Page:Brief historical relation of the life of Mr. John Livingston Minister of the Gospel.pdf/22

( 22 ) often with Doctor Alexander Leighton, who was priſoner in the ſleet. He diſſwaded us from going to New-England; and told us he was confident of the downfall of the biſhops in Scotland; which came to paſs within, three years. Some other things he then told me, which whether yet came to paſs, I know not.

In June 1635. the Lord was graciouſly pleaſed to bleſs me with my wife, who how well accompliſhed every way, and how faithful a yoke-fellow, I deſire to leave to the memory of others. She was the eldeſt daughter of Barthlomew Fleeming, merchant in Edinburgh, of moſt worthy memory, whoſe brothers were John Fleeming merchant in Edinburgh, and Mr. James Fleeming miniſter at the Bathings. Her father died at London, Anno 1624, and was laid hard by Mr. ''Jo. Welſh'', and these two only of a long time, had been ſolemnly buried without the ſervice-book. Her mother Marion Hamilton, was a rare godly woman who had alſo three religious ſiſters, Elizabeth married to Mr. Richard Dickſon, miniſter firſt at the Weſt-kirk of Edinburgh, after at Kinniel, Barbara married to John Mien merchant in Edinburgh, and Beatrice married to Mr. Blair; Her brother James Fleeming a gracious and hopeful youth, died in the year 1640. and a while after, her ſiſter Marion, after ſhe had been ſome while married to Mr. John MacClellan miniſter of Kircudbright. Her mother with her ſecond husband John Stevenſon, and her family, came to Ireland in the end of the year 1633. When I went a viſit to Ireland in February 1634. Mr. Blair, propounded to me that marriage. Immediately thereafter I was ſent to London, to have gone to New-England, and returned the June following. I had ſeen her before ſeveral times in Scotland, and heard the teſtimony of many of her gracious diſpoſition, yet I was for nine months ſeeking, as I could, direction from God about that buſineſs; during which time, I did not offer to ſpeak to her, who I believe had not heard any thing of the matter, only for want of clearneſs in my mind, altho’ I was twice or thrice in the houſe, and ſaw her frequently at communions and publick meetings, and it is like I might have been longer in such