he 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 in 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 missed always his prey. I never heard of a man
that endured more toil, adventured upon more, or escaped to 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 that whenever
he should give over that course and retire himself, his ministry should
come to an end; which accordingly came to pass, for when, after the
battle of Bothwel bridge, he retired to London, the Lord called him by
death, and there he was honourably interred, not far from the king's
palace.

[51] With Mr. Welch other five godly ministers was banished for the same
cause, viz. John Forbes, who went to Middleburgh, to the English staple
there, Robert Dury, who went to Holland, and was minister to the Scots
congregation in Lyden, John Sharp, who became minister and professor of
divinity at Die in the Delphinate, where he wrote Carlus Theologeous,
&c. and Andrew Duncan and Alexander Strachan, who in about a year got
liberty to return into their former places. Calderwood's history, page
ult.

[52] Fulfilling of the scripture, part 1st, page 450.

[53] This was the famous Leighton doctor of divinity in the two
universities of St. Andrews and Leyden, who, for writing of Zion's plea
against prelacy, was apprehended at London by two ruffians, and brought
before arch bishop Laud, who sentenced him (besides a fine of 10,000
pounds) to be tied to a stake, and receive thirty-six stripes with a
triple cord, and then to stand two hours in the pillory (which he did in
a cold winter night), and then to have his ear cut, his face fired and
his nose slit; and the same to be repeated that day seven night, and his
other ear cut off, with the slitting of the other side of his nose and
burning his other cheek; all which was done with the utmost rigour, and
then he was sent prisoner to the fleet, where he continued, till upon a
petition to the parliament in 1640, he was released, and got for his
reparation a vote of 6000 pounds, which it is said was never paid,