A Token for Children, Example 5
The Fifth Example of the pious Life and joyful Death of a Child which dyed when he was about twelve years old. 1632.
1. CHarles Bridgman had no ſooner learned to ſpeak, but he betook himſelf to prayer.
2. He was very prone to learn the things of God.
3. He would be ſometimes teaching them their duty that waited upon him.
4. He learned by heart many good things before he was well fit to go to School: and when he was ſet to School, he carried it ſo, that all that obſerved him either did or might admire him. O the ſweet nature, the good diſpoſition, the ſincere Religion which was in this Child!
5. When he was at School, what was it that he deſired to learn, but Chriſt and him crucified.
6. So religious and ſavoury were his words, his actions ſo upright, his devotion ſo hearty, his fear of God ſo great, that many were ready to ſay, as they did of John, What manner of Child ſhall this be?
7. He would be much in reading the holy Scriptures.
8. He was deſirous of more ſpiritual knowledg, and would be oft asking very ſerious and admirable queſtions.
9. He would not ſtir out of doors before he had poured out his Soul to the Lord.
11. When he eat any thing, he would be ſure to lift up his heart unto the Lord for a bleſſing upon it; and when he had moderately refreſhed himſelf by eating, he would not forget to acknowledg Gods goodneſs in feeding of him.
12. He would not lye down in his bed till he had been upon his knees; and when ſometimes he had forgotten his duty, he would quickly get out of his bed, and kneeling down upon his bare knees, covered with no Garment but his Linings, ask God forgiveneſs for that ſin.
13. He would rebuke his Brethren if they were at any time too haſty at their meals, and did eat without asking a bleſſing; his check was uſually this; dare you do thus? God be merciful unto us, this bit of bread might choak us.
14. His ſentences were wiſe and weighty, and well might become ſome ancient Chriſtian.
15. His ſickneſs was a lingring diſeaſe, againſt which, to comfort him, one tells him of poſſeſſions that muſt fall to his portion; and what are they, ſaid he? I had rather have the Kingdom of Heaven than a thouſand ſuch inheritances.
16. When he was ſick, he ſeemed much taken up with Heaven, and asked very ſerious queſtions about the nature of his ſoul.
17. After he was pretty well ſatisfied about that, he enquired how his ſoul might be ſaved; the anſwer being made, by the applying of Chriſts merits by faith; he was pleaſed with the anſwer, and was ready to give any one that ſhould deſire it, an account of his hope.
18. Being asked whether he had rather live or dye, he anſwered, I deſire to dye, that I may go to my Saviour.
19. His pains encreaſing upon him, one asked him whether he would rather ſtill endure thoſe pains, or forſake Chriſt? Alas, ſaid he, I know not what to ſay, being but a Child, for theſe pains may ſtagger a ſtrong man; But I will ſtrive to endure the beſt that I can. Upon this he called to mind that Martyr Thomas Bilney; who being in priſon, the night before his burning put his finger into the candle, to know how he could endure the fire. O (ſaid the Child) had I lived then, I would have run through the fire to have gone to Chriſt.
20. His ſickneſs laſted long, and at leaſt three dayes before his death he propheſied his departure, and not only that he muſt dye, but the very day. On the Lords day, ſaid he, look to me; neither was this a word of courſe, which you may gueſs by his often repetition, every day asking, till the day came indeed, what, is Sunday come? At laſt the lookt-for day came on; and no ſooner had the Sun beautified that morning with its light, but he falls into a trance; his eyes were fixed, his face cheerful, his lips ſmiling, his hands and face claſped in a Bow, as if he would have received ſome bleſſed Angel that were at hand to receive his ſoul: but he comes to himſelf, and tells them how he ſaw the ſweeteſt body that ever eyes beheld, who bid him be of good cheer, for he muſt preſently go with him.
21. One that ſtood near him, as now ſuſpecting the time of his diſſolution nigh, bid him ſay, Lord into thy hands I commend my ſpirit, which is thy due; for why? thou haſt redeemed it, O Lord my God moſt true.
22. The laſt words which he ſpake, were exactly theſe; Pray, pray, pray, nay yet pray, and the more Prayers, the better all proſpers; God is the beſt Phyſitians, into his hands I commend my ſpirit, O Lord Jeſus receive my ſoul: Now cloſe mine eyes: Forgive me Father, Mother, Brother, Siſter, all the World. Now I am well, my pain is almoſt gone, my joy is at hand, Lord have mercy on me. O Lord receive my Soul unto thee. And thus he yielded his Spirit up unto the Lord, when he was about twelve years old.
This Narrative was taken out of Mr. Ambroſe his Life's Leaſe.