The Holy Life and Happy Death of John Bruen, Chapter 37
CHAP. XXXVII.
His deſire to give him contentment.THis godly motion of Maſter Wilbrahams, for his ſonne in Law, and his daughter to ſo good an end, M. Bruen did very willingly entertaine, and ſo received the young couple into his family, together with ſuch as they brought along with them to attend upon them. His deſire herein was, to give contentment to that worthy Gentleman, whom he much eſteemed, and intirely affected, for his parts and place,And to do them good. and to do what good he could to the young couple, being neere a kin unto him, and now commended to his truſt. Which truſt repoſed in him, hee did ſo carefully and conſcionably diſcharge, that, as hee ſaw the hand of the Lord leading him unto it, ſo found hee the helpe of the ſame hand proſpering his endeavours for their good. The courſe which he held with them (as he did alſo with others at their firſt comming) was to try their diſpoſitions and inclinations, affections and conditions, how teachable they were, and how tractable they were like to be unto good duties, and good things.To try their diſpoſitions. To which end hee did very carefully looke into their wayes, ſee much, and ſay little, beare, and forbeare,He obſerved their words and workes. (as occaſion did require) taking ſpeciall notice of any good they did, or ſaid, and paſſing over many other leſſer faults and ſlips, untill he had ſome fitter opportunity to admoniſh them. And this he hath recorded himſelfe to their juſt praiſe and commendation, that being neither perverſe in their own wayes, nor averſe from good duties, they ſhewed themſelves very plyable unto the orders,They were teachable and tractable. and government of the family, in all their carriage and converſation amongſt them. One or two ſpeciall teſtimonies hereof, I will not ſpare to relate, ſeeing hee hath thought it meet to leave them upon record under his owne hand.
Touching the Lords day.This Maſter Done being young and youthly, yet very tractable, could not well away with the ſtrict obſervation of the Lords day, whereupon wee did all conſpire to doe him good, ten of my family ſpeaking one after another, and my ſelf laſt, for the ſanctifying of the Lords day. After which he did very cheerfully yeeld himſelf, Bleſſed be God.
And concerning card-play.Another inſtance he addeth to the ſame purpoſe. I comming once into his chamber, ſaith hee, and finding over the Mantletree a paire of new cards, no body being there, I opened them, and tooke out the foure knaves, and burnt them, and ſo laid them together againe, and ſo for want of ſuch knaves, his gaming was marred, and never did he play in my houſe, for ought that ever I heard any more.
Here I cannot but commend both the Phiſycian, and the Patient alſo: the Phyſitian that gave him a gentle purg ſo wiſely, and the patient that took it ſo well, that it wrought ſo kindly with him for his good.
A third teſtimony he gives them both, after this manner.His wife converted Himſelfe con…ed The ſaid John Done being now Knight, was then young and youthly, yet very tractable, his wife wee feared inclining to popery, but I hope ſhee got true ſaving grace: and hee being convinced in judgement, I expect the ſtampe of grace in Gods good time.
This was no ſmall joy unto him in his life, that he ſaw ſuch holy fruit of his godly labours, in theſe his neare and deare Coſins, before his death;Their children gracious and religious. which was yet more increaſed and inlarged, by the bleſſing of God upon the branches of their vines, their heire of good hope, their daughter in Law, and foure daughters all of them ripe in knowledge, and rich in grace, the humble, and holy handmaides of the Lord Jeſus. O, how greatly did he rejoyce in their comely order, their gracious conference, when he heard it, or heard of it, their holy affections in religious duties,All witneſſes of his faithfulneſſe. their godly carriage and converſation in all their wayes? Theſe can all teſtifie, if they will, (and they will all I know, as they can) his faithfulneſſe and cherefulneſſe in this kinde.