Lincolnshire but he came not while he was living he ordered his Son-in law to be sent for a messenger was dispatched to him but tho he hasted away towards him yet he came not till this holy Man of God had breathed his last a few hours before on the same day his approaching dissolution came on apace yet had he the free exercise of his understanding to the last and as he had been a man of prayer all his days so he died praying that morning he died he prayed sensibly the last words which were intelligible were his request for the King and Council but the particular words they that were about him could not understand The last day of the week His death Sept. 3. 1677 was the last day of that worthy mans life he dyed about eleven a Clock that day and entered into his rest near the Sabbath a day of rest from thenceforth to rest from all his weary labours and to keep an Eternal sabbath with his dearest Lord and and it was his own observation that God oft takes home his Ministers and people upon or near his holy day to perfect their graces and give them rest on that day of Rest Thus fell that bright star thus set that shining Sun in the firmament of the Church or rather hid from our eyes to shine more gloriously in the upper Region the wise i.e. wise Virgins members of Christs mystical body or as the word is Dan. 12.3 Teachers of others shall shine as the brightness of the firmament and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever Thus this Pillar is taken down that bore up an incredible weight not discerned so well then as felt dayly by sad experience since his removal from under â—he fabrick thus is this plant of renown â—ransplanted into a better soyl this ancient â—ree of Gods own plainting that had sheltered many with its shadowing shroud and â—ed many with its grateful fruit is at last fallen by the stroak of death yet bears both ripe and plentiful fruit in the heavenly paradice above he that uttered words of life to others is dead he that by the grace of God quickened others is himself struck dead dead said I no he is but asleep the sting of death was gone the fear of death was vanished he lived an holy life he died an happy death he lived desired and died lamented he lived to a good old age himself would sometimes say that he had lived two years beyond the age of a man for he died in the 72 year of his age in the same month wherein he was born he died in his own house the house belonging to the Chappel to which he had been a great benefactor he died amongst his own People over whom he had been pastor 45 years with whom he had been travelling weeping fasting praying among whom he hath left remarkable seals of his Ministry some indeed are gone to heaven before him and some in other places had benefit by his Ministry tho but occasionally one instance I had from a very eminent divine in or near the City of London that he being a young Scholar newly come from Oxford and being occasionally at Mr. Caseâ— house when Mr. Angier was there Mr. Angier went to prayer but God so reached and warmed the young Ministers heart by that prayer that he hath cause to remember it while he hath a day to live and hopes he shall never forget it yea it had influence upon others related who from that time proved as useful and succesful instruments of Gods glory and the good of Souls as any I have heard of in those latter times The whole Nation and Church of God seem much clouded by the obscuring of this bright star but especially that congregation of Denton is sadly eclipsed their valley of vision is at least turned into a valley of Division oh that it may not also prove a valley of treading down and desolation Ah what lamentation was there at his funeral amongst the rest an ancient Christian came from the grave into the house where the Ministers were sate after the funeral with a trembling body weeping eyes and with a doleful voice of sad complaints saying Ah sirs what must we do what must we do our loving pastor is gone our loving pastor is gone And now that good man is gone after and many others so John 4.36 he that sowed and they that reaped are rejoycing together but the sad countenances and weeping eyes of that day with that affecting passage of that good old mans bemoaning cannot be easily forgotten by the Writer hereof That Lords day when Mr. Angiers Corps lay in his house two Ministers preached in his Chappel two funeral Sermons the one seeming to be a funeral Sermon to the people the other for their Minister That which concerned the people carried an ominous presage of the death of their Gospel priviledges and Sunsetting of their glorious day sadly predicted from Gen. 6.3 My spirit shall not always strive with man and oh what a dreadful verification of that text hath providence made there that being the last Sabbath that excluded Minister injoyed the liberty of ordinances in that place The other Minister discoursed sweetly and suitably on John 17.4 I have glorified thee on earth I have finished the work thou gavest me to do That Sermon was a lively comment on that good mans holy life and a fair Copy let before this surviving people the perfect precepts in the Scriptures and lively pattern set before them for their imitation makes it apparent that Gospel rules anâ— practicable may be transcribed by some and will be a sad testimony against others and tho Mr. Angiers mouth be now stop with dust and his voice shall no more be heard in his pulpit yet oh that Almighty God that lives for ever would awake carnaâ— sinners by this astonishing blow and breach and propagate religion in that place and by that blessed spirit transfuse the Doctrine principles and practice of that good man into all his hearers for they shall one day know there hath been a prophet among them The next day being Sept. 5. 1677. the Funeral solemnities were mournfully observed on which occasion multitudes of persons Gentlemen Ministers relations and Christian friends besides his hearers and sad neighbours attended these dismal and sorrowful obsequies with sad hearts and dejected countenances lamenting not only the loss of such a worthy Pastor and Friend but their own Spirits did suggest great grounds of presaging fears concerning the attending consequences of that heavy blow his Corps were decently interred in Denton-Chappel in the Alley before the pulpit by his last dear Wife laid in the same place Mr. Angier had requested Mr. Robert Eaton a learned pious Minister who had married his kinswoman to preach the Funeral Sermon and had given him that Text to insist upon in Act. 20.32 And now brethren I commend you to God and to the word of his
that the way of Communion between God and our Souls be not stopt 2. The cure of the old grown disease of Prejudice will need the skill of the heavenly Phisician the cause of this Prejudice was the inward Corruption of the heart which would not suffer to take gains in Gods way but inclined to flightness and weariness this corruption was much advantaged by the neglect of it at first and want of clear Conviction in the point of set-forms which was its shelter together with an opinion of serving God better The means of cure must be gradual to discern the Corruption of heart which lies at bottom the neglect of it so long a time the advantage given to it to lay them to heart humbly to confess them before the Lord to crave pardon through the Blood of Christ through purging of the heart and setling of the judgment which obtained prejudice will be prayed out and the heart and head return to soundness Whilest this cure by the blessing of God is in working special care must be taken to prevent Relapses by acting with a doubting Conscience Besides the main spoken to I observe some subtil Temptation insinuated viz. 1. That when the heart hath been in the best frame and most sensible they have been worst 2. Find no trouble of Spirit upon forbearance no wonder whilest the judgment is unresolved so great a prejudice remains and an apprehension of sin in joyning 3. Find no inconvenience in staying away but sending and waiting till that 's done and loss of Scriptures which we can read at home the same time Is loss of part of the publick Prayers of the Church no loss and is private teaching to be compared with publick reading by an Officer of the Church when they stand in competition Rom. 16.20 The God of peace bruise Satan under our feet shortly Sir I have made it my first week-days work to answer this Case and hearing of this Messenger have sealed it up which will necessitate your trouble of procuring me a Copy at your leisure for I want time to transcribe and am too weary if your thoughts differ from mine upon the Case deal freely with me The Lord accept and bless our poor endeavours remove aâ— stumbling-blocks and give light and peace to his dear Servants Pray for Yours John Angier Other instances I might add that his Counsel was asked in many important Cases and his advice was savoury and usually safe being grounded upon the Word of God having the advantage of an holy heart a clear head and long experience one only I shall subjoyn of his advice to a Minister who desired his Counsel about removing to another place of more advantage for the World and greater probability of doing good His Answer by Letter was in the Negative saying I bless God that such temptations do drive you and your people to God the establisher of Zion It was an Expression of Dr. Tuckneys to me It is ill transplanting a Tree that thrives in the Soyl. Think upon our Saviours Speech When I sent you without scrip or staff lacked you my thing and they said nothing Be not solicitous about your means or the certainty of it but set your Soul to the work and Gods secret shall be upon your Tabernacle The Minister fixed his staff where he was according to Mr. Angiers Example and Advice and never repented it Thus I have briefly given an account of Mr. Angiers solid and grave Answers to some Cases of Conscience and but a small tast for it were easie to fill a Volume with his various Letters upon like occasions to several Persons I Hasten to the part he acted upon the Stage of this World in the last Scene of his Life I mean in his Sickness the gracious words that proceeded from him for as he lived so he died his discourses were Holy Heavenly Ministring Grace to the hearers His mouth spake wisdom his tongue talked of judgment Psal 37.30 31. for the law of his God was in his heart The nearer approaches he made to Heaven still the more he breathed of Heaven and tho many yea most of what he then spake escapt the memory of Spectators or Bystanders yet some gleanings they committed to writing which are as follow Upon Thursday August 16. 1677. being in a shaking fit he was more free in discourse than ordinarily he had been and said I find my self weak and feeble and now think as much on my dear Wife as at the very first but God took course to wean me by her long Afflicton To a Mother he said Be not sharp or rash with your Children lest their affections be alienated when they commit a fault stay a while till your anger be over and then counsel and admonish them maintain love in them as well as your authority over them If it please God I could be glad to live to see the good of the Church and of my Children if not I shall dye in the faith of it that God will remember them when I am gone it may be then they will bethink themselves when they have not me to depend upon God can soon alter their temper if he please To a young Woman that lived in his Family he said As you have lived here many years and by Gods help have been of some use I am glad you are to be disposed of unto so good a Family that have been Children of the Covenant for the mercy of the Lord is upon thousands of them that fear him and though you may meet with afflictions yet I hope God will do you good and help you to bear them this was a true prediction for God laid an heavy hand of affliction upon her husband and then pluckt him away by death under some astonishing and aggravating circumstances known to the neighbourhood yet God supported her very graciously Concerning himself he said God hath made my condition comfortable in the World I have lived comfortably and have kept that which my Father left me he left me a good Portion thinking it may be that I should never be likely to get much in the world and I have left it or what is equivolent to my Children and if they make it away the will of the Lord be done This is my comfort I have left no means unused that I thought might be for their good and it may be God may bring them into straits when I am gone and when he hath brought them into the wilderness speak to their hearts My good child Betty God took away poor Betty but why should I call her poor She is rich being with her best friend I have had much grief for the loss of my dear Wife she was dear to me but her happiness I could never yet envy God hath in some measure given me an humble heart and hath helped to carry humbly in my place to Children and to servants let God have the Glory in whom alone I have comfort One said to him Sir what
bless thee for what good thou hast done by my Ministry among them and for those Souls thou hast already brought into Heaven And now Lord I commit them into thy hands who art the chief shepherd they are thy flock help them to live in love and peace Oh that strifes and contentions might cease And thou who hast kept an open door for thy people in this place when it hath been shut elsewhere for a long space Lord keep it open still until thou shalt open the rest Oh remember thy Ministers Take care of them provide for this congregation and if thou shalt incline the heart of my Kinsman to stay amongst them who hath been trained up in my Family for these ten years and they have known his manner of life his Doctrine his parts and abilities for the Ministry if thou see it good make way in the heart of thy servanâ— H. And those that have power in this place to use their endeavour that he may continue here This is my desire Lord remember thy People in these nations Papists are striving and some of the meer formalists care not what becomes of the Protestant interest If Popery comes in like a flood Lord put a stop to it Yea put an end to it Stir up the heart of our King and the King of the Swedes against the Whore of Rome that thinks she sits as a queen and is no widow Oh stir up the ten Kings against her Then he added a request for accommodation of a difference betwixt two persons whom he names in his congregation that he might see it healed before he die And for some others that had made detection in practice and were sallen off to looseness and vain company-keeping who were children of Godly Parents that at last God would bring them home by sound repentance Concluding he begs that the Lord will bring down ill houses of iniquity meaning Alehouses He added that night Whilst we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord but when we are absent from the body then we shall be present with the Lord therefore we labour The just shall live by his faith Read we the 20th of Acts where Paul fent for the elders of the Church of Ephâ—suâ— and gave them charge and took his leave of them Read the 1. Thes 4.12 to the end adding It is a great priviledgâ— that the dead in Christ shall rise first and be with him before they that are alive at his coming shall be changed Thus his Holy Soul mounting upwards by gradual ascents breathes out its self into the bosom of God being mellowed and ripened for Glory In all these we may take notice of 1. His publick-spiritedness still his heart was carryed out for the Church No man like-minded Phil. 2.20 who naturally cared for the spiritual state of souls and of Sion 2 His hatred of sin Love to Holiness Righteousness Peace and earnest desires to promote the interest of Christ living and dying at home abroad 3. His sweet serenity and composedness of Spirit looking this grim serjeant of Death the King of Terrors full in the face without amazement meeting it is his friend giving him possession of his Fathers house 4 His endeared love to the word of God delighting to have it read sounding in his ears and tipping his tongue with Scripture-Language because his heart was throughly drencht therein Thus this Holy man lived and thus he dyed thus he believed thus he Preached professed his hopes of a life to come and thus he entred into his rest and possesseth that purchased and perfect inheritance who would not thus live what Atheist would not thus dye however a carnal heart may possibly say as that wicked Roister who with his companion visited dying Ambrose and hearing his Holy discourses and confident welcoming approaching death with comfort he turns him to that swaggering Russian saying Oh that I might live with thee and dye with Ambrose and thus could Balaam Numâ— 23.10 that devillish Wizzard and covetouâ— conjurer say let me die the death of the righteous and let my last end be like his Heb. Let my Soul or my life be with the Righteous but they that would follow this blessed Saint into the upper region must enter in at the right door by sound conversion and go forth and go on in the foot-steps of the flock travelling gradually in the paths of sanctity till we advance to the mount of God and tho it be a rare thing to follow these Worthies passubus aequis with such long strides and quick motion yet sincerity in our setting out diligence in pursuit and perseverance in holding on to the end may by the blessing of God bring us to the goal and garland of Glory and tho we cannot attain the exploits and honour of the first three of King Davids worthies yet may we be faithful souldiers in this noble Army of the followers of the Lamb at last the Crown of Glory may be by the grace of God set upon our triumphant heads and if there be degrees of Glory yet the least vessel shall be filled and the meanest Saint shall be sully loaden with that exceeding and eternal weight of Glory for such and so great is that joy that it cannot enter into the most extensive and capacious receivers but they must enter into their Masters joy as if ten thousand millions of Bottles of different sizes were cast into the vast ocean they would all be abundantly filled so every Saint shall say with David Psal 17.15 As for me I will behold thy face in righteousness I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness Nor is it difficult for an Angelified Soul set at liberty from the prison of the flesh to soar aloft with speed into these celestial regions especially having such a royal guard of Angels to attend it tho it is said that from Earth to Heaven it is an hundred and sixty millions of miles yet how quickly and safely can that blessed Convoy convey it into the presence-chamber of that Glorious King Oh how well did this gracious Soul know the way thither where he had been dayly visiting the great God by faith and prayer he was not a stranger to the laws of that Country nor unacquainted with the manner of that Court above but as he walked with his God and was joyned to that heavenly soicety so doubtless he kept up some communion with those blessed spirits above as they have an ineffable way of intercourse and correspondence amongst themselves yet have we no Scripture ground to pray to or expect answers from them happy they that have faithfully improved their gifts and graces whilest conversant below remember their dying speeches and imitate their lovely lively examples IT might now be expected that I should further unfold Elijahs Mantle by recording those pithy and pertinent Speeches that dropped from him But as that hath been occasionally rehearsed already in the preceding Narrative so I fear those that
A NARRATIVE OF THE Holy Life and Happy Death OF That Reverend Faithful and Zealous man of God and Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ Mr. JOHN ANGIER Many years Pastor of the Church of Christ at Denton near Manchester in Lancashire Wherein are related many Passages that concern his Birth Education his entrance into the Ministry discharge of his Truth therein and his Death Phil. 3.17 Brethren be followers together of me and mark them which walk so as ye have me for an eâ—ample LONDON Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns at the lower end of Cheapside near Mercers Chappel 168 The PREFACE GOdly Ministers are stiled the Chariots and horsemen of Israel these are the watchmen of the city that give warning of danger intercede with the Lord and doubtless the Church of God must needs receive great detriment by the removal of such worthies It is a saying of the Jewish Rabbins Quando luminaria patiuntur Eclipsin malum est signum mundo when the heavenly luminaries are eclipsed it 's a dreadful presage of approaching evil to this lower world The Church in these parts hath been successively blessed with famous Ministers and gracious Christians whose praise is in the Churches of Christ many whereof now sleep in the Lord yet through Gods wise care of the Churches succession not a few are yet left as hopeful slips spring up in their room on whom and the people surviving I would here take occasion to drop a word of counsel 1. You that are like to succeed this old stock of Preachers worn or wearing out look to your planting into Christ let your own Souls be duely built upon the right foundation presume not to be Ministers before you be Christians get experience of Divine Truths in your own Souls and transcribe them in your dayly practice Believe repent obey your selves or you will teach these things sorrily and unconcernedly whatever your gifts be see you have sincere grace and dedicate your all to God you serve an holy God Christ you preach an holy Gospel you have before you holy examples be you also holy in every change in all conditions Aarons ornaments signified nothing if Holiness to the Lord was not writ upon his forehead in a plate of Gold if you had profound Wit and Learning tenacious Memories brave Elocution that you could speak with tongues of Men and Angels all is of no worth without Grace within and universal sanctity one allowed sin will worm-eat the goodliest trees and blast the pleasantest fruits some Ministers are eminent for one rare gift others for other accomplishments all have some few have all some modest young men look upon themselves as much behind others are apt to be discouraged my advice to such is to make up that defect in diligence holiness and in faithfulness what Nature or Art denies get a supply by Grace Grace within vigorously exercised the assisting grace of God setched in by faith and prayer Be faithful to what you have if you cannot attain to much that 's a brave saying of Luthers and shall be my Motto I desire to be found a faithful Minister of Christ and his church if I cannot be prudent or skilful Let not weakness of parts discourage you some ordinary men of low gifts may honour God more than some famous learned Doctors Be industrious in your Studies daily improve your talents you have more helps than your predecessors give not occasion of the complaint of that Hebrew Rabbi that the Father had Plow'd Sown Reaped Fanned the Wheat set Bread on the Table but the children have not a mouth to eat it the greatest Parts may rust away by idleness but meanest grow bright and useful by diligent improvement the diligent hand with Gods blessing makes rich but be sure you keep humble despise not but reverence your forefathers if you exceed them in advancement of Learning in some points it s well if you fall not below the min real worth as to the power of Godliness read their lives in Mr. Clarks Collections especially this last Volume printed since his Death and be ashamed of your selves and provoked to a holy Emulation in true piety and Zeal get into a corner and tremble to see your selves thus outstript and implore more Grace from Heaven I have but a word to say concerning this Discourse the Life of this holy Man of God I confess many discouragements lay in the way of this undertaking not fit now to be named the main was That we were not capable of doing any thing worthy of him and it 's better do nothing at all than not to purpose to answer the fame of him or expectations concerning him but my Answer is that of the Poet Lucan Quod si digna tua minus est meaâ— pagina laude at voluisse sat est And difficilium facilis est venia If I am not able to make a Fine portraiture of all the Features it may be this rough draught may exceed some of our attainments and excite usto imitation and may some way tend to the glory of our greaâ— Master and then I have my end If any say its poorly done and might have been done better I confess it and let them contribute something to mend it but this is the best we can find according to ouâ— Information and if we cannot bring 〈◊〉 Lamb our two Turtle Doves may bâ— accepted both by God and man Let thâ— Infinite Omnipotent Faithful God puâ— in labourers into the Harvest supply Vaâ— caneies second his Servants labourâ— with his blessing and continue hiâ— Church Ministry and presence witâ— these Nations to the end of the World Amen A Narrative of the Life and Death of Mr. John Angier Minister of the Gospel at Denton MR. John Angier was Born at Dedham in Essex of Pious Parents and was baptized there October 8th 1605. He was careful 〈◊〉 Instructed by his Parents be-times in â—e Principles of Religion Educated in â—chool-learning in the same Place being â—t and capable and from his Child-hood â—uch inclined to his book and very desiâ—us to be trained up for the Ministry â—hich he made his early and earnest choice 〈◊〉 appears by this remarkable story which have heard confidently reported by creâ—ble persons It is this As this John who was the first-born Son named after 〈◊〉 Father with his three Brethren Beâ—eel Samuel and Edmund were coming â—m School to their Fathers house there fell a shower of Rain they all run under Tree in an Hedg for a shelter they stand ing there seeing it Rain apace begun 〈◊〉 make their several wishes one wished would Rain Learning another Wool and ther Money and another Plumbs thâ— pleasing themselves with their juvenile faâ— cies which options manifested their diâ— ferent Inclinations and became prophâ— tick presages of their future disposals Foâ— behold a Neighbour over hearing them aâ— quainted their Father who ealling them 〈◊〉 him examined them one by one saying Johâ— what did you wish it
do you apprehend of your self he said I know not but I have lived almost two Years above the age of a man and if God have any further work for me to do he will recover me if not why should I desire to live I have taken great pains all my life and never desired to live an idle life or a life of pleasure But for me to be with Christ is far better henceforth is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous judg will give me His next fit was on Saturday Aug. 25 Being very restless one asked him where his pain lay he said no great pain but heat is pain enough he asked what time a day it was they said ten a Clock he said the day went slowly on when one is sick but when well we think time goes too fast At another time he said God hath set back the time as in Hezekiahs days but said he if I could go to Chappel to morrow I should think all well but I have no hope of that But if God have a favour to me he will bring me back and shew me both it and his holy habitation if not let him do as seemeth him good His Daughter coming into the Room he said Oh that I could see my Children walking in Gods ways and fear if I could see my Son his Wise and Children minding the best things and walking with God I could dye with comfort I could much desire I could live to see it I have Prayed and long waited for Gods Salvation And thou Solomon my son know thou the God of thy fathers and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind for the Lord searcheth all hearts and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts if thou seek him he will he found of thee but if thou forsake him he will cast thee off for ever 1 Chron. 28 9. Aug. 27. Early in the morning after a restless night and many weary tossings being unable to lye still he said my strength is spent and added I may say as Hezekiah I am oppressed Lord undertake for me Isa 38.14 To his cousin he said We must not decline Gods service for difficulty Upon Tuesday Mr. Constantine a worthy Minister coming to visit him he desired him to Pray with him and being asked whether it was not fitter for him to pray for him in another room because the Physitians advised him to forbear company he said no but let him pray with me yet to prevent tediousness he told them this passage of Mr. Horrocks which he had oft mentioned in his health When Mr. Horrocks was sick Mr. Angier came to visist him just as Mr. Pike another honest Minister was gone out from him Mr. Horrocks said Mr. Angier you must pray with me but Mr. Pike hath kill'd me with a long prayer When Mr. Constatine was gone Mr. Angier said In sickness we are wiâ—ling to send for the Physitian of the Body and should we not send for the Physitian of the Soul Ministers are the Souls Physitians we need their help That night he desired that Jam. 5.13 to the end might be read and when it was read he said Physitians of the body say let not the Minister pray with the sick but the Apostle saith is any sick among you let him send for the elders of the church When prayer was done he said what a mercy is it my understanding is as good as ever in all my life one said to him Sir I think you understand every thing well but your own weakness he answered I am sensible of weakness and weariness and burnings but what a mercy is it that tho my bones are vexed my soul is not sore vexe also as Davids was I bless God I am not afraid of death yet what I may be I know not Satan may tempt me when his chain is lengthened One said No doubt you will not want peace he answered I know not that tho Satan could find no sin in our Saviour yet he may find matter enough in me and added that he had not in his health been altogether free from Satans Temptations he had met with his Temptations both in a marryed and single condition The same night while one rubbed his feet he said what a wonderful mercy is it that the great God should think upon and bestow his love upon such a poor worm as I am This he spake weeping then said he I die but God shall be with you saying I cannot leave you a greater comfort than the gracious presence of the great God he then added Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection on such the second death hath no power His feet being cold and swearing one rubbed them he said my body is weak and feeble an old tree will soon wither but it must be cherished and be tenderly cared for as well as the Soul for it is the Temple of the Holy Ghost and doth keep in it an immortal Soul for a while Altho the pangs of death were on him yet he said Blessed be God I feel no pain but your cold hand I would wait on God for a little sleep Lord I wait on thee remember thy covenant and thy word to thy Servant which I have hoped for and it hath been my support and strength in mine affliction and through thy strength I have been doing thy will and endeavouring to keep thy commandments altho in much weakness now Lord own thine own servant do thine own work make good thy own words I believe in thee I hope and wait for thee hear the Prayers of thy servant come Lord Jesus Then said he I love Christ and he loves me and there 's no love lost betwixt us I am his and he is mine and my desire is towards him One being present with him from Manchester he asked of all his friends and acquaintance there and desired to be remembred to them charging them to live in love and peace he said intreat them to pray to God for me and that will do me more good than their presents and being told that many of the people of God were praying for him he said Who am I a poor creature that Gods people should be so concerned for me I fear lest they should offend in being too earnest with God for my life for who knows but the Lord may hear prayers and may bring me back from the greve as he is wont to do Afterwards he perceiving that others did suspect his death he desired the 48th of Genesis is to be read where said he old Jacob blessed his Sons and the 49. Where alter he had spoken to them by a Spirit of Prophecy and commanded them Gen. 49. v. 33. he gathered up his feet into the bed and yielded up the ghost and was gathered unto his people And when they had done reading he spake to them one by one and prayed for a blessing for them kissing the Children he took leave
were conversant about him were not so observant of those gracious words that proceeded from him in his health as in his sickness otherwise we might have inriched the world with some useful and Holy observations suitable to several occasions sacred and civil 1. An eminent Divine took notice that Mr. Angier said he would not be rich or that he wished not to be rich or have his Relations rich nay that he was really afraid of it probably respecting it not mentioning that of the Apostle 1 Tim. 6.9 10. or that Prov. 30.8 9. 2. Again he used to observe that Religion was most in the Country rather than Towns and Cities or that ordinarily the power of Godliness simplicity sincerity are found among Husbandmen rather than tradesmen 3. That in Cities Towns and among the trading part there was much excess in diet apparel that they spoiled their bodies and were less serious in discourse and laborious in their callings 4. That he did not judg it fit to call any Gentlewoman Madam except she was a Lady indeed adding that men never called women Madams but since they loved other women better than their wives 5. Again he used to say there is nothing wherein Godly persons are more apt to miss it than in the business of Marriage both upon their own account and their Children 6. Again he used to say it 's an hard matter to see another blessed with success in his Ministry and our own labours blasted and not to grudge or be discontented thereat 7. Again if God will help me to take care of my duty I will leave him to take care both of my maintainance and of the fruit of my labours 8. He said when persons have laid their dead relations or friends in the grave they say they have been performing the last office for them but they are mistaken for they have yet something to do for their names or posterity I cannot at present call to mind any more tho this must be imputed rather to our non-observance than to his barrenness yet there is some passages that I meet with in the life of David Chytreus a German Divine thâ— are so pat to the frame of this holy manâ— Spirit and consonant to his ordinary language that I shall conclude this Narrative therewith summa me a sapientia est quâ—â— scio me nihil sapere c. The chiefest part of my wisdom is to know that I want wisdom nor do I expect to receive any thing upon the confidence of my own understanding but I still setch both counsels and reasons of all that I am to do from God alone and keep my self within the limits of my calling the sum of my piety is that I dayly acknowledg and bewail my own impiety and would willingly be more Godly Christ is the Glory and splendor of our name who for us is made Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption with whom we shall live to all eternity Indeed we neither own nor desire a glorious name nor popular splendour upon earth and if we were formerly tickled thereby our repentance hath made us contemn it and are taught by long and sweet experience and now find the comfort of it when death approacheth That the life of Christ within us and a life to Christ will afford us the greatest comfort tho alas too late begun Isa 38.3 4. Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall and prayed unto the Lord and said Remember now O Lord I beseech thee how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart and have done that which is good in thy sight 2 Cor. 1.12 for our rejoycing is this the testimony of our conscience that in simplicity and godly sincerity not with fleshly wisdom sit by the grace of God we have had our conversation in the world and more abundantly to unwards 1 John 1.7 The blood of Jesus Christ his son cleanseth us from all sin HALLELUJAH FINIS Books Printed for and are to be sold by Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside SERMONS on the whole Epistle of Saint Paul to the Colossians by Mr. J. Daille translated into English by E.S. with Dr. Tho. Goodwin's and Dr. John Owens Epistles Recommendatory An Exposition of Christs Temptation on Matth. 4. and Peters Sermon to Cornelius and circumspect walking by Dr. Tho. Taylor A practical Exposition on the 3d Chapter of the first Epistle of Saint Paul to the Corâ—ithians with the Godly mans choice on Psal 4 v 6 7 8. by Anthony Burgess Dr. Donns 4 to Sermons being his 3 Volumes Pareus Exposition on the Revelations Choice and practical Expositions on 4 select Psalms viz. The fourth Psalm in eight The forty second Psalm in ten The fifty first Psalm in twenty The sixty third Psalm in seven Sermons Forty six Sermons upon the whole eighth Chapter of the Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Romans Both by Tho. Horton D. D. late Minister of Saint Hellens An Analytical Exposition of Genesis and of twenty three Chapters of Exodus by George Hughes D D. One hundred Select Sermons on several Texts by Tho. Horton The Door of Salvation opened by the Key of Regeneration by George Swinnock M. A. An Antidote against Quakerism by Steph. Scandret An Exposition on the five first Chapters of Ezekiel with useful observations thereupon by William Greenhil The Gospel Covenant opened by Pet. Bulkley The Fiery-Jesuit or an Historical-Collection of the rise encrease doctrines and deeds of the Jesuits exposed to view for the sake of London Horologiographia optica Dyaling universal and particular speculative and practical together with a description of the Court of Arts by a new Method by Sylvanus Morgan The practical Divinity of the Papists discovered to be destructive to true Religion and Mens souls by J. Clarkson The Creatures goodness as they came out of Gods 〈◊〉 and the good-mans 〈◊〉 to the bruit-creature in two Sermons by Tho. Hodges B.D. Certain considerations tending to promote Peace and Unity amongst Protestants The Saints triumph over the last enemy in a Sermon at the Funeral of Mr. James Janeway by Nath. Vincent The Morning-Lecture against Popery or the principal errors of the Church of Rome detected and confuted in a Morning Lecture preached by several Ministers of the Gospel in or near London Four useful discourses 1 The art of improving a full and prosperous condition for the Glory of God being an appendix to the art of Contentment in three Sermons on Philip. 4.12 2 Christian submission on 1 Sam. 3.18 3 Christ a Christians life and death is gain on Phil. 1.21 4 The Gospel of peace sent to the sons of peace in six Sermons on Luke 10.5 6. by Jeremiah Burroughs Dr. Wilds Letter of Thanks or Poems A new Copy-Book of all sorts of useful hands Canaans Calamity The intercourse of Divine Love between Christ and the Church or the particular believing soul in several Lectures on the whole second Chap. of Cant by John Calliâ—s D.D.