The Holy Life and Happy Death of John Bruen, Chapter 63
CHAP. LXIII.
His diligence and conſcience in frequenting Gods houſe.NOw although his bodily infirmities did increaſe, and grow upon him, yet would he not by any meanes bee kept from the houſe of God, on the Lords day, ſo long as either he could go or ride, which was ſome eight or nine weekes before his death, and departure out of this world.
His houſe was diſtant about a myle from the Church,His cheerfull going to Church the way faire and large, ſo that hee uſually went afoot, calling all his family about him, leaving neither Cooke nor Butler behinde him, nor any of his ſervants, but two or three to make the doores, and tend the houſe, untill their returne.Pſal. 122. 1, 2. And then taking his Tenants and neighbours, as they lay in the way, along with him, hee marched on with a joyfull and cheerefull heart, as a leaden of the Lords hoſt, towards the houſe of God, according to that of the Pſalmiſt,Pſal. 42.3. I went with the multitude to the houſe of God, with the voice of joy and praiſe, with a multitude that kept Holyday.
And ſo it was indeed his ordinary manner, to call his company neare about him,Singing of Pſalms by the way. and to joyne together with one heart and voice, to ſing Pſalmes as they went along, and that Pſalme eſpecially, How pleaſant is thy dwelling place, Pſal. 84.which they performed with ſuch a melodious harmony, that the like may be ſaid of them, as was of the Jewes; God made them to rejoyce with great joy, the wives alſo and the children rejoyced, ſo that the joy of Ieruſalem was heard even afarre off.Neh. 12.43. For although I cannot ſay as Auguſtine did, that by ſuch ſweet ſinging of Pſalmes, divers were converted to the faith of Chriſt, that were ſtrangers to it. Yet am I well aſſured by that which I have heard, that many that heard but afarre off,Some much delighted, and ſome much bettered by this melody. the pleaſant ſound onelyonly of their delicate and ſweet voices (according ſo well together in Gods praiſes) were much refreſhed, and delighted therewit hall, and ſome as they drew nearer unto them, brought to a greater liking, and love of the company and ſocietie of Gods children, and of theſe and ſuch other duties of Gods worſhip,His early comming to Church as they did exerciſe themſelves withall.
His comming to the Church with all his Family, attendants and followers, was conſtantly before the beginning of prayers, or any part of divine Service, that ſo hee might more comfortably joyne with Gods Miniſter and people, in confeſſion of ſins, in prayer, and praiſe,His reverent and holy carriage in it. reading and hearing of the Word, ſinging of Pſalmes, and partaking of the Sacraments: all which hee did performe with ſuch a reverent attention and gracious affection, with ſo holy a carriage, and ſo good conſcience, that, as hereby hee did much increaſe his owne comfort, ſo was his godly example (no doubt) a great encouragement to many others, yea, a very ſpurre and goade unto them, to bee more religious and conſcionable in Gods worſhip, and ſervice.
After prayers and Sermon were ended, hee ſeldome went to dinner,His dinner time, hee beſtowed well in the Church. but abode in the Church to beſtow himſelfe, and this interim in Gods Service, with ſuch good people as were willing to ſtay with him. And this hee did by repeating the Sermon, which hee had taken very exactly (as uſually hée did) with his owne hand, and by ſinging of Pſalmes, and by wholy and wholeſome conference in, and about good things.
The Evenin Sacrifice he performed in like manner.And ſo waiting for the Evening Sacrifice, after hee had with like care and conſcience performed the publique duties of the Sabbath in the ſame; hee returned homewards with his company, with much comfort and joy in their hearts, endeavouring as they went along to increaſe their Knowledge, Faith, and Obedience, by repeating, and conferring of the Evening Sermon, and to inlarge their hearts in Gods praiſes,… Sam. 12.24. by ſinging of Pſalmes a freſh, conſidering what great things hee had done for them.
Their returne homewards and mutuall care to do good.And if any amongſt them were afflicted, they would bee ready to counſell him, comfort him, and pray for him. And he himſelfe eſpecially, if he heard of any ſuch as were troubled in Conſcience, upon the hearing of the Word, would be ever moſtready and willing, like the good Samaritane, Luc. 10.34 Gal. 6.1.to powre wine, and oyle into that wounded ſpirit; wine that he might ſearch and ſcoure it, and oyle that he might ſupple, and heale it.
After this manner did he frequent the Houſe of God, ſanctifie the Lords day, rejoyce in the Aſſembly of the Saints, and refreſh his own Soule with Heavenly Manna, and other ſpirituall repaſt, ſo long as hee could either goe, or ride unto it.