lified; for he spent one-third of his time in prayer and meditation.

And such were his temptations, that frequently, before he went out to preach, he would send for his elders and tell them, that he was so grievously tempted, and seemingly so entirely deserted, that he was afraid to go up into the pulpit; nor could he be prevailed upon till one or more of them had prayed for him: Then venturing into the pulpit, it was observed; these humbling severe exercises were generally attended with an extraordinary degree of the presence and power of GOD; so near neighbours many times are contrary dispositions and frames, sore temptations and great manifestations of the divine presence. He used often to retire to the church of Air, which was at some distance from the town, and there to spend the whole night in prayer; because, probably, it afforded him an opportunity to give his affections full scope, and to cry unto the Lord with a loud voice. It is presumed, that his being at some such time overheard, was what gave rise to the ignorant and malicious slander of his being a wizard.

Mr Welch married Elizabeth Knox, daughter to the famous Mr John Knox, minister of Edinburgh, commonly called the apostle of Scotland, who lived with him from his youth till his death; and by whom he had three sons. The first was a doctor of physic, unhappily killed, through an innocent mistake, in the Low Countries. Another was lost at sea, who, when the ship sunk, swam to a rock, but perished for want of food; he was found sometime after in a praying posture, upon his knees, with his hands lifted up to heaven. The third, was Mr Josias Welch, minister at Temple-patrick, in the north of Ireland; a man highly favoured of GOD, both as to grace and gifts; and commonly called the COCK OF THE CONSCIENCE, because of his extraordinary talent in awakening and rousing the consciences of sinners. He was one of that blessed society olinisters, instrumental in that extraordinary work of GOD in the north of Ireland, about the year 1639; but was himself exceedingly troubled with doubts and fears about his own salvation, and would often say, That minister was much to be pitied, who was called to comfort weak saints, and had no comfort himself. He died a young man, and left for his successor Mr John Welch, minister at Iron-gray, in Galloway, the place of his grandfather's nativity: Where he [Mr John Welch,] in some of the most dreadful times of persecution, that Scotland ever knew, maintained his dangerous post of preaching

preaching the gospel upon the mountains of Scotland, notwithstanding the threatenings against him, and the price set upon his head, with all the fierce industry of his enemies. It is well known, that one Claverhouse, a bitter persecutor, upon secret information from his spies, that Mr Welch was to be found in some lurking place, though at forty miles distant, made that long journey in a winter's night, that he might take him; but, through the interposition of divine Providence, he always missed his prey. There was scarce ever a man that endured more toil, went through greater dangers, and escaped more snares than Mr John Welch. When his friends used to advise him to be more cautious, and not to endanger himself so much; he would answer, "That he firmly believed danર gerous undertakings would be his security; and that, "whenever he should give over that course, and retire « himself, his ministry would come to an end :" Which accordingly came to pass; for when, after the great slaughter made at Bothwell Bridge, he retired to London, the Lord called him by death, and he was honourably buried, in Westminster.

Notwithstanding, he walked with GOD, like Enoch of old, he forgot not to conduct himself with propriety towards man; for he frequently dined abroad with such friends as he thought might maintain the communion of saints: And, once a year, invited a great number of his friends in the town to dine with him, whom he treated as became a minister and a Christian.

Mr Welch continued in his ministry with great success, till the troubles arose in Scotland, about the year 1602, upon the attempt to establish episcopacy by K. James I. We will not trouble our Readers with the disgusting recital of those broils which then were kindled upon outward church government, and which, in almost all ages, have miserably rent and distracted the Christian world. Nor will we presume to justify many of the public measures then taken, nor yet the bitterness and bigotry of spirit with which they were often opposed. Suffice it for us to relate, according to truth, that Mr Welch was one of those, who thought himself bound in conscience to oppose the episcopal system, and that he did it with all his might. He was therefore taken up and tried for disseminating sedition, and afterwards condemned to be banished. This was in the year 1605.

While he was under confinement at Blackness, he wrote his letter to the countess of Wigton, which, as it hath

beeu

been much celebrated and admired by the religious people in Scotland, we presume will not be unacceptable to our Readers.

"The consolation of the Holy Ghost be multiplied unto you by Jesus Christ."

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 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 fur❝ther 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, 66 you are the chosen of God, set apart before ever the "world was, to that glorious and eternal inheritance. Be"ing thus comforted in your faith and hope, I am fully "assured, though 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 heavens. In this "I groan, desiring to be clothed upon, with my house "which is in heaven: If so that being clothed, I shall "not be found naked. For I that am within this taber"nacle do often groan and sigh within myself; being "oftentimes burdened: Not that I would be unclothed, "but clothed 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 through the "streets of the New Jerusalem. I know that my Redeemer "liveth, and that he shall stand at the last day upon the "earth. And though after my 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 mine eyes shall behold him,

" though

"though my reins be consumed within me. I long to be re"freshed with the souls of them that are under the altar, "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 glo"rious 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 our harps upon the willow-trees; "but shall take them up and sing the hallelujah, blessing, "honour, glory, and power, to him that sits upon the "throne, and to the Lamb for ever and ever? What is "there under the old vault of the heavens, and in this "old worn earth, which is under the bondage of cor"ruption, groaning and travelling in pain, and shoot"ing out the head, looking, waiting, and longing, for "the redemption of the sons of God? What is there, I (6 say, that should make me desire to remain here? I ex"pect that new heavens, and that new earth, wherein "righteousness dwelleth, wherein I shall rest for ever<" more, I look to get entry into the New Jerusalem, at "one of those twelve gates, whereupon are written the "names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. "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 "plucked out of his hand for whom he hath laid down " his life? Who shall lay any thing 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 superabound. 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 "wool: Whom have I in heaven but him, or whom desire "I in the earth besides him? Psalm 1xxiii. 25. O thou the fairest among the children of men, Psalm. 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 pan

66

"eth

"eth 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 castest none away that come " unto thee, O thou the delight of mankind! Thou "comest 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 ; desire to be with thee, and do long for the fruition 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 came by Thee: Who shall separate 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 than conqueror, through thy majesty who hast loved me: For I am persuaded, that neither death nor life, nor principalities, "nor powers, nor any other creature, is able to separate "me from the love of the majesty which is in Christ Jesus my Lord. I refuse not to die with thee, that I may live with thee. I refuse not to suffer with thee, that I may rejoice with thee. Shall not all things be pleasant to me, which may be the last step, by which, and “ upon which, I may come unto thee? When shall I be "satisfied 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 great"ness 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 thee unto "all eternity. O unspeakable joy, endless, infinite, and "bottomless compassion! O sea of never fading pleasures! "O love of loves! O the breadth, and height, and depth, "and length of that love of thine, that passeth all know"ledge! The love of Jonathan was great indeed to Da"vid, it passed the love of women; but thy love, O Lord,

passeth all created love! O uncreated love! beginning "without begiming, and ending without end. O thou "art my glory, my joy, and my gain, and my orown; "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,