272 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. author, whether Mr. Hieron was the author of them.* He was particularly intimate with some ofthe most celebrated puritans, especially Dr. Lawrence Chadderton, to whom he dedicated some ofhis works. Though Mr. Hieron was a minister, ofmost eminent piety and usefulness ; yet, during the greatest part of his last sickness, which continued about a month, his mind was under a cloud, and very uncomfortable. For the most part, he remained altogether silent, oftentimesnot answering any question that was proposed to him, and sometimes he wept most bitterly. A brother minister addressing him, with a view to administer comfort to his troubled mind, he said, " There is a great mist betwixt me and the happiness I have looked after. I have judged partiallyof my own state, and thought better of myself than I deserved.' He could not then be prevailed upon to speak any more. About four days before he died, he began to revive, and speak in a more comfortable strain, declaring his great peace and abundant consolation. To a friend who asked' him how he did, he said, " A very weak man." When it was recommended that, though lie was weak in body, he should labour to be strong in the spirit, he replied, " I thank God, I have laboured, and do labour, and I find my labour is not in vain. I have many things to speak that way, but now I want a tongue to utter them ; yet something I must speak : I would not have it thought that, my death is hopeless ; for though I have lain all this time silent, as you have seen, yet my thoughts have been engaged about matters of great consequence ; and now, I thank my God, my soul is full of comfort. I do verily believe I shall see the light of the Lord, in the land of the living. But what am I, or what is my father's house, that Godshould deal so graciously with my soul ? He hath called me unto a state of grace ' fitted me inmy education for the ministry of the word; brought me in his appointed time to the practice thereof; given me some reputation in it ; and blessed my labours in some measure unto his people. He bath not dealt thus with every one ; no not of his own chosen. I speak not boastingly, but comfortably ; not to extol myself, but to magnify the goodness of my God. I know whom I have professed, whom I have preached, whom I have believed, and now I see heaven open to receive me. I am freed from all care, except for my people. I wish, if God MS. Account of Mr. Micron. 111
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