Buttery was open and free for any Gentleman Servingman Countreyman so farre as they kept themselves within the lists and limits of moderation and sobriety But as for excessive drinking quaffing carrowsing drinking and pledging of healths and the like shamefull disorders even unto beastly drunkennesse in great houses the order and manner of his family was knowne so well No quaffing no drunkennes no healthing in his house that of those which did come unto it seldome or never was there any so impudent and shamelesse as would give him or his servants any just occasion of offence or grievance by such lewd behaviour and misdemeanour in such things Thus far of his hospitality towards strangers one of his sweet fruits of grace and mercy His charity to his poore neighbours First for their bellies His dole dayes twice a week In the time of dearth almost every day Now let us looke yet for more fruit in his charitable bounty towards his poore neighbours The necessities of the poore in their hunger and cold for want of food and raiment did ever marvellously affect and afflict his heart And as he had a mercifull heart to pitie them so had hee an open both heart and hand to relieve them He did usually to his great expence and cost fill the bellies of great multitudes which out of his owne and other Parishes did twice a weeke resort unto his house for that end And in the deare yeares he made provision for them almost every day in the week and would many times see them served himselfe both to keep them in good order and to make an equall distribution according to the difference of their necessities amongst them His bounty in giving and lending Hee had his purse ever ready as the poore mans boxe or coffer to give and sometimes to lend freely to those that would borrow and pay again his admonition was remember your promise keepe your day and pay againe if you will borrow againe And if hee saw any willing Money but not able to pay what they borrowed he would rather forgive the debt than exact it But if he found any to deale fraudulently and falsly with him either denying the debt or pleading repayment or pretending some kinde of satisfaction as one dealt with Spiridion the Bishop of Cyprus Sozom. hist Ecel l. 1. c. 11. to whom hee had lent some measures of corne hee would then rebuke them sharpely and take heed of lending to such deceitfull persons any more In the time of a great dearth Or corne fearing that divers of his poore neighbours were in great want as having neither money nor meate Hee tooke an opportunity when the most of his family were gone abroad to a publike exercise of religion to call for the keyes of the Store-house where the corne lay and presently hee sent into the towne to such persons as were the greatest needers willing them to bring their baggs with them which they did without delay and so to supply their wants hee gave them freely and with a cheerefull heart some fourteene measures of corne amongst them at that time Now as hee was carefull to fill their bellies 2 Merciful to the poore in clothing their bodies also Job 31.19 20. so was hee mindfull of clothing their backes and bodies also He was loth to see any as Job speaketh perish for want of clothing or any poore want covering Yea the loynes of the poore did blesse him being warmed with the fleece of his flocke or clothed by the cost of his purse It was his ordinary manner every yeare against Winter 3. Provision He provides for them out of his own purse yeerly to send some foure or five pounds to Chester to make provision for the clothing of the poor which seeing it could not reach unto all he wisely divided amongst severall families to such this year as had none the last and to such the next year as had none this Now as these fruits of his mercy and charity were manifest in the provision which he made for the poore 4. Protect He protects and defends them so were there some others as conspicuous in the protection which he sought and found for them For hee might truly say in some good measure he had done as Job did and found the like blessing that he found Iob 29.12 13 15.16 17. I delivered the poore that cryed the fatherlesse and him that had none to helpe him The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me and I caused the widdowes heart to sing for joy I was eyes to the blinde and feet to the lame I was a father to the poore and the cause which I knew not I searched out And I brake the jawes of the wicked and pluckt the spoile out of his teeth Thus was hee a protector of the poore to deliver them out of the hands of those that were too strong for them He was also as a counsellor to defend their righteous and just cause 5. Advice He counsels them and as hee is able doth plead for them Prov. 31.8 5. and to plead for them and applying himselfe to that counsell which Bathsheba gave to her sonne Lemuel He opened his mouth for all that were in danger and distresse as they came unto him Hee opened his mouth for the dumbe to judge righteously for them and to pleade the cause of the poore and needy as they had occasion to use him CHAP. LVII NOw as hee was full of these fruits of charity and mercy towards rich or poore His fruits of faith and love to others also In his harmony in judgement with the best so was he plentifull also in good fruits of faith and love in his sympathy with the godly and in his antipathy against the profane of the world 1 He held ever a gracious harmony in judgment and opinion with all such both Divines and Professors of Religion as were most found and entire in the knowledge and acknowledgement of the Truth And this he did with great confidence and resolution 3 Ep. Ioh. 4. and with much rejoycing in the Lord as he saw the truth to prosper and flourish in his dayes 2 He had also a religious sympathy in affection with the Churches and children of God in every estate and condition In his sympathy with the godly in every condition Rom. 12.15 Heb. 13.3 Psa 122.6 Psal 137.5 6.2 Cor. 11.28 29. Heavy newes of the Church did much offect him He had learned of the blessed Apostle that it was his duty to rejoyce with them that rejoyce and to mourne with them that mourne He remembred the afflictions of Ioseph even in the midst of all his owne comforts and contentments and preferred the peace of Zion and the prosperity of Ierusalem before his chiefest joy The care of all the Churches about him was daily and continually upon him so that he might say as Paul said Who is weake and Jam not weake Who
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
mercies A Booke of remembrance Cap. 47. The hand of God upon the Boy of the Northwich Satans malice Gods mercy First his fits and passions Secondly his gestures and actions he was brought unto the Bishops The Bishops Licence for a private fast for his release Thirdly his Speeches Cap. 48. his private Invocation Not confined to one place his time for Private prayers Seven times in a day Powerfull in prayer his private fasting Tender prayers and hard knee The matter of his private prayers Sinnes of Sion Sinnes of the time Praise and thanksgiving Cap. 49 his imitation of his heavenly Father every day Cap. 50. his conversation in the world First A resolution against the world Secondly Gods presence Thirdly Striving against sinne Fourthly Desiring to doe good Fiftly lust dealing Sixthly Take all to the best Seventhly watchfulnesse Eightly To be sparing in speech Ninthly Renouncing all worldly fashions and humours Tenthly Peaceable Eleventhly Contentednesse Twelfthly To keepe our peace with God Cap. 51. First he endeavoured to be pure First pure in heart Secondly Pure in hand Thirdly Pure in tongue Cap. 52. Secondly peaceable A Peacemaker Cap. 53. Thirdly Gentle not by nature but by grace Many of the Fathers very Passionate Yet well accepted of God and good men his bearing and forbearing In meeknesse like Moses In mildnesse like his Master Christ Many of a cruell and bloudy disposition Cap. 54. Fourthly Easie to be intreated Iudge W his testimony of Master Bruen We easily intreated to his Cost But some so hard they will give nothing no nor pay their own duties Cap. 55 A Branch of the crue vine A Tree of Righteousnesse full of good fruites towards all he did mourne for sinners he did contemne contemners his bounty to poore Christians for supply of their wants Cap. 56. he was rich in good workes his hospitality for Gods Children his Provision for his table in plenty and variety Hee would not endure any ryot or excesse No quaffing no drunkennesse nor healthing in his house His charity to his poore neighbours First for their bellies His Dole dayes twice a weeks In the time of dearth almost every day his bounty in giving and lending mony or Corne Secondly mercyfull to the poore in cloathing their bodies also Thirdly provision he provides for them out of his owne Purse yearely Fourthly Protection hee pratects and defends them Fifthly Advice and as he is able doth plead for them Cap 57. His fruits of faith and love to others also In his harmony in judgement with the best In his sympathy with the godly in every condition Heavie newes of the Church did 〈◊〉 affect him and afflict him also In his compassion in visiting the sick His antipathy against profanenesse In garish fashions In profane customes as in drinking of healths The Policy and power of Satan in healthing Cap 58. It is Antipathy against profane Customes and corruptions of great houses He offereth a remedy His godly letter for Christian Admonition and reformation His good opinion and estimony of Tho-Wilbraham Esâ—… his indignation against sin His love and care to reclaime the sinners His joy in such as were converted Cap. 59. Fruits of mercy towards his Tenants He was a mercifull Land-lord Cap. 60. He departeth out of this world 1. Preparation 2. Resolution 3. Confidence 4. Constancy 1. His preparation for death His more speciall preparation in ten speciall duties 2. His resolution to beare the sharpe occurrents of it Cap. 61. His graces much encreased in his old age His last dayes his best dayes His resolution and courage against all assaults His hope and expectation Cap. 62. His first sicknesse and visitation 3. His confidence of an happy exchange 1. His evidence 2. His assurance for it His confidence cause of his comfort Cap. 63. His diligence and conscience in frequenting Gods house His chearefull going to Church Singing of Psalmes by the way Some much delighted and some much bettered by this melody His early comming to Church His reverend and holy carriage in it His dinner time he bestowed wel in the Church The evening sacrifice he performed in like manner Their returne home-wards and mutuall care to doe good Cap. 64. His private evening exercise full of life The great joy hee had in the Sabbath and fasts His thankfulnes for one Sabbath more Weary of the world He makes his Will So he was more free and more fit for heavenly things Cap 65. He had Milke for Babes that came to visit him and stronger meat for strong men His godly admonitions to both he commends unto them his owne experience and example Cap. 66. Fourth Head His constancy in Religion even unto the end Great strength in great weaknes His comfortable and savory speeches His consolations exceeding his afflictions S. H. B. came to visit him His gracious words and exhortations unto him His sonne and heyre came unto him His good counsell unto him His desire to have his heyres follow his steps That being dead hee might as it were live in them againe And that Religion might never dy not decay in that Family Cap 67. Mr. L. And my selfe came to visit him Ianuary 16. 1625. His patient waiting for release His consolations still abound without all trouble of minde or conscience We rejoyced in his joy prayed with him and for him His care for prayer in the Family Mindfull of M. L. A heavie parting Cap. 68. Some ever ready to pray with him Diverse desire a blessing from him Hee prayeth secretly himselfe other gracious people pray with him His last prayer His last end A FAITHFULL Remonstrance of the holy Life and happy Death of JOHN BRUEN of BRUEN-STAPLEFORD in the County of Chester Esquire CHAP. 1. JOHN BRUEN of Bruen-Stapleford in the County Palatin of Chester Esquire was either by consanguinity or affinity linked and allyed to many of the most ancient and worshipfull Houses and Families of that Countrey His Father a worthy Gentleman of his time descended of many worthy Ancestors The Lord having continued their Race His birth and blood from father and established that Family in their own Ancient Name Place House and State for many Generations A blessing I confesse of no extraordinary note yet the more remarkable because even in these parts many Families that have flourished in great pomp and pride for a season and have thought that their houses should continue for ever Psal 49.11 12 13. and their dwelling places to all Generations and for this end called their Lands by their own names have yet been cut short of their hopes and their lives both together had their posterity swept away as dung and their names overwhelmed with the ruines of their houses their root being rottennesse and their blossome vanishing into dust Isal 5.24 as the Prophet speaketh to the same purpose This Gentlemans father was first married to a sister of Sir John Dones of the house of Vtkinton from whom the Lord with-held the fruit of the womb His
Religion he was much assayled by the Arians and Anabaptists in those parts that they might seduce him from the truth A young Christian and a great champion and intangle him in their grosse errours and blasphemous fancies Who could have thought saith my Authour that ever he could have resisted and escaped the snares of those Heretikes many of them being great and grounded Schollars and throughly studied in the Scriptures Notwithstanding by the sincere simplicity and plainnesse of the truth of God and the inspiration of the Holy Ghost he not onely descried the fondnesse of their heresies but even untied the knots and brake their nets and delivered himselfe and mightily confuted them A rare example I confesse of Gods power in mans weaknesse of his wisdome in our foolishnesse of his bringing to passe great matters by weake meanes for the good of his children Cic. Acad. g.l. 4. p. 16 17. and confusion of his enemies In which properties and passages for the most part Very like unto him in such things Non ovum ovo similius quà no Servilius Servilio One egge is not more like another than this Gentleman of our Countrey to that Nobleman of Italy As face answereth to face in the glasse the image expressing the likenesse and lineaments of the visage so doth this example of noble Galeacius reflect and represent unto us a faire image of this young Gentleman 's both wants and weaknesses disposition and affection vertues and graces power of God in him and works of God done by him as the sequell of this story will make good unto us CHAP. VII IT is now time that we bring him downe from the University into the Countrey His coming from Oxford 01579. with such provision as he hath both of learning and religion especially seeing his carefull and provident Father now cals for him home otherwise to dispose of him For being now for ripenesse of yeeres and maturity of age fit for marriage his Father considering he was the first borne of his strength the choicest plant of his stocke and chiefest branch of his vine began to cast about where he might bestow him seat him and set him in the inheritance of the Lord. After a while by godly and good meanes a daughter of one M. Hardware a worthy and wise Gentleman having been twice Major of the city of Chester His father bestowes him in marriage 1580. was commended to the Father and so by him motioned unto his Sonne Which motion from his Father he did entertaine with such respect and reverence as became an obedient Sonne well knowing and acknowledging that he was unto him in Gods stead for directing and disposing of him in this businesse And so not long after upon the mutuall love In a godly family and assent of the parties and due and joynt consent of the Parents they were matched and married together in the feare of God This was a godly entrance upon Gods Ordinance the whole carriage of the businesse being so warrantable on all sides as that it was through Gods blessing in the proceeding as well as in the beginning most comfortable to all that had any part or portion in the same For here the Father doth not marry his Sonne an infant or under yeeres before he have discretion to know what he doth and how to mannage that estate Nor doth the Sonne being come to yeeres through the rage of lust steale himselfe from his Father and by wanton attempts and rash and foolish contracts prevent his Fathers choice and bestow himselfe at his owne pleasure Here the Father in a seasonable time With a godly young gent. without any long delayes provides his Sonne a wife out of a good family a godly young woman for quality and equality birth and blood yeeres and state true religion and good disposition well consorting to himselfe and his Sonne And here the Sonne With mutuall consent in all due subjection to his Fathers choice doth with his best affection receive and take his wife from his Fathers hand Here is the mutuall consent of the Parents liking and allowing of the match And here is the ground of the Childrens love and assent to their own marriage even the mutuall agreement and consent of their Parents Xenoph. 7. Cyropaed A matter themore remarkable in these dayes and well worthy not onely observation but imitation also of all parents and children in their matrimoniall contracts especially of gentlemen and such as are of the better rank and condition amongst us in these parts For here we have many both Gentlemen and others so earthly minded and covetously affected that so soone as ever their children peepe out of the shell they begin to plot and provide some one match or other for them little regarding where they set or sow graffe and plant modò ob rem Yea the Thistle in Lebanon will not spare to send to the Cedar in Libanon 2 King 14.9 saying Give thy daughter unto my sonne to wife Otherwise than many parents do though a wild beast in Libanon do tread downe the Thistle for his pride and paines in so doing Nay the Cedar will not be ashamed to give his sonnes and daughters to match with the daughters and sonnes of the Thistle 2 Chron. 25.18 the greatest with the meanest if the Thistle be clad with thistle downe if land and living wealth and riches gold and silver may be had to satisfied their lust after filthy lucre therewithall I have seene a Gentleman yea more than one or two either very carefull to have his horse of a generous race his hawke of the best aiery his hound of the best brach his spaniell of the best litter his cattle of the best breed to serve his humour and his pleasure when yet he hath had very little care or conscience to place and plant his children in such a religious stock and family as might give him any good hope of a godly issue Where lust and lucre make the motion and off-spring for his better comfort and credit afterwards Lust and lucre made Shechem and his father Hamor so eager and earnest to marry with Dina Iacobs daughter The soule of my sonne saith Hamor longeth for your daughter And to draw on their people to joyne with them in giving their sonnes and daughters to them also they could both say Shall not their cattle and their substance and every beast of theirs be ours It was not any love unto that religion which they saw in Iacob and his children but their inordinate desire after their wealth and substance which made them so earnestly to importune Iacob to match and marry with them And the fathers dropsie and the sonnes phrensie make up the match It is not much otherwise I feare with many of us where the fathers dropsie and the sonnes phrensie doe either motion or make up many of our marriages Witnesse hereof in parents such fishing for heires such catching up of
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
And became better furnished and lighting his Candle at their Torches and so became both better furnished and more enabled to set forwards the building of the Lords House himselfe in his owne family and other where 's also as hee had calling thereunto In this his course which he tooke In which his course divers things to be commended for his owne proficiency and growth both in knowledge and in grace I find divers things worthy not only to be mentioned but to be much commended some and some to be admired also As first his cheerfulnesse to goe up to the mountaine of the Lord and joy of heart to joyne with such holy assemblies in so holy duties saying with David 1 His cheerfulnes I was glad when they said unto me let us goe up into the house of the Lord. Our feet shall stand in thy gates O Jerusalem Ierusalem is builded as a city that is compact together Whither the Tribes goe up the Tribes of the Lord unto the testimony of Israel to give thankes unto the name of the Lord. Secondly his painfulnesse in taking many long and sore journies 2 His painfulnesse 1 In seeking 2 In gathering Manna and other provision with much toyle and travell of his body and no small cost and charge of his purse riding early and late in heate and cold short dayes and foule waies sometimes ten sometimes twenty and sometimes thirty miles as the distance of the place and season of the yeare required and all this to this end that he might gather Manna where he knew it would be rained downe and gleane after the Reapers in the Lords Harvest and buy Gold and white Raiment Wine and Milk without money of the Lords Merchants upon such of the Lords Mart and Market dayes Thirdly his conscionable diligence in hearing and observing 3 His diligence writing and recording from the mouth of the Ministers whatsoever they taught and preached unto edification and that with such eagernesse of mind and readinesse of hand and pen that usually he tooke the whole substance and matter of their Notes Observations and Sermons in his booke 1 In hearing 2 In writing 3 In repeating home with him which he would carefully repeate in his journey to the refreshing of the minds and hearts of such good people as went along with him and when he came home did write over againe in a more legible hand all that hee had gathered and so made better use of it for himself and his family and set all as it were upon record for the benefit of his friends and his owne posterity This his double diligence he continued for the space of five or six and thirty yeares together 4 In recording the summe and substance of all such exercises in writing and writing over againe all such Exercises as hâ— could come unto and all Lectures and Sermons in City or Countrey and all publike Fasts and thanksgivings as hee could heare of them Insomuch that hee hath left unto the heires of his family so many volumes of Manuscripts under his owne hand set up in a comely order in his owne Study as is scarce credible to report being yet there to be seene as so many worthy monuments of his conscionable diligence and faithfulnesse in the Lords service In many manuse All which hee hath so earnestly and carefully commended to the heires of his body that hee would have them upon his request to read over if it were but once in all their life the bookes that he hath thus written and committed to their hands Which his charge and request I wish they may ever be so mindfull of that they may never faile nor faint in the faithfull discharge of it that so the blessing of the Recabites for obeying Ionadab their father Commended to the heires of his family in all that hee commanded them may come upon them also This man shall not want a man to stand before mee for ever Fourthly Ier. 35 1â— â—9 his marvellous kinde usage of the Ministers in all their meetings commending their paines rejoycing in their labours 4 His kind usage of Gods Ministers and many times defraying all their charges alwayes encouraging them in the worke of the Lord with gracious and sweet words sometimes of comfort sometimes of counsell sometimes of admonition Love unto their persons Reverence to their callings Psal 110. His good affection to professors Numb 24 5 6. and milde reproofe sometimes of kind invitation to his house and all this with such love unto their persons and reverence to their callings that whatsoever he did or said he found good acceptance and allowance amongst them Lastly his love and tender affection to the best professors and proficients in Religion yea even to the weakest and poorest Christian As hee was to them the crowne of their assembly and conductor of the Lords army so were they to him the crowne of his joy when hee saw them a willing people in the day of Assembly like an Army in holy beauty O how goodly are thy Tents O Jacob and thy Tabernacles O Israel As the Vallies are they spread forth as Gardens by the rivers side as the trees of Lignum-Aloes Which the Lord hath planted and as Cedar Trees beside the waters CHAP. XXXIII THese were the vertues and holy duties wherin this gracious Gentleman by frequenting these holy exercises did so worthily exercise himselfe unto godlinesse The exercises of Religion great helps unto godlinesse and whereby he did still grow in sound knowledge righteousnesse and holinesse to the praise of Gods glorious grace And these would I willingly commend in the example of this Gentleman to bee duely considered A motion for exchange with other exercises of profannesse and diligently followed unto many of our Gentlemen and to many of inferiour ranck also that they would make an exchange of their vaine and profane exercises of May-games and Summer-greenes of their Foot-racts and Horse-races of their weekely and almost daily meetings Asserant necesse est singuli quique quod faciunt nec voliâ—…t victi facilè succumbere quamvic sciant id quod faciunt non â—icere Cypr. ad Magn. lib. 1. Ex. 6. and matches on their Bowling Greenes of their lavish betting of great wagers in such sorry trifles and of their stout and strong abetting of so sillie vanities amongst hundreds and sometimes thousands of rude and vile persons to whom they should give better and not so bad example and encouragement as to be idle in neglecting their callings wastefull in gameing and spending their meanes wicked in cursing and swearing and dangerously profane in their brawling and quarrelling O how great is the difference betwixt those holy exercises of Religion in Gods house and these prophane exercises of corruption and lust in the forrest or in the field Difference great How great is the opposition betwixt that assembly and this company How doth the mighty God Company contrary
more easily bee procured A remedy for recovery if they whom it may most concerne would be pleased to take into due consideration so put in due execution one or two other clauses of the same Canons touching the ordering and governing of their own Families Episcopus etiam atque etīa considerabit quod genus hominum admittat in famulitium c. A Bish must very diligently consider take heed what maner of men he admits into his service To take heed of evill and provide good servants for it sometimes so falleth out where this carefulnes diligence is wanting Vt homines impios verae Religionis inimicos criminosos tota vita impuros sceleratos admittamus that we admit ungodly persons enemies of true Religion criminous uncleane and wicked men in their whole carriage and conversation Great pity it were that for want of this godly care in providing honest and good servants such Waspes Telluris inutile p̄odus Nos unmeri sumus fruges consumere nati Epis Wint. Scholares Col. Corp. Ch. Apesnominat vit Juel p. 25. Our Can. against Cards and Dice and Al unlawfull games and Hornets as these should ever be bred or brought up in a Bs. Hive beeing good fornothing but to eat up and devoure all the Hony in it and to vexe and sting the industrious harmlesse and profitable Bees which should live upon it and so labour thereby to bring more Hony to the Hive and greater profit and commodity to the whole Family Another clause of the same Canons is that both they and their families All Deanes Prebends Canons petty Canons and Ministers of the Church Parsons Vicars Curats c. are absolutely inhibited to play at Cards or dice or Tables or any other unlawfull games whatsoever Dabunt operam ne ludant aleam neve Chartis aut aliis improbatis lusibus se exerceant Dabunt operam ne ignavi inutiles vitam ducdut in otio illititis lusibussh exerceant Which order how well it is Some of our Divines in the Countrey make little conscience of these Canons or hath beene kept and observed they can best tell and testifie that are most conversant in those great Families Thus much we can say for divers of our Divines some Doctors Parsons and Preachers in the Countrey They are so ordinary Companions of Gamesters sorting and suteing with some of greater and some of meaner place in Carding Dicing and Tabling with them that they seeme to make no more conscience of breaking these Canons than children do of breaking sticks or Boyes are wont to do of bursting through Cobweb-nets as they stand before them O that these men otherwise learned and of good parts would seriously consider their owne ways in their own hearts and not disdaine to walke according to this Rule nor to follow this good example of this worthy Gentleman of whom wee write So would they be more fearefull as he ever was to make sad the hearts of the righteous whom the Lord hath not made sad and more carefull not to strengthen the hands of the wicked that he cannot returne from his wickednesse Ezek. 13.22 by their example and practice of these things Consider what is said and the Lord-give you understanding in all things CHAP. XII NOw to go forwards in this Gentlemans story when he had thus wisely and effectually reformed and ordered his whole Family Some defect of the publike Ministery there began to appeare some defects and failings in the publike Ministery again which he taking into due consideration moved with compassion of the peoples want and very desirous to make some good supply procured that faithfull Minister of Christ M. Ar. St. to be Preacher at Tarum whose Ministery being very profitable He procured M.Ar. St. for supply and powerfull he so much delighted in that as he did entertaine him kindly so did he maintaine him and his Family very bountifully for the comfort and benefit which himselfe and many others did reape and receive from him For better evidence hereof as also for a farther addition to this Gentlemans just commendation and due praise I will not spare to set downe that worthy testimony which of late I received from him touching this matter and the whole course of his profession and practice of Religion Good M. H. I received your letter but I know not what to say of that worthy Servant of God M. JOHN BRUEN which you your selfe know not already I think I may well say of him as it was said of Noah that he was a just and perfect man in histime and walked with God Whiles I was Preacher at Tarum Whom he mainteined for the most part I had little maintenance but what I had from him And with much chearefulnesse did he minister both to me and mine that which was sufficient affirming oftentimes that he had not the lesse for that which I and mine received from him For other matters I know not what to say of him His worthy Testimony concerning M. Bruen that you your selfe know not as well or better than I. For he was ever one and the same at home and abroad very faithfull unto God and loving unto men walking in the uprightnesse of his heart in the midst of his house I am glad that God hath put it into your heart to write something of his life and death that the memoriall of his vertues may be the better continued and the Church of God receive good thereby c. This testimony is true not only because it is given by his own Preacher but because it proceeds from a faithfull Being an eye and care witnesse both eye and eare-witnesse of the truth who could not but speak the things which he had heard and seen and was no lesse willing than able to honor the memory of this deceased Servant of God therewithall It was much about this time that M. Perkins that worthy man of God famous in our Church for his ways and Works hearing much by sufficient Witnesses of M. Bruen M. Perkins hearing of him for his excellent parts and paines in the profession and holy exercises of Religion in his own Family and understanding also his godly manner and comely order in the government of his house and the sufficiency and ripenesse even of his servants for the knowledge and power of godlinesse being ravished with a kind of heavenly joy Did much admire and stricken as it were with a holy admiration at the hearing of it brake out as I have been credibly informed into these speeches Certeinly this is no other than the house of God and for the practice and power of Religion And commend him the very Topsiile of all England This commendation I confesse is very ample and large This commendatto the greater being fro a man so great himselfe yet so much the more to be esseemed and accepted because it proceeded from a man of eminent parts
and hardnes of the other I thinke no man may justly put them far asunder if he ever knew how well they did herein agree together Tuis oculis durities de genibus camelorum in illo Sancto Asellae corpuseulo prae orandi frequentia obcalluisse perspecta est Hieron ad Marcellum de laudibus Asellae The matter of his private prayers Now in these his private devotions his desires and endeavours were principally bent to search his heart and to examine his life to confesse and bewayle his speciall sins and infirmities craving pardon for them and power against them And as he found any thing to bee amisse in his Family by any transgression or affliction hee brought it in prayer before the Lord to procure some help and healing of the same from his hand Here also did he mourne for the sins of Sion Sins of Sion Ezek. 9.4 and take to heart the afflictions of Ioseph and desolations of Ierusalem Here did he bemone and bewayle the common and grosse sins of the Time Sins of the Time Psa 119.136 and afflict his heart for the barrennesse or backsliding of many professors of Religion for their embracing of the world and forsaking of their first love Praise and Thanksgiving Here did he also rejoyce in the Lord and praise his holy Name for earthly and heavenly blessings bestowed upon him and sometimes for great deliverances which hee had wrought for him And thus did he converse with his God in this third Duty of Prayer and Prayse in the Invocation of Gods Name every day CHAP. XLIX NOw followeth the fourth which was his holy Imitation of his heavenly Father every day And this hee endevoured by conforming himselfe unto his Image in expressing the Properties Vertues Affections and Actions of him that had begot him and called him to be conformable to the Image of his Son Christ Iesus To this end hee dayly laboured to be more and more renewed in the spirit of his mind in knowledge righteousnesse Eph 4.24 Col. 3.10 and holinesse of Truth according to the Image of him that created him And this hee knew was the Duty of all Gods obedient Children to bee holy as hee is Holy in all manner of Conversation 1 Pet. 1.14 15 16. Lev. 11. 44. because it is written Bee yee Holy for I am Holy This hee knew also was charged upon us Mat. 5.45 46 by our Saviour Christ Iesus that in all our Affections and Actions we should behave our selves like the children of our Heavenly Father and labour to resemble him in doing good unto all hurt unto none Amicos diligere omnium est inimicos autem solorum Christianorum Tertull lib. ad Scapull Cap. 2. yea in doing good unto the bad as as well as to the good and to our enemies as well as to our friends Mat. 5.48 Luke 6.36 Rom. 2.4 striving to be perfect as he is perfect mercifull as hee is mercifull righteous as hee is righteous wise as he is wise patient as he is patient faithfull as he is faithfull and endeavouring to hate iniquity which he hateth to love righteousnesse which he loveth to delight in the Saints in whom he delighteth and to hate the wicked Psalm 5 5 Heb. 1.9 2 Cor. 3. last whom his soule abhorreth After this manner did this gratious Gentle set the Lord alwayes before his eyes and following this blessed patterne and example of his Heavenly Father with all godly care and good Conscience and so with open face as in a Glasse the glory of the Lord he was translated into his Image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. And thus have we declared unto you the first of those three generall heads proposed for the further opening and manifesting of the vertues of his life viz. his holy conversing with God which consisted in his Meditation Observation of Gods Mercies and Iudgements Invocation of his Name in Prayer and Praise and Imitation of his blessed example in his Properties and Affections Words and Works CHAP. L. NOw we come to the second which is his conversation in the world 2 His conversation in the world Cic. Tusc Quaest. lib. 5. in fol. p. 166. When Socrates was demanded what countreyman he was he answered that he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a citizen of the world and so he might well knowing no other world but this present evill world But this Gentleman although by his naturall birth and condition of the same city and society with Socrates yet by his new birth and regeneration being called out of the world Ioh. 15.19 1 Ioh. 5.4 and having by his faith overcome the world though he were in the world yet was he not of the world and though he were amongst the children of the world a froward and a crooked generation Luk. 16.8 Eph. 2.19 yet was he even then a citizen of the holy city and of the houshold of God and a sonne of the heavenly Ierusalem which is the mother of us all And so being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he had his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eph. 2.19 .i. his conversation in heaven even while he was in earth Phil. 3.20 So that of all that ever we knew in these parts he might have taken up the words of the Apostle with best warrant and most comfort Our rejoycing is this the testimony of our conscience that in simplicity and godly sincerity not with fleshly wisdome but by the grace of God we have had our conversation in the world For such indeed was the course of his life that he did desire nothing more than to walk worthy God 1 Thes 2.10 11 12. endeavouring to expresse the very power of godlinesse in the fruits of righteousnesse and holinesse to the praise of his glorious grace Phil. 1.9 10 11. Phil. 2.15 16. And that he might so hold forth the word of life in his lampe and lanterne that he might both shine as a light in himselfe and be a light unto others also in this present world Now for the better clearing and manifesting of this point we will set downe certaine rules of direction which he much desired to follow partly as preparatives for a godly conversation in the world and partly as preservatives against the contagion and corruptions of the same 1 As first Resolution against the world God presence A holy resolution so to use the world as neither abusing it nor being abused by it but to keep himselfe unspotted from it 2 The second A full purpose of heart to keepe his heart alwayes in Gods presence knowing and beleeving that he heareth all his words and beholdeth all his works 3 The third Striving against sin A constant and conscionable standing and striving against all manner of sinne especially the sinnes of the time and the common corruptions that are in the world through lust 4 The fourth Desire to doe good A godly desire in
given us these Pearles and dare any so play the swine as to trample them under feet and contemne them Doth the Lord reckon all holy persons Psal 13 5.4 pure and precise professors as his chiefe treasure the Church esteeme them as her holy children Gal. 4.26 and the true children of the Church take them as Christ himselfe doth for holy brethren Heb. 3.1 Heb. 2.11 12. Phil. 3.2 Gal. 5.15 And dare any be so vile as to fly upon these like dogs and that not only to bark against them but even to bite and to devoure them Are not all such persons and things as wee have named perfumed with the sweet odours of Christs offerings Rev. 8.3.4 1 Ioh. 2.20 and sufferings Are they not all annointed with the holy oyle of the Spirit as vessels and instruments of the Sanctuary from their head that holy one Christ Jesus If so they be as without all doubt they are Then who is he that bears the name of a Christian as if he were a partaker of this annointing dare cast any foule aspersions Act. 11.26 as of Singularity Schisme Puritanisme Precisenesse Hypocrisie and such like upon such persons because they frame their lives to bee pure and holy by exercising themselves unto godlinesse in these things Such may complaine with Tertullian Pro tanta innocentia pro tanta probitate pro justitia pro pudicitia pro fide pro veritate pro Deo vivo cremamur Tertullian lib. ad Scap. Cap. 4. Now because there bee some both in Court and Countrey City and Sanctuary that pretend greater wisdome and moderation they will not bee so prophane on the left hand as Esau neither will they bee so preciseon the right hand with Iacob but either just of Gallio his humour they care little for these things or of the Laodicean temper Act. 18.14.17 Rev. 3.16.17.18 Rom. 2.20 2 Tim. 3.5 neither hot nor cold yet thinke all is well and nothing amisse among them And these pretend that they have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a forme of knowledge and a forme of Godlinesse but wanting the fruit of the one and the power of the other they are no friends to sincerity and purity of religion in themselves and shew themselves great adversaries to the holy profession and practice of it in others that desire to conforme themselves to the tenour and truth of it Now because I say there are some such See the booke of Common prayer I would willingly demand of these so great opposites to a godly and holy conversation when they come before the Lord in the publike assembly and offer up their solemne prayers unto God with Gods Minister after confession of their sinnes that hereafter they may live a godly righteous and sober life and pray in another place that the rest of their life may bee pure and holy I would demand what their meaning is thus to pray unto the Lord If they pray in sincerity for a godly righteous and sober life why doe they reprove that in others which they would begge of God for themselves Why are they so great adversaries to the pure and holy profession of religion When they pray themselves that the rest of their owne lives may bee pure and holy Or if they pray otherwise in Hypocrisie they doe then but mocke God and dissemble with him in their double hearts and so deale wickedly and deceitfully both with God and men O yee formall Hypocrites pull out first the beame that is in your owne eye Mat. 7.5 2. Tim. 3.5 and then looke to the mote which is in your brothers eye You catch after a forme and shadow of Religion and content your selves with it Bee neither envious nor malicious against such of Gods children as being your brethren by Profession have gotten hold not of the shadow but of the substance of it and in a holy conversation otherwise than you doe shew forth the power and fruit of it Hee which is unjust let him bee unjust still and hee which is filthy Rev. 22.11 let him bee filthy still And hee that is righteous let him bee righteous still and hee that is holy let him bee holy still CHAP. LII THus have wee heard that this Gentlemans conversation in the profession of Religion according to that wisdome which God had given him from above I am 3.17 was first pure and so stands accepted of God and approved of all good men howsoever maligned and reproached by the wicked and prophane whose wisedome is from below only First Pure I am 3.15 and then Peaceable To be pure in heart and life breeds and brings forth true peace in both Rom. 5.1 1 Thess 5.13 for being so at peace with God we have peace with our selves and seeke for it with others and one for another also Heb. 12.14 This was a second grace which did beautifie this godly Gentlemans conversation Rom. 12.18 He was by grace of a very quiet and peaceable disposition which he did very graciously manifest in these particulars 2 Peaceable 1 He desired to keep peace with all men Heb. 12.14 and not to be at any difference or variance with any if by any meanes he could prevent it Gen. 13.8 1 Cor. 13.5 2 He would not be easily provoked by indignities nor injuries 3 He had rather forgive twenty wrongs than revenge one Num. 12.3 Rom. 12.19 4 He would very willingly purchase and buy out his peace sometimes with his owne losse Mat. 5.39 Gen. 13.8 9. and by parting with his owne right if otherwise he could not well procure it 5 He would shut his eares against tale-bearers having beene sometimes abused by them being the very seed-men of strife Pro. 26.20 21. and fire-brands of contention 6 He would ordinarily recompence evill with good frowardnesse with kindnesse Rom. 12.21 and fruits of passion and bitternesse with fruits of moderation and good affection To make all these or the most of them more evident by one instance in his own practice There was a Gentleman one of his neighbours A hard message who conceiving some great displeasure against him upon a very small occasion in his heat and ruffe sent his man to this Gentleman M. Bruen with this message That his Master did inhibit and forbid him to come upon any foot of his land or any of his servants or family whosoever upon their perill To whom he presently made this reply Tell your master A soft answer and wise for answer to your message only thus much That if it please your Master to come upon any part of my land or any of his servants o◠family to come into my fields at his or their pleasure they shall bee all very kindly welcome And that if he himselfe will come unto my house he shall be much more welcome also This answer savouring so well of grace and peace and being so wifely seasoned with discretion and good affection did
He was one of the Trees of righteousnesse the planting of the Lord whose leafe was ever greene whose fruit did never faile ever bearing his owne fruit good fruit much fruit and even in his age more and more fruit being ever full and flourishing in the courts of our God Full of good fruits towards all He was full of Mercy and of good fruits towards sinners and towards saints towards neighbours and towards strangers towards friends and towards foes towards the poore and towards the rich towards all sorts and conditions of men as he had opportunity and ability so to declare himselfe unto them Now because the good Tree is knowne by his Fruit and the true Uine by her sweete Grapes Mat. 12.33 we will take a view of some of his fruits of Mercy and try what their taste and relish is that so finding them to be wholesome and savoury as no doubt we shall wee may judge aright of the tree that did beare them and of the branch that brought them to our hands Some of the fruits of Mercy which hee shewed forth in his holy conversation He did mourne for sinners were directed unto such as were yet in their sins blind ignerant popish or prophane Such as were without meanes of grace being without God and without Christ how would his bowels of compassion yern within him Mat. 9.36 Exod. 32. Mar. 3.5 Hee did contemne contemners 2 Tim. 3.3 Mat. 7.6.2 Tim. 3.5 2. Ioh. 10. Esay 36.21 and be moved for the misery that was upon them How often as he hath by occasion seene them in the midst of their Heathenish sports and Idolatrous feasts either kissing the Calves or dancing about them hath be looked angerly upon them and spoken roughly unto them yet mourning for the hardnesse of their hearts which was upon them and as it were bleeding inwardly for the wickednesse committed by them If he by occasion did meet with such persons as were mockers contemners of God and despisers of good things hee would not cast Pearles before Swine nor holy things before Dogs but turne away his face from them and not so much as salute them nor speak one word unto them But if he found any poore soules erring from the right way yet desiring a guide as the Eunch did to bee directed unto it Act. 8.31 Prov. 2.1 2 3 4. Pro. 4.1 2 and to walke in it how carefull would he bee of their good how joyfull to doe them good He would deal so choisely and tenderly so mercifully and wifely with them by his wholesome instructions loving admonitions godly exhortations and good directions that hee did nourish and cherish them in religion as the tender Babes 1 Thes 2. â— 1. 1 Thes 2.7 Plants and Lambes of Christ Jesus and so brought them to a better liking of the truth and a greater love unto it for their farther growth in knowledge and in grace by it Yea such was his bounty and liberality to such persons 1 Pet. 2.1 2 Pet. 3.18 to encourage them and draw them on in the true profession of religion that he would if they were poor and needy give to some money out of his purse His bounty to poor Christians corne out of his Garner to others Bibles Catechismes and other good bookes which of his owne cost hee had provided to that end and laid up in store in his Study by him If hee had seene a professor of religion in some decay and want for outward things he would endeavour to relieve him by his own and other good means For supply of their wants according to his present occasions and necessities I know those that have seen him take off a good sute of apparell from his owne body as it might be this day to bestow it the next upon an honest godly man that wanted seemely raiment to fit him for some better service and imployment And when he had thus done to give him a good summe of money in his purse to set him out in some good fashion and to beare his charges untill hee might come to the place where hee might better provide for himselfe These are some of the fruits of mercy which this mercifull Gentleman shewed forth in his godly conversation both towards sinners and to wards saints partly to their soules and partly to their bodies CHAP. LVI THese are some but let us attend unto more They that are rich in this world He was rich in good workes 1 Tim. 6 18. are charged to be rich in good workes to distribute unto the necessities of the saints to give themselvs to hospitality and not to forget to entertain strangers for therby some have entertained Angels unawares This Gentleman was ever ready according to his portion and proportion to be rich in good workes and full of good fruits and so gave himself to great hospitality to entertain strangers and to refresh the bowels of the saints His house was as the common Inne His Hospitality or constant harbour of the Church and of Gods children and himselfe as Gaius a godly and good Hoste to give them liberall and cheer full entertainment as they came unto him None so welcome to eate of his morsels or to drinke of his cup as such strangers as were no strangers in Israell For Gods children nor strangers from the Covenant of promise but fellow Citizens with the Saints and of the houshold of God Such there were Many passengers from London to Ireland and from Ireland into England many travellers horsemen and others out of Lancashire and the farthest parts of Cheshire who would as they had occasion to come to the Courts or Faires of Chester take up his house for their lodging place not so much I conceive for the ease and refreshing of their bodies as for the comfort and rejoycing of their hearts in seeing his face in hearing his voice in conferring and advising with him in having a portion in his prayers and a part in his praises unto God with him His provision for his Table in plenty and varietie Now for his ordinary Table which hee kept for his hospitality it was bountifull and plentifull not unto excesse and superfluity but unto a very competent sufficiency and that with great variety of Gods good creatures ever ready to his hand His flight of Pidgeons the best in the Countrey his Warrens of Conyes not inferiour to many his delicate Fish-ponds surpassing all about him which were the better for his owne skill care and paines which he took himself with them all these being blest of God unto him might well furnish his table together with other ordinary provision in and about his house for the comfort and contentment of any such strangers as would come unto him Hee could not endure any riot or excosse In all this great plenty and abundance he would never suffer any wilfull waste nor could hee endure any wanton or wicked abuse of Gods good creatures his