The Holy Life and Happy Death of John Bruen, Chapter 65
CHAP. LXV.
Milke for babes that came to viſite him.OF thoſe which came to viſite him, he obſerved that ſome were young profeſſors, and babes in Chriſt, others were of riper age, and better growth in Chriſtianity, and therefore he did apply himſelfe unto them both. To the babes, hee would miniſter the ſincere milke of the Word, in wholeſome and eaſie inſtructions, in mild and gentle exhortations, all ſweetned with tearmes of tenderneſſe and love, To them that were of riper age in Chriſt,Stronger meat for ſtrong men H. b. 5. ult. His godly admonitions unto both. hee gave as occaſion required, ſtronger meate, as to ſtronger men, even ſuch as by reaſon of uſe had their ſenſes exerciſed to diſcerne both good and evill.
VntoUnto them both he gave theſe, and the like godly admonitions, To hold on, and hold out, to bee ſtedfaſt in their profeſſion, and never to be weary of weldoing, to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, to increaſe in faith, and abound in love, never to be diſcouraged by taunts and mocks, railings and revilings, and other perſecutions for the name of Chriſt, but as they have given their names unto him, ſo to give their hearts alſo. And then to be faithfull unto the death, that they may receive the crowne of life.
And that theſe, and other ſuch like Inſtructions, and admonitions, might make a deeper impreſſion in their hearts, and bee a ſtronger provocation to Chriſtian obedience in their lives: Hee did very gravely and wiſely,He commends unto them his own experience, and example. as a Father, commend unto their due conſideration, his own experience, and example, from the time that he firſt began to embrace, and profeſſe the Goſpel.
His words were theſe, or much to this effect.
When firſt I began to profeſſe Religion, there was almoſt none in the whole Shire, that were acquainted with the power and practiſe of it.
I was, Pſa. 102.6, 8.as the Prophet ſpeaketh, like a Pelicane of the wilderneſſe; I was like an owle of the deſert.
Mine enemies did reproach me all the day, and were mad againſt me. I was a wonder of the world, yea a monſter of men, Iſai 8.and many did bend their tongues like bows for lyes; and ſhoote out their arrowes, even bitter words againſt me.
And yet for all this, that came upon me, I did not forget the Name of my God neither did I deale falſly in his Covenant. Pſa. 44.My heart was not turned back, neither did my ſteps decline from his way. But being ſtrong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, I found his Grace was ſufficient for me, both to confirm mee in the truth and to preſerve me blameleſſe and harmeleſſe, without rebuke, in the mids of a crooked and perverſe generation. And ſo through the good hand of my God which was upon me; I did overcome. For, the Work of God did proſper in my hand, and mine Adverſaries did not prevaile againſt me.
But now, Iſay 54.1.that may be ſaid to this Countrey, which the Prophet ſpake unto the Gentiles: Sing, O Barren, thou that didst not beare, breake forth into ſinging, and cry alowd, thou that didst not travail with child, for more are the children of the deſolate, than of the married Wife, ſaith the Lord.
O how goodly are thy Tents O Jacob, Num. 24.5, 6.and thy Tabernacles, O Iſrael! As the valleyes are they ſpread forth, as gardens by the river ſide, as the trees of Lign-Aloes, which the Lord hath planted, and as Cedar trees beſide the waters.
Now the borders of the Church are much enlarged, the number of Belecvers wonderfully increaſed, and bleſſed be God, every quarter, and corner of the Country is now filled with the ſweet ſavour of the Goſpell.
O how it doth refreſh my ſpirit, Rev. 2.10. 1 Cor. 16.13. 1 Cor 15.58.and rejoyce my Soule, to ſee or to thinke upon their ſweet faces ſtanding before the Lord in the day of Aſſembly, as an Army in holy beauty: Wherefore, my beloved Brethren, ſo are none of thoſe things which you ſhall ſuffer. Watch ye, ſtand faſt in the Faith, quite you like men, be ſtrong, be ye ſtedfaſt alſo, and unmoveable, always abounding in the worke of the Lord, foraſmuch as you know that your labour is not in vaine in the Lord.
With ſuch gracious Speeches of Counſell and Comfort, of Admonition and encouragement, did he ſtir up the godly minds of many Profeſſors, younger or elder, as they came to viſit him.