ntinued the exercise of his ministry,
preaching daily unto such as resorted to him, with much success, and an
intimate communion with God, until a few days before his death.

In his last sickness, the Christian temper of his mind was so much
improven by large measures of the Spirit, that his conversation had a
remarkable effect in humbling the hearts and comforting the souls of
those who attended him, engaging them to take the easy yoke of Christ
upon them. He found in his own soul also, such a sensible taste of
eternal joy, that he was seized with a fervent desire to depart and to
be with the Lord, longing to have the earthly house of this his
tabernacle put off, that he might be admitted into the mansions of
everlasting rest. In the midst of these earnest breathings after God,
the Lord was wonderfully pleased to condescend to the importunity of his
servant, to let him know that the time of his departure was near. Upon
which, he took a solemn farewel of his family and flock with a
discourse, as Mr. Melvil says[39], that seemed to be spoken out of
heaven, concerning the misery and grief of this life, and the
inconceivable glory which is above.

The night following, after supper, having read and prayed in his family
with unusual continuance, strong crying and heavy groans, he went a
little while to bed, and the next day, having called his people to the
celebration of the Lord's supper, he went to church, and having brought
the communion-service near a close, he felt the approaches of death, and
all discovered a sudden change in his countenance, so that some ran to
support him; but pressing to be at his knees, with his hands and eyes
lifted up to heaven in the very act of devotion and adoration, as in a
transport of joy, he was taken away, with scarce any pain at all. Thus
this holy man, who had so faithfully maintained the interest of Christ
upon earth, breathed forth his soul in this extraordinary manner, that
it seemed rather like a translation than a real death. See more of him
in Calderwood's history, page 335. De Foe's memoirs, page 138. Hind let
loose, page 48, old edit.

_The Life of Mr. JOHN DAVIDSON._

He was minister at Salt-Preston (now known by the name of Preston-pans),
and began very early to discover uncommon piety and faithfulness in the
discharge of his duty. He was involved in the sufferings brought upon
several ministers on account of the raid of Ruthven[40], and the
enterprise at Stirling[