A Believers Triumph Over Death, Appendix

A Believers Triumph Over Death · Appendix

p. 153AN APPENDIX: WHEREIN A CHRISTIAN's Triumph over Death is Illuſtrated by ſome more memorable Examples.

§ 1. THE Jewiſh Maſters have a ſaying recorded in their Talm. Hieroſol. which **Buxt. Adag. Hebraic.Buxtorf thus tranſlates: Non facienda ſunt Monumenta juſtis (ſc. defunctis): Verba ipſorum ſunt monumenta ipſorum. That is, Monuments are not to be erected p. 154to the Righteous, when deceaſed; Their Words are their Monuments: They need not the help of Art to perpetuate, or to embalm their Names, who have lived and dyed eminent Examples of Piety and Holineſs; For they ſhall be had in everlaſting remembrance: The Memory of the Pſal. 112. 6.Ps 112:6juſt is bleſſed: but the Name of the wicked ſhall rot, Prov. 10. 7.

As for that worthy and holy perſon whoſe triumphant paſſage▪ thro' Death into the Joy of his Lord, we have already had a Relation of; It may be queſtioned, whether his moſt fruitful and learned works while he lived, or his gracious ſpeeches and demeanour when he dyed, have contributed moſt to the Eternizing of his Name; But it is beyond all Queſtion, that both the one and the other have raiſed unto him p. 155a Monument Aere perennius; and as in both he hath been an eminent Inſtrument of Glorifying God in the World, and ſtrengthening the Faith of his Brethren; ſo his Name will be remembred with Honour, and Thankſgiving to God on the account of both, from Generation to Generation. We have beheld in him what Bernard tells us he ſaw in dying Gerardus; viz. Hominem in morte exultantem, & inſultantem morti. i. e. A man greatly rejoycing in death, and inſulting over death; which teacheth us that the Apoſtles holy Triumph, O death 1 Cor. 15. 55.1 Cor 15:55where is thy Sting! O Grave where is thy Victory! is no vain flouriſh of words, or empty Speculation; but a Truth ſealed to, in the Experience of a Chriſtian, who with a Joy unſpeakable and full of Glory, p. 156can joyn with him in the Agonyes of Death, in his following Song of Praiſe; Thanks be to God, which giveth us the Victory, thro' our Lord Jeſus Chriſt.Ver. 57.

In ſuch inſtances as theſe, we have a very valuable Evidence of the Truth and Excellency of the Chriſtian Religion, and the Certainty of a future State, and bleſſed Immortality: Thoſe things muſt needs be real in themſelves, whoſe Efficacy is ſo great upon the Soul of a man in ſuch an hour; Death is no Fancy; neither can Fables, with what Art or Cunning ſoever they are deviſed, relieve a man againſt the bitter pangs of it: The proud boaſts of the Atheiſt and Debauchee are ſoon quelled by this King of Terrors; the very thought of whoſe approach ſurprizes them with Conſternation p. 157and guilty fears; But the lively hope of Pardon in the Blood of Chriſt, the Smiles of a reconciled God, and foretaſtes of heavenly Joy, make the true and ſincere Chriſtian more than a Conqueror in this Conflict: He can fear no evil becauſe God is with him, whoſe preſence makes his Sick-bed eaſie, and gives him Proſpect of the greateſt Gain in the loſs of this Temporal Life. He can ſay as the holy 'Apoſtle, To me to live is Chriſt, to dye is Gain, Phil. 1. 21.

The holy Life of the Righteous is abundantly recommended to our imitation by their bleſſed Death; The advantage of whoſe End made Balaam ſay, Let me dye the Death of the Righteous and let my laſt End be like his! And certainly it is no ſmall. Honour that God hath p. 158put upon the Profeſſion of the Proteſtant Religion, by affording to many of the moſt Zealous Aſſertors thereof, ſuch an abundant entrance into the everlaſting 2 Pet. 1. 11.2 Pet 1:11Kingdom of their Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt; according to whoſe pure Word they have reformed themſelves, and in whoſe Merits alone they have Truſted. Not only the conſtant and triumphant death of thouſands, who by the curſed Tyranny and Cruelty of Papiſts have been brought to Seal their Profeſſion with their Blood; but alſo the placid and moſt Chriſtian End of others that have dyed in their Beds, hath left great Convictions upon the Minds of Beholders (tho' before Enemies to their Religion) that there hath indeed been foreign, an heavenly Excellency in it which they knew not of. p. 159This cauſed a Phyſitian of the Popiſh Religion, that attended upon Dr. Ames in his laſt ſickneſs at Rotterdam, when he obſerved what an extraordinary ſpirit of Faith and Holineſs breathed in him to the laſt, to expreſs himſelf after this manner: Siccine moriuntur Reformati! i. e. Do Proteſtants dye at this Rate! And well indeed may they be ſurprized with wonder at ſuch Examples, becauſe the Principles of that Religion which they profeſs afford no ſuch Conſolations, or any firm ground for them, to thoſe that live and dye therein. When they come to dye, they find their Debaucheries to be more than Venial Sins, and the Guilt of them ſuch as will not be expiated by any of thoſe Means which they have truſted to while living under the p. 160ſtrength of Papal deluſions; and the moſt refined and Superſtitious Devoto's in that Religion are in no better caſe, when by Death ſummoned before the dreadful Tribunal of Divine Juſtice, at whoſe Barre their own Righteouſneſs (tho' patcht up with a thouſand humane Inventions) will ſtand them in no ſtead: To ſay nothing of thoſe Idolatries which they are taught to practiſe as the moſt effectual means of meriting Heaven, and which accordingly they principally place their Confidence in: But O how ſadly diſappointed will they be, when Death arreſts them, who have no better Antidote againſt its fatal Sting, than Popery can furniſh them with! They muſt, if their Conſciences be awakened, leave the World with trembling Horror, and breathe p. 161out their laſt with a ſad complaint of the wretched Cheat of that pretended Religion, which fails them in their greateſt Extremity. Well may they then take up the dying words of * Joannes Semeca, who about An Eminent Civilian in Germany.the Year 1267. is reported to have left the World with this doleful Reflection. In our Life-time we had thoſe who would frequent the Quire for us, who would till our Lands; Melch. Adam.who would ſay Maſs, and pray the Canonical Hours for us: But where now ſhall we find any one that will deſcend into Hell for us, and deliver us?

§. 2. But it is time to return from this digreſſion, and to proſecute our purpoſe, which is to preſent the Reader with ſome more eminent Inſtances of the p. 162Grace and Mercy of God towards, and the Efficacy of a lively Faith in, others of his Servants in their laſt Hours; who have been zealous Profeſſors and Propagators of the True Religion and Faith of Chriſt while they lived, and have left this World with an holy Triumph in the full Aſſurance of Eternal Bleſſings, when they dyed. My deſign is, only to ſingle out a few Inſtances, from many that might be with equal advantage pitcht upon, were it not for ſwelling this little Tract beyond its due bounds.

And the firſt I ſhall mention Mr. Rollock.is, that memorable Example of a Chriſtian and happy End, which ſome account of the laſt Hours of Mr. Rollock may furniſh us with, who departed this Life at Edinburgh, Feb. 8. p. 163Anno 1598. being the Forty third year of his Age.

§. 3. He was while living an eminent and very uſeful Inſtrument in the Reformation of the Church of Scotland, which he ſought to promote by Evangelical Means, in the exerciſe of all Diligence in the Miniſtry of the Word, by his Learned and pious Writings, and moſt of all by a ſingular Example of Holineſs and practical Religion in his Life and Converſation; which rendred him a burning and a ſhining Light in his day. Beſides his extraordinary Labours on ſpecial Occaſions, he had for ſome years before his death the principal Charge and Preſidency over the then newly erected Academy of Edinburgh committed to him, which he adminiſtred to the p. 164great advantage of thoſe under his care, and indeed of the whole Church; and in the faithful diſcharge of his duty in that great Truſt, his Lord found him when he came to call him from this evil world into his Heavenly Kingdom and Glory; and how great his Affection was towards the ſervice of his Lord, and what his care for the peace of Jeruſalem, and the flourſhing of true Religion, when himſelf was leaving this World, will be abundantly manifeſt in many paſſages during his laſt Sickneſs, which ſhall be recited in their proper place and order.

When he found his diſtemper prevail, according to his wonted Prudence he ſet in order what might concern his Family when he was gone, and prepared himſelf for a ready p. 165and chearful ſubmiſſion to the Will of God. And when two of his ſpecial Friends came to viſit him (that were Perſons of ſome note and Eminency) he beſought them that they would go to the King (who was then Young) and exhort him, as from him, to abide conſtant and unmoveable in the Profeſſion of the True Religion to the end, and by no means ſuffer himſelf either by the hopes of enlarging his Kingdom, or the ſecret arts of Wicked men to be moved therefrom. The eſteem and reverence he had for the Miniſters of Chriſt, he expreſt after this manner,

This Miniſtry of Chriſt, though mean and abject in the account of men, ſhall at length ſhine with illuſtrious Glory.

p. 166§. 4. Afterwards the Miniſters of Edenburgh came to him and when they were ſet down he addreſt himſelf to them in a copious and very ſolemn ſpeech, wherein he tells them; That being worn out with his ſickneſs, he breathed after and hoped for the cloſe and Period of this life: And (ſaith he) I have not ſo learned or taught Chriſt, but that in him I ſhould feel comfort under theſe Sorrows. The thred of my life will ſhortly be broken off, and I muſt paſs unto that countrey which I have long and earneſtly deſired after.

Then he proceeds to a Pathetical recommendation of the Univerſity to their care; and makes a moſt ſolemn Proteſtation (as in the preſence of p. 167God, before whoſe Tribunal he muſt immediately appear) of his integrity and faithfulneſs in his Truſt, both as a Paſtor, and Rector of the Univerſity; That he had never ſuffered himſelf to be byaſſed by any corrupt or ſiniſter end, nor had any burthen upon his Conſcience with reſpect thereto: He profeſſed the great care he had alwayes taken of the publick peace; but added,

Yet neither did the love of Peace ſo bewitch me, as that I ſhould not diſtinguiſh betwixt genuine and adulterate Peace; nor did my Affection towards my Prince ſeduce me, ſo as that to pleaſure him I ſhould bring the leaſt ſpot upon my Conſcience: But the Candor of my actions will ſhine when I am dead.

p. 168He exhorted them to mutual peace and love; telling them▪ There was nothing more unſeemly than that the Preachers of Peace ſhould be rent with ſtrife and diſcord amon… themſelves; eſpecially at ſuc… a time when the commo… Enemy (the Papiſt) lay i… wait for their ruine.

And after Exhortations to render all dutiful reſpect and Obedience to their Prince; he diſmiſt them with this Benediction.

The God and Father of Jeſus Chriſt enrich you with all bleſſing, and ſtrengthen you with all might unto the vigorous diſcharge of your Miniſtry.

§. 5. When the Night came on, death ſeemed to be haſtening, which he perceiving, entred p. 169into ſuch diſcourſes of Heavenly things as ſeemed to the by-ſtanders ſo much above the rate of humane capacity to conceive and utter, that they were all filled with a joyful aſtoniſh…ent in hearing of them.

The Phyſitians came and endeavoured (but in vain) by proper Medicines to aſſwage the force of his diſtemper; whereupon turning his ſpeech to God, he ſaid, Thou O God ſhalt heal me: And then poured out his prayers with a moſt ardent Zeal for the Remiſſion of his ſins through the Merit of the one and only Sacrifice of Chriſt; profeſſing that he eſteemed all things (though in appearance never ſo great) to be but dung, for the excellency of Chriſt Jeſus; earneſtly calling upon God that he would bring him to an happy p. 170and triumphant period of thi… Life, and grant that being covered with the Wings of Mercy, he might ſweetly ſleep i… the boſom of Jeſus, and enjoy that ſight of Gods face which with frequent pantings he thirſted for.

I have ſeen thee darkly (ſaid he) in the glaſs of thy Word; O grant me the long and much deſired fruition of thy Countenance!

He diſcourſed at that rate concerning the Reſurrection, and Eternal Life, as if he had already forſaken the earth, and been tranſlated into Heaven; with ſo great ſence, and Life of Affection did he ſpeak of theſe things: And then taking each one by the hand that was preſent with him, like the Patriarchs of old, he bleſſed them with words full of Gravity and p. 171Holineſs; cloſing his Benediction with ſuitable Exhortations to every one. That Night beyond Expectation he got a little reſt.

And the day following the Magiſtrates of the City, with many other perſons of quality came to viſit him: To whom he made a very grave diſcourſe, in which he earneſtly recommended the Univerſity to their favour and care, and nominated a fit perſon to them for his Succeſſor therein: And as to his private concerns, he affectionately recommended to them alſo his dear Wife (who was then big with Child) greatly praiſing her love and tenderneſs towards him in all his weakneſs, and Afflictions; adding,

I ingenuouſly profeſs to you, I have not laid up two Pence p. 172out of all my Stipends; for theſ… worldly things were not my care, nor did I ever ſet my heart upon them.

Thoſe preſent ſolemnly promiſed to anſwer his deſire, i… all that he had mentioned t… them; whereupon he exhorte… the Profeſſors of Philoſophy t… perſevere in their work, an… yield due obedience to his Succeſſor. And then he ſaid, … thank my God, that my memory, ſight, hearing, and th… reſt of my ſenſes are as ſtrong and lively as ever; But m… heart is eſtranged from thi… world; and why, O Lord Jeſu… ſhouldſt not thou enjoy m… Heart, who only haſt a righ… thereto? This hath been my endeavour all my Life long, to dedicate and conſecrate my heart to thee; take it to th… ſelf, I beſeech thee, that i… p. 173may remain with thee.

§. 6. After he had ſpoken …heſe things, a gentle ſleep came upon him, out of which when he awaked, he expreſt a moſt ardent breathing to be diſſolved, and to be with Chriſt.

Come Lord Jeſus (ſaid he) break off the thred of this miſerable Life! Make haſt, O Lord, Tarry not! Jeſus hath Redeemed me, that he might grant to me (not this frail, but) eternal Life. Come Jeſus! Grant me that life for which thou haſt redeemed me!

And when thoſe that ſtood about him lamented the great loſs they ſhould have of him, he ſaid;

I have paſs'd through all the Steps of this life; and am now come to the laſt, p. 174why ſhould I go back again? By the aid of thy preſence, O Lord Jeſus, I ſhall happily meaſure this Step alſo: Lead thou me into that Glory which I have only ſeen through a Glaſs: O that I were converſant with thee!

Upon occaſion of ſome one ſignifying to him, that the next day was the Sabbath day, he thus expreſt himſelf.

Let thy Sabbath, O Lord, begin mine eternal Sabbath: Let my Eternal Sabbath receive the pledge of an happy beginning from thy Sabbath.

Towards the middle of the Night he got a little reſt, which the ſtrength of his diſeaſe ſoon interrupted; and he ſuppoſing his laſt hour to draw near, ſent for Mr. Walter Balcanquel, unto whom, when he p. 175was come in, he thus addreſſed himſelf:

Foraſmuch as you have for a long time had a Paſtoral charge at Edinburgh, and our friendſhip is of no late date, I took care to have you ſent for, that I might make manifeſt unto all the Reverence which from my Cradle I have had for the Miniſtry of Chriſt: I have indeed, according to the meaſure of my gift, already poured out my Prayers into the boſom of God; and now I intreat you to pray for me, I will joyn with my Heart and Affection; only deſire not the protracting of this Life.

Whereupon all that were preſent, falling on their Knees, Mr. Balcanquel prayed; but among other things he earneſtly deſired that it might pleaſe p. 176God to ſpare ſo worthy a man with them for ſome longer time, ſeeing both the Church and Common-wealth had ſo great need of his ſervice; whereupon Mr. Rollock interrupted him, ſaying,

I have enough of this Life; the only thing I deſire is that heavenly Life, which is hid with God in Chriſt.

When prayer was ended, he brake forth into an earneſt commendation of the Efficacy of the Word Preached.

The Word (ſaid he) is both Life, and Death: nor can any 2 Cor. 2. 16.2 Cor 2:16be ſaved without the Word. Believe me! 'Tis no trifling matter to preach the Word: It is not like the interpreting a Text of Plato or Ariſtotle; or the making an Oration embelliſhed with the alluring Ornaments of ſpeech: The Preaching of the Word conſiſts in Holineſs, Humility, p. 177and the powerful demonſtration of the Spirit: How great my eſteem of it hath ever been, God is Witneſs!

Then turning his diſcourſe into Prayer, he ſaid; Come Lord Jeſus! break aſunder the Nerves of theſe Eyes, and give me other Eyes! I deſire to be diſſolved, and to be with thee; Haſten thy coming, O Lord Jeſus, and deferre no longer! Let this faint life go forth, that the better Life of God may enter in: Lord Jeſus put forth thy hand into this body, and take out this Soul unto thy ſelf.

§. 7. From that time till the Sabbath day morning he kept ſilence, when again the longings he had after his Fathers Houſe, were breathed forth in theſe words.

p. 178Come Lord, and tarry not, I am wearyed with the loathing of day and night; Come Lord Jeſus, that I may come to thee! O ſweet and happy divorce from this Life: Come Lord, who art my ſweetneſs, and ſet this Soul at liberty that it may enjoy thee it's Husband; break this Heart of mine in two, that it may fly to thee it's Head.

To this one replyed, Hitherto Chriſt hath poſſeſſed your whole heart, and he will take it whole unto himſelf. To which he returned anſwer,

I deſire the breaking in two of this Heart, that this natural Life may be let out, and it may be wholly repleniſht with the Life of Chriſt.

Then one of the by-ſtanders ſaid; Let no anxiety trouble p. 179you; your Lord is now haſtening.

Thoſe (ſaid he) are welcome tidings unto me; I would my Funeral was to be to morrow.

Another ſaid, Happy is that Soul which is ſo near to the Lord as yours is. To which he replyed,

There is nothing in me which I account not as dung, that I may win Chriſt: Chriſt is the only matter of my Comfort; my own Righteouſneſs is a menſtruous cloth.

Being asked, if he deſired to ſpeak with any of the Miniſters; he ſaid, he would not give them trouble now they were juſt preparing themſelves to preach.

Let me (ſaid he) chatter with my Lord like a Crane. Being informed that Sermon p. 180was begun. Lord (ſaid he) grant that I may ſee what others now hear!

About noon, when one comforted him with the remembrance of his unwearied pains and diligent endeavour to promote the Glory of God all his life time; he replyed,

I have nothing to Glory in but the Mercy of God in Chriſt Jeſus: All other things I count but loſs!

After a little reſt, a perſon of conſiderable rank viſiting him, he again took the occaſion of an earneſt recommendation of what might tend to the promoting of Religion to his care in his Station: And in the following Night he was obſerved to ſay; I have a peaceful mind in a ſick body; I am not perplex't with the fear of Death, Sin, or Satan, p. 181they have no Dominion over me: yet ſo great is the weight of my diſtemper, that it is much beyond expectation that I ſubſiſt to this hour. He bruiſes me as with a Peſtle in the Mortar of Affliction, that he may form me for his own Kingdom.

§. 8. On the next day being Monday, he ſaid to thoſe about him,

It may ſeem ſtrange, ſeeing I am ſo ſorely handled with my diſeaſe, that my life ſhould be protracted thus long: But with patience I wait for the good pleaſure of the Lord: Let him do with me what pleaſeth him, I will not diſpute it with him: What is man that he ſhould dare to contend with God! yea though he ſhould thruſt p. 182him down to Hell, he muſt obey, and not reply upon God: Be gracious unto me, O Lord, for Chriſt Jeſus ſake: I am not aſhamed to profeſs that I never before attained to ſo high a pitch of the Knowledge of God, as I have done in this ſickneſs. O what a fearful thing is it to fall into the hands of the Lord! But Mercy is laid up for me in Chriſt. Why art thou Sorrowful, O my Soul? why art thou caſt down within me? thou ſhalt by and by obtain a moſt pleaſant ſight, and congreſs.

Towards evening, he told his Friends that he experienced in himſelf the truth of the ſixth Pſalm, and repeated ſome Paſſages therein; as verſe 2. Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am weak: O Lord heal me, for p. 183my bones are vexed: To which he added, Chriſt will bear my burthen, and I will follow, him being unheld by his Grace.

When thoſe that were about him, obſerving the bitterneſs and extremity of his diſeaſe, brake out into Tears and Lamentation for him.

Lament not my caſe (ſaid he) but weep for your own ſins; ſeeing none are free from ſin, none want occaſion of weeping; but as for me, I ſhall quickly ſee the end and conſummation of all.

The care of his Funeral he recommended to two of his intire Friends preſent, and when he had finiſhed his Directions about what he would have done therein; he ſaid,

Why ſhould I not take care of this body, ſeeing that p. 184alſo ſhall be glorified, and made conformable to the glorious body of Chriſt: (and looking upon his hands) Theſe very hands ſhall ſhine with excellent Glory.

After this he was not able to ſpeak much; but to the very laſt what he did utter was with a wonderful ſavour, ſtill expreſſing the inward joy and peace of his Soul, and a moſt aſſured Confidence of a compleat and glorious Victory in this laſt conflict; and in a few hours he finiſhed his courſe; and ſweetly ſlept in Jeſus.

Before I paſs to another Story, I cannot but mention one thing more that happened a little before this holy man drew his laſt breath; And it is this.

One of his kindred coming in to ſee him, and perceiving that he was nigh to death, p. 185being himſelf a Stranger to Religion and Piety, yet convinced that it could not but be well with ſo holy a man as Mr. Rollock, entreated of him, That when he came to Heaven, he would Mediate for him and the reſt of his Friends here below. But how grievous this ignorant and impious requeſt was to the Soul of this bleſſed Saint, will be eaſily gueſſed by thoſe, that as he did, love the honour of Chriſt more than their own lives; Though before he lay as one ready to give up the Ghoſt, at the hearing of this, his Zeal was ſo ſtirred in him, that he raiſes himſelf upright, and with a great fervency replyes, I refuſe that Office: Chriſt is the only Mediator. And ſo deep was the impreſſion of trouble this made upon his Spirit, p. 186that a while after, when his elder Brother came to viſit him, he left this charge upon him.

Do you (ſaid he) rebuke that Kinſman of ours, and admoniſh him that he take another courſe, otherwiſe there is no Salvation for him, but moſt certain ruine.

§. 9. The next inſtance I ſhall touch upon, is that of Mr. John Oecolampadius.Oecolampadius, who while he lived was alſo an eminent Inſtrument in the Reformation of Religion, and one of the firſt (with Zuinglius and others) whoſe labours it pleaſed God to ſucceed for the accompliſhing of an happy beginning of that great work in Baſil, and other of the Sviſſe Cantons: He was a perſon very conſiderable both for his Learning and Piety; but p. 187for nothing more to be commended, than for his Peaceable temper, and Chriſtian Moderation, in thoſe controverſies with which the reformed Churches were then exerciſed among themſelves in the buſineſs of the Lords Supper: For though he was both free in declaring, and conſtant in aſſerting that truth which the Lord had made known to him, yet his great care was, foreign, to ſpeak the truth in love; and to manage the defence thereof without bitterneſs towards, or Provocation of, thoſe that did in that point diſſent from him. And as he was a man ſtudious of Peace in his life, ſo it pleaſed the Lord to guard his Soul with a Peace that paſſeth all underſtanding, and to fill his Heart with Spiritual and Heavenly joy when he came to dye.

p. 188After he had for ſome conſiderable time laboured in the Miniſtry of the Word at Baſil, it pleaſed God there to viſit him with his laſt ſickneſs, in the Forty ninth year of his Age, which he preſently apprehended would prove mortal to him, and accordingly gave warning to his Friends that they ſhould expect no other: But ſo far was he from being terrifyed by the approach of death, that on the contrary he expreſt the greateſt longings after that Heavenly light, and Crown of Glory which he ſaw ready prepared for him, ſo ſoon as the earthly houſe of this Tabernacle ſhould be taken down: He waited not for the Conſolations of others in this laſt conflict, but was ready to Miniſter Conſolation to all that were about him; inſomuch that p. 189his moſt Chriſtian and comfortable End, was no leſs for the Confirmation and encouragement of the Godly in their Holy profeſſion, than his Doctrine and blameleſs Life had been. He was an example of dying well, as he had been before of living well: of which abundant teſtimony is given by thoſe worthy men that familiarly and almoſt conſtantly converſed. with him in theſe his laſt hours. Among whom Simon Grynaeus, a man whoſe praiſe is in the Reformed Churches, was one; who hath left us the account of the following diſcourſe that this pious Servant of Chriſt made to him and the reſt of the Miniſters of the Church, a little before his departure; which alone is ſufficient to juſtifie all that hath been before ſaid of the frame of his Spirit p. 190upon his dying bed. It is as follows.

§. 10. You ſee Brethren what the buſineſs is: The Lord is at hand, he cometh, and is now about to take me hence: and therefore I was deſirous to call you firſt, and with my deareſt Friends to ſatiate this Soul of mine with a ſincere Joy in the Lord, and true conſolation. What ſhall we ſay then in this laſt Embrace, O ye Servants of Chriſt, whom the ſame Love to their Lord, the ſame Study, and the ſame Doctrine hath moſt cloſely knit together! Salvation is obtained; It is obtained (I ſay) by Chriſt; and we have all Confidence of the Kingdom of God: Our Doctrine is certain, and light is prepared for our feet: It p. 191is meet that all Sorrow, all fears of Life or Death, all doubting and error ſhould be baniſht far away: Only this (my Brethren!) this only remains, that we conſtantly and faithfully perſevere in thoſe footſteps of Chriſt which we have already entred upon, by maintaining Purity of Doctrine in the firſt place, and then by a Life in all things conformed to the true Word of God: Other things he will take care of who is Mighty, and of his own accord watcheth his own, even Chriſt our Lord: He will defend his own Church: Let us ſee to it therefore (Brethren!) that our light ſo ſhine that God the Father may be glorified in us, and the Name of Chriſt rendred illuſtrious through the light of your p. 192Sincerity and holy Life. See that you love one another in Truth; and lead your whole Life as under the Eye, and in the ſight of God: 'Tis to no purpoſe to preſs Piety with words only; The light of Truth and Holineſs in Life, with the true and Heavenly Spirit of the Mind, are neceſſary, if we would vanquiſh Satan, and convert the World to our Lord Chriſt. For (O my Brethren!) What clouds are there ariſing, and what a tempeſt draws near! what alienation of men, and what impiety is at the door! But Brethren! It behoves you to ſtand faſt, and to abide it: The Lord himſelf will be preſent with you in his Concerns: O that my Lot were to undergo theſe dangers with you! and that I could often p. 193ſpill this Life for the Truth! But however Love is undivided, and the bond in Chriſt indiſſoluble; all things are common to the Godly among themſelves.

Theſe things he uttered with reſpect to the common Cauſe of Religion; And as to what concern'd himſelf he told them,

I matter not the ſcandal which ſome have imputed to me, as if I had corrupted the Truth: Through the Grace of God, I am now going to the Tribunal of Chriſt with a good Conſcience: There it will be manifeſt that the Church hath not been ſeduced by us. And of this Solemn Proteſtation I leave you my Witneſſes, which I alſo confirm with my laſt breath.

The next day (which was the fifteenth from his firſt ſickneſs) p. 194he cauſed his Children to be brought before him, and firſt took them by the hand, then ſtroaked each of them, and calling them by their Names ſaid,

Thou Euſebius, thou Irene, and thou Alethea, my dear Children! ſee that you love God.

And becauſe by reaſon of their age, they were not yet capable of attending to the Charge of their dying Father (the Eldeſt being but about three years Old) he turned him to his Wife and the reſt of his Relations preſent, and ſaid,

It is you that I have bound by this charge to do your Endeavour, that according to my deſire and what they now hear, my Children may be Pious, Peaceable, and Faithful. This he ſpake with alluſion p. 195to the ſignification of their Names: And their Mother with the reſt, ſignifing their acceptance of this charge; he deſired them to take a way the Children again.

The Laſt night he lived here being come, his inward Joy did no way abate, but rather increaſe as death drew nearer to him. One of his intimate friends coming, in he asked him, what News he had brought; his Friend told him, None: Why then (ſaid he) I will tell you news; I ſhall in a little time be with the Lord Chriſt.

A while after, when they asked, If the light did not offend him; touching his breaſt, he ſaid, Abundé lucis eſt! Here is abundance of Light!

The next morning his fatal hour came on, before which, he prayed with an ardent Affection p. 196for the Remiſſion of Sin, repeating the 51 Pſalm, from the beginning to the end; And then after a little pauſe and breathing, he renewed his prayer in theſe words: Chriſt Jeſus ſave me! which were the laſt he uttered, and then ſweetly breathed forth his pious Soul into the boſom of his Redeemer. He changed this Life for an Heavenly, on the firſt day of December in the year 1531. And as Mr. Rollock profeſſed upon his death-bed, that he had laid up nothing of this World in his Life; ſo it is obſerved of this good man, That he made no Will, becauſe he had nothing to diſpoſe of:

So far were theſe firſt Reformers from ſeeking great things for themſelves! Riches profit not in the day of wrath, but Righteouſneſs delivereth from death: p. 197Pro. 11. 4.Prov 11:4To be rich towards God, to have Luk. 12. 21Luke 12:21an Heart filled with Grace and Spiritual Comfort, and the teſtimony 2 Cor. 1. 122 Cor 1:12of a good Conſcience, that with ſimplicity and godly ſincerity we have had our converſation in the World; will prove the beſt portion when we come to dye; and afford ſuch eaſe to us upon a ſick bed, as all the Treaſure under Heaven cannot procure the like.

§. 11. The Jewiſh Writers, from that Paſſage of the Pſalmiſt: Pſa. 41. 3.Ps 41:3The Lord will ſtrengthen him upon the bed of languiſhing; thou wilt make all his bed in his ſickneſs; have a Proverbial ſaying in Tract. Nedar: to this ſence; Majeſtas divina ſedet ad caput lecti aegrotantis: i. e. The divine Majeſty ſitteth (or abideth) at the ſick mans bedshead. His ſick bed is turned p. 198into a Sanctuary, by the Gracious preſence of God with him. This we have ſeen verified in the former Examples, and ſhall yet meet with a further Confirmation of, in the experience of Joachimus Curaeus, Curaeus.a Learned and Pious Doctor of Phyſick in Germany; and a Zealous Proteſtant; who finiſhed his courſe in the year 1573. being the Forty firſt currant of his age. He was a perſon that eſteemed Religion to be his greateſt concern while he lived, and continually exerciſed himſelf in a diligent and ſerious practice thereof; And as he would by no means be diverted from working out his own Salvation with fear and trembling, by fervent Prayer, and all manner of Holy Converſation in the World, ſo it pleaſed God when he called p. 199him out of the World, to afford him ſuch an abundant Enjoyment and ſence of his love in Chriſt, as carryed him through the Agonies of death with a more than ordinary Triumph and rejoycing. In his laſt hours it was moſt convincingly manifeſt, that Chriſt had given unto him a large draught of that water of Life, which was in him a well of water ſpringing up unto Eternal Life; from which bleſſed Fountain he poured forth abundant Conſolations to all that were with him in that Conflict, if ſo happy a departure, and ſo ſweet a ſleep, as death was made to him, may yet be called a Conflict.

When he found his ſickneſs had prevailed over Nature ſo far, as that his diſſolution muſt needs be haſtning on, he wholly p. 200applyed himſelf to ardent Prayers and Supplications unto God, making uſe of that exerciſe for the eaſe and ſupport of his Soul in ſickneſs, which had been his delight and Comfort in his health; And ſeveral times in one day, cauſing his his Wife and Children to come to him, he did with an inexpreſſible Zeal and Affection exhort them to Piety and Virtue; and then in a ſolemn manner recommended both them and his laſt charge to them, to the bleſſing of God; who in this alſo heard the Prayers of his Servant; and raiſed up two of his Sons after him, to be eminent examples both of Piety Virtue and Learning in their Generation; thereby making good his word, That the Generation of the upright ſhall be bleſſed.

p. 201§. 12. Being taken away in the midſt of his years, at that age which was the ripeſt for Service, he would often repeat the mournful complaint of Hezekiah; I have cut off like a Weaver my life, &c: But then his perfect acquieſcence in the will of God, and rejoycing in his Salvation, was as frequently expreſt, in the following words, which are ſome of thoſe holy ſayings which plentifully iſſued from his pure Heart in this laſt ſickneſs: viz.

I am broken, O Lord! but it ſatisfies me that thy hand hath done this, not the Devil. The Body indeed ſuffers becauſe of Sin, but thou Comforteſt my Soul with a moſt ſure Hope, and expectation of eternal Life. I believe, O Lord! I believe; but do thou p. 202help mine unbelief: I have received a Meſſage of death, but I will wreſtle with thee O Lord Jeſus, after the Example of thy holy Pilgrim Jacob, untill the Morning beams of thy light break up, ariſe, and ſhine upon me; neither will I let thee go unleſs thou bleſs me, and my Soul be ſaved; Therefore O Jeſus Chriſt, thou wilt bleſs me, and ſave my Soul, giving unto me a Believer, Remiſſion of Sins, Righteouſneſs and Life! Come Lord Jeſus, and let all that love thee ſay, Come! And he that loves thee not, let him be Anathema Maranatha: Thou knoweſt, O Lord, who art the ſearcher of Hearts, That I love thee; And thou loveſt me, yea thou loveſt me in Truth, and art my Redeemer by thy p. 203Merit and Efficacy. Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my Spirit, for thou haſt Redeemed me, O Lord God of Truth.

And then reflecting upon the time of his ſickneſs, (for he dyed January 21.) he proceeded in further expreſſions of his aſſured Confidence in God, and inward Joy, through the lively hope and foretaſt of the bleſſings of that Kingdom he was going to, after this manner:

I ſhall be with thee in the beginning of this new Year; I ſhall be ſatiated with the ſight of thee, O Lord! I ſhall drink with thee at thy Table the New Juice of Eternal Joy, even in thy Fathers houſe, where there are many Manſions; there is a place for me alſo; and there ſhall I p. 204ſit at thy Table. Refreſh me, O Son of God, with thy Spirit, and with thy quickening preſence. I come unto thee, Jeſus Chriſt; Receive thou me according to thy Promiſe, which is the only repaſt, and Recreation of my Soul. Iam meum pectus ardet conſpectu vitae eternae, cujus verè ſentio in me initia. i. e. Now doth my Heart burn, through the ſight of Eternal Life, the Beginnings of which I truly feel in my ſelf: And this is Life Eternal, to know thee the true God, and Jeſus Chriſt whom thou haſt ſent. Through thy goodneſs I have learned, and I have taught others, rightly to acknowledge thee: Do thou again acknowledge me, O Son of God, and embrace me with thy Saving Grace, even with thy Holy p. 205Spirit; do thou preſent this Soul to thy Eternal Father, who will readily receive it from thy hand; My deſire and rejoycing is to come unto him; and becauſe I am not yet come, all delay ſeems long unto me; O thou Sun of Righteouſneſs, light me into Eternal light and Righteouſneſs: I deſire, with thine Apoſtle, to be diſſolved, and to be with thee; Looſe me, that I may be with thee: I am greatly wearyed, and I wait for the entertainment which thou haſt ſhewn me. As the Traveller in his Journey, at Night time deſires the Sun-riſing; ſo do I deſire after the clear light, even the ſight of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghoſt. When my voice and ſpeech ſhall fail me, Grant, O Merciful Saviour, that thy p. 206Holy Spirit may ſpeak unto thee in my Heart, and make interceſſion for me with groanings that cannot be uttered: Let his motions ſpring up in my breaſt, and move thy Heart unto Mercy towards me. Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who ſitteſt at the right hand of thy Eternal Father, receive my Spirit.

§. 13. Theſe were the Meditations, and this the exerciſe of this Holy man upon his dying bed: He felt this Tabernacle to be falling, but knew he had an houſe not made with hands, Eternal in the Heavens; and his pious Soul was filled with Heavenly triumph, in the certain expectation of a Glorious Reſurrection of that ſame body of his, which was now ready to be ſown in corruption, p. 207which with an admirable ſweetneſs and comfort, he thus expreſs'd:

I ſhall ſee thee my Saviour, in my fleſh, which thou haſt exalted to the right hand of the Eternal Father; and I will give thee thanks in the preſence of thy Father, for all the Good things which thou haſt communicated unto me. Yea thou wilt place thy Holy Angels to be the Guardians of my Body, that they may keep my duſt, which hath been, and to all Eternity ſhall be, the dwelling place of thy Holy Spirit. It is impoſſible that this fleſh of mine, which is the Temple of the Holy Ghoſt, this Maſs of my body, which is quickened by the effuſion, and communication of the Spirit of Chriſt, and ſo inſerted into the fleſh of Chriſt, ſhould p. 208be reduced unto nothing, or abide in death, and ever remain duſt and aſhes: But thou who art the Author of Life, will remand from the Earth this thine own Image, even out of the ſmalleſt Crums of duſt and aſhes that are there; By ſending forth thy breath thou wilt again build up my body alive and Glorious, which ſhall be the habitation of the whole Divinity, dwelling therein to all Eternity. There ſhall we follow the Lamb whitherſoever he ſhall go; O Guide truly fair and Divine! There ſhall we ſing a New Song: Let us rejoyce! Hallelujah!

O Come, let us go forth to meet our Saviour: Our foreignRight as Citizens is in Heaven; but in this Life we muſt begin Eternal Life, and p. 209follow the order which Chriſt hath appointed; We ſhall be cloathed upon, if ſo be that we be not found Naked: That moſt lovely Lamb of God which takes away the ſins of the world, will lead us unto the Fountains of living Waters, and wipe away all Tears from our Eyes. Eye hath not ſeen, nor Ear heard, neither have entred into the Heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. This Earthly Life is Death, but that Life which Chriſt begins in me, is Life indeed; Now it is no more I that live, but Chriſt that liveth in me; therefore let him be praiſed. O happy Soul, in which thou Jeſus Chriſt ſitteſt as the Guide and Rector of all its actions and Motions. I ſee Heaven p. 210open unto me! Now letteſt thou thy Servant depart in Peace, O Lord, for mine Eyes indeed have ſeen thy Salvation! Thou, O Chriſt, art the Reſurrection and Life; How amiable are thy Tabernacles, O Lord! O Chriſt my Redeemer, carefully watch my Soul, that it ſuffer no detriment by the horrible and infernal Dragon, the Devil. Let my Soul be bound up in the bundle of Life; and let this my paſſage hence be happy; let it be to me the way to thoſe that live an immortal and Heavenly Life.

§. 14. After, this he again moſt affectionately prayed for his Wife and Children, but in terms arguing ſuch a nearneſs to God and Holy Familiarity with him, as if a man had p. 211been ſpeaking to his Friend, and devolving a care upon him that he knew moſt aſſuredly he would willingly take upon himſelf and ſee to; He mightily Comforted himſelf with the thoughts of Chriſts ſympathy and compaſſion, who (ſaith he) will certainly hear me in all theſe things. And when one exhorted him to be of good hope, for God would help him; he anſwered,

'Tis right: The Lord will certainly help me, by a final deliverance; according to that; Bleſſed are the dead which dye in the Lord: In the Lord then do I dye, who is my Life; I dye in the acknowledgment, Faith, and Confidence of Chriſt the Mediator, who is my Shade of defence, and my Brother, who cloatheth me with the p. 212garment of his Righteouſneſs; I ſhall therefore be happy, I ſhall be Righteous; O ſweet Bleſſedneſs! ſweet Righteouſneſs! O ſweet change and Tranſlation from Sin to Innocency, from Darkneſs into Light, from Death to Life.

Many Prayers alſo he put up for the Church of God, eſpecially that the pure Doctrine of the Goſpel might be tranſmitted without corruption to Poſterity; and with Tears bewailed the wickedneſs of thoſe who by their corrupt Notions were an hindrance to its courſe. And once more (a little before his Soul departed) his Friends being about him, he ſolemnly recommends himſelf to Chriſt, and repeats the Confeſſion of his Faith; expreſſing great thankfulneſs to God for the Reformation, p. 213and for thoſe that he had uſed as Inſtruments therein.

I am now dying (ſaid he) and diſmiſt as that Servant of God holy Simeon; I alſo being the Servant of God, and Holy; I dye in the Confeſſion of the writings of the Prophets and Holy Apoſtles; and of the Ancient Creeds; and alſo adhering to the Auguſtane Confeſſion; I give thanks to God, That of his Infinite goodneſs he hath diſpell'd the darkneſs, and reſtored to us the Light and Purity of his Goſpel.

At length, in the midſt of his Prayers and earneſt breathings after God, he yielded up his Soul into the hands and boſom of his Redeemer, where he reſts from his Labours, and his works follow him.

p. 214§. 15. Another Inſtance worthy of our Remembrance and imitation, I ſhall give you, in Mr. Matthew Weſenbeck, an eminent Civilian; who after he had run the courſe of an Holy Life, from his firſt Converſion to the fifty fifth year of his Age, departed this Life at Wittenburg, in the year 1586.

The means by which God firſt awakened him to ſeek after and embrace the knowledge of the Truth, was this.

While he was ſtudying the Law at Lovane, it fell out that there was a poor man in the City, who being blind made it his buſineſs to viſit the Sick, and to inſtruct and comfort them as he could with Texts of Scripture, (in which he was well verſed;) in recompence of which pious office, thoſe that p. 215were well diſpoſed, would relieve his Neceſſity with a piece of Bread and Cheeſe: After ſome time, this poor man was accuſed of Hereſie, and committed to Priſon; near this priſon, Weſenbeck with his fellow Students were wont to recreate themſelves with the Ball; on which occaſion they often heard this blind man with a clear voice ſinging the Pſalms of David according to Luthers Metaphraſe; and this Holy exerciſe the good man performed with ſo much Devotion and Affection, as wrought in them a more than ordinary attention to him, although it was not without ſome danger to themſelves; And it pleaſed God ſo to work upon Weſenbeck, by this example of Chriſtian conſtancy and Zeal, together with the matter which he heard, p. 216that thenceforward he began diligently to ſearch the Scriptures, and alſo to read the Writings of thoſe of the Reformed Religion; by which means he became not only fully convinced of the Truth, but alſo received it in the Love thereof, and abode moſt conſtant in the Faith and Practice of it to his dying day; being an eminent example of Zeal and ſtrict Piety in his whole life: He had an extraordinary Affection to the Holy Scriptures, but eſpecially the book of Pſalms and the New Teſtament were moſt dear and delightful to him: And notwithſtanding the neceſſary courſe of his Studyes, and (for ſome time alſo) great Practice in the Law, he uſually ſpent at fit ſeaſons no leſs than five hours in a day in Prayers and retired communion with God; He p. 217was not like many that can …d no leiſure for Religion, …hat is, cannot attend to work …ut their own Salvation: but made Conſcience to ſteer his whole courſe as a man reſol…ed for Heaven: And his Righ…eouſneſs and Charity towards men was not inferior to his Piety towards God; He ever …bhorr'd thoſe Artifices which …re too common with practitioners in the Law; his Candor, …aithfulneſs, and Juſtice in his practice, made his Name precious to all that knew him; And as it pleaſed God to bleſs him with a plentiful Supply of the good things of this world, ſo Religion taught him not to …ruſt in uncertain Riches, but …o be rich in good works; His way was to give a charge …o all his Servants, that they ſhould never turn away the p. 218Poor from his door without relief; And when they ha… not preſently regarded the poor nor liſtened ſo ſoon as they ought to their cry, himſelf would open his Window and throw down Money to them.

Thus did this good man ſpend his Life and his Subſtance in the Fear of God, and working Righteouſneſs; and accordingly his latter end was Peace; for when he lay upon his death Bed he was filled with the Conſolations of God: He woul… often repeat that of the Apoſtle Paul, Rom. 7. O wretche… man that I am, who ſhall deliver me from the Body of this death! I thank God through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord.

And that; 2 Cor. 1. He hath ſealed us, and given the earneſt of his Spirit in our Hearts, by which we cry, Abba, Father.

p. 219Another time with great re…oycing he told thoſe that were with him,

That now God had ſhewn to him a place of Eternal Joy, unto which he ſhould immediately come; and the only thing he deſired, was that his coming thither might be haſtened.

He would often rehearſe divers paſſages out of the Pſalms; as, The Lord is nigh to all that call upon him in Truth: He will fulfill the deſire of them that fear him, he will hear their prayer and ſave them.

And immediately before he gave up the Ghoſt, he profeſſed; That he was in Covenant with the Lord Jeſus Chriſt: which words were his laſt.

§. 16. In theſe experiences we ſee that they which believe p. 220in Chriſt, never dye; i. e. th… never feel the S…ng of death nor fall under its power, but are enabled by the Faith of the Son of God perfectly to vanquiſh … King of Terrors; yea though death aſſail them in his moſt affrighting ſhape, yet is he not able to remove them from their ſtedfaſtneſs, or to abate their Joyes; we have innumerable proofs of this in the End of thoſe Holy Martyrs, who though they have been called to ſeal their Witneſs for God by violent, yea by moſt cruel kinds of death, have notwithſtanding finiſhed their courſe with a moſt Glorious Peace, and rejoycing in the hope of their calling: Howbeit I ſhall not here inſiſt on any of thoſe inſtances; But to let you ſee that death in it's darkeſt dreſs is welcome to a man aſſured p. 221of his Intereſt in Chriſt, and Peace with God, take the ſtory of one Sebaldus Munſter a Civilian, that flouriſhed about the year, 1540. Whom it pleaſed the Lord to viſit with the Plague, of which he dyed at Wittenberg, in a time when a general ſickneſs raged there. This perſon, when ſome of his Friends came to viſit and Comfort him a few hours before his death; he ſhewed to them the Swellings and peſtiferous Ulcers which were broken out in his Hand and Arm; ſaying,

And how do theſe Bracelets and precious Gemms wherewith my Chriſt hath adorned me, pleaſe you?

At which words when they brake forth into Tears, he farther ſaid,

Let not theſe by any means p. 222ſeem loathſome unto you; for with this Wedding-apparel am I going to enjoy that Heavenly Feaſt which I ſhall have with my Chriſt for ever. Thus ſhall I paſs to that everlaſting Council of moſt Excellent and holy Souls; and thus ſhall I be acceptable to God my Redeemer.

Thus triumphing and full of Joy did he leave the World, having got a clear ſight of a better, that is an Heavenly Countrey. And though to dye of the Plague may ſeem to Sence very diſmal, yet as Auſtin hath well obſerved; lib. 1. de Civitate Dei: cap. 11. Mala mors putanda non eſt, quam bona vita praeceſſerit, &c: i. e. No kind of Death is to be eſteemed evil, which hath been preceded by a good Life: for nothing makes Death evil, p. 223but that which follows Death: Therefore they that of neceſſity muſt dye once, need not be Thoughtful by what accident they may come to dye, but rather whither they muſt go when they dye. 'Tis an excellent ſaying of the Author of the Book of Wiſdom: chap. 4. 7. The Righteous man though prevented by Death, ſhall be in reſt. The moſt terrible or ſuddain ſtroke can make no breach upon his happineſs to whom to live is Chriſt, and to dye is gain. They are alwaies ſafe that have made their Calling and Election ſure; and on the contrary, ſuch are alwayes in danger that live without God in the World. I Remember upon occaſion of that paſſage before cited from the Book of Wiſdom, Mr. Forbs in his Inſtr. Hiſtor. Theolog. p. 224makes mention of a very memorable Story of a pious and learned man that dyed ſuddainly in his Study; and when ſome were ſcandalized at it, raſhly interpreting this Providence as a Teſtimony of Gods diſpleaſure againſt him; it ſo fell out by the wiſe and Gracious ordering of God (for their Conviction and a teſtimony to his ſervant) that he was found ſitting with a Book open before him, and his finger pointed to theſe words, Juſtus quâcunque morte preoccupatus fuerit, in refrigerio erit. i. e. By what Death ſoever the Righteous man is prevented, he ſhall be in reſt.

§. 17. Theſe things may ſuffice as to my preſent deſign; And therefore I will cloſe all, with the Addition of but one Story more, which for the remarkable p. 225circumſtances of it, may be neither unprofitable nor ungrateful to thoſe Readers which have not acceſs to it in the Latin tongue, for whoſe accommodation and ſervice the whole of this little Tract is intended. The Story I intend, is related by the excellent Dr. Rivet, in an Epiſtle written not long before his Death to his Brother, De bonâ Senectute: Of a good Old Age: And it is this:

Jacobus Faber a great reſtorer both of Polite Learning and Religion in France, being a moſt Faithful and eminent Miniſter of the Goſpel there, did in a time of very hot Perſecution Flye with others; and for his ſecurity retired to Albret in Gaſcoign to the Queen of Navarre, a zealous Profeſſor and Protectreſs of the Reformed p. 226Religion, with whom he was in Great eſteem: On a certain day the Queen did advertiſe him, That ſhe purpoſed to come and dine at his Houſe; and in order thereto invited ſome Learned men with whoſe Conference ſhe was much pleaſed, to accompany her there. While they were at Dinner, Faber began to be exceeding ſad, and now and then to break out into tears. At which the Queen complained, and deſired him to tell the cauſe of ſuch heavineſs, when ſhe was come to dine and be merry with him: At laſt he anſwered,

And how can I (moſt Serene Queen) be chearful my ſelf, or make others chearful, who am the moſt wicked man that the Earth bears.

And what wickedneſs ſo great (ſaith ſhe) can you be guilty of, p. 227who from your Youth have been eſteemed to lead ſo holy a Life.

I am (ſaid he) now of the age of an hundred and one years, and am free from the touch of any Woman in all this time; neither do I remember ought that burthens my Conſcience, or ſhould make me afraid to leave the World, except one ſin, which I believe too is pardonable.

And when ſhe preſſed him to declare what it was, he could not ſpeak a while for the abundance of tears; but at length ſaid:

How can I ſtand before the Tribunal of God, who have purely and ſincerely taught many the Holy Goſpel of the Son of God, who following my Doctrine have conſtantly endured a thouſand torments, and death it p. 228ſelf; when I my ſelf an unconſtant Teacher, did flee? and tho' I had lived long enough, and ſhould not have feared Death, but rather coveted it, yet I withdrew my ſelf, and cowardly tranſgreſſed the Command of my God.

Whereupon the Queen (as ſhe was very eloquent, and full of Divine Sayings) diſcourſed largely to him, and did by many Examples ſhew, that the ſame thing had happened to many Good and Holy men who were now in the Kingdom of God; and therefore he ought not in any wiſe to deſpair of the Goodneſs and Mercy of God towards him. And many things to the ſame purpoſe were added by others preſent.

Upon which he was comforted, p. 229and became chearful again; but ſaid,

Now therefore nothing remains, but that I go from hence to God, as ſoon as I have made my Will; I have that Impreſsion, that I muſt deferre no longer, for I perceive God calls me.

Then fixing his eyes on the Queen; Madam (ſaid he) I appoint you my Heir; and to your Preacher Mr. Gerard I bequeath all my Books; my Cloaths, and whatſoever elſe I have, I give to the Poor. Other things I commend to God.

At this the Queen ſmiling, asked, What then ſhall I have James out of the Inheritance? The care (ſaid he) of diſtributing this to the Poor.

p. 230It is well, (ſaid ſhe) I ſolemnly profeſs, this Legacy is more acceptable to me, than if the King of France my Brother had named me his Heir.

After this his Countenance was chearfull; and he ſaid; O Queen, I have need of ſome Reſt; Be ye chearful, and in the mean time Farewel. So he left them at Table, and laid him down upon a Bed that was near, where as they thought, he lay ſleeping, but was indeed fallen aſleep in the Lord, without the leaſt ſign of any previous diſtemper; for when they went to awake him they found him dead, to their great admiration. Such was the end of this Holy man; which as Rivet obſerves, leaves to us an p. 231Example of the Mercy of God …o this his Servant, in awaken…ng ſuch a Gracious ſence of …is former weakneſs in him, and applying his Pardoning Grace in Chriſt to him before he was called hence; and alſo a ſerious Warning unto all, to get their Accounts for another World cleared before they come to dye; That being well aſſured of the Favour of God in Chriſt, and of the Soundneſs of their Faith and Repentance, they may expect their Change in Peace: Conſcience is a tender thing, and what we count but ſmall while we live, may make a Dying-bed very uneaſie to us; And therefore as we tender our own Peace and Comfort when we come to Dye, it moſt nearly concerns us to p. 232be Serious while we Live, and as the Apoſtle ſaith, To walk circumſpectly, not as Fools, Epheſ. 5. 15, 16.Eph 5:15Eph 5:16but as Wiſe; Redeeming the Time, becauſe the Dayes are evil.

FINIS.