# History of the life and sufferings, of the Reverend John Welch

THE
HISTORY
of the
LIFE and SUFFERINGS,
of the Reverend
JOHN WELCH,
Sometime Minister of the Gospel at Ayr.
to which is added
Some Prophetical Letters, Wrote by him, when Prisoner in EDINBURGH and BLACKNESS Castles
EDINBURGH:
Printed and sold in Niddry's wynd, M,DCC,LXXX.
​MR. John Welch was born a gentleman, his father being laird of Colieston, an estate rather competent, than large, in the shire of Nithsdale about the year 1570, the dawning of our reformation being then but dark. He was a rich example of grace and mercy, but the night went before the day, being a most hopeless extravigant boy: it was not enough to him, frequently when he was a young stripling to run away from the school and play the trowant; but after he had past his grammar, and was come to be a youth, he left the School, and his father's house, and went and joined himself to the thieves on the English border, who lived by robbing the two nations, and amongst them he stayed till he spent a suit of cloaths. Then he was cloathed only with rags, the prodigal's misery brought him to the prodigal's resolution, so he resolved to return to his father's house, but durst not adventure, till he should interpose a reconciler. So in his return homeward, he took Dumfries in his way, where he had an aunt, one Agnes Forsyth, and with her he diverted some days earnestly entreating her to reconcile him to his father. While he lurked in her house, his father came providentially to the house to salute his cousin Mrs. Forsyth; and after they had talked a while, she asked him whether ever he had heard any news of his son John; to her he replied with great grief, O cruel woman, how can you name his name to me? The first news I expect to hear of him, is, that he is hanged for a theif. She answered, may a profligate boy had become a virtuous man, and comforted him. He insisted upon his sad complaint, but asked whether she knew his lost son was yet alive. She answered, Yes, he was, and she hoped he should prove a better man than he was a boy, and with that she called upon him to come to his father. He came weeping and kneeled, beseeching his father, for Christ's sake, to pardon his misbehaviour, and deeply engaged to be a new man. His father reproached him an threatened him. Yet, at length, by the boy's tears, and Mrs. Forsyth's importunities, he was persuaded to a reconciliation. The boy entreated his father to ​⟨send⟩ him to the college, and there to try his behaviour, ⟨and⟩ if ever thereafter he should break, he said he should ⟨be⟩ content his father should disclaim him for ever: so ⟨his⟩ father carried him home, and put him to the college, and there he became a diligent student, of great expectation, and shewed himself a sincere convert, and ⟨so⟩ he proceeded to the ministry.
His first post in the ministry was at Selkirk, while he was yet very young, and the country rude; while he was ⟨there⟩, his ministry was rather admired by some, than ⟨received⟩ by many; for he was always attended by the prophet's shadow, the hatered of the wicked; yes, even the ministers of the country, were more ready to pick a quarrel with his person, than to follow his doctrine, as may appear to this day in their synodal records, where we find he had many to censure him, and only some to defend him; yet it was thought his ministry in that place was not without fruit, though he stayed but short time there. being a young man unmarried, he tabled himself in the house of one Mitchelhill, and took a young boy of his to be his bed-fellow, who to his dying day ⟨retained⟩ both a respect to Mr. Welch and his ministry, from the impressions Mr. Welch's behaviour made upon his apprehension, though but a child. His Custom was when he went to bed at night, to lay a Scots plaid above his bed-cloaths, and when he went to his night prayers, to sit up and cover himself negligently therewith; and ⟨so⟩ to continue. For from the begining of his ministry ⟨to⟩ his death, he reckoned the day ill spent if he stayed not seven or eight hours in prayer; and this the boy would not forget even to hoary hairs.
I had once the curiosity travelling through that town, ⟨to⟩ call for an old man, his name was Ewait, who remembered upon Mr Welch his being in that place, and after other discourses, enquired of him, what for a man Mr. Welch was, his answer was, O Sir, he was a type of ⟨Christ⟩, an expression more significant than proper, for his meaning was, that he was an example that imitated Christ, as indeed in many things he did: he told me (illegible text), that his custom was to preach publickly once every ​day, and to spend his whole time in spiritual exercises, that some in that place waited well upon his ministry with great tenderness, but that he was constrained to leave that place, because of the malice of the wicked.
The special cause of his departure was, a prophane gentleman in the country, (one Scot of Headsehaw, whose family is ⟨now⟩ extinct) but because Mr. Welch had either reproved him, or merely from hatered Mr. Welch was most unworthily abused by the unhappy man amongst the rest of the injuries he did him this was one Mr. Welch kept always two good horses for his use, and the wicked gentleman when he could do no more, either with his own hand, or his servants, cut off the rump of the two innocent beasts, upon which followed such effusion of blood, that they both died, which Mr Welch did much resent, and such base usage as this persuaded him to listen to a call to the ministry of Kircudbright which was his next post.
But when he was to leave Selkirk, he could not find a man in all the town to transport his furniture. except only Ewart, who was at that time a poor young man but master of two horses, with which he transported Mr. Welch's goods, and so left him, but as he took his leave, Mr. Welch gave him his blessing, and a piece of gold for a token, exhorting him to fear God, and promised he should never want, which promise, providence made good through the whole course of his llife, as was observed by all his neighbours.
At Kirkcudbright he stayed not long; but there he reaped a harvest of converts, which subsided long after his departure, and were a part of Mr. Samuel Rutherfeord's flock, tho' not in his parish, while he was ministry at Anwith: yet when his call to Ayr came to him, ⟨the⟩ people of the parish of Kirkcudbright never offered ⟨to⟩ detain him, so his transportation to Ayr was the more easy.
While he was in Kirkcudbright, he (illegible text)met with a young gallant in scarlet and silver late the gentleman's name was Mr. Robert Glendoning: new come home from travels, and much surprized the young man by ⟨telling⟩ ​him, he behoved to change his garb, and way of life, and betake himself to the study of the scriptures, which at that time was not his business, for he should be his successor in the ministry at Kirkcudbright, which accordingly came to pass sometime thereafter.
Mr. Welch was transported to Ayr in the year 1590, and there he continued till he was banished, there he had a very hard beginning, but a very sweet end; for when he came first to the town, the country was so wicked, and the hatred of godliness so great, that there could not one in all the town be found, that would let him a house to dwell in, so he was consrained to accommodate himself in the best he might, in a part of a gentleman's house for a time, the gentleman's name was John Stewart merchant, and sometimes provost of Ayr, an eminent Christian, and a great assistant of Mr. Welch.
And when he had first taken up his residence in that town, the place was so divided into factions, and filled with bloody conflicts, a man could hardly walk the streets with safety; wherefore Mr Welch made it his first undertaking to remove the bloody quarrelings, but he found it a very difficult work; yet such was his earnestness to pursue his design, that many times he would rush betwixt two parties of men fighting, even in the midst of blood and wounds. He used to cover his head with a ⟨head⟩ piece, before he went to seperate these bloody ⟨enemies⟩, but would never use asword, that they might see ⟨he⟩ came for peace and not for war, and so by little and little he made the town a peaceable habitation.
His manner was, after he had ended a skirmish amongst his neighbours, and reconciled these bitter enemies, to (illegible text)use cover a table upon the street, and there brought the enemies together, and beginning with prayer he persuaded them to profess themselves friends, and then to eat and drink together, then last of all, he ended the work with singing a psalm: for after the rude people began to observe his example, and listen to his heavenly doctrine, he came quickly to that respect amongst them, (illegible text) he became not only a necessary counsellor, without whose advice they would do nothing.
​He gave himself wholly to ministerial exercises, he preached once every day, he prayed the third part of his time, was unwearied in his studies, and for a proof of this, it was found among his papers, that he had abridged Suarez's metaphysics, when they came first to his hand, even when he was stricken in years. By all which, it appears, that he had not only been a man of great diligence, but also of a strong and robust natural constitution, otherwise he had never endured the fatigues.
But if his diligence was great, so it is doubted whether hissowing in painfulness, or his harvest in his success was greatest; for if either his spiritual experience in seeking the Lord, or his fruitfulness in converting souls be considered, they will be found unparalleled in Scotland: and many years after Mr. Welch's death, Mr David Dickson, at that time a flourishing minister at Irvine, was frequently heard to say, when people talked to him of the success of his ministry, That the grape(illegible text) gleanings in Ayr, in Mr. Welche's time, were far above the vintage of Irvine in his own. Mr. Welch in his preaching, was spiritual and searching, his utterance tender and moving; he did not much instill upon scolastic purposes, he made no shew of his learning. I heard once one of his hearers (who was afterwards minister at Moor kirk in kyle) say, That no man could hardly bear him, and forbear weeping, his conveyance was so affecting, There is a large volume of his sermons, now in Scotland but never any of them came to the press, nor did he ever appear in print, except in his dispute with Abbot Brown the papist, wherein hi makes it appear his learning was not behind his other virtues: and in another piece called Dr. Welch's Armagaddoo, printed I suppose, in France, wherein he gives his meditations upon the enemies of the church, and their destruction but the piece itself is rarely to be found.
Sometimes before he went to sermon, he would send for his elders, and tell them, he was afraid to go to pulpit because he found himself sore deferred; and thereafter desire one or more to pray, and then he would venture to pulpet. But, it was observed, this humbling ​exercise used ordinarily to be followed, with a flame of extraordinary assistance: so near neighbours are many times contraoy dispositions and frames. He would many times retire to the church of Ayr, which was at some distance from the town, and there spend the whole night in prayer: for he used to allow his affections full expression, and prayed not only with audible, but sometimes, loud voice, nor did he irk, in that solitude, all the night over, which hath, it may be, occasioned the contemptible slander of some malicious enemies, who were so bold as to call him no less than a witch.
There was in Ayr, before he came to it, an aged man a minister of the town called Porterfield, the man was judged no bad man, for his personal inclinations, but so easy a disposition, that he used many times to go too great lenght with his neighbours in many dangerous parctices: and amongst the rest, he used to go to the bow-butts and archery, on Sabbath afternoon, to Mr. Welch's great dissatisfaction. But the way he used to reclaim him, was not bitter severity, but this gentle policy; Mr. Welch together with John Stewart, and uHtgh Kennedy, his two intimate friends, used to spend the Sabbath afternoon, in religious conference an prayer, and to this exercise they invited Mr. Porterfield, which he could not refuse, by which means he was not only diverted form his former sinful practice, but likewise brought to a more watchful, and edifying behaviour in his course of life.
He married Elizabeth Knox, daughter to the famous Mr. John Knox, minister at Edinburgh, the apostle of Scotland, and she lived with him from his youth till his death. By her I have heard he had three sons: the first was called Dr. Welch, a doctor of medicine, who was unhappily killed upon an innocent mistake in the low countries, and of him I never hear more. Another ⟨son⟩ he he had most lamentably lost at sea, for when the ship in which he was, was sunk, he swam to a rock in the sea, but starved there for want of necessary food and ⟨nourishment⟩, and when sometime afterward his body was found upon the rock, they found him dead in a praying posture upon his bended knees, with his hand ​stretched out, and this was all the satisfaction his friends and the world had upon his lamentable death, so bitter to his friends. another he had who was heir to his father's grace and blessings, and this Mr. Josias Welch, minister at Temple Patrick in the north of Ireland, commonly called the cock of the conscience by the people of that country, because of his extraordinary wakening and rouzing gift: he was one of the blest scociety of ministers, which wrought that unparralleled work in the north of Ireland, about the year 1636, but was himself a man most sadly exercised with doubts about his own salvation all his time, and would ordinarly say, That minister was much to be pitied, who was called to comfort weak saints and had no comfort himself. He died in his youth, and left for his successor, Mr. John Welch minister at Iron Gray in Galloway, the place of his grandfather's nativity. What business this made in Scotland, in the time of the late Episcopal persecution, for the space of twenty years, is known to all Scotland. He maintained his dangerous post of preaching the gospel upon the mountains of Scotland, not withstanding of the threatnings of the state, the hatred of the bishops, the price set upon his head, and all the fierce industry of his cruel enemies. It is well known that bloody claverhouse upon secret information from his spies, that Mr. John Welch was to be found at some lurking place at forty miles distance. would make all that long journey in one winter's night, that he might catch him, but when he came he always missed his prey. I never heard of a man that endured more toil, adventured upon more hazards, escaped so much hazard, not in the world. He used to tell his friends who counselled him to be more cautious, and not to hazard himself so much. That he firmly believed dangerous undertakings would be his security, and when ever he should give over that course and retire himself, his ministry should come to an end; which accordingly came to pass, for when after Bothwel bridge, he retired to London, the Lord called him by death, and there he was honourably buried, not far from the king's palace.
But to return to our old Mr. Welch; as the duty ​wherein he abounded and excelled most was prayer, so his greatest attainments fell that way. He used to say, He wondered how a Christian could ly in bed all night, and not to rise to pray, and many times he rose and many times he watched. One night he rose from his wife, and went into the next room, where he stayed so long at secret prayer, that his wife fearing he might catch cold, was constrained to rise and follow him, and as she hearkned, she heard him speak as by interupted sentences, Lord wilt thou not grant me Scotland, and after a pause, Enough, Lord, enough, and so she returned to her bed, and he followed her, not knowing she had heard him, but when he was by her, she asked him what he meant by saying Enough, Lord, enough. he shewed himself disstisfied with her curiosity, but told her, he had been wrestling with the Lord for Scotland, and found there was ⟨a⟩ sad time at hand, but that the Lord would be gracious to a remnat. This was about the time when bishops first overspread the land, and corrupted the church. This was more wonderful I am to relate, I heard once an honest minister, who was a parishioner of Mr. Welch many ⟨a⟩ day, say, That one night as he watched in his garden very late, and some friends waiting upon him in his house and wearying because of his long stay, one of the ⟨chanced⟩ to open a window toward the place where he walked, and saw clearly a strange light surround him and heard him speak strange words about his spiritual joy. I do neither add nor alter, I am the more induced to believe this that I have heard from as good a hand as any in Scotland, that a very godly man, though not a minister, after he had spent a whole night in a country house, at the house ⟨on⟩ the muir, declared confidently, he saw such an extraordinary light as this himself, which was to him both matter ⟨of⟩ wonder and astonishment. But though Mr. Welch ⟨held⟩ upon the account of his holiness, abilities and sucess, yet was he never in such admiration, as after the great plague which raged in Scotland in his time.
And one cause was this: The magistrates of Ayr, forasmuch as this town alone was free, and the country ​about infected, thought fit to guard the ports with centinels and watchmen; and one day two travelling merchants, each with a pack of cloth upon a horse, came to the town desiring enterance that they might sell their goods producing a pass from the magistrates of the town whence they came, which was at that time found and free; yet notwithstanding all this the centinels stopt them till the magistrates were called: and when they came, they would do nothing without their minister's advice: so Mr. Welch was called, and his opinion asked; he demurred and putting off his hat with his eyes towards heaven for a pretty space, though he uttered no audible words, yet continued in a praying gesture: and after a little space told the magistrates they would do well to discharge these travellers their town, affirming with great asseveration, the plague was in these places, so the magistrates commanded them to be gone, and they went to Cumnock, a town some twenty miles distant, and there sold their goods which kindled such an infection in that place, that the living were hardly able to bury their dead. This made the people to think that Mr. Welch was an oracle. Yet as he walked with God, and kept close with him, ⟨so⟩ he forgot not man, for he used frequently to dine abroad with such of his friends, as he thought were persons with whom he might maintain the comminion of saints; and once in the year he used always to invite all his familiares in the town to a treat in his house, where there was a banquet of holiness and sobriety.
He continued the course of his ministry in Ayr, till king James's purpose of destroying the church of Scotland by establishing bishops was ripe, and then it fell to be his duty to edify the church by his sufferings, as formerly he had done by his doctrine.
The reason why king James was so violent for bishops was neither their devine institution, which he denied they had, nor yet the profit the church should reap by them for he knew well both the men and their commnuications. but merely because he believed they were useful instruments to turn a limited monarchy into absolute dominion, subjects into slaves, the thing he minded most.
​Always in the pursuit of his design, he followed this method; in the first place he resolved to destroy general assemblies: knowing well that so long as assemblies might conveen in freedom, bishops could never get their designed anthority in Scotland,and the dissolution of assemblies he brought about in this manner.
The general assembly at Holy Rood House in the year 1602, with the king's consent, indict their next meeting to be kept at Aberdeen, the last Tuesday of July, in the year 1604, and before that day came, the king by his commissioner the laird of Laureston, and Mr. Patrick Galloway moderator of the last general assembly, in a letter directed to the several Presbyteries, continued the meeting till the first Tuesday of July 1605, at the same place; lost of all in June 1605, the expected meeting to have been kept in July following,is by a new letter from the king's commissioner, and the commissioners of the general assembly, absolutely discharged, and prohibited, but without naming any day or place, for any other assembly; and so the series of our assemblies expired, never to rivive again in due form, till the covenant was renewed in the year 1638. However, many of the godly ministers of Scotland, knowing well, if once the hedge of the government was broken, the corruption of the doctrine would soon follow, resolved not to quit their assemblies so And therefore a number of them conveened at Aberdeen, upon the last Tuesday of July 1605, being the last day that was distinctly appointed by authority; and when they had met did no more but costitute themselves: and dissolve, and that was all. Amongst those was Mr Welch, who tho' he had not been present upon that precise day, yet, because he came to the place and approved what his brethren had done, he was accused as guilty of the treasonable fact committed by his brethrenr. So dangerous a point; was the name of a general assembly in king James's jealous judgment.
Within a month after this meeting, many of the (illegible text) men were incarcerate, some in one prison, some in (illegible text) Mr. Welch was first sent to Edinburgh tolbooth (illegible text) Blackness: and so from prison to prison, till he (illegible text) vanished to France, never to see Scotland again.
​And now the scene of his life begins for to alter: Lut, before his blessed sufferings, he had this strange warning.
After the meeting at Aberdeen was over, he retired immediately to Ayr; and one night he rose from his wife, and went into his garden, as his custom was, but who, when he returned, exposlulate with him very hard, for his staying so long to wrong his health; he bid her be quiet, for it should be well with them. But he knew well, he should never preach more at Ayr; and accordingly before the next Sabbath, he was carried prisoner to Blackness castle. After that, he, with many others who had met at Aberdeen, were brought before the council of Scotland, at Edinburgh, to answer for their rebellion and contempt, in holding a general assembly, not authorised by the king. And because they declined the secret council, as judges competent in causes purely spiritual, such as the nature and constitution of a general assembly is, they were first remitted to the prison at Blackness, and other places. And thereafter, six of the most considerable of them, were brought under night from Blackness to Linlithgow before the criminal judges, to answer an accusation of high treason, at the instance of Sir Thomas Hamilton, king's advocate, for declining, as he alledged, the king's lawful authority, in refusing to admit the council judges competent in the cause of the nature of church judicatories; and after their accusation, and answer was read, by the verdict of a jury of very considerable gentlemen, condemned as guilty of high treason, the punishment continued till the king's pleasure should be known, and thereafter their punishment was made banishment, that the cruel sentence might someway seem to soften their severe punishment as the king had contrived it.
While he was in Blackness, he wrote his famous let(illegible text), dame Lilias Graham, countess of Wigtoun (illegible text) here I have inserted.
The Consolations of the Holy Ghost, be multiplied upon you, in Christ Jesus.
OFTEN and many times, Christian and elect lady, I have desired the opportunity to be comforted, with that consolation, wherewith it hath pleased God, of his free grace and mercy, to fill and furnish you. Your remembrance is very sweet and comfortable to my very soul; since the first time I knew you in Christ Jesus, I have ever been mindful of you unto the Lord, and now, not being able to refrain any longer, I could not omit this occasion; not knowing how long it may please the Lord to continue my being in this tabernacle, or give me further occasion of writing to any.
Although I have not great matter at this time, yet in remembrance of your labour, of love, hope, and patience, I must needs salute your ladyship, knowing, assuredly, you are the chosen of God, set apart before ever the world was, to that glorious and eternal inheritance. Being thus comforted in your faith and hope, I am fully assured tho' we never have the occasion of meeting here, yet we shall reign together in the world to come.
My desire to remain here is not great, knowing that so long as I am in this house of clay, I am absent from God; and if it were dissolved, I look for a building not made with hands eternal in the heaven; in this I groan, I desiring to be cloathed upon, with my bouse which is in heaven, if so be that being cloathed, I shall not be found naked for I that am within this tabernacle, do often groan and sigh within myself, being oftentimes burdened; not that I would be uncloathed, but cloathed upon; that mortality might be swallowed up of life. I long to eat of that tree which is planted in the midst of the paradise of God, and to drink of the pure river, clear as crystal, that runs thro' the street of the New Jerusalem. I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the last dayupon the earth. And though after skin worms destroy my body, yet in my flesh shall I see God, whom I shall see for myself, and not another for me; and my eyes shall behold him, though my reins be cosumed within me. I long to be refreshed with the souls ​of them that are under the alter who were slain for the word of God, and the testimony they held; and to ⟨have} these long white robes given me, that I may walk in white raiment, with those glorious saints, who have washed their garments and have made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Why should I think it a strange thing, to be removed from this place, to that, wherein my hope, my joy, my crown, my elder brother, my head, my father, my comforter, and all the glorious saints are; and where the song of Moses and the Lamb are sung joyfully; where we shall not be compelled to sit by the rivers of Babylon and to hang up our harps on the willow trees; but shall take them up and sing the new hallelujah, bles{ls⟩ing, honour, glory, and power to him that sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb for ever and ever? What is ther under the old vault of the heavens, and in this old worn earth, which is under the bondage of corruption, groaning and travelling in pain, and shooting out the head, looking, waiting, and longing for the redemption of the sons of God; what is there, I say, that should make me desire: to remain here? I expect that new heaven, and that new earth, wherein righteousness dwelleth; wherin I shall, rest for evermore. I look to get entry to the new Jerusalem, at one of these twelve gates, where upon are written the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Isarael. I know that Christ Jesus hath prepared them for me. Why may I not then, with boldness in his blood, step into that glory, where my head and Lord hath gone before me? Jesus Christ is the door, and the porter; who then shall hold me out; will he let them perish for whom he died? will he let them poor sheep be pluck'd out of his hand, for whom he hath laid done his life? who shall condemn the man whom God hath justified? who shall lay anything to the charge of the man for whom Christ hath died, or rather risen again? I know I have grievously transgressed, but where sin abounded, grace will supperabound; I know my sins are red as scarlet and crimson, yet the red blood of Christ my Lord, can make them as white as snow or wooll; whom have I in heaven but him, or whom desire I in the earth besides ​him? Psal.lxiii. 25. O thou the fairesl amongst the children of men, Psal. xlv. 2. The light of the Gentiles, the glory of the Jews, the life of the dead, the joy of angels and saints, my soul painteth to be with thee, I will put my spirit into thy hands, and thou wilt not put me out of thy presence, I will come unto thee, for thou casteth none away that cometh unto thee, O thou delight of mankind? Thou camest to seek and to save that which was lost; thou seeking me hast found me, and now being found by thee, I hope, O Lord thou wilt not let me perish, I desire to be with thee, and do long for the frutition of thy blessed presence, and joy of thy countenance: Thou the only good shepherd art full of grace and truth; therefore, I trust, thou wilt not thrust me out of the door of grace, the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth by thee: who shall seperate me from thy love, shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nay, in all these things, I am more nor conqueror, through thy Majesty, who hath loved me: for I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life nor principalities, nor powers, nor any other creature, is able to seperate me from the love of the majesty, which is in Christ Jesus my Lord. I resuse not to die with thee, that I may live with thee. I resuse no to suffer with thee, that I may rejoice with thee. Sall not all things be plesant to me, which may be the last step, by which, and upon which, I may come unto thee? When shall I be satiate with thy face? when shall I be drunk with thy pleasures? Come, Lord Jesus, and tarry not. The Spirit says, Come the bride says, Come; even so Lord Jesus come quickly, and tarry not.
Why should the multitude of my iniquities or the greatness of them affright me? why should I faint in this my desire to be with thee? The greater sinner I have been, the greater glory will thy grace be to me to all eternity. O unspeakable joy, endless, infinite, and bottomlss compassion! O sea of never fading pleasures! O love of loves! O the breadth, and hight, and depth, and length of that love of thine, that passeth all knowledge! the love of Jonathan was great indeed unto David, it passeth the love ​of woman; but thy love, O Lord, passeth all created love! O uncreated love! Beginning without beginning, and ending without end. Thou are my glory, my joy, and my gain, and my crown: thou hast set me under thy shadow with great delight, and thy fruit is sweet unto my taste; thou hast brought me into thy banqueting house,and placed me in thy orchard; stay me with flaggons, and comfort me with apples, for I am sick, and my soul is wounded with love. Behold thou art fair my love, behold thou art fair, thou has doves eyes; behold thou art fair my beloved, yea, pleasant; also our bed is green; the beams of our house are cedars, and our rafters are of fir; how fair and how pleasant art thou, O full of delights, my heart is ravished with thee: O when shall I see thy face! How long wilt thou delay to be with me as a roe, or a young hart, leaping upon the mountains and skipping upon the hills; as a bundle of myrrh be thou to me, and ly all night betwixt my breasts; because of the favour of thy good ointments, thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore desire I to go out of this desert, and to come to the place where thou sittest at thy repast, and where thou make it thy flocks to rest at noon. When shall I be filled with his love? Surely if a man knew how precious it were, he would count all things dross and dung to gain it, truly I would long for that scaffold, or that ax, or, that cord, that might be to me the last step of this my wearisome journey, to go to thee my Lord. Thou who knows the meaning of the spirt, give answer to the speaking, sighing, and groaning of the spirit. Thou who hast enflamed my heart to speak to thee in this silent, yet lovely language of ardent, and fervent desires, speak again unto my heart, and answer my desires, which thou hast made to speak to thee, Cor xv 55 O death where is thy sting, O grave where is thy victory. What can be troublesome to me. since my Lord looks upon me with so loving and amiable a countenance, and how greatly do I long for these embracements of my Lord, O that he would kiss me with the kisses of his mouth, Cant i. 3. For his love is better than wine. O that my soul were the throne wherein he might dwell eternally? O that my heart were ​the temple wherein he might be magnified, and dwell for ever! all glory be to my God; angels and saints praise ye him; O thou earth; yea hills and mountains be glad; you shall not be wearied any more with the burden of corruption, whereunto you have been subject thro' the wickedness of mankind. Lift up your heads and be glad, for a fire shall make you clean from all your corruption and vanity, wherewith for many years you have been infected. Let the bride rejoice, let all the saints rejoice, for the day of the marriage with the bridegroom, even the Lamb of God, is at hand, and his fair white robes shall be given her, she shall be arrayed with the golden vestry and the needle work of his manifold graces that shall be put under her; he who is her life, shall quickly appear, and fire shall quickly appear with him, in the glory and happiness of a consummate marriage.
But I must remember myself, I know I have been greatly strengthened by your prayers, (honourable lady, and dearly beloved in our Lord Jesus) continue I pray you, as you have begun, in wrestling with the Lord for me, that Christ may be magnified in my mortal body, whether living or dead that my soul maybe lifted up to the third heavens, that I may taste of these joys that are at the right hand of my heavenly Father, and that with gladness I may let my spirit go thither where my body shall shortly follow. Who am I that he should first have called me, and then constitute me a minister of the glad tidings of the gospel of salvation these years already, and now last of all to be a sufferer for his cause and kingdom. Now let it be so, that I have fought my fight, and run my race, and now from henceforth is laid up for me that crown of righteousness, which the Lord that righteous God will give, and not to me only, but to all that love his appearance, and choose to witness this, that Jesus Christ is the king of saints, and that his church is a most free kingdom, yea as free as any kingdom under heaven, not only to convocate, hold and keep her meetings, and conventions assemblies; but also to judge of all her affairs, in all her meetings and conventions amongst her members and subjects. These two points. First, That ​Christ is the head of his church. Secondly, That she is free in her government from all other jurisdiction except Christ's, these two points, I say, are the special cause of our imprisonment, being now convict as traitors for the mantaining thereof; we have been ever waiting with joyfulness to give the last testimony of our blood in confirmation thereof if it should please our God to be so favourabl as to honour us with that dignity; yea I do affirm, that these two points above written, and all other things which belong to Christ's crown, sceptre, and kingdom, are not subject nor cannot be, to any other authority, but to his altogether. So that I would be most glad to be offered up as a sacrifice for so glorious a truth; but, alas I fear my sins and the abuse of so glorious things as I have found, deprive me of so great a crown; yet my Lord doth know, if he should call me to it, and strengthen me in it, it would be to me the most glorious day, and the gladdest hour, that I ever saw in this life, but I am in his hand to do with me whatsoever shall please his Majesty, it may suffice me, that I have had so long a time in the knowledge of the gospel, and that I have seen the things that I have seen, and heard the things that I have heard, and through the grace of God, I have been so long a witness of these glorious and good news, in my weak ministry, and that my wittnessing hath not been altogether without fruit and blessing, so that I hope at that day, I shall have him to be my crown, my glory, my joy, aud reward, and therefore boldly I say with Simion, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, not in peaceable dying in my bed, but by rendering up to him my spirit, and the fealing and damping this truth with my blood, I desire uot to have it remidied, but let my lord's will be done.
Now that prophecy is at hand, which these two worthy servants of the Lord, Mr. George Witheart, and Mr. John Knox, my servant in law spape, which was, That Christ should be crusified in this kingdom, but glorious should be his resurection, as Mr. Knox with his own hand upon the margin of Calvin’s harmony of the passion did write, which is yet extant; but alas! for this ​kingdom. My testimony now doth not differ from that of many before this time, who said, That the kingdom of Scotland should be blood, the kingdom shall be drawn in blood, a furbished and glittering sword is already drawn out of the scabbard, which shall not return until it be made drunk with the blood of the men of this land; first the heavy intestine sword, and then the sword of the stranger, O doleful Scotland well were he that were removed from thee, that his eyes might not see, nor his ears hear all the evils that are to come apon thee, neither the strong man by his strength, nor the rich man by his riches, nor the nobleman by his blood, shall be delivered from the judgments. There is a great sacrifice to be made in Bosra, in thee, O Scotland, of the blood of all sorts in the land Ephraim shall consume Manasseh, and Manasseh Ephraim; brother against brother; and every man in the judgment of the Lord shall be armed, to thrust his sword in the side of his neighbour, and all for the contempt of the glorious gospel: And that blood which was offered to thee, O Scotland, in so plentious a manner, that the like thereof, hath not been offered to any nation, therefore thy judgment shall be greater; but the sanctuary must be begun at, and the measure is not fulfilled, till the blood of the saints be shed; then the cries will be great, and will not stay till they bring the Lord down from heaven's throne to see if the sins of Scotland be according to the cry thereof; neither shall there be any subject in the land, from the greatest to the meanest, guiltless.
The guilt of our blood shall not only ly upon our prince, but also upon our own brethren, bishops, counsellors, and commissioners, it is they, even they that have fitted up our prince against us; we must therefore lay the blame and burden of our blood upon them especially however the rest above written be partakers of their sins with them: And as to the rest of our brethren, who either by silence approve, or by crying peace, peace, strengthen the arm of the wicked, that they cannot return, in the mean time make the hearts of the righteous sad, they shall all in like manner be guilty of high treason ​against the King of kings, the Lord Jesus Christ, his crown and kingdom.
Next unto them, all our commissioners, chancellor, president, comptroller, advocate, and next unto them, all that first or last sat in council, and did not bear plain testimony for Jesus Christ and his kingdom, for which we do suffer. And next unto them, all those who should have at present, and who should at such times have come, and made open, testimony of Christ faithfully, although it had been contrary to plain law, and with the hazard of their lives. When the poor Jews were in such danger, that nothing was expected but uttor destruction, queen Esther, after three days fasting, concluded thus with herself, I will said she, go into the king, though it be not according to the law, and if I perish, I perish, Est. ix. 16. With this resolution, such as are born counsellors, should have said, Christ's kingdom is now in my hand, and I am bound, also and sworn, by a special covenant, to maintain the doctrine and discipline thereof, according to my vocation and power, all the days of my life; under all the pains contained in the book of God, and danger of body and soul, in the day of God's fearful judgment; and therefore, though I should perish in the cause, yet will I speak for it, and to my power defend it, according to my vocation. Finally, all those that counsel, command, consent, and allow, are guilty in the fight of God. But the mourners for these evils, and the faithful of the land, and those who are unfeignedly grieved in heart, for all these denominations, those shall be marked asnot guilty, Ezek ix.
I know not whether I shall have occasion to write again; and therefore, by this letter, as my latter-will and testament, I give testimony, warning, and knowledge of these things to all men, according to the Lord’s direction to the prophet, Son of man I have made thee a watchman, Ezek. xxiii. 7. &c. Therefore I give warning to all men hereby, that no man’s blood be required at my hand. Thus desiring the help of your prayers, with my humble commendations and service in Christ, to my ​lord your husband, and all the saints there, the messenger of peace be with you all for evermore, Amen.
| BLACKNESS, | Yours to my full power for |
| January 6. 1606. |
| | the time Christ's prisoner, |
| | JOHN WELCH. |
This is my coppy of this prophetical letter; and it is a question whether the great prophecy concerning Scotland, be yet fulfilled or to receive its accomplishment; (illegible text)o there is no doubt, part of it is fulfilled, for of all those, who were false judges in his, cruel sentence, there is now no remnant nor memory, as is commonly observed.
Another famous prophetical letter he wrote to Sir William Livingsone of Klissyth, one of the lords of the college of justice, whereof this my copy.
Right Honourable, my hearty Salutations remembered in the Lord,
YOUR love and care many times have certainly comforted me. And having no other thing to requite, I shall, as I may, desire him who is able to do, and hath undertaken it, to meet you and yours with consolations in his good time.
As for the matter itself, the bearer will shew you, that what is required is such a thing, as in the sight of our Lord we may not do, without both the hazard of our consciences, and the liberty of Christ's kingdom, which should be dearer to us than any thing else: What a slavery were it to us to bind our consciences, in the service of our God, in the meanest; point of our callings, to the will of man or angels? and we are fully resolved that what we did, was acceptable service to our God, who hath put it up as service done to him, and has allowed and sealed it to us by many tokens; so it that were more than high impiety, and apostacy, to testify the ruin and undoing, of anything which our God hath ordained to bedone. We ​Sir, if the lord will, are yet ready to do more in onr calling, and to suffer more for the same, if so be it will please our God to call us to it, and strengthen us in it, for ourselves we dare promise nothing, but in our God all things.
And for that insturment Spotswood, we are sure the Lord will never bless that man, but a malediction lies upon him, and shall accompany all his doings: and it may be, Sir, your eyes shall see as great comfusion covering him, ere he go to his grave, as ever did his predecessors. Now surely, Sir, I am far form bitterness, but here I denounce the wrath of an everlasting God against him, which assuredly shall fall except it be prevented. Sir, Dagon shall not stand before the ark of the Lord, and these names of blasphemy that he wears of arch and lord bishop, will have a fearful end, Not one beck is to be given to Haman, suppose he was as great a courtier as ever he was, suppose the decree was given out and sealed with the kings ring, deliverance will come elsewhere, and not by him, who has been so sore an instrument, not against: our persons, that were nothing, (for I protest to you, Sir, in the sight of my God, I forgive him all the evil he has done, or can do, to me) but unto christ's poor kirk, in stamping under foot, so glorious a kingdom, and beauty, as was once in this land; he has helped to cut Sampson's hair, and to expose him to mocking, but the Lord will not be mocked: he shall be cast away as a stone out of a sling, his name shall rot, and a malediction shall fall upon his posterity after he is gone. Let this, Sir, be a monument of it, that it was told before, that when it shall come to pass, it may be seen there was warning given him: And therefore, Sir, seeing I have not the access myself, if it would please God to move you, I wish you did deliver this hard message to him not as from me, but from the Lord.
Blackness, 1605, JOHN WELCH.
​The man upon whom he complains and threatens so sore, was bishop spotswood, at that time designed archbishop of Glasgow; and this prophesy was punctually accomplished, though after the space of forty years, for first the bishop himself died in a strange land, and, as many say, in misery; next his son Robert Spotswood, sometimes president of the Session, was beheaded by the parliament of Scotland, at the market cross of St. Andrews, in the winter after the battle of Philiphaugh, to which I myself with many thousands, was witness, and as soon as ever he came upon the scaffold, Mr. Blair, the minister of the town, told him, that now Mr. Welch's prophecy was fullfilled upon him, to which he replied in anger, that Mr. Welch he and were both false prophets.
But before he left Scotland, some remarkable passages ⟨on⟩ his behaviour are to be remembered, And first when the dispute about church government began to warm; as he was walking upon the street of Edinburgh, betwixt ⟨two⟩ honest citizens, he told them, they had in their town two great ministers, who were no great friends to Christ's ⟨cause⟩, presently in controversy, but it should be seen, the world should never hear of their repentance. The two men were Mr. Patrick Galloway, and Mr. John Hall; and accordingly it came to pass, for Mr. Patrick Galllway died easing himself upon his stool; and Mr. ⟨John⟩ Hall, being at that time at Leith, and his servant woman having left his alone in his house while she went ⟨to⟩ the market he was found head all alone at her return.
He was sometime prisoner in Edinburgh castle before he went into exile, where one night sitting at supper with the lord Ochiltry, who was an uncle to Mr. Welch's wife, as his manner was, he entertained the company with godly and edifying discourse, which was well relived be all the company save only one debauched posh young gentleman, who sometimes laughed, and ⟨sometimes⟩ mocked and made faces: whereupon Mr. Welch brake out in a sad abrupt charge upon all the company to be silent, and observe the work of the Lord ⟨upon⟩ that prophane mocker, which they should ⟨presently⟩ behold; upon which immediately the prophane ​wretch sunk down and died beneath table, but ⟨never⟩ returned to life again, to the great astonishment of ⟨all⟩ the company.
Another wonderful story they tell of him at the ⟨same⟩ time, the lord Ochiltry the captain, being both son to the good lord Ochiltry, and Mr. Welch's uncle in law was indeed very civil to Mr. Welch, but being for a long time, through the multitude of affairs, kept from visiting Mr. Welch in his chamber, as he was one day walking in the court, and he espying Mr Welch at his chamber window asked him kindly how he ⟨did⟩, and if in ⟨any⟩ thing he could serve him. Mr. Welch answered him, ⟨he⟩ would earnestly entreat his lordship, being at that ⟨time⟩ to go to court, to petition king James in his name, ⟨that⟩ he might have liberty to preach the gospel; which my lord promised to do Mr. Welch answered, my lord both because you are my kinsman, and for other reasons, I would earnestly entreat, and obtest you not ⟨to⟩ promise except you faithfully perform. My lord answered, He would faithfully perform his promise; and ⟨he⟩ went for London But though at his first arrival he ⟨was⟩ really purposed to present the petition to the king, ⟨when⟩ he found the king in such a rage against the godly ministers that he durst not at that time present it, so he thought fit to delay it, and thereafter fully forgot.
The first time that Mr. Welch saw his face after ⟨his⟩ return from court, he asked him what he had done ⟨with⟩ his petition. My lord answered he. He had presented ⟨it⟩ to the king, but that the king was in so great a rage against the ministers at that time, he believed it had been forgotten, for he had gotten no answer. Nay said Mr. Welch to him, My lord you should not lye to God, and to me, for I know you never delivered it, though I warned you to take heed not to undertake it, except you woul dperform it; but because you have dealt so unfaithfully, remember God shall take from you both state and honours, and give them to your neighbour your own time which accordingly came to pass, ⟨for⟩ both his estate and honours were in his own time ra(illegible text) stated upon James Stewart son to captain James, ⟨who⟩ ​was indeed a cadet, but not the linial heir of the family.
While he was detained prisoner in Edinburgh castle, his wife used for the most part to stay in his company, but upon a time fell into a longing to see her family in Ayr, to which with some difficulty he yielded; but when she was to take her journey, he strictly charged her not to take the ordinary way to her own house, when she came to Ayr, nor to pass by the bridge thro' the town, but to pass the river above the bridge, and so get the way to his own house, and not to comer into the town, for, said he, before you come thither, you shall find the plague broken out in Ayr, which accordingly came to pass.
The plague was at that time very terrible, and he being necessariley seperate from his people, it was to him the more grievous; but when the people of Ayr came to him to bemoan themselves, his answer was, that Hugh Kennedy, a godly gentleman in their town, should pray for them, and God should hear him. This counsel they accepted, and the gentleman conveening a number of honest citizens, prayed fervently for the town, as he was a mighty wrestler with God, and accordingly after that the plague decreased.
Now the time is come he must leave Scotland, and never to see it again, so upon the seventh of November 1606 in the morning, he with his neighbours took ship at Leith, and though it was but two o'clock tn the morning, many were waiting on with their afflicted families, to bid them farewell. After prayer, they sung the xxiii psalm, and so with the great grief of the spectators, set sail for the south of France, and landed in the river of Bourdeaux. Within fourteen weeks of his arrival, such was the Lord's blessing upon his diligence, he was able to preach in French, and accordingly was speedily called to the ministry, first in one village then in another; one of them was Nerae, and thereafter settled in saint Jean d'Angely, a considerable walled town, and there he continued the rest of the time he sojourned in France, which was about sixteen years. When he began to preach, it ​was observed by some of his hearers, that while he continued in the doctrinal part of his sermon, he spoke very correct French, but when he came to his application and when his affections kindled, his fervour made him sometimes neglect the accuracy of the French construction: but there were godly young men who admonished him of this, which he took in very good part, so for preventing mistakes of that kind, he desired the young gentlemen, when they preceived him beginning to decline, to give him a sign, and the sign was, that they were both to stand up upon their feet, and thereafter he was more exact in his expression through his whole sermon; so desirous was he, not only to deliver good matter, but to recommend it to the neat expression.
There were many times persons of great quality in his auditory, before whom he was just as bold as ever he had been in a Scots village; which moved Mr. Boyd of Trochrig once to ask him, (after he had preached before the university of Samure with such boldness and authority, as if he had been before the meanest congregation) how he could be so confident among strangers, and persons of such quality! to which he answered, That he was so filled with the dread of God, he had no apprehension from man at all; and this answer, said Mr. Boyd, did not remove my admiration, but rather increase it.
There was in his house amongst many others, who tabled with him for good education, a young gentleman of great quality, and suitable expectations, and this was the heir of the lord Ochiltry, who was captain of the castle of Edinburgh. This young nobleman, after he had gained very much upon Mr. Welch's affections, fell sick of a grivious sickness, and after he had been long wasted with it, closed his eyes, and expired as dying men used to do, so to the apprehension and sense of all spectators, he was no more but a carcase, and was therefore taken out of his bed, and laid upon a pallet on the floor, that his body might be the more conveniently dressed, as dead bodies used to be. This was to Mr. Welch a very great grief, and therefore he stayed with the young man's dead body full, three hours, lamenting over him with ​great tenderness. After twelve hours, the friends brought in a coffin, whereinto they desired the corps to be put, as the custom is: but Mr. Welch desired, that for the satisfaction of his affections, they would forbear the youth for a time, which they granted, and returned not till twenty four hours, after his death, were expired; then they returned, desiring with great importunity the corps might be coffined, that it might be speedly buried, the weather being extreamly hot; yet he persisted in his request, earnestly begging them to excuse him for once more; so they left the youth upon his pallat for full thirty six hours; but even after all that, though he was urged, not only with great earnestness, but displeasure, they were constrained to forbear for twelve hours yet more; after forty eight hours were past, Mr. Welch was still where he was, and then his friends perceived he believed the young man was not really dead, but under some apoplectic fit, and therefore purposed to him for his satisfaction, that tryal should be made upon his body by doctors and chirurgeons, if possibly any spark of life might be found in him, and with this he was content: so the physicians are set on work, who pinched him with pincers in the fleshy part of the body, and twisted a bow string about his head with great force, but no sign of life appearing in him, so the physicians pronounced him stark dead, and then there was no more delay to be desired; yet Mr. Welch begged of them once more, that they would but step into the next room for an hour or two, and leave him with the dead youth, and this they granted: Then Mr. Welch fell down before the pallat, and cried to the Lord with all his might, for the last time and sometimes looked upon the dead body, continuing in wrestling with the Lord till at length the dead youth opened his eyes, and cried out to Mr. Welch whom he distinctly knew, O Sir, I am all whole, but my head and legs: and these were the places they had sore hurt, with their pinching.
When Mr. Welch perceived this, he called upon his friends, and shewed them the dead young man restored to life again, to their great astonishment. And this ​young nobleman, though he lost the the estate of Qchiltry, lived to acquire a great estate in Ireland, and was lord Castlestewart, and a man of such excellent part, that he was courted by the earl of Stafford, to be a counsellor in Ireland, which he refused to be until the godly silenced Scottish ministers, who suffered under the bshops in the north of Ireland; were restored to the exercise of their ministery and then he engaged, and so continued for all his life, not only in honour and power but in the profession and practice of godliness, to the great comfort of the country where he lived. This story the nobleman communicated to his friends in Ireland, and from them I had it.
While Mr. Welch was minister in one of the French villages, upon an evening a certain popish friar travelling through the conntry, because he could not find lodging in the village, addrest himself to Mr. Welch's house for one night. The servants accquainted their master and he was content to receive this guest. The family had supt before he came, and so the servants convayed the friar to his chamber, and after they had made his supper, they left him to his rest. There was but a timber partition betwixt him and Mr. Welch, and after the friar had slept his first sleep, he was surprised with the hearing of a silent, but constant whispering noise, at which he wondered very much, and was not a little troubled with it.
The next morning he walked in the fields, where he chanced to meet with a country man, who saluted him because of his habit, asked him where he had lodged that night? The friar answered he had lodged with the hugenot minister. then the country man asked him what entertainment he had? The friar answered, Very bad; for, said he, I alway held that there were devils haunting these ministers houses, and I am pursuaded there was one with me last night, for I heard a continual whisper all the night over, which I believe was no other thing, than the minister and the devil conversing together. The country man told him, he was much mistaken, and that it was nothing else, but the minister at his night prayer. O, said the friar does the minister pray any? Yes, more ⟨than⟩ any man in France, answered the country man, ​and if you please to stay another night with him you may be satisfied. The friar got him to Mr Welch's house, and pretended indisposition, entreated another night's lodging, which was granted him.
Before dinner, Mr. Welch came from his chamber, and made his family exercise, according to custome. And first sung a psalm, then read a portion of scripture, and discoursed upon it, thereafter he prayed with great fervour, as his custom was: To all which the friar was in astonished witness. After the exercise they went to dinner, where the friar was very civily used Mr Welch forbearing all questious and dispute with him for the time? when the evening came, Mr. Welch made his exercise as he had done in the morning, which occasiond yet more wondering in the friar, and after supper to bed they went; but the friar longed much to know what the night whisper was, and in that he was soon satisfied, for after Mr. Welch's first sleep, the noise began, and (illegible text) then the friar resolved to be sure what it was, so he crept silently to Mr. Welch's chamber-door, and there he heard not only the sound, but the words distinctly, and communications betwixt God and man, and such as ⟨knew⟩ not had been in the world. Upon the next morning, as soon as Mr. Welch was ready, the friar went to him, and told him, that he had been bred in ignorance, and lived in darkness all his time, but now he was resolved to adventure his soul with Mr. Welch, and thereupon declared himself a Protestant: Mr. Welch welcomed him and encouraged him, and he continued a constant Protestant to his dying day. This story I had from a godly minister, who was bred in Mr. Welch's house, when in France.
When Lewis XIII king of France, made war upon the Protestants there, because of their religion, the city of St. Jean d' Angely was by him and his royal army ⟨besieged⟩, and brought it to extreme danger Mr. Welch (illegible text) minister in the town, and mightily encouraged the citizens to hold out, assuring them, God should deliver ⟨them⟩ In the time of the siege a cannon ball pierced the ⟨bed⟩ where he was lying, upon which he got up, but would ​not leave the room, till he had, by solemn prayer, acknowledged his deliverance. During this siege, the townsmen made stout defence, till once one of the king's gunners planted a great gun, so conveniently upon a rising ground, that therewith he could command the whole wall, upon which the townsmen made their greatest defence. Upon this they were forced to sorfake the ⟨wall⟩ in great terror, and though they had several guns planted upon the wall, no man durst undertake to mannage them. This being told Mr. Welch with great affrightment, he notwithstanding encouraged them still to hold out, and running to the wall himself, found the cannonier, who was a Burgundian, near the wall, him he entreated to mount the wall, promising to assist him, in person, so to the wall they got. The cannonier told Mr. Welch, that either they behoved to dismount the gun upon the rising ground, or else they were surely lost; Mr. Welch desired him to aim well, and he should serve him and God would help him; so the gunner fell a scouting his piece, and Mr. Welch runs to the powder to fetch him a charge; but as soon as he was returning, the king's gunner fired his piece, which carried both the powder and ladle out of Mr. Welch's hands, which yet did not discourage him, for having left the ladle, he filled his hat with powder, wherewith the gunner loaded his piece, and dismounted the king's gun at the first shot so the citizens returned to their post of defence.
This discouraged the king so, that he sent to the citizens to offer them fair conditions, which were, That they should enjoy the liberty of their religion, their civil privileges, and their walls should not be demolished (illegible text) only the king desired for his honour that he might enter the city with his servants in a friendly manner. This the city thought fit to grant, and the king with a few more entered the city in a short time. But while the king was in the city, Mr. Welch preached as was his ordinary, which much offended the French court; so on a day while he was at sermon, the king sent the duke de Esperon to fetch him out of the pulpet into his presence. The duke with his guard, and as soon as he entered the church ​where Mr Welch was preaching. Mr. Welch commanded to make way, and to set alseat that the duke might hear the word of the Lord. The duke instead of interrupting him sat down, and gravely heard the sermon to an end, and then told Mr. Welch he behoved to go with him to the king, which Mr. Welch willingly did. When the duke came to the king, the king asked him why he brought not the minister with him and why he did not interrupt him. The duke answered, Never man spake like this man but that he had brought him with him. Whereupon Mr. Welch is called, and when he entered the king's room, he kneeled upon his knees, and silently prayed for wisdom and assistance. Thereafter the king challenged him, how he durst preach where he was, since ⟨it⟩ was against the laws of France, that any man should preach within the verge of his court? Mr. Welch answered him, Sir, if you did right you would come and hear me preach, and make all France hear me likewise. ⟨For⟩ said he, I preach not as those men you use to hear preach; my preaching differs from theirs in these two points. First, I preach that you must be saved by the death and merits of Jesus Christ, and not your own. Next, I ⟨preach⟩, said he, that as you are king of France, you are under the authority and command of no man on earth; ⟨those⟩ men said be, whom you hear, subject you to the (illegible text)pe of Room, which I will never do. The king ⟨replied⟩ no more, but Et bein vous serir mon ministre. Well, (illegible text)ll you shall be my minister; and some say called him (illegible text)er, which is an honour the king of France bestows ⟨upon⟩ few of the greatest prelates in France; however he ⟨was⟩ favourably dismissed at that time, and the king also ⟨left⟩ the city in peace.
But within a short time thereafter the war was renewed and then Mr. Welch told the inhabitants of the city ⟨that⟩ now their cup was full, and they should no more ⟨escape⟩; which accordingly came to pass, for the king took ⟨this⟩ town, and as soon as ever it fell into his hand he ⟨commanded⟩ Vitty the captain of his guard to enter the ⟨town⟩, and preserve his minister from all danger; and ⟨then⟩ were horses and waggons provided for Mr. Welch, ​to transport him and his family for Rochel, whither he went, and there sojourned foa a time This story my lord Kenmure, who was bred in Mr. Welch's house told Mr. Livingston Minister at Ancrum, and from him I had it.
After his flock in France was scatered, he obtained liberty to come to England, and his friends made hard suit, that he might be permitted to return to Scotland because the physicians declared there was no other way to preserve his life but by the freedom he might have in his native air. But to this king James would never yield, protesting he should never be able to establish his beloved bishops in Scotland, if Mr. Welch were permitted to return thither; so he languished at London a considerably time, his disease was judged by some to have a tendency to a leprosy, physicians says he had been poisoned, a langour he had together with a great weakness in his knees, caused by his continual kneeling at prayer by which it came to pass, that though he was able to move his knees, and to walk, yet he was wholly insensible in them, and the flesh became hard like a sort of horn. But when in the time of his weakness, he was desired to remit somewhat of his excessive painfulness his answer was, He had his of God, and therefore it should bespent for him.
His friends importuned king James very much, that he might not return to Scotland, at least he might have liberty to preach at London, which king James would never grant, till be heard all hopes of life were past, and then he allowed him the liberty to preach, not fearing his activity.
Then as soon as ever he heard he might preach, he greedily embraced this liberty, and having access to lecturer's pulpit, he went and preached both long and fervently: which was the last performance of his life for afer he had ended his sermon, he returned to his chamber, and within two hour quietly and without pain, he resigned his spirit into his Maker's hands, and was buried near Mr. Deering, the famous English divine he had lived little more than fifty two years.
FINIS.
This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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