john_semple – The Reformation

JOHN SEMPLE,

 Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae, H Scott (1915) Vol 2 p 400 Carsphairn.

He  was sometime precentor in a church in Co. Down. He is said to have been called to the ministry under the following circumstances. It was then the custom to begin divine service with praise, and this continued until the minister had entered the pulpit. On one occasion when a preacher was late in arriving, S. “had an impulse” to expound the psalm which had been sung, and did it very well. He was shortly afterwards permitted to go on exhorting in private houses, and had many people to hear him in different parts of the country. He became min. of this parish in 1646, and joined the Protesters in 1651. On23rd Aug. 1660 he was imprisoned in Edinburgh Castle by order of the Committee of Estates, who also sequestrated his stipend, 25th Sept. following. He was included in the list of rebels whom

the lieges were prohibited from receiving, 4^th Dec. 1666, and

in a list of those who were to be prosecuted, l0th Aug. 1667, as well as in the list of those to whom pardon and indemnity were granted, 1st Oct. following. At the request of Alexander, Viscount Kenmure, he was granted

indulgence here, 3^rd Sept. 1672: was fined, 10th July 1673, for

not observing the anniversary of the Restoration. When cited before the Privy Council, 4th Aug. 1677, and threatened with death or banishment, he replied, ” He is above that guides the gully [knife]; my God will not let you either kill me or banish me, but I will go home and die in peace.” He returned, preached in the parish, and died soon afterwards, aged 75. He

left a considerable sum of money to

the poor of Kirkcudbright.