Chappel which had formerly been in use only in Term-time he caused to be continued weekly all the year Besides which when he was present in the Colledge he did frequently himself either preach or expound Scripture to them He also took special notice of the several conversations of the particular persons in the Colledge as well by his own inspection and observation while he was present as by faithfull informations in his absence and was frequent in giving them personall counsell and direction in private Consonant hereunto was also the care of the particular Fellows who beside the instruction of their Pupils in Learning caused them to come to their chambers to Prayers every night and to repetition of Sermons on the Lords day By all which the practice of Religion was much promoted His next care was for the advancement of Learning which he endeavoured to promote by his frequent exhortations and encouraging all to diligence in their studies and conscionable improving their time and opportunities as also by requiring the constant performance of publique exercises by persons of all ranks and exciting the Fellows to a diligent inspection as well joyntly over the Colledge in general as severally over their own Pupils in particular for the same ends On the same ground also he took care to have the Colledge-Library furnished with good Authors giving considerable summes of money for that end and perswading others also to do the like And some dues payable to the Colledge which formerly used to be employed in feasting were by his means converted to a better use in buying of such Books which might feed the minds both of the present society and those that shall succeed He bestowed also a considerable part of his profits there upon the yearly maintenance of poor Scholars and at his death he gave a considerable summe of money for the same purpose to be disposed of by the present Society to such as stood in need Indeed his resolution was that so long as he was hindered from residing constantly amongst them by reason of his attending on the Assembly at Westminster he would not be a gainer by the place but whatsoever profits he received more then would defray the charges of journeys and other expences occasioned by it he would bestow some way or other for the good of the Colledge In elections to places of preferment in the Colledge he was exceedingly carefull that they might be bestowed on those that were most deserving and to that end he did with the unanimous consent of the Fellows make a Decree that in all future Elections none should be admitted to a Scholarship or Fellowship in the Colledge till they did first approve themselves for Learning by a publique triall or examination for two or three daies successively in the audience of the whole Colledge which hath already produced very good effects for the improvement of Learning in that Colledge and more are like to ensue In case any sollicited him for preferment of their Friends his constant answer was that if they were found to deserve it better then others they should have it but if otherwise they must expect to go without it and his actings were so exactly consonant hereunto as indeed in all things his resolutions words and actions were so exactly consonant and kept so perfect harmony as is seldom seen whereas in many their words are more then their intentions and their actions lesse then their words In his converse with the Fellows it was his great care to preserve unanimity that as well Elections as all other affairs of the Colledge should be carried on by a universal consent so that if in the proposal of any thing there were any dissent his usual manner was to defer the determination of it till every one should see reason sufficient to concur with the rest and was himself as ready to hearken to any argument produced though contrary to his present sense which he would either fully answer or yield to it so that scarce any thing was over-ruled meerly by plurality of suffrages but all with universal consent and nothing more ordinary then for all differences to be quite reasoned down In his absence from them his mind was still present with them being more throughly acquainted with all the affairs of the Colledge and more carefull of them then most Heads of houses are when they are present For by reason of that sweet harmony and agreement betwixt himself and the Fellows he had constantly faithfull intelligence of all affairs and did communicate his counsel and advice therein making the good of the Colledge as he was wont to call it his Magna cura by reason whereof that Colledge hath flourished in a very eminent manner And I may safely say without prejudice to any that scarce any Society in either University since the late Reformation both for the general improvement of Religion and Learning and the unanimous harmony amongst themselves have been comparable hereunto yea so great was that unanimity and reciprocal affection between him and the Society that scarce ever any Head of a Society was taken from them with more general sorrow Beside what hath been already said much more might be added concerning the worth of this eminent Servant of God much of which hath been already penned by himself in that small Tractate Of making Religion ones businesse together with the Appendix applied to the calling of a Minister which with other small Tracts are printed together with this title Memorials of Godlinesse and Christianity wherein you may read a true Character of his thoughts as well as his actions of which I shall only adde this That his constant practice was so exactly consonant to the strict principles that are there expressed as can hardly be believed by those that have not seen it He was a man indeed of a very publique spirit and wholly laid himself out for God And therefore though he were ready to deny himself and condescend freely where his own interest was only concerned yet was he zealous and tenacious in things that concerned Gods glory reserving his heat to encounter sin Hence was it that notwithstanding his natural meeknesse he acted in the things of God with much courage and resolution As in those free and resolute expressions of himself yet with humilty meeknesse and sobriety in preaching at the Cathedral Church at Canterbury in presence of the Dean and Prebends wherein he spared not to set before them such things as were notoriously amisse yet for the most part expressing in Latine what did chiefly concern them that they might take notice of it not the people which though it procured him some trouble and opposition yet he did not for that abate of his courage and resolution In like manner when he was to preach at the Bishop of Lincolns Visitation at Hitchin he went thither with a resolution to speak fully and freely against the corrupt innovations then in practice whatever might be
were checked and threatned that suffered it upon his non-appearance he proceeded so far as to send out an Excommunication against him which he for the mistake before-mentioned little regarded only by advice for some time kept out of the way untill the Bishops translation or evection rather unto the lofty pitch of his Primacy which shortly after did ensue During his stay in these parts looking down to Chatham he there consummated that businesse which hitherto had been delayed And in regard that Master Redich with his Wife and retinue were by reason of his urgent affairs in divers kinds likely to continue for a longer space of time in the City then at first was expected Master Bradshaw having brought up his Wife with him from Chatham did for a while board her with a sister of hers before married and seated in the City and afterward took part of a tenement for himself and her who being a woman that affected employment for their better support taught there a few Scholers Much about this time by occasion of that formall conference acted and transacted at Hampton-Court wherein some of our chief Prelates endeavoured to possesse the Kings Majesty with a prejudice against those that made suit for a Reformation of things amisse in Church-affairs his disaffection to whom he had himself also in some writing of his partly discovered already and to perswade him that for Ecclesiastical affairs all things were so well setled that no Reformation needed but some strict injunction only of a precise conformity unto and constant observation of things already established which began thereupon in many places with much vigor to be pressed It came to passe that many Books came abroad being privately printed wherein divers godly Ministers who were of a contrary judgment declared their grievances laid down their exceptions set forth their grounds of dissent and returned answer to the Arguments produced and urged against them to induce them to Conformity For Books of this nature search was made in the City for one more especially among the rest that had it seems given our great Clergy-Masters most offence and Master Bradshaw being known to abide then in the City a man in much suspition with them two Pursuivants accompanied with Master Norton the Kings Printer were sent with Commission to search his house both for it and him Whither accordingly repairing but not finding him at home they enforced his Wife to open his Closet or Study the Chests Trunks Boxes and Presses to make search for such Books but found nothing For the truth is and there was a good Providence of God in it after that Master Bradshaw was that morning gone out not above half an hour before that this business fell out his Wife looking into his Study and seeing some of those Books there to prevent future danger which yet she then little deemed or dreamed to be so near at hand as it proved to be afterward had taken them out from thence and cast them into a hole between two Chimneys where being covered over with old besomes they remained undiscovered But howsoever they could meet with nothing of that which they looked for yet on his Wife they seized who would rather have had him her they took and led unto Doctors Commons where having presented her before Doctor Stanhop Doctor White and a third party whom she knew not a number sufficient to make up a compleat High Commission Court they examined her yet without oath first Where her Husband was whereunto she answered she knew not then What meanes of Maintenance she had and from whom to which she made answer that she gat her living by her work and teaching of a few young Children after that What Children she had she told them none yet but one she hoped in her belly being then great with Child which was her first-born Sonne now a Minister of the Gospel afterward born in that House they then dwelt in in Thred-needle-street and baptized in the Church near thereto adjoyning where the Minister of the place somewhat thick of hearing by a mistake instead of Jonathan naming him John which name therefore he bare afterward and doth to this day But after divers such questions to little purpose propounded and answered in conclusion they told her that they knew well enough that the Book they then searched for was none of her Husbands making though he might have a hand in the venting of it and withall that if they had been disposed they could have had him for all his keeping in a Lancashire Gentlemans house So they termed Master Redich because his own Lands of Inheritance lay in those parts Thus hauing parlied with her they dismissed her not suffering those greedy Harpyes the Pursuivants who were eager upon her for their fees to exact ought from her only binding her at a daies warning to appear again before them Thus through Gods goodness and watchfull eye over his Servant too regardlesse in some sort of his own safety having escaped the snare that was set for him he returned after some space of time Master Rediches main businesses being now dispatched together with him and his unto their former place of abode at Newhall taking his Wife and little one together also along with him Being there arrived the Gentleman both enlarged his maintenance and assigned him and his Wife certain Chambers in his own House conveniently furnished as also herbage in the Park for a certain number of Kine and of Swine and some Poultry together with a convenient room for a Dary wherein she might exercise her huswifery which she very well could do and accordingly did Now while they thus lived together in Master Rediches House Master Bradshaw went on cheerfully in his wonted course both of private exercises for the instruction of the Family and of publick employment on the Lords day for the benefit of others also abroad But the old Lady Ferrers Mistresse Rediches Mother a woman of a great spirit and a resolute Papist though not an absolute professed Recusant could by no means brook Master Bradshaw and the lesse now because married and for that he had brought his Wife also to live with him in House with them yea she had conceived such an extream hatred against him professing to hate him above any man in the world that she had made a vow that she would never set her feet in the house where he was and it was therefore feared not without some just ground of suspition that the Family might from her fare the worse for him But the hearts of all men and women also are in Gods hand and he can wind and turn them which way he will and when a mans waies do please the Lord he can if he see it good yea doth oft when he seeth it will be for the good of his make of his utter foes his Friends And even so fell it out here For the Lady notwithstanding this her extream disaffection so deeply
persons amongst whom Master Peter Studley was the chief were stirred up to lay in complaints against him as a Non-conformist for such was his prudence sweetnesse and peaceablenesse of spirit that other objections could not with any colour of truth be made against him Hereupon Doctor Morton then the Bishop of that Diocesse referred him unto two neighbour Ministers for satisfaction and in pursuance of this order Master Herring gave in his scruples in writing and also replyed upon their answer The consequence of this paper-dispute was a Certificate to the Bishop from the Ministers that they believed Master Herring from conscientious grounds in his own apprehensions remained unsatisfied and the Bishop himself told Master Herrings Friends that he was satisfied in his integrity But such were those times that he was suspended from the use of his Ministry though by mediation of Friends the suspension was divers times taken off and then brought on again by persons of contrary minds and waies Thus he continued in Salop for the space of seventeen years sometimes enjoying and sometime wanting liberty for the exercise of his Ministry in publique But when the Pulpit door was shut against him he was the more frequent in keeping private Fasts and in expounding the Scripture three times a day in his own Family by which exercise some of the neighbours were edified also Alwaies upon the Lords day whether he was at home or abroad he frequented the Ordinances of God administred in publique professing thereby as himself said that his practice should declare his judgement against separation from the Congregations in England though there were corruptions in them When some seeds of seperation were scattered in Salop by Daniel Chidley and his Wife their growth was check'd by his appearing against them He had many bowels towards them who were misled in this kind as was expressed by the many prayers with tears which he poured forth before God in their behalf And having upon this occasion studied that point the more throughly he would often say It is a sinne of an high nature to un-Church a Nation at once and that this would become the spring of many other fearfull errours for separation will eat like a Gangrene into the heart of Godliness And he did pray that they who would un-Church others might not be un-christianed themselves When the Plague was in Salop he gave himself unto prayer for the town and in particular for the persons infected and many from the Pest-houses returned thanks unto him for the spiritual comfort received by his Prayers He took great delight in his studies having a very good Library and was often willing to misse a meal that he might the more satisfie himself in conversing with his Books He was seldome hungry as himself was wont to say while he was in his study and those who best knew him could easily render the reason thereof for as he was afraid of doing Gods work negligently so it was his meat and drink to converse with his God and to do the will of his heavenly Father And yet such were his compassions towards afflicted consciences that he gave charge unto his whole Family to send none such away till they had spoken with him yea unto them his manner was to give full liberty of speech that they might not go away without some clearing and satisfaction His experience humility and sweetnesse of disposition was such that seldome any one who was troubled in spirit departed from him without some relief and comfort whereto may be added his great faithfulnesse towards them in perplexed cases who opened their hearts into his bosome for spiritual satisfaction When he was not allowed liberty to preach in publique at home he was willing to bestow his pains abroad and every where he in his Ministry proved himself a solid well-studied Divine A Workman who needed not to be ashamed It may truly be affirmed concerning him that when he was in journeys he imitated the Lord Christ his Master Who went about doing good For in the Families whither he came if there was not opportunity of more publique employment wherein he might appear with safety in those Prelatical times he was alwaies ready by Prayer and Exposition of Scripture to be serviceable unto the souls of such who desired to improve him He was a man of an ingenuous and cheerfull spirit yet very grave and inoffensive yea the lightsomeness of his behaviour being accompanied with holinesse and humility did make his serious services the more acceptable and more taking upon the hearts of those who conversed with him Amongst many other rare gifts with which God had enriched him this did shine forth brightly unto all them who were acquainted with his way in performing Family duties whether in his own house or elsewhere viz. That he would alwaies most aptly and affectionately enlarge himself upon the Sermon lately heard or the Chapter read by confession complaint petition thansgiving c. unto the advantage of them who joyned with him in that exercise He was indeed a man made up of love and meeknesse for the discovery whereof take two instances which will tell the Reader that he was Dove-like without gall The one is this Doctor Lambe having broken his legge by a fall was brought into the same Inne in Norhamptonshire where Master Herring had taken up his lodging being in a journey and that night he prayed very affectionately for him though Doctor Lambe was a notorious violent Persecutor of Non-conformists both Ministers and people yea though he had been a bitter opposite against Master Herring particularly He being asked the reason why he expressed so much respect towards so unworthy a man returned this answer The greater enemy he is to the Church the more need he hath of Prayers And then wished those who were with him To prove themselves Christs Disciples by loving their enemies and by praying for their Persecutors The other instance is this viz. understanding that Arch-bishop Laud said unto some of his Friends Petitioners for the liberty of his Ministry I will pickle up that Herring of Shrewsbury he used these words If he will abuse his power let it teach Christians the more to use their Prayers And he then prayed that the Non-conformists enemies might by observation know that they have a good God to trust unto when trampled upon by ill-despised men He was a constant mighty Wrestler with the Almighty in Prayers for England that the Gospel might not be removed but that the Kingdom of Christ might be here advanced more and more He much feared that bad times would overtake this Nation and at a conference about the affairs of England he used these words Gods rod I much fear will be homebred Warre in the State and Errours and Heresies in the Church with Gods visible departure from us When all hope of regaining the liberty of his Ministry in Shrewsbury was quite gone and therefore his continuance there in
much good but of no blood nor division between the two Nations He was one of Gods special Remembrancers in behalf of England begging fervently that the Lords and Commons in Parliament might be preserved from the two destructive rocks of pride and self-interests He poured out his soul before the Almighty that he would appear for the Non-conformists cause in England and set up the Presbyterial Government according to the Scripture Rules He often professed himself to be no enemy unto the Persons of Bishops but an opposite to their Pride and Prelaticall Rule When news came unto him of the Battell at Edge-hill thus he spake with tears Oh Lord wilt thou write Englands Reformation in red Letters of her own blood yet preserve thine own People and maintain thine own cause for Jesus Christ sake He greatly bewailed the obstructing of Church reformation in England by them who professed themselves zealous for Reformation and it was no small offence unto him to hear of the Letters which came from some Independents at London into Holland wherein falshoods were reported to the reproach of some Presbyterians his known godly Friends in England He was a true Nathaniel indeed in whose spirit there was no guile and therefore all falshood and unworthy juglings were an abomination to his heart There was an holy harmoniousnesse in his whole conversation his life was a well-spun thread from the beginning to the end and tended much to the honour of his Profession and particular Calling Although he walked exactly with God and maintained the comfort of constant peace with him yet Satan was suffered to give him one furious assault the night before he died as was perceived by those who were then with him for rising upon his knees with his hands lifted up he spake these words He is overcome overcome through the strength of my Lord and only Saviour Jesus unto whom I am now going to keep a Sabbath in glory And next morning March 28. 1644. being the Sabbath day about the time when he was wont to go unto ministerial work in the publique Congregagation and the sixty two year of his life he was taken from his labours into rest unto the spirits of just men made perfect in Heaven where he shall sing Hallelujahs for evermore The Life of Master John Dod who died Anno Christi 1645. IOhn Dod was born in Cheshire at a town called Shotlidge bordering on Wales not far from Malpus His Parents had a convenient estate worth a hundred marks a year which went to the eldest Brother This John was the youngest of seventeen and much beloved of his Parents He was sent to School to West-Chester and when he was about fourteen years old he was disposed of to Jesus Colledge in Cambridge where though he had little acquaintance yet the Lord prospering his studies he was chosen first Scholar and after Fellow in that Colledge he there remained near sixteen years The manner of his Conversion was thus The Steward or Boucher of the Colledge accused him to the Master for the non-payment of a considerable summe of money due for one of his Pupils which Master Dod had truly paid but he forgot to set it down Hereupon there was a vehement contest betwixt them about this businesse and the vexation of mind that he should be accounted a defrauder did so trouble Master Dod that he fell into a Feaver and was dangerously sick yet all this while he was but in a natural estate For though he had some good skill in the Theorick part of Divinity yet he was without any application and his affliction was this that he should be blamed for that which he from the Law and light of nature hated All his sorrow as yet was but worldly sorrow and as himself saies he neither did nor could tell how to pray At length the Lord put into his heart that Scripture Rom. 7. The Law is spiritual but I am carnal and sold under sinne and presently his sins came upon him like armed men and the tyde of his thoughts was turned and he left musing how he was wronged and seriously considered how he had offended God and he betook himself to great humiliation and earnestly besought the Lord for pardon and peace in Jesus Christ. Yet for some time he could find no comfort but going on to seek the Lord there follows after much humiliation much consolation and the Lord sealed to him that his sins were washed away with the blood of Christ. Then did he desire his accuser to come to him and told him that though he had accounted him to be his great enemy yet now he acknowledged him to be his good Friend for that he was a means to bring him unto God And afterwards it so fell out by Gods good Providence that it came to this mans remembrance that Master Dod had paid him the money and he was very sorrowfull for the wrong which he had done him and did him all the right he could for the healing of his name and Master Dod said that he had not a more faithfull Friend in all the Colledge during his abode there then this man proved When he was some years standing Master of Art he was appointed to oppose in the Philosophy Act at the Commencement which he did with great approbation insomuch as it was desired that he should dispute again the next Commencement but that he avoided When he preached his first Sermon in the University he had bestowed much pains about it binding himself to words and phrases but in his Sermon he was at a Non-plus whereupon he resolved afterwards never to pen his Sermon verbatim but his usuall manner was to write only the Analysis of his Text the proofs of Scripture for the Doctrines with the Reasons and Uses and so leaving the rest to meditation in which course he never found defect And whereas Doctor Fulk Doctor Chaderton Doctor Whitaker and some others had their frequent meeting to expound the Scriptures and therein they chose the Epistle to the Hebrews they were pleased from their loving respect to Master Dod to take in him amongst them While he continued Fellow of Jesus Colledge by the importunity of some godly people of Ely he went weekly and preached amongst them in that City where the Lord gave a great blessing to his Ministry His removall from Cambridge to Hanwel in Oxfordshire was thus occasioned Master Cope afterwards Sir Anthony Cope a man of eminent note who was much wrought upon by Master Dods Ministry sent a Letter to Doctor Chaderton to provide him a Minister for Hanwel which was then vacant Doctor Chaderton moved Master Dod to go to the place and after he had been a while and preached severall Sermons by the desire and consent of the people and by the approbation of the neighbour Ministers who had heard him he was setled as their Pastor While he was at Hanwel he preached twice every Sabbath catechizing also
in the afternoon and kept a Lecture on the Wednesday constantly and besides this he was one of the five Ministers who held up the Lecture at Banbury He gave himself much to Fasting and Prayer and as his seeds-time was painfull so his Harvest was gainfull hundreds of souls being converted by his Ministry He was given to Hospitality delighting therein keeping a constant Table on the Sabbath and on the Wednesdays Lecture upon which daies he had not under eight or twelve persons commonly dining with him and he spent the time amongst them in spiritual exhortation and conference He was about thirty years old when he came to Hanwel and continued there above twenty years where he had twelve Children by his dear Wife formerly Anne Bound Daughter-in-law to the worthy Servant of Jesus Christ Master Greenham of Draighton near Cambridge and Daughter to Doctor Bound she was one that truly feared God and after her decease by the perswasion of some Friends he took to Wife Mistresse Cleiton who then lived at Stratford Bowe she also was a godly woman and he was contracted to her by Master Egerton of Black-Fryers and married by his ancient and loving Friend Doctor Gouge But to return back again to Hanwel it pleased the Lord to give a great blessing to his Ministry in that place yet he had much trouble from the envy of some Ministers that lived about him who though they seldome preached themselves yet they would not suffer that their people should go from them and hence he was frequently questioned in the Bishops Courts And besides this though some of Hanwel were very courteous and kind yet there were some others who were glad to get from him what they could and to keep from him what they could thinking that that which he had was too much Upon a time Master Dod took a journey to Draighton to bemoan himself to his Father-in-law Master Greenham by reason of his crosses and hard usage Master Greenham heard him what he could say and when he had done answered him thus Son Son when affliction lieth heavy sin lieth light This deserves the rather to be remembred because Master Dod used often to blesse God for it saying also that if Master Greenham had bemoaned him which he expected he had done him hurt and he forgot not this speech in his old age but made excellent use of it for himself and others He was suspended from his Ministry at Hanwel by Doctor Bridges Bishop of Oxford And suspecting what would follow the Sabbath before he went to the Visitation he gave his hearers a farewell Sermon out of that text I will smite the Shepherd and the Sheep shall be scattered the people did attend unto him with sad countenances and weeping eyes Being thus driven from Hanwel he preached at Fenni-Compton in Warwickshire where he had but small means but he was desirous to be doing good From thence he had a fair call unto Cannons-Ashby in Northamptonshire where he lived quietly divers years preached over the whole Prophesie of Danel with some other Scriptures having much kindnesse from Sir Erasmas Dryden in whom there was a rare mixture of Piety and Learning and good affection from Master Cope He was silenced from preaching at Ashby upon a complaint made against him by Bishop Neal to King James who commanded the Arch-bishop Abbot to silence him Then he ceased for some time to preach publiquely yet in regard of his heavenly gift in conference he might have been said daily to preach privately he was in his element when he was discoursing of heavenly things And God in goodnesse so ordered it that when he was restrained from publique preaching yet himself conceived that at that time his life was no lesse profitable then it had been in former times He had much employment in comforting such as were wounded in their spirits being sent for not only nigh at hand but also into remote Countries There was a Gentlewoman who had a great worldly estate and a loving Husband but she was so sadly assaulted with tentations that she often attempted to make away her self Master Dod was sent for to come to her and the Lord so blessed his Councels Exhortations and Prayers that she did not only recover out of her anguish of spirit but she was afterwards taken notice of for her singular Piety and the Lord so ordered that this affliction was not only the means of her Conversion but also of her Husbands so that both of them were a great mercy in the Countrey where they lived promoting Religion according to their power and entertaining and cherishing godly people She lived divers years quieted in her heart and being rich in good works and when she lay on her death-bed Master Dod was sent for to her again who spake of heaven and to fit her for that glory she told him that she felt the comforts of God and that she could as hardly at that time forbear singing as formerly in child-bearing she could forbear crying and shortly after she died There was a Gentlemen related to a noble Family so perplexed in his mind that he hath been known in hard frosts to go barefooted that the pain of his feet might divert his thoughts Master Dod was sent for to him who was his spirituall Physician to heale him It would be long to insist on all particulars of this nature the Lord having made him a happy Instrument for the good of many When he had spent some years in this kind of service by the care and industry of Master Richard Knightley of Preston a worthy Patriot after the death of King James his liberty was procured for preaching again publiquely and then he was setld at Fausley where he preached twice every Lords day There he went over the Gospel of John the Epistle to the Colossions and other Scriptures He was much given to Hospitality at Fausley as he had formerly been at Hanwel so that there was scarce any Sabbath in the year in which he did not dine both poor and rich commonly three or four poor persons besides those that came from other places to hear him He had so large an heart that upon occasion he hath given to some three shillings to some ten shillings to some twenty shillings and when the poor came to buy butter or cheese he would command his maid to take no money of them At Fausley he had quietnesse from the Courts as also at Ashby for in neither of those places was there any Church-wardens He was beholding at Fausley to the Right Worshipfull Family of the Knightleys where his bones was laid He used to bear crosses with much patience and meeknesse being wont to say that Sanctified afflictions were great promotions quoting that of the Apostle Peter 1 Pet. 1.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. is much more precious then gold which he conceived to signifie the affliction that
or ten hours and now by the same mercy I am wholly freed from them I promise thee that in these great Feasts and Pastimes I will trouble none Once again Farewell Thy most loving Husband Chattillion About the same time their Counsels for the Massacre being not yet ripened the King with the greatest demonstrations of good will that might be thus accosts the Admirall My Father Remember what you have undertaken to me that you will be injurious to none of the Guises whilst you are in the Court they also have interchangeably given their faith that they will carry themselves honourably and modestly towards you And truly I put as great trust as may be in your words but I have not the same confidence in their promises For besides that I know that the Guises seek occasion of revenge I know their disposition to be bold and haughty and with what great favour and affection the people of Paris do follow them It would be a great grief to me if they who have brought into the City many men of Warre notably furnished with arms under colour of coming to the marriage solemnity should go about any thing for your destruction which would extreamly reflect upon me and therefore I think it fit if you be of the same minde to bring a Regiment of Praetorian Souldiers into the City under the command of such men meaning some that were least suspected who may not only be ready for the publique securiry but upon all emergencies if turbulent spirits should attempt any thing against you This friendly speech so prevailed with the Admirall that he gave his consent and so a Regiment was brought in without the suspition of the Protestants which afterwards helped to cut their throats Five daies after as the Admirall came from the Court where he had been all that morning accompanied with twelve or fifteen Gentlemen being on foot about a hundred paces from the Louure walking softly and reading a Petition just over-against the house of one Villemure a Canon and Tutor to the young Duke of Guise one shot with an Harquebush at him through a lattice window the Gun was laden with three brasse bullets one whereof brake his forefinger of his right hand the other two pierced his left arm He that shot it had a horse ready at the back door whereon being mounted he escaped through St. Anthonies gate where finding a Spanish Jennet held ready for him he posted away to the place appointed for his retreat The door of the house being burst open the Harquebush was found with a Lacquey and another servant who belonged to Challey Steward of the Kings house and a great dealer in the Duke of Guises affairs who also the day before had brought this Harquibushier to that house desiring that he might be well intertained the Lacquey also was sent that morning by this Harquebushier whose name was Maurevel to the Duke of Guises Groom of his Stable requiring that the Horse should be ready that was promised him The Admirall being brought to his lodging shewed singular piety and patience Chyrurgions were sent for and amongst the rest Ambrose Pareus the Kings Chyrurgion who began first with his finger which he cut off but his pincers not being keen he opened and pressed them three times before he could cut it off Then he lanced both those places in his arm which the bullets had pierced all which the Admirall bore not only with a couragious heart but with a constant countenance insomuch as seeing his Friends to weep which held his arm whilst the incisions were made he said unto them My Friends why do you weep I judge my self happy that bear these wounds for the cause of my God And withall looking upon Monsieur Merlin his Minister he said These wounds my Friends are Gods blessings the smart indeed of them is troublesome but I acknowledge the will of my Lord God therein and I bless his Majesty who hath been pleased thus to honour me and to lay any pain upon me for his holy name sake let us beg of him that he will enable me to presevere unto the end And seeing Monsieur Merlin to weep and lament he said to him My Merlin you should rather comfort me To whom he answered Indeed there can be no greater comfort then to think upon the honour which God hath done you in judging you worthy for his Name and Religions sake to suffer these pains My Merlin answered the Admirall if God should have dealt with me aâ—cording to my deserts or have used his power over me he must have deâ—â— far more severely with me but blessed be his Name who hath dealt so mildly and lovingly with me his unworthy Servant Then said another that stood by Go on with this your piety foâ— God ought to be praised by you who hath left the greatest part saâ— and untouched for which cause you have greater reason to admire hâ—â— mercy in these wounds then to complain of his justice especialâ—â— considering that neither your head nor your mind are wounded Thâ—â— said Merlin You do very well Sir that you turn your thoughts froâ— these murtherers to God for truly it was his hand that inflicted theiâ— wounds neither ought you at all to think upon the blâ—ody-mindednesse of your adversaries Truly said the Admirall I freely and from my heart forgive both him that shot at me and those also that set him on for I know assuredly that it is not in their power to hurt me no though they should kill me for my death is a most certain passage to eternal life Thâ— same words he shortly after spake to Marshall Danvill when he came to visit him And whereas Monsieur Merlin told him that the afflictions and calamities which happen to Gods Children use to quicken theâ— more in Prayer The Admirall thereupon with an audible voice and fervent soul poured out this Prayer unto God O Lord God and my heavenly Father have mercy upon me for thy tender mercies sake Remember not against me my former iniquities neither charge me with the sins of my youth If thou Lord shouldst strictly mark what is done amiss or shouldst impute to us our breach of Covenant what flesh could stand before thee or endure thine anger As for me disclaiming all false gods and worship I only call upon thee the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and worship thee alone for Christ his sake I beseech thee to bestow thy holy Spirit upon me and give me the grace of patience I only trust in thy mercies all my hope and confidence is placed on that alone whether thou pleasest to inflict present death upon me or to spare my life to do thee further service Behold Lord I am prepared to submit to thy will in either nothing doubting but if thou pleasest to inflict death upon me thou wilt presently admit me into thine everlasting Kingdom But if Lord thou sufferest me to live longer here grant O