Welchman, Edward

, a learned English divine, was the sbn of John Welchman of Banbury in Oxfordshire. He was born about 1665, and became a commoner of Magdalen hall in 1679. He took his degree of bachelor of arts in April 1683, was admitted probationer fellow of Merton college in 1684, and master of arts in June 1688. After entering into holy orders, he was presented by the society of Merton college to the rectory of Lapworth, with which he held that of Solihull in Warwickshire. He | became also archdeacon of Cardigan. He died May 28, 1739. One of his sons was afterwards reduced to keep an inn at Stratford on Avon. *

*

“Whilst the coachman stopped to water his horses, my landlord, out of civility, came to pay his compliments to Dr. Greville, who knew the man to be a son of the learned Dr. Welchman, well known for his illustration of the thirty-nine articles: which piece of history, as he had not made (literary) merit of his own to boast of, mine host never failed to acquaint his customeis with ”Gentleman,“he would say, ” you have doubtless heard of my father; he made the thirty-nine articles." Spiritual Quixote, Book XII. Chap. 10.

Mr. archdeacon Welchman’s chief publication was his illustration of the thirty-nine articles, written originally in Latin, but afterwards translated from the sixth edition, under the title of “The Thirty- nine articles of the Church of England, illustrated with notes, &c.” 8vo. Of this there have been many editions. He published also, 1. “A defence of the Church of England from the charge of schism and heresy, as laid against it by the vindicator of the deprived bishops (Mr. Henry Dodwell),” Loncl. 1692, 4 to. 2. “The Husbandman’s Manual: directing him how to improve the several actions of his calling, and the most usual occurrences of his life, to the glory of God, and benefit of his soul,” ibid. 1695, 8vo, written for the use of his. parishioners in Lapworth. 3. “Dr. Clarke’s Scripture doctrine of the Trinity examined,” Oxon. 1714, 8vo. 4, “A conference with an Arian,” &c. without his name, ibid. 1721, 8vo. Besides three occasional sermons, enumerated by Cooke, we may add an edition of Novatiaif s works, carefully corrected by our author, and published at Oxford in 1724, 8vo. 1

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Ath. Ox. vol. II. &c.