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Kilmarnock, with the worthy Lady Boyd; and the while I was there
I preached ordinarly in the Sabbath once, being desired by the
minister. I was also frequently in Lanerk with my father, and in
Cumbernauld and other places; and sometimes in Edinburgh, where
there were frequent privat meetings of Christians. I never had, of
stipend, in Killinshie, above forty pound sterling by year, and
enjoyed that but ane short space; yet (I bless the Lord) I never
wanted money to supply me in all necessaries, and to bear my
charges in going to and again. My father was not very able to
supply me, having ane great charge of other nine children, whereof
seven were daughters. Those of whom I got at severall tymes
supply of money were the Lady Boyd, the Countess of Wigton,
the Lady Ennerteell, and the Countess of Eglintoun.
Dureing these two years, I went once or twice1
to Ireland to visit the parish and friends there. The last of these times,
having come to Ireland in February 1634, our friends in Ireland
seeing no appearance to be delivered from the yoke of the prelats'
tyranny, had had ane minde to transport themselves to New England,
but resolved first to send an minister and ane gentleman
thither to the Governour and Councill to try the condition of the
countrey, and to agree for2
ane place to settle in; and accordingly
they pitched upon William Wallace and me to goe straight to
London, to goe from thence with the first ship that went in the
spring, and return with the first conveniency. Therein I perceived,
howbeit I trust the Lord did accept and approve of our
intention, yet wonderfully he stopped our designs; for had William Wallace
come to me to Grooms-port, in Ireland, at the time
prefixed, we might easily have reached London before the first
ships went. But he staying some two dayes, taking his leave of
his family, all which time the wind was fair; so soon as he came
the wind became contrary for ane fourthnight, but after that we
came to Scotland, and made all the hast we could to London; but
**************
1
"Over."
2
"A gentleman thither to try the condition of the countrey, and to agree with the Governour and Councill for."
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PAGE 149
all the ships were gone, only three to goe within a fourthnight or
soe. The first we met with who had interest in these ships was
Mr Homfrey, who urged much that we should go with him in his
ship. We told we would advise. After that, Mr Bellinghame
having ane greater1
ship, offered us better accommodation; yet,
because Mr Humfray spoke first, we agreed to goe with him.
Had we gone with Mr Bellinghame, we had gone forward; but
Mr Humfray, to gain time to doe some business, and to eschew
some tossing at sea, did not go aboard when the ship loosed, but
took us with him to Dorchaster, that when the ship should come
over against Weymouth, we might goe aboard. On ane Sabbath
before noon, the2
ships came to Weymouth, the other two went
forward with a spaired [spread?] sail. Mr Humfray desired his
ship to cast herself on3
the stayes till we should hear Mr White of
Dorchaster preach. Afternoon we went aboard; but by this
means, when ane storm and contrary wind came on Wedensday
next, the other two ships being all past Land's-end, stood to sea,
and we were forced to come to ane anchor at Plymouth, and
stayed there eight or ten dayes with contrary winds. Dureing
this time, William Wallace fell sick, and both was averse himself,
and advised by doctors not to goe to sea; and our friends in Ireland
had condescended that I should not goe alone without him,
and therefore we both resolved to return. When we were coming
back, I told him that I apprehended that we would get our liberty
in Ireland; and accordingly, when we came, we found that we four
who had been deposed were restored by the Deputie's letter in
May 1634.
Shortly after, on Munday, 23d of June 1634, the Lord was pleased
to call home worthy Mr Josias Welsh. I heard of his dangerous
sickness the Sabbath afternoon before, and came to him to Templepatrick about
eleven4
at night, two hours after Mr Blair came. He
had several5
gracious and edifying expressions, as also some
wrestlings. One time when he had cryed, "Oh for hypocrisie!"
**************
1
"Larger."
2
"Three."
3
"In."
4
"A'clock."
5
"Many."
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