The Life and Death of M. Ignatius Jurdain one of the Aldermen of the City of Exeter, who died July 15th Anno Domini 1640.
THe memory of the juſt is bleſſed, ſaith wiſe Solomon Prov. 10.(a)(a)Prov. 10.7. he leaves a ſweet memorial behind him, though, whileſt he lived, he was vilified and defamed, and loaden with reproaches, yet when he is departed this life, his name is as a ſweet and precious Oyntment, even unto thoſe that formerly could take up his name as a Proverbe of reproach, but eſpecially to thoſe that honoured him in life and death.
His memorial is bleſſed.This Eminent Saint, this holy and juſt Man is a Real proof of that doctrinal Aſſertion of Solomon; his memoral is bleſſed, and they that in his life time undervalued him, do now (or ſeem at leaſt to) make an Honourable mention of him; but he now lives with much honour in the hearts of thoſe that ſaw and acknowledged that true worth which was in him, when he was deſpiſed by the men of the World; but there may a generation ariſe which knew him not, and that which hath been received by tradition may be forgotten. That therefore his name may live, when others, that maligned him, dye, or their names rot,2 and that he may be a pattern of Piety and Charity to ſucceeding generations, it hath been thought fit to commit to writing, and to publiſh to the world thoſe ſingular graces, and memorable acts that did ſhine forth in him both living and dying; And it is not unworthy our obſervation, that God ſtirred up the ſpirits of divers well affected Chriſtians about one and the ſame time, to deſire the publiſhing of the Life of this renowned Worthy of the Lord, whom ſome may Envy, and others Emulate, but few are found that in all things do or can imitate.
The place of his Birth.Ignatius Jurdain was born at Lyme-Regis in the County of Dorſet, (that little Town ſo famous for the long Siege by the Kings forces, and for repelling the moſt furious aſſaults of thoſe that beleaguered it,) and it may add to the fame of it, that this man was born in her;bbPſal. 87.5. As it was an honour to be born in Zion, ſo it was an honour to Lyme that he was born there. He was ſent by his Friends to Exeter when he was young, where he was to be brought up in the profeſſion of a Merchant; and being ſent to the Ile of Garnſey about the age of fifteen years, God, who by his providence brought him to that Place, did by his Grace effectually call and Convert him; So that for after time he reſolved to be like that wiſe Merchant in the Goſpel,ccMath. 13.46. to part with all for that Pearl of great Price, when many others did make it their great work and their higheſt deſign, to get the pelfe of the World, and to load themſelves with thick clay d. ddHab. 2.6.And in teſtimony of his thankfulneſſe to God, he left by Will a conſiderable Legacy to the Poor of Lyme, where he was born, and to the Poor of Garnſey where he was New-born.
His Converſion in his younger years.God ſeaſoning his heart with Grace in his younger years, the General courſe of his life did for the future relliſh of it, as wiſe Solomon hath obſervedeeProv. 22.6. Quo ſemel eſt imbuta recens Horat. Quintil: Jnſtit: Or at. l. 1. c. 1. His Private Life. Prov. 22. in the general, and in him we have a particular and approved inſtance. As he was trained up in Religion from his youth, ſo he continued, not only in the form and profeſſion, but in the Life and power of it, untill his old age, and death.
What was more ſpecially worthy obſervation in his private courſe, before the time of ſhewing himſelf in his publick Office of Magiſtracy, I cannot give any certain account, it being ſo long ſince; and there being but few living, that either did obſerve his holy converſation, or that are able and willing3 to give deſerved teſtimony to it; Few things are recorded of John (Baptiſt untill the day of his ſhewing unto Iſrael, viz. in his publick Miniſtery, Luke. 1. (f)(f)Luke 1.80. 〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Spanh. Dub. Eu. T. 2. Dub. 100. And but little of our bleſſed Saviour himſelf until the time of his publick miniſtery. And therefore it is the more excuſable, if the former part of his life be paſſed over, and we come to the time when he was Magiſtrate, and the chiefeſt Magiſtrate, the Major of the City; I know not whether the City did more honour him in chuſing him to be Major, or he the City in his zealous and faithful diſcharge of his office and publick truſt.
His Publike life in his Magiſtracy.But I intend to limit my relation to his Acts and doings as a Magiſtrate (yet therein he was moſt exemplary to all that ſucceeded in that place of dignity, or the like in any other City or Corporation) but ſhall declare that which hath been partly obſerved and teſtified by men of known Fidelity**Teſtes fide digni. and Integrity, and partly noted by mine own experience and obſervation; which that I may the more diſtinctly record, I ſhall refer all to three heads, his Piety, Juſtice and Charity, ſhewing how he honoured God therein; and then how God honoured & preſerved him, when he was about his work.
1. To begin with his Piety, wherein he was moſt eminent; there have been few men obſerved to walk ſo with God as Enoch. 1. His Piety.Gen. 9.5. and before him, as it was enjoined to Abraham, Gen 17. and to hold ſo conſtant and cloſe communion with him as he did. It was his conſtant practiſe,(g)(g)Gen. 5.22. Chap. 17.1. for many years together even to his old age, to ariſe betwixt two and three of the clock in the morning, and that in the coldeſt ſeaſon of the year, and then to meditate and pray in ſecret until ſixe a clock, the appointed time of the morning Sacrifice in the family; when he was called from ſecret devotions to the exerciſe of religious family-duties (rare and unparalled example of all that I have known or heard of;) And that at any time he had overſlept himſelf (as he accounted) and did not riſe untill four a clock, he would much bemone himſelf for that he had loſt ſo much time of ſweet and comfortable communion with God. And had he not experimentally found much ſweetneſs in this his ſpiritual converſe with God as David did,(h)(h)Pſal. 104.34. Pſal. 104. he could not have continued ſo conſtant therein; And he thus awaking with God and renewing his acquaintance4 with him from day to day, no marvaile that he did walke whith him all the day long.
His Sincerity.His care was to walk very exactly and ſincerely according to the Apoſtles direction(i)(i)Eph. 5.16. 〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉See Dr. Proſtons Sermon on that Text. Eph. 5. but though he ſtudied to approve himſelf to God, and to walk as in the ſight of God(k)(k)2 Cor. 2.17. 2. Cor 2. yet he could not eſcape the malicious cenſures of men, if he did all in Hypocriſie; he knew that he had the imputations of diſſembling and hypocriſy caſt upon him (by men void of charity and ſincerity) but the teſtimony of his own conſcience did more comfort him, then the uncharitable cenſures of men deject him, and he had wont, upon that occaſion, to take up the words of Job Chap 27. (l)(l)Job 27.5.Till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me; and many have often heard him to profeſſe, that he would not willingly ſin to get a world, though the evil which he(m)(m)Rom. 7.25. His ſincerity queſtioned. would not do that he did, (as it is incident to the beſt of men Rom. 7.1. and he did bewail it with griefe of heart. The ſincerity hoth of his intentions and actions have been queſtioned, and ſome have not been aſhamed to ſay, that under colour of doing juſtice and providing for the poor, he robbed the poore, and helped to keep his own houſe with that mony, which was due to the poore. But for that falſhood which was charged upon him, there's none could ever better clear him from it then himſelf, not only his conſcience witneſſing for him before God, but his books (wherein he kept an exact record of the mony which he received for ſwearing and drunkenneſſe according to the penaltie of the law) and the Officers that diſtributed the mony teſtifying his uprightneſſe before men; ſo that he might truly ſay with Jacob, Gen. 30. (n)(n)Gen. 30.33.My righteouſneſſe ſhall anſwer for me, and ſo it did herein both before God and men.
His Conſcience in the exerciſes of Religion.He was a man that made Conſcience of all exerciſes of Religion both in private and publick, his frequent diſcourſes of heaven and the way thereunto, and aſſurance of intereſt therein, did declare, that his heart and converſation were much in heaven. Matt. 12. (o)(o)Mat. 12.34, 35.And he had wont to take occaſion to confer of ſpiritual and heavenly things with all ſorts of men that he did converſe with; One ſhould ſeldom hear him ſpeak but of heaven and heavenly things, his heart was ſo full of heaven, that he could not but utter and breath it forth in his diſcourſes with5 men, and eſpecially with thoſe whoſe hearts and faces were towards heaven, when he was at Table receiving his daily food, he did uſually miniſter occaſion of holy diſcourſe, & divert vain and unprofitable talke, to edifying ſpeeches that might miniſter grace to the hearers Eph. 4.(p)(p)Eph. 4.29. and to take occaſion from earthly things to ſpeake of heavenly, as from the ſweetneſſe of the Creatures to ſpeak of the infinite ſweetneſſe which is in God, from feaſting on earth to the ſitting down with Abraham(q)(q)Mat. 8.11. Iſaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of heaven, and feaſting with God and his bleſſed Saints there, and when the Table-cloth was taken away, he would often ſay [In heaven there's no taking away, here we are ſoon ſatisfied and cloyed, but there will be ſuch a feaſh that we ſhall be continually delighting our ſouls in it, without any cloying]. And his manner was to cloſe his meales with the ſinging of ſome ſhort Pſalm.
His Reading good Books.He delighted much in reading good and holy books, but eſpecially the Book of books the holy Scriptures, wherein he moſt delighted, he had taken therein the property of a godly perſon(r)(r)Pſal. 1.2. Pſal. 119.97. Pſ. 1. and Pſa, 119. The word of God was his meditation all the day long; yea day and night, he did not onely read the ſcripture more then twenty times over, but he read it with ſpecial obſervation (as appeareth by the**Starres in the margent. S. Senenſ. Bibl. l. 3. or ſuch like ſignal notes ▪ aſterisks and markes in his Bible) and application to himſelf. The like courſe he took in reading over that uſeful book of Mr. Rogers his ſeven Treatiſes, and other practical bookes wherein he was very converſant; and his collections out of ſeverall Authors do abundantly teſtifie; And he took ſo much delight in reading that voluminous and excellent book of the Acts and monuments of the Church, ſet forth by Mr. Foxe, commonly called the book of Maertyrs, that upon occcaſion, he told a Friend, that he had read it ſeven times over.
His Zeal.His zeal for God and his glory, and againſt Idolatry, Prophaneneſſe and other evils, whereby God was moſt highly diſhonoured, was moſt eminent and remarkable. He was a man of an Antilaodicean temper; he had well Learned the Apoſtles direction. (s)(s)Rom. 12.11. 〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, not〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as in ſome Copies.Rom. 12. To be fervent in Spirit, ſerving the Lord, and not the time. He was not like another(t)(t)Ignatius Ioiola the founder of the Order of the Jeſuites. Camerar. Hiſt. Obſ. l. 4. c. 9. Ignatius that6 was a man of fire, that was ſet on fire of hell to promote the cauſe of the Prince of darkneſſe; but he had an holy fire kindled in his heart from heaven, whereby he did burn with zeal for the advancing of Gods glory, and an holy indignation againſt ſin and error; he would (if it had been poſſible) have burned up all the droſſe and filth, that did corrupt the truth of God, and was contrary to the way of holineſſe. And therein he was very like untouuEuſeb: Hiſt. Eccl. l. 3. c. 30. Hiſt. Magdeb. Cent. 2. •.10. Fox's Acts & Monuments in the 3. of the Ten Perſecutions. He was a ſtrict obſerver of the Sabbath. Ignatius the Martyr.
He was a very ſtrict and conſciencious obſerver of the Chriſtian Sabbath, the Lords day; He did then riſe very early as on other dayes (if not earlier) and did ſtir up thoſe of his family to an early riſing on that day, ſaying This is Gods day, and as we do expect that our ſervants ſhould riſe early to go about our work on our dayes, ſo God expects our early riſing on his day, to go about his work and ſervice] And he did then very carefully attend upon the Lords holy Ordinances; the feet of them that diſpenced the Goſpel were very beautiful in his eyes. wwRom. 10.15.Rom. 10. more beautifull then their faces to many others; he was one of thoſe Saints that ſate down at Gods feet to receive his WordxxDeut. 33.3. Act. 22.3. Chap. 21.16. Seneſco ſemper aliquid addiſcens. Deut. 33. as Diſciples at the feet of their teacher Act. 22. and he was very deſirous and willing to learn of any that came with the Lords meſſage unto him; he was a M•aſon, an old Diſciple Act. 21. A Diſciple when he was old; it never entred into his heart to cast off: Ordinances, no not when he had attained an high degree of Perfection; He was a conſtant noter of Sermons, even when he was old, not for his own benefit alone, but for the good of his family, to whom he did conſtantly repeat the Sermons. And if he found himſelf overtaken with drowſineſſe in hearing the Word (an infirmity incident to age,) his manner was to ſtand up, and to rowſe up himſelf that he might hear the more attentively; He knew that Religion conſiſted not in hearing and repetitions and Profeſſion, but in practiſe, and therefore his care was to digeſt his hearing and knowledge into an holy converſation. yy〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉Ignat. Epiſt. ad Rom. His exciting of others to good
And being deſirous not to go to heaven alone, but to draw others with him, his uſual courſe was, when he went with his family, to attend upon the Lords holy Ordinances, to give an exhortation to his children and ſervants: [that they ſhould conſider7 into whoſe preſence they were going, and whom they were to hear, even that great God, to whom they were to give an account of every word which they did hear, and be careful to lay it up, for their practiſe; and not ſay, my Father or my Maſter would not afford me the time, for if they did, he would proteſt againſt them in the day of Judgment;] And as he was going to the Congregation on the Week dayes, he would often find ſome of the Country people come to the Market early in the morning, and he would ask them where they did live, and they anſwering five, or ſixe, or more miles off, be thereupon did take occaſion to ſhew them, how vain a thing it was to purſue the World, and to neglect the care of their precious ſoules, and ask them [how they could riſe ſo early to get the world, and not riſe as early to get intereſt in Jeſus Chriſt, and to attain the favour of God, and aſſurance of eternal happineſſe;] And then he would look back upon his family and ſay, [here you ſee theſe people can riſe betimes to get a little part of the world, and your will hardly ariſe early to get the aſſurance of the favour of God, which is far better then the whole world.
His ſpeaking of the Sermons which he heard.After his return from Sermons, he would be ſpeaking to thoſe that went with him, of what they heard, exhorting them to be mindful of it, and put it in practiſe, and one of the company being troubled at the hearing of him to preſſe ſuch things upon them, told him that he had heard many good Sermons**The name of the Cathedral. at St. Peters, but never heard one at the great Conduit before; to whom he replyed, [Sirs, are ye troubled to be put in mind of the Word of God, I pray God the time come not when you are in hell, that you wiſh you had not only practiſed the Sermons which you heard at St. Peters, but had received good counſel from the VVord at the great Conduit alſo.]
His Aſſurance.Thus by his diligent attending upon and carefull applying the means of grace, and Gods bleſſing upon them, he attained a very great meaſure of aſſurance, a kind of Plerophory, ſuch as the Apoſtle ſpeaks of,(z)(z)1 Theſſ. 1.5. 〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 1 Theſſ. 1.5. much Aſſurance: and(a)(a)Col. 2.2. 〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Col. 2. Full of aſſurance, of underſtanding, by which he was carried as with a full faile to holy duties: If we conſider the meaſure and the conſtancy of it, there be few Chriſtians that have attained ſo much. Aſſurance was much in his tongue and heart, and it was that which he earneſtly laboured for, and obtained by fervent prayer and diligent uſe of the means. God8 gave him the(b)(b)Rom. 8.16. Teſtimony and(c)(c)Eph. 1.13. ſeal of his Spirit, and ſo aſſured him of his eternal love in Chriſt, of his adoption and eternal happineſſe in heaven. God gave it as part of his reward for his ſincere and faithful ſervice.
He had ſometimes more then ordinary illapſes and incomes of the Spirit for the ſtrengthening of his aſſurance:His extraordinary Comforts. Ile inſtance one particular alone; He being at a Sermon, and attending heedfully to thoſe diſcerning and differencing marks of uprightneſſe which were then laid down, and one mark being more powerfully preſſed, and coming fully home to his condition, he being in a deep and ſerious meditation, and reflecting upon himſelf, and finding it to be truly in him, it ſeemed to him, as if one ſtruck him upon the ſhoulder, incouraging him and ſaying, Be of good chear, thou art the man; upon which he had preſently ſuch inward joyes and raviſhings of Spirit as were unexpreſſible.
And as he obtained, ſo he carefully kept his aſſurance by free trial of himſelf and his ſpiritual eſtate towards God;His keeping his Aſſurance. he had wont to try himſelf by all the marks of ſincerity which he found in the Scriptures, heard in the Miniſtry of the Word, or read in the writings of godly Divines, and thereby he did clear up his evidences for heaven; and he did not only daily try his eſtate by ſome marks, but he kept a narrow watch over his heart and wayes, and ſo his aſſurance was preſerved. And he kept it a long time together, for 30. years or more: And being asked whether he never met with any temptations of doubting of his eſtate towards God, he gave this anſwer, [That he had been and often was ſorely aſſaulted by Satans temptations, which were ſet againſt his faith and aſſurance, and that he had been foiled in reſpect of the application of ſome particular promiſes, but he was not driven from his holdfaſt of Chriſt, or from the aſſurance of his intereſt in the Covenant of grace, but ſtill he acknowledged, that his aſſurance and all his ability in ſpiritual things was through Chriſt that ſtrengthened him,(d)(d)Phil. 4.13. Phil. 4.]
His exciting others to get Aſſurance.As he had this aſſurance in himſelf, ſo he was very forward to ſtir up others to get this aſſurance; there were ſcarce any that he met with, if he ſuppoſed that their faces were heavenward, but he would be queſtioning with them about their aſſurance,9 blaming them if they did not labor for it, & encouraging them to ſeek for it. And when ſome did ask him how they ſhould get it, he gave this anſwer, [That they ſhould importunately ſeek it of God, and not give him any reſt untill be granted it unto them; I would (ſaid he) lock or bolt my door, and beg it of God, and I would never give him reſt untill I had obtained it; and then, that they ſhould daily try themſelves by ſome marks, and three he did often mention as trying himſelf thereby: 1. A ſincere deſire to fear the name of God, as(e)(e)Nehem. 1. ult. Nehem. 1. 2. A ſincere endeavour to do the will of God in all things required,(f)(f)Pſal. 119.6. Pſal. 119. 3. A full purpoſe of heart to cleave to the Lord,(g)(g)Act. 11.23. Act. 11. And theſe he did not onely ſpeak of, but preſſe with much earneſtneſſe, as longing that others ſhould partake of that high priviledge and heavenly gift with himſelf.
He feared not Death.From this aſſurance it was, that he was ſo fearleſſe of death; he knew that death was an enemy, as the Apoſtle ſaith,(h)(h)1 Cor. 15.26. 1 Cor. 15. but that through Chriſt it was a friend to open the gate to heaven. Whereas death is as Bildad ſaith,(i)(i)Job 18.14. N. Annot. in. loc. Job 18. the King of terrours to fleſh and blood: and as(k)(k)Ariſt. Ethic. lib. 3. cap. 6. 〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. on that was led by the light of Nature ſaid, That it was the moſt terrible of all terrible things; yet he being aſſured of his intereſt in Chriſt, it was not ſo to him, for he(l)(l)Vid. Gryn. Diſp. Theol. de Mortis metu. looked upon it as having loſt its ſting in Chriſt. He made it ſo familiar to him by his continual meditating of it, that he was ſo far from fearing it, that he did delight in the ſpeaking of it, earneſtly deſired it, and with joy expected it; whereby he diſcovered his great(m)(m)Calvin. Inſtit. l. 3. c. 9. § 5. proficiency in the School of Chriſt. It was his uſual ſaying, [That if death were offered on the one hand, and the Kings Crown on the other, he would take the Crown and throw it into the Kennel, and chuſe death far above the(n)(n)The ſame ſpirit breathed in him, as in Ignatius the Martyr. 〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Ignat. Epiſt. ad Rom. crown;] for he knew he ſhould be a gainer by it, for he ſhould obtain the crown of life and glory,(o)(o)He had a deſire to have dyed for Chriſt, as Ignatius of old,〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Ignat. Epiſt. ad Rom. Jam. 1. 1 Pet. 5. And that he feared not, but rather(p)(p)Jam. 1.12. 1 Pet. 5.4. hoped for death: It appears by this, that when the Plague was very hot in the City, and he being10 in the higheſt place of Authority there at that time, and the poor flocked about his houſe for relief, though he would not cauſeleſly expoſe himſelf to danger; yet being in the diſcharge of his duty he feared not the plague, but he often profeſſed, [That if the Plague ſhould (by Gods dispoſing) ſeize upon him, he would have kiſſed and welcom'd it as the Meſſenger of death;] Nor was the meditation of death then in his mind onely in times of danger, but at all times, there was not a day when he did not ſpeak of it; and not onely when there was occaſion offered of ſuch diſcourſe, but he would take occaſion to ſpeak of it; as if he were invited to a Feaſt, he would tell the Meſſenger, [That he would come if he did live ſo long:] And when he went out of his houſe upon publick or private buſineſſe, he would as it were take a ſolemn leave of his wife telling her, [That he knew not whether he ſhould return to his houſe again.]
His Meditation of heaven.But his mind was not ſo much upon death as upon heaven (to which he was aſſured that death would be a paſſage for him) ſure his heart was much in heaven, or heaven was much in his heart, as appears by his frequent diſcourſe of it both day and night; for(q)(q)Matth. 12.34. Matth. 12. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth ſpeaketh:(r)(r)As Ignatius of old had the name of Jeſus ſo deeply engraven in his heart, that he could not but make frequent mention of it, H. Magd. Cent. 2. c. 10. All that knew him (and looked upon him with an unprejudic'd eye) would ſay, that he was a moſt heavenly minded man, a man that lived as much in heaven, as moſt that ever lived upon the earth: When in the night he looked upon thoſe bright lights of heaven,(ſ)(ſ)Ezek. 32.8. Ezek. 32. the firmament adorned with thoſe ſtars of light,(t)(t)Pſal. 148 3. Pſal. 148. he had wont to raiſe up his thoughts and his ſpeech much higher, to the glory of the higheſt heaven, ſaying, [If this heaven be ſo glorious, how doth the heaven above exceed in glory, where God alone ſhall be the light; and yet the righteous ſhall ſhine forth as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father,](u)(u)Matth. 13.43. Matth. 13. Theſe are but ſome few heads of his Piety, to which much more may be added, and they that knew him will mervail, not that ſo much is ſaid, but that no more.
2. He was as eminent for Juſtice, as for Piety; when he was advanced to the chiefeſt place of Government in the City,His Juſtice. to be the**A. •. 1617. Major of that Honourable Corporation, he was an exemplary11 Magiſtrate, not only in the year of his Majoralty, but ever after ſo long as he lived; he looked not upon it as a place of honour onely, but as an office of truſt, wherein he might honour God, and do Juſtice to men, and reform thoſe evills which abounded then in that place: He did not glory ſo much in having the Sword carried before him, (though it were a ſingular honour to that City,Henry the ſeventh. that the Kings Sword ſhould be taken from his ſide and delivered to the Major to be carried before him, as a ſignal teſtimony of his favour, and their loyalty and courage in the inſurrection of Perkin Warbeck. ) as he was deſirous to draw forth the ſword of(w)(w)Rom. 13.4. Juſtice againſt evil doers, and not to hold it in vain, Rom. 13.
His impartial adminiſtring of Juſtice.He was obſerved to be one that did impartially adminiſter Juſtice, and without reſpect of Perſons did puniſh evil doers, of what quality or condition ſoever they were that did tranſgreſſe the Law; whether they were of the City, or ſtrangers that came thither, they ſhould not (if complaint were made to him) eſcape condigne puniſhment, ſuch as the Lawes of the Land, or cuſtome of the place did award.
An inſtance of it.To give but one inſtance of many; there was a Gentleman of quality (whoſe name I ſpare) that was complained of for ſwearing five Oathes, and other miſdemeanors, thereupon Mr. Jurdain ſent a Conſtable with a Warrant to bring him before him, but the Gentleman gave the Conſtable menacing termes, ſo that he durſt not execute his office, whereupon M. Jurdain ſent one Conſtable more, who brought the Gentleman to him, and he being in his Court when he came, after divers good admonitions given him, and telling him, that though he were never ſo great a Gentleman, [That he could no more go to heaven ſo long as he took ſuch courſes, than he could eat that ſtone,] (pointing to a great ſtone in his Court) he required him to pay five ſhillings for ſwearing, which he did, as alſo to give in ſureties for his good behaviour; but this the Gentleman refuſed to do, ſaying, he was a ſtranger; thereupon Mr. Jurdain bad the Conſtables to carry him away to priſon, till he ſhould find ſureties, which they did, and as he was going into the priſon door, he deſired to return back again, and he would give baite, which he did; and then having12 received many good inſtructions, (though he were a man of a very high ſpirit) gave him many hearty thanks, with promiſe of amendment for the future.
The Bridewell could witneſſe how many diſorderly perſons were ſent thither by his Warrants, more then any other of the Juſtices of his time.
And the Stocks and whipping Poſts could teſtifie, what Swearers, Drunkards, unclean Perſons, and ſuch like notorious offenders were puniſhed principally by his executing of Juſtice. And if any of the Offenders, that were liable to the cenſure and penalty of the Law, deſired to be ſpared, he would tell them, [Here be my Children whom I dearly love, and if any of them ſhould commit ſuch offences, they ſhould ſuffer as you muſt do, and therefore I cannot remit of the penalty of the Law.]
How fair pretences ſoever they made, he cauſed the Law to be executed on them; yea and the more ſeverely becauſe of the greater diſhonour that redounded to the name of the holy God thereby.
When ſome ſcandalous Offenders, (whoſe names I omit) for the groſſe ſin of Uncleanneſſe were accuſed and queſtioned before the Court, and ſome for by-reſpects did plead for them to have them ſpared, he deſired that the Watchmen that were at the Gates to keep out the Plague (it being a time that the ſickneſſe was in ſome neighbouring Townes) ſhould be called home, for the Plague was in the Guild-Hall of the City; and he told them, that if they did not execute the Law upon them, he would complain of them to the Councel Table; and thereupon after much conteſt, there was order taken for their ſevere and juſt puniſhment.
He was very vigilant (eſpecially in his Majoralty, when the Government of the City lay moſt upon him) both to prevent and remove diſorders, ſo that he would go with the Conſtables in Perſon to ſearch for idle and diſorderly perſons on Sabbath dayes at night, and at the end of the Aſſizes and Seſſions, and Fair weeks.
His Zeal againſt Swearing.He did not onely execute Juſtice, but he ſhewed himſelf very zealous therein, and the greateſt indignation againſt thoſe evils whereby God was moſt highly diſhonoured, as ſwearing13 and Sabbath-breaking; ſwearing was moſt odious to him; and had there been a greater penalty then was at that time appointed by the Law of the Land, he would moſt gladly have inflicted it. But he puniſhing as many as were brought before him, ſtruck ſuch an awe into moſt, that ſome that lived then in the City, and near the place of the greateſt concourſe of people, the Corn-Market, obſerved, that they did not hear an oath ſworn for many years together.
A notable inſtance of it.I have heard it credibly related, that being ſummoned to appear at the Star-Chamber, for an act of Juſtice, wherein it was ſuppoſed that he went ſomewhat beyond the ſtrict letter of the Law, (of which I ſhall hereafter give an account) and being in the preſence of ſome of his Judges, and hearing them to ſwear divers oaths, he told them, That they muſt pay for every oath that they had ſworn, or otherwiſe he would make it farther known.
Againſt the Profaning of the Sabbath.When he was Major, he did much reform the open profaning of the Sabbath; for whereas the Fullers had wont to ſet their Mills a going on the Sabbath, he put a ſtop upon them for that whole day, knowing that that day was fully to be dedicated to God and his worſhip and ſervice; and whereas it was uſual to ſell fruit and herbs, and other things on the Lords holy day, and Bowling and Cudgel-playing, and other profane paſtimes were then much uſed, by his zeal and vigilancy, and the care of good Officers under him, they were wholly removed, though not without much reluctancy and oppoſition, and(x)(x)He contended with unreaſonable men, as Paul with beaſts at Epheſus, 1 Cor. 15.32. 〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and as Ignatius the Martye from Syria to Rome. Ignat. Epiſt. ad Rom. & Epiſt. ad Tarſ. 〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. danger at the firſt; for there were Commotions and Tumults, and great reſiſtance, but by his conſtant zeal for God and his day, they were ſuppreſſed and quel'd.
**His Conſtancy in the execution of Juſtice.And not onely when he was Major, but ever after being a Juſtice of Peace; And he continued ſo for 22. years: he was much employed in the execution of Juſtice, ſometimes the whole day from morning to night; he did not only execute Judgment in the(y)(y)Jer. 21.12. morning (after he had been with God in the mount of heavenly meditation) but all the day14 long; as Moſes ſate to judge the people, and the people ſtood before Moſes from Morning to the Evening,(z)(z)Exod 18.13. His Mercy in Judgment. Exod. 18.
He was not for Judgment onely, but for Mercy alſo, and he ſhewed mercy to the ſoules of thoſe that were brought before him as tranſgreſſors of the Law, and to be puniſhed according to the Law, for he would labour to convince them of the hainouſneſſe of their offences, that he might bring them to the ſight of their ſins, and to repentance for them.
His encouraging of Officers.He did much encourage the Officers under him to the diligent and faithful diſcharge of their duy; (and they ſtood in need of it, meeting with much diſcouragement from ſome others) and finding them ſomewhat backward, through timorouſneſſe or other by-reſpects, to execute his Warrants upon men of high place, he would encourage them to be active and forward in doing their duty, and tell them in good earneſt, (for that was his uſual word) That if he had as good a Warrant from God, as they had from him to apprehend offenders, if he were required to apprehend the devil himſelf, he would not be backward to put it in execution.]
3. He was not more famous for Juſtice, then for Charity, both in his life,His Charity. and at his death: In his life-time he was a man free-hearted, and open-handed, he was a great friend and Patron of the poor; he was another Job in that reſpect, he could truly ſay with him,(a)(a)Job 30.25. Job 30. Was not my ſoul grieved for the poor? it was no doubt; and the bowels of his compaſſion did yearn towards them; he was an Advocate, and did earneſtly plead for them, and eſpecially for Gods poor, honeſt poor men, whoſe hearts and faces were ſet Godward and heavenward, and his hands were very open to relieve them; he did that for them which few others of far greater eſtate had hearts to do.
His care for the Poor in the time of the Plague. A. C. 1625His Care for the poor was moſt remarkable in the time of the great Plague in the City (which was 28. years ſince;) for, in the Majors abſence being choſen his Deputy or Lievtenant, he ſeeing the deplored condition of the City, accepted of it: And then he wrote divers Letters to many Townes in Devonſhire, and ſome in Dorſet, and Sommerſetſhire, and by that means procured divers ſummes of Moneyes, for the ſupplying the Wants of the many hundreds of poor that at that15 time were in a very diſtreſſed condition; I have it from the relation of one that was a neer neighbour, and diligent obſerver of his care for the publick good of the City and for the poor, that he had ſeen morning after morning coming to his door ſometimes thirty, ſometimes fourty, fifty, or threeſcore, or more; ſome wringing their hands, and crying that their husbands were dead; others that their wives were dead, others that their children were dead, and that they had not any thing to bury them: Some again, that their Families were ſick, and they had not wherewithal to relieve them: Others, that they had divers Children, but they had no bread, nor money to buy it for them; ſome cryed for bread, ſome for Phyſick, ſome for ſhrouds. And he not onely gave them the hearing, but his bowels yerned towards them, and his hands were ſtretched out for their relief: For, ſtanding within his Shop. With his own hands he gave ſupplies unto them all, and ſent them to their homes for the preſent; and then the next morning there was a renewing of the ſad complaints of the poor, and his renewing of his charitable care of them, and ſo Morning after Morning for near three moneths, untill the Major came into the City.
His care for poor Houſe-keepers.Beſides his great care to ſupply the wants of the poor that came unto him, he had a ſpecial respect to poor Houſe-keepers and Tradeſmen, ſuch as were aſhamed or unwilling to make their poor and ſad condition known, and a peculiar care of the Godly poor, concerning whom, he would adviſe with the Conſtables and Church-Wardens of every Pariſh, and according to their need would proportion ſome relief and help unto them, and ſend it by the hands of the Conſtables or Wardens.
His conſtant care for the poor.And his care for the poor was not onely very great at that extraordinary ſeaſon, (as their exigents did require) but ſo long as he continued in the Land of the living; and he was ſo conſtantly verſed in this great work of Charity, that he did it as it were naturally, as the Apoſtle ſpeaks of Timothy,(b)(b)Phil. 2.20. 〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Phil. 2.
An Aſperſion caſt upon him wip'd off.But though he did well, yet he heard ill for this, and it was by ſome caſt in his teeth that he made beggars: And when16 he was asked by a man of place and eſtate, what he would give to keep the poor from begging; (ſuppoſing that he would not be ſo forward therein as he was in relieving them) he freely offered a great part of his eſtate, on condition that the other would do the like; but he could not obtain that of him to follow him.
His Hoſpitality.He was given much to Hospitality, he did not love to eat his morſels alone by himſelf, as(c)(c)Job 31.17. Job 31. he did well remember the Apoſtles direction,(d)(d)Heb. 13.2. Heb. 13. Be not forgetful to entertain ſtrangers, he was moſt loving and friendly to them, and ſuch eſpecially as did ſuffer for their conſcience ſake; as thoſe godly Miniſters that were ſilenced for Non-conformity (although his judgment was in a good meaſure ſatisfied in that point) to him they did continually reſort, and by him were kindly entertained; So that by the profaner ſort, he was cryed out upon as the Arch-Puritan; and by thoſe that took Religion to heart, honoured with the title of Gaius mine hoſte, and of the whole Church,(e)(e)Rom. 16.23. N. Annot. in loc. Rom. 16. And he is much commended for his hoſpitality, (if it be the ſame Gaius as it ſeems to be)(f)(f)3 Joh. 5, 6. 3 Joh. 5.6. Beloved thou doeſt faithfully, whatſoever thou doeſt to the brethren (thy neighbour Chriſtians) and to ſtrangers which have born witneſſe of thy charity before the Church.
The Legacies in his Will.But if we conſider his laſt Will or Teſtament, we ſhall ſee very rare and unparallel'd acts of Charity: As he gave one third part of his temporal eſtate to his Wife, and another third part to his Children; (according to the cuſtome of the City) ſo out of the other third part he left very large Legacies, eſpecially to the poor: I ſhall omit many Legacies given to Miniſters and others, and point at ſome more remarkable; I will deliver it in the words of his Will, [Firſt I give to all the poor of this City and County that have pay of Pariſhes, and alſo thoſe which dwell in(g)(g)There were ſeven or eight of them. Almes-houſes, I give five ſhillings to each to be paid at my burial; I give to one hundred poor people more ten ſhillings to each, to be given to ſuch as my Overſeers ſhall think to have moſt need, the honeſt poor to be chiefly looked unto. Alſo I give to the poor of Lyme where I was born, and to the poor of Garnſey where I was new-born, five pounds to each place:17 (which accordingly was done by thoſe Overſeers) Alſo I forgive all the moneys owing to me, if it be under the(h)(h)Theſe ſmaller ſums to the poor were very many. value of twenty ſhillings each.] And after in a Poſtſcript [Alſo my Will is, and I give now more to fifty poor people of this City and County, by twenty ſhillings to each by my Overſeers, or moſt part of them.] Thus out of that eſtate which God had given him, he gave again by way of gratitude to God, I mean to the poor, who are Gods Receivers: God gave him and left him a competent eſtate, (after his many and great loſſes) and which was more, he gave him an heart to honour(i)(i)Prov. 3.9. him with his ſubſtance, and to lay it forth as it became a faithful Steward, in the ſervice and for the honour of his Lord who had intruſted him with it.
Apology for his Charity.I know that ſome do wonder, and others ſharply cenſure him for his extraordinary charity and liberality, and eſpecially for that he left no greater portion of his eſtate to his Wife; but this may be ſaid in his defence, That the ſtreight and cloſe hearts of men are not a fit meaſure to meaſure his large heart by: And beſides, God had opened his hand, and given very liberally to him bleſſings ſpiritual and temporal; and eſpecially ſpiritual, the graces and comforts of his Spirit: and he having ſo ſweet a Communion with God above moſt other men, what mervail if he did more for God then other men? And concerning his Wife, as he left her the third part of his eſtate, ſo likewiſe Executrix of his Will, and there had much more come unto her then did, had not ſome debts (which he accounted good) failed and come ſhort of his and her expectation: beſides, he did aſſure himſelf, that her(k)(k)Sir Simon Baskervill. Brother then living, a man of great eſtate, would be ready to ſupply any of her wants.
Thus you have ſeen what he did for God; and we are next to conſider what God did for him. What God did for him.Beſides all thoſe graces which were eminently in him, whereby he was enabled to act ſo zealouſly and vigorouſly for God, which were the free gift of God, and that Aſſurance which he had, which was a part of his reward; The Lord advanced him from a mean and low eſtate, to the higheſt place of dignity in the City; his beginning was but ſmall, as appears by his anſwer to thoſe that threatned18 to follow him with Suits, that they would not leave him worth a groat; he chearfully replied, [That he ſhould be then but two pence poorer then when he came firſt to Exeter, for he brought but ſix pence with him thither:] And yet, by Gods bleſſing on his labours, he got a competent and comfortable eſtate, whereby he did maintain a large Family of Children and Servants, kept hoſpitality, was liberal to the poor, and open-handed to any pious uſe, more then thoſe that had far greater eſtates: but when he had the greateſt temporal eſtate, he ſet no high eſtimate upon theſe fading periſhing things, he ſet them not up in his heart (as the men of the World uſe to do) but trod them under his feet; and he did uſually ſet them very low in his ordinary diſcourſe, and eſpecially when he was ſpeaking of heaven and heavenly things: And yet he did not forget to acknowledge Gods goodneſſe in beſtowing any of theſe outward things upon him; He found by experience the uncertainty of riches,(l)(l)1 Tim. 6.17. 1 Tim. 6. and that they had wings and would fly away,(m)(m)Prov. 23.5. Prov. 23. but he did not run after them, crying, as they that uſe to ſet their hearts upon them, but ſaw Gods(n)(n)Job 1.21. hand in taking as in giving, and ſo was quiet and content, having experimentally learned in a good meaſure that great and difficult leſſon, to be content in any eſtate,(o)(o)Phil. 4.11. 〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Phil. 4. by viciſſitudes and changes of eſtates God did exerciſe his faith and patience, and Contentation.
His advancement to the Majoralty.Having paſſed through the ſeveral Offices, he aſcended at laſt to the higheſt place of honour in the City, to be Major there, wherein (as hath been ſaid) he demeaned himſelf as it became a Chriſtian Magiſtrate, and his ambition therein was highly to honour God who had honoured him. And afterwards he was choſen to be a Burgeſſe for the Parliament,Burgeſſe of Parliament. wherein his zeal for God, and againſt the corruptions of the times was abundantly manifeſted. He was a great ſtickler to have the Bill paſſed for the puniſhment of Adultery with death; but thoſe times would not bear it, ſome of the Lawmakers knew ſome ſpecial reaſon for it.
His honour in the hearts of Good men.God did not only advance him to places of dignity and honour in the eye of the world, but gave him an high place in the hearts of his people; and if it be true which the(p)(p)Ariſt. Ethic. l. 1.6.5. Moraliſt19 notes, that honour is in the Perſon honouring; then he being advanced in the hearts of men, (as he was eſpecially in the hearts of good men) he was highly honoured, and therein God made good his promiſe to him,(q)(q)1 Sam. 2.30. 1 Sam. 2. Such as honour me I will honour. And his name was very precious in the ſight of thoſe that knew his worth, while he lived, and ſince his death.
I acknowledge that he was a by-word to many,A by-word to Others. and that his name was taken up by way of reproach, but they were ſuch as were upbraided, and reproved by his holy and gracious converſation, and reproved by his holy and gracious converſation, and he knew that his Lord and Maſter did ſuffer much more in this kind, that this was a chip of that croſſe which he muſt and was willing to bear, and he was well content to drink of this bitter cup after his Maſter, and with him he did deſpiſe that ſhame(r)(r)Heb. 12.2. which the men of the world caſt upon him, nay accounted it his honour to ſuffer ſhame for the name of Chriſt, as the Apoſtles did,(ſ)(ſ)Act. 5.4. 〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Act. 5. But ſome brought ſhame upon themſelves, that thought to caſt contempt and ſcorn upon him: Among other inſtances this one was remarkable, That being choſen Burgeſſe for the Parliament, not without much oppoſition, and going up to London to clear his Election, at which time there was an accuſation ſent up againſt him by a man of no mean place and power, That he was the**Hoſpes Schiſmaticorum. The very expreſſion in the Letter. hoſt of the Schiſmaticks. It was preſumed by ſome that he would be ſent back with diſgrace. And therefore there was a Sermon prepared by one to jeer him at his return, this being the text,(t)(t)Pſal. 114.5 Pſal. 114.5. What ailed thee — thou Jordan, that thou waſt driven back? (Thus men of profane ſpirits will dare to make the Sacred Word of God to ſerve their own baſe ends and luſts,) but Mr. Jurdain was confirmed in his place to which he was choſen; and ſo ſhame was caſt into the face of the prophane ſcorner, and the Sermon, or invective rather, became abortive.
God ſtanding by him in his troubles.And as he ſtood up for God, ſo God did ſtand by him, and aſſiſt him, and carry him through many troubles and dangers that did threaten, and even compaſſe him about. One act of Gods Providence among others was moſt notable, in20 delivering him out of his troubles. He having done an act of Juſtice in puniſhing an unclean Perſon (whoſe offence was aggravated by ſome heinous circumſtances) being moved with indignation againſt the offence, he went (it ſeems) beſides the Letter of the Law in ſome circumſtance. And thereupon ſome friends of the Perſon puniſhed (being ſtirred up with indignation for the diſgrace that reflected upon them, more then for the diſhonour done to God, and the foul blot that was caſt upon Religion) did reſolve to proſecute him to the uttermoſt for it, and they put him to great charge and trouble. When the matter came to a final deciſion in the Star-Chamber, it was much feared by many of his friends, and through the boaſting of his Adverſaries, that ſome heavy cenſure ſhould have been paſſed upon him to his cruſhing and undoing; and when friends failed him on earth, he flees to heaven for ſuccour and defence, he cryed to God in Davids words,(u)(u)Pſal. 22.11. Verſ. 19. Pſal. 22. Be not far from me, O Lord, for trouble is neer, for there is none to help; and O my ſtrength, haſte thou to help me: And he ſet apart an Evening, and a great part of the night, for faſting and Prayer, that he might engage God on his ſide, who had the hearts of all men, even the greateſt in his hand to turn them as he pleaſed,(w)(w)Prov. 21.1. Prov. 21. And behold the next morning a real and gracious anſwer from heaven, he was acquitted and commended by the Lord Keeper, and God ſtirred up the hearts of divers of that high Arbitrary Court to ſpeak in his behalf; Thus the Lord was a very preſent help in trouble to him,(x)(x)Pſal. 46.1. Pſal. 46. And after that he was freed and came home, he piled up the books and papers of all the proceedings in that vexatious buſineſſe, under his Cupboard in his Parlour, which was the place to which he did uſually reſort: (and where he had that daily ſweet heavenly Communion with God forementioned.) And being asked the reaſon why he left ſo many papers and books to lye in that manner; his anſwer was, [Theſe I keep in my ſight as memorials and Monuments of Gods mercy in freeing me from my troubles.]
Theſe are the principal things that came within mine obſervation, or notice from others that well knew this Saint of God, ſo eminent for Piety, Juſtice, and Charity, and zealous in21 all, in the general courſe of his converſation: Many particulars have been omitted, but by that little which hath been ſaid, you may(y)(y)Ex pede Herculem. A. Gell. Noct. Att. l. 1. c. 1. His Sickneſſe. gheſſe at the great worth of this holy man.
I come now to the laſt act of his life, his ſickneſſe, and the period of that, his death: In his ſickneſſe which was very painful, he being ſorely afflicted with the Stone and the Cholick, he manifeſted more then ordinary Patience,His patience. not opening his mouth in any word that might ſavour of any repining or diſcontent at his preſent condition, but meekly and patiently ſubmitting to Gods afflicting hand, and waiting for his long expected and deſired diſſolution:His Faith and Aſſurance. He did then much act faith in Jeſus Chriſt and his gracious Promiſes, and his aſſurance remained unſhaken, though Satan was then buſie with him by his temptations; but being ſtrong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, he did reſiſt him: Some of his neareſt friends, that obſerved his confident aſſurance in the courſe of his life, of his happy eſtate in heaven after death, did ſuppoſe that Satan would have ſet upon him with ſo much violence as to have ſhaken his aſſurance, and, no doubt, he had will enough to do it, but God, who had him in his chain, would not permit him to do it; but he went out of the world as a Conquerour out of the field, being victorious through Chriſt over all his ſpiritual enemies. I may not omit one particular in his ſickneſſe, which was, his taking all occaſions of exhorting and encouraging others to conſtancy in the faith,His Exhortations to others. zeal for God, and making ſure of heaven; and his ſpirits beginning to fail him, he would ſay, [I cannot speak much more to you now, remember what you have heard from me in my health;] And he was willing to incite others that were abſent to the diſcharge of their duties; He inſtance onely one particular, that the Major of the City, that then was, ſending to viſit him, he called the Meſſenger unto him, and ſaid [Remember me to Mr. Major, and tell him from me, that he have a ſpecial care of theſe three things; To do Juſtice, to provide carefully for the poor, and to make ſure of heaven;] His gracious ſpeeches in the time of his ſickneſſe were many, and more then I can, or were fit here to expreſſe.
His Death.Having fought the good fight of faith and finiſhed his courſe, he22 ſweetly and quietly reſigned up his ſoul into the hands of his bleſſed Saviour and Redeemer; He departed this life July 15th. On the Sabbath.1640. being the Chriſtian Sabbath, The Sabbath was his delight on earth, and on that day God gave him to enjoy an Eternal Sabbath with him in heaven: As he had ſweet Communion with God in the uſe of Ordinances for many years on that day, ſo he went to enjoy an immediate Communion with God on that holy day: And after all his labours he entred into reſt, that glorious reſt in heaven,(z)(z)Heb. 4.11. Heb. 4. His departure hence was in the 79.His Age. year of his age and, according to his account for the new birth, in the 65th. year, for ſo long he reckoned ſince the time of his effectual Calling. His Funeral.His Funeral being kept ſome few daies after, there hath not been any man known to be more lamented then he, the loſſe being ſo great not to the City alone, but to all theſe Weſtern parts, the influence of his example as a zealous Magiſtrate and Chriſtian reaching far and neer.
I will conclude this Story of his Life and Death with that which was the text of his Funeral Sermon,(a)(a)Act. 13.36. (Omitting only the name of David) Act. 13. After he had ſerved his own generation by the will of God he fell on ſleep; He ſleeps in the Lord, and will riſe gloriouſly in the Morning of the Reſurrection,(b)(b)Pſal. 17. ult. Pſal. 17. and(c)(c)Pſal. 49.14. Pſal. 49.
**Being dead he yet ſpeaketh.But though he ſleeps the ſleep of death, yet, being dead with Abel he yet speaketh,(d)(d)Heb. 11.1. Heb. 11. His zealous converſation ſpeaketh zeal and fervency to this Laodicean and luke-warm generation, and beſpeaks all Chriſtian Magiſtrates, eſpecially thoſe of that City where he lived, and all the Saints in all places to imitate his Piety, Juſtice, Charity, and all thoſe graces which did ſhine forth in his holy and gracious converſation. Ile ſhut up all with that voyce from Heaven, Revel. 14.13. Bleſſed are the dead which dye in the Lord, from henceforth, yea ſaith the Spirit, that they may reſt from their labours, and their works do follow them.