The Holy Life and Happy Death of John Bruen, Table of contents
A Table of the Contents.
Chapter I.
IOhn Bruen.
His birth and Bloud, from Father and Mother well deſcended.
Cap. 2.
His education free in good meaſure from Popery, and profaneſſe alſo.
His childhood.
His Prayer.
Children may have good motions.
Some ſeeds of grace in his childhood.
Cap. 3.
His youth.
His dancing.
Cap. 4.
His going to Oxford about 1577.
His Fathers care and coſt, Like Saint
Auſtines Fathers for him.
He went up about 17 yeares old.
Few Gentlemen like minded,
The cauſe hereof their owne ignorance and profaneſſe.
Cap. 5.
At his comming to Oxford ſomewhat popiſh:
But the Lord did reclaime him.
Meanes of his reclaiming from popiſh errours,
By his companion Maſter Brerewood,
By the Scripture urged,
Applied.
Private perſons may ſometimes helpe one another for Converſion.
A worthy example for young Gentlemen.
Cap. 6.
He was much like Galeacius:
His proficiency at Oxford but ſmall
The cauſes of it.
Some unfitneſſe for learning,
His ſufficiency not great for great employment; yet ſuch as God choſe to ſhew his power in, as in Galeacius, a young Chriſtian, and great Champion; very like unto him in many things.
Cap. 7.
His comming from Oxford 1459.
His Father beſtoweth him in marriage-1580. In a godly Family, with a godly young Gentlewoman with mutuy all conſent: otherwiſe then manr. Parents doe, where luſt, and lucre makes the motion, and the Fathers dropſie, and the Sonnes phrenſie make up the match.
They live together in love:
Cap. 8.
His recreation of Hunting in ſome abuſes reproved:
Some inconveniences of Hunting.
Cap. 9.
The eſtate of the Creatures ſince the fall and before:
Their enmity a fruit of our ſinne.
Vnlawfull to take pleaſure in it.
Cap. 10.
Neither in the emnity nor Cruelty of, or towards the Creatures may we take pleaſure.
An example of cruelty to the Creature.
Cap. 11.
A good man is mercifull to his Beaſt not onelyonly in the taking care for the preſervation of his being, but of his wel-being alſo. Giving him due allowance of paſture, and moderating hi… labour.
Cap. 12.
The lawfullneſſe or unlawfulneſſe of Hunting laid downe in nine particulars.
Cap. 13.
His more effectuall converſion and the fruits thereof upon his Fathers death, by Gods good meanes, not very violent, likeunto Saint Auſtines in many particulars.
Cap. 14,
The fruits of his converſion.
Firſt, As Heire of the Family in Civill matters. His reformation; removing impediments: Renouncing his pleaſures;
His frugality.
His fidelity.
A rebuke to others Prodigality, and Infidelity: and a check to ſome others obſtinacy in their ould ſinnes.
Secondly, other fruites of their converſion in matter of religion as Governour of his Family?
Cap. 15.
In ſetting up Religion in his Family.
Laid downe firſt in the Generalls
Cap. 16
And then in the ſpecialties and particulars,
Firſt In his Family, and ſecondly In the aſſembly.
In his Family, Firſt in dwelling with his wife as a man of knowledge in peace and love, as equall yoke fellowes:
A good example to husbands and Wives.
A diſcovery of the miſery of unequall yoak fellowes, manifeſted in 4 inſtances.
Secondly, In the godly education of their Children, firſt by inſtruction, ſecondly by correction, wherein if his paſſions exceeded, hee was humbled, healed and bettered in foure particulars
Thirdly, In governing of his Servants.
Cap. 18.
Firſt, in chooſing,
Secondly, In the uſing of his ſervants, ſome of ſpeciall note, as old Robert,
Old Robert his Girdle for the helpe of his memory,
A rebuke to mindeleſſe and careleſſe Perſons.
And to ſuch as uſe not their skill and other faculties aright.
Cap. 19
His familiar converſing with old Robert; both gainers by it, others dealing otherwiſe are looſers by their ſtatelineſſe:
His kind uſage of him in his old age.
Vntill the day and houre of his death.
To the reproofe of mercileſſe maſters.
Cap. 20.
His due regard to the reſt of his ſervants,
Some attending upon him,
Some labouring for him.
His Family a Religious Nurſery by diſpoſing or diſperſing his ſervants.
Cap. 21.
His courſe in Family duties towards God.
The neceſſity and excellency of family Duties.
Firſt, His preparation in foure things
Firſt, In his vigilancy,
Secondly in his Private prayer,
Thirdly Meditation,
Fourthly Induſtry in writing.
Cap. 22.
Secondly, His execution and performance of his Family exerciſe.
Firſt A little ſhort prayer in a ſet forme
A ſet forme of prayer juſtified by our Saviours inſtitution of the Lords praier, and by his owne practice.
None preciſely bound to the letter of the Lords prayer; but to the matter all.
Set prayer a helpe.
Heart-prayer beſt of all.
Cap. 23.
Secondly His ſinging of Pſalmes.
His delight in ſinging of Pſalmes.
Thirdly His reading of the Scriptures.
Fourthly, His humble and holy prayer with thankeſgiving;
Having alwayes matter of praiſe, as well as cauſe of prayer.
Cap. 24.
His Evenings exerciſe, in opening and applying the word, for the uſe of his Family, Crowned with a bleſſing from God:
Oppoſed much by ſome men of the world:
His fortification againſt ſuch aſſaults
For juſtifying of his judgement and practice in thus teaching of his family,
By his collections and obſervations out of Godly and good Authors.
Cap. 25.
And yet not uſurping upon the miniſtery, nor by any private ſpirit.
But by Godly and good meanes, providing as Ioſeph for himſelfe and for his Family.
Cap. 26.
Thus farre of his religious governement of his owne houſe in his private Family:
Now of his zeale to Gods houſe, in the publicke Aſſembly:
Firſt In aboliſhing meanes and inſtruments of falſe worſhip.
His inducements thereunto.
Authority of the Magiſtrate, & example of good, and great men which made him proceed from the Chappell to the Church. This act cenſured by Papiſts.
Iuſtified by themſelves againſt themſelves.
Cap. 27.
Secondly, In eſtabliſhing Gods true Word, and worſhip, by procuring godly miniſters to preach of his own Coſt and cha…ge, Little regarded, yet he not diſcouraged, becauſe the word of God proſpered.
Many vertues of his to be obſerved, and imitated.
For Gentlemen to bee rich in good workes.
For Patrons not to ſpoile the Church being bound to provide for it.
For profane Gentlemen beſtowing much on their luſts, nothing on Gods ſervice,
Neither maintaining any Levite at home, nor ſeeking after the word abroad.
Cap. 28.
VponUpon their neglect of the publike miniſtry, he maintained the Preacher in his owne houſe:
But after a while reſtored him to the publicke Aſſembly;
The cauſe and occaſion thereof.
And ſo continued to maintaine the Miniſter both by his owne, and Maſter Clarkes teſtimony.
Cap, 29,
Popiſh and profane wakes
His godly care and labour to ſuppreſſe them.
By a more plentifull and powerfull uſe of the word preached
Whereby hee prevailed and bleſſed God.
With rejoycing, and Feaſting of Gods people,
Renouncing all fellowſhip with ſinne and ſinners,
And herein following the example of Chriſt.
Cap. 30.
Nine reaſons againſt popiſh and profane Wakes.
Cap. 31.
Being ſtill more religious, hee grew …ore famous
Many deſire to ſojourne with him.
Sir Ric…ard Groſvenor in his tender yeares b…ought up in his houſe.
Maſter Hardware and his Family alſo tabled with him.
His wiſe and gracious dealing with him and his,
And the good effect and fruit thereof, Both in his family, and in the city.
Thus to ſeaſon others, and to build up Gods houſe in his owne was his labour of love, and joy of his heart.
Cap. 32.
The good ſucceſſe whereof made him like David.
To make greater proviſion by publicke exerciſes which he frequented and by which he became better furniſhed,
In which his courſe divers things to be commended,
Firſt, His chéerefullneſſe.
Secondly, His painfullneſſe,
Firſt, In ſeeking
Secondly, In gathering Manna and other proviſion.
Thirdly, His attentive diligence
Firſt, In hearing.
Secondly, In writing.
Thirdly, In repeating.
Fourthly in recording the ſumme and ſubſtance of all the exerciſes:
In many manuſcripts commended to the heires of his family.
Fourthly, His kind uſage of Gods miniſters.
Firſt, Love to their perſons.
Secondly, Reverence to their callings.
Fiftly His good affection to profeſſors.
Cap. 33.
The exerciſes of Religion great helps unto godlineſſe.
A motion for exchange with other exerciſes of profaneſſe.
Difference great,
Company contrary.
Holy exerciſes acceptable to God:
Profitable unto men: yet will none make an exchange, but ſuch as are changed themſelves.
Cap. 34.
He was otherwiſe exerciſed alſo by affliction.
In the death of his Wife.
Sudden death a fearefull Iudgement to ſome;
Sudden Death upon a wicked life fearfull;
Yet all that dye ſuddenly, doe not dye fearfully: but many otherwiſe, as this Gentlewoman very hopefully.
No death ſudden to a ſound Chriſtian
His afflictions ſanctified, and paſſions moderated.
Cap. 35.
Standing in need of marriage he ſought and found a prudent wife, by good opportunity, and by good meanes of his truſty ſervant, declaring unto him her Parents;
Her Father, her mother, and her parts worthy due Commendation,
So he made motion for marriage,
Prevailed in it, and tooke her to wife,
He ſet up and renewed the exerciſes of Religion in that Family:
The good ſucceſſe thereof, by his own teſtimony,
Cap. 36,
His returne home to Stapleford, bringing his wife along with him,
Divers Gentlemen deſire to ſojourne with him,
His Family a famous nurſery for Religion,
Maſter Wilbraham placeth his Sonne-inlaw, and his daughter with him.
Cap. 37.
His deſire to give him contentment, and to doe them good,
To try their diſpoſitions he obſerved their words, and workes,
They were teachable and tractable,
Touching the Lords day,
Concerning Cardeplay,
His Wife converted,
Himſelfe convinced,
Al witneſſes of his faithfulneſſe,
Cap. 38.
His burning of Tables, Cards and Dice as malefactours,
An atteſtation of the Fathers with him againſt them.
Cap. 39.
His collections againſt Cards and Dice.
Cap. 40.
Inſtead of Tables, Cards and Dice, he ſet up two Bibles, one in the Parlour, another in the Hall:
Anſwerable to our Church Canons.
Bibles for Bs. ſervants, and for ſtrangers:
This neglected.
A remedy for recovery to take heed of evill and provide good ſervants.
Our Canons againſt Cards and Dice, and all unlawfull games;
Some of our Divines in the Countrey make little Conſcience of theſe Canons.
Cap. 41.
Some defects in the publicke miniſtry.
He procured Maſter A. St. for ſupply, whom he maintained for the moſt part,
His worthy teſtimony concerning Maſter Bruen,
Being an eye and care witneſſe.
Maſter Perkins hearing of him did much admire, and commend him.
Many Gentlemen deſire to ſojourne with him, His owne relation.
Cap. 42.
A ſudden Storme upon the death of his deare wife:
A great affliction to the whole Family
Her vertues and due praiſes.
The heavy parting of his Tablers,
All full of griefe,
Maſter Bruen himſelfe exceeded.
Time and reaſon ſtrengthened with grace, will moderate paſſions.
Cap. 43.
Maſter Bruen's owne relation touching his more private courſe of life:
Seaven things remarkeable therein.
Cap. 44.
All to be ſaid may bee drawne to three heads.
Firſt, His converſing with God.
Secondly, His converſation in the world.
Thirdly, His departure out of the world.
God gave him wiſedome and underſtanding,
Alſo courage and ſtrength, as he did to Ioſhua.
His converſing with God in foure Spirituall Duties.
Cap. 45.
Firſt His meditation.
The neceſſity and excellency of Meditation.
Meanes and helpes which he uſed,
Reading of the word and of godly mens writings.
his following the rules of direction for meditation;
The gaine Godlineſſe, many benefits and ſweet fruits of it:
Great difference.
Many Enemies unto it.
Many of the better ſort fayle in it.
Cap. 46.
Secondly, Obſervation of Gods judgements and mercies.
A Booke of remembrance.
Cap. 47.
The hand of God upon the Boy of the Northwich,
Satans malice, Gods mercy,
Firſt his fits and paſſions,
Secondly his geſtures and actions,
he was brought unto the Biſhops,
The Biſhops Licence for a private faſt for his releaſe.
Thirdly, his Speeches,
Cap. 48.
his private Invocation,
Not confined to one place,
his time for Private prayers,
Seven times in a day,
Powerfull in prayer,
his private faſting,
Tender prayers and hard knee,
The matter of his private prayers
Sinnes of Sion,
Sinnes of the time,
Praiſe and thankſgiving,
Cap. 49
his imitation of his heavenly Father every day.
Cap. 50.
his converſation in the world,
Firſt, A reſolution againſt the world,
Secondly, Gods preſence,
Thirdly, Striving againſt ſinne,
Fourthly, Deſiring to doe good,
Fiftly, luſt dealing,
Sixthly, Take all to the beſt,
Seventhly watchfulneſſe,
Eightly To be ſparing in ſpeech,
Ninthly, Renouncing all worldly faſhions and humours,
Tenthly, Peaceable,
Eleventhly, Contentedneſſe,
Twelfthly, To keepe our peace with God,
Cap. 51.
Firſt he endeavoured to be pure,
Firſt, pure in heart,
Secondly, Pure in hand.
Thirdly Pure in tongue.
Cap. 52.
Secondly, peaceable,
A Peacemaker,
Cap. 53.
Thirdly Gentle: not by nature, but by grace,
Many of the Fathers very Paſſionate,
Yet well accepted of God, and good men,
his bearing and forbearing. In meekneſſe like Moſes,
In mildneſſe like his Maſter Chriſt,
Many of a cruell and bloudy diſpoſition.
Cap. 54.
Fourthly, Eaſie to be intreated,
Iudge W, his teſtimony of Maſter Bruen,
We eaſily intreated to his Coſt:
But ſome ſo hard they will give nothing no nor pay their own duties,
Cap. 55
A Branch of the crue vine:
A Tree of Righteouſneſſe, full of good fruites towards all,
he did mourne for ſinners,
he did contemne contemners,
his bounty to poore Chriſtians for ſupply of their wants.
Cap. 56.
he was rich in good workes,
his hoſpitality for Gods Children,
his Proviſion for his table in plenty and variety.
Hee would not endure any ryot or exceſſe,
No quaffing, no drunkenneſſe, nor healthing in his houſe,
His charity to his poore neighbours,
Firſt for their bellies:
His Dole dayes twice a weeks,
In the time of dearth almoſt every day,
his bounty in giving and lending mony, or Corne,
Secondly mercyfull: to the poore in cloathing their bodies alſo,
Thirdly proviſion, he provides for them out of his owne Purſe yearely.
Fourthly Protection: hee pratects and defends them,
Fifthly Advice, and as he is able doth plead for them,
Cap 57.
His fruits of faith and love to others alſo;
In his harmony in judgement with the beſt.
In his ſympathy with the godly in every condition.
Heavie newes of the Church did … affect him, and afflict him alſo.
In his compaſſion in viſiting the ſick.
His antipathy againſt profaneneſſe.
In gariſh faſhions.
In profane cuſtomes, as in drinking of healths.
The Policy, and power of Satan in healthing.
Cap 58.
It is Antipathy againſt profane Cuſtomes and corruptions of great houſes.
He offereth a remedy. His godly letter for Chriſtian Admonition and reformation.
His good opinion and eſtimony of Tho-Wilbraham Eſ… his indignation againſt ſin. His love and care to reclaime the ſinners.
His joy in ſuch as were converted.
Cap. 59.
Fruits of mercy towards his Tenants.
He was a mercifull Land-lord.
Cap. 60.
He departeth out of this world.
1. Preparation.
2. Reſolution.
3. Confidence.
4. Conſtancy.
1. His preparation for death.
His more ſpeciall preparation in ten ſpeciall duties.
2. His reſolution to beare the ſharpe occurrents of it.
Cap. 61.
His graces much encreaſed in his old age.
His laſt dayes his beſt dayes.
His reſolution and courage againſt all aſſaults.
His hope and expectation.
Cap. 62.
His firſt ſickneſſe and viſitation.
3. His confidence of an happy exchange.
1. His evidence.
2. His aſſurance for it:
His confidence cauſe of his comfort.
Cap. 63.
His diligence and conſcience in frequenting Gods houſe.
His chearefull going to Church.
Singing of Pſalmes by the way:
Some much delighted, and ſome much bettered by this melody.
His early comming to Church.
His reverend and holy carriage in it.
His dinner time he beſtowed wel in the Church.
The evening ſacrifice he performed in like manner.
Their returne home-wards, and mutuall care to doe good.
Cap. 64.
His private evening exerciſe full of life.
The great joy hee had in the Sabbath and faſts.
His thankfulnes for one Sabbath more Weary of the world.
He makes his Will,
So he was more free, and more fit for heavenly things.
Cap 65.
He had Milke for Babes that came to viſit him, and ſtronger meat for ſtrong men.
His godly admonitions to both, he commends unto them his owne experience and example.
Cap. 66.
Fourth Head.
His conſtancy in Religion even unto the end.
Great ſtrength in great weaknes.
His comfortable and ſavory ſpeeches.
His conſolations exceeding his afflictions.
S. H. B. came to viſit him.
His gracious words and exhortations unto him.
His ſonne and heyre came unto him:
His good counſell unto him.
His deſire to have his heyres follow his ſteps.
That being dead hee might as it were live in them againe,
And that Religion might never dy not decay in that Family.
Cap 67.
Mr. L. And my ſelfe came to viſit him Ianuary 16. 1625.
His patient waiting for releaſe, His conſolations ſtill abound, without all trouble of minde or conſcience.
We rejoyced in his joy, prayed with him, and for him. His care for prayer in the Family.
Mindfull of M. L.
A heavie parting.
Cap. 68.
Some ever ready to pray with him.
Diverſe deſire a bleſſing from him.
Hee prayeth ſecretly himſelfe, other gracious people pray with him.
His laſt prayer.
His laſt end.