and peace and to give an expected end But what shall I say my life shall not continue long I feel much weakness O Lord look upon me graciously have pitie upon my weak distressed heart I am oppressed undertake for me that I may stand fast and overcome 41. She was very frequent in spiritual ejaculations and it was no small comfort to her that the Lord Christ did pray for her and promise to send his spirit to comfort her It 's said said she I will pray the Father and he shall give you another comforter O let not him leave me O Lord continue with me till my battel and work be finished 42. She had very low and undervaluing thoughts of her self and her own reighteousness what meant she else to cry out in such language as that None but Christ without thee I can do nothing Christ is the true vine O let me be a branch of that vine What poor worms are we O dear Father how lame and halting do we go in the wayes of God and Salvation We know but in part but when that which is perfect is come then that which is imperfct shall be done away O that I had attained to that now But what are we of our selves not only weakness and nothingness but wickedness For all the thoughts and imaginations of mans heart are only evil and that continually we are by nature children of wrath and are conceived and born in sin and unrighteousness Oh! Oh! this wretched and vile thing Sin but thanks be to God who hath redeemed me fromit 43. She comforted her self and her Father in that great Scripture Rom. 8.15 16 17. Ye have not received the Spirit of bondage again to fear but ye have received the spirit of adoption by which ye cry Abba father It is the spirit that witneseth with our spirits that we are the children of God and if Children then are we heirs heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ. You see thence father that I shall be a fellow heir with Christ who hath said In my fathers house are many mansions if it were not so I would have told you I go to prepare a place for you and if I go to prepare a place for you I will come again and take you to my self that where I am there ye may be also O Lord take me to thy self Behold dear Mother he hath prepared a place and dwelling for me 44. Yea my dear child said her mother he shall strengthen you with his holy Spirit untill he hath fitted and prepared you fully for that place which he hath prepared for you 45. Yea Mother it is said in the 84. Psalm How lovely are thy Tabernacles O Lord of Hosts my soul doth thirst and longeth for the Courts of the Lord One day in thy Courts is better than a thousand yea I had rather be a Door keeper in the house of God than dwell in the tents of the wicked Read that Psalm dear Mother therewith we may comfort one another As for me I am more and more spent and draw near my last hour 46. Then she desired to be pray'd with and begged that the Lord would give her an easie passage 47. After this she turned to her mother and with much affection she said Ah my dear and loving Mother that which cometh from the heart doth ordinarily go to the heart once more come and kiss me before I leave you 48. She was not a little concerned about the souls of the rest of her relations and did particularly charge it upon her father to do what he could possibly to bring them up in the ways of God O let my sister be trained up in the Scriptures and Catechising as I have been 49. I formerly wept for my Sister thinking that she should die before me and now she weepeth for me and then she kissed her weeping Sister Also she took her young little Sister in her arms a Child of six months old and she kissed it with much affection as if her very bowels had moved within her and spoke with many heart-breaking words both to her Parents and the children 50. Her Father spake to one that was by to take the poor little Child away from her from the hazard of that fiery distemper and bid his daughter to give her from her for he had already too much to bear Well Father said she did not God preserve the three Children in the fiery furnace and did not you teach me that Scripture When thou passest thorow the Fire thou shalt not be burnt neither shall the flame kindle upon thee 51. She had a very strong Faith in the doctrine of the Resurrection and did greatly solace her Soul with excellent Scriptures which do speak the happy state of Believers as soon as their Souls are separated from their Bodies and what she quoted out of the Scripture she did excellently and suitably apply to her own use incomparably above the common reach of her sex and age That in 1. Cor. 15.42 was a great support to her The body is sown in corruption but it shall be raised incorruptible it is sown in dishonour it shall be raised in glory it is sown in weakness but it shall be raised in power And then she sweetly applies it and takes in this cordial Behold thus it is and thus it shall be with my poor mortal flesh Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord because they rest from their labours and their works do follow them The righteous perish and no man layeth it to heart and the upright are taken away and no man regardeth it that they are taken away from the evil to come they shall enter into peace they shall rest in their beds every one who walked in their uprightness Behold now Father I shall rest and sleep in that Bedchamber 52. Then she quoted Job 19.25 26 27. I know that my Redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter end upon the earth and though after my skin worms destroy this body yet in my flesh shall I see God whom I shall see for my self and my eyes shall behold and net another though my reins be consumed within me Behold now Father this very skin which you see and this very flesh which you see shall be raised up again and these very eyes which now are so dim shall on that day see and behold my dear and precious Redeemer albeit the worms eat up my flesh yet with these eyes shall I behold God even I my self and not another for me 53. Then she quoted Joh. 5.28 Marvel not at this for the hour is coming in which all that are in their graves shall hear his voice and come forth those who have done good unto the Resurrection of Life See Father I shall rise in that day and then I shall behold my Redeemer then shall he say Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for you before the beginning of the world 54. Behold now I live
to her to speak to any 17. One time when she fell into a fit she cried out O I am going I am going But what shall I do to be saved O what shall I do to be saved Sweet Lord Jesus I will lye at thy feet and if I perish it shall be at the Fountain of thy mercy 18. She was much afraid of presumption and dreaded a mistake in the matters of her Soul and would be often putting up ejaculations to God to deliver her from deceiving her self To instance in one Great and mighty God give me faith and true faith Lord that I may not be a foolish Virgin having a Lamp and no Oyl 19. She would many times be laying hold upon the Promises and plead them in prayer That in Mat. 11.28 29. was much in her Tongue and no small relief to her spirit How many times would she cry out Lord hast thou not said Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest 20. Another time her Father bid her be of good cheer because she was going to a better Father at which she fell into a great passion and said but how do I know that I am a poor sinner that wants assurance O for assurance It was still her Note O for assurance This was her great earnest and constant request to all that came to her to beg assurance for her and poor heart she would look with so much eagerness upon them as if she desired nothing in the world so much as that they would pity her and help her with their prayers never was poor creature more earnest for any thing than she was for an assurance and the Light of Gods Countenance O the piteous moan that she would make O the agonies that her Soul was in 21. Her Mother asks her if God should spare her life how she would live truly Mother said she we have such base hearts that I can't tell we are apt to promise great things when we are sick but when we are recovered we are as ready to forget our selves and to turn again unto folly but I hope I should be more careful of my time and my soul than I have been 22. She was full of natural affection to her Parents and very careful least her Mother should be tired out with much watching Her Mother said how shall I bear parting with thee when I have scarce dryed my eyes for thy Brother She answered The God of love support and comfort you it is but a little while and we shall meet in Glory I hope She being very weak could speak but little therefore her Mother said Child if thou hast any comfort lift up thy hand which she did 23. The Lords day before that in which she died a Kinsman of hers came to see her and asking of her whether she knew him she answered yes I know you and I desire you would learn to know Christ you are young but you know not how soon you may die and O to die without a Christ it is a fearful thing O redeem Time O Time Time Time precious Time Being requested by him not to spend her self she said she would fain do all the good she could while she lived and when she was dead too if possible upon which account she desired that a Sermon might be Preached at the Funeral concerning the preciousness of Time O that young ones would now remember their Creatour 24. Some Ministers that came to her did with earnestness beg that the Lord would please to give her some token for good that she might go off triumphing and Bills of the same Nature were sent to several Churches 25. After she had long waited for an answer of their prayers she said Well I will venture my soul upon Christ 26. She carried it with wonderful patience and yet would often pray that the Lord would give her more patience which the Lord answered to astonishment for considering the pains and agonies that she was in her patience was next to a wonder Lord Lord give me patience said she that I may not dishonour thee 27. Upon Thursday after long waiting great fears and many Prayers when all her Friends thought she had been past speaking to the astonishment of her Friends she broke forth thus with a very audible voice and chearful Countenance Lord thou hast promised that whosoever comes unto thee thou wilt in no wise east out Lord I come unto thee and surely thou wilt in no wise cast me out O so sweet O so glorious is Jesus O I have the sweet and glorious Jesus he is sweet he is sweet he is sweet O the admirable love of God in sending Christ O free grace to a poor lost Creature And thus she ran on repeating many of these things a hundred times over but her Friends were so astonished to see her in this Divine Rapture and to hear such gracious words and her prayers and desires satisfied that they could not write a quarter of what she spoke 28. When her soul was thus ravished with the love of Christ and her tongue so highly engaged in the magnifying of God her Father Brethren and Sisters with other of the Family were called to whom she spake particularly as her strength would give leave She gave her Bible as a Legacy to one of her Brothers and desired him to use that well for her sake and added to him and the rest O make use of time to get a Christ for your Souls spend no time in running up and down in playing O get a Christ for your Souls while you are young remember now your Creator before you come to a sick-bed put not off this great work till then for then you will find it a hard work indeed I know by experience the Devil will tell you it is time enough and ye are young what need you to be in such haste You will have time enough when you are old But there stands one meaning her Grand-mother that stayes behind and I that am but young am going before her O therefore make your Calling and Election sure while you are in health But I am afraid this will be but one nights trouble to your thoughts but remmember these are the words of a dying Sister O if you knew how good Christ were O if you had but one taste of his sweetness you would rather go to him a thousand times than stay in this wicked world I would not for ten thousand and ten thousand worlds part with my interest in Christ O how happy am I that am going to everlasting Joyes I would not go back again for twenty thousand worlds And will not you strive to get an interest in Christ 26. After this looking upon one of her Fathers Servants she said What shall I do What shall I do at that great day when Christ shall say to me Come thou Blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for thee and shall say to the wicked Go thou
die She answered Yes if God would pardon her sins Being asked how her sins should be pardoned She answered through the blood of Christ 14. She said she did believe in Christ and desired and longed to be with him and did with a great deal of chearfulness give up her soul There were very many observable passages in the Life and Death of this Child but the hurry and grief that her friends were in buryed them The Fifth Example of the pious Life and joyful Death of a Child which dyed when he was about twelve years old 1632. 1. CHarles Bridgman had no sooner learned to speak but he betook himself to prayer 2. He was very prone to learn the things of God 3. He would be sometimes teaching them their duty that waited upon him 4. He learned by heart many good things before he was well fit to go to School and when he was set to School he carried it so that all that observed him either did or might admire him O the sweet nature the good disposition the sincere Religion which was in this Child 5. When he was at School what was it that he desired to learn but Christ and him crucified 6. So religious and savoury were his words his actions so upright his devotion so hearty his fear of God so great that many were ready to say as they did of John What manner of Child shall this be 7. He would be much in reading the holy Scriptures 8. He was desirous of more spiritual knowledg and would be oft asking very serious and admirable questions 9. He would not stir out of doors before he had poured out his Soul to the Lord. 11. When he eat any thing he would be sure to lift up his heart unto the Lord for a blessing upon it and when he had moderately refreshed himself by eating he would not forget to acknowledg Gods goodness in feeding of him 12. He would not lye down in his bed till he had been upon his knees and when sometimes he had forgotten his duty he would quickly get out of his bed and kneeling down upon his bare knees covered with no Garment but his Linings ask God forgiveness for that sin 13. He would rebuke his Brethren if they were at any time too hasty at their meals and did eat without asking a blessing his check was usually this dare you do thus God be merciful unto us this bit of bread might choak us 14. His sentences were wise and weighty and well might become some ancient Christian 15. His sickness was a lingring disease against which to comfort him one tells him of possessions that must fall to his portion and what are they said he I had rather have the Kingdom of Heaven than a thousand such inheritances 16. When he was sick he seemed much taken up with Heaven and asked very serious questions about the nature of his soul 17. After he was pretty well satisfied about that he enquired how his soul might be saved the answer being made by the applying of Christs merits by faith he was pleased with the answer and was ready to give any one that should desire it an account of his hope 18. Being asked whether he had rather live or dye he answered I desire to dye that I may go to my Saviour 19. His pains encreasing upon him one asked him whether he would rather still endure those pains or forsake Christ Alas said he I know not what to say being but a Child for these pains may stagger a strong man But I will strive to endure the best that I can Upon this he called to mind that Martyr Thomas Bilney who being in prison the night before his burning put his finger into the candle to know how he could endure the fire O said the Child had I lived then I would have run through the fire to have gone to Christ 20. His sickness lasted long and at least three dayes before his death he prophesied his departure and not only that he must dye but the very day On the Lords day said he look to me neither was this a word of course which you may guess by his often repetition every day asking till the day came indeed what is Sunday come At last the lookt-for day came on and no sooner had the Sun beautified that morning with its light but he falls into a trance his eyes were fixed his face cheerful his lips smiling his hands and face clasped in a Bow as if he would have received some blessed Angel that were at hand to receive his soul but he comes to himself and tells them how he saw the sweetest body that ever eyes beheld who bid him be of good cheer for he must presently go with him 21. One that stood near him as now suspecting the time of his dissolution nigh bid him say Lord into thy hands I commend my spirit which is thy due for why thou hast redeemed it O Lord my God most true 22. The last words which he spake were exactly these Pray pray pray nay yet pray and the more Prayers the better all prospers God is the best Physitians into his hands I commend my spirit O Lord Jesus receive my soul Now close mine eyes Forgive me Father Mother Brother Sister all the World Now I am well my pain is almost gone my joy is at hand Lord have mercy on me O Lord receive my Soul unto thee And thus he yielded his Spirit up unto the Lord when he was about twelve years old This Narrative was taken out of Mr. Ambrose his Life's Lease The sixth Example of a poor Child that was awakened when she was about five years old 1. A Certain very poor Child that had a very bad Father but it was to be hoped a very good Mother was by the Providence of God brought to the sight of a godly friend of mine who upon the first sight of the Child had a great pity for him and took an affection to him and had a mind to bring him up for Christ 2. At the first he did with great sweetness and kindness allure the Child by which means it was not long before he got a deep interest in the heart of the Child and he began to obey him with more readiness than Children usually do their Parents 3. By this a Door was opened for a farther work and he had agreater advantage to instill spiritual Principles into the soul of the Child which he was not wanting in as the Lord gave opportunity and the Child was capable of 4. It was not long before the Lord was pleased to strike in with the spiritual Exhortations of this good man so that the Child was brought to a liking of the things of God 5. He quickly learnt a great part of the Assemblies Catechism by heart and that before he could read his Primmer within Book and he took a great delight in learning his Catechism 6. He was not only able to give a very good account of his Catechism
honest and as to man harmless but was little acquainted with the power of Religion till this sweet Child put him upon a thorow inquiry into the state of his Soul and would still be begging of him and pleading with him to redeem his time and to act with life and vigor in the things of God which was no small demonstration to him of the reality of invisibles that a very Babe and suckling should speak so feelingly about the things of God and be so greatly concerned not only about her own soul but about her Fathers too which was the occasion of his conversion and the very thought of it was a quickning to him for thirty years and he hopes never to wear off the Impressions of it from his spirit 6. After this she as I remember put her Father upon Family duties and if at any time he were for any time out of his shop she would find him out and with much sweetness and humility beg of him to come home and to remember the pretiousness of time for which we must all give an account 7. She was grieved if she saw any that conversed with her father if they were unprofitable unsavoury or long in their discourse of common things 8. Her own Language was the Language of Canaan how solidly profitably and spiritually would she talk so that she made good people take great delight in her company and justly drew the admiration of all that knew her 9. She could not endure the company of common children nor play but was quite above all those things which most Children are taken with her business was to be reading praying discoursing about the things of God and any kind of business that her age and strength was capable of idle she would not be by any means 10. It was the greatest Recreation to her to hear any good people talking about God Christ their Souls the Scriptures or any thing that concerned another life 11. She had a strange contempt of the World and scorned those things which most are too much pleased with She could not be brought to wear any Laces or any thing that she thought superfluous 12. She would be complaining to her parents if she saw any thing in them that she judged would not be for the honour of Religion or suitable to that condition which the providence of God had set them in in the world 13. This Child was the joy and delight of all the Christians thereabouts in those times who was still quickning and raising of the spirits of those that talked with her This poor Babe was a great help to both Father and mother and her memory is sweet to this day 14. She continued thus to walk as a stranger in the world and one that was making hast to a better place And after she had done a great deal of work for God and her own soul and others too she was called home to rest and received into the arms of Jesus before she was ten years old she departed about 1640. Example X. Of a Child that was awakened when she was between seven and eight years old with some account of her last hours and triumphant Death 1. TAbitha Alder was the Daughter of a holy and Reverend Minister in Kent who lived near Gravesend She was much instructed in the holy Scriptures and her Catechism by her Father and Mother but there appeared nothing extraordinary in her till she was between seven and eight years old 2. About which time when she was sick one asked her what she thought would become of her if she should die She answered that she was greatly afraid that she should go to hell 3. Being askt why she was afraid she should go to hell She answered because she feared that she did not love God 4. Again being askt how she did know she did not love God she replyed what have I done for God ever since I was born and besides this I have been taught that he that loves God keeps his commandments but I have kept none of them all 5. Being further demanded if she would not fain love God She answered yes with all her heart if she could but she found it a hard thing to love one she did not see 6. She was advised to beg of God a heart to love him She answered she was afraid it was too late 7. Being asked again whether she was not sorry that she could not love God She answered yes but was still afraid it was too late 8. Upon this seeing her in such a desponding condition a dear friend of hers spent the next day in Fasting and prayer for her 9. After this that Christian friend askt her how she did now She answered with a great deal of joy that now she blessed the Lord she loved the Lord Jesus dearly she felt she did love him O said she I love him dearly 10. Why saith her friend did you not say yesterday that you did not love the Lord and that you could not What did you mean to speak so strangely Sure said she it was Satan that did put it into my mind But now I love him O blessed be God for the Lord Jesus Christ 11. After this she had a discovery of her approaching Dissolution which was no small comfort to her Anon said she with a holy Triumph I shall be with Jesus I am married to him he is my husband I am his Bride I have given my self to him and he hath given himself to me and I shall live with him for ever 12. This strange language made the hearers even stand astonished but thus she continued for some little time in a kind of extafie of joy admiring the excellency of Christ rejoycing in her interest in him and longing to be with him 13. After a while some of her friends standing by her observed a more than ordinary earnestness and fixedness in her countenance they said one to another look how earnestly she looks sure she seeth something 14. One asked what it was she fixed her eyes upon so eagerly I warrant saith one that was by she seeth death a coming 15. No said she it is glory that I see 't is that I fix mine eye upon 16. One askt her what was glory like She answered I can't speak what but I am going to it will you go with me I am going to glory O that all of you were to go with me to that glory with which words her Soul took wing and went to the possession of that glory which she had some believing fight of before She died when she was between 8 and 9 years old about 1644. Example XI Of a Child that was greatly affected with the things of God when she was very young with an exact Account of her admirable Carriage upon her Death bed 1. Susanna Bicks was born at Leiden in Holland Jan. 24. 1650. of very religious Parents whose great care was to instruct and catechise this their Child and to present her to the