than a Congregation of Christ How few hereby find a Wife as Solomon speaketh Prov. 18. 22. that is to the end God instituted them but seeking money as a HELP-MEET to them get a Woman with the World and the Devil with her unawares as Eve when the mouth of the Deceiver to a bitter day perhaps a Saphira helping by hypocrisie to save their earthly Estates and lose their Souls Herein Parents add to their prayer for Childrens Conversion their pains to effect their Perdition as one that prayeth a fire may go out adding fuel thereto so are these provisions for Lust under prayer for Life Did not Solomon King of Israel sin by these things yet among many Nations was there no King like him who was beloved of his God and God made him King over all Israel Neh. 13. 26. Nevertheless even him did outlandish-women cause to sin But lastly How doth neglect of Parents instruction of families or ill example therein before their Childden either in pride covetousness wrath lightness or other ill carriage unbecoming profession in Parents expose their observant Children and make fruitless and frivolous their performances amongst them when they shall discern them to fulfil Tit. 1. 16. before them Beware therefore of this above all that you lay not a stumbling example before them but that in simplicity and godly sincerity you shew them your good conversation in Christ filling up faithfully every relation in secret according to your open profession that they be not stumbled by finding the contrary for O the wound which Christ anâ— Truth and souls have received by eminent lâ—â— gifted Professors of contrary conversations 〈◊〉 little have either the lusts or Inhabitants 〈◊〉 world fallen before them How would Abraham be ashamed of such Children who so have shamed their profession in their opportunities Heb. 11. 15. wherein else they might have shined to the conviction and conversion of many Mat. 5. 16. 1 Pet. 3. 16. O tender Parents for the Lords sake then and for the sake of the soules under your charge pray for your own return to the attaining again the holy Examples of Fathers in Christ that they who dwell under your shadow may revive as the Corn and grow as the Vine the sent whereof shal be as the Wine of Lebanon Hos. 14. 7. That your Children and Servants may bless you in the name of the Lord and add not to their corrupt Nature any of these hazards aforesaid under your education in the sence whereof and how many poor Children lately may have been carried Christless thither and like sheep layd into the grave whose Parents thought it time enough perhaps to teach them soul-concernments at leisure this earnest of encouragement to poor endeavours for the souls of Children is published in love which its hoped by your acceptance and help may provoke very many to the salvation of souls And a special double Note is placed in the Margent pointing to the sick-bed lamentation of â—â—â—s little one for the loss of first convictions in 〈◊〉 most harmless manner of trifling away his 〈◊〉 with his most innocent School-fellows choaking for a season the tender Seed in his soul the reviving whereof by especial grace in an acceptable season stood him in so much stead as you will see in the face of Death and Iudgment whereunto none of his great natural parts nor School-attainments durst approach Be pleased to peruse it therefore and improve it unto the most special care of your Childrens eternal welfare and pursue your frequent prayers for their conversion in the paths thereof so as by all means to promote and by no means to betray your prayers that the account of them may not be with grief but joy which is the earnest prayer indeed of Your and your Childrens wel-wisher in the Gospel of Christ I. V. In Commemoration of our Friend and School-fellow the truly virtuous and Religious Youth CALEB VERNON An ELEGY CALEB Ah peerless Caleb art thou dead No no thou art not but thy soul is fled To Heaven thy better part shall never dye But shall survive yes and thy memory Shall ever live and though thy life expire Yet shal all those that knew thee thee admire And honour thy remembrance Worthy youth Whose chiefest love was Piety and Truth Who tho so young and tender yet didst chase Away the thoughts of sin and didst embrace Sincerity and with an upright heart Didst God 's Commands to chuse the better part A second Timothy I well may stile thee Of which true title none can ere beguile thee Which thou deserv'st and hast an ample share In his perfections although so rare I' th Scriptures from a child he knowledg had And stuck close to the good shuning the bad Even so didst thou whose chief sole delight Was for to serve the Lord thy God in spight Of all the opposition which was made By Satans instruments to make to fade Thy hot love t'wards thy Lord fervent zeal Unto good works which no vain thing could steal He in the graces of his Parents dear Enjoy'd a very large and ample share So thou the virtues of thy Father and Thy gracious mother at the second hand Deriv'st A rare example he did prove Others for to provoke his God to love So thou a holy pattern didst appear Although so young while that thou livest here And though th' art dead thy soul doth sore on high Death wher 's thy sting Grave wher 's thy victory Caleb blest Child the Victory is thine Who like an other Sun in Heaven dost shine O Child belov'd of God admir'd of men For all thy virtues and thy graces when Shall we again thy like behold whose Spirit A beautious Crown of Glory dost inherit O wonder of our iron age wh'ast left Something of which the world can't be bereft Let us lament our losse whilst he above Sings holy praises to the God of Love W. D. Another AH cruel Death that no one dost regard But unto all entreaties still art hard It is thy sting that makes so many grieve 'Cause mortals of their lives thou dost bereave It is thy deadly Spear that doth divide Poor Children from their Parents thou dost guide Thy piercing Iavlin to the mortals heart Thou strik'st ev'n Youth it self by thy keen Dart. Couldst thou not stop thy hand O greedy Death But with thy mighty stroak must stop his breath Who in his youthful dayes did flourish much O Death why didst thou rob the world of such A Iewel which with few I might compare One that in time might been the Son and Heir Of Learning one beyond his age endu'd Wisdom and Virtue were by him pursu'd O Death couldst thou not execute thy rage On other men that feeble be with age Or on some other youth in whom such rare And virtuous qualities did not appear But must so soon deprive us of a Iewel Oh envious Death What i' st makes thee so cruel Such a most pretious Iem all ought to
prize I 'm sure they do who 're virtuous and wise We mourn He doth rejoyce Ours is the loss His is the gain He 's free from every cross S. D. Another I. WHat nought but grief what nought but floods of tears Pray tell me why This common Desolation appears That also I May spend a tear I hear with these mine ears A sad reply Weep Rocks weep Mountains for all joys are fled The finest Flower in the Field is dead II. 'T is true we all must die but paled death With his sharp clawes Hath put a period to my dear friends breath But for what causâ— He in his youthful sides his Sithe did sheath I yet must pause Weep Rocks weep Mountains for all joy is fled The finest flower in the field is dead III. Me thinks sweet Philomel begins to sing Her mournful notâ— And prest with sorrow hangs her little wing Whilest that her throâ—â— Proclaims her sorrow look how every thing With grief is smoâ—â— Weep Rocks c. IV. When ere his person came into my sight Me thought my eye Was ravisht with a suddain sweet delight His modesty Was a fit copy any one might write After him by But weep O Rocks for all our joyes are â—led The finest Flower in the Field is dead V. Me thinks the new-blown flowers hang their head And oft bemoan Their hapless lot because their Friend is dead They deeply groan And sigh the sight of which might draw indeed Tears from a stone Weep Rocks c. VI. Learning and Piety Virtue and Wit His portion was Learning he had beyond his years but yet Alas alas Deformed Death no notice took of it But crackt his glass Weep Rocks c. VII He saw the vanity of earthly things Therefore made haste Unto the Kingdom of the King of kings That he might taste The blessed joyes that Heaven with it brings That nought can blast Weep Rocks c. N. P. An ACROSTICK CAleb hath now attain'd the promis'd Land After his journy through the Wilderness Living he tasted of its Clusters and Espied its beauty which tongue can't express Blest soul he rests now after much distress Val'rous though small he was for he hid find Entrance tho death did at the entrance stand Resisting him his God strengthned his mind Now he 's victorious and enjoys the Land Ocoward Death thou set'st upon a Child Nor could'st thou conquer but by it wast foy'd S. P. ANAGRAM CALEB VERNON Once Venerable ALL earthly glory posts away with speed What Once was Venerable now is dead W. D. CALEB VERNON Cure None able ALL help in Man is vain where shall I flee who 'l Cure None able Lord I flee to thee S. P. CALEB VERNON No Rule can be DEath varies oft No certain Rule can be He strikes Old Age Youth Manhood Infancy S. P. EPITAPH HE is inter'd whose soul now fled away Once took a Lease of this small house of clay She had not long her house inhabited Before she was to her Redeemer wed She brought forth Children who do now inherit Her Husbands wealth the graces of the Spirit When as she saw her family increase She did repent that she had tan'e a Lease House-room was scant therefore she sought about To find a larger habitation out Her Husband did a Mansion prepare An heavenly Mansion very large and fair Thither she did her houshould goods remove And now she 's left this House and dwels above She with her Cottage twelve years was content And now tho worms dwell in 't doth not lament S. P. Job 19. 25 26 27. For I know that my Redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the Earth And though after my skin worms destroy this body yet in my flesh shall I see God whom I shall see for myself and mine eyes shall behold and not another though my reins be consumed within me THE Life and latter End OF Caleb Vernon CALEB was born in the Inns at Dublin in Ireland Anno 1653. and called by that name by agreement betwixt his Parents seriously with desire he might follow God fully being both then very sensible of Professors defection This Child was brought up with them at least six years before he was sent to School he was of very great capacity but exceeding shame-fac'd and small of stature and so timerous that his Parents could scarce trust him abroad out of their sight Howbeit he profited so under their care as to read the Bible distinctly at Four years old and by six became very apt in places of Scripture the Theory thereof and moral regard thereunto exactly observant of his Parents with ambition to serve and please them in love He had his share early in afflictions for being put to School when he was but seven years old at Hillington he deeply resented the troubles on many good people at that time and being visited with a violent Ague there he began first to have a deep sence of death questioning whether he should be saved but recovering that sickness came to see his Father then prisoner in New gate for the worship of God according to the Gospel of Christ and sick at the same time which was thought to affect the Child together with the fears of Souldiers in the way that the night he arrived at London he fell sick again in which sickness further convictions of his undone condition by nature seized more on him and his elder Brother who then fell sick also but both of them with their Father recovering went to the waters at Epsam where his Father finding his practice in Physick as much as he desired to be imployed in the Lord taking away his youngest Son there was disposed to retirement and abode there all the Summer after a short time sent him with his brother again to School taking for the â—est of his family Lodgings at Ewel all Winter supposing he might be less obâ—oxious than at popular Meetings in London and lived there in his practice peaceably A School-Master coming to live in that Village he brought his Sons thither also determining to settle there for his Life and to that end bought a piece of Ground with intention to plant it and build which when a malitious Chyrurgion too notorious for all open prophaness observed to impair his Practice he secretly with his Father-in-Law and Allies of debauched dispositions by slanders of many sorts to the Justices sought his disturbance Whereupon the said Vernon being civilly sent for by the Justices repaired to some of the chief and gave so good satisfaction of his peaceable deportment in his calling and the falshood of their various reports as he received an ingenious account of the slanderers and forgers of them with assurance of safety in the like case if attempted for the future which was his encouragement to go on in building for the conveniency of his Family there And though this confederacy in vain attempted his disturbance with the Bishop and
the occasion beseeching the Lord to strengthen him his poor unworthy Servant in his Will to his Honour and help him against all the temptations of Satan praying for Sion the reviving the Cause of the Lord and helping those who prosest him to maintain a good profession to his Honour and if it were his Will to give him a Good Day to morrow to witness to him and order it for his glory At which the friend and all the company were well contented as a good conclusion of it The night continued tempestuous and he called often betwixt his slumbers to know what weather and the answer still seemed to daunt him but the morning appearing calm and Sunshine beyond any day long before confirmed him and he was willing to rise often as impatient to go but being deferred till noon and finding his body but weak he desired not to rise till the very instant of going but would not yet be withheld by his weakness saying I will lye still that I may have strength to serve God One in his hearing saying The place for his Baptizing was very dangerous where an Aunt of hers was stoned by the Souldiers upon the like occasion it nothing terrified nor discomposed him yet did not he manifest any vanity in his strength but behaved it as one fully resolved to obey to the uttermost waiting on the Lord composed for assistance with his mind very humbly and unmovedly set upon his will The Coach of a certain friend being lent him and two other hired for the company some other friends going on foot there was one went by to help in any occasion of fainting expected and he with his Father Mother and Gentlewoman who the night before endeavoured to disswade and his Brother who was to be baptized with him went in that Coach where pillows were appointed for his ease on the laps of two of them but in stead of â—ying down or being weary he desired to sit up and sat upright all the way chearfully and as soon as he came out of the Gate said heartily Father me thinks I begin to be very hungry I would I had something to eat His Father said there was Cordial or Sack or Hartshorn-Jelly but he refused those and desired some bread if it could be got which he had not eaten of a moneth before And a rowl being obtained he ate heartily and drank after it calling for more of it again by the way and found himself much strengthened for which he praised God as for fitness to serve him fulfilling his hope His fit came not that day visibly as it had done for many before but being come to the place as he sate by the fire much company coming his Father whilest he was making ready spake to them from Acts 21. 14. And when he would not be perswaded we ceased saying THE WILL OF THE LORD BE DONE Giving a brief account of the occasion with the Objestions and the Answers and Conclusion thereupon Then desired now to witness to it as the will of God shewin the Commands for it Signification of iâ— and Ends that should be proposed in it desiring they might be in them and thaâ— Presence which might make it to both hiâ— Sons the Communion of the Death and Resurrection of Christ to such a putting him on in the virtue of all his Offices as might manifest their being as iâ— were thenceforth new-died with oâ— tinged into Christ to their savour oâ— him in all things in newness of Nature and Life And then being carried downâ— the Administrator being ready received him into his Arms but feeling him so light and such a parcel of dry bones indeed it tried his faith unto some holy trembling to whom the Child said I am not afraid and was very conveniently and speedily baptized his Father standing ready with a warm Blanket to receive him beheld him going back as of a well pleased and indeed shining countenance saying as soon as he could speak I am very well Father And being laid dry on a bed but his breath very short through disturbance in changing the clothes he desired to lie a little season being very cold and it seems had a little spice of a cold fit which began before whilst he was making ready though his Father heard not of it till after and indeed a sentence of death seemed to be upon him in his Fathers esteem who whilest thanksgiving was returned by the brother who baptized him spake often to the Child softly to ask how he did who said I can scarce take my breath it is so short but I shall be better after I have lain a little and in half an hour or thereabouts sate up cheerfully and himself returned publick praise solemnly before them all for the assistance of such dry bones in his service alluding to the dry bones of Israel Prayed likewise earnestly for Zion desiring the repairing her desolate and waste places and earnestly for their standing fast who had put on Christ that day or lately that they might never bring dishonour upon such a holy profession And being again in the Coach seeing an old Friend there present called to him and entreated him to serve the Lord And being on his way rejoyced in the goodness of the Lord that had carried him according as he believed through his will And now Father it will be seen said he that God is greater than man And by the way home called for warm Ale at an Inn and continued better than in many dayes before acquainting his Father and Mother That he had very great joy in Communion with God coming up out of the Water when he could not express it his breath failing through some water that went into his mouth which he merrily said he had forgot to shut and being come home and laid in his bed after a little quiet he appeared more lively than before nor had he any longer any cold or hot fit that day which had not missed to hold him several hours for many days before and said then again to some friends whom he desired might sup in his room Now I hope Mr. B. meaning the friend who last dissented will be convinced that the power of God is greater than the wisdom of man saying he was never so well in his life viz. in his soul and better in his body than before he was Baptized He then desired he mightly with his dear Father and Mother that night And did acquaint them again He thought he saw the glory of God when he came up out of the Water and was very sweetly refreshed though he was not able to express it The next day being before appointed for Thanksgiving in the Congregation upon the choice accounts of healing above fifty of them of the Pestilence and adding lately towards the repair of the Breach upon them by the death of twenty eight above twenty such as is hoped shall be saved and that some of
them saw of their Children through grace walking in the Truth then which a great Apostle had no greater joy His Father went to attend the Lord in his Courts on that day intending to revive the Lords afflicted Remnant with the account of this gracious addition to their causes of Joy but his Mother stayed with him on which day it pleased God for the humbling of them and his people who might else perhaps have been subject to have been lifted up to renew a fresh sentence of death upon him by general indisposedness and subjectness to fainting so that his Mother feared his dissolution that day she thought â—e appeared weak in the morning after his Father was risen and asked whether he â—hould stay with him he said No Mother I had rather he should go about the work of the Lord and he desired his Father that he might be prayed for that as he had put on Christ so he might grow up in him among his People But after his Father was gone he lay in the forenoon as if he had â—een dying and the Friend Mr. B. aforeâ—aid coming in told his Mother he thought he was drawing on and that there would be little alteration seen in him till he died She desired to know what she should give him He said if he were his own he should give him nothing more but about noon he was again suddenly revived to the great admiration and refreshment of his Mother to whom he said he was now pretty well but troubled with shortness of breath and desired to dine with her and his sisters and then did eat more with them with chearfulness then he had done at once many days before He took then occasion to say to her He had resigned himself to the Lord and Life or Death was alike to him but my greatest trouble if I should die now said he is the scandal that I am afraid will be cast upon my Father and Mother by the world which he said did lie in wickedness who would say they had killed me by suffering me to be Baptized whereas I am not the worse and I know if I dy now I should have died if I had not been Baptized and afterwards he said I am willing to live if it please the Lord that I might serve him among his people But had afterward several faintings that day and spake little but towards the Evening enquired for his Father who had occasion to stay later than he intended hearing he was better than when he left him by a Messenger he sent who received the account of his chearful condition about noon but not the alteration But calling upon the Friend aforesaid who had seen him in the Morning was acquainted with his opinion he was drawing near his end when at he hasted to him and found him very low indeed and cold and understanding his Mother had omitted upon the advice of the friend to use any thing being tender of disturbing him his Father a little grieved thereat applied to his Lips and palms of his Hands the refreshing he used to be relieved with and inwardly a little of his usual inoffensive revivers in a small quantity and caused cherishing fumes to simper on coals in his Chamber which with the Lords blessing together with the content of his Fathers company greatly restored him and he was cheerful and disposed to converse His Father asked him then whether he was not sorry he had been baptized now He answered no he would not but have been baptized for all this world and said he was sure he had got no hurt by it but told his Father he had been very ill that day And when he could scarce speak he was so weak he heard his Sister Nancy say Who shall have Calebs Bird when he is dead But said he Father I shall not think of dying yet but if I do I will give it to my Sister Betty who hath none for Nancy hath one already His Father asked him whether he thought he should live then I know not Father said he for I have resigned my self to God but he is able to recover me His Father having prayed once with him before he desired him again at parting to recommend him to the Lord and he left him chearful He had but little rest 〈…〉 and in the morning said to his Mother I have been dying twicc this night and to his Sister Tell my Father I live still who when he came to him found him in a sweet composed frame and disposed to converse saying Father how doth the World lie in wickedness And now Wisdom calls to her Children How long ye simple ones will you love simplicity and fools hate knowledge And speaking another time of the joy of the Wicked he said there will be shameful spuing upon all their glory His Father having occasion to write in the room did not presently entertain discourse with him but after some time of silence he said Father will it not disturb you to talk with me He said No Child I will come to thee Then he said Father I find my self greatly comforted in God I was once without him and now see what it was if God should have cut the thread of my life and now I wish I might warn others and do good whilest I live His Father breakfasting with him he did in a very lively sort enlarge upon the sure mercies of God to his soul praising him much for his goodness in enabling him to do his Will and for his Parents tenderness to him begging the Lord would not suffer it to go unrewarded and that if it might please him to spare his life he might be helped to acknowledge it and praised God that he should have a tender Father in Heaven and tender Parents on Earth too in such a condition That day he gave all his toyes to his little Sisters saying if he should live he hoped he should never mind such things His Father told him the Congregation had condescended to appoint a Church-meeting with him that evening that he might have the priviledge of the Lord's Supper wherein to the eye of Faith Christ would be evidently set forth crucified before him for his consolation which he accepted thankfully and said he would lye still to preserve his strength thereunto and when the time came his father spake briefly from Iohn 10. I am the door by me if any man enter in he shall be saved He attended with very great diligence and partook with great reverence sitting up in his bed to attend and afterwards humbly desired thanks might be returned to the Congregation for their love and care herein The next day being the first day of the week his Father tarried at home with him and enlarged upon the latter part of these words viz. And shall go in and out and find pasture setting forth in more variety what a soul entring in by Christ as the door and going out of himself