The Lives of Sundry Eminent Persons, Part 1 · Biography 16

The Lives of Sundry Eminent Persons · Part 1 · Biography 16

p. 153OLIM PASTORI… E… KETTON in. SU…E: Aet. so. VERA EFFIGIS SAMUELIS FAIRCLOUGH A. M.

Qui obiit 14 Decemb… 1677 Aetatis 84.

F. H. Van. Houe. Sculp:

The Life and Death of Mr. Samuel Fairclough, who died Anno Christi, 1677.

THis Reverend and Learned Divine, Mr. Samuel Fairclough, was born April 29. 1594. at Haverill, an ancient Market Town in that part of His Birth.Suffolk which borders both upon Essex and Cambridge-shire; His Father Mr. Lawrence Fairclough, was a branch of that very ancient Family in Lancashire; from whence he was sent to the University of Cambridge, and thence removed to be Incumbent at Haverill, where he lived an able and worthy Preacher of the Gospel for many years. His Mother was Mrs. Many Cole, the Daughter of Mr. John Cole, chief Lord of that Town: so that he was well descended both by Father and Mother, and to be born so, is reckoned an honour even by divine testimony foreign filii illustrium, the children of illustrious Parents, having a preference given them in sacred Writ, Eccl. 10. 17.

This Family hath been very famous for Arts and Arms; one of this mans Progenitors, as Mr. Peacham tells us in his Book of Heraldry, was Standard-bearer to the Earl His Family.of Darby at Bosworth-field, who under God was a great means whereby Henry the 7th obtained the Victory over Richard the third, an Usurper, whereby those civil Wars ended, with which this Nation was before almost ruined. Another of his Family for his great Learning and Skill in the Oriental Languages, as Dr. Fuller tells us in his Ecclesiastical History, was appointed by Commission from King James, to be one of the new Translators of the Bible; a work of great use and benefit to the Church of God. Dr. Daniel Fairclough, alias Featley, was a branch of this Family also, whose works do, and will always praise him in the Gates; But none hath heightened the reputation of this name more than this Gentleman, of whose Life we shall now give some account.

He was the youngest Son and the youngest Child (save one) of his Father, all his His Brethren and Sisters.Brethren, who were four, were men of such great Spirits, as that so soon as they attained the Age of 20 or 21 years, they all travelled beyond Sea, and some of them p. 154took Commissions to serve in the Wars of the Low-Countries, where they did very eminent Service, and all of them but one (who returned and dyed a Batchelour of Eighty years old in England) dyed in the Wars, and slept in the Bed of Honour. He had four Sisters, all very gracious Women, and all married to pious Husbands.

His good Father having preached a Sermon of Thanksgiving for the coming in His Fathers death.of King James, in the year 1603. caught so great a cold by it, that he dyed the next day, leaving this Son then but nine years old.

From a child he was of a most ingenuous and ingenious temper; what the Greeks His Inclinations when young.call foreign, good nature, or what the Latines call Ingenium, quasi ingenitum, inbred connate worth, was early discerned to be in him, and gave strong hopes of his being a brave person in due time: No man did ever arrive to any excellency, unless nature had first laid a good foundation for Art and Industry afterwards to build upon. There must be some naturales igniculi, some sparks of a generous Life hid and laid up by nature, which are to be blown up by Art; or as Plato expresses them, quaedam semina virtutum, some seeds of virtue, which education must cultivate and well water, or else no great things can be expected from any man.

There were many pledges of a great and good mind, discerned in this Child when His Love of Learning, and being put to School.very young; which his Father perceived; but more especially he observed in him a natural bookishness, and a desire to study, and a love to search after knowledge. The Philosopher advises Parents to follow those foreign; those propensions of their Childrens tempers; and accordingly his Father upon his death-bed laid a particular command on his Mother to breed this Son a Scholar, and advised, that he should be put to School, and educated under one Mr. Robotham, the most famous Schoolmaster of that age. His Master soon found him to be a Lad of very great parts, and moreover, (which is not ordinarily found in Children of quick Wits) he was very sedulous and industrious; By these advantages it came to pass, that before he was fourteen years of Age he was sent to the Ʋniversity, with this Testimony from his Master, That he was the best Scholar that ever went from that School, whereof he had been Master near 30 years.

This could not but be a great comfort to his Mother; but there was something of A work of God upon his Conscience, at 13 years of age.another kind, which rejoiced her much more; and it was this, that God was pleased to begin a work of grace in his heart very early and betimes, by awakening his Conscience by the terrours of the Law, and by bestowing a sincere repentance upon him thereby, and by working an effectual faith in him; and all this done by the ministry of the word preached by Mr. Samuel Ward, then Lecturer of Haverill: Mr. Ward had answered for him in his Baptism, and had always an hearty love to him; who Preaching one Lords day upon Zacheus his conversion▪ and discoursing upon Zacheus his four-fold restitution in case of rapine and extortion; he used that frequent expression in that case, to wit, Non dimittitur peccatum nisi restituatur ablatum, that is, no man can expect pardon from God of the wrong done to anothers estate, except he makes full restitution to the wronged person, if it may possibly be done: This was as a dart directed by the hand of God to the heart of our young School-boy; who together with one John Trigg (afterwards a famous Physitian in London) had the very week before, robbed the Orchard of one Goodman Jude of that Town, and had filled their Pockets as well as their Bellies, with the spoils of a Mellow-Pear-Tree.

At, and after Sermon he mourned much, and took not any sleep all the night following; Restitution offered for unjust taking a few Pears.and early on the Monday morning he went to his companion Trigg, and told him, that he was then going to Goodman Jude's to carry him 12 pence by way of restitution for three penny worth of Pears, of which he had wronged him: Trigg (fearing that if the thing were confessed to Goodman Jude, Jude would acquaint Mr. Robotham their Master therewith; and that corporal correction would follow) did earnestly strive to divert this poor Child from his purpose of restitution; but Fairclough replyed, that God would not pardon the sin except restitution was made; to which Trigg answer'd thus, Thou talkest like a fool Sam, God will forgive us ten times; sooner than old Jude will forgive us once: But our Samuel was of another mind, and therefore he goes on to Jude's house, and there told him his errand, and offer'd him a shilling, which Goodman Jude refusing (although he declared the forgiveness of the wrong, yet) the youths wound smarted the more thereby, so that he could get no rest until he went to his spiritual Father Mr. Ward, and had opened to him the whole state of his Soul, both upon the account of this particular sin and many others, and p. 155most especially, the sin of sins, the original sin and depravation of his nature. Mr. Ward received him with great affection and tenderness, and proved the good Samaritan to him, pouring Wine and Oil into his wounds, answering all his questions, satisfying his fears, and preached Jesus to him so fully and effectually, that he became a true and sincere Convert, and dedicated and devoted himself to his Saviour and Redeemer all the days of his life after.

Being designed for Cambridge, he was recommended by a friend of his, one Mr. Allington, unto Mr. Berry a Fellow of Queens-Colledge, to whom he went; and His going to the Universityhaving delivered Mr. Allington's Letter, he (with a most humble confidence) begged leave to speak a few words to him; and then informed him that he was the Son of a worthy Divine who dyed five years before, that he had continued at School ever since, and that his elder Brethren had carried away almost all his Fathers Estate with them into the Low-Countreys, so that he had but little to spend, and not any thing to recommend him to a Tutour, but the knowledge he had obtained in the Greek and Latine tongues, and, (which he was willing to promise) further diligence in his Studies, and a chearful observance of the commands of any Gentleman, who would make tryal thereof. He added, that it might seem a great piece of impudence, that a poor boy should thus address himself to so Reverend a person; but it was the report which Mr. Allington had given of his kindness, that made him hope now to find Charity there, where many other persons had experienced so much goodness at all times.

Mr. Berry, (who was in truth a very kind and good many was mightily pleased to see a young youth deliver himself so humbly, and yet so freely; he therefore first Mr. Berry permits him to Lodge and Study in his own Chamber.posed him himself in all School Authours, both Latine and Greek, and finding him a perfect Master (almost) of both those Languages, he told him, that if Dr. Tindall, (the then Master of the Colledge) would approve of him, he should then be admitted into the Colledge; and he sent him to the Dr. accordingly; who had no sooner made tryal of him, but did also greatly approve of him. But there was yet a mighty difficulty in the way of his admission: for there was not one Study empty in the whole Colledge, and for want thereof, many Scholars had been rejected that year: But Mr. Berry would not upon this account reject him, but he set up a Bed in his own Chamber for him, and gave him liberty to study there, until another study should become void. Thus was he admitted into Queens Colledge in Cambridge in an extraordinary manner. I cannot say he was admitted Fellow-Commoner, but he was admitted Chamber-fellow and fellow-Student with his own Tutour.

He had not been above two years in the Colledge before Spencer Lord Compton, eldest Son of William Earl of Northampton, was designed for the Ʋniversity, and for Earl of Northampton wants a Sub-tutour for his Son, and Dr. Tyndall bids him write for the place.that Colledge also. The Earl would needs have his Son to have two Tutours, whereof one or other might always he with him; Dr. Towers, afterwards Bishop of Peterborough, was chosen by the Earl for his head Tutour, and the Earl wrote to Dr. Tyndall to provide a Sub-tutour, who might converse with the young Lord, and take care of him, as often as Dr. Towers was absent. The Master was then at his Deanery of Ely with some Fellows of the Colledge, where he received the Earl's Letter, which he had no sooner done, but he concluded with himself that this Fairclough would be a most fit person for this place; the next day therefore he sent for him to Ely, and told him that he must write immediately a Latine Letter to the Earl, and therein offer his Service to the young Lord, his Son. The task was very difficult for so young a person to undertake, but the imployment was honourable and profitable; the constant Sallery was to be 30 l. per annum, and thereby also a door of preferment was certainly opened for the future, if his genius should lead him either to travel beyond Sea with the young Lord, or if his inclination should prompt him to attend on the old Earl at home, who was a great Favourite at Court. All which, Dr. Tyndall did intimate to him, and then left him to compose such a Letter, whilst himself and the Fellows that were with him, and some of the Chapter, went to dinner in another room; where they had not fully dined, before the Letter was sent in finished as a third course. Mr. Preston, afterwards the renowned Dr. Preston, was one of the Fellows then at dinner. The Dean and the whole Company were amazed when they read the Letter, both for the manliness of the sense, the richness of the fancy, the sweetness of the expression, the elegancy of the Latine, and the bravery of the whole Texture, but Mr. Preston discerned especially the seriousness, sobriety, and a seeming Piety that breathed in every line; and from that time he received this p. 156young man (although somewhat his Junior) into intimate Society and Familiarity with himself.

The Epistle was sent by the Dr. to the Earl, who having read it, and observed The Earl likes the Epistle, and sends many Goods and much money to him; to try his prudence and faithfulness.much of accuracy therein, did rejoice that his Son should converse with, and in many things be guided by such a Scholar, who although but young in age, yet did manifestly appear learned, grave and prudent beyond his years. The next day therefore after the receipt of the Letter, there were many rich Goods and much Furniture sent to this Lad to take care of, and orders were given him further to furnish the Chambers with every thing that should be wanting. There were several Trunks sent also full of rich Cloaths, and much money; the Keys of all which were delivered to him, with notice that the Earl's Son would be at the Colledge about three weeks after. This was done (and mention thereof is here made) because the Earl afterwards acknowledged, that he did hereby make tryal of the Scholars temper, both as to his faithfulness, and also to his discretion.

Democritus observing Protagoras his making up of a Faggot or bundle of sticks, when he was very young, more neatly and with greater skill than ordinary, pronounced of him, that (if he were set to School) he would certainly prove an accurate Scholar and a subtile Philosopher; and Democritus his judgment (though taken but from such an observation) did not fail: Accordingly the Earl coming and finding all things that were sent, taken good care of, and all the money secured, and all things necessary provided, he declared, not only his present satisfaction, but his great confidence, that his Son would be under excellent government, both as to his civil, and also as to all his moral concerns; the Earl therefore putting two Broad-pieces into this Sub-tutours hands, told him that he had made tryal of his prudence and faithfulness in his Stewardship about smaller matters, and now he believed that he might safely trust him in greater concerns, and therefore he would commit the richest Jewel, and the greatest Treasure he had in the world, to the oversight of Dr. Towers and himself: but (in truth) the greatest care of the whole affair lay upon the shoulder of the Sub-tutour, in as much as Dr. Towers was much out of Town; and the Sub-tutour being constantly with him, had the fairest opportunities to forewarn him of evil, and to reprove him for any miscarriage, which he always did do, with that great prudence, deep humility, and apparent affection, that the young Lord loved him as his Brother, and valued his words as an Oracle.

About this time did King James first come to Cambridge at the publick Commencement; He is chosen to Act a womans part in Ignoramus, before▪ King James, and refuseth to wear Womens Apparel.and being much pleased therewith, he promised to give the Ʋniversity a second visit within a short time; The Heads therefore resolved to welcome the Kings second coming with a Comedy, namely, with that famous one called Ignoramus, and thereupon the greatest Wits and persons of greatest quality were selected to be Actors therein, among which, the Lord Compton was pitched upon for one, because of his great birth; and his Sub-tutour was designed for another, for his parts and ingenuity; but it so happened, that that part which was to be acted by the Sub-tutour (who was but little and of low stature) was that of Surda, an old Woman, and it required him to be cloathed in Womans Apparel, which, though it were not to be worn to deceive in the worst sense, yet it had an appearance of evil in it (as the young man thought) which by the Apostles rule was to be avoided; he therefore went to the Vice-Chancellour, desiring to be excused from acting that, or any other part; the Vice-Chancellour told him, that he was unwise in his desires, for, by his acting he would become known to the Court, and by acting well he would gain the Kings favour immediately, and get preferment in a short time. To which the young Scholar replyed, that he judged it unlawful for a man to wear Womens Apparel, even in a Comedy. The Vice-Chancellour at first laughed at him, and argued the point a while with him, but met with some such arguments at last as turned his smile into a frown, so that the contest between the Vice-Chancellour and him had proceeded higher, had not the Lord Compton offer'd, that he would act his own part, (which was that of Vince a page) and his Sub-tutours part also; which request could not be denyed to a person of such honour; whose kindness therein was very great to his friend.

Thus did this youth choose to lose the smiles of the Court, and to bear the frowns His right choice.of the Vice-Chancellour, rather than to hazard the loss of the light of Gods countenance, or to endure the least lash of his own Conscience. He well understood the meaning of that saying, Populus me sibilat, At mihi plaudo; for indeed he was always a Theatre to himself, and although he could not Histrionem agere, act the Comedian, p. 157or foreign play the hypocrite, either with God or men, or himself, yet he acted always as one that was resolved to die and go off the Stage of the world with a well done good and faithful Servant spoken to him by the King of Kings, and the great Spectator and observer of all men.

However here was occasion given to many Scholars in the University, both to He becomes acquainted with many eminent persons.envy him that he was preferred to the honour of acting, and to admire his self-denial in not embracing the opportunity: but in some of the University it excited a great desire of his acquaintance and of converse with him. Mr. Preston had already brought him into the Company, not only of Mr. Davenant, afterwards Master of that Colledge, and Mr. Hildersham and Mr. Perkins; but now divers others that were eminent for Piety and Learning came often to visit him. Bishop Tower's hereupon foretold his being a Non-conformist; but it was not his early converse with some, who afterwards did not fully conform (as he hath often declared) that begat Scruples in his mind, but (as he said) it was the reading of the very books writ in defence of the Ceremonies, together with the observation (as he thought) of a different temper and spirit in men on both sides; which made him study the Controversie, and to question the lawfulness of doing some things that were afterwards required.

He could and did submit to the use of the Liturgy, though he made it not matter An account of his Judgment about Liturgy.of his choice. He was of the same opinion which Bishop Taylor afterwards declared himself to be of, in a late Book, One prays conceiving, another reading, (saith he) the one frames words to his mind, which is far more easie; the other frames his mind to his words, which is not so easie, yet both the one and the other prayeth and obtaineth, if they pray with good understanding and godly affections: Dr. Taylors Practice of the faithful, p. 7. Some persons (as he thought) were over zealous for forms, neglecting the power, whilst some others thought that the power of Religion ought to govern all uninstituted forms, as the Soul governs the members of its own body, using or not using them when or how it sees occasion; without constant receiving traverses or shackles from others (as young Colts may do for a time) but no man will enter into a battel so mounted.

One particular occasion of more narrow searching into these things, was given by He is imposed upon by a strange proleptical Ordination.one of the Fellows of Pembroke-Hall, who in those days came frequently to the Lord Comptons Lodgings, and played with him at Tables; and it so happened that a Game was begun when the Master of the Colledge came in and spoiled their sport; but they both parted not without an agreement to meet the next morning; which (unexpected to both) proved to be a Festival. In the morning the Fellow of Pembroke-Hall came and acquainted the Lord Compton, that he, being Incumbent at a Parish (near Cambridge) could not play with his Lordship that day, except he would desire his Subtutour to ride over to his Parish and read the Service for the day. Fairclough was then but Junior-Sophister, and replyed, that he was unordained, to which the Incumbent answer'd, that he would immediately ordain him by putting on his own Cap and Canonical Coat upon him, with which last, if he did ride, no doubt it would inspire him for the work (whether this was spoken Proleptically I shall not determine, but it is true, that he that was then but an Incumbent of a poor Vicaridge, became afterward Bishop of a large Diocess) Fairclough in compliance with his Lords request, Rides over, and finds none but the Clark of the Parish and one old Woman assembled in the Church; whereupon (the publick Prayers supposing always a greater number to be present) he chose to pray only ex tempore; which having done, he gave charge and mony too, to his two Auditors to take no notice of what had past. The woman was most true to her trust, and kept silence, but the very next Lords day the Clark told the Incumbent that he had sent a substitute on the Wednesday before, who prayed without book. Hereupon the Incumbent went the next day again to the Lord Compton, and complained of his Sub-tutour for breaking the Orders of the Church. Thereupon Fairclough was called to make his defence, which was such, as the Incumbent seem'd to be non-pluss'd; and the Lord Compton moderating, told the Incumbent that he ought not to be offended with the Sub-tutours breaking of Church Orders, for he had first broken them by sending a person ordained only in Jest. To conclude, this man accounted that the life of all prayer consisted in the devotion that was exercised therein, prayer being nothing else than foreign the assent of the mind toward God. He did therefore prefer ancienter Liturgies before those that are later, because the more ancient the more short, and most proper for exciting Devotion, such were the ancient sur sum Corda, and their foreign. He did also p. 158greatly admire how it came to pass that in Primitive times, when affections were most warm, the Church should then think imposing of Liturgies to be very inconvenient, and that our less devout ages should now so rigorously enjoin them, but he would answer him self thus; that then Membership of Churches was voluntary, whereas now since that men are compelled to come to the Table, it can be no wonder that they should be forced to eat whatever the Master of the Feast shall carve them.

Soon after this, the usual time came, (according to the custom of the University) He neglects his taking the Degree of Batchelour of Art.of this Students taking his first Degree of Batchelour of Art: He performed all his Acts and Disputations in the publick Schools in reference hereunto, with great applause; and he sate in the Schools to be posed by all or any Master of Arts that would examine him; and his Grace was passed in the house (as the Custom) is; but when the day came that he should actually Commence, and receive his Ensigns of honour, he withdrew from the Ʋniversity and went into the Countrey, and returned no more until Ashwednesday (the day of Commencement) was past; so that he continued a Harry Sophister, (so called) it being five years before he would have his Cap put on, and being asked the reason hereof, his answer was, that he came to Cambridge to study and gain Learning and Knowledge, and not to Commence or take Degrees. By his thus degrading himself, he obtained a mighty liberty, to read what kind of Authors he pleased for a whole year; he being above the method of his Juniors, and being not necessitated to go along with the Graduates, who often engage in such Studies as they are not fit for. We must therefore look upon this person as an Heteroclite, being a pure Moneptote, and invariably engaged in a way by himself, but it was such a way, as did accomplish him in all the Arts and Sciences of Logick, Rheterick; of Ethicks, Physicks and Metaphysicks, far beyond the rate of others. The next year he took his Degree.

After which the Earl of Northampton designing to send his Son beyond Sea, wrote He is invited by the Lord Compton to travel into France and Italy.to this Junior Batchelour, offering him the priviledge of Travelling with his Son into France and Italy, unto which our young Graduate was very much inclined, but his answer to the Earl was, That so far as he had power over himself he did most thankfully accept of the Offer, but he was not his own, he had a Mother yet alive whose content he sought, and preferred it above his own, with whom he would first advise, and then return a speedy answer.

His Mother being consulted with, made an answer something like that of Jacob In obedience to his Mother he refuses it.to his, Sons; Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and will ye take Benjamin also? Raphael, saith she, is not, Lawrence is not, (these were the names of her two elder Sons who dyed in the Wars beyond Sea) and will ye take Samuel also? All these things are against me, and will bring my gray hairs with sorrow to the Grave. She was proceeding farther, but he prevented her, falling upon his knees and saying, dear Mother, although my inclinations are strong, and my desires great to travel with my Lord in such Company, and in such an Equipage as I may now do, yet since I know your pleasure, I can assure you, that I feel already far greater satisfaction in denying my own will for yours, than I am sure I can any way find in the Journey, should it answer all my desires and expectations. He therefore the next day went to the Earl's house in Northampton-shire, and begged his Lordships pardon that he could not serve him herein, and acquainted him with the reason which hindered his going; the work whereof (he declared) he valued as great as the wages. Such an opportunity of Travel would have tempted most Children to disobedience; but there was one temptation greater than all the other that presented it self; for while the Earl and the young Scholar were discoursing, there was one Mr. Herbert in the room, who hearing my Lord call him by the name of Mr. Fairclough, stept to him and asked him, whether he was related to Mr. Hugh Fairclough, Citizen of London; he answered he was, and that his own Grandfather and the Citizen's Father, were Brothers. Hereupon Mr. Herbert catches him in his Arms, and tells him, that if he should now Travel he would have an opportunity of going into Italy, and thereby of coming to such preferment, as that (for his part) he should value it above some thousands of pounds; withall telling him, that Alexander Fairclough the Son of the Citizen, was at that time Secretary to Cardinal Barberino at the Court of Rome, (from whence Mr. Herbert lately came) and that Alexander Fairclough was in such great repute there, as he could raise any man, especially so near a Relation.

p. 159But love to God and stedfastness in Religion, were such a byass upon this Scholars He esteems true Religion before preferment.heart, that he professed to Mr. Herbert, that he was no more moved with this allurement, than an old man would be tempted to exchange a fair Estate for a Childs Rattle. T…bait he acknowledged would be very great to a person that would have been contented to have his portion in this life; but for his part (he declared) he had chosen God for his portion, and should cleave to him as long as he lived.

Suddenly after that this invitation was given him to Travel, his old friend Mr. The Presentation of Halson is offered to him.Allington did procure the Presentation of the Living of Halson in the County of Suffolk from Mr. Muskett the Patron, which Presentation he sent to him; but Mr. Fairclough was not, yet, of age to receive Priests Orders, or to be instituted and inducted into a Living; which being understood by Mr. Grouse a Fellow of the Colledge, he did offer himself to go to Norwich and take the Institution (in his own name) and to allow the whole profit of the Living to this his young Curate, and to restore the Living to him so soon as he should be capable to receive it.

At Halson in the very center of Suffolk was that Ministry first entred upon, which His entrance upon the Ministry.afterward proved so eminently useful to the Church of God. There was soon a greater Congregation gathered together to hear him, than the Church of Halson could hold; all people admiring both his Gifts and Graces at a great rate. But when the two years were expired, and Mr. Grouse had resigned, and Mr. Muskett had offered him the Presentation a second time, Mr. Fairclough was now grown so old, and so wise, as to think himself now not sufficient for these things. For though his Learning and Parts were beyond his Age, and his Labours were abundantly acceptable to the whole Corner, and almost to the whole Countrey; yet he did think himself not fully prepared and furnished for so great a work as that of taking the care of Souls upon him; he therefore resolved to retire from a stated publick Ministry again, and to betake himself to his private Studies for a year or two longer, desiring to enter into the Family of some eminent noted Minister, where he might, go thorough again and compleat, a whole Cursus Theologicus, a whole course of Divinity-Studies, and by converse with some experienced Minister, he might gain a more full knowledge of the nature of his work, and attain unto greater measures and degrees of Grace in his own heart.

Having therefore first consulted with his spiritual Father Mr. Ward, (who was yet He retires to the house of Mr. Richard Blackerby in Essex.living) he was by him recommended to the house of Mr. Richard Blackerby of Ashen in Essex, a man justly reputed one of the holiest men on earth, and accounted the greatest Scholar in that County, especially for his accurate skill in the Hebrew tongue, the knowledge whereof was far more rare in that age than it hath been of late, and in which Language our young Divine thought himself something deficient, and now he resolved to perfect himself therein; which he soon did; but not yet contenting himself therewith, he sought greatly to accomplish himself in all other pieces of humane literature; in which his delight and industry was such, that having a memory proportionable to his design; it might have been truly said of him what Phocius said of Justin Martyr, foreign, he became very Learned and highly knowing. He had undoubtedly consumed his whole Life and buried himself in History and Antiquity, and in the knowledge of all humane Arts and Sciences, if God had not touched his Conscience by that Text of Scripture, viz. The world by wisdom knew not God, which he one morning reading and meditating upon, became thereby convinced that he might possibly spend too much time in gratifying his own natural inclinations; his Conscience also told him that he was not born for himself, but for publick use and service.

Hereupon he turned the stream of his Studies mostly into the Channel of Divinity. He changes the course of his Studies.The grace of God now so far prevailed upon him, that he was taught to judge of things aright. It is true, he valued humane Learning above all humane things, and did both covet and attain to a greater measure than most men usually do; but he was so happy as to know, that as the concerns of Eternity are greater than those of time, so the knowledge of things Spiritually and Eternal highly transcends the knowledge of things temporal and meerly humane. He was blessed in Learning that Lesson be-times, that many great Scholars learn too late, to wit, that the highest wisdom is to be wise to salvation, and the profoundest Learning is to learn the truth as it is in Christ Jesus. It is reported of that great Hugo Grotius (rightly reputed the most Learned person of his age) that he ended his life with this saying, Ah! vitam perdidi operose, nihil agendo, I have lost my life by being busie about trifles; by which trifles he understood p. 160his less profitable Learning, such as diversity of Languages, Philology and meer critical notions. And he openly professed when dying, that he would gladly exchange all his Learning for the plain honesty of a poor man, one John Euri… (whom he named) who was (though unlearned) yet a very devout and holy man. And the like also is said of the Learned Salmatius, that he left this world, professing openly, That he had lost his most precious time in studying unnecessary things, and declared that how long or how short soever he should live, he would spend all his remaining days in reading and studying the Sciptures, especially of David's Psalms and Paul's Epistles; for, said he, all the Learning in the world without Piety and the true fear of God, is nothing worth.

Our young Divine was happy in that he foresaw, that although humane Learning Humane Learning a Hand-maid to Divinity.is a good hand-maid to Divinity, yet it ought not to be taken into any mans bosom but only as Hagar was into Abrahams, reserving the choicest of our affections for Divinity as he did his, for Sarah.

He afterwards always allotted four days in the Week for the Study of Divinity, He allots four days for Divinity, two for other Learning.and but two for the studying humane Learning, and although he had left his stated Preaching (at any one particular place) yet he preached constantly every Lords-day in one place or another; and providence so ordered it, that he was sent for, far and near, and especially by Ministers and Congregations of Market-Towns, and those in divers Counties. In Essex he was invited often to Preach at Colchester, Braintree, Walden and Thacksted. In Suffolk he preached often at Hadleigh, Sudbury and Clare, in all which places his name and memory is precious to this day, and will be so as long as any of his Auditors shall be found alive, for in all places God gave him many Seals of his Ministry.

In the year 1619. the Mayor of Lynn in Norfolk, and nine of the Aldermen of He is called to be Lecturer at Lynn Regis.that Town; having heard much of his worth, sent him a Letter by one Mr. Matthew Clark, subscribed with all their names, intneating him that he would come and be their Lecturer. He so far complyed with their desires as to go to Lynn and preached amongst them, who then offered him 50 l. per annum, and a fair dwelling house at the charge of the Corporation, if he would come unto them. The people also Petitioned him to come thither, and promised to make his Sallery up an 100 l. per annum, if he would accept; but he desired some time to consider, before he would give his answer. And the reason of his desire was this, to wit, a little before his going to Lynn, the Town of Clare had invited him to be a Lecturer with them, and although the Revenue of Clare was not above a quarter so much as what was promised to him at Lynn, yet Clare was near Mr. Blackerby's House, whose Society he highly prized. Returning therefore to Mr. Blackerby, and advising with him, and with divers other friends, they all perswaded him to go to Lynn, which was a great Town, and thereby his opportunities of doing God Service would be far more and greater than at Clare. Hereupon he went to Lynn, and continued there some time.

But it happened to him there, as it did to the Apostle, to wit, to be greatly envied He is envied and opposed there, and returns to Clare.by some other Ministers of that Town, whose people flocked to hear this new Lecturer; and moreover he was openly opposed by the generality of the Inn-keepers, Ale-house-keepers and Vintners, whose Trade became lesser; Drunkenness and Debauchery being restrained by the power of the Word, which the power of the Sword solely and alone had not effected. But above all, Dr. Harsnett began to be angry, he being informed that he had baptized Children without the sign of the Cross, upon which he was cited to the Bishops Court, where, although one Mr. Hare (an intimate Friend of the Bishops) told the Chancellour that he had himself lived many years formerly in Lynn, and had observed that the sign of the Cross had been very rarely used by any of their Ministers, and that he never knew any of them to be troubled by the Court for their omission thereof; and therefore he hoped that Mr. Fairclough should find the same favour as others had done; to whom the Chancellour replyed, that, what he said might be true, to wit, that former Ministers had been winked at, but Mr. Fairclough was grown to be a popular man, and therefore he must be nipt in the bud. Mr. Fairclough thereby perceiving that his enemies would soon make Lynn too hot for him, went to the Mayor and Aldermen of the Town, and beseeched them to provide themselves of another Lecturer; at which they were greatly troubled; but Mr. Fairclough acquainting them with what had passed at the Bishops Court, and recommending to them a very Learned and godly man to succeed in his place, p. 161one Mr. Ikon Fellow of Cajus Colledge in Cambridge, he obtained leave to return to his smaller Lecture at Clare.

And now being resolved to sit down in this place, he considered about altering his condition, and of entring into a married state.

At his first coming into Mr. Blackerby's Family, he had observed not only a great He marrieth Mr. Blackerby's eldest Daughter.Beauty, but a wonderful modesty in his eldest Daughter, and having lived for some years with her, he had discerned, that as she was of an excellent temper and sweet conversation, so she was also truly gracious and sincerely pious; he therefore having spent much time in prayer unto God for direction herein, resolved first to address himself to her Father, and then to her self; which he did do, and obtained both their consents; and they were a most happy couple, every way sutable to each other, and rejoicing in each others love.

In the mean time the word of God at Clare ran and was glorified by his excellent Ministry, Sir Nat. Barnardiston heareth him at Clare, and offers the Presentation of the Living of Barnardiston.upon which all sorts of persons (rich and poor) did attend; and amongst those of greatest quality was that renowned Knight, Sir Nathaniel Barnardiston, a man famous for his Piety and Integrity, who frequented Clare Lecture with great constancy and abundant satisfaction. He was a man of a great Estate, and Patron to divers Livings; some of great Revenue; and some of smaller. The smallest of them all becoming void by the death o… Mr. Mayes, the Patron immediately purposed within himself to gain Mr. Fairclough (if possible) to be the Incumbent of that Parish, called Barnardiston, after the name of its Lord and Patron. Many persons became Petitioners to the Patron for it, either upon their own account, or the account of their Friends, amongst which was one Mr. Weld, who afterwards went into New England; but Sir Nathaniel Barnardiston would think of no person but the Lecturer of Clare, and his grand reason was, because he was resolved to be himself his constant Auditor, once every Lords-day, that Parish Church being but little above half a mile from his own house at Ketton, where Dr. Gibson was then Incumbent, a man of good Learning, and a fine Oratour (presented by Sir Nathaniel's Grandfather) but his Preaching wanted something of weight (when compared with Mr. Fairclough's, if Sir Nathaniel did hold the Scales) who was pleased to say, that the teaching of the one was strong meat, for men, and the Doctrine of the other was only milk for babes. It seems the Patron was a grown Christian; and if that be true which Elihu saith, Job 34. 3. That the ear tryeth words, as the Pallate tasteth meat, it was no wonder that (when the Patron had liberty to carve for himself) he should seed on the best dish that was fairly within his reach. Hereupon the Presentation was sent to Mr. Fairclough; and because the Revenue was but small, the Patron sent a Letter with it, wherein he promised that whenever any of his greater Livings should become void, he should injoy the greater, than, if he would accept the smaller, now. But neither did the present offer, nor the promise for the future, so affect Mr. Fairclough, but that he sent back the Presentation; acquainting the Patron, that he understood that some other persons had moved in the behalf of one Mr. Weld, with whom he did heartily join in their Petition, himself having present imployment at Clare, whereas Mr. Weld was wholly destitute. Sir Nathaniel was much pleased with the kindness of Mr. Fairclough to his Friend, but was troubled at this answer; he therefore sent his Servant the same day back a second time to acquaint him, That he did not only offer the Presentation, but earnestly request his acceptance thereof; because that God had blessed his Labours already much to his own, and to his Ladies heart; and therefore it was their joint desires that he would come to be their Neighbour Minister, whereby they might once at least every Lords day hear him, without giving offence to Dr. Gibson, whom they would constantly hear in the Forenoon, if the Dr. did Preach.

Importunity from such a person (in such a case) could not be long denied, and He acceptethMr. Fairolough, who had spent some years in doing the work of an Evangelist, began at length greatly to doubt, whether he had done well, in not taking upon him some Pastoral charge, many places having been before offered to him. He therefore now (in some short time) removed and came to the Town of Barnardiston, where he constantly Preached twice every Lords day, and always Preached every Festival day (when the people could always best attend) and also once, every monethmonth, he Preached a preparation Sermon for the Sacrament of the Lords Supper. Here he also set up the great duty of Catechising of young and old; which duty he practised (as opportunity allowed) to his Lives end. Neither did he content himself with publick p. 162Preaching alone, but he went to all the Houses in Barnardiston (they not being He visiteth every Family in the Town once in the month.many) once every monethmonth, and discoursed there with his People about the State of their Souls, and gave them assistance, and counsel and direction according to their present case and condition.

He did compare publick Preaching to sowing of Seed, and private discourse he compared to the Plow-mans harrowing, healing or covering the Seed, without which, the Fowls of the Air, that is, a multitude of diverting thoughts, and the Prince of the Air also, the Devil, (by his temptations) would soon pick up the word, without fruit or benefit. At another time he compared publick Preaching to that Rain, that falls upon many narrow mouthed bottles, the greatest part whereof falls besides the mouths of the Vessels, so that they were rarely filled; but private instruction and admonition, he would say, was like a mans taking a single Bottle into his hand, and pouring in water into it with a Funnel, whereby it was soon filled.

Whilst he was Minister here (which was not above five years) he was desired not only by the People, but by the Minister also of one of the Parish Churches of Sudbury, He is convened by the High Commission Court for repeating a Sermon where he Lodged in Sudbury.that he woudl supply the place of the Minister, who was then sick, one Lords day; which was granted: and he Lodging at one Mr. Ruggle's house in that Town, he did in the Sabbath Evening repeat both his Sermons in that Family, where were present divers other persons of the Town also. Hereupon one of the other Ministers of the Town (whose Congregation had been but small that Afternoon) being displeased thereat, did draw up certain Articles against this innocent person, as against a factious seditious man; and exhibited them in the Star-Chamber, grounding his accusation barely upon this repetition of his Sermons in the Family where he Lodged: Hereupon he was convened before the Lords of the high Commission; where although he made a Legal, clear and full defence, yet that Court being Arbitrary, he could not obtain a dismission; till after two years attendance; the charge of his Journeys, and the Fees of Proctors, Advocates and Councel did swallow up (those two years) the whole profit of his little living; and he had continued longer in trouble if Sir Nathaniel Brent (his chief Councel and Advocate) had not at last humbly petitioned the Court in the name of his Client, that the business might be referred to the Petitioners Diocesan and Ordinary at Norwich; which being granted, a good number of Jacobusses procured a certain Lady in Norwich to gain such a Certificate from the Bishop, as obtained a full discharge.

But that forementioned attendance upon the Court, and the gaining this discharge The Devils temptation conquered.from his Ordinary in this manner, viz. without any personal attendance upon the Bishop; did bring him very much into Debt; he had also four Children then born, and he looked for more. The Devil did now therefore hope to insnare him by his temptations; and he was very busie with his suggestions, prompting him to fear, lest that his Common should be over-stockt, and that he might continue long in Debt, which was a thing very burthensome and afflictive to him, as it is always to an ingenuous Spirit: but God was pleased to increase his Faith in proportion to the occasions that were given him for the trial thereof; and he hath recorded it, as an act of special grace towards him, that at that very time when he was most concerned (about his new contracted Debt) there was a strange impression made upon his mind, by that Text of Scripture, the 2 Cor. 6. 10. wherein the Apostle saith of himself, that he was, as poor, yet making many rich, as having nothing, yet possessing all things. Upon which words, this person did thus paraphrase in his own thoughts; if Spirituals be better than temporals, what need I then be afflicted at worldly want? for since God hath given me a Treasure of spiritual comfort in himself, with which I have (through Grace) enriched many others; there is yet undoubtedly enough left for my self to live on all my days, and abundance moreover yet to spare. While he thus mused the fire burnt hotter and hotter within him, so that he was forced to give himself vent in several Sermons upon this very Text; and in the handling thereof he so studied the excellency of the Life of Faith in the want of Creature supplies, that the Devil was not only vanquished in his present assault, but was also subdued so; that he never dared to tempt him in this kind after to his dying day.

And this account we have from his own Diary, which he kept constantly, from His Diary was begun at 20 years old.his age of twenty years, and (daily almost) wrote down in it a full History of all God's dealing with him, and of the daily frame of his own heart, and of Satans temptations (and of the assistances of Gods Spirit in them) and his victory over them. A great part of his Diary is penned in the Greek tongue, but the greatest part of it is p. 163writ in elegant Latine, all which had deserved to have been intively Printed, had not some part thereof been lost in the many frequent removals of his Notes and Papers; yet what doth now next follow relating to his removal from Barnardiston to Ketton, is taken wholly from his own hand; and it was thus:

Dr. Gibson (who was Incumbent of the Rectory of Ketton) had some Friends at His removal to Ketton.Court, who gave him some hopes, that in case he would come up to London, and Petition to the then Lord Keeper for a Prebendaries place, then void in Norwich, he might (by their mediation) probably obtain it. Up went the Dr. hereupon, but it pleased God to afflict him so soon as he came to the City, with a severe sickness, whereof he dyed. News hereof was presently sent down to the Patron, Sir Nathaniel Barnardiston; and it was soon spread abroad in the Countrey. The Patron would have sent the Presentation of the Living immediately to Mr. Fairclough, but his Lady advised him to defer it a while, that so an opportunity might be given of Petitioning, and a trial might be made, whether Mr. Fairclough would re-mind his Patron of the Promise which was made at his coming to Barnardiston, yea or no; the Patron therefore delayed till after he heard of the Doctors Interment, but no Petition came; and the Patron knew Mr. Fairclough too well really to expect any from him; he therefore after a while, sent his eldest Son (who was then but young) with a Servant, and with a Presentation of this Living unto Mr. Fairclough; who returned a very thankful Letter by the same hand, acknowledging his great obligations to the Patron for his respect and kindness to him, but withall told him, That he stood so engaged now to his present People, that without their consents he could not leave them. Hereupon his Patron did the same Week summon all the People of Barnardiston, (most of whom were his Tenants) to his House, and told them, that as in love to their Souls he had formerly presented this Minister to them, so in love now to the Souls of the People of Ketton, he was resolved to bring him to Ketton; but he still would take care that a godly and learned Minister should succeed, one that might watch over their Souls, naming Mr. Westley, the then Lecturer of Haverill. He farther added, that for divers years himself and his Family, had come from Ketton to Barnardiston once every Lords day, having built Pewes on purpose there; and if they did now value Mr. Fairclough's Ministry as he had always done, they might come once a day to Ketton. The nearness of the Parishes one from the other, the Authority of the Landlord, and his consciencious care in providing a good Successour for them, produced a silence in them, and a half consent, which was interpreted by the Patron to be sufficient, because at Mr. Fairclough's first going to Barnardiston, the People had notice that he was placed there but for a time.

One thing more must here be inserted, to wit, that the institution of him into His Institution granted without going to Norwich.the Rectory of Ketton, was procured by the Patron from the Bishop of the Diocess, as the Institution into Barnardiston had been before, namely, without the Incumbent's taking the Oath of Canonical Obedience, or his subscription to the three Articles. How this was effected, we shall not here inquire; but it was done both times without the Incumbents personal attendance upon the Bishop. And thus now was he settled in Ketton in the Country of Suffolk, to the great joy and comfort of all persons, both in Town and Countrey; the Parish Church of Ketton being very capacious and receptive, whereas the former Church of Barnardiston was very small and strait. Multitudes now therefore througed to be his Auditors, and were so to their unspeakable advantage and delight. He was about Five and thirty years of age when he came to Ketton, and he continued near five and thirty years there; all which time (saving a little Interval by reason of sickness) he constantly preached four times a Week (besides his daily Expositions in his Family) to wit, twice every Lords day, once every Thursday (a publick Lecture) and once every Saturday night (in his own house) in preparation for the Sabbath. The frequency of his Preaching hindered not the elaborateness of his Discourses. He never Preached any thing which he had not first duly considered and penned down, and writ with great deliberation. It is true, he never used any Notes in the Pulpit, but he never Preached without them.

He had amost stupendious memory. St. Austin I remember, reckons the faculty of mans His amazing memory.memory to be one of the Worlds wonders; memory being a power able to treasure up in it self a multitude of Pictures and Images of things which it hath seen, and being able to lay up conceived Forms and Images of things which it never saw, and to make such lasting impressions of them upon the brain; so as that long after it is able p. 164(upon occasion) to call every of them forth from their dark hidden Abyss, and to rank them in their due order and place them in the light. This, to that Father, was very amazing, and in some instances indeed it is very wonderful and miraculous; and such was the power of memory which was found in this person. He seldom used any Concordance; for there was not a passage of the whole Scripture almost, that could be mentioned to him, but he would tell you not only the Chapter and Verse, but the place of the page where it was Printed in the Bibles of Barkers Edition, (of which only, he made use of near fifty years together) reading over the Bible four times in a year at the least; so that it might be said of him, that he was a walking Bible, both as to the Letter and Spirit.

Indeed he was furnished with all rare intellectual parts, he had a quick invention, a lofty fancy, a solid judgment, which easily and readily weighed the nature of all His great parts.things, and constantly cast the ballance on the side of truth; he could dive into the bottom of the most abstruse matters, and fetch truth from thence; and having discovered it, he did always cloath his apprehensions of things, with the most clear and most full and proper expressions, which they were capable of.

His Thursday Lectures (the Licence whereof was purchased at a great rate) were all His Thursday Lectures were Conciones ad Clerum.Conciones ad Clerum, and those Discourses deserved to be so called, both for the accuracy of them, and also because they were actually Preached to so great a number of the Clergy; all the Ministers (for many miles compass) coming constantly to hear them; and there were frequently not less than ten or twenty Scholars (both Fellows of Colledges and others) from Cambridge. Indeed he was a man much acquainted with God, and with his mind and will. It might be said of him, that he had the mind of Christ, and had also the tongue of the Learned, and was able to oppress himself with the greatest foreign imaginable.

He was a most profound Divine, and one of the best and clearest Expositors of An excellent Expositor of Scripture.holy Writ, which that age produced. It was an expression used concerning him by a great Scholar, sometimes Fellow of Magdalen Colledge, who was seldom absent from any of these Lectures, that though he would not say of him what Cicero saith of Plato, That if Jupiter were to discourse, he would do it in Plato's Language; yet he would venture to say, That if Angels were to Preach, they would do it in Mr. Fairclough's Stile. More especially he said, he loved him for his gift in opening the Scriptures, which he did so clearly, and so fully, that whatever Text he did undertake to Expound, he did so extract the whole meaning of the Holy Ghost from it, as that he left never a drop of Spirit behind, which would either naturally flow, or could tolerably be squeezed thence.

He had a most metaphysical head, and a very searching mind after truth, greatly His reason of not Printing divers excellent discoursesdelighting himself in studying the nature of incorporeal beings; but above all, in contemplating the Divine Attributes and Essence. He was very much read in all Authors that did treat of such Subjects as these; and in his private Studies, he did compose and write divers excellent and elaborate Discourses about the Soul of Man, the light of nature, the freedom of the Will, together with a learned discourse about the Decrees of God; which he was very much importuned to have Printed; but he could never be perswaded thereto, giving this reason of his denial, to wit, That formerly, the Civil Wars, and of late, the great Impositions upon mens Judgments and Consciences (about some things which were judged unlawful, and many things doubtful and disputable) had drawn too many (even of the Learned part of the world) into factions and parties, and had bred such animosities between them, that few Books could meet with impartial Readers.

In his Lords-days exercises, which were ad populum, to a plain Countrrey People He studied to be understood by the plainest.of his own and Neighbour Parishes; he very rarely Preached about any controverted point, and did never stuff his Sermons with nice speculations and intricate disputes. He loved not to meddle in his popular Sermons, with those points that lie out of common reach, and were apt to perplex honest minds. He industriously studied plainness, therein following both the pattern and example of his old acquaintance the Reverend Archbishop Ʋsher, and the special Counsel and Advice of his old friend Dr. Preston, who discoursing with him at his first entry upon the Ministry, told him, That although the Ancients did place the Statutes of Venus and Mercury in the Temple of Apollo; thereby intimating, that no man could be a perswasive Oratour, who did not join elegancy of fancy with strength of reason; yet it was Dr. Preston's judgment, That that man was the best Preacher, vvho delivered Gospel p. 165truths in the plainest Scriptural expressions; and such a Preacher was this Reverend Divine afterwards all his days.

His great design in his Ministry, was first to awaken the Consciences of obstinate That their Consciences might be awakened.sinners; and then to make known to them the way of salvation. He understood his business and errand very well, and accordingly he endeavoured to approve himself faithful in the delivery thereof. He clearly saw that Souls were eternally lost, if they were not convinced of their sinful state by Nature, and were not renewed in the Spirit of their minds through Grace; whatever therefore he judged most properly conducing thereunto, he made use thereof, always chusing and insisting upon such subjects as were most concerning, and of greatest import; which he handled in the most convincing manner, and delivered himself with so much clearness, that although his Stile and Language was far remote from common talk or vulgar meanness, yet he would be sure to strive to accommodate his expressions to the capacity of his Hearers, and would stoop to the weakest and lowest form of them. His great aim was to instruct the ignorant, which he found a very hard work to do. He sought not to shew his own parts, or to make himself admired, for that he found was a thing hardly to be avoided. He always esteemed it better to serve God in all things, than to serve himself in any thing. He knew that soft and inticing words of mans Wisdom would not save Souls; balking therefore all ceremonial Complements, he would make bold to pull and snatch (as it were) sinners, as brands out of the Fire, by any ways or means he could think of. He was one of those Puritan Preachers, whom Prince Henry loved to hear, because (said he) such Preaching goes next the heart. Dr. Lloid, Dying mens words, p. 139.

He always proved whatever he delivered, with the greatest rational evidence and He demonstrateth every thing by soundest Reason and Scriptural Arguments.Scriptural argument; and his Doctrine being thus strenuously inforced, came from him with great authority, and did strike a very great awe into the hearts of his Hearers. None could be his Auditor, but that he must needs perceive that he was sent of God, and that it was no other than a message from Heaven that was delivered to them by him, which did greatly awaken the drowsie hearts of some, and restrained the Spirits of others, who were hasting unto ruine; and influenced all men (almost) one way or other: Such as were godly were greatly edified and built up in their holy Faith. To humble and tender, and broken hearts, he was a very Barnabas, a Son of consolation. He had a rare faculty in prescribing to the ease and cure of wounded Spirits. He knew how skilfully to search the wound, and to pour either Wine or Oil in accordingly; and to apply the most Soveraign balm in its most proper time and place. He had experience of the things he spake, and those Lessons that come from experience usually make great impressions upon others. He doth write most effectually who doth foreign, dip his Pen in his own Soul. Hence many that came to him drooping and full of fears, went away from him comforted, established, and filled with all joy through believing. It is said of Pericles, that he ruled all Greece by the power of his Oratory; the like might be said of this great man, that he did even govern the minds of his Auditors as he pleased. He was able at all times to find out and set in order, both such acceptable words, and such cogent reasons and motives as did command a regard, and force a complyance; so that he was as another St. Austin, and did dominari in concionibus; acting the part of a Prince or Soveraign, speaking as one having authority (under his Master) and not as the Scribes.

In a word he dispenced the truth of God as one acted by a mighty Faith, having He preached from his own head and heart, to both head and hearts of his Hearers.both a real inward sense of what he delivered, and so great a desire of his peoples Salvation, as that he seemed to be resolved to take no denial from them. He was wont to say, That when the heart of a Minister is truly inflamed with love to his peoples happiness, it is then impossible but that their expressions and exhortations should be very lively and warm, whereas the coldness and flatness of some mens discourses, is such as their words seem (as it were) to Freez between their lips, and do evidence how dead (or luke-warm at best) their inward affections are to the things of God. Not that h… thought (as some have done) that the life of Preaching doth consist in noise, clamour or vocifecation, no, he knew that such bodily exercise profiteth little, except it be to keep men awake. The strength of his Discourses consisted in the clearness and strength of his arguments, drawn form those affecting topicks; kindness to our selves, desire of our own good, true valuation of our better part, the import of our eternal state, the love, mercy, grace and goodness of God, revealed in the Gospel by his Son, the pleasantness as well as the profitableness of the ways of Wisdom, together p. 166with the comfort as well as necessity of an holy life here in order to a blessed state hereafter. These are things which do properly influence the mind of man, and are apt to perswade; and with these were his Sermons greatly filled and impregnated.

And by the operation of the Divine Spirit they became very effectual, multitudes His great success in converting sinners from the error of their ways.being wrought upon, and turned from the errour of their ways. Few Ministers had such cause of rejoycing as he had, upon this account; so that (since the Apostles days) there was scarce any person more visibly instrumental in saving Souls than he. It might be said of him, that in his fishing for Souls, he went not forth with a single Angling Rod, to take here and there one (which is all the success of Ministers of late days) but he made use of a Net, (as the Apostles did) whereby he caught multitudes at once, great numbers being added, not only to the visible, but also to the invisible Church of God by his Labours. He left in his Diary the names of some hundreds recorded there, who had all expresly owned him to be their Spiritual Father, and the proper means of their first conversion, and of their future Salvation as they hoped; and in that Catalogue mention is made of some persons who declared to him, that the first work of Gods Spirit which they discerned in themselves, was at such times as they were joining with him in his Prayer before Sermon; wherein he being the mouth of the Congregation, he confessed such sins as he supposed some (at least) of his Congregation might be guilty of; and it seems the Spirit ordered his confession to be such, as reached the case of divers that were present. With his confession was joined (as his usual manner was) such aggravations of the hainousness of those sins, as thereby a prick was given to the hearts of the guilty, so as some could not but follow him home, using the same words of the Converts in the Acts, Sir, What shall I do to be saved?

God indeed had given him a mighty gift in prayer, and God did bless the use of Great Reformation wrought in the whole Town.both Prayer and Preaching to the great benefit of his People. The Town, when he came first to it, was very ignorant and prophane; being generally Aliens and Strangers from the Common-wealth of Israel, and living without God in the world; there was not one Family in twenty who did then call upon the name of the Lord, or had the Worship of God set up in it; but in a short time after his coming, he had so preached to them, and so prayed with them and for them, as there was not one Family in twenty but professed godliness, and the Governours thereof did daily offer up their morning and their evening sacrifice constantly.

Upon himself God had poured out an abundant measure of the Spirit of Grace and God poured upon him an extraordinary measure of the Spirit of grace and supplication.Supplication. Whatever either gifts or graces were requisite to make that Ordinance of prayer acceptable to, or prevalent with God, were communicated to him in an extraordinary manner. He always poured forth his very Heart and Soul before God with a great Faith; and from thence flowed a great freedom of expression, but always joined with the greatest reverence and deepest humility and prostration of Soul. It was very affecting to discern Gifts and Graces thus in conjunction. He well knew how to sute his expressions properly to every particular occasion, whether he petitioned for any special mercy to be obtained, or did deprecate the removal or amotion of any evil felt or feared; all which he performed, though with great fervour and zeal, yet with such intire resignation and submission to the divine will, as that, in all things it was manifested, that love to God and his Glory, were the great wheels and inward principles, that gave life and breath to all his desires. He had a tender heart, and in a day of Humiliation he discovered such brokenness and contrition of Spirit as did soon melt the hearts of others; and on such days his Church was commonly a Bochim; so that all that joined with him wished, and many found with Jeremiah, That their heads were rivers, and their eyes fountains of tears, they seemed so universally to lament after the Lord. Every Lords day (especially in his last prayer of his Afternoon Sermon) he was very large in the thanksgiving part of that Ordinance; which he performed as if he had been one of the heavenly Quire. At this new Service he seemed to recover new life and strength, and oh! how great were the raptures! how lofty were the strains! how wonderful were the inlargements of Soul which he experienced in the performance of that Angelical work of praise! He never forgat Zion, but begged as often, and more earnestly, that Gods Name might be hallowed, and that the Kingdom of his Son might come, than ever he did for his own daily bread.

p. 167He prayed much for others, and desired the like from them; which that he might His stated times of prayer for his Friends.obtain, he appointed stated times, when he and his Friends engaged to each other to meet together at the Throne of Grace; which ingagement (on his part) was strictly performed. A Visitant once coming to him, and the question being asked, whether he had kept the promise of mutual prayer, the person blushed; and confessed, that some omission had happened on his part; to which this holy man replyed, Well, but I have been true to my word; and could either this Table, or this Chair (near which I have prayed) speak, they might witness for me, that for seven years together; I have made mention of your name before God in prayer, (between four and five of the Clock every Saturday in the Afternoon) unless hindered by extraordinary occasions.

As he was a man much with God in prayer, so he was one whose prayers God Return of Prayers.did often (and sometimes very signally) answer. We must not transcribe the many miraculous instances of that return of prayer which he hath recorded; but we should be greatly wanting and deficient in our present work, if we did not make mention of some instances upon that account.

His wife, about a year after his marriage (being great with Child) became very His wife saved from Drowning.sickly, and continued very infirm, till within a fortnight of her time. He had all along wrestled with God very much upon her behalf, and had spent much time in prayer with her; but now he was resolved to spend a day in Fasting and Prayer, alone by himself, upon her account; and his Wife did see apart the same day for prayer by herself in another room: In the duty he did again and again mightily implore the grace and mercy of God for her, and earnestly begged of God to appear in her behalf, that she might obtain mercy, and sind help at the time of her need. In the Evening and close of the day, while he was the seventh time upon his knees, he heard a mighty shriek abroad, (but not far from the house) which he guessed to be the voice of his wife, and so it was; for his Wife having spent also most part of the day in prayer, did in the Evening, walk abroad, meditating upon the promises of God, made to persons in her case and condition; and contemplating of the infinite power of God, whereby he was able to make good his promise in the greatest difficulties and distresses. Her mind was deeply ingaged herein; whilst going by the side of a Pond in an adjoining Field, her feet slipped so, as she fell over head and ears into the water; but she shricked in her fall, which her husband hearing, and coming down hastily, missed her within doors, and therefore ran so hastily to the Pond, that although she had sunk twice, yet he caught her by the hand before she sunk the third time, and thereby saved her life. This happened in the monethmonth of October, when the Water was exceeding cold; but it pleased God so to hear Prayer, that neither her fall caused Abortion, nor the Cold produced any evil affect, but that (in due time) her eldest Son was born, to their great comfort and joy.

And yet a more memorable instance of the answer of prayer, is that which follows His youngest Son falls out of an high Garret window, without any hurt.concerning his youngest Son; for whom, upon a Saturday, about four of the Clock in the Afternoon (which was one of his stated times of Prayer for his Friends and Relations) his heart was much inlarged in prayer (being then walking in the Fields, and pouring out of his Soul for all his Relations) but especially for that little one, who was his youngest, and then about two years old. This Child (at that hour) a Servant had taken up with her into the highest Garret of the house, and set him by the window of the Room, while she swept it, and so carelesly neglected to have her Eye upon the little one, as that the Child (looking out of the window upon a company of young Ducks, which were swimming in a Vessel of water right under the Casement) thrust its body so far out, as it fell down, and pitched first upon the Eaves of the next Floor, with that force, that it brake above a dozen Tiles off from the place, and with them fell down to the ground; but not into the Vessel of water, which stood perpendicular to the Window, but exactly between that Vessel and a large door which lay very near it, and upon which the meat for those Ducks was laid. Had it fallen a quarter of a yard on either hand, its Brains had been dashed out, either by the Door or Vessel; but God, by the ministration of his Angels, so ordered it, that although the heigth of the place caused a dizziness, and a swoon for a few moments; yet the Child was no sooner taken up, but immediately it came to life again, and there was not the least bruise or hurt inward or outward, no not the least razing of the very Skin by any of the Tiles that fell with it; but within one quarter of an hour, it went up and down the House, as it had formerly p. 168done. Plutarch reports of one Clusia, Daughter of the Duke of Tuscany, who throwing her self out of an high Window to maintain her Honour, and to avoid a Rape; the length of her Garments gather'd so much wind into them, as did greatly bear her up, and saved her life. Plut. cap. 28. Paral. But the length of this Childs Garments could not be any second cause of its preservation; for its Coats were tucked up shorter than his body; he being a Footman but of a few Weeks standing.

Our good Father looked higher than to any natural causes, of his Childs preservation; His sense of mercy.for when he was returned from his walk (which was near half an hour after the fall) at which hour he had prayed so earnestly to God for this Child) being told the Story of the Fall, and having observed the heighth of the Window, the broken Tiles, the posture of the Vessel and Door, and the place where the Child was taken up safe; he presently called all his Family, and many of his Neighbours together, to join with him in giving God most solemn praise for his miraculous goodness, and for that wonderful return of prayer (made at that instant) for that little one.

The next day (being the Lords day) he Preached two Thanksgiving Sermons in His Thanksgiving Sermon, and Thank-offering and Vow.publick, upon that Text, Psal. 91. 11, 12. He will give his Angels charge concerning thee, to keep thee in all thy ways: They shall bear thee up in their hands, that thou dash not thy foot against a stone. And in the close of the Evening Sermon of that day, he made and published this solemn Vow unto God, in these very words following. Brethren, after due consideration of the reasonableness, usefulness and possibility, as well as lawfulness, of making Vows in some cases, and of devoting part of a mans Estate unto God (in a way of thankfulness) for mercy received; and after an humble acknowledgment of my own weakness and unworthiness; I having invocated the Grace of God both for strength to inable me to perform this, and all other my Vows, and for Divine favour in accepting me and it, through the Merits of Christ Jesus; I do solemnly Vow and Covenant with God, and expresly promise unto you, That I will give all the Tyth Wool of the whole Parish, which shall yearly become due unto me, during all the time of my future abode in this Town, unto the Poor of this Parish, to be yearly distributed amongst them, either in kind, or the full value thereof in money, before the first day of January every year, for, and towards their cloathing and maintenance. This Vow also, he did Register, and subscribe with his hand; and did always most piously and conscienciously, observe it yearly so long as he was Minister in that Town.

Yea, he was so fully satisfied and pleased with what he had done herein; that A Pin strangely discovered in his younger Daughters Ear an answer of Prayer, whereby her life was saved.some years after he devoted (in the same manner) all the Tyth Lambs of that Parish also, towards the relief of the Poor, and that, upon this occasion, viz. God having yet given him a seventh Child, which was his last; it pleased God (that when it was about half a year old) it was strangely troubled and afflicted with pain and sickness; which neither Physicians nor Chirurgeons could give any account of. Many eminent persons (of both sorts) had inspected the Child, but could not in the least guess at (much less find out) the nature of its Malady or Distemper. Many Weeks passed wherein the Child languished, and did daily fill the Ears of its Parents with its frequent loud Shrieks, and with its constant and perpetual dolour. The Parents hereupon did set apart a day of Prayer, solemnly to seek God in their Family for this poor afflicted Infant; in which Service God was pleased to give him great assistances of his Spirit, and inlargement of heart; and the very next Morning following, while the Mother had the sick Child in her Lap, and rubbed its naked head with her hand, she felt a Pin to prick her hand; at which very much wondering, she looked narrowly into the Ear of the Child, and there espyed the small end of a large Pin that was gotten very deep into it. It was very difficult to discern the end thereof, and more difficult to draw it forth, (the head of the Pin being downward, and almost eaten up with Rust) but it being pulled out, the Child was presently at ease, and recovered its health and liveliness, and that in a very short time. Many other strange instances of the answer of his prayers might be given, which he always received from the Father of mercies, with great gratitude and thankfulness; but he contented not himself with verbal praises, without studying, how to express his sense of Divine Favour, by an exemplary devoting himself, and his all, unto God; as a real Thank-offering, to his Divine Majesty.

p. 169The work of God thereby greatly prospered in his hand, the whole Town was Ketton a partern to other Parishes.yet more and more reformed, so that his Parish was a pattern to all his Neighbour Towns; and it was expected, and often said, that every Inhabitant of Ketton should be distinguished from others, not only by the more savouriness of their Discourse, but also by the universal strictness and Piety of their Lives and Conversations.

There was one great advantage which that Town and Corner had above most The advantage of a good Magistrate, his joyning with a good Minister.other places, and that was this, That the Magistracy and Ministry joined both together, and concurred in all things for the promoting of true Piety and Godliness, The countenance and encouragement which a man of great Estate and Power doth give to a Minister, is of great import and influence unto his Ministry. Great was the love, and intimate was the affection which passed between the Patron of the Living, and this Minister; so that they did mutually ingage to visit each other twice (at least) every Week, and did seldom meet without praying together before they did part. They heartily also joined hand in hand to promote both the form and the power of Godliness in that Town and County.

Two things especially (in order hereunto) were endeavoured by them. First, To increase the knowledge of God, and of his Son; by Catechising both young and old, both governours and governed, one and other; and to the end that all (both rich and poor) might submit thereunto; this gracious and holy Knight, Sir Nathaniel Barnardiston, perswaded several Masters of Families in the Town to consent, that when any such question should be asked in publick by the Minister, as that neither their Children nor Servants could answer; the Masters and Fathers of such Children or Servants respectively, should answer for them; and the Knight himself did engage the like for his Family; which course being taken, it was incredible to consider how greatly knowledge was advanced thereby in that Town.

Another thing which the Patron and Minister designed, was to hinder the intruding, or approaching of the visibly prophane unto the Table of the Lord. To this The prophane are not admitted to the Lords Supper.end it was unanimously agreed, that every one who should desire to Communicate, should first publickly own his Baptismal Covenant for once, before his admission to the Lords Supper; and that afterwards they should submit unto admonition, in case of the visible and apparent breach of that Covenant. Accordingly this renowned Gentleman did first lead the way, and before all the Communicants, he did declare his Faith in God through our Lord Jesus; and did undertake (through the assistance of the holy Spirit) to perform whatever his Sureties had promised in baptism upon his account. He was then followed (in the same manner) by all the rest who were about then to receive. As for others, they were wholly silenced, being convinced in their very Consciences, of the reasonableness of what had been required, and what was now done, by all the serious and sober persons of that Town.

The administration of Confirmation practised in this excellent way and manner, His use of right Confirmation.could not but make a very effectual Reformation in that Town. Former prophaneness was forced now to hide its head; Drunkenness, Swearing, Cursing, Bastardy, and the like, as they were not practised, so they were scarce known; divers persons having lived many years in that Parish, and in the whole time they never heard an Oath sworn, or ever saw one person drunk, as they have professed.

His Ministry was highly valued, not only by his own Parishioners, but also by The high value for his Ministry, and the blessings which did accompany it.such as lived at a distance, of whom many did covet to come and dwell nearer, and to be of his Flock; and the rather, because it was generally reported, and upon good grounds believed, that there went a secret blessing along with the Gospel; and that as to Temporals as well as Spirituals. It was most visible, that many of the Farmers did mightily thrive, and grow rich, and the Landlords Revenue thereby did also increase, and was augmented. Many years thus passed, and was spent by this faithful and painful Servant of Christ Jesus, wherein God was pleased abundantly to inable him with bodily strength to go through his Labours, and wherein God also did secure him from all molestation and trouble from abroad, which some others met with.

But now about the year 1635. he was seized first with the Meagrim or Dizziness His hard Study doth impair his healthin his head, which afterwards turned to a violent pain. His Physicians told him, that his Distemper proceeded from over much Study, and from a Sedentary life; for the Cure whereof, they advised him to forbear Preaching; which he did a while; p. 170but found no relief thereby. Then they advised him to change Air, and commended unto him the Air about New-market. He went therefore and lived with the Lady Thornton, who had a Seat within a little more than a Mile of that Town; and God was pleased very much to bless that Air unto his Recovery; so that having gotten a little strength, he was resolved to return to his work, and to lay it out about his Masters Service; which he did do for near two years space.

Then it pleased God to exercise him with a greater trial; for upon a Lords-day morning, in his passage from his won House towards the Parish Church, he went He is hurt by a Fall.over a Gate in his way (which he supposed had been locked, as it was wont to be) but while he was almost over it, the Gate opened, and caused him to have a very great fall upon his Belly against the Ground, so that his Navel started out very much, and a very great Swelling followed upon it. His affectionate Wife beseeched him (thereupon) to return home, and betake himself to his Bed; but he considering that his Congregation was at that time met, and waited to hear the Word from his mouth; and finding that he was able still to walk, (although not without pain) he went forward to Church, and there Preached the former part of that day, but was forced to procure a supply for the Afternoon. The next day his pain increased more and more; and although he loved not to keep his Bed, yet he was confined thereto for some days, and unto his Chamber for some Weeks, until he had procured a Truss, which inabled him to Travel on Foot; but wholly hindered him from riding on Horse-back for several years. Which affliction, though it was very uncomfortable, in as much as it barr'd him from that Recreation he only delighted in; yet his not being able to Ride, was a sufficient Plea for his not appearing at the Bishops Court; and thereby it was providentially a means of his continuing in his Ministerial work, longer than probably he might otherwise have done.

For (about this time) the Book of Sports was injoined to be read, and many Innovations He is cited to the Court at Bury.were creeping into the Church, which he neither did nor could submit to; and for this he was often cited to appear before the Archdeacon and Commissary at Bury: But return and answer was always given, that by reason of his Distemper he was unable to Ride so far. Hereupon Articles were drawn up against him; and the Commissary had order to Adjourn the Court from Bury, to the Parsonage house of Ketton; and now all persons feared that he would have been suspended, both ab Officio & Beneficio; but the providence of God prevented it; for the Commissary and Surrogate (who were deputed to examine him) were both hindered at that time by sickness, and none came but the Secretary, and one Minister with him, who did little more than take cognizance of his bodily lameness, and then departed; leaving him in liberty to go on in his work as formerly he had done; in which he was very diligent and constant; for although he was not well able to get up into the Pulpit for some years, yet he never failed, but always Preached twice every Lords-day, sitting in his Desk, and from thence delivering the lively Oracles of God.

But over much study (after some time) had almost brought his first Distemper upon His Distemper doth return.him; for his Spirits began to decay, and Dizziness began to seize his Head, (besides the continuing of the starting of his Navel) about which having consulted with many Doctors, they all advised that he would go down in a Horse-litter to the Bath, which they counted would be a most proper and effectual remedy for him upon all accounts. But such a long Journey required more time than the Statute doth allow to any Incumbent to be absent from his place; this therefore put him upon Petitioning to the Archbishop for a Dispensation; which partly by money, and partly by Interest of Friends, was obtained. And it may be remembred, that one argument which the presenter of the said Petition used to the Archbishop, was this, to wit, That his Lordship had no man dwelling in his whole Province who was so like himself, as to bodily shape and face; but none more unlike his Lordship in temper and opinion: To which the Archbishop answered, is it so? Then let him go to the Bath, or whether he please, for all me; and so granted his Petition.

If any person (upon this occasion) shall desire to have some account of his His bodily shape and form.foreign, his bodily shape and form, let them know, he was a pretty fat and corpulent man, full-faced, of a grave majestick aspect, and had a very quick and piercing Eye; but withal but low of stature: The greatest Wits have lodged in little Bodies, and the bravest Spirits have been those that have been least clogged with Flesh. Varro saith of Marcus Tullius and Marcius Maximus, that they were men p. 171but two Cubits high: I am sure that the Holy Ghost it self did give the great Apostle a title of real honour, borrowed from the lowness of his Stature. In short, he did wear ingenium acutum in decente vagina, a sharp wit in a comely body, although the Structure was not high or lofty, yet it was every where richly furnished; and the low Fabrick was excellently Tenanted.

This Dispensation aforesaid, being obtained, he resolved to undertake his Journey to Bath, so soon as ever God should give his Wife safe Deliverance, she being His Wife dyeth in Childbed.then with Child: but this time never came; for his Wife (not going her full time) fell in Labour, and brought forth an Abortive Child, which also cost her her own Life.

Great had been his Affection to her at all times, he striving to imitate at least (if He is blamed for his great sorrow for such a pious relation.not equal) if possible, his Lord and Master Christ Jesus, in his love to his Church. But now the good mans affection did (in the opinion of some) a little degenerate, and turn into unruly passion; and truly if in any thing this holy person did deserve any reproof, it was in this, to wit, That his grief for the loss of this Relation, did a little too much deject him. He seemed indeed to err in his love; and some that watched for his halting, were glad that they could spy a colour or pretence to accuse him for this his over sorrow, as they called it. But he had many things to say in his own defence; besides that, it is the common discovery of a sweet and good nature, and of an affectionate disposition, to be much affected, when the delight of a mans eyes, and the daily companion of his sorrows and joys, of his travel and rest, is taken from him. And are there not many Instances in Scripture of great affliction of heart for the loss of Relations? How did Jacob lament for his Son Joseph? How did David mourn for his Absalom? How did the Saints in the 9. Acts, bewail the death of Dorcas? And how did St. Austin weep for the holy Monica? This Wife was a non-such, a mirrour of Grace and Virtue, a person of great parts, great prudence, and great piety. She was very beautiful and lovely in person, and of a most obliging Conversation, cloathed with humility, and adorned with all the graces of the Divine Spirit. A careful Instructer of her Children, and a pattern of Piety to them, walking closely with God all the day, in their view. In her Husbands absence she constantly prayed twice every day in her …mily; and she prayed always thrice a day in her Closet, twice by her self, and once with her Children. It must needs make a deeper wound than ordinary, for an Husband to lose such a Wife. He must needs weep for his own loss, and more for his Childrens. What the Poet said of Peleus, That he could bear any affliction while Thetis his Wife was with him, because she always bore the weightiest burden, and the biggest end of the Log; this might be applied to them both. But now he is lest alone with a great number of small Children, and with a great Family of Servants; the education of the one, and the government of the other, was impossible for him to discharge, (as he knew that it ought to be done) by reason, that his Ministerial work did necessarily take up the most of his time, if not all of it. Yet he grappled with these difficulties for three years, and was then perswaded by Friends, to endeavour to repair the breach which God had made in his Family, by marrying a second time.

And providence bringing an excellent Gentlewoman to live in that Town, she He is constrained to repair his loss.was recommended to him by all his Friends, but especially by his first Wives Relations, as one that would take off much of the burthen of educating his Daughters, who were the youngest part of his Children; and who did most stand in need of sutable Instruction and Education. This Gentlewoman was a person of great Piety, and of a sweet disposition; she was the Relict of Mr. William Folke of Cambridgeshire, and had but only one Child, a Daughter, an Heiress of a fair Estate; who was much of the same Age with his youngest Child and Daughter. After much prayer and seeking of God, the thing was accomplished, to the great joy and comfort of them both; she being a very affectionate Yoke fellow to him, and a most indulgent Mother-in-Law to his Children; so that there never happened the least strife between them, but only this, Whether he should shew more kindness to her only Child, or she shew more love to all his seven Children? and this contest also was most pleasingly composed afterwards, by the inter-marriage of his third Son with that Daughter.He is nominated to be one of the Synod at Westminster, but declineth it.

About this time the first long Parliament convened, who after a while, thought fit to call an Assembly of the most eminent Divines of the Nation; and those of different perswasions, to sit at Westminster, and to consult about making some alteration p. 172in the Discipline and Government of the Church. His Patron being one of the Knights of the Shire for Suffolk, did then nominate him to be one of this Assembly. But although he had very much recovered his health by Gods blessing (without going to the Bath) yet the starting of his Navel was not so fully cured, but that he did come very seldom on Horse-back; and therefore he went not to London till that Assembly was met, and had sat some time; and a prospect of some differences, was given, like to arise amongst them; and the Dissenting Brethren had prepared their Apology; before he could go, to answer the Summons, which was given him to attend on that Service. When he came to Westminster, and observed the state of things; he Petitioned to be discharged; and obtained of his Patron, to nominate another Suffolk Minister to succeed in his place; which being granted, he returned to his own Countrey charge. He was a great lover of Peace, and a great promoter of it; and was wont greatly to bemoan; that those who did so unanimously and heartily agree in the fundamental Articles of our Creed, and in the Doctrine of the Church, should (with great heat and animosity) contend about Modes and Ceremonies of Worship, and Forms of Discipline and Government.

In the year 1645. a very great number of persons in the County of Suffolk were He is Commissioned to sit on the Beneh at the Trial of a great number of Witches.apprehended, as being guilty of the damnable and Diabolical sin of Witchcraft; and divers of them had confessed themselves guilty thereof; but a report was carried to the Parliament then sitting, as if some busie men had made use of some ill Arts, to extort such confession from them; thereupon a special Commission of Oyer and Terminer was granted for the Trial of these Witches; in which Commission Mr. Fairclough's name was inserted, with the name of another Reverend Divine; these were joined in Commission with the Judge of Assize, and the Justices of Peace of the County; that there might be a most special care taken, both of the execution of the Law, and that also all tenderness might be used, in a matter wherein the Lives and immortal Souls of many were concerned. The Statute it self (in that case) is so worded, that none can be convicted thereupon, but such as are proved to have made either an express compact with the Devil, or an implicite one, by imploying Imps, that is, the Devils instruments, to the hurt of their Neighbours, in Life or Estate. Hence it comes to pass, that it is very difficult to Convict any person upon this Statute, but such as shall consess themselves guilty; and now great care was taken, that such confession should be purely voluntary and unconstrained; and the truth thereof might also be evidenced by many collateral circumstances, and other concurring and convincing evidence. This Learned man therefore, before his first sitting upon the Bench, did Preach two Sermons to the Court in Bury Church; wherein he first shewed, that there was such a sin as that of Witchcraft, that is, of mens dealing and contracting with familiar Spirits; and did then confute all those arguments, which either former or later, Sadducees and Atheists have produced to the contrary; wherein he gave great satisfaction to the whole Auditory. He afterwards shewed the hainousness of the sin of those, who would violently prosecute, or unduly endeavonr to convict any person, except plain convincing evidence could be brought. These Sermons were of great use; and although it is possible that some that were guilty might escape for want of such evidence, yet sure it is, that none were condemned, who could be saved without an express breach of the Law; for both in the Pulpit, and on the Bench, he did very much influence the whole Court by his judgment, viz. by his learned, pious and prudent management of the whole affair.

In all imployments, and in every trust committed to him, he shewed and approved himself a man of great Learning, prudence and integrity. Through his whole life, no blemish (upon any account whatsoever) did fall upon his Reputation; except that which is common to all men, to wit, such as is the result of envy, and hammer'd in the forge of malice it self.

He was no Lawyer, and therefore might be ignorant of the legality of the proceedings of either party, during the late Civil Wars; and therefore he always chose His lamenting the Civil Wars.to be passive therein rather than active; but no man lamented more the sins of those times than he did, being greatly wounded when he heard of so much blood as was shed by Protestants, their fighting one against another. That expression of St. Cyp. de Sim. Prelat. was often then in his mouth, Proh dolor! quid facit, in corde Christianorum, Luporum feritas & Canum rabies? The Wars were no sooner began, but he foretold the ruine both of Church and State thereby; for he discerned the designs of the Jesuits were, to foment the differences on both sides, till both Church and State should p. 173be destroyed; which sadly came to pass in the year 1648. when the Emissaries of the Church of Rome (who had Listed themselves in both Armies) did so influence and leaven their Counsels, that the one Army rebell'd against the very persons from whom they received their Commissions, and offered great violence to them; first by excluding the most eminent Members of the House of Commons, with the whole House of Lords; and then killed the King himself at his own door; throwing the scandal of all, upon the Protestants; though a Learned Dignitary of the Church hath abundantly proved it to be the act of the Papists chiefly.

Oh how greatly did the Soul of this worthy person bleed within himself for these things, and upon all occasions he constantly bore the publick testimony against those proceedings; which he mourned for deeply.

When the Engagement for excluding the Kings Posterity was imposed upon him, He refuseth the Engagement, and all Preferments of those days.upon the penalty of forfeiting his Living, he declared, That he would not only part with his Living, but with his Life also, rather than subscribe to that which his Soul abhorred. He was sometimes threatned (on the one hand) with Loss; at other times tempted by great offers of Gain: but nothing could prevail with him, to bring him to a compliance in any thing which he judged sinful. There was a Baronet, who being a great Friend of his, (and a great man in those days, being related to the Protector himself) had long waited to express his kindness to him, (whose Preaching he valued above all mens) and it so happened, that the Mastership of Trinity Colledge, which was one of the greatest Preferments (for a Clergyman) in England, fell void by the death of Dr. Hill; the Baronet (without his privity in the least) obtained a grant thereof for him, and offer'd it to him, but he would not accept it; which when his Friend pressed him to, he first repeated to him the Dystich of the Learned Funcius.

Disce meo, exemplo, mandato munere fungi,

Et fuge ceu pestem foreign.

Thus Englished:

Discharge thy proper work; learn this by me,

Don't deal in busie things, as Plague them flee.

And withal he told the Knight this Story of Funcius, That he being a private Minister, was once invited to Preach at Court; which he performing well, he was intreated to stay there; and a while after he was preferred to be a Minister of State to his Prince: but thereby he soon made himself many enemies and enviers, and incurred the malice of many Courtiers; who after a little time, procured Articles to be exhibited against him, and so got him to be condemned to Death; which he suffered: but left the former Verses. for a warning to all future ambitious persons.

Our prudent and humble Divine had it deeply engraven on his heart, for he He loved a private Life of Study and Preaching so well, as he avoided (as much as he could) the best other Imployment.highly approved that common saying, viz. Bene vixit qui bene latuit, A retired Life is an happy Life. 'Tis true, his Parts and his Employment would not permit him to be hid; but he always endeavoured it, and he counred a Life of Meditation and Study the sweetest Life in the World. It was from this settled Judgment, that he did avoid (as much as he was able) all places of publick trust It is too well known, how that, for some time, the Wall and Fence of publick Discipline being broken down, the Ministerial Office in those days, was strangely invaded; many ignorant, and some vile persons thrusting themselves into it; some men thought, that neither Mission nor Commission, Approbation nor Ordination, were necessary thereto; whereby many mischiefs did follow; till after a while, some persons were appointed to examine the Abilities, the Learning, the Gifts, and the Graces of all that should at any time be presented to that publick work and station: This work he thought greatly useful and necessary, but being himself (with many others) summoned to undertake it, he thought that the distance of his Countrey charge from London, might justly excuse him, and might warrant him to devolve that work chiefly upon other hands; insomuch that he was very seldom amongst them; and when he did at any time come, it hath been universally acknowledged and declared by men of all parties, (who were referred to him for examination and approbation) that he nenever p. 172duplicate page p. 173duplicate page p. 174respected any mans person or perswasion in reference to State affairs, or the kinds of Church Government. All that he would search after, was to inform himself of their fitness for their Ministerial work; as to their Learning and Abilities in dividing the Word aright, and as to the unblameableness of their Lives and Conversations. This caused him to be greatly loved; and highly honoured by all men; some of whom are yet alive, and are dignified in the Church; who (afterwards) offered to have procured preferment for him, could he have departed from the way and path which he had chosen to take.

But he was semperidem, always fixed as a Rock, to those Principles which (after He was stedfast to his principles.long deliberation, much reading, and full disquisition) he had established in his Soul; and upon this account he loved heartily those that even differ'd from him, when he once perceived that they were men of Conscience; and were not tempted by any outward interest whatsoever. He suspected men who were of the temper of him who was a Papist in King Harry's days, a Protestant in King Edward's, a Papist again in Queen Mary's, and a Protestant again in Queen Elizabeth's. Josephus tells us of some Jews, that kept two different Pedigrees by them, and were Jews or Samaritans, as Alexander either favoured them, or frowned upon them. And even in the Primitive times we are told, that there were some, who were Pagans when Dioclesian was Emperour, and turned Christians in Constantine's time; but the same men were Arians when Constantius Reigned, and became Pagans again with Julian the Apostate.

He always pitied men in temptation, but valued those that were most stedfast, bewailing others, that thought it ground enough to change because the times changed; such as could say (without shame) Eamus ad communem errorem, Let us do the evil that most do; of whom it hath been said, Purpuram coluerunt non Deum:

He was of another temper; and being always stedfast, it might be said of him, even what St. Cyprian saith of some Christians in his time, That their Faith was strong, even inter ipsas seculi ruinas. Cvp. Ep. ad Demet. and like St. Basil, who being allured by the Prefect to change his Opinion, made answer, That he would not part with one syllable of Truth, no not to save his Life.

After near fifty years spent in Preaching the Word of God with faithfulness and He cannot declare his assent and consent, by help of a distinction commonly used.diligence, it pleased God now to honour him, by enabling him to suffer for adhering to the word of his patience, and for the testimony of a good Conscience. He had been eminently active, and had done much for Gods Honour and Glory; and now he was called to be passive, and to forsake all and follow his Master. Consciencious doing of the Divine Will, is a good preparation for Consciencious suffering of Divine pleasure. He that hath been sincere in obeying other of Gods commands, will obey this among the rest, of taking up Christs Cross; which is a Command as well as others. He was wonderful tender in judging any of his Brethren, who so far as he knew, might follow their light, in declaring their assent and consent to every proposition contained in several humane Books; but he himself had no such large Faith; much less had he the implicite Faith of making such Declarations upon trust, relying upon the judgment of others, delivered in Books, which he could not peruse As for the Opinion of Bishop Bramhall, who allowed men to subscribe, and declare their assent unto that which they suspect not to be true, provided they do subscribe to it only as unto an Instrumentum pacis, for peace sake; our Divine would never use such harsh Language in this case, as the Author of Naked Truth, (third part) calling such distinctions, Trap-doors into Hell; but this he hath said of that Bishops opinion; that by two or three such Equivocations, an easie Bridge might be made to carry men over from Protestantism to Popery. The case (to him) was very plain and easie to determine for himself. He had sat down and reckoned his cost on both sides; and then determined with excellent Bradwardine, That he would not do that, which he thought a sin, Quantiscunque bonis lucrandis, vel quantiscunque malis evitandis. And he was sure that he did not suffer as an evil doer, but only as a person that was afraid to do evil.

Neither were they little things which he scrupled, or suffer'd for not doing of He suffered not for small things, or such as were disputable in his Opinion.them. No, he wrote upon the last Leaf of his Diary these words, Non propter paleam relinquam aream Domini, neque propter pisces malos rumpimus retia Domini. He could submit to the English Episcopacy as an humane Institution; and to Bishops, as p. 175unto the Kings Officers. He longed for Bishop Ʋshers reduction; and agreed with Bishop Andrews; Quaeris, num peccent Ecclesiae reformatae in jus divinum, non dixi. Caecus enim est qui non videat Ecclesias stantes sine hac politia, ferreus est qui salutem iis neget. Andrews Ep. 2, 3. His Judgment about Liturgies, hath been already declared to be the same with Bishop Taylor's. In short, he judged it to be to him a sin, to say, he liked that which his heart was far from any approbation of.

All his people were greatly desirous of his continuing with them, if his Conscience All his people (of all sorts) greatly lamented his removal.would have permitted. The Poor thought they should greatly suffer by his leaving them; fearing a want of that Charity and Bounty which he was wont to extend towards them. Others thought of their great loss of an able and willing Peacemaker, in case of differences and quarrels, (all which he always took up) for he made and kept agreement, as much as possible, between his Neighbours. Others doubted, that in his absence they should want a person that would appear for the Fatherless and Widdow, against their injurious Enemies, and cruel Oppressors; which he never failed to do. All these forenamed might desire his continuance out of love to themselves; but others came to him out of a principle of true humane Friendship (as they thought it to be) to him and to his; advising him to be kind to himself, and not to lose such a Living of 200 l. per annum, or to part with such a fine Parsonage house, or with such a fine Glebe, or with such a great Auditory, or with such a loving People, or kind Neighbourhood: And others did desire his continuance yet upon more weighty reasons; they questioned whether any would succeed, like-minded with him, who naturally had taken care of their Souls; by opening the mysteries of the Gospel, and by revealing the way of Life to them, and that with great evidence and demonstration, with great power and plainness; they doubted also, whether they should ever have such another pattern of holiness, or such an example of mortification, or such an instance of heavenly mindedness set before their eyes again in this world: To all these, he replyed diversly. To the poor afflicted and oppressed, he answered, That he blessed God that he should leave a good Magistrate behind him in the Town; who had formerly done (and could still do) more for them than he could, in that kind; and he knew that he was ready so to do. To the second sort he answered, That their love was great, but not right, being of no other kind than that of Peters, when he disswaded Christ from going to Jerusalem; and therefore he desired them to desist from tempting him. To the last sort he used the words of the Apostle, Sirs, Why do you break my heart, for my own part I am not willing to be bound, but to die, rather than sin against the light of my Conscience; and for you I shall not cease to pray, That God would send you another Pastor; one after his own heart; and I hope God will hear me herein, and will direct your Landlord in the choice of such a one. He desired them therefore to join with the Patron and himself, in setting some time apart to seek God upon that account; which they did: and he did also in private, give himself earnestly to beg of God that he might have such a successor, as that he himself might not be wanted; imitating herein the good and just Aristides, who being banished unjustly from Athens, prayed this Petition only, That his counsel and direction might not be wanted by that City at any time thereafter.

Indeed, upon the removal of so eminent a person, it could be no easie thing for the Patron, to provide a man who might bear any proportion to him who had left The Dean of Canterbury succeeds him.them; an universal search (in both the Ʋniversities, and in the City and Countrey) was made, for a man that might rise up in his place, and might tread in his steps. At length the Reverend and Learned Dr. Tillotson, was recommended to the Patron as a person of great worth and abilities, a man of a moderate and candid Spirit, and of a large and generous temper; to him therefore was the Presentation given, whereby much of the loss was repaired; it being also no small ease to their former Ministers heart, that a man of that worth did succeed him.

When the Act, requiring all Dissenting Ministers, to leave not only their Parsonages, His removal to Finching-field, where himself and four of his Sons do cohabit as in a Colledge.but their Parishes and People also, cameforth, this grieved him far more than the loss of his Living; for this hindered him, not only from Preaching to, but conversing with many of his Spiritual Children, whose education and increase of Grace, was dearer to him than any temporal concern. But where active obedience cannot be given, passive obedience must be shewn; he therefore resolved upon a remove; and the first place he went to, was to board with his eldest Daughter, who had married an Essex Gentleman, who lived in a very fair large House, called Sculpons in Finchingfield. He had also p. 176two Sons, and two Sons-in-law, who were all Ministers, and had left their Livings also; the Father (and these his four Sons) had lived at great distance from each other, in five several Counties of England; but now they all agreed to live together in one House, which made a very numerous Family, and erected a kind of little Colledge of Divines; it was as a constellation of Stars, every one whereof had afforded a very fair light when it was separate and alone; but being now all in conjunction, they drew the Eyes of much People (in that Corner) upon them. Neither could so many Candles be so put under a Bed, or under a Bushel, but that they still yielded a most benigne influence to all those parts. Their habitation was about two Miles from the Parish Church, unto which (though some of the Family sometimes went) yet it was impossible for the whole Family to repair thither, especially for the aged among them, who were more than one or two. For

This aged person was forced to marry (a third time) an aged Gentlewoman to be his Their Family exercise.Nurse in his old Age, (his second Wife living a very few years with him) moreover, the House-keeper had an own Mother above threescore and ten years old, who lived with him. Upon the account therefore of these persons, and also of divers Children in the Family (whose tender years kept them also from the publick) the Father and his Sons, did engage to Preach constantly on the Lords-day in their turns, and once or twice on the week days in the Family, whither some Neighbours also did repair. Great was the comfort and joy, which the Father and his Children, took in each others Company. It was a most happy Family, and a very delightful Society.

But to the great grief of all, it continued not thus above four or five years: for A pieasant Society dissolved.although the Seat was (otherwise) very pleasant, yet the Air was bad, and proved very unwholsome, which caused a dispersion of the whole Family. His own Sons then removed to London, and his two Sons-in-Law into high Suffolk; and himself went and boarded with his youngest Son, who was then a publick Preacher at Kennet in Cambridge-shire.

Here the Father did constantly go every Lords-day to Church (it being near) He doth Preach in private, and hears in publick.and heard his Son, and usually Preached himself every Lords-day Evening in the Family. He was then near fourscore years old, yet his parts continued quick and strong; and although aged, yet he still retained much of the Smartness and vigour of his youth. The blade was metal to the back, and although it was much worn, yet it kept its keenness to the last. Those that stood without doors, and saw not his Face, might suppose the Preacher to be about fifty years old, or a man arrived at the achme of his excellency, and standing in the Zenith of his Noon-day glory, and that both as to the matter of his Discourses, and the manner of his Delivery. Although at this Age, he would often say, That he now might be discharged of his labour, both by the Laws of God and Men (the Jewish Law allowing the Levite at Fifty, and the Roman Law allowing the Soldier at Sixty, to b… exempted) yet he loved his work; and therefore he would not leave the Altar, or quit the Field, so long as he could lift up his hand, or wield the sword of the Spirit; agreeing herein with the holy Bishop Severus, Si senex populo pro futurus sum, laborem non recuso.

He lived at Kennet (with this Son) some years, where his last Wife died; she His last Wife dies.was the Daughter of Mr. Sorrel of Essex, and the Relict of a Reverend Minister formerly in that County; but she having never had any Children of her own, she was unacquainted with true Parental affection, the want whereof in her, was grievous both to him and his; yet she was a good woman otherwise, and loved his Person and Ministry.

Sometime after whose death he removed to Heveningham in high Suffolk, to the He removeth to Heveningham in high Suff…lk.House of his second Daughter; who was there married to Mr. Jones, the Rector of that Town; there he also kept on his course of hearing in publick, and Preaching in private, for about two years.

At which time his youngest Daughter, who was married to Mr. Shute, the Incumbent Thence to Stow-market; which was his last place of abode on Earth.of Stow-market, was covetous also to have her Childs part of his presence and company; wherein he did gratifie her: and this was the last place of his abode in this world. He was above Fourscore years old when he came to Stow-market, until which time his parts and memory continued sound to that degree, as that all men admired him; but after that, a great change suddenly appeared; yet not so great, but that still he retained his understanding to a very good use and purpose, p. 177none coming to visit him, but they went away bettered by him: When he was much decayed, and almost fallen, the ruines of the Building were such as did evidence the Fabrick had once been large and stately: When his natural heat and fervour was almost extinct, the remains thereof manifested that the Fire had been great, where such a heap of glowing Embers gave so much heat and warmth.

He was now going off the Stage of the world; and before the Curtain be drawn, Some peculiar Instances of his great worth.that is, before an account be given of his last Exit, it will not be amiss to intimate to the world some peculiar excellencies that were discernable in him, worthy both of remark and imitation. In some few particular acts of Grace, 'tis possible that he might have some equals in them; but in many instances of Piety, I think this Age hath not known any to exceed him therein.

None surely can be found, who walked in a more constant course of private duties, His strict walking with God in his course of private duties.such as Reading, Meditation, Self-examination and Prayer, which four duties he seldom or never divided the one from the other; and by a daily continued performance of them all, he had much of his Conversation in Heaven, and lived in close Communion with God. The Sun is not more true to its time of rising and setting, than he was to his stated course of secret Prayer, both Morning and Evening. So soon as he was awake (which was early every Morning, till he was very old) he did immediately rise, and prostrate himself at Gods Foot-stool; after which he constantly read some portion of Scripture, upon which he did first peruse the best Commentators, and constantly (for some time) did meditate thereon, observing the counsel of Pythagoras to his Schollars, foreign, if you will not purifie your food, and ruminate upon it, don't eat. But he having thus digested truth himself, after some time he came down to perform Family worship; which he always began with a short Prayer, and then expounded that Portion of Scripture to them, wherewith he had first warmed his own heart; and then prayed again with them more largely than before; and so betook himself to his Study again.

Through the whole day he kept a most strict watch over his Heart and Tongue, His constant watch, and spiritual Discourse, and heavenly mindedness, and felf-examination.and had obtained Grace so, as that when he was engaged in civil converse, and in worldly affairs, he was even in them spiritual and heavenly, his Discourse being savoury and profitable. It was the Language of Canaan, and such as might administer always Grace to the Hearers. He also learned that excellent sort of Chymistry, to extract spiritual notions from earthly occurrences. He saw God in all things, and enjoyed him in all his appearances. foreign, he managed all things, and in all things was managed by the holy Spirit, as it was said of Justin Martyr: In every Evening he constantly called himself to an account, examining and reviewing (as much as possibly he could) all his thoughts, words and actions. He lamented much, that Christians should fall short of the practice of some Heathens. Seneca tells us, that he used every night (when his Servant had taken away the Light out of his Chamber) to turn his Eyes inward, and ask himself, what good he had done? and what evil he had that day avoided? Pythagoras required his Scholars, that they should night by night examine themselves by these questions, foreign. Virgil saith also of a good man thus:

Non prius in dulcem declinant lumina somnum,

Omnia quam longe repetiveris acta diei,

Quid praetermissum, quid gestum tempore, quid non.

At Night before soft Sleep doth cause thine Eyes to wink,

Recall, review the actions of the day, and think

What thou hast done amiss, or what thou hast forgot,

What word or work was timed well by thee, what not.

It was his business to live to Gods honour. He was full of designs for Christ, he His business was to live to God.endeavoured fully to copy out the life of his Lord and Master. All that saw him, saw (as it were) Religion embodyed, shewing it self the greatest reality, and making it self to appear (what in truth it is) the most sweet and pleasant life of the world. They that beheld him, saw it was possible for a man (while here on Earth) to have his heart much in Heaven; and while he is in the body, both to live in the Spirit, and walk in the Spirit.

p. 178He was eminently solicitous to discharge all Relative, as well as personal Duties. Careful of Relative Duties.In his Family he walked as a man of understanding, and with a perfect heart, and was one of the Apostles Bishops, blameless, ruling his own House, and having his Children in subjection. He was as another faithful Abraham, who taught his houshold (and his Children after him) to keep the way of the Lord. He designed to govern his Family by the Law of God, who is the great Pater-familias, of whom all the Families in Earth are called. He commanded nothing, but what he knew himself to be commanded to command. He did not conceal, but declare what his own duty (as well as the duty of his Inferiours) was. He spake his mind clearly and intelligibly, and forgave all faults committed ignorantly, and by mistake; being angry for nothing but wilful disobedience.

Great was the pains which he took to instruct his Family in the narrow way of His diligent Catechising of his Family.Life, by causing them to read the Scriptures frequently every day, and to abound in the knowledge of them; treasuring them up in their memories; which he would often inquire into: and by Catechising of them, first by a shorter Catechism of his own composing, and then in larger ones. All his Children (when grown up, and many of the Servants who lived with him) could not only answer every question in a very large Catechism, but could prove every answer by express Scripture Texts; for they answered not like Parrots, but as understanding the sum and substance of Christian Religion. He moved in his Family as an Angel, or an Intelligence in his Orb, ruling of it with perfect harmony and decorum. He beheld his Yoke-fellow with a pleasing, and pleased Eye of love; he looked on his Children with an Eye of watchfulness, as well as affection, and upon his Servants with an Eye of Authority and Government; so that all things were dispatched in his House, with Peace and Order.

He would tell his Servants, that he hired them, first to be Gods Servants, and He is a good Master.then his; and required them to look through and beyond him, unto God; whereby they might do two works, and serve two Masters (the one subordinate to the other) at once, and that they might be sure, that they should receive thereby double wages, from God and from him; adding withal, that God may (by an holy person) be as truly served in dressing of an Horse, or milking of a Cow (in time and place fit, and in Obedience to God) as in their going to Church, or as in private Prayer. He was careful in hiring of Servants, (which few are) if it were possible, he would gain the Children of godly Parents; and would never permit any to serve him, who refused to serve God in any of his Institutions. He reproved Idleness, as well in Soul concerns as in houshold-affairs, and carefully rewarded the improvers of time. When he happened upon any Servant of mean capacity, and a weak memory, he would give his Children charge to take so much the more pains with them, and be always very patient and gentle towards them. And God was pleased to bless him with many godly Servants, and such as were most faithful to him.

He had one Servant that managed all his concerns without doors, a Servant And is blessed with an eminent faithful Servant.very skilful, and very careful; to whom his Master once saying thus: John, Since I have left my Estate to your care, I must own, that God hath greatly blessed me; and I perceive, the less that I do meddle with the World, the more I do thrive; the more I give away, the more I have at the years end. The Servant then replyed thus; No doubt, Sir, but it is so; for I have taken notice, that the more you pray and study how to plant and water the Grace of God in your Peoples hearts, the greater blessing hath God given to my Plowing and Sowing in the Field; and the whole Town doth take notice, how much the Crop in your Ground is better than theirs, although nought but a little Hedge doth part them. Indeed this Servant was another Eleazar in Abrahams Family, or another Joseph in Potiphars house. Xeniades having bought Diogenes, and having seen his excellent and good behaviour, beyond the rate of all men (as he thought it to be) gave Diogenes his freedom, saying, That he believed he was some good Angel, and that he had cloathed himself with an humane body, that he might do good on Earth: Some also would have thought this Servant to be such a good Genius; of whom his Master said at his death, That God did take him away, least he should have grown over Rich and Wealthy in the World; as he had certainly done, if he had lived long.

p. 179As to the Children which God gave him, he did truly Travel in birth with them, He becomes a Spiritual, as well as Natural Father, to all his Children.till he saw Christ formed in them. God made him not only a natural, but a spiritual Father also to seven Children. He did believe, that most Children are capable of discerning good from evil, much sooner than most Parents are aware of; he therefore began very carly to instruct his own Children, and (all of them) like Timothy, had the knowledge of the Scripture in them, from the very Breasts. He instructed them not only by precept, but by his own heavenly example; and he might have said to each of them as Aeneas to Ascanius,

Disce, puer, virtutem ex me, verumque laborem,

Fortunam ex aliis—

—Virtue and Labour learn from me, dear Boy;

Fortune to others leave for to enjoy.

His whole Life was worthy of Imitation; it might be said thereof, as Chrysostom saith of the Life of Ignatius, it was foreign; a Teacher and Tutor of Piety.

He prevented as much as possible, that no evil example should be given to his Children, and commanded his Servants, that they should not dare to do or speak any thing before his Children, which they would not do or speak before himself, well knowing, that great reverence is due to Children. He spake to them with much gravity, and some reservedness; but yet always kindly and affectionately, keeping Frowns only for their faults. And indeed his Children feared to see a Frown in his Face, as much as some other Children do fear a blow from their Fathers hand. He seldom corporally corrected any of them, and some of them never: As a Father he maintained his Authority, and as a good Father he did exercise great clemency. Vindictam ex necessitate, veniam ex dilectu exercebat. It at any time he was forced to be angry, he shewed that it was altogether necessary, by the sudden return of his kindness, immediately upon their repentance.

He bore the Soul of every Child upon his heart; and daily prayed, that not one Gods Blessing on all his Children.who proceeded from his Loins, might ever stand at Gods left hand; and few men had ever greater comfort in their Children than he had. He died in the belief, that he should meet all his Children with comfort at the great day. He sent all his four Sons to the University, where three of them were preferred to be Fellows of Colledges. They all four were called into the Ministry, and were able and faithful in their places; none having better repute than they, in the places where they lived, until they were removed, either by death or otherwise; and God blessed them in Temporals also, he and his, parting with above a thousand pound per annum, when they laid down their publick Ministry.

He lived in an Age wherein great contempt was thrown upon the Office of the His esteem of the Office of the Ministry, and dedicating all his Sons thereto.Ministry; this caused this Champion to appear both Doctrinally and Practically against such contemners of the institution of Christ. By his Doctrine he declared often, and proved, that neither gifts nor graces, single and separate one from the other, did fully qualifie persons for this work, nor doth the conjunction of them constitute a stated Officer in the Church, without due approbation by Church-Officers (upon examination) and Ordination (after Approbation) if possibly it can be obtained. Practically be appeared against such Contemners; first, by the begging earnestly of God, that he would give Grace unto all his Sons; and then would incline the hearts of them all to devote themselves to this work. Secondly, By his administring all the helps and furtherances of Education that might qualifie them thereto. And to shew yet more his esteem of this Office, he married two of his Daughters unto Ministers; and farther, he did not only send his own Sons to the University, but he sent divers others thither also, and maintained some of them much at his own charge; and he also prevailed with his own Sons (after they were Fellows of Colledges) to assist him He sends divers other young Scholars to Cumbridge, and he and his own Sons takes care for their maintenance.therein; which they constantly did do.

There are divers Ministers yet alive that will acknowledge, that unto some of them he was the sole founder, and many others confess him their greatest Benefactor, as to the University maintenance.

He once hired a young man (of about twenty years old) to wait on him, and to Ride abroad with him, who was a good School-Scholar; but his Parents wanted an p. 180Estate to send him to Cambridge: this his Master was ignorant of at his first coming, but a while after, accidentally observing him to be reading in the Greek Testament, he posed him therein, and in other Books, and finding him fit, sent him immediately to his eldest Son in the University, and provided for his sustenance.

At another time, he Preached a worthy Ministers Funeral Sermon, who had fitted his eldest Son for Cambridge, but he died Poor; whereby the Son despaired of proceeding on in his Learning; which he being made then acquainted with, at the close of the Funeral Sermon, he desired all those of his Auditors that loved and valued the deceased pious Minister; that they would testifie their affection in contributing towards the yearly maintenance of his Son; and after Sermon was ended, he called divers Gentlemen and Yeomandry together; and first he himself subscribed four pound per annum; the Gentlemen then subscribed Forty shillings per annum, and some Yeomandry Twenty; so that the young Scholar was provided for at the University, as comfortably as could be desired; and he proved very useful in the Church of God afterwards.

He was an excellent Oratour upon all accounts; but he would use, and shew it most effectually; when he was desired to move his Auditory to be charitable; many occasions whereof, were offered to him: and he did willingly embrace them.

When the Plague was once in the University of Cambridge, the Vice-Chancellor He sends 50 l. to Cambridge, at the request of the Vice-Chancellour, during a time of Pestilence.thereof sent to him (and some other Neighbour Ministers) to make a Collection in his Congregation for the Town of Cambridge; which he did do, so effectually, that he sent him above Fifty pound within a few days after. And the Vice-Chancellour wrote him a long Latine Letter of thanks; calling his gift Pingue beneficium, a fat Sacrifice; and withal told him, that his gift was more, than he had received from any six Towns in all the County besides.

At another time, when the Plague was at Hadleigh in Suffolk, he gathered near as The like to Hadleigh, when the Plague was there.much for that Town also. At which time, he did not only perswade the good people, but even compelled (as it were) many covetous Ʋsurers to be bountiful; as the Prophet Nehemiah did, Nehem. 5. 13. The case of the Prophet, was that of Famine, and this case, was that of the Plague; yet he thought, that both the words and the action also of Nehemiah, might well be applied hereunto; and used them (in this case) with the like effect; many hard-hearted persons professing, that when he shook his Garment (as the Prophet did) at that very action their hearts melted within them; and they so trembled, that had their Pockets been then full, they had given it all to him at that Collection.

At another time, a Neighbour Ministers House being burned down, wherein his Goods (and the greatest part of the fairest Library in the County) being consumed, he in a short time, procured him above an hundred pounds towards the repairing of his loss; and procured also his own third Son (then Fellow of Gonvile and Cajus Colledge) to take the distressed Ministers eldest Son, to be his Pupil, and to allow him good part of his maintenance.

He was Charitable beyond compare, both to the Souls and Bodies of men; both His stated Charity.mediately (by interceding with others for them) and immediately, by contributing and distributing of his own plentifully to them; and that, not only occasionally, but statedly. He commanded all the Poor of his Parish to come, Weekly, to his door for relief; and required always that his eldest Daughter (first, before she married, then his next Daughters successively) should be his stated Almoners, and should distribute Alms with their own hands; accustoming themselves to works of mercy and charity: wherein he commanded them to be very bountiful. Vast was the sum of money which he gave away with his own hand. He cloathed the naked, and fed the hungry. He put not only many young men to Cambridge (as hath been said) but many poor Children to School. He gave away, as many Bibles, Catechisms and good Books, as were asked of him; and they were many. When the sight of old People was decayed, he would furnish them with Bibles of a larger Print; and he gave an incredible number of Spectacles away (for their help) always speaking of the Invention of them by Metius, with expressions of love and praise unto God, for his great goodness to the Souls of men thereby.

He loved all the Ordinances and Institutions of Jesus Christ. Preaching was his His love to all the Institutions of Christ.delight, Prayer his joy, Administration of Sacraments, the pleasure of his Soul. He counted the Sabbath honourable. He was most solemn in the observation of publick p. 181days of Humiliation; and kept many days of private Fasting and Prayer by himself alone in his Study. But above all, he delighted in reading the Scriptures; which was always sweeter to him than the Honey, or the Honey-comb.

He would never engage in the performance of any Ordinances rashly, or without His preparation for every Duty, and every Ordinance.due preparation. For his own part, he would never read a Chapter, or rarely suffer a Chapter to be read in his presence, without invocating God, for the co-operation of the Divine Spirit therewith. His preparation for solemn days of Fasting, for the Sanctification of the Lords-day, and for the Administration of the Lords-Supper, is not to be paralelled, as the whole Corner and Countrey where he lived, will unanimously testifie. He never kept any solemn publick Fast, but he Preached some preparation Sermons before the day came. He never administred the Lords-Supper, but that he first Preached three or four Sermons at least, in opening, either the Institution, the nature, the use or the end thereof; or in shewing the Duties of Communicants before, in, and after the receiving thereof. He hath left many Quires of Paper, written with his own hand upon those Subjects.

His constant solemn preparation for the Lords-day is beyond all. It hath been already said, that he did constantly Preach every Saturday in the Evening, a Sermon His preparation for the sanctification of the Lords-dayin order to the right sanctification of that holy day; there must now only be added in short; that he commanded all his Servants to lay aside all houshold work and business early upon Saturday Evening; declaring, that he desired and hoped, That when the World was taken out of his Servants hands, they would endeavour by Prayer, Reading and Meditation, to get it out of their hearts also; that so their Bodies and Souls both might be free, and ready for a most chearful performance of Gods service the day following; which work, should always be done without the least distraction of mind. This preparation was not without great reason; for it is, as he would say, no easie matter to cleanse our hands, and purifie our hearts too, before we compass Gods Altar; it is not easie to lift our Feet out of the Mire and Clay, unto which, they have too much cleaved, and into which, they have too much sunk all the Week before. The Royal Preacher therefore biddeth us, to look carefully to our Feet (that is, our affections) before we enter into the House of God. Holiness becomes his House for ever; therefore it behoveth us, that our Souls be comely, dressed and adorned when we wait on the great God; and that our hearts be fixed and prepared, and our heart-strings screwed up, and rightly tuned, before we offer to sing and give praise to a God of infinite Glory; and all this, requireth time and pains before hand, with much diligence.

Himself being thus prepared, how did this heavenly person welcome the arrival His joy at the approach of the Lords-dayof the Lords-day! which he sanctified in a manner equal to his preparation. The Jews call the Sabbath the Queen of days; and he loved it accordingly. He rose earlier on that day than on any other; and caused his Family so to do also: admonishing both Children and Servants to spend sometime with God in private in the Morning, if at least they desired to meet God in the publick Ordinances of that day. The Morning and the Evening Sacrifice was by him doubled upon the Lords-day; for he always prayed four times with his Family every Sabbath (besides six times in publick) to wit, immediately before he went to Church, and immediately after his return from thence, in the Forenoon; and before Repetition, and after Supper, in the Evening. His Forenoon Sermon was usually repeated by one of his Children after Dinner. In the Evening he repeated it himself. After Repetition, he examin'd his whole Family, not only what they remembred of the Sermons, but what good they had gained by the worship of that day. After Supper, he caused some part of Foxe's Martyrology (or some other profitable Book) to be read; and having prayed, he concluded the day always with singing of a Psalm.

Common Readers, and such as delight not in beholding the Image of God drawn upon More instances of his Piety.the hearts and lives of his Servants, would be tired; if one quarter of this persons excellencies should be related; therefore after an instance or two more given of his Piety, we will leave the rest to be admired only by those that personally knew him; but 'tis pity, that that almost perfect Victory, which he had obtained over the world by Faith, should ever be forgotten.

Whatever is in the World, is either the Lust of the Eye, the Lust of the Flesh, His Victory over the world by Faith.or the Pride of Life; he therefore, who is mortified to Riches, Pleasures and Honours, hath very much vanquished the World; as he had done.

p. 182He contemned Riches as the dirt of the Streets. It is true, that God by his own His contempt of Riches.immediate hand gave him plentifully; but it is as true, that he gave away again most plentifully to others. He was so dead to the world, as that he would not scarce deal or meddle with it. After the death of his first Wife, and of that Servant with whom he had intrusted his Estate, he put off all his Stock, and let all his Grounds, and never increased his real Estate, or personal Estate, above Five pound per annum, for near Forty years together; and he never put out a Farthing of money to Ʋsury. He never sued any man in his Life: He had great advantages of growing rich many ways; but if he had died Forty years before he did die, he had been just so Rich as he was at his death. He would often say, that we read not of any good man in all the History of Scripture, or of the Primitive times, that was Covetous, and it was a shame, that any that do now pretend to Christian Religion, should degenerate. After the loss of his Living, though he Preached often, yet he never would receive one penny wages for that work; and some of his Children have imitated him therein.

As to sensual pleasure, he did scarce know what any of that kind did mean. He was as temperate in his Diet as possible. He never used any sort of Recreation at any … crucifying the Flesh.time. It might be said of him as was said of Georgias Leontinus, foreign, that he did never do any thing to please the Flesh. In his youth he did love Musick and Riding; in Musick he had good skill; but on the sad News of the death of Gustavus Adolphus, the King of Sweden, (that great Warriour in defence of the Protestant Religion) he hung his Harp on the Willow, and never touched any Musical Instrument after. He used to keep as good Horses as any man in the Countrey; and was therefore by a dying Gentleman, bequeathed an Horse of very great price, in these words, That he might Ride on him about to Preach the Gospel; which he did do so long as he was able; but he never took a Journey of meer pleasure; except those when he visited his Children, who lived remote.

He was far from ambition, as hath been already evidenced in his refusal of great He was far from ambition, or desire of Honour.preferments; and many more Instances thereof might have been added: He bound himself in a Bond, never to commence Doctor in Divinity; which did shew, that he was herein like St. Ambrose, Qui nihil fecit propter ardorem inanis gloriae, sed propter Charitatem felicitatis; he acted from love to God, and not for praise of men. He was great in other mens Eyes, but little in his own.

Being once heartily thanked for an excellent Discourse which he made upon the 3 John 16. which Sermon proved successful to the saving Conversion of some there His great Humility.present; and this thing being related to him, he replyed thus, Pray friend, give God the Glory; no praise was due to the Rams Horns, though Jericho's Walls fell down at their blast; if God will vouchsafe that his Spirit shall breath through Ministers; it is God, and not the means, must have the praise. And another time, being greatly assisted by God in a Sermon, which he Preached in Cambridge, he wrote these words on the back-side of the Notes of that Sermon, Earthen Vessels, and Leaden Pipes, are either full or empty, according to the measures which they receive from their head Spring and Fountain, though free Grace filled my Soul this day, yet let me take heed of Preaching this Sermon (again) in my own strength.

As his heart was humble, so his behaviour was meek and lowly. Though his His behaviour grave, but affable and courteous.Countenance was very grave and severe, yet his Conversation was full of sweetness and affability. It was a kind of Riddle in the Eyes of common beholders, to see so much worth and grandeur to be of such easie access. He would (and all truly noble minds will do the same) stoop to the meanest person who desired his Opinion in matters of weight and moment. He never despised (or spake haughtily to) any man; and from sober good men, he would never keep any distance. If any were godly, although never so mean or poor, he received them, not only with civil respect, but with hearty love; but (on the other hand) he was a most bold and undaunted person in reproving the wicked and prophane; and had a Spirit which could abase the proudest Hector of them all, when he thought fit, and in its due time and place.

His Humility (joined with so much Grace and Wisdom) caused, that he was of Very peaceable and candid, although men did differ from him in Opinion.a very peaceable Spirit, and had a large Charity for good men, of all perswasions. His own understanding being great, made his Love and Charity also very large. He discerned, how that honest men do often mean the same thing, when they are apt to quarrel about their expressions of it; and therefore in dividing times, he was p. 183always of an uniting Spirit. Whilst others sought to wound the Reputation of men who differed from them, he did what he could to heal and compose all animosities which might arise upon such accounts. He was abundantly sensible of that bitterness which some men were ready to treat each others with, upon small differences of Opinion, and what mischiefs did follow thereupon; the life of Religion, and the power of Godliness, being almost extinguished thereby; and while some men pressed Ʋniformity in little matters; Conformity to the weighty Precepts of Christ Jesus (such as those of Love, and Charity, and forbearance to each other) were neglected.

He did much wonder, that since the very Canons which were made in 1640. Dissenters tolerated by the Canons of 40. but not by the Act in 62.allowed men liberty to dissent, and to differ in practice, as to the point of bowing towards the Altar, and at the name of Jesus, how it should come to pass, that the Sign of the Cross should be so strictly required in the Act of Uniformity in 1662. But he did rarely publickly express this his admiration; for he would say frequently, that as breaking of Bones is extreamly painful to all the members, except dead ones, so are Church-divisions grievous to every one that is a true Christian: and as all motion is stopt, or render'd uneasie, by the dislocation of a Joint in a Leg or a Foot, so all progress in Religion, is hindered by the quarrels and fallings out of Brethren by the way. He studied always the things that made for peace, and sought to allay and quench those heats, which others (by their breath and bellows) endeavoured more and more to inflame. He was an hearty lover of, and had a great kindness for, every man, in whom he saw any thing of Gods Spirit appearing; and he valued men more or less, only as he saw more or less of the Divine Image stamped upon them. He intreated all that he conversed with, that the truth of Grace in others, might be the most powerful Load-stone to draw out their hearts towards them. He would often say, that for one man to love another, only because he was of his own Opinion and Party, and to neglect another, who might be acted in greater things by the Divine Spirit, because he differ'd in smaller trifles; such a temper as this, did manifest, that such an one had little or nothing of the true love of God in him; for while that such a man did pretend to love his Brother, he did do herein, no other thing than hug himself, and embrace his own shadow, which he saw falling upon anothers breast.

Abundantly candid and charitable, meek and moderate, was this person at all Yet he always was zealous in a good matter.times; and yet notwithstanding, it must here be declared, That this meekness and moderation, and peaceableness of his Spirit, was such, as that it did not hinder, but did fully consist with, a mighty heat and activity for God, in all weighty and important matters. He wanted not Zeal, when the main Articles of the Christian Religion, the Articuli stantis & cadentis Ecclesiae, did call for, and require it. At the same time when he commended Constantine the Great, for his reproving the hot contest of the Nicene Fathers about Ceremonies; he also honoured that Emperour for his warmth, in opposing the Arian heresie, as Sigonius relates, Lib. 3. Imp. Occid.

Indeed, this Learned Divine was (as to his Zeal) a most excellent pattern, worthy of all imitation. He was in this Grace (as well as in other things) a burning Zeal guided with Light.and a shining light both. Heat and Light were never divided in him. His fire sometimes burned very hot, but yet always very clear, and without any manner of smoak. In his love to the salvation of Souls, he burned like a Lamp, consuming himself, his Body and Estate, (even all the Oyl that he possessed) and therein rejoiced, if hereby he might guide men to Heaven, and might shew any one the way to God and Glory. And hence it was, that a great and learned Man (that often heard him) said, That no man was more judicious and weighty in the Doctrinal part of his Sermons, and none could be more affectionate and zealous (than he was) in the Application of his Doctrine. Indeed, it is a rarity to find a man of great reading, and deep judgment, to be endowed with much Zeal, or with strong affections; but this mans Sacrifices were all kindled with a Fire which came immediately from Heaven; which did at once both enlighten his Head, and inflame his Heart also.

He was a man of great prudence, as well as zeal. His Sails and Ballast were His great prudence.exactly proportionate each to other. He could not be dull and sluggish in the Service of so good a Master as God is; but he did never run before he was sent. He would always stand still to hear his full Errand, and would stay to understand perfectly and plainly all his Masters will; which being so made known to him, p. 184he then was most bold and couragious in delivering of his Message, foreign,

A wise man loves in matters great

To stay and think deliberate.

His great prudence would not permit him to be rash, and his great zeal would not suffer him to be slow, negligent, or partial.

He had always a great love for God, and no man could be more concerned, either A man of a very publick spirit.for Church or State, than he was. He had continually such a publick Spirit, as that he scorned (at any time) to prefer any of his own private concerns, before the least publick good; yea, he constantly valued and rated all persons and things, according as any man, or any thing, had either a greater, or a lesser influence upon the publick. Those that observed him, might easily discern, that the glory of God, and the welfare of his Church, were as the great Wheels, that did set on work and govern all his actions. He was a man most ready to deny himself at any time, if that in any thing thereby, he might promote and advance the Interest of another man; provided, that other person did move in an higher, and more publick place than himself. That saying ought never to be forgot, which he once used Preaching to a great Auditory, and then declaring to them, That he could never expect to see, or find Peace on earth amongst men, until the Spirits of men were so acted by the Spirit of God, as the Spheres are said (in the old Philosophy) to be acted above by Angels, where all the little smaller Epicicles and Circles of every particular Orb, do all give up themselves wholly to the conduct and motion of the larger and greater Spheres; and truly (said he) it is this, which (according to that Hypothesis) doth make the sweetest Musick in Heaven; and were the same thing found and practised amongst men, it would make the most pleasant, and perpetual harmony on Earth. But there are few men who are blessed with such large Souls, and such generous minds as his was; who did bear the interest of the publick, and welfare of the universal Church, so deeply engraven upon his heart. St. Ambrose formerly was of this temper; who lived little to himself, and was all for others; whose Motto it was, Partior mihi totus foris; and our Saint might have used the same words, for he had wholly dedicated and devoted himself to the Service of the publick; and so long as he had any strength left, he did most chearfully improve every Talent which God had lent him, to the honour of him who had intrusted him therewith.

But at last, when (by reason of his extreme age) he could not openly and publickly The close of his old Age was spent wholly in prayer.do any other thing more for God or his Church, and when he could scarcely suffer any thing more for the honour of either, he having parted already with all his stated maintenance, for the testimony of a good Conscience; he now gave himself wholly to pray unto God for his Church, in private; in which work, he usually spent four or five hours (sometimes six or seven hours) every day in the Week; indeed, he did not, (neither could he do at that age) little else but pray: and this he was constant in, both for the publick, and also for all his Friends and Relations.

Every age of man hath its proper work and special imployment, and also hath its pecular excellency and blessing appertaining, and specially belonging to that age, according to that expression of the Greek Poet, foreign.

Young men are active, full ripe are Wise and Sage,

Pray'rs most devout, suits and becomes old age.

The life of Prayer was his imployment, during all those years wherein he exceeded Fourscore, which was four years, within a few moneths.

He lived to be thus very oill, and it might be said of his Age, as it was of Abrahams, His old Age, a great blessing.Gen. 25. 8. It was a good old Age. It was a good old Age on many accounts. It was good in respect of its length and duration. It is reckoned as a blessing, when God causes a man to fulfil his days, Exod. 23. 26. It is a mercy when a man comes to his Grave in a full Age, as a Shock of Corn, ripe in its due season, Job 5. 26. And it is very remarkable, that the most eminent Servants and Children of God (whereof mention is made in the Scripture, either in the old or new Testament) it is said of most of them, that they were long lived. Thus Adam and Methuselah before the p. 185Flood; thus Noah and Sem immediately after the Flood; thus Abraham and Job before the Law; thus Moses and Aaron immediately after the Law; thus Eli and Jehoiada, high Priests of the Lord; David and Hezekiah the best of Kings; John and James the Lords Brother, the best-beloved Disciples; St. Luke and St. Paul, the most eminent Pen-men of the New Testament: of all these it is recorded, that they were eminently holy, and that they were blessed with length of days. The wise man tells us, That the hoary head is a Crown of Glory, as often as it is found in the ways of Righteousness, Prov. 16. 31. And it was thus in the Instance before us, as hath been abundantly demonstrated. His old Age was good, because he was good, and did good in it.

His Age was good also, because it was an haile and healthy old Age (saving those He had an healthful Crasis and Temper all his days.times wherein he was dis-spirited, and troubled with a swimming in his Head, by reason of over much Study; which lasted not above two months the first time, and three months the last time) it might be said of him, that he never had one sick day for above Threescore years together, (the starting of his Navel was no sickness or discrasie, although a great inconvenience in hindering from Riding; but it did never hinder him above ten days, either from his Study or Labours) so that almost all his days were Halcyon-days. His old Age was foreign, sana senectus, or as Peter Martyr saith of Abrahams age, it was facilis senectus, an easie old Age, because free from those troubles that are usually incident thereunto. This foreign, or healthfulness in old Age, is reckoned as a double mercy, both by Moses, Deut. 34. 7. and also by Caleb, Josh. 14. 10, 11.

There were many things found in him which (under God) did very much conduce Many things found in him conducing to Health.to his health, and subserved to lengthen out his days. As first, That he made great Conscience of taking care to preserve his health. He knew that (without health) very little of his Pastoral work could be discharged. He made Conscience therefore of keeping that instrument clean, which God had honoured, (and he hoped would more honour) by using of it. He valued health, not so much upon his own account, as upon Gods. His body being the Temple of the Holy Ghost, he did what he could to keep it in good repair.

Again, he was a person that was very temperate, and did always use a very spare He was always very temperate in all things.Diet. He did not dig his Grave with his Teeth, as Gluttons do, or drown himself in strong Liquors, as too many others do. It is a true, and a witty saying of a late ingenious person, (well skill'd in Physick, but no Practicer) that when mens bodies are over-charged with Meats and Drinks, they recoil upon their owners, and instead of discharging their proper Offices, they burst out into Surfeits and Diseases.

Again, he was a man of no violent passions, the over-agitation of which (saith the last mentioned Author) doth cause a too great fermentation of Heat, and often produceth Feavers; but calmness and sedateness of temper, keeps the blood cool and sweet. It is usually said, that mores sequuntur humores, that mens manners do answer the temper of their bodies; and it is as true, that humores sequuntur mores, mens health depends much upon mens manners.

But again, (he thought so himself at least, that) he was much the more healthful, because he avoided all unnecessary tampering with Physick. He counted Physick A governour of his passionsan Ordinance of God, and he much honoured those that were able in that Profession; but he made as little use of any of them, as he could possibly do. He loved Kitchen Physick, but cared for none else. He would allow of Catharticks in some cases, but would always say, that the oftner the Kettle is scowred, the more clean it may look, but the thinner it grows. He did use Phlebotomy once or twice in his whole life, and not oftner; for he compared Blood-letting to the Snuffing of a Candle, which for a time, makes it burn a little brighter, but withal, causes it to wast much the faster.

From the healthfulness of his natural constitution, it came to pass, that it might be truly said of him, That he died of no Disease but that of old Age. There was no Careful about taking PhysickThief in his Candle to hasten its Consumption, nor any acute distemper to be as an extinguisher to it; but his Lamp burned clear, so long as there was left one drop of natural Oil to feed it with. Some Weeks before his death, an accident had caused a little sore upon one of his Legs, which dried up of its self a very few days before his departure. The stopping of this Sore (the Chyrurgeon said) was a certain Prognostick (but no cause) of his death, although it be often so in younger persons.

p. 186He kept his Bed but one whole day before his departure, a departure which he He much desired to be dissolved.had long longed and waited for; and the very day before his last day on Earth, some company being with him, he expressed how much comfort he did then take, to consider how that his Saviour had tasted death for him; and that Christ (by his Resurrection) had given him an assurance, that he was the first-fruits of those that sleep in him; telling some that stood by him, that it was very much the Duty of Believers to rejoice, that death had lost its Sting, and was now disarmed; and that the power of the Grave was quite vanquished and overcome.

A while after, he broke out into the Apostolical foreign, Oh the heighth, length, His dying Speeches.breadth, and depth of the unsearchable Riches of the Grace of God in Christ Jesus! Oh the height of that love, whereby God hath declared pardon to poor Penitents! Oh the freeness of his Grace, who doth offer Christ to all that will receive him humbly and believingly! that is, who will take him with an empty hand, joining nothing of their own works with the Merits of Christ in point of Justification: Some while after, some persons coming to see him, he told them, that he knew not how to requite them (for that love which they had shewn unto him) better, than by exhorting them to redeem the time, especially the time of youth and of health; for except there be first (in health,) an inward principle of Grace wrought in the heart, the time of sickness and old age would be very unfit for so great a work, as that of gaining evidences for Heaven: for, said he, times of sickness and old age, are times of considering, not of gaining such evidences. He advised them therefore (now in time) to prepare for Eternity; and told them, that that work was only to be done, by entring into Covenant with God, and making their Peace through Christ; which being once sincerely done, then neither a sick-bed, nor a death-bed, could do any of them the least hurt.

The night after, he grew very weak, and his vital Spirits decayed more and more, His last Breath.till the Morning of the next day, viz. December the 14th, 1677. when he expired his last breath, and immediately entred into that Everlasting Rest, which he had so often prayed, and so much prepared for. St. Austin tells us, that he dare say, That no man can die ill that hath lived well, De Dis. cap. 6. If this be so, then no wonder that such persons as have lived well, to desire to be dissolved, as this man had earnestly done, but yet always with submission: for although he had mortein in desideriis, although he desired to die, yet he had vitam in patientia, he was not impatient to go hence. His desire was with an intire and absolute resignation to Divine pleasure.

Neither indeed, had he any cause to be weary of the world, upon any other A great Favourite of Heaven.reason save this, viz. to be fully rid of the body of death; for upon all other accounts, he had lead as happy a life as most men ever did on Earth. He injoyed the best rate and proportion of true delight, of sufficient plenty, of real honour; higher or lower degrees than what he injoyed of these things, would have been either dangerous or troublesome. He was blessed with an excellent temper and crasis of Body, with great natural and acquired parts, with almost an universal freedom from any great affliction through a long tract of time, during his whole Life.

He was blessed with pious, prudent and affectionate Relations, both Wives and Children. He was greatly useful and serviceable to God in his Generation. He was ingaged always in an imployment, where the very work is sufficient wages: but above all, he was blest with an holy heart, and beautified with an heavenly Conversation. He lived long, and lived well, and slept into Glory.

Thus hath been given to the Reader, a small Picture of a man of great grace, holiness and virtue. It should have been more contracted, had it been fitting so to do; but it was considered, that what the Orator said when he was discoursing of that famous City Carthage, That it were better not to speak any thing of it, than to speak but little of it, was true in reference to our present subject; for it might be said of him, that he was indeed, Vir nec dicendus nec tacendus; for it was a hard matter to speak but little of his worth, and impossible to publish all.

If any Reader, observing the great honour and veneration, which is herein paid The verity and impartiality of this History.to the Name and Memory of this very learned and holy Man, (who was a Dissenter, and did suffer the loss of his Living upon that account) shall thereupon conjecture, that the Publisher hereof, is not only foreign, of like Spirit, but was foreign also, of like Interest, with him of whom he writes, (having also lost a p. 187Living for the same reason) let such Readers know that they are herein mistaken; for the Writer of this Life was never ejected for Non-conformity: Neither hath he gained or saved, or lost one penny for adhering to any one party of men; for he doth hate Schism on both hands; and if he hath at any time Preached since the Act of Ʋniformity, either in publick Churches, or in private Meetings, he hath never received any reward, or suffered any punishment for so doing. He doth studiously shun and avoid all things or occasions, which might Bribe, Blind, or prejudice his Judgment, or might tempt him to partiality. He highly honours all men of worth; and for this reason he did not dare to conceal those excellencies (of the deceased) which are here recorded; with whom he doth chiefly Harmonize in his universal and Catholick Charity.

It hath been told, how greatly this Learned Man did love all good men, of all perswasions; which made him also to be beloved, and admired both by Conformists and Non-conformists, who came jointly to visit him; and pay equally their due respects to him so long as he lived; and both sorts did greatly lament their loss in his departure: all the Neighbouring Ministers, and People of differing Judgments, solemnized this Funeral with great con-joyned sorrow.

A Reverend Conformist, now Dr. in Divinity, Preached his Funeral Sermon; wherein he gave as great, and as high a Character of his transcendent worth, as is here given. It is true, that he then being ignorant of the full History of his Life, and not having seen his Diary, his expressions could be only more general, of those things which are here declared more fully and particularly. And let the Reader yet farther know, that it being desired by the Publisher, that another Reverend, Renowned, and very Learned Conformist, (an acquaintance of the deceased) would also testifie and make known those things which he had observed in him worthy of remark and imitation, he was pleased to send the Publisher the following Letter in answer to his request.