hearts of many of which some live here some in glory His Books will prove more durable Monuments of his name then that his Sonne erected for him in Ashby Church And yet his Name with the lively picture of his Person lives in his worthy Son Master Samuel Hildersam whose learning Cambridge knew while he was Fellow of Emanuel Colledge and whose present ministerial labours and pious conversation at West-Felton in Shropshire do perpetuate the honour of his reverend Father whose very memory he doth much reverence and whose rich Vertues both personal and ministerial he doth happily imitate And his good help from his Fathers Papers and other waies hath most conduced to the drawing up of this faithfull relation that God may be glorified and many souls may be edified by this famous example thus presented unto publick view Dr. TAYLOR The Life of Doctor Thomas Taylor sometimes Pastor of Aldermanbury London who died Anno Christi 1632. THomas Taylor was born at Richmond in Yorkshire of worthy and godly Parents His Father was Recorder of that Town and a very Gaius or Onesiphorus to the silenced Ministers of England and to the exiled Ministers of Scotland He brought up divers Sonnes into the Ministry This Sonne of his as the other was of a Child trained up in the holy Scriptures which are able to make wise to salvation Afterward as age came on he was well grounded in other Learning and was sent to Cambridge where he became Fellow of Christs Colledge as one that should do the Lord Christ abundance of good service He was there most painfull and unweariable in the study of Tongues Arts Sciences all sorts of Exercises about them and especially for Divinity which was his Profession One while he was Hebrew Reader to the Colledge Being soon ripe he entred into the Ministry at the age of one and twenty years In Queen Elizabeths time he was called to preach at Pauls Crosse and preached the Sermon in King James his time In the course and work of his Ministry he spent thirty five years with all diligence and painfulnesse even to the very end when by right he might have spared himself living in all sincerity and godly purenesse with entire love of souls with all watchfulnesse with meeknesse wonderfully quickned with zeal He was an utter enemy of Popery Arminianisme Antinomianisme and other Sects which crept up in those times as appeareth partly by his writings Amidst all his pithy Discourses he was also an excellent and nimble Orator and wound up his matter with a good farewell even when at times it was but ordinary And from this course he would scarce suffer himself to be withdrawn at any time to refresh his spirits by a little freedom Yea sometimes when he was drawn forth into the Countrey for recreation by the solicitation of Gods people he escaped not without his usuall burden Or he spent his vacant time in preparing Books for the Presse which were both many and very usefull and will be to posterity who have cause to blesse God who giveth gifts to men and publique mindes that they may profit farre and near both hearers and strangers all debtors to him And men of understanding observed a great Seal put to his Ministry in several places whereto he was called Some converted others confirmed others comforted in the way of God And in these times of division wherein many Professors have turned into by-waies those that were his constant Hearers continue in that way stedfast and unshaken in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus Yea at Reding there was a generation of young Preachers who under his Ministry grew up in knowledge and holinesse and some eminency of gifts profiting by him and his pains there and some professe it at this day Perhaps also in the great City of London and at Cambridge Neither was he altogether for the publick but pious in private and not only in the course of his Family but in keeping Fasts among the godly of the place which in those daies was something a dangerous exercise And to make them solid Professors indeed he put them upon a weekly way of handling Chatecheticall points of Divinity that is every week to conferre of one of the heads of Religion according to the Catechisme subjoyned to Mr. Dods Treatise on the Commandments still proving the Doctrines by Testimonies of Scripture For other personall qualifications he was a man full of love alms-deeds and mercifull consideration of the needy though not with a Trumpet And he was a man blest of God with all the blessings of wisdome Prov. 3.16 Length of daies riches and honour He had every where both godly and great Friends and is likely still to have among those that shall converse in his worthy works In that his holy and blessed course he drew on toward his end It was his Clymacterical year of 56. Having over-laboured himself with preaching in the City he betook himself to his Countrey-house at Isleworth to be a little refreshed But having inflamed and corrupted his blood by preaching he soon fell into his mortall disease a Pleurisie for curing whereof though no meanes were wanting yet the desired effect through the Counsel of God followed not In the beginning of his sicknesse he set his house in order most holily and as became so worthy a Father and then bad farewell to all as one throughly prepared for his departure full of Faith and Patience and joy in the holy Ghost a great help in that acute disease Carefull of the welfare of the Church at home then in danger to be corrupted grieved for the evils he knew in some mens dealings Rejoycing greatly in the midst of the apprehension of death for the happy proceedings of the heroicall King of Sweden then victorious in Bavaria And once when he was told he must a little help himself by cheerfulnesse he fell into a most contentfull discourse of those noble deliverances and victories and more would have spoken if weaknesse had permitted But especially his joy in God and in the conquest of Christ Oh said he we serve a good Lord who covers all imperfections and gives great wages for little work and in mercy he hath provided for me some of the greatest With other holy speeches full of faith and joy which his infirmity would not suffer him to utter perfectly In which manner he languished by degrees and at last on the Lords day being the usuall day of his principall labours he was dismissed of all and went to keep a perpetuall Sabbath in heaven where now he resteth from his labours and his works follow him even a full reward in endlesse glory which eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither can enter into the heart of man to conceive what things those are which God hath prepared for them that love him The Life of Master Hugh Clark who died Anno Christi 1634. HUgh Clark was born at Burton
of all your sins by the shedding of his blood for you Yea said she I do believing that he is my only Saviour and Mediatour and I look for salvation from none other knowing that he hath abundantly satisfied for the sins of all his people and therefore I am assured that God for his sake according to his gracious promise in him will have mercy upon me During all the time of her sicknesse she ceased not to continue in such fruitfull and comfortable communications sometimes intermixing them with most affectionate sighs to God as a testimony of that hope and desire she had of enjoying his presence often uttering these words O my God in thy good time deliver me from this body of death and from the miseries of this present life that I may no more offend thee and that I may attain to the felicity which thou in thy Word hast promised to bestow upon me Neither did she manifest her pious affection by words only but by her constant and cheerfull countenance so farre forth as the vehemency of her disease would suffer thereby giving a clear testimony to all that beheld her that the fear of death could not drive her from the stedfastnesse of her Faith The Minister also went often to prayer with her the usual tenor whereof was this which follows O Lord our God We confesse here before thy Divine Majesty that we are altogether unworthy of thine infinite mercies by reason of our manifold iniquities and that we are so farre from deserving to be heard of thee in our requests that we are rather worthy that thou shouldst reject both our persons and our prayers But seeing it hath pleased thee to make us a gracious promise of hearing and granting our requests we humbly beseech thee freely to forgive all our offences and to cover them under the obedience and righteousness of thy dear Son that through him our selves and our services may be well pleasing unto thee For Lord we acknowledge that all our afflictions are measured out to us by thine hand who art a most just Judge in regard that we have every way provoked thee to wrath by our infinite sinnings against thee yea by our rebellions which now testifie against us For alas Lord our life hath been no way answerable to that perfect obedience which thou by thy holy Law dost justly require at our hands which we from day to day do transgress and therefore do here cast down our selves at this time before thy glorious presence unfeignedly acknowledging our misery and wretchedness from the very bottom of our hearts Yet Lord mercy is with thee and because thou art our Father therefore thou desirest not the death of sinners but rather that they should convert and live For this cause we now fall down before the throne of thy grace with confidence of obtaining thy wonted mercy which thou hast promised to such as call upon thee in truth beseeching thee who art the Father of mercies to have compassion on all such as thou hast humbled under thy mighty hand but more especially on this thy Servant the Queen who lieth here before thee sick of a dangerous disease that as thou hast righteously afflicted her for her sinnes which she also doth with us acknowledge so it would please thee in pardoning them all to her for thy beloved Sons sake to grant that she may profit by this thy correcting hand for the time to come Above all O Lord give her a sweet sense yea full assurance of thy eternal joys that so she may with the greater patience take down this bitter potion ministred unto her from thy hand and that the sole desire of enjoying thy presence may cause her to forget all worldly greatness and magnificence knowing that they are nothing in respect of the glory which is now set before her Endue her also with meekness of minde to bear the tediousnesse of her affliction for though the spirit be willing yet the flesh is weak yea full of resisting and unbelief that so receiving all things from thee as from a Father she may the more willingly submit her will to thine And because O good God thou hast made her hitherto an happy Instrument for the advancement of thy glory and defence of thy poor afflicted people we pray thee if it may stand with thy good pleasure restore her to health again that so the excellent work that thou hast by her means begun may not be left unperfected but by vertue of this her deliverance she may with renewed strength undertake the same in better sort then ever heretofore especially for the well educating and training up the Children that thou hast given her But Lord if thou hast a purpose now to call her home to thy self who are we that we should contradict thy holy will Only we pray thee that thou wouldst confirm her more and more in the knowledge of thy blessed Gospel and thereby also in the certainty of her salvation which thou hast given her by Faith in thy Son Jesus Christ that thus she may not cease to sanctifie and call upon thy holy Name to her last breath And as touching our selves who are here by thy good providence gathered together about her being in bodily health give us to know the uncertainty and brevity of our life that so according to our duty we may behold the same in this mirror that thou hast set before us as knowing that even the greatest in the world are subject to the same calamities as well as the small that so our chief care may be to employ the remainder of our time to thine honour and service All which we crave of thee in the Name of Jesus Christ thy Son our only Mediatour and Advocate Amen During the time of prayer she ceased not with hands and eyes lift up to Heaven to fetch many deep sighs especially when mention was made of the mercy of God in Christ which he extendeth to poor sinners so that all present might evidently see that her heart and affections were joyned to the Prayer that was made by and for her And whilst she thus lay she still continued in her holy desires to depart hence that she might be with Christ taking great delight in the holy and Christian exhortations which were made to her by many godly and learned men who came to visit her to whom also she manifested no small testimonies of that faith and hope which she had in God touching the salvation of her soul by her holy and savory speeches which for brevity sake are omitted Yea although the Lord exercised her much with the sense of her inward disease yet could you not at any time discern any speech favouring of discontentment or impatience to proceed out of her mouth nay scarcely so much as a groan But if at any time she found any refreshings from the violence of her disease there being no malady so vehement which hath not some intermissions and breathing times
this time though his Bushell was bigger then other mens yet he would often charge his man not to strike off all the Corn. He used not to trouble himself with reckonings and accounts but would sometimes ask his man when he came from the Market how he sold Corn and if it was dear he would say I pray God bring down the price of it and if it was cheap he would heartily blesse God for it Yea his Charity was not onely extended to the poor of his own Parish but to others also for if at any time he had seen a poor body at a distance from him as he rode abroad he would send his man with money to him and when at any time he rode by the Castle at Cambridge the Prisoners would never ask him for any thing nor any one that was with him for if he had any money in his purse they were sure to have part of it By reason of his great liberality though his living was worth a hundred pound per annum yet he usually wanted Money to get in his Harvest so that his Wife formerly Doctor Bounds widow was forced to borrow money to supply that want Yet was he so well content with his present condition that though he had proffers of livings worth three of that which he had yet would he by no meanes be perswaded to accept of them He was a great friend to and promoter of peace and concord amongst his Neighbours and acquaintance insomuch that if any had come to him who were at variance he would either have made them friends himself or if he could not prevail he would have made use of other friends to reconcile them together thereby to prevent their going to Law When Martin Mar-Prelate came first out Master Greenham being to preach at Saint Maries in Cambridge spake freely against that Book manifesting his dislike of the same For said he the tendency of this Book is to make sinne ridiculous whereas it ought to be made odious On a time the Bishop of Ely sent for him to appear about his Non-conformity at which time the Bishop told him that there was a great Schisme in the Church asking him where the blame was to be 〈◊〉 whether upon the Conformists or Non-conformists To which â—e readily answered that it might lie on either side or on neither side For said he if they loved one another as they ought and would do all goâ—â— Offices each for other thereby maintaining love and concord it lay 〈◊〉 neither side otherwise which party soever makes the rent the Schisme lies upon their score The Bishop was so pleased with this answer that he dismissed him in peace He was much troubled with a bad concoction whereby he had frequent sick nights which kept him much waking but then his manner was as much as possibly he could to spend the time in meditation and prayer We have before heard of his great Charity to mens bodies His Charity to souls was not lesse exemplary For having great experience and an excellent faculty to relieve and comfort distressed consciences he was sought to far and neer by such as groaned under spiritual afflictions and temptations all whom he entertained friendly and familiarly without respecting the person of the rich more then of the poor Yea the fame of this spiritual Physician so spread abroad that he was sent for to very many and the Lord was pleased so farre to blesse his labours that by his knowledge and experience many were restored to joy and comfort out of unspeakable and insupportable terrours and torments of conscience If the Lord had not so soon translated him out of this sinfull and miserable world there was none more fit nor willing to have prescribed Rules and a Method to be observed in this so little a known Art Of his good will herein let his own words testifie the forward desires of his heart For upon a special occasion he thus speaketh of himself I have had saith he for a long time a settled resolution which I hope is from God to study the cases of conscience that thereby I may be the better able to succour the tempted and perplexed in spirit He was filled with bowels of compassion towards the afflicted sympathizing as if he had been afflicted with them Many godly and learned friends of his perceiving his abilities and inclination thereto did labour much to excite and incourage him in those studies upon these and the like grounds First that he might hereby the better train up some young men in the like studies communicating his knowledg and experiences to them therein Secondly that he might leave to posterity a Commentary of such particular Maladies as God had made him instrumental in the cure of together with the meanes by him used for effecting of the same And because Precepts are wanting Rules of direction might be framed partly by his own observation partly by conference with other learned and experienced persons whereby in that and the age following that Art might be brought into some form and method to the publick good and benefit of many not only foâ— the fruitfull curing but also for the healthfull preventing of manifold mischiefs To such as complained to him that they were troubled with â—â—â—sphemous thoughts his counsell was that they should not fear them but abhorre them And when some poor Christians were miserably afflicted with feares that they had commited that unpardonable sinne against the holy Ghost he used to tell them that if they would not have committed it it was certain that they had not faln into it The graces of Gods Spirit did all abundantly shine forth in this man of God all tempered as with unfeigned love to Christ so with bowels of love and compassion towards men and he again was greatly beloved of all men In the whole course of his Ministry he was very carefull ever to avoid as much as was possible all occasions of offence desiring in all things to approve himself as a Minister of Christ and Workman that needed not to be ashamed He much rejoyced in and praised God for the happy government of Queen Elizabeth and for the blessed calm and peace which the Church and people of God enjoyed under the same speaking often of it both publickly and privately as he had occasion endeavouring to stirre up the hearts of all men as much as in him lay to praise God with him for it and to pray also for the continuance thereof Yea this matter so affected him that the day before his departure out of this world his thoughts were much troubled for that most men were so unthankfull for those wonderfull and happy deliverances which the Lord of his mercy vouchsafed to that glorious Queen from the conspiracies and dangerous practices of her Popish Adversaries He was a special Instrument and meanes under God to incourage and train up many godly and learned young men in the holy service of
wanting so well was he esteemed of on either part and withall advertising him of a very great danger and no lesse deliverance that neer unto his journeys end had betided him Whereunto Master Cartwright in a Letter of March 7. the same year thus replieth Sir It cometh from the abundance of your love to thank me for that which duty it self required at my hands towards Master Bradshaw and therefore the thanks are returned unto you who esteem so highly of duty as to let it go in the account of a Benefit or good turn My hope is the same with yours that the Lord who by deliverance of him from so great a death bindeth him to a straighter obedience hath set such an impression of it in his mind as will be in stead of a watch to waken him every morning to all cheerfull service which his place will require And indeed the Letter he wrote of that matter carrieth that sound and even undertakes so much in his behalf And in one to Master Bradshaw himself after receipt of that from him touched upon in the close foregoing That the Lord our most mercifull Father delivered you from so great a death it pledges unto you deliverances hereafter especially if they be inferiour to this So much the rather as the swimmer sunk like a piece of lead and he that could no more swim then the Iron-head of the Scholars hatchet was graciously born up and therefore by how much the Proverb is true 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by so much we have cause to praise God that by the Angel of the waters saved you And withall you may help to incourage others against the excessive fear of drowning in passing the Seas Seeing it was more safe to you to passe the winter-Seas even when they rage most then the small brook of Hawston Mills I remembred you to Sir Thomas and my Lady who told me that if any entertainment would have holden you they would not have suffered you to have gone from them and rejoyced much at your gracious escape Subscribed Your assured loving Brother and Fried Thomas Cartwright The Escape in those Letters mentioned was this Master Bradshaw being to leave Guernsey shipped himself for England Nor was his passage by Sea wholly free from hazard for with so violent a storm were they surprized at Sea that the Passengers most of them expected nothing but wrack and a Gentlewoman among them with another whom she much affected attending upon her did in a cord by the waste fasten themselves either to other that they might perish together and draw their last breath or breath it out rather in the mutuall embraces either of other But that storm being allaied and the danger of it over and the Ship with her Passengers now arrived in safety Master Bradshaw having attained London did there hire a Hackney such as are commonly used on that Road to convey him to Cambridge there to enter upon the Fellowship prepared for him and assigned unto him by help of which Beast he got so far on his way in safety that he was now within three miles of his journeys end But danger oft lieth in wait for us where we least of all either expect or suspect it and then many times overtakes and surprizeth us unawares when we deem our selves wholly past danger and are neer approaching our intended much desired and now fully expected Port and have alwaies need therefore both of an eye of Providence constantly on us and of an hand of protection continually over us For being there to passe a small Brook crossing the road near to a Village called Hawston and the Water-mills seated on it thence Hawston Mills he that had escaped so eminent and apparent a danger at Sea lighten on and fell into that unexpectedly that proved much more hazardous on land where no appearance was of ought in that kind for being unacquainted with the course of the stream otherwise passed ordinarily and that daily without danger and having not fetched a compasse far enough as he ought to have done the Beast that bare him plunged suddainly into the Mill-pond or pit and being not able to recover it self therein perished and there left him floating in a strong vertiginous current unskilfull in swimming nor had any such skill in likelihood been available in such a case to have saved him and altogether unable to shift for himself where he must of necessity have gone the same way with the Beast had not either some one occasionally looking out of the Mill or some Passenger on the way espying one floating in that manner and at the very pinch of perishing called hastily on the Miller or those next at hand to let slip down the Flood-gates by means whereof the stiffe current of the water-course was stayed and this Servant of God though not without much difficulty rescued out of the water and delivered unexpectedly out of that his in a manner even desperate distresse And it may indeed justly be deemed a wonder of wonders in regard whereof that venerable Minister of Christ before-mentioned seems to have apprehended the ministry of an Angel used in it that he was not suddainly in an instant either swallowed up in that whirling gulf or hurried away with the violent course of the current and that he should bear up and keep above water so long in a place of that nature For he hath been heard to relate that while he continued thus floating and strugling with that wheeling surface it troubled him not a little that he could not addresse himself as he desired to prepare for his departure though having nothing but death in his eye while his ear was taken up with the voice of some talking in the Mill from whom he supposed yet some help might come though neither was he able to call unto them nor they to hear him Thus even Gods Children themselves find a defect oft in themselves that they cannot with such an exact composure of spirit in times of distress address themselves unto God untill he have pulled away all outward prosperity as well hopes as helps from them But being by a special Providence of God thus recovered and as another Moses drawn out of the water and brought into the Millers house he was there shifted and put into such dry apparell as the Miller himself used to wear in which garb when some of his acquaintance found him who upon tydings of of this occurrent came posting over to him from Cambridge they could not forbear smiling to see him sitting in that habit though not a little affected with the casualty occasioning it and no lesse heartily gladned for the gracious issue that God hath pleased to afford it and expressing much thankfulnesse for his mercy and goodnesse therein manifested The Lord it may seem would hereby fit this his servant reserved to other hot and hazardous services unto a farther and firmer dependance in and under them upon him But thus his Horse lost which
Doctrine that calleth it heresie deserves no less lege Talionis then heresie which I speak not so much in regard of your weakness as in grace of the strength of the cause wherein though with the dim eye of mine own judgment I could see nothing yet I have cause to be confident in regard of their judgment whose shadows it would become you and me to give room unto yea and to run away from And I am verily perswaded that though some of your spirit may be found to judge it an Errour to hold That a bare Reading Minister is not a lawfull Minister before God yet that none that deserves the name of a man of judgment will push with such horns against it as you do that it is an heresie and that a gross and abominable one I would I might be worthy to know upon your better consideration of the point whether that heart of yours that set your tongue on fire so against this poor Heresie would serve to set fire to the pretended Heretick But blessed be God that Supream Authority keepeth the fire-brands from the hands of such furies else there were some cause to fear lest the Saints of God I give them no other title then your own conscience gives them nay then your own mouth in publick hath given them should find your hands as hot as they now feel your tongue for methinks in your Divinity to make but a question of any thing in Religion established by Law is no less then Treason and Heresie There must be some Mystery in it that every poor man must not presume to look into that one that is so full of charity towards Adulterers Drunkards Blasphemers and other sinners that swarm in the Church should be so fiery against these new Hereticks of your own making What Are they of all other past hope of repentance Or do not the mercies of God wherewith your mouth is so oft sugred of all other belong to them My self on the week-day am one of your Auditours and I hope none of the worst-minded and then you seem as oft as ever I heard you as if your soul did overflow with Charity towards us all You cannot be ignorant of the words that so often were in your lips That none that hear you but they are Gods faithfull Children That though they be foul grievous sinners yet they are repentant and Gods mercy belongs unto them That no man is without sinne but the best and holiest are unclean This hath been your tenor for this half year the Sermon is yet to come that ever with the least zeal you spake against lewdness of life And yet now how full of zeal are you against errours in Doctrine of this sort especially whereas considering the slanders that run of you for I call them so as I desire for the Gospels sake they may prove you could take no better course then to be most zealous in Doctrine against those sins that fame hath gone about to brand you withall and to condemn such with your own mouth to hell rather then to set open Heaven gates so wide unto them as you use to do as though your self were out of hope of Heaven except the lewdest of your Congregation go to Heaven I may be bold being the injured party and knowing you better then you me to take this leave to tell you thus much of your self who have so freely given leave to your self to speak to others worse things of me that if the Lords judgments should pursue me so fast that mine inward corruptions should break out into notorious crimes and yet should dare for all that to exercise an holy Ministry that then of all methods of teaching that ever I heard I would surely follow yours To keep you from advantage I acknowledge the Doctrine that you have taught in my hearing to be very sound and true But this is it that I affirm and you may keep it to your self if it please you that in dealing against sinne in all the Sermons I have ever heard you you have said no more in substance then what you shall have alwaies running in the wickedest mouthes That All men are sinners That the godliest do fall seven times a day That men must not despair of Gods mercy That they are sorry for it when they have done That it is their corruption of nature c. which are all very excellent and comfortable Doctrines to a broken heart but very poyson to an impenitent so that if a Minister should preach them to the stews he should have as many applauses and Amens there to them as any where else If therefore a foul life be as abominable in the eyes of God and man as false Doctrine if this zeal of yours against false Doctrine were of God you would blow as strong a blast against the other as you do against it and a stronger too considering that the other having borrowed the wings of fame is flying continually in your own face This if you could have let me alone would never have bitten you But to draw to an end if my bare deniall and the voices of them that with best understanding heard me and are best able to repeat the heads of that Sermon can perswade you that there was no such Doctrine then delivered I hope you will satisfie that Congregation whose ears you have abused with that report and especially the Gentleman to whom you related the particulars If you cannot be moved to this yet be contented sith you say the Law must proceed upon me to stay the proceeding of your tongue against me till you have tried me guilty or not If you tannot yield to this but have a purpose to pursue the matter let Religion over-rule you thus far to deal with me in the points by private writing But if you have resolved to go on in this indirect course openly thus to injure me do it I pray you in your weekly exercise that I may not trust to the report of others but may be a witnesse to my self of mine own abuses and then I shall know the better how to satisfie you It is the humour of most of your stamp under pretence of a zeal to her Majesties proceedings in matters of Religion to take your liberty of speech against some that are perswaded some things might and should be reformed if the State had leasure to look into them and you know it full well that such as you are shall find ears enough to receive your accusations against such else upon equall ground you would not be so confident thus hand over head to condem as good Subjects without any disgrace as your self of no less then Heresie and Treason As for my self I thank God I have had that care both of mine outward conversation and Doctrine that none of any civility I trust shall find a face to reproach me for the one nor any of any judgment in Religion will accuse me of the other And as for those Reports that are
given out against me out of yours and others mouthes your shame shall send them home again and I will wear them about my neck as Chains and Garlands In particular for your self though I desire the love acquaintance and favour of any well-gifted Minister it will be no great disgrace to me to sit at home without your countenance except your self were in greater countenance with them that truly fear the Lord. Thus leaving you at this time to a better spirit then that which set you so greedily on work against me I commit you to the grace mercy and pardon of God and my self to his wise direction hereafter to take heed how I give mouthes so readily open to reproach my Ministry any just and direct occasion Chatham the last of April 1602. Your Fellow-labourer and Minister in the Lords work desirous of peace and if it were possible of love also William Bradshaw This Letter though somewhat large it seemed not amisse at full to relate because it representeth to the life both the Character of many such Teachers as were forwardest to oppose Gods faithfull Messengers in those times and the manner of their teaching which the most of our Antinomian party that give out themselves as the only Gospel-Preachers come so near unto now adaies and the most unequall and unchristian courses also that were by such then commonly practised to work them into disgrace with the people and to procure trouble to them from the State But the malice of the man stayed not here which of it self for ought he was able to do was not much to be regarded For being netled by this Letter upon consultation had with some of his complices a Knight of note in that County a man of some parts of learning and wit but of loose life utterly averse from and adverse to the profession and practice of piety was by them procured to come down from Rochester where he then was to Chatham on a Lords day to hear Master Bradshaw and that for no other end but to pick somewhat if it might be out of his teaching for which upon his information against him a practice most unworthy a man or his rank his mouth might be stopped or he inhibited at least from farther imployment in that place And according indeed to their wicked design and ungodly desire the plot proceeded For whereas Master Bradshaw being then entred upon the handling of the story of Christs Temptations related by two Evangelists on which his Sermons much desired by many that heard part of them and though not fully perfected by him yet by some small supplies being made up may peradventure hereafter see light had observed that this was the main scope of Satan in his first encounter to bear our Saviour in hand that howsoever he had been put in some hope by a voice as from Heaven that he was the beloved Sonne of God yet God by his present neglect of him and leaving him in such difficulties destitute of all necessaries did thereby manifest that he did not respect or regard him at all hereupon he took occasion to admonish all true Christians to arm themselves diligently against this temptation and to strengthen their Faith in the assurance of Gods favour towards them care of them and undoubted truth of his Promises made to them using this as an Argument to incite them unto the greater care in this kind for that said he If this temptation do once fasten upon us that we shall come by Satans sleights to be perswaded that there is no such matter that God hath no such respect or regard unto us it cannot but cool our love unto God Which words of his very wholesome and good the Knight perverting and misreporting enformed underhand against him that he should deliver That a man was not bound to love God unlesse he were sure that God loved him Hereupon Master Bradshaw was shortly after by a short note under Doctor Buckeridges hand bearing date May twenty six 1602. and directed unto him at Chatham made acquainted that it was the pleasure of his Lords Grace of Canterbury and his Lord of London the main prosecutor of the business against him that he should the next day by nine of the clock appear personally before them at Shorn a Town situate between Rochester and Gravesend whither accordingly he repaired and there appearing after some questions moved and answers thereunto returned the Bishop of London began to charge him with teaching of false and ungodly Doctrine such as had been suggested by the Knight before-mentioned whereunto when he answered Negatively relating withall truly and sincerely what he had delivered and offering to produce not a few of good credit who could and would testifie what then he taught that would not be admitted London affirming that what had been enformed was averred by such as were able to conceive being learned and to understand aright what it was that he delivered and received it not by report from others but had been ear-witnesses of it themselves However at last to strike all dead sure subscription was tendered to him whereat they knew he would stick which because he professed that he could not condescend unto they inhibited him to preach any more at Chatham and having bound him to appear when he should be farther called upon for the present so dismissed him The next Lords day was one suborned in the habit of a traveller to repair early in the morning to Master Bradshaws lodging at Chatham who asking to speak with him pretended that he came on purpose out of his way to hear him and demanded of him whether he preached that day or no whereunto he answering that he did not being by authority inhibited he made shew of much sorrow as being frustrated of his expectation but he was descried to be no other then a Spie sent to found Master Bradshaw what he intended to do so greedy were they to have farther ensnared him if by any meanes they might The same day Master Bearblock was observed at Strowd as triumphing after a Victory atchieved against some great adversary to have appointed to be sung before his fore-noon-Sermon the former part of the 27. Psalm Those of Chatham much affected with the inhibition of their faithfull Teacher and grieved in their souls for the restraint of that precious food which they had formerly received from him were not backward to use what means they might for the taking off of the inhibition and removal of the restraint To this purpose a Supplication was framed in the Name of the Parishoners of Chatham unto the Bishop of Rochester their immediate Diocesan in these words Right Reverend Father and our very good Lord If we were not by manifold triall and long experience assured of the love that you bear and the care that you have over that flock which the Lord hath committed unto your charge we could not with so good hope and comfort as now
taking great affection to him for his wit and disposition was very carefull of him and taught him not only that humane learning that was fitting for his years but the grounds of the Protestant Religion This his School-master was the first blessed Instrument that God was pleased to make use of to work in him a liking and relish of the Reformed Religion He continued with him till he was fit for the University which was not long For when he was but about thirteen years of age he was placed by his Father the good hand of God still over-ruling him with a very godly and Religious Tutor in Christs Colledge in Cambridge where he concontinued till after he was Master of Arts where he gained much love and esteem for his Piety Learning Ingenuity affability and harmlesse inoffensive witty Converse Mr ARTHVR HILDERSAM Being in this dejected and forlorn condition God that comforteth those that are cast down comforted him by meeting with Mr. John Ireton then Fellow of Christs Colledge after Rector of Kegworth in Leicestershire a man famous for Piety and Learning in London who at their meeting said unto him Arthur why art thou so long from thy Book and losest so much time Alas Sir said he I shall go no more to Cambridge and thereupon told him his condition and the occasion of it Be not discouraged saith Master Ireton thou hast a Noble Kinsman whom I will acquaint with thy case and I doubt not but he will provide for thee Accordingly Master Ireton soon after went to the Right Honourable Henry Earl of Huntingdon Lord President of the North whose Mother and Master Hildersams Mother were Brothers Children and representeth to him the sad condition of his poor Kinsman The Noble Earl gladly embraced this opportunity of doing good and sent for him encouraged him promised him maintenance and gave order to Master Ireton to send him back to Cambridge and to place him with a good Tutor For said he I suppose his Father did place him with a Papist But when Master Ireton assured him the contrary he gave order he should go to his former Tutor of whose love to him and care of him Master Hildersam was wont often to speak When Master Hildersam was Master of Arts he was soon after to Common-place a Colledge-exercise in Divinity not different from a Sermon but in length he being loth to adventure upon that Exercise intreated one of the Fellows his special Friend to supply his place the first time but he out of love refused to gratifie him in that and wished him to remember one Master Sidney Zouch Master of Arts of that Colledge who getting one to supply his place the first time and hearing afterwards some of his own year perform that Exercise so well that he despaired of doing the like could never after be perswaded either to Common-place or preach though he were a very able Scholar The first time he was to Common-place he was much afraid but observing that there sate a very godly man his Friend on th' other side of the Chappel he thought that that man prayed for him which much encouraged him He was of so good repute for his Piety and Learning that by the major part of the Fellows he was chosen Fellow of that Colledge but Dr. Barwell the Master making use of his negative voice stopped him and the matter came to the Visitors two of which viz. Doctor Perne and Doctor Goad favouring his Competitor Master Willet who was afterwards Doctor Willet made him Fellow Not long after he was chosen Divine of Trinity-hall in the said University where he continued till Septemb. the 14 1587. at which time by the foresaid Right Honourable Earl he was called to be and placed Preacher at Ashby de la zauce in Leicestershire The impropriate Tithes of the same Parish being setled upon him for his life by the said Earl and continued to him by the favour of the two succeeding Earls George and Henry untill his death He hath given publique notice to the world of his duty and thankfulnesse to that noble house in his Dedicatory Epistle to his Lectures on Joh. 4. January 5. 1590. He married Mistresse Anne Barfoot Daughter to Master Barfoot of Lamborn-hall in Essex who was a very loving and carefull Wife of him and the like Mother of his Children she survived him about eight years He was silenced in June 1590. and restored again in January 1591. He was instituted and inducted into the Vicaridge of Ashby Octob. 4. 1593. He preached at the Assiises at Leicester in the time of a great dearth July 20. 1596. a godly learned zealous plain and powerfull Sermon upon those words 1 King 18.17 18. And it came to passe when Ahab saw Elijah that Ahab said unto him Art thou he that troubleth Israel And he answered I have not troubled Israel but thou and thy fathers house in that ye have forsaken the Commandements of the Lord and thou hast followed Baalim In the handling of which Text he so offended Judge Aderson that he manifested his anger and displeasure both by his countenance and gesture arising to go away But Master Hildersam speaking some words unto him with ministerial authority he stayed till the Sermon was done After Sermon the Judge would have had the Grand-Jury to have indited him but in those daies it would have been hard to have found a Grand-Jury in Leicestershire that would have done that Some further and greater danger Master Hildersam was in by reason of that Judges displeasure for that Sermon but God in mercy prevented it In the year 1598. there was an attachment sent out of the High-Commission for his apprehension In the beginning of King James his reign when many petitioned for Reformation which Petitions were very modest and moderate subscribed by above seven hundred and fifty godly able Preachers in but twenty five Counties which Petition was directed to the Parliament and other Petitions to his Majesty and the Lords of the Council and to the Bishops he with some few others of his Brethren were chosen and chiefly intrusted to mannage that important businesse to prosecute the Petitions to solicite the cause and if required to dispute it And whereas there were some appointed to deal for those that desired Reformation in the Conference at Hampton Court he with Master Stephen Egerton of London and Master Edward Fleetwood of Lancashire delivered to them some ten demands and requests made by thirty Reverend Ministers in the name of themselves and many others which they intreated them to solicite his Majesty for in the behalf of the Church He was deprived and silenced by William Chaderton then Bishop of Lincolne April 24. 1605. for refusall of subscription and conformity yet after some time by the connivance and favour of William Overton then Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield he preached sometimes in that Diocesse specially at those two famous
wany regards was judged inexpedient he removed with his Wife and such of his Family who were not disposed of elsewhere unto Wrenbury in Cheshire where he sojourned with his Wives dear Sister Mistresse Nicolls a godly woman the Widdow of worthy Master Robert Nicolls who had been very famous in those parts both for his labours and great abilities of whom this true character may be given He was a man who had a clear head and a tender heart who led an holy life and abounded in the work of the Lord. Here Master Herring lived privately and comfortably under the Ministry of his good Friend Master William Peartree doing what service he could by comforting afflicted consciences and confirming the hearts of Gods people in the Faith of the Gospel as opportunities were offered Before any further progresse be made in making known his call unto Amsterdam here may seasonably be inserted the description given by a Reverend Neighbour Minister which is as followeth Whereas you desire my opinion in writing concerning that Reverend and Religious man of God Master Herring deceased The truth is I fear my Pen may rather darken his Honour then my Pensil can draw out his Character yet as the Martyr counted it a great mercy to be cast into prison if it were but to see the face of that blessed Angel of God Master Bradford so I have look't on it as no small happinesse that the Lord in his Providence did cast me into these parts to see the face and hear the voice of Master Herring that blessed Angel of a Church in Salop. And I blesse God that I had some intimate acquaintance with him and knew his Doctrine manner of life c. as Timothy did Pauls 2 Epist. 3.10 And I should wrong him if I should withhold this just testimony He was one of whom the world was not worthy a Messenger one of a thousand a faithfull Minister of Jesus Christ A Boanerges a sonne of thunder to brawny-hearted sinners A Barnabas a sonne of consolation to broken-hearted sinners As sweet a grace he had in Elocution as ever I heard man in the Pulpit whose gift of utterance did set a fair glosse on all his holy Sermons Another Apollos eloquent and mighty in the Scriptures and you know the common saying Bonus textualis bonus Theologus His Sermons preached in the Congregation were printed in his conversation In Doctrine shewing incorruptness gravity sincerity for he was a pious and learned Divine and in life shewing himself a Pattern of good works free from visible blame saving humane unavoidable infirmities none could say justly black was his eye He was indued with an admirable gift of Prayer and was frequently imployed in daies of private humiliation even then when meetings in that kind were branded with the odious names of Conventicles yet the perils to which he rendred himself obnoxious could not stave him off from opening his window with Daniel toward Jerusalem He was very fruitfull in conference discreet in carriage and cheerfull and couragious in his sufferings of which this good old Non-conformist had his share And when every door was barr'd and no hope left to enjoy his publique liberty he left the land of his Nativity and on a clear call went into the Netherlands where after some years spent in the work of the Lord this bright star did set to the no little sorrow of his dear Christian Friends c. This faithfull Servant of Christ had many invitations into New-England but received not satisfaction in his spirit to transplant himself thither Afterwards in the latter end of the year 1636 he was propounded by some friends unto Master Rulice who was sent from the English Reformed Church in Amsterdam unto London to provide a Minister to succeed Master John Paget as a man most meet to undertake that place For the case there was this viz. Master John Paget whose works praise him in the gate being through old age rendred unable to uphold his wonted work in that Reformed Congregation was eased of his Pastoral attendance there though the Lords of the City according to their commendable custom continued his competent maintenance till his death therefore Master Rulice his Colleague was employed to find out an Assistant This motion made known to Master Herring was the rather hearkened unto because his suspension from preaching was a burthen to his active spirit and he espied no ground of hope that he should ever be suffered by the Prelates to enjoy his much-desired liberty in England any more Hereupon coming up to London after much seeking of God and serious consulting with godly Brethren he was perswaded that this call came from God and therefore might not be gainsaid Now having resolved in the pursuance of this Providence to leave England amongst other difficulties to be encountred he was much affected with a double conflict the one relating unto his Manuscripts the other unto his near and much endeared Friends He had many papers and letters which he much prized containing both the spiritual breathings of gracious hearts and matters of great concernment and those he durst not adventure to take with him fearing a search nor yet did he judge it safe to leave them because he knew not into what hands they might come therefore upon advice he burnt many writings though both then and afterwards he did with tears think of that Letter martyrdome for so he called it wherein many of the best thoughts of his dearest friends were committed to the flames If this was so grievous then let the Reader guesse with what grief of heart this thought was entertained that now he must leave thousands of his precious Friends without any hope of seeing their faces any more in the land of the living And truly his labours and his lovely conversation had gained him multitudes of Friends in every Countrey and corner where he was known for no man was more generally and intirely affected by all sorts who feared God then good Master Herring Although it be not possible to give a particular account of the Gentry and Ministry most eminent for Religion who highly prized and heartily loved him yet the vertuous Lady Margaret Bromley who then dwelt at Sheriff Hales in Shropshire deserves an honourable remembrance because she was a constant and unparallel'd favourer of all good Ministers and People being both tender-hearted and open-handed towards such who suffered under Prelatical pressures and otherwise and at her house the most famous Ministers in all neighbour Countries had hearty welcomes with manifold sweet opportunities of service unto God and of mutuall edification Besides the frequent soul-helps which the Parishoners of the Congregation to which she was related had upon Sabbath daies for her sake there were few Holy-daies daies of vacancy from worldy businesses in the year wherein they had not one Sermon at least preached by some able Minister of Jesus Christ amongst whom Master Pierson Master Ball Master
have some portion of Scripture read amongst them or some other religious Treatise concerning the fundamentals of Religion if not both But especially he was carefull that all his Family should sanctifie the Sabbath-day And therefore would not suffer them to be imployed late the night before about their ordinary employments but caused them to conclude sooner then on other daies that they might not be indisposed for the duties of the day following And on the Sabbath-day it self he was carefull that they should not spend any part of it idly or vainly no not in any unnecessary preparations of diet or the like but only of such and so much as was necessary for their comfortable refreshment that day but would have them spend the whole day as much as might be in the exercises of some of Gods Ordinances publique or private insomuch that if he had known of any dish that had kept any of his Servants from attending on any of Gods Ordinances he would not at all eat of it And for better sanctifying of that day he was carefull not only to perform private duties in his Family as Prayer Reading Singing of Psalms c. but also when he went to the publique Ordinances he would call all his Family together to go along with him that so they might be present at the whole service of God And in the evening of the day he required of all his Servants and the young Gentlemen that sojourned with him an account of such portions of Scripture as had been read in publique and as they recited particular passages thereof he gave brief expositions of them and observations from them pressing them to meditate in private of what they read in publique Beside this great care of his Family joyntly he was also frequent in giving them personall counsell and direction in the waies of God exhorting them also to a daily constancy in the performance of secret duties between God and their own soul so that scarce any Family enjoyed the like measure of helps and encouragements in the waies of holinesse His exact walking in his own secret devotion was also exceedingly remarkable He was a man much in Communion with God Twice every day he was in secret a Suiter at the Throne of grace and oftener as any particular occasion was offered He would very seldome enter upon any businesse either by himself or with others without first seeking of God He did often set daies apart to humble himself in secret by Fasting and Prayer according as either publique or particular occasions did seem to call for it as also in solemn Thanksgivings for mercies received whether publique or private He was a great admirer of the holy Scriptures and much conversant in them Beside what he had read and heard read in his Family he did every day by himself read some part both of the Old and New Testament and constantly write short meditations and observations of what he so read whereof he hath left behind him many hundred sheets written in Characters He was so throughly acquainted with it that it was not easie to name a Chapter or Verse but he would presently tell the Contents of it nor to name any sentence of Scripture but he could presently tell in what Chapter or Verse it was to be found yea scarce any particular case could fall out in practice but that he would be able to shew what particular directions the Word of God afforded for it He was also a great observer of Providence and took special notice how the Providences of God and the Word of God did constantly agree together And from hence was able to give very near conjectures if not evident Predictions in many cases what God was about to do and what good or evil events were likely to come to passe by comparing present actions with such Precedents as he had before observed in the Providences and Word of God in like cases And as he was very carefull to order all his actions according to his constant rule of being subservient to the glory of God and the good of souls so that even his journeys visits discourses and familiar converses with any were not undertaken without a special eye hereunto so did he also keep an exact account of what had passed every night before his going to rest setting down in writing in his usuall Character the passages of that day what actions or discourses he had been employed in what successes or disappointments what mercies or crosses he met withall and what failings he observed in himself all which he surveyed again at the end of every week writing down the chief passages of that week and so from moneth to moneth and year to year By means whereof he was throughly acquainted with his own spiritual condition and did maintain a constant exactnesse and even walking with God which being so uniform might perhaps by some be the lesse observed Like as the Sunnes constant brightnesse produceth lesse admiration then some blazing Starre that appeareth but for a while men usually more admiring things rare then excellent In the year 1632. he was by the University of Cambridge made one of the University-Preachers having proceeded Batchelor of Divinity about two years before A matter of honour and repute rather then of profit or employment Yet also a matter of some advantage in some cases as times then went being in the nature of a general License whereby he was authorized to preach as he should have occasion in any part of England At the beginning of the Parliament he with Doctor Tuckny were chosen Clarks of the Convocation for the Diocesse of Lincoln wherein he might have been of good use in case it had been thought fit to have kept up that kind of Assembly to have acted in concurrence with the Parliament as in former times In the year 1643. he was by authority of Parliament called to be a Member of the Assembly of Divines at Westminster And after some time he was chosen one of the Assessors appointed to assist the Prolocutor in case of absence or in infirmity He was in that Assembly an eminent and very usefull Member exceeding diligent and industrious being very rarely absent and that not but upon urget unavoidable occasions For as he accounted it an honour to be employed by God in so publique a service for the good of his Church so he did conscientiously attend upon that service prefering it before all other more particular employments which though in themselves excellent yet ought in his judgment to give way to this And he was exceeding well fitted for this employment having a clear and ready apprehension and firm and vast memory a solid and steady judgement and a good ability freely to expresse himself In matters of deliberation he manifested much Integrity and Christian wisdome In matters of debate whether about Doctrine or Discipline he discovered a great sagacity in searching out the true sense
reverence of the affinity contracted with the King of Navarr That the King had entred into a league with the Queen of England and endeavoured to do the same with the Protestant Princes in Germany which sufficiently shews how he stands affected to the Protestants Moreover that Faith was given to the Prince of Orenge and to the E. of Nassaw his Brother to aid them against the Spaniards That the Kings Ambassadours did daily search into the Counsels of the Duke de Alva and acquainted the King therewith as the King daily informed him That the Navy under Strossius at Broag is rigged for no other end but to disturb the Spansh Fleet and to assist the Prince of Orenge That for himself they need not fear the King having made Friendship betwixt the Guises and him faith being mutually given that neither should injure other To conclude That the King doth all he can to have Peace at home and Warre abroad and to translate it into the Low Countries against the Spaniards wherefore he prayeth his Friends not to trouble his mind any more with suspitions which is now busied with weightier matters and to joyn with him in prayer to God that he would bring those things to a good issue which are well begun for his glory and the good both of Church and Kingdom A little before Count Lodwick with some others had Commissions from the King to surprize some Frontier Town in Flanders On the other side the Duke de Alva had intelligence of every step that Count Lodwick took yet such was his diligence that he surpriz'd Monts in Henault wherewith the Duke de Alva was so netled that he said The Queen-Mother had sent him the flowers of Florence but he would for them return her Spanish thistles but upon further intelligence he was soon pacified Many Lords and Gentlemen of the Religion accompanied the King of Navarr and Prince of Conde to Paris and the King drew many more of them thither who otherwise would have kept their houses under pretence of his Warres in Flanders Count Lodwick was presently besieged in Monts by de Alva whereupon the King gave Commission to Monsieur Jenlis to raise Horse and Foot for his succour but de Alva being acquainted with all his proceedings surprized him which the King seemed to be much grieved at and presently wrote to his Ambassadours in the Low Countries to procure the deliverance of the prisoners He also encouraged the Admirall to send all the help he could to the Rutters whom the Prince of Orenge had levied for the relief of his Brother causing monies to be delivered to him for their pay The Ambassadours of Spain also seemed to be very male-content because the King began Warre in Flanders and the Kings Mother played her part in this Tragedy pretending that she knew nothing of the Kings proceedings and now she did know them she would leave the Court. These juglings were carried so handsomly that the Admirall Teligni his Son-in-law and other Lords were confidently perswaded that the King was wholly guided by the Admirals advice July the last The Rochelers wrote to the Admirall that the Kings Army approached near them that from Xantone and Gascoine it daily wasted the Countrey about them using terrible threatnings against their Town and menacing to plunder it whereupon they intreated his advice especially about receiving eight hundred men which they sought to put as a Garrison into the Town The Admirall made them an honourable answer Aug. 7. assuring them of the care he had over them adding that he found the King so well disposed for Peace that all men had cause to commend him Yet the Rochelers neglected not to look to themselves and to fortifie their Town In other Towns many were the threats of the Papists against the Protestants which much terrified some others relied upon the Admirals presence and favour at Court and to such as suggested doubts to him he said that the King had reconciled the differences betwixt the Guises and him causing both Parties to swear friendship That the King gave his Sister in marriage not so much to the King of Navarr as to the whole Church of the Protestants to joyn with them thereby in an inviolable union and therefore he besought all them that either by writing or words advised him of the hatred of the King Queen-Mother the Duke of Anjou or the house of Guise no more to trouble him with those things but rather to commend all in their daily prayers to God and to give him thanks who of his infinite mercy had brought things to so good an end August 17. Henry King of Navarr and the Lady Margaret of France Sister to the King in the evening were conducted to the Louure and the next day were married by the Cardinall of Bourbon in the sight of all the people upon a great Scaffold made before the gate of the great Church in Paris which day was passed over in Banquets Dances and Masks and that very day the Admirall wrote a Letter to his Wife great with child in this tenour Most dear and desired Wife This day was celebrated the Marriage between the King of Navarr and the Kings Sister and these three or four ensuing daies will be spent in Feastings Maskings and Dancings The King hath promised me that after a few daies he will set time apart to hear the complaints which are brought from several parts of the Kingdom for violating the Edict of Peace for the prosecution whereof it 's very necessary that I should improve all my interest with the King For though I have an earnest desire to see thee yet it would be grievous to me and I suppose to thee also if I should be any waies deficient in a business of so great concernment neither will my stay here about it be such but that I hope to come to thee this next week If I should only respect my own content it would be much more pleasing to me to be with thee then to stay any longer at Court for sundry reasons which I may hereafter impart to thee but I must have more respect to the publique good then either to my own pleasure or profit I have some other things to impart to thee so soon as God shall bring us together which I much long for both day and night All that I have for the present to write to thee is only thus much at four a clock this afternoon was celebrated the Masse for the Marriage during which time the King of Navarr walked without the Church with some other Noble-men of our Religion Some other matters of smaller concernment I shall reserve till we have an opportunity to speak together in the mean time most dear and loving Wife I pray for thee that God will protect and keep thee Farewell Paris Aug. 18. 1572. Three daies since I was much tormented with the Stone and Cholick but through Gods mercy they held me not above eight
or ten hours and now by the same mercy I am wholly freed from them I promise thee that in these great Feasts and Pastimes I will trouble none Once again Farewell Thy most loving Husband Chattillion About the same time their Counsels for the Massacre being not yet ripened the King with the greatest demonstrations of good will that might be thus accosts the Admirall My Father Remember what you have undertaken to me that you will be injurious to none of the Guises whilst you are in the Court they also have interchangeably given their faith that they will carry themselves honourably and modestly towards you And truly I put as great trust as may be in your words but I have not the same confidence in their promises For besides that I know that the Guises seek occasion of revenge I know their disposition to be bold and haughty and with what great favour and affection the people of Paris do follow them It would be a great grief to me if they who have brought into the City many men of Warre notably furnished with arms under colour of coming to the marriage solemnity should go about any thing for your destruction which would extreamly reflect upon me and therefore I think it fit if you be of the same minde to bring a Regiment of Praetorian Souldiers into the City under the command of such men meaning some that were least suspected who may not only be ready for the publique securiry but upon all emergencies if turbulent spirits should attempt any thing against you This friendly speech so prevailed with the Admirall that he gave his consent and so a Regiment was brought in without the suspition of the Protestants which afterwards helped to cut their throats Five daies after as the Admirall came from the Court where he had been all that morning accompanied with twelve or fifteen Gentlemen being on foot about a hundred paces from the Louure walking softly and reading a Petition just over-against the house of one Villemure a Canon and Tutor to the young Duke of Guise one shot with an Harquebush at him through a lattice window the Gun was laden with three brasse bullets one whereof brake his forefinger of his right hand the other two pierced his left arm He that shot it had a horse ready at the back door whereon being mounted he escaped through St. Anthonies gate where finding a Spanish Jennet held ready for him he posted away to the place appointed for his retreat The door of the house being burst open the Harquebush was found with a Lacquey and another servant who belonged to Challey Steward of the Kings house and a great dealer in the Duke of Guises affairs who also the day before had brought this Harquibushier to that house desiring that he might be well intertained the Lacquey also was sent that morning by this Harquebushier whose name was Maurevel to the Duke of Guises Groom of his Stable requiring that the Horse should be ready that was promised him The Admirall being brought to his lodging shewed singular piety and patience Chyrurgions were sent for and amongst the rest Ambrose Pareus the Kings Chyrurgion who began first with his finger which he cut off but his pincers not being keen he opened and pressed them three times before he could cut it off Then he lanced both those places in his arm which the bullets had pierced all which the Admirall bore not only with a couragious heart but with a constant countenance insomuch as seeing his Friends to weep which held his arm whilst the incisions were made he said unto them My Friends why do you weep I judge my self happy that bear these wounds for the cause of my God And withall looking upon Monsieur Merlin his Minister he said These wounds my Friends are Gods blessings the smart indeed of them is troublesome but I acknowledge the will of my Lord God therein and I bless his Majesty who hath been pleased thus to honour me and to lay any pain upon me for his holy name sake let us beg of him that he will enable me to presevere unto the end And seeing Monsieur Merlin to weep and lament he said to him My Merlin you should rather comfort me To whom he answered Indeed there can be no greater comfort then to think upon the honour which God hath done you in judging you worthy for his Name and Religions sake to suffer these pains My Merlin answered the Admirall if God should have dealt with me aâ—cording to my deserts or have used his power over me he must have deâ—â— far more severely with me but blessed be his Name who hath dealt so mildly and lovingly with me his unworthy Servant Then said another that stood by Go on with this your piety foâ— God ought to be praised by you who hath left the greatest part saâ— and untouched for which cause you have greater reason to admire hâ—â— mercy in these wounds then to complain of his justice especialâ—â— considering that neither your head nor your mind are wounded Thâ—â— said Merlin You do very well Sir that you turn your thoughts froâ— these murtherers to God for truly it was his hand that inflicted theiâ— wounds neither ought you at all to think upon the blâ—ody-mindednesse of your adversaries Truly said the Admirall I freely and from my heart forgive both him that shot at me and those also that set him on for I know assuredly that it is not in their power to hurt me no though they should kill me for my death is a most certain passage to eternal life Thâ— same words he shortly after spake to Marshall Danvill when he came to visit him And whereas Monsieur Merlin told him that the afflictions and calamities which happen to Gods Children use to quicken theâ— more in Prayer The Admirall thereupon with an audible voice and fervent soul poured out this Prayer unto God O Lord God and my heavenly Father have mercy upon me for thy tender mercies sake Remember not against me my former iniquities neither charge me with the sins of my youth If thou Lord shouldst strictly mark what is done amiss or shouldst impute to us our breach of Covenant what flesh could stand before thee or endure thine anger As for me disclaiming all false gods and worship I only call upon thee the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and worship thee alone for Christ his sake I beseech thee to bestow thy holy Spirit upon me and give me the grace of patience I only trust in thy mercies all my hope and confidence is placed on that alone whether thou pleasest to inflict present death upon me or to spare my life to do thee further service Behold Lord I am prepared to submit to thy will in either nothing doubting but if thou pleasest to inflict death upon me thou wilt presently admit me into thine everlasting Kingdom But if Lord thou sufferest me to live longer here grant O