Alexander Moncrieff (minister)

Wodrow records that during the usurpation, Mr Alexander Moncrief was persecuted by the English for his loyalty to the king, and his constant praying for him. His house was many times searched and rifled by the English, and he obliged to hide. Upon the Sabbath he had spies set upon him, and was closely watched where he went after preaching. Frequently he was hotly pursued ; and one time a party of horse came after him when fleeing, and, though attacked twice by them, by his own fortitude and resolution he got clear of them, and escaped. He records that at another time in a neighbouring congregation he was seized, and imprisoned some time, merely for praying for the king.[2][3]

Being shortly after release Moncrieff was urged as a person of great courage and boldness, to present the protestation and petition against the toleration, and other encroachments upon the church and state, in October, 1658, signed by himself and several other ministers of Fife, to General Monk. This he did with the greatest firmness, and it exposed him further to the extremities of that time. In return, what he got, on 23 August, was to be seized when petitioning according to law. He seems to have continued under confinement till 12 July; and everybody, and he himself expected to be hanged.[3]

Moncrieff seems to have been accused of writing works called "Remonstrance", and of making the "Causes of God's Wrath" ; and he refused to retract any thing in them. He was several times brought before the parliament. Pressure was also put on his wife and she too had to answer questions.[3] Mr Moncrief seems to have been highly respected, by people in all walks of life and they plead on his behalf which softened the attitude of the government.[3] His trial dragged on and after a tedious imprisonment, he fell sick, and obtained the favour of confinement to a chamber in Edinburgh. The parliament passed the following sentence upon him, on 12 July:

"The king's majesty and estates of parliament, having considered the report of the lords of articles anent the process against Mr Alexander Moncrief, minister of Scoonie, and his own carriage before them, in owning his accession to the "Remonstrance" and "Causes of God's Wrath," do accordingly declare the said Mr Alexander to be for ever incapable of exercising any public trust, civil or ecclesiastic, and also discharge him of all public trust, civil or ecclesiastic, within this kingdom, until, in the next session of parliament, further order be taken concerning him, and discharge him in the meantime to go to the said parish."

After this sentence, when living peaceably some eight or nine miles from his parish, people began to resort to him, and hear him preach in his own family ; whereupon, under a most severe storm in the middle of winter, he was charged to remove from his house, and required to live twenty miles from his charge, and seven or eight miles from a bishop's seat or royal burgh, and was with his family forced from his house, and obliged to wander in that great storm. When he had transported his furniture to a place at a competent distance, even there he got a second charge to remove to a further distance, till he was obliged to transport his family to a remote place in the Highlands.[3]

After this, the persecution somewhat abating, he brought his family to Perth for the education of his children, where he continued preaching the gospel; a few at first, but afterwards a great many attended his ministry. Being informed against, a party of the horse guards were sent to apprehend him, but he escaped, though his house was narrowly and rudely searched. This forced him from his family, and he was obliged to go into hiding a good while. At length he came in with his family to Edinburgh, where he preached the gospel many years in private, under a series of trouble and persecution.[3]

He was intercommuned, as we shall hear, and his house and many other places in and about the city narrowly searched for him, yet he was always marvellously hid. Many instances might be given when he went to the country. Many times parties of the guards were sent in quest of him, and sometimes he would meet them in his return, and pass through them unknown. When he was lodged in a remote part of the suburbs of Edinburgh, a captain with a party of the regular troops searched every house and chamber of the close, save the house where he lodged, into which they never entered, though the door was open. Wodrow records several other narrow escapes. Wodrow also records that when the pressure was greatest would split up his family. He did not leave Scotland although he had offers for example from Londonderry.[3]

In a later chapter Wodrow refers to a petition presented by Moncrieff to the Privy Council, when residing at Reidie in December 1664, for permission to go to Edinburgh, where his "personal presence" was required in connection with a legal process. The Council granted him licence accordingly for a period of six days, "upon bond to live peaceably and loyally during that time."[3]

Moncrieff was considered by the Duke of Hamilton to be one of the greatest opponents to the Indulgence granted by the Privy Council in 1669. Decreets were passed against him and others, in 1672- and 1674, for holding conventicles ; and the magistrates of Perth were appointed to seize him as a "noted keeper of conventicles" in and about that city. Letters of intercommuning were also issued against him, along with Alexander Durham of Largo, in the following year, when he fled to the Highlands; and he was cited, with others, to appear before the Council on 11 August 1677.[3]

He died 6 October 1688, and was buried in Greyfriars, Edinburgh. The epitaph to his memory and his wife's there has faded.[1]

He married: Anna (died 25 October 1704, aged 84), daughter of Robert Murray of Woodend, minister of Methven, and had issue —

• Matthew, who succeeded his uncle in estate of Culfargie. Matthew's son, also Alexander Moncrieff, was one of the first four ministers of the Secession Church, and was often called Culfargie.
• William, minister of Largo ;
• John, minister of Trinity Parish, Edinburgh ;
• Robert, clerk to the Privy Council 1689 ;
• Anna (married 1681, Hugh Cunningham, Lord Provost of Edinburgh) ;
• Margaret (married, cont. 1 December 1691, Alexander Swyne, bailie of Dysart) ;
• Elizabeth (marr. Andrew Wardroper, minister of Ballingry).[1]

The following epitaph to Moncrieff and his wife was erected on a monument and recorded before it faded at Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh.[4][5]
Alas ! stay passenger, mourn and marvel The friend of God, Christ's faithful champion, the great ornament of the church, here lies Mr. Alexander Moncrieff, of honourable parentage, minister at Scoonie for the space of 18 years, a notable preacher, powerful in the scriptures, not seldom inspired with a spirit of prophecy; full of faith, hope, and charity, another Barnabas, another Boanerges, upright in life and pure from wickedness ; keeping fast to the reformed faith ; a stout maintainer of the most pure discipline; who, having suffered many things from the ire of prelates and fury of malignants, being thrust from his charge, shut up in prison; at length being set at freedom, he exercised, fulfilled and adorned the ministry committed to him by the Lord, in the worst of times, and, by a sweet triumph, drew rebellions souls unto Christ. At last, at the dawning of the day of liberty, he was removed into heavenly light, 6 October, the year of our Lord, 1688. Of his age 75. Here also lies his dearest spouse, Anna Murray, who running the course of her life, by unfeigned piety, unshaken patience, singular prudence, true Christian charily, worshipping God, bearing the cross of Christ, managing her lawful affairs, and helping the faithful in affliction, surrendered her soul to God, 25 October 1704. Of her age 84. In token of their perpetual respect, their six generous children an offspring very like their father, erected this monument for both their parents.

• Letter while in Confinement to Mrs Moncreiff (Christian Mag., vii.)[1]

• St Andrews Sess. Reg.
• Greyfriars Burials
• Playfair's Baronetage, iii.
• Lamont's Diary
• Reg. Sec. Sig.
• G. R. Inhib., 22 December 1662
• Monteith's Mort., 55
• Fleming's Fulfill, of Scriptures, 343
• Seton's House of Moncreif, 84.[1]

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