the Apostle trembling and crying out Sir what shall I do to be saved To whom he was a Barnabas a son of sweet consolation and could so display the exceeding abundant riches of Divine grace in the Lord Jesus Christ as to draw and attract their hearts to a cheerful compliance with it and hearty acceptation of it He as a faithful Steward gave every one his portion terrour to whom terrour belonged and comfort to whom comfort whereby the Holy Ghost setting in with the Word a numerous issu of new born children were begotton to Christ. He preached there according to the command in season and out of season not only twice every Lords day but also every holy day and at Funerals though the persons interr'd were poor and nothing could be expected for his pains Whilst he was Minister of Otham many of Maidstone and others several miles about to my knowledge some seven or eight miles from Otham did ordinarily attend on his Ministry and joyn in Communion with him at the Lords Supper but the number that flockt after him which was so great that his Church would not hold them was a great eye sore to the prophane world and caused several of the Ministers about him to envy and maligne him CHAP. VIII His care to Sanctifie the Sabbath There was at Otham before his coming an ill custom for the Fulling Mills there abouts to work every Lords day but he convinced the owners so throughly of the unlawfulness thereof that they forbore presently and suffered their Mills to lie still on that day many years after he left them But the only wise God who governeth the world saw fit for some time to lay this usefull person aside for he had not been many years at Otham before the Book commonly called the Book of Sports on the Lords day came forth and was presented to him with a Command that he should publish it the next Lords day in his Church which he refused to do of which refusal he giveth the reasons which you may see in his answer to several Articles objected against him annexed to this Narrative and upon his refusal was suspended ab Officio Beneficio Upon his suspension his Cure was committed to such persons as he could not comfortably own or joyn with which caused him to remove his Habitation to Maidstone To the Christians there he was a great help whilst his suspension lasted and from them he received some support and supply for himself and his Family Whilst he was at Maidstone he still was solicitous for the good of his people at Otham and therefore to encourage them to unity and a Gospel conversation as also to convince his adversaries who had causelesly traduced him to be a savourer and a better of Schisms and Divisions he wrot a Letter to his Parish wherein the exhorted them to fear the Lord and the King and to walk in love c. and not to nourish in themselves any dislike of Government or contempt of those whom God had set over them c. Which Letter was read on a Lords Day in his Congregation by Dr. Tucke that all his Parishoners might know his judgement and the advice he judged necessary to give them without the appointment of Mr. Wilson The tidings of this Letter and the publick reading of it was soon carried to London and gave such a distast that both Mr. Wilson and Dr. Tucke were cited to appear before the High Commission Court and answer what they had done Both of them appeared several times to their great trouble and cost and were notwithstanding all they could alledge in their own defence forced to continue their attendance on the Court for the space of three years In this business Dr. Tucks trouble was the greater because his body unable to bear riding he was necessitated to make these long journeys of thirty miles and better on foot During Mr. Wilsons suspension a Neighbour Minister greedy of his Living commenced a Sute against him to eject him wholly out of Otham but his Patron Mr. Swinnoche made good his Title and so disappointed his Adversary CHAP. IX His appearance at a Visitation about the Prayer against the Scots HIs suspension continued till the year 1639. about which time the Scots entering England a Parliament was called and Archbishop Lawd took off his suspension But his sufferings were not at an end for in the year 1640. September 30. he and other Ministers were cited to appear at a Visitation of the Archbishops at Feversham in Kent to answer their not reading the Prayer against the Scots and also as they there heard to take the new devised Oath ex Officiam but when he and others of his Brethren presented themselves at the place they understood that the Oath should be wholly declined and the onely question should be why they did not read the forementioned Prayer Upon which they consulted together whether it were beâ—â— to appear before the Vicar General or no. â— was urged by some that the Parliament whom they apprehended would be some relief and shelter to them being to sit down on the 3 〈…〉 of November following it was but prudential for them to hold off at present and in case they were cited afterwards to Canterbury to appear only by a Proctour and protract time as much as might be But upon a serious weighing the reasons for and against their appearing it was concluded that they would appear and submit to the will of God however he should please to dispose of them Mr. Edward Bright of Gondburst and Mr. Wilson immediately repaired to the Inne where Sir Nathaniel Brent the Arch-Deacon and some inferiour Officers sat They no sooner appeared but Mr. Bright was pointed out by one present to the Arch-Deacon that knew him who presently asked him his name and whether he had read the Prayer against the Scots or no Mr. Bright answered No Whereupon the Arch-Deacon suspended him ab Officio Beneficio without admonishing him or giving him any time to consider of it which sudden act was deemed even by the Favourites of that Court to be neither prudential nor Canonical Though Mr. Wilson stood by when his Brother was suspended and perceived the service much hotter then he expected yet he did not flye from his colours or retreat in the least But being called answered to his Name and being asked whether he had read the Prayer gave a Negative answer with this reason Because in the Rubrick before the Common Prayer it was enjoyned that no Prayer should be publickly read except those that were in the Book of Common-Prayer but this Prayer against the Scots was not there This unexpected answer puzzled the Arch-Deacon being none of the readiest or accuted to reply and caused him to apply himself to Sir Nathan Brent who upon information of Mr. Wilsons reasons very ingeniously left the Arch-Deacon to himself and refused to meddle in it Upon which the Arch-Deacon the edge of his fury being
shined upon my head when the Almighty was yet with me Job 29.28 O that I were as in the days of ola as in the days when I sate under Mr. Wilsons Ministry O that I could hear such Sermons joyn in such Prayers partake of such Sacraments enjoy such seasons for my soul and see such gracious examples When you are wishing thus consider what a mercy it was that you enjoyed him so long Alas how many Parishes never had such a Pastor one Month then bewail your folly in making no better use of him while you had him Let all your complaint be of your selves for your unfruitfulness and unprofitableness under such excellent means and Spiritual opportunities And let you care be to make the most of him more by practising those wholesome precepts which you remember he gave you and by writting in your lives after that Copy which he hath set you I know his memory is dear to you and your love was great to him I beseech you manifest the truth of your love by doing that which you know he loved so much Did he not tell you often I have no greater joy then to see my Children walking in the Truth In a word Zeno Cittiana when he consulted with the Oracle how he might live well was answered 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 If he were of the same colour with the dead It s certain you will live well if you live like them that died in the Lord. The Prince of the Powers of the Air i e the Devil liveth in them who live according to the course of the world Eph. 2. 2. The world though it often changeth its customs and fassions yet never for the better as the Camelion it turneth in to any colour but white so that if you will live according to most amongst when you live you may do and be any thing but what you ought to do and be But if you be of the colour of them that sleep in Jesus and resemble the dead in Christ your lives will be unblameable your deaths peaceable your names after death honourable and your resurrections at the great day comfortable That you may be followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the Promises and in special that you may be your Pastors Joy and Crown or Rejoycing at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ Is the Prayer of your Affectionate Servant in Christ Jesus G. S. THE CONTENTS Chap. 1. HIs Birth Education at School and Vniversity Chap. II. His removal from the Vniversity with the occasion Chap. III. His first Living in Surry Chap. IV. His second living in Hampshire Chap. V. His third living with the success of his journey into Cumberland Chap. VI. His removal to Otham in Kent with the occasion of it Chap. VII His great success at Otham in Kent with his faithfulness there Chap. VIII His care to sanctifie the Sabbath Chap. IX His appearance at a Visitation about the Prayer against the Scott Chap. X. His fresh prosecution by the Arch-Bishop with a strange Providence Chap. XI Strange Providences Mr. Wilson's freedom obtained by Sir Ed. Deering with his character of Mr. Wilson Chap. XII His removal to Maidstone Chap. XIII His care for Otham and for Reformation at Maidstone Chap. XIV His extraordinary diligence and labouriousness on the Lords day Chap. XV. The great pains he took with his people on the Week-days Chap. XVI His diligence on all occasions to do good and his way of Preaching Chap. XVII His carriage in his Family Chap. XVIII The Reformation which was wrought by his means and Ministry in Maidstone Chap. XIX His Courage Chap. XX. His Zeal Chap. XXI His Faith and Heavenly mindedness Chap. XXII His natural parts and great humility Chap. XXIII His Wives and Children Chap. XXIV His Sickness and Death After the Chapters are annexed the Articles objected against him in the Arch-Bishops Court with his answers to them Verses on his Death THE LIFE and DEATH OF Mr. THO. WILSON Minister at Maidonestone in the County of Kent CHAP. I. His Birth Education at School and Vniversity THomas Wilson was born at Catterlon in the County of Cumberland in the year 1601. His Parents were sober and honest and of a competent Estate being of the best sort of Yeomen in those parts As soon as his Age would permit he was sent to School at Blentow i◠the saith County where under Mr. Wilkinson his School-master he profited beyond expectation and far excelled all his fellows He was observed in his youth to have a sharp wit large memory and to be very much given to his Book whereby his friends had hopes that he would in time as indeed he did prove a great instrument of good His great proficiency at School encouraged his Parents to send him to the University before he was seventeen years of Age where viz. at Christs Colledge in Cambridge he spent not his time as too many do male alind or nibil agendo but devoted himself wholly to his Studies in so much that he was taken notice of by the Master and Fellows for his diligence and industry It might have been written over his Study-door Nulla diel sine linea And though he did imploy his time most there about Academical Learning his acuteness in which did appear above 20 years after he had left Cambridge yet he did not neglect Divinity but in order to his design of serving God in the Ministry if he saw fit read both Positive and Polemical Authors But of all Books none was so dear to him or read so much by him as the Holy Scriptures for as the great Apostle saith of Timothy I may say of him From a Child he knew the Holy Scriptures which are able to make wise to Salvation Before he was Batchelor of Arts he had read as he told me Tremel and Iun. on the whole Bible three times over CHAP. II. His removal from the Vniversity with the occasion SOmetime after he had Commenced Batchelor of Arts he was removed from the University by this Providence Mr. Iohn Bristow a Reverend Minister of Chawswood in Surry desired Mr. Mead that eminent person for Piety and Learning his Tutor to send him an able Religious Scholar to teach School in his House Mr. Mead presently pitcht his thoughts upon his Puple Mr. Wilson not knowing how to pleasure Mr. Bristow better and glad he could answer his request so well At Mr. Bristows he continued four years or there about instructing the Lads committed to his charge with great diligence and faithfulness being far from the temper of Protagoras who boasted as Plato reports that having lived sixty four years he had spent fourty of them in corrupting and debauching young persons No he made conscience of his time and his trust and gave his Scholar more cause to bless God for their education under him then Socrates did Plato for his bringing up under such a Master He hath sometimes told me that he knew no Calling except the Ministry
Mr. Robert Swinnocks to Supper By that time he had supped there would be hundred or more gathered together to Mr. Swinnocks house to joyn with him in the conclusion of the day Many times to my comfort I have seen two Rooms one considerable for largeness through which persons of all ranks the Mayor Jurates and their Wives by their patterns encouraging others to worship the great God After Supper he came among them begun with a short prayer then would read the Verses he had expounded in that day ask what observations were raised from such a Verse then proceed to the next so through all the Verses he had expounded forenoon and afternoon then enquire what the Text were the Doctrines the Explications Reasons Uses all in order as preached seldom named one head himself but still heartned them to speak and assisted them when they were at a loss then they sung a Psalm and he ended the day with prayer about ten a clock at night Once a month he administred the Lords Supper to a considerable number of solid serious Christians with that life and warmth in prayer and opening Scripture that some of his Communicants have thought themselves in the Suburbs of Heaven when they have joyned with him in that Ordinance in which he spent an hour and half commonly Thus he Sanctified the Lords Day spending nine or ten hours in publick and private Worship beside what time he spent in secret duties in which he was never niggardly so that the Sabbath which was a day of rest to others was a day of great pains and labour to him yet it was easie yea delightful to him and at the end of the day when those who took not half his pains have complained of their weariness he would be exceeding lively and chearful such was his great love to his Saviour and the souls committed to his charge The Sabbath day to him was a day of light and gladness and a good day CHAP. XV. The great pains he took with his people on the Week-days YEt he did not think it sufficient to Teach his people on the Lords Day but the Town being very populous and the Parish large and he rendred thereby uncapable of going from house to house on the Week-days he layd out himself in the service of his Lord for the henefit of his Parish Every Thursday their Market-day he preached a Lecture to which many Ministers came and with much delight sat under him On Frydays he met in private with as many of his people as would come together when sometimes he expounded the Scripture to them sometimes preached and always sung and prayed with them And also Mundays or Tursdays for his day was altered as he saw occasion he appointed a Conference in the publick Meeting place where the question being before propounded and known ex gr what was the nature of repentance or faith or what the sighness or what the means or what the motives to it his people prepared to speak to it and he by his wise courteous carriage and language won their hearts and drew them to Study the Scriptures and good Books that they might be able to speak to the purpose As they spake when he saw occasion he would help and assist them yet still take care to keep them in the way of Truth and that none did go beyond their bounds or incroach upon the Ministry After they had spoken he would gather together their scattered notions bring them into an orderly method apply to them sutable Texts of Scripture add what of his own he thought necessary and so render the meeting exceeding profitable and comfortable to his flock I have heard him at one of these Meetings when the question was about one of the petitions in the Lords Prayer to my great advantage and delight for Christian Communion mannaged with prudence is that which keeps our Religion in breath and without which it would be ready to die When he laid down this way of Conference instead thereof he set up Catechising on the Week-days in publick and this was continued till he had gone through the whole Town except some Families in the out bounds which Families he intended also to have Cathechized but was prevented He did work the work of him that sent him into the world spend himself as the Silk-worm to cloath and as the Lamp to direct others not to bury the Talent in the Napkin of idleness Indeed those Nurses Ministers I mean deserve the greatest condemnation who let their Children though they cry starve to death because they will not take the pains to draw out their breasts to them CHAP. XVI His diligence on all occasions to do good as also his way of Preaching HE was of a noble disposition very free upon the occasions to communicate knowledge to others not like a Whirlpool that sucks all to it self but as a Fountain to disperse its streams for the refreshment of many Seldom were any in his company but they might if it were not their own fault receive good by him He was neither vain in ostentation nor niggardly in reservation some might think he did ill to take so much pains on the Lords Days and on the Week-days constantly and on all occasions to the shortning of his life but he was sensible he could never labour enough for his Lord and that God make no difference between nequam nequaquam an idle and an evil servant Hence it was that when he was often advised by his friends to be mindful of his body and not to work it so hard he was deaf to all those advice and was ready to say with Calvin when counselled by his friends to take care of his health Would you have my Lord when he comes to find me idle and with Dr. Reynolds of Oxford when the Doctors persuaded him not perdere substantiam propter accidentia Noc propter vitam vivendi perdere causas I met him once at night at a friends house when he had travelled near fourty miles that day yet notwithstanding his great weariness he would spend some time in expounding Scripture to the Family beside singing and prayer which he never omitted before he went to bed St. Austins wish was that Christ when he came to call him by death might find him aut precautem aut predicautem either praying or preaching Truely such seem'd to be the desire of Mr. Wilson by his indefalligable laboriousness about his Masters business I never knew him given to any recreation though never so innocent but exceeding provident he was of his time A little after dinner he would sometimes sit and discourse but usually if he was at home his Study was his place of abode He was Hellno librorum an indefutigable Student stealing time from his sleep even when his body call'd for it for his Book It s said of Bradfrod that he slept not above four hours in the night and that his Book went not out of his hand till sleep came and
for sports on Sundays and giving disdainful words toward Power the Apparitor and Officer of the Court. RESP. I said unto the Apparitor remember you to keep Holy the Sabbaoth day and added no more words I refused to read the Book mentioned not out of any contempt of any Authority but as being commanded by no Law for the Kings Majesty doth not in the Book command or appoint the Minister to read it nor it to be read but published neither came it with nor know I of any Seal to confirm it so that I dared not take notice of it to be the Kings Book for as I understand all his Majesties Writs Proclamations and Mandats use to come with a Seal and his Majesty intended as I conceive not to trouble any that refused to read it seeing there is no penalty threatned nor authority given that I know of to any to question them that refuse to read it my refusal to read it was upon sufficient grounds of Law and Conscience which for satisfaction to his High Court and to clear me from contempt I shall here by way of Answer briefly and fully express thus His Majesties express Pleasure is that the Laws of the Kingdom and Cannons of the Church be observed in all places of the Kingdom Book Pag. 8. and therefore in Kent and in Otham now this Book as I conceive is contrary to both 1. It is against the Law as the Statute Edward VI. Anno 5. Cap. 3. Christians on all Holy days and times appointed should apply themselves only and wholly unto holy works properly appertaining to true Religion and such times be dedicated onely to God and his true Worship and be separated from all prophane uses but say I no civil recreation is any part of Gods true Worship the Stature Caroli Anno 1. Cap. 1. the Holy keeping of the Lords day is a principal of the true service of God and it is now prophaned by a disorderly sort of people by interludes and other unlawful exercises and pastimes the 13. Cannon all manner of persons shall keep the Lords Day according to Gods Holy will and pleasure 2. Our Church is against it First In Homilyes which contain Godly and wholesome Doctrine and necessary for these times We keep now the first day of the week which is our Sunday and make that our Sabbaoth by the fourth Commandment God Commands one standing day in the Week and all Men and Women and Children and Servants be to keep it in a holy rest and use it Holily and give themselves wholely to Heavenly exercise of Gods true Religion and Service but I say Archery May-poles May-games Dancings Morrice-dancing and the like be not exercises of Gods true Religion and Service Secondly In the Liturgy a Minister in enjoyned to read the fourth Commandment Remember thou keep Holy the Sabbaoth Day and all are to intreat Gods Mercy to incline their hearts to keep this Law Ps. 118. 24. is appointed to be read on Easter day as proper to it it shews V. 24. This is the day which the Lord hath made we will rejoyce and be glad in it so that the Lord instituted it Bishop Andrews on Easter-day 1611. Preaching on that Psalm 118. Psal. 22. c. Thirdly In the Exhortation fit for the time upon the Fast-days 1625. declaring the apparent cause of the Plague saith the Lords Day is not kept holy but polluted and the Ministry of the Word despised and in the end of that Book mention is made of Playes Pastimes Idleness Drunkenness the proper sins of our Nation which pulled Gods wrath upon us and I dare not by reading seem to allow what did bring the Plague of God on the Land that year 3. It is against Scriptures Exod. 20. 8. Remember the Sabbaoth-Day to keep it Holy where we are commanded to keep holy the Lords Day as I learn out of Authors Zanchy on the fourth Commandment we keep holy the Lords Day and Sanctifie it Iunius in Animadvers in Bellar. Controv. Lib. 7. Cap. 10. The Lords Day answereth to the Sabaoth and its proportionable to it and is commanded in Exod. 20. 8. again in Gen. 2. 82. This Law is established by the fourth Commandment of the Decologue to be observed of all Alexander Alensis Tom. 3. Q. 32. Memb. 4. Art 4. In the observation of the Sabboath is commanded the observation of the Lords Day chiefly according to intermination Isa. 58. 13. If thou turn thy foot from the Sabboath from doing thy pleasure on my Holy Day and call the Sabbaoth a delight the Holy of the Lord honorable and shalt honor him not doing thine own ways nor finding thine own pleasures nor speaking thine own words and Cultetus in locum saith they took away the Sabbaoth by scandalous deeds that hinder Gods worship as drinking sports and idle wandring Isa. 56. 2. The man is blest that keepeth the Sabbaoth from polluting it Vers. 4. God rewards such abundantly Vers. 67. Such a one shall be made joyful in Gods House which is true in the day of the Gospel when Gods House is a House for Prayers for all people 4. It is against Councels Concil Toletan 4. cited by Zanchy on the fourth Commandment Let there be no dancing on Holy Festivals nor filthy Songs but let all be at leisure for Godly duties and Divine Worship Concil Laodice Cannon 59. In the Church there ought not to be sung any common Service nor Books be Read besides the Connonical Scripture but only the Sacred Volums of the Old and New Testament 5. It is against Divines Ancient Augustine on the Ps. 32. concio It s better to Delve then to Dance on the Sabbaoth and on Iohn 1. Tract 3. It s better to Spin then to Dance on the Sabbaoth Chrysost. on Gen. Hom. 10. God intimateth from the beginning that in the circle of the Week one whole entire day should be seperated and set by for Spiritual works Ireneus Lib. 4. Cap. 30. The Sabbaoth requires and Teaches the continuance of the whole day in the service of God Ignatius in Epistol ad magnes Let every one keep the Sabbaoth Spiritually rejoycing in the Meditation of the Law not in the recreation of body let every one that loveth Christ now keep holy the Lords Day 2. Modern and late Divines Rabington Bishop of Worcester on the fourth Commandment saith to keep Holy the Sabbaoth day is to separate and consecrate it to all Godly exercise wherein our Faith and Obedience to God is shewen Zanchy on the fourth Commandment All the day is to be consecrated to the Worship of God by day understanding the true natural day the true observing of the Sabbaoth is that we do not what we please but what Gods will is the rest on Holy days is not to be set a part for our lusts and pleasure plays and sins but for Gods worship onely They do not keep holy a day which instead of Gods worship give themselves to pleasure Iunius on Numbers 15. He who