Page:History of John Brown of Priesthill.pdf/20

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JOHN BROWN OF PRIESTHILL

and her children, born and unborn, as one refreshed by the influence of the Holy Spirit, when he comcs down like rain upon the mown grass, as showers upon the earth."

When Claverhouse could bear his prayers no longer, and had succeeded, after interrupting him twice with the most blasphemous language, to raise him from his knees, John Brown said to his wife, Isabell, this is the day I told you of before we were married; and added, with his usual kindness, you see me summoned to appear in a few minutes before the court of heaven, as a witness in our Redeemer's cause against the ruler of Scotland; are you willing that I should part from you? Heartily willing, said she, in a voice that spoke her regard for her husband and her submission to the Lord, even when he called her to bow before His terrible things. "That is all I wait for; O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where will be thy victory?" said John Brown, while he tenderly laid his arms around hcr, kissed her and her little boy, and lastly Janct, saying to her, my sweet bairn, give your hand to God as your guide, and bc your mother's comfort: he could add no more, a tide of tenderness overflowed his heart. At last he uttered these words, "Blessed be thou, O Holy Spirit! that speaketh more comfort to my heart than the voice of my oppressors can speak terror to my ears!" Thus, when the Lord brought his witness to be tried, he discovcred such a magnanimity, that, as he fell, he conquered his persecutors.

If, in the Christian's life, there is a light that discovers the spots of the wicked; so, in the martyr's heroic grappling with death, there was