into that better world which she so much longed after often professing that there was nothing that could tempt her to wish for life but the breeding up of her little ones which yet now she was the less solicitous about because she could leave them in the hands of their tender and careful Father not doubting as old dying Jacob said when he was blessing the two Sons of Joseph Gen. 48. 15. 16. That that God which had fed her all her life long untill that day and the Angel which had redeemed her from all evil would bless them And now finding her self arrested by the messenger of Death and her body like the house of Saul growing weaker and weaker but her soul like the house of David waxed stronger and stronger took higher flights and made nearer approaches to God that gave it When her Husband came to her as he did frequently he continually admonished and minded her of the gracious Promises of mercy in Christ and of faith in him and desired her to be strengthened and comforted in them Her answer was she was comforted in them she found the comfort of Gods Spirit in her and verily believed she should see the goodness of the Lord in the Land of the living Psal. 45. 13. Ever and anon saying I am comforted Gods Spirit is in me which makes me endure my sickness and more pains than you can think of so comfortably as I do When she knew of none by her usual prayer was Lord look down upon me in thy mercy Lord forgive me my sins Lord assist me with thy holy Spirit Lord thou hast assured me of the forgiveness of my sins Lord assist me still with thy holy Spirit And many times passing the whole night without sleep she spent that time in these and the like heavenly prayers and ejaculations in which her Husband and those which attend her continually still found her when they came to her Never man had a more faithfull dear and loving Wife or more carefull of what concerned him than himself and more tender of any thing said or done against him than if it had been said or done against her self And when he seemed to lament the loss he should have if God took her from him She meekly answered We came not into the world together and therefore may not look to go out together When he replied that it would be much better for their children if he went first as by the course of nature was most likely she said that he could do much better for the children than she could and thanked God for that she could now leave them with him For the space of three weeks she kept her bed and about a fortnight before her death being surprized with a fainting fit in which she was like to depart and thereby perceiving that earth would suddenly return to the earth whence it came that her soul might be the better winged and prepared for a return to God that gave it she deâ—ired that all the Family might be called up and joyn in prayers with and for her At which time observing the grief and passion of her Husband and those that were present expressed plentifully by tears from their eyes she besought him and them not to grieve and lament for her happiness About that time a Reverend person coming to visit her Husband he solicited him to enlarge that great act of favour unto him by a greater act of charity to his wife by visiting her also whom God now visited with sickness as also to pray with and administer some comfort unto her which he most willingly condescended unto and having taken a strict account of her faith in Christ and hopes of a better life he left her with his Fatherly benediction top full of comfort and when she was afterwards told that he came out of respect and kindness to visit her Husband she said No but God had sent him for her comfort often acknowledging the consolations which she had found by him When any came to visit her in the time of her sickness at the parting she desired them to pray for her and often sent Messengers and caused Letters to be directed to her friends in London to pray for her for that she was now preparing for another world When she was sometimes desired for her childrens sake to chear up her self her answer was that to leave them did not trouble her because she was assured that God would provide for them adding that she would willingly leave Husband Children and all to go to Christ which was just the minde of that blessed Martyr Ignatius Befall me said he what will or can so I may enjoy Jesus Christ my Love my Life that was crucified for me or rather St. Pauls case expressed in that most elegant Barbarisme Phil. 1. 23. Desiring to be with Christ which is multo magis melius much more better And now finding the day of her life wasted to the evening and ready to dye into night on the Lords day before her death she desired the prayers of the Congregation in the Parish where she lived being well assured as she said that many good people would pray heartily for her After which some coming to visit her and exhorting her to patience and to remember the afflictions of Job she answered that she had had her part in his afflictions God having given her Luctuosam foecunditatem as St. Jerom said of Laeta a sad and sorrowfull fruitfulness taking away seven of her children in their minority so that she as Hanna spake in her song 1 Sam. 2. 5. that had born seven waxed feeble yet she comforted her self with this hope that they were in Heaven before her and hoped that they would be Lamps to lead her to heaven for she assured her self that they followed the Lamb whithersoever he goeth and for those two which were yet alive she thanked God for that she saw no ill qualities in them Besides she said that God had taken away her goods from her but had given her patience which to her was of more value and she esteemed it above them all knowing that God was able to restore all when he pleased She often acknowledged Gods goodness to her in sending her a milde sickness and not taking her away with some sudden stroke as he did the wife of Ezekiel Chap. 24. 16. or by some tormenting disease as he is pleased to visit some of his dear ones acknowledging the wonderful mercy of God to her therein A week before her death she called her eldest Daughter to her being to go from her to School at Putney and putting her hand on her shoulder she said to her I give you that blessing which my Mother gave me at her death The God of Abraham the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob bless you and then added the blessing which Aaron by Gods own appointment was to give the children of Israel The Lord bless thee and keep thee
out of it And the next day being November 8. Anno Christi 1520 not by legal trial but in a way of Butchery he murthered near a hundred of the Nobles and chief men of Sueden and Citizens of Stockholm and then letting loose the Souldiers upon the City and Country all sorts of persons Ecclesiastical Civil Great Mean Men and Women and Children suffered all manner of violences and deaths that Cruelty could devise their rage extending not onely to the living but to the dead towards whom they used all the opprobrious indignities that could be the lively Character whereof may be described better by some Dane that saw it or some that were interessed in the Scicilian Vespers or the Parisian Nuptials or Irish Massacre than by my pen. After these horrid Murders and outrages Covetousness began to ascend the Stage the King seizing upon all the estates both of the dead and living and to make all sure the Liberties of Sueden being thus brought into the state of a dead man they thought to buy them also so as they might never rise again To which end they set Guards in all places published Edicts and did not onely deprive the Suedes of their Armour but of their Arms and Legs also saying in scorn That a Swede could plow his ground well enough with one arm and a wodden leg But the last and worst of evils was abominable Hypocrisie For this Christian Kings conscience forsooth is pretended for what he did He was touched with much compassion and would not have done it but that his conscience tyed him thereto in zeal to the Church and obedience to the Popes sentence of Excommunication and thus Religion is made the Patron of all these Villanies Yet all this quieted not the Kings conscience but he hastes out of uecden possibly fearing lest the ground should open her mouth and swallow him up or lest the fame of his cruelty should arrive before him in Denmark and make that Nation abhor and vomit him out But behold how vengeance follows him Now is he gone home King of the three Kingdomes of the Baltick Sea and to secure Sueden he had left Guards in every place But cruelty never conquered mens spirits A Tyrant may be feared of all but is hated of all and his own conscience so pursues him that he can be quiet no where And so it fell out with this King for within three years he lost all his three Kingdomes without adventuring one drop of blood or striking one blow for them The manner shall be after glanced upon but my present work is to shew how Sueden now under water comes to lift up its head again This sad news at Stockholme coming to the ears of Gustavus now at Rafsness and in particular the murther of his own Father Ericas amongst the rest of the Nobles he was not at all discouraged but rather provoked with a desire of revenge and to rescue his Country from such barbarous Tyranny yet what with grief and detestation of such execrable cruelty and doubt that many would be affrighted thereby from appearing in their Countries cause his spirit was much troubled and rendred less able at the present to determine upon the manner of his proceeding and therefore in all haste away he goes to the Mountain-people with this news but they scarce civillized are little sensible of their Countries cause Gustavus therefore makes no stay there but away he goes to a Castle in those parts commanded by one Aaron Peter a Noble man whom once he knew to be well affected to the Liberties of his Country and to him he discovered himself what he was and what were his intentions desiring his counsel but he found the man and others in those parts so amazed at the news of Stockholme as that they forgat both themselves and the publick and were rather willing to couch under any burden than to make opposition against it yea so fearful they were of being suspected by the Danes that they rather desired to be esteemed wholly at their service and especially Aaron Peter who though he pretended pity and compassion to Gustavus in this condition and promised not onely security to his person if he would abide with him but his best assistance in compassing the ends propounded by him yet having drawn from him the utmost of his resolutions after a few dayes wherein he had carryed himself fairly to avoid suspicion he gets himself abroad and away he went to the Danish Lieutenant Bruno and discovers to him the whole matter as well concerning Gustavus his intentions as what counsel himself had given him But Aaron forgat one point of policy which was to let none know his intentions but his own heart for he told his wife whither and what he went about who being more true to her Country and regardful of the Laws of common honesty and hospitality than her Lord was when he was gone told Gustavus whither her Lord was gone and to what purpose and therefore advised him forthwith to shift for himself furnishing him with her own horse to go to Suertso to one that had been Gustavus his Colleague in the University The day following came Bruno the Dan◠with twenty Souldiers to apprehend Gustavus at Aaron Peters house but his Lady told him that Gustavus was secretly departed the day before and so the prey being lost Bruno returns without sport Thus God made a woman a great instrument in saving Sueden from miserable ruine Gustavus being come to Suertso found kinde entertainment but consideration being had to the restless 〈◊〉 pursuit of the Danes it was thought convenient that he should not stay long there for now the enemy hunted upon hot sent and therefore he departed privately beyond the Dallcarls unto Retwick These Dallcarls are a people of Sueden strong and hardy men of resolution and being inured to work hard in the Mines were fit for action whence as some Writers note they have their name of Dallcarls or Carles or robustious men of the Dales having by reason of their priviledges this advantage that they are numerous and rich To these Gustavus applies himself and relates to them the particulars of the Massacre at Stockholme whereby the Suedes had lost much of their best blood he told them also what further danger the Nation was in which he in good language set forth to the life for he could no less skifully manage his tongue than his arms The Dallcarls pitying the state of their Country and having respect to themselves and their friends they told Gustavus that they would adventure all that was dear to them to be revenged on the Danes and to vindicate their Nation from bondage onely they desired him that he would engage their Brethren of the Eastern Dales with them This Gustavus willingly undertook and forthwith departed to Mora the chief City of those Dales whither coming about the latter end of December the next day he obtained audience
p. 157. l. 11. r. dayes for life p. 233. l. 31. r. knowing for know p. 312. l. 4. r. wrote for wroughâ— p. 318. l. 25. r. jure humanâ— juris humanâ— p. 342. l. 17. r. bury for bâ—y l. the last r other for to her p. 315. l. 8. r the restless for restless the p. 369. l. 17. r. Sabboth for Sabbath l. 27. r. Lubeckers for Lubecks p 435. l. 21. r. the soâ—l for the sould p. 439. l. 7. r. Mâ—t. 6. 3. for Mâ—t. 3. 6. p. 443. l. 11. r. which for when p. 451. l. 15. put in by that l. 24 pâ—t in he p. 452 l. 13. pâ—t out used and put in to p. 457. l. 3. put in of p. 468. l. 29. r. you for yours l. 529. l. 11 r. breeding for being Mr. JOHN CARTER The LIFE and DEATH OF Mr. JOHN CARTER Who died Anno Christi 1634. MAster John Carter was born at Wickham in Kent near Canterburie about the year of our Lord 1554. He was descended but of mean Parents yet were they Religious and of good report who not being able to maintain him at the University wholly upon their own charge there was one Mr. Rose a rich man in Canterbury who taking notice of his Piety in those his tender years of his ingenuity studiousness and proficiency in all School-learning even beyond the pitch of a Grammer Scholar and finding him hopefull and likely to prove a precious instrument in the Church of Christ he took him into his care sent him to Cambridge and contributed such sums of money to him from time to time as were needfull He was admitted into Clare-Hall and was Pupil to Dr. Bing a famous Civilian and Master of that House Presently after his first admission into that House he was taken notice of as one of singular Learning and ripeness for his years Amongst the rest that were of his year he had a Theam given him to make upon this Subject Frugalitas virtutum maxima and when the young Students brought in their Theams the Lecturer took and read them and when he came to Carters Theam he stood and paused awhile and at last said before them all Here is the best Theam that ever I read and gave him some money for his encouragement and highly commended his Industry and always after cast a favourable eye upon him and sought opportunities to do him good When Mr. Carter had taken his degrees of Batchelor and Mr. of Arts his Tutor Dr. Bing out of his singular love to him for his Piety and Learning gave him a Chamber in his own Lodgings where he continued a year or two which conduced much to the compleating of him for the work of the Ministry and all the while that he continued a gremial in the lap and bosom of his Mother the University he held constant Meetings with divers of his famous Contemporaries and that every week as with Dr. Chaderton Dr. Andrews afterwards Bishop of Ely Mr. Culverwell Mr. Kewstubs and divers others whom God raised up and fitted to send forth into his Harvest to gather his Corn then ripe for the Sickle into his Barn At their meetings they had constant Exercises first They began with prayer then applied themselvs to the Study of the Scriptures one was for the Original Languages anothers task was for the Grammatical Interpretation anothers for the Logical Analysis anothers for the true sense and meaning of the Text another gathered the Doctrines and thus they carried on their several imployments till at last they went out like Apollos eloquent men and mighty in the Scriptures and the Lord was with them so that they brought in a very great Harvest into Gods Barn Mr. Carter would not run before he was sent though he was so excellently qualified for the work he durst not venter upon the exercise of the holy work of the Ministry till he had not only an inward but an outward call also viz. an assignation approbation and solemn admission by the laying on of the hands of the Presbyterie When he was ordained the Bishop who in those days was primus Presbyter or Praeses seeking to oppose him asked him this Question Have you read the Bible through Yes said he I have read the Old Testament twice through in the Hebrew and the New Testament often through in the Greek and if you please to examine me in any particular place I shall endeavour to give you an account of it Nay said the Bishop if it be so I shall need to say no more to you only some words of Commendation and encouragement he gave him and so with other assistants he Ordained him Anno Christi 1583. the Vicaridge of Bramford in Suffolk near Ipswich fell void and Mr. Rose of Canterbury beforementioned procured the Presentation thereof for Mr. Carter of the Dean and Chapter of Canterburie in whose Gift it was The Salary at first was only twenty Marks per annum but afterwards the Church raised it to twenty pound per annum and that was the most that ever he had there yet he accepted of it and being setled in it he set himself to do the work of Christ faithfully with all his might as a workman that needed not to be ashamed Every Lords day he preached twice very powerfully and Chatechised the younger sort He also preached a Lecture every Thursday to which multitudes from Ipswich and other adjacent places did resort And God gave such success to his Ministry that by his labours many sons and daughters were from time to time begotten unto God Many precious Christians that remain unto this day acknowledge that their Conversion was by Mr. Carters Ministry Before his Sermons he made but a short Prayer and that always in the same words After Sermon he used to be large and full and expressed himself with great variety of phrases and with much fervency and always he concluded with the Lords Prayer He was very diligent in visiting the sick especially the poorer sort and he never went to the house of any poor creature but he left a Purse-Alms as well as a Spiritual-Alms of good and heavenly advice and prayer No poor body ever came to his door that went away empty his wife also looking to that as carefully as himself Every Saturday throughout the whole year he gave the Milk of his Cows to the poor of the Town and indeed he gave more to the Poor every year then the Revenue of his slender Vicaridge came to in the whole yet God so blessed him that whilst he was in Bramford he quickly paid Mr. Rose of Canterbury all the money that he had disbursed toward his Education in the Uuniversity and before he left Bramford he purchased about twenty pound per annum Gods blessing only makes rich He had but two sons and he brought them both up in Learning and maintained them in the University in good fashion He
Christ most perfect and comprehensive of all our necessities That you may be the better satisfied concerning his sense and judgement in this matter take this transcript out of his Printed Commentary upon Mat. 6. 9. Where after he hath set forth the excellency and perfection of Christs Prayer he addeth Christ now directs us to the right performance of the Duty of Prayer After this manner pray ye Or as St. Luke sets it down When you pray say Not binding us strictly to use these words always and none other but to use the matter manner and like affections But as for them who cannot so well enlarge their suits in other words or for those also who can and do it and yet remain still unsatisfied as not having done it sufficiently and who can do it sufficiently the Lord Christ hath left this most excellent help to use the very words of this Divine Prayer as the most worthy servants of God have ever used to do And learn we here by the way that an absolute necessity lyeth upon us which ought to be our greatest glory and comfort to pray in these words or in this manner For it is the undispensable Commandment of our Lord Christ After this manner pray He had a special dexterity in comforting afflicted Consciences resolving doubts and answering questions when some came to him not long before he changed this earthly for an heavenly Mansion and told him of the rigour of the Prelates how it grew higher every day how they persecuted conscientious Ministers and Christians Of their Innovations and of the Book for Liberty of Sports on the Sabbath days tending to the fearfull profanation thereof He used these expressions I have had a longing desire to see or hear of the fall of Antichrist But I check my self I shall go to Heaven and there news of it will come thick thick thick When others came to him and pressed him with importunity to tell them his Judgement concerning the future state of the Church saying to him that he had travelled much in the study of the Revelations and they were perswaded that God had revealed something more then ordinary to him What do you think said they shall we have Popery once again or no He answered You shall not need to fear fire and fagot any more but such dreadfull divisions will be amongst God people and Professors as will equalize the greatest persecutions A man meeting him near his house called to him saying Oh Mr. Carter What shall I do My wife is entring into her Travel and I think she will die with very fear Mr. Carter answered Make haste run to your wife and tell her that I am going to my Closet as fast as I can to pray for her therefore bid her not faint but to be of good courage and comfort The man accordingly ran to his wife and told her what had passed between Mr. Carter and him Presently her fears vanished God gave her strength and she was delivered immediately and safely and strait after her Husband went to Mr. Carter even before he came out of his Closet and told him what God had done for him Another time a poor man met him by the way and cryed to him piteously saying Mr. Carter What shall become of me I work hard and fare hard and yet I cannot thrive I continue bare and know not how in the world to live He answered him Yet still you want one thing and I will tell you what you shall do Work hard and fare hard and pray hard and I will warrant you shall thrive There dwelled in that Parish a Tanner that was a very godly man and one that had much familiar society with Mr. Carter This man as he was very busie in Tawing of a Hide with all his might not so much as turning his head aside any way Mr. Carter coming by accidentally came softly behinde him and merrily gave him a little clap on the back the man started and looking behinde him suddenly blushed and said Sir I am ashamed that you should find me thus To whom Mr. Carter replied Let Christ when he comes finde me so doing What said the man doing thus Yes said Mr. Carter to him faithfully performing the Duties of my Calling Being at Dinner at Ipswich at one of the Magistrates Houses divers other Ministers being at the Table also One amongst the rest who was old enough and had learned enough to have taught him more humility was very full of talk bragged much of his parts and skill c. and made a Challenge saying Here are many Learned men if any of you will propound any question in Divinity or Philosophy I will dispute with him resolve his doubt and satisfie him fully All at the Table except himself were silent for a while then said Mr. Carter when he saw that none else would speak to him calling him by his name I will go no further then my Treacher to puzzle you Here is a Sole Now tell me the reason why this Fish that hath lived always in the salt water should come out fresh To this this forward Gentleman could say nothing and so was laughed at and shamed out of his vanity At another time a certain man came to him and made his moan saying I have lost the greatest friend that I had in the world I had in a manner all my livelyhood from him To whom Mr. Carter answered When the Fountain is dryed up in one place God will open it in another To one of his Sons he said Son John God hath always brought water for me out of the hard stinty rock Those covetous hard hearted men who have been enemies to my person and Ministery have many times come in and given me countenance and maintenance His eldest son whom he had bred up to the Ministery and who proved a blessed Instrument in the Church of Christ being dead Mr. Carter took care of his eldest son sent him to Cambridge and walking with him towards the Stable took his last leave of him in these words in Latine Cave mi fili fastum ignaviam Antichristum My son beware of Pride Sloth and Antichrist His usual saying was a Traveller must have a Swines belly an Asses back and a Marchants purse Meaning that he must be content with any fare bear all injuries and provide for vast expences We are Pilgrims and Travellers here and we must prepare for wants wrongs and spoiling of our goods It might well be said of him Semper erat ubi non erat His heart was where his head was and now his soul is to wit in Heaven His whole life was nothing else but a Communion day Old Jacob seemed to live in him and sure the Spirit of God breathed as much in him in his words and writings holiness dropped from his Pen in every ordinary Letter that he wrote in his actions and Soliloquies as in any mans in these latter times He was always
instilling precious precepts exhortations instructions or consolations into those with whom he had occasion to converse A godly woman told his Son that she had been servant to a Religious Gentleman to whose house Mr. Carter did often resort and that she was won to Christ at first by hearing the Heavenly speeches and sweet principles that dropped from him as she was warming his Bed and as she waited upon him in his Chamber He was always most just and exact in his dealings He put a Clause in his Will for the faithfull and carefull payment of his Debts yet when his Son John and his daughter Eunice whom he made his Executors enquired what his Debts were he could finde nothing that he owed except to the Smith for shooing of an Horse or two His Son when he came to look over his Library found two or three Books not one of them worth a Groat upon which he had written This Book was borrowed of such an one Let it be restored or if the owner cannot be found allow something to the poor for it and that liberally Once being in a journey many miles from home in changing a piece of Gold at a Shop he took an half Crown piece instead of a shilling neither he nor the Shop-keeper knowing it but as soon as he came home he found the mistake whereupon he could not rest satisfied but the next day took a long journey back again on purpose to that Town to carry back the half Crown again He was of a sweet mild and gentle nature and of a gracious spirit A loving and faithfull Husband to his wife and a tender and indulgent Father to his children and if he failed in any thing it was in his carriage to his Servants for truly he carried not himself to them as a Master to his servants but as a familiar friend to his friends He would make them to sit down with him at his Table and would drink to them at his meals He and his Wife were married together almost threescore years and in all that time there was never heard any distastefull word to pass betwixt them Neither indeed could it be otherwise For he lived and walked with her as a man of knowledge he was to her a Prudent Faithfull and tender guide and she was humble and meek reverenced and highly esteemed him Every word he spake was an Oracle to her and her will ever closed with his Judgement He lived to the age of fourscore When his youngest son John was born who was the youngest of nine he called him the Son of his Age and yet he lived to see him fourty years old before he died himself being fourty years old when he was born He was much and frequent in secret Fastings and when he kept such a day he told none of his house of it save his wife only and she would not eat any thing that day on which he fasted but oft-times she was with him in his retiring chamber to joyn with him in prayer yet could it not be concealed from the rest of the Family because at night he supped not but only had a Toste and a draught of ordinary Beer to sustain nature On the Sabbath Days he never had any Roste meat at Dinner because he would have none thereby kept from the Publick Ordinances the Pot was hung on with a piece of Beef and a pudding in it and that was their constant Lords Days Dinner for well-nigh sixty years together His Church at Belsted stood in a very solitary place whereof he always kept a key and would often resort thither all alone A Gentleman once espying him as he went towards the Church on a private day hid himself till Mr. Carter was past and gone into the Church and then he came close up to the Church wall desiring to peep in at some window to see what he did and to listen if he said any thing and this Gentleman afterwards told his Son John that he first prayed then read a Chapter and after that prayed largely and very heavenly as if he had been in his Family or in the publick Congregation He vigorously held on the constant course of his Ministry to the last It may be said of him as of Caleb and Joshua he was as sit for service in Gods Harvest-field at fourscore as he was at fourty Indeed some abatement of bodily strength there was as old Age did steal upon him After his afternoon Sermon on the Sabbath days he would be something faint and commonly when he came home he would call for some comfortable draught and when he had lifted up his eyes to heaven and taken it he would say to them about him These are crutches to shore up a ruinous house but in his Intellectuals and spiritual strength there was no decay Old Mr. Benton of Wramplingham in Norfolk a holy man of God being upon occasion in Suffolk in those parts could not but give a visit to his old friend Mr. Carter of Belsted and being with him he heard him discourse with such holy gravity and a mixture of all kinde of Learning sollidity and wit that he stood amazed at it and said Mr. Carter I see you are like unto the Palm and Cedar Tree you bring forth more fruit in your Age. I thank you said Mr. Carter you tell me what I should be And now the time of his departure was at hand Some fortnight or three weeks before his Translation there appeared some decays in his body and memory which now began to fail him He would sometimes but rarely call to go to Sea and to his better Countrey Yet he sate up from morning till night and commonly walked up and down the room and never failed to perform Prayer and other Family exercises so that none could discern any considerable defect either in his spiritual or natural strength Only in this that when he had done he would presently call to begin again and say to his daughter Eunice who was now the stay of his house and the staff of his old age God having taken away his dear wife about two years before Daughter shall we not go to prayer and when she answered him Sir you have been at Prayer already and you are weary he would reply I fear we have not done what we should do It was one of his constant and ordinary Petitions in every Prayer that God would vouchsafe him a mercifull and easie passage out of this life and the Lord did most graciously answer him therein February the 21. Anno Christi 1634. being the day before the Sabbath in the evening he called very earnestly for Paper Ink and two Pens For saith he by Gods grace tomorrow I will preach twice But God knows he was not in a fit condition for study yet with that resolution he went to Bed and God gave him some rest that night In the morning upon the Sabbath day he did rise from his Bed as he
used to do and came out of his Bed-chamber into the Hall and after Prayer he called for his ordinary breakfast which he used before he went to Church for still he held his resolution for Preaching which was an Egg he took it into his hand but alas it would not down whereupon he said to his daughter Eunice I am not able to go to Church yet I pray thee lead me to my Bed I will lie down a little and rest me So he rose up out of his chair and walked up and down she supporting him and when he came to the Parlour door before he put his foot over the threshold Oh Eunice saith he What shall I do Put your trust saith she in that God of whom you have had so much experience who never yet did leave you nor forsake you Yea saith he the Lord be thanked So he gathered up his strength went to the Bed-side sat down upon it and immediatly composed himself to lie down He lifted up one of his Legs upon the Bed without any great difficulty laid down his Body and rested his Head upon the Pillow His Daughter still stood by expecting when she should lift his other leg upon the Bed thinking that he had been faln asleep and she was not mistaken for so he was It proved his last sleep and before she could discern any change in him his soul had taken its flight into heaven even into the Arms and embraces of his Blessed Saviour whom he had faithfully served all his life long being about fourscore years old He intended a Sabbaths labour for Christ and Christ gave him rest from his labour even the rest of an eternal Sabbath When his daughter began to speak to him and to lift him she found that his breath was departed yet was there not any change in his countenance at all his eyes and his mouth continuing in the same posture they used to be in his sweetest sleeps Thus the Lord gave unto his faithfull Servant the desire of his soul and a return of his Prayers such an easie passage as that his death could not be discerned from a sweet natural sleep Not many days before his death he called his daughter and said to her Daughter Remember my love to my Son John I shall see him no more in this life and remember me to the rest of my children and Family and deliver this message to them all from me Stand fast in the faith and love one another This was the last message that ever he sent to them He ended his life with a Doxology breathing out his last with these words The Lord be thanked When he had thus yielded up his Spirit into the hands of his heavenly Father his daughter Eunice dispatched away a Messenger to his Son John at Norwich for so had her Father given order before he died that his body should not be put into a Cofsin till his Son John came and God carried him through the journey in hard weather so that through Gods good providence he arrived at Belsted early on the Tuesday and going into the house of mourning he found the Body of his deceased Father still lying upon the bed they uncovered his face and sweetly he lay and with a smiling countenance and no difference appearing to the eye between his countenance alive and dead only that he was wont to rejoyce and to bless his Son at their meeting and now he was silent His son fell upon his face and kissed him and lift up his voice and wept and so took his last leave of him till they should meet in a better world February the 4th in the afternoon Anno Christi 1634. was he Interred at which time there was a great confluence people from all the parts thereabout Ministers and others all taking up the words of Joash King of Israel Oh my Father my Father the chariots of Israel and the Horsemen thereof Good Mr. Samuel Ward that famous Divine and the glory of Ipswich came to the Funeral brought with him a mourning Gown and offered very respectfully to have preached his Funeral Sermon now that such a Congregation was gathered together and upon such an occasion But his Son and daughter durst not give way unto it for so their Father had often charged them in his life time and that upon his blessing that there should be no Sermon at his burial For said he it may give occasion to speak some good of me that I deserve not and so false things may be uttered in the Pulpit Mr. Ward rested satisfied with this and accordingly did forbear But the next Friday at Ipswich he turned his whole Lecture into a Funeral Sermon for Mr. Carter in which he honoured him and lamented the Churches loss to the great satisfaction of the whole Auditory Gloria fugentes sequitur Glory is like your shadow follow it and it will flie away from you but she from it and it will follow you And so it proved with Mr. Carter He was most eminent for Humility Humble he was in his habit and humble in all his deportment For though his Gifts called him before great men yet his most ordinary converse was with those of an inferiour rank in whom he saw most of the power of godliness So that he might truly say with David Psal. 119. 63. I am a companion of all them that fear thee and of them that keep thy precepts He wrote very much but he left nothing behinde him save what is Printed and his Exposition upon the Revelations and a Petition to King James for the taking away of burdensom Ceremonies out of the Church Nothing else but a few broken Papers which he regarded not Probably he burnt the rest when he saw his appointed time draw neer meerly out of a low opinion of himself and his own gifts He avoided all things that might tend to outward Pomp and ostentation He would have no Funeral Sermon He left order in his Will not to be buried in the Church but in the Church-yard where he and his wife that glorious pair he interred together without so much or rather so little as a poor Grave-stone over them He had learned of Christ to be meek and lowly in heart He was humble in his Life and humble in his Death and now the Lord hath highly exalted him He kept a constant Diary or day book in which every day he set down Gods extraordinary dispensations his own actions and whatsoever memorable things he heard or read that day He cast up his Accounts with God every day and his sins were blotted out before he came to his last reckoning his day of refreshing came and he rests from his labours Plus vivitur exemplis quam preceptis saith Seneca Examples of the dead are Sermons for the livâ—ng He was a true child of Abraham and the blessing of Abraham fell upon him I will bless them saith the Lord to him that bless thee and I will curse
them that curse thee Some years after his death his Son John being at Bramford there was an ancient Gentleman that had lived there long and was Mr. Carters old Friend who spake thus unto him Mr. Carter I have nowliâ— to see the downfall of all your Fathers opposites and enemies there is not one of them but their Families are scattered and come to ruine Let all the enemies of Gods faithfull Messengers hear and fear and do no more so wickedly It may be truly said of him and his faithful Yoke-fellow as it is written of Zacharias and Elizabeth they were both righteous before God walking in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord blameless and truly the world will and can testifie that neither of them did ever do that thing that was evil or unjust or scandalous or uncomely even their enemies themselvs being Judges they were as to men without blemish their life was a sweet savour and they went out of this life as a fragrant persume This Life was drawn up by Mr. John Carter Junior now also with the Lord one who degenerated not from the steps of his Learned and holy Father and by him was sent to me some years since together with this ensuing Epistle which I have the rather inserted to provoke and stir up others who can in this way revive the memories of the Dead Saints to do it which will be a more lasting Monument to them and far more beneficial and advantagious to the Church of God than any sumptuous and costly Funerals or Grave-stones whatsoever To his Reverend Brother and fellow Labourer in the Lords Vineyard Mr. Samuel Clark Pastor of Bennet Fink London Worthy Sir THat which Naomi spake to Ruth concerning Boaz He hath not left off his kindnesse to the living and to the Dead It is fully verified of your self You cease not to shew kindness to the Living and to the Dead To the Living by your Preaching and Ministery you make Saints daily To the Dead Saints you shew kindness by perpetuating their Names to their honours and the good of many And herein you are a greater gainer you shine your self by making others shine Amongst the rest of those that honour you I am one though I never saw your face otherwise then in the Frontispiece of your Learned Books In the first part of your Marrow of Ecclesiastical History we had information that you did resolve to add a second Part and to put in the Lives of such godly Divines and others as were eminent in these latter times if you were furnished with faithfull Informations Hereupon divers did set upon me with very great importunity to write the Life of my dear Father and to send it up to you Truly worthy Sir I was desirous of the thing but durst not undertake the work I was sensible of mine own weakness and also that his sayings and doings had 〈…〉 slipped the memories of this Generation that I should have brought to light such an imperfect thing as rather would have been a blemish to so eminent a Saint than any Honour Hereupon I laid aside all thoughts of medling or attempting such a thing I know that he is glorious in heaven and on earth too so far as his name is spread Now good Sir let me be bold to give a short account of my self Some few days since I went about to make a new Diary for my self I was desirous in the first place to set down some passages of my Father for mine own satisfaction and use I began so and before I was aware it amounted to so much as I thought better that that should be published than nothing at all and at last my Spirit grew restless I could not satisfie my self till I had digested it into some order and made it publick And now Sir here it is I present it to your judicious view accept it in good part from a meer stranger My humble request to you Worthy Sir is this that though I slipped the last opportunity yet if you shall set forth any more Lives or if you shall have a new Impression of any of the former that you would extract so much of my precious Fathers Life as you shall judge fit and place it where you please in your Ecclesiastical History Your Monuments will be lasting in after Ages when my poor Pamphlet will be worn out with time Pardon my boldness The Lord lengthen out your days for the good of his Church and the honour of his Saints Your most observant friend and brother that truly Honoureth you JOHN CARTER The Life and Death of Mr. Samuel Crook who died An. Christi 1649. SAmuel Crook was born at Great Waldingfield in Suffolk Jan. 17. Anno Christi 1574. He was a Prophet and the Son of a Prophet even of that great and famous Light Dr. Crook a Learned and Laborious Divine who was sometimes a Preacher to the Honourable Society of Greys-Inn A Gentleman well descended and of an ancient Family This our Samuel was in his younger years trained up in Merchant Taylors School in London and having perfected his Studies there he was sent to the University of Cambridge and admitted into Pembroke-Hall where he was first Scholar and afterwards chosen Fellow of that House being chosen by the unanimous consent and suffrage of all but the Master upon whose refusal he was soon after Elected and admitted one of the first foundation of Fellows in Emanuel College where until this day his name is precious being preserved in their Library amongst their choicest Ornaments of that House in the Catalogue of their first Fellows thus written Mr. Samuel Crook Batchelour in Divinity From his very youth he was highly esteemed in that University both for his candid and ingenuous behaviour in a comely person as also for his pregnant parts ready wit great industry and answerable proficiency in all kinds of Polite Learning which renders a man more expedite and exquisite for any worthy and noble imployment and is more especially preparatory and introductory to the Study of Sacred Divinity which being observed and taken notice of he was first made choice of to be the Rhetorick Reader and afterwards was advanced to be Philosophy Reader in the Publick Schools both which places he performed with general applause Amongst his other youthly imployments he translated Virgâ—ls Eclogues the first and second Books of his Aeneids Juvenals first Satyre and most of the memorable speeches both in Virgil and other Poets All which were clear demonstrations of his ingenious capacity and ingenuous sufficiency And to shew that his heart even in his youth was drawn Heaven-ward from whence his wit was sanctified he translated divers of Davids Psalms and composed several Sacred Hymnes of his own Some of which he sung with tears of joy and desire in his last sickness having a sweet voice and good skill in Musick In his younger years also he was a constant and diligent hearer and
forty seven years wherein he could give an account of above seven thousand elaborate Sermons preached by him are so well known not only in this or the neighbour Parishes but through the whole County and the Country round about that I need not mention them Few men ever ran so long a Race without cessation or cespitation so constantly so unweariedly so unblamably All which time he was a burning and a shining light joyfully spending and being spent for the good of Gods people Many many of whom he hath guided to Heaven before him who received the beginnings of spiritual life from his Ministry and many more shall walk in that light after him And from his splendent Lamp divers faithfull Ministers some Triumphant before him some Militant after him have lighted their Candles His Tuesdays Lecture being more profitable to teach usefull Divinity than an Academy whereby he did not only Dolare lapides sed artifices Two things rarely met in one man were both eminent in him A quick invention and a sound judgement and these accompanied with a clear expression and a gracefull elocution To which Integrity and Humility being joyned made him a transcendent Minister and a compleat Christian. In his sickness full of biting pains which he bore with great Patience it was his greatest grief that God had taken him off from his labour which was his life and joy His heavenly mind like the heavenly bodies counted his work no weariness If he were weary in work he was yet never weary of work His spirit was still willing when the flesh was weak And he often used to say in his health Si per hanc viam mors sum immortalis and in his weakness Odi artus fragilemque hunc corporis usum desertorem animi And when he saw no more ability for labors he accounted it superfluous to live and chearfully not only yielded but patiently desired to die in a satiety and fulness of life not as meat loathed as many times natural men do but as a dish though well liked that he had fed his full of He had his intellectuals strong in a weak body witness his last Swan-like song in this place the sweet Doctrine of our Adoption in Jesus Christ on Rom. 8. 16. so far he had gone in that Chapter most clearly and acuratly delivered and aptly distinguished from Justification and sanctification yet that day October 16. going to Church and sensible of his own weakness he said to a dear Friend who told him that he came to see and hear him perhaps it may be my last as to all our loss it was indeed And as if his motion in Gods work had been natural he was more quick more vigorous toward his Center and like the Sun shewed his greatest light when he was nearest his setting His last Ministerial duty privately done in great weakness of Body unable to go to the Church was the Baptizing of two children wherein he streamed such beames of Divinity sounded such bowels of Humanity shewed such sweetness of affection to his charge that I seriously wished his whole Congregation had heard him in this departing farewell And being told how well it was approved he replyed with tears in great humility Lord what am I What am I To diverse of his loving Neighbours visiting him he often protested that Doctrine that he had taught them was the truth of God as he should answer at the Tribunal of Christ whereunto he was hasting exhorting them to stand fast therein as he most affectionately prayed for them professing of them with joy I have kind friends kind neighbours Lord reward them all and grant they may find mercy with him in that day His desire was to give to his Neighbours if enough could have been had his Printed Catechism which to my knowledge hath had the approbation and commendation of the profoundest and accutest Judgements in both Universities and well it might being a compleat Body of Orthodox Divinity and to have this assertion of the Apostle Peter written before it Exhorting and testifying that this is the true Grace of God wherein ye stand and to subscribe his name to it After he had in himself received the sentence of death approaching which he chearfully did when he saw no more likelihood of Labour he desired his Friends not to pray for his life but pray God said he for Faith for Patience for Repentance for joy in the Holy Ghost and the Lord heard him in that he desired for he was a rare pattern in all these as amongst many others these gracious words of his may witness Lord said he cast me down as low as Hell in Repentance and lift me up by faith to the highest Heavens in confidence of thy salvation I wish our proud presumptuous impenitentiaries had heard him crying for Repentance and seen him weeping for Grace It might perhaps have melted their stony hearts As he was full of days so was he full of grace full of peace full of assurance The Tuesday before he departed This day seven night said he is the day on which we have used to remember Christs Nativity and on which day I have preached Christ I shall scarce live to see it but For me was that Child born unto me was that Son given who is Wonderfull Councellor the Mighty God the everlasting Father the Prince of peace And no less full was he of true Honour for his worth and work sake in the hearts of all that feared God his memory shall be blessed and his name a sweet perfume to posterity when the names of his reproachfull scorners the last brood of Beelzebub shall rot and stink and be an abhorring to all slesh He is now come to the end of his labour and the beginning of his rest His work was with his God and his reward shall be from his God Now he sees the blessed and blessing face of God which is the glory of all sights and the sight of all glory Thus set this bright Occidental Star A Star of the first Magnitude One of the first and I dare say without envy of any that knew him and that knows himself one of the most glorious Lights that ever shone in this Orb or ever is like to arise in this Horizon O! how is such a publick loss to be lamented Of such a Champion of Christ Such an Atlas of the Truth that set his shoulders to support the shaken pillars thereof in these days of abounding and abetted errours Well may this Parish mourn well may this Country well may his Friends his Family well may we of the Ministry bewail it saying O my Father my Father the Chariots of Israel and the Horsemen thereof Ah my Brother my Brother I am distressed for thee very pleasant hast thou been unto me Lovely and gracious in Life lovely and glorious in Death Heu tua nobis Morte simul tecum solatia rapta I end in one word of Exhortation You that have heard the joyfull sound of this
God he afterwards found not only to be beneficiall unto him in preparing his heart for his work but also that it became an effectual means of his more peaceable and comfortable settlement in that place where the people were divided amongst themselves by reason of a potent man in the Town who adhered to another Cambridge man whom he would faign have brought in But when he saw Mr. Cotton wholly taken up with his own exercises of spirit he was free from all suspition of his being Pragmatical or addicted to siding with this or that party and so both he and his party began to close more fully with him Secondly Whereas there was an Arminian party in that Town some of whom were witty and troubled others with Disputes about those points by Gods blessing upon his Labours in holding forth positively such truths as undermined the foundations of Arminianism those Disputes ceased and the Tenets of Arminianism were no more pleaded for Thus God disposeth of the hearts of hearers as that generally they are all open and loving to their Preachers at their first entrance For three or four years he lived and preached amongst them without opposition They accounted themselves happy as well they might in the enjoyment of him both the Town and Country thereabouts being much bettered and reformed by his Labours But after he was not able to bear the Ceremonies imposed his Non-Conformity occasioned his trouble in the Bishops Court at Lincoln from whence he was advised to appeal to an higher Court and imploying Mr. Leveret who afterwards was one of the Ruling Elders of the Church of Boston in New England to deal in that business and he like Jacob being a plain man yet piously subtile to get such a spiritual blessing so far insinuated himself into one of the Proctors of that high-Court that Mr. Cotton was treated by them as if he were a Conformable man and so was restored unto Boston After this time he was blessed with a successfull Ministry unto the end of twenty years In which space he on the Lords Dayes in the afternoons went over the whole Body of Divinity in a Catechistical way thrice and gave the heads of his Discourse to those that were yong Scholars others in the Town to answer his questions in publick in that great congregation and after their Answers he opened those heads of Divinity and finally applied all to the edification of his people and of such strangers as came to hear him In the morning of the Lords Dayes he preached over the first six Chapters of the Gospel of St. John the whole Book of Ecclesiastes the Prophesie of Zachariah and many other Scriptures and when the Lords Supper was administred which was usual every monâ—th he preached upon 1 Corinth 11. 2 Chron. 30. the whole Chapter besides some other Scriptures concerning that subject On his Lecture days he preached through the whole first and second Epistles of John the whole Book of Solomons Song the Parables of our Saviour set forth in Matthews Gospel to the end of Chapter the 16th comparing them with Mark and Luke He took much pains in private and read to sundry young Scholars that were in his House and to some that came out of Germany and had his house full of Auditors Afterwards seeing some inconvenience in the Peoples flocking to his House besides his ordinary Lecture on the Thursdays he preached thrice more in publick on the week days viz. on Wednesdays and Thursdays early in the morning and on Saturdays at three a clock in the afternoon Only these three last Lectures were performed by him but some few years before he had another famous Colleague He was frequent in Duties of Humiliation and Thanksgiving Sometimes he continued five or six hours in Prayer and opening the Word So indefatigable was he in the Lords Work so willing to spend and be spent therein Besides he answered many Letters that were sent him far and near wherein were handled many difficult Cases of Conscience and many doubts cleared to great satisfaction He was a man exceedingly beloved and admired of the best and reverenced of the worst of his Hearers He was in great favour with Dr. Williams the then Bishop of Lincoln who much esteemed him for his Learning and when he was Lord Keeper of the Great Seal he went to King James and speaking of Mr. Cottons great Learning and worth the King was willing notwithstanding his Non-conformity to give way that he should have his Liberty in his Ministry without interruption which was the more remarkable considering how that Kings Spirit was carried out against such wayes Also the Earl of Dorchester being at Old Boston and hearing Mr. Cotton preaching about Civil Government he was so affected with the wisdom of his words and spirit that he did ever after highly account of him and put himself forth what he could in the time of Mr. Cottons troubles to deliver him out of them that so his Boston might still enjoy him as formerly but his desires were too strongly opposed to be accomplished About this time he married his second Wife Mistriss Sarah Story then a Widow He was blessed above many in his Marriages both his Wives being pious Matâ—ons grave sober and faithfull By the first he had no children the last God made a fruitfull Vine unto him His first-born was brought forth far off upon the Sea in his passage to New England So that he being childless when he left Europe arrived a joyfull Father in America In memorial whereof he called his name Sea-born to keep alive said he in me and to teach my Son if he live a remembrance of Sea-mercies from the hand of a gracious God He is yet living and entred into the Work of the Ministry A Son of many Prayers and of great expectation The corruption of the times being now such that he could not continue in the exercise of his Ministery without sin and the envy of his maligners having now procured Letters Missive to convent him before the High Commission Court which Letters a debauched Inhabitant of that Town undertook to serve upon him who shortly after died of the Plague Mr. Cotton having intelligence thereof and well-knowing that nothing but scorns and imprisonment were to be expected from them according to the advice of many able heads and upright hearts amongst whom that holy man of God Mr. Dod of blessed memory had a singular influence he kept himself close for a time in and about London as Luther sometime did at Wittenberg and Paraeus since at Anvilla Yet was not that season of his recess unprofitable For addresses during that time were made unto him privately by divers persons of worth and piety who received satisfaction from him in their Cases of Conscience of greatest concernment And when he went into New England it was not a flight from duty but from evident danger and unto duty Not from the
profession of the truth but unto a more opportune place for the profession of it When Mr. Cotton arrived at New England his manner of entrance unto them was with much blessing For at his first coming he found them not free from troubles about setling the matters both of Church and Commonwealth At which time being requested he preached before the general Court His Text was Haggai 2. 4. Yet now be strong O Zerubbabel saith the Lord Be strong O Joshua the son of Josedek the High Priest and be strong all ye people of the Land saith the Lord and work For I am with you saith the Lord of Hosts And the Lord working mightily by this Sermon all obstructions were presently removed and the spirits of all sorts as one man were excited unanimously and vigorously in the work of the Lord from that very day In order whereunto the Court considering that all the Members of that Republick were also Church Members and therefore to be governed according to the Law of God they desired Mr. Cotton to draw an abstract of the Judicial Laws delivered from God to Moses so far forth as they were of Moral i. e. of perpetual and universal equity which accordingly he did advising them to persist in their purpose of establishing a Theocraty i. e. Gods Government over Gods people From this time it was a usual thing for the Magistrates to consult with the Ministers in hard and difficult cases especially about matters of Religion yet so as notwithstanding occasional conjunction Religious care was had of avoiding confusion of Councils After which time how usefull Master Cotton was to Old England to New England to Magistrates to Ministers to People in Publick in Private by Preaching by Counsel and resolving difficult questions all know that knew him and consequently saw the Grace of God so evidently manifested in him In the course of his Ministry in New Boston by way of Exposition he went over the Old Testament to Isaiah the 30. The whole New Testament once through and the second time to the middle of Hebrews the 7th Upon the Lords Days and Lecture Days he preached through the Acts of the Apostles the Prophesies of Haggai Zechariah Ezra the Revelations Ecclesiastes Canticles the second and third Epistles of John the Epistle to Titus both the Epistles to Timothy the Epistle to the Romans with other Scriptures The presence of the Lord being with him and Crowning his Labours with the Conversion of many Souls and the edification of thousands Besides these aforementioned Labors he hath many pieces in Print which being well known need not be here enumerated His youth was unstained whence he was so much the more capable of being an excellent Instrument in the Church in his elder days He that will do good in the Church must have a good report of them which are without lest he fall into the reproach and snare of the Devil 1 Tim. 3. 7. St. Augustine tels us that A good life is requisite in respect of our selves but a good name is requisite in respect of others We may be good men if we have a good Conscience but we are not like to do much good if we have not a good name He was a general Scholar studious to know all things the want whereof might in one of his Profession be denomitated ignorance and piously ignorant of those things the nescience whereof made him more Learned Deservedly therefore is his praise great in all the Churches that he not only gave himself to the acquiring of Learning but exceeded many that had done vertuously therein He excelled in the greater part of the Encuclopaidia Those which best knew his goings out and his coming in cannot but give a large testimony to his Piety He was a Saint above many of the Saints manifestly declared in the Consciences of the Godly amongst whom he walked to be the Epistle of Christ known and read of all men In his house he walked with a perfect heart He was an example to the Flock clothed with love and humility amongst his Brethren One of a thousand in respect of his worth But as it is reported of Dr. Whitaker as one of the multitude in respect of his facile and companion-like behaviour Both ability and modesty in such a degree are not ordinarily to be found in the same man Others with much affection beheld the beauty of his face whilest himself was as one who knew not that his face shined He was a Father Friend and Brother to his fellow-Elders and a shining Light before all men He well knew that a Bishop ought not to be defective in the well government of his Family He must be one that rules well his own house In conscience whereof he himself rising betimes in the morning as soon as he was ready he called his Family together which was also his practice in the evening to the solemn worship of God reading and expounding and occasionally also applying the Scriptures unto them alwayes beginning and ending with Prayer In case of sin committed by child or servant he would call them aside privately the matter so requiring laying the Scriptures before them and causing them to read that part which bore witness against such an offence Seldome or never correcting in anger that the dispensation of godly Discipline might not be impured or become less effectuall through the intermixing of humane passion He began the Sabbath on the Saturday evening and therefore then performed Family duties after Supper being larger then ordinary in Exposition after which he Catechized his children and Servants and then returned into his Study The morning following Family worship being ended he retired into his Study untill the Bell called him away Upon his return from the Congregation he returned again into his Study the place of his Labour and Prayer unto his private devotion where having a small repast carried him up for his dinner he continued till the toling of the Bell. The publick service being ended he withdrew for a space into his aforementioned Oratory for his sacred addresses unto God as in the forenoon Then came down repeated the Sermon in his Family prayed and after Supper sang a Psalm and towards bed time betaking himself again to his Study he closed the day with Prayer Thus he spent the Sabbath continually In his Study he neither sate down unto nor arose from his Meditations without Prayer Whilest his eyes were upon his Book his expectation was from God He had learned to Study because he had learned to Pray An able Student is a Gospel Student because unable to Study without Jesus Christ. The barrenness of his Meditation at some times yea though his endeavour was most intense upon a good matter convinced him whence it was that his heart musing upon the same Subject at another time his tongue became as the Pen of a ready writer As he was not comparatively wanting in parts
Pastor which suffered much extremity by reason of the persecution of their then prevailing adversaries forcing them from Bermudas into the Desart Continent The sound of whose distress was no sooner heard of but you might have heard the sounding of his bowels with many others applying themselves to a speedy Collection and sending it to them on purpose for their seasonable relief the sum was about seven hundred pounds two hundred whereof he gathered in the Church of Boston no man in the Contribution exceeding and but one equalling his bounty And it was remarkable that this Contribution arrived there the very day after those poor people were brought to a personal division of that little Meal then remaining in the Barrel and not seeing according to man but that after the eating thereof they must dye a lingring death for want of food and upon the same day their Pastor had preached unto them it being the Lords day upon that Text Psal. 23. The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want At such a time the good hand of the Lord brought this succour to them from afar Whilst he was in Old England his eminent piety the success of his labours and his interest in the hearts both of superiours inferiours equals drew upon him much envy and his Non-conformity added thereunto so that he was delivered in a great measure to the will of his Adversaries who gave him not over till they had bereaved him of much of his livelihood his liberty Country and therewithall of the sweet society of lovers friends and many wayes endeared acquaintance more precious to him than life it self Yet the measure of the afflictions of Christ appointed to be suffered by him was not so fulfilled but lo in the time of his exile some Brethren provoked by the censure of Authority though justly not without tears inflicted upon them singled out Mr. Cotton as the object of their displeasure who though above other men declining irregular and unnecessary interesting himself in the actions of the Magistrate and while opportunity lasted endeavouring their healing yet they requited him evil for good and they at least some of them who were formerly companions with him in the tribulations of that Patmos yea respecters of him had taken sweet counsel together and they had walked in the house of God as friends Hence was he with Tongue and pen blasphemed by them for whom he formerly intreated and for whom he both then and afterwards wept and put on sackcloth As touching any Tenet wherein he may seem singular remember that he was a man and therefore to be heard and read with judgement and happily sometimes with favour St. Hierom makes a difference between reading the writings of the Apostles and other men They saith he alwayes speak the truth these as men sometimes erre But no man did more placidly bear a Dissentient than he It contributes much towards the fuller discovery of truth when men of larger capacities and greater industry than others may be permitted to communicate their Notions onely they should use this liberty by way of disquisition not of Position rather as searchers after Scripture-light than as Dictators of private opinions But now this Western Sun hastens to his setting Being called to preach at a neighbour Church he took wet in his passage over the Ferry and not many hours after he felt the effect of it being seized upon with an extream ilness in his Sermon time This sad providence when others bewailed he comforted himself in that he was found so doing Decet Imperatorem stantem mori It is the honour of a Commander to dye standing St. Austins usual with was that when Christ came he might finde him Aut praecantem aut praedicantem either praying or preaching Calvin would not that when the Lord came he should finde him idle After a short time he complained of the inflamation of his lungs and thereupon found himself Asthmatical and afterward Scorbutical which both meeting in a complicated disease put an end to his dayes insomuch that he was forced to give over those comforting drinks which his stomack could not want If he still used them the inflamation grew unsufferable and threatned a more sharp and speedy death If he left them his stomack forthwith ceased to perform its office leaving him without hope of life By these Messengers he received the sentence of death yet in the use of means he attended the pleasure of him in whose hands our times are his labours continued whilst his strength failed November the 18. he took in course for his Text the four last verses of the second Epistle to Timothy Salute Prisca and Aquila c. Giving the reason why he spake of so many verses together because otherwise he said he should not live to make an end of that Epistle He chiefly insisted upon those words Grace be with you all so ending that Epistle and his Lectures together For upon the Lords day following he preached his last Sermon upon Joh. 1. 14. And the Word was made Flesh and dwelt among us and we â—eheld his Glory as of the onely begotten Son of the Father full of Grace and Peace Now he gave himself wholly to prepare for his dissolution making his Will and setting his house in order When he could no more be seen abroad all sorts Magistrates Ministers Neighbours and Friends afar off and those near at hand especially his own people resorted to him daily as to a publick Father When the neighbour Ministers visited him in which duty they were frequent he thanked them affectionately for their love exhorting them also as an Elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ to feed the Flock encouraging them that when the chief Shepherd shall appear they should receive a Crown of Glory that fadeth not away Finding himself to grow weak according to that of James he sent for the Elders of the Church of Boston to pray over him which last solemn duty being performed not without much affection and many tears Then as Polycarp a little before his death said That he had served Christ fourscore and six years neither had he ever offended him in any thing so he told them through Grace he had now served God forty years it being so long since his conversion throughout which time he had ever found him faithful to him and thereupon he took occasion to exhort them to the like effect that Paul sometime did the Elders of Ephesus a little before they were to see his face no more Take heed therefore to your selves and to all the Flock over wâ—ich the Lord hath made you overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood Particularly he lamented that the love of many yea and some of their own Congregation was grown cold towards the publick Ordinances calling upon them so much the more for their watchfulness in that respect which done he thanked them for their loving and brotherly assistance to
him in their holy fellowship and commended them to the blessing of God His pious Consort and those Olive Plants that sate lately about his Table now gathered together about the Bed of a dying Husband and departing Father This was his last solemn transaction with man in this world Silver and Gold though he wanted not he had not much to give them but the blessing of a righteous Paâ—ent he left with them That Reverend and Godly man Mr. Wilson who excelleth in Love as Mr. Cotâ—on did in Light the faithful Pastor of that Church taking his last leave of him and most ardently praying unto God that he would lift up the light of his countenance upon him and shed his love into his soul he presently answered He hath done it already Brother His work now finished with all men perceiving his departure to be at hand and having nothing else to do but onely that great work of dying in the Lord he wholly composed and set himself for his dissolution desiring that he might be permitted to improve that little remnant of his life without impediment to his private Devotions and divine Soliloquies between God and his soul and for that end he caused the Curtains to be drawn and a Gentleman and Brother of that Congregation that was much with him and ministred to him in his sickness he caused to promise him that the Chamber should be kept private But a while after hearing the whispering of some brethren in the Room he called to that Gentleman saying Why do you break your word with me Not long after being mindful no doubt of that great helpfulness which he received from that aforementioned Brother throughout his visitation he left him with this farewel The God that made you and bought you with a great price redeem your body and soul unto himself These words were his last words after which he was not heard to speak but lying some hours speechless he quietly breathed out his spirit into the hands of him that gave it December 23. Anno Christi 1652. being entred into the Sixty eighth year of his Age. The Life and Death of Dr. Hill who dyed Anno Christi 1653. MR. Thomas Hill was born at Kingston in Worcestershire of Godly Parents and David accounted it his great honour and blessing to be the Son of Gods Handmaid Psal. 86. 16. His Parents dedicated him unto God from his Child-hood designing him to the work of the Ministry and in order thereunto they trained him up in School-learning in the Country and being there well fitted they sent him to Emanuel Colledge in Cambridge where the Rose was not cankered in the bud his youth not corrupted nor debauched as too many are But this morning like that 2 Sam. 23. 4. was without clouds not sullied with any noted miscarriage but on the contrary as it is said of Sampson when young that the Spirit of the Lord began then to move him Judg. 13. 25. So in his then sober and studious behaviour the Sun looked out betimes in that Summer morning and through Gods Grace otherwise than it oft falls out in nature he gave promising hopes of an after clearer day This being taken notice of by the Governours of the Colledge they thereupon after examination had chose him Scholar of the House he as his Saviour still growing in wisdome and stature and in favour with God and man And then after some good time spent in his private studies in the Colledge for his further perfecting and the more happy seasoning of his spirit he went and sojourned with that man of God now also with the Lord Mr. Cotton at Boston in Lincolnshire where by Gods rich blessing upon his most godly directions and example and the society he had with him and other eminent Christians in that place he was much improved and furthered as otherwise so especially in Heavens-way which happily went along with him to his journies end Upon his return from thence to the Colledge it was not long before he was chosen Fellow with general approbation though upon a most strict and double examination more I think than ever was in that Colledge before or hath been since though it still is and ever hath been according to the Statutes very strict and serious and which hath been blessed to be a special means of holding up true worth and learning in that happy Society And now through Gods good hand of providence leading and strengthning him he proved a diligent painful and successful Tutor of very many Pupils and divers of them persons of quality who since have proved great blessings both to the Church and Commonwealth And thus as he was before a pattern to young Schollars so after he was a Tutor no diligence was wanting whereby he might be instrumental to Gods Glory and the good of those who were committed to his charge But this our wise Master-builder satisfied not himself as a Tutor in polishing of builders but as a faithful and painful Minister he laboriously endeavoured to square other lively stones for Gods Temple 1 Pet. 2. 5. and so as he read to Schollars in the Colledge he also diligently and conscionblâ— preached to a neighbour Congregation St. Andrews in the Town so that many poor souls long after had cause to bless God for him Nor was he an Hireling to flye when the Wolf came but when the Plague in this time of his Ministry raged in the Town he still continued with them in his Ministerial employment the better Shepherd he who not onely fed the sound but also healed and bound up the torn and weak of the flock This Alabaster Box of precious oyntment thus powred out filled the whole house with its odour and the sweet fragrancy of it did spread abroad so that now he came to be more taken notice of by many both great and good men and so by some of eminent worth and honour he was called to the Pastoral charge of Tichmersh in Northamptonshire where he laboured faithfully in Gods Harvest for the space of about eight or nine years and partly by preaching and conversing up and down with others but especially with his own Parochial charge he proved a great blessing not onely to that Town but also to the whole Country in every place where he came spreading a good savour and leaving it behinde him During the time of his being at Tichmersh he sometimes repaired to Warwick Castle to that Noble Robert Lord Brook who highly esteemed him and in whose Family he grew acquainted with Mrs. Mary Wilford at that time Governess to the Lady Frances Rich a young Lady of rare parts Daughter to the Right Honourable Robert Earle of Warwick and mutual affections growing betwixt them he was married to her who since his death was re-married to the Reverend learned and pious Dr. Tuckney Master of St. Johns Colledge and Regius Professor in Cambridge my much honoured friend so that she hath
been made happy in the enjoyment of two such Husbands as few women in our times have attained to Whilst he was labouring as aforesaid in the work of the Lord for more publick service he was chosen by the Parliament for one of that County to attend and assist in the Assembly of Divines called together by their Authority at Westminster where being of very good use he was often ordered by the Parliament to preach before them at their publick Fasts and upon other their more solemn occasions He was also chosen by them to be one of their Morning week-dayes Preachers in the Abbey at Westminster besides his constant Sabbath-dayes labours in another great Congregation St. Martins in the Fields where he was a blessing to many thousands From thence he was ordered to be Master of Emanuel Colledge in the University of Cambridge which being not a sphere large enough for his activity he was after a while removed to the Mastership of Trinity Colledge where what great good he did many that lived under him can give an ample Testimony and that happy change proclaimed from that confusion by reason of those distracted times in which he found it to that orderly composure and frame in which through Gods blessing he left it How sollicitous he was for their best welfare his frequent preaching in their Chappel to them all and his writing to their Seniors speaks out fully and many can bear witness how humble and loving he was to them in his carriage how studious to keep up College-Exercises how zealous to advance Piety and Learning and for that purpose to countenance and prefer such as he observed to be eminent in either As he was a University-man he was zealously carefull 1. Of its Honour which the Parliament can witness in an unkindly contest about it and also his care in collecting the decayed Antiquities of that University whose pains in that Argument it is pity but that they were communicated to the world 2. Of its Priviledges as alwayes so especially in those two years together in which he was Vice-Chancellor for which he suffered in some mens reputes unjustly 3. Of its Profit and Emolument being a special means of procuring to it from the Parliament the Lambeth Library which of right as it was judged fell to that University as also from a worthy Knight Sir John Wollaston Alderman of the City of London a yearly stipend for a Mathematick Lecturer and also large summes of money for the fitting of the Publick Library that it might be of general use for the accomplishment whereof the University is more wayes than one his Debtor 4. Lastly Of the general good and well-ordering of it Surely it was his careful thought in private with himself as appeared by his making it the subject of his discourse with others scarce was there a time wherein he met with his intimate and judicious friends but he would be asking or proposing something that way By this it appeared that his care was to keep up those Universities which some in those times would have ruined upon which occasion Gâ—â—tius pronounceth many Christians to be worse than the Philistines for they 1 Sam. 10. 5. would let the company of Prophets alone even where they kept a Garrison As he was a Divine he was sound in the Faith orthodox in his judgement firmly adhering to the good old Doctrine of the Church of England even that which in that University was taught and maintained by famous Whitaker Perkins Daunant Ward and many others in their times and in the other University amongst other great Names there he was a great admirer of the Right Reverend and Judicious Dr. Robert Abbot Bishop of Salisbury and well were it if there he had many more such Admirers The Doctrines of Gods Sovereignty in his Decrees Of his In-conditionate Free-electing-love Of his Free-grace against Free-will and the power of Nature in Spirituals Of justification by the imputed Righteousness of Christ against the perfection of inherent Righteousness now attainable by us in this life Of perseverance in Grace against the Apostacy of the Saints and the like were not with this pious and learned man as they are now called by some Sects and Notions matters onely of learning and curiosity and of the Presbyterian Faction But of the life-blood of Faith which at his death as he expressed to a Friend of his he had singular comfort from and in his life firmly beleeved constantly preached and by his Pen endeavoured to maintain and defend and that against the great daring Champion of the contrary errors whom the abusive wits in the University with 〈◊〉 impudent boldness could say none there durst adventure upon whose immodest scurrility his learned ananswer to that daring adversary which he had made so fair a progress in had shortly consuted had not he by his more sudden death been therein prevented As a Minister of the Gospel In his preaching he was plain powerful spiritual frequent and laborious For besides what in that kinde he did as to the University in St. Maries and in the Colledge Chappel which was very happy in his often pains there In the Town he set up one Lecture every Sabbath morning in the Parish Church of St. Michael performed only by himself and cheerfully frequented by a great confluence both of Schollars and Townsmen and another in the Church of All-Hallows every Lords day in the afternoon in which he did bear at least the fourth part of the burden and both of them Gratis as there were many more such Lectures there performed much about the same rate weekly by other pious learned men and more indeed than are in any Town or City upon those tearms in all England or are like to be there again which is mentioned that God may have the glory in the first place and then for the honour of that Reformation which so many do traduce and spit at as also of those more noble spirited Preachers who so freely offered unto God that which did cost them so much for which of men they received nothing But that place of Cambridge did not bound the course of this our laborious Preachers Ministry but as it is said of our Saviour Matth. 9. 35. That he went about all Cities and Villages teaching and preaching and of St. Paul Rom. 15. 17. That from Jerusalem and round about and that to Illyricum which was in right line three hundred and thirty German miles as Pareus upon the place computes it he did fully preach the Gospel imitating herein as Jerom observes his Lord and Master that Sun of Righteousness whose going forth is from the ends of the Heaven and his circuit unto the ends of it Psa. 19. 6. In these their blessed steps our Brother trod and followed them in his painful Ministry diligently preaching when he had occasion to be abroad in remoter parts but especially in many Towns and Villages nearer hand round about the
his Family he was very exemplary His house was another Bethel for he did not onely constantly upon conscientious principles use morning and evening Prayer and reading the sacred Scriptures in his Family but also he catechized his children and servants wherein God gave him a singular gift for their edification for in teaching them he used not any set form but so as that he brought them whom he instructed to express the principles taught them in their own words so that his children as Gregory Nazianzen saith of his Father found him as well a spiritual as a natural Father Yea never any servant came to his house but gained a great deal of knowledge therein So likewise did diverse others who at the request of their Parents were instructed by him He was in a special manner a strict and conscionable sanctifier of the Lords day and that not onely in the exercise of publick duties incumbent upon his Office but also in the private sanctification of it in the duties of piety in and with his Family and secret in his Closet and for this end as he did forbear providing of Suppers the Eve before the Sabbath that servants might not be occasioned thereby to sit up late so neither would he suffer any servant to stay at home for dressing any meat upon the Lords day for the entertainment of friends whether they were great or mean few or many On the Sabbaths after his publick labours were ended divers Neighbours wanting helps in their own Families came to his house where he repeated his Sermons after so familiar a manner that many have professed that they were much more benefited by them in that his repetition than they were in the first hearing of them for he did not use word by word to read out of Notes what he had preached but would by Questions and Answers draw from those of his own houshold such points as were delivered and this Exercise being ended his constant course was to visit such of his Parish as were sick or by pain and weakness were dis-inabled to go to the publick Ordinances with each of whom he would discourse of some spiritual and heavenly subject suitable to their condition and after that he prayed with them wherein he had a more than ordinary gift being able in apt words and expressions to commend their several cases unto God and to put up Petitions suitable to their several needs His usual course was to pray eight times in the publick Congregation on the Lords dayes for as he prayed before and after each Sermon so also before and after his reading and expounding the Scriptures which he performed both in the forenoon and afternoon And in his Family his constant course was to pray thrice every Lords day and that in a solemn manner viz. in the morning and evening and after his repetition of the Sermons He was ordained Minister in the two and thirtieth year of his age and about a year after which was in June 1608. he was called to the exercise of his Ministry in the Parish of Black-Friars London where he continued to his dying day which was about five and forty years and six months never accepting of any other Ministerial imployment though he had the proffers of many great places His manner of coming to Black-Friars was thus That Parish being destitute of a preaching Minister Mr. Hildersam a famous pious powerful Preacher being in company with some of the better sort of the Inhabitants of Black-Friars who complained of their want he told them that there was one living in Stratford-Bow who was out of imployment whom he judged very fit for them Hereupon divers of them went thither on the Lords day where he frequently preached gratis to help the Minister that then was there and upon hearing of him they liked him so well that making report thereof to their neighbours he was by an un animous consent nemine contradicente chosen to be their Minister which election being made known to him he accepted of it and ever after shewed a great respect to the Inhabitants of that place Before Mr. Gouge came to them they had not so much as a Church of their own to meet and hear the word of God in nor any place wherein to bury their dead but by such means as he used the Church and Church-porch together with the Ministers house and Church-yard all which they enjoyed before but upon curtesie were bought in so as now they all as their proper Inheritance do belong to the Parish of Black-Friars And five years after his coming thither the old Church being found too little to entertain those multitudes that flocked thither from all parts of the City to hear him he was an instrument of purchasing in certain rooms adjoyning whereby the Church was enlarged almost as big again as it was before The sum of purchasing new building and beautifying of which Church amounted to above one thousand five hundred pounds all which was procured partly by Collections at his Lectures and partly by the voluntaâ—y contributions of his Parishoners without any publick Collections in other places After this there being divers rooms under the said Church belonging to several Land-lords he used such means as to purchase them also for the benefit of the Parish which he did the rather to prevent all dangers that by wicked minded persons might have befaln Gods people in that Church by any contrivance in the rooms under the same Thus they who had nothing of their own at his first coming have now through his procurement the whole Church the Church-porch a Church-yard a Vault to bury their dead in a very fair Vestry with other adjacent rooms besides the house wherein he himself dwelt so long as he lived all which they hold as a perpetual Inheritance They have also a Lease of certain Tenements of a considerable value for three hundred years all which were procured by his Prudence Interest and Industry Such was his love and respect to this Parish as though he was oft proffered places of far greater value yet he refused them all oft saying That the height of his ambition was to go from Black-Friers to Heaven At his first coming to Black-Friers being in the thirty third year of his age he preached constantly besides twice every Lords day a weekly Lecture viz. on the Wednesdayes in the forenoon which for the space of about thirty five years was very much frequented and that not only by his Parishioners but by divers City Ministers and by sundry pious and judicious Gentlemen of the Innes of Court besides many other well-disposed Citizens who in multitudes flocked to hear his heavenly Doctrine yea such was the fame of Dr. Gouge his Ministry that when any Country Ministers and godly Christians came to London about their affairs they thought not their business fully ended unless they had been at Black-Friers Lecture And it pleased God to give such a
blessing to his Ministry that many of his Auditors though living in other Parishes upon Trial before sundry Elderships have confessed that the first seeds of Grace sown in their hearts were by the blessing upon Dr. Gouges Ministry And indeed herein God wonderfully honoured his labours by making him an aged Father in Christ to beget many Sons and Daughters unto God and to nourish up others in the wayes of righteousnesse thousands having been converted and built up by his Ministry He used also every month to preach a preparation Sermon before the Communion on the Eve before each monthly Sacrament He was eminently laborious and faithful in the work of his Ministry even to his dying day preaching so long as he was able to creep up into the Pulpit As a tree planted in the House of the Lord he was fruitful even in his old age Psal. 92. 13 14. He often used to say in his latter dayes that he could preach with more ease than he could get up into the Pulpit the reason whereof doubtlesse was this because as the encrease of his Asthma dis-inabled him to go so the encrease of his Intellectuals enabled him to preach with more ease than in his younger dayes His preacing was alwaes very distinct First he opened his Text giving the true and proper sense of it then gave he the Logical Analysis of it and then gathered such proper observations as naturally flowed from it and properly and pertinently improved and applied the same by which method his Ministry proved very profitable to his hearers Many have acknowledged that in regard of the Logical resolution of his Text he went beyond all that ever they heard as also in clearing difficult and doubtful places of Scripture as they came in his way And as his method was clear so were his expressions plain alwayes delivering the solid points of Divinity in a familiar stile to the capacity of the meanest As for his life and conversation it was holy and exemplary himself practising what he preached unto others and living over his own Sermons his Doctrine and his practice concurred and went hand in hand together Before these times of Examination of persons before their admission to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper he used to go to the houses of the better sort in his Parish where he appointed a time for them and their whole Families to meet together that he might examine how fit they were to be admitted to that Ordinance yea he appointed sundry small Families to meet together on a certain day that he might make trial of their fitness also and then his manner was not to admit any of the younger sort to the Sacrament till in his judgement he found them fitted for it Though he addicted himself much to his studies and carried himself peaceably yet wanted he not those that did envy and malign him and that took all occasions to do him what mischief they could As in the case of Serjeant Finch his book about the Calling of the Jews which Dr. Gouge only published and the author himself owned it yet for his publication of it he was committed to prison and kept there for the space of nine weeks together King James being informed that the Serjeant had in that Book declared and endeavoured to prove that the Jews should have a visible Kingdome which should be above all other Kingdoms which Doctrin he abhorred he thereupon grew extream impatient Bishop Neal also with others provoked him against the publisher of the Book which so incensed him that he would admit of no Apology Yet after a while Dr. Gouge was moved distinctly to declare his judgement and opinion about that point of the calling and conversion of the Jews which he did in these ensuing Propositions All that I can gather out of the holy Scriptures about this point is 1. That the Calling of the Jews importeth more than a spiritual Calling to beleeve in Jesus Christ and to imbrace the Gospel 2. This their spiritual Calling may be called an outward glorious Calling in regard of the visibility and generallity of it to put a difference betwixt the promised Calling of the Nation and the continual Calling of some few persons For in all ages since the rejection of the Jews some few here and there have been called Thus the Calling of the Gentiles in the Apostles time when Christians had no pompous Civil Government was an outward glorious Calling by reason of the visible famous Church which they had 3. It is probable that at or after their Calling they shall not be scattered as now they are but shall be gathered together into Churches and be freed from the bondage and slavery wherein they have been many years together 4. To give them a Soveraignty over all the whole Church seemeth to me to be derogatory to that absolute Sovereignty which Christ the head of his Church hath in whom the promises of the perpetuity of Davids Scepter of the extent of his Dominion of the subjection of all Nations are accomplished 5. To set down the distinct time place and other like circumstances of their Calling needeth more than an ordinary spirit and implies too much curiosity 6. The point of the Calling of the Jews being no fundamental point of Christian Religion to be over stiff in holding one thing or other therein to the disturbance of the peace of the Church comes near to Schisme Upon which being examined by Archbishop Abbot and his answer approved he was released from his imprisonment Ordinarily in the Summer Vacation he was with his Family in the Country but not so much for his own ease as for the further service of Gods Church for besides his preaching every Lords day in the place where he resided he improved his time for the publication of those his Treatises which are now in Print viz. The whole Armour of God Domestical duties An Explanation of the Lords Prayer Gods three Arrows of the Plaâ—ue Famine Sword upon occasion of those Judgments then raging The Saints Sacrifice of Thanksgiving upon his recovery from a dangerous sickness To which is now added his Commentary upon the whole Epistle to the Hebrews which was the subject of his Wednesdayes Lectures for many years While he was setled at Black-Friers he Commenced Batchelour of Divinity Anno Christi 1611. which was the eighth year after he had taken the Degree of Master of Arts. Anno Christi 1628 he proceeded Dr. of Divinity at which time eight London Ministers proceeded Doctors upon which occasion Dr. Collins the then Regius Professor put up Mr. Gouges Degree and procured it to pass in the Regent-house before he had any notice thereof and without his consent whereby he did in a manner force him to take his Degree yet so as when he heard what was done he readily went to Cambridge and performed all his Acts according to the Statutes of the University as he had done at the taking of
all his former Degrees Such respect was generally shewed to him as that in sundry publick Imployments he was chosen a Trustee or Feoffee As in the year 1626 he was chosen one of the Trustees for Mr. Whetenhalls three Lectures Also in the year 1616. he was chosen one of the Trustees for buying in of Impropriations and for many other pious and charitable uses wherein indeed he alwayes approved himself a carefull and faithfull Trustee and in some cases by his great pains and cost he procured to be setled for ever such pious Donations as would otherwise have been wrested away and alienated from their intended use The business about the buying in of Impropriations was this There was a select society of thirteen persons joyned themselves together as Trustees to stir up and encourage such as were piously affected to contribute towards the buying in of Impropriations and giving them freely towards the maintenance of godly and able Ministers And these were so faithful to their trust as albeit they met very frequently and spent much time and pains in consultation about that business yet did they never spend one penny out of the publick stock for the refreshing of themselves yea though they had sundry Agents and Messengers whom they imployed about that business and that both far and near yet did they never diminish that stock wherewithall they were intrusted to the value of a penny but themselves at least most of them contributed out of their own purses for the discharge of all by-expences And when they had the opportunity of buying in any great Impropriation and wanted money in stock to go through with it they did amongst themselves give or lend so much as might effect it and amongst others our Dr. Gouge at one time lent 300 l. gratis for that use besides the monthly contribution which he gave By this means in a few years space thirteen Impropriations were bought in which cost betwixt five and six thousand pounds into which their care was to put godly able and orthodox Ministers and their design was to plant a learned and powerful Ministry especally in Cities and Market Towns in several parts of the Kingdome where there was the greatest need for the better propagation of the Gospel in those parts Indeed this was it that raised up so much envy against them and made Dr. Laud the then Bishop of London to consult with Mr. Noy the Kings Atturney General about dissolving this Society and hereupon Mr. Noy brought them all into the Court of Exchequer picking this quarrel against them for that they had made themselves a body Incorporate without any Grant from the King When the Case had been debated by Learned Councel on both sides the result was that the Court adjudged their proceedings to be illegal that their Trust should be taken from them and that what Impropriations they had thus purchased should be made over to the King and that the King should appoint such as he thought meet to dispose of those Impropriations which they had bought in The aforesaid Atturney that strictly examined all their Receipts and Disbursments found that they had laid out of their own money at the time when they were questioned a thousand pounds more than they had received and thereupon obtained an Order of the Court that those debts should be first discharged out of the Revenues of the Impropriations before they should be disposed to particular uses Thus was their Trust quite wrested out of their hands and that excellent work fell to the ground Anno Christi 1653 Dr. Gouge was by the Authority of Parliament called to be a member of the Assembly of Divines wherein his attendance was assiduous not being observed during the whole time of that Session to be one day absent unless it were in case of more than ordinary weakness ever preferring that publick imployment before any private business whatsoever and therein he was not one to make up the number onely but a chief and useful member For he was chosen and sate as one of the Assessors and very often filled the Chair in the Moderators absence and such was his constant care and conscientiousness in the expence of time and improving it to the best advantage that in case of intermission in the Assembly affairs he used to apply himself to his private studies For which end it was his constant practice to carry his Bible and some other Books in his pocket which upon every advantage he drew forth and read in them as was observed by many Episcopacy also being voted down by both Houses of Parliament and so no ordinary way being left for the Ordination of Ministers the Parliament thought fit to set up an extraordinary way by Three and twenty Ministers who for the space of a year were to Ordain such as tendred themselves according to the Rules prescribed by them with the humble advice of the Assembly of which number Dr. Gouge was one and acted with his Brethen therein at which time I observed his strictness in keeping of Fasts For on an Ordination day which was alwayes accompanied with Fasting and Prayer in the afternoon one proffered him a peece of a candied Orange Pill which though he was then very ancient he refused to accept of till the work of the day was finished He was likewise chosen by a Committee of Parliament amongst others to write large Annotations upon the Bible being well known to be a judicious Interpreter of Scripture and how well he performed that Task is and may be evident to all that read his part which was from the beginning of the first Book of the King to Job In which the Intelligent Reader may observe such skill in the Original such acquaintance with the sacred Story such judgement in giving the genuine sence of the Text and such accuteness in raising pertinent Observations that without the help of any other Commentators a man may accommodate himself with the sense Doctrines and uses of most of those Scriptures that came under his hand in those brief Annotations Before this when the Book allowing Sports and Recreations on the Lords Dayes was by publick Authority injoyned to be read in all Churches throughout the Kingdome he as sundry others godly and faithful Ministers refused to read the same resolving rather to suffer the uttermost than to manifest the least approbation of so wicked and licentious a practice it being so contrary to the express letter of the Scripture By reason of his ability and dexterity in resolving Cases of Conscience he was much sought unto for his judgement in doubtful cases and scruples of Conscience and that not only by ordinary Christians but by divers Ministers also both in the City and Country sometimes by word of mouth and other sometimes by writing And indeed he was accounted the Father of the London Divines and the Oracle of his time He was likewise a sweet comforter of troubled Consciences wherein he
he betook himself to the station and imployment whereunto he was before designed and to the work depending thereon wherein his pains in seasoning young Students with principles of Piety and Learning were both great and very successful For some of them that watered their Gardens at his Spring or kindled their Lamps at his Light grew up to great eminency as Mr. John Hoyl and Mr. Thomas Pell who were afterwards worthy Fellows of that Society About that time there were certain persons in the University zealous of promoting the glory of God and of gaining souls to Christ that lay in a sad condition through the defect of Pastors able to teach and lead the people in the wayes of truth life and peace especially Mr. Abdias Ashton of St. Johns College and Mr. William Bedel of Emanuel who set on foot a design of preaching in places adjacent to Cambridge even to a considerable distance These men invited Mr. Gataker to be a partner in this good imployment who being drawn and encouraged by them preached every Lords day at Everton a Village in the meeting-confines of Cambridge Bedford and Huntingtonshire where a decrepid man who was reported to be sixscore and ten years old sustained the name of Vicar Vix magni nominis umbra Here a Family of the Burgoines resident in that place deserveth this honourable remembrance that Mr. Roger Burgoine during that time used Mr. Gataker with great humanity and respect which by him was construed to be an effect of his Piety After he had thus religiously imployed himself for the space of half a year manifesting his publick spirit therein he had some causes that moved him to retire from the University at the motion of Mr. Ashton before mentioned who had been his Tutor whereupon he removed to Sir William Cooks Family then resident in London This place and imployment occasioned a more publick discovery of his Ministerial Gifts with the singular approbation of many persons of note not onely for their outward estate but also for their affection unto and judgement in Religion Hereupon the Lecturers place of Lincolns Inne falling void some principal persons of that Honourable Society who had been his Auditors occasionally elsewhere made addresses unto him inviting him unto that place offering their assistance and alledging the facility of his Introduction by the Lord Chief Justice Pophams interessing himself in the business whom they knew to have loved his Father Mr. Thomas Gataker being once his intimate friend and contemporary in the study of the Law and to favour this his son very highly for his own worth and work in the Ministry But he according to his usual modesty declined the undertaking of it and resisted the importunities even of his Friend Mr. Stock till Dr. Mountague Master of Sidney-College repairing to London and being made acquainted with the design in hand though â—e had it in his thoughts to invite Mr. Gataker back to the College that he might read an Hebrew Lecture which had a Salary annexed to it by the Lord Harrington â—eâ— laying that aside he pressed Mr. Gataker with Arguments and Authority encouraging him against his own dissidence and so wrought him at last to an assent that without any suit made by him the Lord Popham should recommend him to that Society Thus was he chosen Preacher at Lincolns-Inne where he spent ten years to the great advancement of Piety amongst them and with an happy Reformation of some abuses of the Lords day as he himself testifies in his Apologetical Discourse against Lilly p. 16 17. But notwithstanding that engagement Mr. Gataker did not totally abandon the Family of Sir William Cook to whose Lady he was near by blood and dear to them both upon the account of his pious and profitable labours amongst them Therefore in the Vacation-times being dis-ingaged from his attendance at the Innes of Court he resided in that Family exercising his Ministry either in their Chappel or in the Parish Church as occasion offered it self and this he did with an Apostolical minde not for filthy lucre but freely making the Gospel a burden onely to the Dispenser of it yet such was the care and piety of that Religious pair that they also would not serve God with that that cost them nothing For aftewards in consideration of those his pains freely taken amongst them they settled upon Mr. Gataker an Annuity of 20 l. per annum which also he received for some few years but afterwards he saw reason to remit it to the Heire of that Family forbearing to make use of his right he had to it and forbidding his Executor to demand any Arrears of that Annuity This is mentioned the rather to shew the generous temper of this holy man of God who aimed at the spiritual good of others more than at his own temporal advantages and how infinitely he was removed from the fordid acquisition of gain or the prostitution of his sacred Function unto secular designs which may stop the mouth of malice and the impudent clamours of some whose consciences being either gauled or cauterized spared not to traduce him for covetousness But his own pen wrote the best Apology as indeed according to that of Nazianzen they that will give him a just Character have need of his Eloquence Whilst he attended on that Flock at Lincolns Inne Sir William Sidley a learned Mecaenas and pious Patron of the Church proffered him a fair Benefice and when Mr. Gataker declined the burden of a Pastoral charge and pleaded an unwillingness to be removed from those worthy Gentlemen of whose favour he had such good experience he endeavoured to perswade him that by taking an assistant all those inconveniences would be salved and so he needed not to desert that Society which in Termâ— time only required his labours and attendance But Mr Gataker who poised the burden in the ballance of the Sanctuary alwayes judged one cure of souls to be sufficient for one man and therefore ventured the unkinde resentment of the Noble Gentleman upon his refusal rather than the multiplying of preferments to himself After ten years labours profitably imployed at Lincolns Inne not onely to the great benefit of the then living servants of God but also for the behoof of posterity especially by that his learned Tractate of Lots there and then conceived and formed wherein what satisfaction is given to conscience in many cases let the judicious acknowledge Mr. Gataker thence removed to undertake the Rectory of Rotherhithe in Surry of the grounds motives and manner whereof he himself hath largely given an account to the world in his Apologetick against Lilly p. 44 48. of which this is the sum The Rectory of Redrith in Surry as it is commonly called being void and one of an infamous life labouring hard to succeed in it in order to which before the former Incumbents death he had set on foot a transaction with the mother of certain Orphans in whose
Prophesies of Isaiah Jeremiah and the Lamentations and we should have gained more by his later industry if the malicious slanders of the enemies of the truth had not diverted his time and studies to some necessary Apologies Neither did he when he was by the hand of God disabled to preach betray his Flock into the hands of Wolves that would make a prey of precious souls nor desert it For being troubled lest the foundation that he had laid after the example of the wise Master-builder St. Paul should either not be built upon or destroyed he retained the title of Rector with a charge beyond the Revenue as it was sometimes proved till provision might be made of a faithfull and Orthodox Minister to whom he might comfortably devolve both the burden and the benefit To his care of feeding his Flock in publick very agreeable was his diligence in instructing his Family in private for on Friday nights weekly after supper he used to expound that short Catechisme which he had published for the use of his Parishioners in which course he so laid forth the Nature and Attributes of God the state of man both intire and corrupt the means of his Fall and Recovery the nature of Faith and Repentance with the Doctrine of the Sacraments that his Parlour was one of the best Schooles for a young Student to learn Divinity in and indeed his house was a private Seminary for divers young Gentlemen of this Nation and far more Forreigners who did resort to and sojourn with him to receive from him direction and advancement in their studies and many who afterwards were eminent in the Churches both here and abroad were brought up under his eye at least as Paul was at the feet of Gamaliel Persons of note that had been his assistants were Mr. Young Mr. Goodal Mr. Symonds of whom yet in these later times of Division Mr. Gataker hath been heard to say It was pity that our Church had lost him intimating his turning aside to wayes of separation Mr. Grayle and others who are yet living labourers in Gods Vineyard Of Forreigners that sojourned with him and were as ambitious of being entertained by him as if they had been admitted into a University these were some Mr. Thylein who was afterwards a Reverend Pastor of the Dutch Church in London whose son was brought by his mother but a fortnight before Mr. Gatakers decease intreating the same good office in the behalf of him which the Father had with much comfort enjoyed Mr. Peters Mr. And. Demetrius Mr. Hornbeck Mr. Rich Mr. Swerd Mr. Wittefrangel Mr. Severinuâ— Benzon Mr. Georg de Mey Dr. Treschovius c. The strength of Mr. Gatakers memory was extraordinary as may appear by this that though he used no Common-place book yet had he in readiness whatsoever he had read as is manifested by his manifold Quotations in all his works His Gifts for edification may be conjectured by his works which are extant in which he hath shewed himself like the ingenuous and industrious Bee for his rare extraction of all manner of knowledge from almost all Authors and the solid digestion of it first and then storing it up for the publick good His Polite Literature was admired by the great Lights of Learning abroad as the excellent Salmasius and others with whom he held correspondence And the exercise of it with condescention to children hath been enjoyed with wonder and pleasure at his Visitation at Tunbridge School with the Right Worshipful Company of Skinners the worthy Patrons thereof and that which made all his knowledge both usefull and gratefull was that he was neither vain in ostentation nor morose or illiberal in reservation of it But beyond all he sacrificed his Talents to God while he made Hagar serve Sarah and contributed the Egyptian spoyls all his forreign learning towards the building of the Tabernacle For with a strange felicity he made his Humane Literature both his Moral and Critical studies to become subservient to Religion and instrumental to the explication of heavenly Truths His Graces of sanctification were very eminent in every condition to all purposes and towards all his Relations In the private course of his life his Piety Humility and Charity were very remarkable His Piety appeared not only by his diligence in preaching but also by his own frequenting Gods Ordinances dispensed by others in order whereunto he did once a week at least repair to some Lecture in London so long as he had liberty to look beyond the bounds of his own Parish He manifested his Piety also by his strict careful and conscientious observation of the Lords dayes which he wholly consecrated except the seasons of repast unto holy duties and imployments and besides he was free in his Contributions upon divers occasions to the maintaing of the Lords house of Prayer And because there is a connexion between sacred persons and things his love to godly and faithfull Ministers may be looked upon as an act of Piety as well as of Charity Another evident instance of his Zeal for Gods Glory was his constant consideration of the state of Gods Churches abroad with a diligent enquiry how it fared with them and a tender sense of their affliction which begat his meditation on Amos 6. 6. entituled Sorrow for Sion As also his earnest desire of a Reformation of things amiss amongst our selves was doubtless acceptable unto God though this sinful Nation is yet unworthy to have it accomplshed One special effect and property of his Piety was that holiness of life expressed in a constant tenor of good duties with the abridgement of his liberty in things indifferent especially of Recreations for he understood no Recreations besides study and made the pleasanter part of his study the sawce to the more severe that he might give no scandal to the good nor encouragement to the bad alledging often those two golden Rules of St Paul All things are lawfull but all things are not convenient or expedient and all things are lawfull but all things edifie not 1 Cor. 9. 6. 10. 23. His Humility appeared 1. In that low esteem he had of his own gifts which yet all others that knew him admired He was a true Moses that took not any notice of that shining lustre of his own countenance Like a fair ear of Corn loaden with grain he bended his head downwards For he had nothing of the Pharisaical temper either to advance himself or to vilifie his Brethren of meaner gifts 2. In his freedome from ambition of outward advantages For he declined not only large means in the Country but also both Ecclesiastical Dignities and Courtly preferments For he studiously waved the counsel of some who had given notice of him to that hopeful Prince Henry whom God only shewed to this Land and then snatched him away to himself and had it in their design to make way for his being admitted Chaplain to his
Duties Deaths Advantage The benefit of a good Name and a good end Abrahams Decease Jeroboams Sons Decease Christian Constancy crowned by Christ. All these are Printed in one Volume in Folio The Decease of Lazarus in 4o. St. Stevens last Will and Testament in 4o. A Defence of Mr. Bradshaw against Jo. Cann in 4o. Gods eye on his Israel in 4o. A mistake removed and Free-Grace c. in answer to J. Saltmarsh in 4o. Shadows without Substance a Rejoinder adversus â—undem in 4o. Mysterious Clouds and Mists c. an Answer to J. Simpson in 4o. Mr. Ant. Wottons Defence in 8o. A true Relation of Passages between Mr. Wotton and Mr. Walker in 4o. An Answer to Mr. Geor. Walkers Vindication in 4o. A Vindication of the Annotations on Jer. 10. 2. in 4o. A Discourse Apologetical in 4o. Marcus Antoninus Imp. cum Commentario in 4o. De Novi Instrumenti Stylo Dissertatio adversus Psochenii Diatribam in 4o. Cinn us sive Adversaria Miscellania Lib. 6. in 4o. De Baptismatis Infantilis vi efficatiâ Disceptatio inter D. S. Wardum Tho. Gatakerum in 8o. T. G. Stricturae in D. Davenantii Epistolam in 8o. De Tetragammato in 8o. Ejusdem vindicatio adversus Capellum in 8o. De Bivocalibus Dissertatio Philologica in 8o. Animadversiones in J. Piscatoris L. Lucii scripta adversaria de causa meritoria Justificationis cum responsione ad L. Lucii Vindicias in 12o. Fran. Gomari Disputationes Elencticae de Justificationis materiâ formâ Elenchus in 8o. Stricturae in Barth Wigelini Sangallensis de Obedientia Christi disputationem Theologicam in 8o. The Annotations upon Isaiah Jeremy and the Lamentations which was his work in the great Notes upon the Bible Adversaria Miscellanea in qibus Sacrae Scripturae aliorum Scriptorum lux redditur Edente Carolo Thome Gatakeri filio Fol. The Life and Death of Mr. Jeremy Whitaker who dyed Anno Christi 1654. JEremy Whitaker was born at Wakefield in Yorkshire Anno Christi 1599 In which place also he was trained up in the Grammar School and it seems that the Lord betimes did draw forth his love towards himself for even whilst he was a School boy his affections did flow out towards those who were most religiously disposed in whose company he used frequently to go eight or ten miles to hear a wakening-soul-warming Sermon he used also to joyn with them in Prayers and other holy exercises and duties and being able to take Sermon Notes both understandingly and largely he was very helpful to those private Christians in repeating what they had publickly heard being from his child-hood full of affections in whatsoever business he undertook Thus this Plant of Gods own setting did both blossome and put forth fruit quickly which Providence did afterwards make a very fruitful Tree Whilst he was at the Grammar School though his Father endeavoured often and earnestly to divert his thoughts from the Office of the Ministry yet was he unmoveable in his desires to be a Minister and he never afterwards repented of this his choice but would all his life long upon all occasions magnifie that his Office insomuch as he hath often been heard to utter this speech I had much rather be a preacher of the Gospel than an Emperour and when a motion was once made to him to be the Head of a College in the University he readily returned this answer My heart doth more desire to be a constant Preacher than to be the Master of any College in the world When he was sixteen years old being well grounded at the Grammar School he was sent to the University of Cambridge and admitted a Sizar in Sydney-Sussex College where he soon discovered and was taken notice of and much valued for his pregnant parts and Scholarship At twenty years of age he Commenced Bachelor of Arts and a while after he was sent to Okeham the chiefest Town in Rutlandshire there to teach the Free-School At that time there was one Mr. William Peachy the Minister at Okeham a godly man and a painful Preacher of the Gospel and eminent for his skill in the sacred Languages who dearly loved and highly valued our Mr. Whitaker from his first acquaintance with him which he manifested by proffering to him his Daughter in Marriage as Mr. Whitaker hath since told some of his Friends he was the rather inclined to accept of the motion because she was the Daughter of a pious painful and learned Minister of the Gospel and occasionally hath told his Friends that he was the better pleased with his choice because of that relation About four years after his coming to Okeham he married Chephtzibah the Daughter of the said Mr. Peachy by whom God gave him four Sons and three Daughters All his Sons he designed for the Ministry but it pleased God in his life time to take one of them away whilst he was a Student in Cambridge the other three survived and he lived to see two of them Ordained and set apart for the work of the Ministry the third he appointed to be educated for the same work Having staid about seven years at Okeham he was removed to a Pastoral charge at Stretton in the same County where he continued about the space of thirteen years Whilst he continued School-master at Okeham he undertook and preached a weekly Lecture there besides many Sermons which he preached occasionally in neghbouring Congregations And during his abode at Stretton besides his Pastoral imployment wherein he preached twice every Lords day he also constantly preached his weekly Lecture at Okeham and was a principal prop to hold up some other Lectures in the Neighbourhood His manner also was to set apart every Holy-day if there were but one in the week as a day of seeking God in reference to the necessities of the times and no man was more free and frequent in assisting in dayes of Humiliation in private both in Rutlandshire and in the adjacent Counties whensoever he was called and invited thereunto Such was his love to Christ that his publick imployments though many and great did not take him off from attending his Family duties nor from more private exercises of communion with God his ordinary course in his Family was together with Prayers to expound some part of the holy Scriptures and that twice every day besides other parts of Scripture which he daily read in secret so that usually he read all the Epistles in the Greek Testament twice every fortnight yea when by reason of extremity of pain and weakness he could not read himself he herein imployed others for his help Hence it came to pass that he was a man mighty in the Scriptures like unto Apollos Act. 18. 24. as was observed by all that conversed with him or that heard him preach or pray and this course he earnestly commended to the practice of his dearly beloved eldest Son as an excellent
Cambridge and proved a prudent and learned man He was afterwards Arch-Deacon of Dublin at which time he was first sent over into England to Queen Elizabeth and the Council with a Petition for preserving the Cathedral of St. Patricks Dublin from being dissolved wherein he prevailed the fruits whereof this his Nephew reaped afterwards being made Chancellor of it and receiving his subsistence from it for many years The second time he was sent over by the Council of Ireland to Queen Elizabeth to procure her Patent for the founding of a College and University in Dublin wherein he prevailed also So that the College of which this worthy person was the first fruits had its being from his Grandfathers motion and his Uncles industry He had a brother named Ambrose Usher who though he dyed young yet was a man of excellent parts very skilful in the Oriental Languages who had translated the Old Testament from the beginning to the Book of Job out of the Hebrew into English which is still preserved under his own hand but upon the coming forth of the New Translation in King James his time he desisted from making any further progress therein Our James was taught first to read by two of his Aunts who were blinde from their Cradles and so never saw letters yet were they admirably versed in the sacred Scriptures being able suddenly to have given a good account of any part of the Bible At eight years old he was sent to the Grammar School where he had the happiness to meet with two excellent Schoolmasters Sir James Fullerton afterwards Leger Ambassador in France and Sir James Hamilton afterwards Lord Viscount Clandeboise who was Usher of the School These two learned men were sent over by King James out of Scotland upon an other design though they were disguised in this imployment And indeed they came very opportunely by the good hand of Gods Providence for this youths founding in learning at such a time when there was a great defect of learned Schoolmasters which he often acknowledged as a special mercy of God to him therein At ten years old was the first time that he could remember to have found in himself any evidences of his saving conversion unto God which was instrumentally wrought by a Sermon which he heard preached upon Rom. 12. 1. I beseech you brethren by the mercies of God c. About the same time also meeting with some notes taken from famous Mr. Perkins his Works being not then printed concerning the sanctification of the Lords day proved through Gods blessing so effectual with him that ever after he was the more strict in the observing of it About the same time also he read over St. Augustines Meditations which so affected him that he wept often in the reading of them This young yet hopeful plant thus inuring and accustoming himself to secret duties in his tender years the Devil that grand enemy of our salvation thinking to nip him in the bud assaulted him with divers terrours and affrightments both sleeping and waking hoping thereby to discourage and take him off from the same But he with St. Paul betook himself to prayer with earnestness to be delivered from these Satanical delusions and assaults and at last was heard in that which he feared by being freed from them and strengthened against them with more than ordinary courage and comfort which made such an impression in him as that he could not forget it to his old age The Devil now finding that he could not be affrighted out of his course of godliness made use of another engine which was to allure him with the bait of pleasure some of his friends teaching him to play at Cards wherewith he was so much delighted that it began to prevail over his love to his book yea it came in competition with his love to God and care to serve him which being seasonably by Gods Spirit discovered to him he presently gave it over and never played afterwards At twelve years old he was so affected with the study of Chronology and Antiquity that reading over Sleidans Book of the four Empires and some other Authors he drew forth an exact Series of the times wherein each eminent person lived and during the time of his abode at School which was five years he was throughly instructed in Grammar Rhetorick and Poetry wherein he so excelled and with which he was so delighted that he was fain to take himself off lest it should have hindred him from more serious studies At thirteen years of age he was admitted into the College of Dublin being the first Student that was initiated into it and as it seems it was so ordered upon design by the Governours thereof upon their observation of his pregnancy and rare parts that it might be a future honour to the College to have his name recorded in the Frontispiece of their Admission Book and so accordingly he was the first Graduate the first Fellow the first Proctor c. At the same time Sir James Hamilton hitherto Usher of the School was chosen Fellow of the College and thereby became his Tutor who oft-times admired his accuteness and proficiency whereby in a short time he equalized his Instructers Here he first began to study the Greek and Hebrew Languages in both which he afterwards excelled and made himself in a little time Master of the Arts most of which he modelled in a method of his own especially that of Musick At this time the education and helps which that College afforded were very eminent For though at first there were but four Fellows yet the Tongues and Arts were very exactly taught to all the Students who were divided into several Classes Each Tutor read Aristotles Text in Greek to his Pupils yea each Fellow read three Lectures a day at each of which there was a Disputation maintained either upon the present or the precedent Lecture and sometimes they were ordered to dispute More Socratico On Saturdayes in the afternoon each Tutor read a Divinity Lecture in Latine to his Pupils dictating it as they did all other their Lectures so deliberately that they might easily write after them to their great benefit and advantage At fourteen years old he was judged fit and admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and his usual custome was the afternoon before to retire himself in private and to spend it in a strict self-examination and deep humiliation for all his sins wherein he had such enlargements of heart that a stream of tears flowed from his eyes which afterwards he oft recalled to minde both as a provocation and censure of himself When he was of elder years there was a certain plâ—ce by a water side whither he oft resorted sorrowfully to survey his sins and with floods of tears to confess and bewail them wherein he found so much sweetness and communion with God that he thirsted for such comfortable
opportunities and it was his usual custome to spend Saturdayes in the afternoon in these duties Amongst other sins he much bewayled his too much love to humane learning which made him as glad when Munday came that he might renue his studies as he was when Sabbath day came wherein he was to apply himself to the service of God and it cost him many tears that he could not be more heavenly-minded at that age At fiftten years old he had made such a progress in the study of Chronology that he drew up in Latine an exact Chronicle of the Bible as far as to the Books of the Kings which did not much differ from that of his late Annals excepting his enlargements by some exquisite observations and the Syncronismes of Heathen story About this time also he was much afflicted with a strong temptation which moved him to question Gods love to him because he was so free from afflictions which was occasioned by some inconsiderate passages which he met with in some Authors and long was he under some trouble before he could get rid of it Before he was Bachelor of Arts he read Stapletons Fortress of the Faith and therein finding how confidently he asserted Antiquity for the Popish Tenets withall branding our Church and Religion with novelty in what we dissented from them he was much troubled at it not knowing but that his quotations might be right and he was convinced that the Ancientest must needs be best as the nearer the Fountain the sweeter and clearer are the streams yet withall he suspected that Stapleton might mis-report the Fathers or wrest them to his own sense and therefore he took up a setled resolution that in due time if God prolonged his life and health he would trust onely his own eyes by reading over all the Fathers for his satisfaction herein which work he afterward began at Twenty years old and finished that vast labour at Thirty eight strictly tying himself to a certain portion every day what occasions soever intervened Whilst he was Batchelor of Arts he read divers of the Works of the Fathers and most Authors which had written the Body of Divinity both Positively and Polemically in consuting the Popish errors and had read many of their Authors also by which means he was so well acquainted with the state of those controversies that he was able to dispute with any of the Popish Priests as he often did with the principal of them Anno Christi 1598 The Earle of Essex newly coming over Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and being chosen Chancellor of the University of Dublin there was a solemn Act appointed for his entertainment and Mr. Usher being then Batchelor of Arts answered the Philosophy Act with great applause and approbation About this time his Fathers intention was to send him over into England to the Innes of Court for the study of the Common Law which was a great trouble to him yet in obedience to his Fathers will he assented and resolved upon it but it pleased God that his Father shortly after dyed viz. August the 12. Anno Christi 1698 so that then he being at liberty to make choice of his studies devoted and applied himself wholly to Divinity and thereupon was chosen Fellow of the College being before uncapable of taking the Oath which was required of all Fellows at their Admission viz. that the present intent of their studies should be for the Profession of Divinity unless God should afterwards otherwise dispose their mindes And here again was an other occasion of disturbance to his mind ministred to him For his Father left him a good estate in land but finding that he must have involved himself in many Suits of Law before he could attain to the quiet enjoyment of it to the interrupting of his other studies he gave up the benefit of it to his brothers and sisters suffering his Uncle to take Letters of Administration for that end resolving to cast himself upon the good Providence of God to whose service in the work of the Ministry he had wholly devoted himself not doubting but he would provide for him yet that he might not be judged weak or inconsiderate in that Act he drew up a note under his hand of the state of all things that concerned it and directions what to doe about it When he was nineteen years old he disputed with Henry Fitz-Simonds a Jesuit in the Castle of Dublin as himself acknowledgeth in his Preface to his Book called Britanno-mochia Ministrorum the occasion of which Dispute was this The Jesuit by way of challenge as it was interpreted gave forth these words That he being a Prisoner was like a Bear tyed to a stake but wanted some to bait him Whereupon this eminent man for so he was though very young was thought fit and able to encounter him though at their first meeting he despised his youth as Goliah did David Mr. Usher proffered to dispute with him about all Bellarmines Controversies for which a meeting was appointed once every week and it fell out that the first subject proposed was De Antichristo about which they had two or three solemne Disputations and Mr. Usher was ready to have proceeded further but the Jesuit was weary of it yet gives him a tolerable commendation and much admired his abillities in such young years concerning which he saith There came once to me a youth of about eighteen years of age one of a too soon ripe wit scarce you would thank that he could have gone through his course of Philosophy or that he was got out of his childe-hood yet was he ready to dispute upon the most abstruce points of Divinity And afterwards the same Jesuit living to understand more of him saith that he was A catholicorum doctissimus the most learned of such as were not Catholicks being as it seems unwilling or ashamed to call him Heretick Anno Christi 1600 when he was about twenty years old he commenced Master of Arts and answered the Philosophy Act and was chosen Catechist of the College in which office he went through a great part of the Body of Divinity in the Chappel by way of Common place and Ministers being scarce at that time there were three young men of the College chosen out and appointed to preach in Christ Church before the State One was Mr. Richardson afterwards Bishop of Ardah who was appointed to preach an Expository Lecture upon the Prophesie of Isaiah every Friday Another was Mr. Welch afterwards Dr. of Divinity who was designed to handle the Body of Divinity on Sabbaths in the forenoon the third was our learned Usher who was to handle the controversies for the satisfaction of the Papists on the Lords dayes in the afternoons which he did fully and cleerly alwayes concluding with some emphatical Exhortation that it tended much to the edification and confirmation of the Protestants in their Principles as many of them in their elder yeares have
acknowledged Having thus preached for a while as a Probationer he refused to continue it any longer having not as yet received Ordination He also scrupled to be as yet Ordained by reason of his defect of years the Canons requiring twenty four and he being yet but twenty one But by some grave and learned men he was told that the Lord had need of his labours and so upon their perswasions and importunity his age being dispensed with according to some former presidents he was ordained at the usual time the Sabbath before Christmas day Anno 1601 by his Uncle Henry Usher Archbishop of Armagh with the assistance of some other Ministers The first Text that he preached publickly upon before the State after his Ordination was Rev. 3. 1. Thou hast a name that thou livest and art dead which fell out to be the same day upon which was fought the Battel of Kinsale which being a day specially set apart by prayer to seek unto God for his blessing and assistance in that engagement and being his first fruits after his entrance into the Office of the Ministry God might in a more than ordinary manner make his labours efficatious and prevailing the rest of that Epistle to the Church of Sardis he finished afterwards It was well known that if the Spaniards had gotten the better that day the Irish Papists had designed to murther the English Protestants both in Dublin and other places but especially the Ministers Hence said he arose a tentation in me to have deferred my Ordination till the event of the Battel had been known that so I might the better have escaped their fury but I repelled that suggestion and resolved the rather upon it that dying a Minister and in that quarrel I might at least be the next door to a Martyr The Spaniards being as was said before overthrown at Kinsale and the hopes of the Irish as to that design being frustrated they began generally to subject themselves to the Statute which was now put in execution in their coming to Church and that it might tend the more to their profit the Lord Lieutenant and his Council desired the Ministers at Dublin so to divide themselves that in imitation of what he had already begun at Christ Church there might be a Sermon on the Lords dayes in the afternoon at every Church upon those Controversies St. Katherines a convenient Church was assigned for Mr. Usher who removed accordingly and duely observed it and his custome was that what he had delivered in one Sermon he drew it up into Questions and Answers and the next Lords day several persons of note voluntary offered themselves to repeat those Answers before the whole Congregation which made them more clear and perspicuous to the Popish party It pleased God by his and the labours of others of his Brethren in the Ministry not only in Dublin but in other parts of the Kingdome that the Papists came so diligently to Church that if they had any occasion to absent themselves they used to send in their excuses to the Church-wardens and there were great hopes in a short time to have reduced the whole Nation to Protestanisme But on a sudden the execution of the Statute was suspended and the power of the High Commission Court then erected and used onely against the Papists was taken away whereupon the Papists presently withdrew themselves from the publick Assembles the Ministry was discouraged all good mens hearts were grieved and Popery from that time forward encreased till like a great Deluge it had overflowed the whole Nation Upon this the spirit of this holy man like Pauls at Athens was exceedingly stirred in him insomuch as preaching before the State at Christ Church upon a special solemnity he did with as much prudence courage and boldness as became his young years give them his opinion of that abominable Toleration of Idolatry making a full and clear application of that passage in Ezekiels Vision Chap. 4. 6. where the Prophet by lying on his side was to bear the iniquity of Judah for forty dayes I have appointed thee saith the Lord each day for a year This said he by the consent of Interpreters signifies the time of forty years to the destruction of Jerusalem and of that Nation for their Idolatry and so said he will I reckon from this year the sin of Ireland and at the end of the time those whom you now imbrace shal be your ruine and you shall bear this iniquity wherein he proved a Prophet For this was delivered by him Anno Christi 1601 and Anno 1641 was the Irish Rebellion and Massacre and what a continued expectation he had of a great judgement upon that his Native Country I saith Dr. Bernard can witness from the year 1624 at which time I had the happiness first to be known to him and the nearer the time approached the more confident he was of the event though as yet nothing that tended towards it was visible to other men The Body of Divinity which is printed in his name is highly commended by Mr. Downam who set it forth and so it is by a stranger Ludovicus Crocius who much desired that some English man would turn it into Latine for the benefit of forreign Churches but it was not intended by him for the Press It was begun by him in publick but finished some years after in private in his Family constantly instructing them twice a week unto which persons of quality and learning resorted and divers of them took Notes whereby several Copies were dispersed abroad some imperfect and mistaken and many passages are in it which were not his neither is the whole so polished as his other Pieces which were published by himself and indeed he was displeased that it came forth without his knowledge yet understanding how much good it had done he connived at it Shortly after the aforementioned defeat given to the Spaniards at Kinsale the Officers of our English Army gave 1800 pounds to buy Books for the College Library at Dublin then Souldiers were advancers of Learning the ordering of which was committed to Dr. Challoner and this Lord Primate who made a journey into England on purpose to buy Books with it He then met with Sir Thomas Bodly who was buying Books for his Library at Oxford and they were very helpful each to other in procuring the rarest Pieces In his journey he visited Mr. Christopher Goodman who had been Professor of Divinity in Oxford in King Edward the sixths dayes then lying on his death-bed at Chester and he would often repeat some grave and wise speeches that he heard from him After this he constantly came over into England once in three years spending one moneth at Oxford another at Cambridge in searching the Books especially the Manuscripts in each University amongst which those of Corpus Christi College in Cambridge he most esteemed the third moneth he spent at London
intending chiefly Sir Robert Cottons Library and conversing with learned men amongst whom even in those his younger years he was in great esteem In his after-years he was acquainted with the rarities in other Nations There was scarce a choice Book in any eminent persons Library in France Italy Germany or Rome it self but he had his way to procure it or what he desired transcribed out of it so that he was better acquainted with the Popes Vatican than some that daily visited it The Puteani fratres two learned men in Paris holp him much with many Transcripts out of Thuanus and others between whom and him many Letters passed Now though the reading of the Fathers all over was a vast work yet the pains he took out of the common road of learning in searching of Records and all the Manuscripts he could get throughout Christendome together with the knotty study of Chronology and Antiquity was equal with if it did not exceed the other Many Volumes he also read onely to attain to the knowledge of the use of words in several ages as Galen Hipocrates c. and most of the Records in the Tower of London Besides there was scarce the meanest book in his own Library but he remembred it even to admiration and had in his head readily whatsoever he had read The first Church-preferment which he had was given him by Archbishop Loftus a little before his death which was the Chancellorship of St. Patricks Dublin unto which he took no other Benefice In that place Mr. Camden found him when he was writing his Britannia Anno Christi 1607 and in his observations concerning Dublin saith of him Most of these I acknowledge to owe to the diligence and labours of James Usher Chancellor of the Church of St. Patricks who in various learning and judgement far exceeds his years In this preferment though the Law required not his preaching but onely in his course before the State yet would he not omit it in the place from whence he received his profits and though he endowed it with a Vicaridge yet went he thither in person viz. to Finglas a mile from Dublin and preached there every Lords day unless he were detained upon some extraordinary occasions and the remembrance that he had been a constant Preacher was a greater comfort to him in his old age than all his other labours and writings His experiments in Prayer were many and very observable God ofen answering his desires in kinde and that immediately when he was in some distresses and Gods Providence in taking care and providing for him in his younger years as he often spake of it so it wrought in him a firm resolution to depend upon God in his latter dayes what ever extremity he might be brought into Anno Christi 1607 when he was twenty seven years old he commenced batchelor of Divinity and immediately after be was chosen Professor of Divinity in the University of Dublin At first he read twice a week and afterwards once a week without intermission throughout the year going through a great part of Bellarmines Controversies In this employment he continued thirteen or fourteen years and was a great ornament to his place Three Volumes of those his Lectures written with his own hand he hath left behinde him and it would be a great honour to that University where they were read and benefit to many others if they were published When he performed his Acts for his degree Latine Sermon Lectures Position and answered the Divinity Act he wrote nothing but only the heads of the several Subjects putting all upon the strength of his memory and present expressions as also he did his English Sermons His readiness in the Latine Tongue was inferiour to none in these latter times which after seventeen years disuse from the time that he left his Professors place appeared when he moderated the Divinity Act and created Doctors to all mens admiration The Provostship of the College of Dublin falling void he was unanimously elected thereto by all the Fellows he being then about thirty years of age but foreseeing that upon the settlement of Lands belonging to it and the establishing of other matters he should be much impeded and distracted in his studies he refused it and so another was sent out of England to fill it The revenues of it were very considerable whereby we may see how mean and little the things of the world seemed in his eyes even in those his younger years About this time the Irish Prelates especially Dr. Hampton his predecessor in the Sea of Armagh had obtained King James his grant for reducing Ireland to the same Ecclesiastical Government of the Church of England the principal occasion whereof was this The English Prelates a little before had used a great deal of severity against the Non-conformists their High Commission and other Courts and Canons had driven many worthy and learned men into other Countries and some of them went into Ireland the Irish Bishops being weary of this resort are desirous to advance their power to the same height with the English Hierarchy combined together and obtained King James his Commission to Sir Arthur Chichester Earle of Belfast a famous Souldier and prudent Governour who was at this time Lord Deputy and bore the Sword there eleven years together with very much honour and esteem in that Nation For the effecting of this a great Assembly of the whole Nation was convened In the Commission the King required them to consult with Mr. Usher whose learning judgement and esteem would much conduce to the promoting of that work But if he approved it not the King required that they should proceed no further for that he would not be the author of any Innovation amongst them This reserve troubled the Prelates exceedingly and therefore they resolved to carry it closely the Kings Letters to them they transmitted from one to another but acquainted not Mr. Usher with them intending to surprize him when the Assembly was met they should come prepared and fortified he would be taken on the sudden Howbeit God that intended him for so great a good at that time in crossing their design that many faithful labourers in his Vineyard might not by this their power be displaced by a special Providence gave him some light though but very little into the matter and the manner was thus Mr. Usher going to visit one of them found him perusing the Kings Letter but upon his coming he laid it down in his window closed at both ends onely there was an open place in the middle and as they were discoursing together Mr. Usher glancing his eye upon it espied his own name and some other vvords about himself of which he could not pick out the meaning but yet he judged them to be of importance as Discipline Ireland England c. Mr. Usher thought it not prudence for him to take notice of those hints neither could
Protestants also must have born some share To consider hereof a great Assembly of Papists and Protestants of the whole Nation was appointed in the Lord Deputy Faulklands time The place of their meeting was in the Hall of the Castle in Dublin At which time the Bishops by our Lord Primates invitation met at his house where he and they drew up and unanimously subscribed a Protestation against the Toleration of Popery A Copy whereof because it deserves perpetual remembrance is here inserted The Judgement of the Archbishops and Bishops of Ireland concerning the Toleration of Popery which is applicable also against the Toleration of other Heresies The Religion of the Papists is Superstitious and Idolatrous their Faith and Doctrine erroneous and Heretical their Church in respect of both Apostatical To give them therefore a Toleration or to consent that they may freely exercise their Religion and profess their Faith and Doctrine is a grievous sin and that in two respects For 1. It is to make our selves accessary not onely to their Superstitions Idolatries Heresies and in a word to all the abominations of Popery but also which is a consequent of the former to the perdition of the seduced people which perish in the Deluge of the Catholick Apostacy 2. To grant them a Toleration in respect of any money to be given or contribution to be made by them is to set Religion to sale and with it the souls of the People whom Christ our Saviour hath redeemed with his most precious blood And as it is a great sin so also a matter of most dangerous consequence the consideration whereof we commend to the Wise and Juditious Beseeching the Zealous God of Truth to make them who are in Authority zealous or Gods glory and of the advancement of true Religion zealous resolute and couragious against all Popery Superstition and Idolatry Amen Ja. Armachanus Mal. Cashlen Anth. Medensis Tho. Hernes Laghlin Ro. Dunensis c. Georg. Derens. Rich. Cork Cloyne Rosses Andr. Alachadens Tho. Kilmore Ardagh Theo. Dromore Mic. Waterford Lysm Fran. Lymerick This Judgement of the Bishops Dr. George Downham Bishop of Derry at the next meeting of the Assembly which was April the 23 1627 published at Christ Church before the Lord Deputy and Council in the middest of his Sermon with this preamble viz. Are not many amongst us for gain and outward respects willing and ready to consent to a Toleration of false Religions thereby making themselves guilty of a great offence in putting to sale not onely their own souls but also the souls of others But what is to be thought of Toleration of Religion I will not deliver my own private opinion but the judgement of the Archbishops and Bishops of this Kingdome which I think good to publish unto you that whasoever shall happen the world may know that we were far from consenting to those favours which the Papists expect After he had published it the people gave their votes with a generall acclamation crying Amen The judgements of the Bishops prevailed so much with the Protestants that now the Proposals drove on very heavily and after much debate of things the L. Deputy finding the discontents of both parties encreasing desired our Lord Primate as the fittest person both in regard of his esteem in the Assembly and being a member of the Council and therefore concerned in promoting of the Kings business to sum up the state of things and to move them to an absolute grant of some competency that might comply with the Kings necessities without any such conditions with which upon their answer he would cease moving any further which upon very little warning he did with much prudence according to his double capacity of a Privy Counsellour and a Bishop A copy of which Speech desired of him by the Lord Deputy was immediately transmitted into England But it not being prevalent with the Assembly to induce them to supply the Kings wants it was dissolved Not long after the Lord Deputy Falkland being called back into England when he was to take Boat at the water side he reserved our Lord Primate as the last person to take his leave of and fell upon his knees on the sands and begged his blessing which reverend respect shewed to him gained a greater reputation to himself both in Ireland and England and indeed from his younger years the several Lord Deputies had alwayes a great esteem of him It was no small labour to him to answer those many Letters which came to him from forreign parts and our own Nations upon several occasions some for resolution of difficulties in Divinity others about Cases of Conscience and practical subjects Twelve of the most eminent Divines in London who at his being here were wont to apply themselves to him as to a Father as Dr. Sibbs Dr. Preston c. between whom and him there were most entire affections wrote to him for his directions about a Body of practical Divinity which he returned them accordingly He much endeavoured the augmentation of the maintenance of the Ministery in Ireland and for that end he had obtained a Patent for Impropriations to be passed in his name for their use as they should fall but it was too much neglected by themselves whereby his desires were frustrated He preached every Lords day in the forenoon never failing unless he was disabled by sickness in which he spent himself very much In the afternoons his directions to Dr. Bernard his assistant were that before publick Prayers he should Catechize the youth and that after the first and second Lesson he should spend half an hour in a brief and plain opening the Principles of Religion in the publick Catichisme and therein he directed him to go first through the Creed at once giving but the sum of each Article the next time to go through it at thrice and afterwards to take each time one Article as they might be more able to bear it and to observe the like proportionably in the Ten Commandements the Lords Prayer and the Doctrine of the Sacraments The good fruit of which was apparent in the common people upon their coming to the Communion at which time by ordeâ— the receivers were to send in their names and some account was constantly taken of their fitness for it His order throughout his Diocess to the Ministers was that they should go through the Body of Divinity once a year which he had accordingly drawn out into fifty heads When any publick Fast was enjoyned he kept it very strictly preaching alwayes first himself and therein continuing at least two hours in a more than ordinary manner enlarging himself in prayer the like was done by those that assisted him in the duty His expences for Books was very great especially whilst he enjoyed the revenues of his Archbishoprick a certain part whereof he laid aside yearly for that end but especially for the purchasing of Manuscripts and other Rarities
as well from remote parts of the world as near at hand He was the first that procured the Samaritan Bible which is onely the Pentateuch to the view of these Western parts of the world It was sent him from Syria by the way of Aâ—eppo Anno Christi 1625. He had four of them sent him by a Fâ—ctor whom he imployed to search for things of that nature and these were thought to be all that could there be had One of these he gave to the Library of Oxford A second to Leyden for which Ludevicus de Dieu returns him publick thanks in a Book that he dedicated to him A third he gave to Sir Robert Cottons Library And the fourth after he had compared it with the other he kept himself The Old Testament in Syriack an other Rarity also was sent him from those parts not long after It might happily seem incredible unto some to relate how many years agone he confidently foretold the changes which since are come to pass both in Ireland and England both in Church and State and of the poverty which himself should fall into which he oft spake of in his greatest plenty Some took much notice of that Text which he preached of in St. Maries in Cambridge Anno Christi 1625 upon the late Kings Coronation day and the first annual solemnity of it out of 1 Sam. 12. 25. If you still do wickedly you shall be consumed both you and your King Others of the last Text that he preached on at the Court immediately before his return into Ireland 1 Cor. 14. 33. God is not the Author of confusion but of peace as in all the Churches of the Saints In his application he spake of the confusions and divisions which he was confident were then at the doors In his Book called Ecclesiarum Britannicarum Antiquitates p. 556 â—he hath this remarkable passage after he had largely related the manner of the utter destruction of the British Church and State by the Saxons about the year 550 as he found it in Gildas he gives two reasons why he was so prolixe in setting it down 1. That the Divine Justice might the rather from thence appear to us the sins of persons of all sorts and degrees being then come to the heigth which occasioned not onely shaking of the foundations of the British Church and State but the very destruction and almost utterly overturning of them 2. That even we now might be in the greater fear that our turn also is coming and may be minded of that of the Apostle Rom. 11. 22. Behold the goodness and severity of God On them which fell severity but towards thee goodness if thou continue in his goodness Otherwise thou also shalt be cut off He often acknowledged that sometimes in his Sermons he hath resolved to forbear speaking of some things but it proved like Jeremiahs fire shut up in his bones that when he came to it he could not forbear unless he would have stood mute and proceeded no further He was very bold and free in the exercise of his Ministry sparing sin in none yea even before Kings he was not ashamed to do it He often to his utmost stood in the gap to oppose Errours and false Doctrines he withstood to the face any Toleration of Popery and Superstition by whomsoever attempted He was so fervent in his preaching that that of the Psalmist might be applied to him The zeal of thy house hath eaten me up Anno Christi 1624 he spake before many witnesses and often repeated it afterwards that he was perswaded that the greatest stroak to the Reformed Churches was yet to come and that the time of the utter ruine of the Roman Antichrist should be when he thought himself most secure according to that Text Revel 18. 7. When she shall say I sit as a Queen and shall see no sorrow c. His farewell Sermon in or very near the place where he had lived in England was then much observed upon Jam. 1. 25. Sin when it is finished brings forth death wherein he spake of the fulnes of the sins of this Nation which certainly would bring great destruction Adding that the Harvest of the earth was ripe and the Angel was putting in his sickle Rev. 14. 18. applying also that of the Epha in the Vision Zach. 5. when it was filled with wickedness and that of the Amorites who when their iniquities were come to the full were destroyed He often also hinted the same in his private discourses and many that heard them laid these his sayings up in their hearts and by what hath already fallen out do measure their expectations for the future At the last time of his being in London he much lamented with great thoughts of heart the wofull dis-unions and the deadly hatred which he saw kindled in the hearts of Christians one against another by reason of their several opinions in matters of Religion and observing how some opposed the Ministry both to Office and maintenance Others contemned the Sacraments Others raised and spread abroad Damnable Dectrines Heresies and Blasphemies Upon which considerations he was confident that the enemies which had sown these up and down the Nation were Priests Friers and Jesuits and such like Popish Agents sent out of their Seminaries from beyond the Seas in sundry disguises who increasing in number here in London and elsewhere do expect a great harvest of their labours and he was perswaded that if they were not timely prevented by a severe suppressing of them the issue would be either an inundation of Popery or a Massacre or both adding withall how willing he was if the Lord so pleased to be taken away from that evil to come which he confidently expected unless there were some speedy Reformation of these things An. Christi 1634 A little before the Parliament began in Ireland there was a Letter sent over from the late King to the Lord Deputy and Council for determining the question of the precedency between the Primate and Archbishop of Dublin the question was nothing as to their persons but in relation to their Sees This good man out of his great-humility was hardly drawn to speak to that Argument but being commanded he shewed in it a great deal of learning and rare observations in matters of Antiquity so that the business was deâ—ermined on his side who afterwards by another Letter procured without his seeking had the precedency given him of the Lord Chancellor These things took little with him but were rather burdens to him who was not in the least elated or puffed up thereby ' At that Parliament he preached the first day of it before the Lord Deputy and the Lords and Commons in St. Patricks Dublin His Text was Gen. 49. 10. The Scepter shall not depart from Judah nor a Law-giver from between his feet till Shiloh come and to him shall the gathering of the people be At the beginning also of the
improper in matters of Religion they savour of singularity breed rents and divisions between Preachers and people and take off the minde from things more essential Learned men have observed that Hereticks gat great advantage by the unwary speeches of the Fathers Some of Calvins expressions that were not so well pondered have done no great good to some in our times Nestorius fell into his Heresie by defending an improper speech of his and Eutyches thinking to mend it fell into the other extream Dr. Thomas Tailor speaks much to this point to very good purpose in his Progress to Holiness p. 134 135 154. and concludes that if we will keep the faith of our Fathers we must keep the words of our Fathers Our Mr. Capel was a man of a single heart He was with Jacob Gen. 25. 27. a plain man i. e. A downright honest man as the Original signifies A very Nathaniel an Isralite indeed Joh. 1. 47. in whom though there was some infirmity yet there was no guile He had much of the wisdome that is from above and was as far from Hypocrisie as most men living If all others were of his temper Momus had no need to complain of the want of a window into any mans breast He was what he was indeed and in truth without dissimulation He was very high in his conformity to those Primitive Christians Act. 2. 46. and left a brave President to all that would be what they should be in this particular We of this doubting and deceitful Generation had need to look about us and see what was here set before us in very legible Characters that we may learn to be more above board in our dealings We are faln into an age like that of the Prophets wherein every one hath too much of the Hypocrite We may well cry Help Lord for the faithful fail with a double Heart and double tongue do they speak The most be for all Tides and Times as mutable as the Weather-cock For any manner of Mode so as they can serve their own turns by it Some can be any thing but what they should be We have need to beware of men where every brother will supplant The Hypocrite with his mouth destroyes his Neighbour Prov. 11. 9. It is indeed good to be wise as Serpents but withall we should be innocent as Doves Though it be just with God that the deceiver shall be deceived and some like it well yet is it not just in those that do it They that turn aside to crooked wayes shall be led forth with the workers of iniquity Psal. 125. 5. Plain dealing is a Jewel yea though it be in sin as this acute man tells us in his â—entat Part. 3. It s a dainty fine thing in our confessions repentance and in all wherein we act He that useth it what ever men say or think shall neither live nor dye a beggar Downright honesty is the best policy It is delightful to God Prov. 12. 22. and it will be a comfort to us 2 Cor. 1. 12. This is our rejoycing and we never eat â—ur meat with more gladness than when we do all with singleness of heart Act. 2. 46. Mr. Capel was a very useful man in his life He was with Melancthon born for the common good and lived for the publick benefit of the whole Country Whilst he was at his Pastoral charge he gave himself fully and wholly to Reading to Exhortation and Doctrine and his profiting appeared unto all men so that he was generally and that justly reputed a man approved of God rightly dividing the word of truth It is well known what pains he took and to how good purpose during the whole time of his abode there which was about one and twenty years He preached constantly twice every Lords day and besides preached a Lecture constantly every week though he had but an infirm body till by reason of sickness he was taken off And then besides his Sabbath-dayes work he preached onely upon the Festival dayes His lips were touched with a coal from the Altar It may truly be said of him as it was of Musculus that his words pierced like a two-edged sword He could when he pleased be a Boanerges a son of Thunder but his bent was most to be a Barnabas a son of Consolation He was a true Evangelical Preacher and comforted many a drooping heart by his labours in publick and gave abundance of satisfaction in private to many troubled spirits that used to resort to him out of all Countries both far and near He also shewed himself to be a Tree of Gods own planting by bringing forth more fruit still in his age When the times were such some flying so extreamly high the Ceremonies being pressed with rigour and grievous penalties inflicted that he being tender in matters of Conformity must needs quit his Pastoral charge which was Novem. 27. 1634 he betook himself then to his little Cell as Samuel did to his Ramah that had never been looked upon if he had not come thither no more than Islebium and Bretta if not for Luther and Melancthon and there he had more health and cheerfulness of spirit than formerly which he improved well for the publick advantage For There he fell upon the Practice of Physick He indeed had bent his studies that way before hand foreseeing what would follow yet would he do nothing in that kinde it not being his Calling so long as that great work of the Ministry lay upon him But when he had quit the more special tye of the care of mens souls he then took himself to be at more freedome and having a License sent him by the Bishop of Gloucester to authorize him he fell upon the cure of mens bodies and being of great sufficiency his fame was quickly spread abroad He was looked upon as a very Trismegistus or a second Aesculapius He could do much at the diving into a disease and in applying such medicines as were proper and fit Not like some that will be tampering with that Profession and give their doses at adventure He was quick yet in cases of difficulty and danger he would weigh things well In desperate diseases he would adventure far according to the rules of Reason what he gave should be safe He mixed all with his own hands he would stoop to the meanest and serve all at an easie rate His Receits amounted not to the half nay not to one quarter of a common Apothecaries Bill He was blessed by God with great and good success and had resort especially towards his latter end out of his own and other Countries so that he had not leasure to sit at his own meals in quiet Yea many times he was quite tired out till God called him to rest His words were seasonable and savoury His tongue was a Tree of life His lips fed many Whosoever came near him should have something dropping if he did but
marched into those Quarters about Edghil where was fought a bloody Battel Octob. 23. 1642 upon the Lords day in the Vale of the Red Horse being distant about four miles from him yet it pleased God so to order it which he took for a great mercy that he heard not the least noise of it the wind sitting contrary till the publick work of the day was over nor could he believe the report of a Battel til a Souldier besmeared with blood and powder came to witness it From this very time his troubles encreased Now was he threatned by this then by the other Garrison one while he was a Roundhead and then a Malignant frequently oppressed with Souldiers that were quartered upon him yet still he kept his station and some of his Guests would joyn with him in Family-duties which he intermitted not when others would scoffe at them because not mingled with Book-prayers Every Sabbath he held on the course of his Ministry and most of those which quartered with him being Commanders and Officers they shewed themselves civil to him and his onely at one time there was a company who were so outragious in swearing and blasphemy that he could not forbear preaching upon that Text James 5. 12. Above all things my Brethren swear not c. which so netled some of them that they damned themselves to Hell if they did not shoot him in case he preached again upon that Text which they judged to be purposely chosen against them the next Sabbath he proceeded purposely upon the same Text wherein he backed what he had said before and as he was preaching he saw a Souldier take his Carbine and fumble about the Cock as if he was preparing to shoot but Mr. Harris apprehending that he did it onely to disturb him went through his work and heard no more news of his Souldier Thus he continued his labours in those sad times and though he was chosen a member of the Assembly of Divines at Westminster yet because upon serious thoughts he judged his presence less needful there than in the Country he continued his station there till he saw his Tenements in the Neighbourhood fired wood and nurseries of wood destroyed himself threatned and at last enforced by a Scottish Commander to shift for himself yea some of his own Neighbours were now ready to betray him whereupon he went to London and by Gods good providence came thither in safety though a sad man When he came to London he went to the Assembly where he found much more undone than done Indeed he met there with many excellent and learned men but his thoughts were sollicitous for his people his wife and children whom he had left behinde and indeed he found little rest in his spirit till the same good hand of Providence had safely brought them unto him Then went he with more comfort to the Assembly where he did Antiqum obtinere hear all and say little Upon his remove from his house both his Books and his Notes some few only excepted which he had conveyed away beforehand together with all his remaining goods were seized upon and his Living given to another but that might soon have been supplied many offers being made to him from several places and Country Committees The first motion that he hearkened to was the Temple but upon trial he found that Church too large for his voyce and thereupon refused and at last he was sent to Buttolphs Bishopsgate where though the Congregation was too large for him yet being necessitated to do something for the maintenance of his Family he remained there during his attendance upon the Assembly After his continuance there for some time himself with four more Divines were commanded down to Oxford which was then under suspension by the Parliament which imployment he often professed that he did earnestly decline and that principally for two reasons 1. Because the Committee for Hampshire had given him a free call to Petersfield and thither he would willingly have gone 2. Having long discontinued from the University he looked upon himself as very unfit for such a service but in conclusion he was plainly told that such as would not be intreated must be commanded and so he was ordered to prepare for his journey This much troubled him and therefore he first goes to Petersfield and acquaints them how the case stood with him and because he could not come suddenly to them he desires them either to pitch upon some other Minister or else to take the care upon themselves to provide supplies for both the Churches for two they were and to pay the Preachers out of the Revenues of the place The people liked neither of the offers yet were content to wait a while in hopes that he might come to settle with them requesting him in the mean while to provide them such supply as himself should approve of This proved a troublsome work to him though for a time he sent them help from Oxford and thereabout for preachers were now hard to be gotten there being more want of Ministers than of places yet at last two were procured the one of whom gave no good content At last he was put upon it either to relinquish Oxon or Petersfield the former he could not decline and therefore he left the latter though with great regret because he could not seal up such respect and thanks as he conceived was due from him to that Country Neither had he less trouble in providing for Buttolphs Bishopsgate it being no easie matter to please Citizens yet at the last they were supplied to their content About this time many Libels were cast abroad in Oxford against other Preachers and one amongst the rest reflected upon Mr. Harris reckoning up his several Livings and great Revenues wherein they mentioned what was past present and to come and happily if they had heard of the rest which at several times were offered him they would have put them also into that Catalogue Mr. Harris being informed hereof he wrote to some Friends which Letters are already extant wherein he vindicated himself in the main yet withall he professed unto others that it would and should be to him matter of humbling and caution to him whilst he lived that he had given the least advantage to such as sought it for though he stood clear in his own and others consciences who best knew him that he was far from allowing non-residency and plurality of Livings yet to such as were ignorant of all circumstances there was some appearances of evil which also he took the more to heart because from that time forward he found the afflâ—cting hand of God both upon him and his The Preachers that were sent to Oxford found but ill entertainment on the one hand they were aspersed and libelled against by their own Mothers Sons and on the other hand they were challenged to a publick Disputation by one Mr.
and her husband who had been a happy instrument of satisfying many others could give her no satisfaction One day as she was complaining that she could finde no comfort O saith he What an Idol do some make of comfort as if their comfort were their Christ In the middest of these trials he yet took notice of these comforts and mercies 1. That she was kept from blaspheming the Highest for so she stiled God and from hurting her self and others 2. That this affliction awakened him and his children for they esteemed her the most conscientious and innocent amongst them all 3. It put him upon more work than his age could well bear that so he might call out his thoughts upon business and not eat up his own heart with grief and care And lastly it wrought in him an holy despair of all creature-comforts for now he could neither enjoy childe nor friend nor food nor sleep having her continually before him in his eye ear and heart and all friends fearâ—ng to come in sight lest they should wound themselves or trouble her onely continual pâ—ayers were offered up for her upon all occasions which gave hopes that the Lord might yet make her end comfortable and conquest glorious However her Husband would often say That the difference was not great whether comfort came at death or an hour after since comfort would come assuredly But leaving her under a general expectation of a blessed issue in the best time we return once more to her Husband now ready to enter into his Haven of rest After a long and laborious life which could not but be painful to him that underwent it we come at length to his last long and painful sickness which is the usual Harbinger of Death In the Summer he began to droop and finding his decay he sent for two Physitians Dr. Bathurst and Dr. Willis who were well known to him and his by former experiences and eminently known in the University to whom he professed that he used means meerly in obedience to God but for his own part he could live and durst dye His â—hysitians as himself confessed had proceeded so far as Art and Learning could carry them but herein they would lose of their worth that they had to deal with complicated diseases which were seldome removed but most of all with old age a disease which was never cured His first encounter was with a vehement Pleuâ—itical pain in his left side which was attended with a Feavor as also with a great defluxion of Rheume and oppression of his lungs with Flegme and when after divers weeks all these his Assailants seemed well-nigh vanquished through the tender care of his skilful Physitians yet then that enemy which had so long lodged in his bosome brake forth into an Empyema which he expectorated daily in so great a measure for the space of two moneths or more that hereby together with some fits of his old diseases the Stone and Strangury he was not able to speak much to those that visited him And herein indeed it fell out according to what he had often foretold in his best strength viz. That little was to be expected from him on his death-bed which occasioned him to write fearing that his tongue might not then be able to utter it his advice and counsel to his Family many years before his death The truth is he the rather forbore to speak because he perceived that some had a design to make his speeches publick which he was utterly averse to neither would he consent that any thing of his Life or Death should be written Nay he could never be perswaded at any time to fit that his Picture might be drawn so desirous he was that all of him might be buried with him And albeit he spit up those Lungs which he had wasted in the Pulpit yet could not that light of Grace be so smothered under a Bushel but that oft-times the beams thereof would shine forth and himself would breathe forth himself in pithy speeches and savoury discourses In the beginning of his sickness being desired to admit of company he answered I am alone in company it s all one to me to be left alone or to have Friends with me my work is now to arm my self for Death which assaults me and I apply my self as I am able for that great encounter And accordingly he spent his whole time in meditation prayer and reading the holy Scriptures especially the Book of Psalmes the Prophesie of Isaiah and St. Johns Gospel taking exceeding delight in the 10 14 15 16 and 17 Chapters of that Evangelist After which time his nights were long and sleeps short and when he could neither sleep nor sit up in his bed to read his manner was to command others to read to him and then himself would collect the most useful things that were contained in the Chapter explaining such things as were difficult and sweetly feeding upon the rest His constant practice was to exhort such as either visited or attended upon him above all things to get Faith It is saith he your victory your peace your life your Crown and your chief piece of spiritual Armour Howbeit get on all the other pieces and then go forth in the Lords might stand to the fight and the issue shall be glorious onely forget not to call in the help of your General Do all from him and under him On the Lords dayes he would not hinder any from the publick Ordinances for any thing that was to be done about him till Sermons were ended and then he would say Come what have you for me meaning something of Repetition unto which he would attend with such diligence as that he would summe up the heads of every Sermon and say O what excellent truths are these lay them up charily you will have need of them When Friends came to visit him he used to say I cannot speak but I can hear And when he was asked where his comfort lay His answer was In Christ and in the free Grace of God One telling him Sir you may take much comfort in your labours you have done much good c. His answer was All is nothing without a Saviour without him my best works would condemn me Oh I am ashamed of them being mixed with so much sin Oh I am an unprofitable servant I have not done any thing for God as I ought loss of time sits heavy upon my spirit Work work apace assure your selves nothing will more trouble you when you come to dye than that you have done no more for God who hath done so much for you Sometimes he used thus to breathe out himself I never in all my life saw the worth of a Christ nor tasted the sweetness of Gods love in that measure as now I do When he was asked what should be done for him His answer was Do not onely pray for me but praise God for his unspeakable mercy
unto me and in particular that he hath kept Satan from me in this my weakness Oh how good is God entertain good thoughts of him How ever it be with us we cannot think too well of him or too bad of our selves And this sense of Gods goodness was very deeply imprinted upon his heart to his very last and therefore in all his Wills this Legacy was alwayes renewed Item I bequeathe to all my children and to their childrens children to each of them a Bible with this Inscription None but Christ. Being upon a time visited by two Reverend Doctors his choice Friends who before they prayed with him desired him to tell them what he chiefly requested He answered I praise God he supports me and keeps off Satan beg that I may hold out I am now in a good way home even quite spent I am now at the shore I leave you tossing on the Sea Oh it is a good time to dye in Yet when his end approached nearer being often asked how he did He answered In no great pain I praise God onely weary of my unuseful life If God hath no more service for me to do here I could be gladly in Heaven where I shall serve him better freed from sin and distractions I pass from one death to another yet I fear none I praise God I can live and I dare dye If God hath more work for me to do here I am willing to do it though my infirm body be very weary Desiring one to pray with him and for him that God would hasten the work it was asked whether pain c. put him upon that desire He answered No but I now do no good and I hinder others which might be better imployed if I were not Why should any desire to live but to do God service Now I cease from that I do not live By this time the violence of his distempers disabled him and the advice of his Physitians was that he should forbear speech yet he called upon those which attended him to read some part of the Scriptures to him constantly especially he put one of his Sons that was with him to pray frequently and whilst his life and speech lasted he used to conclude all the Prayers with a loud Amen The nearer he approached to his end the more he slumbered Once when he awoke he found himself very ill whereupon calling for his Son he took him by the hand and said Pray with me it is the last time in likelihood that I shall ever joyn with you and complaining to him of his wearisomeness his Son answered There remains a rest To whom he replied My Sabbath is not far off and yours is at hand ere that I shall be rid of all my trouble and you will be eased of some At length his ruinous house which onely inobedience to the will of God had held out beyond his own desires and all mens expectations from the heighth of Summer till the depth of Winter comes to be dissolved About Saturday in the even he began to set himself to dye forbidding all cordials to be administred upon what extremity soever and gave his dying blessing to his Son who onely of all his children was present with him and upon his request enjoyned him to signifie when he had opportunity to that Country where he had lived longest that he lived and dyed in that Faith which he had preached and printed the comfort whereof he now found Something else he began to speak but his distempers interrupted his purpose and from that time he never entertained any discourse with man onely he commanded the eight Chapter of the Epistle to the Romans to be read to him And herein God was exceeding good to him in the return of those Petitions which had been put up for him that afternoon by those two eminent Divines and his dearest Brethren before mentioned For whereas his great distempers gave occasion to fear his death would be exceeding painful yet did it prove so easie that his Son and other attendants could but guess at the particular time of his departure His breathings were easie and even his eyes open and full of water till at the last having lifted them up towards Heaven they closed of themselves and his soul without the least motion of resistance of the body entred into everlasting rest whilst those whom he left behinde were entring upon the day of their rest For then began he a perpetual Sabbath in Heaven when they began theirs on earth betwixt twelve and one on Saturday night December 11. Anno Christi 1658. He dyed in a good old age and full of dayes having overlived fourscore years His loss was much bewayled by the College by the City and whole University of Oxford He was as all that knew him confessed a man of admirable prudence profound judgement eminent gifts and graces and furnished with all qualifications that might render him a compleat man a wise Governour a profitable Preacher and a good Christian. First look upon him as a Christian for that was his and is every mans greatest Ornament He was a man that had much acquaintance with God much communion with him in private meditation and prayer accounting those his best dayes wherein he enjoyed most converse with him In the time of his sickness one asking him how he did oh saith he this hath been a sweet day I have had sweet communion with God in Jesus Christ. He was not like them who are all for promises and priviledges though in the mean time they neglect duties He made them his exercise but not his Christ He was much in those severe parts of Religion as private Humiliation Mortification and Self-denial whereby he gained the conquest over himself The truth is he was as far as is consistent with humane frailty Master of his corruptions passions reason appetite language and all The Lord was pleased to work upon him in the Primrose of his life though he certainly knew not either the Preacher or Sermon whereby he was converted His course was in the dayes of his strictest examination to set down in writing his evidences for Heaven sometimes in Propositions from Scripture other sometimes in Sylogismes and these he often subscribed to in a Book that he kept for that very purpose But these evidences were best read by others in the course of his life by his exact walking with God in piety charity humility patience and dependance upon him He was far unlike to those who sit in Moses Chair and teach what themselves practise not He had well digested that Fathers precept to Preachers Either preach not at all or live as you preach His life was a Commentary upon his Doctrine and his practice the Counterpane of his Sermons What was said of that precious Bishop Jewel was true of him That he adorned a heavenly Doctrine with a heavenly life In a word he did vertere verba in opera he lived Religion whilst many onely make
Danish cruelty and oppessions he endeavoured to perswade and encourage the Citizens to stand out in defence of the Liberties of themselves their wives and children and not to trust to the fair words and glozing promises of the Danes but rather to endure a little hardship for a time assuring them that the face of affairs would be shortly changed The Citizens willingly hearkned to him but some mercenary Souldiers raising a muteny had thought to have slain him But the plot being discovered the muteny was suppressed and Gustavus advised for his safety to withdraw himself into his own Country and there to obscure himself till a more convenient time should enable him to carry on his design He knew this journey would be full of difficulty and danger For his Way lay through Smalland where the Danish Emissaries were very active to draw the Suedes to moderation and to submit to the Danish yoke yet through it he adventures but with much grief of heart to see the Country people so miserably deluded insomuch that he could not forbear but told them That they should consider the cases of many of their Country-men who had as fair promises from the Danes yet met with nothing but miserable bondage Adding that there was much less danger in standing the push of the Danish Pike than in committing themselves and all that was dear unto them to so broken a Reed as their fair words which had not only failed but mortally wounded the Liberties of their Country-men who had given credit to them Say what he could divers Suedes of the better rank in those parts being pre-ingaged to the Danes perswaded the people otherwise saying That the Danes aimed onely at the suppressing of such of the Suedish Nobility as combined themselves against the Kings Government But as for the people the King was resolved to win them and that they should never need to fear want so long as Salt and Herrings lasted But if they would not be prevailed with they were all but dead men except speedily they forsook their Country and fled Gustavus finding the people hereby so affrighted that they had rather be slaves with quiet than hazard themselves in War he found it not convenient for him to stay any longer there whereupon he secretly departed to Terno amongst his own Tenants and having there provided himself of necessaries he went thence to Refsnass his Fathers house where he concealed himself for the most part of that Summer yet at length he adventured to discover himself to one that had been a faithful Friend to him and once was Archbishop of Upsal but in those troublesome times had been laid aside and now was retired to a Monastery at Gripshâ—lm This man being now grown old was fearful and willing to be quiet though upon hard conditions wherefore he disswaded Gustavus from stirring alleadging the great advantage that the King had having an Army in the Field and the Towns generally under his command affirming that the King desired nothing more than to ingratiate himself with the people for whose assurance he had granted Letters of Grace and a general pardon and therein particularly mentioning Gustavus himself wherefore he advised him to give credit to the King and to submit to his Government And for my part said the old man I dare engage to procure from the King a special full and free pardon for you if you shall desire it Gustavus heard him with silence but liked not his undertaking For thought he this old man may hope hereby to screw himself into the Kings favour Neither indeed did he like to adventure himself upon the Kings promises wherefore he resolved to wave this old mans counsel and to retire himself back to Rafsnass All this while the King continued in the siege of Stockholme where we formerly left him endeavouring partly by force partly by messages of Grace to get possession of that City For which end he first confirmed the agreement which his General had made with the Lords in the Field and then granted a General pardon and Act of Oblivion for whatsoever former faults Then sent his hearty commendations and fair promises to the people in the Country by the Suedish Lords that were of his party yet in many places it met with little or no respect at all Nevertheless in continuance of time by the often droppings of his good words serious Proâ—â—ses Protestations Execrations Letters Patents and Declarations under the Kings hand and seal an entrance is made into the hearts of the men at Stockholm the Gates at length are opened and the King admitted entrance and acknowledged by all to be their lawful King and then was Crowned and solemn Feasts were held for all sorts of people both Suedes Danes and Germans This was a fair morning but who knows what a great-bellied day may bring forth The King all this while was contriving the ruine of the Suedish Nobility and now he hath them in one place within walls and a sufficient guard upon them But it must be done under the fairest pretence that may be for the thing it self was ugly and ill-favoured Hence it was first resolved that a Treason should be supposed to be plotted by the Suedes to massacre the Danes and therefore the Danes as in their own defence should assassinate the Suedes but this was thought dangerous and might in the event turn to the destruction of the Danes in so populous a City and who knows what men in despair may do Then another way was propounded viz. That the King must look upon the Suedish Lords as under the Popes curse and sentence of Excommunication and to draw forth the Kings justice with more colourable zeal the Archbishop of Upsal who had procured that sentence must openly accuse the Suedish Lords as excommunicated persons for Treason against the King robbery of the Church and as spoylers of the dignity and estate of the Archbishop and therefore he must demand Judgement against them And this was approved of And the better to draw these Suedish Lords together a Feast is appointed the third day after the Coronation at which also the Germans and Danes were present and then before them all the Arcbishop of Upsal though unwillingly when he saw what would be the event steps forth before the King and accuses the Suedish Lords of injury done by them to himself both in person and estate and demanded â—atisfaction for his damages The King liked not this charge as not being home enough and therefore told him that he forgat the Popes sentence the crime of Treason and his own place who ought in zeal to the Church to have demanded punishment upon the persons offending After which he commanded the Guards to seize upon the Suedish Lords and as some Writers say shewed them so much mercy as to let them live till the next day and in the interim he set Guards upon all the avenues to the City that none might be suffered to depart
if he should go out of Denmark he might lose all there and get nothing but blows abroad he commands his Governour in the Isle of Gothland to relieve the Danes in Sueden as occasion should require in pursuance whereof he repairs thither and after one repulse suffered he relieved the Castle of Steckburg besieged by Arvidus and then changing the Garrison he committed the keeping of it to one Bernard de Milen Gustavus considering that the siege of that place would prove dangerous to Arvidus if the Country and neighbourhood were not assured to him he sent to the Bishop of Hincopen and having prevailed with him by his advice he summoned a meeting of all the States of East and West Gothland Smalland Vermeland and of the Dales and when they were assembled he prayed them to take into consideration the condition of their Country that the misery thereof was occasioned onely through their divisions and variety of interests and the Government having been of late in the hands of Forreigners the Publick weal hath thereby been much endamaged He said he should not need to enlarge upon the particular burdens which they felt and groaned under The great business which he desires them to take into consideration was to advise and conclude upon the means of redress As for himself he would deliver his opinion freely and cleerly viz. That no means on earth could cure these evils but a speedy and effectual unanimity and joynt endeavour to restore the old principles of Government by one supreme Governour and a free Parliament of the States as formerly had been used But if they had any further advice therein he earnestly desired to be informed by them assuring them that whatsoever they should judge meet to be done in order to a settlement he would endeavour the accomplishment of the same though to the sacrificing of his life and all that was dear to him This Speech being ended there was a joynt acclamation and assurance given that they all fully and freely assented to his opinion and were ready to assist him therein to the utmost withall giving him great thanks for his undertaking their rescue out of the Tyrants hands earnestly requesting him to proceed till he had perfected the same whereunto they would constantly contribute their prayers to God for his gracious assistance and for the protection of his person and for his further assurance they do not only acknowledge and promise submission to him as their lawful Governour but they pray that it may not seem grievous to him to take upon him the place and title of their lawful Lord and King To this Gustavus answered That he took up Arms against the common enemy of his Country not aiming at Rule but at the peoples liberty from the iron yoke of the Danish Tyranny under which themselves their wives and children lay bound day and night That he called not himself to the work but onely offered his assistance therein That he was invited to command by the Transilvanian Suedes of the Dales That his detestation of that abhorred Butchery at Stockholme wherein not onely many Personages fit to do their Country service but many of his own blood lost their lives and estates did enrage his spirit to it so that he thought nothing dangerous for him to adventure so that he might take vengeance for it which made him yeeld to the invitation of the men of the Dales and if you also said he will joyn your aid in this work and can conside in my command I will not refuse to be your Captain and Governour untill the enemy be fully vanquished and our Country cleared from them But as touching the making of a King you may take that into consideration when the War shall be fully finished For then whomsoever the States of Sueden shall elect to be King or Governour his will I be to serve in any condition This Speech was received with joyful acclamations and an unanimous vote that Gustavus should be accepted for their Lord and Governour and accordingly all that were present sware Fealty to him and faithful obedience next under God This was a little Parliament of part of the Nation and chiefly intended to assure those places where the War was and to unite them in a more vigorous prosecution thereof and the success was answerable For hereupon many Towns and Castles of West-Gothland and Small and readily surrendred and submitted to Gustavus whose Deputies being sent to the Council and convinced in their judgements of the justness of the cause the people had obliged themselves to stand to what their Deputies should conclude Hereupon Gustavus finding less need of imploying so many Souldiers in these neighbouring parts he sends a party into Finland to which many of the people joyned Amongst whom was one Grabb a valiant man and skilful Sea-Captain who having armed a few ships with them assaulted such places upon the Coast as held for the Dane sometimes in one part sometimes in another surprising Towns slaying many doing all by night and before the next morning he was gone no body knew whither nor which way This caused the Enemies to divide their Forces to guard so many places at once and in the mean time the Suedes sat down before Abbo though they were there hard matched and sometimes overmatched by the Danes for as yet that part of the Country had not felt the Danish cruelty though if they had prospered they should not long have escaped the same The Castle of Steckburg after above half an years siege was taken by Arvidus the Governour whereof being committed to Prison after he had lain there two moneths he submitted to Gustavus and sware Fealty to him The Governour of the Isle of Gothland being ignorant of these passages came with a Fleet well provided to relieve the Castle but when he came to the Promontory he was suddenly assailed by the Suedish ships which lay behinde the same and after the loss of six hundred of his men he was glad to betake him to his wings Shortly after Arvidus was sent with part of his Army to block up Calmar the rest being sent to the Camp before Stockholme For the Danish Admiral after the late defeat having repaired his losses with a new supply of men and ships came to the relief of them in Stockholme and the Danes being strengthened by this recruit sallied out of the City and beat up one of the Suedish Quarters so that for a moneths space the City remained disingaged Gustavus now finding by experience that Stockholme was a morsel too big for him to swallow without further strength he bent his principal industry for the recovery of other places Garrisoned by the Danes and amongst other places the City of Nicopen was at length yeelded up to him by the Governour Henry Canzow with whom Letters were found from the Danish Tyrant which required him to put to death all the Suedes that came into his power especially those of
account of Religion which his Father had changed into the Lutheran way and they hoped the sonne would the rather uphold it This the Bishops smelt out and sought the advancement of the Popish Religion and therefore would have the Government managed by Administratorship and in their own names they published Injunctions wherein they required all the Lutheran Preachers to depart out of the Country by a day prefixed This being like to fall heavy upon the Cities of Hafnia and Malmogia who yet were loath to make a breach they prevailed to have the Government by Administratorship advanced and withall invited Christian Duke of Holst to be Administrator for John the former Kings son but he disclaimed it Then they had recourse to and prevailed with the Duke of Aldenburgh who professed the Doctrine of Luther to accept thereof who thereupon came to Hafnia with a party and when he was there perceiving many whisperings about the restoring of their deposed King the Duke to gain the greater party declared his willingness for the resettlement of him whereby he won much upon the common people For Christian drove on the same trade in Denmark as he had formerly done in Sueden flattering the people into a party against the Lords which as an Historian saith is the ready way to Tyranny Woolweaver though he was more passionate than wise takes this opportunity and sides with the Duke of Aldenburgh and prevails with him to engage against the Duke of Holst who had divers of the Lords of Denmark that joyned with him to make him King but in this the Duke of Aldenburghs expectation was frustrated for he lost the day and was beaten out of the Field by the Duke of Holst And now was the Duke of Holst brought upon the stage to act his part for the Crown of Denmark thereby to procure his own rest and safety and observing that the King of Sueden was left out of the play he invites him to bear a part in the Game for Woolweavers sake The King of Sueden well knowing his own interest made little difficulty of the matter and though Woolweaver endeavoured to stop that muse by a fair message yet the King would not so be perswaded but told the messengers of their Masters entertainment of the Suedish Runnegadoes and so dismissed them and being informed that the people in Denmark sided with the Duke of Aldenburgh for their deposed King he thought it not fit to dally any longer but forthwith falls with an Army into the Danish Territories and possessed himselves of divers places for the use of the Duke of Holst The Danish Lords also seeing which way the current ran and themselves deserted by the people joyned with the Duke of Holst and engaged him for the Crown in good earnest In the mean time the Duke of Aldenburgh seeing what interest he had with the common people thought all safe and therefore took his ease and enjoyed his pleasure But the Duke of Holst did not so he sent the Danish Lords into Jutland with an Army who soon settled that Country and from thence marched into Fionia where in one Battel all the Duke of Aldenburghs hopes were dashed and the Earle of Hoy was sacrificed to the King of Suedens pleasure the Archbishop of Upsal also and divers other disaffected Suedes were slain in the Battel The news hereof coming to Lubeck made Woolweaver once more tack about and hearing that Suanto the son of Steno Stur sometimes Governour of Sueden was in the Duke of Saxonies Court he suborned a messenger to him as from his Mother to meet her at Malla where it was said she waited with convenience for him Hereupon he repaired to Malla where instead of meeting with his Mother he was met with by a Troop of Horse from Lubeck who offered him in the name of the City great honours if he will be advised by them and so by surprisal they conveyed him to Lubeck where he was saluted by Woolweaver the Consul with great expressions of joy who minded him of the unsetled state of the Northern Kingdomes and of the private disaffection of the Suedes to their King Adding that now there was a fair opportunity offered to him to recover the Government of Sueden which place was so famously managed by his Ancestors That Lubeck had an Army in readiness wanting onely his consent to be their Leader That it was expected that he should now shew himself worthy of such Progenitors But Suanto had sworn Allegiance to Gustavus and meant to observe it and therefore refused the proffers and demanded liberty to depart or else that Woolweaver would shew cause why he was detained Prisoner Woolweaver seeing no good was to be done told him that he was no prisoner and that it was free for him to go when and whither he pleased only earnestly desiring that where ever he went he would retain a favourable opinion of the City The King of Sueden being informed of these passages was thereby sharpened in the pursuit of the Duke of Holsts interest upon the main land of Schonen and in a short time brought all the Country to submit to him onely the City of Malmogia and some other neighbouring Castles held out for the Duke of Aldenburgh from whom they expected relief and accordingly the Duke with the Duke of Oldenburgh and the Duke of Mecklenburgh joyning all their strength together resolve to adventure all upon the issue of one Battel with the King of Sueden wherein their Army was utterly and irrecoverably overthrown so that within a few dayes all the Country was wholly for the Duke of Holst which but a week before was quite of another temper Haffnia had now been besieged above half a year by the Duke of Holst which City was only left as the gleaning of the War and wherein the last strength of the Dukes of Aldenburgh Oldenburgh Mecklenburgh and of the City of Lubâ—ck was now contracted All this while Christian the deposed King had time enough to try the curtesie of the house of Burgundy but none of that house would stir in his behalf and which was more unhappy for the besieged the affairs of Lubeck were faced about to the Reer For the Hans-Towns in their general meeting perceiving that the affairs of Lubeck had for these five years last past been wholly swayed by Woolweaver under a pretence of Religion and that the City by that means was brought into such difficulties that they knew not how to come off either with credit or safety they therupon concluded according to the counsel sent by the Emperor to the City that the former Government should be restored at Lubeck not at all medling with the matter of Religion and because they would salve the credit of Woolweaver they commended him to the Government of Bergeridoffe Woolweaver was not therewith contented and therefore at his departure out of the City vowed revenge and the Senate at Lubeck being now changed considering the restless spirit
36. that then every man shall be judged Jude 15. and every secret thing shall be brought to light Rom. 2. 16. and that the judgement will be most just and so confessed by all Rom. 2. 5 6. why then should I fear the last Judgement seeing he shall be my Judge who is my Brother Advocate and Redeemer He that was willingly judged for me will give no hard sentence against me yea he hath already absolved me from my sins and given me the earnest of his Spirit and the seal of the Sacraments and I have judged my self that I may not be condemned with the world 1 Cor. 11. 32. I do beleeve that the glory of Heaven is unspeakable and incomprehensible by us here on earth 1 Cor. 2. 9. that is it eternal Matth. 25. 45. and that it is the gift of God proceeding onely from his free Grace not our merit Luke 12. 32. his free gift bestowed onely upon the Elect Rev. 21. 27. O that I could by the effectualness of contemplation behold the greatness of this felicity which is provided for me yet as I can conceive it I cannot choose but long to be absent from hence that I may be present with the Lord 2 Cor. 5. 8. whos 's admirable beauty I shall clearly see and know as I am known and that with a perfection both of holiness and happiness such holiness as will not onely free me from all sin but from all possibility of sinning such happiness as that ceasing from all labour and sorrow I shall enjoy an eternal Sabbath and shall be free to all the treasures of Heaven and with the fruition of Gods glorious presence shall enjoy the sweet society of all the glorified Saints and Angels And all this as it is unuterable so it is unalterable For as I cannot be disappointed of it because it is certain so I cannot be deprived of it because it is eternal How then should the hope of the future life but swallow up the afflictions of the life present and why should I fear Death when being dead I shall be so blessed Yet was not her Faith elevated so high but that she could readily apply it to promises of an inferiour degree For as she trusted in God at all times as David teacheth Psal. 62. 8. so did she in all things whether temporal or eternal In straits and difficulties for the affairs of this life she had that ready at hand Commit thy way unto the Lord trust also in him and he shall bring it to pass Psal. 37. 5. If at any time she was sinisterly censured by any one her faith applied that promise to her heart He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light and thy judgement as the noon day Psal. 35. 6. And whatsoever it were that came upon her as a cross her faith was either as a wreathe betwixt her shoulders and it that it did not pinch her or a remover of it from her self to him who was best able to bear it by vertue of that Warrant Psal. 55. 22. Cast thy burthen upon the Lord and he shall sustain thee and that done her faith which teacheth to keep an eaven pace with the promises not making haste Isa. 28. 16. by anticipating the time of accomplishment taught her soul to wait upon God as Davids did Psal. 62. 1. to effect his own work at his own time in his own way and manner wherein she would not prescribe any thing at all By this daily exercise of her Faith she gained a great deal of freedome and lightsomness of spirit which admirably appeared in her deportment upon great disappointments of that which was her own due and unexpected payments unto others when she hath seen no way of supply for the present occasions she hath believed that Gods providence would effect what her forecast could not when she was not wanting in the use of means and that he could furnish her with that which should be sufficient albeit for the present she saw not how nor by what means it would come to pass and therefore when she had done what belonged to her duty in the affiance of her Faith she rested quiet and remained cheerful and slept neither the less nor the worse for it and that which confirmed her confidence the more was that she still found by experience that God was most worthy to be trusted That her Faith was as good as it was great appeared by the effect of it in her Devotion and Piety which was suitable to her knowledge of God and her faith in him by both which as she had a clear apprehension of him so none had more dear and devout affections to him or more assured signs of such than she as appeared in these particulars She was frequently and fervently conversant with God besides the publick in her private supplications and therein was he most favourably familiar with her for he sent forth his Spirit into her heart whereby she cried Abba Father Gal 4. 6. The Spirit of Grace and Supplication Zach. 12. 10. which enabled her in an extraordinary manner and measure to pour out her soul into his bosome and though she duely esteemed of the solemn prayers of the sacred Assemblies whereof a learned and pious Divine said that never any one prayed well privately who contemned or neglected the publick prayers of the Church and never sleighted or censured set forms of Prayer yet could she and that excellently well conceive Prayer and vary her Petitions as the present occasion did require Yea in this Devotion she was so abundant in apt and pertinent expressions that indeed it was admirable that one so silent in her common conversation with the world should be so fluent and eloquent in her entercourse with God Nor was she more copious in speech than fervent in spirit For such was her holy violence in Prayer as that she seemed not to knock at Heaven Gate for another to open it but to make a battery upon it her self and to break in by the powerful importunity of her supplications Her service also of God in this kinde was no dry Devotion but steeped and drenched in showres of tears and though her prudence used as much privacy as might be herein yet such a singular gift could not be hid from her servants and some secret female friends who sometimes when they were sick or possessed with fears or pains of child-birth they would move her with importunity to pray with them and when she yeelded to them and God to her by answering her request they were apt as there was cause to impute the good effect to her fervent supplications A female friend of hers who was her bed-fellow in London for many weeks together and thereby was a partaker of her daily Devotions professed that she was so plentifully furnished for utterance of her requests to God that she never wanted variety of meet words to be presented unto him but when a surcharge of sighs and
the poor of their right that he added much of his own distributing sixpences and shillings even when he had no money in bank He had not onely the testimony of his own conscience and of good men for his upright and just dealing but even of such who had little goodness in them A prophane Gentleman jeeâ—ing at his heavenly discourses another of good quality though of little piety replyed Well Gentlemen you may laugh at him but on my conscience he meaneth well and whosoever of us goeth to Heaven shall meet Mr. Jurdaine there He was a man that made conscience of all the duties and exercises of Religion both in private and in publick His frequent discourses of Heaven and the way thereunto and assurance of his interest therein did declare that his heart and conversation were much in Heaven He used 〈◊〉 take occasion to confer of spiritual and heavenly things with all sorts of men that he conversed with One should seldome hear him speak but of heaven and heavenly things His heart was so full of heaven that he could not but utter and breath it forth in his discourses with men and especially with those whose hearts and faces were towards Heaven When he was at Table receiving his dayly food he did usually minister occasion of holy discourses and diverted vain and unprofitable talk to such edifying speeches as might minister grace to the hearers according to that exhortation Eph. 4. 29. He took occasion from earthly things to speak of heavenly as from the sweetness of the creatures to speak of the infinite sweetness which is in God from feasting on earth to the sitting down with Abraham Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdome of heaven Matth. 8. 11. and feasting with God and his blessed Saints there And when the Table-cloath was taken away he would often say In heaven there is no taking away here we are soon satisfied and cloyed but there will be such a feast that we shall be continually delighting our souls with it without any cloying And his manner was to close his meals with singing some short Psalm He delighted much in reading good and holy books and especially that Book of books the sacred Scriptures wherein he most delighted and thereby shewed that he had the property of a godly man set down Psal. 1. 2. 119. 97. The word of God was his meditation all the day long yea both day and night He did not onely read the Bible above twenty times over but he read it with special observation as appeareth by the Asterisks and marks in the Bible which he used making particular application to himself The like course he took in reading over that usefull Book of Mr. Rogers his seven Treatises and other practical books wherein he was very conversant and his collections out of several Authours do abundantly testifie And he took so much delight in reading that voluminous and excellent Book of the Acts and Monuments of the Church that upon occasion he told a Friend that he had read it seven times over His zeal for God and his glory and against Idolatry prophaneness and other evils whereby God was highly dishonoured was most eminent and remarkable He was a man of an Anti-Laodician temper he had well learned the Apostles direction Rom. 12. 11. To be fervent in spirit serving the Lord and not the time He was far unlike Ignatius Loiola the Founder of the Order of Jesuits who was a man of fire that was set on fire by â—ell to promote the cause of the Prince of darkness but he had an holy fire kindled in his heart from heaven whereby he did burn with zeal for the advancement of Gods glory and an holy indignation against sin and errour He would if it had been possible have burnt up all the dross and fiâ—th that corrupted the Truths of God and that was contrary to the wayes of holiness and therein he was very like to Ignatius the Martyr Neither did his zeal carry him beyond knowledge like that of the Jews Rom. 10. 2. when in his zeal he used often to cry out Fie upon discretion For he condemned only that counterfeit pretence of discretion which was taken up and pleaded against true and regular zeal And truly if carnal discretion be set up and cried up like the worldlings Idol it is the part of true Christian zeal to cry it down He was a very strict and conscientious observer and sanctifier of the Christian Sabbath or Lords Day He did then rise very early as on other dayes if not earlier and called upon those in his Family to rise early on that day saying This is Gods day and as we do expect that our servants should rise early to go about our work on our dayes so God expects our early rising on his Day to go about his work and service And he used carefully to attend upon Gods holy Ordinances The feet of them that dispenced the Gospel were beautiful in his eyes as Rom. 10. 15. more beautiful than their faces to many others He was one of those Saints that sate down at Gods feet to receive his word Deut. 33. 3. as Disciples used at the feet of their Teacher implied Act. 22. 3. and he was very desirous and willing to learn of any that came with the Lords message unto him He was a Mâ—ason an old Disciples Act. 21. 16. yea a Disciple when he was old It never came into his heart to cast off Ordinances no not when he had attained to an high measure towards perfection He was a constant writer of Sermons even when he was old and that not for his own benefit alone but for the good of his Family to whom he did constantly repeat the Sermons And if he found himself overtaken with drowsiness in hearing the word an infirmity incident to age his manner was to stand up and to rouse up himself that he might hear the more attentively He knew that Religion consisted not in hearing repetition and profession but in practice and therefore his care was to digest his hearing and knowledge into an holy conversation His love was so great to the Ministry of the word and the Lords holy Ordinances that he did intirely love and affect all faithfull and painfull Ministers though their gifts were but mean but he could not away with a lazie Ministâ—r though he was never so learned Where fidelity and learning meet together in one Minister Oh! how highly would he reverence him And being desirous not to go to Heaven alone but to draw others with him his usuall course was when he went with his Family to Gods house to make an exhortation to his children and servants that they should consider into whose presence they were going and whom they were to hear even that great God to whom they were to give an account of every word which they should hear and therefore he required them carefully to store it up for their practice and
his Court when he came after divers good admonitions given him he told him that though he was never so great a Gentleman he could no more go to Heaven whilest he took such courses than he could eat that stone pointing to a great stone in his Court and then required him to pay five shillings for his Oaths which he did Then he told him that he must put in sureties for the good behaviour This the Gentleman refused to do alleadging that he was a stranger Whereupon Mr. Jurdainâ— commanded the Constables to carry him away to prison till he would find sureties which accordingly they did and as he was going into the prison door he desired that he might return back again and he would give Bail When he came to Mr. Jurdainâ— to do it he again gave him many good instructions and the Gentleman though he was a man of a very high spirit gave him many hearty thanks for his good counsell and promised amendment for the time to come The Master of Bridewell could witness how many disorderly persons were sent thither by Mr. Jurdains Warrants more than by any other Justices in his time The Stocks and Whipping-post could testifie what swearers drunkards unclean persons and such like notorious offendors were punished principally by his indifferent execution of justice And if any of the offenders that were liable to the censure and penalty of the Law desired to be spared he would tell them Here be my children whom I dearly love and yet if any of them should commit such offences they should suffer as you must do and therefore I cannot remit of the penalty of the Law What excuses or fair pretences soever they made he caused the Law to be executed upon them yea and that the more severely because of the greatness of the crime and the greater dishonour that redounded to the Name of the most high God thereby When some scandalous offenders for the gross sin of uncleanness were accused and questioned before the Court and some present for by-respects pleaded for them desiring to have them spared he wished the Watchmen that were at the Gates to keep out the Plague it being a time wherein some neighbour-Towns were infected should be called home For saith he the Plague is in the Guild-Hall of the City Adding further that if they did not execute the Law upon them he would complain of them to the Council Table And thereupon after much contest there was Order taken for their severe and just punishment He was ever very vigilant especially in the year of his Mayoralty when the government of the City lay upon him both to prevent and remove disorders Insomuch as he would go himself with the Constables to search for idle and disorderly persons on Sabbath dayes at night and at the end of the Assizes and Sessions and in Fair weeks c. Yea he did not only execute justice but he shewed himself zealous therein manifesting the greatest indignation against those evils whereby God was most highly dishonoured as swearing and Sabbath-breaking Indeed swearing was most odious unto him and had there been a greater penalty than was at that time appointed by the Law of the Land he would most readily have inflicted it But by his punishing as many as were brought before him it struck such an awe into the generality as that some that lived at that time in the City and near the place of the greatest concourse of people the Corn-market observed that they did not hear an Oath sworn for many years together He did not only maintain his zeal against swearing and swearers of the ordinary sort and rank of men but even of the highest that came within the verge of his authority As for example A Gentleman of great quality and much favoured at Court was heard to swear five or six times in the City Mr. Jurdaine having notice of it sent some Constables to demand the penalty for swearing The Gentleman was of an high spirit and at this time accompanied with the chiefest of the County of Devonshire and there were divers hot spirits about him The Constables pressed towards the room where he was saying that Mr. Jurdaine had sent them to demand the aforementioned penalty and it was like to have broken forth into a great and dangerous contest but a prudent Gentleman of a more moderate temper and one that feared an Oath stepped forth to them and told the Constables that this Gentleman was of an high and impatient spirit and had great company about him I fear therefore said he that the event may be of sad consequence if you pursue your intentions at this time yet the Constables seemed unwilling to depart till they had what they came for the Gentleman seeing this said I will now pay the six shillings to you for him and I promise you faithfully that I will take a convenient time to admonish the Knight when it shall do him more good than the rigorous exaction of the penalty of the Law can at this time and so they departed It is credibly related that Mr. Jurdaine being summoned to appear in the Star-chamber for an act of Justice wherein it was supposed that he went somewhat beyond the strict letter of the Law being there in the presence of some of his Judges who were Noble men and hearing them to swear divers Oaths he told them that they must pay for every oath that they had sworn or otherwise he would make it farther known When he was Mayor of Exeter he did much reform the open prophanation of the Sabbaths For whereas the Hullers had wont to set their Mills agoing on the Sabbaths he put a stop upon them for that whole day knowing that that whole day was to be dedicated to God and his worship and service and whereas it was usuall to sell fruit and herbs and other things on the Lords holy day as also Bowling Cudgel-playing and other prophane pastimes were then much used by his zeal and vigilancy and by the care of other Officers under him they were wholly left off though not without much reluctancy opposition and some danger at the first for there were commotions and tumults and great resistance made against him but by his constant zeal for God and his day and Gods blessing upon the same they were at last suppressed and quelled And not onely when he was Mayor but ever after being a Justice of Peace in which Office he continued for twenty and four years he was much taken up in the execution of Justice yea sometimes for the whole day from morning till night So that he did not onely execute Judgement in the morning as Jer. 21. 12. after he had been with God in the Mount of heavenly meditation but all the day long as Moses sate to judge the people and the people stood before Moses from the morning untill the evening Exod. 18. 13. And when he was out of power as a Justice he discovered his
zeal as a Christian against prophane swearing and for the strict observation of the Sabhath wherein there is a remarkable instance of both at once and it was this Mr. Jurdaine returning from the Parliament in the company of a person of Honour he was invited by him to stay at his house that night being Saturday and the Sabbath following he having observed that Noble personage to swear as they travelled together told him that he would not go into his house for that he was a Swearer and he feared that the house would fall upon his head Answer was returned that he need not fear that for the house was newly built a fair and strong house To this he replied yea but the flying Rowl of Curses shall enter into the house of Swearers and shall consume the timber and stones of it But to obtain his company the Lord pressed the inconveniencies of his lodging in an Inne on the Sabbath day Mr. Jurdaine replied But I will never go into your house unless you will engage your self that no Oath shall be sworn â—nor cursing uttered by yourâ— your Lady nor none of your servants or Family This was faithfully promised Yea but then said Mr. Jurdaine how shall the Sabbath be kept the answer was That he should have an honest Sermon in the forenoon And what in the afternoon said he Except we shall have a good Sermon in the afternoon also I will not go in That likewise was granted and as it is said all was faithfully performed He was not for judgement only but for mercy also and he shewed mercy to the souls of them that were brought before him as transgressors of the Law and to be punished according to their demerits For he would labour to convince them of the hainousness of their offences that so he might bring them to a sight of their sins and to repentance for the same He did much encourage the Officers under him to a diligent and faithfull discharge of their duty and indeed they stood in much need of it meeting with many discouragements from some others and when he found them somewhat backward through timerousness or other by-respects to execute his Warrants upon persons of high place he would exhort them to be active and forward in doing their duty telling them In good earnest for that was his usuall word that if he had as good a Warrant from God as they had from him to apprehend offenders if he were required to apprehend the Devil himself he would not be backward to put it in execution His zeal was not only in distributive justice as a Magistrate but he was conscienciously carefull as a Christian in commutative justice in his commerce and dealings with men wherein he made the Word the rule of his practice and if he found at any time that he had swerved from that rule he would retract it that so neither his own conscience nor other men might reproach him for walking disorderly and besides the rule and that appeared not only by his avoiding all usurious Contracts but also in making restitution of all that had been gotten thereby He had sometimes taken usury for Money lent to a person about Lime which he had received for divers years for at that time he held it lawfull by reason of the practice which he had observed in some forreign States and the concurrent judgements of some Divines of note who spake in favour thereof but upon his perusall of the Writings of other godly Divines of our Nation and by conference with some worthy Ministers of his acquaintance he was so convinced of the unlawfullness of usury that he did not only forbear the practice of it for the future but restored the interest formerly taken and took no more for the loan of Money than the party borrowing would voluntarily give him He did much bewail the common course of too many who sin against God both in getting and spending their worldly estates For said he as they get it unjustly and by indirect means so for the most part they spend it leudly and lavishly in satisfying their sinfull lusts Neither was he more famous for justice than he was for charity and that both in his life and at his death In his life-time he was a free-hearted man and open-handed He was a great patron of the poor Another Job in that respect He could truly say with him as Job 30. 25. Was not my soul grieved for the poor No doubt it was and the bowels of his compassion did yearn towards them He was an Advocate and did earnestly plead for them and especially for Gods poor honest poor persons whose hearts and faces were set Godward and Heavenward and his hands were very open to relieve them He did that for them which many of far greater estates had not hearts to do He would often say that he wondered what rich men meant that they gave so little to the poor and raked so much together for their children Do you not see quoth he what becomes of it and would reckon up divers examples of such as heaped up much for their children and they within a short time had scattered and consumed all and on the other side he often spake of such as had small beginnings and afterwards became rich or of a competent estate giving a particular instance in himself I came said he but with a groat or six pence in my purse to this City had I had a shilling in my purse I had never been Mayor of Exeter And therefore leave children but a little and they by Gods blessing on their labour and industry may become rich But leave them a great deal and they are in danger to be beggars His care for the poor was most remarkeable in the time of the great Plague in that City which was anno Christi 1625. For in the Maiors absence he was chosen his Lieutenant or Deputy and he seeing the deplorable condition of the City accepted of it and then he wrote divers Letters to many Towns in Devonshire and to some in Dorset and Sommersetshire by which meanes he procured severall summes of Moneys for the suppliall of the wants of the many hundreds of poor that at that time were in a very distressed estate One that was an eye-witness related that he had seen morning after morning coming to his door sometimes thirty sometimes forty yea fifty or sixty or more wringing their hands some crying that their husbands were dead Others that their wives were dead Others that their children were dead and that they had not any thing wherewithall to bury them Some again cried that their Families were sick and they had not wherewithall to relieve them Others that they had divers children but they neither had bread nor Money to buy it for them Some cried for bread Some for Physick Others for Shroudes for their dead and he not only heard them patiently but his bowels yearned towards them and his hands were
of Mr. Thomas Manton who knew him well who speaks thus of him Mr. Ignatius Jurdaine may in some sense be stiled the wonder and Phoenix of his age and place of abode concerning whose piety and frequent communion with God his constant heavenliness his charity in giving lending and entertaining his doing justice with impartiality and diligence we have already heard and therefore give me leave only to suggest a few other passages and observations 1. That for his temper he was a man of a raised zeal and heroicall spirit one of those rare examples which the Lord giveth the world now and then and therefore his actions are not to be measured by an ordinary standard 2. Seldome or never did any come into his company but he would discourse with them about holy things asking the younger sort how they did hope to be saved The more grown if they professed Religion whether they had any assurance which if they denied he would tell them that he was even ashamed of them In good earnest would he say I would study the Promises and go into my Closet and lock the door and there plead them to God and say that I would not go forth till he gave me some sense of his love 3. His entertainment at his Table was free and sufficient but frugall and sober If his Wife at any time excused the slenderness of it he would say Brown bread and Kennel water is good fare with the Gospel I have oft heard him say so There is somewhat a like saying of Mr. Greenhams and possibly Mr. Jurdaine might borrow it thence it suiting so well with the temper of his spirit 4. A formall man had once preached a Sermon at the Cathedrall about Heaven the discourse was for the most part frothy and beneath the dignity and worth of such an Argument Mr. Jurdaine was present as well as my self After Sermon I went to his house being to receive a Letter from him to Oxford and after many good instructions he asked me if I had been at the Sermon that morning I told him yea And did you said he hear those wonderfull things which God hath provided for them that love him And so he readily picked out all those passages which were any way subservient to use and profit It was wonderfull to me to see how an holy heart could draw comfort out of any thing The Sermon as Mr. Jurdaine repeated to me was another kind of Sermon and seemed to be savoury and spirituall I remember with what warmth and vigour he spake of it even till this day and hope that I shall never forget it 5. This is not to be forgotten his sending a Letter to the late King and expostulating with him about setting forth the Book concerning sports and recreations on the Lords dayes which was inclosed in another to the Bishop of Exeter to desire him to convey it and notice being given to the Bishop that Copies of it were divulged possibly by the Transcriber he thought he could not conceal it with safety and therefore carried it to the King who when he had read it in a great anger said He would hang him But the Bishop a pious man fell upon his knees and besought his Majesties pardon alleadging That God had not a better servant nor his Majesty a better Subject in the whole Land When the Bishop returned from his moneths attendance Mr. Jurdaine went to visit him and after civilities past the Bishop said Ah Mr. Jurdaine would you put me upon so hot a service You know there are many eyes upon me meaning the Archbishops party who suspected him as a favourer of Puritans Yea my Lord said Mr. Jurdaine there are eyes upon you the eyes of God and his holy Angels to see how you discharge your duty and office as the Kings Chaplain and Bishop of the Church 6. Now and then when he had leasure he would usually go to his neighbours shops and admonish them to take heed that the cares of the world did not deaden their spirits to heavenly things telling them if they had many thousands it would not still the cry of conscience purchase the least favour from God nor so much as ease the pain of the teeth or keep off one fit of an Ague yea if money were thrown to the Dogs they would not so much as smell at it 7. He would often perswade his Fellow-Magistrates to a liberal provision for the poor and when they would ask him where they should have money He would answer God will provide rather than the poor shall want let us sell our Gowns 8. When he did distribute money to the poor with his own hands in a time of great infection and some asked him if he were not afraid of the Plague What said he afraid of Gods Visitation Let us fear rather the Plague-sore of our owne hearts 9. In his troubles in the Star-chamber when one told him he was sorry that the Lord Keeper was against him He answered I have a greater Lord Keeper than him The Lord is my Keeper I shall not be afraid 10. It is not amiss to set down what others thought of him I remember a godly man observed him that in every business though he advenfar the Lord carried him through with reputation and so compared him with another of great parts who though godly was alwayes toiled in every undertaking Drunkards and frequenters of Ale-houses were afraid of him He was their usual Bugbear their memento in the middle of their excess was Its time to be gone Mr. Jurdaine will come by and by The ordinary sort of men were convinced of his integrity insomuch as carnal and vicious men at a time of election of Burgesses for Parliament would say one to another If you choose any choose Jurdaine he will be right for the Commenwealth and will do the City service He was twice chosen Burgess for the Parliament and once Mayor of the City and once Deputy Mayor in a time of great Infection by the Pestilence The Reverend Minister that preached his Funeral Sermon amongst others had this expression Look upon his Will and you will think him the richest man in the City Though many exceeded him in estate but few or none in making provision for the poor Delinquents seldome went from him without conviction A Noble mans servant that had scorned him being brought before him and convicted for having sworn rashly three times Mr. Jurdaine demanded his Fine and shewed him the hainousness of the sin with which the man was calmed and though he came from his companions braving yet he returned with the acknowledgement that he was a good Justicer and when they asked him what Jurdaine did to him he answered He gave me good Law and fair words I have heard above thirty years ago that some godly persons in Exeter were convented before the Bishops Court for keeping some private dayes of Humiliation whereupon Mr. Jurdaine went to the Bishop who was a godly man to
the Lord make his face shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace And bid her serve God and pray duly to him both morning and evening and fear his Name and then said she I doubt not but God will bless you as he hath blessed me In the evening of the same day she commanded her younger Daughter to be brought her and to be put upon the bed in a kneeling posture and then putting her hand on her shoulder she gave her also the same blessing as she had given to her sister Four dayes before her death she grew a little better which put her Friends in some hope of her recovery but the day following her sickness seized on her again and so continued upon her that she slept no more till she slept the sleep of death and together with her sickness her Piety Devotions and comforts encreased in her In the last night of her life presently after midnight feeling death now approaching she sent for her Husband and Family out of their beds and told him when he came to her that she was now leaving the world and him and expressed in many words her great devotion faith and assurance of that everlasting life which she now was shortly to enjoy and desired that they might now all pray together which they did she still expressing much devotion and comfort and after an hour spent in those passages she desired that the Bell might be tolled for her and some Gentlewomen of her neighbours coming to her before them she expressed her comforts and assurances of everlasting life as before and with increase and therein and in prayers they continued till near the rising of the Sun After this she seemed for a wh'le willing to slumber and closed her eyes and so lay for a little while but then turned her head to the other side of the Pillow and after a few restless turnings she said what the Prophet Micha had said before her Mich. 2. 10. There is no rest in this world and then opening her eyes after some expressions of the comfort which she felt distinctly knowing all that were present and speaking to them all she seemed to slumber again and after a little time spake these words Come let us go let us go repeating those words several times which she spake not in a slumber but being awake and as perfect in her understanding and memory as at any time in her life And it is a comforttable opinion that Divines teach from Luke 16. 22. that the Angels do attend on Gods children especially at the time of their dissolution to conduct their souls from earth to heaven which opinion she sometimes in her sickness related to her Husband and added that she had heard it from the Pulpit and had read it in some Books and she believed it to be true and comforted her self with it After a little time she called for some drink and having taken it it began to alter her as it seems she felt in her self for she presently laid her self back on her Pillow and lifting up her eyes towards Heaven she said Lord have mercy upon me Lord Jesus receive my soul and so continued moving her lips and her tongue but her words were not heard and then held up one hand and then joyned both her hands together holding them up with her eyes still heaven-ward till her strength failing her she laid down her hands by her and stretched her self in the bed without any help and sweetly fell asleep about seven a clock in the morning August the 15. Anno Christi 1646. And August the 24. she was decently and solemnly laid in her bed of rest the house as Job saith appointed for all the living Job 30. 23. where the weary are at rest where the wicked cease from troubling and hear not the voyce of the oppressor Job 3. 17 18. The Life and Death of Mrs. Margaret Corbet who dyed Anno Christi 1656. IF we enquire into the Relations of this Gentlewoman either by Affinity or Consanguinity or both sides the Families are ancient of renown and good reputation Concerning the Family from whence she was descended her Father was Sir Nathaniel Brent late Warden of Merton College a learned Knight whose great pains and dangerous adventures to procure the History of the Councel of Trent which he translated into English are to be remembred with an honourable mention and for his faithful discovery of Jesuitical juglings his name will be had in honour when the names of the Popish party will rot Her Mother the Lady Martha Brent was a Lady of a Gracious spirit abounding in love meekness humility love to Gods Ordinances and Gods Children Her delight with David was in the society of Saints She imitated her worthy Father in the sweetness of disposition who was Dr. Robert Abbot that learned and godly Bishop of Sarum who was Malleus Baptismi Armianismi the Hammer of Popery and Arminianisme His excellent Works or Monuments of his Honourable memory To be born of a godly Family and to be well descended is a mercy not to be neglected Mr. Philpot a zealous Martyr being a Kings Son and an Archdeacon told his adversaries that he was a Gentleman Anabapâ—istical parity and Levelling designs are worthily to be abhorred and looked upon as a ready way to confusion rapine and violence So then we see that she was a Gentlewoman every way well descended Her Ancestors were persons of Honour and from them she had the benefit of an ingenuous and liberal Education This is much but it s more when I say that she came of a godly stock and of praying Relations and indeed this is that which ennobles Nobility it self God in mercy began with this Gentlewoman betimes even about the fourteenth year of her age Then God gave her a willing minde and purpose of heart to serve him in the dayes of her youth Insomuch as she was swift to hear the word of God she waited diligently at the posts of Wisdomes Gate She wrote the Sermons which she heard a practice used by King Edward the sixth that rare English Josiah and she left many volumes of Sermons of her own hand-writing taken with great dexterity and these are as so many choise Monuments of her Industry She was much conversant in reading of the holy Scriptures which can make us wise unto salvation and she joyned with her reading prayer and meditation Her delight was in the word of God It was as with Jeremy the joy and rejoycing of her soul and with the reading of Scriptures she searched Expositors and Practical Divines and attained thereby to such a measure of Divine knowledge as enabled her to state some Questions of controversie for her better use and help of her memory and to discourse very soundly upon the most material points of Religion and even above her age and sexe to maintain the truth as occasion
was offered with strength of Argument against gain-sayers She was eminent for the grace of Humility and when I have said that she was of an humble spirit what can be said more This the Apostle would have us to be cloathed withall 1 Pet. 5. 7. Humility is the ornament of all Graces It s that Salt that seasons the best parts and graces So humble was the spirit of this excellent Gentlewoman that the poorest might have free access unto her and receive curteous language from her mouth and liberal almes from her heart and hand both being opened wide for their relief The observation of this humble deportment from her child-hood gained the heart of her dear Husband unto her long before she was ripe for her Marriage Her humble spirit evidently appeared by her condescending to them of low estate the servants in her Family the poorest and meanest in the Parish where she lived will bear witness to the truth of this particular She was of a meek and quiet spirit which as the Apostle saith 1. Pet. 3. 3. is in the sight of God of great price All her Relations will attest her meek deportment and how much she hated brawls and contentions Her very enemies if they would speak their consicences can testifie her readiness to pass by injuries So far she was from rendring reviling for revilings that she endeavoured to recâ—mpence â—vil with good and prayed for such as despitefully used her professing that it was the desire of her â—â—ul to do her very enemies all the Christian offices of love which lay in her power Special notice ought also to be taken of her Wisdome and Gravity in the ordering of her conversation Her discourses were savoury administring Grace to the hearers and tending to edification Her behaviour was modest and grave though she was of a cheerfull spirit yet it was without levity She was no tatler busie-body no medler in the affairs of others She was no gadder up and down from house to house hearing and telling of news as too many do to the wounding of the reputations of others The vain and frivolous discourse of some who came to visit her was an heavy burden and affliction to her spirit The dicourses of such as tended to the defaming and blasting others reputation were a great grief and trouble unto her and when she heard such discourses she would endeavour to turn the stream another way and move such discourse as might be profitable for the souâ—s good Her Love was very eminent towards all those that feared God she was with David a Companion to such a lover of their acquaintance who were the Saints the excellent ones Psal. 16. 3. Insomuch as when she apprehended any thing of God though in persons inclining to separation and of a contrary judgement from her she was so compassionate as to labour with much sweetness and candour to convince them of their errours and to wâ—n them to the truth imitating herein the holy practice of learned Musculus who gained some Anabaptists and Sectaries by kindness and benefits and 〈◊〉 them as much by love as by arguments Her holy Courage deserves special notice for though she was humble meek and loving yet she was stout and couragious in declaring her judgement upon just occasions before those whom she knew to be contrary minded hating compliance against conscience and doubting alwayes the soundness and sincerity of those who duâ—st not own their opinions She was much of her worthy Fathers temper in that particular who hath been often heard to say that a Coward can hardly be an honest man and much of Esters resolution desiring rather to suffer her self than sluggishly and silently to see the truths of God to suffer She was a praying Christian She was much in prayers and tears much in a sacred acquaintance and holy communion with God Her gift in prayer was very great She was much in her Closet alone and there much upon her knees An excellent patern for womens imitation which by no means should suffer that great duty to be omitted It was a Character of Paul when converted Act. 9. 11. Behold he prayes Praying Christians are the best Christians they are prevailing Christians and as Reverend and holy Mr. Dod was used to say Never dâ—spair of that person who can but pray She was â—ixed and 〈◊〉 in Religion having frequently read the Scriptures 〈◊〉 many â—ound orthodox and practical Divines she became settled rooted and grounded in the truth She was one that held fast her profession without wavâ—ing She was not 〈◊〉 about with every wind of Doctrine Eph. 4. 14. neither was she of their humours who for politick ends comply with all companies in their opinions She kept close to the publick Ministry where she lived there she heard the word faithfully dispensed She neither was of their opinion nor practice who out of I know not what kinde of singularity separate from the Ministry of a godly Pastor and Husband Her delight was very great in Gods Ordinances and she was glad when they said Let us go to the house of the Lord in company She had such an high esteem of and longing desire unto the house of God that when her strength failed her she would be carried thither by reason of lameness the feet of her body were weak but the feet of her soul her affections were strong nimble and vigorous Look upon her in her Relations as a Wife a Mother and Mistress and you shall see she was mindefull of her duty to God in them all Her great care and endeavour was to set up God in her Family in order whereunto she bestowed great pains in Catechising of her children and other near Relations committed unto her charge Her great design was to bring them all up in the fear and admonition of the Lord and to inculcate again and again that main and needfull lesson of Remembring their Creator in the dayes of their youth Much pains she took in Catechising and instructing her servants especially before they were to receive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper She used to examine them of the Sermons they heard and she customarily read over those Sermon Notes to them which she had taken â—t Church that so they might be the better prepared to give an account thereof to her Husband God was pleased to give her several Olive branches round about her Table well bred well Catechised and well governed and of very great hopes As Eunice and Lois instructed young Timothy so she instructed those hopefull little ones in the holy Scriptures and acquainted them with the knowledge of God in their tender years Thus according to Solomons counsel they were trained up in the way wherein they should walk Prov. 21. 6. and that even from their childhood insomuch as one of them though very young hearing a neighbour using the name of the Lord upon a sleight occasion reproved him for it alleadging the Commandement
of God against it Thou shalt not take the Name of God in vain And another of them reasoning with his fellows about God and the Devil professed that he had rather be in hell with God than in heaven with the Devil And a third who by reason of her age could not speak distinctly said in some discourse with her Father that God Almighty would not bless them who tell Fibbs meaning Lies and that she had rather dye than tell a Fibb so far had their Mothers instructions prevailed with them She was eminent for a charitable and bountifull spirit she was another Dorcas full of good works and Alms-dâ—eds That high Elogium that Solomon gives a vertuous woman may properly be applied unto her Many Daughters have done vertuously but she excelled them all Prov. 31. 29. Many there are that come far short of her but very few that went beyond her in the acts of Charity God gave her a liberal and plentifull estate and that was a great mercy but it was a far greater mercy that he gave her a liberal heart to do good and to distribute To cast her bread on the waters and to honour God with her substance That protestation which Job makes for his own vindication may fitly be applied unto her Job 31. 16 19. He would not with-hold the poor from their desire nor cause the eyes of the widow to fail He would not see any to perish for want of cloathing nor any poor without covering The whole Country round about where she dwelt will bear her witness that she visited and relieved the sick and cloathed the naked fed the hungry and healed the wounded Her purse her hand her heart were all open for their relief She bought many precious Drugs and cordial waters She made several precious salves and gave them all away to such as were in need of them She spared not her best pains being never aweary of well doing insomuch that in the extremity of her greatest sickness such bowels of compassion yearned in her she compounded several Medicines with her own hands and applied them Thus will her works praise her in the Gate and being dead she yet speaketh Prov. 31. 31. Heb. 11. 4. For her precious name liveth The Lord will have the name of the Righteous to be in everlasting remembrance Psal. 112. 6. and the memory of the just is blessed Prov. 10. 7. And precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints Psal. 116. 15. Now this rare Gentlewoman reaps the fruit of her serving of God and the whole harvest whereof she received onely the first fruits in this present world The usual saying is All is well that ends well Come we therefore to speak of her end Her life was holy and therefore her death must needs be happy It pleased the Lord to exercise her with a long and lingring sickness and amidst the weakness of the outward man God gave her great strength in her inward man though her limbs and outward strength failed her yet God was her strength and portion and he never failed her A few dayes before her distemper waxed high her Husband being from home she sent for all her Family both young and old to come in unto her chamber with whom she prayed near two hours with such pathetical heavenly Scripture-language as drew admiration and tears from those that were present She blessed her children counselled her servants heartily and affectionately commended her Husband unto God she wept and prayed and prayed and wept and could not easily part with the company nor yet leave off praying and weeping Upon the encrease of her distemper her spirit was much disturbed and some impertinent speeches did fall from her yet in the middest of all her impertinences Grace and the Spirit of God did eminently declare their Power and Sovereignty in her by many savoury and choice speeches and sweet breathings of her soul some of which are these that follow I was in the Devils claws but Jesus Christ the sweet Bridegroom of my soul the sweet Bridegroom of my soul these words she often reiterated the sweet Bridegroom of my soul hath delivered me At another time I am safe for Jesus Christ is at my heart and I would not part with him for ten thousand worlds Again Come Lord Jesus the Captain of my salvation ride on gloriously conquering and to conquer for me Satan Sin Hell Death and all mine enemies Afterwards again I was in Hell but now I am in Heaven I am in Heaven indeed indeed I am in Heaven I am in Heaven eternally I am in Heaven the habitation of Gods glory unto all eternity Much of this nature she did speak even when her understanding was so disturbed that she scarce did know her near Relations and those who did attend upon her in her Chamber And now all these things are worthy to be transmitted unto posterity and to be had in perpetual remembrance She was an eminently godly Gentlewoman being but little above Eight and twenty years of age when she dyed which was in the beginning of March Anno Christi 1656. But though she was young in years yet was she old in Grace She had lived long in a little time She was a mirror of her age and a renown of her sexe a pattern worthy of imitation She was the beloved faithfull wife of as an intirely loving and faithfull Husband She was a tender affectionate Mother to her own and no less carefull of those pledges committed to his charge She was a most dear Sister an affectionate Mistress carefull both of the bodies and souls of her servants that they should neither want corporal nor spiritual food Her profession was with Joshua Chap. 24. 15. Choose you this day whom you will serve But as for me I and my house we will serve the Lord. She was not onely a friend to her friends but a friend to her enemies even unto such as despitefully used her All the Country round about could not but look upon her whilst living as a publick gain and when dead as a publick loss She was very usefull whilst she lived and will be much missed now she is dead Two things were very eminent in her Setledness in Religion and holiness of conversation By her death the poor have lost a liberal Almoner the sick 〈…〉 a good Physitian the wounded have lost a 〈◊〉 Chirurgion the Husband hath lost a faithful Wife the children a tender Mother the servants a gracious Mistress and not any that knew her of all her neighbours and friends but they will finde a great loss and miss of her All that knew her loved her but onely such whose love is not worth the having She lived much desired and dyed much lamented For her to live was Christ and to die was gain Phil. 1. 21. She was honoured in her life and she was honoured at her death by a confluence of many persons of quality of the Gentry