of them and desired a Psalm to be sung and he said sing it chearfully Psal 45. It contains Christs love to the Church and the Churches love to Christ Then he appointed his Grandson to read a Chapter Jer. 23. it concerns saith he slothful Shepherds Gods Soul abhorred them and he will curse their labours they shall not profit the people they are fit for no use adding God will make a Besome and sweep all such out of his house no man said he will have a tenant that will not Till his land but let house and ground go to ruin God will take special care of his house Then he said John take counsel at your best friends they will give you good Counsel and set you good Example meddle not with wicked light and vain persons remember the words of your dying Grandfather then he desired the 14th of John to be read concerning Christs sending the Spirit Then he prayed earnestly for the Church that God would hear the Prayers of his people and return to these nations and set at liberty his Ministers and People Oh said he that God would magnify the riches of his Grace for his poor Church for the sake of Christ for we are an unworthy people but thy Son dyed to purchase the pardon of sin and reconciliation and is set at thy right hand pleading our cause Father hear him for us and be at peace with us Remember what hath been done and suffered for reformation and the precious Blood of thy Saints which hath been shed this is the seed of thy Church remember the prayers of such as are now with thee and of such as are yet alive in the behalf of their seed and the seed of thy Church and setch in such as are going astray from thee and put a stop to their course of sin rebuke that profane spirit that is gone out in the Nation revive the work of reformation of tenderness of conscience and brokenness of heart that sometimes thy people have â—ad remove the hardness of heart and that lukewarm frame of spirit that hath â—ized upon us return O Lord to the many thousands of those that are seeking thee in â—hese Nations how long Lord wilt thou â—e angry with thy people in these Nations â—nd deny to answer their prayers O Lord thy poor people have been many â—ears pleading with thee for the Kings Maâ—esty make him indeed a Josiah a Nursing Father to thy Church make him a terror to â—vil doers and an encouragement to them â—hat do well Father thy people are waitâ—ag on thee when wilt thou return to thy â—oor broken scattered flock Lord humâ—le them for sin that hath provoked thee to â—is great heat of thy wrath thou hast â—ercy in store and waitest to be gracious â—t we are not fit for mercy But Lord â—ake thy people fit thou hast bid us ask â—at we will in thy sons name and thou wilt â—ve it Lord encrease our faith and work 〈◊〉 thy great Name and thy own Glory â—vance thy Sons Kingdom and bring down â—e Kingdom of Satan purge and purify thy Church but destroy it not thou haâ— appeared for thy Church many times when it hath been very low and thy people have sinned grievously against thee as we have done and thereby brought themselves into straits yet thou hast heard their cryes and wrought for thy name that it should not be polluted Zion lyes in the dust thy Church is sore broken many of thy servants are gathered to thy self 〈◊〉 they are not to be seen or heard any more in the World their prayers are ceased thaâ— stood in the gap to turn away thy wrath from us Lord revive conversion-work leâ— not the Womb of thy Church be barreâ— and unfruitful is thy work quite done 〈◊〉 O Lord art thou resolved to leave this Nation hast not thou many elect Souls yeâ— to be brought in dear Father hear thoâ— the Prayers of Parents for their poor Chiâ—dren do not cast off the seed of thâ— Church let them not be as unfruitâ—â—â— Branches that are fit for no use but to buâ— Lord prevent Popery and Idolatry let 〈◊〉 not leave our Children worse than our Pâ—rents left us let there be pure Doctriâ—â— Worship and discipline in thy house accorâ—ing to thy mind continue the priviledâ—â— purchased with the blood of thy Son 〈◊〉 the use of thy Church which thy peâ— stand in so much need of that we and our posterity may praise thee and future generations may set their hope in God and declare what thou hast done And for the Congregation he said Thine they were and thou hast committed them to me thy pâ—or servant for this 46 years I have been labouring among them according to my poor ability thou hast bestowed on me I have endeavoured to bring them over to thee now I am no more to be with them Father I commit them to thee again as I have done many a time take thou the charge of them see to them provide for them double thy spirit on thy servant bless his labours among them let many Souls be brought into thy Kingdom of Grace and made fit for the Kingdom of Glory let thy word abide with them Lord tarry with thy people here send down thy Spirit so freely so plainly so sully these last words he often repeated These were the workings of his gracious heart vented Godwards in Heavenly ejaculations and utter'd in such broken expressions â—he was restless and in several postures one said Sir are you not sore pained he said â—o blessed be God I feel no pain but the flesh will stir On Wednesday Night about two a clock Aug. 29. 1677 he begun to speak after this manner I commit my self into the hands of that God who gave me my being who hath been a good God and a loving Father to me and into the hands of Jesus Christ my Saviour who loved me and gave himself for me and bare the burden of my sins and into the hands of the Holy Spirit who hath sanctified me throughout in Soul Body and Spirit And for my Children that have been a great grief of heart to me that have been very sinful good Lord pardon their sins in the Blood of thy own Son For my Son that hath greatly played the Prodigal hedg up his way with thorns and make a stone-wall bring him into such straits that he may begin to bethink himself and say In my Fathers house is Bread enough That at last he may return For my Childrens Children Lord I commit them into thy hands and all my dear Friends and their Children And for my People whom I received from thy hands to take care of and instruct to Preach thy word unto and pray for Lord thou knowest in some measure of uprightness of heart I have done it and in some measure my life hath been according to my doctrine Lord forgive the sins of my life the sins of my ministry and the sins of my People I desire to
might Rain such a timâ— in such a place He was at present somethinâ— abashed and loath to Answer but beinâ— further urged said Sir I wisht it wouâ— Rain Learning Why said his Father whâ— Profession wouldst thou be of he Answeâ— ed I would be a Preacher Come Beâ— said the Father what didst thou wish 〈◊〉 would Rain he answered Wool Whâ— said he what Calling wouldst thou chuse he answered I would be of your calling a Clothier Samuel said the Father whâ— hadst thou a mind it should Rain He aâ— swered Money for I have a mind to be 〈◊〉 Merchant And lastly calling Edmund dâ— manding the same he answered that he dâ— sired it might Rain Plumbs for he would chuse to be a Grocer The Father beiâ— an intelligent considerate man thus obseâ— ving every ones genius and being furnished with a competent estate suited to them Callings according to their wishes Bezaleel was a rich Clothier in Dedham a gracious man he died October 30. 1678. Samuel the Third Son being brought up a Merchant lived in good repute in Holland beyond Sea and there died in March 1666 7. Edmund the youngest being bound Apprentice to a Grocer went into New-England and is the only survivor hath many years kept a Grocers Shop in Cambridg there and I suppose is living at the writing hereof But to retun to the Eldest Son John the subject of this discourse Being trained up a Scholar proved a notable instrument of Glory to God and good to souls in his generation And thus they all answered the ends of their education and had good success a good Item to Parents in disposing their children to Callings rather to consult their Childrens capacities and inclinations than their own humours and conveniencies things do always best when voluntarily chosen when the stream of natural affections runs to the channel of an adapted Vocation it bears down all oppositions and attains the desired Port of a sutable success in the most arduous enterprises hence Dr. Harris saith he never attemtped any thing within the verge of his Calling â—hough it seemed difficult in the entrance but with Gods blessing on his industrious prosecution he sound it feasible and facile but nil invitâ Minervâ that which is attempted against heart or without an adequate capacity goes on heavily and seldom renders the professor of his Calling fit to manage it to purpose or arrive at any eminency in it because it goeth against the grain wisely therefore did the Athenians who brought their youth into a place where the Utensils for all Callings were laid up that making their choice thereof each might have the Calling he had thereby chosen And as his proficiency at School was according to his time so divine grace did be times begin to reach and touch the heart of this our young Timothy 2 Tim. 3.15 who from a child had known the holy Scriptures for at Twelve years of age the Lord dealt with his conscience by some rays of illumination and darts of conviction which more effectually were fastened in him by Mr. Rogers Ministry after his fathers death but from his first conviction he had much trouble upon his spirit which he kept much to himself and often retired into a corner being ashamed that any one should know of his heart-grief his Mother being a choice and gracious Christian often spake to him of Soul concerns wept and prayed much for him At a competent age his Father sent him to the University of Cambridg he was admitted in Immanuel Colledge where notwithstanding his pious education and hopeful impressions before mentioned he sell off to vain companie and loose practices see the slipperiness of youth to the great grief of his parents and his own present guilt and after bitterness in the review There he continued and commenced Batchellor in Arts before his fathers death who being sick sent for this his son to come home from Cambridg but he came so late that in the afternoon as he approached towards Dedham he met the people going from his fathers Funeral which had a very deep impression upon him God took hold of this occasion more effectually to awaken his conscience and Alarum him to his duty Mr. Angier was kept a season at his mothers house followed his studies attended on Mr. Rogers Ministrie this Mr. John Rogers of Dedham was a mirrour and miracle of zeal and success in his Ministerial labours it was wont to be said Come let 's go to Dedham to get a little fire he was Lecturer there and preached once on Lordsday and a Lecture on the Tuesday to which multitudes of people flock'd from the parts adjacent and his plain preaching was blessed with a large Harvest however some expressions and gestures he used would now seem indecent yet the gravity of the man and general reverence people had for him rendered them not only not offensive but sometimes very effectual his taking hold with both hands at one time of the supporters of the Canopy over the Pulpit and roaring hideously to represent the torments of the damned had an awakening force attending it Mr. Thomas Goodwin after Dr. Goodwin when he was a Fellow in Cambridg and an eminent Preacher much followed and honoured occasionally hearing Mr. Rogers fell under such convictions that he after professed that he lookt on himself neither as a Christian nor a Preacher one passage Mr. Angier hath oft mentioned That Mr. Rogers being called to Preach a Marriage Sermon I think insisted on the Wedding garment God did so set in with the word that the Marriage-Solemnity was turned into bitter mourning so that all the Ministers that were at the Marriage were imployed in comforting or advising consciences awakened by that Sermon Oh Blessed espousals betwixt Christ and Souls such sorrow was better than carnal Laughter and laid a solid foundation of Spiritual joy A Gentlewoman that Travelled ten Miles to hear plain and powerful Mr. Rogers being in great troubles of conscience desired some conference with him and after she had related her condition telling long and sad stories of her had heart sad state Gods wrath due to her danger of dropping into Hell c. the good old man hearing all this at last started up and fetched some frisks on the floor and cried out God be thanked God be thanked the Gentlewoman thought the old man mad and was strangely surprised to see him rejoyce in her sorrow But he knew what he said and rejoyced in that sorrow that was the seed-plot of so blessed an harvest for that Gentlewoman proved an eminent Saint and a lovely Consort in exile and tribulation to a very holy and eminent Minister of Christ as her own sister hath told me Mr. Angiers manner was when he attended Mr. Rogers Lecture after Sermon when others staid discoursed dispatched business he for his part went home to his chamber meditated prayed work'd the Sermon upon his heart for about an hour and thereby imprinted it so lastingly upon his memory that
will make it good to some and why not to the children of the Covenant how oft hath he told the Lord even in our hearing that he was resolved he would not let go that hold that God had given him but would stick to him by faith and prayer as â—ong as he had a day to live and die in hopes that God would make his promise good to his seed when he was dead and gone His opinion for a young man that intended the Ministry His opinion for young Scholars was to be placed for some time with fomeable Minister and to preach under such alones eye and ear and that it was hazzardous for beginners to live in great mens houses he was of excellent use in giving advice to young Scholars in publick and private in the times when the Sectaries were at the height at an ordination at Manchester he gave the Exhortation four were ordained and he said it rejoyced his Soul to see in these discouraging times so man desirous of the calling but saith he it mâ— be it is but as a Husbandman with his harâ—â— toward Night when he sees a storm coâ—ing he calls out all that can carry a sheâ— to come forth makes all his force for 〈◊〉 may be it is but a short time as coming iâ— at the Eleventh hour but one hour to worâ— in He advised them to take heed of tâ—â— things as in the case of the prophet to Jâ—roboam sometimes the hand of Authoritâ— may be lifted up against you yet that maâ— bed ried up be not affrighted with it bâ— then the seducer may slay you consent not 〈◊〉 him He was wise and happy in his counsel and usually being a man of much observatoâ— he had exceeding pat instances his grave counsels to set on hâ— counsels with as this It is good for persons to submit to the Lords hand and to lâ— him chuse the Rod for us A Woman 〈◊〉 Manchester burying a Daughter of tâ—â— years never looked up but repined at 〈◊〉 came often to the Grave to mourn over it yet it was a Child miserably infirm hâ—â— the Evil runing on it in many places afterwards God took away the use of her Liâ—â—â— and lying in torturing pain acknowledge that it was nothing to bury a Child aâ— was now made sensible of her impatienâ— under her formâ— affliction and that noâ— God had dealt smartlier with her And upon this Mr. Angier mentioned an Aunt of his who had great bodily weakness and pain and she desired that God would take that affliction away and lay on her what affliction he pleased but that the Lord did take that away and laid affliction of spirit upon her which was far sharper and she never recovered it while she lived So to count the affliction best for us be it never so sharp he sometimes told how Mr. Daniel Rogers his first Wife was a very cross Woman and he bore it a long time at last he made his complaint to his Father Mr. Richard Rogers and he gave him this answer Any thing Daniel to bring thee to heaven He was very faithful in admonishing as he saw cause His faithful admonition when an eminent Minister said he â—ook such a thing ill or unkindly from such 〈◊〉 one Mr. Angier gravely and smilingâ—y answered Would I so little favour â—y self as to take unkindness from â—ny one which saith that good man 〈◊〉 thought of since to my great advantage for this taking unkindness is acâ—ompined with a fretting within ones self â—nd so it is a leaving the offender and â—lling upon ones self Mr. His thoughts of the Dutch War Angier was much afflicted with that sad War betwixt the Dutch and us yet he comforted himself that God did not give us over to be corrected by Papists but that Protestants are in the hands of Protest ants tho upon a sad account and he hoped that the drops of the storm might begin with the reformed Churches but the fury of it should be poured upon the Papists It pleased the Lord to lay upon Mr. His afflictions in old age Angier many grievous and cutting affliction in his old age the latter part of his days according to his own observation on Joh. 21. concerning Peter our Lord told him that when he was old he should be carried whither he would not That God oft exerciseth his choicest servants that have been men of eminent activeness and usefulness in his service with great afflictions in their old age 1 Chron. 16.12 Invit Ger. Maj. 470. as bodily pain so Asa in the latter part of his life was diseased in his feet Melchior Adams tells us of Mr. George Major that he saw the Funerals of six sons whereof one i. e. Leonard died by the biting of a mad Dog several Daughters Nephew died in all this and much more saying Si bona accepimus annon mals sustineamus shall we receive good and not bear evil at last he died of sore diseases having kept his bed near three years thus Mr. Angier instanced in Mr. Rogers oâ— Dedham who had great pain of the stone so had worthy Mr. Storer of Stockport and Mr. Johnson Parson also of the same place old Mr. Bourn Mr. Herle and at that time when he spake of it good Mr. Harrison of Ashton his neighbour it may seem a Riddle and an unaccountable mystery of Providence why God should think fit to lay the heaviest load on the weakest Horse old age is a burden to it self Mr. Angier gave this account of it that thereby God thinks it fit to wean his Children from the World fit them for Heaven and render it more desirable besides God will make his Children perfect Christians exercised every way in suffering that they might be â—ntire lacking nothing according to Jam. 1.4 His old-age afflictions were 1. His Daughters dying The death of his beloved lovely Daughter Elizabeth who tho she was Married and lived with her Husband in Yorkshire yet being in a deep Consumption he sent his own easy going-Horse to fetch her home in hopes that change of Air might tend to her recovery but there she grew worse and anguishing died May 26. 1661. and was â—d by her own Mother in Denton Chappelâ—ard whose death tho it went near to his heart yet being abundantly satisfied that â—he was got safe to Heaven he bore it with great composedness and aequanimity for indeed she was the mirror of her age for parts and piety yet it could not but be an affliction to his spirit since fo hopeful a blossome of his Family was so quickly nipt off in the flower of her age 2. The Churches afflictions laid to heart But this presaged more crosses it was a great affliction to him that things wenâ— so ill with the Church of God as to publick liberty with which he sympathized tho he injoyed his but himself also must taâ— a few drops of that cup that many of 〈◊〉 Brethren hath a large draught of
in thâ— Oxford Act that commenced Mar. 24. 166â— by which Ministers were banished 5 milâ— from the place where they had formerly preached it was judged expedient that 〈◊〉 also should at present withdraw from 〈◊〉 House upon that Act he begun to Traveâ— and his son-in-law with him amongst 〈◊〉 friends in Cheshire and visited several persons of quality lodging with them soâ— Weeks being kindly treated and lovingly entertained being also of very greâ—â— use and leaving his good counsels aâ— blessing where ever he came notwithstanding in that time he seemed to be out of 〈◊〉 element and longed to return home 〈◊〉 was compelled to return for wearing 〈◊〉 Boots dayly a goutish humour seizâ— on his foot he then said Come son 〈◊〉 trust God and go home so he returned to his own house and continued there without further trouble 3. He was very much afflicted with Bodily distempers and at his stomach which sorely oppressed him and he could not find ease of it by any means he could use he was advised to take Tobacco but could never deal with it 4. His very dear Wives death about two years before his own His second wivs death was a grievous and bitter affliction to him whom he had injoyed 32 years to his abundant content every way and indeed she was a dear and desirable companion very helpful in spirituals and temporals drawing evenly in the same yoke of a truely Christian temper one thing further I shall add of her noted to my hand as a peculiar privilidg and rare amongst Christians That God gave her early assurance of his love and she said also not long befor her death he had never withdrawn it from her all her time this was very observable and far different from Gods dealings with his former Wife of whom Mr. Angier faith in some remarks left in writing upon her life that tho God moved her heart to seek him from 8 years of age yet he never gave her settled assurance of his love while she lived Behold the arbitrary dealings of God with his own dear Children but God is infinitely wise in these cases But the great affliction the very accent and quintescence of his affliction was the sin and miscarriage of some of his Children this this did cut him to the very heart and lay as a continual pressing load on his Spirit his Son his only Son devoted to God not only in Christian profession but Ministerial function miscarrying under such education with such aggravations this went so near him that such words dropt from Mr. Angiers lips of bitter complaint to one related to him as shewed his heavy resentment of some burdens of that nature Tho he had paid for his Son 400 l. In a few years to the prejudicing of his own estate yet he saw it did no good and yet that was all nothing in comparison of the dishonour to God by his extravagancies his friend said Sir God hath given you much grace and He is resolved to exercise it Ah said he but it is hard very hard to bear a strange word from such a man but he could bear any thing better than sin But especially in so near a relation as the Angel of the Ephesian Church to whom it is said Rev. 2.23 Thou canst not bear them which are evil yet hast born and hast patience and for my name sake hast laboured and hast not faeinted oh sin sin in dear relations against his dearest Heavenly father cut him to the quick and Souls of a sensible spirit know what this means but God bore up this good mans heart as he did Davids with hopes and confidence in the blessed Covenant that sure and well ordered Covenant this he stuck to this he pleaded and depended upon living and dying still he spoke well of God and exercised himself in praising his name both in duties and discourses owning the hand of God in all crosses to whom he had devoted his all these various experiences helped him to compassionate and incouraging counselling of others for as was said he could speak a word in season to quiet and qualify others spirit under pressing burdens he still said hold up faith and patience wait on God and fear not for he will issue all to the best to his own Glory and your best good His usual practice was upon the evening before a fast-day His care to reform his Family to put his Children and Servants upon it to set themselves seriously about the work of preparation to search out and confess their sins he used such means as might by Gods help prove effectual for reformation both of himself and his Family and upon all such occasions of fasting or thanksgiving it was his way to inquire concerning fatherless and Widows and such as were in necessity that something might be sent to them for whom nothing was provided as he often said Not long before he fell sick His review of his life he said to one that lay with him that he slept very little in the nights adding when I lye waking in my Bed I sometimes run through the course of my whole life and if a Pen-man were ready by me I could relate many observable passages of Gods Providence about me his friend said Sir you may do well to write them down as they come into your thoughts he made no answer to that When money lent by him came in seasonably Money lent repayed he acknowledged though it was his own yet he admired and thankfully owned Gods Providence in it as if it had been a gift and said it is all one whether it was a debt or a gift so God send it in a needful time the paying of a debt is as great a mercy from God as sending a gift I must now hasten to the last scene of this holy man life His sat sickness he longed to be with Christ and our Lord had been long ripening him for Glory he loved his Masters work and his Master indulged him in his work when others were taken off he was wonderfully maintained in his lot he did not of late years preach that day he administred the Lords Supper the last Supper-day was August 12 1677. and the next Lords-day after he preached one part of the day August 19. but when he came into his house he laid his hand upon his breast and said Ah this will not do I must give over preaching which yet cut him to the heart to think of he was very weary that Night as usually he was the next day but one after he begun to have some Aguish fits and had six or seven of those fits from that time he began to decline apace when this his last sickness begun he ordered his kindsman in the house to write letters to Mr. Case his brother in law Mr. Tuckney his brother Bezaleel and others to acquaint them with his condition hoping for and desiring their prayers he expected his own Sons coming dayly out of
grace which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctifyed it was an excelent seasonable and pathetical discourse and well worthy to be annexed to this present relation if the worthy Author â—ad judged it fit however the solemnities of that day will not easily be forgotâ—en Thus the best must die Zech. 1 5. â—our Fathers where are they and the Prophets do they live for ever the holiâ—st men cannot plead for an exemption or expect Enochs priviledg of a Translation only to the godly deaths sting is pluckt â—ut this swelling Jordan is driven back the passage is rendred easy and safe to the heavenly Pilgrim God brought this â—aithful watchman through his long and boysterous sea to a safe harbour in a â—asonable time and if we imbark in the â—ame ship of the Church and have our Lord Jesus with us as our faithful and skilful piâ—t though in storms and tempests he be as it were asleep yet believing prayer will awake him and he will rebuke 〈◊〉 Winds and Sea and there shall be calme and the Ship shall presently be at land and the passengers shall bâ—â—afe I have now dispatched the History 〈◊〉 Mr. Angiers life as far as matters oâ— cur to our present observation aâ— have drawn it thus far on till this Threâ— of his life be cut off and lets hiâ— drop into the Grave and so cuts oâ— the line of our Historical account 〈◊〉 him THere are yet two things behind which shew something of the breathings oâ— his gracious soul living and dying 1. The first is some observables gatherâ— out of his own Diary under his own hand 2. His dying Speeches prayers counselâ— and admonitions to those about him in 〈◊〉 last sickness Both these declare much of Gods Grace â—nd manifest the Holy exactness of his serious and savoury Spirit The first is a considerable paper respecting his frame of spirit in his younger days and reviewed and revsied in his elder years 〈◊〉 runs thus I do now seriously resolve between God and my own Soul to read his word diligently morning and evening before private prayer thereto adjoyned and do purpose to be constant in respect of time thereâ—o to be allotted to wit in the morning before Chappel if it may be with convenience or otherwise without delay when return from the Chappel at Night between 5 and 6 of the Clock if extraordinary occasions hinder me not because my spirits being fresher than after supper I shall 〈◊〉 the fitter to do God acceptable service 〈◊〉 do likewise resolve to be diligent in my â—udy every day for the space of 6 hours â—t least no day to be overflipped without â—he full accomplishment of them I likewise promise faithfully to God and my own Soul â—o refrain as from the common sins of the â—me to wit Drunkenness Licenciousness 〈◊〉 the like so to strive against those sins 〈◊〉 am by nature most addicted to and for â—e prevention of the like faults to shun 〈◊〉 the occasions thereunto leading enticing or provoking as bad company lâ—scivious talk or excess in the use of thâ— Creature the which that I may perforâ— according to Gods will and pleasure I dâ— dain all my own abilities and fly to his infinite mercy desiring his special help anâ— assistance his spirit to instruct me his spirit to direct me his spirit to sanctify me thâ— I may be kept blameless being without spâ— till the day of his appearance my desâ— hath been is and shall be upon my bended knees for the furtherance of these motion begun and kindled by his holy spirit which I hope will cherish them till thâ— flame into an holy fire of Heavenly conversation the Life of Virtue the Glory 〈◊〉 Grace Written with my own hand April 6. 16â—â— John Angier Perused with comfort May 1. 165â— July 19. 1657. I found a paper in 〈◊〉 study of May 9. 1626. A Bill for Physâ— when I was in a Feaver in Cambridg aboâ—â— 31 years since so long hath God lengthened out my life My going to New England was veâ— forward Mr. Newman earnestly invited 〈◊〉 I received Letters from Bristol April 〈◊〉 1630. That I was expected there to taâ— Shipping for N. E. this April and had mâ—â— kindness offered me yet the Lord over-ruled it Upon the coming on of troubles I had comfort from Zeph. 2.3 It may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lords anger Josiahs mercy was not to see the evil Jeremiahs mercy was to be secured in the midst of sight My Wife dyed December 12th One Night after her death the Children were in the Parlour Praying together and hearing a noise I went to the door and heard my Son at Prayer with his Sister he acknowledged to God that they had despised Father and Mother contrary to Gods command and therefore God hath taken away their Mother he desired God that they might not provoke him by their sin to take away their Father also which did much affect me Upon a recovery from a sickness unexpectedly I was much affected with Isa 33. ult and in prayer the Lord brought to my mind Matt. 8.9 affliction is Gods servant if he bid it come it comes if he bid it go it goes At Bolton I was sent for to visit a godly man that was sick at Great-Leaver found him in a comfortable condition he told me he received his first comfort by my Ministry â—at Denton Preaching on 1 Cor. 5.7 Christ â—ur passover is sacrificed for us ten years ago Blessed be God who gave me this encouragement He notes in the margent The fruits of my labours manifested ten years after Nov. 30. 47. A day of thanksgiving was kept with some friends for the recovery of a Child that had been sick it should seem they were in the journey and had small hopes of recovery the very same day they prayed the Child revived at night and gathered strength in the journey sensiblyâ— they were by the sickness of the Child detained against their own minds and the minds of the people but God had a special hand in it for God sent the Pestilence into the Family where they were â—o sojourn and had they gone at the time purposed they had gone into an infected house and had been shut up there June 18 71. God gave rest to our aged afflicted Mother about 3 in the afternoon it being Lords day it is observable that the day after God took away our Mother and that supply from her sailed God seâ— me notice of some supply out of my own estate as he had formerly done when the rent of my Land fell in Essex Philâ— 4.19 Novem. 19. 72 Died good Bishop Wâ—kins of the Stone a great loss he dâ—ed comfortably and rejoyced in his moderation whilst he was Bishop his deatâ— was much lamented in the City of Chester Aug. 22. 73. upon hearing that Mr. Case going from home 4 or 5 days they returning found themselves Robbed to a great value he
Childs hands according to the last Will and his Authority be ceased that takes not away the Authority of the Mother which was included in the Fathers but always distinct and therefore some Wills in bequeathing a Portion to be paid at Marriage do make the reasonable consent of the Mother a just condition 2. It may be the Mother hath just reason to deny her consent amongst others the want of temporal means iâ— that be wanting which is a greater defect in Ministers conditions than usually in others because they having large Spiritual means and living at the height thereof or beyond their Wives at their Death fall so much lower than others by how much they live higher the Mother may say She will provide a Match where Piety and Portion meet 3. If the Mother should unreasonably deny her Consent yet we must not run into that we have had so much experience of of later times to right our selves by force and violence but seek remedy in a regular way 4. If the Mother be carnal and they religious they must be afraid to lay a stumbling-block before her and tho the Scandal will not be so great being to live in another Country yet it will be too great if to any especially if to a Mother whose Souls good the Daughter is bound to pray for in a special manner and to seek by all good means 5. To Marry without Consent of the Mother at best is not a clear Case but dark and doubtful and will be an advantage to Temptation assailing tender Consciences whereby if their Expectations be crossed one in another or God send Afflictions their burden will be much increased because this Question will soon be moved Whether they did well to Marry without or against Consent 6. If Children be left to their own Liberty yet the Duty they owe to their Parents comfort and the greater judgment and experience of their Parents do justly challenge their humble desires of their Counsel their serious Deliberation thereupon and great unwillingness to Match without their reasonable consent Advise your Friends seriously to consider whether they have not gone out of Gods way in ingaging their Affections mutually before Consent sought if the Lord shall help them herein to repent it will be a foundation of after-Mercy the truly Godly are apt to miss it far in these occasions but Grace will not allow it when God makes a discovery Thus I have freely imparted my thoughts to you in this Case beseeching God to clear the paths of all his Servants especially his Ministers who are to carry the light before the people I rest Jan. 22. 54. Yours in all brotherly Offices J. Angier a The matter of Scandal seems to stick most and whether if Providence dispose of the Minister in another Country this may not be some relief to that is queried He received the Opinion of others as well as this yet he took mightily with Mr. Angiers Counsel for he saith Upon the receit of your Letter and Mr. Angiers advice in it To pray and wait upon the God of Spirits who could sweetly incline all spirits to comply with his counsels Tho I had prayed dayly for it yet I was put on upon a more earnest begging that Mercy in much more Faith and Hope that the Lord will so incline spirits And about a week after he had the news that the Gentlewoman had by an humble Letter to her Mother on this account obtained that the Mother did yield to leave her to her own disposal In a little time after he was setled a Minister in London and Married but shortly fell into a Fever and into the Small pox whereof he died and particular Friends understood that he was seized with great Melancholy and trouble which it was thought killed him and it was judged it was occasioned by excessive travelling that had surfeited his Body but if this matter of Consent had been doubtful what work would it have made with him in such a condition According to the prudent Suggestion of the fifth Reason in Mr. Angies Answer This was the first Case The second Case was about Presence at Common-Prayer which I the rather insert to testifie his Judgment and Principle in that Case The Case was represented from an unknown Person to us in these words Jan. 10. 1662. The grounds of my dissatisfaction concerning the Common-Prayer are 1. The ineffectualness of forms upon my heart Tho I do not deny the lawfulness of forms nor Question the experience of others in this or other forms yet I will say That tho I have to the utmost endeavoured to benefit my self by the several forms I have been necessitated to hear in publick and private yet I could never get any impression made on my heart thereby tho I have as much as I could removed prejudice yet they have been so to me as if I had had nothing and this I have observed in my self in several tempers of Spirit as Joy Grief Fear c. Nay when my heart hath been in the best frame and most sensible then have they been worst of all unto me 2. As to this form my prejudice is so great upon several accounts that I have no hope of good by it as having been bred up under its plenty and tired with its emptiness and yet surfeited of it whereby it hath the same effect that such meats have on which we surfeit which besides nauseating neither have I had any good by it but much hurt many ways 3. I cannot hear it without sin when I have been surprized with it it hath instead of stirring up Graces raised Passion and such Anger as hath forced me out of the place and if it be Worship it should be attended upon as Worship and the heart go along with it which if it do not must not be attended I find upon the view of my heart at Night that I have contracted guilt in my not joyning cordially in Gods Worship and getting good by it and by hearing it increase my sin 4. The influence that my intent of hearing it had upon my heart which I shall relate something of tho short of what it was Being in another Country amongst my Friends I was somewhat troubled what to do but the Minister being of my acquaintance tho I could not prevail with him to forbear it while I was there yet he promised me to read very little which did pretty well satisfie me but when I heard the first Bell in the Morning I was something sad to think what a Snare I was come into but when the next Bell gave notice I being in secret Duty was carried on by such trembling and terrors with anguish of Spirit that I was forced from the Duty thereby striving to satisfie my self with arguing the Case but the more I did strive the less I prevailed my weeping and sighing was so extream that I thought my heart would have broke Oh! how was I troubled that ever I set my foot out of
bless thee for what good thou hast done by my Ministry among them and for those Souls thou hast already brought into Heaven And now Lord I commit them into thy hands who art the chief shepherd they are thy flock help them to live in love and peace Oh that strifes and contentions might cease And thou who hast kept an open door for thy people in this place when it hath been shut elsewhere for a long space Lord keep it open still until thou shalt open the rest Oh remember thy Ministers Take care of them provide for this congregation and if thou shalt incline the heart of my Kinsman to stay amongst them who hath been trained up in my Family for these ten years and they have known his manner of life his Doctrine his parts and abilities for the Ministry if thou see it good make way in the heart of thy servanâ— H. And those that have power in this place to use their endeavour that he may continue here This is my desire Lord remember thy People in these nations Papists are striving and some of the meer formalists care not what becomes of the Protestant interest If Popery comes in like a flood Lord put a stop to it Yea put an end to it Stir up the heart of our King and the King of the Swedes against the Whore of Rome that thinks she sits as a queen and is no widow Oh stir up the ten Kings against her Then he added a request for accommodation of a difference betwixt two persons whom he names in his congregation that he might see it healed before he die And for some others that had made detection in practice and were sallen off to looseness and vain company-keeping who were children of Godly Parents that at last God would bring them home by sound repentance Concluding he begs that the Lord will bring down ill houses of iniquity meaning Alehouses He added that night Whilst we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord but when we are absent from the body then we shall be present with the Lord therefore we labour The just shall live by his faith Read we the 20th of Acts where Paul fent for the elders of the Church of Ephâ—suâ— and gave them charge and took his leave of them Read the 1. Thes 4.12 to the end adding It is a great priviledgâ— that the dead in Christ shall rise first and be with him before they that are alive at his coming shall be changed Thus his Holy Soul mounting upwards by gradual ascents breathes out its self into the bosom of God being mellowed and ripened for Glory In all these we may take notice of 1. His publick-spiritedness still his heart was carryed out for the Church No man like-minded Phil. 2.20 who naturally cared for the spiritual state of souls and of Sion 2 His hatred of sin Love to Holiness Righteousness Peace and earnest desires to promote the interest of Christ living and dying at home abroad 3. His sweet serenity and composedness of Spirit looking this grim serjeant of Death the King of Terrors full in the face without amazement meeting it is his friend giving him possession of his Fathers house 4 His endeared love to the word of God delighting to have it read sounding in his ears and tipping his tongue with Scripture-Language because his heart was throughly drencht therein Thus this Holy man lived and thus he dyed thus he believed thus he Preached professed his hopes of a life to come and thus he entred into his rest and possesseth that purchased and perfect inheritance who would not thus live what Atheist would not thus dye however a carnal heart may possibly say as that wicked Roister who with his companion visited dying Ambrose and hearing his Holy discourses and confident welcoming approaching death with comfort he turns him to that swaggering Russian saying Oh that I might live with thee and dye with Ambrose and thus could Balaam Numâ— 23.10 that devillish Wizzard and covetouâ— conjurer say let me die the death of the righteous and let my last end be like his Heb. Let my Soul or my life be with the Righteous but they that would follow this blessed Saint into the upper region must enter in at the right door by sound conversion and go forth and go on in the foot-steps of the flock travelling gradually in the paths of sanctity till we advance to the mount of God and tho it be a rare thing to follow these Worthies passubus aequis with such long strides and quick motion yet sincerity in our setting out diligence in pursuit and perseverance in holding on to the end may by the blessing of God bring us to the goal and garland of Glory and tho we cannot attain the exploits and honour of the first three of King Davids worthies yet may we be faithful souldiers in this noble Army of the followers of the Lamb at last the Crown of Glory may be by the grace of God set upon our triumphant heads and if there be degrees of Glory yet the least vessel shall be filled and the meanest Saint shall be sully loaden with that exceeding and eternal weight of Glory for such and so great is that joy that it cannot enter into the most extensive and capacious receivers but they must enter into their Masters joy as if ten thousand millions of Bottles of different sizes were cast into the vast ocean they would all be abundantly filled so every Saint shall say with David Psal 17.15 As for me I will behold thy face in righteousness I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness Nor is it difficult for an Angelified Soul set at liberty from the prison of the flesh to soar aloft with speed into these celestial regions especially having such a royal guard of Angels to attend it tho it is said that from Earth to Heaven it is an hundred and sixty millions of miles yet how quickly and safely can that blessed Convoy convey it into the presence-chamber of that Glorious King Oh how well did this gracious Soul know the way thither where he had been dayly visiting the great God by faith and prayer he was not a stranger to the laws of that Country nor unacquainted with the manner of that Court above but as he walked with his God and was joyned to that heavenly soicety so doubtless he kept up some communion with those blessed spirits above as they have an ineffable way of intercourse and correspondence amongst themselves yet have we no Scripture ground to pray to or expect answers from them happy they that have faithfully improved their gifts and graces whilest conversant below remember their dying speeches and imitate their lovely lively examples IT might now be expected that I should further unfold Elijahs Mantle by recording those pithy and pertinent Speeches that dropped from him But as that hath been occasionally rehearsed already in the preceding Narrative so I fear those that