some as they drew nearer unto them brought to a greater liking and love of the company and societie of Gods children and of these and such other duties of Gods worship His early comming to Church as they did exercise themselves withall His comming to the Church with all his Family attendants and followers was constantly before the beginning of prayers or any part of divine Service that so hee might more comfortably joyne with Gods Minister and people in confession of sins in prayer and praise His reverent and holy carriage in it reading and hearing of the Word singing of Psalmes and partaking of the Sacraments all which hee did performe with such a reverent attention and gracious affection with so holy a carriage and so good conscience that as hereby hee did much increase his owne comfort so was his godly example no doubt a great encouragement to many others yea a very spurre and goade unto them to bee more religious and conscionable in Gods worship and service After prayers and Sermon were ended hee seldome went to dinner His dinner time hee bestowed well in the Church but abode in the Church to bestow himselfe and this interim in Gods Service with such good people as were willing to stay with him And this hee did by repeating the Sermon which hee had taken very exactly as usually hée did with his owne hand and by singing of Psalmes and by wholy and wholesome conference in and about good things The Evenin Sacrifice he performed in like manner And so waiting for the Evening Sacrifice after hee had with like care and conscience performed the publique duties of the Sabbath in the same hee returned homewards with his company with much comfort and joy in their hearts endeavouring as they went along to increase their Knowledge Faith and Obedience by repeating and conferring of the Evening Sermon and to inlarge their hearts in Gods praises ◠Sam. 12.24 by singing of Psalmes a fresh considering what great things hee had done for them Their returne homewards and mutuall care to do good And if any amongst them were afflicted they would bee ready to counsell him comfort him and pray for him And he himselfe especially if he heard of any such as were troubled in Conscience upon the hearing of the Word would be ever mostready and willing like the good Samaritane Luc. 10.34 Gal. 6.1 to powre wine and oyle into that wounded spirit wine that he might search and scoure it and oyle that he might supple and heale it After this manner did he frequent the House of God sanctifie the Lords day rejoyce in the Assembly of the Saints and refresh his own Soule with Heavenly Manna and other spirituall repast so long as hee could either goe or ride unto it CHAP. LXIIII. His private Evening exercise full of life ANd then in his Evening Exercise he was so full of life and zeale that besides his own family many of his Tenants and Neighbours did much desire and delight to heare him repeat the Sermons presse the speciall points urge the Conscience and powre cut his prayers unto God with so tender and sweet affections for them all that the heat of his spirit did cause their hearts as it were to melt within them The great joy he had in the Sabbath and Fasts The joy and comfort which he found in these holy duties both in publike and in private on the Lords day and in their Fasts was so exceeding great that he would often and earnestly wish O that every day were either a Sabbath-day or a Fast day for then I should be well His thankefulnesse for one Sabbath more And when the Sabbath was past it was his usual manner to blesse God with a thankefull and chearefull heart for that hee had given him one Sabbath more than he did looke for amongst his people The weeke dayes were somewhat more tedious and grievous unto him his bodily infirmities much increasing and his strength decaying and yet would he never be dejected but endevoured to quicken his own soule and raise up his heart by Faith and Hope speaking to his Family and Friends about him much after this manner The time is not long I must shortly lay down this my tabernacle and then I shall get the start of you all 2 Pet. 1.14 Heb. 4.9 11. and shall celebrate an everlasting Sabbath before the Lord with all his holy Angels and blessed Saints in the highest Heavens This he spake rejoycingly and yet with teares Weary of the world Hee grew every day more and more weary of the world and was then best contented when he could dispatch worldly businesses with fewest words He makes his Will Isay 38.1 It was his provident and godly care to set his house in order as good Ezekiah did to make his will and to leave all things in good tearms of peace and love Which he did with good successe accordingly And so by this meanes his mind and heart were disburdened and cased of many worldly thoughts and cares So hee was more free and more fit for Heavenly things Gal. 6.10 and he brought to a greater freedome and liberty both to think and speake of spirituall and of heavenly things Which in no sort he did omit but as he could stir abroad in the House either to the Fall Parlour or Kitchen He would drop some wholesome words of counsell or comfort amongst such as he met withall and never cease speaking of holy or of heavenly things amongst the rest of his Family When many came to visit him he would often say Alas good Soules what are yee come to see Iob. 7.13 19. a poore wretch a worme and no man or a poore dying man I may now say with Iob. If I waite the grave is my house I have made my bed in the darknesse I have said to corruption thou art my father to the worme thou art my mother and my sister Iob 19.15 16. And yet I know that my Redeemer liveth that he shal stand at the latter day upon the earth And though after my skin 2 Cor. 4.16 wormes destroy this body yet in my flesh shall I see God Therefore wee faint not but though the outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed daily And so our conversation is in heaven from whence also wee looke for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ who shall change our vile body Phil. 3.20.21 that it may bee fashioned like his glorious body according to the working whereby hee is able to subdue all things to himselfe Some that came unto him would out of their common kindnesse comfort him with some hope of health and recovery Si nunquā bene si aliquando quare non modo Posidon in vita Aug. Cap. 27. to whom hee would make this answer My time is in the Lords hand and it is not likely it can bee long my dayes are past my purposes are broken
charme he never so wisely Thus have we made it manifest that this gracious and Godly Gentleman was in his holy conversation full of mercy and full of good fruits All of which do taste and relish so much the better because they were seasoned with two other gracious qualities of that wisedome which is from above namely Equity and Syncerity for hee was without partiality and without hypocrisie According to that of the Prophet Micha He hath shewed thee O man what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee but to doe justlie and to love mercy and to walk humbly and uprightly with thy God And thus have we according to our purpose and promise taken a more speciall view of some parts and passages of this Gentlemans life wherein the gifts of Gods grace the vertues of Christ and the fruits of the Spirit did more eminently appear As first in his conversing with God and secondly in his conversation in the world And so wee come from the course of his life in the world and draw towards the end of his life namely his departure out of the world which was the third and last of those 3. generall heads which were proposed to be handled CHAP. LX. COncerning his departure out of this world 3. General Head His departure out of the world 1. Prepar 2. His Resol 3 His confidence 4. His const Psa 90.12 we propole divers things to be considered and observed First his preparation for it Secondly his patient resolution to Beare all the sharpe occurrents of it Thirdly his gracious confidence of a blessed and happy exchange after it Fourthly his happy constancy in the faith of Christ unto the end and in the end untill hee was put in possession of it and so obtained the end of his faith the salvation of his lonle in Christ Jesus Now for the first as his whole life was a meditation of death so was it also a continuall preparation for it For the Lord had taught him so to number his dayes that he did apply his heart unto wisdome I say both to be wise unto salvation and so wise also as to consider Wisedom Deut. 32.29 Iob. 14.14 and often think too upon his latter end So that all the dayes of his appointed time he did wait as Iob did till his change should come Al his studies and labours all his holy duties and services all his prayers and tears all his watchings and fastings all his desires and endeavors were especially bent and directed unto this end next unto Gods glory that he might so run that he might obtaine and so fight His preparation for death that he might overcome and in the end be more than a conquerour in him that loved him that is in Christ Jesus It was therefore his care and confidence ever so to live that he might never be affraid to dye yea so to live that he might desire to dye and to bee with Christ which is best of all even where he is and as he is for over Phil 1.23 Paulm in vita Amb. Possidon in vita Aug. As Paulinus hath recorded of Ambrose that being ready to dye he uttered these comfortable words unto his friends about him Non sic vivi ut pude no me inter vos vivere nec mori timeo quiu bonum habemus Dominum I have not so lived that I am ashamed to live amongst you neither am I affraid to dye because we have a good Lord. His more especiall preparation for his latter end His more speciall preparation in ten speciall duties consisted in these holy duties and heavenly exercises 1. To deny himself his wit his will his reason and affection 2. To renounee the world and to we are himselfe from the love of it and from all the pleasures profits honours and favours of the fame 3. To set and settle his affections on the things which are above placing his heart where his head Christ is 4. To take all his decayes of nature his bodily infirmities want of vigour and strength abatement of naturall heate and moisture to be certeyne Impressions of his mortality and evident Summons to a dissolution 5. To make all his spirituall rejoycings and refreshings in the estate of grace to bee pledges and earnests as it were of heavenly and everlasting joy and happinesse in the estate of glory 6. To consider that unto the godly death is but a passage unto life a dissolution of soule and body for a season which afterwards shall bee restored again in greater beauty and glory at the resurrection 7. To observe that death puts an end to all sins and sorrows to all temptations and afflictions and brings us into the possession of an heavenly inheritance where the true treasure is in abundance where also there are rivers of pleasures and fulnesse of joy for ever more 8. To meditate that here we are but strangers and pilgrims having here no continuing city but seeking one to come that heaven is our home and that whiles we are present in the body we are absent from the Lord and that Ierusalem which is above is the city of the Saints and mother of us all 9. To conferre and talke with his godly friends of the day of death and time of his departure out of this world even in the middest of all other comforts as Christ himself did with Moses and Elias in the holy Mount of his departure that is of his death at Ierusalem and as Austin had much holy and heavenly communication with his mother Monica Aug Cons l. 9. t. 10. and shee with him to the like purpose 10. Lastly to watch and pray with oyle in our Lamps and our lights burning taking every day for our last day Mat. 25.4 2 Tim. 2.21 Mat. 25.23 and so bee ready and prepared for our Masters worke for our Masters comming and for our owne reckoning Thus much of the means which he used and duties which he performed to prepare himself for his departure out of this world Now for his patient resolution to beare all the sharp occurrents of it As hee had obtained mercy of the Lord to bee faithfull in doing his will So had he also to be patient and resolute in suffering and abiding his good pleasure both in life and death To which end the Lord had given him a great measure of spirituall strength Phil. 4.13 Eph. 6.13 that he was able to doe in a manner all things in Christ which strengthened him and hee had furnished him also with that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the whole armour of God whereby he might be able to stand fast in the evill day whether of tentation or affliction against all adverse power that might assaile him We read of that faithfull servant of Christ Chrysostome when hee was grievously persecuted by Eudoxia the Empresse that the Lord did give him such courage and resolution that he feared nothing which she could doe unto him though shee did threaten never
he would not confesse but onely told them in generall with great tendernesse of heart 2 Cor. 11 14. and many teares in his eyes teares of joy and teares of sorrow Pati timetis exire non vultis quid facium vobis Possid de vita Aug. c. 37. For now he had a strong perswasion that he should not live long and that within a while he should make a glorious change of this life with a better of earth for heaven of this world for another and of an estate of misery for an estate of glory And hereunto hee did very carefully addresse himselfe 3. Head His confidence of a happy exchange labouring for a gracious confidence of this blessed and happy exchange whensoever he should come unto it And this hee did by clearing his evidence and confirming his assurance of it His evidence he cleared by informing his judgment aright in the all-sufficiency and perpetuity of that blessed estate His evidence of it His assurance he confirmed by such faithfull records covenants grants gifts pledges earnests witnesses signes oaths seales His assurance for it fruits and marks of his interest unto that estate that neither sinne nor Satan law nor conscience death nor hell could infringe it nor finde any flaw therein to give either them any just occasion to except against it or him any cause once to doubt of it This his confidence was his comfort in all his sicknesse His confidence cause of his comfort which drew many comfortable and heavenly speeches from him Such as these and the like O how great is thy goodnes O Lord which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sonnes of men O how precious are thy thoughts unto me Psal 31.19 O God! O how great is the summe of them Psal 139.17 18. If I should count them they are moe in number than the sand when I awake I am ever with thee I trusted in the Lord Psal 31. I said thou art my god My times are in thy hand I am continually with thee thou hast holden me by my right hand Thou shalt guide me with thy counsell Psal 31.23 24 25 26 and afterwards receive me to glory Whom have I in heaven but thee and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee My flesh and my heart faileth but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever I know whom I have beleeved and I am perswaded that he is able to keepe that which I have committed unto him against that day Psal 31. O love the Lord all yee his Saints for the Lord preserveth the faithfull and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer As the Hart panteth after the water-brookes so panteth my soule after thee O God My soule thirsteth for God for the living god O when shall I come and appeare before God O let him kisse me with the kisses of his mouth Cant. 1.1 2. for thy love is better than wine Because of the savour of thy good ointment Thy name is as an oyntment powred forth therefore do the virgins love thee Draw me and I will run after thee God is not unrighteous Heb. 6.10 to forget our worke and labour of love which we have shewed unto his name Faithfull is he that promiseth and calleth us 1 Thes 5.24 Neh. 5.15 and 13. v. 14.22 who will also do it Remember me O my God for good according to all that I have done for thy people and wipe not out my kindnesse that I have done for the house of my God for the Offices thereof Remember me O my God and spare me according to the greatnes of thy mercy Some of these holy and heavenly Speeches hee uttered at his first awaking in the morning some in Prayer with his Family some in his short Ejaculations some as the issue of his secret and silent Meditations some in conference and speech with such of his Christian friends as did come to visit him and to minister either other counsell or comfort unto him Yea and many hundred more than these which would be a matter of great difficulty if not of impossibility to call to mind and to record them His heart was as a fountaine full of the waters of life Iohn 4.141 full of the heavenly knowledge of the holy Scriptures and now being as it were broken open by affliction the riverets of grace and truth did issue out amayne He was full of matter like Elihu Iob 32. â—9 and the Spirit within him did constraine him Behold his belly was as new wine which hath no vent It is ready to burst like new bottles Psa 45.15 His heart was ever inditing some good matter and his tongue became the pen of a ready writer CHAP. LXIII His diligence and conscience in frequenting Gods house NOw although his bodily infirmities did increase and grow upon him yet would he not by any meanes bee kept from the house of God on the Lords day so long as either he could go or ride which was some eight or nine weekes before his death and departure out of this world His house was distant about a myle from the Church His cheerfull going to Church the way faire and large so that hee usually went afoot calling all his family about him leaving neither Cooke nor Butler behinde him nor any of his servants but two or three to make the doores and tend the house untill their returne Psal 122. 1 2. And then taking his Tenants and neighbours as they lay in the way along with him hee marched on with a joyfull and cheerefull heart as a leaden of the Lords host towards the house of God according to that of the Psalmist Psal 42.3 I went with the multitude to the house of God with the voice of joy and praise with a multitude that kept Holy-day And so it was indeed his ordinary manner to call his company neare about him Singing of Psalms by the way and to joyne together with one heart and voice to sing Psalmes as they went along and that Psalme especially How pleasant is thy dwelling place Psal 84. which they performed with such a melodious harmony that the like may be said of them as was of the Jewes God made them to rejoyce with great joy the wives also and the children rejoyced so that the joy of Ierusalem was heard even afarre off Neh. 12.43 For although I cannot say as Augustine did that by such sweet singing of Psalmes divers were converted to the faith of Christ that were strangers to it Yet am I well assured by that which I have heard that many that heard but afarre off Some much delighted and some much bettered by this melody the pleasant sound onely of their delicate and sweet voices according so well together in Gods praises were much refreshed and delighted therewit hall and
mercies A Booke of remembrance Cap. 47. The hand of God upon the Boy of the Northwich Satans malice Gods mercy First his fits and passions Secondly his gestures and actions he was brought unto the Bishops The Bishops Licence for a private fast for his release Thirdly his Speeches Cap. 48. his private Invocation Not confined to one place his time for Private prayers Seven times in a day Powerfull in prayer his private fasting Tender prayers and hard knee The matter of his private prayers Sinnes of Sion Sinnes of the time Praise and thanksgiving Cap. 49 his imitation of his heavenly Father every day Cap. 50. his conversation in the world First A resolution against the world Secondly Gods presence Thirdly Striving against sinne Fourthly Desiring to doe good Fiftly lust dealing Sixthly Take all to the best Seventhly watchfulnesse Eightly To be sparing in speech Ninthly Renouncing all worldly fashions and humours Tenthly Peaceable Eleventhly Contentednesse Twelfthly To keepe our peace with God Cap. 51. First he endeavoured to be pure First pure in heart Secondly Pure in hand Thirdly Pure in tongue Cap. 52. Secondly peaceable A Peacemaker Cap. 53. Thirdly Gentle not by nature but by grace Many of the Fathers very Passionate Yet well accepted of God and good men his bearing and forbearing In meeknesse like Moses In mildnesse like his Master Christ Many of a cruell and bloudy disposition Cap. 54. Fourthly Easie to be intreated Iudge W his testimony of Master Bruen We easily intreated to his Cost But some so hard they will give nothing no nor pay their own duties Cap. 55 A Branch of the crue vine A Tree of Righteousnesse full of good fruites towards all he did mourne for sinners he did contemne contemners his bounty to poore Christians for supply of their wants Cap. 56. he was rich in good workes his hospitality for Gods Children his Provision for his table in plenty and variety Hee would not endure any ryot or excesse No quaffing no drunkennesse nor healthing in his house His charity to his poore neighbours First for their bellies His Dole dayes twice a weeks In the time of dearth almost every day his bounty in giving and lending mony or Corne Secondly mercyfull to the poore in cloathing their bodies also Thirdly provision he provides for them out of his owne Purse yearely Fourthly Protection hee pratects and defends them Fifthly Advice and as he is able doth plead for them Cap 57. His fruits of faith and love to others also In his harmony in judgement with the best In his sympathy with the godly in every condition Heavie newes of the Church did 〈◊〉 affect him and afflict him also In his compassion in visiting the sick His antipathy against profanenesse In garish fashions In profane customes as in drinking of healths The Policy and power of Satan in healthing Cap 58. It is Antipathy against profane Customes and corruptions of great houses He offereth a remedy His godly letter for Christian Admonition and reformation His good opinion and estimony of Tho-Wilbraham Esâ—… his indignation against sin His love and care to reclaime the sinners His joy in such as were converted Cap. 59. Fruits of mercy towards his Tenants He was a mercifull Land-lord Cap. 60. He departeth out of this world 1. Preparation 2. Resolution 3. Confidence 4. Constancy 1. His preparation for death His more speciall preparation in ten speciall duties 2. His resolution to beare the sharpe occurrents of it Cap. 61. His graces much encreased in his old age His last dayes his best dayes His resolution and courage against all assaults His hope and expectation Cap. 62. His first sicknesse and visitation 3. His confidence of an happy exchange 1. His evidence 2. His assurance for it His confidence cause of his comfort Cap. 63. His diligence and conscience in frequenting Gods house His chearefull going to Church Singing of Psalmes by the way Some much delighted and some much bettered by this melody His early comming to Church His reverend and holy carriage in it His dinner time he bestowed wel in the Church The evening sacrifice he performed in like manner Their returne home-wards and mutuall care to doe good Cap. 64. His private evening exercise full of life The great joy hee had in the Sabbath and fasts His thankfulnes for one Sabbath more Weary of the world He makes his Will So he was more free and more fit for heavenly things Cap 65. He had Milke for Babes that came to visit him and stronger meat for strong men His godly admonitions to both he commends unto them his owne experience and example Cap. 66. Fourth Head His constancy in Religion even unto the end Great strength in great weaknes His comfortable and savory speeches His consolations exceeding his afflictions S. H. B. came to visit him His gracious words and exhortations unto him His sonne and heyre came unto him His good counsell unto him His desire to have his heyres follow his steps That being dead hee might as it were live in them againe And that Religion might never dy not decay in that Family Cap 67. Mr. L. And my selfe came to visit him Ianuary 16. 1625. His patient waiting for release His consolations still abound without all trouble of minde or conscience We rejoyced in his joy prayed with him and for him His care for prayer in the Family Mindfull of M. L. A heavie parting Cap. 68. Some ever ready to pray with him Diverse desire a blessing from him Hee prayeth secretly himselfe other gracious people pray with him His last prayer His last end A FAITHFULL Remonstrance of the holy Life and happy Death of JOHN BRUEN of BRUEN-STAPLEFORD in the County of Chester Esquire CHAP. 1. JOHN BRUEN of Bruen-Stapleford in the County Palatin of Chester Esquire was either by consanguinity or affinity linked and allyed to many of the most ancient and worshipfull Houses and Families of that Countrey His Father a worthy Gentleman of his time descended of many worthy Ancestors The Lord having continued their Race His birth and blood from father and established that Family in their own Ancient Name Place House and State for many Generations A blessing I confesse of no extraordinary note yet the more remarkable because even in these parts many Families that have flourished in great pomp and pride for a season and have thought that their houses should continue for ever Psal 49.11 12 13. and their dwelling places to all Generations and for this end called their Lands by their own names have yet been cut short of their hopes and their lives both together had their posterity swept away as dung and their names overwhelmed with the ruines of their houses their root being rottennesse and their blossome vanishing into dust Isal 5.24 as the Prophet speaketh to the same purpose This Gentlemans father was first married to a sister of Sir John Dones of the house of Vtkinton from whom the Lord with-held the fruit of the womb His
honcslus es at â—â—…heranus Aumphâ—…iâ— vita â—uâ—llis Heb. 12.16 1 Ioh. 3.12 Gal. 4.29 Isa 36.4.7 2 Pet. 2.8 Isaiah 5â— â—5 he became a vessell of honour sanctified and meete for his masters use and prepared unto every good worke And thus according to that wisdome which was given him from above hee became first pure But here some man will thinke that to bee so pure in heart and life word and deed as you speak of him to his great praise will bee returned back both upon him and you to his just rebuke and your farther blame For are not we now fallen into those times and are wee not compassed about with such prophane Esaus murthering Caines scoffing Ismaels railing Rabsekahs filthy and cursed Sodomites that a man can hardly refaine from any wickednesse but he makes himselfe a prey as the Prophet speaketh nor seeketh after any goodnesse but they will bee ready to vexe and persecute him Psal 38.20 and will needs be his adversaries because hee followeth the thing that good is Doubtlesse it may be said of us Hermodorus E phe so pulsus quod fâ—ugi esset Cic. Tusc-Quaest l. 5. Sic Aristides Ostracismo pulsus Athenis Ostracism Arist Polit lib. 3. c. 9. Tertul. in Apoluget cap. 2. Ego Lucium virum sapientem repentè factum Christianum defero Tertul ib. 1 Cor. 4.13 Isa 8.18 Luc. 2.34 for many persons and places as once it was of Rome Omnia cum liceant non licet esse pium All things are there lawfull only to be a godly and a good man is held amongst them to bee unlawfull So Tertullian hath observed it to be the streyne and manner of those times Cajus Sejus bonus vir ideo tantum malus quia Christianus Cajus Sejus is a good man therefore evill only because hee is a Christian And even so the case stands with us at this day and that in our Israel where the children of God that desire to be as their father is and they are charged to be pure and holy are no better esteemed but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 even as filth of the world and off-scouring of all things even untill this day Or at the best but as signes and wonders in Israel and markes to bee shot at as Christ himselfe was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Butt or marke to bee shot at by such as bend their tongues like Bowes to shoote out their arrowes even base and bitter words against him The Disciple is not above his master nor the servant above his Lord if they have called the master of the house Beelzebub Mar. 10.24.25 what better language can we expect from them being his poore servants in the same house But what good reason have these vaine or vile persons to open their foule mouths so wide against purity in religion and holinesse of life and conversation One of their best is that which they have borrowed of their father Caine and which he was taught of his father the Divel when hee slew his brother And what was his reason wherefore slew he him Because his own workes were evill and his brothers good 1 Ioh. 3. â—2 Is it then your antipathy against goodnesse and your enmity against the godly for their holinesse that provokes you to swell against them and so much to splene and spite them that you reproach and revile them Act 7.54 and are ready to burst with anger because you cannot wreake your malice upon them Isa 57.3 4. Gen. 3 15 â— Kin. 21 10. 2 Cor. 6.18 Gal. 4.29.30 If this be your reason of this your cruell dealing then judge you your own selvs of what breed you are Are yee not rather of the seed of the serpent than of the seed of the woman Are yee not rather sonnes of Belial than the children of God And are ye not rather the children of the bond woman with scoffing Ismael than children of the free woman with holy Isaac CHAP. LI. BUt why should it seem so strange a thing unto you that every true Christian should so carry himself as this Gentleman did that hee may shew himself pure and holy in all maner of conversation Doth not our heavenly father command it 4 Pet. 1.16 Be ye holy for I am holy Doth not the vertue of the death and resurrection of Christ require it that henceforth wee dye unto sin Rom. 6.5 6 11 13 â—8 and live unto him yeelding our members to bee servants to righteousnesse unto holinesse Doth not his blessed Spirit challenge it at our hands That we be sanctified throughout in soule spirit and body 1 Co. 6.12 1 Thes 5.23 and preserved blamelesse untill the comming of our Lord Jesus Christ Doth not the Word of God tell us that This is the will of God even our sanctification that every one learne to possesse his vessell in holinesse and in honour Heb. 11. 12.1 13.7 Eph. 2.19 Doe not the examples of all holy men call upon us to follow their faith and to walk in their wayes of righteousnesse and holinesse before the Lord all our dayes Doth not the communion of saints and citizens both in heaven and earth exact and expect of us Eph. 5.3.1 Tim. 2.2 such a conversation as becommeth saints in all godlinesse and honesty Again consider What is the true religion It is pure and undefiled before God Iam. 1.27 And who is a true professor of this Religion He that is pure in heart and undefiled in his way And what is the word Mat. 5.8 Psal 119.1 which is the rule of this Religion The words of the Lord are pure words as silver tryed in a fornace of earth purified seven times Psa 19.10 Pla. 12.6 And what are the Sacraments annexed to this Word They are sacred Signes and Seales of holy mysteries in heavenly things And what are the speciall priviledges of such as are pure and true Christians 1 Cor. 11.24 Rom. 4.11 Vnto the pure all things are pure they have a great liberty and large interest in all Gods blessings Tit. 1.15 1 Cor. 3.22.23 and in the use and comfort of them Their holinesse here is a pledge of their happinesse hereafter Having their fruit in holinesse and the end everlasting life Heb 12.14 Ro. 6.22 Ioh. 17.24 1 Ioh 3.3 2 Tim. 2.21 And what must then bee the conversation of every one that hath this hope to be with Christ where he is and as hee is for ever Hee must of necessity purifie himselfe even as hee is pure and so being a vessell of honour sanctified hee shall bee meet for his Masters use and prepared unto every good worke Such are the persons and such are the things which the Lord requires and expects in the profession and practice of every true Christian Mal. 3.17 And are not all these pure and precious in the eyes of Almighty God and in the sight of heavenly Angels and holy men Mat. 7.6 Hath God
off even the thoughts of my heart my taske is ended the Lord hath no more worke for me to doe my warfare is accomplished my race is run out and finished I now only hope for and wait for that crowne of righteousnesse which Christ hath purchased for mee and God hath promised unto mee CHAP. LXV Milke for babes that came to visite him OF those which came to visite him he observed that some were young professors and babes in Christ others were of riper age and better growth in Christianity and therefore he did apply himselfe unto them both To the babes hee would minister the sincere milke of the Word in wholesome and easie instructions in mild and gentle exhortations all sweetned with tearmes of tendernesse and love To them that were of riper age in Christ Stronger meat for strong men H. b. 5. ult His godly admonitions unto both hee gave as occasion required stronger meate as to stronger men even such as by reason of use had their senses exercised to discerne both good and evill Vnto them both he gave these and the like godly admonitions To hold on and hold out to bee stedfast in their profession and never to be weary of weldoing to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ to increase in faith and abound in love never to be discouraged by taunts and mocks railings and revilings and other persecutions for the name of Christ but as they have given their names unto him so to give their hearts also And then to be faithfull unto the death that they may receive the crowne of life And that these and other such like Instructions and admonitions might make a deeper impression in their hearts and bee a stronger provocation to Christian obedience in their lives Hee did very gravely and wisely He commends unto them his own experience and example as a Father commend unto their due consideration his own experience and example from the time that he first began to embrace and professe the Gospel His words were these or much to this effect When first I began to professe Religion there was almost none in the whole Shire that were acquainted with the power and practise of it I was Psa 102.6 8. as the Prophet speaketh like a Pelicane of the wildernesse I was like an owle of the desert Mine enemies did reproach me all the day and were mad against me I was a wonder of the world yea a monster of men Isai 8. and many did bend their tongues like bows for lyes and shoote out their arrowes even bitter words against me And yet for all this that came upon me I did not forget the Name of my God neither did I deale falsly in his Covenant Psa 44. My heart was not turned back neither did my steps decline from his way But being strong in the Lord and in the power of his might I found his Grace was sufficient for me both to confirm mee in the truth and to preserve me blamelesse and harmelesse without rebuke in the mids of a crooked and perverse generation And so through the good hand of my God which was upon me I did overcome For the Work of God did prosper in my hand and mine Adversaries did not prevaile against me But now Isay 54.1 that may be said to this Countrey which the Prophet spake unto the Gentiles Sing O Barren thou that didst not beare breake forth into singing and cry alowd thou that didst not travail with child for more are the children of the desolate than of the married Wife saith the Lord. O how goodly are thy Tents O Jacob Num. 24.5 6. and thy Tabernacles O Israel As the valleyes are they spread forth as gardens by the river side as the trees of Lign-Aloes which the Lord hath planted and as Cedar trees beside the waters Now the borders of the Church are much enlarged the number of Belecvers wonderfully increased and blessed be God every quarter and corner of the Country is now filled with the sweet savour of the Gospell O how it doth refresh my spirit Rev. 2.10 1 Cor. 16.13 1 Cor 15.58 and rejoyce my Soule to see or to thinke upon their sweet faces standing before the Lord in the day of Assembly as an Army in holy beauty Wherefore my beloved Brethren so are none of those things which you shall suffer Watch ye stand fast in the Faith quite you like men be strong be ye stedfast also and unmoveable always abounding in the worke of the Lord forasmuch as you know that your labour is not in vaine in the Lord. With such gracious Speeches of Counsell and Comfort of Admonition and encouragement did he stir up the godly minds of many Professors younger or elder as they came to visit him CHAP. LXVI BY all this wee may see 4. Head His constancy in Religion and observe an evident proofe of his constancy in the profession and practice of true religion being never wearie of well doing nor discouraged in suffering any ill that did befall him Hee was never unsetled in his course nor diverted from it 1 King 7.21 no not by the strongest oppositions and assaults that were made against it For this his constancy hee had obtained of the Lord two speciall pillars of support Boaz i. In it is strength Jachin i. he shall establish 2 Chron. 20 20. Isa 30.15 Heb. 10.35.36 like those in the Temple Boaz and Iachin namely confidence and patience knowing right well that by believing in the Lord hee should be established and that in quietnesse and confidence should bee his strength and that hee had neede of patience to keepe possession of his soule that having done and suffered the will of God he might receive the promise that is the recompense of reward according to the riches of his mercy and bounty in Christ Jesus And this may yet more evidently appeare Even unto the end by the last passages of his life being now growne very feeble and weake and much like a dying Lampe Great strength in great weaknesse the oyle wasting and the light decaying For though his afflictions were increased yet were not his consolations diminished though hee were weake in body yet was hee of perfect minde and memory feeble in the flesh but strong in the Spirit Yea his spirit did continually breath out such savoury and sweet words as his speech would serve him words of grace and peace words of joy and comfort His comfortable and savory speeches like a sweet perfume or some sweet odours out of a precious boxe newly broken up that all that stood by were much refreshed and comforted therewithall and were well assured that no paines of his body nor pangs of death drawing on did halfe so much trouble him or annoy him as his inward spirituall holy His consolations exceeded his afflictions and heavenly refreshings and rejoycings in his God and from his Christ and by