The True Dignity of Pauls Elder in the Life of Owen Stockton, Preface

The True Dignity of Pauls Elder in the Life of Owen Stockton · Preface

The true Dignity of St. Pauls Elder Exemplified In the Life of Mr. Owen Stockton.

The Preface.

IT hath been the vain-glorious practice of ſome men for the perpetuating of their memories beyond Death and Time to the fartheſt poſterity, to engrave their Names in Braſs or Marble, or to write them upon their Houſes and Lands, which yet Death and Time have wholly obliterated. But it is the Honour of many ſaints to be recorded in ſacred Scripture beyond all danger of Oblivion, as great examples of Piety and Holineſs towards God, and of ſervice to the Church of God in their generation. And God hath ſince by his providence in all ages ſecured to his more eminent ſaints and ſervants the like Honour, ſtirring up ſome ſurvivors to embalm their precious Name and memory, by recording and reporting the dead to poſterity in more laſting monuments, as great Inſtances of the Grace of God, ſpecial matter of his praiſe, and approved patterns as well for the encouragement as the imitation of the Living. How diſpiſed ſoever this excellent ſervant of Jeſus Chriſt, the ſubject we have to write of, hath been in the eyes of ſome of his Generation; yet I am perſuaded none of the worthies in the Church of God, that are gone before him, will count it any diſparagement to their Honour, that he be added to their number, whoſe precious Names ſurvive their death. The Records which have been made, and publiſhed of the Lives of many Excellent, and holy perſons, conſiſt for the moſt part only of Such paſſages, as have fallen under the obſervation of thoſe, who have more intimately, and frequently converſed with them; & many hands have Contributed to the collecting of ſome more remarkable words, and actions, which an Ingenious pen, in juſt honour to the Subject, improveth as Indices of thoſe ſingular accompliſhments of mind and heart, which are beyond the reach of the moſt obſervant Eye. And were there nothing elſe to be recovered, Concerning the ſubject before us, but what might be ſo collected, from the hands of thoſe, who had the happy advantage to know fully his Doctrine, manner of Life, Purpoſe, Faith, long Suffering, Charity, patience &c. I doubt not, but, if managed by a skillful pen, it would juſtly amount to ſuch a character of him, as might worthily render him, a more than Ordinary example of Faith, and Holineſs, of Scripturall knowledge and practice, as well to the preachers, as profeſſors of the Goſpel, of Chriſt, to the praiſe of the Glory, of the Grace of God. But their is leſs need of this in reference, to our ſubject. Himſelf having not only, in great meaſure prevented, and ſaved his friends that labour, and ſervice, but moreover diſcovered the inmoſt ſecrets of his heart, towards God, beyond all that could be known of him, by the Stricteſt obſervation of others. What hath been the advantagious practice, ſometimes (though very rare) of ſome eminent Servants of God, who have made Religion their buſineſs, viz. to write, Curriculum vita, the manner and courſe of their own life, appears to have been his. He not only kept a ſtrict Eye upon himſelf, and took ſpecial notice of his own heart, and wayes, and the manner of his ſpiritual living unto God, but leſt he ſhould forget, and render it uſeleſs, committed the ſame to paper, recording the dealings of God towards him, the workings of corruption, and grace, his Conflicts, and Temptations the ſecret Intercourſe, and Communion between God and his Soul, the approaches, and withdrawings of the Holy Spirit, his liftings up and caſtings down, the actings of Faith and Love, Divine aſſiſtance in Duty, return of prayers, the clearneſs of his evidences, and rejoycings of his hopes &c. Wherein the life and power of true Religion, doth more conſiſt than in all open and viſibel acts. Out of this Treaſury, which is enough to Supply a far larger volume, hath been fetched the greateſt part of that furniture which filleth theſe pages, and that moſtly in his own words. You that read may therefore imagine you hear this holy Prophet, beſpeaking you in the words of another Prophet, Come and read all ye that fear God, and I will tell you what he hath done for my ſoul. My own experience aſſureth me, that to thoſe who are engaged in the Spiritual War, and running the Chriſtian race, and have ſet their faces towards God, It will be uſeful, encouraging, delightful, and ſatisfactory to read ſo much of the ſenſe and feeling of their own hearts, in the experiences of this Bleſſed Saint. The greateſt part of whom, yet I believe will find cauſe to be aſhamed before God, ſeeing themſelves ſo far caſt behind, and may be provoked to mend their pace, in preſſing forward towards the mark, to which he hath attained. As for ſuch as reſt in their negative goodneſs, and commendable moralls, their form of Godlineſs and bodily exerciſe in religion, without the life and power thereof, who knows but they may be convinced, of the vanity of their hopes, and the ſandy foundation, whereon they have built them, and that yet they lack ſomething, while they read the thoughts, affections, and workings of his holy heart, his underſtanding improvement of the Holy Scriptures, and his Spiritual communion, with the Holy God, to which themſelves are altogether ſtrangers. But ſuch is the enmity, and contradiction of the carnal mind to the ſpirit, and grace of God that I cannot be without jealouſie, that much of what is true written will be matter of ſcorn, and deriſion to the profane Generation. However as the word of God delivered in the Scriptures, and diſpenſed in the Miniſtry thereof, hath its divers and contrary effects, upon diverſe & contrary ſubjects, whereon yet God knows how to raiſe his own Glory, ſo ſhall the ſame word Exemplified in the life of this now glorified ſaint, have the like effects on them that read it. To the humble and teachable it ſhall be in adjutorium, but to the ſcorners and deſpiſers in Teſtimonium.

p. 1THE RELATION.

MR. Owen Stockton was born in the City of Chicheſter, in the County of Suſſex, the laſt week of May, 1630. was the fourth Son of his Father Mr. Owen Stockton, a worthy Prebendary of that Cathedral, who was a younger brother of that ancient family of the Stocktons, of Kiddington Green in Cheſhire. About the ſeventh year of his age, his Father dyed and left the care of him, and his other Children, to their Mother, a pious Gentlewoman of the family of the Tilees, in Cambridgeſhire. She being a Widdow and ſtranger in Chicheſter; ſoon after the death of her Husband, returned to her native Country, and ſetled her ſelf at Ely, where was a very good Grammar School, under the Government of Mr. William Hitches, to whoſe care ſhe committed this her Son, for his education.

From a Child he was of great hopes, while yet a little Grammar Schollar, his inclination was ſuch as preſaged more than ordinary improvement. p. 2Looking once accidentally into Mr. Fox his Acts, and Monuments Eccleſiaſtical, in one of the pariſh Churches of that Town, and reading ſome little part thereof, he was ſo affected, with the knowledge of that Hiſtory, that he never ceaſed to ſupplicate his friends, till he had obtained one part of them, for his uſe. Wherein (declining the puerile recreations, to which his School-fellows addicted themſelves) for ſome years he ſpent, moſt of that time which he had vacant, and could redeem from his obliged attendance upon the School.

His judicious Maſter diſcerning in him a ready natural capacity, for learning and deſire after it, with induſtrious diligence▪ in ſtudy, (for though he ſpent, ſo great a part of his time out of School, in reading Hiſtory, yet withal he ſo performed his part and offices, in the School, as he never gave occaſion of correction or rebuke) and obſerving moreover his Conſtant daily attendance on the worſhip of God, according to the rules of the Schools. He earneſtly Commended him to his Mother, and perſuaded her to think of no other courſe or trade of life for him, but that he be prepared and ſent to the Univerſity; in order to the Office, and Work of the Miniſtry.

Accordingly not without his own inclination and choice being ſufficiently inſtructed, with Grammar Learning for Academical ſtudies, p. 3he was in the ſixteenth year of his age, viz. Jan. 2. 1645. admitted into Chriſts Colledge in Cambridge, under the Tuition of the Learned, Dr. Henry Moore. His years were not many, but his ſtature leſs, Inſomuch that for ſome time he could not paſs the ſtreets without ſpecial notice taken of him, and expreſſed on that account.

Nor was this only a vulgar obſervation, but ſuch alſo as fell under the Remark, of the late King Charles the firſt, who being brought to a Gentlemans houſe, by the Army night to Cambridge, and many Schollars coming thither in their habits, to ſee his Majeſty, was pleaſed to order that they ſhould be admitted to his Royall preſence, and kiſs his hand. Among whom this Coming in his order, His Majeſty made ſpecial obſervation of of him, and gave him his gracious benediction, ſaying, Here's a little Schollar indeed, God bleſs him.

His reſidence in the Colledge, was ſo conſtant, that during the whole time of his Undergraduacy, he was not abſent Communibus annis Conjunctim & diviſim, one month in a year. And his ſobriety ſuch that he abſtained not only from publick Houſes, but in other Company, and places from Wines, and and ſtrong Drink, as judging Nature in his age, to ſtand in no need of ſuch kind of helps.

After he had taken his degree of Batchelor, p. 4of Arts he reſided ſtill in the Colledge, applying himſelf ſeriouſly to the Study of Divinity, which he alwayes deſigned.

In purſuance whereof, whether by his own or others advice, I cannot ſay, he went to London, and ſpent ſome months there acquainting, himſelf with the principal Bookſellers, from whom he took an account, of the beſt writers in Divinity, of that time, frequenting the Library of Sion Colledge, and the Lectures at Greſham Colledge, applying himſelf to ſeveral Worthy Miniſters of the City, and attending on their exerciſes which were daily, that he might obſerve the variety, of mens Gifts and their ſeveral methods of Preaching. By which he made ſo great an Improvement of himſelf, that he hath often ſaid ſince, that if it ſhould pleaſe God to give him a Son of his own diſpoſed to the Miniſtery, He ſhould give it him as his particular advice, before he entred upon the work of preaching, to ſpend ſome months in London, in attending on thoſe learned Divines, which excelled in the Gift of preaching, wherewith that City is alwayes furniſhed.

Being much affected and pleaſed with this ſtudy, Reſolving to purſue it earneſtly, and prepare himſelf for the Work of the Miniſtry, He did privately, yet in a very ſolemn manner by faſting and prayer, make as it were a dedication, of himſelf to God for that ſervice.

When he was middle Batchelor, he was p. 5removed from Chriſts Colledge, and made Iunior Fellow, of Gonvile and Caius Colledge, about the beginning of the year, 1651. where after a years continuance, and probation of of his worth, he was tranſlated from that to a, Senior Fellowſhip, which he enjoyed during the ſpace of ſix years and upward. In which time he diſcharged the office of Steward to the Temporal, of Catechiſt and Conduct, to the Spiritual advantage of that Society.

Here it was that the Lord Trained up this his Diſciple to be a Scribe inſtructed for the Kingdom of God, furniſhing him ſo plentifully with Divine, and Spiritual knowledg (which he gained as well by experience, and obſervation of Gods dealing with him, and the operation of his Spirit upon his heart, as by induſtrious Study, and Meditation) that he could readily bring forth out of his Treaſure things new and old: Was able to ſpeak pertinently, ſutably, and ſeaſonably to the various Capacities, Conditions, and Caſes of Saints, and Sinners, and became an happy, powerful Inſtrument in the hand of God for the Converſion, Edification, Conſolation, and Salvation of many Souls.

His deſign and deſire being to ſerve the Lord Jeſus Chriſt in the Office and work of the Miniſtry, he directed the courſe of his Studies with ſpecial reſpect to that Service. And though his place and exerciſes in the Univerſity obliged him to the Study of Philoſophy, p. 6wherein he was equal to moſt; yet the Study of Divinity was his foreign. Not ſatisfying himſelf with the reading of the elaborate Writings of the moſt learned Divines, wherewith he furniſhed his Library at the Expence of ſome hundreds of pounds, he eſpecially addicted himſelf to the reading, and ſtudy of the Holy Scriptures, as containing the whole Counſel of God which, as his Miniſter, he was to declare to men. Which courſe of his ſtudy God ſo ſucceeded with his Bleſſing, that it may be truly ſaid of him what St. Luke ſaith of Apollos, Act. 18. 24. He was mighty in the Scriptures, his Head, Memory, Heart, and Tongue, were full of the Scriptures, whereof he hath given abundant Evidence by his Scriptural Catechiſm. In the opening, and applying whereof his Gift was excellent and peculiar. All that knew him and were acquainted with his Diſcourſe, Miniſtry, or Pen, muſt bear him that Teſtimony, with the holy Apoſtle St. Paul he preferred the Learning gotten at the feet of Chriſt, above all he had got at the feet of Gamaliel, and though he had the valuable accompliſhments of other learning, yet he determined not to know any thing ſave Jeſus Chriſt and him crucified. In which knowledge he was like Saul higher than moſt of his Brethren from the ſhoulders and upwards. I know none I can better compare him with, than that Eminent, and Powerful ſervant and Inſtrument of Jeſus Chriſt, Mr. Arthur Hilderſhaw p. 7whom I am prone to believe he propounded to himſelf as a Pattern for imitation.

But knowledge alone is not ſufficient inſtruction for a Miniſter of the Goſpel. It is no rare thing to find ſome great Schollars in the Theory of Scripture, who yet are but very ordinary Chriſtians, whoſe light like that of the Moon hath very cold influences. He is beſt accompliſhed whoſe knowing head effects his heart, and governs his life; who knows revealed truth as well by Spiritual ſenſe and Experience, as by Speculation. The Spirit of God is a Spirit of truth and of life too, Communicateth both grace and Gifts, and teacheth as well foreign as foreign. Both which conſiſted together in this excellent perſon. The word of God dwelt both in his Head and Heart and was effectually the Law of his Life. He was a Burning as well as Shinning Light: A man more than ordinarily mortified to the pleaſures of the Fleſh and vanities of the World; freely and reſolvedly devoted to the fear of God. His Converſation was in Heaven, his Communion with God, his Delight in the Saints, his Buſineſs Religion, his Zeal for Holineſs, his main Deſign the glorifying of God, and the Salvation of his own and others Souls. Whereof the following Pages will, I doubt not, be an abundant Evidence not only to the Charitable, but Rational judgment of the Chriſtian Reader.

As for his practice of Mortification, I ſhall not otherwiſe expreſs it than in his own words, p. 8as I read it in the records of the remarkable paſſages of his life by his own hand, but after he had a family, viz.

Having been foiled by the luſts of my own Heart ſeveral times, and conſidering what I ſhould do to get rid of thoſe luſts, which, had ſo often prevailed over me, God directed me to three ſeveral means. The one was ſuggeſted to me as I was walking in my garden and meditating on the affairs of my Soul, and that was to be more frequent in Eyeing, applying, and meditating on the promiſes; and the Scripture, which the Holy Spirit of God ſet before me for this end was 2 Pet. 1. 4. By the precious promiſes given to us, we eſcape the pollution that is in the world, through luſt. The other was ſuggeſted to me as I was hearing a Sermon, and that was to be daily applying the Lord Jeſus to my ſoul, grounded on Rom. 13. 13. 14. where the Apoſtle adviſeth to put on the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, as an help againſt chambering and wantonneſs, ſtrife and envying. The third was ſuggeſted to me as I was riding abroad, and diſcourſing of the things of God, which was Gal. 5. 16. Walk in the Spirit and ye ſhall not fulfill the luſts of the fleſh.

In purſuance of theſe means for the mortifying of the luſts of the fleſh, I determined with my ſelf, to Eye the promiſes of God, more frequently then I had done, and to that end, I choſe out ſome promiſes of daily and continual p. 9uſe, and determined by the help of God, to ſalute and embrace them once a day, and not only to take a view of them my ſelf, but in my meditations, and ſoliloquies to ſpread them before God, and to put the Lord in remembrance of them. For ſupplying all the wants of the day, I choſe that promiſe Phil. 4. 19. for growth in grace, Hoſ. 14. 5. for ſubduing my ſins. Mic. 7. 19. Rom. 6. 14. for ſucceſs in my undertakings, Pſ. 1. 3. for turning all the events of the day for good to me. Rom. 8. 28. for the converſion and ſanctification of my children. Iſa. 44. 3. for my yoke-fellow and ſervants, and all others in my family that they might get good from me, and return to God, and grow in grace, Hoſ. 14. 7. for ſanctifying of my afflictions, Iſa. 27. 9. Zech. 13. 9. for audience of my prayers, Mic. 7. 7. Joh. 14. 13. 14. for grace and ſtrength to manage all the works of the day, to the glory of God. Zech. 10. 12. for protection from dangers and caſualties. Gen. 15. 1. for giving me eternal life, in caſe the day ſhould bring death to me. Luk. 12. 32. Joh. 3. 16. for counſel and direction in all caſes of difficulty, and unexpected emergencies. Iſa. 58. 11. Pſ. 32. 8.

I judged it alſo very conducible, to the Glory of God and my own ſoul's good, to manage all my employments, as much as may be with an eye to the promiſes, and as to my calling, when I am ſtudying to compoſe p. 10Sermons, Deut. 28. 8. when I go to preach, Math. 28. 19. 20. for ſucceſs in my preaching, Iſa, 56. 8.—65. 23.

I was the more confirmed in this frequent, and familiar converſe with the promiſes, not only as it helps on our participation of the Divine nature, and our eſcaping the pollution that is in the world through luſt, but becauſe the Lord commands us to be alwaies mindful of his covenant, 1 Chron. 16. 15. and it pleaſeth God to ſee us taking hold of his Covenant. Iſa. 56. 4. and it is for the Glory of God, 2 Cor. 1. 20.

I determined alſo when I ſhould feel the workings of any luſt, preſently to look up to Jeſus Chriſt. It being the remedy which the Holy Ghoſt, preſcribes againſt ſuch ſins as do moſt eaſily beſet us. Heb. 12. 1. 2. I have often been encouraged and helped in this practice, of looking unto Jeſus, to ſubdue my ſins from Act. 3. ult. God ſent his Son Jeſus, to bleſs us in turning us every one from his iniquities. Beza's note upon that text is very good, and hath been of uſe to me, viz. that the great word for inquities, ſignifies the roots and habits of Sin. I ſaw it was my duty, and concernment every day, to be more frequent in applying my ſoul to Chriſt, and Chriſt his benefits to my ſoul.

In purſuance of the, 3d means of mortification, viz. walking in the ſpirit, I reſolved to endeavour to do my works, and duties p. 11both to God and men, more ſpiritually, and in order hereunto, to reduce my actings to ſome word, and as oft as I could, to eye ſome word of God, as I was entring on them; as for inſtance, If I be called out by others or ſtirred up in my own Spirit to viſit the ſick, or any afflicted perſon, to have my thoughts on Math. 25. 36. or Jam. 1. 27. when any poor people come to me for relief, or any object of charity is preſented to me to eye. Gal. 6. 10. or Hebr. 13. 16. or Iſa. 58. 10. or Eccl. 11. 1. or prov. 19. 17. when a poor man cometh to borrow, Deut. 15. 7. 8. 10. When to write letters, take a journey, or be any ways employed for others, Gal. 5. 13. Phil. 2. 4. when to viſit out of courteſy, or do any thing which courteſy requireth, 1 Pet. 3. 8. when to inſtruct my Servants and Children, Deut. 6. 7. Gen. 18. 19. when to Catechiſe the youth that come to my family, Joh. 21. 15. Prov. 22. 6. when invited to exerciſe abroad among poor or rich, Iſa. 32. ult. when to adminiſter a reproof, Lev. 19. 17. when to confer about Spiritual things, Mal. 3. 17.

This was the wiſe and holy method, which this faithful Servant and Souldier of▪ Jeſus Chriſt, preſcribed to himſelf by Divine direction, whereby to manage the Spiritual War, with the ſin that dwelt in him, that he might not be overcome with it. According to which he moreover charged himſelf with, p. 12the practice of univerſal poſitive Holineſs, which he thus records.

Being under the rebukes of Gods chaſtiſing providence, I ſet apart a day to humble my Soul with faſting and prayer, that I might obtain from God, a Sanctified uſe of my afflictions. I ſought God to pardon my ſins, which were the cauſes thereof, and to make them work for my good. I ſpent a good part of the day in meditating, how I ſhould make a right improvement of theſe corrections.

I Conſidered that one main end of all Chaſtiſements was, that God might make us partakers of his holineſs, Heb. 12, 10. Iſa. 26. 9. I reſolved in the ſtrength, and by the help of God to follow after holineſs more vigorouſly than I had done, and I engaged in this reſolution becauſe I ſaw from, Iſa. 60. 21. that by my being holy, and righteous God ſhould be glorified.

And ſeeing the nature of holineſs lieth in our bearing Gods image, in our being like to God, or in our conformity to the Divine Nature, Eph. 4. 24. Col. 3. 10. I reſolved to endeavour to imitate, and reſemble God in mercifulneſs, Luk. 6. 36. in forgiving injuries, Eph. 4. ult. in doing good, Pſ. 119. 68. in juſtice, Deut. 32. 4. in Love, Joh. 4. 16. in humility, Pſ. 113. 5, 6. in longfuffering, Exod. 34. 6. in not retaining anger, Pſ. 30. 5. in uprightneſs, Iſa. 26. 7. in kindneſs, Luk. p. 136. 35. in helping the fatherleſs, widdow and ſtranger, Pſ. 10. 14.—146. 9. And whereas we come to partake of Gods image. 1. by beholding the diſcovery which he hath made of himſelf, and his glorious Attributes in the goſpel, 2 Cor. 3. 18. 2 by applying the promiſes, 2 Pet. 1. 4. 3. by walking with him, Act. 4. 13. for we grow like thoſe with whom we converſe, Prov. 22. 24. 25. I determined to walk with God, to cleave to the promiſes, and to meditate often on his glorious Attributes.

And ſeeing that our holineſs lieth in the Conformity of our life, to the will of God revealed in his word, as well as in the reſemblance of the Divine Nature, I determined to ſet before me ſeveral Scriptures as my rule to walk by, and often to ponder them, and if I cannot walk up to theſe rules, yet my endeavours ſhall be (grace aſſiſting) to walk after them, and that will be accepted as a demonſtration of my Love to God, 2 Joh. v. 6.

For guiding and regulating my thoughts, I ſet theſe Scriptures before me, Jer. 14. 14. Iſa. 55. 7. Mal. 3. 17. Pſ. 104. 34. Phil. 4. 8. Prov. 23. 26. Deut. 15. 9. Eccl. 10. 20. Prov. 24. 9. Math. 9. 4. Zech. 8. 17.

For regulating my affections, theſe, Col. 3. 2, 5. Gal. 5. 24. particularly, for my delight. Pſ. 1. 2.—37. 5. my joy, Phil. 4. 4. Pſ. 43. 4. my deſire, Iſa. 26. 8, 9. my p. 14ſorrow, Ezek. 7. 16. my Love, Math. 22. 37. Pſ. 119. 97. my hatred, Pſ 97. 10. my fears, Luk. 12. 4, 5. my hope, Pſ. 39. 7. my truſt, Pſ. 62. 8. Iſa. 26. 4.

For regulating my ſpeech, theſe Eph. 4. 29. Col. 4. 6. Deut. 6. 6, 7. Pſ. 119. 46. Pſ. 71. 8. 24. Prov. 31. 26. We ſhould lay it as a law upon our ſelves, to ſpeak kindly to all ſorts of perſons.

For my works, theſe Tit. 3. 8. 1. 2 Tim. 2. 12. 1 Tim. 5. 10. Tit. 2. 14. Math. 5. 47. 1 Tim. 6. 18. Rev. 3. 2. Rom. 13. 12. Act. 26. 20. Our works muſt be Viſibly, as well as truly good, Math. 5. 16. muſt be exemplary, Tit. 2. 7. yet we muſt not expect Juſtification or Salvation by our own works, but by grace, Eph. 2. 8, 9. Rom. 3. 28.

Thus did this man of God gird himſelf with the Sword of the Spirit, which he faithfully and ſucceſsfully managed againſt his corruptions, temptations and tranſgreſſions. Thus did he put on the breſt-plate of Righteouſneſs, holding the myſtery of Faith in a pure Conſcience, applying the word of God, as an inviolable Law and rule to his heart, and life Sincerely aiming at the Glory of God, and the, obtaining that Bleſſedneſs, which by the Covenant of God is ſecured to the undefiled in the way, who walk in the Law of the Lord. How fit was he to be the mouth of God, and Ambaſſador of Chriſt to ſinners, who, when with greateſt importunity he called them to p. 15Repentance and Reformation of heart and life, and the Mortification of the moſt beloved luſts; and moſt earneſtly preſſed upon them Faith, and Holineſs, and univerſal Conformity to the will of God, was not reproached by his own heart, as if he laid heavy burdens upon others, which himſelf would not touch with one of his fingers: But with deliberate choice and conſtant reſolution impoſed them upon himſelf, and obviated all objections, by demonſtrating the ſtricteſt holineſs to be practicable, eligible, and delectable by his own example.

But though he was very liberally inſtructed by Nature, Art, and Grace for the Office and work of the Miniſtry, yet ſuch low and mean thoughts had he of himſelf, both of his Gifts and Grace: And ſuch deep and affecting apprehenſions of the difficulty, and weight of the Miniſterial Service, which as it is in it ſelf, ſo was to him, Onus tremendum, and foreign; Who is ſufficient? ſaith the Apoſtle, that though it was his deſign and deſire to ſerve God, and his Church in that great work, yet he was ſo diſcouraged, that he would not as too many do, haſtily adventure and engage himſelf in that Office by ſolemn Ordination, but would firſt prove himſelf well, ask Counſel of God and his Word, and attend to the Call of God by his Spirit and Providence.

Accordingly being Maſter of Arts, he did ſometimes exerciſe his Gifts in ſome Countrey Villages nigh the Univerſity. Where his manner p. 16was at firſt privately to enquire out what ſmall Pariſhes within ten or fifteen Miles of Cambridge were deſtitute of Miniſters. Unto theſe he went and Preached, and that with ſuch privacy, as for ſome while none knew of it but himſelf, and the Pariſhioners to whom he went; and to many of them it was a long time unknown, either who he was, or from whence he came.

This Service he perform'd Gratis, neither expecting nor according any worldly Reward, yea, it was a Charge to him. Among theſe Countrey-people God bleſſed him, and gave him the Firſt-fruits of his Miniſtry, making him inſtrumental and ſucceſsful to the Converſion, and Edification of many. Whereby he was ſo endeared to them, and they to him, that after he was called to Preach at one certain place in Cambridge, he would yet often go amongſt them on the Week-days, Preaching ſometimes at one place, and ſometimes at another, the people laying aſide their Country-buſineſs, and readily Travelling ſeveral Miles to attend upon his Miniſtry. And after his remove from Cambridge to a conſiderable diſtance in Eſſex and Suffolk, his manner was for the moſt part ſo long as he lived, once a year to viſit thoſe people, Preaching to them, and Converſing with them.

After he had a while thus exerciſed his Gifts among the Country Villages. He obſerved three things eſpecially, which did much encourage p. 17him to give himſelf up to the Miniſtry of the Word.

1. The benefiting of his own Soul in his Meditations for Preaching; for whilſt he was ſtudying for others, the Lord made it a word of Inſtruction to himſelf: And he found it the beſt means of growth to be watering others. Yet herein he perceived (he ſaid) great need of Watchfulneſs, and much care leſt his heart ſhould put away that Word from himſelf which he was preſſing upon others.

2. He found his heart much diverted from other ſtudies. Philoſophy ſeemed tedious to him, he found not that ſatisfaction in ſtudying meer human Authors as in meditating on Divine things. Yea he thought he diſreliſhed all other Studies, and they were unſavory to him, and he knew not but that this might be of the Lord, thus to turn his heart from the one, and encline it to the other Study.

3. The Lord had been pleaſed to bleſs his labours in ſome meaſure, and ordered ſo by his Providence that it came to his knowledge. As particularly at Burwell, at Swafham, at Soham, at Land-Beech, at Cheſterton in Cambridgſhire, at Debenham in Suffolk, at Wethersfield in Eſſex, This was an eſpecial encouragement to him, as it might well be, to purſue the Miniſtry

In the year 1654 he was choſen Catechiſt for that year in the Colledge. In which choice he obſerved the ſpecial Providence of God, for whereas formerly the Maſters uſed to nominate p. 18the fellows for ſuch Offices as they ſhould bear, he this year bad the fellows agree, and chooſe among themſelves which they did according to Seniority. His buſineſs detained him from being preſent at the meeting of the fellows, and every one having choſen what they liked beſt, they caſt the Catechiſts place upon him, judging him fitteſt for it, which he accepted, and accordingly began to diſcharge it in Michaelmaſs Term. This was the firſt place where he ſetled himſelf to a conſtant courſe of Preaching. Wherein God did greatly encourage and honour him; for the very firſt night he Exerciſed, one of the Fellows came to him, and told him he had felt the power of God in that Ordinance upon his heart.

The Statutes of the Colledge obliging him to theſe Divinity Exerciſes as Catechiſt in the Chapel only in Term time, towards the end of the Term he began to conſider whether he ſhould continue, and proceed in the ſame Exerciſes as well out of Term, as in Term, his Conſcience towards God as well as the local Statute, and his zeal to improve all opportunities to do good prompting him thereto; being doubtful what to do, he was determined to the Affirmative, by hearing a Sermon Preached at St. Maries by the Reverend and Learned Dr. Tuckury then Profeſſor of Divinity there, the ſcope whereof was to ſhew what a Bleſſed and deſireable thing it was to have the Church of God multiplied and encreaſed, and in the Application he did p. 19in an eſpecial manner direct his words to the Univerſity, and did in the name of God earneſtly beſeech every one in their places, to endeavour the encreaſe and multiplying of the Church of God, both by adding themſelves to it, and labouring to add others to it. His Soul was much warmed at this Sermon, and conſidering the ſeaſonableneſs of it, he looked upon this word as directed ſpecially to himſelf, and took encouragement from it to proceed in his Work.

This practice of his being a proof not only of his abilities, but of his willingneſs alſo, and that laboriouſly to ſerve God in the work of the Miniſtry; About Eaſter following, a motion was made to him by one of St. Andrews Pariſh in Cambridge in the Name of the reſt, to ſupply that place, which he declined, promiſing only to give them one Sermon. Afterward the motion being more importunately renewed to him, he adviſed them to ſeek God to direct them in a buſineſs of that concern, commending to them others of greater Abilities and Grace than himſelf to make choice of; telling them he would at that time, neither deny nor promiſe any thing. About ſix weeks after, 8 or 9 of the Pariſh came to him in the name of the whole, and ſignified to him that it was their joynt Requeſt, that he would Preach with them on the Lords days in the Forenoon.

Whereupon after a Fortnights conſideration, and ſeeking of God, and Conſulting friends, p. 20he complied with their deſire, and undertook that Service.

Here God ſo bleſſed his Miniſtry both to the Students in the Univerſity, and people of the Town, that his Encouragement was very great, for which he always bleſſed God. In the Colledge he ſo well diſcharged his Office, that the year now expiring he was again choſen into the ſame Office next year. And now being ſatisfied that God did call him to this Work and Office, by the ſucceſs which God gave to his labours, and the acceptance he had in the Church, he reſolved thoroughly to devote, and give up himſelf to it by ſolemn Ordination. For which end he repaired to London, and being there proved, and well approved of, was Feb. 13. 1655, ſolemnly ſet apart to this Office, and Work, by Faſting, and Prayer, and laying on of the Hands of the Presbytery. To which God ſeemed to ſet his Seal both during the Action, by very gracious influences of his Spirit upon his heart beyond his preparations, for which he hath Recorded thanks to God, and on the Lords day following, viz. Feb. 17. When being deſired to Preach at the Charterhouſe both parts of the day: In the Afternoon one put up a Bill to him, wherein the perſon that put it up acknowledged, that he had long lain under the guilt of a known Sin, and was convinced of it by the morning Sermon, and deſired Prayers to God for help againſt it. Others alſo in that Congregation he obſerved p. 21to be affected at that his firſt Sermon after his Ordination.

In his returning from London to Cambridge, upon the way he experienced a very good Providence with which his heart was much affected, and which he thankfully Recorded as an inſtance of Gods ſpecial care of him. The night overtaking him ere he could reach to Haſting Mills, where the Waters were very high by reaſon of a flood, juſt as he came almoſt to the Water, a man met him, who knowing the danger of the Water, and the ſafeſt paſſage through it, offered him his Service, and very kindly lent him his own taller and ſtronger Horſe, and riding back again on his Horſe before him led him ſafely through, which elſe he perceived he could not have paſſed without the hazard of his Life.

Being now return'd to Cambridge, to the Charge he had undertaken, with what Conſcience, Faithfulneſs, Zeal, and Induſtry, he applied himſelf to the Work to which he had devoted himſelf, and was now ſolemnly ſet apart, I leave to the Pious Reader to judge by what follows in his own words.

July 7th. 1656. I ſet apart that day for Faſting and Prayer to ſeek the Lord for Counſel, whether I ſhould Preach in the Afternoon at St. Andrews. I had ſome thoughts of it, and motions thereto ſome time ſince. But now my time for Chapel exerciſe being expired, I took▪ it into ſerious thoughts, and having p. 22humbled my Soul for my ſins, and begged of God that he would ſettle my mind in this thing, and teach me what was his mind therein, after pains and ſearching the Scripture I came to this reſolution, I was fully perſuaded that it was the mind of the Lord that I ſhould alſo Preach in the Afternoons, and that from theſe Scriptures.

2 Tim. 4. 1. 2. I charge the before God,—be inſtant in Seaſon, and out of Seaſon. As we will anſwer it to Jeſus Chriſt, at the day of Judgment, we are to take all opportunities to preach his Word. I conſider here is a fair opportunity put into my hands, and therefore I am bound in Conſcience not to neglect it, 1 Pet. 5. 2. foreign, as much as in you lieth, feed thy flock, So Calvin renders the word.

1 Cor. 9. 16. 17. Neceſſity is laid upon me, yea woe is unto me, if I preach not the goſpel. Though I preach the goſpel I have nothing to glory of, If I do this willingly I have a reward.

Eccl. 11 6. in the morning ſow thy ſeed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand: For thou knoweſt not what ſhall proſper this or that, this ſeems a clear reſolution of the queſtion.

1 Cor. 15. 58.—always abounding in the work of the Lord.

Gal. 6. 10. As we have opportunity let us do good, here is a fair opportunity, and how it may be taken from me, or I from it p. 23I know not, and therefore hold it my duty to lay hold on it.

Hereupon I reſolved to preach once a fortnight, in the Afternoons alſo; and conſidering my weakneſs for ſuch a work, I was encouraged from Iſa. 41. 10. and Math. 28. ult. Go teach and lo I am with you, with you to help and aſſiſt you; with you to bleſs your labours, and make your work proſperous under your hands.

Jul. 13. 1656. I began my Afternoons Exerciſe, and entred upon the Doctrine of Repentance. I have found God very much with me, aſſiſting and enlarging me, and bleſſing my labours to ſome of my hearers. I bleſs his Name for putting it into my heart.

Nov: 16 I had not ſo much of the enlivening preſence of God in the afternoon as I was wont to have: Yet God bleſſed his word. One of the Pariſh told Mr. J. He thought their Miniſter knew their hearts, and added he was reſolved to amend.

Apr. 21. 1657. I ſet apart this day to ſeek God by faſting, and prayer, to ſhew me my way, and to direct me in a buſineſs that had been upon my Spirit nigh half a year, which was to preach once a fortnight, on the week day, at the church where I am placed. I engaged the prayers of others alſo for me in this particular. And when I went to the Sacrament, I laid the promiſe before God, that he would guide me continually, and p. 24teach me in the way that I ſhould chooſe, as that which I deſire might among others be Sealed up to me.

Whilſt I was thus deliberating with my ſelf what to do, I met with this providence: Being at Soham to preach the Lecture there, I ſlept that night very diſturbedly, towards the morning me thought I ſaw the Lord Jeſus Chriſt in his glory, who ſpake comfortably to me, and encouraged me in my work, but ſpake very ſad words to another, Mr. of Arts that was with me, (whom I dreamed to be a godly man, yet one who was noted for his unwillingneſs to preach in Town) When I awoke I conſidered with my ſelf, what this ſhould mean. I conſidered it was but a dream, and ſo not much to be heeded, and again I conſidered that ſometimes God ſpeaks to us in dreams, and ſlumbering upon our beds, Job. 33. 13. 14. 15. whence I gathered it might be ſomething of encouragement to me. In the morning when I was up, It fell out in my ordinary courſe of reading, the Scripture, to read, Act. 18. and when I had read, ver. 9. 10., and pondered what had befell me in the night, I could not but wonder at the Providence of God, to cauſe this Scripture, to fall in with my former dream, which made me ponder the more upon it. I ſaw God did ſometimes ſpeak to his people in a viſion. I ſaw the ſame reaſon why Paul ſhould Preach, viz. becauſe there was much people p. 25belonging to the Lord there, might be forcible to prevail with me, for he enclines a great multitude of people to attend upon me. When I had conſidered of it, I reſolved to lay this up in my heart, and not to ſlight it, though I could not build on it any ground of my undertaking my work.

Conſulting the Scriptures theſe came into my mind Act. 6. 4. we will give our ſelves continually to Prayer, and to the Miniſtry of the word, where I ſaw that ſuch as were called of God to preach the word, ought to make it their buſineſs, and give up themſelves to it. Rom. 1. 1. 14. 15. here I ſaw that one ſeparated to the Goſpel of Chriſt, was a debter, bound, and ſhould be ready as much as in him lieth, Iſa. 40. 9. O thou that bringeſt good tidings to Zion, get the up into the high mountains, lift up thy voice with ſtrength, lift it up, be not afraid. Reading this Scripture in my ordinary courſe, I found it ſet home with life, and power in reference to my preſent doubt, Get the up, lift up thy voice, It removed the great obſtacle of fear; What would men ſay and think of my forwardneſs? Be not afraid; I was the more confirmed by conſidering this Scripture, is mainly directed to ſuch as God hath ſent to preach the goſpel, by comparing this Scripture with, Iſa. 52. 7. and Rom. 10. 15.

And the Scripture did the more affect me becauſe it was in this manner ſet home after prayer, p. 26when I had been ſeeking God in reference to this doubt. Act. 18. 5. Paul was preſſed in Spirit and teſtified, hence I ſaw the Miniſters of God, may take encouragement, to preach the word from inward preſſures of Spirit.

Having theſe inducements to preach on the week day, I ſet apart as before the 21th of April, to ſeek God by faſting and prayer, to direct me what to do. Having put up my requeſt to him, in the name of Jeſus Chriſt, I ſhall conſider what motives I have to it, and what diſſuaſives from it, and judge of both according to the Scriptures, and do therein as the Lord ſhall direct me, by his word and Spirit.

'The Arguments moving to it are theſe,

1. I Find God much enlarging my Meditations, ſo as I am a long while ere I can diſpatch the Subject I enter upon, whereby I foreſee I ſhall go over but few heads in Divinity, while I ſtay unleſs I preach oftener. And I know not what the meaning of God herein ſhould be, that he watereth me ſo much, but that I ſhould water others.

2. I have found God owning me when I cloſed with the like motions, at other times, particularly in the Afternoon Exerciſe, I have found God wonderfully gracious beyond expreſſion, and I heartily bleſs God that put it into my heart to undertake p. 27that work, and ſeeing when I followed God formerly he was with me, why ſhould I not be obedient to his call in this alſo.

3. It is the work I have been ſet apart to, and ſolemnly given up my ſelf to, in the face of the Congregation at Black-Friers, and therefore now there is a neceſſity lying upon me to preach the Goſpel, yea a woe if I preach not, 1 Cor. 9. 16.

4. God hath made my ſervice here accepted of the Saints, and therefore it is likely my Miniſtry may be more effectual, It may be elſewhere my Miniſtry may be as much deſpiſed, as here tis embraced, and therefore it is good to take the preſent ſeaſon, and to ſtrike where, and when the Iron is hot.

5. The time is ſhort that I have to live, how ſoon God many take me hence, I know not. And there being no working in the grave, I am commanded to do what my hand findeth to do, with my might, Eccl. 9. 10. the night cometh when no man can work, and therefore as Chriſt ſaid, Joh. 9. 4. I muſt work the works of him that ſent me, while it is day; So muſt I do, learn this wiſdom of him, to do my work as faſt as I can, ſeeing I know not how ſhort my day may be.

6. The times are evil, and I know not how ſoon we may be cut ſhort of theſe opportunities; and it's an expreſs Command that we ſhould be wiſe and redeem time, Eph. 5. 15. 16. And God commands as we have opportunity, p. 28to do good to all, Gal. 6. 10. preaching of the Goſpel is doing good, and here is an opportunity, I muſt not let it ſlip.

7. If I ſhould preach once a fortnight on the week-day it will but be equivalent to preaching twice every Lords day, (Seeing now I preach but once every other Sabbath) which muſt be my work, when I come into the Country, and yet my work here is far lighter than it will be there, for here I am free from worldly cares, family diſtractions, and a paſtoral charge.

8. One Soul is more worth than the whole world, and the preaching of the Goſpel is the power of God to Salvation, therefore we ſhould not think any pains too great to preach the word, ſeeing we may through God be a mean to convert and ſave ſouls thereby.

9. Chriſt chargeth Peter as he loveth him, to feed his ſheep, and lambs, Joh. 21. 15, 16, 17. His repeating this 3 times argues, 1. that he would have him very diligent in doing it. 2. that he takes it as a real demonſtration of love to him, to feed his ſheep. Now I have wonderful cauſe to love Chriſt, and good reaſon to demonſtrate it that way which he would have me.

10. If I enter upon preaching on weekday too, I ſee it will make for the Glory of God, Joh. 15. 8. God is glorified when we bear much fruit, and for the good, and edification of others; for the body of Chriſt is p. 29Edified by the Miniſtry of the Word. Eph. 4. 11, 12. and why ſhould I ſtand diſputing that which may make for the glory of God, and the good of thoſe among whom I live.

11. God would have every man obſerve his proper gifts and improve them, and attend his proper work that he is called to with diligence. Rom. 12. 6, 7, 8, 11.

12. I have Naturally a ſlothful Spirit, and one good way to Maſter it, is to take up much imployment.

13. God would have us alway to abound in his Work and be ſtedfaſt, and he tells us our labour ſhall not be in vain. 1 Cor. 15. ult.

14. No excuſe muſt hinder us now from doing good, but what will ſerve turn at the day of judgment.

I conſider further that the Word of God is to be the Rule by which we muſt walk. Pſal. 119. 105. that is the light of our paths. What the Word requires of us, God requires of us; What work the Word calls us to, that God calls us to. Now conſidering with my ſelf the aforeſaid particulars according to the Word of God, I gather, it is the mind of God I ſhould cloſe with this motion, and that he calleth me to further work, and ſo accordingly I am to obey his voice.

Now in regard that it is Gods preſence with me, his owning, accepting, and aſſiſting me, that muſt bear me up againſt all difficulties that I ſhall meet with; I conſulted further p. 30with the Word to ſee what grounds I had to expect that God would be with me in my undertaking, and I ſaw great encouragement from theſe Scriptures,

Mat. 28. 19, 20. Go teach—lo, I am with you alway. Chriſt will not withdraw his preſence at any time when we go about to teach in obedience to his Command, but will be always with us.

1 Chron. 28. 10, 20. compared. Whence I obſerve, when God calls a man out to any work, he would have him be ſtrong and do it, and not to fear or be diſmayed, for God will be with him and not fail him or forſake him, till he hath finiſhed it.

Joſh. 1. 9. Have not I Commanded thee?—The Lord thy God is with thee whitherſoever thou goeſt. The ſame preſence and aſſiſtance may we expect from God when ever he calls us out to any Service, which I gather from the Apoſtles applying to all Chriſtians what God ſpake in particularto Joſh. Heb. 13. 5.

Iſa. 42. 6. I the Lord have called thee, I will hold thy hand. It is ſpoken to Chriſt, and ſhall be made good to all Chriſtians, when called by God to any work, he will uphold them in it, and he whom God upholds ſhall not fail, or be diſcouraged till his work be done. v. 1. 4

Judg. 6. 12. 14. The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man. Go in this thy might, thou ſhalt ſave Iſrael—Have not I ſent thee? p. 31In this thy might, i. e. either in the ſtrength of the promiſe. The Lord is with thee, or in the ſtrength of thy Commiſſion, I have ſent thee. Doeſt thou doubt whether I will be with thee, ſeeing I have ſent thee? Doeſt thou doubt whether thou ſhalt ſave Iſrael, ſeeing I have ſent thee? I ſee hence the Call of God to any Service is a great encouragement to ſet upon it, and to expect ſucceſs in it.

'Diſcouragements removed.

1. Reproach of men. What will men ſay or think that I am ſo forward. They will impute it to Pride, it &c. and ſay I am imprudent, and will, may be, laugh and jear at me.

Reply 1. I am not to be aſhamed of the Goſpel of Chriſt. Rom. 1. 16. No not in an Adulterous generation. Mar. 8. 38. If I cannot ſuffer ſhame for Chriſt, how ſhall I ſuffer greater perſecutions?

2. God can if he will, hide me from the ſtrife of Tongues, yea he promiſeth to do ſo for them that truſt in him. Pſal. 31. 19, 20. he can make a mans Enemies to be at Peace with him, and will if our ways pleaſe him. Prov. 16. 7. However I ſhall not be ſolicitous of mans judgment in this matter, but commit my way and Cauſe to the Lord, and if I be reproached he will one day clear me. Pſ. 37. 5, 6.

3. If I do meet with ſhame and reproach p. 32for my diligence in Preaching the Word, 'tis no more than the Apoſtles met with. 1 Cor. 4. 9, 10, 13. yea, I, Chriſt ſuffered great contradiction in his Preaching, they ſaid he was Mad, and had a Devil, and I am bidden to remember it, as that which will keep me from fainting. Heb. 12. 3.

4. If I Serve Chriſt, the Lord will honour me, and that is infinitely above the honour of the world. Joh. 12. 26. I ſhall deſire therefore to ſeek the praiſe that is of God, and no matter what men ſay.

5. It will be my happyneſs, if I be reproached for Chriſts ſake. 1 Pet. 4. 14. and I ſhould be ſo far from being troubled, diſcouraged, and dejected at it, that I ſhould rejoyce exceedingly that God counts me worthy to partake of the ſufferings of Chriſt. v. 13.

6. The thoughts of that Glory that ſhall be revealed hereafter. 1 Pet. 5. 4. ſhould cauſe me to deſpiſe the ſhame which I meet with here in the Service of God. Heb. 12. 2.

2d. Diſcouragement. It may be the people will ſlight the Word, I ſhall have but few hearers, the Word growing common will be nauſeated, &c.

Reply 1. The hearts of all men are in Gods hand, if he touch their hearts, they ſhall come. 1 Sam. 10. 26. I will leave that to the p. 33Lord, whether he will encline many, or but few to attend upon his Word.

2. The Angels thoſe glorious Creatures did not diſdain to Preach Chriſt to a few poor Shepherds, and therefore I ſhould not think much to Preach Chriſt, though to never ſuch a thin Congregation. Jeſus Chriſt himſelf Preached the Goſpel to one hearer only, and that a poor ſinful woman of Samaria. Joh. 4.

3. Gods preſence is not tied to a multitude; if but two or three be gathered together in his Name, he is in the midſt of them, and if God will bleſs his Word for the Converſion of but one Soul, it is worth all our labour and pains. Mark. 8. 37. Jam. 5. 19, 20.

4. I ſhall deſire to do my work to God and not to men, becauſe God Commands me, though men may ſlight my pains, and do not gather together to hear the Word, yet my work is before the Lord, and my reward with him, and I ſhall be glorious in his eyes, however I appear before men, Iſa. 49. 5. However men reckon of my labours, though the more I love them and labour for them, the leſs I beloved, yet this ſhould not be any hindrance to me in the work of God, but I ſhould gladly ſpend my ſelf and be ſpent therein. 2 Cor. 12. 13.

Having Conſulted God, and ſeeing ſuch good ground for my undertaking, I ſet up a Lecture once a Fortnight on Thurſday in p. 34the Afternoon at three of the Clock. I began it on the firſt Thurſday in June. 1657.

With ſuch mature Deliberation, ſuch a reſolved Conſcience, ſuch a willing mind, ſuch a zealous Spirit, ſuch a laborious head and hand did this worthy Servant of God apply himſelf to the great Work wherein he was engaged. Thus did he fortifie his heart with ſtrongeſt Arguments againſt all temptations to ſloth and negligence. Thus ſearched he the Scriptures that he might fully know his Lords will. Thus yielded he obedience to the Commands, and acted Faith in the promiſes of God. In this his might he went forth in the Name of the Lord, to the work of the Lord, and the pleaſure of the Lord did proſper in his hand.

Though his conſtant weekly work at St. Andrews Church were enough to exerciſe more than ordinary ſtrength both of mind and body, yet he had many other occaſions of Service which he attended, not only in the Colledge as his place required, eſpecially as a Tutor, which relation and truſt he diligently and faithfully diſcharged towards his Pupils, both as to Learning and Religion, but in the Town, as Preaching frequently Funeral Sermons, and Trinity Lecture, and in the Country alſo at ſeveral Lectures, both in Cambridgeſhire and Huntingdonſhire. For his Abilities and willingneſs were ſo well known as encouraged many invitations to be made to him from abroad. All which he performed not after an extemporary p. 35rate, as the manner of ſome is, haſtily to utter quicquid in buccam venerit, but as a workman that needed not to be aſhamed. On which account the Ears of ſo many hanged upon him, and he never wanted a full Auditory as well of Schollars, as Town-people. His Sermons were well ſtudied and digeſted, his matter Subſtantial and Spiritual, his Arguments ſtrong and convincing, his utterance full, clear, deliberate, and grave. His words apt and natural to expreſs the Conceptions of his mind, he neither affected a ſtrain of words, which mans wiſdom teacheth, nor allowed himſelf a liberty of words which mans indiſcretion poureth out; but his Phraſe was ſuch as ſpake him to have an holy Reverence for the plainneſs, and ſimplicity of the Goſpel of Chriſt, a due care that he expoſed not the Miniſtry of the word to Contempt, a Religious fear of that God in whoſe Name he ſpake, and a ſerious regard to the Concernment of the Souls of men. And in all his Applications to God by Prayer both in publick and private, his behaviour, words, and manner of utterance were ſuch as ſpake his ſolemn, and affecting apprehenſions of the Majeſty, and Holineſs of God whom he Worſhipped. So as conſidering his years, the multiplicity of his Miniſterial work, his manner of performing it, and the holineſs of his life wherewith he did adorn and commend it; it may be truly ſaid of him, that however he was excelled by others in other reſpects, yet in this p. 36he was Nulli ſecundus, if not a None ſuch in the Univerſity in his day.

But Cambridge is not a place for long continuance. The Univerſity is the Church's Nurſery from whence God is wont to remove, and tranſplant his trees of Righteouſneſs when once grown up to the Stature of Fruit-bearing, that the various Congregations of his people may eat of the fruit thereof and live. God having here trained up his Servant to his hand, Inſtructed him with excellent Gifts, and abundant Grace, called him ſolemnly to the Office of the Miniſtry, proved him an able and ſucceſsful Inſtrument before many Witneſſes, and enlarged his heart not only to a willingneſs, but zeal to diſcharge his Office with all his might, quickly ſhewed him the place where, with this reſolved Induſtry, and Integrity he ſhould improve his Talents. Scarce two Months were expired after he had begun his Week-day Lecture, when the Mayor and one of the Aldermen of Colcheſter in Eſſex (whither his fame reached) applied themſelves to him at Cambridge, deſiring him to accept their Lecturers place then void. With which motion he ſo far only then complied as to promiſe to come over to them, and Preach a Sermon or two among them; which he performed about three weeks after.

After his Preaching, the Houſe of Aldermen and Common Council met, and unanimouſly agreed to chooſe him to be their Town-Lecturer, p. 37to Preach on Lords days Afternoon, and on the Wedneſday every Week. Which choice had alſo the general Suffrage of the Sober and Godly people in Town, and Country thereabout.

Which being ſignified to him by ſome of the Aldermen and Common Council, after ſix weeks deliberation (for ſo long time he deſigned to give his Anſwer) ſeeking God for direction, as his conſtant manner was, having no objections before him as to Conſcience in the caſe, nor any obligation to ſtay at Cambridge, ſave only the peoples deſire, which he Anſwered from Luke 4. 42. 43. and Act. 18. 20. and conſidering the joynt unanimous agreement of perſons different in Judgment (for it was a divided place) in calling him, he conſented to their Choice, and undertook that Charge.

As he had experienced Gods owning and Sealing of his Miniſtry in his firſt Catechiſtical Exerciſe in the Colledge, and his firſt Sermon after his Ordination, with much happy ſucceſs alſo in Cambridge; ſo here he had the ſame encouragement, God making his firſt Sermon effectual upon the heart of a Dutchman, and his ſecond or third upon another perſon noted for a Sinner, who came out of Novelty to hear him. Concerning whom he might ſay as St. Paul, 1 Theſſ. 1. 9. They ſhew of us, what manner of entring we had to you.

But it fared with him here at Colcheſter, as it did at Cambridge, he thought he did not p. 38work enough, and therefore asked leave, and freely offered himſelf to preach alſo on the Lords day Mornings at St. James's Church, not deſiring any outward reward for it, which was granted and accepted.

He was to this place a very great Bleſſing, not only as to their Spiritual, but Temporal concerns alſo. It was obſerved that during his abode, and the liberty of his Miniſtry there, the Town proſpered and exceedingly flouriſhed in Trade. For even the good things of this life doth the Goſpel carry with it.

Here he laboured in the Word and Doctrine, till by the Act of Uniformity he was with the reſt of his Brethren debarred from the publick Exerciſe of his Miniſtry. Yet not thinking himſelf bound to be his own Executioner, and there being mutual obligations by Contract between the Town and him, that the one ſhould not eject, nor the other deſert without ſo long warning, he did after the fatal Bartholomew continue his publick Preaching ſome time till, having occaſion to take a Journey into Cambridgeſhire, in his abſence another was put into his place by the B. of L.

From thenceforth with St. Paul, Act. 28. 30, 31. he dwelt three whole years in his own hired houſe, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the Kingdom of God with all confidence; till God ſent the raging Peſtilence into the Town An. 1665. at which Providence he was greatly affected, and while he ſaw many, p. 39and even the Shepherds of the flock, haſtening their flight from the peſtilence that walked in darkneſs, and the Deſtruction that waſted at noon day, and others ſmitten with the Arrows of the Almighty, daily paſſing into eternity, Such compaſſion he had for periſhing ſouls, and Such Zealous deſire of their ſalvation, and Such hope that the word might be more effectuall in that day of Gods ſore Judgment, that he ſent to the Magiſtrates, and freely offered, if they would indulge him the liberty of a publick Church, to ſtay and preach to that poor diſtreſſed people, till either God ſhould take him away by death, or cauſe the peſtilence to ceaſe. Which being denied him, he entertained thoughts of removing out of Town. And having ſought of God a right way for himſelf, his little ones, and his ſubſtance. He received Satisfaction concerning the lawfulneſs of removing, in time of Peſtilence, from Iſa. 26. 20. Hide thy ſelf for a little moment, until the Indignation be over paſt, and encouragement to hope that the preſence of God ſhould go with him, from Gen. 28. 15. I am with thee and will keep thee in all places, whither thou goeſt &c. adding thereto Gal. 3. 7, 9. where he obſerved that all Believers have right to the promiſes made to Abraham, Iſaac, and Jacob. Accordingly, Aug. 25. 1665. He removed his Family to Chattiſham …n Suffolk about 12 miles diſtant from Colche…er.

Being now come to a place, where he was p. 40a perfect ſtranger, having no acquaintance with the neighbour-hood, and conſidering the evil and danger of the times. He had many doubts and fears within himſelf concerning the comfort of his abiding there; but quickly received ſatisfaction from the holy Scriptures, his dailydelight and Counſellers, which he thus recorded.

Aug. 27. Being the firſt Sabbath after I came to Chattiſham. In the morning as I was reading in my private devotions, Ezek. 37. which was the Chapter that fell out in courſe, in my private reading, I was much affected with ſome paſſages in the beginning of the Chapter. From whence I obſerved for my inſtruction. 1. Not to queſtion my call to Chattiſham though it ſhould be a dry place, where I ſhould want that communion of the Saints, which I had at Colcheſter, and my wonted opportunities of doing and receiving Good. Ezekiel a prophet of the Lord, fitted by his gifts, and call to do God Service, when he was carried into a valley where there was no living creature to converſe withal, but dead mens bones, yet he was carried thither by the hand and ſpirit of the Lord. ver. 1. 2. God may have Special Service for us to do, in thoſe places were we judging according to ſenſe, think there can be no opportunities of …ervice at all. Who would have thought there had been any work for Ezekiel, as a prophet amongſt dead mens bones, p. 41yet even there he had Propheſying work, and compoſed that Prophecy which raiſed up the dying faith, and hope of the whole Houſe of Iſrael. 3. When God commands us to Propheſie or to preach his word, the greateſt improbabilities of Succeſs imaginable, ſhould not diſcourage us from our work. Though we ſhould think there is no more hopes of doing good, to them, to whom we preach, than there is by ſpeaking to the wind, or Preaching to dead mens bones, yet we ſhould go on with our work. Ezekiel at Gods command Propheſies to dry and dead bones, (concerning which when he was asked whether they could live, he replied, that he could not tell, God only knew. v. 3.) And they have the Spirit of life breathed into them. He Propheſieth to the wind and that obeyeth. v. 9. 10. This Scripture being ſo ſuited to ſome reaſonings, and doubts that I had upon my mind, and coming ſo ſeaſonably, at my firſt fixing at Chattiſham I was much affected with it, and looked upon it as a token for good, that I ſhould have Gods preſence with me, and the teachings of his Spirit, at Chattiſham, as I have had them at Colcheſter.

The encouragement which he thus took was not vain and empty, God remembred his word unto his Servant, wherein he had cauſed him to hope. For he not only enclined the hearts of the people among whom he lived, p. 42though ſtrangers to him, to pay him that Reſpect and Honour, which was due to him; and indulged him the liberty of private Preaching, as he had before enjoyed, but moreover opened to him in this place a door for the frequent publick exerciſe of his Miniſtry, which was ſhut againſt him at Colcheſter.

The Miniſter of the Pariſh having another cure, by reaſon whereof he could attend this at Chattiſham but once a fortnight, did in his abſence not only willingly but thankfully indulge to Mr. Stockton the liberty of his Pulpit. And having a very ſmall maintenance, and ſome burdens lying heavy upon him, which after a few years, made his reſidence there very uneaſie to him, he deſerted his charge, and left this flock to ſhift for themſelves. Whereupon at the requeſt of the people Mr. Stockton frequently ſupplyed that vacancy. And his Zeal provoked and encouraged others alſo, both Miniſters and People. For other neighbouring Pariſhes being deſtitute of Miniſters, for want of maintenance called in the help of Non-Conformiſts, who in theſe places, ſo much below envye, have enjoyed the liberty of their publick Preaching for the moſt part to this day, So as not only the Pariſh where he lived, but the neighbouring Vllages have abundant cauſe to bleſs God for ſending, to them ſo happy an Inſtrument, ſo willing and Zealous, ſo able and induſtrious to ſerve their Souls in the Goſpel of Chriſt.

p. 43When it pleaſed his Majeſty to ſet forth his moſt Gracious Declaration for Indulgence, he was choſen both by a Congregation in Ipſwhich and another in Colcheſter to preach to them, And both being very deſirous of him, he complied with their deſires as far as he could, and undertook half the Service of either, and ſo with others divided his labours between them, during his life, to their great Satisfaction and edification.

His labours were abundant. His Miniſtry was his whole buſineſs: Beſides his Lords days ſervice, wherein he not only preached twice, but oft expounded the Scriptures, and Catechiſed the younger ſort, and many times diſcourſed particular Chriſtians that applyed, themſelves to him for Counſel and inſtruction about their Spiritual caſes; He moreover preached a Lecture at Ipſwich on the weekday once a fort-night, and ſcarce a week paſſed but he preached at ſome other Lecture or funeral beſides keeping of private faſts which he frequently practiſed both at home and abroad.

The providence of God over him, while he was thus Zealouſly, and conſtantly imployed in his work, in ſo many places was ſo remarkable, that it muſt not be paſſed over without ſpecial obſervation. Notwithſtanding the Severity of the Laws, the malice, watchfulneſs, and endeavours of Adverſaries, yet God Suffered not an hair to fall from his head, though Complaints, Informations, Indictments, p. 44Convictions, Warrant, Preſentments, Excommunications were made againſt him, yet was he never impriſoned, apprehended, diſtrained or brought before any Court or Magiſtrate. He was much affected with this care of God over him, and thankfully accepted, and recorded it as the inſtance of Gods faithfulneſs, and performance of his promiſe, as the anſwer of his own faith and Prayer, and as the reward of his love and Zeal, and courage for God and his Church by the power whereof he lived above fears and dangers; for thus he writes.

Apr. 16. 1655. Being Lords day, In the morning, I awaked with that Scripture in my thoughts. 1 Tim. 1. 15. I dwelt a while upon it, and drew comfort and relief for my faith, by the help of God. I had been before under a great ſenſe of the ſinfulneſs of my heart. The comfort I had was, that Chriſt came to ſave the chief of Sinners, that this was a faithful ſaying, that it was worthy all acceptation, or to be embraced by every one, and that this Salvation was from ſin as well as from hell, Math. 1. 21. Conſidering whether he would ſave me, as I was going to waſh in the morning, I was ſatisfied from Joh. 6. 37. Him that cometh to me I will in no wiſe caſt out. It being then a time of danger, as to the keeping of my Meetings, becauſe many Souldiers were in Town, I being dubious whether I ſhould admit the people to come to my p. 45houſe, when I conſidered that Chriſt took it as an act of Love to feed his ſheep Joh. 21. 15. and that he expoſed himſelf to Death to ſave me, and bring under a ſenſe of the Comfort that the Lord had given me in the morning in my Meditations on the 1 Tim. 1. 15. I was willing to adventure my ſelf on the Providence of God.

Sept. 19. As I was Expounding in my Family the 91 Pſalm on a day of Humiliation, I was much encouraged to go on in my Calling notwithſtanding the difficulties that attend the ſame by reaſon of many Adverſaries, from v. 11, 12, 13. Though the Adverſaries to private Meetings, and the Preaching of Non-Conformiſts be of ſeveral ſorts, as ſtrong as Lions, as full of venom as the Dragon, ſuch as are greedy of, and roar after the prey like the young Lion, as ſubtle and pertinacious, and obſtinate in their way as the Adder (of which ſee Pſ. 58. 4, 5.) yet the Angels have a charge to keep us in all our ways, and the promiſe is that we ſhall trample theſe under our feet. This promiſe gave me courage whilſt at Colcheſter, and I ſaw it made good; for I went on in my Calling and had no harm from them.

I obſerved alſo in reading Dan. 6. 23. the power of Faith to deliver out of great and imminent danger. Daniel is caſt into a Den of hungry Lions, yet no manner of hurt is found upon him, becauſe he believed in his God.

p. 46Sept. 22. In my Family exerciſe as I was reading Pſ. 146. 9. The Lord preſerveth the Strangers, my Faith received ſtrength. I enjoyed much peace and ſecurity in Colcheſter, I had met with no moleſtation either from the Town or County, but being come into a ſtrange place where I was not known, and had no friends to ſhelter or ſpeak for me, I apprehended my ſelf to walk in more danger than before; this word, The Lord preſerveth the Strangers, did help my dependance upon God.

Oct. 28: 1666. Being Sabbath day, I went forth to Preach at Manitree. In the morning before I went, the Lord gave in that promiſe Iſa. 55. 12. Ye ſhall be led forth with peace. It being a time of trouble and danger for Non-conformiſts to Preach publickly, the promiſe was the more precious, and I was encouraged to go on with confidence. And I determined to eye this promiſe for the future, when I ſhould go forth where I might probably meet with diſturbance.

Dec. 25. 65. As I was reading in my courſe Luke 6. I obſerved from v. 11, 12. from Chriſts practice who in thoſe days when his Enemies were filled with madneſs againſt him, and Communed one with another what they might do unto him, went out into a Mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. I obſerved, I ſay, hence that it was my duty to give my ſelf much unto prayer, at ſuch p. 47times as I had any Enemies that laid wait for me to do me hurt.

Within a day or two after one of the Conſtables came to me, and told me that his fellow Conſtable when he had drunk ſomewhat liberally, opened his heart to him, and told him that there had been ſome Communication between him, and one of the Deputy Lieutenants about preſenting me at the Seſſions, and about my Meetings. I thought upon that place in Luke 6. 11, 12. after he was gone, and went up into my Chamber to pray. And as I was meditating on this matter that Scripture Deut. 33. 12. was brought to my remembrance. The beloved of the Lord ſhall dwell in ſafety by him, &c. I was ſtrengthened in my adherence to this promiſe, becauſe God had lately made out his love to my Soul, as I was pleading this promiſe in prayer, that paſſage was ſet home, He ſhall cover thee all the day long. Whence I did hope that the Lord who had helped me hitherto, would ſtill cover me under the ſhadow of his wings. After I had been at prayer I conſidered Jacobs carriage, when he was in danger of ſuffering by his brother Eſau: After he had been wreſtling with God in prayer, and pleading the promiſe, he betook himſelfto the uſe of the moſt probable means for appeaſing Eſau. I alſo uſed the moſt probable means to prevent trouble at the enſuing Seſſions, and it pleaſed God ſo to order things at the Seſſions that I met with no trouble. Bleſſed be God p. 48who alone maketh me to dwell in ſafety.

Jun. 22. As I was exerciſing in my Family in the Afternoon ſeveral of my friends being with me, I had word ſent me that the Mayor and Juſtices would come down to my houſe; whereupon being near the end of my Exerciſe, I quickly concluded. After I had done and diſmiſſed the people, one of the Conſtables came to me, and told me he was ſent to diſſolve my Meeting, but had a trembling upon him when he ſpake to me. He added, that he bleſſed God that had given him an heart to come ſome times himſelf, and his Wife to my Meetings; ſo that inſtead of doing me any hurt he gave glory to God that inclined him to come to hear me.

In Octob. 1670. I was preſented in the Eccleſiaſtical Court for Preaching. But God ſtood by me, and encouraged me with that word, Pſ. 103. 31. And though my Adverſaries proceeded ſo far as to get out an Excommunication againſt me, yet the Lord raiſed up deliverance for me, that the Court took off my Excommunication, without appearing before them or paying any Fees.

Yea, ſo far was he from declining the exerciſe of his Miniſtry for fear of ſuffering, that when he had been perſuaded thereto by the importunity of friends, he was much diſſatisfied, concerning which thus he records.

I promiſed Mr. B. to Preach at White Colne on Octob. 23. accordingly on Saturday I was p. 49prepared to go. H. P. came in and told us that the Soldiers had ſeized Mr. B. and impriſoned him, and that it would not be ſafe for me to go at that ſeaſon; all my friends and Relations diſſuaded me, but notwithſtanding my mind ſtood to go. But being importuned to ſtay, and having been very lately ſought after by name by the Soldiers in thoſe parts, and weighing the Providence in ſending H. P. to my houſe with this Intelligence as I was about to take Horſe, I determined to caſt my ſelf on my Brother Cole's determination, who was then at my houſe, and he determining that I ſhould not go, I ſtayed at home. But that night and the next day I was under much deſpondency of Spirit, for miſſing ſuch an opportunity of Service; yet God was gracious to me, and revived me. It was ſome ſtay to my mind what I read, Mat. 16. 20. Where I obſerved, that the divulging of the moſt neceſſary truths was at ſome ſeaſons, and in ſome places prohibited by Jeſus Chriſt. I was further ſatisfied from Act. 16. 6, 7. whence I obſerved, that the fruſtrating of our Attempts and deſigns to Preach the Goſpel to particular places that we purpoſed to go to, did ſometimes ariſe from the Holy Ghoſt. And from Pſal. 52. 9. I had a damp upon my Spirit, and was hindred from praiſing God for my deliverance from my Enemies hands, becauſe I had miſſed an opportunity of Service. But this Scripture convinced p. 50me that I ought to praiſe God for this Providence, though attended with ſome afflicting Circumſtances. By theſe Scriptures and Prayer I obtained ſatisfaction, and the Lord Anſwered my deſire and fully quieted my mind.

Once a very zealous and active Proſecutor of the Non-conformiſts, obtained a Warrant againſt him upon the Oxford Act, directed to all the Chief Conſtables, and petty-Conſtables in the County, to apprehend him. Accordingly an Officer a ſtranger came to Execute it, and when he was nigh the houſe, he eſpied two perſons, whom by their habit he judged to be Miniſters, walking in a field, the one was Mr. Stockton, the other Mr. Senior of Hackney (whom God hath alſo lately taken away) He haſteneth to them, and told them he had a Warrant againſt one of them, but he knew neither, Mr. Senior asked which of them. He Anſwered Mr. Stockton. Let me ſee your Warrant ſaid Mr. Senior, he ſhewed it him, verily concluding from thence that he was the man. Some Little Girls were there walking with them, who did induſtriouſly cling to Mr. Senior as if he had been their Father, which further confirmed him in his Error. While Mr. Senior read the Warrant, and the Officer was intent upon him, Mr. Stockton walked aſide, and when Mr. Senior ſaw him beyond his reach, he convinced the Officer of his Error, who thereby was diſappointed of his prey.

p. 51Being thus ſecured by the Providence of God through Faith and Prayer from the danger of Adverſaries, he thankfully acknowledged the whole glory thereof to God, thus,

In reading 2 Chron. 20. 30. The Realm of Jehoſhaphat was quiet, for his God gave him reſt round about. God cauſed me to take notice, that my living in reſt and quietneſs, being free from the moleſtation of my Enemies was the gift of God, and came to paſs by his Providence, not from the privacy of the place where I lived, or from the peaceable diſpoſition of my Neighbours. I was alſo inſtructed what I ſhould return unto the Lord, for keeping me from the hands of mine Enemies, and giving me reſt and peace, from Pſal. 30. 1. I will extol 'thee, O Lord, for thou haſt lifted me up, and haſt not made my foes to rejoyce over me, and from Pſal. 31. 7, 8. I ſaw further that Gods giving me reſt from mine Enemies ſhould put me upon doing ſome ſpecial eminent Service for God, from 2 Sam. 7. 1, 2. 1 King. 5. 4, 5. 1 Chron. 22. 17, 18, 19.

Thus with unwearied pains and zeal, in great peace and ſecurity, with holy rejoycing and thanksgiving did he fulfil the courſe of his Miniſtry.

Yet he ſatisfied not himſelf with his work of Preaching, but moreover applied himſelf to writing for the greater Service of the preſent and future Generation.

p. 52In the time of the raging Peſtilence he wrote a Treatiſe relating to that ſore judgment, but the Peſtilence ceaſing before he had finiſhed it, he did not Publiſh it.

Upon occaſion of the deſtroying Fire of London, he compoſed and publiſhed his Counſel to the Afflicted.

Soon after he Publiſhed his Scriptural Catechiſm with a Treatiſe of Family Inſtruction. And hath left behind him ſeveral other Manuſcripts which he deſigned for the Preſs. As

The Cure of the fear of Death.

A Treatiſe of Glorïfying God.

The Beſt Intereſt.

A Warning to Drunkards.

Some of which at leaſt 'tis hoped, may ſee the light.

The Holy Ghoſt by St. Paul to Timothy 1 Eph. 3. 4. among other qualifications of a good Miniſter requireth that he be one that ruleth well his own houſe, having his Children in ſubjection with all gravity. The due Character of our Subject. His Treatiſe of Family Inſtruction did not reproach him. He was indeed, quantus Miniſter, tantus Pater Familias.

It pleaſed God in much mercy and faithfulneſs to him, to provide for him a Meet-help, a p. 53moſt ſutable Yoke-fellow, a very Prudent, Virtuous and Gracious Gentlewoman, of a worthy and Religious Family in Cambridgeſhire, Mrs. Elianor Rant, Daughter of Roger Rant of Swaffham Eſq; whom he took to Wife within leſs than a year after his Call to Colcheſter, who was a ſingular Bleſſing, Comfort, and Honour to him all his life. Few there be to whom Solomons commendation do more properly belong. Prov. 31. 26. &c. From thenceforth he had incumbent upon him the charge of a Family.

God gave him ſix Children, whereof he left one only Daughter ſurviving. Upon the account of his own and his Wifes approved Wiſdom, Grace, Gravity and Government, many were deſirous to get their Children into his Family (even thoſe who were of different perſuaſions from him, both in Conformity and Non-Conformity.) for their better Education; in compliance wherewith he received ſome Youth of the Female Sex, that might more properly belong to the care and inſpection of his Wife. So as for the moſt part he had a full Family.

Wherein according to his place he kept up his Authority over all under his Charge, but with ſo much Meekneſs, Prudence, and Gravity, that though all ſtood in awe of him, yet he was more loved than feared.

As to his Wife, whom he worthily honoured and entirely loved, there never ariſing any p. 54Paſſion or Diſpute between them. He frequently converſed with her about the Matters of her Soul, Enquiring how the caſe ſtood between God and her Soul, what burdens lay upon her Spirit, what grounded hope ſhe had for eternal life, &c. helping and encouraging her in the ways of Godlineſs. The 9th day of June, being the day of their Marriage, He never paſt it over, if at home, without ſpending ſome time with her in ſolemn prayer to God, and conference about the ſeveral paſſages of his providence towards them ſince they came into that Relation: In the concluſion whereof he was always more affected with, and thankful for mercies, than dejected or caſt down at afflictions, though he met with ſome conſiderable tryals, not only in his Family as the loſs of ſo many hopeful Children, &c. but alſo abroad and that from thoſe that knew better. It was his manner not only in his more private and ſecret retirements, but alſo in the performance of his family duty, to commend her particularly to God at the throne of grace.

As to his Children, very early before they were paſt the lap, he would himſelf be inſtructing of them, in Gods word, ordering them to get ſome Scriptures by heart, which beſt ſuited their childhood, and capacity; four of them died in infancy and Childhood, none having reached the full age of 5 years. Concerning whom he had much Satisfaction as to their Eternal ſalvation.

p. 55His firſt born a daughter attained to the age of 19 years and died, who had been ſo inſtructed by her Father, that before ſhe was 8 years old, ſhe under ſtood the method of a Sermon, and if Preached by her Father would give him an account of the moſt conſiderable heads and paſſages therein, and before ſhe was full 9 years of age ſhe would pen down a Sermon after him, and miſs but few or none of the heads, with ſome conſiderable enlargement alſo.

About this time of her age, God Suffered her corruption to exert it ſelf, in ſome open Acts to the obſervation of others, which expoſed her to the ſevere rebuke of her Parents, which God ſanctified to her conviction. And as ſhe grew up ſhe quickly gave evidence of the truth of Grace and power of Godlineſs, making progreſs therein beyond her years, having a great and Zealous love to the Ordinances, Miniſters, and Servants of Chriſt, Diſſembling the weakneſs and infirmities of her body, that ſhe might have liberty to attend the Ordinances of God for her Soul, walking cloſely with God in daily ſecret duty, ſtrictly keeping the Sabbaths, taking ſpeciall notice, of the workings of Grace, and Sin, and, Gods providential dealings with her, recording them in her diary, and under a long and mortal ſickneſs, expreſſing a moſt chriſtian Patience and Submiſſion, to the Will of God.

As to his Servants, ſo ſoon as they came into his family, he inſtructed them firſt in their p. 56duty towards God, next in the duty of their places▪ giving them the evidence and authority of Scripture for that which he inſtructed them in, and expected from them, enjoyning them to get thoſe Scriptures by heart which they were to keep in memory and repeat to him, as he called for them.

As to his family together, after his own perſonal ſecret retirement and devotion, in reading the Holy Scriptures in courſe, and Prayer, which was his firſt and laſt exerciſe, after his upriſing, and before his downlying, His manner was in the morning ſeeking God, firſt by a ſhort Prayer for a bleſſing to read ſome portion of Scripture, which he often alſo Expounded, and then to proceed to Prayer; and at night after the like reading of the Scripture, he required every Child that was capable, and Servant, to repeat one verſe of that Chapter or ſome other Scripture which they had a deſire might be explained to them, and of every ſuch verſe ſo repeated he gave the ſenſe, and ſpeak ſomething to it before Prayer, often exhorting his family to a reverend demeanor of themſelves in the worſhip of God, and would be much troubled when he underſtood, or diſcerned any thing to the contrary.

Once a week for the moſt part he did catechiſe, both Children and ſervants either out of the Aſſemblies, or his own Scriptural Catechiſm and explained it to them: And once a fortnight if not diverted by urgent occaſion, he went p. 57over ſome principle of Religion, opening and explaining it in a Catiehiſtical way, which his Children and Servants were to give him an account of the next fortnight, and when they had ſo done, he proceeded to another principle, and thus he did from time to time. What ſermons the Youth of the family heard upon the Lords day, or at any other time, they gave an account thereof to him as they could remember. He kept private days of Humiliation with his family, as often as he could gain opportunity for it, on which days he would if not prevented, deal particularly with every one, or as many as he had time for, that was under his charge, about the matters of their Souls. And took care that all in his family ſhould call upon God and Pray to him in ſecret, as well as be preſent at family duty. And when any of his Brethren came to vſit him. He was not willing to let them depart without Prayer. His Family was an houſe of Prayer. Theſe his labours in his family God bleſſed and ſucceeded to the Spiritual good of ſeveral that came under his roof.

He was moſt tenderly conſcientious in keeping holy the Sabbath day, whereof he was a ſtrict obſerver, and took care that all under his roof ſhould do the ſame. He kept a very ſevere watch not only over his words, and actions, but his very thoughts alſo. Quickly reflecting thereon not only when vain and ſinful, but when impertinent to the holineſs, and p. 58duty of the day, whereof he hath left the following teſtimonies.

April. 29. 1666. My heart was much out of frame upon the Lords day, full of vain and Sinful thoughts. As I was going to prayer in the Afternoon alone, God brought to remembrance, Pſ. 40. 12, 17. Innumerable evils have Compaſſed me about, mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, ſo that I am not able to look up—yet the Lord thinketh upon me. This was a ſtay to me.

Apr. 4. I went forth on ſeveral occaſions, None of them ſucceeded. The firſt Contrivance of that journey was caſt into my thoughts on the Lords day in a time of prayer, I laid it aſide till Monday, and then conſidered further of it, and ſaw it convenient for the beſt ordering of my affairs. But not humbling my ſoul for thoſe contrivances ſo unſeaſonably ariſing in my mind, I was croſſed in them. Hereupon I determined for time to come, when any thoughts or contrivances about ordering my affairs were caſt into my mind on Lords days or on other days in time of holy duties, to lay them aſide till a more convenient time; and if upon deliberation, that way of ordering my affairs ſeems beſt which was caſt into my mind in time of holy duties, I would not hereupon neglect that way leſt Satan ſhould get advantage of me, but I would firſt humble my Soul for its wanderings and ſuffering ſuch thoughts to ariſe ſo unſeaſonably, p. 59and took to Chriſt for pardon of the irregularities of my heart, and then not fear to order my affairs in that way, that ſeems moſt agreeable to reaſon, and neereſt the rule of Gods word, though the Contrivance was firſt caſt into my mind, at an unſeaſonable time.

Having a letter of Spiritual advice and Counſel to write to a friend, and having no ſpare time but on the Lords day, to do it, I was doubtful whether I might ſpend ſome part of that day on ſuch imployment. As I was muſing on my bed what I had beſt do, that Scripture came to my mind, Rev. 1. 10, 11. I was in the Spirit on the Lords day, and I heard a Voice ſaying, what thou ſeeſt Write in a Book, and ſend it to the ſeven Churches. Whence I Concluded it to be Lawful to write, as well as read, hear, meditate, and diſcourſe of ſpirital matters on the Lords day.

His Charity had no leſs meaſure than the reſt of his Graces, which he accounted one of the beſt characters of a Chriſtian. Lamenting ſometimes the diviſions among Profeſſors of religion, he would ſay, He did not value a Chriſtian by his great knowledg and eminent parts, but by his great Charity and Love to his Brethren.

This he extended to various Sorts of objects▪ as,

Towards thoſe who were at difference one with another. He was an induſtrious peacemaker, offering himſelf to interpoſe, to make up the breach, taking journeys when at diſtance in order to it.

p. 60Towards thoſe that had difference with himſelf about worldly concernes, from which he was not altogether free, though altogether innocent, when he ſuffered wrong by any, his care was, that they ſhould ſuffer none by him, or his, either in word or deed, always practiſing himſelf, and counſelling others to do good, againſt evil. He would make the beſt conſtruction, that was poſſible, of the words, and actions of his adverſaries, often making mention of that Scripture, 1 Cor. 13. 5. Charity thinketh no evil.

Towards his Friends, his Friendſhip was hearty, ingenuous, faithful and open. He received them into his houſe gladly, entertained them liberally, converſed with them cheerfully, ſympathiſed with them in their afflictions affectionately, and ſerved them, as he had occaſion, induſtriouſly.

Towards thoſe that perſecuted him, and others for Conſcience, and Religions ſake, he obſerved the command of Chriſt Math. 5. 44. He affcctionately pitied them, and prayed for them daily. And when he heard any paſſionate expreſſions againſt them for their violence, and unrighteouſneſs, he would be offended, and charge people to pray more earneſtly for them, and ſeek opportunities to do them good.

Towards thoſe that diſſented from him in the matters of God, he had a Spirit of meekneſs and forbearance, embracing all with Chriſtian Love, whoſe practice did not deſtroy p. 61their profeſſion of Chriſtianity. Colcheſter was a very divided place, when he was called thither, upon the account of diverſe perſuaſions, yet he ſo behaved himſelf with all humility, modiration, tenderneſs, Brotherly kindneſs, aad Charitable judgment, that they were generally united in their reſpects, and eſteem for him. And though he could not with Satiſfaction to his Conſcience, conform to all that the Law required, yet he judged many that did, to be very Good men, and had a real Honour for them.

Towards the poor, and ſuch as were reduced to ſtreights and difficulties in this world, he was pitiful and bountiful, He deviſed liberall things, and drew out his Soul to the hungry. In the exerciſe whereof he obſerved our Saviours rule Math. 6. 1, 2, 3. This indeed was one of his ſecrets which he always induſtriouſly, concealed as much as he could. Yet variety of objects bare witneſs to him.

The Widow, the Fatherleſs, the Stranger, the Sick, the Sufferers, have all been refreſhed from his compaſſions. Though he offered to Preach freely at St, James's Church in Colcheſter, on Lords day Mornings (as hath been before mentioned) not deſiring or expecting any reward, yet the civility of the people did gratifie him for his pains. The greateſt part of which (I am aſſured from an hand privy to it) he diſtributed to charitable uſes.

And this I read under his own hand.

p. 62Nov. 1. 1665. I made a Vow to God to give him the tenth of all that he ſhould give unto me the enſuing year. That which occaſioned me to vow this Vow, was the reading, Gen. 28. which fell out that morning in my ordinary courſe; where I obſerved that moſt of thoſe bleſſings, which Jacob mentions as his inducement to his Vow, God had given me. He had vouchſafed me his preſence, he had graciouſly preſerved and kept me from my Enemies, and the noyſome peſtilence, he had given me bread and Raiment, I added Pro. 3. 9. Honour the Lord with thy Subſtance, and with the firſt fruits of all thine encreaſe. I Conſidered alſo that what I gave to God ſhould be fruit abounding to my account. Phil. 4. 17. Math. 25. 34, 35, 36.

I conſidered which way I ſhould give it to God, and I ſaw from, Prov. 19. 17. that what was given to the poor was given to God: Eſpecially what was given to the poor Saints and members of Chriſt, Math. 25. 35, 40. And as to the Suffering Miniſters of Chriſt. I determined to beſtow part of what I had dedicated to God, on them, and that though they were not brought to ſuch extremities, as not to know how to Subſiſt. I was moved thereunto by, Phil. 4. 10, 11, 14, 18. The Apoſtle Paul was not in ſuch want but that he knew how to live comfortably, and contentedly, yet he ſaith the Philippians, p. 63did well in Communicating with his afflictions, and tells them that their Charity towards him was an odour of a ſweet ſmell, a Sacrifice acceptable and well pleaſing to God.

Towards the Church of God in General, his indefatigable Labours in Preaching and Writing; his frequent Faſtings and Humiliations, his fervent and wreſtling Prayers for the peace of Jeruſalem; his affectionate ſympathizing with her in her Sufferings, are the undeniable Teſtimonies of his Love.

His own Liberality and ſtirring up of others thereunto, for the Education of ſuch poor Schollars as were hopeful for the work of the Miniſtry is the effect of the ſame Principle.

To which muſt be added his Laſt-will and Teſtament, wherein out of pure zeal and Love to the Service and Enlargement of the Church, he hath bequeathed the greateſt part of his well furniſhed Library, even the choiceſt and moſt valuable of his Books to Gonvile and Caius Colledge in Cambridge; with five Hundred pounds to be laid out by his Executrix in purchaſing a Free-hold Eſtate, or Impropriation to be ſetled upon the ſaid Colledge, for the maintenance of a Schollar and Fellow there ſucceſſively for ever. Providing that ſuch only be Elected thereto, as are poor, or Orphans, or the Sons of poor Miniſters of the beſt and moſt hopeful parts, obliging them to the Study of Divinity and the Miniſterial work; taking ſpecial care that ſuch be well grounded and p. 64eſtabliſhed in the Orthodox Faith, the true Reformed Proteſtant Religion; and in caſe any ſuch Elected ſhall become corrupt in Doctrine, or Scandalous in life, then after due admonition, and Non-Reformation, his place to be declared void, and another to be choſen in his ſtead, and none to enjoy it longer than twelve years. Beſides which he hath alſo bequeathed, in Caſe his only Daughter ſhall die before ſhe ſhall accompliſh the Age of one and twenty years, Twenty pounds per Annum to be ſetled upon the Colledge in New England, for the Education of a Converted Indian, or any other that will learn the Indian Language to be a Miniſter, and go to Preach the Goſpel to the poor Indians. (Nor was this the firſt expreſſion of his pious regard to that remote part of the world, for when he heard of that waſting Fire that laid ſo great a part of Boſton in N. E. in Aſhes, he ſent thither freely to be diſtributed among the Sufferers, a conſiderable quantity of his Books, Entituled Counſel to the Afflicted, which he had wrote upon the occaſion of the Burning of London.) Beyond which he hath alſo given Twenty five pound to Charitable uſes. Which bequeſts he hath made yet with all due reſpect to his Family, not in the leaſt declining from the kindneſs of an Husband, or the tenderneſs of a Father, ſo ordering his Charity to others, as withal ſecuring to his Widow and Fatherleſs Child, not only a neceſſary and Competent, but even a liberal and p. 65plentiful Subſiſtence; reſerving to them the Rent of what he hath bequeathed to the Colledge during their Natural lives.

Hitherto the Reader hath had an account of this Eminent Saint given him for the moſt part from thoſe Acts and Exerciſes of his life, by which he was viſible to the diſcerning and judicious eyes of thoſe that knew him.

We ſhall now proceed to give a further account of thoſe his own obſervations, and experiences of himſelf through which we may look into the very frame and temper, the thoughts and affections of his heart, ſome of which he hath thus recorded.