The Lives of Sundry Eminent Persons

A Testimony given by a Reverend and godly Neighbor Minister concerning Mr. Wilson.

MR. Wilson 's natural parts (saith he) were generally known to be very high: In depth of Judgment, readiness of Memory, and quickness of Apprehension: He was best at much in a little, with clearness of Judgment, and exactness of Method that I have heard, or am ever like to hear, His spiritual Endowments for Graces and Gifts were answerable. In his Ministerial Abilities, he was taller by the Head and Shoulders than most of his Brethren: His indefatigable pains were answerable to his parts, which wore out his Spirits, and spent him for good, to be the sooner with God: And that which to me adorned all, was the depth of his Humility in the height of his Sanctity. He had well learned that hard Lesson, to receive much from God: and yet to be little in his own Eyes. His Memory is yet precious to my Thoughts: The general loss is great, yours in particular at Maidston greater. I shall heartily desire that his indefatigable Labors, and pious exemplary Life may still live in your Lives, in which he, though dead, yet speaketh, &c.

On the much lamented Death of Mr. Thomas Wilson, Pastor of Maidston in Kent.

An Epitaph upon Mr. Thomas Wilson.

[illustration]
VERA EFFIGIS SAMVELIS BOLTON S.S. THEOL: • : NVPER COLL C CANTAB: MAG:
Qui Obiit 15 Oct ^brs : 1654 Aetatis 48.

F. H. Van Houe Sculp:

[portrait of Samuel Bolton]

A brief account of the latter part of the Life and Death of Dr. Samuel Bolton, who died Anno Christi 1654.

I Have no Account of his Parentage, Birth, and Education in his younger Years: About the time that the All-wise God translated him hence, he was pleased, within a little space to take to himself many learned, godly, and able Ministers, which, without doubt, was a presage of the dreadful and terrible Judgments which ensued not long after: And it was the greater Judgment, because most People were so little sensible of it. Isa. 57. 1. The Righteous perisheth (saith the Evangelical Prophet) and no man layeth it to Heart; and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the Righteous is taken away from the Evil to come. The Jewish Rabbins have a saying, Quando Luminaria patiuntur Eclipsin, malum est signum Mundo: It is an ill sign to the World when the Luminaries of Heaven areclipsed.

God extinguished many glorious Lights about that time, especially in and about London, as Dr. Gouge, Mr. Walker, Mr. Gataker. Mr. Whitaker, Mr. Strong, &c. And in the University of Cambridge Dr. Hill, Dr. Arrowsmith, and Dr. Samuel Bolton, sometimes Mr. of Christ 's College there: Upon whose Commendation if we should enter, it may be truly said what Gregory Nazianzen said of his Sister Gorgonia, That there is more fear that we should speak too little, than that we should speak too much.

He was a Burning and a shining Light in this our Israel: An Interpreter one of a Thousand: A man of excellent Ministerial Abilities: A workman that needed not be ashamed, dividing aright the word of Truth. He was one that did study not only 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , but 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 not only to Preach well, but to Live well. His Life was an excellent Commentary upon his Sermons. As Nazianzen said concerning John the Baptist, (who is called, The voice of the Cryer,) that he was All Voice: A Voice in his Habit; a Voice in his Diet; a Voice in his Dwelling; A Voice in his Conversation as well as in his Preaching: So that it may be truly said of this Man of God, he was Tota Vox, All Voice: A Voice in his Life as well as in his Doctrine. He lived his own Sermons, and preached louder by his good Conversation, than by his Heavenly Doctrine; Nam vita Praedicatorum est vocalissima: The Life of Ministers is the Life of their Ministry, and Teachers Sins are the teachers of Sins.

What Ruffinus said of Gregory Nazianzen, may fitly be applied to this Reverend and holy Minister; He did those things himself that he taught to others, neither did he condemn himself by practicing contrary to what he preached. He had not only Dona honoraria, but Dona salutifera; Not only Gifts for the good of others, but Graces for the good of his own Soul. There are many Ministers that have rare Gifts, but they are like a Pearl in a Toads Head, a Pearl in the Head, but the Body all Poison, bec • use their Lives give a lie to their Doctrines: But this our Brother had not only Gratias gratis datas, but Gratias gratum facientes. He was not only learned, but religious, and (which is the highest commendation) he was an humble Saint. The Applause from others did not make him proud.

There are four things (saith Luther) that make a Minister; Prayer, Reading Meditatation, and Temptation. Our Christian Brother was not only a man of Prayer, Reading, and Meditation, but a man assaulted with manifold Temptations; yea, probably with more than many hundreds of Ministers are. He was often buffeted by Satan, and therefore proved the more able to comfort them that were in trouble, by the Comforts wherewith he was comforted by God. (2 Cor. 1. 4.) And he left a Writing behind him wherein he had recorded all the outgoings of God towards him, and all the Experiences of God's shining with the Light of his Countenance upon him; and also of his withdrawings, and hiding his Face from him. He hath written down both the Apogaum's and Perigaeum's (as I may so say,) both those times wherein God stood at a distance from him, and when he approached nearer to him.

His desire of winning Souls to Christ by his Preaching, was so great, that though he was Head of a College in Cambridge, and had no Ministerial charge of his own, yet notwithstanding he preached gratis once every Lord's day for many Years together. The like is recorded of that Reverend, Godly, and Learned Minister Dr. Hill, sometimes Master of Trinity College.

This worthy Dr. Bolton, in the ordinary course of his Ministry, had a little before his Death preached over the third Chapter of St. Paul 's Epistle to the Philippians to the latter end of the Twentieth Verse, and was come to Verse the One and Twentieth; Who shall change our vile Body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious Body, according to the mighty working whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself. And it pleased God by his Providence so to order it, that Mr. Edward Calamy preaching at his Funeral, happened, that he made choice of this very Verse (though he knew nothing of this till afterwards) for his Text at his Burial. But though Dr. Bolton lived not to preach upon this Verse, yet he now lives in Heaven, waiting for that blessed time when his vile Body shall be raised out of his Grave, and be made like unto the glorious Body of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Before he was made Master of Christ 's College, he preached three or four Years at St. Martin 's Ludgate, London: Also six or seven Years at St. Savior 's Southwark; And for some time at St. Andrew 's Holborn, in all places to the great satisfaction of all the godly that waited upon his Ministry. And though he be now dead, yet he still speaks, not only by the Holiness of his Life, and graciousness of his Doctrine, but also by the many excellent Books which he hath lest in Print, in which may be beheld a fair Character of his Piety, and Ministerial Abilities.

He was very Orthodox and sound in his Judgment: He had no Spiritual Leprosy in his Head, witness those two Books of his, called, The Arraignment of Error, and A Vindication of the Rights of the Law, and Liberties of Grace. He was of a public Spirit, witness that Book of his, called, A Word in Season to a sinking Kingdom. He was very careful in admitting Men and Women to the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper; witness that Book of his called, The Wedding Garment.

The time of his Sickness was long, tedious, and costly: His Diseases many, very many, but his Patience was exceeding great. He would usually say, that though the Providences of God were dark towards him, yet he had Light within. A little before he died, he said to one that was lifting him up, Let me alone, let me lie quietly, for I have as much comfort as my Heart can hold. The last time that Mr. Calimy visitted him, he found him wonderously desirous to be dissolved, and to be with Christ: He said, Oh this vile Carcass of mine! When will it give way that my Soul may get out and go to my God? When will this rotten Carcass be consumed, that I may mount up to Heaven? And when he saw any probable Symptoms of Death, (which he called, The little Crevises at which his Soul did peep out,) he was exceeding joyful.

It was his desire to be buried without any Funeral Pomp, which may mind us of a saying recorded by Melchior-Adamus in the Life of Pellitan, of an Uncle of his who would not be buried in his Scholastic Habit (as the custom in that Country then was) Testamento cavit (saith he) ne aliter sepeliretur quam simplex alius Christianus: He ordered it in his last Will and Testament, to be buried as a private Christian, and not as a Doctor, and the Reason he gave was, because he hoped, Resurrecturum se ad judicium, non ut Sacerdotem & Doctorem, sed ut humilem Christianum; That he should rise at the day of Judgment, and appear before God, not as a Presbyter, or a Doctor, but as an humble Christian. This was the desire and hope of our Reverend Brother, and this Text preached upon at his Funeral was matter of great rejoicing unto him, whilst he thought on that day, wherein his vile Body, subject to so many Diseases, should be made like unto the glorious Body of Christ, according to the working, the mighty working (as he three times repeated) whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself: And so he quietly slept in the Lord, and was honourably buried in the Church of St. Martins Lungate, Octob. the 16th. Anno Christi 1654.

A brief account of the Life and Death of Mr. Richard Vines, who died Anno Christi 1655.

RIchard Vines was born at a Town called Blazon, in the County of Leicester, about the Year 1600. His Parents finding his Towardliness and Ingenuity, kept him at School till he was fit for the University, and then sent him to Cambridge, where he was admitted into Magdalene College; In which place he soon discovered much quickness of Wit, and pregnancy of Parts, which, though they were lively and facetious, yet never sinful or profane.

In that College he followed his studies very hard, and profited much in the Arts and Tongues: And after he had continued some good time in the University, going into his own Country, he was chosen to be a Schoolmaster at Hinckly, a little Market-Town, bordering upon Warwickshire.

There he continued for some good time, training up his Scholars in Religion and Learning, till the Death of Mr. James Crunford, head Schoolmaster in the Free-School of Coventry, who also was Rector of Weddington in the same County; by whose death that Rectory falling void, Mr. Adderly, a godly and Religious Gentleman, who was Patron of the place, and lived in the Parish, presented Mr. Vines to it.

The Parish was very small, and the Ministers means of maintenance answerable, being not above 60 l. per annum, yet Mr. Vines accepted of it, and labored faithfully in the work of the Ministry, with much Evidence and demonstration of the Spirit and Power, so that many reforted to his Ministry from places adjacent, and Mr. Adderly took such a Love and liking to him, that he bestowed his Daughter upon him, who proved a loving and loyal Wife unto him all his days.

Having continued some time at Weddington, there was another little Parish within less than a Mile of it, called Cawcot, which falling void by the death of the Incumbent, the Patron conferred that upon Mr. Vines also, because the Churches being but about half a Mile asunder, he might preach in the Morning at the one, and in the Afternoon at the other; or one Lord's-day at one, and another at the other, yet the Profits of both did not amount to 100 l. per annum.

His Parts and Pains were so conspicuous that they were not fit to be bounded within so narrow a compass, and therefore at the request of divers Friends, he undertook a Lecture at Nun-Eaton, a large Market-Town near unto him, and about seven Miles from Coventry, unto which multitudes resorted, both of the Gentry, Ministry, and private Christians, whereof many came from places divers Miles off, as I myself was sometimes a Witness.

There he continued till the Civil Wars brake forth, Anno Christi 1642. between the King and the Parliament, at which time, for his safety, he retired with his Family into Coventry, as divers other Ministers did; and considering the heavy Judgments of God upon the Nation, and the great danger that they were in, they agreed amongst themselves to set up a Morning Lecture, which began at Seven, and ended about Eight a Clock, which they kept by turns, to the great Comfort and Edification of the Citizens, and others of the Gentry, that were retreated into the City. Mr. Vines was one that kept up this Lecture, and preached also sometimes on the Lord's-days, with great approbation, and content to his Hearers.

There he continued to the year 1643. at which time the Assembly of Divines was called, and he was chosen one of the Ministers for Warwickshire, and it was a Mercy to the Church of God that he was so: For how much good he did there about the matter of Church-Government, may safely be concealed, but scarcely be expressed without offense to some.

This occasioned his coming to London, and soon after he was chosen to preach before the House of Commons on one of their solemn Fast-Days, which he performed with much judgment, Masculine and Nervous Oratory, as may be seen in his Sermon, printed by Order of the said House: And he was taken so much notice of, that soon after he was chosen Minister of Clements Danes, a very large, and considerable Parish, wherein, besides Citizens, there were some Nobles, and Persons of Eminency.

And Essex-House being in that Parish, that Noble Earl was his frequent Hearer, with whose Ministry he was so pleased and taken, that he became his great Friend to his dying Day, and after his death Mr. Vines was made choice of to preach at his Funeral, which curious and ingenious Sermon is to be seen in Print. He was called often to preach before the Parliament, sometimes before the House of Lord's, and sometimes before the House of Commons, all which he performed to the great Satisfaction of his Hearers, especially of the most judicious. And how effectual his Ministry in his own Parish was, some yet living can, and have testified, not without many Tears, being much troubled for the drying up of those Breasts, from which, for some years, they had such wholesome, pleasing, and profitable nourishment.

After some time spent in that place, by the solicitation, and procurement of the Earl of Essex, (Clements Danes being so large and unwieldy a Parish) he was removed to the Rectory of Watton, in the County of Hertford. The Parsonage was of good value, yet much over-rated in the common Report, (as most Ecclesiastical Living use to be;) but it proved small to him, by reason of his great Charges in repairing a ruinous House; great Taxes (the tenth of all which was laid upon him by his Neighbors, who knew not how to value such a Pearl,) and (as himself told me) being forced to find a Horse and Arms without any other joined with him: Besides, in regard of his necessary absence sometimes, he was fain to maintain an Assistant to supply his room.

When the University of Cambridge was reformed by the noble Earl of Manchester, he was chosen, and appointed to be Master of Pembrook Hall: And sew there were more fit for Learning, or a Spirit of Government, and for such a trust than he. When he came to it, he found the House very empty of Students, and the Buildings much out of Order, by abuse of rude Soldiers that had been quartered in it: But the Fame of Mr. Vines, now made Master, quickly drew Scholars; the Chambers were repaired, and made fit for their Entertainment, & the House flourished with godly, and learned Fellows, and Scholars. There he continued, promoting Religion and Learning to the utmost of his Power, till he was put out for refusing the Engagement, even that Engagement, which, though some did swallow, yet to others it proved a stone of sttumbling, and a Rock of Offence to many other tender, Consciencious Heads of Houses, Fellows of Colleges, and Ministers in the Kingdom.

From being Pastor of Watton (a place too mean for his Gifts) he had a fair Invitation and Call to the Pastoral Charge of Lawrence Jury, London, and so he returned to the City again, where he exercised his choice. Talents to God's Glory, and the great good of his People, and others that flocked to his Ministry: And God so blessed his Labors, and gave him such room and Interest in the Hearts of his People, that whereas his House was old and incommodious, they pulled it down, built it new, and enlarged it out of their own Purses, which cost them (as I was informed) about Five Hundred Pounds.

Whilest he was Minister there, he was chosen to be one of the weekly Lecturers at St. Michaels Cornhill, which Lecture was set up and maintained by some godly and well affected Merchants, who frequented the same, together with multitudes of other Citizens, out of all parts of the City, and it was a means (through God's Blessing) to edify many, and to settle and establish others in those giddy times.

As he was thus indefatigably spending himself, and laboring in the Lord's Harvest work, it pleased God to afflict him with a great distemper, accompanied with much pain in his Head, which suddenly almost took his sight from him, insomuch (as himself told me, with whom I was intimately acquainted for about Fourteen years before his Death) that he could not see to read the largest Print, neither would any Spectacles help him. This occasioned a very great change; for whereas before he was of a lively, cheerful, and active Disposition, now he became dull, and Melancholy: whereas before he was of a strong, and healthful Constitution, now he became weak and crazy, yet would not be taken off from his Labors to the last; but was desirous to spend and be spent in the work of the Lord.

On a Sabbath Day he preached his last Sermon, and administered the Holy Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, not finding any sensible change in himself, till about Ten a Clock at Night, when he was going to Bed, at which time he fell into a great Bleeding at the Nose, probably having over-heat his Blood by the labors of the Day; and having finished his course upon Earth, and faithfully discharged the Work and Errand for which God sent him into the World, between Two and Three a Clock that Night, he quietly and comfortably resigned up his Spirit unto God that gave it, and was honourably buried (multitudes attending his Corps to the Grave, with much Lamentation and Mourning) at Lawrence-Jury London, Feb. 7. Anno Christi 1655. and of his Age about Fifty Six: And from the Sanctification of the Lord's-Day he went to his everlasting Rest.

He was (as John the Baptist) a burning and a shining Light: An Interpreter one of a Thousand: Of very great and eminent Parts: taller by the Head and Shoulders then most of his Brethren. A Man mighty in the Scriptures; Another Apollos in that; excellently and exquisitely accomplished in all parts of Learning. A perfect Master of the Greek Tongue; a good Philologer; an excellent Orator. He was a ready and piercing Disputant, and so he approved himself even to admiration, in those two famous Treaties, the one at Uxbridge, the other at Newport in the Isle of Wight; in both which places, being (with some other Divines) appointed to attend their Commissioners sent from the Parliament, in the former Place to treat with the Kings Commissioners, and in the latter with the King himself, he strenuously enervated the Arguments of those, who asserted the Divine Right of Prelacy, and assertest the Presbyterian Government.

He was a solid and judicious Divine, who read much, and concocted what he read; One who was able to give a weighty and pithy Decision in any controverted point: He was a notable confuter of Errors, he seldom spake to them, but hit the Bird in the Eye, and made him die, not a lingering, but a sudden Death. In the course of his Ministry he was highly Orthodox, sound in the Faith, very powerful, very spiritual; His whole design and drift in his Ministry was to clear up that great Doctrine of Justification (in which he was eminently, and thoroughly studied) to debase Mans Righteousness, and to exalt the Righteousness of Jesus Christ; He was one that knew how to speak a word in season to wounded and bruised Spirits. There was a great Light, who is now with God, Mr. Angel of Grantham, who, being under a sore and grievous Desertion, did receive much Comfort by discourse with him.

His diligence in his Work and Calling was great in Labors much, in Preaching much, and towards his end his great weakness neither did, nor could hinder him from his Masters Work, with St. Austin, he desired, that when Christ should come, he might find him aut Precantem, aut Praedicat • m; Either Praying or Preaching. That which would have made some to keep their Beds, could not keep him out of the Pulpit. And as he Preached, so he lived, By his Parts he did 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ; By his Grace he did 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 : What he Preached to others he practiced himself, and was not like a Mercurial Post, that directs the way to others, but never stirs itself.

For his natural temper, he was a Man of a Heroical and undaunted Spirit, some called him Luther, not being much unlike him (as it should seem by his Picture) and indeed he was another Luther; he feared not the Faces of any in the discharging of a good Conscience. In his Deportment he was somewhat blunt and inobservant, yet not in the least Proud, or morose, and supercilious. Two things were objected against him by some: First, his frequent removes from place to place, towards his latter end; And secondly, Covetousness, which they inferred from the former. But their is no question but that a Minister may have just and lawful occasion of removing from one place to another, especially in such unsettled times as those were (yet it is confessed that, for the avoiding of Offence, they should be very wary and circumspect therein) but for his particular case, after he had long continued in his Pastoral charge in the Country (though the Place was obscure, and the means small) in all his latter removes, he can scarce be said to have undertaken a Pastoral Charge in any of them, except in the last of Laurence Jury.

As for the charge of Covetousness, I remember that Mr. Calvin had the same aspertion cast upon him, but his last Testament shown that he died a very poor Man: For all his Goods, yea and his Library, being sold very dear (saith Mr. Beza) scarcely amounted to three Hundred Crowns. And Mr. Calvin himself in his life time, hearing of this impudent slander, answered, If I cannot persuademen whilst I am alive to believe that I am no great Monyed Man, yet my Death will show it. And the Senate at Geneva could testify that his stipend being very small, he was so far from not being contented with it, that when they offered to enlarge his Pensions, he utterly refused the same: By this small estate which he left at his Death, it appeared that either his Gifts were not great, or else that he spent as God sent: So Mr. Vines by what he left at his death; made it abundantly appear, that his Heart was not much set upon the World; For if it had, sure there would have been more of the World in his Purse: for it may be confidently affirmed, that their was not a Minister of any repute in the City of London, for some years, that died with so small an Estate as Mr. Vines did.

If we take him as a Christian, he was another Enoch, a true Walker with God, a very Holy Man: more cannot be said of any Man; less cannot be said of him, without wronging his his memory. His Life was like Enochs Life, and his Death was like Enochs Translation; for he died suddenly. He went to Bed, slept, and died. His Death was a sleep indeed: Being weary and spent with his Work, God took him to Heaven, there to give him a Cordial: From the Pulpit he went to the Throne: As soon as he had ended his Sabbath here, he entered upon his everlasting Sabbath in Glory. He went warm from his Work to his Wages. That's blessed thing for a Minister to be found by Death about his Lord's business. Mr. Vines his work was done, he was weary and feeble, and God his good Master took him to himself, crowned him with Life and Immortality, and instead of hard Labor here, called him to that joyful work of singing forth Praises and Hallelujahs to his God and Father.

[illustration]
M ^r Richard Blackerby Dyed in the year 1648 in his 74 ^th. year

F. H. Van Houe. Sculp.

[portrait of Richard Blackerby]

The Life and Death of Mr. Richard Blackerby, who died Anno Christi, 1648.

THat eminently holy Divine Mr. Richard Blackerby, was born in the year 1574. at Worlington in Suffolk. He was second Son of Thomas Blackerby, a person of good Estate and Quality, whose Nephew (the Worshipful Thomas Blackerby Esquire) was lately one of the Aldermen of the City of London, and afterward high Sheriff of Suffolk, and is yet living a Justice of Peace in that County; being Honoured by all men for his eminent Service to God and his Country, in all his public stations; Richards Father had nine Sons and one Daughter; unto all whom he gave Pious Education: who designed his second Son (from the first) for the Ministry, and first put him to the School of St. Edmundsbury in Suffolk, where he profited so much, that at the Age of Fifteen years he was admitted a Student in Trinity-College in Cambridge, where he lived nine years, and became an eminent Scholar in all parts of Learning, especially in his great skill in the Hebrew, Greek and Latin Tongues, being reckoned one of the best Hebritians in Cambridge in those days.

While he was in the University, famous Mr. Perkins was a Preacher and Lecturer in the Town of Cambridge, upon whose Ministry he diligently attended; whereby his Soul (when he was middle Bachelor of Arts) was deeply wrought upon, and truly converted, but he lay some years in great distress of Conscience, and much perplexity of Spirit, when his Father took him for some time home to Worlington, to see if change of Air might a little relieve him in his Melancholy, which his Friends thought proceeded from temper of body, though it had another cause, which neither Air nor Company could remove.

After a short time, he desired to return again to Mr. Perkins, for satisfaction of Soul, and it pleased God (as he was returning to Cambridge, and Riding alone upon New-market Heath, bemoaning his sad condition before the Lord) to reveal his reconciled face in Christ Jesus to him, and to give him that Peace of Conscience (so well grounded, and so clearly evidenced) that he never lost it to his dying day.

From the University he went and lived first in the nature of a Chaplain in the House of Sir Thomas Jermin of Rushbrook in Suffolk, who was Father of the present Earl of St. Albans, in which Family he both Morning and Evening, not only prayed, but opened some Portion of Scripture, during the whole time of his abode there.

From thence he removed to live with the Renowned and Pious Knight, Sir Edward Lewknor of Denham in Suffolk, (great Grandfather to the Right Honorable and Virtuous, the late Lady Townsend) with whom he lived till he married Sarah, the eldest Daughter of Mr. Timothy Prick, alias Oldman; which alias Oldman was assumed to the Family in the days of Queen Mary, the Father of the said Timothy, being forced then to abscond, and to change his name, being persecuted for the Protestant Religion.

Mr. Blackerby lived two years with his Reverend Father-in-Law, Minister of Denham, and from thence was called to be Minister at Feltwell in Norfolk, where he continued without Institution or Induction for some time, but then by reason of his Non-conformity, he was forced to remove, and hired a House at Ashen, a Village in Essex near Clare.

Here, not being capable to receive any Ecclesiastical Preferment upon the account aforesaid, he betook himself to the way of Boarding young men, and Educating of Youth, spending three and twenty years in that employment in part; for during the whole time, he almost constantly kept Lectures in some Neighbouring Town, Preaching weekly in one place or other; and for the last ten years of the forementioned time, he Preached statedly either at Castle Heningham, Stoke by Clare, or Hunden in Suffolk.

In the way of his life, he seemed never to lose one moment of time in idleness, or non-improvement thereof; and herein is wrapped up even all the practical wisdom of mortal man, viz. to improve time for immortality. He rose early in the Morning Winter and Summer, and spent the whole day in Reading, Meditation, Prayer, and teaching of others. After a competent time spent in his Study in the Morning, he would early call his Family (or any other Family in which he was, and wherein he had any influence) together, and as constantly as the Sun rose and set, he failed not Morning and Evening to spend some time in Reading and Expounding some part of the Scripture and Prayer, unless in very extraordinary cases; and not being capable of a Benefice, because he could not subscribe, he spent much of his time in teaching young Scholars, Boarding in his House always a great number of youths, the Sons of Pious Gentry, Tradesmen, and Yeomen in the Country, whom he daily instructed both in Religion and Learning. They sat round about the Table at his Expositions; and if he saw any behaving themselves as not minding, he would call out to that Youth by name, and ask him what he had said last; by which means he made them continually attentive.

He was a great Walker, and, like the old Peripatetics, he would oft call forth his Scholars abroad, and teach them both Natural and Divine knowledge; fitting some for the University, and others for other Callings. He walked continually before them, as the Picture of Jesus among his Disciples, abounding in Wisdom, Heavenliness and Love. Many grew to be excellent persons in Church and State; and indeed, his example was enough to commend Religion to the Head and Heart of every spectator. The observance of his Life did seem immediately to dash all thoughts of Atheism and Irreligion, whenever they arose in the hearts of any spectatators, it was the saying of some of his Scholars, that they were as satisfied that he lived in the virtue of a Divine and holy principle, as that they did ever see men walking on Earth by virtue of a living Soul within. Divers young Students (after they came from the University) betook themselves to him to prepare them for the Ministry, whom he taught the Hebrew Tongue, to whom he opened the Scriptures, and read Divinity, and gave them excellent advice for Learning, Doctrine and Life; and many eminent persons proceeded from this Gamaliel; as Dr. Bernard, afterwards Dean and Bishop in Ireland, whom he commended to Archbishop Usher, with whom he had great acquaintance; Mr. Prosse Minister of two Dutch Congregations, first in Colchester, then in London; Mr. Stone, afterwards famous in New England; holy and learned Mr. Fairclough, and Mr. Burrel, and many others.

He was a man much in Prayer, much in Closet Prayer, much in walking Prayer, much in solitary Prayer by himself; much in conjugal Prayer (for he daily prayed with his Wife alone) much in Family Prayer; daily with his own Family, and almost daily with some other Family; very much in Fasting and Prayer; for which he took all occasions that seemed in any measure to require it.

The instructing of his Family, and teaching youth, took him not off from his public Ministry: for though he could never have a Benefice, yet he usually Preached some Lecture in some Neighbouring place, as hath been told; and he also Preached frequently occasional Sermons. If he were suspended in one County, he would go and Preach in another; for his Habitation was near to two or three several Counties; he used much to Ride about from Family to Family (when possibly he could be spared from his Scholars) and only alight and pray with them, and give them some heavenly exhortation, and then away to another Family. And in the next Neighbourhood to his House, where he could walk, he would frequently visit those near Inhabitants, especially the Poor, painfully instructing them, and fervently praying with them; and would give them Catechisms and Bibles, and money, if he had it, and they had need of it; by which his going about and doing good, many backs and bellies praised God in time, and more Souls will to all Eternity.

His Preaching was not altogether in the usual manner, but much in opening the Scripture, and making excellent, spiritual, short observations, and brief and close Applications. He had great skill in the Original Tongues, spent much Study to understand the Scripture, and lived much in Divine Converse; by all which he became a singular Textuary, and famous Divines would frequently send to him for his Opinion in Scripture difficulties. He was a mighty man in wounding Consciences by the Sword of the Spirit, and in healing them by the Blood of Jesus. His Voice used not to be very loud, but his Preaching was accompanied with such an Authority of the Divine presence and power of the Spirit, that Souls fell exceedingly under the Yoke of Christ by his Ministry; so that he has (being urged by some reasons thereto) been constrained to acknowledge to some intimate Friends, (though far from boasting) that he had reason to believe, that God had made him a Spiritual Father to above two Thousand persons. Indeed the Word of God in his Lips was so unmixed with any appearance of any self, or by-respects, and came so pure, as it were immediately from the Holy Ghost, that like the Word of God, Heb. 4. it was very quick and powerful, and men soon became, either Converts to it, or flyers from it; or with all their might fighters against it; The direct rays of Divine Light falling on the Conscience, will have a speedy and great effect; When 'tis mingled and diluted with a Carnal Spirit, or not directly levelled at the heart, it may fall, many years, upon the outward Ear, and may sometimes affect men, but never a piercing drop doth enter the Soul; or if it does, it is quickly choked there, with the body of death and power of darkness; but his Preaching was such as must be yielded to, fled from, or fought against. Many profane persons that could both hear other Pious Ministers, and would curse them bitterly when they had done; yet dared neither to hear him, or speak against him if they did. There was so much of God in him and with him, that he left a perpetual dread upon many Souls that would play with others Sermons, and with their names and persons. Multitudes of very profane persons did fall under the power of the Word Preached by him; a particular instance whereof, happened in or near Castle Heningham in Essex, where a Society or Club of young persons, (who used to have their set times to meet, and dance, and frolic it in their youthful sports, sins and vanities) were by his Preaching there, all or most of them converted, and became a company of gracious Christians, and used afterwards to join in Prayer, as before they had done in sin and folly.

Some whose Consciences were scared, would sometimes rise up against his Preaching with rage and violence; but the Wrath of God did often most eminently take hold of such. As in Hunden in Suffolk, where sometime he had a Lecture, he met with great opposition; divers persons of considerable Estate in the Town, joined together, ond procured his suspension; but all of them were notoriously afterwards, blasted in their outward Estates; some brought to beggary, and all but one died miserably: One of them the next Lord's-day after his Suspension, boasting in the Church-yard, That now they had got Blackerby out of the Pulpit; to which, a Woman standing by and hearing, replied, Blackerby will Preach again in Hunden Pulpit, when you are crying in Hell; and that very day eight years that man was buried, and the Lord's-day after, Mr. Blackerby had liberty to Preach again, and Preached in Hunden Pulpit.

The particular acts of his great Religion, the little Piety of the next, and this present Age, have suffered many of them to slip out of their memories, and have been much wanting as to the copying of them out in their Lives and Conversations; but there was yet never any person who had the happiness to converse with him (and some of them are yet living) who did not behold both his Heart and Life, so greatly sanctified, and so generally raised, to such an universality and heighth of true Christian Godliness, as cannot be equalized. Few persons have ever been acquainted with, or scarce ever read or heard of any mere man, that did exceed him, though others might equal him in some corporal severities, and seem more heated in some particular parts of Religion or Obedience, yet for the impartiality, constancy and sweetness of Holiness, very few have came near him, and none since the Primitive times did excel him. He (in good earnest) made it his business to live with God, and to his Glory, not as it is to be feared of too many Professors, that they satisfy themselves in the frequent motions of their affections in some pangs of indigested resolutions, or some fits of Pious Conversation, as if these were the Life and Power of Godliness, all which are very good and desirable; but yet at best, they are but some seeds and blossoms of the Divine Nature, which is first conceived by the Holy Ghost in the Soul, in a real absolute Consecration of the whole Man to God, and grows in a diligent endeavor of perfect Conformity to this Consecration. He, the business of whose Heart and Life is not in all things (fetching strength from Christ by Faith, who is the careful and faithful Head of his Church) to live to God, is yet no living Child of God, what preparatories soever there may be in him towards it. It would make ones heart tremble to think what multitudes of half Christians drop daily down into everlasting destruction, cheating themselves with pious sentiments, as if they were the life of Godliness, which cannot be but in an absolute Union with Christ, and living in the virtue of him, and faithful Obedience to him, as this Saint did. He lived not without infirmities, but in the eye of all knowing, impartial, daily spectators, he was free from the allowance of himself in any sinful act in the World, and without the visible acting of any sin of Commission, not so much as speaking of an idle, or an angry word (but in reproving of that which he accounted sin) or losing any moment of time that he could redeem, or that he was sensible he might better spend; and this by the space of above forty years, as by diligent inquiry, and personal acquaintance of many years, will be justified. His deportment was always such, as if at that moment he saw God, and had God's Law, his own Covenant with God, and the day of account just then before his eye, so that whenever the Lord should come and call him, he would ever have been found so doing. To any understanding converser with him, there always appeared wrote in his face and demeanour, A sense of the Divine Majesty and Holiness a most pleasing conscientious, and full dedication of himself to God, a watchfulness upon his own Heart and Life, least he should offend; a great mortification of heart to all the World; a wonderful purity from sinful pollution; and an admirable transformation of Spirit unto the Divine similitude and converse. Indeed, constant Holiness seemed perfectly natural to him, when it seems but labored and endeavored after by others. That he sinned, his conversers knew not, but by; First, the infinite due of God, and perfection of his Law, to which no depraved Son or Daughter of fallen man can (in his affections and operations) be adequate or exactly correspondent. Secondly, by some mistakes that some might apprehend in his Judgment in some disputable things. Thirdly, by the great complaints usually made of the Plague of his Heart.

For with this heighth of Holiness was joined the depth of Humility. He has sometimes, walking with his eldest Grand-child, then but a youth, took occasion to say (after other serious discourse) Oh Lad! thou little thinkest what a vile heart I have, how I am plagued with proud thoughts; Child (if thou hast acquaintance with God in Prayer) pray for me, that God would purify this filthy heart; oh! if God did not enable me in some measure to keep a watch over it, I should act to the shame of my face; which expressions did greatly affect the heart of this young person, to hear one who lived so like an incarnate Angel, to speak at such a rate of his heart; to hear so grave on Apostle, who never used to speak unbecomingly, so talk to one but a youth, and his Grand-child.

And such discourses as these were frequent with him to other persons, when a fitting season offered itself. He seemed to have small sense of any self-excellency, though Satan would sain have defiled him with it (but he walked in continual admiration of the vouchsafements of free Grace unto him) from his Humility came that readiness in him to be persuaded or disposed of by others, much inferior to him, in anything (so Religion and Duty suffer not by it) little valuing in what place he was put, or what account was had of him, so he might keep close to his Duty, and enjoy the Light of the Divine Countenance.

And that which did set him most high above all others who lived in these later days, was the most impartial universality of his Obedience, joined with the greatest Charity and Candour to all others, wherein was the least appearance of good. No hopes of preferment, or smart of suffering, could prevail with him to depart from his Light; he could not so conform to the Church of England, as the Law required, to make him capable of a Living, or secure from the punishment of some Laws; yet wherein he thought it his Duty, or becoming Religion to Conform, no man more exact than he.

And therefore being no Enemy to the greatest part of the Common Prayer, he would all days, Lord's-days and Week-days, when Divine Service was read in the Parish-Church, go with his Family to the very beginning, and there behave himself with that Reverence and Heavenliness, as I never saw any like him therein.

That Religion will never stand before God, that by Zeal in some things thinks to purchase Liberty for transgression in others. It is a single eye that will reach Heaven, that aims only at Divine pleasure wherever he finds it; all the Will of God is amiable to it, unmingled with by ends or selfish concernments. Its true, circumstances of things may impose or discharge from the actual performance of positive commands; that act may be a Duty today, and to this man, that all things considered, will be a sin tomorrow, and to another person; and the heart may have a single eye, when that of the understanding may have a cloud of mistakes upon it; but integrity impartially inquires, cheerfully embraces, and diligently pursues all God's revealed pleasure.

And there is nothing more contrary to the Law of Christ, to the Eye of Knowledge, and to the Nature of the Gospel, than to set myself down in an Infallible Chair, and pass sentence on the Light and Truth, Knowledge and Grace of all others, by the measure of my own sentiments; herein Pride, Folly and Cruelty are come to the heighth, when I would be a Prince, and judge not only over men's acts, but their heads and hearts, as though I were not fallible and corrupt as well as any of them. Blessed be God, who will in Christ accept of men's faithfulness to their Light, though their Neighbors see it not. This Saint was so far from the crime of censuring, that if any fault were visible in him, it was that of excessive Charity to all others, in whom there was the least appearance to him of good, which charitable credulity of his, some persons did abuse; with which, when he has sometimes been charged, he would usually repeat a saying of his Father in Christ, famous Mr. Perkins; That when a man is once acquainted with his own heart, he will be apt to think everyone better than himself; an appearance of the love of God in any, would make him put the best construction on all their words and acts.

But he was as far from countenancing any known evil in any: I believe none that ever conversed with him, but will bare him witness, that he never suffered, what he thought sin in them, without admonition and reproof; as sure as he observed the evil, they should hear of it from him; but ever with so much evident love as well as seriousness, that at the same time, both their Consciences were awed by the gravity of his advice, and their Affections inflamed with the sweetness of his Spirit. His reproofs were truly, as one well expresses, Nailes dipt in Oil, driven with power into the inmost of the heart, and received with all acceptation, because of the overcoming kindness they were accompanied with. Most men's reproofs by pride, passion, or imprudence, bar the door against their own entertainment; but his Sun would woo away men's evil, when others violent Storms make them in rage hold it faster. When he has been in company, and heard great persons swear, or speak profanely; he would with a sad Countenance (leaving the Table, or departing the Room) rebuke, and afterward privately address the great Person with so much seriousness and respect, that they would be much taken with his dealing with them, greatly thank him for his reproof, and the manner of it; and one told him, had you spoke to me at Table, I had stabbed you, but now I heartily thank you. He would neither suffer sin in men unreproved, nor provoke to sin by his rebuke.

He was very zealous for the holy observation of the Lord's-day. On Saturday at four in the Afternoon, he constantly Preached in his Family, (to which divers Neighbors would resort) preparatory for the next day. Of all Mornings, he would rise most early on the Lord's-day Mornings; and wherever he was, and had any power, would call up all the Family, but especially his own, to Prayer and Reading. He usually prayed six times every Lord's-day in the Family. First, as soon as he had got them up in the Morning, expounding some part of the Scripture to them. Secondly, when he was going to the public Congregation, he carried his Family with him, and before they went out of door, would pour out some Petitions for God's assistance and blessing in the public Worship of the day. Thirdly, when he returned again from Church in the Morning, he constantly prayed for a blessing on what they had heard. Fourthly, he led them out again in the Afternoon with Prayer. Fifthly, a while after they were returned in the Afternoon, the Sermons were repeated, the Family examined what they remembered; which they concluded with Prayer. Sixthly, after Supper, when the Family was ready to go to Bed, he commended them again to God by Prayer. But this must be observed, he prayed oft, but never (unless upon an extraordinary occasion) very long, neither Lord's-days nor Week-days, at home or abroad, in Family or Congregation; nor in Preaching, would he ever be tedious or over-long; but the graciousness of his Spirit in the Ordinance, brought a peculiar delight with it to all that joined with him, and had any love to their God or Souls; so that his Exercises (though frequent) were never burdensome. On the Lord's-day he was impatient to hear any idle word, or see any idle action, nor could he endure any worldly word or act, but what was of Charity or Necessity; but after Dinner he would call upon all, especially those that were apt to sleep at Church, to go and take a Nap, as he himself usually did, least they should profane God's public Worship, or should hazard the salvation or edification of their immortal Souls, by sleeping in the Congregation; and therefore also he frequently inveighed against great Dinners on the Lord's-day, as apt to make them heavy and dull on those glorious days, set apart for celebration of Divine praises, and edification of men's precious Souls. At a place called Linton in Cambridge-shire, there was a Fair usually kept on the Lord's-day once a year; at which time he was once invited to Preach, and he then so plainly convinced the Town of the greatness of the sin, and evil of it, that they would never more keep the Fair on the Lord's-day. Though he lived every day as sinless, and as heavenly as if it had been a Sabbath, yet he was very sensible, that our time is then much more to be spent in outward Religious Exercises, than on other days. The business of his Life, was all the Week to Obey, Glorify, and have Communion with God; but on the Lord's-day, the object of his acts was all Religious or Charitable performances.

He was much free from the stone in the heart, a man of a most tender and contrite Spirit. Any (greater than the most common) sins or providences, made deep impressions on him; if any such sin were committed in a Neighbor Town, or any Judgment fell out in the Vicinage, or in the Nation, he would be sure to get divers Ministers and Christians together, and keep a day of Fasting and Prayer. In Nights of great Thunder and unusual Tempest, he would call up all his Family to Prayer, and expound some part of the Scripture to them, to affect their hearts with greater Reverence towards God. Any notable Scripture, any eminent Providence deeply entered his Soul, and raised up his Graces into act.

As his Life was ever led as in the Divine presence, so his Heart and Tongue were ever ready for Prayer, or any holy Duty; and he so enjoyed God in every Religious Exercise, that he would almost constantly say when he rose up from Prayer, or came from a Sermon, or any holy Converse, or any Religious Exercise (especially a day of Fasting and Prayer) that he must bless God forever for such an Ordinance, and would not for many worlds, but have been in it; a frequent expression with him, and if an Hyperbole, the only one that he observed to use; but this worlds delights were so small, and Heavens so dear to him, that we might believe his expression to be a truth (in the very Grammatical sense) and spoken from his heart.

When he awaked in the Night, he was ever in Meditation or Prayer he would oft at Midnight, make Greek, Latin, or English Verses, exalting the Praise of God, his Attributes, the Acts of Christ, or the Graces of his Spirit, or the like, and give them in the Morning to his Scholars.

His Dreams were usually such, as shown a heart that lived with God, full of gracious Communications from God to him, and of Faith, Love and Obedience to God, and in abhorrence of sin; and he would in the Evening usually pray, that his Dreams might be holy; and usually holy Dreams are certain signs of much love from God, or gracious habits in the man.

He oft received immediate answers of Prayer. I heard an eminent Divine once say, he knew Eighteen Persecutors taken away remarkably upon his Fasting and Prayer. God seemed also to make a covenant for him with the Beasts of the Field: His Daughter Burrel was much affected with a remarkable Providence, which happened to him when she was waiting on him one day, to visit one afflicted in Conscience; and their way lying through a Field where was a raging Bull, that used to do much mischief; which Beast seeing them, made towards them with great Fury; and being come very near them, he put off his Hat, and prayed in these words, Lord, if our way be of thee, stay the Fury of this Beast; which immediately stopped its way, and Roaring, turned from them. They that believe our Savior, who saith, Not a hair of our Head, or a Bird in the Air, falls to the Ground but by the Council of Providence, will think she had cause to be affected with this mercy.

He kept three Diaries of his Life, one in Greek, another in Latin, a third in English, where he set down all the remarkable acts of God towards him, and of himself towards God; and had not those some way or other perished, (it is supposed by a Fire that burned down the House where he lived not long before his death) we had not been so barren of memorable instances of his Life, as now we are; these he would oft read over to affect his Soul, and improve them to Divine Glory.

His heart was as Paul's, so crucified to the World, and the World to him, that all Worldly concernments seemed a perfect nothing to him; (but where Duty obliged him) the World seemed to have no temptation to him, and he no taste for the World. His Passions were so much subdued, that though he was one that was most tenderly affected to his Relations, yet their loss discomposed not his Mind, interrupted not his Communion with God. His eldest Daughter was a most excellent person, and one in whom he took great delight; who died a few hours after her last Child was born, and he being present at her death, commended her Spirit to God more affectionately; but as undisturbedly, as when he gave her Person to her Husband in Marriage. He desired to Preach her Funeral Sermon, which he did; and therein gave her this Testimony, That he believed she had feared the Lord in sincerity, from three years old; yet Preached so, as shown he had not lost his God, though he had lost his dearest Child. Nothing of Creatures could in the least draw him from his Life with God.

Living much in Divine Communion, he had great insight into Scripture Prophesies, and had many future events deeply imprest on his Mind. Men know but little of God's Mind, because they live but little in his Presence and Converse. He was one of the first that convinced men in those parts, of God's intent to convert the Nation of the Jews. Famous Mr. Rogers of Dedham, and Mr. Stephen Marshall, and divers others, much opposed that Opinion at first, but were at last (by his Discourses) fully satisfied, and really persuaded of the truth of it. He lived much in the foresight and delight of the Glory and Peace of the Church in the last Ages of the World. He oft said (many years before it came to pass) to divers of his Friends, that they would, (and he believed himself should) live to see never a persecuting Bishop in power in England; and so he did. The first time when the Scots Army came into England, in the beginning of our late Troubles, he said to some that were much troubled for it, That that Army should go back again without a stroke struck; and so they did. He said after the Battle of Naseby, that many strict Professors of Religion should have rest for a little time; but afterwards a blacker time would come unto them than ever they had; which was in part fulfilled: but he used to add, the Storm would not last very long. And these were his very last words which he spake at his Death, uttered to his Daughter Burrell, a little before he breathed his last; There is a sharp Storm coming, but it will be but short; the former part is in a considerable measure already proved true, God grant that (in the fullness of God's time) the other part may also be accomplished, though the wretched decay of powerful Godliness among us may lengthen the Furrows on Professors backs, and put good things farther from them.

He used to say, God had two Sieves for the Professors in England, one of a courser make, and that he had used; but there would come a finer one, which all should stand ready for; and this its doubted, is in a great degree to come. He used to say, That it was very probable this Nation would be punished by the French, after whose Fancies they went so much a Whoring. And he much believed Popery would come in, but it would not last; for it could not recover its first strength again in England; which last part of the Prophesy I pray God fulfil.

He expressed at his death, great hopes which he had, that there would be found many hundreds proceeding out of his Loins, standing at the last day at Christ's Right Hand; and in all Charity, everyone that have known them, must believe, that all his own Children were Heirs of Eternal Life; and there are great hopes of all his Grand-children, divers of whom are eminent and gracious persons; and some (of his fourth Generation) of his great Grand-children appear already most Consciencious and serious Christians.

There were some particularities in him that may seem of lesser moment, but of good remarque. He could not endure to see any Bible lie contemptuously about the House; but would have them carefully and cleanly used, or laid up; he thought there ought a negative Reverence to be given to the out-sides of such sacred Oracles.

He was exceeding careful to have none of God's Creatures lost; he would always have a Fowl or two allowed to come familiarly into his Eating Room, to pick up the lesser Crumbs that would fall from the Table.

He was a great Enemy to vain Fashions, and in particular, to over long Hair; and would oft intimate, that excess of Apparel shown great vanity of mind, and too great Conformity to the World; and it would be a forerunner of much wrath from God; had he lived to see the mighty Towers and Mountains of Hair upon professing Men and Womens Heads, with the present decay of Piety, and the dreadful imminent Judgments, he would have greatly lamented it. Oh what amazement of Soul would he have been in, had he lived to see the Professors Garbs (in the best Congregations of Men) in the days wherein we live.

His Conversation was so in Heaven, and the Majesty of Holiness did so shine in him, that that most famous Divine for Learning and Piety, Mr. Daniel Rogers of Wethersfield in Essex, told another Divine, that he could never come into the presence of Mr. Blackerby without some kind of trembling upon him; because of the Divine Majesty and Holiness which seemed to shine in him.

The heighth and constancy of his holy and heavenly Converse was accompanied with a settled peace of Conscience, and good assurance of Eternal Life; for some years before his death, he would oft (upon seasonable occasions) declare, that for more than forty years he never had a doubting thought of his Salvation. It is our low, loose, unequal walking in Religion, that makes the sense of God's love, peace with God, and evidence for Eternal Life, so rare a thing among us; Religion lying for the most part so weak among Professors, as if it were in a Swoon, no wonder if it be oft esteemed dead. A Summer glorious Noon-tide, abundantly shows the Sun to be up; but how can they that live far from God, behold the Smiles of his Face, or hear the Whispers of his Voice.

This holy Man was indeed an instance sent by God into the World, to show to what Life of Holiness and Peace, Christians may on Earth certainly arrive, if hearty sincerity, deep mortification, diligent watchfulness, love of Divine Communion, and an humble and active Faith doth meet and concenter in the heart of any man.

When he was about the Age of Fifty five years, his Son-in-Law Mr. Christopher Burrell, was Presented to the Rectory of great Wratting in Suffolk; Mr. Burrell had lived some years as a Boarder with Mr. Blackerby, Mr. Blackerby now removes and continues a Boarder with him, and that for divers years; in all which time he continued Preaching the Gospel only occasionally (except at Gastingtherp in Essex, where he maintained a constant Lecture) until towards the close of his Life.

When Providence so ordered, that he took upon him a Pastoral charge over the Congregation at great Thurlow; And here his Master found him so doing, to wit, very busy in his Masters Service; for as he was Preaching on one Lord's-day, he was took with a great weakness and fainting while he was in the Pulpit; so that being carried home, he continued very weak six Weeks, but kept his Bed but two days before he died, which was in the seventy seventh year of his Age.

He had seven Children who lived to be Men and Women, (two Sons, and five Daughters) his eldest Son was a gracious young man, and lived sometime a Student in Katherine-Hall in Cambridge, but died of a Consumption before he took any Degree. His other Son was also a very good Man, and an excellent Preacher of the Gospel, and died lately Minister of Stow-market in Suffolk. His eldest Daughter, and his third Daughter, were both married to two Divines, in whom Sanctity, Learning and Ingenuity, strove for victory; the eldest was married to Mr. Samuel Fair clough, the other to Mr. Christopher Burrell aforesaid; all his Daughters were also married to Pious persons.

And now all his Sons and Daughters, except one, and all his Sons-in-law, and Daughters-in-law, are gone with him to Everlasting Rest; and it is most fitting that the World should know and remember, That there was a Man that lived Fifty years after his Conversion, doing good, and walking with God in the Eyes of the most strict Observers, without perceived voluntary actual commission of any known transgression, no, not so much as of an idle or sinfully angry word; but he seemed wholly dead to all the allurements and enticing vanities of this World.

His Countenance and Speech, his Deportment and Behaviour, was perpetually as before the Eye of God, in the Consciencious observance of all his Precepts, with a heart full of Love to him, having his Face awing with a Majesty, and shining with a sweetness and beauty of Holiness; who (to all appearance) spent every moment of his time in his believed Duty, and in zealous doing of good, always ready for, and having spiritual Communion with God in all his Ordinances, and all carried on with a deep and contrite sense, of the natural corruption of his heart, in lowest humility and condescension (with most transcendent Charity to all men, yet never suffering sin in his Brother unreproved) one that kept peace of Conscience, and assurance of Eternal Life, inviolate for forty years together; one who convinced all men (both good and bad) that knew him, that the power of God and Religion dwelt assuredly in him, and continually with him; the Divine Spirit and Power, beautifying and adorning him, and assuring both himself, and others, that he was born of God.

The Life and Death of Mr. Ralph Robinson, who died Anno Christi, 1655.

RAlph Robinson was born at a Town called, Heswall, in Wyrrall, which is one of the Hundreds in Cheshire, being a Peninsula beyond West-Chester, of about Fourteen Miles in length, and Five in breadth, stretching itself between Wales and Lancashire. He was born in June, Anno Christi 1614.

His Parents seeing his Ingenuity, and that from his Childhood he was disposed to Learning, kept him at School till he was fitted for the University, and then sent him to Cambridge, where he was admitted into Katherine-Hall, and made so good improvement of his time, with the helps which he there enjoyed, as that in a few Years he was furnished with good Abilities for the work of the Ministry.

In the beginning of our troubles, Anno Christi 1642. He left Cambridge, and came to London, where he exercised his Gifts in several Churches, and gained much respect among the Ministers, and other Citizens, for the rich Gifts and Graces with which God had furnished him: And thus he continued till the Pastoral charge of St. Mary Woolnoth in Lombard street fell void, unto which being called, he accepted of it, and was there ordained Presbyter, with solemn seeking the Lord by Fasting and Prayer, and by Imposition of Hands.

In regard of his Vocation: He was an able, Orthodox, and profitable Preacher of the Gospel. As for his Relations, he was a loving Husband, a tender Father, a careful and vigilant Pastor, a good Neighbor, a cheerful Companion, and a faithful Friend. In his Judgment, Affection and Practice, he was a thorough, well grounded Presbyterian, and that upon a Scripture account, as deeming that way of Church-Government, to be most agreeable to the mind of God. He was true and steady to his Principles, without warping and declining either to the Right Hand or to the Left.

He was unweariedly laborious in the work of the Ministry, both upon the Lord's-days, and his weekly Lecture-days, which continued half the Year; as also for his Monthly preparation Sermon before the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. And truly there was scarce any Minister in London, that appeared more frequently than Mr. Robinson in the Exercises of holy Fasting and Prayer, for which work God had fitted him with Gifts more than ordinary. There was scarce any man that ever found him unwilling to make one in ways of extraordinary seeking the Lord, according to the necessities of the times.

Yet his high parts, great Services, besides many Expressions of Respect in the City, did not puff him up with Pride, but they were crowned with a meek and humble Spirit; For whoever saw him proudly passionate, or contemptuously insulting, either towards his Equals or Inferious? His conversation was holy, and unreprovable, the strength of God's Grace, securing him all his Life long, from the least taint of Scandal.

Ever since he set forwards in Heavens way, he was upon the Spur, and thence it was that he dispached his Journey so soon. When others supposed that he had not yet seen his After-noon, he had finished his Days-work, and went to Rest. He was suddenly and unexpectedly taken away.

On Saturday, Three weeks before his Death, he came from Islington (where he had a Country House) to London, with a full purpose to preach twice, and to administer the Sacrament of the Lord's-Supper the day following in his own Church; but Friends and Physicians disuaded him from it, discerning that he had some Feverish Distempers upon him, which himself was not sensible of. All the time of his sickness he was insensible of any pain, and unapprehensive of any Death-threatening Distemper, or Disease upon himself.

Yet being moved to make his Will, his Answer was, I will do it with all readiness, though I perceive not in myself any danger of Death. And this he added, I pray you flatter me not, of my Physicians apprehend danger, let me know it; for (I bless God) the thoughts of Death are not dreadful to me.

A special Friend coming to visit him, he gave him hearty Thanks for remembering him upon a Day of Prayer, adding farther, I have (I thank God) loved Fasting and Prayer with all my Heart. And when this his Friend asked him concerning the present frame of his Heart, his Answer was; Though I have not ravishing Joys; yet I enjoy an uninterrupted and satisfying Peace; Not questioning in the least, mine everlasting Happiness, through the Grace of God in Christ.

At the same time also, when he had begged the Pardon of his Ministerial failings, he professed the comfort which he took, upon the Remembrance of his Uprightness and faithfulness, notwithstanding his Weaknesses and Imperfections.

Being moved to relieve his own Spirit by silent and secret Ejaculations, because (in regard of his weakness) it might prove very prejudicial unto him to have any Friend to pray with him; his Answer was, There is no living without those Exercises.

Upon his tossings and turnings upon his Bed, he was put in mind of the Rest in Christ's Bosom: Oh! (said he) true Rest can nowhere else be enjoyed. And thus quietly he slept in the Lord, June 15. Anno Christi 1655. and about the one and fortieth year of his Age.

The Life and Death of Mr. John Janeway, who died Anno Christi, 1657.

JOhn Janeway was born at Lylly, in the County of Hertford, October 27. Anno Christi 1633. of Religious Parents, to whom he gave early Hopes of much Comfort, and the Symptoms of something more than ordinary, quickly appeared in him, insomuch as some that saw him in his Childhood, much feared that he would not live long: But others thought, that God had something more than Ordinary to do for, or by this Child before he died; And he soon made it to appear that neither of them were much mistaken in their Judgments.

When he first set forward he soon outran his Superiors for age in Learning: And some that were no incompetent Judges, thought, that for pregnancy of Wit, solidity of Judgment, vastness of Intellectuals, and firmness of Memory, he had no Superiors, and few equals, considering his Age, and means of Education.

He was first initiated in the Latin Tongue by his own Father, and then sent for some time to St. Paul's School in London, under the Inspection and Tuition of famous and industrious Mr. Langley, where he made a considerable progress in the Latin and Greek Languages; and when he was about Eleven Years old, he took a great fancy to the Study of Arithmetic, and of the Hebrew Tongue.

About this time his Parents removing into a Village called Aspoden, met with an opportunity of having this their Son to be farther instructed by a Learned Neighbor, who was pleased to esteem it a pleasant Diversion to read the Mathematics to him, being now about Twelve years Old. And he made so rare a progress in these profound Studies, that he was able to read Oughtred with understanding before he was Thirteen years Old.

A Person of quality hearing of the admirable proficiency of this young Youth, sent for him up to London, and kept him in his House for some time to read the Mathematics to him: And that which made him the more to be admired, was, that what he did, he did it with such great Facility. He had also no small skill in Music, and in other concomitants of the Mathematics.

Anno Christi 1646. he was, by that Learned Gentleman Mr. Francis Rous, Provost of Eaton College, chosen for one of the Foundation of that School, having been first examined by the Provost and Posers in the Hebrew Tongue, which was beyond president. There he gave no unsuitable returns to those high expectations which were conceived of him.

After a little continuance at Eaton, he obtained leave of his Master to go to Oxford for the perfecting of his studies in the Mathematics, where he was owned by that great Scholar Dr. Ward, one of the Professors of that University, under whom he attained to a strange exactness in those Studies, their being nothing in them within human reach, which he would not compass. This Great and Learned Dr. gave him great encouragements and helps, and looked upon him as one of the Wonders of that Age, loved him dearly, and for some time after his Death, could scarce mention his Name without Tears.

Having spent about a Quarter of a year with Dr. Ward, he was sent for back to Eaton, where he soon gave proof of his great improvement of that short time of his absence. For he made an Almanac, and therein Calculated the Eclipses for many years beforehand: So that, by this time he had many Eyes upon him as the Glory of that School: and that which put an Accent upon his Real worth, was, that in all this he did not discover the least Affectation, or self-conceitedness, neither did any discernible Pride appear in these Excellencies; So that many others took more notice of his pregnant Parts than himself did.

When he was about seventeen years old he was chosen into Kings-College in Cambridge, at which time the Electors did each of them even contend for the Patronage of this Scholar. He was chosen the First for that year, and an elder Brother which he had for the sixth Place: But he was very willing to change places with his Elder Brother, suffering him to have the First, and himself thankfully to accept of the Sixth Place.

Besides his great Learning, he was endowed with many other Ornaments of nature. His deportment candid and amiable: His demeanour courteous and obliging, and that even before his apparent Conversion, so that many who had little kindness for Morality, and less for Grace, yet could not but speak well of him. His great Prudence and Learning did even command respect where they did not find it. He had very much power over his Passions, and was in a great measure free from those Vices which commonly attend such an age and Place.

Yet probably all this while he understood little of the necessity and worth of Christ, and the preciousness of his own Soul. He had indeed studied the Heavens, and knew the Motions of the Sun, Moon, and Stars, but that was his Contemplation. He thought yet but little of God, who made all these rare Luminaries. He pried but little into the motions, and turnings of his own deceitful Heart.

He did not as yet much busy himself in the serious observation of the wanderings of his Spirit. The Creature had not yet led him to the Creator; But he was still too ready to be taken up with mere speculation. Yet God, who from all Eternity, had chosen him to be one of those who should shine as the Sun in the Firmament forever with himself in Glory, did (when he was about eighteen years old) shine in upon his Soul with power, convincing him, and letting him see what a poor thing it was to know so much of the Heavens, and yet never to come there: And that the greatest knowledge in the World without Christ, was but an empty dry Business.

He now thought that Mr. Robert Bolton had good reason for it when he said, Give me the most Magnificent glorious Worldling that ever trod upon earthly mould, richly Crowned with all the Ornaments and Excellencies of Nature, Art, Policy, and Preferments; Or what Heart can wish besides: yet, without the Life of Grace to animate and ennoble them, he were to the Eye of Heavenly Wisdom, but as a rotten Carkass, stuck over with Flowers: Magnified Dung: Guilded Rottenness; And Golden Damnation. He now began to be of Anaxagoras 's mind, That his work on Earth was to study Heaven, and to get thither: And that except a man might be admitted to greater preferments then this World can bestow upon her Favorites, it were scarce worth the while to be born.

The great and Divine work of Conversion was not carried on in his Soul after that dreadful manner as it is upon some, who precedently have been very bad (as in the case of Mr. Rob. Bolton) or to whom God intends to communicate much, and to make great use of (as in the case of St. Paul) but the Lord was pleased, by gentle Draughts to dissolve the Stone, and sweetly to unlock his Heart by the exemplary Life, and Heavenly and powerful discourse of a young Man in the College, whose Heart God had inflamed with a Love to this precious Soul, whereupon he took the first opportunity to set upon this hopeful Plant, and God's Spirit did so set home his wholesome instructions and counsel, with such evidence and power, that they proved effectual for his awakening out of his Spiritual Lethargy. The rather, being accompanied with the profitable, and powerful Preaching of those two able and worthy Divines, Dr. Arrowsmith, and Dr. Hill, together with his reading several Parts of Mr. Baxter's Everlasting Rest.

Now a strange alteration might easily be discerned in the Man: He now looked quite another way to what he had done formerly. He was now so much taken up with things above the Moon and Stars, that he had little leisure, and less pleasure to think of those things, except it was as they pointed higher. He now began not to taste so much sweetness in those kind of studies which formerly he took so much pleasure & delight in. He now beganto pity them who were curious in their enquiries after everything save that which was most needful to be known, Christ and Themselves: And that which sometimes he esteemed his Gain, he now counted loss for Christ; Yea doubtless he esteemed all things but as Dung and Dross in comparison of Christ: And d • sired to know nothing but Christ and him Crucified. Not that he looked upon human Learning as useless: But when fixed upon anything below Christ, and not improved for Christ, he then looked upon Wisdom but as Folly, and upon learning as madness, and as that which would make one more like unto the Devil; and more fit for his Service, and as upon that which would put a greater Accent upon their misery in another World.

Now Mr. Janeway began to cast about how he might best improve what he did already know, and to turn all his Studies into the right Channel: Grace did not take him off from, but made him more diligent and spiritual in, his Studies: And now Christ was at the end and bottom of everything. O how did he plot and contrive how he might most express his Love and Thankfulness to him who had brought him out of darkness into his marvelous Light, and translated him into the Kingdom of his dear Son! To this end he sent up and down Packets of Divine Letters, in which he did discourse so substantially and experimentally of the great things of God that it would not at all have unbecome a Gray-Head to have owned what he wrote.

He was very like unto young Elihu, in whose words he used to excuse his freedom with Persons of Gravity whose Souls he did deeply commiserate. He said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach Wisdom: But their is a Spirit in Man, and the Inspiration of the Almighty gives them understanding: I am full of matter; The Spirit within me convinceth me: Behold! My Belly is as Wine which hath no vent; It is ready to burst as new Bottles: I will speak that I may be refreshed, &c. O then how sweet was the Savour of his Graces! How could he not but speak the things which he had seen and heard? And even invite all the World to taste and see how good the Lord was.

He began first with his near and dear Relations, wooing and begging of them to mind their precious and immortal Souls, and speedily to lay in Provisions for a Death-Bed, and Eternity. O with what compassion did he plead the cause of Christ with their Souls!

What Pathetical expressions did he use? What vehement Expostulations? How frequent? How particular were his Applications unto them? O, with what Gravity, and Majesty would he speak of the Mysteries of the Gospel!

Read what his Language was (when he was between eighteen and nineteen years old) in a Letter to an Antient Minister, nearly related to him, who at that time walked very heavily.

He much feared decays in Grace and Apostasy: Yea, of flatness of Spirit; either in himself or others. And if he suspected any such thing in his nearest Relations, he would do alI that possibly▪ he could to recover them out of these Snares of Satan, and to quicken them to more vigorous spiritual Acts of Religion. He labored to maintain a constant tenderness upon his Heart, and to take notice of the least departure of his Soul from God, or of God's absenting of himself from his Soul. He had a godly Jealousy over his Brother, and desired by all means to carry on the work of Grace, which he had some hopes, was begun in him. He labored to build sure, and to build up, that he might be rooted and grounded in the Faith, steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. Wherefore he followed him, not only with private warnings, and frequent Pathetical Counsel and Directions, but with Letters also. One of them here follows.

By this we may perceive what it was that swallowed up his Heart; and where his Delight, Treasure, and Life was. His love to Christ and Souls made him very desirous to spend and be spent in the work of the Ministry; and accordingly he complied with the first clear Call to Preach the Everlasting Gospel, and though now he was but about Two and twenty Years Old, yet he came to that Work as one that understood what a kind of employment Preaching was. He was a Workman that needed not to be ashamed; that was thoroughly furnished for every good Word and Work: One that was able to convince gain-sayers: One in whom the Word of God dwelt richly. One full of the Spirit and Power: One that hated Sin with a perfect hatred, and loved Holiness with all his Soul, in whom Religion did shine forth in its Beauty: One that knew the