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XXI. The Going of the Minister
MuirheadwasreadingfromthepulpitthefindingofthePresbytery.Themisdeedsoftheministerweresetforthseriatimwiththecrookedverbosityofalegaldocument.Thencamethepith:
"WhereforethePresbyteryofAller,inthenameoftheLordJesusChrist,thesoleKingandHeadoftheChurch,andbythepowercommittedbyHimtothem,did,andherebydo,summarilyexcommunicateDavidSempill,atpresentresidingintheparishofWoodilee,deliveringhimovertoSatanforthedestructionofthefleshthatthespiritmaybesavedinthedayoftheLord,andthePresbyterydid,andherebydo,enjoinallthefaithfultoshunalldealingswithhim,astheywouldnotbefoundtohardenhiminhissins,andsotopartakewithhiminhisjudgments."
TheModeratorreadthewordswithafullvoiceandwithrelish.Heoutlinedbrieflythecivilconsequencesattachingtoexcommunication,anddweltterrifyinglyonthereligiousstateofonecutofffromcommunionwithChristandHisKirk.Thenheproceededtodeposetheministerinabsentiafromthechargeandtodeclareitvacanttillsuchtimeasasuccessorwasappointed.Theappointmentwouldbeinthefreegiftofthepeople,subjecttoconfirmationbythePresbytery,sinceNicholasHawkshaw,thechief,indeedthesole,heritor,wasanoutlawandafugitive.Heconcludedwithprayer,acopiousoutpouringinwhichthegodlyinWoodileewerelaudedfortheirzeal,condoledwithintheirsufferings,andrecommendedforaspecialmarkoftheLord’sfavour.Thenhedrewtheskirtsofhisgowndelicatelyaroundhim,andgaveplacetotheministerofBold.
Mr.
