dayes they had no Preaching in the morning concerning which meetings himselfe writes That it would have don a Christians heart good to have seen those glorious and joyfull Assemblies to have heard the zealous cryings to God amongst that people with sighings and tears and melting hearts and mourning eyes and concerning himselfe he saith My witnesse is in heaven that the love of Iesus and his people made continuall Preaching my pleasure and I had no such joy as in doing his worke and besides that he preached five times a week he penned also whatsoever he preached many of which holy and godly Sermons are extant in print All â—he time of his aboad there except some little intermissions and breathing times the Lord still exercised him with inward tentations and great variety of spirituall combats the end of all which thâ—ough God's mercy was joy unspeakable as himselfe testifie's Yea once saith he in greatest extremity of horror and anguish of spirit when I had utterly given over and looked for nothing but confusion suddenly there did shine in the very twinkeling of an eye the bright and lightsome countenance of God proclaming peace and confirming it with inviâ—cible reasons O what a change was there in a moment the silly soul that was even now at the brinke of the pit looking for nothing but to be swallowed up was instantly raised up to heaven to have fellowship with God in Christ Iesus and from this day forward my soul was never troubled with such extremity of terrors this confirmation was given unto mee on a Saturday in the morning there found I the power of Religion the certainty of the Word there was I touched with such a lively sence of a Divinity and power of a God-head in mercy reconciled with man and with mee in Christ as I trust my soul shall never forget Glory glory glory be to the joyfull deliverer of my soul out of all adversities for ever In the middest of these wrestlings with God he wanted not combats with wicked men also but the greatnesse of his inward conflicts made him lightly regard all their outward contradictions and to esteem them but as the bitings of a Flea It was no marvell to see Satan stir up his wicked instruments to molest him since he professed himselfe a disquieter of him and his Kingdome and this much supported him that he never had a controversie with any of them but for their sins and the Lord assisting him the power of the Word did so hammer downe their pride that they were all of them at last brought to an acknowledgement of their evill wayes But at length as God turned the heart of Pharaoh and his people the Israelites when the time drew on fâ—r their remove so by little and litle did the zeal and love of most of that people fall away so that his last conflict was not with the prophane but with Justiciaries such as were unrebukeable in their lives These men were stuffed with such pride self-conceit disdain and intolerable contempt that thereby they were carried further from their duty thâ—n any of the former and which should have been his greatest comfort were his greatest crosse Presently hereupon God called him to the Government of the Churches in Galloway in the South-West parts of the Kingdome being chosen by the Assembly and presented by the King thereunto this was effected with out his privity or ambitious seeking after it yea he was so far from it that eightteen weeks passed betwixt the Kings Presentation and the Acceptation of it In that place he was very carefull to advance the Gospel to adorne his Ministery concerning the frame of his Spirit thus he writs My soul is alway in my hand ready to be offered to my God Where or what kinde of death God hath prepared for mee I know not But sure I am there can no evill death befall him that lives in Christ nor sudden death to a Christian Pilgrim who with Job waites every day for his change yea saith he many a day have I sought it with tears not out of impatience distrust or perâ—urbation but because I am weary of sin and fearfull to fall into it This faithfull servant of God who had alwayes beene faithfull and painfull in his Ministery when sicknesse grew daily upon him was no way deficient in the duty of his ordinary Preaching taking great pains also to perfect his worke upon the Revelations which he desired greatly to finish before his death he had also much griefe by reason of some that disturb'd the peace of the Church which he always sought to procure so that his infirmity encreasing he was compelled to keep home yet as his weaknesse permitted he applyed himselfe to revise his writings and to dispose of his worldly estate that he might be ready for his passage which every day he expected and some ten dayes before his decease he manifested to his friends what great contentment hâ— hâ—d in his approaching death Many repaired to him in his sicknesse whom he entâ—rtained with most holy and divine conferences expressing a great willingnesse to exchange this life for a better and at last feeling his strength and spirits to decay after he had conceived a most heavenly prayer in the company of those that were by he desired to goe to bed in which also after he had most devoutly commended himselfe unto the Almighty God he took some quiet rest After which he spake not many words his speech failing though his memory and understanding were perfect and so about seven a clock at night he rendered his soul unto God in a most quiet and peaceable manner Anno Christi 1619. Some of his private Meditations were these Now my soul be glad for at all parts of this prison the Lord hath set to his Piâ—ners to loose thee Head Feet Milt and Liver are fast failing yea the middle strength of the whole body the stomack is weakened long ago Arise make ready shake off thy fetters mount up from the body and go thy way I saw not my children when they were in the womb yet there the Lord fed them without my knowledge I shall not see them when I goe out of the body yet shall they not want a Father Death is somewhat driery and the streams of that Jordan between us and our Canaan run furiously but they stand still when the Ark comâ—s Let your Anchor be cast within the vail and fastened on the Rock Iesus Let the end of the threefold cord be buckled to the heart so shall yee go thorow Soli Deo Gloria Here also Cowper Scotlands Prelate grave A place of honour doth deserve to have Among these Honour'd Heroes whom the Lord Did many exc'llent Ornaments afford In piety and parts but specially Making him prosperous in the Ministry By 's constant and by 's consciencious Preaching And holy life which was a second teaching Famous for 's writings on the Revelation Piously thus persisting to 's tranatsâ—ion The Life
most regenerate which made him almost abstaine from all such meetings or if he came he commonly brought with him some learned Second with whom he conferred in Latin Ne intelligerent Sacerdotes His custome was to begin and end dinner with the same dish to content himselfe with one glasse of Beer or two at the most and though he loved rich Wines yet he drank of the best but very sparingly knowing that all mens eyes then present were upon him He had a wonderfull happy wit himselfe and was much taken with it in others especially young Boyes and Maids with whose naturall purity softnesse and simplicity he seemed greatly effected and the rather because our Saviour himselfe commends in them those qualities to our imitation In many things he dissented from those who thought themselves learned in some from those who indeed were so to whom onely he unbosomed himselfe especially if they were his friends your Scotists who then seemed to monopolize and divide the whole stock of wit amongst themselves he eâ—teemed of all others the most dull barbarous stupid and insufferable dunces And yet of Acquinas I know not upon what grounds he had a worse opinion then of Scotus In whose defence when it was objected by Erasmus perhaps ironically for he was no great friend to either that of all the ancient Schoolmen Aquinas onely seemed to have read the Fathers witnesse his Aurea Catena and that some of his Workâ— were highly commended for stirring up mens affections to piety Colet answered what tell you me of his reading or stirrring up affections unlesse he had beene transported with the Spirit of Arrogance he had never so rashly and yet so magisterially peremptorily presumed to define all points of Religion and if he had not savored too much of the flesh he had not therewith mixed so much vaine and fruitlesse Phylosophy He was no great admirer of Monks not that he hated the Profession but because he saw the Professors lived not accordingly wherfore whilst he lived he gave them little when he dyed nothing And yet his intent and purpose was to end his dayes in a Monastery if he could have found one qualified to his minde This by many was censured in him that although he himselfe lived most chastly and as Erasmus verily beleeveth dyed a pure Virgin notwithstanding his naturall inclination to the Contrary yet he had a very charilable opinion of such Priests and Frierâ— whose greatest fault was their umcleannâ—sse For said he these out of the Conscience of their owne imperâ—ection are for the most part humble modeâ—t and tractable whereas the divell himselfe were he not what he is could hardly abide the pride avarice and hypocrisie of the other Not that he thought incontinence a light Sinne but intractability and pride far more incompatible with piety And therefore though it was his ill luck to live under a perverse and wrangling Diocesan of whom we shâ—ll say more anon yet he was a true friend to Episcopacy by being a mortal enemy to such Bishops as under an hypocriticall maske of sanctity proâ—tituted their sacred function to ambition and Luxury Relative worship he held no such spur to Devotion as some would make it And was not farre from their opinion who thinke a notoriously wicked Priest operates nothing by his consecration for he abominated irregularity especially in his owne order and could not but wiâ—h indignation looke upon those whose impure and contaminated lives gave the first rise and ground to this suspition whether true or false In his judgement concerning publike Schooles and Vniversities he was not onely heterodox but like the bird spoken of in the Proverb cleerly bewrayed diverse Symptoms of an exulcerated minde but let that passe amongst Moles in the most beautifull faces Secret Confession he generally approved as that whereby himselfe had received much comfort and benefit but as much disliked that which was too anxious and descended to a needlesse enumeration of what can no more be numbered then the starres in heaven or sand upon the Sea shore Priests here in his time Officiated once every day he contented himself with Sundayes and Holy-daies it may be to set the greater edge upon his Devotion which by these intervals was the more sharpned or perhaps to gaine the more time for his private studies the better to fit himselfe for his Cathedrall or Pulpit imployments Learning he really loved and laboured for onely that Encuclopedicall wisdome which cannot be attained but by knowledge of all Arts and devouring of all bookes he esteemed rather a learned sort of madnesse then any true provocation to Christian simplicity and charity He deferred much to the Apostolicall Epistles but when he compared them with that sweetnesse wisdome and majesty which is to be found in our Saviours owne sayings and Sermons he thought them saplesse and scarce to be named the same day which as one of his Paradoxes I leave to be sensured by the Reader for both proceede from the same Spirit Howsoever omitting the former the latter he intended to trichotomize or reduce unto Ternaries but was prevented by death Gods worship and Service as much as in him lay he performed with an equall decency and magnificence and was no great approver either of their zeale or wisdome who tyed Priests every day those wherein they travell not exceped to the private repetition of so many and long prayers which perhaps he knew by experience they rather mumbled over with their lips then considerately evaporated from their hearts He willingly and attentively read over many Hereticall bookes professing he sometimes bettered himselfe more by them then theirs who without dispute define what they please and as they please He indured not that any man should square his stile by the rules of Grammer or Grammarians but by reading and imitating the most approved Authors which opinion brought its owne punishmeat with it for though he was eloquent both by nature and erudition yet when he set himselfe to write in Latin he often tript even in things common and obvious to every School-boy which did so much discourage him that he never set forth any thing it were to be wished his modestey had not so much stumbled at this straw for certainly howsoever his expression had taken the eare his conceptions could not have disrellished the understanding but in this as in many things else he dissented from the common Tenets and practice both of his owne and former times yet so as his private opinions never troubled the publike peace his friends were as many as there were men of learning and Candor in the whole kingdome His greatest enemies were certaine illiterate and irregular Friers and amongst these his own Bishop of whose Sophisticall Scoâ—istry the Deane made no great account and the Bishop as little of his Ciceronian Divinity The heart burning went so farre that at last it broke forth into Articles wherein the Bishop assisted by two of his brethren almost as learned and Cordat
none But said he I will till thee newes being demandâ—d what it was he answered Brevi ero apud Christum Dominum I shall in short time be with Christ my Lord. In the morning before he died he repeated the 51. Psalme of David at the end whereof he addedâ— Salva me Christi Iesu being never heard afterwards to utter any word those who were present betooke themselves unto their prayers wherein they continued untill he had surrendered his Spirit unto his Creator which was willingly and cheerefully performed by him on the first of Dâ—cember in the yeer of our Lord 1531. and in the 49. yeer of his age and was buried with great lamentation in the sâ—me City He died intestâ—te quia unde conderet pauper Christi servas non habebat He was of a meeke and quiet disposition in the undertaking of any businesse he was very circumspect and nothing indeed was more pleasing unto him then to spent his time in reading and commenting the workes which he left behind him are these which follow 1 Annotations on Genesis 2 On Iob. 3 Isaiah 4 Ieremiah 5. Ezekill 6 Daniel 7 Hosea 8 Amos. 9 Ionas 10. Micah Cap. 2. 11. On the three last Prophets 12. On the Plasmes 13 Matthew 14 Romans 15 Hebrewes 16 1 Epistle of Iohn 17 Of the genuine sense of these words Hoc en corpus meum 18â— An exhortation to the reading of Gods word 19 Of the dignity of the Eucarist 20 Of the joy of tâ—e resurrection 21 A speech to the Senaâ— of Basil. 22 A Catectisme 23 Annotations on Chrisostome 24 Enchyidion to the Greeke tongue 25â— Aâ—ainst Anabaptists 26 Annotations upon the Aâ—ts and Corinthians 27 Of Almsdeeds 28 Against Julian the Apostata 29 Of truâ— faith in Christ. 30 Of the praises of Cyprian 31 Of the life of the Mâ—ses 32 Against Vsury Reader behold the rare-adorned Face Of him whose very lookes import a grace He was a Man whose constancy to truth Ripen'd in age and blossom'd in his youth He was a rocke whose daring front disdain'd Papisticke Waves he still oppos'd and gain'd The upper hand though threatning danger lin'd Each word he spoke yet would he speake his minde T was not their proffer'd wealth could make him bold To sin in Want and then repent in Gold Religion was the Starre by which he steer'd His well run-course his heart was still endeer'd Two sollid Principlâ— he lov'd to court The truth Love was his Ship and heav'n his port The life and death of JOHN FRITH Who suffered Martyrdome 1533. IOhn Frith was borne at Weâ—trame in Kent in whom being a child nature had planted a marvelous love unto learning he had also a wonderful Promptnesse of wit a ready capacity to receive understand any thing neither was there any thing wanting in him equall unto that towardness of dispsiâ—ion whereby it came to passe that he was not onely a lover of learning but also became an exquifite learned man He first begun his sâ—udy at Cambridge where he profited much in all sorts of learning At last he fell into knowledge of and acquaintance with William Tindall through whose pious instructions that seed of the Gospel and sincere godlinesse was first instilled into his heart At that time Cardinall Wolsey prepared to build a sumptious Colledge in Oxford now called Christs colledge And sought out for such as did excell in knowledge and learning to be Fellowes in the same and amongst others Iohn Frith was appointed one Now these choice yong men there placed conferâ—ing together upon the abuses of Religion which at that time were crept into the Church were therefore accused of heresie and cast into prison where many of them through the filthy stink thereof dyed Afterwards Iohn Frith with the others remaining alive being dismissed out of prison went beyond the seas and too yeeres after returning he was taken for a Vagabond at Reading and set in the stocks where he remained untill he was almost pined with hunger at lenght he desired that the Schoolmaster of the towne might be brought unto him which was Leoward Coxe a learned man assoone as he came in the Latin tongue he bewailed his captivity unto him The Schoolmaster being overcome with his eloquence did not onely take pity and compassion upon him but also begin to love embrace him especially when he spake unto him in the Greeke tongue and rehersed by heart diverse Verses out of Homer whereupon the Scholemaster went with all speed unto the Magistrates and procured his enlargment Yet this his safety continued not long through the deadly hatred of Sir Thomas Moore at that time chancellor of England who persecuted him both by Sea and land promising great rewards to any man that could bring tidings of him Thus this good man being beset with troubles round about wandred up and downe from place to place untill at the length being betrayed by a seeming friend he was apprehended and sent unto the Tower of London where he had many disputes with Sir Thomas Moore and others touching the Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ. In which quarrell he withstood the violence of three most obstinate enemies with the Bishop of Rochester Moore and Rastall but he fighting with them all three at once did so refute and confound them that he converted Rastall to his part But when neither Scripture nor reason would prevaile against the firce and crulty of of these furious foes the twentieth day of Iune 1533. he was brought before the Bishops sitting in Pauls Church where they ministred certaine interrogatives unto him touching the Sacrament Purgatory to w ch he answered according to his former disputation and subscribed unto his answer these words with his owne hand I Frith thus doe thinke and as I thinke so have I said written taught and affirmed and in any Bookes published So that when as by no meanes he could be perswaded to recant he was condmned by the Bishop of London to be burned and so being delivered over unto the Mayor and Sheriffes of London the forth day of Iuly he was by them carryed into Smithfield to be burned when he was tyed to the stake he shewed much constancy and courage for when as the fire and faggots were put unto him he willingly embraced the same thereby declaring with what uprightnesse of minde he suffered those torments for Christs and the truths sake whereof that day he gave with his blood a perfect and firme testimony The winde drove away the flame from him unto his fellow Martyr Andrew Hewet who was burned with him which made his death the longer and his paines the greater But God assisted him with such strength and fortifyed his soule with such patience that he seemed rather to rejoyce for his fellow then to be carefull for himselfe as if he had felt no paine in that long torment There is one thing more very observable concerning this constant Martyr Iohn Frith that whereas the Bishop of Canterbury
words in the audience of the congregation O thou wicked fâ—llow stay here a while and thou shalt hear me lay open thy wickednesse unto all this Congregation then ascending the Pulpit he repeated againe the same words of Saint Paul â— where he shewed unto them that by faith in that place wâ—â— meant a true and a saving faith in Jesus Christ and that those professors at Strasburge did rely on none but on this faith and therefore unjustly wronged by the Monks The Priests and Monkes hearing this they withdrew themselves out of the Chappell in comes the Pryor interrupts him and commands him to desiâ—t and to come down and withall asked him who gave him authority to Preach in that place He forthwith replyed Who gave thee authority to constitute a lying Monke here who doth unjustly and impudently reproach the Senate and people of Strasburge and know thou this that I am in duty bound to clear my Magistrates from unjust and false aspersionâ— The Pryor being repulsed with this answer was for a while quiet and he went forward in his Sermon But being not so contented sets on him againe and kindely intrâ—ats him that he would give over telling him that his proceeding would cause a seditious tumult He againe desireth him to be pacified and exhorteth the people to be quiet and so with a bould and couragious spirit he continued even unto the end of his Sermon The report of this comming to Strasburge it procured unto him great applauâ—e and a reverent esteeme amongst all good men Having spent a year in this Village he was called by the Ministers of Strasburge to take upon him the Office of a Deacon which Office hâ— was very unwilling to take upon him urging his own inability yet by thâ— perswasion of the Ministers he yeelded and performed it for the space of two years In which time this memorable act is recorded of him that being sent unto Dosna a Village neer Strasburge to Preach unto the Inhabitants who were obstinate Papists he wrought upon them so effectually at his first Sermon that of their owne accord they abrogated the Masse and cast the Priest with all his ornaments out of the Churchâ— after that he had taught here six weeks he was called again unto the City to performe the office of a Deacon during his residence in the City he became an Auditor unto the Lectures of Wolfangus Capito and Martin Bucer and also at vacant â—imes he gave himselfe to the study of the Hebrew tongue wherein he attained unto that perfection that with his own hand he writ an Hebrew Lexicon and understood the most obscured Commentaries of the Rabbins together with the Caldey Interpreters At the end of two years the Citizens of Auspâ—re sent unto Strasburge to desire Musculus a few years for their Churches they consented unto so pious a motion but Musculus was unwilling to goe pleading again his insufficiency neither had he gone notwithstanding the intreaty of the Ministers had not the Senate commanded him thereunto At his comming unto Auspurge he found the Church much troubled and afflicted not onely by reason of the evill attempts and indeavour of the Papists who never ceased to extinguish the light of the Gospell but also by reason of the Anabaptists who seduced and led away many whose bouldnesse also advanced it selfe unto that height that they would come publikly into the Protestant Churches and openly in their Pulpits they would divulge their errours whereby sedition and tumults were raised in the City for which many of the Anabaptisâ—s were committed by the Magistrate unto Prison Musculas deales first with the Anabaptists in their first conference they did obstinatly opposed him but afterwards considering his solid and weighty reasons and arguments which they could not withstand they acknowledged their errour and many of them made a publicke recantation forsooke their errors and became members of the Church Afterwards he had a sharpe conflict with the Papâ—sts whom also in the presence of the Senate and people of Auspurge he openly confuted with such powerfull arguments that the Senate expeled banished them al the City purged the Churches from all Idolatrous worship consecrated them onely unto the Evangelicall truth designing unto Musculus one of the principallest Churches in the City and having him in a reverent Estimation in this place besides his labours in the Ministery which were great he attained the knowledge of the Greeke tongue together with the Arabick He taught in this City eighteen yeeres to the great benefit of his Auditors in his Sermons he was vehement and powerfull wonderfully working upon the hearts of the people he was a sharp reprover of vice his method which he observed in teaching was exact and easie which drew the greater concourse of people unto him for their better instruction and information in the way of truth In the yeer 1536. there was a Sinod proclaimed at Isenacam a towne situate in the Dukdome of Saxonie for the reconciling of the Churches about the Sacrament whither Musculus was sent by the Senate of Ausburge but because Luther came not thither he with many other Divines went unto Wittenberge touching the conclusion viz. Bucer Melancthon In the yeer 1540. the Princes and Senates of the Empire were assembled at Wormes and Reinspurge to hear a disputation betwixt the Protestant Ministers and the Papists touching Religion where Musculus by the command of the Senate was present and delivered two Sermons before the Princes concerning the Popish Masse which for their excellency were afterwards Printed at Wittenberge The Assembly being desolved without any thing affected he returned againe to Auspurge where he continued in his Ministeriall function untill the yeer 1547. wherein Carolus the Emperor commanded an assembly of the Princeâ— and Senates of the Empire at Auspurge unto which both himselfe with his brother Ferdinand King of the Romans and also the Princes being accompanied with Cardinals and Bishops At the first entrence of the Emperour into the City Musculus was put void oâ— his Church it being given unto the Emperour yet he ceased not to performe his office and boldly to preach in other places of the City â—he Senate and people as yet constantly retaining the proâ—â—ssion of the Gospell He wanted not enemies at that time in the City who acquainted the Emperour the King the Cardinals and Bishops with his proceeding accusing him of sedition and heresie and the Senate perceiving the danger that he was in they commanded a Guard to accompany him unto the Church and home againe which his enemies perceiving and not daring to use any violence against his person in the streetâ— they wiâ—h one consent flockt unto his house using many reprochfull speeches laying on him many false aspersions and withal breaking his windowes with stones all which he suffered with an undaunted Spirit resolving to persevere in that truth which he taught even to the period of his dayâ— But it so fel out that in the yeer following
much lesse to lament him Towards Knox his later end his body became very infirm and his voyce so weak that People could not hear him in the ordinary place wherefore he chose another place wherein he preached upon the History of Christs passion with which he said it was his desire to close his Ministry finding his end neer he importuned the Council of the City to provide themselves a worthy man to succeed in his place Master Iames Lawson Professor in Aberdene was the man pitched upon and Commissioners were sent from the Church of Edinborough to request him to accept of the place Iohn Knox also subscribed that request adding Accelera mi frater alioqui â—erò venies Haste my Brother otherwise you will come too late this made Master Lawson to hasten his journey and when he was come he preached twice to the good liking of the people whereupon order was taken by the rulers of the Church for his admission at which time Iohn Knox would needs preach though very wâ—ak which also he performed with such fervency of spiriâ— that he was never before heard to preach with so greaâ— power or more content to the hearers In the end of his Sermon he called God to witnesse that he had walked in a good conscience with them not seeking to please men nor serving either his owne or other mens affections but in all sincerity and truth had preached the Gospell of Christ. He exhorted them in most grave and pithy words to stand fast in the Faith they had received and so having prayed zealously for Gods blessing upon them and the multiplying of Gods spirit upon their new Pastor he gave them his last farewel Being conveyed to his lodging that afternoon he was forced to betake himselfe to his bed and was visited by all sorts of persons in his sicknesse to whom he spake most comfortably amongst others the Earle of Morton came to see him to whom he said My Lord God hath given you many blessings Wisdome Honor Nobility Riches many good and great friends and he is now about to prâ—fer you to the Government of the Realm the Earl of Marr the late Regent being newly dead In his name I charge you use these blessings better then formerly you have don seeking first the glory of God the furtheance of his Gospell the maintenance of his Church and Ministry and then be carâ—full of the King to procure his good and the welfare of the Realm Iâ— you doe thus God will be with you and honor you if otherwisâ— â—e will dâ—prive you of all these benefits and your end shall be shame and ignonminie These speeches the Earl called to minde about nine years after at the time of his Execution saying That he had found Iohn Knox to be a Prophet A day or two before Knox his death he sent for Master David Lindsey Master Lawson and the Elders and Deacons of the Church â—o whom he said The time is approaching which I have long thirsted for wherein I shall be released from all my cares and be with my Saviour Christ for ever and now God is my witnesse whom I have served with my spirit in the Goâ—â—eâ—â— of his Son that I have taught nothing but the true sincâ—râ— Word of God and that the end that I proposed in my Mâ—nistry was To instruct the ignorant to confirm the weaâ— to comfort their consciences who were humbled under the sense of their sins and born down with the threatningâ— oâ— Gods judgments I am not ignorant that many have and doe blame my too great rigor and severity but God knoweth that in my heart I never hated those agaâ—nsâ— whom I thundered Gods judgments I did onely hate theiâ— sins and labored according to my power to gaine them to Christ That I did forbear none of what condition soever I did it out of the fear of my God who hatâ— placed me in the function of his Ministry and I know will bring me to an account Now bretheren for your selveâ— I have no more to say but to warn you that you â—ake heâ—d to the Flocke over which God hath placed you Over seers which 〈◊〉 hath redeemed by the blood of his onely begotten son and you Master Lawson fight a good fight doe the Worke of the Lord with courage and with a willing minde and God from heaven blesse you and the Church whereof you have the charge Against it so long as it continues in the Doctrâ—nâ— of the Truth the gates of hell shall not prevaâ—le having thus spoken and the Elders and Deacons being dismissed he called the two Preacher to him and said There is one thing that grieveth me exceedingly you have sometimes seen the Courage and Constancy of the Laird of Grang in the Cause of God and now that unhappy man is casting himself away I pray you go to him from me and tell him That unlesse he forsake that wicked course that he is in the Rock wherein he confideth shall not defend him nor the carnall wisdome of that man whom he counteth halfe a god which was young Leshingâ—on shall yeeld him help but he shall be shamefully pulled out of that nest and his carcasse hung before the Sun meaning the Câ—stle which he kept against the Kings Authority for his soul it is dear to me and if it were possible I would fain have him saved accordingly they went to him conferred with him but could by no meanes divert him from his course But as Knox had fore-told so the year after his Castle was taken and his body was publickly there hanged before the Sun yet at his death he did expresse serious repentance The nex day Knox gave order for the making of his Coffin continuing all the day as he did also through all his sicknesse in fervent prayer crying Come Lord Iesus sweet Jesâ—s into thy hands I commend my spirit being ask'd whether his pains were great he answered That he did not esteem that a pain which would be to him the end of all troubles and the beginning of eternall joyes Oft after some deep meditation he used to say Oh serve the Lord in fear and death shall not be troublesome to you Blessed is the death of those that have part in the death of Iesus The night before his death he slept some hours with great unquietnesse often fighing and groaning whereupon when he awakened the standers by asked him how he did and what it was that made him mourn so heavily to whom he answered In my life time I have been assaulted with Tempâ—aâ—ionâ— from Satan and he hath oft cast my sinâ— into my teeth to drive me to despair yet God gave me strength to overcome all his Temptations but now the subtill serpent takes another course and seek's to perswade me That all my labors in the Ministery the fidelity that I have shewed in that service hath merited heaven and immortality but blessed be God that brought to my minde these Scriptures What hast thou that
full of yeeres And with much honour left this vail of teares The Life and Death of Rodolphus Gualterus who dyed Anno Christi 1586. ROdolphus Gualter was born in Tigure Anno Christi 1518. was of an excellent wit and therefore carefully brought up at School where he first profited exceedingly in Oratory and Poetry and being admitted into the University he became famous first in the knowledge of the Arts and afterwards of Divinity insomuch as he waâ— chosen Pastor in that City where he first drew in his vitall breath neither were they which chose him deceived in their exspectation for he proved an admirable instrumenâ— of Gods glory and their good discharging his place with singular industry diligence and fidelity not onely by hiâ— frequent publick preaching but by his learned private writingâ— as his Homilies upon much of the Old and Nâ—w Testament doe sufficiently declare and having governed and fed that Church for above forty years together he dyed in a good old age Anno Christi 1586. anp of his Liâ—â— sixty eight Uertue and honor both combin'd T' adorne Gualterus his minde His wise and well composed heart Was principlâ—d in every part He was a Poet too ti 's therefore fit We should applaud his rare Poeticke wit The Life and Death of Casper Olevian who dyed Anno Christi 1587 â— CAsper Olevian was born in Trevir Anno Christi 1536â— and carefully brought up in learning by his Grandfather and at thirteen years old he was sent to Paris to study Law from thence also he went to the Universities of Aurelia and Biturg where he heard the most famous Lawyers of those times he joyned himselfe also to the Congregation of Protestants which met privately together in that place there he was admitted into the Order of Lawyers after the solemn manner of the University Anno Christi 1557. about which time there studied in that University under Nicolas Iudex the young Prince Palatine â— son to Fredericke the third afterwards Elector and Olevian being very intimate with Iudex went one day after dinner to the river hard by the City together with him and the young Prince and when they came thither they found som yong Noble Germans that were students there going into aboat who desired the Prince and his Tutor to goe over the River with them But Olevian perceiving that they had drunk too freely disswaded them from adventuring themselves amongst them which councell the Prince and his Tutor neglecting went into the boat and putting from the bank the drunken young men began so to thrust and jusâ—le one another that at last they overthrew the boat where they were all drowned But Iudex being skilfull in swimming caught the young Prince hoping to save him but being unable to draw him with him they both sunk Olevian standing on the bank and seeing this sad spectacle leap't into the water to try if he could help them but at first he stuck into the mud and water up to the chin where he dispaired of his owne life in that danger he prayed unto God and vowed that if God would deliver him he would preach the Gospell to his owne Citizens At which time it pleased God that a footman of one of the Noblmens coming to the river side seeing of him caâ—ght him by the hand thinking that it had ben his own master and drew him out whereupon Olevian being delivered together with the Law studyed Divinity especially reading over Calvins Commentaries diligently and then returning to Trevir he was retained to plead a cause thâ—re but seeing the great deceit in that calling he gave it over and that he might performe his Vow he wholly set himselfe to the study of Divinity aud went to Geneva and after to Tigure where he was much holpâ—n by Martyr and Bullinger and after taking ship at Lusanna to goe to Genevaâ— Farrell hapned to be with him in the ship who in disconâ—â— asked him Whether he had ever preached in his ownâ— Country which he denying Farrell perswaded him to doâ— it so soon as he could and he accordingly promised that he would therefore Anno Christi 1559. he returned to Tâ—â—vir and was by the Senate his friends requested to undâ—â— take the work of the Ministry there and for his encouragement they allowed him a stipend he readLogick also in the School but when he began to preach the Truth of Chriâ—â— and to discover the Errors in Popery he was forbiddenâ— by the Clergy to preach any more and shut out of the School Then the Senate appointed him to preach in an Hospitall where after he had preached a while his adversariessuborned a Priest to step up into the Pulipt before himâ— but as soon as the people saw the Priest they called to him to come down for that they would not hear him Olevian desired them to hear him promising that so soon as he had don his Sermon he would preach himselfe but they would not endure it but made a great stir so that the poor Priest thought that he should have been pulled a pieces by them but Olevian inâ—reating the people to be quiet took him by the hand and led him forth safely and going into the pulpit himself the people cried to him We desire thee for Gods sake to preach unto us for this cause the Archbishop of Trevir imprisoned the two Consulâ— and eight more of the Senators for ten weeks who desired Olevian to come to them to instruct and comfort them which accordingly he did but afterwards they were all freed at the request of the Elector Palatine and some others and the Elector Palatine sent for Olevian to Heidleberge where he made him Rector of a Colledge about which time he married a wife and commensed Doctor in Divinity and was made a Professor of Divinity in that University he was also called to a Pastorall charge in the City which he carefully and holily discharged till the death of the Elector Fredericke the third and shortly after he was called to Berleburg by Lodewicke Count Witgenstein where he Preached and instructed some Noble mens sons In the year 1584. he was called by Iohn of Nassau to Herborn where he preached and taught in a School three years Anno Christi 1587. he fell into a mortall sicknesse which notwithstanding all means of oure daily grew upon him and so weakned him that at last he quietly resigned up his spirit unto God In his sicknesse he made his Will and by pious and holy meditations prepared himselfe for death being visited by some great men he told them That by that sicknesse he had learned to know the greatnesse of Him and the greatnesse of Gods Majesty more then ever he did before Iohn Pisâ—â—â—ur coming to visit him he told him That the day before for four hours together he was filled with ineffable joy so that he wondred why his wife should ask him whether he were not something better when sa indeed he could never be better for said he I thought that
the rest amidst all these endowments and the respects of others even the greatest thereby deservedly procured of a most meek and lowly spirit He had two wives successively women of good birth and note and eight children by them He left this world to his eternall joy and gaine but to the great losse of Gods Church and griefe of all sound and godly learned on the fourth day of December in the year of our Lord 1595. and in the forty and seventh of his age having held the Professours chaire about sixteene years and the Mastership of Saint Iohns Colledge almost nine His corps was with very great solmnity and generall lamentation brought to the ground and lyeth enterred in the Chappell of the foresaid Colledge his Epitaph being engraven with letters of gold on a faire stone in the wall near to the place of its enterment His Workes extant testifying his worth are these 1 His Translation of Master Nowels Catechisme into Greeke 2 Hiâ— Translation of Bishop Jewels disputâ— against Harding into Laâ—â—ne 3 His Answer to Edmund Campian his ten Reasons 4 His defence of that his answer against John Durey 5 His Refutation of Nicolas Sanders his Demonstration whereby he would prove that the Pope is not Antichrist 6 A collection thereto â—dded of â—nâ—ieâ—t Heresâ—â—s â—aâ—eâ— i◠〈◊〉 to maâ—e up the Popish Apostasie 7 His Thesis propâ—unded and defended at the Commecement 1582. that the Pope is the Antichrist spoken of in Scripture 8 His answer to Willam Reinolds against the Preface to that against Sanders in English 9 His Disputation conâ—erning the Scripture against the Papists of â—hese times Bellarmine and Stapleton especially 10 His defence of the Authority of the Scriptures against Thomas Stapleton his defence of the Authority of the Churches 11 His Lectures on the Controversies concerning the Bishop of Rome set forth by John Allenson after his decease 12 His Lectures on the Controversie concerning the Church set forth by the same Party 13 His Lectures on the Controversie concerning Councels set forth by the same 14 A Treatise of Originall sin against Stapletons three former bookes of Iustifiâ—ation set forth by the same 15 A Lecture on the first of Timothy 2.4 read on Febrvary 27. 1594. before the Earl of Essex and some other Honourable Persons 16 His Lectures concerning the Sacraments in generall the Eucharist and Baptisme in speciall taken by John Allenson and set forth by D r Samuel Ward Let such whose merits whose indifferent fames Keepes life and soul together in their Names With much a doe let such require the praise Of hyred quils to cleare their cloudy dayes With borrow'd Sunshine let them strive to vamp Their wasted Mem'ryes by another Lampe Let those whom ordinary wrrth commends Receive Almes-praise from charitable friends Our learned Whittaker craves no expression Noe vote no Trumpit but his foes confession Whos 's well refuted Arguments proclame His everlasting honor and their shame He was the shield of Truth the scourge of error This Islands Tryumph and proud Babils Terror The Life and Death of Lambert Danaeus who dyed Anno Christi 1596. LAmbert Danaeus was born at Aurelia in France Anno Christi 1530. he was of an acute wit and wonderfully addicted to learning so that by his diligence and extraordinary pains he attained to a great measure of it in his younger years he studyed the civill Law four years at Aurelia under Anna Burgius then he betook himselfe to the study of Divinity and imbracing the reformed Religion went to Geneva Anno Christi 1560. He had a vast memory and read over many Authors he was so versed in the Fathers and School-Divines that few attained to the like exactnesse therein whence one saith of him Mirum est homuncionis unius ingenium tot tam diversas scientsas haurire retinere potuisse At Geneva he was admitted into the number of Doctors and Pastors and by his learned labors was exceeding usefull both to the Church and Unixersity alwayes imploying himselfe in writing ann publishing Commentaries upon the Scriptures and other learned treatises which were of speciall concernment From thence he was called to the University of Leiden where he was received with much joy and was exceedingly admired for his learning acutenesse of wit promptnesse and strength of memory in alleaging and reciting the sentences of the Fathers Schoolmen Canonists and prophane writers From thence he was called to Gaunt Anno Christi 1582. where he taught a little while but that City being full of tumults he foreseeing the storm that was coming upon it left it and being sent for went into Navar where by his teaching and writing he made the University of Orthesium famous and at last he there laid downe his earthly tabernacle Anno Christi 1596. and of his age 66. Danaeus that was acute and wise Own'd vertue as his chiefest prize He was a jem that much adorn'd The Church he much contemn'd and scorn'd The wayes of Popery his heart Was fil'd with comfort joyn'd with art He was esteem'd and lov'd of those That were industrious to oppose Erronious principels his minde Was by heav'ns powerfull hand refin'd Who at the last received his spirit And made him happy to inherit The Life and Death of Robert Rollock who dyed Anno Christi 1598. RObert Rollock was borne in Scotland of the ancient Family of the Levingstones in the year 1555. His Father knowing the worth of Learning was very careful to bring up his Son therein and for that end he sent him to Surline and placed him under Thomas Bucanan who finding hiâ— promptnesse and diligence tooke much delight in him From thence he went to the University of Saint Andreweâ— there he spent four years in the study of the Arts and so eminently profited therein that he was chosâ—n a Professor of Phylosophy In the year 1583. the States of Scotland intending to erect a University at Edenburg sent some to Sâ—int Andrews to finde out a fit man that might undertake the Government of it where by the generall vote of all there was none thought so fit for this worke as Rollock which the States being informed of they presently sent foâ— hâ—m and when he was come they entertained him courtâ—ouslâ— after he had been there a while he set upon the workâ— and young Students flock't thither a pace from all parts of the Kingdome whom he instrâ—â—ted in the Arâ—â— and governed with severity mixed with â—lemenâ—y and so educated them in Religion that God blessed his labours â—xceedingly amongst them After four years he examined them strictly and finding their proficiency they commenced Masters of Art then four Professors of Philosophy were joyned with him to share in the paiâ—s which were chosen out of the ablest of thosâ— that had commenced Masters of Arâ—â— Every morning Rollock â—alling the studâ—nts together prayed fervently with themâ— and one day in the weeke expounded some portion of Scriptâ—â—â— to them after which Lecture he took notice which of them had
a Common which is sufficiently stockt with such Cattell Say not that Iâ—nius his weake body was a preservation for his chastity for besides that the heart of a Stallion may be in the body of an Eunuch age in him now had out-grown the infirmities of his childe-hood But by Gods providence he was protected from this temptation and by Satans suggestions solicited to another who finding his corporall baits not to succeed did try by a more spirituall way to entice him 6. Here I stand still and demur with my selfe whether speech or silence be better Tell it not in Gath c. It is pity that so great sinnes of afterwards good men should be committed to memory But againe considering that his shipwrack may be a seamarke for others it must not be concealed He turned neither better nor worse then flat Atheist Certainly flyes as they are ingenuous to doe mischiefe on Grapes so they are judicious tasters to choose the ripest and sweetest for their palate And Satan is so subtile that he pitcheth on the most fruitfull yea rankest wits as best for his purposâ— and a dunce is no dish for the Divels tooth 7. Full twelve moneths did Iunius live in and lye under this dolefull and damnable condition when first it pleased God to save his life in a Tumult in the City of Lions that so signall a deliverance in the appehension of Iunius did point at a Deity and awakened his drowsie soule to the consideration of divine Providence Afterwards his Parents being by improbable and unsuspected intelligencerâ— informed of their Sons Atheisme sent for him home took order that he was better instructed and enjoyned him the constant reading of the New Testament Iunius lighting on the first chapter of the Gospell of Saint Iohn was by Gods spirit moving his heart so highly affected therewith that he fell on a sudden both into an acknowledgement and admiration of God in his Word I have heard that supersticious Exorcistes who most serve the Divel when they pretend most to command him use or rather abuse this chapter to conjure out evill spirits out of persons possessed What collusion or confederacy may passe betwixt Sathan and his playmates I neither doe nor desire to know This sure I am that that parcell of Scripture was so sanctified by God to Iunius that it dispossessed his soule and ejected thence that Atheisticall Fin formerly lodged therein And now Iunius begins to prefer Salomons Proverbs before Seneca his Sentences the Psalmes of David before the Odes of Horace Ieremies Lamentations before Ovid de Tristibus in a word he grew sensible of the majesty in the meanest of the rich matter in the plaine stile of the Scripture 8. Afterwards his Parents sent him to Geneva to the University furnishing him with sufficient money for the present and promising to send him supplies for the future when alas presently began the wofull Wars in France so that the French Lillies fairely flourishing before began now to be parched and scorched in Civill Combustions insomuch that the Parents of Iunius could not performe their promise Surely War is a cursed thing were it onely for this that it makes men unwillingly unnaturall unable to discharge those relative offices which otherwise they desire Iunius begins to want and resolves with himselfe Cleanthes like to worke evâ—ry other day with a Spade or Mattock about the Town Ditch so to provide himselfe maintainance Gods children making many hard but ever honest shifts 9. But a Countriman of his accidentally finding him out whose Mother when a Widdow had beene relieved by the Parents of Iunius tooke him home and freely bestowed both lodging and dyet upon him It is good spirituall husbandry to sow good workes if not our persons our posterity may reape them as now did Iunius But he good man was perplext for being as he conceived it a burden to his friend for there is no greater racke to an ingenuous nature then to receive kindnesses in despaire to requite them Iunius weighing in â—he ballance of his minde every morcell of meat and for foure moneths together pretending Study dyned onely on Ayre and supped with two Egges and a small draught of Wine fearing he should be too chargable thus he was a Lessâ—an before Lessius yea he exceeded him in his Abstinence till nature as I may say was over pressed with too little weight of victuals which brought him into a Consumption But afterwards receving mony from his Father he not only plentifully repaid his Host but by compitent food and corediall Phisicke repared the detriments and decayes in his body 10. The Father of Iunius who formerly was affraid that his Sonne would have to little Religion began now to suspect that he would have to much and make Divinity his profession whereas he intended him for the practice of the civil Law Like to many now adayes who begrutch their pregnant children to Gods service reserving strait Timber to be Beâ—mes in other buildings only condemnning crooked peeces for the Temple so that what is found unfit for City Camp or Court not to adde ship and shop is valued of worth enough for the Church 11. But here hapned a sad and sudden accident the Father of Iunius was most barbarously butchered by a companion of Hacks Iers Here let me beg and borrow of the courteous reader the help of his imagination to piece out the shortnesse of my expression in considering the great sorrow Iunius conceived hereat but no sooner was he come to shore out of the sea of sarrow but presently he dispatcht a letter to his Mother full of pitty and piety religion and affection He counselled her to submit to Divine providence seeing she was made a Bride the same minute wherin she was made a Widdow married to God himselfe the Husband of the Widdoâ— and Father of the fatherlesse he desired her to be carefull of the rest of the childeren but take no thought for him who was reâ—olved to hew out a way for his livelihood out of the Rockes of all difficulties 12. Leaving Geneva where he had lived a Schoole-master teaching Hebrew for a time he came into the Low countryes to be Minister to the French Church at Antwerp then began the civill Warres there wherin halfe of the seventeen Provinces opposed the King of Spaine whether willingly falling from him for lacke of Royalty or violently cast away by him through his owne cruelty the Chronicles of those parts are best able to informe Here Iunius had a finger yea a whole hand in writing some publicke Remonstrances in behalfe of the People which being knowne discovered by the sharpnesse of his owne Pen such was the activenesse quicknesse and vigor of his stile he was sought after and four hundred Florens promised to him more by half then his estate was ever worth which would bring him dead or a live to the Regent of that County yea a curious Limnner was employed to draw his picture to the life that thereby he
lesse as he grew great Five Kings and Queenes his dayes did see Enthron'd and septer'd The first three Did view his merit and enhaunc'd him The fourth destroy'd the fift advanc'd him To Lambeth Chayre where he the Church did guide In Peace and full of age and honor dyed The Life and Death of John Drusius who dyed Anno Christi 1616. IOhn Drusious was born at Aldenard Aâ—nn Christi 1550. was first brought up at School in the City of Gaunt and from thence went to the University of Lovain but whilst he was following his study hard there his father was prâ—scribed for Religion and thereby deprived of all his estate which caused him to flye into England taking this his son along with him when he came to London he met with Câ—valerius lately come thither that was exceeding skilfull in the Hebrew his Lectures he attended upon both in publick and private and when Cevalerius was sent to Cambrâ—ge to be the Professor there Drusius went along with him applying himselfe espcially to the study of Greek Afterwards when Cevalerius was called back into France Drusius still accompanied him fell hard to the study of the Hebrew he also privately read the same to two young English Gentlemâ—n After while he returned to London againe and when he was purposed to goe back into France he heard of that bloody Massacre at Paris which made him alter his mindâ— and having preferment prâ—fâ—â—ed to him â—ither in Oâ—ford or Cambridge he chose Oxford where for the space of four years he read Hebrew Chalde and Syriack with great commendation After which time he went back to Lâ—vain but not long enjoying peace there he returned to London againe where he continued till the peace was concluded at Gaunt and then went over into Flanders and from thence into Zealand where the States of Holland chose him to â—e the Professor in Hebrew Chalde and Syriack in the University of Leiden Anno Christi 1577. there he married a wife and the Statâ—s of Frisâ—and having newly erected a University at Franequer they called him thither In which place he continued taking great paines for the space of thirty one years and at length resiged up his spirit unto God Anno Christi 1616. and of his age 66. John Drusius was a great Ebrician sound Most meritoriouâ—ly must here by Crown'd With Bayes to 's praise whom for 's ability In Hebrew Syriack Chalde worthily The States of Holland had Professour made Of him in Leiden where not long he stay'd Being call'd to Franquer Univerâ—â—ty By th'Friâ—â—and States where with great industry For thirty years he govern'd it with fame And then deceased with an honored Name The Lif and Death of John James Grynaeus who dyed Anno Christi 1617. JOhn Iames Grynaeus was born at Berne in Helvetâ—a Anno Christi 1540. his father was a Minister who dyed of the Plague Anno Christi 1547. he was brought up at School at Basil and An. 1551. was admitted into the University the next year he fell sick of the Plague but it pleased God to restore him againe and he followed his stâ—dy hard Anno Christi 1559. he began to Preach and was ordained Deacon Anno Christi 1563. he went to Tuâ—ing and the year after was made Doctor in Divinity and the next year after he was senâ— for to succeed his father in the Pastorall charg at Raetela where besides his ordinary â—abors he read privately to the Deacons twice a week and God blessed his labors exceedingly In the year 1569. he married a wife with whom he lived contentedly fourty years and had by her seven children Aboâ—t that time the form of Concord being much pressed he â—ell hard to the studies of the Scriptures and of ancient and modern Divines whereby it pleased God that the light began to appear to him for hitherto he was a Lutheran whereupon dâ—claring his judgement about the ubiquity of Christ's body he began to be hated of manyâ— Anno Christi 1575. he wâ—s sent for to Basil to be a Professor in interpreting the Old Testament there he expounded Genesis the Psalmes and the Prophets and God so blessed his labors that he healed the difference between the Tygurine and Basilian Churches he had many Noble and Gentlemen that came out of other countries to sojourn with him After the death of Lodweck Prince Elector Palatine Prince Cassimire sent for him to Heidleberge where he read Divinity and History almost two years at the end of which time he was called back to Basil Sculcer being dead to succeed him in the Pastorall office which place he discharged faithfully the remainder of his life at last after much pains spent in the Work of the Ministery in Readings in the University and overseeing of the Schools he began to grow weak and sickly and his eie-sight waxed very dim he lost also most of his friends with his wife and children all but one daughter and his son in Law Polanus he was much tormented with the Collick yet bore all with admirable patâ—ence and in the middest of his pains he said Vt nunc triste mori est sic dulce resurgere quondam Christus ut in vita sic quoque morte lucrum est In terris labor est requies sed suavis in urna In summo venient gaudia summa die As death's sad so to rise is sweet much more Christ as in life so be in death is store On earth are troubles sweet rest in the grave I' th last day we the lasting'st joyes shall have After that he fel sick of a Feaver which almost took away his senses but he betook himselfe wholly to Prayer and tasted the joyes of heaven in his soul continually wishing that he might be dissolved and be with Christ which desire God shortly after satisfied when he had lived seventy seven years Anno Christi 1617. the Ministers of Basil carred his corps to the grave A little before his death he professed to Doctor Meier that he dyed in the same Faith that he had taught others that he had earnestly besought God to provide his people of an able and faithfull Pastor c. conculding O praeclarum illum diem cum ad illum animarum concilium coelumque proficiscar cum ex hac turba colluuione discedam O happy day when I may depart out of this troubleâ—some and sinfull World and goe to heaven to those Blessed souls before departed He used to say Pontifici Romaâ—o Erasmum plus no â—uisse â—â—â—andoâ— quam Lutherum stomachando writing to Câ—yâ—raeus he saidâ— Si non amplius in his terris te visurus sum ibi tamen convenieâ—â—â— ubi Lutheâ—o cumâ— Zuinglio optime jam convenit If we never see one another again in this Worldâ— yet we shal meet in that place where Luther Zuinglius agree very well together He used to be up at his study Winter and Summer before Sunâ—â—â—sing and spent all the day in Prayer Writing Reading and visiting the sick He
him the ugly visage of his sins which lay so heavy upon him that he roared â—or anguish oâ— heart yea it so affrighâ—ed him that he rose sometimes out of his bed in the night for very anguish of spirit and â—o augment his spirituall misery he was assaulted with soul temptations Horribilia de Dâ—o â—erâ—ibilia de fide which Luther called câ—laphum Satanae this continued for many months but God at last gave a blessed issue and these grievous pangs in the New Birth produced two admirable effects in him an invincible courage in the cause of God and a singular deâ—terity in comforting afflicted spirits Hereupon he resolved to enter into the Ministry and was accordingly Ordained the thirty fifth year of his Age and about two years after the Parsonage of Broughton in Norâ—hamptonshire falling void Serjeant Nicols the Patron preâ—â—rred him to it about the fortieth year of his age he marryed Misâ—ris Ann Bois of an ancient family in Kent and to her care committed the ordering of his outward estate and applyed himselfe wholly to his studyes and the work of the Ministry for twenty years together Prâ—ached twice every Lords-day and Catechized and in every Holy-day and Friday before the Sacrament he expounded a Chapter whereby he went over most of the Historicall books of the Old New Testament and therein preparing nothing for his People but what might have served a very learned Aâ—ditory In all his Preaching next after Gods glory he aymed at the Conversion of souls and God crowned his labors by making him an instrument to beget many sons and daughters unto righteouâ—nesse He had an excellent Art in relieving afflicted consciences so that he was sought to far and near yea diverse beyond Sea desired his resolution in diverse cases of Conscience Though in his preaching he was a son of Thunder yet to those that mourned in spirit he was a sweet son of Consolation with a tender heart powring the oyl of mercy into their bleeding wounds He had a singular skill in discovering Satans sleâ—ghts and in battering down his Kingdome In all his Sermons he used to discover the filthinesse of sin and to presse hard upon the Consciâ—nce the duties of Sanctification yea he would spare none great or small in their sins yet in reproving sin he never personated any man to put him to shame His life waâ— blamelesse that he could not justly be taxed by any of any scandalous sin He constantly prayed six times a day twice with his family twice with his wife and twice in secret He kept many dayes of private humiliation alwayes before the Sacrament and upon the occasions of the miseries of the Church at home abroad which he performed with much ardency of Spirit and being advised by Phisitians for his healths sake to break off â—he strong intention of his study he rejected their counsell accounting it greater riches to enjoy Christ by those servent intentions of his minde then to remit them for his healths sake He was of a comely presence his countenance was so mixed with gravity and austerity that it commanded respect from others He oft refused preferment that he might not be divorced from that Country where his Ministry found such entertainment and effect He was universaly bountifull but especially he â—xceeded in those publick distresses of Germany France Bohemia c. He alwayes spent all the revenews of his living which was of good valew in the maintenance of his Family Hospitality and Charity He fell sick of a Quartane Ague in Septâ—mber An. Christi 1631. whereupon finding his disease to get strength and his vigor to grow weaker he revised his Will and then wholly retired himselfe from the world and solaced his soul with the Meditation of the joyes of heaven and having compiled a discourse De quaâ—uor Novissimis of Death Judgement Hell and Heaven having preached over the three former he told his people that the next day he would preach of heaven but the Saturday before he fell so sick that he never preached after though his sicknesse was long and sharpe yet he bore it with admirable patience often breathing forth these speeches Oh when will this good hour com When shall I be dissolved when shall I be wiâ—h Christ Being told that it was better for the Church if God would for him to stay here He answered If I shall finde favor in the eyes of God hee will bring me againe and shew me both it and his habitation and if otherwise lo here I am let him doe what seemeth good in his eyes 2. Sam. 15.25 26. And being asked of another if he could be content to live if God would grant it him he said I grant that life is a great blessing of God neither will I neglest any meanes that may preserve it and doe heartily desire to submit to Gods will but of the two I infinitely more desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ. To those that came to visit him â—n his sicknesse he gave very godly and wise exhortations He thanked God for his wonderfull mercy in pulling him out of hell in â—ealing his Ministry by the Conversion of Souls which he wholly ascribed to his glory a week before his death he called for his wife and desired her to bear his Dissolution with a Chrisâ—ian Fortitude and turning to his chrildren he told them that they should not now expect that in regard of his weakenesse he should say any thing to them he had formerly told them enough and hoped they would remember it and he verily believed that none of them durst think to meet him at the great Tribunall in an unregenerate state Sâ—me of his neighbors moved that as he had in his Ministry discoursed to them the exceeding commforts that were in Christ so he would now tell them what he felt in his soul Alas said he doe you look for that now from mee that want breath and power to speak I have told you enough in mâ— Mâ—nistry yet to satisfie you I am by the wonderfull mercies of God as full of comfort as my heart can hold and feel nothing in my soul but Christ with whom I heartily desire to bee Then seeing some weeping he said Oh what a deal adoe there is before one can dye When the very panges of death were upon him some of his dear friends coming to take their leave of him he caused himselfe to be raised up and after a few gapings for breath he said to them I am now drawing on a pace to my Dissolution hold out Faith and Patience your worke will quickly be at an end then shaking them by the hand he desired them to make sure of heaven and to remember what he had formerly taught them protesting that it was the Truth of God as he should answer it at the Tribunall of Christ before whom he should shortly appear and a dear friend taking him by the hand ask't him if hee felt not much paine Truely no said he