The Life and Death OF Mr JOHN COTTON, The late Reverend Teacher of the Church of Chriſt, at Boſton in NEVY-ENGLAND.
IT is the priviledg of the bleſſed who lived in Heaven, whilſt they lived on Earth; That they may live on Earth, whilſt they live in Heaven. And 'tis a part of the Portion of the Saints, that (together with the benefit of the living) they may enjoy both the life and death of thoſe, who both lived and dyed in the1 Cor. 3. 22. Hebr. 11. 4. Faith. Life and Death are yours. By Faith Abel being dead many thouſand years ſince, yet ſpeaketh, and will ſpeak whil'ſt time ſhall be no more. That the living ſpeak, is no wonder: but that the dead ſpeak, is more then miraculous. This, though it be enough to draw forth attention from the ſons of men; Who is not affected with miracles? yet being influenced with a Divine and ſpecial Benediction; for the memorial of the Juſt is bleſſed: To ſuppreſs an Inſtrument of ſo much good with ſilence, were not only unthankfulneſs4 to the dead, but an injury to the generation preſent, and to many an one that is to come ▪ To preſerve the memory of the bleſſed with the Spices and ſweet Odors of their Excellencies and Weldoing, recorded to poſterity, is a ſuper-Aegyptian embalming, and a ſervice which many reaſons perſwade unto.
This we do as men; glad to reſcue and ſolicitous to preſerve any excellency in the Sons of mortality, that may outlive Death; deſire of continuance in being, is in it ſelf inſeperable from being. Dumb Pictures of deſerving men anſwer not ingenuous minds capable to retain the memorial of vertue, the real effigies of their Spirits. Beſides unhappy Emulation, happily expiring with the life of the emulated: We greedily own and enjoy ſuch Worthies, when they are not, whom envy in a great Degree bereaved us of, whilſt they were.
This we do as Friends; hence the Smyrnean Poet of old,—〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉Nam is demum eſt amicus qui etiam extincti memoriam ſervat, ejuſque cauſâ dolet, licet non amplius ſuperſtes ſit. Heb. 11. 36. He is a true friend, who continueth the memory of his deceaſed Friend. And this is done, not only in love to them, but alſo in love to our ſelves, thereby eaſing in part our loſs, and ſaving ſo much of our own lives. He may the better be heard, who reckoned his Friend the one half of himſelf: when Moſes intimates a Friend to be as our own Soul; whilſt Calvin lives, Beza's life is ſweet; when Calvin dyes, death is the more acceptable unto Beza.
This we do as Chriſtians: The Deeds of thoſe worthies was the ſubject matter of the ſpeech of the Saints; theſe all obtained a good Report. A conſiderable part of the Scripture is a divine teſtimony of what the Faithful have done and ſuffered, recorded unto ſucceeding Generations, not only as a memorial of them, but as ſo many practical demonſtrations of the Faithfulneſs of God: as ſo many full and glorious triumphs over the World, Sin and Satan, obtained by perſons in like temptations, and ſubject to like paſſions with our ſelves. A quickning motive unto ſuch who have underſtanding of the times, not to pretermit thoſe teſtimonies, the ſignal preſence of God in whom, manifeſts them to have been fore-appointed, for the further compleating of5 that Cloud of Witneſſes which elevates the Beholders thereof, to lay aſide every weight that doth ſo eaſily beſet us, and with the ſame ſpirit to run the race that is ſet before us.
The Myſtery of God, concerning all the tranſactions of his eternal purpoſe upon the Theatre of this World, throughout the whole time of time ▪ being fully accompliſhed and revealed, (that of Jeſus Chriſt himſelf excepted) in none of all the work which he hath gloriouſly done, will he be admired ſo much in that day, as in what he hath wrought in the lives and deaths of Beleevers, as Beleevers. The ſame object is as admirable now as then; that it is not ſo much admired, is, becauſe it is not ſeen now ſo much as it ſhall be then. The greateſt Object out of Heaven is the life and death of ſuch upon Earth, who are now in Heaven. You may beleeve it, what God hath done for the Soul of the leaſt Saint of ſome few years continuance, were it digeſted into Order, would make a volume full of temptations, ſignes, and wonders: A wonderful Hiſtory, becauſe a Hiſtory of ſuch experiences, each one whereof is more then a Wonder. No greater acts then their obedience, both Active and Paſſive unto the death. The ſufferings of the Apoſtles may well be reckoned amongſt the Acts of the Apoſtles. No greater Monuments then their Regiſter: To live and die in the Faith of Jeſus; to do things worthy to be written, and to write things worthy to be done, both is good, and doth good, 'Tis better with William Hunter, then with William the Conqueror. 'Tis better to have a name in the Book of Martyrs then in the Book of Chronicles. Martial Conquerors conquer Bodies, by deſtroying. Confeſſors conquer Souls, by ſaveing. They overcame by the blood of the Lamb, and the word of his Teſtimony, and loved not their lives unto the death ▪ Amongſt theſe, as the Age that now is (through Grace) hath abounded with many worthies, ſo This Eminent Servant of God, the ſubject of our preſent meditation, may without wrong unto any be placed amongſt the firſt Three. Had it pleaſed the only wiſe God to have put it into his heart to have imitated Junius, in leaving behind him the Hiſtory6 of his own Life, how many would have gladly received it, as Eliſha did the Mantle which fell from Elijah, when he was caught up and carried from him into Heaven: But Divine Providence otherwiſe diſpoſing, it remains, that they who have known his doctrine, manner of Life, purpoſe, Faith, Long-ſuffering, Love, Patience, Perſecutions, and affliction, do not ſuffer ſuch a Light to be hid under a Buſhel, but put it on a Candleſtick, that it may give light to them that are in the Houſe.
His Birth-place, Dorby, we ſhall not detain the Reader at,His birth. though a Scituation in reſpect of the purity, and frequent Agitation of the air, attempered (in the judgment of the Orator) for the breeding of better Wits, Creatures are in their kind ſubſervient; but, tis God, (not the air) who puts Wiſdom into the inward parts, and giveth underſtanding to the heart. As the wiſe man and the Fool die, ſo are they both ordinarily born in the ſame place. The glory of every good and perfect gift reſerved for the Father of Lights.
Let it be ſufficient to acknowledge both the place an honor to the perſon, and the perſon an honor to the place. What Baſil ſometime commended in the Martyrs, the ſame is to be looked at in our Confeſſor (or Martyr, which you pleaſe) namely, that his praiſe is not to be derived from his Country here below, wherein he was born: But from his Relation unto that Hieruſalem which is above, where he was inſtrumentally born again, according unto Grace. The mercy of a good Deſcent which the joint-conſent of all generations, hath always voted not to be the leaſt part of outward happineſs, God bleſſed him with from the womb. His parents being perſons of conſiderable quality, and of good reputation. Their condition, as to the things of this Life, competent; neither unable to defray the expence of his education in literature, nor ſo abounding as to be a temptation on the other hand unto the neglect thereof. Crates the Philoſopher would needs go unto the higheſt place of the City and cry in the audience of all the people, O men! whether go ye? why take ye ſo much pains to gather riches for your Children, and have no care to train them up, who ſhould7 enjoy them? And Plutarch was wont to ſay, that he would add but this one thing thereunto; That ſuch men as theſe were, are very like to them who are very careful for the ſhooe, and take no care for the foot. But God who had predetermined this then tender plant to be a Tree of Life for the feeding of many thouſands, to be a choſen Veſſel to bear his name before the Nations; in way thereunto inſpired his Parents with an effectuall ſollicitude concerning the ordering of the child in his Minority. The Grecians called Timous Erudition, Paideia; The word it ſelf a loud admonition〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. to wiſe Fathers, not to ſuffer the Childiſh years of their Offſpring, to paſs away without diſcipline. Though vain man would be wiſe, yet may he be compared to the Cubb, as well as to the wild Aſſes Colt: Now we know the Bear when ſhe bringeth forth her young ones, they are an ill-favoured lump, a maſſe without ſhape; but by continuall licking. they are brought to ſome form. Children are called Infants of theLam. 2. 20. palms, or Educations, not becauſe they are but a ſpan in length, but becauſe the Midwife, as ſoon as they are born,〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ſtretcheth out their joynts with her hand, that they may be more ſtreight afterwards.
This care in the Parents was quickly above expectation encouraged in the Firſt-Fruits of their young Sons proficiency, more and more increaſing great hopes concerning him throughout the whole time of his minority, wherein he was trained up in the Grammar-School of D••by, Three ingredients; Ariſtorle requires to compleat a man: An innate excellency of Wit, Inſtruction, and Government: The two laſt we have by nature, in them man is Inſtrumental: The firſt we have by nature more immediately from God. This native aptitude of mind, which is indeed a peculiar gift of God, the Naturaliſt calls the ſparklings and ſeeds of vertue, and looked at them as the principles and foundation of better education. Theſe, the Godly-wiſe adviſe ſuch to whom the inſpection of Youth is committed, to attend unto; as Spring-maſters were wont to take a tryal of the vertue latentAnimi noſtriſunt agri animati. Clem. Alex: in Waters, by the morning-vapours that aſcend from them. The Husbandman perceiving the nature of the ſoyle, fits8 it with ſuitable ſeed: A towardly Diſpoſition is worſe then loſt without Education. The firſt impreſſion ſinks deep, and abides long. The manners and learning of the Scholar, depend not a little upon the manners and teaching of the Maſter. Phyſicians tell us, that the fault of the firſt concoction is not corrigible by the ſecond; and experience ſheweth, that errors committed in youth through defect of education, are difficultly cured in age. Mephiboſheth halteth all his life-long, of the lameneſs he got through his Nurſes careleſneſs when he was a child. In the piety of England's Edward the the Sixth, and Elizabeth, Hiſtory ingenuouſly and thankfully acknowledgeth the eminent influence of their Tutors: But amongſt the cauſes of Julian's Apoſtacie, the ſame Remembrancer mentioneth it as a principal one, that he had two Heatheniſh maſters, Libanius and Iamblicus, from whom he drank in great prophaneneſs: The beſt ſoil needs both tilling and ſowing; there muſt be culture as well as ſeed, or you can expect no harveſt. What ſon is he, that the father chaſteneth not? And that our daughters may be as Corner-ſtones, Palace-ſtones, and (albeit the weaker veſſels, yet) veſſels of precious treaſure, they muſt be carved, that is, ſuffer the cutting, engraving, and poliſhing hand of the Artificer. Since the being of Sin, Doctrine and Example alone are inſufficient; Diſcipline is an eſſential part of the nurture of the Lord. The learned and famous Melancthon's words are remarkable, ſpeaking of his Schoolmaſter:I (ſaith he) had a Maſter, who was an excellent Grammarian: He impoſedMel. Adam in vita Melanct. upon me ſuch and ſuch exerciſes, not permitting any omiſſion thereof: As often as I erred I was puniſhed, but with ſuch moderation as was convenient. So he made me a Grammarian. He was an excellent man; he loved me as a ſon, and I loved him as a Father; and I hope we ſhall both ſhortly meet together in Heaven. His ſeverity was not ſeverity, but paternal diſcipline.
Mans Belial-heart, becauſe ſuch, though it cannot want, yet it will not bear the yoke of Education. Children love not to take phyſick, though they die without it. The non-acknowledgment hereof, is the denying of our Original9 diſeaſe; The rejection of it, is to chooſe tranſgreſſion rather then correction. If you ask why the famous Lacedemonian State lived and flouriſhed, when their ſiſter-Cities of Greece fell to diſſoluteneſs, and from thence to confuſion: Xenophon tells us the reaſon thereof was, becauſe the LacedemoniansXenophon in lib. de repub. Lacedaem. eſtabliſhed the Education of their Youth by a Law, which the other Grecians neglected. Sure we are that it is a Statute in Iſrael, and a Law of the God of Jacob, Fathers bring up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. And unto the training up of a child in the way he ſhould go, faithful is He which hath promiſed, that when he is old, he will not depart from it.
About thirteen years of age he was admitted into Trinity-ColledgeHe is admited into Trinity Colledge in Cambridge. in Cambridge, much about the time whereat the famous Juel was ſometimes ſent unto Oxford; at the hearing of whoſe Lectures afterwards, his ſometime Tutor Parkhurſt ſaluted him with this Diſtich:
'Tis not Youth, but Licentiouſneſs in Youth, that unfits for an Academical ſtate; ſuch as Philoſtratus long ſince complained of, who ſtain an Athenian life with wicked manners. The Prince of the Peripateticks deſcribing his Hearers, diſtinguiſheth between Youths in years, and Youths in manners: Such who are Old in days, yet Youths in diſpoſition, he rejects: Such who are Youths in age, but Seniors in ſpirit and behaviour, he admits into his Auditory. Junius telleth us, that his Grandfather was wont to write to his father Dionyſius, when a Student in the Univerſities of France, with thisDionyſio dilecto filio, miſſo ad ſtudendum. In vita Junii. ſait ſuperſcription: Dionyſio dilecto filio, miſſo ad ſtudendum: To Dionyſius my beloved ſon, ſent to ſtudy. Idleneſs in youth is ſcarcely healed without a ſcar in age. Life is but ſhort; and our leſſon is longer then admits the loſs of ſo great an opportunity,10 without a ſenſible defect afterward ſhewing it ſelf. Bees gather in the Spring, that which they are to live upon in the Winter: Therefore Fox Biſhop of Wincheſter willed the Students of that Colledge whereof he was a Benefactor, to be as ſo many Bees. Seneca admoniſheth his Lucilius, that thoſe things are to be gotten whilſt we are young, which we muſtJuveni parandum, ſeni utenduan est. make uſe of when we are old. Accordingly God, who had ſet apart our Student to be a Junius, not a Dionyſius, inclined his heart unto ſuch attractive diligence, and effectual improving of opportunities: whence his profiting in the Arts and Languages above his Equals, ſo far commended him unto the Maſter and Fellows, as that he had undoubtedly been choſen Fellow of that Colledge, had not the extraordinary expence about the building of their great Hall at that time put by, or at leaſt deferred their Election until ſome longer time.
From Trinity he was removed to Emanuel, that happyHe removeth from Trinity to Emanuel. Seminary both of Piety and Learning. The occaſion I cannot now learn: howſoever it may call to minde that Maxim of the Herbaliſts, Plantae tranſlatio eſt plantae perfectio; The tranſplantation of a plant, is the perfection of a plant. In that Society the Lord gave him favor, ſo that in due time he was honored with a Fellowſhip amongſt them, after a diligent and ſtrict Examen according to the Statutes of that Houſe. Wherein this is not unworthy the taking notice of; That when the Poſer came to examine him in the Hebrew tongue, the place that he took trial of him by, was that Iſaiah 3. againſt the exceſſive bravery of the haughty daughters of Sion; which hath more hard words in it, then any place of the Bible within ſo ſhort a compaſs; and therefore though a preſent conſtruction and reſolution thereof might have put a good Hebrician to a ſtand, yet ſuch was his dexterity, as made thoſe difficult words facil, and rendred him a prompt Reſpondent. This providence is here remarkable concerning him; That whereas his Father (whoſe Calling was towards the Law) had not many Clients that made uſe of his Advice in Law-matters before, it pleaſed God after his Son's going to Cambridge to bleſs him with great Practice,11 ſo that he was very able to keep him there, and to allow him liberal maintenance: Inſomuch that this bleſſed man hath been heard to ſay, God kept me in the Univerſity.
He is now in the place of improvement, amongſt his〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉beſet with Examples, as ſo many objects of Better Emulation: If he ſlacken his pace, his Compeers will leave him behind; and though he quicken it, there are ſtill thoſe which are before. Notwithſtanding Themiſtocles excelleth, yet the Trophies of Miltiades ſuffer him not to ſleep. Cato that Helus, that Devourer of Books, is at Athens. Ability and Opportunity are now met together; unto both which Induſtry actuated with a deſire to know, being joined, beſpeaks a perſon of high expectation. The unwearied pains of ambitious and unquiet Wits, are amongſt the amazements of Ages. Aſia and Egypt can hold the Seven Wonders; but the Books, Works, and Motions of Ambitious mindes, the whole World cannot contain. It was an illicit aſpiring after Knowledge, which helped to put forth Eve's hand unto the〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉Ariſt. Eth. l. 10. c. 7. forbidden fruit: The leſs marvel if irregenerate and elevated Wits have placed their Summum bonum in Knowledge, indefatigably purſuing it as a kind of Deity, as a thing Numinous, yea, as a kind of Mortal-Immortality. Diogenes, Democritus, and other Philoſophers accounting large Eſtates to be an impediment to their Proficiencie in Knowledge, diſpoſſeſſed themſelves of rich inheritances, that they might be the fitter Students; preferring an opportunity of Study before a large Patrimony. Junius, yet ignorant of Chriſt, can want his Country, neceſſaries, and many comforts; but he muſt excell. Through deſire a man having ſeparated himſelf, ſeeketh and intermedleth with all wiſdom, Prov. 18. 1. The elder Plinius loſt his life in venturing too neer to ſearch the cauſe of the irruption of the hill Vetruvius. 'Tis true, Knowledge excelleth other created excellencies, as much as light excelleth darkneſs: yet it agreeth with them in this, that neither can exempt the ſubject thereof from eternal miſery. Whilſt we ſeek Knowledge with a ſelfiſh intereſt, we ſerve the Decree; and ſelf being deſtroyed according to the Decree, we hence become more able to ſerve the Command. The12 treaſure which man Irregenerate travelleth for, as intending it for themſelves, man Regenerate expends for God.
As he was a lover of labor, ſo he was communicative, a diligent Tutor, and full of Students committed to his care. He was a Didactical man, both able, and apt to teach. Ability to inſtruct youth, argueth a Wiſe-man. To guide man, Nazianzen accounted the Art of Arts. To be willing to〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. teach, argueth a good man; good is communitative. Such was his Academical dexterity, that he could impart (as Scaliger ſpeaks) the felicities of wit to his hearers, ſo accomodating and inſinuating the matter in hand, as his Pupils might both perceive their profiting, and taſte the ſweetneſs of that wherein they profited. Thus by ſchoole-ſtratagems, he won the hearts of his ſcholars both to himſelf, and to a deſire ofMellific. Hiſtoric. par. 1. in Hiſtoria Alcibidis. learning; They were as Soerates and Alcibiades, or rather as the Prophets, and the ſons of the Prophets: his pupils were honores, and lovers of him; He was a Tutor, friend and Father unto them.
The manner of his Converſion take in his own words (as neer as can be remembred) thus. During his reſidence inThe manner of his Converſion the Univerſity, God began to work upon him under the miniſtery of Mr Perkins of bleſſed memory. But the motions and ſtirrings of his heart which then were, he ſuppreſſed; thinking that if he ſhould trouble himſelf with matters of Religion, according to the light he had received, it would be an hindrance to him in his ſtudies, which then he had addicted himſelf unto. Therefore he was willing to ſilence thoſe ſuggeſtions and callings he had from the Spirit inwardly, and did wittingly defer the proſecution of that work until afterwards. At length; walking in the field, and hearing the Bell toll for Mr Perkins who then lay dying, he was ſecretly glad in his heart, that he ſhould now be rid of him who had (as he ſaid) laid ſiege to and beleaguer'd his heart. This became a cauſe of much affliction to him, God keeping it upon his ſpirit, with the aggravation of it, and making it an effectual meanes of convincing and humbling him in the ſight and ſenſe of the natural enmity that is in13 mans nature againſt God. Afterwards, hearing Doctor Sibbs, (then Mr Sibbs) preaching a Sermon about Regeneration, where he firſt ſhewed what Regeneration was not, when opening the State of a Civil man, he ſaw his own condition fully diſcovered, which through mercy did drive him to a ſtand, as plainly ſeeing himſelf to have no true grace, all his falſe hopes and grounds now failing him: And ſo he lay a long time in an uncomfortable deſpairing way; and of all things, this was his heavieſt burthen, that he had wittingly withſtood the meanes and offers of grace and mercy which he found had been tendred to him; till it pleaſed God to let in ſome word of Faith into his heart, to cauſe him to look unto Chriſt for healing, which word (if memory faileth not) was diſpenſed unto him by Doctor Sibbs; which begat in him a ſingular and conſtant love of Doctor Sibbs, of whom he was alſo anſwerably beloved
That which firſt made him famous in Cambridge, was hisHis fame in the Univerſity. Funeral Oration for Doctor Some, Maſter of Peter-houſe; ſo accurately performed, in reſpect of Invention, Elegancy, Purity of Style, Ornamens of Rhetorick, Elocution, and Oratorious beauty of the whole, as that he was thenceforth looked at as another Xenophon, or Muſa Attica throughout the Univerſity. Some ſpace of time intervening, he was called to Preach at St Maries, where he preached an Univerſity-Sermon, with high applauſe of Academical Wits, ſo that the fame of his learning grew greater and greater. Afterwards being called to preach in the ſame place, as one Oration of Pericles left the hearer with an Appetite of another; ſo the memory of his former accurate Exerciſes, filled the Colledges, eſpecially the young Students with a freſh expectation of ſuch Elegancies of Learning, that the Curious and Corinthian Wits, who prefer the Muſes before Moſes, who taſte Plato more then Paul, and reliſh the Orator of Athens far above the Preacher of the Croſs, (like Quintilians numerous Auditory, ſufficient to tempt the abilities of the Speaker) flock to the Sermon with an Athenian Itch after ſome new thing, as to the Ornaments of Rhetorick and abſtruſer notions of Philoſophy. But his Spirit now14 ſavouring of the Croſs of Chriſt more then of Humane literature, and being taught of God to diſtinguiſh between the word of wiſdom, and the wiſdom of words; his ſpeech and preaching was not with the enticing words of mans wiſdom, but in the demonſtration of the Spirit and of power.
The diſappointed expectation of the Auditory ſoon appeared in their countenances; and the diſcouragement of their non-acceptance returned him unto his chamber not without ſome ſadder thoughts of heart. Where he had not been long alone, but lo, Doctor Preſton (then Maſter Preſton) knocks at his door, and coming in, acquaints him with his ſpiritual condition, and how it had pleaſed God to ſpeak effectually unto his heart by that Sermon: After which, Doctor Preston ever highly prized him, and both fully and ſtrongly cloſed with him. Which real ſeal of God unto his Miniſtry comforted his ſoul, far above what the preſent leſsacceptance of the Auditory had dejected him, or their former acceptance encouraged him. This brings to mind that celebrated ſtory of the Converſion of the Heathen Philoſopher at Nice, which God wrought by the means of an antient and pious Confeſſor, plainly declaring unto him the doctrine of Faith, after that many Chriſtian Philoſophers had by Philoſophical diſputations laboured in vain. Chriſt evidently held forth, is Divine Eloquence, the Eloquence of Eloquence. God will not have it ſaid of Chriſt, as Alexander ſaid of Achilles, That he was beholden to the pen of him that publiſhed his Acts. 'Tis Chriſt that is preached, not the tongue of the Preacher, to whom is due all praiſe. Such inſtances conclude, that Paul is more learned then Plato. We muſt diſtinguiſh between ineptneſs of ſpeech, Carnal Rhetorick, and Eloquent Goſpelſimplicity; between Ignorance, Oſtentation, and Learning. The Preacher ſought to find out acceptable words, and words of truth.
His Concio ad Clerum, when he proceeded Bachelor of Divinity (after he had been at Boſton about half a year) was very much admired and commended. His text was Mat. 5. 13. V•s eſtis ſal terrae: quod ſi ſal infatuarus fuerit, quo ſalietur? Ye are the ſalt of the earth: but if the ſalt have loſt its ſavour,15 wherewith ſhall it be ſalted? In handling of which, both the weight of the matter, elegancie of phraſe, Rhetorical ſtreins, grave, ſweet, and ſpiritual pronuntiation, rendred him yet more famous. The like did his anſwering of the Divinity-Act in the Schools, having a very acute Opponent, Mr William Chappell, to diſpute with him. So that in Cambridge the name of Mr Cotton was much ſet by.
Unto this earthen veſſel thus filled with heavenly treaſure,His remove to Boſton in Lincolnſhire. Boſton in Lincolnſhire made their addreſs, ſaying, Come and help us! And in that Candleſtick the Father of ſpirits placeth this burning and ſhining light: To whom he removed from Cambridge about the 28. year of his age. At the firſt he met with ſome obſtructions from the Dioceſan, then Biſhop Barloe, who told him that he was a young man, and unfit to be ſet over ſuch a divided people. Mr Cotton being ingenuous, and undervaluing himſelf, thought ſo too, and purpoſed to return to the College again: But ſome of his Boſton-friends underſtanding that one Simon Biby was to be ſpoken with, who was neer to the Biſhop, they preſently charmed him, and ſo the buſineſs proceeded without further trouble, and Mr Cotton was admitted into the place after their manner in thoſe days.
Two things are here not unworthy of obſervation, (which he would ſometimes ſpeak of to his friends:) Firſt, that in the beginning of his Miniſtery, he was exerciſed with ſome inward troubles which much dejected him. No ſooner had Chriſt received his miſſion into his publick miniſtery, but he is led into the wilderneſs to be tempted of the Devil. Wiſe Heman ſuffered the horrors of God, and was laid in the loweſt pit. The Doctor of the Gentiles ſtood in need of being buffered by Satan. The Tempter is in Chriſts hand, and an inſtrumental winnower of the Diſciples. His fiery darts, through the influence of him who ſuccors thoſe that are tempted, cleanſe as well as ſmart; and this cleanſing efficacie remains when the ſmart is over. From the experience of this Archer, are the choiſe Shepherds in Iſrael. Good ſpirits are much better'd by their conflicts with the worſt of ſpirits: Spiritual Preachers are often trained up in the ſchool of temptation:16 ſo true is that theological maxim; Meditation, Prayer, andTria faciunt Theologum, meditatio, oratio, tentatio. Temptation make a Divine. This diſpenſation of the all-wiſe God he afterwards found not only to be beneficial to him, in preparing his heart for his work, but alſo that it became an effectual means of his more peaceable and comfortable ſettlement in that place, where the people were divided amongſt themſelves, by reaſon of a potent man in the Town, who adhered to another Cambridge-man, whom he deſired to bring in. But when they ſaw Mr Cotton wholly taken up with his own exerciſes of ſpirit, they were free from all ſuſpition of his being pragmatical, or addicted to ſiding with this or that Party, and ſo began to cloſe more fully with him.
And ſecondly, Whereas there was an Arminian party in that Town, ſome of whom were witty, and troubled others with diſputes about thoſe points, by Gods bleſſing upon his labours in holding forth poſitively ſuch Truths as undermined the foundations of Arminianiſm, thoſe Diſputes ceaſed, and in time Arminianiſm was no more pleaded for. So God diſpoſeth of the hearts of hearers, as that generally they are all open and loving to their Preachers in their firſt times: Trials are often reſerved until afterwards. Epiphanius calleth the firſt year of Chriſts miniſtery, the acceptable year. The Diſciples in their firſt miſſion want nothing, and return all ſafe; but after his death they met with other entertainment, and come ſhort home. Young Peter girdeth himſelf and walks whither he will; but Old Peter is girded by another, and carried whither he would not.
For three or four years he lived and preached among them without oppoſition; they accounted themſelves happy (as well they might) in the enjoyment of him, both the Town and Country thereabout being much bettered and reformed by his labours. After, not being able to bear the Ceremonies impoſed, his Non-conformity occaſioned his trouble in the Court of Lincoln, from whence he was adviſed to appeal to a higher Court: And imploying Mr Leveret (who afterwards was one of the Ruling-Elders of the Church of Boſton in New-England) to deal in that buſineſs, and he being a plain man as Jacob was, yet piouſly ſubtile to get ſuch a17 ſpiritual bleſſing, ſo far inſinuated himſelf into one of the Proctors of that high-Court, that Mr Cotton was treated by them as if he were a conformable man, and ſo was reſtored unto Boſton. (Likewiſe by the ſame meanes it was, that a Gentleman of Boſton, called Mr Benner, uſed occaſionally afterwards to bring him in again:) After this time he was bleſſed with a ſucceſsful Miniſtry, unto the end of twenty years. In which ſpace he on the Lords-day, in the Afternoons, went over the whole body of Divinity in a Cathechiſtical way thrice, and gave the heads of his diſcourſe, to thoſe that were young Schollars, and others in the Town, to anſwer his queſtions in publick in that great Congregation; and after their anſwers he opened thoſe heads of Divinity, and finally applyed all to the edification of his people, and to ſuch ſtrangers as came to hear him. In the morning on the Lords day, he preached over the firſt ſix Chapters of the Goſpel of John; the whole book of Eccleſiaſtes, the Propheſie of Zechariah, and many other Scriptures, and when the Lords Supper was adminiſtred (which was uſually every moneth,) He preached upon 1 Cor. 11. and 2 Chron. 30. per totum, and ſome other Scriptures concerning that Subject. On his Lecture days, he preached thorough the whole Firſt and Second Epiſtles of John, the whole book of Solomons Song, the Parables of our Saviour ſet forth in Matthews Goſpel to the end of Chapter 16. compairing them with Mark and Luke: He took much pains in private, and read to ſundry young Schollars, that were in his Houſe, and ſome that come out of Germany, and had his houſe full of Auditors. Afterwards, ſeeing ſome inconvenience in the Peoples flocking to his houſe, beſides his ordinary Lecture on the 5 day of the Week, he preached thrice more in publick on the Week days. On the fourth and fifth days early in the morning, and on the laſt day at three of the clock in the afternoon. Only theſe three laſt Lectures were performed by him but ſome few years before he had another famous Colleague. He was frequent in duties of Humiliation, and Thankſgiving. Sometimes five or ſix hours in Prayer, and18 opening of the Word, ſo undefatigable in the Lords work, ſo willing to ſpend and to be ſpent. He anſwered many Letters that were ſent far and near, wherein were handled many difficult caſes of Conſcience, and many doubts cleered to great ſatisfaction.
He was a man exceedingly loved and admired of the beſt, and reverenced of the worſt of his hearers. He was in great favour with Doctor Williams, the then Biſhop of Lincoln, who much eſteemed him for his learning, and (according to report) when he was Lord keeper of the great Seal, went to King James, and ſpeaking of Mr Cottons great learning and worth, the King was willing notwithſtanding his non-conformity, to give way that he ſhould have his liberty without interruption in his Miniſtry, which was the more notable conſidering how that Kings ſpirit was carried out againſt ſuch men. Alſo, the Earl of Dorceſter being at Old-Boſton, and hearing Mr Cotton preaching concerning (if memory fail not) Civil-Government, He was ſo affected with the Wiſdom of his words and Spirit, that he did ever after highly account of him, and put himſelf forth what he could in the time of Mr Cottons troubles to deliver him out of them, that his Boſton might enjoy him as formerly; but he found ſpiritual wickedneſſes in high places too ſtrongly oppoſite to his Deſires.
About this time he married his ſecond Wife, Mris Sarah Story, then a Widow. He was bleſſed above many in his marriages, both his Wives being pious Matrons, grave, ſober, faithful, like Euodias and Syntyche, Fellow-Laborers with him in the Goſpel; by the firſt he had no Children; the laſt God made a Fruitful Vine unto him. His Firſt-born ſhe brought forth far off upon the Sea: He that left Europe childleſs, arived a joyfull Father in America; God who promiſeth to be with his ſervants when they paſſe through the Waters, having cauſed him to embrace a Son by the way; In memorial whereof he called his name Seaborn, to keep alive (ſaid he) in mee, and to teach him if he live, a remembrance of Sea-mercies, from the hand of a gracious God. He is yet living, and now entred into the Work of19 the Miniſtry. A Son of many prayers, and of great expectation.
The time being now come wherein God purpoſed to uperadd unto what had formerly been, a practical and more notable Teſtimony againſt the intermixing of humane inventions with Inſtitutions Divine, and to the Goſpel Church-worſhip, and Politie in their purity, he in his All-wiſe providence tranſplants many of his Faithfull ſervants into this vaſt Wilderneſs as a place in reſpect of it's remoteneſs ſo much the fitter for the fuller inquiry after, and free exerciſe of all his holy ordinances, and together therewith for the holding forth a pregnant demonſtration of the conſiſtency of Civil-Government with a Congregational-way God giveth Moſes the pattern of the Tabernacle in the Wilderneſs. Ezekiel ſeeth the formes of the Houſe in exile. John receiveth his Revelation in Patmos. Jotham upon mount Gerizim is bold to utter his Apologie: And David can more ſafely expoſtulate with Saul, when he is gotten to the top ofTerga converſimetuenda Parthi. Seneca. the Hill a far off, a great ſpace between them. The Parthians having learned the Art of ſhooting backwards, made their retreat more terrible then their onſet to their Adverſaries. The event ſoon ſhewed the wiſdom of God herein, the people in a ſhort time clearly underſtanding that truth in the practice, which by diſpute they could not in a long time attain unto. In order hereunto, the God of the Spirits of all fleſh, ſtirreth up many of his Faithful ones to leave that pleaſant Land, their Eſtates, their Kindred, their Fathers houſes, and ſail over the Atlantick-Ocean unto this vaſt Jeſhimon. Amongſt whom this choice-Servant of God, with many others graciouſly fitted for ſuch a Work, are ſent over to ſet up the worſhip of Chriſt in this deſart. A ſervice, of which the Apologetical brethren (may we be permitted to tranſcribe their apprehenſion thereof) ſpeak thus. Laſt of all we had the recent and later Example of the ways and practices (and thoſe improved to a better Edition, and greater refinement by all the fore-mentioned helpes) of thoſe multitudes of Godly men of our own Nation, almoſt to the number of another Nation, and20 among them ſome as holy and judicious Divines as this Kingdom hath bred; whoſe ſincerity in their way hath been teſtified before all the world, and will be to all generations to come, by the greateſt undertaking (but that of our Father Abraham out of his own country, and his ſeed after him) A tranſplanting themſelves many thouſand miles diſtance, and that by Sea, into a wilderneſs, meerly to worſhip God more purely, whither to allure them there could be no other invitement.
The perſons ſpoken of in this Tranſcript, in the recital thereof diſtinguiſh between the Act and the Agents. This teſtimony whilſt they crave leave to preſent unto the Reader in way of defence for their undertaking, ſo far as to be of God; they are aſhamed of themſelves the Agents, as moſt unworthy. They here read their duty, what they ought to be; and are not inſenſible of the goads of the wiſe, provoking them to be according to their duty: in the mean while confeſſing and lamenting their too manifeſt unanſwerable walking unto their Profeſſion, and their Brethrens expectation.
The cauſe of his departure was this: The corruption ofThe cauſe of his removal to New-England. the Times being ſuch, as would not endure his officiating any longer in his ſtation without ſin; and the envy of his maligners having procured Letters miſſive to convent him before the High Commiſſion, which a debauched Inhabitant of that Town (who not long after died of the Plague) undertook to deliver to him, according as he had already done to ſome others: Mr Cotton having intelligence thereof, and well knowing that nothing but ſcorns and impriſonment were to be expected; conformably to the advice of many able heads and upright hearts (amongſt whom that holy man21 Mr. Dod of bleſſed memory had a ſingular influence) he kept himſelf cloſe for a time in and about London ▪ as Luther ſometimes at Wittenberg, and Paraeus afterwards at Anvilla. Neither was that ſeaſon of his receſs unprofitable: but as Jerom retired to his den at Bethlehem was an Oracle unto many in his time, ſo Addreſſes during that interim were made unto him privately by divers perſons of worth and piety, who received from him ſatisfaction unto their Conſciences in caſes of greateſt concernment. His fliglit was not like that of Pliny's Mice, that forſake a houſe foreſeeing the ruine of it; or of Mercenaries, who flie from duty in time of danger: but Providence Divine ſhutting up the door of ſervice in England, and on the other hand opening it in New-England, he was guided both by the word and eye of the Lord. And as David yielded upon the perſwaſion of his men to abſent himſelf from danger, ſo he ſuffered himſelf to be perſwaded by his friends to withdraw from the luſt of his Perſecutors, for the preſervation of ſo precious a light in Iſrael; after the example of Jacob, Moſes, the Prophets which Obadiah hid in the caves, Polycarp, Athanaſius, yea and Chriſt himſelf; When they perſecute you in one City, flie unto another. Cyprian implieth, that a tempeſtive Flight is a kinde of Confeſſion of our faith; it being an open profeſſion, that our faith is dearer to us then all that we flie from, for the defence thereof. It was not a flight from duty, but from evident, and regularly evitable danger; not from the evil of perſecution, but from the evil of obſtruction unto ſerviceableneſs. It was not a flight from duty, but unto duty; not from the profeſſion of the Truth, but unto a more opportune place for the profeſſion of it.
Thus this Infant and ſmall Commonwealth being now capacitated both in reſpect of Civil and Church-eſtate, to walk with God according to the preſcript of his Word; it was the good hand of the Lord unto his ſervants who had afflicted their ſouls to ſeek of him a right way for themſelves, their little ones, and their ſubſtance, to ſend unto them (amongſt many others) this man of underſtanding, that might be unto them as eyes in this wilderneſs. His manner of22 entrance unto them was with much bleſſing. For at his firſt coming, he found them not without ſome troubles about ſetling the matters of the Church and Commonwealth.
When Mr. Cotton (being requeſted) preaching before the General Court out of Haggai 2. 4. Yet now be ſtrong O Zerubbabel, ſaith the Lord, be ſtrong O Joſhua ſon of Joſedek the High-Prieſt, and be ſtrong all ye people of the land, ſaith the Lord, and work; for I am with you, ſaith the Lord of Hoſts: As Menenius Agrippa ſometimes by his Oration healed thatLiv. hiſtor. lib 2. cap. 32. then-threatning breach between the Fathers and the People of Rome; ſo through the Lords working mightily by this Sermon, all obſtructions were preſently removed, and the ſpirits of all ſorts, as one man, were excited unanimouſly and vigorouſly in the work of the Lord from that day.
In order whereunto the Court conſidering, That that people of God, all the members of which Republick were Church-members, were to be governed conformably to the Law of God, deſired Mr. Cotton to draw an Abſtract of the Judicial Laws delivered from God by Moſes, ſo far forth as they were of moral (ie of perpetual and univerſal) equity. Which he did, adviſing them to perſiſt in their purpoſe of eſtabliſhing a Theocraty (i. e. Gods Government) over Gods people. It was an uſual thing henceforth for the Magiſtrate to conſult with the Miniſters in hard caſes, eſpecially in matters of the Lord: yet ſo, as notwithſtanding occaſional conjunction, religious care was had of avoiding confuſion of Counſels: Moſes and Aaron rejoiced, and kiſſed one another in the mount of God. After which time, how uſeful he was to England, to N. E. to Magiſtrates, to Miniſters, to People, in publick and private, by Preaching, Counſel, and reſolving difficult queſtions, all know that knew him, and conſequently ſaw the grace of God ſo evidently manifeſted in him. In the courſe of his Miniſtery in New-Boſton, by way of Expoſition, he went through the Old-Teſtament unto Iſa. 30. the whole New-Teſtament once through, and the ſecond time unto the middle of Heb. 11. Upon Lords days and Lecture-days, he preached through the Acts of the Apoſtles, Haggai, Zechary, Ezra, the Revelation, Eccleſiaſtes, Canticles, the Second and23 Third Epiſtles of John, the Epiſtle of Titus, both the Epiſtles of Timothy, the Epiſtle to the Romans, with other Scriptures: The preſence of the Lord being mighty with him, and crowning his labours to the Converſion of many ſouls, and the Edification of thouſands. Beſides theſe labours forementioned, he hath many Pieces in Print, which being well known, need the leſs to be here enumerated.
His youth was unſtained, whence he was ſo much the moreHis unſtained youth. capable of being an excellent Inſtrument in the Church in his after-age. Many do that evil whilſt they are young, which makes them unable (at leaſt comparatively) to do ſo much good when they are old. He muſt have a good report of them that are without, leſt he fall into the reproach and ſnare of1 Tim, 3. 7. the Devil. Satan catcheth at the ſcandals of ſuch who are in the Miniſtery, as fitteſt materials to make ſnares unto the prejudice both of the Goſpel, and of ſouls. Auguſtine, to whom God in this reſpect ſhewed peculiar mercy, upon his (ordinarily) unparallel'd repentance, telleth us, A good lifeAug. de bono viduitat. c. 22. is requiſite in reſpect of our ſelves, but a good name is requiſite in reſpect of others. The gratefulneſe of the moſt excellent liquor unto the ſtomach, depends in part upon the quality of the veſſel. We may be good men, if we have a good Conſcience; but we are not like to do much good, if we have not a good Name. Our Religion, our Report, and our Eye muſt not be plaid withal. It is a ſmart admonition mentioned by Sturmius in his Claſſical Epiſtles, when upon ſuch an one reading out of Tully's Offices, who himſelf was not of an unblemiſhed life, his hearer objects, Docet officinm, non facitMiraculi inſtar vitae iter, ſi longum, ſine offenſione percurrere. Marian. l. 1. de morte & immortal. cap. 6. officium; He teacheth duty, but he doth not do his duty. A divine freedom did open Samuels mouth to teſtifie againſt the ſins of the people, whilſt they were compelled to teſtifie unto the innocencie of Samuel. To be long at ſea, and not meet with one ſtorm, is unuſual: To live long, and to lead a godly life all-along without offence, is not a little wonder, and a ſpecial favor both to our ſelves and others. He was a generalHis Learning. Non neceſſaria diſcendo, neceſſaria ignoramus. Sen. Scholar, ſtudious to know all things, the want whereof might in one of his profeſſion be denominated Ignorance; and piouſly ignorant of thoſe things, the neſcience whereof made him24 more learned. One man is not born to all things. No calling (beſides Divine requiſites) calleth for more Abilities, or a larger meaſure of humane knowledge then the Miniſtery; deſervedly therefore is his praiſe great in all the Churches, that he not only gave himſelf thereunto, but exceeded many that had done virtuouſly therein. The greater part of the Encuclopaideia he excelled in. Thoſe Arts which the Univerſity requireth ſuch a proficiency from her graduates in, he both digeſted and refined by his more accurate knowledge of them. He was a good Hebrician, in Greek a Critick, and could with great facility both ſpeak and write Latine in a pure and elegant Ciceronian Stile, a good Hiſtorian, no ſtranger to the Fathers, Councils, or School-men: Abundantly exerciſed in Commentators of all ſorts. His Library was great, his reading and learning anſwerable, himſelf a living and better Library. Though he was a conſtant Student, yet he had all his Learning out of his Books. He was a man of much Communion with God, and acquaintance with his own heart, obſerving the daily paſſages of his life. He had a deep ſight into the Myſtery of Gods grace, and mans corruption, and large apprehenſions of theſe things. It was wont to be ſaid, Bonus textuarius eſt bonus Theologus: A good Text man is a good Divine; If you look upon him in that notion, he was an Expoſitor (without offence be it ſpoken) not inferior to any of this more ſublimated age; That great Motto ſo much wondred at, Labore & Conſtantiâ,His diligence. Labor and Conſtancy, containing nothing more then the duty which God hath laid upon every man. Learning (ſaithHierom. Apolog. contra Ruffinum. Hierome) is not to be purchaſed with Silver, it is the Companion of Sweat and painfulneſs: of abſtemiouſneſs, not of fulneſs; of continency, not of wantonneſs: The earth continueth barren or worſe, except induſtry be its Mid-wife. The Hen which brings not forth without unceſſant ſitting night and day, is an apt Embleme of Students. The wiſerNocte dieque incubando. Naturaliſts who have been ſerious in improveing, and Chriſtians that have been conſcientious to improve or redeem their time, for the more effectual obtaining of their end, have diſtributed the day into certain proportions ſetting25 each a part to his predeſigned uſe: Hence the ancient Grecians appointed the firſt ſix hours unto their reſpective contemplative functions, the reſt (ſay they) call upon us to take care of our health and life.
Melancthon ſometime commended this diſtribution of the day unto a great man; that the four and twenty hours being divided into three parts, Eight be ſpent in ſtudy, Eight in our Bed, the reſt as our Bodily Welfare calls upon us ▪ Others give ten hours in the day unto our ſtudies, if ſtrength permits, approving of more according to this diviſion. HisSummus diligentiae gradus eſt vehememtiſſima, & exactiſſima diligentia. diligence was in the third degree moſt intenſe, and moſt exact. His meaſure was a glaſſe of four hours, three of which he would ſometime ſay, was a ſchollars day, and after that rate he ſpent not a few of his days; he was always an early riſer, and in his latter years, not eating any Supper; he made up the avocations of that day by retiring that time, and the reſt of the evening to his Study. With Solon as he grew Old, ſo was he continually a Learner: And with Quintilian〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. he terminated his life and his reading both together. The conſtant work of his Miniſtry was great, if not too great for one man. A Candle may ſpend too faſt: And the improvement of the light whilſt it is yet burning admits of degrees; beſides his preaching in ſeaſon, and out of ſeaſon, he was daily preſſed, if not oppreſſed, with the care and ſervice of the Churches; Attendance to perſonal caſes, and manifold other Imployments inevitably put upon him, both from abroad and at home, whence the time remaining (which is not a little to be lamented) was inſufficient to attend doctrinal, and eſpecial Polemical ſcripts, ſuch as the cauſe of the truth, occurents of Providence, and his peculiar engagements called for. He was free to give his judgment when deſired, but declined arbitration and umpirage in civil differences between man and man, as Heterogeneus both to his office and ſpirit. His courſe like that of Celeſtical26 bodies was always in motion, but ſtill careful to keep within his proper ſphere. Calvin was not more ſollicitous not to be found idle; no man more vigilant to contain himſelf within his meaſure. It was Religion to him, both to run, and to run lawfully within the white lines and boundaries of his Agoniſtical race. He was doing and ſo doing.
Pliny accounted thoſe happy men, who either did thingsHis Piety. Equidem beatos puto, quibus Deoru munere datum est aut facere ſcribenda, aut ſcriberc legenda. C. Pli. Tacit. vol. 1. worthy to be written, or wrote things worthy to be read. Chriſtians account thoſe Teachers bleſſed, and bleſſings, who teach both by their light, and life, in ſincerity. Thoſe which beſt knew his goins out and comings in, cannot but give a large teſtimony to his Piety. A Saint (above many of the Saints) manifeſtly declared in the conſciences of the godly amongſt whom he walked, to be the Epiſtle of Chriſt known and read of all meu. In his houſe, he walked with a perfect heart: He was an example to the flock, clothed with love and humility amongſt his brethren: One of a thouſand in reſpect of his worth; but (as is reported of Dr. Whitaker) as one of the multitude in reſpect of his facile and companion-like behaviour. Both Ability and Modeſty in ſuch a degree, are not ordinarily to be found in the ſame man: Others with much affection beheld the beauty of his face, whilſt himſelf was as one who knew not that his face ſhined. He was a Father, Friend, and Brother to his Fellow-Elders; and a ſhining Light before men.
As the being of man, ſo the well-being of humane affairs depends not a little upon Domeſtick government, whence are the ſeminaries and firſt ſocieties of mankinde. He wellBene non regis, ſi bene non regeris. Bern. epiſt. 189. knew a Biſhop ought not to be defective in ſo momentous a duty, incumbent upon all Heads of families: He muſt be one that ruleth well his own houſe. In conſcience whereof, he himſelf riſing betimes in the morning, as ſoon as he was ready, called his family together (which was alſo his practice in the evening) to the ſolemn worſhip of God; reading, and expounding, and occaſionally applying the Scripture unto them, always beginning and ending with prayer. In caſe of ſin committed by child or ſervant, he would call them aſide privately (the matter ſo requiring)27 lay the Scripture before them, cauſing them to read that which bare witneſs againſt ſuch offence: ſeldom or never correcting in anger, that the diſpenſation of godly diſcipline might not be impured, or become leſs effectual, through the intermixing of humane paſſion.
He began the Sabbath at evening; therefore then performed Family-duty after ſupper, being larger then ordinary in Expoſition, after which he Catechiſed his children and ſervants, and then returned into his Study. The morning following, Family-worſhip being ended, he retired into his Study, until the Bell called him away. Upon his return from Meeting, he returned again into his Study (the place of his labour and prayer) unto his private devotion: where (having a ſmall repaſt carried him up for his dinner) he continued till the tolling of the bell. The publick ſervice being over, he withdrew for a ſpace to his prementioned Oratory for his ſacred addreſſes unto God, as in the forenoon; then came down, repeated the Sermon in the family, prayed, after ſupper ſung a Pſalm, and towards bed-time betaking himſelf again to his Study, he cloſed the day with prayer. Thus he ſpent the Sabbath continually.
In his Study, he neither ſate down unto, nor aroſe from his meditations without prayer: whilſt his eyes were upon his book, his expectation was from God. He had learned to ſtudy, becauſe he had learned to pray: An able Student, a Goſpel-Student, becauſe unable to ſtudy without Jeſus Chriſt. The barrenneſs of his meditation at ſome times, yea though his endeavour were moſt intenſe upon a good matter, convinced him whence it was, that his heart muſing upon the ſame ſubject at another time, his tongue became as the pen of a ready writer. As he was not (comparatively) wanting in Parts, Learning, or Induſtry; ſo was he more careful not to truſt in them, but to fix his dependence totally upon God. Herein not unlike unto Bradford, of whom we read, that he ſtudied kneeling. Another Syneſius, who was wont to divide〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Syn. ep. 57. his life between Prayer, and his Book. Like unto Paul, not ſufficient of himſelf to think any thing as of himſelf, and profeſſing all his ſufficiencie to be of God. But we will give28 our ſelves continually to prayer, and to the miniſtry of the Word. Men of labour, and men of prayer.
As any weighty cauſe preſented it ſelf either in the Church, Commonwealth, or Family, he would ſet days apart to ſeek the face of God in ſecret: ſuch were the bowels of this ſpiritual Father, the horſmen and chariots of this Iſrael. He might ſay with Paul, He was in faſtings often. His converſation upon Earth, was a trading in Heaven: A demonſtration of the praiſes of him who had called him: A practical and exemplary miniſtery of grace unto the hearer and beholder: A temperature of that holineſs, ſweetneſs and love, which continually gained upon the hearts of many ſpectators. The habitual gracious ſcope of his heart in his whole Miniſtery, is not illegible in that uſual ſubſcription of his at the end of all his Sermons, Tibi Domine, Unto thy honor, O Lord! A taſte of the Divine Soliloquies between God and his Soul, the Reader may pleaſe to take from theſe two tranſcribed Poems left behind him in his Study, written with his own hand. The one entituled thus,
As Diſputation is well called the Sieve of Truth, ſo in hisCribrum veritatis. Polemical labors he was a ſeeker thereof in love; his ſcope was the glory of God, unity of the Churches; and the edification of men, not the oſtentation of wit. It was his holy ambition not to ſeem to be learned, but indeed to be bettered: A ſincere ſeeker of light, not of victory ▪ Witneſs his brotherly acceptance31 of Dr. Twiſſe his Examination of Mr. Cotton's Treatiſe of Predeſtination; from whom he acknowledged that he received light thereby, and was ready to atteſt the great abilities of the Doctor, that Star (if any of this Age) of the firſt magnitude. 'Tis true, Mr. Cotton's mind was then exerciſed concerning the point of Reprobation: Touching the point of Election, 'tis ſufficiently known he was not only Orthodox, but alſo clear. As there were of old that pretended the Predeſtinarian hereſie to have had its riſe from Auſtin; and Grevinchovius of late bluſhed not to ſay of the famous Dr. Ames, that Arminianorum malleus, Ameſius Pelagianizat, Ames Pelagianizeth. So, the wonder is leſs, if this ſound and judicious Divine hath not eſcaped the imputation of Arminianiſm from ſome, notwithſtanding the redundant teſtimony of his Doctrine, and generally of all that knew him, to the contrary; yea, that occaſionally he hath been heard to ſay by Teſtimony yet alive, and above exception, That he looked at Arminianiſm as another Goſpel, and directly contrary to the tenor of the Covenant of Grace. What Melancthon (ourMi Doctor, non quaero meam gloriam in hoc negotio, ſed veritatem. ordinary Parallel) ſometimes ſaid of himſelf to Eccius, may here be truly applied to him: Mr. Cotton in his Diſputations ſought not his glory, but Gods truth. So able an Opponent was rare; ſo candid an Opponent more rare. He that fell into his hands, was likely to fall ſoft enough ordinarily (except through his own default) not likely to loſe any thing beſides his Error.
A mans wiſdom maketh his face to ſhine. He had a happy,His Wiſdom. a quick, comprehenſive, and benign Underſtanding, as having received the manifeſtation of the Spirit, for the ſervice and profit of others. To diſcover the mind of God, and therewith the ſentence of Judgment, in matters too hard for inferior Judges, was no ſmall part both of the worth and uſefulneſs of him that was to miniſter before the Lord. The Queen of Sheba proved Solomon with hard queſtions. There is ſcarce any gift that more approximates the Receiver unto that which the learned call a Divine, then an ability in ſome meaſure to ſend away religious Caſuiſts, as the Wiſe-man did that renowned Queſtioniſt, which communed with him of32 all that was in her heart; And Solomon told her all her queſtions; there was not any thing hid from the king that he told her not. It ſeemed good unto the Father of lights to make this happy inſtrument, not only to excell his Brethren, but in many reſpects, upon this Account to excell himſelf: A grace ſo far acknowledged in him, as that all ſorts, both the Magiſtrate and private perſons, learned and unlearned, exerciſed with their reſpective caſes of Conſcience, waited under God in ſpecial manner upon his lips for knowledge, and ſought the Law at his mouth. Hear to this purpoſe the Teſtimony of Mr Davenport that Eminent and Reverend man of God, the faithful Paſtor of the Church at New-Haven (a Witneſs above many) in his own words, as followeth;
His forced flight from Boſton to London for his ſafety, from perſuit of the purſevants ſent to apprehend him, I well remember: and admire the ſpecial providence of God towards my ſelf and ſome others in it, amongſt whom ſafe retirement and hiding places were, provided for him, in and about London. For ſome of us agreed together to improve that opportunity for a conference with him, about the grounds of his judgment and practice, whereby the Church was in danger to be deprived of him, and of the benefit of his precious gifts, hoping that God might bleſſe the ſame, for the communicating of further light, either to him or to us. Two points were the principal ſubject of our diſcourſe.
1. Touching the limitation of Church-power, to matters commanded, not to things different
2. Touching the office of Biſhops, whether the Scripture-Biſhops be appointed to rule a dioceſſe, or a particular Congregation. The diſcuſſing of theſe cauſed much debate between us, about the meaning and extent of the ſecond Commandment both in the negative〈◊〉the affirmative part of it, and a diligent examination of what had been Printed, in defence of conformity to the ceremonies impoſed, viz. Mr Wheatlies arguments in his Care-cloth, Mr Byfelds on 1 Pet. 2. 13. and others, with ſuch arguments33 as were either produced, or invented, and urged by any of our ſelves: Unto all which he anſwered with great evidence of Scripture light, compoſedneſs of mind, mildneſs of Spirit, conſtant adhering to his principles, and keeping them unſhaken, and himſelf from varying from them by any thing ſpoken ad oppoſitum. When I obſerved, that all this he did not in ſpeech only, but alſo in ſundry writings (the Copies whereof I have) without the help of any book but the Scriptures, wherein he was mighty; and yet matters that required variety of reading, whether for confirmation of the truth, or confutation of the contrary, fell frequently into diſcourſe inter partes; I admired Gods preſence with him, and aſſiſtance of him, quickening his apprehenſion, and invention, ſtrengthening his memory, compoſing his mind, and governing his Spirit far beyond what I had taken notice of any man before him. The reaſon of our deſire to confer with him rather then any other touching theſe weighty points, was our former knowledge of his approved Godlineſs, excellent learning, ſound judgment, eminent gravity, candor, and ſweet temper of Spirit, whereby he could placidly bear thoſe that differed from him in their apprehenſions. All which and much more we found, and glorified God, in him, and for him.
So equal a contention between Learning and Meekneſs is ſeldom viſible in any one perſon. Of Moſes we thus read, Now the man Moſes was very meek, above all the men that were upon the face of the Earth. The Conſciences of thoſe that knew him appealed to, he will be acknowledged amongſt the meekeſt of the Earth in his days.
I am forced here to make a pauſe: So conſpicuous was this grace in him, that multitudes beheld it, not without making extraordinary mention therof. 'Tis true, he had an advantage above many in his natural conſtitution; and its influence from his education, heightned intellectuals, and moralities, was not inconſiderable; but that which gave the being of meekneſs, which ſanctified & perfected all, was the grace of Chriſt. 34He was of an acute apprehenſion, therefore eaſily ſenſible of; but ſo little in his own ſpirit, that he was not eaſily provoked by an injury. Senſibleneſs of diſhonor done to God by ſin, or of what the offender had done unto himſelf by ſinning, left ſuch impreſſions upon him, as that his taking notice of any injury done unto himſelf, was not uſually taken notice of. He had well learned that leſſon of Gregory; It is better oftentimes to flie from an injury by ſilence, then to overcome it by replying. It was Grynaeus manner, to revenge wrongsGlorioſius est injuriam tacendo fugere, quàm reſpondendo ſuperare. with Chriſtian taciturnity. Melancthon overcomes Luther's anger, and his own grief, with mildneſs, patience, and prayer. The non-reſiſtance and ſoftneſs of the Wooll breaks the force of the Cannon, and ſo ſaveth both the bullet and it ſelf. If Inferiors expoſtulated unneceſſarily with him, he would patiently hear them, and give them a brotherly account, pacifying their minds with a gentle, grave, and reſpective anſwer. Take one inſtance of that kind in ſtead of many, unto one of his Hearers then ſick of ſingularities, and leſs able to bear ſound doctrine; following him home after his publick labors in the Aſſembly, and in ſtead of better encouragement telling him that his Miniſtry was become either dark, or flat: He gently anſwered, Both, Brother! without further opening his mouth in his defence; chooſing rather to own the imputation, then to expoſtulate with the Imputer.
Diſputations are great trials of the ſpirits of intelligent men. Hooper and Ridley were patient Martyrs, yet ſomewhat impatient Diſputers. The Synod held at Cambridge, as matters were then circumſtanced, was unto this good man an hour of temptation, above what ordinarily had befallen him in his pilgrimage; yet ſuch was his eminent behaviour throughout, as argued in the conſcience of the ſpectators ſingular patience, and left him a Mirror for the temperament, mildneſs, and government of his ſpirit. Pious meekneſs fits for Church-ſociety. It was he ▪ than whom was not a meeker man upon earth, who continued Iſrael in Church-communion, and continued in communion with Iſrael, notwithſtanding their manners in the wilderneſs. To inſtitute, and preſerve inſtrumentally Church-communion, Goſpel-fellowſhip, ſociety,35 and purity, in the exerciſes that accompany the removal of (as it were) a Nation out of a Nation, Change of Eccleſiaſtical government, with the many temptations of this Deſart, called for another Moſes: Neither the ſpirit of ſeparation nor pollution can attain it. To hold communion with men that are ſinners ▪ without having communion with their ſin, is the only ſociable ſpirit. To extend communion where the rule commands, and to deny communion where the rule forbids, qualifieth us to live with God and man. They that are ſtrong, ought to bear the infirmities of the weak. Pillars muſt be bearers, elſe the building falls. The infirmities of the weak brethren, are the trials and burdens of thoſe whieh are ſtrong. It fareth ill with the little one, when the frowardneſs of the Child exceeds the patience of the Nurſe. Thoſe things in nature which cannot ſuffer, cannot mixe. Timber that will not endure cutting, is unfit for jointing. The ſword that is good metal will bow to the hilts, and yet come ſtrait again. No metal more ſolid then gold, no metal more yielding under the hammer. The ſame Heaven hath the name of Firmament for its ſtability, and of the Expanſe for its being ſtretch'd out like a curtain, and compaſſing about the reſidue of the Creation. The ſinews which are the members of moſt ſtrength, are alſo members flexible every way, for the better motion of the whole body. Denial of regular communion, is injurious to the body. Rigor is ſchiſmatical, Indulgence is defiling, both are ſcandalous and deſtructive. Piety and meekneſs preſerve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Eccius ſometimes acknowledged unto Melancthon, that his mildneſs, and Pontanus his good language, had been very beneficial to the Proteſtant cauſe. Yet though he was ſo gentle, meek, and flexible, that men might perſwade him above what could be uſually expected from men of his worth; in the things of God he was ſtedfaſt and unmoveable. Moſes the meekeſt of men, in the cauſe of God would not yield in the leaſt: Our cattel alſo ſhall go with us ▪ there ſhall not an hoof be left behind. Paul, who pleaſeth all men in all things, in a matter fundamental giveth not place, no not for an hour. Charity ſo endureth all things, as that36 the Church of Epheſus is commended becauſe ſhe cannot ſuffer thoſe that do evil. Melancthon's milde nature, when ſpiritualized and quickned by grace, drew forth the commendation of an Enemy; but being left unto it ſelf, gave occaſion to his friend to complain: And here, ſaith Mr. Brightman,Quinetiam tuam fidem & diligentiam, ſancte Philippe, deſidero. Brightman in Apoc. cap. 3. (relating to the ſpringing and ſpreading gangrene of Conſubſtantiation) I find thee wanting, O holy Philip! Luther at times is too angry; Melancthon ſometimes is too remiſs. The anger of the Old-man is a ſin; the anger of the New-man is a duty. Jacob curſeth the anger of the Patriarchs; God bleſſeth the zeal of Phineas. The Sanctuary cannot want the fire which is from heaven, neither may it be touched with the fire which is from hell. Gentleneſs of diſpoſition, when actuated by Chriſt, makes us ſo much the more acceptable and profitable unto man: But if the Spirit withdraweth his aſſiſtance, we fall ſhort of reaching Gods ends, and the ſeaſonable ſuppreſſion of exorbitancie. In which reſpect, if this good man had always had that voice ſounding in his heart, which one wiſhed that mild Lantgrave of Heſſen might have heard from the Smiths forge, [Dureſce, dureſce, utinam & Lantgravius dureſcat!] haply there are that think ſome diſorders, diſturbances, and irregularities might have been prevented by Gods bleſſing.
But ordinarily, and in matters of greateſt weight the Lord was with him. Though his forbearance was both obſervable and very imitable in the things that concerned himſelf, yet he could not forbear them whom he knew to be evil. An experience whereof we ſaw concerning ſome Heterodox ſpirits, who by their ſpecious diſcourſes of Free-grace, and ſubdolous concealings of their principles, ſo far deceived him into a better opinion of them then there was cauſe, as that notwithſtanding they fathered their Errors upon him in general, and abuſed his Doctrine to the countenancing of their denial of Inherent grace in particular; yet he was ſlow to believe theſe things of them, and ſlower to bear witneſs againſt them. But ſo ſoon as the truth herein appeared to him, hear his own words taken out of his Letter written to Mr. Davenport. The truth is (ſaith he) the body of the37 Iſland is bent to backſliding into error and deluſions: The Lord pity and pardon them, and me alſo, who have been ſo ſlow to ſee their windings, and ſubtile contrivances, and inſinuations in all their tranſactions, whilſt they propagated their Opinions under my Expreſſions, diverted to their conſtructions. Yea, ſuch was his ingenuity and piety,as that his ſoul was not ſatisfied without often breaking forth into affectionate bewailing of his infirmity herein, in the publick Aſſembly, ſometimes in his Prayer, ſometimes in his Sermon, and that with tears.
He was a man of an ingenuous and pious candor, rejoicingHis Candor. (as opportunity ſerved) to take notice of, and teſtifie unto the gifts of God in his brethen; thereby drawing the hearts of them to him, and of others to them; both to their encouragement, and the edification of many. He did not think himſelf a loſer by putting honor upon his Fellow-Elders, but was willing they ſhould communicate with him in the eſteem and love of the people. He was not only a ſon of peace, enjoying the continual feaſt of a good conſcience with ſerenity and tranquillity of affections at home; but alſo a Peacemaker, qualified by the graces forementioned to be a choice Inſtrument in the hand of the Prince of Peace, amongſt the Churches. Where, if any differences aroſe, he was ready (being called thereunto) to afford his help for the compoſing of them; and had a ſingular faculty and ability therein, by that excellent wiſdom, and moderation of ſpirit, which God in Chriſt had given him, whoſe bleſſing alſo did ordinarily crown his endeavours with good ſucceſs.
He was one, the reality of whoſe profeſſion gave cauſeHis Hoſpitality. unto many to bleſſe the Author of Chriſtian Religion, for the kindneſs of the Lord, ſhewed unto all ſorts by him: His Portion in the things of this Life, exempted him from being an object of Envy in that behalf. But yet behold quantum ex quantillo, ſo much communicated out of ſo little, we may not here be altogether ſilent, concerning the Grace of God beſtowed upon him, whereby to his power, yea above his power, he was beneficient unto others, but eſpecially to thoſe of the houſhold of Faith. 38The Goſpel opened his heart, his lips, and the doors of his Houſe. A Biſhop then muſt be given to Hoſpitality; apt to teach; as we have ſeen him Didactical, ſo you ſhall find him Hoſpital. He well remembred, that there is that ſcattereth, and yet increaſeth, and there is that withholdeth more then is meet, but it tendeth to poverty: The liberal Soul ſhall be made fat. Among others, his Fellowlaborers in the Miniſtry were entertained with peculiar contentment. To reminde all inſtances, would take up time: by ſome of many, take his ſpirit in the reſt. So it was: A Miniſter (to ſpare his name) which had gotten into the fellowſhip of that eminent man Mr. Arthur Hilderſham, and many other godly Preachers, being acquainted with their ſecrets, betrayed him into the Prelates hands; who coming to Boſton, and meeting with Mr. Cotton, this Gaius had not the heart to ſpeak to him, nor to invite him unto his houſe: which he ſaid, he never did to his knowledg unto any ſtranger before, much leſs to any of his own order. It was the modeſty of others, not from any deficiencie in him, why the Proverb occaſioned by that Corinthian, was not applicable alſo unto his dwelling: There is always ſome body at Cydon's heuſe;Vir〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Semper aliquis in Cydonis dome. Some years ſince there was brought unto Boſton a report of the Neceſſity of the poor Saints at Sigataea, a little Church, (whereof the Reverend Mr. White then was, and yet is their faithful Paſtor) which ſuffered much extremity by reaſon of the perſecution of their then-prevailing adverſaries, forcing them from Barmudas into the Deſart-continent. The ſound of whoſe diſtreſs was no ſooner heard of, but you might have heard the ſounding of his bowels, with many others, applying themſelves unto a ſpeedy Collection, and tranſporting it to them on purpoſe, for their ſeaſonable relief: when after the example of the Churches in Galatia, Macedonia, Corinth, and Rome, ſending their liberalities unto Jeruſalem in the days of the famine foretold by Agabus, the ſame grace abounding in the Churches of theſe parts, they ſupplied them to the value of about Seven hundred pounds; Two hundred pounds whereof were gathered in the Church of Boſton, no man in39 the Contribution exceeding, and but one equalling the bounty of their then-Teacher. It is here remarkable, that this Collection arrived there the very day (or thereabouts) after thoſe poor people were brought to a perſonal diviſion of that little meal then remaining in the barrel, and not ſeeing according to man, but that after the eating thereof they muſt die a lingring death for want of food; And the ſame day that their Paſtor preached to them (it being the Lordsday) out of Pſal. 23. 1. The Lord is my Shepherd, I ſhall not want: At ſuch a time the good hand of the Lord brought this ſuccor to them from afar. To give quickly, doubleth, but to give to the Saints in a time of need, trebleth the gift.
Whilſt he was in England, his eminent piety, ſucceſs of hisHis ſufferings from men. labors, intereſt in the hearts of both ſuperiors, inferiors, and equals, drew much envy upon him; and his Non-conformity added thereunto, delivered him in a great degree unto the will of his Adverſaries; whoſe hour, and the power of darkneſs being come, ſpared not to ſhoot at him, and grieve him; not giving over until they had bereaved him of much of his livelihood, his liberty, Country, and therewith of the ſweet ſociety of lovers, friends, and many ways endeared Acquaintance, much more precious to him then life it ſelf.
Yet the meaſure of the afflictions of Chriſt in this kind, appointed to be ſuffered by him in the fleſh, was not fulfilled: But lo, in the time of his Exile, ſome Brethren (we do not ſay they were not of us, being willing to hope better things) provoked by the Cenſure of Authority, though juſtly, and not without tears inflicted upon them, ſingle out him as a chief object of their diſpleaſure; who though above other men declining irregular and unneceſſary intereſting of himſelf in the actions of the Magiſtrate, and (while opportunity laſted) endeavouring their healing, yet muſt now be requited evil for good; and that by ſome of them, who were formerly companions with him in the tribulations of this Patmos, Reſpecters of him, had taken ſweet counſel together, and walked in the houſe of God as friends. Hence is he with pen and tongue blaſphemed by them, for whom he formerly intreated,40 and for whom he both then and afterwards wept and put on ſackcloth. Such buffetings of Satan, though ſharp, are medicinal at times to the excellent upon earth, who by reaſon of the body of death indwelling, muſt be kept weak, that they may be made ſtrong.
Since this time alſo ſome reverend, learned, and godly men (haply in zeal againſt the Congregational-way) ſharpened their ſtyle againſt him. Which if it be the truth, as we believe it is, their ſpeaking ſo much ad hominem, eſpecially to ſuch a man, whoſe love to any good man much exceeded their diſpleaſure to him, argueth too much of man. Howſoever he was then a ſufferer for the Truth: In which reſpect the pious and ingenuous ſpirit of learned Mr. Rutherford, though in purſuance of the Truth he diſputes ad idem, and with ſtrength, which is his praiſe and acceptable, yet he profeſſedly carrieth it as to a Brother, not to an Adverſary. There is an exceſs in too much ſalt, and not a little to be complained of in perſonal and cauſeleſs aſperſions from good men: That ſmarts, theſe defile; That makes leſs comfortable, theſe tend us to make us unprofitable. Roſes are not without their pricks. The Archers have ſorely grieved him, and ſhot at him, and were diſpleaſed with him; but his Bowe abode in ſtrength, & the arms of his hands were made ſtrong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob: From thence is the Shepherd and the Stone of Iſrael. An honeſt-minded manPlutarch. de capienda ex hoſtibus utilitate libellus. (ſaith Xenophon) gets by enmity: And Plutarch writes a Treatiſe concerning benefiting by our Enemies, adorning his diſcourſe with that of Jaſon of Theſſaly, whoſe Enemy ſtabbing him, and intending his death, only opened an ulcer otherwiſe incurable, and ſo ſaved his life. If men without God in the world having only ſtar-light, and ſcarce ſo much as ſeeing men walk like trees, only feeling after the Lord, have thus ſpoken; we ſee the greater encouragement why Chriſtians, who are made light by the Father of Light, and know Him that is Love, may (through grace) not only ſpeak better, but alſo practiſe accordingly. Job can turn the book written againſt him by his adverſaries, into a crown. Joſeph feeling the benefit of the Patriarchs unkindneſs, is the more41 readily diſpoſed to forgive that wrong, whereby he finds himſelf made a great gainer. He was a good Accomptant, who eſteemed the reproaches of Chriſt greater riches then the treaſures of Egypt. Paul takes pleaſure in reproaches for Chriſts ſake. The beſt and moſt peaceable ſpirits cannot hope to fulfill their courſe in a Pacifique ſea. The way of the moſt excellent lieth through evil report and good report, through honor and diſhonor. To avoid the fouler part of the paſſage, is not in the power of man: To walk clean through it, To do well, and approve himſelf as a Miniſter of Chriſt in ſuffering ill, is all that can be expected from a man of God. Eraſmus acknowledging ſome men to do well inIn hoc uno〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉ut aiunt, conjunctum fuit, eximium fuit, quicquid in aliis per partes miramur. Eraſm. epiſtnuncupat. praefixa tom. 3. epist. Hieron. ſome things, will have Hierom to excell in all. It was a great Encomium which the German Phenix ſometimes gave to Luther: I (ſaith he, ſpeaking of himſelf) am a Logician, Pomeranus is a Grammarian, Juſtus Jonas is an Orator; but Luther is all. Let it ſuffice to be ſaid of Mr. Cotton, that he was a famous Light in his generation, a glory to both Englands; and ſuch an one, in whom was ſo much of what is deſireable in Man, as is rarely to be ſeem in one Perſon.
As concerning any Tenet wherein he may ſeem ſingular, Remember, he was a man, and therefore to be heard and read with judgment, and haply ſometimes with favour. Scio me aliter habere apoſtolos, aliter reliquos tractatores, &c. Hier. ep. to. 2. ep. tua.Hierom makes a difference between reading the writings of the Apoſtles, and the Tractates of other Authors: They (ſaith he) always ſpake the truth; Theſe, as men, in ſome things erre. Let him but receive with ſome proportion to the meaſure that he gave, and he will be found no debtor upon that account: No man did more placidly bear a Diſſentient. The Jews unto their own queſtion, Why Aſa and Iehoſhaphat removing the Idols in high places took not alſo away the Brazen-ſerpent, give this anſwer: The fathers left a place for Hezekiah to exerciſe his zeal. That great Conqueror vainly feared, that his Father Philip's victories would deprive the Son of an opportunity to improve his magnanimity. Much of the wiſdom of God, both in the Scripture and Creature, is ſtill unſeen; and it hath been judged but meet,42 that each Age ſhould contribute ſomewhat toward the fuller diſcovery of Truth. But this cannot be, except men of a larger Acumen, and greater induſtry, may be permitted to communicate their notions; eſpecially whilſt (as Auſtin inNon tanquam affirmator, ſed tanquam ſcratator. Aug. Pſal. 85. his time) they uſe this liberty by way of diſquiſition, not of poſition; rather as Indagators of Scripture-light, then as Dictators of private Opinions. A Prophet may be heard, whilſt he ſpeaks with a ſpirit ſubject to the Prophets.
Theſe are the times that paſſed over him: We are now approaching to his Noviſſima verba, his laſt words: which the Antients, out of an opinion that the Soul became more divine towards its Diſſolution, looked at as Oraculous. The motions of Nature are more intenſe, as they draw neer towards〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. Xen. lib. 8. the Center. Xenophon perſonates Cyrus as inſpired, whilſt he bequeaths his Fatherly and Farewell counſels to his people, friends and ſons Davids laſt words have their Emphaſis, becauſe his laſt: Now theſe are the laſt words of David.
Being called to preach at a Neighbor-Church, he tookThe beginning of his ſickneſs. wet in his paſſage over the Ferry, and not many hours after he felt the effect, being ſeiſed upon with an extreme illneſs in the Sermon. This providence, when others bewailing the ſad event, which according to ſecond cauſes ſeemed ſo eaſily evitable, ſpake variouſly of, he comforted himſelf from, In that he was found ſo doing. Decet imperatorem ſtantem cadere; It is the honor of a Commander to fall ſtanding. It was Auſtins uſual wiſh, that Chriſt when he came might find him aut precantem, aut praedicantem, either praying, or preaching. Calvin returns this anſwer unto his Friends, diſſwading him from his labor of dictating and writing, when his ſickneſsQuid ergo (inquiebat) vultis me otioſum à domino deprehendi? In vir. Cal. prevailed upon him; What (ſaith he) would you that the Lord ſhould find me idle? After a ſhort time he complained of an inflammation of the lungs, and thereupon found himſelf Aſthmatical afterwards Scorbutical (which both meeting in a complicated diſeaſe ended his days) inſomuch that he was forced to give over thoſe comforting drinks which his ſtomack could not want: If he ſtil uſed them,43 the inflammation grew inſufferable, and threatned a more ſharp and ſpeedy death: If he left them, his ſtomack forthwith ceaſed to perform its office, leaving him without hope of life.
By theſe Meſſengers he received the ſentence of Death, yet in the uſe of meanes attending the pleaſure of him in whoſe hand our times are, His labors continued whilſt his ſtrength failed. November 18. He took in courſe for his Text the 4 laſt verſes of the 2 Epiſtle to Timethy Salute Priſca and Aquila &c. Giving the reaſon of ſpeaking to ſo many verſes together, becauſe otherwiſe, he ſaid he ſhould not live to make an end of that Epiſtle. He chiefly inſiſted upon thoſe Words, Grace be with you all, ſo ending that Epiſtle and his Lectures together. For upon the Lords Day following, he preached his laſt Sermon upon John 1. 14. And the Word was made fleſh and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his Glory, as of the only begotten Son of the Father,) full of grace and Peace.
Now, he gave himſelf wholly to prepare for his diſſolution, making his Will, and ſetting his Houſe in order. When he could no more be ſeen abroad, all ſorts, Magiſtrates, Miniſters, Neighbors, and Friends far off, and thoſe neer at hand, eſpecially his own People reſorted unto him daily, as to a publique Father. When the Neighbor Miniſters viſited him (in which Duty they were frequent) he thanked them affectionately for their love, exhorting them alſo, as an Elder and a Witneſs of the ſufferings of Chriſt, to feed the flock; encouraging them, that when the chief Shepherd ſhal appeare, they ſhould receive a Crown of glory, that fadeth not away.
Finding himſelf to grow weake, according to that of James, he ſent for the Elders of the Church of Boſton to pray over him: which laſt ſolemne duty being performed not without much affection, and many tears; Then (as Policarp aOctoginta ſex annos illi ſervio, nec me ulla in re laeſit unquam. Euſeb. lib. 4. cap. 15. little before his Death ſaid, he had ſerved Chriſt fourſcore and ſix years, neither had he ever offended him in any thing) ſo he told them, (Through grace he had now ſerved God forty years, It being ſo long ſince his Converſion: throughout44 which time he had ever found him faithful to him; thereupon taking occaſion to exhort them unto like effect that Paul ſometimes did the Elders of Epheſus, a little before they were to ſee his face no more: Take heed therefore unto your ſelves and to all the flock, over which the Lord hath made you over ſeers, to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchaſed with his own blood. Particularly he lamented the love of many, yea and ſome of their own Congregation growing cold to the Ordinances; calling upon them ſo much the more for their watchfulneſs in that reſpect. Which done, he thanked them for their brotherly and loving aſſiſtance to him in their holy fellowſhip, and commended them to the bleſſing of God.
It remains that we now behold his pious Conſort, with thoſe Olive-plants that ſate lately about his Table, gathered together about the bed of a departing husband, and dying Father. This was his ultimate ſolemne tranſaction with man in this World; Silver and Gold (though he wanted not) he had not much to give them, but the benediction of a righteous Parent they are to expect. Aeneas words to his Aſcanius are fitted to his lips.
Sons, piety and induſtry learn of me; the way to greatneſs in this World is to be learned of others. Antiquity treaſured up the Counſels of dying Parents, as ſo many Oracles. Iſaac is ſollicitous to bleſſe, and his Son deſirous to be bleſſed before his death. The Father of the faithful his commanding of his Children after him to keep the way of the Lord ▪ is a means whereby God brings upon Abraham that which he had ſpoken of him. Solomon, who remembers the Propheſie that his Mother taught him, ſurely hears that charge of his Father ſtill ſounding in his ears, And thou Solomon my Son, &c. I know his children whom he inſtrumentally bleſſed, ſhall be bleſſed in their relation, in theſe charges, commands, counſels; bleſſings, whilſt they walk in the way45 of their Father, and keep the memory of his example, and his endeavors relating to them, in the Repoſitory of a pure Conſcience.
What Family more happy then his, whilſt the Father liveth in the children, as the children live in their Father? That Reverend and Godly man Mr Wilſon, (who excelleth in love, as Mr Cotton did in light) the faithful Paſtor of the Church, taking his laſt leave of him, and moſt ardently praying unto God, that he would lift up the light of his Countenance upon him, and ſhed his love into his Soul, he preſently anſwered him in theſe words: He hath done it already, Brother.
His work now finiſhed with all men, perceiving his departure to be at hand, and having nothing to do, only that great work of dying in the Lord; he totally compoſed and ſet himſelf for his diſſolution, deſiring that he might be permitted to improve the little remnant of his life without any conſiderable impediment to his private devotions, and divine ſoliloquies between God and his Soul. For that end he cauſed the Curtains to be drawn: and a Gentleman and brother of the Congregation that was much with him, and miniſtred unto him in his ſickneſs, to promiſe him, that the Chamber ſhould be kept private. But a while after hearing the whiſpering of ſome brethren in the room, he called for that Gentleman, ſaying, Why do you break your word with me? An expreſſion ſo circumſtanced, as that the impreſſion thereof abideth unto this day, in the heart of that godly man, whoſe omiſſion gave him occaſion ſo to ſpeak. Not long after (mindful no doubt of that great helpfulneſs which he received from that forementioned brother throughout his viſitation) he left him with this farewel: The God that made you, and bought you with a great price, redeem your body and ſoul unto himſelf. Theſe words were his〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, his laſt words, after which he was not heard to ſpeak, but lying46 ſome hours ſpeechleſs, quietly breathed out his ſpirit intoHis Death. the hands of him that gave it, December 23. 1652. between eleven and twelve (after the bell had called to the Lecture, Thus preventing the Aſſembly in going to ſee, what they were but going to hear) being entred into the Sixty and eighth year of his age. So ceaſed this Silver-trumpet, waiting for the ſound of the laſt Trump. The eyes of his dead body were ſoon cloſed; but before that, the eye of his ever-living ſoul beholds the face of Jeſus Chriſt.
Upon the 29. day the Body was interred within a Tomb of Brick, a numerous confluence of all Degrees, from all parts, as the ſeaſon would permit, orderly accompanying the corpſe, borne upon the ſhoulders of his Fellow-Miniſters, unto the chambers of death; not only with ſighs and tears, and Funeral-Poems, all in abundance, but with the ſolemnity of ſorrow of heart it ſelf, alas! too manifeſt in the carriage and countenance of thoſe, whoſe viſage was as the viſage of them which are bereaved of the breath of their noſtrils. The Inhabitants of the Land might have ſaid, This was a great mourning. Such were New-Englands tears for the Man of their deſires; of whom they (and eſpecially his own Congregation) cannot ſpeak without lamentation unto this day,
Now our Candleſticks cannot but lament in darkneſs, when their Lights are gone; And the Thrones of David mourn, that ſo many of our late Worthies can be ſeen there no more: Our deſiderable men that remain, remove from us, and few they are who return again. And as for thoſe that riſe up amongſt our ſelves, ſuch is the portion of this Jeruſalem, (that though for her time ſhe hath not been an unfruitful mother, yet) they are but few that will guide her amongſt all the ſons which ſhe had brought forth, yea very few that take her by the hand of all the ſons which ſhe hath brought up. Thus are our trials increaſed, and our ſtrength decreaſed, that we might learn to truſt in God. What the counſel of the Lord is concerning the bereaved Churches of New-England, is a ſolemn and awful meditation.
47The non-conſidering that the righteous are taken away from the evil to come, was a ſymptomatical and threatening incogitancie in Iſaiah's days. Sure we are that Ioſiah was gathered unto his Fathers, that he might not ſee the evil that was to come upon Jeruſalem. Auguſtine is taken out of the world, before Hippo is taken by the Vandals. Paraeus is gotten to his better Country, before Heidelbergh and the Palatinate are delivered into the power of the Enemies. Whatſoever it be, we may not here ſilence that monitory Apparition in the Heavens that appeared about fourteenO quantum dilecte Deo, cui militat Aether. days before, and according to the report of ſome obſervers thereof was not ſeen here, after this man of God was taken from amongſt us. It was a profane jeſt of Veſpatian, who ſeeing a bearded Comet, ſaid, This Prodigie belongs to the King of Parthia that wears long hair; meaning, it did not belong unto himſelf who wore ſhort hair: But ſoon after followed the death, not of the King of Parthia, but of Veſpaſian. It was a Chriſtian and imitable ſpeech of Lodowick the Firſt, who unto his Aſtronomer, ſeeing him obſerving the Comet, and (to prevent an ominous and afflicting conſtruction in the Emperors heart) alleadging thoſe words in the Prophet, Be not diſmayed at the ſigns of heaven, thus replied, Timeamus Conditorem hujus Cometae, Let us fear the Creator of this Comet, not the Comet it ſelf; and let us praiſe his clemencie, who vouchſafeth to admoniſh our ſluggiſhneſs with ſuch ſigns.
Many inſtances we have in Hiſtory of Diſſention in Religion, and Hereſies following upon theſe Meteors: A Comet preceded the Furies of the Enthuſiaſts in Germany, 1533. the genuine offſpring of whom is that generation commonly known by the name of Quakers. Comets are ſignal, though not cauſal: They are ſignal as to changes of Divine providence which befall men, though they have no cauſal influence upon the minds of men. And be it ſo, that in themſelves ſimply conſidered, future Events, whether good or evil, are illegible; yet when they are placed in Conjunction with Scripture-predictions concerning the iniquities of men, ripening for the execution of Divine vengeance, being interpreted48 according to the word of their Creator, they are not without inſtruction.
Mr. Cotton (upon his enquiry after the motion of this Comet) being asked what he himſelf conceived of it, anſwered, That he thought it portended great Changes in the Churches. But that which further calleth upon us not to be unmindful of ſadder Viciſſitudes probably impending, is the formidable Apoſtacie both from the Order and Faith of the Goſpel, appearing and threatening us in this Age. Chriſt mentions prodigious Tenets of falſe Prophets, and falſeMarth. 24. Chriſts ariſing, as (ſometimes at the leaſt) ſignal of Publick calamities. As the concurrence of multitude of Hereſies and mutability in Religion, which gave occaſion to that opprobriousFides menſtrua and horrid Proverb, The Chriſtians Faith is menſtruous, was a means to bring in Antichriſt: ſo the preſent vexation of Conſciences, and of the Civil Eſtates with uncertainty and manifold Hereſie in matter of Faith, hath no ſmall tendencie to bring back the Infallible Chair. People will accept of a quiet Harbor, though upon hard conditions, rather then be afflicted with continual toſſings in ſtormy Seas. 'Tis natural to man to covet any quiet Land, rather then to dwell with the terror of a continual Earthquake.
It was no deſpicable ſtratagem of the old Serpent, knowing the time of the paſſion of Chriſt, and of the baptiſm of the Apoſtles, with the baptiſm wherewith he was to be baptized then approaching; to indiſpoſe the minds of the Diſciples thereunto, by poſſeſſing them with a pleaſing, but falſe expectation of a glorious and temporal Kingdom of Chriſt in this world to be at hand. Perſecution doubtleſs had been a more ſuitable meditation for Iames then to ſeek great things for himſelf; who notwithſtanding his dream of a Kingdom, was not long after killed by the ſword of Herod. Time will ſhew, whether we have more cauſe to fear the death of the Witneſſes yet to come, or to conclude the time of their ſackcloth to be over. His advertiſement ſeemeth weighty that49 telleth us, A credulous ſecurity of their death as paſt, if yetPlus ſiquident ad pietatem valet calamitatis futurae expectatio, quàm credula nimis de ea quaſi jam tranſacta ſecuritas. Mead Com. Apoc. cap. 11. to come, is a more perillous error, then the expectation of it as to come, though already paſt. An awful waiting for a calamity conduceth more to piety, then a ſecure putting from us the thoughts of the evil day. The Diſciples not minding the prediction of Chriſts ſufferings, but over-minding an external ſtate of glory, meeting with the Croſs, were ſo offended, as that they were not free from ſad miſgivings of heart concerning their Saviour: But we trusted that it had been be that ſhould have redeemed Iſrael. Whereas on the other hand the poor Albigenſes fighting the battels of Chriſt Jeſus in defence of the Goſpel againſt Simon Montfort, though overcome by him with a great ſlaughter, and upon that advantage of providence taken, ſollicited by the Biſhop of Tholouſe (then interceding for them) that now God having by the event of war determined for the Romaniſts againſt them, they would return from their Hereſie unto the Catholick faith: They (at ſuch a time) having ſeaſonably in their hearts that Prophecie, And it was given unto them to makeRevel. 13. 7. war with the Saints, and to overcome them; anſwered, That they were the people of God appointed to be overcome. Thus they ſtrengthened their faith, by being overthrown; they overcame the temptation, by being overcome; and ſo not accepting of deliverance, were all ſlain to a man. Poor Albigenſes looking ſeaſonably at calamities to come, overcome; the Diſciples looking unſeaſonably at a Kingdom to come, are overcome.
Times are in the hands of God, and to diſcern the times is the gift of God. Being deſigned to ſuffer is not ſo great an evil, as grace to ſuffer for the Deſigners ſake, is good: The condition of the Witneſſes is higher in the Promiſes of the great God, then it is low in the Street of the great City. Their Aſcenſion into Heaven after three days and a half, is legible long before their death. AthanaſiusNubecula est, citò praeteribit. ſeeth through the ſtorm, and comforteth his Fellow-ſufferers, that Julian's Perſecution is but a little Cloud, and will quickly be over. That Motto ſomewhatPost tenebras lux. altered by them of Geneva, is in this ſenſe as true, and50 as truly alterable concerning every Confeſſor; After darkneſs we look for light. Whether it be an aſtoniſhment of heart, or the dictate of the Spirit, Luther leaveth the cauſe of Religion howſoever unto Chriſt; I (faith he) am not much troubled:Stupor ne ſit an Spiritus viderit chriſtus non valdè turbatus ſum. &c. Mel. Adam. in vita Lutheri. yea, I hope as concerning the Event, above what I hoped. God is able to raiſe up the dead: God is able to preſerve his cauſe, though falling; to raiſe it up again though falne; to promote when ſtanding; if we be not worthy, let it be done by others. Jacob foretelling the predetermined and afflicting viciſſitudes concerning the tribes of Iſrael, comforts himfelf in a ſafe iſſue of all, as to Religion, and the ſincere profeſſors thereof, thus: I have waited for thy ſalvation, O God! Salvation is a full remedy: And then is opportunity for the ſalvation of God, when the Churches tribulation is ſuch, as, that out of it, none but God can ſave.
The fixing of a Beleevers eye aright, hath a vivifical and marvellous influence upon his heart. Chriſt beholding the joy that was ſet before him, endured the Croſs, deſpiſing the ſhame. A Chriſtian runneth cheerfully and undefiledly, over the fouleſt part of the race ſet before him, looking unto Jeſus. The Council looking on Stephen ſaw his face as it had been the face of an Angel: The reaſon is, Stephen looked ſtedfaſtly into Heaven, and ſeeth the Son of man ſtanding at the right hand of God. The beſt of the ſervants of God have lived in the worſt times. Noah was not ſo unhappy that he lived in an unrighteous Generation, as he was happy in being righteous in that generation Though the captivity took up ſo much of Daniels life, yet when he ſhall ſtand in his lot, at the end of days, it ſhall be no griefe of heart unto him, that he was both to ſpend and end his days in Babylon. It will be as well with thoſe at that day who fulfilled their courſe upon earth, propheſying in ſackcloth, as with thoſe who are reſerved to live in the glorious times of the Goſpel. It is not material in what Age we live; but that we live as we ought, in that Age wherein we live.
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- The Reverend Mr. John Davenport, Paſtor of the Church at New-Haven.
- The Reverend Mr. Samuel Whiting, Paſtor of the Church at Linne.
- The Pious Widow of the Deceaſed, and others.
And compiled by his unworthy Succeſſor,
Boſton,Novemb. 6. 1657.