〈…〉 having ottered ſeveral Execrable • xpr • ſ •• ons, ba … 〈…〉 Popery was the beſt of all Religions, And that the Devil did only Ordain Proteſtant Miniſters, &c. The Miniſter and Seſſion of Kilernan, Ordained him to ſtand in Sackcloath, and pay a Mulct to the Poor. Whereupon he (in preſence of Reid Caſtle, his Maſter, the Reader, and ſome of the Elders,) Declared, That ſome perſon ſhall ſmart for that dayes work.

Mr. John Mackencie the Miniſter atteſted, all then preſent, That if he ſhould ſuffer, there was reaſon to ſuſpect John Glaſs for it: And within a ſhort time thereafter, falls into Vehement Burnings, Entream Sweatings, and many other pret • rnatural Torments, whereof the Phyſicians could give no Tollerable account.

But Donald Moir, a perſon under, the common repute of a Warlock, being challenged as the Author, did diſtinctly confeſs, and perſiſt therein till his death, That John Glaſs imployed him to put the Miniſter out of the way. In order whereunto Donald aſſumes, his Confederates. And Agnes Deſs (alwayes, bruited as a Witch,) has acknowledged, That She her ſelf with Donald Moir, Agnes Urich, Agnes Chiſholm and Others, made an Effigies, &c. And that the Devil in likeneſs of a Black Man, with cloven feet, and bigg hands, did aſſiſt them in the Operation!

There was likewiſe found under the Ground, in Agnes Deſſes houſe, a Clew made of Mens hair, A, diſh bored in the ſide, and • lifted, in the bottom, &c. And Donald Moir confeſſed, that John Glaſs promiſed him a free houſe, gave him a peck of Meal in hand; And thereafter enquired. if the Turn was done? &c. And being interrogat, Where the Corps was at the time? Anſwered. That he knew not, unliſs it were in the cuſtodie of John Glaſs, or Donald Mackwilkie his Father in Law, a perſon alwayes ſuſpected of Witchcraft.

John Glaſs on notice of Donald Moirs Diſcovery, comes with his Son and Servant to a Friend of the Miniſter, And, beſides ſeveral unbeſeeming expreſſions, Threatned, that they would ſhoot him, if he ſhould challeng them as Authors of his deceaſe. And likewiſe when the Sherriff and Commiſſioners had committed Donald Moir to priſon till a Commiſſion from the Council ſhould come up, he is found ſtrangled; which could not have been done by himſelf, ſeeing both his hands and feet were tyed, and the Shekels were found knocked off, And the rope was faſte 〈…〉 • op of the h … 〈…〉 Witneſſes in the priſ •• with him at the time, heard his laſt word, Viz: Let me alone in the Dev ••• name, for ye have done me too much miſchief already: And it can be proven th •• John Glaſs Sons were abſent from the houſe that night, &c. All which are vi •• lent preſumptions, that Donald Moir has been cut off by John Glaſs, for preve • ting a Legal Teſtimony before an Aſſize, when the Commiſſion for Tryal we •• arrived.

There are many other Evidences which were adduced before us, and her • upon we ſent inſtructions for obtaining a Commiſſion from his Majeſties Pr • vie Council, which the Vaccation did obſtruct.

But in the mean time John Glaſs foreſeeing what might follow, at laſt preſen ••• a Bill of Advocation to the Lords of Juſticiary, Craving, That his Cauſe m •• be Advocate, Not only from the Sherriff, and all other inferiour Judges; B •• likewiſe from any Commiſſion of Council that might come to be obtained; But the A • vocation is only granted from the Sherriff, and other inferiour Judges.

It is now Humbly Repreſented,

1mo. That a Commiſſion ought to be granted, Becauſe, otherwayes, t •• Criminals cannot miſs to eſcape: in reſpect of the Diſtance of the place, ſo tha • multitudes of witneſses, (many of whom are Old,) and Aſſizers (who are mo •• fit to be of the Neighbourhead) cannot come up, Eſpecially, conſidering that thi • would amount to a great Expence: And many both of the Criminals and Wi • neſſes, can only ſpeak the Highland Language, which will difficult the Tryal 〈◊〉 this place.

2do: The Advocation can be no ground to hinder the Extenſion of this Commiſſion, even to John Glaſs, both in Reſpect, that its not doubted, But the Lords of Juſticiary will concurr in the Remit: And becauſe a Commiſſion from the Council is not precluded by the Advocation, ſeeing it only diſcharges, and Advocates from inferiour Judges.

Hence there needs no Anſwer to the Impertinency of the Reaſons of Advocation, and many Calumnies laid againſt us therein, As if we had not taken the Oaths, &c. But it is known who is the Father of Lies; And we had nothing in our View in all the pains and Expenſes that we have been at, But the Glory of GOD, the Safety of our Countrey, and the Exhonoration of our Conſciencies, by a well grounded Zeal againſt thoſe Enemies of Heaven and Earth, who are numerous and diſtinctly known in theſe parts; And the Inha • i •• nts ſince this late Diſcovery, are in a great Con 〈9 letters〉 , 〈…〉 bringing theſe Miſcreants to Judgemen •• .

Beſides, there was no proceſs, and conſequently, there could have been no Advocation quoad John Glaſs; And he is ſo 〈◊◊〉 a great Criminal by the common belief of the Country, That if he ſhould eſcape a Tryal, (which c •••• t miſs, if he be not in the Commiſſion,) They will eſteem 〈◊◊〉 to his Revenge, and to all the Inſtruments which he can be permi •••• to ſ •• r up by the Aſſiſtance of the Devil.

In Reſpect whereof, &c.