Ministry and Neighbourhood round about who by their concourse at her Funeral shewed plainly in what an high estimation she was amongst them and that her good Name was like a precious Oyntment powred forth The hope of Glory was that sovereign Cordial which abundantly revived and satisfied her spirits whilst she lived and now her hope is turned into fruition and her faith into vision All her sorrows and sighings are turned away and her imployment is without the least tediousness without interruption and intermission to sing Hosannahs and Allelujahs to him that sitteth upon the Throne and to the Lamb for ever more This Life was drawn up by my Reverend and worthy Friend Dr. Henry Wilkinson principal of Magdalen Hall Oxon. The Life and Death of Mrs. Elizabeth Wilkinson who dyed Anno Christi 1654. Mrs. Elizabeth Wilkinson was born of godly Parents of an ancient and well reputed Family of the Gentry in Devonshire Her Father was Mr. Anthony Gifford her Mother Mrs. Elizabeth Cottle and by them she was religiously educated during her minority After which she lived with an Aunt an old Disciple above twenty yeares together where she had many prizes put into her hands to get wisdome even many spirituall advantages for her eternall good But considering that no helps of education nor any means could prove effectuall without divine influences it pleased the Lord out of the riches of his mercy in a signall manner to vouchsafe a blessing to all those helps for the good of her soul and to crown all endeavours in order thereunto with good success She was observed from her childhood to be very docile very willing to learn industrious in reading of and swift to hear the Word of God preached She was very carefull to remember what she heard and took much pains in writing Sermons and collecting speciall Notes out of practicall Divines She had the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit with that she was eminently adorned She looked not as too many do upon gaudy and vain dresses as any ornament She neither liked them nor conformed to them but went in a grave decent and sober attire She was humble gentle tender-hearted and full of bowels of compassion remembring such as were in bonds as if she had been bound with them Heb. 13. 3. She was of so affable sweet and courteous a disposition that she gained abundance of love and respect from all those that conversed with her and by this means she was the greater gainer by all good conferences It was her usuall custome to move good discourse and ofttimes she turned the stream of other impertinent talk into something which was solid and tended unto edification and that ministred grace to the hearers She kept a Diary of Gods dealings with her soul and of other various dispensations that she met withall She was much busied in prayer meditation and self-examination She would often desire her Husband and others of her acquaintance to deal plainly and impartially with her For said she I would not be deceived with a formall profession nor with a temporary faith Perhaps through affection you may judge far better of me than I deserve wherefore I desire you to sift and search me throughly for I like such plain dealing best of all and those are my best friends which deal most plainly with me In process of time after a carefull watching over her heart and frequent addresses made unto the Throne of grace she found returns answerable to her prayers and desires God gave her a large measure both of parts and graces She was able not only to assert the truths of God but to convince gainsayers She abounded in love faith meekness humility and the rest of the graces of the Spirit insomuch as she became a Christian of the higher Form a tall Cedar of Libanus a grown solid and excellent Christian It pleased God for the triall of her graces to exercise her very much in the School of affliction Insomuch as ten years before her death she was one time reckoned with another at least half the time sick But God ordered this sickness of her body to be a medicine for her soul. For the spirit of prayer was much set on work hereby and her faith love and patience did appear and shine the more eminently Out of the Furnace she came forth as gold purified seven times so that the rod and staff correction and instruction went together and by these fatherly chastisements her soul did thrive more abundantly When she was able she neglected not the frequenting of the publick Assemblies they were her delight and she was a professed adversary to the withdrawing from the publick Congregations of the Saints Both them and the godly and Reverend Ministers of the Gospel she had in high esteem and reverenced them all her dayes And when she was not able to go to the publick Congregations she used to spend her time in reading prayer and meditating at home and imployed her friends to read to her and pray with her Such as were stable and sincere Christians were her delight Those she accounted more excellent than their neighbours She would often say that She valued no friends like to those who were friends to her soul. Concerning her deportment and carriage to her Relations for such as are reall Saints shew it in their severall capacities never was a Wife more full of sincere love and respect to an Husband whom she loved entirely and was as entirely beloved by him Her affection to her children was very tender She was carefull to Catechize instruct and to train them up in the fear of God and upon her Deathbed amongst many other excellent counsels and instructions she added this charge as from a dying Mother that they should remember that they had a Mother who would not allow them in any sin She was carefull also to instruct her servants and to teach them the fear of the Lord. Indeed she was ready and willing as opportunity was offered to do good unto all and as need required gave unto them both corporall and spirituall food She had a large heart and improved it to do a great deal of good in a little time Insomuch as the poor the sick the afflicted and the unexperienced to whom she was very mercifull and usefull whilest she lived had a very great miss of her when she was dead In brief she was one of those Worthies of whom the world was not worthy And yet to give a further Character of her I will here set down a Narrative copied exactly out of her own hand-writing of Gods gracious dealing with her soul as it follows word for word It pleased the Lord out of the riches of his grace to remove me from an ignorant place where I was born and to bring me very young into a Religious Family And when I was about twelve years of age upon the reading in the Practice of Piety concerning the happy estate of
be too much taken up with quaint and Historicall flourishes there is a sensible decay of the power of God amongst us An Exotick or strange tongue in the publick Congregation whatever men think of it is set out as a sign of Gods displeasure 1 Cor. 14. 21 22. It feeds such humors as should rather be purged out It had no good effect in the Church of Corinth Mens wits will waxe wanton when they be not over-awed by the plain power of Gods Word When Preachers keep not close to the very words of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Tim. 6. 3. and to the Doctrine that is according to godliness but love to be tampering with another Doctrine though not with another in the main but even in the manner of delivery only as when it savours too much of the pomp of humane eloquence saith Calvin when it differs from the stile of the Holy Ghost saith Danaeus the people be in danger of turning aside to vain jangling to perverse disputings desiring to be teachers and such like matters The Gold upon the Pill may please the eye but it profits not the patient The Paint upon the Glass may feed the fancy but the room is the darker for it The Sword of Gods Spirit can never wound so deep as when it 's plucked out of these gaudy Scabbards Nakedness deforms too too many in these dayes but it is the best garnishing and Ornament the truth can have A sober dress best becomes a grave Matron There be words as well as things which the Holy Ghost teacheth 1 Cor. 2. 13. The Arrows fetched out of Gods own Quiver will pierce the deepest and make the people fall the soonest under Christ. The weakness of God is stronger than men Pauls weapons were mighty The sincere milk of Gods Word will make Christs Babes to grow best This curious age is too too much given to the affectation of words and phrases and cadencies and holy Dr. Sibs was wont to say that great affectation and good affections seldome goe together The swelling words of vanity may tickle the ear tip the tongue and please in matters of discourse but when it comes to push of Pike they afford but little comfort Mr. Capel had another manner of wisdome than that of words He was an able Minister of the New Testament not of the letter but of the Spirit that hath given doth give and will give life 2 Cor. 3. 6. Having this hope then he used great plainness of speech and by the manifestation of the truth he commended himself to every mans conscience in the sight of God and thereby hath so well seasoned the Country where he lived that the fruit of it without doubt will remain and be seen many years after His Prayers were lively and fervent He was a man that had a very large measure of that Spirit of grace which is a Spirit of Supplication He was so well fitted with abilities to open his mind to God as if with blessed Bradford he had been almost ever upon his knees He could tell his own errand or any other mans at the Throne of grace with as good freedome and to as good purpose as any man living He would not be rash with his mouth when he came before God nor set out what he had to say there with painted eloquence or Court-like complement but his mouth used to be filled with such savoury Arguments as very well became an humble Suppliant He was far from those battologies and miserable extravagancies that too many prayers are stuffed with He would pour out his soul to God at all manner of times upon all manner of occasions with all manner of Prayer and Supplication and with that admirable variety of all sorts of quickening and feeling meditations that it would even ravish the hearts of those who had the happiness to be partakers with him therein Yet for all this he was clear in his opinion for the lawfulness of the use of set Forms of Prayer according to the tenet of all our best and most judicious Divines and according to the practice of all Churches even the best reformed saith Mr. Rogers now and in all former ages So saith Mr. Hildersam yea and Mr. Smith himself saith upon the Lords Prayer though as then he was warping and afterwards wandred far in the wayes of Separation that it was the practice of the ancient Church and of all the Reformed Churches in Christendome of the Churches immediately after the Apostles nay saith he of the Church in the time of the Apostles as may probably be gathered out of 1 Cor. 14. 26. This hath also been the practice of the best lights that ever were set up in the Churches of Christ. It is very well known that the flower of our own Divines went on in this way when they might have done otherwise if they had pleased in their Prayers before their Sermons Nay Mr. Dod himself would seldome end his devotions in his own Family but with the use of the Lords Prayer Nay yet more Mr. Cartwright Hist. Christ. p. 3. p. 535. thinks it very probable that Christ his own self made use of a set Form at meales It is not good to cast stones of offence in the way of our weak Brethren who being of meaner parts want ability memory and audacity to conceive Prayer especially before others that they be not taken off from nor disheartened in this so comfortable and necessary a service of God nor may we lay a trap or snare for our own feet Who knoweth what times may pass over him If God should plunge us into the Ditch and leave us labouring in the noose the loftiest of us all may be faign to take relief from and to make use of these poor contemptible props and crutches as some deem and call them When the soul is so troubled that it cannot speak but Chatter only like a Crane and Swallow Psal. 77. 4. When it is so full of grief that it can do no more than sigh and groan and make a confused noise as Psal. 55. 2. it will then be glad to catch at any thing to give it self vent by Dr. Harris tells us of a second Bradford that in time of his distress was fain to adopt Mr. Bradfords words and to spread them before God as his own because he had said more for him as he thought than he could say for himself I knew saith mine Author a rare and eminent Divine indeed that would be as often upon his knees as any man that ever I conversed with that would sometimes be in such damps that had no more to set before God to give his heart ease by than the words of David in the one and fiftieth Psalm Well might then this knowing Divine of ours that had been so tossed with tempests be tender of that that might be so usefull for poor trembling hearts in a stormy day Get to God therefore as thou canst Sad judgements be upon our people Spirituall
thereof It is true he had an advantage above many in his natural constitution and it's influence from his education heightened intellectuals and moralities was not inconsiderable but that which gave the being of meekness which sanctified and perfected all was the Grace of Christ. He was of an accute apprehension and therefore sensible of but yet so little in his own sight that he was not easily provoked by an injury Sensibleness of dishonor done to God by sin or of what the offender had done unto himself by sinning left such impressions upon him as that his taking notice of any injury done unto himself was not usually taken notice of He had well learned that lesson of Gregory It is better many times to fly from an injury by silence than to overcome it by replying It was Grynaeus his manner to revenge wrongs by Christian taciturnity If inferiors expostulated unnecessarily with him he would patiently hear them and give them a brotherly account pacifying their minds with a gentle grave and respectivâ— answer Take one instance in this kind instead of many unto one of his hearers then sick of singularities and therefore the less able to bear sound Doctrine following him home after his publick labours in the Congregation and instead of better incouragement telling him that his Ministry was become either dark or flat He gently answered Both Brother without further opening his mouth in his own defence choosing rather to own the imputation than to expostulate with the Imputer Disputations are great trials of the spirits of intelligent men Hooper and Ridley were patient Martyrs but somewhat impatient Disputers The Synod held at Cambridge in New England as matters were then circumstanced was unto this good man an hour of temptation above what had ordinarily befaln him in his Pilgrimage yet such was his eminent behaviour throughout as argued in the consciences of the Spectators singular patience and left him a Mirrour for the temperament mildness and government of his Spirit Pious meekness fits for Church Society Yet though he was so gentle meek and flexible that men might perswade him above what could be expected usually from a man of his worth in the things of God he was steadfast and unmovable The Sanctuary cannot want the fire that is from Heaven neither may it be touched with the fire that is from Hell Gentleness of disposition when actuated by Christ makes us so much the more acceptable and profitable unto man But if the Spirit withdraweth his assistance we fall short of reaching Gods ends and the seasonable suppressing of exorbitancies If this good man had alwayes had that voice sounding in his heart which one wished that mild Lantgrave of Hessen might have heard from the Smiths forge Duresce duresce Utinam Lantgravius durescat Happily there are that think some disorders disturbances and irregularities might by Gods blessing have been prevented But ordinarily and in matters of greatest weight the Lord was with him Though his forbearance was both observable and very imitable in things that concerned himself yet he could not forbear them whom he knew to be evil An experience whereof he manifested some Heterodox spirits by their specious discourses about Free-Grace and subtle concealings of their Principles so far deceived him into a better opinion of them than there was cause as that notwithstanding they fathered their Errors upon him in general and abused his Doctrine to the countenancing of their denial of Inherent Grace in particular yet was he slow to beleeve these things of them and slower to bear witness against them But so soon as the truth herein appeared to him hear his own words taken out of his Letter to Mr. Davenport The truth is saith he the body of the Island is bent to backslding into Errour and Delusions the Lord pitty and pardon them and me also who have been so slow to see their windings and subtil contrivances and insinuations in all their transactions whilst they propagated their opinions under my expressions diverted to their constructions Yea such was his ingenuity and piety as that his soul was not satisfied without often breaking forth into affectionate bewailing of his infirmity herein in the publick Assemblies sometimes in his Prayer sometimes in his Sermon and that with tears He was a man of an ingenuous and pious candour rejoycing as opportunity was offered to take notice of and to bear witness to the gifts of God in his Brethren thereby drawing the hearts of them to him and of others to them and that to the encouragement of them and the edification of many He did not think himself a loser by putting honour upon his Fellow-labourers but was willing that they should communicate with him in the love and esteem of the people He was not only a son of Peace enjoying continually the feast of a good conscience with serenity and tranquillity of affections at home but also a peace-maker quallified by the graces aforementioned to be a choice Instrument in the hand of the Prince of Peace amongst the Churches where if any difference arose Mr. Cotton was ready being called thereunto to afford his help for the composin of them and had a singular faculty and ability therein by reason of that excellent wisdome and moderation of spirit which God in Christ had given him whose blessing also did ordinarily crown his endeavours with good success He was one the reality of whose profession gave many cause to bless God for the kindness of the Lord shewed unto all sorts by him His portion in the things of this life exempted him from being an object of envy in that behalf yet behold Quantum ex quantillo so much communicated out of so little we may not here be altogether silent concerning the Grace of God bestowed upon him whereby according to his power yea above his power he was benificent unto others but especially to those of the Houshold of Faith The Gospel opened his heart his lips and the doors of his house He well remembred that Scripture There is that scattereth and yet encreaseth and there is that withholdeth more than is meet but it tendeth to poverty As also The liberal soul shall be made fat Amongst others his Fellow-labourers in the Ministry were entertained with peculiar contentment By one instance see his spirit in the rest A certain Minister who had gotten into the fellowship of that eminent man Mr. Arthur Hildersham and many other godly Preachers being acquainted with their secrets betrayed them into the Prelates hands This man coming afterwards to Boston and meeting with Mr. Cotton this Gaâ—us had not the heart to speak to him nor to invite him to his house which he said he never neglected to his knowledge to any stranger before much less to any of his own order Some years since there was brought unto Boston a report of the necessity of the poor Saints at Sigataea a little Church whereof the Reverend Mr. White was their faithful
him in their holy fellowship and commended them to the blessing of God His pious Consort and those Olive Plants that sate lately about his Table now gathered together about the Bed of a dying Husband and departing Father This was his last solemn transaction with man in this world Silver and Gold though he wanted not he had not much to give them but the blessing of a righteous Paâ—ent he left with them That Reverend and Godly man Mr. Wilson who excelleth in Love as Mr. Cotâ—on did in Light the faithful Pastor of that Church taking his last leave of him and most ardently praying unto God that he would lift up the light of his countenance upon him and shed his love into his soul he presently answered He hath done it already Brother His work now finished with all men perceiving his departure to be at hand and having nothing else to do but onely that great work of dying in the Lord he wholly composed and set himself for his dissolution desiring that he might be permitted to improve that little remnant of his life without impediment to his private Devotions and divine Soliloquies between God and his soul and for that end he caused the Curtains to be drawn and a Gentleman and Brother of that Congregation that was much with him and ministred to him in his sickness he caused to promise him that the Chamber should be kept private But a while after hearing the whispering of some brethren in the Room he called to that Gentleman saying Why do you break your word with me Not long after being mindful no doubt of that great helpfulness which he received from that aforementioned Brother throughout his visitation he left him with this farewel The God that made you and bought you with a great price redeem your body and soul unto himself These words were his last words after which he was not heard to speak but lying some hours speechless he quietly breathed out his spirit into the hands of him that gave it December 23. Anno Christi 1652. being entred into the Sixty eighth year of his Age. The Life and Death of Dr. Hill who dyed Anno Christi 1653. MR. Thomas Hill was born at Kingston in Worcestershire of Godly Parents and David accounted it his great honour and blessing to be the Son of Gods Handmaid Psal. 86. 16. His Parents dedicated him unto God from his Child-hood designing him to the work of the Ministry and in order thereunto they trained him up in School-learning in the Country and being there well fitted they sent him to Emanuel Colledge in Cambridge where the Rose was not cankered in the bud his youth not corrupted nor debauched as too many are But this morning like that 2 Sam. 23. 4. was without clouds not sullied with any noted miscarriage but on the contrary as it is said of Sampson when young that the Spirit of the Lord began then to move him Judg. 13. 25. So in his then sober and studious behaviour the Sun looked out betimes in that Summer morning and through Gods Grace otherwise than it oft falls out in nature he gave promising hopes of an after clearer day This being taken notice of by the Governours of the Colledge they thereupon after examination had chose him Scholar of the House he as his Saviour still growing in wisdome and stature and in favour with God and man And then after some good time spent in his private studies in the Colledge for his further perfecting and the more happy seasoning of his spirit he went and sojourned with that man of God now also with the Lord Mr. Cotton at Boston in Lincolnshire where by Gods rich blessing upon his most godly directions and example and the society he had with him and other eminent Christians in that place he was much improved and furthered as otherwise so especially in Heavens-way which happily went along with him to his journies end Upon his return from thence to the Colledge it was not long before he was chosen Fellow with general approbation though upon a most strict and double examination more I think than ever was in that Colledge before or hath been since though it still is and ever hath been according to the Statutes very strict and serious and which hath been blessed to be a special means of holding up true worth and learning in that happy Society And now through Gods good hand of providence leading and strengthning him he proved a diligent painful and successful Tutor of very many Pupils and divers of them persons of quality who since have proved great blessings both to the Church and Commonwealth And thus as he was before a pattern to young Schollars so after he was a Tutor no diligence was wanting whereby he might be instrumental to Gods Glory and the good of those who were committed to his charge But this our wise Master-builder satisfied not himself as a Tutor in polishing of builders but as a faithful and painful Minister he laboriously endeavoured to square other lively stones for Gods Temple 1 Pet. 2. 5. and so as he read to Schollars in the Colledge he also diligently and conscionblâ— preached to a neighbour Congregation St. Andrews in the Town so that many poor souls long after had cause to bless God for him Nor was he an Hireling to flye when the Wolf came but when the Plague in this time of his Ministry raged in the Town he still continued with them in his Ministerial employment the better Shepherd he who not onely fed the sound but also healed and bound up the torn and weak of the flock This Alabaster Box of precious oyntment thus powred out filled the whole house with its odour and the sweet fragrancy of it did spread abroad so that now he came to be more taken notice of by many both great and good men and so by some of eminent worth and honour he was called to the Pastoral charge of Tichmersh in Northamptonshire where he laboured faithfully in Gods Harvest for the space of about eight or nine years and partly by preaching and conversing up and down with others but especially with his own Parochial charge he proved a great blessing not onely to that Town but also to the whole Country in every place where he came spreading a good savour and leaving it behinde him During the time of his being at Tichmersh he sometimes repaired to Warwick Castle to that Noble Robert Lord Brook who highly esteemed him and in whose Family he grew acquainted with Mrs. Mary Wilford at that time Governess to the Lady Frances Rich a young Lady of rare parts Daughter to the Right Honourable Robert Earle of Warwick and mutual affections growing betwixt them he was married to her who since his death was re-married to the Reverend learned and pious Dr. Tuckney Master of St. Johns Colledge and Regius Professor in Cambridge my much honoured friend so that she hath
continued labouring in that imployment through many pains till Tuesday the 6. of December Anno Christi 1653. About which time as his natural strength was exceedingly decayed so now also his Intellectuals began to fail and for the following three dayes a drousiness seized upon him insomuch that he could not hold up his head to look into a Book but slumbered away his time in a Chair and upon Friday being the third day after he had given over his studies enquiring what day it was he cried out Alas I have lost three dayes The day following being Saturday he had no desire to arise out of his bed neither indeed could he in regard of his weakness which was such and he was so sensible of it that he said Now I have not long to live in this world the time of my departure is at hand I am going to my desired Haven the apprehension whereof was no little joy unto him for he had often said to such of his friends as came to visit him in his sickness I am willing to dye having I bless God nothing to do but to dye Indeed sometimes he seemed to be in the same strait with St. Paul between Life and Death having a desire to depart that he might be with Christ which was best of all but yet very desirous he was to finish his Commentary upon the Epistle to the Hebrews which he knew would be very useful to the Church of God and in that respect he was willing to live and God so far answered his desire in that particular that he lived to finish it within half a Chapter But when he perceived that his time in this world could not be long O! how sweet and joyful was the apprehension of Death unto him which he often termed his best friend next to Jesus Christ. So that he came willingly he was not plucked and dragged to Death Death was his familiar acquaintance it was his priviledge as well as his task When his good sister said to him in his sickness Brother I am afraid to leave you alone Why Sister said he I shall I am sure be with Iesus Christ when I dye The meditation of Death was not more frequent than sweet unto him His soul was upon the wing and was bent Heaven-ward even whilst it was in the cage of his decrepit body Upon Saturday though he kept his bed through weakness yet was he more wakeful and his spirit more lively and cheerful than for several dayes before which questionless was from his joyful apprehension of his approaching departure His speeches that day were more than ordinary Heavenly He spake much in the admiration of Gods Free grace and riches of his Mercy in Jesus Christ. As while he lived he led a heavenly life so about the time of his death by those comforts and joyes that he found in his soul he seemed to be in Heaven even while he was upon the earth and so he continued full of sweet and divine comfort and heavenly expressions to the last of his understanding and speech which continued to Munday morning when both of them failed him from which time he lay breathing yet shorter and shorter till eight of the clock at night about which time in the presence of all his Children and divers of his Friends he quietly slept in the Lord making an happy change from earth to Heaven which was Decem. 12. Anno Christi 1653 being 79 years old after he had served God faithfully and painfully in his Generation A Catalogue of the Books published by him Of Domestical Duties on Eph. 5. and 6. The whole Armour of God on Eph. 6. Of the sin against the Holy Ghost on Matth. 12. 31 32. Mar. 3. 28 29. Upon the Lords Prayer called A Guide to go to God Gods three Arrows Plague Famine and Sword on Num. 16. 44 c. 2 Sam. 21. 1. Exod. 17. 8. The extent of Gods Providence Nov. 5. on Matth. 10. 29 30 31. The Dignity of Chivalry on 2 Chron 8 9. The Saints Sacrifice or a Comment on Psal. 116. Two Treatises 1. The Sabbaths Sanctification 2. A Treatise of Apostacy on Luke 15. 31. The Saints Support A Sermon before the Commons in Parliament on Nehem. 5. 19. Mercies Memorial Nov. 17. on Exod. 13. 3. The Progress of Divine Providence A Sermon before the House of Lords on Ezek. 36. 11. A Funeral Sermon on Ezek. 24. 16. The Right way A Sermon before the Lords on Ezra 8. 21. Two Catechismes A Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews My Reverend Friend Mr. Tho. Gouge eldest Son to this famous Doctor desired me to insert this Life amongst these other Worthies contained in this Volume The Life and Death of Mr. Thomas Gataker who dyed Anno Christi 1654. MR. Thomas Gataker or Gatacre for so he wrote himself till of later years to prevent miscalling occasioned frequently by the view of the Letters he changed it into Gataker was a branch of a very ancient Family so firmly by Gods Providence planted in Shropshire that the Stock hath continued in the same House carrying the Name of its owner and known by the Title of Gatacre-Hall by an un-interrupted succession from the time of King Edward the Confessor His Father Mr. Thomas Gatacre being a younger Son of William Gatacre was designed by his Parents to the study of the Law in order whereunto he was admitted a Student in the Temple And during his abode there he occasionally went to visit some of his Kindred who were then high in place and power whereby he was often present at the examination of some Christian Confessors of the Gospel in those bloody times wherein Satan armed all his Forces to suppress that dawning light which threatned ruine to his Kingdome of darkness The harshness and cruelty of those proceedings together with the constancy of those weak yet sincere Christians who with evidence of truth and resolution of minde maintained faith and a good conscience were very prevalent with him to facilitate his entertainment of that purer Doctrine of the Gospel which began to shine into his soul. This being apprehended by his Parents fearing his change in Religion they sent him over to Lovaine in Flanders and to win him to a compliance with them in Religion they setled upon him an estate in a Lease of an hundred pounds per annum in old Rents but like St. Paul Phil. 3. 8. He counted all outward advantages as nothing in comparison of the knowledge of Iesus Christ. His Father therefore perceiving how fixt and unmoveable he was in his choice of Religion in which yet he had nothing to except against but only the novelty of it he recalled him into England and in great displeasure revoked his former Grant of 100 â— per annum which yet could not be effected without his Sons consent But this young Disciple had already learned the hard lesson of self-denial and of forsaking all to follow Christ and therefore to preserve his
spoken came to him in private and asked him whether he meant this of the Ministry of England as now constituted He returned him this answer Although I will not justifie the calling of every individual Minister in the Church of England as you dare not justifie the Saintship of every member in your Independent Congregations yet I will be ready when and where you please to maintain the Office and Calling of Englands Ministry at this day And that he continued unmoved and unchanged in his judgement and esteem of the Ministerial Calling to the last may be manifested by this passage in his last Will and Testament which is here set down in his own words and written with his own hand For my Son Jeremiah my desire is that he be bred a Scholar and that the Lord would spiritually incline his heart freely to give up himself to the Lord to serve him in the work of the Ministry which Calling and Imployment though now despised I do esteem above all others in the world and do commend it to all mine that if the Lord bless them with Sons they would commend this Calling to their Posterity And truly this deserves seriously to be considered whether there be not herein much to credit and encourage the Ministry of the Gospel that a learned man and so eminent for piety who also had throughly studied the Controversie of the times and had heard and read what could be said against the Ministry should yet upon his Death-bed give such a Testimony unto it when he daily expected to make up his account before God and also give such great encouragement to his Posterity to addict themselves to this calling now even now when such disgrace is cast upon it and when the Ministers setled maintenance is threatned to be taken from them And may not those men who knew Mr. Whitakers worth be hereby awed and moved to take heed how they oppose or slight that Calling of men whom he living and dying judged to be so highly honoured by God himself To this also adde that it was an Ordained Ministry which he thus valued which appears by these two lively Testimonies 1. In that he joyned with that Classis whereof he was a member in Ordaining of Ministers 2. In that he had an hand in the Book not long since published by the Province of London in the defence of such a Ministry not onely by his assent to it but also by his assistance in drawing it up As Mr. Whitaker loved God dearly so God loved him which he manifested by those grace wherewithall he enriched him and truly love tokens are real Messengers of his love that sendeth them and what surer signs can we have of Gods love then when he bestows upon us the Graces of his Holy Spirit Now of these the Lord had given him a more than ordinary measure and besides what hath been said before there were five Graces more which were very Orient and shining in his Crown 1. His tenderness of heart Who ever knew a man of a more melting frame of heart before God whether in Confessions Petitions or Thanksgivings Is there any one living that can say that I have at sometimes joyned with him in Prayer and he shed no tears How did his own sinfulness though it was no more than the ordinary imperfections of the fairest Saint upon earth the evils of the times and the testimonies of Gods displeasure breaking out upon us break his heart into pieces We may truly believe that for the space many years he did never come off from the serious consideration of these things with dry eyes and how many thousands be there of Gods children that would account it a sign of much love from Christ if they could finde such thawings in their frozen breasts 2. His meekness of spirit with which precious Jewel he was richly adorned Who ever saw him transported by passion on a fire through foolish anger or disgused by discontent Though his zeal would waxe hot and burn in him for God and his Glory yet he was a man of a cool spirit and meek like Moses in all his own concernments and this he hath often manifested in a remarkable manner when disputing with men of dissenting Principles and opinions yet his spirit was so even that their unhandsome provocations could not discompose him and drive him into passion 3. For his Patience he may well be called a second Job Many who saw him under those racking pains in his last sickness so frequently reiterated and so long continued were confident that God did put him and keep him in his Furnace to be a pattern of patience unto Posterity It is confessed that he did roar many times till his throat was dry but who ever heard him speak any one word of murmuring or discontent because of Gods afflicting Providence He himself indeed would sometimes through tenderness of conscience charge himself of impatiency because he made a noise in his extremity but that expressed onely Natures sensibleness not sinful frowardnes and when accusing himself causelesly he was minded of Christs roarings yet free from all sin he would be silent I confess indeed that in his desires to be dissolved he would take up Jobs complaint Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery and life unto the bitter in soul which long for death but it cometh not and dig for it more than for hid treasures c. For my sighing cometh before I eat and my roarings are powred out like waters Job 3. 20 24. But he alwayes concluded with submission to the good pleasure of God When he had been asked how he did this was frequently his answer The Bush alwayes burning but not consumed and though my pains be above the strength of nature yet they are not above the supports of Grace 4. The Lord was pleased to vouchsafe him such a measure of the Spirit of Grace and Supplications that his soul was never out of tune for that service Most of his words when he was under torment were holy complaints and prayers to God It will not be impertinent or unprofitable if I here set down some of them O my God help Father of mercies pity Do not contend for ever Consider my frame that I am but dust My God that hath made Heaven and earth help me Oh give me patience and inflict what thou wiâ—t If my patience was more my pain would be less Dear Saviour where are thy bowels why dost thou make me an astonishment to my self and others Why dost thou cover thy self with a thick cloud that our prayers cannot pass Blessed is the man that endureth temptation Lord this is a sad temptation stand by me and say It is enough Am I not thy servant Consider Lord that I am thy servant O these bitter waters of Marah Lord drop sweet comfort into these bitter water of Marah O the blood of sprinkling Lord the blood of sprinkling Lord That
of Faith Patience Contentment and spiritualness which he had formerly preached to and pressed upon others he was very profitable unto them who visited him and might also prove very advantagious unto others who might be acquainted therewith through Gods grace by Christ. So great was his tender respect to his friends that when his pains were coming with violence he would intreat them to withdraw from him that they might not be grieved with his roariâ—gs and he used often to bless God that his compassionate friends were not necessitated to abide within the reach of his doleful lamentation As his death drew more nigh so his fits of pain were more frequent either every half hour or many times every quarter yea two or three in a quarter of an hour which did exceedingly abate his strength The night before God took him out of this vale of tears Mr. Ash hearing that he was not likely to live another day went early in the morning to take his leave of him whom his soul loved at which time he found his bodily strength much decayed and perceiving that he could not speak without much difficulty Mr. Ash spake the more unto him in reference to the approach of his happy hoped for change and his discourse through Gods mercy was very refreshing his spirit He told him also that many of his friends intended to set apart that day in seeking the Lord for him and asked him in what things eâ—pecially he desired to be remembred before the Throne of Grace His answer was Do not complain but bless God for me and intreat him to open the prison door Then Mr. Ash laying his hand upon his cold hand covered with a clammy sweat took his last farewell of him with an aking heart and upon his departure from him the last words which Mr. Whitaker spake to him were these Brother I thank you I pray God bless you and I bless God for you That day was spent in addresses to God for him at Peters Cornhill where Mr. Newcomen quickned and guided our prayers in his Sermon upon Joh. 11. â— Lord Behold he whom thou lovest is sick and Mr. Jenkin endeavoured to moderate and regulate our sorrows from Luke 23. 28. Weep not for me Thus his friends having by prayers and praises on his behalf given him to God and having prepared their hearts for the loss of him the Lord was pleased that evening to take him to himself June 1654 being above Fifty five years old After his death Mr. Holiard opened his body in the presence of Dr. Cox Dr. Micklethwaite and Dr. Bevoir some other more ancient Doctors would have been there if either their being out of Town or present urgent occasions had not hindred being opened they found both his Kidnies full of ulcers and and one of them was swelled to an extraordinary bigness through the abundance of purulent matter in it Upon the neck of his Bladder they found a stone which was about an inch and an half long and one inch broad weighing about two ounces when it was first taken out and withall they found an ulcer which was gangrenized and this was judged to be the cause of his death All other parts of his body were found firm and sound He was so humble that he feared lest Gods people praying for him should speak too well of him before the Lord. He was a self-denying man never daring to look after great matters in this world whereby he condemned many whose self-seeking in earthly advantages renders them very offensive and unsavoury in the Church of Christ. Mr. Calamy speaking of him saith If I should enter upon his Commendations I might truly say what Nazanien doth of his Sister Gorgonia that I have more cause to fear lest I should speak below than above the truth For he was a burning and a shining light in this our Israel A Messenger and an Interpreter one amongst a thousand A Bazalâ—el in Gods Tabernacle A true Nathaniel that by his integrity humility constancy charity publickness and peaceableness of spirit and by his diligence and fâ—ithfulness in preaching the Gospel made his life both amiable and desirable I will say of him as it was said of Athanasius that he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Adamant and a Loadstone To all that conversed with him he was as a Loadstone to draw their hearts to love him But in the cause of God and in reference to the truths of Christ he was as an unconquerable Adamant He was a Jeremy both in mourning for and in witnessing against the sins of the times He was a second Whitaker though not so eminent in Learning as to be what is said o◠〈◊〉 Mundi miraculum Academiae Oraculum the miracle of the world and the Oracle of the University yet he was which is also said of him sound in the Faith one that had no private opinion that did not in veteri viâ novam semitam quaerere seek out new paths of his own but kept the old way and the old path That had a great wit without any mixture of madness He preached no less by the heavenliness of his Doctrine than by the holiness of hâ—s life yea he preached as effectually by his death as by his life or Doctrine for so great was the patience which God measured out to him that though in his extremity of torments he groaned yet he never grumbled Though he often mourned yet he never murmured nay though he often roared by reason of the greatness of his pain yet he alwayes justified and mâ—gnâ—fied God therein and this he did so constantly and in such a measure that as it is said of Job so it wiâ—l be said by the Saints that succeed us for their mutual consolation and encouragement Ye have heard of the Patience of Whitaker He had indeed an ulâ—â—rated flesh but a sound and whole spirit and that inabled him to bear his infirmity he had a stone in the Bladder but a very soft and tender heart he had a gangreene in his body but a sound soul unstained by sin I heard him often say with thankfulness that under all his bodily sufferings he had a blessed calmness and quietness in his spirit that God spâ—ke peace unto him that though he roared for pain yet the Devil was chained up from roaring upon him On the Death of my dear Friend Mr. JEREMIAH WHITAKER IF Death be but a servant sent to call The souls of Saints to their Originall Dear Saint thine was a Noble soul to whom Three Messengers were sent to call thee home A Stone an Ulcer and a Cangreene too Three Deaths to hasten that which one should do ' â—was not because thy soul was deeper set Than ours within its house of clay nor yet Because thou wert unwilling to depart Thither where long before had been thine heart They were not sent to hale by violence A soul that lingred when 't was called hence God shew'd how welcome one Death was to thee
are Apothegmes It is not worth the name of wisdome that may be heard only and not seen Good discourse is but the froth of wisdome the pure and solid substance of it is well-framed actions And according to this we may commend her conversation for prudence in practice above that which she shewed either in the use or restraint of her tongue For as St. Jerom saith She taught others more by her example than by her speech much more then by her silence She was a woman of a well composed spirit discreetly advised framing her affairs by good direction of grace and reason without any direction of humour or passion which bare no sway over her at all and very seldome had any shew or appearance in her but when her discretion told her it was fit to make use of them for due advertisement to others and then she would order it with such moderation as that neither her words nor her looks nor her gestures carried any colour of contradiction to her prudence and piety So that her wisdome was a protection to the reputation of her piety against all scornfull reproaches Yea it was a promotion of the Christian profession to more estimation in her person and for her sake And though she was singularly gifted yet was she far from their disposition who think they do nothing well unless they be singular and though she had less to do with worldly matters than most would have had in her condition yet therein also she gave that proof of prudence which Solomon observeth Prov. 14. 1. A wise woman saith he builds her house For she was very provident in managing her Family affairs both whilest she was married and when she was a widow also Now from her Intellectuall parts let us pass to her Morall and we shall find that though she had a very good head richly stored with ingenious and religious notions yet she had a far better heart more abundantly furnished with excellent graces whereof we will single out some 1. For her faith which is the hand that turneth the key to unlock the storehouse of divine beneficence This appeared by a Paper written with her own hand wherein she did set down the Articles of her faith in full plain and perspicuous terms with pertinent proofs of Scripture to every point and then she maketh particular application thereof to her self as thus I do believe the Scriptures to be the very Word of God 2 Tim. 3. 16. 2 Pet. 1. 21. and I have found them so to me by the witness of Gods Spirit which I have felt testifying of them and by the unutterable comfort which I have received by them wonderfully refreshing my heart when it was in the deepest distress whereby God hath made them so good unto me that I account them better than thousands of gold and silver Psal. 119. 72. I do believe that God made man at first after his own Image Gen. 1. 26. which Image did chiefly consist in knowledge and holiness Eccles. 7. 29. Eph. 4. 24. and out of admiration of this Image I do long for that time when I shall be satisfied with it Psal. 17. 15. I do believe that all mankind hath sinned 1 King 8. 46. and that the nature of man is stained with sin from the birth Psal. 51. 5. I know and must acknowlegde that the cause of all the afflictions which do befall me in this life is in my self and I know no cause to murmure at my crosses when I look upon my sin I do believe that Jesus Christ is God and my God Psal. 68. 20. and in that he is a God and my God it doth exceedingly comfort me For he is full of grace to supply my wants a Counsellor to direct me in my doubts Almighty to defend me and an everlasting Father to love pitty and bear with mine infirmities and to spare me a Prince of peace to perform reconciliation with his Father for me and to fill me with the peace which passeth all understanding and that he will establish and order me henceforth and for ever I do believe that the Passion of Christ was by the eternall decree and appointment of God Act. 2. 23. and that his sorrows were sustained for our sins and for our sakes so as he bore all our iniquities 1 Pet. 2. 24. and that in his own person he fullfilled and finished all sufferings needfull for our salvation 1 Pet. 3. 18 and that his Passion so grievous as cannot be imagined is a sufficient price for the sins of the world Joh 2. 29. therefore why should not I be willing to suffer any thing for his sake that hath suffered so great things for me and say with St. Paul God forbid that I should rejoyce in any thing but in the Cross of Christ. I will for ever trust in him and relie upon him as the life of my life and as to me both in life and death advantage and having such a proof of the infinite love of God to me in not sparing his own Son but giving him up to death for me shall I ever doubt of my freedome from condemnation such a price being paid for the discharge of my debts by such a surety I do believe that Christ overcame sin death the grave and Hell and rose again from the dead ascended into Heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God in Majesty Rom. 1. 4. and that he hath purchased his Church by his bloud and that he is a Lawgiver to his Church Jam. 4. 12. which is gathered by his voice Joh. 17. 9. seperated from sinfull society with the world For she is an holy Church Eph. 5. 25. yet dispersed over the world for she is Catholick Eph. 1. 10. and though Catholick and dispersed yet but one Eph. 4. 4. knit unto Christ by an indissolveable union Col. 1. 18. And I am sure that I am a member of this Church For I am called out of sinfull communion with the world by the voice of the Ministers of Christ who are in his stead and seperated from it by the power of the Word and I do relie upon Christs merits for righteousness and salvation I do not delight in the society of the wicked but in theirs who fear him whom I love with sincere affections as the most worthy people of the world and whatsoever I want of an holy life yet I do not live after my old evil conversation but I constantly endeavour to be more and more holy What thanks shall I give unto God who hath called me out of darkness into his marvellous light and saved me from the common condemnation of the world O the depth of the love of Christ unto me I do believe that there shall be a generall Judgement Psal. 9. 8. that Christ shall be the Judge a visible Judge in his humane nature Act. 17. 13. that it shall be at the last day but the precise day and hour is not known to any man or Angel Mat. 24.
36. that then every man shall be judged Jude 15. and every secret thing shall be brought to light Rom. 2. 16. and that the judgement will be most just and so confessed by all Rom. 2. 5 6. why then should I fear the last Judgement seeing he shall be my Judge who is my Brother Advocate and Redeemer He that was willingly judged for me will give no hard sentence against me yea he hath already absolved me from my sins and given me the earnest of his Spirit and the seal of the Sacraments and I have judged my self that I may not be condemned with the world 1 Cor. 11. 32. I do beleeve that the glory of Heaven is unspeakable and incomprehensible by us here on earth 1 Cor. 2. 9. that is it eternal Matth. 25. 45. and that it is the gift of God proceeding onely from his free Grace not our merit Luke 12. 32. his free gift bestowed onely upon the Elect Rev. 21. 27. O that I could by the effectualness of contemplation behold the greatness of this felicity which is provided for me yet as I can conceive it I cannot choose but long to be absent from hence that I may be present with the Lord 2 Cor. 5. 8. whos 's admirable beauty I shall clearly see and know as I am known and that with a perfection both of holiness and happiness such holiness as will not onely free me from all sin but from all possibility of sinning such happiness as that ceasing from all labour and sorrow I shall enjoy an eternal Sabbath and shall be free to all the treasures of Heaven and with the fruition of Gods glorious presence shall enjoy the sweet society of all the glorified Saints and Angels And all this as it is unuterable so it is unalterable For as I cannot be disappointed of it because it is certain so I cannot be deprived of it because it is eternal How then should the hope of the future life but swallow up the afflictions of the life present and why should I fear Death when being dead I shall be so blessed Yet was not her Faith elevated so high but that she could readily apply it to promises of an inferiour degree For as she trusted in God at all times as David teacheth Psal. 62. 8. so did she in all things whether temporal or eternal In straits and difficulties for the affairs of this life she had that ready at hand Commit thy way unto the Lord trust also in him and he shall bring it to pass Psal. 37. 5. If at any time she was sinisterly censured by any one her faith applied that promise to her heart He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light and thy judgement as the noon day Psal. 35. 6. And whatsoever it were that came upon her as a cross her faith was either as a wreathe betwixt her shoulders and it that it did not pinch her or a remover of it from her self to him who was best able to bear it by vertue of that Warrant Psal. 55. 22. Cast thy burthen upon the Lord and he shall sustain thee and that done her faith which teacheth to keep an eaven pace with the promises not making haste Isa. 28. 16. by anticipating the time of accomplishment taught her soul to wait upon God as Davids did Psal. 62. 1. to effect his own work at his own time in his own way and manner wherein she would not prescribe any thing at all By this daily exercise of her Faith she gained a great deal of freedome and lightsomness of spirit which admirably appeared in her deportment upon great disappointments of that which was her own due and unexpected payments unto others when she hath seen no way of supply for the present occasions she hath believed that Gods providence would effect what her forecast could not when she was not wanting in the use of means and that he could furnish her with that which should be sufficient albeit for the present she saw not how nor by what means it would come to pass and therefore when she had done what belonged to her duty in the affiance of her Faith she rested quiet and remained cheerful and slept neither the less nor the worse for it and that which confirmed her confidence the more was that she still found by experience that God was most worthy to be trusted That her Faith was as good as it was great appeared by the effect of it in her Devotion and Piety which was suitable to her knowledge of God and her faith in him by both which as she had a clear apprehension of him so none had more dear and devout affections to him or more assured signs of such than she as appeared in these particulars She was frequently and fervently conversant with God besides the publick in her private supplications and therein was he most favourably familiar with her for he sent forth his Spirit into her heart whereby she cried Abba Father Gal 4. 6. The Spirit of Grace and Supplication Zach. 12. 10. which enabled her in an extraordinary manner and measure to pour out her soul into his bosome and though she duely esteemed of the solemn prayers of the sacred Assemblies whereof a learned and pious Divine said that never any one prayed well privately who contemned or neglected the publick prayers of the Church and never sleighted or censured set forms of Prayer yet could she and that excellently well conceive Prayer and vary her Petitions as the present occasion did require Yea in this Devotion she was so abundant in apt and pertinent expressions that indeed it was admirable that one so silent in her common conversation with the world should be so fluent and eloquent in her entercourse with God Nor was she more copious in speech than fervent in spirit For such was her holy violence in Prayer as that she seemed not to knock at Heaven Gate for another to open it but to make a battery upon it her self and to break in by the powerful importunity of her supplications Her service also of God in this kinde was no dry Devotion but steeped and drenched in showres of tears and though her prudence used as much privacy as might be herein yet such a singular gift could not be hid from her servants and some secret female friends who sometimes when they were sick or possessed with fears or pains of child-birth they would move her with importunity to pray with them and when she yeelded to them and God to her by answering her request they were apt as there was cause to impute the good effect to her fervent supplications A female friend of hers who was her bed-fellow in London for many weeks together and thereby was a partaker of her daily Devotions professed that she was so plentifully furnished for utterance of her requests to God that she never wanted variety of meet words to be presented unto him but when a surcharge of sighs and
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
of God against it Thou shalt not take the Name of God in vain And another of them reasoning with his fellows about God and the Devil professed that he had rather be in hell with God than in heaven with the Devil And a third who by reason of her age could not speak distinctly said in some discourse with her Father that God Almighty would not bless them who tell Fibbs meaning Lies and that she had rather dye than tell a Fibb so far had their Mothers instructions prevailed with them She was eminent for a charitable and bountifull spirit she was another Dorcas full of good works and Alms-dâ—eds That high Elogium that Solomon gives a vertuous woman may properly be applied unto her Many Daughters have done vertuously but she excelled them all Prov. 31. 29. Many there are that come far short of her but very few that went beyond her in the acts of Charity God gave her a liberal and plentifull estate and that was a great mercy but it was a far greater mercy that he gave her a liberal heart to do good and to distribute To cast her bread on the waters and to honour God with her substance That protestation which Job makes for his own vindication may fitly be applied unto her Job 31. 16 19. He would not with-hold the poor from their desire nor cause the eyes of the widow to fail He would not see any to perish for want of cloathing nor any poor without covering The whole Country round about where she dwelt will bear her witness that she visited and relieved the sick and cloathed the naked fed the hungry and healed the wounded Her purse her hand her heart were all open for their relief She bought many precious Drugs and cordial waters She made several precious salves and gave them all away to such as were in need of them She spared not her best pains being never aweary of well doing insomuch that in the extremity of her greatest sickness such bowels of compassion yearned in her she compounded several Medicines with her own hands and applied them Thus will her works praise her in the Gate and being dead she yet speaketh Prov. 31. 31. Heb. 11. 4. For her precious name liveth The Lord will have the name of the Righteous to be in everlasting remembrance Psal. 112. 6. and the memory of the just is blessed Prov. 10. 7. And precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints Psal. 116. 15. Now this rare Gentlewoman reaps the fruit of her serving of God and the whole harvest whereof she received onely the first fruits in this present world The usual saying is All is well that ends well Come we therefore to speak of her end Her life was holy and therefore her death must needs be happy It pleased the Lord to exercise her with a long and lingring sickness and amidst the weakness of the outward man God gave her great strength in her inward man though her limbs and outward strength failed her yet God was her strength and portion and he never failed her A few dayes before her distemper waxed high her Husband being from home she sent for all her Family both young and old to come in unto her chamber with whom she prayed near two hours with such pathetical heavenly Scripture-language as drew admiration and tears from those that were present She blessed her children counselled her servants heartily and affectionately commended her Husband unto God she wept and prayed and prayed and wept and could not easily part with the company nor yet leave off praying and weeping Upon the encrease of her distemper her spirit was much disturbed and some impertinent speeches did fall from her yet in the middest of all her impertinences Grace and the Spirit of God did eminently declare their Power and Sovereignty in her by many savoury and choice speeches and sweet breathings of her soul some of which are these that follow I was in the Devils claws but Jesus Christ the sweet Bridegroom of my soul the sweet Bridegroom of my soul these words she often reiterated the sweet Bridegroom of my soul hath delivered me At another time I am safe for Jesus Christ is at my heart and I would not part with him for ten thousand worlds Again Come Lord Jesus the Captain of my salvation ride on gloriously conquering and to conquer for me Satan Sin Hell Death and all mine enemies Afterwards again I was in Hell but now I am in Heaven I am in Heaven indeed indeed I am in Heaven I am in Heaven eternally I am in Heaven the habitation of Gods glory unto all eternity Much of this nature she did speak even when her understanding was so disturbed that she scarce did know her near Relations and those who did attend upon her in her Chamber And now all these things are worthy to be transmitted unto posterity and to be had in perpetual remembrance She was an eminently godly Gentlewoman being but little above Eight and twenty years of age when she dyed which was in the beginning of March Anno Christi 1656. But though she was young in years yet was she old in Grace She had lived long in a little time She was a mirror of her age and a renown of her sexe a pattern worthy of imitation She was the beloved faithfull wife of as an intirely loving and faithfull Husband She was a tender affectionate Mother to her own and no less carefull of those pledges committed to his charge She was a most dear Sister an affectionate Mistress carefull both of the bodies and souls of her servants that they should neither want corporal nor spiritual food Her profession was with Joshua Chap. 24. 15. Choose you this day whom you will serve But as for me I and my house we will serve the Lord. She was not onely a friend to her friends but a friend to her enemies even unto such as despitefully used her All the Country round about could not but look upon her whilst living as a publick gain and when dead as a publick loss She was very usefull whilst she lived and will be much missed now she is dead Two things were very eminent in her Setledness in Religion and holiness of conversation By her death the poor have lost a liberal Almoner the sick 〈…〉 a good Physitian the wounded have lost a 〈◊〉 Chirurgion the Husband hath lost a faithful Wife the children a tender Mother the servants a gracious Mistress and not any that knew her of all her neighbours and friends but they will finde a great loss and miss of her All that knew her loved her but onely such whose love is not worth the having She lived much desired and dyed much lamented For her to live was Christ and to die was gain Phil. 1. 21. She was honoured in her life and she was honoured at her death by a confluence of many persons of quality of the Gentry
the godly and the miserable condition of the wicked in their death and so for ever unto all eternity it pleased the Lord so much to affect my heart with it as from that time my heart was wrought over to a desire to walk in the wayes of God But at that time I fear I did not go upon a right principle for I then did not eye the glory of God in it but only my own safety that it might be well with me for ever But quickly after that I had but begun to set my face towards Sion I was set upon with many temptations and perplexities in my thoughts which were very troublesome to me at all times but especially when I was alone the consideration whereof brought such an horrour upon my conscience insomuch as I did not know what to do That little I had whether from education or from the light of Nature caused a striving in me continually against those thoughts of Atheisme which were most terrible unto me I was sensible that it was a fearfull sin to have any such thoughts to lodge within my brest but I desired from my soul to be freed from them and had continuall reasonings within me against them and yet still for a long time I was troubled but could not acquaint any with my condition I did not think that it was so with any other as it was with me In this strait when I knew not which way to turn me even there did the Lord extend his compassion towards me in my greatest extremity in directing me to read Calvins Institutions and especially that part that treats of the Creation Whereupon the Lord was pleased to give in such satisfaction to my soul concerning those things about which I was troubled as that from that time forwards I was not violently assaulted in that kind But no sooner was I freed from that trouble but new ones sprang up For the very remembrance of that horrid sin of Atheisme left such a terrour upon my spirit as made me fear that I had committed that sin against the Holy Ghost and so my condition seemed to be not only for the present but in my apprehension then for ever most miserable All other sins though never so great I knew upon true repentance were pardonable but this sin that I lay under the fear of I knew out of the Word of God should never be pardoned which caused many sad fears upon my spirit known to God alone For the removall of these fears the Lord in mercy directed me to the reading of Mr. Scudders Works where are laid down the marks of that sin Upon perusall whereof the Lord was pleased to satisfie my misgiving heart by a clear manifestation to my soul that I had not committed that sin and so assured me that though my sins were great yet were they pardonable which put me more chearfully upon the use of such means as the Lord had directed me unto And having satisfaction given in concerning this particular there was a great burden taken off from my spirit Although I found no grace in my heart nor discovery of the love of God unto my soul yet in that there was but a possibility there was a ground of comfort administred to my heart which I formerly feared that I should be shut out from But still my fears remained that I was not one of those in particular for whom Christ died The more I looked into mine own heart the more I saw of sin and Satan discouraging me from having any hope that the Lord should accept of such a vile sinfull wretch as I was who had entertained such sinfull thoughts I likewise thought how small the number was of those that should be saved in comparison of others and my repentance I feared came short of that which was required in the Gospel As for faith I could not find the least measure of it in my soul with many other sad discouraging thoughts But when I was most perplexed with fears and doubts even then did the Lord graciously dart in some beams of his reconciled countenance as I was reading something in Mr. Scudders Christian daily Walk c. which the Lord set home upon my soul and brought into my soul so much joy and comfort at the present as neither my tongue nor Pen can express But this joy remained not long for I quickly lost the sense of it yet the remembrance of it was sweet unto me at all times But after this all my former fears returned afresh again upon my heart only I had a door of hope opened that when God saw it best for me he would return and renew his reconciled countenance unto my soul in the clear light and apprehension thereof and this was when I was about sixteen years of age After which time the Lord did exercise me with various dispensations For for two years space I was by providence cast upon a place where I heard very little powerfull preaching small helps for the good of my soul but what the Lord was pleased to give in by the use of private means But his power and abundant mercy was much seen in that time that though I had not much comfort yet the Lord was pleased to keep up my spirit in a way of depending upon him and my fears were less at that time than formerly when I had more helps So gracious was tâ—â— Lord unto me in keeping me alive in a time of famine After this through Gods goodness I was sometimes under the preaching of a powerfull Minister Mr. Bateman of Ockingam who was Crowned with the conversion strengthening and building up of many souls unto whose preaching the Lord gave me such a blessing as I seldome if ever went away from hearing him without comfort Though I came to hear him with many doubts upon my spirit yet the Lord so ruled and directed him as if his Sermons had been only concerning my particular and he fully acquainted with the whole condition of my soul. Sometimes the Lord directed me to some supporting Promises upon which I relied But those Promises which were made to Believers though I highly prized them yet I durst not apply them to my self fearing that I had no interest in them But that Promise Prov. 28. 13. He that confesseth and forsaketh his sins shall find mercy And that 1 Joh. 1. 9. If we confess our sins he is faithfull and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness And the Promise is 1 Joh. 2. 1 2. If any man sin we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous and he is the propitiation for our sins and not for ours onely but for the sins of the whole world and the Invitation Isa. 55. 1. Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters and he that hath no money come ye buy and eat yea come buy wine and milk without money and without price together with
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
affectionately spread before God in most of the Congregations about London as his Three dayes were set apart by Ministers and many other praying friends to seek God in his behalf one in private and two in publick which also were observed much better than such dayes usually have been of late yea in remote Countries besides the ordinary Prayers made for him there were some Fasts kept also with special reference to his afflictions The multitude of people that came to his Funeral with the many weeping eyes did clearly shew how much he was beloved Here might also be remembred the readiness of the London Ministers to supply his place at home and his Lectures elsewhere as also the willingness of his Fellow-lecturers at Westminster to preach for him there when he himself by reason of weakness could not possibly do his own work but its needless for still every where upon the naming of Mr. Whitaker love is some way discovered by such as had any knowledge of him Whilst he was able he never neglected his Minsterial service he hath often gone upon Crutches unto the Congregation of his own people to fulfil his Ministry yea once at least he adventured to preach at Michaels Cornhil when he was scarce able to get into the Pulpit and his Friends with much difficulty holp him out of the Church homewards and at other times when his legs would not serve him he used to ride to Church And when he was by extremity of pains taken off from his Ministry he would sometimes profess to some special friends that the pain felt was not so grievous to his spirit as his inability by reason thereof to mannage his wonted work Indeed it was his meat and drink to be doing the will of his Heavenly Father Many times these were his words If I could but preach I should be much better and he would rejoyce with cheerfulness and thankfulness when in the times of his weakness he found not himself more distempered by his preaching and would mention such experiences as arguments to move and induce his friends to yeeld to his preaching when they disswaded him from it as prejudicial to his health Anno Christi 1654 about the beginning of November the violent pain of the Stone did in such a manner and measure arrest him that from that time he continued Gods prisoner confined to his bed or chamber till he was set free by a long expected and much desired death Most Physiâ—ians in the City were consulted with and were from time to time very ready to serve him with their advice who did unanimously conclude that his sharp pains proceeded originally from an Ulcer in the Kidnies but immediately from an ulcer in the neck of the Bâ—â—dder caused by a continual flux of ulcerous mâ—tter dropping down upon that part and by reason of the acuteness and quickness of the sense there his pains were almost continually in that place though the fountain of them was from the Kidnies About two moneths before his Death his pains grew more extream yet Divine indulgence vouchsafed at some times some mitigation of them and intermission both in the night and day But notwithstanding the long continuance and extremity of them neither his Faith nor Patience did abate yea they much encreased and grew higher and as he grew nearer his end so his longings for death were much increased yet accompanied with holy submission to the good pleasure of his gracious Father These were some of his expressions O my God break open the Prison door and set my poor captive soul free But enable me willingly to wait thy time I desire to be dissolved never aid any man more desire life than I do Death When will that time come that I shall neither sin more nor sorrow more When shall mortality put on immortality When shall this earthly Tabernacle be dissolved that I may be cloathed upon with that House which is from Heaven Blessed are the dead which dye in the Lord for they rest from their labours and follow the Lamb whither soever he goeth So great was his love to his God and Saviour that he maintained and expressed high estimations and honourable thoughts of his Majesty when he was under the most tormenting providences He feared nothing more than lest he should do or speak any thing that should redâ—und to the dishonour of his Name These were some breathings of his large love when through pain he was as in the fire or upon the rack Good Lord keep me from dishonouring of thy Name by impatieency Oh who would not even in burnings have honourable thoughts of God! who that knows thee would not fear thee O Lord love thee and honour thee Lord thou givest me no occasion to have any hard thoughts of thee Blessed be God there is nothing of Hell in all this Blessed be his Name for Jesus Christ and the Revelation of the everlasting Gospel Who knows the power of thy wrath If it be so heavy upon thy servant hore how heavy shall it be to all those who shall endure it without mixture Blessed be God for the peace of mine inward man when my outward man is full of trouble This is a bitter Cup but it is of my Father mixture and shall I not drink it yea Lord through thy strength I will This is my burthen and I will bear it Upon any abatements of his excruciating pains he was constantly much in blessing God using these and such like expressions O! what a mercy is it that there is any mitigation any intermission Lord make me thankfull And turning himself towards those that stood by he would bespeâ—k them thus O help me to be thankfull O lift up a Prayer for me that I may be thankful O what a mercy is this How much worse might this affliction have been I might have been distracted or laid roaring under disqueâ—ness of spirit By these and many such like expressions and workings of his spirit who perceiveth not the sparklings of his love to God And to a dear friend he often said Brother through mercy I have not one repiniâ—g thought against God The Sabbath sevennight before God released him though his pains were very sharp yet he bestowed most part of the time of publick Ordinances in prayer together with those that were about him and his Petitions were most in the behalf of Ministers that God would cloath his Ordinances with his own power and enable his Ministers to speak to the souls of his people Then did he also with many tears bewail his detainment from the Sanctuary and Sabbath-opportunities of doing and receiving good which had been his delight Professing also that his being taken off from service was a greater afflâ—ction to him than all his bodily pains And because this apprehension to wit of his present unserviceablness did much afflict him this therefore was often suggested to him which the Lord pleased to make a relief to his spirit viz. that now by the practice