Gal. 6. 10. Do good unto all but especially to the houshold of faith She indeed shut up her charity from none that had need of it but she enlarged it chiefly to such as were of the faithfull Her love and charity was very intire and great to her friends yet not so confined to them but that she reserved a competent measure for them that dealt unfriendly with her or that were enemies to her If there was any unkinde difference between her and any one though she enjoyed the freedome of her judgement to think as there was cause yet would she not suffer her affections to be estranged from them but was ready to do them good if power and opportunity did furnish her for it She requited love for hatred pity for spight â—riendly offices for offensive usages She bare ill will to none She hated nothing but that which is worse than nothing Sin and that she hated in all and most of all in her own soul. As her Charity was evidenced by doing so also by suffering If any tribulation were upon others or imminent over them she was like minded with her Lord and Master according to that of the Prophet Isa. 63. 9. In all their afflictions he was afflisted She did passionately sympatize in the sufferings of her fellow-members If it was ill with the Church or any particular Saints it was no better with her Charity made her suffer as much by inward affection as they did of their enemies by outward affliction Her Patience also was very remarkable For though her apprehensions were quick enough to conceive any thing tending to the disturbance of peace and patience yet she enjoyed such a calmness of spirit as could hardly be turned to a storm If any were injurious towards her her tongue could more readily pray and her eyes weep for them than with looks or words of indignation or disdain set upon them If she were angry at others which was very seldome it was sin their sin that was the cause of it If news came to her of any losses in her estate as sometimes there did of great ones yet was she never put out of temper with those ill tidings having these considerations ready at hand to quiet her heart It is that God that gave all that now taketh away some why should I take it ill He would not have me to be in love with nor to relye upon uncertain riches which were never true to any that trusted them but upon himself and I willingly renounce them to rest upon him He can if he see it good recompence the loss in the like or some better kinde If he take more there will yet be many poorer than my self and if he take away all my goods he can give me content without them for he is All-sufficient and so though I have nothing I may be as possessing all things 2 Cor. 6. 10. The world and I must part and whether we be unstiched by parcels or torn asunder by taking all at once all is one to me that which he chooseth is best for us both for his owne glory and my good if I grudge not against him but willingly as I pray give way to his will By bodily sufferings her patience was exceedingly tried both for the truth and strength of it For of some of her children she had long painful and very perilous labour but that which exceeded all was a long and sore sickness to which were applied very rough and irksome remedies so that she suffered not onely the anguish of her disease but many things also of the Physitians as that woman in the Gospel Mark 5. 28. and had it onely been pain and torment it had been more tolerable but it was accompanied with a strange infirmity and deformity Her jaw being faln she could not bring it up towards her upper jaw Her mouth was drawn awry towards her ears so that with much difficulty both to her self and others her food was conveyed through so crooked a passage to her throat which might have caused the greater discontent to her minde because it was the shipwrack of much beauty and comeliness which until then was seated in her countenance and whereof she kept remarkable impressions to her dying day yet shewed she admirable patience under this great affliction to which her heart was brought meekly to submit and concerning which she said that if it pleased the Lord still to continue her a spectacle of deformed misery she would not repine at his doing or her own suffering but would willingly abide it until he freed her body from the disease by health or her soul from her body by death Her Modesty also manifested it self by her shame-faced estrangement from sin and vanity concerning which vertue in her it may be said that it was rather sometimes too much than any time too little and it shewed it self divers wayes 1. In her look which was habitually composed to a modest and gracious gravity so that against any thing that was unseemly to be said or done she carried a severe rebuke in her very countenance or if any were so immodest as to speak or do any thing before her not becoming Christianity her modesty made some supply to their want of it she would blush for them 2. In her Speech whereas some would have vaunted themselves or made some vain-glorious shew of such sufficiency as was in her she rather shadowed her own light with a dark Lanthorn and therefore in that wherein she was a teacher she carried her self as in the person of a learner rather asking questions than making resolutions or giving rules and directions unto others 3. By her Silence For as St. Ambrose saith Thoughâ— silence be a rest to other vertues yet is it a chief act anâ— exercise of Modesty yea her pace her habit and he whole behaviour was a lesson of modesty which together with her other vertues wrought a kinde of awfulness in her person so that those that had not grace to do well in private were more afraid and ashamed of an appearance of evil in her presence than in the sight of many a Magistrate As for Humility she made great account of it she studied it seriously and got it so by heart that there was no need of Art to make profession or ostentation of it Solomon makes contention the proper effect of pride Prov. 13. 10. So peaceableness is a sure sign of Humility and this she shewed in that she could endure contradiction reproaches and other trials of Humility without a quarrel or breach of peace with any being still ready to deny her self and to yeeld to others so far as with a safe conscience she could Once a new Gown being brought her to put on and presented as a gift from he Husband wherein his kindness had put him to more cost than she wished to make her more fine than she desired to be she humbly besought with tears that it might not
p. 157. l. 11. r. dayes for life p. 233. l. 31. r. knowing for know p. 312. l. 4. r. wrote for wroughâ— p. 318. l. 25. r. jure humanâ— juris humanâ— p. 342. l. 17. r. bury for bâ—y l. the last r other for to her p. 315. l. 8. r the restless for restless the p. 369. l. 17. r. Sabboth for Sabbath l. 27. r. Lubeckers for Lubecks p 435. l. 21. r. the soâ—l for the sould p. 439. l. 7. r. Mâ—t. 6. 3. for Mâ—t. 3. 6. p. 443. l. 11. r. which for when p. 451. l. 15. put in by that l. 24 pâ—t in he p. 452 l. 13. pâ—t out used and put in to p. 457. l. 3. put in of p. 468. l. 29. r. you for yours l. 529. l. 11 r. breeding for being Mr. JOHN CARTER The LIFE and DEATH OF Mr. JOHN CARTER Who died Anno Christi 1634. MAster John Carter was born at Wickham in Kent near Canterburie about the year of our Lord 1554. He was descended but of mean Parents yet were they Religious and of good report who not being able to maintain him at the University wholly upon their own charge there was one Mr. Rose a rich man in Canterbury who taking notice of his Piety in those his tender years of his ingenuity studiousness and proficiency in all School-learning even beyond the pitch of a Grammer Scholar and finding him hopefull and likely to prove a precious instrument in the Church of Christ he took him into his care sent him to Cambridge and contributed such sums of money to him from time to time as were needfull He was admitted into Clare-Hall and was Pupil to Dr. Bing a famous Civilian and Master of that House Presently after his first admission into that House he was taken notice of as one of singular Learning and ripeness for his years Amongst the rest that were of his year he had a Theam given him to make upon this Subject Frugalitas virtutum maxima and when the young Students brought in their Theams the Lecturer took and read them and when he came to Carters Theam he stood and paused awhile and at last said before them all Here is the best Theam that ever I read and gave him some money for his encouragement and highly commended his Industry and always after cast a favourable eye upon him and sought opportunities to do him good When Mr. Carter had taken his degrees of Batchelor and Mr. of Arts his Tutor Dr. Bing out of his singular love to him for his Piety and Learning gave him a Chamber in his own Lodgings where he continued a year or two which conduced much to the compleating of him for the work of the Ministry and all the while that he continued a gremial in the lap and bosom of his Mother the University he held constant Meetings with divers of his famous Contemporaries and that every week as with Dr. Chaderton Dr. Andrews afterwards Bishop of Ely Mr. Culverwell Mr. Kewstubs and divers others whom God raised up and fitted to send forth into his Harvest to gather his Corn then ripe for the Sickle into his Barn At their meetings they had constant Exercises first They began with prayer then applied themselvs to the Study of the Scriptures one was for the Original Languages anothers task was for the Grammatical Interpretation anothers for the Logical Analysis anothers for the true sense and meaning of the Text another gathered the Doctrines and thus they carried on their several imployments till at last they went out like Apollos eloquent men and mighty in the Scriptures and the Lord was with them so that they brought in a very great Harvest into Gods Barn Mr. Carter would not run before he was sent though he was so excellently qualified for the work he durst not venter upon the exercise of the holy work of the Ministry till he had not only an inward but an outward call also viz. an assignation approbation and solemn admission by the laying on of the hands of the Presbyterie When he was ordained the Bishop who in those days was primus Presbyter or Praeses seeking to oppose him asked him this Question Have you read the Bible through Yes said he I have read the Old Testament twice through in the Hebrew and the New Testament often through in the Greek and if you please to examine me in any particular place I shall endeavour to give you an account of it Nay said the Bishop if it be so I shall need to say no more to you only some words of Commendation and encouragement he gave him and so with other assistants he Ordained him Anno Christi 1583. the Vicaridge of Bramford in Suffolk near Ipswich fell void and Mr. Rose of Canterbury beforementioned procured the Presentation thereof for Mr. Carter of the Dean and Chapter of Canterburie in whose Gift it was The Salary at first was only twenty Marks per annum but afterwards the Church raised it to twenty pound per annum and that was the most that ever he had there yet he accepted of it and being setled in it he set himself to do the work of Christ faithfully with all his might as a workman that needed not to be ashamed Every Lords day he preached twice very powerfully and Chatechised the younger sort He also preached a Lecture every Thursday to which multitudes from Ipswich and other adjacent places did resort And God gave such success to his Ministry that by his labours many sons and daughters were from time to time begotten unto God Many precious Christians that remain unto this day acknowledge that their Conversion was by Mr. Carters Ministry Before his Sermons he made but a short Prayer and that always in the same words After Sermon he used to be large and full and expressed himself with great variety of phrases and with much fervency and always he concluded with the Lords Prayer He was very diligent in visiting the sick especially the poorer sort and he never went to the house of any poor creature but he left a Purse-Alms as well as a Spiritual-Alms of good and heavenly advice and prayer No poor body ever came to his door that went away empty his wife also looking to that as carefully as himself Every Saturday throughout the whole year he gave the Milk of his Cows to the poor of the Town and indeed he gave more to the Poor every year then the Revenue of his slender Vicaridge came to in the whole yet God so blessed him that whilst he was in Bramford he quickly paid Mr. Rose of Canterbury all the money that he had disbursed toward his Education in the Uuniversity and before he left Bramford he purchased about twenty pound per annum Gods blessing only makes rich He had but two sons and he brought them both up in Learning and maintained them in the University in good fashion He
retrograde motion somewhat above forty seven years A long time for such a Lamp to burn as he did but his long continuance ministred a fair opportunity of bringing many stragling sheep into Christs fold the great â—hepheard of our souls Once indeed the last Bishop of that Diocess gave a stop to his Tuesdayes Lecture but God in mercy to many set it on going again and cast him that interrupted it out of his place while this painfull and faithfull labourer went on with his work So much for his publick Ministry come we now to his private carriage His whole Life was exemplary Take him as a Christian raised by his Ministeriall function to the height of a Beacon upon an hill and so his light was great and his smell very fragrant He not only kept himself pure and unspotted of the world but his light so shined that both good men glorified God by seeing his good works and wicked and foolish men had their mouthes stopped by his good conversation in Christ and were even enforced to give in testimony to it maugre their malice against his holiness and worth In his Family towards the Wife of his bosom he walked as a man of knowledg wisdom and great tendeness of love Towards the rest of his houshold as David professed he would do in the 101 Psalm and as a Bishop of Pauls description 1 Tim. 3. and Titus 1. Yea towards all as a worthy pattern of love zeal humility meekness temperance patience gravity and of every good work What his constancy and diligence was in his studie the fruits of the great and long travell of his mind his Works which praise him in all the gates of Sion do speak to all the world beyond that can here be spoken of him For when all is said that can be spoken of him so much cannot be said as his own industry speaks In his more vacant hours he was far from being idle or unprofitable Such as had the happiness which was never denied to any that desired it to partake of his private discourses never returned empty from his full magazine if they brought but vessels capable of the overflowings of his rich mind and heart Very many excellent Lights in the Church have lighted their Torches at his Coelestial fire Many young Schollars have been marvellously improved by his prudent and pious directions and encouragements in their studies which now are become excellent instruments in the Church of Christ. If after his preaching he found no mention made of his Sermon by which he might collect that probably some benefit had been reaped by it he would be much dejected as if the fault had been in his preaching even then when he seemed to excell himself rather than in his hearers and used to say that if he had preached better they would have profited more If any Christians came to him for resolution in cases of Conscience or for counsell in straits or for comfort in spirituall desertions or for healing of a wounded spirit as God had given him an excellent spirit of discerning to judg of their condition and of the most seasonable applicatives and an exquisite dexterity to speak a word in season to the weary and fainting soul so he was never shie coy or difficult to be spoken with nor lofty or supercilious to any to whom he gave access but shewed forth all tenderness pity and compassion to them he heard them fully and patiently and wisely administred to their severall distresses and ' ever sent them away as it s said that Titus Vespasianus did his suitors not only not grieved but very well satisfied and abundantly comforted He was very bountifull to his kindred that needed it and then most when their necessities swelled highest He was very charitable and open handed to the poor members of Jesus Christ And albeit his charity shined most to those of his own flock yet was it not shut up from strangers but he was very liberall to them also as he found occasion Yea when he went abroad to bestow the Gospell freely upon other Congregations adjacent such poor as he found to be hearers unless they were known to him to take up hearing as a cloke to cover their idleness and neglect of their callings never went home empty handed but he alwayes warmed and cheered them with his bounty as well as instructed them with his Doctrine How much he was given to Hospitality Gentlemen Ministers Neighbours Strangers and the Poor must needs give in such an ample testimony as will hardly be credited by such as knew him not and are strangers to a bountifull heart He spared from himself to administer unto others minding more the wooing of many to receive benefit by his Ministry some of whom might perhaps at first follow him for the loaves than to lay up largely for such as he should leave behind him and choosing rather to be at a continuall charg to encourage men by his bounty than to suffer them to be unprovided for when they came to partake of his Ministry When he conversed with Ministers his Humility usually put him into the place of a learner but in learning he taught and by teaching he learned more He was so good and skilfull a Chymick that he seldom parted with such company till he had gotten something by them yet were they sure to be the greatest gainers and he alwayes accounted it the best bargain when others were gainers by him His constant and continuall preaching seldom allowed him the much desired opportunity of hearing others but when he could enjoy that benefit he greedily laid hold of it and then would this painfull Bee gather Hony from every Flower making a good use of the meanest gifts and improving his own rich Talent by dipping it into theirs Nor was he ever heard to slight or disparage the labours of any the least of his Brethrn that sincerely endeavoured to bring in souls unto Christ but alwayes he encouraged them and as he found cause informed and directed them and that in a prudent and taking way to their great advantage In his mirth to which he sometimes unbended himself to recreate his overwearied mind that with renewed strength he might return to his more serious and severer studies he strictly observed the bounds of honesty civility modesty and the gravity of his place well considering that the least dead fly in the Apothecaries choisest Oyntment causeth it to send forth an unpleasing savour The Table was usually the place of his greatest liberty in this kind yet even there he would still interlace mirth with some sprinklings of a more serious wit which might instruct as well as exhilerate and make cheerful and contained all within the limits of sobriety without biting sarcasmes or unbeseeming scurrility And usually he closed all with reading some portion of Scripture and giving some short and profitable instructions thereupon which might administer Grace to the hearers and
conscience pure and intire he gave up that which was intended as a baite to Apostacy But the Lord who hâ—â—h promised to his faithful followers reparation and satisfaction for all their losses for his sake raised him up Friends by whose assistance and encouragement he pursued his studies at Oxford and in process of time when not onely the clouds of ignorance and superstition were dispelled but also those bloody storms in the Marian dayes were blown over he took upon him the publick Ministry of the Gospel and was houshold Chaplain to that great Favourite Robert Earle of Lecester and afterwards Pastor of St. Edmunds in Lumberd street London In which Parsonage house by his wife who was of an honest Family of the Pigots in Hertfortshire amongst other children he had this Thomas who was born September the 4. Anno Christi 1574. In his Childe-hood he was so addicted to those means which his Parents applied him unto for the implanting in him the seeds of good Literature that he rather needed a bridle than a spur For his love of learning equal to that admirable capacity wherewith the Father of Lights had furnished him was so active in the acquiring of it that his Father was fain often gently to chide him from his book Neither were his nimble wit sharp judgement and vast memory perverted to be the instruments of that debauchery wherewith the corruption of our Nature doth too often stain and desloure our first dayes For he had a lovely gravity in his young coversation so that what Gregory Nazianzen said of the great Basil might be averred of him That he held forth Learning beyond his age and a fixedness of manners beyond his Learning Having happily finished his Tyrocinnia of first exercises in the Grammar-Schooles wherein he overcame by his strange industry the difficulties which thâ—se times destâ—tute of many helps which our present dayes do enjoy conflicted withall and outstripped many of his fellows which ran in the same course before he had compleated sixteen years viz. Anno Christi 1590 he was by his Father placed in St. Johns College in Cambridge Not long after his settlement there his Father being called by God to receive the reward of his labours left him not wholly destitute and yet not sufficiently provided for any long continuance of his studies in that place But God who hath engaged his truth and mercy to the upright and even to his seed also Ps. 112. 1 2. especially when the Son doth not degenerate nor thwart the Providence of God by a forfeiture of his title to the Promises provided friends and means for him who was by an hidden counsel then designed to be an instrument of doing much service to the Church of Christ. Thus the fruit was not nipped in a promising bud by the Frost of want Now not from meer favour but from merit upon the proof of his Learning he was 〈◊〉 chosen Scholler of that worthy Society wherein he continued his studies with unwearied diligence and happy success till he with abilities answerable to his Degree commenced Master of Arts. For an instance of his industry take this viz. That he was a constant Auditor of that eminent Light of Learning Mr. John Boys who read a Greek Lecture in his bed to certain young Students that preferred their nightly studies before their rest and ease The notes of those Lectures he kept as a treasure and being visited by Mr. Boys many years after he brought them forth to him to the no small joy of the good old man who professed that he was made some years younger by that grateful entertainment About this time was contracted that streight friendship betwixt our Mr. Gataker and that faithful servant of Jesus Christ. Mr. Richard Stock which continued to the death of this Reverend Minister as appears by Mr. Gatakers testimony given unto him at his Funeral An evidence of that good esteem which Mr. Gataker had now acquired for his Learning and Piety was this That a College being then to be erected by the Munificence of the Countess of Sussex the Trustees of that Foundress being persons eminent for Prudence and Zeal did choose him for one of that Society and they transplanted him into that new Nursery of Arts and Religion being confident that he would as indeed he did by Christs assistance prove very fruitful both for the ornament and benefit of that Seminary Indeed they laid hold of him before the house was fit for Inhabitants fearing lest so fair and promising a Flower should be taken up by some other hand But while the College was in building that he might not lose any opportunity of doing good he retired himself to the house of Mr. William Aylofes in Essex who had prevailed with him to instruct both himself in the Hebrew Language and his eldest Son in that Literature which was proper to his age In this Family partly by his own inclination and partly by the encouragement of the Governours thereof he performed Family Duties for the instruction and edification of the whole houshold expounding to them a portion of Scripture every morning that the Sun of Righteousness might as constantly arise in their hearts as the day brake in upon them In this Exercise whereby he laboured to profit both himself and others he went over the Epistles of the Apostles the Prophesie of Isaiah and a good part of the Book of Job rendring the Text out of the Original Languages and then delivering cleer Explications and also deducing usefull Observations Dr. Stern the Suffragan of Colchester on a time visiting the Mistress of the Family to whom he was nearly related happened to be present at one of these Exercises at which time Mr. Gataker explicated the first Chapter of St. Pauls Epistle to the Ephesians which is known to be most pregnant of Divine My steries But this portion of holy Writ he treated upon with such happy elucidations that the judicious Doctor was much satisfied with his pains therein and admiring the endowments of Mr. Gataker exhorted him instantly to be Ordained to the work of the Ministry whereby those his gifts might be authoritatively exercised for the publick good and improved for the building up of the Church and withall offered him his assistance in that business But Mr. Gataker well weighing the burden of that Calling and judging modestly of his own abilities which he conceived disproportionable for that Office to the full discharge whereof the Apostle hath set 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Who is sufficient thanked the Doctor for his kinde offer but deferred the matter to further consideration But afterwards by the advice of the Reverend Mr. Henry Alvey formerly his Tutor and whom in this business he now took for his counsellour upon his remonstrance of divers reasons and the importunity of Dr. Stern afresh re-iterated he assented to be Ordained by the said Suffragan The Fabrick of Sidney-Sussex College being now finished
also went to prayer and so to bed and dyed immediately by that the words were well out of his mouth being threescore and ten years old Who can desire to dye better than Stephen did calling upon God He would often say That if God saw it fit one had better to dye of a quick than of a lingring Death And God answered his desires His Works A Treatise of Temptations Capels Remains The Life and Death of Dr. Robert Harris who dyed Anno Christi 1658. Robert Harris was born in a dark time and place at Broad-Campden in Glocestershire Anno Christi 1578. His Father had the repute of a very wise and understanding man and his Mother of a very devout and charitable woman under whose wings he spent his childhood but he acknowledged it as a matter of grief to him all his life that he preferred his play before reading the Scriptures to his parents at their call So soon as he was fit for it he was set to a Free-school at Chipping-Cambden where he met with a double discouragement the first was from the often change of his Schoolmasters by reason of the small salary that came to them The second proceeded from the fierce and cruel carriage of others which as he used often to say was the bane of many young Schollars and though for his own part he remembred not that he had smarted under a Rod in any School yet the sight of the severity used to others brought such a trembling and sadness upon his spirit that he could not shake it off to his dying day From thence he was removed to the School at Worcester under the care of Mr. Bright and on the Sabbaths he heard that Reverend and Learned Dr. Robet Abbots and being furnished with School-learning he went from thence to Magdalen-Hall in Oxford being allyed to the Principal Mr. Lyster There he shewed a more than ordinary desire of Learning and having but little help either from the Principal or his Tutor he followed his private studies with the more earnestness yet all this while he enquired little into the wayes and truths of God His Tutor not long after leaving the Hall he earnestly solicited the Principal that he might be committed to the care of one Mr. Goffe of Magdalen College who was noted for a very good Logician and Disputant but withal he was accounted a Puritan which made the Principal who was Popishly affected to disswade his choice but he not out of love to Religion but Learning persisted in his desires and prevailed Mr. Goffe having thus received him into his charge required him that with the rest of his fellow-Pupils he should joyn in reading the Scriptures Repetition of Sermons and Prayer which new course he being unaccustomed to was somewhat troubled at it observing that none of the Seniors imbraced that way and yet it was such as he knew not how to contradict This caused him oft to betake himself to his private Prayers wherein he begged of God either to discover to him the falshood if his Tutor had any design upon him to corrupt him or if this course were pleasing to God that then he would confirm him in it and it pleased God after a while so to resolve him that he bought a Bible and with indefatigable pains he applied himself to the reading of that and other good Authours in Divinity Shortly after Mr. Goffe refuseth to continue his Tutor onely agrees that they would conjoyn their studies together Mr. Goffe reading Philosophy to Mr. Harris and Mr. Harris reading Greek to him and from Greek they proceeded to Hebrew in which study some other of the Fellows joyned with them whereof one afterwards was President and besides these studies his Tutor and he agreed to read Calvins Institutions by turns which course they continued as long as their other occasions and exercises would permit Having for a while been Bachelor of Arts he was willing to try his fitness for the Ministry because otherwise his Father would have him to the study of the Law and having prepared a Sermon he proffered his pains at Chipping-Cambden but such was the wofull ignorance of those times that in the greater Town he knew not where to procure a Bible to carry with him into the Pulpit yet at last being directed to the Vicar there he indeed had a Bible but it could not be â—ound having not been seen of some moneths before yet search being made he was furnished with a Bible and after Prayer made he took for his Text those words Rom. 10. 1. Brethren my hearts desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved and his Sermon was highly commended and yet himself would say that he was a loser by the bargain 1 Because his heart swelled upon it 2. Because his carnal Friends hereupon called on him to give over University studies and to come amongst them as having learning enough His Father also having many other children to provide for was willing to ease his charge and therefore applied himself to some persons of eminency both in Church and State to get some preferment for him But he being willing to decline publick imployment for the present humbly intreated his Father that what he would hereafter bestow upon him for a Patrimony he would be pleased for the present to allow it him for his maintenance in Oxford that he might perfect his studies there which his Father at last condescending to he returned with joy to Oxford But behold Gods providence He had not been long at Oxford before a fearful Plague brake out in that place which so scattered the University that few were left remaining in which case he was again put to his shifts loath he was to return home and whither else to betake himself he knew not till at last by a special Providence he was invited to the house of one Mr. Doyly five miles from Oxford a Gentleman of a very antient Family in that County and a great Friend to the Gospel whose wife also was eminent for knowledge and piety to them therefore Mr. Harris goes for the present Coming to Mr. Doylyes he there met with one Mr. Prior a prudent godly man and of an excellent spirit who being much weakned by two wracking diseases of the Stone and Gout and overburdened with preaching both on the Sabbaths and Fasts enjoyned upon the occasion of the Plague in meer pity Mr. Harris holp him a turn or two which he performed with so good approbation that presently he was set upon both by Mr. Doyly Mr. Prior and some others that he could not withstand their importunity but was necessitated to preach with them at least during the continuance of those extraordinary Fasts Mr. Harris pleaded that he was not an Ordained Minister and therefore durst not meddle with any thing but preaching neither with that but till he could be Ordained This they assented to and during his abode amongst them he met
Doctrine of Luther and upon this account they sent Letters to Small and to stir them up to take Arms who were easily perswaded thereto and seized upon such as would not joyn with them and amongst others upon the Countess of Hoy the Kings own sister They wrote also to those in the Dales and other neighbouring Provinces to send their Deputies to a meeting appointed by them at Larva so uncertain is the love of the people Thus the Scene of War is changed and though Tyranny was in the Van and Prelacy in the main Battel yet Popery brought up the Rear and all tended to bring the Nation into its old condition rather than to suffer such a change So unsensible are men of their present happiness This storm the King might rationally foresee by what he found in the case of Prelacy yet his courage leads him on even to astonishment having nothing to back him but a good cause and a good conscience and truly though Polititians might condemn him yet the issue justified him For the Inhabitants of West-Gothland considering that the generality of the people had sworn Allegiance to the King thereupon demurred upon the business as also the Kings merits their enjoyment of their Laws and Liberties and that as to the point of Heresie objected against the King they were no competent Judges and that considering the Kings piety they had no cause to beleeve it but rather to judge it a scandal raised by his enemies Hereupon the confederate Lords grew into differences amongst themselves and the Bishop and one other of them fled into Denmark whither the Kings Letter pursued them alleging that it was contrary to their agreement that either King should harbour the others enemies so that they were feign to flye from thence into Mecklemburgh and the other Lords forgetting what they had done stood upon their justification alledging that they were forced to it by the heads that were absent in Forrein parts and that they never promoted or encouraged the Rebellion either by advice letters or instructions and therefore would stand to their trial at Law The King and his Council wondered at their confidence advising them rather to stand to the Kings mercy and to crave his pardon but they refused any mercy but what the Law would allow At last the King produced their own Letters wherein they had written to the Provinces to take Arms and so being self-condemned two of them suffered death one was ransomed and the rest begging pardon were received to mercy which excellent temperature in the execution of Justice commended and confirmed the King in his new-begun Kingdome making the people both to fear and love him And thus was this stir for Warre I cannot call it about Popish Religion quieted not with the Kings sweat and labour but by God alone whose cause it was The King taking into his consideration that the King of Denmarks carriage in this matter suited not with the former agreement made betwixt them and being unwilling that the same should be invalidated in the least point wise men who will preserve friendship must stop the breach whilst it is small he prevailed for an other interview that they might understand each others minde more fully and hereby the former agreement was explained enlarged and confirmed and so parting in love they returned with joy The King of Sueden after so many storms now hoped for peace and a settled Government and having been three years a Crowned King he purposed to build up his Family by Marriage which he solemnized with the Lady Katherine Daughter to the Duke of Saxony at Stockholme and now he must abide the issues and events of the affairs of the Kingdome to be theirs for better and worse and what he was formerly bound to do meerly for the Nations-sake he must now do for the sake of his own Family and Relations And thus having laid the foundation of his own house he proceeds to the further building up of the house of God for though he had before seized upon the Temporalties of the Prelates yet their places so far as they concerned Church Government he took not away nor that maintenance which was appointed for the Ministry The States also settled Pensions upon such as should be Overseers or Bishops to have care of the Churches and to these places as was said before the King had sent choise men for gravity learning and holiness of life and now he advanced two brethren Dr. Laurentius and Dr. Olaus the one to be Archbishop of Upsal the other to be Bishop of Stockholme through whose care and industry together with other reformed Bishops the Reformation of Religion much prospered in the Kingdome during their lives which was for the space of about thirty years and through their study and diligence it was principally that the Bible was translated into the Suedish Language and being printed was dispersed into every Town through the Nation But the time of the Kings rest was not yet come A strange apparition proceeds from the Belgick shore unto the Coast of Norway Christian the deposed King of Denmark now long since reputed as buried in Brabant had at last by the help of the Empeperour and some adventurers in Holland and the adjacent Countries who hoped for large priviledges in Denmark or Norwey if they could be regained to the King gathered Souldiers and Ammunition and with twenty five Ships sailed from Enchusen to the Coast of Norwey but by the way having lost ten of them they arrived only with the rest and before they were aware they were imprisoned by the Ice all that Winter Yet was Christian at liberty all that while to work his designs upon that Country of Norwey the Danes being at that season wholly disinabled to oppose him As many therefore of the great men of Norwey as pleased had free correspondence with Christian Only the Governour of Agger-house Castle dealt subtilly with him refusing to surrender it to Christian but upon such terms as might stand with his honour For said he though I acknowledge Christian to be King of these three Northern Kingdomes yet for the honour of my Family I desire leave to write to Frederick the now King of Denmark for present relief which in common reason he cannot send during Winter otherwise I will tell him that I must surrender the Castle to King Christian and by this means your Majesty will be no loser and my honour shall be saved Christian was contented herewith and the Governour dispatched his messenger into Denmark and notwithstanding the Frost he had such supply sent him as enabled him to stand upon his own defence Upon this Christian prepared for a siege during the continuance whereof as the besieged were relieved by the Danes so were the besiegers not onely by the Normans but by many Runegadoes out of Sueden such was their old love to Christian and their hatred to Gustavus
further happiness upon earth than to maintain what he had gotten yet was he once over-reached by the Livonians who proffered to commit themselves to his protection which he refused yet when they were much endangered by the Muscovites he sent aid unto them who engaging too far and the Livonians hanging behinde the whole burden was left upon the Suedes who finding the Muscovite too heavy for them and the Livonians heartless or faithless withdrew their assistance betimes and made their own peace It s a usual policy amongst Princes to be slow in advancing their eldest Sons who are to succeed them into places of Government and not without cause for in such cases especially in times and places of darkness their designed successours if well gifted by nature or education may prove heads of parties and factions and thereby put the present Governours to much trouble the one being looked upon as the rising the other but as the setting Sun Yet it seems more prejudicial to the people to have a raw and unexperienced Governour set over them who knows not how to govern himself And therefore if Ericus had been more experienced in Government he might have proved either more advised by the overruling direction of his Father or else he would have discovered himself so far as that he would never have been trusted and so many troubles might have been prevented which ensued afterwards But it is vain to call back things which are already past the time draws on a pace which must determine the work of this great King He had now governed the Kingdome of Sueden long and had seen many changes in other Nations as well as his own and yet must outlive one more in Denmark before he leaves the world For about this time died Christian the third King of Denmark by whose decease the Kingdome was put to the hazard of an other Election which concerned Sueden not a little for Christian the captive King was yet alive and had another fair opportunity to try the curtesie of the Lords of Denmark But they being unanimous for the choice of Frederick the Son of the Duke of Holst him they Crowned and Christian was still set aside Unhappy man that having lived a prisoner seven and twenty years in his own Nation could not in all that time by his carriage gain a better opinion amongst the Nobility of Denmark but that still he remained under the note of an impenitent and obstinate Tyrant It is the opinion of wise men that the breach between a King and his people is like the Divorce between a man and his wife never to be made up again and yet the difficulty lyes not in any determinate judgement or rule upon the Case as that of Divorce doth and therefore comes not within the compass of impossibility but in the distemper of the parties by ambition on the one side and jealousie on the other both hard to be cured yet the first leading the way to the second if that be first allayed the second may be cured And this Christian might have observed in the example of Carolus Canutus his corival in the Suedish Throne who having been Crowned King and fought successfully against the Danes and Norwegians ruled somewhat too imperiously for which he was ejected out of his Throne and yet afterwards being re-admitted he ruled in that manner that he dyed satisfied with honour and the love of his people But Christian was of another temper he would fain come again into the Government but not under restraint nor with submission nor by leave nor with the love of his Nation but still depending upon a forreign interest and the power of the Emperour he was looked upon as an enemy and his return as that of the unclean spirit that would render the latter condition of the Nation sevenfold worse than the former For he that is a King indeed though wrongfully rejected will still bear the minde of a King to desire the peoples good and will endeavour to deserve their love But he that depends upon the forreign interest of such as are professed enemies to a peoples Religion and Liberties disowneth interest in his people and therefore cannot rationally expect any re-acceptance if that Nations Religion be right either by the leave of God or liking of the people Now whether Christian took conceit at this Election seeing no hope of ever gaining a better condition than for the present he was in Writers mention not but he dyed presently after even within one moneth of the death of Christian the third and in the Seventy eight year of his age And Gustavus out-lived him and all these changes well-nigh two years seeing his people in a settled condition for Justice Religion and Peace amongst themselves and with all their Neighbours thriving in Trade industrious in Husbandry Skilfull in improving the benefit of their Mines Potent both at Sea and Land and himself blessed with repute and honour both from his own people and strangers Successfull in all his affairs and leaving a numerous posterity behind him And having lived seventy years and thereof raigned thirty eight years he gave in charge to his children to endeavour the peace and to maintain the liberties of their Country but especially to preserve the purity of Religion without the mixture of humane inventions and to live as brethren in unity among themselves All which also he left as a memorial â—ealed up in his last Will and so he resigned up his spirit to God Anno Christi 1562. So lived Gustavus or Augustus for the name is the same which perhaps minding him of imitation made him exceed his patern His aims out reached the Roman Empire and were higher than the world His difficulties and dangers greater His enemies more desperate by conjuncture of the Devils His labour and industry not unlike His success beyond all even to wonderment If he came short of Austustus in his time of Government wherein the difference was not much yet he exceeded him in the manner It being with such an excellent temper of Monarchy with popularity He preserved the peoples liberty with the honour of a King and common security without pride of Tyranny The people living as well under the King without servitude as in a popular estate without sedition and yet he attempered all with just liberty of conscience and the true worship and service of God which he owned as the chief Diamond in his Crown and conveyed all to his successours by a better and more enduring settlement than Augustus did or could attain unto His worst enemies never publickly taxed him with any crime but covetousness And Thuanus a Writer of credit in those times gives no countenance thereto Nor did the Patrimony left by him to his children hold forth any such thing and therefore if any such thing were it was for the service of the state of Sueden wherein if he spared not others it s confessed by all that he spared not
of Mr. Thomas Manton who knew him well who speaks thus of him Mr. Ignatius Jurdaine may in some sense be stiled the wonder and Phoenix of his age and place of abode concerning whose piety and frequent communion with God his constant heavenliness his charity in giving lending and entertaining his doing justice with impartiality and diligence we have already heard and therefore give me leave only to suggest a few other passages and observations 1. That for his temper he was a man of a raised zeal and heroicall spirit one of those rare examples which the Lord giveth the world now and then and therefore his actions are not to be measured by an ordinary standard 2. Seldome or never did any come into his company but he would discourse with them about holy things asking the younger sort how they did hope to be saved The more grown if they professed Religion whether they had any assurance which if they denied he would tell them that he was even ashamed of them In good earnest would he say I would study the Promises and go into my Closet and lock the door and there plead them to God and say that I would not go forth till he gave me some sense of his love 3. His entertainment at his Table was free and sufficient but frugall and sober If his Wife at any time excused the slenderness of it he would say Brown bread and Kennel water is good fare with the Gospel I have oft heard him say so There is somewhat a like saying of Mr. Greenhams and possibly Mr. Jurdaine might borrow it thence it suiting so well with the temper of his spirit 4. A formall man had once preached a Sermon at the Cathedrall about Heaven the discourse was for the most part frothy and beneath the dignity and worth of such an Argument Mr. Jurdaine was present as well as my self After Sermon I went to his house being to receive a Letter from him to Oxford and after many good instructions he asked me if I had been at the Sermon that morning I told him yea And did you said he hear those wonderfull things which God hath provided for them that love him And so he readily picked out all those passages which were any way subservient to use and profit It was wonderfull to me to see how an holy heart could draw comfort out of any thing The Sermon as Mr. Jurdaine repeated to me was another kind of Sermon and seemed to be savoury and spirituall I remember with what warmth and vigour he spake of it even till this day and hope that I shall never forget it 5. This is not to be forgotten his sending a Letter to the late King and expostulating with him about setting forth the Book concerning sports and recreations on the Lords dayes which was inclosed in another to the Bishop of Exeter to desire him to convey it and notice being given to the Bishop that Copies of it were divulged possibly by the Transcriber he thought he could not conceal it with safety and therefore carried it to the King who when he had read it in a great anger said He would hang him But the Bishop a pious man fell upon his knees and besought his Majesties pardon alleadging That God had not a better servant nor his Majesty a better Subject in the whole Land When the Bishop returned from his moneths attendance Mr. Jurdaine went to visit him and after civilities past the Bishop said Ah Mr. Jurdaine would you put me upon so hot a service You know there are many eyes upon me meaning the Archbishops party who suspected him as a favourer of Puritans Yea my Lord said Mr. Jurdaine there are eyes upon you the eyes of God and his holy Angels to see how you discharge your duty and office as the Kings Chaplain and Bishop of the Church 6. Now and then when he had leasure he would usually go to his neighbours shops and admonish them to take heed that the cares of the world did not deaden their spirits to heavenly things telling them if they had many thousands it would not still the cry of conscience purchase the least favour from God nor so much as ease the pain of the teeth or keep off one fit of an Ague yea if money were thrown to the Dogs they would not so much as smell at it 7. He would often perswade his Fellow-Magistrates to a liberal provision for the poor and when they would ask him where they should have money He would answer God will provide rather than the poor shall want let us sell our Gowns 8. When he did distribute money to the poor with his own hands in a time of great infection and some asked him if he were not afraid of the Plague What said he afraid of Gods Visitation Let us fear rather the Plague-sore of our owne hearts 9. In his troubles in the Star-chamber when one told him he was sorry that the Lord Keeper was against him He answered I have a greater Lord Keeper than him The Lord is my Keeper I shall not be afraid 10. It is not amiss to set down what others thought of him I remember a godly man observed him that in every business though he advenfar the Lord carried him through with reputation and so compared him with another of great parts who though godly was alwayes toiled in every undertaking Drunkards and frequenters of Ale-houses were afraid of him He was their usual Bugbear their memento in the middle of their excess was Its time to be gone Mr. Jurdaine will come by and by The ordinary sort of men were convinced of his integrity insomuch as carnal and vicious men at a time of election of Burgesses for Parliament would say one to another If you choose any choose Jurdaine he will be right for the Commenwealth and will do the City service He was twice chosen Burgess for the Parliament and once Mayor of the City and once Deputy Mayor in a time of great Infection by the Pestilence The Reverend Minister that preached his Funeral Sermon amongst others had this expression Look upon his Will and you will think him the richest man in the City Though many exceeded him in estate but few or none in making provision for the poor Delinquents seldome went from him without conviction A Noble mans servant that had scorned him being brought before him and convicted for having sworn rashly three times Mr. Jurdaine demanded his Fine and shewed him the hainousness of the sin with which the man was calmed and though he came from his companions braving yet he returned with the acknowledgement that he was a good Justicer and when they asked him what Jurdaine did to him he answered He gave me good Law and fair words I have heard above thirty years ago that some godly persons in Exeter were convented before the Bishops Court for keeping some private dayes of Humiliation whereupon Mr. Jurdaine went to the Bishop who was a godly man to
was offered with strength of Argument against gain-sayers She was eminent for the grace of Humility and when I have said that she was of an humble spirit what can be said more This the Apostle would have us to be cloathed withall 1 Pet. 5. 7. Humility is the ornament of all Graces It s that Salt that seasons the best parts and graces So humble was the spirit of this excellent Gentlewoman that the poorest might have free access unto her and receive curteous language from her mouth and liberal almes from her heart and hand both being opened wide for their relief The observation of this humble deportment from her child-hood gained the heart of her dear Husband unto her long before she was ripe for her Marriage Her humble spirit evidently appeared by her condescending to them of low estate the servants in her Family the poorest and meanest in the Parish where she lived will bear witness to the truth of this particular She was of a meek and quiet spirit which as the Apostle saith 1. Pet. 3. 3. is in the sight of God of great price All her Relations will attest her meek deportment and how much she hated brawls and contentions Her very enemies if they would speak their consicences can testifie her readiness to pass by injuries So far she was from rendring reviling for revilings that she endeavoured to recâ—mpence â—vil with good and prayed for such as despitefully used her professing that it was the desire of her â—â—ul to do her very enemies all the Christian offices of love which lay in her power Special notice ought also to be taken of her Wisdome and Gravity in the ordering of her conversation Her discourses were savoury administring Grace to the hearers and tending to edification Her behaviour was modest and grave though she was of a cheerfull spirit yet it was without levity She was no tatler busie-body no medler in the affairs of others She was no gadder up and down from house to house hearing and telling of news as too many do to the wounding of the reputations of others The vain and frivolous discourse of some who came to visit her was an heavy burden and affliction to her spirit The dicourses of such as tended to the defaming and blasting others reputation were a great grief and trouble unto her and when she heard such discourses she would endeavour to turn the stream another way and move such discourse as might be profitable for the souâ—s good Her Love was very eminent towards all those that feared God she was with David a Companion to such a lover of their acquaintance who were the Saints the excellent ones Psal. 16. 3. Insomuch as when she apprehended any thing of God though in persons inclining to separation and of a contrary judgement from her she was so compassionate as to labour with much sweetness and candour to convince them of their errours and to wâ—n them to the truth imitating herein the holy practice of learned Musculus who gained some Anabaptists and Sectaries by kindness and benefits and 〈◊〉 them as much by love as by arguments Her holy Courage deserves special notice for though she was humble meek and loving yet she was stout and couragious in declaring her judgement upon just occasions before those whom she knew to be contrary minded hating compliance against conscience and doubting alwayes the soundness and sincerity of those who duâ—st not own their opinions She was much of her worthy Fathers temper in that particular who hath been often heard to say that a Coward can hardly be an honest man and much of Esters resolution desiring rather to suffer her self than sluggishly and silently to see the truths of God to suffer She was a praying Christian She was much in prayers and tears much in a sacred acquaintance and holy communion with God Her gift in prayer was very great She was much in her Closet alone and there much upon her knees An excellent patern for womens imitation which by no means should suffer that great duty to be omitted It was a Character of Paul when converted Act. 9. 11. Behold he prayes Praying Christians are the best Christians they are prevailing Christians and as Reverend and holy Mr. Dod was used to say Never dâ—spair of that person who can but pray She was â—ixed and 〈◊〉 in Religion having frequently read the Scriptures 〈◊〉 many â—ound orthodox and practical Divines she became settled rooted and grounded in the truth She was one that held fast her profession without wavâ—ing She was not 〈◊〉 about with every wind of Doctrine Eph. 4. 14. neither was she of their humours who for politick ends comply with all companies in their opinions She kept close to the publick Ministry where she lived there she heard the word faithfully dispensed She neither was of their opinion nor practice who out of I know not what kinde of singularity separate from the Ministry of a godly Pastor and Husband Her delight was very great in Gods Ordinances and she was glad when they said Let us go to the house of the Lord in company She had such an high esteem of and longing desire unto the house of God that when her strength failed her she would be carried thither by reason of lameness the feet of her body were weak but the feet of her soul her affections were strong nimble and vigorous Look upon her in her Relations as a Wife a Mother and Mistress and you shall see she was mindefull of her duty to God in them all Her great care and endeavour was to set up God in her Family in order whereunto she bestowed great pains in Catechising of her children and other near Relations committed unto her charge Her great design was to bring them all up in the fear and admonition of the Lord and to inculcate again and again that main and needfull lesson of Remembring their Creator in the dayes of their youth Much pains she took in Catechising and instructing her servants especially before they were to receive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper She used to examine them of the Sermons they heard and she customarily read over those Sermon Notes to them which she had taken â—t Church that so they might be the better prepared to give an account thereof to her Husband God was pleased to give her several Olive branches round about her Table well bred well Catechised and well governed and of very great hopes As Eunice and Lois instructed young Timothy so she instructed those hopefull little ones in the holy Scriptures and acquainted them with the knowledge of God in their tender years Thus according to Solomons counsel they were trained up in the way wherein they should walk Prov. 21. 6. and that even from their childhood insomuch as one of them though very young hearing a neighbour using the name of the Lord upon a sleight occasion reproved him for it alleadging the Commandement
the rest of the Chapter all those places the Lord often made a stay unto my soul And afterwards the Lord so blessed one means or other unto me insomuch as I was kept from sinking and falling into such horrour as many of the people of God sometimes fell into But yet my fears and doubts were so many as that my comfort never lasted long If the Lord did but hide his face I was troubled No longer could I beleeve then I found new strength given in that the Lord would ever have mercy upon my soul. The sense of Original sin and Actual transgressions in their filthiness and guiltiness caused my fears yet to remain upon my spirit my faith then seemed very small if I had any which I much questioned I durst not then say Lord encrease my faith but I could cry earnestly Lord work faith in me I found much dulness and deadness manifold distractions in duties so that God might justly have withdrawn himself from me for ever yet notwithstanding all my uneven walking with God he was graciously pleased to manifest his mercy unto my soul. When I was stricken with such weaknesses as I apprehended might quickly have ended my life I fell into a great fear At the first finding my heart to sink the Lord was pleased to gâ—ive me so much respite as to pour out my soul before him desiring strength and support from him to keep up my spirit and to make me willing to submit to his dispensations and the Lord graciously answered my prayers in that he removed all my former doubtings and fears all the time of that sickness which was long and so dangerous that neither I nor others expected my life The Lord then cleared up my evidences for Heaven and gave me in so much comfort against the apprehension of death as I never had in all my life before Other like trials of the Lords love I found still when I was in the greatest extremity and stood most in need of help from him insomuch as at such times I have hoped that I should never again have questioned the love of God to my soul But I have found it otherwise by sad experience For when these impressions were worn of I have been ready to call all in question again concerning my poor soul. It made me oft to think of that which was laid to Solomons charge that he forgat the Lord that had appeared to him twice I found it the hardest thing to believe that ever I went about But this wavering condition could not satisfie my soul for the Lord giving me sometimes a glimpse of his love made me long after fuller enjoyments of it so that I was carried out with a restless impatience to beg that the Lord would take away the heart of unbelief from me which did both dishonour him and hinder me from that peace which the Lord was willing that his people should enjoy My heart then being brought unto that frame I was more willing than ever I was before to impart my condition unto some spiritual Friends whom I desired to deal impartially with me acquainting them with the whole condition of my soul how far the Lord had carried me on and at what I stuck and still as new objections did arise I laboured to get satisfaction Being convinced that I had too much prejudiced my self in that I had not sooner made my condition known to some who were able to give me advice This way of communicating my condition I found the Lord blessed unto my soul insomuch that my hopes were more confirmed my fears more removed my faith more strengthned and by the hearing of such Sermons and reading such Books as came closest unto the conscience and were most for trial of ones spiritual condition I found the greatest benefit by and received the most comfort from them Formerly I had many fears that I was not one of them who had an interest in the Election of Grace But the Lord afterwards put into my heart to enquire whether I had those Graces of his Spirit wrought in me which none but his own elect people could have Upon the strictest searching into mine own heart the Lord was pleased after many years of fear at last to evidence unto my soul that there was a change wrought in my heart will and affections notwithstanding the remainders of sin and corruption which still encompassed me about being confident that he that had begun this good work would not leave it unfinished unto the day of Jesus Christ and the Lord was pleased to set home divers Promises for the strengthning of my faith to wit those which set down the Everlasting Covenant 2 Sam. 23. 5. The Everlasting love of God Jer. 31. 3. Joh. 11. 13. The certainty of the Foundation 2 Tim. 2. 19. The certainty of the Promises 2 Cor. 1. 20. They are all in Christ Yea and Amen and that the children of God have eternal life promised unto them and that none shall be ever able to pluck them out of Christs hands Joh. 10. 28. Then for divers years the Lord was pleased to stay me to lead and guide me till he had set my feet upon that Rock which is higher than I from whence I trust that I shall never be removed And now my hearts desire is to ascribe that measure of hope and comfort which the Lord hath given me at any time onely unto the praise of the glory of his Grace who hath made me accepted in his Beloved which is so great a mercy as I can never be thankfull enough for nor walk answerable thereunto I know when I look into my heart there is matter of fear that the Lord will withdraw the influences of his comforts from me But that which I rest upon is the free mercy of God in Christ expecting performance of his Promises made Rom. 6. 16. Sin shall not have dominion over you because you are not under the Law but under Grace And Ezek. 36. 25. that he will sprinkle clean water upon me and that he will give me a new heart and put a new spirit within me that he will take away my stony heart and give me an heart of flesh being perswaded that the Lord will keep me by his own Power through faith unto salvation And now that I may have all the Graces of the Spirit strengthened and encreased in me which I finde that I stand in continual need of It is the desire of my soul to be a partaker of the Lords Supper which through the blood of Christ onely I have right unto This is the particular account of Gods gracious dealing with this godly Gentlewoman considering there was no administration of the Sacrament in that Parochial Congregation where she lived and used formerly to receive it nor any Pastor at all to officiate there she being desirous to enjoy that great Ordinance and that after a pure way of administration sent this aforementioned Narrative