The Testimony of Mr. George Gillespie
James Dodson
AGAINST ASSOCIATION AND COMPLIANCE WITH MALIGNANT ENEMIES
OF THE TRUTH AND GODLINESS.
(Written two days before his Death.)
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Seeing now, in all appearance, the time of my dissolution is very near, although I have, in my latter will, declared my mind of public affairs, yet I have thought good to add this farther testimony, That I esteem the malignant party in these kingdoms the seed of the serpent—enemies to piety and presbyterial government (pretend what they will to the contrary)—a generation that have not set God before them. With the malignants are to be joined the profane and scandalous, from all which, as also from heresies and errors, the Lord, I trust, is about to purge his churches. I have often comforted myself, and still do, with the hopes of the Lord’s purging this polluted land. Surely the Lord hath begun, and will carry on, that great work of mercy, and will purge out the rebels. I know there will be always a mixture of hypocrites, but that cannot excuse the conniving at gross and scandalous sinners. This purging work which the Lord is about, very many have directly opposed, and said by their deeds, We will not be purged nor refined, but we will be joining and mixing ourselves with those whom the ministers preach against as malignant enemies to God and his cause. But let him that is filthy be filthy still, and let wisdom be justified of her children. I recommend to them that fear God, sadly and seriously to consider that the holy Scripture doth plainly hold forth, (1.) That the helping of the enemies of God, or joining and mingling with wicked men, is a sin highly displeasing; (2.) That this sin hath ordinarily ensnared God's people into divers other sins; (3.) That it hath been punished of God with grievous judgment; (4.) That utter destruction is to be feared when a people, after great mercies and judgments, relapse into this sin, Ezra 9.13,14.[1.]
Upon these and the like grounds, for my own exoneration, that so necessary a truth want not the testimony of a dying witness of Christ, also the unworthiest among many thousands; and that light may be held forth, and warning given, I cannot be silent at this time, but speak by my pen, when I cannot by my tongue; yea, now also, by the pen of another, when I cannot by my own, seriously, and in the name of Jesus Christ, exhorting and obtesting all that fear God and make conscience of their ways, to be very tender and circumspect, to watch and pray that they be not ensnared in that great dangerous sin of conjunction or compliance with malignant or profane enemies of the truth, under whatsoever prudential considerations it may be varnished over,—which, if men will do and trust God in his own way, they shall not only not repent it, but, to their greater joy and peace of God’s people, they shall see his work go on and prosper gloriously. In witness of the premises I have subscribed the same with my hand, at Kirkaldy, December 15, 1648, before these witnesses, Mr. F. Carmichael, minister at Markinch, and Mr. Alex. Moncrieff, minister at Scoon.
(Sic subscrib.) GEORGE GILLESPIE.
F. C., Witness.
A. M., Witness.
NOTE:
[1.] Thus far did the Author write, with his own hand, two days before his death, but finding his weakness increase that he was able to write no more, be indited that which followeth.