Joi A Covenanter's Narrative. 



her business, she went to Edinburgh to use means for my 

 liberation upon bond and caution until it pleased the Lord 

 that I recovered some health and strength. ^^ The Tutor of 

 Lag went to Edinburgh also, who was content to be caution 

 and to assist her what he could amongst the Nobles. But 

 their answer was, no liberation except I take the declaration, 

 for some unfriends stood in the way. So my wife went home 

 on 2nd July, and came to me at Air on 8th of July and told 

 me her progress, and staid till 19th July, and went home to 

 the mowing of the meadow and other business. So when 

 we used all lawful means for our OM^n farther peace (I hope 

 not without submission to our Lord's will who knows what 

 is best and good for us), I thought it was my strength to sit 

 still and settle myself peaceably upon my Lord, who has my 

 time in his hand ; for his time is ay the best time which he 

 will make known afterwards. 



49 



"I . . . was going to buy my winter coals for a 

 fire when, upon the last day of July, there came to me unex- 

 pected an act and order from the Lords of the Secret Council^ 

 commanding the magistrates of Air to set me at liberty, which 



48 "Notes of business, 4tli July, 1667. Elizabeth Johnstoun, 

 spouse to James Grierson of Dalgoner, having her husband in 

 prison for alledged accession to the late rebellion, craves that since 

 he is now at the poynt of death shoe may have libertye to tak him 

 to his own house to die and shoe is content to find catioun under 

 what paine your Lordships pleases to present him to prison in case 

 he recover" (Beg. of P.C, 3rd ser., ii., 654). 



49 Some devout observations, which are virtually a repetition 

 of those already made, are here omitted. 



50 We find the following entry of 18th July, 1667 : -^" Anent 

 a petition presented in name of James Grierson of Dalgoner shew- 

 ing that he hath this long tyme past continowed prisoner in the 

 tolbooth in Air as suspect accessory to the late rebellion albeit he 

 was innocent and hath oft desyred a tryall, and therefore humbly 

 craving to be set at liberty, the Lords of Council ordains the 

 magistrates of Air to sett the supplicant to liberty because he 

 hath found caution to answer when he shall be called and in the 

 meantyme to live peaceably" (Beg. of P.C, 3rd ser., ii., p. 309). 

 In an entry dated 30th July (ibid., p. 657) we find mention of a 

 bond of caution by James Grierson, Tutor of Lag, for James 



