such removes and amongst more civil School-fellows having alwayes averseness to play with profane grew too secure But when the Child Caleb was as a tender plant now again more frequently watered with the living streams of the word of grace by grace yet in London he grew very considerate in his goings and of his own accord so hesitated at the fictions he met with in the Heathen Authors at School especially about God and Heaven and Hell c. which were now on his mind that though he dearly loved and highly reverenced his Master he did very humbly acquaint his Father with his scruple herein and found favour to have it much removed to his satisfaction and encouragement to further proficiency in Learning which was his delight Howbeit sometime after being imployed in an English Poetical Exercise on a solemn Subject wherein he seriously used Scripture language pertinently hiâ— learned Master he said observed to him he should not be so Scriptural but would have him alter it for a more Poetical dialect whereupon indeed the Child as it were astonied and discouraged thereat of his own accord so abated his delight in Learning that he went to School then as under some load which had been as his pastime or delight before Hence did he earnestly entreat his Father he might be brought up with him in his own calling for which he had Learning enough to which he was very enclinable and in which he expressed great aptness with delight more than to play upon all idle times But being returned to School for a season to attain the Hebrew reading into which he was entring it pleased God to visit him with sickness to perfect his compleature for his Bridegroom as followeth Being visited through surfeit by heat with a Feaver and Plurisie near unto death in London he had then a more effectual awakning towards Eternal Life in such lively conviction self abasement and savour as made some about him admire the grace in which he spake both of God and unto him by Christ Jesus fervently and his holy behaviour being much in deep abasement when he was left alone which encreased savourly in him in the Country especially upon every solemn opportunity in the Word and Prayer with the Family for finding some recovery at last in London but very low lean and consumptive the weather and Sickness beginning to be very hot there he was carried into the Country to a Garden House in Battersey where his Father fairly acquainted his Landlord with his judgement in Religion and troubles therefore and his determination yet to maintain meetings in the true Worship of God with his Family and Acquaintance where ever he came which was not only agreed unto but encouraged by the said Landlord who with his Wife and ancient Father carried it with all seeming respect insomuch as the place also agreeing with them they were near agrement for a tearm of years but in the mean time the said Landlord privately boasted that he had been at Ewel and had been prompted to give the said Vernon c. disturbance which yet he said he would not molest foâ— all this world which saying of his being frequently repeated caused some demuâ— in the said Vernons settlement there yeâ— he came as he could be spared from hiâ— Patients in London as at former timeâ— to his Children but fearing the weaâ— Child might be under the influence thereof he was seriously consulted who desired earnestly to come to London for the sake of the pretious Word though the Plague was not much abated there rather than expose his Father to come thither so oft or be absent from him or engage his Father into any other parts having many sick under his Care yea he was much more set on being at London that he might sympathize as he said with the sufferings of the Lords poor visited People there Hereupon finding also his strength came not forwards towards the end of the Summer they were again brought into London Now it pleased God that the honest Waterman that brought the Children to London and the Servant that brought this Child being not able to go in his armes to his Lodging immediately fell sick and died of the Pestilence which aded to the serious mind of the Child though yet he would not endure to hear it called Melancholy conducing much to his inward rooting in that which could not be shaken The first Lesson from the Scriptures in the Family was from Eccles. 9. 10. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do do it with thy might for there is no work nor device nor knowledge nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest From which such grace was through the Lords goodness granted to him that he received more powerful instruction from it with great thanksgiving for it as that which had much helped and refreshed him though his Sister and Brother especially in addition to former grace to them were awakened thereby with trembling and in a few dayes after turned to the Lord with full purpose of heart being further helped by being called upon to call on the Name of the Lord at their meat which they had not formerly done and were afraid to do formally so also did Caleb refuse to do it publickly then fearing he said he could not perform it acceptably but immediately his heart smote him and in much humility voluntarily offered to do it as well as he could the next season arguing with himself that it belonged to the Adoption to cry Abba Father and to a Christian not to be ashamed of Christ. This motion proved also to the great humbling of the other two and wrought mightily to self-abasement in serious sense also that the first fruit of true Conversion was to call on the Lord in truth and not to be ashamed to confess him and it was soon after manifested that they had through Grace received the Spirit of Adoption from him and were help'd to witness unto him unto their admission into his house with joy Caleb then craved a little Closet for himself that he might seek the Lord in secret more seriously which was to his great satisfaction prepared but by daily decay to his outward grew more sensible now of the Winter approaching but the Spring-time to his inward-man was daily made manifest God was pleased to make his weak Bed his Closet and the wearisome nights his seasons of much serious consideration brought to light daily in plenty of wisdom imploying true turning to God most apparently not recorded till the visible decay also of his weak outward tabernacle daily made us fear it was the anointing with fresh Oyl for his Burial And then his Mother admiring the Wisdom by which he spake was minded to gather up what fragments she could in writing without his observing it as he daily dropt them in season with favour declaring him to be wholly a new man to the Lord on whom he now began more to see he believed
would be giving something to help which he perceiving earnestly said Oh pray Father do not give me any thing for indeed Father I cannot take any thing but it will stop my passage The Maid said he tryed and could get nothing down which he confirmed his Father being not able to refrain seeing his alteration in countenance and violent labour by cough gushed out into tears which the Child seeing cryed out also and looking towards him said earnestly with weeping Pray Father do not weep but pray for me I long to be with God and desiring again his Father might pray with him he applyed to it briefly in too much trouble the Child strove much to refrain coughing laid himself back a little looked up and seemed to joyn fervently his Mother being also then called came in quickly to whom he said looking upon her when even spent Farewel dear Mother now I am going and to a Friend coming in Farewell dear Sir and the flegm as it was thought coming up into his mouth but carried back again through the length and toughness thereof his Father contented with his Mother and the Friend 's talking comfortably unto him was in great care for him and unwilling to give the Oyl of Almonds and Syrups at hand through his aversness to it ran down for something inoffensive for his relief and coming up instantly saw him thrusting first his finger and then his whole hand into his mouth to catch the flegm and hearing or seeing his Father coming cryed quickly as if he expected to take something O Father what shall I do but immediately as his Father came to him lay back and looking up said God God endeavouring to have uttered more but without groan his breath failing as if choaked with flegm he seemed as by consent to yeeld up the Spirit leaving to the last a very living evidence of the most general change and lively turning to God wholly that his Parents have experienced whereof these fragments gathered from him at last are but a taste of the great Grace granted to him in all heavenly wisdom and knowledge who being dead yet speaketh to the great reproof of his Parents in their shortness to him and of him under so much longer profession and for more full improvement of him whose swift race towards his latter end is impartially set forth uprightly for the sake of Youth and elder than he that may not yet meet Death with his Comfort and Composure so considerately hoping one good end of the Lords removing him may be for the more safe setting forth this part of an account of him through grace to the provoking of many to turn to the Lord which was the greatest end of his desiring to live beseeching all wisely to consider it and duly ponder Eccles. 9. 10. What soever thy hand findeth to do do it with all thy might for there is no work nor device nor knowledge nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest which was through God of great advantage to him By his near Relation An Acrostick CAll to my Burial my Aquaintance young And let them hear what Grace hath done for me Let them allured be by my sweet Song Eternal through Unchangeable Decree Because through Grace by Faith I am made free Vnto the highest praise of God on high Exalt the Prince of Peace in whom I rest Redeeming Mercy made my soul desie Not only Death but ev'ry other test Of my unfained Love at twelve years old No weakness wit nor fear could make it cold In proof whereof bare bones did sacrifice Vnto my Lord the way this world despise And had I liv'd Methusalem's long day Vnto Him should my Soul subjection pay Pro. 10. 7. The memory of the Just is blessed I. V. An Anagram CALEB VERNON Nue Noble Race A New and Noble Race he ran so fast That he o're-took the swiftest Saint at last He ran in earnest to the Refuge City And therein found escape defence pity And underneath the Everlasting Arms Which did support his Soul from fear of harms Indeed he ran as Caleb ran to find The promis'd Land when Isr'el lagg'd behind His Teachers wanted strength to keep him pace He out-ran Parents in his Noble Race As if the Angels had lent him a Wing To run with them in Love to Israels King Like the young Lad which Zechary sets forth With measuring-Line wherein did lie his worth In which the Angels ever do retain Their glory as their waiting doth remain Inviron'd in the Word and Will of God Which was indeed dear Caleb's choicest food And seeing he so follow'd his dear Master I would not faint although he ran much faster But for my Children and my Soul must weep That we instead of running so do creep In twelve dayes and an half from Iordans joy He did more than in twelve years ere did I. But grace perhaps did each day for a year Seal him a Pattent in return of Prayer For Life chiefly that Converts he might make And took him hence for the Election sake That safely this might be set forth of him And he not hazarded hereby to sin For few can bear his praise and few reproof But both I trust hereby shall now help Youth To their Conversion like to Caleb's then To this dispose of him I 'le add Amen But until then excuse me if I weep That yet I live and Caleb fell asleep For else I fear great evils yet to come And such remov'd that Iudgment may have room But may the Mouths of Babes Hosannahs fill The Enemy and th' Avenger must be still The Lord make Caleb's Cluster then in truth The first-fruits of his harvest amongst Youth And stir up Aged too to swifter pace By this Example in the Noble Race J. V. From a very dear Relation An Acrostick CAn Caleb stay when God will have him go Away to Caleb and himself also Loe he a Child yet Christian did become Er 't pleas'd his Father for to call him home But was no sooner new-born but he dies Unto the Lord a most sweet sacrifice E'ne unto him that made him twice to live Render he did what er'e he had to give Name Spirit Soul and Body though but poor Offerd up all What could a Prince do more Now to the Lord alone be praise therefore W. A. An Anagram CALEB VERNON An Noble Cure THou Lord on him hast wrought A Noble Cure From World Flesh Devil thus to set him free His Soul ful sweetly to thee to allure To make him happy to Eternity A Cure so Noble that it shall remain On days to come to praise of thy rich grace Who never undertook'st a Cure in vain Among the Seed of holy Jacob's Race Physician of great value Lord art thou And vertue also from thy Wings is found For healing sin-sick-souls none else knows how As thou of every desperate mortal wound Which to thy praise for ever shall redound W. A. From his own friend his Fathers friend
THE Compleat SCHOLLER OR A Relation of the Life and Latter-End especially of CALEB VERNON Who dyed in the Lord on the 29th of of the ninth month 1665. Aged twelve years and six months Commending to Youth the most Excellent Knowledge of CHRIST JESUS the Lord. Psal. 34. 11. Come ye Children hearken to me I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Phil. 3. 8. Yea doubtless and I account all things but loss for the Excellency of the Knowledge of Christ Iesus my Lord. Psal. 8. 2. Out of the mouth of Babes and Sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine Enemies that thou maist still the Enemy and the Avenger London Printed for the Author 1666. The PREFACE to Parents of Children Tender Parents AFter the death of my late dear and precious little one I looked into what he had left and found a little Legacy of Grace from God for you and yours left by him besides what was lost through the too great carelesness of such as were about him in his sickness but these reliques at last were faithfully set down for you yours in writing from his mouth which being of value in my conscience and those I converse with who were Witnesses thereof I durst not detain whoever are so full as to despise them hoping the distribution hereof will be to the refreshment of every hungry soul. I intended at first to have sent them with an Epistle directed to your Children themselves and to his School-fellows especially who commend his harmless conversation amongst them before his effectual calling of God in Christ Iesus had so overlaid through Grace all those endowments begetting deep abasements for School-slightiness amongst the most sober sort to his becoming wholly as it were another new creature since their acquaintance with him But upon more serious consideration of the trust committed to me knowing I must be accountable I have for my own security and clearing as Paul Acts 20. 26 27. thought it meet to commend it to your managing and improvement faithfully towards their eternal good estate praying you to discharge your trust herein on the behalf of your little ones and see that none of them play it away by means of your slightiness lest you weep with them at the last knowing that you also must give an account of this and them to God as committed to your charge And I beseech you beware that herein neither love to this World nor any thing in this World either the riches or honour or wisdom c. thereof nor any weakness in the ensuing Treatise either in the esteem of that wisdom in You or real shortness in the Publisher thereof may make you afraid your Children should follow God so fully after the example herein lest it come against you as the Lord hath said the Queen of the South and Men of Nineveh shall against some too like this Generation How far it may concern your selves to become as little children in the sence of 1 Cor. 14. 20 and Mat. 18. 3. like the little subject of thâ—â— discourse I leave to your consciences who shaâ—â— vouchsafe to reade it over humbly and weigh it uprightly in the wisdom which is from above but sure I am such bowels of mercy to your poor Children as be get most sollicitude for the souls of them which remain from the Pestilence before the woful day come will prove most profitable when all earthly promotions will stand them in no stead but may be bewailed to have hurt the possessors of them Beware therefore lest your want of wisdom herein expose your tender vessels newly lanched into the sea of this sinful world and richly laden with variety of Natures endowments to miscarriage in their great voyage Heaven-wards for want of your skilful steerage of them amongst those Rocks and Sands on which so many have suffered shipwrack to their utter undoing through their over-bold adventure thereby against such fair warnings as Prov. 4. 14 15. Luke 8. 14. 1 Joh. 2. 15 16. Isa. 5. 12. I will therefore only set up a Sea-mark to warn you of four or five least seen through self-love on which multitudes have early been split and bulged fulfilling the Word of the Lord 1 Tim. 6. 9. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition Towards which those Parents prove unhappy Pilots who are 1. Inordinately fond of Children in minority 2. Vainly inconsiderate in the Schooling of them 3. Unconscionably worldly in disposing them to outward Callings 4. Earthly-minded or ambitious in bestowing them in Marriages 5. Negligent in Family-duty or of ill conversation in the use thereof to the stumbling their Children by bad example Indeed most of these have been the sin and shame of Professing-Parents and the spoil of their poor Childrens souls and my hope of good times lies much in the expectation of a Spirit of Holiness upon Children to give them escape from the sin of their fathers few of whom I fear will live to inherit the Good they look for through such spoyl this world hath made in their spirit as declares too plainly they have supposed as 1 Tim. 6. 5. that Gain is Godliness what-ever they say or profess to the contrary And the most reformed Fathers will humbly accept it as great favour from the Lord after such provocation if they find Grace in return to the Prayer Psal. 90. 16. and the fulfilling Psal. 45. 16. Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children c. O therefore that Children may enter into more peculiar obligation to Christ as the Lord with heartiest Hosanna's in the highest in sence of being redeemed in this evil-day as the Scriptures speak from the vain conversation received by tradition from their Parents 1 Pet. 1. 18. and follow Christ soveraignly Rev. 1. 4. Learning of him in all their subjection to Parents the holy limits laid down Eph. 6. 1. that they obey always only in the Lord that is as they command according to Christ whom all are to hear in the highest Mat. 17. 5. as they would walk well-pleasing to God for I fear many Parents who make great profession are grown very vain first towards Children in minority so fondly affecting them to their hurt as if with all their baubles they were made to be but Apes and Baubles to Childish Parents for their present pleasure instead of discharging faithfully their great trust for their immortal souls in their minority by wisely nurturing them in the fear of the Lord timely inclining their tender years towards God as they would not make themselves sport so long and so far with the first fruits of their Childrens folly in the witty office of stubborn natures wilfulness and sinful speech as by delight therein to expose the Child to such self-willedness that at last through the Parents fondness they cannot endure the Child should undergo a moments smart though never so necessary to
prize I 'm sure they do who 're virtuous and wise We mourn He doth rejoyce Ours is the loss His is the gain He 's free from every cross S. D. Another I. WHat nought but grief what nought but floods of tears Pray tell me why This common Desolation appears That also I May spend a tear I hear with these mine ears A sad reply Weep Rocks weep Mountains for all joys are fled The finest Flower in the Field is dead II. 'T is true we all must die but paled death With his sharp clawes Hath put a period to my dear friends breath But for what causâ— He in his youthful sides his Sithe did sheath I yet must pause Weep Rocks weep Mountains for all joy is fled The finest flower in the field is dead III. Me thinks sweet Philomel begins to sing Her mournful notâ— And prest with sorrow hangs her little wing Whilest that her throâ—â— Proclaims her sorrow look how every thing With grief is smoâ—â— Weep Rocks c. IV. When ere his person came into my sight Me thought my eye Was ravisht with a suddain sweet delight His modesty Was a fit copy any one might write After him by But weep O Rocks for all our joyes are â—led The finest Flower in the Field is dead V. Me thinks the new-blown flowers hang their head And oft bemoan Their hapless lot because their Friend is dead They deeply groan And sigh the sight of which might draw indeed Tears from a stone Weep Rocks c. VI. Learning and Piety Virtue and Wit His portion was Learning he had beyond his years but yet Alas alas Deformed Death no notice took of it But crackt his glass Weep Rocks c. VII He saw the vanity of earthly things Therefore made haste Unto the Kingdom of the King of kings That he might taste The blessed joyes that Heaven with it brings That nought can blast Weep Rocks c. N. P. An ACROSTICK CAleb hath now attain'd the promis'd Land After his journy through the Wilderness Living he tasted of its Clusters and Espied its beauty which tongue can't express Blest soul he rests now after much distress Val'rous though small he was for he hid find Entrance tho death did at the entrance stand Resisting him his God strengthned his mind Now he 's victorious and enjoys the Land Ocoward Death thou set'st upon a Child Nor could'st thou conquer but by it wast foy'd S. P. ANAGRAM CALEB VERNON Once Venerable ALL earthly glory posts away with speed What Once was Venerable now is dead W. D. CALEB VERNON Cure None able ALL help in Man is vain where shall I flee who 'l Cure None able Lord I flee to thee S. P. CALEB VERNON No Rule can be DEath varies oft No certain Rule can be He strikes Old Age Youth Manhood Infancy S. P. EPITAPH HE is inter'd whose soul now fled away Once took a Lease of this small house of clay She had not long her house inhabited Before she was to her Redeemer wed She brought forth Children who do now inherit Her Husbands wealth the graces of the Spirit When as she saw her family increase She did repent that she had tan'e a Lease House-room was scant therefore she sought about To find a larger habitation out Her Husband did a Mansion prepare An heavenly Mansion very large and fair Thither she did her houshould goods remove And now she 's left this House and dwels above She with her Cottage twelve years was content And now tho worms dwell in 't doth not lament S. P. Job 19. 25 26 27. For I know that my Redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day 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 myself and mine eyes shall behold and not another though my reins be consumed within me THE Life and latter End OF Caleb Vernon CALEB was born in the Inns at Dublin in Ireland Anno 1653. and called by that name by agreement betwixt his Parents seriously with desire he might follow God fully being both then very sensible of Professors defection This Child was brought up with them at least six years before he was sent to School he was of very great capacity but exceeding shame-fac'd and small of stature and so timerous that his Parents could scarce trust him abroad out of their sight Howbeit he profited so under their care as to read the Bible distinctly at Four years old and by six became very apt in places of Scripture the Theory thereof and moral regard thereunto exactly observant of his Parents with ambition to serve and please them in love He had his share early in afflictions for being put to School when he was but seven years old at Hillington he deeply resented the troubles on many good people at that time and being visited with a violent Ague there he began first to have a deep sence of death questioning whether he should be saved but recovering that sickness came to see his Father then prisoner in New gate for the worship of God according to the Gospel of Christ and sick at the same time which was thought to affect the Child together with the fears of Souldiers in the way that the night he arrived at London he fell sick again in which sickness further convictions of his undone condition by nature seized more on him and his elder Brother who then fell sick also but both of them with their Father recovering went to the waters at Epsam where his Father finding his practice in Physick as much as he desired to be imployed in the Lord taking away his youngest Son there was disposed to retirement and abode there all the Summer after a short time sent him with his brother again to School taking for the â—est of his family Lodgings at Ewel all Winter supposing he might be less obâ—oxious than at popular Meetings in London and lived there in his practice peaceably A School-Master coming to live in that Village he brought his Sons thither also determining to settle there for his Life and to that end bought a piece of Ground with intention to plant it and build which when a malitious Chyrurgion too notorious for all open prophaness observed to impair his Practice he secretly with his Father-in-Law and Allies of debauched dispositions by slanders of many sorts to the Justices sought his disturbance Whereupon the said Vernon being civilly sent for by the Justices repaired to some of the chief and gave so good satisfaction of his peaceable deportment in his calling and the falshood of their various reports as he received an ingenious account of the slanderers and forgers of them with assurance of safety in the like case if attempted for the future which was his encouragement to go on in building for the conveniency of his Family there And though this confederacy in vain attempted his disturbance with the Bishop and