the Apostle trembling and crying out Sir what shall I do to be saved To whom he was a Barnabas a son of sweet consolation and could so display the exceeding abundant riches of Divine grace in the Lord Jesus Christ as to draw and attract their hearts to a cheerful compliance with it and hearty acceptation of it He as a faithful Steward gave every one his portion terrour to whom terrour belonged and comfort to whom comfort whereby the Holy Ghost setting in with the Word a numerous issu of new born children were begotton to Christ. He preached there according to the command in season and out of season not only twice every Lords day but also every holy day and at Funerals though the persons interr'd were poor and nothing could be expected for his pains Whilst he was Minister of Otham many of Maidstone and others several miles about to my knowledge some seven or eight miles from Otham did ordinarily attend on his Ministry and joyn in Communion with him at the Lords Supper but the number that flockt after him which was so great that his Church would not hold them was a great eye sore to the prophane world and caused several of the Ministers about him to envy and maligne him CHAP. VIII His care to Sanctifie the Sabbath There was at Otham before his coming an ill custom for the Fulling Mills there abouts to work every Lords day but he convinced the owners so throughly of the unlawfulness thereof that they forbore presently and suffered their Mills to lie still on that day many years after he left them But the only wise God who governeth the world saw fit for some time to lay this usefull person aside for he had not been many years at Otham before the Book commonly called the Book of Sports on the Lords day came forth and was presented to him with a Command that he should publish it the next Lords day in his Church which he refused to do of which refusal he giveth the reasons which you may see in his answer to several Articles objected against him annexed to this Narrative and upon his refusal was suspended ab Officio Beneficio Upon his suspension his Cure was committed to such persons as he could not comfortably own or joyn with which caused him to remove his Habitation to Maidstone To the Christians there he was a great help whilst his suspension lasted and from them he received some support and supply for himself and his Family Whilst he was at Maidstone he still was solicitous for the good of his people at Otham and therefore to encourage them to unity and a Gospel conversation as also to convince his adversaries who had causelesly traduced him to be a savourer and a better of Schisms and Divisions he wrot a Letter to his Parish wherein the exhorted them to fear the Lord and the King and to walk in love c. and not to nourish in themselves any dislike of Government or contempt of those whom God had set over them c. Which Letter was read on a Lords Day in his Congregation by Dr. Tucke that all his Parishoners might know his judgement and the advice he judged necessary to give them without the appointment of Mr. Wilson The tidings of this Letter and the publick reading of it was soon carried to London and gave such a distast that both Mr. Wilson and Dr. Tucke were cited to appear before the High Commission Court and answer what they had done Both of them appeared several times to their great trouble and cost and were notwithstanding all they could alledge in their own defence forced to continue their attendance on the Court for the space of three years In this business Dr. Tucks trouble was the greater because his body unable to bear riding he was necessitated to make these long journeys of thirty miles and better on foot During Mr. Wilsons suspension a Neighbour Minister greedy of his Living commenced a Sute against him to eject him wholly out of Otham but his Patron Mr. Swinnoche made good his Title and so disappointed his Adversary CHAP. IX His appearance at a Visitation about the Prayer against the Scots HIs suspension continued till the year 1639. about which time the Scots entering England a Parliament was called and Archbishop Lawd took off his suspension But his sufferings were not at an end for in the year 1640. September 30. he and other Ministers were cited to appear at a Visitation of the Archbishops at Feversham in Kent to answer their not reading the Prayer against the Scots and also as they there heard to take the new devised Oath ex Officiam but when he and others of his Brethren presented themselves at the place they understood that the Oath should be wholly declined and the onely question should be why they did not read the forementioned Prayer Upon which they consulted together whether it were beâ—â— to appear before the Vicar General or no. â— was urged by some that the Parliament whom they apprehended would be some relief and shelter to them being to sit down on the 3 〈…〉 of November following it was but prudential for them to hold off at present and in case they were cited afterwards to Canterbury to appear only by a Proctour and protract time as much as might be But upon a serious weighing the reasons for and against their appearing it was concluded that they would appear and submit to the will of God however he should please to dispose of them Mr. Edward Bright of Gondburst and Mr. Wilson immediately repaired to the Inne where Sir Nathaniel Brent the Arch-Deacon and some inferiour Officers sat They no sooner appeared but Mr. Bright was pointed out by one present to the Arch-Deacon that knew him who presently asked him his name and whether he had read the Prayer against the Scots or no Mr. Bright answered No Whereupon the Arch-Deacon suspended him ab Officio Beneficio without admonishing him or giving him any time to consider of it which sudden act was deemed even by the Favourites of that Court to be neither prudential nor Canonical Though Mr. Wilson stood by when his Brother was suspended and perceived the service much hotter then he expected yet he did not flye from his colours or retreat in the least But being called answered to his Name and being asked whether he had read the Prayer gave a Negative answer with this reason Because in the Rubrick before the Common Prayer it was enjoyned that no Prayer should be publickly read except those that were in the Book of Common-Prayer but this Prayer against the Scots was not there This unexpected answer puzzled the Arch-Deacon being none of the readiest or accuted to reply and caused him to apply himself to Sir Nathan Brent who upon information of Mr. Wilsons reasons very ingeniously left the Arch-Deacon to himself and refused to meddle in it Upon which the Arch-Deacon the edge of his fury being
Mr. Robert Swinnocks to Supper By that time he had supped there would be hundred or more gathered together to Mr. Swinnocks house to joyn with him in the conclusion of the day Many times to my comfort I have seen two Rooms one considerable for largeness through which persons of all ranks the Mayor Jurates and their Wives by their patterns encouraging others to worship the great God After Supper he came among them begun with a short prayer then would read the Verses he had expounded in that day ask what observations were raised from such a Verse then proceed to the next so through all the Verses he had expounded forenoon and afternoon then enquire what the Text were the Doctrines the Explications Reasons Uses all in order as preached seldom named one head himself but still heartned them to speak and assisted them when they were at a loss then they sung a Psalm and he ended the day with prayer about ten a clock at night Once a month he administred the Lords Supper to a considerable number of solid serious Christians with that life and warmth in prayer and opening Scripture that some of his Communicants have thought themselves in the Suburbs of Heaven when they have joyned with him in that Ordinance in which he spent an hour and half commonly Thus he Sanctified the Lords Day spending nine or ten hours in publick and private Worship beside what time he spent in secret duties in which he was never niggardly so that the Sabbath which was a day of rest to others was a day of great pains and labour to him yet it was easie yea delightful to him and at the end of the day when those who took not half his pains have complained of their weariness he would be exceeding lively and chearful such was his great love to his Saviour and the souls committed to his charge The Sabbath day to him was a day of light and gladness and a good day CHAP. XV. The great pains he took with his people on the Week-days YEt he did not think it sufficient to Teach his people on the Lords Day but the Town being very populous and the Parish large and he rendred thereby uncapable of going from house to house on the Week-days he layd out himself in the service of his Lord for the henefit of his Parish Every Thursday their Market-day he preached a Lecture to which many Ministers came and with much delight sat under him On Frydays he met in private with as many of his people as would come together when sometimes he expounded the Scripture to them sometimes preached and always sung and prayed with them And also Mundays or Tursdays for his day was altered as he saw occasion he appointed a Conference in the publick Meeting place where the question being before propounded and known ex gr what was the nature of repentance or faith or what the sighness or what the means or what the motives to it his people prepared to speak to it and he by his wise courteous carriage and language won their hearts and drew them to Study the Scriptures and good Books that they might be able to speak to the purpose As they spake when he saw occasion he would help and assist them yet still take care to keep them in the way of Truth and that none did go beyond their bounds or incroach upon the Ministry After they had spoken he would gather together their scattered notions bring them into an orderly method apply to them sutable Texts of Scripture add what of his own he thought necessary and so render the meeting exceeding profitable and comfortable to his flock I have heard him at one of these Meetings when the question was about one of the petitions in the Lords Prayer to my great advantage and delight for Christian Communion mannaged with prudence is that which keeps our Religion in breath and without which it would be ready to die When he laid down this way of Conference instead thereof he set up Catechising on the Week-days in publick and this was continued till he had gone through the whole Town except some Families in the out bounds which Families he intended also to have Cathechized but was prevented He did work the work of him that sent him into the world spend himself as the Silk-worm to cloath and as the Lamp to direct others not to bury the Talent in the Napkin of idleness Indeed those Nurses Ministers I mean deserve the greatest condemnation who let their Children though they cry starve to death because they will not take the pains to draw out their breasts to them CHAP. XVI His diligence on all occasions to do good as also his way of Preaching HE was of a noble disposition very free upon the occasions to communicate knowledge to others not like a Whirlpool that sucks all to it self but as a Fountain to disperse its streams for the refreshment of many Seldom were any in his company but they might if it were not their own fault receive good by him He was neither vain in ostentation nor niggardly in reservation some might think he did ill to take so much pains on the Lords Days and on the Week-days constantly and on all occasions to the shortning of his life but he was sensible he could never labour enough for his Lord and that God make no difference between nequam nequaquam an idle and an evil servant Hence it was that when he was often advised by his friends to be mindful of his body and not to work it so hard he was deaf to all those advice and was ready to say with Calvin when counselled by his friends to take care of his health Would you have my Lord when he comes to find me idle and with Dr. Reynolds of Oxford when the Doctors persuaded him not perdere substantiam propter accidentia Noc propter vitam vivendi perdere causas I met him once at night at a friends house when he had travelled near fourty miles that day yet notwithstanding his great weariness he would spend some time in expounding Scripture to the Family beside singing and prayer which he never omitted before he went to bed St. Austins wish was that Christ when he came to call him by death might find him aut precautem aut predicautem either praying or preaching Truely such seem'd to be the desire of Mr. Wilson by his indefalligable laboriousness about his Masters business I never knew him given to any recreation though never so innocent but exceeding provident he was of his time A little after dinner he would sometimes sit and discourse but usually if he was at home his Study was his place of abode He was Hellno librorum an indefutigable Student stealing time from his sleep even when his body call'd for it for his Book It s said of Bradfrod that he slept not above four hours in the night and that his Book went not out of his hand till sleep came and
he exhorted to fear God be times and directing his speech to his eldest daughter he said Look to it that you meet me not at the day of Iudgment in an unregenerate estate He commended all his Children to the Lord and left them with him in much Faith in the Covenant which God had made to him and his When Christian Friends came to visit him he always laboured to require their kindness in Godly counsel and exhortations he wisht them to be frequent in reading the Scriptures to prize highly and meditate much on the promises to be holy and blameless in their conversations by no means to forsake but to stick close to ordinances and to hold on in communion with the people of God in the Town When Epictetus broke his leg it s reported of him he discoursed as if his soul had been in another mans body And when the bones of Mr. Wilson were sore vexed with the violence of his disease he would discourse in such a composed Heavenly manner as if he had ayled nothing When one or two of those who had separated from communion with him came to see him he did with much affection bewail their Schism prayed that God would bring them back again and told them that he could willingly lay down his life so they might joyn in Communion with the other Godly people in the Town As Iacob when he was dying worshipped leaning on his staff Heb. 11. 21. So he on his dying bed was frequent in praying to and praising his God It was but two nights before his death though he were very sick yet he made his bed his Pulpit out of which he preached to some that came to see him concerning the preciousness of the promises bid them look the 2 Pet. 1. 4. Whereby are given unto us exceeding rich and precious promises we are made partakers of the Divine Nature and concerning the preciousness of Christ to Believers desired them to turn to 1 Pet. 2. 7. Vnto you that believe he is precious And oh with what affectionate expressions would this Minister and Member of Christ Commend his head the Pearl of great Price and the Promises he had purchased saying to his visitors that one Promise was more precious then a World He kept a pure conscience while he lived and through mercy had a peaceable conscience when he died It s said of 〈…〉 Lampadius that being asked on his death bed by one whether the light did not offend him clapping his hand on his breast answered Hic sat lucis Here is light within Mr. Wilson all along in his sickness manifested much peaceableness and calmness of Spirit Dr. Taylor when he came within two miles of the place of Execution leaped saying God be praised I am almost at home and have not past a mile or two and I shall be at my Fathers House Mr. Wilsons apprehension that Death drew near was very comfortable to him A Gentlewoman of his society coming to take her leave of him being to remove out of the Town he pleasantly said to her What will you say good Mistriss Crisp if I get the start of you and get to Heaven before you get to Dover When another came to see him he asked her what she thought of him who answering truly Sir I think you are not far from your Fathers House he replied Oh that is good news indeed which would make one to laugh for joy When others spake to him of his death in a mornful way he said to them I bless God who hath suffered me to live so long to do him some service and now after I have done the work appointed me is pleased to call me away so soon Thus in the breathings of his Faith and hope he departed this Life and commended his Spirit into the hands of him that redeemed it and that on the Lords Day that day on which he was wont to work so hard was the day of his entrance into eternal rest to keep an endless Sabbath He needed no Picture or Monuments to preserve his Memory His good works though transient in themselves are yet permanent in the hearts of many and praise him in the Gate for as Agesitaus dying said If I have done good that will be my Monument if ill all the Statues you can make will not keep my good name alive He was when he died about 52. years of Age of a strong constitution for strength and might in a course of nature if God had so pleased have lived much longer But he brought forth fruit early and was ripe when others of his age began but to blossom and therefore no wonder that he was gathered by God so soon He was in his Meridian when others were but just peeping above the Horizon and so might well set before them It was much desired and prayed for that his life might have been lengthened but his time was come he had fought a good fight he had finished his course he had kept the Faith and his Master call'd him to receive his Crown It may be said of him as one did of Bishop Iewel in Seneca's Phrases Diu vixit etsi non di◠fruit He lived long and much though he was not long on Earth he did not wast out with the rust of idleness but wear out with labour yet he was a light that did not blaze out needlesly and unprofitably but burn out for the enlightning many and directing them in the way of life which life he now enjoyeth and happy are they whom their Lord when he cometh shall find so doing of a truth I say unto you he shall make them Rulers over all that he hath Heb. 12. 43 44. Master Bright Minister of Gondhust in Kent his Testimony concerning Mr. Wilson in a Letter directed to a Friend in Maidstone SIR FOr Mr. Wilsons practical actings in Preaching and Life I need say nothing your self feelingly and experimentally knowing more then any can relate his natural parts were generally known to be very high in depth of Judgement readiness of Memory and quickness of Apprehension he was the best at much in a little with clearness of Judgement and exactness of method that I have heard or am ever like to hear His Spiritual endowments for graces and gifts were answerable in his Ministerial abilities he was taller by the head and shoulders then most of his Brethren his indefatigable pains answerable to his parts wore out his Spirit and spent him for good to be the sooner with God and that which to me adorned all was the depth of his humility in the height of his Sanctity He had much learned that hard lesson to receive much from God yet to be little in his own eyes his memory is still precious to my thoughts the general loss is great yours in particular greater I shall heartily desire his indefatigable labours and pious exemplary life may still live in your lives in which he dead yet speaketh c. Yours in Christ Edward Bright ARTICLES Objected
neglected the Sabbaoth in the least observation was guilty of casting off the whole worship of God Alsted Catech. on the fourth Commandment after Sermon the Sabbaoth is profaned by being spent in given to Plays Dancing Idleness c. 6. It s against Schoolmen Alexander Alensis Tom. 3. Q. 32. Memb. 4. Art 4. morrally in the fourth Commandment is forbid any work that hinders ones leisure to wait upon God Thomas Aquinas Sum. Theol. 22. Quest. 122. Art 1. in observing the Sabbaoth the end is that a man may be at leisure for Heavenly things 7. Reasons be against it I. Reason If any civil work be forbid on the Lords Day then civil recreations for honest pleasure calls a man away from things Spiritual Zanchy on the fourth Commandment as well as honest labour recreation breaks the rest as much as civil work II. Reason If recreations civil be not fit for consecrated places then not fit for consecrated times fo 〈…〉 me that is holy is the measure of holy Actions for divers be called holy not from the formal cause but final as ordained to holy things Zanchy on the fourth Commandment A day applyed to civil works is no more holy but common and a thing consecrated is profaned by a civil use and is not the Lords Day profaned by sports though civil now Recreations Archery May-games Dancing Morris-dancing may not be in consecrated places Cannon 88. no Plays and to play and dance is all one as Exod. 32. 6 19. And therefore not sit for consecrated times as the Lords Day is for greater is he that Sanctified the Day then he that Sanctified the place whether it were by the Lord or the Apostle or the Church Now I know not why they may not be fittest in consecrated places if they be most sit for consecrated times and I cannot in conscience read that which I take to be against mans Law and our Church the Scriptures Councils Divines Ancient and Modern Schoolmen and Reasons but think my self bound for conscience towards God to maintain the Truth and Holiness of the two Testaments and to keep the Commands of God and the Faith of Jesus Christ as a Preacher of Christs everlasting Gospel least people should think Preaching to be yea and nay VII ARTICLE 1633. When Commission came for reparation of St. Pauls in work to build sumptuous Temples is to justifie Anti-christ Writings Hos. 8. 14. RESP. I know not the time of the Commission for St. Pauls reparation I deny such words for I handled that Text Luke 7. 35. Wisdom is justified of all her Children Shewing that all the Children of God justifie Christ which doth reprove them that justifie Antichrist in erecting Altars to sin and in building Temples for Idols alledging for this Hos. 8. 11. 14. Ephraim hath made many Altars to sin Israel hath forgotten his Maker and Buildeth Temples according to the mind of the Prophet as I learned out of Authors Learned Zanchy Pareus Ribera who all understand it of Temples wherein they placed honoured and adorned Idols by forgetting God and out of contempt of God brought in a different worship VIII ART About the end of April 1634. he bid take heed of dealing with High Priests servants in great scorn and derision REPS. I deny both time and words but in May handling 2 Tim. 2. 12. If we deny him he will deny us perswading people not to deny Christ I admonished them to avoid as pernitious unnecessary company with the enemies of Christ producing Peters example who being brought into the High Priest Hall amongst the Servants denyed his Master affirming it was dangerous company naming the very words of the Text as is usually done by Writers Preachers Iohn 18. 16. Peter is brought in standing with the Servants and Officers is questioned by one of the High Priest Servants Vers. 26. denyed Christ upon it Vers. 27. which I spake in the fear and sight of God IX ART At Boxley-Inn 29. 1632. no man can have a broken heart that hath two Steeples moaning two Benifices alledging Acts 20 20. RESP. I never spake such words but at the funeral of a grave ancient and learned Minister I did not exhort but intreat Ministers to prepare to give an account of their Life and Livings shewing the vanity of Men that plead for pluralities saying That were a mans heart broken it would not bear the weight of three Churches and I followed in this no private opinions but the general Tenet of Divines 1. Ancients Chrysostom Tom. 5. Pag 104. Edit Paris 1536. When that the Pastor is away great danger is at hand seeing there is none which can defend and keep the Flock Damasus cited by Dr. Willet saith men that put people over to others seem like Strumpets which put their Infants as soon as they be born to other Nurses to be brought up that they may sooner fill themselves with filth 2. Moderne Bishops Bishop Iewel on 1 Thes. 2. 17 18. and on Iohn 6. Non residents and plurality men that hunt after many livings serve their Belly seek to be rich destroy the souls of many bring confusion and shame into Gods House be blind Guides and the darkness of this World be the remnant of the wicked Inhabitants of Iericho and the overthrow of Ierusalem resist the passage of Gods people towards the Land of Promise the curse of God will fall on them the blood of Gods People shall be required at their hands they bring the Abomination of desolation in the Holy place they suffer the flock of Christ to perish for lack of knowledge Pilkington Bp. of Durham 1585. saith there is remaining among us a sort not Popish as they pretend but earnest builders of Gods cause in their own opinion where indeed they be overthrowers of it which are in effect as ill Pharisees as the Papists be They will take a Benefice and Cure of souls promising solemnly to feed the Flock but when they have turned their back they have a Dispensation in a Box to lye from it and flock and flout whosoever would have them continue there and do their duty contending by Law they may do it and stand on their defence Domine nos exempri sumus God in mercy grant such unprofitable Caterpillers some remorse of conscience that they may become Pillers to uphold Gods Church and not poulers of his people the great God will take a strict account of them at the last day when their dispensation may not be pleaded nor will be allowed nor the dispensor can justly excuse himself nor them but both like Wolves and Hirelings shall be changed Vae Pastor Idolum Zach. 11. Wo to the Idol Shephard that leaveth the Flock Vers. 17. and Ezek. 3. Their blood will I require at thine hand on Nehem. 3. Pag. 45. 46. Bishop Downam on the fourth Commandment calleth non residenss alin against the fourth Commandment and on the fifth Commandment saith it ariseth of coveteousness Bishop Carleton in vita Gilpini a most
shined upon my head when the Almighty was yet with me Job 29.28 O that I were as in the days of ola as in the days when I sate under Mr. Wilsons Ministry O that I could hear such Sermons joyn in such Prayers partake of such Sacraments enjoy such seasons for my soul and see such gracious examples When you are wishing thus consider what a mercy it was that you enjoyed him so long Alas how many Parishes never had such a Pastor one Month then bewail your folly in making no better use of him while you had him Let all your complaint be of your selves for your unfruitfulness and unprofitableness under such excellent means and Spiritual opportunities And let you care be to make the most of him more by practising those wholesome precepts which you remember he gave you and by writting in your lives after that Copy which he hath set you I know his memory is dear to you and your love was great to him I beseech you manifest the truth of your love by doing that which you know he loved so much Did he not tell you often I have no greater joy then to see my Children walking in the Truth In a word Zeno Cittiana when he consulted with the Oracle how he might live well was answered 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 If he were of the same colour with the dead It s certain you will live well if you live like them that died in the Lord. The Prince of the Powers of the Air i e the Devil liveth in them who live according to the course of the world Eph. 2. 2. The world though it often changeth its customs and fassions yet never for the better as the Camelion it turneth in to any colour but white so that if you will live according to most amongst when you live you may do and be any thing but what you ought to do and be But if you be of the colour of them that sleep in Jesus and resemble the dead in Christ your lives will be unblameable your deaths peaceable your names after death honourable and your resurrections at the great day comfortable That you may be followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the Promises and in special that you may be your Pastors Joy and Crown or Rejoycing at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ Is the Prayer of your Affectionate Servant in Christ Jesus G. S. THE CONTENTS Chap. 1. HIs Birth Education at School and Vniversity Chap. II. His removal from the Vniversity with the occasion Chap. III. His first Living in Surry Chap. IV. His second living in Hampshire Chap. V. His third living with the success of his journey into Cumberland Chap. VI. His removal to Otham in Kent with the occasion of it Chap. VII His great success at Otham in Kent with his faithfulness there Chap. VIII His care to sanctifie the Sabbath Chap. IX His appearance at a Visitation about the Prayer against the Scott Chap. X. His fresh prosecution by the Arch-Bishop with a strange Providence Chap. XI Strange Providences Mr. Wilson's freedom obtained by Sir Ed. Deering with his character of Mr. Wilson Chap. XII His removal to Maidstone Chap. XIII His care for Otham and for Reformation at Maidstone Chap. XIV His extraordinary diligence and labouriousness on the Lords day Chap. XV. The great pains he took with his people on the Week-days Chap. XVI His diligence on all occasions to do good and his way of Preaching Chap. XVII His carriage in his Family Chap. XVIII The Reformation which was wrought by his means and Ministry in Maidstone Chap. XIX His Courage Chap. XX. His Zeal Chap. XXI His Faith and Heavenly mindedness Chap. XXII His natural parts and great humility Chap. XXIII His Wives and Children Chap. XXIV His Sickness and Death After the Chapters are annexed the Articles objected against him in the Arch-Bishops Court with his answers to them Verses on his Death THE LIFE and DEATH OF Mr. THO. WILSON Minister at Maidonestone in the County of Kent CHAP. I. His Birth Education at School and Vniversity THomas Wilson was born at Catterlon in the County of Cumberland in the year 1601. His Parents were sober and honest and of a competent Estate being of the best sort of Yeomen in those parts As soon as his Age would permit he was sent to School at Blentow i◠the saith County where under Mr. Wilkinson his School-master he profited beyond expectation and far excelled all his fellows He was observed in his youth to have a sharp wit large memory and to be very much given to his Book whereby his friends had hopes that he would in time as indeed he did prove a great instrument of good His great proficiency at School encouraged his Parents to send him to the University before he was seventeen years of Age where viz. at Christs Colledge in Cambridge he spent not his time as too many do male alind or nibil agendo but devoted himself wholly to his Studies in so much that he was taken notice of by the Master and Fellows for his diligence and industry It might have been written over his Study-door Nulla diel sine linea And though he did imploy his time most there about Academical Learning his acuteness in which did appear above 20 years after he had left Cambridge yet he did not neglect Divinity but in order to his design of serving God in the Ministry if he saw fit read both Positive and Polemical Authors But of all Books none was so dear to him or read so much by him as the Holy Scriptures for as the great Apostle saith of Timothy I may say of him From a Child he knew the Holy Scriptures which are able to make wise to Salvation Before he was Batchelor of Arts he had read as he told me Tremel and Iun. on the whole Bible three times over CHAP. II. His removal from the Vniversity with the occasion SOmetime after he had Commenced Batchelor of Arts he was removed from the University by this Providence Mr. Iohn Bristow a Reverend Minister of Chawswood in Surry desired Mr. Mead that eminent person for Piety and Learning his Tutor to send him an able Religious Scholar to teach School in his House Mr. Mead presently pitcht his thoughts upon his Puple Mr. Wilson not knowing how to pleasure Mr. Bristow better and glad he could answer his request so well At Mr. Bristows he continued four years or there about instructing the Lads committed to his charge with great diligence and faithfulness being far from the temper of Protagoras who boasted as Plato reports that having lived sixty four years he had spent fourty of them in corrupting and debauching young persons No he made conscience of his time and his trust and gave his Scholar more cause to bless God for their education under him then Socrates did Plato for his bringing up under such a Master He hath sometimes told me that he knew no Calling except the Ministry
wherein a man might be so serviceable to God as in teaching youth And is clear that oftentimes Lads are made men at School If there they suck in ill principles it will be hard to remove them if good they continue with them Quo semelâ— est in buta c. It is noted by some as one cause of Iulians profaneness that he was bred under two Heathenish Tutors Libanius and Iamblicus Because he saw the Christians so easily to confute the Idolatrous Gentiles by reason of their good Education he made a Law That no Christian should train up his sons with humane Learning But it was the happiness of Chawswood that their Children were educated by one who had both a dexterity and fidelity to teach them Humane and Divine Learning But Mr. Bristow observing Mr. Wilsons fitness and ability for a greater work then instructing Children and how his heart was set upon the work of the Ministry to prepare himself for which he made use of all his vacant hours from the School did not judge it convenient to deprive the Church any longer of so worthy a Labourer and therefore though it were a considerable loss to himself and his Parish to so go so good a man yet he preferr'd the publick advantage of the Church before his own and wisht Mr. Wilson take himself wholly to Preach CHAP. III. His first Living in Surry THe first Candlestick in which this light was set was Capel in Surry where he continued some time directing others by his holy pattern and judicious diligent Preaching the way to eternal Life Though the Parish gave him little or nothing for his pains yet he was never the less faithful and labourious for the welfare of their souls for he sought not theirs but them not their temporal good but their spiritual good Here he had the love and esteem of all Godly persons both Ministers and people round about and indeed by his holy Heavenly humble conversation he was such a Loadstone as where ever he came he drew the hearts of sober Christians after him What Nazianzen saith of Athanasius I may truely say of him that he was Magnes Adamas a Loadstone in his sweet gentle nature and yet an Adamant in his stout resolute carriage against errors and prophaneness CHAP. IV. His second Living in Hampshire HE continued not long at Capel but upon some reasons by means of the forementioned Mr. Bristow he was removed to Farlington nigh Portsmouth in Hampshire an ignorant Heathenish place which he endeavoured so long as he stayed with them to instruct and reform Though there was little of Religion in his Parishioners nor scarce any savour of good yet whilst he abode there the Church was much frequented Christians flocking in to hear him divers miles round and when he was called thence he was much bewailed He stayed not long in Hampshire and though I am ignorant of the grounds of his frequent removals which I suppose were weighty yet by the sequel I perceive that God intended so able and useful an instrument for more publick and general service and thought not good to confine such great gaifts and graces to such small Parishes CHAP. V. His third Living in Surry with the success of his Iourney into Cumberland HIs next change was to Tedington near Kingston upon Thames in which place he continued some years and through the blessing of God with great success of his Ministry and much acceptance amongst them that feared the Lord. During his abode at Tedington he being twenty six years of Age had a desire to visit his native Country where his Relations and Friends lived and it pleased God so to assist him in his labours amongst them that his journey became profitable for the Conversion of many While he was in Cumberland he was requested to Preach in Penroth a great if not the greatest Market Town in the County where time out of mind there had been a considerable Market for all sort of food kept every Lords Day till nine a Clock in the morning But after he had Preached two or three Sermons he prevailed so far with the Ministers and others of the Town that it was Proclaimed on Tuesday their Weekly Market day That no person for the time to come should bring any Victuals or Ware whatsoever to be sold on the Lords day but that Saturday should be the time for the Sale of their Commodities And for many years after the people did forbear to sell any thing on the Lords-day in that Town CHAP. VI. His removal into Kent with the occasion of it HIs next removal was from Tedington to Otham within two or three miles of Maidstone in Kent The occasion is this there were many serious understanding Christians in Maidstone much troubled and dejected at the deadness and dulness of that Ministry under which they lived Alas the children asked bread and their Spiritual Father by Profession and Office gave them stones that their souls were ready to famish for want of food Whereupon Mr. Robert Swinnoche an active Godly person one of the Aldermen or Jurats of the Town got the presentation of Otham upon the death of the Incumbent and consulted with his friends and Christian Neighbours how he might procure an able Minister for that place aiming herein not only at the benefit of that Parish but also of the Christians at Maidstone who might with a little trouble and travail reap the fruit of his labours In pursuance of this they repaired to London where they heard of Mr. Wilson to whom they presently take their journey hear him Preach at Darking in Surry to their great satisfaction After Sermon they acquainted him with the cause of their coming and the sad condition of the good people in those parts where they lived and desired him to accept the presentation of Otham He who was never hasty especially in matters of such weight asked the judgement of his Neighbour Ministers in the Countrey and others of the City of London who did concur and agree in this that-in regard of the necessities of those that feared God about Maidstone and the great opportunity he should enjoy there of doing good to many souls he ought to embrace the Call Upon the declaration of their opinion he was presented to Otham where the Lord was pleased to prosper his Ministry for the conversion and edification of many CHAP. VII His great success at Otham in Kent and his faithfulness there HE was one that did divide the Word aright a workman that needed not to be ashamed a Boanerges a Son of Thunder in Preaching the Law to awaken secure sensless sinners that his hearers might say of him as one of the Ancients of St. Pauls Epistles Non tam verba quam Toâ—itena audiebant c. That they heard not so much words as Thunders when they heard him opening the dreadful curses of the Law and the terrible wrath of God against sin and sinners Many a one hath come to him as the Gaolor to
ordering that Plundered Ministers should first be provided for where any Livings were vacant they could not at present obtain their desire For one Master Smith an able holy man of the number of the foresaid Ministers was by the Committee of Plundered Ministers sent down to Maidstone Mr. Smith had not been long in Maidstone but a rumour was spread that eminent persons should be removed to great Towns and Cities that they might be capable of doing the more good and that Mr. Wilson should be removed from Otham to some considerable place At which news the people of Maidstone were much startled fearing they should lose their beloved Pastour To prevent which they apply themselves to Mr. Smith desiring him to accept of some other Living that Maidstone might be free for Mr. Wilson Mr. Smith considering the vehement desires of the good people after Mr. Wilson yielded to refer the business to six judicious Ministers of the Assembly whereof three to be chosen by himself and three by the Christians of Maidstone The Ministers met accordingly and having heard what could be said on both sides and weigh the matter throughly gave their advice that it would be best for Mr. Smith to resign the place to Mr. Wilson which also he did and having a considerable place some six or seven miles from Maidstone provided for him viz. Harrison he took his own time to remove thither Thus at last by the good hand of God Mr. Wilson and the people of Maidstone who brought him first into Kent who were long before joyned together in heart were joyned together in Habitation amongst whom he continued with much love and faithfulness till God called him out of this World CHAP. XIII His care for Otham and for Reformation at Maidstone BUt though he left Otham he did not leave off to care for the souls of his people there but kept his Title to the place still least the Patron should put in an insufficient Minister in case he had resigned and provided them a pious learned faithful man to whom he gave the whole profits of the Living for he held not his right to the place upon any carnal account or for any self ends but only for the good of the people When he had been some time at Maidstone he took care about the Reformation of the Church and due administration of the Sacraments according to the Word of God to which end he did first in his Preaching discover to them the necessity of Church Ordinances and Discipline the nature of the Subjects thereof c. and then God accompanying his diligent endeavours notwithstanding the obstacles he met with not onely by the prophane but also some that professed the fear of God he brought it to a good issue and put it in practice to the great comfort of them that were Godly Being freed Sea from attendance on the Assembly they being dissolved he applied himself to the work of the Ministry with the greatest diligence that ever I heard or read of any CHAP. XIV His great diligence and labouriousness on the Lords Day ON Saturday nights he would usually continue at his Study very late often till midnight to prepare himself the better for his task on the Lords Day On the Lords Day morning he would rise by two or three a Clock ordinarily and was much displeased with himself if at any time he did oversleep his hour About seven a clock he came down to his Family call'd all together read some part of Scripture expounded it caused those present to give an account what they remembred of his Exposition Sung some part of a Psalm Prayed with them and concluded between eight and nine a Clock that they might all be ready to attend publick Ordinances About nine a Clock he repaired to the Church and commonly begun with singing two Staves of a Psalm after which he prayed briefly for assistance in and a blessing on the Ordinances of God then he read some part of the old Testament and expounded sometimes three or four sometimes more Verses as more or less matter was contained in them for the space of an hour for he had an Hour-glass in his Desk for that end He had as excellent a faculty in expounding as any I know of His custom was first to analise the Book then the Chapters as he came to treat on them then he gave the several readings and expositions of the Verses which he handled He had Iun. Tremel Piscator Beza Calvin and several others ad rugnem insomuch that in the assembly of Divines as Mr. Gibbons sometime of Black-friers told me he heard it of his Father one of the Assembly if at any time they doubted what was the opinion of any of the aforementioned Commentators Mr. Wilson was called to satisfie them After he had delivered the several readings and judgements of Expositors as there was occasion he drew observations for the coherence dependance and matter of the Verses which he very briefly illustrated and applied Mr. Hutchison on the Gospel of Iohn comes the nearest him of any Comment that I read in English but he was fuller and larger then Mr. Hutchison I believe if his expositions on the whole New Testament and the far greater part of the Old had been Printed it would have been an useful Treatise and more serviceable for the enabling ordinary Christians to understand the mind of God in his Word then any Comment that is extant After he had expounded he spent about an hour in the Pulpit When he came home to his Family he constantly went to Prayer with them before Dinner and begg'd that the truths delivered out of the Word might be written by the Spirit of God upon all their hearts After which he went to his Studdy eating little or no dinner usually till after his Family had dinn'd then he spent some time with them in singing and other religious exercises In the afternoon in publick he did as in the Morning onely his exposition was then on some part of the New Testament After the Evening Worship in publick many Neighbours came to his house where he called his Family together asked of them and others present an account of his Sermons preached that day most of them present would speak somewhat one what the Text was another the division of it another the Doctrine of it another the reasons so others the explications and uses methodically as he had delivered them all whom he would help and encourage Hereby their understandings and memories were much advantaged for they knowing before hand his custome were the more attentive in hearing and the more careful to remember what they heard whereas when the Master of the Family repeats all himself Children and Servants who have a natural aversness to yea hatred of all good are usually heedless in hearing and mindless both in publick and private of what they hear After repitition he sung a Psalm and concluded with prayer Then he went to his quondam Patrons house
that Latimer Winter and Summer at two a Clock in the morning and of another Martyr that he was spare of meat sparer of sleep out sparest of time Mr. Wilson made much conscience of his time and especially on the Lords Day If he were invited to a Feast he was so zealous for his God that he commonly after dinner called for a Bible sung a Psalm expounded some Verse of Scripture and prayed with his friends Mr. Fenner of Essex that eminent servant of Christ meeting him once at Mr. Butchers house was so extreemly taken with his active chearful Spirit for God and Godliness that he said to Mr. Butcher I am ashamed of my self to see how Mr. Wilson gallopeth towards Heaven and I do but creep on a Snails pace Though he was a good Linguist well read in modern and ancient Authors yet ordinarily he preached though always rationally and with evidence of reason yet in a plain clear stile by Doctrine reason and use that he might be understood by the meanest capacity His constant preaching discovered him an able Workman his Doctrines were always clear from his Text his heads pertinent to his subject and he had a rare faculty in applying sutable Scriptures which is the principal way of convincing the judgement for 't is the authority of God must do the work to all his heads On the Lords Day in the afternoon for a considerable time I suppose till he had gone through all he preached on the Heads of Divinity but therein he discovered so much Learning and judgement in his plain preaching that if his Sermons had been preached at the University they must have been highly approved He was so much valued for his abilities that there was scarce any publick occasion of Sermons in the County but he was chosen to be the person to preach them sometimes he preached before the Judges at the Assizeâ— twice before the Parliament What Augustine said of another I may say of him Ratuir eloquens ut intelligenter ut obedienter andiretur CHAP. XVII His carriage in his Family and his exemplary conversation HE was not of the number of them who are zealous abroad that they may be well spoken of but careless at home what becomes of their Families but as David he walked in the midst of his house with a perfect heart and brought up his Children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Cicero saith of Quintus Maximinus that he was not good only in the sight of the people but he was better out of their sight truly he was as good within as without doors each morning and evening he read some part of Scripture expounded it sung part of a Psalm and prayed with his Family He would often ask his Children questions about the Principles of Religion examine them about his Sermons on the Lords day and cause them to learn the Scripture without Book As it was said to Mr. Hooper he governed his house so that in every corner of it there was some sinal of vertue good example honest conversation and reading of the Scripture I am sure if Mr. Wilsons house was not so the fault was not the want of a good Governour He prayed often with his wife apart from the rest of his Family and spent much time in secret prayer knowing a truth in what Lactantius saith Non est vera Religio quae cum Templo relinquitur He was very watchful to set a good example before his Children and Servants knowing that such are led more by the eye then the ear and more observant of what their Superiours do then what they say And indeed his whole conversation was a living exposition upon the Gospelâ— that what he taught on the Lords Day in his Doctrine he preached over all the week in his life O how unlike was he to those Ministers that are lovely in their preaching but loathsome in their practices whose lives give the lie to their Doctrines He was exemplary in his converse with all men and spake much by his carriage even when he spake not a word His good works were unanswerable syllogismes invincible demonstrations to convince his Neighbours whereby he stole their hearts and won their affections after the beauty of holiness What Ruffinus saith of Gregory Naziaenzen is true of him Gregorius vir per omnia incomparabilis qui verba operibus clarus splendissimum lumen scientiae Ecclesiae prebuit dum ea decuit quae ferit c. He practized what he preached and did according to what he saith Such Ministers only can make their people believe that when they disswade from sin and perswade to holiness they are in earnest and believe what they speak It was not without cause that in the holy Scriptures where Epistles are recorded to be sent to two Ministers onely they are both commanded to be examples to their people 1 Tim 4. 12. Be thou an example of the believers in Words in Conversation in Charity in Faith in Purity Tit. 2. 7. In all things shewing thy self a patern of good works CHAP. XVIII The Reformation which was wrought by his means and Ministry in Maidstone MAidstone was formerly a very prophane Town insomuch that I have seen Morrice dancing Cudgel playing Stool-ball Crickets and many other sports openly and publickly on the Lords Day I have heard them jeer and deride and mock at those who professed Godliness and went to hear a Sermon on the Lords Day abroad when they had none at home Commonly after the Evening Service many of them went to the Ale-house many to walk idly in the Fields It was their constant custom to ply the conduits on the Lords Day for the drawing of water The former vain sinful customes of sports were reformed before his coming but by his preaching he prevailed with them to forebear vain walking idling at their doors also to draw their water on Saturday night which they should have occasion for on the Lords Day Though the Town was large and full of people yet you should hardly see one person in the street after the Sermons on the Lords Day and I have known when the Mayor hath searched the Innes and Ale-houses he hath scarce found one of the Town there One of the Judges at an Assize was pleased to say That in all his Circuit he never came to a Town where the Lords Day was so strictly observed I must say that I scarce ever knew any man so strict as Mr. Wilson in the Sanctification of the Lords day He so much wrought upon the people there that in the house where I lived all Pot hearbs were gathered and made ready on the Saturday night and whatsoever for their Dinners put into a readiness for the fire on the day before not a Rose or Flower suffered to be gathered on the Lords Day He was much of the mind of the primitive Christian who being asked Servasti Dominicum answered Christianus sum omittere non possum The Sanctification of that day is exceeding useful to
not only sound in the Faith and did 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hold fast the form of sound words 2 Tim. 1. 3. But also as Abraham 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was strong in the Faith Rom. 4. 20. And in the greatest dangers and difficulties could rely on God and trust him with himself and all he had He met with much opposition as is before declared in the work of Ministry from all sorts of persons both from open enemies and seeming friends for Satan knowing him so great an enemy to his Kingdom of darkness both by his life and Doctrine raised great winds and storms if it were possible to put out this burning and shining light But he was undaunted in the midst of all not moved by any of those things neither counted he his life dear unto him so he might finish his course with joy and the Ministry which he received of the Lord Iesus Acts 20. 24. He minded his own work consulted his duty left Gods work the issues and events thereof to God He was a Rock immovable though the Waves beat sore upon him and had often that saying of Luther in his Mouth Mallem ruore cum Christo quam regnare cum Caesare I had rather fall with Christ then stand with Caesar. He knew God could and would take care of his own cause and interest what ever became of him and other instruments His Lutheran Spirit could argue Si piam justam causam defendimus cur Dei promissis non confidimus praeter vitans hanc misellam Satanas Mundus nobis etipere nihil possunt At vivit in sempiternum regnat Christus in cujus tutela consistit veritas Is nobis aderit is etiam causam hanc quae non nostra sed ipsius est ad optatum producet sinem If the cause be good that we defend why do we not trust God who hath made us such gracious promises The Devil and World can take nothing from us but the miserable life but Christ lives and reigns for ever c. He was a man that lived much above the World the great things therof were very little in his eyes though his habitation was on Earth his conversation was in Heaven Indeed he had but a small estate especially considering his great charge but a poor man may be Earthly and covetous as one that is rich for covetousness doth not lie in the Chest or Bags or great Mannours but in the heart But he was Master of not a Slave to that little he had His mind was fitted to his estate and notwithstanding he had many opportunities and advantages for the getting riches if he had sought them yet he never made use of them for that purpose He was wholly taken up with his Treasure in Heaven and was so far from minding Earthly things that he seldom or never meddled with Earthly things but left all to his pious and prudent yoke fellow I have often admired his indifferency of spirit to the things of this life O how far was he from the number of many in our days who trouble themselves with Ploughing and Sowing and Reaping unnecessarily and worldly concerns all the Week and on the Lords Day and set their people off with raw indigested confused discourses and sometimes little better then non-sense A little before the insurrection in Kent in the year 1648. one hundred pound was brought into Mr. Wilsons house being a Legacy given his eldest Daughter by a gracious man Mr. Iohn Bigge one of the Jurates of Maidstone and I believe the greatest portion any of his children had which money in the time of the insurrection was by the Souldiers when they searched the house for Armes discovered and taken away though quickly restored again Mr. Wilson being then at London When the Countrey was quiet and Mr. Wilson returned again to his dwelling I asked him whether he was not much troubled when he heard his money was gone he answered me and I do believe him I was no more troubled when I heard the money was carried out of my house then I was when I heard it was brought into my house I also then enquired of him what frame of spirit he was in when he went from Maidstone for the Town Country being in Arms many of the mean prophane wretches reproached him when he was going out of the Town they took his Horse by the Briddle and twice or thrice brought him back crying out Wilson Wilson Where is your God now Where is your God now He told me truely I thought when they blasphemously said unto me Where is your God on the Text My God is in Heaven and hath done whatsoever he pleased Ps. 115. 3. CHAP. XXII Of his great natural Abilities and his Humility GReat were his gifts as well as his graces God was pleased to bestow on him large natural endowments whereby he became much the more capable of doing good He had a quick apprehension a clear understanding a deep and sound judgement and a most tenacious memory He was none of those Preachers whose tongues and galloping whilst sober reason and convincing sense standeth still or at best doth but creep He discovered strong judgement in a few words His body was of a strong constitution and truly so was his soul. He would presently find out the meaning of haâ—d Authors and what he read was his own I never knew any of the same strength of memory Though he was careful to write down his Sermons Heads Proofs and explications as he himself told me yet I never saw him use any Notes And he made a good use of his memory it was not as a childs pocket stuft with trash but as the Ark wherein the two Tables were laid up He had scarce his equal for his remembrance of the Scripture he was as I have heard tried a long time together One took a Bible and read a Verse in one Chapter another Verse in another went forward and backward both as to the Books and Chapters and Verses of the Scripture and all along he told the Reader the Verse Chapter and Book without any mistake And to the best of my remembrance himself told me that he believed he could tell the Book Chapter and Verse which any should read to him all the day long Much appeared in his Prayers I have heard him of a fast-day pray an hour together and most of the time in Scripture Phrases The Word was dear to him his daily delight and meditation That which made all his parts useful and amiable was that he made Hagar to wait on Sarah and as David consecrated the spoils taken from the Gentiles to the Temple so he Dedicated his natural accomplishments to his God and made them serviceable before the advancement of his honour But for all his great natural and gracious accomplishments he was cloathed with humility None thought so low of him as he of himself His face like Moses shined that all his judicious friends observed it and
admired it but he knew it not He had not the least affectation or shew of oftentation in his carnage or language or any other thing Empty Vessels make the greatest sound and noise those that are full are more silent Ignorance and Pride emptiness and arrogancy are usually concomitants He knew much yet the more he knew the more sensible he was of his ignorance and nothingness and unworthiness and walked the more humbly with his God as a Bough laden with Fruit or an Ear with Corn the fuller and weightier the more they bend down-ward he as the Violet hung down and hid his head though his fragranacy and sweetness discovered him what he was In his cloaths he was always grave and sober never minding the whimsical modes or fashions but ever keeping to the same manner of his attire I stood once with him at his door when a great Gallant antickly drest went by upon which he secretly said I have made a Covenant with mine eyes why should I be hold vanity How accomplished was this good man when he had such rich natural gifts and such great gracious Habits which as the Diamond to the Ring add true value to naturals Alas what are all natural abilities which act grace but as Ciphers which act a figure insignificant and in Gods account standing for nothing nay usually the greater part which act grace the greater prophaneness Satan makes most use of such acute Wits and sharp Swords to do the more mischief At best they are but as Toads with a Pearl in their Heads and Poison in their whole body But Mr. Wilson had this happiness to have his great gifts adorned and ennamel'd with great grace hourly he became the greater instrument of Gods Glory CHAP. XXIII His Wives and Children WHen he was about twenty six years of Age he married a Daughter of Sir Zinzans who being in a consumption before she married him and as I have heard for love of him her Parents judging him much below her died within seven or eight months after her marriage About a year after her death he married Mistress Damaris Cable Daughter of Mr. Iames Cable of London Merchant who was a meet help to him in his Civil and Spiritual concerns by her he had eleven children one whereof viz. his eldest son Samuel who feared the Lord in his youth died young the other ten he left at his death with his disconsolate Widow He had little of this world to leave his many Children about one hundred pounds a piece as I have heard after their Mothers death but he hath left them much if we consider the many fervent prayers which night and day he poured out before the Lord on their behalves I have read of one that when she came to die told her Children I have little to leave you but this I must tell you there is not one Room in the House which is not perfumed with prayer for you Often did good Mr. Wilson cry out to God O that my children might live in thy sight Lord come down by thy Spirit into their hearts least my children die least they die eternally The God of all grace who hath promised to be a God to his and their Seed in his own day give a gracious answer to all the Requests that are on the sile in Heaven for them He had the happiness promised the good man Psal. 128. 3. Thy Wife shall be as a fruitful Vine by the sides of thine House thy Children like Olive Plants round about thy Table O that he might have that happiness to meet all his Children with joy at the great Day CHAP. XXIV His Sickness and Death THat piety which did shine so brightly in his life did wonderfully sparkle in his death The messenger which God sent to call him hence for morbus est via ad mortem was a violent Feaver which he welcomed as knowing it was sent by a gracious Father to call him home to his Fathers House No guest comes at any time a miss to him that keeps a constant Table no providence no not death it self comes at any time amiss to him that is always ready and dieth dayly while he liveth His Lamps were burning his Oyl was ready in his Vessel when the Bridegroom came His Feaver had continued but a little while before his friends did Prognosticate that it would prove mortal and remove him from thence whom they loved as their own souls and under whose Ministry they had sat with so much delight But what he had been in the course of his life the same did he continue to be to his death Though his desease was violent and his fits often acute and sharp yet he never complained he might groan but he never grumbled his pain might cause him to mourn but it did not make him murmur he reverenced the rod in the hand of his Father and that Cup which his Father gave him to drink he submitted to In his extremity his Faith and patience would eminently shine forth to the honour of God and comfort of those that visited him Being sensible of his approaching death he was exceeding solicitous for the Town and Parish whereof he was Minister It s a worthy speech of Laelius in Cicer. de Amicit. Mihi non minori Curae est qualis respublicae post mortem meam futura sit quam qualis bodis sit My care is as great what shall become of the Common-wealth when I am dead as what it shall do while I live So this good man was very anxious what should become of this people when God should call him away As Moses before he died was careful to appoint a Successor that might lead Gods people whom he had brought into the borders into the Land of Promise the Earthly Canaan So Mr. Wilson before he died took care for a Successor that might further that good work which he had begun through grace in many of them and be helpful to conduct them to their Heavenly Canaan To this end he called some of the Town who were wise and gracious to him and advised them to consider of some able good Minister to succeed him and he commended Mr. Iohn Crump a worthy Minister to them as the fittest that he knew to be their Pastour Afterwards Mr. Crump did succeed him not only in his place but also in his faithfulness and diligence and serviceableness to the comfort and advantage of the people As Iacob before his death called his children together to direct and advise what should befall them so he called his Wife and Children to him desiring his Wife not to be discouraged at his death or to sorrow as they that have no hope but to continue to serve God in Christ to trust God and to be chearful in him adding this for her comfort Though now we are parted for a time yet there is a time coming that we shall be joyned again never to part more His children were most little but those that were capable
for sports on Sundays and giving disdainful words toward Power the Apparitor and Officer of the Court. RESP. I said unto the Apparitor remember you to keep Holy the Sabbaoth day and added no more words I refused to read the Book mentioned not out of any contempt of any Authority but as being commanded by no Law for the Kings Majesty doth not in the Book command or appoint the Minister to read it nor it to be read but published neither came it with nor know I of any Seal to confirm it so that I dared not take notice of it to be the Kings Book for as I understand all his Majesties Writs Proclamations and Mandats use to come with a Seal and his Majesty intended as I conceive not to trouble any that refused to read it seeing there is no penalty threatned nor authority given that I know of to any to question them that refuse to read it my refusal to read it was upon sufficient grounds of Law and Conscience which for satisfaction to his High Court and to clear me from contempt I shall here by way of Answer briefly and fully express thus His Majesties express Pleasure is that the Laws of the Kingdom and Cannons of the Church be observed in all places of the Kingdom Book Pag. 8. and therefore in Kent and in Otham now this Book as I conceive is contrary to both 1. It is against the Law as the Statute Edward VI. Anno 5. Cap. 3. Christians on all Holy days and times appointed should apply themselves only and wholly unto holy works properly appertaining to true Religion and such times be dedicated onely to God and his true Worship and be separated from all prophane uses but say I no civil recreation is any part of Gods true Worship the Stature Caroli Anno 1. Cap. 1. the Holy keeping of the Lords day is a principal of the true service of God and it is now prophaned by a disorderly sort of people by interludes and other unlawful exercises and pastimes the 13. Cannon all manner of persons shall keep the Lords Day according to Gods Holy will and pleasure 2. Our Church is against it First In Homilyes which contain Godly and wholesome Doctrine and necessary for these times We keep now the first day of the week which is our Sunday and make that our Sabbaoth by the fourth Commandment God Commands one standing day in the Week and all Men and Women and Children and Servants be to keep it in a holy rest and use it Holily and give themselves wholely to Heavenly exercise of Gods true Religion and Service but I say Archery May-poles May-games Dancings Morrice-dancing and the like be not exercises of Gods true Religion and Service Secondly In the Liturgy a Minister in enjoyned to read the fourth Commandment Remember thou keep Holy the Sabbaoth Day and all are to intreat Gods Mercy to incline their hearts to keep this Law Ps. 118. 24. is appointed to be read on Easter day as proper to it it shews V. 24. This is the day which the Lord hath made we will rejoyce and be glad in it so that the Lord instituted it Bishop Andrews on easter-Easter-day 1611. Preaching on that Psalm 118. Psal. 22. c. Thirdly In the Exhortation fit for the time upon the fast-Fast-days 1625. declaring the apparent cause of the Plague saith the Lords Day is not kept holy but polluted and the Ministry of the Word despised and in the end of that Book mention is made of Playes Pastimes Idleness Drunkenness the proper sins of our Nation which pulled Gods wrath upon us and I dare not by reading seem to allow what did bring the Plague of God on the Land that year 3. It is against Scriptures Exod. 20. 8. Remember the sabbaoth-Sabbaoth-Day to keep it Holy where we are commanded to keep holy the Lords Day as I learn out of Authors Zanchy on the fourth Commandment we keep holy the Lords Day and Sanctifie it Iunius in Animadvers in Bellar. Controv. Lib. 7. Cap. 10. The Lords Day answereth to the Sabaoth and its proportionable to it and is commanded in Exod. 20. 8. again in Gen. 2. 82. This Law is established by the fourth Commandment of the Decologue to be observed of all Alexander Alensis Tom. 3. Q. 32. Memb. 4. Art 4. In the observation of the Sabboath is commanded the observation of the Lords Day chiefly according to intermination Isa. 58. 13. If thou turn thy foot from the Sabboath from doing thy pleasure on my Holy Day and call the Sabbaoth a delight the Holy of the Lord honorable and shalt honor him not doing thine own ways nor finding thine own pleasures nor speaking thine own words and Cultetus in locum saith they took away the Sabbaoth by scandalous deeds that hinder Gods worship as drinking sports and idle wandring Isa. 56. 2. The man is blest that keepeth the Sabbaoth from polluting it Vers. 4. God rewards such abundantly Vers. 67. Such a one shall be made joyful in Gods House which is true in the day of the Gospel when Gods House is a House for Prayers for all people 4. It is against Councels Concil Toletan 4. cited by Zanchy on the fourth Commandment Let there be no dancing on Holy Festivals nor filthy Songs but let all be at leisure for Godly duties and Divine Worship Concil Laodice Cannon 59. In the Church there ought not to be sung any common Service nor Books be Read besides the Connonical Scripture but only the Sacred Volums of the Old and New Testament 5. It is against Divines Ancient Augustine on the Ps. 32. concio It s better to Delve then to Dance on the Sabbaoth and on Iohn 1. Tract 3. It s better to Spin then to Dance on the Sabbaoth Chrysost. on Gen. Hom. 10. God intimateth from the beginning that in the circle of the Week one whole entire day should be seperated and set by for Spiritual works Ireneus Lib. 4. Cap. 30. The Sabbaoth requires and Teaches the continuance of the whole day in the service of God Ignatius in Epistol ad magnes Let every one keep the Sabbaoth Spiritually rejoycing in the Meditation of the Law not in the recreation of body let every one that loveth Christ now keep holy the Lords Day 2. Modern and late Divines Rabington Bishop of Worcester on the fourth Commandment saith to keep Holy the Sabbaoth day is to separate and consecrate it to all Godly exercise wherein our Faith and Obedience to God is shewen Zanchy on the fourth Commandment All the day is to be consecrated to the Worship of God by day understanding the true natural day the true observing of the Sabbaoth is that we do not what we please but what Gods will is the rest on Holy days is not to be set a part for our lusts and pleasure plays and sins but for Gods worship onely They do not keep holy a day which instead of Gods worship give themselves to pleasure Iunius on Numbers 15. He who