The Lives of Sundry Eminent Persons

The Life and Death of Mr. John Machin, who Died Anno Christi 1664.

JOhn Machin was the Son of John Machin of Seabridge, near New-Castle, in the County of Stafford. His Mother Katherine was of the Vernons of Audley, in the same County. His Father was a wise man, of a good Estate, and an Antient Free-holder: That Estate of Seabridge having continued in the Name of the Machins, from the 23d of King Henry the Eighth, and our John was the Seventh Generation of the Name that have inherited that Estate.

This John was born at Seabridge, Octob. 2. Anno Christi 1624. and Baptized the same day at New-Castle. He was the only Son of his said Parents, and was therefore carefully brought up by them in his Youth at the best Schools that were thereabout; especially under pious Mr. Orme of New-Castle, and deservedly famous Mr. John Ball of Whitmore, who brought up several Youths in School-Learning, together with his own Sons.

Our John was first intended to be sent to the Inns of Court; but his Parents tenderness of him, and unwillingness to part with him to such a distance, was, probably, a hindrance of that design. Whereupon being taken from School, he was employed about Husbandry for some years, and followed some youthful Recreations. In particular, he was given to Cock-fights, whereupon himself (in some Memoirs) wrote thus: Twenty years did I live the Devil's Bond-slave, which indeed is Time lost, and not Living in a good sense, (Eph. 2. 1, 2, 3.) And he often said to one of his Dear Friends, as they w • re walking together about Seabridge, O with what an heart full of vanity have I in days past gone this way! And at another time. This way have I followed sin, where I now follow Christ: I am now ungoing, and unravelling my sinful Journies: But I that have tried both, find these the better ways.

He was then very ready to hearken to any motion of Marriage made to him, yet did not then close with any. One at Utoxiter he was nearest to a conclusion with, but she dying in the mean time, it proved an occasion of his going to the University For his Father was induced, by the advice of a Friend to let him go to Cambridge for a Quarter of a Year: Scarce intending that he should be admitted into any College, but to abide there for some short time to learn farther breeding; and he gladly accepted the Motion, and went thither in December, Anno Christi, 1645. And there finding some Kindred and Acquaintance, he was admitted into Jesus College.

The first Year it pleased God to make a gracious change in him, of which he thus saith: The Time of my Conversion was in the Twenty first Year of my Age (as I remember) The Place was Jesus College in Cambridge. The Texts that most overturned me were, Eph. 6. 12, 13, 14 & 1 Cor. 16. 22. The one Preached on by Dr. Hill, the other by a Stranger. He often shown some of his Acquaintance the Seat in which he was first wrought upon, and told them early be loved the sight of it, and that ever after he chose to sit in that Seat, rather than in any other, if possibly he could crowd into it. This was one evidence, among many others, of the eminent success which God gave to that faithful plain Preaching of that Holy Man of God, Dr. Hill, who went over that whole Epistle to the Ephesians, in a Lecture, ever Lord's Day in the Morning at six of the Clock, which he continued for several Years.

Learned Dr. Arrowsmith also about the same time Preached over a succinct Body of Divinity in Aphorisms in St. John 's College, in the Evenings of the Lord 's Day (part whereof is since published) of which our John hath often said, That he found his Heart so molded to the Truths delivered, upon the hearing of them, that it was greatly to his Spiritual Joy, and satisfaction.

No sooner did he find this blessed change in his own Heart, but his Friends at Seabridg found it in his Letters, which spake the new frame of his Soul, and were most instant and Pathetical persuasions to his Father and Mother and Sisters to look after their Souls, and to mind the things of Eternity: which also he seconded afterwards by his Holy, and Exemplary conversation, and Society with them; so that he was an Instrument to Convert all his three Sisters and that early, unto God: and to prevail very hopefully with his Parents in like manner, as appeared afterwards.

Whilst he was in the University he so followed his Studies, that being of ripe Years, and having very good natural Parts, and religiously making Conscience of his expense of Time, he made a good progress in Learning, and was not inferior to any in the College of his standing when he left the University. And though, in his Preaching, he made no show of Learning, as some do: Yet he made good use of it, and understood well the necessity of it for the enabling of him to his work.

About the time of his Great Grandfathers Death, which in March, Anno Christi, 1647. he was sick of a dangerous Spotted Feavour at Cambridge, and that unto Death, as himself, and most about conclude, which he thus mentions: That it was in Jesus College, in a middle Chamber, next to the Chapel on the Right Hand: But (saith he) God having some work for me to do, had Mercy on me (Phil. 2. 27.) saved me, and brought me back again: To say with the Psalmist, Thou hast delivered my Soul from Death: Wilt thou not deliver my Feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the Land of the Living? Psal. 56. 13. And again, I shall not Die, but Live, and declare the works of the Lord: The Lord hath chastened me sore, but he hath not given me over unto Death, &c. Psal. 118. 17, 18.

In this Sickness the Lord dealt most powerfully with his Soul, planting therein great and firm resolutions, of serving his God eminently in case of Recovery, which accordingly (by the assistance of his Grace) he faithfully performed: And hereupon he set up a meeting of some Scholars for Religious purposes, which continued in the College for several Years after his Departure, to the restraining (at least) of some, and to the great Spiritual advantage of many others; which he managed with such Prudence and Caution, that they could not easily become the Nurserys of Faction, or false Doctrine, what ever the Ignorance, and Malice of senseless frothy Persons did slanderously vent to the contrary, We may see a farther account of him, and of his usefulness in the College in these few Clauses in several Letter that were sent to him from some worthy Members of that Society:

Dear Friend, I received your loving Letters, which breath nothing but Piety and good affections. The next Companion to him who is both the Founder, a Fellow and President of the College of Graces, and Comforts of Believers, is he whom God hath warmed with the same Principles to be instrumental for the enlivening them in others—I bless God the Society you were the Founder of in the College, do grow hath in Number and Measure.—And you have here my real Thanks, in that you have been instrumental in setting Religious meetings on Foot, wherein you reap much of the answer of your Prayers, in that they carry it so Prudently yet, as I hear nothing but what Malice and Guilt tax them withal.—In all my serious Thoughts I see yo • represented to me, either as a Pattern of strict walking, or of upbraiding my little serviceableness; But always a Blessing and Comfort in this, that I have known you, and the manner of your Life, and that I reap the benefit of your Prayers and best Affections, which is a Treasury I always desired to prize above all the Jewels in the World, &c. And from another eminent Person thus:

My dear and precious Friend: I received yours, and your Lines sweetly refresh me. O that I could hear oftener from you: It glads my Soul to see your constancy. O that your Example might be a Motive and Incentive to me, to be more steady, settled, and fixed upon God in the ways of God, &c. These are but a taste of the many Letters he received from Cambridge, wherein several do bless the Lord that ever they saw his Face.

But his Activity in God's Service was not a little disturbed by the Malice of Satan, who frequently after his Recovery from Sickness, disturbed and tormented him dreadfully in his Dreams, so that he hath often, immediately upon his waking, run in his Wastcoat into his Study, and betaken himself to his earnest and servant Prayers against that subtle and mischievous Fiend.

Anno Christi, 1649: he Commenced Bachiler of Arts, after which he went into the Country, and spent part of a Year among his Friends, and in visiting some Neighbor Congregations where the Ministry of the Word was wanting. The same Year he was Ordained Minister at Whitchurch in Shropshire; before which he engaged all the Prayers that possibly he could, not only of Friends near-hand, but of some that were far distant, for a Blessing upon that Ordinance: And when we consider how Pathetically he engaged them (Thus in one of his Letters: Pray and prevail for us) what a conjuration of Prayers there was in several places upon that Day, and the rich Crop, and Harvest reaped afterwards, surely it deserves the reflection of those Ministers, who never won a Soul to Christ, from what Principles, in what manner, and for what ends they first entered into this surest Function.

Though he was not disposed for the present to settle in any place, yet was he unwilling to go about his work without Ordination; and that which induced him to continue unfixed for a space, was his enlarged desire to do good to Souls, and that not only of his Kindred and Friends, but also of all Neigbours so much, and so far as possibly he could. He even travelled in Birth for such as had not seen his, that Christ might be formed in them: And the largness of his Heart herein was frequently expressed in his most earnest Prayers unto God for the enlarging of his Kingdom in Countys, Towns, and Families, which he would name with the greatest Affections both in his Prayers and Letters, oft crying out, O that all Staffordshire and Cheshire might be saved!

By this time he had Acquaintance, yea, and intimacy with all that were eminent for Piety in all places thereabouts, and his great care was to stir up the Grace of God in them. And he was extraordinarily qualified and prepared by the Lord for this work, and that in a special juncture of time when the heat of Controversies were managed by Sword, Pen, and Pulpit, which had sadly prevailed to justle out the lively Sense of the main things wherein all were agreed: And diverse Ministers were so taken off from these greater matters by other work which the Enemy had found them, that to Preach Death and Judgment, of Christ and Conversion were almost new things to many of the People. But this good Man was singularily fitted, to recall that great Work back again into the Hearts and Hands of his Brethren, himself having never engaged into the Controversies of Church or State: And set out with all his might upon the main things, and did promote and drive on the Work of Conversion where ever he came.

And truly his Success was great: For in his Fathers Family in Seabridg, the Lord made him eminently instrumental in the Conversion of his three Sisters. His Parents too greatly favored the ways of God: and much furthered him in his work, and were cheerful entertainers of such good People as upon sundry Occasions resorted thither: And there was such an habituated course of gracious Converse set up in the Family, by his staying with them the first Year; that an eminent Minister at his first coming thither, beholding their Order, Zeal, and forwardness in Christ, could not forbear to insist the next Day upon those words of Moses, Numb. 11. 29. Enviest thou for my sake? Which was the result of that dealing, he was forced to with his own Heart upon that occasion. And this Ointment upon Aaron's Head, ran down to the Skirts of his Cloathing: For he was a precious Savour to the very poor Servants of his Father's House, with whom he was unweariedly importunate to labor for Holiness, and he prevailed with some of them, which was a notable presage of the future success of his Ministry upon others.

Himself takes occasion to write thus concerning his Father: My Father John Machin did more for our Family than his Progenitors, building both the House and Barns from the Ground, &c. But most of all he may be remembered for bringing up me his Son to, and at the University, who was (through grace instrumental to bring the Gospel in its power into our Family, which was more Glory to the same then if the Materials of the House had been all turned into pure Gold, whereof let these Scriptures (upon the Chimny Stone in the Parlour) be Witnesses, where it may be said, Blessed be he and they who brought his Name hither to Record it. To God alone be the whole Glory.

The Scriptures upon that Stone were these: Gen. 28. 15-22. 2 Chron. 6. 7-42. 2 Sam. 7. 18.-25. 1 Chron. 29. 10-20. Psal. 116. 1. 12.-19. Psal. 118. 17. Gen. 32. 10. Jer. 30. 21. Ezek. 48. 35. 1 Sam. 7. 12. Exod. 17. 14, 15. Exod. 20. 24. 1 Cor. 15. 34. 1 Chron. 28. 9.

His usual way after Preaching was to Repeat, and to assemble together as many as he could to the Place where he lodged, and their to spend as much time as he was able, in pressing things farther upon them, and in holy and pertinent Discourses, with unspeakable heat and vigor; which made one of his Kindred say, That he liked his Cosin Machin well, but that he made his House a Chapel when he came to him.

All this time he was unfixed, as himself wrote to a Friend of his in Cambridge, thus: I am yet placeless, Charities Servant, desired to many Places, but in part resolved to fix at Ashburn for every other Sabbath, reserving the other for the service of Necesity and Charity, which may be found in these Parts.

And this he did accordinly, as himself hath left upon Record. In the beginning of the year, 1650. (saith he) I was called to Ashburn in Darby -shire, where God was with me two Years, and though my labors were not in the Town so successful as I desired, yet I had God's presence much comforting my Soul, and the Souls of many Christian Friends there about.

During his abode there he was with a Quaker upon his Death-bed (presently after the springing up of that Sect in Stafford- shire) and the more earnestly he prayed with the sick Person, the more he raged: which was an Argument to him, and to several other of the Company then present that Quakerism was a Degree of Possession.

Whilst he continued at Ashburn he was a painful and laborious Preacher, and very useful, and all his spare Days he laid out to the utmost advantage of the Gospel, by forecasting for Heavenly work in the Moor-lands, and other dark Corners in Staffordshire, where the Gospel in the power of it, had scarce ever come before: So that he might truly say, with St. Paul, that he gloried not in another Mans Line: he sowed where few had effectually sowed before, nor did they then but by his procurement. There was no Man like minded in those Parts, who did so naturally care for the state of Souls: For indeed, he sought not his own, but the things of Jesus Christ. His manner was, to engage his Brethren in the Ministry that were intimate with him, and that knew the sincerity of his Heart, and his gracious Design herein, to meet him in those Parts, and to Preach at several places near to each other, sometimes Three or Four Days together: And the People were ordinarily so tractable, that they (to his great Joy) would flock from place to place after the means of Grace: and he had the comfortable Testimony of God's approving his Work, in the great good that many Souls received thereby.

See his heavenly Spirit by this Letter which he wrote to one of the Ministers Wives that thought her Husband too long from her, when he was employed with him in this work, in July, Anno Christi, 1652.

My dear Friend (saith he) I do heartily bless our God for what he hath done for you and especially for your Soul. I pray you believe that you heard these words following as coming out of the Mouth which first spake them, Psal. 27. 14. Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thy Heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord: And say in Faith as you may in his Language also, Psal. 138. 8. The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: Thy mercy, O Lord endureth forever, &c. It is to me a great sign what the Lord hath done for you, that you are so willing to part with your (I know) dear Husband, for the Lord's sake, and his works sake, but He is, and it is worthy. Think still it is to the Lord: and should a Husband be between a gracious Heart, and Christ our Lord? God forbid that we should think so, who have had already in Hand for every Step, Word, and Thought for him, from him more weight and worth, then a Wedg of Ophir's Gold, besides those Thousands of Years in Glory, which are yet in Reversion, &c. And werein I cannot thank you and him, my Lord shall: For else his Words fail, and I will complain, as Heb. 6. 18. 2 Chron. 25. 9.

After two Years stay at Ashburn, the Lord cut out work for him elsewhere; and he saw no reasons why he might not part from them: Concerning which he thus writes. From Ashburn I was called to Atherston in Warwick -shire, where I spent one Year in a Lecturers place, and the Lord did abundantly Crown my poor pains on a sudden with Conversion-work, which made me say, as Cant. 6. 12. Or ever I was aware my Soul made me like the Chariots of Aminadab. But I saw not the Lord's mind, and will to continue me there, in which I saw the Lord's, and for the time was content; for I wanted nothing, having a Seabrig -home for supply: And I had my Hearts desire in opportunities to extend my Labors in Stafford-shire and otherwise, some Lord's Days, and many Week Days, no one gain-saying: which I saw was for the destruction of the Devils work, and an aking Tooth he carried against me: But two things stayed Thought in my Travels from Place to Place, and House to House: My Savior's leading the Way, (Act. 10. 38.) And this: the more the Devil hates me, the more the Lord loves me.

This Year was the time wherein he should have Commenced Master of Arts, which also he inclined to do, chiefly to give Testimony of his respect to Learning, and the Schools thereof, in a time wherein too many decried them: But his Estate being enough to make him a Compounder, whereby some Extraordinary charges would be expected from him; more then he could well spare: And with this consideration he sat down, thinking that he might employ that money more to the Honor of God, and the Gospel, then to part with it for the Honor of a Degree, though he could willingly have been at the single charge upon the former account.

Concerning his Remove to Astbury in Cheshire, himself thus writes: I was ordered, and and called to Astbury in Cheshire, Novemb. 17. Anno Christi 1652. But expressed not my full consent till the Spring following, at which time I left Atherston.

About this time his Father Died, of which he thus saith; He Died March the 12th. Anno Christi 1652. Being the Sabbath Day, about Ten of the Clock at Night, and in the 55th year of his Age, with these words in his mouth, (Psal. 39. 5.) Behold thou hast made my Daies as an hand-breadth, and mine Age is as nothing before thee. Verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. And said to his Mother and Sisters, who stood by weeping; Why do you weep? you have a God that will be better to you than Ten Thousand Husbands and Fathers

He wisely observed, when such an unthought of loss befell him, how he was employed▪ at that instant; concerning which he saith; At the time when my Father Died I was at Prayer, and that with the most remarkable impressions I ever had, both in pleading for mercy for him, and on a sudden I submitted to the Lord's Determination. Many observable warnings he had from the Lord of this Event before it came to pass: As, his serious and solemn Exposition, and Application of that portion of Scripture, Job 21. 23, 24. in the Family, before any Sickness appeared (March the 9th.) Secondly, His earnestness to know the state of his Fathers Soul before they parted the next morning: As also to thank him for his Love and Care in his behalf, and to understand his Mind and Will concerning himself and his outward Estate, whilst he yet continued in perfect health. Thirdly, The Day following, having occasion to send home, he, by the Messenger, recommended to his Father that Scripture, Isa. 38. 1, 2, 3. These, with several other notable passages, and pious improvements he made hereof, which gave him hopes that the sad Providence was in Love to him, and in mercy to his Father, unto whom he could not come time enough to see him in the Land of the Living.

Not long after he removed to Astbury, and changed his condition, concerning which himself thus writes: The good Hand of my everloving Father, so disposing it, I had some Acquaintance in Derbyshire, and I especially found one forward in the Profession at Mickleaver, near Darby, who might be to me as Rebecca was to Isaac, by Name, Jane Butler (Daughter to John Butler) on whom my Thoughts much settled, with submission to my heavenly Father's Will, and she became my Wife, September. 29. Anno Christi 1653. at Utoxeter; whom God gave to me, and with her what I expected in an humble, gracious Woman, (Prov. 31. 11, 12. & 29. 30, 31.) Her price was above Rubies; her portion of outward Estate very considerable.

His managing of this weighty business, was in such an holy and heavenly manner, that all their meetings on that account were improved to the utmost advantage of both their Souls; and their Marriage was fixed upon one of his Lecture-Daies, where two of his Brethren Preached, and joined in the solemnization thereof. And after two Daies stay with his Wife, he went a long Journey about the work of the Lord for many Daies following, whereby he made it evident how much the greatest worldly comforts were made subordinate to God's Glory and Interest, and were so far from hindering, that he was rather enlarged, and fitted thereby to walk in the Waies of God.

His first contrivance of setting up a Lecture, was some months before his Fathers Death; and no sooner was the Estate fallen into his hands, but he resolved to consecrate a share of it to God, and would not serve the Lord with that which cost him nothing His intentions about it, himself thus expresses; I intend a monthly Lecture to be Preached in these following Towns of greatest concourse; viz. in New-Castle, Leek, Utoxiter, Lichfield, Tamworth, Walfal, Wolverhampton, Pencridge, Stafford, Eccleshall, Stone, Muckleston, in the County of Stafford, the last Friday in each month, allowing (of the Lord's fullness in my hands) thirteen shillings and four pence to the Ministers that Preach, to convert Souls, and one Shilling to be given to twelve of the Poorest People that come to Church: In all eight pounds twelve Shillings a year. This was the resolution of an heart engaged to him; of one that would honor the Lord with his Substance, and is J. M. July 31. Anno Christi 1652.

And presently after his Fathers Death he thus wrote concerning this business: I believe that the Lord could have given him more Daies; but yet do will that 8 l. per Annum for ever be set apart for the Gospel, out of mine own Estate, that Immortal Souls may be won, and God's Portion in the World be increased, to be disposed as aforesaid, or as my Brethren, Mr. N. and Mr. S. my Dearest Fellow-Laborers shall judge, and find most abundantly and effectually to accomplish Christ's end and mine, saying, as (Rom. 10. 1.) My heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

This Lecture he set on foot this Summer. The first Day was at New-Castle, Aug. 4. 1653. where his two aforesaid Friends did Preach: As also the third course at Utoxiter Sept. 29. following, being the Day of his Marriage. And this business was so much in his Heart and purpose, that when some scruple was made about it in the settlement of his Land at Marriage, he wrote thus: Whether I change my condition or not, I have cause, and I call to mind my Promise to the Lord and his Gospel in the thing I intended, which I think will now be preferred before the change of my condition.

And that the Holiness of his Heart, and bent of his Soul in this business may appear, he inserted these passages into his Will, which he made Novemb. 16. 1653. not two months after his Marriage, he thus writes: I commit my Soul to God, my God, and my Savior, that Created, and Redeemed it, even into the Bosom of the Father of Spirits: My Body to my Father Corruption, and to the Worms my Mother and Sister, (Job 17. 14.) In hopes that he will make good to me (who with them have sometimes endeavored to serve him) his Promise of Eternal Life, Rom. 2. 7. As for my Dear Beloved Wife, I freely return (and I pray it may be with advantage) to him who hath lent her, to whom I leave, Joh. 17. 24. Rev. 21. last. Jude 24. Psal. 84. 10, 11. Hoping that I leave her an Heir together with me, or rather with Jesus Christ, of a Kingdom that cannot be removed. If the Lord shall graciously give me Issue (I pray it may be of his Herîtage, and prepared for a Room in Heaven) to it I would leave, 1 Chron. 28. 9. and I pray God see it executed according to my Will. And it is my willconcerning my Heir (if the Lord give one) that he may be a Samuel, lent to the Lord, and his Service in the Ministry: For I can say, he is an Asking of the Lord, as was Samuel: And that he may have mine Inheritance, performing my Will concerning my Lecture, &c. And concludes thus; Praying, that whoever rules here, may keep open House for God and his People, to whom I would in Faith say, as Psal. 31. 5. Into thy Hand I commit my Spirit: Thou hast Redeemed me O Lord God of Truth: Hereto subscribing with my Heart and Hand, J. M.

And in a Schedule of the same Date, he writes as followeth: Some particulars concerning the thing that hath long been in my Heart to do for God, written as my last Will, as an occasion of some standing Service when I am not. The Motives are God's Glory; Christ's Kingdoms increase; and Poor Souls Salvation; an expression of my Thankfulness, for what God hath done for our Family, and for me the least and last of it. And the rather, because I am here, in mine own apprehension so little serviceable in speaking, doing, and suffering for him, and nothing at all advantageous in Writing, as others have been, and I could have desired. These Motives, together with that blessed Experience I have had of its advantage already, through God's sealing work with it, makes me to think myself favored more of God, if I may do this for him: and I doubt not but he can and will, if need be, give me and mine, much more than this; as is said, 2 Chron. 25. 9. And if I could say as David, 1 Chron. 29. 13, &c. I would think it little betwixt him and me, who hath said; Whosoever shall give a Cup of cold Water to drink in my Name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. And my prayer is, that those which come after me (whose it might have been) may think that it's better bestowed than the rest.

1. The thing is a double Lecture, namely, of two Sermons once a month, chiefly intending Souls Conversion.

2. The Ministers: The most Orthodox, Able and Powerful, that can be procured for Love to Jesus Christ and his Service, or the Will of the Dead; chosen by my Trustees successively.

3. The Trustees: Four Ministers, and four Laymen. The Ministers I leave in Trust, and question not their faithfulness herein for Christ's sake, are my dearest fellow-Laborers in our Lord's work, Mr. N. Mr. S. Mr. B. and Mr. J. with whom I only leave for their direction, 1 Cor. 15. 58. Mat. 28. 20. The Lay-men whom I put in joint Trust are Mr. B. Mr. M. Mr. B. And plain-hearted T. H. all those Faces I hope to see in Heaven. With them I leave for their refreshment, when they take some steps about it. Mat. 25. 39, 40. For Eternity is the place I would be for, to which when gone, I am but a little before, and you but a little behind.

This Lecture by his constant cost and care, he kept up from August the Fourth, Anno Christi, 1653. Monthly, until January the Second, 1659. Whereof he kept an exact account in a Catalogue, wherein he took notice of the Day of the Month, the Place, the Persons that Preached, and their Texts, with some hints of the Congregations, their number, and seriousness: And he continued it, until the times would neither encourage, nor bear it, and thereupon it not only fell, but also (wanting Public Liberty for such an Exercise, according to the purpose of his Heart) he suspended his intensions, and disposed his Land otherwise.

In May, Anno Christi, 1654: He began to keep House at Astbury, concerning which, he thus saith: I was entertained without exception, or interruption: And though for some Years we met with troubles, yet did the Lord stand between me, and all my troubles, so that many times I was as a Man wholly free, and was made amends for all my Sufferings of that Nature, by the Lord's Presence, sweet and powerful in his Ordinances, especially in that of the Lord 's Supper, which was there set on Foot in March, Anno Christi, 1654: and continued without interruption Monthly, or once in six Weeks till, Anno Christi, 1660.

The Lord did mightily strengthen his Hands and encourage his Heart in this Ordinance, and he took great care in Preparation for it, spending the Friday before the Sacrament in Public Prayers and Preaching God's Words, and the Day after the Sacrament in Thanksgiving, in his own, or in some Neighbors Family, especially where there fell out in any Communicants Family, any occasion of special Thanksgiving: As recovery from Sickness, or the like.

By the coming of another Incumbent unto Astbury, he had only opportunity of Preaching there each other Lord 's Day, and for the other he had liberty to Preach abroad upon Charity, which yet he heartily rejoiced in, and was ready freely to help any of his Brethren, so that he was seldom a Day at ease. And now he had opportunity of being acquainted with the Ministers and Congregations in Cheshire, where the Lord blessed his labors to the benefit of many Souls.

His labors here were much increased by his assisting in many Fast-days unto which he was very ready, and would gather up such special things as any in or out of his Family desired to be recommended unto God in Prayer upon such days, & would press such as were present to perticularize their special things, that they might not come unto God upon an uncertain Errand, which things he would usually write down in a Paper, that so they which assisted in the duty might read it, and so be the better enabled pertinently to Pray one for another. He did much desire to make these and all other Ordinances very serious, and to rescue them from that formality which two frequently accompanied them, being little satisfied with the work done, unless he found something done thereby upon his own, and the Hearts of others. He knew that great benefit and comfort was to be had in these Duties and Ordinances, and he would not rest contented without it. He diligently also observed the success of them, and if God at any time with drew himself from him, he made it his Business to seek his God till he found him again, as also the Cause of his with-drawings.

What strong Affections he had in the Duties of God's Worship was manifest to all that joined with him, that they might easily see and discern the ardency of them; especially in singing of Psalms, which he did with such apparent intension of of mind, and Heart as is not ordinary, and diverse yet living cannot but remember with what Faith and fervency he would pronounce Amen, Amen at the end of every Prayer. And after holy Duties usually his Heart was greatly lifted up in the ways of God: And though he sped never so well in it, yet he had not done with an Ordinance when it was over, but had both Heart and Art of improving it, and would then dexterously put on to holy Discourses: and not only Publicly urg things for fashion sake, but would afterwards follow it with all his might, as if (being the Lord's Ambassador) he waited for an answer to him that had sent him.

He was most unwearied and indefatigable in holy Duties, and was never observed to give out in them, though sometimes upon special Occasions, they continued all Night therein. After one of these Days of special Communion with God he, together with two or three of his choice Friends, retired into private, and there he urged each of them to name someone thing that they would chiefly beg of God, and so each of them prayed over those particulars, and what impressions and affections were then raised in their Hearts cannot be forgotten: Also to promote and increase Knowledge and Holiness, he help up a Conference, both to his own and his Peoples great Benefit; and that no time might be lost, nor any ones Mite be neglected, he would take the Answers of those that were absent at the appointed times, as occasionaly he met with them, and sometimes before the whole Assembly were met together upon Days of Prayer, so that he was always doing, and designing the best advantage of the Peoples Souls upon all occasions.

Whilst he was Minister at Astbury it pleased the Lord to give him four or five Children, concerning whose Birth, he thus writes in his Memorials: The first Will I made was presently after our Marriage, and in it I spake of a Son Samuel, as if I had seen him by Faith, though he was not then in being, and it was full a Quarter of a Year, before we had any sensible hopes of a Child, which was given us about March the 9th. 1653. In May following we began Houskeeping at Astbury, we received the Birth of our asking of God, (1 Sam. 1. 20.) Samuel, who was Born, November the 13th. chiefly called Samuel, because he was asked of God by Father, Mother, and many Christian Friends there and elsewhere, with great Ends propounded at such times of Prayer: Namely, that he might be one to bere God's Name hear in his Church on Earth, and one to take up a Room prepared for him in Glory: The Lord be Surety for thee my Son: The Lord forbid thou shouldest come short of these ends: Prayeth thy Father. Thus did he set upon his Head the Remembrance of the Mercy of God in his Birth, as the Servants of God of old did make the very Names of their Children the means of remembering the Signal Mercies of God to them: This Child in the first Year of his Life, was, by Sickness, twice under the Sentence of Death, but Prayer that obtained him recovered him.

An other great Deliverance to this Child he thus Recordeth: Memorandum (saith he) that July the 10th 1656. the Lord prevented the Death of my Son Samuel, which in all probability might have been with my own Hand, bowling a Stone with all my might towards the Child (whether I saw him before it went out of my Hand I know not) But it's motion was directly towards his Face, coming up the steps in the Garden-walk; and the visible means of prevention in God's Hand was another Stone, that turned it out of the way a few steps before it came to the Child. This was an awakening Providence to me and my Wife, and sent us to God on our Knees, partly for Humiliation, partly for Gratulation. This Stone he kept in his Study, and (without Superstition) made it his Remembrancer to continue his Thankfulness to God for this great Deliverance. Some such observations he recorded about his other Children's Birth and Names.

When this Winter was ended, he removed to Whitley, Anno Christi, 1661. May 17th: And of his success there he gives this account: After sometime I found that God was with me in his Ordinances, to make Conversion-work: And in Providences, to prevent evil, and to reach good things to us. Let it be remembered to his Praise, that October the 23 d. 1661. my Son John was within a step of drowning, and Providence ordered me to be within sight at that very time, though I had been from home the Fortnight before, And not an Hour after my Daughter Sarah was almost choked with a Thred, to our great affrightment: But we saw the Lord's Hand very notably in her preservation, as we had done the Spring before from Sickness, in answer to Prayers, Psal. 103. 4.

An other merciful Preservation of his Son John he thus Records. Memorandum, that our Son John had a notable escape from drowning as he and his Brother were coming from School, June the 18th. 1664. But Blessed be God who is present when Parents are absent.

At this Place he continued to labor in the Lord's Vineyard till that black Day, August 24. 1662: at which time, he with very many of his Brethren were Civilly slain, being unsatisfied to conform as the Act of Uniformity then required. But no Man suffered his Death with less Reflection upon Superiors, or with more grief for so sad a dispensation. Yet there he continued, laboring for the advantage of the Peoples Souls with all his Strength, and the Lord made him a great Blessing to all the Country round about: And God's Providence so ordered it, that the Neighbouring Gentry (though of a differing Perswasion, yet) offered nor to molest him at all, being convinced of the Innocence and Peaceableness of his Spirit, and of the uprightness of his Ends therein.

Before I give an account of the last part of his Life, you may take this just Character of him.

1. He was of an excellent Spirit in Solomon's sense, Prov. 17. 27. as slow to passion, as most have been known. One that lived some time with him, gave this testimony, that he remembered not that he ever saw him transported with Passion; but angry he would be at Sin, yet still after the example of his Lord and Master, Grieved for the hardness of their Hearts, Mark 3. 5. His Reproofs were always so moderated and mixed with Love and Compassion, that the Offender could not but see, that his great aim was at his good.

2. He had good Natural Parts, and was no Novice in any of that Learning that might fit and qualify him for his Work. For though he was more abundant in public Preaching than most of his Brethren, which must needs hinder his Private Studies, yet what time of vacancy he had from this Work, he carefully redeemed for his Book, and took in Philosophy, the Tongues, History, Positive, and Practical Divinity in the course of his Studies, being never well unless at his Study, or in secret Duties, or holy Conference, though (as it was once said of Plato 's Household-stuff) it may be truly said of all his studies, there was Nihil in Pompam, Omne in Usum; nothing for Pomp, all for use. And like of one of the Architects in Plutarch, who, when another, had made an Artificial Discourse of his dexterity to contrive a new Building before those who were to make their choice of them; He only said, All that this Man hath said, I can do: So this Holy Man had the knowledge of doing, what others could learnedly Dispute and Discourse of: he could • earnedly live in every point as became a Learned Preacher.

3. He had an extraordinary Measure of Holiness and Heavenly mindedness, according to the observation which a judicious Divine sometimes made of him; That he had more than ordinary Degrees of Sanctification. He was of a quick understanding in the fear of the Lord, and had the Tongue of the Learned to speak a word in Season to the State of all Souls.

This indeed was his Master-piece, and was become natural to him. He had a singular Ingenuity in improving Scripture Similitudes, and indeed everything that did occur, with unimaginable dexterity: every Tree, and Bird, and Stone would be a Text, upon which he would aptly enlarge himself, having an admirable wit to spiritualize everything, and to gather occasion of profitable discourse in all companies, and almost upon every Subject, and it did clearly appear, That out of the abundance of his Heart his Mouth spake.

He had a great Holy Jealousy and Fear of himself: A dear Friend, that knew him well wrires thus of him. Never was any Man more watchful against Relapses, nor more jealous to maintain his first love to the height, I have (saith he) sometimes told him that it was not usual for converts to retain that Land stood of Comfort, that intension of Zeal, and extension of Affection which flourished so in him, and was preserved in the height: and therefore must he expect an abatement in time, and the current thereof to be contracted, and settled in a narrower Channel. He is his Letters often reflected on these words, Ore tenus, intimating that he still was what he was before, not without admiring God's Grace to him, whereunto he ascribed all that he was. And indeed he was so habituated to Spiritual Communion with his God, that he could not with Patience endure his withdrawings: And he was far more sensible, and sooner aware of it than many others are, that can, to their great loss and prejudice, entertain other Delights instead of God's Face and Favor: But this holy Man did most eagerly seek, upon all occasions for him whom his Soul loved, and would not be satisfied till he found him.

He was a great Observer of the frame, and bent of his Heart at all times. A worthy Minister writes thus of him. I (saith he) have admired at the constant frame of his Spirit. He was not subject to that deadness and indisposedness, which other good Men seem to be troubled with: His Heart was continually burning with an holy Zeal. Take a taste of the excellent sweet frame of his Heart in this short passage in a Letter to a Friend: My dear, dear, dear Brother, I pray thee report the loving kindness of the Lord inexpressible, unto a poor, vile, empty, altogether undeserving Worm: For I have found an Answer this Day; this Day more then ever to our Prayers, and can say, The Lord's work will on, though Hell, say No: And still Believe, Preach: Pray and Believe (Lam. 3. 25.) I am constrained to say as, Isa. 63. 7. Neither thou, nor any of my Friends can conceive how good the Lord is to me, even to me. I pray thee and others think and study how good he is to me, to me, to me!

He kept a constant watch over his Thoughts, especially over his last Thoughts which slept with him, and his first Thoughts which he awaked with, and usually they were some precious portion of Scripture or other, which he would Discourse of with his Friends, with great content and cheerfulness.

He kept a Diary of his Life which he wrote in Characters where ever he came, wherein he set down what Scriptures he found most sweetness from; what was the state of his Soul towards God; and such other remarkable passages as did occur each Day, from the Year 1650. to the Year wherein he died.

His Love to the Word of God was Superlative: It was his Meditation Day and Night. Constantly every Morning he used to pitch upon some Verse, which he would endeavor to fix upon his Heart, and was ever unwilling to leave it, till he had sucked some sweetness, and Spiritual nourishment from it: by Meditation he was often chewing up the 119 Psalm, especially in the time of his sickness, daily drawing the Vi • ture of one Verse into his Soul, as appears by his Diary. And this he did, not formally as a Task, but with that effectual seriousness and relish, that his Family at home, and his Friends abroad (by his Letters) might easily perceive what dainties he had been feeding upon. And at every vacant time he would be looking for a Word, and would find out by his casual turning down of a Leaf in his Bible, (which was his way) such passages as were very remakable, and not observed by him before. A Scripture thus met with was as Food to him, exceeding sweet to his Taste: He would make much of it, and usually would not leave it till he had improved it to the good and benefit of others; either by speaking or writing; endeavoring that others might see what he saw, •• d feel what he felt in the Word of God.

An other Practice he had also wh 〈…〉 shown him to be both a good Textuary, and a good Christian, and that was usually to take leave of his Friends and Relations, by leaving some Scriptures with them, and those, such as were most suitable to their condition. Nay, he hardly sent commendations to a Friend but it was accompanied with some pertinent Text of Scripture, so that he seemed, to breath no other Air but that of Scripture. His Bible was his constant Companion in the Day, and usually his Pillow at Night: and many scores of lively, Emphatical Expressions he had found therein, which his constant reading, and diligence of others could never light on. And where ever he came, he would engrave some Scripture or others upon the Chimny-pieces, Walls, and Trees, which was so constant, and peculiar a course with him, that his Acquaintance knew well that he had been in such a Place, by the Marks which he ordinarily thus left behind him: His delign herein being to do good to Souls; that the very novelty of seeing such things might set People upon enquiring and looking on those Texts in their Bibles, not knowing what good one such Verse of the Scripture might do, God setting it on.

At least he found this advantage to himself, that when he came to a review of them, he was put in mind of that frame of Heart he had when he wrote those things, and so might taste over again what he before felt in those passages of the Word of God: He sedom wrote a Note or Letter but he concluded with some suitable Text of Scripture (the Word of God dwelling plentifully in him.) And in the Memorials before mentioned, he intermixed them with Scriptures upon every occasion, adding in the Conclusion, The Texts of Scripture herein mentioned, are best worth thy finding, and noteing in thy Life, as they were in mine.

His Moderation to all sorts of godly People, though of differing Perswasions, was remarkable: his Heart and heat being wholly taken up with the great and necessary Points in Religion which all true Christians agree in: And, making the Substance of Religion, his work and business, he never had leisure, or pleasure to trouble himself with controverted Circumstances, nor would put his Soul out of tune with such things as had caused such jarrings and discord among Christians. He was never (or very seldom, and then not out of choice) heard to Discourse of the dividing Conrtoversies of the times.

He was exercised with a peculiar Trial soon after his entrance into the Ministry, and that was by strong, and horrible apprehensions in the Night season, as if he were cut in pieces with Knives, or the like, and he was in as real Agonies, and distress as if he had felt the pain of such Torments indeed. This he apprehended to be the Buffetings of Satan: They used to follow Days of great pains, or Days of great inward Comforts, and he was often forced by them to leap out of his Bed in the Night, and to betake himself to Prayer for ease and delivery. He would very Pathetically bewail those gloomy Nights, and (what cause so ever they proceeded from) they were great occasions to realize the apprehensions of Hell to him, and to keep him humble.

Secondly, In his Relative Duties he was abundantly Diligent and Faithful.

First, In his Family; he walked in a perfect way in the midst of his House. There he constantly read the holy Scriptures: A portion of the Old Testament in the Morning, and of the New Testament in the Evening, and sung some Verses of the Psalms in Order.

After Reading, he examined every a one what they Remembered and Observed out of the Chapter, and would open and enlarge upon each Portion, and tell them what was most observable and Practical in that Scripture. Neither did he consine Religion to these Family Duties (as too many do, who from Morning to Evening Prayer scarce ever think or speak of Spiritual things) but he familiarized holy Descourse in his House all the Day long as there was any occasion and opportunity. He always repeated at home the Sermons which he heard abroad. The Lord's Day Sermon he used to repeat the Saturday in the Afternoon following, or some other Sermon as a preparation to the Sabbath following. Upon the Evening of the Lord's Day he would take his Children in private, and their instruct them and teach them how to pray.

He constantly Catechized his Children and Servants twice in the Week, and caused them to get some Verses of Scripture by Heart, and also part of their Catechisms every day. He had often private Fasts with his Family alone, and was frequent in secret Humuliation also. His ardent desires aften the Sanctification and Salvation of his Children, and Kindred, was farther evident by a Discourse which he wrote for his Son, upon 1 Chron. 28. 9. And another which he called A Word to my mere Natural Friends upon Isa. 55. 7. wherein the precious breathings of his Soul after their Spirirtual and Eternal welfare are largely manifested: And upon the same account he gave Twenty of Mr. Baxter's Call to the Unconverted, among his Kindred and Servants, in diverse of which he framed and wrote such pertinent Dialogues as were most suitable to the State of their Souls.

2ly, In his Ministry he was indefatigable. He was in Labors oft: In Journings oft. So that we may truly apply to him what the Apostle Paul said of Timothy, Phil. 2. 20. We have no Man like minded that doth naturally care for the State of Souls. His great forwardness and earness in this Work: his travelling, and toiling, and procuring all the help he could for the carrying on this Work, could not have been more if he had forseen the shortness of his own Days, or the length of our Night. And the more universal was the influence of his Labors, in that he was strangely stirred up to Preach in several parts of the County. Both Ministers and People generally promoting and accepting his holy and sincere Endeavors, where Envy or Prejudice did not manifestly interpose.

When other Ministers, or himself have been employed in the usual Courses of the Day, he would often choose rather to stay and Repeat the Morning Sermon to the people at Noon, then go to his Dinner, according to the Example of his dear Master before him, Joh. 4. 33, 34. And indeed his Zeal for the work of God would carry him to do more then the strength of his Body, and the convenience of the people could well bear: But as it was sincerely meant by him, so it was generally well taken by them, and God made it answerably beneficial in the event.

Father Latimer having sharply reproved some great Offenders in his time, was complained of for lack of Discretion, which he hearing of, said, He was glad they had nothing else to charge him with but want of Discretion, it being evident thereby that the substance of his Reproof was true: So all that could be charged upon this worthy Man of God was, that sometimes he wanted Prudence in the length and frequency of his Labors. A thing for which he might be well excused, seeing so few transgress in that kind.

This good Man, such was his heavenly Spirit and Way in his work, that though the matter he brought was ordinary, yet the manner that he delivered it in, was not ordinary, and he had great success in the Conversion of many Souls: One that knew him well, and oft accompanied him when he went abroad, saith thus: I cannot forget how the People after Sermons would meet him with Tears in their Eyes, some following him, others thanking him for his pain, and showing by their very Countenances that they had met with God in the Ordinances: And it's certain, that he that winneth Souls is wise. If that great Man on his Death-bed could profess, That one Soul converted by his means, ministered more Honor and Comfort to him, then all the Honor and Grandeur which he had enjoyed; with what Glory is this holy Man gone off the Stage, who was an Instrument in the Hand of God's Spirit, to convert many, and to convince and quicken more.

His converse was a continual Sermon (as was old Mr. Dods;) he never went abroad but the Minister and the warm-hearted Christian went along with him. He was the same out of the Pulpit as he was in it, and a lively Comment upon those words of the Apostle: Let your Speech be always seasoned with Salt, that it may minister Grace to the Hearers.

Some that travelled with him many Miles, usually, upon a Religious account, have been almost ravished in their Souls with his holy and heavenly Discourses; and into whatsoever House he came, either publicly in the Family, or privately in his Chamber he would go to Prayer.

He was undauntedly bold in reproving Sin: Many that accompanied him in his Journeys, when in the Inn he hath heard any one Swearing, have observed how he would Thunder against the Swearer, thus: Who was it there that durst abuse the Name of the God of Heaven? And he would ever on purpose as he talked with his Friends on the way, choose some weighty Word to utter as he met with People that passed by, that so it might stick with them; and this Bread of his that was thus cast on the Waters, would sometimes return to him after many Days.

He had a singular presence and readiness of Heart, and Matter to speak to whomsoever he met on the way, and great condescension also to explain himself: wherein any one did not understand him: As once on a Snowy Day, meeting suddenly with a Man driving his Horses before him, who thus saluted him; Well met Sir: I but (said Mr. Machin) we shall be better met, if we met in Heaven. Few poor People ever went from his Door without a powerful spiritual Alms, and he would order them to have larger Relief who were most ready to attend to his heavenly Counsel.

He had an excellent faculty in Discoursing with People on the Way, into whom he would handsomely insinuate himself, and would deliver to them very material, and yet familiar things of Eternal concernment; he would find out their Ignorance; mightily amaze and convince them, and thereby lay a happy Foundation of farther acquaintance upon this best account. And he framed diverse Dialogues on such occasions, which are dispersed in the hands of several Friends, which (if they were published) would show his excellent Genius this way. One instance hereof is very remarkable.

Riding one Morning to a Lecture, he met with some young Men that were carrying their Cocks to a Cock-fight; he overtaking them, said thus to one of them: Friend, our Lord and Master Jesus Christ never came into the World to set up such Sports as these. These Words, and some further Discourse (though the young Man went on to his Pastimes that day) stuck like an Arrow in his Side, and he could not be quiet till he had learned what Minister this was, after which he gained acquaintance with him, and so laid these and his other Sins to Heart as made a blessed change in his course of Life.

He was a Zealous improver of good Society: his ordinary Visits were seldom concluded without Prayer before he parted with his Friends. And when diverse good People were all Night together, he would engage them to pray one for another, and one after another: and he would cause them to produce their several Evidences for Heaven. He would sometimes raise up the Company an hour before Day that they might pray and weep together, that the Fire might not go out upon the Hearth of their Souls, being by these means so constantly blown up and kept alive: yea, the very Crumbs of Piety that fell from him at his Table, were most Heavenly and refreshing, and a plain Argument that it was his Meat and Drink to do his Fathers Will, and to finish his work.

He had ingenious Devises and witty Artifices (flowing from his rooted affection to God) whereby, after some solemn Days, he would engage his Christian Friends to a closer walking with God: Take an Instance of one or two of them, as himself left upon Record.

Articles between Christ and Two Souls.
• 1. That we be his willing, loving, and obedient Spouses.
• 2. That we labor by all means to know more of his Mind, and then to tell it one to another, and draw to the Practice of it.
• 3. That we be always Jealous, lest each other take his room, and to be indifferent and moderate in everything and to everyone but to him and his.
• 4. That whatsoever Creatures are betwixt us, they be improved to the highest advantage betwixt Cerist and our Souls.
• 5. That we connive not at Sin in each other, but be tender of one another's Souls and Bodies.
• 6. That we love and live each Day as the last.
• 7. That we faithfully endeavor the performance of each others Will whilst living, and when dead, so far as Reason and Religion may bind.
• 8. That we be in every Condition more willing to go live with Christ, our Husband, then to stay here one with another for Pleasure-sake.
• 9. That we endeavor seasonableness and suitableness in every Duty, &c.

An other was to this Effect.

Seabridg, October 8th, where God's Name was that day recorded. Before the Lord, and in his strength I promise to draw near to God, believing that he will draw near to me. I pass away and part with mine own power to him, that I may be his and not an others. Subscribing with Heart and Hand, Praying and Believing that the Lord will undertake for me, that I never go back in a Thought; or else this will stand in full force against me at that Great day to come, Phil. 4. 13. H. N. Can. 8. 5. J. M. Psal. 119. 106. J. M. Zech. 8. 21. M. M. Psal. 119. 80. N. B. Isa. 38. 10. E. H. 2 Cor. 3. 5, &c.

He highly esteemed the prayers of his Friends, and was a very faithful Remembrancer of them that desired his prayers; which he used to do with that heartiness, Sympathy, and enlargedness of Heart, that it would work much upon their Hearts, and engage them to more seriousuess in their own business, and in Affection to him, that so kindly concerned himself in their Affairs. And he would plead with God very fervently in their absence, not only to satisfy his Conscience, and to make good his promise of remembering them, but sought with strong cries to prevail for them. And besides that frequent course which he held, of puting all present to tell him, before Prayer began, what they would have chiefly begged for them at the Throne of Grace, by which means they were sent into their own Souls, to study their present, and spiritual Condition.

Concerning this a dear Friend saith thus: he gave this Rule touching praying for Friends, which I have ever since endeavored to make my Directory in that case: Always when you think of your Friends, let it be with a Praying Thought. He would sometimes cause his intimate Friends to write down in his Day-book, what special things they should intercede for in one another's behalf till their next meeting.

His Letters were frequent and very heavenly set: He commonly set time apart for writing such Letters; and he seldom wrote about any business, but Religion was interwoven, and such plenty of apt and sweet Scriptures and Postscripts, yea, sometimes some Texts of Scripture would be endorsed on the outside of his Letters, when they were sent by a Friends hand. In this profitable and useful part of friendship he was frequent and abundant. Probably there yet remain many Hundreds of Letters in the hands of his Friends where there was scarce a Word but about Religion.

He was eminent in real Charity. He sympathized with those that were in straits and affliction, and had a ready hand to help them. He was liberal according to his power, yea, and beyond his power. In his accounts to his Father from Cambridge he seldom found less then Twelvepence a Week to the Poor, besides sometimes half a Crown at a time. After his coming into the Country it was his delight to engage others, and to stir them up by his own Example in his liberal Contributions upon good occasions, giving Twenty-shillings, yea, sometimes five Pounds at a time to Charitable uses. Somtimes he would make a stock for such as were poor and pious; sometimes to help a Minister out of his straits, which hath occcasioned the Bowels of many to bless God in his behalf.

To be brief; he was a Star of the first Magnitude in the impartial Judgment of those that knew him thoroughly. An eminent Divine, writing familiarly to him, saith thus: Dear Brother I earnestly desire corespondence with thee: Thy Letters are precious and weighty to my Soul: Thou art more in my Heart, and Eye, and Thoughts than all the Acquaintance I have in the World: I have seen that in thee that hath not a little convinced me of the Reality of Religion. These are not the Words of a Flatterer, but the overflowing of a Sincere Heart, &c.

If we view him in his Natural and Moral accomplishments; in his Graces; in his Relations; in his Public, and Private behavior, and in his true Humilty and Sincerity, which crowned all the rest, we must needs say, That he feared God above many, and hath left but few such Ministers behind him.

He was very apprehensive of his Death long before it came. In a Letter, dated May, 1659: concerning an Old Disciple, he saith: Will he not let me see him before I die? And in another in November following, he hath these Words, Lam. 3. 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 32. To which let Thoughts be directed when no more is to be seen, or heard of me, but that I am Thy Friend in store: Not lost, but laid up, J. M. And in March, 1663. He complained of frequent dejectedness and Melancholy: And this passage he had in a Letter, June 28. 1664. I have been very Melancholy some while by fits, whence this proceeds I know not: But the All-wise God whose ways are past finding out, knew well that the shadows of the Evening were coming upon him.

As he was removing to Seabridg, he took in his way the House of a worthy Gentleman, where he treated of these Words, Act. 20. 24. Neither count I life dear unto myself: So that I might finish my course with Joy, &c. Which he studied, and Preached as his last farewell to this World, being in a weak and sickly condition: And not long before he had made many Sermons upon Revel. 22. 3, 45. which were a sweat preparation to Life everlasting.

At Seabridg he grew worse and worse, and in the issue it proved an high Malignant Feavor. Hereupon his Wife was sent for, who at her coming found him in his Bed, and he told her, that he was ill, but whether it were Life or Death he would not choose, but his Father should for him. The fit season of opening a Vein (by reason of the Physicians absence from home) was missed, and so his Distemper prevailed. Once looking his Face in the Glass, he brake out very affectionately into these Words: Ah Adam, Adam, What hast thou done? What a beautiful, happy Creature wast thou; but now how Poor, and sorrowful art thou? Ah Adam, What hast thou done? These words greatly affected some that were with him.

His Distemper grew higher, and his Spirits lower, which were deadened in him, insomuch as when his Wife and Children were about him, and she said to him, Love, thou sayest nothing to me, nor to thy Children; he only answered, that he had said to her, and to them too. O how good therefore is it for Wives and Children to observe and remember what Parents and Husbands say to them in health, not knowing which Counsel may be their last, and that must stand for their Death-bed charge to them.

September the 4th. being the Lord's-day, though by reason of his Disease he was scarce sensible, yet perceiving it to be the Lord's-day, he would needs be holpen up, and supported by Pillows, that he might kneel, and be in a praying posture, though he was disabled from the performance of the Duty.

Upon Tuesday, September the 6th, Anno Christi, 1664: This Holy Man breathed his last, being the 17th day of his Sickness, and in the Fortieth Year of his Age; and was buried September the 8th at Newcastle, with a particular Eulogy by the Preacher, and with the deep grief of all the Congregation. Scarce any that began no sooner, and lived no longer, hath done so much good in the World, as he did, in his Capacity.

A Pious Divine, who at this time is a Dignitary in the Church, gives this Character of him; I am (saith he) so well satisfied, as to his extraordinary Piety in general, which I never yet heard, or believe, that he departed from, that I wish my everlasting Portion may be with him: And afterwards he adds: To conclude, I never knew one more public spirited, more sensible of Men's spiritual necessities, and more ready (to his ability) to supply them: More zealous for God's Glory, more delighted, incessant, importunate, and succesful in Prayer, and more thankfully sensible of the Returns thereof, then this Holy Person was; of whom this degenerate World was not worthy, and therefore, having been abundant in the work of the Lord, God hath satisfied him with never ending Experiences, that his Labor (from which he now rests) may not be in vain in the Lord.

The Life and Death of Dr. Samuel Winter, who died An. Christi, 1666.

SAmuel Winter was Born Anno Christi, 1603 at Balsal, in the Woodland part of Warwickshire, about Seaven Miles from Coventry, of Religious Parents; His Father was a Yeo man of good account. When our Samuel was about twelve Years old, it pleased God, by the Ministry ofone Mr. Slader, then Preacher at the Chapel of Knowl, in Balsal Parish (if I mistake not) who, in a special manner was brought thither by Samuel 's Fathers Interest, and industry, to a waken his Conscience, and to make him serious about the things which concerned his everlasting Salvation; As also to stir up in him earnest desires of doing good to the Souls of others; for which end one Day as he came from School, about a Mile from his Fathers house he retired himself under a Hedge to pray; and among other Petitions, he begged of God that he would qualify and fit him for the work of the Ministry and make his labors effectual, and succesful therein: At which time he (at least thought that he) heard a voice saying to him; God hath heard thy Prayer, and designed thee for that work, and thou shalt be an Instrument of converting many Souls to God: This exceedingly cheered up his Heart, insomuch as, coming home, he applied himself to his Father, humbly requesting that he might be trained up for the Ministry. His Father asked him the reason of those desires? He told him, what a Prayer he had made to God, and what return he had from God to it.

His Father, being much affected herewith; soon after sent him to the Free-School in Coventry, where, through his extraordinary diligence and industry, he made so good a progress in Grammar- learning, that, though at near Fourteen Years of Age, he understood nothing, or very little of the first Rudiments of Grammar, yet within a few Years he became fit for the University; and accordingly he was sent to Cambridge, and placed in Queens-College, and had, for sometime, that famous Dr. Preston for his Tutor. At the Feet of that Learned Gamiliel, those Natural, and Gracious abilities which he brought along with him, were much improved; and partly by the direction and help of so excellent a Guid, and partly by God's Blessing upon his unwearied studies, he attained to a great measure of Knowledge, both in the Tongues and Arts, and also in Divinity.

When he had Commenced Master of Arts, being as yet unwilling to enter upon that great and dreadful work of the Ministry, he left Cambridge and went to Boston in Lincolnshire, where he lived under the Ministry of Holy and Learned Mr. Jobn Cotton, out of whose Family (sometime after) he married a Wife, one Mrs. Ann Beeston, a Gentlewoman of a good Extraction, and one that had a considerable Portion, that Match being of Mr. Cotton 's contrivance.

After his Marriage, and his continuance with his Wife, in Mr. Cotton 's Family, he fell into a dangerous, and violent Feavor, which, in the judgment of his Physicians, was desperate, and left no hopes of his Recovery. His Wife being much affected and afflicted herewith, he would often comfort her, telling her that he should not Die at this time; for that God had not yet fulfilled his Promise made to him in his Youth, wherein he had assured him that he should be an instrument of converting many Souls unto him. And accordingly he recovered, and then resolved to apply himself to the work of the Ministry.

And being more ambitious to do God and his Church-service, then to advance himself in the World, he removed from Boston to a small Living, near Nottingham, called Woodborow, where by his painful and powerful preaching (many out of the Neighbouring Towns flocking to his Ministry, as the Doves to their Windows) the Seeds of Grace (through God's blessing upon his Labors) were sown in the Hearts of many, which sprang up, and some of them remain unto this Day. This place he always highly esteemed, and would often call it, His first Born.

From Woodborow he was removed to the City of York, in which great and populous City he continued a Lecturer for some time, and as there he had great opportunities for service, so had he great success, receiving there a manifest Seal to his Ministry, in the Conversion and Confirmation of many. But our Civil Wars breaking out about that time, he could stay no longer at York. Yet, though the Door was shut up against him in that place, another large and effectual Door was opened for him elsewere. For Cottingham (a great Town within three Miles of Hull) being then destitute of a Pastor, thither he was (by a more than ordinary Providence) brought: And in that place, for about the space of Eight Years, he continued to be a burning and a shining Light, as it was said of John the Baptist: Burning in his Zeal and Doctrine, and shining in his Holy, and Exemplary Life and Conversation. There he was exceeding Active, and Industrious for God.

He thought no pains too great whereby the Peoples Souls might be edified. He preached twice every Lord 's day to them in public: He expounded the Chapters which he read, and Catechised the younger Persons: In the Evening he repeated the Sermons in his own Family, to which many of the Neighbors also resorted. On the Week days he took occasion to go from House to House, instructing the Ignorant, and endeavoring to build up his Parishioners in their most Holy Faith; and God was pleased so to bless his Labors, that he became instrumental of begetting many Sons and Daughters unto God, as also of confirming many, who attained (partly by his public Ministry, and partly by his private pains) a great measure of Grace and Gifts, so that they made Conscience of the strict Observation of the Lord 's day, of Closet and Family Duties, and of other Spiritual Services required by God as fruits of their Faith.

He was so meek and affable in his deportment towards all Men, that his Company was pleasing and delightful, even to many of those that had no relish of his Doctrine. At Cottingham he buried his loving and dearly beloved Wife, who left him five Sons: which loss yet was (through God's merciful Providence) abundantly repaired in his second Marriage about three Years after) with Mrs Elizabeth Weaver, the Daughter of Christepher Weaver, Esq; with whom he had a good Portion, and she proved to be excellently qualified, for the good and comfort both of him and his Children: And God was pleased so to bless her Prudent management of his outward affairs, that when he died he left a plentiful Estate to his Children, besides all those Acts of more than ordinary Bounty, which, both in his Life, and at the time of his Death he testified his Faith by.

Anno Christi 1650. the Powers who were then in Being, resolved to send over four Commissioners into Ireland, for the settlement of that distracted, and almost ruined Kingdom; and judging it necessary to send with them a godly, able, and Orthodox Divine, they ordered that Mr. Winter should attend these Commissioners thither. Which order of theirs, being sent to him to Cottingham where he then lived, he looked upon it as a clear Call from God. Yet for his better satisfaction, he advised also with his Friends, and begged direction from God in a business of so weighty concernment; after which he cheerfully embraced this Call, hoping that God would bring some Glory to his own Name, by the Labors of him his unworthy Servant, in that Kingdom. And so, not consulting with Flesh and Blood, which might have suggested to him that it would be an unadvised Act, and disadvantageous to him to part with • o tractable, and loving a People, and with so good a Rectory (it being above Four hundred Pounds a Year) and to cast himself upon Strangers, neither knowing, nor capitulating with them what his Salary should be for the maintenance of himself and his Family. And so, Resigning up his Living, he prepared for his Jorney.

At his coming over into Ireland, the Commissioners allowed him but One hundred Pounds for the first Year, which yet he cheerfully accepted of though it did not defray the charges of his Transportation, with such necessaries as he provided for the comfortable accommodation of himself and Family: Much less did it repair the losses which he sustained shortly after his Landing, when the Irish Army took from him diverse Horses of a good value, which he carried over with him. A great part of his worldly delight consisting in keeping good Horses.

In this his first Year he attended the Commissioners in several Journies, which they made into the Four Provinces of Ireland, was their Household Chaplain, performed Family, Duties, and Preached in public every Lord's day wherever they came: And in the City of Dublin (where they resided the greatest part of their time) he preached sometimes twice every Lord's-day in Christ church before the Commissioners, the Lord Major, & Aldermen of that City; many Gentlemen & others resorting to his Ministry.

Not long after, some other Ministers coming from England to Dublin, the Commissioners (for the ease of Mr. Winter) used to request one or other of them to preach in the Morning, reserving Mr. Winter for the Afternoon, at which time was the greatest Auditory. But he, being willing to be out of employment, set up a Lecture, where he preached every Sabbath Day in the Morning at Seaven a Clock, in the Church of St. Nicholas, within the said City: And this Lecture was frequented by the Commissioners, Civil Magistrates, and many others, so that he had a very frequent Congregation; and to encourage poor People to come to Church, he caused some white Loaves to be distributed among them always when the Sermon was ended at his own cost.

About this time the Commissioners taking notice that Trinity College by Dublin, through the iniquity of the Times, and the distractions of that Kingdom, was left desolate by the Fellows and Students, and thereby brought almost to ruin, they thought it their Duty, for the advancement of Religion and Learning, to endeavor the restauration of the same: And for that end they appointed the said Mr. Winter, to be the Provost, or Master of it; where also, after a time, he commenced Doctor of Divinity, having with singular Applause and Approbation, performed all Acts and Exercises belonging thereunto. He also out of his care and zeal to promote so pious and profitable a work, in a short time he encouraged, and procured the return of divers of the Fellows and Students to the College, as also the coming over from England of several hopeful young Scholars, whereby the College was suddenly filled and replenished with many Religious and hopeful young Men, who were likely to prove Instruments of God's Glory in the work of the Ministry and other ways.

And by the great pains which he took with them, instructing them, both in Human and Divine Learning, Preaching and Expounding the Sacred Scriptures to them, and often Praying with them both in the College Chapel, and sometimes in his own Lodgings, he gave as great Hopes of the flourishing of that Seminary of Learning and Piety, as in any College in Christendom. And there they to retaliate his care and pains, gave him an Honorable Testimonial under the College Seal, which is here inserted.

Omnibus Christi Fidelibus ad quos praesentes Literae pervenerint, Salutem in Christo Domino sempiternam. Nos Vicecancellarius Universitatis, & Socii seniores Collegii Sanctae & Individuae Trinitatis juxta Dublin, Testanour Virum venerabilem Dominum Samuel Winter, Anglum, Verbi Divini Praedicatorem fidelem, verae Religions vindicem acerrimum, & de Collegio S. S. Trinitatis in Illustri Academia Cantabrigensi Liberalium Artium, & S. Theology olim studiosum, adductum fuisse ad nos cum uberrimis Testimoniis ingenuitatis, probitatis, Doctrinae, & Scientiae, Theologicae (quorum meritorum suorum & studiorum luculentissimum Documentum jampridem, tam publice quam privatim in celeberrima Civitate Dubliniensi laudabiliter & egregie dederit) ad capessendum Gradum Doctoratus in Theologia; & illorum, plurimorumque doctissimorum de meliore not a virorum, optime habilem, idoneum, & dignum testimoniis judicatum fuisse, munere; officio, dignitate, & honor Doctoratus in Theologia. Nos itaque quibus ejus virtutum excellentia, meritorum copia, diuturna studia, pervigilesque labores innotuerunt, habita ration scientiae, eloquentiae, doctrinae, facultatis Theologicae, peritiae Disputandi, interpretandi, concionandi, & aliarum Viriutum, & morum ejusdem Samuelis Winter, quorum omnium certissimum specimen laudabiliter, egregie, magistraliter, & more Doctoreo dederit publice e suggesto per tres Dies in Collegii sacello. Nos igitur in venerando Universitatis nostrae consessu, eundem Samuelem Winter unanimiter, omniumque suffragiis in Christi nomine approbamus, & sic approbatum Doctorem in universa Theologia solenniter pronuntiavimus, declaravimus, & fecimus. Quod nostrum Testimonium ut omnibus innotescat, subscriptis singulorum nominibus, & publico Collegii nostri Sigillo corroborari & muniri curavimus: Decimo septimo Die Augusti, Anno Domini Millessimo; sexcentessimo quinquagessimo quarto. Hen. Jones. Pro-Cancellarius. Miles Symmer. Williamson. Nath Hoyle. Johannes Stearne, Adam Cusacke.

Whilst Dr. Winter continued Provost of that College, he had occasion to go to a place called Monouth, a populous Town, about ten Miles from Dublin; where (according to his custom in most places where he came) he Preached and found the People very attentive to his Ministry, and desirous to be instructed in the way to Heaven: whereupon, at the earnest request, both of the Minister, and of divers others of the Inhabitants he rode over to them every three Weeks, and Preached, which he conti • ed for some Years, and God was pleased to blessed his Labors for the Conversion of many English and Irish that flocked to hear him.

The Reason of his leaving that University and Kingdom is well known unto many, and he came away to his great outward prejudice, the College being indebted to him in a considerable Summ of Monies, which he had disbursed for the use thereof, some part whereof, since his Death they have paid to his Son.

Being returned into England, he and his Wife sojourned with some Friends, sometimes in and about West-Chester: Somtimes at Coventry, and other sometimes with his Wives Relations in Hertfordshire, and Rutlandshire; in which places (through God's blessing) he became an Instrument of much good, not only in the Families wherein he abode, but also to several Neighbors with whom he conversed.

Thus we have a brief Narrative of the most remarkable passages of this Holy Mans Life; we are now come to the last Scene, wherein we shall find that saying verified and made good, Vita qualis, Finis talis: His Humble, and Holy Life being concluded with a Comfortable and Glorious Death. His Sun did not set under a Cloud, but shone out with a more bright and greater luster then is ordinarily seen. It was his main Design and Business to glorify God in his Life, and God did highly honor him at his Death, as will appear by that which follows.

Whilst he was in Rutlandshire, on Thursday, October the 13th, Anno Christi 1666. he rode to a Neighbouring Town to assist in carrying on a day of Humiliation, wherein, having wearied his Body and spent his Spirits, he was fain to defer his return home till the next day. On the Lord's day following, he exercised twice for the Instruction of the Family wherein he abode; and at his going to be Bed, he found himself not well. On Monday he continued ill, yet arose, came down and performed Family Duties.

At Dinner he could eat but little, and at Night went ill to Bed, yet slept pretty well, only both those Nights he complained of a pain in his right side, and he had frequent provocation to Vomit, but without effect. Oft he found himself a cold; yet when he came a little to the Fire, he was too hot in his own sense, insomuch as his Friends about him judged that it would turn to an Ague.

Wednesday and Thursday his Distemper continued, and on Friday finding himself still to grow weaker and weaker, he desired his Will might be fairly engrossed, which lay by him written with his own Hand, and withal, he labored to persuade his Wife to be content and willing to part with him: Adding, That it would not be long e're they should meet again: and then he put up earnest Prayers unto God for her, and for other of his Relations.

Upon Friday he sat up all the Day, but still continued under his Bodily Distempers, and finding his strength to decay, he would often repeat that of the Psalmist, The Zeal of thy House hath eaten me up. On Saturday he Sealed and published his Will, complaing all that Day of the Cramp in his left Leg. In the Evening he went to Bed, and in the apprehension of those about him, slept well that Night.

About six a Clock on the Lord's day Morning, he raised himself up in his Bed, and with a cheerful and loud voice called to his Wife, who lay in a Bed by him, saying, Sweet Heart, I have been this Night conversing with Spirits. And, as in a Rapture, he cried out, O the Glories that are prepared for the Saints of God! The Lord hath been pleased to show me this Night, the exceeding weight of Glory which in Heaven is laid up for his Chosen ones. Saying further, That he had studied, and thought that he knew as much what the Glory which in Heaven was, as another Man: But he now saw, that all the Divines on Earth were but Children in the Knowledge of the great Mystery of heavenly Glory, which the Lord that Night had given him a clearer sight of, then ever formerly he had. That it was such a Mystery as could not be comprehended by the Wit of Man, with many other such like Expressions; and he had his Soul so wonderfully elevated, that he could not declare what he found and felt therein.

Then he desired that his Relations, and the rest of the Family might be called up, that so he might make known unto them that immense weight of Glory which that Night had been revealed to him. When they were Assembled he did with vehemency and intension of Spirit, endeavor to discover the same unto them in the expressions aforesaid: But he was so swallowed up in the Contemplation thereof that he could not utter what he desired.

And so he continued all that day, and even till he died in very high Raptures, and great acclamations by way of Thankfulness unto God for the Lord Jesus Christ, the Fountain of that Glory, and for those evident Discoveries of the same unto him.

Towards the Evening of the Lord's day, an honorable Person, together with his Lady, and some other Friends came to visit him, with whom he discoursed about Heaven and the things of God as understandingly, fervently and fluently as if he had enjoyed his best Health: His understanding and Memory continuing as strong and vigorous as ever: In his Discourse he quoted sundry Texts of Scripture, citing the very Chapter, Verse, and Words, and explaining the meaning from the Hebrew and Greek Originals. After this Discourse, which continued about the space of two hours, finding himself weary, he betook himself to Bed, all the Company withdrawing into another Chamber. And after an Hours repose, he desired that the said Honorable Person, with his Lady, and other Friends might be called in again, that he might speak something more unto them, and when they, with the rest of the Family were come into his Chamber, he told them that he thought he had but a short time to live. That he was going unto Jesus Christ, with him to partake of the fullness of Joy, and of those Rivers of Pleasure, which God had so lately discovered unto him, and which he had reserved in Heaven for those that love him and keep his Commandments. O (said he) if you had but a thorough sight thereof, it would make you all to love the Lord Jesus Christ and Holiness, which is the only way prescribed by God to attain to this Happiness. And so he went on to magnify the Riches of free Grace, through which alone the Saints do come to enjoy that exceeding, exceeding eternal weight of Glory, which neither Eye hath seen, nor Ear heard, nor can enter into the Heart of Man to conceive of.

He also exhorted them, not so much to trouble themselves in getting assurance of Salvation, as to examine themselves carefully, diligently whether they were in the way of Sanctification: And for this end, he commended two things to their serious Meditations, about which he advised them daily to ask their Souls these two Questions: What am I? And where am I? What am I? Am I a New-Creature? Am I born again? If so, then I have New Thoughts; New Words; New Company; and a New Conversation: All old Thoughts, Words, and Actions will be done away. Secondly, Where am I? Am I in the narrow Path that leads to Life Eternally, or in that Broad Way that leads to Death and Damnation? He told them, that if any there present were still in the Broad Way, it had been better that they had never been Born. And (said he) If you will make this your continual Meditation, you cannot miscarry. And if you find yourselves to be in the Narrow Way of Sanctification, let God alone with the Rest, to give you an Assurance of your future happiness, which he will certainly do in his own time.

He further declared to them, that as by all his Preaching, through all the course of his Ministry, he had discovered and published this way of Holiness through Christ to be the only way to Heaven, so could he now at his Death set out no other way: And that if he were again to begin his Ministry, he could hold out no other way to attain unto Glory. And so with much weariness of Spirit, looking up towards Heaven, he begged of God that the words of a Dying Man might make a deep impression upon the Hearts of his Hearers; and that as God had made him an Instrument of converting many Souls unto him in his Life, so he would bless what he had now spoken, that someone Soul might be brought to Jesus Christ, by this his last Sermon.

Then▪ he further proceeded to other Holy Discourses and Instructions, quoting sundry Texts of Scripture for the proof of what he spake naming the Chapters, Verses, and Words of the Texts, which he opened, and explained out of the Originals, with that accurness and strength of Words, with that Zeal and Fervency of Spirit as was admirable, so that he drew Tears from the Eyes of all that were present, whether Younger or Elder. And lest any there present should think that his Understanding and Memory were grown weak, or that he was overcome through the abundance of Revelations which he had the Night before, to let them know that he had spoken unto them the words of Truth and Soberness, and that with a perfect understanding of what he spake, he made to them this Narrative following.

He told them the manner of his Education in Religion from his Childhood, and of the Vanity which did attend his youthful Days; and where and how God did appear unto him for his Conversion at Twelve Years of Age, and of the assurance which God had given him (as is before related) that he should be an instrument of Converting many Souls to God: as also of his proficiency in Learning from that very time.

He further declared (with Tears trickling down his Cheeks) that he had many and many a time in private, before he went to Preach, put God in mind of his Promise so made unto him, and earnestly besought him to make good that Promise, by giving a Blessing to that good Word of his, which he was then going to deliver, that some Glory might redound to his Holy Name thereby: To which his Prayers God had often been pleased to give a gracious Answer, and to let him know it by the Conversion of some by those very Sermons.

One of his Relations then present, fearing that his Spirits would be weakened and spent by that his continued Discourse, requested him to repose himself for a while; to whom he replied with much earnestness and strength of Voice: No, were I sure that this should be my last Night (as indeed it proved) and the last Sermon that I should Preach, I would continue it two Hours longer: Adding, that he was not afraid of Death: And turning his Head backward, he said, Death is a Coward; he comes behind me: he dares not look me in the Face. And he further said, The Devil hath oft assaulted me in my Life time; but God stood by me and gave me strength to resist him, so that he could never hurt me.

All the Day following he lay in heavenly Contemplations and Raptures, often breaking forth in Praises unto God for Jesus Christ; and would sometimes desire his Wife, and other Friends to tell him whether he were in the Body or out of the Body, for he could not tell. And a Minister being then in the House, he desired that he might be called in, and when he was come, he propounded the same Question unto him, who answered, That he was in Life, and among his Friends on Earth, and therefore in the Body: To this he replied, It is true, and therewith rested satisfied, and desired the Minister to pray with him; which he did accordingly.

His Wife told him that some Friends there present hoped that he might yet recover and live: To which he answered, Can a dead Man live? Will God work Miracles? And shortly after he said, God is doing great things in the World: And he much bewailed the sad estate and condition of the Church of Christ.

In the Afternoon finding Death to approach, he often cried out, O the Power of Death! not that he feared it: For it shrunk from him: but he found such a Power in Death as none could know but those that were under it. He also wished that his Sons had been present that they might see what the Power of Death was, and what it was to die. He desired also that some Neighbors in the Town might be called in, that he might Preach his last Sermon to them: And indeed, to this very present time his Spirits, Speech, and Memory continued very active and strong.

About four a Clock in the Afternoon his Wife, and his Wives Brother and Sister, standing by his Bedside, asked him how he did? He answered, very weak: adding, That he was going to Jesus Christ; and bad them not to be afraid of Death: with which words he put forth his Hand, and said, Brother, Sister, take Death by the Hand: be not afraid; Death is a Coward; he flies from me: They found that his Hands were cold and clamy, whereby they perceived that he grew near to his end: and himself not long after, feeling that the dissolution of his Earthly Tabernacle, was now approaching; lifting up his Eyes towards Heaven, he cried out, Come Lord Jesus: And presently, with a smiling Countenance, he added, Art thou come? And so he breathed out his last, and fell a sleep.

Thus Reader, thou hast had a prospect of the more considerable Passages of this blessed Mans Life and Death. Pause hear a while, and take a second view of all again, and then surely thou canst not but wish (though it is desired for thee, that it may be from a better Principle then was in Balaam) Let me die the Death of this blessed Man, and let my last end be like his. But in vain shalt thou wish for this, if the Pattern of his Holy and Exemplary Life be neglected by thee.

We read of a Person of a loose Life, that hearing what a comfortable end St. Bernard made, said to his Companions; I would willingly die like St. Bernard, but I would live with and like you: 'It is too certain that very many are of the same mind: But as it is impossible, but that an Holy Life should have a blessed and happy Death (Mark the perfect Man, and behold the Upright: For the End of that Man is Peace, Psal. 37. 37.) So it is as impossible (in an ordinary way) that a loose and wicked Life, should have other than a miserable and uncomfortable Death, though some delusive, fading flashes of seeming Peace and comfort they may sometimes have which are but as a Blaze of Thorns which is suddenly extinct: For God himself hath said it, There is no Peace to the wicked (Isa. 48. 22.) And again: The wicked are driven away in their wickedness: but the Righteous hath hope in his Death. Impius dum spirat Sperat: Sed Justus cum expirat sperat. The wicked while they live, hope, but with a vain, and ungrounded hope: But the Righteous hope when they die, with a lively, and well grounded hope that never leaves them till it brings them to the fruition of the thing hoped for.

There yet remains somthings to be spoken which could not well be reduced to any one part of the Narrative of this worthy Persons life, because they did (like so many Golden Threads) pass through the whole Web: Or like the Spirits in the Blood, which run through the whole Body; and therefore these were thought fit to be reserved to the close of all, that the Reader may have a view of them altogether. And they are such Gifts and Graces as were very remarkable in this Man of God: For so I call him, not only because he was a Minister, and so God's Servant in a more peculiar sense; but also because of those eminent and excellent Virtues appearing in him, by which God did set his Mark or Seal upon him, as his peculiar Treasure. And these Graces were so conspicuous in him, that all that knew and were acquainted with him, will readily attest to the Truth of them: And they may be thus ranked in Order.

• 1. His great Humility and Meekness of Spirit.
• 2. His Diligence and Industry in his Calling.
• 3. His Zeal and Fervour, manifesting itself in his Praying, Preaching, Conference, and strict Observation of the Lord's Day.
• 4. His Liberality and Bounty upon all good occasions.
• 5. His great Candor, and Ingenuity.
• 6. His Faith and Patience.
• 7. His Power and Prevalency in Prayer.

First, To begin with his Humility: as that excellent Grace which embellished and gave a luster to all the rest, and is often enjoined and pressed in the sacred Scriptures, and was most admirable in the Life of our blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who proposes himself as a Pattern to us in that Grace especially. And surely all that knew this worthy Doctor, will readily acknowledge this to have been very eminent in him; and that, not only in his Words and Garb, and some trivial Actions, which may easily be personated and counterfeited (as they were in that Frier, who always went seemingly dejected, and looking downwards towards the Earth, until he was chosen and made the Abbot of the Monastry, and then he altered his Mode, and gave this Reason of it; That he had long been looking for the Keys of the Abby, and that now, having found them, he needed no longer to according to his former custom.

But in our Doctor, Humility was of an higher strain, of a more Noble Original, and deeplier radicated in his Heart. And truly it was the more admirable and Exemplary in him, having divers singular endowments which might have elevated and puffed up his Heart with Pride; as, a plentiful Estate; was of a considerable Rank in the World, and of great Abilities: But these were poor things in his esteem. He could condescend to Men of the lowest Rank. He used to magnify the abillities of ohers whilst he thought and speak meanly of his own, and was not offended if others did the like. He could easily bear the Contradictions of others, and stoop to the meanest Offices if thereby he might do good to Souls. It's well known that he would go to the poorest Neighbors Houses in his Parish, and there sit and discourse with them about the great and weighty concernments of their Souls; Qustioning with, and instructing them in the Principles of Religion; and at his Departure would give them some Money, that by his Deeds he might add the more weight to his Words, and make his next Return the more Welcome. And this he did, not to gain Proselytes to himself, or a Name among Men, but to win them to Christ, and to be a means in furthering the Eternal Salvation of their Souls.

Secondly, His Diligence and Sedulity in his Calling was very Great and Exemplary. A hard Student he was all a long, and so he continued to the last. 'It is scare credible, but to those that saw and knew it, what a great number of Books were found in his Library, filled with Transcriptions out of the Authors which he read over; Besides, pieces of Controversies, and Observations of his own. And indeed, there were few Books that he Read, but he took Notes out of them, and made Marks in them of what was most considerable. To which if we shall add all his Manuscripts (which had been the Summ of near Twenty Years Study) lost in the time of the late Wars, we cannot but conclude him to have been a most Faithful, and painful Labourer in the Lord's Vineyard. His daily Practice declared him to be a Person very careful to redeem time, and as fearful to lose, or misspend and waste it.

As soon as he was up in the Morning, whilst he dressed himself, either his Wife or a Servant read to him some Chapters in course, out of the Old and New Testament. When he was dressed, he retired himself into his Study, where he ordinarily continued till he was called down to Prayer and Dinner: After which, for better digestion, he intermitted his Studies, and took opportunities of Discourse with Friends and Neighbors that came to visit him, who knew that to be the only time wherein they might find him at leisure: For he used to forbid them coming to him in the Forenoon, that so his Studies might not be interrupted. And then after two or three Hours intermission, he returned into his Study again, where, for the most part, both in Summer and Winter he continued till about Eight a Clock at Night, seldom eating any Supper, or very sparingly.

When in the Evening he was come down, calling his Family together, he read a Chapter in course, gave the Sense of it, went to Prayer, and so to Bed, often grudging the time that he spent in sleep, and eating. Here also may be added, that as it was his ca • e to be well prepared before he went to Preach (for he would not offer either to God or Man that which cost him nothing) so did he strive to get his Heart into a right frame for Preaching, that from the Heart he might speak to the Hearts of his Hearers, as he used often to say: And to obtain assistance from God therein, he used by private Prayer to beg God's Blessing upon his Labors. It was his frequent saying, That he was as circumspect and diligent in studying what he was to deliver, as if he expected no assistance from Christ, yet when he came to Preach, disowning his own endeavors, he wholly cast himself upon Jesus Christ for strength and assistance as if he had not studied at all. And that God many times suggested such matter into his mind in the delivery of his Sermons, as he had not thought on before, which also he observed, God did abundantly bless to the come •• rt and edification of his Auditory.

He would often say, That his Opportunities were his Riches, and he was always careful to improve them; whence it seldom came to pass that he Preached without making some real impression upon his Hearers, which was discovered by the Tears that fell from many of their Eyes.

Thirdly, His Zeal and Fervour deserves our serious consideration. It was the Counsel of a Grave and Holy Divine, That Christians should take heed that their Old Judgments did not abate their Youthful Affections: And certainly there was in this our Old Doctor, such warmth of Affections as is seldom seen in so ancient a Man, and yet it was managed with such Christian Prudence, that he exercised it, not about light and trivial matters, but about the greater and more substantial Points of Religion, and that through the whole course of his Life. Whether he Preached, Prayed, or Discoursed about Holy and Divine things, all was performed, and accompanied with much Zeal and warmth of Affections: He was Fervent in Spirit, serving the Lord, Rom. 12. 11. O how glad was he of an Opportunity of Preaching, and if (after the black day) his Liberty could have been purchased by Money, what would he not have given for it?

He was very affectionate in Prayer, and yet were his Affections so moderated and tempered with Prudence and Judgment, that though upon extraordinary Occasions, he could enlarge and exspatiate himself therein, yet in his Family Prayers he was usually short, that so he might not make Religious duties a burden to those that joined with him. And as his Prayers were fervent and mixed with Faith, so he had this Honor from God that he had many signal Returns and Answers to his Prayers, as shall be shown afterwards, as can be attested by many yet living, who had benefit by them, or were Eye or Ear witnesses of them, and that both for Soul and Bodily Distempers and Afflictions.

He was Conscientiously strict and careful in the observation and Sanctification of the Lord's days; not permiting any Discourses in his presence, but such as were suitable to the Day, and to the Duties thereof: And he would Rebuke and Reproove such as took liberty to Discourse about their Worldly businesses upon God's holy Day.

Fourthly, His Liberality and Bounty were as Eminent and Exemplary as any other of his Virtues and Graces. As God gave him a large and plentiful Estate, so he gave him a free and large Heart, which was a double Mercy. He was Rich in Good Works, ready to Distribute willing to Communicate: Laying up in store for himself a good Foundation against the time to come, 1 Tim. 6. 18, 19. He was often heard to say, That he could fare hardly and go meanly, that he might be the better enabled thereby to relieve the ne •• ssities of them that were in want: And it is believed that few of his Estate and Rank • xceeded him herein. Seldom did any necessitous Persons come to him; seldom did he hear of the wants of others, though at a distance from him, but they tasted of his Bounty.

He gave large Summs of Money every Year for divers Years together, to Pious and Charitable uses, as his Wife can testify, who kept an account in Writing of the several Summs so disbursed by him. Towards the relief of the Poor persecuted Protestants in Piemont he gave Thirty Pounds; and as much the same Year to another Charitable use. He gave also several considerable Summs yearly for the maintenance and encouragement of some poor Scholars in the College by Dublin, besides a large Summ of Money disbursed out of his own Purse, towards furnishing the Library there with good Books. As as he had thus sundry ways exercised and declared his Bounty whilst he lived, so at his Death he gave large Legacies to Pious and Charitable uses, and God made good that Promise to him, Isa. 58. 10. If thou draw out thy Soul to the Hungry, and satisfiest the afflicted Soul: Then shall thy Light rise in obscurity, and thy Darkness be as the Noon day.

Fifthly, To this Grace of Charity may be added his Candor, and Courteous deportment in managing of it, which gave a great luster to his Bounty, according to that of the Poet:

His Meekness was such that he was not apt to be offended with others, much less was he apt to offend others. He always interpreted to the best Sence that which might seemingly have ministered occasion of disgust, by which obligingness, and excellent Temper, he drew Love and Respect to himself where ever he came, and with whom soever he conversed; whether in private Families, or in his more public employments.

Sixthy, His Faith and Patience calls for our serious consideration, of both which, as he had given good proof in the whole course of his Life, so they eminently shone forth when he came to die. In the time of his Sickness he shown an humble, holy, and cheerful resignation of himself to the Wise and Merciful disposal of God, his Heavenly Father. Not one repining word was heard to proceed out of his Mouth: He was Dumb and opened not his Mouth, because it was the Lord that did it, Psal. 39. 9. There was not so much as an impatient or uncomely motion seen in him: But being full of Faith and Christian Patience and Courage, he feared not Death, but was well resolved and prepared against the stroke of it: And would often say, O how happy a thing is it, by Death to be above a possibility of sinning.

The Heathen Philosophers called Death, The most terrible of all terribles, and the Sacred Scripture calls i • , The King of Terrors. It is storied, that one hearing a Person highly commended for his rare and excellent Virtues, said, Let us stay till his Death, and then we shall be the better able to judge of all these things which make such a glittering show in him for the present. And certainly to be able to look the King of Terrors in the Face, without an appaled Countenance, and to meet the last Enemy [Death] with joy and comfort is no small evidence of a true and strong Faith: And this was evidently discerned and seen in this worthy Doctor at the time of his Death.

He often declared in his Health, that in his younger Days, he had been sorely vexed and perplexed with Satana Temptations; but at last, meeting with a plain, honest Christian (such another probably as was that Shepherd with whom Junius met) to whom, complaining of his Fears, he first rebuked him, and then instructed him, saying, You look at the Reward without minding and attending your Work, in that you desire and expect assurance, before you have well resolved of doing your Duty. My advice therefore is, to mind what God requires of you in your present station, and be serious and diligent therein, and assurance will come in God's due time. This advice, he professed, was of great use to him all his Life after; so that from that time forward he was not troubled with such perplexing Thoughts as formerly he had been: But he lived and died in Peace both with God and Man in the Great Climaterical Year of his Age, October the 22th. Anno Christi, 1666.

7. And lastly, His power and prevalency in Prayer was very remarkable, and more than ordinary.

The wise Solomon tells us (Prov. 12. 2.) That a good Man obtaineth favor of the Lord, that is, he hath what he will of God. Id quod vult a Deo impetrat▪ quia ejus voluntas est ipsissima Dei voluntas, nec aliud vul • ; as Mercer hath it out of Rabbi Levi. 'It is written of Luther, Iste vir potuit a Deo quicquid voluit: That by his Prayer he could prevail with God at his pleasure: Melancthon, and Myconius, being sick of desperate Diseases, were both recovered by Luther 's Prayers. Sozomon, saith of Apollonius, That he never asked anything of God in all his Life which he obtained not. Blessed is he that hath what he will, and Wills nothing but what he should. The Persons of Saints (saith a Reverend Divine) are like secret Pledges of common quiet, and their Meditations and Prayers are a Shield to the Earth against the Wrath of Heaven. Faithful Prayer (saith another) is able, after a sort, to alter God's mind, and to transfuse a Dead Palsy into the Hands of Omnipotency, as Exod. 32. 10. where God is fain to bespeak his own freedom, Let me alone, &c.

We have many Examples in Scripture of the Power and Efficacy of Prayer. Jacob would have a Blessing, and therefore by Prayers wrestles with might and slight; and this he doth in the Night, when alone, and God about leaving him, and upon one Leg. He had a hard pull and yet prevailed. The Woman of Canaan (Mat. 15. 23.) came for a cure, and a cure she would have, and she had it at last, with an high commendation of her Horoical Faith in Prayer. God heaps Mercies upon his Suppliants, (as Naaman did upon Gehazi) and blames them for their Modesty in asking: Hitherto (said he) ye have asked nothing, that is, nothing to what you might and should. Ask and have, that your Joy may be full, Joh. 16. 24. Many other Scripture Examples might be produced, but lest any should think that those were extraordinary, and that the like are not to be found in our Days, take notice of these Instances following.

When Mr. Winter, in his younger Days was cast out of his Living, his first Wife, having many Children, fell into great Grief, and perplexity of Mind, fearing lest she and hers should come to want. Mr. Winter was much troubled to see his Wif's discontents, and thereupon plied the Throne of Grace for cure thereof; and one Day, as he was riding abroad, and crying earnestly unto God about this matter, he thought that he heard a Voice, saying unto him, Because thou hast not spared thine Estate for my Glory, neither thou, nor any of thine shall want. At his return home he told this to his Wife with Joy, saying, That he would not for all he was worth, want that comfortable answer to his Prayers.

When an Order was sent to Mr. Winter from the Parliament that then was, to attend their Commissioners into Ireland, his Wife was very unwilling thereunto, and some of their near Relations came on purpose to dissuade him from going; himself also was very fearful of the Seas. In this his great strait, he retired into his Study (as his usual manner was in like cases) and there with much earnestness, he spread the matter before God craving his Guidance, and direction therein. And the Lord was pleased to set it upon his Spirit, that he should go, and be carried in safety thither, and there become an Instrument of converting many Souls to God. When he had declared this to his Wife, and Friends, they acquiesced, and so he resolved upon that Journey: And according to this Gracious Promise of God, though they took Shipping in the midst of Winter, and went with a Master that was not very well acquainted with those Seas, yet they found the Seas calm, and their Passage so speedy, that whereas some other great Persons went out before them, and with a more experienced Master, yet they arrived in safety about four and twenty Hours before them, insomuch as the Captain of the Ship said, That in his whole Life he had never known so calm and speedy a Passage before.

Not long after Mr. Winter 's coming into Ireland he went with the Commissioners unto Kilkenny, in which place Colonel Jones his Wife fell very sick of the Yellow Jaundise, and some other Distempers; for which cause her Husband invited certain Ministers, and some other Friends to spend some Hours in Prayer unto God in her behalf. And Mr. Winter was the last Man that prayed. But before he began, he went to her and asked her, Whether she had Faith to be healed? She answered, She thought she had. Then he went to Prayer, and wrestled exceedingly with God for her recovery: And when he had done, he went again unto her, and advised her to be very careful and diligent in the use of all good means for the recovery of her Health; adding, That she should live, and not die at that time: at this saying of his, his Wife and Sister were much troubled, and told him in private, that they would have given much Money, rather then that he should have spoken so confidently of her recovery, there being so many Anabaptists present at that time: And they feared that if his Words proved true, they might thereby be confirmed in their Enthusiastical conceits; if otherwise, that then they might take occasion to scandalize his Person and Ministry: But he again told them that she should not die at that time.

Yet after this she continued very weak for a Month or more: her Doctors gave her up for a dead Woman, whereupon Mr. Winters Wife again blamed him, for his confident saying, That she must live; to which he smillingly answered, Well, she is not yet Dead, At length her Disease so prevailed, that she lost the use of her Senses, and her Servants that stood weeping about her, said, Now she is near death indeed. The Saturday following, as Mr. Winter sat at Dinner, a Messenger came to him from Colonel Jones, to tell him, That if he would see his Wife alive, he must come away presently, for that she was now a dying. At this Mrs. Winter was much troubled, because of her Husbands former confidence in Promising her Life: But Mr. Winter made no great hast to be gone, saying, That he knew well when God answered his Prayers, and when not.

After he had dined he went to the House, where he found the Colonel sitting by her, ready to close her Eyes so soon as Breath departed out of her Body, for so she had enjoined him in the time of her Health. She lay speechless and without the use of her Senses, not answering, nor moving her Eyes, though her Husband, and Mr. Winter called unto her, whereupon her Husband judged that she had lost her Hearing. Mr. Winter requested that he might pray with her; but her Husband refused, saying, That she was Senseless, and had been a dying all that Morning. Mr. Winter urged again that yet he might pray with her: No (said the Colonel) it is to no purpose: She is now a dead Woman. Yet Mr. Winter urged the third time, that he might pray, saying, Her Life is yet in her; and whilst there is life, there is hope, and so he went to Prayer, which he performed with much earnestness and importunity, joined with many Tears.

When Prayer was ended, Mr. Winter, going to her Bed-side, she looked upon him, and with a smiling Countenance, said, O, see the fruit of Prayer! O, see the fruit of Paryer! Set me up, and give me something to eat: I am cured, but not by the Art of Doctors: only Free grace, and fervent Prayers have prevailed with God for me. They asked her, What she could eat? She answered, anything. They gave her some Bread and Butter, of which she did eat pritty heartily. Then did her Husband send for her Doctors; but she had them not to provide anymore Physic for her, saying, That she would take none; for she would not dishonor God: nor wrong prayer so much (by which she was now cured) as to take anymore Physic: Nor could she, by any means be persuaded to it.

On Monday following in the Afternoon, Mrs. Winter heard that Mrs. Jones was walking in her Garden, which she wondering at, went to see her, and found her there indeed. So soon as she saw Mrs. Winter, she went to meet her, and said, O, see the fruit of Prayer! Mrs. Winter, blessed God for her recovery; whereupon she said, My Doctors would have me take some more Physic of them: but it is God that hath cured me, and he only shall have the praise of it. I will take nothing of them: they shall not boast that they have cured me: For God by Prayer hath done it. It's Prayer alone that hath done it. And indeed hearin God made good that gracious Promise of his, Jam. 5. 15. The Prayer of Faith shall save the Sick, and the Lord shall raise him up.

Some Months after, Mr. Winter with his Family, removed to Dublin; and after sometime the aforesaid Mrs. Jones fell sick again, and her Sickness prevailed so far upon her, that, growing very weak, she was confined to her Bed; whereupon on a Lord's day, Mr. Winter and his Wife, and her Sister went to visit her: when they came, they found another Minister with her; but she called for Mr. Winter to pray with her. A Lady that was present, coming to Mrs. Winter 's Sister, said, O! do you think this good Woman will recover, or not? She answered, I know not yet: but when my Brother Winter hath done Prayer, I will tell you more. When Mr. Winter had ended his Prayer, she came to her again, an said, What think you now? She answered, She believed that she would not recover, and so said Mrs. Winter also. The reason whereof was, because they observed that in his Prayer, he was more earnest in Praying for the Spiritual, and Eternal welfare of her Soul, then for her Bodily health.

When they were returned home, Mrs. Winter asked her Husband, what he thought of her? He answered, She will die. And this he said, Because when in prayer he would have beg'd of God to restore her to Health, he could not do it; but could only pray for her Eternal happiness. Faithful Prayer is ordained of God to be a means to obtain what we want and desire, and therefore 'tis never put up in vain, but shall have an answer, 1 Joh. 5. 14, 15. For where God gives a Tongue to speak, he hath an Ear to hear. 'It is the Observation of a Reverend Divine of our own: That when God intends not to hear, he lays the Key of Prayer out of the way; as being loath that such precious Breath as that of Prayer is, should be without it's full and clearest success.

After this Mrs. Jones grew worse and worse, and continued in a languishing condition for some Months. She had several Doctors, who sed her with hopes of recovery, Mr Winter prayed oft with her, but still after the same manner, insomuch as his Wife told him, that she thought he did not love Mrs Jones as formerly, because he prayed not for her Life: he answered, that his Love was the same, but he was so bound up in his Spirit, that he could not pray for her recovery, and therefore he conceived that she would die.

At length Mrs. Jones finding herself very weak, sent for Mr. Winter to pray with her, and after Prayer, she said unto him: Sir, I fear you love me not so much as formerly. God heard your Prayers for me when I was dying at Kilkenny, but now you do not Pray so earnestly for my life as you did then. No (said he) I neither do, nor can do it, though I love you as well as ever: For when I would Pray for your Life, my tongue is turned to Pray for your Eternal Welfare. Therefore I believe that you are not a woman for this World, but will shortly be in a better. Think you so, said she, hereupon she sent for a Collonels Wife, between whom and herself there was some difference, and they were reconciled together. She sent also for her Husband, and imparted her mind to him: Adding, that she saw that she must die, for that Mr. Winter could not Pray for her, as he did in former Sickness: And it pleased God shortly to take her to himself.

At another time Mrs Winters Sister going for England, left her only Son with her; And after a while the Child fell into an high Feavour, and one Morning the maid with whom the Child lay, came to her Mrs and told her, she feared the Child had the Plague, for that he had many Spots in his Bosom; And the Plague, at this time, was in Dublin. Mrs. Winter presently sent for a Doctor, who, when he had seen the Child, said, that they were either Plague Spots, or Feavour Spots, and that he much feared the Childs life. Hereupon Mrs Winter went to her Husband in his Study, and acquainted him with these things, requesting him that he would be earnest with God in begging the Childs Life. At Noon, when her Husband came down, we asked him, what he thought of the Child? He bad her not to perplex and trouble herself, for the Child would live: And before the next day the Child began to amend, and within a few days was perfectly well.

Mrs Winter herself was sometime under a strong Temptation to become an Anabaptist, being strongly persuaded that it was the way of God: And she proceeded so far that she had been Dipped, but that she feared it would reflect upon her Husbands credit. Her Husband took much pains with her to reclaim and settle her in the Truth, yet could she not be convinced of her Error, but continued Night and Day in great perplexity of Spirit, only she relied upon that gracious Promise of Christ. John 7. 17. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the Doctrine whether it be of God. And at last she resolved to set a day apart to seek unto God for satisfaction in this doubtful Case. But it fell out that, that very day, they were earnestly invited to dine with Doctor Jones, and Mr. Winter had promised to go: But his Wife said, she could not go, because she had set that day apart upon such an occasion: Her Husband answered her; Thou must go, for I have been Praying for thee, and God hath assured me that thou shalt be satisfied, and that quickly too: And so accordingly it came to pass. For she was so resolved, and satisfied from Heaven, that afterwards she was able to Dispute with the Female Anabaptists, yea, and to confute them; Insomuch as some of the Officers who were of that persuasion, would suffer their Wives to come no more unto her.

Whilest they were in Dublin Mrs. Winters Sisters Husband, being upon his occasions in London, he fell very dangerously Sick, Sr. Francis Pridjean, and another Doctor were his Physicians, who after a time gave him up for Dead. An other of Mrs. Winters Sisters wrote her word of it; Adding, that she believed before that Letter could come to her Hands he would be Dead and Buried. As soon as they received it, his Wife desired that that afternoon might beset apart to seek God, in her Husbands behalf; and accordingly some Ministers and Christians were invited to meet together for that end: When the time was come, Mrs. Winter requested her Husband to come away, for that the company were met together: He bad her go before; For he must endeavor to know of the Lord whether he was yet living or no: For (said he) do you think that I will Pray for a Dead Man? when some of the Ministers had Prayed, Doctor Winter came in. They Pray'd with submission, that if he where yet in the Land of the Living, the Lord would be pleased to be his Physician, and to direct and bless all good means to him for the recovery of his Health. But in the close of the day, when Doctor Winter came to Pray, he shown much confidence, that he was yet alive, to the amazment of all that heard him. But his Sister in Law who knew his manner, and had much experience of the succesfulness of his Prayers, between Hope and Fear could not contain herself from crying out, when Doctor Winter had concluded and was risen from his knees, he went to her, and took her by the hand, saying: Be of good comfort, for your Husband is alive, and shall recover, and you shall see him again with Joy. She crying out aloud, said, Ah, Brother, I fear he is Dead: Do you think he is alive? I know (said he) that he is alive, and repeated over his former words again: And accordingly in their next Letters they heard of his recovery.

At another time Mrs. Winters Sister (who was with them in Ireland) fell into a dangerous Relaps after a Feavour, being great with Child, and within two Months of her time; At which time she fell into a great bleeding at the Nose. She had three Doctors and Surgeons, who used all their Arts, and yet could not stop it. At length she fell into Travel, and two Midwives were sent for to her: She was fain to sit upright in her Bed, and could not lie down because of her violent bleeding. Her Midwives and Doctors gave her up for a dead Woman; And she grew so weak, that her Sister Winter not enduring to see her die, left her, and went to her own Chamber, were she found that her Sisters Husband had caused Doctor Winter to arise (it being in the Night) and to Pray for his Wife, which accordingly he did with much earnestness; And it pleased God, that presently after news was brought them, that she was delivered of a dead Child.

Hereupon Doctor Winter and his Wife went to see her, and found her still Bleeding; And the Doctors and Chyrurgians were sent for again, who agreed to open a vain and let her Blood: The Surgeon struck her right Arm, but no blood came, the Doctors bid him try the other Arm; He answered, That it was to no purpose, for she had no Pulse for some hours before; Yet the Doctors caused him to do it, and then some few drops of Blood came. But most of this time Doctor Winter was Praying for her in the next room, and she sometimes over heard him, but could not speak. Afterwards she told them that these thoughts were in her Head; Yonder Good Man would fain have me live, but it will not be.

Indeed one of her Midwives bid her prepare for Death; For she could not live: To whom one of the Doctors said, that sure she had forgotten Lazarus: No (replied the Midwife) I have not forgotten him: But God must work as great a Miracle now, as he did then, if she recover. Yet for all this, it pleased God that she did recover, and afterwards one of the Doctors told Mrs Winter, that he never saw one so near unto Death, to live; And that to him it was a Miracle. Here you see another sweet return to Doctor Winters Prayers, and his Sister would often acknowledge that it was by the power and prevalency of his Prayers that she was restored to Life; and so others judged also.

The last time that the Soldiers pulled the Parliament in Pieces, Doctor Winter and his Friends in Dublin were in great Fears of the Confusions that were like to follow; Whereupon he kept weekly Fasts with his Congregation for a great while together? And one time as he was Praying in imitation of Abraham's praying for Sodom, he used such like expressions: Lord wilt thou also destroy the Righteous with the Wicked? Peradventure there be fifty Thousand Righteous within these three Kingdoms: Wilt thou also destroy, and not spare these Nations for fifty Thousand Righteous that are therein, &c. And when he came to the last number of ten Thousand, as he kneeled against a Post in the Room, he saw a great shining Light about him, and heard perfectly a Voice saying: The Nations shall be spared for ten Thousand Righteous Persons sake.

Upon this gracious Answer, he turned his Prayer into Praises and Thanksgivings unto God for this speedy return to his earnest Request, insomuch as all the company could not but take notice of it, though none of them heard the Voice but himself only. Mrs. Winter upon some occasion was absent at this time; Yet a Gentlewoman that was present told her after, that her Husband that day was so enlarged, and Elevated in Prayer, that he exceeded himself, and that she never heard him do better as also that his Petitions were answered before he rose from his Knees. Mrs. Winter, asked her, how she knew that, she answered, by his large Thanksgivings after he had done pleading with the Lord for these Nations. Also a while after, a Gentlewoman coming to see him, who had been present that day, embraced him, saying, that he was a man greatly beloved of the Lord, for he could no sooner ask but he was answered, and his Petition granted. And the very week after, they heard that the Pride of the Soldiers was abated, having meet with a check.

Doctor Winter afterwards told his Wife, that he perceived that a Voice might be spoken to one in a Room, where many were, and yet none else might hear it. And when he lay upon his Death-Bed, his Wife asked him again about it, and he said that he did as certainly and plainly hear it, as he heard her then speak: She asked, if the Voice were like unto hers? No (said he) It was another manner of Voice. Thus we read, Act. 22. 9 That the men that went with Saul to Damascus, saw indeed the Light, and were afraid: But heard not the Voice that spake to him.

At Dublin there was one Mrs Smith, a Merchants Wife, who had been many days in Labor, her Child was Dead within her, she had good experienced Midwives, and one Man-Midwife, and yet she could not be delivered. At last, one Morning they sent for Doctor Winter to pray with her, telling him, that she could not live till Night she was so far spent. But it fell out that he was out of Town, when they sent. At Night he came home, and then they sent again for him, her Husband sending him Word that she was not yet Dead, but very near unto it.

Doctor Winter (though he was very weary) went to the House, and Prayed very earnestly unto God for her. And when his Prayer was ended, he spake to the good Women about her, to raise her up, and to use all good means for her Delivery saying, That say should Live: But they (being hopeless of her Life and Delivery, desired that she might be no more tortured, but be suffered to Die in Peace.) Yet Doctor Winter importuned them to make one trial more, which at last they consented to, and had good success: For in a short time she was safely delivered of a Dead Child. This Mrs Smith proving afterwards with Child again; a Friend of hers said to her, she hoped now it would be better with her then it was the time before: (said she) Doctor Winter is gone, and I must now Die: which also came to pass, for she could not be Delivered.

After Doctor Winter returned into England, he, with his Wife sojourned for a Month in Doctor Drakes House, in which time his second Daughter fell sick of the twisting of her Guts: She had two able Physicians, Doctor Trench and Doctor Cox. She lay in very great Torments from Monday till Saturday Night, and the Doctors had very little Hopes of her Life. On Saturday in the Evening Doctor Winter came in, and meeting her Sister, he inquired how she did? Her Sister answered, that now she thought she was very near unto Death; For that the Doctors having perscribed something to be given her in a Spoon, her Teeth were so set that her Aunt and she had much ado to open them to put it into her Mouth: But (said she) Sir, what do you think of her. Give me (said he) a Candle that I may go into my Chamber, and anon I will tell you whether she shall Live or Die. When he came down, she meet him at the Foot of the Stairs, and asked him, what he thought of her now? He answered, Your Sister will Live. And so going up into her Chamber, he spake to his Wife, and bid her use all good means possible for her recovery: For (said he) She must not Die at this time. His Wife begged of him not to be so confident, for that she was now very near unto Death, and there were no hopes of her Recovery; Yet he told her Mother and Aunt, that she should recover and live. His wife was much troubled at it, notwithstanding her many experiences. But the next day signs of recovery began to appear, and within a little space she was perfectly well.

Some other Instances of his Power and Prevalencie in Prayer might be given; But these may suffice, as evidently Demonstrating that the Lord our God is a Prayer-Hearing God: That, Never faith to the Seed of Jacob, Seek ye my Face in Vain.

Probably the incredulous World will not believe these things to be true: But Judge them rather to be Romances, and Fancies, then Realities: But there were so many Persons of Quality and Conscience at the first publication hereof, Living, who could, and would attest the Truth of them, that there is no place left of distruct and doubting to those that are Sober, and Judicious. Amos 3. 7. Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his Secrets to his Servants the Prophets. John 16. 23. Whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my Name, he will give it you. v. 24. Hitherto you have asked nothing in my Name, Ask and you shall receive that your Joy may be full.

The Life and Death of Mr. Thomas Tregoss, who died Anno Christi 1670.

THomas Tregross was born at Saint Ives, near the Lands-end in Cornwall. The Family where of he was a Branch was not without Noble Blood running in its veins. Some are of opinion that it is more Ancient then the Norman Conquest, a Stem of the old Britons driven into and Planted in those parts. Our English History tells us that Duke William, commonly called The Conqueror, created John Tregoss a Baron, who though he died without Issue, yet Henry Tregoss sat as a Baron in the Parliament in the Thirty Fift year of King Henry the first: And Robert Tregoss was one of those Lord's that sided with Simon Montford Earl of Leicester against King Henry the third.

As for the ruins of this Noble Family, the principal cause thereof is very Remarkable, and ought to be buried in silence. One Mr Roscadden going on Pilgrimage, according to the blindness and Superstition of those times, his Wife had in his absence one, if not more Children: whereupon at his return, John Tregoss advised and persuaded him to settle his Estate upon some Friend, for the use and benefit of his Wife and Children, lest after his Death, the Heir at common Law should turn his Wife and Children out a Doors.

Mr. Roscadden entertained, and approved the motion, and entreated him to accept of the trust, which request John Tregoss readily embraced; But instead of a Deed in Trust, he made it absolute to himself and his Heirs forever. And accordingly so soon as Mr. Roscadden was Dead, he entered upon all his Lands, and turned his Wife and Children out of Doors, who for some time, were sain to lie in an Hogstie, and every Morning went forth to the Dunghil, and there upon their Knees Imprecated and Prayed that the Vengeance of God might fall upon this Tregoss and his Posterity for this so perfidious and merciless dealing.

And after this God's severe, but Righteous Judgments fell upon Tregosses Family. For his Son Walter one day riding upon a Horse in a fair way, the Horse threw him, and broke his neck: And some of his Issue came to untimly ends, and it is observed that a curss hath remained upon the Estate ever since: And this Mr. Thomas Tregoss of whom we now write, was so sensible of it, that it cost him many fervent Prayers to God for the removal of that dreadful Curse, as himself assured a bosom Friend.

Notwithstanding the Judgment of God upon this Family; Yet Thomas Tregosses Parents were Godly Persons, and reputed to be of the number of Old Punitans. And this was much manifested in the Religious Education of this their Son, whose tender years they took care to have timely seasoned with the Principles of Religion, and good Literature. At first indeed he seemed to be of a dull Capacity, till he was about the Age of seven Years, or somewhat after; But then he began to discover that he was of a quick apprehension and of a firm and tenatious Memory. And indeed he had from his youth a strong inclination to the Work of the Ministry, and would often (when he was but a Child) stand up upon a Stool, or Bench and after his manner Preach to his Play-fellows.

When he had attained to a complete measure of Grammar Learning, he was sent to Oxford and admitted into Exeter College, under the Tuition of Mr. Francis Howel, then Fellow of the said College; He soon percieved in him an awakened and quick Spirit, full of vivacity and serious intention, insomuch as he made good the Character which Aristotle gives of a hopeful young Man, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , To act vigorously, which he shown in whatever Eercises he was engaged in. And he did not (as too many Youths do) frustrate, and abuse the expectations of his Friends and Relations, by squandering away those precious opportunities, and encouragements afforded unto him, for the elevating of his Natural Capacity by the acquirement of Liberall Arts, and Philosophical Sciences, wherein he made a very good Progress.

Neither was he without a good interest in the Judgment and Esteem of Judicious and Pious Persons, as appeared by the admittance which Reverend Doctor Conant gave him, in accepting him to be a Member of his Congregation. Also whilst he continued in the University, he began to be sensible of some woundings of his Consience. For one day hearing Doctor Conant upon that Text Hos. 6. 4. O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? &c. Some passages of that Sermon made so deep an Impression upon him, as that his Conscience was filled with no small Terror. When he went to his Bed, he was not without fears that he should never live to see another day. When in his Study, that he should never come out alive.

And so long as the terrors of his awakened Conscience, and Sick Nights for Sin continued, he could not endure to hear a vain word, or to be a Spectator of what had but the appearance of Sin in it. Yet by degrees these Lights and heats of Conscience disappeared, and vanished away. Neither did they at that time determine and end in a thorough Conversion, as will be made more clear hereafter.

When he had spent some time in the University, he returned to Saint Ives, the place of his Nativity, and having there given them some taste of his Ministerial Gifts, the Inhabitants of that place invited him to sit down among them, and to be their Minister. This request he at first modestly refused, but at length being overcome by their importunity, he consented to spend some time amongst them: Where upon he was August the Seventeenth. Anno Christi 1657. in that Church solemly set apart for the work of the Ministry: And there he continued by the space of two Years: A hard and close Student all the week, and a faithful and constant Preacher twice every Lord's Day.

Before his departure from this Place he took to Wife one Margret Sparman, who proved a Gracious, Meek, Humble, Affectionate, and equal Yoak-fellow to him. And whilst he continued in this Town, there were two remarkable Providences that ought not to be forgotten.

The first was this. The Summer after his abode among them, much of the Fishing season was expired, and no Pilchards appeared, the Sense whereof greatly affected and afflicted the Inhabitants of the Place; That Town depending much upon the Pilchard Trade. Hereupon Mr. Tregoss advised, and persuaded them to join with him in Keeping a day of Humiliation and Prayer, unto which they consenting, and the Duty being performed, the very next day came in a great Shole of these Fishes, whereof a considerable quantity was chaught.

The other Providential Dispensation was this. The Summer following the Fishermen having taken a great number of Pilchards upon a Saturday, all that Night was spent in ordering of them: And the Sea-men were very intent upon drying their Nets on the Lord's day. This Mr. Tregoss rebuked them for: withal, giving them to understand, that they provoked the Lord deservedly to withdraw his Blessing from them, which fell out accordingly. For from that time to the end of the Fishing season they had no occasion, or opportunity of making use of their Nets again.

From Saint Ives Mr. Tregose removed in October Anno Christi 1659. To the Vicarage of Miler and Mabe where he continued in his constancy of Study, and Preaching till he was Ejected by the Act of Uniformity upon that dismal day August the 24th 1662. And then being prohibited, and excluded from the Public Place of Prayer and Preaching, he ceased not to Preach in his own Family twice every Lord's Day: which being known in the Neighbourhood, diverse who had the Comfort of his Ministry in public, could not but Thirst after it in private.

This being divulged and known abroad, the news of it was carried to the Lord Lieutenant of the Country, who for his refusing to take the Oath appointed for the Militia, committed him to the Custody of the Mareschal, with whom he continued about the space of three Months, yet not ceasing to Preach to his Fellow Prisoners, hearing others also that came to hear him. But at • an he was released by an order from the Deputy-Lieutenant.

In September Anno Christi 1663. Mr. Tregoss removed his habitation to the Baron of Kigilliack in the Parish of Badock near unto Penrin: where he still kept up his Lord's-days meetings and exercises; unto which many came flocking as Doves to their Windows. And about the beginning of October Anno Christi 1664. He and his Wife lying awake in their Bed, they felt a great Earthquake, which made that Room to tremble and quake under them, as they apprehended. And that which ministered to them great cause of admiration, was, that no one else felt the same. But this was but a Prognostick and Symbolic Image of that trembling Heart-quake which Mr. Tregos • shortly felt in his Conscience.

For on the first of January next following, it being a Lord's day, it pleased God to direct him to Preach on that Text Luke 12. 47. And that Servant that knew his Lord's Will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his Will, shall be beaten with many Stripes. Upon which Text he shown what a dangerous Sin it is to Sin against Knowledge. But when the Duties of the Day were ended, the Lord brought his old Sins into his remembrance, and set them in order before him, especially one above the rest. Hereupon he betook himself to Duties, but drove on therein very heavily: Yet did the Lord by his Omnipotent Hand draw him on to persevere in the same.

One day among the rest as he was in Duty, he was assaulted with a strong Temptation, grounded upon that Text. Heb. 12. 17. For ye know how that afterwards, when he would have inherited the Blessing, he was rejected; For he found no place for Repentance, though he sought it carefully with Tears. He frequently endeavored to shake off the Chains and Cords of the Spirit, grieving that he was bound up from the World: And his performance of Duties 〈…〉 s accompanied with deadness and unbelief: Yet the Lord held him fast to his Work; forceing him to continue and persist in a way of Seeking.

Somtimes he feared that the Lord would leave him to run on in his former Sinful Courses; Yea, that he should not persevere to the end of one Day. But the Lord Magnified his Grace and Power above, and beyond his fears. Somtimes in reading the Holy Scriptures the Lord would set home Threatenings, and anon supported him by his Comfortable Promises, to keep him equally balanced, between Hopes, that so he might not Sink, and Fears, that he might not Presume.

Thus for about the space of five Weeks, he was detained, and kept under the Spirit of Bondage and afflicting Terrors, having all this while no discoveries of God's Gracious disposition towards him, till about the beginning of February following: At which time he took up a resolution to discover some Sins which most burdened his Conscsence: But then, by God's good Providence he met with a passage in one of our English Divines setting forth the Greatness and Freeness of God's Love, and of Christ's Purchass; Which the Lord setting home unto him, he was somewhat quieted and refreshed in his Soul.

The next Day, which fell out to be a Lord's-Day, he had a sweet, heart melting frame of Spirit wrought in him for his Sins, together with a Lively Contemplation of Christ's Sufferings, to which he was directed by an Eye of Faith. And now he, who formerly thought it an hard matter to shed one Tear for Sin, had now plenty. The Spirit of the Lord also bringing that Promise to his mind: I will forgive their Iniquities, and remember their Sins no more. And that of Christ to Thomas, Reach hither thy Finger, and behold my Hands, and reach hither thy Hand, and thrust it into my Side, and be not Faithless, but Believeing: And this was much promoted by his Reading the History of Christ's Passion Yet was he not without some Fears and Doubtings still: Yea, at many times these Comforts, and Encouragements signified nothing at all to him. Yet after this, he was carried on in the exercise of Duties with more Enlargements, and Affectionate Workings of Spirit then formerly, especially at times.

And from this time he dated his Conversion. For albeit his Conversation, for some considerable time before was unreproachable, and his Labors in the Work of the Ministry indefatigable; Yea, and his Zeal for Non-Conformity remarkable, yet he judged the whole of his foregoing Life, Zeal, and Labors in the Ministry, to be no other then Splendida Peccata, Glittering Sins, and a continued series of Formality and Hypocrisy. And because some of his Friends, who well knew his former Conversation, could not but conceive that he had the Truth of Grace before this great Turn; He discoursing with a Friend upon this point, peremptorily affirmed, that he knew certainly that he had nothing of Sincerity before this late and great Work: And withal, he bewailed the Condition of the Church of England, in that generally Men were made Ministers, before they were made Christians.

Yea, he was not without many and great Fears, that many who in the Judgment and Esteem of Men, go for good and able Ministers, will one Day be found to be, when they come to be weighed in the Ballance of the Sanctuary, not so much as good and sincere Christians. These his Fears we may presume, he grounded upon his own Experience of himself (besides other common observations) who had the repute and esteem of, good and faithful Minister, before he was a sound and faithful Christian. And that which yet added further weight in his Judgment concerning himself, was this, in that though he had been painful, and constant in the work of the Ministry some years before this, yet he could not say, That God had made him the Instrument of the conversion of any one Soul, as the Seal of his Ministry, though afterwards he begat many Sons and Daughters unto God.

Some short time after this great change, which he strongly judged and concluded to be the first sincere turning of his Soul unto God: Being brought very low, both in his Body and Spirits, he apprehended that his Death drew near. But then was that Scripture brought into his Mind, Psal. 118. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord: Yet afterward being again under strong apprehensions of his Death approaching, he, looking into his Bible, God directed his Eye to that Portion of Scripture (Psal. 53. 5.) There were they in great fear where no fear was: which drove away that temptation: And not long after, with God's blessing thereon, by the use of means, he regained strength to go on in his Service.

Some short time after this, upon a Satu •• ay, being very weak in Body, and almost despairing of recovery, he went up to his Chamber, as well as his seeble Legs could carry him, where he fell down upon his Knees in Prayer: And whilst he was in this Duty, he suddenly and sensibly found, at least in his apprehension, that a great measure of strength was given in unto him, to his great astonishment. Whereupon he attempted to arise, and to walk, which he accordingly did, two or three turns about his Chamber, very strongly.

Finding this strange alteration, he called for his Wife to come to him, who soon espied the change, finding his pale Cheeks to be clothed with their wonted color and complexion. And now he, that not many moments before, looked upon himself as drawing near unto the very brink of the Grave, was enabled to perform the Duties of that Evening; yea, the next days Duties (being the Lord's day) with much vigor and strength. And after these signal marks of the Divine favor, and assistance, aforded both to his Soul and Body, he joined with some other Ministers and Christians in keeping a Monthly Fast to humble and afflict themselves for their own sins, and for the sins of their Families, and of the Nation. And after these his first turning to God, he found a more then ordinary assistance, both in his Studies and Ministry, the Lord casting in abundant matter, and suitable Affections in the delivery thereof.

April the 30th i • Anno Christi 1665. being the Lord's day, Mr. Tregoss, whilst he was in Prayer, was much distracted about his intended Preaching in Public, whereunto he seemed to be drawn by a very strange, though manifest course of Providence, which he strongly resisted, till at last he was forced to yield. That Week he had been wondering what the Lord would do with him. He could not study as formerly, but was induced, and over-ruled to read a Practical Discourse of Self-denial: And the Lord furnished his Meditations with many passages about Sufferings, and the Creatures Duty to be, and live in the Will of his Creator, and to resign himself wholly to his disposal. And when he had ended his reading, casting his Eye upon his Bible, the first Words he met with, were those, Mat. 9. 36. When he saw the Multitude he had compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as Sheep having no Shepherd.

At the reading of this Text he inwardly trembled, and the Lord seemed immediately to intimate to him, that he should put on the like Bowels. But hereupon he questioned with himself, where he should find such an opportunity of Preaching in Public? And presently Mabe (which is a Daughter-Church to Milar, and had Preaching in it; only every other Lord's day) was presented, and suggested to his Thoughts: And after many Reasonings, and Disputes within himself, being backward to yield to the will of God: He at last resolved to send thither to inquire whether any Minister would be there the Lord's day following? And answer was returned, that there would be none.

Yet still doubting whether he might look upon this as a Call from God, he cast his Eye upon his Bible, and met with that Text, Luke 11. 33. No Man when he hath lighted a Candle, putteth it in a secret place, or under a Bushel, but on a Candlestick, that they that come in may see the Light. This Scripture cleared all his doubts, and answered his objections, allayed all his carnal fears, and confirmed him in his resolution of Preaching in public the next Lord's day. And accordingly, when the Sabbath came, he went thither, and found the People willing to hear, and all things inviting him to embrace the present opportunity, and so he went on and preached without any disturbance, and the Lord assisted him in all the Duties till he had concluded them.

The report of this Days work was soon spread abroad, and came to the Ears of Mr. Tho. Robinson, a Justice of the Peace. The next Lord's day, being May the 7th, the Morning proving, rainy, Mr. Tregross preached in his own House, upon the Text, Luke 21. 19. In your Patience possess ye your Souls; not expecting any disturbance that Day by reason of the fowl weather. But after the Sermon was ended, Mr. Robinson came to his Door, and having entered, took the Names of those that were present: And required Mr. Tregoss to put in Sureti • s for the Good Behaviour, or to render himself to the Constable upon his Order, the Monday Seven-night after; Mr. Tregross refus • d to do the former, but promised to perform the latter.

After Mr. Robinson's departure, they met again in the Afternoon, and went through with the Duties without any disturbance. The next Lord's day he preached again at Mabe without interruption. But when the Exercises were finished, he was served with a Warrant to appear before Mr. Robinson at Hellestone on the Tuesday following. At his appearance he justified his Preaching with much evidence, and boldness. But notwithstanding all that he said, he was sent to Lancestone Gaol, there to remain for three Months. This he submitted to, not only patiently, but joyfully. In his passage to Prison he embraced all opportunities for the comfirming, and comforting of such Christian Friends as he met with by the way. And whilst he continued in Prison, his Spirit was very free, and much enlarged with those Divine influences, and refreshings which God gave in to him.

He spent his time in Prison in Reading the Holy Scriptures, in heavenly Meditations, in Fasting, Prayer, Holy Conference with, and Preaching to such as were his Prison Fellows, or that came to visit him. Few there were that came to him, but either they did, or might be great gainers by conversing with him. Now the time of his imprisonment being expired, July the 29th, he was set at liberty, and after his return home he took the first convenient opportunity of keeping a Day of Thanksgiving, for the many experiences that he had of God's goodness and mercies to him and his, during all the time of his Confinement.

But he had not been at home above four Days, when Mr. Robinson gave out, that he would'speedily send him back to the Place from whence he came: And in order thereunto, upon the Friday or Saturday after, he prepared himself to ride to the Market, there (as it were reported) to meet with another Justice of the Peace, who should join with him in a Warrant for a second Conviction of Mr. Tregoss for a Conventicler, and to prosecute some others also.

But whilst he was at a Tenement of his, his own Bull (which was never known to have hurt any before) followed him in a Field with much fury, and gave him some mortal Wounds whereof he died soon after.

August the 20th, Mr. Tregoss went again and Preached at Mabe Church, it being the Lord's day; and he went through with his work without any disturhance: The like he did on that Day Fortnight after; spending the intervals with much activity in his Masters Service elsewhere. Yet had he many disswasives by Christian Friends from Preaching publicly; but all • the Arguments which they urged, could not satisfy his Conscience: And therefore September the 18th, he was again committed to Lanceston Goal for public Preaching: Whither he went with comfortable persuasions that God would be with, and carefully protect and provide for himself and his Family, which God made good to the uttermost.

This his Second imprisonment in that place, conduced much, through the Lord's blessing, to the good of many Souls. For the report of his Bonds being spread abroad many came to visit him, to whom he imparted freely his Spiritual Gifts, and by God's Blessing upon his labors, some Onesimus 's were begotten through the Gospel, in his Bonds.

During this Imprisonment he took several Opportunities of Visiting the common Prisoners, whom he endeavored to convince of their Sins, and there dangerous estate by reason of the same, &c. Also while he was under this Confinement he enjoyed many Divine Suavities, and Spiritual refreshments in his Soul, especially in the time of Duties: He had also many sweet and gracious returns to his Prayers; and some Prophetick intimations of future Providences. As

October the 2 d. He praying earnestly that God would vouchsafe him opportunities of doing him Service, the Lord was pleased to cause him firmly to believe that he should shortly be released from this restraint, and that he should be no more imprisoned in that place; which God made good unto him notwithstanding many attempts to the contrary. Also October the 7th, being much enlarged in praying for Patience, and submission to the will of God, he grew very confident that e're long God would farther try him. So October the 23 d. God seem •• sundry ways to intimate to him, that some great Affliction was near at hand, but that he should be delivered from it, all which proved true, as will afterwards be shown.

Again, October the 27th. Being earnestly praying for the Nation, he was sttongly induced to believe that some great Judgment was not far off: About which time there was often brought into his mind, and cast into his Thoughts that Text of Scripture, Isa. 21. 16. Thus saith the Lord unto me, within a Year, according to the Years of an Hireling, and all the Glory of Kedar shall fall. He ofttimes mentioned to some of his intimate Friends, what strong impressions this Scripture made upon his Thoughts, much wondering what it should mean: But a little before the Year expired, the dreadful burning of London happened, which fully Interpreted those afore-named Impressions.

December the 14th. He was delivered out of Prison, and upon his return home he kept a Day of Thanksgiving; and shortly after he set apart every Tuesday, which he kept as a Day of Humiliation, or Thanksgiving, either with his Family, or with others more publicly. January the 8th, being the Lord's day, he went to Mabe, where he Preached both parts of the Day without interruption, which was accompanied with this remarkable Providence, that whilst he was at Mabe, a Constable, with an Officer from Pendennis Castle, came to his House to seek him, but by that means missed of him.

January the 12th. He begun a Journey towards the East part of Cornwall, and from thence he went into Devonshire. And the Lord's day, and the Wednesday following his House was searched for him; but Providence ordering his being from home, he escaped their Hands. In this Journey he went forth on the South of Cornwall, and returned by the North, exercising in all Places where he came, and received great encouragement by the fruit of his Labors.

At his return, February the 4th, going to Preach at Mabe, the Constable served him with a Warrant, to carry him under the Custody of the Mareschal, as a dangerous, and seditious Person; which yet he was so far from being guilty of, that neither in his Preaching, nor Conference he ever meddled with the present Discipline, or Liturgy of the Church, much less with any State-affairs. Nay, he persuaded others to be obedient to the Higher Powers: And in his daily exercises he put up many fervent Petitions for the Kings Majesty.

Being now under the Custody of the Mareschal of Bodmin, this his imprisonment brought him into acquaintance with several Persons who reaped much good, and benefit by his Ministry. The Mareschal used him civilly, yet did he meet with more difficulties then in his former Confinements: But yet the Lord honored him with the Conversion of many Souls. And he continued in this Prison till about the midst of September, Anno Christi 1667. And being on a time very earnest in Prayer for his enlargement, a portion of Scripture was presented to his Thoughts, which made so deep an impression upon him; as that he was raised to a great con •• dence, that if he was delivered it should be by an Order from the Kings Majesty. And not long after, whilst he was under various Afflictions concerning his Family, the Mareschal received a special Order from the Kings Majesty for his enlargement.

In February, Anno Domini 1668. coming to Penrin to Preach his Monday 's Lecture, he fell sick of a Fever, which held him all that Week. And upon the Lord's day Morning, the sense of his own weakness did somewhat affect him, because the People, who attended upon his Ministry, had none to supply his room: whereupon he had that Scripture impressed upon his Thoughts, Isa. 40. 31. They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength, &c. This wrought so much upon him, that he resolved to arise: But all his Friends that were about him labored to dissuade him from his purpose, knowing how weak he was, but they could not prevail. And when he had got on his Cloaths, he applied himself to his Lord's work; and as he proceeded, and went on in it, strength by degrees, was given in to him, so that he Preached thrice that Lord's day, choosing that Text afore-named [Isa. 40. 31.] for his Subject; and to the great admiration and astonishment, as well of himself as of his Friends and Auditors, he found himself well at Night, neither did he feel so much as any relicts of his Distemper afterwards.