Mr. Robert Swinnocks to Supper By that time he had supped there would be hundred or more gathered together to Mr. Swinnocks house to joyn with him in the conclusion of the day Many times to my comfort I have seen two Rooms one considerable for largeness through which persons of all ranks the Mayor Jurates and their Wives by their patterns encouraging others to worship the great God After Supper he came among them begun with a short prayer then would read the Verses he had expounded in that day ask what observations were raised from such a Verse then proceed to the next so through all the Verses he had expounded forenoon and afternoon then enquire what the Text were the Doctrines the Explications Reasons Uses all in order as preached seldom named one head himself but still heartned them to speak and assisted them when they were at a loss then they sung a Psalm and he ended the day with prayer about ten a clock at night Once a month he administred the Lords Supper to a considerable number of solid serious Christians with that life and warmth in prayer and opening Scripture that some of his Communicants have thought themselves in the Suburbs of Heaven when they have joyned with him in that Ordinance in which he spent an hour and half commonly Thus he Sanctified the Lords Day spending nine or ten hours in publick and private Worship beside what time he spent in secret duties in which he was never niggardly so that the Sabbath which was a day of rest to others was a day of great pains and labour to him yet it was easie yea delightful to him and at the end of the day when those who took not half his pains have complained of their weariness he would be exceeding lively and chearful such was his great love to his Saviour and the souls committed to his charge The Sabbath day to him was a day of light and gladness and a good day CHAP. XV. The great pains he took with his people on the Week-days YEt he did not think it sufficient to Teach his people on the Lords Day but the Town being very populous and the Parish large and he rendred thereby uncapable of going from house to house on the Week-days he layd out himself in the service of his Lord for the henefit of his Parish Every Thursday their Market-day he preached a Lecture to which many Ministers came and with much delight sat under him On Frydays he met in private with as many of his people as would come together when sometimes he expounded the Scripture to them sometimes preached and always sung and prayed with them And also Mundays or Tursdays for his day was altered as he saw occasion he appointed a Conference in the publick Meeting place where the question being before propounded and known ex gr what was the nature of repentance or faith or what the sighness or what the means or what the motives to it his people prepared to speak to it and he by his wise courteous carriage and language won their hearts and drew them to Study the Scriptures and good Books that they might be able to speak to the purpose As they spake when he saw occasion he would help and assist them yet still take care to keep them in the way of Truth and that none did go beyond their bounds or incroach upon the Ministry After they had spoken he would gather together their scattered notions bring them into an orderly method apply to them sutable Texts of Scripture add what of his own he thought necessary and so render the meeting exceeding profitable and comfortable to his flock I have heard him at one of these Meetings when the question was about one of the petitions in the Lords Prayer to my great advantage and delight for Christian Communion mannaged with prudence is that which keeps our Religion in breath and without which it would be ready to die When he laid down this way of Conference instead thereof he set up Catechising on the Week-days in publick and this was continued till he had gone through the whole Town except some Families in the out bounds which Families he intended also to have Cathechized but was prevented He did work the work of him that sent him into the world spend himself as the Silk-worm to cloath and as the Lamp to direct others not to bury the Talent in the Napkin of idleness Indeed those Nurses Ministers I mean deserve the greatest condemnation who let their Children though they cry starve to death because they will not take the pains to draw out their breasts to them CHAP. XVI His diligence on all occasions to do good as also his way of Preaching HE was of a noble disposition very free upon the occasions to communicate knowledge to others not like a Whirlpool that sucks all to it self but as a Fountain to disperse its streams for the refreshment of many Seldom were any in his company but they might if it were not their own fault receive good by him He was neither vain in ostentation nor niggardly in reservation some might think he did ill to take so much pains on the Lords Days and on the Week-days constantly and on all occasions to the shortning of his life but he was sensible he could never labour enough for his Lord and that God make no difference between nequam nequaquam an idle and an evil servant Hence it was that when he was often advised by his friends to be mindful of his body and not to work it so hard he was deaf to all those advice and was ready to say with Calvin when counselled by his friends to take care of his health Would you have my Lord when he comes to find me idle and with Dr. Reynolds of Oxford when the Doctors persuaded him not perdere substantiam propter accidentia Noc propter vitam vivendi perdere causas I met him once at night at a friends house when he had travelled near fourty miles that day yet notwithstanding his great weariness he would spend some time in expounding Scripture to the Family beside singing and prayer which he never omitted before he went to bed St. Austins wish was that Christ when he came to call him by death might find him aut precautem aut predicautem either praying or preaching Truely such seem'd to be the desire of Mr. Wilson by his indefalligable laboriousness about his Masters business I never knew him given to any recreation though never so innocent but exceeding provident he was of his time A little after dinner he would sometimes sit and discourse but usually if he was at home his Study was his place of abode He was Hellno librorum an indefutigable Student stealing time from his sleep even when his body call'd for it for his Book It s said of Bradfrod that he slept not above four hours in the night and that his Book went not out of his hand till sleep came and
keep up the power of Godliness in our hearts and lives And as God on that day bestoweth great blessings on them that humbly and reverently worship him on that Queen of days that Market day of our souls Isa. 58. 13 14. So he hath inflicted dreadful Judgements on the profaners of that day and when men have neglected to punish them he hath taken the Sword into his own hand and done it himself One example whereof there was in Maidstone when I lived there In former time that day was much prophaned as I said before and children were wont to play in the streets on that day One Sabbath as children were playing near a wall against which Wagen-wheels were set up on a sudden there arose a great wind which blew down a wheel upon one of the Children and crusht it to death Felix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum Besides on week days such was the blessing of God upon his preaching and example many Families Morning and Evening did set up religious duties who never minded them before You might there if you walkt in the great street about nine and ten a clock in a morning hear singing in many Families for they commonly sung Morning and Evening when they read the Word and Prayed CHAP. XIX His great Courage HE had a strong and undaunted Spirit not discouraged by any obstacles which were laid in the way of his duty He feared God and none else He was like that Ancient that when a threatning message of death was sent him bid the Messenger tell the Empress Nil timeo nisi peccatum I fear nothing but sin Or Rowland Taylor who being intreated to flie the Marian days said I know the cause so good and the truth so strong on my side it will by Gods grace-appear before their Beads resists their false doings for I believe I shall never be able to Good so good a service as now He discovered much courage in reproving sin for as Christ said of the Church of Ephesus he could not bear those that were evill were they never so great Elijah durst speak to Ahab and Mr. Wilson to the highest person by way of reprehension when there was cause for it If men were bold in sinning he was as bold in telling them of it and giving their sins their due accents yet as wise Physitian he could distinguish between Pimples and Plague sores between infirmities and scandals accordingly apply himself to his Patients CHAP. XX. Of his Zeal HE was one that abundantly discovered his zeal for God in embracing all opportunities to do him service in his great care where ever he came for the strict observation and right Sanctification of the Lords Day in his sense of the dishonour done to God by the prophaness and contempt of the ordinaces of God by some and by the errors and wilful withdrawings from the Ordinances by others which he bewailed bitterly to his dying day Some who its hoped had the root of matter in them questioned his call to the Ministry nay suspected his call to be Anti-christian and seperated from him though they themselves acknowledges that he was their Spiritual Father and had begotten them through the Gospel and he might say to them as the Apostles to the Corinthians Ye are the Seal of our Ministry do we need as some others Letters of Commendation to you ye are our Epistle known and read of all men For asmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the Epistle of Christ Ministred by us written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God not in Tables of stone but in fleshly Tables of the heart 2 Cor. 3. 1 2 3. How frequently and affectionately did he urge that upon them that separated in my hearing Isa. 11 6 7 8 9. This causeless sinful separation lay near his heart even when he lay upon his dying bed The great danger of their souls as also of those that wholly cast of the care of their eternal good caused him in the course of his Sermons and Expositions when the Scriptures led him to it to reprove their sins sharply and indeed according to the command of the Holy Ghost he could do it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cuttingly that they might be sound in the Faith Tit. 1. 13. It s reported of Bazil that one hearing much of him had a great desire to know what manner of man he was hereupon in a Vision was represented to him a flame of sire with this motto Talis est Basilius such a man is Basil. And truly such a man was Mr. Wilson meek and cold when at any time himself was reproached and abused but as hot as fire in the cause of his God The zeal of Gods house burnt him up Errors and Heresies were very odious to him such was his love to the truth It might be said of him as of Austin that was Malleus Haereticorum The Hamer of Heresies and Schismes I have heard him often quote and comment on those Scriptures Heb. 10. 25. and 1 Iohn 2. 19. With much warmth and vigour that if it were possible he might reduce those that went astray And though such as were toucht in their sores were angry and said it was passion and his natural heat was Kitchin fire the effect of his natural Spirit yet the judicious knew otherwise that it was a coal from the Altar true zeal the fruit of Gods Spirit in him knowing that he was set 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Apostle speaks Phil. 1. 17. For the defence of the Gospel Some of those that separated were very dear to him that he might say as David It was not an enemy that reproached me then I could have born it willingly was it he that hated me that did magnisie himself against me But it was my friend and my acquaintance we took sweet counsel together and formerly walked to the house of God in Company Psa. 55. 12 13 14. But as dear as they were to him the Truth of the Gospel were much dearer Amicus Socrates amicus Plato sed magis amica veritas And he was a man of such clear convincing light and as it is said of Apollos Acts 18. 24. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 able strong mighty in the Scriptures that had they not been wilfully blind or very weak eyed they must have seen their errors It is observed by some as a special Providence of God that the same day in which Pelagius the Heretick was born in Brittain St. Augustine the great Confuter of his Heresie was born in Affrick God so disposing it that the Poison and the Antidote should come into the World together I am sure it was a good providence to Maidstone that when many errors sprung up there was such an able faithful Husbandman to watch them and root them out otherwise many more then did might have fallen from their own stedfastness and been led away with the errors of the times CHAP. XXI Of Faith and Heavenly mindedness HE was
for sports on Sundays and giving disdainful words toward Power the Apparitor and Officer of the Court. RESP. I said unto the Apparitor remember you to keep Holy the Sabbaoth day and added no more words I refused to read the Book mentioned not out of any contempt of any Authority but as being commanded by no Law for the Kings Majesty doth not in the Book command or appoint the Minister to read it nor it to be read but published neither came it with nor know I of any Seal to confirm it so that I dared not take notice of it to be the Kings Book for as I understand all his Majesties Writs Proclamations and Mandats use to come with a Seal and his Majesty intended as I conceive not to trouble any that refused to read it seeing there is no penalty threatned nor authority given that I know of to any to question them that refuse to read it my refusal to read it was upon sufficient grounds of Law and Conscience which for satisfaction to his High Court and to clear me from contempt I shall here by way of Answer briefly and fully express thus His Majesties express Pleasure is that the Laws of the Kingdom and Cannons of the Church be observed in all places of the Kingdom Book Pag. 8. and therefore in Kent and in Otham now this Book as I conceive is contrary to both 1. It is against the Law as the Statute Edward VI. Anno 5. Cap. 3. Christians on all Holy days and times appointed should apply themselves only and wholly unto holy works properly appertaining to true Religion and such times be dedicated onely to God and his true Worship and be separated from all prophane uses but say I no civil recreation is any part of Gods true Worship the Stature Caroli Anno 1. Cap. 1. the Holy keeping of the Lords day is a principal of the true service of God and it is now prophaned by a disorderly sort of people by interludes and other unlawful exercises and pastimes the 13. Cannon all manner of persons shall keep the Lords Day according to Gods Holy will and pleasure 2. Our Church is against it First In Homilyes which contain Godly and wholesome Doctrine and necessary for these times We keep now the first day of the week which is our Sunday and make that our Sabbaoth by the fourth Commandment God Commands one standing day in the Week and all Men and Women and Children and Servants be to keep it in a holy rest and use it Holily and give themselves wholely to Heavenly exercise of Gods true Religion and Service but I say Archery May-poles May-games Dancings Morrice-dancing and the like be not exercises of Gods true Religion and Service Secondly In the Liturgy a Minister in enjoyned to read the fourth Commandment Remember thou keep Holy the Sabbaoth Day and all are to intreat Gods Mercy to incline their hearts to keep this Law Ps. 118. 24. is appointed to be read on Easter day as proper to it it shews V. 24. This is the day which the Lord hath made we will rejoyce and be glad in it so that the Lord instituted it Bishop Andrews on Easter-day 1611. Preaching on that Psalm 118. Psal. 22. c. Thirdly In the Exhortation fit for the time upon the Fast-days 1625. declaring the apparent cause of the Plague saith the Lords Day is not kept holy but polluted and the Ministry of the Word despised and in the end of that Book mention is made of Playes Pastimes Idleness Drunkenness the proper sins of our Nation which pulled Gods wrath upon us and I dare not by reading seem to allow what did bring the Plague of God on the Land that year 3. It is against Scriptures Exod. 20. 8. Remember the Sabbaoth-Day to keep it Holy where we are commanded to keep holy the Lords Day as I learn out of Authors Zanchy on the fourth Commandment we keep holy the Lords Day and Sanctifie it Iunius in Animadvers in Bellar. Controv. Lib. 7. Cap. 10. The Lords Day answereth to the Sabaoth and its proportionable to it and is commanded in Exod. 20. 8. again in Gen. 2. 82. This Law is established by the fourth Commandment of the Decologue to be observed of all Alexander Alensis Tom. 3. Q. 32. Memb. 4. Art 4. In the observation of the Sabboath is commanded the observation of the Lords Day chiefly according to intermination Isa. 58. 13. If thou turn thy foot from the Sabboath from doing thy pleasure on my Holy Day and call the Sabbaoth a delight the Holy of the Lord honorable and shalt honor him not doing thine own ways nor finding thine own pleasures nor speaking thine own words and Cultetus in locum saith they took away the Sabbaoth by scandalous deeds that hinder Gods worship as drinking sports and idle wandring Isa. 56. 2. The man is blest that keepeth the Sabbaoth from polluting it Vers. 4. God rewards such abundantly Vers. 67. Such a one shall be made joyful in Gods House which is true in the day of the Gospel when Gods House is a House for Prayers for all people 4. It is against Councels Concil Toletan 4. cited by Zanchy on the fourth Commandment Let there be no dancing on Holy Festivals nor filthy Songs but let all be at leisure for Godly duties and Divine Worship Concil Laodice Cannon 59. In the Church there ought not to be sung any common Service nor Books be Read besides the Connonical Scripture but only the Sacred Volums of the Old and New Testament 5. It is against Divines Ancient Augustine on the Ps. 32. concio It s better to Delve then to Dance on the Sabbaoth and on Iohn 1. Tract 3. It s better to Spin then to Dance on the Sabbaoth Chrysost. on Gen. Hom. 10. God intimateth from the beginning that in the circle of the Week one whole entire day should be seperated and set by for Spiritual works Ireneus Lib. 4. Cap. 30. The Sabbaoth requires and Teaches the continuance of the whole day in the service of God Ignatius in Epistol ad magnes Let every one keep the Sabbaoth Spiritually rejoycing in the Meditation of the Law not in the recreation of body let every one that loveth Christ now keep holy the Lords Day 2. Modern and late Divines Rabington Bishop of Worcester on the fourth Commandment saith to keep Holy the Sabbaoth day is to separate and consecrate it to all Godly exercise wherein our Faith and Obedience to God is shewen Zanchy on the fourth Commandment All the day is to be consecrated to the Worship of God by day understanding the true natural day the true observing of the Sabbaoth is that we do not what we please but what Gods will is the rest on Holy days is not to be set a part for our lusts and pleasure plays and sins but for Gods worship onely They do not keep holy a day which instead of Gods worship give themselves to pleasure Iunius on Numbers 15. He who