charme he never so wisely Thus have we made it manifest that this gracious and Godly Gentleman was in his holy conversation full of mercy and full of good fruits All of which do taste and relish so much the better because they were seasoned with two other gracious qualities of that wisedome which is from above namely Equity and Syncerity for hee was without partiality and without hypocrisie According to that of the Prophet Micha He hath shewed thee O man what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee but to doe justlie and to love mercy and to walk humbly and uprightly with thy God And thus have we according to our purpose and promise taken a more speciall view of some parts and passages of this Gentlemans life wherein the gifts of Gods grace the vertues of Christ and the fruits of the Spirit did more eminently appear As first in his conversing with God and secondly in his conversation in the world And so wee come from the course of his life in the world and draw towards the end of his life namely his departure out of the world which was the third and last of those 3. generall heads which were proposed to be handled CHAP. LX. COncerning his departure out of this world 3. General Head His departure out of the world 1. Prepar 2. His Resol 3 His confidence 4. His const Psa 90.12 we propole divers things to be considered and observed First his preparation for it Secondly his patient resolution to Beare all the sharpe occurrents of it Thirdly his gracious confidence of a blessed and happy exchange after it Fourthly his happy constancy in the faith of Christ unto the end and in the end untill hee was put in possession of it and so obtained the end of his faith the salvation of his lonle in Christ Jesus Now for the first as his whole life was a meditation of death so was it also a continuall preparation for it For the Lord had taught him so to number his dayes that he did apply his heart unto wisdome I say both to be wise unto salvation and so wise also as to consider Wisedom Deut. 32.29 Iob. 14.14 and often think too upon his latter end So that all the dayes of his appointed time he did wait as Iob did till his change should come Al his studies and labours all his holy duties and services all his prayers and tears all his watchings and fastings all his desires and endeavors were especially bent and directed unto this end next unto Gods glory that he might so run that he might obtaine and so fight His preparation for death that he might overcome and in the end be more than a conquerour in him that loved him that is in Christ Jesus It was therefore his care and confidence ever so to live that he might never be affraid to dye yea so to live that he might desire to dye and to bee with Christ which is best of all even where he is and as he is for over Phil 1.23 Paulm in vita Amb. Possidon in vita Aug. As Paulinus hath recorded of Ambrose that being ready to dye he uttered these comfortable words unto his friends about him Non sic vivi ut pude no me inter vos vivere nec mori timeo quiu bonum habemus Dominum I have not so lived that I am ashamed to live amongst you neither am I affraid to dye because we have a good Lord. His more especiall preparation for his latter end His more speciall preparation in ten speciall duties consisted in these holy duties and heavenly exercises 1. To deny himself his wit his will his reason and affection 2. To renounee the world and to we are himselfe from the love of it and from all the pleasures profits honours and favours of the fame 3. To set and settle his affections on the things which are above placing his heart where his head Christ is 4. To take all his decayes of nature his bodily infirmities want of vigour and strength abatement of naturall heate and moisture to be certeyne Impressions of his mortality and evident Summons to a dissolution 5. To make all his spirituall rejoycings and refreshings in the estate of grace to bee pledges and earnests as it were of heavenly and everlasting joy and happinesse in the estate of glory 6. To consider that unto the godly death is but a passage unto life a dissolution of soule and body for a season which afterwards shall bee restored again in greater beauty and glory at the resurrection 7. To observe that death puts an end to all sins and sorrows to all temptations and afflictions and brings us into the possession of an heavenly inheritance where the true treasure is in abundance where also there are rivers of pleasures and fulnesse of joy for ever more 8. To meditate that here we are but strangers and pilgrims having here no continuing city but seeking one to come that heaven is our home and that whiles we are present in the body we are absent from the Lord and that Ierusalem which is above is the city of the Saints and mother of us all 9. To conferre and talke with his godly friends of the day of death and time of his departure out of this world even in the middest of all other comforts as Christ himself did with Moses and Elias in the holy Mount of his departure that is of his death at Ierusalem and as Austin had much holy and heavenly communication with his mother Monica Aug Cons l. 9. t. 10. and shee with him to the like purpose 10. Lastly to watch and pray with oyle in our Lamps and our lights burning taking every day for our last day Mat. 25.4 2 Tim. 2.21 Mat. 25.23 and so bee ready and prepared for our Masters worke for our Masters comming and for our owne reckoning Thus much of the means which he used and duties which he performed to prepare himself for his departure out of this world Now for his patient resolution to beare all the sharp occurrents of it As hee had obtained mercy of the Lord to bee faithfull in doing his will So had he also to be patient and resolute in suffering and abiding his good pleasure both in life and death To which end the Lord had given him a great measure of spirituall strength Phil. 4.13 Eph. 6.13 that he was able to doe in a manner all things in Christ which strengthened him and hee had furnished him also with that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the whole armour of God whereby he might be able to stand fast in the evill day whether of tentation or affliction against all adverse power that might assaile him We read of that faithfull servant of Christ Chrysostome when hee was grievously persecuted by Eudoxia the Empresse that the Lord did give him such courage and resolution that he feared nothing which she could doe unto him though shee did threaten never
and for our pleasure in these exercises which were intended especially for the refreshing of mens mindes and renewing of their strength after honest studies and labours to overtoyle and tire out our selves as did Esau in his hunting even untill he was almost dead for hunger Inordinate affections to these games and immoderate passions in the crosse occurrents of them doe not onely marre all the sport but deprive us of all lawfull use and fruit of them Eighthly It is unlawfull by hunting or hawking to overcharge our state or endammage our neighbours by Horses and Hounds costly at home and cumbersome abroad so as we are made lesse able to doe good to them that need or to our owne families and more offensive in doing hurt to them that might looke for better things from us Lastly the exercise of hunting hath beene held in it selfe not onely lawfull but commendable amongst the ancient Romans and by the judgement of the wisest States-men Athen. Dipno lib. 1. cap. 20. and Moralists of the world both for increase of health and strength in the time of peace and for fitting and framing of the body to a nimble activity and agility for sundry feats and exploits in the time of warre Sertorius a Romane Captaine and Commander Plutarch in Sertorio by his travell and paines which he took in hunting had so accustomed himselfe to hard adventures and dangerous and difficult passages that by the nimblenesse and agility of his body he was so able either to assaile his enemies or to winde himselfe out of their hands also with so great facility if he were in danger or distresse that he overcame them oftentimes as Plutarch reporteth of him rather by light skirmishes than by open encounter and publike fight Xenophon Plato Aristotle Plinius Secundus and others Xeno in lib. de venat Galen lib. de sanitate tuend lib. de Indo parvae pile have allowed and approved of hunting both for the execise of the body unto health and strength and for inuring and training up of youth in the feats of Armes and exploits of war Xenoph. in Cyropaedia Plat. lib. 7. de Legib. Aristot lib. 1. Polit. Plin. Sec. Lib. 5. Epist. in Panegyric And Julius Capitolinus recordeth that the Romane Legions were oftentimes exercised in hunting Jul. Capitol in Maxim p. 10 15. under Maxinūnus the Emperour that so they might be better fitted for warlike service and imployment Viget dere milit lib. 1. cap. 7.9.10 as occasion should require So likewise Vigetius reckons of those that have beene well exercised in hunting running leaping swimming to be fittest for trained souldiers and such as are to be chosen before others for warlike affaires And albeit many of our Gentlemen which are most addicted to this exercise of hunting do not alwayes prove the best souldiers neither have it ever in their minde so hotly to pursue their enemies as they doe their game or to make the dangers of warre the end and aime of their sports in peace Galen de lud parvae pilae Yet seeing in the judgement of Galen that renowned Philosopher and Physician hunting is one of those exercises which is both healthfull for the body and delightfull for the minde also we will so farre rest in his judgement and allow them hunting for an honest recreation if so be they will admit of Galens counsell and limitation therewithall Galen ibid. Nimium quod est reprehendo semper c. I alwayes blame that which is too much and would have every art that we use Lusus habet laudem si moderatus erit Promptuar Damhouderii pa. 229 Etlucta cursu saltu certare palaestra Haec bene conveniunt sed moderata viris Promptu Damhouderii pa. 230. Est modus in rebus c. Hor. used in moderation Quae si modum excedat jam bona esse desinit Which so soone as it begins to exceed measure it presently ceaseth to be good any more Ludendi est quidam modus Cic. lib I. Off. Thus by occasion of this young Gentleman his hunting keeping his Dogges and following hi◠Hounds with so great care and cost so eager desire and delight we have for a while held hunting it selfe in chase and so followed the sent that we might finde out the game in the nature end and use of it how it may serve for profit and how for pleasure how we ought to follow it for the manner and measure that it may do us good and not to exceed therein lest it do us hurt CHAP. XIII His more effectuall conversion and the fruits of it Cap. 14 HAving now spent some few yeares of his youth in the pursuit of these vanities lest he should trifle out his precious time in such carnall pleasures any longer The Lord began to awaken him to some better sight and sense of his errour and offence in this course and to prepare him now as a vessell of honour for better service and imployment both in his owne and in his masters house Vpon his fathers death In the yeere 1587. It pleased tho Lord to call unto his mercy his worthy Father upon whose decease he being much perplexed both in minde and state some sorrowes and feares thoughts and cares began to stirre and work within him and the Lord who best knoweth the fittest times and seasons for his own work began to work also for his more effectuall calling and reformation therewithall And this he did by the rebukes of his Word and checkes of his Spirit convincing his judgement and changing his minde and heart By Gods good meanes from the love of baser to a delight in better things For now he began to search his heart and try his wayes and to call himselfe to an account for his former courses and measuring all those things by the line of the Word and in the ballance of the Sanctuary which he had found or felt before in the pleasures of this life he saw there was nothing at all in them all but vanity of vanities and vexation of spirit Not very violent And albeit the pangs of his conversion and paines of his new birth were not so violent as others of Gods childrens have beene or as Pauls Constantines and Luthers were yet were his passions and affections at this time not much unlike unto S. Austins upon the point of his conversion who being now weary of the wayes of vanity and tyred out with the weight of his owne sinne in a holy desire to cast off the burden that did presse him downe and to shake off the pleasing sins that did intangle him so fast powred out his heart in prayers and teares before the Lord after this manner Vsquequo Domine irasceris in finem Ne memor fueris iniquitatum mearum antiquarum How long Lord wilt thou be angry for ever Like unto S. Austins Be not mindfull of my old sins Quamdiu quamdius cras cras Quare non
cause the light of his countenance to shine upon leaders and followers comming into his Sanctuary Holy exercises acceptable to God And how doe you thinke doth hee looke upon them that forsaking the fountaine of Living Waters digge unto themselves such broken Ciâ—ernes as these are which can hold no water What is there in those exercises but that which is warrantable commendable profitable and comfortable And what in these that hath any sent or savour of such things Profitable to men If these men were truly changed themselves they would bee easily induced to make an exchange also of baser company Yet will none make an exchange but such as are changed themselves for a better society of fading and false joyes for durable and true comforts of worldly profits and filthy lucre for spirituall gaine and the true treasure and of the vaine applause and praise of men for the true honour and praise which comes from God only CHAP. XXXIV IN the middst of these sweet comforts and refreshings He was otherwise exercised also â—y affliction which hee thus received and enjoyed by these publike exercises of Religion It pleased the Lord otherwise also to exercise his servant with a grievous affliction in the taking away with a stroke his deare wife the desire of his eyes and faithfull Yoke-fellow In the death of his wife who being well in the morning began to bee ill and sicke at Supper and departed this life the same evening Sudden death a fearefull judgment to some Suddaine death is held to bee a fearefull judgement as though it were a testimony of the wrath of God And so indeed it hath beene and may bee to some who being wicked persons and continuing in their sinnes without any feare of God any repentâ—nce or faith in Christ are suddenly arrested by the LOrds hand and cut off by death in his sore displeasure So it was to Err and Onan the sonnes of Judah to Nadab and Abihu the sonnes of Aaron Gen. 38 7 10. to Corah a Levite and Dathan and Abiram Lev. 10.1 2. two of the Princes of the Assembly And so it is likely it was also to Nabal that churlish foole Num. 16.1 2 30 31 32. of whom it is said that after ten dayes the Lord smote him that hee dyed The Scripture also seemeth to make it the ordinary portion and condition of the wicked that God will shoote at them with his arrow Psal 64.7 and suddenly shall they be wounded that spending their dayes in wealth Iob 21.13 in a moment they goe downe into the grave and that flourishing for a wile they fuddenly perish and come to a fearefull end Ps 73.19 Sudden Death upon a wicked lif fearfull True it is that a sudden death attending upon and following a wicked life is a fearefull judgement and a dreadfull signe so far as we can judge of the wrath of God and yet we will not limit nor confine the Lords mercies for inter Pontem Fontem ferrum jugulum Dei misericordia Betwixt the Bridge and the Brook the Knife and the Throat the mercy of God may appeare But as all that live wickedly do not dye suddenly Yet all that dye suddenly do not dye fearefully so neither all that dye suddenly are to bee thought to dye fearefully as though they were deprived of Gods favour and fallen under his heavy wrath and displeasure for ever more No we may not censure so severely nor judge so rashly neither of our Brethren nor of the wayes and works of God 1 Sam. 4.18 Old Ely dyed suddenly when hee fell backwards from his chaire and brake his neck and yet I dare not say but that as he lived so he dyed the servant of the Lord. Josiah was suddenly slaine with an arrow going against Pharaoh Necho in the field 2 Chro 35 33. and yet I dare not say but that as he lived so hee dyed the servant of the Lord. Gen. 35.19 Jacob had his wife Rachel to dye suddenly in his journey on his hand and so dyed the wife of Phineas 1 Sam. 4.19 20. when she heard that the Arke of God was taken and yet wee may not otherwise conceive but that as they lived so they dyed the servants of the Lord. And so we are to judge of this Gentlemans wife being a gracious and holy woman As this Gentlewoman very hope-fully that albeit the Messenger that was sent for her seemed to be angry and too hasty to take away her life yet hee brought her no worse news than of a joyfull and a blessed death which was indeed a passage to a better life Possid in invit Aug. It was the saying of S. Ambrose upon his death bed which might have been hers also I have not so lived that I am ashamed to live any longer or affraid to dye if it had been sooner The life of the righteous findes never any worse end than the death of the righteous Num. 33.10 Rev. 14.13 2 Con 5 6 7 8 9. Rom. 14.8 and they that have the grace to live unto the Lord shall never fayle of this mercy to dye in the Lord and so they enjoy a double blessing whether they live or dye they are the Lords Besides all this No Death suddeine to a sound Christian Iob 14.14 the reckoning and account of a true Professor and sound Christian is not to seeke nor to make at the houre of their death All the dayes of their appointed time they wayte when their change shall come Their wholle life a Meditation of death and a preparation for it Every day they stand in readinesse Eph. 6.14 Mat. 25.4 10. Gen. 5.2 2. Mic 6.8 Psa 4.8 having oyle in their lamps and their lights burning wayting for the Bridgroome and their Masters comming In the morning they awake with God all the day long they walke with him and before him and in the evening and night season they lye down in peace Ma. 24.44 Heb. 13.5 and rest with him So that what time or houresoever their Master shall come and call upon them they shall not through his mercy and grace Mat. 7.4 44 45 45. who will never take them at the worst bee unprovided or unprepared for their meeting of him And albeit this were a suddeine stroke unto her worthy husband Ezek 24.16 18. as that was to Ezekiell when his wife the desire of his eyes being well in the morning dyed in the evening Thi Affliction sanctified yet did the Lord in mercy so sanctifie this affliction unto his servant that by the power of grace and Christian wisdome hee did moderate his affections and subdue his passions mourning for her death as sensible of his own losse And passions moderated As Abrah did for Sarah Gen. 23.2 1 Thes 4.13 yet neither wayling nor weeping as a man without hope For Grandis in suos pietas impiet as in Deum est
right and the just shall walke in them but the transgressors shall fall therein Thus much of his first dayly duty namely his holy and religious Meditation CHAP. XLVI THe second followeth which was his diligent His observation of Gods works Psa 64.7 8 9 10. Psa 66.3.5 and carefull observation of the ways works mercies and judgments of the Lord. It was the antient profession and practise of the people of God to waite upon the Lord and to observe his dealing with the just and with the wicked in the world The way of the Just is uprightnesse thou most upright doest weigh the path of the just Is 26.7 8. Yea in the way of thy judgments O Lord have we waited for thee the desire of our soule is to thy Name Ver. 9. and to the remembrance of thee With my soule have I desired thee in the night yea with my spirit within me wil I seek thee early for when thy judgments are in the earth the inhabitants of the world will learne righteousnesse Let favour be shewed to the wicked Ver. 10. yet will he not learne righteousnes in the land of uprightnesse will hee deale unjustly and will not behold the majesty of the Lord. See the memorable judgment of God against Vigetius Saâ—â—…niâ—us Claud. Herminianus observed by Tertullians Scapul A book of Rememb lob 35.24 25. Much after this manner did this faithfull Servant of Christ raise up his thoughts and quicken his soule to a diligent and due observation of the ways and works of God both in his mercies towards the godly and in his judgements against the wicked To which end and purpose he hath observed and recorded divers and sundry of the workes of the Lord which he calleth a declaration of some of the works of the Lord to the praise of his glorious Name power and mercy adding and annexing that admonition and exhortation out of Iob Remember that thou magnifie his works which men behòld Every man may see it man may behold in a far off To set down all such works of God as he hath observed See some examp of Gods mercies to Christians observed by Tertull. ad Sca c. 4. Some mercies of God observed I now cannot to passe over all in silence I may not I meane not And therefore to give a taste of some for the clearing of this point and the farther satisfaction of such as delight therein I think it very meet and convenient at this present To observe Gods mercies faith he with all humble praise and thanksgiving to God only Some few yeares before my brother Hardware dyed he had R.K. to his servant who is now an In-holder in Chester The said R. was as many thought bewitched and waxed weaker and weaker So as my Brother Hardware sent unto mee and my family to spend a day with him in prayer and fasting At that time I had good M. Wats the Preacher with me To R. K. his sick neighbourâ— whom I brought with me and others of my family to the Peele and there we found the said R.K. exceeding sick and weake and like an Anatomy of death nothing to look to but skin and bones and not likely to live a day all hope of life being gone He was brought and laid in a bed in the chamber where we prayed And in the same evening hee began to amend and the next morning did walke abroad and the third day began to be so strong that he fel to his work and labour with much rejoycing to the Family All laud and praise to God therefore To his Setvant Anno Domini 1601 and in the Summer time John Robinson my servant going with his teame the cart loaden and he falling by some occasion the wheele went over his legge being iron bound yet hurt him not any thing at all Laus Deo Anno Domini 1602 and in Iuly my son Iohn To his Son in danger being in Peaksmoore took up a seith to see how he could mow and the scith entered in at his stocking upon the shin bone and followed his leg shaving the haire and came out at the backside of his leg and toucht no flesh nor skinne Laus Deo The same Month and in the same Medow To a Labourer One casting a pikell up and down before him and behind him one being behind him the two greins of the pikell ran on both sides of his leg and hurt him not Hallelujah Memorand in Anno 1613 and in the Hey-Harvest One Richard Rogers Some Iudgments of Godremarkable that dwelt in my farme at Wimble Strafford under Master Thomas Puleston my tenant there seeing two godly persons going in the way said to one with him Now will I dance and swagger and sweare to anger and make mad yonder two Puritans Nö sint inulta esse diu DivinuÌ„ Numen scelera vid Herb. departioda popelo à mâ—ribus devorato Hist Pol. lib. 1 cap. 11. Vide simile de Hatto E. Mog apud O. a mag lib. 17. c 21. And did so to the great grievance of those two godly persons And presently the revenging hand of God was upon him so that this wicked fellow fell so sick that he was carried home in a Cart and within three dayes died most fearefully All glory to God These are some of those Memorable mercies and Iudgments of the Lord which he hath carefully observed and recorded I will let all the rest alone saving one which being the most remarkable of all other hee hath taken greatest paines to observe and set down in all the parts and passages of it The hand of God upon the Boy at Northwich This was concerning the boy of Northwich his name Thomas Harrison about 11 or 12 yeares old who was so strangely and wonderfully afflicted and tormented that many held him to bee really possessed with a Devill Others thought he was bewitched Some ascribed all to naturall causes few did endevour to see and acknowledge as this Gentleman did that though Satan might have a finger Satans Malice Gods Mercy yet the Lord had a chiefe hand in this Iudgment and that where Satan would shew himselfe cruell and malicious to vex and destroy a poore child there the Lord was pleased to manifest and declare himselfe to be mercifull and gracious in susteining and preserving of him CHAP. XLVII IT would be too tedious to set down one quarter of that which he hath written of this child partly from that which he himselfe saw and partly from that which he heard and received under sufficient and faithfull witnesses having spent above 14 leaves in 4 0 in recording of these things All that he hath observed of him may be drawn to these 3 heads 1 0 his violent and wonderfull fits and passions 2 0 his strange and horrible gestures and actions 3 0 his admirable and almost incredible sayings and speeches and all these without any naturall understanding sense or feeling for the most
is offended and I burne not This fruit of his compassion and tender affection to Gods children did more especially appeare when he heard of heavy newes out of Bohemia Hungary Germany the Palatinate c. He was then so affected therewithall as good Nehemiah was when he heard by Hanani one of his brethren that the remnant of the Iewes were in great affliction that the wall of Ierusalem was broken downe And afflict him also and the gates thereof were burnt with fire For then he sate downe and wept and mourned certaine dayes and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven 3 It did also no lesse evidently appeare His compassion in visiting the sick by his diligent and carefull visiting of the sicke and such persons and families as had some more heavie and extraordinary hand of God upon them He was held and reputed one of the best spirituall Physitians in all the countrey If any were troubled in conscience afflicted in soule for sin molested by Satan terrified by Gods judgements Happy then was he that could get M. Bruen to come unto him his very presence was some ease and refreshing unto them as to that godly and worthy Preacher M. Dickons on his death-bed His godly exhortations wholesome admonitions divine instructions sweet words of comfort but especially his faithfull and fervent prayers were many times as so many gracious remedies against their grievous miseries and maladies And to speak as the truth is as his gifts were rare and paines great in the performance of these duties so was the issue and successe thereof through the blessing of God many times answerable and effectuall either for some full release or some reliefe in due season Hereof he hath witnesses enow over all the countrey and many he hath written downe of such and such mercies obtained of God by his good meanes for such and such persons the glory where of he doth ever in great humility ascribe unto the Lord giving him all hearty thankes and praise that would manifest his great mercy grace power and goodnesse to so weake creatures by so weak meanes His antipathy against profanenesse Now as he held a holy Sympathy with the godly so had he a great antipathy against the profane both persons and fashions customes and courses of the world He knew well that the fashion of this world passeth away and the lust thereof but he that doth the will of God abideth for ever He knew well also that not onely he himselfe but all true Christians are forbid by the holy Apostle In garish fashions to fashion or conforme themselves to this world and injoyned to be transformed in the spirit of their minde that they may prove what is that good that acceptable and perfect will of God And therefore he could never be brought into any love or liking of the garish foolish vaine and new-fangle fashions of the world in attire or other ridiculous gestures and formall complements of the profane of this world but did in his heart abhorre them and in his life utterly shun and avoid them Being once at an high Sheriffes feast where there were some Lords Spirituall and Temporall as they are called and many other Knights and gentlemen of great place there was an health begun by one of the Lords In profane customes as in drinking of healths to the Prince which after the manner was entertained and maintained with a great deale of ceremoniall solemnity As it went along and drew neare unto him many observing what he would say or doe he cast out in a moderate manner some words of dislike to this effect Here is a solemne service to the Prince yet did he never require it nor will ever give you any thankes for it And when one pressed him to pledge and drinke to the Princes health he made this milde and gentle answer onely You may drinke to his health and I will pray for his health and drink for mine owne Nos cramus pro salute imperatoris c Tertull ad Scapul c 2. and so I wish you may doe for yours And so he put it off and passed it over never sorting with them nor yeelding to any one of their solemne ceremonies in that act He did beare a more generous minde than to be brought in subjection unto every idle fancy and foolery or to conforme himselfe unto the humours and customes of profane men The policy and power of Satan in healthing Certainly in this drinking of healths as now it is practised at our gentlemens tables there is the very power and policy of Satan set a work in them as to take up the time of their repast with such vanities and provocations to sin and to draw them to delight themselves in such base works of the flesh after the humour and pleasure of carnall men that all memory and mention of God or goodnesse may bee kept out and that no speech of the word or works of God at all may be had amongst them M. Bolton his Directions to wilke with God pag. 200 201 202 203 c. Had I not beene well prevented by the godly labours of a reverent and worthy Divine and my ancient and faithfull friend M. Bolton who hath spoken much both out of the Fathers and other good Authors against this drinking of healths and that to so very good effect and purpose I had taken a little more pains at this time to provide some rods of rebuke for this sinne purposing to whip it and scourge it round about the table in the sight of our bowzing gentleman that take such and so much pleasure in it But now I forbeare and referre them to his Booke praying them to read advisedly what he hath written learnedly of this matter CHAP. LVIII NOw to proceed As this godly Gentleman had and held an antipathy against all vaine and foolish fashions and humours of the profane men of the world so did he especially against the profane customes and corruptions usually maintained in great houses His antipathy against the profane customes and corruptions of great houses He offereth a remedy so as he had an holy indignation against them and would not spare where he had any hope to speed to admonish his friends by word or writing for the reformation of the same He knew it was written Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour and not suffer sinne upon him An evident proofe of his carefulnesse and faithfulnesse in this kinde he hath left us under his own hand in a portion and part of a letter directed to a Gent. one of his neare cosens His words be these The comparison I used was with M. Wilbraham of Woodhey to whom God gave repentance two or three yeares before his death by the Ministery of my B. H. His godly Letter for Christian admonition and reformation I have often compared you Cosen to Thomas Wilbraham whom the people of
hodie quare non hac hora finis turpitudinis meae How long how long To morrow and to morrow Why not to day why not this houre is there not an end of my former filthinesse O happy Austin and holy man of God that was first thus humbled that he might be exalted And yet more happy that having the Lord to seeke him as a lost sheep he finding himselfe to go astray began presently to seek the Shepheard that sought him and happy most of all in this that in so seeking the Lord he did both finde him and was found of him In many particulars I will not compare this Gentleman for measure of grace with S. Austin but for the nature manner meanes and time and truth of their conversion he may well go hand in hand with him 1. Austin was about 32 yeares of age when he was effectually called and converted and so was he 2. Austin had at that time many combats betwixt Reason and Religion the flesh and the spirit and so had he 3. Austin had his heart full of prayers and his eyes full of teares when he sought after God and so had he 4. Austin had and held sweet communion with God by Colloquies Soliloquies holy and heavenly meditations and so did he 5. Austin having once tasted the sweetnesse of the Lord thought nothing so pleasant as to forgoe the pleasures of his former vanities Aug. Cons lib. 9. cap. 1. Quam suave mihi subitò factum est carere suavitatibus nugarum And held it now a joy to renounce those joyes and toyes which before he was afraid to lose Et quas amittere metus fuerat eas jam dimittere gaudium erat And such for all the world were this Gentlemans desires and delights such his disposition and affection when once he had tasted how sweet the Lord was and had drunk of the pleasures of his house somwhat more freely and fully than formerly he had done Whereof Austin gives the reason for them both Tu enim Domine qui vera es summa suavitas ejiciebas eas à me ejiciebas intrabas pro eâ—s omni voluptate dulcior omni luce clarior c. For thou O Lord who art the true and chief sweetnesse it selfe didst cast out of me those pleasures of vanities thou didst cast them out and didst enter in thy selfe in stead of them being unto me more delicious than any delight more cleare than any light whatsoever 6. Austins conversion was so blest of God that it was an occasion of the conversion of others of his friends as of Alipius Nebridius and Evodius neare about the same time And so was this Gentlemans conversion blest of God also being attended and accompanied with the conversion of diverse of his friends brothers and sisters and neighbours who being brought on by his good meanes and Gods blessing unto a love and liking of the truth of the Gospell were also effectually called to the profession and practice of the same 7. Austin being converted did not onely cease from the practice of his former vanities and old sinnes of his youth but he renounced the heresie of the Manichees wherewith he was tainted and did for go his Rhetoricke Lecture at Millan fearing to doe hurt unto his Schollars any longer by poysoning their mindes with errors and lies and corrupting their hearts with words of vanity And so did this Gentleman utterly renounce the pleasure and practice of his former vanities and purge out of his heart the poyson of Popish errours wherewith formerly he had been infected and would never any more either read or heare such Lectures of vanity as formerly he was wont to do 8. Lastly Austin upon his conversion began to seeke and serve the Lord with great power and zeale both in his person and calling standing and striving for the truth against a lie yea every lie that durst confront it or assaile it And so did this Gentleman for his calling and standing according to the gifts and graces which God had given him though herein much inferiour to Augustine I confesse who is gone before him yet superiour by much to many if not the most of his rank that either lived with him or shall follow after him The truth of all which specialties shall God willing be seene in divers and sundry particulars more plainly in the course of his life and sequele of this story CHAP. XIV SOme of the first though not the fairest fruits of his change and conversion The fruits of his conversion First as heire of the family in civill matters Secondly cap. 18. His reformation began then to appeare when first of an heire he became an inheritor of his Fathers state and took possession of his house and lands For being of himselfe unfit as many young heires are either to undertake such a charge or manage such an estate as by the fall of their parents is fallen unto them he notwithstanding by the mercy and grace of God at his first entrance began to cut off and cast out all lets and impediments which might hinder him and to use and embrace all helpes that might further him in running the race which the Lord had now set before him for whereas there were two speciall matters of importance that might now perplex him first how upon so small beginnings he might sufficiently provide for his owne family Removing impediments and secondly how his father having charged him and the land with the portions of twelve children sonnes and daughters which hee left behind him hee might faithfully discharge that trust which his father reposed in him hee both wisely and conscionably first of all laid away Hawkes and Hounds and cast off for ever his wide mouth'd Dogs and utterly ceased any longer to follow them or their followers And which is yet more Renouncing his pleasures to cut off all occasions of wastefull and riotous expence both of time and other things having a goodly Parke left him on the backeside of his house well stored and furnished with fallow Deere hee presently killed up the game and disparked the Parke and drawing himselfe to as narrow a compasse as well hee could lived so frugally and contentedly and yet for his place very competently and orderly that he provided sufficiently for his owne family His Frugality and faithfully discharged himselfe of his fathers charge paying his brethren and sisters all their portions and placing them in marriage and otherwise very comfortably as his owne words will beare me testimony This charge through Gods assistance saith he I well discharged His fidelity And married well all my sisters and preferred all my brothers and none of them offended A rare example I confesse considering the young heires that come to their lands in our time for as commonly they are sick of the father as Esau was before his day looking for his death so when they come on a sudden to so greate an estate A rebuke to
thy poore children do humbly beseech thee graciously to assist us by thy holy Spirit in this our morning exercise that we may faithfully perform the same to thy praise and our comfort and that for Christ his sake our onely Saviour and Redeemer Amen This set forme of his short prayer before his Morning and evening exercise In a set forme I doe the more willingly set downe that they may see how farre they were deceived and what wrong they did him who held him to bee an utter adversary to all set formes of prayer who might also have received their answer and beene evidently refuted to their faces if they had but observed his ordinary practice every Lords day in the publike assembly where he did reverently accommodate himself to the publike prayers of the Church and religiously joyne together with Minister and people in the celebration of Gods service Certainly hee was not ignorant A set form of prayer justified that when our Saviour Christ taught his Disciples to pray hee gave them liberty to call upon the name of God their Father even in that set forme of prayer which he prescribed and in the same words when you pray say Our Father c. And yet for all that he knew well enough that he gave the Spirit of prayer also unto them and unto all believers children of the same Father that they might enlarge themselves according to those grounds and frame all their sutes after that forme and therefore hee gave this direction unto them After this manner pray ye By our Saviours institution of the Lords prayer and By his owne practice Mat. 26.44 Our Father c. yea Christ hath left us his owne blessed example for the warrant of both when in his Agonyhe praied three times using as the text saith the same words and when after his farewell sermon to his Disciples hee prayed for himselfe his Disciples and all true believers unto the worlds end in great variety of words and for many gifts and graces in particular which yet are not all mentioned but are all for substance contained in that patterne of true prayer None precisely bound to the letter of the Lords prayer but to the matter al. Peter Martyr hath made a collection of holy prayers out of Davids Psalmes and M. Perkins hath gathered together S. Paubs prayers out of his Epistles in both which there is great variety both of matter and words much exceeding the letter of the Lords prayer yet is there no Petition or thanksgiving in either of them which may not fitly be reduced to some parts and heads of the Lords Prayer For my part I shall never blame him that seeketh to help his understanding memory Set prayer a help and affection by such meanes if he bring new affections to renewed petitions and set his heart a worke to seeke more seriously for the best things such as the godly labours of good men have in print set before him But if any man will rest in his booke prayers and never strive to speake unto God out of his owne heart by his owne Spirit which teacheth every true child of God to cry Abba Father Heart prayer best of all Rom. 8. and helpeth our infirmities that wee may stand before him as his children Such a man in my opinion comes farre short of the power and practice comfort and fruit of true prayer and is not much unlike to an impotent and weake man that being lame of his limbes and having meanes of helpe and recovery tendred unto him had yet still rather use a paire of crutches borrowed of his neighbour to goe withall as he can than betake himselfe to his owne legges and feet to walke in his way which the Lord hath appointed for him as he might and ought to doe CHAP. XXIII AFter this short prayer because wee are all commanded to sing Psalmes unto God 2 His singing of Psalmes to testifie our rejoycing in him to instruct our selves in his mercies and judgements words and works and to make melody in our hearts before him as also to quicken our soules to praise and thanksgiving hee therefore did usually call the whole family to sing some of the Psalmes such as hee named unto them with grace in their hearts unto the Lord which they ordinarily performed with such melodious and sweet voices and affections himselfe beginning the tune and the rest in a sweet accord and harmony joyning with him as if they had desired to sing Davids Psalmes His delight in singing of Psalms not onely with Davids Harpe but even with Davids heart also With this exercise of singing of Psalmes hee was much delighted and oftentimes so ravished in his spirit with holy and heavenly joy in singing and sounding forth Gods praises that his heart would even spring and leape in his body as John Baptist did for the joy of Christ in his mothers belly Hieron in Epitaphio Fabiolae yea he was so much affected with the praising of God in this kinde that hee tooke the word Halelu-jah which is the title of nine Psalmes and the song of the Quire of Angles for his Poesie and usually writ it in the first leafe of all his bookes with his owne hand to provoke and draw on others into the fellowship of Gods praises with him and to set it forth as an impresse or character of his chiefe desire and delight Amalaris de officio mâ—ssâ—c 13. to have the praises of the Lord in his heart or in his mouth in his care or in his eye continually When the Psalm was ended 3 His reading of the Scriptures he read a Chapter himselfe out of the Bible keeping an orderly and constant course in his reading to make his family better acquainted with the order and matter of the Scriptures and to season their hearts with some portion of Gods Word in the morning as a preservative against all unfavoury thoughts noysome lusts rotten speeches and ungodly workes all the day after This hee knew was Gods holy Ordinance from which neither Kings in peace nor Commanders in warre were exempted wherewith all Governours of families are expresly charged Deut. 6.6 7 8. Deut. 17.18 19. Ios 1.7.8 Deut. â—1 18 19 20 2 Tim. 3.14 15. Ioh. 5.39 wherein both elder and yonger have beene exercised and whereunto all sorts are by our blessed Saviour exhorted Search the Scriptures c. And this hee duly performed with such reverence and conscience as might to his power best become the solemnity of the action which they had in hand and the majestie of his presence before whom they stood Now because he knew that all planting and watering was in vain unlesse God himself gave the blessing of increase and that the Prayer of faith availeth much for that end if it bee fervent hee therefore with all his family bowing the knees of their hearts as well as the knees of their bodies before the throne of grace did in
Both by his owne and M. Clarkes testimony to call in and produce Master Clank's own words for evident testimonie to his bounty and faithfulnesse in this particular He was the chief instrument to plant and establish the preaching of the Gospel in this congregation First by providing divers of Gods Ministers to preach here oftentimes when the Incumbent was growne old and decrepit afterward by maintaining a Preachet at his owne proper cost and charges And lastly by being a means to obtaine the place for me in reversion and allowing me the greatest part of my maintenance So that this Parish hath cause for ever to acknowledge him a nursing father of Religion amongst them and a blessed Instrument to bring in the light of the Gospell unto them when they sate in darknesse and in the shadow of death CHAP. XXIX NOw because popery and profannes two sisters in evill had consented Popish and profane Wakes aâ—… Tarum Paul Jov. Hist. l. 24. Calv. de vera ecclesrefor Ratione Bullsing de Origin err.e. 33.34 His godly care and labour to suppresse them and conspired in this Parish as in many other places together to advance their idols against the Arke of God and to celebrate their solemne feasts of their popish saints as being the Dii Tuteleries the speciall patrons and protectors of their Church and Parish by their Wakes and Vigils kept in commemoration and honour of them in all riot and excesse of eating and drinking dalliance and dancing sporting and gaming and other abominable impieties and idolatries this godly Gentleman being stirred in his spirit at these their grosse superstitions and much grieved in heart at their grievous misdemeanors and disorders knowing well that the customes of the people were raine yea and vile also poysoning their mindes with erriours and corrupting their hearts and lives with base lusts and the bitter fruits thereof And fearing lest their carnall joyes and delights in these fleshly and earthly things might make the Heavenly Manna to seeme as light bread unto them and the wholesome food of life more unsavoury and distastfull than otherwise it would have beene By a more plentifull and powerfull use of the Word preached This Gentleman I say to prevent these mischiefes and procure the peoples good did usually at these times bring in and set up the Arke of God in greater pomp and power amongst them to bring downe and break in peeces their Dagon so much admired and adored by them So hee did and prevailed in so doing Against S. Andrews day which is the time of Tarum Wakes and the weeke following I observed saith he many yeares together to invite two or three of the best affected Preachers in the Diocesse that spent most part of three dayes in preaching and praying in the Church Whereby he prevailed and blessed God so as the Pipers and Fidlers and Beare-wards and Players and Camesters had no time left them for their vanities but went away with great fretting and yet multitudes of well affected people filled the Towne and the Church and that with much rejoycing blessed be God O what and how great comfort and contentment did this godly man take in discountenancing and suppressing so farre as hee could all popery and profannesse With rejoycing together with all the instruments abbetters and maintainers of the same O how great was his rejoycing and solace when by any care cost or labour hee might refresh the bodies and rejoyce the soules of Gods people either by corporall or spirituall repast And feasting provided and prepared for them To which end as it is well knowne at one of these times besides all other provision there was spent in his house a fat Beife and a half within the space of three days upon godly and well affected people and his Cook did then relate unto him Of Gods people Such was his desire to doe good his delight in the Saints his joy in the house of God and love to his service that all other things in comparison of these were but losse and drosse and dung unto him O Renouncing all fellowship with sinne and sinners how truly might he say with David Away from me all yee workers of iniquitie I will keepe the commandements of my God I hate all vaine inventions but thy Law doe I love all my delight is in the Saints and in such as excell in vertue I was glad when they said unto me let us goe up into the house of the Lord our feet shall stand in thy gates O Jerusalem How well did he herein imitate the example of Christ And herein following the example of Christ Iesus who at the feast of the dedication of the Temple though it were no divine but a humane constitution tooke occasion notwithstanding upon the frequent concourse of the people to teach and preach the Gospell of the Kingdome unto them and whiles they sought after carnall things to please their flesh to minister unto them spirituall to profit and doe good unto their soules Nether doe I speake this to justifie or approve these festivall solemnities Bulling de Origin 〈◊〉 c. 35.114 for the anniversary commemoration and celebration of Saints and Martyrs and dedication of Churches which savour rancke of the caske and smell hugely of the vessels of Judaisme Paganisme and Papisme Lib. Inter. cap. de Ceremoniis See Bullin de orig â—r cap. 36. sol 113. whence they were first drawne 〈◊〉 derived for so I should condemne many both Fathers and Councels that have condemned and inhibited the like Wakes and solemne Assemblies at such times and to such ends which they called their Vigilias and Encania and that for the same errours abuses enormities and villanies that wee doe now condemne them for But I speake it to the just commendation of this worthy Gentleman D. Rain de Idol l 2. c. 3 13. and for the faire provocation of other Gentlemen also of like power and place by his example is doe what they can to suppresse and abolish all such Wakes and festivals and if they cannot doe that yet to make the best of the worst by standing against them striving both by courage and countenand to disgrace and disappoint them and to bring in better meanes of mercy and of grace either to water or to plant the Uineyard of the Lord which is before them CHAP. XXX ANd this I doubt not Nine reasons against popish and profane Wakes Hieronin Mat. 23. but they would be more easily induced and perswaded to doe if they did advisedly consider of these or the like reason which might rectifie their judgements in these things 1 That the celebration of such Wakes and festivals is utterly destitute of all warrant of Gods Word for who hath requited these things at their hands Isay 1. Rom. 14. ult Lih. Inter. cap. de Cer. Bulling de Origine excap 35. p. 111. And whatsoever is done without warrant 〈◊〉 never be done with any comfort or good
Hieron ad Pam. being well perswaded of her gaine and that what he had lost the Lord had found as Hierome speaketh to her everlasting comfort and the praise of his mercy and grace in Christ Jesus CHAP. XXXV AFter these things Standing in need of Marriage He sought and found a prudent wife By good opportunity Etiam caslae aaeimae in turpe labuntur assensu quaesi imputaret Altissinus quis viveret castus Aug. con Iulian. lib. 4 cap. 2. And by good meanes finding himselfe to stand in need of marriage and that both for the comfort of his life and necessity of his Family it was not good for him to be alone He sought the blessing of another helper and a prudent wife by prayer from the Lord. And as he sought so he found the Lord in his providence ordering and disposing of the occasion motion match and marriage after this manner As he was in Mancester upon occasion of the holy exercise of Religion kept and continued in that place he cast his eye upon a very amiable and beautifull young Gentlewoman which diligently frequented that assembly upon the sight of whom he confesseth that he had this thought arising in his heart loe this is the woman that the Lord hath provided for my wife And so that he might not only please his eye and follow his affection in his choice but might deale wisely and advisedly for his better satisfaction touching her vertues and graces which he much desired were answerable to her outward parts He acquainted one of his most trusty religious servants as Abraham did Eliezer in a like businesse with his thoughts and purpose Gen. 24. Of his trusty servant and set him presently a work to inquire after her Who being borne in that Country and well acquainted in those parts was well able to answer his desires and demands concerning this matter Declaring unto him her Parents And so he told him thus much in effect and after this manner This young Gentlewoman her name is Mistris Anne Foxe Sister to Master Foxe of the Rhodes some 4 or 5 miles from Manchester Her father well descended both by father and mother Her father a Gentleman of good estimation and account whiles hee lived with that honorable Personage Henry Earle of Darby Stow. Chro. 1585. Ian. 20. being Controller of his house and one of his Counsell and one of those speciall Gentlemen that attended upon his honour when he was sent by Queene Elizabeth Ambassadour into France Her mother yet living Her mother yet living a very godly and gracious Matrone descended of the antient and worshipfull Families of the Addertons and Lelands in Lancashire Her selfe a Vertuous Prov. 31. Her parts worthy due commendatioÌ„ and Religious young woman beautifull by Grace within as well as by Nature without one that was well reported of in the Church of God and well esteemed and accepted of the people of God And such a one as in his opinion might be a comfortable match and marriage for him Upon this relation of his servant and good testimony which he gave her answering so well to his desires he neglected no time but tooke his best oportunity to make a motion to her mother and her friends for a marriage which being well accepted and enterteined by them he became a Suter unto her So hee made a motion for marriage Prevayled in it and tooke her to wife and winning her affections by his gracious speaches and godly carriage he prevayled in his Sute and so by mutuall and chearefull consent of her friends he took her to wife with much joy and comfort to both their hearts in their so holy meeting and matching together in the feare of God The first yeare of their marriage his Mother in law gave them and theirs their Table during which time he was as careful to do good unto that Family as if it had been his own house And therefore he began to quicken himselfe Hee set up renewed the exeâ—cises of Religion in that Family and to awaken them unto all religious duties of Prayer and Praise reading of the Scriptures singing of Psalmes godly Conference Catechising of the ignorant c. Which albeit for the most part they were performed before in the Family yet he now being called and intreated by M. Foxe and his mother to discharge these duties did more powerfully stirre up the gifts and graces of God that were in him and so set himselfe a worke more effectually to seeke their Conversion and edification in the knowledg of God and Faith in Christ Jesus All which his holy labours in private being seconded and strengthened by the publique paines of their Pastour old M. Langley that holy man of God and faithfull servant of Christ in the House of God were so effectually blessed and prospered by the good hand of God upon him that in the remembrance of that yeare and the sweet comforts and contentments which he found therein The good successe thereof He hath been often both in his life and was also at his death as it were ravished with joy and rejoycing in the Lord enlarging his heart in thanksgiving unto him for his mercies to himselfe By his own testimony and to others by his meanes Hereof he hath left an evident testimony under his owne hand which I will not spare to record let others read consider and give righteous judgement My Mother in law saith he then giving mee Table for a yeare there and then we set up the Exercise of Religion morning and evening In which time I trust through Gods grace my Mother in law there got true saving grace and my sister in law now Mistris Hinde and another half sister of hers and their brothers Master William and Master Thomas Foxe and a servant or two and some neighbours which joyned with us in the evening Blessed be God that is pleased by weake meanes to expresse his great power and mercy towards us CHAP. XXXVI THus were the mercies of God renewed upon his Servant and his comforts encreased much in a strange Family for the time that he did sojourn thus amongst them His return home to Stapleford Which when it was expired in much contentment and peace He began to look homewards towards Cheshire and to addresse himselfe for his journey to his own house And so taking his beloved Wife along with him Bringing his wife along with him hee brought her with much joy and comfort home to Staplefoord where they mutually enjoyed one another in great peace and love for their owne good and for the benefit of their whole Family And so it pleased God to repaire and make up the breach formerly made in his house by the death of his former wife by bringing in another daughter of Abraham of gracious and good parts to take her place and to supply what was wanting in that behalfe Now after a while when the Lord had well setled and
him that prayed could not containe himselfe but oftentimes with a cheerefull consent said Amen Amen unto the requests and supplications that were made for his good and comfort in Christ Jesus After this M. L. spake a word unto him to comfort him in the midst of all his sorrowes that hee knew that shortly hee should bee released and freed from all sinne and sorrow from Satan and this present evill world wherunto he answered most cheerfully and graciously I know I shall and bee with Christ which is best of all And now the messenger of death is upon me which he spoke of the hickock which had taken hold of him M. L. replyed I hope Sir that death is no scare nor terror unto you No indeed it is not I thanke God saith he for it is my way to life and I am now called of God unto it And thus he continued in great paine of body but yet in great peace of mind increasing still in consolations and enduring all his sicknesse with admirable patience not shewing any distemper nor discontent neither in word nor deed all the while in the troubles and sorrow of the same His care for prayer in the Family After this the same night he put it upon me to call his Family to Prayer and to performe the evening Sacrifice in the great parlour commading them to set open his little parlour doore adjoyning to it that he might heare us and joyne with us and partake of such mercies and meanes as the Lord should be pleased either to offer unto us or to accept at our hands The next morning though he did weare a way very much yet he called upon M. L. to pray with him Mindfull of M. L. being up very early to go a long journey to preach his ordinary Tewsday Lecture Of whom he was so very carefull that he caused some provision to be made for him especially a Posset that hee himselfe at their parting might drinke with him The same day I staid with him untill the afternoone A heavy Parting ministring such help and comfort as I could unto him And then mine owne occasions calling me home my wife being his former wives own sister and my selfe came to take leave with him which when hee heard and saw his very soule seemed to melt within him for both his and our hearts were full of griefe and our eyes full of teares and so mingling our sorrowes our teares and our prayers together be commended us to the grace and blessing of God as wee also did him And then falling upon his face and kissing his cheek we tooke our long leave with him leaving him yet in the hands of his heavenly Father that would never leave him CHAP. LXVIII Some ever ready to pray with him THe same afternoone he called for M. Lan. and M. Clerk his own Pastor to pray with him and was never at quiet unlesse hee were either Meditating and Praying himselfe or had some godly man or good Minister to pray with him and for him Divers desire a blessing from him Vpon Wednesday morning divers of those that were with him suspecting his death and dissolution to be neare tooke leave with him desiring at their parting a blessing from him Which he did willingly expresse by lifting up his hands and his heart unto Heaven for them Vttering also some words which they could not so well understand In the afternoone he overheard some making motion of blacks I wil have no blacks saith he I love not any proud or pompous Funerals neither is there any cause of mourning but of rejoycing rather in my particular After this he entreated a good Christian to pray with him which he did very willingly again and again to his good contentment And while they were in prayer in the Family they that were with him did imagine that he prayed himself silently and secretly He prayeth secretly himselfe by the pulling of his armes out of the bed and lifting up his hands and his eyes towards Heaven whence only he did looke for hearing and helping at Gods hands And now growing so weak that he was scarce able to speak a word those gracious people that were about him prayed him to lift up his hand if he understood them and would have them to pray for him Other gracious people pray with him which he did very willingly and readily and so he joyned with them and was heard to say Amen to the prayers that they made for him Afterward they perceived that he prayed himselfe again lifting up his hands and uttering these words with many other to the like effect The Lord is my portion His last Prayer my help and my trust his blessed son Jesus is my Saviour and Redeemer Amen Even so saith the Spirit unto my spirit Therefore come Lord Jesus and kisse me with the kisses of thy mouth and embrace me with the armes of thy love Into thy hands do I commend my spirit O come now and take me to thine own selfe O come Lord Jesus come quickly O come O come O come And so his spirit fainting His last end and his speech failing he lay quiet and still for a little season And then he meekly and graciously yeelded up his pretious soule into the hands of God his Father that gave it and into the armes of his Saviour that had bought it and redeemed it with his pretious bloud And thus having finished his course and run out his race the night of his death shutting up the dayes of his life Snaviter in Domino obdormivit He sweetly slept in the Lord. All Glory Thanksgiving and Praise bee unto our gracious God in and through his Son Christ lesus for ever and ever Amen Vae etiam laudabili vitae si remota misericordia discutias eam Aug. Conf. lib. 9. c. 19. Aug. Quisguis tibi enumerat vera merita sua Aug ibid. cap. 13. Quid tibi enumerat nisi muneratua FINIS Imprimatur JOH HANSLEY Jan. 16. 1640.