A Collection of the Lives of Ten Eminent Divines, Biography 5

A Collection of the Lives of Ten Eminent Divines · Biography 5

D^r. WILLIAM GOUGE.

p. 95The Life and Death of Dr. Gouge, who dyed Anno Christi, 1653.

WIlliam Gouge was born in Stratford-Bow, His Birth and Parentage.in the County of Middlesex, Novem. 1. Anno 1575. His Father Mr. Thomas Gouge was a godly Gentleman. His Mother was the vertuous and pious Daughter of Mr. Nicholas Culverel, a Merchant in London, and she was sister to those two famous Preachers, Mr. Samuel, and Mr. Ezekiel Culverel; she had also two sisters who were married to those two famous and learned Divines, Dr. Chaderton, the Master of Emanuel College in Cambridge, and Dr. Whitaker the Regius Professor of Divinity in the same University; so that by the Mothers side he came of a stock of eminent Preachers.

Our William Gouge in his younger years was first trained up in Pauls School London, His Educationand was afterwards sent to a Free-school at Felsted in Essex, where he was trained up three years under the publick Ministry of his Uncle Mr. Ezekiel Culverel, by whose labours he was much wrought upon, and if not first begotten, yet much built up in his holy Faith, as himself often expressed. From thence he was sent to Eaton, where he was educated other six years, during all which time he was more than ordinarily studious and industrious; for when other boyes upon play-dayes took liverty for their sports and pastimes, he would be at his book, wherein he took more delight than others could finde in their Recreations, p. 96whereby he profited beyond many his equals.

At this time whilst he was a Schollar at Eaton, His early Pietyhe was possessed with an holy fear of God, was conscionable in secret prayer, and in sanctifying the Sabbaths, and was much grieved at the ordinary prophanation thereof by sports and pastimes which were then, and there too much allowed, as he did oft-times in his life, with much thankfulness unto God express.

From the School at Eaton he was chosen to Kings College in Cambridge, His remove to Cambridge.whither he went Anno Christi 1595. and at the first entrance of his studies he applied himself to P. Ramus his Logick, and grew so expert therein, that in the publick Schools he maintained and defended him, insomuch as when on a time divers Sophisters set themselves to vilifie Ramus, for which end the Respondent had given this question, Nunquam erit magnus, cui Ramus est magnus, which some of the Sophisters hearing, and knowing the said William Gouge to be an accute disputant, and a stiff defender of Ramus, they went to the Divinity Schools, where he was then hearing an Act, and told him how in the other Schools they were abusing Ramus, he thereupon went into the Sophisters Schooles,He defended Ramus. and upon the Moderators calling for another Opponent, he stepped up, and brought such an argument as stumbled the Respondent, whereupon the Moderator took upon him to answer it, but could not satisfie the doubt: This occasioned a Sophister that stood by to say with a loud voice, Do you come to vilifie Ramus, and cannot answer the Argument of a Ramist? Whereupon the Moderator rose up, and gave him a box on the ear, then the School was all on an uproar; but p. 97the said William Gouge was safely conveyed out from amongst them.

When he was Senior Sophister, His Advancement.he was chosen Moderator of the Sophisters Acts in the publick Schools, which was a place of great credit, and he began every Act with a solemn speech in Latine which was not usual in those dayes, and it added much grace to the Act.

The said William Gouge took his degrees in order, performing for every one of them, all those Exercises in the publick Schools, which by the Statutes of the University were required. And during his first three years, he kept the Colledge so close, that he lay not one night out of the walls thereof; and at the three years end he was admitted Fellow,He is Fellow. and then went to visit his Friends.

He was a very hard Student;His studiousne…s. for as he was a lover of Learning, so was he very laborious in his studies, sitting up late at night, and rising early in the morning.

He continued in the Colledge for the space of nine years, and in all that time (except he went forth a Town to his friends) he was never absent from morning Prayers in the Chappel, which used to be about half an hour after five a clock in the morning; yea, he used to rise so long before he went to the Chappel, as that he gained time for his secret devotions, and for reading his morning task of the Scriptures: For he tyed himself to read every day fifteen Chapters in English out of the Bible,He read 15 Chapters every day. five in the morning, five after dinner before he fell upon his other studies, and five before he went to bed; he hath been often heard p. 98to say, that when he could not sleep in the night time he used in his thoughts to run through divers Chapters of the Scripture in order, as if he had heard them read to him; and by this means he deceived the tediousness of his waking, and deprived himself also sometimes of the sweetness of his sleeping hours, though by that, which administred to him better rest, and greater sweetness; for he preferred the meditation upon the word before his necessary food with Job, and before sleep with David.

The like practice he used in the day time when he was alone,His meditation of the word. whether within doors, or abroad; for which ed, as an help, he wrote in a little book which he alwayes carried about him, the distinct heads of every particular passage in every Chapter of the Bible, that so, when in any place he meditated on the word of God, and was at a loss, he presently found help by that little book. By this means he made himself so expert in the Text, that if he heard any phrase of Scripture, he could presently tell where it was to be found.

Besides, he had his set times of study for the more difficult places of Scripture, that he might finde out the true meaning of them, by which he attained to a great measure of exactness in the understanding of the Scripture.

During his abode in the University he did not onelyonly ply his own studies,He instructed others. but used also to send for others whom he observed to be ingenuous and willing, and instructed them in the Arts, whereby he was a great help to many, and brought them also to be better proficient.

p. 99While he was a Scholler in Kings College,He learned Hebrew. there came a Jew to Cambridge, who was entertained in sundry Colleges to teach them the Hebrew Tongue, and amongst the rest, in Kings Colledge, and Mr. Gouge took the opportunity of learning of him, as many other of the Students also did; but most of them grew soon weary, and left him, onelyonly the said Mr. Gouge kept close to him so long as he tarried. But when he was gone, those which before had lost their opportunity, now seeing their own folly, they came to Mr. Gouge, and entreated him to instruct them in the grounds of the said Language, which he accordingly did, and thereby himself became an excellent Hebrician.

And as he was expert in the learned Languages,A general Schollar. so was he likewise in the Arts, and all other necessary Literature, that he might have nothing of these to learn when he should come to make use of them.

Being chosen a Lecturer both of Logick and Philosophy in the College,His Diligence he made conscience of observing all the times appointed by the Statute for reading, and never omitted any of them, and his readings were so exactly composed, that thereby he profited his Auditors exceedingly, and procured much credit, and applause from them; but withall, some envy from his successors, who by his example were now provoked to a more painful, & frequent reading of their Lectures which in former times were performed seldomer, and in a more perfunctory manner. He was so cautious, and strict in the whole course of his life, that thereby he got the name of an Arch-Puritan, which was the terme p. 100then given in scorn to those who were conscientious in their wayes.

In the first year of his Fellowship he began his Common-place book for Divinity, in which he made references of all which he read. He had also white paper bound betwixt every leaf of his Bible, wherein he wrote such short and pithy interpretations, and observations on the Text as could not well be referred to any head in his Common-place book.

He took such pleasure in, and was so addicted to a University life, that he was resolved to have spent many more years than he did, if not his whole life therein.

But his Father, after he had been two or three years Master of Arts, much against his minde, took him from the University upon the occasion of a marriage which he prepared for him; and God by his providence turned this to the great good of his Church: For by this means, though it were somewhat late before he entred upon the Ministry, yet it is very probable that he entred upon, and exercised that sacred calling much sooner than he would have done, if he had been left to his own choice.

His wife was the daughter of Mr. Henry Caulton a Citizen,His Marriage. and Mercer of London, but an Orphan when he married her.

Having thus changed his condition, and entred into a married estate, that he might not be distracted, nor impeded in his studies by worldly business, he committed the whole care of his Family affairs to the management of his wife, and still applied himself wholly to his studies, and to the weighty businesses of his heavenly calling.

p. 101He lived with this his wife for the space of two and twenty years in much love,His Children. and peace, and had by her thirteen children, seven sons, and six daughters, whereof eight lived to mens, and womens estate, and were all of them carefully educated, and sufficiently provided for.

It was his earnest desire,His esteem of the Ministry. and daily prayer to God for his sons that they might all be preachers of the Gospel, so highly did he prize the function, that is so vilified and contemned by too many others, for he himself found such comfort, and content in that calling, that he thought no greater could be found in any other; and he often professed for his own part, that the greatest pleasure he took in the world was in the imployments about the work of the Ministry, insomuch as he was wont to say to divers Honourable persons of his acquaintance, and particularly to the Lord Coventry, Keeper of the Great Seal of England, that he envied not his great place, and imployment.

In the order and government of his Family,His Family government. he was very exemplary. His house was another Bethel, for he did not onelyonly constantly upon conscientious principles use morning and evening Prayer and reading the sacred Scriptures in his Family; but also he catechized his children, and servants, wherein God gave him a singular gift for their edification; for in teaching them he used not any set form, but so, as that he brought them whom he instructed, to express the principles taught them in their own words; so that his children (as Gregory Nazianzen saith of his Father) found him as well a spiritual as a natural Father. Yea never any servant came to his house, but p. 102gained a great deal of knowledge therein: So likewise did diverse others, who at the request of their Parents were instructed by him.

He was in a special manner a strict and conscionable sanctifier of the Lords day,His sanctifying of the Sabbath. and that not onelyonly in the exercise of publick duties incumbent upon his Office, but also in the private sanctification of it in the duties of piety in, and with his Family, and secret in his Closet; and for this end, as he did forbear providing of Suppers the Eve before the Sabbath, that servants might not be occasioned thereby to sit up late; so neither would he suffer any servant to stay at home for dressing any meat upon the Lords day for the entertainment of friends, whether they were great or mean, few or many.

On the Sabbaths, after his publick labours were ended, divers Neighbours (wanting helps in their own Families) came to his house, where he repeated his Sermons after so familiar a manner, that many have professed that they were much more benefited by them in that his repetition, than they were in the first hearing of them; for he did not use word by word to read out of Notes what he had preached, but would by Questions and Answers draw from those of his own houshold such points as were delivered; and this Exercise being ended, his constant course was to visit such of his Parish as were sick,His visiting the sick. or by pain and weakness were dis-inabled to go to the publick Ordinances, with each of whom, he would discourse of some spiritual and heavenly subject suitable to their condition, and after that, he prayed with them, wherein he had a more than ordinary gift, being able in apt words and expressions to commend their several cases unto God, p. 103and to put up Petitions suitable to their several needs.

His usual course was to pray eight times in the publick Congregation on the Lords dayes;His frequent Prayers for as he prayed before, and after each Sermon; so also before, and after his reading and expounding the Scriptures, which he performed both in the forenoon and afternoon. And in his Family his constant course was to pray thrice every Lords day, and that in a solemn manner, viz. in the morning, and evening, and after his repetition of the Sermons.

He was ordained Minister in the two and thirtieth year of his age,His Ordination. and about a year after, which was in June 1608. he was called to the exercise of his Ministry in the Parish of Black-Friars London, where he continued to his dying day, which was about five and forty years, and six months, never accepting of any other Ministerial imployment, though he had the proffers of many great places: His manner of coming to Black-Friars, was thus,

That Parish being destitute of a preaching Minister,His choice to Black-Friars. Mr. Hildersam, a famous, pious & powerful Preacher, being in company with some of the better sort of the Inhabitants of Black-Friars, who complained of their want, he told them that there was one living in Stratford-Bow, who was out of imployment, whom he judged very fit for them. Hereupon divers of them went thither on the Lords day, where he frequently preached gratis, to help the Minister that then was there, and upon hearing of him they liked him so well, that making report thereof to their neighbours, he was by an un animous consent (nemine contradicente) chosen to be their Minister, which election being made known p. 104to him, he accepted of it, and ever after shewed a great respect to the Inhabitants of that place.

Before Mr. Gouge came to them, they had not so much as a Church of their own to meet and hear the word of God in, nor any place wherein to bury their dead, but by such means as he used, the Church and Church-porch, together with the Ministers house, and Church-yard (all which they enjoyed before but upon curtesie) were bought in; so as now, they all, as their proper Inheritance, do belong to the Parish of Black-Friars. And five years after his coming thither, the old Church being found too little to entertain those multitudes that flocked thither from all parts of the City, to hear him, he was an instrument of purchasing in certain rooms adjoyning, whereby the Church was enlarged almost as big again as it was before. The sum of purchasing, new building, and beautifying of which Church amounted to above one thousand five hundred pounds, all which was procured, partly by Collections at his Lectures, and partly by the volunta…y contributions of his Parishoners, without any publick Collections in other places.

After this, there being divers rooms under the said Church belonging to several Land-lords, he used such means as to purchase them also for the benefit of the Parish, which he did the rather to prevent all dangers that by wicked minded persons might have befaln Gods people in that Church, by any contrivance in the rooms under the same.

Thus they who had nothing of their own at his first coming, have now, through his procurement, the whole Church, the Church-porch, a Church-yard, a p. 105Vault to bury their dead in, a very fair Vestry with other adjacent rooms, besides the house wherein he himself dwelt so long as he lived; all which they hold as a perpetual Inheritance.

They have also a Lease of certain Tenements of a considerable value for three hundred years; all which were procured by his Prudence, Interest, and Industry.

Such was his love, and respect to this Parish, as though he was oft proffered places of far greater value,His self-denial▪ yet he refused them all, oft saying, That the height of his ambition was to go from Black-Friers to Heaven.

At his first coming to Black-Friers, His Industry.being in the thirty third year of his age, he preached constantly, besides twice every Lords day, a weekly Lecture, viz. on the Wednesdayes in the forenoon, which for the space of about thirty five years was very much frequented, and that not only by his Parishioners, but by divers City Ministers, and by sundry pious and judicious Gentlemen of the Innes of Court, besides many other well-disposed Citizens, who in multitudes flocked to hear his heavenly Doctrine; yea such was the fame of Dr. Gouge his Ministry, that when any Country Ministers, and godly Christians came to London about their affairs, they thought not their business fully ended, unless they had been at Black-Friers Lecture.

And it pleased God to give such a blessing to his Ministry,His success in the Ministry. that many of his Auditors, though living in other Parishes, upon Trial before sundry Elderships, have confessed, that the first seeds of Grace sown in their hearts, were by the blessing upon Dr. Gouges Ministry: And indeed herein God wonderfully p. 106honoured his labours, by making him an aged Father in Christ to beget many Sons and Daughters unto God, and to nourish up others in the wayes of righteousnesse, thousands having been converted, and built up by his Ministry.

He used also every month to preach a preparation Sermon before the Communion, on the Eve before each monthly Sacrament.

He was eminently laborious and faithful in the work of his Ministry even to his dying day,His painfulness. preaching so long as he was able to creep up into the Pulpit, As a tree planted in the House of the Lord, he was fruitful even in his old age, Psal. 92. 13, 14. He often used to say in his latter dayes, that he could preach with more ease than he could get up into the Pulpit, the reason whereof doubtlesse was this, because as the encrease of his Asthma dis-inabled him to go, so the encrease of his Intellectuals enabled him to preach with more ease than in his younger dayes.

His preacing was alwaes very distinct:His manner of Preaching. First, he opened his Text, giving the true and proper sense of it, then gave he the Logical Analysis of it, and then gathered such proper observations as naturally flowed from it, and properly and pertinently improved, and applied the same; by which method his Ministry proved very profitable to his hearers. Many have acknowledged that in regard of the Logical resolution of his Text he went beyond all that ever they heard, as also in clearing difficult, and doubtful places of Scripture as they came in his way. And as his method was clear, so were his expressions plain, alwayes delivering the solid points of Divinity in a familiar stile to the capacity of the meanest.

p. 107As for his life and conversation,His holy life. it was holy and exemplary, himself practising what he preached unto others, and living over his own Sermons; his Doctrine, and his practice concurred, and went hand in hand together.

Before these times of Examination of persons, before their admission to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, he used to go to the houses of the better sort in his Parish, where he appointed a time for them, and their whole Families to meet together, that he might examine how fit they were to be admitted to that Ordinance: yea he appointed sundry small Families to meet together on a certain day, that he might make trial of their fitness also; and then his manner was, not to admit any of the younger sort to the Sacrament, till in his judgement he found them fitted for it.

Though he addicted himself much to his studies,He is envied. and carried himself peaceably, yet wanted he not those that did envy, and malign him, and that took all occasions to do him what mischief they could: As in the case of Serjeant Finch his book about the Calling of the Jews, which Dr. Gouge only published, and the author himself owned it, yet for his publication of it he was committed to prison, and kept there for the space of nine weeks together.

King James being informed that the Serjeant had in that Book declared, and endeavoured to prove that the Jews should have a visible Kingdome which should be above all other Kingdoms, which Doctrin he abhorred, he thereupon grew extream impatient: Bishop Neal also with others, provoked him against the publisher of the Book, which so incensed him, that he would admit p. 108of no Apology. Yet after a while, Dr. Gouge was moved distinctly to declare his judgement, and opinion about that point of the calling, and conversion of the Jews, which he did in these ensuing Propositions.

All that I can gather out of the holy Scriptures about this point is,His judgement about the Calling of the Jews.

1. That the Calling of the Jews, importeth more than a spiritual Calling to beleeve in Jesus Christ, and to imbrace the Gospel.

2. This their spiritual Calling may be called an outward glorious Calling, in regard of the visibility and generallity of it; to put a difference betwixt the promised Calling of the Nation, and the continual Calling of some few persons. For in all ages since the rejection of the Jews, some few, here and there have been called. Thus the Calling of the Gentiles in the Apostles time, when Christians had no pompous Civil Government, was an outward glorious Calling, by reason of the visible famous Church which they had.

3. It is probable that at, or after their Calling, they shall not be scattered as now they are, but shall be gathered together into Churches, and be freed from the bondage and slavery wherein they have been many years together.

4. To give them a Soveraignty over all the whole Church seemeth to me to be derogatory to that absolute Sovereignty which Christ the head of his Church hath, in whom the promises of the perpetuity of Davids Scepter, of the extent of his Dominion, of the subjection of all Nations are accomplished.

5. To set down the distinct time, place, and other like circumstances of their Calling, needeth more than an ordinary spirit, and implies too much curiosity.

p. 1096. The point of the Calling of the Jews being no fundamental point of Christian Religion, to be over stiff in holding one thing or other therein, to the disturbance of the peace of the Church, comes near to Schisme.

Upon which being examined by Archbishop Abbot, and his answer approved, he was released from his imprisonment.

Ordinarily in the Summer Vacation he was with his Family in the Country;His Labours. but not so much for his own ease, as for the further service of Gods Church: for besides his preaching every Lords day in the place where he resided, he improved his time for the publication of those his Treatises which are now in Print, viz. The whole Armour of God, Domestical duties, An Explanation of the Lords Prayer, Gods three Arrows, of the Pla…ue, Famine, & Sword, upon occasion of those Judgments then raging. The Saints Sacrifice of Thanksgiving, upon his recovery from a dangerous sickness. To which is now added his Commentary upon the whole Epistle to the Hebrews, which was the subject of his Wednesdayes Lectures for many years.

While he was setled at Black-Friers, he Commenced Batchelour of Divinity Anno Christi, 1611. which was the eighth year after he had taken the Degree of Master of Arts.

Anno Christi 1628,He commenced Doctor. he proceeded Dr. of Divinity, at which time eight London Ministers proceeded Doctors, upon which occasion, Dr. Collins, the then Regius Professor, put up Mr. Gouges Degree, and procured it to pass in the Regent-house before he had any notice thereof, and without his consent, whereby he did in a manner force him to take his Degree; yet so p. 110as when he heard what was done, he readily went to Cambridge, and performed all his Acts, according to the Statutes of the University, as he had done at the taking of all his former Degrees.

Such respect was generally shewed to him,His publick imployments. as that in sundry publick Imployments he was chosen a Trustee or Feoffee. As in the year 1626, he was chosen one of the Trustees for Mr. Whetenhalls three Lectures.

Also in the year 1616. he was chosen one of the Trustees for buying in of Impropriations, and for many other pious, and charitable uses wherein indeed he alwayes approved himself a carefull, and faithfull Trustee, and in some cases, by his great pains and cost, he procured to be setled for ever such pious Donations, as would otherwise have been wrested away, and alienated from their intended use.

The business about the buying in of Impropriations was this:

There was a select society of thirteen persons joyned themselves together as Trustees, Buying in of Impropriations.to stir up, and encourage such as were piously affected to contribute towards the buying in of Impropriations, and giving them freely towards the maintenance of godly and able Ministers. And these were so faithful to their trust, as albeit they met very frequently, and spent much time, and pains in consultation about that business, yet did they never spend one penny out of the publick stock, for the refreshing of themselves▪ yea though they had sundry Agents, and Messengers whom they imployed about that business, and that both far and near, yet did they never diminish that p. 111stock wherewithall they were intrusted to the value of a penny; but themselves, at least most of them, contributed out of their own purses for the discharge of all by-expences. And when they had the opportunity of buying in any great Impropriation, and wanted money in stock to go through with it, they did amongst themselves give, or lend so much as might effect it; and amongst others, our Dr. Gouge at one time lent 300 l. gratis for that use, besides the monthly contribution which he gave. By this means, in a few years space, thirteen Impropriations were bought in, which cost betwixt five and six thousand pounds, into which their care was to put godly, able, and orthodox Ministers; and their design was to plant a learned and powerful Ministry, especally in Cities, and Market Towns in several parts of the Kingdome where there was the greatest need, for the better propagation of the Gospel in those parts.

Indeed this was it that raised up so much envy against them, and made Dr. Laud, the then Bishop of London to consult with Mr. Noy, the Kings Atturney General about dissolving this Society, and hereupon Mr. Noy brought them all into the Court of Exchequer, picking this quarrel against them, for that they had made themselves a body Incorporate, without any Grant from the King. When the Case had been debated by Learned Councel on both sides, the result was, that the Court adjudged their proceedings to be illegal, that their Trust should be taken from them, and that what Impropriations they had thus purchased should be made over to the King, and that the King should appoint such as he thought meet, to p. 112dispose of those Impropriations which they had bought in.

The aforesaid Atturney that strictly examined all their Receipts, and Disbursments, found that they had laid out of their own money, at the time when they were questioned, a thousand pounds more than they had received, and thereupon obtained an Order of the Court, that those debts should be first discharged out of the Revenues of the Impropriations, before they should be disposed to particular uses. Thus was their Trust quite wrested out of their hands, and that excellent work fell to the ground.

Anno Christi 1653, Dr. Gouge was by the Authority of Parliament called to be a member of the Assembly, He is chosen to the Assembly of Divines▪of Divines, wherein his attendance was assiduous, not being observed during the whole time of that Session to be one day absent, unless it were in case of more than ordinary weakness, ever preferring that publick imployment before any private business whatsoever, and therein he was not one to make up the number onelyonly, but a chief and useful member.

For he was chosen, and sate as one of the Assessors and very often filled the Chair in the Moderators, absence, and such was his constant care, and conscientiousness in the expence of time, and improving it to the best advantage, that in case of intermission in the Assembly affairs, he used to apply himself to his private studies: For which end it was his constant practice to carry his Bible, and some other Books in his pocket, which upon every advantage▪ he drew forth, and read in them, as was observed by many.

p. 113Episcopacy also being voted down by both Houses of Parliament,To the Ordination of Ministers. and so no ordinary way being left for the Ordination of Ministers, the Parliament thought fit to set up an extraordinary way by Three and twenty Ministers, who for the space of a year were to Ordain such as tendred themselves according to the Rules prescribed by them, with the humble advice of the Assembly, of which number Dr. Gouge was one, and acted with his Brethen therein; at which time I observed his strictness in keeping of Fasts: For on an Ordination day, which was alwayes accompanied with Fasting and Prayer; in the afternoon one proffered him a peece of a candied Orange Pill, which (though he was then very ancient) he refused to accept of till the work of the day was finished.

He was likewise chosen by a Committee of Parliament,To write Annotations on the Bible. amongst others, to write large Annotations upon the Bible, being well known to be a judicious Interpreter of Scripture, and how well he performed that Task, is, and may be evident to all that read his part, which was from the beginning of the first Book of the King to Job. In which the Intelligent Reader may observe such skill in the Original, such acquaintance with the sacred Story, such judgement in giving the genuine sence of the Text, and such accuteness in raising pertinent Observations, that without the help of any other Commentators, a man may accommodate himself with the sense, Doctrines, and uses of most of those Scriptures that came under his hand, in those brief Annotations.

Before this,He refused to read the Book for Sports. when the Book allowing Sports and Recreations on the Lords Dayes was by publick p. 114Authority injoyned to be read in all Churches throughout the Kingdome, he, as sundry others, godly and faithful Ministers refused to read the same, resolving rather to suffer the uttermost, than to manifest the least approbation of so wicked, and licentious a practice, it being so contrary to the express letter of the Scripture.His skill in Cases of Conscience.

By reason of his ability and dexterity in resolving Cases of Conscience, he was much sought unto for his judgement in doubtful cases, and scruples of Conscience, and that not only by ordinary Christians, but by divers Ministers also both in the City and Country, sometimes by word of mouth, and other sometimes by writing: And indeed he was accounted the Father of the London Divines, and the Oracle of his time.

He was likewise a sweet comforter of troubled Consciences, wherein he was exceeding skilful, and dextrous, as many hundreds in the City have found from time to time, being sought unto far and near by such as groaned under afflictions and tentations, many of whom, through Gods blessing upon his labours, were restored to joy and comforts out of unspeakable terrors and torments of Conscience.

He was of a most sweet,His Meekness. and meek disposition; yea such was his meekness of spirit, that it seemeth not to be paralleld. For though he lived with his wife above twenty years, yet neither childe, nor servant, could ever say that they saw so much as an angry countenance, or heard so much as an angry word proceed from him towards her all her life long.

Some have observed, that towards his latter end in p. 115his visage he did much resemble the Picture that is usually made for Moses. Certainly he was the exact Effiges of Moses his spirit, and in this resembled him to the life, that he was one of the meekest men that this Generation hath known.

He was,A Peace-maker. as a great peace-keeper, so a great peace-maker, having an excellent dexterity in composing of differences, he was far from doing wrong to others, and as far from revenging wrong done to him by others.

Notwithstanding which, he suffered much, both by the speeches, and also by the actions of evil, and envious persons; yet his manner was, rather to pray for them, than in any harsh manner to retaliate like for like. He alwayes judged that revilers, and injurious persons wronged themselves more than him.

Sundry scandalous and false aspersions were cast upon him,He is slandered. yea by such persons as were guilty of those very crimes which they laid to his charge. For some who lived by the unwarrantable trade of Usury, to justifie their own unlawful practices, have not stuck to charge the same upon him, though he was alwayes free from it, never putting out any money to use, either by himself, or any other for him, neither directly, nor indirectly, as he hath been often heard to affirm, both in his life time, and not long before his death.

Being chosen President of Sion College,His good Memory. according to the custome, when he left his Office, he preached a learned and polite Latine Sermon ad clerum, which he delivered by the strength of his memory, without the help of his notes, which shewed p. 116that though his body was decrepit, and feeble, yet his intellectuals were vivid, quick and vigorous.

He was very charitable,His Charity. especially to the godly poor, according to that direction of the Apostle, Gal. 6. 10. where he exhorts us to do good to all, but especially to the houshold of Faith. He maintained some poor Schollars in the University wholly at his own charge, and contributed liberally towards the maintenance of others. Indeed he set apart a Sacrea stock as he called it, a portion for the poor, proportionable to his receits, which he faithfully distributed.

Yea he was of such a charitable, and bountiful a disposition, that though his Father left him a competent estate, yet such were his annual disbursements for his kindred, and others that stood in need of relief, that from the time of his Fathers death till his children came to be of years, and so to call for their portions, he laid up nothing of all his comings in; whereby it may appear, that they, who out of envy cry up his estate to be greater than it was, do consequently cry up his bounty and charity: For that whatsoever his estate was, it was wholly laid out for the relief of such as stood in need (necessary expences for his Family only excepted) which as it doth appear by his Papers so in his life time he professed it to some of his Children; and truly as in other things he excelled many others, so in this he excelled himself.

He was very conscientious in the expence of his time from his youth to the very time of his death.His studiousness. His custome was to rise very early both in the Winter and Summer. In the Winter time he constantly rose so long before day, as that he alwaies performed all the p. 117exercises of his private devotions before day-light: And in the Summer time he rose about four a clock in the morning; by which means he had done half his work before others began their studies. If he happened to hear any at their work before he began his studies, he would say (as Demosthenes spake concerning the Smith) that he was much troubled that any should be at the works of their Calling, before he was at his.

He was a man of much temperance and sobriety,His Temperance. both in his eating, drinking, and apparrel: And for Recreations, howsoever many pious persons do spend time therein, and that lawfully in warrantable Recreations, yet he spent none of his so, whence it was that he was never expert in any kinde of sports: He hath been often heard to say, that he never took any journey meerly of pleasure in all his life-time. Study, and p…ins were alwayes, both in youth and age his chefest pleasure and delight; yea it was his meat and drink to be doing the will of his heavenly Father, wherein he took as much pleasure and delight, as natural men do in their eating and drinking, or in their disports and pastimes.

Such was his deportment in his conversation,His Deportment. that there was scarce a Lord, or Lady, or Citizen of quality, in, or about the City that were piously affected, but they sought his acquaintance, and were ambitious to enjoy his company, wherein they took much content, and found much benefit to their souls thereby.

And whereas many persons of quality out of their great respect to him, came to visit him, he would so p. 118endeavour to order their conference as might tend most to their edification; and if their visits were meerly complemental, he soon grew weary, and accounted it a burden to him.

He was alwayes of a very friendly,His Affabi…ity and courteous disposition, in so much as the meanest, not only of his own Parish, but of the City, found easie access to him, and he was as easie to be intreated, yea ready to do what good he could to all.

And amongst other Graces his humility was very eminent,His Humility and exemplary: Though others knew … when his face did not shine, yet he knew not when it did. He that readily could observe the least glimpses or appearances of any worth in others, would not acknowledge them in himself: He was (as it was said of Nazianzen) high in imployments, and abilities, but low in his disposition, and resentment of his own worth. He was not observed to be puffed up either with the multitudes that flocked unto his Ministry (which were many and great) nor with any applauses of men; but would still say, That he knew more by himself to abase him, than any could know to extol him; yea so eminent was his Humility, that he charged his Executor, to whom he committed the care of his Funeral, that there should no Green-staffe be laid upon his Herse, though this usual respect is given to those who in their life-time were Governours of the Hospital of Bridewell, one of which number this worthy Doctor was, yea and a Benefactor too to that House: As also that he should not affixe any Escocheons to his Herse, though he was a Gentleman of an ancient Descent, as if he had thought that the poverty of Christ was his p. 119Patrimony, and Coat of Arms, and his interest in him, his greatest, and best atchievement; or as if both living and dead he would be (as the Apostle speaks) cloathed with Humility.

He was much in Communion with God,His Fastings. and contented not himself only with his constant, daily, and ordinary holy duties, but was also frequent in extraordinary exercises. In the Bishops times, when it was not permitted to keep Fasts in the publick Congregations, he was one of those Ministers who frequently holp private Christians in their more retired Humiliations. In times of fears and dangers, he with divers others, had sometimes monthly, yea sometimes weekly Fasts, whereof many were kept in his own house, and others of them in his Vestry; which he was observed to perform with extraordinary reverence & awfulness of spirit. His Confessions were accompanied with much sense of, and sorrow for sin, brokenness of heart, self-abhorrency, judging of the creature, and justifying of God: His petitions were pertinent, judicious, spiritual, seasonable, accompanied with faith and fervency; like a true son of Jacob, he wrestled with supplications, and tears, as resolving not to depart out of Gods presence without a blessing.

But there was none like him in Thanksgiving,His Thanksgivings. when a man would have thought that he had spent the last drop of his spirits and strength in Confession and Prayer; O! how would he recollect is spirits when he came to the work of Thanksgiving, wherein he would be so large, particular, warm, and vigorous, that in the end of the day when mens affections grew flat, he would so revive and quicken them, as if p. 120the work had been then but newly begun, and as if that had been the onelyonly work of the day; and herein indeed he may be a pattern to all his surviving Brethren in the Ministry.

He was very inquisitive after the state, and condition of the Church of Christ, both at home, and abroad, that he might accordingly order his prayers in their behalf, of whom he was never unmindful in his addresses unto God. And when he heard that it went ill with the Church of God in any place, like another Nehemiah, His Sympathyhe sate him down, and wept, and mourned, and fasted, and prayed unto the God of Heaven in their behalf.

His study was as great to advance Christ,His Faith. as to debase himself. He used frequently to say, When I look upon my self, I see nothing but emptiness, and weakness; but when I look upon Christ, I see nothing but fulness and sufficiency. When the hand of his body was weak and shaking, that of his soul, his faith was strong and steddy. When he could not hold the Cup at the Sacrament, nor scarce carry it to his own mouth by reason of his Palsie hand, yet then with a firme an… fixed affiance did he lay hold upon Christ, and with a strong and eager appetite applied his blood to his soul, and his manner was sweetly to breathe forth joyful Thanksgivings for his refreshment by the blood of Christ, when he was returned to his house after the Lords Supper; yea when he could hardly creep with his body to the place where it was celebrated, and was forced many times to make use of the help of others to support him in his passage thither, even then did his faith run swiftly, and was upon the wing to carry him to p. 121Christ. When worldly suports failed him, when health, and strength forsook him, he made Jesus Christ the staff of his old age, often professing, as his great misery and impotency without him, so his holy and humble recumbency upon him.

Great was his patience under the visiting hand of God,His Patience. especially in his old age, when God exercised him with painful maladies. Though by reason of the sharpness, and bitterness of his pains occasioned by the stone, and acuteness of his urine, and that Lethalis arundo (as he oft called it) that deadly arrow in his side, which he knew could never be plucked out but by death, I mean his Asthma, which he got by an excessive cold in attending upon publick imployments: Notwithstanding (I say) by reason of these he was often heard to groan, yet never did he once grumble against the dispensations of God. Never did he complain of God for his sufferings, though oft of himself for sinning: He never cryed out A great sufferer, but oft, A great sinner! and yet he would overtake that expression again, with the discoursing of, and comforting himself in A great Saviour, and in the depth of his torments he would say, Well, yet in all these there is nothing of Hell, or of Gods wrath. His sufferings were never so deep, but he could see the bottome of them, and would say, Soul be silent, soul be patient; It is thy God, and Father that thus ordereth thy estate; Thou art his clay, he may tread and trample on thee, as pleaseth him: Thou hast deserved much more: It is enough that thou art kept out of Hell: Though thy pain be grievous, yet it is tollerable: Thy God affords some intermissions, he will turn it to thy good, and at p. 122length put an end to all; none of these can be expected in Hell.

He used often to make mention of the extent of obedience,His excellent Speeches. which he said, was not onelyonly to endeavour to do what God requireth, but also patiently to bear what Gods will is to lay upon his creature, as Christ himself, though he were the Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered. In his greatest pangs, he oft used this speech of holy Job, Shall we receive good from the hands of God, and not evil? He often commended his soul unto Christ, and used to say, I am perswaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day. When any of his Friends went about to comfort him in those gifts which God had bestowed on him, and works which he had wrought by him, he would answer, I dare not think of any such thing for comfort; Jesus Christ, and what he hath done, and endured, is the only ground of my sure comfort. Many that came to visit him in his weakness, professed that they went away better than they came, by reason of those savoury and gracious speeches, and expressions that proceeded from him.

Though, towards his latter end, his fits of the stone were frequent and sharp, having sometimes four or five of them in an hour, yet such was his desire to finish that his so much desired Commentary upon the Epistle to the Hebrews, that so soon as the bitter pain of his fit was over, he still returned to his work, making some further progress therein. And thus he continued labouring in that imployment through many pains till Tuesday the 6. of December, His Sickness.Anno Christi, 1653. About which time, as his natural strength was p. 123exceedingly decayed, so now also his Intellectuals began to fail, and for the following three dayes, a drousiness seized upon him, insomuch that he could not hold up his head to look into a Book, but slumbered away his time in a Chair; and upon Friday being the third day after he had given over his studies, enquiring what day it was, he cried out, Alas! I have lost three dayes. The day following being Saturday he had no desire to arise out of his bed, neither indeed could he, in regard of his weakness, which was such, and he was so sensible of it, that he said, Now I have not long to live in this world, the time of my departure is at hand, I am going to my desired Haven; the apprehension whereof was no little joy unto him, for he had often said to such of his friends as came to visit him in his sickness, I am willing to dye, having, I bless God, nothing to do but to dye. Indeed sometimes he seemed to be in the same strait with St. Paul between Life and Death, having a desire to depart that he might be with Christ, which was best of all: but yet very desirous he was to finish his Commentary upon the Epistle to the Hebrews, which he knew would be very useful to the Church of God, and in that respect he was willing to live; and God so far answered his desire in that particular, that he lived to finish it within half a Chapter. But when he perceived that his time in this world could not be long, O! how sweet, and joyful was the apprehension of Death unto him, which he often termed, his best friend next to Jesus Christ. So that he came willingly; he was not plucked and dragged to Death: Death was his familiar acquaintance; it was his priviledge as well as his task. When his good sister said to him in p. 124his sickness, Brother, I am afraid to leave you alone; Why Sister (said he) I shall I am sure, be with Iesus Christ when I dye. The meditation of Death was not more frequent than sweet unto him. His soul was upon the wing, and was bent Heaven-ward, even whilst it was in the cage of his decrepit body.

Upon Saturday, though he kept his bed through weakness, yet was he more wakeful, and his spirit more lively, and cheerful, than for several dayes before, which questionless was from his joyful apprehension of his approaching departure.

His speeches that day were more than ordinary Heavenly: He spake much in the admiration of Gods Free grace, and riches of his Mercy in Jesus Christ.

As while he lived he led a heavenly life, so about the time of his death, by those comforts, and joyes that he found in his soul, he seemed to be in Heaven, even while he was upon the earth; and so he continued full of sweet, and divine comfort, and heavenly expressions to the last of his understanding and speech, which continued to Munday morning, when both of them failed him; from which time he lay breathing, yet shorter, and shorter till eight of the clock at night, about which time, in the presence of all his Children, and divers of his Friends, he quietly slept in the Lord,His Death. making an happy change from earth to Heaven, which was Decem. 12. Anno Christi 1653, being 79 years old, after he had served God faithfully and painfully in his Generation.

p. 125A Catalogue of the Books published by him.

Of Domestical Duties on Eph. 5. and 6.

The whole Armour of God, on Eph. 6.

Of the sin against the Holy Ghost, on Matth. 12. 31, 32. Mar. 3. 28, 29.

Upon the Lords Prayer, called, A Guide to go to God.

Gods three Arrows, Plague, Famine, and Sword, on Num. 16. 44, &c. 2 Sam. 21. 1. Exod. 17. 8.

The extent of Gods Providence; Nov. 5. on Matth. 10. 29, 30, 31.

The Dignity of Chivalry, on 2 Chron 8▪ 9.

The Saints Sacrifice, or a Comment on Psal. 116.

Two Treatises, 1. The Sabbaths Sanctification. 2. A Treatise of Apostacy, on Luke 15. 31.

The Saints Support: A Sermon before the Commons in Parliament, on Nehem. 5. 19.

Mercies Memorial, Nov. 17. on Exod. 13. 3.

The Progress of Divine Providence: A Sermon before the House of Lords, on Ezek. 36. 11.

A Funeral Sermon, on Ezek. 24. 16.

The Right way: A Sermon before the Lords, on Ezra 8. 21.

Two Catechismes.

A Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews.

My Reverend Friend Mr. Tho. Gouge, eldest Son to this famous Doctor, desired me to insert this Life, amongst these other Worthies contained in this Volume.