Life and Death of Philip Henry, Chapter 4

Life and Death of Philip Henry · Chapter 4

p. 72CHAP. IV.

His Marriage, Family, Family Religion, and the Education of his Children.

His removed from Emeral, to the House in Worthenbury, which the Judge had built for him, in February, 1658/9, and then had one of his Sisters with him to keep his House. No sooner had he a Tent, but God had an Altar, in it, and that a smoaking Altar. There he set up Repetition on Sabbath-Evenings, and welcom'd his Neighbours to it.

His Christian Friends often, and sometimes his Brethren in the Ministry, kept Days of, Fasting and Prayer at his House. He us'd to tell People when they had built new Houses, they must dedicate them (referring to Deut. 20. 5. and Psal. 30. ult.) that is, they must invite God to their Houses, and devote them to his Service.

Providence having thus brought him into a House of his own, soon after provided him a Help-meet for him. After long Agitation, and some Discouragement and Opposition from the Father, Apr. 26. 1660. he Married Katherine, the only Daughter and Heiress of Mr. Daniel Matthews, of Broad-Oak in the Township of Iscoyd, in Flint-shire, (but in the Parish of Malp…, which is in Cheshire, and about two Miles distant from Whitchurch, a considerable Market Town in Shropshire). Mr. Matthews was a Gentleman of a very competent Estate; such a one as King Iames the First us'd to say was the happiest Lot of all others, which set a Man below the Office of a Justice of Peace, p. 73and above that of a Petty-Constable. This was his only Child: very fair and honourable Overtures had been made for her disposal; but it pleased God so to order Events, and to over-rule the Spirits of those concern'd, that she was reserv'd to be a Blessing to this good Man, in things pertaining both to Life and Godliness.

His purpose of Marriage was published in the Church three Lord's Days before; a laudable Practice, which he greatly approved, and perswaded others to.

The Day before his Marriage, he kept as a Day of secret Prayer and Fasting.

He us'd to say, Those who would have comfort in that Change of their condition, must see to it, that they bring none of the Guilt of the Sin of their single State with them into the married State. And the presence of Christ at a Wedding, will turn the Water into Wine; and he will come, if he be invited by Prayer.

He took all occasions while he liv'd, to express his thankfulness to God, for the great comfort he had in this Relation, A day of Mercy (so he writes on his Marriage day) never to be forgotten. God had given him one (as he writes afterwards) every way h… helper, in whom he had much comfort, and for whom be thanked God with all his Heart. He writes in his Diary, April 26. 1680. This day we have been Married Twenty Years, in which time we have received of the Lord more than Twenty Thousand Mercies; to God be Glory. Sometimes he writes; we have been so long Married, and never Reconciled; that is, there was never any occasion for it. His usual Prayer for his Friends in the Married State, was according to his own Practise in that State; That they might be mutually serviceable to each others Faith p. 74and Holiness, and joyntly serviceable to God's Honour and Glory.

Her Father, though he put some Hardships upon him in the Terms, and had been somewhat a verse to the Match, yet by Mr. Henry's great Prudence, and God's good Providence, he was influenced to give a free consent to it; and he himself, with his own Hand, gave her in Marriage. From this, as from other Experiences, Mr. Henry had learned to say with Assurance; It is not in vain to wait upon God and to keep his way. Mr. Matthews settled part of his Estate before Marriage upon them and theirs; he lived about seven Years after; and when he dyed, the remainder of it came to them. This competent Estate which the Divine Providence brought into his Hand, was not only a Comfortable Support to him when he was turn'd out of his Living, and when many Faithful Ministers of Christ were reduced to great Poverty and Straits; but it enabled him likewise, as he had opportunity, to Preach the Gospel freely, which he did to his dying Day; and not only so, but to give for the Relief of others that were in want, in which he sow'd plentifully, to a very large proportion of his Income; and often blessed God that he had wherewithal, remembring the words of the Lord, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Such was his House, and such the Vine which God graciously planted by the side of his House. By her God gave him six Children, all born within less than e…ht Years; the two eldest Sons, Iohn and Matthew: …he other four Daughters, Sarah, Katharine, Eleanor and Ann. His eldest Son Iohn dyed of the Measles in … sixth year of his Age; and the rest were in Mercy continued to him.

p. 75The Lord having built him up into a Family, he was careful and faithful in making good his solemn Vow at his Ordination, that he and his House would serve the Lord. He would often say, That we are really that which we are relatively. It is not so much what we are at Church, as what we are in our Families. Religion in the Power of it will be Family Religion. In this his Practise was very Exemplary; he was one that walked before his House in a perfect way, with a perfect Heart, and therein behav'd himself wisely. His constant Care and prudent endeavour was not only to put away Iniquity far from his Tabernacle, but that where he dwelt, the word of Christ might dwell richly. If he might have no other Church, yet he had a Church in his House.

He made Conscience of Closet-Worship, and did abound in it, not making his Family-Worship to excuse for that. He hath this affecting Note in his Diary, upon the removing of his Closet, but from one Room in the House to another; this day (saith he) my new Closet was Consecrated, if I may so say, with this Prayer; That all the Prayers that ever should be made in it, according to the Will of God, Morning, Evening, and at Noon-day, ordinary or extraordinary, might be accepted of God, and obtain a gracious Answer, Amen and Amen. It was the Caution and Advice which he frequently gave to his Children and Friends; Be sure you look to your Secret Duty, keep that up whatever you do; the Soul cannot prosper in the neglect of it. He observed that Apostasy generally begins at the Closet-door. Secret Prayer is first neglected, and carelesly performed, then frequently omitted, and after a while wholly cast off; and then farewel God and Christ and all Religion.

p. 76He also advis'd, that Secret Duty be perform'd secretly, which was the Admonition he gave sometimes to those who caused thei… Voice to be heard on high in that Duty.

Besides this, he and his, Wife constantly prayed together Morning and Evening; and seldom if they were together at home or abroad was it intermitted; and from his own Experience of the Benefit of this Practise, He would take all opportunities to recommend it to those in that Relation, as conducing very much to the comfort of it, and to their furtherance in that, which he would often say, is the great Duty of Yoke-fellows; and that is, to do all they can to help one another to Heauen. He would say, that this Duty of Husbands and Wives Praying together, is intimated in that of the Apostle, 1. Pet. 3. 7. where they are Exhorted to live as Heirs together of the Grace of Life, that their Prayers (especially their Prayers together) be not hindred; that nothing may be done to hinder them from Praying together, nor to hinder them in it, nor to spoil the Success. of those Prayers. This Sanctifies the Relation, …nd fetcheth in a Blessing upon it, makes the Comforts of it the more sweet, and the Cares and Crosses of it the more easie, and is an excellent means of preserving and encreasing Love in the Relation. Many to whom he hath recommended the Practise of this Duty, have blessed God for him, and for his advice concerning it. When he was abroad and lay with any of his Friends, he would mind them of his Rule, That they who lye together must pray together. In the performance of this part of his daily. Worship he was usually short, but often much affected.

Besides these he made Conscience, and made a Business of Family-Worship in all the parts of it; and in it he was uniform, steddy and constant, from the time that he p. 77was first called to the Charge of a Family, to his dying Day; and according to his own Practice, be too… all occasions to press it upon others. His Doctrine once from Iosh. 24. 15. was, That Family-Worship i… Family-Duty. He would say sometimes, if the Worship of God be not in the House, write, Lord have Mercy on us, upon the Door; for there is a Plague, a Curse in it. It is the Judgment of Arch-Bishop Tillotson, in that excellent Book which he Published a little before his Death upon this Subjecct; That constant Family Worship is so necessary to keep alive a sense of God and Religion in the Minds of Men, that he sees not ho… any Family that neglects it, can in reason be esteemed a Family of Christians, or indeed to have any Religion a… all. How earnestly would Mr. Henry reason with People sometimes about this Matter, and tell them what a Blessing it would bring upon them and their Houses, and all that they had. He that makes his House a little Church, shall find, that God will make it a little Sanctuary. It may be of use to give a particular Account of his Practise in this Matter, because it was very Exemplary. As to the Time of it, his Rule was, commonly the earlier the better both Morning and Evening; in the Morning before Worldly Business crowned in, early will I seek thee: He that is the first should have the first; nor is it fit that the Worship of God should stand by and wait while the Worlds turn is served. And early in the Evening, before the Children and Servants began to be sleepy; and therefore if it might be he would have Prayer at Night before Supper, that the Body might be the more fit to serve the Soul in that Service of God. And indeed he did industriously contrive all the Circumstances of his Family-Worship, so as to make it most solemn and most likely to answer the end. He always made it the Business p. 78of every day, and not (as too many make it) … By-business. This being his fixed Principle, all other affairs must be sure to give way to this. And he would tell those who objected against Family-Worship, that they could not get time for it; that if they would but put on Christian Resolution at first, they would not find the Difficulty so great as they imagined; but after a while, their other Affairs would fall in easily and naturally with this especially where there is that Wisdom which is profitable to direct. Nay, they would find it to be a great preserver of Order and Decency in a Family, and would be like a Hem to all their other Business, to keep it from Ravelling. He was ever careful to have all his Family present at Family-Worship; though sometimes living in the Country he had a great Houshold; yet he would have not only his Children and Sojourners, (if he had any) and Domestick Servants, but his Workmen and Day-Labourers, and all that were employ'd for him, if they were within call to be present, to join with him in this Service; and as it was an act of his Charity many times to set them to work for him, so to that he added this act of Piety, to set them to work for God. And usually when he paid his Workmen their Wages, he gave them some good Counsel about their Souls: Yet if any that should come to Family-Worship were …t a distance, and must be staid for long, he would rather want them, than put the Duty much out of time; and would sometimes say at a Night, Better one away than all sleepy.

The Performances of his Family-Worship were the same Morning and Evening. He observed that under the Law, the Morning and the Evening Lamb, had the same Meat-offering and Drink-offering, Exod. 29. 38—41. He always began with a short, but very p. 79solemn Prayer, imploring the Divine Presence and Grace, Assistance and Acceptance; particularly beging a Blessing upon the word to be read, in reference to which he often put up this Petition; That the same Spirit that indited the Scripture, would enable us to understand the Scripture, and to make up something to our selves out of it that may do us good: And esteeming the Word of God as his necessary Food, he would sometimes pray in a Morning, that our Souls might have a good Meal out of it. He commonly concluded even this short Prayer, as he did also his Blessings before and after Meat, with a Doxology, as Paul upon all occasions, To him be Glory, &c. which is properly Adoration, and is an Essential part of Prayer.

He next sung a Psalm, and commonly he sung David's Psalms in order, throughout; sometimes using the old Translation, but generally Mr. Barton's: and his usual way was to sing a whole Psalm throughout, thô perhaps a long one, and to sing quick; (yet with a good variety of proper and pleasant Tunes) and that he might do so, usually the Psalm was sung without reading the Line betwixt, (every one in the Family having a Book) which he preferred much before the common way of Singing, where it might conveniently be done, as more agreeable to the Practise of the Primitive Church, and the Reformed Churches abroad; and by this means he thought the Duty more likely to be performed in the Spirit and with the Understanding; the Sense being not so broken, nor the affections interrupted, as in reading the Line betwixt. He would say, that a Scripture Ground for singing Psalms in Families, might be taken from Psal. 118. 15. The voice of Rejoycing and of Salvation, is in the Tabernacles of the Righteous; and that it is a way to hold forth Godliness (like Rahab's p. 80Scarlet Thread, Iosh. 2. 17.) to such as pass by our Windows.

He next read a Portion of Scripture, taking the Bible in order; and would sometimes blame those who only pray in their Families, and do not read the Scripture: In Prayer we speak to God, by the Word he speaks to us; and is there any reason (saith he) that we should speak all. In the Tabernacle the Priests were every day to burn Incense, and to light the Lamps; the former Figuring the Duty of Prayer, the latter the Duty of reading the Word. Sometimes he would say, those do well that Pray Morning and Evening in their Families, those do better that pray and read the Scriptures; but those do best of all, that pray and read and sing Psalms, and Christians should covet earnestly the best Gifts.

He advised the reading of the Scripture in order; for though one Star in the Firmament of the Scripture differ from another Star in Glory, yet wherever God hath a Mouth to speak, we should have an Ear to hear; and the diligent searcher may find much excellent Matter in those parts of Scripture, which we are sometimes tempted to think, might have been spar'd. How affectionately would he sometimes bless God for every Book and Chapter, and Verse and Line in the Bible.

What he read in his Family he always expounded: and exhorted all Ministers to do so, as an excellent means of encreasing their acquaintance with the Scripture. His Expositions were not so much Critical, as Plain and Practical, and Useful; and such as tended to Edification, and to answer the end for which the Scriptures were written, which is to make us wise to Salvation. And herein he had a peculiar Excellence performing that daily Exercise with so much Judgment, and at the same time with such Facility and p. 81Clearness, as if every Exposition had been premeditated; and very instructive they were, as well as affecting to the Auditors. His Observations were many times very pretty and surprizing, and such as one shall not ordinarily meet with. Commonly in his Expositions he reduced the Matter of the Chapter or Psalm read, to some Heads; not by a Logical Analysis, which often minceth it too small, and confounds the sense with the Terms; but by such a Distribution as the Matter did most easily and unforcedly fall into. He often mentioned that saying of Tertullian's, I adore the fulness of the Scriptures; and sometimes that; Scriptura semper habet aliquid relegentibus. When sometimes he had hit upon some useful Observation that was new to him, he would say afterwards to those about him; How often have I read this Chapter, and never before now took Notice of such a thing in it. He put his Children, while they were with him, to write these Expositions; and when they were gone from him, the Strangers that sojourned with him did the same. What Collections his Children had, though but broken and very imperfect hints; yet, when afterwards they were disposed of in the World, were of good use to them and their Families. Some Expositions of this nature, that is, plain and practical, and helping to raise the Affections and guide the Conversation by the Word, he often wished were Publish'd by some good Hand, for the benefit of Families: But such was his great Modesty and Self-diffidence (though few more able for it) that he would never be perswaded to attempt any thing of that kind himself. As an evidence how much his Heart was upon it, to have the Word of God read and understood in Families, take this passage out of his Last Will and Testament: I give and bequeath to each of my Four Daughters Mr. Pool's p. 82English Annotations upon the Bible, in two Volumes, of the last and best Edition that shall be to be had at the time of my Decease; together with Mr. Barton's last and best Translation of the Singing Psalms, one to each of them; requiring and requesting them to make daily use of the same, for the Instruction, Edification, and Comfort of themselves and their Families. But 'tis time we proceed to the Method of his Family Worship.

The Chapter or Psalm being Read and Expounded, he requir'd from his Children some account of what they could remember of it; and sometimes would discourse with them plainly and familiarly about it, that he might lead them into an acquaintance with it; and (if it might be) impress something of it upon their Hearts.

He then Pray'd, and always Kneeling, which he looked upon as the fittest and most proper Gesture for Prayer; and he took care that his Family should address themselves to the Duty, with the outward Expressions of Reverence and Composedness. He usually fetch'd his Matter and Expressions in Prayer, from the Chapter that was read, and the Psalm that was sung, which was often very affecting, and helped much to stir up and excite praying Graces. He sometimes observ'd in those Psalms, where reference is …ad to the Scripture Stories, as Psal. 83. and many others, that those who are well acquainted with the Scriptures, would not need to make use of the help of prescribed Forms, which are very necessary for those that cannot do the Duty without them, but are becoming those that can; as a Go-cart is needful to a Child, or Crurches to one that is Lame, but neither of them agreeable to one that needs them not: 'Twas the Comparison he commonly used in this Matter. In p. 83Family-Prayer he was usually most full in giving. Thanks for Family-Mercies, confessing Family-Sins, and beging Family-Blessings. Very particular he would sometimes be in Prayer for his Family; if any were absent, they were sure to have an express Petition put up for them. He us'd to observe concerning Iob. Chap. 1. 5. that he offered Burnt-offerings for his Children, according to the number 'of them all, an Offering for each Child; and so would he sometimes in Praying for his Children, put up a Petition for each Child. He always observ'd at the Annual Return of the Birth day of each of his Children, to bless God for his Mercy to him and his Wife in that Child; the giving of it, the continuance of it, the comfort they had in it, &c. with some special Request to God for that Child. Every Servant and Sojourner, at their coming into his Family and their going out, (besides the daily Remembrances of them) had a particular Petition put up for them, according as their Circumstances were. The Strangers that were at any time within his Gates, he was wont particularly to recommend to God in Prayer, with much Affection, and Christian Concern for them and their Concernments. He was daily mindful of those that desired his Prayers for them, and would say sometimes, It is a great Comfort that God knows who we mean in Prayer, though we do not name them. Particular Providences concerning the Country, as to Health or Sickness, good or bad Weather, or the like, he commonly took Notice of in Prayer, as there was occasion; and would often beg of God to fit us for the next Providence, whatever it might be: Nor did he ever forget to pray for the Peace of Ierusalem. He always concluded Family-Prayer, both Morning and Evening, with a solemn Benediction, after the Doxology; The Blessing p. 84of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be with us, &c. Thus did he daily bless his Houshold.

Immediately after the Prayer was ended, his Children together, with bended Knee, ask'd Blessing of him and their Mother; that is, desired of them to pray to God to bless them: which Blessing was given with great Solemnity and Affection; and if any of them were absent, they ever remembred, The Lord help you and your Brother, or you and your Sister that is absent.

This was his daily Worship, which he rarely altered (unless as is after mentioned) though he went from home never so early, or returned never so late, or had never so much business for his Servants to do. He would say, that sometimes he saw Cause to shorten them; but he would seldom omit any; for if an Excuse be admitted for an Omission, it will be often returning. He was not willing (unless the necessity were urgent) that any should go from his House in a Morning before Family Worship; but upon such an Occasion would mind his Friends, that Prayer and Provender never hinder a Iourney.

He managed his daily Family-Worship, so as to make it a Pleasure and not a Task to his Children and Servants; for he was seldom long, and never tedious in the Service; the variety of the Duties made it the more pleasant; so that none who join'd with him had ever any reason to say, Behold what a Weariness is it! Such an Excellent Faculty he had of rendring Religion the most sweet and aimable Employment in the World; and so careful was he (like Iacob) to drive as the Children could go, not putting new Wine into old Bottles. If some good People that mean well would do likewise, it might prevent many of those Prejudices p. 85which young Persons are apt to conceive against Religion, when the Services of it are made a Toil and a Terror to them.

On Thursday Evenings (instead of Reading) he Catechized his Children and Servants in the Assemblies Catechism, with the Proofs, or sometimes in a little Catechism, Concerning the matter of Prayer, published in the Year 1674. and said to be written by Dr. Collins, which they learned for their help in the Gift of Prayer, and he Explain'd it to them. Or else they Read, and he Examined them in some other useful Book, as Mr. Pool's Dialogues against the Papists, the Assemblies Confession of Faith with the Scriptures, or the like.

On Saturday Evenings, his Children and Servants gave him an Account what they could remember of the Chapters that had been Expounded all the Week before, in order, each a several part, helping one anothers Memories for the Recollecting of it. This he call'd gathering up the Fragments which remained, that nothing might be lost. He would say to them sometimes as Christ to his Disciples, Have ye understood all these things? If not, he took that occasion to explain them more fully. This Exercise (which he constantly kept up all along) was both delightful and profitable, and being managed by him with so much Prudence and sweetness, helped to instil into those about him betimes, the Knowledge and Love of the Holy Scriptures.

When he had Sojourners in his Family, who were able to bear a part in such a Service, he had commonly in the Winter time set Weekly Conferences on Questions propos'd, for their mutual Edification and Comfort in the fear of God; the Substance of what was p. 86said, he himself took and kept an Account of in Writing.

But the Lord's Day he called and counted the Queen of Days, the Pearl of the Week, and observed it accordingly. The Fourth Commandment intimates a special regard to be had to the Sabbath in Families, Thou and thy Son and thy Daughter, &c. it is the Sabbath of the Lord in all your Dwellings. In this therefore he was very exact, and abounded in the work of the Lord in his Family on that Day. Whatever were the Circumstances of his Publick Opportunities, (which vari'd, as we shall find afterwards) his Family Religion on that day was the same: Extraordinary Sacrifices must never supersede the continual Burnt-offering and his Meat-offering, Numb. 28. 15. His common Salutation of his Family or Friends, on the Lord's Day in the Morning, was that of the Primitive Christians; The Lord is risen, he is risen indeed; making it his chief Business on that day to Celebrate the Memory of Christ's Resurrection; and he would say sometimes, Every Lord's Day, is a true Christians Easter-day. He took care to have his Family ready early on that day, and was larger in Exposition and Prayer on Sabbath-Mornings, than on other days. He would often remember, that under the Law the daily Sacrifice was doubled on Sabbath-days, two Lambs in the Morning, and two in the Evening. He had always a particular Subject for his Expositions on Sabbath Mornings; the Harmony of the Evangelists several times over; the Scripture Prayers; Old Testament Prophesies of Christ; Christ the true Treasure (so he Entituled that Subject) sought and found in the Field of the Old Testament. He constantly sung a Psalm after Dinner, and another after Supper, on the Lord's Dayes. And in the Evening of the Day his Children and Servants were Catechized and Examined p. 87in the sense and meaning of the Answers in the Catechism, that they might not say it (as he used to tell them) like a Parrot, by Rote. Then the Days Sermons were repeated, commonly by one of his Children when they were grown up, and while they were with him; and the Family gave an Account what they could remember of the word of the Day, which he endeavoured to fasten upon them, as a Nail in a sure place. In his Prayers on the Evening of the Sabbath, he was often more than ordinarily Enlarged; as one that found not only God's Service perfect Freedom, but his Work its own Wages; and a great Reward; not only after keeping, but (as he used to observe from Ps. 19. 11.) in keeping God's Commandments. A perfect Reward of Obedience in Obedience. In that Prayer he was usually very particular, in praying for his Family and all that belong'd to it. It was a Prayer he often put up, that we might have Grace to carry it as a Minister, and a Minister's Wife, and a Minister's Children, and a Minister's Servants should carry it, that the Ministry might in nothing be blamed. He would sometimes be a particular Intercessor for the Towns and Parishes adjacent: How have I heard him, when he hath been in the Mount with God, in a Sabbath Evening Prayer, wrestle with the Lord for Chester, and Shrewsbury, and Nantwich, and Wrexham, and Whitchurch, &c. those nests of Souls, wherein there are so many, that cannot discern between their Right Hand and their Left in Spiritual things, &c. He closed his Sabbath Work in his Family with singing Psalm 134. and after it a solemn Blessing of his Family.

Thus was he Prophet and Priest in his own House; and he was King there too, Ruling in the fear of God, and not suffering Sin upon any under his Roof.

p. 88He had many Years ago a man Servant that was once over-taken in Drink abroad; for which, the next Morning at Family-Worship, he solemnly Reproved him, admonish'd him, and Prayed for him with a Spirit of Meekness, and soon after parted with him. But there were many that were his Servants, who by the Blessing of God upon his Endeavours, got those good Impressions upon their Souls, which they retain'd ever after; and blessed God with all their Hearts, that ever they came under his Roof. Few went from his Service till they were Married, and went to Families of their own; and some after they had been Married, and had Bury'd their Yoke fellows, return'd to his Service again, saying, Master, it is good to be here.

He brought up his Children in the fear of God, with a great deal of Care and Tenderness, and did by his Practise, as well as upon all occasions in Discourses, condemn the Indiscretion of those Parents, who are partial in their affections to their Children, making a Difference between them, which he observed did often prove of ill Consequence in Families; and lay a Foundation of Envy, Contempt and Discord, which turns to their shame and ruine. His Carriage towards his Children was with great Mildness and Gentleness, as one who desir'd rather to be loved than feared by them. He was as careful not to provoke them to Wrath, nor to discourage them, as he was to bring them up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord. He Rul'd indeed, and kept up his Authority, but it was with Wisdom and Love, and with a high Hand. He allowed his Children a great degree of Freedom, with him, which gave him the opportunity of reasoning them, not frightning them into that which is good. He did much towards the Instruction of his Children, in the way p. 89of Familiar Discourse, according to that Excellent Directory for Religious Education, Deut. 6. 7. Thou shalt whet these things (so the word is which he said noted frequent Repetition of the same things) upon thy Children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy House, &c. which made them love home, and delight in his Company, and greatly endear'd Religion to them.

He did not burthen his Childrens Memories by imposing upon them the getting of Chapters and Psalms without Book; but endeavoured to make the whole word of God familiar to them, especially the Scripture Stories, and to bring them to understand it and love it, and then they would easily remember it. He us'd to observe from Psal. 119. 93. I will never forget thy Precepts, for with them thou hast quickned me; that we are then likely to remember the word of God when it doth us good.

He taught all his Children to write himself, and set them betimes to write Sermons, and other things that might be of use to them: He taught his eldest Daughter the Hebrew Tongue when she was about six or seven Years old, by an English Hebrew Grammar, which he made on purpose for her; and she went so far in it, as to be able readily to Read and Construe a Hebrew Psalm.

He drew up a short Form of the Baptismal Covenant, for the use of his Children; it was this:

I take God the Father to be my chiefest Good, and highest End.

I take God the Son to be my Prince and Saviour.

I take God the Holy Ghost to be my Sanctifier, Teacher, Guide and Comforter.

p. 90I take the Word of God to be my Rule in all my Actions. And the People of God to be my People in all Conditions.

I do likewise Devote and Dedicate unto the Lord my whole self, all I am, all I have, and all I can do.

And this I do deliberately, sincerely, freely and for ever.

This he taught his Children, and they each of them solemnly repeated it every Lord's Day in the Evening, after they were Catechized, he putting his Amen to it, and sometimes adding, so say, and so do, and you are made for ever.

He also took pains with them, to lead them into the Understanding of it, and to perswade them to a free and cheerful Consent to it. And when they grew up, he made them all write it over severally with their own Hands, and very solemnly set their Names to it, which he told them he would keep by him, and it should be produced as a Testimony against them, in Case they should afterwards depart from God, and turn from following after him.

He was careful to bring his Children betimes (when they were about Sixteen Years of Age,) to the Ordinance of the Lord's Supper, to take the Covenant of God upon themselves, and to make their Dedication to God their own Act and Deed; and a great deal of pains he took with them, to prepare them for that great Ordinance, and so to transmit them into the State of adult Church-membership: And he would often blame Parents, who would think themselves undone if they had not their Children baptized, and yet took no care when they grew up and made a profession of the Christian Religion, to perswade them to the Lord's Supper. 'Tis true (he would say) Buds and Blossoms are not fruit but they give hopes of fruit, and Parents may and p. 91should take hold of the good beginning of Grace which they see in their Children, by those to bind them so much the closer to, and lead them so much the faster in the way that is called Holy. By this solemn engagemement the Door wich stood half-open before, and invited the Thief, is shut and bolted against Temptation. And to those who pleaded that they were not fit, he would say, that the further they went into the World the less sit they would be. Qui non est bodie cras minus aptus erit. Not that Children should be compell'd to it, nor those that are wilfully ignorant, untoward and perverse, admitted to it, but those Children that are hopeful and well inclin'd to the things of God, and appear to be concern'd in other Duties, of Religion, when they begin to put away childish things, should be incited and encouraged and perswaded to this, that the matter may be brought to an Issue. Nay, but we will serve the Lord; Fast bind, fast find. Abundant Thanks-givings have been rendred to God by many of his Friends for his Advice and assistance herein.

In dealing with his Children about their spiritual State, he took hold of them very much by the handle of their Infant-Baptism, and frequently inculcated that upon them, that they were born in God's House, and were betimes dedicated and given up to him, and therefore were oblig'd to be his Servants, Psal. 116. 16. I am thy Servant, because the Son of thy handmaid. This he was wont to illustrate to them by the comparison of taking a Lease of a fair Estate for a Child in the Cradle, and putting his Life into it; The Child then knows nothing of the matter, nor is he capable of consenting; however, then he is maintained out of it, and and hath an Interest in it; And when he grows up and becomes able to chuse, and refuse for himself, if he go to his Landlord, and claim the Benefit of the Lease, p. 92and promise to pay the Rent, and do the services well and good, he hath the Benefit of it, if otherwise, it is at his Peril. Now Children (would he say) our great Landlord was willing that your Lives should be put into the Lease of Heaven and Happiness, and it was done accordingly, by your Baptism, which is the Seal of the Righteousness that is by Faith; and by that it was assur'd to you that if you would pay the Rent and do the Service, that is, live a Life of Faith and Repentance, and sincere Obedience, you shall never be turn'd off the Tenement; but if now you dislike the Terms, and refuse to pay this Rent (this chief Rent, so he would call it, for it's no Rack) you forfeit the Lease; However you cannot but say, that you had a Kindness done you, to have your lives put into it. Thus did he frequently deal with his Children, and even Travel in Birth again to see Christ formed in them, and from this Topick he generally Argued, and he would often say, If Infant Baptism were more improved, it would be less disputed.

He not only taught his Children betimes to pray, (which he did especially by his own Pattern, his Method and Expressions in Prayer being very easie and plain) But when they were young he put them upon it, to pray together, and Appointed them on Saturdays in the Afternoon, to spend some time together, none but they and such of their Age, as might occasionally be with them, in Reading good Books, especially those for Children, and in singing and praying; and would sometimes tell them for their Encouragement, that the God with whom we have to do, understands broken Language. And if we do as well as we can in the Sincerity of our Hearts, we shall not only be accepted but taught to do better: To him that hath shall be given.

p. 93He sometimes set his Children in their own reading of the Scriptures, to gather out such Passages as they took most notice of, and thought most considerable, and write them down: Though this Performance was very small, yet the Endeavour was of good use. He also directed them to insert in a Paper Book, which each of them had for the purpose, Remarkable Sayings and Stories, which they met with in Reading such other good Books as he put into their hands.

He took a Pleasure in relating to them the remarkable Providences of God, both in his own time and in the days of Old, which he said, Parents were taught to do by that Appointment, Exod. 12. 26, 27. Your Children shall ask you in Time to come; what mean you by this Service? and you shall tell them so and so.

What his pious Care was concerning his Children, and with what a godly Jealousie he was jealous over them, take in one Instance; when they had been for a week or Fortnight kindly entertained at B. (as they were often) he thus writes in his Diary upon their Return home. My Care and Fear is, lest Converse with such so far above them, Though of the best, should have Influence upon them to lift them up, when I had rather they should be kept low. For as he did not himself, so he was very Sollicitous to teach his Children, not to mind high Things, not to desire them, not to expect them in this World.

We shall conclude this Chapter with another Passage out of his Diary, Apr. 12. 1681. This Day fourteen Years the Lord took my First-born Son from me, the Beginning of my Strength, with a Stroke. In the Remembrance whereof my heart melted this Evening: I beg'd pardon for the Jonah that raised that Storm, I blessed the Lord that hath spar'd the Rest, I beg'd Mercy, Mercy for every one of them, and absolutely and unreservedly devoted and p. 94dedicated them, my self, my whole self, Estate, Interest, Life, to the will and Service of that God from whom I received all. Father Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come &c.