Satan transformed into an Angel of Light: Or, Copy of a Letter from Mr Evidence Murray to his Nephew, Sr David Murray, of seventeen or eighteen Years of Age, in Jayl in the City of York, 1747
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Forbes
Satan transformed into an Angel of Light: Or, Copy of a Letter from Mr Evidence Murray to his Nephew, Sr David Murray, of seventeen or eighteen Years of Age, in Jayl in the City of York, 1747
Steuart
Evidence Murray's Letter to his nephew Sir David Murray in York Jail
Paton
Satan transformed into an angel of light, or copy of a letter from Mr. Evidence Murray, to his nephew, Sir David Murray, of seventeen or eighteen years of age, in jail in the city of York, 1747
Pages
Forbes
Vol. 3, 414—418Paton
Vol. 1, 247—248Credits
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Correspondence
sent
| Person | Sir John Murray of Broughton |
| Date | 1747 |
| Place | |
| Place |
received
| Person | Sir David Murray, Baronet of Stanhope |
| Place | York Jail |
acknowledgements
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enclosed in
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requests
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in Forbes
Transcription
Satan transformed into an
Angel of Light: Or,
Copy of a Letter from Mr
Evidence Murray to his
Nephew, SrSir David Murray, of
seventeen or eighteen Years
of
415
(415)
of Age, in JaylJail in the City of
York, 1747.
The Pleasure it gave me to hear, ytthat
the King had been graciously pleased to
grant You a Reprieve, was far greater,
than the World could perhaps be wil-
ling to imagine for One in my Situa-
tion; as Mankind are most apt to be
concerned about their own Misfortunes.
As I look upon it as my Duty to give
you the best Advice in my Power, I
would not fail to lay hold on the
Liberty, granted me, to observe some
few Things, which, I hope, may be
of Service to you, when I may not
have an Opportunity to advise You
by Word of Mouth.
the King had been graciously pleased to
grant You a Reprieve, was far greater,
than the World could perhaps be wil-
ling to imagine for One in my Situa-
tion; as Mankind are most apt to be
concerned about their own Misfortunes.
As I look upon it as my Duty to give
you the best Advice in my Power, I
would not fail to lay hold on the
Liberty, granted me, to observe some
few Things, which, I hope, may be
of Service to you, when I may not
have an Opportunity to advise You
by Word of Mouth.
I must first observe, that the Grace,
shown you, must have proceeded
entirely from a Greatness of Soul,
&and a Compassion of your Youth, as it
was not in the least in your Power
to atone for the Offence. I know,
that you are brave, &and I have no Doubt
but you are generous, the Latter be-
ing ever looked upon as a Concomi-
tant of the former. Gratitude has al-
ways been esteemed one of the great-est416(416)
est Virtues, &and it’sits Opposite regarded
in so vile a Light, that the antientancient
Spartans punished it with Death.
Don't allow your self to be too
much elevated, but consider coolly
on the Uneasiness you have felt, &and
thereby judge of the Favour you
have received.
shown you, must have proceeded
entirely from a Greatness of Soul,
&and a Compassion of your Youth, as it
was not in the least in your Power
to atone for the Offence. I know,
that you are brave, &and I have no Doubt
but you are generous, the Latter be-
ing ever looked upon as a Concomi-
tant of the former. Gratitude has al-
ways been esteemed one of the great-est416(416)
est Virtues, &and it’sits Opposite regarded
in so vile a Light, that the antientancient
Spartans punished it with Death.
Don't allow your self to be too
much elevated, but consider coolly
on the Uneasiness you have felt, &and
thereby judge of the Favour you
have received.
I hear, there are Zealots in the
World, who would willingly make
Mankind believe, that they act fmfrom
Principle alone, &and even would wish
to die Martyrs for their Cause, &and
their lofty Notions are ready to
gain even on those of riper
Years; but be assured, that, at
the Bottom, it is Self-interest
prevails. They only intend to pro-
mote their own ambitious Views
without the least Regard to the
Welfare &and Happiness of others.
Pull off their Mask, &and they appear
in their native Dress. Some such
you may meet with; but always re-
member the Story of the Cat &and the
Monkey; for, depend upon it, when
your Hands are in the Fire, they will hug 417 (417)
hug themselves on being safe. That
there ever have been such Men, is
past Dispute; &and had there been none
such, that you &and I would not have
been in our present Situation, is
as undeniable. — I shall now
say a little to what, I know, is a
tender Point; but nevertheless may
be gently touch’dtouched.
World, who would willingly make
Mankind believe, that they act fmfrom
Principle alone, &and even would wish
to die Martyrs for their Cause, &and
their lofty Notions are ready to
gain even on those of riper
Years; but be assured, that, at
the Bottom, it is Self-interest
prevails. They only intend to pro-
mote their own ambitious Views
without the least Regard to the
Welfare &and Happiness of others.
Pull off their Mask, &and they appear
in their native Dress. Some such
you may meet with; but always re-
member the Story of the Cat &and the
Monkey; for, depend upon it, when
your Hands are in the Fire, they will hug 417 (417)
hug themselves on being safe. That
there ever have been such Men, is
past Dispute; &and had there been none
such, that you &and I would not have
been in our present Situation, is
as undeniable. — I shall now
say a little to what, I know, is a
tender Point; but nevertheless may
be gently touch’dtouched.
✝ There are a certain Set of Men,
who can confine Salvation to their
Church alone; but, though I am no
Divine, I cannot help thinking it
absurd to imagine, that God Almigh-
ty made Mankind to damn Nine
out of Ten, which must be the
Case, if their Maxim holds true.
Our blessed Saviour died for both
Jew &and Gentile. — But I will not
insist upon the Subject, as you
may guess my Meaning, and, I hope,
will not fail to consider seriously
of it. — I could, and indeed I
incline to, say a good deal more;
but that I don't care to crowd too many
many Thoughts upon You all at once,
so shall only further assure You,
that I am sincerely
1
who can confine Salvation to their
Church alone; but, though I am no
Divine, I cannot help thinking it
absurd to imagine, that God Almigh-
ty made Mankind to damn Nine
out of Ten, which must be the
Case, if their Maxim holds true.
Our blessed Saviour died for both
Jew &and Gentile. — But I will not
insist upon the Subject, as you
may guess my Meaning, and, I hope,
will not fail to consider seriously
of it. — I could, and indeed I
incline to, say a good deal more;
but that I don't care to crowd too many
✝
418
(418)
SrSir David Murray was bred Popish.
many Thoughts upon You all at once,
so shall only further assure You,
that I am sincerely
Citation
Forbes, Robert. “Satan transformed into an Angel of Light: Or, Copy of a Letter from Mr Evidence Murray to his Nephew, Sr David Murray, of seventeen or eighteen Years of Age, in Jayl in the City of York, 1747.” The Lyon in Mourning,
vol. 3,
Adv.MS.32.6.18, fol. 18v–20v. The Lyon in Mourning Project,
edited by Leith Davis, https://lyoninmourning.dhil.lib.sfu.ca/
Appendix
This signature, no doubt, was added by someone other than Sir John Murray of Broughton.