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
means to make him both a ready and a profitable Preacher Whilst he lived in Rutlandshire came forth the Book allowing Sports on the Sabbath which he refused to read though it was with commands and threatning pressed upon him And afterwards when he was called to give in his answer about a contribution amongst Ministers to maintain the War against the Scots he openly told the Bishop or his Chancellor that his conscience would not permit him to do it This his answer exposed him to the hazard of losing both his Living and Ministry as the times then were whereupon one of his neighbours through misguided love compassionating him and his Family payed the money required and subscribed Mr. Whitakers name without his knowledge This was long concealed from him but when he came to the knowledge of it he expressed his dislike with many complaints and much grief of heart As he had early so he had constant vigorous workings of heart towards the calling and work of the Ministry and that upon this ground because he alwayes wayes conceived that therein a Christian might enjoy most fellowship with Christ and have opportunities of doing him the best service and he often considered Christs speech to Peter If thou lovest me feed my Sheep feed my Lambs Joh. 21. 15 17. He was never so well pleased with any imployment as when he was about the works of his Ministry In the Pulpit he was as it were in his own element like a Fish in the water or a Bird in the air Though many times he went thither halting and full of pain yet did he not manifest any sense of distemper whilst he was in the Pulpit When an Assembly of Divines was to be chosen to consult and advise the Parliament about Ecclesiastical affairs he was for his eminent piety and learning nominated for one and how usefull and advantagious he was to those affairs is well known to all that were Members of that Assembly and when Providence had thus brought him to London he was as Paul 2 Cor. 11. 23. In labours more abundant than many yea than most others Not long after his coming to London he was called and chosen to the Pastoral charge of Mary Magdalen Bermondsey in Southwark about which he consulted with many godly and judicious Ministers and with their consent and approbation accepted of it after which for the most part his task was to preach constantly four Sermons every week two in his own Charge one at Westminster and one at Christ Church London and after he had laid down his Christ Church Lecture at the importunity of the Inhabitants he took up one at Stepney besides his preaching two Lectures quarterly at Michaels Cornhill Adde to these his preaching monethly at the morning Exercises or else he assisted on the Fast dayes in the conclusion of those Exercises besides his many occasional Sermons as for preparation to the Sacrament in his own Church and at Funerals both at home and abroad yea it is truly reported of him that he would never deny any request for preaching and praying if Godgave him bodily ability or other unavoidable occasions did not necessarily hinder him Many week dayes he preached twice even then when he attended the work of the Assembly of Divines to wit the morning Exercise either at Westminster or elsewhere and upon some other occasion in the afternoon of the same day This may minde us of the commendation which St. Paul gave of Epaphroditus Phil. 2. 30. For the work of the Lord he was nigh unto death not regarding his life So it s well known to multitudes that this might fitly be applied to painfull Mr. Whitaker yea many conceived that his painfull diseases which hastened his removal from us were occasioned and encreased by his many constant and indefatigable labours in this kinde And though he preached so often yet were not his Sermons jâ—june wordy empty Sermons but alwayes full of Scripture strength savoury and affectionate as his Auditors can well testfie Neither is this to be wondred at if we consider that he was a universal Scholar both in the Arts and original Languages By much study he had digested the whole body of Divinity he was well acquainted both with the Fathers and School-men An acute and solid Disputant excellently versed in Cases of Conscience and second unto none in his acquaintance with the sacred Scriptures Since our times of wofull desertion and Apostasie both from Gospel Truths and practices he would undauntedly both in private Conferences and in his publick Ministry express his dislike yea his detestation thereof to the faces of them how great soever who too much favoured Heresies Errours and Ranting courses though he knew that thereby he did run the hazard of procuring many frowns to himself He refused to sign and subscribe the late Engagement though thereby he was in danger of losing his Lecture at Westminster and if his Sermons preached there upon Eph. 2. 2 3. concerning mens walking according to the course of this world c. Fulfilling the lusts of the flesh c. could be collected and published it would thereby appear that Mr. Whitaker out of his zeal for Gods glory and love to his Lord Christ was of an undaunted courage and full of Christian magnanimity One further testimony whereof we have in this following Story Since these stormy times began wherein the liberty and livelyhood of Ministers hath been so much maligned and struck at as he was riding with one of his intimate friends by Tiburn which he had not seen or not observed before he asked what that was and being answered that it was Tiburn where so many Malefactors had lost their lives he stopped his Horse and uttered these words with much aflection Oh what a shame is it that so many thousands should dye for the satisfaction of their lusts and so few be found willing to lay down their lives for Christ why should not we in a good cause and upon a good call be ready to be hanged for Jesus Christ It would be an everlasting honour and it is a thousand times better to dye for Christ to be hanged or to be burnt for Christ than to dye in our beds He did often and zealously defend the Office of a Gospel Ministry both in publick and in private and that especially amongst those persons and in those places where as he conceived there was most need In one of his morning Lectures at Westminster this passage came from him with much affection Though said he I have read and heard of some good men who unadvisedly in their passion have persecuted the persons of some godly Ministers as Asa was angry with the Prophet and cast him into prison yet I never knew I never read nor heard of any godly person who durst oppose the Office and Calling of the Ministry And whereas at the end of his Sermon a Souldier expressing himself to be dissatisfied with what he had
of Faith Patience Contentment and spiritualness which he had formerly preached to and pressed upon others he was very profitable unto them who visited him and might also prove very advantagious unto others who might be acquainted therewith through Gods grace by Christ. So great was his tender respect to his friends that when his pains were coming with violence he would intreat them to withdraw from him that they might not be grieved with his roariâ—gs and he used often to bless God that his compassionate friends were not necessitated to abide within the reach of his doleful lamentation As his death drew more nigh so his fits of pain were more frequent either every half hour or many times every quarter yea two or three in a quarter of an hour which did exceedingly abate his strength The night before God took him out of this vale of tears Mr. Ash hearing that he was not likely to live another day went early in the morning to take his leave of him whom his soul loved at which time he found his bodily strength much decayed and perceiving that he could not speak without much difficulty Mr. Ash spake the more unto him in reference to the approach of his happy hoped for change and his discourse through Gods mercy was very refreshing his spirit He told him also that many of his friends intended to set apart that day in seeking the Lord for him and asked him in what things eâ—pecially he desired to be remembred before the Throne of Grace His answer was Do not complain but bless God for me and intreat him to open the prison door Then Mr. Ash laying his hand upon his cold hand covered with a clammy sweat took his last farewell of him with an aking heart and upon his departure from him the last words which Mr. Whitaker spake to him were these Brother I thank you I pray God bless you and I bless God for you That day was spent in addresses to God for him at Peters Cornhill where Mr. Newcomen quickned and guided our prayers in his Sermon upon Joh. 11. â— Lord Behold he whom thou lovest is sick and Mr. Jenkin endeavoured to moderate and regulate our sorrows from Luke 23. 28. Weep not for me Thus his friends having by prayers and praises on his behalf given him to God and having prepared their hearts for the loss of him the Lord was pleased that evening to take him to himself June 1654 being above Fifty five years old After his death Mr. Holiard opened his body in the presence of Dr. Cox Dr. Micklethwaite and Dr. Bevoir some other more ancient Doctors would have been there if either their being out of Town or present urgent occasions had not hindred being opened they found both his Kidnies full of ulcers and and one of them was swelled to an extraordinary bigness through the abundance of purulent matter in it Upon the neck of his Bladder they found a stone which was about an inch and an half long and one inch broad weighing about two ounces when it was first taken out and withall they found an ulcer which was gangrenized and this was judged to be the cause of his death All other parts of his body were found firm and sound He was so humble that he feared lest Gods people praying for him should speak too well of him before the Lord. He was a self-denying man never daring to look after great matters in this world whereby he condemned many whose self-seeking in earthly advantages renders them very offensive and unsavoury in the Church of Christ. Mr. Calamy speaking of him saith If I should enter upon his Commendations I might truly say what Nazanien doth of his Sister Gorgonia that I have more cause to fear lest I should speak below than above the truth For he was a burning and a shining light in this our Israel A Messenger and an Interpreter one amongst a thousand A Bazalâ—el in Gods Tabernacle A true Nathaniel that by his integrity humility constancy charity publickness and peaceableness of spirit and by his diligence and fâ—ithfulness in preaching the Gospel made his life both amiable and desirable I will say of him as it was said of Athanasius that he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Adamant and a Loadstone To all that conversed with him he was as a Loadstone to draw their hearts to love him But in the cause of God and in reference to the truths of Christ he was as an unconquerable Adamant He was a Jeremy both in mourning for and in witnessing against the sins of the times He was a second Whitaker though not so eminent in Learning as to be what is said o◠〈◊〉 Mundi miraculum Academiae Oraculum the miracle of the world and the Oracle of the University yet he was which is also said of him sound in the Faith one that had no private opinion that did not in veteri viâ novam semitam quaerere seek out new paths of his own but kept the old way and the old path That had a great wit without any mixture of madness He preached no less by the heavenliness of his Doctrine than by the holiness of hâ—s life yea he preached as effectually by his death as by his life or Doctrine for so great was the patience which God measured out to him that though in his extremity of torments he groaned yet he never grumbled Though he often mourned yet he never murmured nay though he often roared by reason of the greatness of his pain yet he alwayes justified and mâ—gnâ—fied God therein and this he did so constantly and in such a measure that as it is said of Job so it wiâ—l be said by the Saints that succeed us for their mutual consolation and encouragement Ye have heard of the Patience of Whitaker He had indeed an ulâ—â—rated flesh but a sound and whole spirit and that inabled him to bear his infirmity he had a stone in the Bladder but a very soft and tender heart he had a gangreene in his body but a sound soul unstained by sin I heard him often say with thankfulness that under all his bodily sufferings he had a blessed calmness and quietness in his spirit that God spâ—ke peace unto him that though he roared for pain yet the Devil was chained up from roaring upon him On the Death of my dear Friend Mr. JEREMIAH WHITAKER IF Death be but a servant sent to call The souls of Saints to their Originall Dear Saint thine was a Noble soul to whom Three Messengers were sent to call thee home A Stone an Ulcer and a Cangreene too Three Deaths to hasten that which one should do ' â—was not because thy soul was deeper set Than ours within its house of clay nor yet Because thou wert unwilling to depart Thither where long before had been thine heart They were not sent to hale by violence A soul that lingred when 't was called hence God shew'd how welcome one Death was to thee
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
leave a sweet savour and relish upon their spirits and whole converse To give you a true and full Character of his whole deportment in few words He was a good and a faithfull Steward in his Masters house alwayes abounding in the work of the Lord a Pillar in the house of his God never weary of his Lords work but best pleased when he had done most service His conversation was immaculate and unblameable His behaviour uniform and universally pious He was grave without austerity pleasant without levity Courteous without dissembling Free in discourse where he might profit yet reserved where he saw cause He was seldom the first speaker although he was best able to speak He loved usefull discourse but abhorred froth and babling He was witty without vanity facetious without girding or grieving of others He knew his place yet was not insolent Resolute he was but not wilfull He maintained his authority but was not haughty A great Master he was of his own Passions and Affections and thereby abundantly furnished with the more abilities and embellishments that most attract and maintain the dearest love the deepest reverence and highest respect He was a great admirer of Learning and Piety in others though they were far below himself in both His affections were above though he were below He conversed more with Heaven than with earth while he remained on it and is now a Crown of Glory in the hand of the Lord and a Royall Diadem in the hand of his God as being an ornament unto Heaven it self He lived in the world seventy five years within one moneth in which long race he saw many sad changes and sore storms beating hard upon the Church tossed with tempests and not yet at Anchor But never was David more distressed for his dearest Jonathan than this man of Bowels was for the calamities of the dear Spouse of Christ. He was most incessantly inquisitive after the Churches estate in all Countries A sad lamenter of all her afflictions A daily Orator and mighty Advocate for her at the Throne of Grace and never enjoyed himself but when he descried her under sail towards some Creek or Haven wherein she might find comfort and rest being much in Prayer and Fasting for her full reformation and perfect deliverance Some good hopes whereof he conceived in the prosperous atchievements of the Great Gustavus Adolphus late King of Sweden semper Augustus But when he by the sad and unsearchable providence of the only wise God suddenly and untimely fell in the full carier of his victories and of the Churches hopes and that the Christian world was by his fall hurled from the height of so great expectation he continually mourned over the unhappy setting of that glorious Northern Starre as a sad presage of all the inundations of miseries since befallen and that still are rising higher and higher upon the Church of Christ the quick and deep sence whereof lay close upon his heart to his dying day Neither was he without his sufferings and dangers in our uncivil Civil Wars He was affronted by rude Ruffians and bloody minded Souldiers who tyranized over him in his own house not permitting him quietly to enjoy himself and his God in his private study to which he often retired not only from their insolencies but from their Blasphemies Even thither would they pursue him with drawn swords vowing his instant Death for not complying with them in their bloody engagements Yet it pleased that gracious God whom he had so faithfully served to preserve him for further service and to make that an hiding place for his preservation which they intended for his slaughter house and after all to bring him to his end in peace When he had faithfully served his Generation by the will of God in the Gospel of his Son for above forty seven years he was gathered to his Fathers in a good old Age full of Days and Honour by a blessed and happy Death the certain result of an holy life Decemb. 25. Anno Christi 1649. the day formerly used for celebrating the Nativity of his great Lord and Master the Lord Jesus Christ. The last Testimony of the Peoples great love to him must not be forgotten by any that desire to preserve his precious memory in their hearts with honour This amply appeared by their great lamentation and mourning for him in his sickness and at his Death and sad Exequies His Funeral was extraordinarily celebrated not only by the voluntary confluence of the greatest number of people that ever crouded into the spacious Fabrick of that Church and by many hundreds more there assembled about the door which were unable to get in But by multitudes of Gentlemen and Ministers all striving to out-mourn each other standing about his Hearse with tears recounting his excellent Labors his fruitfull Life their great profiting by him as sometimes the widows about Peter weeping and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made while she was with them every one aggravating their griefs and losses in his gain and striving who should honour him most in bearing his Body to the bed of Rest. The Testimony given him at his Interment by him who performed that last office of love with many tears and which he knowingly spake from his long and intimate acquaintance and conversing with him almost forty years together take with you for a close in that Ministers own words out of the Pulpit Although said he Funeral Orations are commonly either the vain flourishes of mercinary tongues or the weak supports of an emendicated fame and since good mens works shall praise them in the gates it is but to light a candle to the Sun and since bad mens works cannot be covered with so thin a daub It is but to paint arotten Post. Yet some Testimony is due to such as having obtained a more eminent place in Christs mystical Body the Church have also been instruments of more than ordinary good to his Members Samuel died a Judge a Prophet a Great man a Good man in Israel and all the Israelites were gathered together to honour his Obsequies and lamented him and buried him 1 Sam. 25. 1. To say nothing then of so rich a Cargazoon so full a Magazine so rare a subject of all commendable qualities and admirable endowments were a frustrating of your eager expectations To say little were a wrong to him that deserved so much to say much were both a derogation from his merits that may challenge and an imputation upon your Judgements and affections that will acknowledg more due than I can now deliver Nevertheless since the memorial of the Just is a sweet perfume give me leave to strew a few of his own flowers upon his Herse and I will discharge your Patience His holy Life and consciencious courses his constant Labors thrice a week in the Ministery of the Gospel unless in times of sickness or necessitated restraint for the space of
Pastor which suffered much extremity by reason of the persecution of their then prevailing adversaries forcing them from Bermudas into the Desart Continent The sound of whose distress was no sooner heard of but you might have heard the sounding of his bowels with many others applying themselves to a speedy Collection and sending it to them on purpose for their seasonable relief the sum was about seven hundred pounds two hundred whereof he gathered in the Church of Boston no man in the Contribution exceeding and but one equalling his bounty And it was remarkable that this Contribution arrived there the very day after those poor people were brought to a personal division of that little Meal then remaining in the Barrel and not seeing according to man but that after the eating thereof they must dye a lingring death for want of food and upon the same day their Pastor had preached unto them it being the Lords day upon that Text Psal. 23. The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want At such a time the good hand of the Lord brought this succour to them from afar Whilst he was in Old England his eminent piety the success of his labours and his interest in the hearts both of superiours inferiours equals drew upon him much envy and his Non-conformity added thereunto so that he was delivered in a great measure to the will of his Adversaries who gave him not over till they had bereaved him of much of his livelihood his liberty Country and therewithall of the sweet society of lovers friends and many wayes endeared acquaintance more precious to him than life it self Yet the measure of the afflictions of Christ appointed to be suffered by him was not so fulfilled but lo in the time of his exile some Brethren provoked by the censure of Authority though justly not without tears inflicted upon them singled out Mr. Cotton as the object of their displeasure who though above other men declining irregular and unnecessary interesting himself in the actions of the Magistrate and while opportunity lasted endeavouring their healing yet they requited him evil for good and they at least some of them who were formerly companions with him in the tribulations of that Patmos yea respecters of him had taken sweet counsel together and they had walked in the house of God as friends Hence was he with Tongue and pen blasphemed by them for whom he formerly intreated and for whom he both then and afterwards wept and put on sackcloth As touching any Tenet wherein he may seem singular remember that he was a man and therefore to be heard and read with judgement and happily sometimes with favour St. Hierom makes a difference between reading the writings of the Apostles and other men They saith he alwayes speak the truth these as men sometimes erre But no man did more placidly bear a Dissentient than he It contributes much towards the fuller discovery of truth when men of larger capacities and greater industry than others may be permitted to communicate their Notions onely they should use this liberty by way of disquisition not of Position rather as searchers after Scripture-light than as Dictators of private opinions But now this Western Sun hastens to his setting Being called to preach at a neighbour Church he took wet in his passage over the Ferry and not many hours after he felt the effect of it being seized upon with an extream ilness in his Sermon time This sad providence when others bewailed he comforted himself in that he was found so doing Decet Imperatorem stantem mori It is the honour of a Commander to dye standing St. Austins usual with was that when Christ came he might finde him Aut praecantem aut praedicantem either praying or preaching Calvin would not that when the Lord came he should finde him idle After a short time he complained of the inflamation of his lungs and thereupon found himself Asthmatical and afterward Scorbutical which both meeting in a complicated disease put an end to his dayes insomuch that he was forced to give over those comforting drinks which his stomack could not want If he still used them the inflamation grew unsufferable and threatned a more sharp and speedy death If he left them his stomack forthwith ceased to perform its office leaving him without hope of life By these Messengers he received the sentence of death yet in the use of means he attended the pleasure of him in whose hands our times are his labours continued whilst his strength failed November the 18. he took in course for his Text the four last verses of the second Epistle to Timothy Salute Prisca and Aquila c. Giving the reason why he spake of so many verses together because otherwise he said he should not live to make an end of that Epistle He chiefly insisted upon those words Grace be with you all so ending that Epistle and his Lectures together For upon the Lords day following he preached his last Sermon upon Joh. 1. 14. And the Word was made Flesh and dwelt among us and we â—eheld his Glory as of the onely begotten Son of the Father full of Grace and Peace Now he gave himself wholly to prepare for his dissolution making his Will and setting his house in order When he could no more be seen abroad all sorts Magistrates Ministers Neighbours and Friends afar off and those near at hand especially his own people resorted to him daily as to a publick Father When the neighbour Ministers visited him in which duty they were frequent he thanked them affectionately for their love exhorting them also as an Elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ to feed the Flock encouraging them that when the chief Shepherd shall appear they should receive a Crown of Glory that fadeth not away Finding himself to grow weak according to that of James he sent for the Elders of the Church of Boston to pray over him which last solemn duty being performed not without much affection and many tears Then as Polycarp a little before his death said That he had served Christ fourscore and six years neither had he ever offended him in any thing so he told them through Grace he had now served God forty years it being so long since his conversion throughout which time he had ever found him faithful to him and thereupon he took occasion to exhort them to the like effect that Paul sometime did the Elders of Ephesus a little before they were to see his face no more Take heed therefore to your selves and to all the Flock over wâ—ich the Lord hath made you overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood Particularly he lamented that the love of many yea and some of their own Congregation was grown cold towards the publick Ordinances calling upon them so much the more for their watchfulness in that respect which done he thanked them for their loving and brotherly assistance to
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
affectionately spread before God in most of the Congregations about London as his Three dayes were set apart by Ministers and many other praying friends to seek God in his behalf one in private and two in publick which also were observed much better than such dayes usually have been of late yea in remote Countries besides the ordinary Prayers made for him there were some Fasts kept also with special reference to his afflictions The multitude of people that came to his Funeral with the many weeping eyes did clearly shew how much he was beloved Here might also be remembred the readiness of the London Ministers to supply his place at home and his Lectures elsewhere as also the willingness of his Fellow-lecturers at Westminster to preach for him there when he himself by reason of weakness could not possibly do his own work but its needless for still every where upon the naming of Mr. Whitaker love is some way discovered by such as had any knowledge of him Whilst he was able he never neglected his Minsterial service he hath often gone upon Crutches unto the Congregation of his own people to fulfil his Ministry yea once at least he adventured to preach at Michaels Cornhil when he was scarce able to get into the Pulpit and his Friends with much difficulty holp him out of the Church homewards and at other times when his legs would not serve him he used to ride to Church And when he was by extremity of pains taken off from his Ministry he would sometimes profess to some special friends that the pain felt was not so grievous to his spirit as his inability by reason thereof to mannage his wonted work Indeed it was his meat and drink to be doing the will of his Heavenly Father Many times these were his words If I could but preach I should be much better and he would rejoyce with cheerfulness and thankfulness when in the times of his weakness he found not himself more distempered by his preaching and would mention such experiences as arguments to move and induce his friends to yeeld to his preaching when they disswaded him from it as prejudicial to his health Anno Christi 1654 about the beginning of November the violent pain of the Stone did in such a manner and measure arrest him that from that time he continued Gods prisoner confined to his bed or chamber till he was set free by a long expected and much desired death Most Physiâ—ians in the City were consulted with and were from time to time very ready to serve him with their advice who did unanimously conclude that his sharp pains proceeded originally from an Ulcer in the Kidnies but immediately from an ulcer in the neck of the Bâ—â—dder caused by a continual flux of ulcerous mâ—tter dropping down upon that part and by reason of the acuteness and quickness of the sense there his pains were almost continually in that place though the fountain of them was from the Kidnies About two moneths before his Death his pains grew more extream yet Divine indulgence vouchsafed at some times some mitigation of them and intermission both in the night and day But notwithstanding the long continuance and extremity of them neither his Faith nor Patience did abate yea they much encreased and grew higher and as he grew nearer his end so his longings for death were much increased yet accompanied with holy submission to the good pleasure of his gracious Father These were some of his expressions O my God break open the Prison door and set my poor captive soul free But enable me willingly to wait thy time I desire to be dissolved never aid any man more desire life than I do Death When will that time come that I shall neither sin more nor sorrow more When shall mortality put on immortality When shall this earthly Tabernacle be dissolved that I may be cloathed upon with that House which is from Heaven Blessed are the dead which dye in the Lord for they rest from their labours and follow the Lamb whither soever he goeth So great was his love to his God and Saviour that he maintained and expressed high estimations and honourable thoughts of his Majesty when he was under the most tormenting providences He feared nothing more than lest he should do or speak any thing that should redâ—und to the dishonour of his Name These were some breathings of his large love when through pain he was as in the fire or upon the rack Good Lord keep me from dishonouring of thy Name by impatieency Oh who would not even in burnings have honourable thoughts of God! who that knows thee would not fear thee O Lord love thee and honour thee Lord thou givest me no occasion to have any hard thoughts of thee Blessed be God there is nothing of Hell in all this Blessed be his Name for Jesus Christ and the Revelation of the everlasting Gospel Who knows the power of thy wrath If it be so heavy upon thy servant hore how heavy shall it be to all those who shall endure it without mixture Blessed be God for the peace of mine inward man when my outward man is full of trouble This is a bitter Cup but it is of my Father mixture and shall I not drink it yea Lord through thy strength I will This is my burthen and I will bear it Upon any abatements of his excruciating pains he was constantly much in blessing God using these and such like expressions O! what a mercy is it that there is any mitigation any intermission Lord make me thankfull And turning himself towards those that stood by he would bespeâ—k them thus O help me to be thankfull O lift up a Prayer for me that I may be thankful O what a mercy is this How much worse might this affliction have been I might have been distracted or laid roaring under disqueâ—ness of spirit By these and many such like expressions and workings of his spirit who perceiveth not the sparklings of his love to God And to a dear friend he often said Brother through mercy I have not one repiniâ—g thought against God The Sabbath sevennight before God released him though his pains were very sharp yet he bestowed most part of the time of publick Ordinances in prayer together with those that were about him and his Petitions were most in the behalf of Ministers that God would cloath his Ordinances with his own power and enable his Ministers to speak to the souls of his people Then did he also with many tears bewail his detainment from the Sanctuary and Sabbath-opportunities of doing and receiving good which had been his delight Professing also that his being taken off from service was a greater afflâ—ction to him than all his bodily pains And because this apprehension to wit of his present unserviceablness did much afflict him this therefore was often suggested to him which the Lord pleased to make a relief to his spirit viz. that now by the practice
After he had been trained up at School and well fitted for it he was sent to the University of Oxford where his diligence and proficiency was such that he was chosen Fellow of Magdalen-Colledge and had the breeding up of some there who afterwards proved excellent and eminent Scholars as Dr. Frewen who was alwayes a thankfull man to him for his education and famous Mr. Pemble who ended his dayes at his house c. His attendance at Court upon the chiefest favourite in the dayes of that learned King James gave him opportunity of advancement iâ— his thoughts had been bent that way but he sought not great things for himself yet continued at Court till the death of Sr. Thomas Overbury that learned Knight and his very good friend and then he had adieu to that course of life As for his inward storms they were very many and exceeding bitter which also were accompanied with many bodily infirmities which attended him in his younger years but it was well for him that he bore the yoke in his youth and there was none that knew so much of his temptations and desertions as thâ—t eminent and learned Divine Dr. Harris by reason of that intimate acquaintance he had with him in those dayes being his kinsman which also was occâ—sioned the more by the often recourse he had then into those parts for the fetching of some spiriruall refreshing from that man of God Mr. John Dod who was both able and willing to speak a word in season to a broken and coâ—rite heart For the eminency of hâ—s parts there were very few that could match him The most even of our most high-flown Eagles have commonly some peculiar gift wherein they most excell and by it â—o very good service to Christ and his Church but this man had grasped all good learning and made every thing his own so evenly to see to that he was very expert in the same and would with Cato the elder be up in the height in all thâ—t ever he was to act in Melancthon used to say that Pomeranus was the Gramarian that himself was the Logician that Justus Jonas was the Orator but that Luther was all in all here was one that was not inferior to Luther If he pleased to turn to the School or to Case-Divinity to Augustine or Chrysostome to Galen or Hippocrates to Aristotle or Tully to History or Philosophy to Arts or Tongues who could tell but himself which of them he was best versed in He was a very living Library a full storehouse of all kind of good literature no less than a little University the mirrour of those parts and above the envy of most The least draught of his Pencil would have told any Protogenes he had been the Apelles He excelled in all that ever he would set his hand to unless it were in his utterance in the publick Congregation and therein indeed he had a great defectiveness God 〈◊〉 him great understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do He stood upon the Watch-tower and saw what was hid from most mens eyes and being quick of sent in the fear of the Lord he gave timely notice to some that stood in place which had it been heeded we had never been so fearfully pestered with those Hydraes heads that are now starting up afresh daily to the great disturbance of our people Simler said of Melancthon at his going from the University of Tubing that none of the learned men there how many soever they were had so much learning as to know the great learning that was in that man Too too many amongst us were even sick of the same disease that knew not the depth that was in this mans brest There were many men in this one man even all Scholarship epitomized in this profound Clerk and yet for all this he had that great blessing which he himself observed as a singular favour vouchsafed to Dr. John Reynolds that great Oracle of Oxford that he never set on foot any manner of new opinion The like is observed of learned Dr. Whitaker stâ—led the Oracle of Cambridge and the miracle of the world A mercy that most men of superlative parts use not to be too rich in There is scarce any strong brain without some strong fancy If the great wits of our times had kept themselves close to the steps of these rare Divines we had never seen the sorrows that we now sigh and groan under and would be glad to be rid of if we knew how For the excellency of his preaching he excelled most men He was an Inâ—erpreter one of a thousand His understanding was strangely opened for the understanding and opening the Scriptures He would bolt out that out of the holy Book of God that would not come into any other mans consideration yet it should be genuine and evidently appearing to be the driâ—t and meaning of the Holy Ghost An intelligent man could never sit at his feet or be in his company but he should meet with that there that would never fall from any other mans mouth nor ever drop from any other mans Pen. His words were as Goads and as Nails fastened by the Master of the Assemblies They were edged with so much reason re-enforced from the lively Oracles that they could not fall to the ground in vain It 's no marvell therefore that the Cream of the whole Country where he lived as they could have opportunity would hang upon his Ministry Yet he used to be very plain in all his expressions He would not deliver what he had from God in an unknown tongue nor yet in words and phrases which were too spâ—uce and trim He had learned his lesson weâ—l of that great Apostle and Doctor of the Gentiles who came not with enticing words nor with any other but such as the very Catechuâ—nâ—ni the youngest beginners might understand He kept close to the footsteps of our choicest Worthies as famous Mr. Dod who used to say that so much Latine was so much flesh in a Sermon Mr. Cleaver Mr. Hildersam and such other holy men of God led by the self same Spirit He would deliver the whole and wholesome truths of God in such an holy and wholsome way that it bred very good bloud in the hearts of his hearers He would stoop so low as to speak to the poor Country people in their own proper dialect so as they could not but even see and feel and find out God and be occasioned to speak of him all the week after If he met with a deep mystery he would make it plain to the shallowest capacity Whatever Subject he sell upon he would handle it so Divine-like that the hearts of his Auditors would be wrapt up into Heaven whilest they heard him winding and turning a point of Divinity like a workman that needed not to be ashamed Whereas now adayes whilest some of our great Divines seem to
words Ruth 4 4. 6. but when it came to the point he would not mar his Inheritance Self hath too great a stroke in the best of us all both Preachers and Professors both in Church and Commonwealth It began to work betimes St. Paul tells us in his dayes that all sought their own things Phil. 2. 21. and it is now grown to a greater head in our age when we neither eat nor drink nor fast nor pray nor do any thing to speak of but too too apparently we seek our selves therein How much then was this brave man to be admired seeing all that knew him can bear him witness how far he excelled in this rare Grace he could deny himself in his own understanding and go after God in a way that he knew not as Abraham Heb. 11. 8. he could deny himself in his own will when he that is above would lead him in a way that he would not as Joh. 2â— 18. He could deny himself in his own affections also when he came to be crossed in what he could have most desired ever ruling them by reason and Religion as a wise man should do subjecting himself to bear with quietness what could not be holp without raising too much dust It is strange to see how far he could deny himself in apparel diet attendance and what not He was very exemplary for his contempt of the world He had gotten the start of most men in that particular He used to be beating upon this point mainly both in his publick preaching and in his private conference and shewed the reality of what he pressed when he came to act himself Indeed he could not say as Luther did that he never had been tempted unto covetousness but he kept himself from any noted taint in that kinde nay from the least suspicion of that foul crime with famous Dr. Whitaker When he had things under his hand he still charged his servants to do what few men practice that they should never set up Corn nor bring home Cattel but take as the Market would afford All that knew him knew that he was far enough from encreasing his estate by any indirect means and never was there any man more willing to part with money upon a just and fit occasion It is well known that he gave over a Living of good value one of the best in those parts above twenty years before his death and betook himself to a poor little corner from which he would never be withdrawn no more than Musculus from his Berne And even there he might have picked mens purses if he had been that way given But many and many a time he put back money and took but a small matter from those that were able and would have been willing to have given him more they sought to force him to take it but he would utterly refuse it He was no less exemplary fo his great humility This was the Grace that graced all the good that was in him He would be often speaking of what he had heard concerning Dr. John Rainolds that he was as learned a man as any was in the world as godly as learned and as humble as godly Mr. Capel loved and reverenced this Doctor and trod in his steps He could speak with Tongues more than most men yet would he never make use of them in the publick Congregation He used to honour all men to acknowledge the gifts and parts of those that were far below him and to rejoyce in them as Hooper did in the blinde Boy He would not meddle in things that were too high for him nor intrench upon that that was beyond his sphere He would not stand in the place of great men He could refuse honours as Musculus did and contented himself with plain and mean things It s observed by Cajetan the Flower of the Cardinals that he would never be in his silks and braveries but kept his old fashions to his lives end Melancthon would not disdain to do that which his meanest servant would scarcely have put his hand to So was it with Mr. Capel and he would bear things that went awry without distempering himself about them Moderation he pressed and moderation he practised Staupicius told Luther concerning his behaviour that in the first three years he did all things according to the utmost rigour and that would not do In the next three years he did all according to the Laws and Counsels of the Antients and that would not hit And in the last three years he did all according to the will of God and yet neither would that succeed and then he was fain to be content with what he could have Thus you have a taste and but a little taste in this that hath been said of the precious Liquor that was powred into this earthen vesssel To which might be added the quickness of his apprehension the strength of his Memory his sense of the publick evils his passing by of wrongs and offences his special regard to such as loved their Wives and Ministers and the like but where should I make an end These and his other eminent parts vertues and graces deserve to be laid in oyl-colours by the most skilful Pencil Towards his latter end he met with some pinching griefs which he did bear with invincible patience and fortitude He willingly submitted because it was Gods will to have him so exercised All of us must expect to drink of the self-same cup our last dayes usually are our worst dayes as Mollâ—rus observes the clouds will then be returning after the rain We must be taught to know and speak it out that we are but Pilgrims we must be more truly and thoroughly taken off from the world more ripened and mellowed and seasoned for God and be made more serious in all our undertakings Melancthon used to say That if he had no cares he should have no Prayers Our comfort is our time is but short the most and best of our treasure is gone before Our hope is laid up in Heaven Get we more communion with God more faith more patience and let us put on the whole Armour of God and then we shall be able to stand and to withstand in the evil day and in the end shall be more than Conquerours through him that hath loved us This clear-sighted and understanding man foresaw storms approaching and rejoyced that he should be in his grave before they sell whither also he came as a shock of Corn gathered into the Barn in due season The Sabbath day was the last day of his life the strict observation whereof he often pressed He would say that we should go to sleep that night as it were with meat in our mouthes That Sabbath day being September the 21. 1656 he preached twice taking his leave of the world by pressing faith in God That evening he repeated both his Sermons in his Family somewhat more largely than ordinary He read his Chapter
unto me and in particular that he hath kept Satan from me in this my weakness Oh how good is God entertain good thoughts of him How ever it be with us we cannot think too well of him or too bad of our selves And this sense of Gods goodness was very deeply imprinted upon his heart to his very last and therefore in all his Wills this Legacy was alwayes renewed Item I bequeathe to all my children and to their childrens children to each of them a Bible with this Inscription None but Christ. Being upon a time visited by two Reverend Doctors his choice Friends who before they prayed with him desired him to tell them what he chiefly requested He answered I praise God he supports me and keeps off Satan beg that I may hold out I am now in a good way home even quite spent I am now at the shore I leave you tossing on the Sea Oh it is a good time to dye in Yet when his end approached nearer being often asked how he did He answered In no great pain I praise God onely weary of my unuseful life If God hath no more service for me to do here I could be gladly in Heaven where I shall serve him better freed from sin and distractions I pass from one death to another yet I fear none I praise God I can live and I dare dye If God hath more work for me to do here I am willing to do it though my infirm body be very weary Desiring one to pray with him and for him that God would hasten the work it was asked whether pain c. put him upon that desire He answered No but I now do no good and I hinder others which might be better imployed if I were not Why should any desire to live but to do God service Now I cease from that I do not live By this time the violence of his distempers disabled him and the advice of his Physitians was that he should forbear speech yet he called upon those which attended him to read some part of the Scriptures to him constantly especially he put one of his Sons that was with him to pray frequently and whilst his life and speech lasted he used to conclude all the Prayers with a loud Amen The nearer he approached to his end the more he slumbered Once when he awoke he found himself very ill whereupon calling for his Son he took him by the hand and said Pray with me it is the last time in likelihood that I shall ever joyn with you and complaining to him of his wearisomeness his Son answered There remains a rest To whom he replied My Sabbath is not far off and yours is at hand ere that I shall be rid of all my trouble and you will be eased of some At length his ruinous house which onely inobedience to the will of God had held out beyond his own desires and all mens expectations from the heighth of Summer till the depth of Winter comes to be dissolved About Saturday in the even he began to set himself to dye forbidding all cordials to be administred upon what extremity soever and gave his dying blessing to his Son who onely of all his children was present with him and upon his request enjoyned him to signifie when he had opportunity to that Country where he had lived longest that he lived and dyed in that Faith which he had preached and printed the comfort whereof he now found Something else he began to speak but his distempers interrupted his purpose and from that time he never entertained any discourse with man onely he commanded the eight Chapter of the Epistle to the Romans to be read to him And herein God was exceeding good to him in the return of those Petitions which had been put up for him that afternoon by those two eminent Divines and his dearest Brethren before mentioned For whereas his great distempers gave occasion to fear his death would be exceeding painful yet did it prove so easie that his Son and other attendants could but guess at the particular time of his departure His breathings were easie and even his eyes open and full of water till at the last having lifted them up towards Heaven they closed of themselves and his soul without the least motion of resistance of the body entred into everlasting rest whilst those whom he left behinde were entring upon the day of their rest For then began he a perpetual Sabbath in Heaven when they began theirs on earth betwixt twelve and one on Saturday night December 11. Anno Christi 1658. He dyed in a good old age and full of dayes having overlived fourscore years His loss was much bewayled by the College by the City and whole University of Oxford He was as all that knew him confessed a man of admirable prudence profound judgement eminent gifts and graces and furnished with all qualifications that might render him a compleat man a wise Governour a profitable Preacher and a good Christian. First look upon him as a Christian for that was his and is every mans greatest Ornament He was a man that had much acquaintance with God much communion with him in private meditation and prayer accounting those his best dayes wherein he enjoyed most converse with him In the time of his sickness one asking him how he did oh saith he this hath been a sweet day I have had sweet communion with God in Jesus Christ. He was not like them who are all for promises and priviledges though in the mean time they neglect duties He made them his exercise but not his Christ He was much in those severe parts of Religion as private Humiliation Mortification and Self-denial whereby he gained the conquest over himself The truth is he was as far as is consistent with humane frailty Master of his corruptions passions reason appetite language and all The Lord was pleased to work upon him in the Primrose of his life though he certainly knew not either the Preacher or Sermon whereby he was converted His course was in the dayes of his strictest examination to set down in writing his evidences for Heaven sometimes in Propositions from Scripture other sometimes in Sylogismes and these he often subscribed to in a Book that he kept for that very purpose But these evidences were best read by others in the course of his life by his exact walking with God in piety charity humility patience and dependance upon him He was far unlike to those who sit in Moses Chair and teach what themselves practise not He had well digested that Fathers precept to Preachers Either preach not at all or live as you preach His life was a Commentary upon his Doctrine and his practice the Counterpane of his Sermons What was said of that precious Bishop Jewel was true of him That he adorned a heavenly Doctrine with a heavenly life In a word he did vertere verba in opera he lived Religion whilst many onely make
intercede for them The Bishop told him that such Conventicles were forbidden by the Law the State being jealous lest the seeds of Sedition or Heresie might be sown in them To whom Mr. Jurdaine replied My Lord Do you think that the Lord Jesus Christ when he comes to Judgement will say concerning these and such like poor Christians Take them Devil take them because though they sought me by fasting and prayer yet they did not observe every circumstance with so much prudence as they might have done Whereupon the Bishop dismissed them I am now come to the last act of his Life his sickness and the period of that his Death In his sickness which was very painfull he being sorely afflicted with the Stone and Cholick yet did he manifest more than ordinary patience not opening his mouth in any word that might savour of repining or discontent at his present condition but meekly and patiently submitting to Gods afflicting hand and waiting for his long-expected and much desired dissolution He did then much act faith in Jesus Christ and his gracious Promises and his assurance remained unshaken though Satan was then busie with him by his temptations But being strong in the Lord and in the power of his might he did resist him Some of his nearest Friends that observed his confident Assurance in the course of his life and of his happy estate in heaven after death did suppose that Satan would have set upon him with so much violence as to have shaken his Assurance as no doubt he had will enough to do but God who had him in chains would not permit him to do it But he went out of the world as a Conquerour out of the Field being through Christ victorious over all his spiritual enemies One particular in his sickness may not be omitted which was his taking all occasions of exhorting and encouraging others to constancy in the faith zeal for God and making sure of Heaven and when his spirits began to fail him he would say I cannot speak much more to you now Râ—member what you have heard from me in my health He was willing also to incite others that were absent to the discharge of their Duties The Mayor of the City that then was sending to see how he did he called the messenger unto him and said Remember me to Mr. Mayor and tell him from me that he have a special care of these three things To do Justice To provide carefully for the poor and to make sure of Heaven His gracious speeches in the time of his sickness were many and more than can be here expressed Having fought the good fight of Faith and finished his course he sweetly and quietly resigned up his soul into the hands of his blessed Saviour and Redeemer He departed this Life July the 15. Anno Christi 1640. being the Sabbath day The Sabbath was his delight on earth and on that day God gave him to enjoy an eternal Sabbath with him in Heaven As he had sweet communion with God in the use of Ordinances for many years on that day so he went to enjoy an immediate communion with God on that holy day and after all his labours he entred into rest even that glorious Rest in Heaven Heb. 4. 11. His departure hence was in the Seventy ninth year of his age and according to his account for the New-birth in the Sixty fifth year For so long he reckoned since the time of his effectual Calling At the celebration of his Funerals there hath not been known any man to be more lamented than was he the loss being so great not to the City alone but to all those Western parts the influence of his example as a zealous Magistrate and Christian reaching far and near After he had served his own Generation by the will of God he fell on sleep Act. 13. 36. The Life and Death of Mrs. Margaret Ducke who dyed Anno Christi 1646. THe Father of Mrs. Margaret Ducke was Mr. Henry Southworth a Gentleman of a good Family Her Mother was a vertuous and Religious Matron He was a Merchant and Customer of London by which means having acquired a plentiful estate he contented himself with it and withdrew from thence to a more quiet and retired that is a more happy life at Wells where he lived plentifully and having onely two Daughters his Co-heirs he gave them liberal and pious education in all those wayes which commend and accomplish well-bred Gentlewomen This Gentlewoman who was the younger of his Daughters was deservedly dear to both her Parents and lived with them till their deaths which fell out to be shortly one after another For as they were lovely and pleasant in their lives if I may so use the words of Davids lamentation over Saul and Jonathan 2 Sam. 1. so in their Deaths they were not divided She was then about the one and twentieth year of her age at which time she was desired in marriage by many younger in years and higher in means and lands than the Gentleman was unto whom with her great contentment even to her dying day she yeelded her self and her affections resolving as the vertuous Marcella in St. Jerom answered her young Woer Cerealis who was of a Noble and Consular race Si nubere vellem utique maritum quaererem non haereditatem that when she married she would marry an Husband not an estate though yet God had blessed her Husband with a competency of these outward things Their Marriage was celebrated by that incomparable and even in this age famous Prelate Bishop Lake in the City of Wells who never married any persons besides themselves where for some years they lived together and the Town to this day gives an ample testimony to their piety and charity For her part they say as Gregory Nyssen said of Placilla that if she prevented him not in any work of charity yet she was sure to concur with him therein and when she departed from thence they soon complained and lamented the want of her charity The blinde complained that they wanted an eye the lame a staffe the mourners one to comfort them the languishing one to visit them as St. Jerom said of Nepotian For indeed she was eyes to the blinde feet to the lame she was a mother to the poor and distressed and to those who had nothing to help them The blessing of those as Job saith of himself that were ready to perish came upon her and she caused the widows heart to sing for joy From Wells they removed to Blackfriers in London where she lived long under the powerful Ministry of the thrice worthy and learned Dr. Gouge a man famous for his pains in the Church of Christ. What her Life Faith Charity Patience was during her abode there was well known to all in general and particularly observed by that Reverend Doctor and abundantly testified at her Funerals by him so that nothing needs to be added to
the Lord make his face shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace And bid her serve God and pray duly to him both morning and evening and fear his Name and then said she I doubt not but God will bless you as he hath blessed me In the evening of the same day she commanded her younger Daughter to be brought her and to be put upon the bed in a kneeling posture and then putting her hand on her shoulder she gave her also the same blessing as she had given to her sister Four dayes before her death she grew a little better which put her Friends in some hope of her recovery but the day following her sickness seized on her again and so continued upon her that she slept no more till she slept the sleep of death and together with her sickness her Piety Devotions and comforts encreased in her In the last night of her life presently after midnight feeling death now approaching she sent for her Husband and Family out of their beds and told him when he came to her that she was now leaving the world and him and expressed in many words her great devotion faith and assurance of that everlasting life which she now was shortly to enjoy and desired that they might now all pray together which they did she still expressing much devotion and comfort and after an hour spent in those passages she desired that the Bell might be tolled for her and some Gentlewomen of her neighbours coming to her before them she expressed her comforts and assurances of everlasting life as before and with increase and therein and in prayers they continued till near the rising of the Sun After this she seemed for a wh'le willing to slumber and closed her eyes and so lay for a little while but then turned her head to the other side of the Pillow and after a few restless turnings she said what the Prophet Micha had said before her Mich. 2. 10. There is no rest in this world and then opening her eyes after some expressions of the comfort which she felt distinctly knowing all that were present and speaking to them all she seemed to slumber again and after a little time spake these words Come let us go let us go repeating those words several times which she spake not in a slumber but being awake and as perfect in her understanding and memory as at any time in her life And it is a comforttable opinion that Divines teach from Luke 16. 22. that the Angels do attend on Gods children especially at the time of their dissolution to conduct their souls from earth to heaven which opinion she sometimes in her sickness related to her Husband and added that she had heard it from the Pulpit and had read it in some Books and she believed it to be true and comforted her self with it After a little time she called for some drink and having taken it it began to alter her as it seems she felt in her self for she presently laid her self back on her Pillow and lifting up her eyes towards Heaven she said Lord have mercy upon me Lord Jesus receive my soul and so continued moving her lips and her tongue but her words were not heard and then held up one hand and then joyned both her hands together holding them up with her eyes still heaven-ward till her strength failing her she laid down her hands by her and stretched her self in the bed without any help and sweetly fell asleep about seven a clock in the morning August the 15. Anno Christi 1646. And August the 24. she was decently and solemnly laid in her bed of rest the house as Job saith appointed for all the living Job 30. 23. where the weary are at rest where the wicked cease from troubling and hear not the voyce of the oppressor Job 3. 17 18. The Life and Death of Mrs. Margaret Corbet who dyed Anno Christi 1656. IF we enquire into the Relations of this Gentlewoman either by Affinity or Consanguinity or both sides the Families are ancient of renown and good reputation Concerning the Family from whence she was descended her Father was Sir Nathaniel Brent late Warden of Merton College a learned Knight whose great pains and dangerous adventures to procure the History of the Councel of Trent which he translated into English are to be remembred with an honourable mention and for his faithful discovery of Jesuitical juglings his name will be had in honour when the names of the Popish party will rot Her Mother the Lady Martha Brent was a Lady of a Gracious spirit abounding in love meekness humility love to Gods Ordinances and Gods Children Her delight with David was in the society of Saints She imitated her worthy Father in the sweetness of disposition who was Dr. Robert Abbot that learned and godly Bishop of Sarum who was Malleus Baptismi Armianismi the Hammer of Popery and Arminianisme His excellent Works or Monuments of his Honourable memory To be born of a godly Family and to be well descended is a mercy not to be neglected Mr. Philpot a zealous Martyr being a Kings Son and an Archdeacon told his adversaries that he was a Gentleman Anabapâ—istical parity and Levelling designs are worthily to be abhorred and looked upon as a ready way to confusion rapine and violence So then we see that she was a Gentlewoman every way well descended Her Ancestors were persons of Honour and from them she had the benefit of an ingenuous and liberal Education This is much but it s more when I say that she came of a godly stock and of praying Relations and indeed this is that which ennobles Nobility it self God in mercy began with this Gentlewoman betimes even about the fourteenth year of her age Then God gave her a willing minde and purpose of heart to serve him in the dayes of her youth Insomuch as she was swift to hear the word of God she waited diligently at the posts of Wisdomes Gate She wrote the Sermons which she heard a practice used by King Edward the sixth that rare English Josiah and she left many volumes of Sermons of her own hand-writing taken with great dexterity and these are as so many choise Monuments of her Industry She was much conversant in reading of the holy Scriptures which can make us wise unto salvation and she joyned with her reading prayer and meditation Her delight was in the word of God It was as with Jeremy the joy and rejoycing of her soul and with the reading of Scriptures she searched Expositors and Practical Divines and attained thereby to such a measure of Divine knowledge as enabled her to state some Questions of controversie for her better use and help of her memory and to discourse very soundly upon the most material points of Religion and even above her age and sexe to maintain the truth as occasion
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