The Lives of Twenty-Two Eminent English Divines, Biography 20
The Life of Master John Dod, who died Anno Christi 1645.
IOhn Dod was born in Cheshire, at a town called Shotlidge, bordering on Wales, not far from Malpus. His Parents had a convenient estate,His birth and education. worth a hundred marks a year, which went to the eldest Brother. This John was the youngest of seventeen, and much beloved of his Parents. He was sent to School to West-Chester, and when he was about fourteen years old, he was disposed of to Jesus Colledge in Cambridge, where (though he had little acquaintance,His first going to Cambridge. yet) the Lord prospering his studies, he was chosen first Scholar, and after Fellow; in that Colledge he there remained near sixteen years.His conversion. The manner of his Conversion was thus:
The Steward, or Boucher of the Colledge, accused him to the Master, for the non-payment of a considerable summe of money due for one of his Pupils, which Master Dod had truly paid, but he forgot to set it down. Hereupon there was a vehement contest betwixt them about this businesse, and the vexation of mind that he should be accounted a defrauder, did so trouble Master Dod, that he fell into a Feaver, and was dangerously sick; yet all this while he was but in a natural estate. For though he had some good skill in the Theorick part of Divinity, yet he was without any application; and his affliction was this, that he should be blamed for that, which he from the Law and light of nature hated. All his sorrow as yet was but worldly sorrow; and as himself saies, he neither did, nor could tell how to pray. At length the Lord put into his heart that Scripture, Rom. 7. The Law is spiritual, but I am carnal, and sold under sinne; and presently his sins came upon him like armed men, and the tyde of his thoughts was turned, and he left musing how he was wronged, and seriously considered how he had offended God, and he betook himself to great humiliation, and earnestly besought the Lord for pardon and peace in Jesus Christ. Yet for some time he could find no comfort, but going on to seek the Lord, there follows after much humiliation, much consolation, and the Lord sealed to him that his sins were washed away with the blood of Christ. Then did he desire his accuser to come to him, and told him, that though he had accounted him to be his great enemy, yet now he acknowledged him to be his good Friend, for that he was a means to bring him unto God. And afterwards it so fell out (by Gods good Providence) that it came to this mans remembrance that Master Dod had paid him the money, and he was very sorrowfull for the wrong which he had done him, and did him all the right he could for the healing of his name; and Master Dod said, that he had not a more faithfull Friend in all the Colledge, during his abode there, then this man proved.
When he was some years standing Master of Art, he was appointed to oppose in the Philosophy Act at the Commencement, which he did with great approbation,His disputation at the Commencement. insomuch as it was desired that he should dispute again the next Commencement, but that he avoided. When he preached his first Sermon in the University, he had bestowed much pains about it, binding himself to words and phrases; but in his Sermon he was at a Non-plus, whereupon he resolved afterwards never to pen his Sermon verbatim, Note.but his usuall manner was to write only the Analysis of his Text, the proofs of Scripture for the Doctrines, with the Reasons and Uses, and so leaving the rest to meditation, in which course he never found defect. And whereas Doctor Fulk, Doctor Chaderton, Doctor Whitaker, and some others had their frequent meeting to expound the Scriptures, and therein they chose the Epistle to the Hebrews, they were pleased from their loving respect to Master Dod to take in him amongst them.
While he continued Fellow of Jesus ▪ Colledge, by the importunity of some godly people of Ely, He preached a Lecture at Ely.he went weekly, and preached amongst them in that City, where the Lord gave a great blessing to his Ministry. His removall from Cambridge to Hanwel in Oxfordshire, was thus occasioned; Master Cope (afterwards Sir Anthony Cope) a man of eminent note, who was much wrought upon by Master Dods Ministry, sent a Letter to Doctor Chaderton, to provide him a Minister for Hanwel, which was then vacant. Doctor Chaderton moved Master Dod to go to the place,His removall to Hanwel. and after he had been a while, and preached severall Sermons, by the desire and consent of the people, and by the approbation of the neighbour Ministers who had heard him, he was setled as their Pastor. While he was at Hanwel he preached twice every Sabbath,His great pains there. catechizing also in the afternoon, and kept a Lecture on the Wednesday constantly, and besides this, he was one of the five Ministers who held up the Lecture at Banbury. He gave himself much to Fasting and Prayer,His frequency in fasting and prayer. His hospitality and as his seeds-time was painfull, so his Harvest was gainfull, hundreds of souls being converted by his Ministry. He was given to Hospitality, delighting therein, keeping a constant Table on the Sabbath, and on the Wednesdays Lecture; upon which daies he had not under eight or twelve persons commonly dining with him, and he spent the time amongst them in spiritual exhortation and conference.
He was about thirty years old when he came to Hanwel, and continued there above twenty years, where he had twelve Children by his dear Wife, formerly Anne Bound, Daughter-in-law to the worthy Servant of Jesus Christ, Master Greenham of Draighton near Cambridge, and Daughter to Doctor Bound, she was one that truly feared God, and after her decease (by the perswasion of some Friends) he took to Wife Mistresse Cleiton, who then lived at Stratford Bowe; she also was a godly woman,His second marriage. and he was contracted to her by Master Egerton of Black-Fryers, and married by his ancient and loving Friend Doctor Gouge.
But to return back again to Hanwel, it pleased the Lord to give a great blessing to his Ministry in that place;The great successe of his Ministry. yet he had much trouble from the envy of some Ministers that lived about him, who though they seldome preached themselves, yet they would not suffer that their people should go from them, and hence he was frequently questioned in the Bishops Courts. And besides this (though some of Hanwel were very courteous and kind, yet) there were some others who were glad to get from him what they could, and to keep from him what they could, thinking that that which he had was too much.
Upon a time Master Dod took a journey to Draighton, to bemoan himself to his Father-in-law Master Greenham, by reason of his crosses and hard usage; Master Greenham heard him what he could say, and when he had done, answered him thus: Son, Son, when affliction lieth heavy, sin lieth light. This deserves the rather to be remembred, because Master Dod used often to blesse God for it, saying also, that if Master Greenham had bemoaned him, which he expected, he had done him hurt; and he forgot not this speech in his old age, but made excellent use of it for himself and others.
He was suspended from his Ministry at Hanwel by Doctor Bridges, Bishop of Oxford. His deprivation.And (suspecting what would follow) the Sabbath before he went to the Visitation, he gave his hearers a farewell Sermon out of that text, I will smite the Shepherd, and the Sheep shall be scattered; the people did attend unto him with sad countenances, and weeping eyes. Being thus driven from Hanwel, His preaching at Fenni-Compton.he preached at Fenni-Compton in Warwickshire, where he had but small means, but he was desirous to be doing good. From thence he had a fair call unto Cannons-Ashby in Northamptonshire, where he lived quietly divers years,His removall to Cannons-Ashby. preached over the whole Prophesie of Danel, with some other Scriptures, having much kindnesse from Sir Erasmas Dryden, (in whom there was a rare mixture of Piety and Learning) and good affection from Master Cope. He was silenced from preaching at Ashby, upon a complaint made against him by Bishop Neal, to King James, He is again silenced.who commanded the Arch-bishop Abbot to silence him. Then he ceased for some time to preach publiquely, yet in regard of his heavenly gift in conference,He had an excellent gift in conference. he might have been said daily to preach privately; he was in his element when he was discoursing of heavenly things. And God in goodnesse so ordered it, that when he was restrained from publique preaching, yet himself conceived that at that time his life was no lesse profitable then it had been in former times.
He had much employment in comforting such as were wounded in their spirits, being sent for, not only nigh at hand, but also into remote Countries.
His comforting of afflicted consciences.There was a Gentlewoman who had a great worldly estate, and a loving Husband, but she was so sadly assaulted with tentations, that she often attempted to make away her self. Master Dod was sent for to come to her, and the Lord so blessed his Councels, Exhortations, and Prayers, that she did not only recover out of her anguish of spirit, but she was afterwards taken notice of for her singular Piety; and the Lord so ordered, that this affliction was not only the means of her Conversion, but also of her Husbands, so that both of them were a great mercy in the Countrey where they lived, promoting Religion according to their power, and entertaining and cherishing godly people: She lived divers years quieted in her heart, and being rich in good works; and when she lay on her death-bed, Master Dod was sent for to her again, who spake of heaven,Joy unspeakable. and to fit her for that glory, she told him, that she felt the comforts of God, and that she could as hardly at that time forbear singing, as formerly in child-bearing she could forbear crying, and shortly after she died.
There was a Gentlemen related to a noble Family, so perplexed in his mind,Note. that he hath been known in hard frosts to go barefooted, that the pain of his feet might divert his thoughts. Master Dod was sent for to him, who was his spirituall Physician to heale him.
It would be long to insist on all particulars of this nature, the Lord having made him a happy Instrument for the good of many.
When he had spent some years in this kind of service, by the care and industry of Master Richard Knightley of Preston (a worthy Patriot,) after the death of King James, his liberty was procured for preaching again publiquely,He is placed at Fausley. and then he was setld at Fausley, where he preached twice every Lords day. There he went over the Gospel of John, the Epistle to the Colossions, and other Scriptures.
His hospitalityHe was much given to Hospitality at Fausley, as he had formerly been at Hanwel, so that there was scarce any Sabbath in the year, in which he did not dine both poor and rich, commonly three or four poor persons, besides those that came from other places to hear him. He had so large an heart, that upon occasion, he hath given to some three shillings,His charity. to some ten shillings, to some twenty shillings; and when the poor came to buy butter or cheese, he would command his maid to take no money of them.
At Fausley he had quietnesse from the Courts, as also at Ashby; for in neither of those places was there any Church-wardens. He was beholding at Fausley, to the Right Worshipfull Family of the Knightleys, where his bones was laid.
He used to bear crosses with much patience and meeknesse, being wont to say,The benefit of afflictions. that Sanctified afflictions were great promotions, quoting that of the Apostle Peter, 1 Pet. 1.7. foreign, &c. is much more precious then gold, which he conceived to signifie the affliction that trieth faith, and that the word should be rendred exploratorium, rather then exploratio.
He alwaies expected troubles, and prepared himself for them, and put this difference between the affliction,Troubles to be expected. for which we are provided and others; that the one are but blows on the Harnesse, but the other are blows on the flesh.
Upon a time when an affliction was upon him, which went to his very heart, and in the expectation whereof he wept; yet when he saw that it was the Will of God that it should be so, he said to one whom he loved, I will go and blesse God, for I believe this shall be for my good.
He gave himself much to Fasting and Prayer, and when he fasted,His frequency in Fasting, and Prayer. His diseases. his custom was to abstain from the dinner of the day before, to the Supper of the day after. His diseases till he was above threescore, were only Feavers, and these for the most part high and violent. In the sixty third year of his age, he had a Feaver in which there was small hope of life. Doctor Oxenbridge was his Physician, who waiting for the breathing out of the disease by sweating, (in which at last he had his desire) he came to Master Dod, and in the presence of divers, said unto him; Now I have hope of your recovery: To which Master Dod answered, You think to comfort me by this, but you make my heart sad; His desire of death.it is as if you should tell one who had been sore weather-beaten on the sea, and conceiving he was arrived at the Haven where his soul longed to be, that he must come back again to be tossed with new winds and waves. In his greatest health and prosperity, he would speak how he desired to be dissolved. Upon a time, a Gentleman blamed him for it, saying, he liked not servants who would have their wages before they had done their work; but he seemed to be constant in this desire,The reasons of his desire. alledging these reasons amongst others, that God had given him a setled assurance of Heaven, and a sight of the excellency of Heaven, and that the earth was but a prison, and Heaven the Palace; and there was perfect holinesse and happinesse.
He took all occasions to do good; when he was in company, by godly speeches, seasoning those which came to him,His taking occasions to do good. that unlesse it were their own fault, they might be the better for him. Being invited to a great feast where there were sundry Gentlemen, and some of them began to swear, he stopt them by discoursing of the greatnesse of that sin;How he prevented swearing. and that he might not burden their memories, he quoted three Chapters, every one was the first: as the first of Zachary, the first of Matthew, and the first of James, and he opened those Scriptures in such sort, that they were all hushed, and did not again offend in that kind while he was present amongst them.
The Word of God was his great delight,His delight in the Law of God. his meditation was of it in the night, and his discourse in the day. When those that were with him were speaking of earthly things, he would find out some way to bring in heavenly. When he could not sleep in the night, he would say, that the meditation of the Word was sweeter to him then sleep. When he had preached twice on the Sabbath, and was aweary, yet to those that came to him, he would go on afresh in holy Discourses; and the comforts which he found in his soul, made him sometimes forget his body, that he hath been speaking till he was ready to faint.
His eminency was in frequency, aptnesse, freenesse, and largenesse of godly discourse; in which respect it may be said of him, that in the Countrey where he lived, none were known who therein were equal to him. But he was Micans inter omnes, velut inter ignes luna minores.
His mercifulnesse.He was very mercifull himself, and to move Parents that were rich to mercy, he would say thus; You are caring and contriving to lay up for your children, but lay up for your selves a good foundation against the time to come, being rich in good works; you will lay up treasure in the earth, which is an unsafe place; lay up treasures in Heaven, that is the sure and safe place.
His love, and charity.He loved and honoured those that feared God, though in point of Subscription and Ceremonies they were not of his judgment; and as he sowed, so he reaped. He was full of love himself, and greatly beloved of others. Doctor Preston, whom good men loved for his excellent Piety and Learning, was a faithfull friend of Master Dods, and often entertained him at his chamber,Dr. Prestons love to him. and esteemed much of him for his spiritualnesse in conference and conversation, and for his ability to open Scripture, and to comfort troubled spirits. When the Doctors Consumption was upon him, which put an end to his life, he came to Master Richard Knightleys at Preston in Northamptonshire, which was but a mile from Fausley, where Master Dod had his abode, and desired him to speak to him of death and heaven, and heard him with patience and thankfulnesse. Master Dod prayed by him when he lay a dying, and preached his Funeral Sermon.
Also Master Throgmorton, a pious and painfull Preacher of the Word; an approved good man, dying the same year of a Consumption, came to Ashby not far from Fausley, to have the help of Master Dods comforts and counsels. He was oppressed with melancholy, and a little before he gave up his soul to Christ, he asked Master Dod, What will ye say of him that is going out of the world, and can find no comfort? To whom he answered;He comforts Mr. Throgmorton. What will you say of our Saviour Christ, who when he was going out of the world found no comfort, but cryed out, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? This speech refreshed Master Throgmorton, and within a little space of time after this, he went to his heavenly inheritance.
Master Dod, as he was of a weaned disposition from the world himself,His weanednesse from the world. so he laboured to wean others. He put this difference between rich Christians and poor, that for poor Christians their Father kept the purse, but the rich Christians keep the purse in their own hands. But it might oftner fall out, and did; and therefore the purse was better in the Fathers hand then in the Christians. He was wont to compare wicked men to waves of the Sea; those which were of a great estate, were great waves; those which were of small estate, were small waves,What wicked men are like. but all were restlesse as waves.
To a Friend of his that was raised from a meaner estate to worldly greatnesse, he sent word, that this was but as if he should go out of a Boat into a Barge or Ship; but there ought to be a serious and godly remembrance, that while we are in this world, we are upon the Sea.
He often repeated this, that nothing could hurt us but our own sins; and they should not hurt us, if we truly repented of them;Note. and nothing could do us good but Gods favour, and that we should be sure of, if we unfeignedly sought it. Speaking of Davids penning the 51 Psalm, after his murther and Adultery, he put this glosse upon it, That hearty and true repentance shall have cause to praise the Lord for his pardoning mercy.
He said Afflictions were Gods Potions,Afflictions Gods potions. which we might sweeten by Faith and faithfull Prayer, but we for the most part made them bitter, putting into Gods Cup the ill ingredients of our own impatience and unbelief. He gave this reason why many of Gods people lived uncomfortably, for that they shut their ear against what God said, where they should open it; and they opened their ear to what their carnal reason, and Satan, and the world said, where they should shut it. But (said he) the Psalmist was wiser, Psal. 85.8. He would heare none of them all; I will heare what the Lord God will speake.
His preaching was searching; and when some did suppose that he had Informers and Spies, because he came so close to them,The power of his Ministry. he answered; that the Word of God was searching, and that if he was shut up in a dark vault, where none could come at him, yet allow him but a Bible and a Candle, and he should preach as he did.
He had an excellent gift in similitudes,His excellency for similitudes. Benefits of death. which did flow freely and frequently from him, as all those knew, who either heard him preach publiquely, or discourse privately. He called death, the friend of grace, though it were the enemy of nature: and whereas the Word, and Sacraments, and Prayer, do but weaken sin, death kills it.Benefit of Prayer. Speaking of Prayer, he said, a man was never in a hard condition, unlesse he had a hard heart, and could not pray.
Having preached out of that text, O woman, great is thy Faith, be it unto thee even as thou wilt; he invited some women to dinner, and told them it was a usuall saying, Let a woman have her will, and then she would be quiet. Now the way for a woman to have her will, is to have a strong Faith,Benefit of Faith. and to pray as that woman in the Gospel did.
Upon a time when he had preached long, so that it was somewhat late before he went to dinner,We should not be weary of hearing. he said, you shall have some Gentlemen will follow hounds from seven in the morning, till four or five in the afternoon, because they love the cry of dogs, which to me was unpleasant hearing; so if we love the Word, we should be content though the Minister stood above his hour. And he added, methinks it is much better to hear a Minister preach, then a Kennell of hounds to bark. Speaking of Recreation, he said, he marvelled what the vocation of many was, who were so eager for recreation. And if we should come into a house, and see many Physick-boxes and glasses, we would conclude some body is sick;Sinfull recreations. so when we see Hounds, and Hawks, and Cards, and Dice, we may fear that there is some sick soul in that Family.
He told some Friends, that if he were to passe sentence who was a rich man,Promises great riches. he would not look into his purse or chest how much gold he had laid up, but look into his heart what promises were treasured up there. For we count him rich that is rich in bonds, and the pleading of the Promises in Prayer, is suing of the bonds.
Speaking to a Minister who was to go to a place where there was but small means, he told him, that his care was to preach, and do God service, and then God would provide for him. When he preached at Fausley, and was much resorted unto, as it was with him in other places, he told a godly man of his acquaintance,His humility. that if the Countrey knew so much by him, as he knew by himself, they would not have him in so much admiration.
Speaking about going to Law, his Opinion was, that it was better to buy Love then Law.Love better then Law. For one might have a great deal of love for a little, whereas he could have but a little law for a great deal. He would frequently say, That was well, which ended everlastinly well; and that was ill, which ended everlastingly ill: And that a man was never undone till he was in hell.
This was a speech which he often used, that if it were lawfull to envy any,The benefit of turning to God betimes. he would envy those that turned to God in youth, whereby they escaped much sin and sorrow, and were like unto Jacob that stole the blessing betimes.
This was a remarkable passage of Providence, that upon a time when it was late at night,A special Providence. it came into his mind that he must see a Friend of his some two miles off; he had businesse, and would have put it off, but his thoughts were restlesse; whereupon he went, and when he came to the place, all the Family were in bed, but only his Friend, who was esteemed truly godly, but at that time was overwhelmed with tentations; the occasion whereof was, some cruelty offered to his Children. Master Dod knew nothing, either of the tentation or occasion of it: But knocking at the door, his Friend opened the door to him, to whom he said, I am come to you, I know not why my self, but I was restlesse in my spirit untill I had done it. To whom his Friend answered, You know not why you came, but God knew why he sent you; and withall, pulled out a halter wherewith he had intended self-murder at that time, which by Gods goodnesse, was by this means prevented.
Speaking of losing for Christ, he testified from his own experience, that for the losse of one carnal Brother he had two hundred spiritual Brethren.
Before he was married, he could not maintain himself, and thereupon he was thinking, how he should maintain a Wife and Children, his living not being great; but looking out of his study window, he saw a Hen and Chickens scratching for their living,His Faith. and he considered thus with himself, The Hen did but live before, and had nothing to spare, and now she had as much with that great Family.
When he saw a Christian to look sad, he would use that speech which Johnadab did to Amnon, Art not thou a Kings Son? He would say to those that complained of losses and crosses, that which Eliphaz did to Job, Do the consolations of God seem small to you? God hath taken away your children, your goods, but he hath not taken away himself, nor Christ, nor his Spirit, nor Heaven, nor eternal life.
He used to instruct Christians how they should never have a great affliction, nor long,How afflictions may be lessened. and that was by looking upon things which were not seen, which are eternal, 2 Cor. 4.17, 18. What can be great to him that counts the world nothing? And what can be long to him that thinks his life but a span long?
To perswade them that are Christians not to return railing for railing, he would say, that if a dog bark at a sheep,Meeknesse. a sheep will not bark at a dog.
In these times of war, at the first beginning of them, when many well-affected people came to him, being affrighted with the Cavaliers, he encouraged them, using this speech, that if a house were full of rods, what need the Child fear,Comfort in dangers. when none of them could move without their Fathers hand; and the Lord was a loving Father; state and life, and all was in his disposing. When afterwards the Cavaliers came to his house, and threatned to knock him on the head, he answered with confidence, that if they did, they should send him to Heaven, where he longed to be,His Faith. but they could do nothing except God gave leave. They broke open his Chests, and Cupboards, and plundred him of his goods; but he said to a Friend of his, that he would not do them that honour to say they had taken ought from him, but it was the Lord, alledging that of Job, who when he was spoiled by the Chaldeans and the Sab…ans, yet he did not so much as name the Instruments, but, The Lord hath given, and the Lord hath taken, blessed be the Name of the Lord.
At length they came to him, when through weaknesse he was unable not only to stirre out of his chamber, but also out of his bed;Cavaliers cruelty. they cut the Curtains of his bed, and pulled away the Pillowbeers from under his head, asking him whether he could speak Latine, in all which losses, which were great, he never uttered one word of impatience.His patience. In his sicknesse, when extream pain was upon him, as soon as the fit was over, he would say to his maid-servant that attended him; O think well of God for it, for it is most justly and wisely done, whatsoever he sendeth or doth. When his servants came to visit him in the morning, he would say, have ye been with God to blesse him for your sleep this night? He might have made your bed your grave.
He would often say in his sicknesse, I am not afraid to look death in the face; Death not feared.I can say, death, where is thy sting? Death cannot hurt me. He spake how death was a sweet sleep to a Christian; adding, that if Parents should tell little children, who had played all the day, that they must go to bed, they would be ready to cry; but a labouring man is glad when night comes that he might go to rest. So wicked men, death is unwelcome unto them; but a Child of God, who hath laboured and suffered, is glad when death cometh, that he may rest from his labours.
When he had been long speaking to those who came to him, and used to ask him questions, and hath been perswaded to spare himself, he would say, hear but this one thing more, it may be I shall never speak to you again; but if it should be so, Blessed is the servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Hearken to a few words more; God hath heard all the words we have spoken, and considered with what hearts and affections we have spoken them.
Passionate rebukes unprofitable.He used to compare rebukes uttered in passion to scalding potions, which the Patient could not take down. And his opinion was, that if we would do good unto others, we should labour for meeknesse of wisdome, whereby we shall be inabled to use soft words and hard arguments.
What contention should be amongst married persons.He allowed to Husbands and Wives only one contention; which was this, who should love one another best; and advised them, that when either of them were in passion, they should not answer passions with passions, but with compassions.
He was very plain and familiar both in preaching and conference, yet very spiritual,His manner of preaching. and performed all with much gravity.
The chief things he sought God for, in his frequent secret fastings and prayers,The Scope of his Prayers. (as himself said) were the knowledge of the Scriptures, and a blessing upon his Ministry, in both which God answered him abundantly.
As for the Scriptures, God had so enlightened him, that he was able to give account of the drift and scope of the Spirit of God in the greatest part of them,His exposition of Scripture. with great clearnesse, and to open them in such sort as proved very effectual for the bringing of Scripture-light into simple mens understandings, who were not able to reach the obscure and scholastick interpretations of many.
His manner was to compare Scripture with Scripture, seldome naming the dissenters, and but sparingly different readings, but making out the truth positively, or by necessary consequence.
His custom in preaching.In preaching, he usually took some portion of Scripture in order before him, opening a verse or two, or more at a time, first clearing the drift and connection, then giving the sense and interpretation briefly, but very plainly, not leaving the text untill he had made it plain to the meanest capacity; then raising those Doctrines that were most agreeable to the mind and meaning of the Spirit of God in that text, clearing and exemplifying his points excellently out of the Word, opening his proofs, (not multiplying particulars for oppressing memory,) not dwelling so long as to make all truth run through a few texts. He spake most largely and very home in application, mightily convincing and diving into mens hearts and consciences, and leaving them little or nothing to object against it.
He took great care to speak to the meanest capacity, and to feed the Lambs, saying, he must stoop to the lowest capacity, and if he could reach them, others might help themselves. He could not endure that Ministers should use hard and unusuall English. He said,What preaching is unprofitable. that most Ministers in England usually shoot over the heads of their hearers.
He did not strive to speak all that might be said to a point, nor to shew variety, or please curiosity, but to speak to the heart. He would say, that there were many tricks and devices that some men used in preaching, but they seldome did good. The pure Gospel, and that preaching which the world counts foolishnesse, was that that works most kindly.
He was very Evangelicall, striving first to make men see their lost condition clearly, and to be convinced of it, saying, Sense of misery was a goo… step to the remedy. And then largely and excellently opening the Promises, and the grace of God in Christ according to the Gospel, looking at that as the most effectual preaching. Some (saies he) labour still to keep men under terrors, and load them with threatnings, &c. lest they should not be humbled enough; but the Gospel works true humiliation, not the Law;True humiliation. it arises from sense of sin and misery joyned with hope of mercy. The damned have terror and sense of misery enough, but that did not humble them.
He desired to speak distinctly, not giving the childrens bread to dogs, but to discover hypocrisie and sincerity by lively characters and signes,His preaching by signes. but yet with great tendernesse to babes in Christ, striving to discover a babe from an hypocrite.
He was excellent for practical Divinity and living by Faith, as to spirituals and temporals, and self-denial; and very consolatory, rendring Religion the most sweet and comfortable life, notwithstanding sufferings.
He used to presse much after the seeking of spiritual illumination, in hearing and reading, &c. and divine assistance in religious duties, not contenting our selves with the use of parts and accomplishments, or grace received, but to look higher, saying, David that could preach excellently, and had Nathan and Gad the Prophets also to preach, yet cryes out for teaching; thereby shewing, that all that teaching would not do, unlesse God teach also. And Davids cryes, Open mine eyes; he had the light without, but he must have light within, viz. sight, else he could not see the wonders of the Law, though he had the Law.
Christians should be cheerfull.He used to presse much to meeknesse, and a sweet disposition to affability, charity and cheerfulnesse, not to be rigid, sour, tart, nor sad, least the world should think that we served an hard Master.
Being above eighty years old, his pains were very great, yet not painfull to him.His indefatigablenesse. He preached almost all day long on the Lords day, yet said, it was no great matter to pay money when one had it, all the labour was to get it. He opened a Chapter, and prayed in his Family, after preached twice in publique, and in the interim discoursed all dinner while, but eat very little. He brought in many with him to dinner, besides his four or six constant Widows; if his Wife began to doubt of her provision at sight of so many, he would say, Better want meat then good company, but there is something in the house, though cold. This is not a day to feast the bodies but souls. At first sitting down, he would bid them help themselves and one another, and see that none want. Let me (said he) bid you but once, for I would not speak a vain word to day. After both Sermons, the house would be filled; and he being sate in his chair, used to say, if any have a good question, or a hard place of Scripture to open, let them say on; and when he was faint, he would call for a small glasse of Wine and Beer mixt, and then to it again till night.
The benefit of plain preach-king.He was excellent in preaching occasionally from the creatures, as he walked or rode.
His Ministry was so spiritual, and yet so plain, that poor simple people that never knew what Religion meant, when they had gone to hear him, could not choose but talk of his Sermon. It mightily affected poor creatures to hear the Mysteries of God, (by his excellent skill that way) brought down to their own language and dialect.
He was so holy and spiritual both in life and doctrine, that he silenced even desperate and devillish opposers of Religion.His holy life. It was a discredit for any to speak evil of him, because it must needs expresse much malice, and all men most generally (in his latter time at least) honoured him.
His peace-maing.He was very successefull in making peace, though between desperate and almost implacable adversaries, and some of them wicked, mightily convincing them with Gospel-arguments, to the overcoming and quieting of their spirits.
His acutenesse.He would answer any questions propounded, that were but fit for a Divine to speak to; yet shewing his approbation or dislike of the question according to the honesty and spiritualnesse, or curiosity and lightnesse of it.
When mean inferiour people came to speak with him, if he was walking in the Church,His humility. where he used most to study, that he might have room to walk in, (being troubled with the stone) or elsewhere; if he thought them bashfull, he would meet them, and say, Would you speak with me? And when he found them unable to state their question, he would help them out with it, taking care to find the sore; but would answer and deal so compassionately and tenderly, as not to discourage the poorest soul from coming again to him.
If any questioned him about Ceremonies,His modesty. about which many then suffered, he was very wary in dealing, (not shy in speaking his judgment) but carefull of advising them according to their strength. He would bid them take heed of being led meerly by the imitation of any body, … other mens arguments, but look to their Scripture-light, and see … …guments they had to bear them out; and whether they could … alone in that case if they should survive their patterns. He would not have them make a businesse about lesser things, and then fall off from what they began to professe.
Being to advise a young man in his choice of a yokefellow,What Wise should be chosen. he bad him look principally after Godlinesse. Men talk of a portion, grace is the b…st portion. The wise woman buildeth up the house, viz. The godly, &c. Not the rich. Some use to say, There is a portion and civility, and we will hope for grace; But, saith he, rather make sure grace, and hope for riches; There's far greater reason for it. For Godlinesse hath the Promises, riches hath none. A Sonne or Daughter of God shall be provided for.
He would say, he that could answer two questions well,How we may alwaies have comfort. might have comfort in any place or condition, viz. Who am I? and what do I here? Am I a Child of God? and am I in my calling or way? He hath given his Angels charge to keep thee in all thy waies.
And that the knowledge of two things would make one willing to suffer or die, viz. What Heaven is; And that it's mine;What will make us willing to suffer. I (said one) if a man were sure. To whom he answered, Truly Assurance is to be had, and what have we been doing all this while?
He used to say,Assurance to be laboured fo… they that hope to go to Heaven (as most do) and had not good evidence for it, were like a man, that passing by a great house and estate, would say, This is mine; but being bid to shew his title, would say, some body must have it, and why not I? Such is most mens title for Heaven.
During the time of his last sicknesse, it pleased the Lord to try him by grievous pains, most bitter and sharp, of the strangury; but when he had any intermissions, he was breathing out such speeches, as tended to the praise of God, and to the edification of those that attended him.Thankfulness▪ in afflictions. He slept little all the night or day long before his death, in all which time he imployed his attendants which were about him, to read the Scriptures, which he expounded to them. And when his strength was spent with speaking, he retired himself to Prayer and Meditation.Prayer. When he felt his paines returning, he would intreat those that were about him, to pray to God for him, either to give him deliverance or patience. His tentation a little before his death, and his wrestlings with Satan were great;His tentation, and victory. so were his victories. He spake to one that did watch with him all night, about two of the clock in the morning, that he had been wrestling with Satan all that night, who accused him that he neither preached, nor prayed, nor performed any duty as he should have done, for manner or for end, but he said, I have answered him from the example of the Prodigal and the Publican.
His faith, and patience.His Faith and Patience were encreased and perfected by his sufferings. He longed and thirsted to be with Christ, which words he often uttered. One of his last speeches was this, with his eyes and hands lifted up to Heaven, he sighed, and said, I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ. His pains left him not an hour before his death, his speech also then leaving him; he could not eat nor drink two daies before his death. And so quietly and patiently he ended his life,His death. making a happy change, being fourscore and sixteen years old, Anno Christi, 1645.