Justices for near two years more yet at last prevailed by slanders to be countenanced so by another in armes who took not such notice of the private malignity under pretence of Loyalty that the Chyrurgeon was encouraged as one of the chief in ransacking the said Vernons House and Closet which he had stored with Medicine for his Apothecary at pleasure with violence and dis-ingenuity incredible upon pretence of Armes where never was any and bruitishly frequented the house as he pleased sometimes in company sometimes alone in his drink venting his threats very absurdly to the great terror of the poor family The said Child being timerous and under a fit of sickness also at Ewel with more deep sence of sin having thus early to his care about his eternal estate the additional fears of unreasonable men so frequently was so exposed though naturally very chearful that his Father was enforced to remove the Family from thence to Newington with respect to their Schooling leaving them himself some weeks before The Child began therefore when his Father through these troubles left Ewel â—â—rst in good earnest to approach to his â—eavenly father in private and to begin a â—orrespondency with his good friend Mr. R. D. in London wherein were Christian expressions in such wisdome and knowledge as made his friend question being the first he had written whether they could come from one so young being then â—ut Ten years old whereupon the said Mr. D. sent to him as followeth Dear Caleb I Received thine without date but not without serious desire of the best things and of â—hy beginning to be instructed in them which made thy Letter very acceptable and welcome to me being willing to hope that what comes under thy hand is not only notions in thy head but something of Truth in thy heart which I desire may be more and more really wrought in thee Thy Lines savour of an honest heart and seem to come from an older head than thy own yet being informed from such as I can credit that it was thy own writing I shall make no further inquiry than to have it confirmed from thy self in thy next to me whether indeed thou hadst not privately the help of any other before the writing of thine above mentioned unto me It is a large desire exâ—ressed in thine to be filled with the Love of God and my hearts desire for thee is Thâ—â— the Lord will fulfill that Petition for thee tâ—gether with that mentioned Ephes. 3. 1â— 17 18 19. Which I desire thou mayest oâ— ten peruse ponder and be helped to prâ— in the same Spirit of Truth The coâ—ing of Christ is hastening indeed as tâ—â— Letter expresses 'T is but a little whiâ—â— and he that shall come will come and will not tarry Heb. 10. 3â— And it is a question worth all our inquirâ— who may abide the day of his coming Mal. 3â— 12. Many there are that shall not and feâ— there are that will be found blameless aâ—â— harmless without rebuke at that day whicâ— yet is and shall be the portion of some Phil. 2â— 15 16. I shall at present only desire thy answer unto two or three brief Questions following First What thou dost understand by thâ— coming of Christ Secondly What thou understandest bâ— his judging the Earth Thirdly What it is to be an outsidâ— Professor Fourthly What the Traditions of meâ— are Fifthly Whither the answer thou shalâ— return to the abovesaid questions be thâ— own apprehensions without any help from others A true and plaine answer to these things will be a further satisfaction about thy last Letter and I hope no disadvantage to thee â—ho by the serious thoughts of these things mayest be brought to a better understanding â—n them Thus with my dear love to thee and â—hy brother J. V. and Cousin Deborah and â—ll the rest desiring you may be all taught and â—nstructed in the truths of Christ as they are â—n him whom to know aright is eternal life John 17. I remain Thy assured Friend that desires thy Spiritual and temporal welfare R. D. London the 6 th of the 3 d Moneth 63. And in Answer received this following which he wrote immediately without study or prompting Ewell May 12 1663. Dear Sir I Received your kind Letter wherein you have desired me to write unto you an Answer to some certain Questions which you have hinted in your Letter which I shall answer as I hope the Spirit of Grace shall declare to me for I know and am assured that the Lord will declare his Spirit unto them that truly love him which indeed I may truly say I have not done but have erred against his word for which I have great cause to mourn for but I hope he may be my God who will be a God to them that truly seek after him in Spirit and in Truth who did put them words into my mouth which you desired me to send you word of and no body else But as for the coming of Christ I understand it to be two diverse wayes First His coming in the hearts of his People to purge and purify them Secondly His coming oâ— Earth when he shall set his People at liberty and shall destroy all Kingdomes that will nâ—â— obey him and he shall set up himself a Kingdome Dan. 2. 44. And by his Iudginâ— the Earth I understand when all both quicâ— and dead shall stand before his presence wheâ— he shall sever the bad from the good and shaâ—â— say to them on his right hand COME Yâ— BLESSED OF MY FATHER But unto them on his left hand GO YE CURSED into Hell fire prepared for the Devil and his angels And to be an outsidâ— Professor I understand it to be one who make a shew of Christ but they be not so in theiâ— hearts And I understand the Traditions â—â— men to be their following after the Lusts of the Devil rather than the Commands of God Which things I have not been told of I would desire you to excuse me for not dating my Letter and desire you would write unto me to unfold them to me more than I can do which I hope may be made of use unto my soul So I remain Your much obliged Friend CALEB VERNON ANd being removed to Newington and now no more exposed to such private hostility he went more chearfully to School and profited exceedingly in the Latine tongue making enterance also into the Greek that Summer but finding the opportunity of hearing the Word there uncertain in the Winter for the sake of it and his Fathers imployment in London the Family was removed thither where he was improved without more intermission to great proficiency in the Greek and Latine so as both his able Teachers as all with whom he was have said they never had any more apt of his age nor did any with whom he was see cause to use correction unto him who yet to his Parents trouble had lost much time by
in this little one who served his Generation by the will of God and fell asleep He came to Christ as a poor miserable vile undone sinner and to pass through the straight gate he wisely disburthened himself of what was gross and bulkie He became indeed as a little Child and was so fiâ—ted to enter into the Kingdome of Heaven having first unlearned what he attained in his Education and other accomplishments like Phil. 3. 7. He learned of the Father to come to Christ as John 6. 45. to a whole Christ whom he embraced heartily and followed fully and is upon the advantage of that good welcome Mat. 25. 21 23. Parents take then this encouragement to train up your Children in the admonition and fear of the Lord and observe what is said in the Preface to this Book for your help in this thing And Children let this Example perswade you to remember your Creator in the dayes of your Youth This Labour on your behalf as it hath our witness to the truth of it above hinted and our commendations to you for the matter of it as seasonable and useful so it shall have our â—â—â—uest before the Throne of God that it may not be a further witness against you Remembring Prov. 13. 13. but a special advantage in Gods hand unto your Salvation and furtherance in his will To his grace we commit it and you being alwayes willing to approve our selves Yours truly longing for your souls present and eternal good W. S. T. G. I. W. FINIS Why called Caleb His aptness at 4 6 years old and observance of parents His first sick-bed convictions at 7 years old His Fathers way to avoid affliction bringeth him aud his family thereinto and how Caâ—ebs early share in unreasonable afflictions under natural fearfulness before Inward and outward trobles together carry him to prayer christian correspondency The wisdome of his first Letter at 10 years old admired by his friend His second Letter at large in answer to his friend Being at peace amongst civil School-fellows he was less serious but revived under the Word at London Scrupled Heathen School Authors seriously Love to Scripture allays his love to School and why More sick bed convictions and the effects Providence preventing Country setling again His desire of return to London and why Afflicting Providences work stil for true good to him The quickening effect of applying family instruction more particularly The motives to his Mothers writing his sayings at last Soul-instruction preferred before health or life and the fruit which followed John 6. Psa. 42. 5 Isa. 2. Grace giveth ease begets abasemeÌ„t Psal. 119. Solitary seasons sweet slavish fear subdued 2 Cor. 4. 17. Litle sins lye heavy on a sincere soul. Great refreshment by Grace His incouragement to an honest prisoner His love-feast and entertain ment of friends His desire of obedience His importunity to confess to Christ after he believed His complaint impatience His Confession of Faith ☞ ☞ Psal. 51. 13. ☞ His former Conversation His pursuit of convictions His patients and support His inquiry after prayer He cannot be satisfied to defer obedience after Conviction His thigh measured not full 4. inches about Chearfully sheweth all his strength to prevail with his father that he might be obedient Boasteth in God admired grace for temporal and eternal mercy His holy converse His usual meal and chearful frame thereat Friends advise his baptisme Considerations of his fathers consent Further objection His impatience to obey His joy in consent His joy abated but the Objecter admitted His great discouragement His confidence His prayer on the occasion Weather favoreth His undauntedness with humility His extraordinary assistance thankful observance The preparation His grace in and after the ordinance An humbling sentence of death His eminent reviving and reverent publick thanksgiving prayer His joy in Gods assistance and experience of â—â— when he could not express it His hope on the behalf of God for the friend who last objected 2 Iohn 4. 3 John 4. Another humbling providence in his renew ed weakness His tender care of the Name of God and his Parents if he should die so soon after Baptisme His stedfastness under weakness His familiarity with death by Grace His pitty for the World and disesteem of their glory His modest bespeaking holy converse to express his sence of mercy with joyfulness He puts away childish things Paproacheth reverently to the Lords Supper His comfort encreases in the Word Prayr His seasonable and serious Questions to his sister and the successe through Grace ☜ His prayer after meat His answer about Jam. 5. 14. being doubtful therein How he expressed his provocation Admires Grace signifieth his Assurance His reconcilement and entertain ment of those he had repro ved for molesting him The 2d course for their souls ☞ The sweet fruit of his own assurance humbly brought forth to incourage them to feed His whol some melody at the end His gratious farwel at parting with his Guests When he was weak then he was strong His hancor after a living Creature and why His disposition suitable to true resignation A little impatience begetting speedy and deep abasment through grace His usual ease in paine His setled minde in supposing dissolution Sudainly grows weaker yet strong in God An humbling providence by the hand of one who dearly loved him An hour of temptation A good providence to his and his Parents great satisfaction His fresh revivings and humble desire for life to gracious ends Great patience His great Cordial His notice of death after refreshing rest and his behaviour in time of departure particularly His Parents evidence upon their experienc of him The true end of publishing this after his death being his own end of desiring life * Psal. 130. 20
would be giving something to help which he perceiving earnestly said Oh pray Father do not give me any thing for indeed Father I cannot take any thing but it will stop my passage The Maid said he tryed and could get nothing down which he confirmed his Father being not able to refrain seeing his alteration in countenance and violent labour by cough gushed out into tears which the Child seeing cryed out also and looking towards him said earnestly with weeping Pray Father do not weep but pray for me I long to be with God and desiring again his Father might pray with him he applyed to it briefly in too much trouble the Child strove much to refrain coughing laid himself back a little looked up and seemed to joyn fervently his Mother being also then called came in quickly to whom he said looking upon her when even spent Farewel dear Mother now I am going and to a Friend coming in Farewell dear Sir and the flegm as it was thought coming up into his mouth but carried back again through the length and toughness thereof his Father contented with his Mother and the Friend 's talking comfortably unto him was in great care for him and unwilling to give the Oyl of Almonds and Syrups at hand through his aversness to it ran down for something inoffensive for his relief and coming up instantly saw him thrusting first his finger and then his whole hand into his mouth to catch the flegm and hearing or seeing his Father coming cryed quickly as if he expected to take something O Father what shall I do but immediately as his Father came to him lay back and looking up said God God endeavouring to have uttered more but without groan his breath failing as if choaked with flegm he seemed as by consent to yeeld up the Spirit leaving to the last a very living evidence of the most general change and lively turning to God wholly that his Parents have experienced whereof these fragments gathered from him at last are but a taste of the great Grace granted to him in all heavenly wisdom and knowledge who being dead yet speaketh to the great reproof of his Parents in their shortness to him and of him under so much longer profession and for more full improvement of him whose swift race towards his latter end is impartially set forth uprightly for the sake of Youth and elder than he that may not yet meet Death with his Comfort and Composure so considerately hoping one good end of the Lords removing him may be for the more safe setting forth this part of an account of him through grace to the provoking of many to turn to the Lord which was the greatest end of his desiring to live beseeching all wisely to consider it and duly ponder Eccles. 9. 10. What soever thy hand findeth to do do it with all thy might for there is no work nor device nor knowledge nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest which was through God of great advantage to him By his near Relation An Acrostick CAll to my Burial my Aquaintance young And let them hear what Grace hath done for me Let them allured be by my sweet Song Eternal through Unchangeable Decree Because through Grace by Faith I am made free Vnto the highest praise of God on high Exalt the Prince of Peace in whom I rest Redeeming Mercy made my soul desie Not only Death but ev'ry other test Of my unfained Love at twelve years old No weakness wit nor fear could make it cold In proof whereof bare bones did sacrifice Vnto my Lord the way this world despise And had I liv'd Methusalem's long day Vnto Him should my Soul subjection pay Pro. 10. 7. The memory of the Just is blessed I. V. An Anagram CALEB VERNON Nue Noble Race A New and Noble Race he ran so fast That he o're-took the swiftest Saint at last He ran in earnest to the Refuge City And therein found escape defence pity And underneath the Everlasting Arms Which did support his Soul from fear of harms Indeed he ran as Caleb ran to find The promis'd Land when Isr'el lagg'd behind His Teachers wanted strength to keep him pace He out-ran Parents in his Noble Race As if the Angels had lent him a Wing To run with them in Love to Israels King Like the young Lad which Zechary sets forth With measuring-Line wherein did lie his worth In which the Angels ever do retain Their glory as their waiting doth remain Inviron'd in the Word and Will of God Which was indeed dear Caleb's choicest food And seeing he so follow'd his dear Master I would not faint although he ran much faster But for my Children and my Soul must weep That we instead of running so do creep In twelve dayes and an half from Iordans joy He did more than in twelve years ere did I. But grace perhaps did each day for a year Seal him a Pattent in return of Prayer For Life chiefly that Converts he might make And took him hence for the Election sake That safely this might be set forth of him And he not hazarded hereby to sin For few can bear his praise and few reproof But both I trust hereby shall now help Youth To their Conversion like to Caleb's then To this dispose of him I 'le add Amen But until then excuse me if I weep That yet I live and Caleb fell asleep For else I fear great evils yet to come And such remov'd that Iudgment may have room But may the Mouths of Babes Hosannahs fill The Enemy and th' Avenger must be still The Lord make Caleb's Cluster then in truth The first-fruits of his harvest amongst Youth And stir up Aged too to swifter pace By this Example in the Noble Race J. V. From a very dear Relation An Acrostick CAn Caleb stay when God will have him go Away to Caleb and himself also Loe he a Child yet Christian did become Er 't pleas'd his Father for to call him home But was no sooner new-born but he dies Unto the Lord a most sweet sacrifice E'ne unto him that made him twice to live Render he did what er'e he had to give Name Spirit Soul and Body though but poor Offerd up all What could a Prince do more Now to the Lord alone be praise therefore W. A. An Anagram CALEB VERNON An Noble Cure THou Lord on him hast wrought A Noble Cure From World Flesh Devil thus to set him free His Soul ful sweetly to thee to allure To make him happy to Eternity A Cure so Noble that it shall remain On days to come to praise of thy rich grace Who never undertook'st a Cure in vain Among the Seed of holy Jacob's Race Physician of great value Lord art thou And vertue also from thy Wings is found For healing sin-sick-souls none else knows how As thou of every desperate mortal wound Which to thy praise for ever shall redound W. A. From his own friend his Fathers friend