good Parents command you What do you say Child Which of these two sorts are you of Let me talk a little with you and ask you a few Questions 1. Were not these Children sweet Children which feared God and were dutiful to their Parents Did not their Fathers and Mothers and every body that fears God love them and praise them What do you think is become of them now they are dead and gone Why they are gone to Heaven and are singing Hallelujahs with the Angels They see glorious things and having nothing but joy and pleasure they shall never sin no more they shall never be beat any more they shall never be sick or in pain any more 2. And would not you have your Fathers love your Mothers Commendation your Masters good word Would not you have God and Christ love you And would you not fain go to Heaven when you die And live with your godly Parents in Glory and be happy for ever 3. Whither do you think those Children go when they dye that will not do what they are bid but play the Truant and Lye and speak naughty words and break the Sabbath Whither do such Children go do you think Why I will tell you they which Lye must go to their Father the Devil into everlasting burning they which never pray God will pour out his wrath upon them and when they beg and pray in Hell Fire God will not forgive them but there they must lye for ever 4. And are you willing to go to Hell to be burned with the Devil and his Angels Would you be in the same condition with naughty Chilren O Hell is a terrible place that 's worse a thousand times than whipping Gods anger is worse than your Fathers anger and are you willing to anger God O Child this is most certainly true that all that be wicked and die so must be turned into Hell and if any be once there there is no coming out again 5. Would you not do any thing in the World rather than be thrown into Hell Fire would you not do any thing in the World to get Christ and grace and glory 6. Well now what will you do will you read this book a little because your good Mother will make you do it and because it is a little new Book but as soon as ever you have done run away to play and never think of it 7. How art thou now affected poor Child in the Reading of this Book Have you shed ever a tear since you begun reading Have you been by your self upon your knees and begging that God would make you like these blessed Children or are you as you use to be as careless and foolish and disobedient and wicked as ever 8. Did you never hear of a little Child that died and if other Children die why may not you be sick and die and what will you do then Child if you should have no grace in your heart and be found like other naughty children 9. How do you know but that you may be the next Child that may die and where are you then if you be not God 's Child 10. Wilt thou tarry any longer my dear Child before thou run into thy chamber and beg of God to give thee a Christ for thy Soul that thou mayest not be undone for ever Wilt thou get presently into a corner to weep and pray Methinks I see that pretty Lamb begin to weep and thinks of getting by himself and will as well as he can cry unto the Lord to make him one of these little ones that go into the Kingdom of Heaven Methinks there stands a sweet Child and there another that are resolved for Christ and for Heaven Methinks that little Boy looks as if he had a mind to learn good things Methinks I hear one say well I will never tell a lye more I will never keep any naughty Boy company more they will teach me to swear and they will speak naughty words they do not love God I 'le learn my Catechism and get my Mother to teach me to pray and I will go to weep and cry to Christ and will not be quiet till the Lord hath given me Grace O that 's my brave Child indeed 11. But will you not quickly forget your promise are you resolved by the strength of Christ to be a good child Are you indeed nay but are you indeed Consider dear child God calls you to remember your Creator in the dayes of your Youth and he takes it kindly when little ones come to him and he loves them dearly and godly people especially Parents and Masters and Mistresses they have no greater joy than to see their Children walking in the way of truth Now tell me my pretty dear Child What will you do shall I make you a Book Shall I pray for you and entreat you Shall your Good Mother weep over you And will not you make us all glad by your turning quickly to the Lord Shall Christ tell you that he will love you And will not you love him Will you strive to be like these Children I am perswaded that God intends to do good to the Souls of some little Chidren by these Papers because he hath laid it so much upon my heart to pray for them and over these Papers and thorow mercy I have already experienced that something of this nature hath not been in vain I shall give a word of direction and so leave you 1. Take heed of what you know is naught as lying O that is a grievous fault indeed and naughty words and taking the Lords name in vain and playing upon the Lords Day and keeping bad company and playing with ungodly Children But if you do go to School with such tell them that God will not love them but that the Devil will have them if they continue to be so naught 2. Do what your Father and Mother bids you chearfully and take heed of doing any thing that they forbid you 3. Be diligent in reading the Scripture and learning your Catechism and what you do not understand to be sure ask the meaning of 4. Think a little sometimes by your self about God and Heaven and your Soul and where you shall go when you die and what Christ came into the world for 5. And if you have no great mind to do thus but had rather be at play then think what is it that makes me that I do not care for good thinks is this like one of Gods dear Children I am afraid I am none of God's Child I feel I do not love to come to Him O what shall I do Either I must be Gods Child or the Devils O what shall I do I would not be the Devils Child for any thing in the world 6. Then go to your Father or Mother or some good body and ask them what thou shalt do to be Gods Child and tell them that thou art afraid and that thou canst not be contented till thou
the Bible and getting of his Catechism 20. When other Children were playing he would many a time and oft be praying 21. One day a certain person was discoursing with him about the Nature Offices and Excellency of Christ and that he alone can satisfie for our sins and merit everlasting life for us and about other of the great Mysteries of Redemption he seemed savingly to understand them and was greatly delighted with the discourse 22. One speaking concerning the Resurrection of the Body he did acknowledg it but that the same weak body that was buried in the Church-yard should be raised again he thought very strange but with Admiration yielded that nothing was impossible to God and that very day he was taken sick unto death 23. A Friend of his asked him whether he were willing to dye when he was first taken sick he answered no because he was afraid of his state as to another world Why Child said the other thou didst pray for a new Heart for an humble and a sincere Heart and I have heard thee didst thou not pray with all thy heart I hope I did said he 24. Not long after the same person asked him again whether he were willing to die He answered now I am willing for I shall go to Christ 25. One asked him what should become of his Sister if he should die and leave her He answered the will of the Lord must be done 26. He still grew weaker and weaker but carried it with a great deal of sweetness and patience waiting for his change and at last did chearfully commit his Spirit unto the Lord and calling upon the Name of the Lord and saying Lord Jesus Lord Jesus In whose bosome he sweetly slept dying as I remember when he was about five or six years old EXAMPLE III. Of a little Girl that was wrought upon when she was between four and five years old with some account of her holy life and triumphant death 1. MAry A. When she was between four and five years old was greatly affected in hearing the word of God and became very solicitous about her Soul and everlasting condition weeping bitterly to think what would become of her in another World asking strange questions concerning God and Christ and her own soul so that this little Mary before she was full five years old seemed to mind the one thing needful and to choose the better part and sat at the feet of Christ many a time and oft with tears 2. She was wont to be much in secret duty and many times come off from her knees with tears 3. She would chuse such times and places for secret duty as might render her less observed by others and did endeavour what possibly she could to conceal what she was doing when she was engaged in secret duty 4. She was greatly afraid of hypocrisie and of doing any thing to be seen of men and to get commendation and praise and when she hath heard one of her Brothers saying that he had been by himself at prayer she rebuked him sharply and told him how little such prayers were like to profit him and that was little to his praise to pray like a hypocrite and to be glad that any should know what he had been doing 5. Her Mother being full of sorrow after the death of her Husband this Child came to her Mother and askt her why she wept so exceedingly her Mother answered she had cause enough to weep because her Father was dead No dear Mother said the Child you have no cause to weep so much for God is a good God still to you 6. She was a dear lover of faithful Ministers One time after she had been hearing of Mr. Whitaker she said I love that name dearly for the sweet words that he speaks concerning Christ 7. Her Book was her delight and what she did read she loved to make her own and cared not for passing over what she learned without extraordinary observations and understanding and many times she was so strangely affected in reading of the Scriptures that she would burst out into tears and would hardly be pacified so greatly was she taken with Christs sufferings the zeal of Gods Servant the danger of a natural state 8. She would complain oftentimes of the corruption of her nature of the hardness of her heart that she could repent no more thorowly and be no more humble and grieved for her sins against a good God and when she did thus complain it was with abundance of tears 9. She was greatly concerned for the souls of others and grieved to think of the miserable condition that they were in upon this account when she could handsomly she would be putting in some pretty sweet word for Christ but above all she would do what she could to draw the hearts of her brethren and sisters after Christ and there was no small hopes that her example and good counsel did prevail with some of them when they were very young to get into corners to pray to ask very gracious questions about the things of God 10. She was very conscientious in keeping the Sabbath spending the whole time either in reading or praying or learning her Catechism or teaching her Brethren and Sisters One time when she was left at home upon the Lords day she got some other little children together with her brothers and sisters and instead of playing as other naughty children use to do she told them that that was the Lords day and that they ought to remember that day to keep it holy and then she told them how it was to be spent in religious exercises all the day long except so much as was to be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy then she prayed with them her self and among other things begged that the Lord would give grace and wisdom to them little Children that they might know how to serve him as one of the little ones in the company with her told afterwards 11. She was a Child of a strange tenderness and Compassion to all full of Bowels and Pity whom she could not help she would be ready to weep over especially if she saw her Mother at any time troubled she would quickly make her sorrows her own and weep for her and with her 12. When her Mother had been somewhat solicitous about any worldly thing she would if she could possible put her off from her care one way or other One time she told her O Mother grace is better than that meaning something her Mother wanted I had rather have grace and the love of Christ than any thing in the world 13. This Child was often musing and busied in the thoughts of her everlasting Work witness that strange question O what are they doing which are already in Heaven And she seemed to be hugely desirous to be among them that were praising loving delighting in God and serving of him without sin Her language was so strange about spiritual matters that she made
be thought their nature is made capable of greater glory than mans He said he was of another mind and his reason was because Angles were Servants and Saints are Children and that Christ never took upon him the nature of Angels but he took upon him the nature of Saints and by his being man he hath advanced human nature above the nature of Angels 15. By this you may perceive the greatness of his parts and the bent of his thoughts and thus he continued for several years together labouring to get more and more spiritual knowledge and to prepare for an endless life 16. He was a Child of an excellent sweet temper wonderful dutiful to his Parents ready and joyful to do what he was bid and by no means would do any thing to displease them and if they were at any time seemingly angry he would not stir from them till they were thorowly reconciled to him 17. He was not only good himself but would do what he could to make others so too especially those that were nearest to him he was very watchful over his brethren and Sisters and would not suffer them to use any unhandsome words or to do any unhandsome action but he would be putting them upon that which was Good and when he did at any time rebuke them it was not Childishly and slightly but with great gravity and seriousness as one that was not a little concerned for Gods honour and the eternal welfare of their Souls 18. He would go to his Father and Mother with great tenderness and compassion being far from telling of tales and beg of them to take more care of the Souls of his brethren and Sisters and to take heed least they should go on in a sinful Christless state and prove their sorrow and shame and go to Hell when they die and be ruined for ever 19. He was exceedingly affected with hearing of the Word of God preached and could not be satisfied except he could carry home much of the substance of what he heard to this end he quickly got to learn Short-hand and would give a very pretty account of any sermon that he heard 20. He was much engaged in secret Duty and in reading the Scriptures to be sure morning and evening he would be by himself and was no question wrestling with God 21. He would get choice Scriptures by heart and was very perfect at his Catechism 22. The Providences of God were not passed by without considerable observation by him 23. In the time of the Plague he was exceedingly concerned about his Soul and Everlasting State very much by himself upon his knees This Prayer was found written in Short-hand after his Death O Lord God and merciful Father take pitie upon me a miserable Sinner and strengthen me O Lord in thy faith and make me one of thy glorious Saints in Heaven O Lord keep me from this poisonous Infection however not my will but thy will be done O Lord on earth as it is in heaven but O Lord if thou hast appointed printed me to die by it O Lord fit me for death and give me a good heart to bear up under my afflictions O Lord God and merciful Father take pity on me thy child teach me O Lord thy Word make me strong in faith O Lord I have sinned against thee Lord pardon my sins I had been in hell long ago if it had not been for thy mercy O Lord I pray thee to keep my Parents in thy truth and save them from this Infection if it be thy will that they may live to bring me up in the truth O Lord I pray thee stay this Infection that rageth in this City and pardon their sins and try them once more and see if they will turn unto thee Save me O Lord from this Infection that I may live to praise and glorifie thy name but O Lord if thou hast appointed me to die of it fit me for death that I may die with comfort and O Lord I pray thee to help me to bear up under all afflictions for Christ his sake Amen 24. He was not a little concerned for the whole nation and begged that God would pardon the sins of the Land and bring it nearer to himself 25. About the beginning of November 1665. this sweet Child was smote with the Distemper but he carried it with admirable patience under the hand of God 26. These are some of his dying Expressions The Lord shall be my Physician for he will cure both Soul and body Heaven is the best Hospital It is the Lord let him do what seemeth good in his eyes Again it is the Lord that taketh away my health but I will say as Job did Blessed be the name of the Lord. If I should live longer I should but sin against God Looking upon his Father he said If the Lord would but lend me the least finger of his hand to lead me through the dark entry of Death I will rejoice in him 27. When a Minister came to him amongst other things he spake somewhat of life He said This is a wicked world yet it is good to live with my Parents but it is better to live in heaven 28. And hour and an half before his Death the same Minister came again to visit him and asked him John art thou not afraid to die He answered No if the Lord will but comfort me in that hour But said the Minister How canst thou expect Comfort seeing we deserve none He answered No if I had my deserts I had been in hell long ago But replied the Minister which way dost thou expect Comfort and Salvation seeing thou art a Sinner He answered In Christ alone In whom about an hour and an half after he fell asleep saying he would take a long sleep charging them that were about him not to wake him He dyed when he was twelve years three weeks and a day old Example IX Of a Child that was very eminent when she was between 5 and 6 years old with some memorable passages of her life who died about 1640. 1. ANne Lane was born of honest Parents in Colebrook in the County of Bucks who was no sooner able to speak plain and express any thing considerable of reason but she began to act as if she was sanctified from the very womb 2. She was very solicitous about her Soul what would become of it when she should die and where she should live for ever and what she should do to be saved when she was about five years old 3. She was wont to be oft ingaged in secret Prayer and pouring out of her Soul in such a manner as is rarely to be heard of from one of her years 4. I having occasion to lie at Colebrook sent for her Father an old Disciple an Israelite indeed and desired him to give me some account of his Experiences and how the Lord first wrought upon him 5. He gave me this answer that he was of a child somewhat civil
yet not I but Christ liveth in me and the life that I now live in the flesh is by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me I am saved and that not of my self it is the gift of God not of works that no man should boast 55. My dear Parents now we must shortly part my speech faileth me pray the Lord for a quiet close to my combat 56. Her Parents replied Ah our dear child how sad is that to us that we must part She answered I go to heaven and there we shall find one another again I go to Jesus Christ 57. The she comforted her self to think of her seeing her precious brother and sister again in glory I go to my brother Jacob who did so much cry and call upon God to the last moment of his breath And to my little sister who was but three years old when she died who when we asked her whether she would die answered yes if it be the Lords will I will go to my little Brother if it be the Lords will or I will stay with my mother if it be the Lords will But I know that I shall die and go to heaven and to God O see how so small a babe had so much given it to behave it self every way and in all things so submissively to the will of God as if it had no will of its own but if it be the will of God if it please God nothing for her but what was the will and pleasure of God And therefore dear Father and Mother give the Lord thanks for this his free and rich grace and then I shall the more gladly be gone Be gracious then O Lord unto me also be gracious to me Wash me thorowly from my unrighteousness and cleanse me from my sin 58. After this her spirit was refreshed with the sense of the pardon of her Sins which made her to cry out Behold God hath washed away my sins O how do I long to die The Apostle said In this body we earnestly sight and groan longing for our house which is in heaven that we may be clothed therewith Now I also lie here sighing and longing for that dwelling which is above In the last Sermon which I heard or ever shall hear I heard this in the New Church which is matter of great comfort unto me 59. Then she repeated several notable Scriptures which were quoted in that Sermon afterward she desired to be pray'd with and put petitions into their mouths viz that all her sins might be forgiven that she might have more abundant faith and the assurance of it and the comfort of that assurance and the continuation and strength of that comfort according as her necessity should require Afterwards she prayed her self and continued a pretty space 60. When Prayer was ended she called to her father and mother and demanded of them whether she had at any time angred or grieved them or done any thing that did not become her and begged of them to forgive her 61. They answered her that if all children had carried themselves so to their Parents as she had done there would be less grief and sorrow on all hands than there is and if any such thing hath escaped thee we would forgive it with all our hearts you have done as became a good Child 62. Her heart being quieted with her peace with God and her Parents she began to dispose of her Books particularly she intreated her Mother to keep Mr. De Wit 's Catechise Lectures as long as she lived for her sake and let my little Sister have my other Book as my remembrance 63. Then she said she felt her breast exceedingly pained by which she knew that her end was very nigh Her father spake to her as he was able telling her the Lord would be her strength in the hour of her necessity 64. Yea said she The Lord is my Shepherd although I pass through the valley of the shadow of death I will not fear for thou art with me thy rod and thy staff they comfort me and it is said the sufferings of this present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us Shall I not suffer and indure seeing my glorious Redeemer was pleased to suffer so much for me O how was he mocked and crowned with thorns that he might purchase a Crown of righteousness for us And that is the crown of which Paul spoke when he said I have fought the good fight I have finished my course I have kept the faith henceforth is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give unto me in that day and not only to me but to all who love his apprearing 65. Ye are bought with a price therefore Glorifie God with your souls and bodies which are his Must I not then exalt and bless him while I have a being who hath bought me ye bought me with his blood Surely he hath born our griefs and took our infirmities and we esteemed him smitten and stricken of God But he was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our sin the chastisement of our peace was upon him and by his stripes are we healed and the Lord laid upon him the iniquity of us all Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world That Lamb is Jesus Christ who hath satisfied for my sins So saith Paul Ye are washed ye are sanctified ye are justified in the name of our Lord Jesus and through the spirit of our God 66. My end is now very near now I shall put on white raiment and be clothed before the Lamb that spotless Lamb and with his spotless righteousness Now are the angels making ready to carry my soul before the throne of God These are they who are come out of great tribulation who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 67. She spoke this with a dying voice but full of spirit and of the power of faith 68. Her lively assurance she further uttred in the words of the Apostle We know that if this earthly house if our tabernacle be dissolv'd we have one which is built of God which is eternal in the heavens for in this we sigh for our house which is in heaven that we may be clothed therewith 69. There Father you see that my body is this Tabernacle which now shall be broken down my Soul shall now part from it and shall be taken up into the heavenly Paradise into that heavenly Jerusalem There shall I dwell and go no more out but sit and sing Holy holy holy is the Lord God of hosts the Lord of Sabbaths Her last words were these O Lord God into thy hands I commit my spirit O Lord be gratious be merciful to me a poor sinner And here she fell asleep 70. She died the first of September 1664. Betwixt seven and eight in
the evening in the fourteenth year of her age having obtained that which she so oft intreated of the Lord a quiet and easie departure and the end of her faith the salvation of her soul Example XII Of the excellent carriage of a Child upon his death bed when but seven years old IAcoh Bicks the Brother of Susannah Bicks was born in Leiden in the year 1657. and had religious education under his godly Parents the which the Lord was pleased to sanctifie to his Conversion and by it lay in excellent provisions to live upon in an hour of distress 2. This sweet little Child was visited of the Lord of a very fore Sickness upon the sixth of August 1664. three or four weeks before his Sister of whose life and death we have given you some account already in his distemper he was for the most part very sleepy and drousie till near his death but when he did wake he was wont still to fall a praying 3. Once when his Parents had prayed with him they asked him if they should once more send for the Physician No said he I will have the Doctor no more the Lord will help me I know he will take me to himself and then he shall help all 4. Ah my dear child said his Father that grieveth my heart Well said the Child Father let us pray and the Lord shall be near for my helper 5. When his Parents had prayed with him again he said come now dear Father and Mother and kiss me I know that I shall die 6. Farewell dear Father and Mother Farewell dear sister farewell all Now shall I go to heaven unto God and Jesus Christ and the holy angels Father know you not what is said by Jeremiah Blessed is he who trusteth in the Lord now I trust in him and he will bless me And in 1 John 2. it is said Little Children love not the world for the world passeth away 7. Away then all that is in the world away with all my pleasant things in the world away with my Dagger for where I go there is nothing to do with Daggers and Swords men shall not fight there but praised God Away with all my books there shall I know sufficiently and be learned in all things of true wisdom without books 8. His Father being touched to hear his child speak at this rate could not well tell what to say but my dear child the Lord will be near thee and uphold thee 9. Yea Father said he the Apostle Peter saith God resisteth the proud but he giveth grace to the humble I shall humble my self under the mighty hand of God and the shall help and lift me up 10. O my dear child said his Father hast thou so strong a faith 11. Yea said the Child God hath given me so strong a faith upon himself through Jesus Christ that the Devil himself shall flee from me for it is said He who believeth in the Son hath everlasting life and he hath overcome the wicked one Now I believe in Jesus Christ my Redeemer and he will not leave or forsake me but shall give unto me eternall life and then I shall sing holy holy holy is the Lord of Sabbath 12. Then with a short word of Prayer Lord be merciful to me a poor sinner he quietly breathed out his Soul and sweetly slept in Jesus when he was about seven years old He died August 8. 1664. Hallelujah Example XIII Of one that began to look towards Heaven when he was very young with many eminent passages of his life and his joyful death when he was eleven years and three quarters old 1. Iohn Harvy was born in London in the year 1654. His Father was a Dutch Merchant he was piously educated under his virtuous mother and soon began to suck in divine things with no small delight 2. The first thing very observable in him was that when he was two years and eight months old he could speak as well as other children do usually at five years old 3. His Parents judging that he was then a little to young to send out to school let him have his liberty to play a little about their yard but instead of playing he found out a school of his own accord hard by home and went to the school-Mistriss and intreated her to teach him to read and so he went for some time to school without the knowledge of his Parents and made a very strange progress in his learning was able to read distinctly before most Children are able to know their letters 4. He was wont to ask many serious and weighty questions about matters which concerned his soul and Eternity 5. His Mother being greatly troubled upon the death of one of his Uncles this Child came to his Mother and said Mother though my Uncle be dead doth not the Scripture say he must rise again yea and I must die and so must every body and it will not be long before Christ will come to judge the world and then we shall see one another again I pray Mother do not weep so much This grave Counsel he gave his Mother when he was not quite five years old by which her sorrow for her Brother was turned into admiration at her Child and she was made to sit silent and quiet under that smarting stroke 9. After this his Parents removed to Aberdeen in Scotland and setled their Child under an able and a painful School Master there whose custome was upon the Lords day in the morning to examine his schollers concerning the Sermons that they had heard the former Lords day and to add some other questions which might try the understanding and knowledge of his Schollers the question that was once proposed to his form was whether God had a mother none of all the Schollars could answer it till it came to John Harvy who being asked whether God had a Mother answered no as he was God he could not have a Mother but as he was man he had this was before he was quite six years old His Master was somewhat amazed at the Childs answer and took the first opportunity to go to his Mother to thank her for instructing her Son so well but she replyed that he was never taught that from her but that he understood it by reading and his own observation 7. He was a Child that was extraordinary inquisitive and full of good questions and very careful to observe and remember what he heard 8. He had a great hatred of whatsoever he knew to be displeasing to God and was so greatly concerned for the honour of God that he would take on bitterly if that any gross sins were committed before him And he had a deep sense of the worth of Souls and was not a little grieved when he saw any one do that which he knew was dangerous to their Souls 9. One day seeing one of his near Relations come into his Fathers House distemper'd with drink as he thought he quickly
hast got the love of God 7. Get by thy self into the Chamber or Garret and fall upon thy knees and weep and mourn and tell Christ thou art afraid that he doth not love thee but thou would fain have his love beg of him to give thee his Grace and pardon for thy sins and that he would make thee his Child Tell God thou dost not care who don't love thee if God will but love thee say to him Father hast thou not a blessing for me thy poor little Child Father hast thou not a blessing for me even for me O give a Christ O give me a Christ O let me not be undone for ever thus beg as for your lives and be not contented till you have an answer and do thus every day with as much earnestness as you can twice a day at least 8. Give your self up to Christ say dear Jesus thou didst bid that little Children should be suffered to come unto thee and Lord I am come as well as I can would fain be thy Child take my heart and make it humble and meek and sensible and obedient I give my self to thee dear Jesus do what thou wilt with me so that thou wilt but love me and give me thy grace and glory 9. Get acquainted with godly people and ask them good questions and endeavour to love their talk 10. Labour to get a dear love for Christ read the History of Christ 's sufferings and ask the reason of his sufferings and never be contented till you see your need of Christ and the excellency and use of Christ 11. Hear the most powerful Ministers and read the most searching Books and get your Father to buy you Mr. White 's Book for little Children and A Guide to Heaven 12. Resolve to continue in well-doing all your dayes then you shall be one of those sweet little ones that Christ will take into his Arms and bless and give a Kingdom Crown and Glory to And now dear Children I have done I have written to you I have prayed for you but what you will do I can't tell O Children if you love me if you love your Parents if you love your Souls if you would scape Hell Fire and if you would live in Heaven when you dye do you go and do as these good Children and that you may be your Parente joy your Countreys honour and live in Gods fear and dye in his love is the prayer of your deal Friend J. Janeway A TOKEN FOR CHILDREN EXAMPLE I. Of one eminently converted between Eight and Nine years old with an account of her Life and Death MRS. Sarah Howley when she was between eight and nine years old was carried by her Friends to hear a Sermon where the Minister Preached upon Matthew 11.30 My yoak is easie and my burden is light In the applying of which Scripture this Child was mightily awakened and made deeply sensible of the condition of her Soul and her need of a Christ she wept bitterly to think what a case she was in and went home and got by her self into a Chamber and upon her knees she wept and cryed to the Lord as well as she could which might easily be perceived by her eyes and countenance 2. She was not contented at this but she got her little Brother and Sister into a Chamber with her and told them of their condition by nature and wept over them and prayed with them and for them 3. After this she heard another Sermon upon Prov. 29.1 He that being often reproved hardeneth his heart shall suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy At which she was more affected than before and was so exceedingly solicitous about her Soul that she spent a great part of the night in weeping and praying and could scarce take any rest day or night for some time together desiring with all her Soul to escape from everlasting flames and to get an interest in the Lord Jesus O what should she do for a Christ what should she do to be saved 4. She gave her self much to attending upon the Word Preached and still continued very tender under it greatly favouring what she heard 5. She was very much in secret prayer as might easily be perceived by those who listened at the Chamber Door and was usually very importunate and full of tears 6. She could scarce speak of sin or be spoke to but her heart was ready to melt 7. She spent much time in reading the Scripture and a Book called The best Friend in the worst times by which the work of God was much promoted upon her Soul and was much directed by it how to get acquaintance with God especially toward the end of that Book Another Book that she was much delighted with was Mr. Swinnocks Christian Mans Calling and by this she was taught in some measure to make Religion her business The Spiritual Bee was a great companion of hers 8. She was exceeding dutiful to her Parents very loath to grieve them in the least and if she had at any time which was very rare offended them she would weep bitterly 9. She abhorred lying and allowed her self in no known sin 10. She was very Conscientious in spending of time and hated idleness and spent her whole time either in praying reading instructing her little Brothers and working at her Needle at which she was very ingenious 11. When she was at School she was eminent for her diligence teachableness meekness and modesty speaking very little but when she did it was usually very spiritual 12. She continued in this course of Religious Duties for some years together 13. When she was about fourteen years old she brake a Vein in her Lungs as is supposed and oft did spit blood yet did a little recover again but had several dangerous relapses 14. At the beginning of January last she was taken very bad again in which sickness She was in great distress of Soul When she was first taken she said O Mother pray pray pray for me for Satan is so busie that I cannot pray for my self I see I am undone without a Christ and a pardon O I am undone undone to all Eternity 15. Her Mother knowing how serious she had been formerly did a little wonder that she should be in such agonies upon which her Mother asked her what sin it was that was so burdensome to her spirit O Mother said she it is not any particular Sin of Omission or Commission that sticks so close to my Conscience as the Sin of my nature without the blood of Christ that will damn me 16. Her Mother asked her what she should pray for for her she answered that I may have a saving knowledg of Sn and Christ and that I may have an assurance of Gods love to my Soul Her Mother asked her why she did speak so little to the Minister that came to her She answered that it was her duty with patience and silence to learn of them and it was exceeding painful
many excellent Christians to stand amazed as judging it scarce to be paralell'd 14. She took great delight in reading of the Scripture and some part of it was more sweet to her than her appointed food she would get several choice Scriptures by heart and discourse of them savourly and apply them sutably 15. She was not altogether a stranger to other good Books but would be reading of them with much affection and where she might she noted the Books particularly observing what in the reading did most warm her heart and she was ready upon occasion to improve it 16. One time a woman coming into the house in a great passion spoke of her condition as if none were like hers and it would never be otherwise the Child said it were a strange thing to say when its night it will never be day again 17. At another time a near Relation of hers being in some streights made some complaint to whom she said I have heard Mr. Carter say A man may go to Heaven without a Penny in his Purse but not without Grace in his heart 18. She had an extraordinary love to the people of God and when she saw any that she thought feared the Lord her heart would e'n leap for joy 19. She loved to be much by her self and would be greatly grieved if she were at any time deprived of a coveniency for secret duty she could not live without constant address to God in secret and was not a little pleased when she could go into a corner to pray and weep 20. She was much in praising God and seldom or never complained of any thing but sin 21. She continued in this course of praying and praising of God and great dutifulness and sweetness to her Parents and those that taught her any thing yea she did greatly encourage her Mother while she was a Widow and desired that the absence of a Husband might in some measure be made up by the dutifulness and holiness of a Child She studied all the ways that could be to make her Mothers life sweer 22. When she was between Eleven and Twelve years old she sickned in which she carried it with admirable patience and sweetness and did what she could with Scripture arguments to support and encourage her Relations to part with her that was going to Glory and to prepare themselves to meet her in a blessed Eternity 23. She was not many days sick before she was marked which she first saw her self and was greatly rejoyced to think that she was marked out for the Lord and was now going apace to Christ She called to her Friends and said I am marked but be not troubled for I know I am marked for one of the Lords own One asked her how she knew that She answered the Lord hath told me that I am one of his dear Children And thus she spake with a holy confidence in the Lords love to her soul and was not in the least daunted when she spake of her death but seemed greatly delighted in the apprehension of her nearness to her Fathers house And it was not long before she was filled with joy unspeakable in believing 24. When she just lay a dying her Mother came to her and told her she was sorry that she had reproved and corrected so good a child so oft O Mother said she speak not thus I bless God now I am dying for your reproofs and corrections too for it may be I might have gone to Hell if it had not been for your reproofs and corrections 25. Some of her Neighbours coming to visit her asked her if she would leave them She answered them if you serve the Lord you shall come after me to glory 26. A little before she died she had a great conflict with Satan and cried out I am none of his her Mother seeing her in trouble asked her what was the matter She answered Satan did trouble me but now I think God all is well I know I am none of his but Christs 27. After this she had a great sense of Gods love and a glorious sight as if she had seen the very Heavens open and the Angels come to receive her by which her heart was filled with joy and her tongue with praise 28. Being desired by the standers by to give them a particular account of what she saw she answered you shall know hereafter and so in an extafie of joy and holy triumph she went to Heaven when she was about Twelve years old Hallelujah A Fourth Example of a Child that began to look towards Heaven when she was about four years old with some observable passages in her Life and at her Death 1. A Certain little Child when she was about four years old had a conscientious sense of her duty towards her Parents because the Commandment saith Honour thy Father and thy Mother And though she had little advantage of education she carried it with the greatest reverence to her Parents imaginable so that she was no small credit as well as comfort to them 2. It was no unusual thing for her to weep if she saw her Parents troubled though her self had not been the occasion of it 3. When she came from School she would with grief and abhorrency say that other Children had sinned against God by speaking grievous words which were so bad that she durst not speak them again 4. She would be often times admiring of Gods mercy for so much goodness to her rather than to others that she saw some begging others blind some crooked and that she wanted nothing that was good for her 5. She was many a time and often in one hole or other in tears upon her knees 6. This poor little thing would be ready to counsel other little children how they ought to serve God and putting them upon getting by themselves to pray and hath been known when her friends have been abroad to have been teaching Children to pray especially upon the Lords Day 7. She very seriously begged the Prayers of others that they would remember her that the Lord would give her Grace 8. When this Child saw some that were laughing who she judged to be very wicked She told them that she feared that they had little reason to be so merry They asked whether one might not laugh She answered no indeed till you have grace they who are wicked have more need to cry than to laugh 9. She would say that it was the duty of Parents Masters and Mistresses to reprove those under their charge for sin else God will meet with them 10. She would be very attentive when she read the Scriptures and be much affected with them 11. She would by no means be perswaded to prophane the Lords Day but would spend it in some good Duties 12. When she went to School it was willingly and joyfully and she was very teachable and exemplary to other children 13. When she was taken sick one asked her whether she were willing to
but he would answer such questions as are not in the Catechism with greater understanding than could be expected of one of his age 7. He took great delight in discoursing about the things of God and when my Friend had been either praying or reading expounding or repeating of Sermons he seemed very attentive and ready to receive the truths of God and would with incredible gravity diligence and affection wait till duties were ended to the no small joy and admiration of them which observed him 8. He would ask very excellent questions and discourse about the condition of his soul and heavenly things and seemed mightily concerned what should become of his soul when he should dye so that his discourse made some Christians even to stand astonished 9. He was greatly taken with the great kindness of Christ in dying for sinners and would be in tears at the mention of them and seemed at a strange rate to be affected with the unspeakable love of Christ 10. When no body hath been speaking to him he would burst out into tears and being asked the reason he would say that the very thoughts of Christs love to sinners in suffering for them made him that he could not but cry 11. Before he was six years old he made conscience of a secret duty and when he prayed it was with such extraordinary meltings that his eyes have looked red and sore with weeping by himself for his sin 12. He would be putting of Christians upon spiritual discourse vvhen he savv them and seemed little satisfied unless they vvere talking of good things 13. It s evident That this poor Childs thoughts vvere very much busied about the things of another vvorld for he vvould oftentimes be speaking to his Bed-fellovv as mid-night about the matter of his soul and when he could not sleep he would take heavenly conference to be sweeter than his appointed rest This was his usual custome and thus he would provoke and put forward an experienced Christian to spend waking hours in talk of God and the everlasting rest 14. Not long after this his good Mother died which went very near his heart for he greatly honoured his Mother 15. After the dead of his Mother he would often repeat some of the promises that are made unto Fatherless Children especially that in Exod. 22.22 Ye shall not afflict any Widow or the Fatherless Child if thou afflict them in any wise and they cry at all unto me I will surely hear their cry These words he would often repeat with tears and say I am Fatherless and Motherless upon Earth yet if any wrong me I have a Father in Heaven who will take my part to him I commit my self and in him is all my trust 16. Thus he continued in a course of holy duties living in the fear of God and shewed wonderful grace for a Child and died sweetly in the Faith of Jesus My friend is a judicious Christian of many years experience who was no ways related to him but a constant eye and ear-witness of his godly life and honourable and chearful death from whom I received this information EXAMPLE VII Of a notorious wicked child who was taken up from begging and admirably converted with an account of his holy Life and joyful Death when he was nine years old 1. A Very poor Child of the Parish of Newington-Butts came begging to the door of a dear Christian friend of mine in a very lamentable case so filthy and nasty that he would even have turned ones stomack to have looked on him But it pleased God to raise in the heart of my friend a great pity and tenderness towards this poor child so that in Charity he took him out of the streets whose Parents were unknown who had nothing at all in him to commend him to any ones Charity but his misery My friend eying the glory of God and the good of the immortal soul of this wretched Creature discharged the Parish of the Child and took him as his own designing to bring him up for the Lord Christ A noble piece of Charity And that which did make the kindness far the greater was that there seemed to be very little hopes of doing any good upon this Child for he was a very Monsier of wickedness and a thousand times more miserable and vile by his sin than by his poverty He was running to Hell as soon as he could go and was old in naughtiness when he was young in years and one shall scarce hear of one so like the Devil in his infancy as this poor Child was What sin was there that his age was capable of that he did not commit What by the corruption of his Nature and the abominable example of little beggar boyes he was arrived to a strange pitch of impiety He would call filthy Names take Gods Name in vain curse and swear and do almost all kind of mischief and as to any thing of God worse than an Heathen 2. But his sin and misery was but a stronger motive to that gracious man to pity him and to do all that possibly he could to pluck this fire-brand out of the fire and it was not long before the Lord was pleased to let him understand that he had a design of everlasting kindness upon the Soul of this poor child for no sooner had this good man taken this creature into his house but he prays for him and labours with all his might to convince him of his miserable condition by Nature and to teach him something of God the worth of his own Soul and that Eternity of Glory or Misery that he was born to and blessed be Free-grace it was not long before the Lord was pleased to let him understand that it was himself which put it into his heart to take in this Child that he might bring him up for Christ The Lord soon struck in with his godly instructions so that an amazing change was seen in the Child in a few weeks space he was soon convinced of the evil of his ways no more news now of his calling of Names Swearing or Cursing no more taking of the Lords Name in vain now he is civil and respectful and such a strange alteration was wrought in the child that all the Parish that rung of his villany before was now ready to talk of his reformation his company his talk his imployment is now changed and he is like another creature so that the glory of Gods Free-grace began already to shine in him 3. And this change was not only an eternal one and to be discerned abroad but he would get by himself and weep and mourn bitterly for his horrible wicked life as might easily be perceived by them that lived in the house with him 4. It was the great care of his godly Master to strike in with those convictions which the Lord had made and to improve them all he could and he was not a little glad to see that his labour was not
in vain in the Lord he still experiences that the Lord doth carry on his own work mightily upon the heart of the Child he is still more and more broken under a sense of his undone state by nature he is oft in tears and bemoaning his lost and miserable condition When his Master did speak of the things of God he listened earnestly and took in with much greediness and affection what he was taught Seldom was there any discourse about Soul-matters in his hearing but he heard it as if it were for his life and would weep greatly 5. He would after his Master had been speaking to him or others of the things of God go to him and question with him about them and beg of him to instruct and teach him further and to tell him those things again that he might remember and understand them better 6. Thus he continued seeking after the knowledg of God and Christ and practising holy duties till the sickness came into the house with which the child was smitten at his first sickning the poor child vvas greatly amazed and afraid and though his pains were great and the distemper very tedious yet the sense of his sin and the thoughts of the miserable condition that he feared his soul vvas still in made his trouble ten times greater he was in grievous agonies of spirit and his former sins stared him in the face and made him tremble the poison of Gods Arrows did even drink up his spirits the sense of sin and wrath was so great that he could not tell what in the world to do the weight of Gods displeasure and the thoughts of lying under it to all eternity did even break him to pieces and he did cry out very bitterly what should he do he was a miserable sinner and he feared that he should go to Hell his sins had been so great and so many that there was no hopes for him He was not by far so much concerned for his life as for his Soul what would become of that for ever Now the plague upon his body seemed nothing to that which was in his soul 7. But in this great distress the Lord was pleased to send one to take care for his Soul who urged to him the great and precious promises which were made to one in his condition telling him that there was enough in Christ for the chiefest of sinners and that he came to seek and save such a lost creature as he was But this poor Child found it a very difficult thing for him to believe that there was any mercy for such a dreadful sinner as he had been 8. He was made to cry out of himself not only for his swearing and lying and other outwardly notorious sins but he was in great horrour for the sin of his Nature for the vileness of his heart and original corruption under it he was in so great anguish that the trouble of his spirit made him in a great measure to forget the pains of his body 9. He did very particularly confess and bewail his sins with tears and some sins so secret that none in the world could charge him with 10. He would condemn himself or sin as deserving to have no mercy though that there was not a greater sinner in all London than himself and he abhorred himself as the vilest creature he knew 11. He did not only pray much with strong cries and tears himself but he begged he prayers of Christians for him 12. He would ask Christians whether they thought there were any hopes for him and would beg of them to deal plainly with him for he was greatly afraid of being deceived 13. Being informed how willing and ready the Lord Christ was to accept of poor sinners upon their repentance and turning and being counselled to venture himself upon Christ for mercy and salvation he said he would fain cast himself upon Christ but he could not but wonder how Christ should be willing to dye for such a vile wretch as he was and he found it one of the hardest things in the world to believe 14. But at last it pleased the Lord to give him some small hopes that there might be mercy for him for he had been the chiefest of sinners and he was made to lay a little hold upon such promises as that Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest But O how did this poor boy admire and bless God for the least hopes How highly did he advance free and rich grace that should pity and pardon him and at last he was so full of praise and admiring of God so that to speak in the words of a precious man that was an eye and ear-witness to the praise and glory of God be it spoken the house at that day for all the sickness in it was a little lower Heaven so full of joy and praise 15 The Child grew exceedingly in knowledg experiences patience humility and self-abhorrency and he thought he could never speak bad enough of himself the Name that he would call himself by was a Toad 16. And though he prayed before yet now the Lord poured out upon him the Spirit of prayer in an extraordinary manner for one of his age so that now he prayed more frequently more earnesily more spiritually than ever O how eagerly would he beg to be washed in the Blood of Jesus and that the King of Kings and Lord of Lords that was over Heaven and Earth and Sea would pardon and forgive him all his sins and receive his Soul into his Kingdom and what he spoke it was with so much life and fervour of Spirit as that it filled the hearers with astonishment and joy 17. He had no small sense of the use and excellency of Christ and such longings and breathings of his Soul after him that when mention hath been made of Christ he hath been ready almost to leap out of his bed for joy 18. When he was told that if he should recover he must not live as he list but he must give up himself to Christ and to be his Child and Servant to bear his Yoke and be obedient unto his Laws and live a holy life and take his Cross and suffer mocking and reproach it may be persecution for his Name sake Now Child said one to him are you willing to have Christ upon such terms He signified his willingness by the earnestness of his looks and words and the casting up of his eyes to Heaven saying yes with all my Soul the Lord helping me I will do this 19. Yet he had many doubts and fears and was ever and anon harping upon that that though he were willing yet Christ he feared was not willing to accept him because of the greatness of his sin yet his hopes were greater than his fears 20. The Wednesday before he died the Child lay as it were in a trance for about half an hour in which time he thought he saw a
Vision of Angels When he was out of his Trance he was in a little pett and asked his Nurse why she did not let him go go whither child said she why along with those brave Gentlemen said he but they told me they would come and fetch me away for all you upon Friday next And he doubled his words many times upon Friday next those brave Gentlemen will come for me and upon that day the Child dyed joyfully 21. He was very thankful to his Master and very sensible of his great kindness in taking him up out of the streets when he was a begging and he admired at the goodness of God which put it into the mind of a stranger to look upon and to take such fatherly care of such a pitiful sorry creature as he was O my dear Mother said he and child of God I hope to see you in Heaven for I am sure you will go thither O blessed blessed be God that made you to take pity upon me for I might have dyed and have gone to the Devil and have been damned for ever if it had not been for you 22. The Thursday before he dyed he asked a very godly friend of mine what he thought of his condition and whither his soul was now going for he said he could not still but fear least he should deceive himself with false hopes at which my friend spoke to him thus Child for all that I have endeavoured to hold forth the grace of God in Christ to thy Soul and given you a warrant from the Word of God that Christ is as freely offered to you as to any sinner in the world if thou art but willing to accept of him thou mayest have Christ and all that thou dost want with him and yet thou givest way to these thy doubtings and fears as though I told thee nothing but lyes Thou sayest thou fearest that Christ will not accept of thee I fear thou art not heartily willing to accept of him The Child answered indeed I am Why then Child if thou art unfeignedly willing to have Christ I tell thee he is a thousand times more willing to have thee and wash thee and save thee than thou art to desire it And now at this time Christ offers himself freely to thee again therefore receive him humbly by Faith into thy heart and bid him welcome for he deserveth it Upon which words the Lord discovered his love to the Child and he gave a kind of a leap in his bed and snapt his fingers and thumb together with abundance of joy as much as to say Well yea all is well the match is made Christ is willing and I am willing too and now Christ is mine and I am his for ever And from that time forward in full joy and assurance of Gods love he continued earnestly praising God with desiring to die and be with Christ And on Friday morning he sweetly went to rest using that very expression Into thy hands Lord I commit my spirit He died punctually at that time which he had spoke of and in which he expected those Angels to come to him he was not much above nine years old when he dyed This Narrative I had from a judicious holy man un-related to him who was an eye and ear-witness to all these things FINIS A TOKEN FOR CHILDREN The Second Part. BEING A farther Account of the Conversion Holy and exemplary Lives and Joyful Deaths of several other young Children not published in The First Part. By James Janeway Minister of the Gospel Psal 8.2 Out of the Mouth of Babes and Sucklings host thou ordained strength LONDON Printed for D. Newman at the Kings Arms at the Corner of Grocers Alley in the Poultrey 1673. A PREFACE TO THE READER Christian Reader IN the former part of my Tokens for Children I did in part promise that if that piece met with kind entertainment it might be followed with a second of the same nature If it did not seem a little to savour of vanity I might tell the World what encouragement I have met with in this Work but this I will only say that I have met with so much as hath perswaded me to give this little Book leave to go abroad into the World I am not also ignorant what Discouragement I may meet with from some but as long as I am sure I shall not meet with this that it 's improbable if not impossible that it should save a Soul I think the rest may easily be answered or warrantably slighted But because I am perswaded by some that one Example in the former viz. that of a Child that began to be serious between two and three years old was scarce credible and they did fear might somewhat prejudice the authority of the rest I shall say something to answer that They which make this Objection are either good or bad if bad I expect never to satisfie them except I should tell them of a Romance or a Play or somewhat that might suit a carnal mind it is like holiness in older persons is a matter of contempt and scorn to them much more in such as these I mention The truth of it is it is no wonder at all to me that the Subjects of Satan should not be very well pleased with that whose design is to undermine the interest of their great Master nothing will satisfie some except Christ and holiness may be degraded and vilified But hold sinner hold never hope it Heaven shall never be turned into Hell for thy sake and as for all thy Atheistical Objections Scoffs and Jeers they shall ere long be fully answered and the Hosannah's and Hallelujah's of these Babes shall condemn thy Oaths Blasphemies and Jeers and then thou wilt be silenced and accept converting Grace turn thy heart quickly thou wilt for ever rue thy madness and Folly when it is too late to remedy it But if the Persons that make this Objection be godly I question not but that I may give them reasonable satisfaction First consider who it is that I had that example from It was one Mrs. Jeofries in Long-Lane in Mary Magdalen Bermondsey Parish in the County of Surry a woman of that same in the Church of Christ for her exemplary Piety Wisdom Experience and singular watchfulness over every punctilio that she speaks that I question not but that her name is precious to most of the Ministers of London at least in the Burrough and as a reverend Divine said Such a Mother in Israel her single Testimony about London is of as much authority almost as any one single Ministers And having since discoursed this matter with her she calls God to witness that she hath spoken nothing but the Truth only in this she failed in that she spake not by far so much as she might have done concerning that sweet Babe I might add that I have since that seen a godly gentleman out of the Countrey that did profess to me that he had seen as
much as that in a little one of the same age who since that time I hear went sweetly to Heaven Doth not the Reverend Mr. Clark in his Works quote a Child of two years old that looked towards Heaven Doth not credible History acquaint us with a Martyr at seven years old that was whipped almost to death and never shed one tear nor complained and at last had his Head struck off I do not speak of these as common matters but record them amongst those stupendious Acts of him that can as easily work Wonders as not What is too hard for the Almighty Hath God said he will work no more wonders I think most of Gods works in the business of Conversion call for Admiration And I believe that Silence or rather Praise would better become Saints than questioning the truth of such things especially where an apparent Injury is thereby done to the Interest of Christ the Honour of Gods Grace and the Reputation of so eminent a Saint I judge this sufficient to satisfie most as for others I trouble not my self if I may but promote the interest of Christ and the Good of Souls and give up my Account with joy it 's enough That the Lord would bless my endeavours to these ends I beg the prayers of all Saints and yours also sweet Children that fear the Lord and that Parents and Masters would assist me with their warm application of these things and that Children may be their Crown and their Joy is the Prayer of one that desires to love Christ and little children dearly James Janeway A TOKEN FOR CHILDREN The Second Part. Example VIII Of a Child that was very serious at four years old with an Account of his comfortable Death when he was twelve years and three weeks old 1. IOhn Sudlow was born of religious Parents in the County of Middlesex whose great care was to instill spiritual Principles into him as soon as he was capable of understanding of them whose Endeavours the Lord was pleased to crown with the desired success so that to use the expression of a holy man concerning him scarce more could be expected or desired from so little a one 2. When he was scarce able to speak plain he seemed to have a very great awe and reverence of God upon his spirit and a strange sense of the things of another world as might easily be perceived by those serious and admirable questions which he would be oft asking of those Christians that he thought he might be bold with 3. The first thing that did most affect him and made him endeavour to escape from the wrath to come and to enquire what he should do to be saved was the death of a little Brother when he saw him without breath and not able to speak or stir and then carried out of doors and put into a pit-hole he was greatly concerned and asked notable questions about him but that which was most affecting of himself and others was whether he must die too which being answered it made such a deep impression upon him that from that time forward he was exceeding serious and this was when he was about four years old 4. Now he is desirous to know what he might do that he might live in another world and what he must avoid that he might not die for ever and being instructed by his godly Parents he soon labours to avoid whatsoever might displease God now tell him that any thing was sinful and that God would not have him do it and he is easily kept from it and even at this time of day the apprehensions of God and Death and Eternity laid such a restraint upon him that he would not for a world have told a Lie 5. He quickly learned to read exactly and took such Pleasure in reading of the Scriptures and his Catechism and other good Books that it is scarce to be parallel'd he would naturally run to his Book without bidding when he came home from School and while other children of his age and acquaintance were playing he reckon'd it his Recreation to be doing that which was good 6. When he was in coats he would be still asking his maid serious questions and praying her to teach him his Catechism or Scriptures or some good thing common Discourse he took no delight in but did most eagerly desire to be sucking in of the knowledge of the things of God Christ his Soul and another world 7. He was hugely taken with the reading of the Book of Martyrs and would be ready to leave his Dinner to go to his Book 8. He was exceeding careful of redeeming and improving of time scarce a moment of it but he would give an excellent account of the expence of it so that this Child might have taught elder persons and will questionless condemn their idle and unaccountable wasting of those precious hours in which they should as this sweet Child have been laying in provision for Eternity 9. He could not endure to read any thing over slightly but whatsoever he read he dwelt upon it laboured to understand it throughly and remember it and what he could not understand he would oft ask his Father or Mother the meaning of 10. When any Christian friends have been discoursing with his Father if they began to talk any thing about Religion to be sure they should have his company and of his own accord he would leave all to hear any thing of Christ and creep as close to them as he could and listen as affectionately though it were for an hour or two He was scarce ever known to express the least token of weariness while he was hearing any thing that was good and sometimes when neighbours children would come and call him out and entice him and beg of him to go with them he could by no means be perswaded though he might have had the leave of his Parents if he had any hopes that any good body would come in to his fathers house 11. He was very modest whilest any stranger was present and was loth to ask them any questions but as soon as they were gone he would let his father know that there was little said or done but he observed it and would reflect upon what was past in their discourse and desire satisfaction in what he could not understand at present 12. He was a Boy of almost prodigious parts for his age as will appear by his solid and rational questions I shall mention but two of many 13. The first was this when he was reading by himself in Draiton's Poems about Noah's Flood and the Ark he askt who built the Ark it being answered that it was likely that Noah hired men to help him to build it And would they said he build an Ark to save another and not go into it themselves 14. Another question he put was this Whether had the greater glory Saints or Angels It being answered that Angels were the most excellent of Creatures and it s to
much above the vanities of the world and took no pleasure at all in those things which usually take up the heart and time of young ones She would say that she was grieved and ashamed both for young and old to see how glad and mad they were upon vanity and how foolishly they spent their time 30. She was not forgetful of the care and love of her Master and Mistress which taught her to read and work but she desired that thanks might also be particularly given to them Indeed she thought she could never be thankful enough both to God and man for that kindness that she had experience of But again and again she desired to be sure to thank the Ministers that instructed her either by catechising or preaching 31. After some rest her Father askt her again how she did and began to express somewhat of that satisfaction and joy that he had taken in her former diligence in her reading the Scriptures and writing and her dutifulness and that great progress that she had made in the things of God upon which she humbly and sweetly desired to own God and his kindess in her godly education and said that she esteemed her holy education under such Parents and Ministers as a greater portion than ten thousand Gilders for thereby I have learned to comfort my self out of the Word of God which the World besides could never have afforded 32. Her Father perceiving her to grow very weak said I perceive Child thou art very weak It is true Sir said she I feel my weakness increaseth and I see your sorrow increasing too which is a piece of my affliction be content I pray you it is the Lord which doth it and let you and I say with David Let us fall into the Lords hands for his mercies are great 33. She laid a great charge upon her Parents not to be over-grieved for her after her death urging that of David upon them while the Child was sick he fasted and wept but when it died he washed his face and sat up and eat and said Can I bring him back again from death I shall go to him but he shall not return to me So ought you to say after my death our Child is well for we know it shall be well with them that trust in the Lord. She did lay a more particular and streight charge upon her mother saying to her dear mother who have done so much for me you must promise me one thing before I die and that is that you will not sorrow over-much for me I speak thus to you because I am afraid of your great affection consider others Losses what they have been Remember Job forget not what Christ foretold In the world you shall have tribulation but be of good cheer in me you shall have peace and must the Apostles suffer so great tribulation and must we suffer none Did not Jesus Christ my only Life and Saviour sweat drops of blood Was he not in a bitter agony mocked spit at nailed to the Cross and a Spear thrust thorow his blessed side and all this for my sake for my stinking sins sake did not he cry out my God my God why hast thou forsaken me Did not Christ hang naked upon the Cross to purchase for me the garments of salvation and to cloth me with his righteousness for there is Salvation in no other name 34. Being very feeble and weak she said O if I might quietly sleep in the bosome of Jesus and that till then he would strengthen me O that he would take me into his arms as he did those little ones where he said Suffer little children to come unto me for of such is the kingdom of heaven and he took them into his arms and laid his hands on them and blessed them I lie here as a child O Lord I am thy Child receive me into thy gracious arms O Lord grace grace and not justice for if thou shouldest enter into judgment with me I cannot stand yea none living should be just in thy sight 35. After this she cryed out O how faint am I but fearing least she should dishearten her mother she said while there is life there is hope If it should please the Lord to recover me how careful would I be to please you in my work and learning and whatsoever you should require of me 36. After this the Lord did again send her strength and she laboured to spend it all for Christ in the awakening edifying and comforting of those that were about her but her chiefest endeavour was to support her dear Parents from extraordinary sorrow and to comfort them out of the Scriptures telling them that she knew that all things did work together for the good of them that did love God even to those which are called according to his purpose O God establish me with thy free Spirit Who shall separate us from the love of Christ I am perswaded that neither life nor death nor angels nor Principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come nor heighth nor depth nor any other creature shall separate us from the love of God which is towards us in Christ Jesus our Lord. My sheep saith Christ hear my voice and I know them and they follow me and I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish and no man shall pluck them out of my hands My Father who gave them me is greater than all and none shall pull them out of my Fathers hands Thus she seemed to attain a holy confidence in God and an assurance of her state as to another world 37. When she had a little refreshed her self with rest she burst forth with abundance of joy and gladness of heart with a holy triumph of faith saying out Death is swallowed up of victory O death where is thy sting O grave where is thy victory the sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the law but thanks be to God who hath given us the victory through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 38. That she might the better support her friends she still insisted upon that which might take off some of their burden by urging the necessity of death We are from the earth and to the earth we must return is the mother of us all the dust shall Dust turn to dust from whence it is and the Spirit to God which gave it 39. The She discoursed of the shortness of mans life O what is the life of man the days of man upon the earth are as the grass and the flowers of the field so he flourisheth the wind passeth over it and it is no more and his place knows him no more 40. She further urged the sin and sorrow that did attend us in this life and the longer we live the more we sin now the Lord will free me from that sin and sorrow We know not the thoughts of God yet we do know so much that they are mercy
and not with the least visibility of a childish levity of spirit This was when he was between seven and eight years old and if he perceived any Children unconcerned about their Souls he would be greatly troubled at it 23. After this his Parents removed not far from London where he continued till that dreadful year sixty five he was then sent to the latine School where he soon made a very considerable Progress and was greatly beloved of his Master the School was his beloved place and learning his recreation He was never taught to write but took it of his own ingenuity 24. He was exceeding dutiful to his Parents and never did in the least dispute their command except when he thought they might cross the command of God as in the forementioned business of reading the Scriptures when his eyes were so bad 25. He was exceeding contented with any mean diet and to be sure he would not touch a bit of any thing till he had begged Gods blessing upon it 26. He would put his Brother and Sister upon their duties and observe them whether they performed it or no and when he saw any neglect he would soon warn them if he saw any of them take a spoon into their hands before they had craved a blessing he said that is just like a hog indeed 27. His Sister was afraid of the darkness and would sometimes cry upon this account he told her she must fear God more and she need then be afraid of nothing 28. He would humbly put his near Relations upon their duty and minding the concerns of their Souls and Eternity with more seriousness and life and to have a care of doing that which was for the dishonour of God and the hazard of the Soul 29. He was of a compassionate and charitable disposition and very pitiful to the poor or any that were in distress but his greatest pity was to poor Souls and as well as he could he would be putting Children Play-fellows servants neighbours upon minding their poor souls 30. One notable instance of his true charity I cannot omit A certain Turk was by the providence of God cast in the place where he lived which this sweet Child hearing of had a great pity to his Soul and studied how he might be any way instrumental to do it good at last finding a man that understood the language of the Turk he used means to get them together which he at last procured the first thing that he did was to put his friend upon discoursing with the Turk about his principles whether he acknowledged a Deity which the Turk owning the next thing he inquired after was what he thought of the Lord Jesus Christ At which the Turk was troubled and put off the discourse and said he was athirst and an hungry which the Child being informed of by the interpreter immediately went to a Brew-house near at hand his own house being far off and did intreat the Master of the Brewhouse to give him some Beer for the Turk and the argument he used was this Sir here is a poor stranger that is athirst we know not where we may be cast before we dye he went to another place and begged food for him using the same argument as before but his friends hearing of it were angry with him but he told them he did it for a poor stranger that was far from home and he did it that he might think the better of the Christians and the Christian Religion 31. He would have a savoury word to say to every one that he conversed with to put them in mind of the worth of Christ and their Souls and their nearness to Eternity Insomuch that good people took no small pleasure in his company The Taylor that made his cloths would keep them the longer before he brought them home that he might have the benefit of his spiritual and Christian society and more frequent visits 32. He bewailed the miserable condition of the generality of man-kind when he was about ten years old that were utterly estranged from God though they called him Father yet they were his Children only by Creation and not by any likeness they had to God or interest in him 33. Thus he continued walking in the ways of God ingaged in reading praying hearing the Word of God and spiritual discourse discovering thereby his serious thoughts of Eternity 34. He had an earnest desire if it might be the Lords good pleasure to give himself up to the Lord in the work of the Ministry if he should live and this out of a dear love to Christ and Souls 35. He was next to the Bible most taken with reading of Reverend Mr. Baxters works especially his Saints Everlasting Rest and truly the thoughts of that Rest and Eternity seemed to swallow up all other thoughts and he lived in a constant preparation for it and looked more like one that was ripe for glory then an inhabitant of this lower world 36. When he was about eleven years and three quarters old his Mothers house was visited with the Plague his eldest sister was the first that was visited with this distemper and when they were praying for her he would sob and weep bitterly 37. As soon as he perceived that his Sister was dead he said the will of the Lord be done Blessed be the Lord dear Mother said he you must do as David did after the Child was dead he went and refreshed himself and quietly submitted to the will of God 38. The rest of the family held well for about fourteen dayes which time he spent in religious duties and preparing for his death but still his great Book was the Saints Rest which he read with exceeding curiosity gathering many observations out of it in writing for his own use He wrote several divine meditations of his own upon several Subjects but that which seemed most admirable was a meditation upon the excellency of Christ he was never well now but when he was more immediately ingaged in the service of God 39. At fourteen days end he was taken sick at which he seemed very patient and cheerful yet sometimes he would say that his pain was great 40. His Mother looking upon his Brother shaked her head at which he asked if his Brother were marked she answered yes Child he asked again whether he were marked she answered nothing well says he I know I shall be marked I pray let me have Mr. Baxters Book that I may read a little more of Eternity before I go into it His Mother told him that he was not able to read he said that he was however then pray by me and for me His Mother answered that she was so full of grief that she could not pray now but she desired to hear him pray his last prayer 41. His Mother asked him whether he were willing to die and leave her he answered yes I am willing to leave you and go to my heavenly Father His Mother answered Child If thou hadst but an assurance of Gods love I should not be so much troubled 42. He answered and said to his Mother I am assured dear Mother that my sins are forgiven and that I shall go to Heaven for said he here stood an Angel by me that told me I should quickly be in glory 43. At this his Mother burst forth into tears O Mother said he did you but know what joy I feel you would not weep but rejoyce I tell you I am so full of comfort that I cant tell you how I am O Mother I shall presently have my head in my Fathers bosome and shall be there where the Four and Twenty Elders cast down their Crowns and sing Hallelujah Glory and Praise to him that sits upon the Throne and unto the Lamb for ever 44. Upon this his speech began to fail him but his Soul seemed still to be taken up with glory and nothing now grieved him but the sorrow that he saw his Mother to be in for his death a little to divert his Mother he asked her what she had to Supper but presently in a kind of divine Rapture he cried out O what a sweet Supper have I making ready for me in glory 45. But seeing all this did rather increase then allay his Mothers grief he was more troubled and asked her what she meant thus to offend God know you not that it is the hand of the Almighty Humble your self under the mighty hand of God lay your self in the dust and kiss the rod of God and let me see you do it in token of your submission to the will of God and bow before him Upon which raising up himself a little he gave a lowly bow and spake no more but went chearfully and triumphingly to Rest in the bosome of Jesus Hallelujah FINIS These BOOKS of the same Author Mr. James Janeway are Printed and Sold by Dorman Newman HEaven upon Earth or the best Friend in the worst of times The third Edition Enlarged Price 2 s. 6 d. Death Vnstung a Sermon preacht at the Funeral of Thomas Mowsley an Apothecary With a brief Narrative of his Life and Death also the manner of Gods dealings with Him before and after his Conversion Drawn up by his own hand price 1 s. A Sermon preached at the Funeral of Thomas Savage Price 4 d. A Token for Children first and second part the price of each 6 d.