160 A Covenanter's Narrative. 



not grant me liberation, but the fardest was to transport me 

 to Dumfries prison which I scarcely believit had been done 

 either. I then having used the means to the yondmost at 

 this time (I hope not without submission to the Lord's will) 

 but for my own farder peace, I used the means with reluct- 

 ance for reasons known to myself. I then began to bethink 

 myself, and sometimes formerly also, that I had been over 

 earnest, and the Lord my God dealing so well and kindly 

 with me and strengthening and encouraging me so that I was 

 never wearit of my prison night or day ; and was afraid that 

 my Lord should have been angry with me (and that it sould 

 not have been so well with me in case I had been liberate), 

 seeing the Lord my God did according to his word make 

 his yoke easy and his burthen light, and not only so but 

 sweetened the prison house by his waiting to be gracious to 

 me night and day, so that it was made . . to me 

 but also refreshing to me night and day because he keepit 

 prison with me, and did bear all the weights and burthens of 

 me and (sic) [and] poor weak and empty me under it. Also 

 now seeing I was so well taken with I thought I complained 

 without cause, or lest was over hastie, for I would not nor 

 durst not complain, but was desirand to bless and praise his 



booth of Air," was sent by Dalgoner to his wife with the following 

 letter written upon it : — 



" Deir Love ye sie heir ye result of all ye peinis takine. Ye 

 kno I still desyrit you to be submissive & not to depend upon ye 

 arme of flesche in ye use of meinis, but let ye Lord grant cuccese 

 as he seis gude. For I blisse ye Lord I am verie weill & hes peace 

 & contentment ay since I could be thankfull & get ye Lord praisit ; 

 but I dow not get it done ye moir all help me. Let Sandie 

 Milligan's half aiker & robert haliday's & John Greir's be metit 

 outnixt to david hapis & let yem cast caills, yis is in ye tliridfure 

 & in ye fourfure. Let thrie half aikers be metit outnixt robert 

 haliday's & let Sandie Milligane John Greirsone & david hapis also 

 cast caills for it. if ye can get a boll of great blak corne to mixe ye 

 Lay cause Wm. Johnstone or ane uther speir it out. tak tent to 

 ye sawing & to ye bairn & corn, being in haist for want of Libertie 

 I say no moir at yis tyme bot ye lord be wt you & all freind. 

 I am, 



Your loving husband 



James Greirsone of Dalgoner. 

 Air 21 Feb. 1667." 



