some smaller things till some took occasion to deny them to be due and then being obliged to maintain the Rights of the place he ordered his Clark to demand them He was forbearing After his ejection he found many had not reckoned with him of several years he sued only one not of his Parish that denyed any Tithe to be due to him and led away as much at one time as was of a considerable value This he might not bear so applyed to the Justices who upon the hearing adjudged him his own with the penalty upon the unjust with-holder but he only took his own and what he had spent and a Shilling to his Servant and returned the rest If it might not have been a detriment to the place for the future I am apt to think he would have sitten down with loss for his design was the Peoples benefit he sought not theirs but them and that he might gain upon them he ws content to be a Looser He was a good Towns-man as well as a good Minister There are two clear Instances 1. He procured a Relaxation and Mitigation of their Assessments by clearing it to them then in power that there was reason for it and improving his interest in them procured ease 2. There was a Town-Stock in Breadsall which being sent out among them in small summes was frequently endangered to come lame home Mr. Hieron oft advised it might be laid out in Land which they never would yield to but when there was a prospect of his going out he having promised them Ten â—ounds if they would buy Land they accepted and he as good as his word gave them his Ten Pounds and so there is Land that yields Three Pounds per Annum setled on Trustees for the use of the poor of Brâ—adsall 7. His Heart was much set upon Success and Fruit among his own People that in that place he might be able to say that there was Fruits yea all manner of pleasant Fruits new and old laid up for thee O beloved Cant. 7. last This appeared sundry ways 1. He was pleased that God had given him a People that were frameable to an outward conformity but Oh! where is the Jew inwardly The power of Godliness He was no Formalist himself and he could not take up with shapes of Christians but longed to see real Heart-Christians 2. He was full of thoughts of heart when he found not his desired success attend his work and would break out thus How shall I do more How shall I do better How shall I pray more How shall I preach better 3. The Fruit he had in Breadsall as blessed be God he had some Oh! it was as the first ripe Fruits Oh! a Breadsall-Christian was as a Joseph as a Benjamin to Old Jacob They were in his Bowels his Soul cleaved to them they were his Joy and Crown 8. He was a man of Hospitality and Charity Strangers and Friends found him so in courteous entertainments No good man needed to seek a publick House in Breadsall to lodge in nor strain to reach Derby The Church had a Gains at Breadsall And for his Charity his lending and his giving was considerable It extended it self to all the Poor in Breadsall in Bread in Coats in Corn in Money yea it extended to poor Christians distant from him After he had left Breadsall-Living he sent Money thither to be disposed as he directed He devised liberal things forecasted in hard years to reserve Corn for the poor though it sometimes proved to his outward loss Thus was he full of the good Word of God and of good Works His Acquaintances Neighbours Kindred will testifie these things I could on this head be more large and particular but this taste may suffice they that knew him can inlarge upon these hints they that knew him not may take their measures from these short touches To conclude he was a good man and that his Religion was not barren but had the most undeniable Evidences even those that Jesus Christ will go upon in the day of Judgment 9. He was a bold sharp close reprover of sin and yet very tender and compassionate in dealing with tender Consciences afflicted wounded Spirits Some of his great Neighbours while at Ashborn did profane the Sabbath and openly drunk healths in the Market place he as boldly reproved it as they did impudently commit it and this when the War came on made him to be represented as a Round-head and by the instigation of those Neighbours he was one of the first in Ashborn that had his House broken in upon by Sir Francis Wortleys Party he taken and imprisoâ—ed by them and as by the words they let fall he understood it was in revenge of his Reproofs He was an hearty enemy to sin struck at it with his spiritual weapons with all the strength of his arm He launced festered sores He attacked sturdy resolved sinners with resolute charges He beat down sin so that some touched with Antinomianism thought him too legal and aâ—ked him by what warrant Ministers under the Gospel preached the Law so much he readily answered The words of their Commission were a sufficient warrant citing that Scripture Mark 16. 15 16. and added Is not that as terrible a preaching of the Law as any Minister now doth or can practise To which the Objecter made no reply But on the other hand though he lifted up his voice against sin like a trumpet yet he neither cryed nor lift up his voice when he had to deal with bruised reeds then he bound up their Wounds charily and had the Oyl of Joy for them that were in the Spirit of Hâ—aviness He feared to make the heart of the righteous sad Here he preached the Gospel he beat down profaneness but lent an hand to them that were cast down for sin to lift them up Many disquieted hearts would make to him and he would counsâ—l and comfort them and shew them where the Rest for their Souls was 10. He backed his Doctrine with a good Life He was the same man out of the Pulpit that he was in it He was a Preacher and a Pattern what People heard from him they saw in him He was all Voice Mouth and Life his Conversation was a visible Sermon He was a follower of Christ mighty in word and deed He manifested a spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. We may say of him as the Woman of her dead Husband Thou knowest that thy Servant did fear the Lord. No profaneness went from him into any place where he taught His Doctrine was a pure lip and his Life exemplary his Doctrine was pure and savoury his Breath sweet and his Life tinctured with holiness in every turn of it He came as John Baptist in the way of Righteousness he lived in all good Conscience his walking was in simplicity and godly sincerity not in fleshly wisdom He condemned not confuted not his Doctrine by contrary practice but he confirmed
encreased Grace Victory what gain Glory to God Edification to others what Almes What shall I render Further in his Private Notes A Catalogue of Sins Sins in Youth In another place Sins to be reformed by Grace walk humbly thankfully watch return not to folly after peace spoken May 16. 1658. If overtaken with Anger after a Sacrament A note thereon and once followed with a Miserere mei Deus These are things that discovered Grace and were exercises of it I now come to Experiences mentioned in his secret Record Octob. 27. 1658. I was not well had a pain in my Belly from side to side in the beginning of the Night I feared falling into Sickness Communed with my heart upon my Bed had thoughts of Death my Conscience spake peace to me the light of Gods Countenance shone into me I was fully assured of Gods Mercy to me if I had dyed at that time I had no doubt of my eternal happiness for which Mercy I give God praise and desire to record it with much thankfulness But I slept well that night was well next day continued well for which Mercy double Mercy the Lord be magnified January 1650. By night on my Bed I awaked had sweet comfort the King led me into the Wine-cellar Bless the Lord O my Soul April 10. A Communion in nostro Thalamo i. e. in our Bed-Chamber April 8. We fasted I was in a reasonable good frame but had some disturbance April 9. I was very dull no quickening no comfort I read I reviewed the Catalogue of my Sins but was still dull After five a Clock I went to secret Prayer for less than half an hour after which I was chearful full of comfort so continued that night and next day much enlarged in comfort God spake peace to my heart I was lively in Prayer in Administration in the whole Service Bless the Lord O my Soul August 2. 1664. I went to Bed with some pain slept not had no ease walked in the House all night dull at first but after chearful had some good thoughts the light of Gods Countenance shone on my Soul all night I was willing to dye not questioning my estate but if I dyed I should be happy About four a Clock in the Morning I had ease was well presently after fell to work all day at Night voided a Stone slept all Night very well so continue to this day August 10. Immortal Praise be to God that healeth me but I render not to God according to his benefits Decemb. 2. 4. 8. 1664. We sought God received Sacrament returned Praise I was dull before was graciously enlarged in Prayer in Administration had Comfort in Receiving I was dull again before Thanksgiving Read a while in Baxter and Harris and much enlarged in Duty had sweet Peace at Sacrament and after Praise the Lord sealed to me Jesus Christ Covenant of Grace and Pardon of Sin O bless the Lord O my Soul March 1. 1664. We spent some time in Humiliation at our House by Night was in some good measure enabled in the Morning in a good frame poured out my Heart in secret had much Comfort and Peace bless the Lord O my Soul and so have had ever since Also at Sacrament April 2. 1665. What shall I render So January 16. 1665. At Sacrament much enlarged in Administration and Comfort Praise to God June 6. 1666. Early at five I awaked had sweet Meditations of Gods Love and great Comfort after some clouds and scruples God enlarged my Heart and put gladness more then when Corn and Wine encreased Lord grant I may abide in his Love April 2. 1667. An Ague siezed me after four fits sent for Mr. Cranwell he gave me a bitter Draught which sweat me an hour before the Fit I had no more Fits nor Relapse I bless God In the beginning dull and dark but after a Night or two sweet Comfort and so continueth to this day blessed be God May 2. 1667. I returned thanks among Christians on this Text Psal 103. 3. Who healeth all thy diseases July 5. 1668. A Sacrament at our House I was much enlarged in Administration in Receiving in Meditation Examination a day or two before had sweet peace and full assurance Praise be to God March 3. 1668. I awoke at four in the Morning had sweet Meditations and Communion with God Peace and full assurance Blessed be God Feb. 11. 69. I awoke at six in the Morning had Peace full Assurance Joy in the Holy Ghost that God was mine all his Attributes Christ his Blood Holy Ghost Word Promises Providences Comfort in all in Death it self and Christs coming to Judgment What shall I render to the Lord. Feb. 8. 12. 1671. I prepared according to my wonted manner was assisted enlarged had a good day Praise to God May 12. 1672. I meditated on Gods Presence was Chearful and Heavenly enlarged in Heart all day it was Lords day Praise to God June 30. A Sacrament enlarged much had a good day Praise to God August 31. At Morning Prayer in the Parlour I was much enlarged with broken-heartedness had Joy and Peace of Conscience graciously Ever bless the Lord O my Soul Aug. 3. 1673. Sacrament as also April 13. in both I was much enlarged had sweet peace a good day Ever blessed be God Praise the Lord. And watch O my Soul against passion idle words vain thoughts in Prayer Novemb. 2. God graciously enlarged me in Administration Sealed me c. What shall I render to the Lord O bless the Lord my Soul See walk worthy of God So in Feb. 8. 1673. and May 24. 1674. and August 16. God was gracious to me then Decemb. 6. 1674. How excellent is thy loving kindness A good day Praised be God Jan. 11. 1676. A blessed day Praise to God June 13. 1680. A joyful day Praise to God These are some hints But Oh that I had his enlargements upon them to impart Surely these things are like small Points and Marks in Maps that stand for Towns and Countries But Spiritual Eyes can in these discern what Spirit Mr. John Hieron was off A Man that lived near himself by Observation and near God by Communion A great receiver from God and yet never so much as fingering any part of the Honour due to God CHAP. IX Of his drawing to his end of the Sickness of which he dyed of his Death and Burial DEath threw not this good Man down the stairs but he was led down by many declining steps He had little Deaths that were forerunners of great Death decayes before dissolution The foundation of his Distempers began in that sore Feaver which he had in Winter 1661. which followed an ill Fit which he brought upon himself by overdoing in Jan. 1655. The Feaver did in the thoughts of some endanger him but he broke through that brunt He had a second fit of the Stone 1664 and a third 1665. In April 1667. some fits of an Ague In March 67 68. Not
Now is not here strong Consolation for a Believer an Heir of the Promises one of Gods Covenant people Away then with all doubtiug and unbelief God is a faithful God he keepeth Covenant and Mercy with them that love him and keep his Commandments Can you desire better assurance that God is your God Christ is your Saviour that your Sins are forgiven That is one branch of the Covenant Heb. 8. 12. This Covenant is an everlasting Covenant ratified and confirmed by the Bloud of Christ and the Seal of the Sacrament Think you that vain thoughts for which you are grieved and count them your great burden that they can disannul or make void the Covenant so established Come Come take hold of Gods Covenant which God that cannot lye hath made with you in Christ who though you be never so unworthy in your own apprehension in all your slips and failings have recourse to the Covenant in all your wants and defects of Grace apply your self to this Covenant and it will afford you relief Be not faithless but believe consider and meditate well on this I say though you know it already yea ruminate on it again it is of great concernment Now the God of Peace and Consolation grant you Peace and Joy in believing to whose Grace I commend you J. H. MY hearts desire and prayer to God for you is that you may be saved And that is the very end of these lines to contribute my best endeavour to the salvation of your immortal Soul And if you will but joyn with me to lend an eâ—r and the Lord please to open your heart as he did â—ydia's to attend to wholsome advice I hope by Gods blessing the issue may be comfortable So as I shall have no cause to repent of my labour in writing nor you in reading according to words of truth and soberness You have been known to me these many years at least thirty years last past You have requested a share in my Prayers that was your own expression in a letter from you above twenty years ago You have been a great promoter of Religion by your pains and purse and constant endeavour to get a good Minister setled at the place where you live You have been reputed a sober man and a godly Christian by all that knew you Thus you did run well You were in a right course you were fair for the Kingdom of Heaven But how is it with you now It is no good report that I hear of you you are I hear become an Ale house hanter a company keeper Can sit and tipple with drunkards Seem to take delight in bad fellowship Else you would not visit the Ale-house several times in a day and neglect your business at home you decline in goodness and decay in your outward estate If this witness be true as I am credibly informed then are you to be sharply rebuked that you may be sound in the faith O foolish man who hath bewitched you that you should not obey the truth you did run well who did hinder you having begun in the spirit are you now made perfect in the flesh Have you done and suffered so many things in vain if it be yet in vain Thus you lose the things you have wrought and fall short of the reward of godliness for want of perseverance and holding out to the end Remember I pray you whence you are fallen and repent and do the first works You had better not to have known the way of righteouss then after you have known it to turn aside from the holy Commandment delivered to you better not to have been washed then return to the wallowing in the mire and lick up your vomit again Apostacy is so fearful a sin that I tremble to think of the heinousness of it how many woes and threatnings are upon record in scripture Read and tremble Prov 14. 14 Psal 101. 3. 125. 5. Ezek. 16. 24 33. 13. Heb. 6. 6. 10. 26. 39. 2 Pet. 2. 20 21. Mat. 2. 45. What iniquity have you found in the ways of God that you have forsaken the good path the holy Brethren for the pleasures of sin which are but for a season for you cannot serve two Masters You cannot keep integrity and take pleasure in sinful courses which are as contrary as light and darkness fire and water By your present practise you proclame to world that you upon long experience and having made tryal of Religious courses find no profit no comfort in them And so renounce your part in God and Christ heaven and happiness and resolve to take your lot and portion with drunkards and ungodly siners both in this world and that which is to come Do you tremble at such a thought This is the language of your Ale-house hanting O what dishonour is this to God that one that hath been his Servant so many years should now at last revolt from him and turn on the Devils side and to professe to like the Devil better then God his work better then Gods his wages better then God hell better then heaven the company of Drunkards better then the society of Saints For a Christian to turn Drunkard is the worst turn that can be If you conceive this charge be to heavie consider that God makes no difference between drunkards and the companions of drunkards Compare Mat. 24. 44. and Luke 12. 41. To sit to eat and drink with the drunkard is all one with to eat and drink and to be drunken And the punishment of both is alike The Lord of that Servant will come in an hour when he looketh not for him and shall cut him asunder and appoint him his portion with hypocrites there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth So in Prov. 23. 20. 21. Be not among wine bibbers c. for the drunkard shall come to poverty By which it is plain that it is all one to be among wine bibbers and to be a drunkard keeping company with wicked men is forbiden as well as wickedness it self Psal 1. 1. A godly man who is the only blessed man is one that hath no fellowship with the ungodly Psal 26. 4. 5. I have not sat with vain persons neither will I go in with desemblers I have hated the Congregation of evil doers and will not sit with the wicked Prov. 13. 20. He that walketh with the wise shall be wise but a companion of fools shall be destroyed Psal 119. 63. I am a compainon to them that fear thee I need not multiply texts in so plain a case And do I need to add how offensive Ale-house hanting is to others It brings reproach upon profession it verifies the prophane proverb a young Saint an old devil it gives occasion to the adversary to blaspheme it rejoyceth the ungodly and hardeneth their hearts and strengtheneth their hands that they should not return from their lewd ways It grieveth the good spirit of God it makes sad the hearts of those that fear God it
themselves under Judgments and pray and seek my face and turn from their evil wayes I will hear from Heaven I will forgive their sin I will heal their Land Job 33. 27. If any say I have sinned and perverted that which is right and it profiteth me not he will deliver his Soul from going into the pit And this is the use you and every one in your circumstances should make of Gods Correction to humble your self under his mighty hand To say as Job 34. 31. I have born chastisement I will not offend any more Ver. 32. That which I see not teach me if I have done iniquity I will do no more Commune with your own heart Psal 4. 4. Ask your Soul how it doth Am I in Christ Am I born again Is there a work of Grace wrought upon my heart That will appear by your walking Do you walk as becometh the Gospel Phil. 1. 27. Do you live soberly righteously godly Is this your constant walking Do you pray continually in your Family In your Closet Do you sanctifie the Lords day duely Do you teach your Children the knowledge and fear of God Do you Catechise them Do you set them a good Example Do you fill up every Relation with Duty Have you not sat with vain persons Psal 26. 4. Are you a companion to all that fear God Psal 119. 63. Do you honour such above others Psal 15. 4. Do you delight in their company Psal 16. 3. This is that we are commanded to do to bethink our selves 2 Chron. 6. 37. To consider our wayes Hag. 5. 7. To judge our selves 1 Cor. 11. 31. To examine our selves whether we be in the Faith or no. 2 Cor. 13 5. Now let Conscience speak deal faithfully and truly with your self and where you find Duty neglected Sin committed confess your faults to God freely bewail them with a broken and contrite heart pray earnestly for Grace and a new heart for power over your corruptions resolve on a new course of life to become a new man by the assistance of Gods Grace Abandon ill Company and all occasions of sin for the time to come run not into temptation but watch and pray and keep your self from your own iniquity Psal 18. 23. If I regard iniquity in my heart i. e. allow my self in any one sin God will not hear my prayer Psal 66. 18. Whosoever shall keep the whole Law and offend in one point i. e. wittingly knowingly he is guilty of all is obnoxious to condemnation as if he had broken the whole Law Jam. 2. 10. Let your future practice and reformation speak the truth of your Repentance And if you thus turn to God with your whole heart make application to Christ by Faith and his Bloud shall cleanse you from all sin So God will receive you to Mercy as the Father received the Prodigal Son with all expression of Love He that covereth his sin shall not prosper but he that confesseth and forsaketh them shall find mercy Prov. 22. 13. If you dare not set up a Judgment-seat in your own Heart and keep a privy Sessions in your own Conscience how will you appear before the Judgment-seat of Christ and give an account of all your Thoughts Words and Actions at the great day For then must every one of us give account of himself to God Then blessed are they whose sins are forgiven They may lift up their faces at that day with boldness when impenitent sinners shall be confounded and call to the Rocks and Mountains to fall on them They who live in sin are in danger to dye in sin and to be damned eternally for sin Sin will be sure to find them out to punishment who will not now search and find and cast it out by Repentance and amendment of Life Repent and turn your selves from all your transgressions so iniquity shall not be your ruine Ezek. 18. 31. Thus I have shewed you the good and right way to improve this present cross and to prevent worse things Joh. 5. 14. Sin no more lest a worse thing come to you If God give you an heart to imbrace and hearken to this advice you will have cause to say with David Psal 119. 67 71. Before I was afflicted I went astray but now I have kept thy word And it is good for me that I have been afflicted that I might learn thy statutes And I beseech you do not reject the Counsel of God against your own Soul Put it in practice without delay Break off your sins by Righteousness forthwith to day while it is called to day lest your heart â—e hardened by the deceitfulness of sin Heb. 3. 13. All flesh is grass And no man knoweth the day of his death But it may be said to any of us This night shall thy Soul be required of thee You seem to have a crazy Body You have had divers warnings of late to mind you of your frailty And it is an high point of wisdom to consider of a Mans latter end Deut. 32. 29. What if Death should come like a Thief suddenly and give no warning Then happy are all they who with the wise Virgins have got Oyl in their Lamps saving Grace and Sincerity If a Flood come happy are they who with Noah have prepared an Ark for the saving of their Souls Make sure of Christ keep Conscience pure so it will be peaceable keep integrity and uprightness so you may look Death in the face without fear I will conclude with the words of Solomon Prov. 19. 20. Hear counsel receive instruction that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end Tender Love and Compassion to your Soul was the only motive which set my Pen on writing these Lines Take them in good part and pass a favourable construction on them peruse them ponder them for they are of weight of worth the very Word of God useful and necessary to be followed nearly conducing to the Salvation of your Immortal Soul Consider what I say and the Lord give you understanding in all things 2 Tim. 2. 7. To his Grace I commend you being Your Servant for the salvation of your Soul BEcause my former Letter found so good acceptance with you I am incouraged once again to write to you to let you know how welcome and joyful a thing it is to your Friends to understand that you are become a new man that you have put off your former Conversation and abandoned all vain Company that you keep much at home and take delight in your Wife and Children as you have just cause for they are sweet Children Dutiful and Obedient also that you pray constantly with them and frequent the most lively and powerful and Soul-saving Preaching of Gods Word on the Lords dayes Oh how good and how pleasant a thing it is to all that love you that love your Soul to hear these things of you Now I pray you suffer a word of further Exhortation and give me leave to beseech you as
12. 7. but still his eye of Fatherly care is on them Psal 34. 15. and all things shall work together for their good Now lay all these things together 1. Satan is a Conquered a Chained Enemy 2. By slavish fear you do him too much honour 3. You wrong God and Christ as if they were not able to save you 4. Call to mind Gods gracious Attributes Providence Promises 5. Your relatian to God and Christ to whom in Baptism you were devoted and so are a Member of Christ one of Gods Children whom he loves pityeth and careth for Say now as Nehemiah Should such a one as I flee should I fear the Devil No fear God fear to displease him by sin by this immoderate fear Resist the Devil by Faith and fervent Prayer Lay hold on Gods promises Apply them to your self by Faith as if they had been made to you by Name Hold no dispute with Satan he will be too hard for you But take the Sword of the Spirit the Word of God Answer his Cavils with that as our Saviour did Avoid solitariness as much as you may When you are alone yet remember you are not alone Believers have fellowship with the Father and the Son by the Holy Ghost And alwayes remember that the Holy Angels encamp round about them that fear God Turn to those Scriptures Psal 34. 7. and 91. 11. Get acquainted with Gods people hear their advice and beg their Prayers Wait on God be sure to keep in his way and the issue will be good Psal 40. 1. So the God of Peace grant you Peace by all means and the Peace of God which passeth understanding keep your hearts through Jesus Christ To his Blessing and Grace I commend you Yours Mar. 30. 1680. I Must desire to see you but it is thought not advisable for me to take such a journey at first not having been on horse back since my late sickness I am sorry to hear you are ill again being but lately recovered from an ill fit Man that is born of a woman is of few days and is full of trouble And because it is unknown to us which sickness is or may prove our last it is wisdom to improve the present as a warning to us So to number our dayes that we may apply our hearts to wisdom to consider our latter end and Eternity that follows after Set thy house in order for thou shalt dye and not live saith the Prophet from God to Hezekiah much more should we set our Souls in order and see that we be on good terms with God ere we appear before his judgment-seat Which we must do the first moment after the departing of the Soul out of the body Heb. 9. 27. This is a work so necessary to be done in time that it is not ought not to be put off till a sick bed yet it must then be revived and renewed and then done in the best manner as being the last time of doing it and what is then done is like to stand for ever In order thereunto reflect and look back into the former part of your life Begin at your birth sin and corruption of nature Bewail that and lament over it so go on to the sins of youth and be humbled for them and so come a long to the sins of age and riper years confess and bewail them with their agravating circumstances as being committed against light knowledge and checks of Conscience and done with deliberation By this means you will find ease and rest to your Soul according to that promise Mat. 11. 29. If you cast your weary burden upon the Lord Jesus Christ he will stand between you and his fathers wrath he will take all your debts upon him and say as Rebeckah to Jacob upon me be thy curse my Son Fresh sorrow for old sins Repentance renewed will make Christ sweet and sin bitter to you and affect you more in his love in dying for you This will be a good evidence to you that your sins are forgiven Namely if you confess them with a broken and penitent heart and forsake them with detestation And now is a fit time for you to look up your evidences for Heaven that so you may not be afraid to dye but may look Death in the face with comfort If you say how may I be assured that my sins are forgiven and that Christ is mine To the first I have answered already He that confesseth and forsaketh his sin shall find mercy Prov. 28. 13. If we confess our sins by faith resting on Christ for pardon he is faithful and just to forgive us To the second How may I know that Christ is mine Thus Are you you his Are you willing Do you consent to have him on his own terms for your Lord and do you obey him as your Lord Do you take his yoak upon you have you respect to all his commandments Do you hate every evil way John 15. 14. You are my friends if you do whatsoever I command you Do you chuse the Lord for your portion Christ for your bliss and happiness Do you more highly prize him and desire to enjoy him more than all riches Do you account all things but loss and dung in comparison of him Had you rather be the most holy person upon Earth than the greatest or richest that ever was And do you use diligence in the means of grace to attain to more holiness If so you may without doubt be well assured your Estate is good and safe For you could not have chosen God and loved Christ unless he had chosen and loved you first Dwell therefore in the thoughts and tastes of Gods love to you Say how wonderful is Gods love to a poor worm and silly dust That the contrivance of infinite wisdom should be taken up about me That the eternall Deity should consult about my salvation ere the world began That God should pass by many wise men after the flesh many mighty and noble who if they had been converted might have done God better service an hundred times then I and make choise of me a dispicable sinner to be an Heir of salvation Lord what is man c. Thus raise up your heart in thankful admiration of Gods wonderful love to your Soul And Thirdly the assurance of Gods love will incourage your heart against the fear of death and give you confidence against the King of terrors I shall be glad to hear of your recovery though I thus write I commend you to God and if I never see you in this world I hope to meet you with other dear friends who are gone before in those mansions which Christ hath purchased and prepared for all those that love him to whose grace I refer you Yours J. H. May 31. 81. They are blessed that do hunger and thirst after Righteousness after Christ for justification and sanctification Do not you so Are not you empty naked barren of grace in your self a dry tree
never be taken from you I know no business of greater weight than this is therefore I beseech you do not slight it but lay it to heart Thus with due respects to you I rest Yours truly John Hieron Losco June 14. 77. THE only intent of this Paper is to give you a word of Spiritual Advice and Direction to carry your self so in this World that you may be happy for ever in the World to come You know every one hath a Soul an Immortal Soul which must live â—ternally either in bliss or misery And every one of us must be careful to save his own Soul Deut. 4. 9. Only take heed to thy self and keep thy Soul diligently The more precious any thing is the more careful we are to preserve it and more fearful to lose it In this respect the Soul deserves more care than all the things in the World besides for it is infinitely more worth What will it profit a man to gain the whole world and loose his own soul Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul Saith our blessed Saviour Matth. 16. 26. Wherefore let my Counsel be acceptable to you and I will shew you the right way how you may save your Soul and be for ever happy which I shall do in two words First Be careful to shun and avoid whatsoever is destructive and dangerous to the Soul and that is sin and sinful lusts 1 Pet. 2. 11. Abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul Dent. 23. 9. Keep thee from every wicked thing Jer. 44. 4. Oh do not this aâ—ominabâ—â— thing that my soul hates faith the Lord God For the soul that sinneth shall dye Ezek. 18. 4 And as you must watch against all sin so must you flee all occasions and temptations to sin Beware of ill example Follow not a multitude to do evil Exod. 23. 2. for the way to Hell is broad the gate that leadeth to destruction is wide and many there be that go in thereat Take heed of bad company which are infectioâ—s Shun them as you would shun the Plague For a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump He that walketh with the wife that is the Godly shall be wise But a companion of fools that is of wicked men shall be destroyed Prov. 13. 20. Be not among wine-bibbers Prov. 23. 20. Come not near the door of an Harlot or Harlots house Prov. 5. 8. Blessed is the man c. Psal 1. 1. This is the first part of my Advice which is the same you are engaged to by the Vow of your Baptism wherein you renounced the World the Flesh and the Devil and are under a solemn obligation to maintain a continual War against them as being enemies to your Soul And if you shall neglect to do it you would be a forsworn creature This is a consideration well worthy your laying to heart In the next place you must carefully use those means that God hath appointed to work grace and holiness in your heart for by this we are saved And without holiness no man shall see the Lord or be happy Heb. 12. 14. Let sin be the grief and burden of your heart yea sin original chiefly as well as actual sins for we are all born in sin and Children of wrath by Nature and must be born again that so Natural Corruption the plague of our heart may be healed in us by a new birth from Heaven If any man be in Christ he is a new creature For this you must pray to God earnestly and with importunity that he will create in you a new heart Psal 51. 10. and work in you a lively Faith that you may kiss the Son believe in Jesus Christ for pardon of Sin and Salvation For this end you must diligently and constantly attend on the Word which is the ordinary means which God hath appointed to beget and increase Faith Rom. 10. 17. Faith cometh by hearing Have a care to keep holy the Sabbath day constantly and no day neglect reading the Scripture And let fervent Prayer be your Morning and Evening Sacrifice continually and pray God to put his fear in your heart that you may never depart from him Blessed is the man tâ—aâ— feâ—reth alwayeâ— Prov. 28. 14. Daily be faithful and diligent in your Calling he courteous to all men do evil to none speak evil of no man live soberly be temperate in all things Let the chief care of your heart and endeavour of your life be to serve and please God that he may bless you here and save you hereafter So God shall have Honour your Friends Comfort in you and your Soul be eternally â—â—ved which is the desire of Your true Friend and Lover John Hieron Losco June 19. 1680. Thus this Holy Man was taking and making opportunities of doing good to Souls The conversion quickning and saving of Souls was the desire of his Heart what he earnestly prayed for and the design of his Sermons and of his Letters and of his private Discourse too and that to the last As a Kiâ—swoman coming to visit him not long before he dyed and staying all night when she came into his Chamber to take her leave after much good Counsel given her sayes he Are you going But who came along with you She answered Her Man And Payes he where is he I have something to say to him Then he was told that the Man was on Horse-back waiting for his Mistress He replyed Call him up Shall any one come and lodge a might in my House and I say nothing to him concerning his Soul Bid him alight and come to me for I must speak to him Thus he shewed his Care for the Soul of a Servant as well as of the Mistress his Love to the Soul of a Stranger as well as to any of his own Kindred FINIS Books Printed for and sold by Thomas Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside near Mercers-Chapel A Second Volume of lives of sundry eminent persons in this latter agae in two parts I. of Divines II. of Nobilicy and Gentry of both Sexes By Samuel Clark M. A. sometime Pastor of Bennetsink in London The life and Death of Edmond Staunton D. D. to which is added I. his Treatise of Christain conference II. His Dialogue between a Minister and a stranger Octavo The true Dignity of St. Paul's elder exemplefied in the life of that Reverend Holy zealous and faithful Servant and Minister of Jesus Christ Mr. Owen Stockton M. A. sometimes follower of Gonvile and Câ—jâ—s Colledge in Cambridge and afterward Preacher of Gods Word â—t Colchester in Essex With a Collection of his observations Experiences and Evidences recorded by his own hand to which is added his Funeral Sermon by John Fâ—â—rfax M. A. sometime Fellow of C. Colledge in Cambridge and afterward Rector of â—â—rking in Sâ—ffolk Invisible Realities demonstrated in the Holy Life and Triumphant Death of Mr. John Janeway Fellow of Kings Colledge in Cambridge By James Janeway Minister of the Gospel A Narraitive of the Holy Life and happy death of that Reverend faithful and zealous man of God Minster of the Gospel of JesusChrist Mr. John Angier many years Pastor of the Church of Christ at Dunton near Manchester in Lancashire Wherein are related many Passaged that concern his Birth Education his entrance into the Ministry discharge of his trust therein and his Death Octavo A Believers Triumph over Death exemplified in a relation of the last hours of Dr. Andrews River and an account of divers other remarkable Instances being an History of the Comfortable end and dying words of several eminent Men. With other occasionall Passages attending to comfort Christians to the fear of Death and prepare them for a like happy Change The Life and death of Mr. Tâ—o Wilson Minister of Maidstone in the County of Kent M. A. A True History of the Capâ—ivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson a Ministers Wife in New England wherein is set forth the cruel and Inhumane usage she under went amongst the Heathens for cleven Weeks time and her delieverance from them Written by her own hand for her private use and now made publick at the earnest desire of some friends for the benefit of the Afflicted whereunto is anexed a Sermon of the possibility of Gods forsaking a People that have been near and dear to him preached by Mr. Josph Rowlandson Husband to the said Mrs. Rowlandson so it being his last Sermon Carracters of a Godly Man both as more and less grown in grace By Daniel Burgess Minister of the Gospel Octavo Of National Churches their description Institution use preservation danger Malides and cure partly applyed to England quarto Again the Revolt to a Forrain Iurisdiction which would be to England its Perjury Church R â—un and slavery in two parts I. the History of Mans endeavours to Introduce it II. the Confutation of all pretences for it Church Concord containing I. A Diswasive from unnecessary Division and Separation and the real concord of the moderate Independants with the Presbyterians instanced in ten seeming Differences II. the Terms necessary for concord among all true Churches and Christians These three By Richard Baxter Minister of the Gospel FINIS
flatterer and she bore being a good Christian One instance may be worth noting here A difference arose about precedency the Countess judged her Gentlewoman ought in right to take place of a Baronets Daughters and expected they should acknowledge it and then said She would put her Maid in her Pocket rather than she should give them any offence But they not willing to yield it the Countess sent to the Earl Marshal to decide it who said the Countess was in the right Mr. Hieron being to preach at Repton Exercise famous not only for a Sermon but also for the work of Prophecying by one Minister after another opening Scripture the Countess being there he preached on that Text Blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it And in an use of Instruction he commanded them that were there present to hear Gods words striving for the good of their Souls whilst others were striving for precedency on Earth c. This the Countess was so quick as to observe and speak of it to Sir Henry Leigh who had taken no notice of it but so humbled her self before the word that Reader Noâ—e Great Persons did not think it below them to frequent â—â—cturâ—s in thâ—se dars she never spake of it to Mr. Hieron Their Memory is precious that did so their names and memory will rot that are above against neglect and contemne such practices If great people be good they will heed what they hear and bear reproof And let all Christians and Ministers believe that faithful dealing is the true way to respect and that of the wise Man will be verified Prov. 28. 23. He that rebuketh a man shall find more favour afterward than he that slattereth with the tongue A wound that 's friendly is better than a deceitful kiss Prov. 27. 6. Here again he had some calls a way by persons of Great Note but he continued at Eggington until Michaelmas 1633. Sect. 2. From Eggington he removed to the Town of Ashborne Mr. Joseph Taylor Lecturer and School-Master there falling into weakness was disabled from his Service and being a weighty honest Man much desired to have the School and Lecturers place well supplyed Pursuant to this design Mr. Lees of Ashborne every way a substantial man took a journey to enquire after one Mr. Patrick then I suppose Schoolmaster at Leicester motioned to Ashberne School And in the Crown-Inn-gate at Derby Meeting Mr. Hieron and one Mr. Wheeldon who had been enquiring for the Cambridge Carrier asked them Whether they were Leicester-shire Men They answered no. Inquired Why he asked that question He replyed that one Mr. Patrick was motioned to Ashborne as a Sbhool-Master and he knew not but that one of them might possibly have been the Man Mr. Hieron went on but Mr. Wheeldon stepped back to him and told him if they wanted a School-Master they could not have a fitter than his Friend there meaning Mr. Hieron And gave a character of him which so well pleased Mr. Lees that at his return home he acquainted Mr. Pegge an Attorney of great note and business and inclined to good men an Inhabitant in Ashborne and Mr. Taylor with what he had heard They took notice of it and Mr. Pegge wrote to Mr. Gilbert Ward of Tickenhal an Ingenious man a man of Wit Worth and Business who knowing Mr. Hieron well gave an account of him to satisfaction Which being received Mr. Taylor wrote to Mr. Jackson then Minister of Sutton a learned sober grave and weighty man of whom Mr. Hieron used to say He was Logical in every thing to desire him to bring Mr. Hieron to Ashborne which he did and there they offered him the School-Masters place at Ashborne He promised to accept it if they could and would fairly procure it for him Thus by a passage which to us is accidental and a meer contingency was this worthy man brought into their thoughts at Ashborne but an higher Hand and a wiser Purpose directed it Mr. Taylor then grown unable for the School and Lecture both set himself to work and improved his Interest in the Company consisting of Three Governours and Twelve Assistants in whom the Right of Election lay and ingaged Ten of them for Mr. Hieron But now it beginning to be noised abroad that the School would be vacant one Mr. Cox put in for it who though he could not gain the Majority of the Governours and Assistants yet having got some of them and some Interest made by some great Neighbours who influenced upon the Heirs of the Founders of the School who had a kind of a Negative Voice Three whereof were then remaining two whereof were gotten for Mr. Cox and the third for Mr. Hieron The Major part of them had power to stop the Election and so it occasioned a great contest When Mr. Taylor saw what opposition they were like to meet with he would not have resigned until the Coast were cleared and therefore procured Mr. Whiting to teach School for him But he perceiving there was no hope that he should be the man chosen withdrew his hand and left Mr. Taylor by reason of his weakness under a necessity of resigning Which he did and two more of the Governours and Assistants being brought over Twelve of the Fifteen chose Mr. Hieron But the Heirs of the Founders not consenting the Election was not ratified and so it fell to the Bishop of the Diocess to choose Mr. Hieron by the Bishops Order was examined by Mr. Basier the Bishops Chaplain who commended him much for his skill in the Tongues The Bishop readily gave him his Title But then a question arose whether Bishop Morton being now Elect of Durham could act as Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield Hereupon Applications were made to Arch-Bishop Abbot who in the vacancy of the Bishoprick was Bishop of it And the Arch-Bishop gave him his Title But then it came to a new Dispute that it must be the Bishop of the Diocess that only could give a Title and therefore it could not be done until the Bishopprick were filled By and by it was Bishop Wright was installed then each side applyed to him and neither side appeared empty for so was the manner then He deferred the decision until he should in his Visitation come to Ashborne which he did and when there moved that they should wave Mr. Cox and Mr. Hieron and by a great Neighbour one Mr. Mountney was propounded and both sides sat down Mr. Hieron was content he was at ease where he was and having the Lecture at the truly Honourable the Countess of Chesterfield for which she promised him but Ten pounds per annum but gave him Twelve he judged his Salary competent and so was satisfied But the Lord had higher business at Ashborne for Mr. Hieron than a Free-School Tho when the Election of the Governours and Assistants was made void for want of Confirmation by the Heirs of the Founders when Bishop Mortons Title was questioned and
well read in Books and good Authors a very studious man He was well seen in History and very frequently in converse made an excellent use thereof He had a sharp judgment he was a great Master of Method had digested his Tutors Method of preaching thoroughly He had a very strong memory which continued to the last so that if there were any doubt about the quantity of any Syllable he had a Verse ready to shew what it was He had searched into Chronology of Scripture knew much about it and was ready in it But he was almost a Non-such in his Bible you could not name a difficulty but he was ready to give the unfolding of it or what was said to it He was most ready in the references of one Scripture to another and could readily turn to them He had an excellent faculty in expounding Scripture in opening a Chapter he opened his Text with great clearness He had a gravity in Countenance and Carriage and in his Delivery He was a Mall of unsound Opinions though he did not delight in preaching Controversies yet when it fell in his way his matter naturally leading to it he would so distinctly state Controverted points and leave them so clear that there would scarce seem to be any thing of controversie in them He was a close and wise reprover He was a powerful presser to duty he was excellent in Instruction skilful to direct to means very compassionate in dealing with tender troubled Souls able to give strong Cordials and very discerning to know to whom to give them In a word he was a Scribe instructed to the Kingdom of God had Treasures and could bring forth things new and old He was a good and faithful Steward of the Mysteries of God he was able and apt to teach furnished both with an Heart well headed and an Head well hearted he was skilful and faithful a sound Believer of what he preached zealous for God no body that heard him could suspect him of being in jest all must conclude he was in earnest and that his words were in his heart and that they came out thence His breath was warm which testified Life within and heartiness for God Sect. 2. As to the discharge of his Ministry I must be a little more particular He did shew his qualifications his sincere ends in entring into the Ministry by his conscionable fulfilling his Ministry received of the Lord doing the work of a Minister making full proof of his Ministry he was a Workman and a working man a dextrous labourer in Gods Vineyard a painful and skilful Husbandman whom God had instructed to discretion and had taught him He dispensed Holy Mysteries the Word and Sacrament as a Minister of Christ and a faithful Steward of the Mysteries of God 1. He was well satisfied about the Doctrine of the Lords day as a Christian Sabbath and accordingly he did earnestly contend with the Profaners of the Lords day zealously prest its sanctification and in his own practice was a practical Sabbatarian This would appear both from what he did at Ashborne and also after at Breadsall But take for proof what follows Some time after his setling at Ashborne the Book for Sports on the Lords day came forth and presently was the fear of Gods Commandment cast off the applications of the Sabbath to the ends of it's institution being one of those bands and cords that corrupt nature would fain break and is glad of any pretence to cast away Unbridled youth presently took the liberty granted and Tidings being brought to Mr. Hieron he got to Mr. Pegge a Man of Authority in Ashborne to accompany him and coming to them they found Boys and Youths shooting at the Butts and only one man with them and being demanded why they did so The man answered that the Bishop gave them leave How doth that appear said Mr. Hieron The man answered on such a Sabbath day I came through Eccleshall where then the Bishops seat was and saw there a Bear baiting Mr. Hieron rejoyns that 's no proof for the Castle is at some distance from the Town and the Bishop might be said If it offended them he would forbear and so the Company parted But a while after he went to another Company got together on the like occasion where he met with a man who argued the King allowed it and those would not part Mr. Taylor in his Life having preached about the Observation of the Lords-day and therein reproved that bad Custom which the Butchers of that Town used of selling Meat on the Lords-days in the Morning When Bishop Wright afterwards came to visit there some who were loath to for go that bad Custom dealt with him in private about it and so far gained on him that in his Charge or Speech he mentioned it and used this instance Suppose a Labouring Man receives his Wages so late on the Saturday night that before he can get home the Shops are shut up and no Meat then to be bought shall not the poor Man therefore have a chop of Meat to his Dinner the next day with great noise the Bishop added God forbid Mr. Hieron well understood this reflection and others took so much notice of it as to take encouragement from it Yet notwithstanding Mr. Hieron preaching upon the Commandments when he came in course to the Fourth Commandment returned upon the reproof of this sin and raising an Objection but some may say my Lord Bishop gives us leave He answered Suppose that were so Whether is it reasnable to regard what one Bishop might say in a private place more than what that Bishop and all the Bishops in England had said in Parliament And having the Statute of 3. Caroli with him in the Pulpit he read it to them and told them there were but so many years passed since this was enacted by Kings Lords and Commons and that this Bishop on whose Authority they so much relied was one of the Number being then Bishop of Bristol This put them a little to a stand yet one of them said he would notwithstanding hear what such a Gentleman not far distant would say to it Whether they reformed or not I cannot well say but Mr. Hieron did his duty with Zeal and Courage These instances may suffice to illustrate and prove this head 2. He was a Man that filled the Sabbath with its proper Exercises It was a painful day to him yet not grievous because the day was his delight and holy employment was his refreshment He prayed he read the Scripture and expounded it he sung Psalms he catechised and expounded the Catechism he preached twice a day and this he did with that holy zeal and earnestness that sometimes especially in the spring of the year he hath been so sore upon the Mondays that he could not endure to sit but was forced to walk about in his Room whilst he was able and then to try if he could find out any other postures which might
that knew him did know that he had an excellency this way I have sometimes mentioned my own thoughts about some Scriptures and he would read me out of his Books what his sense was to very good purpose 8. He was Gray by that time he was Forty or before but though the Almond-Tree flourished they that looked out of the Windows were not darkened His Sight was something short but it held long exceeding good to the last he never used Spectacles could read a little Print without difficulty wrote by an indifferent Light readily and well 9. He was swift to hear his Brethren took heed how he heard He would tell his very friends that never any could take any thing ill from him where they missed it in any passages in a Sermon and some that now live acknowledge themselves much beholden to him for they knew he was accurate though not nice truly critical tho' not censorious exactly methodical though not limiting others but left them to their own method and way In one of his new Books he sets down thus Graces eminent in Mr. Martin Topham mentioned by Mr. John Oldfield in his Sermon at his Funeral November 3. 1658. which I desire to imitate the particulars follow in the close Go thou and do likewise Subscribing J. H. A like extract there is out of Mr. Ashes Funeral Sermon 10. He was zealous for God and his motion like natural motion was quickest in its end In many of his Books where he writ his Name he adds to it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be zealous which considering the man and his course shewed the temper of his heart 11. At Losco he saw his Son disposed to a Branch of a Religious Family and she her self truly so the Daughter of an old Puritan the Sister of the very searching Mr. Joseph Truman A Woman of Vertue considerably endowed as to Worldly things and very happy they were in each other God hath made her fruitful Her Father in Law had great content in her and was very sensible of this good Providence He saw a Child Born that bears his Name 12. This Losco remove was a very happy one to Mr. Hieron and was a matter of Song to him in the house of his Pilgrimage Here was a great gathering to him from many quarters To the Carkass the Eagles gathered He was next to a publick place here had great numbers and preached as in his former dayes Here in a little time he had a choice Society of serious Souls amongst whom he administred the Sacrament in its stated times with its wonted preparations amongst these he had constant dayes of Prayer which upon emergent occasions were multiplyed and very frequent Here God gave him much success the Gospel got much ground some brought in and others brought on many that were bad made good and the good much better some were planted and others watered some got root and others better rooted He was as Joseph fruitful in a strange Land and because of this forgot his sorrow he saw God had directed his removes for the furtherance of the Gospel led him not amongst heaps of stones as it 's said Beda's Lad led him but was sent into several places to help them God led him into places where were well affected people willing to hear and were glad at heart of him They flocked in as Doves to the windows and many were the Children of this desolate Man he laboured not in vain he sacrilegiously deserted not his Ministry and the Lord forsook not him It may be said of him in a proportion as was Prophetically said of John Baptist Luk. 1. 15 16 17. and actually of Barnabas Acts 11. 24. he turned many to the Lord much people was added to the Lord by him Acts 11. 21. The hand of the Lord was with this scattered Servant of God and some numbers believed and turned to the Lord. 13. From hence he wrote many Letters upon divers occasions to several persons to very good purpose they are of the same make with his Sermons as he Printed so his constant Preaching was he went abroad in the same Cloaths he wore at home As he Preached so he Wrote such as his Sermons such his Letters proving himself as was said of Ezra a ready scribe Ezra 7. 6. in the word which the Lord had given A great wisdom he had in bringing down general Rules to particular Cases he manifested in them great concern for Souls and faithfulness to them Some of those shall be inserted in the last Chapter of this Treatise 14. Here God much appeared to him in many shines upon his Heart The inward movements of his Soul I have shewed in the outward Indications of them but there are some short hints of Gods dealings with him left under his own hand which spake him to be a Man of Communion with God that there were exchanges of Love betwixt God and him Some of them were before his coming hither but most of them at Losco Some of them the actings of Grace in his own Heart and some of them Gods gracious dealings with him in wayes of quickenings and comforts A Catalogue of Deliverances since 1642. 1. From my Imprisonment by Sir Francis Wortley from Plundering my House by Sir Rich. Fitz-Herbert when his men Plundered some in Ashborn 2. From being taken at Chillington it being taken when I was with Captain Jackson on our way thither 3. From Wingfield Mannor which stood nine Moneths after my coming to Breadsall from Ashby Tutbury and all Enemies I being setled at Breadsall a Year and a half before those Garrisons were taken yet all the time never affrighted Laus Deo i. e. Thanks to God 4. From Mr. H. who oft pushed at me yet the Lord upheld me 5. My Hay was preserved when others had theirs carried away 1648. 6. My Sheep narrowly escaped in a Flood 7. The Hovel fell my Carts under and Corn above all saved 8. The Outhouses fell May 1. 1655. many Cattle and some Horses in them yet none killed nor had any considerable hurt a small matter keeping the fallen Timber off them 9. My House and Goods preserved from Thieves all along for several years 10. Rachel i. e. his Daughter in eminent danger of Death rescued by Prayer 11. My Wife filled with Joy at her departure Laus Deo 12. My Mares feet shot from under her upon an Ice suddenly she fell one way I another No harm Laus Deo 13. Mare fell with me coming from Wicksworth No harm Laus Deo 14. Feb. last 1670. as I went to Nottingham Mare fell on me lay on my Leg long it swelled no Bone broken Laus Deo Thus much of Deliverances Noted and Recorded And then come Mercies which he ranks thus Mercies Publick Peace the Gospel Domestical What Parents Education Wife Children Servants God hath blessed me with Personal Privative Dangers Sickness delivered from Positive Health External Wealth Repute Of Mind Commonly my Eye-sight is good Laus Deo Saving Conversion
Barnabas did those newly converted Christians Acts 11. 23. That with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. Resolve by the help of Grace that you will never cast off your hopeful beginnings nor turn aside to crooked wayes but continue stedfast in the good way you have taken up unto the end The end is that which crowneth all good actions and to perseverance in well-doing are all the promises made Rom. 2. 7. Mat. 10. 22. Rev. 21. 7. And our Baptismal Vow bindeth us to keep Gods Holy Will and Commandments all the dayes of our lives Now that you have begun to forsake the broad way that leadeth to destruction and to enter into the strait way that leadeth unto life O think what a Mercy it is that God hath awakened you with Mary to chuse the good part that shall not be taken from you you see the thing is feizable and Godliness is not a thing impossible if there be but a willing mind If you should now or at any time hereafter fall away it would not be a sin of infirmity because you cannot help it but of perverseness because you will not be at the pains which a Godly life requireth For use and acquaintance with a Christian life makes it much more easie to you afterwards then at the beginning For the greatest difficulty that is in a Godly life is from custom to the contrary so that if after some acquaintance with it when you have overcome much of the hardness of it you should give it over that would be utterly destructive But I hope better things of you and things that accompany Salvation though I thus speak By all means be careful to set such a watch over your self and so to avoid all occasions and temptations as may preserve you from all wilful breaches and danger of Apostasie And because by our own strength we are not able to stand see that you be much in secret Prayer Mat. 6. 6. Beg of God a new heart a clean heart an upright heart Psal 51. 10. 2 Cor. 5. 1. Grace is of absolute necessity to Salvation if we believe our Saviour John 3. 3. 5. and 7. A work of Grace renewing the heart will make Christs yoke of Obedience easie and his burden light so his Commandments will not be grievous 1 Joh. 5. 3. It is by the help of the Spirit changing and sanctifying the heart that we mortifie the deeds of the flesh Rom. 8. 13. There may be an outward Reformation where there is no inward work of Regeneration So a man may be in the condition of the Scribes Mark 12. 34. not far from the Kingdom of Heaven yet never enter into it O wrestle with God in Prayer as for Mercy to pardon sin past so for Grace and the Spirit of Sanctification to renew your heart and to reform your life that so you may walk before God to all well-pleasing If you would do so continue instant in Prayer Col. 4. 2. God will give the Holy Spirit to them that ask it Luke 11. 13. Christ assures us That whatsoever we ask in his name the Father will grant Thus you shall become a good Tree bringing forth the good Fruits of Righteousness Holiness and Sobriety to the Praise and Glory of God the Credit of the Gospel good Example of others to the rejoycing of all good Christians and the overlasting Salvation of your own Soul Yea there will be joy in the presence of the Angels of God over one sinner that repenteth Luk. 15. 10. So whether you live or dye you shall be the Lords And this is considerable at such a time as this when Sickness is so Epidemical and many dye every where and you your self seem to be of no strong Constitution as it appears by your often Infirmities I say it again Regeneration is the one thing necessary without which outside Reformation is but like painting a rotten Post or making clean the outside of the Cup and Platter when the inside is full of excess and extortion Mat. 23. Though you know these things yet I thought it not unuseful to put you in remembrance of them that you may be settled and established in the present Truth and so may continue to the end Which is the earnest desire and shall be the Prayer of Your very Friend for the Salvation of your Soul SIR I Fully purposed to have given you a Visit but hearing your Wife was so near her Travail I forbore till a fitter opportunity And since I understand to my grief that she is delivered of two Children both dead and for which I am informed you are much troubled for which I cannot blame you for the Providence is sad And a Christian should be a Man of Wisdom to see Gods Name written upon the Rod. So was the Name of Aaron for the Tribe of Levi written upon his Numb 17. 3. And as his brought forth Buds and Blossoms and ripe Fruits so should Gods Rod of Correction yield good Fruit in them that are exercised therewith even the peaceable Fruits of Righteousness and Repentance Hear the Rod and who hath appointed it Micah 6. 9. The Rod hath a voice It cometh upon some Errand or other if we were wise enough to understand its meaning Which that we may do the best way is to Commune with your own hearts Psal 4. 4. To search and try our wayes and turn to the Lord. Lam. 3. 40. And be earnest with God in Prayer that he would open our ears to discipline Job 10. 2. Shew me why thou contendest with me Job 34. 31 32. Surely it is meet to be said to God I have born chastisement And I would not have you or your Wife give way to excessive sorrow in this case but follow the Counsel of the Word which ought to be the Rule of our Passions as well as our Actions Let your moderation be known to all men Phil. 4. 6. And they that weep for outward Crosses be as though they wept not 1 Cor. 7. 30. Learn we must to exercise the grace of Self-denyal which our Saviour hath taught us by his own Example John 18. 11. The cup which my Heavenly Father hath given me shall I not drink it And it was a very bitter one Again Now what I will but what thou wilt God is wiser than Man he is God only wise We see but a little way Gods understanding is infinite Times are ill at present they may be worse yea so bad that people may have cause to say Luke 23. 29. Blessed are the barren and the Womb that never bear and the Paps which never gave suck Yet if Children be a Blessing as I grant they be in themselves and desirable there is no time over-passed but you may have your Quiver full of such Arrows if God see it good for you And if not I hope you are more a Christian than to desire them Beware I beseech you both of the least impatience in this case and if any such
will not reject such And now what place is there left for your doubting If God do not shine upon you by the light of his Countenance yet is he your loving Father reconciled to you in his Son A Father is a Father still though he do not alwayes smile on his Son Go you on in your Christian course of Godliness serve the Lord with chearfulness and believe that your poor services shall and do find acceptance with Christ Observe that in Lev. 1. 7. So much as is said of the offering of the poor Mans Sacrifice which was but two young Pidgeons Another to the same Person IAm distressed for you What shall I do for you Oh thou afflicted tossed with tempest and not comforted How shall a man comfort a Soul that refuseth to be comforted Your case is like Hagars in the Wilderness who was ready to perish through drought when there was a Well of Water by her but she saw it not till God opened her eyes Gen. 21. 9. like Mary Joh. 20. 15. who stood weeping for Christ who stood by her but she knew not that it was Jesus You have the Well of Water in you springing up to Eternal Life you have Christ in you the hope of Glory but your eyes are held that you perceive him not Like those two Disciples that went to Emanus Luk. 24. 16. You are in Christ there is no curse condemnation or wrath to come belonging to you you are washed you are sanctified you are justified in the name of our Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God All things are yours Christ with all his benefits the Covenant of Grace with all its priviledges all the great and precious promises of the Gospel which are yea and Amen in Christ sealed in his Blood confirmed to you in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper God is your God your loving Father in Christ Heaven and Eternal Life is yours Fear not poor Soul it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom What shall I say more What can you desire more except you would have your name put into the Scripture promises You believe you shall dye because it is appointed for all men once to dye your Name is not there You believe the Resurrection of the Body because it is written There shall be a resurrection of the just and unjust yet your Name is not there The Scripture saith Whosoever believeth in Jesus Christ shall be saved i. e. Whosoever being truly humbled for sin disclaims all opinion of his own Righteousness and with Paul desireth to be found in his Righteousness only he truly believeth And so do you therefore you shall certainly be saved The Scripture saith Whosoever confesseth and forsaketh his sin shall find mercy Whoso loveth God the same is beloved of God Prov. 8. 17. He that loveth the Brethren is translated from death to life If you say these are general Promises How shall I gather assurance from them concerning my personal estate I Answer By looking into your own heart where if you find you are so qualified and have these Graces of the Spirit wrought in you viz. Faith Repentance Love to God and all Saints you may be assured of your Salvation as certainly as if Christ had said to you by name as he did to the Man that had the Palsie Matth. 9. 2. Son be of good comfort thy sins are forgiven or to Mary Magdalen her sins which are many are forgiven Mar. 7. 47. As to your vain Thoughts I can say no more but what I have said that neither they nor any other sin of infirmity which is your burden and trouble shall hurt or indanger your Salvation It 's the common lot of all Christians to suffer Afflictions outward or inward and sometimes both 2 Cor. 7. 5. We were troubled on every side without were fightings within were fears God is only wise knoweth how to order all for the good of his people Wait on him with patience until he shine on your Soul with the light of his Countenance and fill you with Joy and Comfort according to the promise Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted Beware of unbelief which maketh God a lyar 1 Joh 5. 10. Believe his Promises believe his Prophets so shall ye be established 2 Chron. 20. 20. Beware of entertaining hard thoughts of God dark misgiving thoughts as you seem to do when you fear lest God swear in his wrath against you he did so against murmuring rebellious Israel who despised the pleasant Land and would appoint a Captain to lead them back into Egypt What is this to your case God is good and doth good is Love Light Life Grace to all that trust in him Read Dr. Mantons first Sermon on Psal 119. 68. where he gives a check to such as yours Page 473. You say true I have not prayed for you of late more carnestly because I hoped you had been more settled and at peace hearing nothing from you to the contrary Now I shall tender your condition I cannot as yet promise you a solemn day I have been very ill since I wrote to you and am yet far from well I pray you have patience and when God makes me able I hope to see you I am hasting apace to the Grave my Legs swell which together with old Age tell me the Grave is ready for me God grant I may be ready for it I pray read these Lines peruse them and ponder them in your heart and pray that the Holy Spirit may let you know the things that are freely given you of God Yours J. H. Mar. 9. 81. IAm not without hope to fall to work again shortly I pray therefore in your next let me understand whether you continue in the same mind to have a day kept on your account or whether you have found him whom your Soul loveth whether the Son of Righteousness be risen in your heart with healing in his wings or the Day-Star from on high hath visited your Soul I pray you let me ask you one Question Have you not received the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and that worthily i. e. In a due manner becoming that Holy Ordinance with Gospel preparation and communing with your own heart in secret I know you have many times Now what is a Sacrament a Seal of the Covenant of Grace is it not Well then there must be mutual Sealing on both parts You put to your Seal that you will receive Christ with his yoke of Obedience with his Cross Persecution Did you not mean thus sincerely with a good and honest heart This is your Covenanting for your part which you will indeavour to perform faithfully all the dayes of your life though in many things you fail as in vain thoughts and divers other things And God Sealeth to you for his part that he will be to you a God allsufficient will give you his Son with forgiveness of Sins and all things pertaining to Life and Godliness
is a sore affliction to your Wise family and relations it impoverisheth your Estate causeth a neglect of your business and calling it unfits you for holy duties though you do not altogether lay them aside If you regard iniquity in your hearts God will not hear your prayer he heareth not sinners that is not such as live in sin for in prayer we are commanded to lift up holy hands 1 Tim 2. 8. Lay all these together in the ballance of the Sanctuary Weigh your Actions Do I well to turn from my Righteousness and commit Iniquity Do I well to forsake God the fountain of living water and to dig to my self broken Cisterns that can hold no water Do I well to grieve the holy spirit to bring an evil report on the holy ways of God Do I well to run the hazard of damning my Soul To encourage sinners in sin to harden the wicked and offend the godly to undo Wife and Children and make sad the hearts of my friends will it not be bitterness in the end I conceive you to be under a sore temptation The hand of Joaâ— of Satan is in all this you are discontented and pressed with heavie burdens of debt and some outward concerments and the Devil draws you to the Ale-house as a diversion and to drive away sorrow But this a sinister course a remedy worse then the disease as to be sure all remedies are of that enemyes prescribing Will any wise man hearken to the counsel of an enemy consult but your own reason Is spending your money and wasting your time laying aside care of business the way to lesson or encrease your debts If there were no sin in it it might divert your mind a little for the present Just like impenitent sinners who are convinc'd of the necessity of Repentance but because Repentance and Godly Sorrow is bitter to the Flesh they defer and delay from time to time and singer as Lot did in Sodom till a shower of Fire and Brimstone overtook them to their eternal undoing Be not so unwise as to make light of Eternal Happiness by giving way to Alehouse mirth and merryment which is a poor remedy and to be sorrowed for with bitter tears Prov. 14. 13. Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful and the end of that mirth is heaviness Now if you will hearken I will give you advice and the Lord shall be with you Repent and be converted and return to God from whom you are deeply revolted bewail your backsliding forsake your evil courses Enter not into the path of the wicked Prov. 4. 14 15. Pray lie at the Throne of Grace beseech God with importunity beg pardon for what is past and Grace to keep you from the path of the destroyer for the time to come Break off from all ill company Say as Psal 119. 15. Depart from me ye wicked I will keep the Commandments of my God It may be said he that hath drawn you into the snare will discourage you from recovering your self by Repentance by telling you it is too late your sins are too many and too heinous to be forgiven but believe him not he is a lyar he is a murderer of Souls Believe the Word of God the God of Truth which assures to repenting sinners that there is hope in Israel If we confess and forsake our sins we shall find mercy Prov. 28. 13. Isa 1. 16 18. 1 Joh. 1. 7. Psal 130. 4 6. I will heal their backsliding Hos 14. 4. Jer. 12. This course if you will follow to set about it without delay then shall you obtain forgiveness through the rich mercy of God in Christ Read and consider well the parable of the prodigal Son Luke 15. and doubt not of Gods favour and reconciliation and so the worst and most dangerous of your debts are discharged And for your Money-debts you may find a better way of cure for them than the company of good fellows in an Alehouse You have secret Prayer a sweet solace for a Soul in trouble Psal 119. 4. you have good Books to read you have Godly Ministers of the Word you have Christian Neighbours whose Society and Counsel you may make use of you have Wife and Children to delight and recreate your self in their company you have Friends and Relations not far distant who are able to give you advice if you will make known your case unto them and not smother your grief by reserving and locking it up in your own breast which is not a good way This is to keep the Devils Counsel till you sink under your burden with despair Take need of it I know your Brother loveth you dearly and is not so far off but you may have his help at hand and assistance to manage your Estate so as to clear all your Debts in a 〈◊〉 time make him of your Counsel and take his Advice I am no Counsellor in Worldly affairs I pray you regard what I say from God concerning your Soul and let your Brother be of your Counsel touching your outward Estate And so I commend you to God praying that you may duely weigh what I have said that my Counsels and Reproofs be not as Water spilt on the ground but rather as good seed falling on good ground that by Gods Blessing it may bring forth good fruit even true Repentance in you and amendment of Life c. Your Loving Friend for the Salvation of your Soul J. H. BEcause I have no Worldly good thing to present you with I now and then let a word of Spiritual Counsel drop from my Pen. I desire to commend to you one Scripture which I pray you to meditate on frequently Deut. 4. 9. Only take heed to thy self and keep thy Soul diligently Is there any thing in this World of equal concernment If the Soul be safe all is safe It shall go well with the Body if the Soul be saved If the â—oul miscarry we are undone for ever Shall we be careful of the Health of the Body and careless of the Immortal Soul Shall we keep our Money safe our Lands and Evidences of Estates and not keep our Hearts diligently Prov. 4. 23. Let us preserve our Money our Estates as charily as we can Death will strip us of all we must carry nothing away with us no more than we brought with us into the World Naked we came and naked we must return as to the Body But Spiritual treasure Soul riches will accompany us beyond the Grave to Eternity Our works shall follow us i. e. The reward of them O let us labour to be found in Christ to be made new creatures to be rich in good works for as we sow so shall we reap I was hungry and ye fea me or I was hungry and ye fed me not c. According to one of these will the doom pass at the great day Blessed is the servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing At that day an upright heart
a Conscience sprinkled with Christs Blood a Life full of good Works and Almsdeeds will be more comfortable in the review than Lands and Lordships and bags full of Money â—et us be wise in time Let us make to our selves friends of the unrighteous Mammon that when these things fail we may be received into everlasting habitations There be dead at London within twelve Moneths twelve worthy Ministers of the Gospel and Judge Hales that upright Judge that scorned to take a bribe the Honour and oracle of the law is dead also pray that these deaths of righteous men â—resage not evil to come Thus with due respects to you both I commend you to God resting Yours J. H. Losco February 15. 1676. Because I have nothing to write to you about worldly matters I would give you a word of spiritual advice which as it is not to me any trouble so I would hope it is neither unprofitable nor unaceptable to you That which I have thought fit at this time to impart to you is the sinfulness of sin the danger and damnation that accompanieth every sin every disobedience which without true and sincere repentance and amendment of life will be the eternal ruin of the Soul One actual sin is enough to destroy a man as is apparent in Adam Lots Wife Ananias and Saphir a And many others in scripture and how much more then will a course of sin a way of wickedness as the love of the world a form of godliness hypocrisie an unregenerate estate if continued in undo a man everlastingly Yet how little is this laid to heart What favourable thoughts do most people entertain of sin As if it were at light matter not to be so much dreaded since Christ died for sin what need we so much fear to live in it Seeing God is merciful why may not we take liberty to live as we list As if the Son of God came down from Heaven not destroy the works of the Devil but to establish the Empire of sin as if God were not as just as merciful whose most pure and holy nature can never be reconciled to sin Sin is the transgression of law And the great Lawgiver who is able to save or destroy will never suffer sinners to trample on his authority and cast his Commandments at their heels and hold them guiltless Sin provoketh God the God of patience to anger And the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against sin in all ages What strange confusion and horrid destruction hath sin introduced into the world it cast thousands of lapsed Angels out of Heaven into the dreadful Tophet where they are reserved in everlasting chains under darkness to the judgment of the great day This viper stung our sirst Parents outed them of Paradise brought in sorrow sickness a thousand diseases and death into the world drowned all the Earth with a flood turned Sodom to ashes brought on Jerusalem such calamities as were not inflicted on any Nation under heaven And which is more what is it but sin that kindles the flames of Hell fire and which yet further declareth the hatefulness of sin it crucified the Lord Jesus Christ without shedding whose blood no remission How much then is every one concerned to get out of a state of sin to commune with our hearts and trye if we be converted And to see that no iniquity have Dominion over us Let us Judge our selves that we be not â—udged Make sure our eternal estate live we not in sin lest we dye in sin and be damned for sin let 's follow holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. We are all in good health blessed be God to whom I commit you and with all due repescts to you both rest Yours c. J. H. Losco July 24. 1677. WE are all well praised be God I have nothing of outward matters to present you with which makes me fill my paper with better things The going out of the old year should minde us of puting off the old man and the coming in of the new year that we put on the new man that we purge out the old leaven of corruption that we may be renewed in sincerity and true holiness We are one year nearer to our grave and eternity then we are the fast year at this time have we got one years growth in grace What progress have we made in sanctification in mortification this year What corruptions have we subdued Have we put off our worldly mindness lukewarmness formality in worship Are we become more holy humble heavenly have we added one Cubit to our spiritual stature It is not unlikely but we can tell whether we decline and go backward or whether we go forward and increase in riches and our outward estate And the Soul is more excellent then the body and grace then gold Let us take a view of the state of our Souls and observe what mercies we have received this year from how many evils and calamities we have been preserved and sad breaches which have been made upon other families which we and ours have been freed from that so we may be thankful and give to God his praise Let us review our sins of the year past how many ways we have miscarried and offended God that so we may be humbled and renew our repentance How oft have we received the sacrament of the Lords supper So many obligations we lye under the vowes of God are upon us and tyes to better obedience Thus oft reflecting on our selves is a good way to know our spiritual estates A Christian should be no stranger to his own heart and state in reference to eternity self-judging discovers our selves to our selves encreaseth grace inlargeth comfort weakeneth corruption keepeth peace with God and our own consciences casteth out sin prevents mistakes which are dangerous in soul-affairs prepareth to every good work If we were as the Apostle saith Gal. 6. 14. Crucified 〈…〉 of the earth would affect and afflict us less and our hearts would be more above where our treasure is or should be So wishing you a good new year especially that your souls may prosper I commit you to God and with all due respects to you both remembered I am Yours Truely J. Hieron Decem. 28. 1676. My very good friend I Understand that you and your whole family are in great sorrow and heaviness through your Wises miscarriage of a child and truly I and our family do grieve with you for so we are commanded to weep with them that weep and be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love But I pray be wise and take heed lest you over-grieve and so offend God by immoderate sorrow which you may easily do and so provoke his wrath against you and bring a heavier cross upon you Let them that weep be as if they wept not 1 Cor. 7. 30. If it should please God to make a greater breach among us by taking from any of us a dear friend we