The Holy Life and Happy Death of John Bruen, Chapter 55
CHAP. LV.
BUt now to proceed to ſome other graces, and vertues of this worthy Gentleman, which according to the properties of that wiſedome from above, which the Lord had given him, hee expreſſed by his workes, in a godly converſation: Hee was (as we have heard already) firſt pure, then peacable, thirdly gentle, fourthly eaſie to be intreated, and fifthly, as it now followeth, full of mercy and of good fruits.
Full of Mercy and of good Fruits.Iam. 3.17 Mat. 5.45. Luk. 6.36.
He had learned this, of his Heavenly Father, to bee mercifull as he is mercifull, and that not only in Affectu, but in Effectu, not only in Affection, but in Action alſo.A branch of the true vine. Ioh. 15.1, 2. Phil. 1.10.11. Num. 13.23. A tree of righte ouſneſſe. Eſay 61.3 Ier. 17.8. Pſal. 1 3. Ioh. 15.2.5.8. Pſa. 92.13 14.
He was a Branch of that noble Uine Chriſt Jeſus, from whom he drew ſuch ſap of grace and vertue, by the power of faith, that hee was filled with the fruits of righteouſneſſe and holineſſe, to the praiſe and glory of God.
A Branch clogged with fruit, like that which was cut downe at the Brooke Eſhcol, which was ſo loaden with one cluſter of Grapes, that it was enough for two men to bear it on a ſtaffe betweene them.
He was one of the Trees of righteouſneſſe, the planting of the Lord, whoſe leafe was ever greene, whoſe fruit did never faile, ever bearing his owne fruit, good fruit, much fruit, and even in his age more and more fruit, being ever full and flouriſhing in the courts of our God.Full of good fruits towards all.
He was full of Mercy and of good fruits, towards ſinners, and towards ſaints, towards neighbours, and towards ſtrangers, towards friends, and towards foes, towards the poore, and towards the rich, towards all ſorts and conditions of men, as he had opportunity and ability, ſo to declare himſelfe unto them.
Now becauſe the good Tree is knowne by his Fruit, and the true Uine by her ſweete Grapes:Mat. 12.33 we will take a view of ſome of his fruits of Mercy, and try what their taſte and reliſh is; that ſo finding them to be wholeſome and ſavoury (as no doubt we ſhall) wee may judge aright of the tree that did beare them, and of the branch that brought them to our hands.
Some of the fruits of Mercy which hee ſhewed forth in his holy converſation,He did mourne for ſinners were directed unto ſuch as were yet in their ſins, blind, ignerant, popiſh, or prophane. Such as were without meanes of grace, being without God, and without Chriſt, how would his bowels of compaſſion yern within him,Mat. 9.36. Exod. 32. Mar. 3.5. Hee did contemne contemners. 2 Tim. 3.3. Mat. 7.6.2 Tim. 3.5. 2. Ioh. 10. Eſay 36.21. and be moved for the miſery that was upon them? How, often as he hath by occaſion ſeene them in the midſt of their Heatheniſh ſports, and Idolatrous feaſts, either kiſſing the Calves, or dancing about them, hath be looked angerly upon them, and ſpoken roughly unto them, yet mourning for the hardneſſe of their hearts, which was upon them, and as it were bleeding inwardly, for the wickedneſſe committed by them?
If he by occaſion did meet with ſuch perſons as were mockers, contemners of God, and deſpiſers of good things, hee would not caſt Pearles before Swine, nor holy things before Dogs, but turne away his face from them, and not ſo much as ſalute them, nor ſpeak one word unto them.
But if he found any poore ſoules erring from the right way, yet deſiring a guide (as the Eunch did) to bee directed unto it,Act. 8.31. Prov. 2.1, 2, 3, 4. Pro. 4.1, 2 and to walke in it: how carefull would he bee of their good? how joyfull to doe them good? He would deal ſo choiſely and tenderly, ſo mercifully and wifely with them, by his wholeſome inſtructions, loving admonitions, godly exhortations, and good directions; that hee did nouriſh and cheriſh them in religion, as the tender Babes,1 Theſ. 2.… 1. 1 Theſ. 2.7. Plants, and Lambes of Chriſt Jeſus, and ſo brought them to a better liking of the truth, and a greater love unto it, for their farther growth in knowledge and in grace by it. Yea, ſuch was his bounty and liberality to ſuch perſons,1 Pet. 2.1. 2 Pet. 3.18 to encourage them and draw them on, in the true profeſſion of religion, that he would (if they were poor and needy) give to ſome money out of his purſe,His bounty to poor Chriſtians corne out of his Garner; to others, Bibles, Catechiſmes, and other good bookes, which of his owne coſt hee had provided to that end, and laid up in ſtore in his Study by him.
If hee had ſeene a profeſſor of religion in ſome decay and want for outward things, he would endeavour to relieve him, by his own, and other good means,For ſupply of their wants. according to his preſent occaſions, and neceſſities. I know thoſe, that have ſeen him take off a good ſute of apparell from his owne body, as it might be this day, to beſtow it the next, upon an honeſt godly man, that wanted ſeemely raiment to fit him for ſome better ſervice and imployment.
And when he had thus done, to give him a good ſumme of money in his purſe to ſet him out in ſome good faſhion, and to beare his charges, untill hee might come to the place where hee might better provide for himſelfe. Theſe are ſome of the fruits of mercy, which this mercifull Gentleman ſhewed forth in his godly converſation, both towards ſinners and to wards ſaints, partly to their ſoules, and partly to their bodies.