that Latimer Winter and Summer at two a Clock in the morning and of another Martyr that he was spare of meat sparer of sleep out sparest of time Mr. Wilson made much conscience of his time and especially on the Lords Day If he were invited to a Feast he was so zealous for his God that he commonly after dinner called for a Bible sung a Psalm expounded some Verse of Scripture and prayed with his friends Mr. Fenner of Essex that eminent servant of Christ meeting him once at Mr. Butchers house was so extreemly taken with his active chearful Spirit for God and Godliness that he said to Mr. Butcher I am ashamed of my self to see how Mr. Wilson gallopeth towards Heaven and I do but creep on a Snails pace Though he was a good Linguist well read in modern and ancient Authors yet ordinarily he preached though always rationally and with evidence of reason yet in a plain clear stile by Doctrine reason and use that he might be understood by the meanest capacity His constant preaching discovered him an able Workman his Doctrines were always clear from his Text his heads pertinent to his subject and he had a rare faculty in applying sutable Scriptures which is the principal way of convincing the judgement for 't is the authority of God must do the work to all his heads On the Lords Day in the afternoon for a considerable time I suppose till he had gone through all he preached on the Heads of Divinity but therein he discovered so much Learning and judgement in his plain preaching that if his Sermons had been preached at the University they must have been highly approved He was so much valued for his abilities that there was scarce any publick occasion of Sermons in the County but he was chosen to be the person to preach them sometimes he preached before the Judges at the Assizeâ— twice before the Parliament What Augustine said of another I may say of him Ratuir eloquens ut intelligenter ut obedienter andiretur CHAP. XVII His carriage in his Family and his exemplary conversation HE was not of the number of them who are zealous abroad that they may be well spoken of but careless at home what becomes of their Families but as David he walked in the midst of his house with a perfect heart and brought up his Children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Cicero saith of Quintus Maximinus that he was not good only in the sight of the people but he was better out of their sight truly he was as good within as without doors each morning and evening he read some part of Scripture expounded it sung part of a Psalm and prayed with his Family He would often ask his Children questions about the Principles of Religion examine them about his Sermons on the Lords day and cause them to learn the Scripture without Book As it was said to Mr. Hooper he governed his house so that in every corner of it there was some sinal of vertue good example honest conversation and reading of the Scripture I am sure if Mr. Wilsons house was not so the fault was not the want of a good Governour He prayed often with his wife apart from the rest of his Family and spent much time in secret prayer knowing a truth in what Lactantius saith Non est vera Religio quae cum Templo relinquitur He was very watchful to set a good example before his Children and Servants knowing that such are led more by the eye then the ear and more observant of what their Superiours do then what they say And indeed his whole conversation was a living exposition upon the Gospelâ— that what he taught on the Lords Day in his Doctrine he preached over all the week in his life O how unlike was he to those Ministers that are lovely in their preaching but loathsome in their practices whose lives give the lie to their Doctrines He was exemplary in his converse with all men and spake much by his carriage even when he spake not a word His good works were unanswerable syllogismes invincible demonstrations to convince his Neighbours whereby he stole their hearts and won their affections after the beauty of holiness What Ruffinus saith of Gregory Naziaenzen is true of him Gregorius vir per omnia incomparabilis qui verba operibus clarus splendissimum lumen scientiae Ecclesiae prebuit dum ea decuit quae ferit c. He practized what he preached and did according to what he saith Such Ministers only can make their people believe that when they disswade from sin and perswade to holiness they are in earnest and believe what they speak It was not without cause that in the holy Scriptures where Epistles are recorded to be sent to two Ministers onely they are both commanded to be examples to their people 1 Tim 4. 12. Be thou an example of the believers in Words in Conversation in Charity in Faith in Purity Tit. 2. 7. In all things shewing thy self a patern of good works CHAP. XVIII The Reformation which was wrought by his means and Ministry in Maidstone MAidstone was formerly a very prophane Town insomuch that I have seen Morrice dancing Cudgel playing Stool-ball Crickets and many other sports openly and publickly on the Lords Day I have heard them jeer and deride and mock at those who professed Godliness and went to hear a Sermon on the Lords Day abroad when they had none at home Commonly after the Evening Service many of them went to the Ale-house many to walk idly in the Fields It was their constant custom to ply the conduits on the Lords Day for the drawing of water The former vain sinful customes of sports were reformed before his coming but by his preaching he prevailed with them to forebear vain walking idling at their doors also to draw their water on Saturday night which they should have occasion for on the Lords Day Though the Town was large and full of people yet you should hardly see one person in the street after the Sermons on the Lords Day and I have known when the Mayor hath searched the Innes and Ale-houses he hath scarce found one of the Town there One of the Judges at an Assize was pleased to say That in all his Circuit he never came to a Town where the Lords Day was so strictly observed I must say that I scarce ever knew any man so strict as Mr. Wilson in the Sanctification of the Lords day He so much wrought upon the people there that in the house where I lived all Pot hearbs were gathered and made ready on the Saturday night and whatsoever for their Dinners put into a readiness for the fire on the day before not a Rose or Flower suffered to be gathered on the Lords Day He was much of the mind of the primitive Christian who being asked Servasti Dominicum answered Christianus sum omittere non possum The Sanctification of that day is exceeding useful to
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
neglected the Sabbaoth in the least observation was guilty of casting off the whole worship of God Alsted Catech. on the fourth Commandment after Sermon the Sabbaoth is profaned by being spent in given to Plays Dancing Idleness c. 6. It s against Schoolmen Alexander Alensis Tom. 3. Q. 32. Memb. 4. Art 4. morrally in the fourth Commandment is forbid any work that hinders ones leisure to wait upon God Thomas Aquinas Sum. Theol. 22. Quest. 122. Art 1. in observing the Sabbaoth the end is that a man may be at leisure for Heavenly things 7. Reasons be against it I. Reason If any civil work be forbid on the Lords Day then civil recreations for honest pleasure calls a man away from things Spiritual Zanchy on the fourth Commandment as well as honest labour recreation breaks the rest as much as civil work II. Reason If recreations civil be not fit for consecrated places then not fit for consecrated times fo 〈…〉 me that is holy is the measure of holy Actions for divers be called holy not from the formal cause but final as ordained to holy things Zanchy on the fourth Commandment A day applyed to civil works is no more holy but common and a thing consecrated is profaned by a civil use and is not the Lords Day profaned by sports though civil now Recreations Archery May-games Dancing Morris-dancing may not be in consecrated places Cannon 88. no Plays and to play and dance is all one as Exod. 32. 6 19. And therefore not sit for consecrated times as the Lords Day is for greater is he that Sanctified the Day then he that Sanctified the place whether it were by the Lord or the Apostle or the Church Now I know not why they may not be fittest in consecrated places if they be most sit for consecrated times and I cannot in conscience read that which I take to be against mans Law and our Church the Scriptures Councils Divines Ancient and Modern Schoolmen and Reasons but think my self bound for conscience towards God to maintain the Truth and Holiness of the two Testaments and to keep the Commands of God and the Faith of Jesus Christ as a Preacher of Christs everlasting Gospel least people should think Preaching to be yea and nay VII ARTICLE 1633. When Commission came for reparation of St. Pauls in work to build sumptuous Temples is to justifie Anti-christ Writings Hos. 8. 14. RESP. I know not the time of the Commission for St. Pauls reparation I deny such words for I handled that Text Luke 7. 35. Wisdom is justified of all her Children Shewing that all the Children of God justifie Christ which doth reprove them that justifie Antichrist in erecting Altars to sin and in building Temples for Idols alledging for this Hos. 8. 11. 14. Ephraim hath made many Altars to sin Israel hath forgotten his Maker and Buildeth Temples according to the mind of the Prophet as I learned out of Authors Learned Zanchy Pareus Ribera who all understand it of Temples wherein they placed honoured and adorned Idols by forgetting God and out of contempt of God brought in a different worship VIII ART About the end of April 1634. he bid take heed of dealing with High Priests servants in great scorn and derision REPS. I deny both time and words but in May handling 2 Tim. 2. 12. If we deny him he will deny us perswading people not to deny Christ I admonished them to avoid as pernitious unnecessary company with the enemies of Christ producing Peters example who being brought into the High Priest Hall amongst the Servants denyed his Master affirming it was dangerous company naming the very words of the Text as is usually done by Writers Preachers Iohn 18. 16. Peter is brought in standing with the Servants and Officers is questioned by one of the High Priest Servants Vers. 26. denyed Christ upon it Vers. 27. which I spake in the fear and sight of God IX ART At Boxley-Inn 29. 1632. no man can have a broken heart that hath two Steeples moaning two Benifices alledging Acts 20 20. RESP. I never spake such words but at the funeral of a grave ancient and learned Minister I did not exhort but intreat Ministers to prepare to give an account of their Life and Livings shewing the vanity of Men that plead for pluralities saying That were a mans heart broken it would not bear the weight of three Churches and I followed in this no private opinions but the general Tenet of Divines 1. Ancients Chrysostom Tom. 5. Pag 104. Edit Paris 1536. When that the Pastor is away great danger is at hand seeing there is none which can defend and keep the Flock Damasus cited by Dr. Willet saith men that put people over to others seem like Strumpets which put their Infants as soon as they be born to other Nurses to be brought up that they may sooner fill themselves with filth 2. Moderne Bishops Bishop Iewel on 1 Thes. 2. 17 18. and on Iohn 6. Non residents and plurality men that hunt after many livings serve their Belly seek to be rich destroy the souls of many bring confusion and shame into Gods House be blind Guides and the darkness of this World be the remnant of the wicked Inhabitants of Iericho and the overthrow of Ierusalem resist the passage of Gods people towards the Land of Promise the curse of God will fall on them the blood of Gods People shall be required at their hands they bring the Abomination of desolation in the Holy place they suffer the flock of Christ to perish for lack of knowledge Pilkington Bp. of Durham 1585. saith there is remaining among us a sort not Popish as they pretend but earnest builders of Gods cause in their own opinion where indeed they be overthrowers of it which are in effect as ill Pharisees as the Papists be They will take a Benefice and Cure of souls promising solemnly to feed the Flock but when they have turned their back they have a Dispensation in a Box to lye from it and flock and flout whosoever would have them continue there and do their duty contending by Law they may do it and stand on their defence Domine nos exempri sumus God in mercy grant such unprofitable Caterpillers some remorse of conscience that they may become Pillers to uphold Gods Church and not poulers of his people the great God will take a strict account of them at the last day when their dispensation may not be pleaded nor will be allowed nor the dispensor can justly excuse himself nor them but both like Wolves and Hirelings shall be changed Vae Pastor Idolum Zach. 11. Wo to the Idol Shephard that leaveth the Flock Vers. 17. and Ezek. 3. Their blood will I require at thine hand on Nehem. 3. Pag. 45. 46. Bishop Downam on the fourth Commandment calleth non residenss alin against the fourth Commandment and on the fifth Commandment saith it ariseth of coveteousness Bishop Carleton in vita Gilpini a most