Capels Remains, Title page – To the reader
CAPEL'S REMAINS. Being an uſeful APPENDIX to his Excellent TREATISE OF Tentations. Concerning the TRANSLATIONS of the HOLY SCRIPTURES. Left written with his own Hand.
By that incomparably learned and judicious Divine, Mr. RICHARD CAPEL, Sometimes Fellow of Magdalen-Colledge in Oxford.
With a Preface prefixed, Wherein is contained an Abridgement of the Authors Life, By his Friend Valentine Marſhall.
LONDON, Printed by T. R. for John Bartlet, at the Gilt Cup on the South-ſide of Pauls over againſt the Drapers, and at the Gilt Cup in Weſtminſter-Hall. 1658.
TO THE Chriſtian Reader.
Reader,
HAving nothing of mine own, that I count worthy of the publick view, I was fully reſolved to have quit the Stage, as the mute perſon in the Comedy, without being known to any, ſave ſome private friends only; and moſt of thoſe alſo, in or about that private little corner, wherein the great God of Heaven hath ſeen it fit to make uſe of me. But now I am enforced to launch further into the deep, then ever I expected, intended, or deſired; by being importuned to ſet theſeaHeb. 13. 22. few lines, (which could not in civility be declined) before this Poſthumus-piece, of the deareſt and uſefulleſt friend, (whileſt he was here amongſt men,) that I had in the whole world, out of mine own family.
Concerning whom there's need to ſay little. His Works in print already ſufficiently praiſe him in the Gates; and have got him great place in the hearts of a many, ſeen in the Theory; but much more room in the breaſts of all ſuch as are any way verſed in the Practical part of Divinity. But as he writ things worthy to be read: ſo he did things worthy to be writ,bScripſerit legenda, ſeceritſcribenda. Adamus in ejus vit. p. 238. with Beza. Something then would be ſet out: partly, to do him right, thats not to be buried in Oblivion,cSee Cajet. Paraeus in loc. Heb. 13. 7. But principally, 1. For the honour of that great God, that gave him ſuch rare endowments; and continued them in their full beauty, to his very*He died in the ſeventieth year of his Age. laſt breath. 2. For the provoking of us that knew him, to a more lively and freſhdUt iis ve lut facibus—ad. imitationem hujus teſtis idonei, fortiſſimique militis, nos ipſos magis ac magis non paremus. Jun. in Orat. Funeb. Urſini. emulation of thoſe eminent vertues, that we both ſaw and knew, that he ſhone ſo bright in. 3. For the ſtirring up of all ſuch as be at a further diſtance, to a more thorow ſenſe and feeling of the heavy hand of God, laid upon us all, in the removal of this able and excellent inſtrument.
We live in aeJer. 12. 11. ſtupid Age. The greateſt ſtroakes of God, if any whit remote, ſcarce make the leaſt dint; Thoſe that cut to the quick, uſually be doft too ſoon. We reade of ſome thatf2 Sam. 14. 1. mourned long for their dead. 'Twas three yearesgGen. 24. ult. full, ere Iſaac could be comforted after the death of a good mother, though of a very great age. Jacobs pathetick expreſſions, cloathed with ſuch aggravating circumſtances, Gen. 48. 7. ſohAbout 40 years. long after the deceaſe of his dear and good wife: Now, how near it ſate his heart. The loſſe of*Quae…imus invidi. Ho…. Carm. l. 3. Od. 4 good men, (eſpecially of good note) is much to be bewailed. There's that goes to the ground with them, that's not eaſily had again. Who will takeup their*Quae…imus invidi. Ho…. Carm.l. 3. Od. 4 vertues? 'Twill be along work ere the like can be rear'd in their ſteads. They give the greateſt check to ſin, Judg. 2, 7. 10, 11, 19. the chiefeſt lift to good, Pſal. 75. 3. 2 Chro. 11. 17. They keep off ſtormes, Gen. 19. 22. Numb. 16. 45. Be they taken away? 'tis from ſomeiPſ. 12. 1 Ezec. 21. 3 4, 6. Mic: … 1, 2. iIſ 57. 1 2 Reg. 22: ult.evil to come. 'Tis well obſerved by ſome, what a number of our prime and choice old Standards we have loſt of late dayes. If the Lords hand be ſtretch't out further yet in this kinde, we may be left to green heads; to thoſe that be little better then*Iſa. 3. 2, 3 4. children; and what can we expect then? but to be caſt into a very ſad conditionkCedo qui v…ſtram Remp. tan…am, auriſiſtis tam cito—proveniebant O…at…r…s novi, ſtulti, adoleſcen…u…i, de Senect▪ p. 238. Tu…ie tells us of a flouriſhing Common-wealth, that was quickly overthrown by men of that ſtamp.
We that had our abode by this renowned Champion, look upon his death as a moſt bitter blow to us. It concernes us more, (we know it too) then all the world beſides. We cannot but ſee our own ſin, haling and pulling this great burden upon us. We did not know what we did enjoy, whileſt we had him to put on ornaments upon us, better then thoſe of gold upon our apparel. We have cauſe enough to lift up our voices, and to weep over him, again and again too, (as they did overl2 Sam. 3. …4. Abner, and Achilles, over hismHomer. I…ad. Σ & Υ. Patrecl. s) he's not buried to this day, nor will he be in haſte. As often as any new trouble is ſtarted in body or minde, and begins to ſit cloſe to us, to ours; our wound bleeds afreſh, and we cannot but indulge our ſelves in it; (as B…za did after*In Praeſante Com. Calv. in E. zech. Calvin was gone to reſt) hoping our heart, ſhall be fitted for the due and deſired effect of it, at the laſt. But when all comes to all, we muſt learn to ſubmit to the only wiſe God, and endeavour now to fetch that from the fountain, that we have loſt in the Ciſtern.
'Tis beſides my purpoſe to ſet out a Narrative of his life, or to dwell upon that, that may ſavour of glorying in the fleſh. He was very farre from that (with famous*Ab omni ſpecie foreign alieniſſimus. Jun. in Orat. funeb. Urſinus) all his life long; and he hath better things to embelliſh him, now, after his deceaſe. And yet he was not behind in matters of that kind, if there were any liſt to look that way. He was*An. 1586 borne in Gloceſter, of good Parentage, deſcended from an ancient family of the Gentry (of his own name) in Herefordſhire, and of Alliance to the Lord Capel, (but he had learnt with brave Philpot, to tread that under his feet *Act. & Mon. Vol. 3. p. 541) His father was a ſtout man, and an Alderman of the City: a faſt friend to Mr. Tho. Prior firſt, and afterwards to Mt. John Work…an, (having had a principal hand in the drawing of him thither,) both of them mine ancient and faithful friends; and men of great ſufficiencie for the preaching of the Goſpel, and inſtruments that the Lord made much uſe of, for the advancing of the true ſaving knowledge of himſelf, and for the ſetting up of the real and ſubſtantial power of godlineſs, in that city; during their times. His elder brother is an Alderman there, at this day.
His Youth is quite out of my reach. His eminency for Learning was great, whileſt he was yet in the Univerſity of Oxford: where he was Fellow of Magdalene-Colledge, and had the breeding up of ſome there that proved excellent Scholars: Dr. Frewen by name, (a thankful man to him for his education) and famous Mr. Pemble, who ended his dayes at his houſe. His attendance at Court, upon the chiefeſt Favourite, (in the dayes of that learned King, King James, of famous memory,) would have put him on in the way of preferment, if his thoughts had been that way bent; where he continued till the death of Sir Thomas Overbury, that learned Knight, his very friend indeed, and then he bade adieu to that courſe of life.
As for his inward ſtormes; they were very many, and exceeding bitter, (together with a number of bodily infirmities, attending him in his younger yeares) but it was well for him, that he bore the yoke in his youth. And none, that I know, can now ſet out theſe to any purpoſe, (if ever an occaſion be offered) but that eminent and learned Divine, Dr. Harris, that knew ſo much of his*See his Preface before Brad…ord, Sermon of R … pentance. temptations and deſettions, by reaſon of that intimate acquaintance he had with him in thoſe dayes, (being his Kinſman beſides) occaſioned the more, by the often recourſe he had then into thoſe parts, for the fetching of ſome ſpiritual refreſhing from that Divine of Divines, Mr. John Dod, that was both able and willing to ſpeak a word in ſeaſon to a broken and a contrite heart.
Mine intent is only (as*Exmultis pauca decerpemus. in Orat. Funcb. Junius did with Urſine,) to pitch upon ſome few things of many; and to confine my ſelfe to what I know of mine own certain knowledge: having had the favour to ſtand in the repute of more then a common friend of his, for above theſe thirty yeares together. And this I muſt needs ſay,
I.1. For the eminencie of his parts. I never came near any that came near him, in all particulars. The moſt even of our moſt highflowen Eagles, have commonly ſome peculiar Sparta, which they adorne well, and do very good ſervice in it, to Chriſt and his Church; but this man had graſp't all good learning; and made every thing his own ſo evenly to ſee to, that he was as expert in his way, as Hector inbforeign. 11. H. Homer, and would with Cato the elder be up in thecFortiſſimus, peritiſſimus, eloquentiſſimu…. Liv. dec. 5. l. 9 p. 182▪ height, in all that ever he was to act in.
Melancthon would ſay of Pomeranus, he was the Grammarian: of himſelf, he was the Logician: of Juſ…us Jonas, he was the Oratour: but of Luther, he wasdOmnia in omnibus. Adam. in vit. Luth. p 170. all in all. Here was one would fetch out Luthers mark, if he liſt to turn to the School or to Caſe-Divinity; to Auſtin or Chryſostome, Galen or Hippocrates, Ariſtotle or Tully, to Hiſtory or Philoſophy, to the Arts or Tongues; who could tell but himſelf, which he was leaſt verſed in? He was a very living Library, a full ſtore-houſe of all kinde of good Literature, no leſſe then a little Univerſity; the Mirrour of our parts; above the envie of all that I knew. The leaſt draught of his pencil would have told any aPlin. Nat. Hiſt…l. 35 c. 10. p. 340, 341Protogenes, he had been the Apelles. He excell'd in all that ever I ſaw he would ſet his hand to, unleſſe it were in his utterance, in the publick Congregation, and therein I muſt needs confeſſe he had a great defectiveneſſe.
God gave him great underſtanding of the times, to know what Iſrael b1 Chron. 12. 32ought to do. He ſtood upon the Watch-tower, and ſaw what was hid from moſt of our eyes, and being quick ofcI…. 11. 3. in the margin. Sent, in the feare of the Lord, he gave timely notice to ſome that d Quotquot ibi eſſent doct… homines, …on eſſe tam doct…s, ut intelligerent, quanta eſſet doctriua ejus. Adam. in vit. Melanct. p. 330.ſtood in place; which had it been heeded, we had never been ſo fearfully peſtered with thoſe Hydraes heads, that are now ſtarting up afreſh daily, to the great diſturbance of our people.
Simler ſaid of Melancthon at his going from Tubing, that none of the learned men there, how many ſoever they were, had ſo much learning, as to know the great learning that was in that man. Too too many of us were ſick of the ſame diſëaſe: we knew not the depth in this mans breaſt. We had many a man in this one man, even all Scholarſhip epito nized in this profound Clerk. And yet for all this, that great bleſſing he had, which he himſelf obſerved, as a ſingular favour vouchſafed to Dr. John Rainolds, that great Oracle of Oxford, that he never ſet on foot any manner of new opinion. The like is obſerved of learned Dr. aNullam propriam & peculiarem ſententiam ampl…xus eſt, praeter ſanam doct…inam in Eccleſia Dei receptam. Abd. Aſtit. in ejus vit. p. 47.Whitakers ſtiled the Oracle of Cambridge, and the Miracle of the world. A mercy, that moſt men of bFere omnes magni Nominis Theologi in veteri via novam ſemi…am quaecentes. ib. ex Hier. II.ſuperlative parts, uſe not to be too rich in. There's ſcarce any ſtrong braine without ſome ſtrange fancie. If the great wits of our times had kept themſelves cloſe to the ſteps of theſe rare Divines, we had never ſeen the ſorrows that we now ſigh and groan under; and would be glad to be ſhift on if we knew how.
2. For the excellency of his preaching▪ Wherein, if I miſtake not (as I think I do not) he excell'd all men, I am ſure all that ever. I came near, (without the diſparaging of any.) There be a great many that I know; and a many-many more there be that I know not, (the Lord encreaſe their number) that be ſingularly well-fitted for this great emploiment. Worthies they be, and muſt be, as well as thoſe were, that attained not to the firſt *2 Sam. 23. 19three. This mans lot fell in the foremoſt rank. He was an Interpreter one of a thouſand. His underſtanding was ſtrangely opened, for the underſtanding, and the opening of the Scriptures. He would bolt out that, out of the holy book of God, that would not come into any other mans conſideration; yet it ſhould be genuine; and evidently appearing to be the drift and meaning of the holy Ghoſt.
An intelligent man could never ſit at his feet, but he ſhould meet with that there, that would never fall from any other mans mouth, nor ever drop from any other mans pen. His words were as goads, as miles faſtned by the maſters of the Aſſemblies. They were edged with ſo much reaſon, re-enfo… ced from the lively Oracles, that they could not fall to the ground. 'Tis no wonder then that the creame of the whole Countrey (as they could have their opportunities) wouldaforeign. Luk. 19. ult hang upon his Miniſtry.
Yet, how plaine would he be in all his expreſſions! he would not deliver what he had from God in an unknown tongue; nor yet in termes that were too ſpruce and trim. He had learnt his leſſon well, of that great Apoſtle that came not with b1 Cor. 2. 4inricing words; nor with any other then ſuch as the very c1 Cor. 14. 18, 19 Sec Bez. in l…c.Catechumeni, the youngeſt beginners, might underſtand. He kept cloſe to the footin…s of our own choiceſt Worthies; famous Mr. Dod (that would ſay, ſo much Latine, was ſo much fleſh in a Sermon.) Maſter Cleaver, Maſter Hilderſam, and ſuch dSee Dr. Daven. in Col. p. 54. Dr. Tho. Taylor on Tit. p 245. Dr. Preſt. on Col. 3. … p. 99. 100, 102. Mr. Hieron. preachers plea. p. 534.holy men of God, led by the ſelf-ſame ſpirit. He would deliver the holy and wholſome truth of God, in ſuch an holy and wholſome way, that it bred very good blood in the hearts of the hearers. He would ſtoop ſo low as to ſpeak to our poor countrey-people, in their own proper dialect, ſo as they could not but even ſee, and feel, and finde out God; and be occaſioned to ſpeak of him all the week after. If he came to a deep myſtery, he would make it plaine to the ſhalloweſt capacity. What ever he fell upon, he would follow it ſo divine-like, that the hearts of his Auditors would be rapt up into heaven, whileſt they heard him winding and turning a point of Divinity, like a workman that needed not to be aſhamed.
Whereas, now-a-dayes, whileſt ſome of our beſt Divines, ſeeme to be too much taken up with quaint and hiſtorical flouriſhes, there's a ſenſible decay in the power of godlineſſe amongſt us▪ An Exotick tongue, in the publick Congregation (whatever men think of it) is ſet out as a e… Cor. 14 21▪ 22. See Bez. and …ar. in loc. See Juu. parallel. p. 290.ſigne of diſpleaſure. It feeds ſuch humours as would be purged. it had no good effect in the Church of Corinth. Mens wits will wax wanton, when they be not over-awed by the plaine power of Gods Word. When Preachers keep not cloſe to the very f1 Tim. 6. 3 foreignwords of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and to the doctrine that is according unto godlineſſe; but love to be tampering with anothergforeign doctrine, though not with another in the maine, but even in the manner of the delivery onelyonly (as when it ſavours too much of the pomp of humane Eloquence, ſaith hin 1 Tim. 1. 3Calvine; when it differs from the ſtile of the holy Ghoſt, ſaith iin 1 Tim. 6. 3Danaeus,) the people be in danger of turning aſide to vain jangling, to perverſe diſputings, deſiring to be teachers; and ſuch like matters. The gilt upon the pill, may pleaſe the eye, but it profits not the patient. The paint upon the glaſſe, may feed the fancy, but the room is not well lighted by it. The ſword of Gods Spirit can never wound ſo deep, till it be pluckt out of theſe gaudy ſcabbards. kNuda verit…s. Nuda Grati….Nakedneſſe deforms too too many in theſe days, but it is the beſt garniſhing truth can have. A ſober dreſſe beſt becomes a grave Matron. There be l1 Cor. 2. 13words as well as things, which the holy Ghoſt teacheth. The Arrows fetcht out of Gods own quiver will pierce the deepeſt, and make the people fall the ſooneſt under Chriſt. The weakneſſe of God is ſtronger then men. Pauls weapons were mighty. The ſincere milk of the Word, will make Gods babes to grow beſt.
This curious age is too too much given to affectation of Words; as a mDoctor Wilkinſon. epiſt. to the Reader before Bradfords Sermon of repentance.good friend of mine, hath well obſerved. And Doctor Sibs was wont to ſay, that great affectation and good affection, ſeldome go together. The ſwelling words of vanity, may tickle the eare, tip the tongue, pleaſe in matters of diſcourſe; but when it comes to puſh of pike, they afford but little comfort. This grave Divine had another manner of wiſdom then that of Words. He was made an able Miniſter of the New Teſtament, not of the letter, but of the ſpirit; that hath given,nforeign 2 Cor. 3. 6 doth give, and will give life. Having this hope then, he uſed great plainneſſe of ſpeech; and by the manifeſtation of the truth, He commended himſelf to every mans conſcience, in the ſight of God; and hath ſo well ſeaſoned the country, that I hope the fruit will remain, and be ſeene many a yeare hence.
III.3. For the livelineſſe of his prayers. He was a man that had a very large meaſure of that ſpirit of grace, that is the ſpirit of ſupplication. He was ſo well fitted for the opening of his minde to God, as if with holyaActs and Mon. Vol. 3. p. 241. Bradford, he had been almoſt ever upon his knees; he could tell his own errand, or any other mans, at the Throne of grace; with as good freedome, and to as good purpoſe, as any man living. He would not be raſh with his mouth, when he came before God; nor ſet out what he had to ſay, there, with painted eloquence or court-like complement; but his mouth ſhould be filled with ſuch ſavoury arguments, as very well became an humble ſuppliant. He would be farre from thoſe battologies and miſerable extravagancies, that the greateſt part of us be ſo ſorely haunted with. He would poure out his ſoul to God, at all manner of times, upon all manner of occaſions, with all manner of prayer and ſupplication; and with that admirable variety of all ſorts of quickning and feeling meditation, that it would even raviſh their hearts, that could be ſo happy as to partake with him.
Yet for all this, He was clear in his opinion, for the lawfulneſ…e of the uſe of ſet formes;b▪ Calv. ep. 55. p 69 Perk. Ca…es p. 67. Ames Caſ. p. 190 T. C. great. Catechiſ. p. 256. Atterſol. Numb. p. 424 Hil. Pſ. …1. p. 63 Dr Preſt. on John 1. 16. according to the tenet of all the beſt Divines that ever I met with, that were in their cold blood: (and much heed is not to be given to what any man ſaith, that's in the height of his ſick fit;) and according to the practice of all Churches, even the beſt reformed; ſaith cThe ſeven Treat. p. 240Maſter Rogers, now and ever; ſaith dPſ. 51 p. 63Mr. Hilderſam: nay eUpon the Lords pray. p. 24. & 26▪Mr. Smith himſelf, ſaith, (who was warping at that very time, and afterwards wandered farre in the wayes of the ſeparation) it was the practice of the ancient Church, and of all the reformed Churches in Chriſtendome; of the Church immediately after the Apoſtles; nay (ſaith he) of the Church in the time of the Apoſtles, as may probably be gathered out of 1 Cor. 14. 26. this hath been the practice alſo of the very beſt fCalv praeca…io quaeuti perpetuo ſolebat. Ant comment. in Ez…ch. Pa…aeus ante comment in Jacob.lights that ever were ſet up in the Churches of Chriſt. 'Tis very well known, that the flower of our own Divines, went on in this way, when they might have done otherwiſe, if they had pleaſed; in their prayer before theirgDr. Sibbs before his Serm. on Joh. 14. 1. Mr. Hilder. before his doctr. of faſting. Dr. Dowuham. Dr. John Burgeſſe. Mr. Richard Stock. Maſter Nich. Byfield. Sermons. Nay, Mr. Dod his own ſelf (as I have been often told by this great Divine) would ſeldome end his devotions in his own family, but with the uſe of the Lords prayer. Nay, yet more, hHiſt. Chri. part. 3. p. 535Mr. Cartwright thinks it very ptobable, that Chriſt, his own ſelf made uſe of a ſet-form at meals.
'Tis not good to caſt ſtones of offence, before our weak brethren, that be of meaner parts, wanting in ability, memory, or audacity; that they be not taken off from, or diſheartened in this neceſſary ſervice. Nor may we lay a trap for our own feet. Who knowes what times may paſſe over him? If God plunge us in the ditch, and leave us labouring in the nooſe; the loftieſt of us all may be faine to take relief from theſe poor contemptible props, and crutches, (as ſome do deeme them.) When the ſoul's ſo troubled, that itiPſ. 77. 4 cannot ſpeak, but chatter onelyonly, like a Crane or Swallow; when 'tis ſo full of grief, that it can no more then ſigh and groane, and kPſal. 55. 2 foreign tumultuor. vat.make a confuſed noiſe; 'twill be glad to catch at any thing, to give it ſelf vent by. Dr. lPref: before Bradfords Ser. of repent.Harris tells us of a ſecond Bradford, that in time of his diſtreſſe, was fain to adopt Mr. Bradfords words, and to ſpread them before God as his own: becauſe he had ſaid more for him, (as he thought) then he could ſay for himſelf. I knew a rare and eminent Divine, indeed (that would be as often upon his bended knees, as any man, that ever I converſed with;) that would ſometimes be in ſuch dumps, that he had no more to ſet before God, …o give his heart eaſe by, then the words of David in the one and fiftieth Pſalm. Well might then this knowing Divine of ours, that had been ſo toſſed with tempeſts be tender of that, that might be in ſuch ſtead, for poore trembling hearts in a ſtormy day.
Get to God then as thou canſt; ſad diſtempers be upon our people. Spiritual judgments be the ſoreſt judgments. What if thou haſt but theaMat. 26. 44. Heb. 10 11 ſelf-ſame words? The ſong of Moſes was abApoc. 14. 3. and 15. 3 new ſong, tendered to God with new affections. What if the petitions be cExod. 14. 10, 11, 12 Joſh. 24. 7 Rom. 8. 26broken, confuſed; This poore dPſa. 34. 6man cried, ſaith the Text, when he was in a poore caſe indeed; like a e1 Sam. 21 13bedlam, and yet he was heard. The leſſer liſping children ſome-whiles have the grant; when thoſe that be of greater maturity, ſeeme to be fet aſide: Whileſt Moſes his hands were up (though in a poor way) Iſrael had the better. Who can tell what God may do? Abraham left asking ere God left granting, even for a filthy Sodome. Remember Latimers fActs and Mon. Vol. 3. p. 463once-again, once-again; tugg and wraſtle. We may come to ſee, and our people may be made to know, that their heart is g1 Reg. 18. 37turned back-again, to the God of their fathers.
IV.For the ſoundneſſe and ſettledneſse of his judgement. He pitcht at firſt upon a good foundation, and beinghforeign, 1 Tim. 4. 6 See Bez. in loc. nouriſhed up in the words of faith, He continued in the things he had learned and beene well aſſured of, knowing from whom he had received them. He was with Socrates an aDiog. Laert. p. 103foreign, grounded in his opinion; one that ſtood like a brazen wall, as firme as a very rock, (with Virgils bAeneid. 7Latinus) in the midſt of all the daſhings, and claſhings of tempeſtuous times. He ſaw with a cleare eye, thorow all the painted gloſſes of thoſe that were given to change; and therefore was not moved at all, with any thing ſaid or done in that kinde. He was true to his Religion, and clave cloſe all along to his firſt principles; holding faſt the faith that was cJude 3once, and (as he himſelf would often expreſſe it) but once delivered to the Saints. He lived and died a true Orthodox Divine, according to the knowne doctrine of the Church of England. He knew full well, for all the great talk of the Goſſpel, as though it were but newly dropt out of the clouds, that there is not any other Goſſpel, Apoc. 14 8then the everlaſting Goſpel, that was Gal. 3. 8preached before unto Abraham, and hath been entertained all along, ſtill by Gods faithful people, and ſhall be ſo continually, to the worlds end. But ſome there be (no mean pretenders to the Goſpel) that be in great danger of perverting the Goſpel of Jeſus Gal. 1. 7Chriſt.
This ſtable man, was ſet up as a ſure Seamark. Stand to his ſteps, though we ſtand alone. God and a good conſcience, be very good company. Elijah was but one, yet did very good ſervice. One dHiſt. Tripartit.Athanaſius in the Eaſt; one Hilary in the Weſt; was of mighty great uſe in a ſtaggering time. What if we meet with ſtormes? 'Tis but a poore Religion that's not worth ſuffering for. 'Twill turn toaLuk. 21 13 a teſtimony; When the wilde humour is ſpent, men will look home againe. A Mercuries ſtatue will be lookt upon then. Thoſe poor ſilly ſouls, that be toſſed to and fro, andbforeign. Eph. 4. 14 whirl'd about and about again with every winde of doctrine, will be glad of ſuch a ſight, in the day of their viſitation. Whereas if they that know, or ſhould know more of God, be not ſteady in their ſteering, but varying their courſe: poor bewilder'd hearts will be at their wits ends, not knowing which way to turne, nor to whom to goe, nor whom to walke after.
As there is but one God, ſo there is but one Faith, one Baptiſm; cJer. 32. 39one way to eternal life: one Rule for us all to walk by. Why be we not then all of one heart? all in one tract? ſo many men as we ſee, ſo many mindes there be. Every eChriſtian…s menſtruam fidem hab…re proverbium fuit, Parae. in Apoc. p. 611monethmonth (almoſt) a new faith. 'Tis eaſie to ſwim with the tyde; to perſwade the heart of the rectitude of that, that's turn'd up trump by the times; and yet to pretend ſtill 'tis from more light. We may talk of the Spirit; butfforeign See 1 Cor. 1. 10. & 3. 3, 4. Schiſm is a fruit of the fleſh. The old way is the good way; he ſhal ſtumble and hamper his feet, that ſwerves from the gJo…. 18: 15ancient pathes. What's got by gadding? men itch for change ſtill. There's no reſt but with our firſtaHoſ. 2. 7 husband. 'Tis good to be all of one minde in God. Where's not unitie in judgement, there's ſcarcely unity in affection. Too fierce we be againſt ſuch as cloſe not with our notitions. It wasbActs and Mon Vol. 1. p. 261 Bell, Book, and Candle once; 'tis not much better now. Wild-fire flies amaine. We cannot all cut to a thread, there will be ſome variation in the compaſie; but whileſt we aime at the white, thecP…ſſumus de quibuſdam rebus ſalva charitate, & pace diſſentire. Whitaker. in conc. ult …x Auguſtino. p. 3 oddes is to be paſſed by, without bitterneſſe. Why ſhould there be ſuch huge rents and diviſions in the Church? Wheres our forbearance? We have not yet learnt our leſſon well, to wait one for another, till God ſhall reveale, Phil. 3. 15. Whileſt we be ſo ſharp in our conteſts, Satan makes his Markets;dVeritas altercando amittitur. Serran. in Eccl. p. 299 Religion goes to wrack; our differenceseEraſmus and Luther were of the ſame mind with the Tigurines about the Sacrament til▪ he contention grew hot. Adams in vit. Leon. Jud. but afterwards how far they flew off, 'tis too well known. widen; Some be ready to give up all, ſeeing there's no better harmony; others could wiſh themſelves well out of the world, that they may be delivered (as Melanchthon ſaith) from thedVeritas altercando amittitur. Serran. in Eccl. p. 299 implacable differences, even of ſome Divines. Hearken to God: He would have the truthgforeign, Eph. 4. 15. followed, but in love, If the Word will not ſway; the croſſe will come; and ſet anhActs and Mon. Vol. 3. p. 147. Hooper and a Ridley to the embracing of one another.f Ab in manibus & implaca… bilibus odiis Theologorum. Ad. in vit. Strigelii p. 427.
Fall upon that one and only ſolid way of God: and ſtick there. Be we ſtedfaſt men. It was once the MartyrsaAct. & …. ſtile, it will ever be the good mans glory. Get we then to God: he can ſtabliſh the ſhuttle heart, 2 Cor. 1. 21. See the judgement be ſo rightly ſet, Iſ. 33. 6. and the heart ſo firmly knit to God and his Truth; he thatbEx. 21. 5, 6 loved his Maſter would not leave his Maſter. Tamper we not with opinions, 2 Pet. 3. 17. nor with opinionativec1 Tim. 6. 5 men, Rom. 16. 17, 18. nor yet with books that ſcatter Tares. This gravedTent. 4. par. p. 250 Divine himſelf, gives very good caution to this purpoſe, from famouseIn his 6. Ser. p. 172. See Hilderſam alſo, Pſ. 51. p. 7…9. Mr. Dod, a man of that vaſt experience. An honeſt heart may be ſorely puzled with a forked Argument, The Martyr could die for Chriſt, that could notfActs & Mon. Vol. 3 diſpute for him. Some pretend, they muſt trie all things, but they ſpeak beſides thegSee Dr. Tho Taylor in loc p 52. book. Who will try Ratsbane, or a ſharp ſword, whether it will pierce into his bowels? Some think to withdraw when they ſee danger: but Satan is ſubtile; venome will get in we know not how; and errour willh… Ti. 2. 17 ſtick and eate. What gets the flie that goes whisking by the Candle? They that nibble at the bait, ſhall hardly 'ſcape the hook. Again, gingle not with termes that be improper in matters of Religion; they ſavour of ſingularity; breediU… ex dentibus Draconis in Cadmaea Hiſtoria, n… ta eſt ſobole…inter ſe dimicantium, ſic ex improprio ſermone, diſſidia Opi… nionum, in decemibus, & popu…o n… cuntur. Adam. in vit. R…gii. p. 80 rents and diviſions amongſt Preachers and People; and take off the minde from things more eſſential. Learned men have obſerved the advantage that hereticks got, by the unwarie ſpeeches of the Fathers. Some of Calvins expreſſions, not ſo well pondered, have done no great good to ſome in our times.aSer. in Eccl. p. 299 Neſto…ius fell into his hereſie, by defending an improper ſpeech of his: and Eutyches thinking to mend it, fell into the other extream. Dr. Thomas bProgreſs …o holineſs p 134. 135 & 154Taylour ſpeaks much to this point, to very good purpoſe: and tells us in Concluſion; If we will keep the faith of our Fathers, we muſt keep the words of our Fathers.
5. For the ſingleneſſe of his heart, he was with Jacob a plain man, Gen. 25. 27. that is, down-right honeſt, as 'tis in thecforeign Integer. Original; a very Nathanael, an Iſraelite indeed, John 1. 47. in whom, though there was ſome infirmity, yet there was no guiſe. He had a deal of the Wiſdom thats from above, and was as far from hypocriſie, as any man that ever I knew. If others were made of his mettal, Momus had no need to complain of the want of a window at any mans breaſt. He was what he was, in deed and in truth; without diſſimulation, very high in his conformity to thedAct. 2. 46 primitive Chriſtians; and left a brave Preſident to all that would be what they ſhould be in this particular.
We of this doubling and deceitful generation, had need to look about us, and ſee what was here ſet before us in Romane Characters, that we may learn to be more above-board in all our dealings. We are fallen into an Age, like that of the Prophets, wherein every one hath too much of the hypocrite. We may well cry, Help Lord, for the faithful faile; with a double heart and a double tongue do they ſpeak. The moſt be for all Tides and Times, for any manner of Mode, ſo as they can ſerve their own turnes by it.aIſa. 9. 17 Alcibiades could ſwagger it at Athens, take any paines at Thebes, live moſt ſparing at Lacedaemon, bib amongſt the Thracians, hunt amongſt the Perſians. Some can be any thing, but what they ſhould be. We had need to beware of men; when every brother will ſupplantbCorn. N▪ pos. ſer. 7. c. 11. bPro. 11. 9. The hypocrite with his mouth deſtroyes his neighbour. 'Tis good to be wiſe as the Serpent, but we muſt be innocent as the Dove. Though it be juſt with God that the doc iver ſhall be deceived: and ſomecFallere fallentem. like it well: yet will it not be juſt in us to do it. They that turn: aſide to crooked wayes, ſhall be led forth with the workers of iniquity. Pſal. 125. 5.
Plain-dealing is a jewel, yea, though it be in ſin; as this acute mandTent…t. part. 3 tells us. 'Tis a dainty fine thing in oureJoſh. 7. 20 21. Jer. 31. 18, 19. Iſa. 39. 4. Gen. 16. 8 confeſſing, repenting, and in all we are to act in. He that uſeth it (whatever men ſay or think) ſhall neither live, nor die afProv. 28. 22 begger. Down-right honeſty is the beſt policie. 'Tis delightful to God, Prov. 12. 22. 'twill be a comfort to us, 2 Cor. 1. 12. This is our rejoycing, we never eat our meat with more gladneſſe, then when with ſingleneſſe of heart, Act. 2. 46.
VI. Adamus in ejus vit. p. 327 At Eaſtington.6. For the uſefulneſs of his life. He was born for the common good with M…l…ncthon, and lived for the publike benefit of the whole Countrey.
Firſt, whileſt he was at his paſtoral charge: he gave himſelf fully and wholly to Reading, Exhortation and Doctrine: and his profiting appear'd to all; ſo that he was generally and juſtly reputed, a man approved of God, rightly dividing the Word of truth. 'Tis well known what paines he took, and to how good purpoſe, during the wholeaTwenty one years. time of his abode there: preaching twice conſtantly every Lords day; and lecturing (there) beſides one day weekly: though he had but an infirm body) until he was taken off by ſickneſſe: after that (his Sabbath-dayes work excepted) he preached only upon the feſtival dayes. His lips were touched with a coale from the Altar.bAdamus in ejus vit. p. 379 Muſculus his words, ſo would his, pierce like a two-edged ſword. He could be a Boanerges, but his bent was moſt to be a Son of Conſolation. He was a true Evangelical Preacher; and comforted many a drooping heart by his labours in publike, and gave abundance of ſatisfaction in private, to many troubled ſpirits, that uſed to reſort to him, out of all Countreys, both far and near.
And after this alſo, he ſhewed himſelf to be a Tree of Gods own planting, by bringing forth ſtill more fruit in his Age. When the times were ſuch, (ſome flying ſo extreamly high, the ceremonies being preſt with rigour, and ſuch grievous penalties inflicted) that he (being tender in matters of conformity) muſt needsaNov. 27. 1634. quit his Paſtors place. He betook himſelf then to his littlebAt Pitchcombe. Ap. 20. 1635 Cell, (as Samuel to his Ramah) that had never been look't upon if he had not come there (no more the Arpinum, if not for Tullie: nor Iſ…ebium and Bretta, if not for Luther and Melancthon,) and there he had more health and cheerineſſe of ſpirit then formerly, which he improved well for publick advantage, divers wayes.
1. In his falling upon the practice of Phyſick. His ſtudies had bent that way beforehand (foreſeeing what followed) yet he would do nothing in that kinde, (it not being his Calling) ſo long as that great Work lay upon him: But when he had quit that more ſpecial Tie of the Care of mens Soules, He took himſelf then to be ar more freedome; and (upon acJan. 1634 Licence ſent him by one that mightdThe Bp. of Glouceſter. authorize him) he fell upon the cure of mens bodies. And being of great ſufficiencie, his fame was quickly up. He was looked upon as a very Triſmegiſtus, and a ſecond Aeſculapius. He could do much at the diving into a diſeaſe, and in applying of medicines proper and fit. Not like ſome that will be tampering with that Profeſſion, and give their doſes*Medici ex Co…. E. ra. ch. p. 304 at Adventure. He was quick, yet in caſe of danger, he would weigh things well. In deſperate diſeaſes he would adventure far, according to the Rules of Reaſon: What he gave ſhould be ſafe; he mixed all with his own hands, he would ſtoop to the meaneſt; and ſerve all, at an eaſie rate. His recipees amounted not to the half, nor quarterth part of a common Apothecaries Bill. He was bleſt with good ſucceſſe; and had ſuch reſort, eſpecially towards his lattenend, out of our own, and other counties, that he had not time, to ſit at his own meales in quiet. Many times he was quite tired out: ſo God took him to his reſt.
2. In the words he would let fall. His tongue was a tree of life; his lips fed many. Who ever came near him, ſhould have ſomething dropping, (if he did but heed it) worth his carrying away with him. 'Tis true, he would be pleaſant, and jeſt more freely, then many did, or could well like. (Some of his beſt friends wiſht it had been otherwiſe) but there will be ſomething of humane infirmity cleaving to us all. Yet the times are to be conſidered, and the nature of a many with whom he had to deal, that could no more away, with a down-right blow, then ſome can away with ſound doctrine. And let me ſay this, that know it, there's never a prudent heart, but it might have pickt ſweet out of that, that ſome did moſt of all diſtaſte.aJobannes Grynaeus dicebat, pontifici Rom. Eraſmum plus nocuiſſe, jocando: quam Luth▪ ſtomachan. Adamus in vit. Gryn. p. 378 Eraſmus hurt the Pope more by his jeſting, then Luther by his ruffling. This man gave a deadlier blow to the iniquiry of the times, in his jocular way, then the beſt of us all can do in our moſt ſerious undertakings.
Let me further adde, he would be as ſerious as any man living, upon a juſt and fit occaſion; and would be as tender to troubled ſpirits, as heart could deſire. Ʋrbanus Regius, having one dayes converſe with Luther, ſaid it was one of theaAdam. in vit. Regii. p. 78 ſweeteſt days that ever he had in all his life: Some can ſay as much of this rare man; when they had him (as all might have had him) in the right vein.
3. In that faithful advice and counſel he would give; to all of all ſorts upon all emergent occaſions. It was ſaid in old time, they ſhall ask counſel at Abel b2 Sam. 20 18: and ſo they ended their matters. The common conflux, of almoſt all in our parts, hath been ſtill to his houſe. Oyntment and perfume rejoyce the heart; ſo did thecPro. 27. 9 ſweetneſſe of this man by his hearty counſel. He was to thee as another N…ſior; I found him ever a moſt faithful Achates; and therefore I made him (as Tully did his Atticus) my conſtant Aſylum, for many a year together. The light I had from him was a good cynoſura: His dexterous counſel, the Ariadne's threed, that led me out of many a perplexing Labyrinth. He was as that famous Augur indIliad. …. Homer; that could ſee things paſt, and preſent, and ſhrewdly gueſſe alſo at thoſe that were to come.eSenum confilia, Juvenum Lanceae. Chiliad. p. 607 Old mens counſels, (they ſay) are young mens lances.fBez. in eius vit. ad finem Calvines were very proſperous: ſo were his. Many a young Beginner, and tyred conflicter; fetcht all their beſt weapons out of this mans Armory.
4. In his preaching the Goſpel ſo freely, for the moſt part of his laſt twenty years. Freely he had received, and freely he would give. Not that he thought it unlawful for a Miniſter to take maintenance orto take that maintenance that hath been publickly ſet aſide in this land: for that He paid himſelf, and very duelie too (all the whole time of his preaching thus freely) to One that did not much in the work of the Miniſtry; and He did it upon this ground al(o, becauſe He knew it to be His due. I diſpute not his point with thoſe that be hampered in opinion; but heartily wiſh them, with all thoſe, that in theſe times be ſo extreamly defective in their practice: to conſider what hath befallen from the pens of pious men, that have been far enough off from being this way intereſſed. MaſteraHoe tempor… Chriſti veſtimenta partiantur—dum praedia pauperum & decimos Miniſtrorum ſubducentes, illa in proprios …ſus convert…n!; hau … dubie Chriſtum ipſumdenuo crucifixuri, ſi in terris eſſet. Hiſt. Chri. part. 3. p. 448 Cartwright writes (ſharply I confeſſe) they that take away the tythes of the Miniſters, and turne them to their own uſe; would doubtleſſe crucifie Chriſt Himſelfe again, if he were here upon Earth.bIn Cant. Serm. 8 p. 102 Beza ſpeaks of ſome, that leave Chriſt, as the ſouldiers did, which crucified Him; either ſtark naked, or but ſorrily clad: ſo to do (ſaith he) is not to love God, but the goods of God more then God. DoctorcUpon Oha. p. 42, 44, 45 John Rainolds ſaith, our Anceſtours provided Houſes, Glebeland, Tythes, and other profits, fot the maintenance of Paſtors; and a little after he ſaith, The Churches goods allotted to the maintenance of Paſtors and Teachers, are not profane but ſacred: and therefore the ſin of them, that purloine them is ſacriledge, not theft, wherein God is ſpoiled aProv. 20. 25. 'Tis a ſnare to devour that that's holy: and after vowes to make enquiry. Anan…as and Saphira were made a dreadful ſpectacle, for nimming of a little, of that that was ſet aſide for God. The Eagle fired her whole neſt, by one poor piece of fleſh pluckt from the Altar. I can propoſe this the more freely, becauſe 'tis well known, I never had one mites worth in tythes, in all my dayes, nor do I deſire it. The people of this land are curſed with a curſe, and will not ſee the cauſe of it; their robbing of God, Mal. 3. 8, 9. in tythes and offerings. When ſhall we prove God, and ſee if he will not pour us out a bleſſing, Mal. 3. 10. It would be a great joy to ſome, that ſhall get nothing by it, to hear the Iſrael of God, tuning it out once again before the Lord bDeut. 26 13, 14 Analyſ. in loc.: I have brought away the hallowed things, out of mine houſe: I hauehave not taken away ought thereof, for any unclean (that is common) uſe; ſaith [c] J…nius. For then they might ſay with heart and hope, Lord look down from thy holy habitation; and bleſſe thy people, and the Land that thou haſt given us, Deuter. 26. 15.
The practiſe of this knowing man, will ſway with ſome; that was ſuch a burning and ſhining lamp. The more to be admired, that it blaz'd ſo long, and ſo clearly too, without any of this ſublunary oyle. His minde was ſo well a-paid, with his ſmall gaine in Phyſick, together with what he had of his own temporal eſtate, that he would accept of nothing for his preaching, of any man living; though never ſo much preſſed and tendered. He took not himſelf bound, (as the caſe ſtood) to the labour of the Miniſtry; there being another incumbent in the place. What he did was meerly in love to God, & mens ſouls. He met with many diverſions; the tempeſts of the times; His own domeſtick troubles: age creeping one: ſtore of ſick and ſad people; recourſe of all ſorts; ſo that he had ſcarce an houreaUrſinus was then the moſt buſie, when 'twas thought he was leaſt buſie. Jun. in Orat. funcb. This man made his Sermon when 'twas leaſt imagined. free for ſtudy; yet nothing would take him off from this employment, till God took him off from all his labours.
5. In his living down the iniquity of the times. He did not onelyonly cry it down in his publick preaching, but gave it a more deadly blow in his contrary walking. Noah condemned the world, more by what hebHeb. 11. 7 did, then by what he ſaid. The way this man took, put ſome to a ſtand: cauſed others to relent and repent, and ſet ſome the more on, in the good and right way; whileſt they had his pattern, that could not be contradicted. Now that He's gone we have an harder taske; but God will carry on his owne work.VII
7. For his ſelf-denial. This is in every mans mouth: but hardly to be had in any mans practiſe. Selfe hath ever been, is and will be the great Diana, for all mens faire pretences. We read of him that could give goldenaRuth 4. 4, 6 words; but when it came to the point, he would not mar his inheritance. Self hath too great a ſtroke in the beſt of us all: both Preachers and Profeſſours, in Church and Common-wealth. It began to work betimes; we ſee in Pauls dayes, all ſought their own things, Phil. 2. 21. 'Tis now grown to a greater head, in this age: when we neither eat, nor drink, nor faſt, nor pray, nor do any thing (to ſpeak of) but too too apparently ſtillbZac. 7. 5, 6 for our ſelves. How much then was this brave man to be admired! ſeeing all that knew him, can beare him witneſſe, how far he ſurpaſſed in this rare grace! He could deny himſelf in his own underſtanding, and go after God in a way that he knewcHeb. 11. 8 not, in his own Will: when He that is above would lead him in a way that he woulddJoh. 21 18 not: and in his own affections too; when he came to be croſt in what he could have moſt deſired; ruling them by reaſon and religion (aseAriſtotle would ſay, foreign. Heſych. pag 14. a wiſe man ſhould) ſubjecting himſelf to bear with quietneſſe, what could not be helpt, without raiſing of too much duſt. 'Tis ſtrange to ſee how far he could deny himſelf, in apparel, diet, tendance; and in what not!
All that would be Chriſts Diſciples, are to fetch out this mark. 'Tis to be our firſt and laſt work; that we mayaMat. 16. 24 take up our croſſe and go after him. 'Tis ſelf that ſpoils all. It lies as a Jezabel in all our boſomes; and opens the door for the fouleſt enormities. It wants no varniſh, for that that's of foule aſpect; out comes its plauſible arguments; and it hath its ſeconds to ſooth thee, when thoubPſs. 49. 18 doeſt well to thy ſelf. It hath too great an hand, upon the very beſt men in theJer. 45, 5 very worſt times. We muſt ſeeto ſelf; and ſee that ſelf be ſubdued. Cut off that hand and foot that offends. Let ſinful ſelf die; and we our own ſelves (that have neither lived nor died to our ſelves) ſhall be ſure to have our ſelves (our ſoules and bodies) ſaved in the day of Chriſt Jeſus.
VIII.8. For his contempt of the world. He had gotten the ſtart of moſt men in that particular. He would be beating upon this point mainly, both in his publick preaching, and in his private conference, and ſhewed the reality of what he preſſed, when he came to act himſelf. He could not ſay, as Luther did, he never had temptation that way; but he kept himſelf far from any noted taint; nay from the leaſt ſuſpition of that foule crime, with famousdAlienus fuit ab omni Avaritiae ſuſpitione. vel minima. Abd Aſton in vit. p. 34 Whitakers. I have heard him often ſay, when he had things under his hand, he ſtill charged his ſervants to do what few men practice; never to ſet in corn, nor to bring home cattel, but to take as the Market would afford. All in theſe parts know, he was farre enough off from the uſing of indirect means to get; and I never knew any more willing to part with money, upon a juſt and fit occaſion, then he was. 'Tis well known, he gave over a living of good value; one of the beſt in all our parts, above twenty years before his death; and betook himſelf to a poor little corner, from which he would never be with-drawn; no more thenaLudovic. Lucius in ejus. vit. Muſculus from his Berne. And even there he might have pickt mens purſes, if he had been this way given. I have ſeen him many and many a time, put back money, and take but a ſmall matter, from thoſe that were able, and would have willingly given him more; They would force him to take it, but he would utterly refuſe it.
The greateſt part of men are willing he ſhould go on in this way by himſelf; few, or none care to foot it after him. All ſorts be ſeeking great things; Though the world was never more tickliſh. 'Tis or ſhould be well known, The love of the world, and of the Father, be not compatible. It deadens our ſpirits; bites us ſore; yet will our hearts be hankering that way. Our Religion is made a ſcorne by it, to thoſe that be but for the pot and pipe? when they ſee ſome of us, looking up towards God, yet bending our courſe ſo directly towardsb1 Tim. 6. … gain, as if it were the only godlineſſe. 'Tis ſad to ſee ſome that erſt-while would ſtraine at the leaſt gnat; ſwallowing downe Camels without any regret. Paul ſpeaks of ſuch with weeping, as of aforeign phil. 3. 18 See Bez. in loc.the enemies (with a witneſſe) of the Croſſe of Chriſt; and their end will be doleful, if they go on ſtill to minde earthly things. See to the world; (though we muſt be in it, and may have to do with it) that we love it not. Sue out our divorce, and do it more fully; be more perfectly linkt to our head; by whom the world is crucified unto us, and we unto the world; tugge hard for a further ſupply of ſpirit and of grace; keeping our eyes more fully fixt upon the City, that hath foundations, and the world will fall under our feet.
IX.9. For his great humility. This was the grace that graced all the good that was in him. He would be often ſpeaking of what he heard concerning Doctor John Rainolds bDr. Smith Biſhop of Glouceſ. that made the large preface before the great Church Bibles.one would ſay it, that knew it. He was as learned a man as any was in the world; as godly, as learned; and as humble, as godly. This man loved and reverenced the Doctor; and trod in his ſteps. He left us a rare extract in humility. He could ſpeak with tongues more then we all; yet would he never make uſe of them in the publick Congregation. He would honour all men; acknowledge the gifts and parts of thoſe that were farre below him; and rejoyce in them; ascActs and Mon. Vol. 3. p. 153 Hooper in the blinde boy. He would not meddle in things that were too high, nor intrench upon that that was beyond his ſphere. He would not ſtand in the place of great men. He could refuſe honours,aLudovic. Lucius in e…us vita as Muſculus did; and content himſelf with plaine and mean things. Caj…tan (thebRainolds conf. 72 flower of the Cardinals) would never be in his ſilks, nor braveries; but keep hiscEpiſt ante eius comm. in proverb. old faſhion to his lives end.dCamerar. in tius vit. p. 66 Melanchthon would not diſdain to do that, that the meaneſt ſervant would ſcarcely have put his hand to. So here, and he would beare things that went awry, with very much temper. Moderation he would preſſe, and moderation he would practice.eAdam in vit. p. 20 Staupicius ſaid to Luther concerning his own government; in the firſt three years. He did all according to the utmoſt rigour; & that would not do: in the next three years he did all according to the Lawes and Councels of the Anceſtours, and that would not hit; in the third Triennial, He did all according to the Will of God; and yet that would not ſucceed. And then he was faine to be content with what he could have.
I touch not on this, for the heartning on of any in any baſe or vile way; but to help my ſelf, and ſome others of pious diſpoſitions to a fitter medicine for things amiſſe, then ſome-whiles we hit on. An Artiſt will be loath to pitch upon that to mend things; which will make them worſe. Let this mans patterne (together with braveaActs and Mon. Vol. 3. p. 633 Cranmers) be paſted up before our faces. Tis not for us to fill the Houſes, Congregations, places, where we come with combuſtion; nor to caſt them into broiles, by bitterneſſe. When we have the repute of Lambs abroad; we muſt not be lions at home. God hath called us to peace. The ſervant of the Lord muſt not ſtrive, but be gentle to all men. The words of the wiſe will be heard in quiet, more then the cry of him that rules among fooles. 'Tis better to be of an humble ſpirit with the lowly; then to divide the ſpoile with the proud. All our things are to be done in charity; and none thorough ſtrife, nor vain-glory. This prudent man,bp. 11. and 49. and 56 mindes us more then once or twice in the enſuing Tract that there's no ſuch power in the Church, as ſome look after; ſeeing all the power the Church hath as Church; is rather Miniſterial then authoritative: 'Twas once lookt upon as an hateful crime, to be Lording it over Gods heritage. We may not come nigh that, that hath ſuch an ill reſent. By ſoaring too high, we have loſt our ſelves too much already. We are brought to the duſt, and laid full low; and muſt all of us now learn to beare the ſhame of it. Holy Bradfords old medicine is the beſt hope that's left us.cActs and Mon. Vol. 3. p. 307 Repent, repent. It will ſtrike the ſtroke, if we repent in deed, and repent in truth; and repent of that that hath let in the ſtorme upon us. (But there's little of that in ſight, yet) Hezekiah humbled himſelf, and found it a fit ſalve for ſuch a diſeaſe as ours is. If we can hit it right, to humble our ſelves under the mighty hand of God; we ſhall be exalted in the true and due time, 1 Pet. 5. 6.
Here's a taſte, and but a little taſte (in this that is thus ſet forth) of the precious liquor, that was poured into this earthen veſſel. If I ſhould mention the quickneſſe of his apprehenſion, the ſtrength of his memory; His ſenſe of the publick evils; his paſſing by offences, his ſpecial regard to ſuch as loved their wives, and Miniſters; and the like; where ſhould I end that have exceeded already? Theſe and his other eminencies would be laid in oyle and lime by him that hath a better pencil. I have collected ſome ſcattered fragments, onelyonly, for mine owne, and ſome others, uſe; and have aſſayed to ſhew thoſe, that be more remote, that we had more in his life, then they had in his writings.
Towards his latter end, he met with ſome pinching griefs, which he bare with invincible fortitude; he would ſubmit, becauſe it was Gods will to have him ſo exerciſed. All of us muſt look to drink of the ſelf-ſame cup; our laſt dayes commonly be our worſt dayes,ain Pſal. 71. argum. as Mollerus obſerves, the clouds will be returning then after the rain. We muſt be taught to ſpeak it out, that we be but pilgrims: We muſt be more truely taken off from the World: more ripen'd and mellowed; and ſeaſon'd for God; and be made more ſerious in all our undertakings. Melanchthon would ſay,aSi nibil curarem, nihil orar rem. Adam. in …ius vit p. 258 if he had no cares, he would have no prayers. The comfort is, the time is but ſhort: the moſt and beſt of our treaſure is gone before, our hope is laid up in Heaven. Get we more communion with God; more faith, more patience; and put on the whole Armour of God; and we ſhall be able to ſtand, and withſtand, in the evill day.
This knowing man lookt upon ſtorms impending; r…joycing, he ſhould be in his grave before their fall; whether he came, according to thebforeign Job 5, 26 aſcending of a ſhock of corne in his ſeaſon. The Sabbath day was the laſt day of his life. The ſtrict obſervation whereof, I have heard him preſſe: He would ſay, we ſhould go to ſleepe that night with meat in our mouths (as it were,) That ſamecSept. 21 1656 Lords day he preached twice, taking his leave of the world, with preſſing faith in God. He repeated both his Sermons that night in his Familie, ſomewhat more largely then uſually: He read his Chapter alſo; went to prayer and to bedd, and died immediately, by that time the words were well out of his mouth. None of us muſt chooſe his own death; but who can deſire to die better then calling upon God, as Stephen did. He would often ſay, (if God ſaw it fit,) one had better die of a quick, then of a lingring death: ſuiting to Caeſars Sueton. in Jul. p. 65ſpeech. The ſuddenneſſe of the ſtroke was great trouble to ſome of us at the firſt; but ſince we have collected our thoughts, We muſt needs ſay, Gods way is the beſt. If he had had time, he would have been apt to diſpute, and ſo to haveAdamus in …ius vit. p. 261 been too hard for us all. Justus Jonas, Luthers great friend had much adoe at his death, to faſten upon any manner of comfort. It hath beene the caſe of many a choice man. God prevented it here.
This preſent Tract, is his laſt and beſt; I am ſure of moſt uſe. 'Tis but a piece of what was intended; as appears by the paper that was laſt tackt up for it; whereof, the fourth part is not written. But he had the juſteſt excuſe (as Ʋrſine for his inchoate Comment upon Iſaiah) beingMorte pr▪eveniente (quae omnium juſtiſſima …ſt excuſatio) Joh▪ Zacha▪ riae filius. in Ep. Ded taken off by death. If he had lived to review it, it would have beene more polite. But bleſſed be the Lord, we have it as it is. Who can ſufficiently admire the wiſdome of God, in ſetting of this able penne to work, upon ſuch an uſeful ſubject? for the laying a firm foundation, for a trembling heart to ground it ſelfe upon; when it may ſee it clearly made good, that it may ſafely pitch upon that Tranſlation of the holy Scripture, thats ſet before it in its native tongue. God ſtirred up the Spirit of this great Diſputer, to put in a ſeaſonable and a ſubſtantial barre, in a needful time, when ſome curious and quaint heads, opened the door ſo dangerouſly againſt all Tranſlations. Other opinions overthrow the faith of ſome few; but this ſtrikes at the root, and endeavours to deſtroy the faith of all that are not skill'd in the Original Tongues.*Pr…f. before Bains. Epheſ. Dr. Sibbs that worthy Divine, mine ancient acquaintance, and loving friend, hath a pretty obſervation; God hath raiſed up men (ſaith he) and gifted them proportionably to the times, to fence his truth, when it hath been oppoſed by men of ſtronger wits; as the ancient Fathers to deal with the Pagans and proud Hereticks; and Auſtin, to vindicate Gods Predeſtination and free Grace, out of the hands of the enemies of Grace, and Flatterers of Nature. So here, he moved the heart of this man of ſublime parts, that could …rapple with the ſtrongeſt, and argue with the ſubtilleſt, to clear this point about Tranſlations ſo fully, that there's no colour of ſcruple left now for the poor ſoul, that's willing to cloſe with the eternal Truth of God, ſet before it in its own Mothers Tongue.
So that I cannot but call upon, and encourage all much, that tender their own weale, to fall on with more boldneſſe and eagerneſs, upon the reading of the holy Scriptures, ſeeing now it is ſo infallibly proved by this man of a thouſand, that it is the very Word of God thats reached to them in that Tranſlation, that they have before them in the tongue, wherein they were borne. We of this Nation have great cauſe to bleſſe God, for that*King James. learned Prince, that cauſed our laſt and beſt Tranſlation: which hath gained an high Teſtimony, from a*Walaeus de Sab. p▪ 166 Accura▪tiſſima Ver…io Anglicana. learned Writer of a forreign Countrey: when he calls it the moſt accurate Tranſlation of the Engliſh.
Honour we then the reading of the Word of God, 1. In the publike Congregation, Deut. 31. 11. Ezra 8. 2, 3. Act. 15. 21. that is attended with the greateſt bleſſing, Ezra 8. 14, 16. Nehem. 13. 1, 3. 2. In our private houſes, 2 Reg. 22. 10. Jer. 36. 12. 15, 16. 3. In our proper Cloſets, or where we can have our opportunities. See Acts 8. 30. Apoc. 1. 3.
Reade ſo as we reade all, Joſh. 8. 34, 35. though it be never ſo difficult, 'tis given by inſpiration, and 'tis profitable. The veryaLavat▪ in Joſh. 19. p. 64. Craggs and Rocks have their phyſical he bs. We arebPaſcimur apertis exercemur obſcuris. Par. ex Aug. Praef. ante Gen. p. 13. fed by the clear, and tried by the obſcure. Theres ancPemble Perſ. Mon. p. 22 immanent, wheres not a tranſient power to edifie. Something is a going when we little think it: If it be but to humble us, that we cannot ſee the reaſon of the ſetting thoſe hard names together; The wiſdome of God is there, though man cannot fathom it; Beſides, it keeps our hearts in order; and gives us cauſe of thanks, when we meet with other things that be more facile, in things that be moſt eſſential. And reade indParrs Grounds. p. 28, 29 order; young Beginners, may take the New Teſtament firſt, (as being the eaſier,) and the Old after it. The Books be writ in Order, (Luke 1. 3.) Let them be reade in Order. Work goes on beſt, when men take it as 'tis before them. He that reades confuſedly, will come to little. He that takes the Bible as it lies, will get moſt good by it. See Neh. 8. 13, 14. Reade every day, Joſh. 1. 8. all the dayes of our lives,Parrs Grounds. p. 29 Deut. 17. 19. Pſal. 119. 96. Alphonſus King of Arragon, read the Bible over fourteen times, with ſome Comments upon it. Reade in thine own book; the King was to write him out a Copy of the Law for his own peculiar uſe, Deut. 17. 18.*Parrs Grounds. p. 32 Theodeſius the ſecond had writ out the New Teſtament with his own hand. Men ſhoot beſt in their own Bowes: work beſt with their own Tools. David did beſt with his own Scrip, and Sling. The ſide of the leafe is remembred, when the chapter and verſe cannot be thought on. Reade with the greateſt reverence, for it is the Word of God, See, Neh. 8. 3. 5, 6. with the beſt underſtanding, Mat. 24. 15. with ſincereſt affection; bringing our ſelves to the Bible, not the Bible to us. A Veile is upon them, that comes with prejudice, 2 Cor. 3. 14. and reade with heartie prayer unto God, thar he will open our eyes, Pſal. 119. 18. and ſanctifie our hearts, Pſal. 119. 36. and order our ſteps, Pſal. 119. 133. It will be elſe as a book ſealed up to us. See Iſa. 29. 11, 12.
The reſult of all is this. We muſt ſo reade, and ſo heare beſides, that there may be both an holy faith, and an holy life too. Nor this alone, not that by its own ſelfe: What God hath ſet together, let not us put aſunder. 'Twill but little availe a man to be ſound in his opinion, if he be looſe in his converſation; without holineſſe there is no ſeeing God, Heb. 12. 14. Nor will ſtrictneſs of Life be much advantageous, where there be rotten principles. He was utterly unclean (in the Law) that had the Leproſie in his head: and (under the Goſpel) men of corrupt mindes, have but a ſad character for all their forme of godlineſſe. See 2 Tim. 3. 5, 8, 13.*Adam. in vit. Bull ingeri. p. 484 Swenck feldius was a man of plauſible behaviour; and ſo was*Sie…d: …, 10 Rotman too, for a while. 'Tis no mean ſtroke to be given over to ſtrong deluſion. 2 The…. 2. 11, 12. Nor was it a light thing, which they received as a recompence of their errour, and yet it was but meet too, Rom. 1. 27. See then, that our faith be moſt holy, Jude 20. and that our lives be according 2 Pet. 3. 12. in all holy*Ev foreign converſations and godlineſſes: How ſhall we hold up our faces, before God, before men, in all caſes, conditions; and appear without ſpot in the day of Chriſt Jeſus?
Give attendance to reading. 'Tis too little thought on, even of ſome well-minded people. The Bible is the Book of Books; a full Store-houſe. There be Rules for all ſorts of perſons, young and old, Tit. 2. 2, 3. rich and poor; in all manner of conditions, proſperous and adverſe; in all caſes, whatſoever we ſhall be put upon; The*See Ex, 23. 13 See 1 Theſ. 5. 22. exacteſt Rules too, to keep a man ſo far from uſurie, that he ſhall not be as anuſurer, Exod. 22. 25. And thoſe that will be for his greateſt glory too, Deut. 4. 6, 7, 8. even in the eyes of common men. Here we ſhall meet with that that will enlighten our eyes, Pſal. 119. 130. Dan. 9. 2. humble our hearts, Deut. 17. 20. kill our ſins, Pſal. 119. 9. enable us againſt Satan, and all his temptations, 1 John 2. 14. Matth. 4. 4, 7, 10. ſtrengthen our faith, Rom. 10. 8. Though we have much ado to beleeve what we reade ſometimes; yet reading will maſter it.*Adam. in vit. Lutheri p. 165 Antonius Muſa complain'd to Luther, he had much ado his own ſelf to believe, what he preached to others; Luther was glad there was any as bad as himſelf, but the Word help't rhem, and it will help us. Here we ſhall have that, that will over-awe our hearts, Pſal. 119. 161. that will encreaſe our patience and our comfort, Rom. 15. 4. Here we ſhall have that, that will help in life, Prov. 16. 22. 23. and ſupport in death, Luke 2. 29.
And reade we ſhall, again and again too. If 1. We be ſo truly taken up with God: we ſhall then look upon the Scriptures as upon his*Hilderſ. Pſ. 51. p. 455 love-letters, Hoſ. 8. 12. 2. If we ſo truly taſte the ſweet thats there. See 1 Pet. 2. 2, 3. If we taſte we ſhall deſire. 3. If we be ſo much advantaged by the uſe of the other Ordinances. See Acts 8. 30. when he had been at Jeruſalem. So Acts 17. 11. 4. If we be ſo far above the world, as it doth become us. Martha was cumbred and could not heare, no more then we can reade when we be ſo clutter'd; but Mary ſate down at Chriſts feet, Luke 10. 41, 42. 5. If we be ſo willing to order our ſteps, to be ſo exact in our doings; then we ſhall ſee to that word thats a light and a lamp, Pſal. 119. 105. See 2 Reg. 22. 16. and 23. 2, 25. 6. If our hearts be ſo well be ſprinkled with the blood of Chriſt; See Heb. 9. 19. and Exod. 24. 7. 7. If we be ſo humbled under the ſenſe of that body of death we have about us; See how it was with Joſiah, 2 Chron. 34. 23, 30. when his heart was touched with the wickedneſſe of the time. He read, and ſo ſhall we when we have a ſenſe of the ſinne that is in us.
This Man of God, in this ſhort, but ſweet and elaborate diſcourſe that followes; hath cleared the way daintily, for poor, plain Chriſtians, to build upon the foundation of the Prophets and Apoſtles, in thoſe Tranſlations, that God in his great mercy, hath ſet before them. Here's the price put into*Pro. 17. 16 the hand, wheres the heart to uſe it? we can but call on men. 'Tis God muſt perſwade Japhet, to dwell in the Tents of Shem. He was touching a little, and but a little, upon mans imperfections, and upon the working of grace, whileſt it is here in this life; and God took him to the place where the ſoules of the juſt are made perfect, where grace is compleated in glory.
This brief and pithy piece, hath lien longer upon mine hand then I am wellpleaſed with. This I can ſay, 1. It was written in his faſt hand; and ſo it was the longer work ere it could be pickt out perfectly; by my ſelfe and ſome others, that beſt knew his writing. He was like*Adam, in vit, Muſe… li, p. 374 Bucer in this, he his own ſelfe could not reade his own hand, ſometimes in a monethmonth after he had writ it. 2. I have been letted by ſickneſſe, much upon my ſelfe, and ſome alſo in thoſe that be near me; beſides ſome other urgent occaſions. 3. Not being cut out for work of this nature, I had the more ado to ſatisſie my ſelfe in this thats let abroad (ſuch as it is) at the laſt.
I have been more large by farre then I intended: but 'tis for a friend, to whoſe memory I owe, as much as Philemon did to Paul, more then I can pay. 2. 'Tis for a man of men, the Phoenix of his Age, as 'twas ſaid of *Adam. in vit. p. 23…Beza. 3. Beſides, 'tis all that I intend (in this kinde) to trouble the world withal. God grant his bleſſing may attend it. I remain
Thine in Chriſt Jeſus. VAL. MARSHALL. Elmore, May the 20. 1658.