The Life of James Renwick / A Historical Sketch Of His Life, Labours And Martyrdom And A / Vindication Of His Character And Testimony

Originally this life was written as an introduction to The Letters of Renwick Published by Alex. Gardner, Paisley, 1865.
The prophet's message to Eli, Wherefore the Lord God of Israel said THEM THAT HONOUR ME, I WILL HONOUR, (1 Sam. ii. 30,) declares a fundamental law of the divine government, which the history alike of individuals and of communities has illustrated in all by-past ages. The works of many men of eminent talent and remarkable energy—admired in their own day,—have speedily passed into oblivion, or have been productive of few permanently salutary results. Despising God, they have been lightly esteemed. Those, on the other hand, who honoured God, and were devoted to His service—however humble their talents or position in society,—however contemned and persecuted by the world—have been honoured of God. Their labours have been accepted to advance His glory in the earth—their memories have continued long fragrant, and their principles and character have furnished the most valuable instruction and the brightest examples to future generations.
Of this we have a striking instance in JAMES RENWICK,—the last, and in various respects the most illustrious of the Scottish martyrs of the seventeenth century. Hated and persecuted in his own day, by the men in authority in Church and State—caluminated and reproached by ministers and others, who professed evangelical sentiments and affected piety—and his principles generally misrepresented and condemned even to our own day,—there is yet abundant evidence to show that the Master whom he faithfully served, and for whose cause he willingly surrendered his life, singularly owned and honoured him. His faithful contendings and arduous labours contributed not a little to subvert the throne of a bigot and tyrant, and to achieve the nation's liberties. They served also to secure the purity and independence of the Church, and to transmit a legacy of imperishable principles to future times, when the handful of corn upon the top of the mountains, shall shake with fruit like Lebanon. Scant and fragmentary as are the memorials of Renwick—clothed in the most homely garb, and written with no artistic skill, they have yet been the means of nurturing vital piety in many a humble breast and household, in these and other countries, from the martyr era, to our own day; and not a few of the most devoted ministers, who have earnestly contended for precious truth, and been wise to win souls to Christ, have received from the record of the labours and sufferings and testimony of Renwick, some of their first solemn impressions for good, and propelling motives to holy diligence and self-devotion. As the story of Joseph in the Old Testament has been remarkably blessed, above other parts of the divine word, for promoting the conversion and early piety of the young, so the unadorned narrative of the life, labours, and death of the youthful Scottish martyr, has led not a few to prefer the cause and reproach of Christ to the world's favour—to imbibe his spirit, and to imitate him, in seeking ends the most important and glorious.