country, Mr.
Wishart often preached with most remarkable success, at the church of
Galston and other places. At this time and in this part of the country,
it might be truly said, That _the harvest was GREAT, but the labourers
were FEW_.

After he had been about a month thus employed in Kyle, he was informed,
That the plague had broke out in Dundee the fourth day after he had left
it, and that it still continued to rage in such a manner that great
numbers were swept off every day; this affected him so much, that he
resolved to return again unto them: Accordingly he took leave of his
friends in the west, who were filled with sorrow at his departure. The
next day after his arrival at Dundee, he caused intimation to be made
that he would preach; and for that purpose chose his station upon the
head of the east-gate, the infected persons standing without, and those
that were whole within: his text was Psalm cvii. 20. _He sent his word
and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction._ By this
discourse he so comforted the people, that they thought themselves happy
in having such a preacher, and intreated him to remain with them while
the plague continued; which he complied with, preaching often and taking
care that the poor should not want necessaries more than the rich; in
doing which he exposed himself to the infection, even where it was most
malignant, without reserve.

During all this his sworn adversary the cardinal had his eye close upon
him, and bribed a priest called Sir John Wighton, to assassinate him; he
was to make the attempt as Mr. Wishart came down from the preaching
place, with the expectation of escaping among the crowd after the deed
was done. To effect this, he posted himself at the foot of the steps
with his gown loose, and a dagger under it in his hand. Upon Mr.
Wishart's approach, he looked sternly upon the priest, asking him, What
he intended to do? and instantly clapped his hand upon the hand of the
priest that held the dagger, and took it from him. Upon which he openly
confessing his design, a tumult immediately ensued, and the sick without
the gate rushed in, crying, To have the assassin delivered to them; then
Mr. Wishart interposed and defended him from their violence, telling
them, He had done him no harm, and that such as injured the one injured
the other likewise; so the priest escaped without any harm.

The plague was now considerably abated, and he determined to pay a visit
to the