established him and his for and in the government of their Family again according to their former exercises of Religion and other civill and domesticall duties required in the same Divers Gent. desire to sojourne with him There were many Gent. of the best rank in the Countrey that desired made much great fute some for their children and some for themselves and some for their friends to so journe with him as we have already heard some others had in like manner done before them And all to this end that being partakers of so good meanes of grace under his godly government and gracious example of a holy life the ignorant might be instructed the unruly reclaimed the superstitious reformed the profane converted or restrained His family a famous Nursery for Religion Babes in Christ might bee nursed and grow up by the sincere milke of the Word and such as were of riper age might bee fed and strengthened with other wholesome Doctrin as with stronger meat Thus his house and Family became yet more famous as a Seminary of true Religion a Nursery for the plants of grace 2 Kin. 2.3 5. 2 Sam. 17.18 1 Sam. 25. a field or Vineyard which the Lord had blessed to beare trees of righteousnesse and fruits of holinesse Not much unlike to one of the Schooles of the Prophets by the river of Jorden or Jericho or on the top of Mount Carmel or like to Samuels house at Ramah whether many went to seek the Seer and to have counsell and comfort him 1 Sam. 19.19 Iud. 21.2 2 Kin. 22.14 Act. 19.9 10. 2 Kin. 2.7 15 18 2 3. Gen. 28.17 18 19 M. Wilbraham placeth his son in law and his daughter with him Like to the Hill of the Teacher the Colledge at Jerusalem the Schoole of Tyrannus yea a very Bethell and a little Church of God 1 Cor. 6.19 a true house of God and the very gate of Heaven One of the first and best and best worthy to bee first of those Gentlemen which dealt with him in this kind and to this end was that thrice worthy truly honored and accomplished Gentleman Tho. Wilbraham of Woodhey Esquire the very beauty and glory of that house and perelesse pillar of the Countrey who having married his eldest daughter to a young Gentleman the heire of the house of Vtkinton of great place for his birth and bloud and of good parts for his naturall endowments and civill disposition yet much addicted to the pleasures of the World and the lusts of youth was very desirous to place them both as so journers for a season in this Gentlemans house and under his Government for their good that so they might be the better wained from such occasions of evill as happily else where they might meet withall and better acquainted with the meanes and substance of true Religion together with the power and practice of it which in all likely hood here they might find and attaine unto in this Family CHAP. XXXVII His desire to give him contentment THis godly motion of Master Wilbrahams for his sonne in Law and his daughter to so good an end M. Bruen did very willingly entertaine and so received the young couple into his family together with such as they brought along with them to attend upon them His desire herein was to give contentment to that worthy Gentleman whom he much esteemed and intirely affected for his parts and place And to do them good and to do what good he could to the young couple being neere a kin unto him and now commended to his trust Which trust reposed in him hee did so carefully and conscionably discharge that as hee saw the hand of the Lord leading him unto it so found hee the helpe of the same hand prospering his endeavours for their good The course which he held with them as he did also with others at their first comming was to try their dispositions and inclinations affections and conditions how teachable they were and how tractable they were like to be unto good duties and good things To try their dispositions To which end hee did very carefully looke into their wayes see much and say little beare and forbeare He observed their words and workes as occasion did require taking speciall notice of any good they did or said and passing over many other lesser faults and slips untill he had some fitter opportunity to admonish them And this he hath recorded himselfe to their just praise and commendation that being neither perverse in their own wayes nor averse from good duties they shewed themselves very plyable unto the orders They were teachable and tractable and government of the family in all their carriage and conversation amongst them One or two speciall testimonies hereof I will not spare to relate seeing hee hath thought it meet to leave them upon record under his owne hand Touching the Lords day This Master Done being young and youthly yet very tractable could not well away with the strict observation of the Lords day whereupon wee did all conspire to doe him good ten of my family speaking one after another and my self last for the sanctifying of the Lords day After which he did very cheerfully yeeld himself Blessed be God And concerning card-play Another instance he addeth to the same purpose I comming once into his chamber saith hee and finding over the Mantletree a paire of new cards no body being there I opened them and tooke out the foure knaves and burnt them and so laid them together againe and so for want of such knaves his gaming was marred and never did he play in my house for ought that ever I heard any more Here I cannot but commend both the Phisycian and the Patient also the Physitian that gave him a gentle purg so wisely and the patient that took it so well that it wrought so kindly with him for his good A third testimony he gives them both after this manner His wife converted Himselfe conâ—â—â—â—ed The said John Done being now Knight was then young and youthly yet very tractable his wife wee feared inclining to popery but I hope shee got true saving grace and hee being convinced in judgement I expect the stampe of grace in Gods good time This was no small joy unto him in his life that he saw such holy fruit of his godly labours in these his neare and deare Cosins before his death Their children gracious and religious which was yet more increased and inlarged by the blessing of God upon the branches of their vines their heire of good hope their daughter in Law and foure daughters all of them ripe in knowledge and rich in grace the humble and holy handmaides of the Lord Jesus O how greatly did he rejoyce in their comely order their gracious conference when he heard it or heard of it their holy affections in religious duties All witnesses of his faithfulnesse their godly carriage and
Hieron ad Pam. being well perswaded of her gaine and that what he had lost the Lord had found as Hierome speaketh to her everlasting comfort and the praise of his mercy and grace in Christ Jesus CHAP. XXXV AFter these things Standing in need of Marriage He sought and found a prudent wife By good opportunity Etiam caslae aaeimae in turpe labuntur assensu quaesi imputaret Altissinus quis viveret castus Aug. con Iulian. lib. 4 cap. 2. And by good meanes finding himselfe to stand in need of marriage and that both for the comfort of his life and necessity of his Family it was not good for him to be alone He sought the blessing of another helper and a prudent wife by prayer from the Lord. And as he sought so he found the Lord in his providence ordering and disposing of the occasion motion match and marriage after this manner As he was in Mancester upon occasion of the holy exercise of Religion kept and continued in that place he cast his eye upon a very amiable and beautifull young Gentlewoman which diligently frequented that assembly upon the sight of whom he confesseth that he had this thought arising in his heart loe this is the woman that the Lord hath provided for my wife And so that he might not only please his eye and follow his affection in his choice but might deale wisely and advisedly for his better satisfaction touching her vertues and graces which he much desired were answerable to her outward parts He acquainted one of his most trusty religious servants as Abraham did Eliezer in a like businesse with his thoughts and purpose Gen. 24. Of his trusty servant and set him presently a work to inquire after her Who being borne in that Country and well acquainted in those parts was well able to answer his desires and demands concerning this matter Declaring unto him her Parents And so he told him thus much in effect and after this manner This young Gentlewoman her name is Mistris Anne Foxe Sister to Master Foxe of the Rhodes some 4 or 5 miles from Manchester Her father well descended both by father and mother Her father a Gentleman of good estimation and account whiles hee lived with that honorable Personage Henry Earle of Darby Stow. Chro. 1585. Ian. 20. being Controller of his house and one of his Counsell and one of those speciall Gentlemen that attended upon his honour when he was sent by Queene Elizabeth Ambassadour into France Her mother yet living Her mother yet living a very godly and gracious Matrone descended of the antient and worshipfull Families of the Addertons and Lelands in Lancashire Her selfe a Vertuous Prov. 31. Her parts worthy due commendatioÌ„ and Religious young woman beautifull by Grace within as well as by Nature without one that was well reported of in the Church of God and well esteemed and accepted of the people of God And such a one as in his opinion might be a comfortable match and marriage for him Upon this relation of his servant and good testimony which he gave her answering so well to his desires he neglected no time but tooke his best oportunity to make a motion to her mother and her friends for a marriage which being well accepted and enterteined by them he became a Suter unto her So hee made a motion for marriage Prevayled in it and tooke her to wife and winning her affections by his gracious speaches and godly carriage he prevayled in his Sute and so by mutuall and chearefull consent of her friends he took her to wife with much joy and comfort to both their hearts in their so holy meeting and matching together in the feare of God The first yeare of their marriage his Mother in law gave them and theirs their Table during which time he was as careful to do good unto that Family as if it had been his own house And therefore he began to quicken himselfe Hee set up renewed the exeâ—cises of Religion in that Family and to awaken them unto all religious duties of Prayer and Praise reading of the Scriptures singing of Psalmes godly Conference Catechising of the ignorant c. Which albeit for the most part they were performed before in the Family yet he now being called and intreated by M. Foxe and his mother to discharge these duties did more powerfully stirre up the gifts and graces of God that were in him and so set himselfe a worke more effectually to seeke their Conversion and edification in the knowledg of God and Faith in Christ Jesus All which his holy labours in private being seconded and strengthened by the publique paines of their Pastour old M. Langley that holy man of God and faithfull servant of Christ in the House of God were so effectually blessed and prospered by the good hand of God upon him that in the remembrance of that yeare and the sweet comforts and contentments which he found therein The good successe thereof He hath been often both in his life and was also at his death as it were ravished with joy and rejoycing in the Lord enlarging his heart in thanksgiving unto him for his mercies to himselfe By his own testimony and to others by his meanes Hereof he hath left an evident testimony under his owne hand which I will not spare to record let others read consider and give righteous judgement My Mother in law saith he then giving mee Table for a yeare there and then we set up the Exercise of Religion morning and evening In which time I trust through Gods grace my Mother in law there got true saving grace and my sister in law now Mistris Hinde and another half sister of hers and their brothers Master William and Master Thomas Foxe and a servant or two and some neighbours which joyned with us in the evening Blessed be God that is pleased by weake meanes to expresse his great power and mercy towards us CHAP. XXXVI THus were the mercies of God renewed upon his Servant and his comforts encreased much in a strange Family for the time that he did sojourn thus amongst them His return home to Stapleford Which when it was expired in much contentment and peace He began to look homewards towards Cheshire and to addresse himselfe for his journey to his own house And so taking his beloved Wife along with him Bringing his wife along with him hee brought her with much joy and comfort home to Staplefoord where they mutually enjoyed one another in great peace and love for their owne good and for the benefit of their whole Family And so it pleased God to repaire and make up the breach formerly made in his house by the death of his former wife by bringing in another daughter of Abraham of gracious and good parts to take her place and to supply what was wanting in that behalfe Now after a while when the Lord had well setled and
charme he never so wisely Thus have we made it manifest that this gracious and Godly Gentleman was in his holy conversation full of mercy and full of good fruits All of which do taste and relish so much the better because they were seasoned with two other gracious qualities of that wisedome which is from above namely Equity and Syncerity for hee was without partiality and without hypocrisie According to that of the Prophet Micha He hath shewed thee O man what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee but to doe justlie and to love mercy and to walk humbly and uprightly with thy God And thus have we according to our purpose and promise taken a more speciall view of some parts and passages of this Gentlemans life wherein the gifts of Gods grace the vertues of Christ and the fruits of the Spirit did more eminently appear As first in his conversing with God and secondly in his conversation in the world And so wee come from the course of his life in the world and draw towards the end of his life namely his departure out of the world which was the third and last of those 3. generall heads which were proposed to be handled CHAP. LX. COncerning his departure out of this world 3. General Head His departure out of the world 1. Prepar 2. His Resol 3 His confidence 4. His const Psa 90.12 we propole divers things to be considered and observed First his preparation for it Secondly his patient resolution to Beare all the sharpe occurrents of it Thirdly his gracious confidence of a blessed and happy exchange after it Fourthly his happy constancy in the faith of Christ unto the end and in the end untill hee was put in possession of it and so obtained the end of his faith the salvation of his lonle in Christ Jesus Now for the first as his whole life was a meditation of death so was it also a continuall preparation for it For the Lord had taught him so to number his dayes that he did apply his heart unto wisdome I say both to be wise unto salvation and so wise also as to consider Wisedom Deut. 32.29 Iob. 14.14 and often think too upon his latter end So that all the dayes of his appointed time he did wait as Iob did till his change should come Al his studies and labours all his holy duties and services all his prayers and tears all his watchings and fastings all his desires and endeavors were especially bent and directed unto this end next unto Gods glory that he might so run that he might obtaine and so fight His preparation for death that he might overcome and in the end be more than a conquerour in him that loved him that is in Christ Jesus It was therefore his care and confidence ever so to live that he might never be affraid to dye yea so to live that he might desire to dye and to bee with Christ which is best of all even where he is and as he is for over Phil 1.23 Paulm in vita Amb. Possidon in vita Aug. As Paulinus hath recorded of Ambrose that being ready to dye he uttered these comfortable words unto his friends about him Non sic vivi ut pude no me inter vos vivere nec mori timeo quiu bonum habemus Dominum I have not so lived that I am ashamed to live amongst you neither am I affraid to dye because we have a good Lord. His more especiall preparation for his latter end His more speciall preparation in ten speciall duties consisted in these holy duties and heavenly exercises 1. To deny himself his wit his will his reason and affection 2. To renounee the world and to we are himselfe from the love of it and from all the pleasures profits honours and favours of the fame 3. To set and settle his affections on the things which are above placing his heart where his head Christ is 4. To take all his decayes of nature his bodily infirmities want of vigour and strength abatement of naturall heate and moisture to be certeyne Impressions of his mortality and evident Summons to a dissolution 5. To make all his spirituall rejoycings and refreshings in the estate of grace to bee pledges and earnests as it were of heavenly and everlasting joy and happinesse in the estate of glory 6. To consider that unto the godly death is but a passage unto life a dissolution of soule and body for a season which afterwards shall bee restored again in greater beauty and glory at the resurrection 7. To observe that death puts an end to all sins and sorrows to all temptations and afflictions and brings us into the possession of an heavenly inheritance where the true treasure is in abundance where also there are rivers of pleasures and fulnesse of joy for ever more 8. To meditate that here we are but strangers and pilgrims having here no continuing city but seeking one to come that heaven is our home and that whiles we are present in the body we are absent from the Lord and that Ierusalem which is above is the city of the Saints and mother of us all 9. To conferre and talke with his godly friends of the day of death and time of his departure out of this world even in the middest of all other comforts as Christ himself did with Moses and Elias in the holy Mount of his departure that is of his death at Ierusalem and as Austin had much holy and heavenly communication with his mother Monica Aug Cons l. 9. t. 10. and shee with him to the like purpose 10. Lastly to watch and pray with oyle in our Lamps and our lights burning taking every day for our last day Mat. 25.4 2 Tim. 2.21 Mat. 25.23 and so bee ready and prepared for our Masters worke for our Masters comming and for our owne reckoning Thus much of the means which he used and duties which he performed to prepare himself for his departure out of this world Now for his patient resolution to beare all the sharp occurrents of it As hee had obtained mercy of the Lord to bee faithfull in doing his will So had he also to be patient and resolute in suffering and abiding his good pleasure both in life and death To which end the Lord had given him a great measure of spirituall strength Phil. 4.13 Eph. 6.13 that he was able to doe in a manner all things in Christ which strengthened him and hee had furnished him also with that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the whole armour of God whereby he might be able to stand fast in the evill day whether of tentation or affliction against all adverse power that might assaile him We read of that faithfull servant of Christ Chrysostome when hee was grievously persecuted by Eudoxia the Empresse that the Lord did give him such courage and resolution that he feared nothing which she could doe unto him though shee did threaten never
the Hare the Hawke ceise upon the Partridge if now one beast bite and devoure another if any of the foules of the aire doe rend and teare one another all this is but the fruit of our sinne which can never be rightly rejoyced in so long as the root whence it sprang is to bee mourned for Vnlawfull to take pleasure in it This then is my opinion which yet I submit to the censure of sounder judgement I think it utterly unlawfull for any man to take pleasure in the paine and torture of any creature or delight himselfe in the tyranny which the creatures exercise one over another or to make a recreation of their brutish cruelty which they practise one upon another CHAP. X. GOd of his goodnesse hath given us liberty I grant to take the labour of some Gen. 9.2.3 Strab. Geo. l 5. p. 151. and the lives of others for our use As wee have the flesh of some to feed us the fleece to cloath us the strength and speed of some other to case us and both in peace and in warre to relieve us And as he hath appointed them to serve us for our use and comfort Polyd. de Inven. l. 3. c. 2. c. 5. Opusculum horrend de Feris Arg. 4. so hath he allowed us meanes and instruments some naturall some artificiall to bring them to our bent and fetch them into our hands Hence it is that we may warrantably use the naturall faculties and qualities of some of the creatures which are more familiar unto us for the overtaking and taking of those which being without our reach and compasse are either unwilling to come neer to do us good or ready still to stand out to doe us hurt So may we use and that not only for our profit Retia ad apros ursos lupos capien Authem l. 2. de Feudis § Nemo but for our pleasure also so it bee in Christian discretion and moderation the speed and swiftnesse of the Greyhound to course the Hare the sight and flight of the Hawke to take the Partridge the sent and sagacity of the Hound to hunt the Deere the nimblenesse and subtilty of the tumbler to snatch up and cony-catch the Cony Plutamb de curiosit even when hee seemes but to dally and sport with her And many other such naturall helpes may we use for our sober refreshing and delight as well as for our profit and benefit yet still with this caution and condition Neither in the enmity or cruelty of or towards the creatures that we take no pleasure nor delight either in the enmity of the creatures one against another or in their cruelty when they tire upon and teare one another much lesse that wee please our selves in their paines and not content to take away their lives once only unlesse we sport and delight our selves by torturing and tormenting of them to make them dye many deaths together in one also I saw once a Gentleman being about to feed his Hawke pull a live Pidgeon out of his Faulkners-bag and taking her first by both wings The example of cruelty to the creature rent them with great violence from her body and then taking hold of both leggs pluckt them asunder in like manner the body of the poore creature trembling in his hand while his Hawke was tiring upon the other parts to his great contentment and delight upon his fist This Act was held by some that stood by to bee somewhat too cruell and unmencifull both because of the torturing paines hee put the Pidgeon unto and for that hee seemes much to delight in the doing of it It was lawfull for him no doubt to have taken the life of the Pidgeon and to have given her warme flesh to his Hawke for her supper which he might have done by plucking off her neck to procure a speedy and prevent a lingring and tormenting death whereof the foresaid Gentleman being lovingly and respectfully admonished hee made presently a resolute or rather an obstinate answer viz. That might peradventure have given his Hawke some contentment but this he did with delight for his love unto his Hawke and for his owne pleasure Stiffenesse in opinion without judgement and fond affection without moderation breed no sound resolution neither in nor for the truth but rather obstinate and strong opposition against it Even in taking away life where the act is lawfull there may be mercy shewen and so it may be done more lawfully because it is done mercifully and in the same act there may bee much crueltie and so the act for the man and manner is made unlawfull because the actor was unmercifull in the doing of it Polyd. de Jnvent Rerum l. 2. c. 11. l. 3. c. 5. Authent l. 2. de Feudis §. Nemo retia sua aut laq It is lawfull to kill a Bird with a Bolt to strike a Deere with a Bow to shoot at Foule with a Peece to take Fish with Hookes and Nets to set Toyles for Foxes and lay grins and snares for wild and hurtfull beasts but to take pleasure and delight after wee have their lives in our hands to peek out their eyes to breake their legs to pierce their brests with Bodkins their bodies with Pikes or Swords and so to lend them a little use of their life onely to linger and lengthen out the paines of their death this is brutish cruelty to a brute creature and is no small argument of a bloody minde and a bad disposition if we will give any credit either to the light of nature amongst the Heathen Quintil. l. 5 c. 9. Erasm ad Episcop Basil 15 22 or to the Word of God amongst Gods people I have read in ancient Writers and so Erasâ—â—â—… doth report that he had done that the Magistrates amongst the Grecians observing a young boy to take great pleasure and delight when he had taken young birds to prick and peck out their eyes with Pins and Needles held him worthy to dye for his sporting cruelty because they did conjecture that such a cruell disposition and naughty humour in a childe might very dangerously breake out into some brutish and bloody practices if ever he should come unto his strength and riper age And this seemeth to bee the meaning and intent of the holy Ghost Deut. 22.6 Ex. 23.19 Deu. 14. â—â— when the people of God were forbidden if they found a Birds nest to take the damm with the young and to see a Kid in his mothers milk lest being accustome to deale cruelly and unmercifully with birds and beasts Gal. in Eâ— cap. 23. â—â— they might grow on to some savage inhumanity and bloody cruelty to wards men also and that because as a learned man saith Quia his initiis ad crudelitatem in homines itur ideo non incommode haec crudelitas in belluas M. Cartvv in Pâ—ov 12.10 inhumanitatis cujusdam peragitur Because by these beginnings of brutish
right and the just shall walke in them but the transgressors shall fall therein Thus much of his first dayly duty namely his holy and religious Meditation CHAP. XLVI THe second followeth which was his diligent His observation of Gods works Psa 64.7 8 9 10. Psa 66.3.5 and carefull observation of the ways works mercies and judgments of the Lord. It was the antient profession and practise of the people of God to waite upon the Lord and to observe his dealing with the just and with the wicked in the world The way of the Just is uprightnesse thou most upright doest weigh the path of the just Is 26.7 8. Yea in the way of thy judgments O Lord have we waited for thee the desire of our soule is to thy Name Ver. 9. and to the remembrance of thee With my soule have I desired thee in the night yea with my spirit within me wil I seek thee early for when thy judgments are in the earth the inhabitants of the world will learne righteousnesse Let favour be shewed to the wicked Ver. 10. yet will he not learne righteousnes in the land of uprightnesse will hee deale unjustly and will not behold the majesty of the Lord. See the memorable judgment of God against Vigetius Saâ—â—…niâ—us Claud. Herminianus observed by Tertullians Scapul A book of Rememb lob 35.24 25. Much after this manner did this faithfull Servant of Christ raise up his thoughts and quicken his soule to a diligent and due observation of the ways and works of God both in his mercies towards the godly and in his judgements against the wicked To which end and purpose he hath observed and recorded divers and sundry of the workes of the Lord which he calleth a declaration of some of the works of the Lord to the praise of his glorious Name power and mercy adding and annexing that admonition and exhortation out of Iob Remember that thou magnifie his works which men behòld Every man may see it man may behold in a far off To set down all such works of God as he hath observed See some examp of Gods mercies to Christians observed by Tertull. ad Sca c. 4. Some mercies of God observed I now cannot to passe over all in silence I may not I meane not And therefore to give a taste of some for the clearing of this point and the farther satisfaction of such as delight therein I think it very meet and convenient at this present To observe Gods mercies faith he with all humble praise and thanksgiving to God only Some few yeares before my brother Hardware dyed he had R.K. to his servant who is now an In-holder in Chester The said R. was as many thought bewitched and waxed weaker and weaker So as my Brother Hardware sent unto mee and my family to spend a day with him in prayer and fasting At that time I had good M. Wats the Preacher with me To R. K. his sick neighbourâ— whom I brought with me and others of my family to the Peele and there we found the said R.K. exceeding sick and weake and like an Anatomy of death nothing to look to but skin and bones and not likely to live a day all hope of life being gone He was brought and laid in a bed in the chamber where we prayed And in the same evening hee began to amend and the next morning did walke abroad and the third day began to be so strong that he fel to his work and labour with much rejoycing to the Family All laud and praise to God therefore To his Setvant Anno Domini 1601 and in the Summer time John Robinson my servant going with his teame the cart loaden and he falling by some occasion the wheele went over his legge being iron bound yet hurt him not any thing at all Laus Deo Anno Domini 1602 and in Iuly my son Iohn To his Son in danger being in Peaksmoore took up a seith to see how he could mow and the scith entered in at his stocking upon the shin bone and followed his leg shaving the haire and came out at the backside of his leg and toucht no flesh nor skinne Laus Deo The same Month and in the same Medow To a Labourer One casting a pikell up and down before him and behind him one being behind him the two greins of the pikell ran on both sides of his leg and hurt him not Hallelujah Memorand in Anno 1613 and in the Hey-Harvest One Richard Rogers Some Iudgments of Godremarkable that dwelt in my farme at Wimble Strafford under Master Thomas Puleston my tenant there seeing two godly persons going in the way said to one with him Now will I dance and swagger and sweare to anger and make mad yonder two Puritans Nö sint inulta esse diu DivinuÌ„ Numen scelera vid Herb. departioda popelo à mâ—ribus devorato Hist Pol. lib. 1 cap. 11. Vide simile de Hatto E. Mog apud O. a mag lib. 17. c 21. And did so to the great grievance of those two godly persons And presently the revenging hand of God was upon him so that this wicked fellow fell so sick that he was carried home in a Cart and within three dayes died most fearefully All glory to God These are some of those Memorable mercies and Iudgments of the Lord which he hath carefully observed and recorded I will let all the rest alone saving one which being the most remarkable of all other hee hath taken greatest paines to observe and set down in all the parts and passages of it The hand of God upon the Boy at Northwich This was concerning the boy of Northwich his name Thomas Harrison about 11 or 12 yeares old who was so strangely and wonderfully afflicted and tormented that many held him to bee really possessed with a Devill Others thought he was bewitched Some ascribed all to naturall causes few did endevour to see and acknowledge as this Gentleman did that though Satan might have a finger Satans Malice Gods Mercy yet the Lord had a chiefe hand in this Iudgment and that where Satan would shew himselfe cruell and malicious to vex and destroy a poore child there the Lord was pleased to manifest and declare himselfe to be mercifull and gracious in susteining and preserving of him CHAP. XLVII IT would be too tedious to set down one quarter of that which he hath written of this child partly from that which he himselfe saw and partly from that which he heard and received under sufficient and faithfull witnesses having spent above 14 leaves in 4 0 in recording of these things All that he hath observed of him may be drawn to these 3 heads 1 0 his violent and wonderfull fits and passions 2 0 his strange and horrible gestures and actions 3 0 his admirable and almost incredible sayings and speeches and all these without any naturall understanding sense or feeling for the most
him that prayed could not containe himselfe but oftentimes with a cheerefull consent said Amen Amen unto the requests and supplications that were made for his good and comfort in Christ Jesus After this M. L. spake a word unto him to comfort him in the midst of all his sorrowes that hee knew that shortly hee should bee released and freed from all sinne and sorrow from Satan and this present evill world wherunto he answered most cheerfully and graciously I know I shall and bee with Christ which is best of all And now the messenger of death is upon me which he spoke of the hickock which had taken hold of him M. L. replyed I hope Sir that death is no scare nor terror unto you No indeed it is not I thanke God saith he for it is my way to life and I am now called of God unto it And thus he continued in great paine of body but yet in great peace of mind increasing still in consolations and enduring all his sicknesse with admirable patience not shewing any distemper nor discontent neither in word nor deed all the while in the troubles and sorrow of the same His care for prayer in the Family After this the same night he put it upon me to call his Family to Prayer and to performe the evening Sacrifice in the great parlour commading them to set open his little parlour doore adjoyning to it that he might heare us and joyne with us and partake of such mercies and meanes as the Lord should be pleased either to offer unto us or to accept at our hands The next morning though he did weare a way very much yet he called upon M. L. to pray with him Mindfull of M. L. being up very early to go a long journey to preach his ordinary Tewsday Lecture Of whom he was so very carefull that he caused some provision to be made for him especially a Posset that hee himselfe at their parting might drinke with him The same day I staid with him untill the afternoone A heavy Parting ministring such help and comfort as I could unto him And then mine owne occasions calling me home my wife being his former wives own sister and my selfe came to take leave with him which when hee heard and saw his very soule seemed to melt within him for both his and our hearts were full of griefe and our eyes full of teares and so mingling our sorrowes our teares and our prayers together be commended us to the grace and blessing of God as wee also did him And then falling upon his face and kissing his cheek we tooke our long leave with him leaving him yet in the hands of his heavenly Father that would never leave him CHAP. LXVIII Some ever ready to pray with him THe same afternoone he called for M. Lan. and M. Clerk his own Pastor to pray with him and was never at quiet unlesse hee were either Meditating and Praying himselfe or had some godly man or good Minister to pray with him and for him Divers desire a blessing from him Vpon Wednesday morning divers of those that were with him suspecting his death and dissolution to be neare tooke leave with him desiring at their parting a blessing from him Which he did willingly expresse by lifting up his hands and his heart unto Heaven for them Vttering also some words which they could not so well understand In the afternoone he overheard some making motion of blacks I wil have no blacks saith he I love not any proud or pompous Funerals neither is there any cause of mourning but of rejoycing rather in my particular After this he entreated a good Christian to pray with him which he did very willingly again and again to his good contentment And while they were in prayer in the Family they that were with him did imagine that he prayed himself silently and secretly He prayeth secretly himselfe by the pulling of his armes out of the bed and lifting up his hands and his eyes towards Heaven whence only he did looke for hearing and helping at Gods hands And now growing so weak that he was scarce able to speak a word those gracious people that were about him prayed him to lift up his hand if he understood them and would have them to pray for him Other gracious people pray with him which he did very willingly and readily and so he joyned with them and was heard to say Amen to the prayers that they made for him Afterward they perceived that he prayed himselfe again lifting up his hands and uttering these words with many other to the like effect The Lord is my portion His last Prayer my help and my trust his blessed son Jesus is my Saviour and Redeemer Amen Even so saith the Spirit unto my spirit Therefore come Lord Jesus and kisse me with the kisses of thy mouth and embrace me with the armes of thy love Into thy hands do I commend my spirit O come now and take me to thine own selfe O come Lord Jesus come quickly O come O come O come And so his spirit fainting His last end and his speech failing he lay quiet and still for a little season And then he meekly and graciously yeelded up his pretious soule into the hands of God his Father that gave it and into the armes of his Saviour that had bought it and redeemed it with his pretious bloud And thus having finished his course and run out his race the night of his death shutting up the dayes of his life Snaviter in Domino obdormivit He sweetly slept in the Lord. All Glory Thanksgiving and Praise bee unto our gracious God in and through his Son Christ lesus for ever and ever Amen Vae etiam laudabili vitae si remota misericordia discutias eam Aug. Conf. lib. 9. c. 19. Aug. Quisguis tibi enumerat vera merita sua Aug ibid. cap. 13. Quid tibi enumerat nisi muneratua FINIS Imprimatur JOH HANSLEY Jan. 16. 1640.
and place himselfe who knew right well what was worthy true praise and what it was that did make a mans face to shine in the mids of his own house and in the Congregation For as Laudari ab illaudato viro vituperiumest Vide Aul. Gell de Istaudate liâ—… 2. cap. 6. To bee praised of a man utterly unworthy of any praise himselfe is a dispraise So to be praised or a good man a messenger of God one of a thousand as he was and that with such ardent affection and heavenly rejoycing For the power of Religion and fruits of grace in that Family must needs advance the praise of this worthy Gentleman to a higher straine and pitch of his due and true commendation Thus it pleased the Lord every day more and more to crown this Gentleman and his house his desires and endevours with honor and favor beauty and glory Many Gentleme desire to so journe with him Insomuch that the eyes and hearts of many were towards him divers of the best ranck in the Country did much desire to have accesse and acceptance as some others had before to so journ with him His house being herein me thinks not much unlike unto a goodly Tower upon a hill Aspicis us veniunt adcandida recta collibae Accipior nullas sordida Turris 〈◊〉 faire built and richly beautified which doth easily invite and allure the Doves of the vallies to fly and flock unto it and for their better refreshing and repose to build their nests in it And so upon the sollicitation and importunity of his Cousins and Friends he entertained againe divers Families and personages of great place to partake of Gods meanes and mercies with him in his Family Who they were what successe they had what fruits they found what comforts and refreshings they reaped and enjoyed in their cohabitation and Communion one with another in holy duties he shall himselfe relate unto you in his owne words which he hath left upon record under his own hand to this purpose Afterwards saith he many more desired to table with me His owne Relation The Lady Egerton widow daughter in law to the Lord Chauncelour then being with her company And my consen Tho Dutton of Dutton with his wift son and daughter that now is the Lord Gerrards Wife being 10 of his Family And 4 Gentlewomen of Hatton being sisters and one maid attending on them Which maid was froward at the first against Religion and religious dutyes But God in his mercy began first with her For being in grievous affliction of conscience she was humbled soundly had a most comfortable conversion blessed be God Mary Sherington I think was her name And they 2 of the sisters had a more easie conversion but I believe true grace And the other 2 sisters convineed and very honest modest maids And for my cosen Dutton his condition with me was to keep the Lords Sabbath with my Family as well afternoon is forenoone which he and all his did in the publike Congregation All of us having then great help from a learned godly Minister M. Rob. Wats a Reverend Worthy man of God whom we called Old Eli for his gravity and faithfulnesse above many and being continually with us in my Family Observing this order for our Family exercises hee and I to pray in the family he one morning and evening and I another and both of us every evening to give a note upon a chapter and between nine and ten of the clock in the forenoone we agreed to have prayer again for the Tablers At the same time my cosen Dutton being pressed and charged by some of great place to mainteine his Royalty of Minstrelsey for Piping and Daunsing on the Sabbath day my Minister my selfe and my family were earnest against it and prevailed so far with my cosen Dutton that he promised that all Piping and Dauncing should cease on the Sabbath day both forenoone and afternoon and so his Licences were made and do continue so untill this day And so wee had great peace and comfort together blessed be God By all this we may easily see and perceive how graciously the Lord dealt with this Gentleman from time to time not only to blesse him and his family every day more and more but to make him a blessing also to many others of his kindred and friends which came but for a season to so journe with him CHAP. XLII NOW as sometimes it commeth to passe that in the fairest calme there may arise a violent and suddene storme to scatter A sudden storme and disperse such vessels as have laine for a while at quiet rode in the harbor So did it fall out by the Lords disposing hand in the mids of all these their sweet comforts to send amongst them a tempest of griefe Vpon the death of his deare wife and sorrow by the death of this Gent-gracious wife yokefellow which occasioned not long after a dissolving of his family and a dispersing of the whole Company The losse of this Gentlewoman was so much the more grievous both to her husband and the whole family because of the great help and comfort they had all by her She lived 10 yeares with this Gentleman her husband a faithfull helper and a fruitfull Vyne bearing unto him 9 Children sons and daughters and continuing with her husband in great peace and love a prudent wife and wise fellow-governor within his house much respected and beloved A great affliction to the whole family Prov. 31.10 11 12 Pro. v 31.26.27 28 29. Her vertues not only of her owne but of all these Gentlemen and Gentlewomen which did Table with them Who can find a vertuous woman for her price is far above Rubyes The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her so that he shall have not need of poyle She will do him good and not evill all the dayes of her life She openeth her mouth in wisdome and the Law of grace is in her lips She looketh well to the wayes of her houshold and eateth not the bread of idlenesse Her children arise up and call her blessed her husband also and he praiseth her many daughters have done vertuously but thou excellest them all A man may truly say without either fraud or flattery that in some good measure Such a woman such a wife such a mother such a governour was this Gentlewoman in her owne house and family Her due prâ—ises Fâ—â—ctum est prâ—cvâ—sissimum Margaritum Virens smaragdi gemma contrita est Hieron ad Para. deobitu Paulme uxoris She was also in her selfe of a gracious and amiable disposition having an humble heart and holy affections beautified and decked with that ornament of the hid man of the heart a meek quiet spirit which is in the sight of God of great price Yea she was one that was ripe in knowledg rich in grace full of Faith good Works One that held communion with God
and the godly in all duties of Piety and Charity And so continuing as she did faithfull unto death shee obtained what she desired and expected the crown of life What were the heavy consequents of this affliction in his Family hee hath himselfe set down and that in so patheticall a maner that I know some that could yet never read the words but their heart was full of sorrow and their eyes full of teares in the reading of them His own words be these But when it pleased God to take away my wife from me then all mourned for her losse As also in respect that all my tablers must now part being about the number of 21. my son John and his being then with me But we did still so accord and so loth wee were to depart a sunder The heavy parting of his Tablers that I requested them to stay with me that quarter more from January to Aprill which was very thankfully accepted which quarter we had much comfort together but mourning oftentimes to think of the quarters end And the last day sitting at dinner together all so full of heavines that in effect there was no meat eaten So as I was forced to hide my selfe All full of griefe and could not take leave with them all being so full of griefe c. When Jonathan and David whose hearts were linked together in holy love were orced to part and were now ready to take leave one with another It is said in the story that they kissed one anther 1 Sam. 20.41 and wept one with another untill David exceeded It was not much otherwise with this Company that had lived under one roof in so great love and peace together when now they must part and take leave one of another they kissed one another and wept one with another untill M. Bruen himselfe exceeded M. Bruen himselfe exceeded And so exceeded that he was glad then to hide himselfe to conceale the extremity of his griefe and since in recording of it to draw a vaile over it with an c. as the Painter did over Agamemnons face when hee knew that his pensill could not expresse the heavy sorrows of a fathers heart in the losse of Iphigenia so deare a daughter Pectoris vulaus tepore ratione curatur Hieron ad Pammach Time and reason strengthened by grace will moderate passions That which men say will avayle much with a naturall man for allaying the heate and repressing the violence of griefe and sorrow time and reason being now more strengthened by grace and well qualified by Christian wisdome and moderation brought this Gentleman to a good measure of patience and contentment in bearing and breaking through this affliction which hee saw the hand of the Lord had laid upon him For now he began to frame his affections for a single life and to draw his Family into a narrower compasse resolving to retire himselfe and to live more privatly if it were but for a season for the benefit of his children which the Lord had given him CHAP. XLIII WHat hee did herein upon what advise to what end and with what successe to others and himselfe both for soule and body I think it not amisse to tell you at large in his own words Then I continued saith hee a single life five yeares and a halfe or thereabouts Two yeares in mine own house In which time that man of God good M.D. came unto me who enquiring of my estate I told him I did owe about an hundred pounds and had 4 daughters and divers sons He therefore advised me to give over my house and to go to Chester and to live there a season which I yeelded unto M. Bifeild then being there a godly Preacher and very powerfull in his Ministery And there I lived 3 yeares having the company of M. Bifeild and his wife every Wedensday and Fryday to dinner which were his Lecture dayes with some other good company besides In which 3 yeares it pleased God to stir up the hearts of many neighbours to come every evening to prayer with us and some every morning My sister Hardware and her Family shee being a widow came constantly having a convenient way through her garden and often with her many friends and neighbours These our meetings were traduced by some and excepted against by others and yet after a while being well known what they were no fault was found In this time It pleased the Lord Almighthy to give a great blessing All praise unto his holy Name only Many converted and many confirmed and many convinced And many could I name but I spare Let God alone be glorified magnified for ever that by such weake instruments doth manifest such great power grace and mercy In these 3 yeares God gave me also a great earthly blessing 1 I paid all my debt 2 I marryed my two daughters that were marriageable and paid their marriage portions 3 I preferted a son or two 4 I maintained the poore in my own Parish in the Countrey allowing all the increase of my 2 mils in Stapl. for that end 5 I mainteined the poore in Chest both at my gates and otherwise weekly as I was rated All humble and hearty praise and thanks be given to God Father Sonne and Holy Ghost for evermore Amen Then I returned home and built my Study And tooke to wise Margaret through Gods blessing and by her one daughter dead one son living Al praise to God There are divers things in this relation very remarkable which may not well be passed over in silence tending so much both to his just commendation and to our information and edification in the Faith and feare of God 1 As first that Although the Lord was pleased sundry times to exchaunge his comforts with crosses yet was he never changed nor moved from his steadfastnesse 2 Secondly in all his afflictions he was willing to be humbled but never dejected nor discouraged having learned in what estate so ever he was therewith to be content 3 Thirdly that where ever he was at home or abroad in city or countrey his desires and endeavours were ever bent to doe good remembring the words of our Lord Jesus that it is a more blessed thing to give than to receive 4 Fourthly that where ever he went whatsoever he did the presence of the Lord Jesus was with him and his good hand upon him to prosper him in all his wayes and to strengthen his hand and heart in well doing 5 Fifthly that in every place he became a nursing father to the children of God Esay 22.23.24 whether they were babes or such as were of riper age in Christ yea he was as a naile of the Sanctuary fastened in a sure place upon which men did hang all vessels of small quantitie from the vessels of cups even to all the vessels of flaggons as the Prophet speaketh 6 Sixthly that notwithstanding all his great expenses both in city and countrey in maintaining