Images which heâ— found dangerous and offencive in any quarte or corner of it An attempt and act thaâ— will be subject to the censure of the Patrons of popery and many other popish and prophane persons as a matter of grosse impiety and sacriledgâ— to deale so rudely and contumeliously with the images of God of Christ and of his Saints So did Pope Gregory the third excommunieate the Emperour Leo and stamped the name of Iconâ—clast as a brand of heresie in his forehead 〈◊〉 breaking downe of Images in the churches So did Bellarmine censure the Germane Protestants as irreligious and prophane because in their reformation they spared not their Idols and their Images These men no doubt would have cast one stone of rebuke at Christ himselfe if they had seene him drive with whips the buyers and sellers out of the Temple and throwne another at Paul for speaking against the Images of Jupiter and silver Shrines of Diana at Ephesus and for preaching against the Altar dedicated to the unknown God which he saw at Athens had they beene amongst those persons and in those places Now shall we intreat these hypocrites Iustified by themselves against themselvs to turne their eyes into their owne bosomes and view the records of their owne stories and then let them tell us whether their beame be not much bigger than our mote in this kinde of disgracing or defacing images and some other things which they account ornaments of their Churches What if these Catholikes as they desire and delight to be called have cast with violence the reliques of their Saints Nicu. Coni. lib. de Isaac fil Alexio into filthy and base places what if they have throwne the Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ with great indignation sometimes unto the ground and sometimes into the fire what if they have prophaned their holy Vessels Altars Temples what if they have used their sacred images for seates and footstooles Their own Writers will assure them that in the taking of Constantinople Antonin Histor. part 3. tit 19. cap. 2.9 3. they were guitly of such and so great sacriledge that they spared neither the treasures of the Churches nor the Silver Tables about their Altars Sed violatis sacrariis cruces iconas reliqua Ecclesiarum ornamenta rapiebant but prophaning all the holy places and holy things they spoiled their Crosses and Curcifixes their Images and other ornaments of their Churches whatsoever Let them reade and consider Ouuph in vit Clem. 7. Guiciard Hist lib. 7. what violence and indignity Cardinall Columna offered in the taking of Rome under Clement the seventh unto the Palace of the Vaticane and Saint Peters Church when he spoiled them of all their treasure and rich furniture and all the Ornaments of the Church besides Now therefore yee Hypocrites either take the beam out of your own eye or cease to find fault with this mote in your brothers eye any longer If ye be obstinate in this errour of Image worship and call upon our Church windowes for your Church witnesses Testes fenestrae Rat. 10. Aug. de Consensu evang l. 1. cap. 10. as your Father Jesuite Campion hath done we will then answer you with Austin Sic errare meruerunt qui Christum Apostolos ejus quaesiverunt non in sanctis codicibus sedin pictis parietibus They have well deserved so to erre who have sought for Christ and his Apostles not in the holy Booke of God but in painted wales and windowes as you for your parts Aug. ibid. both doe and have done Nec mirum si a pingentibus fingentes decepts sunt And no marvaile if such fainers and forgers as you are bee deceived with such painters and pictures as these be And as for this Gentleman of whom we speak it shall be sufficient for him and us that in this his affection and action hee commeth so neare to that commendation which Ambrose gave unto Theodosius Theodosius abscondit simulacra Gentium omnes enim cultus idolorum fides ejus abscondit Ambrose Orat in mort Theo. omnes eorum ceremonias obliteravit Theodosius did obscure and disgrace all the images of the Gentiles for his faith did darken all the worship of Idols and obliterate all their ceremonies CHAP. XXVII 2 In establishing Gods true Word and worship NOw as it was the just and due praise of these worthies of the Lord according to the nature of true zeale not onely to demolish and deface all instruments or ornaments of idols and false worship but to build up and beautifie the house of God in procuring and providing all good means for his due and true service so may it be and that justly an addition to this Gentlemans former praise that his heart was so enlarged towards God for his glory and Gods people for their good that it was not only his care and conscience to abolish all occasions and provocations unto idolatry and false worship but the very joy of his soule to bring in such godly and able Ministers amongst them as he could provide almost every Lords day into the publike Assembly Such as did feed the people like faithfull Pastors with knowledge and understanding Such as did sowe and plant as Gods husbandmen the seeds and roots of grace and truth amongst them Such as were Ambassadors of peace both preaching unto them the glad tydings of the Gospell by the word of reconciliation and beseeching them also in Christs stead to be reconciled unto God and Heralds at armes also By procuring godly Ministers to preach to lift up their voices as a trumpet to tell the house of Israel their transgression and the house of Iudah their finnes and to denounce Gods righteous judgements due unto the same And all this he did of his own cost and labour and that with a cheerfull and upright heart honouring the Lord with his substance and giving meanes and maintenance to such as were the Lords labourers in the Lords harvest Of his own cost and charg All which his care cost and labour although it was much slighted by many little regarded by the vulgar sort much opposed by the popish and profane and too much undervalued by all yet was hee never daunted nor discouraged in his course nor weary of well doing Little regarded neither Rheum the Chancellor nor Shimshai the Scribe by their letters nor Samballat and Tobiah by their mocks threats and slanders Yet he not discouraged because the word of God prospered could ever divert him from his way or cause the worke of God to cease in his hand So the Word of God grew mightily and prevailed and to use his own words so religion began to enter mangre the divell and his partakers for I was much opposed c. In this passage I much desire to commend unto every Christian especially to Gentlemen of good rancke and place to whom the Lord hath given a large portion in the blessings of
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.
letter of the Lords prayer but to the matter all Set prayer a helpe Heart-prayer best of all Cap. 23. Secondly His singing of Psalmes His delight in singing of Psalmes Thirdly His reading of the Scriptures Fourthly His humble and holy prayer with thankesgiving Having alwayes matter of praise as well as cause of prayer Cap. 24. His Evenings exercise in opening and applying the word for the use of his Family Crowned with a blessing from God Opposed much by some men of the world His fortification against such assaults For justifying of his judgement and practice in thus teaching of his family By his collections and observations out of Godly and good Authors Cap. 25. And yet not usurping upon the ministery nor by any private spirit But by Godly and good meanes providing as Ioseph for himselfe and for his Family Cap. 26. Thus farre of his religious governement of his owne house in his private Family Now of his zeale to Gods house in the publicke Assembly First In abolishing meanes and instruments of false worship His inducements thereunto Authority of the Magistrate example of good and great men which made him proceed from the Chappell to the Church This act censured by Papists Iustified by themselves against themselves Cap. 27. Secondly In establishing Gods true Word and worship by procuring godly ministers to preach of his own Cost and chaâ—ge Little regarded yet he not discouraged because the word of God prospered Many vertues of his to be observed and imitated For Gentlemen to bee rich in good workes For Patrons not to spoile the Church being bound to provide for it For profane Gentlemen bestowing much on their lusts nothing on Gods service Neither maintaining any Levite at home nor seeking after the word abroad Cap. 28. Vpon their neglect of the publike ministry he maintained the Preacher in his owne house But after a while restored him to the publicke Assembly The cause and occasion thereof And so continued to maintaine the Minister both by his owne and Master Clarkes testimony Cap 29 Popish and profane wakes His godly care and labour to suppresse them By a more plentifull and powerfull use of the word preached Whereby hee prevailed and blessed God With rejoycing and Feasting of Gods people Renouncing all fellowship with sinne and sinners And herein following the example of Christ Cap. 30. Nine reasons against popish and profane Wakes Cap. 31. Being still more religious hee grew â—…ore famous Many desire to sojourne with him Sir Ricâ—ard Grosvenor in his tender yeares bâ—ought up in his house Master Hardware and his Family also tabled with him His wise and gracious dealing with him and his And the good effect and fruit thereof Both in his family and in the city Thus to season others and to build up Gods house in his owne was his labour of love and joy of his heart Cap. 32. The good successe whereof made him like David To make greater provision by publicke exercises which he frequented and by which he became better furnished In which his course divers things to be commended First His chéerefullnesse Secondly His painfullnesse First In seeking Secondly In gathering Manna and other provision Thirdly His attentive diligence First In hearing Secondly In writing Thirdly In repeating Fourthly in recording the summe and substance of all the exercises In many manuscripts commended to the heires of his family Fourthly His kind usage of Gods ministers First Love to their persons Secondly Reverence to their callings Fiftly His good affection to professors Cap. 33. The exercises of Religion great helps unto godlinesse A motion for exchange with other exercises of profanesse Difference great Company contrary Holy exercises acceptable to God Profitable unto men yet will none make an exchange but such as are changed themselves Cap. 34. He was otherwise exercised also by affliction In the death of his Wife Sudden death a fearefull Iudgement to some Sudden Death upon a wicked life fearfull Yet all that dye suddenly doe not dye fearfully but many otherwise as this Gentlewoman very hopefully No death sudden to a sound Christian His afflictions sanctified and passions moderated Cap. 35. Standing in need of marriage he sought and found a prudent wife by good opportunity and by good meanes of his trusty servant declaring unto him her Parents Her Father her mother and her parts worthy due Commendation So he made motion for marriage Prevailed in it and tooke her to wife He set up and renewed the exercises of Religion in that Family The good successe thereof by his own testimony Cap. 36 His returne home to Stapleford bringing his wife along with him Divers Gentlemen desire to sojourne with him His Family a famous nursery for Religion Master Wilbraham placeth his Sonne-inlaw and his daughter with him Cap. 37. His desire to give him contentment and to doe them good To try their dispositions he observed their words and workes They were teachable and tractable Touching the Lords day Concerning Cardeplay His Wife converted Himselfe convinced Al witnesses of his faithfulnesse Cap. 38. His burning of Tables Cards and Dice as malefactours An attestation of the Fathers with him against them Cap. 39. His collections against Cards and Dice Cap. 40. Instead of Tables Cards and Dice he set up two Bibles one in the Parlour another in the Hall Answerable to our Church Canons Bibles for Bs. servants and for strangers This neglected A remedy for recovery to take heed of evill and provide good servants Our Canons against Cards and Dice and all unlawfull games Some of our Divines in the Countrey make little Conscience of these Canons Cap. 41. Some defects in the publicke ministry He procured Master A. St. for supply whom he maintained for the most part His worthy testimony concerning Master Bruen Being an eye and care witnesse Master Perkins hearing of him did much admire and commend him Many Gentlemen desire to sojourne with him His owne relation Cap. 42. A sudden Storme upon the death of his deare wife A great affliction to the whole Family Her vertues and due praises The heavy parting of his Tablers All full of griefe Master Bruen himselfe exceeded Time and reason strengthened with grace will moderate passions Cap. 43. Master Bruen's owne relation touching his more private course of life Seaven things remarkeable therein Cap. 44. All to be said may bee drawne to three heads First His conversing with God Secondly His conversation in the world Thirdly His departure out of the world God gave him wisedome and understanding Also courage and strength as he did to Ioshua His conversing with God in foure Spirituall Duties Cap. 45. First His meditation The necessity and excellency of Meditation Meanes and helpes which he used Reading of the word and of godly mens writings his following the rules of direction for meditation The gaine Godlinesse many benefits and sweet fruits of it Great difference Many Enemies unto it Many of the better sort fayle in it Cap. 46. Secondly Observation of Gods judgements and
plerunque forvescit suis horrattbus duplicante Hieron adver ViglaÌ„t His childhood The greater must needs be both the sinne and shame of many of our Gentlemen who are so far from repressing such corruptions or restrayning such lusts and lewd courses in their children that they do not only lead and draw them by their countenance and example but hale and force them by their commands and threats into the base fellowship of such sinnes and sinners Bis peccat qui exemple peccat his offence is double that offends himselfe and by his bad example causeth others to offend also When he was about the age of six or seven yeares his Father for some offence or fault did rebuke him sharpely and correct him soundly and being then in much griefe of heart for his Fathers displeasure and desiring to see some meanes of comfort and reliefe tooke unto him a little prayer book which at that time he had learned and went apart into his Fathers Chappell and there by reading and praying aswel as he could was comforted with unexpressible joys His Prayers These be his own words and he addeth But being but a child I knew not what they meant And the next day I went to the same place using the like means but found not the like comfort What I should think upon a childs Prayers and such unexpressible joyes upon the same I cannot well tell yet do I remember what Austine reporteth of himselfe being but a child that observing others to pray unto God he learned to thinke and conceive of God as some great and mighty one Like Austins who though he were not known by sight Aug. confes lib. 1â— 9 lib. 3.4 yet could both heare us and helpe us at his pleasure Nam puer coepi rogare te auxilium refugium meum rogabam te parvus non parvo affectâ—… ne in Scholâ vápularem For being but a child saith hee I began to pray unto thee my help and my refuge and I prayed a little one with no little affection that I might not be beaten at Schoole Hee that out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hath ordained himselfe praise may also put some good motions of his Spirit even upon the hearts of children and cause them to open their lips in prayer which hee that worketh in them knoweth how to accept from them what answer to make unto them according to his wisdom and good pleasure And if we acknowledge that the elect of God in the Sacrament of their new birth being but infants may and do receive the seale of Gods Spirit in their soules which worketh in them though secretly and strangely yet effectually and truly some measure of saving Grace and Faith in Christ Jesus Why may we not thinke that some sparkles of this holy and heavenly fire Children may have good motions may upon occasion no wand then break out from the hearts and lips of young children being the elect of God though by reason of their weaknesse of understanding and wanâ— of judgment they neither know whence they are nor what they meane Samuel being but a childe ministred unto the Lord before Eli when as yet hee knew not the Lord 1 Sam. 3.1.7 neither was the Word of the Lord revealed unto him Yea hee had communion and conference with the Lord when the Lord called Samuel Samuel and he answered Speak Lord for thy servant heareth Wee are not I know to look for such revelations in these dayes yet seeing the Lord is Liberrimum Agens not bound himself though he bind us to the use of his ordinary means hee may at his pleasure make sweet impressions of his Spirit and Truth even upon the mindes and hearts of young children As I make no doubt but he might doe upon the heart of this his servant being yet a childe when first he was so sensible of his fault before his father that he was much displeased with himselfe because he had displeased him Secondly in filiall obedience and patience submitted himselfe quietly to his fathers sharpe rebuke and severe correction And lastly when he had recourse unto the Lord by such meanes and helps of prayer as he had both for pardon of his sinne and comfort of his soule in that affliction Some seedes of grace in his childhood Which now I am the rather induced to thinke of him because it is well knowne that being often asked in his riper age of the time of his calling and of his conversion when it first began his usuall answer was Even of a child little Aug. Confes l. 3. c. 4. Hoc nomen Chri. c. The seeds of grace in some measure might then be sowne which untill they were farther increased by knowledge and judgement watered by the Word and warmed by the Spirit lay hid under the corruptions of nature and lusts of youth as under clods of earth for a time but afterwards brake out in the fruits of an effectuall Calling and Conversion in due season CHAPTER III. ANd so indeed or not much otherwise it fared His youth and fell out with this Gentleman in his tender years who for want of a Schoole-master at home was sent by his parents to his Vncle Dutton of Dutton there to be taught and trained up under one James Roe who kept Schoole there at that time where he continued a Scholler and Tabler for the space of three yeares A great family and of great liberty Something he got for Grammar learning a little it may be for civill education but nothing at all for nurture and information in true Religion There His dancing and then by occasion of Musitians and a chest of Viols kept in the house he was drawn by desire and delight into the Dancing-schoole where he profited so well in that kinde of youthfull activity that he did not only please himselfe too much but his parents also much more than was meet with those tricks of vanity Isucrat Oral Areopag Hieron ad Laetam So he termeth those exercises himself and yet saith hee they were held commendable in those dayes of ignorance Venena non dantur nisi melle circumlita vitia non decipiunt nisi sub specie umbr áque virtutum Poysons are not given but sweetned with honey and vices doe not deceive but under the shew and shadow of vertue Sober and single dancing of men apart and women apart hath had his use and praise also not only among the Heathen but amongst the people of God when by the nimble motions and gestures of the body Ambr. in Luc. lib. 6. cap. 7. Tertul de Spectac cap. 21. Origen in cap. 14. Matth. in cap. 12. ad Rom. Amb. in 1 Cor. cap. 10. in Luc. lib. 6. cap. 7. de Virgin lib. 3. they have expressed the great joyes of their hearts for some good of their owne or to set forth Gods glory But mixt dancing of men and women with light and
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
and welfare aswel in matters of religion tending to their salvation as in the affairs of this life to lead and guid them aright for their outward peace and contentment And wives As also for such good women that would be reckoned in the number of gracious and good wives that they be in meeknesse and humility ' so subject unto their husbands that they may bee teachable to learne and tractable to observe and obey whatsoever in and for the Lord they shall require of them This also discovereth the miserable condition of such families A discovery of the misery of unequall yokefellowes Manifested in foure instances where the governours are unequally yoked being diverse both in opinion and affection touching matters of Religion and so much distracted and disordered in the performance of such religious duties as the Lord in their families requires at their hands which I see not how it can possibly bee otherwise when the husband drawes one way and the wife another As first when the husband is an Atheist that calls not upon God no prayer in his family no thanksgiving at his Table for his meate no reading of holy Scripture the wife a Papist contenting her selfe with her blind devotions upon her beads and bookes in her private chamber and her closet to feed and cherish her seduced heart and corrupted humour therewithall Secondly when the husband is a prophane Esau minding only earthly things and embracing like Demas this present world followeth with great eagernesse the profits and pleasures of this life the wife a godly matron like Sarah in her Tent faithfull and painfull carefull of her familie and friends with Mart ha and conscionable of that one thing which is needfull with Mary having chosen the better part which shall not be taken from her Thirdly when one thinkes every little too much or enough at least in Gods service the other thinks againe all that they can doe too little to testifie their thankfullnesse and faithfullnesse to God in the religious duties of their families Fourthly when the one contents himselfe with a forme of godlinesse putting a shag-hared servingman to read a few cold prayers and a simple and silly childe to say grace and so slubber over their morning and evening service being as well pleased as if they had gotten Micha his Levite into their house or one of Jeroboams priests to do them service in worshipping the Calf which is set up amongst them The other is much blamed for that rejecting all pharisaicall formality in religion they desire such effectuall and powerfull meanes of grace as may enable them to shew forth the power and fruit of godlines in a good conversation Alas what distractions and contentions must here needs be what distemper and disorder both in the governors and government of such a family must needs arise where husband and wife who should being yoke-fellows draw equally in one yoke are yet unequally yoked â—oves qui jungit adaratruÌ„ equos ad currum pares eligit ut aetas conveniat forma Amb. lib. 8 Epift. 86. ad Paternum that when the one drawes forwards the other drawes backwards the one puts his shoulder to the burden the other withdrawes himself from it or stands in open opposition against the bearing of it It was far otherwise with this Gentleman and his faithfull yoke-fellow who being both of one mind and one heart in the profession of the Gospel and both well affected and acquainted with the power and practice of religion became as lamps and lights to the rest of their family by their holy example and godly conversation amongst them CHAP. XVII 2 In their godly education of their children THeir children they brought up in the knowledge and feare of God laying the foundation by continuall catechizing of them in the principles and grounds of true Christian Religion and building thereon farther by such sentences and portions of holy Scriptures 1 By instruction as might best fit their tender yeares and make the easiest impressions of grace and truth in their hearts And because he well knew that it was not enough for him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. to put good things upon their minds but also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to nurture them by correction as occasion should require 2 By correction and so both by the word and by the rod to bring them up in the information of the Lord He therefore did not spare to use the rod of correction as Gods healing medicine to cure the corruptions of his children and to heale their soules of their sinnes by the same Wherein if at any time his heart were so over-heated by his hatred of their sin Wherein if his passions exceeded He was humbled and zeale for Gods glory that he did either speake unadvisedly with his lips or deale too violently with his hands He was afterwards much troubled at it and much humbled for it that going about to heale others he had so rashly procured a stroke and a wound unto himselfe Healed for which now he found no better remedy than to have recourse unto his heavenly Father by humble and hearty prayer who healeth all the infirmities both of Parents and children and forgiveth all their sinnes And bettered in 4. particulars Optabatur in eo quod in aliis timebatur ut irasceretur Amb. de obit Theod. when they seeke unto him The fruits of which his holy desires and endeavours he found and reaped in due season For first he became hereby more watchfull over his spirit and speech in all such occasions and provocations to passion and distemper Secondly he grew more moderate in correction keeping himselfe within the bounds of it discretion and compassion Thirdly when his passions were most vehement against sinne he much asswaged the heat thereof 3 In the governing of his servants by his love and tender affections towards the sinner Fourthly He lived to see those whom he most sharply corrected effectually converted and reformed CHAP. XVIII I Come now after the branches of his vine to the plants of his vineyard namely his men 1 In chusing and maid-servants amongst whom there was not one idle and unprofitable person Where I hold him worthy great commendation first for his godly care in chusing And secondly for his good conscience in ordering and using of them as he did so well both in their persons and in their callings As for their choice this was wont to be his course As he heard of any that began to set their faces towards Ierusalem or to look towards heaven as if they meant in good earnest to travell that way or of such as had travelled many Sabbath dayes journey that way already his heart was presently towards them so that by good and faire meanes he endeavoured to draw such into his service and if he had place of imployment for them to plant them in his family above any other persons whatsoever So that in a
thy poore children do humbly beseech thee graciously to assist us by thy holy Spirit in this our morning exercise that we may faithfully perform the same to thy praise and our comfort and that for Christ his sake our onely Saviour and Redeemer Amen This set forme of his short prayer before his Morning and evening exercise In a set forme I doe the more willingly set downe that they may see how farre they were deceived and what wrong they did him who held him to bee an utter adversary to all set formes of prayer who might also have received their answer and beene evidently refuted to their faces if they had but observed his ordinary practice every Lords day in the publike assembly where he did reverently accommodate himself to the publike prayers of the Church and religiously joyne together with Minister and people in the celebration of Gods service Certainly hee was not ignorant A set form of prayer justified that when our Saviour Christ taught his Disciples to pray hee gave them liberty to call upon the name of God their Father even in that set forme of prayer which he prescribed and in the same words when you pray say Our Father c. And yet for all that he knew well enough that he gave the Spirit of prayer also unto them and unto all believers children of the same Father that they might enlarge themselves according to those grounds and frame all their sutes after that forme and therefore hee gave this direction unto them After this manner pray ye By our Saviours institution of the Lords prayer and By his owne practice Mat. 26.44 Our Father c. yea Christ hath left us his owne blessed example for the warrant of both when in his Agonyhe praied three times using as the text saith the same words and when after his farewell sermon to his Disciples hee prayed for himselfe his Disciples and all true believers unto the worlds end in great variety of words and for many gifts and graces in particular which yet are not all mentioned but are all for substance contained in that patterne of true prayer None precisely bound to the letter of the Lords prayer but to the matter al. Peter Martyr hath made a collection of holy prayers out of Davids Psalmes and M. Perkins hath gathered together S. Paubs prayers out of his Epistles in both which there is great variety both of matter and words much exceeding the letter of the Lords prayer yet is there no Petition or thanksgiving in either of them which may not fitly be reduced to some parts and heads of the Lords Prayer For my part I shall never blame him that seeketh to help his understanding memory Set prayer a help and affection by such meanes if he bring new affections to renewed petitions and set his heart a worke to seeke more seriously for the best things such as the godly labours of good men have in print set before him But if any man will rest in his booke prayers and never strive to speake unto God out of his owne heart by his owne Spirit which teacheth every true child of God to cry Abba Father Heart prayer best of all Rom. 8. and helpeth our infirmities that wee may stand before him as his children Such a man in my opinion comes farre short of the power and practice comfort and fruit of true prayer and is not much unlike to an impotent and weake man that being lame of his limbes and having meanes of helpe and recovery tendred unto him had yet still rather use a paire of crutches borrowed of his neighbour to goe withall as he can than betake himselfe to his owne legges and feet to walke in his way which the Lord hath appointed for him as he might and ought to doe CHAP. XXIII AFter this short prayer because wee are all commanded to sing Psalmes unto God 2 His singing of Psalmes to testifie our rejoycing in him to instruct our selves in his mercies and judgements words and works and to make melody in our hearts before him as also to quicken our soules to praise and thanksgiving hee therefore did usually call the whole family to sing some of the Psalmes such as hee named unto them with grace in their hearts unto the Lord which they ordinarily performed with such melodious and sweet voices and affections himselfe beginning the tune and the rest in a sweet accord and harmony joyning with him as if they had desired to sing Davids Psalmes His delight in singing of Psalms not onely with Davids Harpe but even with Davids heart also With this exercise of singing of Psalmes hee was much delighted and oftentimes so ravished in his spirit with holy and heavenly joy in singing and sounding forth Gods praises that his heart would even spring and leape in his body as John Baptist did for the joy of Christ in his mothers belly Hieron in Epitaphio Fabiolae yea he was so much affected with the praising of God in this kinde that hee tooke the word Halelu-jah which is the title of nine Psalmes and the song of the Quire of Angles for his Poesie and usually writ it in the first leafe of all his bookes with his owne hand to provoke and draw on others into the fellowship of Gods praises with him and to set it forth as an impresse or character of his chiefe desire and delight Amalaris de officio mâ—ssâ—c 13. to have the praises of the Lord in his heart or in his mouth in his care or in his eye continually When the Psalm was ended 3 His reading of the Scriptures he read a Chapter himselfe out of the Bible keeping an orderly and constant course in his reading to make his family better acquainted with the order and matter of the Scriptures and to season their hearts with some portion of Gods Word in the morning as a preservative against all unfavoury thoughts noysome lusts rotten speeches and ungodly workes all the day after This hee knew was Gods holy Ordinance from which neither Kings in peace nor Commanders in warre were exempted wherewith all Governours of families are expresly charged Deut. 6.6 7 8. Deut. 17.18 19. Ios 1.7.8 Deut. â—1 18 19 20 2 Tim. 3.14 15. Ioh. 5.39 wherein both elder and yonger have beene exercised and whereunto all sorts are by our blessed Saviour exhorted Search the Scriptures c. And this hee duly performed with such reverence and conscience as might to his power best become the solemnity of the action which they had in hand and the majestie of his presence before whom they stood Now because he knew that all planting and watering was in vain unlesse God himself gave the blessing of increase and that the Prayer of faith availeth much for that end if it bee fervent hee therefore with all his family bowing the knees of their hearts as well as the knees of their bodies before the throne of grace did in
the profession of the Gospel and practice of true religion He that had done so worthily in Ephrata became famous in Bethlehem He grew more famous His name being perfumed with such and so great variety of Gods graces did send forth a most fragrant and sweet smell and savour into all the families of the countrey round about him insomuch Many desite to sojournwith him that now divers Gentlemen of the best ranck did much desire to sojourne under his roofe and to table with him for their better information in the way of God and more effectuall reclaiming of themselves and their families That honourable and worthy Knight Sir Richard Grosvenor Baronet when he was young and tender was by his parents godly and gracious care and desire of his religious education Sir R. G. in his tender yeares brought up in his house transplanted as it were into this family where for the space of three yeares he was trained up and nurtured in the knowledge and feare of God and that with so good successe and fruit of this Gentlemans labours and endeavours through the blessing of God upon him that both the University in his youth and the countrey in his reper age may and will seale him a worthy testimony for a Gentleman of an amiable and sweet disposition and of a studious and religious carriage and conversation amongst them The seed that was then sowen and the plants that were then set in this soyle are yet still increasing and bringing forth more fruit both in his person and calling whereof as wee have seene a faire increase already in some of his more eminent imployments so doe we yet looke for a more plentifull harvest of his holy and wholesome fruits in their season as hee may have further calling thereunto Much about this time also his brother in Law Master Hardware of the Peile M. Hard. and his family also tabled with him was very desirous to draw nearer unto him and so with his good liking and allowance brought himselfe and his whole family wife children and servants to be tabled with him This Master Hardware at the first seeing this Gentleman in the government of his family so full and free for wholesome admonitions and reproofes could no better abide a rebuke than sore eyes can endure the Sun Which when Master Bruen had once and againe observed knowing that Patient to be very sicke that is impatient of the meanes and medicine which might cure him He began to cast about how he might best deale with him and most effectually worke upon him for his good What he did to this end and with what effect and fruit His wise and gracious dealing with him and his he shall himselfe tell you in his own words I remember saith hee my brother Hardware when hee was tabler with us at first would not bee reproved but after a while having the 141. Psalme for our Evenings exercise and then divers of my family did usually give Notes being godly and well affected all concluded together that all should speake of the fifth verse Let the righteous reprove mee c. And my selfe gave the last note after which time he never resisted any more Yea more than all this And the good effect and fruit ther of he gives him yet a better testimony of his growth and proficiency in religion under his own hand in these words It pleased God saith hee so to worke upon his and their hearts that they went home with new hearts converted unto God and professed religion in holy sincerity untill their death My brother Hardware then at Peile Both in his family and set up religion in his family with great power and comfort So that the very first evening after their comming home they began to sing Psalms to read the Scriptures to Pray and to Catechise all which being ended his wife ran unto him and kissed him with great rejoycing saying O husband I thank God and blesse his name that ever you came to Staplefoord And so afterwards being Major of Chester In the city he that year shewed his religion very graciously in his government all praise to God c. These things he hath thus set downe as he hath done also many more as certaine memorials of Gods mercies Thus to season others in blessing his desires and endeavours for the seasoning of others both persons and families with the salt of true religion by his hand that so they might bee better able to offer themselves and their services as holy living and spirituall sacrifices acceptable unto God in Christ Jesus This was his labour of love And to build up Gods house in his owne was his labour of love And joy of his heart to build up the house of God even in his owne house and taking some out of other families as rough stones out of the Quarries to hew and square them smooth and polish them to be as lively and precious stones of and for the Lords Temple And this was the very joy of his heart to see the word of the Lord prosper in his hand according to that saying of Saint Iohn I have no greater joy than to heare that my children walke in the truth I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health even as thy soule prospereth CHAP. XXXII THis comfort and contentment which hee tooke in laying the foundation The good successe whereof and building up the walles of Gods house in this manner did give him great encouragement to furnish himselfe better and to make his provision greater for this worke both by his private studies and also by his publike travels and endeavours being herein not much unlike to holy David who having it in the purpose of his heart 1 Chr. 29 1 2. to build Gods house provided abundantly all manner of materials wood and stone iron and brasse gold and silver marble and precious stones Made him like David to make greater provision as hee could procure them farre or neare besides all the treasure that he offered of his owne proper goods even three thousand talents of the gold of Ophir and seven thousand talents of refined silver to the furthering and finishing of the Lords house For whereas in those dayes it seemed good unto the Lord having compassion on his people to raise up and establish many holy exercises of religion By publike exercises both in Cheshire and in Lancashire which were kept constantly every moneth and maintained worthily by the godly labours of the faithfull Ministers and Messengers of God in those parts and that with great and comfortable successe and fruit for the edifying of the Churches of God in knowledge faith and obedience to the Gospell This worthy Gentleman Which hee frequented taking hold of this faire opportunity did frequent these assemblies and partake of the labours of the Lords Builders with great diligence care and conscience storing himselfe with their treasures
established him and his for and in the government of their Family again according to their former exercises of Religion and other civill and domesticall duties required in the same Divers Gent. desire to sojourne with him There were many Gent. of the best rank in the Countrey that desired made much great fute some for their children and some for themselves and some for their friends to so journe with him as we have already heard some others had in like manner done before them And all to this end that being partakers of so good meanes of grace under his godly government and gracious example of a holy life the ignorant might be instructed the unruly reclaimed the superstitious reformed the profane converted or restrained His family a famous Nursery for Religion Babes in Christ might bee nursed and grow up by the sincere milke of the Word and such as were of riper age might bee fed and strengthened with other wholesome Doctrin as with stronger meat Thus his house and Family became yet more famous as a Seminary of true Religion a Nursery for the plants of grace 2 Kin. 2.3 5. 2 Sam. 17.18 1 Sam. 25. a field or Vineyard which the Lord had blessed to beare trees of righteousnesse and fruits of holinesse Not much unlike to one of the Schooles of the Prophets by the river of Jorden or Jericho or on the top of Mount Carmel or like to Samuels house at Ramah whether many went to seek the Seer and to have counsell and comfort him 1 Sam. 19.19 Iud. 21.2 2 Kin. 22.14 Act. 19.9 10. 2 Kin. 2.7 15 18 2 3. Gen. 28.17 18 19 M. Wilbraham placeth his son in law and his daughter with him Like to the Hill of the Teacher the Colledge at Jerusalem the Schoole of Tyrannus yea a very Bethell and a little Church of God 1 Cor. 6.19 a true house of God and the very gate of Heaven One of the first and best and best worthy to bee first of those Gentlemen which dealt with him in this kind and to this end was that thrice worthy truly honored and accomplished Gentleman Tho. Wilbraham of Woodhey Esquire the very beauty and glory of that house and perelesse pillar of the Countrey who having married his eldest daughter to a young Gentleman the heire of the house of Vtkinton of great place for his birth and bloud and of good parts for his naturall endowments and civill disposition yet much addicted to the pleasures of the World and the lusts of youth was very desirous to place them both as so journers for a season in this Gentlemans house and under his Government for their good that so they might be the better wained from such occasions of evill as happily else where they might meet withall and better acquainted with the meanes and substance of true Religion together with the power and practice of it which in all likely hood here they might find and attaine unto in this Family CHAP. XXXVII His desire to give him contentment THis godly motion of Master Wilbrahams for his sonne in Law and his daughter to so good an end M. Bruen did very willingly entertaine and so received the young couple into his family together with such as they brought along with them to attend upon them His desire herein was to give contentment to that worthy Gentleman whom he much esteemed and intirely affected for his parts and place And to do them good and to do what good he could to the young couple being neere a kin unto him and now commended to his trust Which trust reposed in him hee did so carefully and conscionably discharge that as hee saw the hand of the Lord leading him unto it so found hee the helpe of the same hand prospering his endeavours for their good The course which he held with them as he did also with others at their first comming was to try their dispositions and inclinations affections and conditions how teachable they were and how tractable they were like to be unto good duties and good things To try their dispositions To which end hee did very carefully looke into their wayes see much and say little beare and forbeare He observed their words and workes as occasion did require taking speciall notice of any good they did or said and passing over many other lesser faults and slips untill he had some fitter opportunity to admonish them And this he hath recorded himselfe to their just praise and commendation that being neither perverse in their own wayes nor averse from good duties they shewed themselves very plyable unto the orders They were teachable and tractable and government of the family in all their carriage and conversation amongst them One or two speciall testimonies hereof I will not spare to relate seeing hee hath thought it meet to leave them upon record under his owne hand Touching the Lords day This Master Done being young and youthly yet very tractable could not well away with the strict observation of the Lords day whereupon wee did all conspire to doe him good ten of my family speaking one after another and my self last for the sanctifying of the Lords day After which he did very cheerfully yeeld himself Blessed be God And concerning card-play Another instance he addeth to the same purpose I comming once into his chamber saith hee and finding over the Mantletree a paire of new cards no body being there I opened them and tooke out the foure knaves and burnt them and so laid them together againe and so for want of such knaves his gaming was marred and never did he play in my house for ought that ever I heard any more Here I cannot but commend both the Phisycian and the Patient also the Physitian that gave him a gentle purg so wisely and the patient that took it so well that it wrought so kindly with him for his good A third testimony he gives them both after this manner His wife converted Himselfe conâ—â—â—â—ed The said John Done being now Knight was then young and youthly yet very tractable his wife wee feared inclining to popery but I hope shee got true saving grace and hee being convinced in judgement I expect the stampe of grace in Gods good time This was no small joy unto him in his life that he saw such holy fruit of his godly labours in these his neare and deare Cosins before his death Their children gracious and religious which was yet more increased and inlarged by the blessing of God upon the branches of their vines their heire of good hope their daughter in Law and foure daughters all of them ripe in knowledge and rich in grace the humble and holy handmaides of the Lord Jesus O how greatly did he rejoyce in their comely order their gracious conference when he heard it or heard of it their holy affections in religious duties All witnesses of his faithfulnesse their godly carriage and
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
and the godly in all duties of Piety and Charity And so continuing as she did faithfull unto death shee obtained what she desired and expected the crown of life What were the heavy consequents of this affliction in his Family hee hath himselfe set down and that in so patheticall a maner that I know some that could yet never read the words but their heart was full of sorrow and their eyes full of teares in the reading of them His own words be these But when it pleased God to take away my wife from me then all mourned for her losse As also in respect that all my tablers must now part being about the number of 21. my son John and his being then with me But we did still so accord and so loth wee were to depart a sunder The heavy parting of his Tablers that I requested them to stay with me that quarter more from January to Aprill which was very thankfully accepted which quarter we had much comfort together but mourning oftentimes to think of the quarters end And the last day sitting at dinner together all so full of heavines that in effect there was no meat eaten So as I was forced to hide my selfe All full of griefe and could not take leave with them all being so full of griefe c. When Jonathan and David whose hearts were linked together in holy love were orced to part and were now ready to take leave one with another It is said in the story that they kissed one anther 1 Sam. 20.41 and wept one with another untill David exceeded It was not much otherwise with this Company that had lived under one roof in so great love and peace together when now they must part and take leave one of another they kissed one another and wept one with another untill M. Bruen himselfe exceeded M. Bruen himselfe exceeded And so exceeded that he was glad then to hide himselfe to conceale the extremity of his griefe and since in recording of it to draw a vaile over it with an c. as the Painter did over Agamemnons face when hee knew that his pensill could not expresse the heavy sorrows of a fathers heart in the losse of Iphigenia so deare a daughter Pectoris vulaus tepore ratione curatur Hieron ad Pammach Time and reason strengthened by grace will moderate passions That which men say will avayle much with a naturall man for allaying the heate and repressing the violence of griefe and sorrow time and reason being now more strengthened by grace and well qualified by Christian wisdome and moderation brought this Gentleman to a good measure of patience and contentment in bearing and breaking through this affliction which hee saw the hand of the Lord had laid upon him For now he began to frame his affections for a single life and to draw his Family into a narrower compasse resolving to retire himselfe and to live more privatly if it were but for a season for the benefit of his children which the Lord had given him CHAP. XLIII WHat hee did herein upon what advise to what end and with what successe to others and himselfe both for soule and body I think it not amisse to tell you at large in his own words Then I continued saith hee a single life five yeares and a halfe or thereabouts Two yeares in mine own house In which time that man of God good M.D. came unto me who enquiring of my estate I told him I did owe about an hundred pounds and had 4 daughters and divers sons He therefore advised me to give over my house and to go to Chester and to live there a season which I yeelded unto M. Bifeild then being there a godly Preacher and very powerfull in his Ministery And there I lived 3 yeares having the company of M. Bifeild and his wife every Wedensday and Fryday to dinner which were his Lecture dayes with some other good company besides In which 3 yeares it pleased God to stir up the hearts of many neighbours to come every evening to prayer with us and some every morning My sister Hardware and her Family shee being a widow came constantly having a convenient way through her garden and often with her many friends and neighbours These our meetings were traduced by some and excepted against by others and yet after a while being well known what they were no fault was found In this time It pleased the Lord Almighthy to give a great blessing All praise unto his holy Name only Many converted and many confirmed and many convinced And many could I name but I spare Let God alone be glorified magnified for ever that by such weake instruments doth manifest such great power grace and mercy In these 3 yeares God gave me also a great earthly blessing 1 I paid all my debt 2 I marryed my two daughters that were marriageable and paid their marriage portions 3 I preferted a son or two 4 I maintained the poore in my own Parish in the Countrey allowing all the increase of my 2 mils in Stapl. for that end 5 I mainteined the poore in Chest both at my gates and otherwise weekly as I was rated All humble and hearty praise and thanks be given to God Father Sonne and Holy Ghost for evermore Amen Then I returned home and built my Study And tooke to wise Margaret through Gods blessing and by her one daughter dead one son living Al praise to God There are divers things in this relation very remarkable which may not well be passed over in silence tending so much both to his just commendation and to our information and edification in the Faith and feare of God 1 As first that Although the Lord was pleased sundry times to exchaunge his comforts with crosses yet was he never changed nor moved from his steadfastnesse 2 Secondly in all his afflictions he was willing to be humbled but never dejected nor discouraged having learned in what estate so ever he was therewith to be content 3 Thirdly that where ever he was at home or abroad in city or countrey his desires and endeavours were ever bent to doe good remembring the words of our Lord Jesus that it is a more blessed thing to give than to receive 4 Fourthly that where ever he went whatsoever he did the presence of the Lord Jesus was with him and his good hand upon him to prosper him in all his wayes and to strengthen his hand and heart in well doing 5 Fifthly that in every place he became a nursing father to the children of God Esay 22.23.24 whether they were babes or such as were of riper age in Christ yea he was as a naile of the Sanctuary fastened in a sure place upon which men did hang all vessels of small quantitie from the vessels of cups even to all the vessels of flaggons as the Prophet speaketh 6 Sixthly that notwithstanding all his great expenses both in city and countrey in maintaining
the poore and entertaining of good people yet his estate was not impaired but increased the blessing of God inlarging his substance and his store according as it is written Godlinesse is profitable for all things having the promise both of this life and of that which is to come 7 Seventhly that in all blessings and comforts whether corporall or spirituall upon himselfe or upon others by his meanes his heart tasting and relishing the love of God in them was marvelously enlarged in rendering and returning all thanks and praise unto God alone even for the least of them Thus farre hath this worthy Gentleman holpen us to spin out the thread of his owne life with his owne fingers and to make up as it were the web thereof with his owne hands But as the cunning and curious workmanship of a cloth of Arras is but little seene and discerned while it is in the Loomes or when it lyeth folded and rolled up together but when it is opened in a faire light displayed at large and exposed to the view of the beholders then the art and skill of the work man doth more evidently appeare in great beauty and variety of knots and flowers Pomegranets and Lillies pictures and pourtraitures of princes and great personages and the like Even so the story of this Gentlemans life thus woven and wrapped up together though it containe many excellent things of great value and worth in it yet cannot the beautie and glory of his particular gifts and graces duties and services bee so well discerned and observed unlesse it be yet a little farther opened and unfolded and set forth to the view of such men as desire and delight to look into such things CHAP. LXIV IT will be therefore very requisite and no lesse pertinent to the present businesse wee have in hand to take a more strict view of some speciall parts and passages of his life wherein the gifts of Gods grace the vertues of Christ and the fruits of the spirit did more evidently and eminently appear to the farther beautifying and adorning of his person and profession of the Gospel of Christ Jesus Now to this end for our better and more orderly proceeding herein All to bee said drawn to 3. heads we will draw into a narrow compasse and reduce unto three generall heads all such specialties or particulars as may be worthy our observation in the same 1. As first His Conversing with God 1 His conversing with God 2. His Conversation in the World 2 His conversation in the world 3. His Deputure out of the World 3 His departure out of the world Exod 31.1 2.3 4 5. When the Lord called Bezaliel by name to worke in the building of the Tabernacle it is recorded that he filled him with the Spirit of God in wisedome and in understanding and in knowledge and in all manner of workmanship to work in gold and in silver and in brasse in cutting and setting of stones and carving of timber c. It was even so or not much otherwise with this worthy Gentleman when the Lord did as it were call him out by name to worke for the building of a spirituall tabernacle in himselfe and in others He filled him in good measure with the Spirit of grace in spirituall wisedome holy understanding and heavenly knowledge God gave him wisedome and Vnderstanding 1 Tim. 12 14 1 Cor. 15.10 Ier. 23.22.28 Also courage and strength Eph. 6.10 11 12 13 14. to worke cunning and curious workes by faith in love whether it were in Christians of better rancke as in gold and silver or in such as were of meaner place as in brasse and timber So doth the Lord ever furnish those whom he will set a worke and imploy in his service with all sufficient gifts and graces for the accomplishing of the worke whereunto he sets or sends them And as he gave him wisdome and knowledge so did he also courage and strength to mannage a Christian life and to fight valiantly the battels of the Lord against all the assaults of Satan and of sinfull men of the flesh and of the world and to breake through all difficulties and dangers that might stand or rise up against him in his way The Lord dealing herein as mercifully with him as hee did with Ioshua Iosh 1.5.6 9. As he did to Ioshua when he sent him to fight against the Canaanites and to put his people in possession of the holy land speaking unto him in these words of comfort and encouragement Have not I commanded thee be strong and of a good courage be not affraid neither be thou dismaied for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest I will not faile thee nor forsake thee And now having found this acceptance Ro 5.1 2.1 Pet. 2.3 1 His conversing with God Gen. 5.22 Num 12.8 1 loh. 1.3 and acquaintance with God and tasted how sweete and gracious the Lord was in all his mercies It was the desire and delight of his soule to walke with God and to converse with him more frequently and as it were more familiarly that so he might the better nourish and maintaine that holy and heavenly communion whereunto hee had called him in his son Christ Jesus And this hee did most carefully and diligently endeavour In 4 speciall duties and labour to effect by the conscionable performance of foure spirituall and speciall duties every day and his more abundant offering of these and other his holy services and sacrifices unto the Lord upon the Lords day His daily duties were these 1. Meditation First Meditation for increase of knowledge and good affections towards God and good things 2. Observation Secondly Observation of Gods wayes and workes his mercies and judgements to gather and gaine experience for himselfe and others 3. Invocation of his mercifull and rightetous dealing with us The third invocation of Gods name in prayer and praise for continuance and increase of mercy and grace and this for his constant perseverance in the profession of the Gospel in uprightnesse and sincerity The fourth 4 Imitation imitation of his heavenly father because we are commanded to be followers of God as deare children and this to renew his obedience by his conformity to Gods image and to his Fathers will Now for the first CHAP. LXV IT hath ever beene the practice of godly and good men Gen 5.22 Gen. 6.9 Gen. 17.1 Gen. 24.63 His meditation to exercise themselves unto godlinesse by holy and heavenly meditation So did Enoch and Noah Abraham Isaac and Jacob David and Hezekiah Paul and many others ever walke with God keepe their hearts in Gods presence seeke his face and the light of his countenance study his word and consider his workes And so did this Gentleman set his head and heart a worke every day more or lesse by serious Meditation to draw nearer unto God so to grow in knowledge and in grace and to increase
honcslus es at â—â—…heranus Aumphâ—…iâ— vita â—uâ—llis Heb. 12.16 1 Ioh. 3.12 Gal. 4.29 Isa 36.4.7 2 Pet. 2.8 Isaiah 5â— â—5 he became a vessell of honour sanctified and meete for his masters use and prepared unto every good worke And thus according to that wisdome which was given him from above hee became first pure But here some man will thinke that to bee so pure in heart and life word and deed as you speak of him to his great praise will bee returned back both upon him and you to his just rebuke and your farther blame For are not we now fallen into those times and are wee not compassed about with such prophane Esaus murthering Caines scoffing Ismaels railing Rabsekahs filthy and cursed Sodomites that a man can hardly refaine from any wickednesse but he makes himselfe a prey as the Prophet speaketh nor seeketh after any goodnesse but they will bee ready to vexe and persecute him Psal 38.20 and will needs be his adversaries because hee followeth the thing that good is Doubtlesse it may be said of us Hermodorus E phe so pulsus quod fâ—ugi esset Cic. Tusc-Quaest l. 5. Sic Aristides Ostracismo pulsus Athenis Ostracism Arist Polit lib. 3. c. 9. Tertul. in Apoluget cap. 2. Ego Lucium virum sapientem repentè factum Christianum defero Tertul ib. 1 Cor. 4.13 Isa 8.18 Luc. 2.34 for many persons and places as once it was of Rome Omnia cum liceant non licet esse pium All things are there lawfull only to be a godly and a good man is held amongst them to bee unlawfull So Tertullian hath observed it to be the streyne and manner of those times Cajus Sejus bonus vir ideo tantum malus quia Christianus Cajus Sejus is a good man therefore evill only because hee is a Christian And even so the case stands with us at this day and that in our Israel where the children of God that desire to be as their father is and they are charged to be pure and holy are no better esteemed but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 even as filth of the world and off-scouring of all things even untill this day Or at the best but as signes and wonders in Israel and markes to bee shot at as Christ himselfe was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Butt or marke to bee shot at by such as bend their tongues like Bowes to shoote out their arrowes even base and bitter words against him The Disciple is not above his master nor the servant above his Lord if they have called the master of the house Beelzebub Mar. 10.24.25 what better language can we expect from them being his poore servants in the same house But what good reason have these vaine or vile persons to open their foule mouths so wide against purity in religion and holinesse of life and conversation One of their best is that which they have borrowed of their father Caine and which he was taught of his father the Divel when hee slew his brother And what was his reason wherefore slew he him Because his own workes were evill and his brothers good 1 Ioh. 3. â—2 Is it then your antipathy against goodnesse and your enmity against the godly for their holinesse that provokes you to swell against them and so much to splene and spite them that you reproach and revile them Act 7.54 and are ready to burst with anger because you cannot wreake your malice upon them Isa 57.3 4. Gen. 3 15 â— Kin. 21 10. 2 Cor. 6.18 Gal. 4.29.30 If this be your reason of this your cruell dealing then judge you your own selvs of what breed you are Are yee not rather of the seed of the serpent than of the seed of the woman Are yee not rather sonnes of Belial than the children of God And are ye not rather the children of the bond woman with scoffing Ismael than children of the free woman with holy Isaac CHAP. LI. BUt why should it seem so strange a thing unto you that every true Christian should so carry himself as this Gentleman did that hee may shew himself pure and holy in all maner of conversation Doth not our heavenly father command it 4 Pet. 1.16 Be ye holy for I am holy Doth not the vertue of the death and resurrection of Christ require it that henceforth wee dye unto sin Rom. 6.5 6 11 13 â—8 and live unto him yeelding our members to bee servants to righteousnesse unto holinesse Doth not his blessed Spirit challenge it at our hands That we be sanctified throughout in soule spirit and body 1 Co. 6.12 1 Thes 5.23 and preserved blamelesse untill the comming of our Lord Jesus Christ Doth not the Word of God tell us that This is the will of God even our sanctification that every one learne to possesse his vessell in holinesse and in honour Heb. 11. 12.1 13.7 Eph. 2.19 Doe not the examples of all holy men call upon us to follow their faith and to walk in their wayes of righteousnesse and holinesse before the Lord all our dayes Doth not the communion of saints and citizens both in heaven and earth exact and expect of us Eph. 5.3.1 Tim. 2.2 such a conversation as becommeth saints in all godlinesse and honesty Again consider What is the true religion It is pure and undefiled before God Iam. 1.27 And who is a true professor of this Religion He that is pure in heart and undefiled in his way And what is the word Mat. 5.8 Psal 119.1 which is the rule of this Religion The words of the Lord are pure words as silver tryed in a fornace of earth purified seven times Psa 19.10 Pla. 12.6 And what are the Sacraments annexed to this Word They are sacred Signes and Seales of holy mysteries in heavenly things And what are the speciall priviledges of such as are pure and true Christians 1 Cor. 11.24 Rom. 4.11 Vnto the pure all things are pure they have a great liberty and large interest in all Gods blessings Tit. 1.15 1 Cor. 3.22.23 and in the use and comfort of them Their holinesse here is a pledge of their happinesse hereafter Having their fruit in holinesse and the end everlasting life Heb 12.14 Ro. 6.22 Ioh. 17.24 1 Ioh 3.3 2 Tim. 2.21 And what must then bee the conversation of every one that hath this hope to be with Christ where he is and as hee is for ever Hee must of necessity purifie himselfe even as hee is pure and so being a vessell of honour sanctified hee shall bee meet for his Masters use and prepared unto every good worke Such are the persons and such are the things which the Lord requires and expects in the profession and practice of every true Christian Mal. 3.17 And are not all these pure and precious in the eyes of Almighty God and in the sight of heavenly Angels and holy men Mat. 7.6 Hath God
kill the heart of his adversary with kindnesse Pro. 15.1 Rom. 12.20 and as if coales of fire had beene cast upon his head did cause him to melt into teares and tendernesse and so having such a returne from so gracious a Gentleman of peace for warre of love for hatred of mildnesse for fiercenesse of discretion for foolishnesse of so great kindnesse for so great unkindnesse he presently changed his minde and being willingly reconciled became a faithfull and true friend unto him for ever afterwards Now as he was thus peaceable in procuring and preserving his owne peace with others so was he no lesse carefull of preventing or removing and occasions of variance and strife amongst neighbours and friends A peace-maker both neare about him and farther from him If he saw naturall brethren likely to fall out as even they are not alwayes the best friends he would lovingly and wisely admonish them for peace Gen. 45.24 as Joseph did his brethren You are brethren fall not out by the way If he saw two Gentlemens servants at strife and variance fearing least such sparks of contention begun by servants might kindle a fire and flame as many times they doe betwixt the masters He would begin to take up the matter with the Masters and then appease and pacifie the servants with meeke and gentle words of wisedome and peace for their better instruction and reformation following herein the example of holy Abraham who upon a strife betwixt his brother Lots heardsmen and his owne spake thus wisely and peaceably unto him Let there be I pray thee no strife betweene me and thee nor between my heardsmen Gen. 13.8 and thy heardsmen for we are brethren And as hee spake peaceably unto him so did he deale for peace sake as peaceably with him in giving him the choice of the right hand or of the left in all the land before them Gen. 13.9 though he were superiour both in place and grace unto him And so would this Gentleman make peace betweene Masters and servants If hee saw two Christians strive together as Moses did two Hebrewes he would take up him that did the wrong with the same or the like words as Moses did Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow And if somtimes he had no better recompence for his good mind and meaning than Moses had as commonly the most wicked and injurious are most rude and clamorous he would be content to sit downe with the worse as Moses did Thus have we seen that walking according to that rule of heavenly wisedome which the Lord had given him he was first pure in his conversation and then peaceable And so the fruit of righteousnesse was sowne in peace of him that made peace CHAP. LIII HE was also according to the same rule and quality of the same wisdome Gentle Gentle that is of a moderate calme and quiet temper meeke in spirit and mild in speech This was a more speciall work of God in him and a remarkable fruit of this wisdome and grace which the Lord had given him from above Not by nature For by his naturall constitution and in his naturall estate and condition he was of a passionate disposition somewhat froward and fierce angry and hasty but now having received not onely pardon for sinne in the value of the death of Christ 1 Ioh. 1.7 1 Cor. 6.11 Rom. 6.17 18 19 But by grace but power against sinne in the vertue of it he found his nature healed his passions subdued his frowardnesse changed into mildnesse his fiercenesse into meeknesse and his roughnesse into gentlenesse The power of grace had now abated much of the violence of his passions and the sweet influence of Gods Spirit had taken away the bitternesse and virulency of them so that now they were of a better temper ordered by a better rule and directed to a better end and were made as it were hewers of wood and drawers of water as Ioshua made the Gibeonites Iosh 9.23 for the use of the Tabernacle That is They became more serviceable unto God and more profitable unto men Paul when hee was a Saul was as cruell and fierce as a Lion Aug. Conf. l. 8. c. 4. Aug. Conf. l. 9. c. 9. but being a converted Paul he became as mild and meek as a lamb So it is recorded of Patricius Austins father as also Calvin that holy man of God that he was in his naturall disposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hasty and angry â—â—afervidus Beza in vit Calv. p. 109. which yet the Spirit of God taught him so to moderate that there was never any word heard from him which might seeme unbeseeming a good man And yet of this passion so subdued and seasoned the Lord gave him as he did also this Gentleman some good use when he dealt in the cause of God and of Religion and against refractory and obstinate offenders turning his naturall anger into spirituall zeale against them Many of the ancient Fathers were of violent and fierce spirits Many of the Fathers very passionate Vid. August Epist 14 15. Ep. 19. savouring much of pride and passion as they were men but being called and converted and become holy men of God were great Instruments of Gods glory the Lord making use of their naturall affections for spirituall services to give them thereby courage and boldnesse constancy and confidence to stand out against all such affronts and assaults of impieties and heresies as in their times did rise up and make head against them He that shall read some of their writings as of Hierome against Ruffinus Vigilantius Jovinian and against Austin himselfe of Austin also against the Pelagians and Donatists of Hilary against Auxentius and Constantius Socrat. Eccles Hist. l. 6. c. 16. Sozom. Eccles hist l. 7 c. 24. Yet well accepted of God and good men and of Chrysostomes sharpe invectives against Endoxia the Empresse and of Ambrose his severe dealing with Theodosius the Emperour may easily see as much as I say That as they were men subject to like passions as this Gentleman was and we are having some wilde fire mixed with holy fire in some of their best services so were they accounted and accepted as holy men of God both for their persons and imployments notwithstanding all their frailties and infirmities But to returne to this grace of Gentlenesse in this Gentleman Phil. 4.5 It is that which the Apostle Paul cals 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a moderate and meeke both bearing and forbearing when indignities and injuries either in word or deed are offered unto us or intended against us His bearing and forbearing Thus did he make his patient minde knowne unto all men taking nothing that could possibly be well taken in ill part but interpreting all to the best would make the best of the worst In meeknesse like Moses Num. 12.1 2 3. and so abate the edge of mens
so much against him Si vult Regina me exulem agat in exilium Domini est terra plenitudo ejust si vult secare secet Chrys Ep. Cyriace Epise Tom. 5. idem passus est Isairs si vult in pelagus mittere Ionoe recordabor c. If the Queene will have me banished let her banish me the earth is the Lords and the fulnesse thereof If she will cut me in peeces let her doe so The Prophet Isaiah suffered the same death If she will cast me into the sea I will then remember Jonah if she will throw me into a burning fornace the three children suffered as much before me Such like courage and resolution had this Gentleman against his naturall afflictions as Chrysostome had against violent persecution So that now he was able with valiant David to goe forth in the name of the Lord even against Goliah of the Philistims And grew resolute with Paul not to reckon his life deare unto him whatsoever afflictions might befall him so that he might fulfill his course with joy Act. 20.24 Ro. 8.18 Accounting all the afflictions of this world to be unworthy of the glory that shall be revealed and never fainting for any sorrow because although the outward man did perish and decay yet was his inward man renewed daily 2 Cor. 4.16.17 and all the afflictions of this life were but light and momentany to him that had an eye to the eternall vveight of glory laid up in heaven for him CHAP. LXI IT was observed by many of his friends His graces much increased in his old age both at home and abroad that in his declining dayes when he faw he was drawing on towards his journeyes end his faith was exceedingly increased his hope and rejoycing in God much enlarged his love and zeale wonderfully inflamed his affections towards God and the godly Theodosius senior aetate sed valìdius fide Amb. de Obit Theod. more holy and heavenly and his motions towards heaven more quicke and lively Much like the Elements and other such naturall bodies which the nearer they draw to their proper places are ever more violent and speedy in their motions till they come unto them So was it with this Gentleman for his spirituall estate the nearer he drew to wards his proper place his mansion house 2 Cor. 5. 1 Ioh 14. 2. Phil 3.13 Act. 20.24 Heb. 12.1 prepared for him in the heavens the more eager his desires were and his motions more vehement to dispatch his journey with all good speed to finish his course with joy and to runne out the race with patience vvhich vvas set before him Those that hee planted in the house of the Lord Psal 92.14.15 shall flourish in the courts of our God They shall bring forth fruit in old age and they shall bee fat and flourishing His laft dayes his best days Their last dayes shall bee their best dayes and their last vvorkes their best vvorkes and their fruit shall bee more and better at the last than at the first Isay 61.3 Such a tree of righteousnesse the planting of the Lord vvas this godly Gentleman whose fruit did not faile whose leafe did not fade no not in the winter of his age Psal 1. Ier. 17.8 Psa 92.13 14. Phil. 3.13 but did ever flourish in the courts of our God He was of Saint Pauls resolution forgetting those things which were behinde and reaching forth unto those things which are before he pressed towards the mark for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus His Resolution and courage against all assaults And casting out as it were his gantlet of defiance against all the most sharpe and dangerous assaults that might encounter him and be made against him he challengeth them all as Paul did Who shall separate me from the love of Christ Shall tribulation on distresse or persecution or famine or nakednesse or perill or sword Shall sicknesse or sorrowes feares or terrors pains or aches fores or swellings miseries of life or pangs of death so prevaile against me Nay in all these things I shall be more than a conquerour through him that loveth me And so from Pauls resolution he grew unto Pauls perswasion J am perswaded that neither death nor life nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come Nor height nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. His hope and expectation Phil. 1.20 21. And from this perswasion to an earnest hope and expectation That in nothing hee should bee ashamed but that with all boldnesse as alwayes so now also Christ should bee magnified in his body whether it bee by life or by death For to him to live was Christ and to die was gaine Being now thus setled and resolved in patience and confidence to beare all afflictions and indure all grievances which might be either as fore-runners or attendants on his departure and dissolution It seemed good unto the Lord to visit him with sicknesse and that after this manner as his faithfull yoke-fellow hath reported and fent me in writing from her owne hand Her words be these CHAP. LXII His first sicknesse and visitation I Call to mind some words which he spake unto me alone at that time when it pleased the Lord to visit him which was upon the day after the Sabbath That morning he arose exceeding early and having beene in private prayer with God as his usuall manner was he performed afterwards this duty in the whole family This being done he went as he was accustomed into his Studie untill dinner time And having dined he went into his Study again And then it pleased God about an houre or two after to visit him as it were with an Ague after the manner of a shaking and so withdrawing himselfe thence into his little parlour he laid him down upon his bed Then said I unto him Sir I feare your early rising hath done you hurt Then he replied If you had seene wife such glorious things as I saw this morning being in private prayer with God â—ide Posâ—d de vita Aug. c. 27. you would not have said so For they were so wonderfull and unspeakable that whether I was in the body or out of the body with Paul I cannot tell Thus it hath pleased the Lord least I should be too much exalted by this glorious sight to give mee with Paul a buffet in the flesh All which things he spake with exceeding great joy unto me Non probo quod â—esero vix fas est credere visis Saepe Satan tali in lumine lucc nocet The like report of the like ravishing in spirit and such glorious sights which he saw not long before he himselfe made unto some of his friends after he had beene one day in private prayer with God in his grove The particulars
the Spirit did make his consolations to abound for increase of his joy and peace in Christ Jesus About the fifteenth of Ianuary his strength was much abated and his weaknesse increated by reason of a sore stopping in his breast and throate which did so trouble him that hee could take no food nor refreshing no not so much as a Spoone-full of any Syrup or broth or any other liquid thing but he was ready to faint and to be gone upon it It was much about this time Sir H. B. came to visit him that a worthy Knight his neare and deare Cosen came to see him one whom hee loved most intirely for his faithfulnesse in his place zeale unto Gods house and love unto Gods people Who when hee saw him in so great weaknesse could not refraine from teares but wept over him abundantly which when hee was aware of hee began to speake comfortably unto him saying Good Sir weepe not for mee for there is no cause of weeping His gracious words and exhortations unto him but of much rejoycing in my behalfe Turne your teares into prayers and let mee enjoy that fruit of your love Let them weepe that have no other hope but in this life only Let them weep that have no portion in the Lord nor any part in Christ Iesus But as for you and me let us in every estate and condition while we live together rejoyce in the Lord together You are in your way I am at my journeys end walke on still as you have well both begune Iosh 1.7 8 Heb. 13. and continued a long season And the Lord will bee with you hee will never sayle you nor forsake you And with many other words did hee exhort him and others that were with him to be Faithfull in keeping Covenant with God to continue in the grace of God whereunto they were cald in Christ Iesus His son and heire came unto him Vpon Monday being the 16 of Ian. his son and heire came unto him whom he rejoyced to see unto whom hee gave many wholsome instructions and gracious exhortations praying for him and blessing his children encouraging him to be constant in Religion and commending unto him the excellency His good counsel unto him and reward of the same Exhorting him also to uphold the worship and service of God both in the Assembly and in his Family When Theoà osius that good Emperour was dead and gone Ambâ—in Funere Theod Saint Ambrose at his Funerall went about to comfort himselfe and the people that they had not wholly lost him because hee did yet live in his good and godly sons Arcadius and Honorius whom as a part of himselfe hee had left behind him It was the godly desire wee may see of this gracious Gentleman His desire to have his heires to follow his steps that when hee should bee dead and gone he might yet live in his children especially in the heires of his body and Family that they might bee followers of his Faith and Religion both for the power and practise of it as well as Inheritors of his lands and possessions for the fruits and profits of the same This was their Fathers charge That being dead he might as it were live in them again the discharge whereof would bee their comfort and their crowne if the Lord give them grace thus to fulfill the desire of the dead and the joy of the living For so this gracious Gentleman should still live in his Posterity and Religion should neither dye nor decay in that Family And that Religion might never dye nor decay in that Family Liquefacta hac nive multum erit luti Soc lib. 3. c. 19. where it was maintained not only in life and strength but in beauty and glory full of all good fruits as we have heard already and free from all rootes of bitternesse and from all soure grapes of grosse Sins springing and arising from such roots CHAP. LXVII M.L. and my selfe came to visit him Ian. 16.1625 UPon the same day Ianuary 16. Master L. and my selfe came unto him And here what shall I say Recrudescit doloris vulnus My sorrow bleeds afresh I can now rather weepe than write mine eyes drop downe teares as my pen doth words and my writing rejoyceth as it were to mingle it selfe with my weeping to blurre and blot my paper that no more be said of these things Curae loquuntur leves Senec. ingentes stupent But I will indeavour to refraine and containe my selfe Juvat tanli viriobituÌ„ destendo scribere scribendo deflere Linthprand l. 1. cap. uâ—to and tell you as I can some few things of many which I saw and heard from him at that instant Vpon my comming unto him so soone as he saw me hee seemed to bee much cheered and comforted even in his very soule and so spake in such broken and short speeches as then he could to this effect unto me Oh brother H. you are a welcome man unto me I am here you see the Lords prisoner His patient waiting for release cast upon the bed of my sicknes and in great affliction yet waiting upon the mercies of my God for a comfortable release in due season And when he was asked of the estate of his faith and hope in Christ and whether his consolations did not abound in the middest of all his afflictions His con solations still abound Yes I thank God saith he they doe and farre doe exceed them Yea and that which is more remarkable the Lord of his mercy hath given me so strong evidence of his favour and love in Christ Without all trouble of mind or conscience that I am not troubled in mind nor conscience with any doubts or feares nor aâ—… other Satanicall molestations or tentations but rest and wait in patience for the accomplishing of his mercies upon mee according to his good pleasure towards me Hereupon We rejoyced in his joy although we were sorrowfull in his sorrow yet were we joyfull also in his joy and finding him so graciously setled and resolved concerning his peace and reconciliation with God in Christ and touching his assurance of his heavenly inheritance we resolved not to trouble him much with many words in his great weaknesse but demanded of him whether hee would not have us to commend him unto God in our prayers At which motion hee seemed to rejoyce in his spirit and answered yes he would and did much desire it Prayed with him and for him Egredere anima quid times Egredere anima quid dubitas septuaginta propè annis servisti Christo mortem times In haec verba exhalavit spiritum Hieron in vita Hilaâ—ionis And so he raised up himselfe in his bed and lifting up his heart with his hands to God in the heavens did as it were reach after the petitions that were put up to God for him and joyning in heart and spirit with