The Life of James Renwick | Page 2

patriots of which
their country could ever boast, and whose services to the cause of pure
and undefined religion were invaluable. Occasionally, we yet find, in
the works of some popular writers, Renwick and his fellow-sufferers,
designated enthusiasts and fanatics, their principles misrepresented, and
some of their most heroic deeds held up to ridicule and scorn. Even the
brilliant Macaulay, while exposing to deserved condemnation their
cruel and heartless persecutors, and while depicting with graphic power
some of the incidents of the deaths of the Scottish martyrs, yet shews
his strong aversion to evangelical principle and godly practice, by
applying to the honest confessors the same opprobrious epithets. The
age in which the martyrs and their principles were kept entombed, by
heaping on them reproach and slander, is past, however, not to return
again. Their names are destined not to perish. God designs in his
providence to honour them more and more, by bringing more clearly to
light the great principles for which they contended unto blood, striving

against sin. The era long predicted and desired is approaching, when
the saints shall rise to reign with Christ on the earth, when the spirit
which distinguished them shall be extensively revived, and the great
principles of their testimony shall be triumphant.
Meanwhile, the resurrection of the names of the confessors and martyrs
of a former age, is a sure indication of the resurrection of their
principles too. Through the evidence furnished by the faithful
contendings and devoted lives of men of sanctified wisdom and
high-toned piety, and the light reflected from the story of their
sufferings and triumphant deaths, we cannot doubt that numbers will be
led to earnest inquiry concerning the principles for which they testified
in life, and in confirmation of which they willingly laid down their
lives, that they might transmit the precious heritage to future
generations. The result will be a wider appreciation of the value and
excellency of a martyr-testimony; and in the period of promised light
and enlargement, the lifting up of a standard in many places, and by
strong hands, in behalf of the same great principles.
As prefatory to the memorials of the piety, wisdom, and devotedness of
the martyr Renwick, it appears desirable to present a brief sketch of his
personal history--to notice the particular time in which he laboured, and
the principles for which he contended,--his martyrdom, character, and
the distinct and honourable position assigned him in the great work of
maintaining and advancing the Redeemer's cause in the earth.

RENWICK'S LIFE
James Renwick was the child of godly parents in humble life. His
father, Andrew Renwick, was a weaver, and his mother, Elizabeth
Corson, is especially mentioned, like the mother and grandmother of
Timothy, or like Monica, the mother of Augustine, as a woman of
strong faith, and eminently prayerful. As several of her children had
died in infancy, she earnestly sought that the Lord would give her a
child, who would not only be an heir of glory, but who might live to
serve God in his generation. Her prayer was heard and graciously
answered. The son of her vows was born at Moniaive, in the parish of
Glencairn, Gallowayshire, on the 15th of February, 1662. His father
died before he reached the age of fourteen, but not before he felt
assured--probably from observing in the boy remarkable indications of

early piety--that, though his course on earth would be short, the Lord
would make singular use of him in his service. The early training of
this distinguished martyr was, in a great measure, through the
instrumentality of a devoted mother, who could boast of no worldly
affluence or accomplishments, but whose heart was richly pervaded by
the grace of the Spirit, and intensely concerned for the Saviour's glory;
and who, in times of great difficulty and great trial, maintained
unwavering confidence in the faithful word of promise.
If James Renwick was not "sanctified from the womb," there was clear
evidence afforded, that, in early childhood, he was the subject of
gracious motions of the Spirit. At two years of age, he was observed to
be aiming at secret prayer; and as his childhood advanced, he evinced
love to the ways of God, by reading and pondering the Scriptures,
delight in secret prayer, and by reverential regard to the authority of his
parents. Like Luther, and other eminent servants of God, Renwick was
trained for his life-work in the school of _temptation_; he experienced
painful mental conflicts, and the assaults of the tempter, at a very early
period. It is recorded that, at six years of age, he was conscious of
distressing doubts, in relation to the Divine existence and perfections.
These exercised and agitated his mind for a period of two years. In
answer to prayer, and by meditation on