And Prophannesse vaine applause or worldly credit which are held in these dayes to make an accomplished Gentleman As if great men did take great delight Egregiè de Caesare Tullius Cum quosdam ait ornare voluit non illos honestavit sed ornamanta ipsa turpavit Hieron ad Pammachium to make their children heires of their ignorance and propnanenesse as well as of their houses and families lands and livings Pudet haec opprobria nobis Et dici potuisse non potuisse reselli We are asham'd that so base things may justly be imputed To Gentlemen and cannot well as justly be refuted CHAPTER V. AT his comming to Oxford it is apparent At his comming to Oxford somwhat Po pish Possid in vita August Cap 1. Omnes nos qui in Christo evedimus de Jdololatriae errore venimus Non eaim nascimur sed renascinur Christiani Hieron adv Vigilant that hee brought up with him some seeds and weeds also of Popish errours which had beene either scattered by others or gathered by himselfe by that which he did heare and see in the countrey before his comming So much hee doth acknowledge himselfe that he was then as Paul said of the men of Athens very superstitious Angustine confesseth of himselfe he was first a Manachy before he was a Preacher or professor of the true Religion And Paul himselfe acknowledgeth he was first a Pharisie before he was called and entrusted in Christs service Every man indeed by nature is a Pharisie and more or lesse a friend to Popery there being no religion so agreeable to carnall reason and fleshly wisedome nor so pleasing and plausible to naturall affection as pharisaicall devotion and hypocrisie and popish superstition and idolatry Which is not spoken to this end to lessen his fault or to blaunch over the errours of his youth but to magnifie the goodnesse and grace of God towards him that finding him wandring and going astray as a lost sheepe But the Lord did reclaime him hee was pleased to reclaime him and reduce him unto the flocke and fold of Christ Jesus And seeing hee was in danger to make but sorry proceedings of such bad beginnings and like enough to reape but a poore harvest after such a spring it seemed good unto the Lord not only to blast those weeds in the bud and to rid up by the roots those Popish errours but to furnish his head and heart with such plants and seeds of grace and truth as did bring forth their fruits of righteousnesse and holinesse in due season The speciall instrument wherewith the Lord did worke Vide Aug. con l. 8. c. 2 De Victorino was his owne Word first opened to his eye and applyed to his eare by a companion of his a towardly young Gentleman and then accompanied by the Spirit unto his minde and heart for his father conviction and conversion The name of this his companion Meanes of his reclaiming from popish errors by his companion master Breerwood was John Breerwood an Aldermans sonne of the City of Chester who being then well grounded in the truth and seeing Master Bruen infected with some popish errours and lyes as the forbearing of meats and drinks for religion and conscience sake upon Fryday and other dayes and the forbidding of Marriage to Ministers as unlawfull by the Popes Canons and Constitutions and divers other erroneous opinions of the like nature was as willing to shew himselfe and adversarie to his errours as a friend unto his person and began to make an assault against his little Bable and mounted Gods great Ordinance against the Popish Canons and taking as it were his Powder and Shot from the Scripture and fire from the Altar he battered and beat down the strong hold of Sathan and laid levell with the ground every popish opinion and every high thing that had exalted tt selfe against the true knowledge of God and so brought every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ By the Scripture urged The Scripture which he principally pressed him withall was that I Tim. 4.1 2 3 4 5. against the Popish doctrine of forbidding of meates and marriage Now the Spirit speaketh expresly that in the later times some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrine of divels and speaking lies through hypocrisie and having their conscience seared with a hot Iron forbidding to marry and commanding to abstaine from meats which God hath created to bee received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth for every creature of God is good and nothing to be refused if it be received with thanksgiving for it is sanctified by the Word of God and Prayer A blessed Scripture marvellous plentifull for the truth and powerfull against a lye A word spoken in season saith Salomon is like appels of gold with pictures of silver giving great contentment both for profit and delight to those that have the grace to receive it Of such fruit and effect was this portion of Gods Word at that time to this young Gentleman which he doth thus ingenuously acknowledge in his owne words This when I saw Applyed and considered that this was a doctrine of divels taught and delivered by seducing spirits and such as speake lyes through hypocrisie c. I was then inflamed with zeale against that prophane beast of Rome and all Popery both persons and things with all their Monuments Rites and Ceremonies c. This was the Lords doing and it was marvellous in his and so it is in our eyes that of two friends and companions both of them but young and tender one should thus bee stirred up and strengthened by Gods Word and Spirit to draw out his fellow from such blindnesse and darknesse and to bring him into the light and liberty of the Sons of God The ordinary publike meanes of effectuall calling and conversion is I confesse the Ministery of reconciliation in 2 Cor. 5.18.19 Private persons may sometimes help one another for conversion and by the preaching of the Gospell yet can it not I thinke bee denyed but that the Lord doth sometimes furnish and imploy some private persons in this worke of winning soules either by enlightening their mindes or convincing their judgements or smighting their consciences or drawing them from the fellowship of sinne and sinners unto the use of Gods Ordinances and the fellowship of Gods servants The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life Prov. 11.30 Dan. 12.3 and hee that winneth foules is wise saith Salomon Daniel also hath the like saying They that be wise shall shine as the brightnesse of the firmament and they that turne many unto righteousnesse as the starres for ever and ever And Saint James speaketh yet more plainly and effectuall to this purpose Brethren if any of dou doe erre from the truth and one convert him let him know that he which converteth the sinner from the errour of his way shall save
a soule from death and shall hide a multitude of sinnes So Abigail may draw David by her wisedome and wholesome counsell from his bloody passion and intended cruelty and cause him to repent and refraine yea to blesse the Lord for her comming and counsell too So was Monica Augustines mother humbled and reclaimed by her maide So Monica vid. Aug lib. Conf. l. 9. cap. 8. calling her Meribibulam So did Augustine in a Rhetorick Lecture convert Alipius by a similitude taken from the vaine games wherein hee immoderately delighted Alipius thinking that Augustine aimed at him whereas Augustine then did not so much as thinke of him which made Augustine to admire the wisdome and goodnesse of God who was working graciously though secretly for Alipius his correction and reformation when neither of them had any thought of it August confes l. 6. cap. 7. Vt apertè tibi Domine tribueretur ejus correctio per me quidem illam sed nescientem operatus es That his conversion or reformation might evidently be ascribed unto thee O Lord Thou didst worke it indeed by me but by me not knowing what I did at that time either for him or from thee To which purpose hee addeth this also a little after Vtens tu Domine scientibus c nescientibus Possidon in viâ—â—… Aug. cap. 15. ordine quo nosti ille ordo justus est de corde lingua mea carbones ardentes operatus es quibus mentem spei bonae adduceres tabescentem sanares Thou O Lord using men both witting and unwitting in what order thou knowest and that order is just didst raise up out of my heart and my tongue burning coales wherein thou mightest so scorch the minde of good hope that thou mightest heale it And so did the Lord inflame the heart of this young Gentleman with burning coales of his Word and Spirit which he raised and reached out unto him from the heart and mouth of his companion and friend that the drosse of Popish errors was consumed and his soule so healed that the treasure of Gods Word was ever after better esteemed and entertained by him And here I could wish with all my heart A worthy example for young Gentlemen that our young Gentlemen following the good example of these two both in the University and Countrey would have more care and make more conscience of their company and so frame their studies and courses that either by doing good upon their fellow students and companions or receiving good from them by converting some from their errors and confirming others in the truth See Aschams Schoolemaster p. 21. by causing some to returne from their wicked way and others to turne unto God and walke in his wayes they might shew forth better fruits of love one to another and reape sweeter comforts in their happy fellowship and society one with another Examp. sir Iohn Cheke D. Redman But I will turn my wishes into prayers unto God for them and for their Tutors and Governours that have charge and should have care to looke unto them and this is all the good that I can do them Aug. ad Festum Ep. 167. Nam phrenetici nolunt ligari lethargici nolunt excitari Sed perseveret c. CHAP. VI. He was much like Galeacius cap. 7. His proficiency at Oxford but small WHat and how great his proficiency was in learning during his abode in Oxford I cannot well tell only I conjecture it could not be much because the time was but short the meanes but small for his helpe and impediments many to his hurt and hinderance in his studies especially those two which are blocks in the way and great ones too and do dull the edge of many young Gentlemens desire and delight in Universitie studies namely idlenesse The causes of it and remisnesse at home in their fathers houses and ignorance of the true grounds of Grammar which they should have beene throughly acquainted withall in the countrey before they had beene sent up to the University Of this minde was Master Ascham Aschams Schoolemaster li. 2 in fine sometimes Schoolemaster to Queene Elizabeth who in his booke of training up of youth in the Countrey to make them fit for the University hath this saying to the same purpose As I began plainly and simply with my young Schollar So will I not leave him God willing untill I have brought him a perfect Schollar out of the Schoole and placed him in the University to become a fit Student for Logicke and Rhetoricke and so after to Physick Law or Divinity as aptnesse of nature advice of friends and Gods disposition shall leade him Ex quovis ligno non fit Mercurius Some unfitnesse for learning Plato lib. 3. de Repub. p. 425. Edit Steph. 1578. His sufficiency not great for great imployment cannot be made of every peece of timber neither is every mans metall of gold but some of silver some of brasse c. as Plato hath observed in setting forth the variety of mens natures and dispositions as they are fitted for diverse studies and imployments I will not say that this young Gentleman of whom we speake was in his naturall disposition of the best timber and temper to make a Schollar nor of the best metall to make a man of the best rank for great imployments but I am well assured that the Lord was pleased upon such grounds of nature and learning as he had given him to lay a good foundation of a better building begun in his youth and reared up in his riper age than all the gold and silver either of nature or of art could otherwise have purchased or provided for him It is the wisedome and goodnesse of our God when he will furnish men with his graces and imploy them in his service sometimes to neglect and passe by such as are noble by birth Yet such as God chose to shew his power in comely for their person excellent for parts both of nature and of learning and otherwise in mans judgement very accomplished persons for such and such places and to make choice of some other of a middle or a meane estate of inferiour parts and gifts and very unlikely in the eye of reason to compasse any great matters or performe any good services either to God or man And this he hath done formerly Calv. in Act. 1 26. and daily doth both in publike and in private persons and callings that all might know their sufficiency to be of God and the efficacy and fruit of all their desires and endeavours not of themselves but from him also that so as good reason is he that worketh all might have the glory of all both now and ever I have read of that admirable man Galeacius Caracciolus As in Galeacius Marquesse of Vice in Italy that being but a youth and a meane Schollar and little studied and but lately entered into the Schoole of Christian
letter of the Lords prayer but to the matter all Set prayer a helpe Heart-prayer best of all Cap. 23. Secondly His singing of Psalmes His delight in singing of Psalmes Thirdly His reading of the Scriptures Fourthly His humble and holy prayer with thankesgiving Having alwayes matter of praise as well as cause of prayer Cap. 24. His Evenings exercise in opening and applying the word for the use of his Family Crowned with a blessing from God Opposed much by some men of the world His fortification against such assaults For justifying of his judgement and practice in thus teaching of his family By his collections and observations out of Godly and good Authors Cap. 25. And yet not usurping upon the ministery nor by any private spirit But by Godly and good meanes providing as Ioseph for himselfe and for his Family Cap. 26. Thus farre of his religious governement of his owne house in his private Family Now of his zeale to Gods house in the publicke Assembly First In abolishing meanes and instruments of false worship His inducements thereunto Authority of the Magistrate example of good and great men which made him proceed from the Chappell to the Church This act censured by Papists Iustified by themselves against themselves Cap. 27. Secondly In establishing Gods true Word and worship by procuring godly ministers to preach of his own Cost and chaâ—ge Little regarded yet he not discouraged because the word of God prospered Many vertues of his to be observed and imitated For Gentlemen to bee rich in good workes For Patrons not to spoile the Church being bound to provide for it For profane Gentlemen bestowing much on their lusts nothing on Gods service Neither maintaining any Levite at home nor seeking after the word abroad Cap. 28. Vpon their neglect of the publike ministry he maintained the Preacher in his owne house But after a while restored him to the publicke Assembly The cause and occasion thereof And so continued to maintaine the Minister both by his owne and Master Clarkes testimony Cap 29 Popish and profane wakes His godly care and labour to suppresse them By a more plentifull and powerfull use of the word preached Whereby hee prevailed and blessed God With rejoycing and Feasting of Gods people Renouncing all fellowship with sinne and sinners And herein following the example of Christ Cap. 30. Nine reasons against popish and profane Wakes Cap. 31. Being still more religious hee grew â—…ore famous Many desire to sojourne with him Sir Ricâ—ard Grosvenor in his tender yeares bâ—ought up in his house Master Hardware and his Family also tabled with him His wise and gracious dealing with him and his And the good effect and fruit thereof Both in his family and in the city Thus to season others and to build up Gods house in his owne was his labour of love and joy of his heart Cap. 32. The good successe whereof made him like David To make greater provision by publicke exercises which he frequented and by which he became better furnished In which his course divers things to be commended First His chéerefullnesse Secondly His painfullnesse First In seeking Secondly In gathering Manna and other provision Thirdly His attentive diligence First In hearing Secondly In writing Thirdly In repeating Fourthly in recording the summe and substance of all the exercises In many manuscripts commended to the heires of his family Fourthly His kind usage of Gods ministers First Love to their persons Secondly Reverence to their callings Fiftly His good affection to professors Cap. 33. The exercises of Religion great helps unto godlinesse A motion for exchange with other exercises of profanesse Difference great Company contrary Holy exercises acceptable to God Profitable unto men yet will none make an exchange but such as are changed themselves Cap. 34. He was otherwise exercised also by affliction In the death of his Wife Sudden death a fearefull Iudgement to some Sudden Death upon a wicked life fearfull Yet all that dye suddenly doe not dye fearfully but many otherwise as this Gentlewoman very hopefully No death sudden to a sound Christian His afflictions sanctified and passions moderated Cap. 35. Standing in need of marriage he sought and found a prudent wife by good opportunity and by good meanes of his trusty servant declaring unto him her Parents Her Father her mother and her parts worthy due Commendation So he made motion for marriage Prevailed in it and tooke her to wife He set up and renewed the exercises of Religion in that Family The good successe thereof by his own testimony Cap. 36 His returne home to Stapleford bringing his wife along with him Divers Gentlemen desire to sojourne with him His Family a famous nursery for Religion Master Wilbraham placeth his Sonne-inlaw and his daughter with him Cap. 37. His desire to give him contentment and to doe them good To try their dispositions he observed their words and workes They were teachable and tractable Touching the Lords day Concerning Cardeplay His Wife converted Himselfe convinced Al witnesses of his faithfulnesse Cap. 38. His burning of Tables Cards and Dice as malefactours An attestation of the Fathers with him against them Cap. 39. His collections against Cards and Dice Cap. 40. Instead of Tables Cards and Dice he set up two Bibles one in the Parlour another in the Hall Answerable to our Church Canons Bibles for Bs. servants and for strangers This neglected A remedy for recovery to take heed of evill and provide good servants Our Canons against Cards and Dice and all unlawfull games Some of our Divines in the Countrey make little Conscience of these Canons Cap. 41. Some defects in the publicke ministry He procured Master A. St. for supply whom he maintained for the most part His worthy testimony concerning Master Bruen Being an eye and care witnesse Master Perkins hearing of him did much admire and commend him Many Gentlemen desire to sojourne with him His owne relation Cap. 42. A sudden Storme upon the death of his deare wife A great affliction to the whole Family Her vertues and due praises The heavy parting of his Tablers All full of griefe Master Bruen himselfe exceeded Time and reason strengthened with grace will moderate passions Cap. 43. Master Bruen's owne relation touching his more private course of life Seaven things remarkeable therein Cap. 44. All to be said may bee drawne to three heads First His conversing with God Secondly His conversation in the world Thirdly His departure out of the world God gave him wisedome and understanding Also courage and strength as he did to Ioshua His conversing with God in foure Spirituall Duties Cap. 45. First His meditation The necessity and excellency of Meditation Meanes and helpes which he used Reading of the word and of godly mens writings his following the rules of direction for meditation The gaine Godlinesse many benefits and sweet fruits of it Great difference Many Enemies unto it Many of the better sort fayle in it Cap. 46. Secondly Observation of Gods judgements and
plerunque forvescit suis horrattbus duplicante Hieron adver ViglaÌ„t His childhood The greater must needs be both the sinne and shame of many of our Gentlemen who are so far from repressing such corruptions or restrayning such lusts and lewd courses in their children that they do not only lead and draw them by their countenance and example but hale and force them by their commands and threats into the base fellowship of such sinnes and sinners Bis peccat qui exemple peccat his offence is double that offends himselfe and by his bad example causeth others to offend also When he was about the age of six or seven yeares his Father for some offence or fault did rebuke him sharpely and correct him soundly and being then in much griefe of heart for his Fathers displeasure and desiring to see some meanes of comfort and reliefe tooke unto him a little prayer book which at that time he had learned and went apart into his Fathers Chappell and there by reading and praying aswel as he could was comforted with unexpressible joys His Prayers These be his own words and he addeth But being but a child I knew not what they meant And the next day I went to the same place using the like means but found not the like comfort What I should think upon a childs Prayers and such unexpressible joyes upon the same I cannot well tell yet do I remember what Austine reporteth of himselfe being but a child that observing others to pray unto God he learned to thinke and conceive of God as some great and mighty one Like Austins who though he were not known by sight Aug. confes lib. 1â— 9 lib. 3.4 yet could both heare us and helpe us at his pleasure Nam puer coepi rogare te auxilium refugium meum rogabam te parvus non parvo affectâ—… ne in Scholâ vápularem For being but a child saith hee I began to pray unto thee my help and my refuge and I prayed a little one with no little affection that I might not be beaten at Schoole Hee that out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hath ordained himselfe praise may also put some good motions of his Spirit even upon the hearts of children and cause them to open their lips in prayer which hee that worketh in them knoweth how to accept from them what answer to make unto them according to his wisdom and good pleasure And if we acknowledge that the elect of God in the Sacrament of their new birth being but infants may and do receive the seale of Gods Spirit in their soules which worketh in them though secretly and strangely yet effectually and truly some measure of saving Grace and Faith in Christ Jesus Why may we not thinke that some sparkles of this holy and heavenly fire Children may have good motions may upon occasion no wand then break out from the hearts and lips of young children being the elect of God though by reason of their weaknesse of understanding and wanâ— of judgment they neither know whence they are nor what they meane Samuel being but a childe ministred unto the Lord before Eli when as yet hee knew not the Lord 1 Sam. 3.1.7 neither was the Word of the Lord revealed unto him Yea hee had communion and conference with the Lord when the Lord called Samuel Samuel and he answered Speak Lord for thy servant heareth Wee are not I know to look for such revelations in these dayes yet seeing the Lord is Liberrimum Agens not bound himself though he bind us to the use of his ordinary means hee may at his pleasure make sweet impressions of his Spirit and Truth even upon the mindes and hearts of young children As I make no doubt but he might doe upon the heart of this his servant being yet a childe when first he was so sensible of his fault before his father that he was much displeased with himselfe because he had displeased him Secondly in filiall obedience and patience submitted himselfe quietly to his fathers sharpe rebuke and severe correction And lastly when he had recourse unto the Lord by such meanes and helps of prayer as he had both for pardon of his sinne and comfort of his soule in that affliction Some seedes of grace in his childhood Which now I am the rather induced to thinke of him because it is well knowne that being often asked in his riper age of the time of his calling and of his conversion when it first began his usuall answer was Even of a child little Aug. Confes l. 3. c. 4. Hoc nomen Chri. c. The seeds of grace in some measure might then be sowne which untill they were farther increased by knowledge and judgement watered by the Word and warmed by the Spirit lay hid under the corruptions of nature and lusts of youth as under clods of earth for a time but afterwards brake out in the fruits of an effectuall Calling and Conversion in due season CHAPTER III. ANd so indeed or not much otherwise it fared His youth and fell out with this Gentleman in his tender years who for want of a Schoole-master at home was sent by his parents to his Vncle Dutton of Dutton there to be taught and trained up under one James Roe who kept Schoole there at that time where he continued a Scholler and Tabler for the space of three yeares A great family and of great liberty Something he got for Grammar learning a little it may be for civill education but nothing at all for nurture and information in true Religion There His dancing and then by occasion of Musitians and a chest of Viols kept in the house he was drawn by desire and delight into the Dancing-schoole where he profited so well in that kinde of youthfull activity that he did not only please himselfe too much but his parents also much more than was meet with those tricks of vanity Isucrat Oral Areopag Hieron ad Laetam So he termeth those exercises himself and yet saith hee they were held commendable in those dayes of ignorance Venena non dantur nisi melle circumlita vitia non decipiunt nisi sub specie umbr áque virtutum Poysons are not given but sweetned with honey and vices doe not deceive but under the shew and shadow of vertue Sober and single dancing of men apart and women apart hath had his use and praise also not only among the Heathen but amongst the people of God when by the nimble motions and gestures of the body Ambr. in Luc. lib. 6. cap. 7. Tertul de Spectac cap. 21. Origen in cap. 14. Matth. in cap. 12. ad Rom. Amb. in 1 Cor. cap. 10. in Luc. lib. 6. cap. 7. de Virgin lib. 3. they have expressed the great joyes of their hearts for some good of their owne or to set forth Gods glory But mixt dancing of men and women with light and
and for our pleasure in these exercises which were intended especially for the refreshing of mens mindes and renewing of their strength after honest studies and labours to overtoyle and tire out our selves as did Esau in his hunting even untill he was almost dead for hunger Inordinate affections to these games and immoderate passions in the crosse occurrents of them doe not onely marre all the sport but deprive us of all lawfull use and fruit of them Eighthly It is unlawfull by hunting or hawking to overcharge our state or endammage our neighbours by Horses and Hounds costly at home and cumbersome abroad so as we are made lesse able to doe good to them that need or to our owne families and more offensive in doing hurt to them that might looke for better things from us Lastly the exercise of hunting hath beene held in it selfe not onely lawfull but commendable amongst the ancient Romans and by the judgement of the wisest States-men Athen. Dipno lib. 1. cap. 20. and Moralists of the world both for increase of health and strength in the time of peace and for fitting and framing of the body to a nimble activity and agility for sundry feats and exploits in the time of warre Sertorius a Romane Captaine and Commander Plutarch in Sertorio by his travell and paines which he took in hunting had so accustomed himselfe to hard adventures and dangerous and difficult passages that by the nimblenesse and agility of his body he was so able either to assaile his enemies or to winde himselfe out of their hands also with so great facility if he were in danger or distresse that he overcame them oftentimes as Plutarch reporteth of him rather by light skirmishes than by open encounter and publike fight Xenophon Plato Aristotle Plinius Secundus and others Xeno in lib. de venat Galen lib. de sanitate tuend lib. de Indo parvae pile have allowed and approved of hunting both for the execise of the body unto health and strength and for inuring and training up of youth in the feats of Armes and exploits of war Xenoph. in Cyropaedia Plat. lib. 7. de Legib. Aristot lib. 1. Polit. Plin. Sec. Lib. 5. Epist. in Panegyric And Julius Capitolinus recordeth that the Romane Legions were oftentimes exercised in hunting Jul. Capitol in Maxim p. 10 15. under Maxinūnus the Emperour that so they might be better fitted for warlike service and imployment Viget dere milit lib. 1. cap. 7.9.10 as occasion should require So likewise Vigetius reckons of those that have beene well exercised in hunting running leaping swimming to be fittest for trained souldiers and such as are to be chosen before others for warlike affaires And albeit many of our Gentlemen which are most addicted to this exercise of hunting do not alwayes prove the best souldiers neither have it ever in their minde so hotly to pursue their enemies as they doe their game or to make the dangers of warre the end and aime of their sports in peace Galen de lud parvae pilae Yet seeing in the judgement of Galen that renowned Philosopher and Physician hunting is one of those exercises which is both healthfull for the body and delightfull for the minde also we will so farre rest in his judgement and allow them hunting for an honest recreation if so be they will admit of Galens counsell and limitation therewithall Galen ibid. Nimium quod est reprehendo semper c. I alwayes blame that which is too much and would have every art that we use Lusus habet laudem si moderatus erit Promptuar Damhouderii pa. 229 Etlucta cursu saltu certare palaestra Haec bene conveniunt sed moderata viris Promptu Damhouderii pa. 230. Est modus in rebus c. Hor. used in moderation Quae si modum excedat jam bona esse desinit Which so soone as it begins to exceed measure it presently ceaseth to be good any more Ludendi est quidam modus Cic. lib I. Off. Thus by occasion of this young Gentleman his hunting keeping his Dogges and following hi◠Hounds with so great care and cost so eager desire and delight we have for a while held hunting it selfe in chase and so followed the sent that we might finde out the game in the nature end and use of it how it may serve for profit and how for pleasure how we ought to follow it for the manner and measure that it may do us good and not to exceed therein lest it do us hurt CHAP. XIII His more effectuall conversion and the fruits of it Cap. 14 HAving now spent some few yeares of his youth in the pursuit of these vanities lest he should trifle out his precious time in such carnall pleasures any longer The Lord began to awaken him to some better sight and sense of his errour and offence in this course and to prepare him now as a vessell of honour for better service and imployment both in his owne and in his masters house Vpon his fathers death In the yeere 1587. It pleased tho Lord to call unto his mercy his worthy Father upon whose decease he being much perplexed both in minde and state some sorrowes and feares thoughts and cares began to stirre and work within him and the Lord who best knoweth the fittest times and seasons for his own work began to work also for his more effectuall calling and reformation therewithall And this he did by the rebukes of his Word and checkes of his Spirit convincing his judgement and changing his minde and heart By Gods good meanes from the love of baser to a delight in better things For now he began to search his heart and try his wayes and to call himselfe to an account for his former courses and measuring all those things by the line of the Word and in the ballance of the Sanctuary which he had found or felt before in the pleasures of this life he saw there was nothing at all in them all but vanity of vanities and vexation of spirit Not very violent And albeit the pangs of his conversion and paines of his new birth were not so violent as others of Gods childrens have beene or as Pauls Constantines and Luthers were yet were his passions and affections at this time not much unlike unto S. Austins upon the point of his conversion who being now weary of the wayes of vanity and tyred out with the weight of his owne sinne in a holy desire to cast off the burden that did presse him downe and to shake off the pleasing sins that did intangle him so fast powred out his heart in prayers and teares before the Lord after this manner Vsquequo Domine irasceris in finem Ne memor fueris iniquitatum mearum antiquarum How long Lord wilt thou be angry for ever Like unto S. Austins Be not mindfull of my old sins Quamdiu quamdius cras cras Quare non
the poore and entertaining of good people yet his estate was not impaired but increased the blessing of God inlarging his substance and his store according as it is written Godlinesse is profitable for all things having the promise both of this life and of that which is to come 7 Seventhly that in all blessings and comforts whether corporall or spirituall upon himselfe or upon others by his meanes his heart tasting and relishing the love of God in them was marvelously enlarged in rendering and returning all thanks and praise unto God alone even for the least of them Thus farre hath this worthy Gentleman holpen us to spin out the thread of his owne life with his owne fingers and to make up as it were the web thereof with his owne hands But as the cunning and curious workmanship of a cloth of Arras is but little seene and discerned while it is in the Loomes or when it lyeth folded and rolled up together but when it is opened in a faire light displayed at large and exposed to the view of the beholders then the art and skill of the work man doth more evidently appeare in great beauty and variety of knots and flowers Pomegranets and Lillies pictures and pourtraitures of princes and great personages and the like Even so the story of this Gentlemans life thus woven and wrapped up together though it containe many excellent things of great value and worth in it yet cannot the beautie and glory of his particular gifts and graces duties and services bee so well discerned and observed unlesse it be yet a little farther opened and unfolded and set forth to the view of such men as desire and delight to look into such things CHAP. LXIV IT will be therefore very requisite and no lesse pertinent to the present businesse wee have in hand to take a more strict view of some speciall parts and passages of his life wherein the gifts of Gods grace the vertues of Christ and the fruits of the spirit did more evidently and eminently appear to the farther beautifying and adorning of his person and profession of the Gospel of Christ Jesus Now to this end for our better and more orderly proceeding herein All to bee said drawn to 3. heads we will draw into a narrow compasse and reduce unto three generall heads all such specialties or particulars as may be worthy our observation in the same 1. As first His Conversing with God 1 His conversing with God 2. His Conversation in the World 2 His conversation in the world 3. His Deputure out of the World 3 His departure out of the world Exod 31.1 2.3 4 5. When the Lord called Bezaliel by name to worke in the building of the Tabernacle it is recorded that he filled him with the Spirit of God in wisedome and in understanding and in knowledge and in all manner of workmanship to work in gold and in silver and in brasse in cutting and setting of stones and carving of timber c. It was even so or not much otherwise with this worthy Gentleman when the Lord did as it were call him out by name to worke for the building of a spirituall tabernacle in himselfe and in others He filled him in good measure with the Spirit of grace in spirituall wisedome holy understanding and heavenly knowledge God gave him wisedome and Vnderstanding 1 Tim. 12 14 1 Cor. 15.10 Ier. 23.22.28 Also courage and strength Eph. 6.10 11 12 13 14. to worke cunning and curious workes by faith in love whether it were in Christians of better rancke as in gold and silver or in such as were of meaner place as in brasse and timber So doth the Lord ever furnish those whom he will set a worke and imploy in his service with all sufficient gifts and graces for the accomplishing of the worke whereunto he sets or sends them And as he gave him wisdome and knowledge so did he also courage and strength to mannage a Christian life and to fight valiantly the battels of the Lord against all the assaults of Satan and of sinfull men of the flesh and of the world and to breake through all difficulties and dangers that might stand or rise up against him in his way The Lord dealing herein as mercifully with him as hee did with Ioshua Iosh 1.5.6 9. As he did to Ioshua when he sent him to fight against the Canaanites and to put his people in possession of the holy land speaking unto him in these words of comfort and encouragement Have not I commanded thee be strong and of a good courage be not affraid neither be thou dismaied for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest I will not faile thee nor forsake thee And now having found this acceptance Ro 5.1 2.1 Pet. 2.3 1 His conversing with God Gen. 5.22 Num 12.8 1 loh. 1.3 and acquaintance with God and tasted how sweete and gracious the Lord was in all his mercies It was the desire and delight of his soule to walke with God and to converse with him more frequently and as it were more familiarly that so he might the better nourish and maintaine that holy and heavenly communion whereunto hee had called him in his son Christ Jesus And this hee did most carefully and diligently endeavour In 4 speciall duties and labour to effect by the conscionable performance of foure spirituall and speciall duties every day and his more abundant offering of these and other his holy services and sacrifices unto the Lord upon the Lords day His daily duties were these 1. Meditation First Meditation for increase of knowledge and good affections towards God and good things 2. Observation Secondly Observation of Gods wayes and workes his mercies and judgements to gather and gaine experience for himselfe and others 3. Invocation of his mercifull and rightetous dealing with us The third invocation of Gods name in prayer and praise for continuance and increase of mercy and grace and this for his constant perseverance in the profession of the Gospel in uprightnesse and sincerity The fourth 4 Imitation imitation of his heavenly father because we are commanded to be followers of God as deare children and this to renew his obedience by his conformity to Gods image and to his Fathers will Now for the first CHAP. LXV IT hath ever beene the practice of godly and good men Gen 5.22 Gen. 6.9 Gen. 17.1 Gen. 24.63 His meditation to exercise themselves unto godlinesse by holy and heavenly meditation So did Enoch and Noah Abraham Isaac and Jacob David and Hezekiah Paul and many others ever walke with God keepe their hearts in Gods presence seeke his face and the light of his countenance study his word and consider his workes And so did this Gentleman set his head and heart a worke every day more or lesse by serious Meditation to draw nearer unto God so to grow in knowledge and in grace and to increase
right and the just shall walke in them but the transgressors shall fall therein Thus much of his first dayly duty namely his holy and religious Meditation CHAP. XLVI THe second followeth which was his diligent His observation of Gods works Psa 64.7 8 9 10. Psa 66.3.5 and carefull observation of the ways works mercies and judgments of the Lord. It was the antient profession and practise of the people of God to waite upon the Lord and to observe his dealing with the just and with the wicked in the world The way of the Just is uprightnesse thou most upright doest weigh the path of the just Is 26.7 8. Yea in the way of thy judgments O Lord have we waited for thee the desire of our soule is to thy Name Ver. 9. and to the remembrance of thee With my soule have I desired thee in the night yea with my spirit within me wil I seek thee early for when thy judgments are in the earth the inhabitants of the world will learne righteousnesse Let favour be shewed to the wicked Ver. 10. yet will he not learne righteousnes in the land of uprightnesse will hee deale unjustly and will not behold the majesty of the Lord. See the memorable judgment of God against Vigetius Saâ—â—…niâ—us Claud. Herminianus observed by Tertullians Scapul A book of Rememb lob 35.24 25. Much after this manner did this faithfull Servant of Christ raise up his thoughts and quicken his soule to a diligent and due observation of the ways and works of God both in his mercies towards the godly and in his judgements against the wicked To which end and purpose he hath observed and recorded divers and sundry of the workes of the Lord which he calleth a declaration of some of the works of the Lord to the praise of his glorious Name power and mercy adding and annexing that admonition and exhortation out of Iob Remember that thou magnifie his works which men behòld Every man may see it man may behold in a far off To set down all such works of God as he hath observed See some examp of Gods mercies to Christians observed by Tertull. ad Sca c. 4. Some mercies of God observed I now cannot to passe over all in silence I may not I meane not And therefore to give a taste of some for the clearing of this point and the farther satisfaction of such as delight therein I think it very meet and convenient at this present To observe Gods mercies faith he with all humble praise and thanksgiving to God only Some few yeares before my brother Hardware dyed he had R.K. to his servant who is now an In-holder in Chester The said R. was as many thought bewitched and waxed weaker and weaker So as my Brother Hardware sent unto mee and my family to spend a day with him in prayer and fasting At that time I had good M. Wats the Preacher with me To R. K. his sick neighbourâ— whom I brought with me and others of my family to the Peele and there we found the said R.K. exceeding sick and weake and like an Anatomy of death nothing to look to but skin and bones and not likely to live a day all hope of life being gone He was brought and laid in a bed in the chamber where we prayed And in the same evening hee began to amend and the next morning did walke abroad and the third day began to be so strong that he fel to his work and labour with much rejoycing to the Family All laud and praise to God therefore To his Setvant Anno Domini 1601 and in the Summer time John Robinson my servant going with his teame the cart loaden and he falling by some occasion the wheele went over his legge being iron bound yet hurt him not any thing at all Laus Deo Anno Domini 1602 and in Iuly my son Iohn To his Son in danger being in Peaksmoore took up a seith to see how he could mow and the scith entered in at his stocking upon the shin bone and followed his leg shaving the haire and came out at the backside of his leg and toucht no flesh nor skinne Laus Deo The same Month and in the same Medow To a Labourer One casting a pikell up and down before him and behind him one being behind him the two greins of the pikell ran on both sides of his leg and hurt him not Hallelujah Memorand in Anno 1613 and in the Hey-Harvest One Richard Rogers Some Iudgments of Godremarkable that dwelt in my farme at Wimble Strafford under Master Thomas Puleston my tenant there seeing two godly persons going in the way said to one with him Now will I dance and swagger and sweare to anger and make mad yonder two Puritans Nö sint inulta esse diu DivinuÌ„ Numen scelera vid Herb. departioda popelo à mâ—ribus devorato Hist Pol. lib. 1 cap. 11. Vide simile de Hatto E. Mog apud O. a mag lib. 17. c 21. And did so to the great grievance of those two godly persons And presently the revenging hand of God was upon him so that this wicked fellow fell so sick that he was carried home in a Cart and within three dayes died most fearefully All glory to God These are some of those Memorable mercies and Iudgments of the Lord which he hath carefully observed and recorded I will let all the rest alone saving one which being the most remarkable of all other hee hath taken greatest paines to observe and set down in all the parts and passages of it The hand of God upon the Boy at Northwich This was concerning the boy of Northwich his name Thomas Harrison about 11 or 12 yeares old who was so strangely and wonderfully afflicted and tormented that many held him to bee really possessed with a Devill Others thought he was bewitched Some ascribed all to naturall causes few did endevour to see and acknowledge as this Gentleman did that though Satan might have a finger Satans Malice Gods Mercy yet the Lord had a chiefe hand in this Iudgment and that where Satan would shew himselfe cruell and malicious to vex and destroy a poore child there the Lord was pleased to manifest and declare himselfe to be mercifull and gracious in susteining and preserving of him CHAP. XLVII IT would be too tedious to set down one quarter of that which he hath written of this child partly from that which he himselfe saw and partly from that which he heard and received under sufficient and faithfull witnesses having spent above 14 leaves in 4 0 in recording of these things All that he hath observed of him may be drawn to these 3 heads 1 0 his violent and wonderfull fits and passions 2 0 his strange and horrible gestures and actions 3 0 his admirable and almost incredible sayings and speeches and all these without any naturall understanding sense or feeling for the most
and hardnes of the other I thinke no man may justly put them far asunder if he ever knew how well they did herein agree together Tuis oculis durities de genibus camelorum in illo Sancto Asellae corpuseulo prae orandi frequentia obcalluisse perspecta est Hieron ad Marcellum de laudibus Asellae The matter of his private prayers Now in these his private devotions his desires and endeavours were principally bent to search his heart and to examine his life to confesse and bewayle his speciall sins and infirmities craving pardon for them and power against them And as he found any thing to bee amisse in his Family by any transgression or affliction hee brought it in prayer before the Lord to procure some help and healing of the same from his hand Here also did he mourne for the sins of Sion Sins of Sion Ezek. 9.4 and take to heart the afflictions of Ioseph and desolations of Ierusalem Here did he bemone and bewayle the common and grosse sins of the Time Sins of the Time Psa 119.136 and afflict his heart for the barrennesse or backsliding of many professors of Religion for their embracing of the world and forsaking of their first love Praise and Thanksgiving Here did he also rejoyce in the Lord and praise his holy Name for earthly and heavenly blessings bestowed upon him and sometimes for great deliverances which hee had wrought for him And thus did he converse with his God in this third Duty of Prayer and Prayse in the Invocation of Gods Name every day CHAP. XLIX NOw followeth the fourth which was his holy Imitation of his heavenly Father every day And this hee endevoured by conforming himselfe unto his Image in expressing the Properties Vertues Affections and Actions of him that had begot him and called him to be conformable to the Image of his Son Christ Iesus To this end hee dayly laboured to be more and more renewed in the spirit of his mind in knowledge righteousnesse Eph 4.24 Col. 3.10 and holinesse of Truth according to the Image of him that created him And this hee knew was the Duty of all Gods obedient Children to bee holy as hee is Holy in all manner of Conversation 1 Pet. 1.14 15 16. Lev. 11. 44. because it is written Bee yee Holy for I am Holy This hee knew also was charged upon us Mat. 5.45 46 by our Saviour Christ Iesus that in all our Affections and Actions we should behave our selves like the children of our Heavenly Father and labour to resemble him in doing good unto all hurt unto none Amicos diligere omnium est inimicos autem solorum Christianorum Tertull lib. ad Scapull Cap. 2. yea in doing good unto the bad as as well as to the good and to our enemies as well as to our friends Mat. 5.48 Luke 6.36 Rom. 2.4 striving to be perfect as he is perfect mercifull as hee is mercifull righteous as hee is righteous wise as he is wise patient as he is patient faithfull as he is faithfull and endeavouring to hate iniquity which he hateth to love righteousnesse which he loveth to delight in the Saints in whom he delighteth and to hate the wicked Psalm 5 5 Heb. 1.9 2 Cor. 3. last whom his soule abhorreth After this manner did this gratious Gentle set the Lord alwayes before his eyes and following this blessed patterne and example of his Heavenly Father with all godly care and good Conscience and so with open face as in a Glasse the glory of the Lord he was translated into his Image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. And thus have we declared unto you the first of those three generall heads proposed for the further opening and manifesting of the vertues of his life viz. his holy conversing with God which consisted in his Meditation Observation of Gods Mercies and Iudgements Invocation of his Name in Prayer and Praise and Imitation of his blessed example in his Properties and Affections Words and Works CHAP. L. NOw we come to the second which is his conversation in the world 2 His conversation in the world Cic. Tusc Quaest. lib. 5. in fol. p. 166. When Socrates was demanded what countreyman he was he answered that he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a citizen of the world and so he might well knowing no other world but this present evill world But this Gentleman although by his naturall birth and condition of the same city and society with Socrates yet by his new birth and regeneration being called out of the world Ioh. 15.19 1 Ioh. 5.4 and having by his faith overcome the world though he were in the world yet was he not of the world and though he were amongst the children of the world a froward and a crooked generation Luk. 16.8 Eph. 2.19 yet was he even then a citizen of the holy city and of the houshold of God and a sonne of the heavenly Ierusalem which is the mother of us all And so being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he had his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eph. 2.19 .i. his conversation in heaven even while he was in earth Phil. 3.20 So that of all that ever we knew in these parts he might have taken up the words of the Apostle with best warrant and most comfort Our rejoycing is this the testimony of our conscience that in simplicity and godly sincerity not with fleshly wisdome but by the grace of God we have had our conversation in the world For such indeed was the course of his life that he did desire nothing more than to walk worthy God 1 Thes 2.10 11 12. endeavouring to expresse the very power of godlinesse in the fruits of righteousnesse and holinesse to the praise of his glorious grace Phil. 1.9 10 11. Phil. 2.15 16. And that he might so hold forth the word of life in his lampe and lanterne that he might both shine as a light in himselfe and be a light unto others also in this present world Now for the better clearing and manifesting of this point we will set downe certaine rules of direction which he much desired to follow partly as preparatives for a godly conversation in the world and partly as preservatives against the contagion and corruptions of the same 1 As first Resolution against the world God presence A holy resolution so to use the world as neither abusing it nor being abused by it but to keep himselfe unspotted from it 2 The second A full purpose of heart to keepe his heart alwayes in Gods presence knowing and beleeving that he heareth all his words and beholdeth all his works 3 The third Striving against sin A constant and conscionable standing and striving against all manner of sinne especially the sinnes of the time and the common corruptions that are in the world through lust 4 The fourth Desire to doe good A godly desire in
every company either to do good unto others or to receive good from others 5 The fifth Iust dealing A good intention to deale justly honestly and uprightly with all men doing no otherwise unto them than we would have them to do unto us 6 The sixth Take all to the best An honest disposition to take doubtfull things in the best sense and best part so farre as well we may without wound of conscience in our selves or offence giving unto others 7 The seventh A carefull watchfulnesse over our heart and tongue spirit and speech that our words being powdered with salt Watchfulnesse may minister grace not griefe unto the hearers 8 The eight To bee sparing in speech A great willingnesse to be slow to speake and swift to heare yea sometimes to heare and see much and to say little unlesse we have a good calling thereunto 9 The ninth Renouncing all worldly fashions and humours An utter renouncing of all the vaine conformities of the world neither following the fashions nor serving the humours of vaine or vile persons nor staying longer than needs wee must amongst them if by occasion we be in company with them 10 The tenth Peaceable A good inclination to seeke and follow peace with all men so farre as in us lieth and so farre as it may be had and held with holinesse cutting off all occasions and provocations to strife and variance with all speed that may be 11 The eleventh Contentednesse in every estate A contented minde and good courage in every estate and condition of life entertaining all crosses with patience and turning them to their best use and embracing all comforts with thanksgiving bearing and bringing forth the right and proper fruit of them 12 The twelfth and last To keep our peace with God An unfained desire and endeavour to nourish our peace with God walking as Abraham did humbly and uprightly before him and referring all that ever we think speak or do to the furtherance of our own reckoning and to his farther praise and glory According to these and other the like rules of righteousnesse and holinesse he was taught of God to order his conversation aright in the feare of God Iam. 3.13 And thus he attained unto some measure and degree of that wisdome and grace which S. Iames commendeth so well and worthily in a found Christian Who is a wise man and indued with knowledge among you Let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meeknesse of wisedome For so did this Gentleman work and walk even according to that wisdome which is from above the properties whereof are very precious For it is first pure then peaceable gentle and easie to be intreated full of mercy and good fruits without partiality and without hypocrisie CHAP. LI. AND here I thinke it will bee well worthy our labour and paines if for the better confirmation hereof we measure this Gentlemans life by this line of heavenly wisdome and take a speciall view of these jewels of grace which being attendants upon it in his person did much beautifie and adorne that which now we speak of his holy and religious conversation He endeavoured to be pure First therfore according to this wisdome which God had given him from above he endeavoured to make his conversation pure and holy answerable to that religion which he did professe which by the testimony of the Holy Ghost is pure and undefiled before God and the Father and as here it is said it is first pure He was no doubt well atquainted with his naturall corruptions Psal 51.5 Rom. 7.20 23 24 Act. 1â— 15 passions and pollutions of sinne both originall and actuall inward and outward spirituall and corporall and knew that though hee should wash himselfe with snow water yet could he not say My heart is clean 2 Cor. 7. 1 Job 9.30.31 Zac. 13. 1. Ezek. 36. 26. Rev. 1.6 Rev. 7.14 1. Cor. 6.11 1 Pet. 1.15 I am cleansed from all my filthinesse so long as he did bear about with him a body of sin and of death And yet he knew as well also that the Lord having opened the fountaine of Grace unto him and powred cleane water upon him and washed him in the blood of Christ both for the remission of his sinnes and for purging away the pollution of them He was no longer to be held polluted and uncleane but holy and pure in his person through Christ and so ought to strive to be more and more in all manner of holy conversation And therefore hereunto Act 24.16 hee did ever most carefully and conscionably endeavour himselfe that being espoused to one husband 2 Cor. 11.12 hee might preserve and present himselfe as a chaste virgin unto Christ Jesus 1 Pure in heart Mat. 5.8 2 Cor. 7.1 Eph. 4.28 To which end he laboured to bee first Pure in heart knowing that Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God And this he did by faith and repentance and the helpe of Gods spirit every day purging out old sins and renewing the beauty of former graces 2 To be pure in hand free from all iniquity and injury and so washing his hands in purity 2 Pure in hand 1 Tim. 2.8 and innocency he was ever ready in every place to lift up pure hands unto God and to compasse his Altar 3 Pure in tongue Eph. 4.29 Esa 19.18 Psal 37.30 3 To be pure in lips and tongue never suffering any rotten speech or unseemely word to fall from him but having his language as pure as the language of Canaan his tongue did oftentimes speake of judgement and his speeches were sometimes as the very Oracles of God 4 To be pure in his senses 1 Pet. 4 11 Aug. Conf. lib. 10. Cap. 34. Iob. 31. 1. Psal 119.37 his eyes hee made a covenant withall to restraine them from wanton lookes and to shut up those windowes against all spectacles of vanity And then only or especially to open them when they might serve as necessary lights unto the body or to behold the workes of the Lord that so he might be the better by them His cares were circumcised Aug. Conf l. 10. c. 33. Rev. 2.7 Hos 14.8 1 Thes 4.4 nailed to the posts of Gods house bored by the spirit of grace for audience and obedience to heare what the spirit speakes unto the Churches What have I to doe any more with idols I have heard him I have observed him 5 To be pure in his whole body Iude v. 23. 2 Cor. 7.1 2 Tim. 2.21 ever preserving and possessing his vessell in holinesse and in honor and hating the very garment spotted by the flesh 6 To be pure in the whole man both soule and body which he performed very effectually when clensing himselfe from all filthinesse of flesh and spirit Amaremte Juelle si noÌ„ esses Zuinglianus â—e eticus fide vitâ certè videris angelus
kill the heart of his adversary with kindnesse Pro. 15.1 Rom. 12.20 and as if coales of fire had beene cast upon his head did cause him to melt into teares and tendernesse and so having such a returne from so gracious a Gentleman of peace for warre of love for hatred of mildnesse for fiercenesse of discretion for foolishnesse of so great kindnesse for so great unkindnesse he presently changed his minde and being willingly reconciled became a faithfull and true friend unto him for ever afterwards Now as he was thus peaceable in procuring and preserving his owne peace with others so was he no lesse carefull of preventing or removing and occasions of variance and strife amongst neighbours and friends A peace-maker both neare about him and farther from him If he saw naturall brethren likely to fall out as even they are not alwayes the best friends he would lovingly and wisely admonish them for peace Gen. 45.24 as Joseph did his brethren You are brethren fall not out by the way If he saw two Gentlemens servants at strife and variance fearing least such sparks of contention begun by servants might kindle a fire and flame as many times they doe betwixt the masters He would begin to take up the matter with the Masters and then appease and pacifie the servants with meeke and gentle words of wisedome and peace for their better instruction and reformation following herein the example of holy Abraham who upon a strife betwixt his brother Lots heardsmen and his owne spake thus wisely and peaceably unto him Let there be I pray thee no strife betweene me and thee nor between my heardsmen Gen. 13.8 and thy heardsmen for we are brethren And as hee spake peaceably unto him so did he deale for peace sake as peaceably with him in giving him the choice of the right hand or of the left in all the land before them Gen. 13.9 though he were superiour both in place and grace unto him And so would this Gentleman make peace betweene Masters and servants If hee saw two Christians strive together as Moses did two Hebrewes he would take up him that did the wrong with the same or the like words as Moses did Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow And if somtimes he had no better recompence for his good mind and meaning than Moses had as commonly the most wicked and injurious are most rude and clamorous he would be content to sit downe with the worse as Moses did Thus have we seen that walking according to that rule of heavenly wisedome which the Lord had given him he was first pure in his conversation and then peaceable And so the fruit of righteousnesse was sowne in peace of him that made peace CHAP. LIII HE was also according to the same rule and quality of the same wisdome Gentle Gentle that is of a moderate calme and quiet temper meeke in spirit and mild in speech This was a more speciall work of God in him and a remarkable fruit of this wisdome and grace which the Lord had given him from above Not by nature For by his naturall constitution and in his naturall estate and condition he was of a passionate disposition somewhat froward and fierce angry and hasty but now having received not onely pardon for sinne in the value of the death of Christ 1 Ioh. 1.7 1 Cor. 6.11 Rom. 6.17 18 19 But by grace but power against sinne in the vertue of it he found his nature healed his passions subdued his frowardnesse changed into mildnesse his fiercenesse into meeknesse and his roughnesse into gentlenesse The power of grace had now abated much of the violence of his passions and the sweet influence of Gods Spirit had taken away the bitternesse and virulency of them so that now they were of a better temper ordered by a better rule and directed to a better end and were made as it were hewers of wood and drawers of water as Ioshua made the Gibeonites Iosh 9.23 for the use of the Tabernacle That is They became more serviceable unto God and more profitable unto men Paul when hee was a Saul was as cruell and fierce as a Lion Aug. Conf. l. 8. c. 4. Aug. Conf. l. 9. c. 9. but being a converted Paul he became as mild and meek as a lamb So it is recorded of Patricius Austins father as also Calvin that holy man of God that he was in his naturall disposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hasty and angry â—â—afervidus Beza in vit Calv. p. 109. which yet the Spirit of God taught him so to moderate that there was never any word heard from him which might seeme unbeseeming a good man And yet of this passion so subdued and seasoned the Lord gave him as he did also this Gentleman some good use when he dealt in the cause of God and of Religion and against refractory and obstinate offenders turning his naturall anger into spirituall zeale against them Many of the ancient Fathers were of violent and fierce spirits Many of the Fathers very passionate Vid. August Epist 14 15. Ep. 19. savouring much of pride and passion as they were men but being called and converted and become holy men of God were great Instruments of Gods glory the Lord making use of their naturall affections for spirituall services to give them thereby courage and boldnesse constancy and confidence to stand out against all such affronts and assaults of impieties and heresies as in their times did rise up and make head against them He that shall read some of their writings as of Hierome against Ruffinus Vigilantius Jovinian and against Austin himselfe of Austin also against the Pelagians and Donatists of Hilary against Auxentius and Constantius Socrat. Eccles Hist. l. 6. c. 16. Sozom. Eccles hist l. 7 c. 24. Yet well accepted of God and good men and of Chrysostomes sharpe invectives against Endoxia the Empresse and of Ambrose his severe dealing with Theodosius the Emperour may easily see as much as I say That as they were men subject to like passions as this Gentleman was and we are having some wilde fire mixed with holy fire in some of their best services so were they accounted and accepted as holy men of God both for their persons and imployments notwithstanding all their frailties and infirmities But to returne to this grace of Gentlenesse in this Gentleman Phil. 4.5 It is that which the Apostle Paul cals 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a moderate and meeke both bearing and forbearing when indignities and injuries either in word or deed are offered unto us or intended against us His bearing and forbearing Thus did he make his patient minde knowne unto all men taking nothing that could possibly be well taken in ill part but interpreting all to the best would make the best of the worst In meeknesse like Moses Num. 12.1 2 3. and so abate the edge of mens
off even the thoughts of my heart my taske is ended the Lord hath no more worke for me to doe my warfare is accomplished my race is run out and finished I now only hope for and wait for that crowne of righteousnesse which Christ hath purchased for mee and God hath promised unto mee CHAP. LXV Milke for babes that came to visite him OF those which came to visite him he observed that some were young professors and babes in Christ others were of riper age and better growth in Christianity and therefore he did apply himselfe unto them both To the babes hee would minister the sincere milke of the Word in wholesome and easie instructions in mild and gentle exhortations all sweetned with tearmes of tendernesse and love To them that were of riper age in Christ Stronger meat for strong men H. b. 5. ult His godly admonitions unto both hee gave as occasion required stronger meate as to stronger men even such as by reason of use had their senses exercised to discerne both good and evill Vnto them both he gave these and the like godly admonitions To hold on and hold out to bee stedfast in their profession and never to be weary of weldoing to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ to increase in faith and abound in love never to be discouraged by taunts and mocks railings and revilings and other persecutions for the name of Christ but as they have given their names unto him so to give their hearts also And then to be faithfull unto the death that they may receive the crowne of life And that these and other such like Instructions and admonitions might make a deeper impression in their hearts and bee a stronger provocation to Christian obedience in their lives Hee did very gravely and wisely He commends unto them his own experience and example as a Father commend unto their due consideration his own experience and example from the time that he first began to embrace and professe the Gospel His words were these or much to this effect When first I began to professe Religion there was almost none in the whole Shire that were acquainted with the power and practise of it I was Psa 102.6 8. as the Prophet speaketh like a Pelicane of the wildernesse I was like an owle of the desert Mine enemies did reproach me all the day and were mad against me I was a wonder of the world yea a monster of men Isai 8. and many did bend their tongues like bows for lyes and shoote out their arrowes even bitter words against me And yet for all this that came upon me I did not forget the Name of my God neither did I deale falsly in his Covenant Psa 44. My heart was not turned back neither did my steps decline from his way But being strong in the Lord and in the power of his might I found his Grace was sufficient for me both to confirm mee in the truth and to preserve me blamelesse and harmelesse without rebuke in the mids of a crooked and perverse generation And so through the good hand of my God which was upon me I did overcome For the Work of God did prosper in my hand and mine Adversaries did not prevaile against me But now Isay 54.1 that may be said to this Countrey which the Prophet spake unto the Gentiles Sing O Barren thou that didst not beare breake forth into singing and cry alowd thou that didst not travail with child for more are the children of the desolate than of the married Wife saith the Lord. O how goodly are thy Tents O Jacob Num. 24.5 6. and thy Tabernacles O Israel As the valleyes are they spread forth as gardens by the river side as the trees of Lign-Aloes which the Lord hath planted and as Cedar trees beside the waters Now the borders of the Church are much enlarged the number of Belecvers wonderfully increased and blessed be God every quarter and corner of the Country is now filled with the sweet savour of the Gospell O how it doth refresh my spirit Rev. 2.10 1 Cor. 16.13 1 Cor 15.58 and rejoyce my Soule to see or to thinke upon their sweet faces standing before the Lord in the day of Assembly as an Army in holy beauty Wherefore my beloved Brethren so are none of those things which you shall suffer Watch ye stand fast in the Faith quite you like men be strong be ye stedfast also and unmoveable always abounding in the worke of the Lord forasmuch as you know that your labour is not in vaine in the Lord. With such gracious Speeches of Counsell and Comfort of Admonition and encouragement did he stir up the godly minds of many Professors younger or elder as they came to visit him CHAP. LXVI BY all this wee may see 4. Head His constancy in Religion and observe an evident proofe of his constancy in the profession and practice of true religion being never wearie of well doing nor discouraged in suffering any ill that did befall him Hee was never unsetled in his course nor diverted from it 1 King 7.21 no not by the strongest oppositions and assaults that were made against it For this his constancy hee had obtained of the Lord two speciall pillars of support Boaz i. In it is strength Jachin i. he shall establish 2 Chron. 20 20. Isa 30.15 Heb. 10.35.36 like those in the Temple Boaz and Iachin namely confidence and patience knowing right well that by believing in the Lord hee should be established and that in quietnesse and confidence should bee his strength and that hee had neede of patience to keepe possession of his soule that having done and suffered the will of God he might receive the promise that is the recompense of reward according to the riches of his mercy and bounty in Christ Jesus And this may yet more evidently appeare Even unto the end by the last passages of his life being now growne very feeble and weake and much like a dying Lampe Great strength in great weaknesse the oyle wasting and the light decaying For though his afflictions were increased yet were not his consolations diminished though hee were weake in body yet was hee of perfect minde and memory feeble in the flesh but strong in the Spirit Yea his spirit did continually breath out such savoury and sweet words as his speech would serve him words of grace and peace words of joy and comfort His comfortable and savory speeches like a sweet perfume or some sweet odours out of a precious boxe newly broken up that all that stood by were much refreshed and comforted therewithall and were well assured that no paines of his body nor pangs of death drawing on did halfe so much trouble him or annoy him as his inward spirituall holy His consolations exceeded his afflictions and heavenly refreshings and rejoycings in his God and from his Christ and by
him that prayed could not containe himselfe but oftentimes with a cheerefull consent said Amen Amen unto the requests and supplications that were made for his good and comfort in Christ Jesus After this M. L. spake a word unto him to comfort him in the midst of all his sorrowes that hee knew that shortly hee should bee released and freed from all sinne and sorrow from Satan and this present evill world wherunto he answered most cheerfully and graciously I know I shall and bee with Christ which is best of all And now the messenger of death is upon me which he spoke of the hickock which had taken hold of him M. L. replyed I hope Sir that death is no scare nor terror unto you No indeed it is not I thanke God saith he for it is my way to life and I am now called of God unto it And thus he continued in great paine of body but yet in great peace of mind increasing still in consolations and enduring all his sicknesse with admirable patience not shewing any distemper nor discontent neither in word nor deed all the while in the troubles and sorrow of the same His care for prayer in the Family After this the same night he put it upon me to call his Family to Prayer and to performe the evening Sacrifice in the great parlour commading them to set open his little parlour doore adjoyning to it that he might heare us and joyne with us and partake of such mercies and meanes as the Lord should be pleased either to offer unto us or to accept at our hands The next morning though he did weare a way very much yet he called upon M. L. to pray with him Mindfull of M. L. being up very early to go a long journey to preach his ordinary Tewsday Lecture Of whom he was so very carefull that he caused some provision to be made for him especially a Posset that hee himselfe at their parting might drinke with him The same day I staid with him untill the afternoone A heavy Parting ministring such help and comfort as I could unto him And then mine owne occasions calling me home my wife being his former wives own sister and my selfe came to take leave with him which when hee heard and saw his very soule seemed to melt within him for both his and our hearts were full of griefe and our eyes full of teares and so mingling our sorrowes our teares and our prayers together be commended us to the grace and blessing of God as wee also did him And then falling upon his face and kissing his cheek we tooke our long leave with him leaving him yet in the hands of his heavenly Father that would never leave him CHAP. LXVIII Some ever ready to pray with him THe same afternoone he called for M. Lan. and M. Clerk his own Pastor to pray with him and was never at quiet unlesse hee were either Meditating and Praying himselfe or had some godly man or good Minister to pray with him and for him Divers desire a blessing from him Vpon Wednesday morning divers of those that were with him suspecting his death and dissolution to be neare tooke leave with him desiring at their parting a blessing from him Which he did willingly expresse by lifting up his hands and his heart unto Heaven for them Vttering also some words which they could not so well understand In the afternoone he overheard some making motion of blacks I wil have no blacks saith he I love not any proud or pompous Funerals neither is there any cause of mourning but of rejoycing rather in my particular After this he entreated a good Christian to pray with him which he did very willingly again and again to his good contentment And while they were in prayer in the Family they that were with him did imagine that he prayed himself silently and secretly He prayeth secretly himselfe by the pulling of his armes out of the bed and lifting up his hands and his eyes towards Heaven whence only he did looke for hearing and helping at Gods hands And now growing so weak that he was scarce able to speak a word those gracious people that were about him prayed him to lift up his hand if he understood them and would have them to pray for him Other gracious people pray with him which he did very willingly and readily and so he joyned with them and was heard to say Amen to the prayers that they made for him Afterward they perceived that he prayed himselfe again lifting up his hands and uttering these words with many other to the like effect The Lord is my portion His last Prayer my help and my trust his blessed son Jesus is my Saviour and Redeemer Amen Even so saith the Spirit unto my spirit Therefore come Lord Jesus and kisse me with the kisses of thy mouth and embrace me with the armes of thy love Into thy hands do I commend my spirit O come now and take me to thine own selfe O come Lord Jesus come quickly O come O come O come And so his spirit fainting His last end and his speech failing he lay quiet and still for a little season And then he meekly and graciously yeelded up his pretious soule into the hands of God his Father that gave it and into the armes of his Saviour that had bought it and redeemed it with his pretious bloud And thus having finished his course and run out his race the night of his death shutting up the dayes of his life Snaviter in Domino obdormivit He sweetly slept in the Lord. All Glory Thanksgiving and Praise bee unto our gracious God in and through his Son Christ lesus for ever and ever Amen Vae etiam laudabili vitae si remota misericordia discutias eam Aug. Conf. lib. 9. c. 19. Aug. Quisguis tibi enumerat vera merita sua Aug ibid. cap. 13. Quid tibi enumerat nisi muneratua FINIS Imprimatur JOH HANSLEY Jan. 16. 1640.
Spring Seedings Summer Harvest Winter faire or foule weather and the like and to apply these to such places of the Scriptures as they had heard or read the same things in for their farther instruction and edification Now for their work what he saw was well for manner and matter hee did likewise well approve and accept and by a due and kinde commendation of their care and paines hee provoked them to continue in well doing What he saw was amisse if it were of small moment hee would wisely passe by it if of greater weight he would admonish them of and reprove them for it yet not with any railing or reviling words for ought that ever I could heare but in words of wisedome as became a holy man and a good Master sometimes it may be more sharpely because the nature of the fault and disposition of the offender might so require it and sometimes more mildly as hee found the party more sensible of his fault and more tractable for amendment There was not the meanest amongst them but hee would labour to cheare him and encourage him in his service and if hee saw them any more towardly in duties of Religion hee would so much the more kindly speak unto them and more willingly confer with them They did usually also exercise themselves unto godlinesse by mutuall exhortations and admonitions drawing on one another in every good way and praying unto God in their courses together in the evening for a blessing upon their desires and labours which they ordinarily performed in the Kitchen more privately after prayer in the Parlour with the whole family So that by this meanes the Master governing religiously His family a religious nursury and the servants obeying conscionably his family became a common nursury for the Churches of God in the whole countrey For 1. Such of his servants as were inclineable unto marriage hee provided well for them and sent them out being married in the feare of God to raise and establish the worship of God in their owne houses And such as were single persons By disposing as he had any mind to spare them and to part with them he either bestowed them in other families or suffered them to plant themselves in such houses where they might mutually both joyne and joy together in Gods service to the spreading abroad of Religion and farther inlarging of the kingdome of Christ Jesus Or dispersing his servants And then he made supply againe by taking out of the countrey such of their sonnes and daughters as were fittest for his planting or watering in that part of the Lords Vineyard or for sowing or setting in the Lords field CHAP. XXI THus farre we have heard in what manner hee governed His course in Family duties towards God and ordered his family in their severall places for the better discharge of their duties amongst themselves Now we are farther to observe his course and carriage in those exercises and religious duties which he daily and duely performed morning and evening with his family in the worship of God for their mutuall comfort and for Gods praise and glory This Gentleman knew right well that family exercises were the very goads and spurs unto godlinesse the life and sinnews of grace and religion The necessity and excellency of family duties Example in Abrah Gen. 18.19 in Cornelius Act. 10.2 in Lors Eun. 2 Tim. 1.5 the bonds and cords of love drawing or leading to perfection Like the coales taken from the Altar whereby both iniquity is purged and mens hearts are inflamed with holy and heavenly affections towards God and good things Like the planting and watering of the Lords Vineyard whereby every branch is made more fruitfull Like the private training of Christian Souldiers that they may be fit and more fit for publike service Like the nursing or nurturing of the children or heires of great families where some are fed with milke and some with stronger meat all with wholesome food untill they bee brought on to their Fathers house to bee farther refreshed and feasted at his Table Of the souldiers Harnesse Lastly hee knew well that Family exercises in religious duties were like the putting on and buckling unto us the whole armour of God that so being furnished with all offensive and defensive weapons we may stand fast in the evill day and goe through the duties of every day also with more ease and comfort His preparation in 4. things 1 In his vigilancy And upon these and such like serious considerations he exercised himselfe and his family unto godlinesse after this manner First for preparation and secondly for execution For preparation It was his ordinary course to rise very early in the morning before the rest of his family betwixt three and foure of the clock in Summer and at or before five in the Winter so that by this his vigilancy and industry hee gained the liberty and opportunity most commonly of an houre or two before he rung the bell to awaken the rest of his family which time he bestowed most graciously first in private prayer for himselfe 2 In his private prayer and for every soule in his family making mention of some more particularly by name as their occasions or afflictions might move him thereunto and giving thankes to God therewithall for such mercies and comforts as both hee and they had received that night past and formerly also from his hand Secondly 3 Meditation in meditation upon some part of Gods Word and works wherewith he did season his mind and refresh his heart endevouring so to set the Watch aright in the morning that the clock might go the better all the day after 4 Industry in writing Thindly hee did as hee had occasion usually write out faire some part of such Sermons as hee had by a running hand taken from the mouth of the Preacher for renewing and increasing of the benefit and comfort which hee had reaped and received by the same Thus did he watch over his family when they were at rest themselves and commend them unto God by his prayers before they could open their lips to speake unto him by their owne words Thus did he awake with God in the morning that he might the better awake unto righteousnesse and walke before God in holinesse and uprightnesse all the day after even untill the evening CHAP. XXII 2. Hisexecution and performance of his family exercise THis he did by way of Preparation Now for execution in the performance of his family exercises he did discharge himselfe after this manner After they were come together upon the ringing of the bell they did all very reverently frame and compose themselves to stand in Gods presence and then he himselfe lifting up his heart with his hands unto God in the heavens First a little short prayer began his morning exercise after this manner Blessed Lord God and our most mercifull father in Christ Jesus we
thy poore children do humbly beseech thee graciously to assist us by thy holy Spirit in this our morning exercise that we may faithfully perform the same to thy praise and our comfort and that for Christ his sake our onely Saviour and Redeemer Amen This set forme of his short prayer before his Morning and evening exercise In a set forme I doe the more willingly set downe that they may see how farre they were deceived and what wrong they did him who held him to bee an utter adversary to all set formes of prayer who might also have received their answer and beene evidently refuted to their faces if they had but observed his ordinary practice every Lords day in the publike assembly where he did reverently accommodate himself to the publike prayers of the Church and religiously joyne together with Minister and people in the celebration of Gods service Certainly hee was not ignorant A set form of prayer justified that when our Saviour Christ taught his Disciples to pray hee gave them liberty to call upon the name of God their Father even in that set forme of prayer which he prescribed and in the same words when you pray say Our Father c. And yet for all that he knew well enough that he gave the Spirit of prayer also unto them and unto all believers children of the same Father that they might enlarge themselves according to those grounds and frame all their sutes after that forme and therefore hee gave this direction unto them After this manner pray ye By our Saviours institution of the Lords prayer and By his owne practice Mat. 26.44 Our Father c. yea Christ hath left us his owne blessed example for the warrant of both when in his Agonyhe praied three times using as the text saith the same words and when after his farewell sermon to his Disciples hee prayed for himselfe his Disciples and all true believers unto the worlds end in great variety of words and for many gifts and graces in particular which yet are not all mentioned but are all for substance contained in that patterne of true prayer None precisely bound to the letter of the Lords prayer but to the matter al. Peter Martyr hath made a collection of holy prayers out of Davids Psalmes and M. Perkins hath gathered together S. Paubs prayers out of his Epistles in both which there is great variety both of matter and words much exceeding the letter of the Lords prayer yet is there no Petition or thanksgiving in either of them which may not fitly be reduced to some parts and heads of the Lords Prayer For my part I shall never blame him that seeketh to help his understanding memory Set prayer a help and affection by such meanes if he bring new affections to renewed petitions and set his heart a worke to seeke more seriously for the best things such as the godly labours of good men have in print set before him But if any man will rest in his booke prayers and never strive to speake unto God out of his owne heart by his owne Spirit which teacheth every true child of God to cry Abba Father Heart prayer best of all Rom. 8. and helpeth our infirmities that wee may stand before him as his children Such a man in my opinion comes farre short of the power and practice comfort and fruit of true prayer and is not much unlike to an impotent and weake man that being lame of his limbes and having meanes of helpe and recovery tendred unto him had yet still rather use a paire of crutches borrowed of his neighbour to goe withall as he can than betake himselfe to his owne legges and feet to walke in his way which the Lord hath appointed for him as he might and ought to doe CHAP. XXIII AFter this short prayer because wee are all commanded to sing Psalmes unto God 2 His singing of Psalmes to testifie our rejoycing in him to instruct our selves in his mercies and judgements words and works and to make melody in our hearts before him as also to quicken our soules to praise and thanksgiving hee therefore did usually call the whole family to sing some of the Psalmes such as hee named unto them with grace in their hearts unto the Lord which they ordinarily performed with such melodious and sweet voices and affections himselfe beginning the tune and the rest in a sweet accord and harmony joyning with him as if they had desired to sing Davids Psalmes His delight in singing of Psalms not onely with Davids Harpe but even with Davids heart also With this exercise of singing of Psalmes hee was much delighted and oftentimes so ravished in his spirit with holy and heavenly joy in singing and sounding forth Gods praises that his heart would even spring and leape in his body as John Baptist did for the joy of Christ in his mothers belly Hieron in Epitaphio Fabiolae yea he was so much affected with the praising of God in this kinde that hee tooke the word Halelu-jah which is the title of nine Psalmes and the song of the Quire of Angles for his Poesie and usually writ it in the first leafe of all his bookes with his owne hand to provoke and draw on others into the fellowship of Gods praises with him and to set it forth as an impresse or character of his chiefe desire and delight Amalaris de officio mâ—ssâ—c 13. to have the praises of the Lord in his heart or in his mouth in his care or in his eye continually When the Psalm was ended 3 His reading of the Scriptures he read a Chapter himselfe out of the Bible keeping an orderly and constant course in his reading to make his family better acquainted with the order and matter of the Scriptures and to season their hearts with some portion of Gods Word in the morning as a preservative against all unfavoury thoughts noysome lusts rotten speeches and ungodly workes all the day after This hee knew was Gods holy Ordinance from which neither Kings in peace nor Commanders in warre were exempted wherewith all Governours of families are expresly charged Deut. 6.6 7 8. Deut. 17.18 19. Ios 1.7.8 Deut. â—1 18 19 20 2 Tim. 3.14 15. Ioh. 5.39 wherein both elder and yonger have beene exercised and whereunto all sorts are by our blessed Saviour exhorted Search the Scriptures c. And this hee duly performed with such reverence and conscience as might to his power best become the solemnity of the action which they had in hand and the majestie of his presence before whom they stood Now because he knew that all planting and watering was in vain unlesse God himself gave the blessing of increase and that the Prayer of faith availeth much for that end if it bee fervent hee therefore with all his family bowing the knees of their hearts as well as the knees of their bodies before the throne of grace did in