broken the divine law, and their being condemned by it, and then to lead them to the blood of Christ. He thought the alienation of the human soul from God, in its unconverted state, is a sufficient proof of its depravity and misery. He inculcated the necessity of regeneration by the Holy Spirit. His opinion concerning the nature of faith in Christ, was, that it is the receiving of a free gift, and lies much in a supreme and rooted esteem of Christ, and all his benefits, with proportionable desires after them. His clear and scriptural views of the imputation of the Redeemer's righteousness, and of the agreeableness of this doctrine to reason, may be seen in his Essay on Prejudices against the Gospel. He was no bigot. He did not love party names, nor laid much stress upon lesser matters. The grand truths just now mentioned, of justification by the blood and righteousness of Christ, and sanctification by the holy Spirit, were the main objects of his attention. When he treated on other points, he made them subservient to these. Besides the sermons in this volume, there were several others that were much esteemed by good judges who heard them preached. Particularly a set of sermons on the works of creation, full of ingenious observations on the wisdom and goodness of the Creator; intermixed all along with references to the works of redemption and grace. The style and method of his sermons, which was abundantly clear in his younger days, became afterwards more obscure; so that it was hard to follow him attentively through a whole discourse: but every sentence was a short sermon, and the whole was in the true spirit and strain of the gospel. In reproving sin, he was very sharp and severe in the case of insensibility or obstinacy, but far from condemning any person without evidence. When he heard bad reports, he was a strict but impartial examiner; and spared no labour to find out the truth. And his inquiries this way were attended with great success, and frequently made the means of vindicating injured innocence, and exposing concealed wickedness. With the same steadiness and application he pursued every good design; whether he was engaged in helping those who needed his assistance, or in promoting any public interest, he stuck close to it till he carried it through, if any success was to be expected. He was much beloved by his brethren in the ministry in general, especially by his colleagues in Glasgow. And what heightened the value of all his other talents and graces, and endeared him to every one, was, that humility and selfdiffidence, that so eminently distinguished him, and appeared in all his behaviour. Particularly when any thing of importance was to be proposed, though he had a great hand in it himself, he choosed the proposal should come from others, rather than from him. express. He What he was in his family, I am at a loss to was so exceedingly and deservedly dear to all his relations, that the description must fall far short of the reality. Indeed, the remembrance is too affecting. Our only comfort is, that his Saviour and ours lives for ever, and that in his blessed presence we hope to enjoy a far happier society together, than we even did in this life. His stature was a little above the middle size. His body pretty strong and nimble. A fair complexion, an honest, open countenance, full of cheerfulness, good nature, modesty and gravity*. He was liable to be absent, and lost in thought. Spoke very readily and agreeably. Sometimes continued speaking longer than he designed (though he was not tedious) his attention being carried away by the subject. The same amiable simplicity run through ali his behaviourt. He was a * The proper names of these dispositions in him were joy, love and humility. See Gal. v. 22. In 1721, Mr. M'Laurin married Lilias, daughter of Mr. John Rae, of little Govan, by whom he had nine children, of which four died in their infancy. His son John, a very promising young man, died in 1742, in the seventeenth year of his age. His eldest daughter (spouse to the writer of these memoirs) died soon after the birth of her eighth child, Aug. 6th, 1754, about a month before her father, whom she very much resembled in a peculiar sweetness and vivacity, and in the most serious piety: "They were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their deaths they were not divided." Mrs. M‘Laurin (a woman of great plainness and integrity, and'. very dutiful and affectionate to her relations) dying in 1747, Mr. M'Laurin, in 1749, married Margaret, daughter of Mr. Patrick Bell, of Cow-Caddins, now his widow. His only surviving childdren are three daughters of the first marriage, of which the eldest is married to Mr. John Findley, writer, and the second to Mr. Andrew Craig, surgeon in Glasgow.. man of an extraordinary genius, joined with great prudence, and as great activity, extensive reading, and a competent knowledge of the world, all devoted to the service of God in the gospel. Animated with no worldly views, but with an unshaken and well-grounded belief of Christianity, and a continual joyful hope of heaven. Such was the life and character of this excellent person. May the short account that has been given of it be blest of God to every reader. GLASGOW, JOHN GILLIES. EXTRACTS OF LETTERS TO THE PUBLISHER OF THE GLASGOW EDITION. *** « I was entertaining hope that so precious a life would be preserved a while longer for the service of the church of Christ, at a time of so much need. But the Master has seen meet to call home his faithful and wise servant. As we loved him, let us rejoice that he hath gone to his Father; while justly bewailing the loss to his surviving friends, the general loss to the church, to the world; how rare such a character! how difficult to find a successor to such a minister of Christ in any period of the church! "It strikes me with pleasant wonder, and excites my grateful praise to the supreme and most gracious Orderer of all that concerns us and our intercourse in the world, that I was led to such close correspondence for some time past, as brought me an extraordinary share of communication with that eminent servant of our common Lord, in the very last scene of his life. Oh may I have grace to improve such a blessing, to excite some measure of that spirit which breathed in every thing that dropped from him by word or write. "Please let me know what sermons or other performances of Mr. M'Laurin's are to be found among bis papers fairly wrote out. Copies of sermons of his had got into several hands; some I heard him preach in Glasgow, before he was a minister there: and I have read some of these copies I mentioned, from which, and others of the same masterly composition, I am persuaded a volume may be furnished out, which nothing I ever saw in print would exceed. *** “JOHN ADAMS.” *** “ I heartily approve the inserting some account of Mr. M'Laurin's character in the preface to his Sermons. Since you desire it, I shall hint a few particulars, which I think worthy of your notice. (1.) His habitual spiritual-mindedness and devotion, evidenced by frequent ejaculatory prayers and thanksgivings, and by his delight to turn conversation into a religious and edifying channel. (2.) His unwearied diligence to promote whatever he thought tended to the welfare of the church, of which he was a member. His warm concern for the advancement of religion, even in the most distant parts; and his joy for agreeable appearances of the success of the gospel. (3.) His deep insight into the doctrines and duties of religion, and the most proper methods of removing prejudices and objections against them. The -strength of his genius, and the solidity of his judgment, furnished him with sentiments new and ingenious, and yet solid and convincing, when explaining, or vindicating some of the most important articles of our Christian faith. When consulted upon controversies, which seemed quite exhausted by the labours of others, he would often strike new light on the question in debate, and offer a more distinct and satisfying solution of difficulties, than had hitherto been advanced. Such was his knowledge of the nature of religion, as equally preserved him from right and left hand errors. He saw and felt, that the true Christian does not act merely from selfish and interested motives; but is animated to duty, by love to God, to Christ, and to holiness, flowing from views of their intrinsic glory and excellency; and yet The cautiously avoided the dangerous extremes of enthusiasts and popish mystics. (4.) Boldness, courage, zeal and faithfulness, in opposing whatever he thought contrary to the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom. (5.) Remarkable bu |