A Collection of the Lives of Ten Eminent Divines, Biography 3
The Life and Death of Mr. John Cotton, who died An. Christi 1652.
JOhn Cotton was born at Derby, His Birth.Anno Christi 1584. His Parents were persons of considerable quality, and of good reputation. Their condition, as to the things of this life, competent: neither unable to defray the expences of his education in good literature, nor so abounding, as to be a temptation on the other hand unto the neglect thereof: and God, who had then predetermined this then tender plant, to be a Tree of Life, for the feeding of many thousands, and to be a chosen Vessel to bear his Name before the Nations, in way thereunto, he inspired his Parents with an effectuall sollicitude concerning the ordering of this their Son in his minority.
This care in his Parents was quickly above expectation answered in the first-fruits of their Sons proficiency,His education who more, and more encreased great hopes concerning him throughout the whole time of his minority, wherein he was trained up in the Grammar School of Derby.
When he was about the age of thirteen,He goes to Cambridge. he was admitted into Trinity College in Cambridg, where his industry was great, and his profiting in the Arts, and Languages above his equals, so far commended him to the Master, and Fellows, as that he had undoubtedly been chosen Fellow of that College, had not their extraordinary expence about building of their great Hall at that time put it by, or at least, deferred their election, untill some longer time.
From Trinity he was removed to Emanuel, that happy Seminary both of Piety,His remove to Emanuel. and Learning: and in that Society the Lord gave him favour, so that in due time he was honoured with a Fellowship amongst them; when he was elected to it, after a diligent, and strict examination according to the Statutes of the College; wherein this is not unworthy the taking notice of; that when the Poser came to examine him in the Hebrew Tongue, the place that he made triall of him by, was that portion of Scripture, Isaiah the 3d, wherein the Prophet declaims against the pride, and haughtiness of the Daughters of Sion; which Text hath more hard words in it, than any other place of the Bible, within so short a compass: and therefore, though a present construction, and resolution thereof, might have put a good Hebrician to a stand, yet such was his ability, and dexterity, as made those hard words facil, and easie,Gods providence. and rendred him a prompt respondent. And this providence is further remarkable about him, That whereas his Father (whose calling was towards the Law) was but obscure, and had not many Clients that made use of his advice in Law-matters before; it pleased God after his Sons going to Cambridg, to bless him with great practice, so that he was very able to keep him there, and to allow him full, and liberall maintenance; Insomuch as this blessed man hath been oft heard to say, God kept me in the University.
Being thus advanced,His Industry. he was in the place of improvement, beset with Examples as so many objects of better emulation. If he slacken his pace, his compeers will leave him behinde: and though he quicken it, there are still those that are before him: But he was, not only a lover of Labour, but Communicative of his Learning, and therefore he proved a diligent Tutor, and had many young Students committed to his care. He was a Didactical-man, both able, and apt to teach: and truly ability to instruct youth argues a Wise man: and to be willing to teach, argues a good man: For goodness is communicative: And such was his Academical dexterity,His prudence. that he could impart (as Scaliger speaks) the felicities of wit to his hearers, so accomodating and insinuating the matter in hand, as that his Pupils might both perceive their profiting, and taste the sweetness of that wherein they profited. Thus by his School-stratagems he won the hearts of his Pupils both to himself, and to a desire of Learning: they were each to other as the Prophets, and the sons of the Prophets: his Pupils were honourers, and lovers of him: and he was a Tutor, a Friend, and a Father unto them.
The manner of his Conversion,His Conver…ion. according to his own relation was thus. During his residence in the University, God began to work upon him by the Ministery of Mr. William Perkins of blessed memory: But the motions, and stirrings of his heart which then were, he suppressed, thinking that if he should trouble himself with matters of Religion, according to the light he had then received, it would be an hinderance to him in his Studies, which then he had much addicte… himself unto. Therefore he was willing to silence those suggestions, and inward Callings which he had from Gods Spirit, and did wittingly defer the prosecution of that work until afterwards. At length, as he was walking in the fields, he heard the Bell tolling for Mr. Perkins, who lay a dying, whereupon he was secretly glad in his heart, that he should now be rid of him, who had (as he said) laid siege to, and beleagured his heart. This became matter of much affliction to him afterwards, God keeping it upon his Spirit, with the aggravation of it, and making it an effectual means of convincing, and humbling him in the sight, and sense of the natural enmity that is in mans nature against God. Afterward hearing Dr. Sibs (then Mr.Sibs) preaching a Sermon about Regeneration, wherein he shewed, First, what Regeneration was not, and so opening the state of a meer Civil man, Mr. Cotton saw his own condition fully discovered, which (through Gods mercy) did drive him to a stand, as plainly seeing himself, destitute of true Grace, all his false hopes, and grounds now failing him: and so he lay for a long time, in an uncomfortable despairing way: and of all other things this was his heaviest burden, that he had wittingly withstood the means, and offers of Grace and mercy which he found had been tendered to him; thus he continued till it pleased God to let in a word of Faith into his heart, and to cause him to look unto Christ for his healing, which word also was dispensed unto him by the same Doctor Sibs, which begat in him a singular, and constant love to the said Doctor, of whom he was also answerably beloved.
That which frist made him famous in Cambridge, was his Funeral Oration for Doctor Some, His Ora…ory.Master of Peter House, which was so accurately performed in respect of Invention, Elegancy, Purity of Stile, Ornaments of Rhetorick, Elocution, and Oratorious beauty of the whole, as that he was thenceforth looked at as another Xenophon, or Musa Attica, throughout the University.
Some space of time intervening, he was called to preach at St. Maries, where he preached a University Sermon, with high Applause from the Academical Wits, insomuch as the fame of his Learning grew greater, and greater. And afterwards being again called to preach in the same place (as one Oration of Pericles left his hearers with an Appetite after another) so the memory of his former accurate Exercises, filled the Colleges, especially the young Students, with a fresh expectation of such Elegancies of Learning, as made them flock to the Sermon with an Athenian Itch after some new thing, as to the ornaments of Rhetorick, and abstruser notions of Philosophy. But his spirit now savouring of the Cross of Christ more than of humane Literature, and being taught of God to distinguish between the Word of Wisdom, and the Wisdom of Words, his speech, and preaching was not now with the enticing words of mans wisdom, but in the demonstration of the Spirit, and of power.
The disappointed expectation of the Auditory soon appeared in their countenances, and the discouragement of their non-acceptance returned him unto his Chamber, not without some sad thoughts of heart: Where yet he had not been long, but lo, Dr. Preston (then Mr. Preston) knocks at his Chamber door,He converted Dr. Preston. and coming in, acquainted him with his spiritual condition, and tells him how it had pleased God to work effectually upon his heart by that Sermon: After which Dr. Preston ever highly prized him, and both fully, and strongly closed with him: which real Seal of God unto his Ministery much comforted his soul, far above what the present less acceptance of the Auditory had dejected him, or their former acceptance had encouraged him.
His Concio ad Clerum, His great Learning.or Latine Sermon, which he preached when he proceeded Bachelor of Divinity (which was after he had been at Boston about half a year) was very much admired, and commended. His Text was, Mat. 5. 13. Vos estis sal terrae: quod si sal infatuatus fuerit, quo salietur? Ye are the salt of the earth; but if the salt hath lost its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? In handling of which Text, both the weight of the matter, the elegancy of Phrase, Rhetorical strains, grave, sweet, and spiritual pronunciation, rendred him yet more famous. The like did his answering of the Divinity Act in the Schools, having a very acute Opponent [Mr. William Chappel] to dispute with him. So that in Cambridge the name of Mr. Cotton was much set by.
Unto this earthen vessel,His call to Boston. thus filled with Heavenly Treasure, the Inhabitants of Boston in Lincolnshire, made their address, saying, Come and help us. And in that Candlestick the Father of Lights placed this burning, and shining Light: To whom he removed from Cambridge about the twenty eight year of his Age. At his first coming, he met with some obstructions from the Diocesan, then Bishop Barlo, who told him that he was a young man, and therefore unfit to be set over such a divided people: Mr. Cotton being ingenious, and undervaluing himself, thought so too, and purposed to return to the College again: But some of his Boston Friends, understanding that one Simon Biby was to be spoken with, who was neer to the Bishop, they presently charmed him, and so the business proceeded without any further trouble, and Mr. Cotton was admitted into the place after their manner in those days.
Two things are here not unworthy our observation,His Temptations. which Mr. Cotton would sometimes speak of to his Friends: First, That in the beginning of his Ministery he was exercised with some inward troubles which much dejected him. And indeed, good spirits are much bettered by their conflicts with the worst of spirits: Spiritual Preachers are often trained up in the School of temptation. So true is that Theological maxime, Meditation, Prayer, and Temptation make a Divine. This Dispensation of the All-wise God, he afterwards found, not only to be beneficiall unto him, in preparing his heart for his work: but also that it became an effectual means of his more peaceable, and comfortable settlement in that place, where the people were divided amongst themselves, by reason of a potent man in the Town, who adhered to another Cambridge man whom he would faign have brought in. But when he saw Mr. Cotton wholly taken up with his own exercises of spirit, he was free from all suspition of his being Pragmatical, or addicted to siding with this or that party; and so both he and his party began to close more fully with him.
Secondly, Whereas there was an Arminian party in that Town, some of whom were witty, and troubled others with Disputes about those points; by Gods blessing upon his Labours in holding forth positively such truths, as undermined the foundations of Arminianism, those Disputes ceased, and the Tenets of Arminianism were no more pleaded for. Thus God disposeth of the hearts of hearers, as that generally they are all open and loving to their Preachers at their first entrance.
For three or four years he lived,His troubles. and preached amongst them without opposition. They accounted themselves happy (as well they might) in the enjoyment of him; both the Town and Country thereabouts being much bettered, and reformed by his Labours. But after he was not able to bear the Ceremonies imposed, his Non-Conformity occasioned his trouble in the Bishops Court at Lincoln, from whence he was advised to appeal to an higher Court: and imploying Mr. Leveret (who afterwards was one of the Ruling Elders of the Church of Boston in New England) to deal in that business, and he (like Jacob) being a plain man, yet piously subtile to get such a spiritual blessing, so far insinuated himself into one of the Proctors of that high-Court, that Mr. Cotton was treated by them, as if he were a Conformable man, and so was restored unto Boston.
After this time he was blessed with a successfull Ministry unto the end of twenty years. In which space he on the Lords Dayes in the afternoons, went over the whole Body of Divinity in a Catechistical way thrice,His Labours. and gave the heads of his Discourse to those that were yong Scholars, & others in the Town, to answer his questions in publick in that great congregation: and after their Answers, he opened those heads of Divinity; and finally applied all to the edification of his people, and of such strangers as came to hear him. In the morning of the Lords Dayes he preached over the first six Chapters of the Gospel of St. John: the whole Book of Ecclesiastes; the Prophesie of Zachariah, and many other Scriptures; and when the Lords Supper was administred (which was usual every mon…th) he preached upon, 1 Corinth. 11. & 2 Chron. 30. the whole Chapter, besides some other Scriptures concerning that subject. On his Lecture days, he preached through the whole first, and second Epistles of John, the whole Book of Solomons Song; the Parables of our Saviour set forth in Matthews Gospel to the end of Chapter the 16th. comparing them with Mark and Luke: He took much pains in private, and read to sundry young Scholars that were in his House,…is Industry. and to some that came out of Germany, and had his house full of Auditors: Afterwards, seeing some inconvenience in the Peoples flocking to his House, besides his ordinary Lecture on the Thursdays, he preached thrice more in publick on the week days: viz. on Wednesdays, and Thursdays, early in the morning, and on Saturdays at three a clock in the afternoon. Only these three last Lectures were performed by him but some few years before he had another famous Colleague.
He was frequent in Duties of Humiliation,His holy Duties. and Thanksgiving: Sometimes he continued five or six hours in Prayer, and opening the Word: So indefatigable was he in the Lords Work: so willing to spend, and be spent therein. Besides, he answered many Letters that were sent him far and near, wherein were handled many difficult Cases of Conscience, and many doubts cleared to great satisfaction.
He was a man exceedingly beloved,Gods providence. and admired of the best, and reverenced of the worst of his Hearers. He was in great favour with Dr. Williams, the then Bishop of Lincoln, who much esteemed him for his Learning, and when he was Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, he went to King James, and speaking of Mr. Cottons great Learning and worth; the King was willing, notwithstanding his Non-conformity, to give way that he should have his Liberty in his Ministry without interruption: which was the more remarkable considering how that Kings Spirit was carried out against such wayes. Also, the Earl of Dorchester, being at Old Boston, and hearing Mr. Cotton preaching about Civil Government, he was so affected with the wisdom of his words, and spirit, that he did ever after highly account of him, and put himself forth what he could in the time of Mr. Cottons troubles to deliver him out of them, that so his Boston might still enjoy him as formerly; but his desires were too strongly opposed to be accomplished.
About this time he married his second Wife, Mistriss Sarah Story, His Marriage.then a Widow. He was blessed above many in his Marriages, both his Wives being pious Mat…ons, grave, sober, and faithfull. By the first he had no children: the last, God made a fruitfull Vine unto him: His first-born was brought forth far off upon the Sea, in his passage to New England: So that he being childless when he left Europe, arrived a joyfull Father in America: In memorial whereof he called his name Sea-born, to keep alive (said he) in me, and to teach my Son, if he live, a remembrance of Sea-mercies, from the hand of a gracious God: He is yet living, and entred into the Work of the Ministry. A Son of many Prayers, and of great expectation.
The corruption of the times being now such,His troubles. that he could not continue in the exercise of his Ministery without sin; and the envy of his maligners having now procured Letters Missive to convent him before the High Commission Court, which Letters a debauched Inhabitant of that Town undertook to serve upon him (who shortly after died of the Plague.)Gods judgement on a persecutor. Mr. Cotton having intelligence thereof, and well-knowing that nothing but scorns, and imprisonment were to be expected from them, according to the advice of many able heads, and upright hearts (amongst whom that holy man of God, Mr. Dod, of blessed memory, had a singular influence) he kept himself close for a time, in, and about London, as Luther sometime did at Wittenberg; and Paraeus since at Anvilla: Yet was not that season of his recess unprofitable:He …lies into New Engl. For addresses during that time were made unto him privately by divers persons of worth, and piety, who received satisfaction from him in their Cases of Conscience of greatest concernment. And when he went into New England, it was not a flight from duty, but from evident danger, and unto duty: Not from the profession of the truth, but unto a more opportune place for the profession of it.
When Mr. Cotton arrived at New England, his manner of entrance unto them was with much blessing.His arrivall in New Engl. For at his first coming he found them not free from troubles about setling the matters both of Church and Commonwealth. At which time, being requested, he preached before the general Court: His Text was, Haggai 2. 4. Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the Lord, Be strong, O Joshua the son of Josedek, the High Priest, and be strong all ye people of the Land, saith the Lord, and work: For I am with you, saith the Lord of Hosts: A speciall providence.And the Lord working mightily by this Sermon, all obstructions were presently removed, and the spirits of all sorts, as one man, were excited unanimously, and vigorously in the work of the Lord from that very day.
In order whereunto, the Court considering, that all the Members of that Republick, were also Church Members, and therefore to be governed according to the Law of God, they desired Mr. Cotton to draw an abstract of the Judicial Laws delivered from God to Moses, so far forth as they were of Moral, i. e. of perpetual, and universal equity; which accordingly he did, advising them to persist in their purpose of establishing a Theocraty, i. e. Gods Government, over Gods people.Magistrates and Ministers united. From this time it was a usual thing for the Magistrates to consult with the Ministers in hard and difficult cases, especially about matters of Religion: yet so, as notwithstanding occasional conjunction, Religious care was had of avoiding confusion of Councils. After which time how usefull Master Cotton was to Old England, to New England, to Magistrates, to Ministers, to People, in Publick, in Private, by Preaching, by Counsel, and resolving difficult questions, all know that knew him, and consequently saw the Grace of God so evidently manifested in him.
In the course of his Ministry in New Boston, His Labours.by way of Exposition he went over the Old Testament to Isaiah the 30. The whole New Testament once through, and the second time to the middle of Hebrews the 7th. Upon the Lords Days, and Lecture Days, he preached through the Acts of the Apostles: the Prophesies of Haggai, Zechariah, Ezra, the Revelations, Ecclesiastes, Canticles: the second, and third Epistles of John, The success of the Ministry.the Epistle to Titus, both the Epistles to Timothy; the Epistle to the Romans, with other Scriptures. The presence of the Lord being with him, and Crowning his Labours with the Conversion of many Souls, and the edification of thousands. Besides these aforementioned Labors, he hath many pieces in Print, which being well known, need not be here enumerated.
His youth was unstained, whence he was so much the more capable of being an excellent Instrument in the Church in his elder days. He that will do good in the Church, must have a good report of them which are without, lest he fall into the reproach, and snare of the Devil, 1 Tim. 3. 7. St. Augustine tels us, that A good life is requisite in respect of our selves, but a good name is requisite in respect of others. We may be good men if we have a good Conscience, but we are not like to do much good, if we have not a good name.
He was a general Scholar,His learning and studiousness. studious to know all things, the want whereof might in one of his Profession be denomitated ignorance, and piously ignorant of those things, the nescience whereof made him more Learned. Deservedly therefore is his praise great in all the Churches, that he not only gave himself to the acquiring of Learning, but exceeded many that had done vertuously therein. He excelled in the greater part of the Encuclopaidia.
Those which best knew his goings out,His piety. and his coming in, cannot but give a large testimony to his Piety. He was a Saint (above many of the Saints) manifestly declared in the Consciences of the Godly amongst whom he walked, to be the Epistle of Christ, known, and read of all men. In his house he walked with a perfect heart. He was an example to the Flock; clothed with love, and humility amongst his Brethren: One of a thousand in respect of his worth: But (as it is reported of Dr. Whitaker) as one of the multitude in respect of his facile, and companionlike behaviour.His Humility. Both ability, and modesty in such a degree, are not ordinarily to be found in the same man. Others with much affection beheld the beauty of his face, whilest himself was as one who knew not that his face shined. He was a Father, Friend, and Brother to his fellow-Elders, and a shining Light before all men.
He well knew that a Bishop ought not to be defective in the well government of his Family:His Family carriage. He must be one that rules well his own house: In conscience whereof, he himself rising betimes in the morning, as soon as he was ready, he called his Family together (which was also his practice in the evening) to the solemn worship of God, reading, and expounding, and occasionally also applying the Scriptures unto them, alwayes beginning, and ending with Prayer. In case of sin committed by child or servant, he would call them aside privately (the matter so requiring) laying the Scriptures before them, and causing them to read that part which bore witness against such an offence: Seldome or never correcting in anger, that the dispensation of godly Discipline might not be impured, or become less effectuall, through the intermixing of humane passion.
He began the Sabbath, His Sabbath imployment.on the Saturday evening: and therefore then performed Family duties after Supper, being larger then ordinary in Exposition, after which he Catechized his children, and Servants, and then returned into his Study. The morning following, Family worship being ended, he retired into his Study untill the Bell called him away. Upon his return from the Congregation, he returned again into his Study (the place of his Labour, and Prayer) unto his private devotion; where (having a small repast carried him up for his dinner) he continued till the toling of the Bell. The publick service being ended, he withdrew for a space into his aforementioned Oratory, for his sacred addresses unto God, as in the forenoon: Then came down, repeated the Sermon in his Family, prayed, and after Supper sang a Psalm, and, towards bed time, betaking himself again to his Study, he closed the day with Prayer. Thus he spent the Sabbath continually.
In his Study,His dependance on God. he neither sate down unto, nor arose from his Meditations without Prayer: Whilest his eyes were upon his Book, his expectation was from God. He had learned to Study, because he had learned to Pray. An able Student is a Gospel Student, because unable to Study without Jesus Christ. The barrenness of his Meditation at some times, yea though his endeavour was most intense upon a good matter, convinced him whence it was, that his heart musing upon the same Subject at another time, his tongue became as the Pen of a ready writer. As he was not (comparatively) wanting in parts, Learning, or Industry; so was he most carefull not to trust in them, but to fix his dependance wholly upon God. Herein he was not unlike to blessed Bradford who studied kneeling. Another Synesius, who was wont to divide his life between Prayer, and his Book. Like unto Paul, Not sufficient of himself to think any thing as of himself, and professing all his sufficiency to be of God. But we will give our selves (say the Apostles) continually unto Prayer, and to the Ministry of the Word. Men of labour, they were, and men of Prayer.
As any weighty cause presented it self either in the Church,His Fastings. Commonwealth, or his Family, he used to set dayes apart to seek the face of God in secret: Such were the bowels of this spirituall Father, the Horsmen, and Chariots of this Israel. He might say with Paul, He was in fastings often. His conversation upon earth was a trading in Heaven. A demonstration of the praises of him who hath called him. A temperature of that holiness, sweetness, and love, which continually gained upon the hearts of many spectators. The habituall gracious scope of his heart in his whole Ministry, is not illegible in that usuall subscription of his at the end of all his Sermons, Tibi Domine. Unto thy honour, O Lord. A tast of the divine Soliloquies between God and his soul, you may please to take notice of from these two transcribed Poems left behind him in his Study, written with his own hand.
A thankfull acknowledgement of Gods providence.
In Mothers womb thy fingers did me make,
And from the womb thou did'st me safely take:
From breast thou hast me nurst my life throughout,
That I may say I never wanted ought.
In all my meales my Table thou hast spread,
In all my lodgings thou hast made my bed:
Thou hast me clad with changes of array,
And chang'd my house for better far away.
In youthfull wandrings thou didst stay my slide,
In all my journeys thou hast been my guide:
Thou hast me sav'd from many an unknown danger,
And shew'd me favour even where I was a stranger.
In both my Callings thou hast heard my voice,
In both my matches thou hast made my choise:
Thou gav'st me sons, and daughters them to peer.
And giv'st me hope thoul't learn them thee to fear.
Oft have I seen thee look with mercies face,
And through thy Christ have felt thy saving grace:
This is the Heav'n on earth, if any be:
For this, and all, my soul doth worship thee.
Another made by him (as it seems) upon his remove from Boston into that wilderness of N. Engl.
I now may expect some changes of miseries,
Since God hath made me sure,
That himself by them all will purge mine iniquities
As fire makes silver pure.
Then what though I find the deep deceitfulness
Of a distrustfull heart?
Yet I know with the Lord is abundant faithfulness,
He will not lose his part.
When I think of the sweet, and gracious company
That at Boston once I had,
And of the long peace of a fruitfull Ministry
For twenty years enjoy'd.
The joy that I found in all that happiness
Doth still so much refresh me,
That the grief to be cast out into a wilderness
Doth not so much distress me.
For when God saw his people, his own at our Town,
That together they could not hit it,
But that they had learned the language of Askelon,
And one with another could chip it.
He then saw it time to send in a busie Elf,
A Joyner to take them asunder:
That so they might learn each one to deny himself
And so to piece together.
When the breach of their Bridges, and all their Banks
And of him that School teaches;
When the breach of the Plague, and of their Trade also arow,
Could not learn them to see their breaches.
Then God saw it time to break out on their Ministers,
By loss of health, and peace;
Yea withall, to break in upon their Magistrates,
That so their pride might cease.
A Disputation is well called the Sieve of truth:His Moderation. So in his Polemical labors he was a seeker thereof in love: His scope was, the Glory of God, Unity of the Church, and the edification of men, not the ostentation of wit. It was his holy ambition, not to seem to be learned, but indeed to be bettered. A sincere seeker of light, not of victory. Witness his Brotherly acceptance of Dr. Twiss his Examination of Mr. Cottons Treatise of Predestination, from whom he acknowledged that he received light thereby, and was ready to attest the great abilities of the Doctor, that Star (if any in this age) of the first magnitude. It is true, Mr. Cottons mind was then exercised about the point of Reprobation. Touching the point of Election, it is sufficiently known that he was not only Orthodox, but also cleer. As there were of old that pretended the Predestinarian Heresie to have had it's rise from St. Austin, and Grevinchovius of late blushed not to say of famous Dr. Ames, who was, Arminianorum malleus, Amesius Pelagianizat. Dr. Ames playes the Pelagian: So, the wonder is less, if this sound, and judicious Divine hath not escaped the imputation of Arminianism from some, notwithstanding the redundant Testimony of his Doctrine, and generally of all that knew him, to the contrary; yea, that occasionally he hath been heard to say, by Testimony yet alive, and above exception, that he looked at Arminianism as another Gospel, and directly contrary to the Covenant of Grace. What Melancthon sometimes said to Eccius, may be here truly applied to him: Mr. Cotton in his Disputations sought not his own Glory, but Gods Truth So able an Opponent was rare, so candid an Opponent was more rare. He that fell into his hands, was likely to fall soft enough ordinarily (except through his own default) not likely to lose any thing save his error.
A mans wisdom makes his face to shine:His Wisdome. He had an happy, a quick comprehensive, and benign understanding, as having received the manifestation of the Spirit, for the service and profit of others. To discover the mind of God, and therewith the sentence of Judgment, in matters too hard for inferiour Judges, was no small part, both of the worth, and usefulness of him that was to minister before the Lord. So it seemed good to the Father of Lights to make this happy Instrument, not only to excel his Brethren, but in many respects, upon this account to excel himself: A Grace so far acknowledged in him, as that all sorts, both the Magistrates, and private Persons, whether learned, or unlearned, exercised with their respective Cases of conscience, waited under God, in a special manner upon his lips for knowledge, and sought the Law at his mouth. So equal a contention between learning and meekness, is seldom visible in any one person. …he consciences of those that knew him being appealed to, he will be acknowledged amongst the meekest on Earth in his dayes.
So conspicuous was this Grace in him, that multitudes beheld it,… Meeknes…. not without making extraordinary mention thereof. It is true, he had an advantage above many in his natural constitution, and it's influence from his education, heightened intellectuals, and moralities, was not inconsiderable; but that which gave the being of meekness, which sanctified, and perfected all, was the Grace of Christ. He was of an accute apprehension, and therefore sensible of, but yet so little in his own sight, that he was not easily provoked by an injury. Sensibleness of dishonor done to God by sin, or of what the offender had done unto himself by sinning, left such impressions upon him, as that his taking notice of any injury done unto himself, was not usually taken notice of. He had well learned that lesson of Gregory: It is better many times to fly from an injury by silence, than to overcome it by replying. It was Grynaeus his manner, to revenge wrongs by Christian taciturnity. If inferiors expostulated unnecessarily with him, he would patiently hear them, and give them a brotherly account, pacifying their minds with a gentle, grave, and respectiv… answer. Take one instance in this kind instead of many; unto one of his hearers, then sick of singularities, and therefore the less able to bear sound Doctrine, following him home after his publick labours in the Congregation, and instead of better incouragement, telling him that his Ministry was become either dark, or flat: He gently answered? Both, Brother, without further opening his mouth in his own defence; choosing rather to own the imputation, than to expostulate with the Imputer.
Disputations are great trials of the spirits of intelligent men.His Modest Hooper and Ridley were patient Martyrs, but somewhat impatient Disputers. The Synod held at Cambridge in New England, as matters were then circumstanced; was unto this good man an hour of temptation, above what had ordinarily befaln him in his Pilgrimage: yet such was his eminent behaviour throughout, as argued in the consciences of the Spectators singular patience, and left him a Mirrour for the temperament, mildness, and government of his Spirit. Pious meekness fits for Church Society. Yet though he was so gentle, meek, and flexible, that men might perswade him above what could be expected usually from a man of his worth, in the things of God he was steadfast, and unmovable. The Sanctuary cannot want the fire that is from Heaven, neither may it be touched with the fire that is from Hell. Gentleness of disposition, when actuated by Christ, makes us so much the more acceptable, and profitable unto man: But if the Spirit withdraweth his assistance, we fall short of reaching Gods ends, and the seasonable suppressing of exorbitancies. If this good man had alwayes had that voice sounding in his heart, which one wished that mild Lantgrave of Hessen might have heard from the Smiths forge: Duresce, duresce; Utinam & Lantgravius durescat: Happily there are that think some disorders, disturbances, and irregularities might, by Gods blessing, have been prevented.
But ordinarily, and in matters of greatest weight the Lord was with him. Though his forbearance was both observable, and very imitable in things that concerned himself; yet he could not forbear them whom he knew to be evil. An experience whereof he manifested some Heterodox spirits, by their specious discourses about Free-Grace and subtle concealings of their Principles, so far deceived him into a better opinion of them than there was cause, as that notwithstanding they fathered their Errors upon him in general, and abused his Doctrine to the countenancing of their denial of Inherent Grace in particular, yet was he slow to beleeve these things of them, and slower to bear witness against them. But so soon as the truth herein appeared to him, hear his own words taken out of his Letter to Mr. Davenport; The truth is (saith he) the body of the Island is bent to backslding into Errour, and Delusions: the Lord pitty, and pardon them, and me also, who have been so slow to see their windings and subtil contrivances, and insinuations in all their transactions, whilst they propagated their opinions under my expressions diverted to their constructions. Yea such was his ingenuity and piety as that his soul was not satisfied without often breaking forth into affectionate bewailing of his infirmity herein in the publick Assemblies, sometimes in his Prayer, sometimes in his Sermon, and that with tears.
He was a man of an ingenuous and pious candour,His Candor. rejoycing (as opportunity was offered) to take notice of, and to bear witness to the gifts of God in his Brethren, thereby drawing the hearts of them to him, and of others to them, and that to the encouragement of them, and the edification of many. He did not think himself a loser by putting honour upon his Fellow-labourers, but was willing that they should communicate with him in the love and esteem of the people. He was not only a son of Peace, enjoying continually the feast of a good conscience,His Peace-making with serenity and tranquillity of affections at home, but also a peace-maker, quallified by the graces aforementioned to be a choice Instrument in the hand of the Prince of Peace amongst the Churches, where if any difference arose, Mr. Cotton was ready (being called thereunto) to afford his help for the composin; of them; and had a singular faculty and ability therein, by reason of that excellent wisdome, and moderation of spirit which God in Christ had given him, whose blessing also did ordinarily crown his endeavours with good success.
He was one, the reality of whose profession gave many cause to bless God for the kindness of the Lord shewed unto all sorts by him.His Hospitality. His portion in the things of this life, exempted him from being an object of envy in that behalf; yet behold, Quantum ex quantillo, so much communicated out of so little; we may not here be altogether silent concerning the Grace of God bestowed upon him, whereby according to his power, yea above his power, he was benificent unto others, but especially to those of the Houshold of Faith. The Gospel opened his heart, his lips, and the doors of his house. He well remembred that Scripture, There is that scattereth, and yet encreaseth, and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. As also, The liberal soul shall be made fat. Amongst others, his Fellow-labourers in the Ministry were entertained with peculiar contentment. By one instance see his spirit in the rest, A certain Minister who had gotten into the fellowship of that eminent man Mr. Arthur Hildersham, and many other godly Preachers, being acquainted with their secrets, betrayed them into the Prelates hands. This man coming afterwards to Boston, and meeting with Mr. Cotton, this Ga…us had not the heart to speak to him, nor to invite him to his house, which (he said) he never neglected to his knowledge, to any stranger before, much less to any of his own order.
Some years since there was brought unto Boston a report of the necessity of the poor Saints at Sigataea, a little Church whereof the Reverend Mr. White was their faithful Pastor, which suffered much extremity by reason of the persecution of their then prevailing adversaries, forcing them from Bermudas into the Desart Continent. The sound of whose distress was no sooner heard of, but you might have heard the sounding of his bowels, with many others, applying themselves to a speedy Collection, and sending it to them on purpose for their seasonable relief, the sum was about seven hundred pounds, two hundred whereof he gathered in the Church of Boston, no man in the Contribution exceeding, and but one equalling his bounty.A special Providence. And it was remarkable that this Contribution arrived there the very day after those poor people were brought to a personal division of that little Meal then remaining in the Barrel, and not seeing (according to man) but that after the eating thereof they must dye a lingring death for want of food; and upon the same day their Pastor had preached unto them (it being the Lords day upon that Text, Psal. 23. The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. At such a time the good hand of the Lord brought this succour to them from afar.
Whilst he was in Old England, His suffering… from men.his eminent piety, the success of his labours, and his interest in the hearts both of superiours, inferiours, equals, drew upon him much envy, and his Non-conformity added thereunto, so that he was delivered in a great measure to the will of his Adversaries, who gave him not over till they had bereaved him of much of his livelihood, his liberty, Country, and therewithall of the sweet society of lovers, friends, and many wayes endeared acquaintance, more precious to him than life it self.
Yet the measure of the afflictions of Christ, appointed to be suffered by him, was not so fulfilled; but lo, in the time of his exile, some Brethren, provoked by the censure of Authority, though justly, & not without tears inflicted upon them, singled out Mr. Cotton as the object of their displeasure, who (though above other men) declining irregular and unnecessary interesting himself in the actions of the Magistrate, and (while opportunity lasted) endeavouring their healing, yet they requited him evil for good, and they (at least some of them) who were formerly companions with him in the tribulations of that Patmos, yea respecters of him, had taken sweet counsel together, and they had walked in the house of God as friends. Hence was he with Tongue and pen blasphemed by them, for whom he formerly intreated, and for whom, he both then, and afterwards wept, and put on sackcloth.
As touching any Tenet wherein he may seem singular, remember that he was a man, and therefore to be heard and read with judgement, and happily sometimes with favour. St. Hierom makes a difference between reading the writings of the Apostles, and other men. They (saith he) alwayes speak the truth, these as men sometimes erre. But no man did more placidly bear a Dissentient than he. It contributes much towards the fuller discovery of truth, when men of larger capacities, and greater industry than others may be permitted to communicate their Notions; onelyonly they should use this liberty by way of disquisition, not of Position, rather as searchers after Scripture-light, than as Dictators of private opinions.
But now this Western Sun hastens to his setting: Being called to preach at a neighbour Church, he took wet in his passage over the Ferry, and, not many hours after, he felt the effect of it, being seized upon with an extream ilness in his Sermon time. This sad providence when others bewailed, he comforted himself in that he was found so doing. Decet Imperatorem stantem mori. It is the honour of a Commander to dye standing. St. Austins usual with was, that when Christ came, he might finde him, Aut praecantem, aut praedicantem; either praying, or preaching. Calvin would not that when the Lord came, he should finde him idle. After a short time he complained of the inflamation of his lungs,His Sickness. and thereupon found himself Asthmatical, and afterward Scorbutical (which both meeting in a complicated disease, put an end to his dayes) insomuch that he was forced to give over those comforting drinks which his stomack could not want. If he still used them, the inflamation grew unsufferable, and threatned a more sharp, and speedy death. If he left them, his stomack forthwith ceased to perform its office, leaving him without hope of life.
By these Messengers he received the sentence of death, yet in the use of means he attended the pleasure of him in whose hands our times are; his labours continued whilst his strength failed: November the 18. he took in course for his Text the four last verses of the second Epistle to Timothy, Salute Prisca and Aquila, &c. Giving the reason why he spake of so many verses together, because otherwise he said, he should not live to make an end of that Epistle. He chiefly insisted upon those words, Grace be with you all; so ending that Epistle, and his Lectures together. For upon the Lords day following he preached his last Sermon upon Joh. 1. 14. And the Word was made Flesh, and dwelt among us▪ (and we …eheld his Glory as of the onelyonly begotten Son of the Father) full of Grace and Peace.
Now he gave himself wholly to prepare for his dissolution, making his Will, and setting his house in order: When he could no more be seen abroad, all sorts, Magistrates, Ministers, Neighbours, and Friends afar off, and those near at hand, especially his own people resorted to him daily, as to a publick Father. When the neighbour Ministers visited him (in which duty they were frequent) he thanked them affectionately for their love, exhorting them also as an Elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, to feed the Flock, encouraging them, that when the chief Shepherd shall appear, they should receive a Crown of Glory that fadeth not away.
Finding himself to grow weak, according to that of James, he sent for the Elders of the Church of Boston to pray over him, which last solemn duty being performed, not without much affection, and many tears: Then (as Polycarp a little before his death said, That he had served Christ fourscore and six years, neither had he ever offended him in any thing) so he told them (through Grace, he had now served God forty years, it being so long since his conversion) throughout which time he had ever found him faithful to him; and thereupon he took occasion to exhort them to the like effect, that Paul sometime did the Elders of Ephesus, a little before they were to see his face no more, Take heed therefore to your selves, and to all the Flock over w…ich the Lord hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood. Particularly he lamented that the love of many, yea, and some of their own Congregation was grown cold towards the publick Ordinances, calling upon them so much the more for their watchfulness in that respect; which done, he thanked them for their loving and brotherly assistance to him in their holy fellowship, and commended them to the blessing of God.
His pious Consort, and those Olive Plants that sate lately about his Table, now gathered together about the Bed of a dying Husband, and departing Father. This was his last solemn transaction with man in this world: Silver and Gold (though he wanted not) he had not much to give them, but the blessing of a righteous Pa…ent he left with them.
That Reverend and Godly man, Mr. Wilson (who excelleth in Love, as Mr. Cot…on did in Light) the faithful Pastor of that Church, taking his last leave of him, and most ardently praying unto God that he would lift up the light of his countenance upon him, and shed his love into his soul, he presently answered, He hath done it already, Brother.
His work now finished with all men, perceiving his departure to be at hand, and having nothing else to do, but onelyonly that great work of dying in the Lord, he wholly composed, and set himself for his dissolution, desiring that he might be permitted to improve that little remnant of his life without impediment to his private Devotions, and divine Soliloquies between God and his soul; and for that end he caused the Curtains to be drawn, and a Gentleman, and Brother of that Congregation that was much with him, and ministred to him in his sickness, he caused to promise him that the Chamber should be kept private. But a while after, hearing the whispering of some brethren in the Room, he called to that Gentleman, saying, Why do you break your word with me?
Not long after (being mindful no doubt of that great helpfulness which he received from that aforementionedHis Death. Brother throughout his visitation) he left him with this farewel, The God that made you, and bought you with a great price, redeem your body and soul unto himself. These words were his last words, after which he was not heard to speak, but lying some hours speechless, he quietly breathed out his spirit into the hands of him that gave it, December 23. Anno Christi, 1652. being entred into the Sixty eighth year of his Age.