Featly et. Al. - BV4275 T47 1672

Cods Efleein ofthe Death ofhis Saints. 249 4. His exemplaryvenues in his whole courfe of life.. 1; Hes meeknefs, andpeaceablenefsof delpoftion; A grace which in the fight of god is much fit by, and a notable tefrimony of inward holinefs, according as it.rtms, !' 3am.3.17. pure, then peaceable. He wasnot apt to quarrel in inattersthat concerned liim not, never being obferved to bear a part in any faEtion; a favourable interpre- ter of thins not evident, readier to reconcile, than tomake differences,and (hoof- ing rather topart with his right than with peace, as appeared in a fait knownunto many here. z. Thoughhe were meek in his own caufe,yet be was zealous in Gods. Hecould not endure any thing repugnant to holy Scripture; nor would- he negleEt, either feat nably to admonifh, or reprove the faulty that were within the compafs ofhis admonition, or rowhet on, and exhort others to love andgoodworks. 3. Yet his did nggt mifcarry, being allayed and tempered with wifdome, as the heart is by the brain, MC as the conceit is of the Primummobile, with the Chry- fialline heaven neer ir. His wifdome appeared, fir4, in his difcreetnefs, in his un. dcrtakings, and all affairs, an argument of which fume take to be this; That he was never troubled, not fo much as queftioned in êt any Court concerning hqy fa. Second, in his obferving a (itfeafon, when, and a fit decorum in (peaking. Third in 1 his choyce ofcompany, and fpecially offuch acquaintance as hewould be neer vvith and intimate,vvhich vvere only filchas might be able to affordhim fpiritual Affiance in a time of need. 4. His freenefs from worldlirtefs, and contentednefs with his. elate, not as thofe. in Horace, Qocunyue modo rem; but hevvould not improve his eftateby the railing it ( as haply he might have done,and as others do ) uponhis tenants. Hc+counted himfelf rich, becaufe he needednot all that he had, but could have lived vvith lefs for, he that con make a little to behis meafure , all elfe that he bath is his treafure, vvhich vvas the obfervation of a good Poet , but a better and a more mortified Divine. 5. His humility, and even among the very temptations 'to pride. It is an hard thing to be humble in an humble and levy eftate, but much more difficultin the af- fluence ofoutward things. Youknovv his kindred and his relatibns,yet as hema- nifefted this grace in his vvhole carriage, fo in particular innot beingpuffed vvith his brothers. and fitters grcatnefs, or the advancementofhis children. 6. Hisdiligence in the aleofthe means ofgrace ; r. He hadaright conceit ofSer- mons,moftrelithing,fnch as were moft vvholfome andufeful for edification. z. He took pains;to hear. He vvas often knovvn in his younger time, to go ten mileson foot,in thofe timesofgreater fcárcity. ;. His behaviourin the Church in the time of prayer, and in hearing, vvas very obfervable, for his reverend attendance and devotion. - 7. His anfoerablepraElice, fitted and proportionable to his exterior profelfion r. He was much in private prayer. - If you vvould have a tryalof fincerity, follovv a manhome, and to hisdofee, and feevvhat he doth vvithindoors; for there may be many refpeas that may fet a man on vvork carompopulo.Secret prayer ifitbe con- fiant, cannot lodg long vvith hypocrific in the fame heart. z. He war often, as they fay , in fecret falling by bimfelfalone ; a Duty not only lamentably negle6ted in thefe lazie times ofeafie Chriffianity, but ill fpokenof too,as a charaaer of a Pha. rife, byfuchas are loath tobeat the pains of fubduing their bodies, and yet are de- firous tocome offvvith the credit and reputation of religion. 3. He was temperate in hisdiet, and in his habitfober andgrave, as counting vvifdome andgrace, a better, and trimmer drefsthan Lace,or the fafhion ; and fo he vvas in his recreations,though conftantly chearful, yet a man of little mirth or delight in any thing but fpiritual. 4. Be was full of charity, vvhich appeared in thefe particulars. r. Alvvayes upon the Lordsday hehad fix poor atdinner,to every one of vvhich he gavea piece ofbeef avvay Withthem befides, and atnighthe fentvvhat vvas left to other poor ; Betides; what hegave at his door, and what he gaveprivately to the poor hotel-holdoffaith.' a. His hofpitality according to his rank, was fuch as Peter Martyr reportedof t Lartinßtecer, whole table mu ever open toanygood people, efpecially to Minifters, K k whom -v----

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=