The Life of Mr John Hieron, Chapter 6
CHAP. VI. Of his Miniſterial Endowments, and of the diſcharge of his Miniſtry.
THE qualifications of this Worthy Man I ſhall giveSect. 1. you ſummarily. He was a good Man, as it's ſaid of Barnabas, he was a Learned Man, he had much of Egypts Gold and Treaſure, and brought it all to Gods Tabernacle. He was well read in Books and good Authors, a very ſtudious man: He was well ſeen in Hiſtory, and very frequently in converſe made an excellent uſe thereof. He had a ſharp judgment, he was a great Maſter of Method, had digeſted his Tutors Method of preaching thoroughly: He had a very ſtrong memory, which continued to the laſt; ſo that if there were any doubt about the quantity of any Syllable, he had a Verſe ready to ſhew what it was. He had ſearched into Chronology of Scripture, knew much about it, and was ready in it. But he was almoſt a Non-ſuch in his Bible; you could not name a difficulty, but he was ready to give the unfolding of it, or what was ſaid to it. He was moſt ready in the references of one Scripture to another, and could readily turn to them. He had an excellent faculty in expounding Scripture, in opening a Chapter, he opened his Text with great clearneſs. He had a gravity in Countenance and Carriage, and in his Delivery. He was a Mall of unſound Opinions, though he did not delight in preaching Controverſies, yet when it fell in his way, his matter naturally leading to it, he would ſo diſtinctly ſtate Controverted points, and leave them ſo clear, that there would ſcarce ſeem to be any thing of controverſie in them. He was a cloſe and wiſe reprover. He was a powerful preſſer to duty; he was excellent in Inſtruction, skilful to direct to means, very compaſſionate in dealing with tender, troubled Souls, able to give ſtrong Cordials, and very diſcerning to know to whom to give them. In a word, he was a Scribe inſtructed to the Kingdom of God, had Treaſures, and could bring forth things new and old. He was a good and faithful Steward of the Myſteries of God; he was able and apt to teach, furniſhed both with an Heart well headed, and an Head well hearted; he was skilful, and faithful, a ſound Believer of what he preached, zealous for God, no body that heard him could ſuſpect him of being in jeſt, all muſt conclude he was in earneſt, and that his words were in his heart, and that they came out thence. His breath was warm, which teſtified Life within, and heartineſs for God.
Sect. 2. As to the diſcharge of his Miniſtry I muſt be a little more particular. He did ſhew his qualifications, his ſincere ends in entring into the Miniſtry by his conſcionable fulfilling his Miniſtry received of the Lord, doing the work of a Miniſter, making full proof of his Miniſtry, he▪ was a Workman, and a working man, a dextrous labourer in Gods Vineyard, a painful and skilful Husbandman whom God had inſtructed to diſcretion, and had taught him. He diſpenſed Holy Myſteries, the Word and Sacrament as a Miniſter of Chriſt; and a faithful Steward of the Myſteries of God.
1. He was well ſatisfied about the Doctrine of the Lords day, as a Chriſtian Sabbath; and accordingly he did earneſtly contend with the Profaners of the Lords day, zealouſly preſt its ſanctification, and in his own practice was a practical Sabbatarian. This would appear both from what he did at Aſhborne, and alſo after at Breadſall. But take for proof what follows. Some time after his ſetling at Aſhborne, the Book for Sports on the Lords day came forth; and preſently was the fear of Gods Commandment caſt off (the applications of the Sabbath to the ends of it's inſtitution being one of thoſe bands and cords, that corrupt nature would fain break, and is glad of any pretence to caſt away) Unbridled youth preſently took the liberty granted; and Tidings being brought to Mr. Hieron, he got to Mr. Pegge, a Man of Authority in Aſhborne to accompany him▪ and coming to them, they found Boys and Youths ſhooting at the Butts, and only one man with them; and being demanded why they did ſo? The man anſwered that the Biſhop gave them leave. How doth that appear ſaid Mr. Hieron? The man anſwered; on ſuch a Sabbath day I came through Eccleſhall (where then the Biſhops ſeat was) and ſaw there a Bear baiting▪ Mr. Hieron rejoyns, that's no proof, for the Caſtle is at ſome diſtance from the Town, and the Biſhop might be ſaid, If it offended them he would forbear, and ſo the Company parted.
But a while after he went to another Company, got together on the like occaſion, where he met with a man who argued the King allowed it, and thoſe would not part.
Mr. Taylor in his Life having preached about the Obſervation of the Lords-day, and therein reproved that bad Cuſtom which the Butchers of that Town uſed of ſelling Meat on the Lords-days in the Morning. When Biſhop Wright afterwards came to viſit there, ſome, who were loath to for go that bad Cuſtom, dealt with him in private about it, and ſo far gained on him, that in his Charge or Speech he mentioned it, and uſed this inſtance, Suppoſe a Labouring Man receives his Wages ſo late on the Saturday night, that before he can get home, the Shops are ſhut up, and no Meat then to be bought, ſhall not the poor Man therefore have a chop of Meat to his Dinner the next day (with great noiſe the Biſhop added) God forbid. Mr. Hieron, well underſtood this reflection, and others took ſo much notice of it, as to take encouragement from it. Yet notwithſtanding Mr. Hieron preaching upon the Commandments, when he came in courſe to the Fourth Commandment, returned upon the reproof of this ſin; and raiſing an Objection, but ſome may ſay my Lord Biſhop gives us leave. He anſwered, Suppoſe that were ſo, Whether is it reaſnable to regard what one Biſhop might ſay in a private place, more than what that Biſhop, and all the Biſhops in England had ſaid in Parliament And having the Statute of 3. Caroli with him in the Pulpit, he read it to them, and told them, there were but ſo many years paſſed, ſince this was enacted by Kings, Lords, and Commons; and that this Biſhop on whoſe Authority they ſo much relied, was one of the Number, being then Biſhop of Briſtol. This put them a little to a ſtand, yet one of them ſaid, he would notwithſtanding hear what ſuch a Gentleman, not far diſtant, would ſay to it. Whether they reformed or not, I cannot well ſay, but Mr. Hieron did his duty with Zeal and Courage Theſe inſtances may ſuffice to illuſtrate and prove this head.
2. He was a Man that filled the Sabbath with its proper Exerciſes. It was a painful day to him, yet not▪ grievous, becauſe the day was his delight, and holy employment was his refreſhment. He prayed, he read the Scripture, and expounded it; he ſung Pſalms, he catechiſed and expounded the Catechiſm, he preached twice a day, and this he did with that holy zeal and earneſtneſs, that ſometimes (eſpecially in the ſpring of the year) he hath been ſo ſore upon the Mondays, that he could not endure to ſit; but was forced to walk about in his Room, whilſt he was able, and then to try if he could find out any other poſtures which might be more eaſie to him than ſitting was. He ſtuck cloſe to his people, gave them their full proviſion, and when the neceſſitics of ſome Neighboring places called for a ſupply, he hath ſometimes preached thrice a day rather than his own people ſhould be ſhortned. He very rarely exchanged with any body on the Sabbath, kept his own Vineyard, and kept to it. Breadſall wanted preaching when they ſought for him, but never wanted after they found him. He adminiſtred both the Sacraments in their Seaſons, and for the inſtructing and admoniſhing part of diſcipline he was abundant in it. He taught publickly, and from houſe to houſe, warning every one, and teaching every one. The younger he catechiſed in the Congregation, the elder at home went to their Houſes, called them to his. The Sermons preached at Church were repeated in his houſe, all his willing Neighbours were welcome, and for ſome time conſiderable numbers did frequent thoſe repetitions. And for their encouragement ſo to do, he would ſometimes in the week-day invite to Supper ſuch as came to Repetition and Prayer on the Lords-day, and after Supper let them play and uſe ſome fit Recreations, and be innocently as merry as they would, being no enemy to harmleſs mirth in its own proper ſeaſon. He took all occaſions to do them good. I have caſt ſome ſorrowful looks at that place ſince he was thruſt out of it, as fearing that Vineyard was like to become as the Sluggards field, having loft his cultivation of it.
3. He confined not his labours within his own charge and precincts, but was ready and frequent in week-day work abroad. His Fountain was diſperſed abroad, and Rivers of Waters in the Country Villages. He aſſiſted in upholding moſt Lectures, and then there were many, by putting his hand to them. He ſet up a Monthly Lecture at Dale-Abby, which for ſome time he only preached at himſelf, but afterwards a Congregation being there gathered by him, other Miniſters came in to his aſſiſtance, and made that ſingle Lecture a double one. This Exerciſe was kindly embraced by the people at Dale, and was well frequented, till the anti-religious Spirit aroſe in 1662. and then the Miniſters who were to preach hearing of an armed Rabble coming from Derby to break them up; after they had adviſed with the people, reſolved to deſiſt and deſperſe themſelves, and ſo gave way to thoſe furious Bigots. Let a Bear robbed of her whelps meet a man rather than a Fool in his folly, Prov. 17. 12. This glorious Victory they obtained, to ſcatter a Meeting whoſe only crime was ſerving God, and to put an end to a Meeting there, where Viſion was very rare, and Preaching much needed. So ended this, and moſt of the Meetings in the Countrey. This was about July, I think, and in Auguſt following, the Miniſters now diſturbed were ſilenced, not by a rude ſelf-calling, and ſelf-raiſing Rabble, but by a formality of Law, which in Gods time I hope will appear to be according to that phraſe, Pſal. 58. 2. a weighing of the violence of Mens hands in the earth, an holding balances in hands, the emblem of Juſtice, as if they would proportion puniſhments to faults, but tilled and turned the Scale by revengeful malice, and to curry favour with the Enemies of all Righteouſneſs, ſentenced an Innocent, uſeful Seed of Men, whom God would never caſt off, though they caſt them out. And I am not without hopes that ſome of them may live to have a Paphnutius's kiſs from a Conſtantine's mouth, Amen, if God ſee that good.
4. Where ever he preached at home, or abroad, he preached the Word, he was a Scriptural Preacher, not Chaff, but Wheat was ſown by him; not Niceties and Subtilties, but ſound Doctrine, well digeſted truth in ſignificant words was delivered by him. Gingling, tickling the Ear, patching and painting the Face of Truth, daubing with intempered Morter, were things he practiſed not, yea, he abhorred them. His Sermons were no flattering glaſſes, but true clear Mirrours to ſhew Men the true Complexion of their Souls.
He had Art enough, but he concealed it, he had much Learning, but it all ſerved Divinity; he had Logick and Philoſophy enough, but he planted no Ariſtotles Grove by the ſide of Gods Altar. He had method enough to divide a Text, but he never crumbled a Text; he divided the Word into fit Portions, he never ſtrained a Text, but would be ſure to give you the proper fruit from ſuch a branch of Scripture. I never knew him impertinent. Indeed if ever Man prophecyed according to the proportion of Faith, if ever Man compared Spiritual things with ſpiritual, if ever man ſpake as the Lords Meſſenger, in the Lords Meſſage, as is ſaid of the Prophet Haggaii; Hag. 13. if ever man filled his Veſſel at the Holy Fountains, if ever man took his Words from one Shepherd, if ever man brought light to Scripture from Scripture, and made it to interpret it ſelf, he did. Bleſſed be God there are many ſuch, and he muſt be ranked amongſt ſuch men. His Sermons on heads of Divinity, his Diſcourſe of Spiritual joy, prove what I ſay.
5. He managed the Holy Sacraments with a great deal of care, fear, pains, and circumſpection, according to the weight and worth of thoſe high and Holy Miſteries.
As for Baptiſme he very rarely adminiſtred it in private, and never but where neceſſity and charity required it. His conſtant way was this, The ſecond Lords day after the birth, he appointed the Children to be brought to the Church, and there after Evening Sermon made all the Congregation Witneſſes; and if any had offered to go out, he would call to them, and tell them there was great need they ſhould all underſtand the Baptiſmal Covenant. He never opened the Service-Book after the Ordinance of Parliament required to ſhut it, and appointed the Directory to take place; yet I doubt not, but he gave as clear inſtructions, as powerful exhortations and charges, and put up as pertinent Prayers, as that Book or any other Form for that Office, doth or can afford.
As for the Supper of the Lord he adminiſtred it quarterly; had alwayes a preparation Sermon, and many times two, when he could procure help; he took great pains in taking an account of, and inſtructing his Communicants: If any had miſcarried, he failed not to admoniſh them: He made great Obſervations how he found them: He had his ſearching Queſtions about Converſion, about Title to Eternal Life, about Repentance, Do not all acknowledge it neceſſary? Have you repented? If not, why not now? Are we not frail? Time ſhort and uncertain. He had his excitations to the cure of Souls, and indeed he was no way wanting to help his People to ſanctifie God in their near approach to him.
6. He was very exact in performing his duty to his People, but very moderate in requiring his legal dues from his People: He took little of the Poor, and gave them much: And for others in leſſer things he took what they brought, and made no ſtrict inquiry: He forbore ſome ſmaller things till ſome took occaſion to deny them to be due, and then being obliged to maintain the Rights of the place, he ordered his Clark to demand them: He was forbearing; After his ejection he found many had not reckoned with him of ſeveral years, he ſued only one, (not of his Pariſh that denyed any Tithe to be due to him, and led away as much at one time as was of a conſiderable value. This he might not bear, ſo applyed to the Juſtices, who upon the hearing adjudged him his own with the penalty upon the unjuſt with-holder, but he only took his own and what he had ſpent, and a Shilling to his Servant, and returned the reſt. If it might not have been a detriment to the place for the future, I am apt to think he would have ſitten down with loſs, for his deſign was the Peoples benefit; he ſought not theirs but them, and that he might gain upon them, he ws content to be a Looſer. He was a good Townſ-man as well as a good Miniſter. There are two clear Inſtances.
(1.) He procured a Relaxation and Mitigation of their Aſſeſsments by clearing it to them then in power, that there was reaſon for it, and improving his intereſt in them, procured eaſe.
(2.) There was a Town-Stock in Breadſall, which being ſent out among them in ſmall ſummes, was frequently endangered to come lame home: Mr. Hieron oft adviſed, it might be laid out in Land, which they never would yield to, but when there was a proſpect of his going out (he having promiſed them Ten …ounds if they would buy Land) they accepted, and he as good as his word gave them his Ten Pounds, and ſo there is Land that yields Three Pounds per Annum, ſetled on Truſtees for the uſe of the poor of Br…adſall.
7. His Heart was much ſet upon Succeſs and Fruit among his own People, that in that place he might be able to ſay that there was Fruits, yea, all manner of pleaſant Fruits, new and old, laid up for thee, O beloved. Cant. 7. laſt. This appeared ſundry ways.
(1.) He was pleaſed that God had given him a People that were frameable to an outward conformity; but Oh! where is the Jew inwardly? The power of Godlineſs? He was no Formaliſt himſelf, and he could not take up with ſhapes of Chriſtians; but longed to ſee real Heart-Chriſtians.
(2.) He was full of thoughts of heart when he found not his deſired ſucceſs attend his work, and would break out thus; How ſhall I do more? How ſhall I do better? How ſhall I pray more? How ſhall I preach better?
(3.) The Fruit he had in Breadſall, (as bleſſed be God he had ſome.) Oh! it was as the firſt ripe Fruits: Oh! a Breadſall-Chriſtian was as a Joſeph, as a Benjamin to Old Jacob: They were in his Bowels; his Soul cleaved to them; they were his Joy and Crown.
8. He was a man of Hoſpitality and Charity▪ Strangers and Friends found him ſo in courteous entertainments: No good man needed to ſeek a publick Houſe in Breadſall to lodge in, nor ſtrain to reach Derby. The Church had a Gains at Breadſall. And for his Charity; his lending and his giving was conſiderable: It extended it ſelf to all the Poor in Breadſall, in Bread, in Coats, in Corn, in Money; yea it extended to poor Chriſtians diſtant from him. After he had left Breadſall-Living he ſent Money thither to be diſpoſed as he directed: He deviſed liberal things, forecaſted in hard years to reſerve Corn for the poor; though it ſometimes proved to his outward loſs. Thus was he full of the good Word of God, and of good Works. His Acquaintances, Neighbours, Kindred, will teſtifie theſe things. I could on this head be more large and particular, but this taſte may ſuffice; they that knew him can inlarge upon theſe hints; they that knew him not may take their meaſures from theſe ſhort touches. To conclude, he was a good man, and that his Religion was not barren, but had the moſt undeniable Evidences, even thoſe that Jeſus Chriſt will go upon in the day of Judgment.
9. He was a bold, ſharp, cloſe reprover of ſin, and yet very tender and compaſſionate in dealing with tender Conſciences, afflicted, wounded Spirits. Some of his great Neighbours while at Aſhborn did profane the Sabbath, and openly drunk healths in the Market place; he as boldly reproved it, as they did impudently commit it; and this when the War came on, made him to be repreſented as a Round-head, and by the inſtigation of thoſe Neighbours, he was one of the firſt in Aſhborn that had his Houſe broken in upon by Sir Francis Wortleys Party, he taken, and impriſo…ed by them; and as by the words they let fall, he underſtood, it was in revenge of his Reproofs. He was an hearty enemy to ſin, ſtruck at it with his ſpiritual weapons with all the ſtrength of his arm: He launced feſtered ſores: He attacked ſturdy reſolved ſinners with reſolute charges: He beat down ſin ſo, that ſome touched with Antinomianiſm, thought him too legal, and a…ked him, by what warrant Miniſters under the Goſpel preached the Law ſo much; he readily anſwered; The words of their Commiſſion were a ſufficient warrant, citing that Scripture, Mark 16. 15, 16. and added, Is not that as terrible a preaching of the Law as any Miniſter now doth, or can practiſe. To which the Objecter made no reply. But on the other hand, though he lifted up his voice againſt ſin, like a trumpet, yet he neither cryed nor lift up his voice, when he had to deal with bruiſed reeds, then he bound up their Wounds charily, and had the Oyl of Joy for them that were in the Spirit of H…avineſs: He feared to make the heart of the righteous ſad: Here he preached the Goſpel, he beat down profaneneſs, but lent an hand to them that were caſt down for ſin, to lift them up. Many diſquieted hearts would make to him, and he would counſ…l and comfort them, and ſhew them where the Reſt for their Souls was.
10. He backed his Doctrine with a good Life: He was the ſame man out of the Pulpit, that he was in it: He was a Preacher, and a Pattern; what People heard from him, they ſaw in him: He was all Voice, Mouth, and Life, his Converſation was a viſible Sermon: He was a follower of Chriſt, mighty in word and deed. He manifeſted a ſpirit of knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord. We may ſay of him, as the Woman of her dead Husband, Thou knoweſt that thy Servant did fear the Lord. No profaneneſs went from him into any place where he taught: His Doctrine was a pure lip, and his Life exemplary; his Doctrine was pure and ſavoury, his Breath ſweet, and his Life tinctured with holineſs in every turn of it. He came, as John Baptiſt, in the way of Righteouſneſs; he lived in all good Conſcience; his walking was in ſimplicity and godly ſincerity, not in fleſhly wiſdom. He condemned not, confuted not, his Doctrine by contrary practice; but he confirmed it, eſtabliſhed it, and juſtified the Wiſdom he taught. He wrought with both hands earneſtly, as ſome are ſaid to ſin. He pulled not down with one hand, what he built up with the other; he ſpoke with his feet, and taught with his fingers. He ſpake convincingly ſound Doctrine, ſtopping Gainſayers mouths, and he lived convincingly: They could not retort, nor reflect, nor ſay, Phyſician, heal thy ſelf. His blameleſs Life ſtopped the mouth of iniquity.
11. He was a man of much Prayer, and ſo a man of much Grace. He preſſed Prayer much, he practiſed it more. He gave himſelf to Prayer. His Grace exceeded his gift, though in the gift of Prayer he was very great. He prayed with all Prayer, Publick, Family, ſecret Prayer. He went through the parts of Prayer, was large in Confeſſion of Sin, was very particular in thankful acknowledgment of Mercies, and an earneſt Petitioner for Grace and Mercy, for all Spiritual Bleſſings; a pleading Interceſſour for all that he was bound to pray for. He not only prayed, but made a Collection of Prayers, called ſober People together, and went to them where Prayer was made. He called People frequently to days of Prayer. He carried the Churches abroad, and our Kingdoms and Churches upon his heart, and ſpread their caſe before the Lord. He was an hearty Proteſtant, and a true enemy to Antichriſtianiſm. He was a Prophet in Sack-cloth; becauſe of the great Apoſtaſie. He was very ſenſible of Romiſh Idolatry. Oh! how much of his heart might one feel, when he prayed, Down with Babylon. Oh, how have I heard him lay his praying hand upon Babylon, and cry, as if he would not take off his hand, till he had pulled it down, pleading from their Hereſie, Tyranny and Idolatry, as if he would have no denial. He was very ſerious in Prayer, and a great admirer and acknowledger of Grace, when he mentioned any good in himſelf, or them that joyned with him, it was with much humility, and alwayes ſpake thus, or to this purpoſe: And if there be any good in us, not unto us, not unto us, but to thy Grace be the Glory. From a thread to a ſhooe-latchet he would not take from Grace.
12. He magnified and dignified his Office by humility, by great moderation in things that are Problems amongſt good men, by a great ſteadineſs. When any body mentioned any good done by him, he would ſay, Give Glory to God, this man is a ſinner. I never knew that he eſtranged himſelf from his Conforming Brethren, that were before his Intimates; but he kept up his honour of them, and love to them. He kept his poſt, was no bending Oſier; he deliberated m…ch, and then fixed. He had been conformable; but I believe, not with any great liking, and was not willing to chooſe that way again, and condemn his laying it aſide, and therefore would do neither leſs nor more, but put himſelf into Gods hands; and choſe to keep his peace, though he loſt his place; and for any thing that ever appeared, never repented; nay, he had great ſatisfaction. One once asked him, Do you not repent? What do you mean, ſays he, the leaving of my place? No; I am far from that, for I have done nothing therein, but what I have taught you to be your Duty. Rather loſe all, than ſin againſt …od; and if▪ Breadſall Parſonage was the beſt Biſhoprick in England, I muſt do again what I have done. And thus he ſaid more than once; for my part I never knew him ſtaggered.
13. In the works of his Miniſtry, which are not to me ſo clearly Miniſterial works, he went further than moſt other Miniſters.—I ſhall inſtance in Marrying people; he ſtood upon it in very great ſtrictneſs to have a full aſſurance of Parents conſent, and a due publication of the Marriage intended. And in Burials his way was, if he preached a Funeral Sermon, for which he had Money, he would (ſometimes at the leaſt) give it to the Poor. If no Sermon were beſpoken, he would take the People into the Church, and give them an Exhortation of the length of ſome ordinary Sermons; and this he did, becauſe People at ſuch times are more ſerious and impreſſible, and he was for catching hold of all opportunities, as impotent People were at the troubling of Betheſda's waters.
14. In the places of his Miniſtry he had great reſpect, and ever bore great affection to thoſe places; the care of them lay upon him. He had a great regard to Aſhborn all his time, and a mighty concern for Breadſall. The Cures paſſed into other hands, but the Care was upon him. He would go to Breadſall, while he was near it, though called a Wolf for his pains by his ſucceſſor. He put himſelf to many inconveniences by his firſt remove, that he might be near them; he took up with a ſtrait houſe, that he might be at hand for his Peoples ſervice, and that he might live among a People that were his Hearers, though not his Pariſhioners, namely at Little-Eaton.