Scotland,
pp. 141. col. sd. — 258. col. id. — jS8; col. ift and »d.—
Sir David Dalrymplt's Remarks on the Hiftory of Scot
land, p. 242.

ii account of col. slackader's
before the Public, would, it is'lrkely, wifh to
know fomething more of him befides his name.
He was born in 1615, ordained a minifter of the
Church of Scotland in 1653, and deprived of his.
living, with other prefbyterian minifters, in 1662,
He died in prifon for confeience fake in 1687.
He was one of the moft diftinguifhed fufferers du
ring -the dreadful period of trearly twenty-eight
years, in which Charles the Second, his minifters
in Scotland, and his fuccefliw, perfecuted with un
relenting cruelty thofe very perfons, and others of
their fentiments, who were the firft inftruments )
of the Reftoration, and who had placed the crown
of Scotland on the head of Charles, while yet a
wretched exile. For the fake of this he fubmit-
ted to the moft humiliating terms, and pradlifed
the grofleft deceit. At his coronation, kneeling,
and liftingup his right hand, he fwore in the pre*'
fence of Almighty God, the Searcher of hearts,
who liveth and reigneth forever*, to fupport/
* Peifons will be greatly difappointed who look for
information refpedting thei'e traiifafiions from the great
feiftorian of the time, Lord Clarendon. However minute
in relating the hiftory of Charles on other occafions, he
is as filt'nt upon this l'cene of iniquity, as are the e pifco-
pal hiftorianj, Bithop Burnet excepted, refpedting the
perfections of the latter part of his reign. The fidelity
and integrity of Mr Douglas who pleached the corona-
tion i'ermon, its fuitablenefs to the occafion, and the fill.,
&ular excellency of the compofition, confidering .the
country and the period in which it was delivered,' can- 1
not fail "to ftrike every impartial reader.

LIFE AND PARENTAGE. Ill
eftablifh, and adhere to that fyftem of religion,
and thofe forms of church government, which he
afterwards, by the moft violent and bloody pro-
- ceedings, endeavoured to extirpate. Whatever
views perfons may entertain of the nature of
Chrift's kingdom, concerning which, if his own
teftimony before Pilate *, illuftrated' by the doc
trine and practice of his apoftles, be underftood in
its obvious meaning, thefe worthy men were very
greatly miftaken — whatever fentiments we may
hold of its difcordance or agreeablenefs with dio-
cefan and lordly epifcopacy, or of the alliance
between church and ftate — indeed, whether men
be Chriftians or infidelsf, the fanguinary and per
fidious meafures by which it was attempted, not
merely to eftablifh, but to enforce the conformity
of a whole nation with a hierarchy which they
almoft univerfally detefted, muft excite in every
honeft and humane mind, not under the influence
of bigotry and prejudice, the keeneft indignation
and abhorrence. Mr Blackader was one of
* John xviii. 36. -,
t The various and enormous oppreffions of his reign
in Scotland, (fays a late able hiflorian, impartial wheie-
ever Chriftianity is not concerned) may be compared
with the tyranny of the word Cefars. — A more diffu-
five, and to the people a more unfupportable tyranny,
extended over the community at large. The only
apology for Charles is, that he was not prefent to fu-
perintend or to reftrain his minifters; to witnefs the
tortures, the groans, and ' the murders of. his lubjedts j
to compute the funis wiung from their mifery, or ths

iv ACCOUNT OF COL. BLACKADER*
three hundred and fifty Scots minifters, deprived,
as about two thoufand were in England at the
fame time *, of their livings' ; the zeal of whofe
blood indifcriminately flied by his judges and guards,
But the cries of his people, and the crimes of his mi.
nifters were repeatedly, yet ineffectually conveyed to
his ear. The orders for a maffacre were certainly, ex.
ecuted with his approbatio'n, if not fubfcribed with hit
hand. And his refufal to liften to, or to alleviate the ca.
lamities of his fubjedts, befpeaks a cruel, unforgiving,
and obdurate heart, irreconcileable to the Prefbyterian(
from former indignities ; and, without religious bigotry,
fecretly gratified with religious p"erfecution. — Laing's'Hi.
ftory of Scotland, vol. i/ p. 141, 141.
* By the adl of uniformity (which may be. feen si
generally printed in the front of the Book of Common
Prayer) and which took place Auguft 24. 1661. The
miferies of thefe times are to be imputed to the en.
deavours of each party to make their own fcheme'of
religion the paramount and national' one, by other
means thanargument and perfuafion. And indeed moft
of the evils and eonfulions charged on Chriftianity by
infidels, have a-rifen from fuch ftruggles to obtain Ihe
patronage and fandlion of ftates for various forms of god-
linefs. No fo6ner were Prefbyrerians in power,, than
they overthrew Epifcopal church government, prohibited
the ufe of the Liturgy, fubftituted the Directory in iti
place, impofed it by authority, and ejected fuch of the
clergy as would not comply with their meafures. Thole
who wrote againft thefe were fined and imprifonedi
Many of the Epifcopal clergy who rcfufed the Solemn
League and Covenant, were removed on this account'
from their livings by the Parliament, as well as Non-
conformifts were by the aft of uniformity, though indeed
better treated when they were fo. Cromwell pro
ceeded in the fame courfe, though he well knew his

Life and parentage. ^
king, in which coercion could be equalled only
by -his profligacy, and the grofs licentioufnefs of
his moral character. Impartiality, however, ob
liges us to add, that thefe perfons were in many
refpe&s the occafion of their own fufterings, al
though, their conftancy and magnanimity in endu-
ling them were worthy of a better caufe. From.
the firft period of the Reformation in Europe, all
' parties of the Reformers, both on th-e continent
and in Britain, feem to have judged it lawful and
proper to propagate what they thought religion,
by human authority ; and they employed its car
nal weapons- wherever they could, not merely
that- they might profefs their own opinions in
fafety, but to compel, others to embrace them,
and to obtain their civil efta'blifhmen't. The •
Prefbyterians in Scotland adopted thefe fertti-
ments, ¦ and they led them to meafures which
fome of the leaders in their own order now
account to be mojl uujnjl and violent deeds *, and
which even their moft rigid and implicit followers
duty in this refpedt ; and Dr Owen, who wrote in fa-
Vour of toleration, with feveral other Independents, both
of the clergy and laity, was principally concerned in ex
ecuting Ctomwell's plans — in removing the parifh clergy,
and planting others in their place. Indeed the whole
clqrgy of England were virtually removed during his
nfurpation, until they obtained the approbation and ap
pointment anew of his thirty-eight commiflioners, whom
he empowered to manage the ecclefiaftical affairs of all
England. *¦ Theological Inftitntes by Georg* Hill, D. D. p. 179.

Vi ACCOtJNT OF COL. BLACKADER S*
-are beginning, but without confiftency, to difr
approve. In place of commending themfelves to
the confciences of their o'ppofers, by peaceable
Jnanifeftation of the truth, or fleeing from city to
¦eity when persecuted, as Chrift's difciples were
directed by their Mafter' *, although they did not
letaliate the cruelties pra&ifed on themfelves,
they yet reviled the government under which
they lived, and endeavoured t'o render it odious
«nd contemptible. When they were joined by''
the mafs of the people, and a part of the nobles'
whom they attached to their caufe by the fpoils
of the church, they incited them to overthrow
-the images and temples facred to the eftablifhed
religion, ' refufed allegiance to the ruling powers,
withheld the payment of taxes, and not only le
vied war againft them, and allied themfelves with
their enemies,- but engaged in confpiracies, and
fome of them even afiaffinated individuals hoftile
to their meafures, or who were their perfecutors.
With fuch objedts in retrofpedt, and perceiving:
the fame meafures adopted, and the fame fpirit
prevailing in his own'times, what could they ex-
pedt from their unprincipled monarch but the
ufage they experienced ? Are we to wonder that,
as foon as it was fafe, he laid afide the finefie af-
fumed to obtain the objedts of his ambition, and;
revenged the humiliations and indignities, as he,
judged them to be, which they had impofed on
him ? Are we to wonder that the declaration of
' • * Matt. x. si.

LIFE AND PARENTAGE. vii
Jefus was verified in their hiftory, " They that
take the fword ftiall perifh with the fword* ?" 
But to vefume the narrative of Mr Blackader 
While he fubmitted to the lofs of his temporali
ties, and to various reftridtions and punifhments
inflicted on his order, he ftill continued to pleach
¦the gofpel. Denied the ufe of parifh churches,
he continued, with many more of his brethren,
not only in private houfes, but on moors and the
fides of hills, to publifh to thoufands what he
judged himfelf commiffioned by divine authority
to declare. He was one of the firft and the moft
intrepid in adopting thefe meafures, and his la
bours were not confined to Dumfries- fhire, but
extended to Edinburgh, the county of Fife, and
other parts of Scotland +. Confiderable. fuccefs
feems to have attended his labours. It appears
that he was employed in this itinerant preaching
from 1662 to 1678 (. In that year he removed to
Holland, which afforded an afylum to not a few
of the perfecuted Prefbyterians f and he is faid to
.have been eminently ufeful in removing mifun-
.derftandings and allying difputes which prevailed
* Matt. xxvi. c,z.
f Two Difcourfes preached by him at Kilbride, Sept.
5. 1S75, were printed at Glafgow 1780, in a .Collection
of Sermons preached in the time of the late peri'ecution.
Thefe are faid to be tranferibed by John Howie from dif
ferent MSS. Piobably thefe were written down by fome
of his hearers, and not his own notes.
4 He was denounced a rebel in 1670.

Viii ACCOUNT OF COL. BLACKADER>
amongft fome of the ejected minifters fettled at
Rotterdam, particularly Mr Fleming, the well
known author of " The Fulfilling of the Scrip.
tures," and Mr M'Ward. After his ejeament
from his parifh, and the reftoration of diocefan
epifcopacy, he refided in the parifh of Glencairn in
the fame county. The diligence and zeal with
which he preached the gofpel, and difpenfed thofe
ordinances which he thought that Jefus Chriflhad
appointed his difciples to obferve, provoked the
oppreffors of his country. A party of foldiers
•were fent to his retirement in 1665 to fieize him.
Happily he and his wife were at Edinburgh.
They entered his dwelling-houfe in the middle of
the night, uttering the moft dreadful execrations.
His children were turned naked out of their beds,
und one of them in his fhirt was forced to hold a
light while they fearched the houfe", and exami
ned and removed his father's papers. Another
of his children, terrified by their threatenings, ef-
caped by running off to a confiderable diftance.
His whole family was difperfed among thofe who
ventured to expofe themfelves to the hazard of
protecting them. It appears, however, "by a note
in his own writing, that Mr Blackader himfelf
was not apprehended till the 6th of April 1681,
after he had returned from Holland. His exa-
m nation at Edinburgh before the Privy Council
dtf rves to be recorded. After he had owned. I
that he was a Prefbyterian minifter, o?dained at
Troqueer in t65^t the Chancellor (Lord Perth)

LIFE AND PARENTAGE. IX
afced him if he had excommunicated the king, or
•was at Torwood * ?
Anf. I was not at Torwood thefe four years.
Chanc. But do you approve of what was done
there ?
Perceiving that they were ahout to impofe up
on him by enfnaring queftions, he refolved to
make a ftand at firft, and anfwered, " I am not
free to declare my inward fentiments of things
and perfons, and therefore' I humbly beg to be
excufed. You tnuft form a libel (indictment)
and I fhall endeavour to anfwer it as foon as (
can." They frequently urged him to anfwer, and he
declining, the Chancellor faid, "Do you approve
* A foteft fituated about feven or eight miles eaft of
S'irling, on the road from Edinburgh. In a field adjoin
ing to this, where were affe.-.ibled a congregation of his
hearers, Mr Donald Caigi'll, a friend of Mr Blackader,
and one of the ejected minifters, excommunicated
Charles II. and feveral of his princip .1 Courtiers and
Generals in Scotland This was regarded as an act of
rebellion by the royal party, and even in later times ha*
been condemned "by moft of thofe who imagine that
the clergy have a divine light to inflict ar.d pronounce
fuch fcnter.ci s. Mr Catgill excufed the acknowledged
fipgularities of this procedure, by the diftradttd and per
secuted (late of the church, and pronounced, as if he
had poffeffed the fpirit of prophecy, which indeed he. ar
rogated in common with others of the ejected minifters,
Dn the future condition, even in this life, of thofe whom
lie excommunicated, as the teft of the divine approba.
lion of this meafure.

X ACCOUNT OF COLi BLACKADER'S
of fhedding the King' blood, and damning him in,
foul and body * ?"
Anf. I do not, and no good man will.
Chanc. You have done yourfelf a favour in
faying fo. But we hear you keep conventicles,
fince the indemnity f.
Anf. My Lord, I am a minifter of the gofpejj,
though unworthy, and under the ftridteft obliga-.
tions to exercife my mini (try, as 1 ihall be an
fwerable at the great day. I did, and ftill do
count it my duty to exercife my miniflry as I.
am called thereunto. , ,
x Chanc. But you have preached in the fields,
i. e. on moors and hill- fides.- I fb.aH' not alk if
you have preached in houfes, although there is not,
liberty even for that.
Anf. I place no cafe of confcience, nor make
any difference betwixt preaching in houfes or in'
the fields, but as it may beft ferve the conveniency
of the hearers ; nor know I any reftridtion as to
* Such was the conftrudtion of the excommunication
of the King by the royal pirty.
t The adt of indemnitv, which was not paffed till
Epifcopacy was eftablifhed in Scotland, is juftiy chaiac-
terized as an inftance rather of oppieffion than of cle
mency. Many were except- d, and fine.-,, fo the amount
of above L. So,ooo Sterling, were in.po'ed in it un
more than 900 perlons, fome of them ol high rank, not
on their own account, but for the noncovformi'y of
their relation's and connections. Certain perfons alfo
were excluded from offices of truft, not bv n.me, butat
terwaids to be fixed on in Parliament by ballot.

LIFE AND PARENTAGE. Xl
either in the word. My commifTion reaches to
houfes and fields, within and without doors.
Chanc. No doubt you know and have feen the
laws difcharging fuch preaching.
Anf. IVfy Lord, 1 have ; and I am forry that
ever any laws were made againft preaching the
go f pel.
Chanc. Not againft the gofpel, but fedition and
rebellion. Anf. I preach no fedition nor rebellion.
The Lord Advocate, Sir George M'Kenzie,
came to the prifoner, and told him he "was forry
to fee him- upon the referve, and difficulted about
the excommunication.
Mr Blackader anfwered he was no wife
ffraitened in that, but had kept on the referve
becaufe he thought himfelf only obliged to fpeak-
Upon facts relative to himfelf, and that it was
hard to be obliged to declare his opinion as to
others. The Chancellor afked if he kept conventicles
in Fife, which he did not deny ; and after -he had
owned himfelf of the family of Tulliallan *, and
* His family was an ancient one. Their original
eftate, a very eonfiderable one, lies in the county of
Berwick, of then own name, probably derived from it,
(Blackader of that ilk) afterwards the property of Sir
 Home, Bart, now of Alexander Bofwall, Efq.
The family came into poffcirion of the extenfive eftate of
Tuliiallan (now belonging to Loid Keith) by rnarriage.
One of the anceftors of Mr Blackader, and whom he
lineally reprefente'd, was created by Charles I. a Baronet:

Xii ACCOUNT OF COL. BLACKADER S
the neareft reprefentative alive of that family^
they removed him, and he was carried to the
guard-houfe. In the afternoon the Council fat;.
he was brought up, and continued among the foi.
diers in the outer room from three till fix o'clock,
but was not called before the Council, although/
¦without hearing, they fentenced him to be fent to
the Bafs. This barren rock, on the coaft of Eafl
a! Nova Scotia, the fourth on the roll, by patent dated
the r8th July 1626. This title was inheient in Mr Black.
adei, though not affumed by him, nor fince that by any
of his furviving dependents. His maternal great.grandi
father was Mr (or, as he is ftiled by fome, Sir) Robett
Pont, one of the Lords of Seffion, afterwaids Minifter of
St Cuthberts, near Edinburgh, an eminent Reformer,
and Moderator of the General Affembly 1595. He ap.
pears to haVe been a man of abilities, particularly noticed
by James VI. and one of the firft who fuggefted the
union of the two kingdoms, in a book upon this fubjedt,
De Unione Biitannits, Edin. 1604. He was the fon of
John Pont, or du Pont, an illuftrious Venetian who was
banifhed from Veniccon account of the profeffion of the
reformed religion, and having taken refuge inFrance,he
came to Scotland among the attendants of Mary of Guife,
Queen of James V- Timothy Pont, the fon of Robert
Pont, was an eminent Mathematician, the fiift who ac
tually furveyed the counties and ides of Scotland, or who
projected a Scots Atlas. His maps are diftinguiftied by
their fidelity and exadtnefs — See Sir David Dalrymple'l
Catalogue of the Lords of ScJJion, notes, p 5. Calderwood'l
Hi/lory, pajfim. Dr Robertfon's Hiftory of Scotland, 410
edit. vol. ii. p. 93. And Bilhop Nicolfon's Scqttijb Hifit.
rical Library, Svo edit. pp. 17. 14.285. together ¦with a Ml.
morandum in Mr Blackader 's own 'writing.

LIFE AND PARENTAGE. Xiii
Lofhian, diftant from the land about a mile, and-
acceffibfe only by one narrow winding paffage,
had been purchafed by Government about ten;
years before, and was now converted into a place
of confinement for the non-conforming minifters.
He remained here for fix years, and although du
ring this time he^was afflicted with rheumatifm
and dyfentery, and an • order was made in confe
rence of this for his enlargement to the town of
Haddington, it does not appear that this was ex
ecuted ; but — death fet him free on the of
June 1685. He was buried in the church-yard of
North Berwick, the parifh immediately adja
cent, where an infcription ftill appears over his-
grave. Lieutenant Colonel Blackader, who wrote
the following papers, was his fifth and youngefl"
fon*. He was born on the 14th -Sept. 1664-.
* His eldeft fon William was bred to Medicine, and
;died Phyfician to King WjlHam about the year 1704,.
'without iffue. He was much in the confidence of thofe
in Holland and Scotland who were engaged in promoting
the Revolution, and frequently went betwixt thefe coun
tries on bufinefs re'fpedting it.
His fecond fon Adam was a Merchant in Edinburgh.
He was' the only one of his Tons who -left descendants.
'When feventeen years of age, he was imprifoned for five
"weeks in Stirling caftle, becaufe his Mafler frequented
conventicles. He was afterwards committed to Black-
"nefs caftle, becaufe he had attended his father while in
confinement.— To his grandtbn, Mr John Blackader8
c3

XVi ACCOUNT OF COL. BLACKADERrS
unjuft or unnecefTary war — however great the-
evils and temptations of the moft juft and ne-
ceflary, and however undefireable an active con
cern in either may be, to every perfon of a
Chriftian fpirit, the profeffion of arms is yet in
itfelf certainly a lawful one, no where forbid
den, but on the contrary fuppofed and faridtioned
in the holy Scriptures. It fhould feem that thofe
foldiers who came to John the Baptift *, did fo
from a fincere defire to know the will of God,.
and to conform to it in their circumftances ; and
we do not find that he condemned their calling as
finful. His reply, on the contrary, prefumed-
their continuance in this, and directed them how
to abide in it with God, He did not addrefs
them as Jefus addreffed the woman taken in adul
tery, with " Go, and firmo more," but, on the
contrary, admonifhed them to avoid the guilt of
mutiny and oppreffion, the crimes moft frequently
committed in their circumftances. Befides thefe
men, there were alfo Cornelius a centurion, and
fome of his houfehold.in the Roman armies, who
being partakers of the Holy Spirit, were in con-
fequence of this baptized by the apoftle Peter,.
and are defciibed as devout menf. Indeed if ma-
giftracy be the ordinance of God — an ordinance
the bleffed effects of which thofe will moft va
lue who ferioufly confider the felfifhnefs of man,
and the evils of anarchy — the magistrate muft
not only be entitled, but obliged to put arms into
'* Luke iii. 14. f Acts x. throughout.

LIFE AND PARENTAGE. XVU
the hands of his fubj'edts, and to commiflion fome
'to bear thefe. He would otherwife be appointed
in vain. Civil governments are not like the
kingdom of Chrift, they are not eftablifhments of
choice, butof neceflity and coercion, and they muft
be maintained by carnal weapons. Unlefs their
rulers " bear the fword," i. e. poffefs the power
of inflicting temporal punifhments, they could
neither reftrain evil doers, nor reward thofe who
do well. The defence of kingdoms alfo againft
the inroads of ambitious neighbours, as well as
their protection from internal diforder and fedi
tion, abfolutely require the ufe of armies, and the
employment of them in war. The fuppofition of
peace taking place univerfally among mankind, till
Satan be bound by the Prince of peace, proceeds
upon the notion that men by nature are not prone
to malice or envy, or ready in fcenes of rival fhip
to fhew that they " are hateful, and that they
hate one another." But the account of degene
rate man in the Scriptures is far different from
that which philofophers have given of his good-
nefs and benevolence. And our own times afford
us the moft awful proofs of this. Although man
kind are not deftitute of natural affedtion to their
fpecies, yet this principle is far too feeble when
oppofed to their felfifhnefs. While " they lufl
and have not," wars and fightings, both in larger
and in fmaller focieties, will take place ,upon
earth, and it will be manifeft that it is natural to
them tp plunder and to kill, and " their fteps to be

XVJii ACCOUNT OF COL. BLACKADER'S
fwi't to fhed blood." We need not wonder then
that Jefus diftinguifhes his kingdom, by which*
he meant his fubjedts and their peculiar interefls
and concerns, from the kingdoms of this world ;
and that while his fervants are forbidden to fight
for it *, the fubjedts of thefe muft do fo for the
other. Such being the cafe, it may become the'
duty of Chri-ftians, as many judge at this prefent
time in Great Britain, however oppofite to then*
fpirit, to engage in fuch civil contefts. There is
ho doubt, from the ftrain of all the following pa-
pers, that it was under the influence of fuch views
that Colonel Blackader engaged and continued
in military life f.
Perhaps few wats require lefs juftification than
that in which Great Britain -was engaged when
he entered into the Britifh army. The great
revolution was then but recently atchieved. This
important event, for which we have fuch caufe to
blefs God, was not the effedr. of the refiftance of
individuals to exifting authority. It was the deed
of a \vhole nation, with the exception of a fmall
minority, who had groaned ever fince the reftorai"
tion of Charles under arbitrary power, and vaX
rious violations of their acknowledged and conftU
* John xviii, $6.
f It gives me much pleafure to refer the reader for a
full and fatisfying view of this fubject, to a judicious-'.
pamphlet lately publifhed at Edinburgh, " Hints refpect-
ing the Lawfulness of Self-defence, under the limitations -
prefcribed by the Chriftian law." Sold by Guthrie &
Tait, Ogle & Aikman, and Ogle, London.

LIFE AND PARENTAGE. - XlX
tutional rights. It was accomplifhed, too, with
out one drop of blood being flied. In Scotland,
cruelties the moft enormous had been perpetrated
during both reigns, with the view of effecting a
change in the religious obfervances of the country.
And while the Parliament of the one nation had
voted, " that James abdicated the crown by en
deavouring to fubvert the conftitution, and by
withdrawing from the kingdom," the Parliament
of the other folemnly declared, " that being a
profeffecl Papifl, he had affumed the royal power,
and acted as King, without having taken the oath
required by law ; and had, by the advice of wicked
and evil counfellors, invaded the fundamental con
ftitution of the kingdom, altered it from a limited
and legal monarchy to an arbitrary and defpotic
power, and had exerted the fame to the fubver-
fion of the Proteftant religion, and the vialation
of the laws and liberties of the kingdom, whereby
he forfeited his right to the crown, and the throne
had become vacant."
The war of this period was undertaken by .both
nations to maintain this their united de»rmina-
. tion, and with it their exiflence and moft valuable
rights. Licwis XIV. of France bent .his utmoft
effort?, in concert with thofe of the former Mo
narch, to overwhelm the new government. He
had alfa given a dreadful example of what Britain
might expea if he fhould prevail in his unjuft de-
figns, by revoking the edict of Nantz — by, his ty
rannical condudt towards his own fubjedts, aDd the

£X ACCOUNT OF COL. BLACKADER'S
favage perfecutions or butchery of the Proteftant*
among them, 50,000 of whom took refuge from
affaflinatidn in Great Britain. He had invaded'
Ireland with the avowed purpofe of fupporting'
the interefls of the exiled Monarch, and had at-' .
tempted, by the meditated conqueft of Flanders,,
and changing the fucceflion to the throne of Spain
in favour of a prince of his own family, to acquire'
an afcendency in Europe which was judged to be
fatal to the caufe of juftice and of freedom in this
eountry. The character of the Regiment in which
Colonel BlacKaDIlK ferved is alfo here to be con-
fiu'ered. The military force of the former go-
, vernment having been -d-fbanded, and various
alarms having prevailed, that an army from Ire
land, in the in-ereft of KingjAMns, had landed
and committed great depredations, fome thoufand
Prefbyterians offered their fervices in arms to re
fill them, and were accepted by the adminiftration.
Thofe called Cameronians were the firft to do fo,
land a regiment of eight hundred of them was
completed in one day, ^without beat of drum or
any expence of levy money, under the Earl of
Angus. The conditions, however, on which-'
they ferved were thefe : " That all the officers of
the regiment (hould be fuch as in conference and
prudenoe might with cordinl confidence be fub-
mitted to and followed ; fuch as had not ferved
the enemy in deftroying, nor had engaged- by
oaths and ttfls to deflroy the caufe now to be
fought lor and defended ; but that they fhould be

LIFE AND PARENTAGE. XXI
well affeaed, of approved fidelity, and of a fober
¦converfation. That the caufe they were called
to appear for was the fervice of the King's Ma-
jefty, in the defence of the nation ; the recovery
and prefervation of the Proteftant religion, in op-
pofition to Popery, Prelacy, and arbitrary power,
in all its branches and fteps, until the govern
ment, in church and ftate, be brought to the luftre
and integrity eftablifhed in the befr. and pureft
times *."
Accordingly their firft employment was to
guard the Convention of Eftates which voted
the exclufion of James, and the fettlement of the
crown on King William and Queen Mary.
The Convention was threatened by the garrifon
of the caftle of Edinburgh, commanded by the
Duke of Gordon, a Roman Catholic, and by
a. body of horfe under the Vifcount of Dundee.
But the conduct of this and of other bodies of
troops, completely fecured them, and rendered
the Revolution effedtual in Scotland f. .Smarting
* See a Memorial of the Sufferings and Grievances,
paft andpiefent, of the Prefbyterians in Scotland, parti
cularly thofe of them nicknamed Cameionians. Edin.
1690. pp. 41.
t Cannon, who fucceeded to the command of the
Highland army, after Dundee fell at Killicranky, fur-
rounded this regiment with his whole force of between
four and five thoufard men, but, though abandoned by a
body of horfe, they completely routed the affuilants, and
difperfed the whole army. — Such is the fortitude infpired
by principle i This regiment is now the s6tb in the. lift
d

Xxii ACCOUNT OF COL. BLACKADER'S
by the feveiities from which his father had been
juft delivered by the. hand of death, -and beneath
which his family had groaned fo bitterly during"
the former government, fhould we be furpnfed
that a young, and, as he appears to have been, a
brave man, embraced, in fuch circumftances, the
profeflion of arms, when his country required the
aid of them ? In other refpe&s thefe papers will
fhew that the army was not his choice, that war
was his abhorrence, and that the fociety and con
verfation of military men, in general, comparative*'
ly moral as they were in thofe days, was net
agreeable to him. The fame caufes which had)
given origin to the war, renewed it after a peace
of fhort continuance. Immediately on the death
of James, Lewis proclaimed his fon King of Eng
land, Scotland, and Ireland, &c This event, with
the apprehenfions which Great Britain and feveral
of the powers of Europe entertained of the ag
grandisement and augmentation of the power of
France by its union with Spain, contrary to the
faith of exifting treaties, in which Lewis was-
himfelf a party, were the caufes of thofe cam
paigns in which Colonel Blackader was en-;
gaged, and to which the following papers chiefly
relate. . The valour of Great Britain and of i&>
allies triumphed over the ambition of France,'
during many of the firft years of the war, and its
monarch was forced repeatedly to fue for peace
of Britifh infantry, known ftill by the name of the Cam-
roaian Regiment.

LIFE AND PARENTAGE. XX111
after he had fuftained the -moft formidable defeats.
The war, there is now too good reafon to judge, '
was prolonged after this from motives very oppo-
fite to thofe on, which it was undertaken. The
leaders, fcduced by the emoluments of office,
fought in the end to gratify their own avarice,
rapacity, and ambition, under the pretence of
humbling France, and of providing for the fecu-
rity of Europe. But the nation and the army
were their dupes all the time in which Colonel
Blackader continued in the fervice, and during
this period the guilt is to be imputed to thofe who
milled them.
Thefe papers make it manifeft that he acted
with very full perfuafion that 'the caufe in which
he ferved was juft and righteous. The Editor is
little acquainted wifh any particulars of his life,
unlefs what they contain. It is certain, however,
that fuch fteady faith, fuch habitual devotion, and
communion with God as they exprefs, muft have
produced an exemplary deportment — lingular not
only in the army, but in any fituation ; and fuch,
from the belt authority, I have always underftood
his to have been. Two anecdotes which I have
heard from good authority, are too-memorable to
be omitted. In one of them he is faid to have
been the unhappy, but the innocent caufe of ta
king away the life of a brother officer, the fon
of a noble family in this country. Colonel
Blackader unfortunately gave him offence in,
converfation, which iffued in his fending him a

Xxiv ACCOUNT OF COL. BLACKADER'S
challenge. In vain did he attempt to juftify him
felf, and to fhew him that the words he had ufed*
on a very trifling occafion, were not capable of the
conftrudtion he put upon them : in vain did he
aflure him, that if he had given him juft provoca-
tion, he was ready to make any proper apology^
or any concefiion or reparation he had a right to
demand. In a paroxyfm of rage, deaf to the
voice of reafon, he rufhed on Colonel Blackadir
fword in hand. He kept retreating, and expoftuv
lating for fome time, till at length, finding it im-
poflible to move him, and perceiving his own life,
in danger, he was obliged to draw his fword in,
his own defence. An unfortunate thruft from
the Colonel foon after put a period to his antar.
gonift's life. Happily the conteft was feen from
the ramparts of the town where it took place, by
fome foldiers,. who bore witnefs to the neceflky
under which he was laid to defend himfelf, in
confequence of which, after a regular trial, he. was
honourably acquitted.
The event, however, was too folemn to he for-
gotten, and the anniverfary of it, as I have hear^
was ohferved during all his future life, as a day of
falling and prayer. I have not been able to dis
cover this in the diary, but the fadt has beenjfo.
confidently affirmed by more than one perfon con
nected with him, as a circumftance handed down*
and well known by them all, that it cannot be
doubted. At another period pf his military life, but whe»

LIFE AND PARENTAGE. XXV
I cannot fay, there is a tradition alfo of his having
received a challenge, which he refufed to accept.
His adversary threatened, in confequence of his
refufal, t.b poft him as a coward ; to which he is
faid to have replied coolly, " that he was not
afraid of his reputation being impaired by this."
Having known, however, that at this time an at
tempt was determined on againft the enemy, of a
kind fo very defperate that the Duke of Marl
borough hefitated to what officer he fhould afligrt
the command, and had refolved to decide among
thofe qualified for it by throwing the dice, he
went to him and offered to undertake the duty.
His offer was accepted, and by the providence of
God he came off, with great lofs . of men, but
without any perfonal injury, and with the com
plete eftablifhment of his character, not only as a
brave man and an able officer, but alfo with gene
ral eftimation as a confiftent Chriftian.
The following pages will lead up the reader to-
the fprings of fuch actions. But the Editor does
not prefent them to the Public with indifcrimi-
nate admiration. Miftakes, as it feems to him,
may be found in them, and there are blemilhes
recorded in the diary, which are marked with
as much feverity by the writer, as they proba
bly could be by any others. He has perufed
them with impartiality, and he trufts he fhall not
be the only one who wilhes to cherifh as long as
be lives the emotions they have excited in his
mind. He trufts that the hearts of many will
*3

XXVI ACCOUNT OF COL. BLACKADER'is
burn within them, while they look into the;
thoughts of him who hath now entered into reif,
and obferve what once was known only to his
heavenly Father, who feeth in fecret !
Some perfons, however, may be emulous to imi
tate the whole, and defpondent becaufe they can-.
not attain what they may account the fame heights
of Chriftian experience. He thinks it right to-
requeft fuch to prove all that they read, and to
hold faft what is good. He earneftly entreats
them to difcriminate the pure flame of love and
hope, kindled by the Spirit of truth, from the falfe
glare of enthufiafrn. True religion is mifrepre-
fented, and vilified as enthufiafrn, by thofe who are
ignorant of it. But enthufiafrn there is, not only
among fuch who are under no better influence,
but fome meafttre of it alfo may be found- among
Chriftians. themfelves, mixing with their good,
and caufing it- to be evil fpoken of. By what,
other name can the exprefljons in, thefe papers be
denoted, which imply that divine direction in cirn
cumftanees of uncertainty and doubt, together
with, confolations, aad perfonal afiurance- of an ia^.
tereft in the divine favour, are conveyed to the
minds of Chriftians by direct intimajtioa from
Heaven ? Colonel Blackader does not fay this
in fo many words, indeed he fays what; is incon-
fiftent with if, yet it is evident he expected and
fuppofed.it. He does not feem to have confideret>:
fiich impreffions made upon his mind, as the ef*
&&s of diviae. influence, imparted gM3rejjgthi;<!agh

LIFE AND PARENTAGE. XXVII
what is contained, in the Scriptures, which are
equally addrefled to every creature, and which,
when they fail thus to imprefs any one, muft be
negledted and difbelieved. He does not feem to
have confide.red them as the proper refujt of cre
diting and understanding the fenfe of thofe pafia-
ges of Scripture by which they are made, as
this appears to the fober eye of reafon, or comes
out by thofe means of interpretation which muft
be employed to unfold the import of all writings,
whether human or divine, ancient or modern.
Neither does he feem, in fuch circumftances, to
have made application to himfelf, by the juft
rules, of precedent and analogy. . He appears ra
ther to conceive, that the ,paffages which gave
origin to his comfort, and which directed his con-»
duct, were applied in fome fecret and myfteriousi
fenfe, fuperadded to their original and evident
fignifieation, immediately fuggefted by the illu
mination of the mind, and: the other influences of
the; Holy, Spirit.
There are traces alfo in thefe papers; of ano
ther idea, not lefs deferving the name of enthu
fiafrn, viz. that encouragement to pray is derived,
andi.an, anfwer to our prayers is to be expected,
not 'merely from the; declarations concerning the
divine character and the interceffion of Chrift ;
not merely from the promifes contained in the
Scriptures,, that if; we afk any thing, according to
the ^vill , of God be: heareth us, — encouragement
amply. iuffieiente for 'the: mo|t guilty and: deftitwte .3

XXviii ACCOUNT OF COL. BLACKADER S
but from that ftate or frame of mind which Chri.
ftians may feel in themfelves, while engaged in
prayer ; from the enlargement, fervour, and fa-
tisfadtion they enjoy in it, or from the prefentiment
taken up, they know not on what evidence, that
God will grant them what they afk.
It may alfo here be obferved, that although
extremely fenfible of his conflitfltional pronenefs
to depreffion of fpirits, he was yet too ready to
miftake the effects of this, and to impute them
to the defertion of the Comforter, and to the
hidings of God's face. Thefe expreffions are
the language of the Old Teftament, not any
where found in the New Teftament, and defcribe
things which were evident to the fenfes, and
not merely matters of internal feeling." No
thing is more certain than that peace and joy ac
company the full perfuafion of what God has de-
clared to be. glad tidings, juft in proportion to the
attention given to them, the clearnefs with which
we underftand their meaning and import, and the
ftrength of our faith in God. The low degree,
or the withdrawing of this fatisfadtion, on the
other hand — the diminution or deprivation of hap-
pinefs in religion, is the effect of blindnefs, error,
confequent doubt refpecting the truth of the gof-
pel, and of not giving up all the heart to God,
and of feeking to ferve God and mammon. The
ftate of the body, however, without fuppofing the
diredl operation of thefe caufes, will alfo affeft
the enjoyment of faith, difturb the tranquillity rf

LIFE AND PARENTAGE. XXLX
the fincere, and incapacitate the mind for the fa*
tisfadtion derived from things unfeen, as well as.
for tailing the comforts of this life- Pronenefs
to dejedtion is a malady which forms in fome
perfons the character of the bodily conftitution,.
as 'really as in others a difpofition to afthma, cou-
fumptiqn, or headach. The gladnefs of heart com
municated by the faith of the gofpel, has indeed
as much influence towards correcting this, very
frequently, as medicine has in the other, yet ftill
in fpite of this, its fymptoms will be apt to arife,
and be excited by caufes which are too flight-
to produce them in other conftitutions. Thefe
papers bear witnefs, in conformity with daily ob-
fervation, and with what experience may teachu
every man predifpofed to thefe diftrefSng feelings,
that vacancy from earneft purfuits, as well as fuch
Ojurfuits as produce anxiety, is that which moft;
generally calls them into adfcion;. I know not if,
in apy papers of this nature^ the .writers feem to<"
have difcerned this, more clearly than Colonel
Blacka&£&5 fo as to have perceived their opera
tion more diftindtly qs a difeafe.,. The excellent
and judicious Mr David Brainerd, is the only
one known to me to whom I can her refer. Yet
in b|Oth of thena melancholy and! its attendant
thoughts and tempers appear fometimes to efcape
dejection. Thefe and fome other mifappifehenfians, as the
- writer-pf this judges them Jo be, in this excellent
man, $eed not fo,rprjfe .us.. .They were , the ef-^

XXX ACCOUNT OF COL. BLACKADER S
fedts of the prevailing fentiments of the time, and
they ftill miflead many who are very converfant
with the writings of Scots and Englifh divines of
that period, and who beftow on them too impli
cit refpedt. Nor are they lefs pernicious, nor lefs
carefully to be examined and fhunned, becaufe
good men have adopted or been mifled by them.
Colonel Blackader, notwithftanding this, in ma
ny things thought for himfelf. It appears, from
feveral parts of his diary, that he was by no
means a blind adherent of any party, and that he
rofe far above the level of his age in Chriftian
knowledge and freedom from prejudices., In par
ticular, he ventured publicly, as a member of
the General Affembly of the Church of Scotland,
to exprefs his conviction of the juftice and policy
of toleration, though he oppofed, in doing fo, the
opiuions of thofe whom he efteemed, and even the
repeated remonftrances of the church. Indeed
his ideas of the ftate of practical religion, either in
the~country, or among the clergy of his times,
are by no means fo favourable as thofe which are
generally received. In the conclufion of this vo-
lame the reader may perufe a part of a fpeech
recollected and written down in his diary, in which
he feems to have ufed very proper plain dealing
on this fubjedt.
It muft be added, however, that fome perfons
will readily fix their eyes on thefe and fmaller
imperfedtions in him and in others, who do not
fo readily obferve, and are not fo eafily affected

LIFE AND PARENTAGE. XXXI
by the fpirituality, the confidence in God, the
fear of him, the circumfpedtion, the vigilance,
and deep devotednefs to the Redeemer, fo corifpi-
cuoufly difplayed in thefe papers. Such fhould
be reminded, that his miftakes are confiftent, and
have been often found united with thefe moft
excellent fruits of the Spirit, while correct notions
on fuch fubjedts may be pofrefTed with no more
than the knowledge that puffs up, and with a cold
and barren heart, which values itfelf on freedom
from enthufiaftic fancies and diftruft of frames
and feelings. With the deductions above men
tioned, thefe papers will be perufed with fatis-
fadtion and improvement, I am perfuaded, by
every Chriftian. Thofe, in particular, whofe lot
hath been caft in fimilar circumftances, will, it is
hoped, receive them with peculiar delight. This
publication, and the pofthumous works of Mr
Meikle, late furgeon in the navy, fhow how
much true religion may flonrifh in fituations juftly
thought the moft adverfe to its thriving condition.
Were there no other inftances, either among the
living or the dead,, thefe are fufficient to convince
us, that the want, or the imperfection of true
Chriftianity, can never be accounted for by any
outward circumftances.
The latter years of Colonel Blackader's life
were tried by pain and ficknefs. .He was fre
quently, during the year 1728, in fevere agony
from fits of the ftone in his bladder, but he was
1 upheld and comforted by the profpedt of an eter-

xxxii ACCOUNT, &C.
nal weight of glory. At laft, however, the earthly
tabernacle was worn out by repeated attacks of
this diforder, and in the month of Auguft 1729,
apprehenfions were entertained of their termina-
ting fatally. Phyficians -were feht for from Edin
burgh to aflift with their advice thofe who ufually
attended him. But they were obliged to inform
him that they could do him no fervice. He is
faid to have fat up in his bed, and having thanked
them, he exprefled his clear views and hopes be
yond time and mortality. He died on the 29th .
of Auguft 1 7 29.
His widow was afterwards married to Sir James
Campbell of Ardkinglas, Baronet. His remains
were interred in the Weft Church of "Stirling, in
the wall of which, near the pulpit, a plain marble
tablet was placed, a few years ago, by his nephew,
the late Mr John Young of Edinburgh, fon to
his filter formerly mentioned, page xiv. bearing
the following' infcription.

Near this place are depofited the Remains
of a brave Soldier and devout Chriftian,
John Blackader, Efq.
Late Lieut. Colonel of the Cameronian Regiment.
He ferved under the Duke of Marlborough ia
Q,ueen Anne's Wars$ and was prefent at
moft of the Engagements in that Reign.
He died Deputy Governor of Stirling Caftle,
in Auguft 1729. Aged 65 years.
Auguft 1783. J. Ti

SELECT PASSAGES

FROM THE

DIARY AND LETTERS

OP THE LATE

Lieut. Col. JOHN BLACKADER.

1704.
Note — The fcene of the war had hitherto been
in the Netherlands, but in this campaign it
was carried into Germany. The fituation of
the empire required vigorous meafures to
be taken for its fafety. The Eledtor of
Bavaria, on the one hand, and infurredtions
in Hungary on the other, feemed to me
nace its exiftence ; and Great Britain, ha
ving liftened to the earneft folicitations of
that government, fent an army for its pro
tection. The Duke of Marlborough, who
conducted the conferences both in Ger
many and Holland with confummate ad-
drefs, and whofe talents in negotiation
were not inferior to his fkill and bravery as
a general, joined his forces to thofe of Prince
A

2 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [ 1 7°4-
Eugene, and the campaign of this year was
the moft diftinguifhed of any in the milita
ry hiftory of modern times.
Jan I. fVESoLVED to fpend my time
better, fo as I may have peace in it — to
ferve God more cheerfully, to truft him,
and caft all my burdens upon him — not
to be anxiousor careful about any. thing,
but by faith and prayer to intereft him
in it. Lord, give me grace to live fo.
6. This day, from morning to night,-
my fpirits four, chagrined — there is ftill as
it were a weight upon me — a melancho
ly temper, inclined to difcontent, poifons
all my comfort. Satan alfo works by it,
and the leaft accident is fuel to it. Lord,
pity me; if this grow upon me, my life,
which thou haft made fweet and comfort
able by a long track of fingular mercies,
will become miferable. At night I found
help in prayer, believing firmly that God
will help me to ferve him more cheerful
ly and pleafantly, will take this fournefs
and melancholy out of my nature, will
give me a contented ferene temper, will
help me to live more by faith, and then I
fhall live more cheerfully.

1704-] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 3
20. I find great difference in my
frame. Some days I am ferene, cheer
ful, and contented ; other days, without
any outward caufe, I am the reverfe.
21. This day buunefs went on well. I
fee the beft way to get through bufinefs
is to commit all to God.
25. This has been as good a day with
me as yefterday was bad, and I obferve
that ufually after a great temptation or
fit of melancholy, God gives me a great
lightening, cheerfulnefs, and accefs to him
by faith.
Feb. 4. O if I could live by faith, I
might have a fweet life ; for I find the
very moments in which I believe, that
my thoughts and temper are only plea-
fant, cheerful, and contented. My fpi-
rits quite difiipated by being long in com
pany at night. O if I live not more by
faith than I do, I forefee my life muft be
miferable ; I poifon all my comforts by
unbelief and thoughtful poring. Dear
Lord, pity me and hear me.
8. This morning, accefs to God in
prayer — cheerful, lively faith, trufting in
God, putting all my^iterefts, my wife
and family, into his hand cheerfully, be-

4 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [ifO^..
lieving firmly that he will give a good
account of all, believing that mercy and
goodnefs fhall follow me and her this cam
paign as it did the laft ; for befides the
promifes of, God I had laft year to fruit
to, I have alfo the fweet experience of
the laft campaign to encourage me, how
he gave his angels charge over us, that
no plague came near our dwelling; no
evil befel us. We faw a peculiar care of
Providence about us. O then I deiire
cheerfully to truft a covenanted God ftill,
and pleafantly to put a blank in a kind
Father's hand, who I am allured will give
me a good account of all, and ftill put
fongs of praife and deliverance in our
mouths ; but, dear Lord Jefus, ftrengthea
faith, for it is only by faith we can live
this -fweet life ; when faith fails all
fails. After writing this fweet experience,
and praying it over alone, I called
my wife, and Ihe and I prayed it over
jointly, blefling and rejoicing, in God for
his mercies laft campaign, trufting in him
and calling one another over upon him
this campaign, b^leving firmly that he ;
will follow us with mercy and goodnefs

1*704.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. "5
ftill, that he will give his angels charge
over us, that he will protect, preferve,
guide, and direcT: by his Spirit and Provi
dence, and that all fhall be well if we
truft and rely upon him. Ebenezer !
17; This morning and forenoon fet
apart with my wife for prayer, to humble
ourfelves in profpecT: of a new campaign,
to caft one another over upon God, and
to depend on him for grace and ftreligth,
for counfel and conducSt, to guide us in
every ftep. I blefs the Lord who gave
me accefs to him by faith in prayer. I
prayed over the 91ft Pfalm, and had live
ly faith upon . every, particular promife
therein, believing the fure performance
thereof... Refolved to depend more need-"
ily upon Chrift, to employ him in every
circumftance of my life, to ferve him more
cheerfully* 20. A melancholy Sabbath, much de-
ferted in foul. O how much I long for
thofe routing, and quickening ordinances
I have once enjoyed, where I have fek
the Spirit of God powerfully ftriving and
refreftiing a- dead foul ; and, alas, the
longer I ftay in this country, I think I am
the worfe.- O Lord, carry me where thou
A3

6 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [l7°4-
wilt give me moft of thy prefence, moft
nearnefs to thyfelf, for I take no comfort
in a life abfent from thee.
24. Was very well in the morning, but
in the forenoon, retiring to pray, I found
as it were fenfibly Satan's fiery darts en
tering into my foul, whereby my temper
became four, chagrined, and melancholy.
I prayed againft it, but ftill it continued.
At night, I poured out my foul before
God. 1 was deeply affected with my con
dition, both as to the fin and the mifery
of it. Chrift looked to, yet comfort not
fo fenfibly found. That promife I efpe-
cially looked to by faith, " Come unto
me all ye that are weary and heavy laden,
and I will give you reft to your fouls." I
believe this.
26. This day my temper was not right.
J would fain be at that, to caft away all
care and all thought, except in fo far as
to do my duty, and by faith and prayer
to caft all upon Chrift, and there to leave
it, and never trouble myfelf about e-
vents. March 2. Set apart this morning and
forenoon for prayer, for the prefence and
blefling of God this campaign, in the

I704.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. J
view of launching out into new ftorms
and temptations. It was a good day. I
had accefs to a throne of grace by faith.
17. I fee the world to be a theatre,
and human life to be a downright farce, a
ftage-play of folly, vanity, and pageantry.
My judgment and underftanding, in its
cold reafonings, does defpife, and fees
through its vanity and emptinefs ; but,
alas, my foolifh affections refufe to anfwer
the helm, and will run out fondly after
earthly trifles, though in the mean time
I fee their infufficiency, that they cannot
make me happy. Lord, wean me from
all things below the fun, and make my
foul go out after a lovely Chrift.
26. I complain I have not fuch frames
on Sabbaths now in Holland, as I ufed to
' have in Scotland. I know not the rea
fon ; neither have I thofe tender melt
ings of foul which I have had there ; per
haps it may be owing to the want of thofe
lively means which I enjoyed there.
31 On command, and marching all
this day. My frame ferene, fpintual,
finging pfalms and hymns, and yet alfo
finning between hands by paffion and
haftinefs of fpirit. When I confider my

8 SELECT PASSAGES FROM \lj04>
way of religion, I think it is this: As to
internals, my thoughts, meditations, and
fecret out goings of my foul, the Spirit of
God feems to guide and influence thefe;
but when it comes to words or artionsi,
then the weak man appears, and I feem
to act my natural temper, and do not fo
fenfibly- feel the conduct of the Spirit of
God as in the heart motions. This makes
me fhun company, noife and hurry, and
public pofts and appearances, and court
folitude and retirement ;. for I cannot get-
my words and actions fo ordered as to be
the true mirror of my mind.-  This is a
fad employment, much expofed to com
pany ; it is not my element. O how do
I hate evil company the more I am in it !
It is hell to me, I cannot live in it. What
do I then in the army, where the fcum
and dregs of mankind are gathered toge<-
ther! My foul is weary of the. tents of
fin. April 9, Sabbath. For fome days pad .
had much perplexity of mind, and dif-
tance from God. In the evening, a con<-
viction ferved on me by my dear, yoke
fellow, that I gave too much way to dis
couragement. We went to prayer, and:

1704-] COL. BLACKADER'S -PAPERS. 9
I was much affifted ; faith was Strength
ened. I believed that Chrift would
quicken me, and comfort me, and give
me his Spirit and* prefence through the
campaign, and make me cheerful and
eafy. 15. Serious and earneft with God, feek-
ing direction about my deareft concern as
to her difpofal this campaign.
18. -Very well all day. A calm, fe-
date and fpiritual frame, frequent belie
ving prayer, whereupon comfort and
cheerfulnefs. O what a happy life a
life of faith is ! By an inftance to-night,
I am confirmed in this, what need
I have of, and how much I would be com
forted by the enjoying the ordinances in
Scotland, by the blefling of God, and
what a lofs I am at by being here in this
dry and thirfty land.
24. Got accounts that we are to make
the campaign far up the country. Seri
ous and fervent in joint prayer, calling
each other upon a covenanted God, truft -
ing in him. " The earth is the Lord's,
and the fulnefs thereof." I care not
where I go, if he go with me. His pre
fence will make even a camp (the fink of

JO SELECT PASSAGES FROM [iJOQ.
the earth; pleafant ; but if thou go not
with me, Lo-d, carry me not out of the
Bofch. ' We were helped to believe that
he will carry us well through.
25. To-day, fenous, eafy and cheer
ful, I blefs the Lord, who is a prefent
hejp in time of need. In the winter I
was more frightened for the fnares, tempi.
tations, and difcouragements of a cam-
paign upon a far view of it, than now
upon the near approach of it. He gives
,me more cheerfulnefs, more faith to truft
him. 27. OI admire the goodnefs of God to
me, who helps me to live by faith, and
caufes me to encourage myfelf in the
Lord my God — delivers me from melan
choly. We fet up our Ebenezers. There
is none in the world has better reafon to
truft thee than we have and fhall have.
28. This day we marched out of the
Bofch to the camp, and O how do I ad'-
mire the goodnefs of God to me that I
am fo eafy, ferious, and cheerful. I find
that the more the Spirit of God comforts ,
me, that my natural temper is quite con
trary to melancholy ; fo that I owe it
wholly to the pity of God to me. I con>

I704.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. II
mit my deareft concern to thee. Thou
art our God, and thou wilt encompafs us
with fongs of deliverance. I will lean" to
thee through the campaign. Thou art
the hearer of prayer. If I had not been
affured of -thy prefence, I had not come
out ; for what pleafure have I in a camp
without it i Thou haft heard us, and will
be with us both.
30. Sabbath. Marching all day, and,
alas, involved in fin by company, and by
idle difcourfe. A fad place to be in an
army on Sabbath, where nothing is to be
heard but oaths and profane language.
May 2. O the wonderful effects of
faith ! Before I came out, I was much in
wreftling with God for his Spirit and pre
fence this campaign, both in fecret and
joint prayer with my dear yoke-fellow ;
and now I find the comfortable fruit of
it. He keeps me "in perfect peace.
Marching all day, and in ill company
which my foul hates, yet kept out of
temptation — retiring alone for prayer be
tween hands. I have company that the
world know not of. ' Were it not tor thy
prefence, Lord, I would fink under dif-
couragement among thefe earthly devils,

12 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [1704.
who feem as if broke loofefrom hell, lwifh
to get rid of this army, it is not my ele
ment. I defire to have a fpirit above the
foolifh pageantry and falfe notion of ho
nour which the world admires. No hap-
pinefs in it. All I expect is from thee.
I will depend upon thee, go we up to
Germany, or where we will ; it is all one
to me, if thou go with me. The earth is
the Lord's.
7. Sabbath. Alas, not employed in
the proper work of a Sabbath. March
ing all day. Met with a merciful provi
dence, my horfe falling upon me, yet not
hurt. This ftirred me up to thankful-
nefs, blefling God who gave his angels
charge over me, that not fo much as a
bone is broken. Joining the reft of the
regiment in the afternoon, where I got
accounts of two or three particulars which
wrere like to make me uneafy, but I reti
red to prayer, and there I caft all my
care, all my burdens upon God ; and
through grace I will be eafy. He. lets
me fee this world is but a ftormy fea, a
vale of mifery and tears, one blaft after
another. I fliould lay my account with
this.

1 704.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. T* 3
16. Marching every day. On com
mand to day, which was both ihort and
eafy. I was kept out of fnares and temp
tations in it. I find God to be the hear
er of prayer, for it was my earneft defire
that on guards, commands, and par
ties, I might not be chained to bad com
pany. 17. At night I got a warning that I
am a frail creature ; but, O Lord God,
thou art the God of my health. I truft to
thee that thou wilt keep me in health
and prevent ficknefs in this expedition ;
for how fad would it be here among
ftrangers ! Thou art my Phyfician for
foul and body. Lord, I tremble to think
on the profanity and wickednefs of this
army that I am in, and what judgments
we are like to pull down upon our own
heads. For the Engliih army are finners
exceedingly before the Lord, and I have
no hopes of fuccefs, or that this expedi
tion fhall prove to our honour. Howfo-
ever much we think of ourfelves, thou
wilt humble us ; but for my own part, I
am not anxious ; thou art my God and
Father, and whatever thou do with the
Englifh army, I am perfuaded that by the
B

.14 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [IJO4..
mercy of God, I fhall fet up my Ebene-
zers through Germany. Wherever thou
lead me, I fhall be '-ftill and fee the fal
vation of God;, while thou exalteft thy
-falvation among the heathen, be thou ex
alted very high, and work with thy out-
ftretched arm, and let not an arm of fiefh
have the glory.
18. Refting this day, not designedly,
but by reafon of the roads. I know not
where they are leading me, but, Lord, do
^thou lead me in thy way. I will not
truft to generals leading ; thou who lead-
eft the blind by the way they know not,
I truft to thee alone, and put myfelf, and
all I am concerned in, under thy con
duct. I fee the kind hand of a father ftill
about me.
22. Marching this day to Mentz, a long
inarch. 25. Marching all day. Got good news
in the afternoon from my deareft concern
on earth. I blefs the Lord who has heard
us both, on our own and others behalf.
I hope we were fingle in feeking counfel
and conduct, and he has dealt bountiful
ly with us both. I blefs thee, O Lord,

1704- J COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS! I '$
that thou haft directed her to fettle in fa
good a family.
27. Army refting this day. I went in
to Heydelberg in company and hurry. I
ftill find that retirednefs- is my happi-
nefs. 28. Army marching. Sabbath. By be
ing in town, I had retirement, for I fhook
off all company, and retired alone upon
the banks of the Neckar. I hope I had
communion with God, my covenant with
Chrift ratified, my Ebenezer here fet up,
his prefence implored : and this I beg, dear
Lord, if this be an unlawful expedition,
that thou woul'dft yet turn me back ; if
thou go not with me, carry me no far
ther. When I conlider this, that we are
affifting thofe oppreffors who have wafted
the church and people of God, perfecu-
ted and oppfeffed them, it makes me
afraid the quarrel is not right, and that
we fhall not profper, though I be fatisfied
that our quarrel againft France is a very
juft one. O Lord, it is fad to be in an
army where I have not confidence to
pray for fuccefs, and dare not feek in faith.
But when thy judgments are upon the
earth, then the inhabitants thereof will

1<6 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [ 1 704.
learn righteoufnefs. When the carcafes
of the one half of us are dung on the
earth in Germany, perhaps the other half
will bethink themfelves. Be it as thou
wilt, O Lord. I blefs, thee I have fuch
fweet minutes in fuch an army; they are
as cordials which keep up my fainting
spirits. At the writing hereof, L am fit
ting (it is a fcorching hot day) under
a great rock, cool and refrefhed ; even
fo, Lord Jefus, be thou the fliadow of a
great rock- in this weary land to me.
->June 4. Sabbath. Marching all day.
Kept as much alone, and retired my
thoughts for prayer and meditation as
much, as I could, among fuch a crew, and
was ferene and fpiritual. That is the'
way I with to live in this army.
8. Marching all day. Great fatigue,
bad weather, bad roads, whereby my
mind was not fo eafy and ferene; fuch
machines we are, that thefe outward"
things much difcompofe us, and when the
body is not eafy, the mind is uneafy too.
Had frefh experiences of God's goodnefs.
Got letters from my deareft friend. I
fee the Lord is trying her by providences.-
I obferve alfo with pleafure how we are

1 704. J COL. BLACKADER'S PAPER9. I J
guided and acted by one fpirit, and that
the Spirit of God at the fame time feals
the fame promife to us both with com
fort ; for the fame promifes which I had
comfort from laft Sabbath, gave comfort
to- her for me at 100 leagues diftance.
13. Marching. Frequent in ejacula-
tory prayer. I think this is the great fe
cret of Chriftianity, whereby a fpiritual
heat of foul is kept- up. Communion
with God and his Spirit cherifhed and en
tertained.- Living- as retired as poffible.
1 know the retired way is condemned by
a jolly world, but T care not; it is the
fafeft way of living, to be kept free from
the filth and pollution of this vile army;
I value not their opinion ; nay, it is ra
ther- a bappinefs- to be hated and fpoke
againft by a wicked world, for in all ages
the feed of the ferpent have oppofed fe-
rious Chriftians ; they have a real hatred
, at holinefs, and when they love any good
people, it is a ftrong prefnmption that
~they are too like themfelves.
it. Marching and expecting to come
to action — committed myfelf, arid all that
concerns me, into the hands of God. In
the evening, I was fpectator of one of the
£3.

r8 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [{704.
hotteft actions I have feen, from fix to.
eight o'clock. We gained our point and
beat the enemy from their poft, and yet
we have no reafon to boaft. The Bri-
tifh, value themfelves too much, and
think nothing can ftand before them.
We have fuffered confiderably on this oc
cafion. I had no freedom in praying du
ring the battle, but that God fhould be
glorified, and work fo as that the arm of
flefh might not rob him of the glory. 0
that God would reform this army, that
good men might have fome pleafure in it.
When we fee what an uncertain thing our
life is — now in health and next moment
in eternity, it is wonderful we are not
more affected by it. I fee alfo that the
fmalleft accidents give a turn to the
greateft actions, either to profper or de
feat them, in fpite of human wifdom,
prudence, or courage. Only four de
tachments of 130 of our regiments were
at this battle *.
* The battle of Schellenberg. This was fought
on a riling ground near Donawert, a ftrong town on
the frontiers of Suabia, on the north fide of the Da
nube, fubjett to the eleftor of Bavaria. Strong en
trenchments were thrown up here between the rivers

1704-1 C0L- BLACKADER'S PAPERS. Ity
22. In the evening, I went into the
field of battle, and got a preaching from
the dead. The carcafes were very thick
ftrewed upon the ground naked and cor
rupted, yet all this makes no impreffion
upon us, feeing our comrades and friends
bodies lying" as dung upon the earth.
Lord make me humble- and thankful.
24. Paffing the Danube, the effect of
our victory, the other day.
July 30. We are now divided into
three or four armies. I know- not what
Providence is about to do with us.
Brentz and Danube to cover that town, but thefe
were forced by the allied army under the Duke of
Marlborough, and Prince Lewis of Baden. The
French and Bavarian army under Count D' Arco were
routed, who himfelf efcaped by iwimraing acrofs the
river. By means of this viftory, a paffage was ob
tained into the dominions of Bavaria, and the eleflor
obliged to retire under the cannbn of Augfburgh.
The allies entered Donawert next day, where they
fou"nd great quantities of provifions and military
ftores. The emperor, who confidered this vi&ory as inte-
refting the fafety of his dominions in a very high de
gree, wrote a letter to the Duke, with his own hand,
in the Latin language, exprefling the warmeft grati
tude, and prefented him with the dignity of a prince
of the empire on account of it.

!20 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [1704.-.
31. Marching all day, and repaffing the
Danube, joining three of our armies to---
gather. .
Aug. 1: Refting a great part of the day^.
then drawing out our lines in battle as-
making ready to be attacked by ,the.
Duke of Bavaria and the French. I was
quite compofed, recollecting- my intereft.
in God.
2. Many deliverances I have met with,-.
but this day. I have had the greateft
ever I experienced. We fought a blpody
battle*, and by the-mercy of God have*
* The battle of- Blenheim or Hochftett is the fub-«
jeft of this record, as it is of his frequent and grate-—
ful recollection afterwards en account of the deliver
ranees he perfonally experienced. This was the moft«
fignal viflory ever ohtained in all the campaigns of the.
great Marlborough and his fuccefsful army.- The vil
lage of Blenheim, where it was fought, is fituatedin.'
Suabia, on the well fide of the Danube. The French--
and Bavarian army were entirely routed, after an ob-
flinate engagement for. five hours, and 40,000 of them1
were killed or taken prifoners, among the latter their'
diftinguilhed commander Marshall. Tallard, many
princes, general officers, and noblemen. Europe re-
founded with the.applaufesof the Duke andof Prince.
Eugene. Almoft as much indeed was owing to the
difceinment of the former as to, the good conduct ar.d.
bravery of both and of. their army. The Duke re-

I704-] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 21
got one of the greateft and complete vic
tories the age can boaft of. In the morn-
ing, while marching towards the enemy,
I was enabled to exercife faith, relying
and encouraging myfelf in God ; by this
1 was made .eafy and cheerful. I was
looking to God during all the little in
tervals of action for affiftance to keep up
my own heart, and to difcharge my duty
well in my ftation. My faith was {o
lively during the action, that I fometimes
faid within myfelf, Lord, it were eafy for-
thee to lay thefe men flat upon the
ceived the thanks of both Houfes of Parliament in the
moft flattering language — the great eftate of Wood-
ftock was beftowed on him— a fplendid palace was
erected there, named after the fcene of his viftory,
and fettled on him and his family— and many honours
and emoluments befides, were conferred by a grateful
nation, and by their allies. The effefls of the victo
ry were as diftinguiflied as its fuccefs. The whole
country of Bavaria was abandoned to the allied army.
They were matters from the Danube to the Rhine.
Augftmrgh was evacuated. Ingoldftadt, Ulm, Mu
nich and ^.atifbon, quickly furrendered to their arms.
Landau was taken after a brave and obftinate refif
tance for eight weeks, and a campaign of uninterrupt
ed fuccefs was concluded after feven.months, without
any. one inftance of a reverfe.

22 SELECT PASSAGES FROM LI704''
ground where they ftand, or to being them
in all prifoners ; and for encouraging our
regiment I fpoke it out, that we fhould
either chafe them from their poft or take
them prifoners, and I cannot but obferve
the event againft feven o'clock at night.
Twenty-fix regiments (fome fay thir
ty) laid down their arms, and furrender-
ed themfelves prifoners at difcretion to
the Duke of Marlborough, and our regi
ment was one of thofe who guarded them.
This victory has indeed coil a great
deal of blood, efpecially to the Englifh.
I was always of opinion that the Englifh
would pay for it in this country, and'
when I confider that on all occafions we
conquer, but with much blood, I am at a
lofs to affign the reafon ; perhaps it is
that our caufe is good, but our perfons-
very wicked. Among the reft, I have
got a fmall touch of, a wound in the
tliroat. It is fo far from making me
doubt of the care of Providence, that it
is really to me a great confirmation of his-
protection, for the wound is fo mercifully-
directed, that there is no danger; where
as, if it had been half an inch either to-
one fide or other, it might have pro-

T704.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 23
ved mortal or dangerous. The Lord is a
ihield and buckler to me *.
O Lord, thou affifted me, and gave me
fuch liberal fupplies during the action,
that I was helped to difcharge my duty
even with credit and reputation. Dear
Lord, I lay down all at thy feet. I have
no reafon to be lifted up. It was none
of my own, it was a borrowed flock from
thee, fo the praife is thine, not mine, for
hadft thou withheld thy fupport from me
I had behaved fcandaloufly. — Ebene-
zer !
3. I went this morning, back to the
place of our attack, where we were pott
ed, and there, among the dead, I bleffed
God for my wonderful deliverance.
4. Riding all day alone into Norlingen,
* The folloviing is an extraft of a letter written.
by him, dated 2d Auguft 1704, from the field of bat
tle at Blenheim, to Lady  Campbell, at Stir
ling-  " I am juft now retired from the noife of
Idrums. of oath and dying groans I am to return in
ja few minutes to the field of battle, and wrapping my
felf up in the arms of Omnipotence. I believe my
felf no lefs fafe as to every valuable purpofe, than if
Stting in your Ladyfhip's clofet."— — —

2 4 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [1704.
pleafantly employed in thinking over the
91ft Pfalm. Was thankful at night for
my good accommodation here, and how
happily I am fent in here among my
kindeft friends.
5. At home and well all day, but in
the evening a little uneafy, my wound
beginning to be painful ; but why fhould
I be exempt from trouble more than 0-
thers ? I blefs God I am not groaning
with broken bones, and bullets in my bo
dy as many are.
9. Vifited the wounded and dying of
ficers ; faw the vanity and emptinefs of
all things here below. Thofe who laft
week thought themfelves brave healthy
men, are now groaning and finking down
to the duft.
12. Seeing officers at night in pain and
torment with their wounds makes me
thankful I am fo mercifully handled.
13. Sabbath. Taken up all day in the
houfe of mourning, burying a friendi 0
I wonder at the fottifh ftupidity of merj
of our trade. They fee their comrades
with whom they ufed to drink and de
bauch, plucked out of the world in a mo
ment, yet have not fo much as a thought j

1704-? COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 2$
that they have a foul, or what will be
come of it when they die. O Lord, I
fhall always look on impiety and refuting
Chrift as the greateft madnefs. The
longer I live I fee the greater neceffity
for holinefs. To behold a poor creature
on a death-bed, on the brink of eter
nity, afraid to quit hold of all earthly
comforts, nothing but horror — nothing
comfortable to look to in the other
world, furrounded with jolly company,
miferable comforters, is very affecting.
Then to get a view of Chrift, O how pre
cious ! then to fee a Saviour ftretchmg
out his hand to receive the foul, is worth
a thoufand worlds.
, 20. Sabbath. Had not that peace of
foul which I value, being troubled about
trifles. I believe my thoughts and affec
tions go out too much after creature-
comforts, and therefore they are juftly
made a temptation to me. I read my fin
in my punifhment. I. beg of Chrift to
make me love him much more than I do,
and worldly comforts much lefs.
Sept. 14. Pafling by Coblentz by wa
ter, and at the writing hereof, the
place in the Rhine where I had almoft
D

26 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [1704.
been drowned in going up the country ;
it ftirred up a fweet thankful frame while
meditating on the goodnefs and mercy of
God here, and during the campaign.
18. Arrived at Dort. Recorded the
Lord's goodnefs to me this campaign, in
the fame room where I had an opportu
nity of doing the fame thing laft year, for
¦the mercies of that campaign.
ig. Arrived at Rotterdam.
20. I fee continual need of Chrift in
all circumftances, under a full cup as well
as in trouble. When I was in the army
I thought, O how happy I would be in
retirement, or enjoying the gofpel ! now
I have both, and yet, alas ! my wicked
heart troubles me. O dear Jefus, I flee
to thee for help and pity.
24. Sabbath. Enjoying the ordinances
of the gofpel, I could not have believed
my heart fhould have been fo hard after
fuch mercies and deliverances as I havf
experienced. O treacherous heart !
30 Upon the wing and hurry all day.
O what is the meaning of this providence,
that thou takeft me from Rotterdam the
very day before the Lord's fupper, when

1704-] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 27
I. expected to have taken the- cup of fal
vation and paid my vows *.
* He alludes here to Pfal. cxvi. 13. and probably
confidered the cup of falvation, there mentioned, to
have the fame meaning with the cup of bleffing, or
the cup of the Lsrd, in 1 Cor. x. 16. 21. But we know
frwja the infallible interpretation of this pfalm, in
2 Cor. iv. 13, &c. that thefe words are uttered in the
perfon, of Jefus Chrift; and that the whole pfalm,
with the parallel pfalms, xvi. xviii. and xxii. refer to
his fufferings and following glory, appears from other
parts of the New Teftament. The vows of which
the Pfalmift writes, are thofe voluntary engagements
which he undertook and fulfilled on behalf of his peo
ple. The end and objedt, of the Lord's Supper is to
commemorate thefe. It is afeaft on the facrifice which
he offered to his Father. The proper employment of
a body of Chriftians, and of all its members, at that
ordinance, is not to make vows, or to fulfil them, but
to participate and communicate with God and with
one another, in the fatisfa£lion and delight which he
has expreffed, and calh all who believe to enjoy in the
atonement of his beloved Son. See 1 Cor. x. t6. v, 7,
8, &c.
It is hoped that the readers- who turn to thefe pafTa-
ges of fcripture and attentively confider them, will fee
that it is not improper to judge the writer here to be
mifled by the miftakes prevalent at the period in which
he lived, and not yet entirely exploded among Chriftians,
The obfervance of every appointment of God does in
deed imply felf- dedication to him, but this ought not
to be confounded with the proper import and fignifi-
cation of them.

28 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [1704.
Obi. 1. Went on board. 5. Paffage is
pleafant, fair wind, calm fea, &-c. 7. O
what fhall we render to the Lord who
deals fo bountifully with us, who follows
us with mercies by land and fea ; after a
fpeedy paffage we are landed in Scotland.
8. Enjoying fweet gofpel ordinances,
which my foul defires to delight in, and
which was my chief reafon for coming to
Scotland at this time. I find that I am
the firft arrived in Edinburgh of thofe
who were at the battles in Germany.

r7°5-J C0L- BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 2g
Note. Notwithstanding the lingular vic
tories of the former campaign, the French
again brought formidable armies into the
field, not only in Germany, but in Hol
land. The allies did not heartily co-oper
ate in oppofition to them, and the abilities
and exertions of the Englifh Commander
in Chief were obflrudted by the jealoufy,
and the tardinefs, perhaps by the trea
chery of the Dutch and Germans. Huy,
a town of the Netherlands, fituated on
the Maefe, furrendered to the French,
and the populous city of Liege was taken
pofleflioh of by Marfhal Villeroy and the
Ele&or of Bavaria, who befieged the
Citadel. Having received intelligence, ,
however, that the Duke of Marlborough
was marching thither, they retreated with •
precipitation, and took refuge behind their
lines near Hildefheim in Saxony.
Jan. 6. The forenoon fet apart for fe--
cret and joint prayer*. I hope we had ac
cefs to God and were accepted bv him.
26. In the evening, though I had re
folved to go abroad, I was kept at home
by providence, and I blefs God for it.
* With his wife.
D3

'30 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [l7°5«
While employedin reading, meditation and
prayer, I had one of the kindeft vifits from
the Lord which I have had for a long time *.
I was enabled to pour out my heart to
God, and to tell him every thing that
was in my heart. My former prayers
were all now anfwered. That word of
God was accomplifhed', " I have heard
thee in an accepted time -j-."
* This language is authorized by the following
among many paffages of Scripture. '' Jefus anfwered
and faid unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my
words ; and my Father will love him, and we will
come unto him, and make our abode with him," John
xiv. 23. " Behold, I ftand at the door, and knock;
if any man hear my voice, and open the door, 1 will
come in to him, and will fup with him, and he with
me," Rev. iii. 20. Such is the intimate communion
with God, which Chriftians enjoy when they are
ftrong in the faith and hope of the-gofpel, diligent in
the ufe of means, adlive in obedience, and patient un
der fuffering.
j- Thefe are the affurances of the Father to the
Meffiah, according to the explanation of Ifa. xlix. 8. in
2 Cor. vi. 2. But as the'prayers of Jefus, there repre-
fented as accepted and heard, were offered for his feed
among the Gentiles ; we may therefore very properly
understand them as alfo fulfilled when his people expe*
rience his replies to their fupplications ; an experience
with which all of them are acquainted who fufficienw
ly obferve the loving kindnefs of the Lord.

1705.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 3 1
Feb. 15. This vexing trade of recruiting
depreffes my mind. I am the unfitted
man for it in the whole army. Sobriety
itfelf is a bar to fuccefs in this way. The
greateft rakes are the belt recruiters. I
cannot ramble and rove and drink and
tell ftories, though my life were lying at
flake. 20.. Engaged in prayer about our go
ing abroad ; was much encouraged by
Exod. xxxiii. 14. " My prefence fhall go
with thee, and I will give thee reft*."
25. I complain of difappointments in
Scotland ; I receive not that benefit from
ordinances which I expected ; alfo difap
pointments about regimental errands here.
* Thefe are the words in which Jehovah gave af-
furance to Mofes of his conducting him fafely till he
brought Ifrael to the reft promifed to that nation.
But Ifrael after the Spirit, i. e. Chriftians, are equally
warranted to depend on'this and every fuch promife
in undertaking any arduous attempt which is accord
ing to the will and for the glory of God.
Whatever was written aforetime for the fupport of
believers, is equally applicable in every future period,
to the fame ufe in like circumftances. Thus did the
infpired writer, Heb. xiii. 6. conclude that Chriftians
may confidently fay, that " The Lord is their helper"
in the moft adverfe fituations.

32 SELECT PASSAGES FROM LI7°5«
But I hope to have reafon to praife God
before I leave the country, and to confefs
his way was belt.
March 23. Toiling all the morning em
barking men. I fee that Providence ou
ders every thing for the belt, and far bet
ter than I could do myfelf.
25. Heard a fermon on the Lord com*
manding the Ifraelites at the Red fea to
go forward *. It was made fweet to me ;
it came with power and life. I hope it
is by the Lord's command I go forward,
and having his orders I truft I fhall have
bis prefence and conduct ; and though
they had the Red fea in their way and ¦
infuperable difficulties, yet they obeyed,
and this engaged Omnipotence fo work
miraculoufly in their behalf. He can do
the fame ftill to thofe who truft in him.
31. Embarking this day at Kirkcaldy,
committing myfelf and my wife and fa
mily to the conduct and care of a kind
God and Father, who muft be our convoy
and fafeguard f .
April 4. Alarmed in the morning at
* Exodus xiv. 1 j.
f The day in which the Duke of Marlborough
embarked at Harwich for Holland.

I7°5'] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. ^3
the motions of fome French privateers,
appearing to come clofe to us, and wait
ing on us all the day. I blefs God I be
lieved I was under the eye of a kind and
tender Father. I was eafy and compofed.
7. Landed this day but not at the port
defigned. Chafed in by fear of. enemies
and ftorms ; a true emblem of a Chrif-
tian's ljfe.
22. This day I had the trial of that
which is my greateft difcouragement, and
what I hate moft in the army — march
ing all day (Sabbath). As if hell had broke
loofe about me — curling, fwearing, pro-
fanenefs. O Lord, fanctify my foul, that
the more I -fee of fin I may hate it the
more. June 5. Spent a happy day on the banks
of the Mofelle after marching all night ;
there fet up an Ebenezer, and prayed fer
vently for God to continue his mercy.
10. Sabbath. Marching all day. It
is a hell to be chained all day, efpecially
a Sabbath day, in fuch an army, hearing
.juft fuch language as devils would fpeak
had they tongues.
12. Marching this day. Bad weather.
Sober frame. Lord, I beg thou would

34 SELECT PASSAGES FROM \l7°5'
mend and fweeten my nature by thy
grace. God is the hearer of prayer. In
the morning 1 fought grace fuitable to a
particular occafion, and he gave it me.
Have been kept ferene and ferious, and
out of temptations. I blefs the Lord who
fets a hedge of protection about me.
21. Marching from three in the morn-
till eleven at night, and croffed the Maefe.
A fatiguing march ; many fickened and
fome died, it being a fcorching day. I
blefs the Lord for his mercies to me, For my '
health and ftrength, and the good accom^
modation which I have in a camp, which
makes me live eafy and well, while others
(better than I) are miferable, and ferve
in bitternefs of foul. O, it is only the-
goodnefs of God that makes me eafier
than they, and it is only his free grace
which makes to differ from the- moft part
of the army, who are like fo many incar
nate devils broke loofe out of hell.
26. Lying near the enemy, I com
mit myfelf to thee, O Lord, and 'put my
truft in thee. I will not be afraid though
an hoft encamp againft me. Through
thee I fhall do valiantly. I fetch all my
fupplies from thee.

I7°5'l C0L- BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 35
27. Taken up through the day judging
criminals in a court martial. Seeking
the conduct of the Spirit of God to judge
uprightly and righteoufly. [He praifes
God upon a fimilar occafion, four days af
ter, that he was there as a judge, not as a
criminal.] July 4. This morning putting my hand
to a fmall affair before prayer, it went
wrong. I checked myfelf that I fhould un
dertake any thing before prayer, fo I went
to my knees, and after prayer I went
about the fame affair, and went through it
with eafe. I obferve this that I may be
encouraged the firft thing that I do in the
morning to commit myfelf and all my
ways to God, and put all I have within
the hedge of his protection.
6. In the evening, went out into" the
fields to meditate, and I obferve it as a
mark of the Spirit of God, guiding and
influencing me, I had more accefs and
enlargement in prayer than ordinary, and
was helped to act faith very ftrong, truft-
ing and believing that if God was with
me, I durft attack the French lines alone ;
and that a ftraw in the hand of "Omnipo
tence is better than Goliah's fpear. In

36 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [1705.
returning home it came into my mind,
what if I fhould afk a fign ; but I imme
diately checked the thought as frfiful, fay-'
ing to myfelf, I'll truft the Lord's word
and promife without any fign. I had no
fooner faid this but there came a bullet
whiffling clofe paft my head, fhot at ran
dom by a foldier cleaning his piece. I
knew not what to think of it, but faid
within myfelf, this is the promife accom-
plifhed. " He will give his angels charge
over thee ; thou fhalt not be afraid of the
arrow (or bullets) that fly by day," Pfal.
xci. All this while I knew nothing what
was doing in the army, but when I came
home I found that the regiment and the
whole army had orders to march imme
diately. We gueffed it was to attack the
French lines ; accordingly we marched
at nine o'clock at night in great filence.
It was one of the fweeteft nights ever I
had in my life — accefs to God, commu
nion with him, faith lively, trufting: him,
and fecuring myfelf in the chambers of
his grace and mercy, fo that I had no
manner of fear or concern about any dan
ger which might be before me ; the Hock
of ftrength and com age being in Chrift's

I7°5-3 C0L- BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 37
hand and not in my own. I was deter
mined to come every moment to Chrift
for fupply as the occafions of the day
fhould require. I did fo, and he was a
liberal mafter ; he fupplied me bountifully
with grace to do my duty creditably in the
fundlions of my poft. O Lord, I give thee
all the praife and glory, none of it belongs
to me. I defire to allow myfelf in no
other ambition but of ferving thee, and
laying out myfelf, and all thou giveft me,
for thy glory and fervice ; and if thou
give me any credit in this army, I defire
to lay it down at thy feet. Let it ferve
to make me more capableof glorifying thee
in this atmy, I feek no other advan
tage. 7. We attacked, the French lines*
this morning, and got in much eafier
and cheaper than we expected. The
lines were partly forced and partly fur-
prifed. Our horfe had fome action with
them and beat them. Our foot had no
thing to do, for the enemy fled before
E
* Huy having furrendered to a detachment fent to
inveft it, the Duke immediat-ely on their return attack
ed and carried the French and Bavarian lines near Hil-
delheim, partly by ftratagem.

38 SELECT PASSAGES FROM LI795-
they came up.- -As I faid before, the
Lord aflifted me, and ,gaVe grace and
ltrength as I needed. I approached the
•throne of grace in the intervals of action
by ejacuiatory prayers, and he carried
me well- through. I fet up new Ebene-
zers. 8. Sabbath. Marching all day. We
feem to have committed a great error,
neglecting the, opportunity of pufhing our
victory by marching ftraight on between
them and Louvain. The French by
marching all night have prevented us.
This fhews us men are but men, and the
weaknefs and flaws that are in the wifeil
mens prudence. One day a great heroic
action, the next a great blunder*. But
* This error is not to be imputed to the Duke of
Marlborough, nor to the Dutch Commander in Chief,
M D' Auverquerque, but to the other Generals of
the ftates, who would not confent to the Duke's pro-
pofal of attacking the French. In confequence of
this, they permitted them to continue their march af.
ter this vidlory along the river Dyle, and to poffefs
themfelves of a ftrong camp at Parck, by whicli
means they protected Louvain, Bruffels, and Ant
werp, from the allied army. This refolution of the
jDutch Generals was the fource of great vexation and

I705.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. $g.
let God have all the glory, and all flefh*
be grafs-.
9. Refting this day oppofite the ene
my, the town between us, which is firing
upon us *.
11. Lying in, the fame poft, and juft as
, I am writing this, fome cannon balls, fhot
from the town, came clofe over my tent,
and lighted among thofe in the rear, but
did no hurt. I put my confidence in
God, and through grace will lay me down
in peace and fleep.
12. To-morrow is appointed by the Ge
neral to be obferved through the army in
thankfgiving for our fuccefs, and prayer.
God grant that we be not found mocking
him in this exercife, when thefe mouths
come hot from curfing and fwearing to
the fervice of God, pretending to thank
him for mercies which they have no fenfe
much difappointment to the Duke of Marlborough,
as appears from his leters lately publiftied by Dr
Sommerville. Vide Hiftory of Great Britain during
the reign of Queen Anne, pp. 610, 611.
* Louvain, a large town in Brabant, on the.Dyle,
a few leagues from Tirlemont, which they had taken
after pofTefling themfelves of the enemies lines.

4<0 SELECT PASSAGES FROM fI7°5'
of, and when the work is over, return to
fwearing and blafpheming. But, Lord,
whatever the army do, make me fingle
and fervent, and tune my heart to praife
and gratitude.
Augufl 2. The very naming of this
d ay is an Ebenezer. The day of Hoch-
ftet, a day much to be remembered for
the wonderful mercy and deliverance I
got there. A thoufand fell at my fide,
and ten thoufand at my right hand, but
it came not near to me but in a way of
remarkable mercy, fa as to make me more
a monument of preferving mercy, for
though the ball was at my throat, the an
gel of the Lord held it as he did the knife
in Abraham's hand. I cried unto the
Lord, and he anfwered me. I employed
this day for meditating on thefe things,
and there was a thankfgiving appointed
by the General to commemorate that
great day.
7. This day there were great prepara
tions and all the appearances and difpo-
fitions for a battle. We were to attack
the enemy (twenty battallions of us)
through a wood. At the time we were
lying in the wood, preparing to attack, I

I7°5-] C0L- BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 41
retired frequently from company, and h id
fweet meditation. The enemy was fo
ftrongly polled that it was thought im
practicable to attack them, fo we were
ordered to draw off at one o'clock; we
had marched at nine in the morning.
I-obferved at our coming off what a poor
filly creature man is of himfelf; there
came, a panic fear and furprife among the
foldiers on the head of the line, that be
fore they knew what they were doing,
they rolled and turned back one upon
another, from one regiment to another,
and knew not what hand -to turn <to. I
thought upon that Scripture, One fhall
chafe a thoufand. It was over in two
minutes; thq'y came to themfelves and
were afhamed. ^
14. We have marched a good way
from the enemy. I find I am beft when
neareft the enemy and in expectation of
action, for dangers and varieties of provi
dence ftii- up grace and chafe me to
Chrift. September 11. Having left the army
and arrived at Rotterdam, he writes,
Here I may fet up a new Ebenezer.
The Lord has, after a campaign of fa-
E 3

A.% SELECT PASSAGES FROM [I7O5.
tigue, hazards,- and dangers, brought me
back fafe to this place, and given me a
comfortable meeting with my dear wife,
and compaffed us about with fohgs of de.
liverance. 13. I fee it is not change of place or
circumftances that gives happinefs, only .
the blefling and prefence of God. I
thought that when I came to Rotterdam
and enjoyed the gofpel and quiet retired-
nefs out of an army, that I fhould be well,
and have nothing to complain of; but,
alas, one who carries about a body of fin
and death muft be ftill complaining.

1706.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 43

1706.
Note. — The French this campaign collected
an army of 70,000 men, and by various
ftratagems and fecret negotiation, employ
ed, as was faid, at the" courts of fome of
the allied powers, they contrived to retard'
the march of their troops, and to obflrudl
their co-operation with the Britifh. They
palled the river Deule, however, on the 8th
of May, and engaged the allied army on
the 1 2th, O. S. at Ratnillies, a village
about ten miles from Namur, in Bra
bant, at the fource of the river Geet. The
allied army obtained a complete vi&ofy, at
tended with more important confequences
than any they ever gained. The French
and Bavarians loft about 8000 men in the
field, 6000 were made prifoners, befides
feveral thoufand deferters. The whole
towns of the Netherlands fubmitted in con-
1 fequence of this victory in a very fhort
time, and the flates of Flanders having
met at Ghent, acknowledged Charles, the
emperor's brother, as their fovereign.
March 8. Set this forenoon apart for
feeking the prefence and blefling of God
with u,s in profped of the campaign.
March 26. fpent in the fame way.

44 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [1706.
April 2.3. Making court to fome great
men. I am like a fpeckled bird among
them. " If ye were of the world-, the
world would love its own, but I have cho-
fen you out of the world, therefore the
world hateth you. If the world hate
you, ye know that it hated me before it
hated you."
29. In a hurry and bufinefs all day in
order to marching. O to win to that- —
" Thou wilt keep him in perfed- peace
whofe mind is flayed on thee, becaufe he
trufteth in thee." O Lord, thou knowefl
my heart, thou knowefl that I truft in
thee, and hope in thy mercy. This is all
the comfort I carry to the camp with .
me. 30. Marching out of the Bofche this
day. ,Now my life of hurry and noife
begins. May 9. Marching all ' day. One of
the word days and roaas we ever march- ,
ed in. I pitied the poor foldiers. Now
we begin to talk of adion, and that very
quickly. O Lord, here I am, do with me
what feems good unto thee, for thou art '
my God. I truft in thee, and hope in
thy mercy. I flee to the chambers of

I706.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 45
thine omnipotence, love and faithfulnefs;
there I fhall be fafe. Help me, O Lord,
to difcharge my duty as a man, as a Chri
ftian, and as a foldier. 1
11. Advancing toward the enemy. I
obferve, to the praife of free grace and
the mercy of God, that the nearer I come
to adion, the more cheerful, the more vi
gour, and grace the more lively ; faith in
exercife through the day.
. 12. Sabbath. And here I have one of
the moft remarkable Ebenezers of my
life to fet up. This day we fought with
the French, and 1. by the great mercy of
God did beat them. The battle was not
general *, but it was hot to thofe who
were engaged. Our regiment was no
further engaged, but that we were ca
non aded for fome hours warmly, and had
feveral men killed and wounded. Not
unto us, but to thy name be all the glo
ry ; for on our part I thought I faw great
confufion. I was not near the Duke,
but upon our wing we had great want of
Generals and diftind orders, and fome
of thofe we had feemed fomewhat confu-
* At Ramillies.

4-6 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [ I *]0&.
fed. S© it was not our condud, but kind
Providence. I obferve alfo that the En
glifh had but fmall part in this vidory.
They are the boldeft finners in our army,
therefore God will rather ufe other inftru-
ments than them. O Lord, give me
grace never to forget this great and glo
rious day at Ramillies. «¦
13. Marching this day to improve our
vidory, but we are flopped ; for the ene
my has retired over the Dyle, and there
flrongly fortified and polled ; probably
we are to attack them to-morrow, and if
they ftand to "it, the adion is likely to be
very bloody. I defire to be no way an
xious, but to fly to the name of the
Lord. 14. The ways of God are wonderful
and pad finding out. A difappointmenf
this day that was not unpleafant In-
llead of meeting with a vigorous refiftance-
as we expeded, the enemy is gone, and
we have got poffeffion of Louvain. The''
effedsof this battle are much greater than
we expeded. The Lord has fent a pa
nic fear among the French army, and.
they are fo mattered, that they can hard
ly get them kept together.

I706.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 47
15. Marching this day to Bruffels.
Still more and more of the furprifing con-
fequences of this vidory. They have
abandoned Bruffels and all-Brabant.. The
Lord is taking heart, and hand, and fpi-
rit from our enemies. This is the Lord's
dping and wonderful in our eyes.
' 19. Sabbath. . A fatiguing march all
day; that which I fear and hate in this
trade I meet with the whole day; viz.
fwearing, filthy language, &c. yet though
it was a hell round about me, I blefs
,the Lord there was a heaven within. We
are ftill purfuing our vidory, and they
are ftill flying before us. There is cer
tainly fomethingtn this affair beyond hu
man working, for they called themfelves
70,000 before they fought, eighty battal-
lions of foot. I do not believe there were
3000 of them killed, and yet their army
is mouldering away, fo that they have al
moft no foot in any body together. This
is the finger of God, and not the doing of
man. 21. This day is appointed by the Ge
neral as a thankfgiving through the ar
ray for our vidory and fuccefs, and all
the chaplains to preach.

4.8 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [ I JQ6.
25 Marched this day to Arfel, a plaee
famous for the retreat that Prince Vau-
demont made here in the year 1695, in
prefence of the French army, who were
thrice as ftrong as ours. And at this
place I have a great Ebenezer to fet up
of .thankfulnefs and praife for merciful .
deliverance from men who were ready to
fwallow us up. And now we are got in
again to Cambray, where we were in the
.laft war. I hope to have comfortable re-
~ membrances of the mercy and goodnefs
of God to me in feveral places.
Auguft 3. This day I went to fee the
fiegeof Menin*, and was in the trenches
four or five hours. I obferve this of my
felf, and own freely, that any meafure of
courage or refolution that I. can pretend
to is f allenarly the free gift of God, and
not owing to natural temper, or 'conftitu
tion, or blood, or any thing of that kind,
for I find that if God fhould withdraw
his grace and afliftance from me, I would
be one of the pooreft faint-hearted crea-
* Oftend, Menin, Dendermond. Ae^h flrongly for
tified cides of Flanders, were befieged during this
campaign by the allies, and every one furrendered af
ter fome oppofition. f i. e. folely.

1706.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 49
tures in the army ; but bleffed be God
who is my ftrengfh, heart, fpirit and cou
rage. I own, to the praife of free grace,
that whenever I am clear that I am in
my duty called to fuch a poft, be- there
ever fo much danger, the Lord bears my
charges, and gives liberal fupplies ; and
proportionably as I am uniatisfied or
doubtful of my being in my duty, fo does
my fpirit fail.
24. We have now begun the fiege of
Dendermond. The Lord is able to lay
the walls as low as thofe of Jericho. The
arm of the Lord is not fhortened ; he
fhall give his angels chargp over thee :
and though all the bombs of France
were raging over my head, and though
all their cannon were in a battery a-
.gainft my breaft, he can keep me fafe.
25. Sabbath. This forenoon we at
tacked a redoubt near the town and car
ried it ; upon which, the town did
immediately capitulate. Now this is
over, and I have not got one hour in the
trenches, or any :uing elfe, during the
fiege. Well, I will blefs God for every
thing, F

3D > SELECT PASSAGES FROM [lJ06.
Sept. 5. Ordered to the fiege of Aeth.
We were furprifed at this, for we did not
exped that our regiment fhould have any
thing more to do with lieges this cam
paign, and indeed we are wronged. It is
thou, O Lord, fendeft me here. I look
above Generals. Thy prefence, O Lord,
go with me when I go to trenches, to at
tacks, to batteries, and wherever I go.
10. Our regiment went into the
trenches at night, and though there was
a great deal of firing all night, we had
not a man either killed or wounded, I
had not that diftindnefs of faith as I
would have had, but I was praying to the
throne of grace for ftrength to do my
nuty. xi. We were in the trenches all night,
and only loft two men. I praife the Lord
for preferving and defending me. Let
others take it for chance or random, I
look to a higher hand.
17. In the trenches all night — feven
or eight of my workmen wounded, yet
it pleafed the Lord to proted me.
19. I fhall not foon forget the provi
dences of this day. We continued in

I706.-] QOL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. $T
the trenches all the day, and loft feveral
men ; we had feventeen killed and
wounded. We were beat out of a lodge
ment on the counterfcarp at two in the
afternoon, we retook it again at fix. I
fell into a miftake of a quarter of an hour
in timing the attack. I am not certain
what influence this had. However, my
own confcience fmote me about it ; and
I think it is the fureft way for me to flee
to the blood of Jefus for pardon and
wafhing. At night, coming out. of the
trenches, I was in great confufionof fpi
rit. I had only a fervant with me. It
being very dark. and wet, and on foot, we
wandered. . I had a water to crofs, and
my fervant durft not venture my horfes
over for me, it being a bad bridge. But
I got a horfe, and coming to the bridge, ,
I fell over, both horfe and I, into the wa
ter, and was in danger of being drown
ed, my foot flicking in the ftirrup, the
horfe falling on his fide. I had fhort eja
culations to heaven in the very time. I
got rid, and got out, but it was a quarter
of an hour before I got out the horfe, fo
that he was near drowned. Prefently

52 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [1706.
ray own horfes came to me. So I came
home blefling God for his merciful deli
verances, and in the mean time trem
bling at his judgments.-
21. This day the town capitulated*

1707-] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. S3

1707.
Note. — The uninterrupted victories of the
allies in Brabant, and the defeats of the
French arms both in Spain and Italy, with
the exhaufted ftate of their finances, produ
ced in the end of the laft, and the begin
ning of this year, overtures for peace,
on the part of France and Bavaria. By
thefe, the original caufes of the war were
in great meafure removed.' They confent-
ed to yield either Spain with the Weft In
dies, or Milan, Naples and Sicily to the
Archduke Charles. ' They agreed that
Holland fhould poffefs a ftrong barrier in
the Netherlands, and that the Duke of Sa
voy fliould receive- fatisfa&ion for the de-
vaftation of his territory.' They applied
to Charles XII. of Sweden, as mediator,
who was then lying with a powerful" army
in Saxony ; and, on his refufing this of
fice, lo the Pope. But all thefe attempts
were ineffectual, and were confidered as a
feint to obtain time, that they might re
cruit their forces and excite jealoufies a.
mong the allied powers. The terms were
not confidered as affording even a ground
for negociation, although far more favour
able than thofe upon which peace was af
terwards concluded at Utrecht.
F3

54 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [1707.
Dr Sommervile * has given very fatisfying
reafons for our believing that there waj
greater duplicity on the part of the En
glifh Miniflry in this tranfa&ion, than on
that of France, and has anfwered the ve-
• nal arguments of the Chaplain general of
the army, Dr Hare, who proftituted his pen
in defending the continuance of the war.
It feems indeed too certain, that the ruling
faction, and the Duke of Marlborough in
particular, were willing rather to prolong
its evils and miferies, than to deny their
lufl of dominion and glory, and to part
with the emoluments and patronage it af
forded them f. Ah ! how little do man
kind, feduced by the deluiions of felfifhnefs
and ambition, confider, that the crimes and;
the horrors which unrighteous and unne-
ceflary war produces, fhall receive at the
hand of God a juftly tremendous and ever-
lafting retribution ! How little even den
* Hiftory, of Great Britain during the reign of
Queen Anne, Appendix, No. xxvii.
t Befides the aggrandizement and immenfe
riches bellowed on the Duke and in bis family k
¦perpetuity by Great Britain, and by the conti
nental powers, his known annual revenue arifinj
from the war amounted to above L. 54,000 per
annum ; and the Dutcheis. befides this, poffeffet
between L. 9000 and L. 10,000 per annum, in of
fices and government emoluments.

I7°7'] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 55
they confider, that they fhall foon defcend
to the fame level with many thoufands of
their fellow-creatures, whom they have
heenthe guilty inftruments of bringing down
thither, and that the faithful page of hiftory
fhall foon record, in other language than
' that of their flatterers, the character of
their moft admired exploits.
France, notwithftanding all their loffes, were
able to take the field with a very nume
rous army. And it is remarkable, that
nothing very de'cifive was atchieved by
the allies during this whole campaign.
The French Generals were able to avoid co
ming to clofe action, and much difappoint-
ment and mortification were endured by
the Duke and the army, who were kept
in the dark as much as the nation, refpedT:-
ing the propofitions for peace, with whom,
in confequence of this, the war ftill conti
nued to be popular.
March 23. They begin, now to talk
warmly of peace. I will feek nothing
nor wifh nothing, though I be weary e-
nough of campaigns, but what is for thy
gloiy, O Lord. Camps have been fweet
places to me. Though I hate the evil
company which prevail in camps, yet, hy
the prefence of God with me and the ron*

$6 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [if Of.
fing providences of war, Ihave never been ;
hetter as to grace than in campaigns.
26. This day fpent quietly in' conver
fation. I am generally diflatisfied with
the moft part of converfation. t find
nothing in it folid or edifying, .favouring
of grace, or adminiftering grace to the
hearer. April 6. Sabbath. Ihave been look- -
iftg over my diary of this time* twelve
month. I find juft the fame frame as -
now. I went out with no other ftock
but this, Trailing in- God and hoping in
his mercy ; indeed, I fhall never defire
to go out to a campaign in a better
frame. What was laft year at this time
matter of faith to me, is now matter of
praife, Ramillies, Dendermond, Aeth;
juft as Hochftedt was to me the year be
fore, fo are thefe to me at prefent; and
what is to me matter of faith now, fhall,
I hope, be at the end of the campaigff,
matter of praife.
May 10. This is the firft night of fet-
ting up my tent and lying in it — and now,
O Lord, make it a Bethel, a -comfortable
place, by thy own prefence. Thou haft
given me much of thy prefence in a camp

1 707.] COL. - BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 5 J
and in a tent. I devote myfelf to thee
nqw in the beginning of a campaign. I
know not what fhall be, or how it will go,
but I go out in thy ftrength.
1 1 . Sabbath.- M arching a long march,
and joined the great army ; but O fuch
a fpent Sabbath, and fuch company !
This is one of the greateft hardlhips of
my employment to be tied to fuch things.
In the morning, I had almoft forgot it
was a Sabbath, but recollected myfelf and
retired from company (I mean in my
thoughts) and ftrived to keep up a fpiri
tual habit of mind.
15. Marching a long march — afcorch-
ing hot day, very uneafy to the poor fol
diers. The French army is without their
lines, and we are marching up to them.
I blefs the Lord who ftill keeps in per-
fedl: peace ; trailing in him, I lean down
my head upon the well ordered covenant,
and go forth in thy ftrength.
24. I got a compliment from the Ge
neral, and thanks upon the head of the
regiment, that they eXercifed fo well, and
for my care ; but all this is the goodnefs
of God alone that gives me favour in the
fight of any ma n.

58 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [1707=.
25. Sabbath} I was invited to dine
abroad with a great man, but I fhunned
it, fearing temptations, company,- and
converfation unfuitable to a Sabbath,
When I do my beft, I cannot get lived
circumfpecSfly and tenderly, in this army
as I ought and would .fain do.
June a.. In the evening, we had one of
the fevereft ftorms I have ever feen, of.
hail, rain and wind ; moft of our tents
were beat down and torn, and the hol
low ways running as rivers* I obferved
what a poor creature man is, and if any
of the elements were let loofe upon us>,
how foon fhould we be reduced to our
firft nothing. O what a comfort to have
the God of nature to be our God in cove
nant with us.
Augufl 1. Marching in the afternoon,
and coming clofe to the enemy, fo that
there is all appearance of an action to
morrow. I depend upon thee, O God, for.
courage, for ftrength, for every thing. I
roll my dear wife upon thee alfo. Mercy
and goodnefs fhall follow us.
2. The day of Hochftet, a- day never'
to be forgot by me ; and this fame day-
Providence gave us the opportunity. ta>

*7°7-l COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 59
make it as glorious a day as that was,
but we had not the hearts to improve it.
We had crept up pretty near to the ene
my laft night, by ftealing*'a day's march
upon them, fo that they could not eafily
get off without a battle if we had" pufhed
them ; but we contented ourfelves by
making a bravado of attacking their rear
guard with the grenadiers, and'mifmana-
ged that too, fo that they got off free, to
our fhame. But it is fit that men com
mit miftekes and blunders, and weaknefs,
that we may fee men are but men. We
know of no other ways of working here
but great armies, but Omnipotence needs
none of thefe. An army of frogs or flies
is as good to him ; they can do more with
him than we can do without him. This
is the firft army juft now in the world,
and yet does the leaft ; perhaps this is
the reafon, We adore the arm of fiefh al
ways, and God will have men hum
bled. I was chagrined and uneafy all day
for the neglect of this opportunity, for
through God's afliftance I was very eager
to come to hand with them. I am of
opinion that we fecond Providence very

60 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [1707.
ill this year, for the French feem to be
a coward, frighted army ; and I have no
doubt but if we attacked them brifkly we
fhould beat them, but inftead of that we
feem afraid of them. This makes them
pluck, up their drooping fpirits again.
Their time is not yet fully come it feems,
and yet there is but one Prince Eu
gene in the world, and he is not every
where. 3. Sabbath. Marching all day, and
the worft day for the poor foldiers I have
feen ; it poured down a. heavy rain, and
the cavalry had fo broke the ways, that
the foldiers marched in clay and dirt to
the knees almoft the whole day for four
leagues, and there was hardly 100 of a
regiment with the colours at night. It
feemed to be heaven contending with us,
for I never faw the army fo harrafled.
8. Heard of a friend who died the
other day at Bruffels. He regretted that
he had mifpent and trifled away fo much
precious time, and that he had been fo
drawn away by company to tippling,
drinking, &c. O that others , would
learn and take warning, and all of W
fo learn to number our days as to

*7°7\] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 6 1
our hearts to wifdom, and to redeem
time. 10. Sabbath. And a Sabbath of reft,
which is a great mercy in a camp ; for
this day week was a fad day, liker a hell
than a Sabbath. Came to my knees this
morning with a fenfe of fin and pollution
of my heart and nature. My heart was
enlarged by faith to flee to Chrift for par
don and wafhing, feeing an infinite ful-
nefs in Chrift as a complete Saviour. My
heart Was alfo enlarged to truft him
cheerfully for the events, dangers and
actions of this campaign, which are yet
to come, believing that fo many events,
be it battles, or be it fieges, fhall be fo
many Ebenezers. I was earneft with
God, that with outward deliverances he
would bellow upon my wife and me,
hearts and grace to be more thankful, to
live to' his praife, and never to forget his
goodnefs. 19. Received the bad news of the
Duke of Savoy * raifing the fiege of
*
* The intention was, that the Duke' of Savoy
and Prince Eugene fhould pafs the Alps, and pene
trate into Provence, receive provifions and artillery
G

62 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [1707.
Toulon, which is very mortifying, for our
hopes were railed high, and probably the
taking it might have haftened peace ;
but Providence is not to be tied to our
little projects, but can work his ends by
ways and means which we think contra
ry. 20. Marching this day, and the French
marched alfo, fo we hardly expect to fee
them this campaign, but we know not
what may be.
2 1 . Refting this day, I went into Aeth
and viewed all our laft year's attacks, and.
from a Britifh fleet which was to fail up the Var, and
proceed from thence to deflroy Toulon, the great ar-
fenal of France. The fleet under the command of
Sir Claudefly Shovel accomplifhed their object in the
moft undaunted manner, but the Italian army did not
reach Toulon until great fupplies of provifions
and troops were thrown into that city, and ftrong
entrenchments and fortifications raifed to proteft
it. The emperor, bent on the conquefl of Na
ples, gave imperfect fupport to the expedition ; and
from all thefe caufes, it not only failed of fuccefs, but
produced great lofs to the army, who made good how-'
ever their retreat without fuftaining further injury,
after producing eonfiderable diftrefs in the enemy's
country . ,

1707-] C0L- BLACKADER'S* PAPERS.- 6$
with thankfulnefs remembered .my Ebe-
nezer which I fet up at the fiege.
22. I went out this afternoon round
the town where our trenches had been,,
and particularly that fap in the counter
fcarp where I was the 19th of Septem
ber*, and had fuch exercife of fpirit, and
met with fuch providences as I fhall ne
ver forget. Mercy and judgment !_ I
put up thankful ejaculations of praife this
day in remembrance.
Sept. 3. In town all day. At night,
my dear wife came to town, and we had
a comfortable meeting, with the blefling
of God, I hope, and mercy to us both.
Lord, make us thankful.
4. Getting an alarm of part of the army
marching, and of the appearance of action,
I went out to the camp, eafy, trailing in
God. The French did not meddle with
out foragers or efcort, and fo there was
no action.
5. Somewhat difcompofed this morning
by the humours of men ; but I commit
i
* See above, p. 5 1;— relation of his efcape when
returning from- the trenches at the counterfcarp of -
Ae.h.

64 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [1.70^.
all my ways to God. I went into town,.
and brought out my wife to my cottage
here in the camp. O Lord, thy bleffing
and prefence be with us, and this cottage
fhall be a palace.
October 18. I am like a fpeckled bird
among moft of the officers of the army,,
but if it be for righteoufnefs fake that I
am reproached, ha.ted, or ill fpokeu of, I
defire to efleeni myfelf happy ; for really
it is a better fign to have the ilL-will and.
hatred of moft of this array, thaji their
love and good-will.
20. This forenoon fet apart for fecret
and joint prayer between us. W$
marched into our garrifoa. The Lord
has preferved my out- goings and in-co-
mings, and foflow.ed me with mercy and
gopdnefs through this campaign, and
brought me fafe back..
29. I refolve ftill to be more fpiritual,
and to have more intercourfe with Hea
ven in the mid-It of my bufinefs.
November 3. Serene and cheerful all
day. I blefs the Lord for his goodnefs.
to me, that 1 live fo eafy, that my bu.fi- '
nefs is but as a diverfion, when many are
toiled from morning to night in gaining a

I-7°7-] C0L- BLACKADER'S PAPERS J 6$,
poor livelihood, and I have fo much
time. Lord, give me grace to improve it
better, and that I may be more fpiritual-
ly-minded. Dec 2. Left Ghent to-day, commit
ting ourfelves to the care and conduct of*
kind Providence. v
3. Got a fpeedy and eafy paffage be
yond our expectation, and arrived at Rot
terdam at night.
31. I blefs the Lord for our .quiet and
comfortable living here in the winter out
of many fnares and temptations which
we fhould be expofed to in our garrifon.
It is like coming into harbour after be->
ing tofled at fea in a ftorm.

G3

66 SELECT PASSAGES FROM 1_1 7°8.

1708.
March xo. Got orders to be in readi-
nefs to march for embarking, in confe
quence of hearing that the French fleet
had failed, notwithftanding our fleet
being fo ftrong ; but armies and fleets
are but broken reeds when we truft too
much to them.
11. We fet apart this morning and
forenoon for prayer and feeking of God
in this melancholy and threatening af-
pect of affairs.
. 15. At a court-martial this forenoon.
I blefs God who gave me grace to efcape
a fnare there, which by my fimplicity and
weaknefs I might have fallen into. I am
indebted to free grace alone, having no
thing in myfelf. The whole of yefterday
I was ferious and earneft in feeking more
of the Spirit of God, and complaining of
the want of it ; but I fee that when real
neceifities prefs, and I really want it, then
he beflows it upon me.
20. Heard great and good news to
day, that our fleet has beat and totally
deftroyed the French fleet upon the coaft

1708.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 6j
of Scotland *. If this be true, I confefs
I am in a great miflake about this provi
dence, and the defign of it. I did not at
all think it likely that Providence had
fet out the Prince of W. f and the French
fleet, and taken all rubs out of their way,
and blafted all attempts on our fide to
oppofe them, and this to bring them
to the coaft of Scotland to be immediate
ly beaten there. I was of opinion that he
might be fent there to be a fcourge for a
while to that ifland, but we are blind
creatures and know nothing. When we
are expecting God to come one way he
comes in another. He acts fovereignly, of
ten difappointing our expectation. When
* This relates to an expedition which failed from
Dunkirk for the purpofe of making a defcent on the
coaft of Scotland. The force was very eonfidera
ble, and it arrived in the mouth of the Firth of
Forth on the 13th of March, but having received in
telligence of a very formidable fleet under the com
mand of jir George Byng in purfuit of them, they de-
ferted their purpofe. The Englifh fleet only captured
the Salifbury man of war, which had formerly been
taken by the French, and the reft of their fleet got
fafely back to Dunkirk. The apprehenfions concern
ing this expedition extended over the whole nation.
f The Pretender, fon to James II. »

68 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [1708.
we expect him in a way of mercy, he;
fometimes comes in a way of judgment;
and when we expect judgments, he of
ten comes in mercy. I am very glad to
be difappointed this way. But now,
Lord, unlefs thou give a fpirit of grace
and repentance, all thefe mercies will be
loft upon us, for we frequently ufe thine
own mercies to fight againft thee, they
fwell us with pride andinfolent boafting;
G Lord, get glory to thyfelf, and let not
man rob thee of it.
22. By this day's news our great hopes
are yanifhed into fmoke. The great vic
tory which we thought fo fure, amounts
only to the taking of one fhip. I dread-*
ed we \yere triumphing before the victo
ry- 24. Moft people are of opinion the
danger is now over ; I wifh it may be fo,
and hope it is fo. I confefs I was expect
ing confufion and war in Britain ; per
haps a melancholy caft of mind leads far
ther into fuch thoughts than I am aware. f
But feveral good men who walk clofe;
with God believe that troubles are await
ing Britain, and thefe by the French*

1708.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 69
But God's ways are not as ours, nor his
thoughts as ours.
April 21. I am fure I am one of thofe
men in the world ' who owe leaft to my
own conduct and management, and moft
to the goodnefs and kind providence of
God. Lord, make me thankful, and give
me thy blefling with all my enjoy
ments. 29. Got orders in the morning to go
upon command for a week. I am rather
troubled .at this, for it is the moft terrible
to me of all my employment to be chain
ed as it were in hell fo long. I could
cheerfully undergo the fatigues and dan
gers of our trade to be free of that dread
ful company who are the fcum of the
ea^th ; but I am not to chufe my own
lot, thy will be done.
Going out in the afternoon, I found
that which I feared was come upon me,
for I had the fcum of the garrifon and of
the earth along with me, both officers
and foldiers, moft abominable vermin
whom my foul abhors. O Lord, how
long fhall I dwell among men whofe
tongues are fet on fire of hell ! O whea
wilt thou deliver me out of this horrid

70 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [1708"%
noife of tongues ? All night in hurry and
confufion. 30. Marching all day. Was troubled
with feveral occurrences, and not know
ing what courfe to take. Frequently in
fuch junctures ; my mind is fo confufed
I cannot pray to a throne of grace with-
any diftinct thought or ferene mind. O
thou who leadeft the blind by the way
which they know not, wilt thou lead and
direct me in thy way ? I find alfo, to
the praife of free grace, that I amwell
guided when I truft in God.
May 1. This has been one of the worft
days ever I have had in this employment.
My mind was chaffed and vexed all the
day with villany and abominations of all
forts, both againft the laws of God and
man. Curling, fwearing, drunkennefs,
robbing, thieving, mutiny, &c. I made
fome fevere examples of punifhment, but
was badly alfifted by fome officers, who
rather encouraged the villains ; fo that I
believe I fhall not be fo well liked amongr
'many of the Englifh, but I fhall be glad
to be hated by fuch. I fhould be bad
enough before fuch beings would love me.
O Lord, thou who knowefl my heart,.

1708.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 7 1
knoweft that a battle would not be fo
terrible to me as this day has been, but
thou feeft this trial needful for me. Ar
riving at Willebrook in the afternoon, I
was.fomewhat relieved from the fad com
pany, by getting conveniency to live by
myfelf in peace and quietnefs.
2. A Sabbath of reft, for which I praife
the Lord. Poured out my foul before
the Lord for relief from this fituation.
4. Marching homeward, my mind more
ferene than it has been fince I came out.
Retired frequently from my party, by ri
ding before from the noife of their
tongues, for prayer and meditation.
9. I blefs the Lord for this Sabbath of
reft before we go out to the campaign. I
know not when I fhall get another. I
go out trailing in thee alone, O Lord, and
hoping in thy mercy. Through grace I
am not afraid for dangers or battles ;
through thee I fhall do valiantly. I am
more afraid of the fnares and fin of the
wretched company I muft be chained to;
but thy grace, O Lord, can make me
-efcape that pollution.- I cheerfully leave
my deareft/ concern upon thee, that we
'fhall yet fet up our Ebenezer, and that

<7 2 SELECT PASSAGES tKuivi [1708.
thou wilt compafs us about with fongs $
deliverance. Thou haft done great
things for us, thou canft do ftill greater
things. If we can believe, all things are
poflible. Lord, we believe, help our un
belief. 10. I blefs the Lord I never went out
of garrifon more ferene, trailing in God.
I commit myfelf and my dear wife, and
all my concerns to thee. Ebenezer !
15. Marching. This irregular camp
way of living is a pleafure to many, but
it is a moft unpleafant, hateful life to me,
and only becaufe of the evil company it
chains me to ; otherwife I would like it
very well : for I blefs God I keep my
health well, and, through grace, I am no
way afraid of the dangers to which this
way of living expofes me. Nay, I would
with pleafure fight a battle to-morrow, if
I thought it would put an end to this
war, and this fad way of living. 0
Lord, I truft in thee, come what will.
23, Sabbath. And a fad Sabbath, both
by fatigue and bad company — marching
all day in the middle of an Englifh array.
I need fay no more to give a notion what
a hell on earth is. It was a fore day for

I708.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 73
fatigue, for we marched all yefterday, all
the night and all the day ; had a conftant
heavy rain moft of the time, which made
the roads very bad, and the march very
tedious. Sometimes we took four hours
in marching half a mile. I was thirty
hours on horfeback, which is the longeft
time ever I was in my life, either the laft
war or this. I know not how things will
turn,but I think there are appearances of a
battle, for the French feem not to fhun
it much, if we be very keen in courting
the occafion, as we ftill pretend to be.
Lord, I commit myfelf and all to thee, and
through grace will be very eafy, come
what thou pleafeft to fend. ,
• 26. This day was kept, by public or
ders, through the army for preaching and
prayers for fuccefs to our arms this cam
paign. O Lord, grant the Englifh army
may not be found mocking, thee, and ag
gravating their own guilt on fuch occa-
fions, when there is not fo much as the
appearance of ferioufnefs, or that they be
lieve there is a God who can either give
fuccefs or mar it. I retired as much as
poflible from company, and. we had fer-
mon. O Lord, let me be among the
H

74 SELECT PASSAGES FROM, [170.8.
Lots that are in this Sodom, whom thou
wilt fpare in the day of thy wrath.
29. Attending a review of the army.
We are a great army if God be with us;
¦but if he be not, we are but fo many cy
phers. June 1. Attending a court martial all
the forenoon, which is a very unpleafant
part of my duty, profecuting a deferter
for his life, yet I have peace of mind
in this affair, for I pardoned this man
once before for defertion. Now provi
dence has caft him in the way again. I
know not what is in it, but all God's ways
are holy and juft ; he brings men's fins to
light, and malefactors to punifhment
when they are leaft thinking on it, and
when men punifh for one Crime, he., of
ten difcovers other crimes in them, for
which fentence of death has pafled againft
them in heaven.
24. We marched this morning at two
o'clock, the enemy alfo being upon their,
march. We came within fight of them
about four or five in the evening, and they
advanced as if they defigned a battle,
We took poft, as the Generals thought, to
the beft advantage, and lay aj our arms
all night, having orders to be ready in the

I708.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 75
morning for a battle, and that the French
are to attack us. I commit myfelf and
all to God. I flee to the chambers of his
attributes, his omnipotence, loVe and
faithfulnefs, to fhelter myfelf there. I
believe, he can keep me in perfect peace
and fafety as well in a battle as in
my chamber. I rely alfo on thee, O
Lord, for courage and grace to do my
duty. 25. When the light appeared this
morning, we found the enemy were
marched off, and that their defign was not
to fight, but to give us the go-by, and
poflefs themfelves of Ghent, which they
have done *. I commit my dear concern
there to thee, O Lord. Keep her in per
fect peace, trailing in thee, for we fhall
yet praife thee.
26. Refting this day. There is great
appearance of adtion fuddenly. O Lord,
I beg of thee'fanctifying grace to purify ,
my heart, for this marching and conti-
* This was effecrled by ftratagem. A few French
foldiers pretending to defert, obtained admiflion into
the town, and having been followed by others, foon
got poffeflion of the place, chiefly in confequence of
the inhabitants being well difpofed to receive them.

• j6 -_ SELECT PASSAGES EROM [1708.
nual expofure to evil company defiles my
foul. Blefled Lord Jefus, pardon my fin,
and wafh my foul in thy own precious
blood. 27. Sabbath. Concerned about the
prefent pofture of affairs, and fomewhat
anxious about my dear concern at Ghent;
but I truft her to a good God, who has
been kind to us all our life.
28. Marched at two in the morning, a
tedious march. We camped about three
hours in the evening fqj? a feint, and thea
we marched all night, which was great fa
tigue to the army. Our miftakes and-.
weaknefs give us this trouble. What a
vain thing is man, the wifdom and cou
rage of man ! He who one day performs:
great actions, and extolled as more,, than-
man, is the other guilty of great blunders,
and as much decried. We have ftill a
profpect of fudden action if the enemy
defend what they have got.
29. A fatiguing march, to retrieve
our paft miftake. Palled the Den-
der. In all probability it will be retrie
ved, and that the French will quit what
they have got ; and I fee little elfe in it
but a French gafconade. All is vanity!

I708.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 77
30 *. This day is another great Ebe-
nezer of my life to be added to Hoch-
ftet, Ramillies, &c. never to be forgotten.
We have fought the enemy, and by the
great mercy of God beat them, 1 blefs /
God he fupplied me with every thing I
wanted upon fuch occafions. I praife'
him for the courage and refolution he
gave me, arid for a calm mind. All is
his gift.
The battle began about five in the af
ternoon, and lafted till night put a fcreen
of darknefs betwixt us and them, and
thereby faved them, in all proba
bility, from as great a defeat as ever
they got. The battle came by furprife,
for we had no thought of fighting through
the day. My frame was more ferene and
fpiritual through the day than ordinary.
My thoughts ran much upon the ciii.
* This was the battle at Oudenard, a town fituated'
on the Schelde, in Flanders, thirteen miles fouth of
Ghent, and the fame diftance North Weft of Aeth.
The Eleftor of Hanover,, afterwards George the
ift, and the Pretender, both commanded in the oppofite
armies. The lofs of the Freneh was very great, faid
to have been 9800 taken prifoners, 4200 killed and;
wounded, and 2400 deferters; The allies loft about
1000 killed, and above 200 wounded.
H3

78 SELECT PASSAGES FROM I.I708.
Pfalm, which I fung frequently upon the
march. Our regiment was not properly en
gaged in attacking; but, which was worfe,
we were obliged to ftand in cold blood,
expofed to the enemy's fhot, by which
we had feveral killed and wounded, for
there was heavy firing for about two-
hours. I was fometimes engaged in prayer,
fometimesin praife, fometimes for the pub
lic, fometimes for myfelf.
July 1. We lay all night upon the field
of battle, where the bed of honour was
both hard and cold, but we paft the night
as well as the groans of dying men
would allow us, being thankful for our
ptefervafion. I was mercifully fupplied
with the comforts of life, and wanted no
thing good for me. We marched again
by break of day and formed our lines, the
enemy making ftill fome appearance, but
it was only their rear-guard whichwas
eafily repulfed, fo we returned to our
camp. I went again though the field of
battle receiving a lecture on mortality
from the dead.
3. Marching towards Tounlay.
4. Marching toward Lifle. We are
got within the enemy's lines, and they

I708.]: COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS J 79
have fhut up themfelves fo, that their ar
my feems to run the rifk of being loft if
we act vigoroufly. Lord, give courage
and conduct, elfe we will blunder the af
fair. 5. Employed in demolifhirig the French
lines. 6. There are ftrange turns of provi
dence this campaign. The French are
got into our country and we are in theirs.
They are clofed up by the canal, fo that
they are in danger by remaining there,
and while they are there we can do no-'
thing here. O Lord, direct and guide
our General, and thy prefence be with us;
then canals, ramparts, walls, &c. like the
walls of Jericho, fhall become as plains.
Let this be the time in thy wife and
holy providence, to unriddle that dark
providence, the French tyrant. Wafle
him as he has wafted thy church, get
glory upon him as thou didft upon Pharaoh;
for this caufe I truft thou haft raifed him
up. 7. My deareft concern is now in the
midft of enemies *, yet fhe is kept fafe,
* At Ghent.

8 a SELECT PASSAGES FROM [1708,
and in peace. They are chained and re-
ftrained as the lions in Daniel's den, that
they can do no harm, yea, they are made
to befriend and protect when we expected
they would plunder. Let others take this
from their generofity , or from chanee.I take-
all fuch mercies from thee, O Lord. Thy
promife is accomplifhed, that when a man's
ways pleafe the Lord, he maketh even his
enemies to be at peace with him, — and
who fhall harm you if ye be followers of that
which is good ? Enlarged in prayer for
the downfall of the French tyrant, and of
antichrift. O let the time come when
thou wilt avenge the blood of thy fer-
vants. Let the cry of ' the fouls under
the altar* come up and be heard by thee.
Let all this great aflembly know that the
battle is the Lord's, and that he faves not
by fword or by fpear.
8. This day kept as a thankfgiving for
our victory, and a feu de joy at night.
14. Got orders to march from the ar
my. I commit all to thee, O Lord, thou .
art my God and guide. We decamped
at three in the afternoon and marched all
night. 15. Marching all this day alfo. We
* Rev. vi. o.

I708.] dOL. BLACKADER'S- PAPERS. 8 1
have been full twenty-four hours un
der arms, and the horfes as long under
their loads-. There was appearance of
action, but it came to nothing.
17. We marched at twelve, and next-
morning at fix came to Lens. We are
pretty far advanced into the enemy's coun
try, much further than either laft war or
this. 18. Sabbath. Dining in company. I
wifh I had rather dined on bread and
water than been in converfation fo fo
reign to a Sabbath.
23. Marched this day back to our
camp, and fo our expedition ends. It is
certain we might have done more than
we have done.
Augufl 1. A fad Sabbath. We are fo
far from knowing a Sabbath, or feeing any
marks of it here, that it is more like hell
that day than on any other, the incarnate
devils in the army rage more on it than
on any other. Oh ! how long fhall I
dwell in the tents of wickednefs.
8. The army was drawn out in the morn
ing to review before the. Prince of Heffe
and. King Auguftus of Poland. This is
the firft time that I recollect of our re-

82 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [1708.
viewing on Sabbath for twenty years paft.
Lord, pardon this fin.
12. Marched over the Scheld. There
will be an action *gain if the enemy at
tempt to relieve Lifle.
23. I went this day to the fiege, into
the trenches. The French have come
up clofe to us, and give out that they
will fight us and relieve the town, fo that
there is all appearance of battle, and like
to be the moft deliberate one we have
ever fought. O Lord, let the fruit of all
be the advancement of thy honour and
glory, and the kingdom of our Lord Jefus
Chrift. 31. Employed'all this forenoon in per
fecting our trenches. At two o'clock the
enemy appeared marching toward us.
The army took arms, and took their polls
behind their retrenchments. About four
the enemy had raifed a battery of twenty-
fix pieces of fmall cannon, and played
upon our lines, but with little effect.
Sept. 1. We lay at our arms all night,
expecting they would attack us by break
of day, but we were difappointed, for they
only continued to canonade us as the day
before.

I708.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 83
7. Marching this day. The fiege *
proves very tedious and troublefome, and
the French army have got between us
and Bruffels.
11 f. Ordered on command this after
noon with 400 grenadiers to go upon fome
attack at the fiege. Committed myfelf
to God. This is no furprife to me, as I
have been laying my account with it ; for
fince the commencement of the fiege
(though our regiment was not there) yet
I have had conftant impreffions that I
fhould havea fhare of fome attack or other
before it ended. So it is God who com
mands me there. I take the command
from him, and not the Brigade Major.
* Of Lifle, the capital of French Flanders, and the
key on that fide to France. The fiege of the city laft-
ed three months, and the citadel held out two months
longer. It coft the allies 12000 men.
f This is one of the moft remarkable paffages of
the diary, and relates to events which were ever af
ter deeply impreffed upon the mind of the writer, and
frequently referred to by him. Ample accounts of
them are to be found in the hiftorians of the time, who
highly celebrate the bravery of thofe engaged in them.
See, in particular, Lediard's Life of Marlborough,
vol. ii. p. 3 20. and Tindal's Continuation of Rapin,
vol. xxiii. p. 55, &c. Edit. 1745.

84 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [1708.
We were fo late in arriving at the fiege
that the attack is delayed till to-morrow,
and we are fent to Marquett Cloyfter to
lodge all night. We lay down upon the
beds prepared for the foldiers who fhall
be wounded upon the attack, and proba
bly by to-morrow at this time, many of
us may be lying here, groaning by wounds
and broken bones.
12. Sabbath. Serious all the morning
in view of the hot and dangerous fervice
we are to be employed in at night. Com
mitting myfelf to God. We have got
our orders to attack the counterfcarp. I
went into one of the chambers of the
cloyfter alone, took out my Bible, and
read over feveral comfortable ' promifes,
fuch as Jofhua i. 9. 2 Sam. viii. 6. 14.
1 Chron. v. 20. Pfal. xviii. xxxii. 7, 8.
Ix. 12. Ifa. xl. 29, ao, 31. xii. 10. 13, 14.
xliii. to the 5th. I fung the xci. Pfalm.
When I had done, and was walking up
and down, I caft my eyes upon the chim
ney piece ; there was a coat of arms, and
the motto was Deus fortitudo mea*. I held
to that, was ftrengthened, and encoura
ged myfelf in the Lord.
* God is my ftrength.

1708.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 85
We marched into the trenches about
twelve o'clock. There my thoughts were
not fodiftinct, being fatigued — and my fpi-
rits diifipated. Went up and down to
fee where our attack was to be. Prince
Alexander of Wurtemburg came in about
four, made the difpofition, and gave
us our orders. When he polled me, he
defired me to fpeak to the grenadiers, and
tell them that the Duke of Marlborough
and Prince Eugene expected they would
do as they had always done, chace the
French, and that it was better to die there
than to make a falfe ftep.' I anfwered, " I
hope we fhall all do our duty," fo he fhook
hands with me and went away.
Near feven, the fignals being given, by
all our cannon and bombs going off toge
ther, I gave the word upon the right,
Grenadiers, in the name of God attack .'
So they fprung over the trenches, and
threw their grenades into the counter
fcarp, but they fell into fome confufion. I
then ordered out fifty more to fuftain them,
and went out myfelf, and in a little time
got a fhot in my arm. I felt the bone
was not broken, and all the reft of the of
ficers being wounded, I thought it my du-
I

86 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [1708.
ty to flay to encourage the grenadiers to
keep their warm poft. About a quarter of
an hour afterwards, the fire continuing very
hot, I got another fhot in the head; I then
thought it was time to come off. But thefe
fhots were fo mercifully directed that there
is not a bone broken, and I ftill fay. not
withftanding thefe two wounds, that
God put a hedge round about me, and
gave his angels charge over me. The
nice ordering of the bullets to touch there;
and go no deeper, is to me a clear proof
of it, and that he only wounds, to
make me a monument of great mercy and
kindnefs. I had great difficulty in getting out of
the trenches in three hours. I was mer
cifully provided with a good bed, a
houfe, and good company. I refted well,
though my wound broke out and bled
during the night.
13. Moft of the day our kind officers
were vtftting me. I wrote to my dear
concern. .The Lord fupport and comfort
her, and make her thankful for God's
goodnefs to me.
14. I rode in to Menin in very good

I708.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. &7'
health, and very eafy. O how great is
the Lord's goodnefs to me, for moft of the
officers who were with me are lying groan
ing with broken bones. Have good quar
ters, an excellent phyfician and expert
furgeon ; but, Lord, be thou my phyfician
thyfelf. 17. Was ferit to vifit an officer who
was on the attack with me, who is lying
in great torment, and very weak. O how
thankful ought I to be, that God deals fo
tenderly with me.
1 3. Sent for again to fee this gentle
man, but he died before T reached him.
Lord, be a God and a father to his poor
wife and children.
29. There are more of our officers come
in wounded at this late action down the
country, where God's goodnefs has been
very great to us in giving us victory,,
though they were more than two to one,
and he., has been merciful to our regi
ment. There is not a man killed or
wounded" who was with the regiment ex
cept one officer who had his finger fhot
through. 21. My wound is not painful, confider-
ing the place where it is, thcelbow^where^

8.8 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [1708.
the roots of the tendons and ligaments of
the hand and fingers are collected.
24. Senfible of the power of fin and a
body of death. Still it haunts me, in health
and ficknefs, every where. O Lord, fanc
tify and blefs this providence to me ; let
the fruit be to purge away fin.
25. Was calm and eafy through the
day, but had more pain in my wound than
I have had for feveral days, for they have
made a fmall incifion and enlarged the
wound in my head left matter fhould
lodge about it, and becaufe it runs more
than they would have it. The Lord deals
very tenderly with me, for my pain is ve
ry tolerable and eafy.
26. Sabbath. All night and all this
day nothing but noife and hurry of march
ing. The army marching through
this town, going down the country to
wards Bruges. Probably there may be
an action in a few days. O Lord, be on
our fide.
Oil. 2. Lord, fanctify thy providence to
many poor creatures, officers and foldiers,!
who are lying here under thy hand,
wdunded. O the goodnefs of God to me
that I recover fo well, and have fo little'

r708i] COL. BLACKADER^ PAPERS. 89
pain, confidering, by the wound in my
arm, feveral tendons are broken and
bruifed, yet I have the ufe of my hand
and fingers as well as I could defire.
5. Was calm and ferene laft night.
Put out of order by a difmal melancho
ly object in the fame houfe with me —
a poor gentleman who is wounded, and
'has gone perfectly mad and furious, for
ced to be tied. He blafphemes God in
his fits, and is a'moft terrible inftance of;
the judgment of God;
. 6. This poor creature grows worfe and ¦
worfe, tears up all his wounds, continues ¦
to blafpheme, and is likely to die fo — it
is a dreadful fpectacle.
12. I was in pain and trouble all night
by the toothach till the morning that
God in mercy directed me to the ufe of
means which have eafed me. I take this
as much from God as if he had healed me
with his hand, as Chrift, did in the days of
his flefh on earth to poor finners.^
13., God is the hearer of prayer, he
heals the difeafes and diftempers both of
foul and body. I have had fweet experi
ence of both — He fweetens my temper
by his grace into a thankful contented
13

£0 SELECT PASSAGES FROM I17O&.
frame, and he eafes the pains of my
body. 19. Bleffed be the Lord who isftillthe
hearer of prayer, a God who pardons fin,
and who does not keep up a controverfy
againft a finner who returns to him.
Nov. 6. My wounds being now perfect
ly cured, I begin to think of returning to
the regiment. Sought counfel and direc
tion from God about it. I think it is my
duty. Should I be afraid to go back to
Lifle, where I have one of the greateft.
Ebenezers of my life, where the Lord has
fo wonderfully preferved me, and put fuch
fongs of praife in my mouth, and compaf-
fed me about with fuch fongs of deliver
ance ? I go, trailing to thy promife, " I
will never leave thee nor forfake thee,"
and as for my weaknefs to endure fatigue
and cold,. I'll truft to that promife, Ifa. xl.
2-9- 3°. 31- .
13. Went to Lifle.
14. Our regiment got fudd-en orders to
march away. There is a great appear
ance of action. O Lord, be on our fide.
15. I went out in *he afternoon and
viewed the breach in this town, and the:
place where I got my wounds.

1708.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 9 1
16. The goodnefs of God to me is very
great. It was by his«great mercy that I
'was not killed or wounded to-day, by a
ball from the citadel *, while walking in
the ftreet where I apprehended no dan
ger. The ball juft pafled me and battee-
> ed upon the wall at my fide. They mark
at officers. O Lord, let me not forget thy
mercy. I would have had no peace to
have been wounded in this way, where 1
had no call.
17. Our good news is confirmed! The
French have made but little oppofition to
us in palling the Schelde.
• 18. The regiment came into the town
this evening.. The fuccefs we have got
is the Lord's doing, and wonderful in our
eyes. The French have been foitifying
thefe polls upon the Schelde for two
months, and had made them fo ftrong that
they boafted they would ftarve us, yet
the Lord had fo taken heart and hand
from them that they fuffered us to pafs,
at all the places we attempted, without
oppofition. 20. _ I went out in the afternoon alone,
* Of Lifle, which ftill held out.

92 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [1708;
to the place where I got my wounds, and
defired to offer up the facrifice of praife
to God for my merciful deliverance,
with a thankful heart. O Lord, give me
more grace, elfe. I fhall foon forget all thy
mercies. 24 *. Kept as a day of thankfgiving
and joy in the army, for beating the
French from the Schelde and relieving
* To impede the operations of the allies againft :
Lijle, the French had inundated the country between -•
Bruges and Newport, and had ftrongly intrenched the •
oppofite bank of the ScheMe. The Eleftor of Bava
ria at fame time marched a large body of troops to- ¦
wards Bruffels. This rendered it neceffary for the al
lies to crofs the Schelde to proteft it. The Eleclor*
was compelled to raife the fiege with very great lofs, .
by the brave refiftance of the garrifon under General '¦
Pafcal the Governor. The allied army under the
Duke arrived in Bruffels after that event, though their
addrefs, afliduity, and bravery, and their fafety in do-'
ing fo it is probable, greatly contributed towards that '
important event. They fpeedily however, returned :
to the fiege of the citadel of Lifle, which furrendered, ,
as the Colonel mentions below, on the 27th of Oclober, .
O. S. though a fortrefs of prodigious ftrength, con
structed by the famous engineer Vauban. It was
quickly followed by the reduction of Ghent, the
abandonment of Bruges, and the retreat of the enemy ;•
within their, own territories.

I708.] COL BLACKADER'S PAPERS. $3
Bruffels. The Duke never fails to give
thanks after victory. But thefe things
are mocked and ridiculed in our army. I
ufually obferve that the greateft Atheifts
among us, defpond moft, and are moft
funk when things go crofs.
27. This morning we were furprifed
with the agreeable account that the
citadel had hung out the white flag, and
they are capitulating. We did not ex
pect it fo foon. God is very kind to us,
his providences have been wonderfully fa
vourable to us this campaign. This is
taken notice of even by the gracelefs
creatures in the army.
.30. Left Lifle. I defire to be very
thankful for the goodnefs and mercy I
have met with in this place.
Dec. iz Left Courtray — providence or
dering an efcort jolt for my purpofe. I
viewed the field of battle at Oudenard.
I fet up my Ebenezers here. O let me
never forget thy goodnefs to me. Still I
find much ftrength of fin and corruption.
Lord, fanctify and purify my foul by- thy
grace. I flee to thee.
2. Continuing my journey from Oude
nard to Aloft, which proved a tedious one,

§4 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [1708.
for we went off our way. It was fo late
when we arrived at Aloft, we were almoft
obliged to lie in the flreets, the town be
ing full — at laft we got lodgings in a fol-
dier's houfe : I praife God for it.
3. Arrived at Dendermond.
5. Came to Antwerp.
8. Arrived at Rotterdam.
12. Sabbath. I blefs thee, 0 Lord,
who haft in thy mercy brought me back
to the Scots church in Rotterdam.
15. v How mercifully does God deal with
me, who has brought me here where I
live at eafe, while the army is undergoing
fo much fatigue and trouble at the fiege
of Ghent.

I709.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 95

1709:
Note. — The campaign of this year was very
late in its beginning on account of a nego-
ciation for peace, which was long carried
on by the powers at war. This, however,
after very promifing appearances proved
abortive, and the operations of the cam
paign commenced with the fiege of Tour-
nay, the ftrongeft town in French Flanders,
which furrendered after a fiege of three
weeks.
March 9. 1 obferve that as to our go
ing up to Flanders, providence feemed to
point at feveral ways of our going, and
has ftill difappointed thefe again, and flop
ped us. Well, I hope it was all in mer
cy- 14. This day we left Rotterdam for
Flanders; and we arrived at Ghent the
17th. No fooner had we left the water
than a great ftorm -came on, which conti
nued all night. O the goodnefs of God
to us !
May 15. I was taking a review of the
laft campaign. God has been the hearer
of prayer to me, both for the public and

g6 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [1709*
myfelf. The hope of peace encreafes.
O Lord, fend peace and truth together.
28. Now the peace is blown up. I was
very ferious this morning in the view of
launching out again into new ftorms of
temptations and fnares in a campaign. I
had entertained fome hopes that I fhould
not dwell' any more in the tents of wicked-
riefs ; but the will of the Lord be done.
June 14. We marched laft night at eight
o'clock, and continued all night till four
o'clock this afternoon. We are much
furprifed and difappointed this march, for
we believed all the night that we were
marching ftraight to attack the French ar
my, or to take fome pafs upon themTfo as to
oblige them to move and quit their ftrong
intrenchments, but inftead of that we are
marched ftraight to Tournay" and inveft-
ing it to befiege it.
20. This morning again vexed with the
immorality aad fcandals committed by
fome in the fociety. I immediately pu-
nifhed them fo far as the military law al
lows. I know I got a great, deal of ill
will among many of tb-: officers for this
way of dealing, but I will glory in it. I
blefs God I hate no man's perfon, it is on-

I7O9.3 COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 97
ly their vices. Lord give me zeal for thee,
and let not paffion or humour, or any
thing of felf, mix with it. I went in the
afternoon to view Tournay with fome
company, pretty near their guards, and
they fired fome cannon at us.
30. This day twelve- month was the
battle of Oudenard, a day never to be
.forgotten by me.
July 1. This day quietly fpent about
the regiment — was too late in company,
and falling hot in debate and difpute.
O when fhall I enjoy the blefling of good
company that may do me good and not
evil. I defire now in every debate to
be found on the fide of truth, religion,
and virtue. Long ago I ufed to difpute,
pro and con, for argument's fake, but it is
not right.
8. I went this evening into the trench
es. I praife the Lord who preferved me.
On the one hand I defire not to value
my life more, or to think dangers great
er than they are, but on the other hand,
I would not let mercies and deliverances,
even from the fmalleft dangers, pafs ftu-
pidly without taking any notice of them.
20. This day I have taken home an
K

*p8 SELECT. PASSAGES FROM LI709.
old fervant who has been wandering
through Spain, Portugal, and France,
rthefe five years ; providence has at laft
brought him back like the prodigal
ion. Lord, blefs it for both our good.
To-day we are mailers of Tournay, and
sthey are going to put on new regiments
to the fiege of the citadel, which will pro
bably bring the fiege of next town to our
door. I defire not to be anxious about
any of thefe things. Nothing falls out
by chance. No general can fend me any -
where till providence fign the order. If
I go to a fiege, it is God who fends me
there, and I'll truft in him.
24. This day is appointed by public
orders as a day of thankfgiving for the re
duction of Tournay.
Aug. 9. We were reviewed by thefe ,
two great men, the Duke of Marlborough
and Prince Eugene. All went very well.
Our regiment appeared in good order and
full. 12. T dined this day with fuch compa
ny that I would rather have fed on
bread and water in a dungeon — fo much
idle, filthy language.
23. This day the citadel capitulated.
.24. We marched" this morning at-three

fJO()J[ COL BLACKADER'S PAPERS; Q§
o'clock. We know not where we are go
ing, fome fay to befiege Mons *, others
fay, to their lines. I commit all' to God.
A wet day and night. I was ill accom
modated, lying in a foldier's tent, wet and
cold ; but I have- reafon to be thankful
for the good accommodation I' have had
Hitherto, all this campaign.
26. After a long march we are encamp-.-
ed" near Mons.
27. We were expecting to have refted
this day and prepared for the fiege, but
We got fudden orders to march, the French
army appearing near to us on their march,
fo we expect to come vt0 an action. O
Lord, I commit myfelf and all to thee.
We lie upon our arms all night, expect
ing a battle to-morrow. I am no way
afraid, thou art the Lord of Hofts, and
thou art my God and my Father.
2&» Sabbath. We marched all this
morning in line, and in order of battle.
I blefs God I was ferene and eafy — but^
about ten o'clock we got notice that the
French were gone again, and that their
* The capital of the province of Hainault, which ;
Was really- the objeft of the allies.

I0O SELECT PASSAGES FROM [1.7O9..
defign was not to fight. I was uneafy at
this as a difappointment.
29. We marched fuddenly, the enemy
being near. In the afternoon they came
in view, and our line of battle was form
ed. They are in ftrong ground. They
rajfed batteries and played upon us with
their cannon. There was not a place in
the whole line fo much expofed as where
our regiment and two or three more flood,
and we had eonfiderable lofs. Many a
cannon ball came very near me, but he
gave his angels charge over me. Thou-
art my fhield and buckler ! This I
traded in, and repeated feveral times, when
I faw the cannon balls coming ftraight to
wards me, as I thought, but the goodnefs
of God let none of them touch me. This
night was an unpleafant, uneafy night to
our regiment ; they have wanted bread
thefe five days, and are faint. It was a
cold wet night, and we lay at our arms.
I laid me down and flept found, for God
fuftained me, and I am not afraid of ten
thoufands that fet themfelves againft us
round about.
30. We expected to have been faluted
this morning, by the break of day, with

1709.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. TOl
their batteries, as laft night. We laid our
account if we ftaid upon the fame fpot of
ground, with having a third of our regi
ment killed and wounded, for the General
Would not allow us to draw back our men
alittle way behind a riling ground which
covered us ; but God in mercy prevent
ed us, for the enemy had drawn off their
cannon from that place and did not trou
ble us all the day. In the afternoon an ;
extraordinary thing happened, the French
officers and ours, as if it had been con
certed between them* went out between ¦
the two camps' and converfed with1 each
other.and called for their acquaintances,
and talked together as friends, asif there
had been a ceffation of arms ; but it was
broken off by the Generals'on both fides.
I was unwell all night with the cold and '¦
bad diet I had got for fome' days paft.
" O Lord, thou art the God of my health,
the ftrength of my heart." We have got
it in orders this night that we are to at
tack the enemy to-morrow morning by
break of day. O Lord, I commit myfelf
and all to thee ;-get glory to thyfelf. I
will both lay me down in peace, and fleep,
for thou, Lord, only makeft me to dwell
K3

102 SELECT PASSAGES FROM ri7°9«
in fafety. I blefs the Lord, I was never
more ferene and eafy. I hope it is faith.
31. This day is one of the greateft Ebe-
nezers in my life. We 'have fought a
battle, and by the mercy and goodnefs of
God have obtained a great and glorious
victory. We attacked the enemy in their
camp, a ftrong camp, and ftrongly en
trenched by two days working *.
The battle began about feven in the
morning, and continued till about three
jn the afternoon. It was the moft deli
berate, folemn, and well ordered battle
that ever I faw— a noble and fine difpofi-
tion, and as nobly executed. Every one
was at his poft, and I never faw troops enr
gage with more cheerfulnefs, boldnefs
and refolution. In all the foldiers faces
*This is the battle of Malplaquet or Blairegnies,
the moft bloody which took place during the war.
The allies fuftained prodigious lofs, not lefs, it was faid,
in killed and wounded than 1800a men. John Duke
of Argyle and Major General Cadogan, greatly dif--
tinguilhed themfelves on one fide, and the Pretender
on the'.other. Prince Eugene was wounded! The
Prince of Orange- and the Duke of Argyle had each
two horfes (hot under them, and the lofs in officers
was very great. Mons furrendered October 21ft.

I709.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. IO3
appeared a brifk and cheerful gaynefs
which prefaged victory. The Lord of
Hofts went upon our head as captain of
our hofts, and the army -followed with a
daring, cheerful boldnefs, for we never
doubted but we would beat them.
Providence ordered it fo that our regi
ment was no farther engaged but by be
ing cannonaded, which was the moft fe
vere that ever our regiment fuffered, and
by which we had eonfiderable lofs ; but
the foldiers endured it without fhrinking,
very patiently, and with great courage ;
for my own part I was nobly and richly
fupplied, as I have always been, on fuch
occations, with liberal fupplies of grace
and ftrength as the occafions of the day
called for. I never had a more pleafant
day in my life. My mind ftayed, trailing
in God, I was kept in perfect peace. All
went well with me ; and not being in hur
ry and hot action, I had time for plying
the throne of grace ; God gave faith and
communion with hinifjelf, by fhort eja
culations, fometimes prayer, and fome
times praife, as the various turns of pro*
vidence gave occafion; fometimes for the
public, fometimes for myfelf. 1 did not

T04 SELECT PASSAGES' FROM" , [1-709V
feek any aflurance of protection for my
life; I thought it enough to believe in ge
neral, to truft and depend with refigna--
tion," and hang about his hand..
Our regiment with fome others, in par*.
ticular, were honoured to do fome very
good fervice, by marching up and man
ning a retrenchment which the French
had left, for there we fultained our own,
horfe, which were pufhed by the French
horfe, and might have been of dangerous
confequence if the foot had not fultained
them. Take thou" the glory, O Lord, to
thyfelf. Not unto -us, it was not our -
bow, but it was the Lord?s doing*
The French foot did not behave therm
felves well, they foon quitted their re^
trenchments, but the horfe flood more
ftifly to it. I did not expect to fee- their
army fight fo well. I believe the lofs may
be equal on both fides. It is as bloody a
battle as has been fought, either this war
or the laft. God is working his holy ends>
fweeping off tinners on both fides from the
fiice of the earth. But bleffed be God for
this, that though he be angry with us, and
mowing down our carcafes thick on the
fields, yet he is not with our enemies;

1709*} COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. ICg
he is angry at them too, and laying their
carcafes upon the face of the earth. He
is ftaining their pride, for they are a vain
glorious nation..
Sept. 1. This morning I went to view
the field of battle; to get a preaching from
the dead, which might have been very
edifying, for in all my life I have not feen
the dead lie fo thick as they were in fome
places about the retrenchments, particu
larly at the battery where the Dutch
guards attacked ; for a good way I could
not go among them, left my horfe fhould
tread on the carcafes that were lyingheap-
,ed on one another. I was alfo furprifed
to fee how ftrong. they had made their
camp. They had a breaft-work before
them, round about like the rampart of a
tcjpn, to fire over. The Dutch have fuf-
fered moft in this battle. Their infantry
is quite fhattered, fo that it is, a dear vic
tory. The potiherds of the earth are
dallied together, and God makes the na
tions a fcourge to each other, to work his
holy ends, to fweep tinners off the earth.
It is a wonder to me thetBritifh efcape fo
cheap, who are the moft heaven-daring

I©6 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [1769',
finners in the whole army, but God's
judgments are a great depth. He has
many arrows in, his quiver, and is not
tied to our times and ways. We marched
back to our camp we had left on the 29th.
I blefs thee, O Lord, who brings me back
in peace, while the carcafes of others are
left as a prey in the fields to the beads
and birds. " A thoufand fhall' fall' at thy
fide, and ten thoufand at thy right handi
but it fhall not once come near to thee."
Every promife in that pfalm has many a
time been made out literally tome, every
promife in it, and fhall be. I. truft in
God. 2. I went this Jay to court to put in
my claim for advancement in my turn:
I commit all to God. I know promotion
comes not from the Eat or Weft. I leave
myfelf in thy hand, O Lord, to difpofe1 of
me as thou feV> fit, thou knowefl what is
beft for me. If it be for thy honour and
glory, and my good' to keep me in this
employment, and to raife me higher in it,
no man will have leave to keep me from.
it. If thou haft ordered it otherwife, and
if it be better for me to leave this trade,
let them diftribute. their places among:

jnQi}.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. IO7
them as they pleafe, I fhall not feek them,
only guide me by thy counfel, and direct
me what I fhould do. I depend upon thee,
and through grace am very eafy.
9. 0 Lord, how great is thy goodnefs
and mercy to us unworthy finners ! We
laid our account to be on this fiege, Cof
Mons) we thought we could not mifs it ;
but kind Providence has found out a way
to put it by us, by bringing fo many re
giments out of garrifon. O Lord, I de
fire to obferve ah thefe things and fee the
loving-kindnefs of thee, the Lord. We
marched back to our poft in the army this
day, for covering the fiege.
' 23. We marched a fmall march to lay
our front better towards the enemy. I
have got a houfe to lodge in. I blefs the
Lord for his mercy and goodnefs.
' 23. Judgment- like weather — ftorms of
wind and rain. I blefs the Lord for the
mercy of this poor cottage I have got.
27. I commit all to thee, O Lord.
Going on command to-morrow, I truft
providence fhall order all well, and keep
"me out of evil company, which is what I
"fear moft on thefe occafions.
28. God has mercifully heard me and

1 08 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [ 1 709.
kept me out of evil company upon this
command. I fent away the Britifh from
me, as I always do when it lies in my
power, becaufe I fee no nation who are
fuch bold, impudent finners as they aije.
I was fome what -anxious, about the. charge
I had of 1200 horfes ; but committing
myfelf to God who muft take charge and
defend both me and them, I was eafy and
fafe. I met with one of the greateft ftorms
of rain and hail, while in the fields, which
I have feen.
October 3. I went to -court this morn
ing, but did nothing. I fee nothing
but , delays in this affair, I know not
how providence will order it. I cannot
cringe at a court, neither is it decent or
becoming for a child of the houfe to be
fawning upon the fervants for a favour.
A child of God fhould have a noble fpi-
*rit, and carry their fuits ftraight to their
Father in heaven, and make their court
there, and then they need hot cringe to
any creature. Your heavenly Father
knows what ye ftand in need of.
4 There is a report to day that the
French defign to pay us another vifit here.
I do not believe it. Yet God may hard-

I709'] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. IO9
en their hearts, as he did Pharaoh's and
his hoft to follow Ifrael into the midlt Of
the fea, that they might perifh there. Be
it as it, will, O Lord, I put my truft in
.thee, and my dependence on thee.
7. This afternoon we have got intelli
gence that the French are coming to at
tack us. Thou plucked them out of our
hand laft day at the battle of Jannier,
and they are grown vain and infolent.
As for me, I put my truft in thee— ftill
thou art the fame God. Thou haft deli
vered me in fix troubles, and thou wilt
not leave me in the feventh. Give me
grace as thou haft done, and take the
glory to thyfelf.
9. Our alarm ~is turned to nothing.
The town is capitulating. It is good news.
-Providence is very kind to us. We did
not expect it fo foon or fo cheap.
15. This day we marched. Blefled fye
the Lord who has put fuch a comfortable
clofe to this campaign, and has filled my
'mouth with fongs of praife, both for my
felf and the public. He doth all things
well.
fU.16. The Sabbath*. This day is appoint
ed by the Duke a thankfgiving. for our
L

IIO SELECT PASSAGES FROM [1769.
taking Mons and the fuccefs of the cam
paign. Moft of. the army laugh at thefe
things, and many have taken this day to
leave the army. I hope the' Lord will
blefs the Duke for his piety and gratitude,
to God. I believe, indeed, that God' will
be mocked by the generality of the ar
my ; but, O Lord, I beg grace to praife
and magnify thy great name for the great
things thou haft done this campaign for
me. O Lord, we have great reafon to
blefs thee for this campaign, for, it has
"been a very great campaign — two fuch
ftrong eonfiderable towns as Tournay and
Mons taken, and a great victory ; and
with all, this is a fhorter campaign, than
any we have had all this war.
Thou haft alfo mercifully difappointed
our fears ; for my part I laid my account
we fliould be hard put to it. I expeded
little lefs than .famine ; on the contrary,
we had abundance of- provifions both for
man and beaft : likewife I had quarters
in houfes almoft the whole campaign, fo
that I hardly lay three weeks in my tent
the whole fummer ; by this means I got
lived more retired from evil company and
fnares.

1 709.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. Ill
It is alfo to, be remembered with great
thankfulnefs, that we were alfo threaten
ed with peftilence ; for in all the villages
through the country, the poor Boors were
lying ftarving and dying with the bad
•nouruhment and victuals they were obli
ged to eat, yet God in mercy kept this
infection out of the army.
17. Now I have got the charge of the
regiment.. O Lord, thou muft take the
'charge of me and it, or elfe it will be ve-,
ry ill guided.
20. This day we marched into Ghent-,
0 Lord, what fhall I render unto thee for
all thy mercies to me ? Thou haft pre-
ferved my outgoings and incomings, and
fent me back in peace and fafety, and
given me a comfortable meeting with my
dear concern here. O give us thy blef-
fing and prefence.
24. Kept in continual hurry with bu-
finefs and people about me. I am fure-
greatnefs muft be a troublefome thing,
when this fmall fhadow of command
which I have is fo troublefome. Retired
at night in joint prayers. I could not
live without intervals of retirement for
meditation.

112 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [i 709.
Nov. 1. I get but little time to myfelf
now. I am afraid it makes me contract
a carking careful temper, all this hurry of
bufinefs, for I am afraid of neglect in my
duty, and this makes me pore and plod.
O Lord, do away earthly mindednefs,
make me fpiritually-minded.
19. Sitting in a court martial to-day
where I was not expecting to be concern
ed. Serious to be directed' aright in gi
ving righteous judgment.
Dec. 30. There is conftant need of that
prayer, " Lord, lead us not into temp
tation." This day I ftumbied into com
pany where there was temptation which
I did not expect, but was mercifully kept
out of it.
31. The day quietly fpent. Serene.

17 10.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. I PJ

I'7lO.
Note. — Previous to this campaign, and du;.
ring its continuance, a long negociation for"
peace was carried on at Gertruydenberg, a
town in the Netherlands. The treaty on
the part of Great Britain was condu&ed by
the Duke of Marlborough as plenipoten
tiary. Refpecting the juflice of the de
mands of the allies, the conceflions of
France, and the confequent continuance of
the war, perfons judged a£ that period ac
cording as they were of the parties of
^Whigs or Tories; In later times, Writers-
diverted of the prejudices, and not mifled'
, . by the interefls which blind conterhpo--
raries, ^nd f urnifhed with more informa--
tion, have given a fairer opinion on this-
fubject— that France yielded all they could
yield, and that the continuance of hoftili-
ties was equally unjufl: and impolitic on«
the part of Great Britain, the effect of the
ambition of a party to retain the power of
adminiftration, and to keep poffeflion of
thofe emoluments for which the lives and-
bajppinefs of fo many were facrificed. A
Chriftian who has leifure to compare the*
authors who wrote about this time, with
the fubfequent accounts and opinions fo-
Li

I r 4. SELECT PASSAGES FROM [i 7 1 0.
well reprefented by Dr Somerville, (Hi
ftory of Great Britain during the reign of
Queen Anne, pag. 390. &c.) will find it,
.rightly confidered, an ufeful employment.

March 6. Was well directed in bufi->r
nefs. This dull, heavy temper ftilL'fiangs
upon me. I cannot account for it j but
in the evening, at prayer before I went
fo bed, I found a fenfible lightening and
cheerfulnefs, and the weight taken off.
God is the hearer of prayer, and his Spi
rit is the comforter, and when faith
eomes, then comes comfort alfo.
15 This day is appointed to be kept
by our garrifon as it is in England, for
falling and humiliation. Compofed
frame, faith in exercife, trufting in God
for grace, ftrength and courage, and eve
ry thing elfe that I need to furnifh me
out for a new campaign.
23. Bufy all the forenoon going up
and down among our generals. The
hope of peace grows lefs. I hope it fhall
be well with me, peace or war.
27. Now my time of hurry begins again.
I blefs the Lord for the quiet and peace
able life I have had all this winter. Lord

171 0.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. II5
fit me for launching out again into new
ftorms. 28. I go out to this campaign, upon
the one fide, weary of the war — Woes
me that I am forced to dwell fo long in
the tents of wickednefs.; . Lord, fcatter
thofe who delight in war : But on the
other fide, I go out cheerfully trufting in
God, and hoping in his mercy. I hope to
fee him arife and fcatter his enemies, and
do great things.
April 2. Sabbath. Obliged, by the hur
ry of marching to-morrow, to be about
things foreign to a Sabbath. O Lord,
pity and pardon. Now I muft launch
out again into new difficulties and confef-
fions. O Lord, I put my truft and confi
dence in thee alone. I blefs thee, who
helpeft me to truft thee cheerfully, and
that I am, not given up to melancholy,
defpondency, or anxious fears, as I have
fometimes too much been. 1 caft all my
cares and burdens upon thee. Furnifh
me out in this new poll according to the
occafions of it, and the fervice thou calleft
for. 1 leave my dear concern upon thy
care. 3. This day we marched out of garri-

Il6 SELECT PASSAGES FROM f^TOi
fon. >0 Lord,, get glory to thyfelf this-
campaign. O thou who art the Lord of
hofts *,. go out upon the head of our ar
my as captain of our, hoft.

* Colonel Blackader, it appears from other paf-
fages of his diary, had no other idea jn addreffing Je^
hovah by this title but this — that it is he who rules
amidft the ftruggles of nations ; and that the eventg
of war, however little conducted according, to his will,:
are fuperintended by him. and brought, to fulfil his
juft, holy, and gracious purpoles. Too many have.
ufed this title in a* very different' fenfe, fiippofing, it:
fhould feem, that God adopts and fanftions the quar
rels of nations, and patronizes meafures of the moll
horrible cruelty and ambition. The title of the Lord
of hofts often in Scripture denotes Jehovah as the
Creator of the fun, moon, and ftars. Jer. xxxii. 18,
compared with Gen. ii. 1. Deut. iv. 19. Pfal. xxxiii.
Ha. xl. 26. Jer. xix. 1 3. Zeph. .5. Dan. iv. ia It
is true the hojls of the Lord denote the nation of If;
rael brought out of Egypt, Exod. xii. 41, :and their
armies, Pfal. c viii. 11. It is probable this latter is
its fecondary fenfe, in allufion to the regularity and
order which prevail among the heavenly bodies, and
mark the divine hand which formed them. But ma
ny confider that God is fpecially prefent in armies and
in battles, as he was in the tabernacle and temple at
J,erufalem, and favours them with .fome peculiar carej
Nothing is more falfe or more oppofite to the reveal.
ed difcovery of that God who is Love, and who has

1 7 1 0.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 1 17
9. Sabbath. Lying at our arms from
morning till two o'clock ready to march.
I retired as much as I could from compa
ny for prayer and reading, believing fe
veral promifes with comfort and joy.
Deut. xxxii. to the xliii. Jofh. i. 9. v. 13.
14. Ifa. ii. 11. 17. 19. iii. 10. v. 4, 5, 6.
viii. 9, 10. I truft the Lord fhall be ex
alted in the earth, and that mercy and
goodnefs fhall follow me. My particular
bundle of mercy is bound up in the great
ftore. 10. We marched all the night and

declared wars and fightings umverfally to proceed, as
they muft: on one fide 01. other, often on all fides, from
the lulls and the guilt of mankind. Perhaps there is
nothing which carries on the depravity and corrup
tion of nations with fuch accelerated progrefs as war
and what 'always attends it.
Voltaire has blafphemed the true God under the
title of the Lord of hofts, as the Mars of Chriftians ;
and infinuates, that he is the fame furious and infernal
being which that heathen god is characterized in Ho
mer. Too many who do not profefs open. infidelity
feem to have not very different ideas. See a fenflble
fermon on this fubjeift, entitled, " The Name Lord of
Hqfls explained and improved," by Jolhua Toulmin,
D. D. London, 1800.

1 1 8 SELECT PASSAGES FROM f 1 7 1 0.
this morning, and got within an hour, of
the lines. We hear the French have
quitted them. This is the doing of the
Lord, and fhould- be wonderful in our
eyes. Laft campaign thefe lines were a
bug-bear to us, We durft not go near
them. God's time was not come then."
Now he has given us them without ftroke
of fword. When I faw the pafs and
bridge where we were to have attacked,
I could not but admire the goodnefs of
God to us ; for it was fo ftrong a morafs, '
that we could hardly have made a head
to attack it. But the Lord fent a terror
and confirmation among our enemies
which made them quit them.
11. We have another inftance of the
goodnefs and mercy of God to us. this day,
for we expected the French who had, re
tired behind the river Scarp, would Hand '
and defend that river; but the front of
our army appearing, they quitted that too,.
and retired farther into the country, by
which we have free accefs to befiege Do-
way *. We marched on and'encampect :\
* A eonfiderable city in Flanders, with an univer-
fity of note, where many Englilh Papifls were ufually

1 7-1 0. J COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. II9
near Doway. This town is a neft of Je-
fuits and feminaries of idolatry.
1 6. Sabbath. This day is appointed
by our general to be kept a day of
thankfgiving to God for our fuccefs fince
we came out. O that there were a heart
in us to obey thefe orders heartily and
fincerely ! O to break off our fins by re
pentance ! Then we might hope the Lord
¦ would do great things for us and by us.
19. I blefs thee, O Lord, for thy good
nefs to me ; for the good accommodation
I have here, a quiet cottage in the midlt
of a wicked army, where I can retire out
of the hell round about me to feek com
munion and fellowfhip with thee. My
neighbours here envy me this poor cot
tage, but thou dolt not fuffer them to
wrong me. Thou art my protection.
'Who fhall harm you if ye be followers of
that which is good ? I blefs thee, O Lord,
•educated, by whom an Englilh tra'nflation of the Old
Teftament and Apocrypha from the Latin Vulgate
was publifhed about the fame time with our prefent
eflablifhed verfion of the Holy Scriptures, and who
added notes, with a view , to pervert thofe paffages
which are oppofed to the doctrines and practices
of the church of Rome.

I 2 O SELECT PASSAGES 1FR0M [ I fl O.
for my peace and quietnefs here. I have
juft as much bulinefs as diverts me, not
fo much as to be troublefome.
20. I praife thee, O Lord, for thy good
nefs to us, that thou haft again difappoint-
ed our expectation of going upon this
fiege. We laid our account withdt, but
thou haft brought others out of their gar-
rifons, and fent them to it. Lfhould have
bleffed thee alfo if thou had fent us there,
for I fhould have had greater and more
frequent Ebenezers.
23. Sabbath. Much of the day fpent
alone in the fields. Had a ferene thank
ful frame, meditating upon the mercies
and goodnefs of God to the public, and to
me in particular. Expofed to company
at dinner, and the converfation not fuita-
ble to a Sabbath. O Lord, cleanfe and
deliver me from thefe.
27. Laft night the enemy made an
out-fall out of the~ town, and one of our
regiments gave way ; moft part of the
officers are either killed or woynded.
This will in all appearance bring our re
giment to the fiege. Well, Lord, this is
thy doing, and not blind chance. It is
thou who fendeft us, and we .go ; and

I7I-.0-3 COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 121
where thou fendeft us we will cheerfully
go. I will depend on thee for grace ac
cording to the pofts thou puteft us upon ;
and this regiment which I have the
charge of, I roll the charge of it over
upon thee. Serve thyfelf of us, and get
glory. What fhall we fay when our re
giments give way, and turn their back
before the enemy ? but I do not wonder
at that, for every word which our Britifh
forces fpeak is a damning of. their own
blood, and impious fwearing by God's
blood and wounds ; it fhall be no won
der to fee them wallowing in their own
blood and wounds. God is juft ; he can
work his own work by us, and yet lay
our carcafes as dung on the face of the
earth. May 1. This morning our regiment
went into the trenches, and, blefled be
God, we had a very good day, and had
not a man killed or wounded, though the
enemy continued a very fmart firing all
night with cannon balls and fmall fhot.
O Lord, give me courage, ftrength, and
conduct, as I need it ; without thee, I
find I have neither head, heart nor hand,
but through thee I fhall do valiantly.
M

I 2 2 SELECT . PASSAGES FROM [i 7 1 0.
2. We came out of the trenches about
ten o*clock, and had only one man. hurt.
Take thou the charge, O Lord, of me and/
the regiment ; thy almighty power and
kind providence could make the trenches,
or the hotteft attack of a breach, to be as -
fafe as our houfes in garrifon are. The
name of the Lord is a ftrong tower ; the
righteous flee into it and are fafe. I -am
much fatigued by want of fleep, and run
ning up and down feeing to get every
thing right.
3. I blefs the Lord for reft and fleep
after fatigue. I laid me down and flept.
I awaked, for the Lord fultained me ;
yea, I will both Jay me down in peace
and fleep, for thou, Lord, only makeft me
to dwell in fafety.
4. We have loft four or five men in
the trenches — the day quietly fpent in
prayer. 5. This morning we went into the
trenches again, and got^one of the beft •
pofts there for fafety from the' cannon
and bombs of the town. I defire to ob
ferve all to the praife of the goodnefs and
mercy of God. .
6. This clay is one of the great Ebe-

1 7 10.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. I 2 J
nezers of my life.. This morning the
French made an out-fall from the town
upon that poft where our regiment was.
It was a little before break of day. They
came ¦ on filently, expecting to furprife'
us; but by the goodnefs of God to us-
we were ready. Our centinels gave us
warning, and we put ourfelves in a pof-
ture, and received them fo warmly,* that'
they immediately retired in confufion-
without firing a fhot.. It is • obfervable
that it has been fo ordered, that this fe-
cond out- fall of theirs mould happen to-
be only upon- us- who were brought in to
relieve .that ¦ ¦; regiment upon whom the-
enemy fell out at the firft fortie and ufed"
fo ill* Not unto us, Lord, not unto us,
but to. thy name be: the praife and. glory.
It was thou who made our enemies faint
ly to turn their backs without attacking:
us ;, thou. took heart and hand from them,
for if they had attacked- us b'rifkly, we
have no reafon- to; believe as to our own
behaviour, courage or conduct, but that
there would have been as bad an account;
of us as thofe who were there,before us.
For indeed I faw among feveral of ours
foldiers manifeftfigns of fear and confu-

124 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [1710.
fion ; but the goodnefs of God hides our
failings, and not only fo, but makes thefe
actions which our own hearts know to be
mixed with great weaknefs and failing, to
turn to our honour and reputation. I
have often obferved this in my own cafe
fince I have been a foldier, and now it
holds good as to me and the regiment,
that our actions, though in themfelves
not worth a button, no better than other
peoples, yea not fo good, often mixed
with weaknefs and defects, yet God is
fometimes pleafed fo to diftiriguifh tham
with fuch circumftances of reputation,
and to place them in fuch a light, as gives:
them a peculiar luftre m the eyes of the
world. I am fure this fhould make us
humble and thankful. -' I acknowledge,!
for my own part, if the Lord by his grace
did not very powerfully fupply and fur
nifh me with courage and fortitude,; I
would behave very ill. I would have
neither heart nor hand. I am not afha-
med to own that I have no fund of* my
own ; neither courage, nor fortitude, nor
wifdom, nor conduit, but what I get from
God. Therefore, I fhall rejoice in my
own emptinefs, weaknefs, and fear, be-

¦17 I/O.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. I "2*5
caufe it leads me to an infinite inexhauf-
tible fountain and magazine of all I -need.
¦j. Sabbath. I blefs the Lord for fleep
and fweet reft after fatigue. The moft
of the world, by not knowing the want
of. them, do not enjoy the pleafures of
'thefe common mercies of meat, drink and
fleep, as we foldiers do. Many poor foh-
diers at this fiege are expofed night and
day to fatigue and danger, and get not.
fleep. one night in a week;
.- 8. This is a thoughtful time ; many
poor fouls hurried into eternity every
night at this town, where bombs, cannon :
and mufket -bullets are flying- like hail-
ftones all the night over/
io. Our regiment went into the
trenches this morning. Our poft -was
not fo liable to forties as the laft, but
more to the bombs, &c; and moft to our
own, which falling fhort of -the town did
incommode us1, but, blefied "be God, we
had no lofs. He lets' us fee that he can
make the trenches to be as fafe ahabita-
tion as my houfe in Ghent. It is all one
thing, where his prefence and protection
are. ii. The Britifh got feveral things to
M3

126 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [171®.
humble them laft night. There was a
hundred grenadiers, commanded out to
fuftain the workmen who were to go and
make a lodgement on the other fide of
the avant fofie. The French came out
with a great noife, perhaps a fmall num
ber, and they all gave way and quitted
the lodgement. Several were killed and
wounded. 12, I was on command in the trenches
all night with the workmen to make up
that lodgment. Our workmen were in
great diforder this night alfo, and did not
do their duty as they ought. I could not
help it. There was hot firing all night.
I came off at fun rifing. I praife the
Lord for reft after fatigue.
14. Sabbath. Serious through the
day, but fometimes engaged in idle com
pany and converfation foreign to a Sab
bath. This is the temptation and pollu
tion which attends being in an army. I
have long been tired of this way of li
ving. I have fojourned- long in the tents
of wickednefs.
15. Our regiment marched into the
trenches this morning. We had a good
day. Providence is. favourable to as.

I7I0-] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. I 27
We were bombarded pretty fmartly from
the town, yet, by the goodnefs of God,
we had very little lofs.
16. We hear the French army was
upon their march yefterday to Arras.
They and our army were encamped pret
ty near each other laft night. There are
four regiments to be fent for from this
fiege in cafe they come to attack us. It
is faid ours will be one. Well, it is very
well. I commit all to thee, O Lord ; thy
grace is fufficient for me, and fhall be.
17. This day the enemy being in mo
tion towards us, a battle is expected to
morrow. All my hope and comfort is,
that thou, the Lord of hofts, art my
God and Father; and when the Father is
general of the army, what has the child
to fear ?
19. The enemy advancing towards us,
four regiments were fent for from the
fiege, whereof ours was one. We march
ed up to the army in the evening, and
were put into one of the entrenchments
which are caft up along the line. It is
expected they will attack us to-morrow.
0 Lord, I put my truft and confidence in
thee who art the Lord of hofts. Give

128 SELECT PASSAGES FROM5 f Vf 1,0*.
me fuppliesof grace for ftrength, courage
and ^ every- thing, elfe I need; for I have
nothing of myfelf,. all muft come from.
thee. '; ;'
20. Our army worked all'' night eni
trenching ourfelves. The enemy do not
think fit. to. attack us in this poll". Our
four regiments- were lent back to the
fiege, and we marched ftraight into the
trenches. I' was- detached-' upon com-*
mand into the -lap, to command the-gre-i
nadiers and thofe who were to fire all
night. I was furprifed at this, becaufe It.
was not near command, but it was the
pure decifton of providence, being dOne=
by lot ; fo I went cheerfully, being aim-;
red that it.was not blindchance, but God
who fent me there. I was very Well car-;
ried through. I fee that he alfo fends me
upon thefe pofts on purpofe to make me
an in-ftanpe and monument of his goodi
nefs, of hist protecting, defending and de-*
livering mercy, and to put new fongs of
praife in my mouth ;..new links added to
that golden chain of fweet experiences of
mercy and goodnefs following me. We1
had an alarm during the night from <\
magazine of the enemy's grenades blow-'

1 7 10.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 120,
ing up on the counterfcarp, which we
took to be a fortie. We had no harm by
it, though it was hard by us. Thou fhalt
not be afraid of the terrors by night. Go
ing through the faps and biidges, where
the bombs, fmall fhot and grenades were
flying pretty thick, I believed I was even
as fafe there under the protection of God
as if I had been at home. Thou art my
fhield and buckler. I fhall never attri
bute my deliverance to blind chance.
21. This morning I came off this ad
vanced poft and joined the regiment hi
the trenches ; we had a good night, only
one man killed by a bomb. Sabbath. This
is two nights we have been at arms. I
came home, lay down and1 fltept from
ten till two o'clock. I blefs thee, O Lord,
who gives reft after fatigue, and fleep af
ter long watching. I was fent for to
fup abroad, where we had much idle con
verfation. Lord, cleanfe my foul from
the filth and fin I contract in evil com
pany. I endeavoured alfo to teftify my
diflike at vice and abominable things as
they came to be the fubject of converfa
tion. June 4. Sabbath. We went into the

I30 SELECT PASSAGES FROMj i[ 1 7 1 Q.
trenches, and Providence has been. kind.
The Lord was very gracious to me in par
ticular, and put a new fong of praife into
my mouth, While. -I. was looking to our
batteries firing, there came a mufket-ball
from the town and fhot through my hat-,
flanting clofe by my head. 0 Lord, thou
covers my head in the time of danger,
and gives thine .angels : charge over, me.
6. Hurried out' in. the . morning, by
company ere. I got time, for retirement,
and was", led away -tQi a place 'fin 1 the
trenches where we were needlefsly. expo-
fed to' great and/fmall. fhot from the town;
I have-not peace in thefe needlefs expo-
fings. of; myfelf. W.hentI have a call to
go into danger, then I depend upon God
for fuitable grace; but where. L have no
call I. have no promife-
ot Riding abroad in the afternoon, I went?
to our hofpital, where. was, a melancholy
fight of wounded men. ' M&y it pleafe
God to put an end to .this tedious trou^
blefome fiege.
8. This evening there- was an attack.
upon the two ravelins of the town. I
went up and faw it. It was hotworkfor.
a while,, but we know not yet how it. has

171 0.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 131
gone, but many poor fouls, no doubt, by
this time are hurried into eternity.
9. This morning we went into the
trenches. We fee that our attack did
not fucceed fo well as we would, have
wifhed, for we were beat back, and got
not full pofleffion of the ravelines, yet we
made a lodgement in them both. This
attack has coft dear. Many were killed
and wounded as we may guefs by our
own regiment, for of thirty-nine who were
there, we have thirty-two killed and
wounded. I obferve the goodnefs and
mercy of God to me on this occafion. I
was the firft upon command of the field
officers of our befieging army yefterday
when the attack was ordered, but our re
giment being to go into the trenches the
next day, the cuftom is, that that regi
ment gives no men or officers on com
mand the night before ; in this way it
miffed me, and the next officer on com
mand was taken. Whofo is wife and
confiders thefe things, fhall fee the loving
kindnefs.of the Lord. I have occafions
every day of obferving this. I would
have bleffed God alfo if he had fent me,
for I truft he would have born my

I32 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [17IO.
charges, and carried me through, to the
praife of his grace. The Lord is merci
ful alfo to our regiment, for we have not
had a man either killed or wounded thefe
twenty-four hours in the trenches.
10. We came fafe out of the trenches
this morning. I went to bed and flept
till evening, and it was well I did
fo, for I was ordered in again at night to
the trenches with' two hundred grenadiers
to fuftain our lodgements. And here
again I obferve the loving kindnefs. and
mercy of God to me ; for about an hour
before I came into the trenches, the ene
my fprung a mine upon that raveline
where my poft was to be, and overturn
ed all our lodgement, killing and blow
ing up a good many men.
We foon recovered our lodgement, and
made up our works. We expected that
it would be a troublefome night, and that
the enemy would difpute every foot of
ground with us, as indeed they have hi
therto done, but we were mercifully dis
appointed, for they quitted all the rave-
lines entirely to us, and we had not a more
quiet and peaceable night fince the fiege

1710.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. I ?

J>JV

began, for they threw not fo much as a
bomb or ftone all the night.
We were expecting alfo to have our
lodgement on the left hand blown up,
but were agreeably difappointed in that
alfo. O how many Ebenezers have I in
this fiege ! new fongs of praife every
day. Lord, make me thankful, humble,
and holy.
11. In the evening, I came off my
command in the trenches. Juft before I
came out, the enemy began to throw
bombs, grenades, and flones from the
town, and all the night following have
plyed our trenches very hot with all thefe,
efpecially Hones, whereby many of our
men are wounded. Thou giveft thine
angels charge over me, that I dafh not
my foot againft a ftone.
14. This day we went into the trenches.
At two o'clock they beat the chamade,
and hung out a white flag to capitulate,
which was a very acceptable fight to us
all, for it has been a very toilfome, long,
and bloody fiege. I blefs thee, O Lord,
for the bountiful fupplies of thy grace
which thou haft given me during the
N

134 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [17IO.

\

' fiege, and for thy protecting, preferving
mercy. j
15. They have not relieved us this day
out of the trenches-: — we are much fa
tigued by being two days in them. We
hear we are to get the fort Scarp alfo,
which we were not expecfting. This is a
great mercy, for it would have proved
troublefome, and perhaps taken up much
of our precious time.
16. We were not relieved till twelve
o'clock this day. We have got pofleffion
of a poft and of the fort.
1 8. Sabbath. The garrifon of Doway
marched out, and we were under arms all
day on that account. I was invited to
dine with a General, but I'd rather fail
ed. O Lord, wafh and cleanfe me frtim
the filth I contract in this wicked army
among vicious men — filthy, idle conver
fation. I flee to the mercy of God in
Chrift, and to the blood of Chrift for
wafhing, for repentance and remiffion of
fin. O deliver me out of thefe fnares!
Sanctify my foul.
24. I be fought the Lord to removes
temptation, and give more grace ; andl
blefs him that he is the hearer of prayer, ;

1 7 1 0.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS-. 1 3 5
and that he gives a meek and quiet fpi
rit. I had a ferene thankful temper
through the day. I went into Doway,
and viewed all our works, and the French
works, and there I fet up my Ebenezer.
Mercy and goodnefs have remarkably fol
lowed me at this fiege.
25. This day is kept, by orders, in our
army, a day of thankfgiving for the re
duction of this town. None have more-
reafon to keep it with a thankful cheer
ful heart than I have. No one has been
more followed with fignal mercy and de
liverances, attended with diftinguifhing.
marks of the divine care.
26. Now we are going to march again.
The Lord direct us what is next to be-
done. Thy prefence go with us. I com
mit myfelf and all to thee ; as thou haft
been with me during the fiege, fo thou.
wilt be with me during the campaign,
and thy grace be always fufficient for me.
I depend upon thee alone, come battles.
or what elfe thou pleafeft.
July _i. Sabbath, but forced to do
many things foreign to a Sabbath, by pre
paring for a review to-morrow. Enga
ged in company and idle converfation..

T36 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [1710.
O this is a fad way of living ! How is
the mind defiled, the edge of zeal againft
fin blunted. Sin becomes common and
familiar, the Spirit of God is forced
away, the effed of grace withers, the
heart grows hard and dead. In the af
ternoon was earneft that the Lord would
pity and have compaffion upon me, and
deliver me out of the tents of wickednefs.
How long fhall we hear the found of the
trumpet and the alarm of war ? Wo is me
that I fojourn fo long among them. 1 am
in a dry, barren, thirfty land. O that
tbou wouldft in mercy reftore me again to
the tabernacles of thy grace, and let me
fee the beauty of the Lord as I have feen
thee in thy fanctuary, and had my foul
filled as with marrow and with fat. I
leave all. to thee ; thou knowefl what is
belt foi me.
In meditating upon the prefent ftate of
affairs, I found my temper too ready to
fret and grow melancholy, by- feeing our
army, which we have reafon to efteemthe
beft ever was in this country, flopped
from making progrefs by an enemy which
we flattered ourfelves could not well make
head againft us, and that now we are obli-

17 r/O:] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 1 37
ged to turn away from them, and march
another way ; but in reading the Scrip
tures in my ordinary, I got both reproof
and inftruction. The firft was 1 Chron.
xiii. 10. to teach me not to be folicitoufly
' finfully anxious about the ark of God.
God will take care of his. own ark; The-
fecond was, the following- chapter, verfe-
14. 5; We are to march to-morrow from „
the army, I know not whither. I com
mit all to thee.
6. The order for our marching was^
countermanded ; fo we flay ftill. All-
orders come from above ; fo whatever-
Providence orders, I hope ftill is the beft.
for us, whether going or flaying, &c.
Auguft r8. I went to fee Bethune,
which is capitulating— the Lord be prai-
fed for it. Direct us what we are- to do >
next. 20. Walking in the fields in fight of-
the French army-.
26. At Court this morning. In com
pany at dinner, where we drunk no more
than what all the company thought very
moderate and fober, yet I thought it too >
much. Not that reafon was difturbed;
N 3

I38 SELECT PASSAGES FROM LI7I®.
thereby, but I cannot endure to have ray
head the leaft warmed, or that coolnefs of
thinking marred which I would always
be mafter of. But I am a poor weak,
creature. September 4. I have had a comfortable
meeting again with my dear wife arid
good friends. Lord, make us thankful,
and give us grace to payour vows and to
be weaned from the world and its enjoy
ments, pofleffing all with moderate affec
tions, for rhou only art the fatisfying por
tion of the foul, our only happinefs. and
only reft. Let Us rejoice in thee and in
thy goodnefs, but let not the enjoyments
of the world Ileal our hearts away from
thee. 8. We have been alarmed here all day
by the enemy being near us, apprehend
ing that perhaps they might have a de
fign upon this place ; but about twelve
o'clock we found that their defign was
upon the convoy. We went out in the
afternoon with the few men which could
be fpared here, to try if we could give any
help ; but when we came within half an
hour of the place, we were informed that
the convoy was beat, and they are burn-

1 710.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 1 39
ing and blowing up the fhips. This is a
very great lofs, "and great affront.
9 This day we went out to view the
field of battle, and faw a melancholy
fight of near 200 men lying drowned on
the river fides. There feems to have
been great mifmanagement, and bad be
haviour in this affair. When God is not
with us, we have neither courage nor
conduct*. 22. I came to the camp through eight
leagues of the worft way I ever travelled,
but, blefied.be God, we came all fafe with
out any accident. I find all quiet and
peaceable here as I left it, fo that I hope
there has no inconvenience arifen from
my long abfence. All this is the good
nefs of God. Lord, make me thank
ful. 28. The weather being very.unplea-
* This relates to the capture of a convoy of provi
fions and llores coming up the river Lys, from Tour
nay and Ghent, for the ufe of the allied army. It
was guarded by 1200 men, commanded by Colonel
Ginckel, 200 of whom were killed, and 600, with the
commander, taken prifoners. It greatly retarded the
"fieges of ht Venant and Aire, in which the confede
rate armies were now engaged.

lAO' SELECT PASSAGES FROM [17IO*
£ant, renders it exceedingly uncomforta
ble for the poor foldiers to live in a camp4
To-night, about nine, o'clock, the town
began to capitulate-^-Lord, be pfaifed for
it, that we have got it at laft after many
errors *-.
November 4. I have to praife the'Lord-
for bringing, this campaign to fo comfort
able an iffue, for having preferved and
protected me in the midlt of dangers and
fatigues, and,. though it hath been a long
campaign, has made it appear fhort, by
giving me fo much good company, &c
8. We marched a fhort march. I"
went in to Courtray, and find my friend
is gone to Ghent.

* Aire, a ftrong town: in French FlanderSj with »¦-
caftle.

1 7 1 1 •] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 1 41

171I.
Note.'— At the opening of this campaign, fuch
jealoufies prevailed among the allies as im
paired in a great degree their unanimity
and co-operation. And this, perhaps, more
than better motives, inclined the Court of
Great Britain to pacific meafures. The
death of the Emperor Jofeph, and the fuc-
ceffion of his brother Charles, to fupport
tvhofe claim to the crown of Spain the
• war was originally undertaken, changed
the apprehenfions refpecting the balance of
power in Europe. France, adverting to
thefe circumftances, renewed and in-
creafed their exertions, notwithftanding
their pa-ft misfortunes. In no former
period of the war were the great ta
lents of the Duke of Marlborough more
confpicuous ; but, as a leflbn of the infta-
hility of human glory, at the end of the
campaign, he was profecuted by the At
torney General, for the difhonefl applica
tion of public money, in confequence of
a petition from the Houfe of Commons to
the Queen, and was lemoved by her from
the command of the army, and from all
his public offices. During this campaign,
alfo, Colonel Blackader left the army and

142 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [17H.
never afterwards returned to it, having dif-
pofed of his commiffion in the G'ourfe of
the next year.
January 6. I have this day been ma
king a propofal to quit this employment, '
I commit it to thee, O Lord. I have on
ly propofed, do thou difpofe and profper
as far as thou feeft it for thy glory and
my good. Guide me by thy counfel,. and
make the way plain by thy Spirit and
providence. 19. Got more propofals about leaving
the army. I do nothing elfe with them
but to carry them to a throne of grace,
and leave them there, trufting that He
who leads the blind by the way they
know not, will guide.
February 26. Got orders to be ready to
march, which is likely to make me be
gin my campaign very early. I have no
pleafure in this command or this fociety ;.
on the contrary, it is a burden and ter
ror to be tied to them ; but I call all my
cares and biirdens upon thee, O Lord.
27. I fee that moft men- of the world
keep up their hearts by vain imaginations,.
and make themfelves eafy and cheerful ;.

I7I I.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. I 43
is it not then a fad thought that religion
and reafon fhould not have a like effecr.
upon me ? O to live by faith ! that would
do it ; that would make us rejoice in in
firmities, in temptations, in lories and fuf-
ferings. O for grace, to practife more
what we profefs.
March 1. Employed this forenoon in
fecret and joint prayer, feeking the pre
fence and blefling of God this cam
paign. 10. We marched out of Ghent. This
is an early commencement of a campaign.
I have been uneafy about this command,
not fo much unbelief, as it is anxiety and
carking cares, which indeed is a kind of
unbelief. The care about doing my du
ty properly, and other things trouble me,
which ought not, for I fhould commit all
to God by faith. I find alfo, being en
gaged in bulinefs takes away my anxiety
of temper. I have alfo that unhappinefs
of temper which forms melancholy ideas
of things before hand, which vanifh
" away when it comes to the acting pait.
- 12. Marching this day in bad roads
and bad weather : yet all going well. I
blefs thee, O Lord, for thy m ercy and

144 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [17II.
goodnefs, and ^fulfilling that promife,
Pfalm i. " And all he doth fhall profper
well." 13. This morning I went upon com
mand to take poffeflion of a poft which
we were apprehenfive the enemy defign-
ed to poffefs ; but it fell out well, for we
took peaceable poffeflion of it. We poll
ed our men the beft way we could. I
committed myfelf and my charge to
him who is a fortrefs and high.tower to
all who put their truft in him. Provi
dence has ordered it fo, that 1 am the firft
who has begun hoftilities this campaign,
and taken poft in the enemy's country.
In thy name, O Lord? will we fet up our
banners. 14. We were bufily employed fortify- ,
ing ourfelves in this poft; but if thou, O
Lord, do not keep it, the watchmen watch
in vain.
15. We are much fatigued by fortify
ing and guarding this poft ; but thou, 0
Lord, muft be with us, and defend- us and
it — if thou be with us, the whole'French
army will not be able to difpoflefs us ;
if thou be not, ten men could chafe us
out of it.

I7I I.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 1 45
iS. Marching this day. Alas, we for
get that it is Sabbath, for there is nothing
like it to be feen, but the contrary, as if
we were in hell, nothing around us but
the voice of incarnate devils, curling
and blafpheming.
April 10. I went to Doway. I had a
ferene thankful frame of mind, fitting
alone in my chaife, by the way, medita
ting on the goodnefs of God and his An
gular mercies to me. But Providence
lets me fee that all our earthly enjoy
ments are like Jonah's gourd ;, there is a
worm at the root of them. I obferve,
that no fooner do I begin to reft or place
any pleafure or, fatisfaction in any earthly
comfort, than Providence gives fome
check, and lets me. fee there is nothing
but vanity and emptinefs , in all ; for
when I arrived at home, the chaife go
ing in at the coach-houfe gate, by fome
accident ftartling the horfes, they broke
it in pieces. The very time that we are
hugging ourfelves in the conveniency and
pleafure of thefe kind of things, the Lord
is preparing a worm to gnaw and eat out
the comfort of them.
12. The armies are taking the field on
O

14-6 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [17U.
both fides, and probably will enter foon
into action. I commit myfelf and all my
concerns unto thee, O Lord; I flee to thee
to hide me under the fhadow of thy wings,
to enter into thofe chambers which thou
haft provided for thy people in a day of
trouble. This is my refuge. I received
orders from Doway to be ready to march
in cafe the enemy make any attempt
that way, as they threaten to do.
19. This place, which has been a quiet
retreat for five weeks paft, has now affir
med the appearance of hell, for all the
Britifh cantonment is come here — nothing
about me but curfing, blafphemy, vio
lence, &c. All this while, I was glad to
flay here, but now I would gladly march
to get free of fuch company.
May 11. I came into Courtray, and
fblefs the Lord who hasgiven us a com
fortable meeting with each other again.
15. There was a great alarm here to-
tday, expecting the French were on their
way to attack the town, but their defign
was not here.
24. I came home fafe from the army, to
my cottage. I praife thee, O Lord, who
preferves my outgoings and my kico-

1 7 1 1 .] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 1 47
mings • lets no evil befal me, no plague
tp come near my dwelling, and puts new
fongs of praife in my mouth..
June 3.. Sabbath. Marching this day,
which was one of the fevereft.I ever fawr
by exceffive heat. Several men march
ing in the ranks fell down and died upon
the fpot — -the whole" fields were like a
field of battle, men lying panting and
fainting. Moft of the regiments did not
bring above fixty or feventy men to the
camp with their colours. I blefs the
Lord for his mercies to me. I have got
accommodation in a cottage, though it be
in danger of being pulled down about my
ears by the foldiers fearching for wood-
and ftraw. If we looked more to. thofe
who are below us,and compared their con
dition with ours, it would make us more
thankful and contented with our lot; for
what makes us to differ ? it is only the
goodnefs of God which makes our circum
ftances better — they are every whit as
good as we. -
7. It is wonderful to fee, and a hum
bling thought alfo, what thoufands of ac
cidents, or little trifling things, do difturb
us, or put a wrong bias upon our under*.-

I48 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [17H.
Handing and judgment, upon our temper
and humour, and upon our frame. 0
what a poor worm is man !
22. I went out upon command in the
afternoon, and marched moft of the. night
— Was eafy and thankful in my mind
that I am not chained to that evil com
pany I fometimes ufed to be on command
with. July 2. I find that converfation and
opening of our minds to each other ,is a
good means, by the bleffing of God, to
take away fournefs and ill-natured hu
mours. The fcarcity of fuch company
here makes my life more unpleafant, and
my temper more four and melancholy,
than it would otherwife be. The difpo-
fal of me and my lot is in thy hand, 0
Lord. 4. Dining with a large company. This
is a fad cuftom, which prevails through
moft part of the world, that people think
there can be no good company or weU
come without much drinking, and too
many, even good fober men, have too
warm a fide to this cuftom. It is a great
thing to get above the opinion of the
world.

if it.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS.- I49
5. Riding alone all day to Lille. This
Lille fhould be a continual Ebenezer to
me whenever I fee it, to bring to my re
membrance the fongs of deliverance I
was compalTed about with here. Sept.
12. 1 70S. See pages 83. 86.
6. In the afternoon, 1 vifited the poft
I had at the attack, and was thankful for
the deliverance I had there.
25, *Laft night we marched at nine:
* No atcbievement of the Duke, and of the army
under his command, has been more celebrated than 1
this here recorded. Arleux, a town of the Nether
lands with a fort, five miles from Doway, protecting ;
the French lines which extended from the fea to the
Maefe, having been taken by ttie allies, but afterwards
retaken by the French the Duke collefted his whole
foices, and by rapid marches paffed the lines unexpect
edly- by the French army, commanded by Marlhall.
Villars, without any refiftance or lofs ; an event which 1
not only opened his way to the fiege of Bouchaine, ai
ftrong town in French Flanders, but expofed even the ;
interior of France. The Duke confidered this as a
deed of the greateft generaifhip, and we find it cele
brated with perhaps too great- enthufiafrn by Mr
Addifon, Spectator, No. 139.
shThe wifdom of his fubfequent conduft, in retrain
ing the ardour of his army, flulhed with their late un-
txpefted fuccefs, ought perhaps to be more juftly the
fubje£t .of panegyric, See Dr Sbmerville, pag. 441,
°3

159 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [ 1 7 1 1 .
o'clock, andcontinued.it all night and
to-day, till three in the afternoon, and by
the blefling of God have taken poffeflion
of the French, lines without lofing a man.
This was performed by the excellent
conduit and to the great honour of our
General, being one of the fineft projects
and beft executed which has been during
thefe wars. , Not unto us, O Lord, but
unto thee be the glory ; it is thy doing.
It is thou who gives a fpirit of judgment
and conduct: to thofe who have the direc
tion and command, and a fpirit of ftrength
"to thofe who are to execute thefe com
mands. Our enemies are taken in their
own craftinefs. We were long chained
up, but when thy time'comes, thou goefl
before us as the Captain of our hoft, and
then we do great things. This was a fore
fatiguing march of ten or twelve leagues.
Moft of the army fell ill by the way, fo
that in the afternoon when the French
made a mien to oppofe us, we had but
a handful of men to oppofe them ; but
the enemy retired, and we lay at arms all
night. I blefs the Lord I was very well,1
cheerful and thankful. The Lord makes

1 7 1 1 .] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 1 5 1
good that promife to me, Ifa. xl. 29, 30,
31- 26. This morning we marched for
ward, the enemy being alfo on their
march toward us. Their army drew up
on a plain before us. We hear that it
was very near carried in a council of war
that we fhould attack them, but it was
refolved otherwife to the regret of moft
part of the army. In fuch cafes, Vox ex-
ercitus , vox Dei. Our foldiers were much
encouraged by their fuccefs in paffing the
lines, and the enemy much difcouraged.
When God delivers our enemy into our
hand, and we let them efcape, he often
allows them" to be more troublefome af
terwards. On the other hand, we are not to be
fufpicious of our General's conduct ; we
have more reafon to admire it, and to be
lieve he knows a thoufand times better
what is to be done than we. Submiffive
obedience is our duty, and I give it hear
tily. If any man deferves implicit obe
dience, I think he does, both in refpecr. of
his capacity and integrity. The Lord be
blefled for what he has done — direct and

ISi SELECT PASSAGES FROM fl?*!-
guide by thy counfel in what is farther
to be done.
We marched nearly the whole night,
and bad weather. I flept a little in a foil
dier'si tent till it was blown down about:
my ears, and the rain came in upon me. I
blefs God even for thefe fit'tfe' accommo
dations. We are more thankful in fucn;
circumftances for a fmall mercy than for
much greater ones, when we are living at
our eafe and nothing to trouble us..
2.7. This morning we had* a fmalli
mareh. I pored too much upon pu
blic matters, grudging left the fruits of
our good fuccefs- be loft. This ' is not:
much my bufinefs; my duty is to be very
thankful for the mercy we have received;
Providence will difpoie all' for bis1 glory.
Our defign feems- now to be the fiege of
Bouchain ; and; though this appears but a
fmall thing, and no fuch enterprife a-swe
might have hoped from our paffing their
lines, yet let us be thankful it is fo well
as it is, that we are gaining ground of the
French, and baffling them.
28. We are like to get a great deaf of
fatigue and trouble during this fiege, the
enemy's army bein& entire and ftrong.

171 1-] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. I 53
30. We got a fudden alarm by the
French paffing the Scheld and coming
over to us. Our army drew out in great
hafle, and marched to the right, to our
line of battle, and there expected them ;
but it turned out only a feint to cover
their defign on the other fide, and, to
amufe us till they fhould take poft be
tween us and Doway, which it is faid
they have done. I always thought they
would make this fiege troublefome, and
that we fhould have fought them. I blefs
the Lord who gives liberal fupplies of
grace at fuch times. My mind wasftay-
ed, trufting in him. It is he who gives
ftrength and courage. He is my forti
tude, for of myfelf I am a poor faint
hearted creature and have no reafon to
boaft, but in God I will boaft.
The enemy retired over the river, and
we returned to our camp. In the after
noon we marched again to the right of
the line, to cover the General's quar
ters. Auguft 1. We are bufy fortifying our
Camp, expecting alarms from the near
neighbourhood of the enemy.
. 2. This is the day of Hochftat, the re-

154 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [ 1 7 H .
membra^ce of which fhould ftrengthen
my faith and make me cheerfully truft
in God in all dangers,, difficulties and
troubles. He is a prefent help in time of
need. 5. Sabbath. I fpent much of my time
in company and converfation, unfuitable
to a Sabbath. When alone, I found, my
heart dead, no life, no vigour. Alas hov?
can it be otherwife, living in this, arrny,
where there is fo much to choak the
growth of grace, and fo little to ftrength
en it! O Lord, pity me. Thou knowefi
vehajt is beft for me. I defire not to be
fond of one way of living more than. anos-
ther, for I know not what is beft. I com
mit all to thee. We were likely to haye
marched to-night upon fome. expedition.
about this fiege, and it being referrednto
lot by throwing-dice, Providence ordered;
it fo that we ftay here.
17. At court in the forenoon. He who-
is above me in the regiment has now got
a greater poft, which takes him in a man
ner out of the regiment, whereby, my
charge becomes greater. I do not now
look upon it with the eyes of youthful
vanity and ambition, as a ftep of rifing

I7I I-] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 1 55
and pufhing forward. I view it as a hea
vier charge and burden upon my fhoul-
ders, which the Lord knows I am not
able for. But this is all my hope and
confidence, that he who fends none a
warfare on their own charges, will furnifh
me with needful grace. I have greater
inclination to go out of this employment
than to rife in it.
21. Getting an alarm this morning be
tween twelve and one, we marched to
our alarm poft, and remained till five
o'clock. I was calm and compofed.
22. This poft which the French have
taken makes us uneafy. This night we
were again at arms all night, and march
ed to our alarm poft, where we lay till
fun-riling. In the midft of all thefe con-
fufions, God is a refuge. This is all my
comfort and peace, for from all other
quarters nothing but trouble. The hu
mours of thofe "wc have to do with, and
the fociety we live in, is among the greateft
uneafineffes we have in this world. Lord,
give me grace to have a converfation void
.of offence toward thee and man. If I
have thy approbation, itjnatters not whe-

1 5.0 SELECT PASSAGES FROM LI7H'
ther men approve or condemn. To thee
I am to anfwer.
29. This day our regiment went into.
the trenches. I blefs the Lord who made
them fafe and eafy to us, and that we
had no lofs. I fpent the day quietly,
though among the noife of cannon,
bombs, &c.
September 19. Making progrefs in my
affair at Court, and the way opening up
eafier than I expected, and rubs taken
out of the way. Well, I'll wait as Abra
ham's fervant, Gen. xxiv. 21. and beg
grace to follow the way of duty, whether
it be to flay or go. I know my happi-
nefs, peace and comfort does not lie either
in going or flaying — it is thy blefling and
prefence, O Lord.
20. I am ftill the eafier the more Pro
vidence does in this affair and the lefs I
do, for I do not love to pufh and work
through any bulinefs with a ftrong bent
of my own will.
26. My bufinefs has taken another
, turn. I know not what will come of it.
I commit all to thee, O Lord.
30. Sabbath. Came off command,
which was both fhort and eafy. I blefs

1 711.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. I $J
the Lord for reft and accommodation af
ter fatigue. I took a fudden refolution
about twelve o'clock of going away to
morrow, and afked permiffion in the af
ternoon. I found ready accefs to all the
generals^ and found them fo eafy that I
met with no difficulties, but all went
fmo'oth and well.
Oclober i. This morning I left the ar
my at Bouchaine. The Lord only knows
whether I fhall ever return again. I re
fer my life to his will and difpofal. If
his prefence go with me, I am glad to
go ; and if it be his pleafure I fhould re
turn, I am fatisfied alfo. Rather melan
choly in the morning, parting with fome
of my kind friends, and the corps I have
lived in thefe twenty-two years ; but
through the day I had a ferene thankful
mind while riding alone in my chaife. I
applied that faying of Jacob's, Gen. xxxii.
10. I may fay fo. I am lefs than the
leaft of all his mercies, for with my lieu
tenant's partifan* I paffed over to this
country about twenty-one years ago, and
* A weapon not unlike a halbert, then ufe d by
lieutenants of Infantry. P-

r 1 58 SELECT PASSAGES FROM ' [ 1 7 H .
now the Lord fends me out of the army
with abundance of reputation and the
conveniences of fife ; for I was afhamed to
hear of the kind and obliging things*
which my. Lord Duke fpoke about me to
: the generals with him, after I was gone
out. I fay not. this to flatter myfelf, or
to be fuel to vanity, but to ftir up thank-
fulnefs. O the goodnefs and mercy with
which God has followed me thefe twen-
. ty-two years fince I came to this employ
ment ! How wonderfully and mercifully
(prefe'rved, protected and honoured! info
much, that there has fcarce been an ac*
tion which I have been in, but Provi
dence did kindly make fome incidents
fall out, which procured me.greater repu
tation in the army. Not unto me, but
unto thee be the praife ; for ha.dft thou
withheld thy grace, I fliould have mifbe-
haved upon every occafion, and had con-
, tempt and fhame inftead of honour.
I have feen officers more deferving in
themfelves, who have been toiling
through fatigues and dangers for twenty
or thirty years, and who had gathered a
,good flock of reputation; I have feen
itbem lofe it in one day, or in an hour. This

1 71 1 i] COE. blackaDer's papers, i 5-9 '*
would have been- fo with me if the Lord
had left me ; but thou, Lord, haft always
furnifhed me very liberally, to the praife
«f thy free grace. I praife thee who ena
bled me to live in fuch an army fuitable to
the profeffion of religion, though I confefs
iii much weaknefs and with many failings
oh my part ; this is a great and wonder
ful mercy, and it is alfo remembered in
the army, I hope to the honour of God
and credit of religion.
I carrid fafe to Tournay at night. I
have not had more ferenity of mind and
thankfulnefs than I had all this day. I
take this for a , good omen, that thy pre
fence, O Lbrd.'fhall go with-me, and give
me reft.-
3. Came fafe to Courtray. I blefs the
Lord for carrying me through, and giving
us a comfortable meeting, and bringing
the campaign to a comfortable iffue.
17. We were to have failed early this.
morning, but by an accident of a rope
breaking, we were flopped all day, which
at firft made us uneafy, but afterwards
we faw great mercy in it, for there came
on a great ftotm which might have put
11s in danger if we had gone. It frequent-

169 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [17II.
ly happens that things which make us
uneafy, and which we reckon to be
croffes, are by the wife providence of
Gpd made to be Our chqiceft mercies jf
Wherefore, we fhould always truft all very
cheerfully to him.
18. Sailed this morning, and arrived
at Rotterdam at twelve o'clock noon next
day. 30. Concerned about my wife, who is
taken ill of a fever.
31. She continues badly. O Lord,
fanctify all tp us, to bring us -nearer to
thee, and that the fruit of all be to purge
away fin.
November 2. I got notice that the day
I came to Sas with an efcort only of
twenty mep, there was a party of French
thirty ftrong upon the canal, almoft at the.
farne time we pafied. They chafed back.
a party of ours who came out only an
hour after us. O Lord, thou frequently
followeft us with great mercy when we
know nothing of it.
4. Much alarmed laft night to find my ,
wife's fever much increafed. She was
a little delirious — her difcourfe was, what
great manifeftations fhe had got of God,

I7I I •] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 1 6l
his mercy in Chrift, and her intereft in
him. I was earneft at a throne of grace
fbr her, that the Lord would be merciful
to her and to me in fparing her. I truft
in his mercy that he will hear me, and put
a new fong of praife in our mouth.
5. Her fever abated. O Lord, make
us thankful for every mercyf and what
thou haft begun ; pleafe perfect, and con
tinue to rebuke the diftemper. Say but
the word, and thy fervant fhall be heal
ed ; for difeafes are thy foldiers, under
thy command who art the Lord of hofts.
Thou fayeft to them, Come, and they'
come ; and biddeft them go, and they go.
1 believe both in thy power and thy mer
cy. ^9. 'She is ftill dangeroufly ill.
14. Blefled be the Lord who continues
his goodnefs ; he has rebuked the difeafe __
and ftrengthened the poor patient to bear
— everlafting arms were underneath fup-
porting. 16. Lord, fanctify this providence to
us. Teach us what thou wouldft have us
to learn and do, for it is not the rod alone
which can do us any good.
December 25. This day we left Rotter-
P3

1 62 SELECT PASSAGES FROM L17II.
dam, and O how thankful we ought to
be for the goodnefs and mercy which has
followed us here ! May thy prefence
be with us during this voyage and jour
ney ! We put ourfelves under thy protec
tion and direction, who made the heaven
and the earth, the fea and the dry land.
28. This forenoon we embarked in the
yachts which carry over Prince Eugene
and the Pruffian ambaffador to London *.
We met with impediments next day ;
however we flood out to fea, but not
finding the man of war that was to con
voy us over, we were obliged to come back
to an anchor before Helvoet, where we
lay toffing all night.
30. In the afternoon our convoy came
out, and we weighed anchor and profe-
cuted our voyage till midnight with a
good wind ; but the wind then turning*
rather contrary, we changed our courfe
more northerly towards Yarmouth, and
both of us were very fick.
31. In the afternoon we came to an
chor between Yarmouth and Harwich.
'•* Prince Eugene came to Britain to excite a fpirit
£pr carrying on the war, but failed in his object.

1712.] COL. BLACKADER'S; PAPERS. l6j

1712.
i
January 1. We wrought up to Har
wich, though the wind was contrary, and
landed there. I blefs thee, O Lord, for
thy mercy in bringing us fafe.
Now thou haft brought us to Britain
again ; O Lord, let us have thy blefling
and prefence here, as we have had abroad.
Lead us in the right way, guide us by thy
counfel, and difpofe of us by thy mercy
for thy honour and glory, and for our
good. 2. A pleafant voyage up the river, and
came to Ipfwich.
5. Arrived fafe at London.
9. No place ever I was in gives me a
greater idea of the vanity of the world
*than this city. Moft walk in a vain
fhew. 13. Sabbath. Heard two good fer-
mons fuitable to the times we live in.
Good men feem to be affected with ap-
prehenfions of approaching wrath and
judgments hanging over our heads. O
Lord, thou art a fovereign God, and canft
work in a fovereign way of mercy, and

164 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [1712.
prevent our fears, but we have fo abufed
thy long-fuffering patience, that wemay
be juftly afraid that abufed patience will
turn at laft to fury, for there are no figns
of repentance or reformation-; but, on the
contrary, hardened in fin and heaven-
daring wickednefs. O Lord, raife up
many, and let us be in the number, who
are mourning for the abominations com
mitted in the place we live in, and let us
not be partakers of their fins, that we
may not be partakers of their plagues
and judgments.
16. This day appointed by authority
to be kept a fait for imploring the blef
ling of God upon the prefent negocia-
tions. February 27. In all fteps of my life, I
fee upon the one hand much weaknefs in
my own management; but, on the other,
a kind Providence making all I do to
profper better than thofe who have much
more wifdom and prudence. 1 have good
reafon then to commit my way to God,
and truft in him. He will bring it to
pafs. March 23. This day we finifhed our
bargain about my poft, according to

1712.] CC*. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 165
a previous appointment ; and, having
made my demiffion, I look upon my
felf as coit of the army. I obferve the
kind dealing of Providence with me, that
two days hence, (the 25th) is the day
which by Act of Parliament I would
have loft my poft if I had gone to a Pref-
byterian meeting * ; now, by the good
nefs of God, I am delivered out of this
fhare, for this law does not touch me, hal
ving no poft. I knew not this, nor did I
fufpect it laft fummer when I entered in
to the agreement; but God, who leads
the blind by the way they, know not, was

* This was the bill for preventing occqfiohal coni
formity, the reffraints of which were far more extenfive
than its title feems to imply. After having been moved
and rejected three times in farmer years, and no fteps
taken to renew the motion for feven years., it was car
ried through in this feflion of Parliament. By tf|is
law, all perfons having places of truft or profit under
government forfeited thefe, who fhould be prefent at
any meeting for religious worfhip confifting of more
than ten perfons, befides the family, where the Book
of Common Prayer was not ufed. The law took ef-
fe£t on the 25th of this month, and was carried
without any oppofition from thofe who. had hitherta
in Parliament divided againft it. 1

1 66 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [1712T
leading me by the hand, and taking me
out of the army in the beft knd fitteft
time. I defire to adore and admire the
mercy and goodnefs of God to me in his
Providence, and to truft in him cheerfuL
ly in time to come. Make thy way plain
to me, that I, who am a way-faring man
and a fool, may hot err in it.
25. Going about an affair this morn
ing which lay much in the managing of
tempers. I knew before hand I would
lofe it. I am not a match for the men of
this world ; they are wifer in their gene
ration. I did what was my duty, I can
do no more, and this makes me eafy.
April 5. I fee that the fervice of God
does not hinder bufinefs, but promotes it,
for yefterday, being employed in his fer
vice, and having feveral affairs yet to be
difpatched, I was afraid I fhould have too
little time ; but Providence brought my
bufinefs to my hand, and alfo made it
fmooth and eafy, fo that jt was well done
and foon over.
7. Left London. May thy prefence
be with us, O Lord; we commit ourfelves
to thy divine conduct:.
16. Arrived at Newcaftle — next- day

. J 71 2.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 1 67
,our coach was overturned, but we efca-
ped unhurt.
21. Came- to Dunbar in the evening;
¦Iftepped out, and walked toward the fea
.fide in, fight of the Bafs ifland, which oc-
, cafioned ferious thoughts, and a thank-
, ful frame of mind, to think of the train
of goodnefs and mercy thefe many years
, fince I. was there *.
22. Arrived at Edinburgh.
24. Came to Stirling.
May 2,.. Much of the day in public
worfhip, being the. preparation fermons
before the facrament. I complain that I
was preached more dead by being too
much in public; I think that is the
fault of the; cuftom here. There is too
much time employed in public, and too
¦ little left for private devotion. And alfo
upon fuch occafions, there is too much
pains taken to work up the affections and
iframe to a height, without taking equal
care of a fuitable growth and improve
ment in the judgment and converfation,
which makes fanciful rather than folid
¦Chriftians. We are frequently more ear-
" (* See the preceding narrative of the Colonel's f3-
i ther.

1 68 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [i 71 2.
neft to have the confolations and fmiles
of Chrift, than careful to take on the
whole yoke of Chrift, or to walk in a
fteady courfe of obedience, mortifying
and fubduing our own wills and tem
pers. 5. I fee that a humble needy depen
dence on Chrift muft be our daily work.
I fee a conftant need of it, that a Chri
ftian muft never leave his fentry poft.
7. Heard a good fermon. O learn me
to live fo as I heard^-a ftranger and pil
grim in the world. I thought my affec
tions more warmed and raifed by this fer
mon than they were at the Lord's table ;
the fpirit is free and bloweth when it lift-
eth. I defire not, as many do, to mea-
fure my Chriftian growth by the workings
of my affections, but by folid refolutions
of the will, guided by a found judgment
and underftanding, and that guided by
the word of God. We came to Craig*
forth* at night. Thy prefence be with
us here, O Lord, and blefs our habitation
and company.
* The feat, near Stirling, of his wife's father, Jaiftes
Callander, Efq.

1712.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 1 69
8. Blefling God for his goodnefs in
bringing us fafe home through many dan
gers and difficulties to this quiet peace
able habitation among our friends ; but
all this is nothing unlefs thy prefence be
with us and give us reft.
15. Here I complain of idlenefs as be-
iore I have done of hurry. So that in
this world there is nothing fatisfying — al
ways fomethirig wrong.
June 5. In company all the day by
flrangers coming to the houfe. This is a
kind of life I do not love, to have all my
time ftolen from me and trifled away. I
could not well live fo without intervals of
retirement. A country life I fee is fub-
jedt to this inconvenience. Lord, direcfl
us as to our place of fojourning, where
we may have time and grace to ferve
thee for thy glory and our own peace and
comfort. Auguft. 6. Abroad all day at a burial
in the country. Moft of the converfation
and company there was not defirable.
It is wonderful to fee what a perverfe ma
lignant fpirit is gone out, among the gen
try efpecially, againft all that is good. O
the madnefs of people that would facri-

IJ-O SELECT PASSAGES FROM \i*]l £.
fice religion and liberty, and all that is
valuable, to fatisfy their humour; but,
£hios perdere vult, l£c. *.
25. United to a religious fociety, where
¦I refolve to go. I have much need of
fuch means of upftirring:
September 1. This morning I attended
a fellowlhip meeting for prayer. O,
•Lord, pour out a fpirit of prayer, of grace
.and fupplication upon us, and upon all
thy people.
10. In company, where too much heat
was fhewn in debate. Indeed, 1 fufpect
-that mhch of that which fome people
- call zeal, proceeds from heat and vio
lence of temper which is natural to ma
ny people, and I am afraid we are often
led by our own humours inftead of the
Spirit of God. It is the 'meek thou
guideft in judgment ; the meek thou
clearly teacheth thy way. Lord, make
me fo. Keep me from extremes both on,
the right hand and the left. Let- me
not adt, «r fuffer for any thing, but what
- * At this period, a very great number of the gen
try of Scotland were in the intereft of the Pre
tender.

Ijl2.] ; COL,. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 171
is clear duty, wherein I' may have thy
approbation, and the peace anc| teiti-
mony of a good confcience. I dare not
gyve up myfelf to be directed by any
man or fet of men. Guide me thy
felf!:

S72 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [1713.

i7l3-
February 3. Surprised at the fudden
Hlnefs of a friend who feems to be dy
ing. Lord, fit and prepare for a change.
Let her foul be bound up in the bundle
of life. I find that the fight of a dying
perfon makes a deeper impreffion upon
me now in cold blood, than ten thoufand
did in Flanders at battles.
4. In the houfe of mourning all day.
My niece died at night. Lord, fanctify
the providence to thofe moft concerned,
and to us all. I perceive, that in a dy
ing hour an intereft in Chrift, and the
fenfe of it, is worth ten thoufand worlds ;
for all earthly comforts are then taftelefs
and ufelefs.
Auguft 2. This is ftill a day I incline
much to remember for the battle of
Hochftadt, which I fhould never forget.
. September 10. I hear that our regi
ment is gone for Ireland. They cannot
ferve there unlefs they take the facra-
mental tell *.' O I admire and adore the
* The teft aft, which paffed in 1672, fimilar in
its object with the corporation aft of 1663; but much.

1^13-] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 1 73'
goodnefs of God to me, who brought me
out of the army juft at the right time;
who allowed me to flay in it while fer-
vice was to\be done againft his enemies,
and honour to be got, and gave me a
bountiful fhare of it, and of profit alfo.
And I could never have managed my de-
iriilfion right, and got. the difficulties re
moved which are frequently in the way.
more extenfive, is ftill confidered, not only as the great
grievance of Diffenters from the Church of England,
but even by many members of thatqhurch as profane and
oppieffive. But it ought to be remembered, that this
was equally a meafure of the Prefbyteriah party as of
the Epifcopal, in order to exclude Catholic* from of- '
, fices under government. DifFenters indeed had fecret ;
affurances of being afterwards excepted from its ope
ration, but having ferved a turn by deferting the fair" '
ground of uprightnefs and confiftency, it is to be re
marked, that they have been difappointed from that
time to this, in obtaining any legal fecurity from the
provifions of this law. It may now be confidered as
the only limitation of religious liberty in England,
the toleration aft of 1690, with its enlargement in
1779, having deprived all the other laws againft Pro-
teftant non-conformifts of force and effeft. The teft*
aft was not extended to Ireland till 1706, and is now
repealed there. Even in England, afts of indemnity
annually pafTed, have rendered the corporation and tefl
afts a dead letter.
P3

1 74 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [i J 1 3.
of fuch bargains, but Providence made
me almoft paflive in it, and fent a man
who was fond of my poft, and accepta-r
ble to thofe concerned, which made it
eafy.

I7I4-] CPL- BLACKADER'S PAPERS. I J$

1714.
January 1. Dining with a large" com
pany. I do not now love the bright
fparkling converfation of the wits fo well
as of the wife and prudent,, whereby we
are made better and wifer,
30. I laid me down in peace, I awaked,
for. God fultained me. I will not be
afraid, through God's ftrength, of ten
thoufand encamping againft me. I have
refolved this morning to eat the Lord's
fupper to-morrow. Heard two good fer-
mons. As to my own frame, I cannot
fay my affections are very lively, but I.
hope I have fome hunger and thirft after
Chrift. What is upon my heart moft
upon this occafion is, that the power of
corruption may be more broken, every
weight laid afide, and the fins that fo ea-
fily befet me. That I may get more love
to Chrift to carry me through difficul
ties. 31. Sabbath. I cannot fay my affec
tions are lively, but I hope I haye got a
difcovery of the n.atchlefs love of God. and
of Chrift fhedding his precious blood for

%!j6 SELECT PASSAGES FROM ^ ' [ I y 1 4;
the remiffion of fin. At my time of life
I -do not expect an high frame, and in
deed when I had it in my youth, I think
it was more for my own comfort and plea
fure in religion, than' that it tended tor
any folid growth.'
February 10. Waiting' on the Pre'fby-'
tery all day. Gave my opinion and vote'
not with the fide with whom" I had voted
before. If was according to- my con-1
fcience. I think it is a weaknefs' to have*
the confcience tied to any party, but free
and difengaged- to receive light. I hope
I am well directed ; at leaft I hope I am
difinterefted, and without bias in the
matter.' March 17. I am chofen by thePref-
byte'ry to be a member of the enfuing
General Affembly. Lord, give me grace*
faithfully to difcharge my duty, fo that 1
may have thy approbation, and the tefti-'
mony of a good confcience.
26. I either miftake religion myfelf, or'
many in this country do. I think thej
beft evidence of our fincerity, and of our
being partakers of grace, lies in fubduing
our tempers and thofe fins which moft ea-'
fily befet us. But I fee many place their

1^14.] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 1 77
religion in ftridl opinions, a fiery temper
and forward practice conformed thereto.
It grieves me to fee fo much profeffion of
ftrict religion and other things not con
form *.
April 13. Met this day with our fef-
fions about chufing a minifter. We
fought counfel and direction of God, and
I hope we were well guided. There was
great unanimity.
May 8. Obliged to go out at night
arid fup, where we Were kept intolerably
late— vexed at it, and out of order.
Lord, pardon, and give grace to employ
time better.
17. This fOrenodn the Affembly rofe,
and a pleafant fight it was. Such unity
and harmony ! I hope the Lord's prefence
has been with this affembly. I was much
affected while tinging the 133d Pfalm.
Junet. We left Edinburgh, and blefs
the Lord for his mercy and goodnefs
which has followed us fince we came to
it. Came fafe to Craigforth at night.
* It may be proper for many, who fo highly extol
the times of our forefathers, to confider this impartial
tellimony refpefting the kind of religion then fo, much
in vogue.

£78 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [1714,.
Auguft 3. This day getting furprifing,
news of the Queen's being extremely ill.
put a damp upon my fpirits; and.ftunned
me at firft ;. then, going alone, and com- .
mitting all to God by prayer, my heart
was fomewhat quieted and eftablifhed.
Lord, difappoint the defigns of malignant
reftlefs enemies, and get glory by all
events. Met in the afternoon with the
magiftrates and friends here, to concert
meafures for our fecurity. Let qur eyes
be towards thee, and give us help fronts
trouble, for vain is the help" of man.
4. Heard the Queen is better. I re
joice in it, and wifh her recovery if it be;
God's will. We have had peace aid
truth. in her time, and alfo liberty under-
the. wings of her government to lead>
quiet and peaceable lives in all godlinefs'
andhonefty. If. we have had hardfhips-
put upon us of late years-, they muft be
attributed to. the violence and rage of
parties, and not to her temper. She - has •
been virtuous, fober, clement, and devout-
in her own way. All this we ought to ac
knowledge with thankfulnefs to God, and ¦
ajfb to her as the means.
5.. We do not hear yet of the Queen's

!T7I4'] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. IJ^
death, though her life be defpaired of.
Lord, prepare her for, and receive her to,
-an immortal crown. of glory. I am thank-
vful that all is going on quietly and peace
ably, all teeming to go in heartily with
the Proteftant fucceffion.
6. I came up in halte from Cjraigforth
to Stirling, hearing the Queen is dead. I
-allilted with the magiltrates in proclaim
ing the new King George. Lord, fend
him over to us filled with the graces and
gifts thac may make him a great and laft-
ing blefling to thefe nations.
7. We hear from all places of peace
and quiet, and that there appears not a
-dog to move his tongue againft the Pro
teftant fucceffion. This is the Lord's do
ing and wonderful in our eyes, as what
we did not expect. May the goodnefs of
God lead us to repentance, elfe he can
foon turn our hopeful beginnings into a
fad end. He has many arrows in his
s quiver. September 23. I blefs the Lord who de
livers out of temptation and reftores peace
and ferenity of mind. This afternoon
we received the gcod news of the king's
Cafe .arrival. O Loid, make us thankful ;

l80 SELECT PASSAGES FROM Xl7*4>
thou dealefl mercifully with us. Lord,
make him a long and lafting bleffing to
thefe nations and thy church, to break
the balance of anti- chriftian power in
Europe. Affifting at night at the folem-
nity with the magiftrates, and officers of
the regiment. We may fee the modera
tion and lenity of a juft and good govern
ment; thofe who have been the greateft
enemies to it are protected, and may ap
pear in as great fecurity as its belt friends;
but if a pretender had come in, I doubt
not but the country had become a field
of blood, malice and vice triumphing,
and good men hiding themfelves ; but the
Lord be praifed, the fnare is broken, and
our foul has efcaped as a bird out of the
fnare. December 31. I blefs thee, O Lord,
who adds to my days and years, and Lhat
I enjoy them in peace, contrary to my
expectation. Lord,-give me grace fo to
number my days as to apply my heart
to wifdom. I fet up my Ebenezer,

*7r5-] C0L' BLACKADER'S PAPERS. l8l
I7»S«
.Afofc. — :Col. Blackader having been appointed
Deputy Governor of Stirling Caftle, he
had an opportunity of ferving his country
very materially in affifting towards the
fuppreffion of the rebellion which broke
out this year in Scotland.
June 20. There was a dreadful ftorm,
with thunder and lightning, this morn
ing. O the comfort of having this God
Who thunders in majefty and power, for
our God and father !
Auguft 9. Out feeing a rendezvous;
but, alas, a poor defence. Lord,;giveus
help from trouble, for vain is the help of
man. Our truft be in thee alone, for in
deed we have no arm of flefh to truft .to ;
but perhaps I defpife thefe fmall .things
too much, having feen fine armies ; but
it is our fins, I fear, make us weak. I
know, if God be not angry with us, he
can make one of us (as we arej to chafe
a thoufand. 23. This, day was kept a fall, appoint
ed by the commiffion of the General Af
fembly. I am fure we have good reafon
to keep days of humiliation. Lord, pour
R

I$2 , SELECT PASSAGES FROM LI7I5-
out a fpirit of repentance, grace and Am
plication, that we may turn unto thee
before thy wrath break out. Lord, hear
the prayers which have been put up to
thee to-day by thy people. I hope there
are ftrong batteries raifed up this day in
Scotland againft an antichriftian, wicked
jacobite party, who are enemies to God
and his caufe.
24. The alarm renewed again of an
invafion. I cannot fay but it always calls
a damp upon my fpirits when I hear of it,
though it need be no furprife, for I have
a melancholy view of that difmal fcene
of confufion, bloodfhed, famine and pef
tilence, and all the calamities of a barba
rous inteftine war. God can in mercy
difappoint our fears, as he has ofteii
done. We have got account of the death of
the King of France. We have been
long looking for it, but God's time is the
belt time, It is obfervable at this nick of
time, when he had been long laying
plans, and was on the point of fending, a
Pretender to invade us. Perhaps this
may defeat their defign. Follow what
will, he was the main pillar and fupportof

1 7 1 5 •] C0L- BLACKADER'S PAPERS. I 8 3
antichrift's kingdom. We hope it is a1
good omen that antichrift fhall get a
deadly blow, and is near his end, though
he rage fo much *. But now, this fhould
teach us to be humble and modeft in
judging. We are too apt to interpret
God's providences and judgments ac
cording to our humours and paflions.
We thought he could never go off the
world without fome remarkable judgment,
and now he died as a lamb, and with-

* Louis XIV. whofe inordinate ambition had kin
dled .and long fupported the flames of war over a
great part of the world, died in his feventy-feventh
year, on the firft of September, amidft the flatteries,
or rather adorations, of poets, orators and priefts. His
confcience to the laft was prefer ved in peace, amidft all
his public and private iniquities, by thefe and the ftupi-
A fying effefts of the fuperftition he profeffed. He died
recpmmending to his grandfon, Louis XV. the obliga
tions to God, in the conftant violation of which he had
himfelf lived ; gently confefling, merely, that he had
< been loo fond of war and tavifh in his expences,
againft which he admonifhed him — confidering his
conduft as his misfortune, not his crime. His dying
advice, as, we know, had the effeft which might
have been expefted. In what light do the exploits
and the death of fuch perfons 'appear, when fet be-
fifle fuch defcriptions and truths as we read Ifa. xiv. 1

184 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [1715.
out any horror that we hear of, but with
great prefence of mind and compofure.
God's ways are not as ours. We mea
fure Infinite by our own little under-
ftanding. November 12. This morning the army
marched out *. I got my orders from
the Duke, and received many compli.
ments for my fuccefs in training the Weft
country battalion. I went out with the
army a little way— fent my beft wifhes
* The rebellion in Scotland having by this time
attained eonfiderable height, and the Earl of Mar,
at the head of the Highland army, having marched
from Perth towards Stirling, apparently with the de
fign of palling the Forth by the bridge there, John
Duke of Argyle, Commander in Chief of the forces
in Scotland, having firft fecured Edinburgh, marched
with, very inferior force to Stifling, and gave him bat
tle near Dumblane.
The town of Glafgow, always zealoufly attach
ed to the Hanover fucceffion, and to the confti
tution it was called to maintain, raifed on occa
fion of .this rebellion a battalion of fix hundted
men, and fupported them for fixty days at their
own expence. The Duke of Argyle made a requifi-
tion for thefe men on the 14th of September, when
they immediately marched to Stirling, joined the
king's troops, and were difciplined by Colonel Black
ader,

I7I5-] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. I 85
and prayers along with them. O thou
Lord of hofts, go. out with our armies ;
and thou great Judge of right, judge be
tween them and us. I fhould have had
lefs fatigue to have been out with the
army, but the poft which Providence al
lots to me is always the belt. — Alarmed
at night by the enemy, and putting all
the town in arms ; I went down to the
bridge with the Glafgow battalion, and
f remained there all night, and it was a
" peaceable night. I blefs God for it.
13. Sabbath. I flept two hours in the
morning, and then went to church. At
the difmiflion, we were alarmed. Upon
going out," I faw one of the moft melan-
s choly fights ever I faw in my life — our
army flying before their enemies*. O
* The right wing of the army under the Duke of
Argyle completely routed that wing of the rebel army
to which they were oppofed '; but the right wing of the
rebels defeated the left of the royal army with great
flaughter. General Whetham, who commanded them,
'fled before the rebels to Stirling, and fpread the news of
the army being completely defeated. But the Duke
of Argyle returned from the purfuit, and fupported
that part of the army who were attacked in the rear
by the Highlanders, who had returned from putting
Whetham. to flight. The rebellion however was not
R3

1 86 SELECT PASSAGES FROM [1715.
Lord, what fhall we fay when Ifrael*
turneth their backs, and fly before their
enemies ? — We have finned. Going
down to the bridge with a heavy
heart, the runners away coming fall in,
and every one giving a worfe account
than another, that all was loft and gone ;
indeed feeing is believing. All the fields
were covered with our flying troops, horfe
fuppreffed fo much by this battle, which was not de-
cifive, as by the feizure of Invernefs, and the difper- *
fion of the clans in the North, and the furrender of
the rebel army at Prefton in Lancafhire.
* Colonel Blackader appears here to labour under
the fame prejudice with the reft of his religious coun
trymen at that period, viz. that Scotland, as a cove
nanted nation, had the fame fort of peculiar relation to
God as Ifrael of old. But according to the Scrip
tures, the people, who are the anti-type of that na
tion, correfponding in peculiar fpiritual privileges to
the earthly privileges of Ifrael, are there faid to be
gathered out of all kindreds, nations and languages,
having the name of Ifrael after the fpirit, Rev. v.
p. ; Jews, though not outwardly fuch, Gal. vi. 16. ;
the circuracifion, or circumcifed, who worfliip God in
fpirit. rejoice in Chrift Jefus, and Have no confidence
in the Hi iii, Phil. iii. 3. ; the holy nation, the peculiar
people, &c. 1 Peter ii. 9. All, in -every nation, who
fear God and work righteoufnefs, are now equally ac
ceptable and related unto God, Ads x. 35.

1 7 1 5 .] COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. I 8 7
and foot, all the appearance of a routed
army. O what dilmal views had we,
expe&ing to fee the rebel Highland ar
my at their heels ! Filled with fuch
thoughts as thefe— -Lord, thou haft turn
ed our fword's edge, and halt not made us
to ftand in battle ; thou haft poured
fhame and contempt upon us ; thou go-
elt not forth with our armies. Give us
help from trouble, for' vain is the help of
man. I took down all the Glafgow battalion
to the bridge, and polled them in fome
entrenchments there ; but indeed I had
no great hopes of keeping them out, for
thinking our army routed, I thought they
would pafs the river Forth at fome ford,
and foon become mailers of Stirling.
Thus we fpent all the afternoon very me
lancholy, till the evening, when a better
profpect began to open. We got intelli
gence that the Duke was ftill on the field
of battle, and afterwards that he had
been victorious.
O what a furprifing turn ! We could
not believe it. We were as men that
dreamed ; but it was confirmed to us by
eye-witnefles. O how thou haft turned

1 88 SELECT PASSAGES FROM" [1715.
our fears and grief into joy and fongs- of
praife ! Providence has now fo managed
it that no flelh fhall boaft. Our fight
wing did beat their left, and their fright
wing beat our left ; but our left was
attacked before the line of battle was
formed, and fo every regiment, upon the
long march, broke and driven back one
upon another. We were alfo too vain
and conceited, and defpifed our enemies
too much, and relied too much upon the
arm of flelh. God- humble us, and let us
fee that all flelh is grafs ; yet he takes
care of his own caufe, and lets not our
enemies triumph, at the fame time he
humbles and mortifies our vanity.
I now fee Providence was kind 'to me
and thofe who remained here._ We
fhould have been potted on the left or
centre, and fo have been furprifed and
broken as the reft were, and perhaps
loft both life and honour. My prayer
was, If thy prefence go not with me, car
ry me not up hence. He has heard me.
Succefs was not to attend the left wing..
I was not to be there. All is well order
ed. 14. This day it is expeded there wilt

I7I5-1 C0L- BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 1 89
be another engagement, that the Duke
will attack them if they remain where
they are.
We hear the rebels are retired. Lord,
be praifed, who putteft a bridle in their
nofe and hook in their jaws* and turneth
them back by the way they came. O
what a merciful furprifing turn of provi
dence ! Yefterday we were expecting a
barbarous and cruel enemy at our gates
by this time, and to be flying before
them. God is our defence, our fhield and
buckler. The army came back in the afternoon
in much better condition than we ex
pected. Lord,, be blefled for this refpitq,
and fanctify this providence, this check,
to make us humble, and to depend on
thee ; to repent and turn to thee.
Fifteen regiments are cantoned round
about us, confequently the company here
is very bad— fwearing. blafphemy, vile
creatures, the fcum ef the earth. No
wonder though our carcafTes be made to
dung the face of the earth. God can be
glorified upon us, and work his own work
without fuch vile inftruments. But, O
Lord, reform us.

I90. SELECT PASSAGES FROM [l7T5.
17. Laft night, we efcaped ah immi
nent danger-by fire from thefe fad neigh
bours of ~ ours. Lord, thou keepeft us-
from terrors by night as well as dangers
by day ; thou putteft a hedge about lis,
allows no evil to befal us, or plague to
come near our dwelling.
19. In the morning feeing the Duke
review .the regiments of foot ; fome of
them are fore fhattered. They who ftood
and did their duty beft, have fuffered
leaft. It is generally fo.
22. The Glafgow regiment marched
home. I convoyed them part of the
way, and we parted with much affection
on both fides. I blefs the Lord who has
fent them home fafe, and that they were
not expofed or fuftered as others. They
were committed to my charge, I com
mitted them to thine, and thou haft been
their defence.
25. I have great caufe to complain of
the ftrength of corruption. Alas! this
way of life injures holinefs and fpiritual
mindednefs ; the heart lofes its right fett,
turns remits, light, vain. Lord, fanctify
my foul, let me not grieve thy Spirit ;
throw out the uncleannefs of my heart

17 1 5'J COL. BLACKADER'S PAPERS. 191
which ferves as fuel for Satan to work
upon. O I may fay my heart is deceit
ful above all things, and defperately
wicked. Through grace I reiblve to
trifft in Chrift and to Itrive againft fin.
26. Still complaining ; O wretched
man that I am! who fhall deliver me from
this body of death ?
December 5. I defire to adore the
riches and power of grace, for I believe
there gre many in hell who have not had
fuch ftrong corruptions, more of the feeds
of all wickednefs, than I have. Lord,
fubdue them.
13. Went out in the morning With the
Duke and Generals to view the field of
battle. It is folly to lay blame upon each
other, right wing or left wing. Time and
chance happeneth to all. They who
, fled, would likely on another occafion
have done their duty, and behaved well;
and they who flood, might, in the fame
circumftances, have fled as well as they
did. The glory and praife of all belongs
to God, and no caufe of boafting to man.
All flefh is grafs.
29. Among the great folks through the
day. O for a fpiritual habit of mind

I92 SELECT PASSAGES, &C. [1715.
among company, and that my mind may
not be made vainer and lighter by it. I
fee vanity in all thefe things. O to be
living as a ftranger and pilgrim, in fight
of death, judgment and eternity.

END OF THE EXTRACTS FROM THE t>IART.

LETTERS.

—-

LETTER I.
To Mrs -Blackader.
Mr Dearest, Near Treves, May 15.
W e are now come within two days
march of Treves, and are refting this day,
which gives me the opportunity of wri
ting thefe letters. It is faid we are to
join Prince Lewis' army on the other fide
the Mofelle, and what we are to do next
'I do not pretend to tell thee. Perhaps
the French will be fo ftrong, that we will
not think it advifable to attaek their
lines, #nd you know Prince Lewis is not
thought rafh of fighting; but all this is
but poor comfort and not to^truft to, I
confefs ; fo I recommend you to go for
comfort and fupport where you have al
ways had it. The name of the .Lord is a
ftrong tower, the righteous flee to it and
are fafe. I told you before, that I in par
ticular, beyond many others, need not
fear to go to the Mofelle, for God is a
tried God to me there already. -I have-
my Ebenezer there before me.
J! blefs God I am well, eafy and cheer-

I96 EXTRACTS OF LETTERS
-ful, more than I have been fince I went
10 Scotland. He has gracioufly removed
that melancholy and chagrin that fome
time troubled me there, and now, except
my. being abfent from my deareft joy on
earth, there is almoft nothing elfe trou
bles me ; but in that, as in all things elfe,
I defire to truft God cheerfully, hoping a
comfortable meeting, in God's own. time.
All things about me have been right and
well ordered. My company is very well,
my horfes holden out well upon this long
march, &c.
At writing this, we have the worft wea
ther I have feen at this time of the year;
it is juft now fhowering fnow and hail,
and fo cold that I am forced to lay afide
the pen, to draw on my boots. — The
Lord's bleffing reft with thee. I am,
deareft love, thine, while J. B.

LETTER II.
To Mrs Balderflone, Edinburgh.
Troos, May 19. 1705*
, I have never had the time before
now to falute you and your kind hufband
by a line, for we were not well in oar

FROM COL. BLACKADER. T97
.garrifon till we had orders to march out,
and we have been marching now this
month almoft every day. The Lord was
merciful to us on our voyage, for though
.we had the French privateers about us^
almoft every day, and fometimes within
cannon ihot, yet, by the goodnefs of God,
they did us no- harm. My wife and »I
were both very fick at fea as ever we had
been. Dear friend, I invite you to extol
the Lord with me, and let us exalt his
name together. I trufted in him and I
am helped; he has made good all his pro
mifes to rae, particularly that " my pre
fence fhall go with thee," which both of
us got. He has in mercy removed much
of that melaneholy and chagrin- that
I was fometimes troubled with in Scot
land, and helps me to truft in him cheer
fully by faith, and to caft all my burdens
upon him ; the fweet experiences alfo of
the laft campaign, 2nd the wonderful de
liverances I met with then, do help much
to bear me up, and ftrengfhen faith, for
he is a tried God, and I am no way afraid
of going into Germany again this year.
•I have many Ebenezers there already
fet0p~ before me, and come of our army
S3

I 98 EXTRACTS OF LETTERS
what will, I know it fhall be well with
me. We -have indeed a very wicked ar
my, which is a very great difcouragement,
and I am weary of dwelling in the tents
of wickednefs. I fee not how good peo
ple can well pray with confidence and
in faith for fuccefs to it, only that we
have a good and juft caufe, though we be
foul-fingered hands that manage it, and
we fee by our laft year's fuccefs that God
can in his foVereignty ufe any inftru
ments tie pleafes for carrying-on his own
work, and I doubt not but he fhalf get
glory by us, either one way or other. We
know not well yet where we are going,
or what we are to do. I know I need not
bid you mind me, for, as you tell me, I
am laid on you as a charge, that you muft
mind me ; and pray go on, for you are
well paid for your pains; you ferve a goog
mafter, and get foniething for yourfelf
when you ply the throne of grace for
your friend. Pray write me, and tell me
what you have got for me now, for I am
fure you mind me. I think I feel fre
quently the effects of it, the Spirit of God"
influencing, directing, and guiding me in
all my ways, putting a hedge of pr<|£c.-,

FROM COL. BLACKADER. ig$
tion about me and all that I have. I
have left my wife at Rotterdam a melan
choly creature ; the Lord comfort her.
I blefs him who helps her to live by faith
and patience ; the Lord has put many
fongs of praife in our mouth, and com-
paffed us about with many deliverances,
and fhall do, I doubt not. He has fulfil
led all the 91ft Pfalm to me, and I truft
he will do ; at leaft 1 have no fears of the
campaign, but defire cheerfully to put a
blank in his hand who has performed all
things for me. — The Lord's bleffing reft
with you and family ; continue to ferve
him cheerfully. I am, &c. J. B.
P. S. By his wife. I blefs the Lord I
am very well as to my health, but yet to
learn to live by faith ; all the experience
I get, without new fupplies, will not do
my bufinefs. Every new campaign has
enough to do; the fenfe of milimproven
mercies mars my confidence, though I
dare not fay I mourn like thofe that have
no hope. I blefs the Lord that helps me
to hope in his mercy, and to plead for his
own namefake; all muft run in this chan
nel, " Not unto us, but to thy name be

200 EXTRACTS OF LETTERS
the g lory." Oto be helped to be a nee
dy humble fupplicant at his throne,,
where we have an advocate witbthe Fa
ther ! I hope you will never forget us at.
that mercy-feat, &c. A. B-.

LETTER Til.
To Mrs Blackader. ¦
Camp near Treves, Skhbaftr^
My Dearest, May ^o.. 170 ; - •
1 wrote to you from Tre«es on Fri
day laft. That fame- night, when I came-
home to the regiment, I found a letter
from your dear hand, dated May 5, — SY
wherein you tell me of the Colonel's lady
going to Coblentz, and^ the inclination;
you had of going with her, or following
after, if you had any orders from me;.
and that you think I coofult your eafe:
more than my own inclination. My
deareft. fqr anfwer, you need not doubt
Jbut my inclination would lead me to have
you always near me ; and if both" of us-
had our wills and withes, we would never
be parted at all. But confider, my dear,
it is not by inclination we^are to belled,
but by duty. You know that your going

FROM COL. BLACKADER. 201
to Rotterdam and flaying there, was not a
refolution taken up rafhly or in hafte, but
that both of us fought God ferioufly, that
he would guide and direct by his counfel
and Spirit. He did determine it fo,
that you fhould go and flay there, and
both of us had moft peace in your being
there ; fo that I am afraid the changing of
refolution in this, would be " after vows
to make inquiry." Whether it be duty
or not to others, I fhall not inquire ; but I
am perfuaded it is your duty to flay ftill
at Rotterdam, confidering that you have
the gofpel there, good company, edifying
converfation, time and opportunity to
ferve God, advantage of living by faith
and trufting a tried God with a hufband
who is far from you. On the other fide,
you will find no folidity or weight in rea
fons for coming up the country, but fond
inclinations of feeing that which we love.
My deareft, there is no pleafure in living
in a popifh country without the gofpel.
Make good ufe of it ; it is a mercy not
lo be flighted. You know you are not
fitted for travelling, and fhould you meet
with any accident by the way, you would
not have peace. But I would not ufe fo

202 .EXTRACTS OF LETTERS
many words, when I know yqu would
obey the ;very thoughts of my heart if
you knew them ; and I hope, my deareft,
you fhall be no lofer by being in your
duty. You will remember laft campaign,
how Providence gave a comfortable meet
ing to us Several months fooner than
others who travelled many miles to fee
their hufbands.
Confidering the rich experiences of the
laft campaign, I go on in this one through
dangers more cheerfully and -refolutely
-than any. campaign before, only in the
Lord's ftrength, for the right hand of the
Lord fhall ever do valiantly. I have got
jnueh comfort from Pfalm Iv. 18. " He
hatbidelivened my foul in peace" from the
battle that was againft me ; .for there
were, many with me." Btefled be God
for the performance of it laft campaign.
We are lying ftill here near Treves,.
and what we are to undertake I know1
not, nor care not. There is no greatpro-
bability of much fighting this fummer
that I can fee. This is not to make you
fecure. It is all one for God to preferve
from danger or in danger.* ***** .
The Lord's bleffing reft with you, and

FROM COL. BLACKADER. 2&$
let me hear that you are eafy in your
mind, cheerfully trufting God with thy
ail. He will give you a good account of
all committed to him. I am, your dear
eft J. B.

LETTER IV.
To Mrs Blackader.
Camp near Syrk, Saturday,
My Dearest^ June z.
I received y Our letter with the in-
jclofed to Captain Lawfon. I muft quar
rel with you for quarrelling with me for
not writing oftener and longer letters. I
have taken all occafions upon the march
to write, and fometimes after fatiguing
marches, when others lay down to fleep,
I'fat up and wrote to you. Many of my
fellow officers write their wives only once
in two months. My deareft, I ought to-
wilh, both as a foldier and Chriftian, that
it were fo that I loved earthly enjoy
ments lefs, and that I kept a loofer hold
of them. I think I could part with all
other comforts pretty eafily without
much regret befide thy dear felf. I wifh
I may not provoke a holy God who feek-

304 EXTRACTS OF LETTERS
eth the whole heart, and ought to have it
all. I blefs the Lord who fupports and
helps me to encourage myfelf in him.
My. earneft fuit to him is, that he wbuld
in like manner fupport you, that you
may encourage yourfelf by faith in him,
for he has done great thing* for us. Let
us not bind up his hands by unbelief. *
There is no news fince my laft. We
are lying ftill here, expecting more troops
to join us. We muft look above all hu
man help to that God who hath hitherto ,
covered my head" in the day of. battle;
he only is my fure defence. We hear
the Freneh are making progrefs in Flan
ders, befieging Huy. Brigadier Hamil
ton's regiment is in it.
Let me know, deareft, what you are at
prefent reading. I find Mr Rutherford's
books very fweet and comfortable.
Though you have the world * up in the
garret with you, yet I hope you take care
to keep it out of your heart, and that
you get better errands, better employ
ment, better entertainment in the garret
than with the world. May the experi-
* Probably a map.

FROM COL. BLACKADER. 20$
*nces of the goodnefs of God to us both
make you cheerful and eafy, and trult in
him generoufly without fear or doubting;
he will give you a good account of all,
and put fongs of praife in your mouth.
You will always find that God bellows
mercies on his people proportionably as
they believe "on him, according to the
truft they put in him. According to your
faith fo be it unto you. David fought no
better; for he fays, " Let thy mercy be
unto us according as we hope in thee."
O then, having fuch a liberal Lord and
Mafter, let us not ftop the courfe of ouf
own mercies, nor bind up his hands, by
mifgiving fears, by doubting, unbelief, or
narrownefs of heart. My love to all who
are kind to my deareft. I am thine, J. B.
LETTER V.
To Mrs Blackader. Camp near Treves, June-f,
Mr Dearest Love, Tburfday.
When I wrote to thee laft, I had no
news ; but now this is to acquaint thee
with news which I believe will not be
difpleafing to thee. We are upon our
T

L?o6 EXTRACTS OF LETTERS
.march back, down to Holland, the French
are fo ftrong there, and making fuch pro-
.grefs. My dear, it is all one -to me, up
the country or down, for the earth is the
Lord's ; and wherever he gives his pre
sence, I care not what place of the earth
it be. I blefs the Lord who hath been
with me hitherto, and that* I can fet up
-my Ebenezer upon the banks of the Mo
felle. My dear, I received juft now thy
dear letter. The Lord be bleffed who
bears up thy faith, and that thou haft
now more peace. Be not troubled, dear
eft, that you think you do not render to
God according to his goodnefs. I hope
thou art making confcience of doing it
in fincerity ; but we mult take care not
to put any duties in Chrift's room. I take
thy fubmiffion off thy hand, wherein thou
beggeft a thoufand pardons for quarrel
ling me without reafon. I pardoned thee
before thou fought it. You know I have
that in my breaft that you need never
fear my refentment, though indeed I take
it ill to be quarrelled upon thefe two ve
ry beads that 1 piqued myfelf moft upon,
writing often and writing kindly. But I
fee I fhould not make an idol of any

FROM COL. BLACKADER. 20J-
thing I do. My deareft, there is always •
moft eafe and fatisfaction- when we are
found precifely in the way of duty — then*
we are kept in perfect peace, or elfe the
being fure that we are in the road of du
ty makes troubles eafy. My deareft, I
am very thankful to God I have fuch a
wife that needs not commands nor autho
rity to oblige to duty, and needs»no more
but to have duty-pointed out to thee and to
be advifed to it ; and I do thee but juftice
to fay, that I have always found that du
ty, and the fenfe of duty, pleafantly deter
mines both thy judgment and will to
whatever fide it calls, though inclination
fhould murmur againft it. My deareft,.
there are excellent fupports and refrefh-
ing cordials always to be found in the
King's high-road of duty. There are
magazines of grace and fweet promifes,
flore-houfes for armour and through
bearing; and when the weary traveller
faints, there are choice cordials to revive
their fainting fpirits. Go there, and
draw out largely by faith. He is a libe
ral Lord. Open thy mouth ; he will filL
it. The Lord prepare thee for that fo-
lemn occafion : doubt not but that I fhall.

-208 EXTRACTS OF LETTERS
mind thee. Grip needily to Chrift ; go
out of thyfelf and all thy duties. Have
exalted noble thoughts by faith of the
Mafter of the feaft, of his liberality and
bounty, and that nothing can hinder thee
from a good meal but narrownefs of
heart ; then thou fhalt tafte and fee that
God is good.* * * * "*
LETTER VI.
To Mrs Blackader.
Camp near Louvaine, July 12.
tbttrfday (1705*).
I wrote you on Monday laft the'i
good news of our having pafTed the lines,
but now I write to you again in an ad
vanced poft near the enemy. Yef-
terday we had a bickering with them,
but the water was between us, and it was
only the picquets of regiments that were
engaged. Lieutenant Dalrymple was
wounded in the head, but not badly. We
have not loft one man in the regiment as
yet. We are all fretting that we have
made fuch a miltake in not improving
our victory to better advantage, as we
might eafily, in all human probability,
* See Diary, pag6 39.

EROM COL. BLACKADER. 209
have been mailers of this country ; but
we are fools. Let men be feen to be but
men — vanity, and It God get glory,
and let not the arm of flefh ihare with
him. Let God woik his own work in
his own way, as well by mens miftakes
and weaknefles as by their great ac
tions. My deareft, I believe you will be pret
ty much concerned for me at prefent,
confidering the circumftances we are in,
and the news you will be hearing daily;
but, my deareft; be not afraid for me, be
not concerned, I am in a good hand, in"
good keeping. The Lord is my defence, L
fhall not be moved : He is my fortrefs,
he is my fhield and buckler, and my
ftrong tower. My deareft, it was not for
nothing you got fo much at the commu
nion. When we get much grace, we
ought not to quarrel though it be well
tried ; and when he makes his own grace
to hold out, he gets glory by it, and we
get a rich flock of experience. He in-
creafed the grace of faith becaufe he was
>bout to try -it. Now, do you ply the
throne of grace th*at it fail not, and that
you faint not, nor give way to unbelie-
T3

2 1 o extracts of letters
ving, mifgiving fears. I hope you have
engaged* through his ftrength, that we
fhall yet pay our vows' to him when he
deals bountifully with us, which he will
yet do ; and that you have taken it as a
cup of thankfgiving for what he has done,
and as a cup of falvation for what he
fhall yet do ; for fince the time you took
it, he has done great things for me, and
put fongs of praife in my mouth, and
will yet compafs me about with fongs of
deliverance. Gontinue to truft him
cheerfully. You muft not only believe
When all goes fair before the wind, when
any body may believe, but you muft be
lieve when all is in hazard, and there
muft be a time between the prorriife and
the accomplifliment ; and this is the fea-
fon of the trial of faith. 1 am truly
comforted by your letter and diary ; he
is faithful who hath promifed fo much,
and he will alfo finely perform. My
foul rejoiceth with you that out blfef-
fed Lord -Jefus becomes more and more
lovely in your eyes. "O that we could
love him more, and delight more <n hirfl,
"for he is altogether lovely. My deareft,
what could you defire more than to have

FROM COL. BLACKADER. 2 1 1
the magazine door and ftorehoufe of
Ghrift's fullnefs opened to you, to take as
much as you will ? But, deareft, our de-
fires are fcanty and narrow ; we cannot
take out fo much at once, but we muft
Come again to-morrow, and live daily
Upon him. My beft advice to you after
all this, is, be humble, be watchful, be
circumfpecl:, be felf-denied. And that,
I Thef. v. 16, 17, 18, 19 22.23. Phil- iv.
4,5,6,7,8. Eph. vi. 10, — 18.
My deareft, I was on command two of
thefe days which you have in your paper,
and muft tell you what I obferved, for I
defire to obferve all providences to me. I
had the ' charge of the artillery horfes,
14O0 or 1500 of them grazing— it was an
alert poll, and parties thick about. I
committed myfelf and all my charge to
God's keeping, for I was fenfible that it
had been eafy for a party of fifty men
to have taken away hundreds of them ;
they were fo far fcattered, that I could not
protect them all. However, I came off
fafe ; but the very next night, an officer
relieved me, and a French party fell in
among them, and took away a hundred
of them. Now, I own that it was nei-

212 EXTRACTS OF LETTERS-
ther my care nor conduct that prevented"
it in my time, but purely the goodnefs of
God to me, which I defire thankfully to
obferve in all his providence.
1 can give you no account of our ope
rations," or what we are, to undertake
next ; probably we muft try to make far
ther progrefs, and to reap fome fruits of
our paffing the lines. Be not you anxious
about it, but commit all to God. Take
no notice of reports of news or ftories go
ing about. You are too much impreffed
with thefe. I obferve generally that God
works by difappointing expectations, and
going againft probability. When every
body fays there will be fighting, ordinari
ly there is none. So it fignifies not a
button what people, even the wifeft of
them, either think or fay.
v To-morrow is appointed here by the
Duke to be a day of* thankfgiving
through the army for our vidtory and fuc
cefs. The Lord!s prefence reft with you,
my deareft. I am thine J. B.

FROM COL. BLACKADER. 21 3
0'
LETTER VII.
To Mrs Blackader.
Camp near Louvaine, July 16.
My Dearest, ~ (1705) Monday.
I should think myfelf cruel to you1
if I neglected any opportunity I can have'
to let you hear from me in the circum
ftances we are in, ftill lying fo near the
enemy, though we be at as much eafe,
and lying as peaceably, as if no enemy
were near us. All the army feems to be
uneafy at the miftake we have committed
in not improving our victory to better ad
vantage, fo that we have reaped little or
no fruits as yet of our being mafters of
the lines, for the French are got before
us again and ftop us.'* I defire to look to
Providence, who laughs at mens projects,'
and fays to armies as to the waves of the
fea, " Hitherto fhalt thou come, and no
farther." Let God alone get glory, and
let man be feen to be but vanity. My
dear, let us truft in God, for we fhall yet
praife him who is the health of our coun
tenance and our God. Thou mull be li
ving now in the ftrength of that meat
and feaft thou got at the table of our "

2 1 4 EXTRACTS OF LETTERS
Lord. But that will not do neither; thou
muft be employing Chrift daily for conti
nual frefh fupplies of grace to help in
time of need. Deareft, I intreat you to-
have no anxiety about me at all, for I am.
very well every way ; I blefs the Lord,.
well fupported and guided, and I tell it.
thee tothe praife of God and for thy en
couragement. I was never better fup
ported or carried through, in all the cam
paigns that ever I made ; faith more in
exercife, and no thanks to me. I have a.
rich flock of experiences, of mercies, and.
deliverances. God is a kind God, and
whofoever trufts in him fhall not be afha-
med. The French and we were both upom
the wing yefterday to march, but it is al
tered again. I cannot give you any guefs
where we fhall march .next, or what we
fhall attempt, perhaps our generals can
not. With the blefling of God, a fmalli
army can do great things ; and without.
that, a ftrong army can do nothing at all..
The weather is fo hot I am unable to*
write more. The Lord's rich bleffing reft:
with thee for ever. I, am thine own J,B.

FROM COL. BLACKADER. 21 5
LETTER VIII.
To Mrs Blackader.
Monday, July 13. 170;, Camp
My Dearest Love, near Tirlemont.
I BtLiEVE you have been pretty un
eafy thefe four or five days by-gone, by
not hearing from me fince our late action
with the French ; though I comfort my
felf in the hopes of this, that the mani
fold experiences you have of my pre-
fervation and deliverances, and the fup-
plies of grace you have got of late, makes
thee truft God more fixedly, without mif-
truftful unbelieving fears, than before.
But ftill grace has enough ado when
tried. I could not poffibly write to you on
Thurfday, the poft-day, for that was the
day of our action, and we were in arms
from Wednefday night at ten o'clock,
inarching all night, till Thurfday at eight
o'clock. But I look upon all God's ways
of dealing with me to be, mercy ar.u
goodnefs, and blefs him for new deliver
ances, new mercies. I defire to fet up
new Ebenezers. He puts new longs of
praife in my mouth, and carries me well
through all difficulties. Efpecially 1 am

ai6 EXTRACTS OF LETTERS
thankful that he makes me fo eafy in my
mind upon thefe occafions ; keeps me in
perfect peace, by relying on the well or
dered covenant ; and no fooner the prof-
peer, of danger appears, but he ftrengthens
faith fo, that I believe myfelf to be as
found and fafe in the chambers of his
omnipotence, faithfulnefs and love, in time
of action, as if I were with you at Rot*
terdam. That night that we march
ed was a fweet and pleafant night to
me. Prayer and faith were at work
jn the filent watches. On thefe oc
cafions particularly, I defire to be very
diffident and diftruftful of myfelf; and
bargain that all my fupplies of grace,
ftrength, courage, and whatever I need, I
fhall draw out of the fullnefs of Chrift,
and the ftock that is in his hand ; and,
to the praife of his grace, I find him a
bountiful Lord that fupplies me liberal-
My deareft, I hope, this letter fhall
come feafonably to your hand, though I
flatter myfelf you are another woman
than you was the firft or the fecond cam,
paign for a mafc.uline and ftrong heart ;
for I hope you have now more grace,

FROM COL. BLACKADER. 21 7
more of the exercife of faith, more rea
fon, and more experience of God's good
nefs and deliverances. I will not add a
fourth, that you begin now to be an old
married wife, that fhould be fettled and
calm. Let me know, deareft, what helps
to calm thee moft. I hope it is faith, and
a firm truft in God.
Now, deareft, the blefling of the Lord,
and much of his prefence, reft with you.
I am, deareft, thine own J. B.
LETTER IX.
To Mrs Blackader. Meldert, July 30. (t 705.5
Mr Dearest Love, Monday.
I received yours of Wednefday laft,
fiom your dear hand, and defire to blefs
the Lord with you, that fupports and
bears you up fo well, and helps you to
truft in him ; and I take it as a token for
good to us, that he will yet do greater
things for us, that he helps us both to
truft him fo cheerfully, and that we are
better born up this campaign than any
of the preceding, and not fo troubled with
unbelieving anxiety as before. We have

2 1.& EXTRACTS, OE LETTERS'
more experience of his goodnefs, that he
can deliver out of the greateft dangers
and , difficulties* You obferve fweetly,
that Ifaac was the font of the promife,.
and yet the knife was at. his throat to flay
him ; fo the laft campaign, I had promife
of protection and deliverance, yet the*
bullet was at my throat, within half an
inch of death. Let us truft him without
fear or doubting.* * * * *

LETTER X. .
To Mrs Blackader.
Thurfday, Auguft 23. Tirkmsnt
3Iy Dearest Annie, Camp.
I received your long and fweet let
ter. I blefs the Lord 1 am very well,
though I muft confefs that grace is nei
ther fo lively, nor my fpirits fo cheerful,
as when occafions of action and dangers
were frequent. My deareft, there are
both natural caufes for thefe things, and
alfo the Lord does noL give fuch allow
ances and chaiges when he is not fend
ing on difficult, and hard errands; fo that
I defire to wait ou him by faith and pa
tience. O that I could get my heart

FROM COL. BLACKADER 21 9
and thoughts full of love and gratitude,
and my heart and tongue turned to praife
him, for the wonderful deliverances and
fignal mercies he has bellowed upon me
of -old and of late ! for all his dealings
are mercy and goodnefs to us, and, as
you fay, very well, Why fhould not a
Ch-r-iftian be content when he takes as
well as when he gives, efpecially now
when he gives fo much and takes lb lit
tle? I hope the time is drawing near,
when he fhall add to our other mercies
that of a comfortable meeting, with his
bleffing and grace to pay our vows'; and
that in our dwelling ihall be heard the
voice of joy and falvation, that the right
hand of the Lord hath done fo valiant-
ly. Now, my deareft, be cheerful. Live
by faith and patience, catling thy bur
dens upon God who has borne us up hi
therto. The Lord's bleffing reft with
thee for ever.

220 EXTRACTS OF LETTERS
LETTER XI.
To Mrs Balder/tone, Edinburgh. .
Buffi, Nov. 7. 1705-.
I received your foul-refrefhing let
ter that you wrote to me in fummer, and
I cannot but obferve how feafonably it
came firft to my wife's hand juft at the
communion of Rotterdam, and then to
my hand. It came juft upon our march,
when we were gone to attack the French,
and the army was halting in fight of the
enemy. This gave me opportunity to re
tire for an hour or two alone in the fields,
at a hedge fide, out of the noife of com
pany, and there I looked over all the
fcriptures that you had fent me,- and was :
helped to act faith, leaning upon thofe,,j
fweet promifes; but I thought fome- of
them gave fuch high titles that I blufhed >
to take them, though as to the fpiritual
part and accompliihment of a promife, I
think no promife fo large or great, but.
the believer, though mean otherwife, may
grip to it. I wrote you to rejoice and
blefs God with me for his mercies to me
and my wife this campaign, for we have
a new Ebenezer to fet up — another cam-

FROM COL. BLACKADER. 221
paign brouoht to a happy iffue. He has
compafTvJ us about with new deli
verance, and put fongs of praife in our
mouth ; and efpecially I have reafon to
blefs him, that • I was never better borne
up in a campaign ; faith — lively trufting
in him — cheerfully and well fupported by
frefh fupplies of grace always as my
needs and occafions lequired it — particu
larly when there was any appearance of
fighting and action, then I got more than
ordinary, and he gave me liberal allow
ance according to the errands he fent me,
fo that fighting days were the beft days
I had. I could have wifhed all the cam
paign to have been made up of thofe
days, to have had fuch bountiful allow
ance as 1 had, for I was helped to fecure
myfelf in the chambers of , covenanted
mercy, in the omnipotency, love, and
faithfulnefsof God, fo that I thought my
felf as fecure as if I had been a thoufand
miles from danger. I muft confefs, at
other times, when we were idle and had
no bufinefs, I was as it were becalmed,
and grace at a ftand ; but ftill new pro
vidences, efpecially furprife and danger,
ftirred up new vigorous acting of grace,
U3

22 2 EXTRACTS OF LETTERS
for I confefs I cannot win to your way of
being always cheerful, always lively, al
ways grace in vigorous exercife. I will
not envy you either; long be it fo that
you continue to ferve God cheerfully,
and that you have your heart lifted up in
his ways ; may your heart be more and
more warmed with the love of Chrift,
who is altogether lovely and defirable.
You write, me that you were fure I got
fomething the loth day of June. It is
very true I got fomething that day, for I
looked back to my diary, and found that
though we were marching all that day,
down from Germany, and company and
noife round about me, yet I was fpiritual,
my thoughts and affections more heaven
ly than at other times; fo pray continue
to mind me, fqr I find it good to have a
friend at court. I have got many fweet
promifes from your hand, and the hands
of others, and you will be no lofer when
you get daily errands to the throne of
grace, and be always getting fomething
for yourfelf. Our Brigadier is dead,
Lieut. Col. Borthwick is putting in for
the regiment, Major Cranfton to be Lieut.
Colonel, -and I, as oldeft Captain, to be

FROM COL. BLACKADER. 223
Major. I know not how it will go, but I
defire to be very eafy, go as it will. Pro
vidence will order all well that concerns
me. I commit my way to God ; I muft
confefs I am grown weary of living in the
tents of wickednefs, in a place of fo
much profanity as an army is, efpecially
now that I am growing grey-headed in
.following an army. I would defire a
quiet retreat out of the noife of drums
and oaths, but a wife God knows what is
good for me ; I defire to caft all upon
him, and truft. him cheerfully with all
that concerns me. Remember us kindly
to your honeft kind hufband, and pray
let me hear from you foon, and fend me
over what you got for me ; feek counfel
and guiding for me in thefe my prefent
circumftances what I fhould do. That
day we were going to fight, I got that
promife powerfully, Jofh. i. 9. which en
couraged me mightily. The Lord's blef
fing reft upon you and yours, &-c.
P. S. By his wife. We may now fay
with the Pfalmift, " Come, and we will
tell what God hath done for our 'fouls;"
and with the prophet, Ifa. xxv. 9. " O

2 24 EXTRACTS OF LETTERS
that we could exalt his name together, .
for he has done great things for us ;" and
blefs the Lord that helped me. I have
no caufe to bring tip an ill report of the
way of God ; he never fent me that er
rand, but he bore me and my burden
both. O if I could fpeak to the com
mendation of the riches of his free grace !
but I may fay as of Hezekiah, he render
ed not unto the Lord according to the
mercy received. Providence has ordered
it beyond my expectation, that we have
been now two months together, which I
have reafon to be very thankful for.* * *

LETTER XII.
To Mrs Blackader. September i. That/day y
My Dearest Heart, O709O
I doubt not but this has been a time
of great anxiety to you, but now I fend
you a new Ebenezer, and one of the
greateft of my whole life.
Yelterday we fought a battle*, and by
the great goodnefs and mercy of God
* See Diary, page ro2.

FROM COL. BLACKADER. 225
have obtained a great and glorious" victo
ry. The battle began between feven
and eight in the morning, and continued
till about three in the afternoon. It has
not been a cheap battle to the army, ef
pecially the Dutch foot have fuffered
much. We attacked them in ftrong en
trenchments. The moft that we fuffered
was by their cannon. Our lofs is eonfi
derable, but the greateft is poor Colonel
Cranfton. He was killed by a cannon
ball (fitting upon the head of the regi
ment) ^fhot in. at the left pap, and out at
the back. He fpoke not a word. Cap
tain Shaw alfo is killed, his thigh bone
being, broke, and alfo Enfign Inglis. You
will have heard that Captain Lawfon and
Lieutenant Simpfon were wounded two
days ago at another cannonading, when
we came up firft to this camp, for our
regiment happened to be potted in a
place which was moft expofed to their
cannon of any in the army. Lawfon's is
very flight ; it is a contufion in the chin,
but no, bones broke. Simpfon's is in the
body, but not dangerous.
Enfign Burnet alfo got a more danger-
eus wound in the neck, which I am afraid

226 EXTRACTS OF LETTERS
of, and Lieutenant Cockburn is fhot
through the body. Serjeant Wilfon h
wounded in the arm. I have three men
killed. We buried the Colonel, Captain
Shaw and Inglis, yefternight at the co
lours. It is put upon, you to prepare
Mrs Cranfton, and to give her the dole
ful news ; every body fymparhifes ten
derly with her, and none I am fure more
than me ; none more universally regret
ted tha>n he.
My deareft, what reafon have we to'
adore the Divine -goodnefs, who puts fuch
fongs of praife in our mouth, while others
are employed in mournful lamentations
and forrow ! Go as foon to her as you
can, for fhe will be fufpieious at not get
ting a letter with the firit.i. We find a
letter to her in his pocket, which he
wrote that fame morning I wrote the in-
clofed, but none of us could fend it away.
You are almoft the only wife in the re
giment who will not be in tears and anx
iety either with grief or concern about
their friends and hufbands. Let us have
our hearts the more filled with thankful-
nefs, and our mouths with praife, to the
God of our mercies, and who gives us fuel*

FROM COL. B&A--CKADER*, 2:27<
fig-nal and frequent deliverances. Jeho
vah niffi ! For as hufy a day as it was,
"and hot action, 1 never had a pleafanter.
day in my life, for all was well with me.
My mind flayed trufting in God, I was
kept in perfect peace — frequent ejacula
tion in the intervals of action ; and, ap
plying to the throne of grace, I received
bountiful fupplies for whatever I had to
do^— faith was in lively exercife, and I
had communion with God fometimes by
prayer, fometimes by praife, according to
the various turns that affairs took; for
the French flood ftifliy to it, efpecially
their horfe — hey behaved well, and re-
pulled ours feveral times, but our foot
fultained our horfe. Brigadier Lalo is
killed, and poor Captain Monro. Ar-
gjie's and thens have fuffered moft of
the Englifh and the Guards. Lord Tuli-
ba-rden is killed, and Colonel jwinton, Co
lonel Holburn and his- Lieutenant, Colonel
Hamilton, and their regiments almoft
luined. Brigadiei Douglas ill wounded.
In fhort, it has been a very dear victory,
but it was a glorious. day. The Lord of
hofts went on upon our head as captain
of our hofts, and all therarmy followed

228 EXTRACTS OF LETTERS
with great courage and refolution. I ne
ver faw troops go on with more hearty
brifknefs in my life.
I cannot yet tell you wrhat will be the
fruits of our victory — I hope a lading
peace. We are now lying in the field of
battle, and I have been this morning ri
ding through the entrenchments getting
a very edifying preaching from the dead.
In fome places they are lying fo thick,
that for a good way we cannot pafs
through without treading on them. We
are going to inarch back this afternoon to
our camp near Mons, from which we
came before the battle.
The Lord be with you, and make you
thankful, and give us grace never to for
get the laft day of Auguft. I am, my
deareft love, thine J. B.

LETTER XIII.
To Mrs Blackader.
My Dearest- Love, Sabbath, September 4.
I hope by this time you have recei
ved mine of Thurfday, the day after the
battle, which I hope will turn your me
lancholy and anxiety into fongs of praife,

SROM COL. BLACKADER. 2 2<J
and while many others are fobbing in the
anguifh of their fpirits, with lamentations
andtears,theLordcompafleththeeandmewith fongs of deliverance. I never had
more reafon to blefs God than at this battle.
I was never more bountifully fupplied
with through- bearing grace, and never
was I more figually delivered. He made
good all his promifes to me. A thoufand
fell at my fide, and ten thoufand at my
right hand, but it did not once come near
me to do~ me any harm. He gave his
angels charge over me, and carefully
kept all my bones while the cannon balls
came fo thick among us, and took away
whole files of men, crufhing their bones
as one would crufh a worm.
1 heartily fympathife with poor Mrs
Cranfton. The Lord fupport and com
fort her, and be a father to the fatherlefs
and a hufband to the widow. That day
has made many widows. I believe it is
thebloodieft battle which has been fought
either this or the laft war. I pray God
the fruit of all this may be his honour
and glory, and a good peace. I believe
our campaign may end with the fiege of
this town. We lay our account to be
X

23<0 EXTRACTS OF LETTERS.
one of the regiments that befieges, fo that
there is nothing in, the world but one
wave upon the back of another. The
juft muft live by faith. The Lord of
hofts is the God of battles, and has pre-
ferved me many a time there. He is alfo
the God of fieges, and has preferved me
as wonderfully there. 1 defire to put my
truft in him. When you grow anxious
and thoughtful, take my riddled hat "and
hang it up before you, iand truft in God,
whs has delivered, and doth daily deliver,
and in whom I truft that he will yet de
liver. My deareft, as to my advancement, I,
fhall fay but little about it. I blefs God
.1 am very eafy, go as it will. I am ufing„
the ordinary means, and have promifes
enough. If it be good for me and for..
God's glory, I fhall get it ; if it be not fo,
I do not feek it, I have ' no bufinefs with
it. It is a crif s of my life, as 1 hinted in
mine before the battle, though I did not
know how it would be., yet I had impref-
fions that the campaign would take ano
ther turn, and that it would not be idle.
This day was appointed to be aihankf-
giving lor our, great victory. We had

FROM GOL. BLACKADER. 2 3 1
fermon. We had a feu de joy at night.
The Lord's peace reft with thee, my
deareft love. I anv thine J. B.

LETTER XIV.
To Mrs Blackader.
Mr Dearest Love, Friday, September 9..
I have received yours of Septem
ber 4. The Lord has been very gracious
both to you and me, that he fo fupport-
ed you by faith trufting in him, and you
fee it is not in vain to truit in him, for in
the Lord. Jehovah is everlafting ftrength;
there is none afhamed that truft in him.
What a mercy is it that Providence did
not pitch upon thee to be the melancho
ly widow, as others ate, who ftand fo
much in need of the fympathy of their
friends, and that you are ferving God
cheerfully, lifted up in his ways, while
others are fitting difconfolate and defo-
late. This has been a very bloody battle, a
dear bought victory. We have great
reafon to be thankful that our regiment
came fo well off- as it did, when it has
fallen fo heavy upon others. Every day

232 EXTRACTS OF LETTERS
we have new funerals of fome friend of
other; Major Row died yefterday, who
was a kind friend to me.
Lord Orkney told me to-day, that he
had fpoken in my favour about my ad
vancement. I praife God I am kept ve
ry eafy about this matter. My inclina
tion flands in a kind of poife or balance,
either as to my flaying in or leaving the
army. What is moft for God's glory and
my good, let him do it. I truft that
mercy and goodnefs, as it has done, fhall
follow me either the one way or the
other. Lord, give grace to be found in
the way of duty, to do what may be ac
ceptable to him, and that wherein I may
have peace.
Give my humble fervice to poor Mrs
Cranfton ; if there be any thing fhe
would have done, let her fignify her mind
to Captain Dickfon. The Lord's pre
fence, bleffing and peace reft with you.
I am, deareft heart, thine J.B.

FROM COL. BLACKADER. 233
LETTER XV.
To Mrs Blackader.
Mr Dearest Love, Sabbath, September n.
I have complied with your defire,
my own duty, and charitable office, to
write poor Mrs Cranfton. The Lord
blefs and fanctify the rod to her; and O
what fongs of praife have we to fing in
extolling the Lord for his mercy to us,
that he deals with us in quite a different
manner ! He brings us in by mercy,
goodnefs, and Angular providences ;
working great falvation and fignal deli
verances for us, while he is'fcourging in
others with fharp rods. O let us be as a
towardly kindly child, who needs not be
whipped into his duty, but that the fee
ing the rod upon others, and fhaking it
over our heads, may be fufficient to bring
us in to him. O let us, my deareft, as
you write me, ferve him cheerfully, and
have our hearts lifted up in his ways.-
Let us not be like the children of Ifrael,
who fang his praife, but foon forgot his
wondrous works. They tempted him.;
but his grace muft be fufficient for us—
his ftrength muft- be perfected'hri our
X3

234- EXTRACTS OF LETTERS
weaknefs. Through him we can do all
things ; without him, nothing.
We,have ftill the hope of being free
of the fiege, by thefe regiments turning
out of garrifon. The providence of God
is kinder to us than we could have ex
pected, for we laid our account fo firmly
for the fiege, that we thought nothing
could put it by us ; but kind Providence
you fee has fallen upon a way to put it
paft us. The Lord's bleffing and peace
reft with you. I am, my deareft heart,
thine J. B.

LETTER XVI.
To Mrs Blackader.
My Dearest, Sabbath, June 24.
I received yours this forenoon,
which was written yefterday. It is a fa-
tisfaction when letters come fo foon to
hand. I fhall write to your father (God
willing) when I get leifure. You have
done well in writing. I am hopeful he
is not fo anxious about feeing you and me
as you apprehend. I fuppofe I know his
temper as well as you do. He has affec
tions which are ftrong enough, but they

FROM COL. BLACKADER. 235
are mafculine and reafonable, and which
fhew themfelves more in doing good of
fices for them he loves, than in. fond de-
fires of feeing them. This is certainly the
firft fort of love, and the moft difintereft-
ed ; for the other may rather be called
felf-love, the indulging of our own foft
inclinations. But you muft become a
philofopher to enter into thefe fentiments
and this way of reafoning, for the moft of
wives judge of their hufbands love by
how often they fee them in the cam-
• &. &¦ Jfc- ^. ^t-
DcUcn ^^^^^
LETTER XVII.
To Mrs Blackader.
My Dearest^ Monday, July 4.
I received yours to-day. I am forry
I gave you any occafion of anxiety, but I
quarrel with you for being fo anxious, there
"being no reafon for it now when we are ly
ing in a quiet fettled camp. We fhould
lay afide thefe weakneffes ; human life is
already but too much clogged and op-
prefled with real unavoidable troubles,
and we ought by all means to take care
not to torment ourfelves by imaginary

236 EXTRACTS OF LETTERS
ones ; but we do not always mafter
our temper, though we fhould make
much more progrefs herein than we- do,
by grace and right reafon.

LETTER XVIII.
To Mrs Blackader.
My Dearest, Villers Brulin, July 24.
1 wrote to you on Saturday of my
arrival in the camp. We relied the Sab
bath, and marched yefterday a fmall
march, ftill nearer the enemy, and we are
retting this day again. All this makes
me think there will be nothing of all
this ; for by our flow marchings and halt-
ings, we feem rather to give them the op
portunity to join their army with their
detachments, which is perhaps the thing.
we defire they fhould do. This wav of
proceeding does not look as if we would
furprife their lines.
However, my deareft, thefe are but
broken reeds to truft to ; you have a
more fure ground of confidence — the
faithfulnefs and promifes of God ; and
we ought never to grudge when Provi
dence orders our lot fo, that we mult live

FROM COL. BLACKADER. 237
by faith. It is better for us, and indeed
a tweeter life, than to be in the full and
conftant poffeffion of all our enjoyments.
The Lord's bleffing and prefence be with
you. I am thine J. B.
LETTER XIX.
To Mrs Blackader.
My Dearest, July 27. (1711 *).
I have had no opportunity till now
to give you the agreeable intelligence
that we have pafTed the French lines at
Arleux without lofing one man. The
project was fo well laid, and fo well exe
cuted, that it will be a lafting monument
to the Duke of Marlborough. We have
had abundance of fatigue for thefe three
or four days, but I blefs God I am very
well. How we fhall improve this fuccefs,
time will fhew. I fuppofe the firft effort
will be the fiege of Bouchaine. We are
patted the Schelde below Cambray, and
are lying here in the plains of Cambray,
our right at the Schelde.
The French marched near us yefter
day, and there was a council of war held*
* See Diary, page 1,5.6.

238 EXTRACTS OF LETTERS
wheiein (it is faid) it was very near de
termined that we fhould fight them, but
it was otherwife ordered. I own that. I
am of the opinion that, we fhould have
done it, arid though 1 do not, like fight
ing, yet when Providence gave a fair op-
poitunity, I would put it to the decifion
of heaven ; but yet I cheerfully fubmit
to the judgment of thofe who know much
better what is to be done, and we have
good reafon to do fo, when we have fuch
excellent conduct and fuperior genius in
him who is at our head. I hope Provi-'
dence fhall order all for the beft, as fhall
be moft for the glory of God.
My deareft, be you eafy, trufting in
God. I confefs I am fo weary of the
war, that I would willingly venture one
day for a decifive ftroke ; but God's time
and way is the belt. I am thine, J- B.
LETTER XX.
To Mrs Blackader.
My Dearest, Augufl 13. (1711*).
The trenches were opened on Satur
day-night on rhe fide of the town ; there-
* See Diary, page 150.

IS

FROM COL. BLACKADER. 239
is to be an attack alfo on this fide, and
we would have' been upon it, but it
otherwife ordered. The whole army who
lie en this fide are to be concerned and
to carry it on, which will make it eafy to
us-all. There are to be three regiments
ifi the trenches' every day ; there being
fixty, it will not come above once to our
turn. We broke ground laft night on
this fide with four battalions of guards
covering, with little or no lofs. I was on
command on Saturday, which was both
fhort and eafy, having gone out at nine
in the morning and returned in the even
ing. We were perfecting the lines of our
army in front ; they are fo ftrong that
we do not think the French will try
them. Monfieur Villars is reckoned to have
loft much reputation fince our paffing the
lines. They fay moft of his generals are
much difcontented. _
Let us be living by faith, cheerfully
committing future events to the direction
of.God, pofleffing our fouls in patience.
We are too hafty, and would have all
great events crowded into our time, that
we might fee God's enemies deftroyed by

24-0 EXTRACTS OF LETTERS
battles and victories. But we fhould con
fider that providences run in a parallel
line to the time of the world's duration,
fome accomplifhed in one age, fome in
another, but all in their right and proper
feafon, which fhall make a beautiful and
comely profpect when all is perfected. I
am yours J. B.

LETTER XXI.
To Mrs Blackader.
My Dearest, ' Augufi 28. (171 1).
The fiege goes on baikly. Our
batteries opened on Sabbath morning,
and we hope loon to be mailers of the
place. It does not come to our turn to
go to the trenches for eight days ; but
the more dangers and difficulties, the
more experience we have had of merciful
deliverances. The Brigadier's commiflion we hear is
come over with Brigadier Panton. By
this there falls a greater charge and bur
den upon me than before; and I do not
look upon thefe things now with the
youthful eye of vain ambition as perhaps
fometimes I have>done. I look upon the

FROM COL. BLACKADER. 24 1
-commanding a regiment as a charge too
heavy for me; but I defire in this, as in
other things, to caft all my cares and bur
dens upon him who careth for me, and
when he employs me in any fervice, I
truft he will bear me up ; for he fends
none a warfare on their own charges.
He has hitherto given liberal fupplies of
his grace always when 1 needed it. I
truft he will continue to do fo.
I have ftill greater inclination to leave
the army than to rife in it; but in this
alfo we muft wait on him, and be direct
ed by his Spirit and providence.* * * * *
J.B.
LETTER XXII.
To Mrs Blackader.
My Dearest, dugufl 23.(1711).
We have had one alarm fince I wrote
you, which has. given fome trouble and
fatigue. On Monday, about twelve at
night, the French gave the alarm at this
village where we lie, by firing upon a re
doubt and battery. We turned out im
mediately and marched down to our
alarm- poft, but the French retired, and
in the mean time they attacked Hordain
Y

242 EXTRACTS OF LETTERS
and took fome of our Generals there, but
the regiments repulfed them ; then they
came upon our fide of the river, and at
tacked a poft we have at Etrum, which
they took, and fortified themfelves in it ;
but, to prevent any trouble from them,
we have made a ftrong line between us
and them all the way from this to Hor-
dain. On Monday and Tuefday nights
we lay at our arms upon our alarm pofts,
and our picquets are to lie at arms at the
lines every night while the fiege lafts.
This has turned out to be one of the moft
troublefome fieges we have made, occa-
fioned by the near neighbourhood of the
French. I blefs God who ftrengthens me for fa
tigue, and enables me to do my duty.
You will eafily guefs that the want of
fleep is the greateft fatigue I have. How-'
ever, what I want in the night I take in
the day.
You are in the right not to be thought
ful or concerned about our going or flay
ing at fuch a time as this when the events
of the campaign are at fuch an uncertain
ty. I defire to be altogether indifferent
about thefe things. I am not bent one

FROM COL. BLACKADER. 243
way or another, but hope that God will
guide us by his counfel, and direct us by
his providence to what fhall be our duty.
I am thine J. B.
LETTER XXIII.
To Mrs Blackader.
My Dearest, Sabbath, Sept. 2. (1711).
You will probably have heard be
fore this reaches you, that the town has
at laft fallen into our hands *. They be
gan to capitulate yefterday about two
o'clock. They are to be prifoners of war,
which ftill feems to throw the greater dis
credit upon Marfhal Villars, to fee a gar
rifon taken prifoners in his fight, and that
he could not relieve them. We have
reafon to blefs God it is fo we 11 over, for
our army has been in very critical cir
cumftances — had many pofts to defend,
and many accidents to fear ; but the
goodnefs of God has mercifully brought
us well and honourably through, and to
him be the praife, where it is original
ly due.
It is thought we may lie here eight or
* Bouchaine.

244 EXTRACTS OF LETTERS
ten days, till we repair the works, and
put the town in fome pofture of defence.
W hat we fhall do after, that, time only can
difcover. Sept. 3. The garrifon is marched this
forenoon. The foldiers go to the French
army, for we were in debt to them about
1500 men, but the officers are prifoners
till they be relieved.
. I am forry that you are complaining.
Take care of yourfelf. Be not anxious
or melancholy, for you have no reafon.
God deals bountifully and kindly with
us, and grants us the fame blefling that
he did to Jabez : He keeps us from all
evil that it may not grieve us — and what
would we have more ? Should we com
plain that our enjoyments are out of our
fight, and lying at the mercy of Provi
dence ? No ; we fhould rather rejoice
that there is an occafion of exercifing
faith and dependence, and a larger field
of experiences of the goodnefs and faith-
fulnefs of God in fulfilling his promifes to
us. We have need of all thefe things ; if
we look into our own hearts we fhall find
it fo.
We hear that Lord Albemarle is gone

FROM COL. BLACKADER. 245
down to the Hague to advife about the
further operations of the campaign.
The Lord's prefence and bleffing reft
with thee my deareft heart. I am thine
J.B.
LETTER- XXIV.
To Mrs Blackader.
My Dearest, September 8. (1711^.
There is no news lince my laft.
We are bufy about this town, and would
as gladly have it up now, as before to
throw it down. I believe we "fhall yet
lie ten days here. We are at- an utter
uncertainty ftill about our future opera
tions. Some are wagering we fhall make
another fiege, others that we fhall not,
and every body wifhes the laft may gain.
Lfee none fo public fpirited in the army
as to with for another fiege.
I am very well pleated with your
fcheme, lent in your laft letter, for the reft.
of the campaign, to go and lie' where the
moft and belt forage is ; it is very natu
rally expreffed, and one can fee from
your ftyle, that you profit by the conver
fation of -men of bufinefs and command-
Y3

246 EXTRACTS OF LETTERS'
ants of frontier places. But if we mould
take your advice, to go and lie where
there is beft forage, what if that fhould
prove to be about Ipres and the neigh
bourhood of the poor Chalellenie of Cour-
tray ; then I am afraid fome of your fa
mily would wifh us back again at Cam
bray and Valenciennes. But, without
jetting, there is fuch a talk, that our ar
my, if we do no more, may come to lie
there about to confume the forage about
Ipres. So you had beft advertife the
boors to bring their corn to the town ; it
will be an act of charity done to the poor
boors, and the governor will be no lo-
fer. I fhall alfo confider of your other
fcheme, which feems to be. pretty well
laid, except that of running over in a
dogger, which 1 do not like. I know you
mean only of taking that occafion of go
ing to Ghent. I can give no refolution
on that head till we fee farther about us.
I - am ready to determine whatever way
duty calls, which 1 think is a better tem
per than to be bent upon any thing ; in
fuch a cafe, I generally find there is a
fnare. I defire to be ferioufly concern-

FROM COL. BLACKADER. 247
ed to kaow what is duty, and beg grace
to follow it when difcovered ; and I hope
the Lord fhall direct by his Spirit, and
caufe us to walk in a right way where
in we fhall not ftumble, Jer. xxxi. 9. and
be as a voice behind us faying, This is the
way, walk ye in it.
To-morrow is ordered to be kept a day
of thankfgiving for the taking of Bouch
aine. We have good reafon to be thank
ful to God for his goodnefs to us. It is to
be wifhed that repentance and reforma
tion were joined with it more than we fee
yet. I am thine J. B.

• LETTER XXV.
To Mrs Blackader.
My Dearest, Sabbath, Sept. 16. 17 11.
1 received yours> of vVednelday.
There is no news fince my laft. It is
thought we may lie here two or three
weeks longer. Our Brigadier will, I be
lieve, name the recruiting officers in a
few days, and I fhall fpeak to him about
going to Scotland. If I do go this winter,
it is only from the opinion that it may be

245 EXTRACTS OF LETTERS
duty, and to pleafe you, not any incli
nation to the journey. I hope Provi
dence fhall order all for the beft. As to
the other affair, Lord Stair promifes to do
any thing in it which I may defire him.
I believe the Brigadier is againft it; if fo,
I will not infill. Perhaps I may be too
pofitive in trifles ; I am not fo in weigh
ty affairs. Probably it is my infirmity
that I balance too much, and my judg
ment hangs in fufpenfe too long in a
matter, without being able to come to a
clear refolution. But in this affair, if my
heart deceive me not, a perfuafion of du
ty fhall determine me ; and that moment
I am perfuaded, whether keeping or quit
ting be duty, by the grace of God I fhall
follow it. I can fay no more. As it is
of the greateft confequence as to the fu
ture period of niy life, j am as ferious &s
I can be in afking counfel and direction
from God that 1 may be led in the path
of duty. Let us hope that He who lead-
eth the blind by the way they know not,
will guide us in the right way, wherein
we fhall not ftumble, and that he will be
a voice behind us faying. This is the way,
walk in it. The Lord's bleffing and pre
fence reft with you. I am thine — J. B.

TROM COL. BLACKADER* 249
LETTER XXVI.
To Mrs Blackader.
Mir Dearest, September 23. (17 1 1).
I am very glad to find your thoughts
fo juft and moderate on the fubject of my
laft * ; it is alfo but what I expected from
one who is fo reafonable, and fo refigned
to the will of God. It is a mercy that
both of us are fo eafy upon the head, for
this is the frame of mind I greatly defire,
and for which I have often prayed — to
be as it were in an even balance, without
any wrong bias one way or other, till the
Spirit of God and his providence clear up
to us the plain path of duty. Then
through his grace we fhall walk in that
with peace, and the teftimony of a good
confcience. I have related all the fteps which have
been yet made in our affair. I can fay
nothing yet about my obtaining leave to
go, but the Brigadier himfelf is yet un
determined about his own going.
Now, my deareft, let us put all our
concerns into his hand who has perform
ed all things for us, who taketh care of
* Selling his commiffion.

250 EXTRACTS OF LETTERS
us, and knows beft what is good for us,
and fay, Here are we; let the Lord do
with us what feems good unto him.
I have juft received yours and your fa
ther's letters. I own I have not forefight
enough to'forefee or anfwer all the diffi
culties that can be propofed in the affair,
and I believe it were eafy enough to find
flaws and failures in all human fecurities
and determinations, becaufe fuch is the
nature of human affairs, that they are not
capable of an infallible fecurity. All we
can do is, to act according to the beft of
our judgment ; but when things come to
an anxious perplexity, that they, muft be
managed by a cunning dexterity, they
are then above my reach and calibre.
Every one has their proper talents. I
fee no better footing to put it on than
this : At fuch a day as I give, you are to
pay me fuch a fum of money, and then
you are to be Lieutenant Colonel; if you
fail in payment, then I have my poft, and
you have your money. The Lord direct
and guide by his Spirit and providence,
for I will not break my heart about thefe
affairs. I am thine J. B.

FROM COL. BLACKADER. 25 1
LETTER XXVII.
To Mrs Blackader.
My Dearest, Monday, May 8.
I wrote you upon Saturday, which
was the day we came out of the trenches.
You fee I deal very ingenuoufly with you
in every thing. I inform you When we
go into the trenches, and when we come
out. I tell you when they make tallies
from the town, and every thing which
happens. I think it is the beft way, and
not to treat a wife as a child, as fome do,
to make them believe ftories, and what
makes for them. But I think myfelf
obliged to do it on a Chriftian account,
that I may not difappoint, but fecond the
defigns of God's Spirit and providence to
wards us, that we fhould be fuitably exer-
cifed. For it is the voice of the rod ;
and I truft alfo God's defign to us in it is,
to bring us nearer to himfelf, to purge out
fome dregs of corruptions, which a courfe
of profperity has made too rank and
ftrong. Indeed the feeds of all our cor
ruptions grow under the fun-fhine of
profperous circumftances. But the rod,

252 EXTRACTS OF LETTERS
troubles and croffes, are fent to nip thefe,
and to make a folid Chriftian growth of
grace. By this we get a rich flock of ex
perience ; our vain, frothy, formal, earth
ly hearts are made more humble, feriouf-
ly exercifed and heavenly, weaned from
the. world, and we are the more con
cerned to profit in the time of the rod.
When the rod goes off, the exercifed
thoughtful frame ordinarily goes off with
it. We, in particular, above many, fhould
not grudge the rod, -for we have always
been thereby furnifhed with new Eben
ezers — new fongs of praife put into our
mouths — to let us fee that God is our re
fuge and- ftrength, a very prefent help in
trouble. My deareft, I truft in him ftill,
for yet we fhall find him to be fuch, if we
do not bind up his hands by our unbelief
and finful anxiety. Strive againft this,
my dear ; be cheerful and eafy, by faith
and humble dependence upon him alone.
I have juft now received thy dear let
ters, the one of Thuifday, the other of
Saturday. I blefs 'the Lord who helps
you in any meafure to live by faith, and
to encourage thyfelf in the Lord our

FROM COL. BLACKADER. 253
God, and that he gives peace in believing.
Continue to truft in him. Caft all thy
cares and burdens upon him, he fhall fuf-
tain thee, and yet put fongs of praife in
our mouths. Such a time as this is indeed
a thoughtful time, both to you and me.
Let us fall in kindly with the defigns of
God's providence, which I hope are to
make us folid, ferious, exercifed and ex
perienced Chriftians ; and thefe things
fhall bring forth in us the peaceable fruits
of righteoufnefs, if we be exercifed there
by. I have this alfo tq mourn for, among
many other things, viz. Conformity to
the world. The Lord's bleffing and peace
reft with thee. I am thine J. B.

LETTER XXVIII.
To Mrs Blackader.
Mt Dearest, Monday, Sept. 19.
Nothing new has occurred fince my
laft, nor can I give you any further ac
count of my affair. Let Providence work
its work for me. I am fatisfied that it is
not greatnefs, nor any thing elfe in the
world, that can make us more happy ; and
that gentleman, as you obferve, may &ive us
Z

^54 EXTRACTS OF LETTERS
an edifying leflbn of the vanity, of ambi
tion — how, in a moment, our defigns and
profpects may be exti.nguifhed, and vanifh
away ! Happy they, who have God for
the portion of their inheritance and cup;
they have a goodly heritage, and the lines
fall to them in pleafant places. The four
garrifon regiments are now yoked to this
fiege, and we give no more detachments
from the army. The weather begins to
grow very Gold, and to break. The rainy
weather makes the trenches a very un
comfortable poft ; yea I find a tent begins
to be a cold lodging. But I have reafon
to be very thankful for the good accom
modation -1 have had all this campa gn.
1 muft change the day of writing, for
we lie a day's journey from the Duke's
quarters. I am juft iow at his qu.uters,
but only co make my Dow. The Lord's
peace reft with thee my deaieft heart. I
am thine J. B.

LETTER XXIX. '
To Mti Bluckadi-r.
My Dfarrst Love, Weclnefday, Sept. 14.
1 ii ,vi no news firu e my la .. I
fpoke to the Duke yefteiuay about my ad-

FROM COL. BLACKADER.' 2$$
vancement, and to'd him I did not like
to importune his Grace, fori depended en
tirely upon his word ; he told me that I
might do fo. There is no help for thefe
delays, but patience. I am ready either to
flay of go. as Providence fhall fee beft for
fne, to whom I commit all my ways. I
dare hardly own it in a public company
that I am fo eafy ; for they do not think
a man deferves any poft in the army, who
either gives himfelf reft, or any other a-
bout him, general or other, till he get
what he is feeking. But as I do not look
upon ambition to be any Chriftian virtue,.
fo neither do I look upon that carking,
anxious care to be any greatnefs of mind,
rather the contrary.
Faith is a grace to be exercifed at all
times and on all occafions ; it keep* the
foul in its feat, in a fedate compofed tem
per. The mind flayed on God is in
peace ; it makes not hafte, but is patient.
Our regiment, does not go to the fiege,
if no new regiments be called for. This
is a mercy we were not expecting, and
God prefents us daily with his mercies,
but detachments may go from the army,
I do not fay this to frighten you, but the

#5*> EXTRACTS OF LETTERS
contrary, that we fhould humbly depend
and truft in God, and rejoice that he puts
us in a neceffity of dependence ; for we
would gladly have all our enjoyments out
of the reach of hazards and dangers, ; but
it is not good for us that they be fo,
we may eafily fee that when they are fo
we turn fecure.
The weather begins now to be fome-
wha.t cold. I lie in my tent, for.
houfes are difficult to be got, but I am
very well, and lie very warm. This is
my birth-day, as I think ; but the 12th,
is a day that I remember more, and ought
never to forget. I am thine, J.B.

LETTER XXX.
To Mrs Blackader.
Mr Dearest, Wednefday, Sept. ai.
I received yours of the 16th. It
troubles me much to find you are fo in-
difpofed, and that melancholy preys fo
upon your fpirit. I know, my deareft,
you are more reafonable than to indulge
yourfelf in it. But fuch is the compofi-
tion of our machine, that, thefe things do

FROM COL. BLACKADER. 257
not depend upon us, — we cannot keep
our fpirits in that, temper and frame they
fhould be in, or as we would have them.
You are very fenfible that none in the
world have lefs reafon than we to be me
lancholy — none in the world have more
reafon to be cheerful, and to have their
hearts lifted up in the ways of God,
for while he is writing bitter things
to others, and giving them occafion
of mournful and melancholy lamentation,
he is putting new fongs of praife in our
mouths, and compafling us about with
new fongs of deliverance. To that great
mercy and deliverance he gave me at
the battle, he has added this other, which
indeed we could not have expected, viz.
to keep us free from this fiege, which I
would have looked upon as ten times
worfe than the battle, for that is my na
ture. Danger, though it be great, yet,
"being foon over, and nothing in- it to oc
cafion anxiety of mind, feems to me a
fmall thing in comparifon of a conftant
tract of fatigue either of body or mind.
The firft routes the fpirits, the other finks
them. It is very probable that your
room may be partly the occafion of it,
Z-3

25? EXTRACTS OF LETTERS
for I always did think it melancholy and
not good air. Do look out for a better.
Our affair here begins to train out in
length, and like to weary our patience.
The Duke feems to be uneafy at the
preffing of him to fill up the commiffionj
as if it were taking fomething from him,
and indeed Jie was never better flated
with any than with me, for I hate as much
to importune as he does to be importu
ned ; and except when my friends pufh
me, and route me, and hector me to go,
I'm never inclined to go near the Court,
for 1 always had that bafhfulnefs of na
ture that I cannot endure to be where I
think I am troublefome. Let others,
whofe talent it is, get places and pofts by
affurance and forwardnefs, I fhall have
mine by modefty, or want them, for I can
not force nature. I ftill leave it fubmif-
fively in his hand who knows what is beft
for me, and I'm perfuaded he will give*
what is beft ; this makes me very eafy.
I know promotion comes not from the
eaft nor the weft ; it is he who has
the difpofing of our lot, who has promi
fed, that neither grace, nor glory, nor any

FROM COL. BLACKADER. 259
good thing, will be witheld from them
that fear him.
My deareft, I hope Providence fhall
give a comfortable clofe to this campaign,
and that there is not much of it now be
fore our hand, but the Lord fhall give us
in his mercy a joyful meeting, with hearts
filled with thankfulnefs and love to our
kind benefactor. The Lord's bleffing
and peace reft with you, my deareft heart.
I am thine J. B.

LETTER XXXI.
To Mrs Blackader.
My Dearest, Sabbath, Sept. 15.
I Received yours, and blefs the Lord
that you are no worfe. I intreat you not
to give way to melancholy. — I'm fure nei
ther you nor I have reafon for it, but
much to the contrary ; and if grace were
ftronger and fanctification more deeply root
ed, it would be more our element to ferve
God with delight, and more natural to us.
It is his grace which can work this in us.
We have great caufe to be thankful that
we have miffed this fiege, for fuch judg
ment-like weather I have hardly feen in

26o EXTRACTS OF LETTERS-
a camp — juft now it rains and blows fir
hard that it is like to throw down all our
tents about our ears. I have got the
fhelter of a houfe, which I reckon no
fmall mercy in fuch weather ; though it
be but a fad houfe, for I am fitting in wa
ter at the fire-fide, which blows in, the
foldiers having unthached one fide of
it. However I- am very thankful for.
what 1 have.
If I can get time I fhall anfwer Mrs
Granfton's letter. There feems to be a:
work upon her fpirit — a Jenfe of fin, and
of the wrath of God contending for fin,
and great doubting and fears as to mercy
and pardon. 1 pray the Lord may carry.
it on with his Spirit, and make her flee
to Chrift. Give, my love to her. Let me
know, as foon as you can, what you de
fign about a lodging. . As yet it is not
altogether certain whether Ghent will be
our garrifon — fome fpeak of Bruffels ;
and it is more than a month to garrifon
time yet We do not know how things
will be. I have feen much of the vani
ty of far forethought projects, how they
are ordinarily difappointed. So that, as
we are directed to feek our daily bread,'

FROM COL. BLACKADER. 2'6*
from day to day only, fo I feek direction
from day to day, without grafping atlong
tracks of time.
The roads are become very bad, and
our horfes harrafied with foraging five or
fix leagues ; — every thing looks like gar
rifon, and every body longs for it, but
the great ones of the earth will fight
againft Providence. I piay the Lord to
give a comfortable clofe to the campaign,
and- fend peace and truth in the earth.
The Lord's peace and prefence be with
you, my deareft love. 1 am thine, J.B.
LETTER XXXII.
To Mrs Blackader.
My Dearest Annie, Monday, Sept. 3.
I did not write to you laft
poft ; but it was not done, as you fay
you did to me, to try me, for I was on
command that day, and could not write.
My dear, I am as little afraid of the trial
as you are, and I believe you can be as
eafy without hearing from me as I can
be in not hearing from you, for all the dif
ference of our circumftances, I in a camp
and you in a town ; fo take you that for,

262 EXTRACTS OF LETTERS
your trial.  My deareft, I own I have
not fo much good humour now as I have
had through the by-paft time of the
campaign : my fpirits are grown more four
and flat ; and there is no man in the world'
has more reafon to be earneft in feeking
the Spirit of God to dwell and lodge in
his heart continually, and to influence
his temper and actions, than I have ;
for I confefs, when I want that, I know
neither the exercife of grace nor good
nature. You may be very thankful, that
you have always a fund of good nature ;
and indeed I know not what is in it, but
I have wearied more, arid my temper has
been more four, fince the thoughts of
bufinefs were over, than all the cam
paign before, which I found fenfibly thofe
two or three days I was on command ;
though it was a great deal of fatigue,a'nd an
alert poft, yet I was much better the time I
was out than when I am lying in the camp.
Where the Spirit and prefence of God is,
that brings heaven into the foul; and when
the mind is ftaid on him, he keeps it in
perfect peace ; when he withdraws that,
there is hell ; and Satan without, lulls, pa-
fiions, and affections within, drive the foul

SK.UM UO.L,. fl±,ACKADER. 203
as in a hurricane. O that the love of Chrift
were, the predominant, afcendant flame
of the foul ! that would create a heaven
there, and make us happy. I confefs it
is my fin and unhappinefs that I would
ftill draw fo much comfort and happinefs
from earthly enjoyments, when there is
none to be had without the bleffing of
God ; and if I were weaned from thefe ,
and if Chrift had his due, and the world
but its, then were I a happy man. If
you be guilty this way, deareft, pray help
it ; that fo we may not provoke God to
make us a plague and a crofs to one ano
ther.  God grant us his bleffing in our
family, and we have enough, and that
our houfe maybe a Bethel, where the me
lody of joy, and praife and falvation may
be heard. The Lord's bleffing and pre
sence reft with thee. I am thine own
JB.
P. S. My deareft, I fhould not have
wrote this poft either ; for when I i.-ad
this letter, over, 1 find there is not that
ferenenefs in my temper that fnould be
when I write to a pleafant, fweet wife;
hut thou muft pardon that, among many

20^ juKi.ivttv.i-a ur LtlltRSt
other faults I am guilty of, and fympa--
thife with me.

LETTER XXXIII.
To Mrs Balderflone, Edinburgh.
Stirling Caftle, Dec. 5. 1720.
The account of your dear hufband's
-death was a furprife to us, having never
heard of his illnefs. Probably it might
have been fo to yourfelf, and thustheftroke
the heavier, but even in that cafe you
muft with Aaron hold your peace. His
God hath done it, and whatever nearnefs
to himfelf, he pleafes to admit any of bis
own to, yet he always referves a liberty
to himfelf, in the midlt of the greateft
familiarity, to fhew fome ftrokes of fove-
reignty, and he is not bound to reveal
to us either what he is about to do with
us, or the reafons of it, at the time. E-
lifha was a man who lived near God, and
in much favour with him, yet he fays,
" Let her alone, for her foul is vexed with
in her, and the Lord hath hid it from me,
and hath not told me." God hath not
given us abfolute promifes about temporal
things, fo neither fhould our faith go out

FROM COL. BLACKADER. 265
peremptorily about them : but you have
an abfolute promife, that all things fhall
work together for good to them that love
him. You may take that, and I hope
you find already in your fweet experience
that this bitter cup has that bleffed effecl.
But what I write of your being furprifed
with it is mere gueffing, for perhaps as by
his indifpofition before, you got outward
warning, fo it may be you got fome no^
tice and intimations of it alfo upon your
own fpirit; but whether the one way or the
other, be perfuaded the way God has
taken is the beft for you. You need not
doubt of mine and my wife's tender fym-
pathy with you ; - but indeed, I almoft
thought it needlefs for me to trouble you
on this fa*d occafion, or to offer any thing
for your comfort : for you muft go to the
fountain of all comfort for that, and you
live nearer the fountain-head than I do.
You have alfo many dear and worthy
friends about you, through whofe hands
the divine confolations are more likely to
be communicated- than by mine ; but the
long and intimate friendfhip between us
prevails with me to throw in my mite
A a

266 EXTRACTS OF LETTERS
among others. Your own melancholy will
make you ready to pore too much on the
dark fide of the providence, but allow me
to turn up another fide of it which is
brighter ; you have reafon to. be very
thankful, and even to think with pleafure,
that you have had a long tack {leafe)of one
of the beftof hufbands.with whomybuhave
lived eafy and comfortably as true yoke
fellows, and helps meet for one another,
as heirs of the grace of life, ftrengthening
one another's hands in the way of God,
and in that good way you^have led one
another by the hand, even to the verge
of life, to a good old age ; and if he has
got the ftart of you, and ftepped in before
you, why fhould you grudge at that ? you
are faft following, and will not be very
long behind him ; and this fharp pro
vidence will (through grace) wean you
more from the world, make you fojourn in
it as a ftranger, and finding nothing in it
to fet your heart much upon, your affec
tions will be more fet upon the things that
are above, where Jefus Chrift is, and fo
by this fharp trial, you will be made more
meet to be a partaker of that inheritance

FROM COL. BLACKADER. 267
of the faints in light, and being made'
meet, you will defire to be diffolved at d
to be with Chrift, where your heart and
trealure is, and will, as a fhock of com
fully ripe, fall into the grave. The time
is but fhort in this valley of tears, joy will
come in the morning, and faith, at one
view, can foon look over the few days or
years of forrow that are before you in
time, into that fulnefs of joy that is in
his prefence, and thofe rivers of pleafure
that are at his right hand for evermore ;
but as I faid before, you are more capa
ble of practifing than I am to fhew it you,
and when (I hope) you have fuch accefs
to the fountain of comfort yourfelf, you
need it not from my hands. Yours, &c.

268
The Conchfion of a SPEECH in the General
Affembly 1716, from Notes written after
it was delivered, and printed from thefe
as in his Diary.
 _ Moderator, We call ourfelves a

Venerable Affembly— this is in everybo
dy's mouth— the Venerable Affembly .'---
What is it that makes this, or any affem
bly, venerable ? It is not a great company
qf gentlemen in black coats and bands,
and fome of them with grey hairs, (and
by the bye, Moderator, would that there
were more grey hairs among us !) It is
not paffion, heat and wrangling. Mode
rator, you know, and can tell better than
I, what it is that makes an affembly ve
nerable. I fhall name only two charac
ters, which I find in one of Paul's epiftles,
-.—two lifts— and fet the one of thefe
againft the other. The one is called the
works of the flefh ; anger, wrath, malice,
hatred, variance, ftrife, envying, emula
tion, feditions, herefies. To be purged of
thefe, Moderator, will make an affembly
venerable. The other lift is the fruit of
the Spirit ; love, peace, joy, long-fuffer-

269
ing, meeknefs, gentlenefs, goodnefs, faith,
temperance : to be endowed with thefe
will make an affembly venerable, and an
fwer the end of our coming together, to
confultfor the glory of God and the good of
the church *: Moderator, I beg pardon for
ufing fo much freedom with this Venera
ble Affembly ; I am fenfible it does not
belong to one of my coat : but I waited
to hear if grey hairs 'would fpeak, and
finding nobody do it, I was prefied in my
confcience to fay what I have faid. Mo
derator, let not the reverend brethren
confider the infignificant perfon it comes
from ; but every one of us lay our hands on
our hearts, and fee if it be true : then —
Pudet hcec opprobria nobis, et dici potuijfe,
et non potuijfe refelli. If it be not true, I
humbly beg pardon of this Venerable
Affembly. ******* *
* The words of the commiffion to every Member of
the General AITembly.
THE END.

J. RITCHIE, CRINTER.,: BI.ACK.FR.IAR.S WYND.