A PRESENT FOR CHILDREN Being a brief but faithful Account of many remarkable and excellent things utter'd by three young Children to the Wonder of all that heard them To which is added a seasonable Exhortation to Parents for the Education of their Children By a Person of Quality Published by William Bidbanck M. A. But who is their Father 1 Sam. 10. 12. Out of the Mouths of Babes and Sucklings thou hast perfected Praise Mat. 21. 16. London Printed by J. D. for Jonathan Robinson at the Golden Lion in St. Paul's Church-Yard 1685. To the Reader THE end of this Publication is not private or sinister but for publick Good God's Glory that his Name may be exalted and thy Good that thou mayst reap advantage hereby is designed What has been seen or heard is thus made more manifest that you may have Fellowship with us Accept it with all Candor and be thankful to God for such wonderful Works You are not imposed upon These things were not done in a Corner especially the Relation of Mary Stubbs who had so many Visiters that can attest the Truth of what is here written And the other likewise had many Witnesses and are added that in the Mouth of two or three Witnesses we may be the more confirmed W. B. Denton Sept. 2. 1684 TO Little Children VVHat shall I say to you You have here much spoken to you it is for you especially that these Relations are thus published Here you may be taught the Fear of the Lord which is the beginning of Wisdom 1. To pray unto God betimes in whom you do live move and have your being 2. To have an high Esteem of the Word of God the Holy Scriptures which are able to make us wise unto Salvation 2 Tim. 3. 15. 3. To keep the Lord's-Day strictly 4. To love God's Servants to love the Brethren and God's Ministers greatly 5. To consider the Joy which is to be had in the ways of Wisdom 6. What need we have now without delay to prepare for Death and Eternity 7. To have Faith and Vnion with Jesus Christ who is so willing to embrace little Children Oh! put these things into Practice do not look upon them as idle Stories Dare not to live Prayer-less or to profane God's Holy-Day See the contrary in these little Ones Say not you are too young your eternal Welfare depends hereon You are capable of great things betimes your Souls are of a noble Extraction You are capable of better things than Play and mere Vanities and you are made for higher things It is the Misery of the Person when the Body overcomes the Soul It is noble indeed where Reason and heavenly Light and Knowledg overcome these bodily Pleasures There are Pleasures which are for evermore The Soul and Spirit should like the Fire ascend up to Heaven naturally but it is clouded and overcome The Soul can never have Rest till it come to God We are indeed born like the wild Asses Colt Job 11. 12. We are Vessels full of bad Liquor as a Heathen could say we are prepossessed with Evil. Oh! study the Corruption of Nature and the Necessity of Grace from above Be not discouraged in reading God can make you such as these were You may be Men and Women betimes when Children as to your Bodies by Knowledge Faith and Love If you go on in Sin you must undo all again or else for ever be miserable Follow these Examples and you shall be happy in Life the Joy of Parents and most comfortable in a dying hour to your selves and them likewise Oh! the difference between a Child that swears and lies and is profane and another that fears to lie but loves the Truth and trembles to hear an Oath sworn The former is the Child of the Devil and the latter a Child of God You might have been made Toads or Brutes and better to have been such than to live and die in your Sins The Condition of those that know God betimes is so desirable that if any are to be envied such are as Joseph Samuel and David Psal 71. 17 18. How lamentable is their Condition in the Proverbs who hate Instruction Prov. 5. 12 13. If you know God betimes if you die young and very young you shall be with God be ready for that great Change And if you live you may do great things for God you may be eminent in your Generation you may be like a Cedar in Lebanon Objection Many will say That young Saints prove very bad in Age and old Sinners Answer There is such a wicked Proverb among many and it is used by them who have a spite or hatred against Holiness If thou be sincere and right at first thou shalt be like Joseph Samuel and David who were famous in their Generations Thou shalt not be a Bungler in Religion it will be thy Trade Who knows what they do that forget God that made them and took them out of the Womb and is thy Life and the Length of thy days Deut 30. 20. Better never to have been than to wrong this good God Consider these Children read often what is here related Meditate on them pray to God you may be such He hath enough of the Spirit See what became of those Children that did mock at God's Servant 2 Kings 2. 23 24. You love your Fathers to live with them and to be in their Arms you have a better Creator and Father to take care of you Object Some Children will be ready to say Oh! how irksom is it to pray and read is it not better to please our selves and to do what seemeth good in our own Eyes Answ At first because of our Corrupt Nature the ways of Wisdom seem unpleasant but it is only at first but the Way and End is very pleasant There is a Way saith Solomon that seemeth right to a Man but the End thereof is Death Prov. 14. 12. We would have Joy and Peace but it is not to be had in Sin Oh! Come and see and try and thou shalt never repent The God of Heaven bless these Directions to you which is the hearty Desire and fervent Prayer of the Publisher hereof W. BIDBANCK A Word in Season to Religious Parents OR An Exhortation to them to train up their Children in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord. I Cannot but look on it as one of the saddest Instances of God's Displeasure against his People of this Generation such as are Parents the woful Degeneracy of so many of their Children and that the Lord intends therein to rebuke and chastise the Parents for the great neglect of Duty found in most in not educating their Children more strictly according to Scripture-Rule and Precept I know these sad Effects do naturally flow from the corrupt Fountain of depraved Nature in every Child which can no way be effectually prevented but by the Grace of God in the Heart Like as the Prophet did to heal the Waters and the barren Ground
she desired her Father to pray with her which he frequently did at Bed-time It was no less observable the peculiar Respect she had for the Scriptures which she always called God's Word for when her Mother or the Maid did read in another good Book she would sometimes distinguish and bid them read God's Word and unsatisfied until they did Sometimes she delighted to have a Book in her Hand and please her self to speak Words as if she read and once it was observed in the midst of the Action she cast the Book out of her Hand with a troubled Mind uttering those Words I can't tell the meaning of it She was greatly delighted with Singing with which she passed away many a wearisome Hour but would frequently call for the singing of Psalms and ask for some in particular as sing the Tabernacle and sing The Lord is my Shepherd c. In the mean time would not only deny her self her usual necessary Diversions and lie composed but would be seriously attentive oft-times with Eyes and Hands lifted up as if she understood what was spoken or sung and had a Taste in her Spirit of the Sweetness of the Word And sometimes was observed as if she were privately praying by her self as her Gesture and Words over-heard did import but was offended if they took notice of it to her If any did ask her Whether she was willing to die and go to Heaven her usual Reply was Go to Heaven but no die But in the latter time of her Sickness her Answer to such a Question was She would die and go to Jesus Christ And when it was put to her if she desired not to be well and play about with Sister and Brother she would answer in the same Words Would die and go to Jesus Christ This was the ordinary Frame of her Spirit Many occasional Sayings that savoured of Grace and Wisdom above that of a Child are not inserted because not perfectly remembred for want of noting them in time Her tedious and long Affliction she bore with admirable Patience when few about her knew how to bear the sight of it Early in the Morning that she died she sang her self as often she would do with a more sweet and melodious Strain than they about her thought they had ever heard her Within a few hours after while her Mother was rocking she said to her Mother No rock no rock thereby giving her as the Mother interpreted a final Discharge from further Care and Trouble and immediately with a silent Groan she died The hearing only of the Report I am sensible cannot so much affect or inform as the seeing and hearing the Child which unto the most judicious Observers Ministers and others gave such an Evidence of the Grace of God in it as caused Thanksgiving by many unto God on that account Yet I question not the Reader will meet with somewhat that is not ordinary in a Child of that Age worthy to be remarked and pertinent to our purpose which is to demonstrate that little Children are capable of spiritual Impressions and gracious Actings That which hath been declared concerning this Child was by the Father summarily comprized in the following Verses Transcendent Rays of Heavenly Light In this Babe's Soul here shin'd Prayer and Praise God's Word his Saints Were it's Delight to mind Her Sayings Years and Grace became God did her Patience try He that the First-Fruits holy made The whole Lump sanctify The two last Verses prompt me to add wherewith I shall conclude That as it pleased the Lord to build and bless the Family to which this Child did relate with a numerous Off-spring nine of which are now living and the Eldest of them but seventeen Years old There is through a Blessing on Education to be seen springing up in them In some the Blade in others the Ear and in some the full Corn in the Ear. Or it may be said of these Branches as of Aaron's Rod that budded some Branches bring forth Buds others bloom Blossoms and some yield Almonds The Praise whereof is given as is due unto God alone Amen Free-Grace displayed IT pleased the All-wise God to send a great Affliction upon Mary Stubbs the Daughter of Thomas and Mary Stubbs of Harleston in the County of Norfolk being a Child between four and five Years old In the beginning of her Sickness she seemed very unwilling to hear any things spoken to her of Death or to be instructed for the good of her Soul she shewed a great dislike and would be very angry Yet her Relations did not forbear for some time to instil sutable Instructions according to her Capacity and tender Years until they were discouraged to see the Child so averse to and displeased with them The Parents being greatly concerned for the everlasting Good and Happiness of the Soul of this their Child did resign her unto the special and immediate Teachings of the Spirit of God It is our Duty to sow the Seed and leave the Success to his Blessing that giveth the Increase for it is the Inspiration of the Almighty which giveth Understanding and putteth Wisdom into the inward Parts even of Babes and Sucklings notwithstanding the Darkness and Enmity of our Corrupt Natures as will be evident in this famous Instance and following Relation Her Mother did ask her Whither she should go if she died she replied at first she knew not afterwards being asked the same Question she then answered she should go to Heaven But it was told her all that died did not go thither yet she said she did think she should And beyond all Expectation there did appear a great Change in her for she began to be very sensible of her Condition and to cry and mourn fearing she should go to Hell Now she was very desirous to have her Friends pray for her that she might go to Heaven and be made a new Creature Her Sickness increased and she was very serious and suddenly so weaned from this World that she had no desire to live but rather to die and would argue against living here far beyond what could be expected considering her Infancy with those that discoursed with her concerning the Excellency of Life and could never be persuaded to entertain any thoughts of it She lay in her Cradle pineâ— away and her Strength gone so that she had no use of heâ— Limbs yet her Soul vigoroâ— and lively wholly fixed for eternal Life In this her languishing Condition she was very earnest with them that came to see her desiring their Prayers for her and would tell them what she desired they might pray for her that she might have good Hopes and good Grounds that she should go to Heaven and not be under a Mistake that she might have Grace and Wisdom to know how to serve the Lord. She did desire to be made sensible of her Sin and the need she had of Christ and that the Lord would put his Fear into her Heart that she
believed stedfastly and without wavering It was a long and sore Trial above two Years and very great to her dear Mother who was continually with her for she was unwilling to have her from her But the Grace of God appearing so eminently in her Child the sweet Words which she uttered and the well-grounded Hopes of her Future Happiness did support her in her most sinking times And indeed they were both upheld by the Mighty Power of God She would comfort her Mother and say to her Do not mourn for me for you shall come to me and we shall be in Heaven together I shall want nothing when I come there I love you but I love Christ better It was asked her how she could love Christ who did so afflict her she quickly answered Because he hath loved me She told a Friend that came to see her without any previous Discourse There are two things I dare not do Commend my self nor murmur against God She was very thankful for every Kindness shewed her she did often make mention of the Kindness of a worthy Gentlewoman Mrs. Tyrrell of Mendham and would say how kind she had been to her who sent many sutable Restoratives for her weak Body and when she came to visit her she would desire her to pray for her She told a Neighbour that came to see her a little before her Death that she was now hasting to Heaven apace now the joyful time was near at hand which she longed for as the wearied Traveller for the refreshing Shade and the labourious Husbandman for the Night of Rest after the scorching Day And so her time was come to enter into the Joy of her Lord and died in Peace She had her Infirmities and Fits of Passion for which she would be grieved and very sorry but it was no wonder considering her violent Pain and long Affliction But she held fast her Integrity and loved Christ more and more O what a Feast had they that often conversed with her Had you but beheld a little poor pined Body and heard such great things declared by her it would have been far more wonderful than to read these things O the sight of Glory that she had The Conquest of Death and the daily longing to be with Christ Her Life was continued as a great Example to others and it will be well if she never may be forgotten She is now dead yet speaketh And may this small Account which is but the Fragments of what might have been gathered be for the Glory of God'â— rich Grace and to extol the Teachings of his Spirit and to declare the Excellency of an Immortal Soul and what it is capable of then we shall answer so great a Work of God which was so publick and not done in a Corner She might have been as a stupid poor ignorant and insensible Creature but by the Spirit of God quickning and enlivening of her was like the Box of Ointment poured out upon Christ which caused a sweet Savour throughout the whole House O may this never be forgotten by her Father nor Mother Brother nor Sister nor any of her Visiters Glory to God in the highest She died about the tenth of April A. D. 1683. Some memorable Passages of Joseph the Son of Joseph and Margaret Scolding of Middleton in the County of Suffolk aged about six Years and an half died the 4th of June 1678. 1. ABout a Year and an half before he died being very ill so as he could not sleep his Father asked him if he could not sleep he answered his Father that he could not sleep but said he I shall sleep a long Sleep How long saith his Father he replied Till Christ shall come to awake you and me and all the World His Father asked him how he knew that How saith he do you not believe that the Word of God is true At the Resurrection then shall Christ awake every one 2. At another time he had a little Potion of Physick to take which he was very unwilling to do but saith his Father If you love me take it Well Father saith he to satisfy you I will take it and when he had taken it saith he I pray God bless it to me And saith he The Angel gave John a little Book to eat which was sweet in his Mouth but bitter in his Belly This saith he is bitter in my Mouth but if God please he can make it sweet in my Belly 3. His Mother had often begged of God that if there were any means further to be used he would direct to it There came a bad Man to the House pretending Skill and was to take him in hand and had begun The Child 's usual way was continually to seek to God for a Blessing upon whatever he took but then he refused having these Expressions I care not whether he do or not Do you think God will bless such a wicked Man's Physick 4. He having heard Mr. Wincop preach did repeat some of the Sermon wherein was expressed how a Christian should examine himself concerning three things 1. Whose am I 2. Where am I 3. Whither am I going If I be in the narrow way to Heaven well and good but if in the broad way to Ruine and Destruction then I am undone for ever The Child would speak it in the House and privately to himself with much Affection and sometimes with many Tears Whose am I Where am I Whither am I going And also would speak it to his Fellows Whither are you going To be sure you are in the broad way to Ruin 5. If at any time he saw any thing amiss among the Servants or Children he would say If you will not keep God's Commandments you shall never come to Heaven and if they loved God they would keep his Commandments When they would reply We do but as others he would answer If you sin with the Multitude ye must perish with the Multitude It were better to go to Heaven alone than to Hell with Company 6. His extraordinary care concerning the Lord's-Day was such that he would watch over the the whole Family and would say You should not do so and so but spend the Day in Prayer Reading and other Religious Exercises He did make Conscience of praying by himself three or four times in the day 7. He would often be enquiring what Souls should do in Heaven his Father would tell him There is nothing but praising of God He would then reply Then they shall also leave sinning O it is a rare thing to be in Heaven 8. At another time he said If I were sure I should go to Heaven I should be glad to die at this present Age at the present His Mother replied And wouldst thou leave thy Father and me to which he answered I have a good Father and Mother but God is a better Father you make me eat and drink but if I get to Heaven I shall need no Light of the Sun nor Candle nor