A Faithfull Remonstrance OF The Holy Life and Happy Death OF IOHN BRUEN of Bruen-Stapleford in the County of Chester Esquire Brother to that Mirrour of Piety Mistris Katherin BRETTERGH Exhibiting variety of many Memorable and Exemplary passages of his Life and at his Death usefull for all sorts and Sexes but principally intended as a Path and President of Piety and Charity for the Inhabitants of the Famous County PALATINE of CHESTER By the late reverend Divine WILLIAM HINDE sometimes fellow of Queenes Colledge in Oxon and Preacher of Gods Word at Bunb in Cheshire Published since his Death The Memory of the Iust shall be blessed but the name of the Wicked shall rot LONDON Printed by R. B. for Philemon Stephens and Christopher Meredith and are to be sold at their Shop at the Golden Lyon in Saint Pauls Church yard 1641. To the Right Honourable Sir Iames Stanley of the honourable order of the Bath Knight Lord Stanley and Strange Lord of Man and of the Isles Lord Lievtenant of the County of Palatines of Lancaster and Chester of the City Chester and County of the same Chamberlaine of the County Palatine of Chester aforesaid Son and Heire apparant of the Right Honorable William Earle of DERBIE And my very Honourable good Lord and Patron Honour and Glory Right Honourable HE that was both an a Eccl. 1.1 Ecclesiastes and a King Salomon both in the Pulpet and the Throne as Preacher and a King preferres b Eccl. 7.1 a good name to pretious Oyntment and holds it c Pro. 22.1 rather to be Chosen then the greatest riches the foundation of which structure as appeares by severall Histories both Holy and Humane is not laid in greatnesse but in goodnesse For by this the d He. 11.2.39 Elders both of former and latter times obtained a good report hence came e 1 Chro. 49.8 9 labez to be more honorable than his brethren because he called upon the God of Israel The Bereans to be more noble than those of Thessalonica Acts 17.11 because they were more ready in hearing more diligent in examining the Scriptures than the others were And from hence was this of the g Agesilaus Spartan King to one that extold the magnificence of the Persian wherein says he is he greater than I except hee be more just than I But there are too many that like h 1 Sam. 15 24 Saul and i 2 Sam 15.6 Absolon do float upon another k Rev. 4.6 glassie Sea and fill their sailes with the wind of vanity and being regardlesse of true honour hunt too eagerly after popular applause to make their names great only in the eyes and mouths of men forgetting that precept and principle of our Saviour to l Luke 10.20 Rejoyce rather that their names are written in Heaven where onely both names and Honours are out of danger of defacing but m 1 Sam. 15 28. these like those what they least feare they soonest feel and which they most seeke they seldom'st finde For as their Fraught is but Folly and their TRAFICKE in this Voyage is but n 2 Sam. 18 14. Pride and Vanity So is their gaine nothing but shame sorrow and infamy a Returne in Saint Pauls o Ro. 2.8 0 Rom. 6.23 Heb. 2.2 opinion very sutable to such an adventure wages and recompences very answerable to such services The way amongst the Ancient p Plutarch Romans to the Temple of Honour was through the Temple of Vertue and that hangs upon the File of q 1 Sam. 2.30 Eternity would be remembred in every House as well as in Elies House that those that honour God God will honour them when such as doe despise Him by preferring the r Iohn 12.43 praise of men before the praise of God shall be despised And now who knoweth said Mordecay to Esther f Esther 4.7 nay who knoweth not my much honoured Lord that knowes your Lordship But that you have come to this height of Honour and have advanced your name and Family that you have as the Prophet of t â—say â—2 23 Eliakim beene for a glorious Throne to the house of your Fathers and all this and more then this by the better more excellent way by adding goodnes to Greatnesse to Highnesse Holinesse by adding knowledge to your yeares Grace to your knowledge Practise to both by u 1 chr 17.8 25. building and beautifying of Gods House who both hath and will build and beautifie yours For the furtherance of which I shall not only with x Zach. 4.7 Zacharies Angel Bring forth the head * Wherein is engraven in golden Charactors 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ego Tibi tu mihi DomuÌ„ Stone and crie Grace Grace unto it But as that other to Gideon shall wish you the wishes of your dedication and say y Iudg. 6.12 Iehova est tecum valentissime robore The Lord be with thee thou mighty man of Valour And for the continuance of which Exemplary acts and fruites of Piety and honour I do offer here to your Lordships protection and acceptance these following Lines and Labours which containe the Holy Life and happy Death of One who in his time was one of the z vid. title page Lords worthies one who had attaind to this honour to bee a blessing to himselfe and to others also to bee a good man and to have a a Psa 32.10 prov 10.7 good name well worthy that honourable mention and Elogie wherewith the Iewish Rabbins were wont to speake of their best and chiefest Authors b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A man of blessed memorie whole blessed and Sacred memoriall I humbly crave right Honourable may finde a Shield and shelter under your Wings so shall it bee borne from the Egypt of detraction and calumnie as once was Gods Israel quasi sub alis aquilarum as upon c Exo. 19.4 Eagles wings My Lord he is in some sort d Luk. 7 4.5 worthy for whom you should doe this for hee hath loved while he lived our nation and hath built though not a materiall yet a Spirituall House of God amongst them with whom he lived and that in such a way as may multiply honour to your Lordship by manifesting your good affection to his vertues and your resolution to preserve his memory The booke hath need of a high Patronage and flies to e Alterius sic altera poscitopem Hor yours Vouchsafe it then Right Honourable though you need not it yet as the Reverend Bishop f Histeward complaining of extraordinary expnces occasion'd through multitude of servants he cals for a catalogue of their names and seeing who were serviceable who uselesse said these I will keepe because Inced them and those because they need me Alonso Cartilio to his servant because it needs you I know ther 's no analogie in state or place in imployments or indowments betwixt your Lordship and this
mercies A Booke of remembrance Cap. 47. The hand of God upon the Boy of the Northwich Satans malice Gods mercy First his fits and passions Secondly his gestures and actions he was brought unto the Bishops The Bishops Licence for a private fast for his release Thirdly his Speeches Cap. 48. his private Invocation Not confined to one place his time for Private prayers Seven times in a day Powerfull in prayer his private fasting Tender prayers and hard knee The matter of his private prayers Sinnes of Sion Sinnes of the time Praise and thanksgiving Cap. 49 his imitation of his heavenly Father every day Cap. 50. his conversation in the world First A resolution against the world Secondly Gods presence Thirdly Striving against sinne Fourthly Desiring to doe good Fiftly lust dealing Sixthly Take all to the best Seventhly watchfulnesse Eightly To be sparing in speech Ninthly Renouncing all worldly fashions and humours Tenthly Peaceable Eleventhly Contentednesse Twelfthly To keepe our peace with God Cap. 51. First he endeavoured to be pure First pure in heart Secondly Pure in hand Thirdly Pure in tongue Cap. 52. Secondly peaceable A Peacemaker Cap. 53. Thirdly Gentle not by nature but by grace Many of the Fathers very Passionate Yet well accepted of God and good men his bearing and forbearing In meeknesse like Moses In mildnesse like his Master Christ Many of a cruell and bloudy disposition Cap. 54. Fourthly Easie to be intreated Iudge W his testimony of Master Bruen We easily intreated to his Cost But some so hard they will give nothing no nor pay their own duties Cap. 55 A Branch of the crue vine A Tree of Righteousnesse full of good fruites towards all he did mourne for sinners he did contemne contemners his bounty to poore Christians for supply of their wants Cap. 56. he was rich in good workes his hospitality for Gods Children his Provision for his table in plenty and variety Hee would not endure any ryot or excesse No quaffing no drunkennesse nor healthing in his house His charity to his poore neighbours First for their bellies His Dole dayes twice a weeks In the time of dearth almost every day his bounty in giving and lending mony or Corne Secondly mercyfull to the poore in cloathing their bodies also Thirdly provision he provides for them out of his owne Purse yearely Fourthly Protection hee pratects and defends them Fifthly Advice and as he is able doth plead for them Cap 57. His fruits of faith and love to others also In his harmony in judgement with the best In his sympathy with the godly in every condition Heavie newes of the Church did 〈◊〉 affect him and afflict him also In his compassion in visiting the sick His antipathy against profanenesse In garish fashions In profane customes as in drinking of healths The Policy and power of Satan in healthing Cap 58. It is Antipathy against profane Customes and corruptions of great houses He offereth a remedy His godly letter for Christian Admonition and reformation His good opinion and estimony of Tho-Wilbraham Esâ—… his indignation against sin His love and care to reclaime the sinners His joy in such as were converted Cap. 59. Fruits of mercy towards his Tenants He was a mercifull Land-lord Cap. 60. He departeth out of this world 1. Preparation 2. Resolution 3. Confidence 4. Constancy 1. His preparation for death His more speciall preparation in ten speciall duties 2. His resolution to beare the sharpe occurrents of it Cap. 61. His graces much encreased in his old age His last dayes his best dayes His resolution and courage against all assaults His hope and expectation Cap. 62. His first sicknesse and visitation 3. His confidence of an happy exchange 1. His evidence 2. His assurance for it His confidence cause of his comfort Cap. 63. His diligence and conscience in frequenting Gods house His chearefull going to Church Singing of Psalmes by the way Some much delighted and some much bettered by this melody His early comming to Church His reverend and holy carriage in it His dinner time he bestowed wel in the Church The evening sacrifice he performed in like manner Their returne home-wards and mutuall care to doe good Cap. 64. His private evening exercise full of life The great joy hee had in the Sabbath and fasts His thankfulnes for one Sabbath more Weary of the world He makes his Will So he was more free and more fit for heavenly things Cap 65. He had Milke for Babes that came to visit him and stronger meat for strong men His godly admonitions to both he commends unto them his owne experience and example Cap. 66. Fourth Head His constancy in Religion even unto the end Great strength in great weaknes His comfortable and savory speeches His consolations exceeding his afflictions S. H. B. came to visit him His gracious words and exhortations unto him His sonne and heyre came unto him His good counsell unto him His desire to have his heyres follow his steps That being dead hee might as it were live in them againe And that Religion might never dy not decay in that Family Cap 67. Mr. L. And my selfe came to visit him Ianuary 16. 1625. His patient waiting for release His consolations still abound without all trouble of minde or conscience We rejoyced in his joy prayed with him and for him His care for prayer in the Family Mindfull of M. L. A heavie parting Cap. 68. Some ever ready to pray with him Diverse desire a blessing from him Hee prayeth secretly himselfe other gracious people pray with him His last prayer His last end A FAITHFULL Remonstrance of the holy Life and happy Death of JOHN BRUEN of BRUEN-STAPLEFORD in the County of Chester Esquire CHAP. 1. JOHN BRUEN of Bruen-Stapleford in the County Palatin of Chester Esquire was either by consanguinity or affinity linked and allyed to many of the most ancient and worshipfull Houses and Families of that Countrey His Father a worthy Gentleman of his time descended of many worthy Ancestors The Lord having continued their Race His birth and blood from father and established that Family in their own Ancient Name Place House and State for many Generations A blessing I confesse of no extraordinary note yet the more remarkable because even in these parts many Families that have flourished in great pomp and pride for a season and have thought that their houses should continue for ever Psal 49.11 12 13. and their dwelling places to all Generations and for this end called their Lands by their own names have yet been cut short of their hopes and their lives both together had their posterity swept away as dung and their names overwhelmed with the ruines of their houses their root being rottennesse and their blossome vanishing into dust Isal 5.24 as the Prophet speaketh to the same purpose This Gentlemans father was first married to a sister of Sir John Dones of the house of Vtkinton from whom the Lord with-held the fruit of the womb His
mother as sometimes he did from Rachel so that by her he had no issue After her decease he tooke to wife the daughter of Thomas Holford of Holford Esquire by whom the Lord gave him 14 children sonnes and daughters So did the Lord trust him with a large portion of his own Inheritance and recompence the former barrennesse with a plentifull increase of his Family For children are the inheritance of the Lord Psalm 127. and the fruit of the wombe his exceeding rich reward Of these 14 children which God of his mercy had given his servant This John Bruâ—n the object of my thoughts and subject of my speech at this time was the first bomb of the male children the beginning of his Fathers strength and heire of his Family Many of his brethren and sisters were holymen and holy women of pecially that rate Gentle-woman Mistresse Katherine Brettergh his own deare sister whose pray so is in print had whose name and same hath been founded out Deaths advantage M. Leigâ— M. Haris Prov. 21.29 and proclaimed to the Churches of Christ above twenty yeares aged by two Silver Trumpets of the Gospel Of whom as it may truly bee said among her sisters many daughters have done vertuously but thou excellest them all 1 Chro 4.9.10 So may that as truly be said of him amongst his brethren which is recorded of Jaâ—â—â— amongst his because of his greater acquaintance and acceptance with God Jaâ—â—â— was more humnable than his brethren because he called on the God of Israel and God granted his that which he requested Well descended It was not his double portion the priviledge of the first borne nor his birth and bloud to be so worshipfully descended nor his gentry and dignity to be so honorably allyed nor his Inheritance and possessions to be heyre of such an estate and family It was not I say Icr. 9.23 1 Cor. 1.13 2 Cor. 10.17 1 Cor. 12.29 either any or all of these that either hee did or we doe reckon or esteem the ground of his true prayse and honour or the staffe of his comfort and rejoycing in this World Hee was otherwise taught of God and had otherwise learned Christ Let not the wise man glory in his wisdome neither let the mighty man glory in his might Let not the rich man glory in his riches but let him that glorieth glory in this that he knoweth me saith the Lord and let him that rejoyceth rejoyce in the Lord Inter Christianum Gentilem non fides tantum debet sed vita distinguers Hieron ad CelgutiaÌ„ Heb. 11.25 26. Psa 84.10 Heb. 11.24 that every soule may be humbled and no flesh may glory in his presence A lesson of great importance and use for many of our Gentry which seeing the Lord is pleased both by precept and by patterne so often to teach theÌ„ they should therfore learn at length lesse to admire themselvs for their birth and bloud or any outward pomp power in the World and to esteeme the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt And to be a doore-keeper in the house of God a greater honour than to dwel in the. Tents of wickednesse yea than to be the son of Pharaoh's daughter Quid est dignit as in indigno nisi ornamentuÌ„ in luto Sal. lib. 4. Pro. 26.23 For what is the flower of Nature without grace but a stinking weed of a faire colour What is Nobility without Religion and Piety but an earthen pitcher covered with silver drosse And what is he that is rich in the world and is not rich towards God but a branded foole even by Gods own Sentence though he have goods laid up for many yeares and say unto his soule as if he had spake unto a swine Soule take thine ease eat Luke 12.19 20 21 Sub Christiano nomine Gentilem vitam agunt Hieron ad Celant drinke and be merry And what is a Gentleman without the true Faith of Christ in his heart Eph. 2.15.12 Gal 2.15 and the holy fruits thereof in his life but a meere Gentileman without Christ an alien from the Common-wealth of Israel and a stranger from the Covenant of promise Eph. 2.12 without hope and without God A very Atheist as the Greek word importeth in the World Such gentilemen Atheists we have too many both younger and elder which walk inordinatly not as they have this gentleman and many others for example Eph. 2.2 3 1 â—et 4.2 3 but after the will of the Gentiles not after the Word of God but after the course and custome of the world and the brutish and base lusts of men and that in all lasciviousnesse excesse of wine drunkennesse revellings banquetings and other abhominable villanies CHAP. 2. BUt to proceed further and to bring this Gentleman from his birth to his childhood and youth and from his youth to his riperage 2 Tim. 1.5 His education in his Infancy Albeit he wanted Timothy's education who through the care and paines which his grand-mother Lois and his moher Eunice bestowed upon him and the blessing of God upon their labours was well acquainted and instruction in the Scriptures from a child Yet have I heard well of his Parents both care and course in bringing up him and the rest of their children orderly and civilly and as those times were religiously also And although child-hood and youth be vanity Free in some good meâ—sure from Popery and prone enough to Popery and prophanenesse which as the Oake and the Ivy grow up together and with love and good likeing embrace one another Yet did the Lord so preserve him in his child-hood and youth from the poyson of Popish superstition and the contagion of those common and grosser sins which for want of the light and life of the Ministery of the Gospel reigned then in those parts as if he had a purpose to reserve him as a vessell of honor and for his own house and so by little and little to fit him and prepare him for his masters use and service which I speak not to this end as if his vessel then were altogether free from al savour and smel of Popish lees and lyes or as if his heart in the heat of youth had been altogether cleane from the lusts of youth but to magnifie Gods mercy and grace in his Parents care and his owne carriage that he was not settled upon any Popish dregs nor addicted unto on polluted with any of those common and cursed sins of the time And prophanenesse also as base lying wanton and wicked swearing rioting and revelling drinking and gaming or the fleshly sin of fornication with which many of our young Gentlemen have now blasted the beauty and glory of their youth blemished their names polluted their soules and defiled their bodies To the rebuke of profane Parents Libidini froena permittentes naturalem cordis ardorem qui in adoles entia
Religion he was much assayled by the Arians and Anabaptists in those parts that they might seduce him from the truth A young Christian and a great champion and intangle him in their grosse errours and blasphemous fancies Who could have thought saith my Authour that ever he could have resisted and escaped the snares of those Heretikes many of them being great and grounded Schollars and throughly studied in the Scriptures Notwithstanding by the sincere simplicity and plainnesse of the truth of God and the inspiration of the Holy Ghost he not onely descried the fondnesse of their heresies but even untied the knots and brake their nets and delivered himselfe and mightily confuted them A rare example I confesse of Gods power in mans weaknesse of his wisdome in our foolishnesse of his bringing to passe great matters by weake meanes for the good of his children Cic. Acad. g.l. 4. p. 16 17. and confusion of his enemies In which properties and passages for the most part Very like unto him in such things Non ovum ovo similius quà no Servilius Servilio One egge is not more like another than this Gentleman of our Countrey to that Nobleman of Italy As face answereth to face in the glasse the image expressing the likenesse and lineaments of the visage so doth this example of noble Galeacius reflect and represent unto us a faire image of this young Gentleman 's both wants and weaknesses disposition and affection vertues and graces power of God in him and works of God done by him as the sequell of this story will make good unto us CHAP. VII IT is now time that we bring him downe from the University into the Countrey His coming from Oxford 01579. with such provision as he hath both of learning and religion especially seeing his carefull and provident Father now cals for him home otherwise to dispose of him For being now for ripenesse of yeeres and maturity of age fit for marriage his Father considering he was the first borne of his strength the choicest plant of his stocke and chiefest branch of his vine began to cast about where he might bestow him seat him and set him in the inheritance of the Lord. After a while by godly and good meanes a daughter of one M. Hardware a worthy and wise Gentleman having been twice Major of the city of Chester His father bestowes him in marriage 1580. was commended to the Father and so by him motioned unto his Sonne Which motion from his Father he did entertaine with such respect and reverence as became an obedient Sonne well knowing and acknowledging that he was unto him in Gods stead for directing and disposing of him in this businesse And so not long after upon the mutuall love In a godly family and assent of the parties and due and joynt consent of the Parents they were matched and married together in the feare of God This was a godly entrance upon Gods Ordinance the whole carriage of the businesse being so warrantable on all sides as that it was through Gods blessing in the proceeding as well as in the beginning most comfortable to all that had any part or portion in the same For here the Father doth not marry his Sonne an infant or under yeeres before he have discretion to know what he doth and how to mannage that estate Nor doth the Sonne being come to yeeres through the rage of lust steale himselfe from his Father and by wanton attempts and rash and foolish contracts prevent his Fathers choice and bestow himselfe at his owne pleasure Here the Father in a seasonable time With a godly young gent. without any long delayes provides his Sonne a wife out of a good family a godly young woman for quality and equality birth and blood yeeres and state true religion and good disposition well consorting to himselfe and his Sonne And here the Sonne With mutuall consent in all due subjection to his Fathers choice doth with his best affection receive and take his wife from his Fathers hand Here is the mutuall consent of the Parents liking and allowing of the match And here is the ground of the Childrens love and assent to their own marriage even the mutuall agreement and consent of their Parents Xenoph. 7. Cyropaed A matter themore remarkable in these dayes and well worthy not onely observation but imitation also of all parents and children in their matrimoniall contracts especially of gentlemen and such as are of the better rank and condition amongst us in these parts For here we have many both Gentlemen and others so earthly minded and covetously affected that so soone as ever their children peepe out of the shell they begin to plot and provide some one match or other for them little regarding where they set or sow graffe and plant modò ob rem Yea the Thistle in Lebanon will not spare to send to the Cedar in Libanon 2 King 14.9 saying Give thy daughter unto my sonne to wife Otherwise than many parents do though a wild beast in Libanon do tread downe the Thistle for his pride and paines in so doing Nay the Cedar will not be ashamed to give his sonnes and daughters to match with the daughters and sonnes of the Thistle 2 Chron. 25.18 the greatest with the meanest if the Thistle be clad with thistle downe if land and living wealth and riches gold and silver may be had to satisfied their lust after filthy lucre therewithall I have seene a Gentleman yea more than one or two either very carefull to have his horse of a generous race his hawke of the best aiery his hound of the best brach his spaniell of the best litter his cattle of the best breed to serve his humour and his pleasure when yet he hath had very little care or conscience to place and plant his children in such a religious stock and family as might give him any good hope of a godly issue Where lust and lucre make the motion and off-spring for his better comfort and credit afterwards Lust and lucre made Shechem and his father Hamor so eager and earnest to marry with Dina Iacobs daughter The soule of my sonne saith Hamor longeth for your daughter And to draw on their people to joyne with them in giving their sonnes and daughters to them also they could both say Shall not their cattle and their substance and every beast of theirs be ours It was not any love unto that religion which they saw in Iacob and his children but their inordinate desire after their wealth and substance which made them so earnestly to importune Iacob to match and marry with them And the fathers dropsie and the sonnes phrensie make up the match It is not much otherwise I feare with many of us where the fathers dropsie and the sonnes phrensie doe either motion or make up many of our marriages Witnesse hereof in parents such fishing for heires such catching up of
other mens prodigality and infidelity their wealth many times overgrowes their wit and being now masters over their owne meanes they are so farre from quenching the heat of their former lusts that now they adde fewell unto the fire and cast oyle into the flame and turning their liberty into licenciousnesse and the grace of God into wantonnesse they become and grow like Infidels and Turkes neither providing for their owne families nor regarding their brethren nor sisters being yet their own flesh and blood and their owne fathers issue and off-spring as themselves are A faire check and rebuke also may hence bee taken for such and so many of our Gentlemen of riper age And a check to some others obstinacy in their old sins as having beene a long time ensnared in the lusts of youth and fast bound with the cords of their pleasing sins have not yet for all the meanes of grace after twenty thirty forty or fifty yeares obtained so much grace and strength from the Lord as this Gentleman to breake from the power and cease from the practice of their old sins but are still a childish and vaine in their sports and pursuit of their pleasures as if all this while they had but only sipped and tasted of Circes cup but now are resolved to take yet a deep and a full draught of it even untill they be dead drunke with their sensuall delights and drop downe in a moment into hell from the hight of their jolly vanities O that the voice of Christ in his Word might rouse them and raise them up out of this sensuality and security Awake thou that sleepest and stand up from the dead and Christ shall give thee light Quia virtutibus amaritudo permista est vitia verò voluptate condita sunt illa offensi hac deliniti feruntur in praeceps ac honorum spem fulsi mala pro bonis amplectuntur Lastant Lib. 1. de fals Rel. August Confes lib 8. cap. 5. Insitam veritati austeritatem natura hominum proclovis in vitâ—a pati non potest Lact. de Falsa Rel. Lib. 1. They heate this voice and are many of them I am perswaded convinced by it but they returne no answer but as Augustine speakes Verba tantum lenta somnolenta modò ecce modò sine paululum A few silly and sleepy words anon loe anon set me alone a little But as it followeth Modò modò non habent modum sine paululum in longum ibit Anon and anon will never have done and a little forbearance will grow to custome and continuance But seeing neither the precepts of the Word nor the Patterne and example of this worthy Gentleman living amongst them nor the light which shines from others round about them is of any prevailing power for their conversion and reformation wee will leave them as we finde them praying the Lord to amend what is amisse and to be mercifull unto them if he have any mercy in store for them CHAP. XV. Secondly other fruits of his conversion in matters of religion as Governour of his family In setting up religion in his family 1 Chron 13.13 14. ANd so we proceed to some other fruits of this Gentlemans effectuall calling that so farre as he hath shewed forth the vertues of him that called him out of darknesse into his marvellous light hee may yet be a lampe to give light unto others by the course and records of his life even to such as desire to be followers of such a leader in the wayes of grace and peace After the Lord was pleased thus to reveale himselfe in his Sonne Christ unto him and to cause the light of his countenance to shine into his heart he could never have rest in himselfe untill hee had with Obed Edom brought the Arke of God into his house and that he did with much joy and comfort raising up an Altar for Gods worship in his family and so making it a little Bethel a house of God a pledge of his presence and place for his service For thus began he to thinke with Jacob Ge. 30.30 when shall I provide for mine owne house also Thus did hee resolve with Joshua Iosh 24. Laid down first in the generals though not one of his neighbour Gentlemen would so resolve with him Yet I and my house will serve the Lord. Thus did hee with Abraham Command his children and his houshold after him that they might keep the way of the Lord to doe justice and judgement Thus did hee governe his house with David walking wisely in the midst of it setting his eyes or favour and respect upon the godly but not suffering a wicked person to abide in his sight This was the conquest of his faith wherby he did overcome the world This was the worke of grace being illightened himselfe to illighten others converted himselfe to convert others being come unto Christ himselfe to call on others to come unto him and abide with him And for want of this victory of faith and power of grace there is but few of our Gentlemen that in these dayes have their houses and families so well ordered and reformed so well purged from old sinnes and seasoned so well with true religion as this our Cornelius had being himselfe a devout man and one that feared God with all his house CHAP. XVI ALL this that we have laid downe in the generals may be seene more evidently in the particulars concerning the manner and order of the government of his family his holy exercises and religious duties And then in the specialties and particulars 1. In his family 2. In the assembly constantly and conscionably performed in the same Wherein his first and principall care was for his wife and children that hee might dwell with her as a man of knowledge and bring them up in the nurture and information of the Lord both which hee through the good hand of God upon his holy labours so effectually brought to passe that he had much comfort though mingled with some crosse in their well doing In his family 1. Dwelling with his wife as a man of knowledge in Peace and love as equall yoke fellowes His wife though well affected before in matters of religion and much exercised in the duties and services of the same yet now by her husbands gracious and good example in the practice and power of it and his holy and wholesome admonitions instructions exhortations and wise and mild rebukes also as occasion required shee was brought on to a higher pitch and degree of knowledge and of grace and became a faithfull helper unto him in the best things and a carefull yoke-fellow to bear and to draw in the yoke of Christ both in doing and suffering the will of God together with him as a true Christian A good example to husbands A good example for such good men as desire to be good husbands also to tender and procure their wives comfort
fruit either in the aâ—â—â—… the issue of it 2 That these are 〈◊〉 base and bastard brood of the man of sinne begotten by Sathan upon the body of that Whore of Rome in the darke night of Popish and Heathenish superstition and therefore we are called to come out of Babell so many as are Gods people and never to be partakers of her sins lest we be partakers of her plagues also Aug. l. 22. De Civit. Dei c. 10. Euseb eccl hist l. 7. c. 14. Sigon de Regno Ital. l. 3. An. 721.726 3 That as one err our is a pregnant and faithfull mother of many more so this commemoration of Saints and Martyrs did breed and bring forth reservation of their Reliques Adoration of their Images Invocation of their Names and Peregrination to their Shrines and that with great confidence in them and great expectation of bodily and ghostly help and comfort from them Of all which errors and impieties they must needs be guilty and stand convicted before God who whether they be of the tribe of Levi as was Korah or of the Princes of the people as were Dathan and Abiram shall or do rise up in any tumultuous and rebellious manner against Moses or Aaron Magistrate and Minister with their Censers in their hands to offer incense unto such Idols 4 That such service unto Saints is but witt-worship Calv. de vera eccl reform rati Bulling de Orig. error c. 32. f. 104 Pars in 3. Convers Rain idol l. 1.0.5 §. 25 c. Hospin de Fest. in Cathar Nov. 25 Anton. hist. part 3 tit 19 c. 1 §. 3 4. will-worship and Idol-service all which are both hatefull unto God and hurtfull unto their owne soules that either do them or consent to the doing of them 5 That oftentimes by the Popish Calendar such Saints are commended unto them for commemoration of their persons and celebration of their Feasts as either never were as Saint Christopher and Saint George Saint Katharine and the like or such as it had beene good for them that they had never beene as was our Boniface the idoll Saint of Banbury Saint Dominic a grand agent for Antichrist and bloody persecutor of the true Church of Christ or such as were not much better than beasts for their conversation as Medardus Lubinus or such as having their soules frying in Hell are yet adored as Saints in their Festivalls and Wakes here amongst us upon earth and that after a more solemne and devout manner than either they themselves would or could require if they were now in company and held society with the Saints in heaven 6 That to have fellowship with such as celebrate these Idoll-Feasts is reckoned by the Apostle for no lesse a sinne than to have fellowship with Divels nor is any thing that is offered to such Idolls accounted any better service than a sacrifice unto Divels Now God forbid that they that professe the feare of God and beare the name of Christ should ever so farre forget their communion with God as to have any fellowship with Divels or so forsake the Lord the Fountaine of living waters and digge unto themselves broken Cisternes that can hold no water 7 That usually such assemblies upon such occasions are for the most part a confluence of all vaine and vile persons a concurrence of all vices a combination of the Popish and prophane a very randavous of all rogues and vagabonds and many times no better than as the Prophet speaketh a very assembly of rebels against the Lord. Now wee are charged to depart from the tents of such wicked men to separate our selves from sinne and sinners not so much as to cate or drinke with such persons to hate the garment spotted by the flesh and to touch no uncleane thing if ever we will have the Lord to receive us and to take us for his sons and daughters 8 That the attendants and consequents effects and fruits of such Wakes and Idol-Feasts are commonly as base and bitter as the sonnes of Beliall can beget or the vines of Sodome or Gomorrah can bring forth such as are swearing and blaspheming drunkennesse and surfetting brawling and quarrelling wantonnesse and uncleannesse riot and excesse in all manner of wickednesse and ungodlinesse seldome any such meetings but they either are sprinkled with blood or spotted with some grosse filthinesse Now what honest heart can abide in those places or endure those persons that will bee sure to vex his souls with their wicked conversation and grieve his spirit with that which hee shall daily and hourely heare and see amongst them Woe is mee would David say that I am constrained to dwell in Meseck and to have my habitation in the Tents of Kedar My soule is among Lions I have dwelt too long amongst them that want grace and hate peace 9 And lastly if they would set before their eyes and consider the holy examples of good and great men who loving the truth and hating a lye could never endure any fellowship with superstitious and idolatrous persons nor would ever yeeld themselves to joyne with them in the smallest things having any appearance of evill in them Daniel would not bee perswaded to defile himselfe with any portion of the Kings meat being once presented before an Idoll David will neither touch nor taste of the dainties and delicates of wicked and profane men Polycarp would not so much as make a shew of saluting Caesar as others did nor of burning incense unto their Idols though he might have saved his life and come to great honour also in so doing S. Iohn durst not abide in the Bath where the Herelike Cerinthus was but presently got himselfe away lest the Bath for his sinne should fall upon him and upon all that were with him for his take Tripart hist l. 6. c. 35. Bullin de Origin Er. c. 36. f. 115 Valentinian that valiant and noble man being sprinkled against his will with some of that heathenish holy water which the Ministers of Fortunes Temple cast upon him as hee went in and out before the Emperour Inlian and finding a drop thereof upon his cloake with great indignation gave the minister a box on the care in the Emperours presence telling him that he thought not himselfe purged but polluted by such sprinklings All which being well and duly pondered and considered I conceive good hope that men of any religious affection or ingenuous disposition will not only refraine themselves from such assemblies of vaine men but according to their place and power will bee ready to restraine and suppresse as this worthy Gentlemen did all such popish and profane Wakes and Feasts that are amongst them or about them CHAP. XXXI Being still more religious AFter that he had thus planted and watered his owne family and for the better increasing of the fruits of religion had well provide for the publike assembly also he was much admired for his sincerity as well as for his fervency in
cause the light of his countenance to shine upon leaders and followers comming into his Sanctuary Holy exercises acceptable to God And how doe you thinke doth hee looke upon them that forsaking the fountaine of Living Waters digge unto themselves such broken Ciâ—ernes as these are which can hold no water What is there in those exercises but that which is warrantable commendable profitable and comfortable And what in these that hath any sent or savour of such things Profitable to men If these men were truly changed themselves they would bee easily induced to make an exchange also of baser company Yet will none make an exchange but such as are changed themselves for a better society of fading and false joyes for durable and true comforts of worldly profits and filthy lucre for spirituall gaine and the true treasure and of the vaine applause and praise of men for the true honour and praise which comes from God only CHAP. XXXIV IN the middst of these sweet comforts and refreshings He was otherwise exercised also â—y affliction which hee thus received and enjoyed by these publike exercises of Religion It pleased the Lord otherwise also to exercise his servant with a grievous affliction in the taking away with a stroke his deare wife the desire of his eyes and faithfull Yoke-fellow In the death of his wife who being well in the morning began to bee ill and sicke at Supper and departed this life the same evening Sudden death a fearefull judgment to some Suddaine death is held to bee a fearefull judgement as though it were a testimony of the wrath of God And so indeed it hath beene and may bee to some who being wicked persons and continuing in their sinnes without any feare of God any repentâ—nce or faith in Christ are suddenly arrested by the LOrds hand and cut off by death in his sore displeasure So it was to Err and Onan the sonnes of Judah to Nadab and Abihu the sonnes of Aaron Gen. 38 7 10. to Corah a Levite and Dathan and Abiram Lev. 10.1 2. two of the Princes of the Assembly And so it is likely it was also to Nabal that churlish foole Num. 16.1 2 30 31 32. of whom it is said that after ten dayes the Lord smote him that hee dyed The Scripture also seemeth to make it the ordinary portion and condition of the wicked that God will shoote at them with his arrow Psal 64.7 and suddenly shall they be wounded that spending their dayes in wealth Iob 21.13 in a moment they goe downe into the grave and that flourishing for a wile they fuddenly perish and come to a fearefull end Ps 73.19 Sudden Death upon a wicked lif fearfull True it is that a sudden death attending upon and following a wicked life is a fearefull judgement and a dreadfull signe so far as we can judge of the wrath of God and yet we will not limit nor confine the Lords mercies for inter Pontem Fontem ferrum jugulum Dei misericordia Betwixt the Bridge and the Brook the Knife and the Throat the mercy of God may appeare But as all that live wickedly do not dye suddenly Yet all that dye suddenly do not dye fearefully so neither all that dye suddenly are to bee thought to dye fearefully as though they were deprived of Gods favour and fallen under his heavy wrath and displeasure for ever more No we may not censure so severely nor judge so rashly neither of our Brethren nor of the wayes and works of God 1 Sam. 4.18 Old Ely dyed suddenly when hee fell backwards from his chaire and brake his neck and yet I dare not say but that as he lived so he dyed the servant of the Lord. Josiah was suddenly slaine with an arrow going against Pharaoh Necho in the field 2 Chro 35 33. and yet I dare not say but that as he lived so hee dyed the servant of the Lord. Gen. 35.19 Jacob had his wife Rachel to dye suddenly in his journey on his hand and so dyed the wife of Phineas 1 Sam. 4.19 20. when she heard that the Arke of God was taken and yet wee may not otherwise conceive but that as they lived so they dyed the servants of the Lord. And so we are to judge of this Gentlemans wife being a gracious and holy woman As this Gentlewoman very hope-fully that albeit the Messenger that was sent for her seemed to be angry and too hasty to take away her life yet hee brought her no worse news than of a joyfull and a blessed death which was indeed a passage to a better life Possid in invit Aug. It was the saying of S. Ambrose upon his death bed which might have been hers also I have not so lived that I am ashamed to live any longer or affraid to dye if it had been sooner The life of the righteous findes never any worse end than the death of the righteous Num. 33.10 Rev. 14.13 2 Con 5 6 7 8 9. Rom. 14.8 and they that have the grace to live unto the Lord shall never fayle of this mercy to dye in the Lord and so they enjoy a double blessing whether they live or dye they are the Lords Besides all this No Death suddeine to a sound Christian Iob 14.14 the reckoning and account of a true Professor and sound Christian is not to seeke nor to make at the houre of their death All the dayes of their appointed time they wayte when their change shall come Their wholle life a Meditation of death and a preparation for it Every day they stand in readinesse Eph. 6.14 Mat. 25.4 10. Gen. 5.2 2. Mic 6.8 Psa 4.8 having oyle in their lamps and their lights burning wayting for the Bridgroome and their Masters comming In the morning they awake with God all the day long they walke with him and before him and in the evening and night season they lye down in peace Ma. 24.44 Heb. 13.5 and rest with him So that what time or houresoever their Master shall come and call upon them they shall not through his mercy and grace Mat. 7.4 44 45 45. who will never take them at the worst bee unprovided or unprepared for their meeting of him And albeit this were a suddeine stroke unto her worthy husband Ezek 24.16 18. as that was to Ezekiell when his wife the desire of his eyes being well in the morning dyed in the evening Thi Affliction sanctified yet did the Lord in mercy so sanctifie this affliction unto his servant that by the power of grace and Christian wisdome hee did moderate his affections and subdue his passions mourning for her death as sensible of his own losse And passions moderated As Abrah did for Sarah Gen. 23.2 1 Thes 4.13 yet neither wayling nor weeping as a man without hope For Grandis in suos pietas impiet as in Deum est
and place himselfe who knew right well what was worthy true praise and what it was that did make a mans face to shine in the mids of his own house and in the Congregation For as Laudari ab illaudato viro vituperiumest Vide Aul. Gell de Istaudate liâ—… 2. cap. 6. To bee praised of a man utterly unworthy of any praise himselfe is a dispraise So to be praised or a good man a messenger of God one of a thousand as he was and that with such ardent affection and heavenly rejoycing For the power of Religion and fruits of grace in that Family must needs advance the praise of this worthy Gentleman to a higher straine and pitch of his due and true commendation Thus it pleased the Lord every day more and more to crown this Gentleman and his house his desires and endevours with honor and favor beauty and glory Many Gentleme desire to so journe with him Insomuch that the eyes and hearts of many were towards him divers of the best ranck in the Country did much desire to have accesse and acceptance as some others had before to so journ with him His house being herein me thinks not much unlike unto a goodly Tower upon a hill Aspicis us veniunt adcandida recta collibae Accipior nullas sordida Turris 〈◊〉 faire built and richly beautified which doth easily invite and allure the Doves of the vallies to fly and flock unto it and for their better refreshing and repose to build their nests in it And so upon the sollicitation and importunity of his Cousins and Friends he entertained againe divers Families and personages of great place to partake of Gods meanes and mercies with him in his Family Who they were what successe they had what fruits they found what comforts and refreshings they reaped and enjoyed in their cohabitation and Communion one with another in holy duties he shall himselfe relate unto you in his owne words which he hath left upon record under his own hand to this purpose Afterwards saith he many more desired to table with me His owne Relation The Lady Egerton widow daughter in law to the Lord Chauncelour then being with her company And my consen Tho Dutton of Dutton with his wift son and daughter that now is the Lord Gerrards Wife being 10 of his Family And 4 Gentlewomen of Hatton being sisters and one maid attending on them Which maid was froward at the first against Religion and religious dutyes But God in his mercy began first with her For being in grievous affliction of conscience she was humbled soundly had a most comfortable conversion blessed be God Mary Sherington I think was her name And they 2 of the sisters had a more easie conversion but I believe true grace And the other 2 sisters convineed and very honest modest maids And for my cosen Dutton his condition with me was to keep the Lords Sabbath with my Family as well afternoon is forenoone which he and all his did in the publike Congregation All of us having then great help from a learned godly Minister M. Rob. Wats a Reverend Worthy man of God whom we called Old Eli for his gravity and faithfulnesse above many and being continually with us in my Family Observing this order for our Family exercises hee and I to pray in the family he one morning and evening and I another and both of us every evening to give a note upon a chapter and between nine and ten of the clock in the forenoone we agreed to have prayer again for the Tablers At the same time my cosen Dutton being pressed and charged by some of great place to mainteine his Royalty of Minstrelsey for Piping and Daunsing on the Sabbath day my Minister my selfe and my family were earnest against it and prevailed so far with my cosen Dutton that he promised that all Piping and Dauncing should cease on the Sabbath day both forenoone and afternoon and so his Licences were made and do continue so untill this day And so wee had great peace and comfort together blessed be God By all this we may easily see and perceive how graciously the Lord dealt with this Gentleman from time to time not only to blesse him and his family every day more and more but to make him a blessing also to many others of his kindred and friends which came but for a season to so journe with him CHAP. XLII NOW as sometimes it commeth to passe that in the fairest calme there may arise a violent and suddene storme to scatter A sudden storme and disperse such vessels as have laine for a while at quiet rode in the harbor So did it fall out by the Lords disposing hand in the mids of all these their sweet comforts to send amongst them a tempest of griefe Vpon the death of his deare wife and sorrow by the death of this Gent-gracious wife yokefellow which occasioned not long after a dissolving of his family and a dispersing of the whole Company The losse of this Gentlewoman was so much the more grievous both to her husband and the whole family because of the great help and comfort they had all by her She lived 10 yeares with this Gentleman her husband a faithfull helper and a fruitfull Vyne bearing unto him 9 Children sons and daughters and continuing with her husband in great peace and love a prudent wife and wise fellow-governor within his house much respected and beloved A great affliction to the whole family Prov. 31.10 11 12 Pro. v 31.26.27 28 29. Her vertues not only of her owne but of all these Gentlemen and Gentlewomen which did Table with them Who can find a vertuous woman for her price is far above Rubyes The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her so that he shall have not need of poyle She will do him good and not evill all the dayes of her life She openeth her mouth in wisdome and the Law of grace is in her lips She looketh well to the wayes of her houshold and eateth not the bread of idlenesse Her children arise up and call her blessed her husband also and he praiseth her many daughters have done vertuously but thou excellest them all A man may truly say without either fraud or flattery that in some good measure Such a woman such a wife such a mother such a governour was this Gentlewoman in her owne house and family Her due prâ—ises Fâ—â—ctum est prâ—cvâ—sissimum Margaritum Virens smaragdi gemma contrita est Hieron ad Para. deobitu Paulme uxoris She was also in her selfe of a gracious and amiable disposition having an humble heart and holy affections beautified and decked with that ornament of the hid man of the heart a meek quiet spirit which is in the sight of God of great price Yea she was one that was ripe in knowledg rich in grace full of Faith good Works One that held communion with God
he would not confesse but onely told them in generall with great tendernesse of heart 2 Cor. 11 14. and many teares in his eyes teares of joy and teares of sorrow Pati timetis exire non vultis quid facium vobis Possid de vita Aug. c. 37. For now he had a strong perswasion that he should not live long and that within a while he should make a glorious change of this life with a better of earth for heaven of this world for another and of an estate of misery for an estate of glory And hereunto hee did very carefully addresse himselfe 3. Head His confidence of a happy exchange labouring for a gracious confidence of this blessed and happy exchange whensoever he should come unto it And this hee did by clearing his evidence and confirming his assurance of it His evidence he cleared by informing his judgment aright in the all-sufficiency and perpetuity of that blessed estate His evidence of it His assurance he confirmed by such faithfull records covenants grants gifts pledges earnests witnesses signes oaths seales His assurance for it fruits and marks of his interest unto that estate that neither sinne nor Satan law nor conscience death nor hell could infringe it nor finde any flaw therein to give either them any just occasion to except against it or him any cause once to doubt of it This his confidence was his comfort in all his sicknesse His confidence cause of his comfort which drew many comfortable and heavenly speeches from him Such as these and the like O how great is thy goodnes O Lord which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sonnes of men O how precious are thy thoughts unto me Psal 31.19 O God! O how great is the summe of them Psal 139.17 18. If I should count them they are moe in number than the sand when I awake I am ever with thee I trusted in the Lord Psal 31. I said thou art my god My times are in thy hand I am continually with thee thou hast holden me by my right hand Thou shalt guide me with thy counsell Psal 31.23 24 25 26 and afterwards receive me to glory Whom have I in heaven but thee and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee My flesh and my heart faileth but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever I know whom I have beleeved and I am perswaded that he is able to keepe that which I have committed unto him against that day Psal 31. O love the Lord all yee his Saints for the Lord preserveth the faithfull and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer As the Hart panteth after the water-brookes so panteth my soule after thee O God My soule thirsteth for God for the living god O when shall I come and appeare before God O let him kisse me with the kisses of his mouth Cant. 1.1 2. for thy love is better than wine Because of the savour of thy good ointment Thy name is as an oyntment powred forth therefore do the virgins love thee Draw me and I will run after thee God is not unrighteous Heb. 6.10 to forget our worke and labour of love which we have shewed unto his name Faithfull is he that promiseth and calleth us 1 Thes 5.24 Neh. 5.15 and 13. v. 14.22 who will also do it Remember me O my God for good according to all that I have done for thy people and wipe not out my kindnesse that I have done for the house of my God for the Offices thereof Remember me O my God and spare me according to the greatnes of thy mercy Some of these holy and heavenly Speeches hee uttered at his first awaking in the morning some in Prayer with his Family some in his short Ejaculations some as the issue of his secret and silent Meditations some in conference and speech with such of his Christian friends as did come to visit him and to minister either other counsell or comfort unto him Yea and many hundred more than these which would be a matter of great difficulty if not of impossibility to call to mind and to record them His heart was as a fountaine full of the waters of life Iohn 4.141 full of the heavenly knowledge of the holy Scriptures and now being as it were broken open by affliction the riverets of grace and truth did issue out amayne He was full of matter like Elihu Iob 32. â—9 and the Spirit within him did constraine him Behold his belly was as new wine which hath no vent It is ready to burst like new bottles Psa 45.15 His heart was ever inditing some good matter and his tongue became the pen of a ready writer CHAP. LXIII His diligence and conscience in frequenting Gods house NOw although his bodily infirmities did increase and grow upon him yet would he not by any meanes bee kept from the house of God on the Lords day so long as either he could go or ride which was some eight or nine weekes before his death and departure out of this world His house was distant about a myle from the Church His cheerfull going to Church the way faire and large so that hee usually went afoot calling all his family about him leaving neither Cooke nor Butler behinde him nor any of his servants but two or three to make the doores and tend the house untill their returne Psal 122. 1 2. And then taking his Tenants and neighbours as they lay in the way along with him hee marched on with a joyfull and cheerefull heart as a leaden of the Lords host towards the house of God according to that of the Psalmist Psal 42.3 I went with the multitude to the house of God with the voice of joy and praise with a multitude that kept Holy-day And so it was indeed his ordinary manner to call his company neare about him Singing of Psalms by the way and to joyne together with one heart and voice to sing Psalmes as they went along and that Psalme especially How pleasant is thy dwelling place Psal 84. which they performed with such a melodious harmony that the like may be said of them as was of the Jewes God made them to rejoyce with great joy the wives also and the children rejoyced so that the joy of Ierusalem was heard even afarre off Neh. 12.43 For although I cannot say as Augustine did that by such sweet singing of Psalmes divers were converted to the faith of Christ that were strangers to it Yet am I well assured by that which I have heard that many that heard but afarre off Some much delighted and some much bettered by this melody the pleasant sound onely of their delicate and sweet voices according so well together in Gods praises were much refreshed and delighted therewit hall and
him that prayed could not containe himselfe but oftentimes with a cheerefull consent said Amen Amen unto the requests and supplications that were made for his good and comfort in Christ Jesus After this M. L. spake a word unto him to comfort him in the midst of all his sorrowes that hee knew that shortly hee should bee released and freed from all sinne and sorrow from Satan and this present evill world wherunto he answered most cheerfully and graciously I know I shall and bee with Christ which is best of all And now the messenger of death is upon me which he spoke of the hickock which had taken hold of him M. L. replyed I hope Sir that death is no scare nor terror unto you No indeed it is not I thanke God saith he for it is my way to life and I am now called of God unto it And thus he continued in great paine of body but yet in great peace of mind increasing still in consolations and enduring all his sicknesse with admirable patience not shewing any distemper nor discontent neither in word nor deed all the while in the troubles and sorrow of the same His care for prayer in the Family After this the same night he put it upon me to call his Family to Prayer and to performe the evening Sacrifice in the great parlour commading them to set open his little parlour doore adjoyning to it that he might heare us and joyne with us and partake of such mercies and meanes as the Lord should be pleased either to offer unto us or to accept at our hands The next morning though he did weare a way very much yet he called upon M. L. to pray with him Mindfull of M. L. being up very early to go a long journey to preach his ordinary Tewsday Lecture Of whom he was so very carefull that he caused some provision to be made for him especially a Posset that hee himselfe at their parting might drinke with him The same day I staid with him untill the afternoone A heavy Parting ministring such help and comfort as I could unto him And then mine owne occasions calling me home my wife being his former wives own sister and my selfe came to take leave with him which when hee heard and saw his very soule seemed to melt within him for both his and our hearts were full of griefe and our eyes full of teares and so mingling our sorrowes our teares and our prayers together be commended us to the grace and blessing of God as wee also did him And then falling upon his face and kissing his cheek we tooke our long leave with him leaving him yet in the hands of his heavenly Father that would never leave him CHAP. LXVIII Some ever ready to pray with him THe same afternoone he called for M. Lan. and M. Clerk his own Pastor to pray with him and was never at quiet unlesse hee were either Meditating and Praying himselfe or had some godly man or good Minister to pray with him and for him Divers desire a blessing from him Vpon Wednesday morning divers of those that were with him suspecting his death and dissolution to be neare tooke leave with him desiring at their parting a blessing from him Which he did willingly expresse by lifting up his hands and his heart unto Heaven for them Vttering also some words which they could not so well understand In the afternoone he overheard some making motion of blacks I wil have no blacks saith he I love not any proud or pompous Funerals neither is there any cause of mourning but of rejoycing rather in my particular After this he entreated a good Christian to pray with him which he did very willingly again and again to his good contentment And while they were in prayer in the Family they that were with him did imagine that he prayed himself silently and secretly He prayeth secretly himselfe by the pulling of his armes out of the bed and lifting up his hands and his eyes towards Heaven whence only he did looke for hearing and helping at Gods hands And now growing so weak that he was scarce able to speak a word those gracious people that were about him prayed him to lift up his hand if he understood them and would have them to pray for him Other gracious people pray with him which he did very willingly and readily and so he joyned with them and was heard to say Amen to the prayers that they made for him Afterward they perceived that he prayed himselfe again lifting up his hands and uttering these words with many other to the like effect The Lord is my portion His last Prayer my help and my trust his blessed son Jesus is my Saviour and Redeemer Amen Even so saith the Spirit unto my spirit Therefore come Lord Jesus and kisse me with the kisses of thy mouth and embrace me with the armes of thy love Into thy hands do I commend my spirit O come now and take me to thine own selfe O come Lord Jesus come quickly O come O come O come And so his spirit fainting His last end and his speech failing he lay quiet and still for a little season And then he meekly and graciously yeelded up his pretious soule into the hands of God his Father that gave it and into the armes of his Saviour that had bought it and redeemed it with his pretious bloud And thus having finished his course and run out his race the night of his death shutting up the dayes of his life Snaviter in Domino obdormivit He sweetly slept in the Lord. All Glory Thanksgiving and Praise bee unto our gracious God in and through his Son Christ lesus for ever and ever Amen Vae etiam laudabili vitae si remota misericordia discutias eam Aug. Conf. lib. 9. c. 19. Aug. Quisguis tibi enumerat vera merita sua Aug ibid. cap. 13. Quid tibi enumerat nisi muneratua FINIS Imprimatur JOH HANSLEY Jan. 16. 1640.