so much against him Si vult Regina me exulem agat in exilium Domini est terra plenitudo ejust si vult secare secet Chrys Ep. Cyriace Epise Tom. 5. idem passus est Isairs si vult in pelagus mittere Ionoe recordabor c. If the Queene will have me banished let her banish me the earth is the Lords and the fulnesse thereof If she will cut me in peeces let her doe so The Prophet Isaiah suffered the same death If she will cast me into the sea I will then remember Jonah if she will throw me into a burning fornace the three children suffered as much before me Such like courage and resolution had this Gentleman against his naturall afflictions as Chrysostome had against violent persecution So that now he was able with valiant David to goe forth in the name of the Lord even against Goliah of the Philistims And grew resolute with Paul not to reckon his life deare unto him whatsoever afflictions might befall him so that he might fulfill his course with joy Act. 20.24 Ro. 8.18 Accounting all the afflictions of this world to be unworthy of the glory that shall be revealed and never fainting for any sorrow because although the outward man did perish and decay yet was his inward man renewed daily 2 Cor. 4.16.17 and all the afflictions of this life were but light and momentany to him that had an eye to the eternall vveight of glory laid up in heaven for him CHAP. LXI IT was observed by many of his friends His graces much increased in his old age both at home and abroad that in his declining dayes when he faw he was drawing on towards his journeyes end his faith was exceedingly increased his hope and rejoycing in God much enlarged his love and zeale wonderfully inflamed his affections towards God and the godly Theodosius senior aetate sed valìdius fide Amb. de Obit Theod. more holy and heavenly and his motions towards heaven more quicke and lively Much like the Elements and other such naturall bodies which the nearer they draw to their proper places are ever more violent and speedy in their motions till they come unto them So was it with this Gentleman for his spirituall estate the nearer he drew to wards his proper place his mansion house 2 Cor. 5. 1 Ioh 14. 2. Phil 3.13 Act. 20.24 Heb. 12.1 prepared for him in the heavens the more eager his desires were and his motions more vehement to dispatch his journey with all good speed to finish his course with joy and to runne out the race with patience vvhich vvas set before him Those that hee planted in the house of the Lord Psal 92.14.15 shall flourish in the courts of our God They shall bring forth fruit in old age and they shall bee fat and flourishing His laft dayes his best days Their last dayes shall bee their best dayes and their last vvorkes their best vvorkes and their fruit shall bee more and better at the last than at the first Isay 61.3 Such a tree of righteousnesse the planting of the Lord vvas this godly Gentleman whose fruit did not faile whose leafe did not fade no not in the winter of his age Psal 1. Ier. 17.8 Psa 92.13 14. Phil. 3.13 but did ever flourish in the courts of our God He was of Saint Pauls resolution forgetting those things which were behinde and reaching forth unto those things which are before he pressed towards the mark for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus His Resolution and courage against all assaults And casting out as it were his gantlet of defiance against all the most sharpe and dangerous assaults that might encounter him and be made against him he challengeth them all as Paul did Who shall separate me from the love of Christ Shall tribulation on distresse or persecution or famine or nakednesse or perill or sword Shall sicknesse or sorrowes feares or terrors pains or aches fores or swellings miseries of life or pangs of death so prevaile against me Nay in all these things I shall be more than a conquerour through him that loveth me And so from Pauls resolution he grew unto Pauls perswasion J am perswaded that neither death nor life nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come Nor height nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. His hope and expectation Phil. 1.20 21. And from this perswasion to an earnest hope and expectation That in nothing hee should bee ashamed but that with all boldnesse as alwayes so now also Christ should bee magnified in his body whether it bee by life or by death For to him to live was Christ and to die was gaine Being now thus setled and resolved in patience and confidence to beare all afflictions and indure all grievances which might be either as fore-runners or attendants on his departure and dissolution It seemed good unto the Lord to visit him with sicknesse and that after this manner as his faithfull yoke-fellow hath reported and fent me in writing from her owne hand Her words be these CHAP. LXII His first sicknesse and visitation I Call to mind some words which he spake unto me alone at that time when it pleased the Lord to visit him which was upon the day after the Sabbath That morning he arose exceeding early and having beene in private prayer with God as his usuall manner was he performed afterwards this duty in the whole family This being done he went as he was accustomed into his Studie untill dinner time And having dined he went into his Study again And then it pleased God about an houre or two after to visit him as it were with an Ague after the manner of a shaking and so withdrawing himselfe thence into his little parlour he laid him down upon his bed Then said I unto him Sir I feare your early rising hath done you hurt Then he replied If you had seene wife such glorious things as I saw this morning being in private prayer with God â—ide Posâ—d de vita Aug. c. 27. you would not have said so For they were so wonderfull and unspeakable that whether I was in the body or out of the body with Paul I cannot tell Thus it hath pleased the Lord least I should be too much exalted by this glorious sight to give mee with Paul a buffet in the flesh All which things he spake with exceeding great joy unto me Non probo quod â—esero vix fas est credere visis Saepe Satan tali in lumine lucc nocet The like report of the like ravishing in spirit and such glorious sights which he saw not long before he himselfe made unto some of his friends after he had beene one day in private prayer with God in his grove The particulars
the next place commend themselves unto God in humble and hearty prayer making their requests knowne unto God 4. His humble and holy prayer with thanksgiving in all manner of supplications with thanksgiving which hee usually performed with that power and feeling fervency and sincerity faith and humility as the spirit of grace gave him understanding and utterance and their severall occasions and other necessities did require that hee was oftentimes much admired of them that heard him and by his holy petitions and gracious affections did much refresh the hearts and cheere the spirits of many of his neighbours and friends which joyned with him Gen. 32.26.27.28 Hos 12.4 Hee would so wrestle with God by prayers and teares like Jacob that hee would not let him go untill like an Israel he had by praying and weeping prevailed with him The fruits of which his holy desires and endeavours were so remarkable in that family whether hee prayed against sinnes or sorrowes or sought unto God for grace and good things that seldome did they meet againe to pray but they had some new and fresh cause of praise and thanksgiving unto him that had heard their prayers Having alwayes matter of praise as well as cause of prayer A godly and an holy course in prayer which I wish were as well performed as it is well worthy to bee observed Namely Not only to consider wisely what we ask in prayer but to observe carefully how wee speed after it for in so doing as we should still be stirred up and provoked to new praises so should wee be quickned and encouraged to seeke unto our God againe by continuing or renewing the same or the like prayers and requests unto him This was the practice of holy David that man after Gods owne heart who having called upon God Psal 41.1 did patiently wait upon him for hearing and diligently observed what successe he had and as hee found the fruit of his prayers did thereupon come againe into Gods presence with new and fresh praises Psal 66.17.19.20 I called unto the Lord saith he with my mouth and he was exalted with my tongue Verily God hath heard me he hath attended to the voice of my prayer Blessed bee God which hath not turned away my prayer nor his mercy from me CHAP. XXIV THus did he exercise himselfe and his family unto godlinesse every morning His evening exercise and after the duties of the day and their naturall refreshing and repast in the end thereof hee called them again to the like service and sacrifice in the evening which hee very religiously and constantly performed much after the same manner saving thaâ— then he tooke some more paines with them having more liberty In opening and applying the word and better opportunity so to doe for then he ordinarily instructed and taught his family out of that portion which hee tooke in the Chapter read at that time unto them propounding and applying some wholesome doctrine profitable for their godly edification as the tenor of the Scripture best served 2 Tim. 3.16.19 whether to convince any errour or to confirme the truth to rebuke any sin and to instruct in the way of righteousnesse to comfort the heart under hope in doing well and settle the soule by faith and patience in suffering ill This was his holy defire and delight to edifie his family in faith and love For the use of his Family and to traine them up in the true knowledge and feare of God so acquainting them with their duties towards God and man Tit. 2.10 11 12. that living soberly righteously and godly in this world they might beautifie their profession and adorne the doctrine of God our Saviour alwayes and in all things All which his godly paines and practices in the instructing of his family out of the Word of God as a pastor and teacher in his owne house Crowned with a blessing from God albeit they were through the blessing of God crowned with good successe at home yet were they much maligned reproached opposed and questioned abroad and that not only by the vulgar fort but even by some of our masters in Israel whose negligence was much rebuked by his diligence their prophannesse checked by his holy duties their government in their families not onely obscured but blemished Opposed much by some men of the world but blemished by the comely order and beautie of his government in his family which was so farre advanced above some of theirs as ever Bethell was above Bethaven Sion above Shilo or the Temple of God above the Temple of Idols Which malignity of the world His fortification against such assaults and enmity of godlesse persons against godly and good duties when he well observed and wisely considered of hee began to fortifie his building both for his judgement and practice as Nehemiah did the wales of Jerusalem against the assaults of Gods enemies which he did very faithfully and effectually by his painefull collections and observations which he made out of the Scriptures For justifying of his judgement and practice in thus teaching of his family and by the expositions testimonies and examples of godly and good men records of antiquity and evidences of worthy Writers and witnesses to the truth of God all sutable to the doctrine of our Church to justifie his course and stop the mouthes of all such as without any just cause did open them so wide against it I have seen and read what hee hath collected and set downe to this end and purpose under his owne hand which I approve of and like so well for his choice and paines in binding up together so many sweet and wholesome flowers of heavenly doctrine By his collections and observations out of godly and good authors for his owne confirmation and other mens satisfaction that I could have been well contented to have set downe these his collections and observations at large concerning this point of the masters duty in teaching and instructing his family in the feare of God and faith of Christ and in opening and applying some portion of the Scriptures to their mindes and hearts for that end but that I much feared lest my labour and paines herein at this time might be held not so needfull and lesse pertinent seeing many godly mens bookes are filled with the same or the like instructions since that time justifying the same point and practice and that the bulk and body of this little booke would swell too bigg if I should bring in another Treatise to stuffe up the bosome and brest of it CHAP. XXV And yet not usurping upon the Ministery Nor by aprivate spirit But by godly and good meanes Homines discunt prius quod doceant ab alâ—o accipiunt quod aliis tradant Amb. Coster us in eins Vita Amb lib. 1. de Offic. c. 1 NOw because some may mistake both him and me in this businesse as imagining
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
short time he was so well provided and furnished with honest and faithfull godly and gracious servants both men and women that he had now as Paul saith Philemon had once a Church in his house And no marvell seeing for continuall supply there were many that were religious who would willingly offer themselves and make meanes to be admitted into his house and to do him service untill they were like Davids host a great host like the host of God 1 Chron. 12.22 A full houshold and gracious family where Husband and wife parents and children governours and servants are all either truly religious or at least such as do orderly and duly submit themselves to all duties of religion in the family Now for the ordering and using of his servants he did reckon of such as most faithfull ever unto him as he found ever most faithfull unto God as did Constantius when hee purged his Court. And such he did much esteeme and entirely affect as his brethren and fellow servants in and under Christ Jesus 2. For the using of his servants Yea he made them somtimes as his companions in his familiar and kinde usage of them sometimes as his counsellours to advise conferre consult and resolve with them in matters of conscience or of other importance somtimes as his comforters in afflictions and tentations that he might so receive some comfort and refreshing from them Some of speciall note as Old Robert Among the reft he had one of speciall note an old disciple like Mnason as a father in his family to the rest of his servants his name Robert Pasfield but better knowne by the name of old Robert a man utterly unlearned being unable to read a sentence or write a syllable yet was he so well taught of God that by his own industry and Gods blessing upon his minde and memory he grew in grace as he did in yeeres and became ripe in understanding and mighty in the Scriptures Yea he was so well acquainted with the history of the Bible and the summe and substance of every Book and Chapter that hardly could any ask him where such a saying or sentence were but he would with very little adoe tell them in what Book and Chapter they might finde it Insomuch that he became as a very profitable Index to the family to call to minde what they had learned and to recover what they had lost by slip of memory and not onely so but a godly Instructor and Teacher of young professors also to acquaint them with the Word and to exercise their hearts unto godlinesse by the precepts and examples thereof which he constantly did both at home and abroad as he had leisure and liberty so to do Now if that which I have often heard be true that Bonus Textualis is Bonus Theologus A good Text-man is a good Divine then may Old Robert in our countrey proceedings be allowed for a Divine and a Doctor also He had many other good parts in him a good gift in prayer and praise very willing and well able to conferre of good things carefull to heare the Word read or preached and to help his own and his friends memories by repetitions and some other means as of a strange Girdle which as I shall shew you he had framed for himself to that purpose The Girdle was of leather long and large Old Robert his Girdle for help of his memory so that for compasse it would go twice about him This for the help of his memory he divided into severall portions and parts as a Carpenter doth his Rule and allotteth every Booke of the Bible in their order to some of those divisions As Genesis to the first Exodus to the second c. Then for the distinction of the Chapters of every Booke he annexed a long point or thong unto the severall divisions and made knots by fives or tens thereupon to distinguish the chapters of that book he had also other either points or rushes to divide the chapters into their particular contents or severall parts or verses as occasion did require This instrument of his owne invention hee framed and used as others do their pen and writing for the better helpe of his understanding and reliefe of his memory in his hearing of the Word preached which he did with so good effect and fruit in observing all the points and Scriptures alleadged in a Sermon and binding them upon the points and partitions of his Girdle as he heard them that in repeating of the Sermon afterwards he himselfe had great benefit and many other professors much comfort and helpe by his handling of his girdle and fingering the points and divisions of it A matter of such wonder unto all that ever saw it and heard him repeat a Sermon by it that his worthy Master thought the girdle worthy to bee kept and reserved in his Study as a monument of Gods mercy and old Roberts both piety and industry that he might bee known to have beene neither idle nor unprofitable in partaking of the blessing of the ministery A reb uke to mindlesse and carelesse persons This man and his girdle shall rise up in judgement against many of greater place than himselfe who being both mindlesse in observing and carelesse in retaining what they heare or have heard in the preaching of the Word will neither stirre up the graces of God which are in them nor exercise the naturall parts aright which God hath given them nor practise any artificiall helpes of their owne or other mens invention for reliefe of their owne weaknesse both in minde and memory and for supply of other mens wants according as their necessities may require Hence also may we raise a just rebuke of many of better parts who having many helps both by arts and tongues Logick and learning Art of memory writing by characters or otherwise And to such as use not their skil and other faculties aright doe not yet set themselves and their gifts a worke in any good course to make the best benefit of that which they heare for themselves that so they might be more profitable unto others according to the places and callings wherein the Lord hath set them CHAP. XIX His familiar conversing with old Robert THis old Robert though but a servant yet being rich in grace his Master did so much esteeme and affect that he would as often as conveniently he could have him neare unto him he would often goe to the Hop-yard or threshing-flore where commonly his businesse lay to talk and conferre with him and sometime for his owne exercise to take some part and portion in the labour with him also This he did for their mutuall comfort and contentment in provoking one another to holy duties and communicating such things as they had read or heard for increase of godlinesse and goodnesse one in another Such is the nature and temper of humility and sincerity The master never a whit the more abased
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
Both by his owne and M. Clarkes testimony to call in and produce Master Clank's own words for evident testimonie to his bounty and faithfulnesse in this particular He was the chief instrument to plant and establish the preaching of the Gospel in this congregation First by providing divers of Gods Ministers to preach here oftentimes when the Incumbent was growne old and decrepit afterward by maintaining a Preachet at his owne proper cost and charges And lastly by being a means to obtaine the place for me in reversion and allowing me the greatest part of my maintenance So that this Parish hath cause for ever to acknowledge him a nursing father of Religion amongst them and a blessed Instrument to bring in the light of the Gospell unto them when they sate in darknesse and in the shadow of death CHAP. XXIX NOw because popery and profannes two sisters in evill had consented Popish and profane Wakes aâ—… Tarum Paul Jov. Hist. l. 24. Calv. de vera ecclesrefor Ratione Bullsing de Origin err.e. 33.34 His godly care and labour to suppresse them and conspired in this Parish as in many other places together to advance their idols against the Arke of God and to celebrate their solemne feasts of their popish saints as being the Dii Tuteleries the speciall patrons and protectors of their Church and Parish by their Wakes and Vigils kept in commemoration and honour of them in all riot and excesse of eating and drinking dalliance and dancing sporting and gaming and other abominable impieties and idolatries this godly Gentleman being stirred in his spirit at these their grosse superstitions and much grieved in heart at their grievous misdemeanors and disorders knowing well that the customes of the people were raine yea and vile also poysoning their mindes with erriours and corrupting their hearts and lives with base lusts and the bitter fruits thereof And fearing lest their carnall joyes and delights in these fleshly and earthly things might make the Heavenly Manna to seeme as light bread unto them and the wholesome food of life more unsavoury and distastfull than otherwise it would have beene By a more plentifull and powerfull use of the Word preached This Gentleman I say to prevent these mischiefes and procure the peoples good did usually at these times bring in and set up the Arke of God in greater pomp and power amongst them to bring downe and break in peeces their Dagon so much admired and adored by them So hee did and prevailed in so doing Against S. Andrews day which is the time of Tarum Wakes and the weeke following I observed saith he many yeares together to invite two or three of the best affected Preachers in the Diocesse that spent most part of three dayes in preaching and praying in the Church Whereby he prevailed and blessed God so as the Pipers and Fidlers and Beare-wards and Players and Camesters had no time left them for their vanities but went away with great fretting and yet multitudes of well affected people filled the Towne and the Church and that with much rejoycing blessed be God O what and how great comfort and contentment did this godly man take in discountenancing and suppressing so farre as hee could all popery and profannesse With rejoycing together with all the instruments abbetters and maintainers of the same O how great was his rejoycing and solace when by any care cost or labour hee might refresh the bodies and rejoyce the soules of Gods people either by corporall or spirituall repast And feasting provided and prepared for them To which end as it is well knowne at one of these times besides all other provision there was spent in his house a fat Beife and a half within the space of three days upon godly and well affected people and his Cook did then relate unto him Of Gods people Such was his desire to doe good his delight in the Saints his joy in the house of God and love to his service that all other things in comparison of these were but losse and drosse and dung unto him O Renouncing all fellowship with sinne and sinners how truly might he say with David Away from me all yee workers of iniquitie I will keepe the commandements of my God I hate all vaine inventions but thy Law doe I love all my delight is in the Saints and in such as excell in vertue I was glad when they said unto me let us goe up into the house of the Lord our feet shall stand in thy gates O Jerusalem How well did he herein imitate the example of Christ And herein following the example of Christ Iesus who at the feast of the dedication of the Temple though it were no divine but a humane constitution tooke occasion notwithstanding upon the frequent concourse of the people to teach and preach the Gospell of the Kingdome unto them and whiles they sought after carnall things to please their flesh to minister unto them spirituall to profit and doe good unto their soules Nether doe I speake this to justifie or approve these festivall solemnities Bulling de Origin 〈◊〉 c. 35.114 for the anniversary commemoration and celebration of Saints and Martyrs and dedication of Churches which savour rancke of the caske and smell hugely of the vessels of Judaisme Paganisme and Papisme Lib. Inter. cap. de Ceremoniis See Bullin de orig â—r cap. 36. sol 113. whence they were first drawne 〈◊〉 derived for so I should condemne many both Fathers and Councels that have condemned and inhibited the like Wakes and solemne Assemblies at such times and to such ends which they called their Vigilias and Encania and that for the same errours abuses enormities and villanies that wee doe now condemne them for But I speake it to the just commendation of this worthy Gentleman D. Rain de Idol l 2. c. 3 13. and for the faire provocation of other Gentlemen also of like power and place by his example is doe what they can to suppresse and abolish all such Wakes and festivals and if they cannot doe that yet to make the best of the worst by standing against them striving both by courage and countenand to disgrace and disappoint them and to bring in better meanes of mercy and of grace either to water or to plant the Uineyard of the Lord which is before them CHAP. XXX ANd this I doubt not Nine reasons against popish and profane Wakes Hieronin Mat. 23. but they would be more easily induced and perswaded to doe if they did advisedly consider of these or the like reason which might rectifie their judgements in these things 1 That the celebration of such Wakes and festivals is utterly destitute of all warrant of Gods Word for who hath requited these things at their hands Isay 1. Rom. 14. ult Lih. Inter. cap. de Cer. Bulling de Origine excap 35. p. 111. And whatsoever is done without warrant 〈◊〉 never be done with any comfort or good
conversation in all their wayes These can all testifie if they will and they will all I know as they can his faithfulnesse and cherefulnesse in this kinde CHAP. XXXVIII His burning of Tables Cards and Dice TOuching upon the former point of playing at Cards and burning of the knaves he presently annexeth a note of remembrance of another the like act of his almost twenty yeares before that time In like manner saith hee almost twenty yeares before being in one of my Studies and seeing a paire of Tables under my feet I took them with the thirty men and the Dice and all the Cards I found and put them into a burning Oven which was then heating to bake Pies This I suppose he did not to honour them as Martyrs Noâ—â—s Martyes But as malefactors but to punish them all as malefactors in their kinde For so I find by his other collections which he hath made that he held Tables Cards and Dice to be all very grosse offenders and such as could not have their faults otherwise than by fire or fornace purged from them And to speake herein as the truth is An attestation of the Fathers with him against them he hath the attestation of many of the Lords Worthies who neither held them in better estimation for their judgement nor did beare them any good affection for any pleasure or delight they could ever take in them Tenul lib. de spectac cap. 5 6 14 15 16. lib. de Pal. c. 5. Cyprian l. de Alca. August l. 1 Retract ci 1 Aug. Epist. 54 ad Maced Aug. in Psal 31 Epist 5 ad Dioscorum Aug. li. 5 de Civit cap. 1. Hieron in Prov. 18.18 Idem in Zachar. cap. 8 chrysest Hom. 48. in Gen. Cap. 24. Hom. 6. in Mat. Hom. 38. Hom. 56. in Gen. Idem in Mat. cap. 14. Hom. 49. Vid 1 Cir. 4. Hom. 12. p. 414. Ambrosâ—â—…ib de Thobia cap. 4 idem lib. 1. de Offic. cap. 23. Iaem in Psalm 118. alià s 119.37 Idem in 1 Cor cap. 10.7 Hilar. in Psal 118. alias 119.37 Many of the ancient Fathers are utterly against them and not one of them all that I know but hee is well content to let Baal pleade for himselfe for they have nothing to say in defence of them Tertullian did smite them with a rod of rebuke in the generall Cyprian strikes them through as with a Scorpion bow writing a whole booke against them in particular Austin and Hierome have not spared them as they came in their way and had occasion to speake unto them Chrysostome deales with these as hee doth with other such heathenish games he cuts them and hewes them in peeces as Samuel did Agag and grinds them to powder as Moses did the golden Calfe in detestaton of them Ambrose and Hilary would have all Christians to turne away their eyes both of body and minde Lactan. de vero cultul 6. c. 20. p. 369. Idem Divin Instit Epit c. 4. Aâ—nob adver Genâ—eâ— lib. 7. p. 720.721 Greg. Nazian Serm. in Fest Nativ Idem in fest Pentwost from all such worldly and ungodly vanities Lactantius and Arnobius are very vehement against all playes and games as having their originall from the Feasts of the Heathen gods Ludorum celebrationes Deorum festa sunt Gregory Nazian sharply rebuketh them that would seem to celebrate the Feast of Christs Nativity and the Feast of Pentecost with such like heathenish customes sports and games Gregor in Moral cap. 5. Bernard writing to the Souldiers of certaine Christians which were at Ierusalem saith thus of them Aleas detestantur mimos magos scurrilesque cantilenas tanquam vanitates Danaeus do Lud. Alcoe pag 54.55 Basil horn de humili. Beda in 1. Tim. cap 5. pag. 281. Bed in Act. cap 1. de Sortibus aut insanias respuunt abominantur They detest all Dicing or games of hazzard all Players Sorcerers all scurrill songs as vanities or as frantick madnesse they renounce and abhor Basil and Beda Cassiodore and Isidore Fulgentius and Salvianus are all of the same mind either wrapping them up in the generall together with all other such worldly vanities and carnall sports heathenish games and sensuall pleasures and so convincing them Cassiod in Psal 118. alias 119.37 Idem in Psal 21. alias 22.18 Isidor lib. 28. Etymol cap. 16. Isidor lib. 18. Etymol ca. 42 44.51 59.68 as sinfull upon the same grounds or else dealing in particular more sharply against them as they had calling and occasion so to doe And so doth Oecumenius directly deale against Dicing upon occasion of that word which the Apostle useth against crafty and deceitfull teaching 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word is taken saith he à talorum ludo cujus proprium est hinc atque illinc talos transferre dolosos from the play at Dice the property whereof is by casting and hurling here and there to deceive by false dealing Lastly Salvian de Gubernatione Dei l. 6. Occumen in Eph. 4.14 Cyril in Evang Jehan lib. 8. cap. 5. Cyril is very vehement against the corrupt manners of such Christians as are wont to celebrate their Festivals with such illiberall playes and sports and vanities of this world because hereby they grieve God most when they ought to please him best Unto this attestation of Antiquity from the Fathers Isidor Etym cap. 68 Concil Eliber can 79 Concil Apost can 41 42. Concil Constanti Charanz in 6. Conc. Gener p. 199. Decret lib. 3. cap. Clerici Gratian Distinct 35. cap. Episcop Antonin 2. par lit 1. cap. 23. Justin. in ff de Aleator Cicil Fraeter Justin in Authenticis Tit. do Sac. Episc Alca Legibus vetita Horat. An. 22. Rich. 2. An. 21. Hen. 4. An. 17. Edvar 4. An. 11. Hen. 7. An. 3. Hen. 8. 33. An 14. Eliz. here might well be added the testimony of authority from the Councils Canons Ecclesiasticall and Constitutions Civill both Imperiall and Municipall Plato in Phae. Arist Polit. lib. 7 cap. 17. lib. 8 cap. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. Plut. in Conv. lib. 1. cap. 4. Cic. Philip. Orat 2. Ascon Paedian in Cisero Orat. Contra Anton. Catil p. 118. Senec. Apotheo Claudii Imperat. Julius Capitol in Vero Imperat. pag. 852. Suelonius in Augusto c. 71.83 Senec. Consolat ad Polybium c. 36. Turnch Advers l. 1 c. 6. Hadrian Iun Adag 62. Cent. 5. Plutarch de 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 281. Alex. ab Alexan. Genial Dier l. 3. c. 21. And if need were without any great adoe we can bring in witnesses enough more than will make a full Jury to give evidence against these malefactors whereof some by the light of nature and some by the light of grace have said and set down enough to cast them condemne them and hang them up for ever But wee will be contented for this time only digitum ad fontes intendere to point at the Authors in the Margent whence
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
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.