and for our pleasure in these exercises which were intended especially for the refreshing of mens mindes and renewing of their strength after honest studies and labours to overtoyle and tire out our selves as did Esau in his hunting even untill he was almost dead for hunger Inordinate affections to these games and immoderate passions in the crosse occurrents of them doe not onely marre all the sport but deprive us of all lawfull use and fruit of them Eighthly It is unlawfull by hunting or hawking to overcharge our state or endammage our neighbours by Horses and Hounds costly at home and cumbersome abroad so as we are made lesse able to doe good to them that need or to our owne families and more offensive in doing hurt to them that might looke for better things from us Lastly the exercise of hunting hath beene held in it selfe not onely lawfull but commendable amongst the ancient Romans and by the judgement of the wisest States-men Athen. Dipno lib. 1. cap. 20. and Moralists of the world both for increase of health and strength in the time of peace and for fitting and framing of the body to a nimble activity and agility for sundry feats and exploits in the time of warre Sertorius a Romane Captaine and Commander Plutarch in Sertorio by his travell and paines which he took in hunting had so accustomed himselfe to hard adventures and dangerous and difficult passages that by the nimblenesse and agility of his body he was so able either to assaile his enemies or to winde himselfe out of their hands also with so great facility if he were in danger or distresse that he overcame them oftentimes as Plutarch reporteth of him rather by light skirmishes than by open encounter and publike fight Xenophon Plato Aristotle Plinius Secundus and others Xeno in lib. de venat Galen lib. de sanitate tuend lib. de Indo parvae pile have allowed and approved of hunting both for the execise of the body unto health and strength and for inuring and training up of youth in the feats of Armes and exploits of war Xenoph. in Cyropaedia Plat. lib. 7. de Legib. Aristot lib. 1. Polit. Plin. Sec. Lib. 5. Epist. in Panegyric And Julius Capitolinus recordeth that the Romane Legions were oftentimes exercised in hunting Jul. Capitol in Maxim p. 10 15. under Maxinūnus the Emperour that so they might be better fitted for warlike service and imployment Viget dere milit lib. 1. cap. 7.9.10 as occasion should require So likewise Vigetius reckons of those that have beene well exercised in hunting running leaping swimming to be fittest for trained souldiers and such as are to be chosen before others for warlike affaires And albeit many of our Gentlemen which are most addicted to this exercise of hunting do not alwayes prove the best souldiers neither have it ever in their minde so hotly to pursue their enemies as they doe their game or to make the dangers of warre the end and aime of their sports in peace Galen de lud parvae pilae Yet seeing in the judgement of Galen that renowned Philosopher and Physician hunting is one of those exercises which is both healthfull for the body and delightfull for the minde also we will so farre rest in his judgement and allow them hunting for an honest recreation if so be they will admit of Galens counsell and limitation therewithall Galen ibid. Nimium quod est reprehendo semper c. I alwayes blame that which is too much and would have every art that we use Lusus habet laudem si moderatus erit Promptuar Damhouderii pa. 229 Etlucta cursu saltu certare palaestra Haec bene conveniunt sed moderata viris Promptu Damhouderii pa. 230. Est modus in rebus c. Hor. used in moderation Quae si modum excedat jam bona esse desinit Which so soone as it begins to exceed measure it presently ceaseth to be good any more Ludendi est quidam modus Cic. lib I. Off. Thus by occasion of this young Gentleman his hunting keeping his Dogges and following hi◠Hounds with so great care and cost so eager desire and delight we have for a while held hunting it selfe in chase and so followed the sent that we might finde out the game in the nature end and use of it how it may serve for profit and how for pleasure how we ought to follow it for the manner and measure that it may do us good and not to exceed therein lest it do us hurt CHAP. XIII His more effectuall conversion and the fruits of it Cap. 14 HAving now spent some few yeares of his youth in the pursuit of these vanities lest he should trifle out his precious time in such carnall pleasures any longer The Lord began to awaken him to some better sight and sense of his errour and offence in this course and to prepare him now as a vessell of honour for better service and imployment both in his owne and in his masters house Vpon his fathers death In the yeere 1587. It pleased tho Lord to call unto his mercy his worthy Father upon whose decease he being much perplexed both in minde and state some sorrowes and feares thoughts and cares began to stirre and work within him and the Lord who best knoweth the fittest times and seasons for his own work began to work also for his more effectuall calling and reformation therewithall And this he did by the rebukes of his Word and checkes of his Spirit convincing his judgement and changing his minde and heart By Gods good meanes from the love of baser to a delight in better things For now he began to search his heart and try his wayes and to call himselfe to an account for his former courses and measuring all those things by the line of the Word and in the ballance of the Sanctuary which he had found or felt before in the pleasures of this life he saw there was nothing at all in them all but vanity of vanities and vexation of spirit Not very violent And albeit the pangs of his conversion and paines of his new birth were not so violent as others of Gods childrens have beene or as Pauls Constantines and Luthers were yet were his passions and affections at this time not much unlike unto S. Austins upon the point of his conversion who being now weary of the wayes of vanity and tyred out with the weight of his owne sinne in a holy desire to cast off the burden that did presse him downe and to shake off the pleasing sins that did intangle him so fast powred out his heart in prayers and teares before the Lord after this manner Vsquequo Domine irasceris in finem Ne memor fueris iniquitatum mearum antiquarum How long Lord wilt thou be angry for ever Like unto S. Austins Be not mindfull of my old sins Quamdiu quamdius cras cras Quare non
and hardnes of the other I thinke no man may justly put them far asunder if he ever knew how well they did herein agree together Tuis oculis durities de genibus camelorum in illo Sancto Asellae corpuseulo prae orandi frequentia obcalluisse perspecta est Hieron ad Marcellum de laudibus Asellae The matter of his private prayers Now in these his private devotions his desires and endeavours were principally bent to search his heart and to examine his life to confesse and bewayle his speciall sins and infirmities craving pardon for them and power against them And as he found any thing to bee amisse in his Family by any transgression or affliction hee brought it in prayer before the Lord to procure some help and healing of the same from his hand Here also did he mourne for the sins of Sion Sins of Sion Ezek. 9.4 and take to heart the afflictions of Ioseph and desolations of Ierusalem Here did he bemone and bewayle the common and grosse sins of the Time Sins of the Time Psa 119.136 and afflict his heart for the barrennesse or backsliding of many professors of Religion for their embracing of the world and forsaking of their first love Praise and Thanksgiving Here did he also rejoyce in the Lord and praise his holy Name for earthly and heavenly blessings bestowed upon him and sometimes for great deliverances which hee had wrought for him And thus did he converse with his God in this third Duty of Prayer and Prayse in the Invocation of Gods Name every day CHAP. XLIX NOw followeth the fourth which was his holy Imitation of his heavenly Father every day And this hee endevoured by conforming himselfe unto his Image in expressing the Properties Vertues Affections and Actions of him that had begot him and called him to be conformable to the Image of his Son Christ Iesus To this end hee dayly laboured to be more and more renewed in the spirit of his mind in knowledge righteousnesse Eph 4.24 Col. 3.10 and holinesse of Truth according to the Image of him that created him And this hee knew was the Duty of all Gods obedient Children to bee holy as hee is Holy in all manner of Conversation 1 Pet. 1.14 15 16. Lev. 11. 44. because it is written Bee yee Holy for I am Holy This hee knew also was charged upon us Mat. 5.45 46 by our Saviour Christ Iesus that in all our Affections and Actions we should behave our selves like the children of our Heavenly Father and labour to resemble him in doing good unto all hurt unto none Amicos diligere omnium est inimicos autem solorum Christianorum Tertull lib. ad Scapull Cap. 2. yea in doing good unto the bad as as well as to the good and to our enemies as well as to our friends Mat. 5.48 Luke 6.36 Rom. 2.4 striving to be perfect as he is perfect mercifull as hee is mercifull righteous as hee is righteous wise as he is wise patient as he is patient faithfull as he is faithfull and endeavouring to hate iniquity which he hateth to love righteousnesse which he loveth to delight in the Saints in whom he delighteth and to hate the wicked Psalm 5 5 Heb. 1.9 2 Cor. 3. last whom his soule abhorreth After this manner did this gratious Gentle set the Lord alwayes before his eyes and following this blessed patterne and example of his Heavenly Father with all godly care and good Conscience and so with open face as in a Glasse the glory of the Lord he was translated into his Image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. And thus have we declared unto you the first of those three generall heads proposed for the further opening and manifesting of the vertues of his life viz. his holy conversing with God which consisted in his Meditation Observation of Gods Mercies and Iudgements Invocation of his Name in Prayer and Praise and Imitation of his blessed example in his Properties and Affections Words and Works CHAP. L. NOw we come to the second which is his conversation in the world 2 His conversation in the world Cic. Tusc Quaest. lib. 5. in fol. p. 166. When Socrates was demanded what countreyman he was he answered that he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a citizen of the world and so he might well knowing no other world but this present evill world But this Gentleman although by his naturall birth and condition of the same city and society with Socrates yet by his new birth and regeneration being called out of the world Ioh. 15.19 1 Ioh. 5.4 and having by his faith overcome the world though he were in the world yet was he not of the world and though he were amongst the children of the world a froward and a crooked generation Luk. 16.8 Eph. 2.19 yet was he even then a citizen of the holy city and of the houshold of God and a sonne of the heavenly Ierusalem which is the mother of us all And so being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he had his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eph. 2.19 .i. his conversation in heaven even while he was in earth Phil. 3.20 So that of all that ever we knew in these parts he might have taken up the words of the Apostle with best warrant and most comfort Our rejoycing is this the testimony of our conscience that in simplicity and godly sincerity not with fleshly wisdome but by the grace of God we have had our conversation in the world For such indeed was the course of his life that he did desire nothing more than to walk worthy God 1 Thes 2.10 11 12. endeavouring to expresse the very power of godlinesse in the fruits of righteousnesse and holinesse to the praise of his glorious grace Phil. 1.9 10 11. Phil. 2.15 16. And that he might so hold forth the word of life in his lampe and lanterne that he might both shine as a light in himselfe and be a light unto others also in this present world Now for the better clearing and manifesting of this point we will set downe certaine rules of direction which he much desired to follow partly as preparatives for a godly conversation in the world and partly as preservatives against the contagion and corruptions of the same 1 As first Resolution against the world God presence A holy resolution so to use the world as neither abusing it nor being abused by it but to keep himselfe unspotted from it 2 The second A full purpose of heart to keepe his heart alwayes in Gods presence knowing and beleeving that he heareth all his words and beholdeth all his works 3 The third Striving against sin A constant and conscionable standing and striving against all manner of sinne especially the sinnes of the time and the common corruptions that are in the world through lust 4 The fourth Desire to doe good A godly desire in
other mens prodigality and infidelity their wealth many times overgrowes their wit and being now masters over their owne meanes they are so farre from quenching the heat of their former lusts that now they adde fewell unto the fire and cast oyle into the flame and turning their liberty into licenciousnesse and the grace of God into wantonnesse they become and grow like Infidels and Turkes neither providing for their owne families nor regarding their brethren nor sisters being yet their own flesh and blood and their owne fathers issue and off-spring as themselves are A faire check and rebuke also may hence bee taken for such and so many of our Gentlemen of riper age And a check to some others obstinacy in their old sins as having beene a long time ensnared in the lusts of youth and fast bound with the cords of their pleasing sins have not yet for all the meanes of grace after twenty thirty forty or fifty yeares obtained so much grace and strength from the Lord as this Gentleman to breake from the power and cease from the practice of their old sins but are still a childish and vaine in their sports and pursuit of their pleasures as if all this while they had but only sipped and tasted of Circes cup but now are resolved to take yet a deep and a full draught of it even untill they be dead drunke with their sensuall delights and drop downe in a moment into hell from the hight of their jolly vanities O that the voice of Christ in his Word might rouse them and raise them up out of this sensuality and security Awake thou that sleepest and stand up from the dead and Christ shall give thee light Quia virtutibus amaritudo permista est vitia verò voluptate condita sunt illa offensi hac deliniti feruntur in praeceps ac honorum spem fulsi mala pro bonis amplectuntur Lastant Lib. 1. de fals Rel. August Confes lib 8. cap. 5. Insitam veritati austeritatem natura hominum proclovis in vitâ—a pati non potest Lact. de Falsa Rel. Lib. 1. They heate this voice and are many of them I am perswaded convinced by it but they returne no answer but as Augustine speakes Verba tantum lenta somnolenta modò ecce modò sine paululum A few silly and sleepy words anon loe anon set me alone a little But as it followeth Modò modò non habent modum sine paululum in longum ibit Anon and anon will never have done and a little forbearance will grow to custome and continuance But seeing neither the precepts of the Word nor the Patterne and example of this worthy Gentleman living amongst them nor the light which shines from others round about them is of any prevailing power for their conversion and reformation wee will leave them as we finde them praying the Lord to amend what is amisse and to be mercifull unto them if he have any mercy in store for them CHAP. XV. Secondly other fruits of his conversion in matters of religion as Governour of his family In setting up religion in his family 1 Chron 13.13 14. ANd so we proceed to some other fruits of this Gentlemans effectuall calling that so farre as he hath shewed forth the vertues of him that called him out of darknesse into his marvellous light hee may yet be a lampe to give light unto others by the course and records of his life even to such as desire to be followers of such a leader in the wayes of grace and peace After the Lord was pleased thus to reveale himselfe in his Sonne Christ unto him and to cause the light of his countenance to shine into his heart he could never have rest in himselfe untill hee had with Obed Edom brought the Arke of God into his house and that he did with much joy and comfort raising up an Altar for Gods worship in his family and so making it a little Bethel a house of God a pledge of his presence and place for his service For thus began he to thinke with Jacob Ge. 30.30 when shall I provide for mine owne house also Thus did hee resolve with Joshua Iosh 24. Laid down first in the generals though not one of his neighbour Gentlemen would so resolve with him Yet I and my house will serve the Lord. Thus did hee with Abraham Command his children and his houshold after him that they might keep the way of the Lord to doe justice and judgement Thus did hee governe his house with David walking wisely in the midst of it setting his eyes or favour and respect upon the godly but not suffering a wicked person to abide in his sight This was the conquest of his faith wherby he did overcome the world This was the worke of grace being illightened himselfe to illighten others converted himselfe to convert others being come unto Christ himselfe to call on others to come unto him and abide with him And for want of this victory of faith and power of grace there is but few of our Gentlemen that in these dayes have their houses and families so well ordered and reformed so well purged from old sinnes and seasoned so well with true religion as this our Cornelius had being himselfe a devout man and one that feared God with all his house CHAP. XVI ALL this that we have laid downe in the generals may be seene more evidently in the particulars concerning the manner and order of the government of his family his holy exercises and religious duties And then in the specialties and particulars 1. In his family 2. In the assembly constantly and conscionably performed in the same Wherein his first and principall care was for his wife and children that hee might dwell with her as a man of knowledge and bring them up in the nurture and information of the Lord both which hee through the good hand of God upon his holy labours so effectually brought to passe that he had much comfort though mingled with some crosse in their well doing In his family 1. Dwelling with his wife as a man of knowledge in Peace and love as equall yoke fellowes His wife though well affected before in matters of religion and much exercised in the duties and services of the same yet now by her husbands gracious and good example in the practice and power of it and his holy and wholesome admonitions instructions exhortations and wise and mild rebukes also as occasion required shee was brought on to a higher pitch and degree of knowledge and of grace and became a faithfull helper unto him in the best things and a carefull yoke-fellow to bear and to draw in the yoke of Christ both in doing and suffering the will of God together with him as a true Christian A good example to husbands A good example for such good men as desire to be good husbands also to tender and procure their wives comfort
letter of the Lords prayer but to the matter all Set prayer a helpe Heart-prayer best of all Cap. 23. Secondly His singing of Psalmes His delight in singing of Psalmes Thirdly His reading of the Scriptures Fourthly His humble and holy prayer with thankesgiving Having alwayes matter of praise as well as cause of prayer Cap. 24. His Evenings exercise in opening and applying the word for the use of his Family Crowned with a blessing from God Opposed much by some men of the world His fortification against such assaults For justifying of his judgement and practice in thus teaching of his family By his collections and observations out of Godly and good Authors Cap. 25. And yet not usurping upon the ministery nor by any private spirit But by Godly and good meanes providing as Ioseph for himselfe and for his Family Cap. 26. Thus farre of his religious governement of his owne house in his private Family Now of his zeale to Gods house in the publicke Assembly First In abolishing meanes and instruments of false worship His inducements thereunto Authority of the Magistrate example of good and great men which made him proceed from the Chappell to the Church This act censured by Papists Iustified by themselves against themselves Cap. 27. Secondly In establishing Gods true Word and worship by procuring godly ministers to preach of his own Cost and chaâ—ge Little regarded yet he not discouraged because the word of God prospered Many vertues of his to be observed and imitated For Gentlemen to bee rich in good workes For Patrons not to spoile the Church being bound to provide for it For profane Gentlemen bestowing much on their lusts nothing on Gods service Neither maintaining any Levite at home nor seeking after the word abroad Cap. 28. Vpon their neglect of the publike ministry he maintained the Preacher in his owne house But after a while restored him to the publicke Assembly The cause and occasion thereof And so continued to maintaine the Minister both by his owne and Master Clarkes testimony Cap 29 Popish and profane wakes His godly care and labour to suppresse them By a more plentifull and powerfull use of the word preached Whereby hee prevailed and blessed God With rejoycing and Feasting of Gods people Renouncing all fellowship with sinne and sinners And herein following the example of Christ Cap. 30. Nine reasons against popish and profane Wakes Cap. 31. Being still more religious hee grew â—…ore famous Many desire to sojourne with him Sir Ricâ—ard Grosvenor in his tender yeares bâ—ought up in his house Master Hardware and his Family also tabled with him His wise and gracious dealing with him and his And the good effect and fruit thereof Both in his family and in the city Thus to season others and to build up Gods house in his owne was his labour of love and joy of his heart Cap. 32. The good successe whereof made him like David To make greater provision by publicke exercises which he frequented and by which he became better furnished In which his course divers things to be commended First His chéerefullnesse Secondly His painfullnesse First In seeking Secondly In gathering Manna and other provision Thirdly His attentive diligence First In hearing Secondly In writing Thirdly In repeating Fourthly in recording the summe and substance of all the exercises In many manuscripts commended to the heires of his family Fourthly His kind usage of Gods ministers First Love to their persons Secondly Reverence to their callings Fiftly His good affection to professors Cap. 33. The exercises of Religion great helps unto godlinesse A motion for exchange with other exercises of profanesse Difference great Company contrary Holy exercises acceptable to God Profitable unto men yet will none make an exchange but such as are changed themselves Cap. 34. He was otherwise exercised also by affliction In the death of his Wife Sudden death a fearefull Iudgement to some Sudden Death upon a wicked life fearfull Yet all that dye suddenly doe not dye fearfully but many otherwise as this Gentlewoman very hopefully No death sudden to a sound Christian His afflictions sanctified and passions moderated Cap. 35. Standing in need of marriage he sought and found a prudent wife by good opportunity and by good meanes of his trusty servant declaring unto him her Parents Her Father her mother and her parts worthy due Commendation So he made motion for marriage Prevailed in it and tooke her to wife He set up and renewed the exercises of Religion in that Family The good successe thereof by his own testimony Cap. 36 His returne home to Stapleford bringing his wife along with him Divers Gentlemen desire to sojourne with him His Family a famous nursery for Religion Master Wilbraham placeth his Sonne-inlaw and his daughter with him Cap. 37. His desire to give him contentment and to doe them good To try their dispositions he observed their words and workes They were teachable and tractable Touching the Lords day Concerning Cardeplay His Wife converted Himselfe convinced Al witnesses of his faithfulnesse Cap. 38. His burning of Tables Cards and Dice as malefactours An attestation of the Fathers with him against them Cap. 39. His collections against Cards and Dice Cap. 40. Instead of Tables Cards and Dice he set up two Bibles one in the Parlour another in the Hall Answerable to our Church Canons Bibles for Bs. servants and for strangers This neglected A remedy for recovery to take heed of evill and provide good servants Our Canons against Cards and Dice and all unlawfull games Some of our Divines in the Countrey make little Conscience of these Canons Cap. 41. Some defects in the publicke ministry He procured Master A. St. for supply whom he maintained for the most part His worthy testimony concerning Master Bruen Being an eye and care witnesse Master Perkins hearing of him did much admire and commend him Many Gentlemen desire to sojourne with him His owne relation Cap. 42. A sudden Storme upon the death of his deare wife A great affliction to the whole Family Her vertues and due praises The heavy parting of his Tablers All full of griefe Master Bruen himselfe exceeded Time and reason strengthened with grace will moderate passions Cap. 43. Master Bruen's owne relation touching his more private course of life Seaven things remarkeable therein Cap. 44. All to be said may bee drawne to three heads First His conversing with God Secondly His conversation in the world Thirdly His departure out of the world God gave him wisedome and understanding Also courage and strength as he did to Ioshua His conversing with God in foure Spirituall Duties Cap. 45. First His meditation The necessity and excellency of Meditation Meanes and helpes which he used Reading of the word and of godly mens writings his following the rules of direction for meditation The gaine Godlinesse many benefits and sweet fruits of it Great difference Many Enemies unto it Many of the better sort fayle in it Cap. 46. Secondly Observation of Gods judgements and
in spirituall strength the better to encounter all sad and sharpe occurrents which either in doing or in suffering the will of God he might meet withall This hee knew was the speciall meanes prescribed by God himselfe unto Joshua Josh 1.78 The necessity and excellency of Mâ—ditation that hee might make his way prosperous and have good successe namely to meditate in the word of God day and night and not to turne aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left This hee knew was the mark and character of a blessed man Psal 1.2 Da mihi magistrum Gen. 24.63 to delight in the law of the Lord an in that law to meditate day and night And therefore for the better practice of this holy duty he did usually carry about him some part of the Bible Means and helpes which hee used or his Sermon Note booke if he went abroad into the field to meditate as Isaac did in the evening or were upon a journey as the Eunuch was when he was reading and meditating in his chariot on the prophecy of Isaiah concerning Christ Jesus Acts 8.28 Or if he were within doores he gave himselfe much to the reading of the Word and to make collections of promises Reading of the word precepts comforts prohibitions mercies judgements marks of Gods children brands of wicked men and many other good things as he found them in the way And these he made the matter or ground of his meditation and the means to inlarge himself in this exercise And of godly mens writings His Cammon-place book To which end also he did very diligently reade and peruse the workes of divers learned and godly men and drew unto certaine heads and Common-places what he thought most worthy observation and of best use in them Amongst the rest hee was much delighted and refreshed with D. Hals Contemplations and Meditations M. Greenhams workes M. Rogers his Seven Treatises which for his better helpe and greater comfort he had abridged and drawn into an Epitome almost all untill he was informed that another godly man a worthy Divine had already done it to his hand M. Baine His following of the rules of direction Afterwards when M. Egertons practice of Christianity containing the summe and substance of that booke came forth he addressed himself to make his best use of that part of it touching the art and exercise of this divine Meditation wherein he profitted so well that he was very able according to those places and rules of direction to enlarge his meditations upon any subject that did usually fall within his reach and compasse So that now hee might say after a sort with holy David Psal 119.97.54 O how love I thy law O Lord It is my meditation all the day I have made thy statutes my song and my meditation in the dayes of my pilgrimage The gaine of godlines 1 Tim. 6.6 The gain which he got by this exercise of holy meditation was an increase of godlines and godlinesse we know is great gaine having all sufficiency in it self for true comfort and contentment The fruits which he reaped of this his planting Many benefits and fruits of it and watering were very gracious and precious As 1. the killing or quelling of many noysome lusts 1 Killing of lusts which like caterpillars or cancker-worms are wont to breed in the best trees 2. The dislodging and driving out many unsavoury and worldly cares and thought 2 Driving out evill thoughts which bring nothing but vanity and vexation of spirit with them 3. This bred in him a godly watchfulnes over his words 3. Watchfulnesse and works heart and life 4. It wrought in him a gracious aptnesse 4. Aptnesse to good duties and chearefulnesse unto all good duties wherin he might be either serviceable unto God or profitable unto men 5. It ministered unto him counsell and strength for the spirituall war 5 Counsel strength that he might stand fast in the evill day against all his and Gods enemies 6. It brought him to a heaven upon earth 6 Conversation in heaven teaching him so to have his conversation in heaven that he might go about earthly affaires with a heavenly mind as he saw hee had calling thereunto 7. It kept his heart in possession of his integrity and sincerity 7 Possesing of his integrity ever calling upon him to keep faith and a good conscience alwayes and in all things 8. It wrought his soul to a gracious tendernes lowlines and meeknes 8 Sensiblenesse of sins and sorrowes to be very sensible of other mens sins and sorrows as wel as of his own 9. It was unto him as a sweet perfume composed of many delicate and costly spices 9 A perfume to all his actions which made all his thoughts words and works more sweet and savoury so that where ever he came he left no ill sent but a sweet savour of his graces and vertues behind him 10. And lastly 10 A preservative against secret and open sins this exercise of meditation was unto him a soveraign preservative not only against secret and open lesser and grosser sins but against all the inticements and allurements of the pleasures and profits honors and favors of this present evil world so that he was neither intangled in them nor inveagled by them O how great is the difference betwixt this Gent Great difference and many others of his rancke and of greater and meaner estate also I which professing themselves to be Christians Many enemies to it Psal 2.1.2 Psal 36.4 Zac 8.17 Ge. 27.41 1 Sam. 18.1.23.25 2 Sam. 17.23 2 Sam. 16.3 Ps 52.1 2 Ioh. 13.2 Acts 5.1 2 3. Many of the better sort fail in it are yet either enemies or strangers to this Christian duty required at their hands Some there be so empty of grace and goodnesse and so full of malice lust pride covetousnes and voluptuousnes that they cannot fix their minds nor settle their hearts upon any good thing to any good end but if they meditate it is but upon vaine or vile things devising mischief upon their beds and imagiving evill in their hearts against their brethren Such were Esau Saul Achitophel Ziba Doeg Indas Ananias and Saphira all of which had their musings and meditations their severall imaginations and consultations but never a good man nor any good matter of meditation amongst them all Some other there are of better minds and hearts who yet for want of good acquaintance with this holy and heavenly exercise of meditation for the nature and manner helps and meanes end and use of it have little experience of the benefit which comes by it and so deprive themselvs of many sweet comforts and refreshings which otherwise they migh enjoy by the practise of it Who is wise and he shall understand these things Hos 14 9. prudent and he shall know them for the wayes of the Lord are
right and the just shall walke in them but the transgressors shall fall therein Thus much of his first dayly duty namely his holy and religious Meditation CHAP. XLVI THe second followeth which was his diligent His observation of Gods works Psa 64.7 8 9 10. Psa 66.3.5 and carefull observation of the ways works mercies and judgments of the Lord. It was the antient profession and practise of the people of God to waite upon the Lord and to observe his dealing with the just and with the wicked in the world The way of the Just is uprightnesse thou most upright doest weigh the path of the just Is 26.7 8. Yea in the way of thy judgments O Lord have we waited for thee the desire of our soule is to thy Name Ver. 9. and to the remembrance of thee With my soule have I desired thee in the night yea with my spirit within me wil I seek thee early for when thy judgments are in the earth the inhabitants of the world will learne righteousnesse Let favour be shewed to the wicked Ver. 10. yet will he not learne righteousnes in the land of uprightnesse will hee deale unjustly and will not behold the majesty of the Lord. See the memorable judgment of God against Vigetius Saâ—â—…niâ—us Claud. Herminianus observed by Tertullians Scapul A book of Rememb lob 35.24 25. Much after this manner did this faithfull Servant of Christ raise up his thoughts and quicken his soule to a diligent and due observation of the ways and works of God both in his mercies towards the godly and in his judgements against the wicked To which end and purpose he hath observed and recorded divers and sundry of the workes of the Lord which he calleth a declaration of some of the works of the Lord to the praise of his glorious Name power and mercy adding and annexing that admonition and exhortation out of Iob Remember that thou magnifie his works which men behòld Every man may see it man may behold in a far off To set down all such works of God as he hath observed See some examp of Gods mercies to Christians observed by Tertull. ad Sca c. 4. Some mercies of God observed I now cannot to passe over all in silence I may not I meane not And therefore to give a taste of some for the clearing of this point and the farther satisfaction of such as delight therein I think it very meet and convenient at this present To observe Gods mercies faith he with all humble praise and thanksgiving to God only Some few yeares before my brother Hardware dyed he had R.K. to his servant who is now an In-holder in Chester The said R. was as many thought bewitched and waxed weaker and weaker So as my Brother Hardware sent unto mee and my family to spend a day with him in prayer and fasting At that time I had good M. Wats the Preacher with me To R. K. his sick neighbourâ— whom I brought with me and others of my family to the Peele and there we found the said R.K. exceeding sick and weake and like an Anatomy of death nothing to look to but skin and bones and not likely to live a day all hope of life being gone He was brought and laid in a bed in the chamber where we prayed And in the same evening hee began to amend and the next morning did walke abroad and the third day began to be so strong that he fel to his work and labour with much rejoycing to the Family All laud and praise to God therefore To his Setvant Anno Domini 1601 and in the Summer time John Robinson my servant going with his teame the cart loaden and he falling by some occasion the wheele went over his legge being iron bound yet hurt him not any thing at all Laus Deo Anno Domini 1602 and in Iuly my son Iohn To his Son in danger being in Peaksmoore took up a seith to see how he could mow and the scith entered in at his stocking upon the shin bone and followed his leg shaving the haire and came out at the backside of his leg and toucht no flesh nor skinne Laus Deo The same Month and in the same Medow To a Labourer One casting a pikell up and down before him and behind him one being behind him the two greins of the pikell ran on both sides of his leg and hurt him not Hallelujah Memorand in Anno 1613 and in the Hey-Harvest One Richard Rogers Some Iudgments of Godremarkable that dwelt in my farme at Wimble Strafford under Master Thomas Puleston my tenant there seeing two godly persons going in the way said to one with him Now will I dance and swagger and sweare to anger and make mad yonder two Puritans Nö sint inulta esse diu DivinuÌ„ Numen scelera vid Herb. departioda popelo à mâ—ribus devorato Hist Pol. lib. 1 cap. 11. Vide simile de Hatto E. Mog apud O. a mag lib. 17. c 21. And did so to the great grievance of those two godly persons And presently the revenging hand of God was upon him so that this wicked fellow fell so sick that he was carried home in a Cart and within three dayes died most fearefully All glory to God These are some of those Memorable mercies and Iudgments of the Lord which he hath carefully observed and recorded I will let all the rest alone saving one which being the most remarkable of all other hee hath taken greatest paines to observe and set down in all the parts and passages of it The hand of God upon the Boy at Northwich This was concerning the boy of Northwich his name Thomas Harrison about 11 or 12 yeares old who was so strangely and wonderfully afflicted and tormented that many held him to bee really possessed with a Devill Others thought he was bewitched Some ascribed all to naturall causes few did endevour to see and acknowledge as this Gentleman did that though Satan might have a finger Satans Malice Gods Mercy yet the Lord had a chiefe hand in this Iudgment and that where Satan would shew himselfe cruell and malicious to vex and destroy a poore child there the Lord was pleased to manifest and declare himselfe to be mercifull and gracious in susteining and preserving of him CHAP. XLVII IT would be too tedious to set down one quarter of that which he hath written of this child partly from that which he himselfe saw and partly from that which he heard and received under sufficient and faithfull witnesses having spent above 14 leaves in 4 0 in recording of these things All that he hath observed of him may be drawn to these 3 heads 1 0 his violent and wonderfull fits and passions 2 0 his strange and horrible gestures and actions 3 0 his admirable and almost incredible sayings and speeches and all these without any naturall understanding sense or feeling for the most
every company either to do good unto others or to receive good from others 5 The fifth Iust dealing A good intention to deale justly honestly and uprightly with all men doing no otherwise unto them than we would have them to do unto us 6 The sixth Take all to the best An honest disposition to take doubtfull things in the best sense and best part so farre as well we may without wound of conscience in our selves or offence giving unto others 7 The seventh A carefull watchfulnesse over our heart and tongue spirit and speech that our words being powdered with salt Watchfulnesse may minister grace not griefe unto the hearers 8 The eight To bee sparing in speech A great willingnesse to be slow to speake and swift to heare yea sometimes to heare and see much and to say little unlesse we have a good calling thereunto 9 The ninth Renouncing all worldly fashions and humours An utter renouncing of all the vaine conformities of the world neither following the fashions nor serving the humours of vaine or vile persons nor staying longer than needs wee must amongst them if by occasion we be in company with them 10 The tenth Peaceable A good inclination to seeke and follow peace with all men so farre as in us lieth and so farre as it may be had and held with holinesse cutting off all occasions and provocations to strife and variance with all speed that may be 11 The eleventh Contentednesse in every estate A contented minde and good courage in every estate and condition of life entertaining all crosses with patience and turning them to their best use and embracing all comforts with thanksgiving bearing and bringing forth the right and proper fruit of them 12 The twelfth and last To keep our peace with God An unfained desire and endeavour to nourish our peace with God walking as Abraham did humbly and uprightly before him and referring all that ever we think speak or do to the furtherance of our own reckoning and to his farther praise and glory According to these and other the like rules of righteousnesse and holinesse he was taught of God to order his conversation aright in the feare of God Iam. 3.13 And thus he attained unto some measure and degree of that wisdome and grace which S. Iames commendeth so well and worthily in a found Christian Who is a wise man and indued with knowledge among you Let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meeknesse of wisedome For so did this Gentleman work and walk even according to that wisdome which is from above the properties whereof are very precious For it is first pure then peaceable gentle and easie to be intreated full of mercy and good fruits without partiality and without hypocrisie CHAP. LI. AND here I thinke it will bee well worthy our labour and paines if for the better confirmation hereof we measure this Gentlemans life by this line of heavenly wisdome and take a speciall view of these jewels of grace which being attendants upon it in his person did much beautifie and adorne that which now we speak of his holy and religious conversation He endeavoured to be pure First therfore according to this wisdome which God had given him from above he endeavoured to make his conversation pure and holy answerable to that religion which he did professe which by the testimony of the Holy Ghost is pure and undefiled before God and the Father and as here it is said it is first pure He was no doubt well atquainted with his naturall corruptions Psal 51.5 Rom. 7.20 23 24 Act. 1â— 15 passions and pollutions of sinne both originall and actuall inward and outward spirituall and corporall and knew that though hee should wash himselfe with snow water yet could he not say My heart is clean 2 Cor. 7. 1 Job 9.30.31 Zac. 13. 1. Ezek. 36. 26. Rev. 1.6 Rev. 7.14 1. Cor. 6.11 1 Pet. 1.15 I am cleansed from all my filthinesse so long as he did bear about with him a body of sin and of death And yet he knew as well also that the Lord having opened the fountaine of Grace unto him and powred cleane water upon him and washed him in the blood of Christ both for the remission of his sinnes and for purging away the pollution of them He was no longer to be held polluted and uncleane but holy and pure in his person through Christ and so ought to strive to be more and more in all manner of holy conversation And therefore hereunto Act 24.16 hee did ever most carefully and conscionably endeavour himselfe that being espoused to one husband 2 Cor. 11.12 hee might preserve and present himselfe as a chaste virgin unto Christ Jesus 1 Pure in heart Mat. 5.8 2 Cor. 7.1 Eph. 4.28 To which end he laboured to bee first Pure in heart knowing that Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God And this he did by faith and repentance and the helpe of Gods spirit every day purging out old sins and renewing the beauty of former graces 2 To be pure in hand free from all iniquity and injury and so washing his hands in purity 2 Pure in hand 1 Tim. 2.8 and innocency he was ever ready in every place to lift up pure hands unto God and to compasse his Altar 3 Pure in tongue Eph. 4.29 Esa 19.18 Psal 37.30 3 To be pure in lips and tongue never suffering any rotten speech or unseemely word to fall from him but having his language as pure as the language of Canaan his tongue did oftentimes speake of judgement and his speeches were sometimes as the very Oracles of God 4 To be pure in his senses 1 Pet. 4 11 Aug. Conf. lib. 10. Cap. 34. Iob. 31. 1. Psal 119.37 his eyes hee made a covenant withall to restraine them from wanton lookes and to shut up those windowes against all spectacles of vanity And then only or especially to open them when they might serve as necessary lights unto the body or to behold the workes of the Lord that so he might be the better by them His cares were circumcised Aug. Conf l. 10. c. 33. Rev. 2.7 Hos 14.8 1 Thes 4.4 nailed to the posts of Gods house bored by the spirit of grace for audience and obedience to heare what the spirit speakes unto the Churches What have I to doe any more with idols I have heard him I have observed him 5 To be pure in his whole body Iude v. 23. 2 Cor. 7.1 2 Tim. 2.21 ever preserving and possessing his vessell in holinesse and in honor and hating the very garment spotted by the flesh 6 To be pure in the whole man both soule and body which he performed very effectually when clensing himselfe from all filthinesse of flesh and spirit Amaremte Juelle si noÌ„ esses Zuinglianus â—e eticus fide vitâ certè videris angelus
Buttery was open and free for any Gentleman Servingman Countreyman so farre as they kept themselves within the lists and limits of moderation and sobriety But as for excessive drinking quaffing carrowsing drinking and pledging of healths and the like shamefull disorders even unto beastly drunkennesse in great houses the order and manner of his family was knowne so well No quaffing no drunkennes no healthing in his house that of those which did come unto it seldome or never was there any so impudent and shamelesse as would give him or his servants any just occasion of offence or grievance by such lewd behaviour and misdemeanour in such things Thus far of his hospitality towards strangers one of his sweet fruits of grace and mercy His charity to his poore neighbours First for their bellies His dole dayes twice a week In the time of dearth almost every day Now let us looke yet for more fruit in his charitable bounty towards his poore neighbours The necessities of the poore in their hunger and cold for want of food and raiment did ever marvellously affect and afflict his heart And as he had a mercifull heart to pitie them so had hee an open both heart and hand to relieve them He did usually to his great expence and cost fill the bellies of great multitudes which out of his owne and other Parishes did twice a weeke resort unto his house for that end And in the deare yeares he made provision for them almost every day in the week and would many times see them served himselfe both to keep them in good order and to make an equall distribution according to the difference of their necessities amongst them His bounty in giving and lending Hee had his purse ever ready as the poore mans boxe or coffer to give and sometimes to lend freely to those that would borrow and pay again his admonition was remember your promise keepe your day and pay againe if you will borrow againe And if hee saw any willing Money but not able to pay what they borrowed he would rather forgive the debt than exact it But if he found any to deale fraudulently and falsly with him either denying the debt or pleading repayment or pretending some kinde of satisfaction as one dealt with Spiridion the Bishop of Cyprus Sozom. hist Ecel l. 1. c. 11. to whom hee had lent some measures of corne hee would then rebuke them sharpely and take heed of lending to such deceitfull persons any more In the time of a great dearth Or corne fearing that divers of his poore neighbours were in great want as having neither money nor meate Hee tooke an opportunity when the most of his family were gone abroad to a publike exercise of religion to call for the keyes of the Store-house where the corne lay and presently hee sent into the towne to such persons as were the greatest needers willing them to bring their baggs with them which they did without delay and so to supply their wants hee gave them freely and with a cheerefull heart some fourteene measures of corne amongst them at that time Now as hee was carefull to fill their bellies 2 Merciful to the poore in clothing their bodies also Job 31.19 20. so was hee mindfull of clothing their backes and bodies also He was loth to see any as Job speaketh perish for want of clothing or any poore want covering Yea the loynes of the poore did blesse him being warmed with the fleece of his flocke or clothed by the cost of his purse It was his ordinary manner every yeare against Winter 3. Provision He provides for them out of his own purse yeerly to send some foure or five pounds to Chester to make provision for the clothing of the poor which seeing it could not reach unto all he wisely divided amongst severall families to such this year as had none the last and to such the next year as had none this Now as these fruits of his mercy and charity were manifest in the provision which he made for the poore 4. Protect He protects and defends them so were there some others as conspicuous in the protection which he sought and found for them For hee might truly say in some good measure he had done as Job did and found the like blessing that he found Iob 29.12 13 15.16 17. I delivered the poore that cryed the fatherlesse and him that had none to helpe him The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me and I caused the widdowes heart to sing for joy I was eyes to the blinde and feet to the lame I was a father to the poore and the cause which I knew not I searched out And I brake the jawes of the wicked and pluckt the spoile out of his teeth Thus was hee a protector of the poore to deliver them out of the hands of those that were too strong for them He was also as a counsellor to defend their righteous and just cause 5. Advice He counsels them and as hee is able doth plead for them Prov. 31.8 5. and to plead for them and applying himselfe to that counsell which Bathsheba gave to her sonne Lemuel He opened his mouth for all that were in danger and distresse as they came unto him Hee opened his mouth for the dumbe to judge righteously for them and to pleade the cause of the poore and needy as they had occasion to use him CHAP. LVII NOw as hee was full of these fruits of charity and mercy towards rich or poore His fruits of faith and love to others also In his harmony in judgement with the best so was he plentifull also in good fruits of faith and love in his sympathy with the godly and in his antipathy against the profane of the world 1 He held ever a gracious harmony in judgment and opinion with all such both Divines and Professors of Religion as were most found and entire in the knowledge and acknowledgement of the Truth And this he did with great confidence and resolution 3 Ep. Ioh. 4. and with much rejoycing in the Lord as he saw the truth to prosper and flourish in his dayes 2 He had also a religious sympathy in affection with the Churches and children of God in every estate and condition In his sympathy with the godly in every condition Rom. 12.15 Heb. 13.3 Psa 122.6 Psal 137.5 6.2 Cor. 11.28 29. Heavy newes of the Church did much offect him He had learned of the blessed Apostle that it was his duty to rejoyce with them that rejoyce and to mourne with them that mourne He remembred the afflictions of Ioseph even in the midst of all his owne comforts and contentments and preferred the peace of Zion and the prosperity of Ierusalem before his chiefest joy The care of all the Churches about him was daily and continually upon him so that he might say as Paul said Who is weake and Jam not weake Who