but he would answer such questions as are not in the Catechism with greater understanding than could be expected of one of his age 7. He took great delight in discoursing about the things of God and when my Friend had been either praying or reading expounding or repeating of Sermons he seemed very attentive and ready to receive the truths of God and would with incredible gravity diligence and affection wait till duties were ended to the no small joy and admiration of them which observed him 8. He would ask very excellent questions and discourse about the condition of his soul and heavenly things and seemed mightily concerned what should become of his soul when he should dye so that his discourse made some Christians even to stand astonished 9. He was greatly taken with the great kindness of Christ in dying for sinners and would be in tears at the mention of them and seemed at a strange rate to be affected with the unspeakable love of Christ 10. When no body hath been speaking to him he would burst out into tears and being asked the reason he would say that the very thoughts of Christs love to sinners in suffering for them made him that he could not but cry 11. Before he was six years old he made conscience of a secret duty and when he prayed it was with such extraordinary meltings that his eyes have looked red and sore with weeping by himself for his sin 12. He would be putting of Christians upon spiritual discourse vvhen he savv them and seemed little satisfied unless they vvere talking of good things 13. It s evident That this poor Childs thoughts vvere very much busied about the things of another vvorld for he vvould oftentimes be speaking to his Bed-fellovv as mid-night about the matter of his soul and when he could not sleep he would take heavenly conference to be sweeter than his appointed rest This was his usual custome and thus he would provoke and put forward an experienced Christian to spend waking hours in talk of God and the everlasting rest 14. Not long after this his good Mother died which went very near his heart for he greatly honoured his Mother 15. After the dead of his Mother he would often repeat some of the promises that are made unto Fatherless Children especially that in Exod. 22.22 Ye shall not afflict any Widow or the Fatherless Child if thou afflict them in any wise and they cry at all unto me I will surely hear their cry These words he would often repeat with tears and say I am Fatherless and Motherless upon Earth yet if any wrong me I have a Father in Heaven who will take my part to him I commit my self and in him is all my trust 16. Thus he continued in a course of holy duties living in the fear of God and shewed wonderful grace for a Child and died sweetly in the Faith of Jesus My friend is a judicious Christian of many years experience who was no ways related to him but a constant eye and ear-witness of his godly life and honourable and chearful death from whom I received this information EXAMPLE VII Of a notorious wicked child who was taken up from begging and admirably converted with an account of his holy Life and joyful Death when he was nine years old 1. A Very poor Child of the Parish of Newington-Butts came begging to the door of a dear Christian friend of mine in a very lamentable case so filthy and nasty that he would even have turned ones stomack to have looked on him But it pleased God to raise in the heart of my friend a great pity and tenderness towards this poor child so that in Charity he took him out of the streets whose Parents were unknown who had nothing at all in him to commend him to any ones Charity but his misery My friend eying the glory of God and the good of the immortal soul of this wretched Creature discharged the Parish of the Child and took him as his own designing to bring him up for the Lord Christ A noble piece of Charity And that which did make the kindness far the greater was that there seemed to be very little hopes of doing any good upon this Child for he was a very Monsier of wickedness and a thousand times more miserable and vile by his sin than by his poverty He was running to Hell as soon as he could go and was old in naughtiness when he was young in years and one shall scarce hear of one so like the Devil in his infancy as this poor Child was What sin was there that his age was capable of that he did not commit What by the corruption of his Nature and the abominable example of little beggar boyes he was arrived to a strange pitch of impiety He would call filthy Names take Gods Name in vain curse and swear and do almost all kind of mischief and as to any thing of God worse than an Heathen 2. But his sin and misery was but a stronger motive to that gracious man to pity him and to do all that possibly he could to pluck this fire-brand out of the fire and it was not long before the Lord was pleased to let him understand that he had a design of everlasting kindness upon the Soul of this poor child for no sooner had this good man taken this creature into his house but he prays for him and labours with all his might to convince him of his miserable condition by Nature and to teach him something of God the worth of his own Soul and that Eternity of Glory or Misery that he was born to and blessed be Free-grace it was not long before the Lord was pleased to let him understand that it was himself which put it into his heart to take in this Child that he might bring him up for Christ The Lord soon struck in with his godly instructions so that an amazing change was seen in the Child in a few weeks space he was soon convinced of the evil of his ways no more news now of his calling of Names Swearing or Cursing no more taking of the Lords Name in vain now he is civil and respectful and such a strange alteration was wrought in the child that all the Parish that rung of his villany before was now ready to talk of his reformation his company his talk his imployment is now changed and he is like another creature so that the glory of Gods Free-grace began already to shine in him 3. And this change was not only an eternal one and to be discerned abroad but he would get by himself and weep and mourn bitterly for his horrible wicked life as might easily be perceived by them that lived in the house with him 4. It was the great care of his godly Master to strike in with those convictions which the Lord had made and to improve them all he could and he was not a little glad to see that his labour was not
the evening in the fourteenth year of her age having obtained that which she so oft intreated of the Lord a quiet and easie departure and the end of her faith the salvation of her soul Example XII Of the excellent carriage of a Child upon his death bed when but seven years old IAcoh Bicks the Brother of Susannah Bicks was born in Leiden in the year 1657. and had religious education under his godly Parents the which the Lord was pleased to sanctifie to his Conversion and by it lay in excellent provisions to live upon in an hour of distress 2. This sweet little Child was visited of the Lord of a very fore Sickness upon the sixth of August 1664. three or four weeks before his Sister of whose life and death we have given you some account already in his distemper he was for the most part very sleepy and drousie till near his death but when he did wake he was wont still to fall a praying 3. Once when his Parents had prayed with him they asked him if they should once more send for the Physician No said he I will have the Doctor no more the Lord will help me I know he will take me to himself and then he shall help all 4. Ah my dear child said his Father that grieveth my heart Well said the Child Father let us pray and the Lord shall be near for my helper 5. When his Parents had prayed with him again he said come now dear Father and Mother and kiss me I know that I shall die 6. Farewell dear Father and Mother Farewell dear sister farewell all Now shall I go to heaven unto God and Jesus Christ and the holy angels Father know you not what is said by Jeremiah Blessed is he who trusteth in the Lord now I trust in him and he will bless me And in 1 John 2. it is said Little Children love not the world for the world passeth away 7. Away then all that is in the world away with all my pleasant things in the world away with my Dagger for where I go there is nothing to do with Daggers and Swords men shall not fight there but praised God Away with all my books there shall I know sufficiently and be learned in all things of true wisdom without books 8. His Father being touched to hear his child speak at this rate could not well tell what to say but my dear child the Lord will be near thee and uphold thee 9. Yea Father said he the Apostle Peter saith God resisteth the proud but he giveth grace to the humble I shall humble my self under the mighty hand of God and the shall help and lift me up 10. O my dear child said his Father hast thou so strong a faith 11. Yea said the Child God hath given me so strong a faith upon himself through Jesus Christ that the Devil himself shall flee from me for it is said He who believeth in the Son hath everlasting life and he hath overcome the wicked one Now I believe in Jesus Christ my Redeemer and he will not leave or forsake me but shall give unto me eternall life and then I shall sing holy holy holy is the Lord of Sabbath 12. Then with a short word of Prayer Lord be merciful to me a poor sinner he quietly breathed out his Soul and sweetly slept in Jesus when he was about seven years old He died August 8. 1664. Hallelujah Example XIII Of one that began to look towards Heaven when he was very young with many eminent passages of his life and his joyful death when he was eleven years and three quarters old 1. Iohn Harvy was born in London in the year 1654. His Father was a Dutch Merchant he was piously educated under his virtuous mother and soon began to suck in divine things with no small delight 2. The first thing very observable in him was that when he was two years and eight months old he could speak as well as other children do usually at five years old 3. His Parents judging that he was then a little to young to send out to school let him have his liberty to play a little about their yard but instead of playing he found out a school of his own accord hard by home and went to the school-Mistriss and intreated her to teach him to read and so he went for some time to school without the knowledge of his Parents and made a very strange progress in his learning was able to read distinctly before most Children are able to know their letters 4. He was wont to ask many serious and weighty questions about matters which concerned his soul and Eternity 5. His Mother being greatly troubled upon the death of one of his Uncles this Child came to his Mother and said Mother though my Uncle be dead doth not the Scripture say he must rise again yea and I must die and so must every body and it will not be long before Christ will come to judge the world and then we shall see one another again I pray Mother do not weep so much This grave Counsel he gave his Mother when he was not quite five years old by which her sorrow for her Brother was turned into admiration at her Child and she was made to sit silent and quiet under that smarting stroke 9. After this his Parents removed to Aberdeen in Scotland and setled their Child under an able and a painful School Master there whose custome was upon the Lords day in the morning to examine his schollers concerning the Sermons that they had heard the former Lords day and to add some other questions which might try the understanding and knowledge of his Schollers the question that was once proposed to his form was whether God had a mother none of all the Schollars could answer it till it came to John Harvy who being asked whether God had a Mother answered no as he was God he could not have a Mother but as he was man he had this was before he was quite six years old His Master was somewhat amazed at the Childs answer and took the first opportunity to go to his Mother to thank her for instructing her Son so well but she replyed that he was never taught that from her but that he understood it by reading and his own observation 7. He was a Child that was extraordinary inquisitive and full of good questions and very careful to observe and remember what he heard 8. He had a great hatred of whatsoever he knew to be displeasing to God and was so greatly concerned for the honour of God that he would take on bitterly if that any gross sins were committed before him And he had a deep sense of the worth of Souls and was not a little grieved when he saw any one do that which he knew was dangerous to their Souls 9. One day seeing one of his near Relations come into his Fathers House distemper'd with drink as he thought he quickly
These Three Books of the same Author Mr. James Janeway are Printed for and Sold by Dorman Newman HEaven upon Earth or the best friend in the worst of times The third Edition enlarged Price 2 s. 6 d. Death unstung a Sermon Preacht at the Funeral of Thomas Mousley an Apothecary With a brief Narrative of his Life and Death also the manner of Gods dealings with Him before and after his Conversion Drawn up by his own hand Price 1 s. A Sermon Preached at the Funeral of Thomas Savage Price 4 d. A TOKEN FOR CHILDREN BEING An Exact Account of the Conversion Holy and Exemplary Lives and Joyful Deaths of several young Children By James Janeway Minister of the Gospel Suffer little Children to come unto me and forbid them not for of such is the Kingdom of God Mark 10.14 LONDON Printed for Dorman Newman at the Kings Arms at the Corner of Grocers Alley in the Poultrey 1676. To all Parents School-masters and School-Mistresses or any that have any hand in the Education of Children Dear Friends I Have oft thought that Christ speaks to you as Pharaoh's Daughter did to Moses's Mother Take this Child and Nurse it for me O Sirs consider what a precious Jewel is committed to your charge what an advantage you have to shew your love to Christ to stock the next Generation with Noble Plants and what a joyful account you may make if you be faithful Remember Souls Christ and Grace cannot be over-valued I confess you have some disadvantages but let that only excite your diligence the Salvation of Souls the commendation of your Master the greatness of your reward and everlasting glory will pay for all Remember the Devil is at work hard wicked ones are industrious and a corrupt nature is a rugged knotty piece to hew but be not discouraged I am almost as much afraid of your laziness and unfaithfulness as any thing Do but fall to work lustily and who knows but that rough stone may prove a Pillar in the Temple of God In the Name of the living God as you will answer in shortly at his Bar I command you to be faithful in Instructing and Catechizing your young ones If you think I am too peremptory I pray read the command from my Master himself Deut. 6.7 Is not the duty clear and dare you neglect so direct a Command Are the Souls of your Children of no value Are you willing that they should be Brands of Hell Are you indifferent whether they be Damned or Saved shall the Devil run away with them without controul Will not you use your utmost endeavour to deliver them from the wrath to come you see that they are not Subjects uncapable of the Grace of God whatever you think of them Christ doth not slight them they are not too little to dye they are not too little to go to Hell they are not too little to serve their great Master too little to go to Heaven For of such is the Kingdom of God And will not a possibility of their Conversion and Salvation put you upon the greatest diligence to teach them Or are Christ and Heaven and Salvation small things with you If they be then indeed I have done with you but if they be not I beseech you lay about you with all your might the Devil knows your time is going apace it will shortly be too late O therefore what you do do quickly and do it I say with all your might O pray pray pray and live holily before them and take some time daily to speak a little to your Children one by one about their miserable condition by Nature I knew a Child that was converted by this sentence from a godly School-mistress in the Country Every Mothers Child of you are by Nature Children of wrath Put your Children upon Learning their Catechism and the Scriptures and getting to pray and weep by themselves after Christ take heed of their company take heed of pardoning a lye take heed of letting them mispend the Sabbath put them I beseech you upon imitating these sweet Children let them Read this Book over an hundred times and observe how they are affected and ask them what they think of those Children and whether they would not be such and follow what you do with earnest cries to God and be in travel to see Christ formed in their Souls I have prayed for you I have oft prayed for your Children and I love them dearly and I have prayed over these papers that God would strike in with them and make them effectual to the good of their Souls Incourage your Children to read this Book and lead them to improve it What is presented is faithfully taken from experienced solid Christians some of them no way related to the Children who themselves were Eye and Ear-witnesses of God's works of Wonder or from my own knowledg or from Reverend godly Ministers and from Persons that are of unspotted reputation for Holiness Integrity and Wisdom and several passages are taken verbatim in writing from their dying Lips I may add many other excellent Examples if I have any encouragement in this Piece That the young generation may be far more excellent than this is the Prayer of one that dearly loves little Children James Janeway A PREFACE Containing DIRECTIONS TO CHILDREN YOV may now hear my dear Lambs what other good Children have done and remember how they wept and prayed by themselves how earnestly they cryed out for an interest in the Lord Jesus Christ May you not read how dutiful they were to their Parents How diligent at their Books how ready to learn the Scripture and their Catechisms Can you forget what Questions they were wont to ask How much they feared a lye how much they abhorred naughty company how holy they lived how dearly they were loved how joyfully they died But tell me my dear Children and tell me truly Do you do as these Children did Did you ever see your miserable state by Nature Did you ever get by your self and weep for sin and pray for grace and pardon Did you ever go to your Father and Mother or Master or Mistress and beg of them to pity you and pray for you and to teach you what you shall do to be saved what you shall do to get Christ Heaven and Glory Dost thou love to be taught good things Come tell me truly my dear Child for I would fain do what I can possibly to keep thee from falling into everlasting Fire I would fain have you one of those little ones which Christ will take into his Arms and bless How dost thou spend thy time is it in play and Idleness and with wicked Children Dare you take Gods Name in vain or swear or tell a lie Dare you do any thing which your Parents forbid you and neglect to do what they command you Do you dare to run up and down upon the Lords day or do you keep in to read your book and to learn what your
Vision of Angels When he was out of his Trance he was in a little pett and asked his Nurse why she did not let him go go whither child said she why along with those brave Gentlemen said he but they told me they would come and fetch me away for all you upon Friday next And he doubled his words many times upon Friday next those brave Gentlemen will come for me and upon that day the Child dyed joyfully 21. He was very thankful to his Master and very sensible of his great kindness in taking him up out of the streets when he was a begging and he admired at the goodness of God which put it into the mind of a stranger to look upon and to take such fatherly care of such a pitiful sorry creature as he was O my dear Mother said he and child of God I hope to see you in Heaven for I am sure you will go thither O blessed blessed be God that made you to take pity upon me for I might have dyed and have gone to the Devil and have been damned for ever if it had not been for you 22. The Thursday before he dyed he asked a very godly friend of mine what he thought of his condition and whither his soul was now going for he said he could not still but fear least he should deceive himself with false hopes at which my friend spoke to him thus Child for all that I have endeavoured to hold forth the grace of God in Christ to thy Soul and given you a warrant from the Word of God that Christ is as freely offered to you as to any sinner in the world if thou art but willing to accept of him thou mayest have Christ and all that thou dost want with him and yet thou givest way to these thy doubtings and fears as though I told thee nothing but lyes Thou sayest thou fearest that Christ will not accept of thee I fear thou art not heartily willing to accept of him The Child answered indeed I am Why then Child if thou art unfeignedly willing to have Christ I tell thee he is a thousand times more willing to have thee and wash thee and save thee than thou art to desire it And now at this time Christ offers himself freely to thee again therefore receive him humbly by Faith into thy heart and bid him welcome for he deserveth it Upon which words the Lord discovered his love to the Child and he gave a kind of a leap in his bed and snapt his fingers and thumb together with abundance of joy as much as to say Well yea all is well the match is made Christ is willing and I am willing too and now Christ is mine and I am his for ever And from that time forward in full joy and assurance of Gods love he continued earnestly praising God with desiring to die and be with Christ And on Friday morning he sweetly went to rest using that very expression Into thy hands Lord I commit my spirit He died punctually at that time which he had spoke of and in which he expected those Angels to come to him he was not much above nine years old when he dyed This Narrative I had from a judicious holy man un-related to him who was an eye and ear-witness to all these things FINIS A TOKEN FOR CHILDREN The Second Part. BEING A farther Account of the Conversion Holy and exemplary Lives and Joyful Deaths of several other young Children not published in The First Part. By James Janeway Minister of the Gospel Psal 8.2 Out of the Mouth of Babes and Sucklings host thou ordained strength LONDON Printed for D. Newman at the Kings Arms at the Corner of Grocers Alley in the Poultrey 1673. A PREFACE TO THE READER Christian Reader IN the former part of my Tokens for Children I did in part promise that if that piece met with kind entertainment it might be followed with a second of the same nature If it did not seem a little to savour of vanity I might tell the World what encouragement I have met with in this Work but this I will only say that I have met with so much as hath perswaded me to give this little Book leave to go abroad into the World I am not also ignorant what Discouragement I may meet with from some but as long as I am sure I shall not meet with this that it 's improbable if not impossible that it should save a Soul I think the rest may easily be answered or warrantably slighted But because I am perswaded by some that one Example in the former viz. that of a Child that began to be serious between two and three years old was scarce credible and they did fear might somewhat prejudice the authority of the rest I shall say something to answer that They which make this Objection are either good or bad if bad I expect never to satisfie them except I should tell them of a Romance or a Play or somewhat that might suit a carnal mind it is like holiness in older persons is a matter of contempt and scorn to them much more in such as these I mention The truth of it is it is no wonder at all to me that the Subjects of Satan should not be very well pleased with that whose design is to undermine the interest of their great Master nothing will satisfie some except Christ and holiness may be degraded and vilified But hold sinner hold never hope it Heaven shall never be turned into Hell for thy sake and as for all thy Atheistical Objections Scoffs and Jeers they shall ere long be fully answered and the Hosannah's and Hallelujah's of these Babes shall condemn thy Oaths Blasphemies and Jeers and then thou wilt be silenced and accept converting Grace turn thy heart quickly thou wilt for ever rue thy madness and Folly when it is too late to remedy it But if the Persons that make this Objection be godly I question not but that I may give them reasonable satisfaction First consider who it is that I had that example from It was one Mrs. Jeofries in Long-Lane in Mary Magdalen Bermondsey Parish in the County of Surry a woman of that same in the Church of Christ for her exemplary Piety Wisdom Experience and singular watchfulness over every punctilio that she speaks that I question not but that her name is precious to most of the Ministers of London at least in the Burrough and as a reverend Divine said Such a Mother in Israel her single Testimony about London is of as much authority almost as any one single Ministers And having since discoursed this matter with her she calls God to witness that she hath spoken nothing but the Truth only in this she failed in that she spake not by far so much as she might have done concerning that sweet Babe I might add that I have since that seen a godly gentleman out of the Countrey that did profess to me that he had seen as
honest and as to man harmless but was little acquainted with the power of Religion till this sweet Child put him upon a thorow inquiry into the state of his Soul and would still be begging of him and pleading with him to redeem his time and to act with life and vigor in the things of God which was no small demonstration to him of the reality of invisibles that a very Babe and suckling should speak so feelingly about the things of God and be so greatly concerned not only about her own soul but about her Fathers too which was the occasion of his conversion and the very thought of it was a quickning to him for thirty years and he hopes never to wear off the Impressions of it from his spirit 6. After this she as I remember put her Father upon Family duties and if at any time he were for any time out of his shop she would find him out and with much sweetness and humility beg of him to come home and to remember the pretiousness of time for which we must all give an account 7. She was grieved if she saw any that conversed with her father if they were unprofitable unsavoury or long in their discourse of common things 8. Her own Language was the Language of Canaan how solidly profitably and spiritually would she talk so that she made good people take great delight in her company and justly drew the admiration of all that knew her 9. She could not endure the company of common children nor play but was quite above all those things which most Children are taken with her business was to be reading praying discoursing about the things of God and any kind of business that her age and strength was capable of idle she would not be by any means 10. It was the greatest Recreation to her to hear any good people talking about God Christ their Souls the Scriptures or any thing that concerned another life 11. She had a strange contempt of the World and scorned those things which most are too much pleased with She could not be brought to wear any Laces or any thing that she thought superfluous 12. She would be complaining to her parents if she saw any thing in them that she judged would not be for the honour of Religion or suitable to that condition which the providence of God had set them in in the world 13. This Child was the joy and delight of all the Christians thereabouts in those times who was still quickning and raising of the spirits of those that talked with her This poor Babe was a great help to both Father and mother and her memory is sweet to this day 14. She continued thus to walk as a stranger in the world and one that was making hast to a better place And after she had done a great deal of work for God and her own soul and others too she was called home to rest and received into the arms of Jesus before she was ten years old she departed about 1640. Example X. Of a Child that was awakened when she was between seven and eight years old with some account of her last hours and triumphant Death 1. TAbitha Alder was the Daughter of a holy and Reverend Minister in Kent who lived near Gravesend She was much instructed in the holy Scriptures and her Catechism by her Father and Mother but there appeared nothing extraordinary in her till she was between seven and eight years old 2. About which time when she was sick one asked her what she thought would become of her if she should die She answered that she was greatly afraid that she should go to hell 3. Being askt why she was afraid she should go to hell She answered because she feared that she did not love God 4. Again being askt how she did know she did not love God she replyed what have I done for God ever since I was born and besides this I have been taught that he that loves God keeps his commandments but I have kept none of them all 5. Being further demanded if she would not fain love God She answered yes with all her heart if she could but she found it a hard thing to love one she did not see 6. She was advised to beg of God a heart to love him She answered she was afraid it was too late 7. Being asked again whether she was not sorry that she could not love God She answered yes but was still afraid it was too late 8. Upon this seeing her in such a desponding condition a dear friend of hers spent the next day in Fasting and prayer for her 9. After this that Christian friend askt her how she did now She answered with a great deal of joy that now she blessed the Lord she loved the Lord Jesus dearly she felt she did love him O said she I love him dearly 10. Why saith her friend did you not say yesterday that you did not love the Lord and that you could not What did you mean to speak so strangely Sure said she it was Satan that did put it into my mind But now I love him O blessed be God for the Lord Jesus Christ 11. After this she had a discovery of her approaching Dissolution which was no small comfort to her Anon said she with a holy Triumph I shall be with Jesus I am married to him he is my husband I am his Bride I have given my self to him and he hath given himself to me and I shall live with him for ever 12. This strange language made the hearers even stand astonished but thus she continued for some little time in a kind of extafie of joy admiring the excellency of Christ rejoycing in her interest in him and longing to be with him 13. After a while some of her friends standing by her observed a more than ordinary earnestness and fixedness in her countenance they said one to another look how earnestly she looks sure she seeth something 14. One asked what it was she fixed her eyes upon so eagerly I warrant saith one that was by she seeth death a coming 15. No said she it is glory that I see 't is that I fix mine eye upon 16. One askt her what was glory like She answered I can't speak what but I am going to it will you go with me I am going to glory O that all of you were to go with me to that glory with which words her Soul took wing and went to the possession of that glory which she had some believing fight of before She died when she was between 8 and 9 years old about 1644. Example XI Of a Child that was greatly affected with the things of God when she was very young with an exact Account of her admirable Carriage upon her Death bed 1. Susanna Bicks was born at Leiden in Holland Jan. 24. 1650. of very religious Parents whose great care was to instruct and catechise this their Child and to present her to the
went very seriously to him and wept over him that he should so offend God and hazard his Soul and beg'd of him to spend his time better then in drinking and gaming and this he did without any instruction from his parents but from an inward principle of grace and love to God and souls as it is verily believed 10. When he was at play with other Children he would be often times putting in some word to keep them from naughty talk or wicked actions and if any did take the Lords name in vain or do any thing that was not becoming of a good Child they should soon hear of it with a witness nay once hearing a boy speak very profanely and that after two or three admonitions he would not forbear nor go out of his company neither he was so transported with zeal that he could not forbear falling upon him to beat him but his Mother chiding of him for it he said that he could not indure to hear the name of God so abused by a wretched boy This is observed not to vindicate the act but to take notice of his zeal 11. He was a Child that took great delight in the Company of good men and especially Ministers and Schollers and if he had any leisure time he would improve it by visiting of such whose discourse might make him wiser and better and when he was in their society to be sure his talk was more like a Christian and Scholler then a Child 12. One day after School time was over he gave Mr. Andrew Kant one of the Ministers of Aberdeen a visit and asked him several solid questions but the good man asked him some questions out of his Catechism and finding him not so ready in the answers as he should have been did a little reprove him and told him that he must be sure to get his Catechism perfectly by heart the Child took the reproof very well and went home and fell very hot upon his Catechism and never left till he got it by heart and not only so but he would be enquiring into the sense and meaning of it 13. He was so greatly taken with his Catechism that he was not content to learn it himself but he would be putting others upon learning their Catechism especially those that were nearest to him he could not be satisfied till he had perswaded his Mothers Maids to learn it and when they were at work he would be still following them with some good question or other so that the Child seemed to be taken up with the thoughts of his Soul and Gods honour and the good of others Souls 14. He was a conscientious observer of the Lords day spending all the time either in secret prayer or reading the Scriptures and good books Learning of his Catechism and learning of the Word of God and publick duties and was not only careful in the performance of these duties himself but was ready to put all that he knew upon a strict observation of the Lords day and was exceedingly grieved at the profanation of it one Lords day a servant of his Fathers going out of the house upon an extraordinary occasion to fetch some Beer he took on so bitterly that he could scarce be pacified because that holy day was so abused as he judged in his fathers house 15. When he was betwixt six and seven years old it pleased God to afflict him with sore eyes which was no small exercise to him because it kept him from School which he loved as well as many boys do their play and that which was worse he was commanded by the Doctor not to read any Book whatsoever at home But O how was this poor Child grieved that he might not have liberty to read the holy Scriptures and for all their charge he would get by himself and stand by the windows and read the Bible and good Books yea he was so greedy of reading the Scripture and took so much delight in it that he would scarce allow himself sometimes time to dress himself for reading the Word of God was his great delight Yea though he hath been bear for studying so much yet judging it Gods command that he should give himself up to reading he could not be beat off from it till he was so bad that he had like never to have recovered his sight more 16. It was his practice to be much by himself in secret prayer and he was careful to manage that work so as that it might be as secret as possible it might be but his frequency and constancy made it to be so easily observed upon which one time one having a great mind to know what this sweet babe prayed for got into a place near him and heard him very earnestly praying for the Church of God desiring that the Kingdom of the Gospel might be spread over the whole world and that the kingdom of grace might more and more come into the hearts of Gods people and that the Kingdome of glory might be hastned He was wont to connue half an hour sometimes an hour upon his knees together 17. He was much above the vanities that most Children are taken with and was indeed too much a man to live long 18. He was very humble and modest and did by no means affect fineness in apparrel but hated any thing more than necessaries either in cloths or diet 19. When he perceived either his Brother or Sister pleased with their new clothes he would with a great deal of gravity reprove their folly and when his reproof signified little he would bewail their vanity 20. Once he had a new suit brought from the Tailors which when he looked on he found some ribbons at the knees at which he was grieved asking his Mother whether those things would keep him warm No Child said his Mother why then said he do you suffer them to be put here you are mistaken if you think such things please me and I doubt some that are better then us may want the money that this cost you to buy them bread 21. He would intreat his Mother to have a care of gratifying a proud humour in his Brother and Sisters he did tell them of the danger of pride and how little reason they had to be proud of that which was their shame for said he if it had not been for sin we should have had no need of cloaths 22. At leisure times he would be talking to his School-fellows about the things of God and urge the necessity of a holy Life that text he much spoke on to there the Axe is laid to the root of the tree and every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire Every Mothers Child of us that doth not bring forth the fruit of good works shall shortly be cut down with the axe of Gods wrath and cast into the fire of Hell and this he spake like one that believed and felt the power of what he spake