I am assurit had ilk preitchour
Unto the matter bene als frak,
As ye haue bene heir sine ye spak.
It had not cum to sic ane held
As this day we se it proceid;
But I can se few men amang thame,
Thocht all the warld suld dene ouirgang thame.
That hes ane face to speik agane,
Sic as the kirk of Christ prophane;
Had guid John Knox not yit bene deid,
It had not cum unto this heid,
Had thay myntit tell sic ane steir,
He had maid hevin and eirth to heir. "
A Memoir of Davidson, by Dr Rogers, was published for the
Grampian Club in 1876, with a complete edition of his poems,
etc., but it is not very complete. On turning over the Weekly
Christian Teacher for 1838, we find the following metrical
version of the 23rd Psalm, which, from the signature at the
foot, had evidently emanated from Prestonpans. The first edition
of his poetical works was published in 1602, but this may
have been done after the others went to press.
THE LORD MY SHEPHERD.
God who doth all nature hold,
In his fold,
Is my shepherd kind and heedful,
Is my shepherd, and doth keep
Me, his sheep,
Still supplied with all things needful.
He feeds me in fields which been
Fresh and green,
Mottled with springs, flowery, painting,
Through which creep with murmuring crooks
Chrystal brooks,
To refresh my spirit fainting.
When my soul from heaven's way
Went astray,
With earth's vanities seduced,
For his name's sake, kindly he,
Wandering me,
To his Holy fold reduced.
—DAVIDSON, A. D. 1602.
On the 16th November 1602, the following brief address was
delivered by Davidson to his congregation at Salt-Prestoun:
—
"To his loving flock of Salt-Prestoun, who, by the preaching
of the Gospel, believe and turne to the Lord.
"John Davidson wisheth increase of faith and repentance
with constancie therein, to the end, and in the end. —Amen.
"
DAVIDSON'S CATECHISM.
Among other works, this stern reformer, great preacher, and
indefatigable writer, compiled a Catechism, which was published
in 1602, exactly forty-six years previous to the issuing of
the Shorter and Larger Catechisms, by that body of Divines
which met at Westminster 1648, and for which some may think
they were obliged in some degree to the minister of Prestonpans.
We give the following quotation, which speaks for itself:
—
"At Edinburgh the 7th November 1599.
"The Provincial Assembly of Lothiane and Tweeddale having
red and considered the forme of Examination, and Catechisme,
written by our brother Maister John Davidson, approves the
same, and agrees that it sail bee imprented. Extract furth
of the books of the proviciall assemblie of Lothiane and Tweeddale,
by mee Richarde Thomesone, Clerk thereto.
" RICHARDE THOMESONE. "
" The firste parte of the Catechisme, touching the sinful
and damnable estate of man by nature.
Teacher—What does thou chieflye heare and learne at
the hearing of God's word?
Disciple—That my salvation is in Jesus Christ the Sonne
of God only, and nane uther.
Teacher—How art thou under condemnation that thou hast
need of salvation by Christ?
Disciple—By sinne, whilk is the breaking of God's law,
or ten commandements.
Teacher—Rehearse the ten commandements as they are
set doune in the first and second table?
Disciple—Hearken, and take heed Israel, I am the Lord
thy God, and sa forth.
Teacher—What is summarly contained in these ten commandements?
Disciple— That I suld love God intirely with all my
heart, with all my saul, and with my haill minde, and my neighbour
as myself.
Teacher— Can thou not doe sa by nature, but contrariwise
hate both God and thy neighbour?
Disciple— All the imaginations of the thoughts of my
heart are onely evil continually, and so are bent to all actual
sinne. |
