The Lives of Sundry Eminent Persons

The Life and Death of John Lamot, Esq; who died Anno Christi, 1655.

John Lamot, Esq; and sometime Alderman in the City of London, was born at Colchester in the County of Essex, May the 1. Anno Christi 1577. His Father was Francis Lamot, Son of Baldwin Lamot of Ypres, a famous City in Flanders, who in the time of great Persecution in the Low Countries under the bloody and cruel Duke de Alva, was driven out of his Native Country, an • came together with his Wife Mary, to shelter themselves and to enjoy the free Profession of the true Protestant Religion (for which they had left the fruition, and possession of all their Temporal, and worldly goods and enjoyments, which were very considerable) under the protection of that famous Nursing-Mother of God's afflicted Children in those bloody times, Queen Elizabeth of blessed memory, here in England, in the fourth year of her Reign; taken up his Residence at Colchester aforesaid, where he lived many years in very good esteem, and was very forward and industrious in setting up and promoting the great and useful Manufacture of making Says, and Bayes, first brought into England by those Exiles for the great good and profit of our Nation: and God exceedingly blessed him, not only in his Calling, but in giving him a hopeful issue. He died in a good Old Age in London.

Now as both these Parents had made Piety their chiefest, and greatest interest, and the free exercise of Religion their best purchase, so they were always exceeding diligent and solicitous to season their Children, and this their Son John especially, from the very Cradle, with the knowledge, fear, and nurture of the Lord, and that with such a blessed success upon their godly labors, that they hereby found the seeds of Piety springing up in him, which being watered by the constant use of the public Ordinances, by God's grace and blessing, continued and grew up to maturity, and he never departed from it to his dying day.

His carriage and deportment through the whole course of his Life, both in his general and particular Calling, and in all his Relations, was not only inoffensive but exemplary. For even in his younger years, he was never given to, nor delighted with those vain and sinful sports and pastimes to which youth ordinarily is too much addicted, and so hard to be weaned from. His usual Recreation was to turn from one honest, or pious employment to another. He was from his youth brought up to the Calling of a Merchant, and was always very careful, active, and industrious therein. And when he had leisure from it, or was tired with it, he would betake himself to reading the sacred Scriptures; To learning Languages, or reading best Histories, especially such as treated of the Persecutions, and deliverances of the Church of God: And that shown how the Gospel was propagated and spread from one Country to another: All which he made (in a manner) his own: Such delight he took, both in the perusal, and rehersal of the same upon all occasions; and yet these were no hindrance to his attendance upon the public Ordinances, whereby he might nourish Communion with God at any time.

He used often to bless God, for that according to his earnest prayers, when he came first to London, he had kept him from bad Company, and from all allurements, and engaging occasions of haunting Taverns, and such like places of Debauchery, whereby so many young men came to be ruined and undone.

When he was grown up to some greater maturity of years, and grace, and of acquaintance with God, he began to Trade for himself; wherein his singular care and punctual exactness in keeping his word and promise; His industry and prudence in managing his affairs, was soon taken notice of, and he had more credit given him in his first beginning, than many who had been for some time Traders before him. Everyone was ready, yea, desirous to trust him, and to deal with him; which great advantage he nevertheless used soberly and moderately, undertaking no more, than he was able to manage, and what he had once undertaken, he with all vigilance, and industry attended, following the Duties of his Calling diligently, and God's blessing did so accompany his endeavors, and affairs, that his Estate increased apace, and yet he would often say, that he was not hastily rich.

Having thus spent some time in hi • worldly affairs, by God's good providence and direction he was guided to marry a Gentlewoman who had the benefit of the like good and pious education and disposition; and one that came of a Stock also, tried, and grown up under Persecution: Her Name was Mrs. Ann Tivelin, whose Parents also flying into England for shelter, had settled themselves at Canterbury. She was now the Widow of Mr. David King, Merchant, when Mr. Lamot married her.

With this pious Consort he lived comfortably many years, and had by her several gracious Children, eight in all, whereof six (namely, two Sons, and four Daughters) died in their minority. The two Daughters which survived, the Elder Hester, who was first married to John Manning, Esq; an eminent Merchant of the City of London, by whom she had three Children, but they all died before him. And after his Decease, she was married to Sir Thomas Honywood, Knight, of Marks-hal in Essex, who lived long and happily together, much beloved and honored by all that knew them: By him she had seven Children, of whom two Sons and one Daughter survived the rest. The younger Daughter (Elizabeth) was married to a worthy Gentleman, Mr. Maurice Abbot (Son to Sir Maurice Abbot, sometime Lord Mayor, and an honorable Alderman of the City of London, and Brother to those two famous Abbots, Doctor George Abbot, Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, and Doctor Robert Abbot, the eminently Learned, Bishop of Salisbury) and she herself not long surviving, was exceedingly bewailed, for her singular Parts and Piety. Thus though our Mr. Lamot, left but only one Daughter surviving, and four Grand-children, yet he lived to see two and twenty that proceeded out of his Loins.

Mr. Lamot's first Wife deceasing about the year, 1626. The year after he married Mrs. Elizabeth Monk, the Widow of Levinus Monk Esq; one of the six Clerks, a Gentleman of rare Parts, and of great experience, and trust in State Affairs in King Jame's his time, with her he lived eighteen years, but had no issue by her.

During all this time, as he still advanced, and increased in the said Piety, Experience, and Estate, so (by God's good Providence, and blessing upon him) he was accordingly respected, and honored: He bore and passed through with credit all the chief Offices in his Parish, Company, and elsewhere in the City and Commonwealth, and at last he was chosen Alderman of the City. He was also one of the Elders of the Dutch Church in London, in which Office he served that Congregation for near thirty years together, with so much integrity, diligence, and zeal, as will not easily be paralleled, nor soon forgotten. And in all his other Offices he still demeaned himself 〈1 page duplicate〉 〈1 page duplicate〉 unblameably, being equally desirous, and zealous to advance Piety and Justice, Godliness and Honesty, and to oppose and reform iniquity, and abuses of what kind soever.

For the nourishment and increase of Piety in his Soul, and maintaining Communion with God, he was constant and diligent in attendance upon the public Ordinance and means of Grace, not only in the Dutch Church, whereof he was made a Member, but also in the Parish Church wherein his Habitation was, and wherein were several Lectures, which he frequented, as I myself observed, who was his near Neighbor for many years. And in private by reading the Scripture, and meditating therein, he had so possessed and filled his soul with an heavenly Treasure, that most of his Discourses, and letters to his Friends, favored of an heavenly frame of heart, as one that had his Conversation in Heaven, whilst his Commoration was upon the earth: And he often expressed a great deal of heart-grief and astonishment, at most men's heedlessness and negligence about businesses and duties that did so much and so nearly concern the everlasting salvation of their precious, and immortal souls.

His real piety and acquaintance with God appeared sufficiently, as by many other discoveries; so in a special manner by those streams of true Christian charity, which freely, and incessantly flowed from him, as water from the fountain; or Life-honey that droppeth from the Combs without pressing. Yea, he was not only willing and ready to communicate, and impart himself to the wants and necessities of such as were in distress, but was a great provoker, and encourager of others to the like duty; setting (all as it were) on fire with compassion that came near him.

But his bounty did never run so freely as in those times wherein any public calamities befell the Church and people of God: No care, no trouble, no pains, no cost was then judged too much, whereby he might testify his Sympathizing bowels with them, for their sorrows and afflictions, whether at home or abroad. They which are strangers to a bountiful heart, will scarce believe what sums of money he disbursed in works of Charity since the year 1620, in the respective Persecutions, and troubles in France, at Rochelle, in the Valtoline, in Bohemia, in Germany: And more particularly in the Lower, and Upper Palatinate: And therein, above other places, in the long continued distresses of the City of Frankendale: Besides many other Cases nearer home in England, Scotland, and Ireland: And in that cruel and barbarous Massacre in Piemont, not long before his death, when a general Collection was made for those poor Creatures who survived that storm, the Minister and some other of the Parish wherein he lived [Saint Bartholomews Exchange] going to his house to see what he would contribute, and sending up word to him, what was the occasion of their coming, he came to them, and told them that they had a Collection in the Dutch Congregation for them, where he had contributed twenty pound. And (saith he) the Devil hath tempted me to put you off with this Answer; but he shall not prevail, and therefore here is ten pound for you more upon this occasion. This was told me by the Minister [Mr. Thomas Cauton] a day or two after.

And that God who gave him such largness of heart and freeness of hand, gave him also wisdom and understanding, to manage and order all his affairs with discretion. He knew both when and where to spend, by which prudence he was still able to do more good; And he always found, and acknowledged both the Temporal, and Spiritual returns, and comforts of this his Beneficence. And this made him always (as God blessed him) to lay aside a part and portion, which he as truly and carefully distributed upon the first opportunity, that tendered themselves to him.

But if God was pleased at any time to exercise him with Crosses and Losses of any kind, in his outward estate (whereof he had his share among other of God's dear Children) by casualties at Sea or Land, at home and abroad; in his several employments, or in his Relations; and especially in his body by divers great infirmities, and sicknesses, principally toward, and in the latter part of his life; yet in all these he shown abundance of Christian patience, and holy submission to the good hand and pleasure of the All-wise God and his heavenly Father, and merciful Redeemer: Comforting himself very much by meditating upon the Example of Jacob, Joseph, Job, David, &c. and of others of God's faithful Saints, and Servants in all Ages, who had drunk of the same Cup before him; with whose Histories he was exactly acquainted.

He was frequent in praising God for his mercies extended to his outward man, who had so long vouchsafed, and continued to him the blessing of his sight and hearing in such a good and comfortable measure, as that thereby he could partake of, and enjoy the benefit of God's holy Ordinances both in public and private: And for his inward man, that in all his troubles and afflictions, God never long withdrew, or withheld his Gra • ious and Fatherly countenance from him, in Jesus Christ, whereby he found sufficient comfort to balance and allay all his grief, and to prevent all murmurings and repinings in his greatest troubles.

In the time of his last sickness, he did not much vent himself by discourses: But retired themselves and unbosomed his heart, and spread his condition before the Lord in Prayer. About three weeks before his Decease he was sorely afflicted with the Head-ach, in extremity, and with the Cholick, in so much as he began to find some impatience to seize upon him; But he soon recollected his thoughts, and checked himself, saying: How often, and how fervently have I besought the Lord, that he would be pleased to fit and prepare me for himself, and for his everlasting Kingdom; And why then should I find fault, and repine against his Dispensations, now when he thus really and effectually doth prepare me, making me by these very pains and torments, to loath this wretched world so much the more, and to long for my blessed and happy change and dissolution, and to be with my Redeemer. And thus he continued for the most part longing to be with. Jesus Christ, even to his last hour, which was July the 13th. Anno Christi 1655. in the seventy ninth year of his Age.

When death came, he looked it in the Face without consternation, as of which he was not afraid, being implanted into Christ, and thereby freed from the slavish fear of death. His Meditations and his Speeches were much upon this subject, whereby he labored to familiarize Death both to himself and others; knowing that this was a very effectual means to make us apply our hearts to wisdom, that is to say, to the fear of God, the only Antidote against all base and servile fears.

And as in his troubles and afflictions he shown a great deal of filial submission to the good will and pleasure of God, his heavenly Father; so it was a great Comfort and refreshing to all that conversed with him, to observe and hear his continual Thankful Remembrances of God's Mercies and Goodness to the Church, whether abroad or at home: And to that Land or Nation wherein he lived: As also to any of his near Relations, or dear Friends, as well as to his own Person. This was a string that he would be often touching: An Argument he delighted to hear and speak of: He would ever and anon cry out most feelingly. O what cause have we to bless and praise our good and merciful God, who yet preserveth, delights in, delivers and favors us, and passes by and forgives our manifold infirmities, transgressions, and provocations, which are aggravated by our great and brutish ingratitude! O that at the length we would love him, believe in him, and walk in his fear and obedience to our everlasting happiness.

Every year upon the 17th of November, which was the day when Queen Elizabeth came to the Crown, that put an end to the Maryan Persecution, he made a Feast. And before it was ended he would stand up and tell his Guests, what cause there was of rejoicing upon that day for God's signal mercy shown to England, in restoring the Light of the Gospel; Quenching the Fires in Smithfield, and continuing the Peace and Liberty of the Gospel for so many years, the Number whereof he would always tell them what it was. Also upon other occasions of joy he would invite, and freely entertain his Friends, and tell them that he desired their Company to eat Bread with him before the Lord (as Jethro, and Moses did): And would take occasion to speak of some signal Mercies and Deliverances, whereof his Memory was a Living Library, especially of those grand Deliverances, both before and since the Reformation of Religion in England: As also the Deliverances of the Protestants in France, and in the Low Covntries, whereof he would often Discourse in so punctual, and feeling a manner, as if himself had been an Eye witness, yea, a sharer in them: Taking and using many Arguments from thence to stir up himself and others to have a sense and feeling of the Bonds and Miseries of others, remembering that themselves are in the body: And he would say, that their case might have been ours: And who knows but that it may yet be?

He would often with holy Admiration and Thankfulness take notice of this Mercy, that when his Father (being for Religion forced to fly for his Life) stood doubtful (as many others did) whether he should repair for shelter, to Frankendale in the Palatinate, or into England, God was pleased to direct, and incline his heart to make choice of England for his place of Refuge: And this Mercy was much heightened, considering the sad calamities and miseries that that place and Country afterwards fell into. And this made him to have the greater fellow-felling of their calamities, wherein himself and his might have been involved: whereas on the contrary, God had not only kept him and his in peace and safety, but had exceedingly blessed him in his outward Estate: And this made him very mindful and careful to send them relief upon all occasions.

Together with all these eminent Graces, God had likewise endowed him with a large portion of Wisdom, Judgment, and Understanding, in many things of moment and importance, grounded upon much experience, observation, and practice of his own, for which he was deservedly much esteemed by men of no small place, and account: He still brought out of his Treasury things both New and Old; and knew how so pertinently to apply, produce, and compare the same, that it was a great pleasure, and no less profit to hear him discoursing of the same.

His pious and indefatigable care and pains which he took in bringing up his Children, and governing his Family in the fear and admonition of the Lord, was in part hinted before. And truly his constant endeavor was to bring them into acquaintance, and communion with God, and to make them to stand in a filial awe of him: He called frequently upon them to read and meditate, and delight themselves in the word of God: To be well grounded, and settled in Religion, that they might not be carried about with every wind of Doctrine. As also he admonished them to fly and shun all Idle courses, company, and dalliances. To be painful, careful, and diligent in the Duties of their particular Callings, and Employments: To be exact and orderly in all their Affairs: Sober and frugal in the use of all God's good Creatures: Full of bowels of pity and compassion to the afflicted and distressed Members of Christ, and in general, to all that were in need: That they should be cheerful and ready to Communicate to all such: To be loving and helpful one to another; Obedient to all good Orders; Submissive to Magistrates and to all in Authority; Respectful to Ministry; Civil and Upright in their dealings with all; And watchful at all times; to be in a readiness whensoever the Lord should call them hence, to give an account of their Stewardships, &c. And he would tell them, that in all these things he exhorted them to no more than himself endeavored daily to practice before their Eyes. And that the great care which he had, both for their Souls and Bodies might remain with them after his Decease, not long before he died he left this Letter to his Daughter and Grand-Children for their Instruction.

Beloved Daughter, Dame Hester Honywood, and Beloved Grand-Children Maurice Abbot, and Elizabeth, Thomas, John Lamot Honywood, I do wish you all the blessing and peace of God the Father, and of the Lord Jesus Christ, his dear Son, our Savior and Redeemer: And that his fear and love may be so rooted, and grounded in you, that it may knit, and bind your hearts together in love and amity, as my heart hath been to everyone of you; ever praying for you all, that God of his mercy would bless you all, and plant his fear in your hearts, and unfeigned faith in Christ Jesus in your souls.

I desire that no strife, nor envy, nor grudging arise about the dividing of the Estate which the Lord of his mercy hath lent me. For I settled my Land after prayer, by the best Counsels and advise I could: And my personal estate I have by Will (after Prayer) to the best of my skill, in all good Conscience, as equally drawn it as I could; so I would, after I am dead, have you receive it from God, with a thankful and contented mind, and pray to the Lord to bless it to you, and everyone of you to his own Posterity. I having been by Trade a Merchant; what by God's blessing I have advanced, I have endeavored, and labored to gain it honestly, and to keep faith, and a good conscience always, ever acknowledging that these following Parties had a share in my Estate, as in all other men's, viz. The Commonwealth, the Service of God, the Ministers, and the poor Members Christ; of whom, as I have endeavored to be careful, so would I have everyone of you to be zealous for the service of God, heartily affectionate to the poor Members of Christ; And to give, with the Relief, a comfortable word, when occasion permits.

[illustration]
S ^r Nathaniel Barnardiston of Ketton in Suff. K ^• Obiit A. D. 1663. Aet. 66.

F. H. van. Houe Sculp:

[portrait of Nathaniel Barnardiston]

The Life and Death of the Eminently Religious, and much Honoured Knight, Sir Nathaniel Barnardiston.

IT's certain that the Light of Nature, and of Grace also, hath ever set an high value upon the Memonies of all just and worthy men; such as have honored and blest the World by their living in it; as we see proved and illustrated by the ingenious Writings of several Learned and Great Men, both in the Heathen and the Christian World; besides what we see better discovered and confirmed in the sacred Text, where it is said, The name of the wicked shall rot, but the memory of the Just is blessed. Nature says, That the good Lives of men merit praise and an open acknowledgment; thereby to draw others to the same perfections, thereby to preserve the value of Mankind, and to better the circumstances of an idle impertinent World, with the good of Kingdoms, States, Towns and Families: Grace says, That nothing is so good, sweet, and pleasing, both in Life and Death, as to imitate the dear Jesus, and to copy out the blessed Rules of the Gospel; to the confirmation of this we may draw in all that is affirmed in whole Divinity, or treated on in the holy Bible: Referring to the case in hand, It was well said by a Worthy Divine, That it is barbarous Inhumanity in Nature, injurious Detraction in Morality, and willful disobedience in Divinity, to bury the Memory and Reputation of those in silence and obscurity, whom the Lord by the manifestation of his Grace hath raised to eminency, and exalted above the Standard of the World: For what is human in Nature, or praise worthy in Morality, or commanded in Divinity, but what belongs to good and holy Living? Then certainly we may make bold to caress the Memory of him who bears our Title, Sir Nathaniel Barnardiston; a Person not fit to be mentioned without a Preface, being so eminently Religious, and much to be Honoured; as we shall easily see, if we search into some only of the most memorable passages of his Birth, Life, and Death.

First, To begin with his Birth. Both Natural and Divine: Natural, Thus: He was born in Suffolk, in that admirable year One Thousand five hundred eighty and eight; A year that ever deserves to be with in Letters of God; a year in which the Pope and the Spaniard designed to have taken away the Lives of the English Protestants, and with them to have put an end to their holy Religion; a Design carried on with the utmost Endeavors imagineble, and appeared, when it began to Act, much like the Title of the Navy, that should have managed it, to wit, Invincible; but it pleased God wonderfully to overcome and dash in pieces all this Pompous Strength, Pride, and Hope. It was no small Glory for a man to date his Nativity from such an Eminent Time; and this Gentleman would often please himself with the remembrance of it. And on the other hand, God did not a little add to the Honor and Grandeur of the year by his being born in it.

He was not of a mean or low Original, though its possible for one arising from such a Fountain to be Great and Worthy) but he derived his Pedigree from an Ancient Family, containing no small number of Noble Ancestors; He was the Twenty Third Knight, lineally desended of that Family, which still enjoys the Paternal Estate they had before the Conquest. He w 〈…〉 y one that knew the Country very well, styled The Top-Branch of the Suffolk Cequest. To be of a more raised, durable, and lofty Descent than the Vulgar, is a thing of note and value in the Judgment of Infinite Wisdom, 2 Sam. 7. 9. speaking of David, there the Lord says, I have made thee a great Name like the Name of the Great men of the Earth. The Greater Men are, and the greater Blessings to all that have to do with them, if they be but truly gracious. Eccles. 10. 17. Blessed art thou, O Land, when thy Prince is the Son of Nobles, and not of an upstart Family: yet this is no other blessing but what is common to the more rude and immoral World, as well as to the best and most useful Believer; and so it cannot possibly have any such great excellency in it as some proud and carnal Minds do fancy; all Noble Blood without the Divine Grace, being no better than tainted; Abel was of the younger House to Cain, but yet transcendently more Honorable. —Nobilitas sola est, atque unica, virtus. Inv. Sat. 8.

It is therefore necessary and becoming to show how the Almighty honored him in giving him another Birth, more Noble and Great than the most losty Unbeliever ever enjoyed; here we may say 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , he was born from above; born (I say) not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, BUT OF GOD. And this his second Birth was eminently honorable and remarkable above others in three Particulars;

• 1. In the Time of his Conversion.
• 2. In the matter or occasion of his Humiliation.
• 3. In the Foundation of his Faith.

1. For the Time of his Conversion, it was when he was young, the Lord enabled him to Remember his Creator in the days of his youth, by casting in the Seed of Regeneration when he was at School, the very time when others of his Rank and Quality give up themselves to the greatest degrees of licentious Wantonness, and immoderate Excesses; pretending that the heat of Nature, and strength of the lusts of Youth, produce a sufficient Apology and Discharge for the same: But at that very time did Infinite Grace so effectually seize on him, That with the devout young Abel he did offer his First-fruits unto God. O how emphatical and thoroughly excellent it is for young Gentlemen to bear Christ's Yoke in their youth, when brisker Nature invites and irritates, when the fawning blooming World hugs and most obsequiously attends them; and Satan (in his most smooth appearance) strews their way with Roses, and puts on his most sugar'd Bait, and presents to inexperienced and forward Flesh and Blood, all the dangerous Things that are taking and desirable? O then to be abstemious, to be crucified with Christ, to be mortified and wholly dead to all these things, is rare and glorious!

2. For the matter or occasion of his Humiliation; this was eminently remarkable; the Lord being pleased to go out of his ordinary way or method he commonly useth in the Conviction and Humiliation of such as bear his date and character in the World, to wit, by charging upon their Consciences some notorious actual sin, as we find by frequent experience, but yet it was otherwise with him; For living more innocently than (for the most part) young Gentlemen do, upon a time hearing that of the Psalmist opened, Psal. 51. 5. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my Mother conceive me. From which words the greatness and odiousness of Original sin being demonstrated and pressed home, it pleased the Lord so deeply to awaken and affect his Mind and Conscience thereby, as that in the whole following course of his Life, from that very time, it was a means to abase all high thoughts of himself, and to make him lie down at the Footstool of God in the mournful sense of his own emptiness and vileness; yea, he was more solidly and constantly humbled and broken for it, than for all the Fruits of it, which every day make their appearance by actual transgressions in the Lives of the most, yet by this means was happily prevented in him: For as Pliny says (in his Natural History, lib. 7.) That they that are once stung with Scorpions, are ever after privileged from being stung with Wasps and Hornets, so he that is first deeply humbled for this Root, Mother, and Nurse of all Wickedness and Corruptions (to wit, Original sin) shall seldom have cause afterward to be wounded with the guilt of Actual transgressions; this was well confirmed by the following Life of this holy Youth.

3. For the Foundation of his Faith, it was more to be observed, or taken special notice of than the rest; for whereas the greatest number of Men ground their Faith upon that which can only be the Proof of it, that is, the evidences of their love to God; and others, having learned better things, ground it upon the discovery of the all sufficiency of Christ's merit, revealed in the Gospel; and a third sort lay the ground of their Faith upon the general offer of God in the Gospel, tendering Christ to them; His Faith was not only built generally upon the Evidences of God's love to sinners, but particularly upon the Gospel, as it is the Law of Faith, held forth unto him in the first Epistle of St. John 3. chap. ver. 23. This is his Commandment, that we should believe on the Name of his Son Jesus Christ. From which place was very happily urged by him that then Preached, That in the Gospel there was not only granted a liberty to believe in Christ, if we pleased, but a necessity imposed, that requireth us to believe, whether we will or no. It pleased the Lord by this Doctrine so to prevail with, and overpower his Heart by the Authority of this Precept, that he durst not refuse it, but submitted unto it; and so his confidence, or foundation of his Faith, was exercised in pure obedience unto God. Which, being the most Evangelical and sublime reception of Christ; namely, upon no other ground but the authoritative Will of God, was that which produced this honorable second Birth in him; wherein his Faith was more established, than it usually is in most Believers through all the days of their Lives.

Now we have shown you the Birth of this Great Man Divine as well as Natural; you cannot but say, That as he was Genere nobilis, so he was Sanctitate nobilior: Great by his Natural Birth, but greater by that which was Divine.

Secondly, concerning his Life; which we shall find was as useful and gracious, as his Birth was raised and remarkable, if we compare those exact Descriptions we find of such a Life in the holy Text with the Actions and Practices of this holy Gentleman. Whether we draw the Description of his Life from what the Psalmist lays down, Psal. 119. 1. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, which walk in the Law of the Lord. Or, from what Zacharias doth propose, Luke 1. 74, 75. Serving God in Holiness and Righteousness all the days of our Lives. Or, lastly, from what Saint Paul did practice, Acts 24. 16. Exercising himself to have always a Conscience void of offense towards God, and towards Men. We shall find, I say, his Life to be a Copy or Counterpane of all these, and so to be very useful and gracious; and this we must draw from the whole of what is to be said under this General Head.

For the illustrating this, I shall set before you Four Particulars.

• 1. His Personal Capacity as a Man, including part of his constitutive Character.
• 2. His public Capacity, as a Magistrate or States-man.
• 3. His Relative Capacity, belonging to his Family.
• 4. His Religious Capacity, belonging to God and the Church.

1. For his Personal Capacity, as a Man, including part of his constitutive Character. And here take him in the composition of his Soul and Body (say it was distinct from the stiperaddition of renewing perfecting Grace) and you shall see he was lovely; yea, so lovely, as to invite and please the observation of the Great and Wise. The make of his Body, even from Head to Foot (not to be too particular) was competently Gentile and Brave; His Soul was Comprehensive, Vigorous, Noble, Great and Active; His Presence and Aspect smooth and pleasant, yet Grave, and often striking Reverence and Awe into the minds and deportment of such as looked upon him; especially, such as came before him when he was exercising the Office of a Magistrate. I may say of his, as was said of Basils Countenance, whilst he was performing holy Exercises, namely, That so much Divine Majesty and Luster appeared therein, that it made the Emperor Valens tremble to behold it. And in like manner this most exact and holy Gentleman's severe deportment was so effectual, that it banished from his presence all those scurrilous and sordid Gestures and Practices, which the debauchery and impudence of too many of considerable Degree fear not to act in the sight of God and their Betters. This will be further confirmed, if we do but recite four Lines of a large Elegy upon his Death, writ by a knowing impartial Hand; thus,

As there were none more flexible and complying than himself to the most easy desires of those who were just, honest, and good, be they of the lowest Rank of men in the World; so on the other side, there was none could put on a braver obstinacy, or move peremptory refusal, than he would do, to the most lofty Commands, or most zealous Importunities, even of the greatest Men, if what was urged was unjust, or against his happy Rule of Life, the Word of God. This was the occasion of what was said by another, of those many excellent Persons that condoled his Death, and justly adorned his Person and Memory by their Elegies; as follows,

It was said at his Funeral, That there was in him a blessed conjunction of those things which rarely meet in any other, to wit, an admirable facility and easiness to be entreated, with a great yieldingness of Spirit, even to Inferiors, when any good might be done thereby: and yet also a strong, resolute, unmoveableness and stedfastness of mind in opposing all evil in whomsoever: so that he was truly what was reported of Athanasius, Magnes & Adamas, a Loadstone for his sweetness in drawing on that which was good and holy, and an Adamant for his Courage and Stoutness in suppressing Evil. In regard of the former, I may say as was said of Titus, the Emperor, that he was Deliciae humani generis, the delights of mankind; and in respect of the latter, he was Nathaniel, a true Israelite without guile.

2. For his public Capacity, as a Magistrate or States-man. So,

As he was Justice of the Peace, he was exceeding active and useful; he ever exercised Justice in its own due time and way; he never befriended the Great to the prejudice of those that were little and mean in the World; he ever held the Ballance of Justice in an even hand, and acted as impartially, as if all that came before him had neither had Interest in him, nor any Acquaintance at all; he was only a terror to evil doers, but a praise and encouragement to all them that did well; by this means making Religion and Justice grow round about him.

When he was High-Sheriff, (which he was in the One and twentieth year of the Reign of King James) he was to God, his King, and the Country for which he served, one of the most exact that ever bore that Office. One passage here I must not let slip; As serving of God was one principal business in every place he was employed in through his Life; so here, though he neglected no business that belonged to his present Office, yet he had a special care to have God faithfully served, and that even in the Week-day, taking with him his Sheriffs-men to a Weekly Lecture at some distance from his House; thereby dignifying that Office at an higher rate than usually, if not at any time, is performed.

He was also usually placed in the high Trust of a Parliament-man; for he was constantly chosen on every occasion as a Knight for his own Native County; not, that he had a Patent for the place, as some of his Enemies did report, out of envy at the Peoples honoring him by their constant Election, but because he was ever found to have a noble Resolution and Care to discharge the Trust that was committed to him; whereby it came to pass that no sooner was one to be chosen, who should be entrusted with a power over the Lives and Estates of his Country, but presently the thoughts, eyes and resolutions of all Men were fixed upon him, and all cried for a Barnardiston, a Barnardiston. Which Trust he received upon him, not out of any Popular ambition, to advance his own greatness; nor, out of any self-end to raise his own Estate, by exhausting the public Treasury, or to enrich himself by other men's ruin; nor out of lofty arrogancy that he might domineer and trample upon his Neighbors in the Country, under pretence of the Privilege of a Parliament-man; much less to abuse that Peace to an impurity, and sheltering of himself in Riot, Excess, Pride and Lasciviousness; but out of a Mind and Conscience devoted to the Service of the Church and Commonwealth; beyond which neither fear, favor, nor flattery could draw him to Act or Vote at all, absolutely refusing to defile himself by any miscarriage, let the inducement or temptation be whatsoever.

Now consider him as a public Person, and was he not Pater Patriae, a true Father of his Country? which Title he did as certainly deserve as ever did Curtius, Claudius, or the Decij; for although he did not in every particular what is said of them, Pro toto terrarum orbe se devovere, devote himself for the defense of the whole Earth; yet for his Country and the defense of the just Rights and Liberties thereof, he did not refuse voluntarily to expose himself to a Gulf of hazards and sufferings; witness his suffering under the Imposition of Ship-money, Coat and Conduct-money, and the Loan; for refusing whereof he was a long time imprisoned in the Gate-house, and afterward confined for a longer time in Lincoln-shire, above sixscore miles from his own usual abode.

3. For his Relative capacity, belonging to his Family. Here he was really what became a good and holy Man. And here we'll consider him in his carriage and acting both as Inferior, and Superior.

1. As an Inferior towards his Father, and Grandfather; where he did in every thing answer that Relation he stood in to them. So that you will see he knew as well how to honor, serve and obey, as to command, cherish and love. He enjoyed his Father a less time than his Grandfather, his Father being removed by Death long before his Grandfather; but yet we may easily gather what his carriage to him was, from the high and extensive value he set upon his Memory; as, he used to please himself to discourse of his Father, affirming that he was a very godly Man, and that it was a great disadvantage for him to part with him so young; these things, and others, he would often declare to his Children and Friends, dropping many Tears, to show his great and strong Affection; and when he made his Will, he there expressed an importunate desire to his Executors that the Bones of his Father might be digged out of the Earth, (where they were buried) and laid by his own Body in a new Vault, he ordered his Executors to erect for the same purpose; thus, though he could not live with his Father as long as he would have desired, yet he designed that their Bodies or Relicks, should lie together till the happy Resurrection day; which certainly did denote a noble Veneration, and a most raised Filial Affection. As to his Grandfather, he always behaved himself in all suitableness to his Relation; Two things here we may record, as First, how the Grandfather when young was educated under the Great Mr. Calvin in Geneva, being sent thither by his Guardians in the miserable and most unhappy days of our Queen Mary; and this we can say, that if the Grandfather failed to live according to that Education in some part of his Life, yet his Grandson endeavored to live it for him; which he not only did in an eminent Degree, but for that reason also; looking upon the Goodness of God, in extraordinary Mercies or Providences to Progenitors, to be obliging to Posterity, so as to invite to a good Improvement, as the best way of thankfulness, the best way of preventing the Divine displeasure, and the best way of reconciliation to God, and true advantage to a Mans own Soul. Again, Secondly, There was another thing fit to be recorded, to wit, his constant importuning his Grandfather, upon every vacancy of Church Livings, to give him leave to Present, because he was likely, according to the common course of Nature, to have the longest enjoyment of such men; which, his Grandfather submitting to, was the occasion of eminent and worthy Divines being put into such Livings as became void, there being many belonging to that Family. This was much to the credit of his Grandfather, more to his own comfort and joy, and most of all to the prosperity and happiness of such Towns and Parishes as this Blessing fell upon. All the days of his Grandfathers Life he was ever endeavoring to do him good, and help him in any of his Affairs, all which he did with great Humility, Respect, and Honor.

2. As a Superior; and here his Relation honored the Degree of an Husband, a Father, a Grandfather, and a Master; in all which he appeared and acted in an eminent way. As,

An Husband; he seemed here to imitate the practice of the Lord Jesus towards his Church, in his conjugal love, protection, and full contentation and delight, until he became a Pattern and Mirrour of Matrimonial sweetness and faithfulness: and as it is said by one of the Rabbins concerning Methuselahs Wife, That she had nine Husbands in one, for age and years; so I may say of this Gentleman's Lady, that she had nine Husbands in him alone, for his amiable Carriage and Graces. These were, it is true, acted while he was Living, but he left a Testimonial in his Will of his living Affection after his own death, over and above the Marriage Covenants, to show his endearedness of her, by his affectionate remembrance when he himself was gone.

A Father he was also; and what manner of one his Children have declared in their hearts, lives, and filial deportments; they have always affirmed that he ever performed not only the part of an earthly Father, in the due discovery of all becoming bowels and tender affection to their Bodies, but also performed the Office of an heavenly Father to their Souls, by a constant endeavor and serious study for their Education in the most exact and strict way of pure and paternal Religion; one testimonial of which was his continual bestowing on them spiritual Counsels and gracious Instructions, the grand scope and end of which was to incite and stir them up to a strict watchfulness over themselves, and a close walking with God; and it was usual with him, after the giving such Instructions unto them severally, to take them into his Closer, and there pray over them and for them. If at any time they had displeased him, so excellent was his moderation and wisdom towards them, that he would never correct them, nay, not so much as reprove them in his displeasure, but still waited the most cool and convenient time, wherein they seldom discovered that he was angry, by any other effect but his silence. And, on the other side, he was so ready to encourage them in any Acts of well doing, that for the most part his extraordinary respects and favors towards them, were bestowed rather under the notion of rewards of their Duty, than the issues of his Bounty; still professing before them (as he usually did to his Friends upon their discoursing concerning the extraordinary Blessings of God upon them in their Travels abroad, and their Returns home again) that he took infinitely more content in beholding one grain of Grace, and evidence of true Regeneration in his Children, than if their Estates and Gains abroad had been multiplied an hundred fold; if withal they had come back again profane, or no more than merely Civilized, without the power of Godliness.—He was ever a kind and dear Father for Affections and Wishes, for Advice and Prayers; and for numerous Letters constantly sent to his Children; many of which, being very excellent, might have been inserted for the good Instruction of others, only they would have swelled his Life beyond what is thought convenient.—Though he was ever importunate to have all his Sons employed, not taking it as becoming to have any of his live out of useful Callings; whereby they might bless and better their Generation, yet he ever desired rather to have them good than great.— In his Will he exhorts them all to fear God, and love one another; and that, if any difference happened amongst them, as ever they bore any duty or love to him, or as they would expect the like from their own Children, they would leave all such differences to the Arbitrement of the rest of their Brethren, and would stand to their Award.— In the said Will he also leaves Ten Pounds to the Reverend Mr. Fairclough, his Parochial Minister, with this desire, That whilst he lived he would give good Advice and Counsel to his Children. Thus you see he was a most dear, most affectionate, and most Religious Father. You shall also see more of this, when we come to speak of his Death.

He was also a wise and careful Grandfather, not only instructing these little sweet Relations while he lived, but also using endeavors to command them to be good, honest, and obedient when he was dead; as appears by what he lest under his Hand in his last Will, so often mentioned, where he bequeaths them several Legacies, but with this Proviso, That if any of them would not be ruled by their Parents, it should be in the power of their Parents to lessen or take away what he had left them, first giving it under their Hands to his Executors.

He was also an excellent Master to his Servants; giving them all that was just, due, and necessary for their maintenance and encouragement. He ever gave them good Example in himself, and failed not to instruct them in the most useful things for the benefit of their Souls and Bodies. As he walked within his house with a perfect Heart, so he hated the work of them that did turn aside; and did not permit any profane person to stand before him, or to wait upon him; his eyes were ever fixed upon those that were faithful in the Land, that they might serve him, Psal. 101. This was the reason that he had so many excellent Servants; his Family being a true Nursery for the qualifying and accomplishing such; so that one, who was well acquainted with his Family, affirms, that at one time he had ten or more Servants so eminent for Piety and Sincerity, that he never saw the like, all at once, in any Family in the Nation; such, whose Obedience, joined to their Governors care, produced so rare an effect, that they truly made his House a spiritual Church and Temple, wherein were daily offered up the spiritual Sacrifices of Reading the Word, and Prayer, Morning and Evening, of singing of Psalms constantly after every Meal, before any Servant did rise from the Table: also the chiefest of them did usually, after every Sermon they heard, call the rest into the Buttery, (a place of most disorder in other Houses) and there repeat the Sermon unto the rest, before they were called to the repetition of it in their Masters presence.

By this time you may easily see how excellent this Gentleman was at Relative Duties; he was not a Saint abroad, and a Devil at home, as is but too truly said of some that make no small show in Religion, but he was a Saint in all places and Relations; which will appear by what follows.

4. We are to consider him in his Religious Capacity, belonging to God and the Church: In which he was no less excellent than in any of those that went before.

Here we may (first) see with how much Piety ond Devotion he exercised himself towards God; he ever lived and acted with such a reverential Awe, and most devout respect towards the Almighty, that his Life seemed little else but one entire Se • ies of Devotion. Yet we will a little see what he was in particular Duties of Religion; and here whether we instance in secret or public Exercises, he did so earnestly devote himself unto them, that for my part (saith a Godly Divine that was his close Observer) amongst Persons of his Quality, I think he hath left very few Superiors behind him, if any Equals.

1. In Private Duties.

It's recorded to the everlasting praise of the young Lord Harrington, so famous for Piety, that it was his constant use to Pray twice every day in secret, twice with some choice Friends and Servants, besides his Family Duties. But I am assured, by those that closely observed this gracious Knight, that it was his practice to pour out his Soul before the Lord in secret thrice every day, and sometimes oftener, if he could gain opportunity; besides his Family Duties, and days of extraordinary Humiliation, which he importunately embraced upon every occasion. This I can testify (saith Mr. Fairclough) upon mine own experience, that for many years together when I was first acquainted with him, I seldom visited him or he me, but if any convenient place could be found, we might not part except we had prayed together.— Nor was he more frequent in secret Prayer, than constant in secret reading the Scriptures; which he ever made sure work to begin and close up with Prayer, that he might obtain the blessing of God thereon: afterward he ever read other choice Authors, of which he had store; but not long before his Death he took singular delight to read Mr. Baxter's Saints Everlasting Rest, and Preparation thereunto; which after his death was taken notice of to be nothing else but the gracious event of the Divine Providence, sending it as a Guide to bring him more speedily and directly to that Rest.—His constant converse with single Persons, was so Divine, as to merit a place among his private Duties unto God; for his Speech was ever free from the least unsavouriness, boasting, or passion; consisting of nothing but love, sweetness and modesty; all his Discourse ever ministered Grace unto the Hearers, it was ever a pure Stream from the pure Fountain of his Heart; so far from the least appearance of lightness, or excessive Mirth, that in Thirty years together none ever heard one syllable from his mouth tending to any wanton expression, that might offend the most chaste Mind or Ear; but as the Poet affirmed, Vernas efflat ab ore rosas, his Tongue dropped Honey, and his Breath was as sweet and fragrant as Roses in the Spring.—Thus you see with what an industrious Holiness he used his precious time when less or more retired, so that Nunquam minus solus, quam cum solus, is a true saying of him, He was never less alone, than when alone, his God and he was most abundant company.

2. In Public Duties.

Though in private Duties, his noble Actings in or for Religion, were so much hid, as to be only like the Beams of the Sun striking under, or through a cloud; yet in his Public Exercises unto God his Graces and Activity had their Tabernacle in the Sun, so that they did shine in a most resplendant way.

If we begin with his Sanctification of the Sabbath, we shall find he addrest himself thereto with so much delight, that notwithstanding he rose early every day in the Week, yet he rose more early on the Lord's-day, so early, that usually he was the first up in the Family; then called his Children and others up, that they might have sufficient time to prepare themselves for a more reverent and devout attendance upon the Lord in his Public Ordinances; and for himself he usually spent much time every Sabbath Morning, before he came to the Congregation.

His value of, and constant attendance upon, the Ministration of the Word publicly dispensed, shown him so eminent, and zealously concerned, and taken up therein, that it was difficult for any in the whole World to out-do him. What the Apostle James requires in a blessed Hearer, was his punctual practice, that is, He was swift to hear; he could never satisfy his own Conscience, if he was not present to join with the Congregation before there was one word spoken, or one Petition sent up to the Lord; his unweariedness in this course while he lived, was always visible to them of those Congregations where he resided. You will see something more when we come to speak of his Death.—The Congregation being dismissed, the first thing which he did usually, after he came within his own Doors, was immediately to betake himself to his Closet, to beg a blessed dew from Heaven, to water the seed sown in his Heart that day.

His Preparation for the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was transcendent; though he ever exceeded the most in diligence and reverence in other Duties of Gospel Worship, yet in his conscientious preparation for, and fruitful improvement of the Lord's Supper, he did exceed himself; for the most part he spent all the time he could redeem in a fourth night before the Sacrament, in his Closet in reading, praying, and examination of his spiritual state, with other Duties of Preparation tending thereunto; and what he practiced himself in this kind, he constantly called upon others under him to do the like. We shall presently see further how eminent he was in preparing for the Sacrament, as also in advancing public Catechising under the next Head; which is, in the (Second place)

To consider him in his Religious Capacity, belonging to the Church of God: in which we shall fully see his incomparable use and worth, if we seriously weigh the following four Particulars.

1. His warm Love, and durable Affection to an holy Ministry. They who were faithful and godly in this Function, had not of his Quality a more faithful and hearty Friend and Well-wisher in the whole World; none so earnestly and frequently prayed for them, none so highly prized their Calling and Labors as he did; he was fully of that good man's mind, who openly professed, He had rather fall with the Ministry of England, than stand in greatest power with their Enemies. When some talked of mortal bloody times, and dark, black days a coming upon us, he replied, That those would be accounted dark black days indeed, when the Lights of the Ministry were extinguished, than the shortest Life would be accounted best. It was said at his Funeral, whosoever in the Congregation have been losers by his death, We of the Ministry have the greatest loss; if the Hearers put on blacks, the Preachers have cause to mourn in Sack-cloth.

2. His extraordinary care and endeavors constantly to present to every Living where he was Patron, such as were right qualified and holy Men. You may refer to this Head what was said before, in speaking to his behavior to his Grandfather; to which I shall add, That he was not only careful in his Grandfather's time, but ten times more in his own; so that when any Place belonging to his Gift was vacant, he would spend many days in Fasting and Prayer to invite the Direction of God, to guide his bestowing thereof; professing many times with all possible seriousness, That his Spirit did more tremble to set his hand and Seal to a Presentation, than to any other Writing or Deed whatsoever; lest (said he) I should thereby bring the loss of the Peoples Souls to be required of me or my Posterity, through my negligence therein. And therefore when by all his own ear, and advice of Friends, such an one would not be procured, as for sufficiency and abilities could give satisfaction to the conscience of this rare Patron, then he left it wholly to the better sort of the People in that Place, to choose their own Minister and Pastor. Oh how happy was all those Towns where he was Patron, for they might be sure to have fair play for their Souls.

3. His doing all he could to draw his Neighbors to the Life, Power and universal practice of Religion. This was admirable kindness to the Church: for she is little befriended by like-warm, much less by lifeless Professors. He always heartily joined with his Minister (the fore-mentioned eminent Mr. Fairclough) in every Design that might advance holiness, and make the Church to grow; nay, engaged himself to do all things that could be proposed for that end. I will here mention two excellent Practices of his tending directly to the design in hand; the first was about Catechizing, the other the Sacrament of the Supper of our Lord.

As to Catechizing, he saw it was necessary for Old People as well as Young, in order to the obtaining Saving Knowledge, that he proposed it to the Heads of the Families in the Town and Parish of Ketton (both rich and poor) That when the Children or Servants were Catechized, if they could not give Answer at any time to the Question asked, the Father or Master should answer for them; he engaging that he would do the like for his Children and Servants; he, having laid out some time and several importunate Arguments, did preyall to the setting up of this practice, which by his Example succeeded well; which, through the grace of God, was of admirable Advantage to the informing of ignorant Minds, and the building up them and others in the most holy Faith.

In the next place, as to the Sacrament of the Supper of our Lord; here he did all he could to assist the Minister in hindering the openly wicked from participating of this holy Ordinance, to their own great disadvantage, as also the scandal of the Church; in order hereunto he agreed with the rest of those that were to communicate, That publicly he and they should declare their owning of the Baptismal Covenant; accordingly this gracious Knight did himself begin this holy undertaking, and before all the Communicants did declare his Faith in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, and did undertake, through the assistance of the Holy Spirit, to perform whatsoever his Sureties had promised in his Baptism upon his account; in which he was imitated by all others that did communicate; which did silence and keep the visibly Profane from meddling with that sacred Justification and Action, they being fully convinced of the reasonableness of the practice. This surely was doing what he could to advance the Life, Power and Universal Practice of Religion among his Neighbors? and I am sure it was advantageous to the Church. But so was also,

4. His constant commemorating and rejoicing in the Deliverances of the Church. Although his practice was herein universal, and did contain his abundant joy in the success and deliverances of the Churches abroad, in any part of the World; yet we shall consine his Actings to our own Church in this Nation, and tell you that he did Annually commemorate and solemnize The thrice happy Day of Queen Elizabeth's Inauguration, her entrance upon the Crown of England, to the glorious rescuing of the Reformed Religion, from the bloody designs of the inhumane Papists. He also did every year observe and celebrate the Fifth of November, with all becoming expressions of Joy, from the wonderful deliverance from the Gun Powder Treason, a Treason as black as Hell itself, attempting the utter destruction of our King, Prince, Nobles, principal Church-men, and all the Leading States-men of England, in order to the change of our Religion and ruin of our Church. But because the Papists, many of them to this day, like the Whore in the Proverbs, wipe off this discovery of their sin and shame, saying, There was no such thing; notwithstanding the finding their cruel Preparations, owned and vindicated by the desperate Traitors, with many other undeniable circumstances; I shall add one farther confirmation of their undoubted guilt, often affirmed and mentioned by this excellent Knight, not a little adding to the confutation of these lying Pseudo-Christians, to wit, That a day or two before the perfect Discovery of this Horrid Plot, (which was when Faux was apprehended) he being for some considerable time in the Temple Garden, where he was then a Student, did observe several men walking there together, and constantly whispering, looking and acting much concerned, all of whom within a few days after he found to be those bloody Conspirators, by going to view them in Prison. Well, on these days, (I say) of our Churches Deliverance, he did annually express all becoming joy and thankfulness, by Divine Praises, and other usual civil ways of rejoicing. See Esther 9. 22, 26, 27, 28.

Thus I have shown you something, and but something, of what this Holy Man was in his Religious capacity towards God and the Church. I have, I confess, but mentioned (as I say) something of his Graces and Excellencies, for divers are omitted wherein he was as eminent as in any I have named. It's necessary indeed that I instance in one, I mean, his Charity to the Poor, in which he did Cloath and Feed great number of those that dwelt round about him constantly year by year while he lived, and left them Legacys in several Parishes when he died; yea, so extensive was his Heart in the practice of Charity, that it reached even as far as the Poor in New-England, whose necessities he did highly commiserate and supply.

But thus much for his Life.

Thirdly, And lastly for His Death: and surely if their Death be blessed, That (with St. Paul) have finished their Course, and kept the Faith: That (with good old Simeon) have beheld the Salvation of Christ; or that rest from their labors, their Works following them? then it will appear that his Death was as blessed, as his Life was gracious, and his Birth Honorable.

Here we shall find six Things remarkable. 1. His Preparation for it at some distance. 2. His welcoming the Messenger thereof when it drew near. 3. His unwillingness, even then to be absent from holy Ordinances and Exercises. 4. His most fervent performance of such Duties as he was capable of. 5. His excellent farewell Advice to his Children. 6. His peaceable and joyful Departure.

1. His Preparation for Death at some distance. He was unwilling to be surprised, and therefore did use endeavors for several years before it came to be ready, but especially for two years before he was, ever thinking of it and fitting for it: then he made his last Will and Testament, and writ it with his own Hand, upon this very ground (as he there expresseth) that after he had so disposed his Affairs, and set his House in order, he might have nothing in the World to look after, or to look upon, but his blessed Savior, and Salvation by him. In which last Testament, he discovers so much Assurance, and confidence, of the Lord's everlasting grace and love unto him, as if at the same time, like the fore mentioned Simeon, he had embraced the Lord Jesus in his Arms. As in the beginning of his Will he heartily begs the guidance of God to direct him in the wise disposal of what Divine Goodness had bestowed upon him, so in several other places he doth annex and twist in so many heavenly Counsels and precious Instructions, tending to the everlasting Inheritance of his Posterity, that it rather resembles our Savior's Testament, conveying the Legacys of the Covenant of Grace, or an heavenly Sermon, then any political Instrument to dispence only earthly Possessions. It was observed of him, That after his Will was finished, he seemed to have little to do, but to be gone to the better World, being so much at ease and rest, as if he had indeed wholly done with this World, in which he continued (as is said) about two years after, but always acted at the same rate of willingness and readiness to be gone.

2. His welcoming the Messenger of Death, when it drew near. He did not then, according to the usual method of most, seem shy and averse to be gone, as if so be he were not ready, but was heartily ready; for as soon as ever there appeared on his side a small swelling, in which none but himself conceived any danger, he being then at Hackney, did send Fifty Miles for Mr. Fairclough, his Minister, to discourse him, and taking him to walk with him, presently fell into conference of the worth and immortality of the soul, of the manner of its Subsistence and actings, when it was separated, of the Joyes of the other World, and the vanity and emptiness of all things in this as being most suitable to his present condition; and herewith he was so deeply and spiritually affected, that at their parting he expressed himself in the following manner to Mr. Fairclough.

Sir, I now much wonder that any man, that fully believes these things to be realities, and not mere notions (being in my condition) should be unwilling to die; for my own part, I will not be so flattered, with any carnal content, as to be desirous to live longer in this World, where there is little hope left that the Lord hath anymore work or service for me to do, except it be to suffer for keeping a good Conscience, in witnessing against the Apostacys and impieties of the Times; and now it is a great favor of God to be sent for speedily. After this, he being removed to London, for greater conveniency of Physicians, he there made the same profession, Of his desire to be desolved and be with Christ, unto several Friends, and Visiters.

3. His unwillingness even then, to be absent from holy Ordinances and Exercises. His pains and weakness growing so fast upon him that he was thereby hindered the enjoyment, first of public Ordinances, in the Church, and presently after sometimes of those that were private in the Family; which was the greatest grief that burdened his Mind, as you shall see in what follows—One Sabbath morning observing the People of the Family, where he lodged, getting themselves ready to join with the Congregation belonging to that Place, He fell into a great passion of sorrow, and wept very much, and with David, Poured out his Heart, because he had gone with the multitude, and led them to the House of God, but now was necessitated to want the benefit of that, which his Soul so much thirsted after.— Again, The Week before he died, he was persuaded in respect of the extremity of his pain once or twice to go to bed before Family Prayers; but the night following, being again persuaded to it, he told them he would not be entreated to do so anymore, for he said, He was sure that he slept the worse those nights for the want of it, spiritually using the Proverb, Whet is no Let.

4. His most fervent performance of such holy Duties, as he was capable of. Because he could not enjoy those that were Public, as I have said, he therefore gave up himself so much the more earnestly to the exercise of secret reading the Scripture, Meditation and Prayer, so long as his strength would hold out; but one Wave followed another so fast, that he was disabled thereby to be so frequent and constant in those secret Duties of communion with the Lord as he desired; for which he made many complaints to his Sons, and others, as they came about him.

5. His excellent Advice to his Children. The day before his Death, his Children being about him, as Jacob's were, after he had blessed them all, and put up his Prayers to Heaven for them, and gave them his last Advice and Counsel; in four Particulars. First, He admonished them to take heed of Worldliness and vain glory. Showing what a vast difference there was between a gracious, humble Man, and a proud graceless Man, both in the estimation of God, and all men that were good and wise. Secondly, He persuaded them to live in love and unity together; yet so as they should ever count it their Duty to wrath over one another, and never be afraid to tell one another of their faults lovingly, and not be Mealy-mouthed, as his expression was. Thirdly, That they should take heed of timorousness, and sinking from the Truth, by reason of the oppositions of the Times against the Scripture-power of Godliness, showing the danger of complying with man against God. Fourthly, He commended them unto the Word of God's Grace, and the Word of Grace unto them: Requiring them to be constant in reading the Scriptures, and to join Prayer thereto, for a blessing before and after.

After these Counsels, one of his Sons (telling him, how much he hoped the words of a dying Father would be regarded by them) desired him to deal impartially with each of them, and discover unto them what Evils he had noted each of them most prone unto, and what Duties he had observed any of them most negligent in; he did perform what was desired with so much plainness, that one of his Brothers standing by, desired him to use the same fidelity to him, which accordingly he did: A piece of Affection rarely found expressed with wisdom.

6. His peaceable and joyful departure out of the World. He enjoyed just before his death, and even to the last, such an abundant Peace and ravishing Joy, as could not be hid, his Soul being so filled therewith, that it even overflowed, and poured upon all those that inquired after his condition. This appeared, First, to his second Son, who observing him to grow faint, did desire him to be cheerful; to whom he answered, Son, I thank the Lord, I am so cheerful in my heart, that I could laugh whilst my sides Ake.— Then to his Brother at the same time, enquiring how he found himself, he answered much to the same purpose, saying, O Brother, blessed be God, I have abundance of ravishing joy within me. The same answer he gave to his Eldest Son, who being called to him, he enquiring of his Father, How it was with him? he presently fell into an earnest Prayer, That the Lord would be pleased to give him an happy deliverance out of this World, and a glorious Meeting with his Savior. Which Prayer of his was so graciously answered, that as long as he enjoyed any use of Speech, he acknowledged the sense of this inward Joy; and after he had said, I have peace within, I have peace within, he spake no more, but lying for a while (as it were) in a slumber, at last he opened his eyesagain, and lifting up his hands towards Heaven, fell asleep in the Lord.

Thus you see that his department of Life was as comfortable, as his entrance into it was Honorable, or his abode in it gracious and acceptable both to God and all good men.

He left the miserable, and went to the happy World, on the 25th of July, in the year 1653. when he had lived full Threescore and five years.

His Corps being carried down from London, was met about twenty Miles from his own House by Two hundred Persons, most of them of Quality; and his Funeral, at Ketton on the 26th of August following, was attended by many Thousands.

When his Body was just going to be Interred, it was said of him, by one equally impartial and holy, who knew him much better than other men, That his Life had been so free and pure from any scandalous sin, or any other actual Evil course, that for thirty years together, he did not remember, that ever he knew him soiled with any spot, which might give occasion to any to suspect his eminent integrity and sincerity, but his heart was yet upright before God; a thing very rare to betaken notice of in this World.

The observation of his admirable holy Life (to all that were intimately conversant with him) rendered him, The Beauty of Grace, and Glory of Christianity, as was once said of a German Divine. His gracious Accomplishments and Practices, being numerous and more illustrious than all other Ornaments, presented him Honorable to all men while he lived, and being Dead (as so many redulent Flowers stuck upon his Hearse) did give such a pleasant and odoriferous perfume in the nostrils of all Spectators, that the memory of them surely will ever remain among all future Generations, who shall have the advantage to understand, how the Lord was pleased to dignify and honor him, first, with a Spiritual Birth; and after with a Gracious Life; and last of all, with a most blessed Death; for of these we may truly say, as Eusebius says of Constantine, Felix Nativitas, felicior vita, felicissima Mors, his Birth was good, his Life better, and his Death most glorious of all.

The Life and Death of Mr. John Row, who Died, February Anno Christi, 1659/60.

John Row the Son of Lawrence Row, was born in the Parish of Shobrook in Devonshire, in that remarkable year, 1588. And when he was an Infant, he was laid aside in his Cradle for dead: But it pleased God that one of his Sisters, having a little more courage and resolution than the rest, went to look upon him once more, and putting her hand to his mouth, she thought that she felt a little breath, whereupon, some means being presently used, he began to revive, and probably by this early and signal Providence, the Lord intimated that he had reserved him for some more than ordinary service, and this the future course of his Life did evidently show.

Being arrived to a competent Age, he was by his Parents set to School at Crediton, where he profited so much, both in the Latin and Greek tongue, that he was almost fit for the University, and had accordingly been sent thither in order to his training up for the Ministry, but that it pleased God to take away his Father a little before the intended time, concerning which himself would often say, that we frequently err in our judgments of things: And that, God sees not as men see.

Being frustrate of the hopes he had of going to the University, however he would not lose that little Learning which he had got at School, only the Greek through disuse was somewhat worn out with him: But he still retained the exact knowledge of the Latin Tongue, which was of great use to him till his dying Day.

He was of a sharp and pregnant Wit, of a great, deep, and penetrating Judgment: Himself indeed complained of some deficiency in his Memory, but others discerned it not. For they judged him to excel in that as well as in other Abilities of the mind. As for his natural temper and disposition, he was a man of great ingenuity, of much candor and sweetness: They which knew him intimately, judged him to have as noble and generous a soul, and to be as far from anything that savoured of a base, disingenuous, and sordid Spirit, as ever any that they knew. He was exceeding Affable, and Courteous unto all, and that without the least show or suspicion of seeking his own ends in it: His temper inclined him to be pleasing unto all, without morosity; and there was not the meanest Person which could say, that he was neglected or despised by him. He was very careful to give a due respect unto all, and never was anymore curious to pay a just reverence to those that were above him in rank and quality.

In his Deportment and Behaviour he was humble, sweet, and candid; as ready to hear others speak as to speak himself, and usually he would give others leave to speak before him. This (together with his Grace) was elevated to such an height, as that, the worst of men had not any evil to speak of him. And yet (that which is not common, but somewhat rare to be met with) altho his natural Candor and Abilities were such, yet was he a man of great Presence and Authority. He seldom spake in any serious matter▪ but his speech carried with it a wonderful and peculiar kind of Authority: And such a Majesty shined in his Conversation, as that some (and those reputed both Prudent and Pious) taking notice of the excellency of his Spirit, the Luster of his Graces, and how much his conversation differed from the most of men, have professed, that when they have been in his Company, they had a kind of awe upon them, and they could not be so free, whilst they were with him, as when they were among others.

When he was young, his tender Parents (according to their measure) instructed him in the grounds of Religion, and caused him, together with themselves to attend upon the public Ordinances, by which he came first to have a taste, and relish of Religion in his heart. When his Father was dead, he went to live with Doctor Bodley (Brother to the famous Sir Thomas Bodley who was the Founder of the University Library in Oxford) a man of eminent Piety and Exemplary Holiness, who at this time was Minister of the Parish where Mr Row was born, and where his Parents lived. From this holy man Mr. Row learned much, yea very much of the work of God upon his soul: And as he learned much from him, so he was not a little beloved of him, the Doctor bearing as tender a respect to him as if he had been his own Child.

Living thus with Doctor Bodley, and afterwards, for a while with another Godly Gentleman [Mr. Thomas Gale of Crediton] he had opportunities of frequent going to London, where he heard those Preachers as were in the greatest Repute in those times, as Doctor, Gouge, Mr. Stock, &c. and by them he was much holpen forward in spiritual knowledge and quickened in his love to the ways of God. But Doctor Bodleys Counsel, together with his holy Example (he being a man of an Austere Life, and most strict Conversation) seemed to be that which had most influence upon him, and to have the greatest impression upon his Heart: For nothing was more familiar with him, through his whole Life, than to be speaking, upon all occasions, what he had seen, and heard, and observed in this worthy Doctor. The Sermons also and Preaching of Doctor Bodley was of great use to him. For this was Mr. Rowes observation concerning him, that whatever the subject were that the Doctor had been treating of, yet still, when he came to the Application, the use that he would be sure to make of it, should be to drive men to Christ.

The Doctrine was so firmly rooted and rivited into Mr. Row, that all which knew him intimately, could not but say that they never knew any man that was a greater advancer of Christ, or that did more inculcate this great principle upon all whom he had occasion to coverse with, namely, That they should have a great care to deny themselves and to live upon Christ.

More particularly what were the first gracious workings of God upon his heart, himself set down in a Paper under under his own hand, where having before related the Mercies of God towards him, and his care and providence over him in his Infancy, and Childhood, he goes on thus.

Neither did my gracious God cease to do me good in the days of my youth, whereat I may justly admire: O the depth and riches of his unchangeable Grace! For here were I able to set out the true Idea of my then deformed heart and life: But better it is to confess the same to my gracious God, and to pray him not to remember those sins of my youth: Both which I have done; to wit, both confessed them and begged pardon of them, and by God's Grace intend to do to my dying day. Yet thus much I think good to unfold, for the praise of the glory of God's Grace, that, whereas I was by nature prone to all sins, of all kinds, especially to those two Monsters, Pride and Voluptuousness and in the latter of these an Inventer of new kinds of sinning, yet the Lord gave me not up to mine own hearts lusts altogether: But even then began, not only to restrain me, but also by the means of Grace to do me good. O Lord, my Salvation is of thee alone. For if ever any should be saved by their own Merits, very likely was it that I should be farthest off; For thou resistest the Proud. But the Gifts and Calling of God are without Repentance.

Hence it came to pass that the same gracious God (who out of his unchangeable Love ordained me unto Life) stirred up the Spirit of Doctor Bodley to admonish me to take heed of Pride, and those overweaning conceits of myself, which he espied in me, and counseled me to buy a Bible and to read the same: which Admonition and Counsel the Lord was pleased to bless in such wise, that ever since that time, I have in some weak measure kept a constant course of reading the Scriptures, except some few short intermissions; By which means, I do acknowledge to the Glory of my God, that my poor soul hath received no small benefit. By this it appears that Pride and the love of Pleasure were his Master sins in the days of his youth; which caused him often to say in his familiar Discourse, that Ease, Pride, and Pleasure were the great sins of youth. He would also very frequently speak of this passage, that there was but one thing which he mainly desired in the days of his youth, which if it had been granted, would have proved his ruin; And that was, that he might have had the same liberty, that another young man of his acquaintance had granted unto him, who afterwards came to a miserable End. Afterwards he often acknowledged what a Mercy it was that he was so restrained by his Parents, and that God gave him not his own Will.

The Lord having thus begun the good work of Grace in Mr. Rowes heart, it was much improved by the Counsel, Ministry, and holy Conversation of Doctor Bodley, with whom he continued for sometime, even till the Doctors death. And the Doctor, after some experience of him, perceiving his Ingenuity, Fidelity, and Inclination to Religion, bare a very great and tender affection to him; yea, such was his love to him, that, having no Child of his own, he intended to have done much for him at his Death: But being surprised with somewhat a sudden sickness, whereof he died, and not being able by reason thereof to do what he inteded, Mr. Rowes hopes were wholly frustrated of enjoying anything that the Doctor purposed to do for him. And this Event he looked upon (as he was ever wont to construe it, in his familiar Discourses with his Friends) as the wise Providence of God towards him, that he might see his whole dependence to be on the Lord for what he had.

About the twenty fifth year of his Age he was disposed of in Marriage, about which there were some remarkable Providences which he thought fit to Record in these words.

The Family into which he matched was godly, who rather embraced Mr. Rowes motion, because of that which they had heard concerning his good Affections to Religion. She whom he took to Wife was a very godly and sincere Woman, though she walked in darkness and had no Assurance of God's love the greatest part of her life, yet when she lay sick and was upon her death-bed, she complaining that she had no assurance of God's love, or that when she died she should be received into glory, Mr. Row besought the Lord very earnestly for her, and the Lord was so far prevailed with, that a little before her death, he gave her assurance of being received into his heavenly Kingdom, and this in a more than ordinary manner.

After Mr. Rowes Marriage he continued in his Father-in-laws house at Pinhow in Devonshire four years; a place enriched with divers worldly contentments, but all imbittered for want of the Ministry God's word, as himself recorded it.

Mr. Row being now weary of living any longer in the house of his Father-in-Law, for the aforesaid reason, and hearing that there was an able Preacher at Crediton, he removed his Family and habitation thither, on purpose to enjoy the means of Grace, and continued there to his dying day: And he would often exhort his Children and Acquaintance, that in choosing an habitation, their first care should be to plant themselves under a godly and powerful Ministry, and for this purpose adding that Text, Cant. 1. 8: Go forth by the Footsteps of the Flock, and feed thy Kids besides the Shepherds Tents.

Not long after his coming to Crediton, he was made High Constable, in which office he continued twenty years; in which place his care, diligence, and zeal was such, for suppressing and punishing of Vice, that his name became a terror to the wicked and profane. And his prudence, charity, and compassion were not inferior to his zeal. For he used first to seek to win Offenders by good Counsel, and gentle Admonitions, before he would use the severity of the Law against them; and he had a special care to let men see that his heat was not against their Persons but against their Vices: And such was God's presence with him, such the Authority and Majesty which shone in his carriage, that although he was forced to punish many for their misdemeanors, yet none had power so much as to lift up an hand against him. One instance is remarkable.

A certain Rustian being punished by him, for some gross misdemeanors, vowed that the next time he met him he would stab him, and being put into the stocks, his rage was such, that not being able to have his Will upon Mr. Row, he struck at the stones with his Knife for very madness: Yet afterwards when he met Mr. Row, and might have had opportunity to revenge himself upon him, yet the Lord so overpowered him that he was as a man struck dumb, and had not a word to say.

Many of his Friends that knew his abilities, often solicited him to take the Office of a Justice of a Peace, but such was his humility and modesty, that he would by no means yield to it, saying he had neither Abilities, nor an Estate fit for it, and that it was a way to make Authority contemptible when Inferior persons were put into such Places. He was very circumspect to cut off all occasions of Offence from such as would be ready to take it. Being used in his younger days to shoot in the long Bow for his Recreation, once meeting with an Offender against the Law, he rebuked him for it. The man answered, Why may I not as well do this as you shoot with a Bow? Upon this he laid it aside and would never shoot afterwards.

He was of a very peaceable temper: He would never soment differences, but sought all he could to compose them. If any jarring was between him and any others, the fault was usually theirs, because he could not comply with their corruptions, but sought their Reformation. He was a great Peace-maker, and spent much of his time in composing differences among neighbors and friends: Many Law Suits he prevented; many differences between near Relations he reconciled; and the Lord so blessed these his endeavors, that he was seldom free from such employments. Upon an occasion he said to a Relation of his, that he might have increased his Estate much more, had he spent that time in prosecuting his own affairs which he spent in the businesses, of other men. He made made other men's occasions and conditions his own; he deeply Sympathized with their distresses, and in his Prayes he would as affectionately Pray for them as for himself: And when he had undertaken their businesses, he would Act as vigorously in their behalf as if it were his own concerns, though he neither sought nor reaped any advantage to himself by it.

He was Forty years old e're he attained that great blessing of Assurance; But having once obtained it he never lost it; so that he enjoyed the comfort of it for above Thirty years: And as himself said, he maintained it by a diligent and constant use of all the means of Grace, both public and private, and by taking an account of his heart, at least once every day. And that at sometimes he had more special Experience of the Witness and Testimony of the Spirit, together with that of his own; concerning which himself thus expresses it in a Letter to a Friend: In answer to your desire to receive a few of my thoughts and experiences concerning the Witness, or Testimony of the Spirit in Assurance;

Another asking him about the Testimony of the Spirit, he answered, It is a secret overpowering, that I am his and he is mine: I am my well-beloveds, and my well-beloved is mine. He observed that the likeliest means to attain Assurance was, to propound Spiritual ends to ourselves in desiring of it; not so much that we might be quiet and free from trouble in our Consciences, but that by the knowledge and apprehension of God's love to us, we might be able to give to God the glory of his own Grace, and be carried out to higher pitches in our obedience. For (said he) there may be much selfishness in seeking peace. I find it best when I am come to the greatest heights of Peace, to study my duty; what it is that God would have me to do, and to follow him therein: Otherwise I meet with a Cloud.

In his accounts which he made up every day, the method that he used in his Meditation, was to consider what God had done for him, and what his carriage had been towards God; And he said, when he considered what God's carriage towards him had been, there he saw that God had been doing him good in a constant tenor: But when he reflected upon himself, there he saw many failings: whereupon he said, there was no Action done by him that was ever so good, but there was some circumstance or other that he saw himself imperfect and defective in: And he said, I have accounted it a great pitch, when the Lord hath shown me some defects in my best Actions that I may go clean out of myself unto Jesus Christ: By this constant practice of his in reviewing his Life and Actions, he kept much inward peace of Conscience: And usually, at the close of the day, after the casting up of his accounts and fervent Prayer, the Lord made it out out to him, that all was pardoned: And by this means at the last he attained to as an habitual a persuasion of the love of God as most have attained unto, so that he walked in the light of God's countenance from day today. Much of his Prayers were, that his faith might be so strengthened as to see and behold the love of God in all the passages of his Life, that (with Abraham) he might give the Lord glory by believing.

He was very jealous of losing this blessed privilege, namely, the sense that he had of the love of God and the light of his countenance that he walked in. He said, they were two things that he mainly desired of God: First, that having been a Professor of Religion so long, he might be kept frame scandalous sins. Secondly, That God would not hide his face from him; Saying, that he was a man of a low Spirit, and that without God's presence he could not subsist. And therefore (said he) I saw it necessary to be kept under Affliction, that I might be humble. Knowing that God would not reveal himself to proud persons.

Besides this habitual Peace and assurance, he had many particular comforts from the Lord at several times, and upon several occasions; usually when he laid him down to rest at night, he had the promise Sealed to him; Fear not—I am thy shield, and thy exceeding Great Reward. When he had been begging such a pitch of Holiness, the Lord hath hinted to him, I will satisfy thee: When the Lord took away his first Wife, whereupon he was troubled how to dispose of his Children, the Lord comforted him with this: They are thine but for a time, but they are mine forever. Having been exercised with a sit of the Stone, he wrote thus to a friend: These are to let you know how Fatherly the Lord dealeth with us: Tho afflicted, yet not forsaken. That which sweetens all my Afflictions is, the inward Peace which the Lord is pleased to give me in all my outward pain. When he was in any special strait or difficulty, and needed Counsel what to do, the Lord did always, first or last (after his earnest seeking to him) make his way plain unto him.

The Lord did also many times give him secret hints what he was about to do, which also came to pass according to these Scriptures, Psal. 25. 14. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him: Gen. 18. 17. Shall I hide from Abraham the thing that I do? When any great thing was approaching Relating to himself, his family, or the Church, he had usually some intimations from God beforehand concerning it. On a time he was observed to be very sad, saying that God intimated to him that he would make some change in his Family, but what it would be he knew not; and he made this use of it, to set his House in order; and not long after the Lord took away a near Relation, which proved a great affliction to him. And though the Lord did many extraordinary things, and such as were not usual or common, yet did he not expect them, neither did he (as Luther speaks of himself) indent with the Lord that he should give them unto him, much less would he boast of things of this (whereof he had many) unto others. He was content with the plain, naked word of God, which he magnified, and all his study and delight lay therein: And though he met with many extraordinary things in his own experience, yet spake he of them seldom, and but to a few; which (he said) he did, partly to prevent Spiritual pride, and partly lest weaker Christians should be discouraged, who had not attained to what the Lord had done for him; and partly that such as never knew what belonged to such things might not make a Scoff at them when they heard them.

He was much in Prayer, and had a singular ability in Meditation, and this made him a wise Man, and a wise Christian, He would seldom answer any serious matter, but he would first pause a while. He was much delighted in a saying of Dr. Prestons, That the Greatest Musers are the best Artists. He was so much taken up in Meditation, that he found himself much spent by it, and would say, That Meditation was a spending thing. Sometimes in a Morning before he rose, he would be Meditating an hour or two together: When he was riding, or walking abroad (if he was alone) he would still be in Meditation. When he went about his worldly affairs, he would contrive them before hand, and spend what spare time he had in Heavenly contemplation: He seldom prayed in secret, but would fit himself for it by Meditation; Saying, he preferred a short Prayer after long Meditation, before a long Prayer without Meditation: When ever he heard a Sermon, he spent a considerable time in Meditating upon what he had heard.

He used to say, That if he were in a place wherein he might have opportunity of hearing more than two Sermons a day, he should not like it so well to hear much, unless he could have liberty to digest it by Meditation. In Meditating upon the things he heard, he would diligently look into all the Texts that were quoted; often speaking of that famous Instance of the Bereans, of whom the Holy Ghost testifies, that they were more Noble than those of Thessalonica, because they searched the Scriptures, whether those things were so. This Meditation helped him greatly, insomuch that by a diligent iniquity into the Scriptures, and musing upon what he had heard, he was sometimes carried much farther than what the Minister had touched upon: And when he came to repeat those Sermons in his Family (as his constant Practice was) having Meditated upon them beforehand, he would clear up those passages as had most difficulty in them, or that had been delivered more darkly. And if the Preacher was of meaner parts and gifts, and what he had delivered might not seem so useful, he would so explain, and illustrate what he heard, that the Sermon was always rendered profitable in his Repetition of it.

After his Repetition on the Lord's days, he used to call his Children and Servants to an account of what they had learned of that which had been taught; If any had been careless, he would admonish and reprove them for their negligence, and show them the danger they were in, by reason of their unprofitableness under the means of Grace: Such as were apt and forward to remember, he would commend and encourage them, often mentioning that Speech of our Savior, To him that hath, shall more be given; But from him that hath not, shall be taken away even that which he hath. And, though where there was occasion, he would speak with great Authority, yet when he came to discourse with his Children and Servants about these things, he would speak with much familiarity and condescension to the meanest of their capacities, thereby insinuating himself into their affections, begetting a Love in them to the word, and taking opportunity thereby to make things more plain and easy to their understandings.

He was much and frequent in Prayer: He often prayed with his Wife alone; And when any great occasion fell out in the Day, he would retire into his Closet to ask Counsel, and a Blessing from the Lord. Every Month he kept a private Fast by himself, (besides what he did upon emergent occasions) to seek the Lord, and the better to prepare himself for the Lord's Supper, at which time also he had much upon his heart the concernments of the Church; when ever any affliction befell him, or any in his Family, or of his Relations, his constant course was, to seek the Lord in an extraordinary way. And if there were any great business that he was to undertake, or any great strait wherein he needed divine Counsel, or Protection, he still set time apart in a more than ordinary manner, unto which he used to have some gracious return or other.

And besides his set times of Prayer, he was frequent in holy Ejaculations, which proceeded from the Spiritual frame of his heart; he was very punctual in keeping his times and seasons for Prayer, Reading, and Meditation. Tho his worldly business were sometimes very urgent, yet was he always very loath to abridge himself in his wonted course for holy exercises, and if at any time he was abridged of his full time, he would redeem the next opportunity, to regain what time he had lost. He used to say, that when he did hasten over holy duties out of an eager desire to follow his worldly business, he did many time meet with a cross in them, but when he did spend his ordinary time, God did make his other Business to prosper the better; or if not, his mind was brought to submit to the Will of God.

In all his Prayers, whether alone or with others, his heart was greatly affected and carried out with much holy Zeal and fervency. In his old age his heart would often melt and be dissolved into Tears, and his affections seemed to be as vigorous as the affections of young converts; when he joined with others in Holy duties he was far from remiss and careless carriage. His deportment was so Reverent, and mixed with such affections that the Minister under whom he lived, would profess, that he found himself much quicked by observing his lively affections: If at any time he found a deadness coming upon him, it grieved him more than any outward affliction. In a Letter wherein he had spoken of a bodily distemper, he adds this; That which troubles me now is the distemper of my Spirit; because I find myself less lively in holy thing, and more unactive than formerly: Yesterday (blessed be God) I found some reviving.

If he awoke in a Morning before his ordinary time, yet he would get up; and his manner was to spend some time in Meditation, for the most part about the great work of our Redemption, and on the Eternal Sacrifice of the Lord Jesus which he offered up to his Father for the taking away of his people's sins: And he used to Counsel his Children, every morning to take a turn at the Cross of Christ, and to think of his Sufferings, which (said he) will be a means to make you love Christ the more. As he dressed himself in a morning, he would drop some holy Instructions or other among those that were about him; and when he was ready, his first work was to retire into his Closet, where he spent a considerable time in Reading, Meditation, and Prayer.

Every morning he read some part of the Scriptures, with some Commentary upon the same, especially with Calvin's Exposition, which he much delighted in for the Spirituality, and solidness thereof.

Having ended his private Devotions, he used to call his Family together, to whom he Communicated what he had learned by his own Meditation, and by what he had learned from the Authors which he read: And whatsoever his worldly business were, he would rarely omit this excercise in his Family. And such was his modesty and humility in managing this business, that he would tell them, that he would not take upon him to interpret the Scripture, but only would communicate to them what he had learned from Judicious Divines. By this constant course of Reading and Meditation he became expert and mighty in the Scriptures, so that in his Family duties, he would open the Scriptures with much clearness of Judgment, the Lord enduing him with a more than ordinary ability to make things plain and familiar to the meanest capacity: And when he came to apply things to those of his own Family, he would carefully consider every ones condition, and those whom he feared to be still in the State of nature, he would lay open to them the danger of their present condition, and what a sad thing it was for them to remain out of Christ; And whatever the matter was that he had been speaking of, his Exhortation still was, to press them to look after Christ, in whom the Father had laid up all Grace, and from whom they must expect to receive all Grace; And his exhortations were set on with great Authority: And there was so great a presence of God with him, that many (besides his own Family) who occasionally came to his House, and heard him, will have cause to Bless God for him to all Eternity.

Having spent a quarter of on hour or little more in these exhortations, he would close up the duties with Prayer, wherein he would not be long: but his Prayer was so substantial, that he would comprehend the whole of Religion in a short Prayer. His Prayer seemed to be nothing but a digested Meditation acted by the Spirit of God; every passage in it had its weight, and not one Sentence could well be spared. Tho he varied in his Form, yet the substance and materials of his Prayers were for the most part the same, yet still he took in the other necessities of his Family, as the various Providences of God gave occasion. The main scope at which his Prayers were levelled, was the glory of God; he was still carried above himself to eye and aim at that, and still he would thus be expressing it; Lord glorify thyself in our Salvation: Glorify thyself in bestowing this or that Grace upon us. The matter of his Prayer was still commensurate to the word; what the word required of us as a duty, either in our general or particular Callings, or in Relation to the various Providences of God, that was still the matter of his Prayers; he was most eminent in this, for having a very large and comprehensive Charity, he would still take in the concernment of the Church Catholic, and would constantly pray for all that Election where ever they were.

In the Evening, before Supper, if he could get liberty, he spend would some time in Reading the works of some Eminent Divine; and he took most delight in Dr. Prestons Books, wherein he was so conversant that most of the choifest passages in his Writings, became very familiar with him. Then he betook himself to his constant course of Prayer and Meditation. After Supper he caused his Children, and the young Scholars that were in his House (which for many years was never empty of such, who were sent to the Grammar School, and by their Parents were placed in his Family, to enjoy the benefit of his Instructions and holy Example,) each of them to Read a Chapter; which being done, he would call together his whole Family, and would spend the rest of the Evening in Catechising, or in repeating some Sermon that had been Preached in the week day.

When the Sabbath was approaching, he would endeavor so to order his affairs, that he might dispatch his worldly business in due season, and so have the more liberty in the Evening to set his heart in order for the the duties of the Lord's Day; when it was come he would spend most of the Morning in secret Prayer and Meditation, and he used to be shorter in his Family duties on that day than on others, that so they might not be hindered from attending upon the Public Ordinances. And his care was to be there at the Beginning; and he used to say, that it was fitter for them to wait for the Minister, than that the Minister should wait for them; And he would often mention the example and Speech of Cornelius (Act. 10. 33.) We are all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God: The Morning Sermon being ended, he would spend the little time he had before Dinner in looking over his Notes, and in Meditating upon what he had heard.

Dinner being ended, he used to repeat the Sermon to his Family, and so hasten to the Congregation. After the Sermon he used to spend a considerable time in secret, and the rest of the Evening was spent in Repetition of the Sermon, and in calling his Family to an account of the things which they had learned.

He highly esteemed and Reverenced Godly Ministers, though they were very mean and of low parts and gifts he would show much respect to them; And according to his own practice, he would often exhort his Children, and those about him to have an high esteem of the Gospel Ministry, often pressing upon them those words of our Savior Christ, He that heareth you, heareth me, and he that despiseth you, despiseth me, and he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me. He would mind them also of what Saint Paul said, that Faith came by hearing, and hearing of the word of God.

He would often tell them, that God could, if he so pleased, speak unto them himself; but choosing to condescend to our infirmities, he rather speaks to us by men like ourselves: He could have spoken to Cornelius himself, or have caused the Angel to Preach to him; but he bids him to send for Peter, who should tell him what to do. He could not endure that any should account our Ministry Anti-Christian, but upon all occasions would vindicate them against all opposers, and would say, That unless we firmly believe the Ministry to be the appointment of Jesus Christ, we cannot so profit by it as we ought to do.

He would say that it was lawful for us to covet the best gifts, if we might enjoy them, but we must not despise the meanest. He said, When you come to the Ordinance, the business is between God and you, and whether the Instrument be of meaner or greater Parts, yet this is the Portion that God allots you. And he said, That there was not the weakest Sermon that ever he heard, but the Lord did him good by it. When I meet with a Sermon that doth not like me, I first look into myself to see if there was nothing amiss there; And if there were no fault there, I would then scan it over again. For we many times blame the Minister, when as the fault is our own, that we have not prayed for him as we should have done. His love to the word was such, that though there were two Ministers in the place where he lived, and a weakly Lecture, yet even in his old age he would ride six or seven Miles to enjoy the benefit of a weekly Lecture at Exeter.

His desires were much carried out for the Conversion of Souls. He seldom prayed but he would pray with great affection for all in his Family, and for all others that belonged to God's Election, that were yet uncalled: And in his Family exercises he would still be speaking somewhat that might make them see their need of Christ; and that which he pressed most was, that they would labor to get into Christ, and to make sure of Christ.

He was full of bowels of compassion to those that were under Temptations, and distress of Conscience, several of which did resort to him, and some did abide in his Family for a season, the better to enjoy the benefit of his Counsel and Prayers; and God was pleased so to bless his endeavors, that they went away with peace and satisfaction.

Himself also was not without his Temptations, though his assurance remained unshaken. Once indeed in sickness, he was strongly assaulted by Satan, who suggested to him that he was an Hypocrite, and that all he had done was in hypocrisy; But the Lord put it into his heart to answer, Be it so, yet now I will cast myself upon the grace of God in Christ, and hereupon the Temptation immediately vanished. And he was not without other Temptations, especially unto Infidelity. A day or two before his death he complained to a near Relation, that he had been troubled with grievous Temptations, as to question whether there were such an one as Christ, and whether there had been such Actions done by him as are Recorded? But the Morning after, these words were dropped into him: I was Crucified for thee: I shed my Blood for thee. This melted his heart exceedingly, that when his Temptation was of so grievous a Nature, yet the Lord should so condescend to him, that he could not speak without Tears.

He had had also several other conflicts, so that he once brake out into this expression: O it is hard keeping up till we come to Heaven: It is hard fighting: And again; Before we receive our Crown, we must strive and finish our course: Temptations will arise. But blessed is the man that endures Temptation; For when he is tried he shall receive the Crown of Life. He said, that he had been Ten years striving against one corruption, and at last the Lord brake the neck of it: As also, I have been striving against the heighth of my Spirit these forty years. And as he had his inward conflicts so he was seldom without some outward Trial and Afflictions. He said, it was one of his exercises every Morning, to expect what God might try him with in the Day, either by Afflictions or Temptations: Adding, I thought I had undergone many Trials, so that now I might hope to be quiet, but still the Lord provides some new ones. And in a Letter to a near Relation, he said; That his life was made up of mixtures of encouragements and difficulties: And, I do think it may be much conducing to the glory of God, and to our Advantage, if we still expect such mixtures, knowing that we are thereunto appointed, and that so we may in every days success entreat the Lord for Grace suitable to our infirmities and necessities; whereas, if we should limit the Almighty to have our Wills satisfied, we may displease him and create crosses to ourselves: And as he was seldom without some affliction or other, so they were of singular use to him. He said, whenever I was out of the way, the Lord shown me clearly that I was so, and that this or that was not right, and this he did usually by Afflictions. He said, He never had any Chastisement in all his Life, but the Lord had shown him some miscarriage by it.

His afflictions made him pray much; and that was his constant course when any Trial befell him, to set time apart to seek the Lord in an extraordinary manner: And in all his afflictions, his great request to the Lord was: That he might be made partaker of his holiness thereby. When his Family was visited with the small • ox, he was mightily stirred up to pray, that this Visitation might end in the Reformation of it, and that they might set to the work of God with all their might: And this was usually the fruit of all his Afflictions, to make him more active in the ways of God.

When one of his Relations had been sick, he wrote thus unto him: Truly I perceive the Lord's mind is to wean us from the world, and from Self: Now the Lord accomplish the good pleasure of his Will in us to the utmost, that we may cleave unto him wholly and fully, by the wisdom and strength of the Lord Jesus in us: Be not dismayed at your Afflictions; the Lord will turn them to Good. A few years before his Death, the Lord tried him by suffering his house to be on Fire, upon a Saturday-night about ten a clock, most of the Family being in Bed, and himself asleep: Being awakened by some that first descried the danger, and called upon to arise for his safety, the first thought that God put into his mind was, that God in Judgment would remember Mercy; And God in mercy answered his Prayer: For only his Out-houses were burnt, and his Dwelling-house was preserved, which yet joined to the other. Yet the Providence of God was wonderfully seen in its preservation, and his Friends, Neighbors, and the Poor of the Town came in to his assistance, and though all his Goods were carried out, and there were many necessitous people, who might have conveyed away several things, yet such was their Love and Respect to him, and the experience they had of his Charity, and readiness to do them good, that he lost not anything, but all his goods that were carried forth, were preserved entire, without the loss of any one thing. And that which added much to the Mercy, was, that the Fire was so soon quenched, and his Goods set so soon in order by the help of his Friends, that he had liberty to attend upon the Ordinances the next day, and to Sanctify the Sabbath according to his wonted manner.

This affliction he attributed to his not putting away an evil Servant (whom he had often admonished, and yet he was not reformed) though he oft had thoughts of putting him away, but being slack in doing it, he thought that this was the reason why the Lord so corrected him. When at another time the Lord had made some breach upon his Estate, he said, The Lord had hereby shown him, that if he leaned too much upon these things, God would take them all away. Also speaking about afflictions in general, he said, For mine own part I do acknowledge to the glory of God, that our only wise God and heavenly Father hath taken the best course with me. O how lazy had I been and worldly, if the Lord had not hedged up my way: But blessed be God who will not suffer me to live after the Flesh.

He was very sensible of the least Mercy, and a curious observer of every Providence. When at another time his House had been in danger of burning, writing to a near Relation, he thus expressed himself. The Lord make us really Thankful, and teach us what to render for all Mercies and deliverances; Especially for that great deliverance from wrath to come; and for the hope of Eternal Life, which God, who cannot lie, hath promised. He was very curious in observing the least check or rebuke from Providence in everything that befell him. And upon the least cross, he would presently humble himself before the Lord, and pray that he might understand his meaning in it.

His great design was, that he might glorify God in his whole Conversation; He studiously watched all opportunities for that end: And his great Prayer was, that werever he came, he might either do or receive good: And prayed, that we might not only Glorify God, but that we might do it intentionally. He did not speak of the things of God customarily, or because others spake of them; but if opportunity were not offered, he would seek it, and fasten some good discourse upon those with whom he conversed. The Minister that Preached at his Funeral had this passage: The General bent (said he) and bias of his Spirit was towards God, and towards his Name; The very quintessence of his Spirit carried him that way, and that intensively and constantly: I could never observe in him that he intended anything more, or minded anything so much as the Glory of God. Did you converse with him about Worldly affairs, he would reduce you by little and little, to some Heavenly discourse: There would all the Lines of his Circumference Center.

His humility and Modesty was such, that if any godly Ministers were present, or others whom he took to be his superiors, he would wait to see whether they would speak anything for Edification; if they were silent or more slack, he would endeavor to engage them in good discourse, or else, before they parted would set in on foot himself: He used to be troubled if he was long in any Company, and nothing was spoken to Edification. When he spoke of the things of God, he did it with much Authority: The weight of the things he spake of, was much upon his Spirit, and he had his heart wholly taken up with them. Religion and the things of God were become natural unto him: and look what vehemency of Spirit others had in prosecution of their worldly affairs, the same did he manifest in the things of God; and as himself was affected with them, so did he for the most part affect others. When he either Counselled, or Reproved any, he would choose, as much as might be, to do it in Scripture Language, that so (as he spake) they might rather hear God speaking, than hear him speaking, and so consequently, what was spoken might carry the more Authority with it. In his reproofs he would use great wisdom and compassion, and he so ordered his reproofs, that it might appear, that he only aimed at their Reformation, and the good of their Souls. And he greatly loved such as would faithfully reprove him for what was amiss. He often said, that he had never met with but one in all his life, that would be so faithful a Friend to him, as to tell him of what he apprehended to be amiss in him, and he loved him the better for it all the days of his Life.

He was very eminent for his Heavenly-mindedness, and his Heavenly Affections. He constantly prayed, that our Conversation might be in Heaven, whilst our Habitation was on Earth. And as he prayed so he lived: He said, Methinks that I look upon all things in this World, as Pictures of the things in the other World. And again; Surely if God shall be All in All hereafter, the less we have to do with the Creature here (more than needs must) the more like we are to that life. And again; I am ashamed very much sometimes that I should delight in the Creature so much, and delight in God no more. When some of his Children were coming to visit him, fearing, out of a Godly Jealousy, lest they might be too much transported with a mere natural, and carnal Joy, and not make that Heavenly and Spiritual improvement as they ought, he wrote thus unto them before their coming: When Moses and Elias appeared in Glory, at the Glorious Transfiguration of Christ in the Mount, the talk they had (as Saint Luke saith) was touching the decease of Christ, which he should accomplish at Jerusalem: And we (among other things) may thence also learn, that its an Heaven-like disposition, in the midst of all our Earthly enjoyments, to think and talk of our departure hence. And as I write this to you, so I speak of it here, that both you and we may mingle our meeting here on Earth, with such thoughts and discourses, as may mitigate the bitterness of any afflicting Providences, and may contain our Spirits in an even temper by the expectation of that uninterrupted and Eternal Joy that we hope one Day to enter into, when we shall meet, never more to be separated. And in another Letter he thus expressed himself: We have but an inch of time upon Earth, and then we enter into Eternity: O then let us pray continually, effectually, fervently, that our way may be right, and our hearts upright to the finishing all God's Wills in Duty, according to our Relations in all well-pleasing.

He had a very tender Conscience, sensible of the least slip and failing; and though none was known to be more Charitable unto others, and to make a more Charitable construction of what was done by others, yet none was ever more severe against himself, or more curious to espy the least sinful defect, or irregularity in himself. When he discerned the Ebullitions of Pride, Self-love, Covetousness, Infidelity, &c. When he saw the least mixture of carnal and self-ends in his good Actions: When he observed how prone he was to be biassed by Man-fearing, and Man-pleasing, from his Duty; this was an inexpressible trouble to him, and he would bewail these infirmities with more bitterness, than many are wont to do for their grosser Sins. If he had at any time unawares, and on a sudden spoken a word which he judged uncomely, and unsuitable to the gravity which he conceived became a Christian, he would bewail it greatly, and could not be at rest in himself till he had desired those whom he supposed might take offense, to pass it by. He was often complaining of his Infirmities, and he rarely spake of his Comforts or Spiritual Joyes, but oft of what he found amiss in himself, and many things which are much slighted by others, were curiously observed by him. In a Letter he thus expresses himself, My unthankfulness (besides mine other sinful Infirmities) grieveth me sore, and I am jealous of myself, lest the fear of the Lord doth trouble me more than grief for sin. And Again: I have found and do find a great difficulty (as in other things) so in this of health, to keep that narrow way of the Lord, for I find by woeful experience that I am often slipping out, either too much indulgence, or too much severity, which may rather be termed cruelty: The Lord make us wise to avoid both these extremes.

His great care was to keep himself, not only from such things as were in themselves sinful and unlawful; But to abstain from all appearance of evil, and to cut off occasions of offense from such as might seek them, or to be apt to take offense. He said, he had found by many years experience that the great difficulty that lay upon Saints, was, in the use of things lawful and indifferent: Saying, that he had been often overtaken unawares this way, sometime by the leading aside of his own corrupt nature, which was ever willing to take the largest size, and sometime, by the mistaking of others who had misapprehended his intentions, and made an evil construction of his Actions; Yet God hereby made him more wise and circumspect. And hereupon he would advise to forbear lawful Recreations at sometimes and in some place, rather than by the use of our Christian Liberty, occasion the censures of any that are loose and large walking, though unjustly raised.

He was eminent in Resigning himself, and all he had to the Will of God. It was his constant practice to pray his Will into an one-ness with the Will of God. He observed that it was very incident to our natures to desire to bring down God's Will to ours, but it was much better to pray up our Wills into his. When any difficulty did occur, and his natural affections, and inclination would have carried him such a way, his first work was, not to pray so much that he might obtain that which nature would desire; but that his Will might be brought up to the Will of God, and that his Spirit migh be brought to an Holy indifferency, and the Lord eminently answered him herein.

Whereupon, before the issue of Providence was discovered, his Will was usually brought up to the Will of God, and in several great Cases and emergencies in his Life, wherein he was much concerned, he hath said. Touching the issue, and success of such a business, I have received power (through Grace) to acquiesce in the Will of God, when it is manifested. He made it also his endeavor to resign all he had to the Lord's wise disposal. Having heard of the welfare of some of his Children, he thus expressed himself, and now what thanks can I render unto God for you all? Only I desire to give all up to God, that hath given you to me for a time. His advice also to his Children was to follow his Example herein, and to give up their nearest comforts to God daily.

He much desired to be Spiritual in all he did, and that Grace, and not Nature, or fleshly wisdom might sway him in everything. When a near Relation asked his Counsel in a business of concernment, before he would give his advise, he said: O that I might be wholly Spiritual; that no carnal respects might blind mine eyes? Wherever he was engaged in any difficulty, or was to manage any business of great concernment, as to the issue of it, his first care was to mind his duty, and to study which way Grace would teach him to act, and his great care was, that grace might have the principal sway in all his actions.

He used to say, That duty was ours, but the issues and success of things belonged unto God. We should go study what our duty is, and then leave the issues and successes unto God. One that had desired his advice in a business of importance and great difficulty, he wrote back thus unto him: This one thing let us with incessant importunity crave of the Lord, that in this, as in all other things, he would teach us the way wherein we should go, and that we may walk with God, and follow him fully in the Integrity of our hearts, and then leave the success on his care, who is the only wise and Almighty, and our Father.

He advised that in all cases of Conscience we should seek resolution from the Word; and that in difficult cases we should ask Counsel of some able, faithful Minister. For (said he) The Priests Lips must preserve knowledge, and we were to inquire the Law at his Mouth: And God hath appointed Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of Saints. And concerning Ministers advice, he would say: That which they speak out of the Pulpit is to be perferred before that which they speak occasionally, and in a more private way of discourse: For it is to be supposed that they have consulted much with God, and have studied, and prayed hard for that which they deliver in public and therefore more authority is to be given unto it, than to any occasional, or sudden Counsel.

His desire was to be always in the exercise of grace, and to mind and attend present duty. He was much pleased with the saying of a Godly Minister: That a Christian ought to be always in duty: And according to this, he made it his great study to consider what it was that God called him unto for the present, and what the present duty was that God put him upon. When he went to visit any one, he would consider what his Call was to go, and what opportunity he might have to do or receive good: And he much bewailed needless and Complemental visits, as things that did eat up, and consume much precious time. When he used any bodily Recreation, he would do it as Duty, saying, That it was the Will of God that we should endeavor the preservation of health: And when he followed his Earthly affairs, he would do it as Duty, saying, That it was the Will of God that we should honor him in a particular Calling. And his great care was to make this particular Calling subservient to his General Calling: And his great endeavor was, so to order his Earthly affair, that they might not justle out the duties of Religion, nor himself to be abridged by them of convenient time for the more immediate service of God.

By these means Religion was become so Spiritually natural to him, that he seemed wholly to be turned into it: Whatever he did and spake, for the most part, did not only favor of Grace, but it seemed to be wholly guided and acted by Grace: Not but that he had the remnants of the body of Death, which he bitterly complained of, but Grace had so great a sway and command in him, that there was little else but Grace that appeared unto others.

He hath said, that when he was Carnal, he could have wished many of the Commandments razed out of the Bible, but now he found his heart in some measure made suitable to the Law. He never thought his heart to be in a right temper, but when he could delight in the ways of God, and he used frequently to mention that Text: Blessed is the Man that feareth the Lord, and delighteth greatly in his Commandments. He took such delight in the ways of God, and found so much satisfaction in them, that he spake thus with much seriousness: If I were sure, that as dies the Beast, so dies the Man; yet would I not choose to be otherwise than I am.

One of his most eminent Graces was his faith and living upon Christ, which was the true Root from whence his other great attainments in Christianity did arise. It was the great work of his Life to go wholly out of himself, and to live wholly upon Christ for all. These were some of his frequent expressions in Prayer: Take us wholly out of self, and let our whole dependence be upon Christ Make us one Spirit with Christ, and let us be acted by his Spirit, that so we may not live so much as Christ may live in us. It hath pleased the Father, that in him should all fullness dwell: Out of his fullness let us receive grace for grace. Thou hast appointed him to be Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, even all in all to thy People: Lord make him so to us.

This was his constant and most familiar kind of Language, and as the bent of his Spirit lay most this way, so he counted it his greatest perfection. To some that highly esteemed him for his great measure of holiness, he said: The highest thing that I have attained to, is to go quite and clean out of myself, and to role myself wholly upon the grace of God in Christ. Herein he imitated the holy Apostle Saint Paul, who, after the greatest measure of holiness that he had attained, yet was it his great desire to be found in Christ. This Holy Man was so curious in this point, of living entirely upon Christ, as that he never suspected himself more, or thought worse of himself, than when he found a secret inclination to look to somewhat in himself, and could not find himself so clearly brought off to acts of Self-denial: Whereupon he said: I have been apt to question my condition much, of late, because when I have found things amiss in me, and have found out any Salve, I would be quiet, and did not deny myself fully to rest on the grace of God in Christ.

He often exhorted his Children that they should labor to deny themselves more and more, and study Christ, and learn him more and more: He was scarce ever known to give any holy Exhortations (in which he was most frequent and abundant) but still he would be sure in the close to advise them to look to Christ for all Grace; and whatsoever duty he exhorted them to, he would still put them in mind that the Grace and strength by which they were to perform this, was to be expected from Christ alone.

He was as eminent for living by Faith on the Promisses as on the person of Christ, resting upon the Lord in all his straits. When he could but take Sanctuary in some promise, and find out some word of God for his Faith to rest upon, he thought himself safe: He delighted to speak of that passage of Abraham, that Abraham gave glory to God by believing: He thought that the highest way of honoring God was to trust him upon his naked word and promise. Indeed he was often assaulted with Temptations of Infidelity, but these did but quicken him to pray more fervently, and in the conclusion, by these shakings his Faith got the deeper Root. The chief stream of his Prayers in his Elder years ran this way, that he might not stagger at the promise through unbelief: That he might be established in the Faith; and that his Faith might not fail; And the Lord answered him herein: For his Faith held out in its strength to the very last.

Whenever he was in any strait or difficulty, and knew not which way to turn, the Lord did so bear up his heart by believing, that he would make out his way at last, and provide for his comfort some way or other. Speaking to a near Relation, of some touches of the Stone, and other infirmities that he labored under, he added: But the Lord supports me; in whom I trust also that he will support me. Telling his Friends that he endeavored to answer their request in praying for them, he said, that he did indeed pray for them daily, but it was with much weakness and infirmity; yet (said he) our trust is of acceptance in the Lord Jesus Christ, who sits at the right hand of the Father, and makes request for us.

That which was the Crown of all his Graces was his great Humility. As his Graces and experiences were extraordinary, so he had more than an ordinary measure of Humility. He frequently used that expression of Saint Paul, that he was the greatest of sinners. There was no corruption that he set himself more against than Spiritual Pride. He would often mention that of the Apostle Saint Peter; God resists the Proud, but giveth grace to the humble. Whenever he begged any other Grace of God, he still begged Humility, as that which must prepare him, and make him capable of receiving that Grace. He used thus to express himself: Empty us of self, that we may be full with thy fullness: That we may receive more grace, make us more humble. He used also to warn and admonish others to beware of Spiritual Pride: Watch (said he) against that Stratagem of Satan, wherewith he usually assaulteth Souls in the Growth of Spiritual Gifts, which is, to puff them up with Pride.

He also would speak thus: As he said, Fight not against small or great, but only against the King of Israel; So say I, above all, fight against self, and Pride. Writing to a near Relation, he said: Truly I find in every Days success the Ebullition of that remainder of pride in me, and I rejoice at your sensibility of it, and I have you in remembrance as to this very thing, I think I may say, daily. Tho he was most sensible of the stiring of Pride in himself, yet by his long and daily praying and striving against it, he got so great a Victory over it, that others who beheld him, never saw greater demonstrations of Humility in any than in him.

He was never known to boast of his own Excellencies, but he would often speak of his Infirmities, that so (as he used to say) God might have the more Glory, and himself shame. When he spake of God or in the cause of God, he would speak with great Authority, as ever any one of so private a capacity used to do: But when he spake of anything relating to himself, he would still abase himself, and manifest the greatest lowliness of mind and self-denial; and he liked not that others should think too highly of him. Writing to one whom he feared to esteem him too much, he said: Think of me no otherwise than you see me: Only I hope I have obtained mercy to be faithful.

His great care was to put off all from himself and to attribute all to the free Grace of God, as Saint Paul said: Not I, but the Grace of God in me. And when he was carried out to any special or eminent exercise of Grace, he would say. I have received Grace to do this or that duty, or to believe this or that particular Promise. It was his frequent saying: Let us remember to expect all from him, and to ascribe all to him. When he heard of the Grace of God in others, he used much to rejoice in it, and he was never known to envy the Gifts or Graces of others, but rejoiced exceedingly to hear of them, and blessed the Lord for them as for himself. He loved holiness for holiness sake, and therefore when he saw it in any, he rejoiced in it as much as if it had been in himself. Hearing of the Grace of God bestowed upon some, he said: Blessed be the Lord forever and ever. Who are we that we should be able to will anything after this sort? The Lord keep it in the purpose of our hearts forever, and prepare our hearts to him. The great thing which he begged of God for himself, and his near Relations was, that God would make use of him and them to be some way serviceable to him whilst they live: And then said: One thing more I have begged of God, and shall beg, that both I, and you, and all that do receive the benefit, may look up, and give to God alone all the Glory.

Herein lay the perfection of his grace, and wherein he came nearest to the Saints in heaven, that though he desired to be most serviceable, and to be carried forth in the highest way of exercising grace, yet when all was done, he desired not to be eyed, or looked upon the more; but his great desire was, that all that was done, might be seen to be of God, and that God might be admired the more. Writing to a near Relation, he said: I pray that God will make use of myself and you in such a way, as that God alone may be seen, and we not taken notice of at all: That be may have the Glory, and we not be seen. He mightily rejoiced to see Religion honored. When an old Christian, that had been a professor of Religion many years, died, and had held out in his Profession to the end, without any stain upon his Conversation, he seemed to be transported with an extraordinary joy, and could hardly speak of it without Tears. O, said he, such an one hath left no stain behind him.

He was greatly affected with a sense of God's dispensations towards the Land: If there were any signs of God's displeasure, and Judgments from God seemed to be approaching, or if the Land lay under Judgments for the present, his course was to humble himself in a more than ordinary manner, and stirred up himself to pray with the more fervency. He used to say, that he looked above the Instruments, and second causes, and to transact all between God and him, and to consider what it was that God aimed at in every dispensation. In the time of our late troubles, he wrote to a near Relation thus: We had here with us as loud a Thunder as I ever heard. Our House in which I was did shake: The Lightning also was extraordinary, such as I never saw in all my Life. I stood to see how it came forth at the breaking of the Clouds, and I saw (and so did many others with me) that out of the midst of the Lightning there came forth diverse times the likeness of fresh burning Coles of fire, so red and sparkling as any hot Iron can be when its heated to the uttermost in the Smiths Forge. These signs from Heaven, with the Sword drawn out upon Earth, do seem to speak aloud that our Provocations are very great. Join with us to entreat the Lord for Pardon and Reformation. Stir up your godly Friends to do the like: It may be the Lord will hear and spare, because he warns; or it may be such seekers may be hid, or marked out from the common destruction; Or if the outward Man perish, sure I am, that Soul shall find mercy that seeks the Lord in truth; He will in no wise cast out such a Soul.

In another Letter he wrote thus: At such a time fell abundance of Rain, and the waters were so high as have been seldom seen; many Men's Harvest is yet behind, and great loss likely to ensue: Our heavenly Father shakes now the Rod of Famine, as formerly of the Sword. O let us pray, that grace may turn all of us that are his, from our iniquities. In another Letter speaking concerning the troubles and public distractions that were in the Land, he thus expressed himself; Methink the voice of the Gospel, considered with the uncertainty of all things here below, doth seem to put us most seriously to resolve upon the setting our affections upon things above; I hope it is our resolution with yours: But yet I think both you and we need more firmness in Resolution; else why should our wise, heavenly Father hold us at such uncertainties, if he did not see this to be best for us?

In another Letter, speaking of the public troubles, he thus expressed himself: I believe that one end of our troubles may be to keep us up in a fervent frame of praying: That we may pray ourselves more and more, into that heaven like Conversation; in wich the Antient Saints have been enabled to out-live their troubles; and so I trust shall we.

He was a man of a sound Judgment and most stable in the Faith, insomuch that, though he had been a professor of Religion for many years, and lived in such a time wherein so many opinions and errors sprang up, yet he never took up, much less was fond of any private, particular, or Novel opinion. But he always preferred the old Divinity, and liked that Doctrine best, which he knew to be held and maintained, by the generality of Godly, Sober, and Orthodox Divines. When he perceived that any were led aside into unsound and corrupt principles, by Satan's subtlety, and their own weak Judgment, he would pray with great compassion and tenderness for their reduction and recovery.

Indeed herein he was very eminent; instead of censuring others or quarreling with them about their opinions, he did Conscientiously set himself to pray for them; and as he had opportunity, he would, in the Spirit of meekness endeavor, by setting before them the clearest and plainest Texts of Scripture that opposed their opinions, to inform them in the Truth. And being sensible how much the work of Christ was hindered by the falling away of many that had newly taken up the profession of Religion, to vain opinions, his Prayers ran much that way, that the Lord would please to reduce wandering Souls, and he used to exhort others to do the like: O (said he) let us be earnest with our God to establish us and ours, and all his People in the truth of the Gospel.

His Charity towards others was very Exemplary where he saw anything of Christ or sincerity, though mixed with some errors in Judgment, and accompanied with other infirmities; his Charity would pass over those defects, and embrace that of the grace of God that he apprehended to be in them: He loved to make the best construction of the Actions of others, and if it could possibly admit of a Candid interpretation, he would be sure to construe it in that sense. It was a Rule with him, never to speak of the faults and failings of others behind their backs, except it were in two cases; either that it might some way or other tend to the persons Reformation, or else to warn others to take heed of such an one that might do them a mischief. Neither could he patiently endure to hear an evil report concerning others; and it was the most unpleasing discourse to him, to hear the infirmities of others blazoned without a cause.

He was ready to distribute to the necessities of others to his power, yea many times beyond his power. His House was free and open at all times for the entertainment of Godly Ministers, and other good persons that came to visit him. He was a Lover of Hospitality, and spent a great part of his Estate that way. Few weeks passed wherein his House was not a receptacle to entertain, and lodge some Godly person or other. And none could be freer, more hearty and ingenuous in the entertainment and respect that he gave unto others, whether they were his familiar friends, or strangers. His Love was truly according to the Apostles Rule: Let Love be without dissimulation: And all the entertainment he gave, might easily be discerned to be done with all his heart; and he rejoiced that he had an opportunity to express his kindness to them. He did Conscientiously set apart some portion of his Estate yearly for pious uses; Some part whereof he gave to godly Ministers, another part in a yearly allowance to young Students at the University, and the other part to poor and necessitous people, as providence gave occasion: Besides, his Doors Ministred a constant relief to the poor of the place where he lived, who were very numerous.

He was very just and righteous in all his dealings with men: He would rather part with his own right than do the least wrong to any. When he drew near to his end, having been entrusted with the employment of considerable sums of Money that belonged to several persons, his great care was to dispose of things so, and to put all into such an exact Method, as that everyone might have his own, and that none might receive the least wrong or prejudice, which he did to the general satisfaction of all.

When any came to complain to him of their dissensions, he would exhort them, first of all to make their peace with God and to endeavor to set all right betwixt him and them, and then God would quickly turn the hearts of their Enemies to be at peace with them. He had the general repute of a Man so just and unbiased, that many times both the dissenting parties would refer the whole business to his single determination, and they were content to yield and stand to what agreement he should bring things to. When he went about such businesses, he would usually begin with Prayer. Being once called to make up a difference between some near Relations, he moved that they might first begin with Prayer, but one of the persons there present declared his unwillingness thereunto, whereupon he soon took his leave, and said to a Friend that came away with him: O! we shall be able to do no good in it. In making up breaches, he was as careful to make the disagreeing persons friends, as to compose the differences that were between them: And he had an excellent dexterity to use Motives and Arguments, taken, as well from the Laws of the Land as from the Laws of God to press them to come to an Agreement. Such was his Love of peace, and desire to promote it, that when it hath been a matter of cost and something hath been to be paid, and the party that was to pay it hath refused to part with the Money, rather than the breach should not be made up, he hath paid it out of his own Purse.

Many times he had money put into his hands by some Godly persons, to dispose of as he saw cause; which being known, when some poor people have come to him for relief, he would always give them some Spiritual Alms, before he distributed the other: And if any of them were guilty of any notorious and scandalous sin, he would endeavor to make tham sensible of it, and to bring them unto Repentance for the same.

He was a great promoter and upholder of the meetings of Christians for Prayer and holy conference which tended to Spiritual Edification; but an Enemy to such meetings where they met together to discourse of State affairs, or to talk of opinions, and controverted points, or where the time was spent merely for an Ostentation of men's parts and gifts, not aiming at the Spiritual Edification of one another: And this appeared by the caution which he used in setting down Rules for the Ordering and regulating such Christian meetings; which were these.

• 1. They ought not to be in the time of public Ordinances.
• 2. Nor to the hindrance of Family duties.
• 3. Nor in places, or with persons of an evil report.
• 4. Nor to the hindrance of Men's particular Callings.
• 5. Nor by night, or other suspected times.
• 6. Nor for controversies of disputation.

1. But for the clearing and setting home of Truths received in the public Ministry, and in clearing of Cases of Conscience arising thereupon or otherwise. And in such Exhortations, Admonitions, Counsels, and Consolations as conduce thereunto, or that are otherwise necessary.

2. In some convenient time of the day, for an hour or two at the most, and once in the week at most, except in some urgent Cases.

3. In some family of good report, and with persons of good report.

4. That everyone present may have liberty to speak one by one.

5. That they begin and end with prayer for a blessing.

6. That the Minister of the place, or some other godly Minister may be desired to be present.

7. All being ended, that presently everyone departs to his place and duty, and to walk suitably, that the ways of God be not evil spoken of.

When he first began to set up this way of Christian conference, some godly persons were offended, fearing that such a meeting might minister opportunity for the venting and spreading of Errors, which were to rise at that time. And others feared that it might take off some from the love and esteem of the public Ministry: But when this paper (drawn up with his own hand) came abroad, it was sufficient to satisfy all ingenuous and unprejudiced persons; and this meeting was so far from giving occasion of spreading Errors, that the godly of that place, were by this means kept steadfast in the Faith.

And this arose much from the wisdom which God had endowed him with: For his prudence was such in ordering those meetings, as the time which was spent in them, was taken up, for the most part, in discoursing of some main Article of Religion, or some Catechetical point; by this means the Christians in that place were so rooted and grounded in the faith, as that they were not so soon shaken by Temptations, as many others were in other Parts of the Kingdom, who had not the principles of Religion infused into them, nor rendered so familiar with them.

But that which did most of all commend him, and most set forth the grace of God in and towards him was, that he did not only attain to an eminency in this or that grace, but he arrived to a great degree in every grace, so that there was no grace but might be clearly seen and discerned to be in him, and in each of them he seemed to excel: As holy affections, and a spiritual fervor in prayer; zeal for God's glory, faith, humility, meekness, patience, submission to the Will of God, heavenly-mindedness, charity and compassion unto others, &c. And there was such an eminency in every grace, as that it was hard to say in which of them he excelled most.

As he thus walked with God many years, so he kept his integrity to the end: And that which was most remarkable was, that in his Elder years he seemed to excel himself: He did not only retain the luster of his former Graces, but he was still more spiritual, active, and lively in the ways of God: he spent more time in Prayer, Meditation, and other holy Exercises: He was more abundant in holy Counsels and Exhortations. He oft said, Since our time is short, let us work the faster, and watch and pray the more fervently. Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his Garments. He minded little else but spiritual concernments: Grace seemed to have the whole command of him. Being asked by a friend, how it came to pass that now in his elder years he had more command over his Affections, and Passions, than in his younger? He answered, That it was not, because he found not the same things in his nature still: For he found himself more inclined unto Passion than before: But because the grace of God had now overcome, and overpowered him, and reduced him to the present temper wherein he now was.

He had a long and constant remembrance of his change before it came, accounting himself but a Pilgrim and Stranger upon Earth. Divers years before his death, he seldom Wrote a Letter to his near Relations, but he expressed his sense of his approaching change. In a Letter to some of his nearest Relations he thus expressed himself: Our time of our departure hence, draweth near. O pray for us as we desire to do for you, that we may be found blameless at that day. And in another, after he had been sick, he Wrote: Pray for me that I may not be taken hence unready: Nor yet my life be longer desired than all God's work by me, and in me be done. A year or two before his death, he much rejoiced to think that so much of his race was run, and said, That he would not for a great deal be set back, and to have those years to live again that he had already passed over. About five or six weeks before his last sickness whereof he died, he thus expressed himself: I am old (as Isaac said) and know not the day of my death: pray for me that I may be faithful unto the death.

About the beginning of December Anno Christi, 1659, he fell sick of a lingering distemper, which continued upon him about the space of ten weeks, before the Lord was pleased to put a period to his Race. In the beginning of this sickness he had some intimation from the Lord about his change: And the Lord, the better to prepare him for it, had fastened the impression of it upon him before it came. When the Minister of the place where he lived came to visit him, and said, he hoped he might recover: He answered, He knew not how God might deal with him: But he had received the sentence of death in himself: A little before, he thus Wrote to some of his near Relations: Beloved in the Lord, I am yet (through mercy) alive; and continue sick: My God dealeth bountifully with me, who do from my heart acknowledge that I am a chief of sinners; yet hath he pardoned me, and will e're long receive me to be with Christ, which is best of all. Pray for me that I may give God his due glory by believing, and by a holy submission and conformity to his Will in Life and Death. Blessed be God, I have in my weak measure set my house in order, &c.

Whilst he was able, he continued to pray in and with his Family, and speaking something to them out of the Word read; and when he found his spirits so low, and so much spent that he could not do so much as formerly, he told them, that it was the grief of his soul that he could do no more for them.

His deportment all the time of his sickness, and at his death, was suitable to his Life. As he had lived Exemplarily, so he died Exemplarily. The whole of his carriage was (as one who was judicious, and an Eye witness of it, testified) as if it had been a studied piece. His great care was, that Grace might be seen to act in him at his death, as his chief care had been to express it in his Life. He was naturally a man of a timorous and fearful spirit. But when he came to die, Grace had so elevated him above his natural temper, that he was not only willing to die, but he triumphed over death, without being afraid of it.

He delighted not to speak much in the time of his sickness, but employed it for the most part in holy Meditations: yet he sometimes spake to such as came to visit him, in some short sentence or other. His usual Exhortation to them was this: Make sure of Christ: Remember that one thing necessary. Once, when some of the younger sort were about him, he said, Make sure of Christ: And for your encouragement I tell you, that Religion is no vain thing: Is no notion: 'It is a reality; and I tell you so from mine own experience. And at another time, seeing some young ones talking familiarly together, he said to them, He knew not what they were talking about, but commended their Love: only they should be sure to speak something to the edifying of one another: And that they should have their speech seasoned with the salt of the word: For the Lord hearkened, and heard, and there was a book of Remembrance Written for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And when a person of quality came to visit him, he said: Hold on as you have begun: Make sure of Christ. If I had as much gold as would reach up to the Sky, it would do me no good: My interest in Christ is all my happiness.

At another time his Wife and Children coming about him, he said, I hope you have made choice of Christ: And he exhorted them to cleave unto him: Be diligent in the use of means, but when all is done, be sure to depend upon Christ: Take heed of the World, for that is your greatest Enemy: I have found it to be so. And particularly to his Children, he said, deny yourself sinful self-pleasure, and self-profit, and the delights of the world; and seek your All in Christ, and in him you shall find All-sufficiency. When some good people, who used to have private meetings, came to visit him, he said to them; continue in prayer: Hold on: I am confident it is the way of God you are in. To the Minister of the place, who often visited him in his sickness, he said: Preach to win souls: Let all your Preaching be to win souls. And to his own Son he Wrote thus: My Son, take heed to the Ministry that thou hast received of the Lord, that thou fulfil it This will tend to the glory of God, to the good of Souls, and to thine account in the day of Christ, the great Shepherd of the Sheep. And to some that were going to a Fast, he said: Pray for me; but especially for the Church of God.

During all the time of his sickness he had not the least Cloud upon his Spirit, neither was Satan permitted in the least to disturb his Peace. When a Minister that came to visit him asked him, whether he had any Temptations? He answered, No: Blessed be the Lord he had none: So that although all his Life time, he had been full of Conflicts, yet when he came to die he had perfect peace and serenity. When he had been sick some weeks, he wrote thus to a near Relation: I yet live through God's mercy, but do continue weak: Yet the Lord deals very gently with me: For my outward afflictions are tolerable, and my inward consolations are full of Grace and Heavenly sweetness. These Comforts continued with him to the very last: For at several times in his sickness, and the same day he died, he was heard to say: God hath left with me the Comforts. And when about an hour before his Death, his Natural Spirits being almost spent, he brake forth into this expression; My grief is great: One of his Relations that stood by, said, you do not mean in respect of your Spiritual Estate? He answered, with a little seeming displeasure, No, No: He hath, and doth, and will support by his Eternal Spirit. Thus the Lord was pleased to answer him, in that which had been his great desire for a long time, which was, That his Faith might not fail, and that he might be kept up in the Faith to the last. The Night before he died he spake thus: I have waited upon God for my Salvation; and blessed be God I shall not be disappointed.

As was his manner in his Life, so at his Death, he was much in the acknowledgment of his own nothingness and vileness, and much in magnifying the free Grace and Mercy of God to him. The Minister that Preached at his Funeral had this passage concerning him: He was much (said he) in Self-denial even to the last; Looking on all that he had done as nothing; As dross and dung in comparison of Christ. Once when his Wife came to him and said, she prayed that she might follow his steps: He replied; Follow Christ: Follow Christ: He hath given you an Example: Blessed be God for Friends; But blessed be God for Jesus Christ, who hath saved us from wrath to come.

His great desire was to be perfectly resigned up to the Will of God; and therefore his great request to his Friends, when they came to visit him was, Pray me up into the Will of God: And to some of his near Relations in the time of his sickness, he wrote thus; Pray for me and yourself, that we may be taught, and made able by the Spirit of Christ in us, to resign and conform to our Fathers Good-will, that when God's time is come, I may depart in Peace, unto that longed for everlasting Rest, which the Lord Jesus hath purchased for me, and to which he will bring me: Even so Amen. And in another Letter he wrote thus: I desire your Prayers for me whilst I live, that I may abide steadfast in the Faith of the Lord Jesus, whose I am, and by whom alone I expect Salvation: And that I may by Faith in the Lord Jesus have power from him, by his Spirit to submit and conform to his Will, both in life and death.

In the time of his sickness he was full of Holy Ejaculations, and Soliloquies. He often used that passage of Hezekiah, I am oppressed; Lord undertake for me. And that of David: In the multitude of my thoughts within me, thy Comforts delight my Soul. He often caused the 16th. Psal. and the six first verses of the 26th. of Isaiah to be read to him; And speaking to himself alone, he often repeated these words, (Isa. 12. 2.) The Lord Jehovah is my strength and my Song; He also is become my Salvation. Sometimes he would say, Come Lord Jesus; and then would answer himself, Yea, he doth come: He comes leaping over the Mountains, and skipping over the Hills.

That which greatly comforted him was to think that he should immediately be with the Lord as soon as his Race was at an end. A Christian Friend that visited him, using such an expression as this: That the bodies of the Saints should rest in the Grave as in a Bed of Down: Yea (said he) But this day thou shall be with me in Paradise. Intimating; That though it were matter of Joy to think that his body should rest in peace till the General Resurrection; Yet his greatest comfort lay in this, to think that at the instant of dissolution, his Soul should enjoy the immediate sight of God. This appeared in his many ardent breathings which he used, saying: Come Lord Jesus. O how doth my Soul thirst for God! Go forth my Soul to meet thy God.

He was not only willing to die, but he longed to be dissolved and to be with Christ. The last Sabbath but one before his death, he said: O what a blessed Sabbath would this be, if this might be my entrance into my everlasting Sabbath! At another time he said, Why should we not be willing to die? Christ came from Heaven to the Earth to free us from sin and misery: And why should not we be willing to go from Earth to Heaven to be freed from sin and misery?

Two or three days before he died, he had a sore fit, and thought that he should then have died: But reviving a little, he called for his Wife and Children, to whom he said: This is the true Grace of God, wherein I stand; that I expect Salvation by Jesus Christ▪ and by him alone. And this he repeated again, and withal exhorted them; that they should give up themselves to Christ, and live upon him. A day or two before he died, when he saw his Children weeping about him, he said, Weep for your sins: And when his Wife was lamenting, saying, what should she do, when God took him away? He said, You must Repent for that word. Did Joseph say, without me God shall provide for the Life of Pharaoh, and shall not God provide for you? Yes he Will: Only cast yourself upon him.

His understanding and memory continued with him to the last, insomuch that he wrote a Sheet or two of Paper a few days before his Death, for the better directing of those that were to dispose of things after his Death. His Will was made long before for the settling of his Estate. And having finished this, he said, Now I know not anything more that I have to do. And among these directions he gave a particular charge that there should be no Blacks worn at his Funeral.

The day wherein he died fell out to be on the Lecture day in that Town. And a near Relation coming to see him, he would not suffer him to stay with him, but seemed to put him off with his Hand, saying, Away, Away; You will come too late. For he would not have him lose the Sermon, though it were the last time he was like to be with him.

When his End drew near, one that stood by, said: You see that a Holy Life brings a blessed Death: Whereupon he, lifting up his Hands, said, Yea: Yea: Yea: And a little before he died, he said: Lord Jesus receive my Soul. His time being now come, that he must leave the World, and go to the Lord, he called for something that he used to take in his sickness, which being brought, he (as his manner was) set himself to lift up his heart to the Lord in a short Ejaculation, and in that posture he breathed out his last, with his Hands clasped together, February the 7th. Anno Christi. 1659/60. And of his age the seventy second.

The Life and Death of Sir Matthew Hale, Knight, sometimes Lord Chief Justice of His Majesty's Court of the Kings Bench, who Died, Anno Christi 1676.

MAtthew Hale was born at Alderly in Glocestershire, November the first, Anno Christi 1609. His Grandfather was Robert Hale, an eminent Clothier in Wotten Under-Hedge, where he, and his Ancestors had lived for many Descents, and had given several parcels of Land for the use of the poor, which they enjoy to this day.

This Robert had got an Estate of Ten thousand pounds, which he divided almost equally among his five Sons, beside the Portions he gave with his Daughters. His second Son was Robert, who married Joan, the Daughter of Matthew Poynts of Alderly, El{que} of which Marriage there was no other issue, but this one Son, whose Grandfather by the Mothers side, was his Godfather, and gave him his own name of Matthew.

His Father was a man of such a tender Conscience, that he gave over the practice of the Law, whereunto he had been bred, because of some things commonly practiced by Lawyers, which seemed to him contrary to that exactness of Truth and Justice which became a Christian; whereupon he withdrew himself from the Inns of Court, to live on his Estate in the Country. And thus we see what care he had of his Soul, which made him forsake so gainful a Profession, which might have enabled him to have raised his family much higher.

He was in the Country, very charitable to his Poor Neighbors whilst he lived, and at his death, he left out of his small Estate (which was but an hundred pounds per annum) twenty pound per annum to the poor of Wotton, which this his Son confirmed to them, with some Addition of his own, and with this direction, that it should be distributed among poor House-keepers, not to such as received Alms from the Parish. For to give to such, was only to ease the Rich, who by Law are bound to relieve them.

But our Matthew was soon deprived of the happiness of his Fathers care, and instruction. For as he had lost his Mother before he was three years old, so now his Father died before he was five: So early he was cast upon the Providence of God, which providence soon made up this loss in some good measure. For after some Opposition, he was committed to the care of Anthony Kingscot of Kingscot, Esq; who was his next Kinsman after his Uncles by the Mothers side.

Great care was taken of his Education, and his Guardian intended him for a Divine, and being of those who were then called Puritans, he put him to such School masters as were of that party: And in the 17th. year of his Age, sent him to Magdalene-Hall in Oxford, where Mr. Obadiah Sedgwick was his Tutor.

During his being at School, and for some time after his coming to Oxford he was a hard Student, and an extroardinary proficient; till some Stage players coming thither, he was so much corrupted by seeing their Plays, that he almost wholly neglected his Studies. By this he, not only lost much precious time, but found that his heart came thereby to be filled with such vain Images of things, that were at best unprofitable, if not hurtful unto him: And being afterwards sensible of the mischief of this, he resolved of never seeing anymore Plays, which he constantly adhered to.

His mind, being thus corrupted, he set himself to many other vanities which youth is addicted to. He loved fine Cloths, and delighted much in Company, and being of a strong body, he became a great Master in all those Exercises that required much strength. He learned also to Fence, and to use his Weapons, and grew so expert therein, that he worsted many of the Masters in those Arts.

He was now so taken up with those Martial matters, that instead of proceeding in his Studies, he resolved to be a Soldier; and his Tutor Sedgwick going into the Low-Countries, as a Chaplain to the Renowned Lord Horatio Vere, he resolved to go along with him and to trail a Pike in the Prince of Oranges Army. But a happy stop was put to this resolution. For he was engaged in a suit at Law with Sir William Whitmore, who laid claim to some part of his Estate, and his Guardian being of a retired temper, He was forced to leave the University, having been only three years in it, and to go to London to solicit his own business there: And being recommended to Serjeant Glanvil for his Counselor, and he observing in him a clear apprehension, and a solid Judgment, and a great fitness for the Study of the Law, took pains to divert him from his thoughts of being a Soldier, and to apply himself, to Study the Law, which so far prevailed, that when he was above twenty years old, November 8th. 1629, he was admitted into Lincolns-Inns, and being deeply sensible how much time he had lost, he resolved to redeem it, and for many years after he Studied sixteen hours in a day. He laid aside fine cloths, and used a plain fashion, which he mostly continued to his dying day.

Yet he did not at first break off from keeping Company too much, till a sad accident drove him from it. For he, with some other young Students, going to be merry out of Town, one called for so much Wine, that Mr. Hale could not prevent it, but he drank so long till he fell down as dead among them. This much affected Mr. Hale, who going to another room, and shuting the door, upon his Knees begged earnestly of God that his friend might be restored unto life, and that himself might be forgiven for countenancing such excess: And he vowed unto God that he would never so keep Company again, nor drink an Health while he lived. His friend recovered, and he religiously observed his Vow. And though he was oft pressed to drink Healths, yet would not he Dispence with his Vow, though he was sometimes treated roughly for it.

Now he forsook all vain Company, and divided his time between the duties of Religion, and the study of the Law. He took a strict account of his time, for which end he drew a Scheme for a Diary, wherein he set down what his first work must be in the morning; what his days Employment; what his Refreshments, whether alone, or in Company; what his Evening duties.

Mr. Noy, the Attorney General, one of the Greatest men of that Profession, took early notice of him, called for him often, and directed him in his studies, and shown such friendship to him, that he was called young Noy.

Whilst he was thus busy in his studies, he kept the hours of the Hall constantly in Term time, and seldom put himself out of Commons in the Vacation time, but continued his studies with unwearied diligence. And he was soon found out by the great and learned Antiquary Mr. Selden, who came to such a liking of him, that he continued a close friendship, and at his death made him one of his Executors.

It was this acquaintance which first set Mr. Hale on a more enlarged pursuit of Learning, which he before had confined to his own Profession: But soon becoming a great Master in it, he who could never lose any part of his time, found leisure to attain to as great a measure of knowledge, in as comprehensive a manner as most men have done in any Age.

He studied the Roman Laws, and judging a readiness in Arithmetic as a thing that might be useful to him, he became very exquisite therein, and in all other Mathematical Sciences, sparing no cost to get exquisite Instruments. He read, observed, and writ much upon these Subjects, which he called his Diversions. He had good skill in Physic and Chirurgery.

He searched greatly into Ancient History, and particularly into the crabbidest part of Chronology. But above all, he applied himself to the study of Divinity: So that it is almost incredible that one man in no great compass of years should have acquired such a variety of knowledge, and learning. His industry was almost indefatigable. His parts were quick, his apprehension, lively, his memory great, and his judgment strong. He rose constantly very early, and was never idle.

He spent little time in eating and drinking: For as he never went to public Feasts, so he gave no entertainment but to the Poor. He always ended his Meal with an Appetite. When our unhappy Wars began, he not only avoided all public Employments, but the very talking of News, and was always both favorable and charitable to the depressed party, and would never provoke any in particular by reflecting on their Actions.

He was employed in his practice by all the Kings party, and was assigned Counsel to the Earl of Strafford, to Arch-bishop Laud, &c. Afterwards being Council for the Lord Craven; he pleaded with that force of Argument, that the then Attorny General, threatened him for appearing against the Government: To whom he answered, that he was pleading in defense of those Laws, which they declared they would maintain, and that he was doing his duty to his Client, and therefore not to be daunted with Threats.

Cromwell seeing him possessed of so much practice, and being one of the eminentest Lawyers, resolved to take him off, by raising him from the Bar to the Bench. Mr. Hale saw well the snare that was laid for him; for he had a Commission sent him to be a Judge in the Common Pleas, which he a • first scrupled to receive from a Usurper: But having considered well of it, he Judged that it being absolutely necessary to keep up Justice, and Property in all times, it was no sin to take a Commission from Usurpers, if he made no Declaration of his acknowledging their Authority, which he never did. He was thus made a Judge, Anno Christi. 1653.

Sometime after he was chosen a Parliament Man by his Country. For there being at this time no House of Lord's, Judges might be chosen to sit in the House of Commons, and thither he went, on design to obstruct the Mad and Wicked projects then on foot. And he continued Administring Justice till Oliver died: But then he both refused the Mourning that was sent to him, and his Servants, as also to accept a New Commission that was offered him by Richard.

He lived a private Life till the Parliament met that called home the King, to which he was returned Knight of the Shire for the County of Gloucester. And in that Parliament he bore his share, in the happy period then put to the Confusions that threatened the ruin of the Nation. His great prudence and excellent temper led him to judge, that the sooner an Act of Indemnity were passed, and the fuller of graces and favors, it would sooner settle the Nation, and quiet the minds of the People; and therefore he applied himself carefully to the framing, and carrying it on till it was completed.

Presently after when the Courts in Westminster-Hal, came to be settled, he was made Lord Chief Baron: And when the Lord Chancellor delivered him his Commission, he told him, that if the King could have found out an honester and fitter Man for that Employment, he would not have advanced him to it. Its ordinary with such so promoted, to be Knighted, but he studiously avoided it, till the Lord Chancellor observing it, on a time when the King was at his House, sent for him, and when he came, told his Majesty, that his Modest Lord Chief Baron was there, whereupon he was unexpectedly Knighted.

He continued eleven years in that Office, managing all the proceedings in it with singular Justice. He was also one of the Principal Judges that sat in Cliffords-Inn about settling the differences between Landlord and Tenant, after the Conflagration in London, in which he behaved himself so to the satisfaction of all; so that the sudden, and quiet Building of London is in no small measure due to him. For he, first by way of Scheme, contrived the Rules, upon which he and the other Judges afterwards proceeded, in which his readiness in Arithmetic, and his skill in Architecture, were of great use to him.

Bt it will not seem strange that he behaved himself so well as he did in his place, if we consider what Religious and excellent Rules he drew up, and proposed to himself to walk and act by in all his Employments in the Station and Calling wherein God and his King had set him, which he styled Things necessary to be continually had in Remembrance.

• 1. That in the Administration of Justice, I am entrusted for God, the King and Country. 2. That it be done. 1. Uprightly. 2. Deliberately. 3. Resolutely.
• 2. That I rest not upon mine own understanding or strength, but implore, and rest upon the direction and strength of God.
• 3. That in the Execution of Justice, I carefully lay aside mine own Passions, and not give way to them, however provoked.
• 4 That I be wholly intent upon the business I am about, &c.
• 5. That I suffer not myself to be prepossessed with any Judgment at all, till all the business, and both parties are heard. Divers other such like excellent Rules he set down, which for brevity sake are here omitted.

He would never receive private Addresses, or Recommendation from the Greatest Persons, in any matter in which Justice was concerned. Once, one of the first Peers of England, went to his Chamber, and told him, that having a Suit of Law to be tried before him, he was come to acquaint him with it, that he might the better understand it when it should be heard in the Court.

Upon this the Lord Chief Baron interrupted him, and said, he did not deal fairly to come to his Chamber about such Affairs. For he never received any Information of Causes, but in open Court, where both parties were to be heard alike, and so he would not suffer him to go on.

Hereupon his Grace (for he was a Duke) went away not a little dissatisfied, and complained of it to the King, as a rudeness which was not to be endured. But his Majesty bid him content himself that he was no worse used, and said: He verily Believed, he would have used himself no better, if he had gone to Sollicite him in any of his own causes.

One of his Rules was still to favor those that were lowest. Besides his great Charities to Non-Conformists, who were then as he thought too hardly used; he took care to cover all he could from the Severities sore designed against them, and discouraged such as inclined to stretch the Laws too much against them. He thought many of the Non-Conformists had merited highly in the matter of the Kings Restauration, and at least deserved that the terms of Conformity should not have been stricter than they were before the War: And he lamented the too Rigorous proceedings against them, saying, they were good Men, but they had narrow Souls, who would break the peace of the Church for such inconsiderable matters.

He was a strict observour of the Lord's Days, in which, besides his constant attendance upon the Public service of God twice a day, in the Evening he called all his Family together, and repeated to them the heads of the Sermons, with some additions of his own, which he fitted for their Capacities, after which, he constantly shut himself up for two or three hours, which he spent in his secret Devotions and profitable Meditations. Of which contemplations two Volumes in Octavo were printed a little before his Death.

Anno Christi 1671. The Lord Chief Justice Keyling Dyed, and May the 18th. He was promoted to be the Lord Chief Justice of England, with the great Applause of the People. One thing was highly commended in him, that when there was a great inequality in the Ability, and Learning of Counselors that pleaded before him, he thought that it became him to enforce what the weaker Counsel managed but indifferently, not to suffer the more Learned to carry the business by the advantage they had over the other, by their quickness and skill in the Law, till all things were cleared, in which the merits and strength of the ill defended cause did lie.

And in this Court did he spend the rest of his Public Life and Employment: But about four years and an half, after this advancement, he that had hitherto enjoyed a firm health, to which his great Temperance and equality of his Mind did much conduce, he on a sudden was brought very low by an Inflammation in his Midriff, which in two Days space brake the Constitution of his health, which he never after Recovered.

And he became so Asthmatical, that he could not fetch his breath, without great difficulty, which determined in a Dropsy, of which he afterwards died. He had so much skill in Physic, that considering his age, he concluded that his disease must carry him off in a little time, and therefore he resolved to have some of his last Months to himself, that being freed of all worldly cares, he might be preparing for his change. Now the businesses of his Profession were become ungrateful to him, and he desired wholly to apply himself to better purposes, as appeared by a paper which he wrote on this Subject, which for brevity sake I omit.

By this we may see that he continued in his Station upon no other consideration, but that being set in it by the Providence of God, he durst not leave the Post assigned him by God, without preferring his own inclination to the choice of God: But now that same Providence having by this great change dissenabled him to the execution of it, he was resolved to Resign it: Which so soon as his Friends discovered, they endeavored all that possibly they could, to dissuade him from it: But all in vain. For he applied himself to the Kings Majesty for a Writ of Ease, which the King was very unwilling to grant, and offered to let him hold his Place, doing what business he could in his Chamber▪ But he said, he could not with a good Conscience continue it, not being able to discharge the duty belonging to it.

At last having wearied himself and all his friends with his importunate desires, and growing sensibly weaker in his body, he died February 21th. 2675/6. Therefore before a Master of the Chancery, with a little Parchment Deed, and there Sealed, and Delivered it, acknowledging it to be Enrolled, and afterwards bringing the Original to the Lord Chancellor, formally surrendered his Office.

He had the day before surrendered it to the King in Person, who heartily wished him the return of his Health, assuring him that he would still look upon him as one of his Judges, and would have his advice, and in the mean time would continue his Pension to him during his Life. The good man thought this bounty too great, and an ill President to the King, who yet ordered it to be paid Quarterly.

When the first payment was received, he ordered a great part of it to charitable Uses saying he would do the like with the rest so long as he received it: And dying upon a Quarter day, some questioning whether that Quarter were due, the King decided the matter, and ordered it to be paid to his Executors.

Having left his place, he returned home with as much cheerfulness as his want of health could admit, being eased of a burden which he had lately groaned under, and so was made more capable of enjoying that which he had much wished for, according to his Elegant Translation or Paraphrase of those excellent lines in Seneca's Thyestes.

Having now attained to that privacy which he had no less seriously, than piously desired, he called all his Servants that had belonged to his Office, and told them that he had now laid down his Place, and so now their Employments were at an end, advising them to provide for themselves, and gave to some of them very considerable rewards, and to everyone of them a Token, and so dismissed all but his Domesticks. From February 15. he lived till the Christmas day following, but all the while in so ill a state of Health, that there was no hope of his recovery. Yet he continued still to retire often, both for his Devotions, and Studies, and when his infirmities so increased that he could go no longer, he caused his Servants to carry him thither in a Chair.

His Pains so increased on him, that no strength inferior to his own could have born them: yet to the last he expressed a great submission to the Will of God: Desiring to be dissolved, and to be with Christ. He could not lie down in his Bed above a year before his death, by reason of the Asthma, but rather sat, than lay in it. When ever a godly Minister of the Parish prayed with him, he forbore his Complaints and Groans; But with his eyes and hands lifted up, he was fixed in his Devotions.

He had some secret Presages of his death, saying, that if he did not die on such a day, he should live a Month longer. He enjoyed the free use of his Reason and Sense to the last minute, which he had often prayed for during his Sickness. He had for many years a particular devotion in Celebrating the day set a part to Commemorate Christ's Nativity, and commonly Wrote a Paper of Verses in honor of his Savior: Seventeen whereof were formerly Printed, and others not Printed before was this which follows, being a Paraphrase on Simeon's Song.

And truly this day which he, with so much Spiritual Joy, had frequently spent, proved to be the day of his Jubilee, and Deliverance. For between two and three a clock in the Afternoon of that Day, he breathed out his pious Soul. His end was Peace. He seemed not to be in any pangs in his last moments. He was interred in the Churchyard