A Believers Triumph Over Death, Pages 1-51

A Believers Triumph Over Death · Pages 1-51

p. 1§. 1. THE multitude and variety of things memorable which do occurre in this Narrative, doth ſo much amaze us, that through fear of our own inſufficiency either to remember, or expreſs them in a due man…er, and according to their …ignity and worth, we cannot …ut wiſh, this task had been …ndertaken by abler hands. But …eeing it is matter of fact, and …ords heard, which we are to p. 2give an account of, we had rather (ſo we may but ſerve the profit of our Friends) expoſe our prudence unto cenſure, than be defective in our care and good endeavours in this matter; wherein, that we might be ſure to write nothing but moſt certain Truth, we have choſen to bury many things in oblivion, by a ſilen… paſſing over what we hav… but an imperfect remembranc… of; and ſhall content our ſelve… to make a rehearſal with ſimplicity and truth, of thoſe grav… and almoſt divine Speeches which as they were poure… forth by this Holy man, wer… faithfully preſerved, partly i… the Memory, and partly in th… written Notes of thoſe wh… conſtantly attended on him And yet though we employ ou… utmoſt diligence herein, w… p. 3ſhall never be able to give them their juſt weight and Emphaſis; for who can imitate that flowing ſtream of words which with equal wiſdom and piety proceeded from him, in an (almoſt) continued diſcourſe, for the ſpace of twelve dayes and as many nights? Or who can repreſent to the Life the motions of a mind, boyling with Meditations, when the Spirit of God adminiſtred ſuch an extemporary effort of ſayings proceeding from his fruitful breaſt, and gravely uttered when his ſences were no waies impaired, as he was diverſly acted either by Grief and Fear, or Hope and Joy?

§. 2. It will be but neceſſary, before we enter upon the Relation of other things, briefly to mention ſomething concerning p. 4the Temper and Diſpoſition of this holy perſon, and his Circumſtances before his laſt ſickneſs, that the Grace of God towards his Servant may appear the more illuſtrious; when we ſee with what care and Providence he diſpoſed his Affairs in the whole courſe of his life, but eſpecially in this laſt act thereof.

Beſides thoſe excellent gifts wherewith he was adorned (which cannot here be reckoned up particularly) through the Goodneſs of God he had been favoured with the enjoyment of a ſound Mind in a ſound and healthy Body; he was of a chearful and ſedate Spirit, holding on in an even courſe of Life, neither lifted up with proſperity, nor caſt down by adverſity. So that by the habit of a comely and moderate p. 5deliberation, he was ever bleſſed with an inward Joy, and poſſeſſed all things with delight and Gratitude; being no leſs ready to part with them without regret and trouble, purſuing his own profit and advantage in a ſerious contemplation of the vanity of all worldly things; often repeating that of the Apoſtle: The things which are ſeen are temporal, but the things which are not ſeen are eternal, 2 Cor. 4. 18. He was never moved with ſorrowful events that fell out ſuddenly, whether in publick, or in his private concerns, as a man ſurprized by an unexpected evil; neither was the tranquility of his mind ſhaken by them: He was wont to ſay; Nothing is impoſſible; I wonder at nothing. Neither on the contrary, did he at any time break forth p. 6into a looſe and immoderate Joy; as being one ſet in an higher place, and looking down upon all things here below as uncertain and periſhing. He never found himſelf, on any other account under ſuch perturbation, nor ſhewed the like, as upon the deceaſe of the young Prince of Orange, who from a Child had been committed to his inſtruction and tuition; and whoſe Death (as he often affirmed) he bewailed out of pure Charity, and not for any private loſs that himſelf might ſuſtain thereby: Becauſe the confidence he had of his excellent diſpoſition, and expectation of his longer Life, had raiſed him to the hope that he would prove a uſeful Inſtrument for the good both of the State and the Church. From that time he ſeemed to be more p. 7than ever drawn off from worldly things, and uſed to ſpeak of them with a certain loathing and diſdain. The frame of his mind was alſo diſcovered, by a frequent interrupting of his accuſtomed courſe of reading the Scriptures in order in his Family, and turning to ſome ſelect Chapters, ſuch as Job 14. Eccleſ. 3. and 4. Pſal. 49. and 144. From whence he took the occaſion of ſuch diſcourſes, as ſhewed what Meditations he was cuſtomarily taken up with.

§. 3. In the laſt week wherein he lived in health, being in his Garden accompanied by a Friend, and walking up and down therein, as he was wont, with great pleaſure, he gave order what he would have done in the dreſſing of ſome Trees, and then added: If I live till p. 8the Spring time, they will afford me a pleaſant ſight; but if not, I ſhall be in a Garden far more pleaſant. When his Friend interpoſed and ſaid, There was no cauſe why he ſhould preſage ſuch a thing to himſelf, ſeeing he was ſound and lively; he received a Rebuke from Dr. Rivet to this purpoſe: The time is now come that I am to be treated after another manner; my age is ſo far declined and haſting to an end, as plainly to declare that death (which none can be exempted from) ſtands at my door: And truly death is the principal matter that I meditate on; God is my witneſs, that I deſire not it's delay, but am ready with a chearful mind to embrace it, yea even this day, if the will of God were ſo.

On the ſame day he was entreated by Mr. Hulſius the Paſtor p. 9of the French Church in that place **Breda., that on the next day, being Decemb. 25. he would preach a thankſgiving Sermon after the celebration of the Lords Supper; which he conſenting to do, choſe for his Text Pſal. 144. 3, 4. Lord, what is man that thou takeſt knowledge of him, or the Son of man that thou makeſt account of him? Man is like to Vanity; his dayes are as a ſhadow that paſſeth away. In his Sermon he had an eminent aſſiſtance from God, and delivered his matter with a ſtrong and clear voice, and great liberty of ſpeech; and chiefly applyed his diſcourſe, to ſhew what favour and honour God had vouchſafed unto man, as well in cauſing that the Son of God ſhould be a Man, as in giving him for our nouriſhment unto Eternal Life; from p. 10thence teaching the Notice God took of mortal men, and how it had pleaſed him to embrace them in his favour, and to magnifie them.

And in ſpeaking to the anſwer of the Pſalmiſt, Man is like to Vanity, he touched upon the loſs of the Prince, whoſe Inſtructor he had been, which was then freſh in memory; but with words no way inclined to flattery, but becoming the Matter and Perſon that he ſpoke of, and which breathed forth nothing but pure affection: withal taking notice of the Goodneſs of God, who in the midſt of his Judgments had ſhewed mercy to the houſe of Orange, to which he had granted a new Offspring (a Son being then born) that the dying hope of that Noble Family might be revived before him: At length p. 11he cloſed with a Meditation of Death, an example of which (ſaid he) ſeeing Young men that are ſtrong, have before them in a young man ſnatch't from the earth in the flower of his age and ſtrength, it ought to be often revolved in their minds, and deep thoughts of approaching death to be entertained, which admits of no return to life: What is man? (ſaid he) Nothing but fleſh, obnoxious to putrefaction? a flower that ſprings up to day, and to morrow is cut down: even a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vaniſheth away, like the breath that proceedeth out of my mouth. For the cold being great that day, did ſo condenſe his breath, that it might be ſeen of all to whom he was preaching.

p. 12§. 4. When the Sermon was finiſhed, he returned home as lively and well as he had been ſeen for ſome years paſt; nor did he the next day feel any decay of his former ſtrength. But on Thurſday, which was the 27^th of December, he began to complain Anno 1650.of a pain below his Navel; and refuſing to eat any Supper, deſired that a Clyſter might be given him; but it was to no purpoſe, the liquor being driven back again with greater force than it was injected. That night was paſs'd over partly in bearing of his ſharp pains, and partly in ſerious diſcourſes. On Wedneſday morning the complaint of his pain was encreaſed, and he deſired that the uſe of a Clyſter might be repeated; which was done accordingly, but with no better ſucceſs than p. 13the former: Then were two Phyſicians ſent for, and they ſuſpecting that the former Clyſters either had not been skilfully injected, or elſe were not ſtrong enough, made tryal of the like means once and again; but with the ſame ſucceſs as before: for a glutinous humour had already faſt locked up the paſſage againſt all Remedies. On the next day which was Tueſday, they preſcribed Pills of Alloes waſhed; and on Fryday the Infuſion of Rhubarb; either of which did ſufficiently agitate his body, but effected nothing, neither was any way opened for their paſſage, the expulſive faculty being weakened and dulled, ſo that it could give Nature no aſſiſtance. The wind ſhut up in his bowels tormented the ſick man, his Belly was ſwollen, p. 14and he was afraid to touch either meat or drink, leſt thereby his grievance ſhould be encreaſed. There were no proper means unattempted, nor any kind of help by Clyſters, Fomentations, or Baths, but were made tryal of, untill by the ſtubborn diſeaſe that reſiſted all Remedy, he was brought unto death, the twelfth day of his ſickneſs; the Hiſtory of which we ſhall now proſecute more at large.

§. 5. On the ſecond day after his diſeaſe had ſeiſed him, he well underſtanding the nature of it, declared what the event would be; Not (ſaith he) that I would neglect Remedies; that I may pleaſe my Friends, I will do whatſoever is thought meet to be done, being ſecure as to the iſſue, which I commit to the Providence p. 15of God: Then he asked his Neece, M^rs Mary Moline, what ſhe conceived of his diſeaſe, which he thought would prove mortal: And when ſhe anſwered, That her opinion was the ſame; yet that he had no reaſon to fear any thing, having been long prepared to follow God when he ſhould call; that the time of his Life hitherto had been long, if it were crowned with an happy and Glorious End.

Thou ſpeakeſt right (ſaith he) and I pray thee alwaies addreſs thy ſelf to me with like ſpeeches; and while my ſickneſs continues, depart not from me day nor night: Promiſe me now that thou wilt keep a chearful countenance, and that thou wilt ſpeak nothing to me but what may adminiſter joy and ſupport to p. 16me; although I fear not death, yet I fear the tryal of thoſe pains which I have alwaies had a very ſharp feeling of.

Then ſuddainly turning his ſpeech unto God, he ſaid: Great God! thou art my Father, thou haſt given me both Life, and a new Life, thou haſt taught me from my youth, and I have declared thy wonderful works, forſake me not now in my old age: Hitherto through thy peculiar favour thou haſt preſerved me ſound in my body; and my faculties and the functions of my mind have not been impaired; ſo that a little before I was oppreſt by this diſeaſe, I found my ſelf as apt and ready for the exerciſe of my Vocation, as in my Flouriſhing Youth: O Lord God! if p. 17it be thy will that I ſhould longer attend upon thy ſervice, thou canſt aſſwage my diſeaſe in one moment: but if thou haſt decreed otherwiſe, lo here is thy Servant; thy will be done: This one thing I begg with moſt inward affections, that thou wilt make me conformable to thy good will: Let not thy good Spirit depart from me, that in this conflict thy ſtrength may make me a Conquerour: Accompliſh this, O Lord, for thine own ſake: And ſeeing thou haſt imployed me in thy work, grant that I may die an honourable death, and ſuch as may be an example unto others: That I may ſtand faſt in that ſound Doctrine which I have taught, and may make a good confeſſion thereof before witneſſes, that thereby thy Church p. 18may be both inſtructed and edified. Let me apply to my ſelf by a lively Faith all the Promiſes of the Goſpel, and let them put forth their efficacy in me, unto my joy and eternal conſolation, that nothing in the world, neither affliction, nor diſtreſs may ſeperate me from thee, or cauſe me to doubt of thy love and favour. Thou knoweſt my weakneſſes and infirmities; permit not the grievouſneſs of my pain to caſt me into impatience or murmuring: either make my pains tolerable, or furniſh me with fortitude and conſtancy ſufficient to bear them: That I may not offend with my Tongue, keep thou the door of my lips.

§. 6. The remainder of the day was taken up with pains, the uſe of Remedies, and the p. 19Viſits of Friends: when the night came on, he earneſtly intreated Mrs. Rivet his wife, that ſhe would retire her ſelf into the next Chamber; not only becauſe ſhe was afflicted with a vehement Cough, but alſo that he might remove her from the grievous ſight of himſelf when tormented with his pains; and becauſe he found his tender affections more moved at the ſight of her, than any other perſon. So none remained with him but his Neece Mrs. Mary Moline, and two of the houſehold ſervants. But who can particularly relate the ſpeeches which he uttered, and in a manner poured forth that night and the day following? (which was Thurſday Decemb. 29.) with an Affection and Order inexpreſſible, breathing from his Heart nothing but Repentance, p. 20Faith, Charity, and holy Zeal! In a word, he implored the mercy of God with the Greateſt ſelf-denial, and abaſement of Soul, confeſſing himſelf to be a miſerable ſinner, and caſting away all confidence in any good thing which he had done in his life; yea ſpeaking of that with great very contempt, he accuſed his own defects, and aſcribed unto God the Glory of his good works; often repeating ſuch expreſſions as theſe.

It is God that hath wrought the work for me: Shall I alledge or plead my own Righteouſneſſes before him? Far be that from me: If I ſhould juſtifie my ſelf, my own mouth would condemn me; I will rather open my ſin before him, in a moſt humble confeſſion of it, and pray p. 21that he will increaſe in me the Grace of true Repentance; yea let him wear out this body with ſorrow, it matters not; ſo he give to me a broken and a contrite Heart, which is a ſacrifice acceptable to himſelf; As for my part, I do moſt willingly offer up my ſelf: Accept O Lord this imperfect Sacrifice, and ſupply the defects thereof by the perfect Righteouſneſs of that great high Prieſt who through the eternal Spirit offered himſelf unto God without Spot, Let me be accepted as a living Sacrifice, holy, and well-pleaſing unto God, which is our reaſonable ſervice. Crucifie, O Lord, this old man, that the body of ſin may be utterly deſtroyed, and I may riſe again unto a new life: The p. 22wages of Sin is death, bu… Rom. 6. ult.Rom 6the Gift of God is Eterna… life by Jeſus Chriſt our Lord

Then repeating the word Gift he added: It is meer Grace not of Works, but of him that calleth; Who ſhall la… Rom. 8. 33.Rom 8:33any thing to the charge of God elect? It is God that juſtifieth Who is he that condemneth? I… is Chriſt that dyed, yea rathe… that is riſen again, who is eve… at the right hand of God, wh… alſo maketh interceſſion for us.

Then after a little interruption of his diſcourſe, by a ſhor… ſleep; he thus proceeded.

I am God's and he wil… ſave me; he hath honoure… me with an holy Calling; and hath not ſuffered his gif… to be altogether uſeleſs in me as to the Edification of hi… p. 23Church: As to my ſelf, I can moſt truly affirm, that I have not ſerved him for filthy Lucre, but with a ſincere heart; and that I was my ſelf firſt perſwaded of the truth of the Goſpel, and experienced the efficacy thereof, before I preached it to others,

I taſted the good Word of God, which by it's power pierceth even to the dividing aſunder of Soul and Spirit, and is a diſcerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Thou haſt known my heart, O Eternal God! thou knoweſt that I am not aſhamed of the Goſpel of Chriſt, but have eſteemed it my only honour to ſerve thee; and that I have delighted my ſelf in the pleaſure of obeying thy will! Such was thy goodneſs p. 24unto me! I truly and humbly acknowledge, that whatſoever good was in me, flowed from thy Grace; bu… my defects ought to be aſcribed to my inbred Corruption: Alas! I acknowledg… this with humble and ſerious repentance; how oft hav… I ſinned in ſo holy a Charge not only by omitting man… things which I ought to hav… done, but alſo by doing many things amiſs! How of have I offended through negligence, and ſlackneſs! Long ſince had I been caſt off, wer… it not that I had to do wit… ſo good a Lord, who hat… born with me, and hath bee… ſo gracious to me as no… to exact a ſevere account o… my Words and Works! Alas▪ O Lord my God! Enter no… into Judgment with thy ſervant, p. 25for in thy ſight ſhall no man living be juſtified. Let me be found not having mine own Righteouſneſs, but the Righteouſneſs of thy Son, for the ſake of which, I beg thy favour. Pardon, O my God, Pardon the Iniquity of thy Servant, who is devoted to thy Fear: I refuſe not thy diſcipline, I know it is neceſſary; only this I earneſtly beg, that it may turn to my Salvation: Chaſten me, O Lord, but in meaſure, leſt thou bring me to nothing: Let not my tryal exceed my ſtrength, leſt I Sin through Impatience, and become a Scandal to thoſe I ſhould edifie. O let me never break out into a murmuring complaint: O how light is this chaſtiſement, if compared with my fault! What are theſe temporal p. 26pains, in compariſon with thoſe Eternal torments from which I am redeemed by him that poured out hi… Soul upon the Croſs for me! For Me! This is the languag… of Faith, which makes a particular application of General Promiſes. This is a faithful ſaying, and worthy of a… 1 Tim. 1. 15.1 Tim 1:15acceptation; That Jeſus Chriſ… came into the World to ſav… ſinners, of whom I am Chief Lord, I believe, help tho… mine unbelief: Turn tho… me, and I ſhall be turned indeed: Seal all thy Promiſe in my Soul: Cauſe in the inmoſt of my heart a lively perception of thoſe ſweet word… My Son, be of good comfor… thy ſins are forgiven the…

With ſuch holy Meditatio… and ſpeeches as theſe, was th… Thurſday night paſſed over.

p. 27§. 7. On Friday morning, Dec. 30.Mrs. Rivet his Wife, put him in mind of ſending one to the Hague for his Son: By all means (ſaid he) that ought to have been done ſooner; and then gave order himſelf concerning it. About Nine of the Clock he was viſited by Reneſſius a Doctor of Divinity, and Paſtor of a Dutch Church; who in the Latine Tongue ſaluted him after this manner: Moſt excellent man, how do you? To whom he anſwered in the ſame Language: I am yet ſtrong, neither doth my Speech fail me; but that paſſage in my bowels is not yet opened, and unleſs that be opened, I ſee I muſt make my paſſage another way, even that which the Eternal God hath ſet before me from my Infancy: I ſhould be the p. 28moſt ungratefull of men, if I ſhould not acknowledge the mercy of God towards me, who hath ſo wonderfully preſerved me even from my Cradle: Then rehearſing his deliverance from a very dangerous **Viz. A fall whereby his life was in graet hazard.accident that befell him in his Infancy, through the negligence of the Maid; he added,

From that time my Mothe… conſecrated me unto God and he abundantly bleſſed me all my life-time, and the whole Family: And therefore I place all my hope in the goodneſs of God, being ready either to live or to dye. I have alwayes thought, tha… either this diſeaſe would be my death, or elſe the Stone, for I have ſcarce ever been afflicted with any other diſtemper: I pray you to teſtifie p. 29unto all men, that I dye in that Faith and Doctrine, which I have alwayes delivered both in Preaching and Writing: And if perhaps in ſome things I have erred, I pray God that he will make perfect all my Imperfections.

The reſt of the day was filled up with the Viſits of Friends; for he would have none hindred from coming to him.

Let all that will (ſaith he) have acceſs to viſit me; I ought to give an Example of dying to other men.

With ſuch ſayings as theſe, he filled the by ſtanders both with Conſolation and with Wonder; while he thus proceeded: Come ſee a man who is an Example of the Great Mercy of God: What ſhall I render unto him? All his Benefits p. 30overwhelm me: He hath ſo diſpoſed my Life, that in my whole Courſe, I have had an healthful Body; he hath heaped upon me both temporal and ſpiritual Bleſſings: And now before I am rendred feeble or moroſe thro' Old age, he comes unto me, and prevents me; he both calleth me; and cauſeth me willingly to follow him at his Call: And now the end of my Life is within my view, he ſtill affords me the perfect uſe of my Reaſon, that I may praiſe the Holy Name of God in the Land of the Living, and inſtruct my Neighbour by my Example: Pray for me, my Friends, that this Grace may be continued unto me till I draw my laſt breath; that he will ſtrengthen my Faith, confirm my p. 31Patience, and raiſe my Hope; He hath already captivated all my affections to his will; I have caſt the care of me, of mine, of life, and all my affairs upon him; Let him do with my body as pleaſeth him, ſo it may but be well with my Soul: There is no going hence without pains; this Fleſh muſt ſuffer, and fall; It matters not; provided the Soul obtains new ſtrength; and I arrive at a better Manſion than that made with hands; It is that I aſpire to, I lament not the World: I have lived long enough, and have had leiſure to make tryal of all things, and to know that they are vanity and vexation of Spirit: One thing is neceſſary; To fear God and keep his Commandments, for that is the whole duty of man. And p. 32now there is nothing that I am concern'd about, neither is my life dear unto me, ſo that I may finiſh my courſe with joy, and fulfill the Miniſtry which I have received of the Lord; which is beſt done at the laſt: This is the end, and this the mark which a Chriſtian ought to aim at: The end of this frail life is the beginning of Eternal life: O happy change! Truly I fear nothing; Chriſt is gain both in life and death; he forſakes me not: If he make heavy my bodily pains, yet he increaſeth the joy of my Soul: Come, and I will tell you what he hath done for my Soul; I called upon him, and he inclined his ear and heard me; he hath blotted out my ſins as a cloud; And as a Father pitieth his Children ſo p. 33the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

His manner was to let no Miniſter part from him, before he had prayed with him; Pray unto God (would he ſay) now is the acceptable time.

§. 8. Towards Evening, when the Gentlewoman his wife could not be prevailed upon to withdraw, and betake her ſelf to ſome reſt; It troubles me (ſaid he) to ſee ſo dear a perſon, and one that I honour ſo much, ſo far in years, and of ſo weak a body, to wear out her ſelf at this rate: But then giving way to her deſire, Seeing thou wilt have it ſo (ſaid he) Tarry; It is a pleaſure to me to ſee thee: The Lord ſtrengthen thee.

The night before Saturday was ſpent in grievous pains, p. 34and in moſt ardent Prayers for the Church of God, for the Princes that were Defenders of it, for the People that lived under their juriſdiction, and for the Paſtors to whom the care of Souls was committed: Speaking particularly of the States, (viz: of the Ʋnited Provinces) he ſaid,

O God withdraw not thy protection from theſe Provinces, neither remove thy Candleſtick away; Let not thine anger burn againſt them becauſe of that impiety and profaneneſs which hath made too great a progreſs; Rather bow their hearts unto Repentance, and convert men, that they may prevent thy Judgements: Let them coaleſce in one body: eſpecially let them be joyned unto thee, without whom all union is but p. 35conſpiracy? do thou praeſide in that Aſſembly: bend their hearts ſo, that all their decrees may turn to the good of the Common-wealth, and eſpecially of the Church: Grant unto them, that with due equity, nobleneſs and gratitude, they may remember that Prince who only remains of the ſtock of his noble progenitors, whom thou haſt made uſe of to accompliſh thy work in the midſt of them: Indue this child with the Spirit of thy Fear, of Prudence, Fortitude and Magnanimity; and deliver him from profane men, baſe flatterers, and ſuch ſervants as are enticers unto, and the Inſtruments of Vices and infamous pleaſures; and grant to him ſuch as are faithful, incorrupt, lovers of Truth and Equity, that by p. 36their means he may learn to diſtinguiſh Vertue from Vice; to ſhun the one and embrace the other: It is time, O Lord, for thee to help.

When the night was ſpent he was exceedingly wearied and tyred out, both with overmuch ſpeaking, and eſpecially by means of abſtinence from drink, with which he was wont to be refreſhed: for when through the extremity of his thirſt he was forced to take down a little, immediately his ſtomach caſt it back again, being like a Veſſel filled to the top, that could receive no more. The Phyſitians afflicted his body with the uſe of various Remedies, but he bore all with an even temper of mind; often ſaying,

I have told you before, that the uſe of theſe things will be to no purpoſe: but 'tis p. 37no matter, I muſt comply with you, do what you pleaſe, for your own Satisfaction.

§. 9. That Saturday he was Dec. 31.mightily enfeebled, and ſometimes very drowzy: he ſpake but little that forenoon. Afternoon when divers friends viſited him, and were diſcourſing among themſelves of the nature of his diſeaſe, he heard all that paſſed between them in the Chamber (for he was very quick of hearing) and gathered both from their diſcourſes, and alſo from his own knowledge of the diſeaſe he labored under, that his diſtemper was that which Phyſitians call Miſerere mei, which he was not likely to paſs through without very grievous Symptoms: ſuch as, a burning Fever, Delirium, and vomiting of his excrements: And thereupon p. 38he began to be afflicted with much ſolicitude, while his mind was intent upon the thoughts of the grievouſneſs of theſe Symptoms: and in frequent Ejaculations he ſent up ſhort and ardent Prayers to God about it.

My God (ſaid he) have mercy upon me; deliver me from the opprobry which I fear: for thou art gracious.

And ſmiting his belly, he ſaid,

This is a bag of filth, a ſink, and collection of griefs: But thanks be to my God, that he hath afflicted me in this more ignoble part; my heart in the mean time remaining ſtrong, and my brain free and clear, ſo that I might have liberty to meditate upon thy power and goodneſs. This favour, O Lord God (which p. 39is invaluable) reſerve for me, That my mouth may utter nothing but what breaths forth Charity, Praiſes, and Thankſgivings: O that it may not be defiled with **Viz. The caſting up of excrements.this filthineſs. Let this building be brought down where its ruine began, which let me behold as one ſet on high with a conſtant and peaceful mind, even a mind elevated to ſpiritual things, which with all earneſtneſs I follow after; knowing that fleſh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God, neither can Corruption inherit Incorruption.

And in the inſuing night he did often inculcate, Who is mortal man that thou ſhouldſt ſo magnifie him, and think upon him! He is like to vanity: Fleſh, and a wind that p. 40paſſeth away. With how ſmall a thing are the ſtrongeſt among men caſt down? By a vile excrement, by a little obſtruction, which no Remedies can open! Thou haſt done this, O thou Eternal one; Thus it pleaſeth thee; and I would have it ſo too: Let it be done to me according to thy Word: I am in thy fatherly and Gracious hands, I fear nothing; Thou art my ſafeguard; and my exceeding great reward. Then he repeated in the Hebrew tongue that ſentence out of Lamentat. 3. 24. Thou art my portion, ſaith my Soul. And ſeethoſe that ſtood by him, were alwayes ſpeaking to him of Good things▪

Well done, (ſaid he) ceaſe not to ſtrengthen me, unto that end God will ſupply p. 41you with matter for diſcourſe, for he is not only preſent with the ſick himſelf for his aid, but alſo with them that are called to ſuccour him; for he is nigh unto all that call upon him in truth.

Then he again poured forth his prayers for the Church of God; ſaying,

O Lord, it is thy poſſeſſion, which thou haſt purchaſed with thine own blood: forſake not thine own work; let an holy jealouſie be kindled in thee, lift up on high the arm of thy power, and bring down the audacious ones, which tyrannize over thy flock; Rebuke thou the negligent, that heal her wounds ſlightly: Reduce into the way thoſe that wander; and ſtrengthen that which is ready to fall, through diviſion: p. 42Gather both the one and the other to thy ſelf into one body, building them upon the foundation of the Prophets and Apoſtles, Jeſus Chriſt himſelf being the Epheſ. 2. 20, 21.Eph 2:20Eph 2:21chief corner Stone, in whom all the building fitly framed together, groweth into an holy Temple in the Lord. And then making a little pauſe, he added, I have been one of thoſe builders; I have brought what I received from the Lord, that I might put to my helping hand with others towards the building of this Temple; and I my ſelf ſhall be a Living Stone in this Spiritual Houſe.

He ſuffered no day nor night to paſs over without his Prayers for the Houſe of Orange: Tbou haſt afflicted it, O Lord, p. 43(ſaid he) but we beſeech thee let it not be deſtroyed: Let this **The young Prince born but a little before.Branch grow up, which if it be thy good pleaſure, may come to be a fruitful tree in it's time: Let all acknowledge that good to come from thee; and that thou alone canſt give both being and well-being: How great folly is it to put confidence in man, and in the Son of man, who is nothing: His breath goeth forth, and then his beſt contrived thoughts periſh.

§. 10. On the next day, which 1651. Jan. 1. Lords-day.was the firſt of the year 1651. when he firſt beheld the light he ſaid,

O Lord thou haſt granted unto me to ſee the beginning of the year: thou haſt meaſured out my time unto the midle of this Age: Then he asked what hour of the day it was, and what p. 44weather? when it was anſwered, that the weather was very ſharp and ſevere, he was afraid it might hinder his Son… journey to him: Whereupon he addreſt himſelf to God after this manner.

O my God, bring my Son unto me, that I may ſee him, embrace him, and bleſs him before I dye. Then turning himſel… to his Wife, he ſaid;

Doſt think this earneſt deſire to ſee him proceeds from ſome carnal affection? Nothing leſs! Truly I love no man any more according to the fleſh: I earneſtly deſire his eternal Salvation; and I hope to have thoſe diſcourſes with him which may increaſe his zeal in adorning his **His Son was a Miniſter.ſpiritual Vocation: I have yet ſpirit, and utterance ſufficient for that work. Let none p. 45be hindred from coming to me: It is uſual for a man in my ſtation, by admoniſhing others, publickly to make confeſſion of his own Faith: not for the ſake of a little vain Glory, O Lord thou knoweſt: for it little concerns me to be approved unto men, provided I may approve my ſelf unto God: but I deſire the Salvation of many, and to give teſtimony to the truth of thoſe things which I have publickly taught.

This day alſo was taken up with the Viſits of Friends; and amongſt others that came, there was Collonel Verneuil, and ſome more Officers in the Garriſon, of which two or three were of Poictou; unto whom he ſaid,

I rejoyce that I have opportunity to make a Confeſſion of my Faith before you p. 46that are my Countrey-men; And I pray you to keep it i… memory, and give teſtimony of it where it ſhall be neceſſary: For you ſee before you… eyes a man (weak indeed but) without guile, who ſolemnly proteſteth, That h… hath never publiſhed in hi… Writings, nor taught wit… his Lips, any thing that di… not agree with the ſence o… his heart, and the Doctrin… which hath been delivered t… us by the Prophets and Apoſtles; which is the ſame wit… that which is found in th… Confeſſion of Faith of ou… Churches, in which I hav… lived, and in which I purpoſe to dye. The Lord God Almighty confirm you in that Faith, ſo that nothing may move you from it: For what will it profit a man, if he gain p. 47the whole world, and loſe his own Soul? Seek ye firſt the Kingdom of God, and the righteouſneſs thereof, and then all other things ſhall be added to you. Learn to number your dayes: And get a wiſe heart: Look upon me, and let me be an example unto you: It is but eight dayes ſince I preached to you of Mans frailty, being my ſelf in health, and lively at that time, and now you ſee the truth of what I ſaid, in my ſelf: Certainly what is viſible to us, and ſet before our eyes, hath a more perſwaſive power, than words which only beat the ears. And then taking his leave of them, he added, The Lord deliver you from the allurements of the world, and give you an increaſe of his fear, and of all ſpiritual and temporal gifts. A p. 48while after there came to hi… the worthy Snellen Burgomaſter of Breda, unto whom h… chearfully gave an account … the nature of his diſeaſe, wit… the cauſes and conſequents there of; and then ſaid,

Praiſe be to God who hat… given me to know the en… of my life: I ſhould be th… moſt ungrateful of all men, … I were not contented wit… that meaſure and term … Life, which he hath afforde… me; and if I ſhould not acknowledge his great Goodneſs, and provident care … me in the whole courſe … my life: Eſpecially I giv… him thanks for laying ou… this place for me to paſs m… old age in, amongſt good me… with whoſe kindneſs I hav… been refreſhed, and to who… for their multiplied favou… p. 49towards me, I can never make a ſufficient return of thanks: Of your ſincere Affection (moſt worthy Sir) in a ſpecial manner I have had experience, for which I give you my hearty thanks, and in your Perſon to your whole Corporation, which I beſeech you to ſignifie to them: and to intreat for me, that they will give me a place of Burial large enough for me, and my wife who will quickly follow me.

When he had thus expreſt himſelf, he diſmiſſed him with prayers for the welfare of him and his family.

§. 11. About evening he deſired to be helped out of his bed, and to ſit in a Chair; where he perceived the ſwelling of his Belly to reach to p. 50the pit of his Stomach; which gave him apprehenſion that hi… end drew neer; wherefore ſending for Mr. Dauber an emine… Civilian, he imparted to hi… his purpoſe of adding a Codicil to his Will: And in orde… thereto he ſent for the Town Clerk and the two Conſuls, an… having fully declared his min… to them, the buſineſs being don… and ſealed; he began to diſcourſe of another ſettlemen… by the reſignation of himſe… and his into the hands, an… unto the care of God; expreſſing his aſſurance of the bleſſing of God upon his: and the added,

That he did exceedingly rejoyce, that he ſhould leave behi… him a Wife excelling in virt… and motherly affection to the chi… dren of her husband; and alſo … Son that was a good man, a… p. 51ſtudious of peace, who would be a Father to the **The Children of one of his Sons that was deceaſed.three little ones, whoſe Guardian he was appointed by that Codicil.