author
John Welch
d. 1622
A fiery Scottish Presbyterian minister, he was known for fearless preaching, deep devotion, and a life shaped by exile as well as faith. His story sits at the heart of the religious struggles of early 17th-century Scotland.
1 Audiobook
The Pulpit Of The Reformation, Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4.
by John Welch, John Knox, Hugh Latimer
About the author
Born in Dumfriesshire around 1568 or 1570, John Welch — often written as John Welsh of Ayr — studied at the University of Edinburgh and became a minister in the Scottish church. He served in places including Selkirk, Kirkcudbright, and Ayr, and later married Elizabeth Knox, a daughter of the reformer John Knox.
He became one of the best-known Presbyterian leaders of his time, remembered for his powerful preaching and his resistance to royal efforts to reshape the church. Because of his opposition to episcopal rule, he was imprisoned and then exiled to France, where he continued his ministry for many years.
Welch returned to Britain near the end of his life and died in London in 1622. Later writers kept his memory alive as a courageous and prayerful pastor whose life reflected both the turbulence and the conviction of the Scottish Reformation tradition.