some as they drew nearer unto them brought to a greater liking and love of the company and societie of Gods children and of these and such other duties of Gods worship His early comming to Church as they did exercise themselves withall His comming to the Church with all his Family attendants and followers was constantly before the beginning of prayers or any part of divine Service that so hee might more comfortably joyne with Gods Minister and people in confession of sins in prayer and praise His reverent and holy carriage in it reading and hearing of the Word singing of Psalmes and partaking of the Sacraments all which hee did performe with such a reverent attention and gracious affection with so holy a carriage and so good conscience that as hereby hee did much increase his owne comfort so was his godly example no doubt a great encouragement to many others yea a very spurre and goade unto them to bee more religious and conscionable in Gods worship and service After prayers and Sermon were ended hee seldome went to dinner His dinner time hee bestowed well in the Church but abode in the Church to bestow himselfe and this interim in Gods Service with such good people as were willing to stay with him And this hee did by repeating the Sermon which hee had taken very exactly as usually hée did with his owne hand and by singing of Psalmes and by wholy and wholesome conference in and about good things The Evenin Sacrifice he performed in like manner And so waiting for the Evening Sacrifice after hee had with like care and conscience performed the publique duties of the Sabbath in the same hee returned homewards with his company with much comfort and joy in their hearts endeavouring as they went along to increase their Knowledge Faith and Obedience by repeating and conferring of the Evening Sermon and to inlarge their hearts in Gods praises ◠Sam. 12.24 by singing of Psalmes a fresh considering what great things hee had done for them Their returne homewards and mutuall care to do good And if any amongst them were afflicted they would bee ready to counsell him comfort him and pray for him And he himselfe especially if he heard of any such as were troubled in Conscience upon the hearing of the Word would be ever mostready and willing like the good Samaritane Luc. 10.34 Gal. 6.1 to powre wine and oyle into that wounded spirit wine that he might search and scoure it and oyle that he might supple and heale it After this manner did he frequent the House of God sanctifie the Lords day rejoyce in the Assembly of the Saints and refresh his own Soule with Heavenly Manna and other spirituall repast so long as hee could either goe or ride unto it CHAP. LXIIII. His private Evening exercise full of life ANd then in his Evening Exercise he was so full of life and zeale that besides his own family many of his Tenants and Neighbours did much desire and delight to heare him repeat the Sermons presse the speciall points urge the Conscience and powre cut his prayers unto God with so tender and sweet affections for them all that the heat of his spirit did cause their hearts as it were to melt within them The great joy he had in the Sabbath and Fasts The joy and comfort which he found in these holy duties both in publike and in private on the Lords day and in their Fasts was so exceeding great that he would often and earnestly wish O that every day were either a sabbath-Sabbath-day or a Fast day for then I should be well His thankefulnesse for one Sabbath more And when the Sabbath was past it was his usual manner to blesse God with a thankefull and chearefull heart for that hee had given him one Sabbath more than he did looke for amongst his people The weeke dayes were somewhat more tedious and grievous unto him his bodily infirmities much increasing and his strength decaying and yet would he never be dejected but endevoured to quicken his own soule and raise up his heart by Faith and Hope speaking to his Family and Friends about him much after this manner The time is not long I must shortly lay down this my tabernacle and then I shall get the start of you all 2 Pet. 1.14 Heb. 4.9 11. and shall celebrate an everlasting Sabbath before the Lord with all his holy Angels and blessed Saints in the highest Heavens This he spake rejoycingly and yet with teares Weary of the world Hee grew every day more and more weary of the world and was then best contented when he could dispatch worldly businesses with fewest words He makes his Will Isay 38.1 It was his provident and godly care to set his house in order as good Ezekiah did to make his will and to leave all things in good tearms of peace and love Which he did with good successe accordingly And so by this meanes his mind and heart were disburdened and cased of many worldly thoughts and cares So hee was more free and more fit for Heavenly things Gal. 6.10 and he brought to a greater freedome and liberty both to think and speake of spirituall and of heavenly things Which in no sort he did omit but as he could stir abroad in the House either to the Fall Parlour or Kitchen He would drop some wholesome words of counsell or comfort amongst such as he met withall and never cease speaking of holy or of heavenly things amongst the rest of his Family When many came to visit him he would often say Alas good Soules what are yee come to see Iob. 7.13 19. a poore wretch a worme and no man or a poore dying man I may now say with Iob. If I waite the grave is my house I have made my bed in the darknesse I have said to corruption thou art my father to the worme thou art my mother and my sister Iob 19.15 16. And yet I know that my Redeemer liveth that he shal stand at the latter day upon the earth And though after my skin 2 Cor. 4.16 wormes destroy this body yet in my flesh shall I see God Therefore wee faint not but though the outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed daily And so our conversation is in heaven from whence also wee looke for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ who shall change our vile body Phil. 3.20.21 that it may bee fashioned like his glorious body according to the working whereby hee is able to subdue all things to himselfe Some that came unto him would out of their common kindnesse comfort him with some hope of health and recovery Si nunquā bene si aliquando quare non modo Posidon in vita Aug. Cap. 27. to whom hee would make this answer My time is in the Lords hand and it is not likely it can bee long my dayes are past my purposes are broken
shall therefore breake or blemish it let them know the disadvantage is their owne not the Authors and as he for one fowle face they saw before may see twenty then I would send such to be disciplined by Erasmus Eras Epist. ad Dorp who writes thus to Dorpius concerning the Readers of others writings Siquispiam offendatur et sibi vindicet non habet quod expostulet cum eo qui scripsit ipse si volet secum agat injuriam utpote sui proditor qui declaravit hoc ad se pertinere He that quarrels at others workes betraies his owne folly not their Authors to prevent which if you in this shall meete with any errours of Pen or Presse doe not for those slight all the rest but remember the rule of the Naturallist Hor. in loc Vbi multa nitent in carmine non ego paucis offendor maculis Where many things are good shall I for but some triviall all let flie If the Zeale either of the Author or Subject outgoe thy expectation or Practice blame them not since as there is no ayming at any mans person so there is no favouring of any mans sinne according to the rule of the Poet. It is but just and as hath bin to spare the man and speake his sinne Licuit semperque Licebit Parcere Personis dicere de vitiis If the Style prove not so plausible as thy curiosity may expect or if in the discountenancing or battering downe of any errour in Life or judgement thou thinkst it mingled with too much bitter Hierapicra Remember then the Physitians rule Sharpe sauces best become the meat and move the appetite to eate Acriora Orexim Excitant Embammata But if all this will not doe it like Gallio you care for none of these things yet at least and at last remember the rule of our Saviour Doe to others as you would that others should doe to you Mat. 7.12 Deale not with their good names as Lycurgus did with his Country Coines or as Rehoboam with his Fathers Shields which they found of beaten gold but left of Brasse rather as Augustus did with the walles of Rome Juveni lateritiam reliqui Marmoream which he found of Bricke but left of Marble And whatsoever in them is vertuous Honest Iust Lawfull Laudible and of Good report Phil. 4.8 that follow and the while thy Charity is thus to them the blessing of God be with thee So prayes the Subjects Kinsman the Authors Sonne and thy Servant in CHRIST Samuel Hinde From Prescot this 20th of May. 1641. A Table of the Contents Chapter I. IOhn Bruen His birth and Bloud from Father and Mother well descended Cap. 2. His education free in good measure from Popery and profanesse also His childhood His Prayer Children may have good motions Some seeds of grace in his childhood Cap. 3. His youth His dancing Cap. 4. His going to Oxford about 1577. His Fathers care and cost Like Saint Austines Fathers for him He went up about 17 yeares old Few Gentlemen like minded The cause hereof their owne ignorance and profanesse Cap. 5. At his comming to Oxford somewhat popish But the Lord did reclaime him Meanes of his reclaiming from popish errours By his companion Master Brerewood By the Scripture urged Applied Private persons may sometimes helpe one another for Conversion A worthy example for young Gentlemen Cap. 6. He was much like Galeacius His proficiency at Oxford but small The causes of it Some unfitnesse for learning His sufficiency not great for great employment yet such as God chose to shew his power in as in Galeacius a young Christian and great Champion very like unto him in many things Cap. 7. His comming from Oxford 1459. His Father bestoweth him in marriage-1580 In a godly Family with a godly young Gentlewoman with mutuy all consent otherwise then manr Parents doe where lust and lucre makes the motion and the Fathers dropsie and the Sonnes phrensie make up the match They live together in love Cap. 8. His recreation of Hunting in some abuses reproved Some inconveniences of Hunting Cap. 9. The estate of the Creatures since the fall and before Their enmity a fruit of our sinne Vnlawfull to take pleasure in it Cap. 10. Neither in the emnity nor Cruelty of or towards the Creatures may we take pleasure An example of cruelty to the Creature Cap. 11. A good man is mercifull to his Beast not onely in the taking care for the preservation of his being but of his wel-being also Giving him due allowance of pasture and moderating hiâ— labour Cap. 12. The lawfullnesse or unlawfulnesse of Hunting laid downe in nine particulars Cap. 13. His more effectuall conversion and the fruits thereof upon his Fathers death by Gods good meanes not very violent likeunto Saint Austines in many particulars Cap. 14 The fruits of his conversion First As Heire of the Family in Civill matters His reformation removing impediments Renouncing his pleasures His frugality His fidelity A rebuke to others Prodigality and Infidelity and a check to some others obstinacy in their ould sinnes Secondly other fruites of their conversion in matter of religion as Governour of his Family Cap. 15. In setting up Religion in his Family Laid downe first in the Generalls Cap. 16 And then in the specialties and particulars First In his Family and secondly In the assembly In his Family First in dwelling with his wife as a man of knowledge in peace and love as equall yoke fellowes A good example to husbands and Wives A discovery of the misery of unequall yoak fellowes manifested in 4 instances Secondly In the godly education of their Children first by instruction secondly by correction wherein if his passions exceeded hee was humbled healed and bettered in foure particulars Thirdly In governing of his Servants Cap. 18. First in choosing Secondly In the using of his servants some of speciall note as old Robert Old Robert his Girdle for the helpe of his memory A rebuke to mindelesse and carelesse Persons And to such as use not their skill and other faculties aright Cap. 19 His familiar conversing with old Robert both gainers by it others dealing otherwise are loosers by their statelinesse His kind usage of him in his old age Vntill the day and houre of his death To the reproofe of mercilesse masters Cap. 20. His due regard to the rest of his servants Some attending upon him Some labouring for him His Family a Religious Nursery by disposing or dispersing his servants Cap. 21. His course in Family duties towards God The necessity and excellency of family Duties First His preparation in foure things First In his vigilancy Secondly in his Private prayer Thirdly Meditation Fourthly Industry in writing Cap. 22. Secondly His execution and performance of his Family exercise First A little short prayer in a set forme A set forme of prayer justified by our Saviours institution of the Lords praier and by his owne practice None precisely bound to the
Spring Seedings Summer Harvest Winter faire or foule weather and the like and to apply these to such places of the Scriptures as they had heard or read the same things in for their farther instruction and edification Now for their work what he saw was well for manner and matter hee did likewise well approve and accept and by a due and kinde commendation of their care and paines hee provoked them to continue in well doing What he saw was amisse if it were of small moment hee would wisely passe by it if of greater weight he would admonish them of and reprove them for it yet not with any railing or reviling words for ought that ever I could heare but in words of wisedome as became a holy man and a good Master sometimes it may be more sharpely because the nature of the fault and disposition of the offender might so require it and sometimes more mildly as hee found the party more sensible of his fault and more tractable for amendment There was not the meanest amongst them but hee would labour to cheare him and encourage him in his service and if hee saw them any more towardly in duties of Religion hee would so much the more kindly speak unto them and more willingly confer with them They did usually also exercise themselves unto godlinesse by mutuall exhortations and admonitions drawing on one another in every good way and praying unto God in their courses together in the evening for a blessing upon their desires and labours which they ordinarily performed in the Kitchen more privately after prayer in the Parlour with the whole family So that by this meanes the Master governing religiously His family a religious nursury and the servants obeying conscionably his family became a common nursury for the Churches of God in the whole countrey For 1. Such of his servants as were inclineable unto marriage hee provided well for them and sent them out being married in the feare of God to raise and establish the worship of God in their owne houses And such as were single persons By disposing as he had any mind to spare them and to part with them he either bestowed them in other families or suffered them to plant themselves in such houses where they might mutually both joyne and joy together in Gods service to the spreading abroad of Religion and farther inlarging of the kingdome of Christ Jesus Or dispersing his servants And then he made supply againe by taking out of the countrey such of their sonnes and daughters as were fittest for his planting or watering in that part of the Lords Vineyard or for sowing or setting in the Lords field CHAP. XXI THus farre we have heard in what manner hee governed His course in Family duties towards God and ordered his family in their severall places for the better discharge of their duties amongst themselves Now we are farther to observe his course and carriage in those exercises and religious duties which he daily and duely performed morning and evening with his family in the worship of God for their mutuall comfort and for Gods praise and glory This Gentleman knew right well that family exercises were the very goads and spurs unto godlinesse the life and sinnews of grace and religion The necessity and excellency of family duties Example in Abrah Gen. 18.19 in Cornelius Act. 10.2 in Lors Eun. 2 Tim. 1.5 the bonds and cords of love drawing or leading to perfection Like the coales taken from the Altar whereby both iniquity is purged and mens hearts are inflamed with holy and heavenly affections towards God and good things Like the planting and watering of the Lords Vineyard whereby every branch is made more fruitfull Like the private training of Christian Souldiers that they may be fit and more fit for publike service Like the nursing or nurturing of the children or heires of great families where some are fed with milke and some with stronger meat all with wholesome food untill they bee brought on to their Fathers house to bee farther refreshed and feasted at his Table Of the souldiers Harnesse Lastly hee knew well that Family exercises in religious duties were like the putting on and buckling unto us the whole armour of God that so being furnished with all offensive and defensive weapons we may stand fast in the evill day and goe through the duties of every day also with more ease and comfort His preparation in 4. things 1 In his vigilancy And upon these and such like serious considerations he exercised himselfe and his family unto godlinesse after this manner First for preparation and secondly for execution For preparation It was his ordinary course to rise very early in the morning before the rest of his family betwixt three and foure of the clock in Summer and at or before five in the Winter so that by this his vigilancy and industry hee gained the liberty and opportunity most commonly of an houre or two before he rung the bell to awaken the rest of his family which time he bestowed most graciously first in private prayer for himselfe 2 In his private prayer and for every soule in his family making mention of some more particularly by name as their occasions or afflictions might move him thereunto and giving thankes to God therewithall for such mercies and comforts as both hee and they had received that night past and formerly also from his hand Secondly 3 Meditation in meditation upon some part of Gods Word and works wherewith he did season his mind and refresh his heart endevouring so to set the Watch aright in the morning that the clock might go the better all the day after 4 Industry in writing Thindly hee did as hee had occasion usually write out faire some part of such Sermons as hee had by a running hand taken from the mouth of the Preacher for renewing and increasing of the benefit and comfort which hee had reaped and received by the same Thus did he watch over his family when they were at rest themselves and commend them unto God by his prayers before they could open their lips to speake unto him by their owne words Thus did he awake with God in the morning that he might the better awake unto righteousnesse and walke before God in holinesse and uprightnesse all the day after even untill the evening CHAP. XXII 2. Hisexecution and performance of his family exercise THis he did by way of Preparation Now for execution in the performance of his family exercises he did discharge himselfe after this manner After they were come together upon the ringing of the bell they did all very reverently frame and compose themselves to stand in Gods presence and then he himselfe lifting up his heart with his hands unto God in the heavens First a little short prayer began his morning exercise after this manner Blessed Lord God and our most mercifull father in Christ Jesus we
the poore and entertaining of good people yet his estate was not impaired but increased the blessing of God inlarging his substance and his store according as it is written Godlinesse is profitable for all things having the promise both of this life and of that which is to come 7 Seventhly that in all blessings and comforts whether corporall or spirituall upon himselfe or upon others by his meanes his heart tasting and relishing the love of God in them was marvelously enlarged in rendering and returning all thanks and praise unto God alone even for the least of them Thus farre hath this worthy Gentleman holpen us to spin out the thread of his owne life with his owne fingers and to make up as it were the web thereof with his owne hands But as the cunning and curious workmanship of a cloth of Arras is but little seene and discerned while it is in the Loomes or when it lyeth folded and rolled up together but when it is opened in a faire light displayed at large and exposed to the view of the beholders then the art and skill of the work man doth more evidently appeare in great beauty and variety of knots and flowers Pomegranets and Lillies pictures and pourtraitures of princes and great personages and the like Even so the story of this Gentlemans life thus woven and wrapped up together though it containe many excellent things of great value and worth in it yet cannot the beautie and glory of his particular gifts and graces duties and services bee so well discerned and observed unlesse it be yet a little farther opened and unfolded and set forth to the view of such men as desire and delight to look into such things CHAP. LXIV IT will be therefore very requisite and no lesse pertinent to the present businesse wee have in hand to take a more strict view of some speciall parts and passages of his life wherein the gifts of Gods grace the vertues of Christ and the fruits of the spirit did more evidently and eminently appear to the farther beautifying and adorning of his person and profession of the Gospel of Christ Jesus Now to this end for our better and more orderly proceeding herein All to bee said drawn to 3. heads we will draw into a narrow compasse and reduce unto three generall heads all such specialties or particulars as may be worthy our observation in the same 1. As first His Conversing with God 1 His conversing with God 2. His Conversation in the World 2 His conversation in the world 3. His Deputure out of the World 3 His departure out of the world Exod 31.1 2.3 4 5. When the Lord called Bezaliel by name to worke in the building of the Tabernacle it is recorded that he filled him with the Spirit of God in wisedome and in understanding and in knowledge and in all manner of workmanship to work in gold and in silver and in brasse in cutting and setting of stones and carving of timber c. It was even so or not much otherwise with this worthy Gentleman when the Lord did as it were call him out by name to worke for the building of a spirituall tabernacle in himselfe and in others He filled him in good measure with the Spirit of grace in spirituall wisedome holy understanding and heavenly knowledge God gave him wisedome and Vnderstanding 1 Tim. 12 14 1 Cor. 15.10 Ier. 23.22.28 Also courage and strength Eph. 6.10 11 12 13 14. to worke cunning and curious workes by faith in love whether it were in Christians of better rancke as in gold and silver or in such as were of meaner place as in brasse and timber So doth the Lord ever furnish those whom he will set a worke and imploy in his service with all sufficient gifts and graces for the accomplishing of the worke whereunto he sets or sends them And as he gave him wisdome and knowledge so did he also courage and strength to mannage a Christian life and to fight valiantly the battels of the Lord against all the assaults of Satan and of sinfull men of the flesh and of the world and to breake through all difficulties and dangers that might stand or rise up against him in his way The Lord dealing herein as mercifully with him as hee did with Ioshua Iosh 1.5.6 9. As he did to Ioshua when he sent him to fight against the Canaanites and to put his people in possession of the holy land speaking unto him in these words of comfort and encouragement Have not I commanded thee be strong and of a good courage be not affraid neither be thou dismaied for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest I will not faile thee nor forsake thee And now having found this acceptance Ro 5.1 2.1 Pet. 2.3 1 His conversing with God Gen. 5.22 Num 12.8 1 loh. 1.3 and acquaintance with God and tasted how sweete and gracious the Lord was in all his mercies It was the desire and delight of his soule to walke with God and to converse with him more frequently and as it were more familiarly that so he might the better nourish and maintaine that holy and heavenly communion whereunto hee had called him in his son Christ Jesus And this hee did most carefully and diligently endeavour In 4 speciall duties and labour to effect by the conscionable performance of foure spirituall and speciall duties every day and his more abundant offering of these and other his holy services and sacrifices unto the Lord upon the Lords day His daily duties were these 1. Meditation First Meditation for increase of knowledge and good affections towards God and good things 2. Observation Secondly Observation of Gods wayes and workes his mercies and judgements to gather and gaine experience for himselfe and others 3. Invocation of his mercifull and rightetous dealing with us The third invocation of Gods name in prayer and praise for continuance and increase of mercy and grace and this for his constant perseverance in the profession of the Gospel in uprightnesse and sincerity The fourth 4 Imitation imitation of his heavenly father because we are commanded to be followers of God as deare children and this to renew his obedience by his conformity to Gods image and to his Fathers will Now for the first CHAP. LXV IT hath ever beene the practice of godly and good men Gen 5.22 Gen. 6.9 Gen. 17.1 Gen. 24.63 His meditation to exercise themselves unto godlinesse by holy and heavenly meditation So did Enoch and Noah Abraham Isaac and Jacob David and Hezekiah Paul and many others ever walke with God keepe their hearts in Gods presence seeke his face and the light of his countenance study his word and consider his workes And so did this Gentleman set his head and heart a worke every day more or lesse by serious Meditation to draw nearer unto God so to grow in knowledge and in grace and to increase
in spirituall strength the better to encounter all sad and sharpe occurrents which either in doing or in suffering the will of God he might meet withall This hee knew was the speciall meanes prescribed by God himselfe unto Joshua Josh 1.78 The necessity and excellency of Mâ—ditation that hee might make his way prosperous and have good successe namely to meditate in the word of God day and night and not to turne aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left This hee knew was the mark and character of a blessed man Psal 1.2 Da mihi magistrum Gen. 24.63 to delight in the law of the Lord an in that law to meditate day and night And therefore for the better practice of this holy duty he did usually carry about him some part of the Bible Means and helpes which hee used or his Sermon Note booke if he went abroad into the field to meditate as Isaac did in the evening or were upon a journey as the Eunuch was when he was reading and meditating in his chariot on the prophecy of Isaiah concerning Christ Jesus Acts 8.28 Or if he were within doores he gave himselfe much to the reading of the Word and to make collections of promises Reading of the word precepts comforts prohibitions mercies judgements marks of Gods children brands of wicked men and many other good things as he found them in the way And these he made the matter or ground of his meditation and the means to inlarge himself in this exercise And of godly mens writings His Cammon-place book To which end also he did very diligently reade and peruse the workes of divers learned and godly men and drew unto certaine heads and Common-places what he thought most worthy observation and of best use in them Amongst the rest hee was much delighted and refreshed with D. Hals Contemplations and Meditations M. Greenhams workes M. Rogers his Seven Treatises which for his better helpe and greater comfort he had abridged and drawn into an Epitome almost all untill he was informed that another godly man a worthy Divine had already done it to his hand M. Baine His following of the rules of direction Afterwards when M. Egertons practice of Christianity containing the summe and substance of that booke came forth he addressed himself to make his best use of that part of it touching the art and exercise of this divine Meditation wherein he profitted so well that he was very able according to those places and rules of direction to enlarge his meditations upon any subject that did usually fall within his reach and compasse So that now hee might say after a sort with holy David Psal 119.97.54 O how love I thy law O Lord It is my meditation all the day I have made thy statutes my song and my meditation in the dayes of my pilgrimage The gaine of godlines 1 Tim. 6.6 The gain which he got by this exercise of holy meditation was an increase of godlines and godlinesse we know is great gaine having all sufficiency in it self for true comfort and contentment The fruits which he reaped of this his planting Many benefits and fruits of it and watering were very gracious and precious As 1. the killing or quelling of many noysome lusts 1 Killing of lusts which like caterpillars or cancker-worms are wont to breed in the best trees 2. The dislodging and driving out many unsavoury and worldly cares and thought 2 Driving out evill thoughts which bring nothing but vanity and vexation of spirit with them 3. This bred in him a godly watchfulnes over his words 3. Watchfulnesse and works heart and life 4. It wrought in him a gracious aptnesse 4. Aptnesse to good duties and chearefulnesse unto all good duties wherin he might be either serviceable unto God or profitable unto men 5. It ministered unto him counsell and strength for the spirituall war 5 Counsel strength that he might stand fast in the evill day against all his and Gods enemies 6. It brought him to a heaven upon earth 6 Conversation in heaven teaching him so to have his conversation in heaven that he might go about earthly affaires with a heavenly mind as he saw hee had calling thereunto 7. It kept his heart in possession of his integrity and sincerity 7 Possesing of his integrity ever calling upon him to keep faith and a good conscience alwayes and in all things 8. It wrought his soul to a gracious tendernes lowlines and meeknes 8 Sensiblenesse of sins and sorrowes to be very sensible of other mens sins and sorrows as wel as of his own 9. It was unto him as a sweet perfume composed of many delicate and costly spices 9 A perfume to all his actions which made all his thoughts words and works more sweet and savoury so that where ever he came he left no ill sent but a sweet savour of his graces and vertues behind him 10. And lastly 10 A preservative against secret and open sins this exercise of meditation was unto him a soveraign preservative not only against secret and open lesser and grosser sins but against all the inticements and allurements of the pleasures and profits honors and favors of this present evil world so that he was neither intangled in them nor inveagled by them O how great is the difference betwixt this Gent Great difference and many others of his rancke and of greater and meaner estate also I which professing themselves to be Christians Many enemies to it Psal 2.1.2 Psal 36.4 Zac 8.17 Ge. 27.41 1 Sam. 18.1.23.25 2 Sam. 17.23 2 Sam. 16.3 Ps 52.1 2 Ioh. 13.2 Acts 5.1 2 3. Many of the better sort fail in it are yet either enemies or strangers to this Christian duty required at their hands Some there be so empty of grace and goodnesse and so full of malice lust pride covetousnes and voluptuousnes that they cannot fix their minds nor settle their hearts upon any good thing to any good end but if they meditate it is but upon vaine or vile things devising mischief upon their beds and imagiving evill in their hearts against their brethren Such were Esau Saul Achitophel Ziba Doeg Indas Ananias and Saphira all of which had their musings and meditations their severall imaginations and consultations but never a good man nor any good matter of meditation amongst them all Some other there are of better minds and hearts who yet for want of good acquaintance with this holy and heavenly exercise of meditation for the nature and manner helps and meanes end and use of it have little experience of the benefit which comes by it and so deprive themselvs of many sweet comforts and refreshings which otherwise they migh enjoy by the practise of it Who is wise and he shall understand these things Hos 14 9. prudent and he shall know them for the wayes of the Lord are
life from me Well these drunkards whoremasters do not think upon their sins well how then There is no drunkard that doth drink one spoonefulor drop of drink more than doth suffice nature but the Devill doth pen it down in his book Well it is a great book and he doth keep it close untill the day of Indgement And then he will lay it to their faces At which time the hils will tremble and quake and the Devill will quake yea he doth quake for feare now Well some would think it a great while to be bound with the Devill as I am a 12 month or 2 yeares but it is better to bee so than to wallow in drunkennesse swearing and whoring for the Divell doth worke in their soules Well some will say how can the Devilly in so little a room Well the Devill is as the wind for when he did take a man away out of a chamber be came in at the little hole but how did he take him away even out at the top of the chimney Well there are some Papists and some Atheists and some of no Religion woe be to those that dye suddenly for they have no time to repent and especially those that live in drunkennesse or whoring or swearing Iesus saith they say hee shall not out of me but when God comes he will strike home Many and many other more of his strange speeches I passe over contenting my selfe with these few which were taken from his own mouth by the hand under the testimony of faithfull witnesses some at one time and some at another as he himself did then deliver them and as this worthy Gentleman hath in his diligent Observation of this amongst other of Gods Iudgements made mention of them and recorded them This therefore that hath been spoken shall suffice concerning the second daily duty which this Gent performed namely his carefull observation of Gods ways and works mercies and judgements amongst the sons of men CHAP. XLVIII His private invocation THe third followeth viz. His Religious invocation of the Name of God every day Now although it be true that he did very constantly performe this duty every day morning and evening with his Family as formerly wee have heard yet did he not hold that sufficient for himselfe unlesse he did open his heart and poure out his soule in private before the Lord making his requests known unto him Phil. 4.6 in all manner of supplications with Thanksgiving And this he desired and endevored to perform according to the Apostles direction 1 Tim. 2.8 In every place lifting up pure hands without wrath or doubting that is in faith and love For hee did not confine himselfe for his private Prayers unto any one place Not confined to one place neither within doores nor without but ever tooke his fittest opportunity as time and place might best move him or leade him unto this Duty Following herein the holy example of Christ and of other holy men setting themselves a part for this service sometimes in and upon the higher roomes of the house with Peter sometimes in the field with Isaac Acts 10.9 Gen. 24.63 Luc. 22 39 40. Eph. 3.13 14. Nehem. 2.4 sometimes in the mount and sometimes in the garden with Christ Iesus sometimes in the Prison with Paul and sometimes in the Palace with Nehemiale sometimes upon his journey with Iacob sometimes at the end of it Gen. 28.20 Gen. 24.12 Psal 6.6.9 Act. 10.30 with Eliezer somtimes on his bed with David and somtimes in his closet with Cornelius If he were in his own house or about home he had divers places which he interchangeably used for this purpose because hee would not bee too much observed to frequent one place lest he should draw himself into some suspition of vanity or hypocrisie Hee had variety of Closets Studies Chambers and other convenient roomes if hee were within and if he went abroad he had his Gardens Orchards Arbors Groves Woods and Fields Walkes and Shades where he did delight to speak and commune with his best friend and to seek the face and favor help and succour of his heavenly Father in and through the mediation of his Son Christ Iesus And as he was choice of the place so was hee carefull of the time which he constantly set apart every day for his private prayer His time for private praver Fsal 119.164 Seven times a day and praise 7 times a day did hee reverently and conscionably performe this duty causing his prayers to ascend as incense and the lifting up of his hands to be as an Evening Sacrifice The severall seasons and times he tooke were these The first in the morning before any of his family were stirring being usually first up in the house Psa 55.27.7 and that both Summer and Winter The second was before his breake-fast after prayer in his family The third was immediatly before dinner The fourth a little while after dinner The fist a little before supper The sixt not long after supper And the seventh a little before hee tooke his Chamber to go to his rest Neither was he only so plentifull for the number of his spirituall Devotions as he was by the grace of God powerfull in the manner measure end and issue of them Powerful in prayer Rom. 8.26 27.1 Iohn 5.14 I am 5.16 2 Cor. 12.7 For being full of Faith and of the holy Ghost he could speake unto God by his own spirit in his owne words according to his owne Will and in the name of his own Son And so we know he could not but speake wel and speede well either finding that which hee craved and sought for at Gods hands or obtaining more than all that he could desire or deserve My grace is sufficient for thee And herein we are the rather induced thus to thinke because usually his prayer was fortified by Faith supported by Hope inflamed with Zeale beautified with Humility purified by Sincerity and established by Constancy Now unto his Private Praying he did usually upon some extraordinary occasion his own or others adjoyne private Fasting His private Fasting which hee was very frequent and fervent in and that with so great austerity that he did much weaken his body as well as afflict his soule thereby as sometimes Timothy did in the like case 1 Tim. 5.23 Eusebius hath reported recorded it Euseb c Hist lib. 2. cap. 23. of Iames the Iust that with often and continuall bowing of his knees before the Lord for himselfe and the people in earnest fervent prayer for remission of their sins he hath so lost the sense and feeling of his knees that they were as hard and so as sensles as the knees of a Camell I will not compare this Iohn with that Iames neither for sanctity of heart nor for austerity of life Tender prayers and hard knees But for their Affections and Actions Prayers and knees tendernesse of the one
charme he never so wisely Thus have we made it manifest that this gracious and Godly Gentleman was in his holy conversation full of mercy and full of good fruits All of which do taste and relish so much the better because they were seasoned with two other gracious qualities of that wisedome which is from above namely Equity and Syncerity for hee was without partiality and without hypocrisie According to that of the Prophet Micha He hath shewed thee O man what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee but to doe justlie and to love mercy and to walk humbly and uprightly with thy God And thus have we according to our purpose and promise taken a more speciall view of some parts and passages of this Gentlemans life wherein the gifts of Gods grace the vertues of Christ and the fruits of the Spirit did more eminently appear As first in his conversing with God and secondly in his conversation in the world And so wee come from the course of his life in the world and draw towards the end of his life namely his departure out of the world which was the third and last of those 3. generall heads which were proposed to be handled CHAP. LX. COncerning his departure out of this world 3. General Head His departure out of the world 1. Prepar 2. His Resol 3 His confidence 4. His const Psa 90.12 we propole divers things to be considered and observed First his preparation for it Secondly his patient resolution to Beare all the sharpe occurrents of it Thirdly his gracious confidence of a blessed and happy exchange after it Fourthly his happy constancy in the faith of Christ unto the end and in the end untill hee was put in possession of it and so obtained the end of his faith the salvation of his lonle in Christ Jesus Now for the first as his whole life was a meditation of death so was it also a continuall preparation for it For the Lord had taught him so to number his dayes that he did apply his heart unto wisdome I say both to be wise unto salvation and so wise also as to consider Wisedom Deut. 32.29 Iob. 14.14 and often think too upon his latter end So that all the dayes of his appointed time he did wait as Iob did till his change should come Al his studies and labours all his holy duties and services all his prayers and tears all his watchings and fastings all his desires and endeavors were especially bent and directed unto this end next unto Gods glory that he might so run that he might obtaine and so fight His preparation for death that he might overcome and in the end be more than a conquerour in him that loved him that is in Christ Jesus It was therefore his care and confidence ever so to live that he might never be affraid to dye yea so to live that he might desire to dye and to bee with Christ which is best of all even where he is and as he is for over Phil 1.23 Paulm in vita Amb. Possidon in vita Aug. As Paulinus hath recorded of Ambrose that being ready to dye he uttered these comfortable words unto his friends about him Non sic vivi ut pude no me inter vos vivere nec mori timeo quiu bonum habemus Dominum I have not so lived that I am ashamed to live amongst you neither am I affraid to dye because we have a good Lord. His more especiall preparation for his latter end His more speciall preparation in ten speciall duties consisted in these holy duties and heavenly exercises 1. To deny himself his wit his will his reason and affection 2. To renounee the world and to we are himselfe from the love of it and from all the pleasures profits honours and favours of the fame 3. To set and settle his affections on the things which are above placing his heart where his head Christ is 4. To take all his decayes of nature his bodily infirmities want of vigour and strength abatement of naturall heate and moisture to be certeyne Impressions of his mortality and evident Summons to a dissolution 5. To make all his spirituall rejoycings and refreshings in the estate of grace to bee pledges and earnests as it were of heavenly and everlasting joy and happinesse in the estate of glory 6. To consider that unto the godly death is but a passage unto life a dissolution of soule and body for a season which afterwards shall bee restored again in greater beauty and glory at the resurrection 7. To observe that death puts an end to all sins and sorrows to all temptations and afflictions and brings us into the possession of an heavenly inheritance where the true treasure is in abundance where also there are rivers of pleasures and fulnesse of joy for ever more 8. To meditate that here we are but strangers and pilgrims having here no continuing city but seeking one to come that heaven is our home and that whiles we are present in the body we are absent from the Lord and that Ierusalem which is above is the city of the Saints and mother of us all 9. To conferre and talke with his godly friends of the day of death and time of his departure out of this world even in the middest of all other comforts as Christ himself did with Moses and Elias in the holy Mount of his departure that is of his death at Ierusalem and as Austin had much holy and heavenly communication with his mother Monica Aug Cons l. 9. t. 10. and shee with him to the like purpose 10. Lastly to watch and pray with oyle in our Lamps and our lights burning taking every day for our last day Mat. 25.4 2 Tim. 2.21 Mat. 25.23 and so bee ready and prepared for our Masters worke for our Masters comming and for our owne reckoning Thus much of the means which he used and duties which he performed to prepare himself for his departure out of this world Now for his patient resolution to beare all the sharp occurrents of it As hee had obtained mercy of the Lord to bee faithfull in doing his will So had he also to be patient and resolute in suffering and abiding his good pleasure both in life and death To which end the Lord had given him a great measure of spirituall strength Phil. 4.13 Eph. 6.13 that he was able to doe in a manner all things in Christ which strengthened him and hee had furnished him also with that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the whole armour of God whereby he might be able to stand fast in the evill day whether of tentation or affliction against all adverse power that might assaile him We read of that faithfull servant of Christ Chrysostome when hee was grievously persecuted by Eudoxia the Empresse that the Lord did give him such courage and resolution that he feared nothing which she could doe unto him though shee did threaten never
so much against him Si vult Regina me exulem agat in exilium Domini est terra plenitudo ejust si vult secare secet Chrys Ep. Cyriace Epise Tom. 5. idem passus est Isairs si vult in pelagus mittere Ionoe recordabor c. If the Queene will have me banished let her banish me the earth is the Lords and the fulnesse thereof If she will cut me in peeces let her doe so The Prophet Isaiah suffered the same death If she will cast me into the sea I will then remember Jonah if she will throw me into a burning fornace the three children suffered as much before me Such like courage and resolution had this Gentleman against his naturall afflictions as Chrysostome had against violent persecution So that now he was able with valiant David to goe forth in the name of the Lord even against Goliah of the Philistims And grew resolute with Paul not to reckon his life deare unto him whatsoever afflictions might befall him so that he might fulfill his course with joy Act. 20.24 Ro. 8.18 Accounting all the afflictions of this world to be unworthy of the glory that shall be revealed and never fainting for any sorrow because although the outward man did perish and decay yet was his inward man renewed daily 2 Cor. 4.16.17 and all the afflictions of this life were but light and momentany to him that had an eye to the eternall vveight of glory laid up in heaven for him CHAP. LXI IT was observed by many of his friends His graces much increased in his old age both at home and abroad that in his declining dayes when he faw he was drawing on towards his journeyes end his faith was exceedingly increased his hope and rejoycing in God much enlarged his love and zeale wonderfully inflamed his affections towards God and the godly Theodosius senior aetate sed valìdius fide Amb. de Obit Theod. more holy and heavenly and his motions towards heaven more quicke and lively Much like the Elements and other such naturall bodies which the nearer they draw to their proper places are ever more violent and speedy in their motions till they come unto them So was it with this Gentleman for his spirituall estate the nearer he drew to wards his proper place his mansion house 2 Cor. 5. 1 Ioh 14. 2. Phil 3.13 Act. 20.24 Heb. 12.1 prepared for him in the heavens the more eager his desires were and his motions more vehement to dispatch his journey with all good speed to finish his course with joy and to runne out the race with patience vvhich vvas set before him Those that hee planted in the house of the Lord Psal 92.14.15 shall flourish in the courts of our God They shall bring forth fruit in old age and they shall bee fat and flourishing His laft dayes his best days Their last dayes shall bee their best dayes and their last vvorkes their best vvorkes and their fruit shall bee more and better at the last than at the first Isay 61.3 Such a tree of righteousnesse the planting of the Lord vvas this godly Gentleman whose fruit did not faile whose leafe did not fade no not in the winter of his age Psal 1. Ier. 17.8 Psa 92.13 14. Phil. 3.13 but did ever flourish in the courts of our God He was of Saint Pauls resolution forgetting those things which were behinde and reaching forth unto those things which are before he pressed towards the mark for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus His Resolution and courage against all assaults And casting out as it were his gantlet of defiance against all the most sharpe and dangerous assaults that might encounter him and be made against him he challengeth them all as Paul did Who shall separate me from the love of Christ Shall tribulation on distresse or persecution or famine or nakednesse or perill or sword Shall sicknesse or sorrowes feares or terrors pains or aches fores or swellings miseries of life or pangs of death so prevaile against me Nay in all these things I shall be more than a conquerour through him that loveth me And so from Pauls resolution he grew unto Pauls perswasion J am perswaded that neither death nor life nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come Nor height nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. His hope and expectation Phil. 1.20 21. And from this perswasion to an earnest hope and expectation That in nothing hee should bee ashamed but that with all boldnesse as alwayes so now also Christ should bee magnified in his body whether it bee by life or by death For to him to live was Christ and to die was gaine Being now thus setled and resolved in patience and confidence to beare all afflictions and indure all grievances which might be either as fore-runners or attendants on his departure and dissolution It seemed good unto the Lord to visit him with sicknesse and that after this manner as his faithfull yoke-fellow hath reported and fent me in writing from her owne hand Her words be these CHAP. LXII His first sicknesse and visitation I Call to mind some words which he spake unto me alone at that time when it pleased the Lord to visit him which was upon the day after the Sabbath That morning he arose exceeding early and having beene in private prayer with God as his usuall manner was he performed afterwards this duty in the whole family This being done he went as he was accustomed into his Studie untill dinner time And having dined he went into his Study again And then it pleased God about an houre or two after to visit him as it were with an Ague after the manner of a shaking and so withdrawing himselfe thence into his little parlour he laid him down upon his bed Then said I unto him Sir I feare your early rising hath done you hurt Then he replied If you had seene wife such glorious things as I saw this morning being in private prayer with God â—ide Posâ—d de vita Aug. c. 27. you would not have said so For they were so wonderfull and unspeakable that whether I was in the body or out of the body with Paul I cannot tell Thus it hath pleased the Lord least I should be too much exalted by this glorious sight to give mee with Paul a buffet in the flesh All which things he spake with exceeding great joy unto me Non probo quod â—esero vix fas est credere visis Saepe Satan tali in lumine lucc nocet The like report of the like ravishing in spirit and such glorious sights which he saw not long before he himselfe made unto some of his friends after he had beene one day in private prayer with God in his grove The particulars