continued labouring in that imployment through many pains till Tuesday the 6. of December Anno Christi 1653. About which time as his natural strength was exceedingly decayed so now also his Intellectuals began to fail and for the following three dayes a drousiness seized upon him insomuch that he could not hold up his head to look into a Book but slumbered away his time in a Chair and upon Friday being the third day after he had given over his studies enquiring what day it was he cried out Alas I have lost three dayes The day following being Saturday he had no desire to arise out of his bed neither indeed could he in regard of his weakness which was such and he was so sensible of it that he said Now I have not long to live in this world the time of my departure is at hand I am going to my desired Haven the apprehension whereof was no little joy unto him for he had often said to such of his friends as came to visit him in his sickness I am willing to dye having I bless God nothing to do but to dye Indeed sometimes he seemed to be in the same strait with St. Paul between Life and Death having a desire to depart that he might be with Christ which was best of all but yet very desirous he was to finish his Commentary upon the Epistle to the Hebrews which he knew would be very useful to the Church of God and in that respect he was willing to live and God so far answered his desire in that particular that he lived to finish it within half a Chapter But when he perceived that his time in this world could not be long O! how sweet and joyful was the apprehension of Death unto him which he often termed his best friend next to Jesus Christ. So that he came willingly he was not plucked and dragged to Death Death was his familiar acquaintance it was his priviledge as well as his task When his good sister said to him in his sickness Brother I am afraid to leave you alone Why Sister said he I shall I am sure be with Iesus Christ when I dye The meditation of Death was not more frequent than sweet unto him His soul was upon the wing and was bent Heaven-ward even whilst it was in the cage of his decrepit body Upon Saturday though he kept his bed through weakness yet was he more wakeful and his spirit more lively and cheerful than for several dayes before which questionless was from his joyful apprehension of his approaching departure His speeches that day were more than ordinary Heavenly He spake much in the admiration of Gods Free grace and riches of his Mercy in Jesus Christ. As while he lived he led a heavenly life so about the time of his death by those comforts and joyes that he found in his soul he seemed to be in Heaven even while he was upon the earth and so he continued full of sweet and divine comfort and heavenly expressions to the last of his understanding and speech which continued to Munday morning when both of them failed him from which time he lay breathing yet shorter and shorter till eight of the clock at night about which time in the presence of all his Children and divers of his Friends he quietly slept in the Lord making an happy change from earth to Heaven which was Decem. 12. Anno Christi 1653 being 79 years old after he had served God faithfully and painfully in his Generation A Catalogue of the Books published by him Of Domestical Duties on Eph. 5. and 6. The whole Armour of God on Eph. 6. Of the sin against the Holy Ghost on Matth. 12. 31 32. Mar. 3. 28 29. Upon the Lords Prayer called A Guide to go to God Gods three Arrows Plague Famine and Sword on Num. 16. 44 c. 2 Sam. 21. 1. Exod. 17. 8. The extent of Gods Providence Nov. 5. on Matth. 10. 29 30 31. The Dignity of Chivalry on 2 Chron 8 9. The Saints Sacrifice or a Comment on Psal. 116. Two Treatises 1. The Sabbaths Sanctification 2. A Treatise of Apostacy on Luke 15. 31. The Saints Support A Sermon before the Commons in Parliament on Nehem. 5. 19. Mercies Memorial Nov. 17. on Exod. 13. 3. The Progress of Divine Providence A Sermon before the House of Lords on Ezek. 36. 11. A Funeral Sermon on Ezek. 24. 16. The Right way A Sermon before the Lords on Ezra 8. 21. Two Catechismes A Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews My Reverend Friend Mr. Tho. Gouge eldest Son to this famous Doctor desired me to insert this Life amongst these other Worthies contained in this Volume The Life and Death of Mr. Thomas Gataker who dyed Anno Christi 1654. MR. Thomas Gataker or Gatacre for so he wrote himself till of later years to prevent miscalling occasioned frequently by the view of the Letters he changed it into Gataker was a branch of a very ancient Family so firmly by Gods Providence planted in Shropshire that the Stock hath continued in the same House carrying the Name of its owner and known by the Title of Gatacre-Hall by an un-interrupted succession from the time of King Edward the Confessor His Father Mr. Thomas Gatacre being a younger Son of William Gatacre was designed by his Parents to the study of the Law in order whereunto he was admitted a Student in the Temple And during his abode there he occasionally went to visit some of his Kindred who were then high in place and power whereby he was often present at the examination of some Christian Confessors of the Gospel in those bloody times wherein Satan armed all his Forces to suppress that dawning light which threatned ruine to his Kingdome of darkness The harshness and cruelty of those proceedings together with the constancy of those weak yet sincere Christians who with evidence of truth and resolution of minde maintained faith and a good conscience were very prevalent with him to facilitate his entertainment of that purer Doctrine of the Gospel which began to shine into his soul. This being apprehended by his Parents fearing his change in Religion they sent him over to Lovaine in Flanders and to win him to a compliance with them in Religion they setled upon him an estate in a Lease of an hundred pounds per annum in old Rents but like St. Paul Phil. 3. 8. He counted all outward advantages as nothing in comparison of the knowledge of Iesus Christ. His Father therefore perceiving how fixt and unmoveable he was in his choice of Religion in which yet he had nothing to except against but only the novelty of it he recalled him into England and in great displeasure revoked his former Grant of 100 â— per annum which yet could not be effected without his Sons consent But this young Disciple had already learned the hard lesson of self-denial and of forsaking all to follow Christ and therefore to preserve his
Ministry and Neighbourhood round about who by their concourse at her Funeral shewed plainly in what an high estimation she was amongst them and that her good Name was like a precious Oyntment powred forth The hope of Glory was that sovereign Cordial which abundantly revived and satisfied her spirits whilst she lived and now her hope is turned into fruition and her faith into vision All her sorrows and sighings are turned away and her imployment is without the least tediousness without interruption and intermission to sing Hosannahs and Allelujahs to him that sitteth upon the Throne and to the Lamb for ever more This Life was drawn up by my Reverend and worthy Friend Dr. Henry Wilkinson principal of Magdalen Hall Oxon. The Life and Death of Mrs. Elizabeth Wilkinson who dyed Anno Christi 1654. Mrs. Elizabeth Wilkinson was born of godly Parents of an ancient and well reputed Family of the Gentry in Devonshire Her Father was Mr. Anthony Gifford her Mother Mrs. Elizabeth Cottle and by them she was religiously educated during her minority After which she lived with an Aunt an old Disciple above twenty yeares together where she had many prizes put into her hands to get wisdome even many spirituall advantages for her eternall good But considering that no helps of education nor any means could prove effectuall without divine influences it pleased the Lord out of the riches of his mercy in a signall manner to vouchsafe a blessing to all those helps for the good of her soul and to crown all endeavours in order thereunto with good success She was observed from her childhood to be very docile very willing to learn industrious in reading of and swift to hear the Word of God preached She was very carefull to remember what she heard and took much pains in writing Sermons and collecting speciall Notes out of practicall Divines She had the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit with that she was eminently adorned She looked not as too many do upon gaudy and vain dresses as any ornament She neither liked them nor conformed to them but went in a grave decent and sober attire She was humble gentle tender-hearted and full of bowels of compassion remembring such as were in bonds as if she had been bound with them Heb. 13. 3. She was of so affable sweet and courteous a disposition that she gained abundance of love and respect from all those that conversed with her and by this means she was the greater gainer by all good conferences It was her usuall custome to move good discourse and ofttimes she turned the stream of other impertinent talk into something which was solid and tended unto edification and that ministred grace to the hearers She kept a Diary of Gods dealings with her soul and of other various dispensations that she met withall She was much busied in prayer meditation and self-examination She would often desire her Husband and others of her acquaintance to deal plainly and impartially with her For said she I would not be deceived with a formall profession nor with a temporary faith Perhaps through affection you may judge far better of me than I deserve wherefore I desire you to sift and search me throughly for I like such plain dealing best of all and those are my best friends which deal most plainly with me In process of time after a carefull watching over her heart and frequent addresses made unto the Throne of grace she found returns answerable to her prayers and desires God gave her a large measure both of parts and graces She was able not only to assert the truths of God but to convince gainsayers She abounded in love faith meekness humility and the rest of the graces of the Spirit insomuch as she became a Christian of the higher Form a tall Cedar of Libanus a grown solid and excellent Christian It pleased God for the triall of her graces to exercise her very much in the School of affliction Insomuch as ten years before her death she was one time reckoned with another at least half the time sick But God ordered this sickness of her body to be a medicine for her soul. For the spirit of prayer was much set on work hereby and her faith love and patience did appear and shine the more eminently Out of the Furnace she came forth as gold purified seven times so that the rod and staff correction and instruction went together and by these fatherly chastisements her soul did thrive more abundantly When she was able she neglected not the frequenting of the publick Assemblies they were her delight and she was a professed adversary to the withdrawing from the publick Congregations of the Saints Both them and the godly and Reverend Ministers of the Gospel she had in high esteem and reverenced them all her dayes And when she was not able to go to the publick Congregations she used to spend her time in reading prayer and meditating at home and imployed her friends to read to her and pray with her Such as were stable and sincere Christians were her delight Those she accounted more excellent than their neighbours She would often say that She valued no friends like to those who were friends to her soul. Concerning her deportment and carriage to her Relations for such as are reall Saints shew it in their severall capacities never was a Wife more full of sincere love and respect to an Husband whom she loved entirely and was as entirely beloved by him Her affection to her children was very tender She was carefull to Catechize instruct and to train them up in the fear of God and upon her Deathbed amongst many other excellent counsels and instructions she added this charge as from a dying Mother that they should remember that they had a Mother who would not allow them in any sin She was carefull also to instruct her servants and to teach them the fear of the Lord. Indeed she was ready and willing as opportunity was offered to do good unto all and as need required gave unto them both corporall and spirituall food She had a large heart and improved it to do a great deal of good in a little time Insomuch as the poor the sick the afflicted and the unexperienced to whom she was very mercifull and usefull whilest she lived had a very great miss of her when she was dead In brief she was one of those Worthies of whom the world was not worthy And yet to give a further Character of her I will here set down a Narrative copied exactly out of her own hand-writing of Gods gracious dealing with her soul as it follows word for word It pleased the Lord out of the riches of his grace to remove me from an ignorant place where I was born and to bring me very young into a Religious Family And when I was about twelve years of age upon the reading in the Practice of Piety concerning the happy estate of
University being a means to set up Lectures in many of them and very often assisting in them and as our Savior is observed by some Divines to have preached more frequently the nearer he was to his departure so this his faithful servant as it were presaging that his day would be but short towards his evening he made the more haste and speed in his journy towards his end and yet more abounded in this work of the Lord and now findes That his labour is not in vain in the Lord 1 Cor. 15. 58. Thus of him as a Minister And lastly as he was a Christian he was active for God as his Saviour Act. 10. 38. Going up and down and doing good and though otherwise modest yet when the case required it bold in a good cause He was spiritual in communion and a quickner of those with whom he conversed Fruitful in discourse by which the frame of his spirit might easily be discovered Frequent in asking questions which was both his humility and Christian good husbandry thereby to improve himselfe his time and company Affable he was to others of much humility and low thoughts of himself and of great integrity and singleness of heart towards God his Truth Ordinances wayes and servants of a very publick spirit and much affected with the various conditions of the State but especially of the Church and people of God He was a most loving Husband to his wife and a dutiful son to his Parents and in his life time very helpful to his other Relations Many poor both of the University and Town do now feel the want of his bounty which they tasted of in his life time and both they and others had done more at his death as appeared by his intentions of it in the draught of his Will had not the suddenness of his change prevented it In a long continued Quartan God had knocked at his door which in the interim of his recovery awakened him to get all within ready against the coming of his Lord which though to his friends was unexpected yet found not him unprepared In his short sickness he expressed to an intimate Friend his great comfort and joy in Gods discriminating electing-love and to a Reverend Doctor about half an hour before his departure who enquired of him about the setling of his outward estate and inward peace he readily and without the least hesitancy answered that throâ—gh the mercy of God in Christ his peace was made and that he quietly rested in it whereby it seems as was said by one he had his Faith at his fingers ends and having before given all diligence to make his calling and election sure though he was somewhat suddenly called out of this life yet had he an abundant entrance set open to him into the everlasting Kingdome of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ departing quietly in the Lord Decem. 18. 1653. As to himself he had lived a fruitful and gracious life and therefore as Clemens Romanus speaks of some of the first and best Bishops he closed up all with a happy and blessed death and as to others he lived approved and dyed desired and very much lamented He was a great Friend to the publication of the lives of godly and eminent Ministers and Christians and assisting to me in procuring information concerning the Lives of some of those Worthies whom I have formerly printed Dr. WILLIAM GOUGE The Life and Death of Dr. Gouge who dyed Anno Christi 1653. WIlliam Gouge was born in Stratford-Bow in the County of Middlesex Novem. 1. Anno 1575. His Father Mr. Thomas Gouge was a godly Gentleman His Mother was the vertuous and pious Daughter of Mr. Nicholas Culverel a Merchant in London and she was sister to those two famous Preachers Mr. Samuel and Mr. Ezekiel Culverel she had also two sisters who were married to those two famous and learned Divines Dr. Chaderton the Master of Emanuel College in Cambridge and Dr. Whitaker the Regius Professor of Divinity in the same University so that by the Mothers side he came of a stock of eminent Preachers Our William Gouge in his younger years was first trained up in Pauls School London and was afterwards sent to a Free-school at Felsted in Essex where he was trained up three years under the publick Ministry of his Uncle Mr. Ezekiel Culverel by whose labours he was much wrought upon and if not first begotten yet much built up in his holy Faith as himself often expressed From thence he was sent to Eaton where he was educated other six years during all which time he was more than ordinarily studious and industrious for when other boyes upon play-dayes took liverty for their sports and pastimes he would be at his book wherein he took more delight than others could finde in their Recreations whereby he profited beyond many his equals At this time whilst he was a Schollar at Eaton he was possessed with an holy fear of God was conscionable in secret prayer and in sanctifying the Sabbaths and was much grieved at the ordinary prophanation thereof by sports and pastimes which were then and there too much allowed as he did oft-times in his life with much thankfulness unto God express From the School at Eaton he was chosen to Kings College in Cambridge whither he went Anno Christi 1595. and at the first entrance of his studies he applied himself to P. Ramus his Logick and grew so expert therein that in the publick Schools he maintained and defended him insomuch as when on a time divers Sophisters set themselves to vilifie Ramus for which end the Respondent had given this question Nunquam erit magnus cui Ramus est magnus which some of the Sophisters hearing and knowing the said William Gouge to be an accute disputant and a stiff defender of Ramus they went to the Divinity Schools where he was then hearing an Act and told him how in the other Schools they were abusing Ramus he thereupon went into the Sophisters Schooles and upon the Moderators calling for another Opponent he stepped up and brought such an argument as stumbled the Respondent whereupon the Moderator took upon him to answer it but could not satisfie the doubt This occasioned a Sophister that stood by to say with a loud voice Do you come to vilifie Ramus and cannot answer the Argument of a Ramist Whereupon the Moderator rose up and gave him a box on the ear then the School was all on an uproar but the said William Gouge was safely conveyed out from amongst them When he was Senior Sophister he was chosen Moderator of the Sophisters Acts in the publick Schools which was a place of great credit and he began every Act with a solemn speech in Latine which was not usual in those dayes and it added much grace to the Act. The said William Gouge took his degrees in order performing for every one of them all those
Who did so meekly entertain all three Thus many Deaths Gods Israel did inclose The Sea before behinde a Sea of Foes On either side the jaws of Mountains high No way from Death but unto Death to flye Not to destroy them but to let them see The power of love which then would set them free Thus Jobs four Messengers which did relate The doleful story of his ruin'd state And his three Friends which acted Satans part He on his flesh and these upon his heart Who by disputing him unto a curse Would make his spirits torments the far worse Were by Gods wise disposal sent to show The strength he on his Champion would bestow Thus Painters put dark grounds where they intend To overlay with finest gold and lend By deeper shadows lustre to that face On which they mean their choisest skill to place Thus workmen season much with Sun and wind Those greatest beams which must the building binde Whilst smaller pieces haply are put in When they come bleeding from the wood and green Oft where is greatest grace God's pleas'd to send Great conflicts those great Graces to commend As the six-fingred Giants sword did bring The more renown to little Davids sling The vanquisht Lion and the conquered Bear Prepar'd that holy Head a Crâ—wn to wear The Angel wrestled first and then did bless And made the greater servant to the less Pain was too great for thee Gods grace for pain And made the greater serve the less again Thy pains serv'd thee for glory and did fit The Head on which a Crown of life must sit This is Gods method to fetch joy from grief To turn our sorrows unto our relief To save by killing and to bring to shore By the ships planks which was quite broke before And thus a barren womb first took the seed Which did six hundred thousand people breed That seed too must from knife and Altar rise And be before a fire a Sacrifice Great Preacher of thy Heavenly Fathers will Thy tongue did many ears with Manna fill Thy life out-preach't thy tongue O blessed strife Thy sickness the best Sermon of thy life Before each Doctrine must be prov'd a new Thine end was one great proof that all was true Before thou preach't by weeks but now by hours Each minute taught thy mourning Auditors Each patient groan and each believing eye Was a new Sermon in Brachygraphy When Nature roars without repining words Grace in the mouth when in the Bowels swords In midst of torments to triumph o're Hell To feel Gods Arrows yet his Praises tell Through thickest clouds to see the brightest light In blackest darkness to have cleerest sight And with our Lord to cry My God My God Upon a Cross under the sharpest Rod. This is indeed to preach this is to show Faiths triumph over Natures greatest wo. Then welcome fiery Serpents scorching sting Which did thee thus to th' Brazen Serpent bring Then welcome Whale which though it first devour Renders at last the Prophet to the shore Well might'st thou bear the stone which Death did throw Who had'st the white Stone the new Name to show Well might'st thou be with such an ulcer calm Whose soul was heal'd before with Heavens Balm When spirits wounds are cur'd though Nature groan An heart of flesh can heal a back of stone Let conscience have her feast and let flesh roar This pain shall make the others joy the more As many times those Flowers most fragrant smell Which nearest to some noysome weeds do dwell Thus have you seen the Forge most clearly glow On which the Smith doth drops of water throw Keen Frosts make fire the hotter and deep night Causeth Celestial Lamps to shine more bright And by a dear Antiperistasis The Childs distress sweetens the Fathers kiss A wounded body yeelds to a sound soul The joyes of this do th' others pains controle As in the day that the Sun beams appear All other lesser Stars do disappear When Heaven shines and Divine love doth reign The soul is not at leasure to complain Internal joyes his heart so well composes That they have judg'd their flames a bed of Roses Mr. Gataker Mr. Whitaker But what shall England do from whence are lopt Two if her richest Acres to Heaven dropt By loss of these two Acres she 's more poor Then if sh 'had lost an hundred Lordships more 'T were a good purchase to gain these agen By giving to the Sea all Lincoln Fen. Two little Mines of Gold do far surpass Huge Mannors where th' whole vesture is but grass Learn we by them what all men will once say One Pearch of Heaven 's worth the whole Globe of clay ED. REYNOLDS D. D. The Life and Death of James Vsher Dr. of Divinity Arch-Bishop of Armagh Primate and Metropolitan of all Ireland who dyed Anno Christi 1655. ALexander the Great commanded that no man should draw his Picture but Apelles the most exquisite Painter in the world and that his Statue should not be made in brass by any one but Lysippus the most excellent Work-man in that kinde So truly the Life and Death of this great and good man is fit to be written only by the ablest Pen that can be found Dr. JAMES USHER James Usher was born in Dublin the Metropolis of Ireland in the Parish of St. Nicholas January the 4 Anno Christi 1580. His Father Mr. Arnald Usher was a student in the Law one of the Clerks of the Chanchery in that Nation and a person of excellent parts and endowments His Mother was Mrs. Margaret Stainhurst who in her later time was seduced by some of the Popish Priests to the Roman Religion they taking their opportunity whilst this her Son was upon some occasion in England and they by their subtilty had engaged her in such vows that when her Son came back he could not possibly reclaim her which they have often boasted of in Print yet her Sons hope was at least upon her Death bed to have prevailed for the reducing of her to the Truth But it pleased God that she dyed suddenly at Drogheda when he was absent at Dublin whereby to his no small grief those his hopes were frustrated and disappointed His Grandfather by his Mothers side was James Stainhurst whose Christian name he bore who was chosen three times Speaker of the House of Commons in the Irish Parliaments in the last whereof he made the first motion for the founding and erecting of a College and University in the City of Dublin He was also Recorder of that City one of the Masters of the Chancery and a man of great wisdome and integrity His Uncle was Richard Stainhurst a man famous in France and other Nations for his great learning which he manifested in several Books published by him one of them when he was eighteen years old between whom and this Reverend person there passed many learned Letters His Uncle by his Fathers side was Henry Usher who was trained up at
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
I so much love When she enjoyed the greatest portion of temporal or spiritual comfort yet would she never say Master it is good to be here as Matth. 17. 4. but making that but a step for an higher ascent she rather inferred It is good going hence For if on earth there be so much good how pleasant and desirable is Heaven the joyes on earth to those that are there are but as the earth is to Heaven little and low dark and heavy Why I do not fear Death I fear not Death because it is but the separation of the body from th sould and that it is but a shadow of the body of death Rom. 7. 24. whereas the separation of the soul from God by sin Isa. 59. 2. and of soul and body for sin is death indeed I fear not Death because Death is such an enemy as hath been often vanquished and because I am armed for it and the weapons of my Warfare are mighty through God and I am assured of victory I do not fear Death for the pain of it for I am perswaded I have endured as great pains in life as I shall finde in Death and Death will cure me of all sorts of pains and because Christ dyed a terrible and cursed Death that any kinde of Death might be blessed to me and that God who hath greatly loved me in life will not neglect me in death but his Spirit will succour and strengthen me all the time of the combate I do not fear Death for any loss For I shall but lose my body by it and that is but a prison to my soul an old rotten house or ragged garment nay I shall not lose that neither for I shall have it restored again at my Saviours second coming made much better than now it is For this vile body shall be like the Body of Christ and by death I shall obtain a far better life And as an incentive of Divine love she prepared a breviate of Gods principal benefits to her self for meditation on her Death-bed and for thanksgiving to God which was this How shall I praise God 1. For my Conversion 2. For his Word both in respect of my affections to it and the wonderful comforts I have had by it 3. For hearing of my prayers 4. For godly sorrow 5. For fellowship with the godly 6. For joy in the Holy Ghost 7. For the desire of death 8. For contempt of the world 9. For private helps and comforts 10. For giving me some strength against my sin 11. For preserving me from gross evils both before and after my calling c. She shewed her holy love to God by conforming her practice to his Precepts according to that Joh. 14. 15. If you love me keep my Commandements She thought nothing too much that she should stick at if God commanded or forbad it nothing so small but his Word was able to give it weight enough to bow down her neck to the obedience of it If it was a greater matter that he required of her she considered that he was a God infinitly both great and good and that unto her who had and would do for her ten thousand times more and greater things than she could do for him If it were a little thing she conceived that the contempt or neglect of it would aggravate her guilt as Naamans servants said to their Master If the Prophet had bidden thee do some great matter wouldst thou not have done it How much rather when he saith unto thee wash and be clean 2 King 5. 18. the less the duty is the more is the disobedience if we do it not for thereby we extenuate the Authority of the Almighty and such as sleight it in a little thing will not regard it in a greater She was therefore very precise in every point which God required the perâ—formance of By this means she still increased in holiness and sanctification and kept a greater distance from great offences according to that of St. Jerom Non cito ad majora progreditur qui parva formidet who so is afraid of a small sin will not easily grow bold on those that are greater Her love to God was strong as death Cant. 8. 4. yea and much stronger so that Death could not affright her for she desired daâ—ly to look death in the face nor could it hurt her more than she was content to endure For though it was not likely that she should go through the narrow wicket of Death and not be pinched in her passage yet was she well contented with it seeing it was the ready way to come to God whom she so much longed to behold Her Charity was very chary of the credit of the absent towards whom she would not suffer either her tongue or her ears be guilty of any wrong or robbery of their reputations She never imposed false crimes or feigned faults upon others She never discovered their secret sins or aggravated those that were known She never denied dissembled nor diminished the vertue or good parts of any Though her hatred of sin was such as became a sincere Christian yet knew she how to distinguish betwixt sin and the sinner and setting a severe dislike on the one she reserved as charity required love or compassion for the other Her Charity was regular according to the Rules of Scripture which she set down in a paper with quotations of Texts for her direction in four particulars 1. I must give readily Job 31. 16. Prov. 3. 28. 1 Tim. 6. 18. 2. I must give secretly Matth 6. 3. 3. I must give liberally 2 Cor. 8. 12. 9. 6. 4. I must give cheerfully 2 Cor. 8. 12. It was answerable also according to her own ability and others necessities She had rather give a little to many since the number of the needy is very great then a great deal to a few and she so ordered her charity that she might still be able to exercise her hand that way and not as some who give so much that after a while they can give no more And upon extraordinary occasions if she were not magnificent the let was not in her minde but in her means Her Charity was vigorus and so cordial that what she gave was alwayes without grudging knowing that God loves a cheerful giver 2 Cor. 9. 7. yea she was so cheerful herein that she bestowed nothing upon her self with more readiness than she did upon others whether it were towards the maintenance of the Ministry or in giving Almes to the poor and yet herein did she follow the rule of our Saviour Matth. â— 6. Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth for she was many times as close in giving her own as a Thief would be in taking away from others so that none did more good deeds with less shew or sound of words than she For the object of her charity she took her direction from the Apostles precept
good and a charitable neighbour and a true and constant friend Towards her latter end she fell into some bodily distempers wherein she had fits or trances like the embrions of death which by a gradual failing of her spirits left her at last unable to speak or move yet without any great alteration in her countenance which by some was conceived to be a spice of the Mother it was short and not sharp for she felt no pain yet when she returned to her self she found that she was commonly more feeble than before Upon the Munaay sevenight before she dyed was the first assault given which set Deaths pale colour upon her face and fingers from the middle joynts towards the ends her nails turned to a blewish black which being rubbed a while returned again to their former complexion and she remained that night indifferent well the next day her disease appeared in the form and quality of a kindely ague and so continued mostly tâ—ll within three or four daies before her end then it turned from an intermitting Ague to a continual Feaver that afflicted her with extream burning and other pains which commonly accompany such a disease especially when it rageth most as it doth towards the latter end During her sickness having the free use of all her faculties her soul no doubt was exercised in holy meditations for whâ—h she had kept in store many particulars of importance to be remembred at her departure out of this world Her desires were strong for a speedy dissolution so that she implored God with the request of David Psal. 38. 22. Make haste to help me O Lord my salvation and Psal. 40. 13. Be pleased O Lord to deliver me O Lord make haste to help me And this she desired that she might have a joyful meeting with him and fruition of him after whom her soul longed even then when her life was most lightsome and her condition most comfortable And now the time drew near that her desire was to be granted in that kinde which she most desired by the power of death to pass to the Authour of life which she did in such a calm manner that when she was thought to be but asleep she was found to be dead on Friday August the 17. Anno Christi 1638. The Life and Death of Mr. Ignatius Jurdaine who dyed Anno Christi 1640. IGnatius Jurdaine was born at Lime-Regis in the County of Dorset Anno Christi 1561. And when he was yet young he was sent by his Friends to the City of Exeter to be brought up in the profession of a Merchant and from thence being about fifteen years old he was sent into the Isle of Garnsey and God by his good providence having brought him to that place did also there effectually call and convert him by his Grace So that from that time he resolved to be like that wise Merchant in the Gospel Mat. 13. 46. to part with all for that Pearl of great price whereas others did make it their great work and highest design to get the pelf of the world and to load themselves with thick clay Hab. 2. 6. And in testimony of his thankfulness to God he left by Will a considerable Legacy to the poor of Lime where he was born and to the poor of Garnsey where he was new born God seasoning his heart with Grace in his younger years the general course of his life did for the future relish of it according to that of Solomon Prov. 22. 6. Train up a childe in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it For as he was trained up in Religion from his youth so he continued not only in the form and profession but in the life and power of it until his old age and death In the whole tenour of his life his piety was most eminent and indeed there have been few observed to hold such constâ—nt and close communion with God as Mr. Jurdaine did It was his constant practice for many years together even to his old age to arise between two and three of the clock in the morning and that even in the coldest seasons of the year and to spend the time in secret meditation and prayer until six a clock which was the appointed time for his Morning-sacrifice in the Family at which time he was called from his secret devotions to the exercise of Religious Family-duties And if at any time he had over-slept himself as he accounted it and did not rise until four a clock he would much bemoan himself for the loss of so much precious time wherein he might have enjoyed sweet and comfortable communion with God Surely had he not experimentally found much sweetness in this his spiritual converse with God as David did Psal. 104. 34. he could not have continued so constantly therein And having thus awaked with God in the morning and renewed his acquaintance with him day by day it s no marvel that he did walk with him all the day long after In all his affairs and dealings his care was to walk very exactly and sincerely according to St. Pauls direction Eph. 5. 16. But though in all things he studied to approve himself to God and to walk as in the sight of God 2 Cor. 2. 17. yet could he not escape the malicious censures of men who charged him to do all in Hypocrisie He well knew that he had the imputations of dissembling and hypocrisie cast upon him by men void of charity and sincerity but the testimony of his own conscience did more comfort him than the uncharitable censures of men dejected him and he used upon that occasion to take up the words of Job Till I dye I will not remove mine integrity from me Job 27. 5. Many have oft heard him to profess that he would not willingly commit a sin to get a world though the evil which he would not do that did he as Rom. 7. 25. as it is incident to the best of men yet did he bewail it with grief of heart The sincerity indeed both of his intentions and actions hath been questioned by some who were not ashamed to say that under colour of doing Justice when he was a publick Magistrate and providing for poor he robbed the poor and helpt to keep his own house which was due to the poor But for that falshood that was thus charged upon him there were none that could ever better clear him from it than himself not onely his conscience witnessing for him before God but his books wherein he kept an exact Record of all the money which he received by way of mulct from Swearers Drunkards c. according to the Law and the Officers that distributed the money testifying his integrity before men so that might truly say with Jacob Gen. 30. 33. My righteousness shall answer for me and so it did herein both before God and men Nay he was so far from depriving
intercede for them The Bishop told him that such Conventicles were forbidden by the Law the State being jealous lest the seeds of Sedition or Heresie might be sown in them To whom Mr. Jurdaine replied My Lord Do you think that the Lord Jesus Christ when he comes to Judgement will say concerning these and such like poor Christians Take them Devil take them because though they sought me by fasting and prayer yet they did not observe every circumstance with so much prudence as they might have done Whereupon the Bishop dismissed them I am now come to the last act of his Life his sickness and the period of that his Death In his sickness which was very painfull he being sorely afflicted with the Stone and Cholick yet did he manifest more than ordinary patience not opening his mouth in any word that might savour of repining or discontent at his present condition but meekly and patiently submitting to Gods afflicting hand and waiting for his long-expected and much desired dissolution He did then much act faith in Jesus Christ and his gracious Promises and his assurance remained unshaken though Satan was then busie with him by his temptations But being strong in the Lord and in the power of his might he did resist him Some of his nearest Friends that observed his confident Assurance in the course of his life and of his happy estate in heaven after death did suppose that Satan would have set upon him with so much violence as to have shaken his Assurance as no doubt he had will enough to do but God who had him in chains would not permit him to do it But he went out of the world as a Conquerour out of the Field being through Christ victorious over all his spiritual enemies One particular in his sickness may not be omitted which was his taking all occasions of exhorting and encouraging others to constancy in the faith zeal for God and making sure of Heaven and when his spirits began to fail him he would say I cannot speak much more to you now Râ—member what you have heard from me in my health He was willing also to incite others that were absent to the discharge of their Duties The Mayor of the City that then was sending to see how he did he called the messenger unto him and said Remember me to Mr. Mayor and tell him from me that he have a special care of these three things To do Justice To provide carefully for the poor and to make sure of Heaven His gracious speeches in the time of his sickness were many and more than can be here expressed Having fought the good fight of Faith and finished his course he sweetly and quietly resigned up his soul into the hands of his blessed Saviour and Redeemer He departed this Life July the 15. Anno Christi 1640. being the Sabbath day The Sabbath was his delight on earth and on that day God gave him to enjoy an eternal Sabbath with him in Heaven As he had sweet communion with God in the use of Ordinances for many years on that day so he went to enjoy an immediate communion with God on that holy day and after all his labours he entred into rest even that glorious Rest in Heaven Heb. 4. 11. His departure hence was in the Seventy ninth year of his age and according to his account for the New-birth in the Sixty fifth year For so long he reckoned since the time of his effectual Calling At the celebration of his Funerals there hath not been known any man to be more lamented than was he the loss being so great not to the City alone but to all those Western parts the influence of his example as a zealous Magistrate and Christian reaching far and near After he had served his own Generation by the will of God he fell on sleep Act. 13. 36. The Life and Death of Mrs. Margaret Ducke who dyed Anno Christi 1646. THe Father of Mrs. Margaret Ducke was Mr. Henry Southworth a Gentleman of a good Family Her Mother was a vertuous and Religious Matron He was a Merchant and Customer of London by which means having acquired a plentiful estate he contented himself with it and withdrew from thence to a more quiet and retired that is a more happy life at Wells where he lived plentifully and having onely two Daughters his Co-heirs he gave them liberal and pious education in all those wayes which commend and accomplish well-bred Gentlewomen This Gentlewoman who was the younger of his Daughters was deservedly dear to both her Parents and lived with them till their deaths which fell out to be shortly one after another For as they were lovely and pleasant in their lives if I may so use the words of Davids lamentation over Saul and Jonathan 2 Sam. 1. so in their Deaths they were not divided She was then about the one and twentieth year of her age at which time she was desired in marriage by many younger in years and higher in means and lands than the Gentleman was unto whom with her great contentment even to her dying day she yeelded her self and her affections resolving as the vertuous Marcella in St. Jerom answered her young Woer Cerealis who was of a Noble and Consular race Si nubere vellem utique maritum quaererem non haereditatem that when she married she would marry an Husband not an estate though yet God had blessed her Husband with a competency of these outward things Their Marriage was celebrated by that incomparable and even in this age famous Prelate Bishop Lake in the City of Wells who never married any persons besides themselves where for some years they lived together and the Town to this day gives an ample testimony to their piety and charity For her part they say as Gregory Nyssen said of Placilla that if she prevented him not in any work of charity yet she was sure to concur with him therein and when she departed from thence they soon complained and lamented the want of her charity The blinde complained that they wanted an eye the lame a staffe the mourners one to comfort them the languishing one to visit them as St. Jerom said of Nepotian For indeed she was eyes to the blinde feet to the lame she was a mother to the poor and distressed and to those who had nothing to help them The blessing of those as Job saith of himself that were ready to perish came upon her and she caused the widows heart to sing for joy From Wells they removed to Blackfriers in London where she lived long under the powerful Ministry of the thrice worthy and learned Dr. Gouge a man famous for his pains in the Church of Christ. What her Life Faith Charity Patience was during her abode there was well known to all in general and particularly observed by that Reverend Doctor and abundantly testified at her Funerals by him so that nothing needs to be added to
of God against it Thou shalt not take the Name of God in vain And another of them reasoning with his fellows about God and the Devil professed that he had rather be in hell with God than in heaven with the Devil And a third who by reason of her age could not speak distinctly said in some discourse with her Father that God Almighty would not bless them who tell Fibbs meaning Lies and that she had rather dye than tell a Fibb so far had their Mothers instructions prevailed with them She was eminent for a charitable and bountifull spirit she was another Dorcas full of good works and Alms-dâ—eds That high Elogium that Solomon gives a vertuous woman may properly be applied unto her Many Daughters have done vertuously but she excelled them all Prov. 31. 29. Many there are that come far short of her but very few that went beyond her in the acts of Charity God gave her a liberal and plentifull estate and that was a great mercy but it was a far greater mercy that he gave her a liberal heart to do good and to distribute To cast her bread on the waters and to honour God with her substance That protestation which Job makes for his own vindication may fitly be applied unto her Job 31. 16 19. He would not with-hold the poor from their desire nor cause the eyes of the widow to fail He would not see any to perish for want of cloathing nor any poor without covering The whole Country round about where she dwelt will bear her witness that she visited and relieved the sick and cloathed the naked fed the hungry and healed the wounded Her purse her hand her heart were all open for their relief She bought many precious Drugs and cordial waters She made several precious salves and gave them all away to such as were in need of them She spared not her best pains being never aweary of well doing insomuch that in the extremity of her greatest sickness such bowels of compassion yearned in her she compounded several Medicines with her own hands and applied them Thus will her works praise her in the Gate and being dead she yet speaketh Prov. 31. 31. Heb. 11. 4. For her precious name liveth The Lord will have the name of the Righteous to be in everlasting remembrance Psal. 112. 6. and the memory of the just is blessed Prov. 10. 7. And precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints Psal. 116. 15. Now this rare Gentlewoman reaps the fruit of her serving of God and the whole harvest whereof she received onely the first fruits in this present world The usual saying is All is well that ends well Come we therefore to speak of her end Her life was holy and therefore her death must needs be happy It pleased the Lord to exercise her with a long and lingring sickness and amidst the weakness of the outward man God gave her great strength in her inward man though her limbs and outward strength failed her yet God was her strength and portion and he never failed her A few dayes before her distemper waxed high her Husband being from home she sent for all her Family both young and old to come in unto her chamber with whom she prayed near two hours with such pathetical heavenly Scripture-language as drew admiration and tears from those that were present She blessed her children counselled her servants heartily and affectionately commended her Husband unto God she wept and prayed and prayed and wept and could not easily part with the company nor yet leave off praying and weeping Upon the encrease of her distemper her spirit was much disturbed and some impertinent speeches did fall from her yet in the middest of all her impertinences Grace and the Spirit of God did eminently declare their Power and Sovereignty in her by many savoury and choice speeches and sweet breathings of her soul some of which are these that follow I was in the Devils claws but Jesus Christ the sweet Bridegroom of my soul the sweet Bridegroom of my soul these words she often reiterated the sweet Bridegroom of my soul hath delivered me At another time I am safe for Jesus Christ is at my heart and I would not part with him for ten thousand worlds Again Come Lord Jesus the Captain of my salvation ride on gloriously conquering and to conquer for me Satan Sin Hell Death and all mine enemies Afterwards again I was in Hell but now I am in Heaven I am in Heaven indeed indeed I am in Heaven I am in Heaven eternally I am in Heaven the habitation of Gods glory unto all eternity Much of this nature she did speak even when her understanding was so disturbed that she scarce did know her near Relations and those who did attend upon her in her Chamber And now all these things are worthy to be transmitted unto posterity and to be had in perpetual remembrance She was an eminently godly Gentlewoman being but little above Eight and twenty years of age when she dyed which was in the beginning of March Anno Christi 1656. But though she was young in years yet was she old in Grace She had lived long in a little time She was a mirror of her age and a renown of her sexe a pattern worthy of imitation She was the beloved faithfull wife of as an intirely loving and faithfull Husband She was a tender affectionate Mother to her own and no less carefull of those pledges committed to his charge She was a most dear Sister an affectionate Mistress carefull both of the bodies and souls of her servants that they should neither want corporal nor spiritual food Her profession was with Joshua Chap. 24. 15. Choose you this day whom you will serve But as for me I and my house we will serve the Lord. She was not onely a friend to her friends but a friend to her enemies even unto such as despitefully used her All the Country round about could not but look upon her whilst living as a publick gain and when dead as a publick loss She was very usefull whilst she lived and will be much missed now she is dead Two things were very eminent in her Setledness in Religion and holiness of conversation By her death the poor have lost a liberal Almoner the sick 〈…〉 a good Physitian the wounded have lost a 〈◊〉 Chirurgion the Husband hath lost a faithful Wife the children a tender Mother the servants a gracious Mistress and not any that knew her of all her neighbours and friends but they will finde a great loss and miss of her All that knew her loved her but onely such whose love is not worth the having She lived much desired and dyed much lamented For her to live was Christ and to die was gain Phil. 1. 21. She was honoured in her life and she was honoured at her death by a confluence of many persons of quality of the Gentry
yet will I trust in him I will wait and hearken to him when I say he is thus far proceeded Satan may now go shake his ears and receive his answer Its God that justifies who shall condemn Oh! Hell where is thy power Oh! Death Oh! Devil what is thy Commission It s not my meaning to prescribe to God any one way of working but this is the way he often takes with his children and this we may finde exemplified in this foregoing Narrative touching the conversion and procedure of this Saint so far as she hath commented upon her own life Now for her death I will tell thee whâ—t my observations were thereabout 1. I finde that God began with her quickly and called her hence before she was aged and that is mostly his method where an early harvest is intended a timely seeds-time is promised they live quickly and live apace who ripen betimes so was it with her who was seldome out of action after her entrance but gained as much time in so little a time as any I knew 2. I observe that death came not all at once upon her she was yearly dying some years before she dyed her last and thus death was made familiar to her I have seldome known any of her age that was less amazed at the speech and thoughts of death so good a thing it is to know experimentally what it is to dye beforehand 3. Observe how Gods power triumphs in weakest vessels It is a thing I have often thought on that godly women for the most part dye more confidently and comfortably than do good men the Lord trampling upon Satan in them and in her very eminently 4. Her patience was remarkable in the midst of sore pains which frequented her in the beeding and bearing of children yet then her speech was I fear not pains I fear my self lest through impatiency I should let fall any unfitting word It is a blessed frame when pain seems light and sin heavy 5. I plainly saw in her the power of Grace beyond nature 1. When life and death were both laid before her her speech was this I am at my Fathers disposal howbeit of my self I rather incline to death than life 2. Whereas her affections were very strong both to her loving Husband and children insomuch as it was conceived that the last farewell would go very near her when she should part with so precious and dear Friends she was so much taken up with the thoughts of Christ that she seemed not to stick at any such relations Nay thirdly she seemed wholly to forget her natural self for being intreated to favour her body and speech in regard of the lowness of her spirits after some pause she brake forth into these words Shall I for this poor carkass be wanting to my souls comfoâ—t and my Saviours praises Let me have your prayers still and God his praises yea pray not onely for but with me Which being done she overflowed with comfort and in that condition I left her and that stream of comfort led her not long after to the Fountain where are Rivers of joy for evermore Thus lived she a most profitable life Thus dyed she a most fruitfull death God so turned this his servant that living dying and after death she should be fruitfull Thus will God honour those that honour him To him be all honour to Eternity Amen Now it may be usefull to make mention of her last sickness especially eight weeks before her death All her discourses were savoury tending to edification Many good Christians came to visit her who all if it were not their own fault might reap some spiritual benefit from those many excellent speeches which proceeded out of her mouth And the counsels she gave to her Relations and other friends were tempered with gravity and affection She accustomed not her self to affectation of high-flown phrases but held fast the form of sound words She was an old Disciple and her grave and sober language accordingly discovered her so to be From the very first of her last sickness her apprehension was that she should dye shortly and her longing desire was to be dissolved and to be with Christ. She often repeated those words of Job There the weary go to rest and those words in the close of the Revelations Come Lord Jesus come quickly upon the approach of her death whereof she was very sensible she asked her Husband what Promises of assurance were a firm ground for her to bottome upon He named Joh. 10. 28. And I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand Likewise he added Rom. 8. 33. 34. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect It is God that justifieth who is he that condemneth It is Christ that dyed yea rather that is risen again who is ever at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for us He added vers 38 39. For I am perswaded that neither Death nor Life nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers nor things present nor â—â—ings to come nor height nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. These said she are sweet promises That morning she dyed she desired her Husband to read the 17 Chapter of John which Chapter that eminent holy Scotchman Mr. Rollock caused to be read to him when he was dying after that was read she was ravished with great joy and expressed her self accordingly Her Husband and two other Friends prayed with her After the last Prayer was ended she said My flesh and my heart faileth Her Husband answered her That God was the strength of her heart and her portion for ever He would never fail her She returned an answer which were the last words which ever she spoke to him He will never fail me About an hour after she resigned up her spirit unto God who gave it and her last words were I have finished my course She slept in Jesus December the 8 Anno Christi 1654. To her to live was Christ and to dye was gain She lived much desired and dyed much lamented Her name is like precious Oyntment powred forth She lived holily and dyed comfortably and now partakes of those joyes which eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither can enter into the heart of man to conceive even those things which God hath prepared for them that love him Divers Epitaphs were made at the Death of this rare Gentlewoman I shall onely insert two which were made by two Reverend and Learned Doctors On the Death of that worthy Gentlewoman Mrs. ELIZABETH WILKINSON E-re while Dear Consort I was leas'd to thee Wise now to Christ for perpetuity L-iving with thee was sweet with him far best I-n earth joy 's mixt with pain in him all rest I-wrought I suffer'd much in a few years L-ife now rewards
my work wipes off my tears S-ighs are all turn'd to songs all tears to wine K-ings favour crowns my heart what should grieve thine A-re we not both of the same houshold still I-at the Banquet and thou at the Mill B-oth fellow-servants I my Pension now N-ext thine work on the Feast succeeds the Plow E-ach of us yet in hopes my Dust to win S-alvation from the Grave thy soul from sin T-hings worth the waiting for Christ comes to save O-mourn no more but write this on my Grave H-ere lies Mother and Babe both without sins N-ext birth will make her and her Infant twins Her Childe was buried with her Thus interwoven were our Names till death Left Wilkinson without Elizabeth Wee 'l joyn again 'T was Man and Wiâ—e before 'T will then be fellow-Saints for evermore ED. REYNOLDS On the truly Vertuous and Religious Mrs. Elizabeth Wilkinson To her Husband Say shall I speak or hold my peace That seems more due but this more ease Where what to speak is hard to say For should I utter all I may 'T were endless And to praise a Friend By halves is but to discommend And would I speak To whom and what To those that knew or knew her not Who knew her need it not for they Know more than I am like to say Who knew her not may think that she Deserv'd but what they hear from me And so instead of setting forth Her praise I should but wrong her worth He that adores with silent view Doth not detract from what is due But all that while his silence sayes He knows not how enough to praise So might I choose I would adore Her speaking worth and say no more But since I must for so you say Not hold my peace I must obey Yet 't is I say too hard a task To answer fully what you ask To know what first I should commend And harder where to make an end Should I begin where first appear Her worths I must begin with Her Higher than so I need not go Tho whence she came be worthy too From first her own deserving merit Claims more than others do inherit Nor is it easie to express What age of hers was spent amiss Her temper meek Her carriage such Her language good and not too much Her habit comely more than brave Her conversation humbly grave What vertues deck't a single life Were doubled when she was a wife How good a wife I need not tell To him who knew her worth so well Nor what was her Maternal care To whom her children were so dear Nor was her good confin'd to home But challenged a larger room To heal the sick the hungry feed And succour those that stood in need Good both to soul and body too Of those with whom she had to do To rich to poor to great and small But in her Closet best of all Which was her Christian daily walk In doing that which others talk Forward to good without constraint And as she liv'd she dy'd a Saint But this to speak at large would crave A Volume not an Epitaph And were it done I might offend By shaming many left behinde Tho more there may be found I fear That will commend than follow her Some minde good words more than good lives Some are good women not good wives Some neither this nor that and some Abroad are better than at home Some hope to dye like Saints although 'T is too too plain they live not so 'T is rare in all respects to see A Wife a Woman like to thee At home abroad in life in death Like unto our ELIZABETH I. WALLIS D. D. A Table of the chief things contained in the first Part. A ADvice to children page 323 c. Affability 118 Afflictions of Gods Ministers 45. 62 65 80 280 290 B Books which are best 314 C Candour 77 Charity 1 4. 41 93 116 149 174 239 303 Comforting afflicted consciences 10 41 114 Communion with God 7 Conjugal love 14 40 139 Constancy 258 Contentment 30 Conversation in Heaven 9 Conversion 57 Courage 287 302 D Diligence 99 132 202 Divisions lamented 227 E Envy 107 211 F Faith 120 150 172 281 Family duties 7 28 101 145 162 Family government 307 Fasting and pâ—ayer 15 63 70 119 162 Fruitfulness in conversation 13 264 G Gratitude 28 H Heart tâ—nder 169 Hospitality 8 34 42 78 Humility 8 20 37 42 68 118 148 172 216 240 269 297 304 Hypocrisie complained of 261 I Ignorance 276 Independency 〈…〉 approved 319 Industry 2 30 34 56 62 63 86 88 105 109 129 137 165 195 219 Justice 14 150 L Life holy heavenly 9 30 40 107 148 268 Love to the Saints 174 M Meekness 74 114 169 Memory good Ministry highly esteemed 101 160 163 167 Ministry successfull 67 105 212 228 234 Moderation 73 271 Modesty 75 251 P Painfulness in the Work of the Ministry 4 32 91 106 132 162 204 212 223 262 263 284. Patience 121 150 169 272 306 Peace-makers 78 115 239 Persecutors plagued by God 22 65 Piety 68 96 147 160 194 Popery not to be tolerated 220 Prayer frequent and servent 9 15 38 69 103 171 219 254 310 Prayer succesfull 11 192 204 230 Set forms of Prayer lawfull 255 Preaching plain best 252 Predictions 10 201 225 226 Providences remarkable 2 6 4â— 56 64 66 79 129 191 207 215 234 235 27â— Prudence 30 36 57 74 229 S Sabbath sanctified 69 102 298 Satans malice and subtilty 191 192 Self-denial 35 105 135 142 205 268 Sermons which are best 313 Single-heartedness 261 Slanders 290 Speeches gracious 11 122 178 299 304 317 c. 320 Studiousness 40 67 97 116 Sympathy 45 120 174 T Temperance 117 305 Temptations 61 249 294 Temptations resisted 199 Thansgiving page 119 Tithes asserted 266 W Wives vertuous 14 32 Word meditated on 98 World contemned 196 269 Z Zeal 5 113 148 163 166 201 226 239 A Table of the principal things contained in the second Part. A Afflictions of Gods children p. 497 514 Anabaptists raise troubles 374 Assurance 457 B Bible translated into Suedish 387 Bishops temporalties given to the King 382 Bounty 431 C Charity 438 470 507 Comforts of Gods children 424 494 518 522 Constancy 446 505 Conversation heavenly 452 Conversion 415 502 512 515 Covetousness 342 Courage of Gods children 384 466 468 477 505 Cruelty 341 342 D Death desired and why 432 460 Death not feared and why 435 Devotion 499 E Enemies loved 439 F Faith of Gods children 420 424 496 519 523 Family government 506 Fasting and prayer 429 Fidelity 400 G Gods mercy to his children 516 517 519 526 Growth in Grace 447 513 H Heavenly-mindedness 416 461 Hospitality 473 Humility 425 444 503 Hypocrisie 342 I Joy unspeakable 457 518 Justice 462 463 465 L Life holy 449 491 Love to Gods children 428 437 50â— Love to Gods house 490 M Meekness 492 503 Mercy to souls 465 Ministes loved 45â— Modesty 44â— P Patience 440 485
p. 157. l. 11. r. dayes for life p. 233. l. 31. r. knowing for know p. 312. l. 4. r. wrote for wroughâ— p. 318. l. 25. r. jure humanâ— juris humanâ— p. 342. l. 17. r. bury for bâ—y l. the last r other for to her p. 315. l. 8. r the restless for restless the p. 369. l. 17. r. Sabboth for Sabbath l. 27. r. Lubeckers for Lubecks p 435. l. 21. r. the soâ—l for the sould p. 439. l. 7. r. Mâ—t. 6. 3. for Mâ—t. 3. 6. p. 443. l. 11. r. which for when p. 451. l. 15. put in by that l. 24 pâ—t in he p. 452 l. 13. pâ—t out used and put in to p. 457. l. 3. put in of p. 468. l. 29. r. you for yours l. 529. l. 11 r. breeding for being Mr. JOHN CARTER The LIFE and DEATH OF Mr. JOHN CARTER Who died Anno Christi 1634. MAster John Carter was born at Wickham in Kent near Canterburie about the year of our Lord 1554. He was descended but of mean Parents yet were they Religious and of good report who not being able to maintain him at the University wholly upon their own charge there was one Mr. Rose a rich man in Canterbury who taking notice of his Piety in those his tender years of his ingenuity studiousness and proficiency in all School-learning even beyond the pitch of a Grammer Scholar and finding him hopefull and likely to prove a precious instrument in the Church of Christ he took him into his care sent him to Cambridge and contributed such sums of money to him from time to time as were needfull He was admitted into Clare-Hall and was Pupil to Dr. Bing a famous Civilian and Master of that House Presently after his first admission into that House he was taken notice of as one of singular Learning and ripeness for his years Amongst the rest that were of his year he had a Theam given him to make upon this Subject Frugalitas virtutum maxima and when the young Students brought in their Theams the Lecturer took and read them and when he came to Carters Theam he stood and paused awhile and at last said before them all Here is the best Theam that ever I read and gave him some money for his encouragement and highly commended his Industry and always after cast a favourable eye upon him and sought opportunities to do him good When Mr. Carter had taken his degrees of Batchelor and Mr. of Arts his Tutor Dr. Bing out of his singular love to him for his Piety and Learning gave him a Chamber in his own Lodgings where he continued a year or two which conduced much to the compleating of him for the work of the Ministry and all the while that he continued a gremial in the lap and bosom of his Mother the University he held constant Meetings with divers of his famous Contemporaries and that every week as with Dr. Chaderton Dr. Andrews afterwards Bishop of Ely Mr. Culverwell Mr. Kewstubs and divers others whom God raised up and fitted to send forth into his Harvest to gather his Corn then ripe for the Sickle into his Barn At their meetings they had constant Exercises first They began with prayer then applied themselvs to the Study of the Scriptures one was for the Original Languages anothers task was for the Grammatical Interpretation anothers for the Logical Analysis anothers for the true sense and meaning of the Text another gathered the Doctrines and thus they carried on their several imployments till at last they went out like Apollos eloquent men and mighty in the Scriptures and the Lord was with them so that they brought in a very great Harvest into Gods Barn Mr. Carter would not run before he was sent though he was so excellently qualified for the work he durst not venter upon the exercise of the holy work of the Ministry till he had not only an inward but an outward call also viz. an assignation approbation and solemn admission by the laying on of the hands of the Presbyterie When he was ordained the Bishop who in those days was primus Presbyter or Praeses seeking to oppose him asked him this Question Have you read the Bible through Yes said he I have read the Old Testament twice through in the Hebrew and the New Testament often through in the Greek and if you please to examine me in any particular place I shall endeavour to give you an account of it Nay said the Bishop if it be so I shall need to say no more to you only some words of Commendation and encouragement he gave him and so with other assistants he Ordained him Anno Christi 1583. the Vicaridge of Bramford in Suffolk near Ipswich fell void and Mr. Rose of Canterbury beforementioned procured the Presentation thereof for Mr. Carter of the Dean and Chapter of Canterburie in whose Gift it was The Salary at first was only twenty Marks per annum but afterwards the Church raised it to twenty pound per annum and that was the most that ever he had there yet he accepted of it and being setled in it he set himself to do the work of Christ faithfully with all his might as a workman that needed not to be ashamed Every Lords day he preached twice very powerfully and Chatechised the younger sort He also preached a Lecture every Thursday to which multitudes from Ipswich and other adjacent places did resort And God gave such success to his Ministry that by his labours many sons and daughters were from time to time begotten unto God Many precious Christians that remain unto this day acknowledge that their Conversion was by Mr. Carters Ministry Before his Sermons he made but a short Prayer and that always in the same words After Sermon he used to be large and full and expressed himself with great variety of phrases and with much fervency and always he concluded with the Lords Prayer He was very diligent in visiting the sick especially the poorer sort and he never went to the house of any poor creature but he left a Purse-Alms as well as a Spiritual-Alms of good and heavenly advice and prayer No poor body ever came to his door that went away empty his wife also looking to that as carefully as himself Every Saturday throughout the whole year he gave the Milk of his Cows to the poor of the Town and indeed he gave more to the Poor every year then the Revenue of his slender Vicaridge came to in the whole yet God so blessed him that whilst he was in Bramford he quickly paid Mr. Rose of Canterbury all the money that he had disbursed toward his Education in the Uuniversity and before he left Bramford he purchased about twenty pound per annum Gods blessing only makes rich He had but two sons and he brought them both up in Learning and maintained them in the University in good fashion He
used to do and came out of his Bed-chamber into the Hall and after Prayer he called for his ordinary breakfast which he used before he went to Church for still he held his resolution for Preaching which was an Egg he took it into his hand but alas it would not down whereupon he said to his daughter Eunice I am not able to go to Church yet I pray thee lead me to my Bed I will lie down a little and rest me So he rose up out of his chair and walked up and down she supporting him and when he came to the Parlour door before he put his foot over the threshold Oh Eunice saith he What shall I do Put your trust saith she in that God of whom you have had so much experience who never yet did leave you nor forsake you Yea saith he the Lord be thanked So he gathered up his strength went to the Bed-side sat down upon it and immediatly composed himself to lie down He lifted up one of his Legs upon the Bed without any great difficulty laid down his Body and rested his Head upon the Pillow His Daughter still stood by expecting when she should lift his other leg upon the Bed thinking that he had been faln asleep and she was not mistaken for so he was It proved his last sleep and before she could discern any change in him his soul had taken its flight into heaven even into the Arms and embraces of his Blessed Saviour whom he had faithfully served all his life long being about fourscore years old He intended a Sabbaths labour for Christ and Christ gave him rest from his labour even the rest of an eternal Sabbath When his daughter began to speak to him and to lift him she found that his breath was departed yet was there not any change in his countenance at all his eyes and his mouth continuing in the same posture they used to be in his sweetest sleeps Thus the Lord gave unto his faithfull Servant the desire of his soul and a return of his Prayers such an easie passage as that his death could not be discerned from a sweet natural sleep Not many days before his death he called his daughter and said to her Daughter Remember my love to my Son John I shall see him no more in this life and remember me to the rest of my children and Family and deliver this message to them all from me Stand fast in the faith and love one another This was the last message that ever he sent to them He ended his life with a Doxology breathing out his last with these words The Lord be thanked When he had thus yielded up his Spirit into the hands of his heavenly Father his daughter Eunice dispatched away a Messenger to his Son John at Norwich for so had her Father given order before he died that his body should not be put into a Cofsin till his Son John came and God carried him through the journey in hard weather so that through Gods good providence he arrived at Belsted early on the Tuesday and going into the house of mourning he found the Body of his deceased Father still lying upon the bed they uncovered his face and sweetly he lay and with a smiling countenance and no difference appearing to the eye between his countenance alive and dead only that he was wont to rejoyce and to bless his Son at their meeting and now he was silent His son fell upon his face and kissed him and lift up his voice and wept and so took his last leave of him till they should meet in a better world February the 4th in the afternoon Anno Christi 1634. was he Interred at which time there was a great confluence people from all the parts thereabout Ministers and others all taking up the words of Joash King of Israel Oh my Father my Father the chariots of Israel and the Horsemen thereof Good Mr. Samuel Ward that famous Divine and the glory of Ipswich came to the Funeral brought with him a mourning Gown and offered very respectfully to have preached his Funeral Sermon now that such a Congregation was gathered together and upon such an occasion But his Son and daughter durst not give way unto it for so their Father had often charged them in his life time and that upon his blessing that there should be no Sermon at his burial For said he it may give occasion to speak some good of me that I deserve not and so false things may be uttered in the Pulpit Mr. Ward rested satisfied with this and accordingly did forbear But the next Friday at Ipswich he turned his whole Lecture into a Funeral Sermon for Mr. Carter in which he honoured him and lamented the Churches loss to the great satisfaction of the whole Auditory Gloria fugentes sequitur Glory is like your shadow follow it and it will flie away from you but she from it and it will follow you And so it proved with Mr. Carter He was most eminent for Humility Humble he was in his habit and humble in all his deportment For though his Gifts called him before great men yet his most ordinary converse was with those of an inferiour rank in whom he saw most of the power of godliness So that he might truly say with David Psal. 119. 63. I am a companion of all them that fear thee and of them that keep thy precepts He wrote very much but he left nothing behinde him save what is Printed and his Exposition upon the Revelations and a Petition to King James for the taking away of burdensom Ceremonies out of the Church Nothing else but a few broken Papers which he regarded not Probably he burnt the rest when he saw his appointed time draw neer meerly out of a low opinion of himself and his own gifts He avoided all things that might tend to outward Pomp and ostentation He would have no Funeral Sermon He left order in his Will not to be buried in the Church but in the Church-yard where he and his wife that glorious pair he interred together without so much or rather so little as a poor Grave-stone over them He had learned of Christ to be meek and lowly in heart He was humble in his Life and humble in his Death and now the Lord hath highly exalted him He kept a constant Diary or day book in which every day he set down Gods extraordinary dispensations his own actions and whatsoever memorable things he heard or read that day He cast up his Accounts with God every day and his sins were blotted out before he came to his last reckoning his day of refreshing came and he rests from his labours Plus vivitur exemplis quam preceptis saith Seneca Examples of the dead are Sermons for the livâ—ng He was a true child of Abraham and the blessing of Abraham fell upon him I will bless them saith the Lord to him that bless thee and I will curse
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
forty seven years wherein he could give an account of above seven thousand elaborate Sermons preached by him are so well known not only in this or the neighbour Parishes but through the whole County and the Country round about that I need not mention them Few men ever ran so long a Race without cessation or cespitation so constantly so unweariedly so unblamably All which time he was a burning and a shining light joyfully spending and being spent for the good of Gods people Many many of whom he hath guided to Heaven before him who received the beginnings of spiritual life from his Ministry and many more shall walk in that light after him And from his splendent Lamp divers faithfull Ministers some Triumphant before him some Militant after him have lighted their Candles His Tuesdays Lecture being more profitable to teach usefull Divinity than an Academy whereby he did not only Dolare lapides sed artifices Two things rarely met in one man were both eminent in him A quick invention and a sound judgement and these accompanied with a clear expression and a gracefull elocution To which Integrity and Humility being joyned made him a transcendent Minister and a compleat Christian. In his sickness full of biting pains which he bore with great Patience it was his greatest grief that God had taken him off from his labour which was his life and joy His heavenly mind like the heavenly bodies counted his work no weariness If he were weary in work he was yet never weary of work His spirit was still willing when the flesh was weak And he often used to say in his health Si per hanc viam mors sum immortalis and in his weakness Odi artus fragilemque hunc corporis usum desertorem animi And when he saw no more ability for labors he accounted it superfluous to live and chearfully not only yielded but patiently desired to die in a satiety and fulness of life not as meat loathed as many times natural men do but as a dish though well liked that he had fed his full of He had his intellectuals strong in a weak body witness his last Swan-like song in this place the sweet Doctrine of our Adoption in Jesus Christ on Rom. 8. 16. so far he had gone in that Chapter most clearly and acuratly delivered and aptly distinguished from Justification and sanctification yet that day October 16. going to Church and sensible of his own weakness he said to a dear Friend who told him that he came to see and hear him perhaps it may be my last as to all our loss it was indeed And as if his motion in Gods work had been natural he was more quick more vigorous toward his Center and like the Sun shewed his greatest light when he was nearest his setting His last Ministerial duty privately done in great weakness of Body unable to go to the Church was the Baptizing of two children wherein he streamed such beames of Divinity sounded such bowels of Humanity shewed such sweetness of affection to his charge that I seriously wished his whole Congregation had heard him in this departing farewell And being told how well it was approved he replyed with tears in great humility Lord what am I What am I To diverse of his loving Neighbours visiting him he often protested that Doctrine that he had taught them was the truth of God as he should answer at the Tribunal of Christ whereunto he was hasting exhorting them to stand fast therein as he most affectionately prayed for them professing of them with joy I have kind friends kind neighbours Lord reward them all and grant they may find mercy with him in that day His desire was to give to his Neighbours if enough could have been had his Printed Catechism which to my knowledge hath had the approbation and commendation of the profoundest and accutest Judgements in both Universities and well it might being a compleat Body of Orthodox Divinity and to have this assertion of the Apostle Peter written before it Exhorting and testifying that this is the true Grace of God wherein ye stand and to subscribe his name to it After he had in himself received the sentence of death approaching which he chearfully did when he saw no more likelihood of Labour he desired his Friends not to pray for his life but pray God said he for Faith for Patience for Repentance for joy in the Holy Ghost and the Lord heard him in that he desired for he was a rare pattern in all these as amongst many others these gracious words of his may witness Lord said he cast me down as low as Hell in Repentance and lift me up by faith to the highest Heavens in confidence of thy salvation I wish our proud presumptuous impenitentiaries had heard him crying for Repentance and seen him weeping for Grace It might perhaps have melted their stony hearts As he was full of days so was he full of grace full of peace full of assurance The Tuesday before he departed This day seven night said he is the day on which we have used to remember Christs Nativity and on which day I have preached Christ I shall scarce live to see it but For me was that Child born unto me was that Son given who is Wonderfull Councellor the Mighty God the everlasting Father the Prince of peace And no less full was he of true Honour for his worth and work sake in the hearts of all that feared God his memory shall be blessed and his name a sweet perfume to posterity when the names of his reproachfull scorners the last brood of Beelzebub shall rot and stink and be an abhorring to all slesh He is now come to the end of his labour and the beginning of his rest His work was with his God and his reward shall be from his God Now he sees the blessed and blessing face of God which is the glory of all sights and the sight of all glory Thus set this bright Occidental Star A Star of the first Magnitude One of the first and I dare say without envy of any that knew him and that knows himself one of the most glorious Lights that ever shone in this Orb or ever is like to arise in this Horizon O! how is such a publick loss to be lamented Of such a Champion of Christ Such an Atlas of the Truth that set his shoulders to support the shaken pillars thereof in these days of abounding and abetted errours Well may this Parish mourn well may this Country well may his Friends his Family well may we of the Ministry bewail it saying O my Father my Father the Chariots of Israel and the Horsemen thereof Ah my Brother my Brother I am distressed for thee very pleasant hast thou been unto me Lovely and gracious in Life lovely and glorious in Death Heu tua nobis Morte simul tecum solatia rapta I end in one word of Exhortation You that have heard the joyfull sound of this
now broken silver Trumpet so long remember that by the space of forty and seven years he ceased not to warn every one with tears Remember what he hath spoken while he lived Remember what he yet speaks being Dead Hold fast the form of sound words which ye have heard of him Hold fast the faithfull word which he hath taught you Hold fast the profession of your Faith without wavering Take heed of wolves Beware of Dogs Take heed of men Men of perverse minds speaking perverse things to draw disciples after them Although the Prophets die yet Gods word spoken by them shall live for ever and will do good to them that walk uprightly and shall take hold on them that obey it not So let us leave our Brother in the Bed of Honour till the joyfull morning of the Resurrection of the just when he amongst them that have turned many unto righteousness shall shine as the Stars for ever and ever The Righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance Psal. 112. 6. The issues of his brain and heart made publick were only these First that exquisite and accurate Guide to true blessedness so often reprinted and so highly esteemed by all that read it through with understanding and care Then at several times he gave way to four occasional and select Sermons viz. The Waking sleep The Ministerial Husbandry The Discovery of the Heart and Death subdued That wherein he had taken most pains which since is published in Print by Dr. Burgess and Mr. W. Gregory is an excellent Treatise wherein his main design in very apposite and acutely distinguishing Characters was to lay open not those more apparent and obvious contrarieties of vertues in Holy and vices in wicked men evident unto ordinary capacities upon the first aspect but the more hidden and less discerned difference between the plausiblyâ— seeming vertues of evil men and the real Graces of the truly Godly as likewise between the raigning sins of Hypocrites and the daily infirmities of the Saints which many times even by quick-sighted Spectators are both mistaken In prosecution whereof he first brings forth the Hypocrite in his best dress and attire and then sets by him a Regenerate man living up to his Rule adding the differences between them thereby to unmask the Hypocrite and to detect his Incroachments upon the name and priviledges of the Saints Secondly he sets out a true Childe of God labouring under infirmities and an Hypocrite under the power of sin which cannot consist with saving Grace notwithstanding all his flourishes that so he may clearly distinguish a Christian in black from a Counterfeit in white and between the bewailed weaknesses of the Saints and the wilfull wandrings of the wicked A work no less needfull to all than gratefull to the Soul-sound self-searching Christian that labours for sincerity and the assurance of it But the iniquity of the Times full of Hypocrisie and Atheism hating and hindering such discoveries and by all means discouraging those that would make them together with the Authors constant Imployment even unto the impairing of his strength and spirits in feeding his Flock disabled him from compleating that admirable Piece Sundry other issues of his fertile and excellent wit and curious Invention he left behind him as divers choice and sacred Aphorisms Anatomica Nosognostica Pathologica Therapeutica Physiologica and Prophylactica As also divers Divine Emblemes and Similitudes all eminent demonstrations of his exquisite abilities and profitable improvements of them The Life and Death of Mr. John Cotton who died An. Christi 1652. JOhn Cotton was born at Derby Anno Christi 1584. His Parents were persons of considerable quality and of good reputation Their condition as to the things of this life competent neither unable to defray the expences of his education in good literature nor so abounding as to be a temptation on the other hand unto the neglect thereof and God who had then predetermined this then tender plant to be a Tree of Life for the feeding of many thousands and to be a chosen Vessel to bear his Name before the Nations in way thereunto he inspired his Parents with an effectuall sollicitude concerning the ordering of this their Son in his minority This care in his Parents was quickly above expectation answered in the first-fruits of their Sons proficiency who more and more encreased great hopes concerning him throughout the whole time of his minority wherein he was trained up in the Grammar School of Derby When he was about the age of thirteen he was admitted into Trinity College in Cambridg where his industry was great and his profiting in the Arts and Languages above his equals so far commended him to the Master and Fellows as that he had undoubtedly been chosen Fellow of that College had not their extraordinary expence about building of their great Hall at that time put it by or at least deferred their election untill some longer time From Trinity he was removed to Emanuel that happy Seminary both of Piety and Learning and in that Society the Lord gave him favour so that in due time he was honoured with a Fellowship amongst them when he was elected to it after a diligent and strict examination according to the Statutes of the College wherein this is not unworthy the taking notice of that when the Poser came to examine him in the Hebrew Tongue the place that he made triall of him by was that portion of Scripture Isaiah the 3d wherein the Prophet declaims against the pride and haughtiness of the Daughters of Sion which Text hath more hard words in it than any other place of the Bible within so short a compass and therefore though a present construction and resolution thereof might have put a good Hebrician to a stand yet such was his ability and dexterity as made those hard words facil and easie and rendred him a prompt respondent And this providence is further remarkable about him That whereas his Father whose calling was towards the Law was but obscure and had not many Clients that made use of his advice in Law-matters before it pleased God after his Sons going to Cambridg to bless him with great practice so that he was very able to keep him there and to allow him full and liberall maintenance Insomuch as this blessed man hath been oft heard to say God kept me in the University Being thus advanced he was in the place of improvement beset with Examples as so many objects of better emulation If he slacken his pace his compeers will leave him behinde and though he quicken it there are still those that are before him But he was not only a lover of Labour but Communicative of his Learning and therefore he proved a diligent Tutor and had many young Students committed to his care He was a Didactical-man both able and apt to teach and truly ability to instruct youth argues a Wise man and to be willing to teach
Pastor which suffered much extremity by reason of the persecution of their then prevailing adversaries forcing them from Bermudas into the Desart Continent The sound of whose distress was no sooner heard of but you might have heard the sounding of his bowels with many others applying themselves to a speedy Collection and sending it to them on purpose for their seasonable relief the sum was about seven hundred pounds two hundred whereof he gathered in the Church of Boston no man in the Contribution exceeding and but one equalling his bounty And it was remarkable that this Contribution arrived there the very day after those poor people were brought to a personal division of that little Meal then remaining in the Barrel and not seeing according to man but that after the eating thereof they must dye a lingring death for want of food and upon the same day their Pastor had preached unto them it being the Lords day upon that Text Psal. 23. The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want At such a time the good hand of the Lord brought this succour to them from afar Whilst he was in Old England his eminent piety the success of his labours and his interest in the hearts both of superiours inferiours equals drew upon him much envy and his Non-conformity added thereunto so that he was delivered in a great measure to the will of his Adversaries who gave him not over till they had bereaved him of much of his livelihood his liberty Country and therewithall of the sweet society of lovers friends and many wayes endeared acquaintance more precious to him than life it self Yet the measure of the afflictions of Christ appointed to be suffered by him was not so fulfilled but lo in the time of his exile some Brethren provoked by the censure of Authority though justly not without tears inflicted upon them singled out Mr. Cotton as the object of their displeasure who though above other men declining irregular and unnecessary interesting himself in the actions of the Magistrate and while opportunity lasted endeavouring their healing yet they requited him evil for good and they at least some of them who were formerly companions with him in the tribulations of that Patmos yea respecters of him had taken sweet counsel together and they had walked in the house of God as friends Hence was he with Tongue and pen blasphemed by them for whom he formerly intreated and for whom he both then and afterwards wept and put on sackcloth As touching any Tenet wherein he may seem singular remember that he was a man and therefore to be heard and read with judgement and happily sometimes with favour St. Hierom makes a difference between reading the writings of the Apostles and other men They saith he alwayes speak the truth these as men sometimes erre But no man did more placidly bear a Dissentient than he It contributes much towards the fuller discovery of truth when men of larger capacities and greater industry than others may be permitted to communicate their Notions onely they should use this liberty by way of disquisition not of Position rather as searchers after Scripture-light than as Dictators of private opinions But now this Western Sun hastens to his setting Being called to preach at a neighbour Church he took wet in his passage over the Ferry and not many hours after he felt the effect of it being seized upon with an extream ilness in his Sermon time This sad providence when others bewailed he comforted himself in that he was found so doing Decet Imperatorem stantem mori It is the honour of a Commander to dye standing St. Austins usual with was that when Christ came he might finde him Aut praecantem aut praedicantem either praying or preaching Calvin would not that when the Lord came he should finde him idle After a short time he complained of the inflamation of his lungs and thereupon found himself Asthmatical and afterward Scorbutical which both meeting in a complicated disease put an end to his dayes insomuch that he was forced to give over those comforting drinks which his stomack could not want If he still used them the inflamation grew unsufferable and threatned a more sharp and speedy death If he left them his stomack forthwith ceased to perform its office leaving him without hope of life By these Messengers he received the sentence of death yet in the use of means he attended the pleasure of him in whose hands our times are his labours continued whilst his strength failed November the 18. he took in course for his Text the four last verses of the second Epistle to Timothy Salute Prisca and Aquila c. Giving the reason why he spake of so many verses together because otherwise he said he should not live to make an end of that Epistle He chiefly insisted upon those words Grace be with you all so ending that Epistle and his Lectures together For upon the Lords day following he preached his last Sermon upon Joh. 1. 14. And the Word was made Flesh and dwelt among us and we â—eheld his Glory as of the onely begotten Son of the Father full of Grace and Peace Now he gave himself wholly to prepare for his dissolution making his Will and setting his house in order When he could no more be seen abroad all sorts Magistrates Ministers Neighbours and Friends afar off and those near at hand especially his own people resorted to him daily as to a publick Father When the neighbour Ministers visited him in which duty they were frequent he thanked them affectionately for their love exhorting them also as an Elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ to feed the Flock encouraging them that when the chief Shepherd shall appear they should receive a Crown of Glory that fadeth not away Finding himself to grow weak according to that of James he sent for the Elders of the Church of Boston to pray over him which last solemn duty being performed not without much affection and many tears Then as Polycarp a little before his death said That he had served Christ fourscore and six years neither had he ever offended him in any thing so he told them through Grace he had now served God forty years it being so long since his conversion throughout which time he had ever found him faithful to him and thereupon he took occasion to exhort them to the like effect that Paul sometime did the Elders of Ephesus a little before they were to see his face no more Take heed therefore to your selves and to all the Flock over wâ—ich the Lord hath made you overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood Particularly he lamented that the love of many yea and some of their own Congregation was grown cold towards the publick Ordinances calling upon them so much the more for their watchfulness in that respect which done he thanked them for their loving and brotherly assistance to
him in their holy fellowship and commended them to the blessing of God His pious Consort and those Olive Plants that sate lately about his Table now gathered together about the Bed of a dying Husband and departing Father This was his last solemn transaction with man in this world Silver and Gold though he wanted not he had not much to give them but the blessing of a righteous Paâ—ent he left with them That Reverend and Godly man Mr. Wilson who excelleth in Love as Mr. Cotâ—on did in Light the faithful Pastor of that Church taking his last leave of him and most ardently praying unto God that he would lift up the light of his countenance upon him and shed his love into his soul he presently answered He hath done it already Brother His work now finished with all men perceiving his departure to be at hand and having nothing else to do but onely that great work of dying in the Lord he wholly composed and set himself for his dissolution desiring that he might be permitted to improve that little remnant of his life without impediment to his private Devotions and divine Soliloquies between God and his soul and for that end he caused the Curtains to be drawn and a Gentleman and Brother of that Congregation that was much with him and ministred to him in his sickness he caused to promise him that the Chamber should be kept private But a while after hearing the whispering of some brethren in the Room he called to that Gentleman saying Why do you break your word with me Not long after being mindful no doubt of that great helpfulness which he received from that aforementioned Brother throughout his visitation he left him with this farewel The God that made you and bought you with a great price redeem your body and soul unto himself These words were his last words after which he was not heard to speak but lying some hours speechless he quietly breathed out his spirit into the hands of him that gave it December 23. Anno Christi 1652. being entred into the Sixty eighth year of his Age. The Life and Death of Dr. Hill who dyed Anno Christi 1653. MR. Thomas Hill was born at Kingston in Worcestershire of Godly Parents and David accounted it his great honour and blessing to be the Son of Gods Handmaid Psal. 86. 16. His Parents dedicated him unto God from his Child-hood designing him to the work of the Ministry and in order thereunto they trained him up in School-learning in the Country and being there well fitted they sent him to Emanuel Colledge in Cambridge where the Rose was not cankered in the bud his youth not corrupted nor debauched as too many are But this morning like that 2 Sam. 23. 4. was without clouds not sullied with any noted miscarriage but on the contrary as it is said of Sampson when young that the Spirit of the Lord began then to move him Judg. 13. 25. So in his then sober and studious behaviour the Sun looked out betimes in that Summer morning and through Gods Grace otherwise than it oft falls out in nature he gave promising hopes of an after clearer day This being taken notice of by the Governours of the Colledge they thereupon after examination had chose him Scholar of the House he as his Saviour still growing in wisdome and stature and in favour with God and man And then after some good time spent in his private studies in the Colledge for his further perfecting and the more happy seasoning of his spirit he went and sojourned with that man of God now also with the Lord Mr. Cotton at Boston in Lincolnshire where by Gods rich blessing upon his most godly directions and example and the society he had with him and other eminent Christians in that place he was much improved and furthered as otherwise so especially in Heavens-way which happily went along with him to his journies end Upon his return from thence to the Colledge it was not long before he was chosen Fellow with general approbation though upon a most strict and double examination more I think than ever was in that Colledge before or hath been since though it still is and ever hath been according to the Statutes very strict and serious and which hath been blessed to be a special means of holding up true worth and learning in that happy Society And now through Gods good hand of providence leading and strengthning him he proved a diligent painful and successful Tutor of very many Pupils and divers of them persons of quality who since have proved great blessings both to the Church and Commonwealth And thus as he was before a pattern to young Schollars so after he was a Tutor no diligence was wanting whereby he might be instrumental to Gods Glory and the good of those who were committed to his charge But this our wise Master-builder satisfied not himself as a Tutor in polishing of builders but as a faithful and painful Minister he laboriously endeavoured to square other lively stones for Gods Temple 1 Pet. 2. 5. and so as he read to Schollars in the Colledge he also diligently and conscionblâ— preached to a neighbour Congregation St. Andrews in the Town so that many poor souls long after had cause to bless God for him Nor was he an Hireling to flye when the Wolf came but when the Plague in this time of his Ministry raged in the Town he still continued with them in his Ministerial employment the better Shepherd he who not onely fed the sound but also healed and bound up the torn and weak of the flock This Alabaster Box of precious oyntment thus powred out filled the whole house with its odour and the sweet fragrancy of it did spread abroad so that now he came to be more taken notice of by many both great and good men and so by some of eminent worth and honour he was called to the Pastoral charge of Tichmersh in Northamptonshire where he laboured faithfully in Gods Harvest for the space of about eight or nine years and partly by preaching and conversing up and down with others but especially with his own Parochial charge he proved a great blessing not onely to that Town but also to the whole Country in every place where he came spreading a good savour and leaving it behinde him During the time of his being at Tichmersh he sometimes repaired to Warwick Castle to that Noble Robert Lord Brook who highly esteemed him and in whose Family he grew acquainted with Mrs. Mary Wilford at that time Governess to the Lady Frances Rich a young Lady of rare parts Daughter to the Right Honourable Robert Earle of Warwick and mutual affections growing betwixt them he was married to her who since his death was re-married to the Reverend learned and pious Dr. Tuckney Master of St. Johns Colledge and Regius Professor in Cambridge my much honoured friend so that she hath
was exceeding skilful and dextrous as many hundreds in the City have found from time to time being sought unto far and near by such as groaned under afflictions and tentations many of whom through Gods blessing upon his labours were restored to joy and comforts out of unspeakable terrors and torments of Conscience He was of a most sweet and meek disposition yea such was his meekness of spirit that it seemeth not to be paralleld For though he lived with his wife above twenty years yet neither childe nor servant could ever say that they saw so much as an angry countenance or heard so much as an angry word proceed from him towards her all her life long Some have observed that towards his latter end in his visage he did much resemble the Picture that is usually made for Moses Certainly he was the exact Effiges of Moses his spirit and in this resembled him to the life that he was one of the meekest men that this Generation hath known He was as a great peace-keeper so a great peace-maker having an excellent dexterity in composing of differences he was far from doing wrong to others and as far from revenging wrong done to him by others Notwithstanding which he suffered much both by the speeches and also by the actions of evil and envious persons yet his manner was rather to pray for them than in any harsh manner to retaliate like for like He alwayes judged that revilers and injurious persons wronged themselves more than him Sundry scandalous and false aspersions were cast upon him yea by such persons as were guilty of those very crimes which they laid to his charge For some who lived by the unwarrantable trade of Usury to justifie their own unlawful practices have not stuck to charge the same upon him though he was alwayes free from it never putting out any money to use either by himself or any other for him neither directly nor indirectly as he hath been often heard to affirm both in his life time and not long before his death Being chosen President of Sion College according to the custome when he left his Office he preached a learned and polite Latine Sermon ad clerum which he delivered by the strength of his memory without the help of his notes which shewed that though his body was decrepit and feeble yet his intellectuals were vivid quick and vigorous He was very charitable especially to the godly poor according to that direction of the Apostle Gal. 6. 10. where he exhorts us to do good to all but especially to the houshold of Faith He maintained some poor Schollars in the University wholly at his own charge and contributed liberally towards the maintenance of others Indeed he set apart a Sacrea stock as he called it a portion for the poor proportionable to his receits which he faithfully distributed Yea he was of such a charitable and bountiful a disposition that though his Father left him a competent estate yet such were his annual disbursements for his kindred and others that stood in need of relief that from the time of his Fathers death till his children came to be of years and so to call for their portions he laid up nothing of all his comings in whereby it may appear that they who out of envy cry up his estate to be greater than it was do consequently cry up his bounty and charity For that whatsoever his estate was it was wholly laid out for the relief of such as stood in need necessary expences for his Family only excepted which as it doth appear by his Papers so in his life time he professed it to some of his Children and truly as in other things he excelled many others so in this he excelled himself He was very conscientious in the expence of his time from his youth to the very time of his death His custome was to rise very early both in the Winter and Summer In the Winter time he constantly rose so long before day as that he alwaies performed all the exercises of his private devotions before day-light And in the Summer time he rose about four a clock in the morning by which means he had done half his work before others began their studies If he happened to hear any at their work before he began his studies he would say as Demosthenes spake concerning the Smith that he was much troubled that any should be at the works of their Calling before he was at his He was a man of much temperance and sobriety both in his eating drinking and apparrel And for Recreations howsoever many pious persons do spend time therein and that lawfully in warrantable Recreations yet he spent none of his so whence it was that he was never expert in any kinde of sports He hath been often heard to say that he never took any journey meerly of pleasure in all his life-time Study and pâ—ins were alwayes both in youth and age his chefest pleasure and delight yea it was his meat and drink to be doing the will of his heavenly Father wherein he took as much pleasure and delight as natural men do in their eating and drinking or in their disports and pastimes Such was his deportment in his conversation that there was scarce a Lord or Lady or Citizen of quality in or about the City that were piously affected but they sought his acquaintance and were ambitious to enjoy his company wherein they took much content and found much benefit to their souls thereby And whereas many persons of quality out of their great respect to him came to visit him he would so endeavour to order their conference as might tend most to their edification and if their visits were meerly complemental he soon grew weary and accounted it a burden to him He was alwayes of a very friendly and courteous disposition in so much as the meanest not only of his own Parish but of the City found easie access to him and he was as easie to be intreated yea ready to do what good he could to all And amongst other Graces his humility was very eminent and exemplary Though others knew 〈◊〉 when his face did not shine yet he knew not when it did He that readily could observe the least glimpses or appearances of any worth in others would not acknowledge them in himself He was as it was said of Nazianzen high in imployments and abilities but low in his disposition and resentment of his own worth He was not observed to be puffed up either with the multitudes that flocked unto his Ministry which were many and great nor with any applauses of men but would still say That he knew more by himself to abase him than any could know to extol him yea so eminent was his Humility that he charged his Executor to whom he committed the care of his Funeral that there should no Green-staffe be laid upon his Herse though this usual respect
he betook himself to the station and imployment whereunto he was before designed and to the work depending thereon wherein his pains in seasoning young Students with principles of Piety and Learning were both great and very successful For some of them that watered their Gardens at his Spring or kindled their Lamps at his Light grew up to great eminency as Mr. John Hoyl and Mr. Thomas Pell who were afterwards worthy Fellows of that Society About that time there were certain persons in the University zealous of promoting the glory of God and of gaining souls to Christ that lay in a sad condition through the defect of Pastors able to teach and lead the people in the wayes of truth life and peace especially Mr. Abdias Ashton of St. Johns College and Mr. William Bedel of Emanuel who set on foot a design of preaching in places adjacent to Cambridge even to a considerable distance These men invited Mr. Gataker to be a partner in this good imployment who being drawn and encouraged by them preached every Lords day at Everton a Village in the meeting-confines of Cambridge Bedford and Huntingtonshire where a decrepid man who was reported to be sixscore and ten years old sustained the name of Vicar Vix magni nominis umbra Here a Family of the Burgoines resident in that place deserveth this honourable remembrance that Mr. Roger Burgoine during that time used Mr. Gataker with great humanity and respect which by him was construed to be an effect of his Piety After he had thus religiously imployed himself for the space of half a year manifesting his publick spirit therein he had some causes that moved him to retire from the University at the motion of Mr. Ashton before mentioned who had been his Tutor whereupon he removed to Sir William Cooks Family then resident in London This place and imployment occasioned a more publick discovery of his Ministerial Gifts with the singular approbation of many persons of note not onely for their outward estate but also for their affection unto and judgement in Religion Hereupon the Lecturers place of Lincolns Inne falling void some principal persons of that Honourable Society who had been his Auditors occasionally elsewhere made addresses unto him inviting him unto that place offering their assistance and alledging the facility of his Introduction by the Lord Chief Justice Pophams interessing himself in the business whom they knew to have loved his Father Mr. Thomas Gataker being once his intimate friend and contemporary in the study of the Law and to favour this his son very highly for his own worth and work in the Ministry But he according to his usual modesty declined the undertaking of it and resisted the importunities even of his Friend Mr. Stock till Dr. Mountague Master of Sidney-College repairing to London and being made acquainted with the design in hand though â—e had it in his thoughts to invite Mr. Gataker back to the College that he might read an Hebrew Lecture which had a Salary annexed to it by the Lord Harrington â—eâ— laying that aside he pressed Mr. Gataker with Arguments and Authority encouraging him against his own dissidence and so wrought him at last to an assent that without any suit made by him the Lord Popham should recommend him to that Society Thus was he chosen Preacher at Lincolns-Inne where he spent ten years to the great advancement of Piety amongst them and with an happy Reformation of some abuses of the Lords day as he himself testifies in his Apologetical Discourse against Lilly p. 16 17. But notwithstanding that engagement Mr. Gataker did not totally abandon the Family of Sir William Cook to whose Lady he was near by blood and dear to them both upon the account of his pious and profitable labours amongst them Therefore in the Vacation-times being dis-ingaged from his attendance at the Innes of Court he resided in that Family exercising his Ministry either in their Chappel or in the Parish Church as occasion offered it self and this he did with an Apostolical minde not for filthy lucre but freely making the Gospel a burden onely to the Dispenser of it yet such was the care and piety of that Religious pair that they also would not serve God with that that cost them nothing For aftewards in consideration of those his pains freely taken amongst them they settled upon Mr. Gataker an Annuity of 20 l. per annum which also he received for some few years but afterwards he saw reason to remit it to the Heire of that Family forbearing to make use of his right he had to it and forbidding his Executor to demand any Arrears of that Annuity This is mentioned the rather to shew the generous temper of this holy man of God who aimed at the spiritual good of others more than at his own temporal advantages and how infinitely he was removed from the fordid acquisition of gain or the prostitution of his sacred Function unto secular designs which may stop the mouth of malice and the impudent clamours of some whose consciences being either gauled or cauterized spared not to traduce him for covetousness But his own pen wrote the best Apology as indeed according to that of Nazianzen they that will give him a just Character have need of his Eloquence Whilst he attended on that Flock at Lincolns Inne Sir William Sidley a learned Mecaenas and pious Patron of the Church proffered him a fair Benefice and when Mr. Gataker declined the burden of a Pastoral charge and pleaded an unwillingness to be removed from those worthy Gentlemen of whose favour he had such good experience he endeavoured to perswade him that by taking an assistant all those inconveniences would be salved and so he needed not to desert that Society which in Termâ— time only required his labours and attendance But Mr Gataker who poised the burden in the ballance of the Sanctuary alwayes judged one cure of souls to be sufficient for one man and therefore ventured the unkinde resentment of the Noble Gentleman upon his refusal rather than the multiplying of preferments to himself After ten years labours profitably imployed at Lincolns Inne not onely to the great benefit of the then living servants of God but also for the behoof of posterity especially by that his learned Tractate of Lots there and then conceived and formed wherein what satisfaction is given to conscience in many cases let the judicious acknowledge Mr. Gataker thence removed to undertake the Rectory of Rotherhithe in Surry of the grounds motives and manner whereof he himself hath largely given an account to the world in his Apologetick against Lilly p. 44 48. of which this is the sum The Rectory of Redrith in Surry as it is commonly called being void and one of an infamous life labouring hard to succeed in it in order to which before the former Incumbents death he had set on foot a transaction with the mother of certain Orphans in whose
Highness and for the same reason he constantly declined publick appearances insomuch as he could not without much reluctancy be drawn by those who had most interest in him unto more solemn Assemblies 3. In his meek conversation with and condescention to the meanest Christians For he refused not familiaâ—â—â—y to converse with the poorest Christian that repaired to him for counsel or satisfaction in their doubts His Charity was large though for the most part secret both in giving and forgiving to poor persons For he would not permit it to blaze only allowed it to shine when his example was requisite to lighten and lead others to glorifie God and gratifie men In redemption of Captives relief of poor Protestants especially of the Ministry to the repairs of publick and common losses and general calamities and to the setting forward of any good work he was strangely liberal the fruit whereof the Lord returned into his own bosome according to that promise The liberal soul shall be made fat Yet did he not so exhaust himself in his life but that in his last Will and Testament he did also bequeathe unto the poor of the Parish of Redrith 50 l. To ten of his Brethren in the Ministry whose wants and necessities especially if occasioned by the iniquity of the times he gave 50 l. i. e. to each of them 5 l. and to eight Ministers Widows 5 l. apiece in all 40 l. to them Thus his good works both went before him and followed him also unto Heaven whereby also he hath left behinde him the perfume of a good name for the imitation of them that survive Justice is presupposed unto Charity For God hates robbery for sacrifice Isa 61. 8. And Mr. Gataker was exactly just in giving every man his due though very frequently he remitted of his own right so that he was according to the Hebrew phrase a just man that is a kinde equitable person of a milde disposition no severe exacter of his own and a free dispenser of Gods gifts so that his Righteousness endures for ever both to his honour upon earth and to his happiness in Heaven In and about his death to which the course of his declining dayes leads us his Patience and Faith were very eminent the later attended with a deep sense of his own sins which he acknowledged unto God and to him only was that Confession needful For as to men his conversation was as â— Bishopâ— ought to be Irreproveable 1 Tim. 3. 2. The first step to his decease for morbus est via ad mortem sickness is the rode way to death was a fainting fit that surprized him on Friday night July the 7 or rather on Saturday morning July the 8 yet of this he made no great account for he disturbed not the rest of a servant by calling for assistance because he had at sundry times such faintings wherein he gave Nature leave to work out her victory over those vapours or viscous humors that oppressed her Yet thus far he made use of it that he compared his infirmity to that of Seneca which according to his relation the Physitians of that age called meditationem mortis and wished that it might prove to him a preparation to his dissolution The indisposition not ceasing with the fit discovered it self within a short time to be a Tertian Ague which how gentle soever yet falling upon a person of his age and crazie temper who had long supported a weak frame with a very regular course of diet made his condition doubtful to his Physitian who was one of learning and worth that imployed his best care and skill about that Patient whom he looked upon as a considerable person to the whole Church July the 17 Having published his Will and taken such order as he thought fit for the settlement of his outward estate he composed himself to God his Tertian growing too strong both for Nature and Art resolved it self into an almost continued Feavor the extream heat whereof was very painful unto him yet during those conflicts he shewed a sweet calmness of minde a heart weaned from the world to which he had no affection though his memory exactly served him for ordering his charity even to the last and in one word he represented a soul wholly submitting to Gods good pleasure He professed more than once that no outward thing troubled him so much as the condition of that Reverend Minister Mr. Sainthill who had but lately undertaken that charge at Redrith upon the uncertain Title of Mr. Gatakers life which now failing so soon besides the expectation of his Friends that Minister he foresaw was like to be unsettled and thereby to suffer some inconvenience Though Friends and Physitians gave him incouraging words at their visits yet he being sensible of his inward decayes could not be flattered into 〈◊〉 hopes of long continuance here earnestly contending that he was not to expect Miracles His expectation of Gods dismissing of him hence was so fixed thâ—t being consulted whether he would appoint any 〈◊〉 person to perform the last office for him He not startled at the Question appointed that Mr. Ash should be intreated to do that work because he had done the same at his last wives Funerals and one opportunity casually offered it self to set forward that design For July the 18 Mr. Ash out of his kinde respect to Mr. Gataker sent him two Funeral Sermons preached by him one at Mr. Whitakers the other at the interment of Dr. Spurstows only childe This gave occasion to Mr. Gataker in the return for that favour to request the last that he could be capable of Upon the receit of a Letter to that purpose Mr. Ash on the Saturday following visited his dear and dying Friend who then told him that he found him conflicting with his last Adversary and that though he knew the sting was pulled out yet nature would struggle These and other of his expressions Mr. Ash presently wrote down and related them at the end of his Sermon That day in the afternoon being July the 22 he called for some Papers of Mr. Baxters which were sent to him by the Author with a desire of his judgement concerning them He wished some short Notes for the perusal of them had been his last work to be read over to him in which he altered something And having dictated a Letter to that his Learned and Reveren Friend he appointed that that with the Animadversions inclosed should be sent to him So vigorous was his minde in a body drooping and dropping into the dust He had now given over the use of Physick as to any prolongation of his life For he said that he would struggle no more because he found that what was prescribed for the refreshing of nature did rather oppress it and therefore he was resolved to wait the Lords leisure An ancient servant that waited on him desiring leave to rectifie the bed-cloaths and saying withall
Sir your head doth not lye right he answered It will lye right in my Coffin July the 25 at one a clock in the morning Death began to seize on his left foot from which the spirits retiring he felt the deadness of that part and a very sharp pain in the part of the leg adjoyning to it Hereupon he called for his Son and told him He feared that he should have a difficult death He then commanded two Surgeons to be sent for to look upon his leg whom he required to tell him whether or no his Foot were any whit discoloured It seems he had conceived some fear of a Gangrene but being satisfied by them that there could not be any ground for such an apprehension he rested with patience In the evening of that day being visited by Mr. Santhil and lying in great anguish by reason of the violence of his heat he prayed for pity and patience support here and a comfortable issue July 26. Early in the morning being full of pain gasping and panting he cryed out How long Lord How long Come speedily But though Death had made an encroachment upon his outward perishing part yet his inward man felt no decay For with a full use of reason he that morning ordered the continuance of a weekly relief to certain poor persons as also ofâ—some small monethly Pensions to some widows for a season He also caused his Physitian to be consulted with about taking something that might procure rest and was erected to a more cheerful disposition He also enquired after News and dicoursed freely yet confessed himself to be in pain About three a clock that afternoon feeling some great change after the putting forth of Nature he called his Sister Son and Daughter to receive his last charge and when they were come he thus spake unto them My heart fails and my strength fails but God is my Fortress and the strong Rock of my salvation Into thy hands therefore I commend my soul for thou hast redeemed me O God of truth Then turning his discourse to his Son he said Son you have a great charge look to it Instruct your wife and family in the fear of God and discharge your Ministry conscientiously To his Sister a Gentlewoman two years elder than himself he said Sister I thought you might have gone before me but God calls for me first I hope we shall meet in Heaven I pray God to bless you His Daughter he admonished to minde the worldless and God more for that all things without Piety and the true fear of God are nothing worth He advised also that his Son Draper being a man of means should entertain some godly Minister into his house to teach his children and instruct his family He exhorted them all to love and concord which he said he hoped the rather because he had cleerly settled his estate so as to prevent differences He inlarged himself in each of these a little wishing them all to lay to heart the words of a dying man After this he desired that all should withdraw and leave him to his rest which he hoped was at hand But all his conflicts were not yet accomplished July the 27 His voice began to be less intelligible the putrid preternatural heat having furred up his mouth as is usual in Feavors yet both his understanding and senses were very quick and active About six of the clock in the evening he called for his Son to recommend his soul unto God by prayer and endeavoured to express what he desired but could not do it so clearly as to be well understood yet by his gestures he gave assurance that he understood perfectly and concurred fervently with the devotions used on his behalf Within an hour after Nature being quite spent he gave up the ghost and was translated into that Rest which he so often and earnestly had desired to finde in another World because he could obtain none in this Thus after forty three years inspection of this pious and diligent Pastor of Redrith he left his Flock returning to the great and chief Shepherd of our souls from his gracious hands to receive an incorruptible Crown of glory having almost compleated fourscore years For his Person the express whereof though he was often importuned by dear Friends he would never allow to be taken either by pencel or sculpture He was of a middle stature of a thin body and of a lively countenance of a fresh complexion that looked young when he came to preach at â—incolns Inne and yet was grey betimes which made him to be thought elder than he was because he had long appeared ancient in the eyes of the world of a choicely temperate diet of a free and cheerful conversation addicted much to study yet not secluding himself from fit company He was of a quick apprehension sharp reason solid judgement vast memory which through Gods mercy continued fresh to the last of his dayes He was Helluo librorum one that did not vainly encrease his Liberary for ostentation but chose books for use which also he made of them so happily that he had conquered a strong portion of learning which he made to serve him upon all occasions He was not so great a treasurer as a free dispenser of those riches of the minde which he did communicate readily expeditely and cleerly He was an ornament to the University and of that Society designed for the study of the Law a Light of the Church the salt of the place where he abode a loving Husband a discreet Parent a faithful Friend a kinde Neighbour a courteous entertainer of strangers a candid encourager of Students a stout Champion for the Truth yet a lover of peace preserving the unity of Charity even where there was difference of judgement an Adversary to novel fancies as well as to antiquated superstitons in Religion of a Christian Magnanimity in despising the world and therefore resolute through bad report as well as good to maintain a clear conscience In brief he was a faithful Shepherd and a fit mirrour for Pastors as well as an exact patern for people who having almost compleated eighty years departed full of 〈◊〉 but being dead yet speaks in his living Monuments of sound Learning His Printed Works are these Of the Nature and use of Lots in 4o. A Just Defence of the same against Mr. Jo. Balmford in 4o. Tho. Gatakeri Londinatis Antithesis partim Guilielmi Amesii partim Gisberti voetii de sorte Thesibus reposita in 4o. A Discourse of Transubstantiation with a Defence thereof in 4o. Davids Instructer The Christian mans care The Spiritual Watch. The gain of Godliness with Self-sufficiency The Just mans joy with signs of Sincerity Jacobs Thankfulness Davids Remembrancer Noahs Obedience A Memorial of Englands Deliverance in 88. Sorrow for Sion Gods Parley with Princes with an appeal from them to him Eleazers Prayer being a Marriage Sermon A good Wife Gods gift A Wife indeed Marriage
Duties Deaths Advantage The benefit of a good Name and a good end Abrahams Decease Jeroboams Sons Decease Christian Constancy crowned by Christ. All these are Printed in one Volume in Folio The Decease of Lazarus in 4o. St. Stevens last Will and Testament in 4o. A Defence of Mr. Bradshaw against Jo. Cann in 4o. Gods eye on his Israel in 4o. A mistake removed and Free-Grace c. in answer to J. Saltmarsh in 4o. Shadows without Substance a Rejoinder adversus â—undem in 4o. Mysterious Clouds and Mists c. an Answer to J. Simpson in 4o. Mr. Ant. Wottons Defence in 8o. A true Relation of Passages between Mr. Wotton and Mr. Walker in 4o. An Answer to Mr. Geor. Walkers Vindication in 4o. A Vindication of the Annotations on Jer. 10. 2. in 4o. A Discourse Apologetical in 4o. Marcus Antoninus Imp. cum Commentario in 4o. De Novi Instrumenti Stylo Dissertatio adversus Psochenii Diatribam in 4o. Cinn us sive Adversaria Miscellania Lib. 6. in 4o. De Baptismatis Infantilis vi efficatiâ Disceptatio inter D. S. Wardum Tho. Gatakerum in 8o. T. G. Stricturae in D. Davenantii Epistolam in 8o. De Tetragammato in 8o. Ejusdem vindicatio adversus Capellum in 8o. De Bivocalibus Dissertatio Philologica in 8o. Animadversiones in J. Piscatoris L. Lucii scripta adversaria de causa meritoria Justificationis cum responsione ad L. Lucii Vindicias in 12o. Fran. Gomari Disputationes Elencticae de Justificationis materiâ formâ Elenchus in 8o. Stricturae in Barth Wigelini Sangallensis de Obedientia Christi disputationem Theologicam in 8o. The Annotations upon Isaiah Jeremy and the Lamentations which was his work in the great Notes upon the Bible Adversaria Miscellanea in qibus Sacrae Scripturae aliorum Scriptorum lux redditur Edente Carolo Thome Gatakeri filio Fol. The Life and Death of Mr. Jeremy Whitaker who dyed Anno Christi 1654. JEremy Whitaker was born at Wakefield in Yorkshire Anno Christi 1599 In which place also he was trained up in the Grammar School and it seems that the Lord betimes did draw forth his love towards himself for even whilst he was a School boy his affections did flow out towards those who were most religiously disposed in whose company he used frequently to go eight or ten miles to hear a wakening-soul-warming Sermon he used also to joyn with them in Prayers and other holy exercises and duties and being able to take Sermon Notes both understandingly and largely he was very helpful to those private Christians in repeating what they had publickly heard being from his child-hood full of affections in whatsoever business he undertook Thus this Plant of Gods own setting did both blossome and put forth fruit quickly which Providence did afterwards make a very fruitful Tree Whilst he was at the Grammar School though his Father endeavoured often and earnestly to divert his thoughts from the Office of the Ministry yet was he unmoveable in his desires to be a Minister and he never afterwards repented of this his choice but would all his life long upon all occasions magnifie that his Office insomuch as he hath often been heard to utter this speech I had much rather be a preacher of the Gospel than an Emperour and when a motion was once made to him to be the Head of a College in the University he readily returned this answer My heart doth more desire to be a constant Preacher than to be the Master of any College in the world When he was sixteen years old being well grounded at the Grammar School he was sent to the University of Cambridge and admitted a Sizar in Sydney-Sussex College where he soon discovered and was taken notice of and much valued for his pregnant parts and Scholarship At twenty years of age he Commenced Bachelor of Arts and a while after he was sent to Okeham the chiefest Town in Rutlandshire there to teach the Free-School At that time there was one Mr. William Peachy the Minister at Okeham a godly man and a painful Preacher of the Gospel and eminent for his skill in the sacred Languages who dearly loved and highly valued our Mr. Whitaker from his first acquaintance with him which he manifested by proffering to him his Daughter in Marriage as Mr. Whitaker hath since told some of his Friends he was the rather inclined to accept of the motion because she was the Daughter of a pious painful and learned Minister of the Gospel and occasionally hath told his Friends that he was the better pleased with his choice because of that relation About four years after his coming to Okeham he married Chephtzibah the Daughter of the said Mr. Peachy by whom God gave him four Sons and three Daughters All his Sons he designed for the Ministry but it pleased God in his life time to take one of them away whilst he was a Student in Cambridge the other three survived and he lived to see two of them Ordained and set apart for the work of the Ministry the third he appointed to be educated for the same work Having staid about seven years at Okeham he was removed to a Pastoral charge at Stretton in the same County where he continued about the space of thirteen years Whilst he continued School-master at Okeham he undertook and preached a weekly Lecture there besides many Sermons which he preached occasionally in neghbouring Congregations And during his abode at Stretton besides his Pastoral imployment wherein he preached twice every Lords day he also constantly preached his weekly Lecture at Okeham and was a principal prop to hold up some other Lectures in the Neighbourhood His manner also was to set apart every Holy-day if there were but one in the week as a day of seeking God in reference to the necessities of the times and no man was more free and frequent in assisting in dayes of Humiliation in private both in Rutlandshire and in the adjacent Counties whensoever he was called and invited thereunto Such was his love to Christ that his publick imployments though many and great did not take him off from attending his Family duties nor from more private exercises of communion with God his ordinary course in his Family was together with Prayers to expound some part of the holy Scriptures and that twice every day besides other parts of Scripture which he daily read in secret so that usually he read all the Epistles in the Greek Testament twice every fortnight yea when by reason of extremity of pain and weakness he could not read himself he herein imployed others for his help Hence it came to pass that he was a man mighty in the Scriptures like unto Apollos Act. 18. 24. as was observed by all that conversed with him or that heard him preach or pray and this course he earnestly commended to the practice of his dearly beloved eldest Son as an excellent
spoken came to him in private and asked him whether he meant this of the Ministry of England as now constituted He returned him this answer Although I will not justifie the calling of every individual Minister in the Church of England as you dare not justifie the Saintship of every member in your Independent Congregations yet I will be ready when and where you please to maintain the Office and Calling of Englands Ministry at this day And that he continued unmoved and unchanged in his judgement and esteem of the Ministerial Calling to the last may be manifested by this passage in his last Will and Testament which is here set down in his own words and written with his own hand For my Son Jeremiah my desire is that he be bred a Scholar and that the Lord would spiritually incline his heart freely to give up himself to the Lord to serve him in the work of the Ministry which Calling and Imployment though now despised I do esteem above all others in the world and do commend it to all mine that if the Lord bless them with Sons they would commend this Calling to their Posterity And truly this deserves seriously to be considered whether there be not herein much to credit and encourage the Ministry of the Gospel that a learned man and so eminent for piety who also had throughly studied the Controversie of the times and had heard and read what could be said against the Ministry should yet upon his Death-bed give such a Testimony unto it when he daily expected to make up his account before God and also give such great encouragement to his Posterity to addict themselves to this calling now even now when such disgrace is cast upon it and when the Ministers setled maintenance is threatned to be taken from them And may not those men who knew Mr. Whitakers worth be hereby awed and moved to take heed how they oppose or slight that Calling of men whom he living and dying judged to be so highly honoured by God himself To this also adde that it was an Ordained Ministry which he thus valued which appears by these two lively Testimonies 1. In that he joyned with that Classis whereof he was a member in Ordaining of Ministers 2. In that he had an hand in the Book not long since published by the Province of London in the defence of such a Ministry not onely by his assent to it but also by his assistance in drawing it up As Mr. Whitaker loved God dearly so God loved him which he manifested by those grace wherewithall he enriched him and truly love tokens are real Messengers of his love that sendeth them and what surer signs can we have of Gods love then when he bestows upon us the Graces of his Holy Spirit Now of these the Lord had given him a more than ordinary measure and besides what hath been said before there were five Graces more which were very Orient and shining in his Crown 1. His tenderness of heart Who ever knew a man of a more melting frame of heart before God whether in Confessions Petitions or Thanksgivings Is there any one living that can say that I have at sometimes joyned with him in Prayer and he shed no tears How did his own sinfulness though it was no more than the ordinary imperfections of the fairest Saint upon earth the evils of the times and the testimonies of Gods displeasure breaking out upon us break his heart into pieces We may truly believe that for the space many years he did never come off from the serious consideration of these things with dry eyes and how many thousands be there of Gods children that would account it a sign of much love from Christ if they could finde such thawings in their frozen breasts 2. His meekness of spirit with which precious Jewel he was richly adorned Who ever saw him transported by passion on a fire through foolish anger or disgused by discontent Though his zeal would waxe hot and burn in him for God and his Glory yet he was a man of a cool spirit and meek like Moses in all his own concernments and this he hath often manifested in a remarkable manner when disputing with men of dissenting Principles and opinions yet his spirit was so even that their unhandsome provocations could not discompose him and drive him into passion 3. For his Patience he may well be called a second Job Many who saw him under those racking pains in his last sickness so frequently reiterated and so long continued were confident that God did put him and keep him in his Furnace to be a pattern of patience unto Posterity It is confessed that he did roar many times till his throat was dry but who ever heard him speak any one word of murmuring or discontent because of Gods afflicting Providence He himself indeed would sometimes through tenderness of conscience charge himself of impatiency because he made a noise in his extremity but that expressed onely Natures sensibleness not sinful frowardnes and when accusing himself causelesly he was minded of Christs roarings yet free from all sin he would be silent I confess indeed that in his desires to be dissolved he would take up Jobs complaint Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery and life unto the bitter in soul which long for death but it cometh not and dig for it more than for hid treasures c. For my sighing cometh before I eat and my roarings are powred out like waters Job 3. 20 24. But he alwayes concluded with submission to the good pleasure of God When he had been asked how he did this was frequently his answer The Bush alwayes burning but not consumed and though my pains be above the strength of nature yet they are not above the supports of Grace 4. The Lord was pleased to vouchsafe him such a measure of the Spirit of Grace and Supplications that his soul was never out of tune for that service Most of his words when he was under torment were holy complaints and prayers to God It will not be impertinent or unprofitable if I here set down some of them O my God help Father of mercies pity Do not contend for ever Consider my frame that I am but dust My God that hath made Heaven and earth help me Oh give me patience and inflict what thou wiâ—t If my patience was more my pain would be less Dear Saviour where are thy bowels why dost thou make me an astonishment to my self and others Why dost thou cover thy self with a thick cloud that our prayers cannot pass Blessed is the man that endureth temptation Lord this is a sad temptation stand by me and say It is enough Am I not thy servant Consider Lord that I am thy servant O these bitter waters of Marah Lord drop sweet comfort into these bitter water of Marah O the blood of sprinkling Lord the blood of sprinkling Lord That
blood which extinguisheth the fire of thine anger O that it might allay my burning pains I am in a fiery Furnace Lord be with me as thou wast with the tâ—ree Children and bring me out refined from sin when I have sailed through the Ocean of these pains and look back I see that none of them can be wanting I flye unto thee O God hide me under the shadow of thy wings till these terrible storms be overpast 5. God added Humility as a Crown to all his other Graces which yet shone bright in the eyes of all that were acquainted with him Indeed he was cloathed with Humility And hence it was that he would converse so familiarly with the poorest Christians and with them who were of the lowest parts for knowledge even with babes in Christ. This his ordinary expression of himself before God did clearly demonstrate his great humility Poor worm Sinful wretch O pardon my transgressions for they are very great Hereupon he would weep much when he was told how much he was prayed for wondring at Gods goodness that so sinful a wretch and worthless a creature should have so much interest in the hearts and prayers of the people of God And his language in his Will speaks how little he was in his own eyes the words are these I desire that at my Funeral there may be no pomp but that so poor a worthless wretch may be privately laid in the ground And as his Graces were many so were his Comforts many and great which God vouchsafed as singular manifestations of his love to this his dear Servant and Childe O what Kisses of Christs Mouth and what imbraces from the Arms of his Love were bestowed upon this Saint of the most High He enjoyed all along his afflicted condition an uninterrupted assurance of Gods Fatherly love in Christ. In his addresses unto God he constantly claimed propriety in God calling him my God and my Father His inward peace and joy were the support of his heart under all his grievous and grinding pains he was confident of mercies mixtures with all his greatest distempers not at all doubting of the sanctification of them to him through Grace Thus he spake many times in his applications unto God Consider and save me for I am thine How long how long Lord shall I not be remembred yea I am remembred blessed be thy Name This is a fiery Chariot but it will carry me to Heaven Blessed be God that hath supported me hitherto and he that hath delivered will yet deliver Thou Lord never forgettest them that put their trust in thee Alwayes when the extremity of pain was over he would with smiles speak of Gods mercies Though trembling took hold upon him when his violent pains began yet would he with confidence say Now in the strength of the mighty God I will undergo these pains O my God put under thine everlasting Arms and strengthen me Many times he told a bosome friend of his that notwithstanding all his rentings and roarings from which he expected no deliverance but by death he would not for a thousand worlds change estates with the greatest man on earth whom he looked upon as in a way of sin and enthraled thereto And this much bespeaks Gods Fatherly indulgence towards him that Satan could never shake his confidence nor assault his hopes all the time of his irksome irksome distemper And this was further very remarkable that he counted all these inward cheerings the fruits of Prayers that were made for him though God saw cause to deny that ease and recovery to his body which was so much begged and withall he valued those spiritual cordials and refreshings far beyond deliverance from the Gout and the Stone yea and Death it self These things are the rather mentioned to prevent that discouragement or offence which some may be too apt to take at the violence and continuance of his wasting and tormenting pains notwithstanding his own godliness and the uncessant prayers both ordinary and extraordinary which were made unto God in his behalf for he found the sweet fruits of them in his own bosome even when he felt the continuance and increase of his bodily grief Another thing very remarkable in holy Mr. Whitaker was his love to his fellow Christians he was a man made up as it were of love His delight was in the Saints upon earth whom he esteemed most excellent and their society was a constant cordial to his spirit His frequent visits of them that were in trouble and his stirring up of others to the like practice were testimonies of this his cordial love which indeed was not verbal but real He was also abundant in works of charity few men of his estate did equalize him therein He would often say It is a brave thing when a man together with a full estate hath a charitable heart Sometimes upon special occasions he hath given away all the money that he had in the house It was not unusual with him to give twenty shillings to a poor Saint and he had many experiencences of Gods gracious returns in such cases By his last Will he gave twenty pounds to the godly poor of his own Parish There were two Cases wherein his loves were most enlarged to the people of God whereof you may take these two Instances The one when the sufferings were publick He often told an intimate friend of his that Englands late breach with Scotland and the blood that was shed together with other sad consequences thereof had taken such impression upon his heart that the sorrow would never be removed till his death and the sufferings both in Holland and in England in our late Sea-sights were an heavy burden upon his spirit The other Case was in respect to the inward perplexity of such as were afflicted in minde having moved a special friend of his the week before his death to bestow a visit upon one in that condition the very morning before his death when speech was grievous to him in respect of his great weakness he asked him whether he had remembred the party that was troubled in spirit which was a remarkable evidence of his strong love to such And besides what hath already been mentioned I might here set down his many wrestlings with God to prevent the flood or troubles which he apprehended the Protestant Churches were now in danger to be overflowed withall as also his compassionate respect to Congregations in the Country which were like sheep wandring upon the barren mountains without a Shepherd And as his love sâ—owed forth to the Saints so was theirs no less towards him Not to speak of the many frequent and friendly visits of godly men and women in the Neighbourhood round about him there was scarce ever heard of any man that was so much prayed for both in publick and in private both upon ordinary and extraordinary occasions as he was There was no particular case so frequently so
affectionately spread before God in most of the Congregations about London as his Three dayes were set apart by Ministers and many other praying friends to seek God in his behalf one in private and two in publick which also were observed much better than such dayes usually have been of late yea in remote Countries besides the ordinary Prayers made for him there were some Fasts kept also with special reference to his afflictions The multitude of people that came to his Funeral with the many weeping eyes did clearly shew how much he was beloved Here might also be remembred the readiness of the London Ministers to supply his place at home and his Lectures elsewhere as also the willingness of his Fellow-lecturers at Westminster to preach for him there when he himself by reason of weakness could not possibly do his own work but its needless for still every where upon the naming of Mr. Whitaker love is some way discovered by such as had any knowledge of him Whilst he was able he never neglected his Minsterial service he hath often gone upon Crutches unto the Congregation of his own people to fulfil his Ministry yea once at least he adventured to preach at Michaels Cornhil when he was scarce able to get into the Pulpit and his Friends with much difficulty holp him out of the Church homewards and at other times when his legs would not serve him he used to ride to Church And when he was by extremity of pains taken off from his Ministry he would sometimes profess to some special friends that the pain felt was not so grievous to his spirit as his inability by reason thereof to mannage his wonted work Indeed it was his meat and drink to be doing the will of his Heavenly Father Many times these were his words If I could but preach I should be much better and he would rejoyce with cheerfulness and thankfulness when in the times of his weakness he found not himself more distempered by his preaching and would mention such experiences as arguments to move and induce his friends to yeeld to his preaching when they disswaded him from it as prejudicial to his health Anno Christi 1654 about the beginning of November the violent pain of the Stone did in such a manner and measure arrest him that from that time he continued Gods prisoner confined to his bed or chamber till he was set free by a long expected and much desired death Most Physiâ—ians in the City were consulted with and were from time to time very ready to serve him with their advice who did unanimously conclude that his sharp pains proceeded originally from an Ulcer in the Kidnies but immediately from an ulcer in the neck of the Bâ—â—dder caused by a continual flux of ulcerous mâ—tter dropping down upon that part and by reason of the acuteness and quickness of the sense there his pains were almost continually in that place though the fountain of them was from the Kidnies About two moneths before his Death his pains grew more extream yet Divine indulgence vouchsafed at some times some mitigation of them and intermission both in the night and day But notwithstanding the long continuance and extremity of them neither his Faith nor Patience did abate yea they much encreased and grew higher and as he grew nearer his end so his longings for death were much increased yet accompanied with holy submission to the good pleasure of his gracious Father These were some of his expressions O my God break open the Prison door and set my poor captive soul free But enable me willingly to wait thy time I desire to be dissolved never aid any man more desire life than I do Death When will that time come that I shall neither sin more nor sorrow more When shall mortality put on immortality When shall this earthly Tabernacle be dissolved that I may be cloathed upon with that House which is from Heaven Blessed are the dead which dye in the Lord for they rest from their labours and follow the Lamb whither soever he goeth So great was his love to his God and Saviour that he maintained and expressed high estimations and honourable thoughts of his Majesty when he was under the most tormenting providences He feared nothing more than lest he should do or speak any thing that should redâ—und to the dishonour of his Name These were some breathings of his large love when through pain he was as in the fire or upon the rack Good Lord keep me from dishonouring of thy Name by impatieency Oh who would not even in burnings have honourable thoughts of God! who that knows thee would not fear thee O Lord love thee and honour thee Lord thou givest me no occasion to have any hard thoughts of thee Blessed be God there is nothing of Hell in all this Blessed be his Name for Jesus Christ and the Revelation of the everlasting Gospel Who knows the power of thy wrath If it be so heavy upon thy servant hore how heavy shall it be to all those who shall endure it without mixture Blessed be God for the peace of mine inward man when my outward man is full of trouble This is a bitter Cup but it is of my Father mixture and shall I not drink it yea Lord through thy strength I will This is my burthen and I will bear it Upon any abatements of his excruciating pains he was constantly much in blessing God using these and such like expressions O! what a mercy is it that there is any mitigation any intermission Lord make me thankfull And turning himself towards those that stood by he would bespeâ—k them thus O help me to be thankfull O lift up a Prayer for me that I may be thankful O what a mercy is this How much worse might this affliction have been I might have been distracted or laid roaring under disqueâ—ness of spirit By these and many such like expressions and workings of his spirit who perceiveth not the sparklings of his love to God And to a dear friend he often said Brother through mercy I have not one repiniâ—g thought against God The Sabbath sevennight before God released him though his pains were very sharp yet he bestowed most part of the time of publick Ordinances in prayer together with those that were about him and his Petitions were most in the behalf of Ministers that God would cloath his Ordinances with his own power and enable his Ministers to speak to the souls of his people Then did he also with many tears bewail his detainment from the Sanctuary and Sabbath-opportunities of doing and receiving good which had been his delight Professing also that his being taken off from service was a greater afflâ—ction to him than all his bodily pains And because this apprehension to wit of his present unserviceablness did much afflict him this therefore was often suggested to him which the Lord pleased to make a relief to his spirit viz. that now by the practice
of Faith Patience Contentment and spiritualness which he had formerly preached to and pressed upon others he was very profitable unto them who visited him and might also prove very advantagious unto others who might be acquainted therewith through Gods grace by Christ. So great was his tender respect to his friends that when his pains were coming with violence he would intreat them to withdraw from him that they might not be grieved with his roariâ—gs and he used often to bless God that his compassionate friends were not necessitated to abide within the reach of his doleful lamentation As his death drew more nigh so his fits of pain were more frequent either every half hour or many times every quarter yea two or three in a quarter of an hour which did exceedingly abate his strength The night before God took him out of this vale of tears Mr. Ash hearing that he was not likely to live another day went early in the morning to take his leave of him whom his soul loved at which time he found his bodily strength much decayed and perceiving that he could not speak without much difficulty Mr. Ash spake the more unto him in reference to the approach of his happy hoped for change and his discourse through Gods mercy was very refreshing his spirit He told him also that many of his friends intended to set apart that day in seeking the Lord for him and asked him in what things eâ—pecially he desired to be remembred before the Throne of Grace His answer was Do not complain but bless God for me and intreat him to open the prison door Then Mr. Ash laying his hand upon his cold hand covered with a clammy sweat took his last farewell of him with an aking heart and upon his departure from him the last words which Mr. Whitaker spake to him were these Brother I thank you I pray God bless you and I bless God for you That day was spent in addresses to God for him at Peters Cornhill where Mr. Newcomen quickned and guided our prayers in his Sermon upon Joh. 11. â— Lord Behold he whom thou lovest is sick and Mr. Jenkin endeavoured to moderate and regulate our sorrows from Luke 23. 28. Weep not for me Thus his friends having by prayers and praises on his behalf given him to God and having prepared their hearts for the loss of him the Lord was pleased that evening to take him to himself June 1654 being above Fifty five years old After his death Mr. Holiard opened his body in the presence of Dr. Cox Dr. Micklethwaite and Dr. Bevoir some other more ancient Doctors would have been there if either their being out of Town or present urgent occasions had not hindred being opened they found both his Kidnies full of ulcers and and one of them was swelled to an extraordinary bigness through the abundance of purulent matter in it Upon the neck of his Bladder they found a stone which was about an inch and an half long and one inch broad weighing about two ounces when it was first taken out and withall they found an ulcer which was gangrenized and this was judged to be the cause of his death All other parts of his body were found firm and sound He was so humble that he feared lest Gods people praying for him should speak too well of him before the Lord. He was a self-denying man never daring to look after great matters in this world whereby he condemned many whose self-seeking in earthly advantages renders them very offensive and unsavoury in the Church of Christ. Mr. Calamy speaking of him saith If I should enter upon his Commendations I might truly say what Nazanien doth of his Sister Gorgonia that I have more cause to fear lest I should speak below than above the truth For he was a burning and a shining light in this our Israel A Messenger and an Interpreter one amongst a thousand A Bazalâ—el in Gods Tabernacle A true Nathaniel that by his integrity humility constancy charity publickness and peaceableness of spirit and by his diligence and fâ—ithfulness in preaching the Gospel made his life both amiable and desirable I will say of him as it was said of Athanasius that he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Adamant and a Loadstone To all that conversed with him he was as a Loadstone to draw their hearts to love him But in the cause of God and in reference to the truths of Christ he was as an unconquerable Adamant He was a Jeremy both in mourning for and in witnessing against the sins of the times He was a second Whitaker though not so eminent in Learning as to be what is said o◠〈◊〉 Mundi miraculum Academiae Oraculum the miracle of the world and the Oracle of the University yet he was which is also said of him sound in the Faith one that had no private opinion that did not in veteri viâ novam semitam quaerere seek out new paths of his own but kept the old way and the old path That had a great wit without any mixture of madness He preached no less by the heavenliness of his Doctrine than by the holiness of hâ—s life yea he preached as effectually by his death as by his life or Doctrine for so great was the patience which God measured out to him that though in his extremity of torments he groaned yet he never grumbled Though he often mourned yet he never murmured nay though he often roared by reason of the greatness of his pain yet he alwayes justified and mâ—gnâ—fied God therein and this he did so constantly and in such a measure that as it is said of Job so it wiâ—l be said by the Saints that succeed us for their mutual consolation and encouragement Ye have heard of the Patience of Whitaker He had indeed an ulâ—â—rated flesh but a sound and whole spirit and that inabled him to bear his infirmity he had a stone in the Bladder but a very soft and tender heart he had a gangreene in his body but a sound soul unstained by sin I heard him often say with thankfulness that under all his bodily sufferings he had a blessed calmness and quietness in his spirit that God spâ—ke peace unto him that though he roared for pain yet the Devil was chained up from roaring upon him On the Death of my dear Friend Mr. JEREMIAH WHITAKER IF Death be but a servant sent to call The souls of Saints to their Originall Dear Saint thine was a Noble soul to whom Three Messengers were sent to call thee home A Stone an Ulcer and a Cangreene too Three Deaths to hasten that which one should do ' â—was not because thy soul was deeper set Than ours within its house of clay nor yet Because thou wert unwilling to depart Thither where long before had been thine heart They were not sent to hale by violence A soul that lingred when 't was called hence God shew'd how welcome one Death was to thee
him frequently Magnum Usherium Usher the Great Morus in his Oration at Geneva dedicated to him stiles him The most Excellent servant of God The most Reverend man of God the Athanasius of our Age. Thy breast saith he is a breathing Library Thou art to Britain as Austin was to Hippo Farewel Britains great Honour Ludovicus de Dieu in his Animadversions on the Acts dedicated to him entitles him To the Excellent Prelate worthy of an Eternal memory c. Paulus Testardus Blesensis stiles him Seculi Ecâ—clesiae decus eximium the greatest honour of the Church and Age. Arnoldus Bootius saith of him That he did excel with a most singular Judgement in the Oriental Languages and in all other abstruse and deep learning Venerable to all Europe whose Authority prevails much with all men c. Mr. Selden saith of him The most Reverend Prelate James Usher a man of great Piety singular Judgement learned to a Miracle and born to promote the more severe studies c. Dr. Prideaux calls him The most rich Magazine of solid Learning and of all Antiquity Dr. Davenant speaks thus of him A man of singular Piety abounding with all manner of Learning Sir Roger Twisden acknowledging the assistance he had from him in his History saith thus This we owe to the most worthy Archbishop of Armagh in whom with incredible learning and rare knowledge of Antiquity his most courteous conversation and wonderful sweetness in instructing the unskilful mixed with a certain serious Episcopal gravity were seen to strive one with the other c. There was an eminent Character given of him by a the whole University of Oxford in the year 1644 by solemn Order in the Convocation which was given in charge to sixteen eminent persons of whom seven were Doctors chosen with the Vice-Chancellor Proctors to see his Effigies cut and an Elogium worthy of him to be prefixed to his Annotations on Ignatius his Epistles there then in the Press and at the charges of the University and in the publick name of it Indeed it was omitted to that book but was aftewards affixed to his Book De Symbolis the Elogium is this James Usher Archbishop of Armagh Primate of all Ireland the most skilful of Primitive Antiquity the unanswerable Defender of the Orthodox Religion the Maul of Errours in preaching frequent eloquent very powerful a rare example of an unblameable life Yea for his learning his very Adversaries being Judges those of the Church of Rome have acknowledged A certain Jesuit in a Book called Hyberniae Vindiciae writing against Dempster a Scotchman who had undervalued the Irish for learning after he had reckoned up many Learned men of his own and other Orders of that Nation at length he addes this of our Primate And if I should put in men of a different Religion I might truly say Scotland never saw another Usher whose sublime wit and most curteous behaviour I wish that unlucky education amongst Sectaries had not been his stepmother Divers others of his Popish Adversaries might be mentioned but I forbear and shall adde onely the Testimony of Dr. William Chappel sometime Fellow of Christs College in Cambridge and afterwards Provost of Trinity College Dublin who was very judicious and a great learned man He gave three reasons why he thought our Primate to be the greatest Schollar in the Christian world 1. Because of his rare natural parts having a quick invention a prompt wit a strong memory a clear understanding a piercing judgement and a ready utterance Seldome said he do all these meet in an eminent degree in the same person but in him they so concurred that it is hard to say in which of them he most excelled 2. Because few men had made so rich an improvement of these parts nor indeed had such means by reason of the choice Libraries which he had the use of viz. his own Dr. Challoners the University Library at Dublin which he had frequent access unto besides the University Libraries and Sir Robert Cottons in England He had also taken indefatigable pains in studying and that for many years together which few other mens bodies and brains could bear 3. Because in these and in the Universities beyond the Seas he was so esteemed and whosoever conversed with him found him a skilful Linguist a subtile Disputant a fluent Orator a profound Divine a great Antiquary an exact Chronologer and in brief a living and walking Library Insomuch that the greatest Professors admired the concatenation of so much learning in one person A Catalogue of the Books published by him De Ecclesiarum Christianarum successione statu in 4o. Epistolarum Hybernicarum Syloge in 4o. Historia Goteschalci in 4o. De Primordiis Ecclesiarum Britanicarum in 4o. Ignatii Epistolae cum annotationibus in 4o. De Anno Solari Macedonum in 8o. Annales Veteris Testamenti in Fol. Annales Novi Testamenti c. in Fol. Epistola ad Cappellum de variantibus textus Hebraici lectionibus in 4o. De Graeca Septuaginta Interpretum versione Syntagma in 4o. A Sermon before the House of Commons Feb. 18. 1618. A Declaration of the Visibility of the Church in a Sermon before King James June 20. 1624. A Speech in the Castle in Dublin the 22 of Nov. 1622. An Answer to Malon the Jesuit in 4o. 1631. The Religion professed by the antient Irish and British in 4o. 1631. Immannel or The Incarnation of the Son of God in 4o. 1639. A Geographical Description of the lesser Asia in 4o. 1644. Confessions and Proofs of Dr. Reynolds and other Protestant Divines about Episcopacy in 4o. 1644. A Discourse of the Original of Bishops and Archbishops in 4o. 1644. His small Catechisme reviewed in 12o. 1654. His Body of Divinity in part his but published without his consent in Fol. A Method for Meditation or a Direction for hearing the Word Annals of the Old and New Testament with the Synchronismes of Heathen Story to the destruction of Jerusalem in Fol. The Life and Death of Mr. Richard Capel who dyed Anno Christi 1656. Mr. Richard Capel was born in the City of Gloucester Anno Christi 1586 of good Parentage descended from an ancient Family of the Gentry of his own name in Herefordshire and of alliance to the Lord Capel but he had learned with brave Philpot to tread that under his feet His Father was a stout man and an Alderman of that City a fast friend first to Mr. Thomas Prior and afterwards to Mr. John Workman having had a principall hand in drawing of him thither both of them men of great sufficiency for the preaching of the Gospell and instruments that the Lord made much use of for the advancement of the true saving knowledge of himself and for the setting up of the reall and substantiall power of godliness in that City during the time that they exercised their Mâ—nistry there His elder Brother yet lives and is an Alderman in that place
words Ruth 4 4. 6. but when it came to the point he would not mar his Inheritance Self hath too great a stroke in the best of us all both Preachers and Professors both in Church and Commonwealth It began to work betimes St. Paul tells us in his dayes that all sought their own things Phil. 2. 21. and it is now grown to a greater head in our age when we neither eat nor drink nor fast nor pray nor do any thing to speak of but too too apparently we seek our selves therein How much then was this brave man to be admired seeing all that knew him can bear him witness how far he excelled in this rare Grace he could deny himself in his own understanding and go after God in a way that he knew not as Abraham Heb. 11. 8. he could deny himself in his own will when he that is above would lead him in a way that he would not as Joh. 2â— 18. He could deny himself in his own affections also when he came to be crossed in what he could have most desired ever ruling them by reason and Religion as a wise man should do subjecting himself to bear with quietness what could not be holp without raising too much dust It is strange to see how far he could deny himself in apparel diet attendance and what not He was very exemplary for his contempt of the world He had gotten the start of most men in that particular He used to be beating upon this point mainly both in his publick preaching and in his private conference and shewed the reality of what he pressed when he came to act himself Indeed he could not say as Luther did that he never had been tempted unto covetousness but he kept himself from any noted taint in that kinde nay from the least suspicion of that foul crime with famous Dr. Whitaker When he had things under his hand he still charged his servants to do what few men practice that they should never set up Corn nor bring home Cattel but take as the Market would afford All that knew him knew that he was far enough from encreasing his estate by any indirect means and never was there any man more willing to part with money upon a just and fit occasion It is well known that he gave over a Living of good value one of the best in those parts above twenty years before his death and betook himself to a poor little corner from which he would never be withdrawn no more than Musculus from his Berne And even there he might have picked mens purses if he had been that way given But many and many a time he put back money and took but a small matter from those that were able and would have been willing to have given him more they sought to force him to take it but he would utterly refuse it He was no less exemplary fo his great humility This was the Grace that graced all the good that was in him He would be often speaking of what he had heard concerning Dr. John Rainolds that he was as learned a man as any was in the world as godly as learned and as humble as godly Mr. Capel loved and reverenced this Doctor and trod in his steps He could speak with Tongues more than most men yet would he never make use of them in the publick Congregation He used to honour all men to acknowledge the gifts and parts of those that were far below him and to rejoyce in them as Hooper did in the blinde Boy He would not meddle in things that were too high for him nor intrench upon that that was beyond his sphere He would not stand in the place of great men He could refuse honours as Musculus did and contented himself with plain and mean things It s observed by Cajetan the Flower of the Cardinals that he would never be in his silks and braveries but kept his old fashions to his lives end Melancthon would not disdain to do that which his meanest servant would scarcely have put his hand to So was it with Mr. Capel and he would bear things that went awry without distempering himself about them Moderation he pressed and moderation he practised Staupicius told Luther concerning his behaviour that in the first three years he did all things according to the utmost rigour and that would not do In the next three years he did all according to the Laws and Counsels of the Antients and that would not hit And in the last three years he did all according to the will of God and yet neither would that succeed and then he was fain to be content with what he could have Thus you have a taste and but a little taste in this that hath been said of the precious Liquor that was powred into this earthen vesssel To which might be added the quickness of his apprehension the strength of his Memory his sense of the publick evils his passing by of wrongs and offences his special regard to such as loved their Wives and Ministers and the like but where should I make an end These and his other eminent parts vertues and graces deserve to be laid in oyl-colours by the most skilful Pencil Towards his latter end he met with some pinching griefs which he did bear with invincible patience and fortitude He willingly submitted because it was Gods will to have him so exercised All of us must expect to drink of the self-same cup our last dayes usually are our worst dayes as Mollâ—rus observes the clouds will then be returning after the rain We must be taught to know and speak it out that we are but Pilgrims we must be more truly and thoroughly taken off from the world more ripened and mellowed and seasoned for God and be made more serious in all our undertakings Melancthon used to say That if he had no cares he should have no Prayers Our comfort is our time is but short the most and best of our treasure is gone before Our hope is laid up in Heaven Get we more communion with God more faith more patience and let us put on the whole Armour of God and then we shall be able to stand and to withstand in the evil day and in the end shall be more than Conquerours through him that hath loved us This clear-sighted and understanding man foresaw storms approaching and rejoyced that he should be in his grave before they sell whither also he came as a shock of Corn gathered into the Barn in due season The Sabbath day was the last day of his life the strict observation whereof he often pressed He would say that we should go to sleep that night as it were with meat in our mouthes That Sabbath day being September the 21. 1656 he preached twice taking his leave of the world by pressing faith in God That evening he repeated both his Sermons in his Family somewhat more largely than ordinary He read his Chapter
also went to prayer and so to bed and dyed immediately by that the words were well out of his mouth being threescore and ten years old Who can desire to dye better than Stephen did calling upon God He would often say That if God saw it fit one had better to dye of a quick than of a lingring Death And God answered his desires His Works A Treatise of Temptations Capels Remains The Life and Death of Dr. Robert Harris who dyed Anno Christi 1658. Robert Harris was born in a dark time and place at Broad-Campden in Glocestershire Anno Christi 1578. His Father had the repute of a very wise and understanding man and his Mother of a very devout and charitable woman under whose wings he spent his childhood but he acknowledged it as a matter of grief to him all his life that he preferred his play before reading the Scriptures to his parents at their call So soon as he was fit for it he was set to a Free-school at Chipping-Cambden where he met with a double discouragement the first was from the often change of his Schoolmasters by reason of the small salary that came to them The second proceeded from the fierce and cruel carriage of others which as he used often to say was the bane of many young Schollars and though for his own part he remembred not that he had smarted under a Rod in any School yet the sight of the severity used to others brought such a trembling and sadness upon his spirit that he could not shake it off to his dying day From thence he was removed to the School at Worcester under the care of Mr. Bright and on the Sabbaths he heard that Reverend and Learned Dr. Robet Abbots and being furnished with School-learning he went from thence to Magdalen-Hall in Oxford being allyed to the Principal Mr. Lyster There he shewed a more than ordinary desire of Learning and having but little help either from the Principal or his Tutor he followed his private studies with the more earnestness yet all this while he enquired little into the wayes and truths of God His Tutor not long after leaving the Hall he earnestly solicited the Principal that he might be committed to the care of one Mr. Goffe of Magdalen College who was noted for a very good Logician and Disputant but withal he was accounted a Puritan which made the Principal who was Popishly affected to disswade his choice but he not out of love to Religion but Learning persisted in his desires and prevailed Mr. Goffe having thus received him into his charge required him that with the rest of his fellow-Pupils he should joyn in reading the Scriptures Repetition of Sermons and Prayer which new course he being unaccustomed to was somewhat troubled at it observing that none of the Seniors imbraced that way and yet it was such as he knew not how to contradict This caused him oft to betake himself to his private Prayers wherein he begged of God either to discover to him the falshood if his Tutor had any design upon him to corrupt him or if this course were pleasing to God that then he would confirm him in it and it pleased God after a while so to resolve him that he bought a Bible and with indefatigable pains he applied himself to the reading of that and other good Authours in Divinity Shortly after Mr. Goffe refuseth to continue his Tutor onely agrees that they would conjoyn their studies together Mr. Goffe reading Philosophy to Mr. Harris and Mr. Harris reading Greek to him and from Greek they proceeded to Hebrew in which study some other of the Fellows joyned with them whereof one afterwards was President and besides these studies his Tutor and he agreed to read Calvins Institutions by turns which course they continued as long as their other occasions and exercises would permit Having for a while been Bachelor of Arts he was willing to try his fitness for the Ministry because otherwise his Father would have him to the study of the Law and having prepared a Sermon he proffered his pains at Chipping-Cambden but such was the wofull ignorance of those times that in the greater Town he knew not where to procure a Bible to carry with him into the Pulpit yet at last being directed to the Vicar there he indeed had a Bible but it could not be â—ound having not been seen of some moneths before yet search being made he was furnished with a Bible and after Prayer made he took for his Text those words Rom. 10. 1. Brethren my hearts desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved and his Sermon was highly commended and yet himself would say that he was a loser by the bargain 1 Because his heart swelled upon it 2. Because his carnal Friends hereupon called on him to give over University studies and to come amongst them as having learning enough His Father also having many other children to provide for was willing to ease his charge and therefore applied himself to some persons of eminency both in Church and State to get some preferment for him But he being willing to decline publick imployment for the present humbly intreated his Father that what he would hereafter bestow upon him for a Patrimony he would be pleased for the present to allow it him for his maintenance in Oxford that he might perfect his studies there which his Father at last condescending to he returned with joy to Oxford But behold Gods providence He had not been long at Oxford before a fearful Plague brake out in that place which so scattered the University that few were left remaining in which case he was again put to his shifts loath he was to return home and whither else to betake himself he knew not till at last by a special Providence he was invited to the house of one Mr. Doyly five miles from Oxford a Gentleman of a very antient Family in that County and a great Friend to the Gospel whose wife also was eminent for knowledge and piety to them therefore Mr. Harris goes for the present Coming to Mr. Doylyes he there met with one Mr. Prior a prudent godly man and of an excellent spirit who being much weakned by two wracking diseases of the Stone and Gout and overburdened with preaching both on the Sabbaths and Fasts enjoyned upon the occasion of the Plague in meer pity Mr. Harris holp him a turn or two which he performed with so good approbation that presently he was set upon both by Mr. Doyly Mr. Prior and some others that he could not withstand their importunity but was necessitated to preach with them at least during the continuance of those extraordinary Fasts Mr. Harris pleaded that he was not an Ordained Minister and therefore durst not meddle with any thing but preaching neither with that but till he could be Ordained This they assented to and during his abode amongst them he met
and her husband who had been a happy instrument of satisfying many others could give her no satisfaction One day as she was complaining that she could finde no comfort O saith he What an Idol do some make of comfort as if their comfort were their Christ In the middest of these trials he yet took notice of these comforts and mercies 1. That she was kept from blaspheming the Highest for so she stiled God and from hurting her self and others 2. That this affliction awakened him and his children for they esteemed her the most conscientious and innocent amongst them all 3. It put him upon more work than his age could well bear that so he might call out his thoughts upon business and not eat up his own heart with grief and care And lastly it wrought in him an holy despair of all creature-comforts for now he could neither enjoy childe nor friend nor food nor sleep having her continually before him in his eye ear and heart and all friends fearâ—ng to come in sight lest they should wound themselves or trouble her onely continual pâ—ayers were offered up for her upon all occasions which gave hopes that the Lord might yet make her end comfortable and conquest glorious However her Husband would often say That the difference was not great whether comfort came at death or an hour after since comfort would come assuredly But leaving her under a general expectation of a blessed issue in the best time we return once more to her Husband now ready to enter into his Haven of rest After a long and laborious life which could not but be painful to him that underwent it we come at length to his last long and painful sickness which is the usual Harbinger of Death In the Summer he began to droop and finding his decay he sent for two Physitians Dr. Bathurst and Dr. Willis who were well known to him and his by former experiences and eminently known in the University to whom he professed that he used means meerly in obedience to God but for his own part he could live and durst dye His â—hysitians as himself confessed had proceeded so far as Art and Learning could carry them but herein they would lose of their worth that they had to deal with complicated diseases which were seldome removed but most of all with old age a disease which was never cured His first encounter was with a vehement Pleuâ—itical pain in his left side which was attended with a Feavor as also with a great defluxion of Rheume and oppression of his lungs with Flegme and when after divers weeks all these his Assailants seemed well-nigh vanquished through the tender care of his skilful Physitians yet then that enemy which had so long lodged in his bosome brake forth into an Empyema which he expectorated daily in so great a measure for the space of two moneths or more that hereby together with some fits of his old diseases the Stone and Strangury he was not able to speak much to those that visited him And herein indeed it fell out according to what he had often foretold in his best strength viz. That little was to be expected from him on his death-bed which occasioned him to write fearing that his tongue might not then be able to utter it his advice and counsel to his Family many years before his death The truth is he the rather forbore to speak because he perceived that some had a design to make his speeches publick which he was utterly averse to neither would he consent that any thing of his Life or Death should be written Nay he could never be perswaded at any time to fit that his Picture might be drawn so desirous he was that all of him might be buried with him And albeit he spit up those Lungs which he had wasted in the Pulpit yet could not that light of Grace be so smothered under a Bushel but that oft-times the beams thereof would shine forth and himself would breathe forth himself in pithy speeches and savoury discourses In the beginning of his sickness being desired to admit of company he answered I am alone in company it s all one to me to be left alone or to have Friends with me my work is now to arm my self for Death which assaults me and I apply my self as I am able for that great encounter And accordingly he spent his whole time in meditation prayer and reading the holy Scriptures especially the Book of Psalmes the Prophesie of Isaiah and St. Johns Gospel taking exceeding delight in the 10 14 15 16 and 17 Chapters of that Evangelist After which time his nights were long and sleeps short and when he could neither sleep nor sit up in his bed to read his manner was to command others to read to him and then himself would collect the most useful things that were contained in the Chapter explaining such things as were difficult and sweetly feeding upon the rest His constant practice was to exhort such as either visited or attended upon him above all things to get Faith It is saith he your victory your peace your life your Crown and your chief piece of spiritual Armour Howbeit get on all the other pieces and then go forth in the Lords might stand to the fight and the issue shall be glorious onely forget not to call in the help of your General Do all from him and under him On the Lords dayes he would not hinder any from the publick Ordinances for any thing that was to be done about him till Sermons were ended and then he would say Come what have you for me meaning something of Repetition unto which he would attend with such diligence as that he would summe up the heads of every Sermon and say O what excellent truths are these lay them up charily you will have need of them When Friends came to visit him he used to say I cannot speak but I can hear And when he was asked where his comfort lay His answer was In Christ and in the free Grace of God One telling him Sir you may take much comfort in your labours you have done much good c. His answer was All is nothing without a Saviour without him my best works would condemn me Oh I am ashamed of them being mixed with so much sin Oh I am an unprofitable servant I have not done any thing for God as I ought loss of time sits heavy upon my spirit Work work apace assure your selves nothing will more trouble you when you come to dye than that you have done no more for God who hath done so much for you Sometimes he used thus to breathe out himself I never in all my life saw the worth of a Christ nor tasted the sweetness of Gods love in that measure as now I do When he was asked what should be done for him His answer was Do not onely pray for me but praise God for his unspeakable mercy
unto me and in particular that he hath kept Satan from me in this my weakness Oh how good is God entertain good thoughts of him How ever it be with us we cannot think too well of him or too bad of our selves And this sense of Gods goodness was very deeply imprinted upon his heart to his very last and therefore in all his Wills this Legacy was alwayes renewed Item I bequeathe to all my children and to their childrens children to each of them a Bible with this Inscription None but Christ. Being upon a time visited by two Reverend Doctors his choice Friends who before they prayed with him desired him to tell them what he chiefly requested He answered I praise God he supports me and keeps off Satan beg that I may hold out I am now in a good way home even quite spent I am now at the shore I leave you tossing on the Sea Oh it is a good time to dye in Yet when his end approached nearer being often asked how he did He answered In no great pain I praise God onely weary of my unuseful life If God hath no more service for me to do here I could be gladly in Heaven where I shall serve him better freed from sin and distractions I pass from one death to another yet I fear none I praise God I can live and I dare dye If God hath more work for me to do here I am willing to do it though my infirm body be very weary Desiring one to pray with him and for him that God would hasten the work it was asked whether pain c. put him upon that desire He answered No but I now do no good and I hinder others which might be better imployed if I were not Why should any desire to live but to do God service Now I cease from that I do not live By this time the violence of his distempers disabled him and the advice of his Physitians was that he should forbear speech yet he called upon those which attended him to read some part of the Scriptures to him constantly especially he put one of his Sons that was with him to pray frequently and whilst his life and speech lasted he used to conclude all the Prayers with a loud Amen The nearer he approached to his end the more he slumbered Once when he awoke he found himself very ill whereupon calling for his Son he took him by the hand and said Pray with me it is the last time in likelihood that I shall ever joyn with you and complaining to him of his wearisomeness his Son answered There remains a rest To whom he replied My Sabbath is not far off and yours is at hand ere that I shall be rid of all my trouble and you will be eased of some At length his ruinous house which onely inobedience to the will of God had held out beyond his own desires and all mens expectations from the heighth of Summer till the depth of Winter comes to be dissolved About Saturday in the even he began to set himself to dye forbidding all cordials to be administred upon what extremity soever and gave his dying blessing to his Son who onely of all his children was present with him and upon his request enjoyned him to signifie when he had opportunity to that Country where he had lived longest that he lived and dyed in that Faith which he had preached and printed the comfort whereof he now found Something else he began to speak but his distempers interrupted his purpose and from that time he never entertained any discourse with man onely he commanded the eight Chapter of the Epistle to the Romans to be read to him And herein God was exceeding good to him in the return of those Petitions which had been put up for him that afternoon by those two eminent Divines and his dearest Brethren before mentioned For whereas his great distempers gave occasion to fear his death would be exceeding painful yet did it prove so easie that his Son and other attendants could but guess at the particular time of his departure His breathings were easie and even his eyes open and full of water till at the last having lifted them up towards Heaven they closed of themselves and his soul without the least motion of resistance of the body entred into everlasting rest whilst those whom he left behinde were entring upon the day of their rest For then began he a perpetual Sabbath in Heaven when they began theirs on earth betwixt twelve and one on Saturday night December 11. Anno Christi 1658. He dyed in a good old age and full of dayes having overlived fourscore years His loss was much bewayled by the College by the City and whole University of Oxford He was as all that knew him confessed a man of admirable prudence profound judgement eminent gifts and graces and furnished with all qualifications that might render him a compleat man a wise Governour a profitable Preacher and a good Christian. First look upon him as a Christian for that was his and is every mans greatest Ornament He was a man that had much acquaintance with God much communion with him in private meditation and prayer accounting those his best dayes wherein he enjoyed most converse with him In the time of his sickness one asking him how he did oh saith he this hath been a sweet day I have had sweet communion with God in Jesus Christ. He was not like them who are all for promises and priviledges though in the mean time they neglect duties He made them his exercise but not his Christ He was much in those severe parts of Religion as private Humiliation Mortification and Self-denial whereby he gained the conquest over himself The truth is he was as far as is consistent with humane frailty Master of his corruptions passions reason appetite language and all The Lord was pleased to work upon him in the Primrose of his life though he certainly knew not either the Preacher or Sermon whereby he was converted His course was in the dayes of his strictest examination to set down in writing his evidences for Heaven sometimes in Propositions from Scripture other sometimes in Sylogismes and these he often subscribed to in a Book that he kept for that very purpose But these evidences were best read by others in the course of his life by his exact walking with God in piety charity humility patience and dependance upon him He was far unlike to those who sit in Moses Chair and teach what themselves practise not He had well digested that Fathers precept to Preachers Either preach not at all or live as you preach His life was a Commentary upon his Doctrine and his practice the Counterpane of his Sermons What was said of that precious Bishop Jewel was true of him That he adorned a heavenly Doctrine with a heavenly life In a word he did vertere verba in opera he lived Religion whilst many onely make
discouragement which he called The childe of pride and unbelief He used to say that some duties which were oft in mens mouthes he found very difficult to him As 1. To deny himself in all his Selfs was a work to be learning whilst he lived 2. To live onely by faith and a bare promise without a pawn is a great work 3. To give all to free Grace and to Christ alone is a mighty work 4. To love where we meet with unlovingness and contempt is no easie matter 5. To do ones proper work without some present pay and countenance from God and man is a hard task 6. That it s far harder to adopt others comforts than their sorrows and to hold ones self exalted in anothers exaltation 7. That to dye in cold blood and to be active in it as an act of obedience is the work of a Christian. In his sickness he would occasionally vent himself thus It s a hard thing to think ill of our selves and well of God at the same time It s a hard thing for a Saint to forgive himself some faults when God hath forgiven them It s hard to think holy thoughts long and to confine them to anothers prayers We know but little of Christs love till all be perfected and spread before us in heaven For his children he referred them to an old Will which he had made Anno Christi 1636 when they were many and small which because it may be of use to many others it s here inserted The Advice and Counsel of Dr. Harris to his Family annexed to a Will made by him Anno Christi 1636. To my dear Wife and Children My dear Selfs I know not what leasure I shall have to speak unto you at my Death and I am not you know very free in speech especially in sickness and sadness and therefore now I will speak my heart to you and I would have you to hear me speaking whilst you live in this my writing which I divide amongst you all First for you my dear Wife you shall finde the substance of that I would say to you printed to your hand in the Book of Martyrs Vol. 2. p. 1744 to wit in John Careless his Letter to his Wife keep the Book and often read the Letter onely one thing I adde if you marry again remember your own observation viz. That second Husbands are very uxorious second Wives very prevalent and therefore take heed that you do no ill office in estranging your Husband from his natural children or kindred you shall thereby draw upon him a great sin and judgement if you kill in him natural affections I have said and do with all the strength and power that is in me thank you for your faithfulness and resign you to the Husband of Husbands the Lord Christ. Now my poor Children let me pour out my heart to you and speak to your Souls first For your Souls Trifle not in the main point the Soul is immortal you have to deal with an infinite Majesty you go upon life and death therefore here be serious do all to God in a serious manner When you think of him speak of him pray to him any way make your addresses to his great Majesty be in good earnest and have God and have all 1. More particularly get your pardon in Christ It is not impossible to get it assured to you if you will learn 1. To deny your selves 2. To live by faith 3. To understand the nature of the New Covenant Settle your judgements in these Points and the thing is feasible 2. Having gotten it be still adding to your evidence and enjoy your present Assurance Do all to God as to your Father Next to this think how you and I shall endure the sight the thought one of another at the last day if you appear in the old Adam much less shall you stand before Christ unless you shew the Image of Christ in you and therefore never cease till you be made New creatures and study well what that is In the last place strive for those Graces most which concern your places and conditions and make head against those sins which most threaten you As first Hereditary sins I was naturally Melancholy that is a humour that admits of any temptation and is capable of any impression and distemper Shun as death this humour which will work you to all unthankfulness against God unlovingness to man and unnaturalness to your selves 2. Of your times and habitations 3. Of your tempers and age 4. Of your Callings I have made my own peace my sins shall not hurt you if you make them not yours you need not fear the success if you will oppose to sin Christ is made sanctification to you he came to dissolve the works of Satan he hath overcome for you and hath made as many promises for your sanctification as your justification Gather those promises as they be set down especially in the Covenant with an oath Luke 1. Press these to God 2 Cor. 7. 1. In short do not talk and make a noise to get a name of forward men but do the thing be constant in secret duties and act Religion in your Câ—llings for it is not a name or notion It is a frame of nature and habit of living by Divine Rule What it is you will then know when you have it in truth first and in power next and not before Onely this for the present It is that you must live and dye by that you must rise and reign by therefore my Châ—ldren I give you that advice which I gave your Brother now with God Be more than you seem Do more than you talk of in point of Religion Satisfie your own consciences in what you do all men you shall never satisfie nay some will not be satisfied though they be convinced For your Bodies I was troubled with straightness of breath and breast which was also Hereditary and therefore you must fear it the more The Remedies are 1. Disclaim Hereditary sins 2. Keep Heads clean Feet warm and Hearts cheerful 3. Be more frequent than I and your Brother in exercise 4. Shun late drinking or studying 5. Use lighter Suppers For your Callings 1. Choose well 1. A profitable Calling for the publick 2. A full imployment 3. A Calling fit for your parts and means It is better to be a rich Cobler than a poor Merchant 2. Use a Calling well 1. Make it an help not a snare to your souls 2. Be 1. Diligent 2. Skilful Any honest Calling will honour you if thus you honour it and therefore you may be hopeful because my self who had not your parts and helps never fouâ—d any thing too hard for me in my Calling but discouragement and unbelief For your Company Abandon all infectious flattering self-serving companions when oncâ— you have found them false trust them no more Sort with such as are able to do oâ— receive good Solomon gives you the best counsel for this in
many places Read the Proverbs and remember him in this 1. Forsake not an old Friend 2. Be friendly and faithful to your Friends 3. Never trouble or trust Friends unless there be a necessity 4. Lastly be long in closing with Friends and loath to lose them upon experience of them For your Marriages In Marriage you lay the foundation of your present woe or weal therefore here be not rash go not alone yet remember Paul 1 Cor. 7. 2. First study whether you have a calling to Marry yea or no and advise well of that If none forbear if so advise with friends before your affections be engaged In your choice 1. Aim at Grace 2. Good nature and education the best woman is not ever the best wife 3. Good parts of understanding Huswifery c. As for Portion be it more or less be upon certainties and trust not words and for Parentage let not the distance be too great lest you despise or be despised However be sure that the person likes not your fancy but your judgement For your Children Make it your chiefest work to make them 1. Godly 2. Useful Bestow most of their Portions in good Education and if Grace make no difference do you make none in your affections countenances portions partiality this way ends in nothing else but envy strangeness c. For your selves within your selves My desire hath been to carry an even hand over you all and have laboured to reduce you as near as I could all circumstances considered to an equality and therefore my last request and charge is that you will live together in an undivided bond of love you are many of you and if you joyn together as one man you need not want any thing what counsel what comfort what money what friends may you not help your selves unto if you will contribute your aides wherefore my dear children I pray beseech command adjure you by all the Relations and dearness that hath ever been betwixt us that you know one another visite as you may each other comfort counsel relieve succour help admonish one another Whilst your Mother lives meet there if possible yearly When she is dead pitch upon some other place if it may be your eldest Brothers house or if you cannot meet yet send to and hear from one another yearly And when you have neither Father nor Mother be so many Fathers and Mothers each to other so you shall understand the blessing mentioned Psal. 133. For your Estates Be not troubled that you are below your kindred get more wisdome humility goodness and you are above them onely this do 1. Study work more than wages 2. Deal with your hearts to make them less 3. Begin below 4. Joyn together to help one another 5. Rest upon the Promises which are many and precious this way 6. Sow mercy Take of your Mother to this end a piece give that in works of mercy and if all other means fail you that shall maintain you I know I know I say and I am confident in it that if ye will be humbled for my barrenness and will trust God in his own way he will make comfortable provision for you Object no more but trust him For the Publick Bless God that you are born English men and bear your selves dutifully and conscionably towards Authority See God in the Magistrate and hold Order a precious things And for the Church neither set her above her Husband Christ nor below her Children give her that honour obedience and respect that is her due and if you will be my Children and heirs of my comfort in my dying age be neither Authors nor Fautors of any either faction or novelty It s true this is not a rising way but it is a free fair comfortable way for a man to follow his own judgement without warping to either hand Perhaps you may hear variety of judgements touching my walk when I sleep in silence some taxing me for too much some for too little Conformity but be not ye troubled I did what in my circumstances seemed best to me for the present howsoever the event hath not in some points answered expectation yet I have learned to measure things by another rule than events and satisfie my self in this that I did all for the best as I thought Sure I am my Saviour Christ is perfect and never failed so much as in circumstance To him I commit your Souls Bodies Estates Names Lifes Deaths All and my self waiting when he shall change my vile body and make it glorious like unto his own Amen Even so come Lord Jesus Amen On the Memory of that Famous and Godly Minister Dr. Robert Haris my late worthy Friend As once Elias in John Baptist came Back to the Jews in that Triumphant flame Of Light and Zeal wherein he did before Without Deaths help up into Glory soar And by this Transmigration of his Grace Prepared paths before his Masters face Even so in thee blest soul did breathe anew Great Chrysostom yea great Apollos too To thee those mighty Orators did give Their Tongues to speak to thee their life to live Nay thou thy self didst in thy self renew Thy Fort'ys vigour in Fourscore we knew When all thy strength decayd thy Gifts did thrive The man is dead the Preacher still alive Alive in his own Sermons in our love His Name alive below his Soul above And may the younger Prophets still inherit A double portion of their Fathers spirit That by a sacred Metempsychosis The gifts may now be theirs which once were his That every Sermon which we hear may be Rare Preacher a true Pourtracture of thee Yea may it of each following age be true The former are exceeded by the new Visions of young surpass old Prophets dreams The Fathers Light 's outshin'd by Childrens beams That in their measures we may more and more Th'unmeasur'd fulness of our Lord adore E. REYNER The Second Part Containing the LIVES OF GVSTAVUS ERICSON King of Sueden who was the first Reformer of RELIGION in that KINGDOM AS ALSO Of divers other Christians who were eminent for Prudence and Piety We desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end That ye be not slothful but followers of them who through Faith and Patience inherit the promises Heb. 6. 11 12. LONDON Printed for Will. Miller at the Gilded Acron near the Little North-door in St. Pauls Church-yard 1661. The Life of Gustavus Ericson King of Sueden who dyed Anno Christi 1562. IN the dayes of Christian the Second King of Denmark who also laid claim to the Crown of Sueden after the decease of Swanto the Lords of Sueden chose Steno Stur to be their Governor against whom Gustavus Archbishop of Upsal opposed himself loving his place more than his Country and being crossed in his expectation he promotes the interest of Christian of Denmark who to set forward his claim to the Crown of Sueden spent
are Apothegmes It is not worth the name of wisdome that may be heard only and not seen Good discourse is but the froth of wisdome the pure and solid substance of it is well-framed actions And according to this we may commend her conversation for prudence in practice above that which she shewed either in the use or restraint of her tongue For as St. Jerom saith She taught others more by her example than by her speech much more then by her silence She was a woman of a well composed spirit discreetly advised framing her affairs by good direction of grace and reason without any direction of humour or passion which bare no sway over her at all and very seldome had any shew or appearance in her but when her discretion told her it was fit to make use of them for due advertisement to others and then she would order it with such moderation as that neither her words nor her looks nor her gestures carried any colour of contradiction to her prudence and piety So that her wisdome was a protection to the reputation of her piety against all scornfull reproaches Yea it was a promotion of the Christian profession to more estimation in her person and for her sake And though she was singularly gifted yet was she far from their disposition who think they do nothing well unless they be singular and though she had less to do with worldly matters than most would have had in her condition yet therein also she gave that proof of prudence which Solomon observeth Prov. 14. 1. A wise woman saith he builds her house For she was very provident in managing her Family affairs both whilest she was married and when she was a widow also Now from her Intellectuall parts let us pass to her Morall and we shall find that though she had a very good head richly stored with ingenious and religious notions yet she had a far better heart more abundantly furnished with excellent graces whereof we will single out some 1. For her faith which is the hand that turneth the key to unlock the storehouse of divine beneficence This appeared by a Paper written with her own hand wherein she did set down the Articles of her faith in full plain and perspicuous terms with pertinent proofs of Scripture to every point and then she maketh particular application thereof to her self as thus I do believe the Scriptures to be the very Word of God 2 Tim. 3. 16. 2 Pet. 1. 21. and I have found them so to me by the witness of Gods Spirit which I have felt testifying of them and by the unutterable comfort which I have received by them wonderfully refreshing my heart when it was in the deepest distress whereby God hath made them so good unto me that I account them better than thousands of gold and silver Psal. 119. 72. I do believe that God made man at first after his own Image Gen. 1. 26. which Image did chiefly consist in knowledge and holiness Eccles. 7. 29. Eph. 4. 24. and out of admiration of this Image I do long for that time when I shall be satisfied with it Psal. 17. 15. I do believe that all mankind hath sinned 1 King 8. 46. and that the nature of man is stained with sin from the birth Psal. 51. 5. I know and must acknowlegde that the cause of all the afflictions which do befall me in this life is in my self and I know no cause to murmure at my crosses when I look upon my sin I do believe that Jesus Christ is God and my God Psal. 68. 20. and in that he is a God and my God it doth exceedingly comfort me For he is full of grace to supply my wants a Counsellor to direct me in my doubts Almighty to defend me and an everlasting Father to love pitty and bear with mine infirmities and to spare me a Prince of peace to perform reconciliation with his Father for me and to fill me with the peace which passeth all understanding and that he will establish and order me henceforth and for ever I do believe that the Passion of Christ was by the eternall decree and appointment of God Act. 2. 23. and that his sorrows were sustained for our sins and for our sakes so as he bore all our iniquities 1 Pet. 2. 24. and that in his own person he fullfilled and finished all sufferings needfull for our salvation 1 Pet. 3. 18 and that his Passion so grievous as cannot be imagined is a sufficient price for the sins of the world Joh 2. 29. therefore why should not I be willing to suffer any thing for his sake that hath suffered so great things for me and say with St. Paul God forbid that I should rejoyce in any thing but in the Cross of Christ. I will for ever trust in him and relie upon him as the life of my life and as to me both in life and death advantage and having such a proof of the infinite love of God to me in not sparing his own Son but giving him up to death for me shall I ever doubt of my freedome from condemnation such a price being paid for the discharge of my debts by such a surety I do believe that Christ overcame sin death the grave and Hell and rose again from the dead ascended into Heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God in Majesty Rom. 1. 4. and that he hath purchased his Church by his bloud and that he is a Lawgiver to his Church Jam. 4. 12. which is gathered by his voice Joh. 17. 9. seperated from sinfull society with the world For she is an holy Church Eph. 5. 25. yet dispersed over the world for she is Catholick Eph. 1. 10. and though Catholick and dispersed yet but one Eph. 4. 4. knit unto Christ by an indissolveable union Col. 1. 18. And I am sure that I am a member of this Church For I am called out of sinfull communion with the world by the voice of the Ministers of Christ who are in his stead and seperated from it by the power of the Word and I do relie upon Christs merits for righteousness and salvation I do not delight in the society of the wicked but in theirs who fear him whom I love with sincere affections as the most worthy people of the world and whatsoever I want of an holy life yet I do not live after my old evil conversation but I constantly endeavour to be more and more holy What thanks shall I give unto God who hath called me out of darkness into his marvellous light and saved me from the common condemnation of the world O the depth of the love of Christ unto me I do believe that there shall be a generall Judgement Psal. 9. 8. that Christ shall be the Judge a visible Judge in his humane nature Act. 17. 13. that it shall be at the last day but the precise day and hour is not known to any man or Angel Mat. 24.
36. that then every man shall be judged Jude 15. and every secret thing shall be brought to light Rom. 2. 16. and that the judgement will be most just and so confessed by all Rom. 2. 5 6. why then should I fear the last Judgement seeing he shall be my Judge who is my Brother Advocate and Redeemer He that was willingly judged for me will give no hard sentence against me yea he hath already absolved me from my sins and given me the earnest of his Spirit and the seal of the Sacraments and I have judged my self that I may not be condemned with the world 1 Cor. 11. 32. I do beleeve that the glory of Heaven is unspeakable and incomprehensible by us here on earth 1 Cor. 2. 9. that is it eternal Matth. 25. 45. and that it is the gift of God proceeding onely from his free Grace not our merit Luke 12. 32. his free gift bestowed onely upon the Elect Rev. 21. 27. O that I could by the effectualness of contemplation behold the greatness of this felicity which is provided for me yet as I can conceive it I cannot choose but long to be absent from hence that I may be present with the Lord 2 Cor. 5. 8. whos 's admirable beauty I shall clearly see and know as I am known and that with a perfection both of holiness and happiness such holiness as will not onely free me from all sin but from all possibility of sinning such happiness as that ceasing from all labour and sorrow I shall enjoy an eternal Sabbath and shall be free to all the treasures of Heaven and with the fruition of Gods glorious presence shall enjoy the sweet society of all the glorified Saints and Angels And all this as it is unuterable so it is unalterable For as I cannot be disappointed of it because it is certain so I cannot be deprived of it because it is eternal How then should the hope of the future life but swallow up the afflictions of the life present and why should I fear Death when being dead I shall be so blessed Yet was not her Faith elevated so high but that she could readily apply it to promises of an inferiour degree For as she trusted in God at all times as David teacheth Psal. 62. 8. so did she in all things whether temporal or eternal In straits and difficulties for the affairs of this life she had that ready at hand Commit thy way unto the Lord trust also in him and he shall bring it to pass Psal. 37. 5. If at any time she was sinisterly censured by any one her faith applied that promise to her heart He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light and thy judgement as the noon day Psal. 35. 6. And whatsoever it were that came upon her as a cross her faith was either as a wreathe betwixt her shoulders and it that it did not pinch her or a remover of it from her self to him who was best able to bear it by vertue of that Warrant Psal. 55. 22. Cast thy burthen upon the Lord and he shall sustain thee and that done her faith which teacheth to keep an eaven pace with the promises not making haste Isa. 28. 16. by anticipating the time of accomplishment taught her soul to wait upon God as Davids did Psal. 62. 1. to effect his own work at his own time in his own way and manner wherein she would not prescribe any thing at all By this daily exercise of her Faith she gained a great deal of freedome and lightsomness of spirit which admirably appeared in her deportment upon great disappointments of that which was her own due and unexpected payments unto others when she hath seen no way of supply for the present occasions she hath believed that Gods providence would effect what her forecast could not when she was not wanting in the use of means and that he could furnish her with that which should be sufficient albeit for the present she saw not how nor by what means it would come to pass and therefore when she had done what belonged to her duty in the affiance of her Faith she rested quiet and remained cheerful and slept neither the less nor the worse for it and that which confirmed her confidence the more was that she still found by experience that God was most worthy to be trusted That her Faith was as good as it was great appeared by the effect of it in her Devotion and Piety which was suitable to her knowledge of God and her faith in him by both which as she had a clear apprehension of him so none had more dear and devout affections to him or more assured signs of such than she as appeared in these particulars She was frequently and fervently conversant with God besides the publick in her private supplications and therein was he most favourably familiar with her for he sent forth his Spirit into her heart whereby she cried Abba Father Gal 4. 6. The Spirit of Grace and Supplication Zach. 12. 10. which enabled her in an extraordinary manner and measure to pour out her soul into his bosome and though she duely esteemed of the solemn prayers of the sacred Assemblies whereof a learned and pious Divine said that never any one prayed well privately who contemned or neglected the publick prayers of the Church and never sleighted or censured set forms of Prayer yet could she and that excellently well conceive Prayer and vary her Petitions as the present occasion did require Yea in this Devotion she was so abundant in apt and pertinent expressions that indeed it was admirable that one so silent in her common conversation with the world should be so fluent and eloquent in her entercourse with God Nor was she more copious in speech than fervent in spirit For such was her holy violence in Prayer as that she seemed not to knock at Heaven Gate for another to open it but to make a battery upon it her self and to break in by the powerful importunity of her supplications Her service also of God in this kinde was no dry Devotion but steeped and drenched in showres of tears and though her prudence used as much privacy as might be herein yet such a singular gift could not be hid from her servants and some secret female friends who sometimes when they were sick or possessed with fears or pains of child-birth they would move her with importunity to pray with them and when she yeelded to them and God to her by answering her request they were apt as there was cause to impute the good effect to her fervent supplications A female friend of hers who was her bed-fellow in London for many weeks together and thereby was a partaker of her daily Devotions professed that she was so plentifully furnished for utterance of her requests to God that she never wanted variety of meet words to be presented unto him but when a surcharge of sighs and
of the world how she may please her Husband 2. She had so chosen God for her portion and set up her rest in the riches of his love that she had but little minde of the worlds riches She knew that riches may be had and well used of the Religious and that poverty alone commends no man unto God as St. Jerom speaks yet did she not dote upon them but though she was competently careful and frugal as Christ prescribeth Joh. 6. 12. Gather up the broken meat that nothing be lost and though she was provident as the Apostle requires 1 Tim. 5. 8. If any provide not for his own and especially for those of his own hosue he hath denyed the faith and is worse than an Infidel yet withall beleeving that of the Prophet David Psal. 37. 16. A little that the righteous hath is better than the riches of many wicked and as conforming her self to that of St. John Love not the world nor the things of the world 1 Joh. 2. 15. She often besought of Almighty God rather to make and keep her poor than to suffer her heart in any sort to sink down from her Maker to dote upon Mammon She was one that could very well finde in her heart to honour God with her substance as Prov. 3. 9. She was as cheerful in her layings out for him as any Miser could be in his layings up for himself and when she heard of the irreligious Parsimony of some towards the maintenanance of the publick Ministry in that City of Chester she hath professed that she had rather be at all the charge of all the common contributions her self if her estate would bear it than that God should be grumbled at or his service poorly prized or the wages of his work unwillingly paid Another undoubted testimony of her true love to God was in that she so much desired to dye out of a fervent affection to him insomuch that she feared a long life would keep her too long from the enjoyment of him being therein like unto David in those ardent aspirations of his As the Hart panteth after the water Brooks so panteth my soul after thee O God my soul thirsteth for God for the living God when shall I come and appear before him Psal 42. 1 2. That which worldlings are most afraid of that she so much wished for that her friends were fain to plead with her to be pleased with life though she not being contented with their Arguments contended against them by contrary reason shewing first why she did desire to dye Secondly why she was not afraid of Death and hoping that it would not tarry long she had in readiness some special matters to be remembred at her Death which she left in writing under her own hand and are as followeth First Why I desire to dye I desire to dye because I want while I live here the glorious presence of God which I love and long for and that sweet fellowship of the Angels and Saints who would be glad of me as I am of them and would entertaine me with unwearied delight I desire to dye because while I live I shall want the perfection of my nature and be as an estranged and banished person from my Fathers house I desire to dye because I would not live to offend so good a God nor to grieve his holy Spirit For his loving kindness is better than life it self And he is abundant in mercy to me and it doth lye as an heavy load upon my heart many times to think of dipleasing him I desire to dye because this world is generally infected with the plague of sin and some have this Plague-sore running upon them and I my self â—m tainted with the same disease so as whilst I live here I can be in no place nor in any company but I am still in danger of being infected or to infect others and if this world doth hate me because I endeavour to follow goodness how will it rejoyce if my foot do but slip Therefore how woful would my life be unto me if I should give occasion to the world to triumph or blaspheme in respect of me I cannot choose but desire to dye when I consider that sin like a leprosie hath so corrupted me that there is no soundness in me my minde my memory my will and affections yea my very conscience is still impure in every faculty of my soul there is a miserable mixture of vile infection which makes me aweary of my life and all this is the worse because it is incurable and inseparable companion of my life so that I can go no whither to avoid it there is no business that I can dispatch that concerns my happiness without a muteny in mine heart though Gods works be all fair works yet there are in my nature many defects insufficiencies mistakings and transgressions so that I may say with David Innumerable evils have compassed me about mine iniquities have taken hold on me so that I am not able to look up Psal. 40. 12. I therefore desire Heaven for holiness rather than for happiness that I might sin no more I desire that condition wherein I may most glorifie God I desire to dye because of the Devils malignant and uncessant assaults I can stand no where before the Lord on earth but one Devil or other is at my right hand and must of necessity enter into conflict with them and their temptations and be buffeted and gored by them which is a thousand fold worse than Death More easie it is to wrestle with Flesh and Blood than with those Principalities and Powers and spiritual wickednesses and great Rulers of the world For they are subtle and cruel and and like roaring Lions they go about seeking whom they may devour 1 Pet. 5. 8. I desire to dye because by Death I shall rest from the hard labours of this life I desire to dye because nothing in this world can give me solid and durable contentment I am less in liking of life and have more desire of death when I consider the misery that may come both on my body and estate and fearful alterations may come and wars may come and all the desolations and terrours which accompany them and I may be left in the hands of the sons of violence Besides I daily suffer the loss of my friends who were the companions of my life and means of much contentment unto me and those whom I lose by my life I shall finde by my death and enjoy in another world unto all eternity And for my children it doth not trouble me for that God which hath given life and breath and all they have while I am living can without me provide for them when I am dead my God will be their God if they be his if they be not what comfort would it be for me to live my life would be exceeding bitter unto me if I should see them dishonour God whom
could not attend upon it every morning yet he failed not of it in the evening Well Sir said Mr. Jurdaine I will tell you in plain tearms what I would have you â—o do I would take all these goods and throw them out into the street and let them rather be cast away and perish than that they should be a means to ruine my soul unto all eternity From this Assurance it was that he was so fearless of Death He knew that Death was an enemy as the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 15. 26. But that through Christ it was become a Friend to open the Gate of Heaven Whereas Death in it self is as Bildad saith Job 18. 14. the King of Terrours or as the Heathen said Of all Terribles the most terrible yet he being assured of his interest in Christ found it not so to him for he looked upon it as having lost its sting through Christ. Indeed he made it so familiar to him by his continuall meditation of it that he was so far from fearing it that he did delight to speak of it yea earnestly desired it and with joy expected it whereby he discovered his great proficiency in the School of Christ. It was his usuall saying that if Death were offered him on the one hand and the Kings Crown on the other he would take the Crown and throw it into the Kennel and choose Death far before it He knew that he should be a great gainer by Death and thereby obtain the Crown of life and glory Jam. 1. 12. 1 Pet. 5. 4. and that he feared not but rather hoped for Death And this was further manifested in that when the Plague was very hot in the City of â—xeter and he being in the highest place of Authority there at that time when the poor flocked about his house for relief though he would not causelesly expose himself to danger yet being in the discharge of his Duty he feared not the infection but often professed that if by Gods disposing the Plague should seize on him he would kiss and welcome it as the messenger of Death Nor was the meditation of Death then in his minde onely in times of danger but at all times there was not a day wherein he did not speak of it and not onely when there was occasion offered to talk of it but he would take occasion to discourse of that subject As when he was invited to a Feast he would tell the messenger that he would come if he did live so long And when he went out of his house upon publick or private businesses he would as it were take a solemn leave of his wife telling her that he knew not whether he should return to his house again Yet did he not so much desire Death as to undervalue the blessing of life or to neglect the means for the preservation of it for he acknowledged it to be a great blessing and he was willing to live as long as the longest lived man if it were Gods good pleasure and if he might do him service And when he was sick or in any danger he would carefully make use of the means that he might thereby serve Gods good providence for his recovery or deliverance saying that though he must trust in God yet he must not tempt him by seeming to trust in him His minde was not so much upon Earth and Death as upon Heaven to which he was assured Death would be a passage for him Sure his heart was much upon Heaven or Heaven was much in his heart as appeared by his frequent discourse of it both day and night and our Saviour Christ tells us Mat. 12. 34. That out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks All that knew him and looked upon him without a prejudiced eye would say that he was a most heavenly minded man a man that lived in Heaven as much as most that lived upon earth When in the night he looked upon those glistering lights of Heaven Ezek. 32. 8. the Firmament adorned with those Stars of light Psal. 148. 3. he used to raise up his thoughts and speech much higher even to the glory of the highest Heaven saying If these visible Heavens be so glorious how doth the Heaven above them exceed in glory where God alone shall be the light and yet the Righteous shall shine forth as the Sun in the Kingdome of their Father Mat. 13. 43. There was scarce any occasion administred or any special act of Gods providence that did occur but it would draw out some speech of Heaven from him as when any cross or loss befell him in his affairs he would say no more but Heaven will pay for all And when in a journey he fell from his horse and lay for a while in a swoon as soon as he recovered his first words were Well I see that I am now deceived I thought that my horse would have cast me into Heaven These are some few heads of the breathings of his piety to which much more might be added and truly they which knew him will marvell not that so much is said of him but rather that there is so little He was as eminent for Justice as for Piety when he was advanced to the chiefest place of Government in that City to be Mayor of that honourable Corporation He was an eminent Magistrate and that not only in the year of his Majoraâ—ty but ever after as long as he lived He looked upon it not as a place of honour onely but as an office of trust wherein he might honour God and execute justice amongst men and reform those evils which abounded in those times in that place He did not glory so much in having the Sword carried before him though it was a singular badge of honour to that City that the Kings swoâ—d should be taken from his side and delivered to the Mayor to be carried before him as a signall testimony of his favour and their loyalty and courage in the insurrection of Perkin Warbeck as he was desirous to draw forth the sword of Justice against evil doers and not to carry it in vain Rom. 13. 4. He was observed to be an impartial Administrator of Justice and one that without respect of persons did punish evill doers of whatquality or condition soever they were that did transgress the Law whether they were Citizens or strangers that came thither if complaint were made to him they should not escape condign punishment as the Laws of the Land or custome of the place did award As for instance There was a Gentleman of quality that was complained of to him for swearing five Oaths and for some other misdemeanours Mr. Jurdaine thereupon sent a Constable with a Warrant to fetch him before him but the Gentleman gave the Constable threatening language so that he durst not execute his Office Whereupon Mr. Jurdaine sent one Constable more for him who brought the Gentleman before him And he being in
zeal as a Christian against prophane swearing and for the strict observation of the Sabhath wherein there is a remarkable instance of both at once and it was this Mr. Jurdaine returning from the Parliament in the company of a person of Honour he was invited by him to stay at his house that night being Saturday and the Sabbath following he having observed that Noble personage to swear as they travelled together told him that he would not go into his house for that he was a Swearer and he feared that the house would fall upon his head Answer was returned that he need not fear that for the house was newly built a fair and strong house To this he replied yea but the flying Rowl of Curses shall enter into the house of Swearers and shall consume the timber and stones of it But to obtain his company the Lord pressed the inconveniencies of his lodging in an Inne on the Sabbath day Mr. Jurdaine replied But I will never go into your house unless you will engage your self that no Oath shall be sworn â—nor cursing uttered by yourâ— your Lady nor none of your servants or Family This was faithfully promised Yea but then said Mr. Jurdaine how shall the Sabbath be kept the answer was That he should have an honest Sermon in the forenoon And what in the afternoon said he Except we shall have a good Sermon in the afternoon also I will not go in That likewise was granted and as it is said all was faithfully performed He was not for judgement only but for mercy also and he shewed mercy to the souls of them that were brought before him as transgressors of the Law and to be punished according to their demerits For he would labour to convince them of the hainousness of their offences that so he might bring them to a sight of their sins and to repentance for the same He did much encourage the Officers under him to a diligent and faithfull discharge of their duty and indeed they stood in much need of it meeting with many discouragements from some others and when he found them somewhat backward through timerousness or other by-respects to execute his Warrants upon persons of high place he would exhort them to be active and forward in doing their duty telling them In good earnest for that was his usuall word that if he had as good a Warrant from God as they had from him to apprehend offenders if he were required to apprehend the Devil himself he would not be backward to put it in execution His zeal was not only in distributive justice as a Magistrate but he was conscienciously carefull as a Christian in commutative justice in his commerce and dealings with men wherein he made the Word the rule of his practice and if he found at any time that he had swerved from that rule he would retract it that so neither his own conscience nor other men might reproach him for walking disorderly and besides the rule and that appeared not only by his avoiding all usurious Contracts but also in making restitution of all that had been gotten thereby He had sometimes taken usury for Money lent to a person about Lime which he had received for divers years for at that time he held it lawfull by reason of the practice which he had observed in some forreign States and the concurrent judgements of some Divines of note who spake in favour thereof but upon his perusall of the Writings of other godly Divines of our Nation and by conference with some worthy Ministers of his acquaintance he was so convinced of the unlawfullness of usury that he did not only forbear the practice of it for the future but restored the interest formerly taken and took no more for the loan of Money than the party borrowing would voluntarily give him He did much bewail the common course of too many who sin against God both in getting and spending their worldly estates For said he as they get it unjustly and by indirect means so for the most part they spend it leudly and lavishly in satisfying their sinfull lusts Neither was he more famous for justice than he was for charity and that both in his life and at his death In his life-time he was a free-hearted man and open-handed He was a great patron of the poor Another Job in that respect He could truly say with him as Job 30. 25. Was not my soul grieved for the poor No doubt it was and the bowels of his compassion did yearn towards them He was an Advocate and did earnestly plead for them and especially for Gods poor honest poor persons whose hearts and faces were set Godward and Heavenward and his hands were very open to relieve them He did that for them which many of far greater estates had not hearts to do He would often say that he wondered what rich men meant that they gave so little to the poor and raked so much together for their children Do you not see quoth he what becomes of it and would reckon up divers examples of such as heaped up much for their children and they within a short time had scattered and consumed all and on the other side he often spake of such as had small beginnings and afterwards became rich or of a competent estate giving a particular instance in himself I came said he but with a groat or six pence in my purse to this City had I had a shilling in my purse I had never been Mayor of Exeter And therefore leave children but a little and they by Gods blessing on their labour and industry may become rich But leave them a great deal and they are in danger to be beggars His care for the poor was most remarkeable in the time of the great Plague in that City which was anno Christi 1625. For in the Maiors absence he was chosen his Lieutenant or Deputy and he seeing the deplorable condition of the City accepted of it and then he wrote divers Letters to many Towns in Devonshire and to some in Dorset and Sommersetshire by which meanes he procured severall summes of Moneys for the suppliall of the wants of the many hundreds of poor that at that time were in a very distressed estate One that was an eye-witness related that he had seen morning after morning coming to his door sometimes thirty sometimes forty yea fifty or sixty or more wringing their hands some crying that their husbands were dead Others that their wives were dead Others that their children were dead and that they had not any thing wherewithall to bury them Some again cried that their Families were sick and they had not wherewithall to relieve them Others that they had divers children but they neither had bread nor Money to buy it for them Some cried for bread Some for Physick Others for Shroudes for their dead and he not only heard them patiently but his bowels yearned towards them and his hands were
into that better world which she so much longed after often professing that there was nothing that could tempt her to wish for life but the breeding up of her little ones which yet now she was the less solicitous about because she could leave them in the hands of their tender and careful Father not doubting as old dying Jacob said when he was blessing the two Sons of Joseph Gen. 48. 15. 16. That that God which had fed her all her life long untill that day and the Angel which had redeemed her from all evil would bless them And now finding her self arrested by the messenger of Death and her body like the house of Saul growing weaker and weaker but her soul like the house of David waxed stronger and stronger took higher flights and made nearer approaches to God that gave it When her Husband came to her as he did frequently he continually admonished and minded her of the gracious Promises of mercy in Christ and of faith in him and desired her to be strengthened and comforted in them Her answer was she was comforted in them she found the comfort of Gods Spirit in her and verily believed she should see the goodness of the Lord in the Land of the living Psal. 45. 13. Ever and anon saying I am comforted Gods Spirit is in me which makes me endure my sickness and more pains than you can think of so comfortably as I do When she knew of none by her usual prayer was Lord look down upon me in thy mercy Lord forgive me my sins Lord assist me with thy holy Spirit Lord thou hast assured me of the forgiveness of my sins Lord assist me still with thy holy Spirit And many times passing the whole night without sleep she spent that time in these and the like heavenly prayers and ejaculations in which her Husband and those which attend her continually still found her when they came to her Never man had a more faithfull dear and loving Wife or more carefull of what concerned him than himself and more tender of any thing said or done against him than if it had been said or done against her self And when he seemed to lament the loss he should have if God took her from him She meekly answered We came not into the world together and therefore may not look to go out together When he replied that it would be much better for their children if he went first as by the course of nature was most likely she said that he could do much better for the children than she could and thanked God for that she could now leave them with him For the space of three weeks she kept her bed and about a fortnight before her death being surprized with a fainting fit in which she was like to depart and thereby perceiving that earth would suddenly return to the earth whence it came that her soul might be the better winged and prepared for a return to God that gave it she deâ—ired that all the Family might be called up and joyn in prayers with and for her At which time observing the grief and passion of her Husband and those that were present expressed plentifully by tears from their eyes she besought him and them not to grieve and lament for her happiness About that time a Reverend person coming to visit her Husband he solicited him to enlarge that great act of favour unto him by a greater act of charity to his wife by visiting her also whom God now visited with sickness as also to pray with and administer some comfort unto her which he most willingly condescended unto and having taken a strict account of her faith in Christ and hopes of a better life he left her with his Fatherly benediction top full of comfort and when she was afterwards told that he came out of respect and kindness to visit her Husband she said No but God had sent him for her comfort often acknowledging the consolations which she had found by him When any came to visit her in the time of her sickness at the parting she desired them to pray for her and often sent Messengers and caused Letters to be directed to her friends in London to pray for her for that she was now preparing for another world When she was sometimes desired for her childrens sake to chear up her self her answer was that to leave them did not trouble her because she was assured that God would provide for them adding that she would willingly leave Husband Children and all to go to Christ which was just the minde of that blessed Martyr Ignatius Befall me said he what will or can so I may enjoy Jesus Christ my Love my Life that was crucified for me or rather St. Pauls case expressed in that most elegant Barbarisme Phil. 1. 23. Desiring to be with Christ which is multo magis melius much more better And now finding the day of her life wasted to the evening and ready to dye into night on the Lords day before her death she desired the prayers of the Congregation in the Parish where she lived being well assured as she said that many good people would pray heartily for her After which some coming to visit her and exhorting her to patience and to remember the afflictions of Job she answered that she had had her part in his afflictions God having given her Luctuosam foecunditatem as St. Jerom said of Laeta a sad and sorrowfull fruitfulness taking away seven of her children in their minority so that she as Hanna spake in her song 1 Sam. 2. 5. that had born seven waxed feeble yet she comforted her self with this hope that they were in Heaven before her and hoped that they would be Lamps to lead her to heaven for she assured her self that they followed the Lamb whithersoever he goeth and for those two which were yet alive she thanked God for that she saw no ill qualities in them Besides she said that God had taken away her goods from her but had given her patience which to her was of more value and she esteemed it above them all knowing that God was able to restore all when he pleased She often acknowledged Gods goodness to her in sending her a milde sickness and not taking her away with some sudden stroke as he did the wife of Ezekiel Chap. 24. 16. or by some tormenting disease as he is pleased to visit some of his dear ones acknowledging the wonderful mercy of God to her therein A week before her death she called her eldest Daughter to her being to go from her to School at Putney and putting her hand on her shoulder she said to her I give you that blessing which my Mother gave me at her death The God of Abraham the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob bless you and then added the blessing which Aaron by Gods own appointment was to give the children of Israel The Lord bless thee and keep thee
the Lord make his face shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace And bid her serve God and pray duly to him both morning and evening and fear his Name and then said she I doubt not but God will bless you as he hath blessed me In the evening of the same day she commanded her younger Daughter to be brought her and to be put upon the bed in a kneeling posture and then putting her hand on her shoulder she gave her also the same blessing as she had given to her sister Four dayes before her death she grew a little better which put her Friends in some hope of her recovery but the day following her sickness seized on her again and so continued upon her that she slept no more till she slept the sleep of death and together with her sickness her Piety Devotions and comforts encreased in her In the last night of her life presently after midnight feeling death now approaching she sent for her Husband and Family out of their beds and told him when he came to her that she was now leaving the world and him and expressed in many words her great devotion faith and assurance of that everlasting life which she now was shortly to enjoy and desired that they might now all pray together which they did she still expressing much devotion and comfort and after an hour spent in those passages she desired that the Bell might be tolled for her and some Gentlewomen of her neighbours coming to her before them she expressed her comforts and assurances of everlasting life as before and with increase and therein and in prayers they continued till near the rising of the Sun After this she seemed for a wh'le willing to slumber and closed her eyes and so lay for a little while but then turned her head to the other side of the Pillow and after a few restless turnings she said what the Prophet Micha had said before her Mich. 2. 10. There is no rest in this world and then opening her eyes after some expressions of the comfort which she felt distinctly knowing all that were present and speaking to them all she seemed to slumber again and after a little time spake these words Come let us go let us go repeating those words several times which she spake not in a slumber but being awake and as perfect in her understanding and memory as at any time in her life And it is a comforttable opinion that Divines teach from Luke 16. 22. that the Angels do attend on Gods children especially at the time of their dissolution to conduct their souls from earth to heaven which opinion she sometimes in her sickness related to her Husband and added that she had heard it from the Pulpit and had read it in some Books and she believed it to be true and comforted her self with it After a little time she called for some drink and having taken it it began to alter her as it seems she felt in her self for she presently laid her self back on her Pillow and lifting up her eyes towards Heaven she said Lord have mercy upon me Lord Jesus receive my soul and so continued moving her lips and her tongue but her words were not heard and then held up one hand and then joyned both her hands together holding them up with her eyes still heaven-ward till her strength failing her she laid down her hands by her and stretched her self in the bed without any help and sweetly fell asleep about seven a clock in the morning August the 15. Anno Christi 1646. And August the 24. she was decently and solemnly laid in her bed of rest the house as Job saith appointed for all the living Job 30. 23. where the weary are at rest where the wicked cease from troubling and hear not the voyce of the oppressor Job 3. 17 18. The Life and Death of Mrs. Margaret Corbet who dyed Anno Christi 1656. IF we enquire into the Relations of this Gentlewoman either by Affinity or Consanguinity or both sides the Families are ancient of renown and good reputation Concerning the Family from whence she was descended her Father was Sir Nathaniel Brent late Warden of Merton College a learned Knight whose great pains and dangerous adventures to procure the History of the Councel of Trent which he translated into English are to be remembred with an honourable mention and for his faithful discovery of Jesuitical juglings his name will be had in honour when the names of the Popish party will rot Her Mother the Lady Martha Brent was a Lady of a Gracious spirit abounding in love meekness humility love to Gods Ordinances and Gods Children Her delight with David was in the society of Saints She imitated her worthy Father in the sweetness of disposition who was Dr. Robert Abbot that learned and godly Bishop of Sarum who was Malleus Baptismi Armianismi the Hammer of Popery and Arminianisme His excellent Works or Monuments of his Honourable memory To be born of a godly Family and to be well descended is a mercy not to be neglected Mr. Philpot a zealous Martyr being a Kings Son and an Archdeacon told his adversaries that he was a Gentleman Anabapâ—istical parity and Levelling designs are worthily to be abhorred and looked upon as a ready way to confusion rapine and violence So then we see that she was a Gentlewoman every way well descended Her Ancestors were persons of Honour and from them she had the benefit of an ingenuous and liberal Education This is much but it s more when I say that she came of a godly stock and of praying Relations and indeed this is that which ennobles Nobility it self God in mercy began with this Gentlewoman betimes even about the fourteenth year of her age Then God gave her a willing minde and purpose of heart to serve him in the dayes of her youth Insomuch as she was swift to hear the word of God she waited diligently at the posts of Wisdomes Gate She wrote the Sermons which she heard a practice used by King Edward the sixth that rare English Josiah and she left many volumes of Sermons of her own hand-writing taken with great dexterity and these are as so many choise Monuments of her Industry She was much conversant in reading of the holy Scriptures which can make us wise unto salvation and she joyned with her reading prayer and meditation Her delight was in the word of God It was as with Jeremy the joy and rejoycing of her soul and with the reading of Scriptures she searched Expositors and Practical Divines and attained thereby to such a measure of Divine knowledge as enabled her to state some Questions of controversie for her better use and help of her memory and to discourse very soundly upon the most material points of Religion and even above her age and sexe to maintain the truth as occasion
the rest of the Chapter all those places the Lord often made a stay unto my soul And afterwards the Lord so blessed one means or other unto me insomuch as I was kept from sinking and falling into such horrour as many of the people of God sometimes fell into But yet my fears and doubts were so many as that my comfort never lasted long If the Lord did but hide his face I was troubled No longer could I beleeve then I found new strength given in that the Lord would ever have mercy upon my soul. The sense of Original sin and Actual transgressions in their filthiness and guiltiness caused my fears yet to remain upon my spirit my faith then seemed very small if I had any which I much questioned I durst not then say Lord encrease my faith but I could cry earnestly Lord work faith in me I found much dulness and deadness manifold distractions in duties so that God might justly have withdrawn himself from me for ever yet notwithstanding all my uneven walking with God he was graciously pleased to manifest his mercy unto my soul. When I was stricken with such weaknesses as I apprehended might quickly have ended my life I fell into a great fear At the first finding my heart to sink the Lord was pleased to gâ—ive me so much respite as to pour out my soul before him desiring strength and support from him to keep up my spirit and to make me willing to submit to his dispensations and the Lord graciously answered my prayers in that he removed all my former doubtings and fears all the time of that sickness which was long and so dangerous that neither I nor others expected my life The Lord then cleared up my evidences for Heaven and gave me in so much comfort against the apprehension of death as I never had in all my life before Other like trials of the Lords love I found still when I was in the greatest extremity and stood most in need of help from him insomuch as at such times I have hoped that I should never again have questioned the love of God to my soul But I have found it otherwise by sad experience For when these impressions were worn of I have been ready to call all in question again concerning my poor soul. It made me oft to think of that which was laid to Solomons charge that he forgat the Lord that had appeared to him twice I found it the hardest thing to believe that ever I went about But this wavering condition could not satisfie my soul for the Lord giving me sometimes a glimpse of his love made me long after fuller enjoyments of it so that I was carried out with a restless impatience to beg that the Lord would take away the heart of unbelief from me which did both dishonour him and hinder me from that peace which the Lord was willing that his people should enjoy My heart then being brought unto that frame I was more willing than ever I was before to impart my condition unto some spiritual Friends whom I desired to deal impartially with me acquainting them with the whole condition of my soul how far the Lord had carried me on and at what I stuck and still as new objections did arise I laboured to get satisfaction Being convinced that I had too much prejudiced my self in that I had not sooner made my condition known to some who were able to give me advice This way of communicating my condition I found the Lord blessed unto my soul insomuch that my hopes were more confirmed my fears more removed my faith more strengthned and by the hearing of such Sermons and reading such Books as came closest unto the conscience and were most for trial of ones spiritual condition I found the greatest benefit by and received the most comfort from them Formerly I had many fears that I was not one of them who had an interest in the Election of Grace But the Lord afterwards put into my heart to enquire whether I had those Graces of his Spirit wrought in me which none but his own elect people could have Upon the strictest searching into mine own heart the Lord was pleased after many years of fear at last to evidence unto my soul that there was a change wrought in my heart will and affections notwithstanding the remainders of sin and corruption which still encompassed me about being confident that he that had begun this good work would not leave it unfinished unto the day of Jesus Christ and the Lord was pleased to set home divers Promises for the strengthning of my faith to wit those which set down the Everlasting Covenant 2 Sam. 23. 5. The Everlasting love of God Jer. 31. 3. Joh. 11. 13. The certainty of the Foundation 2 Tim. 2. 19. The certainty of the Promises 2 Cor. 1. 20. They are all in Christ Yea and Amen and that the children of God have eternal life promised unto them and that none shall be ever able to pluck them out of Christs hands Joh. 10. 28. Then for divers years the Lord was pleased to stay me to lead and guide me till he had set my feet upon that Rock which is higher than I from whence I trust that I shall never be removed And now my hearts desire is to ascribe that measure of hope and comfort which the Lord hath given me at any time onely unto the praise of the glory of his Grace who hath made me accepted in his Beloved which is so great a mercy as I can never be thankfull enough for nor walk answerable thereunto I know when I look into my heart there is matter of fear that the Lord will withdraw the influences of his comforts from me But that which I rest upon is the free mercy of God in Christ expecting performance of his Promises made Rom. 6. 16. Sin shall not have dominion over you because you are not under the Law but under Grace And Ezek. 36. 25. that he will sprinkle clean water upon me and that he will give me a new heart and put a new spirit within me that he will take away my stony heart and give me an heart of flesh being perswaded that the Lord will keep me by his own Power through faith unto salvation And now that I may have all the Graces of the Spirit strengthened and encreased in me which I finde that I stand in continual need of It is the desire of my soul to be a partaker of the Lords Supper which through the blood of Christ onely I have right unto This is the particular account of Gods gracious dealing with this godly Gentlewoman considering there was no administration of the Sacrament in that Parochial Congregation where she lived and used formerly to receive it nor any Pastor at all to officiate there she being desirous to enjoy that great Ordinance and that after a pure way of administration sent this aforementioned Narrative
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
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
The Bishops refuse to submit He resigns his Kingdome to the States Note The Nobles oppose the Bishops They request him to reassume the Government The Temporalties of the Bishops given to the King The Bishop of Hincopeâ— flies The Clergies pride abated Gustavus is crowned Reformatiou carried on The Kings piety Satan rages So do the Bishops And others that affected Popery The Kings courage The Mutineers disagree Some flye Others put themselves upon triall Are cast and condemned The Kings prudence Another interview of the two Kings The Kings marriage His Piety He preferrs godly Bishops Reformation carried on The Bible translated King Christian invades Norwey policy Some Suedes revolt to him Others were more wise King Christians foolish credulity He is made a prisoner Note The King of Sueden meets with new troubles 〈…〉 Tumults about Bells Subjects treat with their King The Kings policy He punishes the Rebels The King of Denmark dies An Interregnum there Reformation of Religion in Lubeck Woolweaver a turbulent person The Danes refuse to joyn with Woolweaver So doth Gustavus Woolweavers pride The King and Woolweaver fall out The Earl of Hoyes treachery Pride goes before a fall Divisions in Denmark Gustavus joyns with the Lords of Denmark The Duke of Aldenburgh beaten Woolweavers treachery against Gustavus Suanto's fidelity Aldenburgh beaten Woolweaver is hanged and quartered Haffnia surrendred The King makes a truce with Lubeck Note The King of Suedens Prudence The Crown of Sueden is made successive and why The Crown is entailed upon Gustavus his Family Gods blessing upon his Family Christian resigns his Crown Gustavus his Posteâ—ity Gustavus grows famous Note Policy of Princes The King of Denmark dies Another chosen Christian the Tyrant dies Gustavus dieth His Character Her parentage Her conversion The manner of it Her excellent parts Heavenliness Her prudence In her speech In her silence Her holy communication Her wise demeanâ—ur Her faith The confession of her faith Her Faith Her Comfort Her frequent Prayers Her fervent Prayers Her prevalent Prayers Her holy Speech Her Humility Her love to Gods children and to the Church of Christ. Her love to the Word and Sacrament and House of God Her weanedness from the world Her frequent Fasting Her abstinence from Sports and from Marriage Her weanedness from the world Her bounty to the Ministry Her desire to dye Why she desired Death Why she feared not death Her thankfulfulness Her universal obedience Her love to God Her Charity Her love to her neighbours Her Sympathy Her Patience Her Modesty Her Humility A good Wife Her preferring others before her self Her Sincerity Her Constancy Her growth in Gâ—ace Her sickness Her Death His Birth and Education His Conversion His holy life His early rising to converse with God He is slandered and vindicated His heavenly Conversation His much reading His Zeal His Prudence His strict observation of the Sabbath His love to Ministers His desire to have others saved His Assurance His joy unspeakable How he maintained his Assurance He stirred up others to labour for it His desire of death Yet carefull of life His heavenli-mindedness His Justice His Impartiality Examples of it A great reformation wrought by him His Courage He reforms the prophanation of the Sabbath His zeal and courage His mercy to souls His justice He restores Use-money His Charity His hospitality How God honoured him He is chosen Mayor and Burgess of Parliament His courage He is reproached by the wicked The power oâ— prayer His Prudence His Sickness His Patience His death His Funeral Her Parentage Her Marriage Her removed to Blackfriers Her love to Gods House Her retiredness Her weakness Her holy life Her Meekness Her Sickness Her patience Her Comforts A loving Wife Her Faith She begs Prayers Her Afflictions She blesseth her Children Her Devotion Her Death Her Parentage Her timely Conversion Her Piety Her Humility Her Meekness Her Pâ—udence and Gravity Her love to the Saints Her Courage Her frequent prayers 〈…〉 Her Family government Her Charity Her Sickness Her holy speeches Her Character Her Death Her parentage and education Her timely conversion Her piety Her growth in grace Her afflictions sanctified Her Relative duties The time aâ— manner of 〈◊〉 conversion Satans malice Gods mercy Satans subtilty Gods mercy Her comfort and joy Gods mercy in want of meanâ— Gods providence Her faith in Promises Her fears and doubts Her prayers answered A hard thiug to beleeve She imparts her condition to Christian friends And findes comfort Her self-examination Her faith Her thankfulness Satans method and subtilty Gods mercy to his own Mans folly She dyed daily He Patience Her holy speeches Her sickness Her joy unspeakable Her Death