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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A43584	A narrative of the holy life, and happy death of that reverend, faithful and zealous man of God, and minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Mr. John Angier, many years Pastor of the Church of Christ at Denton, near Manchester in Lancashire wherein are related many passages that concern his birth, education, his entrance into the ministry, discharge of his trust therein, and his death.	Heywood, Oliver, 1629-1702.	1683 (1683)	Wing H1772; ESTC R177987	61,863	136

Lincolnshire but he came not while he was living he ordered his Son-in law to be sent for a messenger was dispatched to him but tho he hasted away towards him yet he came not till this holy Man of God had breathed his last a few hours before on the same day his approaching dissolution came on apace yet had he the free exercise of his understanding to the last and as he had been a man of prayer all his days so he died praying that morning he died he prayed sensibly the last words which were intelligible were his request for the King and Council but the particular words they that were about him could not understand The last day of the week His death Sept. 3. 1677 was the last day of that worthy mans life he dyed about eleven a Clock that day and entered into his rest near the Sabbath a day of rest from thenceforth to rest from all his weary labours and to keep an Eternal sabbath with his dearest Lord and and it was his own observation that God oft takes home his Ministers and people upon or near his holy day to perfect their graces and give them rest on that day of Rest Thus fell that bright star thus set that shining Sun in the firmament of the Church or rather hid from our eyes to shine more gloriously in the upper Region the wise i.e. wise Virgins members of Christs mystical body or as the word is Dan. 12.3 Teachers of others shall shine as the brightness of the firmament and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever Thus this Pillar is taken down that bore up an incredible weight not discerned so well then as felt dayly by sad experience since his removal from under ●he fabrick thus is this plant of renown ●ransplanted into a better soyl this ancient ●ree of Gods own plainting that had sheltered many with its shadowing shroud and ●ed many with its grateful fruit is at last fallen by the stroak of death yet bears both ripe and plentiful fruit in the heavenly paradice above he that uttered words of life to others is dead he that by the grace of God quickened others is himself struck dead dead said I no he is but asleep the sting of death was gone the fear of death was vanished he lived an holy life he died an happy death he lived desired and died lamented he lived to a good old age himself would sometimes say that he had lived two years beyond the age of a man for he died in the 72 year of his age in the same month wherein he was born he died in his own house the house belonging to the Chappel to which he had been a great benefactor he died amongst his own People over whom he had been pastor 45 years with whom he had been travelling weeping fasting praying among whom he hath left remarkable seals of his Ministry some indeed are gone to heaven before him and some in other places had benefit by his Ministry tho but occasionally one instance I had from a very eminent divine in or near the City of London that he being a young Scholar newly come from Oxford and being occasionally at Mr. Case● house when Mr. Angier was there Mr. Angier went to prayer but God so reached and warmed the young Ministers heart by that prayer that he hath cause to remember it while he hath a day to live and hopes he shall never forget it yea it had influence upon others related who from that time proved as useful and succesful instruments of Gods glory and the good of Souls as any I have heard of in those latter times The whole Nation and Church of God seem much clouded by the obscuring of this bright star but especially that congregation of Denton is sadly eclipsed their valley of vision is at least turned into a valley of Division oh that it may not also prove a valley of treading down and desolation Ah what lamentation was there at his funeral amongst the rest an ancient Christian came from the grave into the house where the Ministers were sate after the funeral with a trembling body weeping eyes and with a doleful voice of sad complaints saying Ah sirs what must we do what must we do our loving pastor is gone our loving pastor is gone And now that good man is gone after and many others so John 4.36 he that sowed and they that reaped are rejoycing together but the sad countenances and weeping eyes of that day with that affecting passage of that good old mans bemoaning cannot be easily forgotten by the Writer hereof That Lords day when Mr. Angiers Corps lay in his house two Ministers preached in his Chappel two funeral Sermons the one seeming to be a funeral Sermon to the people the other for their Minister That which concerned the people carried an ominous presage of the death of their Gospel priviledges and Sunsetting of their glorious day sadly predicted from Gen. 6.3 My spirit shall not always strive with man and oh what a dreadful verification of that text hath providence made there that being the last Sabbath that excluded Minister injoyed the liberty of ordinances in that place The other Minister discoursed sweetly and suitably on John 17.4 I have glorified thee on earth I have finished the work thou gavest me to do That Sermon was a lively comment on that good mans holy life and a fair Copy let before this surviving people the perfect precepts in the Scriptures and lively pattern set before them for their imitation makes it apparent that Gospel rules an● practicable may be transcribed by some and will be a sad testimony against others and tho Mr. Angiers mouth be now stop with dust and his voice shall no more be heard in his pulpit yet oh that Almighty God that lives for ever would awake carna● sinners by this astonishing blow and breach and propagate religion in that place and by that blessed spirit transfuse the Doctrine principles and practice of that good man into all his hearers for they shall one day know there hath been a prophet among them The next day being Sept. 5. 1677. the Funeral solemnities were mournfully observed on which occasion multitudes of persons Gentlemen Ministers relations and Christian friends besides his hearers and sad neighbours attended these dismal and sorrowful obsequies with sad hearts and dejected countenances lamenting not only the loss of such a worthy Pastor and Friend but their own Spirits did suggest great grounds of presaging fears concerning the attending consequences of that heavy blow his Corps were decently interred in Denton-Chappel in the Alley before the pulpit by his last dear Wife laid in the same place Mr. Angier had requested Mr. Robert Eaton a learned pious Minister who had married his kinswoman to preach the Funeral Sermon and had given him that Text to insist upon in Act. 20.32 And now brethren I commend you to God and to the word of his

will make it good to some and why not to the children of the Covenant how oft hath he told the Lord even in our hearing that he was resolved he would not let go that hold that God had given him but would stick to him by faith and prayer as ●ong as he had a day to live and die in hopes that God would make his promise good to his seed when he was dead and gone His opinion for a young man that intended the Ministry His opinion for young Scholars was to be placed for some time with fomeable Minister and to preach under such alones eye and ear and that it was hazzardous for beginners to live in great mens houses he was of excellent use in giving advice to young Scholars in publick and private in the times when the Sectaries were at the height at an ordination at Manchester he gave the Exhortation four were ordained and he said it rejoyced his Soul to see in these discouraging times so man desirous of the calling but saith he it m● be it is but as a Husbandman with his har●● toward Night when he sees a storm co●ing he calls out all that can carry a she● to come forth makes all his force for 〈◊〉 may be it is but a short time as coming i● at the Eleventh hour but one hour to wor● in He advised them to take heed of t●● things as in the case of the prophet to J●roboam sometimes the hand of Authorit● may be lifted up against you yet that ma● bed ried up be not affrighted with it b● then the seducer may slay you consent not 〈◊〉 him He was wise and happy in his counsel and usually being a man of much observato● he had exceeding pat instances his grave counsels to set on h● counsels with as this It is good for persons to submit to the Lords hand and to l● him chuse the Rod for us A Woman 〈◊〉 Manchester burying a Daughter of t●● years never looked up but repined at 〈◊〉 came often to the Grave to mourn over it yet it was a Child miserably infirm h●● the Evil runing on it in many places afterwards God took away the use of her Li●●● and lying in torturing pain acknowledge that it was nothing to bury a Child a● was now made sensible of her impatien● under her form● affliction and that no● God had dealt smartlier with her And upon this Mr. Angier mentioned an Aunt of his who had great bodily weakness and pain and she desired that God would take that affliction away and lay on her what affliction he pleased but that the Lord did take that away and laid affliction of spirit upon her which was far sharper and she never recovered it while she lived So to count the affliction best for us be it never so sharp he sometimes told how Mr. Daniel Rogers his first Wife was a very cross Woman and he bore it a long time at last he made his complaint to his Father Mr. Richard Rogers and he gave him this answer Any thing Daniel to bring thee to heaven He was very faithful in admonishing as he saw cause His faithful admonition when an eminent Minister said he ●ook such a thing ill or unkindly from such 〈◊〉 one Mr. Angier gravely and smiling●y answered Would I so little favour ●y self as to take unkindness from ●ny one which saith that good man 〈◊〉 thought of since to my great advantage for this taking unkindness is ac●ompined with a fretting within ones self ●nd so it is a leaving the offender and ●lling upon ones self Mr. His thoughts of the Dutch War Angier was much afflicted with that sad War betwixt the Dutch and us yet he comforted himself that God did not give us over to be corrected by Papists but that Protestants are in the hands of Protest ants tho upon a sad account and he hoped that the drops of the storm might begin with the reformed Churches but the fury of it should be poured upon the Papists It pleased the Lord to lay upon Mr. His afflictions in old age Angier many grievous and cutting affliction in his old age the latter part of his days according to his own observation on Joh. 21. concerning Peter our Lord told him that when he was old he should be carried whither he would not That God oft exerciseth his choicest servants that have been men of eminent activeness and usefulness in his service with great afflictions in their old age 1 Chron. 16.12 Invit Ger. Maj. 470. as bodily pain so Asa in the latter part of his life was diseased in his feet Melchior Adams tells us of Mr. George Major that he saw the Funerals of six sons whereof one i. e. Leonard died by the biting of a mad Dog several Daughters Nephew died in all this and much more saying Si bona accepimus annon mals sustineamus shall we receive good and not bear evil at last he died of sore diseases having kept his bed near three years thus Mr. Angier instanced in Mr. Rogers o● Dedham who had great pain of the stone so had worthy Mr. Storer of Stockport and Mr. Johnson Parson also of the same place old Mr. Bourn Mr. Herle and at that time when he spake of it good Mr. Harrison of Ashton his neighbour it may seem a Riddle and an unaccountable mystery of Providence why God should think fit to lay the heaviest load on the weakest Horse old age is a burden to it self Mr. Angier gave this account of it that thereby God thinks it fit to wean his Children from the World fit them for Heaven and render it more desirable besides God will make his Children perfect Christians exercised every way in suffering that they might be ●ntire lacking nothing according to Jam. 1.4 His old-old-age afflictions were 1. His Daughters dying The death of his beloved lovely Daughter Elizabeth who tho she was Married and lived with her Husband in Yorkshire yet being in a deep Consumption he sent his own easy going-Horse to fetch her home in hopes that change of Air might tend to her recovery but there she grew worse and anguishing died May 26. 1661. and was ●d by her own Mother in Denton Chappel●ard whose death tho it went near to his heart yet being abundantly satisfied that ●he was got safe to Heaven he bore it with great composedness and aequanimity for indeed she was the mirror of her age for parts and piety yet it could not but be an affliction to his spirit since fo hopeful a blossome of his Family was so quickly nipt off in the flower of her age 2. The Churches afflictions laid to heart But this presaged more crosses it was a great affliction to him that things wen● so ill with the Church of God as to publick liberty with which he sympathized tho he injoyed his but himself also must ta● a few drops of that cup that many of 〈◊〉 Brethren hath a large draught of

A NARRATIVE OF THE Holy Life and Happy Death OF That Reverend Faithful and Zealous man of God and Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ Mr. JOHN ANGIER Many years Pastor of the Church of Christ at Denton near Manchester in Lancashire Wherein are related many Passages that concern his Birth Education his entrance into the Ministry discharge of his Truth therein and his Death Phil. 3.17 Brethren be followers together of me and mark them which walk so as ye have me for an e●ample LONDON Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns at the lower end of Cheapside near Mercers Chappel 168 The PREFACE GOdly Ministers are stiled the Chariots and horsemen of Israel these are the watchmen of the city that give warning of danger intercede with the Lord and doubtless the Church of God must needs receive great detriment by the removal of such worthies It is a saying of the Jewish Rabbins Quando luminaria patiuntur Eclipsin malum est signum mundo when the heavenly luminaries are eclipsed it 's a dreadful presage of approaching evil to this lower world The Church in these parts hath been successively blessed with famous Ministers and gracious Christians whose praise is in the Churches of Christ many whereof now sleep in the Lord yet through Gods wise care of the Churches succession not a few are yet left as hopeful slips spring up in their room on whom and the people surviving I would here take occasion to drop a word of counsel 1. You that are like to succeed this old stock of Preachers worn or wearing out look to your planting into Christ let your own Souls be duely built upon the right foundation presume not to be Ministers before you be Christians get experience of Divine Truths in your own Souls and transcribe them in your dayly practice Believe repent obey your selves or you will teach these things sorrily and unconcernedly whatever your gifts be see you have sincere grace and dedicate your all to God you serve an holy God Christ you preach an holy Gospel you have before you holy examples be you also holy in every change in all conditions Aarons ornaments signified nothing if Holiness to the Lord was not writ upon his forehead in a plate of Gold if you had profound Wit and Learning tenacious Memories brave Elocution that you could speak with tongues of Men and Angels all is of no worth without Grace within and universal sanctity one allowed sin will worm-eat the goodliest trees and blast the pleasantest fruits some Ministers are eminent for one rare gift others for other accomplishments all have some few have all some modest young men look upon themselves as much behind others are apt to be discouraged my advice to such is to make up that defect in diligence holiness and in faithfulness what Nature or Art denies get a supply by Grace Grace within vigorously exercised the assisting grace of God setched in by faith and prayer Be faithful to what you have if you cannot attain to much that 's a brave saying of Luthers and shall be my Motto I desire to be found a faithful Minister of Christ and his church if I cannot be prudent or skilful Let not weakness of parts discourage you some ordinary men of low gifts may honour God more than some famous learned Doctors Be industrious in your Studies daily improve your talents you have more helps than your predecessors give not occasion of the complaint of that Hebrew Rabbi that the Father had Plow'd Sown Reaped Fanned the Wheat set Bread on the Table but the children have not a mouth to eat it the greatest Parts may rust away by idleness but meanest grow bright and useful by diligent improvement the diligent hand with Gods blessing makes rich but be sure you keep humble despise not but reverence your forefathers if you exceed them in advancement of Learning in some points it s well if you fall not below the min real worth as to the power of Godliness read their lives in Mr. Clarks Collections especially this last Volume printed since his Death and be ashamed of your selves and provoked to a holy Emulation in true piety and Zeal get into a corner and tremble to see your selves thus outstript and implore more Grace from Heaven I have but a word to say concerning this Discourse the Life of this holy Man of God I confess many discouragements lay in the way of this undertaking not fit now to be named the main was That we were not capable of doing any thing worthy of him and it 's better do nothing at all than not to purpose to answer the fame of him or expectations concerning him but my Answer is that of the Poet Lucan Quod si digna tua minus est mea● pagina laude at voluisse sat est And difficilium facilis est venia If I am not able to make a Fine portraiture of all the Features it may be this rough draught may exceed some of our attainments and excite usto imitation and may some way tend to the glory of our grea● Master and then I have my end If any say its poorly done and might have been done better I confess it and let them contribute something to mend it but this is the best we can find according to ou● Information and if we cannot bring 〈◊〉 Lamb our two Turtle Doves may b● accepted both by God and man Let th● Infinite Omnipotent Faithful God pu● in labourers into the Harvest supply Va● caneies second his Servants labour● with his blessing and continue hi● Church Ministry and presence wit● these Nations to the end of the World Amen A Narrative of the Life and Death of Mr. John Angier Minister of the Gospel at Denton MR. John Angier was Born at Dedham in Essex of Pious Parents and was baptized there October 8th 1605. He was careful 〈◊〉 Instructed by his Parents be-times in ●e Principles of Religion Educated in ●chool-learning in the same Place being ●t and capable and from his Child-hood ●uch inclined to his book and very desi●us to be trained up for the Ministry ●hich he made his early and earnest choice 〈◊〉 appears by this remarkable story which have heard confidently reported by cre●ble persons It is this As this John who was the first-born Son named after 〈◊〉 Father with his three Brethren Be●eel Samuel and Edmund were coming ●m School to their Fathers house there fell a shower of Rain they all run under Tree in an Hedg for a shelter they stand ing there seeing it Rain apace begun 〈◊〉 make their several wishes one wished would Rain Learning another Wool and ther Money and another Plumbs th● pleasing themselves with their juvenile fa● cies which options manifested their di● ferent Inclinations and became proph● tick presages of their future disposals Fo● behold a Neighbour over hearing them a● quainted their Father who ealling them 〈◊〉 him examined them one by one saying Joh● what did you wish it

might Rain such a tim● in such a place He was at present somethin● abashed and loath to Answer but bein● further urged said Sir I wisht it wou● Rain Learning Why said his Father wh● Profession wouldst thou be of he Answe● ed I would be a Preacher Come Be● said the Father what didst thou wish 〈◊〉 would Rain he answered Wool Wh● said he what Calling wouldst thou chuse he answered I would be of your calling a Clothier Samuel said the Father wh● hadst thou a mind it should Rain He a● swered Money for I have a mind to be 〈◊〉 Merchant And lastly calling Edmund d● manding the same he answered that he d● sired it might Rain Plumbs for he would chuse to be a Grocer The Father bei● an intelligent considerate man thus obse● ving every ones genius and being furnished with a competent estate suited to them Callings according to their wishes Bezaleel was a rich Clothier in Dedham a gracious man he died October 30. 1678. Samuel the Third Son being brought up a Merchant lived in good repute in Holland beyond Sea and there died in March 1666 7. Edmund the youngest being bound Apprentice to a Grocer went into New-England and is the only survivor hath many years kept a Grocers Shop in Cambridg there and I suppose is living at the writing hereof But to retun to the Eldest Son John the subject of this discourse Being trained up a Scholar proved a notable instrument of Glory to God and good to souls in his generation And thus they all answered the ends of their education and had good success a good Item to Parents in disposing their children to Callings rather to consult their Childrens capacities and inclinations than their own humours and conveniencies things do always best when voluntarily chosen when the stream of natural affections runs to the channel of an adapted Vocation it bears down all oppositions and attains the desired Port of a sutable success in the most arduous enterprises hence Dr. Harris saith he never attemtped any thing within the verge of his Calling ●hough it seemed difficult in the entrance but with Gods blessing on his industrious prosecution he sound it feasible and facile but nil invitâ Minervâ that which is attempted against heart or without an adequate capacity goes on heavily and seldom renders the professor of his Calling fit to manage it to purpose or arrive at any eminency in it because it goeth against the grain wisely therefore did the Athenians who brought their youth into a place where the Utensils for all Callings were laid up that making their choice thereof each might have the Calling he had thereby chosen And as his proficiency at School was according to his time so divine grace did be times begin to reach and touch the heart of this our young Timothy 2 Tim. 3.15 who from a child had known the holy Scriptures for at Twelve years of age the Lord dealt with his conscience by some rays of illumination and darts of conviction which more effectually were fastened in him by Mr. Rogers Ministry after his fathers death but from his first conviction he had much trouble upon his spirit which he kept much to himself and often retired into a corner being ashamed that any one should know of his heart-grief his Mother being a choice and gracious Christian often spake to him of Soul concerns wept and prayed much for him At a competent age his Father sent him to the University of Cambridg he was admitted in Immanuel Colledge where notwithstanding his pious education and hopeful impressions before mentioned he sell off to vain companie and loose practices see the slipperiness of youth to the great grief of his parents and his own present guilt and after bitterness in the review There he continued and commenced Batchellor in Arts before his fathers death who being sick sent for this his son to come home from Cambridg but he came so late that in the afternoon as he approached towards Dedham he met the people going from his fathers Funeral which had a very deep impression upon him God took hold of this occasion more effectually to awaken his conscience and Alarum him to his duty Mr. Angier was kept a season at his mothers house followed his studies attended on Mr. Rogers Ministrie this Mr. John Rogers of Dedham was a mirrour and miracle of zeal and success in his Ministerial labours it was wont to be said Come let 's go to Dedham to get a little fire he was Lecturer there and preached once on Lordsday and a Lecture on the Tuesday to which multitudes of people flock'd from the parts adjacent and his plain preaching was blessed with a large Harvest however some expressions and gestures he used would now seem indecent yet the gravity of the man and general reverence people had for him rendered them not only not offensive but sometimes very effectual his taking hold with both hands at one time of the supporters of the Canopy over the Pulpit and roaring hideously to represent the torments of the damned had an awakening force attending it Mr. Thomas Goodwin after Dr. Goodwin when he was a Fellow in Cambridg and an eminent Preacher much followed and honoured occasionally hearing Mr. Rogers fell under such convictions that he after professed that he lookt on himself neither as a Christian nor a Preacher one passage Mr. Angier hath oft mentioned That Mr. Rogers being called to Preach a Marriage Sermon I think insisted on the Wedding garment God did so set in with the word that the Marriage-Solemnity was turned into bitter mourning so that all the Ministers that were at the Marriage were imployed in comforting or advising consciences awakened by that Sermon Oh Blessed espousals betwixt Christ and Souls such sorrow was better than carnal Laughter and laid a solid foundation of Spiritual joy A Gentlewoman that Travelled ten Miles to hear plain and powerful Mr. Rogers being in great troubles of conscience desired some conference with him and after she had related her condition telling long and sad stories of her had heart sad state Gods wrath due to her danger of dropping into Hell c. the good old man hearing all this at last started up and fetched some frisks on the floor and cried out God be thanked God be thanked the Gentlewoman thought the old man mad and was strangely surprised to see him rejoyce in her sorrow But he knew what he said and rejoyced in that sorrow that was the seed-plot of so blessed an harvest for that Gentlewoman proved an eminent Saint and a lovely Consort in exile and tribulation to a very holy and eminent Minister of Christ as her own sister hath told me Mr. Angiers manner was when he attended Mr. Rogers Lecture after Sermon when others staid discoursed dispatched business he for his part went home to his chamber meditated prayed work'd the Sermon upon his heart for about an hour and thereby imprinted it so lastingly upon his memory that

in th● Oxford Act that commenced Mar. 24. 166● by which Ministers were banished 5 mil● from the place where they had formerly preached it was judged expedient that 〈◊〉 also should at present withdraw from 〈◊〉 House upon that Act he begun to Trave● and his son-in-law with him amongst 〈◊〉 friends in Cheshire and visited several persons of quality lodging with them so● Weeks being kindly treated and lovingly entertained being also of very gre●● use and leaving his good counsels a● blessing where ever he came notwithstanding in that time he seemed to be out of 〈◊〉 element and longed to return home 〈◊〉 was compelled to return for wearing 〈◊〉 Boots dayly a goutish humour seiz● on his foot he then said Come son 〈◊〉 trust God and go home so he returned to his own house and continued there without further trouble 3. He was very much afflicted with Bodily distempers and at his stomach which sorely oppressed him and he could not find ease of it by any means he could use he was advised to take Tobacco but could never deal with it 4. His very dear Wives death about two years before his own His second wivs death was a grievous and bitter affliction to him whom he had injoyed 32 years to his abundant content every way and indeed she was a dear and desirable companion very helpful in spirituals and temporals drawing evenly in the same yoke of a truely Christian temper one thing further I shall add of her noted to my hand as a peculiar privilidg and rare amongst Christians That God gave her early assurance of his love and she said also not long befor her death he had never withdrawn it from her all her time this was very observable and far different from Gods dealings with his former Wife of whom Mr. Angier faith in some remarks left in writing upon her life that tho God moved her heart to seek him from 8 years of age yet he never gave her settled assurance of his love while she lived Behold the arbitrary dealings of God with his own dear Children but God is infinitely wise in these cases But the great affliction the very accent and quintescence of his affliction was the sin and miscarriage of some of his Children this this did cut him to the very heart and lay as a continual pressing load on his Spirit his Son his only Son devoted to God not only in Christian profession but Ministerial function miscarrying under such education with such aggravations this went so near him that such words dropt from Mr. Angiers lips of bitter complaint to one related to him as shewed his heavy resentment of some burdens of that nature Tho he had paid for his Son 400 l. In a few years to the prejudicing of his own estate yet he saw it did no good and yet that was all nothing in comparison of the dishonour to God by his extravagancies his friend said Sir God hath given you much grace and He is resolved to exercise it Ah said he but it is hard very hard to bear a strange word from such a man but he could bear any thing better than sin But especially in so near a relation as the Angel of the Ephesian Church to whom it is said Rev. 2.23 Thou canst not bear them which are evil yet hast born and hast patience and for my name sake hast laboured and hast not faeinted oh sin sin in dear relations against his dearest Heavenly father cut him to the quick and Souls of a sensible spirit know what this means but God bore up this good mans heart as he did Davids with hopes and confidence in the blessed Covenant that sure and well ordered Covenant this he stuck to this he pleaded and depended upon living and dying still he spoke well of God and exercised himself in praising his name both in duties and discourses owning the hand of God in all crosses to whom he had devoted his all these various experiences helped him to compassionate and incouraging counselling of others for as was said he could speak a word in season to quiet and qualify others spirit under pressing burdens he still said hold up faith and patience wait on God and fear not for he will issue all to the best to his own Glory and your best good His usual practice was upon the evening before a fast-day His care to reform his Family to put his Children and Servants upon it to set themselves seriously about the work of preparation to search out and confess their sins he used such means as might by Gods help prove effectual for reformation both of himself and his Family and upon all such occasions of fasting or thanksgiving it was his way to inquire concerning fatherless and Widows and such as were in necessity that something might be sent to them for whom nothing was provided as he often said Not long before he fell sick His review of his life he said to one that lay with him that he slept very little in the nights adding when I lye waking in my Bed I sometimes run through the course of my whole life and if a Pen-man were ready by me I could relate many observable passages of Gods Providence about me his friend said Sir you may do well to write them down as they come into your thoughts he made no answer to that When money lent by him came in seasonably Money lent repayed he acknowledged though it was his own yet he admired and thankfully owned Gods Providence in it as if it had been a gift and said it is all one whether it was a debt or a gift so God send it in a needful time the paying of a debt is as great a mercy from God as sending a gift I must now hasten to the last scene of this holy man life His sat sickness he longed to be with Christ and our Lord had been long ripening him for Glory he loved his Masters work and his Master indulged him in his work when others were taken off he was wonderfully maintained in his lot he did not of late years preach that day he administred the Lords Supper the last Supper-day was August 12 1677. and the next Lords-day after he preached one part of the day August 19. but when he came into his house he laid his hand upon his breast and said Ah this will not do I must give over preaching which yet cut him to the heart to think of he was very weary that Night as usually he was the next day but one after he begun to have some Aguish fits and had six or seven of those fits from that time he began to decline apace when this his last sickness begun he ordered his kindsman in the house to write letters to Mr. Case his brother in law Mr. Tuckney his brother Bezaleel and others to acquaint them with his condition hoping for and desiring their prayers he expected his own Sons coming dayly out of