good Parents command you What do you say Child Which of these two sorts are you of Let me talk a little with you and ask you a few Questions 1. Were not these Children sweet Children which feared God and were dutiful to their Parents Did not their Fathers and Mothers and every body that fears God love them and praise them What do you think is become of them now they are dead and gone Why they are gone to Heaven and are singing Hallelujahs with the Angels They see glorious things and having nothing but joy and pleasure they shall never sin no more they shall never be beat any more they shall never be sick or in pain any more 2. And would not you have your Fathers love your Mothers Commendation your Masters good word Would not you have God and Christ love you And would you not fain go to Heaven when you die And live with your godly Parents in Glory and be happy for ever 3. Whither do you think those Children go when they dye that will not do what they are bid but play the Truant and Lye and speak naughty words and break the Sabbath Whither do such Children go do you think Why I will tell you they which Lye must go to their Father the Devil into everlasting burning they which never pray God will pour out his wrath upon them and when they beg and pray in Hell Fire God will not forgive them but there they must lye for ever 4. And are you willing to go to Hell to be burned with the Devil and his Angels Would you be in the same condition with naughty Chilren O Hell is a terrible place that 's worse a thousand times than whipping Gods anger is worse than your Fathers anger and are you willing to anger God O Child this is most certainly true that all that be wicked and die so must be turned into Hell and if any be once there there is no coming out again 5. Would you not do any thing in the World rather than be thrown into Hell Fire would you not do any thing in the World to get Christ and grace and glory 6. Well now what will you do will you read this book a little because your good Mother will make you do it and because it is a little new Book but as soon as ever you have done run away to play and never think of it 7. How art thou now affected poor Child in the Reading of this Book Have you shed ever a tear since you begun reading Have you been by your self upon your knees and begging that God would make you like these blessed Children or are you as you use to be as careless and foolish and disobedient and wicked as ever 8. Did you never hear of a little Child that died and if other Children die why may not you be sick and die and what will you do then Child if you should have no grace in your heart and be found like other naughty children 9. How do you know but that you may be the next Child that may die and where are you then if you be not God 's Child 10. Wilt thou tarry any longer my dear Child before thou run into thy chamber and beg of God to give thee a Christ for thy Soul that thou mayest not be undone for ever Wilt thou get presently into a corner to weep and pray Methinks I see that pretty Lamb begin to weep and thinks of getting by himself and will as well as he can cry unto the Lord to make him one of these little ones that go into the Kingdom of Heaven Methinks there stands a sweet Child and there another that are resolved for Christ and for Heaven Methinks that little Boy looks as if he had a mind to learn good things Methinks I hear one say well I will never tell a lye more I will never keep any naughty Boy company more they will teach me to swear and they will speak naughty words they do not love God I 'le learn my Catechism and get my Mother to teach me to pray and I will go to weep and cry to Christ and will not be quiet till the Lord hath given me Grace O that 's my brave Child indeed 11. But will you not quickly forget your promise are you resolved by the strength of Christ to be a good child Are you indeed nay but are you indeed Consider dear child God calls you to remember your Creator in the dayes of your Youth and he takes it kindly when little ones come to him and he loves them dearly and godly people especially Parents and Masters and Mistresses they have no greater joy than to see their Children walking in the way of truth Now tell me my pretty dear Child What will you do shall I make you a Book Shall I pray for you and entreat you Shall your Good Mother weep over you And will not you make us all glad by your turning quickly to the Lord Shall Christ tell you that he will love you And will not you love him Will you strive to be like these Children I am perswaded that God intends to do good to the Souls of some little Chidren by these Papers because he hath laid it so much upon my heart to pray for them and over these Papers and thorow mercy I have already experienced that something of this nature hath not been in vain I shall give a word of direction and so leave you 1. Take heed of what you know is naught as lying O that is a grievous fault indeed and naughty words and taking the Lords name in vain and playing upon the Lords Day and keeping bad company and playing with ungodly Children But if you do go to School with such tell them that God will not love them but that the Devil will have them if they continue to be so naught 2. Do what your Father and Mother bids you chearfully and take heed of doing any thing that they forbid you 3. Be diligent in reading the Scripture and learning your Catechism and what you do not understand to be sure ask the meaning of 4. Think a little sometimes by your self about God and Heaven and your Soul and where you shall go when you die and what Christ came into the world for 5. And if you have no great mind to do thus but had rather be at play then think what is it that makes me that I do not care for good thinks is this like one of Gods dear Children I am afraid I am none of God's Child I feel I do not love to come to Him O what shall I do Either I must be Gods Child or the Devils O what shall I do I would not be the Devils Child for any thing in the world 6. Then go to your Father or Mother or some good body and ask them what thou shalt do to be Gods Child and tell them that thou art afraid and that thou canst not be contented till thou
hast got the love of God 7. Get by thy self into the Chamber or Garret and fall upon thy knees and weep and mourn and tell Christ thou art afraid that he doth not love thee but thou would fain have his love beg of him to give thee his Grace and pardon for thy sins and that he would make thee his Child Tell God thou dost not care who don't love thee if God will but love thee say to him Father hast thou not a blessing for me thy poor little Child Father hast thou not a blessing for me even for me O give a Christ O give me a Christ O let me not be undone for ever thus beg as for your lives and be not contented till you have an answer and do thus every day with as much earnestness as you can twice a day at least 8. Give your self up to Christ say dear Jesus thou didst bid that little Children should be suffered to come unto thee and Lord I am come as well as I can would fain be thy Child take my heart and make it humble and meek and sensible and obedient I give my self to thee dear Jesus do what thou wilt with me so that thou wilt but love me and give me thy grace and glory 9. Get acquainted with godly people and ask them good questions and endeavour to love their talk 10. Labour to get a dear love for Christ read the History of Christ 's sufferings and ask the reason of his sufferings and never be contented till you see your need of Christ and the excellency and use of Christ 11. Hear the most powerful Ministers and read the most searching Books and get your Father to buy you Mr. White 's Book for little Children and A Guide to Heaven 12. Resolve to continue in well-doing all your dayes then you shall be one of those sweet little ones that Christ will take into his Arms and bless and give a Kingdom Crown and Glory to And now dear Children I have done I have written to you I have prayed for you but what you will do I can't tell O Children if you love me if you love your Parents if you love your Souls if you would scape Hell Fire and if you would live in Heaven when you dye do you go and do as these good Children and that you may be your Parente joy your Countreys honour and live in Gods fear and dye in his love is the prayer of your deal Friend J. Janeway A TOKEN FOR CHILDREN EXAMPLE I. Of one eminently converted between Eight and Nine years old with an account of her Life and Death MRS. Sarah Howley when she was between eight and nine years old was carried by her Friends to hear a Sermon where the Minister Preached upon Matthew 11.30 My yoak is easie and my burden is light In the applying of which Scripture this Child was mightily awakened and made deeply sensible of the condition of her Soul and her need of a Christ she wept bitterly to think what a case she was in and went home and got by her self into a Chamber and upon her knees she wept and cryed to the Lord as well as she could which might easily be perceived by her eyes and countenance 2. She was not contented at this but she got her little Brother and Sister into a Chamber with her and told them of their condition by nature and wept over them and prayed with them and for them 3. After this she heard another Sermon upon Prov. 29.1 He that being often reproved hardeneth his heart shall suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy At which she was more affected than before and was so exceedingly solicitous about her Soul that she spent a great part of the night in weeping and praying and could scarce take any rest day or night for some time together desiring with all her Soul to escape from everlasting flames and to get an interest in the Lord Jesus O what should she do for a Christ what should she do to be saved 4. She gave her self much to attending upon the Word Preached and still continued very tender under it greatly favouring what she heard 5. She was very much in secret prayer as might easily be perceived by those who listened at the Chamber Door and was usually very importunate and full of tears 6. She could scarce speak of sin or be spoke to but her heart was ready to melt 7. She spent much time in reading the Scripture and a Book called The best Friend in the worst times by which the work of God was much promoted upon her Soul and was much directed by it how to get acquaintance with God especially toward the end of that Book Another Book that she was much delighted with was Mr. Swinnocks Christian Mans Calling and by this she was taught in some measure to make Religion her business The Spiritual Bee was a great companion of hers 8. She was exceeding dutiful to her Parents very loath to grieve them in the least and if she had at any time which was very rare offended them she would weep bitterly 9. She abhorred lying and allowed her self in no known sin 10. She was very Conscientious in spending of time and hated idleness and spent her whole time either in praying reading instructing her little Brothers and working at her Needle at which she was very ingenious 11. When she was at School she was eminent for her diligence teachableness meekness and modesty speaking very little but when she did it was usually very spiritual 12. She continued in this course of Religious Duties for some years together 13. When she was about fourteen years old she brake a Vein in her Lungs as is supposed and oft did spit blood yet did a little recover again but had several dangerous relapses 14. At the beginning of January last she was taken very bad again in which sickness She was in great distress of Soul When she was first taken she said O Mother pray pray pray for me for Satan is so busie that I cannot pray for my self I see I am undone without a Christ and a pardon O I am undone undone to all Eternity 15. Her Mother knowing how serious she had been formerly did a little wonder that she should be in such agonies upon which her Mother asked her what sin it was that was so burdensome to her spirit O Mother said she it is not any particular Sin of Omission or Commission that sticks so close to my Conscience as the Sin of my nature without the blood of Christ that will damn me 16. Her Mother asked her what she should pray for for her she answered that I may have a saving knowledg of Sn and Christ and that I may have an assurance of Gods love to my Soul Her Mother asked her why she did speak so little to the Minister that came to her She answered that it was her duty with patience and silence to learn of them and it was exceeding painful
These Three Books of the same Author Mr. James Janeway are Printed for and Sold by Dorman Newman HEaven upon Earth or the best friend in the worst of times The third Edition enlarged Price 2 s. 6 d. Death unstung a Sermon Preacht at the Funeral of Thomas Mousley an Apothecary With a brief Narrative of his Life and Death also the manner of Gods dealings with Him before and after his Conversion Drawn up by his own hand Price 1 s. A Sermon Preached at the Funeral of Thomas Savage Price 4 d. A TOKEN FOR CHILDREN BEING An Exact Account of the Conversion Holy and Exemplary Lives and Joyful Deaths of several young Children By James Janeway Minister of the Gospel Suffer little Children to come unto me and forbid them not for of such is the Kingdom of God Mark 10.14 LONDON Printed for Dorman Newman at the Kings Arms at the Corner of Grocers Alley in the Poultrey 1676. To all Parents School-masters and School-Mistresses or any that have any hand in the Education of Children Dear Friends I Have oft thought that Christ speaks to you as Pharaoh's Daughter did to Moses's Mother Take this Child and Nurse it for me O Sirs consider what a precious Jewel is committed to your charge what an advantage you have to shew your love to Christ to stock the next Generation with Noble Plants and what a joyful account you may make if you be faithful Remember Souls Christ and Grace cannot be over-valued I confess you have some disadvantages but let that only excite your diligence the Salvation of Souls the commendation of your Master the greatness of your reward and everlasting glory will pay for all Remember the Devil is at work hard wicked ones are industrious and a corrupt nature is a rugged knotty piece to hew but be not discouraged I am almost as much afraid of your laziness and unfaithfulness as any thing Do but fall to work lustily and who knows but that rough stone may prove a Pillar in the Temple of God In the Name of the living God as you will answer in shortly at his Bar I command you to be faithful in Instructing and Catechizing your young ones If you think I am too peremptory I pray read the command from my Master himself Deut. 6.7 Is not the duty clear and dare you neglect so direct a Command Are the Souls of your Children of no value Are you willing that they should be Brands of Hell Are you indifferent whether they be Damned or Saved shall the Devil run away with them without controul Will not you use your utmost endeavour to deliver them from the wrath to come you see that they are not Subjects uncapable of the Grace of God whatever you think of them Christ doth not slight them they are not too little to dye they are not too little to go to Hell they are not too little to serve their great Master too little to go to Heaven For of such is the Kingdom of God And will not a possibility of their Conversion and Salvation put you upon the greatest diligence to teach them Or are Christ and Heaven and Salvation small things with you If they be then indeed I have done with you but if they be not I beseech you lay about you with all your might the Devil knows your time is going apace it will shortly be too late O therefore what you do do quickly and do it I say with all your might O pray pray pray and live holily before them and take some time daily to speak a little to your Children one by one about their miserable condition by Nature I knew a Child that was converted by this sentence from a godly School-mistress in the Country Every Mothers Child of you are by Nature Children of wrath Put your Children upon Learning their Catechism and the Scriptures and getting to pray and weep by themselves after Christ take heed of their company take heed of pardoning a lye take heed of letting them mispend the Sabbath put them I beseech you upon imitating these sweet Children let them Read this Book over an hundred times and observe how they are affected and ask them what they think of those Children and whether they would not be such and follow what you do with earnest cries to God and be in travel to see Christ formed in their Souls I have prayed for you I have oft prayed for your Children and I love them dearly and I have prayed over these papers that God would strike in with them and make them effectual to the good of their Souls Incourage your Children to read this Book and lead them to improve it What is presented is faithfully taken from experienced solid Christians some of them no way related to the Children who themselves were Eye and Ear-witnesses of God's works of Wonder or from my own knowledg or from Reverend godly Ministers and from Persons that are of unspotted reputation for Holiness Integrity and Wisdom and several passages are taken verbatim in writing from their dying Lips I may add many other excellent Examples if I have any encouragement in this Piece That the young generation may be far more excellent than this is the Prayer of one that dearly loves little Children James Janeway A PREFACE Containing DIRECTIONS TO CHILDREN YOV may now hear my dear Lambs what other good Children have done and remember how they wept and prayed by themselves how earnestly they cryed out for an interest in the Lord Jesus Christ May you not read how dutiful they were to their Parents How diligent at their Books how ready to learn the Scripture and their Catechisms Can you forget what Questions they were wont to ask How much they feared a lye how much they abhorred naughty company how holy they lived how dearly they were loved how joyfully they died But tell me my dear Children and tell me truly Do you do as these Children did Did you ever see your miserable state by Nature Did you ever get by your self and weep for sin and pray for grace and pardon Did you ever go to your Father and Mother or Master or Mistress and beg of them to pity you and pray for you and to teach you what you shall do to be saved what you shall do to get Christ Heaven and Glory Dost thou love to be taught good things Come tell me truly my dear Child for I would fain do what I can possibly to keep thee from falling into everlasting Fire I would fain have you one of those little ones which Christ will take into his Arms and bless How dost thou spend thy time is it in play and Idleness and with wicked Children Dare you take Gods Name in vain or swear or tell a lie Dare you do any thing which your Parents forbid you and neglect to do what they command you Do you dare to run up and down upon the Lords day or do you keep in to read your book and to learn what your
many excellent Christians to stand amazed as judging it scarce to be paralell'd 14. She took great delight in reading of the Scripture and some part of it was more sweet to her than her appointed food she would get several choice Scriptures by heart and discourse of them savourly and apply them sutably 15. She was not altogether a stranger to other good Books but would be reading of them with much affection and where she might she noted the Books particularly observing what in the reading did most warm her heart and she was ready upon occasion to improve it 16. One time a woman coming into the house in a great passion spoke of her condition as if none were like hers and it would never be otherwise the Child said it were a strange thing to say when its night it will never be day again 17. At another time a near Relation of hers being in some streights made some complaint to whom she said I have heard Mr. Carter say A man may go to Heaven without a Penny in his Purse but not without Grace in his heart 18. She had an extraordinary love to the people of God and when she saw any that she thought feared the Lord her heart would e'n leap for joy 19. She loved to be much by her self and would be greatly grieved if she were at any time deprived of a coveniency for secret duty she could not live without constant address to God in secret and was not a little pleased when she could go into a corner to pray and weep 20. She was much in praising God and seldom or never complained of any thing but sin 21. She continued in this course of praying and praising of God and great dutifulness and sweetness to her Parents and those that taught her any thing yea she did greatly encourage her Mother while she was a Widow and desired that the absence of a Husband might in some measure be made up by the dutifulness and holiness of a Child She studied all the ways that could be to make her Mothers life sweer 22. When she was between Eleven and Twelve years old she sickned in which she carried it with admirable patience and sweetness and did what she could with Scripture arguments to support and encourage her Relations to part with her that was going to Glory and to prepare themselves to meet her in a blessed Eternity 23. She was not many days sick before she was marked which she first saw her self and was greatly rejoyced to think that she was marked out for the Lord and was now going apace to Christ She called to her Friends and said I am marked but be not troubled for I know I am marked for one of the Lords own One asked her how she knew that She answered the Lord hath told me that I am one of his dear Children And thus she spake with a holy confidence in the Lords love to her soul and was not in the least daunted when she spake of her death but seemed greatly delighted in the apprehension of her nearness to her Fathers house And it was not long before she was filled with joy unspeakable in believing 24. When she just lay a dying her Mother came to her and told her she was sorry that she had reproved and corrected so good a child so oft O Mother said she speak not thus I bless God now I am dying for your reproofs and corrections too for it may be I might have gone to Hell if it had not been for your reproofs and corrections 25. Some of her Neighbours coming to visit her asked her if she would leave them She answered them if you serve the Lord you shall come after me to glory 26. A little before she died she had a great conflict with Satan and cried out I am none of his her Mother seeing her in trouble asked her what was the matter She answered Satan did trouble me but now I think God all is well I know I am none of his but Christs 27. After this she had a great sense of Gods love and a glorious sight as if she had seen the very Heavens open and the Angels come to receive her by which her heart was filled with joy and her tongue with praise 28. Being desired by the standers by to give them a particular account of what she saw she answered you shall know hereafter and so in an extafie of joy and holy triumph she went to Heaven when she was about Twelve years old Hallelujah A Fourth Example of a Child that began to look towards Heaven when she was about four years old with some observable passages in her Life and at her Death 1. A Certain little Child when she was about four years old had a conscientious sense of her duty towards her Parents because the Commandment saith Honour thy Father and thy Mother And though she had little advantage of education she carried it with the greatest reverence to her Parents imaginable so that she was no small credit as well as comfort to them 2. It was no unusual thing for her to weep if she saw her Parents troubled though her self had not been the occasion of it 3. When she came from School she would with grief and abhorrency say that other Children had sinned against God by speaking grievous words which were so bad that she durst not speak them again 4. She would be often times admiring of Gods mercy for so much goodness to her rather than to others that she saw some begging others blind some crooked and that she wanted nothing that was good for her 5. She was many a time and often in one hole or other in tears upon her knees 6. This poor little thing would be ready to counsel other little children how they ought to serve God and putting them upon getting by themselves to pray and hath been known when her friends have been abroad to have been teaching Children to pray especially upon the Lords Day 7. She very seriously begged the Prayers of others that they would remember her that the Lord would give her Grace 8. When this Child saw some that were laughing who she judged to be very wicked She told them that she feared that they had little reason to be so merry They asked whether one might not laugh She answered no indeed till you have grace they who are wicked have more need to cry than to laugh 9. She would say that it was the duty of Parents Masters and Mistresses to reprove those under their charge for sin else God will meet with them 10. She would be very attentive when she read the Scriptures and be much affected with them 11. She would by no means be perswaded to prophane the Lords Day but would spend it in some good Duties 12. When she went to School it was willingly and joyfully and she was very teachable and exemplary to other children 13. When she was taken sick one asked her whether she were willing to
much as that in a little one of the same age who since that time I hear went sweetly to Heaven Doth not the Reverend Mr. Clark in his Works quote a Child of two years old that looked towards Heaven Doth not credible History acquaint us with a Martyr at seven years old that was whipped almost to death and never shed one tear nor complained and at last had his Head struck off I do not speak of these as common matters but record them amongst those stupendious Acts of him that can as easily work Wonders as not What is too hard for the Almighty Hath God said he will work no more wonders I think most of Gods works in the business of Conversion call for Admiration And I believe that Silence or rather Praise would better become Saints than questioning the truth of such things especially where an apparent Injury is thereby done to the Interest of Christ the Honour of Gods Grace and the Reputation of so eminent a Saint I judge this sufficient to satisfie most as for others I trouble not my self if I may but promote the interest of Christ and the Good of Souls and give up my Account with joy it 's enough That the Lord would bless my endeavours to these ends I beg the prayers of all Saints and yours also sweet Children that fear the Lord and that Parents and Masters would assist me with their warm application of these things and that Children may be their Crown and their Joy is the Prayer of one that desires to love Christ and little children dearly James Janeway A TOKEN FOR CHILDREN The Second Part. Example VIII Of a Child that was very serious at four years old with an Account of his comfortable Death when he was twelve years and three weeks old 1. IOhn Sudlow was born of religious Parents in the County of Middlesex whose great care was to instill spiritual Principles into him as soon as he was capable of understanding of them whose Endeavours the Lord was pleased to crown with the desired success so that to use the expression of a holy man concerning him scarce more could be expected or desired from so little a one 2. When he was scarce able to speak plain he seemed to have a very great awe and reverence of God upon his spirit and a strange sense of the things of another world as might easily be perceived by those serious and admirable questions which he would be oft asking of those Christians that he thought he might be bold with 3. The first thing that did most affect him and made him endeavour to escape from the wrath to come and to enquire what he should do to be saved was the death of a little Brother when he saw him without breath and not able to speak or stir and then carried out of doors and put into a pit-hole he was greatly concerned and asked notable questions about him but that which was most affecting of himself and others was whether he must die too which being answered it made such a deep impression upon him that from that time forward he was exceeding serious and this was when he was about four years old 4. Now he is desirous to know what he might do that he might live in another world and what he must avoid that he might not die for ever and being instructed by his godly Parents he soon labours to avoid whatsoever might displease God now tell him that any thing was sinful and that God would not have him do it and he is easily kept from it and even at this time of day the apprehensions of God and Death and Eternity laid such a restraint upon him that he would not for a world have told a Lie 5. He quickly learned to read exactly and took such Pleasure in reading of the Scriptures and his Catechism and other good Books that it is scarce to be parallel'd he would naturally run to his Book without bidding when he came home from School and while other children of his age and acquaintance were playing he reckon'd it his Recreation to be doing that which was good 6. When he was in coats he would be still asking his maid serious questions and praying her to teach him his Catechism or Scriptures or some good thing common Discourse he took no delight in but did most eagerly desire to be sucking in of the knowledge of the things of God Christ his Soul and another world 7. He was hugely taken with the reading of the Book of Martyrs and would be ready to leave his Dinner to go to his Book 8. He was exceeding careful of redeeming and improving of time scarce a moment of it but he would give an excellent account of the expence of it so that this Child might have taught elder persons and will questionless condemn their idle and unaccountable wasting of those precious hours in which they should as this sweet Child have been laying in provision for Eternity 9. He could not endure to read any thing over slightly but whatsoever he read he dwelt upon it laboured to understand it throughly and remember it and what he could not understand he would oft ask his Father or Mother the meaning of 10. When any Christian friends have been discoursing with his Father if they began to talk any thing about Religion to be sure they should have his company and of his own accord he would leave all to hear any thing of Christ and creep as close to them as he could and listen as affectionately though it were for an hour or two He was scarce ever known to express the least token of weariness while he was hearing any thing that was good and sometimes when neighbours children would come and call him out and entice him and beg of him to go with them he could by no means be perswaded though he might have had the leave of his Parents if he had any hopes that any good body would come in to his fathers house 11. He was very modest whilest any stranger was present and was loth to ask them any questions but as soon as they were gone he would let his father know that there was little said or done but he observed it and would reflect upon what was past in their discourse and desire satisfaction in what he could not understand at present 12. He was a Boy of almost prodigious parts for his age as will appear by his solid and rational questions I shall mention but two of many 13. The first was this when he was reading by himself in Draiton's Poems about Noah's Flood and the Ark he askt who built the Ark it being answered that it was likely that Noah hired men to help him to build it And would they said he build an Ark to save another and not go into it themselves 14. Another question he put was this Whether had the greater glory Saints or Angels It being answered that Angels were the most excellent of Creatures and it s to
honest and as to man harmless but was little acquainted with the power of Religion till this sweet Child put him upon a thorow inquiry into the state of his Soul and would still be begging of him and pleading with him to redeem his time and to act with life and vigor in the things of God which was no small demonstration to him of the reality of invisibles that a very Babe and suckling should speak so feelingly about the things of God and be so greatly concerned not only about her own soul but about her Fathers too which was the occasion of his conversion and the very thought of it was a quickning to him for thirty years and he hopes never to wear off the Impressions of it from his spirit 6. After this she as I remember put her Father upon Family duties and if at any time he were for any time out of his shop she would find him out and with much sweetness and humility beg of him to come home and to remember the pretiousness of time for which we must all give an account 7. She was grieved if she saw any that conversed with her father if they were unprofitable unsavoury or long in their discourse of common things 8. Her own Language was the Language of Canaan how solidly profitably and spiritually would she talk so that she made good people take great delight in her company and justly drew the admiration of all that knew her 9. She could not endure the company of common children nor play but was quite above all those things which most Children are taken with her business was to be reading praying discoursing about the things of God and any kind of business that her age and strength was capable of idle she would not be by any means 10. It was the greatest Recreation to her to hear any good people talking about God Christ their Souls the Scriptures or any thing that concerned another life 11. She had a strange contempt of the World and scorned those things which most are too much pleased with She could not be brought to wear any Laces or any thing that she thought superfluous 12. She would be complaining to her parents if she saw any thing in them that she judged would not be for the honour of Religion or suitable to that condition which the providence of God had set them in in the world 13. This Child was the joy and delight of all the Christians thereabouts in those times who was still quickning and raising of the spirits of those that talked with her This poor Babe was a great help to both Father and mother and her memory is sweet to this day 14. She continued thus to walk as a stranger in the world and one that was making hast to a better place And after she had done a great deal of work for God and her own soul and others too she was called home to rest and received into the arms of Jesus before she was ten years old she departed about 1640. Example X. Of a Child that was awakened when she was between seven and eight years old with some account of her last hours and triumphant Death 1. TAbitha Alder was the Daughter of a holy and Reverend Minister in Kent who lived near Gravesend She was much instructed in the holy Scriptures and her Catechism by her Father and Mother but there appeared nothing extraordinary in her till she was between seven and eight years old 2. About which time when she was sick one asked her what she thought would become of her if she should die She answered that she was greatly afraid that she should go to hell 3. Being askt why she was afraid she should go to hell She answered because she feared that she did not love God 4. Again being askt how she did know she did not love God she replyed what have I done for God ever since I was born and besides this I have been taught that he that loves God keeps his commandments but I have kept none of them all 5. Being further demanded if she would not fain love God She answered yes with all her heart if she could but she found it a hard thing to love one she did not see 6. She was advised to beg of God a heart to love him She answered she was afraid it was too late 7. Being asked again whether she was not sorry that she could not love God She answered yes but was still afraid it was too late 8. Upon this seeing her in such a desponding condition a dear friend of hers spent the next day in Fasting and prayer for her 9. After this that Christian friend askt her how she did now She answered with a great deal of joy that now she blessed the Lord she loved the Lord Jesus dearly she felt she did love him O said she I love him dearly 10. Why saith her friend did you not say yesterday that you did not love the Lord and that you could not What did you mean to speak so strangely Sure said she it was Satan that did put it into my mind But now I love him O blessed be God for the Lord Jesus Christ 11. After this she had a discovery of her approaching Dissolution which was no small comfort to her Anon said she with a holy Triumph I shall be with Jesus I am married to him he is my husband I am his Bride I have given my self to him and he hath given himself to me and I shall live with him for ever 12. This strange language made the hearers even stand astonished but thus she continued for some little time in a kind of extafie of joy admiring the excellency of Christ rejoycing in her interest in him and longing to be with him 13. After a while some of her friends standing by her observed a more than ordinary earnestness and fixedness in her countenance they said one to another look how earnestly she looks sure she seeth something 14. One asked what it was she fixed her eyes upon so eagerly I warrant saith one that was by she seeth death a coming 15. No said she it is glory that I see 't is that I fix mine eye upon 16. One askt her what was glory like She answered I can't speak what but I am going to it will you go with me I am going to glory O that all of you were to go with me to that glory with which words her Soul took wing and went to the possession of that glory which she had some believing fight of before She died when she was between 8 and 9 years old about 1644. Example XI Of a Child that was greatly affected with the things of God when she was very young with an exact Account of her admirable Carriage upon her Death bed 1. Susanna Bicks was born at Leiden in Holland Jan. 24. 1650. of very religious Parents whose great care was to instruct and catechise this their Child and to present her to the
and not with the least visibility of a childish levity of spirit This was when he was between seven and eight years old and if he perceived any Children unconcerned about their Souls he would be greatly troubled at it 23. After this his Parents removed not far from London where he continued till that dreadful year sixty five he was then sent to the latine School where he soon made a very considerable Progress and was greatly beloved of his Master the School was his beloved place and learning his recreation He was never taught to write but took it of his own ingenuity 24. He was exceeding dutiful to his Parents and never did in the least dispute their command except when he thought they might cross the command of God as in the forementioned business of reading the Scriptures when his eyes were so bad 25. He was exceeding contented with any mean diet and to be sure he would not touch a bit of any thing till he had begged Gods blessing upon it 26. He would put his Brother and Sister upon their duties and observe them whether they performed it or no and when he saw any neglect he would soon warn them if he saw any of them take a spoon into their hands before they had craved a blessing he said that is just like a hog indeed 27. His Sister was afraid of the darkness and would sometimes cry upon this account he told her she must fear God more and she need then be afraid of nothing 28. He would humbly put his near Relations upon their duty and minding the concerns of their Souls and Eternity with more seriousness and life and to have a care of doing that which was for the dishonour of God and the hazard of the Soul 29. He was of a compassionate and charitable disposition and very pitiful to the poor or any that were in distress but his greatest pity was to poor Souls and as well as he could he would be putting Children Play-fellows servants neighbours upon minding their poor souls 30. One notable instance of his true charity I cannot omit A certain Turk was by the providence of God cast in the place where he lived which this sweet Child hearing of had a great pity to his Soul and studied how he might be any way instrumental to do it good at last finding a man that understood the language of the Turk he used means to get them together which he at last procured the first thing that he did was to put his friend upon discoursing with the Turk about his principles whether he acknowledged a Deity which the Turk owning the next thing he inquired after was what he thought of the Lord Jesus Christ At which the Turk was troubled and put off the discourse and said he was athirst and an hungry which the Child being informed of by the interpreter immediately went to a Brew-house near at hand his own house being far off and did intreat the Master of the Brewhouse to give him some Beer for the Turk and the argument he used was this Sir here is a poor stranger that is athirst we know not where we may be cast before we dye he went to another place and begged food for him using the same argument as before but his friends hearing of it were angry with him but he told them he did it for a poor stranger that was far from home and he did it that he might think the better of the Christians and the Christian Religion 31. He would have a savoury word to say to every one that he conversed with to put them in mind of the worth of Christ and their Souls and their nearness to Eternity Insomuch that good people took no small pleasure in his company The Taylor that made his cloths would keep them the longer before he brought them home that he might have the benefit of his spiritual and Christian society and more frequent visits 32. He bewailed the miserable condition of the generality of man-kind when he was about ten years old that were utterly estranged from God though they called him Father yet they were his Children only by Creation and not by any likeness they had to God or interest in him 33. Thus he continued walking in the ways of God ingaged in reading praying hearing the Word of God and spiritual discourse discovering thereby his serious thoughts of Eternity 34. He had an earnest desire if it might be the Lords good pleasure to give himself up to the Lord in the work of the Ministry if he should live and this out of a dear love to Christ and Souls 35. He was next to the Bible most taken with reading of Reverend Mr. Baxters works especially his Saints Everlasting Rest and truly the thoughts of that Rest and Eternity seemed to swallow up all other thoughts and he lived in a constant preparation for it and looked more like one that was ripe for glory then an inhabitant of this lower world 36. When he was about eleven years and three quarters old his Mothers house was visited with the Plague his eldest sister was the first that was visited with this distemper and when they were praying for her he would sob and weep bitterly 37. As soon as he perceived that his Sister was dead he said the will of the Lord be done Blessed be the Lord dear Mother said he you must do as David did after the Child was dead he went and refreshed himself and quietly submitted to the will of God 38. The rest of the family held well for about fourteen dayes which time he spent in religious duties and preparing for his death but still his great Book was the Saints Rest which he read with exceeding curiosity gathering many observations out of it in writing for his own use He wrote several divine meditations of his own upon several Subjects but that which seemed most admirable was a meditation upon the excellency of Christ he was never well now but when he was more immediately ingaged in the service of God 39. At fourteen days end he was taken sick at which he seemed very patient and cheerful yet sometimes he would say that his pain was great 40. His Mother looking upon his Brother shaked her head at which he asked if his Brother were marked she answered yes Child he asked again whether he were marked she answered nothing well says he I know I shall be marked I pray let me have Mr. Baxters Book that I may read a little more of Eternity before I go into it His Mother told him that he was not able to read he said that he was however then pray by me and for me His Mother answered that she was so full of grief that she could not pray now but she desired to hear him pray his last prayer 41. His Mother asked him whether he were willing to die and leave her he answered yes I am willing to leave you and go to my heavenly Father His Mother answered Child If thou hadst but an assurance of Gods love I should not be so much troubled 42. He answered and said to his Mother I am assured dear Mother that my sins are forgiven and that I shall go to Heaven for said he here stood an Angel by me that told me I should quickly be in glory 43. At this his Mother burst forth into tears O Mother said he did you but know what joy I feel you would not weep but rejoyce I tell you I am so full of comfort that I cant tell you how I am O Mother I shall presently have my head in my Fathers bosome and shall be there where the Four and Twenty Elders cast down their Crowns and sing Hallelujah Glory and Praise to him that sits upon the Throne and unto the Lamb for ever 44. Upon this his speech began to fail him but his Soul seemed still to be taken up with glory and nothing now grieved him but the sorrow that he saw his Mother to be in for his death a little to divert his Mother he asked her what she had to Supper but presently in a kind of divine Rapture he cried out O what a sweet Supper have I making ready for me in glory 45. But seeing all this did rather increase then allay his Mothers grief he was more troubled and asked her what she meant thus to offend God know you not that it is the hand of the Almighty Humble your self under the mighty hand of God lay your self in the dust and kiss the rod of God and let me see you do it in token of your submission to the will of God and bow before him Upon which raising up himself a little he gave a lowly bow and spake no more but went chearfully and triumphingly to Rest in the bosome of Jesus Hallelujah FINIS These BOOKS of the same Author Mr. James Janeway are Printed and Sold by Dorman Newman HEaven upon Earth or the best Friend in the worst of times The third Edition Enlarged Price 2 s. 6 d. Death Vnstung a Sermon preacht at the Funeral of Thomas Mowsley an Apothecary With a brief Narrative of his Life and Death also the manner of Gods dealings with Him before and after his Conversion Drawn up by his own hand price 1 s. A Sermon preached at the Funeral of Thomas Savage Price 4 d. A Token for Children first and second part the price of each 6 d.