The Lives of Sundry Eminent Persons, Part 1 · Biography 13
The Life and Death of Mr. Richard Mather, who Dyed Anno Christi, 1669.
RIchard Mather was born in a Village called Lowton, situate in the Parish of His Birth and Parentage.Winwick, in the County of Lancaster, Anno Christi, 1596. His Parents Thomas and Margaret Mather, were of ancient Families in Lowton aforesaid; But by reason of some unhappy Mortgages, they were reduced into a low condition in regard of their outward Estate. Nevertheless; God so disposed and inclined their Hearts, that they were willing and careful to train up this their Son in good Literature: His Education.Concerning which he (after the Lord was pleased to bestow not only Learning, but Grace upon him) hath sometimes expressed himself thus: By what principles, and motives my Parents were chiefly induced to keep me at School, I have not to say, nor do I certainly know: But this I must needs say, that this was the singular good Providence of God towards me (who hath the Hearts of all men in his Hand) thus to incline the Hearts of my Parents. For in this thing the Lord of Heaven shewed me such favour as had not been shewed to many of my Predecessors, and Contemporaries in that place.
And now his Parents being strongly bent to have this their Son a Schollar, they Is sent to School.sent him to the School at Winwick, which was about four Miles distant from their House. In the Winter Season they boarded him at Winwick; but such was his eager desire after knowledg and learning, that in the Summer time he went every Day thither on foot. But whilst he was thus at School he met with no small discouragment from his School master, who tho he had an excellent faculty, and ability to teach, His Masters severity.and train up youth in Grammer Learning, and many were trained up by him, whom he sent to the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, to make farther progress in higher studies; yet did he much discourage his Schollars by his too great severity, and partiality in his Discipline. Mr. Junius was almost discouraged in his studies, when being a School-Boy, his Master would beat him eight times in a Day, whether guilty or not guilty of any fault: The like magisterial rigour caused young Mather earnestly to desire of his Father, that he would take him from School, and dispose of him to some other Calling.
Yet himself afterwards, when he had waded through these difficulties, would say, That God intended better for him than he would have chosen for himself; and therefore (said he) my Father (tho in other things he was indulgent enough, yet) in this he would never condescend to my request, but by puting me in hope, that by his speaking to the Master, things would be amended, he would still over-rule me to proceed in my studies. And good it was for me to be over-ruled by him, and his discretion, rather than to be left to my own affections and desires. But oh that all School-Masters would learn Wisdom, moderation, and equity towards their Schollars, and seek rather to win the Hearts, of Children by righteous, loving, and courteous carriage, and usage, than to discourage and alienate their minds by partiality, and undue severity, which had been my utter undoing, had not the good Providence of God, and the Wisdom, and authority of my Father prevented it. But thus was that of the Poet made good.
Multa tulit, fecitque Puer, sudavit, & absit:
Qui cupit optatam cursu contingere metam.
After he had spent sundry years in the School some Popish Merchants coming out of Wales to Warrington, which is but two Miles from Winwick, made diligent enquiry whether there were not some pregnant Wits in that School whom they might procure for Apprentices? Presently our Richard Mather was mentioned to them as a pregnant A special Providence.Youth; whereupon application was presently made to his Father to know whether he would thus dispose of him? who was found inclinable to accept of the Motion, because now his Estate was so decayed, that he almost desparied of bringing up this his Son as he had intended: But here the Finger of Divine Providence was very observable; for when the Father was thus ready to part with his Son, and the Child to go, the Lord raised up the heart of his Master to be importunate with his Father still to keep him at School, professing that it was great pity that a Wit so prone to Learning should be taken from it, (as indeed it was) or that he should be undone by Popish Education: And the perswasions of the Master so far prevailed, as that his Scholar was still continued under his care and tuition, until the fifteenth year of his Age.
It was a singular Providence, and a great Mercy to young Mather, for that whilst he was yet in his Minority, he enjoyed the publick Ministery of one Mr. Palin, who was then Preacher at Leagh, of whom he would say, that the Remembrance of that Man was comfortable and honourable in his thoughts, even in his Old Age, tho his knowledge of him was in his Childhood; for he observed then such a plain, powerful and piercing efficacy in Mr. Palin's Ministry, as was not to be found in the common sort of Preachers in those days, by means whereof some illumination, tho not a through Conversion was wrought in him.
Having thus continued long at School, he had a Call, and opportunity of leaving Called to be School-maste…his Fathers Family, the occasion whereof was this: At a place called Toxteth-Park, near unto Liverpool, there were many Prudent and Religious People, who being desirous of their own good, and of their Posterity after them, designed to erect a School among them for the better Education of their Children; and upon consideration, God put it into their minds to send to the School-Master at Winwick, to enquire whether he had any of his Schollars whom he would recommend unto them as fit for such a Service: And he having received such a message, presently communicated the matter to this his Schollar, and to his Father: The Son was rather desirous to have gone to the University, but the Father closed with the motion, and in conclusion, it was embraced by all: And now our young Mather left the School and his Fathers House, and removed to Toxteth, Anno Christi, 1611. there to teach School. Nor was it a disparagement to his worth that he was once a School-Master, for many eminent Divines even of our own Nation have been so; as Mr. Hieron, Mr. Jeremy Whitaker, Mr. Richard Vines, &c. But rather it was his high commendation, and the like seldom known, that one should be found fit to teach and govern a School at fifteen years of Age: And yet the Lord helped him in those his young years to carry it with such Wisdom, Love, and Gravity among his Scholars, as was to admiration; so as that he was by them both loved and feared, beyond what is usual, even where there are more aged Masters.
This his imployment was more ways than one advantageous to him; for by this The usefulness of it to him.means he became a more accurate Grammarian than Divines usually are: And being industrious in his Studies whilst he continued in this kind of imployment, he became a good Proficient in other Arts, as in Logick Rhetorick and in Theology: Moreover it afterwards appeared to be of God, that he was called to such a work in such a place; for there the more effectual Conversion of his Soul unto the Lord was wrought in his tender years, even before his going to the University of Oxford, whereby he was preserved His Conversion.from those Vices and Corruptions which undid many of his Contemporaries, thro the Temptations which they met with in that place.
The means of his Conversion was partly by observing a strange difference between himself and sundry in that godly Family of Mr. Edward Aspinwal (whom I knew when I lived in Cheshire, as also Mr. Mather himself) This Mr. Aspinwal was a Learned and Religious Gentleman; and Mr. Mather took notice of the way and walking of that holy Man, which was such as himself had not yet been accustomed unto, which caused sad fears to rise in his Soul, lest haply he might not be in the right way which leads unto eternal Life: Also Mr. Harrison (whom I knew also) then a famous minister at Hyton, preaching upon John 3. 3. concerning the necessity of Regeneration, and Mr. Mather at the same time reading a Book published by William Perkins, shewing how far a Reprobate may go, and yet be damned: God blessed these three things, not only to Conviction, but to his Conversion also; which was Anno Christi, 1…14.
The pangs of the new Birth were very terrible to him, insomuch as many times when others were at their Meals in the Family where he sojourned, he oft absented His Dejection.himself, to retire under Hedges, and in other secret places, there to lament his misery before God: But after sometime, the Lord revived his broken heart, by sending the Holy Spirit to accompany the Ministry of the Word, and to enable him to apply the precious promises of the Gospel to his Soul.His comfort.
Being thus become a new Creature, he was more eminently a blessing in that Family, and in that Calling which the Lord had disposed him in, and such notice was taken of him abroad, that even from places remote Children were sent unto him for Instruction and Education; and by Gods blessings upon his labours and endeavours, His success.many were fitted for and sent to the Universities from his School. Having passed over some years in this imployment, he resolved (foreign) to spend some time in one of the Universities himself; as apprehending that there, by conversing with Learned Men, by performing of Scholastical Exercises, and other advantages not elsewhere to be had, he might gain more profit than possibly he could by his private Studies in the Country.
Accordingly, in prosecution of his resolves, he went to Oxford, and was admitted into Brazen-Nose Colledge; and being settled there, he was variously affected: For Goes to Oxford.it much rejoyced him to find many there who had been his Quondam Scholars. It was also a joy to him, that he had now such leisure to follow his Studies; and by Disputations, Lectures, Conferences with learned Men, helps of Books, &c. He found marvellous advantages to obtain a rich Treasure of Knowledge: But his heart before this, being touched with the Fear of God, the superstition and prophaness which he was forced there to behold, was no small grief unto him.
Soon after his coming to Oxford, by a good providence, he came into acquaintance with learned Doctor Woral, who was very helpful to him by directing him in the course of his private Studies; and among other things, he advised him to read over the Works of the Learned Peter Ramus; which Counsel he followed, and saw no cause to repent of his so doing.
But having not spent so much time in Oxford as he could have wished that he might Called to Toxteth Park.have done, the People in Toxteth, whose Children had been trained up by him, sent to him, desiring that he would return unto them, to instruct, not so much their Children as themselves, and that not in meer Humane Literature, but in the things of God: And this Call, after mature deliberation, he accepted of.
Being returned to Toxteth, he Preached his first Sermon, November 30. Anno Christi 1618. There was a very great concourse of People (the Word of God being precious His first Sermon.at that time in those Parts) to hear him, and his Labours were highly accepted of by those who were judicious. Such was the vastness of his Memory, as that the things which he had prepared and intended to deliver at that time, contained no less than six long Sermons.His memory.
The People having now had some taste and tryal of his Gifts, were the more importunate in their desires to have him continue and fix amongst them; and because that could not be without Ordination, they urged him to accept thereof; and he, having not at that time studied that part of Ceremonious Conformity, yielded unto the motion, and accordingly, he (together with many others on the same day) was ordained by Dr. Morton, the then Bishop of Chester, after the mode of those times.His Ordination.
The Ordination being ended, the Bishop singled out Mr. Mather from among the rest, saying, I have something to say to you, between you and me alone. Mr. Mather was hereupon afraid, that some informations had been given in against him to the Bishop for his non-Conformity, and because of his Puritanism, thereby to prejudice him: But it fell out to be far otherwise; for when the Bishop had him alone, he spake Note.thus unto him: I have an earnest request unto you, and you must not deny me; it is, that you would pray for me: For I know (said he) the Prayers of Men that fear God will avail much; and such an one I believe you to be.
Being thus setled in his Ministry at Toxteth (where I was acquainted with him) he resolved to change his single condition, and accordingly he became a Suitor to Mrs. Katherine Hoult, the Daughter of Edward Hoult Esq; of Bury in Lancashire, she had (and that deservedly) the repute of a very godly and prudent Maid: But the motion for several years met with obstructions, by reason of her Father's being not affected towards Non-conformable Puritans (as in those days they were, by way of disgrace, stiled) yet at last he gave his consent that Mr. Mather should marry his Daughter, His Mariage.and the Match was consummated, September 29th. Anno Christi 1624. And God made her to become a rich Blessing to him, continuing them together for above the space of thirty years.
By her, God gave him six Sons; four whereof, namely Samuel, Timothy, Nathaniel and Joseph, were born in Old England; and two, namely Eliazar and Increase in His Children.New. After his Marriage, he removed his Habitation three Miles from Toxteth to Much Woolton, having there purchased a House of his own; yet was he wont constantly, both Summer and Winter to preach the Word at Toxteth every Lords Day. During his abode there, he was abundant in his Labours in the Gospel of Christ; for His labors.every Lords-Day he preached twice at Toxteth; and once in a Fortnight, on the Tuesdays, he kept a Lecture at a Market Town called Prescot.
Also faithful and powerful Preaching being then somewhat rare in those Parts, he did frequently preach upon Holy-days (as they were called) being often thereunto His industry.desired by godly Christians of other Parishes in that Country; and this he did, not as thinking that there was any Holiness in those days, or in other days besides the Lords-Days, but because there would then be an opportunity of great Assemblies, and he judged it good to cast the Net where there were store of Fish. And probably for this cause it was that the Apostles of Christ preached mostly in populous Towns and Cities; as also upon the Jewish Sabbaths in their Synagogues, even after their Abrogation as to any Religious tye upon Conscience for their observation. Yea, and besides all this, he preached many Funeral Sermons.
'Tis true, Mr. Cartwright, Hildersam, and some other famous Non Conformists have scrupled the preaching of Funeral Sermons: Also in some Reformed Churches, that About funera… Sermons.practice is wholly omitted; yea, and Decrees of Councils have sometimes been made against it: But this hath been chiefly upon this account, because of the Custom of praising the Dead, and that many times beyond the truth, and their desert; which custom (as many Learned Men have observed) was Ethnical, having its rise from the Funeral Orations made at the Death of their great Persons. So Publicola made an excellent Oration in praise of Brutus, which the People were so taken with, that it became a custom that famous Men dying should be so praised: And when (as Plutarch in the Life of Cirmillus tells us) the Roman Ladies had readily and freely parted with their Gold-Chains and Jewels in a time of need for the publick Good; the Senate made a Decree, that it should be lawful to make Funeral Orations for them also. Hinc mortuus laudandi mos fluxit, quem nos hodie servanius, saith Polydor Virgil.
Nor indeed was this Rite practised in the Church afore the Apostasie began. See Magd. Cent. 4. Cha. 6. Wherefore this faithful Servant of the Lords avoided that practice, his Speech at Funerals being directed not to the praise of the Dead, but to the instruction of the Living; as concerning Death, the Resurrection, the Judgment to come, and such like profitable, seasonable and suitable truths. Thus did he preach the Word, being instant in season, out of season, reproving, rebuking, exhorting with all long suffering and Doctrine. In his publick Ministry in Old England he went over 2 Sam. Ch. 24. Psalm 4th. and Psalm 16. Proverbs Ch. 1. and Isa. Ch. 1. and Chap. 6. Luke 22, and 23 Chapters. Rom. Chap. 8. the Second Epistle to Timothy, the Second Epistle of St. John, and the Epistle of Jude.
After he had thus spent painfully and faithfully fifteen years in the Work of the Ministry; He that holds the Stars in his right Hand, had more work for him to do elsewhere, and therefore Satans rage must be suffered to break forth to the stopping of his Mouth. The Lecture which he kept at Prescot caused him to be much taken notice of, and so he became more, to the Adversaries of the Truth, an Object of Envy: Magnam Famam, & magnam quietem codem tempore nemo potest acquirere, saith Quint. Where complaints being made against him for his Non-conformity to the Ceremonies, he was suspended in August 1633. under which he continued till November following; Suspended and restored.But then, by means of the intercession of some Gentleman in Lancashire, and by the influence of one Simon Biby (who was neerly related to the Bishop) he was again restored to the exercises of his publick Ministry.
But this restored Liberty continued not long: For Anno Christi. 1634. Bishop Neal Again suspended.(who was sometime by King James pleasantly admonished of his Preaching Popery, because by his carriage he taught the People to pray for a blessing upon his dead Predecessor) being now become Arch-Bishop of York, sent his Visitors into the Diocess of Chester; who being come into the Country, kept their Court at Wigan, where (among others) Mr. Mather was convented before them, and by them was suspended meerly for his Non-Conformity? And it was marvellous to consider how God was with him, causing a Spirit of Courage, and of Glory to rest upon him, and filling him with wisdom, when he stood before his Judges, who were not willing that he should speak for himself, or to declare the Reasons which convinced his Conscience of the unlawfulness of that Conformity which they required: Concerning which himself wrote thus: In the passages of that day, I have this to observe, and to bless the Name of God for, that the terror of their threatning words, of their Pursevants, Gods mercy.&c. Did not so terrifie my mind, but that I could stand before them without being daunted in the least measure, but answered for my self such words of truth and Soberness as the Lord put into my Mouth, not being afraid of their faces at all, which supporting and comforting presence of the Lord, I account not a much less mercy, then if I had been altogether delivered out of their hands.
Being thus silenced from publick Preaching the word, means was again used by Mr. Mathers Friends to obtain his Liberty. The Visitor asked how long he had been a Minister? Answer was made, that he had been in the Ministry fifteen years. And said the Visitor, How often hath he worn the Surplice? Answer was returned, that he had never worn it. What (said the Visitor, with an Oath) Preach fifteen years, and never were a Surplice? It had been better for him that he had gotten seven Bastards.
The Case being thus, he betook himself to a private Life: And no hope appearing that he should enjoy his Liberty in the Land of his Nativity; Foreseeing also the Sapiens Divinat.approaching Calamities of England, he meditated a Removal from thence into New-England. The principle Arguments whereby he was convinced that he had a Divine Call to engage in so great and hazardous a design, he drew up, and put them into form, which I shall not need to set down.
Being now fully satisfied concerning the clearness of his Call to New-England, He resolves for New-England.and his People at Toxteth, who did so dearly love his Person, and highly prize his Ministry, yet now thought that God called him to leave them; after many Prayers, and extraordinary seeking unto God he resolved, and engaged upon the Transportation of himself and family thither.
His parting with his People and Friends in Lancashire, was like Saint Pauls taking his leave of Ephesus, with much sorrow, many tears being shed by those that expected to see his face no more in this World. He began this Journy in April, Anno Christi. 1635. And Travelled to Bristow, purposing to take Shipping there: In this Journy he was forced (as sometime Brentius was) to change his outward Habit, that he might travel incognito, because Pursevants were designed to apprehend him; But by this means he came safe, and unmolested unto Bristow.
From Bristow they set sail for New-England, May the 23d. Anno Christi. 1635 And the Lord after manifold Tryals of their Faith and Patience, brought them in His Voyage.safety to their desired Haven. 'Tis seldom known, that a man designed in Gods Eternal Counsel to any special services, doth not at one time or other experience eminent Deliverances of Gods Providence: And so it was with this Servant of the Lord not once, nor twice. Sundry eminent Salvations from deadly dangers did the Lord vouchsafe unto him in his Childhood, which he would speak of in his old age: But the most remarkable, and memorable of all others, was that which happened to him on the mighty waters, where he that sits upon the flouds, and stilleth the raging of the Sea, when the waves thereof Rore, and whom the winds obey, shewed himself wonderful in Goodness. For when the Vessel that carried him was Providence extraordinary.upon the Coast of New-England, there arose a dreadful storm (called by the Marriners a Hurricane) by means whereof they were in no small danger: And had not the Lord strangely turned the wind in an instant, they had all perished upon the Rocks which were just before them, and within sight of them that were in the Ship. The Relation of this signal Providence, we will here set down in Mr. Mathers own words, left written by himself in his Jornal from Lancashire to New-England; wherein he thus writes.
August the 15th. Anno Christi. 1635. The Lord had not yet done with us, nor had he let us see all his power, and goodness, which he would have us to take notice of: And A Hurricane.therefore about break of day, he sent a most terrible storm of Rains and Easterly wind, whereby we were in as much danger, as (I think) ever people were. When we came to Land we found many mighty Trees rent in pieces in the midst of their bodies, and others turned up by the Roots by the fierceness of the Tempest. That Morning we lost three Anchors and Cables, one of them having never been in the water before. Two were broken by the strength and violence of the storm, and the third was cut off by the Marriners in extremity of distress, to save the Ship, and their own, and our lives. And when our Cables and Anchors were all lost and gone, we had no outward and visible means of deliverance, but by hoising Sail, if so be we might get to Sea from among the Islands, and Rocks where we had Anchored.
But the Lord let us see that our Sails could not save us neither, no more than the Cables and Anchors: For by the force of the Wind and storm the Sails were rent assunder, and split in pieces as if they had been but rotten rags, so that of divers of them there was scarce left so much as an hands-breadth that was not torn in pieces or blown away into the Sea; so that at that time all hope that we should be saved, in regard of all outward appearance, was utterly taken away, and the rather because we seemed to drive with full force of wind, directly upon a mighty Rock standing out in sight above water, so that we did but continually wait when we should hear and feel the doleful crashing of the Ship upon the Rock.
In this extremity, and appearance of death, as distress and distraction would suffer us, we cryed unto the Lord, and he was pleased to have compassion upon us. For, by his overruling Providence, and his own immediate good hand, he guided the Ship by, and past the Rock, asswaged the violence of the Sea and of the wind. It was a day much to be remembred, because on that day God granted us as wonderful and as signal a deliverance, as I think ever any People had felt: The Seamen confessed that they never knew the like. The Lord so imprint the memory of it in our hearts, that we may be the better for it, and be careful to please him, and to walk uprightly before him so long as we live: And I hope we shall not forget the Passages of that Morning, until our dying day. In all this grievous storm my fear was the less when I considered the clearness of my Calling from God this way. And in some measure (the Lords Holy Name be blessed for it) he gave us hearts contented and willing that he should do with us, and ours what he pleased, and what might be most for the Glory of his Great Name, and in this we rested our selves: but when News was brought into the Gun-room to us, that the danger was past: Oh how our Hearts did then Thankfulness.relent, and melt within us! We burst out into Tears of Joy amongst our selves in Love unto our Gracious God, and admiration of his kindness, in granting unto his poor Servants such an Extraordinary, even and Miraculous a deliverance. His Holy Name be blessed for ever.
Thus far is Mr. Mathers Relation of this signal Providence, as left written with his own hand. And this is the more to be taken notice of, because the lives of many choice Instruments of Gods Glory were then saved. For not only Mr. Mather himself, but two of his Sons, who afterwards were faithful Ministers of the Gospel, were in that Vessel: And so likwise was that worthy Minister of Christ (Mr. Jonathon Mitchel) the late faithful, and famous Pastor of the Church in Cambridge in New-England, he being then a Child of eleven years old. Also this deliverance was the more remarkable, in that several Vessels were cast away in that storm. As
A Ship called the Angel Gabriel, which set out from Bristow with the Vessel wherein Mr. Mather was, being then at Anchor at Pemequid, was broken in pieces; And the very same strange and sudden turn of the wind, which saved the Ship in which Mr. Mather was, ruined the other which came from Old-England at the same time with him. Also there was then a Ship going between Pascataqua, and the Bay, which was cast away in this storm, and all the People therein lost, except two who were spared to report the News. And among others in that Vessel which then perished, there was a precious Minister of the Gospel, namely on Mr. Avery, who with his Wife, and five Children, all perished. This Minister every moment expecting that the next wave would be a wave of death, lifted up his eyes to Heaven and said, Lord I cannot Challenge a Promise of the preservation of my life, but according to thy Covenant Providence special.I challenge Heaven. Which had no sooner spoken, but a wave came immediatly, and swept him away, and so wafted him to Heaven indeed. And by the way, let it be farther noted, that this was the only Vessel which at that time had miscarried with Passengers from Old-England to New: So signally did the Lord in his Providence own the Plantation of New-England.
But to digress no farther; this storm being allayed, the Lord brought them safe to an Anchor before Boston, August 17th. Anno Christi, 1635. And Mr. Mather abode with his Family in Boston for some Months; And both he, and his gracious Consort joyned to the Church there.
Being thus by a mighty hand, and out-stretched arm brought safe into New-England, He is chosen to Dorchester.Motion from sundry Towns were soon presented to him, desiring that he would imploy the Talents which the Lord had enriched him with, for the work of the Ministry amongst them. At the same time he was desired at Plimouth, Dorchester, and Roxbury. But being in a great strait in his own mind which of these invitations to accept of, considering that in difficult Cases Counsel is an Ordinance of God, whereby he is want to discover his Will, he therefore referred himself to the advice of some Judicious friends, among whom Mr. Cotton, and Mr. Thomas Hooker, were the Chief, who accordingly met to consult of this weighty affair. And the result of their advice was, that he should accept of the Motion from Dorchester. Which accordingly being accepted of by him, he did by the help of Christ, set upon the gathering of a Church there. The Church which was first planted in that place being removed with the Reverend Mr. Warham to Conecticot.
There was an essay towards gathering a Church April 1st. Anno Christi, 1636. But by reason of the Messengers of some Neighbouring Church, who were not satisfied concerning some that were intended for Members thereof, the work was deferred till August the 23d. when a Church was constituted in Dorchester, and Mr. Mather was chosen Teacher of that Church.
Being thus again setled in the Lords work, he therein continued to his dying day; the Lord making him an eminent blessing, not only unto Dorchester, but to all the Churches, and Plantations round about him, for the space of almost four and thirty years. Its a true observation which many from Luther have taken up, to wit, that three things make an able Divine; which are
First, Meditatio, Study. Such an one must give himself to Reading and Meditation. What makes an able Minister.Secondly, Oratio, Prayer. A Man of God must be a Man of Prayer; ever anon upon his knees before God, and Bene orasse est bene studuisse: He that Prays well, studies well: Mr. Bradford, and Mr. Cartwright studied kneeling.
Thirdly, Tentatio, Temptation. As when our Lord Christ was to enter upon his Publick Ministry, he was grievously tempted by Satan: So it is wont to be with his Servants, and so it was with this good Man. The Lord having great services for him to do, he must undergo great Temptations, that he might be the better fitted for that work whereunto he was called.
Wherefore before, and for some years after his accepting the Office of a Pastor in Dorchester, he was in much Spiritual distress, by reason of uncertainty co…cerning his His Temptations.own Spiritual Estate. He did (as in Wisdom he was bound to do) keep these troubles secret from Men, only he revealed the distress of his Soul to that Great Divine Mr. Norton, then Teacher to the Church in Ipswich, unto whom (under And Comfort.Christ) God gave the Tongue of the Learned to speak a word in season, whereby his Soul was comforted. The Lord giving him to see that he was walking towards Heaven in the same way that David, Asaph, Heman, and many other Worthies had gone before him.
During the time of his Pilgrimage in New-England he underwent not so many Changes, as before he had done. For he never removed his Habitation out of Dorchester, albeit that he had once some serious thoughts that way. When Prelacy was voted down by our English Parliament, some of his old People at Toxteth, sent to him, desiring him to return to them. But Dorchester was in no wise willing to forego their interest in him; And therefore he left them not. Nevertheless in New-England (as in a Wilderness might be expected) he had experience of many Tryals of his Faith and patience. That which of all outward afflictions did most grieve him, His Wife dies.was the death of his dear Wife, who had been for so many years the greatest outward Comfort and Blessing which he did enjoy. Which affliction was the more grievous unto him, in that, She being a Woman of singular Prudence for the Managment A good Wife.of his affairs, had taken off from her Husband all secular Cares, so that he had leisure and opportunity wholly to devote himself to his Studies, and Sacred employments.
After he had continued in the State of Widdowhood for the space of an year and His second Marriage.a half, he again changed his condition, and was married to that pious Widdow, the Relict of that deservedly famous Man of God, Mr. John Cotton; and her did God make a blessing and comfort to him all the remainder of his days.
Old-Age being now come upon him, he was sensible of the infirmities thereof, being in these his latter years somewhat thick of hearing: Also (as it was with great Zanchy) the sight of one of his eyes failed seven years before his death; yet God gave His healthfulness.him much health of Body, and vigor of Spirit in a wonderful measure, so as that in fifty years together he was not by sickness detained so much as one Lords-day from his publick labors; which continued health (as to natural causes) proceeded partly from the sound and strong constitution of his Body, and partly from his accustoming himself to a plain, wholesome, and temperate Diet: And Bona Diaeta est potior quovis Hippocrate: A good Diet is the best Doctor. He never made use of any Physitian, nor was he in his whole life ever sick of any acute disease; only the two last years of his life, he was sorely afflicted with that disease which some justly call Flagellum Studiosorum, the Scourge of Students; namely, the Stone, which at last brought him to an end of all his labors and sorrows.
Concerning the time and manner of his sickness and death; thus it was, there His sickness.being some difference sprung up in Boston, Counsel from Neighbour Churches was by some desired, to direct them in the Lord what should be done; and accordingly the Churches sent their Messengers; and Dorchester Church, amongst others, sent Mr. Mather their aged Teacher, who (with the rest) assembled in Boston, April the 13th Anno Christi, 1669. And Mr. Mather by reason of his Age, Gravity, Grace and Wisdom, wherewith the Lord had endowed and adorned him, was chosen Moderator in that Reverend Assembly.
For divers days after his being thus in Consultation, he enjoyed his Health as formerly, or rather better than for some time of late: But as Luther, when with others he was assembled in a Synod, was surprized with a violent fit of the Stone, whereupon he was forced to return home, his Friends having little hope of his life; So it was with this holy Man: For April the 16th. Anno Christi, 1669. He was in the Night, being then in his Sons house in Boston, taken exceeding ill with a total stoppage of his Urine: the next Morning therefore he returned home to Dorchester: And truly great was the favour of God towards him, that he should be found about such a blessed business as he was then engaged in; for the Lord found him sincerely and earnestly endeavouring to be a Peace-maker. His being thus taken when at a Synod, A Peace-maker.brings to mind that of the German Phoenix [Philip Melancthon.]
Viximus in Synodis, & jam moriemur in illis.
In Synods liv'd have I,
In Synods now I dye.
Now, as usually Providence ordereth, that they who have been speaking all their Lives long, shall not say much when they come to dye: Blessed Mr. Thomas Hooker in his last sickness, when Friends would have been answered to some enquiries which might have made for their Edification after he was gone; he referred them wholly to the things which he had taught them in his health, because (as he said) he had then enough to do to graple with his bodily weakness, &c. Neither did this good man speak much in his last sickness, either to Friends that visited him, or to his own Children; only his own Son, who is now Teacher of a Church in Boston, coming to visit his Father, and perceiving the Symptoms of Death to be upon him, said unto him, Sir, if there be any special thing which you would recomend unto me to do, in case the Lord shall spare me upon Earth after you are in Heaven, I would intreat you express it: At which, his Father making a little pause, and lifting up his Eyes and Hands towards Heaven, replyed, A special thing which I would commend to you, is, Care concerning the rising Generation in this Country, that they be brought under the Government of Christ in his Church; and that when they are grown up and quallified, they have Baptism for their Children. I must confess I have been defective as to practice; yet His Advice to his Son.I have publickly declared my Judgment, and manifested my desires to practice that which I think ought to be attended, but the dissenting of some in our Church discouraged me: I have thought that persons might have right to Baptism, and yet not to the Lords Supper; and I see no cause to alter my judgment as to that perticular: And I still think that persons qualified according to the fifth Proposition of the late Synod Book, have right to Baptism for their Children.
His bodily pains continued upon him until April the 22d. when in the morning his Son aforementioned, coming to visit him, asked his Father if he knew him? To whom he replied, that he did, but was not able to speak any more to him: Whereupon his Son saying, now you will speedily be in the joy of your Lord: His Father lifted up his hands, but could not speak: Not long after, his Son again spoke to him, saying, you will quickly see Jesus Christ, and that will make a mends for all your pains and sorrows: At which words, his Father again lift up his hands; but after that he took no notice of any person or thing, but continuing speechless until about ten a clock that night, he quietly brethed forth his last. Thus did that Light His death.that had been shining in the Church above fifty years, expire, April the 22d. Anno Christi, 1669. And of his Age Seventy three.
As some of the Lords precious Ones have had a real apprehension, and fore-sight of their approaching dissolution imprinted upon their Spirits; So its noted of St. Ambrose, and of Gorgonia of Old; and of Gesner, Morney, Melancthon, &c. among Modern Death foreseen.Divines and Christians: Thus it was with this holy Man sometime before his Departure. The last Text which he preached upon, was that, The second Epistle to Timothy 4. 6, 7, 8. I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good Fight; I have finished my course; I have kept the Faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. And the Portion of Scripture, which before he had insisted upon, was Job 14. 14. All the days of mine appointed time will I wait till my Change come. And the Lord found this his blessed Servant so doing.
Also the last Conference-Meeting which he was at in Dorchester, he had prepared to speak something upon those words, 2 Cor. 5. 1. For we know that if the Earthly House of this Tabernacle were Dissolved, we have a Building of God, an House, not made with Hands, Eternal in the Heavens, But his bodily pains prevented him from speaking what was in his Heart to have delivered; The Lord intending that he should no more speak of, but see that place which he had so much, and so oft thought on, and long prayed for, and which he longed to enjoy.
He was, especially in his last Sickness, a Patern of patience. For altho extremity Death desired.of pain, without any acute disease, was that which brought him to his Grave, yet did he never so much as once cry out from first to last; And it was very rare to hear him so much as groan (but never to grumble) under his His patience.dolorous griefs. In his Sickness whereof he Dyed, he was much delighted in reading Dr Goodwins Discourse about patience; in which Book he …ad till the very Day of his Death.
Once in his Sickness, his Son saying to him; That in as much as several small Stones were come from him in his Urine, now possibly he might have some ease: His Father answered, with an affecting kind of earnestness: As for that matter, the will of the Lord be done; Such was his Grace and patience. And at the same time his Son saying to him; God hath shewed his great faithfullness unto you, having upheld you now for above the space of fifty years in his service; and hath imploed you therein without ceasing, which can be said of very few Men upon the face of the whole Earth: His Father replyed, You say true; I must acknowledge the Mercy of God hath been great towards me all my days; But I must also acknowledge that I have had many failings, and the thoughts of them abaseth me, and worketh patience in me. His humility.When any one asked him, how he did? his usual Answer was, Far from well, yet far better than mine iniquities deserve. Thus did he (like Old Augustine, who dyed reading the Penitential Psalms) keep up a Spirit of Repentance to the last.
As he was a Man faithful, and fearing God above many, so the Lord shewed great faithfulness unto him, both in making him serviceable unto the very last; yea, and continuing the vigor of his Spirits, and power of his Ministry until his end. Few Men tho young, are known to preach with such vigor as he did but ten days before his death. The Lord also was faithful and gracious to him in respect of his Children.
It was a special token of Divine Favour to some of the Ancients, that their Sons after them succeeded in the Ministry: So it was with the Fathers of Gregory Nazianzen, Gregory Nysen, Basil, Hilary, &c. And the Lord cheered the heart of this his Servant in his Old Age, by giving him to see most of his Sons imployed in the Ministry many years before the decease of their dear and precious Father: He left four Sons in the Work; One of them, to wit, Mr. Eliazer Mather, late Pastor of the His Children.Church of Northampton in New-England, went to his Rest about three Months after his Fathers Death, with him to sound forth the Praises of God among the Spirits of just Men made perfect. The other three surviving were Mr. Samuel Mather, Teacher of a Church in Dublin: Mr. Nathaniel Mather, Minister of Barnstable in the County of Devon, and afterwards in Rotterdam in Holland; and Increase Mather of Boston in New-England.
Mr. Richard Mather's way of preaching was plain, aiming to shoot his Arrows not over his Peoples Heads, but into their Hearts and Consciences; whence he studiously His manner of Preaching.avoided obscure Phrases, Exotick words, and unnecessary citation of Latin Sentences, which some men too much adict themselves unto. Holy Mr. Dod was wont to say, that so much Latin was so much flesh in a Sermon: So did this humble Man look upon the affectation of such things in a Popular Auditory to savour of Carnal Wisdom. And the Lord gave him an excellent faculty to mak… Abstruce things plain, that in handling the deepest Misteries he would accommodate himself to Vulgar Capacities, so that even the meanest might learn something. He knew how to express, foreign. He would often use that saying, Artis est celare artem: 'Tis a great piece of Art to conceal Art. And he much approved that of Saint Austin. If (said he) I Preach Learnedly, then only the Learned, and not the unlearned can understand and profit by me: But if I Preach plainly, then Learned, and unlearned both can understand, and so I may profit all.
He was mighty in the Scriptures; whence Holy Mr. Hooker would say of him, Mighty in the Scriptures.My Brother Mather is a Mighty Man. Also his usual way of delivery, was very powerful, awakning, and zealous; especially in his younger years, there being indeed few Men of so strong a Body as he, which, together with the Natural fervour of his Spirit, being sanctified, made his Ministry the more powerful: And the Lord blessed his Labours to the Conversion of many, both in Old, and New-England.
Tho his way of Preaching was plain and zealous, yet was it substantial, and very Judicious, even in his younger dayes, Mr. Gillibrand (A famous Minister of Warrington in Lancashire: And the more famous, for that, tho he did much stammer in his ordinary Discourse, yet would he pray and Preach very fluently) having once heard him Preach, asked what his Name was? And answer being made that his Name was Mather: Nay (said Mr. Gillibrand) call him Matter; For believe it, this Man hath substance in him. Yea, such was the sollidity of his Judgment, that some who were his opposites, did yet therefore respect, and honour him. Dr. Par (who was then Bishop in the Isle of Man) having heard that Mr. Mather was silenced, lamented it, saying; If Mather be silenced I am sorry for it; for he is a solid Man, and the Church of Christ hath a great loss of him.
He was very diligent as to the duties both of his General, and perticular Calling, His diligence.which indeed are the two Pillars upon which Religion doth stand. As to his General Calling: He was much in Prayer, especially in his study, where he oft-times Prayer frequent.spent whole days with God, in suing for a blessing upon himself, and his Children, and upon the People to whom he was related, and upon the whole Country where he lived. The requests which upon such occasions he put up to God in Jesus Christ, and also how his heart was moved to believe that God heard him, he left (many of them) in writing among his private papers; probably that so himself might have recourse to those experiences in the times of Darkness, and Temptations: As also that his Sons after him might see by their Fathers example, what it is to walk before God. It must needs therefore be a great loss to the world, when such Righteous Men are taken away. Well might Philo, Jerome, George Prince of Anhalt, &c. Weep bitterly when they heard of the death of any such men; because it portends evil to the places where they have lived, and served God. As he was much in Prayer, so he was frequent in hearing the word. For his manner was to frequent several Lectures in Neighbouring Congregations, untill his disease made him unable to Ride: Yea, and usually even to his old age (as it is Recorded of Mr. Hildersam) he took Notes from those whom he heard, professing that he found profit therein.
As to his perticular Calling, he was ever from his Youth a hard Student. Yea, Studious.his mind was so intent upon his Work and Studies, that in the very Morning before he dyed, he importuned those Friends that watched with him to help him into his Study. And they urging that he was not able to go so far, he desired them to help him that he might try, which they did: But e're he was come to the Door of his Lodging-Room; I see (saith he) I am not able; Yet I have not been in my Study several dayes, and is it not a lamentable thing that I should lose so much time?
After his entrance upon his Ministry, he was not only in Old England (as hath His Industry.been said) but also in New-England abundant in Labours. For (except when he had an Assistant, which was seldom) he Preached twice every Lords-Day, and a Lecture once in a fortnight, besides many occasional Sermons, both in publick, and in private. Also he was much exercised in answering many Practical Cases of Conscience and in Polemical, especially Disciplinary Discourses. In his publick Ministry in Dorchester, he went over the book of Genesis to Chapter 38. As also Psalm the 16th. The whole Prophesie of Zechariah, Saint Matthews Gospel to Chapter the 15th. 1 Epistle to the Thessalonians, Chapter the 5th. And the whole second Epistle of Saint Peter.
And yet notwithstanding those rare gifts and graces wherewith the Lord had adorned His great Humility.him, he was exceeding low and little in his own eyes. Some have thought that his greatest errour was, that he did not magnifie his office as he might, and sometimes should have done. If a Man musterr, tis good erring on that hand. Humble enough and good enough was the frequent saying of a great Divine. And Dr. Harris used to say, that every Man hath just so much, and no more of true worth in him, as he hath of Humility. Saint Austin being asked which was the most Excellent Grace? Answered Humility: And which was the next? Answered, Humility: And which was the third? Replyed again, Humility. For this indeed is comprehensively All, being of great price in the sight of God: And if so, Mr. Mather was a Man of much real worth.
It hath been the manner of some, in writing Lives to insert the Wills of those whose Lives and deaths they have published. The last Will and Testament of him whose Life and Death is here related, breathing forth a most Humble, Holy, and Gracious Spirit, we shall here subjoyn the Preface and Conclusion of it. It was written with his own hand, October 16th. 1661. Thus
I Richard Mather, Considering the certainty of Death, and the uncertainty of the His Last Will.time thereof: And withal, knowing it to be the Will of God, that a Man should set his House in order before he departed this Life, do make this my Last Will, and Testament in manner following. First of all I acknowledge the rich and wonderful Grace and Mercy of Almighty God, whose Hands have made and fashioned me, and who took me out of my Mothers Womb, and hath made me a Man, who might have made me a Beast, or other Creature. He hath also by his good Providence preserved the Being and Comfort of my Life all the dayes of my Pilgrimage until now, even for the space of sixty five years: During all which time he hath not suffered me to want either Food or Raiment, or the service of any Creature, which hath been requisite for my Comfortable subsisting in this world, which I acknowledge to be the bounteous gift of him who is Lord of all Creatures, and the high Possesser of Heaven and Earth.
Next of all, and more especially, I am bound to give thanks, and praise to him whilst that I have any Being, that I being a Child of Wrath by Nature as well as others, and being born in a place of much Profaneness, and Popery, he hath of his abundant Grace vouchsafed to draw me out of that woful estate of Sin and Ignorance wherein I lay, and to make himself and his Christ known unto me by the Gospel, of which Grace I was most unworthy; and in his great patience and Mercy to bear with my manifold and great Offences, both before and since the time of his gracious Calling of me, tho for my unworthy walking in many perticulars, I might justly have been for ever rejected of him. Yea, and such hath been his rich Grace, that he hath vouchsafed to put me an unworthy Creature into the Ministry of the Gospel of his Son, that I should not only know and profess the same, (which yet is an unspeakable mercy) but be also a Preacher of it unto others. In which imployment if any thing hath been done, which hath been pleasing to him, or any way beneficial to any Child of his, it hath not been I that have done the same, but the Grace of God which was with me.
For I must needs acknowledge, to the praise of his patience and Grace, that in my poor Ministration, for the space of these forty and two years and upwards, I have been much defective in Wisdom and watchfulness over the Peoples Souls, in purity, in faithfulness, in uprightness, in meekness, humility, and zeal: And because of these, and many other my defects, and offences against the Lord, I stand in much need this day of Mercy, and forgiveness through his Christ, and have no cause to look for any acceptance, either in this, or in another world, for any Righteousness of mine own, either as touching my Ministry or otherwise, but disclaiming all thoughts in that kind, mine only trust and hope is to be accepted of him, and (when this Life shall be ended) to be saved in his Heavenly Kingdom, meerly by his free Grace, and the Obedience, and precious passion and intercession of his dear Son.
And as concerning Death, as I do believe that it is appointed for all Men once to die: So, because I see a great deal of unprofitableness in mine own Life; and because the Lord hath let me see such vanity, and cmptiness even in the best of those Comforts which this Life can afford, that I think I may truly say, that I have seen an end of all perfection: Therefore if it were the Will of God, I should be glad to be removed hence, where the best that is to be had doth yield such little satisfaction to my Soul, and to be brought into his presence in Glory, that there I might find (for there I know it is to be had) that satisfying, and Al-sufficient contentment in him, which under the Sun, is not to be enjoyed. In the mean time I desire to stay the Lords leisure. But thou O Lord, how long!
Now concerning mine outward Estate, sith the Earth is the Lords, and the fulness thereof, the Habitable World, and all that is therein; to him therefore belongs the praise of all that I possess in this kind: And for the Portion thereof which he hath given me, it is my mind and Will (if so be, it please his Highness) that after my Decease, the same may be disposed of as followeth, &c.
Having thus graciously expressed himself, he proceeded to the disposal of his Temporal Estate, which being of private Concernment, we shall not here trouble the world therewith. But, after the disposal of that, he concluded with a most solemn charge to his Children, with the Rehearsal whereof we shall finish this discourse. It is this
Concerning my Son Timothy, with all the rest of my Beloved Sons, as I hope, God hath already made them pertakers, at least sundry of them, of his saving Grace in Christ, for which they, and I have cause endlesly to be thankful; so I think it not amiss, for the furtherance of their Spiritual good, to lay upon them this serious and solemn charge of a Dying Father, that none of them presume after my Decease, to walk in any way of sin and wickedness in one kind, or another, or in a careless neglect of God, and the things of God, and of their own Salvation by Christ. For if they shall so do (which God forbid) then, and in such a Case, I do hereby testifie unto them, that their Father which begat them, and their Mother which did bear them, with all the Prayers which they have made, and Tears which they have shed for them; their Example, their admonitions, and Exhortations which they have administred unto them, together with this my last Will, and solemn Charge; All these will rise up against them as so many Testimonies for their Condemnation at the last Day. But I have better hopes of them: And do hereby declare unto them, that if they shall seriously repent of their sins, believe in the Lord Jesus, and by his Grace, walk in all the wayes of God, and as becometh the Gospel of Christ, as this will be to the Honour, and Glory of him that made them, so it will redound to their own unspeakable Comfort, and benefit in this, and in another World: And their Father that now speaketh unto them, with their Dear Mother, now with God, shall exceedingly rejoyce in the day of Christ, when we shall receive our Children unto those everlasting Habitations: And shall see, not our selves alone, but those also who have proceeded, and come forth out of our own Bowels to have their part and Portion in that Eternal Glory. In desire and hope that it may be so, I Commend them all to the Lord of Heavens blessing: And let the Blessing of God in Jesus Christ be poured out, and remain upon them all for evermore, Amen.