SAMPLE OF THE OLD ORTHOGRAPHY.

(Letter CCCLI.)

Sir I would ere now have writtin to you had I not knowin yo^r health weaker and weaker could scairclie permitt you to hear. I neid not speak. The way you know and have preached to others the skill off the Gŭijd and the glorie of the hom beyond death And qn he sayes com and sie it will be yo^r gaine to obey and goe out and meett the brydgroom What accessioun is mad to the higher hoŭs off his kingdom sould not be our lose though it be a reall losse to the church of God Bot we count on way and the Lord counts anoy^r way He is jnffallible and the onlie wyse God and needs non of us Had He needed Mosses and the prophetts ther staying in the Bodie he could hav taken an oy^r way Who dar bid you cast your thoughts bak on wyff or children when he hath said Leav yam to me and com up hither or who cane perswad you to die or liv as iff that wer abritarie to us and not his alon who hath determined the number off yo^r moneths. If so it seem good to him follow your forrunner and Gŭyd. It is ane unknowen land to you who was never ther beffor bot the land is good and the company befor the thron desyreable and he who sittes on the throne is alon a sufficient heavin. Grac be with you

St Andrews 15 jun. 1658. Yours in the Lord

S R

[From a MS. vol. belonging to Mr. Lamb, Dundee.]