hast got the love of God 7. Get by thy self into the Chamber or Garret and fall upon thy knees and weep and mourn and tell Christ thou art afraid that he doth not love thee but thou would fain have his love beg of him to give thee his Grace and pardon for thy sins and that he would make thee his Child Tell God thou dost not care who don't love thee if God will but love thee say to him Father hast thou not a blessing for me thy poor little Child Father hast thou not a blessing for me even for me O give a Christ O give me a Christ O let me not be undone for ever thus beg as for your lives and be not contented till you have an answer and do thus every day with as much earnestness as you can twice a day at least 8. Give your self up to Christ say dear Jesus thou didst bid that little Children should be suffered to come unto thee and Lord I am come as well as I can would fain be thy Child take my heart and make it humble and meek and sensible and obedient I give my self to thee dear Jesus do what thou wilt with me so that thou wilt but love me and give me thy grace and glory 9. Get acquainted with godly people and ask them good questions and endeavour to love their talk 10. Labour to get a dear love for Christ read the History of Christ 's sufferings and ask the reason of his sufferings and never be contented till you see your need of Christ and the excellency and use of Christ 11. Hear the most powerful Ministers and read the most searching Books and get your Father to buy you Mr. White 's Book for little Children and A Guide to Heaven 12. Resolve to continue in well-doing all your dayes then you shall be one of those sweet little ones that Christ will take into his Arms and bless and give a Kingdom Crown and Glory to And now dear Children I have done I have written to you I have prayed for you but what you will do I can't tell O Children if you love me if you love your Parents if you love your Souls if you would scape Hell Fire and if you would live in Heaven when you dye do you go and do as these good Children and that you may be your Parente joy your Countreys honour and live in Gods fear and dye in his love is the prayer of your deal Friend J. Janeway A TOKEN FOR CHILDREN EXAMPLE I. Of one eminently converted between Eight and Nine years old with an account of her Life and Death MRS. Sarah Howley when she was between eight and nine years old was carried by her Friends to hear a Sermon where the Minister Preached upon Matthew 11.30 My yoak is easie and my burden is light In the applying of which Scripture this Child was mightily awakened and made deeply sensible of the condition of her Soul and her need of a Christ she wept bitterly to think what a case she was in and went home and got by her self into a Chamber and upon her knees she wept and cryed to the Lord as well as she could which might easily be perceived by her eyes and countenance 2. She was not contented at this but she got her little Brother and Sister into a Chamber with her and told them of their condition by nature and wept over them and prayed with them and for them 3. After this she heard another Sermon upon Prov. 29.1 He that being often reproved hardeneth his heart shall suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy At which she was more affected than before and was so exceedingly solicitous about her Soul that she spent a great part of the night in weeping and praying and could scarce take any rest day or night for some time together desiring with all her Soul to escape from everlasting flames and to get an interest in the Lord Jesus O what should she do for a Christ what should she do to be saved 4. She gave her self much to attending upon the Word Preached and still continued very tender under it greatly favouring what she heard 5. She was very much in secret prayer as might easily be perceived by those who listened at the Chamber Door and was usually very importunate and full of tears 6. She could scarce speak of sin or be spoke to but her heart was ready to melt 7. She spent much time in reading the Scripture and a Book called The best Friend in the worst times by which the work of God was much promoted upon her Soul and was much directed by it how to get acquaintance with God especially toward the end of that Book Another Book that she was much delighted with was Mr. Swinnocks Christian Mans Calling and by this she was taught in some measure to make Religion her business The Spiritual Bee was a great companion of hers 8. She was exceeding dutiful to her Parents very loath to grieve them in the least and if she had at any time which was very rare offended them she would weep bitterly 9. She abhorred lying and allowed her self in no known sin 10. She was very Conscientious in spending of time and hated idleness and spent her whole time either in praying reading instructing her little Brothers and working at her Needle at which she was very ingenious 11. When she was at School she was eminent for her diligence teachableness meekness and modesty speaking very little but when she did it was usually very spiritual 12. She continued in this course of Religious Duties for some years together 13. When she was about fourteen years old she brake a Vein in her Lungs as is supposed and oft did spit blood yet did a little recover again but had several dangerous relapses 14. At the beginning of January last she was taken very bad again in which sickness She was in great distress of Soul When she was first taken she said O Mother pray pray pray for me for Satan is so busie that I cannot pray for my self I see I am undone without a Christ and a pardon O I am undone undone to all Eternity 15. Her Mother knowing how serious she had been formerly did a little wonder that she should be in such agonies upon which her Mother asked her what sin it was that was so burdensome to her spirit O Mother said she it is not any particular Sin of Omission or Commission that sticks so close to my Conscience as the Sin of my nature without the blood of Christ that will damn me 16. Her Mother asked her what she should pray for for her she answered that I may have a saving knowledg of Sn and Christ and that I may have an assurance of Gods love to my Soul Her Mother asked her why she did speak so little to the Minister that came to her She answered that it was her duty with patience and silence to learn of them and it was exceeding painful
cursed into the Lake that burns for ever What a grief is it to me to think that I shall see any of my friends that I knew upon Earth turned into that Lake that burns for ever O that word for ever Remember that for ever I speak these words to you but they are nothing except God speak to you too O pray pray pray that God would give you grace and then she prayed O Lord finish thy work upon their Souls It will be my comfort to see you in glory but it will be your everlasting happiness 30. Her Grandmother told her she spent her self too much she said I care not for that if I could do any Soul good O with what vehemency did she speak as if her heart were in every word she spoke 31. She was full of Divine Sentences and almost all her discourse from the first to the last in the time of her sickness was about her Soul Christs sweetness and the Souls of others in a word like a continued Sermon 32. Upon Friday after she had had such lively discoveries of Gods love she was exceeding desirous to die and cryed out Come Lord Jesus come quickly conduct me to thy Tabernacle I am a poor creature without thee but Lord Jesus my soul longs to be with thee O when shall it be Why not now dear Jesus Come Lord Jesus come quickly but why do I speak thus Thy time dear Lord is the best O give me patience 33. Upon Saturday she spoke very little being very drowsie yet now and then she dropt these words How long sweet Jesus finish thy work sweet Jesus come away sweet dear Lord Jesus come quickly sweet Lord help come away now now dear Jesus come quickly Good Lord give patience to me to wait thy appointed time Lord Jesus help me help me help me Thus at several times when out of her sleep for she was asleep the greatest part of the day 34. Upon the Lords Day she scarce spoke any thing but much desired that Bills of Thanksgiving might be sent to those who had formerly been praying for her that they might help her to praise God for that full assurance that he had given her of his love and seemed to be much swallowed up with the thoughts of Gods free love to her Soul She oft commended her spirit into the Lords hands and the last words which she was heard to speak were these Lord help Lord Jesus help Dear Jesus Blessed Jesus And thus upon the Lords Day between Nine and Ten of the Clock in the Forenoon she slept sweetly in Jesus and began an everlasting Sabbath February 19. 1670. EXAMPLE II. Of a Child that was admirably affected with the things of God when he was between two and three years Old with a brief account of his Life and Death 1. A Certain little Child whose Mother had dedicated him to the Lord in the womb when he could not speak plain would be crying after God and was greatly desirous to be taught good things 2. He could not endure to be put to Bed without family duty but would put his Parents upon duty and would with much devotion kneel down and with great patience and delight continue till duty was at an end without the least expression of being weary and he seemed never so well pleased as when he was engaged in duty 3. He could not be satisfied with Family-duty but he would be oft upon his knees by himself in one corner or other 4. He was much delighted in hearing the word of God either read or preached 5. He loved to go to School that he might learn something of God and would observe and take great notice of what he had read and come home and speak of it with much affection and he would rejoyce in his book and say to his Mother O Mother I have had a sweet lesson to day will you please to give me leave to fetch my book that you may hear it 6. As he grew up he was more and more affected with the things of another world so that if we had not received our information from one that is of undoubted fidelity it would seem incredible 7. He quickly learned to read the Scriptures and would with great Reverence Tenderness and groans read till tears and sobs were ready to hinder him 8. When he was at secret prayer he would weep bitterly 9. He was wont often times to complain of the naughtiness of his heart and seemed to be more grieved for the Corruption of his Nature than for any actual sin 10. He had a vast Understanding in the things of God even next to a wonder for one of his age 11. He was much troubled for the wandrings of his thoughts in duty and that he could not keep his heart alway fixed upon God and the work he was about and his affections constantly raised 12. He kept a watch over his heart and observed the workings of his Soul and would complain that the were so vain and foolish and so little busied about spirituas things 13. As he grew up he grew daily in knowledg and experience and his carriage was so heavenly and his discourse so excellent and experimental that it made those which heard it even astonished 14. He was exceeding importunate with God in duty and would plead with God at a strange rate and use such arguments in prayer that one would think it were impossible should ever enter into the heart of a Child he would beg and expostulate and weep so that sometimes it could not be kept from the ears of Neighbours so that one of the next house was forced to cry out the prayers and tears of that Child in the next house will sink me to Hell because by it he did condemn his neglect of prayer and his slight performance of it 15. He was very fearful of wicked company and would oft beg of God to keep him from it and that he might never be pleased in them that took delight in displeasing of God And when he was at any time in the hearing of their wicked words taking the Lords Name in vain or swearing or any filthy word it would even make him tremble and ready to go home and weep 16. He abhorred lying with his Soul 17. When he had committed any fault he was easily convinced of it and would get in some corner and secret place and with tears beg pardon of God and strength against such a sin He had a friend that oft watched him and listned at his Chamber-door from whom I received this Narrative 18. When he had been asked whether he would commit such a sin again he would never promise absolutely because he said his heart was naught but he would weep and say he hoped by the grace of God he should not 19. When he was left at home alone upon the Sabbath days he would be sure not to spend any part of the day in Idleness and Play but be busied in praying Reading in
the Bible and getting of his Catechism 20. When other Children were playing he would many a time and oft be praying 21. One day a certain person was discoursing with him about the Nature Offices and Excellency of Christ and that he alone can satisfie for our sins and merit everlasting life for us and about other of the great Mysteries of Redemption he seemed savingly to understand them and was greatly delighted with the discourse 22. One speaking concerning the Resurrection of the Body he did acknowledg it but that the same weak body that was buried in the Church-yard should be raised again he thought very strange but with Admiration yielded that nothing was impossible to God and that very day he was taken sick unto death 23. A Friend of his asked him whether he were willing to dye when he was first taken sick he answered no because he was afraid of his state as to another world Why Child said the other thou didst pray for a new Heart for an humble and a sincere Heart and I have heard thee didst thou not pray with all thy heart I hope I did said he 24. Not long after the same person asked him again whether he were willing to die He answered now I am willing for I shall go to Christ 25. One asked him what should become of his Sister if he should die and leave her He answered the will of the Lord must be done 26. He still grew weaker and weaker but carried it with a great deal of sweetness and patience waiting for his change and at last did chearfully commit his Spirit unto the Lord and calling upon the Name of the Lord and saying Lord Jesus Lord Jesus In whose bosome he sweetly slept dying as I remember when he was about five or six years old EXAMPLE III. Of a little Girl that was wrought upon when she was between four and five years old with some account of her holy life and triumphant death 1. MAry A. When she was between four and five years old was greatly affected in hearing the word of God and became very solicitous about her Soul and everlasting condition weeping bitterly to think what would become of her in another World asking strange questions concerning God and Christ and her own soul so that this little Mary before she was full five years old seemed to mind the one thing needful and to choose the better part and sat at the feet of Christ many a time and oft with tears 2. She was wont to be much in secret duty and many times come off from her knees with tears 3. She would chuse such times and places for secret duty as might render her less observed by others and did endeavour what possibly she could to conceal what she was doing when she was engaged in secret duty 4. She was greatly afraid of hypocrisie and of doing any thing to be seen of men and to get commendation and praise and when she hath heard one of her Brothers saying that he had been by himself at prayer she rebuked him sharply and told him how little such prayers were like to profit him and that was little to his praise to pray like a hypocrite and to be glad that any should know what he had been doing 5. Her Mother being full of sorrow after the death of her Husband this Child came to her Mother and askt her why she wept so exceedingly her Mother answered she had cause enough to weep because her Father was dead No dear Mother said the Child you have no cause to weep so much for God is a good God still to you 6. She was a dear lover of faithful Ministers One time after she had been hearing of Mr. Whitaker she said I love that name dearly for the sweet words that he speaks concerning Christ 7. Her Book was her delight and what she did read she loved to make her own and cared not for passing over what she learned without extraordinary observations and understanding and many times she was so strangely affected in reading of the Scriptures that she would burst out into tears and would hardly be pacified so greatly was she taken with Christs sufferings the zeal of Gods Servant the danger of a natural state 8. She would complain oftentimes of the corruption of her nature of the hardness of her heart that she could repent no more thorowly and be no more humble and grieved for her sins against a good God and when she did thus complain it was with abundance of tears 9. She was greatly concerned for the souls of others and grieved to think of the miserable condition that they were in upon this account when she could handsomly she would be putting in some pretty sweet word for Christ but above all she would do what she could to draw the hearts of her brethren and sisters after Christ and there was no small hopes that her example and good counsel did prevail with some of them when they were very young to get into corners to pray to ask very gracious questions about the things of God 10. She was very conscientious in keeping the Sabbath spending the whole time either in reading or praying or learning her Catechism or teaching her Brethren and Sisters One time when she was left at home upon the Lords day she got some other little children together with her brothers and sisters and instead of playing as other naughty children use to do she told them that that was the Lords day and that they ought to remember that day to keep it holy and then she told them how it was to be spent in religious exercises all the day long except so much as was to be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy then she prayed with them her self and among other things begged that the Lord would give grace and wisdom to them little Children that they might know how to serve him as one of the little ones in the company with her told afterwards 11. She was a Child of a strange tenderness and Compassion to all full of Bowels and Pity whom she could not help she would be ready to weep over especially if she saw her Mother at any time troubled she would quickly make her sorrows her own and weep for her and with her 12. When her Mother had been somewhat solicitous about any worldly thing she would if she could possible put her off from her care one way or other One time she told her O Mother grace is better than that meaning something her Mother wanted I had rather have grace and the love of Christ than any thing in the world 13. This Child was often musing and busied in the thoughts of her everlasting Work witness that strange question O what are they doing which are already in Heaven And she seemed to be hugely desirous to be among them that were praising loving delighting in God and serving of him without sin Her language was so strange about spiritual matters that she made
many excellent Christians to stand amazed as judging it scarce to be paralell'd 14. She took great delight in reading of the Scripture and some part of it was more sweet to her than her appointed food she would get several choice Scriptures by heart and discourse of them savourly and apply them sutably 15. She was not altogether a stranger to other good Books but would be reading of them with much affection and where she might she noted the Books particularly observing what in the reading did most warm her heart and she was ready upon occasion to improve it 16. One time a woman coming into the house in a great passion spoke of her condition as if none were like hers and it would never be otherwise the Child said it were a strange thing to say when its night it will never be day again 17. At another time a near Relation of hers being in some streights made some complaint to whom she said I have heard Mr. Carter say A man may go to Heaven without a Penny in his Purse but not without Grace in his heart 18. She had an extraordinary love to the people of God and when she saw any that she thought feared the Lord her heart would e'n leap for joy 19. She loved to be much by her self and would be greatly grieved if she were at any time deprived of a coveniency for secret duty she could not live without constant address to God in secret and was not a little pleased when she could go into a corner to pray and weep 20. She was much in praising God and seldom or never complained of any thing but sin 21. She continued in this course of praying and praising of God and great dutifulness and sweetness to her Parents and those that taught her any thing yea she did greatly encourage her Mother while she was a Widow and desired that the absence of a Husband might in some measure be made up by the dutifulness and holiness of a Child She studied all the ways that could be to make her Mothers life sweer 22. When she was between Eleven and Twelve years old she sickned in which she carried it with admirable patience and sweetness and did what she could with Scripture arguments to support and encourage her Relations to part with her that was going to Glory and to prepare themselves to meet her in a blessed Eternity 23. She was not many days sick before she was marked which she first saw her self and was greatly rejoyced to think that she was marked out for the Lord and was now going apace to Christ She called to her Friends and said I am marked but be not troubled for I know I am marked for one of the Lords own One asked her how she knew that She answered the Lord hath told me that I am one of his dear Children And thus she spake with a holy confidence in the Lords love to her soul and was not in the least daunted when she spake of her death but seemed greatly delighted in the apprehension of her nearness to her Fathers house And it was not long before she was filled with joy unspeakable in believing 24. When she just lay a dying her Mother came to her and told her she was sorry that she had reproved and corrected so good a child so oft O Mother said she speak not thus I bless God now I am dying for your reproofs and corrections too for it may be I might have gone to Hell if it had not been for your reproofs and corrections 25. Some of her Neighbours coming to visit her asked her if she would leave them She answered them if you serve the Lord you shall come after me to glory 26. A little before she died she had a great conflict with Satan and cried out I am none of his her Mother seeing her in trouble asked her what was the matter She answered Satan did trouble me but now I think God all is well I know I am none of his but Christs 27. After this she had a great sense of Gods love and a glorious sight as if she had seen the very Heavens open and the Angels come to receive her by which her heart was filled with joy and her tongue with praise 28. Being desired by the standers by to give them a particular account of what she saw she answered you shall know hereafter and so in an extafie of joy and holy triumph she went to Heaven when she was about Twelve years old Hallelujah A Fourth Example of a Child that began to look towards Heaven when she was about four years old with some observable passages in her Life and at her Death 1. A Certain little Child when she was about four years old had a conscientious sense of her duty towards her Parents because the Commandment saith Honour thy Father and thy Mother And though she had little advantage of education she carried it with the greatest reverence to her Parents imaginable so that she was no small credit as well as comfort to them 2. It was no unusual thing for her to weep if she saw her Parents troubled though her self had not been the occasion of it 3. When she came from School she would with grief and abhorrency say that other Children had sinned against God by speaking grievous words which were so bad that she durst not speak them again 4. She would be often times admiring of Gods mercy for so much goodness to her rather than to others that she saw some begging others blind some crooked and that she wanted nothing that was good for her 5. She was many a time and often in one hole or other in tears upon her knees 6. This poor little thing would be ready to counsel other little children how they ought to serve God and putting them upon getting by themselves to pray and hath been known when her friends have been abroad to have been teaching Children to pray especially upon the Lords Day 7. She very seriously begged the Prayers of others that they would remember her that the Lord would give her Grace 8. When this Child saw some that were laughing who she judged to be very wicked She told them that she feared that they had little reason to be so merry They asked whether one might not laugh She answered no indeed till you have grace they who are wicked have more need to cry than to laugh 9. She would say that it was the duty of Parents Masters and Mistresses to reprove those under their charge for sin else God will meet with them 10. She would be very attentive when she read the Scriptures and be much affected with them 11. She would by no means be perswaded to prophane the Lords Day but would spend it in some good Duties 12. When she went to School it was willingly and joyfully and she was very teachable and exemplary to other children 13. When she was taken sick one asked her whether she were willing to
Ministers of the place to be publickly instructed and catechised 2. It pleased the Lord to bless holy education the good example of her Parents and catechising to the good of her Soul so that she soon had a true savour and relish of what she was taught and made an admirable use of it in a time of need as you shall hear afterwards 3. She was a Child of great dutifulness to her Parents and of a very sweet humble spiritual nature and not only the truth but the power and eminency of Religion did shine in her so clearly that she did not only comfort the hearts of her Parents but drew the admiration of all that were witnesses of Gods works of love upon her and may well be proposed as a pattern not only to Children but to persons of riper years 4. She continued in a course of Religious Duties for some considerable time so that her life was more excellent than most Christians but in her last sickness she excelled her self and her deportment was so admirable that partly through wonder and astonishment and partly through sorrow many observable things were past by without committing to paper which deserved to have been written in letters of gold But take these which follow as some of many which were taken from her dying lips and first published by religious and judicious Christians in Dutch afterward translated into Scotch and with a little alteration of the stile for the benefit of English Children brought into this form by me 5. In the month of August 1664. When the Pestilence raged so much in Holland this sweet Child was smitten and as soon as she felt herself very ill she was said to break forth with abundance of sense and feeling in these following words If thy Law were not my delight I should perish in my affliction 6. Her Father coming to her to encourage her in her sickness said to her be of good comfort my Child for the Lord will be near to thee and us under this heavy and sore Trial he will not forsake us though he chasten us Yea father said she our heavenly Father doth Chasten us for our profit that we may be partakers of his holiness no chastisement seemeth for the present to be joyous but grievous but afterwards it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness to them which are exercised thereby The Lord is now chastening of me upon this sick bed but I hope he will bless it so to me as to cause it to yield to me that blessed fruit according to the riches of his mercies which fail not 7. After this she spake to God with her eyes lift up to Heaven saying Be merciful to me O Father be merciful to me a sinner according to thy word 8. Then looking upon her sorrowful Parents she said It is said Cast thy burden upon the Lord and he shall sustain thee and he will never suffer the righteous to be moved Therefore my dear father and mother cast all your care upon him who causes all things to go well that do concern you 9. Her mother said unto her O my dear child I have no small comfort from the Lord in thee and the fruit of his grace whereby thou hast been so much exercised unto godliness in reading the Word in Prayer and gracious Discourse to the edification of thy self and us The Lord himself who gave thee to us make up this loss if it be his pleasure to take thee away from us 10. Dear mother said she though I leave you and you me yet God will never leave us for it is 〈◊〉 Can a woman forget her sucking Child that she should not have compassion on the fruit of her womb yet will not I forget thee behold I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands O comfortable words both for mother and children Mark dear Mother how fast the Lord keepes and holdeth his people that he doth even grave them upon the palms of his hands Though I must part with you and you with me yet blessed be God he will never part either from you or me 11. Being weary with much speaking she desired to rest a while but after a little time awaking again her father asked her how it was with her She made no direct answer but asked what day it was her father said it was the Lords day Well then said she have you given up my name to be remembred in the publick Prayers of the Church Her father told her he had I have learnt said she that the effectual fervent Prayer of the righteous availeth much 12. She had a very high esteem for the faithful Ministers of Christ and much desired their company where she was but knowing the hazards that such a visit might expose them and the Church to she would by no means suffer that the Ministers should come near her person but chose rather to throw her self upon the armes of the Lord and to improve that knowledge she had in the Word and her former experience and the visits of private Christians and those which the Church had appointed in such cases to visit and comfort the sick 13. One of those which came to visit her was of very great use to her to comfort her and lift her up in some measure above the fears of death 14. Though young she was very much concerned for the interest of God and Religion for Gospel Ministers and for the Sins and the Decay of the power of Godliness in her own Countrey which will further appear by what may follow 15. Her father coming in to her found her in an extraordinary passion of weeping and askt her what was the cause of her great sorrow She answered have I not cause to weep when I hear that Domine de Wit was taken sick this day in his Pulpit and went home very ill Is not this a sad sign of Gods displeasure to our Countrey when God smiteth such a faithful Pastor 16. She had a high valuation of God and could speak in David's language whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none on earth that I can desire in comparison of thee She was much lifted up above the fears of Death what else was the meaning of such expressions as these O how do I long even as the Heart panteth after the water brooks so my soul panteth after thee O God for God the living God when shall I come and appear before God 17. She was a great hater of sin and did with much grief and self-abhorrency reflect upon it but that which lay most upon her heart was the Corruption of her Nature and Original Sin How oft would she cry out in the words of the Psalmist Behold I was shapen in iniquity and in sin did my mother conceive me and I was altogether born in sin She could never lay her self low enough under a sense of that Original Sin which she brought with her into the world 18. She spake many things very judiciously of the
the evening in the fourteenth year of her age having obtained that which she so oft intreated of the Lord a quiet and easie departure and the end of her faith the salvation of her soul Example XII Of the excellent carriage of a Child upon his death bed when but seven years old IAcoh Bicks the Brother of Susannah Bicks was born in Leiden in the year 1657. and had religious education under his godly Parents the which the Lord was pleased to sanctifie to his Conversion and by it lay in excellent provisions to live upon in an hour of distress 2. This sweet little Child was visited of the Lord of a very fore Sickness upon the sixth of August 1664. three or four weeks before his Sister of whose life and death we have given you some account already in his distemper he was for the most part very sleepy and drousie till near his death but when he did wake he was wont still to fall a praying 3. Once when his Parents had prayed with him they asked him if they should once more send for the Physician No said he I will have the Doctor no more the Lord will help me I know he will take me to himself and then he shall help all 4. Ah my dear child said his Father that grieveth my heart Well said the Child Father let us pray and the Lord shall be near for my helper 5. When his Parents had prayed with him again he said come now dear Father and Mother and kiss me I know that I shall die 6. Farewell dear Father and Mother Farewell dear sister farewell all Now shall I go to heaven unto God and Jesus Christ and the holy angels Father know you not what is said by Jeremiah Blessed is he who trusteth in the Lord now I trust in him and he will bless me And in 1 John 2. it is said Little Children love not the world for the world passeth away 7. Away then all that is in the world away with all my pleasant things in the world away with my Dagger for where I go there is nothing to do with Daggers and Swords men shall not fight there but praised God Away with all my books there shall I know sufficiently and be learned in all things of true wisdom without books 8. His Father being touched to hear his child speak at this rate could not well tell what to say but my dear child the Lord will be near thee and uphold thee 9. Yea Father said he the Apostle Peter saith God resisteth the proud but he giveth grace to the humble I shall humble my self under the mighty hand of God and the shall help and lift me up 10. O my dear child said his Father hast thou so strong a faith 11. Yea said the Child God hath given me so strong a faith upon himself through Jesus Christ that the Devil himself shall flee from me for it is said He who believeth in the Son hath everlasting life and he hath overcome the wicked one Now I believe in Jesus Christ my Redeemer and he will not leave or forsake me but shall give unto me eternall life and then I shall sing holy holy holy is the Lord of Sabbath 12. Then with a short word of Prayer Lord be merciful to me a poor sinner he quietly breathed out his Soul and sweetly slept in Jesus when he was about seven years old He died August 8. 1664. Hallelujah Example XIII Of one that began to look towards Heaven when he was very young with many eminent passages of his life and his joyful death when he was eleven years and three quarters old 1. Iohn Harvy was born in London in the year 1654. His Father was a Dutch Merchant he was piously educated under his virtuous mother and soon began to suck in divine things with no small delight 2. The first thing very observable in him was that when he was two years and eight months old he could speak as well as other children do usually at five years old 3. His Parents judging that he was then a little to young to send out to school let him have his liberty to play a little about their yard but instead of playing he found out a school of his own accord hard by home and went to the school-Mistriss and intreated her to teach him to read and so he went for some time to school without the knowledge of his Parents and made a very strange progress in his learning was able to read distinctly before most Children are able to know their letters 4. He was wont to ask many serious and weighty questions about matters which concerned his soul and Eternity 5. His Mother being greatly troubled upon the death of one of his Uncles this Child came to his Mother and said Mother though my Uncle be dead doth not the Scripture say he must rise again yea and I must die and so must every body and it will not be long before Christ will come to judge the world and then we shall see one another again I pray Mother do not weep so much This grave Counsel he gave his Mother when he was not quite five years old by which her sorrow for her Brother was turned into admiration at her Child and she was made to sit silent and quiet under that smarting stroke 9. After this his Parents removed to Aberdeen in Scotland and setled their Child under an able and a painful School Master there whose custome was upon the Lords day in the morning to examine his schollers concerning the Sermons that they had heard the former Lords day and to add some other questions which might try the understanding and knowledge of his Schollers the question that was once proposed to his form was whether God had a mother none of all the Schollars could answer it till it came to John Harvy who being asked whether God had a Mother answered no as he was God he could not have a Mother but as he was man he had this was before he was quite six years old His Master was somewhat amazed at the Childs answer and took the first opportunity to go to his Mother to thank her for instructing her Son so well but she replyed that he was never taught that from her but that he understood it by reading and his own observation 7. He was a Child that was extraordinary inquisitive and full of good questions and very careful to observe and remember what he heard 8. He had a great hatred of whatsoever he knew to be displeasing to God and was so greatly concerned for the honour of God that he would take on bitterly if that any gross sins were committed before him And he had a deep sense of the worth of Souls and was not a little grieved when he saw any one do that which he knew was dangerous to their Souls 9. One day seeing one of his near Relations come into his Fathers House distemper'd with drink as he thought he quickly
die She answered Yes if God would pardon her sins Being asked how her sins should be pardoned She answered through the blood of Christ 14. She said she did believe in Christ and desired and longed to be with him and did with a great deal of chearfulness give up her soul There were very many observable passages in the Life and Death of this Child but the hurry and grief that her friends were in buryed them The Fifth Example of the pious Life and joyful Death of a Child which dyed when he was about twelve years old 1632. 1. CHarles Bridgman had no sooner learned to speak but he betook himself to prayer 2. He was very prone to learn the things of God 3. He would be sometimes teaching them their duty that waited upon him 4. He learned by heart many good things before he was well fit to go to School and when he was set to School he carried it so that all that observed him either did or might admire him O the sweet nature the good disposition the sincere Religion which was in this Child 5. When he was at School what was it that he desired to learn but Christ and him crucified 6. So religious and savoury were his words his actions so upright his devotion so hearty his fear of God so great that many were ready to say as they did of John What manner of Child shall this be 7. He would be much in reading the holy Scriptures 8. He was desirous of more spiritual knowledg and would be oft asking very serious and admirable questions 9. He would not stir out of doors before he had poured out his Soul to the Lord. 11. When he eat any thing he would be sure to lift up his heart unto the Lord for a blessing upon it and when he had moderately refreshed himself by eating he would not forget to acknowledg Gods goodness in feeding of him 12. He would not lye down in his bed till he had been upon his knees and when sometimes he had forgotten his duty he would quickly get out of his bed and kneeling down upon his bare knees covered with no Garment but his Linings ask God forgiveness for that sin 13. He would rebuke his Brethren if they were at any time too hasty at their meals and did eat without asking a blessing his check was usually this dare you do thus God be merciful unto us this bit of bread might choak us 14. His sentences were wise and weighty and well might become some ancient Christian 15. His sickness was a lingring disease against which to comfort him one tells him of possessions that must fall to his portion and what are they said he I had rather have the Kingdom of Heaven than a thousand such inheritances 16. When he was sick he seemed much taken up with Heaven and asked very serious questions about the nature of his soul 17. After he was pretty well satisfied about that he enquired how his soul might be saved the answer being made by the applying of Christs merits by faith he was pleased with the answer and was ready to give any one that should desire it an account of his hope 18. Being asked whether he had rather live or dye he answered I desire to dye that I may go to my Saviour 19. His pains encreasing upon him one asked him whether he would rather still endure those pains or forsake Christ Alas said he I know not what to say being but a Child for these pains may stagger a strong man But I will strive to endure the best that I can Upon this he called to mind that Martyr Thomas Bilney who being in prison the night before his burning put his finger into the candle to know how he could endure the fire O said the Child had I lived then I would have run through the fire to have gone to Christ 20. His sickness lasted long and at least three dayes before his death he prophesied his departure and not only that he must dye but the very day On the Lords day said he look to me neither was this a word of course which you may guess by his often repetition every day asking till the day came indeed what is Sunday come At last the lookt-for day came on and no sooner had the Sun beautified that morning with its light but he falls into a trance his eyes were fixed his face cheerful his lips smiling his hands and face clasped in a Bow as if he would have received some blessed Angel that were at hand to receive his soul but he comes to himself and tells them how he saw the sweetest body that ever eyes beheld who bid him be of good cheer for he must presently go with him 21. One that stood near him as now suspecting the time of his dissolution nigh bid him say Lord into thy hands I commend my spirit which is thy due for why thou hast redeemed it O Lord my God most true 22. The last words which he spake were exactly these Pray pray pray nay yet pray and the more Prayers the better all prospers God is the best Physitians into his hands I commend my spirit O Lord Jesus receive my soul Now close mine eyes Forgive me Father Mother Brother Sister all the World Now I am well my pain is almost gone my joy is at hand Lord have mercy on me O Lord receive my Soul unto thee And thus he yielded his Spirit up unto the Lord when he was about twelve years old This Narrative was taken out of Mr. Ambrose his Life's Lease The sixth Example of a poor Child that was awakened when she was about five years old 1. A Certain very poor Child that had a very bad Father but it was to be hoped a very good Mother was by the Providence of God brought to the sight of a godly friend of mine who upon the first sight of the Child had a great pity for him and took an affection to him and had a mind to bring him up for Christ 2. At the first he did with great sweetness and kindness allure the Child by which means it was not long before he got a deep interest in the heart of the Child and he began to obey him with more readiness than Children usually do their Parents 3. By this a Door was opened for a farther work and he had agreater advantage to instill spiritual Principles into the soul of the Child which he was not wanting in as the Lord gave opportunity and the Child was capable of 4. It was not long before the Lord was pleased to strike in with the spiritual Exhortations of this good man so that the Child was brought to a liking of the things of God 5. He quickly learnt a great part of the Assemblies Catechism by heart and that before he could read his Primmer within Book and he took a great delight in learning his Catechism 6. He was not only able to give a very good account of his Catechism
but he would answer such questions as are not in the Catechism with greater understanding than could be expected of one of his age 7. He took great delight in discoursing about the things of God and when my Friend had been either praying or reading expounding or repeating of Sermons he seemed very attentive and ready to receive the truths of God and would with incredible gravity diligence and affection wait till duties were ended to the no small joy and admiration of them which observed him 8. He would ask very excellent questions and discourse about the condition of his soul and heavenly things and seemed mightily concerned what should become of his soul when he should dye so that his discourse made some Christians even to stand astonished 9. He was greatly taken with the great kindness of Christ in dying for sinners and would be in tears at the mention of them and seemed at a strange rate to be affected with the unspeakable love of Christ 10. When no body hath been speaking to him he would burst out into tears and being asked the reason he would say that the very thoughts of Christs love to sinners in suffering for them made him that he could not but cry 11. Before he was six years old he made conscience of a secret duty and when he prayed it was with such extraordinary meltings that his eyes have looked red and sore with weeping by himself for his sin 12. He would be putting of Christians upon spiritual discourse vvhen he savv them and seemed little satisfied unless they vvere talking of good things 13. It s evident That this poor Childs thoughts vvere very much busied about the things of another vvorld for he vvould oftentimes be speaking to his Bed-fellovv as mid-night about the matter of his soul and when he could not sleep he would take heavenly conference to be sweeter than his appointed rest This was his usual custome and thus he would provoke and put forward an experienced Christian to spend waking hours in talk of God and the everlasting rest 14. Not long after this his good Mother died which went very near his heart for he greatly honoured his Mother 15. After the dead of his Mother he would often repeat some of the promises that are made unto Fatherless Children especially that in Exod. 22.22 Ye shall not afflict any Widow or the Fatherless Child if thou afflict them in any wise and they cry at all unto me I will surely hear their cry These words he would often repeat with tears and say I am Fatherless and Motherless upon Earth yet if any wrong me I have a Father in Heaven who will take my part to him I commit my self and in him is all my trust 16. Thus he continued in a course of holy duties living in the fear of God and shewed wonderful grace for a Child and died sweetly in the Faith of Jesus My friend is a judicious Christian of many years experience who was no ways related to him but a constant eye and ear-witness of his godly life and honourable and chearful death from whom I received this information EXAMPLE VII Of a notorious wicked child who was taken up from begging and admirably converted with an account of his holy Life and joyful Death when he was nine years old 1. A Very poor Child of the Parish of Newington-Butts came begging to the door of a dear Christian friend of mine in a very lamentable case so filthy and nasty that he would even have turned ones stomack to have looked on him But it pleased God to raise in the heart of my friend a great pity and tenderness towards this poor child so that in Charity he took him out of the streets whose Parents were unknown who had nothing at all in him to commend him to any ones Charity but his misery My friend eying the glory of God and the good of the immortal soul of this wretched Creature discharged the Parish of the Child and took him as his own designing to bring him up for the Lord Christ A noble piece of Charity And that which did make the kindness far the greater was that there seemed to be very little hopes of doing any good upon this Child for he was a very Monsier of wickedness and a thousand times more miserable and vile by his sin than by his poverty He was running to Hell as soon as he could go and was old in naughtiness when he was young in years and one shall scarce hear of one so like the Devil in his infancy as this poor Child was What sin was there that his age was capable of that he did not commit What by the corruption of his Nature and the abominable example of little beggar boyes he was arrived to a strange pitch of impiety He would call filthy Names take Gods Name in vain curse and swear and do almost all kind of mischief and as to any thing of God worse than an Heathen 2. But his sin and misery was but a stronger motive to that gracious man to pity him and to do all that possibly he could to pluck this fire-brand out of the fire and it was not long before the Lord was pleased to let him understand that he had a design of everlasting kindness upon the Soul of this poor child for no sooner had this good man taken this creature into his house but he prays for him and labours with all his might to convince him of his miserable condition by Nature and to teach him something of God the worth of his own Soul and that Eternity of Glory or Misery that he was born to and blessed be Free-grace it was not long before the Lord was pleased to let him understand that it was himself which put it into his heart to take in this Child that he might bring him up for Christ The Lord soon struck in with his godly instructions so that an amazing change was seen in the Child in a few weeks space he was soon convinced of the evil of his ways no more news now of his calling of Names Swearing or Cursing no more taking of the Lords Name in vain now he is civil and respectful and such a strange alteration was wrought in the child that all the Parish that rung of his villany before was now ready to talk of his reformation his company his talk his imployment is now changed and he is like another creature so that the glory of Gods Free-grace began already to shine in him 3. And this change was not only an eternal one and to be discerned abroad but he would get by himself and weep and mourn bitterly for his horrible wicked life as might easily be perceived by them that lived in the house with him 4. It was the great care of his godly Master to strike in with those convictions which the Lord had made and to improve them all he could and he was not a little glad to see that his labour was not
honest and as to man harmless but was little acquainted with the power of Religion till this sweet Child put him upon a thorow inquiry into the state of his Soul and would still be begging of him and pleading with him to redeem his time and to act with life and vigor in the things of God which was no small demonstration to him of the reality of invisibles that a very Babe and suckling should speak so feelingly about the things of God and be so greatly concerned not only about her own soul but about her Fathers too which was the occasion of his conversion and the very thought of it was a quickning to him for thirty years and he hopes never to wear off the Impressions of it from his spirit 6. After this she as I remember put her Father upon Family duties and if at any time he were for any time out of his shop she would find him out and with much sweetness and humility beg of him to come home and to remember the pretiousness of time for which we must all give an account 7. She was grieved if she saw any that conversed with her father if they were unprofitable unsavoury or long in their discourse of common things 8. Her own Language was the Language of Canaan how solidly profitably and spiritually would she talk so that she made good people take great delight in her company and justly drew the admiration of all that knew her 9. She could not endure the company of common children nor play but was quite above all those things which most Children are taken with her business was to be reading praying discoursing about the things of God and any kind of business that her age and strength was capable of idle she would not be by any means 10. It was the greatest Recreation to her to hear any good people talking about God Christ their Souls the Scriptures or any thing that concerned another life 11. She had a strange contempt of the World and scorned those things which most are too much pleased with She could not be brought to wear any Laces or any thing that she thought superfluous 12. She would be complaining to her parents if she saw any thing in them that she judged would not be for the honour of Religion or suitable to that condition which the providence of God had set them in in the world 13. This Child was the joy and delight of all the Christians thereabouts in those times who was still quickning and raising of the spirits of those that talked with her This poor Babe was a great help to both Father and mother and her memory is sweet to this day 14. She continued thus to walk as a stranger in the world and one that was making hast to a better place And after she had done a great deal of work for God and her own soul and others too she was called home to rest and received into the arms of Jesus before she was ten years old she departed about 1640. Example X. Of a Child that was awakened when she was between seven and eight years old with some account of her last hours and triumphant Death 1. TAbitha Alder was the Daughter of a holy and Reverend Minister in Kent who lived near Gravesend She was much instructed in the holy Scriptures and her Catechism by her Father and Mother but there appeared nothing extraordinary in her till she was between seven and eight years old 2. About which time when she was sick one asked her what she thought would become of her if she should die She answered that she was greatly afraid that she should go to hell 3. Being askt why she was afraid she should go to hell She answered because she feared that she did not love God 4. Again being askt how she did know she did not love God she replyed what have I done for God ever since I was born and besides this I have been taught that he that loves God keeps his commandments but I have kept none of them all 5. Being further demanded if she would not fain love God She answered yes with all her heart if she could but she found it a hard thing to love one she did not see 6. She was advised to beg of God a heart to love him She answered she was afraid it was too late 7. Being asked again whether she was not sorry that she could not love God She answered yes but was still afraid it was too late 8. Upon this seeing her in such a desponding condition a dear friend of hers spent the next day in Fasting and prayer for her 9. After this that Christian friend askt her how she did now She answered with a great deal of joy that now she blessed the Lord she loved the Lord Jesus dearly she felt she did love him O said she I love him dearly 10. Why saith her friend did you not say yesterday that you did not love the Lord and that you could not What did you mean to speak so strangely Sure said she it was Satan that did put it into my mind But now I love him O blessed be God for the Lord Jesus Christ 11. After this she had a discovery of her approaching Dissolution which was no small comfort to her Anon said she with a holy Triumph I shall be with Jesus I am married to him he is my husband I am his Bride I have given my self to him and he hath given himself to me and I shall live with him for ever 12. This strange language made the hearers even stand astonished but thus she continued for some little time in a kind of extafie of joy admiring the excellency of Christ rejoycing in her interest in him and longing to be with him 13. After a while some of her friends standing by her observed a more than ordinary earnestness and fixedness in her countenance they said one to another look how earnestly she looks sure she seeth something 14. One asked what it was she fixed her eyes upon so eagerly I warrant saith one that was by she seeth death a coming 15. No said she it is glory that I see 't is that I fix mine eye upon 16. One askt her what was glory like She answered I can't speak what but I am going to it will you go with me I am going to glory O that all of you were to go with me to that glory with which words her Soul took wing and went to the possession of that glory which she had some believing fight of before She died when she was between 8 and 9 years old about 1644. Example XI Of a Child that was greatly affected with the things of God when she was very young with an exact Account of her admirable Carriage upon her Death bed 1. Susanna Bicks was born at Leiden in Holland Jan. 24. 1650. of very religious Parents whose great care was to instruct and catechise this their Child and to present her to the
old man and putting it off and of the new man and putting that on which shewed that she was no stranger to conversion and that she in some measure understood what Mortification Self-denial and taking up of her Cross and following of Christ meant That Scripture was much in her mouth The sacrifices of God are a contrite heart a broken and a contrite spirit O God thou wilt not despise That brokenness of heart said she which is built upon and flows from faith and that faith which is built upon Christ who is the proper and alone Sacrifice for Sin These are her own words 19. Afterwards she desired to rest and when she had slumbred a while she said O dear father and Mother how weak do I feel my self My dear Child said her father God will in his tender mercy strengthen thee in thy weakness Yea father said she that is my confidence For it is said The bruised reed he will not break and the smoking flax he will not quench 20. Then she discoursed excellently of the nature of Faith and desired that the eleventh of the Hebrews should be read unto her at the reading of which she cryed out O what a stedfast loyal faith was that of Abraham which made him willing to offer up his own and only Son Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen 21. Her Father and Mother hearing her excellent discourse and seeing her admirable carriage burst out into abundance of tears upon which she pleaded with them to be patient and content with the hand of God O said she why do you weep at this rate over me seeing I hope you have no reason to question but if the Lord take me out of this miserable world it shall be well with me to all eternity You ought to be well satisfied seeing it is said God is in heaven and doth whatsoever pleaseth him and do you not pray every day that the Will of God may be done upon earth as it is in heaven Now farther this is Gods will that I should lie upon this sick bed and of this disease shall we not be content when our Prayers are answered Would not your extreme sorrow be murmuring against God without whose good pleasure nothing comes to pass Although I am struck with this sad disease yet because it is the will of God that doth silence me and I will as long as I live pray that Gods will may be done and not mine 22. Seeing her Parents still very much moved she further argued with them from the Providence of God which had a special hand in every common thing much more in the disposal of the lives of men and women Are not two Sparrows sold for a farthing and not one of them falls to the ground without our heavenly Father Yea the hairs of our head are all numbred therefore fear not you are of more value than many Sparrows Adversity and Prosperity they are both good Some things seem evil in our eyes but the Lord turns all to the good of them which are his 23. She came then to speak particularly concerning the Plague Doth not said she the Pestilence come from God why else doth the Scripture say shall there be evil in the City which I have not sent What do those people mean which say the Pestilence comes from the Air Is not the Lord the Creator and Ruler of the Air and are not the Elements under his Government Or if they say it comes from the Earth hath he not the same power and influence upon that too What talk they of a Ship that came from Africa have we not read long ago together out of Lev. 26.25 I shall bring a sword upon you and avenge the quarrel of my covenant and when you are assembled in the Cities then will I bring the pestilence in the midst of you 24. After this having taken some little rest she said O now is the day for the opening of the first question of the Catechism and if we were there we should hear that whether in death or life a Believer is Christs who hath redeemed us by his own precious blood from the power of the Devil and then she quoted Rom. 14.7 8. For none of us liveth unto himself and none of us dieth to himself For whether we live we live unto the Lord and whether we die we die unto the Lord whether then we live or die we are the Lords Then be comforted for whether I live or die I am the Lords O why do you afflict your selves thus but what shall I say with weeping I came into the world and with weeping I must go out again O my dear Parents better is the day of my death than the day of my birth 25. When she had thus encouraged her Father and Mother she desired her Father to pray with her and to request of the Lord that she might have a quiet and peaceable passage into another world 26. After her father had prayed for her he asked her whether he should send for the Physician she answered by no means for I am now beyond the help of Doctors But said he my Child we are to use the ordinary means appointed by the Lord for our help as long as we live and let the Lord do as seemeth good in his eyes But said she give me the heavenly Physician he is the only helper doth not he say Come unto me ye that are weary and heavy laden and I will give ye rest and doth not he bid us call upon him in the day of distress and he will deliver us and we shall glorifie him Therefore dear father call upon him yet again for me 27. About this time a Christian friend came in to visit her who was not a little comforted when he heard and saw so much of the grace of God living in a poor young thing which could not but so far affect him as to draw tears of joy and admiration from him and her deportment was so teaching that he could not but acknowledg himself greatly edifi'd and improv'd by her carriage and language 28. That which was not the least observable in her was the ardent affection she had for the holy Scriptures and her Catechism in which she was throughly instructed by the godly Divines of the place where she lived which she could not but own as one of the greatest mercies next the Lord Christ O how did she bless God for her Catechism and beg of her Father to go particularly to those Ministers that had taken so much pains with her to instruct her in her Catechism and to thank them from her a dying Child for their good instructions and to let them understand for their encouragement to go on in that work of Catechising how refreshing those truths were now to her in the hour of her distress O that sweet catechising said she unto which I did always resort with gladness and attended without weariness 29. She was
went very seriously to him and wept over him that he should so offend God and hazard his Soul and beg'd of him to spend his time better then in drinking and gaming and this he did without any instruction from his parents but from an inward principle of grace and love to God and souls as it is verily believed 10. When he was at play with other Children he would be often times putting in some word to keep them from naughty talk or wicked actions and if any did take the Lords name in vain or do any thing that was not becoming of a good Child they should soon hear of it with a witness nay once hearing a boy speak very profanely and that after two or three admonitions he would not forbear nor go out of his company neither he was so transported with zeal that he could not forbear falling upon him to beat him but his Mother chiding of him for it he said that he could not indure to hear the name of God so abused by a wretched boy This is observed not to vindicate the act but to take notice of his zeal 11. He was a Child that took great delight in the Company of good men and especially Ministers and Schollers and if he had any leisure time he would improve it by visiting of such whose discourse might make him wiser and better and when he was in their society to be sure his talk was more like a Christian and Scholler then a Child 12. One day after School time was over he gave Mr. Andrew Kant one of the Ministers of Aberdeen a visit and asked him several solid questions but the good man asked him some questions out of his Catechism and finding him not so ready in the answers as he should have been did a little reprove him and told him that he must be sure to get his Catechism perfectly by heart the Child took the reproof very well and went home and fell very hot upon his Catechism and never left till he got it by heart and not only so but he would be enquiring into the sense and meaning of it 13. He was so greatly taken with his Catechism that he was not content to learn it himself but he would be putting others upon learning their Catechism especially those that were nearest to him he could not be satisfied till he had perswaded his Mothers Maids to learn it and when they were at work he would be still following them with some good question or other so that the Child seemed to be taken up with the thoughts of his Soul and Gods honour and the good of others Souls 14. He was a conscientious observer of the Lords day spending all the time either in secret prayer or reading the Scriptures and good books Learning of his Catechism and learning of the Word of God and publick duties and was not only careful in the performance of these duties himself but was ready to put all that he knew upon a strict observation of the Lords day and was exceedingly grieved at the profanation of it one Lords day a servant of his Fathers going out of the house upon an extraordinary occasion to fetch some Beer he took on so bitterly that he could scarce be pacified because that holy day was so abused as he judged in his fathers house 15. When he was betwixt six and seven years old it pleased God to afflict him with sore eyes which was no small exercise to him because it kept him from School which he loved as well as many boys do their play and that which was worse he was commanded by the Doctor not to read any Book whatsoever at home But O how was this poor Child grieved that he might not have liberty to read the holy Scriptures and for all their charge he would get by himself and stand by the windows and read the Bible and good Books yea he was so greedy of reading the Scripture and took so much delight in it that he would scarce allow himself sometimes time to dress himself for reading the Word of God was his great delight Yea though he hath been bear for studying so much yet judging it Gods command that he should give himself up to reading he could not be beat off from it till he was so bad that he had like never to have recovered his sight more 16. It was his practice to be much by himself in secret prayer and he was careful to manage that work so as that it might be as secret as possible it might be but his frequency and constancy made it to be so easily observed upon which one time one having a great mind to know what this sweet babe prayed for got into a place near him and heard him very earnestly praying for the Church of God desiring that the Kingdom of the Gospel might be spread over the whole world and that the kingdom of grace might more and more come into the hearts of Gods people and that the Kingdome of glory might be hastned He was wont to connue half an hour sometimes an hour upon his knees together 17. He was much above the vanities that most Children are taken with and was indeed too much a man to live long 18. He was very humble and modest and did by no means affect fineness in apparrel but hated any thing more than necessaries either in cloths or diet 19. When he perceived either his Brother or Sister pleased with their new clothes he would with a great deal of gravity reprove their folly and when his reproof signified little he would bewail their vanity 20. Once he had a new suit brought from the Tailors which when he looked on he found some ribbons at the knees at which he was grieved asking his Mother whether those things would keep him warm No Child said his Mother why then said he do you suffer them to be put here you are mistaken if you think such things please me and I doubt some that are better then us may want the money that this cost you to buy them bread 21. He would intreat his Mother to have a care of gratifying a proud humour in his Brother and Sisters he did tell them of the danger of pride and how little reason they had to be proud of that which was their shame for said he if it had not been for sin we should have had no need of cloaths 22. At leisure times he would be talking to his School-fellows about the things of God and urge the necessity of a holy Life that text he much spoke on to there the Axe is laid to the root of the tree and every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire Every Mothers Child of us that doth not bring forth the fruit of good works shall shortly be cut down with the axe of Gods wrath and cast into the fire of Hell and this he spake like one that believed and felt the power of what he spake