Note 496 — CCCXXXIX.—For Grizzel Fullerton. [Letter V.]
Reading edition
Refers probably to J. M'Lellan, who had come from Ireland, and been admitted minister in Kirkcudbright in 1638, where he continued to live and labour till his death in 1650. He was a man early acquainted with God and His ways, a most upright and zealous Protestant, and one who knew not what it was to be afraid in the cause of God. Livingstone says that he was thought by many to have had somewhat of the spirit of prophecy; he foretold many sad events that would come on England. A little before his death he composed the following epitaph on himself:—
"Come, stingless death, have o'er; lo! here's my pass, In blood character'd, by His hand who was, And is, and shall be. Jordan, cut thy stream, Make channels dry; I bear my Father's name Stamped on my brow. I'm ravished with my crown; I shine so bright, down with all glory, down, That world can give. I see the peerless Port (Rev. xxi. 21), The Golden Street, the blessed soul's Resort, The Tree of Life. Floods gushing from the Throne, Call me to joys. Begone, short woes begone; I lived to die, but now I die to live; I do enjoy more than I did believe. The Promise me into Possession sends Faith in fruition, hope in having ends." —Livingstone's "Characteristics," and Nicholson's "Galloway," vol. ii.