them that curse thee Some years after his death his Son John being at Bramford there was an ancient Gentleman that had lived there long and was Mr. Carters old Friend who spake thus unto him Mr. Carter I have nowliâ— to see the downfall of all your Fathers opposites and enemies there is not one of them but their Families are scattered and come to ruine Let all the enemies of Gods faithfull Messengers hear and fear and do no more so wickedly It may be truly said of him and his faithful Yoke-fellow as it is written of Zacharias and Elizabeth they were both righteous before God walking in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord blameless and truly the world will and can testifie that neither of them did ever do that thing that was evil or unjust or scandalous or uncomely even their enemies themselvs being Judges they were as to men without blemish their life was a sweet savour and they went out of this life as a fragrant persume This Life was drawn up by Mr. John Carter Junior now also with the Lord one who degenerated not from the steps of his Learned and holy Father and by him was sent to me some years since together with this ensuing Epistle which I have the rather inserted to provoke and stir up others who can in this way revive the memories of the Dead Saints to do it which will be a more lasting Monument to them and far more beneficial and advantagious to the Church of God than any sumptuous and costly Funerals or Grave-stones whatsoever To his Reverend Brother and fellow Labourer in the Lords Vineyard Mr. Samuel Clark Pastor of Bennet Fink London Worthy Sir THat which Naomi spake to Ruth concerning Boaz He hath not left off his kindnesse to the living and to the Dead It is fully verified of your self You cease not to shew kindness to the Living and to the Dead To the Living by your Preaching and Ministery you make Saints daily To the Dead Saints you shew kindness by perpetuating their Names to their honours and the good of many And herein you are a greater gainer you shine your self by making others shine Amongst the rest of those that honour you I am one though I never saw your face otherwise then in the Frontispiece of your Learned Books In the first part of your Marrow of Ecclesiastical History we had information that you did resolve to add a second Part and to put in the Lives of such godly Divines and others as were eminent in these latter times if you were furnished with faithfull Informations Hereupon divers did set upon me with very great importunity to write the Life of my dear Father and to send it up to you Truly worthy Sir I was desirous of the thing but durst not undertake the work I was sensible of mine own weakness and also that his sayings and doings had 〈…〉 slipped the memories of this Generation that I should have brought to light such an imperfect thing as rather would have been a blemish to so eminent a Saint than any Honour Hereupon I laid aside all thoughts of medling or attempting such a thing I know that he is glorious in heaven and on earth too so far as his name is spread Now good Sir let me be bold to give a short account of my self Some few days since I went about to make a new Diary for my self I was desirous in the first place to set down some passages of my Father for mine own satisfaction and use I began so and before I was aware it amounted to so much as I thought better that that should be published than nothing at all and at last my Spirit grew restless I could not satisfie my self till I had digested it into some order and made it publick And now Sir here it is I present it to your judicious view accept it in good part from a meer stranger My humble request to you Worthy Sir is this that though I slipped the last opportunity yet if you shall set forth any more Lives or if you shall have a new Impression of any of the former that you would extract so much of my precious Fathers Life as you shall judge fit and place it where you please in your Ecclesiastical History Your Monuments will be lasting in after Ages when my poor Pamphlet will be worn out with time Pardon my boldness The Lord lengthen out your days for the good of his Church and the honour of his Saints Your most observant friend and brother that truly Honoureth you JOHN CARTER The Life and Death of Mr. Samuel Crook who died An. Christi 1649. SAmuel Crook was born at Great Waldingfield in Suffolk Jan. 17. Anno Christi 1574. He was a Prophet and the Son of a Prophet even of that great and famous Light Dr. Crook a Learned and Laborious Divine who was sometimes a Preacher to the Honourable Society of Greys-Inn A Gentleman well descended and of an ancient Family This our Samuel was in his younger years trained up in Merchant Taylors School in London and having perfected his Studies there he was sent to the University of Cambridge and admitted into Pembroke-Hall where he was first Scholar and afterwards chosen Fellow of that House being chosen by the unanimous consent and suffrage of all but the Master upon whose refusal he was soon after Elected and admitted one of the first foundation of Fellows in Emanuel College where until this day his name is precious being preserved in their Library amongst their choicest Ornaments of that House in the Catalogue of their first Fellows thus written Mr. Samuel Crook Batchelour in Divinity From his very youth he was highly esteemed in that University both for his candid and ingenuous behaviour in a comely person as also for his pregnant parts ready wit great industry and answerable proficiency in all kinds of Polite Learning which renders a man more expedite and exquisite for any worthy and noble imployment and is more especially preparatory and introductory to the Study of Sacred Divinity which being observed and taken notice of he was first made choice of to be the Rhetorick Reader and afterwards was advanced to be Philosophy Reader in the Publick Schools both which places he performed with general applause Amongst his other youthly imployments he translated Virgâ—ls Eclogues the first and second Books of his Aeneids Juvenals first Satyre and most of the memorable speeches both in Virgil and other Poets All which were clear demonstrations of his ingenious capacity and ingenuous sufficiency And to shew that his heart even in his youth was drawn Heaven-ward from whence his wit was sanctified he translated divers of Davids Psalms and composed several Sacred Hymnes of his own Some of which he sung with tears of joy and desire in his last sickness having a sweet voice and good skill in Musick In his younger years also he was a constant and diligent hearer and
Comforts â—aith and Joy His love to the Saints His Charity His Sympathy He was much beloved His delight in Preaching Hiâ— Sickness His holy Speeches His tormenting pains His Death His Birth and Parentage The College at Dublin founded His Education A special Providence His timely Conversion Satans malice Prayer powerfull Satans subtilty Gods mercy His admission into the College His great proficiency His admission to the Sacrament His preparation thereto His skill in Chronology His study of the Fathers He is designed to the study of the Law His study of Divinity His contempt of the world His Disputâ— with a Jesus He is Master of Arts and Catechist His Oâ—dination His first Sermon after it Tentation resisted A great Reformation Popery encreaseth His Zeal A Prediction His Body of Divinity Souldiers favourers of Learning His great diligence His Correspondents His first preferment His constant preaching His prevalency in prayer He is Bachelor in Divinity and Professor His strong memory His Self-denial Episcopal subtilty A special Providence A holy practice His Speech in the Assembly The success of his Speech He is Dr. of Divinity The Articles of Ireland His enemies He is made Bishop by the King He preaches to the Parliament His constant preaching His success in his Ministry His answer a Jesuit He is made Primate of Ireland His disputation with a Jesuit The Lord Mordant converted His fruitfull conference His Humility Examples of it Psal. 16. 3. 119. 63. His frequenâ— Prayers His Industâ— A Toleratiâ— of Popery dâ—sired The Bishops judgements against it Lord Falklands esteem of him His incessant pains His care of 〈◊〉 Ministry His constanâ— preaching at catechizing His expences in Books and Manuscripts A Prediâ—â—â— Jer. 2â— 9. His zeal against Popery Predictions He lame our Diviâ— His Humility His Labours successful His Pruâ— Prayer powerful His Dispâ—â—â—tions witâ—â—hree Jesuâ— They are foyled Another Disputation A special Providence The success of his Ministry A specialâ—â—vidence His Suffâ— A scandal cleaâ—ed Offers 〈◊〉 to him 〈◊〉 abroad He goes to Oxford And into Wales He is abused by Souldiers His Sicknâ— He is chosâ— Lincolns 〈◊〉 His last Sermon His Chaâ—â— He owns â—â—ther Refoâ— Churches A Peace â—â—ker His Zeal His Humility His last Sickness His Deaâ— His Funeral His learning admired His Character His learning â—cknowledged â—y Papists His Birth and â—arentage His Education His Preferment at Oxford His attendance at Couâ—t His Temâ—â—â—tions His excel◠〈◊〉 Hâ—s knowledge of the times A universal Schollar His-Modesty Hiâ— excellent Preaching Hâ—s communiâ—iveness His plain preaching Note His â—ervent Prayers Set forms of Prayer lawful His sound judgement His constancy The danger of inconstancy in Religion How to be constant therein His single-heartedness Hypocrisie complained of His Usefulness His frequent preaching He leaves the Minâ—stry at Pitâ—â—combe He practiseth Physick His fruitful discourses An excellent Counselor He preached freely Tithes asserted His holy life His Self-denial His contempt of the world His Humility His Moderation His Patience His Death His Birth His going to â—xford His Convers Woful ignorance His first Sermon His return 〈◊〉 Oxford A special Pâ—â—â—vidence Ministers suspended His remove to Hanwell Mr. Whately aâ— Banbury He is setled at Hanwell His Marriage His Affliction Mr. Lancaster a learned and humble man Life of Faith Mr. Dods Character How Mr. Dod prized him His invitatioâ— to London His Labouâ— at Hanwell His frequent preaching and success His Lectur at Stratford upon â—von Relâ—gion flourisheth Gods blessing upon his outward estate The Battel at Edgebill His Troublâ— His Courage He is chosen one of the Assembly His remove to London He is setled at Buttolphs Bishopsgate He is sent to Oxford He is chosen to Petersfield He leaves Petersfield He is traduced His several afflictions A Disputation at Oxford He commenced Doctor He is made Head of Trinity College He refused New College He is chosen to preach a Lectuâ—e in Oxford His wives sore temptations Mercies mixâ— with trials His last Sickness His Humility Hâ—s secret imployments How he spent his time His counsel to his friends His strict observation of the Sabbath His divine speeches His death His timely Conversion His Charity His Humility His pithy â—p eches His Temperance Mr. R. M. His Patience Family Government His adviceâ— his children Gods blessing upon his children His servants Gods servants His good Government in the College His great Learning A good Disputant His fervent Prayers An excellent Preacher His method in preaching His strong Memory His pithy speeches What Sermons are best His advice to young Preacâ—ers His advice about Books His judgement of Mr. Calvin And of other Writers His judgement of our times About Indpendencye About Ordination of Ministers His excellent Speeches An Introduction His parentage His Educatioâ— His imprisonment His escape He comes to Lubeck He is remanded by hâ—s Keeper Pleads for himself Defended by the Consul Protected bâ— Lubeck His escape Calmar His Danger His removeâ— to his own Country The King admitted into Sockholme Plots to destroy the Suedish Lords The Suedish Lords surprâ—sed and murdered and murdered Danish Cruelty Covetousness Hypocrisie What Gustavâ—s then did Treachery A special providence He goes to the Dallcaâ—â—es His speech to them Their answer He meets with new difficulties Sir Laurence Olai assists him He Arms. Gods providence to the Suedes He raiseth an Army Seizeth on the Kings Treasure He divides his Army He advanceth into Helsiâ—g From thence into Gestrict The Danes are infatuated He marches to Westerass The Danes are beaâ—en Westerass taken Upsal taken Gustavus quits Vpsal His danger and delivery Gods providence The Danes again are beaten His Army much encreased The King of Denmark hated at home A Convention of the Estates in Sueden They proffer him the Kingdome Which he refuseth Many joyn with him Abbo besieged Steckburgh surrendred Stockholme relieved by the Nicopen yeelded to the Suedes Tineslor and Westerass surrendred The Lubeckers assist him The Danes beaten at Sea Stockholme straitly besieged He begins a War in Norway The King of Denmark flyes into Germany Then into Flanders A good Wife Calmar surrendred A Parliament called A Senate established They choose Gustavus King which he refuses They press him again He submits His Piety The Lubeckers required The Articles of agreement Stockholme surrendred Finland reduced Peace settled Peace with the Muscovite The Duke of Holst chosen King of Denmark The two new Kings meet The King of Denmarks speech The King of Suedens answer Peace concluded Gospel light in Germany Envied by the Devil Anabaptists trouble all Two of them come into Sueden and cause much trouble Gustavus banisheth them Their infection spreadeth The Pope justifies the massacre at Stockholme The King visits the Kingdome A Convention of the Estates They leave the Church-revenues to the disposall of the King Popish lies and slanders The Dallcarles rebell Religion reformed And are quieted Traytors executed A Famine causeth new stirs Which are soon quieted Convention of Estates caled The Kings Speech to them
conscience pure and intire he gave up that which was intended as a baite to Apostacy But the Lord who hâ—â—h promised to his faithful followers reparation and satisfaction for all their losses for his sake raised him up Friends by whose assistance and encouragement he pursued his studies at Oxford and in process of time when not onely the clouds of ignorance and superstition were dispelled but also those bloody storms in the Marian dayes were blown over he took upon him the publick Ministry of the Gospel and was houshold Chaplain to that great Favourite Robert Earle of Lecester and afterwards Pastor of St. Edmunds in Lumberd street London In which Parsonage house by his wife who was of an honest Family of the Pigots in Hertfortshire amongst other children he had this Thomas who was born September the 4. Anno Christi 1574. In his Childe-hood he was so addicted to those means which his Parents applied him unto for the implanting in him the seeds of good Literature that he rather needed a bridle than a spur For his love of learning equal to that admirable capacity wherewith the Father of Lights had furnished him was so active in the acquiring of it that his Father was fain often gently to chide him from his book Neither were his nimble wit sharp judgement and vast memory perverted to be the instruments of that debauchery wherewith the corruption of our Nature doth too often stain and desloure our first dayes For he had a lovely gravity in his young coversation so that what Gregory Nazianzen said of the great Basil might be averred of him That he held forth Learning beyond his age and a fixedness of manners beyond his Learning Having happily finished his Tyrocinnia of first exercises in the Grammar-Schooles wherein he overcame by his strange industry the difficulties which thâ—se times destâ—tute of many helps which our present dayes do enjoy conflicted withall and outstripped many of his fellows which ran in the same course before he had compleated sixteen years viz. Anno Christi 1590 he was by his Father placed in St. Johns College in Cambridge Not long after his settlement there his Father being called by God to receive the reward of his labours left him not wholly destitute and yet not sufficiently provided for any long continuance of his studies in that place But God who hath engaged his truth and mercy to the upright and even to his seed also Ps. 112. 1 2. especially when the Son doth not degenerate nor thwart the Providence of God by a forfeiture of his title to the Promises provided friends and means for him who was by an hidden counsel then designed to be an instrument of doing much service to the Church of Christ. Thus the fruit was not nipped in a promising bud by the Frost of want Now not from meer favour but from merit upon the proof of his Learning he was 〈◊〉 chosen Scholler of that worthy Society wherein he continued his studies with unwearied diligence and happy success till he with abilities answerable to his Degree commenced Master of Arts. For an instance of his industry take this viz. That he was a constant Auditor of that eminent Light of Learning Mr. John Boys who read a Greek Lecture in his bed to certain young Students that preferred their nightly studies before their rest and ease The notes of those Lectures he kept as a treasure and being visited by Mr. Boys many years after he brought them forth to him to the no small joy of the good old man who professed that he was made some years younger by that grateful entertainment About this time was contracted that streight friendship betwixt our Mr. Gataker and that faithful servant of Jesus Christ. Mr. Richard Stock which continued to the death of this Reverend Minister as appears by Mr. Gatakers testimony given unto him at his Funeral An evidence of that good esteem which Mr. Gataker had now acquired for his Learning and Piety was this That a College being then to be erected by the Munificence of the Countess of Sussex the Trustees of that Foundress being persons eminent for Prudence and Zeal did choose him for one of that Society and they transplanted him into that new Nursery of Arts and Religion being confident that he would as indeed he did by Christs assistance prove very fruitful both for the ornament and benefit of that Seminary Indeed they laid hold of him before the house was fit for Inhabitants fearing lest so fair and promising a Flower should be taken up by some other hand But while the College was in building that he might not lose any opportunity of doing good he retired himself to the house of Mr. William Aylofes in Essex who had prevailed with him to instruct both himself in the Hebrew Language and his eldest Son in that Literature which was proper to his age In this Family partly by his own inclination and partly by the encouragement of the Governours thereof he performed Family Duties for the instruction and edification of the whole houshold expounding to them a portion of Scripture every morning that the Sun of Righteousness might as constantly arise in their hearts as the day brake in upon them In this Exercise whereby he laboured to profit both himself and others he went over the Epistles of the Apostles the Prophesie of Isaiah and a good part of the Book of Job rendring the Text out of the Original Languages and then delivering cleer Explications and also deducing usefull Observations Dr. Stern the Suffragan of Colchester on a time visiting the Mistress of the Family to whom he was nearly related happened to be present at one of these Exercises at which time Mr. Gataker explicated the first Chapter of St. Pauls Epistle to the Ephesians which is known to be most pregnant of Divine My steries But this portion of holy Writ he treated upon with such happy elucidations that the judicious Doctor was much satisfied with his pains therein and admiring the endowments of Mr. Gataker exhorted him instantly to be Ordained to the work of the Ministry whereby those his gifts might be authoritatively exercised for the publick good and improved for the building up of the Church and withall offered him his assistance in that business But Mr. Gataker well weighing the burden of that Calling and judging modestly of his own abilities which he conceived disproportionable for that Office to the full discharge whereof the Apostle hath set 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Who is sufficient thanked the Doctor for his kinde offer but deferred the matter to further consideration But afterwards by the advice of the Reverend Mr. Henry Alvey formerly his Tutor and whom in this business he now took for his counsellour upon his remonstrance of divers reasons and the importunity of Dr. Stern afresh re-iterated he assented to be Ordained by the said Suffragan The Fabrick of Sidney-Sussex College being now finished
acknowledged Having thus preached for a while as a Probationer he refused to continue it any longer having not as yet received Ordination He also scrupled to be as yet Ordained by reason of his defect of years the Canons requiring twenty four and he being yet but twenty one But by some grave and learned men he was told that the Lord had need of his labours and so upon their perswasions and importunity his age being dispensed with according to some former presidents he was ordained at the usual time the Sabbath before Christmas day Anno 1601 by his Uncle Henry Usher Archbishop of Armagh with the assistance of some other Ministers The first Text that he preached publickly upon before the State after his Ordination was Rev. 3. 1. Thou hast a name that thou livest and art dead which fell out to be the same day upon which was fought the Battel of Kinsale which being a day specially set apart by prayer to seek unto God for his blessing and assistance in that engagement and being his first fruits after his entrance into the Office of the Ministry God might in a more than ordinary manner make his labours efficatious and prevailing the rest of that Epistle to the Church of Sardis he finished afterwards It was well known that if the Spaniards had gotten the better that day the Irish Papists had designed to murther the English Protestants both in Dublin and other places but especially the Ministers Hence said he arose a tentation in me to have deferred my Ordination till the event of the Battel had been known that so I might the better have escaped their fury but I repelled that suggestion and resolved the rather upon it that dying a Minister and in that quarrel I might at least be the next door to a Martyr The Spaniards being as was said before overthrown at Kinsale and the hopes of the Irish as to that design being frustrated they began generally to subject themselves to the Statute which was now put in execution in their coming to Church and that it might tend the more to their profit the Lord Lieutenant and his Council desired the Ministers at Dublin so to divide themselves that in imitation of what he had already begun at Christ Church there might be a Sermon on the Lords dayes in the afternoon at every Church upon those Controversies St. Katherines a convenient Church was assigned for Mr. Usher who removed accordingly and duely observed it and his custome was that what he had delivered in one Sermon he drew it up into Questions and Answers and the next Lords day several persons of note voluntary offered themselves to repeat those Answers before the whole Congregation which made them more clear and perspicuous to the Popish party It pleased God by his and the labours of others of his Brethren in the Ministry not only in Dublin but in other parts of the Kingdome that the Papists came so diligently to Church that if they had any occasion to absent themselves they used to send in their excuses to the Church-wardens and there were great hopes in a short time to have reduced the whole Nation to Protestanisme But on a sudden the execution of the Statute was suspended and the power of the High Commission Court then erected and used onely against the Papists was taken away whereupon the Papists presently withdrew themselves from the publick Assembles the Ministry was discouraged all good mens hearts were grieved and Popery from that time forward encreased till like a great Deluge it had overflowed the whole Nation Upon this the spirit of this holy man like Pauls at Athens was exceedingly stirred in him insomuch as preaching before the State at Christ Church upon a special solemnity he did with as much prudence courage and boldness as became his young years give them his opinion of that abominable Toleration of Idolatry making a full and clear application of that passage in Ezekiels Vision Chap. 4. 6. where the Prophet by lying on his side was to bear the iniquity of Judah for forty dayes I have appointed thee saith the Lord each day for a year This said he by the consent of Interpreters signifies the time of forty years to the destruction of Jerusalem and of that Nation for their Idolatry and so said he will I reckon from this year the sin of Ireland and at the end of the time those whom you now imbrace shal be your ruine and you shall bear this iniquity wherein he proved a Prophet For this was delivered by him Anno Christi 1601 and Anno 1641 was the Irish Rebellion and Massacre and what a continued expectation he had of a great judgement upon that his Native Country I saith Dr. Bernard can witness from the year 1624 at which time I had the happiness first to be known to him and the nearer the time approached the more confident he was of the event though as yet nothing that tended towards it was visible to other men The Body of Divinity which is printed in his name is highly commended by Mr. Downam who set it forth and so it is by a stranger Ludovicus Crocius who much desired that some English man would turn it into Latine for the benefit of forreign Churches but it was not intended by him for the Press It was begun by him in publick but finished some years after in private in his Family constantly instructing them twice a week unto which persons of quality and learning resorted and divers of them took Notes whereby several Copies were dispersed abroad some imperfect and mistaken and many passages are in it which were not his neither is the whole so polished as his other Pieces which were published by himself and indeed he was displeased that it came forth without his knowledge yet understanding how much good it had done he connived at it Shortly after the aforementioned defeat given to the Spaniards at Kinsale the Officers of our English Army gave 1800 pounds to buy Books for the College Library at Dublin then Souldiers were advancers of Learning the ordering of which was committed to Dr. Challoner and this Lord Primate who made a journey into England on purpose to buy Books with it He then met with Sir Thomas Bodly who was buying Books for his Library at Oxford and they were very helpful each to other in procuring the rarest Pieces In his journey he visited Mr. Christopher Goodman who had been Professor of Divinity in Oxford in King Edward the sixths dayes then lying on his death-bed at Chester and he would often repeat some grave and wise speeches that he heard from him After this he constantly came over into England once in three years spending one moneth at Oxford another at Cambridge in searching the Books especially the Manuscripts in each University amongst which those of Corpus Christi College in Cambridge he most esteemed the third moneth he spent at London
judgements are the forest judgements What if thou hast but the same words as Christ Mat. 26. 44. thou maist be heard as he was Heb. 10. 11. The song of Moses was a new Song because tendered to God with new affections Rev. 14. 3. 15. 3. What if thy petitions be broken and confused as Exod. 14. 10 11 12. This poor man cried saith David Psal. 34. 6. when he was in a poor case indeed like a Bedlam 1 Sam. 21. 13. and yet he was heard The little lisping children have sometimes a grant of their requests when those that are of greater maturity seem to be set aside Whilst Moses held up his hands though in a poor way Israel prevailed Who can tell what God may do Abraham left asking ere God left granting even for a filthy Sodome Remember Mr. Latimers once againe once againe Tug and wrestle We may come to see and our people may bee made to know that their heart is turned backe againe to the God of their Fathers 1 King 18. 37. But to return to Master Capel He was of a sound and setled judgement He pitched at first upon a good foundation and being nourished up in the words of Faith he continued in the things he had learned and been well assured of knowing from whom he had received them as 1 Tim. 4. 6. He was well grounded in his opinion one that stood like a brazen wall as firm as a very Rock in the middest of all the dashings and clashings of tempestuous times He saw with a clear eye through all the painted glosses of those that were given to change and therefore was not moved at all with any thing that was said or done in that kinde he was true to his Religion and clave close all along to his first principles holding fast the Faith that was once and as he himself would often express it but once delivered to the Saints He lived and dyed a true Orthodox Divine according to the known Doctrine of the Church of England He knew full well for all the great talk of the Gospel as though it were but newly dropt out of the clouds that there is not any other Gospel but the everlasting Gospel Rev. 14. 8. that was preached before unto Abraham Gal. 3. 8. and hath been entertained all along still by Gods faithful people and shall be so continually to the end of the world Yet some there be that are no mean pretenders to the Gospel and notwithstanding the same are in great danger of perverting the Gospel of Jesus Christ as Gal. 1. 7. This constant and stable man was set up as a sure Sea-mark Let us stand to his steps though we stand alone God and a good conscience are alwayes good company Elijah was but one yet did he very good service One Athansius in the East one Hillary in the West was of mighty great use in a staggering time What if we meet with storms It is but a poor Religion that is not worth suffering for It will turn to a Testimony Luke 21. 13. When the wilde humour is spent men will return home again A Statue of Mercury wil be looked upon then Those poor silly souls that be tossed to and fro and whirled about and about again with every wind of Doctrine Eph. 4. 14. will be glad of such a sight in the day of their visitation whereas they which know or should know more of God be not steddy in their steering but vary in their course poor bewildred hearts will be at their wits ends not knowing which way to turn nor to whom to go nor whom to walk after As there is but one God so there is but one Faith one Baptisme and one way to eternal life and one Rule for us all to walk by why be we not then all of one heart why walk we not all in one tract So many men as we see so many mindes there be Every moneth almost produceth a new Faith It is easie to swim with the Tyde To perswade the heart of the rectitude of that that is favoured by the times and yet to pretend still that it is from more light We may talk of the Spirit but its certain that Schisme is a fruit of the Flesh. The old way is the good way Jer. 18. 15. He shall stumble and ensnare his feet that swerves from the antient paths What is got by gadding Men itch for change still and there is no rest but with our first Husband Hos. 2. 7. It is good to be all of one minde in God Where there is not unity in Judgement there is scarce unity in affections We are too fierce against such as close not with our Notions It was Bell Book and Candle once It is not much better now Wilde fire flyes amain We cannot all cut to a thread there will be some variation in the Compass But whilst we aim at the white the odds is to be passed by without bitterness Why should there be such huge Rents and Divisions in the Church Where is our mutual forbearance We have not yet learned our Lesson well to wait one for another till God shall reveal it Phil. 3. 15. Whilst we be so sharp in our contests Satan makes his Markets Religion goes to wrack our differences are widened Some are ready to give up all seeing there is no better Harmony Others could well wish themselves out of the world that they might be delivered as Melancthon said from the implacable difference even amongst some Divines Oh! that we could hearken unto God who would have the truth followed but in love Eph. 4. 15. If the Word will not prevaile the Cross will come and make a Hooper and a Ridley imbrace one another Let us fall upon that one and onely solid way of God it will ever be our glory Get we to God he can stablish our unresolved hearts 2 Cor. 1. 21. See that the judgement be so rightly set Isa. 33. 6. and the heart so firmly knit to God and his Truth and then we shall not waver Tamper not with opinions 2 Pet. 3. 17. nor with opiniative men 1 Tim. 6. Rom. 16. 17 18. Nor yet with Books that scatter Tares This grave and prudent Divine gives a very good caution to this purpose in his Treatise of Temptations from famous Mr. Dod a man of vast experience An honest heart may be sorely puzled with a forked Argument The Martyr could dye for Christ that could not dispute for him Some pretend that they must try all things But they speak besides the Book Who will try Rats-bane or a sharp Sword whether it will pierce into his bowels Some think that they can withdraw when they see danger but Satan is subtle Venome will get â—n before we be aware and error will stick and eat like a Gangrene What gets the Fly that playes with the Candle They that nibble at the bait shall hardly escape the hook Again gingle not with tearms that be
Harris had the happiness to live with and near this man of God and that in such a conjunction as greater could not be During the time of their converse they studied together and daily read a Chapter in the Original together And after Mr. Dod was restored to the liberty of his Ministry in another Diocess he would not expound a Text preach a Sermon answer a case of Conscience whereof many were daily brought to him without the concurrence of Mr. Harris with him so highly did that eminent Divine prize him and would often blame him for his reservedness and unwillingness to put forth himself Mr. Dod being as was said before removed into Northamptonshire to Fausley God was pleased to supply his want by the resort of sundry young Students from Oxford to Hanwell so that Mr. Harris his house was a little Academy and amongst others he took much comfort in Mr. Pemble who would do nothing especially in Divinity without his advice as also Mr. Capel who oft resorted to him in his grievous conflicts and temptations for advice and succour and also in his well known Treatise of Temptations Whilst he was at Hanwell he had frequent calls to London sometimes to Pauls Cross sometimes to preach before Parliaments and other sometimes at Country-Feasts which occasioned many invitations to places there But of all the Auditories that of Saviours in Southwark was most grateful to him and there he could have spent the remainder of his dayes if his voyce would have reached so great an Assembly From thence he was invited to some lesser Churches but God had not yet finished his work by him at Hanwell and therefore something or other still interposed Probably he had closed with Aldermanbury had not the then Bishop of London Land complemented him out of it commending his Conscio ad Clerum at Oxford and promising him better preferment than he thought he should merit Some other offers were made to him but still he met with some cross Providence which made him come to a resolution to end where he began At Hanwell he went over many Scriptures but his people found least good from that which cost him most pains viz. his Sermons upon the Colossians which Epistle he preached throughout Indeed at that time he thought he could not speak too highly to a people who had been so taught but upon further trial he found that he could not go too low so that as some of his hearers after told him his pains upon that Epistle was wholly lost as to them His Sermons upon Historical Scriptures best pleased most of his auditors but with himself and the more spiritual sort his labours upon the Book of the Canticles prevailed most the Notes whereof he was often pressed to make publick which he refused upon a double account 1. Because a great part of them were lost and dyed with Dr. Preston to whom he had lent them and whom he used to call A needlese engrosser of other mens Notes 2. He less satisfied himself in his elder years in divers passages of that mysterious Book Yet if the world were at leasure to hear old men speak it might be very useful to collect those dispersed Papers and it is hoped that some of his near Relations who best know his hand and method in writing may take some pains therein for the publick good At Hanwell Mr. Harris continued preaching for about forty years a constant painâ—ul and faithfull Preacher both upon the â—abbaths and other occasions which fell out often for when he came thither he found that there had been an accustomed course of preaching upon such Festival dayes then so called which might not enterâ—ere with the Lecture or Market at Banbury which he also kept up especially on Easter and Whitson Mundayes unto which multitudes of Christians resorted far and near as the Doves to the windows yet without any superstition And on the morrow they were entertained with the like Feast at Banbury by Mr. Wheatley O what a Faire of souls was then held at Hanwell and Banbury by these two Brothers How did Religion then flourish and Professors thrive like the Calves in their stalls The truth is these Preachers carved out sound and wholesome food and their hearers came with good stomacks expecting what they found viz. Milk for Babes and strong meat for strong men and accordingly did grow thereby In those dayes godly Preachers stuffed not their Sermons with aiery notions and curious speculations but sought out profitable matter which they delivered in sound words and in plain method of Doctrine Reason and Use accommodating themselves to every mans capacity and God gave them a plentifull Harvest in that Country These his imployments at home together with his natural Bookishness made him less forward to engage in Lectures abroad onely he was one in a combination at Dedington in Oxfordshire and for sometime he kept a Lecture alone at Stratford upon Avon in Warwickshire every other week unto which there was a great resort both of the chief Gentry and choisest Preachers and Professors in those parts and amongst them that Noble and Learned Knight Sir Thomas Lucy of Charlcot had alwayes a great respect for him About this time a great Living in the Country was offered him about which he was very indifferent and indeed was but very indifferently dealt with in it which occasioned him to say That he never bore any thing more impatiently than the abuse of Religion to base and private ends and that carnal policy would render Profession despicable at least whilst some men took such a liberty to themselves in equivocating and dawbing and the reason of such mens success was not because they had more wit than others but more boldness to say and do what others durst not All this while he continued at Hanwell in much prosperity and the Neighbours thereabouts frequented his Sermons amongst whom he received the greatest seals of his Ministry But though he found so much encouragement from abroad yet we must not forget his people at home who were so far brought into a conformity that at sometimes there was not a Family in the Town where Gods Name was not in some measure called upon nor a person that refused to be prepared by him for the Lords Supper And as the Lord was thus pleased to bless and succeed his labours so he caused him to thrive in his outward estate likewise which himself could not but take notice of for though his means was not great and his children many for whose sakes he kept a Schoolmaster and the resort of Friends to his house not small both on Sabbath dayes and Lecture dayes yet was he in a thriving condition which occasioned him to say That there was a secret blessing attending on house-keeping For said he I am not able to give an account of my expences and of Gods supplies But now began those cloudy times and his sadder dayes when Troops and Armies
marched into those Quarters about Edghil where was fought a bloody Battel Octob. 23. 1642 upon the Lords day in the Vale of the Red Horse being distant about four miles from him yet it pleased God so to order it which he took for a great mercy that he heard not the least noise of it the wind sitting contrary till the publick work of the day was over nor could he believe the report of a Battel til a Souldier besmeared with blood and powder came to witness it From this very time his troubles encreased Now was he threatned by this then by the other Garrison one while he was a Roundhead and then a Malignant frequently oppressed with Souldiers that were quartered upon him yet still he kept his station and some of his Guests would joyn with him in Family-duties which he intermitted not when others would scoffe at them because not mingled with Book-prayers Every Sabbath he held on the course of his Ministry and most of those which quartered with him being Commanders and Officers they shewed themselves civil to him and his onely at one time there was a company who were so outragious in swearing and blasphemy that he could not forbear preaching upon that Text James 5. 12. Above all things my Brethren swear not c. which so netled some of them that they damned themselves to Hell if they did not shoot him in case he preached again upon that Text which they judged to be purposely chosen against them the next Sabbath he proceeded purposely upon the same Text wherein he backed what he had said before and as he was preaching he saw a Souldier take his Carbine and fumble about the Cock as if he was preparing to shoot but Mr. Harris apprehending that he did it onely to disturb him went through his work and heard no more news of his Souldier Thus he continued his labours in those sad times and though he was chosen a member of the Assembly of Divines at Westminster yet because upon serious thoughts he judged his presence less needful there than in the Country he continued his station there till he saw his Tenements in the Neighbourhood fired wood and nurseries of wood destroyed himself threatned and at last enforced by a Scottish Commander to shift for himself yea some of his own Neighbours were now ready to betray him whereupon he went to London and by Gods good providence came thither in safety though a sad man When he came to London he went to the Assembly where he found much more undone than done Indeed he met there with many excellent and learned men but his thoughts were sollicitous for his people his wife and children whom he had left behinde and indeed he found little rest in his spirit till the same good hand of Providence had safely brought them unto him Then went he with more comfort to the Assembly where he did Antiqum obtinere hear all and say little Upon his remove from his house both his Books and his Notes some few only excepted which he had conveyed away beforehand together with all his remaining goods were seized upon and his Living given to another but that might soon have been supplied many offers being made to him from several places and Country Committees The first motion that he hearkened to was the Temple but upon trial he found that Church too large for his voyce and thereupon refused and at last he was sent to Buttolphs Bishopsgate where though the Congregation was too large for him yet being necessitated to do something for the maintenance of his Family he remained there during his attendance upon the Assembly After his continuance there for some time himself with four more Divines were commanded down to Oxford which was then under suspension by the Parliament which imployment he often professed that he did earnestly decline and that principally for two reasons 1. Because the Committee for Hampshire had given him a free call to Petersfield and thither he would willingly have gone 2. Having long discontinued from the University he looked upon himself as very unfit for such a service but in conclusion he was plainly told that such as would not be intreated must be commanded and so he was ordered to prepare for his journey This much troubled him and therefore he first goes to Petersfield and acquaints them how the case stood with him and because he could not come suddenly to them he desires them either to pitch upon some other Minister or else to take the care upon themselves to provide supplies for both the Churches for two they were and to pay the Preachers out of the Revenues of the place The people liked neither of the offers yet were content to wait a while in hopes that he might come to settle with them requesting him in the mean while to provide them such supply as himself should approve of This proved a troublsome work to him though for a time he sent them help from Oxford and thereabout for preachers were now hard to be gotten there being more want of Ministers than of places yet at last two were procured the one of whom gave no good content At last he was put upon it either to relinquish Oxon or Petersfield the former he could not decline and therefore he left the latter though with great regret because he could not seal up such respect and thanks as he conceived was due from him to that Country Neither had he less trouble in providing for Buttolphs Bishopsgate it being no easie matter to please Citizens yet at the last they were supplied to their content About this time many Libels were cast abroad in Oxford against other Preachers and one amongst the rest reflected upon Mr. Harris reckoning up his several Livings and great Revenues wherein they mentioned what was past present and to come and happily if they had heard of the rest which at several times were offered him they would have put them also into that Catalogue Mr. Harris being informed hereof he wrote to some Friends which Letters are already extant wherein he vindicated himself in the main yet withall he professed unto others that it would and should be to him matter of humbling and caution to him whilst he lived that he had given the least advantage to such as sought it for though he stood clear in his own and others consciences who best knew him that he was far from allowing non-residency and plurality of Livings yet to such as were ignorant of all circumstances there was some appearances of evil which also he took the more to heart because from that time forward he found the afflâ—cting hand of God both upon him and his The Preachers that were sent to Oxford found but ill entertainment on the one hand they were aspersed and libelled against by their own Mothers Sons and on the other hand they were challenged to a publick Disputation by one Mr.
his own estate His infirmities were common to other men and must be acknowledged vitia naturae non animi as infirmities of nature not of purpose of minde If his fame rather mounted upwards than spread abroad we may thank the subtilty of those times who liked not that the splendor of his Religion should dazel their own and we may pity the distempers of those dawnings that knew not how to value that Morning Star till it was set It was Augustus his lot after a long and honourable Reign to dye and yet Tum quidem pauci luxerant postea temporis omnes Few mourned at his death but a while after all For Tyberius succeeded him who was as wicked as Augustus was good And whatever the people thought of Gustavus whilst he lived a while after when Ericus came to Reign they knew what it was to want their Gustavus Of whom it may truly be said that he dyed a King a a Patriot a Knight a Christian true and unconquered and yet lives a monument of the truth of that Golden Sentence uttered by the God of Truth Him that honours me will I honour Deo Tri-uni Gloria The Life and Death of Mrs. Jane Ratcliffe who dyed Anno Christi 1638. Mrs. Jane Ratcliffe was born of good Parents who were morally Civil and moderately Religious according to the temper of the times wherein they lived Her Uncle was Mr. Edward Brerewood a learned Professor in Gresham College London In her younger years she was rather Civil than Religious and sometimes rather merry than Civil yet lightsome without lightness or immodesty Though too much delighted with dancing Stage-playes and other publick vanities according to the fashion of young folkes especially in those times when these things were so well thought of that they were admitted to be acted in the Churches But it pleased God according to his election of Grace in due time to call her by the Ministry of Mr Nicholas Byfield who was a powerfull and a profitable Preacher of Gods Word at that time in the City of Chester which also was seconded by the afflicting hand of God who took away her first Child which she much took to heart but God made it an occasion to make her his own Child by Adoption and Grace For from that time the meanes of Grace had a more kindly operation upon her which made her ever after more to mind her Father in Heaven than any Child she had upon earth Yet at first she rather feared God than loved him whence were engendred many perplexing scruples in her soul which for the present were very grievous unto her For her Spirit was sore wounded and A wounded spirit who can bear Prov. 18. 14. The truth is the pangs of her New Birth were so painfull and bitter and sometimes so terrible that it was a difficult thing to fasten any comfort upon her But after the Lord had chastened her soul with his severe Discipline and thereby had prepared her for a Cure he shewed himself her most favourable and effectual Physician according to that Job 5. 18. He makeâ—h sore and bindeth up he wound and his hands make whole For he quieted her troubled spirit and setled it in the assurance of his love Being thus through Gods goodness converted and comforted it pleased him to bestow many excellent endowments upon her both Intellectuall and Morall For by her frequent and attentive hearing of Sermons and reading good Books the Bible especially unto which she was addicted with an incredible desire and delight and by moving Questions to such as she thought best able to answer them she became an excellent proficient in the most sound and usefull points of Religion yet took she not upon her to teach any but her own children and servants though an Apollos might not have disdained to learn of such a Priscilla Act. 18. 22. She medled but little in worldly matters and when she did she little minded them yet shadowing her self from acquaintance with the world she shined gloriously in her knowledge of God and Heavenly matters As she had occasion to converse with others she shewed her self a very prudent Abigail The Word of God as St Paul prescribeth dwelt richly in her in all wisdome which appeared in her speech in her silence in her carriage and in her actions In her speech for as the same Apostle requireth being enriched both in knowledge and utterance 1 Cor. 1. 5. She opened her mouth with wisdome as that rare woman Prov. 31. 26. having as St Jerome dictated to Celantia thought before-hand what she should speak and while she was yet silent forecasting that she might say nothing which afterwards she would wish to be unsaid again and so she was fitted and well prepared either to counsell or to comfort to reprove or to plead for as there was occasion Yet was she not as some women would have been with her abilities and some without them have been obstreperously talkative nor affected by her words to make any oftentation of her wit or other good parts but very sparing of her speech so that she was as much observed for her silence as for her discreet discourse when there was just occasion and opportunity For she had learned That In multitude of words there wants not sin Prov. 10. 19. That Whosoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul Prov. 22. 23. That Death and life are in the power of the tongue Pov. 18. 21. That Tatling women are condemned by the Apostle 1 Tim. 5. 13. That Of every idle word account must be given at the day of judgement Mat. 12. 36. And that they who profess Religion and refrain not their tongues their Religion is vain Jam. 1. 26. This moved her with David to resolve that her mouth should not offend Psalme 17. 3. Certainly such silence as she used in those that know how to speak is an argument of wisdome For a wise man saith Solomâ—n and it is as true of a woman holdeth his peace Prov. 11. 12. And he that rfrâ—â—ns his lips is wise Prov. 10. 19. And so far was she from speaking ill especially of the absent or of her betters that St Jeroms precept to Celantia was set forth in her practice which was rather to look to her own life than to carp at anothers And she well knew that where corrupt communication is restrained there that which is good to the use of edifying is required Yet was she so wise and wary even in the use of good words as to observe when and where and before whom to use them and the season when to give over as well as when to begin her discourse She gave farther proof of her prudence in her carriage and behaviour And Bishop Hall in his Contemplations makes this a very good proof of wisdome There are some saith he whose speeches are witty while their carriage is weak whose deeds are incongruities whilest their words
the poor of their right that he added much of his own distributing sixpences and shillings even when he had no money in bank He had not onely the testimony of his own conscience and of good men for his upright and just dealing but even of such who had little goodness in them A prophane Gentleman jeeâ—ing at his heavenly discourses another of good quality though of little piety replyed Well Gentlemen you may laugh at him but on my conscience he meaneth well and whosoever of us goeth to Heaven shall meet Mr. Jurdaine there He was a man that made conscience of all the duties and exercises of Religion both in private and in publick His frequent discourses of Heaven and the way thereunto and assurance of his interest therein did declare that his heart and conversation were much in Heaven He used 〈◊〉 take occasion to confer of spiritual and heavenly things with all sorts of men that he conversed with One should seldome hear him speak but of heaven and heavenly things His heart was so full of heaven that he could not but utter and breath it forth in his discourses with men and especially with those whose hearts and faces were towards Heaven When he was at Table receiving his dayly food he did usually minister occasion of holy discourses and diverted vain and unprofitable talk to such edifying speeches as might minister grace to the hearers according to that exhortation Eph. 4. 29. He took occasion from earthly things to speak of heavenly as from the sweetness of the creatures to speak of the infinite sweetness which is in God from feasting on earth to the sitting down with Abraham Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdome of heaven Matth. 8. 11. and feasting with God and his blessed Saints there And when the Table-cloath was taken away he would often say In heaven there is no taking away here we are soon satisfied and cloyed but there will be such a feast that we shall be continually delighting our souls with it without any cloying And his manner was to close his meals with singing some short Psalm He delighted much in reading good and holy books and especially that Book of books the sacred Scriptures wherein he most delighted and thereby shewed that he had the property of a godly man set down Psal. 1. 2. 119. 97. The word of God was his meditation all the day long yea both day and night He did not onely read the Bible above twenty times over but he read it with special observation as appeareth by the Asterisks and marks in the Bible which he used making particular application to himself The like course he took in reading over that usefull Book of Mr. Rogers his seven Treatises and other practical books wherein he was very conversant and his collections out of several Authours do abundantly testifie And he took so much delight in reading that voluminous and excellent Book of the Acts and Monuments of the Church that upon occasion he told a Friend that he had read it seven times over His zeal for God and his glory and against Idolatry prophaneness and other evils whereby God was highly dishonoured was most eminent and remarkable He was a man of an Anti-Laodician temper he had well learned the Apostles direction Rom. 12. 11. To be fervent in spirit serving the Lord and not the time He was far unlike Ignatius Loiola the Founder of the Order of Jesuits who was a man of fire that was set on fire by â—ell to promote the cause of the Prince of darkness but he had an holy fire kindled in his heart from heaven whereby he did burn with zeal for the advancement of Gods glory and an holy indignation against sin and errour He would if it had been possible have burnt up all the dross and fiâ—th that corrupted the Truths of God and that was contrary to the wayes of holiness and therein he was very like to Ignatius the Martyr Neither did his zeal carry him beyond knowledge like that of the Jews Rom. 10. 2. when in his zeal he used often to cry out Fie upon discretion For he condemned only that counterfeit pretence of discretion which was taken up and pleaded against true and regular zeal And truly if carnal discretion be set up and cried up like the worldlings Idol it is the part of true Christian zeal to cry it down He was a very strict and conscientious observer and sanctifier of the Christian Sabbath or Lords Day He did then rise very early as on other dayes if not earlier and called upon those in his Family to rise early on that day saying This is Gods day and as we do expect that our servants should rise early to go about our work on our dayes so God expects our early rising on his Day to go about his work and service And he used carefully to attend upon Gods holy Ordinances The feet of them that dispenced the Gospel were beautiful in his eyes as Rom. 10. 15. more beautiful than their faces to many others He was one of those Saints that sate down at Gods feet to receive his word Deut. 33. 3. as Disciples used at the feet of their Teacher implied Act. 22. 3. and he was very desirous and willing to learn of any that came with the Lords message unto him He was a Mâ—ason an old Disciples Act. 21. 16. yea a Disciple when he was old It never came into his heart to cast off Ordinances no not when he had attained to an high measure towards perfection He was a constant writer of Sermons even when he was old and that not for his own benefit alone but for the good of his Family to whom he did constantly repeat the Sermons And if he found himself overtaken with drowsiness in hearing the word an infirmity incident to age his manner was to stand up and to rouse up himself that he might hear the more attentively He knew that Religion consisted not in hearing repetition and profession but in practice and therefore his care was to digest his hearing and knowledge into an holy conversation His love was so great to the Ministry of the word and the Lords holy Ordinances that he did intirely love and affect all faithfull and painfull Ministers though their gifts were but mean but he could not away with a lazie Ministâ—r though he was never so learned Where fidelity and learning meet together in one Minister Oh! how highly would he reverence him And being desirous not to go to Heaven alone but to draw others with him his usuall course was when he went with his Family to Gods house to make an exhortation to his children and servants that they should consider into whose presence they were going and whom they were to hear even that great God to whom they were to give an account of every word which they should hear and therefore he required them carefully to store it up for their practice and
not to say My Father or my Master would not afford me time for if they did he would protest against them in the day of Judgement And as he was going to the Congregation on the week-dayes he would often finde some of the Country people that were come early to the Market and then would ask them where they did live and when they answered five or six or more miles off he would thence take occasion to shew them how vain a thing it was to pursue the world and to neglect the care of their precious and immortal souls and would ask them how they could rise so early to get the world and not rise as early to get interest in Jesus Christ and to attain the favour of God and assurance of eternal happiness And then looking back upon his Family he would say to them You see here how these people can rise betimes to get a little part of the world and you will hardly rise early to get the assurance of the favour of God which is far better than the whole world As he returned from Sermons he would be speaking to them that went with him of what they had heard exhorting them to be mindfull of it and to put it in practice and when one of the company was troubled hearing him to press such things upon them told him that he had heard many good Sermons at St. Peters the Cathedral but never heard one at the great Conduit before he presently replied Sirs are ye troubled to be put in minde of the word of God I pray God the time come not when you are in hell that you wish you had not onely practised the Sermons which you heard at St. Peters but had received good counsel from the Word at the great Conduit also Thus by his diligent attending upon and carefull applying the means of Grace and Gods blessing upon them he attained a very great measure of assurance even to a kinde Plerophory such as the Apostle speaks of 1 Thess. 1. 5. Much assurance and Col. 2. 2. Full assurance of understanding by which he was carried as with full â—ails to holy duties And truly if we connsider the measure continuance and constancy of it there are few Christians that have attained the like Assurance was much in his tongue and in his heart it was that which he earnestly laboured for and obtained by fervent prayer and diligent use of the means God gave him the Testimony and Seal of the Spirit and so assured him of his eternal love in Christ as also of his Adoption and eternal happiness in Heaven God gave it him as part of his reward for his sincere and faithfull service At sometimes he had more than ordinary comforts and incomes of the Spirit for the strengthning of his Assurance As for instance At a time he being at a Sermon and attending heedfully to those discerning and differencing marks of uprightness which were then laid down and one mark being more powerfully pressed and coming fully home to his condition he being in a deep and serious meditation and reflecting upon himself and finding it to be truly in him it seemed to him as if one struck him upon the shoulder encouraging and saying Be of good cheer thou art the man upon which he had presently such inward joyes and ravishings of spirit as were unexpressible And as by diligence he obtained so he carefully kept his assurance by frequent trial of himself and his spiritual estate towards God he used to try himself by all the marks of sincerity which he found in the Scriptures heard by the Ministry of the word or read in the books of godly Divines and thereby he did clear up his evidences for heaven and he did not onely try his estate by some marks but he kept a narrow watch over his heart and wayes and thereby his assurance was preserved and he kept it for a long time together even for thirty years and more and being asked whether he never met with any temptations of doubting of his estate towards God he gave this answer That he had been and often was sorely assaulted by Satans temptations which were set against his Faith and Assurance and that he had been foiled in respect of the application of some particular promises but he was not thereby driven from his hold-fast of Christ or from the assurance of his interest in the Covenant of Grace yet still he acknowledged that his assurance and all his ability in spiritual things was through Christ that strengthened him as Paul Phil. 4. 13. As he had this assurance himself so he was alwayes forward to stir up others to labour for it there were scarce any that he met with if he supposed that their faces were heaven-ward but he would be questioning with them about their assurance blaming them if they did not diligently seek after it and encouraging them to labour for it And when some did ask him how they should get it he gave them this answer that they should importunately seek it of God and not give him any rest till he granted it unto them I would said he lock or bolt my Chamber door and beg it of God and never give him rest till I had obtained it and then he advised them that they should daily try themselves by some marks and he often mentioned three that he used to try himself by 1. A sincere desire to fear the name of God as Nehem. 1. 11. 2. A sincere endeavour to do the will of God in all things required as Psal. 119. 6. 3. A full purpose of heart to cleave to the Lord as Act. 11. 23. and these he did not onely speak of but pressed them with much earnestness as longing that others should partake of that high priviledge and heavenly gift with himself If he met with any Schollar and such an one especially as applied himself to the study of Divinity his usual question to such was What evidence have you for heaven You Schollars have the best opportunities of all men for the getting of assurance you are still looking into Gods book and into other good books and should acquaint your selves with your spiritual estate towards God and so have a greater measure of assurance than others The like course he took when he met with any others as occasion was offered or if he found none he would take it of himself Once when he was a Parliament man being at London and coming accidentally into the shop of an intimate acquaintance a man of great estate and imployment and an Alderman of the City he expressed his wondring at so great trading for the things of the world and thereupon demanded how he could in the midst of such wordly business attend the weighty affairs of heaven His Friend answered that he hoped he looked after the good of his soul. Mr. Jurdaine replied How can you attend upon the worship of God every morning His Friend answered that though he
49â— Piety 369 384 387 502 51â— Policy 338 393 41â— Popish lies and slanders 37â— Prayer frequent and fervent 425 426 50â— Prayer prevalent 479 52â— Pride 39â— Providences remarkable 344 357 51â— Prudence 386 403 417 418 454 480 50â— R Religion reformed in Sueden 377 383 387 39â— Restitution 47â— S Sabbath sanctified 454 46â— Satans subtilty and methods 516 517 52â— Self examination 52â— Slanders against Gods children 450 47â— Speeches holy 427 50â— Sympathy 43â— T Thankfulness to God 436 52â— Treachery 344 39â— W Wives good 367 443 49â— Z Zeal 453 46 FINIS Courteous Reader be pleased to take notice that thefe Books following are Printed for and sold by William Miller at the Guilded Acorn in St. Pauls Church-yard near the Little North-door MR. Anthony Burgess of Original Sin Folio Rouses Works Folio Gadbury's Doctrine of Nativities Folio Hickes Revelation Revealed Folio Wilson on the Romans Folio Taylor of Temptations c. in Folio Boltons Discourse of true Happiness Quarto Clarks Lives of Ten Eminent Divines and other famous Christians Quarto Clarks Ministers Dues Quarto Obstinate Lady Quarto Record Urinal of Physick Octavo Langleyes Death of Charles the first Lamented and Restauration of Charles the second Congratulated Octavo Ravius Oriental Grammar Twelves Latin Bibles Twelves Latin Testaments Twelves Boltons Helps to Humiliations Twelves Mr. Peacocks Meditations Twelves Country-mans Catechisme Twelves Clamor Sanguinis Twelves Lord Capels Meditations Twelves Quarles Barnabas Twelves King Charles's Work Twenty fours Heb. 6. 12. Rom. 15. 4. Doctor Sibbâ— 1 Cor. 11. 1. 2 Sam. 24. Jaer 20. 10. Dan. 3. 12. 6. 13. Amos 7. 10. Esther 3. 8. Act. 24. 5. 2 Cor. 13. 14. His birth His education He goesâ—â— Cambridge His Proficiency His Industry Gods providence Note His Ordination He fixes 〈◊〉 Bramford His great pains His Successe His Prayers Hiâ— Charity His children His zeal His non-conformity His enemies Gods providence His remove to Belsted His Communion with God His works His Family Duties His humility His hospitality His conversation His secret Duties His Prayers Of the Lords Prayer His skil in comforting afflicted Conseences Aâ— Prediction His Prayers successfull His gracious speeches His acuteness His fruitfulness His Justice His Age. His Fastings His retirements His vigour His sickness His Death His Funeral His Humility His Works His Diary Note His birth His education His Proficiency His Preferment His youthly â—abours A good Linguist What use he made of them A good Artist His Ordination His preaching His Gratitude His remove to Wringâ—on His Industry and â—rudence His Contentment His holy life His esteem His Marriage His Wives characteâ— His great pains His manner of preaching His Motto His Industry His hospitality His Self dâ—niall His prudence in his Ministry His Catechism His Humility His powerfull Praâ—ers â—is long labors His holy life His Family carriage His studiousness His usefulness to others His skill to comfort others His Charity His hospitality His humility His mirth His Table-Talk His Character His long life His sympathy His afflictions Gods providence His death His Funeral The Testimony at his Funeral His Works His Birth His education He goes to Cambridge His remove to Emanuel Gods providence His Industry His prudence His Converâ—ion His Oraâ—ory He converted Dr. Preston His great Learning His call to Boston His Temptations His troubles His Labours â—is Industry His holy Duties Gods providence His Marriage His troubles Gods judgement on a persecutor He â—lies into New Engl. His arrivall in New Engl. A speciall providence Magistrates and Ministers united His Labours The success of the Ministry His learning and studiousness His piety His Humility His Family carriage His Sabbath imployment His dependance on God His Fastings His Moderation His Wisdome 〈◊〉 Meeknesâ— His Modest His Candor His Peace-making His Hospitality A special Providence His sufferingâ— from men His Sickness His Death His Parentage His Education His Proficiency He is chosen Fellow of 〈◊〉 A careful Tu â—r His labours in â—he Ministry His remove to Tichmersh His Marriage He is chosen â—o the Assembly Chosen to be Matter of Emanuel His remove to â—â—iuity His Industry His care of the University De jure belli pacis lib. 3. cap 1â— Sec. 10. His sound judgement His painfulness in the Ministry His activity for God His Character His Charity His last sickness His Death His Birth and Parentage His Education His early Piety His remove to Cambridge He defended Ramus His Advancement He is Fellow His studiousneâ—s He read 15 Chapters every day His meditation of the word He instructed others He learned Hebrew A general Schollar His Diligence His Marriage His Children His esteem of the Ministry His Family government His sanctifying of the Sabbath His visiting the sick His frequent Prayers His Ordination His choice to Black-Friars His self-denial His Industry His success in the Ministry His painfulness His manner of Preaching His holy life He is envied His judgement about the Calling of the Jews His Labours He commenced Doctor His publick imployments Buying in of Impropriations He is chosen to the Assembly of Divines To the Ordination of Ministers To write Annotations on the Bible He refused to read the Book for Sports His skill in Cases of Conscience His Meekness A Peace-maker He is slandered His good Memory His Charity His studiousness His Temperance His Deportment His Affabiâ—ity His Humility His Fastings His Thanksgivings His Sympathy His Faith His Patience His excellent Speeches His Sickness His Death His Parentage His Birth His Education His remove to Cambridge Gods Providen His industry and preferment His remove to Sidney College His abode in Essex His imployment there His Ordination His return to Cambridge His Diligence His Ministeâ—â—ial imployment His remove to London His call to Linconlus-Inne His Self-deniâ— His remâ—ve to Rotherhithe His Industry His Catechizing His first Marriage His second Marriage His third Marriage His fourth Marriage He views the Low-Countries He is chosâ—n to the Assembly His Self denial His Distempers His care of his Flock His Family imployments Persons bred under him English Forreigners His great Memory His great Learning His Piety His Zeal His holy life His Humility His Charity His Justice His Patience and Faith His Sickness His preparation for death â—is words to Mr Ash. His return to Mr. Baxter He waits for Death Death seizeth on his leg The vigour of his natural parts His last charge to his Relations His Death His Character His Works His Birth His early seeking God His esteem of the Ministry His remove to Cambridge His remove to Okeham His Marriage and Children His remove to Stretton His great pains His frequent Fastings His Family-duties His Zeal and Courage His delight iâ— the Ministry He is chosen to the Assembly He is chosen to Mary Magdalens Bermondsey His great Industry He was a Universal Schollar His Zeal and Courage His high esteem of the Ministry Gods love to him His tender-heartedness His Meekness His Patience His spirit of Prayer His Humility His