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. [Page 2] 8. (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 [Page 3] tenderness 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 [Page 4] him 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: [Page 5] for 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 [Page 6] Motion, 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 [Page 7] eminent 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 [Page 8] instant 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 [Page 9] understood 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 [Page 10] given 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 [Page 11] letters 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 [Page 12] nothing 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 [Page 13] upon 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, [Page 14] that 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.

[Page 15]Though 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 [Page 16] and 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 [Page 17] and 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 [Page 18] not 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 [Page 19] Son 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. when 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 [Page 20] able, 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 [Page 21] Towne 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 [Page 22] say, 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.

[Page 23]Take 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 [Page 24] a 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 [Page 25] in 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 [Page 26] this; 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 [Page 27] ordered 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 [Page 28] him, 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) [Page 29] he 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 [Page 30] to 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, [Page 31] how 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 [Page 32] each 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 [Page 33] abovesaid, 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 [Page 34] condition 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 [Page 35] Eternal 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 [Page 36] Samuel. 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.

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 [...] [Page 40] continued 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 [Page 41] to 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 [Page 42] for 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 [Page 43] broken.— 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.

[Page 44]For 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, [Page 45] unless 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.

[Page 46]And 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 [Page 47] with 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 [Page 48] designing 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 [Page 49] gave 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, [Page 50] the 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 [Page 51] have 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 [Page 52] transmit 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. [Page 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 [Page 54] work; 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 [Page 55] from 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 [Page 56] being 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, [Page 57] and 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 [Page 58] towards 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. [Page 59] yet 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, [Page 60] omne 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 [Page 61] speak 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 [Page 62] first 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 [Page 63] can 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 [Page 64] an 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 [Page 65] Scriptures 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 [Page 66] Letters 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 [Page 67] with 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; [Page 68] that 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 [Page 69] worth 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 [Page 70] was 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 [Page 71] great 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 [Page 72] Prayer 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 [Page 73] after 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 [Page 74] Journeyings 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 [Page 75] usual 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 [Page 76] substance 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 [Page 77] a 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 [Page 78] in 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, [Page 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, [Page 80] wherein 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 [Page 81] may 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 [Page 82] in 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.

[Page 83]He 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 [Page 84] and 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 [Page 85] in 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 [Page 86] to 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. [Page 87] And 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, [Page 88] what 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 [Page 89] serious 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 [Page 90] warmed, 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.

[Page 91]In 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, [Page 92] and 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.

[Page 93]For 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 [Page 94] out 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 [Page 95] his 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 [Page 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.