that crowns the work, and a good death honoureth a man's whole life. The fading corruption and loss of this life, is the passage into a better. Death is no less essential to us, than to live or to be born. In flying death, thou fliest thyself. It is no small reproach to a Christian, whose faith is in immortality, and the blessedness of another life, to fear death much, which is the necessary passage thereunto." and easy to quiet our minds, and direct us concerning our future being. I confess to God and you, I have been a great neglecter, and I fear despiser of it; God of his infinite mercy pardon me the dreadful fault. But when I retired myself from the noise and deceitful vanity of the world, I found no true comfort in any other resolution, than what I had from thence. I commend, from the bottom of my heart, the same to your, I hope, happy use. Dear Hugh, let us be more generous than to believe we die as the beasts that perish; but with a Christian, manly, brave resolution, look to what is eternal. I will not trouble you farther. The only great and holy God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, direct you to an happy end of your life, and send us a joy-it may be fit that I should say, he was a man ful resurrection. "So prays your true friend, "MARLBOROUGH." 30. ABRAHAM COWLEY, to name whom, is enough with the men of wit of our time and nation, speaks not less in favour of the tempe rance and solitude so much laboured for in the preceding discourse. Yet that his judg ment may have the more force with the reader, of a sweet and singular wit, great learning and an even judgment; who had known what cities, universities and courts could afford; and that not only at home, but in divers nations abroad. Wearied with the world, he broke through all the entanglements of it; and, which was hardest, great friendship and a perpetual praise; and retired to a solitary cottage near Barn-Elms, where his garden was his pleasure, and he his own gardener. He gives us this following doctrine of retirement, which may serve for an account how well he was pleased in his change. "The first work, saith he, that a man must do to make himself capable of the good of solitude, is the very eradication of all lusts; for how is it possible for a man to enjoy himself, while his affections are tied to things without himself. The first minister of state hath not so much business in public, as a wise man hath in private. If the one have little leisure to be alone, the other hath less leisure to be in com 29. The late Sir HENRY VANE must be too fresh in memory to need a character; but it is certain his parts were of the first order, and superior to the generality of men; yet he would often say, "He owed them to religion." In his youth he was much addicted to company, and promised little to business; but in reading a book called "The Signs of a Godly Man," and being convicted in himself that they were just, but that he had no share in any one of them, he fell into such extreme anguish and horror, that for some days and nights he took little food or rest; which at once dissolved his old friendships, and made those impressions and resolutions to religion, which neither university, courts, princes nor parents, nor any losses or disappointments, that threatened his new course of life, could weaken or alter. And though this laid him under some disad-pany; the one hath but part of the affairs of vantages for a time, his great integrity and abilities quickly broke through that obscurity; so that those of very differing sentiments did not only admire him, but very often desired him to accept the most eminent negotiations of his country; which he served according to his own principles, with great success, and a remarkable self-denial. This great man's maxim was, 66 Religion was the best master, and the best friend; for it made men wise, and would never leave them who never left it ;" which he found true in himself: For as it made him wiser than those who had been his teachers, so it made him firmer than any hero, having something more than nature to support him, which was the judgment as well of foreigners as others, who had the curiosity to see him die; making good some meditations of his own, viz. "The day of death is the judge of all our other days; the very trial and touchstone of the actions of our life. It is the end one nation, the other all the works of God and nature under his consideration. There is no saying shocks me so much, as that which I hear very often, 'That a man doth not know how to pass his time.' It would have been but ill spoken of Methuselah, in the nine hundred sixty-ninth year of his life. But that is not to deceive the world, but to deceive ourselves, as Quintilian saith, Vitam fallere, To draw on still, and amuse and deceive our life, till it be advanced insensibly to the fatal period, and fall into that pit which nature hath prepared for it. The meaning of all this is no more, than that most vulgar saying, 'Bene qui latuit, bene vixit' He hath lived well, who hath lain well hidden. Which, if it be a truth, the world is sufficiently deceived: For my part, I think it is; and that the pleasantest condition in life is in incognito. What a brave privilege is it, to be free from all contentions, from all envying, or being envied, from re If thou the goodness of thy clothes dost prize . I should at thee too, foolish city, Let but thy wicked men from out thee go, Even thou who dost thy millions boast, I shall conclude him with this prayer of his own. ceiving and from paying all kind of ceremonies. We are here among the vast and noble scenes of nature; we are there among the pitiful shifts of policy; we walk here in the light and open ways of the divine bounty; we grope there in the dark and confused labyrinths of human malice; our senses are here feasted with the clear and genuine taste of their objects; which are all sophisticated there; and, for the most part, overwhelmed with their contraries. Here pleasure looks, methinks, like a beautiful, constant and modest wife; it is there an impudent, fickle and painted harlot. Here is harmless and cheap plenty; there, guilty and expensive luxury. The antiquity of this art is certainly not to be contested by any other. The three first men in the world were a gardener, a ploughman and a grazier : and if any man object, that the second of these was a murderer; I desire he would consider, that as soon as he was so, he quitted our profession, and turned builder. It is for this reason, I suppose, that the son of Sirach forbids us to hate husbandry; because, saith he, the Most High hath created it. We were all born to this art, and taught by nature to nourish our bodies by the same earth out of which they were made, and to which they must return, and pay at last for their sustenance. Behold the original and primitive no-rior to nobody in wit, and hardly any body bility of all those great persons, who are too proud now not only to till the ground, but almost to tread upon it. We may talk what we please of lilies and lions rampant, and spread eagles in fields d'or, or d'argent; but if heraldry were guided by reason, a plough in a field arable would be the most noble and ancient arms." 'Blest be the man, and blest is he, whome'er, -Ah wretched, and too solitary, he For the few hours of life allotted me, Here ends the wit, the praise, the learning, the city, the court, with Abraham Cowley, that once knew and had them all. 31. The late earl of ROCHESTER was infe ever used it worse, if we believe him against himself, in his dying reflections; an account of which I have had from some who visited him in his sickness, besides that larger one made public by the present bishop of Salisbury. It was then that he came to think there was a God, for he felt his lashes on his conscience; and that there was such a thing as virtue, and a reward for it. Christianity was no longer a worldly or absurd design; but Christ a Saviour, and a most merciful One; and his doctrines plain, just and reasonable, and the true way to felicity here and hereafter-admiring and adoring that mercy to him, which he had treated with so much infidelity and obstinate contempt-wishing only for more life to confute his past one, and in some measure to repair the injuries he had done to religion by it-begging forgiveness for Christ's sake, though he thought himself the most unworthy of it for his own. Thus died that witty lord Rochester; and this retreat he made from the Out of Martial he gives us this following world he had so great a name in. May the epigram, which he makes his by translation loose wits of the times, as he desired, take and choice, to tell his own solitude: I place it | warning by him, and not leave their repent here as his. Would you be free? 'Tis your chief wish you say: stow: ance to a dying-bed. 32. A noble young man of the family of HOWARD, having too much yielded to the temptations of youth, when upon his sick-bed, which proved his dying-bed, fell under the power and agony of great convictions, might ily bewailing himself in the remembrance of was too great an honour for him, that he his former extravagancies; crying strongly to God to forgive him, abhorring his former course, and promising amendment, if God renewed life to him. However he was willing to die, having tasted of the love and forgiveness of God; warning his acquaintance and kindred who came to see him, to fear God, and forsake the pleasures and vanity of this world; and so willingly yielded his soul from the troubles of time, and frailties of mortality. liberty of discoursing us, that they might the more freely put what questions of conscience they desired to be satisfied in; for they were religious; suffering both them, and the poor should have a visitant of her quality come under his roof, who was allied to so many great kings and princes of this world;" she humbly answered, "If they were godly, as well as great, it would be an honour indeed; but if you knew what that greatness was, as well as I, you would value less that honour." Being in some agony of spirit, after a reli gious meeting we had in her own chamber, she said, "It is an hard thing to be faithful to what one knows. Oh, the way is strait! I am 33. The late princess ELIZABETH of the afraid I am not weighty enough in my spirit Rhine, of right claims a memorial in this dis- to walk in it." After another meeting, she course; her virtue giving greater lustre to her uttered these words; "I have records in my name than her quality, which yet was of the library, that the Gospel was first brought out greatest in the German empire. She chose a of England hither into Germany by the Engsingle life, as being most free of care, and best | lish, and now it is come again." She once suited to the study and meditation she was withdrew, on purpose to give her servants the always inclined to; and the chief diversion she took, next the air, was in some such plain and housewifely entertainment, as knitting, &c. She had a small territory, which she governed so well, that she showed herself fit for a greater.est of her town, to sit by her, in her own bedShe would constantly, every last-day in the week, sit in judgment, and hear and determine causes herself; where her patience, justice and mercy were admirable; frequently remitting her forfeitures, where the party was poor, or otherwise meritorious. And, which was excellent, though unusual, she would temper her discourses with religion, and draw concerned parties to submission and agreement; exercising not so much the rigour of her power, as the force of her persuasion. Her meekness and humility appeared to me extraordinary. She never considered the quality, but the merit of the people she entertained. Did she hear of "a retired man, hid from the world, and seeking after the knowledge of a better," she was sure to set him down in the catalogue of her charity, if he wanted it. I have casually seen, I believe, fifty tokens sealed and superscribed to the several poor subjects of her bounty, whose distances would not suffer them to know one another; though they knew her, whom yet some of them had never seen. Thus, though she kept "no sumptuous table in her own court, she spread the tables of the poor in their solitary cells; breaking bread to virtuous pilgrims, according to their want, and her ability; abstemious in herself, and in apparel void of all vain ornaments." chamber, where we had two meetings. I cannot forget her last words, when I took my leave of her: "Let me desire you to remember me, though I live at this distance, and you should never see me more. I thank you for this good time; and know and be assured, though my condition subjects me to divers temptations, yet my soul hath strong desires after the best things." She lived her single life till about sixty years of age, and then de parted at her own house in Herwerden, which was about two years since; as much la mented, as she had lived beloved of the people: to whose real worth, I do, with religious gratitude for her kind reception, dedicate this memorial. 34. BULSTRODE WHITLOCK has left his own character in his "Memorials of English af fairs;" a book that shows both his employ ments and greater abilities. He was almost ever a commissioner and companion with those great men, whom the lords and commons of England, at several times, appointed to treat with king Charles I. for peace. He was com missioner of the great seal, ambassador to the crown of Sweden, and sometimes president of the council: a scholar, a lawyer, a statesman; in short, he was one of the most accomplished men of the age. Being with him sometime at his own house in Berkshire, where he gave me that account I have related of chancellor Oxcistern, amongst many serious things he spoke, this was very observable. "I ever have thought, said he, there has I must needs say, her mind had a noble prospect. Her eye was to a better and more lasting inheritance than can be found below; which made her often despise the greatness of courts, and learning of the schools, of which she was an extraordinary judge. Being once at Hamburgh, a religious person, whom she went to see for religion's sake, telling her "Itserted in a second edition of this treatise, an. 1682. *She died in 1680. And this passage was in themselves after the manner of the world; for that the Lord Jesus, whom she had seen, appeared to her in the likeness of a PLAIN COUNTRY MAN, without any trimming or ornament whatever; and that his servants ought to be like him." been one true religion in the world; and that his face towards her, and reached forth his is the work of the spirit of God in the hearts hand, and received her request: at which her and souls of men. There have been indeed troubled soul found immediate consolation." divers forms and shapes of things, through Turning to those about her, she repeated what the many dispensations of God to men, an- had befallen her; adding, "Bring me my new swerable to his own wise ends, in reference to clothes; take off the lace and finery ;" and the low and uncertain state of man in the charged her relations, "Not to deck and adorn world; but the old world had the spirit of God, for it strove with them; and the new world has had the spirit of God, both Jew and Gentile, and it strives with all; and they that have been led by it, have been the good people in every dispensation of God to the world. And I myself must say, I have felt it from a 36. My own FATHER, after thirty years child to convince me of my evil and vanity; employment, with good success, in divers and it has often given me a true measure of places of eminent trust and honour in his own this poor world, and some taste of divine country; upon a serious reflection not long things; and it is my grief I did not more before his death, spoke to me in this manner, early apply my soul to it. For I can say," Son William, I am weary of the world; I since my retirement from the greatness and hurries of the world, I have felt something of the work and comfort of it, and that it is both ready and able to instruct, and lead, and preserve those who will humbly and sincerely hearken to it. So that my religion is the good spirit of God in my heart; I mean, what that has wrought in me and for me." After a meeting at his house, to which he gave an entire liberty for all that pleased to come, he was so deeply affected with the testimony of the light, spirit, and grace of Christ in man, as the Gospel dispensation, that after the meeting closed in prayer, he rose up, and pulled off his hat, and said, "This is the everlasting Gospel I have heard this day; and I humbly bless the name of God, that he has let me live to see this day, in which the ancient Gospel is again preached to them that dwell upon the earth." would not live over my days again, if I could command them with a wish; for the snares of life are greater than the fears of death. This troubles me, that I have offended a gracious God, who has followed me to this day. O have a care of sin! That is the sting both of life and death. Three things I commend to you: First, Let nothing in this world tempt you to wrong your conscience; I charge you, do nothing against your conscience; so will you keep peace at home, which will be a feast to you in a day of trouble. Secondly, Whatever you design to do, lay it justly, and time it seasonably; for that gives security and dispatch. Lastly, Be not troubled at disappointments; for if they may be recovered, do it; if they cannot, trouble is vain. If you could not have helped it, be content; there is often peace and profit in submitting to Providence: for afflictions make wise. If you could have 35. A sister of the family of PENN, of helped it, let not your trouble exceed instrucPenn, in Buckinghamshire, a young woman tion for another time. These rules will carry delighting in the finery and pleasures of the you with firmness and comfort through this world, was seized with a violent illness which inconstant world." At another time he inproved mortal to her. In the time of her veighed against the profaneness and impiety sickness she fell into great distress of soul, of the age; often crying out, with an earnestbitterly bewailing the want of that inward ness of spirit, "Wo to thee O England! God peace which makes a death-bed easy to the will judge thee O England! Plagues are at righteous. After several days languishing, a thy door, O England!" He much bewailed, little consolation appeared after this manner. that divers men in power, and many of the She was some hours in a kind of trance; in nobility and gentry of the kingdom, were which she apprehended she was brought into grown so dissolute and profane; often saying, a place where Christ was; to whom if she "God has forsaken us; we are infatuated; we could deliver her petition, she hoped to be re- will not see our true interests and happiness; lieved. But her endeavours increased her we shall be destroyed!" Apprehending the pain; for as she pressed to deliver it, "He consequences of the growing looseness of the turned his back upon her," and would not so age to be our ruin; and that the methods most much as look towards her. What added to fit to serve the kingdom with true credit at her sorrow, was, "That she beheld others ad- home and abroad, were too much neglected; mitted." However, she gave not over impor- the trouble of which did not a little help to tuning him; and when almost ready to faint, feed his distemper, which drew him daily and her hope to sink, "he turned one side of nearer to his end: and as he believed it, so less NO CROSS NO CROWN and the sweetness of a retired and life, notwithstanding the honours an ANYONE Or bevén laver saw him at launch and with a sense of the vanity 's what this clarosani (omments that waited for him, abandone HEV DENY DOMINATO zaxon Worthe ily bewailing himself in th 33. The lat and hor She he so wel She week caus me' he ot с pride and pomp of the world, to enjoy! Los vertims day file of more communion with God. Do bi Pez Hat & vouching and dry to your/hear him: "I avow, saith he, that I have C pewa hing we will cake an end of relish in anything, where I find not Jesus Christ. And for a soul that speaks not d him, or in which we cannot taste any effect all; of grace flowing from his spirit, which is the principle of operations, both inward and out living could yield. But some time before his the world, for those unseasonable as well as known and wholly hid from men, but most those many superfluities, and those many 3. TO LOWTHER of Mask; a per- ward, that are solidly Christian, speak not to son of good sense, of a sweet temper, a just me at all of such an one. Could 1, as I may mind, and of a sober education; when of age say, behold both miracles and wonders there, to be under his own government, was drawn and yet not Jesus Christ, nor hear any talk d by the men of pleasure of the town into the him, I count all but amusement of spirit, loss usual freedoms of it, and was as much a judge of time, and a very dangerous precipice. Let as any body, of the satisfaction that way of us encourage ourselves to lead this life un would frequently upbraid himself, and contemn ourselves, and chasing out of our minds all sickness, with a free and strong judgment, he known to, and intimate with God; divesting unchristian liberties, which so much abound amusements, which bring with them so great the instruction of a long and sharp sickness. stead of God. When I consider that which He would often despise their folly, and abhor thwarts this holy, this sweet and amiable their guilt: breathing, with some impatience, union, which we should have continually with best company; losing as little time as he could, madame, a compliment or chatting, indeed a after the knowledge of the best things, and the God, it appears, that it is only a monsieur, a testifying often, with a lively relish, to the ravish and wrest from us the time that is so that he might redeem the time he had lost; mere foolery; which, notwithstanding, doth testifvit religion, from the sense he had of it precious, and the fellowship that is so boy truths own breast: frequently professing, "he and so desirable. Let us quit this, I pray comparable to that of being as-you, and learn to court it with our own knew no in it; and this apprehension joy was increased by a damage, that they take up our minds, in sured of the love and mercy of God." As he master. Let us well understand our part, sure implored these with strong convictions, our own world, as we here phrase it; not that and deep humility and reverence, so he had world, I mean which we do renounce, but that frequently tastes thereof before his last period; wherein the children of God do their duties to pressing and one his relations and friends, in a most their Father. There is nothing in this world serious and affectionate manner, to "love God so separate from the world, as God; and the another more, and this vile world greater the saints are, the greater is their reless." Of this he was so full, that it was tirement into Him. almost ever the conclusion of his discourses with his family. Though he sometimes said, "he could have been willing to have lived, if God had pleased, to see his younger children nearer a settlement in the world; yet he felt no desire to live longer in the world, but on the terms of living better in it:" for he did not only think virtue the safest, but the happiest way of living: commending and commanding it to his children upon his last bless This our Saviour taught us, whilst he lived on earth, being in all his visible employments united to God, and retired into the bosom of his Father. Since the time that I gave up my liberty to God, as I told you, I was given to understand, to what a state the soul must be brought, to render it capable of union with Him: I saw removed all exterior things, kingdoms, great offices, stately buildings, rich household-stuff, gold and silver, recreations, pleasures; all which are great incumbrances to the soul's passing I shall conclude this chapter of retired, on to God; of which therefore his pleasure is, aged and dying persons, with some collec- that she be stripped, that she may arrive at tions I have made out of the life of a person the point of nakedness and death, which will of great piety and quality of the French bring her into possession of solid riches and real life. Assure yourself, there is no security 38. DU RENTI, a young nobleman of in any estate, but this of dying; which is, to France, of admirable parts, as well as great be baptized into Christ's death,' that we live ing. nation. |