He later relocated to Scotland, where he was named multiple times and threatened with severe punishment throughout his life, including in his 75th year, shortly before his death.

Shortly afterward, he was permitted to begin exhorting in private houses, where many people in various parts of the country heard him.

[5] The generality did take it who were not bound with a conscience; others hid or fled, leaving their houses, and goods; and divers were imprisoned and kept in various gaols for a considerable time.

John Semple is recorded as having narrowly avoided capture by the pursuivants on multiple occasion, evading arrest despite numerous close shaves with the law.

The members looked at each other in bewildered amazement, till at length an old minister, Mr. John Semple of Carsphairn, rose up and said : "Moderator, I hardly know what the gentleman wald was at in this long discourse; but one thing I am sure of, he was perverting the Scripture."

"[8] On 23 August 1660, John Semple was imprisoned in Edinburgh Castle by order of the Committee of Estates, who also sequestrated his stipend, 25 September of the same year.