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Cool? Secondly, What brought him hither? and, Thirdly, What was his business with me? he answered, The reason that I want you is, that I know you are disposed to do for me what none of your brethren in Nithsdale will so much as attempt, though it serve never so good a purpose. I told him, I would never refuse to do any thing to serve a good purpose, if I thought I was obliged to do it as my duty. He answered, Since I had undertaken what few in Nithsdale would, for he had tried several persons on that subject, who were more obliged to him than I was to any person living. Upon this I drew my bridle reins, and asked in surprise, what I had undertaken? he answered, That on Sabbath last, I heard you condemned Mr Paton, and the other ministers of Dumfries, for dissuading Mr Menzies from keeping his appointment with me; and if you had been in their place, would have persuaded the lad to do as I desired, and that you would have gone with him yourself, if he bad been afraid; and if you had been in Mr Paton's place, you would have delivered my commissions yourself, as they tended to do several persons justice. I asked him, Pray, Cool, who informed you that I talked at that rate? to which he answered, You must know that we are acquainted with many things that the living know nothing about; these things you did say, and much more to that purpose and deliver my commissions to my loving wiſe. Upon this I said, 'tis a pity Cool, that you who know so many things, should not know the difference between an absolute and conditional promise; I did indeed, at the time you mention, blame Mr Paton, for I thought him justly blameable, in hindering the lad to meet with you, and if I had been in his place I would have acted
See Note bottom of 6th page.
