Life and Death of John Machin, Text

Life and Death of John Machin · Text

p. 1The Life and Death of that Holy Man of God, and Laborious Preacher, Mr. John Machin late of Aſtbury.

MR. John Machin, was Son to John Machin of Seabridge near New-caſtle in the County of Stafford. His Mother Katharine was of the Vernons of Audley in the ſame County. His Father was a Yeoman of good Eſtate, an antient Freeholder; that Eſtate of Seabridge having continued in the Name of the Machins from the 23 Hen. p. 28. (as this precious Servant of God hath himſelf computed out of his antient Deeds) and he finds himſelf the ſeventh Generation of the Name that have Inherited that eſtate. And what a pious improvement he makes of that Obſervation, we ſhall mention in its due place.

He was born at Seabridge, October 2. 1624. and baptized the ſame day at Newcaſtle.

He was the only Son of his ſaid Parents, and therefore carefully brought up by them in his Youth at the beſt Schools that were near, eſpecially with honeſt Mr. Orme at Newcaſtle, and that famous Mr. John Ball at Whitmore, who brought up ſeveral Youths in School-learning, together with his own Sons.

He was ſometimes intended for the Inns of Court, but his Parents p. 3tenderneſs of him, and unwillingneſs to part from him, is ſuppoſed to be the greateſt hindrance of that deſign. Whereupon being taken from School he was imployed in husbandry for ſome years, and other youthful recreations, as ſome well remember, and often did recount with admiration, when they ſaw him afterwards ſo highly ingaged in the exerciſe of the Law of God, day and night.

In particular he was addicted to cock-fights, which made him ſay thus (in ſome Memorials that he left off himſelf and family for the uſe of his ſonne) Twenty years did I live the Devils bondſlave, which is time loſt, and not Living in a good ſence, Epheſ. 2.1, 2, 3. And hath often ſaid to ſome of his dear friends when they have been walking with p. 4him in ſome of the wayes at Seabridge, O with what an heartfull of vanity have I in dayes paſt gone this way? And at other times, This way have I followed ſin where now I follow Chriſt; I am now ungoing, and un-ravelling my ſinful journeys: but I that have tried both, find theſe the better wayes.

He was very prone to hearken to any motion of marriage made unto him, though not then cloſing with any; one at Ʋttoxeter he was neareſt to a concluſion with, who dyed in the mean time, which was ſome occaſion of his going to the Ʋniverſity.

Upon the occaſion of the nameing of his firſt child Samuel, he ſaith thus, I was the rather inclin'd to give him that name, becauſe it ſhould have been mine own by right, as my Father hath told me, eſpecially ſince I came from Cambridge: p. 5for ſaid he, I beg'd thee of God in thy Mothers ſtraits, and promiſed thee to the Lord, as Hannah did her Son Samuel; but having quite forgotten my promiſe, or not thinking at all of the way wherein God intended thee for himſelfe, I intended thee for a Husbandman, until God fetch'd thee from me into the way of the Miniſtry, which was after ſome improbabilities, and beſides the thoughts of all Friends. God had another plough for thee to follow, and another match to make, than that which I and my Friends had thoughts of.

His Father was induced by the advice of a Friend to let him goe to Cambridge for a quarter of an year, ſcarce intending him to be admitted, but to abide there for ſome ſhort time for further breeding. And he gladly accepted the p. 6Motion, and went thither in December, 1645. and finding ſome kinred and acquaintance there, he was admitted in Jeſus Colledge.

The firſt year it pleaſed God to make a gracious change in him, of which, he ſaith himſelfe, The time of my converſion was in the twenty firſt year of my age (as I remember) the place was Jeſus Colledge in Cambridge. The Texts that most overturned me were Epheſ. 6.12, 13, 14. and 1 Cor. 16.22. the one by Dr. Hill, the other by a Stranger. He often ſhew'd ſome of his acquaintance the ſeat in which he was firſt wrought upon, and told them how dearly he loved the ſight of it, and that ever after he choſe to ſit in that ſeat rather than in any other, if it were poſſible to crowd into it. One evidence among many others of the p. 7eminent ſucceſs which God gave to the faithful plain preaching of that Holy man D. Hill, who went over that whole Epiſtle to the Epheſians in a Lecture every Lords-day in the morning at ſix of the clock, which he continued for ſeveral years. Learned D. Arrowſmith alſo about the ſame time preached over a ſuccinct body of Divinity in Aphoriſmes in St. Iohns Colledge in the evening of the Lords-day (part whereof is ſince publiſhed) of which he hath often ſaid, that he found his heart ſo moulded to the truths deliver'd upon the hearing thereof, that it was greatly to his ſpiritual joy and ſatisfaction.

No ſooner did he find this change in his own heart, but his Friends at Seabridge found it in his letters, which ſpake the new frame of his ſoul, and were moſt p. 8inſtant pathetical perſwaſions to his Father and Mother and Siſters, to look after their ſoules, and to minde the things of Eternity, which he ſeconded afterward with his holy and exemplary ſociety with them, ſo that he was an inſtrument to convert all his three Siſters early unto God, and to prevaile very hopefully with his Parents in like manner, as appeared afterwards.

He ſo followed his ſtudies in the Ʋniverſity, that being of ripe years, very good natural parts, and religiouſly making conſcience of his time, he made good progreſs therein, and was not inferiour to any in the Colledge of his year, in Univerſity-learning when he left it. And though he made no Shew of learning (as ſome did) in his preaching, yet he made good Ʋſe of it, and well p. 9underſtood the neceſſity of it for his work.

About the time of his great Grandfathers death which was in March 1647. he was ſick of a dangerous ſpotted-feaver at Cambridge and that unto death, as himſelf and moſt about him concluded, which he thus mentions; That it was in Jeſus-Colledge in a middle chamber next to the Chappel on the right hand; but (ſaith he) God having ſome work for me to do had mercy on me, Phil. 2.27. ſaved me, and brought me back again to ſay, Pſal. 56.13. for thou haſt delivered my ſoul from death; wilt thou not deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the land of the living? And Pſal. 118.17, 18. I ſhall not dye but live: and declare the works of the Lord. The Lord hath chastned me ſore, but he hath not p. 10given me over unto death. In this ſickneſs the Lord dealt moſt powerfully with his ſoul, planting therein great and firme reſolutions of ſerving his God eminently upon Recovery, which by his grace he afterward faithfully performed. And hereupon he began a Meeting of Scholars for religious ends, which continued in the Colledge for ſeveral years after his departure, to the reſtrayning (at leaſt) of ſome, and the great ſpiritual advantage of many young Scholars there; which he managed with ſuch caution, as they might not eaſily become nurſeries of faction, or falſe doctrine, whatever the ignorance, or malice of ſenſeleſs frothy perſons did ſlanderouſly vent to the contrary. Take a further account of him, and of his uſefulneſs in the Colledge in theſe few clauſes of ſeveral p. 11letters to him from ſome Worthy Members of that Society—

Dear Friend, I received your loving Letter, which breathed nothing but piety and good affection. The next Companion to him who is both Fundator, Socius, & Praeſes of the Colledge of Graces, and comforts of Believers, is he whom God hath warmed with the ſame principles to be inſtrumental for the inlivening them in others— I bleſs God, the ſociety you were the founder of in the Colledge, do grow numero et menſura— And you have here my real thanks, in that you have been inſtrumental in ſetting religious meetings on foot, wherein you reap much of the anſwer of your prayers, in that they carry it ſo prudently yet, as I hear of p. 12nothing but what malice and guilt tax them withal— In all my ſerious thoughts I ſee you repreſented to me, either as a pattern of ſtrict walking, or an upbraiding of my little ſerviceableneſs, but alwayes a bleſsing and a comfort in this, that I have known you, and the manner of your life, and that I reap the benefit of your prayers and beſt affections, which is a treaſure I alwayes deſire to prize above all the Jewels in the world, &c. And from another eminent Perſon: My Dear and Precious Friend, I received yours— your lines ſweetly refreſh me. O that I could hear oftner from you. It glads my ſoul to ſee your conſtancy. O that your example might be a motive and incentive to me, to be more ſteady ſettled and fixt p. 13upon God, in the way of God, &c. Theſe are but a taſt of many letters from Cambridge, wherein ſeveral do bleſs the Lord that ever they ſaw his face.

But his Activity in Gods ſervice was not a little diſturbed by the malice of Satan, who frequently after his recovery from ſickneſs, annoyed and tormented him dreadfully in his Dreames (which greatly confirmed him in his chriſtian zeale) ſo that he hath often immediately upon waking run in his waſtcoat into his Study, and betaken himſelf to his earneſt prayers againſt that miſcheivous Fiend.

He Commenced Batchelor in Arts, Anno 1649. and after his Commencement came into the Countrey; and ſpent part of the year among his Friends, and in viſiting ſome neighbouring Congregations, p. 14that were deſtitute, with his pains.

He was Ordeined Minister at Whitchurch, Feb. 20. 1649. In which ſervice he ingaged before hand all the prayers he was able to muſter up, not only of friends near at hand, but ſome ſcores of miles diſtant for a bleſſing upon that Ordinance; and when we conſider how pathetically he ingaged them, (thus in one Epiſtle, Ʋpon the 20th of February, Pray and prevaile for us,) what a conjunction of prayers there was in ſeveral places on that day, and the rich crop and harveſt reaped afterwards; we think it worthy the reflection of thoſe Miniſters, who never wonne a ſoule to Chriſt, from what principle, in what manner, and for what ends, they firſt ingaged in this ſacred Function.

p. 15Though he was not at preſent diſpoeſd to ſettle at any place, yet he was loath to go about his work without Ordination; and that which induced him to continue unfixed for a ſpace, was his large deſire after ſoules, not only of his friends and kindred, but of all his neighbours, as far as he could ſee, or know, or goe; he even travelled in birth for ſuch as had not ſeen his face, that Chriſt might be formed in them. And the largeneſs of his heart herein, was frequently expreſſed in his moſt earneſt prayers unto God, for the inlarging of his Kingdome, in Families, Towns, and Counties; which he would name with the greateſt affection both in his prayers and letters, crying out, O that whole Staffordſhire and Cheſhire might be ſaved!

And by this time he had acquaintance p. 16and intimacy with all that were eminent for Piety in all the parts adjacent, and greatly did he ſtirre up the grace of God in them. And he was extraordinarily qualified and prepared by the Lord for this work, in an eſpecial juncture of time, the heat of controverſies mannaged by Sword Pen and Pulpit, having ſadly prevailed to the juſtling out the lively ſenſe of the main things wherein all were agreed. And divers Miniſters were ſo taken off theſe great matters by other work which the Enemy had found them, (the tares he had ſown in the fiield) that to preach of Death and Judgement, of Chriſt & Converſion, were almoſt new things to many people. And this good man was ſingularly fitted to retrieve the Great work back again into the hearts p. 17and hands of his Brethren; having never intermedled with the controverſies either in Church or State, but ſetting out with all his might upon the main things, and driving on the work of converſion where-ever he came.

And his ſucceſs was great: In his Fathers houſe at Seabridge the Lord made him eminently inſtrumental for his three Siſters converſion: His Parents greatly favoured the wayes of God, much furthered him in his work, and were cheerful entertainers of well-diſpoſed people upon ſolemn occaſions. And there was ſuch an habituated courſe of gracious converſe ſet up in the family, by his ſtaying there the firſt year, that an eminent Minister at his firſt coming thither, and beholding their order, zeal, and forwardneſs in Chriſt, could p. 18not forbear, inſiſting the next day on thoſe words of Moſes, Numb. 11.29. Envieſt thou for my ſake? being the reſult of that dealing he was forc'd to, with his own heart upon that occaſion. And this Ointment on Aarons head ran down to the skirts of his Cloathing, for he was a precious ſavour to the very poor ſervants of the houſe, with whom he was unweariedly importunate to be holy, and prevailed much. A notable pledge of the future ſucceſs of his Miniſtry upon others.

In reference hereunto, he takes occaſion himſelfe to ſay thus of his Father; My Father John Machin did more for our family than his progenitors, building both Houſe and Barns from the ground, &c. But moſt of all he may be remembred, for bringing up me his p. 19Son to, and at the Univerſity, who was (through Grace) inſtrumental to bring the Goſpel in its power into our Family, which was more glory to the ſame, than if the materials of the houſe had been all turned into pure Gold, whereof let thoſe Scriptures (upon the Chimney-ſtone in the Parlour) be witneſs, Gen. 28.15— 22. 2 Chron. 6.7— 42. 2 Sam. 7.18— 25. 1 Chron. 29.10— 20. Pſal. 116.1.12— 19. Pſal. 118.17. Gen. 32.10. Jer. 30.21. Ezek. 48.35. 1 Sam. 7.12 Exod. 17.14, 15, & 20.24. 1 Cor. 15.34. 1 Chron. 28.9.Gen 28:152 Chr 6:72 Sam 7:181 Chr 29:10Ps 116:1Ps 116:12Ps 118:17Gen 32:10Jer 30:21Ezek 48:351 Sam 7:12Exod 17:14Exod 17:15Exod 20:241 Cor 15:341 Chr 28:9when it may be ſaid, bleſsed be he, and they, who brought His Name hither to record it. To God aolne be the whole Glory.

His uſual way after preaching was to repeat, and to aſſemble together as many as he could to the place where he lodged, and there to ſpend as much time as he was p. 20able, in preſſing things further upon them, and in holy and pertinent diſcourſe, with unſpeakable heat and vigour; which made one of his Kinred ſay, that he liked his Couſen Machin well, but that he made his houſe a Chapel when he came to him.

And during this time he was unfixed, as he expreſſeth himſelf in a Letter to a Friend of his in Cambridge; I am yet placeleſs, Charities ſervant, deſired to many places, but in part reſolved to fix at Ashburne, for every other Sabbath, reſerving the other for the ſervice of Neceſsity and Charity which may be found in theſe parts.

And accordingly he did, as himſelf records. At the beginning of An. 1650. I was called co Aſhburne in Derbyſhire, where God was with me two years, and though my labours were not in that p. 21Towne ſo ſucceſsful as I deſired, yet I had Gods preſence much comforting my ſoule, and the ſoules of many Christian friends thereabout.

About this time he was with a Quaker on his death-bed, preſently after the firſt ſpringing of that Sect in Staffordſhire, and the more earneſtly he prayed with the ſick perſon, the more raging he was; which was an argument to him, as alſo to ſeveral of the company then preſent, that Quakeriſme was a degree of Poſseſſion.

Whiſt he was at Aſhburne, he was a laborious preacher, and very uſeful, and his ſpare dayes he laid out to the utmoſt advantage of the Goſpel, by forecaſting heavenly work in the Morelands and darke corners of Staffordſhire, where the power of the Goſpel had ſcarce ever come before: ſo that he might truly p. 22ſay, that he gloried not in another mans line, he ſowed where few had effectually ſowed before, nor then, ſave by his procurement. There was no man likeminded in the parts he lived in, that did ſo naturally care for the ſtate of ſoules, for indeed he ſought not his own, but the things of Jeſus Chriſt. He would prevaile with his Brethren, that were intimate with him, and knew the ſincerity of his heart, and deſign herein, to meet him in thoſe parts, and to preach at ſeveral places neer together, ſometimes three or four dayes together. And the people were ordinarily ſo far made willing, that they would flock (to his great joy) from place to place after the means of Grace; and he had the comfortable teſtimony of Gods approving his wrok, in the good that many ſoules received thereby.

p. 23Take a taſte of his heavenly ſpirit in a Letter of his ſent to a Miniſters wife, that thought her husband long from her, then with him in the Lords Worke— July 9. 1652.

Dear Friend, I do heartily bleſs our God for what he hath done for you, and eſpecially for your ſoule; I pray believe, you heard theſe following words as coming out of the mouth that firſt ſpake them, Pſal. 27.14. And ſay in faith, as you may in his own language, Pſal. 138.8. It is to me a great ſign of what the Lord hath done for you, that you are ſo willing to part with your (I know) dear Husband for the Lords ſake, and his works ſake, but He is, and It is worthy. Think ſtill it is to the Lord, and ſhould a Husband be between p. 24a gracious heart and Chriſt our Lord? God forbid we ſhould think ſo, who have had already in hand for every ſtep word and thought for him, from him more weight and worth, than a wedge of Ophirs Gold, beſides thoſe thouſands of years in glory that are yet in reverſion— and wherein I cannot thank you or him, my Lord ſhall, my Lord ſhall, my Lord ſhall; elſe his word failes and Ile complain, Heb. 6.18. 2 Chron. 25.9.

After two years ſpent at Aſhburne he ſayes, he ſaw nothing to contradict his reſolutions to part from them, and that the Lord cut out work for him elſewherere, judging his reaſons ſufficient for removal, he proceeds— I was called thence to Atherſton in Warwickſhhire, where I ſpent one year p. 25in a Lecturers place, and the Lord did abundantly crown my poor pains on a ſudden with converſion-work, which made me ſay, Cant. 6.12. Or ever I was aware, my ſoule made me like the Chariots of Amminadib. But I ſaw not the Lords mind and will to continue me there, in which I ſaw the Lords hand, and for the time was content, for I wanted nothing, having a Seabridge-home for ſupply: And I had my hearts deſire in opportunities to extend my labours to Staffordſhire, and otherwiſe ſome Lords-dayes, and many week-dayes, no one gainſaying; which I ſaw was for the deſtruction of the Devils work, and an aking-tooth he carried againſt me, but two things ſtay'd my thoughts in my travels from place to place, and houſe to houſe: My Saviours leading the way, Acts 10.38. And p. 26this; The more the Devil hates me, the more my God loves me.

This year was his time to have Commenced Mr. in Arts, which he inclined to doe, chiefly to give teſtimony of his reſpect to Learning, and the Schools thereof, in a time when too many were bent againſt them; but his Eſtate being enough to make him a Compounder, whereby ſome extraordinary charges would be expected from him more than he could well ſpare, he ſate down with this conſideration, that he thought he might lay out that money more to the Honour of the Goſpel, than to part with it for the Honour of a Degree, though the ſingle charge he could willingly have born upon the other account.

His removal thence to Aſtbury he thus records himſelf: I was p. 27ordered and called to Astbury in Cheſhire about Novem. 17. 1652. but expreſt not my full conſent until the Spring following— Then I left Atherſton. About this time his Father dyed, of which he ſaith thus, He dyed on March 12. 1652. being the Sabbath day about ten of the clock at night, about the 55th year of his Age, with theſe words in his mouth, Pſal. 39.5. Behold thou haſt made my days as an hand breadth, and mine age is as nothing before thee; Verily every man at his beſt ſtate is altogether vanity. And ſaid to his Mother and Siſters ſtanding by & weeping; why do you ſo? you have a God that will be better than ten thouſand Husbands and Fathers.

He wiſely obſerved, when ſuch an unthought of loſs befel p. 28him, how he was imployed at that inſtant— ſaying. At the time he dyed I was at prayer, and that with the moſt remarkable impreſſions that I ever had, both in pleading for mercy for him, and on a ſudden ſubmitted to the Lords determination. Many obſervable warnings he had from the Lord of this Event, before it came to paſs; His ſerious and ſolemn expoſition and application of Job 21.23, 24. in the Family, before any ſickneſs appeared, March 9.2. His earneſtneſs to know his Fathers Soul-eſtate, before they parted the next morning, and alſo to thank his love and care in his behalfe, and to underſtand his mind and will concerning himſelf and outward eſtate, while he yet continued in perfect health. 3. The day following (having occaſion to ſend home) p. 29he recommended by the meſſenger that Scripture, Iſa. 38.1, 2, 3. to his Father. Theſe with ſeveral other notable paſſages, and pious improvements he made hereof, gave him hope that this ſad providence was in love to him, and in mercy to his Father, whom he could not reach to ſee in the land of the living.

Not long after he removed to Astbury, and changed his condition, whereof he ſaith thus himſelf, The good hand of my everliving Father ſo diſpoſing, I had ſome Chriſtian acquaintance in Darbyſhire, eſpecially I obſerved one forward in the Profeſſion at Mickleover neer Darby, who might be to me as Rebecca to Iſaac, by name Jane Butler (Daughter to John Butler) on whom my thoughts much ſetled, with ſubmiſſion p. 30to my heavenly Fathers will, and ſhe became my Wife Sept. 29. 1653. at Ʋttoxeter, whom God gave to me, and with her what I expected in an humble and gracious woman, Prov. 31.11, 12. & 29.30, 31. her price was above Rubies, her Portion of outward Eſtate very conſiderable.

His managing that affaire was in ſuch an holy and heavenly manner, that all their meetings on that account were improveed to the utmoſt advantage of both their ſoules, and their very marriage fixt on one of his Lecture-dayes, where two of his Brethren preached and joyn'd in the Solemnization thereof; and after two dayes ſtay with his Wife, went a long journey to the work of the Lord for many dayes following; whereby he made it evident, p. 31how much the greateſt worldly comforts were made ſubordinate to the joy of the Lord, and wore ſo far from hindring, that they rather inlarged and fitted him up in the wayes of God.

His firſt contrivance of a Lecture was ſome moneths before his Fathers death, and no ſooner was the Eſtate his own, but he reſolves a ſhare of it for God, and will not ſerve the Lord with that which coſts him nothing. Take his intentions in his own words, out of his own papers thus. I intend a monethly Lecture to be preached at theſe following towns of greateſt concourſe, viZ. Newcaſtle, Leeke, Ʋttoxeter, Lichfield, Tamworth, Walſall, Wolverhampton, Penkridge, Stafford, Eccleſhall, Stone, Muckleſton in the County of Stafford the laſt Friday in p. 32each month, allowing (of the Lords fulneſs in my hands) thirteen ſhillings and four pence to the Miniſters that preach to convert ſoules, and one Shilling to be given to twelve of the pooreſt people in the Church. In all Eight pounds and twelve ſhillings in the year. This was the reſolution of an heart ingaged to him, one that would honour the Lord with his Subſtance, & is J.M. July 31. 1652. And preſently after his Fathers Burial, he wrote this following Paper about this thing. I believed the Lord could give more dayes, but yet do will, that 8 l. 12 s. per Annum, be for ever ſet apart for the Goſpel, of my own eſtate, that immortal ſouls may be won, and Gods portion in the world increaſed. To be diſpoſed as p. 33aboveſaid, or as my Brethren Mr. N. and Mr. S. my deareſt fellow labourers ſhall judge and find moſt abundantly, and effectually to accompliſh Chriſts ends and mine, ſaying Rom. 10.1. my hearts deſire and prayer to God for Iſrael is, that they might be ſaved.

This Lecture he ſet on foot this Summer. The firſt day was at Newcaſtle, Aug. 4. 1653. where his two foreſaid friends did preach, as alſo the third courſe which was at Ʋttoxeter Sep. 29. following, being the day of his marriage. And this buſineſs was ſo much in his heart and purpoſe, that when ſome ſcruple was made about it in the ſettlement of his Land at marriage, he hath theſe words in a Letter— Whether I change my p. 34condition or not, I have cauſe and call to reſpect my promiſe to the Lord and his Goſpel, in the thing I intended; which I think will now be preferred before the change of my condition.

And that you may diſcerne the undiſſembled holineſs of his heart, and bent of ſoule alſo to this good work, we ſhall tranſcribe ſome paſſages of the Will he made Nov. 16. 1653. not two moneths after his marriage— I commit my ſoule to God, my God and my Saviour, that created and redeemed it, even into the boſome of the Father of Spirits; my body to my Father Corruption, and to the Worms my Mother and Siſter, Job 17.14. In hopes he will make good to me (who with them ſome time have endeavoured to ſerve him) his promiſe of p. 35Eternal Life, Rom. 2.7. As for my dear beloved Wife, I freely return (and I pray it may be with advantage) to him that hath lent her, to whom I leave, Joh. 17.24. Revel. 21. laſt, Jude 24. Pſal. 84.10, 11. hopeing that I leave them heirs together with me, or rather with Jeſus Chriſt, of a Kingdome that cannot be removed. If the Lord ſhould graciouſly give me Iſſue, (I pray it may be of his Heritage, and prepared for a Room in Heaven!) to it I would leave, 1 Chron. 28.9. and I pray God ſee it executed according to my will. And it is my will concerning my Heir, (if the Lord give one) that he may be a Samuel lent to the Lord and his Service in the Miniſtry; for I can ſay, he is an asking of the Lord, as was p. 36Samuel. And that he may have my inheritance, performing his Fathers and my will concerning my Lecture. As for my Perſonal Subſtance, &c. ending thus — Praying whoever rules here, may keep open houſe for God and his, and all I leave may be his, to whom I would in faith ſay, Pſal. 31.5. hereunto ſubſcribing with my heart and hand, J. M.

And in a Schedule dated herewith as followeth. Some particulars concerning the thing that hath long been in my heart to do for God, written as my last will, as an occaſion of ſome ſtanding Service, when I am not.

Motives. Gods Glory, Chriſts Kingdomes increaſe, and poor Souls Salvation, an expreſſion of my thankfulneſs for what he hath done for our family, and p. 37for me the leaſt and laſt of it. And the rather, becauſe I am here in my own apprehenſion ſo little ſerviceable in ſpeaking, doing, and ſuffering for him, and nothing at all advantageous in writing, as others have been, and I could have deſired. Thoſe Motives, together with that bleſſed experience I have had of its advantage already through Gods ſealing work with it, makes me to think my ſelf favoured the more of God, if I may do this for him; and I doubt not but he can and will, if need be, give me and mine much more than this, as is ſaid, 2 Chro. 52.9. and if I could ſay as David, 1 Chron. 29.23. I would think it little betwixt him and me, who hath ſaid, That whoſoever ſhall give you a cup of cold water to drink in my name, becauſe p. 38ye belong to Chriſt, verily I ſay unto you, he ſhall not loſe his reward; and my Prayer is, that thoſe that come after me (whoſe it might have been) think it's better beſtowed, than the reſt.

The Thing. A double Lecture, viz. of two Sermons once a month, chiefly intending Souls Converſion.

The Miniſters. The moſt Orthodox able and powerful that can be procured for love to Jeſus Christ and his Service, or the will of the dead; choſen by my Truſtees ſucceſſively.

The Trustees. Four Miniſters, and four Lay-men. The Miniſters I leave in truſt, and queſtion not their faithfulneſs herein for Chriſt ſake, are my deareſt fellow-labourers in our Lords work, Mr. N. Mr. S. Mr. B. and Mr. J. with whom p. 39I only leave for their direction and incouragement, 1 Cor. 15.58. Mat. 28.20. The Laymen whom I put in joynt truſt are Mr. B. Mr. M. Mr. B. and plain-hearted T. H. all whoſe faces I hope to ſee in Heaven; with them I leave for their refreſhment when taking ſome ſteps about it, Mat. 25.39, 40.— for Eternity is the place I would be for, to which when gone, I am but a little before, and you a little behind.

This Lecture he kept up by his conſtant coſt and care, from Aug. 4: 1653. monthly, until Jan. 2. 1659. whereof he kept an exact account in a Catalogue, wherein he took notice of the day of the month, the place, the perſons that Preached, and their Texts, ſome hints of the Congregation both number and ſeriouſneſs … p. 40continued it, until the times would neither incourage nor bear it, and thereupon it not only fell, but alſo (wanting publick liberty for ſuch an Exerciſe according to the purpoſe of his heart) he ſuſpended his intentions, and diſpoſed this Land otherwiſe.

It ſeems to be like the pious intention of David, upon the moſt holy and affectionate motives, 2 Sam. 7.2. (and ſuch, as we read not that Solomon had, that after did it) to build an houſe to the Lord. But the Lord accepted his deſire, bleſſed him for his pious deſign, but would have his Son do it. So God may revive this deſign on the hearts of his Son or Succeſſors, who finding the bleſſing of their Fathers Prayers, Piety, and Promiſes deſcending upon them, may ariſe p. 41to build and finiſh what he began.

We find him now ſetled at Aſtbury, whether he came to keep houſe in May 1654. where he ſaith himſelf,—I was entertained without exception or interruption. And though for ſome years we met with troubles, yet did the Lord ſtand betwixt me and all my trouble, ſo that many times I was as a man wholly free, and was made amends for all my Sufferings of that nature, by the Lords preſence, ſweet and powerful in his Ordinances, eſpecially in that of the Lords Supper, there ſet on foot in March 1654. and continued without interruption monthly, or once in ſix weeks till Anno 1660.

And the Lord did mightily ſtrengthen his hands and incourage his heart in this ordinance, and great care he took in preparation p. 42for it, ſpending the Friday before the Sacrament in publick prayers and preaching Gods Word, and the day after the Sacrament in thankſgiving at his own or ſome other neighbour-family, eſpecially where there fell out in any Communicants family any occaſion of ſpecial thanksgiving, as recovery from ſickneſs or the like.

A faithful account he hath taken and left hereof, noting the Text preached upon, by himſelf or his Brethren on thoſe dayes, and according to his obſervation giving a general character of Gods dealing with them in his Ordinance in ſuch words as theſe: The Lords ſupper was Sep. 21. 1656. a day of breaking bread indeed, for Chriſt was broken to the breaking of ſome hearts, that thought they could never be p. 43broken.— The Thanksgiving was at— whereby many it was ſaid, Pſal. 103. 1 Sam. 7.20. Again, S…p. 1660. His laſt Sacrament there thus— A good and great day as formerly, the Lords preſence and Communion with his Blood made it ſo. And as much cauſe of thanksgiving for all the Ordinances that day: eſpecially I, &c.

By Mr. Ms. coming to Astbury, he had only opportunity of preaching there each other Lords day, and had liberty on the other for his Charity-ſervice, which he heartily rejoyced in, and was ready freely to help any of his Brethren, ſo that he was ſeldome a day at eaſe. And now he had opportunity to be acquainted with the Miniſters and Congregations in Cheſhire, where the Lord bleſſed his indeavours to many ſoules.

p. 44For his labours here were much inlarged by the many Faſtdayes which he kept upon occaſions offered, unto which he was very ready, and would gather up ſuch ſpecial things as any in or out of his family deſired to be recommended unto God in prayer on ſuch days, and at other times, and preſs them to particularize ſome ſpecial thing, leſt they ſhould come unto God on a ſleeveleſs errand, which things he would frequently write down in a paper for that purpoſe, that thoſe who were imployed might read it, and ſo be inabled pertinently to pray for one another. And he did much deſire to make theſe dayes, and indeed all Ordinances very ſerious, and to reſcue them from that formality that ordinarily accompanies them, being little content with the work done, p. 45unleſs he found ſomething done thereby upon his own and others hearts. Great benefit and comfort he knew was to be had in theſe ordinances, and he would not reſt contentedly without it; but diligently obſerved the ſucceſs of them, and upon Gods withdrawing from him, made it his buſineſs to ſeek his God untill he found him again, and the Cauſe alſo of his withdrawing.

The ſtrength of affection which he had in Gods worſhip was diſcernable to all that joyned with him, ſo that he ſeem'd Deum toto ictu animae tetigiſſe, and particularly in ſinging of Pſalms, which he did with ſuch an apparent intention of mind and heart as is not ordinary, and divers yet living ſhal never forget with what faith and fervency he would pronounce Amen, Amen, at the end of a prayer.

p. 46And after holy duties his heart was (commonly) greatly lifted up in the wayes of the Lord, and though he far'd never ſo well in it, yet he had not done with an Ordinance when it was over, but had the heart unto, and the art of improving an inlarged heart and would then with a Dexterity and Sincerity of his own put on to holy diſcourſe; as not only publickly urging things pro forma, but would follow it after with all his might, as if (being the Lords Embaſſador) he waited for an anſwer to him that had ſent him.

A moſt unwearied man he was in Religious Duties, and was never obſerved to give our, though ſometimes on ſpecial occaſions they continued all night therein. After one of theſe dayes of ſpecial Communion with God, he retired p. 47with two or three beloved friends in private, and there moved each of them to name ſome one thing they would chiefly deſire of the Lord, and ſo each of them pray'd over all thoſe particulars that were caſt in. And the impreſſions and affections raiſed in their hearts by this occaſion, will not eaſily be forgotten by ſuch as yet ſurvive.

And for the increaſe of Knowledge and Holineſs, he held up a Conference to his own and peoples great benefit, and that no time might be loſt, nor any ones Mite neglected, he would take the anſwers of thoſe that were abſent at the ſtated times, when he occaſionally and opportunely met them, and ſometimes before the whole Aſſembly were gathered together at dayes of Prayer; ſo that he was alwayes doing and p. 48deſigning the beſt advantage of the peoples Souls upon all occaſions.

Whilſt he was Miniſter at Aſtbury, it pleaſed the Lord to give him four of the five Children which the Lord made him Father of; concerning whoſe births he thus ſpakes in the faithful Memorials which he left. The firſt Will I made was ſuddenly after Marriage [he means the firſt formed Sealed Will] and in it ſpoke of a Son Samuel, as if I had ſeen him by faith, though he was not then in being; and it was a full quarter of a year before we had ſenſible hopes of a Child, which was given us about March 9. 1653. at which time the Orchard was planting. In May following we came to ſet up houſekeeping at Aſtbury, where God p. 49gave us the birth of our asking of God, 1 Sam. 1.20. Samuel born, Nov. 13. about eleven of Clock at night, Baptized the Sabbath day following; chiefly called Samuel, becauſe asked of God by Father, Mother, by both, and many Chriſtian friends there and elſewhere, with great ends propounded at ſuch times of Prayer, viz. that he might be one to bear Gods Name here in his Church on Earth, and one to take up a Room prepared for him in glory. The Lord be Surety for thee my Son! The Lord forbid thou ſhould'ſt come ſhort of theſe ends, prayed thy Father. Thus did he ſet upon his head the Remembrance of the Mercy of God in his Birth, as the Servants of God of old did make the very names of their Children, p. 50the means of remembring Gods ſignal mercies to them, and ſo conſtant occaſions and provocations to Gods praiſe, which this gracious Man abounded in. Again—In the firſt year of his life, he was by ſickneſs twice under the ſentence of death; but Prayer that obtained him, kept him.

Another great Deliverance to this Child he recorded, which if it affect his heart when he is able to conſider it, as it did his Fathers (who would make large Narratives thereof, and beg the ſerious praiſes of his friends for it with extraordinary affections) it will be of no ſmall advantage to his Soul to in dear him to the God of his life. Thus he records it— Memorandum, That July 10. 1656. the Lord prevented the death of my Son Samuel, which in all probability might p. 51have been with my own hand, bowling a ſtone with all my might towards the Child, whether I ſaw him before it went out of my hands or no, I know not; but its motion was directly towards his face, coming up the ſteps in the Garden-walk, and the viſible means of prevention in Gods hand was another ſtone that turn'd it out of the Path-way within a few ſteps of him. This was an awakening Providence to me and my Wife that day, and ſent us to our God on our knees, partly for Humiliation, partly for Gratulation. And this ſtone he kept in his Study, and (without Superſtition) made it his remembrancer to continue his thankfulneſs to God for this great Deliverance. And O that Parents would in this ſort p. 52tranſmit to their Children an account of Gods dealings with them, when they knew him not! what obligations would it lay upon them to love and ſerve the Lord, when grown to age and underſtanding? That the Generation to come might know them, even the Children that ſhould be born, who ſhould ariſe and declare them to their Children, That they might ſet their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his Commandements, Pſal. 78.6, 7.

Of his ſecond Child he thus ſaith. My Daughter Lydia (ſo called for that good womans ſake, Acts 16.14.) was born at Aſtbury, March 29. 1656. and there baptized, Apr. 6. &c.

My ſecond Son John was born Sept. 1. 1658. about ſix in the morning, at which time Mr. R.M. p. 53(a dear Brother and Fellow-labourer) and J might be at Prayer for my wife, as I underſtood at my return. And he was no leſs a Son of Prayers. The Lord make him a Son of his bleſſings, taking him with the reſt into that Everlaſting Covenant, Jerem. 32.40. John was baptized at Aſtbury, Sept. 12. when I gave him this name John, and prayed, The Lord be gracious to him.

Our ſecond Daughter Sarah was born Octob. 8. 1660. and I baptized her at Aſtbury, Octob. 23. by the token of that word then and there, Joh. 3.5. &c.

When this Winter was paſt, this Holy man removed to Whitley, May 17. 1661. of whoſe ſucceſs there, he himſelf gives this account.— After ſome time I found that God was with me in Ordinances, to make Converſion p. 54work; and in Providences to prevent evils, and to reach good things to us. Let it be remembred to his praiſe, that Octob. 23. 1661. my Son John was within a ſtep of drowning, and Providence ordered me within fight at that time, though I had been from home the fortnight before. And not an hour after, my Daughter Sarah was almoſt choaked with a thread, to our great affrightment; but we ſaw the Lords hand very notable in her preſervation, as we had done the Spring before from ſickneſs in anſwer to Prayers, Pſal. 103.4.

Another merciful preſervation of his Son John he ſubjoyns in theſe words: Memorandum, That our Son John had a notable eſcape and preſervation from drowning, as he and his Brother were coming p. 55from School, Jun. 18. 1664. but bleſſed be God, who is preſent, when Parents are abſent.

Here he continued labouring in the Lords Vineyard unto Aug. 24. 1662. at which time he took his Civil Death with many of his Brethren, being unſatisfied to Conform as the Act of Uniformity then required. But no man took his Death with leſs reflection upon Superiours, or more grief for that affliction. But yet there he continued, labouring for the peoples advantage with all his ſtrength, and was a ſingular bleſſing to the Neighbourhood round about, having his heart unceſſantly bent towards the good of Souls. And the Neighbouring Gentry, though of a different Perſwaſion, yet offered him not the leaſt moleſtation in his honeſt indeavours, as p. 56being convinced of the Innocence and Peaceableneſs of his Spirit, and uprightneſs of his ends therein.

After this his youngeſt Child was born, which he thus records; My Daughter Eſther was born, Jan. 28. 1663. and baptized at Whitley, Jan. 31. and called Eſther, becauſe hidden. Hidden, as to Conception until time of life; and hid, as to the time of Travel. It was then prayed, Lord give her the hid treaſure of his fear, Iſa. 33.6. and make her a hid treaſure to his houſe and ours alſo!

And having thus made uſe of theſe his Memorials, we ſhall add what himſelf ſaid of the writing of them in theſe words; The occaſion of making and writing this Book, was a thought I had, what was become of all my Fore-fathers, p. 57and what price I ſhould ſet upon one of their Manuſcripts concerning the State of our Family, Nation or Church of God in it 500 years ſince. Whereupon I reſolved this Work for my Sons ſake, and Poſterities imitation; when it may be ſaid of us in this Generation, as of Iſrael once, in that Exod. 1.6. And Joſeph dyed and all his Brethren, and all that Generation. I John Machin, called by him who ſeparated me from the Womb, (Gal. 1.15.) to the hope of having my name in the Book of Life, and likewiſe to be an Embaſſador of my Lord Chriſt Jeſus, was in my great Maſters work at Aſtbury in Cheſhire, Anno 1655. when I firſt ſet Pen hereunto. And ſo he continued it, obſerving things remarkable p. 58towards him and his Family to the laſt year of his life, which we have made uſe of in divers places of this Narrative.

And now having brought him within the view of his Fathers houſe, before we give an account of the laſt part, wherein he took poſſeſſion of his expected Crown, we ſhall give you his juſt Character. 1. In his Perſonal, 2. his Relative Capacity.

I. In himſelf; 1, he was of an excellent Spirit, in the ſenſe of Pro. 17.27. as diſpaſſionate as moſt we ever knew. One that lived with him for ſome time, ſayes truly of him, That he knew not that ever he ſaw him tranſported with paſſion; but angry he would be at Sin, yet ſtill exactly after his Lord and Maſters paſſion, being grieved for the hardneſs of their hearts, Mark 3.5. p. 59yet his Reproofs were alwayes ſo moderated with Love and Compaſſion, that the Offendor could not but ſee, that he intended them for his good.

2. He had good natural Parts, and was no Novice in all that learning which was neceſſary for his work. For though he was more abundant in publick Preaching than moſt others, which muſt needs hinder his Studies, yet what time of vacancy he had from this work, he diligently redeemed for his Book, and took in Philoſophy, the Tongues, Hiſtory, Poſitive and Practical Divinity, in his courſe of Study; being never well, unleſs in Study, or in immediate Duties, or holy Conference: though (as it was once ſaid of Plato's Houſhold-ſtuff) it was truly ſaid of all his Studies, There was nihil in pompam, p. 60omne in uſum. And like one of the Architects in Plutarch, who when the other had made an artificial diſcourſe of his skill to contrive a new building, before thoſe that were to make their choice of them; He only ſaid, All that this man hath ſaid, I can do. So this Holy Man had the Knowledge of Doing; what others could learnedly Diſpute and Diſcourſe of, he could learnedly live in every point, that became a Learned Preacher.

3. He had an extraordinary meaſure of Holineſs and Heavenlineſs; according to the Obſervation that a Judicious Divine long ſince made of him That he had more than ordinary degrees of Sanctification. He was of a quick underſtanding in the fear of the Lord, and had the tongue of the learned to p. 61ſpeak a word in ſeaſon to the ſtate of all Souls. This was his Maſter-piece, and was naturalized to him.

He had a ſingular ingenuity in improving Scripture Similitudes, and every Occurrence with unimaginable dexterity, each Tree, and Bird, and Stone, would be a Text whereon he would aptly inlarge; having a mighty wit for the Spiritualizing of every thing, and gathering occaſion of good Converſe in every Company, and almoſt upon every matter, and it was apparent, That out of the abundance of his heart his mouth ſpake.

His holy jealouſie and fear of himſelf was very great. A dear friend that well knew him, writes thus of him. Never man more watchful againſt Relapſes, nor more jealous to maintain his p. 62firſt love to the height. I have ſometimes told him, that it was not uſual for Converts to retain that Land flood of comfort, that intention of zeal, and extenſion of affection which flouriſhed in him, and was preſerved to the height; he muſt expect an abatement in time, and the Current thereof to be contracted and ſetled in a narrower Channel. He often reflected on theſe words, Ore tenus, and in his Letters intimating he was what he was heretofore, not without an admiration of ſupporting Grace. Thereunto he aſcribed all he was. And indeed he was ſo habituated unto Spiritual Communion with his God, that he could not patiently bear his withdrawings, and was far more ſenſibly and ſooner aware of it, than many others are, that p. 63can to their great loſs admit of other delights inſtead of his face and favour; but this Holy Man did moſt eagerly ſeek for him upon all occaſions, till he found Him whom his Soul loved.

He was a great Obſerver of the frame and bent of his heart at all times; a worthy Miniſter writes thus of him. I have admired at the conſtant frame of his Spirit; he was not ſubject to that deadneſs and indiſpoſedneſs as other good men ſeem to be; his heart was continually burning with an holy zeal. Take a taſt of his excellent ſweet frame of heart in this ſhort Letter-paſſage to a Friend. My dear, dear, dear Brother, I pray thee, I pray thee report the loving kindneſs of the Lord unexpreſſible unto a poor vile empty altogether undeſerving worm, for I have found p. 64an anſwer this day, this day more than ever to our Prayers, and can ſay, the Lords work will on, though hell ſay no: and ſtill Believe, Preach, Pray and Believe, Lam. 3.25. I am conſtrained to ſay, Iſa. 63.7. Neither thou nor any of my friends can conceive how good the Lord is to me, even to me. I pray thee and others think and ſtudy how good he is to me, to me, to me.

And a conſtant watch he kept over his thoughts, eſpecially of his laſt thoughts that he ſlept with, and his firſt thoughts that he waked with; and uſually they were ſome precious Scripture or other, which he would diſcourſe of to his friends with great alacrity.

He kept a Diary of his Life, wherein every day he wrote in Characters where he was, what p. 65Scriptures he found any ſweetneſs from, what was the ſtate of his Soul towards God; and ſuch other remarkable paſſages that did occurr each day, from the year 1650. to the year he dyed.

His love to the Word of God was ſuperlative: it was his Meditation day and night. He did conſtantly in a morning pitch upon ſome Verſe, which he would endeavour to infuſe into his heart; ever unwilling to leave it, till he had ſuck'd ſome virtue from it. He was chewing by Meditation the 119th. Pſalme, at the time of his ſickneſs, daily ſqueezing the virtue of one verſe thereof into his Soul, as appears by his Diary; and this he did, not formally as a task, but with that effectual ſeriouſneſs and reliſh, that his family at home, and friends at a diſtance, in his p. 66Letters might perceive exactly, what dainties he had taſted. And at every vacant time, he would be looking for a word, and would find out by the caſual turning down a leaf in his Bible (which was his uſual way) ſuch paſſages as were very remarkable and not obſerved before. A Scripture thus met with, was as food to him, exceeding ſweet to his taſt, he would make much of it, and uſually would not leave it, till he had improved it to the good of others by ſpeaking or writing, that others might ſee what he ſaw, and feel what he felt in the word of God.

Another uſage he had alſo, which ſhewed him to be both a good Textuary, and a good Chriſtian; and that was uſually to take leave with his Friends and Relations, by leaving ſome Scripture p. 67with them, and thoſe moſt ſuitable to their condition; nay he hardly ſent commendations to a friend, but it was accompanied with ſome pertinent Scripture, that he ſeemed to breath no other aire but Scripture. His Bible was his conſtant Companion in the day, and uſually his Pillow at night; and many ſcores of emphatical lively expreſſions he had found therein, which the conſtant reading and diligence of others could never light on. And wherever he came, he was engraving ſome Scripture or other on the Mantle-poſts, and Walls, and Trees; which was ſo conſtant and peculiar a courſe with him, that his acquaintance oft knew he had been in ſuch a place, by the marks he uſually left. His deſign therein being, the advantage of all mens Souls; p. 68that the very novelty of ſeeing ſuch things, might ſet people upon enquiring and looking thoſe thoſe Scriptures in their Bibles, not knowing what good one Verſe of the Scripture (thus met with) might do upon a Soul, if God ſet it on. At leaſt he found this advantage to himſelf, that when he came to a review of them, he was put in mind of that frame of heart he had when he was there before; and might taſt over again, what he had before felt, in that paſſage of the Word of God. He ſeldome wrote a Note or Letter, but he made it up with ſome ſuitable Scripture (the word of God dwelling plentifully in him) and in the Memorials forementioned, he inſerts Scriptures upon every occaſion, ſaying in the concluſion, The Texts of Scripture herein mention'd, are best p. 69worth thy finding and noting in thy life, as they were in mine.

His moderation was remarkable to all ſorts of godly people, though of differing judgements; his heart and heat being wholly taken up with the great and neceſſary parts of Religion, that all true Chriſtians agreed in: and making the ſubſtance of Religion his work and buſineſs, he never had leiſure to trouble himſelf with controverted circumſtances, nor would put his Soul out of tune with ſuch things, as had cauſed ſo much jarring and diſharmony among Chriſtians. He was never (or very ſeldome, and then not out of choice) heard to diſcourſe of the dividing Controverſies of the times.

A peculiar tryal he was exerciſed with, ſoon after his entrance on his Miniſterial work, and that p. 70was by ſtrange and horrible apprehenſions in the night ſeaſon, as if he were cut in pieces with knives, or the like; and he was in as real agony and diſtreſs, as if he had felt the pain of ſuch torment indeed. Perhaps it proceeded from natural cauſes, occaſion'd by his extraordinary pains which did heat his body, and that might influence upon his fancy and diſturb it, and thereby beget ſuch apprehenſions in him. But he ſtill apprehended it to be the buffetings of Satan: they uſually followed days of great pains, and dayes of great inward comforts, and he was often forced by them to leap out of his bed in the night, and go to Prayer for eaſe and delivery. He would very pathetically bewayl thoſe gloomy nights, and (what cauſe ſoever they proceeded from) they were p. 71great occaſions to realize the apprehenſions of hell to him, and to keep him humble.

II. In his Relative Duties, he was abundantly diligent and faithful.

1. In his Family, he walked in a perfect way in the midſt of his houſe. There he conſtantly read the Scripture: a portion of the Old Teſtament in the morning, and of the New Teſtament in the evening, and ſung ſome verſes of the Pſalms in order, at every Duty. After Reading, he examined each one preſent what they remembred and obſerved, and then would open and inlarge upon each ones portion, and alſo on what was moſt obſervable and practical in that Scripture. Neither did he circumſcribe Religion to Family duties (as many doe, who from morning, to evening p. 72Prayer ſcarce ever think or ſpeak of ſpiritual things) but had familiarized holy Diſcourſe in his houſe all the day long, as there was any occaſion or opportunity. He alwayes repeated at home the Sermons he heard abroad. The Lords-days Sermon, he us'd to repeat the Saturday afternoon following, or ſome other Sermon to prepare for the enſuing Sabbath. On the Lords-day evening he would take his Children in private, and there inſtruct them, and there teach them how to pray. He conſtantly Catechiſed his Children and Servants twice in the week, cauſing them to get ſome verſes of the Scripture and of their Catechiſm daily by heart. He often had private Faſts with his family only, and was well vers'd in ſecret humiliation alſo. His ardent deſires and endeavours p. 73after the Salvation of his Children and other Kindred are further evident, in a ſerious Diſcourſe to his Son, on 1 Chron. 28.9. which he hath prepared; and another, which he call'd, A word to my meerly Natural Friends, on Iſa. 55.7. which (if not with this Narrative) may in due time ſee the light, to the great advantage of his Relations and others; wherein the precious breathings of his Soul after his Children and Friends in the fleſh are largely manifeſted. And upon this account he gave twenty of Mr. Baxters Calls to the Ʋnconverted amongſt his Kindred and Servants; in divers whereof he framed and wrote ſuch pertinent Dialogues, as were moſt ſuitable to their Souls Eſtate.

2. In his Miniſtry indefatigable. He was in Labours oft, in p. 74Journeyings oft. We may truly apply to him, that which the Apoſtle ſaid of Timothy, Phil. 2.20. We have no man like minded that doth naturally care for the State of Souls. His mighty forwardneſs and earneſtneſs in this work, his travelling, and toyling, and procuring all the help he could for the work, was ſo great, that it could not have been more, if he had foreſeen the ſhortneſs of his own dayes, or the length of our night. And the more univerſal was the influence of his labours, in that he was ſtrangely ſtirr'd up to Preach in ſeveral parts of the Countrey; Miniſters and people generally promoting and accepting his holy and ſincere endeavours, where envy or prejudice did not manifeſtly interpoſe.

When other Miniſters or himſelf have been imployed in the p. 75uſual courſes of the day, he would often chooſe rather to repeat the Sermon to the people at Noon, than go to his Dinner; according to the pattern of his dear Maſter before him, Joh. 4.33, 34. And indeed ſometimes his zeal to the work of God would carry him to do more than his body or the peoples convenience could well bear; but as it was ſincerely meant by him, ſo it was generally well taken by them, and God made it anſwerable in the event.

It is ſaid of Mr. Latimer, that when he had reproved ſome peccant perſons in his time ſomewhat ſharply, and was complained of for lack of diſcretion, he would reply, that he was glad they had no allegation againſt him, but want of diſcretion; it being evident thereby, that the p. 76ſubſtance of his buſineſs was right: ſo for this our glorified Brother, the worſt that could be laid to his charge was, ſometimes want of Prudence in reſpect of the length and frequency of his labours. A thing he might well be excuſed in, when ſo few tranſgreſs on that hand: many being too wiſe to be ſerious, too exact to remit the leaſt of their conceited neatneſs for the benefit of their hearers, or to go out of their rode to fetch a Soul in to Chriſt.

For this good Man, ſuch was his heavenly ſpirit and way in his work, that though the matter he brought was ordinary, yet the manner he delivered it in was not ordinary, and his ſucceſs was great in the Converſion of many Souls. One ſayes that well knew him, and oft accompanyed him: I cannot forget how the people after p. 77a day of Preaching, would meet him with tears in their eyes, ſome following him, many thanking him for his pains, and by their Countenances ſhewing they had met with God in the Ordinance. And this is ſure, That he that winneth Souls is truly wiſe. If that great Man on his death-bed could profeſs, that one Soul Converted by his means, would be a greater honour and comfort to him, than all the Greatneſs and Honours he had enjoyed: with what glory is this Holy Man gone off the Stage, that was an Inſtrument in the hand of Gods Spirit to Convert many, and to Convince and Quicken more?

His Converſe was a continual Sermon. He never went, but the Miniſter, and the warm-hearted Chriſtian went with him. He was the ſame out of the Pulpit as p. 78in it. A lively Comment on the Apoſtles words, Let your Speech be alway ſeaſoned with Salt, that it may minister grace to the hearers: far from that common formality of moſt Preachers, that as if they had left all their Divinity and Heat in the Pulpit, come down and talk like other men; which tempts people to reſt little affected with thoſe Truths, that ſeem ſo little to affect the Preacher himſelf, and to hold thoſe things but meer notions, when (like the Actor of a Tragedy that hath done his part) the Miniſter talks and walks as if he were unconcern'd in the ſolemn things he hath treated on.

Some that have travelled with him a journey (which uſually were upon ſome religious account) have been even raviſhed in their ſouls with his heavenly expreſſions, p. 79& to prayer he would immediately go either publickly in the Family, or privately in his Chamber, in every houſe where he came.

He had an undaunted boldneſs in the reproving of a ſinner: How have ſome of us ſeen him in an Inne upon his journey, Thunder-ſtriking a Swearer in this manner, Who was it there, that durst abuſe the Name of the God of Heaven? And he would ever on purpoſe, when talking with his friends on the way, chooſe ſome weighty word to ſpeak, as he met with people that paſſed by, that ſo it might ſtick, and this bread of his that was caſt on the waters, would ſome times return to him after many dayes.

He had a ſingular preſence of heart and matter, to ſpeak to whomſoever he met, and great condeſcention to explain himſelf, p. 80wherein any did not underſtand him; as once in a Snowy day, meeting ſuddenly with a man driving his horſes, that ſaluted him, and ſaid, well met Sir; I but, ſayes he, we ſhall be better met if we meet in Heaven, and ſuch like. Few poor ever went from his door, without a moſt powerful ſpiritual almes; and he would order them a larger allow a…e, that would admit of his caeleſtial reliefe.

But eſpecially his faculty excelled, in Diſcourſing with people on the way, with whom he would very handſomly inſinuate, into very material and yet familiar diſcourſe of Eternal things, find out their ignorance, mightily amaze and convince them, and lay thereby the happy foundation of future acquaintance upon this beſt count, which practiſes of his p. 81may ſhame and teach us: for alas! what through the earthlyneſs, and vanity, and what through the baſhfulneſs of our hearts, Chriſt and Heaven are generally excepted out of our diſcourſe. We can ſpeak of any thing but the ſoule, of any perſon but of Jeſus, and of any place but of Heaven; and it is almoſt a crime for a Chriſtian to talk of Chriſtiani…. What an unreaſonable thing is it, that we who pretend for Heaven, ſhould not as readily, ordinarily, and cheerfully fall into diſcourſe concernig Gods word, and our Salvation, as the worldlings and wicked ones can of their Lands and Luſts? No other talk but what leads towards God ſhall be worth talking over again in the Kingdom of Heaven. Divers Dialogues that were on ſuch occaſions framed by him, are diſperſed p. 82in the hands of friends, that would (if publiſhed) ſhew his excellent Genius this way, and perhaps ſtir us all up to be more fruitful in ſuch diſcourſe. One Inſtance hereof is remarkable. Riding one morning to a Lecture, he met with ſome young men carrying their Cocks to a Cockfight; he overtaking them, dropt this word to one of them: Friend, our Lord and Maſter Jeſus Chriſt never came into the world to ſet up ſuch ſports as theſe. Theſe words & ſome further diſcourſes (though the young man went on to his ſport that day) ſtuck like an arrow in his liver, and he could not be at quiet, till he had learned who this Miniſter was, and after gain'd acquaintance with him, and thereupon laid theſe and his other ſins to heart, and made an happy change of his courſes.

p. 83He was a zealous improver of good ſociety. His ordinary viſits, were ſeldome finiſh'd without prayer with his friends before they parted. And when divers good people were all night together, he would be tying them as it were end to end, and engaging them to pray one after another, often to midnight, or elſe to produce their ſeveral evidences for Heaven and would ſometimes raiſe the company an hour before day in the morning to wreſtle and weepe together, that the fire might not go out upon the hearth of their ſoules being ſo conſtantly blown up; yea the very crumbs of piety that fell from him at his table, were moſt refreſhing and heavenly, and a plain argument, that it was his meat and drink to do his Fathers will and finiſh his work.

He had moſt ingenious devices p. 84and witty artifices, flowing from his rooted affection to God, whereby after ſome Solemn dayes, he would ingage his Chriſtian friends to a cloſer converſation. Take an Inſtance or two hereof, as we finde them left on record — Articles betwixt Christ and two ſoules.

1. That we be his willing, loving and obedient Spouſes.

2. That we labour by all means to know more of his mind, and then to tell it one to another, and draw to the practiſe of it.

3. That we be alwayes jealous, left each other take his room, and to be indifferent, and moderate in everything, and every one, but to Him and His.

4. That whatever creatures are betwixt us, they be improved to higheſt advantage betwixt Chriſt and our ſoules.

5. That we connive not at ſin p. 85in each other, but be tender of one anothers ſoules and bodies.

6. That we love and live each day as the laſt.

7. That we faithfully indeavour performance of each others will, while living and when dead, ſo far as Reaſon and Religion may bind.

8. That we be in every condition more willing, to go live with Chriſt our Husband, than ſtay here one with another for pleaſure ſake.

9. That we endeavour ſeaſonableneſs and ſuitableneſ… in every duty, &c.

And another to this effect— Seabridge Oct. 8. where His name was that day recorded. Before the Lord & in his ſtrength, I promiſe to draw neer to God, believing he will draw neer to me. I paſs away and part with my own power p. 86to Him, that I may be His, not anothers. Subſcribing with heart and hand, praying and believing the Lord will undertake for me, that I never go back in a thought; Or elſe this will ſtand in full force againſt me at that great day to come, Phil. 4.13. H. N. Cant. 8.5. J. M. Pſal. 119.106. J. M. Zach. 8.21. M. M. Pſal. 119.80. N.B. Iſa. 38.10. E. H. 2 Cor. 3.5. &c.

He was one that ſet great ſtore by the prayers of his Friends, and was a very faithful remembrancer of them that deſired his prayers; which he uſed to do with that heartineſs, and ſympathy, and inlargedneſs of heart, that it would much work upon their hearts, and ingage them to more ſeriouſneſs in their own buſineſs, and in affection to him, that ſo kindly concerned himſelf in their affairs. p. 87And with great fervour would he plead with God in their abſence, not only to ſatisfie his conſcience & promiſe of remembring them, but with ſtrong cryes to prevail for them. Beſides that frequent courſe he held, of putting on perſons to tell him before prayer began, what they would have chiefly begg'd for them at the Throne of Grace, by which they were ſent into their own ſoules, to ſtudy their inward and preſent condition.

A dear friend upon this account ſaith thus. He gave this Rule touching praying for friends, which I have, endeavoured ſince to make my directory in that Caſe. Alwayes, when you think on your Friends, let it be with a praying thought. He would ſometimes have his intimate friends write downe in his Day-book, and ſo mutually, p. 88what eſpecial thing they ſhould intercede for in one anothers behalf till their next meeting.

His Letters were frequent and full of Heaven, commonly ſetting time apart for writing ſuch letters, as he was in arrear, and ſeldom upon any buſineſs but Religion was interwoven; and ſuch plenty of ſweet Scriptures and poſtſcripts, that ſometimes ſome Scripture would be indorſed on the outſide of his letters, when ſent by a friends hand. In this uſeful part of Friendſhip he was abundant & very profitable; there remaining yet (as is verily believed) many hundreds of his good letters in the hands of friends, wherein was ſcarce a ſyllable of any buſineſs but Religion. O how much good might many Able and Holy Divines do this way! to wit, by p. 89ſerious letters to their Kindred, and Acquaintance, yea even to ſtrangers, which would do good not to one only, but many, yea, to the generation to come. How much doth the Church of God owe to the letters of ſome modern and primitive Divines and others? Since a great part of our New Testament is the Letters of the Apoſtles, the heavenly plainneſs of whoſe ſtyle this good Man did much imitate, and it is well obſerved, that the beſt part of the works of famous Writers is their Epiſtles.

And laſtly, he was eminent in Real Charity: he had a faithful ſympathy with thoſe that were in any ſtrait and affliction, and a ready hand to help them. He was far from that clumbzy frozen and ſtrait-hearted manner of many, that are ready to ſay, go and be p. 90warmed, and go and be cloathed; that are readier to cenſure their Brethrens neceſſities, and increaſe their burthens by reproaches, than to reach out their hand to their aſſiſtance. No, he was a doing Chriſtian according to, yea, and beyond his power. In his accounts to his Father from the Univerſity, they ſeldome found leſs than twelve pence a week to the poor, beſides ſometimes half a Crown at a time. And afterwards it was his delight to ingage others, and to contribute himſelf in a liberal manner, twenty ſhillings, and five pound at a time to Charitable uſes; ſometimes to make a ſtock for ſuch as were poor and pious, ſometimes to help a Miniſter or other out of his ſtraits, for which the bowels of many have bleſſed God for him in divers places.

p. 91In ſhort, he was a Starr of the firſt Magnitude in the impartial judgement of thoſe that throughly knew him. Thus ſaith an Eminent Divine to him in a familiar Letter. Dear Brother, I earneſtly deſire correſpondence with thee; Thy Letters are precious and weighty to my Soul; Thou art more in my heart and eye and thoughts, than all the acquaintance I have in the world; I have ſeen that in thee, that hath no little convinced me of the Reality of Religion. Theſe are not the words of a flatterer, but the overflowings of a ſincere heart, &c.

When we view him in his Natural and Moral accompliſhments; in his graces, in his Relations, in his publick and private behaviour, and in his true humility and ſincerity which crowned all the reſt; we muſt needs ſay, he feared God above many, p. 92and hath left but few ſuch Miniſters behind him.

He had apprehenſions of his Death long before it came. In a Letter May 1659. concerning an Old Diſciple, this Clauſe: Will he not let me ſee him before I dye? In another Novemb. 1659. theſe words; Lam. 3.21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 32. To which let thoughts be directed, when no more is to be ſeen or heard of me, but that I am thy Friend in ſtore, not loſt but laid up, J. M. In March 1663, he complains of frequent dejectedneſs and melancholy. And this paſſage he had in a letter June 28. 1664. I have been very melancholy ſome while by fits, what this precedes I know not. But the all-wiſe God, whoſe wayes are paſt finding out, well knew, that the ſhadowes of the Evening were coming upon him.

p. 93For intending ſhortly to remove to Seabridge, he took in his way the houſe of a worthy Gentleman, and there treated on theſe words Acts 20.24. Neither count I my life dear unto my ſelf, &c. which he ſtudied and preached as his laſt farewel to this world in a ſickly condition, having ſpent many Sermons before on Rev. 22.3, 4, 5. ſweet preparations to life everlaſting. He grew worſe and worſe at Seabridge, and it proved an high malignant Feaver. His Wife was ſent for, who found him in his bed, and then he told her, he was ill, but whether it were life or death he would not chooſe, his Father ſhould chooſe for him. The ſeaſon for opening a vein, through the Phyſitians abſence from home, was miſt, and ſo his diſtemper prevailed. Looking his Face in the Glaſs, he brake p. 94out very affectionately into theſe words, Ah Adam, Adam, what haſt thou done? what a beautiful happy Creature waſt thou, but now how poor and ſorrowful, &c. art thou? Ah Adam, what haſt thou done? which greatly affected ſome that were preſent with him.

But his diſtemper grew higher, whereby his Spirits were deadned in him, ſo that when his Wife and Children were about him, and ſhe ſaid; Love, thou ſayeſt nothing to me, nor to thy Children; he only anſwer'd, That he had ſaid to her and them too. How good therefore is it to obſerve, what Parents and Husband ſay to us, foraſmuch as we know not, which counſel may be their laſt, and muſt ſtand for their death-bed charge unto us.

On the 4th. of September, being the Lords day, though through p. 95his diſtemper he was ſcarce ſenſible, yet perceiving it to be the Lords day, he would needs be helped up, and held up with pillows, that he might kneel down and offer at prayer, though he was diſabled from performace.

On Tueſday Sept. 6. in the evening this holy Man breathed his laſt, being the 17th day of his ſickneſs, and in the 40th year of his age; and was buried Sept. 8. at Newcaſtle with a particular Encomium by the Preacher, and the profound grief of all the Congregation. The truth is, this world was not worthy of him, ſcarce any that began no ſooner, and lived no longer, having done ſo much good in the world, as he did in his capacity.

It is the ſence and character of a learned and pious Divine and at this time a Dignitary in the Church p. 96—I am ſo well ſatisfied as to his extraordinary piety in the general, which I never yet heard, or believe he departed from, that I wiſh my everlasting portion may be with him— And after— To conclude, I never knew one more publick ſpirited, more ſenſible of mens ſpiritual neceſſities, and more ready (to his ability) to ſupply them, more zealous for Gods glory, more delighted, inceſſant, importunate, and ſuccesful in prayer, and more thankfully ſenſible of the returns thereof, than this Holy Perſon was, of whom this degenerate world was not worthy, & therefore having been abundant in the work of the Lord, God hath ſatisfied him with never ending experience, that his Labour (from which he now reſts) may not be in vain in the Lord. The following of whoſe example will be the beſt amends, & greateſt End of writing this his Life.

FINIS.

End of the text · Henry Newcome, Life and Death of John Machin (1671)