, and failing to testify against certain
backslidings of the time, in not always severely tracing forth little matters of
scandal and fama clamosa, which David called a loosening of the reins of
discipline, and in failing to demand clear testimonies in other points of
controversy which had, as it were, drifted to leeward with the change of times,
Butler incurred the censure of his father-in-law; and sometimes the disputes
betwixt them became eager and almost unfriendly. In all such cases Mrs. Butler
was a mediating spirit, who endeavoured, by the alkaline smoothness of her own
disposition, to neutralise the acidity of theological controversy. To the
complaints of both she lent an unprejudiced and attentive ear, and sought always
rather to excuse than absolutely to defend the other party.
    She reminded her father that Butler had not »his experience of the auld and
wrastling times, when folk were gifted wi' a far look into eternity, to make up
for the oppressions whilk they suffered here below in time. She freely allowed
that many devout ministers and professors in times past had enjoyed downright
revelation, like the blessed Peden, and Lundie, and Cameron, and Renwick, and
John Caird the tinkler, wha entered into the secrets, and Elizabeth Melvil, Lady
Culross, wha prayed in her bed, surrounded by a great many Christians in a large
room, in whilk it was placed on purpose, and that for three hours' time, with
wonderful assistance; and Lady Robertland, whilk got six sure outgates of grace,
and mony other in times past; and of a specialty, Mr. John Scrimgeour, minister
of Kinghorn, who, having a beloved child sick to death of the crewels, was free
to expostulate with his Maker with such impatience of displeasure, and
complaining so bitterly, that at length it was said unto him, that he was heard
for this time, but that he was requested to use no such boldness in time coming;
so that when he returned he found the child sitting up in the bed hale and fair,
with all its wounds closed, and supping its parritch, whilk babe he had left at
the time of death. But though these things might be true in these needful times,
she contended that those ministers who had not seen such vouchsafed and especial
mercies, were to seek their rule in the records of ancient times; and therefore
Reuben was carefu' both to search the Scriptures and the books written by wise
and good men of old; and sometimes in this way it wad happen that twa precious
saints might pu' sundry wise, like twa cows riving at the
