was exceeding skilful and dextrous as many hundreds in the City have found from time to time being sought unto far and near by such as groaned under afflictions and tentations many of whom through Gods blessing upon his labours were restored to joy and comforts out of unspeakable terrors and torments of Conscience He was of a most sweet and meek disposition yea such was his meekness of spirit that it seemeth not to be paralleld For though he lived with his wife above twenty years yet neither childe nor servant could ever say that they saw so much as an angry countenance or heard so much as an angry word proceed from him towards her all her life long Some have observed that towards his latter end in his visage he did much resemble the Picture that is usually made for Moses Certainly he was the exact Effiges of Moses his spirit and in this resembled him to the life that he was one of the meekest men that this Generation hath known He was as a great peace-keeper so a great peace-maker having an excellent dexterity in composing of differences he was far from doing wrong to others and as far from revenging wrong done to him by others Notwithstanding which he suffered much both by the speeches and also by the actions of evil and envious persons yet his manner was rather to pray for them than in any harsh manner to retaliate like for like He alwayes judged that revilers and injurious persons wronged themselves more than him Sundry scandalous and false aspersions were cast upon him yea by such persons as were guilty of those very crimes which they laid to his charge For some who lived by the unwarrantable trade of Usury to justifie their own unlawful practices have not stuck to charge the same upon him though he was alwayes free from it never putting out any money to use either by himself or any other for him neither directly nor indirectly as he hath been often heard to affirm both in his life time and not long before his death Being chosen President of Sion College according to the custome when he left his Office he preached a learned and polite Latine Sermon ad clerum which he delivered by the strength of his memory without the help of his notes which shewed that though his body was decrepit and feeble yet his intellectuals were vivid quick and vigorous He was very charitable especially to the godly poor according to that direction of the Apostle Gal. 6. 10. where he exhorts us to do good to all but especially to the houshold of Faith He maintained some poor Schollars in the University wholly at his own charge and contributed liberally towards the maintenance of others Indeed he set apart a Sacrea stock as he called it a portion for the poor proportionable to his receits which he faithfully distributed Yea he was of such a charitable and bountiful a disposition that though his Father left him a competent estate yet such were his annual disbursements for his kindred and others that stood in need of relief that from the time of his Fathers death till his children came to be of years and so to call for their portions he laid up nothing of all his comings in whereby it may appear that they who out of envy cry up his estate to be greater than it was do consequently cry up his bounty and charity For that whatsoever his estate was it was wholly laid out for the relief of such as stood in need necessary expences for his Family only excepted which as it doth appear by his Papers so in his life time he professed it to some of his Children and truly as in other things he excelled many others so in this he excelled himself He was very conscientious in the expence of his time from his youth to the very time of his death His custome was to rise very early both in the Winter and Summer In the Winter time he constantly rose so long before day as that he alwaies performed all the exercises of his private devotions before day-light And in the Summer time he rose about four a clock in the morning by which means he had done half his work before others began their studies If he happened to hear any at their work before he began his studies he would say as Demosthenes spake concerning the Smith that he was much troubled that any should be at the works of their Calling before he was at his He was a man of much temperance and sobriety both in his eating drinking and apparrel And for Recreations howsoever many pious persons do spend time therein and that lawfully in warrantable Recreations yet he spent none of his so whence it was that he was never expert in any kinde of sports He hath been often heard to say that he never took any journey meerly of pleasure in all his life-time Study and pâ—ins were alwayes both in youth and age his chefest pleasure and delight yea it was his meat and drink to be doing the will of his heavenly Father wherein he took as much pleasure and delight as natural men do in their eating and drinking or in their disports and pastimes Such was his deportment in his conversation that there was scarce a Lord or Lady or Citizen of quality in or about the City that were piously affected but they sought his acquaintance and were ambitious to enjoy his company wherein they took much content and found much benefit to their souls thereby And whereas many persons of quality out of their great respect to him came to visit him he would so endeavour to order their conference as might tend most to their edification and if their visits were meerly complemental he soon grew weary and accounted it a burden to him He was alwayes of a very friendly and courteous disposition in so much as the meanest not only of his own Parish but of the City found easie access to him and he was as easie to be intreated yea ready to do what good he could to all And amongst other Graces his humility was very eminent and exemplary Though others knew 〈◊〉 when his face did not shine yet he knew not when it did He that readily could observe the least glimpses or appearances of any worth in others would not acknowledge them in himself He was as it was said of Nazianzen high in imployments and abilities but low in his disposition and resentment of his own worth He was not observed to be puffed up either with the multitudes that flocked unto his Ministry which were many and great nor with any applauses of men but would still say That he knew more by himself to abase him than any could know to extol him yea so eminent was his Humility that he charged his Executor to whom he committed the care of his Funeral that there should no Green-staffe be laid upon his Herse though this usual respect
discouragement which he called The childe of pride and unbelief He used to say that some duties which were oft in mens mouthes he found very difficult to him As 1. To deny himself in all his Selfs was a work to be learning whilst he lived 2. To live onely by faith and a bare promise without a pawn is a great work 3. To give all to free Grace and to Christ alone is a mighty work 4. To love where we meet with unlovingness and contempt is no easie matter 5. To do ones proper work without some present pay and countenance from God and man is a hard task 6. That it s far harder to adopt others comforts than their sorrows and to hold ones self exalted in anothers exaltation 7. That to dye in cold blood and to be active in it as an act of obedience is the work of a Christian. In his sickness he would occasionally vent himself thus It s a hard thing to think ill of our selves and well of God at the same time It s a hard thing for a Saint to forgive himself some faults when God hath forgiven them It s hard to think holy thoughts long and to confine them to anothers prayers We know but little of Christs love till all be perfected and spread before us in heaven For his children he referred them to an old Will which he had made Anno Christi 1636 when they were many and small which because it may be of use to many others it s here inserted The Advice and Counsel of Dr. Harris to his Family annexed to a Will made by him Anno Christi 1636. To my dear Wife and Children My dear Selfs I know not what leasure I shall have to speak unto you at my Death and I am not you know very free in speech especially in sickness and sadness and therefore now I will speak my heart to you and I would have you to hear me speaking whilst you live in this my writing which I divide amongst you all First for you my dear Wife you shall finde the substance of that I would say to you printed to your hand in the Book of Martyrs Vol. 2. p. 1744 to wit in John Careless his Letter to his Wife keep the Book and often read the Letter onely one thing I adde if you marry again remember your own observation viz. That second Husbands are very uxorious second Wives very prevalent and therefore take heed that you do no ill office in estranging your Husband from his natural children or kindred you shall thereby draw upon him a great sin and judgement if you kill in him natural affections I have said and do with all the strength and power that is in me thank you for your faithfulness and resign you to the Husband of Husbands the Lord Christ. Now my poor Children let me pour out my heart to you and speak to your Souls first For your Souls Trifle not in the main point the Soul is immortal you have to deal with an infinite Majesty you go upon life and death therefore here be serious do all to God in a serious manner When you think of him speak of him pray to him any way make your addresses to his great Majesty be in good earnest and have God and have all 1. More particularly get your pardon in Christ It is not impossible to get it assured to you if you will learn 1. To deny your selves 2. To live by faith 3. To understand the nature of the New Covenant Settle your judgements in these Points and the thing is feasible 2. Having gotten it be still adding to your evidence and enjoy your present Assurance Do all to God as to your Father Next to this think how you and I shall endure the sight the thought one of another at the last day if you appear in the old Adam much less shall you stand before Christ unless you shew the Image of Christ in you and therefore never cease till you be made New creatures and study well what that is In the last place strive for those Graces most which concern your places and conditions and make head against those sins which most threaten you As first Hereditary sins I was naturally Melancholy that is a humour that admits of any temptation and is capable of any impression and distemper Shun as death this humour which will work you to all unthankfulness against God unlovingness to man and unnaturalness to your selves 2. Of your times and habitations 3. Of your tempers and age 4. Of your Callings I have made my own peace my sins shall not hurt you if you make them not yours you need not fear the success if you will oppose to sin Christ is made sanctification to you he came to dissolve the works of Satan he hath overcome for you and hath made as many promises for your sanctification as your justification Gather those promises as they be set down especially in the Covenant with an oath Luke 1. Press these to God 2 Cor. 7. 1. In short do not talk and make a noise to get a name of forward men but do the thing be constant in secret duties and act Religion in your Câ—llings for it is not a name or notion It is a frame of nature and habit of living by Divine Rule What it is you will then know when you have it in truth first and in power next and not before Onely this for the present It is that you must live and dye by that you must rise and reign by therefore my Châ—ldren I give you that advice which I gave your Brother now with God Be more than you seem Do more than you talk of in point of Religion Satisfie your own consciences in what you do all men you shall never satisfie nay some will not be satisfied though they be convinced For your Bodies I was troubled with straightness of breath and breast which was also Hereditary and therefore you must fear it the more The Remedies are 1. Disclaim Hereditary sins 2. Keep Heads clean Feet warm and Hearts cheerful 3. Be more frequent than I and your Brother in exercise 4. Shun late drinking or studying 5. Use lighter Suppers For your Callings 1. Choose well 1. A profitable Calling for the publick 2. A full imployment 3. A Calling fit for your parts and means It is better to be a rich Cobler than a poor Merchant 2. Use a Calling well 1. Make it an help not a snare to your souls 2. Be 1. Diligent 2. Skilful Any honest Calling will honour you if thus you honour it and therefore you may be hopeful because my self who had not your parts and helps never fouâ—d any thing too hard for me in my Calling but discouragement and unbelief For your Company Abandon all infectious flattering self-serving companions when oncâ— you have found them false trust them no more Sort with such as are able to do oâ— receive good Solomon gives you the best counsel for this in
continued labouring in that imployment through many pains till Tuesday the 6. of December Anno Christi 1653. About which time as his natural strength was exceedingly decayed so now also his Intellectuals began to fail and for the following three dayes a drousiness seized upon him insomuch that he could not hold up his head to look into a Book but slumbered away his time in a Chair and upon Friday being the third day after he had given over his studies enquiring what day it was he cried out Alas I have lost three dayes The day following being Saturday he had no desire to arise out of his bed neither indeed could he in regard of his weakness which was such and he was so sensible of it that he said Now I have not long to live in this world the time of my departure is at hand I am going to my desired Haven the apprehension whereof was no little joy unto him for he had often said to such of his friends as came to visit him in his sickness I am willing to dye having I bless God nothing to do but to dye Indeed sometimes he seemed to be in the same strait with St. Paul between Life and Death having a desire to depart that he might be with Christ which was best of all but yet very desirous he was to finish his Commentary upon the Epistle to the Hebrews which he knew would be very useful to the Church of God and in that respect he was willing to live and God so far answered his desire in that particular that he lived to finish it within half a Chapter But when he perceived that his time in this world could not be long O! how sweet and joyful was the apprehension of Death unto him which he often termed his best friend next to Jesus Christ. So that he came willingly he was not plucked and dragged to Death Death was his familiar acquaintance it was his priviledge as well as his task When his good sister said to him in his sickness Brother I am afraid to leave you alone Why Sister said he I shall I am sure be with Iesus Christ when I dye The meditation of Death was not more frequent than sweet unto him His soul was upon the wing and was bent Heaven-ward even whilst it was in the cage of his decrepit body Upon Saturday though he kept his bed through weakness yet was he more wakeful and his spirit more lively and cheerful than for several dayes before which questionless was from his joyful apprehension of his approaching departure His speeches that day were more than ordinary Heavenly He spake much in the admiration of Gods Free grace and riches of his Mercy in Jesus Christ. As while he lived he led a heavenly life so about the time of his death by those comforts and joyes that he found in his soul he seemed to be in Heaven even while he was upon the earth and so he continued full of sweet and divine comfort and heavenly expressions to the last of his understanding and speech which continued to Munday morning when both of them failed him from which time he lay breathing yet shorter and shorter till eight of the clock at night about which time in the presence of all his Children and divers of his Friends he quietly slept in the Lord making an happy change from earth to Heaven which was Decem. 12. Anno Christi 1653 being 79 years old after he had served God faithfully and painfully in his Generation A Catalogue of the Books published by him Of Domestical Duties on Eph. 5. and 6. The whole Armour of God on Eph. 6. Of the sin against the Holy Ghost on Matth. 12. 31 32. Mar. 3. 28 29. Upon the Lords Prayer called A Guide to go to God Gods three Arrows Plague Famine and Sword on Num. 16. 44 c. 2 Sam. 21. 1. Exod. 17. 8. The extent of Gods Providence Nov. 5. on Matth. 10. 29 30 31. The Dignity of Chivalry on 2 Chron 8 9. The Saints Sacrifice or a Comment on Psal. 116. Two Treatises 1. The Sabbaths Sanctification 2. A Treatise of Apostacy on Luke 15. 31. The Saints Support A Sermon before the Commons in Parliament on Nehem. 5. 19. Mercies Memorial Nov. 17. on Exod. 13. 3. The Progress of Divine Providence A Sermon before the House of Lords on Ezek. 36. 11. A Funeral Sermon on Ezek. 24. 16. The Right way A Sermon before the Lords on Ezra 8. 21. Two Catechismes A Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews My Reverend Friend Mr. Tho. Gouge eldest Son to this famous Doctor desired me to insert this Life amongst these other Worthies contained in this Volume The Life and Death of Mr. Thomas Gataker who dyed Anno Christi 1654. MR. Thomas Gataker or Gatacre for so he wrote himself till of later years to prevent miscalling occasioned frequently by the view of the Letters he changed it into Gataker was a branch of a very ancient Family so firmly by Gods Providence planted in Shropshire that the Stock hath continued in the same House carrying the Name of its owner and known by the Title of Gatacre-Hall by an un-interrupted succession from the time of King Edward the Confessor His Father Mr. Thomas Gatacre being a younger Son of William Gatacre was designed by his Parents to the study of the Law in order whereunto he was admitted a Student in the Temple And during his abode there he occasionally went to visit some of his Kindred who were then high in place and power whereby he was often present at the examination of some Christian Confessors of the Gospel in those bloody times wherein Satan armed all his Forces to suppress that dawning light which threatned ruine to his Kingdome of darkness The harshness and cruelty of those proceedings together with the constancy of those weak yet sincere Christians who with evidence of truth and resolution of minde maintained faith and a good conscience were very prevalent with him to facilitate his entertainment of that purer Doctrine of the Gospel which began to shine into his soul. This being apprehended by his Parents fearing his change in Religion they sent him over to Lovaine in Flanders and to win him to a compliance with them in Religion they setled upon him an estate in a Lease of an hundred pounds per annum in old Rents but like St. Paul Phil. 3. 8. He counted all outward advantages as nothing in comparison of the knowledge of Iesus Christ. His Father therefore perceiving how fixt and unmoveable he was in his choice of Religion in which yet he had nothing to except against but only the novelty of it he recalled him into England and in great displeasure revoked his former Grant of 100 â— per annum which yet could not be effected without his Sons consent But this young Disciple had already learned the hard lesson of self-denial and of forsaking all to follow Christ and therefore to preserve his
out of it And the next day being November 8. Anno Christi 1520 not by legal trial but in a way of Butchery he murthered near a hundred of the Nobles and chief men of Sueden and Citizens of Stockholm and then letting loose the Souldiers upon the City and Country all sorts of persons Ecclesiastical Civil Great Mean Men and Women and Children suffered all manner of violences and deaths that Cruelty could devise their rage extending not onely to the living but to the dead towards whom they used all the opprobrious indignities that could be the lively Character whereof may be described better by some Dane that saw it or some that were interessed in the Scicilian Vespers or the Parisian Nuptials or Irish Massacre than by my pen. After these horrid Murders and outrages Covetousness began to ascend the Stage the King seizing upon all the estates both of the dead and living and to make all sure the Liberties of Sueden being thus brought into the state of a dead man they thought to buy them also so as they might never rise again To which end they set Guards in all places published Edicts and did not onely deprive the Suedes of their Armour but of their Arms and Legs also saying in scorn That a Swede could plow his ground well enough with one arm and a wodden leg But the last and worst of evils was abominable Hypocrisie For this Christian Kings conscience forsooth is pretended for what he did He was touched with much compassion and would not have done it but that his conscience tyed him thereto in zeal to the Church and obedience to the Popes sentence of Excommunication and thus Religion is made the Patron of all these Villanies Yet all this quieted not the Kings conscience but he hastes out of uecden possibly fearing lest the ground should open her mouth and swallow him up or lest the fame of his cruelty should arrive before him in Denmark and make that Nation abhor and vomit him out But behold how vengeance follows him Now is he gone home King of the three Kingdomes of the Baltick Sea and to secure Sueden he had left Guards in every place But cruelty never conquered mens spirits A Tyrant may be feared of all but is hated of all and his own conscience so pursues him that he can be quiet no where And so it fell out with this King for within three years he lost all his three Kingdomes without adventuring one drop of blood or striking one blow for them The manner shall be after glanced upon but my present work is to shew how Sueden now under water comes to lift up its head again This sad news at Stockholme coming to the ears of Gustavus now at Rafsness and in particular the murther of his own Father Ericas amongst the rest of the Nobles he was not at all discouraged but rather provoked with a desire of revenge and to rescue his Country from such barbarous Tyranny yet what with grief and detestation of such execrable cruelty and doubt that many would be affrighted thereby from appearing in their Countries cause his spirit was much troubled and rendred less able at the present to determine upon the manner of his proceeding and therefore in all haste away he goes to the Mountain-people with this news but they scarce civillized are little sensible of their Countries cause Gustavus therefore makes no stay there but away he goes to a Castle in those parts commanded by one Aaron Peter a Noble man whom once he knew to be well affected to the Liberties of his Country and to him he discovered himself what he was and what were his intentions desiring his counsel but he found the man and others in those parts so amazed at the news of Stockholme as that they forgat both themselves and the publick and were rather willing to couch under any burden than to make opposition against it yea so fearful they were of being suspected by the Danes that they rather desired to be esteemed wholly at their service and especially Aaron Peter who though he pretended pity and compassion to Gustavus in this condition and promised not onely security to his person if he would abide with him but his best assistance in compassing the ends propounded by him yet having drawn from him the utmost of his resolutions after a few dayes wherein he had carryed himself fairly to avoid suspicion he gets himself abroad and away he went to the Danish Lieutenant Bruno and discovers to him the whole matter as well concerning Gustavus his intentions as what counsel himself had given him But Aaron forgat one point of policy which was to let none know his intentions but his own heart for he told his wife whither and what he went about who being more true to her Country and regardful of the Laws of common honesty and hospitality than her Lord was when he was gone told Gustavus whither her Lord was gone and to what purpose and therefore advised him forthwith to shift for himself furnishing him with her own horse to go to Suertso to one that had been Gustavus his Colleague in the University The day following came Bruno the Dan◠with twenty Souldiers to apprehend Gustavus at Aaron Peters house but his Lady told him that Gustavus was secretly departed the day before and so the prey being lost Bruno returns without sport Thus God made a woman a great instrument in saving Sueden from miserable ruine Gustavus being come to Suertso found kinde entertainment but consideration being had to the restless 〈◊〉 pursuit of the Danes it was thought convenient that he should not stay long there for now the enemy hunted upon hot sent and therefore he departed privately beyond the Dallcarls unto Retwick These Dallcarls are a people of Sueden strong and hardy men of resolution and being inured to work hard in the Mines were fit for action whence as some Writers note they have their name of Dallcarls or Carles or robustious men of the Dales having by reason of their priviledges this advantage that they are numerous and rich To these Gustavus applies himself and relates to them the particulars of the Massacre at Stockholme whereby the Suedes had lost much of their best blood he told them also what further danger the Nation was in which he in good language set forth to the life for he could no less skifully manage his tongue than his arms The Dallcarls pitying the state of their Country and having respect to themselves and their friends they told Gustavus that they would adventure all that was dear to them to be revenged on the Danes and to vindicate their Nation from bondage onely they desired him that he would engage their Brethren of the Eastern Dales with them This Gustavus willingly undertook and forthwith departed to Mora the chief City of those Dales whither coming about the latter end of December the next day he obtained audience
good and a charitable neighbour and a true and constant friend Towards her latter end she fell into some bodily distempers wherein she had fits or trances like the embrions of death which by a gradual failing of her spirits left her at last unable to speak or move yet without any great alteration in her countenance which by some was conceived to be a spice of the Mother it was short and not sharp for she felt no pain yet when she returned to her self she found that she was commonly more feeble than before Upon the Munaay sevenight before she dyed was the first assault given which set Deaths pale colour upon her face and fingers from the middle joynts towards the ends her nails turned to a blewish black which being rubbed a while returned again to their former complexion and she remained that night indifferent well the next day her disease appeared in the form and quality of a kindely ague and so continued mostly tâ—ll within three or four daies before her end then it turned from an intermitting Ague to a continual Feaver that afflicted her with extream burning and other pains which commonly accompany such a disease especially when it rageth most as it doth towards the latter end During her sickness having the free use of all her faculties her soul no doubt was exercised in holy meditations for whâ—h she had kept in store many particulars of importance to be remembred at her departure out of this world Her desires were strong for a speedy dissolution so that she implored God with the request of David Psal. 38. 22. Make haste to help me O Lord my salvation and Psal. 40. 13. Be pleased O Lord to deliver me O Lord make haste to help me And this she desired that she might have a joyful meeting with him and fruition of him after whom her soul longed even then when her life was most lightsome and her condition most comfortable And now the time drew near that her desire was to be granted in that kinde which she most desired by the power of death to pass to the Authour of life which she did in such a calm manner that when she was thought to be but asleep she was found to be dead on Friday August the 17. Anno Christi 1638. The Life and Death of Mr. Ignatius Jurdaine who dyed Anno Christi 1640. IGnatius Jurdaine was born at Lime-Regis in the County of Dorset Anno Christi 1561. And when he was yet young he was sent by his Friends to the City of Exeter to be brought up in the profession of a Merchant and from thence being about fifteen years old he was sent into the Isle of Garnsey and God by his good providence having brought him to that place did also there effectually call and convert him by his Grace So that from that time he resolved to be like that wise Merchant in the Gospel Mat. 13. 46. to part with all for that Pearl of great price whereas others did make it their great work and highest design to get the pelf of the world and to load themselves with thick clay Hab. 2. 6. And in testimony of his thankfulness to God he left by Will a considerable Legacy to the poor of Lime where he was born and to the poor of Garnsey where he was new born God seasoning his heart with Grace in his younger years the general course of his life did for the future relish of it according to that of Solomon Prov. 22. 6. Train up a childe in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it For as he was trained up in Religion from his youth so he continued not only in the form and profession but in the life and power of it until his old age and death In the whole tenour of his life his piety was most eminent and indeed there have been few observed to hold such constâ—nt and close communion with God as Mr. Jurdaine did It was his constant practice for many years together even to his old age to arise between two and three of the clock in the morning and that even in the coldest seasons of the year and to spend the time in secret meditation and prayer until six a clock which was the appointed time for his Morning-sacrifice in the Family at which time he was called from his secret devotions to the exercise of Religious Family-duties And if at any time he had over-slept himself as he accounted it and did not rise until four a clock he would much bemoan himself for the loss of so much precious time wherein he might have enjoyed sweet and comfortable communion with God Surely had he not experimentally found much sweetness in this his spiritual converse with God as David did Psal. 104. 34. he could not have continued so constantly therein And having thus awaked with God in the morning and renewed his acquaintance with him day by day it s no marvel that he did walk with him all the day long after In all his affairs and dealings his care was to walk very exactly and sincerely according to St. Pauls direction Eph. 5. 16. But though in all things he studied to approve himself to God and to walk as in the sight of God 2 Cor. 2. 17. yet could he not escape the malicious censures of men who charged him to do all in Hypocrisie He well knew that he had the imputations of dissembling and hypocrisie cast upon him by men void of charity and sincerity but the testimony of his own conscience did more comfort him than the uncharitable censures of men dejected him and he used upon that occasion to take up the words of Job Till I dye I will not remove mine integrity from me Job 27. 5. Many have oft heard him to profess that he would not willingly commit a sin to get a world though the evil which he would not do that did he as Rom. 7. 25. as it is incident to the best of men yet did he bewail it with grief of heart The sincerity indeed both of his intentions and actions hath been questioned by some who were not ashamed to say that under colour of doing Justice when he was a publick Magistrate and providing for poor he robbed the poor and helpt to keep his own house which was due to the poor But for that falshood that was thus charged upon him there were none that could ever better clear him from it than himself not onely his conscience witnessing for him before God but his books wherein he kept an exact Record of all the money which he received by way of mulct from Swearers Drunkards c. according to the Law and the Officers that distributed the money testifying his integrity before men so that might truly say with Jacob Gen. 30. 33. My righteousness shall answer for me and so it did herein both before God and men Nay he was so far from depriving
into that better world which she so much longed after often professing that there was nothing that could tempt her to wish for life but the breeding up of her little ones which yet now she was the less solicitous about because she could leave them in the hands of their tender and careful Father not doubting as old dying Jacob said when he was blessing the two Sons of Joseph Gen. 48. 15. 16. That that God which had fed her all her life long untill that day and the Angel which had redeemed her from all evil would bless them And now finding her self arrested by the messenger of Death and her body like the house of Saul growing weaker and weaker but her soul like the house of David waxed stronger and stronger took higher flights and made nearer approaches to God that gave it When her Husband came to her as he did frequently he continually admonished and minded her of the gracious Promises of mercy in Christ and of faith in him and desired her to be strengthened and comforted in them Her answer was she was comforted in them she found the comfort of Gods Spirit in her and verily believed she should see the goodness of the Lord in the Land of the living Psal. 45. 13. Ever and anon saying I am comforted Gods Spirit is in me which makes me endure my sickness and more pains than you can think of so comfortably as I do When she knew of none by her usual prayer was Lord look down upon me in thy mercy Lord forgive me my sins Lord assist me with thy holy Spirit Lord thou hast assured me of the forgiveness of my sins Lord assist me still with thy holy Spirit And many times passing the whole night without sleep she spent that time in these and the like heavenly prayers and ejaculations in which her Husband and those which attend her continually still found her when they came to her Never man had a more faithfull dear and loving Wife or more carefull of what concerned him than himself and more tender of any thing said or done against him than if it had been said or done against her self And when he seemed to lament the loss he should have if God took her from him She meekly answered We came not into the world together and therefore may not look to go out together When he replied that it would be much better for their children if he went first as by the course of nature was most likely she said that he could do much better for the children than she could and thanked God for that she could now leave them with him For the space of three weeks she kept her bed and about a fortnight before her death being surprized with a fainting fit in which she was like to depart and thereby perceiving that earth would suddenly return to the earth whence it came that her soul might be the better winged and prepared for a return to God that gave it she deâ—ired that all the Family might be called up and joyn in prayers with and for her At which time observing the grief and passion of her Husband and those that were present expressed plentifully by tears from their eyes she besought him and them not to grieve and lament for her happiness About that time a Reverend person coming to visit her Husband he solicited him to enlarge that great act of favour unto him by a greater act of charity to his wife by visiting her also whom God now visited with sickness as also to pray with and administer some comfort unto her which he most willingly condescended unto and having taken a strict account of her faith in Christ and hopes of a better life he left her with his Fatherly benediction top full of comfort and when she was afterwards told that he came out of respect and kindness to visit her Husband she said No but God had sent him for her comfort often acknowledging the consolations which she had found by him When any came to visit her in the time of her sickness at the parting she desired them to pray for her and often sent Messengers and caused Letters to be directed to her friends in London to pray for her for that she was now preparing for another world When she was sometimes desired for her childrens sake to chear up her self her answer was that to leave them did not trouble her because she was assured that God would provide for them adding that she would willingly leave Husband Children and all to go to Christ which was just the minde of that blessed Martyr Ignatius Befall me said he what will or can so I may enjoy Jesus Christ my Love my Life that was crucified for me or rather St. Pauls case expressed in that most elegant Barbarisme Phil. 1. 23. Desiring to be with Christ which is multo magis melius much more better And now finding the day of her life wasted to the evening and ready to dye into night on the Lords day before her death she desired the prayers of the Congregation in the Parish where she lived being well assured as she said that many good people would pray heartily for her After which some coming to visit her and exhorting her to patience and to remember the afflictions of Job she answered that she had had her part in his afflictions God having given her Luctuosam foecunditatem as St. Jerom said of Laeta a sad and sorrowfull fruitfulness taking away seven of her children in their minority so that she as Hanna spake in her song 1 Sam. 2. 5. that had born seven waxed feeble yet she comforted her self with this hope that they were in Heaven before her and hoped that they would be Lamps to lead her to heaven for she assured her self that they followed the Lamb whithersoever he goeth and for those two which were yet alive she thanked God for that she saw no ill qualities in them Besides she said that God had taken away her goods from her but had given her patience which to her was of more value and she esteemed it above them all knowing that God was able to restore all when he pleased She often acknowledged Gods goodness to her in sending her a milde sickness and not taking her away with some sudden stroke as he did the wife of Ezekiel Chap. 24. 16. or by some tormenting disease as he is pleased to visit some of his dear ones acknowledging the wonderful mercy of God to her therein A week before her death she called her eldest Daughter to her being to go from her to School at Putney and putting her hand on her shoulder she said to her I give you that blessing which my Mother gave me at her death The God of Abraham the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob bless you and then added the blessing which Aaron by Gods own appointment was to give the children of Israel The Lord bless thee and keep thee
yet will I trust in him I will wait and hearken to him when I say he is thus far proceeded Satan may now go shake his ears and receive his answer Its God that justifies who shall condemn Oh! Hell where is thy power Oh! Death Oh! Devil what is thy Commission It s not my meaning to prescribe to God any one way of working but this is the way he often takes with his children and this we may finde exemplified in this foregoing Narrative touching the conversion and procedure of this Saint so far as she hath commented upon her own life Now for her death I will tell thee whâ—t my observations were thereabout 1. I finde that God began with her quickly and called her hence before she was aged and that is mostly his method where an early harvest is intended a timely seeds-time is promised they live quickly and live apace who ripen betimes so was it with her who was seldome out of action after her entrance but gained as much time in so little a time as any I knew 2. I observe that death came not all at once upon her she was yearly dying some years before she dyed her last and thus death was made familiar to her I have seldome known any of her age that was less amazed at the speech and thoughts of death so good a thing it is to know experimentally what it is to dye beforehand 3. Observe how Gods power triumphs in weakest vessels It is a thing I have often thought on that godly women for the most part dye more confidently and comfortably than do good men the Lord trampling upon Satan in them and in her very eminently 4. Her patience was remarkable in the midst of sore pains which frequented her in the beeding and bearing of children yet then her speech was I fear not pains I fear my self lest through impatiency I should let fall any unfitting word It is a blessed frame when pain seems light and sin heavy 5. I plainly saw in her the power of Grace beyond nature 1. When life and death were both laid before her her speech was this I am at my Fathers disposal howbeit of my self I rather incline to death than life 2. Whereas her affections were very strong both to her loving Husband and children insomuch as it was conceived that the last farewell would go very near her when she should part with so precious and dear Friends she was so much taken up with the thoughts of Christ that she seemed not to stick at any such relations Nay thirdly she seemed wholly to forget her natural self for being intreated to favour her body and speech in regard of the lowness of her spirits after some pause she brake forth into these words Shall I for this poor carkass be wanting to my souls comfoâ—t and my Saviours praises Let me have your prayers still and God his praises yea pray not onely for but with me Which being done she overflowed with comfort and in that condition I left her and that stream of comfort led her not long after to the Fountain where are Rivers of joy for evermore Thus lived she a most profitable life Thus dyed she a most fruitfull death God so turned this his servant that living dying and after death she should be fruitfull Thus will God honour those that honour him To him be all honour to Eternity Amen Now it may be usefull to make mention of her last sickness especially eight weeks before her death All her discourses were savoury tending to edification Many good Christians came to visit her who all if it were not their own fault might reap some spiritual benefit from those many excellent speeches which proceeded out of her mouth And the counsels she gave to her Relations and other friends were tempered with gravity and affection She accustomed not her self to affectation of high-flown phrases but held fast the form of sound words She was an old Disciple and her grave and sober language accordingly discovered her so to be From the very first of her last sickness her apprehension was that she should dye shortly and her longing desire was to be dissolved and to be with Christ. She often repeated those words of Job There the weary go to rest and those words in the close of the Revelations Come Lord Jesus come quickly upon the approach of her death whereof she was very sensible she asked her Husband what Promises of assurance were a firm ground for her to bottome upon He named Joh. 10. 28. And I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand Likewise he added Rom. 8. 33. 34. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect It is God that justifieth who is he that condemneth It is Christ that dyed yea rather that is risen again who is ever at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for us He added vers 38 39. For I am perswaded that neither Death nor Life nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers nor things present nor â—â—ings to come nor height nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. These said she are sweet promises That morning she dyed she desired her Husband to read the 17 Chapter of John which Chapter that eminent holy Scotchman Mr. Rollock caused to be read to him when he was dying after that was read she was ravished with great joy and expressed her self accordingly Her Husband and two other Friends prayed with her After the last Prayer was ended she said My flesh and my heart faileth Her Husband answered her That God was the strength of her heart and her portion for ever He would never fail her She returned an answer which were the last words which ever she spoke to him He will never fail me About an hour after she resigned up her spirit unto God who gave it and her last words were I have finished my course She slept in Jesus December the 8 Anno Christi 1654. To her to live was Christ and to dye was gain She lived much desired and dyed much lamented Her name is like precious Oyntment powred forth She lived holily and dyed comfortably and now partakes of those joyes which eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither can enter into the heart of man to conceive even those things which God hath prepared for them that love him Divers Epitaphs were made at the Death of this rare Gentlewoman I shall onely insert two which were made by two Reverend and Learned Doctors On the Death of that worthy Gentlewoman Mrs. ELIZABETH WILKINSON E-re while Dear Consort I was leas'd to thee Wise now to Christ for perpetuity L-iving with thee was sweet with him far best I-n earth joy 's mixt with pain in him all rest I-wrought I suffer'd much in a few years L-ife now rewards
my work wipes off my tears S-ighs are all turn'd to songs all tears to wine K-ings favour crowns my heart what should grieve thine A-re we not both of the same houshold still I-at the Banquet and thou at the Mill B-oth fellow-servants I my Pension now N-ext thine work on the Feast succeeds the Plow E-ach of us yet in hopes my Dust to win S-alvation from the Grave thy soul from sin T-hings worth the waiting for Christ comes to save O-mourn no more but write this on my Grave H-ere lies Mother and Babe both without sins N-ext birth will make her and her Infant twins Her Childe was buried with her Thus interwoven were our Names till death Left Wilkinson without Elizabeth Wee 'l joyn again 'T was Man and Wiâ—e before 'T will then be fellow-Saints for evermore ED. REYNOLDS On the truly Vertuous and Religious Mrs. Elizabeth Wilkinson To her Husband Say shall I speak or hold my peace That seems more due but this more ease Where what to speak is hard to say For should I utter all I may 'T were endless And to praise a Friend By halves is but to discommend And would I speak To whom and what To those that knew or knew her not Who knew her need it not for they Know more than I am like to say Who knew her not may think that she Deserv'd but what they hear from me And so instead of setting forth Her praise I should but wrong her worth He that adores with silent view Doth not detract from what is due But all that while his silence sayes He knows not how enough to praise So might I choose I would adore Her speaking worth and say no more But since I must for so you say Not hold my peace I must obey Yet 't is I say too hard a task To answer fully what you ask To know what first I should commend And harder where to make an end Should I begin where first appear Her worths I must begin with Her Higher than so I need not go Tho whence she came be worthy too From first her own deserving merit Claims more than others do inherit Nor is it easie to express What age of hers was spent amiss Her temper meek Her carriage such Her language good and not too much Her habit comely more than brave Her conversation humbly grave What vertues deck't a single life Were doubled when she was a wife How good a wife I need not tell To him who knew her worth so well Nor what was her Maternal care To whom her children were so dear Nor was her good confin'd to home But challenged a larger room To heal the sick the hungry feed And succour those that stood in need Good both to soul and body too Of those with whom she had to do To rich to poor to great and small But in her Closet best of all Which was her Christian daily walk In doing that which others talk Forward to good without constraint And as she liv'd she dy'd a Saint But this to speak at large would crave A Volume not an Epitaph And were it done I might offend By shaming many left behinde Tho more there may be found I fear That will commend than follow her Some minde good words more than good lives Some are good women not good wives Some neither this nor that and some Abroad are better than at home Some hope to dye like Saints although 'T is too too plain they live not so 'T is rare in all respects to see A Wife a Woman like to thee At home abroad in life in death Like unto our ELIZABETH I. WALLIS D. D. A Table of the chief things contained in the first Part. A ADvice to children page 323 c. Affability 118 Afflictions of Gods Ministers 45. 62 65 80 280 290 B Books which are best 314 C Candour 77 Charity 1 4. 41 93 116 149 174 239 303 Comforting afflicted consciences 10 41 114 Communion with God 7 Conjugal love 14 40 139 Constancy 258 Contentment 30 Conversation in Heaven 9 Conversion 57 Courage 287 302 D Diligence 99 132 202 Divisions lamented 227 E Envy 107 211 F Faith 120 150 172 281 Family duties 7 28 101 145 162 Family government 307 Fasting and pâ—ayer 15 63 70 119 162 Fruitfulness in conversation 13 264 G Gratitude 28 H Heart tâ—nder 169 Hospitality 8 34 42 78 Humility 8 20 37 42 68 118 148 172 216 240 269 297 304 Hypocrisie complained of 261 I Ignorance 276 Independency 〈…〉 approved 319 Industry 2 30 34 56 62 63 86 88 105 109 129 137 165 195 219 Justice 14 150 L Life holy heavenly 9 30 40 107 148 268 Love to the Saints 174 M Meekness 74 114 169 Memory good Ministry highly esteemed 101 160 163 167 Ministry successfull 67 105 212 228 234 Moderation 73 271 Modesty 75 251 P Painfulness in the Work of the Ministry 4 32 91 106 132 162 204 212 223 262 263 284. Patience 121 150 169 272 306 Peace-makers 78 115 239 Persecutors plagued by God 22 65 Piety 68 96 147 160 194 Popery not to be tolerated 220 Prayer frequent and servent 9 15 38 69 103 171 219 254 310 Prayer succesfull 11 192 204 230 Set forms of Prayer lawfull 255 Preaching plain best 252 Predictions 10 201 225 226 Providences remarkable 2 6 4â— 56 64 66 79 129 191 207 215 234 235 27â— Prudence 30 36 57 74 229 S Sabbath sanctified 69 102 298 Satans malice and subtilty 191 192 Self-denial 35 105 135 142 205 268 Sermons which are best 313 Single-heartedness 261 Slanders 290 Speeches gracious 11 122 178 299 304 317 c. 320 Studiousness 40 67 97 116 Sympathy 45 120 174 T Temperance 117 305 Temptations 61 249 294 Temptations resisted 199 Thansgiving page 119 Tithes asserted 266 W Wives vertuous 14 32 Word meditated on 98 World contemned 196 269 Z Zeal 5 113 148 163 166 201 226 239 A Table of the principal things contained in the second Part. A Afflictions of Gods children p. 497 514 Anabaptists raise troubles 374 Assurance 457 B Bible translated into Suedish 387 Bishops temporalties given to the King 382 Bounty 431 C Charity 438 470 507 Comforts of Gods children 424 494 518 522 Constancy 446 505 Conversation heavenly 452 Conversion 415 502 512 515 Covetousness 342 Courage of Gods children 384 466 468 477 505 Cruelty 341 342 D Death desired and why 432 460 Death not feared and why 435 Devotion 499 E Enemies loved 439 F Faith of Gods children 420 424 496 519 523 Family government 506 Fasting and prayer 429 Fidelity 400 G Gods mercy to his children 516 517 519 526 Growth in Grace 447 513 H Heavenly-mindedness 416 461 Hospitality 473 Humility 425 444 503 Hypocrisie 342 I Joy unspeakable 457 518 Justice 462 463 465 L Life holy 449 491 Love to Gods children 428 437 50â— Love to Gods house 490 M Meekness 492 503 Mercy to souls 465 Ministes loved 45â— Modesty 44â— P Patience 440 485
The Bishops refuse to submit He resigns his Kingdome to the States Note The Nobles oppose the Bishops They request him to reassume the Government The Temporalties of the Bishops given to the King The Bishop of Hincopeâ— flies The Clergies pride abated Gustavus is crowned Reformatiou carried on The Kings piety Satan rages So do the Bishops And others that affected Popery The Kings courage The Mutineers disagree Some flye Others put themselves upon triall Are cast and condemned The Kings prudence Another interview of the two Kings The Kings marriage His Piety He preferrs godly Bishops Reformation carried on The Bible translated King Christian invades Norwey policy Some Suedes revolt to him Others were more wise King Christians foolish credulity He is made a prisoner Note The King of Sueden meets with new troubles 〈…〉 Tumults about Bells Subjects treat with their King The Kings policy He punishes the Rebels The King of Denmark dies An Interregnum there Reformation of Religion in Lubeck Woolweaver a turbulent person The Danes refuse to joyn with Woolweaver So doth Gustavus Woolweavers pride The King and Woolweaver fall out The Earl of Hoyes treachery Pride goes before a fall Divisions in Denmark Gustavus joyns with the Lords of Denmark The Duke of Aldenburgh beaten Woolweavers treachery against Gustavus Suanto's fidelity Aldenburgh beaten Woolweaver is hanged and quartered Haffnia surrendred The King makes a truce with Lubeck Note The King of Suedens Prudence The Crown of Sueden is made successive and why The Crown is entailed upon Gustavus his Family Gods blessing upon his Family Christian resigns his Crown Gustavus his Posteâ—ity Gustavus grows famous Note Policy of Princes The King of Denmark dies Another chosen Christian the Tyrant dies Gustavus dieth His Character Her parentage Her conversion The manner of it Her excellent parts Heavenliness Her prudence In her speech In her silence Her holy communication Her wise demeanâ—ur Her faith The confession of her faith Her Faith Her Comfort Her frequent Prayers Her fervent Prayers Her prevalent Prayers Her holy Speech Her Humility Her love to Gods children and to the Church of Christ. Her love to the Word and Sacrament and House of God Her weanedness from the world Her frequent Fasting Her abstinence from Sports and from Marriage Her weanedness from the world Her bounty to the Ministry Her desire to dye Why she desired Death Why she feared not death Her thankfulfulness Her universal obedience Her love to God Her Charity Her love to her neighbours Her Sympathy Her Patience Her Modesty Her Humility A good Wife Her preferring others before her self Her Sincerity Her Constancy Her growth in Gâ—ace Her sickness Her Death His Birth and Education His Conversion His holy life His early rising to converse with God He is slandered and vindicated His heavenly Conversation His much reading His Zeal His Prudence His strict observation of the Sabbath His love to Ministers His desire to have others saved His Assurance His joy unspeakable How he maintained his Assurance He stirred up others to labour for it His desire of death Yet carefull of life His heavenli-mindedness His Justice His Impartiality Examples of it A great reformation wrought by him His Courage He reforms the prophanation of the Sabbath His zeal and courage His mercy to souls His justice He restores Use-money His Charity His hospitality How God honoured him He is chosen Mayor and Burgess of Parliament His courage He is reproached by the wicked The power oâ— prayer His Prudence His Sickness His Patience His death His Funeral Her Parentage Her Marriage Her removed to Blackfriers Her love to Gods House Her retiredness Her weakness Her holy life Her Meekness Her Sickness Her patience Her Comforts A loving Wife Her Faith She begs Prayers Her Afflictions She blesseth her Children Her Devotion Her Death Her Parentage Her timely Conversion Her Piety Her Humility Her Meekness Her Pâ—udence and Gravity Her love to the Saints Her Courage Her frequent prayers 〈…〉 Her Family government Her Charity Her Sickness Her holy speeches Her Character Her Death Her parentage and education Her timely conversion Her piety Her growth in grace Her afflictions sanctified Her Relative duties The time aâ— manner of 〈◊〉 conversion Satans malice Gods mercy Satans subtilty Gods mercy Her comfort and joy Gods mercy in want of meanâ— Gods providence Her faith in Promises Her fears and doubts Her prayers answered A hard thiug to beleeve She imparts her condition to Christian friends And findes comfort Her self-examination Her faith Her thankfulness Satans method and subtilty Gods mercy to his own Mans folly She dyed daily He Patience Her holy speeches Her sickness Her joy unspeakable Her Death
used to do and came out of his Bed-chamber into the Hall and after Prayer he called for his ordinary breakfast which he used before he went to Church for still he held his resolution for Preaching which was an Egg he took it into his hand but alas it would not down whereupon he said to his daughter Eunice I am not able to go to Church yet I pray thee lead me to my Bed I will lie down a little and rest me So he rose up out of his chair and walked up and down she supporting him and when he came to the Parlour door before he put his foot over the threshold Oh Eunice saith he What shall I do Put your trust saith she in that God of whom you have had so much experience who never yet did leave you nor forsake you Yea saith he the Lord be thanked So he gathered up his strength went to the Bed-side sat down upon it and immediatly composed himself to lie down He lifted up one of his Legs upon the Bed without any great difficulty laid down his Body and rested his Head upon the Pillow His Daughter still stood by expecting when she should lift his other leg upon the Bed thinking that he had been faln asleep and she was not mistaken for so he was It proved his last sleep and before she could discern any change in him his soul had taken its flight into heaven even into the Arms and embraces of his Blessed Saviour whom he had faithfully served all his life long being about fourscore years old He intended a Sabbaths labour for Christ and Christ gave him rest from his labour even the rest of an eternal Sabbath When his daughter began to speak to him and to lift him she found that his breath was departed yet was there not any change in his countenance at all his eyes and his mouth continuing in the same posture they used to be in his sweetest sleeps Thus the Lord gave unto his faithfull Servant the desire of his soul and a return of his Prayers such an easie passage as that his death could not be discerned from a sweet natural sleep Not many days before his death he called his daughter and said to her Daughter Remember my love to my Son John I shall see him no more in this life and remember me to the rest of my children and Family and deliver this message to them all from me Stand fast in the faith and love one another This was the last message that ever he sent to them He ended his life with a Doxology breathing out his last with these words The Lord be thanked When he had thus yielded up his Spirit into the hands of his heavenly Father his daughter Eunice dispatched away a Messenger to his Son John at Norwich for so had her Father given order before he died that his body should not be put into a Cofsin till his Son John came and God carried him through the journey in hard weather so that through Gods good providence he arrived at Belsted early on the Tuesday and going into the house of mourning he found the Body of his deceased Father still lying upon the bed they uncovered his face and sweetly he lay and with a smiling countenance and no difference appearing to the eye between his countenance alive and dead only that he was wont to rejoyce and to bless his Son at their meeting and now he was silent His son fell upon his face and kissed him and lift up his voice and wept and so took his last leave of him till they should meet in a better world February the 4th in the afternoon Anno Christi 1634. was he Interred at which time there was a great confluence people from all the parts thereabout Ministers and others all taking up the words of Joash King of Israel Oh my Father my Father the chariots of Israel and the Horsemen thereof Good Mr. Samuel Ward that famous Divine and the glory of Ipswich came to the Funeral brought with him a mourning Gown and offered very respectfully to have preached his Funeral Sermon now that such a Congregation was gathered together and upon such an occasion But his Son and daughter durst not give way unto it for so their Father had often charged them in his life time and that upon his blessing that there should be no Sermon at his burial For said he it may give occasion to speak some good of me that I deserve not and so false things may be uttered in the Pulpit Mr. Ward rested satisfied with this and accordingly did forbear But the next Friday at Ipswich he turned his whole Lecture into a Funeral Sermon for Mr. Carter in which he honoured him and lamented the Churches loss to the great satisfaction of the whole Auditory Gloria fugentes sequitur Glory is like your shadow follow it and it will flie away from you but she from it and it will follow you And so it proved with Mr. Carter He was most eminent for Humility Humble he was in his habit and humble in all his deportment For though his Gifts called him before great men yet his most ordinary converse was with those of an inferiour rank in whom he saw most of the power of godliness So that he might truly say with David Psal. 119. 63. I am a companion of all them that fear thee and of them that keep thy precepts He wrote very much but he left nothing behinde him save what is Printed and his Exposition upon the Revelations and a Petition to King James for the taking away of burdensom Ceremonies out of the Church Nothing else but a few broken Papers which he regarded not Probably he burnt the rest when he saw his appointed time draw neer meerly out of a low opinion of himself and his own gifts He avoided all things that might tend to outward Pomp and ostentation He would have no Funeral Sermon He left order in his Will not to be buried in the Church but in the Church-yard where he and his wife that glorious pair he interred together without so much or rather so little as a poor Grave-stone over them He had learned of Christ to be meek and lowly in heart He was humble in his Life and humble in his Death and now the Lord hath highly exalted him He kept a constant Diary or day book in which every day he set down Gods extraordinary dispensations his own actions and whatsoever memorable things he heard or read that day He cast up his Accounts with God every day and his sins were blotted out before he came to his last reckoning his day of refreshing came and he rests from his labours Plus vivitur exemplis quam preceptis saith Seneca Examples of the dead are Sermons for the livâ—ng He was a true child of Abraham and the blessing of Abraham fell upon him I will bless them saith the Lord to him that bless thee and I will curse
them that curse thee Some years after his death his Son John being at Bramford there was an ancient Gentleman that had lived there long and was Mr. Carters old Friend who spake thus unto him Mr. Carter I have nowliâ— to see the downfall of all your Fathers opposites and enemies there is not one of them but their Families are scattered and come to ruine Let all the enemies of Gods faithfull Messengers hear and fear and do no more so wickedly It may be truly said of him and his faithful Yoke-fellow as it is written of Zacharias and Elizabeth they were both righteous before God walking in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord blameless and truly the world will and can testifie that neither of them did ever do that thing that was evil or unjust or scandalous or uncomely even their enemies themselvs being Judges they were as to men without blemish their life was a sweet savour and they went out of this life as a fragrant persume This Life was drawn up by Mr. John Carter Junior now also with the Lord one who degenerated not from the steps of his Learned and holy Father and by him was sent to me some years since together with this ensuing Epistle which I have the rather inserted to provoke and stir up others who can in this way revive the memories of the Dead Saints to do it which will be a more lasting Monument to them and far more beneficial and advantagious to the Church of God than any sumptuous and costly Funerals or Grave-stones whatsoever To his Reverend Brother and fellow Labourer in the Lords Vineyard Mr. Samuel Clark Pastor of Bennet Fink London Worthy Sir THat which Naomi spake to Ruth concerning Boaz He hath not left off his kindnesse to the living and to the Dead It is fully verified of your self You cease not to shew kindness to the Living and to the Dead To the Living by your Preaching and Ministery you make Saints daily To the Dead Saints you shew kindness by perpetuating their Names to their honours and the good of many And herein you are a greater gainer you shine your self by making others shine Amongst the rest of those that honour you I am one though I never saw your face otherwise then in the Frontispiece of your Learned Books In the first part of your Marrow of Ecclesiastical History we had information that you did resolve to add a second Part and to put in the Lives of such godly Divines and others as were eminent in these latter times if you were furnished with faithfull Informations Hereupon divers did set upon me with very great importunity to write the Life of my dear Father and to send it up to you Truly worthy Sir I was desirous of the thing but durst not undertake the work I was sensible of mine own weakness and also that his sayings and doings had 〈…〉 slipped the memories of this Generation that I should have brought to light such an imperfect thing as rather would have been a blemish to so eminent a Saint than any Honour Hereupon I laid aside all thoughts of medling or attempting such a thing I know that he is glorious in heaven and on earth too so far as his name is spread Now good Sir let me be bold to give a short account of my self Some few days since I went about to make a new Diary for my self I was desirous in the first place to set down some passages of my Father for mine own satisfaction and use I began so and before I was aware it amounted to so much as I thought better that that should be published than nothing at all and at last my Spirit grew restless I could not satisfie my self till I had digested it into some order and made it publick And now Sir here it is I present it to your judicious view accept it in good part from a meer stranger My humble request to you Worthy Sir is this that though I slipped the last opportunity yet if you shall set forth any more Lives or if you shall have a new Impression of any of the former that you would extract so much of my precious Fathers Life as you shall judge fit and place it where you please in your Ecclesiastical History Your Monuments will be lasting in after Ages when my poor Pamphlet will be worn out with time Pardon my boldness The Lord lengthen out your days for the good of his Church and the honour of his Saints Your most observant friend and brother that truly Honoureth you JOHN CARTER The Life and Death of Mr. Samuel Crook who died An. Christi 1649. SAmuel Crook was born at Great Waldingfield in Suffolk Jan. 17. Anno Christi 1574. He was a Prophet and the Son of a Prophet even of that great and famous Light Dr. Crook a Learned and Laborious Divine who was sometimes a Preacher to the Honourable Society of Greys-Inn A Gentleman well descended and of an ancient Family This our Samuel was in his younger years trained up in Merchant Taylors School in London and having perfected his Studies there he was sent to the University of Cambridge and admitted into Pembroke-Hall where he was first Scholar and afterwards chosen Fellow of that House being chosen by the unanimous consent and suffrage of all but the Master upon whose refusal he was soon after Elected and admitted one of the first foundation of Fellows in Emanuel College where until this day his name is precious being preserved in their Library amongst their choicest Ornaments of that House in the Catalogue of their first Fellows thus written Mr. Samuel Crook Batchelour in Divinity From his very youth he was highly esteemed in that University both for his candid and ingenuous behaviour in a comely person as also for his pregnant parts ready wit great industry and answerable proficiency in all kinds of Polite Learning which renders a man more expedite and exquisite for any worthy and noble imployment and is more especially preparatory and introductory to the Study of Sacred Divinity which being observed and taken notice of he was first made choice of to be the Rhetorick Reader and afterwards was advanced to be Philosophy Reader in the Publick Schools both which places he performed with general applause Amongst his other youthly imployments he translated Virgâ—ls Eclogues the first and second Books of his Aeneids Juvenals first Satyre and most of the memorable speeches both in Virgil and other Poets All which were clear demonstrations of his ingenious capacity and ingenuous sufficiency And to shew that his heart even in his youth was drawn Heaven-ward from whence his wit was sanctified he translated divers of Davids Psalms and composed several Sacred Hymnes of his own Some of which he sung with tears of joy and desire in his last sickness having a sweet voice and good skill in Musick In his younger years also he was a constant and diligent hearer and