THE LIFE OF Mr. John Hieron WITH THE Characters and Memorials Of Ten other Worthy Ministers OF JESUS CHRIST Written by Mr. Robert Porter late Minister of the Gospel in Nottinghamshire Published by D. BURGESS Exempla movent LONDON Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in 〈◊〉 near Mercers-Chappel MDCXCI To the READER IN complyance with the desire of Reverend Mr. John Barret of Nottinghamshire I send abroad this Treatise and prefix my Thoughts quales quales thereof I conceive it well worthy of its very Eminent Aâ—thor Mr. Robert Porter who also now sleeps in Christ The Matter Language and Method are worthy of him Who hath herein like himself joyned brevity with sweetness given the Memoirs of many worthy Men in a narrow room And laudably performed the Historians part in Relations and the Divines part in Reflections To me it seemeth no small Duty as I hope faâ—ther to express in due time to publish the Lives and Praises of Holy Men. It is the Will of Him whose Will ought to be ours that the Memory of the Just should be blessed And the praise of such is more Gods praise then theirs As for themselves Saints need no Monuments And no one of them desires a richer Encomium than Lazarus had The poor man dyed and was carried by the Angels into Abrahams bosom But the Church and World do need their Memorials For exemplifieâ— Sanctity is the most Noble Beautiful and Perswasive The Holiness that is in Gods Children is of 〈◊〉 more excellent kind than that which is in his Holy Biblâ— It is a liviâ—â— image of God and that which is the transcendent End of which the Scripture it self is but a Means Such Narratives as this do shame and wipe away the Calumnies which Ignorant Men drivel and Malicious ones do foam out against the Excellent of the Earth They do convincingly prove what many will not think That there are really very Illustrious Gifts and Graces where no such things are seen as Copes and Miters And that it is not among such as the Protestant United-Brethren that a godly painful Minister is a rare thing Whatever be suggested to the contrary by those that still judge us fitter for Prisons than Pulpits Great Hugo Grotius when Dying would have given all that ever he had to be plain godly John Urick They whose hearts are cleansed by the Inspiration of the Holy Ghost do surely expect the day wherein the most Dignified Drones will wish they had been what they do now malignantly name Drudging Divines The Lord make us all more Pure and Holy and followers of them who are now inheriting the Promises That our Burning Bush may not be consumed but our Jerusalem be yet made the Praise of the whole Earth So Prayeth Daniel Burgess THE LIFE OF Mr. Hieron c. CHAP. I. Of Mr. Hieron's Parentage Birth and Childhood MR. John Hieron was a Prophet and the Son of a Prophet His Father was Minister at Stapenhil near Burton upon Trent a Vicaridge it was and in that Vicaridge-House he was born in August 1608 and baptized the 28th day of that Moneth His Father being puritanically inclined had no great things in the World but he was a good Man I have heard his Son John say of him that he was well esteemed of by Mr. Hildersam and his Hearers And that he did believe that he was found in the way of Righteousness It hath been the sin and the shame of this Nation Oh when shall we be cleansed that the least scandalous Ministers have been forced to take up with most scandalous maintenance They then made sure to make Old Nonconformists poor and to keep them so But through frugality and Gods Blessing they lived and brought up their Children well Since the Year 1662 they have used a Method quite to starve Nonconformists Not a poor Vicaridge not a blind Chappel not a School nor any visible way of maintenance for them and yet they have lived Providence is kind and tender handfuls of Meal are growing and we almost think we may some of us live to see Puritanism better thought of and provided for in England I know many Nonconformists pinched but none starved Though neither Purse nor Scrip yet no insupportable tempting wants When Bladders are pricked yet they can't sink whom God will hold up by the chin and teach the hand of Faith the true swimming stroak In his minority he went over Trent both going to and coming from School and was once or twice endangered thereby In a Note found under his own hand it is thus said Deliverances to me vouchsafed à teneris annis 1. From a Cow in his Fathers yard that took him on her horns and threw him a great way yet without any harm 2. Falling out of a Chamber into a dry Fat in the lower room yet no harm 3. Fell out of a Boat into Trent yet not hurt 4. Once ventring into the Trent-boat himself and not being able to manage it and the wind high he was carried down the River towards some deep place and at least one whirlepit where he had been in danger to have been lost But one seeing it took a private Boat and stopped him and his drowning was prevented These he recounts and adds a good note The Lord expects we keep a chronology of remarkable things done by him for us Greenhil on Ezek. 24. 2. In these things we may note That these preservations were presages of something more than ordinary that God had for him to do Where such notable things occur they signifie some eminent Evil the Persons are reserved for or some eminent good preserved for Moses drawn out of the Water was a deliverer There is a passage in the minority of Ambrose That there was a swarm of Bees setled on his Face in his Cradle and flew away without any hurt to him Whereupon his Father utter'd this saying Si vixerit infantulus iste aliquid magni erit If this Child live he will be some great Man Again since you see he laid these in his Records kept them as the Pot of Manna let us rehearse and record Gods goodness It 's a real wonder any Child lives to be a Man or if they do they are not all Mephibosheths through folly It must be ascribed to God and his Providence without which all our Watchers and Keepers would be in vain There are many places that give us occasion to call them as Hagar Gen. 16. 13 14. did the Well Beer-la-hai-roi places where we have found God seeing for us and looking after us where we have not looked at him nor for him CHAP. II. Of his Country Education MR. Hierons father removing to Chelaston he was with several Masters but at length he placed him at Repton-School after Mr. Whitehead was come thither with whom he continued Five years Mr. Whitehead's Abilities and Method of Teaching and Diligence were so great and his Conversation so good that the School obtained a great Name and bred
well read in Books and good Authors a very studious man He was well seen in History and very frequently in converse made an excellent use thereof He had a sharp judgment he was a great Master of Method had digested his Tutors Method of preaching thoroughly He had a very strong memory which continued to the last so that if there were any doubt about the quantity of any Syllable he had a Verse ready to shew what it was He had searched into Chronology of Scripture knew much about it and was ready in it But he was almost a Non-such in his Bible you could not name a difficulty but he was ready to give the unfolding of it or what was said to it He was most ready in the references of one Scripture to another and could readily turn to them He had an excellent faculty in expounding Scripture in opening a Chapter he opened his Text with great clearness He had a gravity in Countenance and Carriage and in his Delivery He was a Mall of unsound Opinions though he did not delight in preaching Controversies yet when it fell in his way his matter naturally leading to it he would so distinctly state Controverted points and leave them so clear that there would scarce seem to be any thing of controversie in them He was a close and wise reprover He was a powerful presser to duty he was excellent in Instruction skilful to direct to means very compassionate in dealing with tender troubled Souls able to give strong Cordials and very discerning to know to whom to give them In a word he was a Scribe instructed to the Kingdom of God had Treasures and could bring forth things new and old He was a good and faithful Steward of the Mysteries of God he was able and apt to teach furnished both with an Heart well headed and an Head well hearted he was skilful and faithful a sound Believer of what he preached zealous for God no body that heard him could suspect him of being in jest all must conclude he was in earnest and that his words were in his heart and that they came out thence His breath was warm which testified Life within and heartiness for God Sect. 2. As to the discharge of his Ministry I must be a little more particular He did shew his qualifications his sincere ends in entring into the Ministry by his conscionable fulfilling his Ministry received of the Lord doing the work of a Minister making full proof of his Ministry he was a Workman and a working man a dextrous labourer in Gods Vineyard a painful and skilful Husbandman whom God had instructed to discretion and had taught him He dispensed Holy Mysteries the Word and Sacrament as a Minister of Christ and a faithful Steward of the Mysteries of God 1. He was well satisfied about the Doctrine of the Lords day as a Christian Sabbath and accordingly he did earnestly contend with the Profaners of the Lords day zealously prest its sanctification and in his own practice was a practical Sabbatarian This would appear both from what he did at Ashborne and also after at Breadsall But take for proof what follows Some time after his setling at Ashborne the Book for Sports on the Lords day came forth and presently was the fear of Gods Commandment cast off the applications of the Sabbath to the ends of it's institution being one of those bands and cords that corrupt nature would fain break and is glad of any pretence to cast away Unbridled youth presently took the liberty granted and Tidings being brought to Mr. Hieron he got to Mr. Pegge a Man of Authority in Ashborne to accompany him and coming to them they found Boys and Youths shooting at the Butts and only one man with them and being demanded why they did so The man answered that the Bishop gave them leave How doth that appear said Mr. Hieron The man answered on such a Sabbath day I came through Eccleshall where then the Bishops seat was and saw there a Bear baiting Mr. Hieron rejoyns that 's no proof for the Castle is at some distance from the Town and the Bishop might be said If it offended them he would forbear and so the Company parted But a while after he went to another Company got together on the like occasion where he met with a man who argued the King allowed it and those would not part Mr. Taylor in his Life having preached about the Observation of the Lords-day and therein reproved that bad Custom which the Butchers of that Town used of selling Meat on the Lords-days in the Morning When Bishop Wright afterwards came to visit there some who were loath to for go that bad Custom dealt with him in private about it and so far gained on him that in his Charge or Speech he mentioned it and used this instance Suppose a Labouring Man receives his Wages so late on the Saturday night that before he can get home the Shops are shut up and no Meat then to be bought shall not the poor Man therefore have a chop of Meat to his Dinner the next day with great noise the Bishop added God forbid Mr. Hieron well understood this reflection and others took so much notice of it as to take encouragement from it Yet notwithstanding Mr. Hieron preaching upon the Commandments when he came in course to the Fourth Commandment returned upon the reproof of this sin and raising an Objection but some may say my Lord Bishop gives us leave He answered Suppose that were so Whether is it reasnable to regard what one Bishop might say in a private place more than what that Bishop and all the Bishops in England had said in Parliament And having the Statute of 3. Caroli with him in the Pulpit he read it to them and told them there were but so many years passed since this was enacted by Kings Lords and Commons and that this Bishop on whose Authority they so much relied was one of the Number being then Bishop of Bristol This put them a little to a stand yet one of them said he would notwithstanding hear what such a Gentleman not far distant would say to it Whether they reformed or not I cannot well say but Mr. Hieron did his duty with Zeal and Courage These instances may suffice to illustrate and prove this head 2. He was a Man that filled the Sabbath with its proper Exercises It was a painful day to him yet not grievous because the day was his delight and holy employment was his refreshment He prayed he read the Scripture and expounded it he sung Psalms he catechised and expounded the Catechism he preached twice a day and this he did with that holy zeal and earnestness that sometimes especially in the spring of the year he hath been so sore upon the Mondays that he could not endure to sit but was forced to walk about in his Room whilst he was able and then to try if he could find out any other postures which might
these words Do not hearken to Satans suggestions to the contrary he is an Adversary If he cannot hinder your Salvation he will do what he can to damp your joy and peace in believing You ought not to give heed to him but to repel him as our Saviour did Get thee behind me Satan Your own unbelieving Heart for Faith is mixed with unbelief even in Gods Children also will raise Objections against you thus I have many Corruptions in me unruly Passions I am hasty to Anger Ignorant have little Knowledge considering the time and means I have enjoyed I am dull in Duty I Pray without any life or heat I am cold in love to God and Jesus Christ I grow not in Grace I am blockish and remember nothing I hear And many such things you have to say against your self To which I Answer Grant all this to be true These are Sins of Infirmity which may consist with true Grace Psal 40 12. David saith My sins are more then the hairs upon my head Psal 73. 22. So foolish was I and ignorant even as a beast before thee Read Heb. 5. 11 12. Ye are dull of hearing c. whom yet he highly commends Heb. 3. 1. and 6. 10. So long as sin reigneth not hath no dominion over you you need not question your interest in Christ and you may know that sin reigneth not when you are grieved for it confess and bewaâ—l it and pray for grace and help against it strive and watch against it and do what you can to keep your self from your iniquity Psal 18. 23. Consider that none are justified or saved because they are sinless pure and perfect but blessed are they whose sins are forgiven Psal 32. 1 2. And to him that worketh not but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly his Faith is counted for Righteousness Rom. 4. 5. What was the end of Christs coming but to take away sin Mat. 1. 21. Joh. 1. 29. Also a chief branch of the Covenant of Grace in Heb. 8. 12. I will be merciful to their unrighteousness And therefore be not faithless but believing as Christ said to Thomas John 20. 27 28 And let your heart make the same Answer that he did My Lord and my God It may be that your present condition is a grief to you that you cannot worship God as you desire or as in your Health you can do God no service Let not your heart be troubled at this for God requires no more than he gives And it may be no small comfort to you that you were diligent to attend upon God in your Health and when you had Legs you used them to Gods glory And now you are serving God in another way in the way of Passive Obedience in which if you submit to Gods will with Meekness and Patience you may do God as good service as they that preach or hear or travel far to the Word â— will conclude with those sweet words of Christ John 14. 1. Let not your heart be troubled Believe that God is yours Christ is yours the Covenant of Grace is yours your Sins are forgiven the Promises are yours even the great Promise 2 Cor. 6. 18. I will be a Father to you And that also Rom. 8. 28. We know that all things shall work together for good to them that love God Even all the exceeding great and precious promises in Christ 2 Pet. 1. 4. which are yea and Amen true and faithful O bless God that ever you were born Spiritually that you were born again Say and sing with David Psal 103. 1. 2 3. Bless the Lord O my Soul And Psal 32. at the latter end Rejoyce in the Lord ye righteous and shout for joy all ye that are upright in heart Psal 48. 14. This God is our God for ever and ever he will be our guide unto death And with the Church Isa 25. 9. Lo this is our God we have waited for him and he will save us This is the Lord we have waited for him we will be glad and rejoyce in his Salvation But I may save further labour and indeed might have spared this pains for you have a Book by you which contains all that I now write and much more to the same purpose The scope and substance of it is to chear up and comfort poor Souls that walk sad and sorrowful when they have no other cause but to rejoyce and serve the Lord with gladness in which kind of service the Lord is well pleased I pray you peruse it and read it through till you have got your Heart into a joyful frame Now I pray and let it be your Dayly Prayer That the God of Love fill you with Joy and Peace in believing to whose Grace I commend you Yours Vnfeignedly IT grieves me much for your sake that the hand of the Lord is gone out against you in so dreadful a â—rovidence that it puts me hard to it how to minister a word of Consolation to you in this your sad condition A wise Son maketh a glad Father but a foolish Son is the heavyâ—ess of his Mother I have no greater joy than to hear that my Children walk in the Truth So I know no greater affliction that can befall Parents then to have Children walking contrary to the Truth and dying in their Sins Yet is not your Case in this respect singular No Temptation hath befallen you but what is common to men to good men witness Aaron Ely David with many others whom I could name known both to you and me You are to acquiess in Gods Providential Administrations and not to disquiet your Soul with the doubtfulness of his Eternal Estate But to ascribe Righteousness to your Maker and say with the Psalmist Righteous art thou O Lord and upright are thy judgments How unsearchable are his judgments and his â—aâ—es past finding out Take the Example of the Prophets and other Holy Men in Scripture for an example of suffering Affliction and of Patience Set before you the Patience of Job who besides the loss of so great an Estate lost all his Children seven in number cut off by untimely death yet how Religiously doth he demean himself how Patiently to admiration Two of Aarons Sons in the flower of their Age and in the beginning and very first entrance upon that Sacred Function perish by fire from Heaven a heavy stroke arguing great indignation yet mark the Fathers pious behaviour under such a mark of Gods displeasure Aaron held his Peaâ—e As for Davids lamentation over Absalom it is not to be drawn into imitation For the bottom of his grief was not purely nor chiefly as far as appears sorrow for his sin and the eternal condition of his Soul but rather proceeded from Natural Affection and over much fondness and indulgence because of his exquisite Beauty which the Scripture doth highly extol For he takes not one sigh at the death of Ammon who also dyed in his sin and also by a violent
12. 7. but still his eye of Fatherly care is on them Psal 34. 15. and all things shall work together for their good Now lay all these things together 1. Satan is a Conquered a Chained Enemy 2. By slavish fear you do him too much honour 3. You wrong God and Christ as if they were not able to save you 4. Call to mind Gods gracious Attributes Providence Promises 5. Your relatian to God and Christ to whom in Baptism you were devoted and so are a Member of Christ one of Gods Children whom he loves pityeth and careth for Say now as Nehemiah Should such a one as I flee should I fear the Devil No fear God fear to displease him by sin by this immoderate fear Resist the Devil by Faith and fervent Prayer Lay hold on Gods promises Apply them to your self by Faith as if they had been made to you by Name Hold no dispute with Satan he will be too hard for you But take the Sword of the Spirit the Word of God Answer his Cavils with that as our Saviour did Avoid solitariness as much as you may When you are alone yet remember you are not alone Believers have fellowship with the Father and the Son by the Holy Ghost And alwayes remember that the Holy Angels encamp round about them that fear God Turn to those Scriptures Psal 34. 7. and 91. 11. Get acquainted with Gods people hear their advice and beg their Prayers Wait on God be sure to keep in his way and the issue will be good Psal 40. 1. So the God of Peace grant you Peace by all means and the Peace of God which passeth understanding keep your hearts through Jesus Christ To his Blessing and Grace I commend you Yours Mar. 30. 1680. I Must desire to see you but it is thought not advisable for me to take such a journey at first not having been on horse back since my late sickness I am sorry to hear you are ill again being but lately recovered from an ill fit Man that is born of a woman is of few days and is full of trouble And because it is unknown to us which sickness is or may prove our last it is wisdom to improve the present as a warning to us So to number our dayes that we may apply our hearts to wisdom to consider our latter end and Eternity that follows after Set thy house in order for thou shalt dye and not live saith the Prophet from God to Hezekiah much more should we set our Souls in order and see that we be on good terms with God ere we appear before his judgment-seat Which we must do the first moment after the departing of the Soul out of the body Heb. 9. 27. This is a work so necessary to be done in time that it is not ought not to be put off till a sick bed yet it must then be revived and renewed and then done in the best manner as being the last time of doing it and what is then done is like to stand for ever In order thereunto reflect and look back into the former part of your life Begin at your birth sin and corruption of nature Bewail that and lament over it so go on to the sins of youth and be humbled for them and so come a long to the sins of age and riper years confess and bewail them with their agravating circumstances as being committed against light knowledge and checks of Conscience and done with deliberation By this means you will find ease and rest to your Soul according to that promise Mat. 11. 29. If you cast your weary burden upon the Lord Jesus Christ he will stand between you and his fathers wrath he will take all your debts upon him and say as Rebeckah to Jacob upon me be thy curse my Son Fresh sorrow for old sins Repentance renewed will make Christ sweet and sin bitter to you and affect you more in his love in dying for you This will be a good evidence to you that your sins are forgiven Namely if you confess them with a broken and penitent heart and forsake them with detestation And now is a fit time for you to look up your evidences for Heaven that so you may not be afraid to dye but may look Death in the face with comfort If you say how may I be assured that my sins are forgiven and that Christ is mine To the first I have answered already He that confesseth and forsaketh his sin shall find mercy Prov. 28. 13. If we confess our sins by faith resting on Christ for pardon he is faithful and just to forgive us To the second How may I know that Christ is mine Thus Are you you his Are you willing Do you consent to have him on his own terms for your Lord and do you obey him as your Lord Do you take his yoak upon you have you respect to all his commandments Do you hate every evil way John 15. 14. You are my friends if you do whatsoever I command you Do you chuse the Lord for your portion Christ for your bliss and happiness Do you more highly prize him and desire to enjoy him more than all riches Do you account all things but loss and dung in comparison of him Had you rather be the most holy person upon Earth than the greatest or richest that ever was And do you use diligence in the means of grace to attain to more holiness If so you may without doubt be well assured your Estate is good and safe For you could not have chosen God and loved Christ unless he had chosen and loved you first Dwell therefore in the thoughts and tastes of Gods love to you Say how wonderful is Gods love to a poor worm and silly dust That the contrivance of infinite wisdom should be taken up about me That the eternall Deity should consult about my salvation ere the world began That God should pass by many wise men after the flesh many mighty and noble who if they had been converted might have done God better service an hundred times then I and make choise of me a dispicable sinner to be an Heir of salvation Lord what is man c. Thus raise up your heart in thankful admiration of Gods wonderful love to your Soul And Thirdly the assurance of Gods love will incourage your heart against the fear of death and give you confidence against the King of terrors I shall be glad to hear of your recovery though I thus write I commend you to God and if I never see you in this world I hope to meet you with other dear friends who are gone before in those mansions which Christ hath purchased and prepared for all those that love him to whose grace I refer you Yours J. H. May 31. 81. They are blessed that do hunger and thirst after Righteousness after Christ for justification and sanctification Do not you so Are not you empty naked barren of grace in your self a dry tree
is a sore affliction to your Wise family and relations it impoverisheth your Estate causeth a neglect of your business and calling it unfits you for holy duties though you do not altogether lay them aside If you regard iniquity in your hearts God will not hear your prayer he heareth not sinners that is not such as live in sin for in prayer we are commanded to lift up holy hands 1 Tim 2. 8. Lay all these together in the ballance of the Sanctuary Weigh your Actions Do I well to turn from my Righteousness and commit Iniquity Do I well to forsake God the fountain of living water and to dig to my self broken Cisterns that can hold no water Do I well to grieve the holy spirit to bring an evil report on the holy ways of God Do I well to run the hazard of damning my Soul To encourage sinners in sin to harden the wicked and offend the godly to undo Wife and Children and make sad the hearts of my friends will it not be bitterness in the end I conceive you to be under a sore temptation The hand of Joaâ— of Satan is in all this you are discontented and pressed with heavie burdens of debt and some outward concerments and the Devil draws you to the Ale-house as a diversion and to drive away sorrow But this a sinister course a remedy worse then the disease as to be sure all remedies are of that enemyes prescribing Will any wise man hearken to the counsel of an enemy consult but your own reason Is spending your money and wasting your time laying aside care of business the way to lesson or encrease your debts If there were no sin in it it might divert your mind a little for the present Just like impenitent sinners who are convinc'd of the necessity of Repentance but because Repentance and Godly Sorrow is bitter to the Flesh they defer and delay from time to time and singer as Lot did in Sodom till a shower of Fire and Brimstone overtook them to their eternal undoing Be not so unwise as to make light of Eternal Happiness by giving way to Alehouse mirth and merryment which is a poor remedy and to be sorrowed for with bitter tears Prov. 14. 13. Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful and the end of that mirth is heaviness Now if you will hearken I will give you advice and the Lord shall be with you Repent and be converted and return to God from whom you are deeply revolted bewail your backsliding forsake your evil courses Enter not into the path of the wicked Prov. 4. 14 15. Pray lie at the Throne of Grace beseech God with importunity beg pardon for what is past and Grace to keep you from the path of the destroyer for the time to come Break off from all ill company Say as Psal 119. 15. Depart from me ye wicked I will keep the Commandments of my God It may be said he that hath drawn you into the snare will discourage you from recovering your self by Repentance by telling you it is too late your sins are too many and too heinous to be forgiven but believe him not he is a lyar he is a murderer of Souls Believe the Word of God the God of Truth which assures to repenting sinners that there is hope in Israel If we confess and forsake our sins we shall find mercy Prov. 28. 13. Isa 1. 16 18. 1 Joh. 1. 7. Psal 130. 4 6. I will heal their backsliding Hos 14. 4. Jer. 12. This course if you will follow to set about it without delay then shall you obtain forgiveness through the rich mercy of God in Christ Read and consider well the parable of the prodigal Son Luke 15. and doubt not of Gods favour and reconciliation and so the worst and most dangerous of your debts are discharged And for your Money-debts you may find a better way of cure for them than the company of good fellows in an Alehouse You have secret Prayer a sweet solace for a Soul in trouble Psal 119. 4. you have good Books to read you have Godly Ministers of the Word you have Christian Neighbours whose Society and Counsel you may make use of you have Wife and Children to delight and recreate your self in their company you have Friends and Relations not far distant who are able to give you advice if you will make known your case unto them and not smother your grief by reserving and locking it up in your own breast which is not a good way This is to keep the Devils Counsel till you sink under your burden with despair Take need of it I know your Brother loveth you dearly and is not so far off but you may have his help at hand and assistance to manage your Estate so as to clear all your Debts in a 〈◊〉 time make him of your Counsel and take his Advice I am no Counsellor in Worldly affairs I pray you regard what I say from God concerning your Soul and let your Brother be of your Counsel touching your outward Estate And so I commend you to God praying that you may duely weigh what I have said that my Counsels and Reproofs be not as Water spilt on the ground but rather as good seed falling on good ground that by Gods Blessing it may bring forth good fruit even true Repentance in you and amendment of Life c. Your Loving Friend for the Salvation of your Soul J. H. BEcause I have no Worldly good thing to present you with I now and then let a word of Spiritual Counsel drop from my Pen. I desire to commend to you one Scripture which I pray you to meditate on frequently Deut. 4. 9. Only take heed to thy self and keep thy Soul diligently Is there any thing in this World of equal concernment If the Soul be safe all is safe It shall go well with the Body if the Soul be saved If the â—oul miscarry we are undone for ever Shall we be careful of the Health of the Body and careless of the Immortal Soul Shall we keep our Money safe our Lands and Evidences of Estates and not keep our Hearts diligently Prov. 4. 23. Let us preserve our Money our Estates as charily as we can Death will strip us of all we must carry nothing away with us no more than we brought with us into the World Naked we came and naked we must return as to the Body But Spiritual treasure Soul riches will accompany us beyond the Grave to Eternity Our works shall follow us i. e. The reward of them O let us labour to be found in Christ to be made new creatures to be rich in good works for as we sow so shall we reap I was hungry and ye fea me or I was hungry and ye fed me not c. According to one of these will the doom pass at the great day Blessed is the servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing At that day an upright heart
be more easie to him than sitting was He stuck close to his people gave them their full provision and when the necessitics of some Neighboring places called for a supply he hath sometimes preached thrice a day rather than his own people should be shortned He very rarely exchanged with any body on the Sabbath kept his own Vineyard and kept to it Breadsall wanted preaching when they sought for him but never wanted after they found him He administred both the Sacraments in their Seasons and for the instructing and admonishing part of discipline he was abundant in it He taught publickly and from house to house warning every one and teaching every one The younger he catechised in the Congregation the elder at home went to their Houses called them to his The Sermons preached at Church were repeated in his house all his willing Neighbours were welcome and for some time considerable numbers did frequent those repetitions And for their encouragement so to do he would sometimes in the week-day invite to Supper such as came to Repetition and Prayer on the Lords-day and after Supper let them play and use some fit Recreations and be innocently as merry as they would being no enemy to harmless mirth in its own proper season He took all occasions to do them good I have cast some sorrowful looks at that place since he was thrust out of it as fearing that Vineyard was like to become as the Sluggards field having loft his cultivation of it 3. He confined not his labours within his own charge and precincts but was ready and frequent in week-day work abroad His Fountain was dispersed abroad and Rivers of Waters in the Country Villages He assisted in upholding most Lectures and then there were many by putting his hand to them He set up a Monthly Lecture at Dale-Abby which for some time he only preached at himself but afterwards a Congregation being there gathered by him other Ministers came in to his assistance and made that single Lecture a double one This Exercise was kindly embraced by the people at Dale and was well frequented till the anti-religious Spirit arose in 1662. and then the Ministers who were to preach hearing of an armed Rabble coming from Derby to break them up after they had advised with the people resolved to desist and desperse themselves and so gave way to those furious Bigots Let a Bear robbed of her whelps meet a man rather than a Fool in his folly Prov. 17. 12. This glorious Victory they obtained to scatter a Meeting whose only crime was serving God and to put an end to a Meeting there where Vision was very rare and Preaching much needed So ended this and most of the Meetings in the Countrey This was about July I think and in August following the Ministers now disturbed were silenced not by a rude self-calling and self-raising Rabble but by a formality of Law which in Gods time I hope will appear to be according to that phrase Psal 58. 2. a weighing of the violence of Mens hands in the earth an holding balances in hands the emblem of Justice as if they would proportion punishments to faults but tilled and turned the Scale by revengeful malice and to curry favour with the Enemies of all Righteousness sentenced an Innocent useful Seed of Men whom God would never cast off though they cast them out And I am not without hopes that some of them may live to have a Paphnutius's kiss from a Constantine's mouth Amen if God see that good 4. Where ever he preached at home or abroad he preached the Word he was a Scriptural Preacher not Chaff but Wheat was sown by him not Niceties and Subtilties but sound Doctrine well digested truth in significant words was delivered by him Gingling tickling the Ear patching and painting the Face of Truth daubing with intempered Morter were things he practised not yea he abhorred them His Sermons were no flattering glasses but true clear Mirrours to shew Men the true Complexion of their Souls He had Art enough but he concealed it he had much Learning but it all served Divinity he had Logick and Philosophy enough but he planted no Aristotles Grove by the side of Gods Altar He had method enough to divide a Text but he never crumbled a Text he divided the Word into fit Portions he never strained a Text but would be sure to give you the proper fruit from such a branch of Scripture I never knew him impertinent Indeed if ever Man prophecyed according to the proportion of Faith if ever Man compared Spiritual things with spiritual if ever man spake as the Lords Messenger in the Lords Message as is said of the Prophet Haggaii Hag. 13. if ever man filled his Vessel at the Holy Fountains if ever man took his Words from one Shepherd if ever man brought light to Scripture from Scripture and made it to interpret it self he did Blessed be God there are many such and he must be ranked amongst such men His Sermons on heads of Divinity his Discourse of Spiritual joy prove what I say 5. He managed the Holy Sacraments with a great deal of care fear pains and circumspection according to the weight and worth of those high and Holy Misteries As for Baptisme he very rarely administred it in private and never but where necessity and charity required it His constant way was this The second Lords day after the birth he appointed the Children to be brought to the Church and there after Evening Sermon made all the Congregation Witnesses and if any had offered to go out he would call to them and tell them there was great need they should all understand the Baptismal Covenant He never opened the Service-Book after the Ordinance of Parliament required to shut it and appointed the Directory to take place yet I doubt not but he gave as clear instructions as powerful exhortations and charges and put up as pertinent Prayers as that Book or any other Form for that Office doth or can afford As for the Supper of the Lord he administred it quarterly had alwayes a preparation Sermon and many times two when he could procure help he took great pains in taking an account of and instructing his Communicants If any had miscarried he failed not to admonish them He made great Observations how he found them He had his searching Questions about Conversion about Title to Eternal Life about Repentance Do not all acknowledge it necessary Have you repented If not why not now Are we not frail Time short and uncertain He had his excitations to the cure of Souls and indeed he was no way wanting to help his People to sanctifie God in their near approach to him 6. He was very exact in performing his duty to his People but very moderate in requiring his legal dues from his People He took little of the Poor and gave them much And for others in lesser things he took what they brought and made no strict inquiry He forbore
it established it and justified the Wisdom he taught He wrought with both hands earnestly as some are said to sin He pulled not down with one hand what he built up with the other he spoke with his feet and taught with his fingers He spake convincingly sound Doctrine stopping Gainsayers mouths and he lived convincingly They could not retort nor reflect nor say Physician heal thy self His blameless Life stopped the mouth of iniquity 11. He was a man of much Prayer and so a man of much Grace He pressed Prayer much he practised it more He gave himself to Prayer His Grace exceeded his gift though in the gift of Prayer he was very great He prayed with all Prayer Publick Family secret Prayer He went through the parts of Prayer was large in Confession of Sin was very particular in thankful acknowledgment of Mercies and an earnest Petitioner for Grace and Mercy for all Spiritual Blessings a pleading Intercessour for all that he was bound to pray for He not only prayed but made a Collection of Prayers called sober People together and went to them where Prayer was made He called People frequently to days of Prayer He carried the Churches abroad and our Kingdoms and Churches upon his heart and spread their case before the Lord. He was an hearty Protestant and a true enemy to Antichristianism He was a Prophet in Sack-cloth because of the great Apostasie He was very sensible of Romish Idolatry Oh! how much of his heart might one feel when he prayed Down with Babylon Oh how have I heard him lay his praying hand upon Babylon and cry as if he would not take off his hand till he had pulled it down pleading from their Heresie Tyranny and Idolatry as if he would have no denial He was very serious in Prayer and a great admirer and acknowledger of Grace when he mentioned any good in himself or them that joyned with him it was with much humility and alwayes spake thus or to this purpose And if there be any good in us not unto us not unto us but to thy Grace be the Glory From a thread to a shooe-latchet he would not take from Grace 12. He magnified and dignified his Office by humility by great moderation in things that are Problems amongst good men by a great steadiness When any body mentioned any good done by him he would say Give Glory to God this man is a sinner I never knew that he estranged himself from his Conforming Brethren that were before his Intimates but he kept up his honour of them and love to them He kept his post was no bending Osier he deliberated mâ—ch and then fixed He had been conformable but I believe not with any great liking and was not willing to choose that way again and condemn his laying it aside and therefore would do neither less nor more but put himself into Gods hands and chose to keep his peace though he lost his place and for any thing that ever appeared never repented nay he had great satisfaction One once asked him Do you not repent What do you mean says he the leaving of my place No I am far from that for I have done nothing therein but what I have taught you to be your Duty Rather lose all than sin against â—od and if Breadsall Parsonage was the best Bishoprick in England I must do again what I have done And thus he said more than once for my part I never knew him staggered 13. In the works of his Ministry which are not to me so clearly Ministerial works he went further than most other Ministers I shall instance in Marrying people he stood upon it in very great strictness to have a full assurance of Parents consent and a due publication of the Marriage intended And in Burials his way was if he preached a Funeral Sermon for which he had Money he would sometimes at the least give it to the Poor If no Sermon were bespoken he would take the People into the Church and give them an Exhortation of the length of some ordinary Sermons and this he did because People at such times are more serious and impressible and he was for catching hold of all opportunities as impotent People were at the troubling of Bethesda's waters 14. In the places of his Ministry he had great respect and ever bore great affection to those places the care of them lay upon him He had a great regard to Ashborn all his time and a mighty concern for Breadsall The Cures passed into other hands but the Care was upon him He would go to Breadsall while he was near it though called a Wolf for his pains by his successor He put himself to many inconveniences by his first remove that he might be near them he took up with a strait house that he might be at hand for his Peoples service and that he might live among a People that were his Hearers though not his Parishioners namely at Little-Eaton CHAP. VII Of the Occurrences of this Good Mans Life his Tryals Afflictions Oppositions and the Mercies mixed with them all Sect. 1. THE grudge about Mountney the School-Master before mentioned and the cancered Spirit of his partakers occasioned Mr. Hieron his first trouble About December the 13th 1637. Mr. Hieron and Mr. George Lees of Ashborn above-mentioned were summoned to appear at the Mannor of Lambeth on the first of February between the Hours of One and Three in the Afternoon to answer to such Articles as were or should be exhibited against them A Pursivant was sent who had his Fees Mr. Hierons part as my Author remembers was Four Pounds paid down Mr. Lees not being at home some other paid his part and got a Noble abated To London they went at an ill time of year made more dangerous by reason of Floods they made some way to Holt who was Apparitor Apparitorum He treated with Sack and feed with Gold shewed them the Articles which contained no Capital Crimes deserving a Pursivant but trivial things and uncapable of proof against Mr. Lees was objected that when he was Churchwarden he had brewed Ale in the Church which had no other colour then that the Workman that pointed the Steeple advised the Mortar should be tempered with Liquor made of Malt. Against Mr. Hieron that preaching on that Text Fear God Honour the King he had said there were some that neither feared God nor honoured the King but walked the streets with impudent faces whereby he meant as they suggested my Lord Bishop and Andrew Kniveton And that he had used the expression of removing Mountains whereby he reflected on Mr. Mountney and reflected on him the Governours of the School having removed him as is abovesaid This they looked on as Mercy that having seen the Articles of their charge they might safely take the Oath ex Officio the refusal whereof would have sent them to Prison No Prosecutor appeared they feed a Proctor to make a motion that since no Prosecutor appeared
encreased Grace Victory what gain Glory to God Edification to others what Almes What shall I render Further in his Private Notes A Catalogue of Sins Sins in Youth In another place Sins to be reformed by Grace walk humbly thankfully watch return not to folly after peace spoken May 16. 1658. If overtaken with Anger after a Sacrament A note thereon and once followed with a Miserere mei Deus These are things that discovered Grace and were exercises of it I now come to Experiences mentioned in his secret Record Octob. 27. 1658. I was not well had a pain in my Belly from side to side in the beginning of the Night I feared falling into Sickness Communed with my heart upon my Bed had thoughts of Death my Conscience spake peace to me the light of Gods Countenance shone into me I was fully assured of Gods Mercy to me if I had dyed at that time I had no doubt of my eternal happiness for which Mercy I give God praise and desire to record it with much thankfulness But I slept well that night was well next day continued well for which Mercy double Mercy the Lord be magnified January 1650. By night on my Bed I awaked had sweet comfort the King led me into the Wine-cellar Bless the Lord O my Soul April 10. A Communion in nostro Thalamo i. e. in our Bed-Chamber April 8. We fasted I was in a reasonable good frame but had some disturbance April 9. I was very dull no quickening no comfort I read I reviewed the Catalogue of my Sins but was still dull After five a Clock I went to secret Prayer for less than half an hour after which I was chearful full of comfort so continued that night and next day much enlarged in comfort God spake peace to my heart I was lively in Prayer in Administration in the whole Service Bless the Lord O my Soul August 2. 1664. I went to Bed with some pain slept not had no ease walked in the House all night dull at first but after chearful had some good thoughts the light of Gods Countenance shone on my Soul all night I was willing to dye not questioning my estate but if I dyed I should be happy About four a Clock in the Morning I had ease was well presently after fell to work all day at Night voided a Stone slept all Night very well so continue to this day August 10. Immortal Praise be to God that healeth me but I render not to God according to his benefits Decemb. 2. 4. 8. 1664. We sought God received Sacrament returned Praise I was dull before was graciously enlarged in Prayer in Administration had Comfort in Receiving I was dull again before Thanksgiving Read a while in Baxter and Harris and much enlarged in Duty had sweet Peace at Sacrament and after Praise the Lord sealed to me Jesus Christ Covenant of Grace and Pardon of Sin O bless the Lord O my Soul March 1. 1664. We spent some time in Humiliation at our House by Night was in some good measure enabled in the Morning in a good frame poured out my Heart in secret had much Comfort and Peace bless the Lord O my Soul and so have had ever since Also at Sacrament April 2. 1665. What shall I render So January 16. 1665. At Sacrament much enlarged in Administration and Comfort Praise to God June 6. 1666. Early at five I awaked had sweet Meditations of Gods Love and great Comfort after some clouds and scruples God enlarged my Heart and put gladness more then when Corn and Wine encreased Lord grant I may abide in his Love April 2. 1667. An Ague siezed me after four fits sent for Mr. Cranwell he gave me a bitter Draught which sweat me an hour before the Fit I had no more Fits nor Relapse I bless God In the beginning dull and dark but after a Night or two sweet Comfort and so continueth to this day blessed be God May 2. 1667. I returned thanks among Christians on this Text Psal 103. 3. Who healeth all thy diseases July 5. 1668. A Sacrament at our House I was much enlarged in Administration in Receiving in Meditation Examination a day or two before had sweet peace and full assurance Praise be to God March 3. 1668. I awoke at four in the Morning had sweet Meditations and Communion with God Peace and full assurance Blessed be God Feb. 11. 69. I awoke at six in the Morning had Peace full Assurance Joy in the Holy Ghost that God was mine all his Attributes Christ his Blood Holy Ghost Word Promises Providences Comfort in all in Death it self and Christs coming to Judgment What shall I render to the Lord. Feb. 8. 12. 1671. I prepared according to my wonted manner was assisted enlarged had a good day Praise to God May 12. 1672. I meditated on Gods Presence was Chearful and Heavenly enlarged in Heart all day it was Lords day Praise to God June 30. A Sacrament enlarged much had a good day Praise to God August 31. At Morning Prayer in the Parlour I was much enlarged with broken-heartedness had Joy and Peace of Conscience graciously Ever bless the Lord O my Soul Aug. 3. 1673. Sacrament as also April 13. in both I was much enlarged had sweet peace a good day Ever blessed be God Praise the Lord. And watch O my Soul against passion idle words vain thoughts in Prayer Novemb. 2. God graciously enlarged me in Administration Sealed me c. What shall I render to the Lord O bless the Lord my Soul See walk worthy of God So in Feb. 8. 1673. and May 24. 1674. and August 16. God was gracious to me then Decemb. 6. 1674. How excellent is thy loving kindness A good day Praised be God Jan. 11. 1676. A blessed day Praise to God June 13. 1680. A joyful day Praise to God These are some hints But Oh that I had his enlargements upon them to impart Surely these things are like small Points and Marks in Maps that stand for Towns and Countries But Spiritual Eyes can in these discern what Spirit Mr. John Hieron was off A Man that lived near himself by Observation and near God by Communion A great receiver from God and yet never so much as fingering any part of the Honour due to God CHAP. IX Of his drawing to his end of the Sickness of which he dyed of his Death and Burial DEath threw not this good Man down the stairs but he was led down by many declining steps He had little Deaths that were forerunners of great Death decayes before dissolution The foundation of his Distempers began in that sore Feaver which he had in Winter 1661. which followed an ill Fit which he brought upon himself by overdoing in Jan. 1655. The Feaver did in the thoughts of some endanger him but he broke through that brunt He had a second fit of the Stone 1664 and a third 1665. In April 1667. some fits of an Ague In March 67 68. Not
disparagement was really his great honour that he was a man of so great Learning and worth and yet beholden to no University for it It is manifest to all that knew him that he was a Judicious Divine a good Casuist a workman in Preaching that needed not to be ashamed rightly dividing the Word of Truth he was pertinent methodical a man that was clear in opening his Text and spake very close to Conscience from it He knew well the inside of Religion Few that heard him but they did discern his understanding of the mystery of Godliness that he spake from his Heart and they felt his words come to theirs He was of few words and reserved not at all talkative but give him but occasion by starting Discourse get him but upon his Knees or put him upon Writing or Preaching work and then you would soon find he wanted neither Words nor Sense Oh he was a Man of Prayer some dear ones that are left behind and have had no small burdens of Affliction since they lost him do feel the want of his Prayers to lift up the hands that hang down and the feeble knees He was of a very quiet Spirit a people amongst whom he laboured very ticcle very capricious very hard to be pleased in Ministers yet centered in him and I am sure his Name is precious amongst them And well he may for I am sure amongst them and some Neighbouring Meetings to them he spent himself and was spent by his great labours in dispencing Holy Mysteries Word and Sacraments amongst them This good Man had many removes after he was outed but God told his wanderings and he had Songs in the Houses of his Pilgrimage At length he pitched at Alfreton from whence he took many weary steps to serve his Master and was very useful in that Neighbourhood but at last was forced by his Infirmities to cease from his Labours and now rests from them and those works follow him He hath built himself a lasting Monument in his small piece about the Righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees the substance of some Lectures at Wicksworth And in his larger piece about Prayer Those things are discoveries of the Man Yea God hath built him a Monument in such a set of Children as God hath blessed few with Mr. John Oldfield lives in three Sons of the Fathers Principles actually in the Ministry whose parts are above the common rate of most of their years and their Piety Zeal and Industry answerable to their Parts He dyed June 5. 1682. in the 55th year of his Age. 4. Mr. John Billingsley Kentish Man born at Chatham educated in both Vniversities outed from Chesterfield an ingenuous Man strict to his own well understood Principles an accurate savoury Preacher an exemplary walker a Man elegant in every thing a diligent Reader and observer of what he Read ready with his Pen. Few men have left more excellent Collections behind them than he which are happily fallen into his Sons hand that knows well how to use them His outward Bodily appearance was small and mean but he had a great Soul rich in Grace and Gifts He left his place at Chesterfield because he could not keep his Place and his Peace but he kept his Affections and Care over them hazarded his Health and Liberty to serve them If Chesterfield People would reflect upon his Labours amongst them and his warm Letters written to some of them they must needs know that a Prophet was amongst them both able and faithful The Pin of the Uniformity Act driven by hands that were fit tools for such mischievous work pushed him out of his Pulpit and House and the hurricane of the Oxford Act drove him from his hired House and Town to Mansfield in which he passed the residue of his sojourning time in fear wrought for the Salvation of others and wrought out his own was ever serious and laborious But towards his latter end his Motion was very quick made actual preparation for Death desired his poor outed Brethren cast into Mansfield as he was to come together a little before his Death to put him into the hands of God by Prayer made a short Confession of his Faith in and sole dependance on the alone Righteousness of Christ and not long after went full sail into the Kingdom of God He dyed May 30. 1683. He writ something against Quakers and Printed a Sermon with it which gives the World a taste of his Abilities He lives in his Son who bears his Fathers Name and hath his Fathers Spirit the true Son of such a Father filling up the vacancy by his Fathers death in Ministerial Labours in which in my Judgment he gives no just occasion to any to despise his Youth 5. Mr. Luke Cranwell born at Loughborough in the County of Leicester Educated in Christs Colledge outed from Peters Parish in Derby a knowing a couragious zealous and a very upright Man Some now alive knew how deeply he engaged to restore Monarchy but when restored it engaged not for him He fell by the Decree of Uniformity that spared not Age nor Parts nor considered any Service done but levelled all that lay in its way and spake no other Language than bow or break He was not very ready in Elocution but very Scriptural solid and substantial in all his Discourses his Sermons when looked over by Writers or thought over by understanding Hearers were found to be full of Divinity weighty and rational good matter filled them He had some competent Skill in Physick before he was outed and when he perceived he must no longer trade his Ministerial Talents publickly he resolved to try what he could do in his other faculty Since he was cut off from the publick service of Souls he betook himself to serve Bodies though not deserting his Ministry neither in his Affection nor as to its Exercise In this Imployment he grew presently very Judicious Skilful Useful and by Gods Blessing very Successful By this he maintained himself and his Family very comfortably kept good Hospitality did as readily help his Brethren and the poor among his Neighbours without any desire or expectation of Fees as he did the rich and greatest He had a working head He understood well what he read and did find out some Magistrals of his own many happy and effectual Medicines He was a chearful Man and to appearance very strong but after he began to decline he run down speedily His loss was and is much lamented He was indeed a beloved Physitian That he might be out of the reach of the Oxford Act he went to Kegworth in Leicestershire and there lived and dyed Nov. 11. 1683. on the Lords day 6. Mr. Joseph Moore Nottingham born Educated in St. Johns Colledge in Cambridge in the best dayes of that Colledge when the truly Reverend singularly Learned and eminently Holy Dr. Tuckney presided there a Man fitted for wise and holy Government He was sober minded from his Youth He entred young
will not reject such And now what place is there left for your doubting If God do not shine upon you by the light of his Countenance yet is he your loving Father reconciled to you in his Son A Father is a Father still though he do not alwayes smile on his Son Go you on in your Christian course of Godliness serve the Lord with chearfulness and believe that your poor services shall and do find acceptance with Christ Observe that in Lev. 1. 7. So much as is said of the offering of the poor Mans Sacrifice which was but two young Pidgeons Another to the same Person IAm distressed for you What shall I do for you Oh thou afflicted tossed with tempest and not comforted How shall a man comfort a Soul that refuseth to be comforted Your case is like Hagars in the Wilderness who was ready to perish through drought when there was a Well of Water by her but she saw it not till God opened her eyes Gen. 21. 9. like Mary Joh. 20. 15. who stood weeping for Christ who stood by her but she knew not that it was Jesus You have the Well of Water in you springing up to Eternal Life you have Christ in you the hope of Glory but your eyes are held that you perceive him not Like those two Disciples that went to Emanus Luk. 24. 16. You are in Christ there is no curse condemnation or wrath to come belonging to you you are washed you are sanctified you are justified in the name of our Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God All things are yours Christ with all his benefits the Covenant of Grace with all its priviledges all the great and precious promises of the Gospel which are yea and Amen in Christ sealed in his Blood confirmed to you in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper God is your God your loving Father in Christ Heaven and Eternal Life is yours Fear not poor Soul it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom What shall I say more What can you desire more except you would have your name put into the Scripture promises You believe you shall dye because it is appointed for all men once to dye your Name is not there You believe the Resurrection of the Body because it is written There shall be a resurrection of the just and unjust yet your Name is not there The Scripture saith Whosoever believeth in Jesus Christ shall be saved i. e. Whosoever being truly humbled for sin disclaims all opinion of his own Righteousness and with Paul desireth to be found in his Righteousness only he truly believeth And so do you therefore you shall certainly be saved The Scripture saith Whosoever confesseth and forsaketh his sin shall find mercy Whoso loveth God the same is beloved of God Prov. 8. 17. He that loveth the Brethren is translated from death to life If you say these are general Promises How shall I gather assurance from them concerning my personal estate I Answer By looking into your own heart where if you find you are so qualified and have these Graces of the Spirit wrought in you viz. Faith Repentance Love to God and all Saints you may be assured of your Salvation as certainly as if Christ had said to you by name as he did to the Man that had the Palsie Matth. 9. 2. Son be of good comfort thy sins are forgiven or to Mary Magdalen her sins which are many are forgiven Mar. 7. 47. As to your vain Thoughts I can say no more but what I have said that neither they nor any other sin of infirmity which is your burden and trouble shall hurt or indanger your Salvation It 's the common lot of all Christians to suffer Afflictions outward or inward and sometimes both 2 Cor. 7. 5. We were troubled on every side without were fightings within were fears God is only wise knoweth how to order all for the good of his people Wait on him with patience until he shine on your Soul with the light of his Countenance and fill you with Joy and Comfort according to the promise Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted Beware of unbelief which maketh God a lyar 1 Joh 5. 10. Believe his Promises believe his Prophets so shall ye be established 2 Chron. 20. 20. Beware of entertaining hard thoughts of God dark misgiving thoughts as you seem to do when you fear lest God swear in his wrath against you he did so against murmuring rebellious Israel who despised the pleasant Land and would appoint a Captain to lead them back into Egypt What is this to your case God is good and doth good is Love Light Life Grace to all that trust in him Read Dr. Mantons first Sermon on Psal 119. 68. where he gives a check to such as yours Page 473. You say true I have not prayed for you of late more carnestly because I hoped you had been more settled and at peace hearing nothing from you to the contrary Now I shall tender your condition I cannot as yet promise you a solemn day I have been very ill since I wrote to you and am yet far from well I pray you have patience and when God makes me able I hope to see you I am hasting apace to the Grave my Legs swell which together with old Age tell me the Grave is ready for me God grant I may be ready for it I pray read these Lines peruse them and ponder them in your heart and pray that the Holy Spirit may let you know the things that are freely given you of God Yours J. H. Mar. 9. 81. IAm not without hope to fall to work again shortly I pray therefore in your next let me understand whether you continue in the same mind to have a day kept on your account or whether you have found him whom your Soul loveth whether the Son of Righteousness be risen in your heart with healing in his wings or the Day-Star from on high hath visited your Soul I pray you let me ask you one Question Have you not received the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and that worthily i. e. In a due manner becoming that Holy Ordinance with Gospel preparation and communing with your own heart in secret I know you have many times Now what is a Sacrament a Seal of the Covenant of Grace is it not Well then there must be mutual Sealing on both parts You put to your Seal that you will receive Christ with his yoke of Obedience with his Cross Persecution Did you not mean thus sincerely with a good and honest heart This is your Covenanting for your part which you will indeavour to perform faithfully all the dayes of your life though in many things you fail as in vain thoughts and divers other things And God Sealeth to you for his part that he will be to you a God allsufficient will give you his Son with forgiveness of Sins and all things pertaining to Life and Godliness