Touching Some Things That Happened to Me from My Birth Till I Was Nine Years Old

i. T WAS born in the North of Scotland, in 1639, July JL 29th, and was not like to live, but the Lord healed me; for the evil humours broke out in boils great and numerous, so that I was very wholesome thereafter; my disposition was sullen, and I loved not to be dawted, nor to wear gaudy clothes; nor had I any wise tales like other children, so that I gave no occasion to my parents to repeat them, as parents usually do with fondness: for though my parents were fond enough of their children, yet my temper was so peevish, that I was no dawtie; only at school I learned well, though now and then I stayed away.

2. Even at this time I showed plainly that I had a will to do evil; for the seeds of wickedness did spring up, and appeared in many vicious, childish tricks: by all which the necessity of regeneration was evident, and that by nature we are under the power of sin and Satan; “Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right,” Prov. xx. 11. And these were all my preparations and dispositions for good.

3. Yet the Lord was doing me good all the while. I overpass common mercies, and mention one that was very remarkable. My mother being obliged to come south, to be out of the way of a cruel enemy who prosecuted her, lived with a relation in a burgh-town on the coast-side: I was very unruly, and therefore kept under some awe and restraint from wandering abroad when I pleased; but this increased my desire to ramble the more. At a time I slipped out, unknown to any, to a garden where was a deep well; when once I got out of doors, I ran as hard as ever I could, and, not taking heed where I went, I fell in a by-path which carried me directly to the well before spoken of, open above, and overgrown with grass, which did hide the water from me; so that ere I knew, I fell over head in the well, the water being very deep; only my hands laid hold on the grass that did grow on the sides of the well. Here I continued for a good space, and would, no doubt, have drowned, if God had not sent some to my relief; for he that was appointed to wait on me, not knowing whither I went, the mere providence of God led him out to seek me in the garden; and when coming to the further end of it, and despairing to find me, went back with intention to seek me in the town, which if he had done, I had perished for ever: but, the Lord directing him in his back-coming to the well, he cast his eyes and perceived a hand lying on the grass, which extremity had caused me to do, and, looking more narrowly, found it was I; and so, addressing himself to my relief, wTith much ado pulled me out of the water, even ready to expire, and unable to help myself: and after the water was poured out of my mouth, and I had slept a while, I was as well as ever, through the wonderful goodness of God. Oh that I may walk worthy of this kindness, and that I may be preserved to do Him pleasure and service! This happened to me during my first appearance in the world.

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