A Narrative of the Holy Life and Happy Death of John Angier, Letter – Part 1

A Narrative of the Holy Life and Happy Death of John Angier · Letter – Part 1

p. 27Reverend and much Honoured Sir,

WE whoſe Names are here under written, being few in number, and long and not a little afflicted in condition, of that unworthy Congregation to whom God firſt lent you (in this County) having for a long time lyen under the ſad ſence of the heavieſt affliction that this life can bear, (viz.) not the bare fear but the plain feeling of the Almighties diſpleaſure, and hot indignation gone out againſt us, to the throwing down of that hopeful beginning of his houſe, which we thought he would have builded us into, whenas he was p. 28pleaſed to cauſe his Glory to ſhine in our publick and private aſſemblies, and for a ſhort time to ſet up his ſtandard in our houſe of Worſhip; giving many of us, (and others about us) our firſt effectual call, and coming near to all his People, laying great reſtraint upon thoſe without: but Oh, how ſoon began our black night, (nay age) to approach our loving Father (by our Enemies hand) teared you away from us, turned his back, or hid his face from us, and hath in anger, by his all-diſpoſing Providence thus ſpoken, and been ſpeaking to this ſad place this 20 years, and upward, Let very few or none more of this People be converted; let this People have little of my preſence in their houſe of publick meeting, let none of my Embaſſadours be ſet over them for their profit; let them be decreaſed by death, by ſchiſms, and by ſcandals; yea, let their publick Aſſemblies be broken up, and let help and healing be looked for in vain; let them look for light, but behold obſcurity, for brightneſs but walk in darkneſs. For theſe things, Reverend Sir, we do mourn, and our hearts are troubled, and to whom (under God) ſhall we lay open our ſad afflictions, thereby to get eaſe, but to your ſelf, whom it pleaſed God once to make his bleſſed inſtrument for planting and watering ſo many Souls amongſt us: we have had experience of your love to us, for which we deſire to be thankful, and do bleſs God, and do therefore make bold to acquaint you with our p. 29broken condition, intreating your interceſſion for us; and, if it were the good will of the Lord, your return to us, with the conſent of your people, without offence, though it could be but a ſhort ſpace, &c. And thus they go on, imploring it with great importunity, for the Churches ſake, and the Lords ſake, though but for one year.

To this are 24 hands ſubſcribed; but the People of Denton having poſſeſſion, would by no means yeild; and Miniſters gave in their judgment, upon due conſideration of circumſtances, that for the publick good of the Church, Mr. Angier ſhould continue at Denton, in which he was willing to acquieſce.

As to Mr. Angiers judgment in Eccleſiaſtical affairs, in free times, as he had not turned aſide to conformity, on one hand, ſo now he ſtuck faſt and firm to found and Catholick Principles, not turning aſide to any ways of ſinful ſeparation, though ſome of his intimate friends forſook him, and ſome of his brethren cenſured him for too large Principles and practices in Church-adminiſtration: yet as he had a tender reſpect to congregational brethren; ſo they had (at leaſt many of them) a great reverence for him; he was a principal member of that Reverend Claſſe, (or Aſſociation of Miniſters) at Mancheſter, and was of great account p. 30and uſe among them; ſuch was their eſteem of him, that they would ſcarce do any thing of importance without him, he oftentimes preſided as Chair-Man, or Moderator, frequently attended the provincial Aſſembly at Preſton, had ruling-elders in his own Congregation, but loved not dividing principles, or diſtinguiſhing Names, or Lordly domineering by any Arbitrary impoſitions: I have often heard him ſay, that in a little time, who ever lived, ſhould ſee much of the Government of Chriſt ſhould be carried on in particular Churches amongſt themſelves.

He was of a Sweet, Moderate, Healing Spirit, both at home and abroad; yet very faithful and plain dealing, whereby ſome were at preſent offended, and poſſibly ſome of his principles or actings ſuited not ſome perſons principles or humours; yet even thoſe entertained what he ſpake with high veneration; and if at any time they broke out into paſſions, or unruly animoſities, his love and lenity, his mild carriage and compaſſionate Spirit, did ſo mollify and qualify their Spirits in time, that they were either overcome to a compliance, or won to endeared apprehenſions of his candor and ingenuity: ſo that I have often thought of that paſſage of Melchior Adam one of the German Divines, Melch. Ad. in vit ger Th. p. 65.as applicable to Mr. Angier; it was Schwebellius, that had p. 31much to do with Anabaptiſts, and Swinckfeldians, [Quorum impetus manſuetudine fregit, patientia vicit & lenitate in ordinem coegit] thus this good Mr. Angier hath by mildneſs broke, by patience conquered, and lenity reduced to good order ſuch as others rigour and ſeverity hath exaſperated to irreconcilable diſtances; but ordinarily an healing vertue followed his gentle hand.

And for his judgment and practice in publick and politick affairs, he was fixed in his apprehenſions for Monarchy, and was not wheeled about with the change of times; he was one of thoſe that bore his Teſtimony with the Reſt of his Brethren, againſt that unparallel'd murder of King Charles the firſt, and the Uſurpations attending it; he refuſed to take up the ingagement, tho to his great prejudice, for he told a godly Miniſter that he loſt 200 l. by his refuſal of it. He durſt not give God thanks for the Armies ſucceſs againſt the Loyal Scots; he poured out many hearty prayers and tears for his preſent Majeſty, aſſerted his right to the Crown in the face of apparent danger; joyned with his Brethren in that ſolid plea for the Non-ſubſcribers to the Engagement, which was (to be true and faithful to the Commonwealth of England, as it is now Eſtabliſht without King or Houſe of Lords) for which they were threatened and endangered, till God broke that ſnare; ſome troubles both Mr. p. 32Angier and ſome Miniſters and Gentlemen went through, for owning his Majeſties intereſt, they were carried Priſoners to Lever… pool, and from thence removed to Ormskir… becauſe of the Plague; they had indeed the liberty of their friends viſiting them, and free intercourſe; they ſpent much time in prayer, and thus ſtrengthened one another hands in God, and left a good favour be hind them, the remembrance whereof continues to this day.

At this time was the conception, and afterwards the birth of that excellent Treatiſe of Mr. Edward Gee's, then Parſon of Eccleſton (and priſoner with them) about prayer; the occaſion whereof was this: Amongſt the reſt of the debates managed by theſe holy men, this was one great caſe of Conſcience, wherein they deſired ſatisfaction, viz. Whether God may hide himſelf from his peoples prayers, grounded upon his promiſe, and ſeem by his providences to anſwer the prayers which are contrary thereto? whether this can be paralleld with any examples? in what ſence God may do this? what may be the reaſon thereof? what uſe may be made of Gods proceeding herein? This multifarious queſtion being the proper ſubject of that day, and not ſatisfying themſelves in their preſent diſcourſes, they judged it fit to refer it to a ſuller diſcuſſion by ſome able pen, and pitched upon p. 33Mr. Gee, who undertook it, and writ an excellent treatiſe, which is extant, and of great uſe at this day.

Other caſes of Conſcience did occur in that day, wherein Mr. Angiers advice was deſired; one was, Whether Juſtices of Peace or other Officers might take commiſſions from, and act under thoſe Uſurped powers? Mr. Angier thought they might, bringing inſtances of Civil Officers acting in their ſtations the ſix years of Athaliah's uſurpation: there is a full treatiſe in writing upon this ſubject: many ſuch caſes were propounded to him, and ſolidly reſolved; and indeed he was eſteemed by good men, the living Oracle of his time, as Mr. Hilderſham before him, and by ſome ill-willed perſons he was called the Idol of Lancaſhire, becauſe of the great value moſt men ſet upon him: but more of this ſubject ſhall be ſubjoyned …n the cloſe, of his facutly in reſolving weighty caſes of Conſcience.

He was not a man for Military Exerciſes, yet his counſels and prayers had influence on weighty affairs, and this was the ſphere he moved in, not thruſting his Sickle into anothers Harveſt, but declaring his judgment as a Miniſter of the Goſpel, when conſulted with: he could not but enquire now it went with the Church of God at home and abroad, that he might accordingly order his prayers; and for this reaſon its p. 34ſaid reverend Mr. Hooker of New Englan… was a great inquirer after News, and h… ſaid he did it upon the ſame account; and thus did holy Nehemiah make inquiry, no… out of Athenian curioſity, but Chriſtian conſcientiouſneſs, to ſympathize with the Church of God: he had no hand in public… revolutions, hence it was that he injoyed … much peace, and that all parties had an hig… eſteem of him; in the Lord Delamere appearance for his Majeſties Intereſt, Mr… Angier ſtayed at home, though his hear… and prayers were that way; yet he foreſa… the event, and in that God graciouſly hear… his prayers for preventing the effuſion o… blood, and bringing in the King in ſo … markable a manner the year following, fo… which Mr. Angier kept ſolemn days … thankfulneſs, though he alſo predicted a… approaching ſtorm on many of the Miniſter of Chriſt, that could not run the ſame lengt… that others complyed with; and at an e… erciſe at Eccles he gave remarkable hints o… what was coming on, from Exod 14.1… in a full aſſembly of ſeveral ſorts of hearen but ſo wiſely, that the moſt malicious Mo… could not take advantage from his Sermo… and indeed he might be allowed to ſpea… what others could not, his integrity an… loyalty, his uprightneſs and peaceblen… being deeply engraven in the Conſcienc… of all that knew him, and his name bei… p. 35precious to all that heard of him; when the Act of Uniformity came out, he preached very plainly on Eſther 4.1. It was very admirable to obſerve what pat and proper Scriptures he choſe, pertinent to publick or perſonal occaſions, and how ſweetly and ſutably he accommodated his matter thereto.

His moſt natural Genius led him to be a Son of Conſolation: he had a peculiar gift in opening the ſweet promiſes of the Goſpel, and pouring oil into wounded conſciences, incouriging drooping Spirits, anſwering ſad objections to abundant ſatisfaction; yet he could (and ſometimes did) act the part of a Boanerges, to thunder out the menaces of the Law againſt ſecure and ſturdy Sinners; and the Lord bleſſed his Miniſtry both ways, for levelling high Mountains, and lifting up Valley-Souls. He was an excellent Text-man, a ſolid Expoſitor; his way was, comparing one Scripture with another, wherein he had a ſingular art, ſhewing the main ſcope of the Holy Ghoſt therein, raiſing pertinent doctrins therefrom; though he had conſulted with Expoſitors (of which he had ſtore of choice ones) yet he made no oſtentation of his acquaintance with them by numerous quotations, but extracted the marrow out of them, and pitcht upon what ſemed to him moſt proper.

p. 36He did not concern himſelf with controverſies in the Pulpit, but preached the moſt plain, practical, experimental truths, and often inculcated the Eſſentials of Religion, ſtill teaching the people knowledg, inſomuch as the Chriſtians that were bred under his Miniſtry were ſolid, ſubſtantial, knowing and peaceble profeſſors, few warping off to the errors of the times; and i… he had occaſion to deal with the petulan… S…epticks or D…gmatizers of this age, h… rather laid down poſitive truths, and ſolidly confirmed them, than follow the wil… vagaries of Erratick Spirits, by diſproving them; judging with Zuinglius, [Veris intellectis, falſa etiam haud difficulter agnoſcunter]; when truth is diſcovered, errour is detected; and is ether acknowledged, o… falls of it ſelf. But indeed he loved no… diſputes, nor did his ſtudieis or genius carry him out to controverſies, except Gods glory, and the neceſſary defence of truth required it, and then alſo he managed things ſo calmly, fairly, that he won adverſaries, and won credit to his cauſe; Diſſentions were his burden, unity his delight, and God gave him his deſire, for the Diviſions of Reub… he had ſad thoughts of heart; and for diſputes among Divines, was ready to breath… out with honeſt Summerh…ld, that ſad word [quis me tandem liberabit ab iſta rixoſa Theologia] who at length will ſet me free fro… p. 37this brawling kind of Theology? For Mr. Angier ſtill expreſſed a ſad regret upon ſuch unwelcome occaſions of diſpute and conten…ion, his uſual expreſſion being, This is …edious work, and goes on wearily.

'Tis true he was a great peace-maker in ſacred or civil broiſes: if any of his neighbours had quarrels with one another, the matter was brought before him, and his wiſdome ſound out ſome expedient to reconcile …hem, and his grave exhortations uſually prevailed for accommodation; if not, he laid …t deeply to heart, and ſtill made it the matter of his prayer; but God ordinarily bleſſed him with ſucceſs, and gave him the bleſ…ing pronounced to peace-makers, to be called one of the Children of God; in ſome caſes of difference, I have known him (ſaid …ne that had reaſon to know it, and is faithful …n the relation) give Money out of his Purſe, to compoſe ſome quarrels: and …tho thoſe days were moſt grievous to him, yet when his ſucceſſe anſwered his deſigns, the iſſue and the review were ſweet to his ſpirit, and he did not repent his weary labours.

Mr. Angier did not offer to the Lord that which coſt him nothing he ingaged his whole man in that which he went about, not doing the work of the Lord negligently: he took great pains in ſtudying his Sermons, and they were elaborate, full fraught with Spiritual p. 38marrow, very exact, no waſte word or repetitions, but went on ſmoothly, pertinently, ſententiouſly, though he ſtudie… matter rather than words, and never uſe notes in all his life, but took pains to comm… his Sermon to memory, which he had before diligently penned; he ſtood not to loo… proofs, but repeated the words of the Scriptures he quoted exactly, yet memoriter, … improving them to the preſent occaſion holding up his hands all the time of his Sermon, ſpeaking with an even, audible voice with much ardency and intention both … Spirit and Speech; his Sermons were n… long nor full of heads, but well compact… and me hodical (which is an help to memory) and under thoſe few particulars he ha… pertinent and plain inlargements; he preached longer in his younger days, and in his old age about an hour, ſcarce any more … leſs, and it exceedingly ſpent him, uſually ſweating at his coming out of the Pulpit; warming a Scarlet Cloth, and laying it on his Breaſt, for he was very ſubject to catch cold after preaching; and I have hear… him ſpeak of old Mr. Rogers, that in his younger days when he came out of the Pulpit, one muſt have ſtayed him, to have diſcourſed with him, then another, in the open air, when the pores are open; but he found ſenſible prejudice by it, and learned to take more care of himſelf, for people did not conſider it.

p. 39It was littel leſs than a Miracle that a man of ſuch a weak conſtitution as Mr. Angier was, could bear up ſo long under ſuch day…y and indefatigable labours, his conſtant preaching, twice every Lords day, moſt part of his time, travelling and preaching many exerciſes abroad on Week-days, his monthly attendance in the Claſſical Presbytery, requent travels to the Provincial Aſſembly, …onſtant aſſiſting in the Ordination of Miniſters, obſerving many private faſts amongſt his own People, and abroad; yea extraordinary faſts in publick, eſpecially the monthly faſts kept for Ireland, at that time, …e ordinarily kept the faſt himſelf, wherein he ſpent ſix or ſeven hours in wreſtling with God in prayer, or preaching the word; …e was wonderfully enlarged, and had a great meaſure of the Spirit poured upon him, as to the aſſiſtance of his Spirit, and his body was much ſupported, for he …aid private faſts ſpent his natural ſtrength more than his ſabbath-days work, for he ſtill …ept the poſture of kneeling; and did affectionately joyn with others that were exerciſed; or he put others on to prayer, and himſelf loſed up the day with a ſhort but warm melting prayer, being ſhort towards the …tter end of his days.

His obſerving faſts with his people was … evidence that his delight was in that …ind of work; for he hath oft ſaid, that p. 40one great thing that tyed and indear… him to that poor people, was, that when ever they had occaſion, they appointed faſt, and did joyn together in prayer, and alſo in praiſe; and he had a particular honour to his worthy friend, Col. Richard Holland, on that very account, that ſt… (he ſaid) when he had been in troubles, … did conſtantly call good people to pray … God with him.

He was ſo conſtant in his Miniſterial wo… and diligent in his ſtudies and preaching… his own people, that though Mr. Harriſon of Aſhton (his intimate and intire friend and he, lived near together for twenty year yet never did they exchange places for o… day in that time to eaſe themſelves; M… Herle told him he had a weak body, yet Venice Glaſs well look'd to, would laſt conſiderable time: and notwithſtanding … exceſſive labours, God maintained in him conſiderable meaſure of health, poſſibly mo… than he enjoyed in his younger years; a… next to Divine Providence, much may … aſcribed to his ſevere temperance, obſervance of diet, compoſedneſs of mind, a… care of himſelf, according to his experimen… of what he had found helpful or hurtful … him: and though he was of a far weak… conſtitution than Mr. Harriſon, and Eld… by ſeveral years, yet ſurvived him; … whom he hath ſometimes ſaid, Mr. Harriſon p. 41you think you can do any thing, but your body will fail you, and indeed it did, for tho that learned, gracious, zealous man of God had a very ſtrong, healthful, robuſt body; yet by his exceſſive Studies, and aſſiduous labours, and watchings, and ſitting ſo cloſe without fire in cold Winter-Nights, that his nerves were ſo contracted, and his body ſo weakened, that ſome years before he died he could not ſtir Hand nor Foot, yet was h…arty, and would often ſay, if I were in the Pulpit I ſhould be well. But to return to Mr. Angier, he was a man much in prayer, and mighty, it may be ſaid of him as of David; Pſal. 119.164. That he prayed or praiſed God ſeven times in a day: at leaſt twice, (I think thrice) with his Wife, twice alone, and twice with his Family; in his Family-work he was very profitable, every one got a verſe or more out of the Chapter read at prayers; he gathered ſome uſeful inſtructions, ſhort, but ſubſtantial, and accommodated to the condition of the Family, Eight of the Clock in the Morning, and betwixt five and ſix at Night before Supper, were the ordinary ſeaſons for Family worſhip, beginning with a Pſalm, by which the Family had notice to come together: his conſtant courſe was to have a Chapter read after Dinner, and Supper, before they roſe from the Table, and before thanks was returned; and he ſaid, he p. 42took up that uſage of having a Chapter read at Meals from Mr. Rogers of D…dham; worthy Mr. Samuel Hilderſham had conſtantly two ſtaves of a Pſalm ſung after Meals, ſo had the firſt Chriſtian Emperor Conſtantine the Great, as Euſeb…us tells us, and I have known ſome uſe it.

And as Mr. Angier was much in prayer, ſo he was mighty in prayer, fervent as well as frequent, he wept and made ſupplication, Jacob like, yea he was an Iſraelite; a Prince with God, he was by ſome called Weeping Angier; for as he ſeldome roſe off his knees without Tears, ſo ſome have obſerved, Tears at ſome ſeaſons trickle down to his Band, in great abundance: Mr. Iſaac Ambroſe, in his Diary Printed with his Media, ſaith, that upon a ſolemn day of faſting and prayer in Mancheſter Church Mr. A. concluding, his prayer was ſo working, that I believe it melted all hearts; and for my own, ſaith he, it pleaſed the Lord ſo to ſoften and to break it, that ſo far as I remember, it was never in ſuch a melting frame in any publick ordinance before; and as it workt on mens hearts, ſo it was prevalent and reacht Gods heart, as the event did demonſtrate; thus the inwrought Prayer, [foreign] of a righteous man availeth much: certainly Mr. Angier had many remarkable returns p. 43of prayer; whereof it may be ſomething ſhall be added out of his own papers hereafter; ſo great was the eſteem of him generally, that he was frequently ſent for to pray with ſome Melancholly perſons, and ſome poſſeſſed, as was ſuppoſed, and ſometimes they brought ſuch perſons to him from far, and God was pleaſed in ſome caſes to hear prayers; but ſome particulars much tal…ed of, I dare not relate what I have heard, except I had clear and undoubted teſtimony of the truth thereof.

And as he was inſtant and prevalent in prayer, Seriouſneſs in thankfulneſs.ſo he was excellent and …und… in praiſes, he exceeded others in ſupplications, and himſelf in thankſgiving; frequent Ejaculations and expreſſions o… Gods grace and Mercy, were in his mind and mouth; they that converſed with him frequently heard (Deo gratias) thanks be to God, from him. But as he took more occaſions than many others of keeping days of thankſgiving ſo God gave him ſtill more occaſions of thankfulneſs: and its uſual for God to put new ſongs of praiſe into thankful perſons Mouths, it was his frequent obſervation, that when a day of thankfulneſs was appointed, God ſent in ſome freſh matter to increaſe joy in the Lord; and ſometimes the intervening providence merited ſuch a day as much as the former: ſo well doth God p. 44take an aſpect towards that lovely duty, that he incourageth to it. And oh how inlarged was he in thoſe Days and Duties! he ſeemed to be tranſported into Extaſies of Admiration: yea he ſeemed to be elevated above the Earth, amongſt the Coeleſtial… inhabitants; his heart and mouth were inlarged to an high ſtrain, in rehearſing the loving-kindneſs of the Lord: he expatiated eſpecially upon Spiritual mercies, to the aſtoniſhment of thoſe that joyned with him; often uſing Davids holy Rhapſody, 2 Sam. 7.18, 19, 20 Who am I, O Lord God? and what is my houſe, that thou haſt brought me hitherto? it would have done ones heart good to hear him an hour together, reckoning up the mercies of God, in Infancy, Childhood, Youth, riper Age, in all Eſtates, Relations, Conditions, Afflictions; and then magnifying the free grace of God, in giving his Son for us, his Spirit to us, promiſes, priviledges, Goſpel-ordinances, &c. and then the great kindneſs of God to his particular congregation, in publick liberty, for which he kept many days of thankſgiving, and for national mercies; yea there was not any of his Relations, or in his Congregation, under any Affliction, Temptation, but as he prayed for them, ſo he gave God thanks for their deliverance: he knit his Breaſt to every ones heart and caſe; he mourned with ſuch as p. 45mourned, rejoyced with ſuch as rejoyced, God had given him a ſympathizing heart, 2 Cor. 11.29.2 Cor 11:29he might ſay, Who is Weak, and I am not weak?

But eſpecially he was deeply concerned for the Church of God both at home and abroad; he gave God no reſt, but was the Lords dayly remembrancer, ſtanding betwixt the living and the dead, in the breach that ſin had made, to hold off wrath. He had great intereſt at the Throne of Grace, and notably improved it, by a believing prayer, and filling his mouth with Arguments: he had skill and will for his work; often was he in the Mount, and converſed with God as a Man with his Friend: he had an excellent Art in humble expoſtulation with God; ſurely the Church-militant parted with a Friend when he was tranſlated to Glory, it appeared in the congregation, that God had ſet him over, what weight he bore up, by the dreadful conſequences attending his death; for thereby the people loſt their priviledges; for from the day of his Funeral to this day, never did Non-Conformiſt preach in his Pulpit, ſo that it appears for whoſe ſake the liberty was maintained; Denton hath found the ſmart, its well if England feel not the fatal fruits of the removal of ſuch Pillars; Methuſalem dyed that year the deluge overſpread the World: Hippo was ſacked by the Vandals p. 46immediately after Auguſtines death there: Heedleberg taken after Pareus's death: Luther dyed a little before the Wars in Germany. Lord prevent temporal evils threatned, that the prediction may not be accomplſhed, that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come: Iſa. 57.1.Isa 57:1this Worthy, fallen in Iſrael, ſpeaks heavy things to England.

Mr. Earneſtneſs …n prayer.Angier was very ſolemn and grave in all his addreſſes to God, or in his delivering meſſages from God: it was his uſual manner, before he ſpoke a word in prayer, to pauſe a conſiderable while, looking upwards, compoſed his thoughts, poſſeſſing his heart with awful apprehenſions of the Divine Majeſty and by mental ejaculations imploring Gods quickning preſence; and after a ſeaſon he arrived gradually to a great degree of zeal and warmth in prayer, agonizing in the duty with ſweat and tears, which rendered his ſpeaking; at ſome ſeaſons both painful and difficult; yet was he not only made up of zeal and affection, but had proper and pertinent matter, exact method, and apt expreſſions: Mr Harriſon was wont to call him a ponderous man, for every word had its weight and emphaſis; he had no waſte words either in prayer or preaching, but as his affections were Boiling, p. 47ſo his Words were few and well weighed.

He did not uſe to be long in prayer, except upon extraordinary occaſions, and then not tedious, becauſe variety of matter and patheticalneſs in the manner, rendered his prayers acceptable to the joyners; he propounded this Queſtion, Whether the ſpirit of God did ordinarily dictate matter of prayer? he did conceive it might, from Rom. 8 26. the ſpirit helpeth, for we know not what we ſhould pray for. Yet he was far from Enthuſiaſm; nor was he altogether againſt forms of prayer, nor joyning in publick with the Liturgy, though he judged that inconvenient modes of worſhip muſt be our affliction, but may not be our ſin, when we are not in a capacity to remedy; nor did he think that meer preſence doth ſignify conſent or approbation of every thing we hear. As for the Lords prayer, his judgment was, that it was delivered chiefly by our Saviour as a pattern or platform of prayer, to which, (as to ſeveral heads) all our prayers muſt be referred.

He ſeldom inſiſted long upon a Text (except when he took a Scripture before him) becauſe (as he uſed to ſay) a Miniſter may have frequent occaſion in the courſe of his p. 48Pertinence in Preaching.Miniſtry, to return again to the ſame ſubject, therefore he needs not to ſay all that can be ſaid upon it at once, but extract the marrow of the Text, and pick out what at preſent he judgeth proper to the principal occaſion for which he choſe it, and drive that Naile home: yea tho a Miniſter ſhould ſay all that he can find out upon ſuch a Text or Subject, yet he will be forced to leave ſome gleanings that he may return again to gather up, and thoſe as pertinent and uſeful, as he preſſed, as at his firſt Vintage-reaping: ſo true is that of Tertullian, Adora ſcriptura plenitudinem.I adore the fulneſs of the Scriptures. He had a notable obſervation from Heb. 11.32. For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon; hence he obſerved, That a Miniſter muſt have reſpect, not only to what he is to ſay, but to the time he is to ſpeak or write it in; all things cannot be ſpoken at one time; Chriſt taught as people were able to hear; people, yea the beſt people have but a meaſure of attention, memory or affection; good old Mr. Horrocks was wont to ſay, I would rather leave my hearers longing than loathing.

And as Mr. His CatichiſingAngier conſtantly preached, ſo he carefully Catechized the youth of his Congregation, according to the Aſſemblies Shorter Catechiſm, and explained it, opening the principles of Religion in a plain and p. 49…amiliar way; ſometimes taking an account of their proficiency: and if he heard of the breakings out of ſin in any of his hearers, he faithfully admoniſhed them privately, and ſometimes publickly, ſometimes ſending for the perſons, and pleading with them, with much gravity, humility, and Bowels of compaſſion. Ordinarily when ſtrangers came to ſettle under his Miniſtry, …e ſent for them, diſcourſed with them, counſelled, inſtructed, exhorted them; thus he dealt with new Married Perſons, and indeed God brought ſeveral from other places to fix themſelves under his Miniſtry for the benefit of the Ordinances.

His uſual ſaying was, His ſelfdenial in receiving.If God will help me to take care of my duty, I will leave him to take care of my comfort: his main deſign was to bring Glory to God in the converſion of ſinners, and edification of Saints: the attaining of theſe ends was his reward; when any ſent him tokens of their reſpects; he lookt at God in it, and was more glad of it, as a ſign of their proficiency, than a means of his inriching himſelf. So Paul, Phil. 4.17. Not becauſe I deſire a gift, but I deſire fruit that may abound to your account: thus it is ſaid of Bucholſer. (Gratiam munerum, quam munera, & Theologi… fructum quam fortuna p. 50maluit, he rather choſe, and accepted better a kindneſs in the giving, than the greatne… of the gift; being better pleaſed with the fruit of his Miniſtry, than meerly their bounty.

Mr. His diligence in reading Scriptures.Angier was much converſa… in the holy Scrpitures, they were dayl… his delight, and he had an excellen… art in chuſing and adapting fit Texts t… Divine Providences, that the Word migh… be a comment on the work of God: ſeldo… did any remarkable Providence, or ſudden accident fall out, but be either made it th… main ſubject of his diſcourſe, or particularly applyed ſomething he had in hand thereto he had a ſingular skill in preaching Funeral Sermons, ſo that tho he rarely made Hiſtorical reflections on the dead, yet intelligen… hearers might gather pertinent inſtruction or admonitions from his doctrinal concluſions, and cloſe applications naturally reſulting therefrom; he behaved himſelf with much reverence in Gods publick ordinances minding duely what was in hand; he conſtantly writ Sermons, when others preached for example to others, to prevent diverſions and for his own edification; he was ſo ful… of candor and ingenuity that tho me… gifts were weak, yet if they were honeſt he would commend them; never did an… hear him deſpiſe or diſparage others, but … p. 51he much deſired to have young Miniſters preach with him; ſo if they miſſed in it, he would plainly and privately tell them of their ſlips, or incourage ſuch as did well; what he ſpake was from his heart; what others ſpake, he would make a candid conſtruction thereof, if it would admit it; when the Miniſter that preached for him came out of the Pulpit, he uſually met him with this Salutation, [thanks be to God, or bleſſed be the Lord] never returning thanks to the Miniſter, (ſo far as I knew) but to God for his help to the Miniſter.

He was very excellent and exemplary in his adminiſtration of the Lords ſupper both as to Method, Matter, and manner, His Exemplarireſs in adminiſtring the Lords Supper.that ordinance was celebrated every month, and he had many hundreds of communicants, eſpecially in theſe late times, good People from all adjacent parts and Counties came flocking thither, and there were feaſted and refreſhed. I have known many ſtrangers come ten, yea ſome twenty miles, yea ſome thirty miles to attend on the ordinances at Denton, ſo that there was often more communicants than could ſet on ſeats in the Chappel, and officers went amongſt them to ſee if there was no intruders; for either they were known by face to them, or had teſtimonials from approved Miniſters, or eminent p. 52Chriſtians: his exactneſs, gravity, and inlargedneſs, was ſuch, that the firſt time I partaked there, a worthy Gentleman bad me obſerve him diligently, ſaying he is the exacteſt man in Lancaſhire in this work; and I thought young Miniſters might take notice of him as a pattern worthy imitation… and oh, how many Souls have been quickned comforted, and nouriſhed in that ordinance in that place! what gracious words proceeded out of his Mouth, and what gracious impreſſions have been made on commuican… hearts!

He was very diligent and painful in h… private Studies, Diligence in Private Studies.and was much pleaſed with his Cloſet-retirements: its true he was … able to read much in his elder days; but … had variety of imployment, ſometimes Reading, ſometimes Praying, Meditating, Writing; he Writ many choice and excelle… Letters; pithy, pertinent, profitable, upon ſeveral occaſions, ſome whereof he copi… out, were they collected into one intire pi… they would be of excellent uſe: he often complained of his memory, ſaying he had memory for nothing but to remember … own Sermons: but indeed his memory … not to be ſlighted, however his ſolid judgment, clear underſtanding in divine myſteri… and gracious experienced heart, ſhined for in all he did, helped his invention, and continual p. 53excerciſe did corroborate his memory, and ſtrong affections eſpecially carried him through all; for a Sanctifyed heart hath never a bad memory.

He was of a Savoury, holy, His exact convarſation.heavenly frame of Spirite to eye God, in all, and to improve all occurrences for ſpiritual advantage: the like inſtance of an exact converſation hath ſeldome been found; I was once riding along with him, and a Miniſter of my acquaintance whom I met, askt me who he was, being paſſed by, I told him; he ſaid, …f there be an Angel on Horſeback, that's …: and a ſervant, that lived with him many …ears, and knew his manner of life, atteſts, that he walked as near the rule of the word, and pattern of our Saviour, as is poſſible for …man to attain to on this ſide Glory, excelling in every Grace, exemplary in every good work, elevated above the ordinary …nk of Chriſtians, as it was ſaid of Bu…lzer, as to livelineſs, Melch. Ad. vit Buchol. p. 556.(Vivida in eo omnia …erunt, vivida vox, vividi oculi, vivide …anus, geſtus omnes vividi;) voice, eyes, hands, geſture, all full of livelineſs and viva…y: thus this man of God, Mr. Angier, …d act above his ſtrength and years in Gods work and worſhip, and was ſo full of warmth …d ſpirit fulneſs, that it plainly appeared … was acted and animated with a Spirit be…nd his own, for God was with him, and … was much with God.

p. 54He was affable to all, His affability, lenity.amiable in converſe with his intimate friends, open-hearted in diſcovering himſelf, without ſubtil reſerves, or peeviſhneſs of Spirit; he was ſo far as any could diſcern, [foreign] without anger, or choler; how be it his natural conſtitution, being ſanguine, might incline him to paſſion, yet the large meaſure of Grace wherewith God had endowed him, and continual Mortification, had ſo ſugared and lenifyed his diſpoſition, that to all that converſed with him, he ſeemed to be compounded of love and ſweetneſs.

But withal he was a perſon of great gravity, His gravity.his mildneſs did not degenerate into fondneſs or levity, nor his gravity into moroſeneſs, or auſterity, but a kindly mixture of mildneſs, Majeſty, and attractive ſweetneſs, put ſuch an awful reverence into hi… countenance, as did at once daunt impudent profaneneſs, and animate religious modeſty no…e were ſo audacious as to be found in any unhandſom act before him whoſe very look gave check to debaucheries, and none tha… knew him were afraid to open their Soul caſes to him, finding him ſo render and condeſcending to them upon all occaſions: indeed he was fruitful in holy diſcourſe to all; upon a queſtion or caſe of conſcience he had th… faculty to inlarge ſuitably and edifyingly, … the ſatisfaction of the propounder, if company p. 55had been ſilent; himſelf uſually propounded a profitable queſtion, or a proof of ſome principle of religion, or the meaning of ſome Scripture, as mater of diſcourſe for mutual edification; ſometimes in travelling with a Miniſter (as one teſtifies) he would call on him (when the road was free) to repeat the Heads of the Sermon he Preached or heard laſt.

He was exceeding liberal to the Poor, His liberality to the Poor.both in giving, forgiving and free lending; it was ſtrange to obſerve how much he gave out of ſo little; he had a liberal hand and an open heart, he deviſed liberal things, making frequent collections in publick, improving his intereſt for the indigent, or in publick affairs: his left hand knew not what his right hand did: one inſtance take, when the Collection was made for Northampton, 1675. he was then indiſpoſed, and went not out of fourteen weeks, or thereabouts, and therefore deſired his kinſman to preach on 2 Cor. 8.7. which he did, preparing the People in the morning, for the Collection in the afternoon; at which, becauſe he could not be preſent, he …ent his charity by his ſervant, which was not inconſiderable, but afterwards gave privately three times as much as he had done …n publick by his ſervant: yea in caſes of Collections, he would oft put on both his Children and ſervants to give: yea he ſent p. 56to poor Widows, Orphans, others, conſiderable ſums, with a charge not to tell from whence it came: he had not above 20 l. a year from his hearers; and though he had an eſtate of his own, yet all things conſidered, it may ſeem next to a miracle that he ſhould ſo abundantly lay out, and poſſeſs any thing, when his layings in were ſo ſmall; but God made good that promiſe, There is that ſcattereth, and yet increaſeth; The liberal ſoul ſhall be made fat: and he that watereth, ſhall be watered alſo himſelf, Pro. 11.24, 25.

He was alſo very free in lending, Forgiving injuries.and as free in forgiving, and paſſing by unkindneſſes: one inſtance particularly was this. When a Neighbour, (an indifferent Huſband for worldly matters) had borrowed Money of him, and broken his word, no… paying it in many Months after promiſe of payment, inſtead of paying the old debt he comes to beg a new favour, to borrow more Money, which Mr. Angier lent him and being asked why he would lend money to a man ſo diſhoneſt and unfaithful, replyed, that he did it to make a Knave a… honeſt man.

He was a man of much ſaith and courag… in Gods eauſe, His faith and courage.and withal of much pruden… and diſcretion; his courage was the reli… p. 57of his faith, not ſo much of natural magnanimity. When the Act of Uniformity took place, and Miniſters generally concluded to give over, he kept his reſolution to go on in his work, yet not cenſuring them that deſiſted, for he plainly ſaw all Miniſters were not under the ſame circumſtances; he did continue in his publick ſtation without conſiderable interruption, ſo that diſcriminating providence made little Denton a Goſhen, and kept their fleece wet when others were dry in moſt places; it was a little ſanctuary to many, and Gods ways were in it of providence and influence: its true, Warrants were now and then iſſued out, to apprehend Mr. Angier, but the worſt men had no heart to meddle with him; ſometimes they ſearcht, but profeſt they would not ſee him for an hundred pound: ſome of the Biſhops of Cheſter would inquire of his ſon, how doth the good old man Mr. Angier? moſt of the Juſtices had a great reſpect for him, ſome were nearly related to his Wife, her eldeſt Brother chiefly, Mr. Moſely of Ancols, whoſe Mother and another Siſter did ſojourn many years with Mr. Angier; he thought alſo that his confinement at home, travelling and preaching little or not at all abroad, was a furtherance of his liberty, they ſaid he is an old man and cannot live long, let him alone while he lives.

p. 58He was exceeding exact and punctual in all he did, His exactneſs every way.if in worldly matters, Bargains, Writings, Bonds, Sealings, yea the ſmalleſt concernments wherein there was any danger of litigious ſu…ts, or controverſies tho it was betwixt neareſt relations, he cauſed things to be firmly done, and ſafely kept, which in after times proved of great uſe; for he ſaid; it doth no hurt to have things done ſurely; and it may do good; for no body knows into whoſe hands ſuch things may fall, for men are mortal; he carefully laid up Acquittances, Receits, or any writings of Agreements, which have put things into readineſs ſince his death: he was alſo exact in his apparel, ever neat, tho never ſplendid; handſom, not gawdy: if he ſaw any faceing or finery in others apparel, he would ſay, I keep my Sattin in my Pocket; he uſed to wear a Maſter of Arts Gown, both Lords-days, and Week-days, at home; he loved to ſee perſons neat, and would ſay, one may be cleanly in Rags: he ſhamed ſome out of their ſlovenlineſs with friendly rebukes.

He was given to hoſpitality, Given to Hoſpitality.a Biſhop indeed, a Gaius, that freely entertained Gods Servants, Miniſters and Chriſtians, ſo that he ſeemed to be an hoſt to the Church; it is incredible to relate what variety of ſtrangers and friends came Weekly, almoſt daily to his houſe, and were handſomly p. 59treated, tho not with varieties, yet with …ufficieny; he had a ſtanding Table of wholſom freſh meat, Noon and Night. Upon Lords-days his Table always was well furniſh'd with gueſts, (beſides abundance that had broth, &c.) ſo that Mrs. Hide of Norbury, (a religious Gentlewoman, and a dear friend of his) would have ſaid to him, Mr. Angier, I am ready to think God works miracles at your Table, in multiplying your proviſions; for ſaid ſhe, if I ſhould ſet half as many people to more meat than you have, they would eat it all up, but there's ſtore taken off your Table; And himſelf hath oft ſaid, that there's a bleſſing …tendeth houſe-keeping, as if the ſupplies thereof were unaccomptable. A worthy Miniſter heard him once ſay, that he knew …y experience, that little or much, it was …ll one, he had as much in his purſe, when …e had not half ſo much Means, as he had …hen when he ſpoke it; as riches increaſe, ſo …hey increaſe that eat.

His government and order of his Family was admirable and imitable, The order of his Family.I may truly …y unparallel'd. His Family was as a well diſciplin'd Army, where all knew their pro…r ſtations, and did carefully attend their …oſt, yea a well inſtructed Academy, and … organized Church; it was uſually numerous and regular; for a conſiderable p. 60ſeaſon he had ſeveral young Scholars Table with him, that were ſent to him for edu… tion under his inſpection, and God did bl… his example, inſtructions and prayers … the good of ſome yet living: ſome th… were capable he put upon preaching one p… of the day; ſeveral aſſiſtants he had ſucceſively, and gave them moſt of the incouragement they had. When he was grown in… years, and not ſit to preach twice a da… his Brothers Son was with him Eleven yea… before his Death, and was a great comfo… to him.

Lords day was thus ſpent; How the Lords-day was ſpent.after priv… devotions in their clo…ets, in the Family, n… Eight a Clock a Chapter was read, a Pſa… ſong, then he went to prayer; and abo… Nine a Clock they went to the Chapp… which was but a few ſteps from his do… according to his wiſh and uſual ſaying the Prieſts went about the Temple; and … Noon, immediatly after Dinner, one … peats the Forenoons Sermon in his houſe, … the ſame time another was repeating in … Chappel to many people that ſtayed ther… ſinging Pſalms both before and after; th… continued till Publick ordinances begun; a… at their return home ſhortly after, Mr. Angier ſung a Pſalm and went to praye… then to Supper, and a little ſeaſon af… Supper, a Pſalm was ſung, and one repeat…d p. 61the Afternoon Sermon, and another Pſalm being ſung, all was finiſhed with a …hort prayer, and ſo the Family was diſmiſſed to their apartments. And ſo for the …eſt of the Week, ſervants ſo ordered their …ffairs as to be preſent at family-prayer; on Monday Nights the Forenoon Sermon of the preceding Lords-day, and Saturday Nights the Afternons Sermon was reppeated ordinarily in the Family; on Friday Nights they ſaid their Catechiſms, ſome in the Aſſemblies ſhorter, others in the larger Catechiſm; ſome alſo repeating the proofs memoriter: he gave order that they ſhould diſpatch their worldly occaſions the laſt day of the Week, that they might prepare for the Lords-day approaching, which they did, and were outwardly conformable, for he would ſuffer no diſorders in his Family, yea moſt of his Family proved truely gracious; they were ordinarily loving and affectionate to one another, and lived many years in great peace, unity and order; the whole number was often ſixteen, or at leaſt Fourteen, ſeldome under Twelve, tho he had but one Daughter with him for ſeveral years before he died: his carriage was ſweet and obliging to all, yea to the meaneſt in the Family, and he behaved himſelf with ſuch an awful yet lovely deportment, that many have been ready to ſpeak of him and his Family concerns, with the like words as p. 62the Queen of Sheba, accounting them happ… that convenſed with ſuch an holy man of God and tho they had heard of his way, 1 Kin. 10.4, 8.1 Kgs 10:41 Kgs 10:8yet th… one half was not told them.

Mr. His Friends.Angier had many worthy Friends of good rank, and great piety, who bor… a very great reſpect to him; and as David choſe ſuch as feared God for his Companions ſo did this holy man take his delight in the Saints, as moſt excellent upon earth: holy Mr. Henry Aſhhurſt ſometimes viſited him at his houſe, and was viſited by him. Mr. Crew of Ʋtkinton in Cheſhire was his dear and intimate Friend, and had an entire love for him, as the Writer hereof can teſtify, for being at his houſe at Ʋtkinton, and Mr. Crew ſhewing him and his Wife ſome handſome pictures, hanging in a Chamber, (in which he much delighted) amongſt the reſt, ſhewed them the Picture of Dr. Wilkins, who (ſaith he) is to be our Biſhop of Cheſter; but (ſaid he) Mr. Angier is my Biſhop: and I have heard that Mr. Crew oft ſolicited Mr. Angier to ſit while his Picture was drawn, and he would be at the charge of it, but he put it off, ſaying a Miniſters Picture muſt be in the hearts and lives of his people: ſo far was he from pride, or vain-glory, that he never had his Picture drawn, tho doubtleſs it would have been a lovely piece, if to the Life, for he was an exceeding comely p. 63perſonage, tho low in ſtature, yet of a clear comeplexion, red and white, of a chearful countenance, and very graceful; of a vene…able aſpect, and pleaſant: but he judged the bleſſed fruits of a Miniſters labours are more elegible than the moſt lively effigies of their vaniſhing carcaſſes ingraven in durable Braſs or Marble.

His heart was much ſet upon the good of ſouls, Seeking good of Souls.and therein God bleſſed him with abundant ſucceſs; and this was a conſiderable part of his reward. He ſometimes related …old Mr. Dods interpretation of the labourers in the Vineyard, Mat. 20. which he ſaid were Miniſters; ſome indent with our Lord for their penny, i.e. preferment, good parſonages, abundant maintenance, honours, and to live bravely in the world, God gives them theſe things, they are at preſent well pleaſed therewith, and this is all that God deſigns for them, they have their bargain, it was all they askt, and our bountiful benefactor is not behind-hand with them, they have no reaſon to grumble at his kindneſs to the other, who made no ſuch bargain with him, but thought themſelves obliged to him for their work, and ſaid, Lord if thou wilt account me faithful, and put me into the Miniſtry, and own me with the ſucceſs of my labours, I will refer to thee the buſineſs of maintenance; I hope thou wilt not p. 64ſuffor me to want neceſſaries, and if thou doſt tho I be perſecuted, impriſoned, impoveriſhed, and be put to beg my bread, yet … thou wilt glorify thy ſelf thereby, and edify thy Church by my outward ruins, … have enough; ſuch ſelf-denying Miniſter ſhall have preſent ſupplies, and a better Penny, good things in this life, and eternal happineſs in the other; ſo the laſt ſhall be firſt in dignity, glory, and abundant reward and he gives them more than thy asked; and the firſt ſhall be laſt, thoſe mercenary ſpirits muſt be put off with the poor pittance of the world that undertook the Miniſtry as a trade to get a livelihood: this Expoſition Mr. Angier mentioned as very ſavoury and ſignificant, not determining whether it was the proper meaning of the Scripture.

He much deſired the propagation of Religion, His deſire to propagate Religion.and for that end the education of young men for the Miniſtry; he had but one Son and four Grandſons, who were all trained up for Gods immediate ſervice, ſome of them by his coſt, and others upon his counſel; and he followed them all with his inceſſant prayers; and thus indeed did his ſollicitous cares iſſue themſelves; and if he had had no cares, he had not prayed, as Melancthon uſed to ſay; Si nil curarem nil orarem.and if he had not given vent to his cares and fears by a believing prayer, they had ſwallowed him up; he p. 65was one of the ſeed of Jacob in pleading …he Covenant, and in nothing more a true …acobite than in wreſtling with God for Covenant-mercy for the poſterity of the faithful; oh the tears, ſighs, groans of that man … God, urging God with his promiſe under his own hand; telling the Lord, he would not …et him alone, for himſelf had incouraged his heart, by making and ſealing that good Covenant, wherein ſtands our chief comfort; and God will make it good to ſome, and why not to the children of the Covenant? how oft hath he told the Lord, even in our hearing, that he was reſolved he would not let go that hold that God had given him, but would ſtick to him, by faith and prayer, as …ong as he had a day to live, and die in hopes that God would make his promiſe good to his ſeed, when he was dead and gone.

His opinion for a young man that intended the Miniſtry, His opinion for young Scholars.was to be placed for ſome time with fomeable Miniſter, and to preach under ſuch alones eye and ear, and that it was hazzardous for beginners to live in great mens houſes; he was of excellent uſe in giving advice to young Scholars in publick and private; in the times when the Sectaries were at the height, at an ordination at Mancheſter he gave the Exhortation, four were ordained, and he ſaid it rejoyced his Soul, p. 66to ſee in theſe diſcouraging times ſo man deſirous of the calling, but ſaith he, it m… be it is but as a Husbandman with his har… toward Night when he ſees a ſtorm co… ing, he calls out all that can carry a ſhe… to come forth, makes all his force, for … may be it is but a ſhort time, as coming i… at the Eleventh hour, but one hour to wor… in; He adviſed them to take heed of t… things, as in the caſe of the prophet to J… roboam, ſometimes the hand of Authorit… may be lifted up againſt you, yet that ma… bed ried up, be not affrighted with it; b… then the ſeducer may ſlay you, conſent not … him.

He was wiſe and happy in his counſel and uſually (being a man of much obſervato… he had exceeding pat inſtances, his grave counſels.to ſet on h… counſels with; as this, It is good for perſons to ſubmit to the Lords hand, and to l… him chuſe the Rod for us. A Woman … Mancheſter burying a Daughter, of t… years never looked up, but repined at … came often to the Grave, to mourn over it yet it was a Child miſerably infirm, h… the Evil runing on it in many places; afterwards God took away the uſe of her Li… and lying in torturing pain, acknowledge that it was nothing to bury a Child, a… was now made ſenſible of her impatien… under her form… affliction, and that no… p. 67God had dealt ſmartlier with her: And upon this, Mr. Angier mentioned an Aunt of his, who had great bodily weakneſs and pain, and ſhe deſired that God would take that affliction away, and lay on her what affliction he pleaſed but that; the Lord did take that away, and laid affliction of ſpirit upon her, which was far ſharper, and ſhe never recovered it while ſhe lived. So to count the affliction beſt for us, be it never ſo ſharp: he ſometimes told how Mr. Daniel Rogers his firſt Wife was a very croſs Woman, and he bore it a long time; at laſt he made his complaint to his Father Mr. Richard Rogers, and he gave him this anſwer, Any thing, Daniel, to bring thee to heaven.

He was very faithful in admoniſhing as he ſaw cauſe: His faithful admonition.when an eminent Miniſter ſaid he …ook ſuch a thing ill, or unkindly from ſuch … one, Mr. Angier gravely and ſmiling…y anſwered, Would I ſo little favour …y ſelf as to take unkindneſs from …ny one? which ſaith that good man, … thought of ſince, to my great advantage, for this taking unkindneſs is ac…ompined with a fretting within ones ſelf; …nd ſo it is a leaving the offender, and …lling upon ones ſelf.

p. 68Mr. His thoughts of the Dutch War.Angier was much afflicted with that ſad War betwixt the Dutch and us, yet he comforted himſelf, that God did not give us over to be corrected by Papiſts, but that Proteſtants are in the hands of Proteſt ants, tho upon a ſad account, and he hoped that the drops of the ſtorm might begin with the reformed Churches, but the fury of it ſhould be poured upon the Papiſts.

It pleaſed the Lord to lay upon Mr. His afflictions in old age.Angier many grievous and cutting affliction in his old age; the latter part of his days according to his own obſervation, on Joh. 21. concerning Peter, our Lord told him, that when he was old, he ſhould be carried whither he would not. That God oft exerciſeth his choiceſt ſervants, that have been men of eminent activeneſs and uſefulneſs in his ſervice, with great afflictions in their old age, 1 Chron. 16.12. Invit. Ger. Maj. 470.1 Chr 16:12as bodily pain, ſo Aſa in the latter part of his life was diſeaſed in his feet Melchior Adams tells us of Mr. George Major, that he ſaw the Funerals of ſix ſons, whereof one, i. e. Leonard, died by the biting of a mad Dog, ſeveral Daughters, Nephew died; in all this and much more, ſaying, (Si bona accepimus, annon mals ſuſtineamus?) ſhall we receive good, and not bear evil? at laſt he died of ſore diſeaſes, having kept his bed near three years: thus Mr. Angier inſtanced in Mr. Rogers o… p. 69Dedham, who had great pain of the ſtone, ſo had worthy Mr. Storer of Stockport, and Mr. Johnſon, Parſon alſo of the ſame place, old Mr. Bourn, Mr. Herle, and at that time when he ſpake of it, good Mr. Harriſon of Aſhton, his neighbour; it may ſeem a Riddle and an unaccountable myſtery of Providence, why God ſhould think fit to lay the heavieſt load on the weakeſt Horſe; old age is a burden to it ſelf, Mr. Angier gave this account of it, that thereby God thinks it fit to wean his Children from the World, fit them for Heaven, and render it more deſirable; beſides God will make his Children perfect Chriſtians, exerciſed every way, in ſuffering, that they might be …ntire, lacking nothing, according to Jam. 1.4.

His old-age afflictions were: 1. His Daughters dying.The death of his beloved, lovely Daughter, Elizabeth, who tho ſhe was Married and lived with her Husband in Yorkſhire, yet being in a deep Conſumption, he ſent his own eaſy going-Horſe to fetch her home, in hopes that change of Air might tend to her recovery; but there ſhe grew worſe and anguiſhing, died May 26. 1661. and was …d by her own Mother in Denton Chappel…ard, whoſe death tho it went near to his heart, yet (being abundantly ſatisfied that …he was got ſafe to Heaven) he bore it with p. 70great compoſedneſs and aequanimity; for indeed ſhe was the mirror of her age for parts and piety: yet it could not but be an affliction to his ſpirit, ſince fo hopeful a bloſſome of his Family was ſo quickly nipt off in the flower of her age.

2. The Churches afflictions laid to heart.But this preſaged more croſſes, it was a great affliction to him that things wen… ſo ill with the Church of God, as to publick liberty, with which he ſympathized tho he injoyed his; but himſelf alſo muſt ta… a few drops of that cup that many of … Brethren hath a large draught of: in th… Oxford Act that commenced Mar. 24. 166… by which Miniſters were baniſhed 5 mil… from the place where they had formerly preached, it was judged expedient that … alſo ſhould at preſent withdraw from … Houſe; upon that Act he begun to Trave… and his ſon-in-law with him, amongſt … friends in Cheſhire, and viſited ſeveral perſons of quality, lodging with them ſo… Weeks, being kindly treated and lovingly entertained, being alſo of very gre… uſe, and leaving his good counſels a… bleſſing where ever he came, notwithſtanding in that time he ſeemed to be out of … element, and longed to return home: … was compelled to return, for wearing … Boots dayly, a goutiſh humour ſeiz… on his foot, he then ſaid, Come ſon, … p. 71truſt God, and go home; ſo he returned to his own houſe, and continued there without further trouble.

3. He was very much afflicted with, Bodily diſtempers.and at his ſtomach, which ſorely oppreſſed him, and he could not find eaſe of it by any means he could uſe; he was adviſed to take Tobacco, but could never deal with it.

4. His very dear Wives death about two years before his own, His ſecond wivs death,was a grievous and bitter affliction to him, whom he had injoyed 32 years to his abundant content every way; and indeed ſhe was a dear and deſirable companion, very helpful in ſpirituals and temporals, drawing evenly in the ſame yoke; of a truely Chriſtian temper; one thing further I ſhall add of her, noted to my hand, as a peculiar privilidg, and rare amongſt Chriſtians, That God gave her early aſſurance of his love, and ſhe ſaid alſo not long befor her death, he had never withdrawn it from her all her time: this was very obſervable: and far different from Gods dealings with his former Wife, of whom Mr. Angier faith in ſome remarks left in writing upon her life, that tho God moved her heart to ſeek him from 8 years of age, yet he never gave her ſettled aſſurance of his love while ſhe lived: Behold the arbitrary dealings of God with his own p. 72dear Children: but God is infinitely wiſe in theſe caſes.

But the great affliction, the very accent and quinteſcence of his affliction, was the ſin and miſcarriage of ſome of his Children; this, this did cut him to the very heart, and lay as a continual preſſing load on his Spirit; his Son, his only Son, devoted to God not only in Chriſtian profeſſion, but Miniſterial function, miſcarrying under ſuch education, with ſuch aggravations, this went ſo near him, that ſuch words dropt from Mr. Angiers lips, of bitter complaint to one related to him, as ſhewed his heavy reſentment of ſome burdens of that nature; Tho he had paid for his Son 400 l. In a few years, to the prejudicing of his own eſtate, yet he ſaw it did no good, and yet that was all nothing in compariſon of the diſhonour to God by his extravagancies: his friend ſaid, Sir, God hath given you much grace, and He is reſolved to exerciſe it; Ah, ſaid he, but it is hard, very hard to bear; a ſtrange word from ſuch a man: but he could bear any thing better than ſin. But eſpecially in ſo near a relation; as the Angel of the Epheſian Church, to whom it is ſaid, Rev. 2.23. Thou canſt not bear them which are evil, yet haſt born, and haſt patience, and for my name ſake haſt laboured, and haſt not faeinted: oh ſin, ſin, in dear relations againſt p. 73his deareſt Heavenly father, cut him to the quick; and Souls of a ſenſible ſpirit know what this means; but God bore up this good mans heart, (as he did Davids) with hopes and confidence in the bleſſed Covenant, that ſure and well ordered Covenant: this he ſtuck to, this he pleaded and depended upon; living and dying; ſtill he ſpoke well of God, and exerciſed himſelf in praiſing his name both in duties and diſcourſes, owning the hand of God in all croſſes, to whom he had devoted his all: theſe various experiences helped him to compaſſionate and incouraging counſelling of others; for (as was ſaid) he could ſpeak a word in ſeaſon to quiet and qualify others ſpirit; under preſſing burdens; he ſtill ſaid, hold up faith and patience, wait on God, and fear not, for he will iſſue all to the beſt, to his own Glory and your beſt good.

His uſual practice was upon the evening before a faſt-day, His care to reform his Family.to put his Children and Servants upon it, to ſet themſelves ſeriouſly about the work of preparation; to ſearch out and confeſs their ſins; he uſed ſuch means as might by Gods help prove effectual for reformation both of himſelf and his Family: and upon all ſuch occaſions of faſting or thankſgiving, it was his way to inquire concerning fatherleſs and Widows, and ſuch as were in neceſſity, that ſomething p. 74might be ſent to them, for whom nothing was provided, as he often ſaid.

Not long before he fell ſick, His review of his life.he ſaid to one that lay with him, that he ſlept very little in the nights; adding, when I lye waking in my Bed, I ſometimes run through the courſe of my whole life; and if a Pen-man were ready by me, I could relate many obſervable paſſages of Gods Providence about me: his friend ſaid, Sir, you may do well to write them down as they come into your thoughts: he made no anſwer to that.

When money lent by him came in ſeaſonably, Money lent repayed he acknowledged.though it was his own, yet he admired, and thankfully owned Gods Providence in it, as if it had been a gift; and ſaid, it is all one, whether it was a debt or a gift, ſo God ſend it in a needful time; the paying of a debt is as great a mercy from God, as ſending a gift.

I muſt now haſten to the laſt ſcene, of this holy man life; His ſat ſickneſs.he longed to be with Chriſt, and our Lord had been long ripening him for Glory; he loved his Maſters work, and his Maſter indulged him in his work: when others were taken off, he p. 75was wonderfully maintained in his lot: he did not of late years preach that day he adminiſtred the Lords Supper; the laſt Supper-day, was Auguſt 12, 1677. and the next Lords-day after, he preached one part of the day, Auguſt 19. but when he came into his houſe, he laid his hand upon his breaſt, and ſaid, Ah, this will not do, I muſt give over preaching, (which yet cut him to the heart to think of) he was very weary that Night, as uſually he was; the next day but one after, he begun to have ſome Aguiſh fits, and had ſix or ſeven of thoſe fits; from that time he began to decline apace: when this his laſt ſickneſs begun, he ordered his kindſman in the houſe to write letters to Mr. Caſe, (his brother in law) Mr. Tuckney, his brother Bezaleel, and others, to acquaint them with his condition, hoping for and deſiring their prayers: he expected his own Sons coming dayly out of Lincolnſhire, but he came not while he was living: he ordered his Son-in law to be ſent for, a meſſenger was diſpatched to him, but tho he haſted away towards him, yet he came not till this holy Man of God had breathed his laſt; a few hours before, on the ſame day, his approaching diſſolution came on apace, yet had he the free exerciſe of his underſtanding to the laſt; and as he had been a man of prayer all his days, ſo he died praying; that morning he died p. 76he prayed ſenſibly; the laſt words which were intelligible, were his requeſt for the King, and Council; but the particular words they that were about him could not underſtand.

The laſt day of the week, His death.Sept. 3. 1677, was the laſt day of that worthy mans life, he dyed about eleven a Clock that day; and entered into his reſt near the Sabbath, a day of reſt; from thenceforth to reſt from all his weary labours, and to keep an Eternal ſabbath with his deareſt Lord; and and it was his own obſervation, that God oft takes home his Miniſters and people upon or near his holy day, to perfect their graces, and give them reſt on that day of Reſt.

Thus fell that bright ſtar, thus ſet that ſhining Sun in the firmament of the Church, or rather hid from our eyes, to ſhine more gloriouſly in the upper Region; the wiſe, [i.e. wiſe Virgins, members of Chriſts myſtical body] or [as the word is] Dan. 12.3. Teachers of others, ſhall ſhine as the brightneſs of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteouſneſs, as the ſtars for ever and ever. Thus this Pillar is taken down that bore up an incredible weight, not diſcerned ſo well then, as felt dayly by ſad experience ſince his removal from under p. 77…he fabrick: thus is this plant of renown …ranſplanted into a better ſoyl: this ancient …ree of Gods own plainting, that had ſheltered many with its ſhadowing ſhroud, and …ed many with its grateful fruit, is at laſt fallen by the ſtroak of death, yet bears both ripe and plentiful fruit in the heavenly paradice above: he that uttered words of life to others, is dead: he that by the grace of God quickened others, is himſelf ſtruck dead: dead, ſaid I, no he is but aſleep, the ſting of death was gone, the fear of death was vaniſhed: he lived an holy life: he died an happy death: he lived deſired, and died lamented, he lived to a good old age: himſelf would ſometimes ſay, that he had lived two years beyond the age of a man, for he died in the 72 year of his age, in the ſame month wherein he was born: he died in his own houſe, the houſe belonging to the Chappel, to which he had been a great benefactor: he died amongſt his own People, over whom he had been paſtor 45 years, with whom he had been travelling, weeping, faſting, praying; among whom he hath left remarkable ſeals of his Miniſtry: ſome indeed are gone to heaven before him, and ſome in other places had benefit by his Miniſtry, tho but occaſionally; one inſtance I had from a very eminent divine in or near the City of London, that he being a young Scholar newly come from p. 78Oxford, and being occaſionally at Mr. Caſe… houſe, when Mr. Angier was there, Mr. Angier went to prayer, but God ſo reached and warmed the young Miniſters heart by that prayer, that he hath cauſe to remember it while he hath a day to live, and hopes he ſhall never forget it; yea it had influence upon others related, who from that time proved as uſeful and ſuccesful inſtruments of Gods glory, and the good of Souls, as any I have heard of in thoſe latter times.

The whole Nation and Church of God ſeem much clouded by the obſcuring of this bright ſtar, but eſpecially that congregation of Denton is ſadly eclipſed, their valley of viſion is at leaſt turned into a valley of Diviſion; oh that it may not alſo prove a valley of treading down, and deſolation: Ah, what lamentation was there at his funeral! amongſt the reſt an ancient Chriſtian came from the grave into the houſe where the Miniſters were ſate after the funeral, with a trembling body, weeping eyes, and with a doleful voice of ſad complaints, ſaying, Ah ſirs, what muſt we do! what muſt we do! our loving paſtor is gone, our loving paſtor is gone: And now that good man is gone after, and many others, ſo John 4.36. he that ſowed, and they that reaped, are rejoycing together: but the ſad countenances p. 79and weeping eyes of that day, with that affecting paſſage of that good old mans bemoaning, cannot be eaſily forgotten by the Writer hereof.

That Lords day when Mr. Angiers Corps lay in his houſe, two Miniſters preached in his Chappel, two funeral Sermons, the one ſeeming to be a funeral Sermon to the people, the other for their Miniſter.

That which concerned the people carried an ominous preſage of the death of their Goſpel priviledges, and Sunſetting of their glorious day, ſadly predicted from Gen. 6.3. My ſpirit ſhall not always ſtrive with man: and oh what a dreadful verification of that text hath providence made there; that being the laſt Sabbath that excluded Miniſter injoyed the liberty of ordinances in that place. The other Miniſter diſcourſed ſweetly and ſuitably on John 17.4. I have glorified thee on earth, I have finiſhed the work thou gaveſt me to do.

That Sermon was a lively comment on that good mans holy life, and a fair Copy let before this ſurviving people; the perfect precepts in the Scriptures, and lively pattern ſet before them for their imitation, p. 56makes it apparent that Goſpel rules an… practicable, may be tranſcribed by ſome and will be a ſad teſtimony againſt others and tho Mr. Angiers mouth be now ſtop with duſt, and his voice ſhall no more be heard in his pulpit, yet oh that Almighty God that lives for ever would awake carna… ſinners by this aſtoniſhing blow and breach and propagate religion in that place, and by that bleſſed ſpirit transfuſe the Doctrine, principles, and practice of that good man into all his hearers, for they ſhall one day know there hath been a prophet among them.

The next day, being Sept. 5. 1677. the Funeral ſolemnities were mournfully obſerved, on which occaſion multitudes of perſons, Gentlemen, Miniſters, relations, and Chriſtian friends, beſides his hearers and ſad neighbours, attended theſe diſmal and ſorrowful obſequies with ſad hearts and dejected countenances, lamenting not only the loſs of ſuch a worthy Paſtor and Friend, but their own Spirits did ſuggeſt great grounds of preſaging fears concerning the attending conſequences of that heavy blow: his Corps were decently interred in Denton-Chappel in the Alley before the pulpit, by his laſt dear Wife, laid in the ſame place.

p. 81Mr. Angier had requeſted Mr. Robert Eaton, (a learned pious Miniſter, who had married his kinſwoman) to preach the Funeral Sermon, and had given him that Text to inſiſt upon, in Act. 20.32. And now brethren I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are ſanctifyed: it was an excelent, ſeaſonable and pathetical diſcourſe, and well worthy to be annexed to this preſent relation, if the worthy Author …ad judged it fit: however the ſolemnities of that day will not eaſily be forgot…en.

Thus the beſt muſt die, Zech. 1 5. …our Fathers where are they? and the Prophets, do they live for ever? the holi…ſt men cannot plead for an exemption, or expect Enochs priviledg of a Tranſlation: only to the godly deaths ſting is pluckt …ut, this ſwelling Jordan is driven back, the paſſage is rendred eaſy and ſafe to the heavenly Pilgrim: God brought this …aithful watchman, through his long and boyſterous ſea, to a ſafe harbour in a …aſonable time, and if we imbark in the …ame ſhip of the Church and have our Lord Jeſus with us as our faithful and skilful pi…t, though in ſtorms and tempeſts he be (as p. 82it were) aſleep, yet believing prayer will awake him, and he will rebuke … Winds and Sea, and there ſhall be calme, and the Ship ſhall preſently be at land, and the paſſengers ſhall b… …afe.

I have now diſpatched the Hiſtory … Mr. Angiers life, as far as matters o… cur to our preſent obſervation, a… have drawn it thus far on till this Thre… of his life be cut off, and lets hi… drop into the Grave, and ſo cuts o… the line of our Hiſtorical account … him.

THere are yet two things behind which ſhew ſomething of the breathings o… his gracious ſoul living and dying.

1. The firſt is ſome obſervables gather… out of his own Diary, under his own hand.

2. His dying Speeches, prayers, counſel… and admonitions to thoſe about him in … laſt ſickneſs.

p. 83Both theſe declare much of Gods Grace, …nd manifeſt the Holy exactneſs of his ſerious and ſavoury Spirit.

The firſt is a conſiderable paper, reſpecting his frame of ſpirit in his younger days, and reviewed and revſied in his elder years, … runs thus.

I do now ſeriouſly reſolve, between God and my own Soul, to read his word diligently, morning and evening, before private prayer thereto adjoyned, and do purpoſe to be conſtant in reſpect of time there…o to be allotted; to wit, in the morning before Chappel, if it may be with convenience; or otherwiſe without delay when return from the Chappel; at Night between 5 and 6 of the Clock, if extraordinary occaſions hinder me not, becauſe my ſpirits being freſher than after ſupper, I ſhall … the fitter to do God acceptable ſervice. … do likewiſe reſolve to be diligent in my …udy, every day for the ſpace of 6 hours …t leaſt, no day to be overflipped without …he full accompliſhment of them. I likewiſe promiſe faithfully to God, and my own Soul, …o refrain as from the common ſins of the …me, to wit, Drunkenneſs, Licenciouſneſs, … the like, ſo to ſtrive againſt thoſe ſins … am by nature moſt addicted to, and for …e prevention of the like faults to ſhun … the occaſions thereunto leading, enticing, p. 84or provoking; as bad company, l… ſcivious talk, or exceſs in the uſe of th… Creature, the which that I may perfor… according to Gods will and pleaſure, I d… dain all my own abilities, and fly to his infinite mercy, deſiring his ſpecial help an… aſſiſtance, his ſpirit to inſtruct me, his ſpirit to direct me, his ſpirit to ſanctify me, th… I may be kept blameleſs, being without ſp… till the day of his appearance: my deſ… hath been, is and ſhall be upon my bended knees for the furtherance of theſe motion begun and kindled by his holy ſpirit which I hope will cheriſh them till th… flame into an holy fire of Heavenly converſation, the Life of Virtue, the Glory … Grace.

Written with my own hand, April 6. 16… John Angier Peruſed with comfort, May 1. 165…

July 19. 1657. I found a paper in … ſtudy of May 9. 1626. A Bill for Phyſ… when I was in a Feaver in Cambridg abo… 31 years ſince, ſo long hath God lengthened out my life.

My going to New England was ve… forward, Mr. Newman earneſtly invited … I received Letters from Briſtol, April … 1630. That I was expected there to ta… Shipping for N. E. this April, and had m… p. 85kindneſs offered me, yet the Lord over-ruled it.

Upon the coming on of troubles, I had comfort from Zeph. 2.3. It may be ye ſhall be hid in the day of the Lords anger. Joſiahs mercy was not to ſee the evil, Jeremiahs mercy was to be ſecured in the midſt of ſight.

My Wife dyed December 12th. One Night after her death, the Children were in the Parlour Praying together; and hearing a noiſe, I went to the door, and heard my Son at Prayer with his Siſter; he acknowledged to God that they had deſpiſed Father and Mother, contrary to Gods command, and therefore God hath taken away their Mother; he deſired God that they might not provoke him by their ſin to take away their Father alſo; which did much affect me.

Upon a recovery from a ſickneſs unexpectedly, I was much affected with Iſa. 33. ult. and in prayer the Lord brought to my mind, Matt. 8.9. affliction is Gods ſervant, if he bid it come, it comes; if he bid it go, it goes.

At Bolton, I was ſent for to viſit a godly man that was ſick at Great-Leaver, found him in a comfortable condition; he told me, he received his firſt comfort by my Miniſtry …at Denton, Preaching on 1 Cor. 5.7. Chriſt …ur paſſover is ſacrificed for us; ten years p. 86ago: Bleſſed be God who gave me this encouragement. He notes in the margent. The fruits of my labours manifeſted ten years after.

Nov. 30.—47. A day of thankſgiving was kept with ſome friends for the recovery of a Child that had been ſick; it ſhould ſeem they were in the journey, and had ſmall hopes of recovery; the very ſame day they prayed, the Child revived at night, and gathered ſtrength in the journey ſenſibly… they were by the ſickneſs of the Child detained againſt their own minds, and the minds of the people, but God had a ſpecial hand in it; for God ſent the Peſtilence into the Family where they were …o ſojourn and had they gone at the time purpoſed they had gone into an infected houſe, and had been ſhut up there.

June 18—71. God gave reſt to our aged afflicted Mother, about 3 in the afternoon it being Lords day; it is obſervable, that the day after God took away our Mother and that ſupply from her ſailed, God ſe… me notice of ſome ſupply out of my own eſtate, as he had formerly done when the rent of my Land fell in Eſſex, Phil… 4.19.

Novem. 19.—72 Died good Biſhop W… kins of the Stone, a great loſs, he d… ed comfortably, and rejoyced in his moderation whilſt he was Biſhop: his deat… p. 87was much lamented in the City of Cheſter.

Aug. 22.—73. upon hearing that Mr. Caſe going from home 4 or 5 days, they returning, found themſelves Robbed to a great value he ſubjoyns, Pſal. 73.26. God a portion for ever.

Octo. 28.—75. upon reflecting on his Wives death, he ſaith, that Octo. 25. ſhe ſaid that in the beginning of her weakneſs ſhe was ſomething troubled, that ſhe was taken off her imployment, and could do nothing; ſhe was concerned about the cares of the Family, and concerning me, that ſhe ſhould leave me in ſuch a condition: But now God had ſubdued her will, and quieted her heart, ſhe knew not what direction to give, but ſhe had left all with God, and her heart was quiet, ſhe had no trouble at all; ſhe told me one Night, that ſhe thought God ſent Hanna Angier into the Family to …earn her to die. This was a grand-child of his that came from London, weak, and reacht Denton with much ado, and ſoon died of a …nſumption.

Upon a day of Thankſgiving, (about a …ear before Mr. Angier dyed) for Gods great mercy to his Kinſman in an eaſie journey, his heart being much affected with …he Providences of God about it; he took occaſion to leave upon record in his diary, theſe obſervable circumſtances to heighten Gods p. 88praiſes, and quicken his own, and other… hearts therein.

Mercies in a Journey, 1673.

1. Direction in the right way; want of this cauſeth wandering, labour, and ſorrow, Pſal. 107.7.

2. Preſervation of Man and Beaſt, of life and health, from falls, harm, from enemies, robbers, murderers: Some have dyed in the way, as Rachel, others fallen ſick by the way, as 1 Sam. 30.13. It's mercy when God ſupports in travel, to endure heat and cold; for an Horſe to die or be lame in the way, is a great affliction: ſo daily ſupply of new ſtrength is mercy.

3. Comfort in the way and weather when both are good, and company is ſuitable and comfortable.

4. Convenient places for reſt, and good refreſhment for noon and night.

5. Seaſonable proviſion of neceſſary food and chearful entertainment.

6. Temporary eaſe from the burden of domeſtick affairs, both care and labour, the mind and body both are eaſed, others take the burden upon them for a time.

7. Variety of objects to delight the ſence fair buildings, fruitful fields, pleaſant meadows.

p. 898. Change of air, pleaſantneſs and healthfulneſs there, by refreſhing gales in the heat of the day.

9. The ſociety of friends whom we viſit, and the mutual comfort that ariſeth from their meeting after a time of abſence, and from their friendly and hearty converſe.

10. Opportunity of underſtanding more fully how God hath anſwered our Prayers for them; opportunity of Soul-help, of doing and receiving good by joynt-prayer, and by conference, by declaring experiences, by ſtirring up one another to what is good. Behold what excellent uſe a gracious heart and ſanctified fancy can make of thoſe common affairs that many of us paſs over with a common Spirit! See what a notable ſenſe he had of Gods goodneſs in every thing, to raiſe up durable Monuments of Gods Glory with ſuch ſweet inſcriptions thereon as may at once both glorifie God, and edifie men.

When he travelled himſelf (as he often did) to London, Eſſex, &c. He was wont to write down the paſſages of Gods Providence daily, and upon his return to collect the ſum of them, and to ſpread them before ſuch neighbours as joyned with him in thankſgiving, partly to help them to ſpecial matter of praiſe; but chiefly that God might loſe no part of Glory that was due to him.