s, and I am persuaded there was one
with me this 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 than 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 home to Mr. Welch's house, and
pretending indisposition, intreated another night's lodging, which was
granted him.

Before dinner, Mr. Welch came from his chamber, and made his family
exercise, according to his custom. And first he sung a psalm, then read
a portion of scripture, and discoursed upon it, thereafter he prayed
with great fervor, to all which the friar was an astonished witness.
After exercise they went to dinner, where the friar was very civilly
entertained, Mr. Welch forbearing all question and dispute with him for
the time; when the evening came, Mr. Welch made exercise as he had done
in the morning, which occasioned more wonder to the friar, and after
supper they Went to bed; but the friar longed much to know what the
night whisper was, and therein he was soon satisfied, for after Mr.
Welch's first sleep, the noise began; then the friar resolved to be
certain what it was, and to that end he crept silently to Mr. Welch's
chamber-door, and there he heard not only the sound, but the words
distinctly, and communications betwixt man and God, such as he thought,
had not been in this world. The next morning, as soon as Mr. Welch was
ready, the friar went to him, and told him, that he had lived in
ignorance the whole of his life, but now he was resolved to adventure
his soul with Mr. Welch, and thereupon declared himself protestant: Mr.
Welch welcomed and encouraged him, and he continued a protestant to his
death.

When Lewis XIII. king of France made war upon the protestants there,
because of their religion, the city of St. Jean d' Angely was besieged
by him with his whole army, and brought into extreme danger. Mr Welch
was minister of the town, and mightily encouraged the citizens to hold
out, assuring them, God would 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 delivera