A Collection of the Lives of Ten Eminent Divines, Biography 2
The Life and Death of Mr. Samuel Crook, who died An. Christi 1649.
SAmuel Crook was born at Great Waldingfield in Suffolk, His birth.Jan. 17. Anno Christi 1574. He was a Prophet, and the Son of a Prophet, even of that great, and famous Light, Dr. Crook, a Learned, and Laborious Divine, who was sometimes a Preacher to the Honourable Society of Greys-Inn; A Gentleman well descended, and of an ancient Family.
This our Samuel was in his younger years trained up in Merchant Taylors School in London, His education.and having perfected his Studies there, he was sent to the University of Cambridge, and admitted into Pembroke-Hall, where he was first Scholar, and afterwards chosen Fellow of that House, being chosen by the unanimous consent, and suffrage of all, but the Master, upon whose refusal, he was soon after Elected, and admitted one of the first foundation of Fellows in Emanuel College, where, until this day his name is precious, being preserved in their Library amongst their choicest Ornaments of that House in the Catalogue of their first Fellows, thus written; Mr. Samuel Crook, Batchelour in Divinity.
From his very youth he was highly esteemed in that University,His Proficiency. both for his candid, and ingenuous behaviour in a comely person, as also for his pregnant parts, ready wit, great industry, and answerable proficiency in all kinds of Polite Learning, which renders a man more expedite, and exquisite for any worthy, and noble imployment, and is more especially preparatory, and introductory to the Study of Sacred Divinity: which being observed, and taken notice of, he was first made choice of to be the Rhetorick Reader,His Preferment. and afterwards was advanced to be Philosophy Reader in the Publick Schools, both which places he performed with general applause.
Amongst his other youthly imployments,His youthly …abours. he translated Virg…ls Eclogues: the first, and second Books of his Aeneids: Juvenals first Satyre, and most of the memorable speeches both in Virgil, and other Poets; All which were clear demonstrations of his ingenious capacity, and ingenuous sufficiency.
And, to shew that his heart; even in his youth was drawn Heaven-ward (from whence his wit was sanctified) he translated divers of Davids Psalms, and composed several Sacred Hymnes of his own: Some of which he sung with tears of joy, and desire in his last sickness, having a sweet voice, and good skill in Musick.
In his younger years also, he was a constant, and diligent hearer, and great admirer of that man of God, Mr. William Perkins, and a Reverend Observer of all the most eminent men of that Time, who were famous in their Generation, carefully, and safely laying up in the faithfull Treasury of his Memory what he heard from them; which was an evident presage of his future abilities, and that he was likely to become a skilfull Master Builder in the House of God, and an excellent Instrument of winning many souls unto Christ.
He was acute in the Greek, A good Linguist.and well skilled in the Hebrew and Arabick Tongues, which he sparingly made use of, only upon necessary occasions, not for ostentation, to amuse such hearers as seem to be most pleased with what they least understand; but for the more full, and clear opening of the Text, and giving the genuine interpretation thereof from its Divine O…lginals, whose full sense, and native Elegancies (proper to every Language) cannot always be expressed to the life without recourse to the Fountains. For as St Austin saith, Habet omnis Lingua sua quaeque propria genera locutionum, quae cum in aliam linguam transferuntur, videntur absurda: Every Lnnguage hath its proper kind of speeches, which being translated into another Tongue, seem to be absurd.
He very well understood, and spake the Italian, French, and Spanish Tongues, and had read very many grave, and witty Authors in each of them, whereof, by the excellency of his wit,What use he made of them. he made admirable use even in Divinity (which now a days many illiterate persons, most audaciously, and presumptuously defile with unhallowed hearts, and unwashed hands) he being able by an holy Alchimy (as was said of Virgil, Aurum de stircore: he could draw gold out of a Dunghil) to make every thing serve to his powerfull perswasions, wherein he excelled.
He likewise studied History, A good Artist.Politicks, and Physick, of all which he made excellent use in his amplifications, illustrations, and insinuations of more Divine Subjects. Every thing furnished him with more moving expressions of his sweet notions in Prayer, and Preaching, which made him a burning as well as a shining Light with greater brightness and lust…e.
While he was yet a Fellow in Emanuel College, in a due compliance with the pious Statutes of that House,His Ordination. he entred into the Office of the Ministry, Sept. the 24th Anno Christi 1601, which he took not upon him as a shelter to save a Fellowship, but to gain souls unto God: For which purpose he immediatly betook himself to that Evangelicall work of Preaching, for the most part at a place called Coxton, His preaching.not far from Cambridg, and in some other places thereabouts; where (besides the prosecution of his other studies, and performance of sundry exercises in the College) he had preached twenty eight Sermons within the space of eleven moneths: which was a rare thing in those times, when the Fellows of Houses were rather hinderers than furtherers of so good a work, if undertaken by younger men.
After he was transplanted from that Nursery,His Gratitude. and setled in a Pastorall charg… many miles distant from that University, to shew his thankfull acknowledgment of the honorary supports of his breeding received from those famous Seminaries, he gave to the Library of Pembroke-Hall, Great Basils Works, Greek and Latine in two Volumes in Folio, with these Verses written in them, which discovered a specimen of his happy strain, and Genius of purer Poëtry, as well as his gratefull minde:
Quae mihi formasti teneros impuberis annos
Grandaeva, at gravida ingeniis foelicibus Aula
Pembrochiae, Fas sit minimo, veneranda tuorum
Ingentis tenuem officii deponere partem.
And to Emanuel College Library he gave all the Councils in Greek and Latine of Binius Edition in Folio, in five Volumes, with these verses:
Sacra foreign, & studiis Domus hospita sacris
Emanuel, mihi quae juvenilibus arbitra caeptis
Culturam, comites, victum, & gratissima Musis
Otia porrex…i! sic te nascentia porrò
Faecundam claris mirentur saecula na…is,
Donato ut liceat tantillum reddere tantis.
And to the University Library he gave all Gregory Nazianzens, and Gregory Nissens Works, Greek and Latine, in four Volumes in Folio, with these Verses:
Accipe parva tui foreign Mater Alumni
Sic te perpetuâ florentem pube, Nepotum
Sera Manus, Sophiae lumen, morum que Magistram,
Artis Praesidium, Britonum decus, Orbis amorem:
Delicias Regum, & fidei venerentur Alylum.
Having thus traced his wayes, and procedure in the University, we must now follow him into the Country: For in September Anno Christi 1602, he was by the cleer, and good providence of God (without the concurrence of the plottings, and contrivances of cunning,His remove to Wring…on. or insinuating friends) fairly, and freely called to the Pastorall charg of a great Flock at Wrington, a Market-Town in the County of Sommerset, being presented thereunto by that Honourable, and famous Knight St Arthur Capel of Little Hadam in Hertford shire, Great Grandfather to the Lord Capel now living.
There did he (in obedience to his Call) forthwith settle himself, and immediatly he set upon the work for which he was sent,His Industry and …rudence. viz. to instruct, and turn unto righteousness that great people, who had never before enjoyed the blessing of a Preaching Minister, or Ministry amongst them (which therefore required the greater skill, and industry of the spirituall Husbandman to manure, and manage, such an incultured plot) so that he was to them (if not to the whole Country adjacent) the first that by preaching the Gospell, brought Religion into credit, and discovered to them the Heavenly Canaan, which before was to most of them a Terra incognita, as an unknown land, and thereby left them much richer both in spirituals, and temporals than he found them. Insomuch that, he might at length, in a proportion, say of that place as Augustus, the Emperour, did of Rome, Lateritiam reperi, marmoream reliqui: I found it built of bricks, but I left it built of marble.
Mr. Crook having thus pitched,His Contentment. and fixed his Pastorall staff, as he never sought higher, or other earthly preferments (though his capacity, and credit was well known to be such as made him capable of, and opened a ready way for it) so he never accepted of any additions, or accessions of maintenance, or honour, though they were Honourably profered by such Persons as were able to have advanced him.
As for the course of his Ministry, and deportment: his progress was answerable to his beginings: yea, his works were most,His holy life. and best at the last: For as he Preached, so he practised: his whole life being but one continued Commentary upon his Doctrine, and an exemplary Sermon consisting of living words, or of words translated into works, as will further appear in its due place.
Few men ever came into a place with greater expectation,His esteem which yet he not only satisfied, but exceeded it. Few men could draw after them those affections, and admiration which he did; which also were so far from cooling, and diminishing, as that they encreased, and that deservedly, to his last, rather than decreased amongst all that had learned Christ in humility, and truth.
And as for those few silly seduced ones, who were carried away towards his latter end, with a spirit of giddiness, through the secret, and subtile insinuations, and whisperings of false Teachers, in corners (who with as much ignorance as confidence delude the simple, by great swelling words of vanity, and uncouth phrases, abhorrent from Christian Religion, sobriety, and truth, and which wise men lament, while fools, who are ignorant of the depths, and methods of Satan, applaud, and admire) endeavoured in their virtigenous fits, to eclipse his credit, and splendour: yet his pious, and affectionate Essayes to reclaim them with the spirit of meekness, as also his fervent Prayers, and yearning Bowels for their reducing, turned all their revilings to his greater lustre, and glory, amongst all such as were able to discern of things that differ, and willing to approve the things that are excellent.
Not long after Mr. Crook's first setling in this his Pastorall charge,His Marriage. he happily married a Wife of his own Tribe, and after his own heart, who was the eldest daughter of that Reverend Mr. Walsh, an holy, and painfu…l Minister in Suffolk, a great, and rare Light in his time, and famous for his Ministeriall labours, his fervent zeal,His Wives characte…. and abundant charity. She was a very prudent, and gratious woman, a most loyall, loving, and tender wife, zealous and active for his encouragement, credit, and comfort in all things, especially in his Ministry; to which she constantly bore such hearty respect, and reverence, as did much quicken, and enlarge him in the work of the Lord. She was also continually studious, and carefull to free, and ease him of all emergent occasions, avocations, and businesses of ordinary concernment, that so he might with the more freedom follow (what his soul most delighted in) his diviner imployments, and enjoy himself, and friends in his necessary relaxations. In a word, her behaviour was such as becometh holiness, a teacher of good things to the younger women, and in her Family a worthy pattern, and a great promoter of godliness in all that conversed with her, and to her Husband a meet help indeed, and so she continued all the dayes of their conjugall relation. Children he left none, besides those spiritually begotten unto Christ by his labours in the Gospell.
His great delight,His great pains. and indefatigable pains in preaching so many years so frequently, was almost beyond all example: for he constantly preached (if in health) thrice a week, besides his extraordinary labours on many emergent occasions which he cheerfully embraced, as rejoycing in all opportunities of doing good, and that abroad as well as at home.
In all his Sermons (which were many thousands) his expressions were choice,His manner of preaching. grave, solid, weighty, savoury, and seasonable: His applications home, and pertinent, strongly enforced, and set on from Divine authority by a sweet, and moving elocution, a masculine eloquence, fervent zeal, and strength of love to the souls of the hearers.
He knew very well how to set forth foreign, abstruse points plainly, and how to manage foreign, plain truths elegantly; not in the words of mans wisdome, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth: Alwayes speaking in Christ, as of God in the sight of God.
He was not like one that makes a Feast once a monethmonth, or once a quarter, letting his Family beg or starve in the intervals; Nor like such as visit the Pulpit twice every Sabbath day, yet bring no new matter with them scarce once a monethmonth; but still are setting on the same dishes with a little new garnish, even unto nauseousness: But our Mr. Crook, as he layed in richly, so he layed out liberally, and prudently, like a ready Scribe instructed to the Kingdom of God; or a good Housholder, who brings forth of his treasury, things both new, and old.
And albeit he could by his quick invention, profound Judgment, and faithfull memory (things rarely meeting in the same man) dexterously dispatch that with little labour which costs other men much pains; yet he seriously professed with rejoycing, that he never durst serve God with that which cost him nothing: well knowing that industry adds weight, and respect both to the matter, and speaker, whereby his words became as goods, and nails fastened by that great Master of the Assemblies, which are given from one Shepherd.
His Motto was,His Motto. Impendam, & expendar: I will spend, and be spent, which he cheerfully verified. For he counted not his life dear in comparison of preaching the Gospell, and of finishing his course with joy, and the Ministry he had received from the Lord Jesus, to testifie the Gospell of the Grace of God. When he was told by his Physician (who was very carefull to preserve his life) that he might live longer if he would preach seldomer: Alas! (said he) If I may not labour I cannot live: what good will life doe me, if I be hindred from the end of living? Et propter vitam vivendi perdere causam?
When through age,His Industry. and weakness he was disenabled from travelling abroad any more to perfume other Congregations with the sweet odours of his pretious ointment: and when by reason of his years, and infirmities, he might very well (as an emeritus miles) have sued out (even in the Court of Heaven it self) a Writ of ease, and have passed the rest of his dayes in rejoycing over his Triumphs, and Trophies: yet would he never give over studying, and Preaching, till all strength of Body gave him over. Yea he often preached, even when his legs almost refused to carry him any more to Church, and that with much spirit, and unexpected vivacity, even as a mighty man refreshed with the Wine of Gods Spirit. And being (some years before his departure) sensible of the daily approaches of Death (which he long expected) to his exhausted, and decayed body, almost ready to be deserted of its Divine Soul; he did severall times preach his own Funerall Sermon (as supposing he should never preach more) and that not without the tears, proceeding from the grief of his loving, and beloved hearers.
And when after such preaching,His hospitality. and rejoycing in it, he invited (as his constant manner was) such Ministers, and Friends as came to hear his Lecture, to his Table; he would force himself to sit with them (although for the most part he was forced to be silent, by reason of the expence of his spirits) and much rejoyced that he had once more imployed his Masters Talent, and enjoyed the precious society of Saints in whom was all his delight.
He used often to say to his friends that rejoyced with him, and blessed God for him, that he was nothing but a voice, as being troubled at the decayes of nature growing upon him more, and more, whereby his feeble body was disenabled from serving his still active soul, and his Tongue being no longer able to speak out, at least not so often as he would have had it.
In his Ministry he never strove for vain glory,His Self▪ d…niall. nor of men sought he praise, disdaining to stoop to the lure of popular applaus: and therefore he ever shuned those more gay, and lighter flourishes of a luxuriant wit (which like beautifull weeds, make a fair shew at a distance, but stink neerer hand) wherewith the emptiest Cells affect to be most fraught; Like those, who for want of wares in their shops, set up painted boxes to fill up empty shelves. He fed not his flock with airy dews of effeminate Rhetorick (which a masculine Orator would shake off from his pen, and lips (as St Paul did the Viper from his hand) nor yet with the jerks, and quibbles of a light spirit, which he ever abhorred as the excrementitious superfluities of frothy brains, and unhallowed hearts: but he ever led them out into the green Pastures of solid, and savoury truths, as their necessities, and capacities did require. He had (and alwayes administred foreign, rationall, unadulterated milk for Babes in Christ, foreign, and strong meat for grown men.
He was a wise Master builder,His prudence in his Ministry. who intending to raise a strong, and beautifull Fabrick, laid a solid Foundation, able, and sufficient to bear, and strengthen all his superstructures. He therefore began his Ministry with a pervous, and perspicuous handling of such Texts as might discover to his People, the Divine Authority, sufficiency, purity, and energy of the holy Scriptures, the ten Commandements, Articles of the Faith, the Lords Prayer, the Doctrine of the Sacraments, God in Trinity, his Decrees, Creation, Providence, of Sin, Christ, the New Covenant, the Fall of Man, the Mediator, the Gospell, Faith, Vocation, Regeneration, Justification, Adoption, Sanctification, Glorification; the Church, the last Judgment, the Christian Warfare, and such like: All which in process of time, he opened, and applied, sometimes more largely, sometimes more briefly; but alwayes profitably, and sweetly, as a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, but rightly dividing the word of truth in a practicall way.
Out of all which in his more mature,His Catechism and riper years, greatest strength of parts, and depth of judgment, he (after many serious reviews) compiled that excellently compacted Systeme of Divinity in a Catecheticall way, which he deservedly intituled, The Guid to true Blessedness. And out of it he again extracted that lesser Catechisme which he often used, with very profitable, and delightfull explanations, both in his Congregation, and Family. A most profitable, course of teaching, and learning the true knowledg of Christ.
He went also through many intire Scriptures (which doth greatly try, and improve a Divine) and the more obscure any place was, the greater was his diligence, with happy success to bring light unto it. Difficulties which are Lions in the way of the sluggard, proved but spurs to his Industry.
He went over many of the Psalms, as the 1t, 2d, 4th, 6th, 10th, 14th, 19th, 22d, 45th, 50th, 122d, 127. The twelve first Chapters of Isay, Lamentation the 3d, Habbacuk the 3d, the Prophesie of Malachy. Mathew the 5t, 6th, and 7th Chapters. All the Examples both of good, and bad men in the Scriptures, for imitation of the former, and detestation of the latter. All the Miracles, and Parables of Christ; All St Johns Gospel (an admirable Commentary:) The twelfth of the Epistle to the Romans: the second Chapter of the Epistle to the Ephesians: the 2d, and 3d to the Collossians: the 2d to the Thessalonians Chap. 2. The eleventh of the Epistle to the Hebrews: the 2d, and 3d Chapters of the Revelations, with many more, besides very many Texts suitable to the times on every occasion, being exceeding happy in the choise, and prosecution of them.
Whensoever his Preaching day happened upon January the 17,His Humility. (which was his birth day) he still noted his years compleat, with this Paenitentiall Epiphonema, foreign, God be mercifull unto me a sinner. A memorable evidence of his pious sence of his own unworthiness in the sight of God, how much soever he was cried up, and esteemed by men. No excellency of naturall abilities, no eminency of spirituall endowments, no acceptation of his labours ever puffed him up; but that he still walked in all lowliness and humility towards all men, even in his greatest exaltations in the hearts of men.
Much might be said of his long continued course of Catechising, (that most profitable, and speedy way of implanting knowledg) by which he set up so great, and cleer a light in his Congregation, as will not only discover the wisdom, and excellency of the workman, and guid their feet in the wayes of truth, and holiness who have been enlightned thereby: but much facilitate the further polishing of those living stones by succeeding builders.
His Heavenly and Divine spirit of Prayer seemed to excell all other his excellencies,His powerfull Pra…ers. as will be attested by all that heard him in publick, or private, and that ever knew what a Prayer of Faith, elevated to the highest pitch by the Holy Ghost, meaneth, whether they ever found any to excell him, or many to come near him. O! those penitent, unbowelling confessions, earnest deprecations, petitions, panting-longings, and sighings after God, and his Grace; those mighty powerfull Arguments whereby he set all home, feeling Thanksgivings, and divine raptures carrying up his soul to Heaven in the sacred flames of his own Sacrifices; sweetly perfumed with the Incense of him who presenteth all the Prayers of his Saints on the Altar of Grace.
He first brought conceived Prayer into use in those parts, wherein he was so happy, so free from impertinent expressions, and unnecessary repetitions, so rich in piercing supplications, patheticall thanksgivings, and gracious wrestlings with the Almighty; yea, so dexterous to apply himself to prefer all suits, and to fit every occasion (like an exquisite Archer, able to shoot to an hairs breadth,) and so prompt, and full in expressing the very hearts of those that indeed joyned with him, in whatsoever they desired for themselves or others, as if, by a kind of transmigration, their souls had passed into his, and spake the very bottom of their hearts by his Tongue, which their own could not utter.
And this was such an opening, and warming of his hearers hearts before his Sermons, and such a sweet closing up of all after his Preaching, as added much to the power, and profit of all his labours, and was to him a transcendent advantage in his whole Ministry. And truly his example took so well with all the godly Ministers that heard him, that they accounted it their great happiness, and honour to follow, and imitate him (with whom yet very few could keep pace) in that most important part of a Ministers work, and office, whereby they might be the more able to pour out their souls, and the souls of their people into the bosom of the Almighty.
In the Orb of his publick Ministry,…is long labors. this fixed Star shined brightly (without the least eclipse, or retrograde motion) somewhat above forty seven years. A long time for such a Lamp to burn, as he did: but his long continuance ministred a fair opportunity of bringing many stragling sheep into Christs fold, the great …hepheard of our souls. Once indeed the last Bishop of that Diocess gave a stop to his Tuesdayes Lecture, but God in mercy to many, set it on going again, and cast him that interrupted it out of his place, while this painfull, and faithfull labourer went on with his work.
So much for his publick Ministry: come we now to his private carriage.
His whole Life was exemplary.His holy life. Take him as a Christian, raised by his Ministeriall function to the height of a Beacon upon an hill, and so his light was great, and his smell very fragrant. He not only kept himself pure and unspotted of the world, but his light so shined, that both good men glorified God by seeing his good works, and wicked, and foolish men had their mouthes stopped by his good conversation in Christ, and were even enforced to give in testimony to it, maugre their malice against his holiness, and worth.
In his Family,His Family carriage. towards the Wife of his bosom, he walked as a man of knowledg, wisdom, and great tendeness of love: Towards the rest of his houshold, as David professed he would do in the 101 Psalm, and as a Bishop of Pauls description, 1 Tim. 3. and Titus 1. Yea towards all, as a worthy pattern of love, zeal, humility, meekness, temperance, patience, gravity, and of every good work.
What his constancy,His studiousness▪ and diligence was in his studie, the fruits of the great, and long travell of his mind, his Works (which praise him in all the gates of Sion) do speak to all the world, beyond that can here be spoken of him. For when all is said that can be spoken of him, so much cannot be said as his own industry speaks.
In his more vacant hours he was far from being idle,His usefulness to others. or unprofitable. Such as had the happiness (which was never denied to any that desired it) to partake of his private discourses, never returned empty from his full magazine, if they brought but vessels capable of the overflowings of his rich mind, and heart. Very many excellent Lights in the Church have lighted their Torches at his Coelestial fire. Many young Schollars have been marvellously improved by his prudent, and pious directions, and encouragements in their studies, which now are become excellent instruments in the Church of Christ.
If after his preaching he found no mention made of his Sermon, by which he might collect, that probably some benefit had been reaped by it, he would be much dejected, as if the fault had been in his preaching (even then when he seemed to excell himself,) rather than in his hearers; and used to say, that if he had preached better, they would have profited more.
If any Christians came to him for resolution in cases of Conscience,His skill to comfort others or for counsell in straits, or for comfort in spirituall desertions, or for healing of a wounded spirit; as God had given him an excellent spirit of discerning to judg of their condition, and of the most seasonable applicatives; and an exquisite dexterity to speak a word in season to the weary, and fainting soul; so he was never shie, coy, or difficult to be spoken with, nor lofty, or supercilious to any to whom he gave access; but shewed forth all tenderness, pity, and compassion to them: he heard them fully, and patiently and wisely administred to their severall distresses, and' ever sent them away (as its said that Titus Vespasianus did his suitors) not only not grieved, but very well satisfied, and abundantly comforted.
He was very bountifull to his kindred that needed it,His Charity. and then most when their necessities swelled highest. He was very charitable, and open handed to the poor members of Jesus Christ: And albeit his charity shined most to those of his own flock, yet was it not shut up from strangers, but he was very liberall to them also as he found occasion. Yea, when he went abroad to bestow the Gospell freely upon other Congregations adjacent, such poor as he found to be hearers (unless they were known to him to take up hearing as a cloke to cover their idleness, and neglect of their callings) never went home empty handed, but he alwayes warmed, and cheered them with his bounty, as well as instructed them with his Doctrine.
How much he was given to Hospitality,His hospitality Gentlemen, Ministers, Neighbours, Strangers, and the Poor, must needs give in such an ample testimony as will hardly be credited by such as knew him not, and are strangers to a bountifull heart. He spared from himself to administer unto others; minding more the wooing of many to receive benefit by his Ministry (some of whom might perhaps at first follow him for the loaves) than to lay up largely for such as he should leave behind him: and choosing rather to be at a continuall charg to encourage men by his bounty) than to suffer them to be unprovided for, when they came to partake of his Ministry.
When he conversed with Ministers,His humility. his Humility usually put him into the place of a learner: but in learning he taught, and by teaching he learned more. He was so good, and skilfull a Chymick, that he seldom parted with such company, till he had gotten something by them: yet were they sure to be the greatest gainers, and he alwayes accounted it the best bargain, when others were gainers by him.
His constant, and continuall preaching, seldom allowed him the much desired opportunity of hearing others: but when he could enjoy that benefit, he greedily laid hold of it: and then would this painfull Bee gather Hony from every Flower, making a good use of the meanest gifts, and improving his own rich Talent by dipping it into theirs. Nor was he ever heard to slight or disparage the labours of any the least of his Brethrn, that sincerely endeavoured to bring in souls unto Christ: but alwayes he encouraged them, and as he found cause, informed, and directed them, and that in a prudent, and taking way, to their great advantage.
In his mirth (to which he sometimes unbended himself to recreate his overwearied mind,His mirth. that with renewed strength he might return to his more serious, and severer studies) he strictly observed the bounds of honesty, civility, modesty, and the gravity of his place; well considering, that the least dead fly in the Apothecaries choisest Oyntment, causeth it to send forth an unpleasing savour.
The Table was usually the place of his greatest liberty in this kind,His Table-Talk. yet even there he would still interlace mirth with some sprinklings of a more serious wit, which might instruct as well as exhilerate, and make cheerful; and contained all within the limits of sobriety, without biting sarcasmes, or unbeseeming scurrility. And usually he closed all with reading some portion of Scripture, and giving some short, and profitable instructions thereupon, which might administer Grace to the hearers, and leave a sweet savour, and relish upon their spirits, and whole converse.
To give you a true,His Character and full Character of his whole deportment in few words. He was a good, and a faithfull Steward in his Masters house, alwayes abounding in the work of the Lord, a Pillar in the house of his God, never weary of his Lords work, but best pleased when he had done most service. His conversation was immaculate, and unblameable: His behaviour uniform, and universally pious. He was grave without austerity, pleasant without levity: Courteous without dissembling: Free in discourse where he might profit, yet reserved where he saw cause: He was seldom the first speaker although he was best able to speak. He loved usefull discourse, but abhorred froth, and babling. He was witty without vanity, facetious without girding, or grieving of others. He knew his place, yet was not insolent: Resolute he was, but not wilfull: He maintained his authority, but was not haughty. A great Master he was of his own Passions, and Affections, and thereby abundantly furnished with the more abilities, and embellishments that most attract, and maintain the dearest love, the deepest reverence, and highest respect. He was a great admirer of Learning, and Piety in others, though they were far below himself in both: His affections were above, though he were below: He conversed more with Heaven than with earth while he remained on it, and is now a Crown of Glory in the hand of the Lord, and a Royall Diadem in the hand of his God, as being an ornament unto Heaven it self.
He lived in the world seventy five years (within one monethmonth,)His long life. in which long race he saw many sad changes, and sore storms beating hard upon the Church, tossed with tempests, and not yet at Anchor. But never was David more distressed for his dearest Jonathan, than this man of Bowels was for the calamities of the dear Spouse of Christ.His sympathy. He was most incessantly inquisitive after the Churches estate in all Countries; A sad lamenter of all her afflictions; A daily Orator, and mighty Advocate for her at the Throne of Grace, and never enjoyed himself, but when he descried her under sail towards some Creek, or Haven, wherein she might find comfort, and rest: being much in Prayer and Fasting for her full reformation, and perfect deliverance.
Some good hopes whereof he conceived in the prosperous atchievements of the Great Gustavus Adolphus, late King of Sweden (semper Augustus:) But when he by the sad, and unsearchable providence of the only wise God, suddenly, and untimely fell, in the full carier of his victories, and of the Churches hopes, and that the Christian world was by his fall, hurled from the height of so great expectation, he continually mourned over the unhappy setting of that glorious Northern Starre, as a sad presage of all the inundations of miseries since befallen, and that still are rising higher, and higher upon the Church of Christ, the quick, and deep sence whereof lay close upon his heart to his dying day.
Neither was he without his sufferings,His afflictions. and dangers in our uncivil Civil Wars. He was affronted by rude Ruffians, and bloody minded Souldiers, who tyranized over him in his own house; not permitting him quietly to enjoy himself, and his God in his private study, to which he often retired, not only from their insolencies, but from their Blasphemies: Even thither would they pursue him with drawn swords, vowing his instant Death for not complying with them in their bloody engagements. Yet it pleased that gracious God whom he had so faithfully served,Gods providence. to preserve him for further service, and to make that an hiding place for his preservation which they intended for his slaughter house, and after all, to bring him to his end in peace.
When he had faithfully served his Generation,His death. by the will of God, in the Gospel of his Son for above forty seven years, he was gathered to his Fathers in a good old Age, full of Days, and Honour, by a blessed, and happy Death (the certain result of an holy life) Decemb. 25. Anno Christi 1649. the day formerly used for celebrating the Nativity of his great Lord and Master, the Lord Jesus Christ.
The last Testimony of the Peoples great love to him must not be forgotten by any that desire to preserve his precious memory in their hearts with honour.His Funeral. This amply appeared by their great lamentation, and mourning for him in his sickness, and at his Death, and sad Exequies. His Funeral was extraordinarily celebrated, not only by the voluntary confluence of the greatest number of people that ever crouded into the spacious Fabrick of that Church; and by many hundreds more there assembled about the door, which were unable to get in: But by multitudes of Gentlemen, and Ministers, all striving to out-mourn each other, standing about his Hearse with tears, recounting his excellent Labors, his fruitfull Life, their great profiting by him (as sometimes the widows about Peter, weeping, and shewing the coats, and garments which Dorcas made while she was with them) every one aggravating their griefs, and losses in his gain, and striving who should honour him most in bearing his Body to the bed of Rest.
The Testimony given him at his Interment by him who performed that last office of love with many tears,The Testimony at his Funeral. and which he knowingly spake from his long, and intimate acquaintance, and conversing with him almost forty years together, take with you for a close in that Ministers own words out of the Pulpit.
Although (said he) Funeral Orations are commonly, either the vain flourishes of mercinary tongues, or the weak supports of an emendicated fame; and since good mens works shall praise them in the gates, it is but to light a candle to the Sun: and since bad mens works cannot be covered with so thin a daub; It is but to paint arotten Post. Yet some Testimony is due to such as having obtained a more eminent place in Christs mystical Body, the Church, have also been instruments of more than ordinary good to his Members. Samuel died a Judge, a Prophet; a Great man, a Good man in Israel, and all the Israelites were gathered together (to honour his Obsequies) and lamented him, and buried him, 1 Sam. 25. 1.
To say nothing then of so rich a Cargazoon, so full a Magazine, so rare a subject of all commendable qualities, and admirable endowments, were a frustrating of your eager expectations.
To say little, were a wrong to him that deserved so much; to say much, were both a derogation from his merits, that may challenge, and an imputation upon your Judgements and affections that will acknowledg more due, than I can now deliver. Nevertheless, since the memorial of the Just is a sweet perfume, give me leave to strew a few of his own flowers upon his Herse, and I will discharge your Patience.
His holy Life, and consciencious courses, his constant Labors thrice a week in the Ministery of the Gospel (unless in times of sickness, or necessitated restraint) for the space of forty seven years (wherein he could give an account of above seven thousand elaborate Sermons preached by him) are so well known, not only in this, or the neighbour Parishes, but through the whole County, and the Country round about, that I need not mention them.
Few men ever ran so long a Race without cessation, or cespitation, so constantly, so unweariedly, so unblamably.
All which time he was a burning, and a shining light, joyfully spending, and being spent for the good of Gods people. Many, many of whom he hath guided to Heaven before him, who received the beginnings of spiritual life from his Ministry; and many more shall walk in that light after him.
And from his splendent Lamp, divers faithfull Ministers (some Triumphant before him, some Militant after him) have lighted their Candles: His Tuesdays Lecture being more profitable to teach usefull Divinity than an Academy, whereby he did not only, Dolare lapides, sed artifices.
Two things (rarely met in one man) were both eminent in him: A quick invention, and a sound judgement, and these accompanied with a clear expression, and a gracefull elocution. To which Integrity, and Humility being joyned, made him a transcendent Minister, and a compleat Christian.
In his sickness (full of biting pains, which he bore with great Patience) it was his greatest grief that God had taken him off from his labour, which was his life and joy. His heavenly mind (like the heavenly bodies) counted his work no weariness. If he were weary in work, he was yet never weary of work. His spirit was still willing when the flesh was weak: And he often used to say in his health, Si per hanc viam mors, sum immortalis: and in his weakness, Odi artus, fragilemque hunc corporis usum desertorem animi.
And when he saw no more ability for labors, he accounted it superfluous to live; and chearfully, not only yielded, but patiently desired to die, in a satiety, and fulness of life; not as meat loathed (as many times natural men do) but as a dish, though well liked, that he had fed his full of.
He had his intellectuals strong in a weak body; witness his last Swan-like song in this place, the sweet Doctrine of our Adoption in Jesus Christ, on Rom. 8. 16. (so far he had gone in that Chapter) most clearly, and acuratly delivered, and aptly distinguished from Justification, and sanctification: yet that day, October 16. going to Church, and sensible of his own weakness, he said to a dear Friend (who told him that he came to see, and hear him) perhaps it may be my last; as to all our loss, it was indeed.
And as if his motion in Gods work, had been natural, he was more quick, more vigorous toward his Center, and, like the Sun, shewed his greatest light, when he was nearest his setting.
His last Ministerial duty privately done in great weakness of Body (unable to go to the Church) was the Baptizing of two children, wherein he streamed such beames of Divinity; sounded such bowels of Humanity, shewed such sweetness of affection to his charge, that I seriously wished his whole Congregation had heard him, in this departing farewell. And being told how well it was approved, he replyed with tears, in great humility, Lord, what am I? What am I?
To diverse of his loving Neighbours, visiting him, he often protested, that Doctrine that he had taught them, was the truth of God, as he should answer at the Tribunal of Christ, whereunto he was hasting, exhorting them to stand fast therein, as he most affectionately prayed for them, professing of them with joy, I have kind friends, kind neighbours, Lord reward them all, and grant they may find mercy with him in that day.
His desire was to give to his Neighbours (if enough could have been had his Printed Catechism, which (to my knowledge) hath had the approbation, and commendation of the profoundest, and accutest Judgements in both Universities; and well it might, being a compleat Body of Orthodox Divinity, and to have this assertion of the Apostle Peter written before it,—Exhorting, and testifying that this is the true Grace of God wherein ye stand—and to subscribe his name to it.
After he had in himself received the sentence of death approaching (which he chearfully did, when he saw no more likelihood of Labour) he desired his Friends not to pray for his life; but pray God (said he) for Faith, for Patience, for Repentance, for joy in the Holy Ghost; and the Lord heard him in that he desired, for he was a rare pattern in all these, as (amongst many others) these gracious words of his may witness, Lord (said he) cast me down as low as Hell in Repentance, and lift me up by faith to the highest Heavens in confidence of thy salvation.
I wish our proud, presumptuous, impenitentiaries had heard him crying for Repentance, and seen him weeping for Grace. It might, perhaps, have melted their stony hearts.
As he was full of days, so was he full of grace, full of peace, full of assurance: The Tuesday before he departed, This day seven night (said he) is the day on which we have used to remember Christs Nativity, and on which day I have preached Christ, I shall scarce live to see it; but, For me was that Child born, unto me was that Son given, who is, Wonderfull, Councellor, the Mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of peace.
And no less full was he of true Honour for his worth, and work sake in the hearts of all that feared God; his memory shall be blessed, and his name a sweet perfume to posterity, when the names of his reproachfull scorners (the last brood of Beelzebub) shall rot, and stink, and be an abhorring to all slesh.
He is now come to the end of his labour, and the beginning of his rest. His work was with his God, and his reward shall be from his God: Now he sees the blessed, and blessing face of God, which is the glory of all sights, and the sight of all glory.
Thus set this bright Occidental Star: A Star of the first Magnitude. One of the first, and I dare say (without envy of any, that knew him, and that knows himself) one of the most glorious Lights that ever shone in this Orb, or ever is like to arise in this Horizon. O! how is such a publick loss to be lamented! Of such a Champion of Christ! Such an Atlas of the Truth! that set his shoulders to support the shaken pillars thereof in these days of abounding, and abetted errours.
Well may this Parish mourn, well may this Country, well may his Friends, his Family: well may we of the Ministry bewail it, saying, O my Father, my Father, the Chariots of Israel, and the Horsemen thereof! Ah my Brother, my Brother! I am distressed for thee, very pleasant hast thou been unto me: Lovely and gracious in Life, lovely and glorious in Death.
—Heu tua nobis
Morte simul tecum solatia rapta!
I end in one word of Exhortation,
You that have heard the joyfull sound of this (now broken) silver Trumpet so long, remember that by the space of forty, and seven years, he ceased not to warn every one with tears: Remember what he hath spoken while he lived: Remember what he yet speaks being Dead? Hold fast the form of sound words which ye have heard of him. Hold fast the faithfull word which he hath taught you. Hold fast the profession of your Faith without wavering. Take heed of wolves: Beware of Dogs: Take heed of men: Men of perverse minds, speaking perverse things to draw disciples after them. Although the Prophets die, yet Gods word spoken by them shall live for ever, and will do good to them that walk uprightly, and shall take hold on them that obey it not.
So let us leave our Brother in the Bed of Honour, till the joyfull morning of the Resurrection of the just, when he, amongst them that have turned many unto righteousness, shall shine as the Stars, for ever, and ever.
The Righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance, Psal. 112. 6.
The issues of his brain and heart made publick, were only these;
First,His Works. that exquisite, and accurate, Guide to true blessedness (so often reprinted, and so highly esteemed by all that read it through, with understanding, and care.
Then (at several times) he gave way to four occasional, and select Sermons, viz. The Waking sleep. The Ministerial Husbandry. The Discovery of the Heart; and Death subdued.
That wherein he had taken most pains (which since is published in Print by Dr. Burgess, and Mr. W. Gregory) is an excellent Treatise, wherein his main design, in very apposite, and acutely distinguishing Characters, was to lay open, not those more apparent, and obvious contrarieties of vertues in Holy, and vices in wicked men, evident unto ordinary capacities upon the first aspect; but the more hidden, and less discerned difference between the plausibly… seeming vertues of evil men, and the real Graces of the truly Godly: as likewise between the raigning sins of Hypocrites, and the daily infirmities of the Saints, which many times, even by quicksighted Spectators, are both mistaken.
In prosecution whereof, he first brings forth the Hypocrite in his best dress, and attire, and then sets by him a Regenerate man living up to his Rule: adding the differences between them, thereby to unmask the Hypocrite, and to detect his Incroachments upon the name, and priviledges of the Saints. Secondly, he sets out a true Childe of God, labouring under infirmities, and an Hypocrite under the power of sin (which cannot consist with saving Grace) notwithstanding all his flourishes, that so he may clearly distinguish a Christian in black, from a Counterfeit in white, and between the bewailed weaknesses of the Saints, and the wilfull wandrings of the wicked.
A work no less needfull to all, than gratefull to the Soul-sound, self-searching Christian, that labours for sincerity, and the assurance of it. But the iniquity of the Times, full of Hypocrisie, and Atheism, hating, and hindering such discoveries, and by all means discouraging those that would make them (together with the Authors constant Imployment, even unto the impairing of his strength, and spirits in feeding his Flock) disabled him from compleating that admirable Piece.
Sundry other issues of his fertile, and excellent wit, and curious Invention he left behind him, as divers choice, and sacred Aphorisms, Anatomica, Nosognostica, Pathologica, Therapeutica, Physiologica, and Prophylactica: As also divers Divine Emblemes, and Similitudes; all eminent demonstrations of his exquisite abilities, and profitable improvements of them.