perfecting theſe four things mentioned in the Solemn League, viz. Their compoſing a Directory for Worſhip, an uniform Confeſſion of Faith, a Form of Church Government and Diſcipline, and the Public Catechiſm; which was done in about a week after he and the reſt returned home.
Upon the death of the learned Delmatius, anno 1651, the magiſtrates of Utrecht in Holland, being abundantly ſatisfied as to the learning, piety, and true zeal of the great Mr. Rutherfoord, invited him to the divinity chair there; but he could not be perſuaded. His reaſons elſewhere (when diſſuading another gentleman from going abroad) ſeem to be expreſſed in theſe words; 'Let me intreat you to be far from the thoughts of leaving this land. I ſee it and find it, that the Lord hath covered the whole land with a cloud in his anger; but though I have been tempted to the like. I had rather be in Scotland beſide angry Jeſus Chriſt, (knowing he mindeth no evil to us) than in any Eden or garden on the earth. From which it is evident, that he choſe rather to ſuſſer affliction in his native country, than to leave his charge and flock in time of danger. He continued with them till the day of his death, in the free and faithful diſcharge of his duty.
When the unhappy difference full out between those called the proteſters and the public reſolutioners, anno 1650 and 1651, he eſpouſed the proteſters' quarrel, and gave faithful warnings againſt theſe public reſolutions, and likewiſe during the time of Cromwell's uſurpation, he contended againſt the prevailing ſectaries that then uſhered in with the Protector by virtue of his Toleration. And ſuch was his unwearied aſſiduity and diligence, that he ſeemed to pray conſtantly, to preach conſtantly, to catechiſe conſtantly, and to viſit the ſick, exhorting them from houſe to houſe: to teach as
