CHILDREN'S BOOK
COLLECTION
LIBRARY OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES
1
TOKEN
FOP.
CHILDREN,
BEING-
An exaft Account of the Converfion, ho--
iy and exemplary Lives and joyful
Deaths, of federal YOUNG CHILD-
. REN.
BY JAMES JANE WAY,
MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL.
TO WHICH IS ADDED,
A TOKEN FOR THE
CHILDREN O'F NEWENGLAND*
O R,
Some Examples of Children, in whom the
fear of GOD was remarkably budding be-
fore they died ; in feveral parts of New-
england. ,
Prejcrvcd and publiflied for the. encouragement
of PI&TY in Qthzr Children.
TDat WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS;,
FOR I. THOMAS,
BY JAMES R. HUTCH I MS,
-'-795-
TO nil PARENTS, SCHOOLMASTERS and SCHOOL-
MISTRESSES, or any who have any hand in the
Education of youth.
DEAR FRIENDS,
I Have often thought that Chri/l fpcaks to
you,as Pharaoh's daughter did to Aiofes's
mother, Take this child and nierfc it for ine. 0,
firs, confidcr, what a precious jewel n a
ted to your charge, what an advanta&>'
have to jhtw your love to Chrijt, to jlocr
generation with noble plants, and what a j:>y~
ful account you may make if you be faithful :
Remember fouls, Chrijl and grace cannot be
overvalued. 1 confefsyou have Joint dif advan-
tages, but let that only excite your diligence /
thefalvation of fouls, the commendation of your
mafter, the greatnefs of your reward and ever-
lafling glory, wilt pay for all. Remember the
devil is at work hard, wicked ones are indujlri-
ous, and corrupt nature is a rugged knotty
piece to hew. But be not difcouraged, / am
dlitojl a; much afraid of your lazirefs and
nnfaithf'>lnefs as any thing. Do bur fall to
I u /lily, and who kncici but that rough
may prove a Pillar in the Temple rf Gou ?
In th: name of the living GOD, as you will
anfwer it fliortly at 'his Ba^, I command you
t-~' !>* faithful in inftruciing and catechijing
your "oung ones. If you think I am too pe-
- >ry ; / pray read t/it toirtffiand from my
JL
:najler hiui/dj, Dent. 6. 7. Is not the duty
\.i-ar ? and dart you neglect fo dire ft a com-
wand?' are. the fouls of your children of no
value ? ere you zciliing that they Jfiould be
brands of hill ? are. you indifferent whether
-they be, damned or faved ? Shall the devil, run
way 'with them without control ? Will not yon
toie your utmoft endeavors to deliver thfmj-rom
the wrath to come ? You Jet that they are not
Jubjefls incapable oj- the grace of God. Jrhat-
ever yen th:rJ. of them, Chrijt doth net f tight
them : They are not too little to die. ; th*y are.
n.ot too little to go to hell ; thty &re not too lit-
tle to fertfe their great majler s too little to go
to heaven ; for of fuch is the kingdom of
God : And mill not 'a pojfcbiLity 'cf their con-
t'crjlun andfalvztior^putyou zipon the. greatcft
diligence to ttach t'n-m ? Or are Cknft and
heaven^ and Jalvation, jmalt things r^itJi you ?
Jf they be, then indeed I have do:ie frith you
but if thy be not, 1 befzech you lay about you
zvith all your might : The devil knows your
time is going apace, it will faortly be too late.
O the-iej-ore what you do, do quickly, and do it,
JJay, with all your might : pray, pray, pray,
and live holily before them, and take fome time,
daily to J peak a little to your children one by
cmf^ about their niiferablc condition by nature.
J ^netv a child that was converted by this Jen-
tenet from a godly Jchool mijlrejs in the coun-
try, Every mother's child of you are by
#2ture children of wrath. Put your chit*
,..
^re/i H^aw learning t,':. '~M+ *nd the
fcrip/itres, and getting to pray wyjgztjieep ty
themjelves after C/triJi : T a WjHE?f thdr
company .: take h&d. of ^ardgmng a lie : Take
heed of letting, them mifpend th$ Sabbath. Put
thtm, I befeah you, upon imitating ih-fefweet
children y let th-rn re^d ijiis hook- over 2 hurt"
dred times , and objcrve how they are affcEled^
end ajk thtm what 'they think of ihujc chil rcn^
and whether they would not be f^-ck ? And fol-
low what you do ui'.h carjiefl cries to God, and
be in travail to fee Chrift formed in their f nils.
I have prayed } : or you* 1 have oft prayed for
yotir children, and I love -them dearly j and I
have j. ;li?Jc papers ; that God would
firike, in wii/i them, and make them effeElu^l to
tht good of their Joicls. ' Encourage your chil-
dren to read this book, and lead them to im-
f rove ir. Wiiai is p;efnted, is faithfully tak-
en from experienced jolid chriflians, fome of
th<"m no way related to the children, uiio thzm-
jdvcs were eyt and. ear witnejj'es of God's "works
u/ wonder , or from viy own' knowledge, or from
reverend godly Minijlers, and from perfons
that arc. of unjpotied reputation for hdincf.\,
integrity arid wijdom ; andfeveralpajfa^.
' verbatim in writing from their dying
lips. 1 may add. many other excellent exam-
ples, if I have encouragement in this piece.
That the young generation may be far more ex*
cellent than this, is the pray tr of one that dear*
(y leva Hub children. J, jANiWAV 4 '
A a
EXAMPLE i.
/"<5NE tr,\in?ntly converted leiiL-een fig-''
nine Years old, witk an Amount of her LIFE
and PEATH.
R S Sarah Howlcy
I* when fhe was be-
tween eight and nine
years old, was car-
ried by her friends to
hear a fermon, where
the m Snifter preached upon Mat.
31 My yoke rs eafy and my
.^burden is light : In' the applying
^f which fcripture, this child was
highly awakened, and made deep-
ly fenfible of the condition of her
fbul, and her need of a CHRIST :
flie wept bitterly to think what a
cafe fhe was in ; and went home,
and got by herfelf into a chamber ;
and upon her knees Hie wept and
cried to the Lord, as well as {he
could, which might eafily be per-
ceived by her eyes and counte-
nance.
2. She was not contented with
this, but fiie got her little brother
and fitter into a chamber with her,
and told them of their condition
by nature, and wept over them,
and prayed with them arid for
them.
; 3. After this (he heard another
fermori from Prov. 29. i." He that
being often reproved, hardeneth
his heart, fhajl fuddenly be def-
troyed,and that without remedy. 5 '
At which (lie was more affedted
than before, & was fo exceeding
felicitous about her foul, that {he
fpent a great part of the night in
weeping and praying, and could
icarcetake any reft day and night
forfome time together > defiring
yVith all her foul to efcape from
- i'erlafting flame, and to get an
intereft
intereft in the Lord Jefus ; O
what fhould flic do for aChrift!
What fhould (lie do to be faved !
4. She gave herfelf much to at-
tending upon the word preached,
and dill continued very tender un-
der it, greatly favouring what (he
heard.
5. She was very much in fccrct
prayer, as might be eafily perceiv-
ed by thofe who liftened at. the
Tiber door, and -ufually very
importunate and full of tears.
6. She could fcarcefpcak of fi;^
or be fpoken to, but her heart was
ready to. melt,
7 . She fpent much time in read-
ing the fcripture.jand a book call-
ed, " the bed friend in the word
of times;" by which the work of
God' was' much prompted upon
her foul, and was much directed
by it how to get acquainted with
God, efpecially towards the
of that book. Another b^i
life
fhe was much delighted with was
Mr. Swinnock's Chriilian Man's
Calling, and by this (he was taught
in this meafure to make reli'gion
her bufinefs. The Spiritual Bee
was a great companion of hers.
8, She was exceeding dutiful to
her parents, very loth to grieve
them in the leaft ; and if Ihe had
at any time (which was very rare)
offended them, ihe would weep
bitterly.
She abhorred lying, and allow-
ed herfelf in no known fin.
She was very confcientious in
fpending of time, and hated idle-
nefs, and fpent her whole time
either in praying, reading, or in-
ftru&ing at her needle, at which
Ihe was v^ry ingenious.
When fhe was at f'chool, fhe
was eminent for her diligence,
teachablenefs,meeknefsand mod-
efty, fpeaking little ; but when
ftie did fpeak, it was ufually fpir-
itual. a^ f
IO
12. She continued in this
courfe of religious duties for fome
years together.
13. When fhe was about four-
teen years old, fhe broke a vein
in. her lungs (as is fuppofed) and
oft did fpit blood, yet did a little
recover again, but had feveral
dangerous relapfes.
14. At the beginning of Janu-
ary laft, fhe was taken very bad
again, in which ficknefs,fhe was
in great diftrefs of fout. When
fhe was.ftrft taken, fte faid, Q
mother, pray, pray, pray for me,
for Satan is io bufy that I cannot
pray for rnyfelf ; I fee I am un-
done without a Chrill, and a
pardqri ! O I am undone to all
eternity.
15.' Her mother knowing
how ferious fhe had been former-
ly, did a little wonder that ihe
ihouW be in fuch agonies : Upon
which her mother afked her*
It
what Sin it was, that was fo bur-
denfome to her Spirit : O mother,
laid ihe, it is not any particular
Sin of omiffion or commiflion,
that flicks fo clofe to my eon-
fcience, as the Sin of my nature;
without the blood of Chrift, that
will damn me.
16. Her mother afkcd her,
who fhe mould pray for; for her,
ilie anfwered, that I may have a
faving knowledge of fin and
Chrift, and that I may have an
affurance of God's love to my
foul. Her mother afked her,
why fhe did fpeak fo little to the
minifter that came to her ? Ihe
anfwered, that it was her duty
with patience and filence to learn
of them : And it was excelling
painful to her, to fpeak to any.
17. One time when fhe fell
into a fit, fhe cried out, O I am
going : But what mall I do to be
laved ? fvveet Lord Jefus, I will
lie
lie at thy feet ; and if I perifh, it
fhallbe at the fountain of thy
mercy.
1 8. She was much afraid of
prefumption, and dreaded a mif-
take in the matters of her foul,
and would be often putting up
ejaculations to God, to deliver
her from deceiving herfelf. To
inftanceinone : Great and mighty
God, give me faith and true faith :
Lord, that I may not be a foolifh
virgin, having a lamp and no
oil.
19. She would many times be
laying hold upon the promifes,
and plead them in prayer. That
in Mat. 11. 28, 29, was much
on her tongue, and no fmall relief
to h^ r fpirit. How many times
would Ihc cry out, Lord haft thou
not faid, Come unto me all ye
that are weary and heavy laden,
and I will give you reft ?
20
30. Another time her Father bid
her be of good cheer, bccaufc ilic
w#s going to a better father : A"
which fhe fell into a great paffion,
and fa id, But how do I know
that? I am a poor firmer that
wants atTurance. O, for aiTurancel
If continued to be her note. This
was her great , carneft and conftant
fequeft, to all that came to ker, to
beg affurance for her: And poor
heart, fhe would look with fo
much eagernefs upon them, as if
flie defired nothing in the world
fo much, as that they would pity
her, and help her with their pray-
ers ; never was poor creature more
carneft for any thing, than die
was for aiTu ranee, and the light
of God's countenance : O the pit-
eous moans that the would make !
O the agonies that her foul was
in !
2i. Her mother afked her, If
God would fpare her life, how me
B would
would live? truly mother, fhrd.
ilie, We have fuch bafe hearts
that I cannot tell. We are apt to
promife great things when we are
lick, but when we are recovered,
we are ready to forget ourfelves,
and to return again unto folly :
but I hope I lhall be more careful
of my time and my foul than I
have been.
22. She was full of natural af-
feclion to her parents, and very
careful left her mother, fhould
be tired out with much watching;
Her mother faid, How lhall I
bear parting with thee, when I
have fcarce dried my eyes for
thy brother ? (he anfwere'd, The
God of love, fupport and com-
fort you : It is but a little while
and we (hall meet, I hope, in glo-
ry. She being very weak, could
fpeak but little, therefore her mo-
ther frJd, Child, if theu haft any
comlort lift up thine hand ; which
fte did. 2O
J_L
23. The Lord's day before that
on which (he died, a kinfman
of her's came to fee her, and afk-
ing of her, whether flic knew
him? fhe replied, Yea, I know
you j and I defire you would learn
*o know Chrift, you are young,
but you know not how foon you
may die : and O, to die without a
Chrift, it is a fearful thing: O
redeem time !.O time, time, time
precious it me" ! Beingreqtiefted,
by him not to fpend her felf, me
faid flie would do all the good fhe
could while fhe lived, and when
ilie was dead too, as poffible : up-
on which account, ihe defired a
fermon might be preached at her
funeral concerning the prcciouf-
nefs of time. O that young <
\vpuld now remember their Cre-
ator I
24. Some rniniilers that came
to her, did with earneflnefs beg
-that the Lord would pieafc to giv^
hei
i6
K r Ibme token for good, that (he
might go oft* triumphing j and
bills of the fame nature were lent
to feveral churches.
25. After ihe had long waited
for an anfwer of their prayers, ihe
iaid, -well, 1 will venture my foul
upon Ghriil.
26. She carried it with won-
derful patience, and yet would
often pray that the Lord would
give her more patience ; which ihe
anfwered to aftonifhment ; for
conlidering the pain and agonies
ihe was in, her p-atience was next
to a wonder; Lord, Lord, give
ine patience, iaid ihe, that 1 may
iiot dilhonor thee.
27. UponThurfday, after long
waiting, great fears, and .-many
prayers, when all her friends
thought flic had been part ' (peak-
ing, to the adoniilin'ieat oi her
friends, ihe broke torth thus with
n very audible voice, and ci*earful
countenance
1?
countenance ; Lord, thou hail
promifed, that whofoever cometh
unto thce, thou wilt in no wife
caft out ; Lord, 1 come untothee ;
and furely thou wilt in no wife
caft me out. O fo fvveet ! O fo
glorious is Jefus 1 O I have the
fvveet and glorious Jefus ; he is
i weet, he is fvveet, he is fweet ! O
the admirable love of God in fend-
ing Chrift ! O free, grace to a
poor loft creature! and thus Ihe
run on repeating many of thefe
things a hundred times over ;
bat her friends were fo ailoniihcd
to fee her in this divine rapture,
and to hear fuch gracious words
.and her prayers and deiires fatis-
fied, that they could not write a
quarter of what fhe fpoke.
28. When her ioul was thus
ravifhed with the love of Chrift,
and her tongue ip highly engaged
in the magnifying of God ; her
father, brethren, & filters, with
B 2 oth
1-8
others of the family, were called,
to whom ilie ipakr particularly,
as herftrength would allow. She
gave her bible as a legacy to one
of her brothers, and ddired him
to ufe that well for her fake, and
added to him, and the reft, O
make ufe of time to get a Chrift
for your fouls ; fpend no time in
running up and down in playing:
O get a Chrift for your fouls while
you are young. Remember now
your Creator beforeyou come to
a lick bed : Put not off this great
work till then, for theft you will
find it a hard work indeed. I
know by experience, the devil
will tell you it is time enough ;
and ye are young, what need you
jo be in fuch ha Re ? you will have
time enough when, you aic old.
But there Hands one (meaning her
grandmother) that itays behind,
and I that am but youn^, am go-
ing before her. O therefore make
your
your calling and election lure,
while you are in health. But I am
afraid this will be but one night's
trouble to your thoughts ; but re-
member, thcfe are the words of
your dying lifter. O, if you knew
now good Chrift were ! O if you
had but onetafteofhis fweetneis,
you would rather go to him a
thoufand times than ftay in this
\vkked world. I would not for
ten thoufand, and ten thoufand
worlds part with my intereft in
Chrift. O how happy am I, that
lam going toeveriafting joys ! I
would not go back again for twen-
ty thoufand worlds ; and will you
not ft rive to get an intereft in
Chrift."
29, After this, looking upon
one of her father's fervants, (he
faid, what fhali I do ? what ihali
I do at the great day, when Chrift
lliall iky to me, come thou blefl-
ed of my father, inherit the king-
dom
dom prepared forthee: And (hall
fay to the wicked, Go thou curfed
into the lake that burns forever :
What a grief for me to think,
that I fhall fee any of my friends
that I knew upon earth, turned
into that lake that burns forever!
O that word, forever, remem-
ber that, forever ! I fpcak thefe
v/ords to you, but they are noth-
ing, except God fpeak to you
-too : O pray, pray, pray, that
God would give you grace ! and
then fhe prayed, O Lord, fin-
ifh thy work upon their fouls.
It will be my comfort (faid fhe)
to ice you in glory, but it will be
youreverjafting happinefs.
30. Her grandmother told her
fhe fpent herfclf too much ; ilie
laid, I care not for that, if I
could do any foul good. O
with what vehcmcncy did (he
fpeak, as if her heart were in ev-
-cVy word fhe (poke.
2i
31. She was lull of divine fen-
tenses ; almoft all her difcourfe,
from the firft to the laft, in the
time of herficknefs, was about her
foul, Chrift's fweetneis, and the
iouls of others ; in a word, like a
continued fermon.
32. Upon Friday, after (lie had
fuch lively difcoveries of God's
love, fhe was exceeding defirous
to die, and cried out, come Lord
Jefus, come quickly, conduct me
to thy tabernacle; I am a poor
creature without thee j but Lord
Jefus, my foul longs to go with
thec : O when fhall it be ! why
not now dear Jefus? come quickly^
but why do I (peak thus ? thy
time, dear Lord, is the beft ; O
give me patience !
33. Upon Saturday (lie fpokc
very little (being very drowfy) yet
now and then dropt thefe words 5
How long fxveet Jefus ? fmifli
thy work fvveet Jefus : come away
dear
22
'dear fwect Lord Jefus, corne
quickly : Iweet Lord help, ome
away, now, now, dear Jefus,
come quickly : good Lord, :
patience to me to wait thy- ap-
pointed time : Lord Jefus help
me, help me; thus at fcveral
times (when out of her ileep) for
file was afleep the greateft part 0f
the clay.
34. Upon the Lord's day, flic
fcarce fpoke any thing : hut much
defired that bills of thankfgiVing
might he lent to thofe who had
formerly been praying for her,
that they might help her to praiie
God for that full afTiirance that
lie had given her of his love ; and
leemed lobe much fwallowed up
with the thoughts of God's free
love to her foul. She oft com-
mended her fpirit into the Lord's
hands ; and the Lift words (he was
heard to fpeak, were thefe, Lord
help , Lord jefus help ; dear Lord
Jef
23
Jefus ; .bleffed Jefus. At .{en of the.
clock in the forenoon, fhe ilept
fwjeetlyjn Jefus, and began an
everlafting Sabbath, February 19,
1670.
^jKfc*ta#^^
E X A M P L E II.
0/"# Child that ivas admirably af-
\fe8ed with the Things of GOD,
when he was between two and
three years old, with a brief ac-
count of his Life and Death.
1, A CERTAIN little child,
JL JL whole mother had ded-
icated him to the Lord in her
womb, when -he could not fpeak
plain, would be crying after God,
and was greatly delirous to be
taught good things.
2. 4"Ie could not endure to be
put to bed without family uuty,
and would with much devotion,
kneel down, and with great pa-
tience
24
tience and delight, continue till
duty vvns at an end, without the
leaft expreffion of bejng weary
and he feemed never fo well pleat-
ed as when he was engaged in du-
ty.
3. He could not be fatisfied'
with family duty, but he would
be often upon his knees by him-
lei fin one comer or other.
4. He was much delighted in
hearing the word of God, either
reader preached.
5. He loved to go to fchool,
that he might learn fomething of'
God, and would oh ferve and take
great notice of what he had read,
and come home and fpeak of it
with much affection : and he
would rejoice in bis book, and fay
to his mother, O- mother! I have
had a f weet IciTon to day, will you
pleafe to give me leave to fetch
my book that you may hear it 2
35
6. As he grew up, he was
more and more affe&ed with the
things of another world ; fo that
if we had not received our in-
formation from one that is of un-
doubted fidelity, it would feem
incredible.
7. He quick learned to read the
fcripture, and with great reve-
rence, tendernefs and groans, read
till tears and fobs were ready to
hinder him.
8. When he was at prayer, he
would weep bitterly.
9. He was won it oftentimes to
complain of the naughtinefs of
his heart, and feemed to be more
grieved for the corruption of his
nature, than for a
duty, and that he could not keep
his heart always fixed upon God*
and the work he was about, and
his affections conftantly railed.
12* He kept a watch over his
heart, and obferved the workings
of his foul, and would complain
that they were fo vain and foolifh,
and fo little bulled about fpiritual
things.
13. As he grew up, he grew
daily in knowledge and experi-
ence;; and his carriage wasfo ex-
cellent and experimental, that it
made thofe which faw it, ever
aftonifhed.
14. He was exceeding impor-
tunate with God at duty ; and
would plead with God at a fhrange
rate, and ufe fuch arguments in
prayer, that one would think it
impoffible fhould enter into the
he.trt of a child and he would
beg and expoftulate, and weep fo,
that fometimes it could not be
kept
kept from the ears of the neigh-
bours ; fo that one of the next
houie was forced to cry out, the
prayers and tears of that child in
the next houfe will fink me to hell
becaufe by it he did condemn his
neglecl: of prayer, and his, flight
performance of it.
15. He was very fearful of
wicked company, and would of-
ten beg of God to keep him from
it, and that he might never be
pleafed in them that took delight
in difpleafing of God : and when
he was at any time in the hearing
of their wicked words, taking
the Lord's name in vain qr fwear-
ing, or any filthy words, it would
even make him tremble, and ready
to go home and weep.
1 6. He abhorred lying with
his foul.
17. When he had committed
any fin, he was, eafily convinced
pf it, and would get in fome cor-
ner
g-8
ner and fecret place, and witii
tears beg pardon of God, and
ftrengthagainft fuch a fin, Hehad
a friend that oft watched him,
and liftened at the chamber door,
from whom I received this narra-
tive.
18. When he had been afked r
whether he would commit fuch
a fin again, he would never pro-
mife abfolutely, becaufe be laid
his heart was naughty ; but he
would weep and fay he hop-
ed by the grace of God he fhould
not.
19. When he was left at home
alone upon the fabbath days, he
would be fure not to fpend any
part of the day in idlenefs and
jjay, but be butied in praying,
reading in the bible, and getting
of his catechifm.
20. When other children were
playing, he would many a time
oft he a praying,
21. One day a certain per for*
was difcourfing with him, about
the nature, offices and excellency
of Chrift, and that he alone can
fatisfy for pur fins, and merit
everlafting life for us ; and about
other of the great myfteries of re-
demption ; he feemed favingly to
linderftand them, and greatly; de-
lighted with the difcourie.
22. One fpeaking concerning
the refurreclion of the body, he
did acknowledge it ; but that
the fame weak body that was bu-
ried in the church yard fhould be
railed again, "he thought very
ftrange, but with admiration
yielded, that nothing wasimpof-
fibje with God ; and that very day
he was taken iick unto death.
23. A iriend of his afked him,
vyhether he was willing to die,
when he was firft taken Tick ; he
answered no ; becaiife he was a-
fraid of his rtate as to anothej
C 2 ' world
3Q
world : why, child fitid the other,
thou didft pray for a new heart,
for a humble, and fin cere heart,
and I have heard thee ; didft thou
not pray with thine heart ? I hope
I did, fkid he.
24. Not long after, the Tame
perlon aiked him again, whether
he -were willing- to die ? he an-
fvvered, now I am willing, for I
fliallgoto-Chrift.
^5. Oneaiked him what would
become of his fifter, if he fhould
die and leave her ? he anhvered,
the will of the Lord muft be
done.
26. He dill grew weaker and
weaker, but carried it with a
great deal of fweernefs and pa-
tience, waiting for his change,
and at laft did cheerfully commit
his fpirit unto the Lord; and call-
ling upon the name of the Lord,
and faying, Lord Jefus, Lord Je-
lus, in whole bofom he f weedy
flept ;
flept, dying as I remember, when
he was about five or fix years
old,
EXAMPLE III.
' little girl that -was wrought
:>pon, when /be was be'tweenfbur
and jive years aid, with fime< ac-
count of her holy life, and'tri*
it mp bant death.
MARY A. whcnflie was be-
tween four and five years old,
was greatly affe<5ted in hearing-
the word of God, and became
very folicitous about' her foul,
and everlafting condition, weep-
ing bitterly to think what would
become of her in another world,
aiking ftrange queftions concern-
ing God and Chrifi, and her own
foul, fo that this little Mary, be*
fore fhe was full five years olt|~
fcemed
ned to mind the cne thing
ueedful, and to chuie the better
part/ and fat at the feet of Chrift
many a time, and oft with tears.
2. She was wont to be much
in fecret duty, and many times
came ^ off from her knees with
tears.
3. She would chufe fuch times
and places for fecret duty, as
might render her lefs obferved by
others, and did endeavour what
poffible fhe could to conceal what
ihq was doing when engaged in
fecret duty.
4. She was greatly afraid of
Jiypocrify, and of doing any thing
to be feen of men, and to get
cbmmendation and praife ; and
\vhen fhe had heard one of her
brothers faying, that he had been
by himfelfat prayer, fhe rebuked
liim fharply, and told him, how
little fuch prayers were like to
profit him, and that "if was but
little
JL
little to his praife, to pray like a
hypocrite, and to be glad that any
ftiould know what he had been
doing.
5. Her mother being full of
:forrow after the death of her huf-
-band, this child came to her mo-
ther, and aflted her, why fhe
\vept fo exceedingly ? her mother
anfwered, ihe had caufe enough
to weep, becaufe her father was
dead : no, dear mother, faid the
child, you have no caufe to weep
fo much ; for God is a good God
ilill to you.
6. "She was a dear lover of
faithful minifters. One time af-
ter fhe 'had teen hearing of Mr.
Whitciker, flue ^faid, I love that
mandearly, for the fweet words
that he fpeaks concerning
Ghrift.
7. Her book was her delight,
and what me did read, fhe loved
to make her own, and cared not
for
34
for.paffing over what fhe learned,
without extraordinary obfervation
and undemanding ; and m \ny
times (he was fo ftrangely affect-
ed in. reading of the fcriptures,
that fhe would burit out with
tears, and hardly be pacified.
ib greatly was fhe taken with
Chrift's Bufferings, the zeal of
God's fervants, aad the danger of
a natural ftate.
8. She would complain often-
times of the corruption of her
pature, of the hardnefs of her
heart, that (he could .repent no
more thoroughly and be no more
humble and grieved for her fins
againfl a good God ; and when
Ihe did thus complain, it was
w th abundance of tears.
9. She was greatly concerned
for the fouls of others, and griev.
ed to think of the miferable con-
dition that they were in upon this
ficcount ! When fhe could hand-
fomely,
fcfmely, (he would be putting in
fome pretty fvvect word ofChrift ;
but above all, fhe would d6 what
fhe could to draw the heart of
her brethren and filters after
Chrift : and there was no frriall
hopes, that herexample and good
counfel did prevail with fome
of them when they were very
young, to get into corners topi
and to afk very gracious queitioAS
about the things of God.
10. She was very confcieritrtfiis-
in keeping the Sabbath, fpending
the whole time either in reading
or praying, or 1'earning her cate-
cnifrn, or in teaching her brethren
and fitters. One time when fhe
w^s left at h owe up on the Lord's
day, me got fome other little
children together, with her broth-
ers arid fitters, and inttead of play-
ing (as other naughty children
ufe to do) (he told them, that was
the. Lord's day, and that they
ought
_
ought to remember that day to
keep it holy : And then (he told
them, how it was to be fnent in
religious exercife all the day long,,
except fo much as was to be tak-
en up in the works of neceffity
and mercy ; then fhe prayed
with them herfelf, and among
other things begged, that the
Lord would give grace, and
wifdom to them little children,
that they might know how to
ierve him ; as one of the little
ones in the company with- her,
told afterwards.
1 1 . She was a child of a flrange
tendernefs and compaffion to all,
full of bowels and pity : Whom
Ihe could not help, fhe would
weep over ; efpecially if fhe faw
her mother at any time troubled,
fhe would quickly make her
forrowslier own, and weep for
her and with her,
37
12. When her mother had been
fo me what felicitous about any
worldly thing, ffie would try to
put her off from her care one way or
other. One time fhe told her, O
mother, grace is better than that,
(meaning fomething her mother
wanted,)' I had rather have grace
and the love of Chrift, than any*
thing in the world.
13. This child was often mufing
&bufiedin the thoughts of her ev-
erlaftirig work ; witnefs thatftrange
quefiion, O what are they doing,
who are already in heaven ?and flic
feemed robe greatly defirous to be
among *em who were praifing, lov-
ing, delighting in Gocf ,and ferving
of him without fin. Her language
was fo ftrange about fpiritual mau
ters, that Ihe made many excellent
chriftians to ftand amazed, as judg-
ing it fcaree to be paralleled.
14. She took great delight in
reading of the fcripture, and (bme
paft of it was more iweetto her
D than?
than her appointed food : She
would get feveral choice fcriptures
by heart, and difcourfe of them
favourly, and apply them fuifably.
15. She was not altogether a
ftranger to other good books, but
\vould be reading of them with
much affection : and where me
might, fhe noted the books par-
ticularly, obferving what in the
reading did moft warm her heart,
and (he was ready upon occaiion
to improve it.
1 6. One time a woman com-
ing into the houfe in a greatpaf-
fion, fpokcofher condition, as if
none were like hers, and it would
never be othervvife ; the child
faid, it were a ftrange thing to fay
\vhen it is night, it will never
be day again.
17. At another time a near re-
lation of her's, being in fome
ftraits, made fome complaint;
to whom me faid, I have heard
Mr. Carter fay, a man may go to
39
heaven without a penny in his
purfe, but not without grace in
his heart.
18. She had an extraordinary
love to the people of God, and
when ihe favv any that fhe tho't
feared the Lord, her -heart would
even leap for joy.
19. She loved to be much by
hcrlelf, and would be greatly
grieved if fhe were at any time
deprived of a convcy for fe-
cret duty ; fhe could not live with"
out conftant addreiTes to God in
fecret ; and was not a little pleafed
when fhe could go into a corner
to pray and weep.
20. She was much in praifing
God, and feldom or never com-
plained of any thing but fin.
21 . She continued in this courfe
o f p ra y i n g a n d p ra i fin g o f God,
and great dUtifulnefs and fweet-
neis to her parents, and thofe that
Mtiglit her any thing, yet fhe did
greatly
40
greatly encourage her mother
while fhe was a widow and de-
fired the abfence of a hufband,
might in fome meafure be made
up by the dutifulnefsand holinefs
of a child. She ftuciied all the
ways (he could to make her moth-
er's life fweet.
22.'. When fhe was between ele-
ven arid twelve years old, fhe lick-
ned ; in which fhe carried it with
admirable patience and fweetnefs,
and did what fhe could \yith fcrip-
ture arguments, to fupport and en-
courage her relations to part with
her, who was going to glory, and
to prepare themfelves to meet her
in a bleffed eternity. '
23. She was not many days fick
before fhe was marked ; which
fhe firft faw herfelf, and was
greatly rejoiced to think that fhe
xvas marked out for the Lord, and
was now going apace to Chrifh
She called to her friends, and laid,
I am marked, but be not troubled,
for I know I am marked for one
of the Lord's own. One alked
her, how ihe knew that ? ihe an-
fvvered, the Lord hath told me,
that I am pne of his dear child-
ren. And thus ihe fpake with a
holy confidence in the Lord's love
to her {oul, and was not in the
leaft daunted when ihe fpake of
her death ; but feemed greatly
delighted in the appreheniion of
her nearnefs to her father's houfe :
And it was not long before ihe
was filled with joy unfpeakable
in believing.
24. When ihe j uft lay a dying,
her mother came to her, and told
her, ihe was forry that ihe h^.d
reproved and corrected fo good a
child fo oft. O mother, laid ihe,
f peak not thus, I blefs God, now
I am dying, for your reproofs and
corrections too ; for it may be, i
might have gone to hell, if it had
not been for your reproofs ani
corrections, Da 25.
25. Some of her neighbours
coming to vifit her, afked her, IF
llie would leave them ? (he an-
iwered them, If you ferve ths
Lord, you fhall come after me to
glory.
26. A little before fhe died, fhe
had a great conflidl with Satan,
and cried out, I am none of his.
Her mother feeing her in trouble,
afked her what was the matter ?
fheanfwered, Satan did trouble
me, but now I thank God all is
well, I know I am not his, but
Chrift's.
27. After this, {he had a great
fenfeofGod^ love, and a glori-
ous fight, as if fhe had feen the
very heavens opened, and the
angels come to receive her ; by
\vhich her heart was filled with
joy, and her tongue with praife.
28. Being defired by the ftand-
crs by, to give them a particular
account of what fhe faw : fhe an-
fwered
43
iwered , you fliall know hereafter s
and fo in an ecftafy of joy and
holy triumph, fhe went to heaven
\vhen (he was about twelve Years
old. HALLELUIAH.
EXAMPLE IV.
Oj d child that began to look to*
fooner learnt to fpeak,biit
he betook himfelf to prayer.
2. He was very prone to learn
the things of God.
3. He -would be fometimes
teaching them their duty, that
waited upon him.
4. He learned by heart many
good things, before he was well
fit to go to fchool : and when he
was fent to iehool, he carried itfo,
that all who obferved him, cither
did or might admire him. O the
fweet nature, the good difpofition
the finccre religion, which was
in this child !
5. When he was at fchool,
what was it that he de fired to
learn, but Chrift, and him cru-
cified ? 6.
6. So religious and favoiiry
were his words, hisadlions fo up-
right, his devotion fo hearty, his
fear of God fo great, that many
were ready to fay as they did of
John; what manner of Child fhall
this be?
7. He would be much in read*
ing the holy fcriptures.
8. He was defirous of more
fpiritual knowledge, and would
be often afking very ferious and
admirably queftions.
9. He would not ftir out of
doors before he had poured cut
his foul to the Lord.
10. When he ate any thing, he
would be fure to lift up his heart
unto the Lord for a bleiling upon
it ; and when he had moderately
refrelhed himfelf by eating, he
wdul.d not forget to acknowledge
God's goodnefs in feeding of hifn,
11. He would not lie down in
bis bed, till he had been upon
his
49
his knees : and when fometimes
hr had forgotten his duty, he
] . ould quickly rife out of his
bed, and kneeling down upon
us bare knees, covered with no
garment but his linnen, afk God
forgivenefs for that fin.
1 2. He would rebuke his breth-
ren if they were at any time too
hafty at their meals, and did eat
without afking a bleffing : his
check was ufually thus ; dare you
do thus ? God be merciful to us,
this bit of bread might choke us,
13. His fentences were wife and
weighty, and well might become
fome ancient cbriilian.
14. His ficknefs was a linger-
ing difeafe, againft which to com-
fort him, one tells him of poflel-
fions that mud: fall to his portion :
and what are they, laid he, I had
rather have the kingdom of heav-
en, than a thoufand fuch inheri-
tances.
E
5
15. When he was fick, he
feemed much taken up with heav-
en, and aflced very ferious quef-
tions about the nature of his foul.
,16. After he was pretty well
fatisfied about that, he inquired
how his foul might be faved ? the
anfwer being made, by the ap-
plying bfChrift's merits by faith ;
he was pleafed with the anfwer,
and was ready to give any one
that fhould defire it, an account of
his hope.
17. Being afked, whether he
had rather live or die ? he anfwer-
ed, I defire to die, that I may go
to my faviour.
1 8. His pains encreafing upon
him, one aiked him, whether he
would rather ftill endure thofe
pains, or forfake. Chrift ? alas,
laid he, I kncu f not what to fay,
being but a child ; for thefe pains
may ffogger a ftrong man ; but I
will ftrive to endure the beft that
I
5*
lean. Upon this he called to mind
that martyr Thomas Bilney ; who
being in prifon, the night before
his burning, put his finger into
the candle, to know how he could
endure the fire. O (faid the child)
had I lived then, I would have
run through the fire to have gone
to Chrift.
19. His ficknefs laded long,
and at leaft three days before his :
death, he prophefied his depart-
ure, and not only that he mufl:
die, but the very day. On the
Lord's day, faid he, look to me ;
neither was this a word of cotirfe
\vhich you may guefs by his often
repetition, every day afking till
the day come; what, is Sun-
day come ? at lad, the looked for
day came indeed, and no fooner
had the fun beautified that morn-
ing with its light, but he falls
into a trance ; his eyes were fixed,
his face cheerful, his lips imiU
ing,
ing, his hands and feet clafped in a
bow, as if he would have receiv-
ed fome blefled angel that were at
hand to receive his foul. But he^.
comes to himfelf and tells them*
how he faw the fweeteft body
that ever eyes beheld, who bid
him be of good cheer, for he
muft prefently go with him.
20. One that flood near him,
as now fufpe&ing the time of his
diffolution nigh, bid him fay,
Lord, into thy hands I commend
rny fpirit, which is thy due; for
why, thou haft redeemed it, O
Lord, my God mo ft true.
21. The laft words which he
fpake, were exactly thefe : pray,
pray, pray, nay, yet, pray; and
the more prayers, the better all
profpcr ; God is the beft phyfi-
cian ; into his hands I commend
my fpirit, O Lord Jefus receive
my foul : now clofe mine eyes :
forgive me, father, mother, broth-
er,
53
er, fifter, and all the world. Now I
amwell r my pain is almoft gone,
my joy is at hand. Lord have
mercy on me. O Lord receive my
foul unto thee. And thus he yield-
ed his fpirit up unto the Lord
when he was about twelve years
old.
This narrative w r as taken out of
Mr. Ambrofe's Life's Leafe.
Ex AMPLE VL
Of a poor child that was awakened
when be was about five years old.
i. A Certain very poor child
jf\.that had a very bad fa-
ther,, but it was to be hoped a very
good mother, was by the provi-
dence of God, brought to the fight
of \\ godly friend of mine, who
upon the firft fight of the child,
Lad a great pity for him, and took
E 2 an
Ji-
an affe<5tion to him, and had a
mind to bring him up forChrift.
2. At the firft, he did with
great fweetnefs and ki;,vinefs al-
lure the child ; by which means it
was not long before he got a deep
intereft in the heart of the Child,
and he began to obey him with
more readinefs than children ufu-
}y do their parents.
3. By this a door was opened
for a farther work, and he had
greater advantage to inft.il fpiritu-
al principles into the foul of the
cHild, which he was not wanting
in, as the Lord gave opportunity,
and the child was capable of.
4. It was not long before the
Lord was pleafed toftrikein with
the fpiritual exhortations of this
good man, fo that the child was
brought to a liking of the things
of God.
5. He quickly learnt a great
part of the affembly's catechilru
by
5$
by heart, and that before he couk!
read his primer within book ; and
he took a great delight in learn-
ing his catechifm,
6. He was not only able to give
a very good account of his cate-
chifm , but he would anfwer fuch
queftions, as are not in the cate-
chifm, with greater underftanding
than could be expected of one of
his age.
7. He took great delight in dif-
courling about the things of God;
and when my friend had been ei-
ther praying or reading, expound-
ing or repeating of fermons, he
feemed very attentive, and rea-
dy to receive the truths of God,
and would with incredible gravi-
ty, diligence and affe&ion, wait
till duties were ended, to the no
irnall joy and admiration of them
which obferved him.
8. He would afkvery excellent
queftions, and difcourfe about the
condition
condition of his foul and heavenly
things, and feemed mightily con-
cerned what fhould become of his*
foul when he ihould die : fo that
his difcourfe made fome chrift-
jans even to ftand aftonifhed.
9. He was greatly taken with
t the great kindnefs of Chriftin dy-
ing for finners, and would be in
tears at the mention of them : and
feemed at a ftrange rate to be
affected with the unfpeakable love
pfChrift.
10. When no body had been
i peaking to him, he would burfh
out into tears, and being afkeci the
reafon, he would fay, that the ve-
ry thoughts of ChriiVs love to
finners in fuffering for them, made
him that he could not but cry.
11. Before he was fix years old,
he made confcience of fecret duty;
and when he prayed, it was with
fuch extraordinary meltings, that
his
57
his eyes have looked red and fore,
with weeping by himfelf for his
fin.
12. He would be putting of
chriftians upon fpiritual difcourfe
when he faw them, and feemed
little fatisfied unlefs they were
talking of good things.
13. It is evident, that this poor
child's thoughts were very much
bulled about the things of another
world, for he would oftentimes
be fpeak'ng to his bed-fellow at
midnight about the matter of his
foul ; and when he could not fleep
he would take heavenly confer-
ence to be fweeter than his ap-
pointed reft. This was his ufual
cuftom, and thus he would pro-
voke and put forward an experi-
enced chriftian, to fpend waking
hours in talk of God and the ever-
lifting reft.
14. Not long after this, his
good mother died, which went ve-
ry
Jl
jy near bis heart, -for he greatly
honoured his mother.
15. After the death of his
mother, he would often repeat
fome of his promifes that are made
to fatherlefs children, efpecialiy
that in Exod. 22. 22, ye ihall not
afflict any widow, or the father-
lefs child, if thou afflict them in
any wife, and they cry at all unto
me, I will furely hear their cry.
Thefe words he would often re-
peat with tears, and fay, I a.m
fatherlefs and motherlefs upon
earth, yet if any wrong me, I have
a father in heaven who will take
my part ; to him I commit my-
lelf, and in him is all my truft.
1 6. Thus he continued in a
courfe of holy duties, living in the
fear of God, & (hewed wonderful
grace for a child, and died fvveet-
ly in the faith of Jefus.
My friend, is a judicious chrift-
ian of many years experience,
who
who was no. ways related to him,
but a conftant and ear witnefs of
his godly life, and honourable and
cheerful death, from whom I re-
ceived this information.
ty&ti&fcd^^
EXAMPLE VII.
Of a notorious wicked child, bo
was taken up from begging,
and admirably^ converted : with
an account of his holy life and
joyful death t when he was nine
years old.
I. \ Very poor child, of the
jtX parilh of Newingtonbuts,
came begging to the door of a dear
chriftian friend of mine, in a very
lamentable cafe, ib filthy and naf-
ty,that he would have even turned
one's ftomach to have looked on
him : but it pleafed God to raifc
in the heart of my friend, a great
Jo
pity and tendernefs towards this
poor child, fo that in charity he
took him out of theftreets, whofe
parents were unknown ; and
who had nothing at all to com-
mend him to any one's charity,
but his mifery. My friend eyeing
the glory of God, and the good of
the immortal foul of this wretched
creature, difcharged the parifli of
the child, and took him as his own,
defigning to bring him up ior the
Lord Chrift. A noble piece of char-
ity ! and that which did make the
kindnefs far the greater, was that
there feemed tobe very little hopes
of doing any good upon this child,
for he was a very monfter of wick-
ednefs, and a thoufand times more
miserable and vile by his fin, than
by his poverty. He Was running to
hell as foon as he could go, and
was old in naughtinefs when he
was young in years ; and or^e
ill all fcarce hear of a per-
fon
6i
fon fo mueh like the devil in his
infancy, as this poor child was.
What fin was there (that his age
was capable of) that he did not
commit Pvvhatby the corruption of
his nature, & the abominable exam-
ple of little beggar boys, he was
arrived to a ftrange pitch of impi-
ety. He would call filthy names,
take God's name in vain, curfe
and (wear, and do almoft all kind
of mifchief ; and as to any thing
of G od> worie than a heathen.
2. But this fin and mifery was
hut a ilronger motive to that gra-
cious man to pity him, and to do
all that poffibly he could to pluck
the firebrand out of the fire ; and
it was not long before the Lord
was pleafed to let him underftand
that he had a defign of eyerlafting
kindnefs-upon the foul of this poor
child ; for no foonerhad this good
man taken this creature into his
hou-fe, but he prays for him, and
F labours
labours xvith all his might to con-
vince him of his miferable condi-
tion by nature, and to teach him
fomething: of God, the worth of
his foul, and that eternity: of glory
or mifery that he was born to:
and bleffed ; .be free grace, it was
not long before the Lord was
pleafed to let him underftand,
that it was himfelf which put it
into his heart, to take in this child,
that he might bring him up for
Chrift. The -Lord foon (truck in
with his godly initrudtion, fo that
cm amazing change was feen in
the child i in a few weeks time he
was convinced .of the evil of. his
ivays ; no more news now of his
calling of names, fwearing, or
curling ; no more taking of the
Lord's name in vain ; now he is
civil and refpeclive, and fuqh a
ilrange alteration wjas wrought in
the child, that all the parifh that
rang of his villany before/ was
now ready to talk of his reform-
atioa
_63
ation ; his company, his talk, his
employment is now changed;
and he is like another creature; fo
that the glory of God's free grace
began already to fhine in him.
3. And this change was not an
external one, and to be difcerned
abroad, but he -would get by him-
felf, and weep and mourn bitter-
ly, for his horrible wicked life, as
might eafily be perceived by them
that lived in the houie with him.
4. It was the great care of his
godly matter to ilnke in with thofe
convictions which the Lord had
made, and to improve them all he
could ; and he was not a little glad
to fee his labour was not in vain
in the Lord : he ftill experiences
that the Lord doth carry on his
own work mightily upon the
heart of the child : he is ftill more &
more broken under a fenfe of his
undone ftate by nature : he is oft
in tears, and bemoaning his loft
& miferable condition. Whenhi
matter did fpeak of the things of
God, he liftened earneftly and
took in with much greedinefsand
affection what he was taught, fel-
dom was there any difcourle about
foul matters in his hearing, but he
heard it as if it were for his life,
and would weep greatly.
5. He would after his mafter
had been fpeaking to him, or oth-
ers, of the things of God, go to
him, and queftion with him about
them, and beg of him to inftrudb
and teach him farther, and to tell
him thofe things again, that he
might remember and underfland
them better.
6. Thus he continued feeking
after the knowledge of God and
Chrift, and pradtifing holy du-
ties, till the ficknefs came into
the houfe, with which the child
was fmitten ; at his firft fickening,
the poor child was greatly amaz-
ed and afraid, and though his
ins
pains were great, and the diftem-
pcr very tedious, yet the fenfe of
his fin, and the thought of the
rniferable condition that he feared
his foul was ftill in, made his
trouble 'ten times greater: He
was in grievous agonies of fpirit,
and his former -fins flared him in
the face, and made him tremble ;
the poifon- of God's arrows did e-
ven drink up his fpirits ; the
fenfe of fin and wrath was fo
great, that he could not tell what
in the world to do ; the weight
of God's difpleafure, and the
thought of lying under it to all e-
ternity, did even break him to
pieces, and he did cry out very bit-
ty, what fhould he do ? He was
a rniferable finner, and he feared
that he fhould go to hell ; his fins
had been fo great and many, that
there was no hopes for him. He
was not by far fa much concern?
ed for his life, as for his foul,
Fz what
what \vould become of that forev-
er. Now the plague upon his
body feemed nothing to that which
was in his foul.
7. But in this great diftrefs the
Lord was pleafed t fend one to
take care for his foul, who urged
to him the great and precious
promifes which were made to one
in his condition ; telling him
there was enough in Chrift for
the chiefeft of finners ; and that
he came to feek and fave fuch a
loft creature as he was. But this
poor child found it a very difficult
thing for him to believe that there
was any mercy for fuch a dread-
ful finner as he had been.
8. He was made to cry out of
himfelf, not only fcr his fvvearing
and lying, and other outwardly
notorious fins ; but he was in
great horror for the fin of his na-
ture, for the vilenefs of his heart,
and original corruption ; under it
he
he was in fo great anguifh, that
the trouble of his fpirit, made him
in a great meafure to forget the
pains of his body.
9. He did very particularly
confefs and bewail his fins with
tears ; and fome fin fo fecret,
that none in the world could
charge him with them.
i p. He would condemn him-
feli for iin, as deierving no mer-
cy ; and thought that there was
not a greater {inner in all London
than him (elf, and he abhorred
himfelf as the vileft creature 1
he knew,
1 1 . He did not only pray much
with {hong cries and tears himfelf,
hut he begged the prayers of chrifn
tians for him.
12. He would afk chriftians,
whether they thought there were
any hopes ior hkn, and would
beg of them to deal plainly with
him, for he was greatly afraid ol
being deceived. 13,
13- Being informed how wil-
ling the Lord Chrift was to accept
of poor finners. upon their repen-
tance and turning, and being
counfellcd to venture himfelf upon
Chrift for mercy and falvatipn,
lie faid, he would fain caft him-
felf upon Chrift, but he could
notbut wonder, how Chrift fhould
be willing to die for fuch a vile
"wretch was he was ; and that he
found it one ofthe hardeft things
in the world to believe.
14. But at laft it pleafed the
Lord to give him iome fmall
hopes that there might be mercy
for him, for he had been the chief-
eft of finners ; and was made to
lay a little hold upon fuch prom-
ifes, as that, come unto me, all ye
that are weary and heavy laden,
and I will give you reft. But O I
how did this poor boy admire and
blefs God for the leaft hopes !
How highly did he prize fuch free
and
and rich grace, thatiliould pity
and pardon him ! and at laft he
was full of praife, and admiring
of God ; fo that (to fpeak in the
words of a precious man, who
was an eye and ear witnefs) to
the piaife and glory of God, be it
i'poken, the houfe at that day, for
all the fkknefs in it, was a little
lower heaven, fo full of joy and
praife.
15. The child grew exceed-
ingly in knowledge, experience,
patience, humility and felf ab-
liorrency ; and he thought he
could never fpeak bad enough of
himielf, the name that he would
call himielf by., was a toad.
1-6. And though he prayed
before, yet now the Lord poured
put upon him the fpirit of grayer,
in an extraordinary manner for
of his age ; io that now he
prayed more frequently, more
earndtly, more fpiritually than
ever
7Q
ever. O how eagerly would he
Leg to be wafhcd in the blood of
jefus ! and that the King of
kings, and Lord of lords, that
was over heaven and earth, and
fea, would pardon and forgive
him all his fins, and receive his
foul into * his kingdom. And
xvhat he fpoke, jt .was with fo
much life and fervor of fpirit, as
that it filled the hearers with af-
Jonifhment and joy. r -
17. ' He had a fmall fenfe of
the life and excellency of Chrift,
and fuch longings and breathings
of his foul after him, that when
mention hath been made of Chrift,
he hath been ready almoft to leap
put of his bed for joy.
18. When he was told, that if
he fhould recover, lie muft not
live as he lift ; but he muft give
up himfelf to Chrift, and to be
his child and fervant, to bear his
yoke and be obedient to his laws,
and
and live a holy life, and take his
crofs, and fuffer mocking and rerr
K roach, it may; be, perfecution for
is name's fake. Now, child>
(faid one to him) are you willing
to have Chrift upon iuch terms ?
He iignified his willingnefs by.t;he
earnelinefs of his looks and words,
and .the cafting up of his eyes to
heaven, laying,, yes with all rriy
foul, the Lord helping me, I will
do this. : ^ .
, 19. . Yet he had many doubts
and fears, and was ever and anoa
harping upon that, that though
he were willing,; ; yet Chrift he
feared was not willing to accept
him, becaufe of the-greatneis of
his fins ; ver.Ms hopes were great-
er than his fears*
; 20. The VVv aicfday before he
died, the. child lay as it were in at
trance for about half an hour, in
which time he thought he faw a
vifion of angels ; when he was*
out
out of his trance, he was in a lit-
tle pet, and aiked his nurfe, why
fiie did not let him go ? go, whi-
ther child, faid fhe : why along
with thofe brave gentleman (faid
he) but they told me they would
come and fetch me for all of you
upon Friday next. And he doub-
led his words many times, upon-
Friday next, thofe brave gentle-
men will come for me ; and upon
that day, the child died joyfully.
2i. He was very thankful to
his mafter, and very fenfible of his
great kindnefs in taking him out
of the ftreets, when he was a beg-
ging : and he admired at the good-
nefs of God, which put it into
the mind of a ftranger to look up-
on, and to take fuel) a fatherly
care of fuch a pitiful forry crea-
ture as he was. O my dear maft-
er, (laid he) and fervantof God,
J hope to fee you in heaven, for
gm lure you will go thither. O
bleffed,
bleffed, bleffed, be God, that made
you to take pity upon me, for I
might have died, and have gone
to the devil, and have been damn-
ed forever, if it had not been f o
you.
22. The Thurfday before he
died, he alked a very godly friend
of mine, what he thought of his
condition, and whither his foul
was rfow going ? for he faid, he
could' net ftill but fear, leaft he
ihould deceive himfelf with falfc
hopes. At which my friend fpoke
to him thus, child, for all that I
have endeavoured to hold forth
the grace of God in Chrift to thy
foul, and given you a warrant
from the word of God, that Chrift
is as freely offered to you, as to
any finner in the world ; if thoii
art but willing to accept of him,
thou mayeft have Chrift, and all
that thou doft want with him ; and
yet
O
74
yet thou doft give way to thefe
thy doublings and fears, as though
I told you nothing but lies. Thou
fayeft, thou feareft that Chrift
will not accept of thee ; I fear
thou art not heartily willing to
accept of him. The child anfwer-
ed, indeed I am : why then, child,
if thou art unfeignedly willing to
have Chrift, I tell thee he is a
thoufand times more willing to
have thee, and wafli thee, and faye
thee, than thou art to defire it.
And now at this time Chrift of-
fers himfelf freely to thee again ;
therefore receive him humbly by
faith into thy heart, and bid him
welcome, for he deferveth it. Up-
on which wards the Lord difcover-
ed his love to Chrift, and he gave
a kind of a leap in his bed, and
inapt his fingers and thumbs to-
gether with abundance of joy, as
much as to fay, well, vea all is
well, the match is made, tJhrift is
willing,
75 ^
willing, and I am willing too;
and now Chrift is mine, and I arn.
his forever. And from that time
forward, in full joy and afiqrancc
of God's love, he continued ear-
neftly praifmg God, with defir-
ingtodie, and he with Chrift.
And on Friday morning he fvveet-
}y went to reft, ufmg that very ex.-
preflion, into thy hands, Lord, I
commit my fpirit. He died
punctually at that time which he
had fpoke of, and in which he ex-
pected thpfe angels to come to
him ; he^was not much above nine
years old when he. died.
This narrative I had from a ju-
dicious holy m^n, who was an
eye and car witnefs to nil theic
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE VIIJ
O/*# child that was very ferious at
four years old, with an account
of his comfortable death, when
he was twelve years and three
weeks old,
TOhn Sudlow, was born of reli-
gious parents, in the county of
Middlefex, whofe great care was
to inftil fpiritual principles into
3iim, as foon as he was capable of
tmderftanding of them ; whofe
endeavours the Lord was pleafed
to crown with the defired fuccefs ;
fo that (to ufe the expreffion of a
holy man concerning him) fcarce
more could be expe&ed or defir-
ed from fo litrle a one.
2. When he was fcarce able to
fpeak plain, he feemed to have a
very
71
very great awe and reverence of
God upon his fpirit, and a ftrange
fenJe of the, things of another
world, as might eafily be perceiv-
ed by thofe ierious and admira-
ble queftions which he would be
oft alking of thofe chriftians that
he thought he might be bold with.
3. Tlie firft thing that did iTipft
affect him, and made him en-
deavour to efcape from the wrath
to come, and to enquire w\y^t he
jhould do to be (lived, was the
death of a little brother ; when he
faw him without breath, and not
able to fpeak orftir, and then car-
ried out of doors, and put into a
pit hole, he was greatly concern-
ed, and allied notable queftions
about him ; but that which was
moft affecting of himfelf and oth-
ers, was,' whether he muft die
too ? which being anfwered, it
made fuch a deep imprcflion up*
G 2, OJV
on him, that from that time for-'
\vard, he was exceeding ferious,
and this was when he was about
four years old.
4. Now he is defirous to know
what he might do that he might
live in another world, and what
lie muft avoid, that he might not
die for ever, and being inftructed
by his godly parents, he foon la-
bours to avoid whatloever might
difpi^afe God ; now tell him that
any thing was finful, and that God
"would not have him to do it, and
lie is eafily kept from it, and evert
at this time of day, the appre-
heniions of God and death and
eternity laid fuch a reftraint upon
him, that he would not for a world
have told a lie.
5. He quickly learned to read
exactly, and took fuch plcafure in
reading of the icriptures and his
catechifm, and other good books,
that it is fcarce to be parallelled ;
he
79
he would naturally run to his book
\vithoutbidding, when he came
home from fchool, and when oth-
er children of his age and ac-
quaintance were playing, he reck-
oned it his recreation to be doing
gpod,
6. When he was in coats, he
would be ftill afking his maid
ferious queftions, and praying her
to teach him his catechifrn, or
fcripture, or fome good thing ;
common difcourfe he took no de-
light in, but did moft eagerly de-
fire to be fucking in of the knowl-
edge of the things of God, jChrift,
his foul, and another world.
7. He was hugely taken with
the reading of the book of mar-
tyrs, and would be ready to leave
his dinner to go to his book.
8. He was exceeding careful
of redeeming and improveing of
time ; fcarce a moment of it, but
he wouldgivc an excellent account
of
80
of the expence of it ; fo thai this
child might have taught elder per-
ions, and will queftionlefs con-
demn their idle and unaccountable
waiting of thofe precious hours
m which they fhould (as this
fweet child) have been laying in
proyi fieri for eternity.
: 9. He could not endure to read
anything over {lightly, but what-
ioever he read, he dwelt upon it, la-
boured to underftapd it thorough-
ly, and lemcrriber it, and what he
could not underftand, he would
oft afk his father or mother tjie
meaning of it.
10. When any c.hriftian friends
have been difcourfing with his
father, if they began to talk aoy
thing about religion, to be fure
they (liould have his company,
and of his own accord, he would
leave all to hear any thing of
Chrift, and creep as clofe to them
as he could, and liften as affedtion*
ately,
Si
ately, though it were for an hour
or two : He was Icarce ever
known to exprefs the leaft token
of wearinefs while he was hand-
ling any thing that was good, and
fometimes, when neighbours chil-
dren would come and call him
out, and entice him, and beg of
him to go with them, he could
by no means be perfuaded, (tho/
he might have had the leave of his
parents) if he had any hopes that
any good boys would come into
his father's houfe,
ii. He was very modeft while
any ftranger was prefent, and was
loth to afk them any queftions ;
but as foon as they were gone, he
would let his father know that
there was little laid or done, but
he obferved it, and would reflect
upon what was part in their dif-
conrfe, and defire fatisfaction in
what he could not underftand at
prefent,
12.
**'
12. He was a boy of mod pror.
digous parts for his age, as will
appear from his folici arid ration-
al queftions ; I mall mention but
two of many.
13. The firft was this, when
he was reading by himfelf, in
Draiton's poems about Noah's
flood and the ark ? It being an-
ivvered, that it was likely that
Noah hired men to help him
build it : and would they (faid he)
build an ark to fave another, and
not go into it themfelves ?
14. Another queftion he put
was this : which had a greater
glory, faints or angels ? It being
anl'wered, that angels were the
rnoft excellent of creatures, and
it is to be thought, their nature is
made capable of greater glory
than man's. He faid, he was of
another mind, and his reafon was,
Ijecaufe angels were fervants, and
faints are children ; and that Chriit
never
Ji
took upon him the nature
of faints, and by his being man,
he hath advanced human nature
above the nature of angels.
15. By this you may perceive
the greatnefs of his parts, and the
bent of his thoughts; and thus he
continued for ieveral years to-
gether, labouring to get more and
more f pi ritual knowledge, and to
prepare for an endlefs life.
1 6. He was a child of an excel-
lent fweet temper, wonderfully
dutiful to his parents, ready and
joyful to do what he was bid, and
by no means would do any thing
to difpleafe them, and if they
\vere at any time feemingly angry,
he would not ftir from them, till
they were thought reconciled to
him.
17. He was not only good him-
felf, but would do what he could
to make others fo too, efpecially
thofe that were neareft to him ;
he
84
he was very watchful over his
brethren and fitters, and would
not fuffer them to ufe any un-
handfome adtion, but he would
be putting them upon that which
was good ; and when he did at
any time rebuke them, it was not
childifhly and flightly, but with
great gravity, and ferioufnefs, a
one that was not a little concerned
for God's honour, and the eternal
welfare of their fouls.
1 8, He would go to his father
and mother with great tendefnefs
and companion, (being far from
telling of tales) and beg of them,
iO take more care of the fouls of
his brethren and fifters ; and to
take heed, left they mould go on
in a finful Chriftlefs ftate, and
prove their forrow and fhame,
and go to hell when they die,
and be ruined forever.
29. He was exceedingly affect-
ed with hearing of the word of
God
God preached, and could not be
fatisfied, except he could carry
home much of the fubftance of
what he heard; to this end he
quickly got to learn fhort hand,
and would give a very pretty ac-
count of any fermon that he heard,
20. He was much engaged in
fecret duty, and in reading the
fcripture $ to befure morning and
evening he would be by himfelf,
and was, no queftion, wreftling
with God.
21. He would get choice fcrip-
tures by heart, and was very per-
fect at his catechifm.
22. The providence of God
were not parted by, without con-
fiderable obfervation by him.
23. In the time of the plague,
he was exceedingly concerned a-
bout his foul and everlafting ftate ;
and much oy himfelf upon his
knees. This prayer was found
written in jChort hand after his
death. H O Lord
86
OLord God and merciful father
take pity upon me a miferable
Jinner, and ftrengthen me, O Lord,
keep me from this poifonous infec-
tion ; however, not my will but thy
will be done, Lord, on earth, as
it is in heaven ; but, Lord, if
thou haji appointed me to die by it %
OLord, Jit me for death, & give me
a good heart to bear up under my
afflictions: Lord God and merciful
father take pity on me thy child ;
teach me O Lord thy word, make
me fir ong in faith. OLord, I have
finned again ft thee ; Lord pardon
my Jins '. I had been in hell long ago
if it had not been for thy mercy : O
Lord, Iprjythee to keep my parents
in thy truth, and fave them from
this infeEfion, if it be' thy will,
that they niay live to bring me up
in thy trufk : Lord, I pray thee
Jlay this infeSion that rageth in
this city, and pardon their jins,
and try viw/ once more, and fee if
they
JL
they ivill turn unto tlee. Save me,
O Lord, from this infeftion, that I
may live to praife ana glorify thy
name ; but, Lord, n th u La ft
appointed me to die o f it, ji: me for
death, that I may die with cowjorl;
and, O Lord, I pray tbce /0 help
me to bear up under all afflictions ;
for Ch nft y s fak e. Amen.
24. He was not a little con-
cerned for the whole nation, and
begged that God would pardon
the fins of the land, and bring it
nearer to himfelf.
25 About the beginning of
November 1665, this fweet child
was (mote with the diftemper,
but he carried it with admirable
patience under the hand of God.
26. Thefe are fame of his dy-
ingexprcffions the Lord (hall be
my phyfician, fcr he will cure
both foul and body. Heaven is
the beft hofpital : It is the Lord,
let him do what feemeth good in
his
88
his eyes. Again, it is (he Lord
that taketh away my health ; but
I will fay as Job laid, bleffed be
the name of the Lord, If 1 iliould
live longer, 1 fliallbut fin againft
God. Looking upon his father,
he laid, if the Lord would but
lend rne the leaft ringer of his
hand, to lead rne through the dark
entry of death, I will rejoice in.
him.
27. When a minifter came to
him, among 'other things, he
fpake fomewhat of life. He faid,
this is a wicked world, yet it is
good to live with my parents,
but it is better to live in heaven.
28. An hour and a half before
his death, the fame minifter came
again to vifit him, and aiked him,
John, art thou afraid to die ? He
anf \vered, no, if the Lord will
but comfort me in that hour. But
faid the minifter, how canft thou
expert coipfort, feeing we de-
fcrve
ferve none ? He anfwered, no, if
I had my deferts, I had been in
hell long ago. But, leciied the
minifter, which way doit thou
expedt comfort and ialvation, fee-
ing.thouart a finner, hcaniwered,
in Chrift alone. In whom about
an hour and an half after, .he fell
afleep, faying, he would take a
long deep, charging them that
\vere about him not to wake him.
He died wlien he was twelve
years, three weeks, and one day
old.
Hi EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE IX.
Of a child that was very eminent
when fhe was between jive and
fix years old, withfome memora-
ble p aff ages of her fife, who died,
about 1640.
?. A NNE Lane was born of
\. honed parents in Cole-
Brook, in the county of Bucks,
who was no fooner able to fpeak
plain, and exprefsany thing con-
iiderahle of reafon, but (lie began
to act as if fhe were fan&ified
from the very womb.
2. She was very felicitous a-
bout her foul, what would be-
come of it when (lie fhould die,
and where (lie fhould live for
ever, and what fhe fhould do to
be faved, when ilie was about
live years old. 3-
9*
3. She was wont to be oft en-
gaged in iecret prayer, and pour-
ing out her foul in inch a manner,
as is rarely to be heard of from
one of her years.
4. I had occaiion to lie at
Colebrook, lent for her father, an
old difciple, an Ifraelite indeed,
and defired him to give me fome
account of his experiences, and
how the Lord iirft wrought upon
him ?
5. He gave me this anfwer,
that he was a child of fome what
civil; honeft, and as to a man,
harmlefs ; but he ivas little ac-
quainted with the pu\vci ui ivi:.
gion, till this fweet child put him
upon a thorough inquiry into the
ftateof fouls, and would ft ill be
begging of him, and pleading
with him to redeem his time,
and to aft with life and vigour in
the things of God, which was no
irnall demonjftration to him of the
reality
92
reality of invifiblcs, that a very
babe and fuckling ihould fpeak
io feelingly about the things of
God, and be fo greatly concerned,
not only about her own foul, but
about her father's too, which was
the occaiion of his converfion,
and the very thought of it was a:
quickening to him for thirty years,
and he hopes never to wear off the
impreffion of it from his fpirit.
6. After this me (as I remem-
her) put her father upon family
'duties, and if he were for any
timeout of his f hop, '(he would
;^! ->nd with much
- - - 1 '~' u '-' r --~ d if he had
any leifure time, he would im-
prove it by vifuing of fuch, vvhofe
difcourfe might make him vvifer
and better ; and when he was in
their fociety, to be fure, his talk
was more like a chriftian and fcho-
lar than a child.
12. One day after fchool time
was over, he gave Mr. Andrew
Kent (one of the miniilers of A-
berdeen) a vifit, and afl^ed him
feveral folid queilions,but the good
man aflced him iome queftipns
out of his catechifm, and finding
him not fo ready in the anfwers
as he fhould have been, did a little
reprove him, and told him, that
he mult be fure to get his cate-
chifm perfe&ly by heart.: The
child took the reproof very well,
and
and went home, and fell very hot
upon his catechifm, and never
left, tell he had got it by heart ;
and not only fo, but he would be
enquiring into the fenfe and mean-
ing of it.
13. He was fo greatly taken
with his catechifm, that he was
not content to learn it himfelf, but
he would be putting others upon
learning their catechifm, efpecial-
ly thofe that were neareft him ;
he could not be fatisfied, till he
had perfuaded his mother's maids
to learn it ; and when they were
at work, he would be ftill follow-
ing them with fome good queft-
ion or other : fo that the child
feemed to be taken up with the
thoughts of his foul, and God's
honour, and the good of other
fouls.
14. He tvas a confcientious
obferver, of the Lord's day, fpend-
ing all the time either jn fecret
prayer, or reading the fcriptures,
and
129
and good books ; learning the
word of God, and publick duties ;
and was not only careful in the
performance of the duties himielf,
hut was ready to put all that he
knew upon a ftrit observation of
the Lords day, and was exceed-
ingly grieved at the prophanation
of it. One Lord's day, a feryant
of his father's going out of the
houfe upon extraordinary occa-
lions, to fetch forre beer, he took
on fo bitterly, that ue could fcarce
be pacified because that holy day
was io abufed (as he judged) in
his father's houfe.
15. When he was between fix
and feven years old ; it pleafed
God to afflict him with fore eyes,
which was no fmall grief to him,
becaufe it kept him from fchooi,
which he loved as well as many
boys do their play : and that
which was worfe, he was com-
manded by the doctor not to read
any book whatfoever at home.
But,
But, O how was this poor child
grieved, that he might not have
liberty to read the holy fcriptures ;
and for all their charge, he would
get by himfelf, and Hand by the
window, and read the bible and
good books ; yea, he was (o gree-
dy of reading the fcriptures, and
took fo much delight in them,
that he would fcarce allow time
to drefs himfelf; for reading the
word of God was his great de-
light. Yea, though he had been
beat for ftudying fo much, yet
judging it God's command, that
he ftiould give himfelf up to read-
ing, he could not be beat off from
it, till he was fo bad, that he had
like never to have recovered his
light more,
10. It was his practice to be
much by himfelf in fe'crtt prayer,
and he was careful' tt> manage
that work, fo as that it might be
as fecret as poffibly it could be,
but his frequency and conftancy
made
it to be eafily obiervcd j
t on which, a perfon having a
t mind to know what this
'iwee- babe prayed for, got into a
plac^ rear him, and heard him
v y earneftly praying for the
arch of God, defiring that the
kingdom of the gofpel might be
fpread over the whole world, and
that the kingdom of grace might
more and more come into the
hearts of God's people, and that
the kingdom of glory might be
haftened. He was wont to con-
tinue half an hour, fometimes an
hour together upon his knees.
17. He was much above the
vanities that moft children are
taken with, and was indeed too
much a man to live long,*
1 8. He was very humble and
modeft, and did by no means af-
fcdt finencfs in apparel, but hated
any thing more tfean neceffaries,
either in cloaths or diet.
19. When he perceived either
his
132
his brother or fitters pleafed with
their new cloaths, he would with
a great deal of gravity reprove
their folly ; and when his reproof
fignified little, he would bewail
their vanity.
20. Once he had a new fuit
brought from the taylors, which
when he looked on, he found
fome ribbons at the knees, at
which he was grieved ; afking
his mother, whether thofe things
would keep him warm ? No,
child, faid his mother ; why then
((aid he) do you fuffer them to
be put here; you are miftaken,
if you think fuch things pleafe
me ; and 1 doubt fome that are
better than us, may want the
money that this coft you, to buy
them bread.
21. His mother afked him,
whether he was willing to die,
and leave her? He anfwered, Yes,
I am willing to leave you, and go
to my heavenly father. His
mother
mother anfwered, Child, if thou
hadft but an affurance of God's
love, I ftiould not be fo much
troubled.
22. He anfwered, and faid to
his mother, I am allured, dear
mother, that my fins are forgiv-
en, and that I fhall go to heaven ;
for, faid he, here flood an angel
by me, that told me, I fliould
quickly be in glory.
23. At this his mother burft
forth into tears. O, mother, faid
he, did youbtit know what joy I
feel, you would not weep, but re-
joice. I tell you I am fo full of
comfort, that I can not tell you
how I am ; O mother, I fhall pre-
fently have my head in my fath-
er^ boforri, and mail be there,
\vhere the four and twenty elders
fhall cft dovvn their crowns, and
ling hallelujah, glory and praife,
to him that fits upon the throne,
and unto the lamb forever.
*4-
M
* 34
24. Upon this, his fpeech be-
gan to fail him, but his foul feem-
cd flill to be taken up with glory,
and nothing now grieved him
but the forrow that he faw his
mother to be in for his death ; a
little to divert his mother, he afk-
ed her, what me had for flipper
but prefently in a kind of divine
rapture, he cried out, O what
fweet fupper have I making ready
for me in glory !
25. But feeing this rather in-
creafe, than allay his mother's
grief, he was more troubled, and
aiked her what (lie meant, thus to
offend God ; know you not, that
it is the hand of the almighty.
Humble yourfelf under the migh-
ty hand of God. Lay yourfelf
in the dull, and kifs the rod of
God,, and let me fee you do it, in
token of your fubmiflipn to the
will of God, and bow before him.
Upoa which, raifing himfelf a lit-
tle,
ML
tie, he gave a lowly bow, ancl
fpoke no more, but went chcar-
iully and triumphingly to reft, in.
the bofom of Jefus.
A narrative of fandry remarkable
paffages concerning Mr. ^jcbn
Lang bam, fon of -Sir James
Langham^ knight and baronet.
By THOMAS BURROUGHS, B. D.
THIS fweet child was ; five
years and an half old with-
in two or three days ; : when God
took him : But he had arrived to
that in five years, arid a little
more, that fome (I am afraid]
have not arrived to in ten time.
the fence. *
He
* Be died July 29, 1659. ;
He had learnt the aflemblies
fhorter catechifm through, and
began to learn it over again, with
the proofs out of the fcriptures at
large, wherein he had made fome
progrefs.
He met one day (in a gentle-
woman's chamber, who lives in
the houfe) with a book that treat-
ed of the paffion of Chrift, and
reading a little in it, faid he liked
the book well, and that he would
read it over. So he began and
read fome few pages, then turned
the leaf down, and the next day
came again and began where he
left, and fo from day to day, till
he had read a confiderable part of
it.
He was a very dutiful child to
his parents, and would exceeding-
ly rejoice, when he had done any
thing, or carried himfelf fo, as to
pleafe them,
! 37
He was taken with the book
called, the practice of piety, and,
delighted to be reading in it.
His father fpeaking to him one
day about the devil and hell, and
things of that nature, afked him,
If he were not afraid to be alone ?
he anfwered, no : For God would
defend him. His father alked,
why he thought fo ? he replied,
that he loved God, and that he
hoped that God loved him. But
(faith his father) you have been a
linner, and God loves not finners.
But 1 am lorry for my fins (faith '
he) and do repent. Repent (re-
plied his father) do you know
what repentance means, and what
belongs to it ? And he gave hi ma
good account of rhe apprehenfiort
he had of the nature of that grace,
according to what he had learned
in his catcchifm, but yet in his
6wn words and expreffions.
He
He would oft afk his fifter
(who was fomewhat younger
than himfelf) whether (he trufted
in God, and loved God ? and
would tell her, that, If fhe fought
God, God would be found of her ;
but if (he forfook God, God
would cad her off forever.
He took that delight in his
book, that his father and mo'ther
have feen caufe fometimes to hide
away his book from him.
He was never obferved to dif-
cover any pouting or difcontent,
when upon any occafion he was
cprre&ed. And you muft not
think lam telling you the Story of
one, in whom Adam (as. they
feign of bonaventure) never (in^
ned. There is that fooli(hnefs
bound up in all children's hearts,
that will fometimes need the rod
of correction j though there be
very few in whom there appeared
lefs than in him.
The
*39
The day before he died, he de-
fired me to pray for him : I told
him, If he would have me to pray
for him, he muft tell me, what I
fhould pray for ; and what he
would have God to do for him !
he anfwered, to pardon his fins.
Oft upon his nek bed he would
be repeating to himfelf the 551(1
chapter of Ffaiah, and other pieces
of fcripture, which in the time of
his health he had, learned by
heart.
But that pafTagein the foremen-
tioned chapter was m oft frequent-
ly in hjs mouth, and uttered by
him with much affedlion V My
thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are my ways your ways,
faith the Lord : For as the heav-
ens are higher than the earth, fo
are my ways and my thoughts
/ than your thoughts : As if God
(out of this fvveet babe's mouth)
had, in thefe words, read to hif
parenti
140
parents lectures of filence and fub-
xniiTion under his hand ; and
taught them that hemuftbe dealt
with and difpofed of, not as they,
but as his heavenly father (whole
thoughts were far different)
Ihould fee fitting.
One time he broke out into this
cxpreffion ; my God, my God,
deliver me out of this mifery, and
from the pains of hell forever.
A little before his de-?th he
broke out into thefe words ; My
iins pardon, my foul lave, for
Chrift his lake.
I cannot blame thofe worthy
perfons io nearly related to him,
though they mourn at parting
with fuch a fweet and hopeful
child j any more than I could
blame them for feeling pain, if
one of their limbs were torn from
another. Only they muft not
mourn to defpondency.
What
HI
What an inftrurnent of God's
glory might he have proved ?
What a deal of fervice might he
have done for God (in all likeli-
hood) had he lived to old Age ?
But it was God's doing.
142
A
T O K *E N
FOR T H B
CHILDREN
O F
NEWENGLAND.
IF the children of Newengland
'with an early piety, fet them-
felves to know and ferVe the Lord
Jefus Chrift, the God of theic
fathers, they will be condemned,
not only by the examples of pious
children in other parts of the
\vorld, the publiihed and printed
accounts whereof have been
brought over hither ; .but there
have been exemplary children in
the midft of Newengland i'tfelf,-
! that fc
that will rife up againft them for
their condemnation. It would be
a very profitable thing to our
children, and highly acceptable
to all the godly parents of the
children, if, in imitation of the
excellent Janeway's token for
children, there were made a true
collection of notable things, ex-
emplified in the lives and deaths
of many among us, whofe child-
hood hath been fignalized for
what is virtuous and laudable.
In the church hiftory of N ew-
engfond is to be found the lives
of many eminent perforrs, among
whofe eminencies, not the leal?
was, their fearing of the Lord
from their youth, and their being
loved by the lord when they were
children.
But among the many other in*
ftances, of a childhood and youth
delivered from vanity by ferious
religion, which Newengland has
afforded, thefe few have particu-
larly been preferved .
EXAMPLE I.
LITTLE more than thirteen
was John Clap of Scituate,
when he died; but it might very
truly be faid of him, that while
he was yet young, he began to
feek after the God of his father*
From his infancy he difcovered a
fingular delight in the holy fcrip-*
tures, whereby he was made -wife
unto falvation ; and alfo made
himfelf yet further amiable by
his obedience to his parents, and
his courtefy to all his neighbours.
As he grew up, he fignalized his
concern for eternity, not only by
his- diligent attendance upon both
publick and private catechifm,
but alfo by the like attendance on
the miniffry of the word, which
he would ponder and apply, and
confer about with much difcre-
L tiotx
tion of foul, and pray for the good
effect thereof upon his own foul;
Yea, 'twas even from his child-
hood obiervable in him, that ever
after he began to fpeak reafonably,
he would both affectionately re-
gard the family prayers, and like-
wife, both morning and evening,
with a moft unwearied conftancy
recommend himfelf by his own
prayers unto the mercies of God.
Arriving higher into his age,
he was very confcientious of his
duty both to God and man ; n nd'
particularly careful'of his father's
bufinefs, which now became his.
own calling, At work with his
father in the field, he would fre-
quently be propounding of quef-
tions, by the anfwers of which he
might be promoted in the knowl-
edge of God; and at the ieafons
which others ufually employ to
vain purpofes, he would be a-
bounding ia the exercifes of de-
votion.
'47
votion. But of all the imitative
things to be ieen in him, he was
exemplary for nothing more than
his endeavours in preparation for,
and falsification of, the Lord's
day. Yea, his parents have af-
firmed, that for a year or two he-
fore he died, they never heard an
i- unprofitable word come out of his
mouth ; but he would often be-
wail the idle difcourfes of others.
About a year and an half before
he died, the good fpirrt of God
blcfTed him, with yet a more tho-
rough convi&ion of his mifery
by reafon of fin 'both original and
a&ual : Whence, though he had
been fuch a pattern of innocency,
yet he would aggravate his own
finfulnefs, with lamentations tru-
ly extraordinary, and for his re-
lief againft the terrors of God,
wherewith he was now cl if traded,
li was brought unto an utter dif-
pair of his own righteoufnefs and
abilities ;
abilities ; but in this condition,
lie came to adore the grace of God
offering a Jti'us who is able to fave
unto the uttermoft : In his long-
ings to enjoy the love of God,
through Jefus, he was like the
hart after water brooks !
The wounds of his fpirit were
accompanied with a languiihing
and confuming of his flelh ; yet
with great patience he endured
the hand of God, and he followed
the Lord with prayers, with cries,
with teais for the manifeflationof
the divine love unto him.
It was alfo obferv.ed & admired,
tbat when he was abroad at the
public worfhip, in the time of his
\veaknefs, he would fland the
\vhole time of the long exercife,
and be fo affectionately attentive,
that one might fee every fentence
uttered in thpfe exerciles, make
fome impreffion upon him. The
beft chriftians in the place pro-
jfeffcd themfelves made alhamed
by
by the fervency of this young dif-
ciple! And in days of humiliation
or thankfgivings, kept with re-
gard unto the general circum-
ftances of the country, he would
bear his part., with fuch a fenfeof
the publick troubles or mercies,
as argued more than a common
meafure of a public fpirit in him.
The miniiier of the place, vif-
iting of him, after ficknefs had
confined him, found him in ex-
treme dejeclron of foul ; his very
body Iho.ok, thro* his fear, kft
the day of graci; were over with
him ; yet juitifying of God, tho 5
he (liould be forever caft among
the damned. But yet his fears
were accompanied with hopes in
the all fuilicient merits of the blefT-
ed Jefus : in which hopes he con-
tinued ufingall the means of grace
according to his capacity, and
lamenting after thofe whereof he
was not capable.
He continued fix days with hi
L % tee*
teeth fo fhut, as that they could
not be opened ; and for the firft
three days and nights, he took no
luftenance ; afterwards, though
this but feldom, he fucked in be-
tween his teeth, nothing but a lit-
tle cold water : In which time,
they that laid their ears to his lips,
could overhear him continually
cxpreffing his comfort in God 6
But j'jft before his death, his teeth
were opened ; when he would of-
ten {ay, O! how precious is the
blood of Chrift, it is worth more
than a thoufand worlds ! and of-
ten pray, come Lord Jefus, come
quickly! Andatlaft, he gave up
himfelf to God, in tbefe words,
Lord Jefus receive my fpirit. He
defired his mother to turn his face
unto the w T all whereupon fhe
faid, John, doit thou now remem-
ber Hezekiah's tinning his face
unto the wall ? he faid, yes, I do
remember it : And as fhe turned
him in her arms he quietly breath-
ed his foul into the arms of his
bleffed Saviour.
[Extracted* out of the account
written and printed by Mr. -With-
eril and Mr. Baker, minifters of
Scituate ; and prefaced by Mr.
Urian Oakes ; who takes that oc-
cafion to fay of this John Clap a
he was a young old man, full of
grace, though not full of days.]
^gRK3^
EXAMPLE II.
MR. Thoma^ Thornton, the
aged and faithful Paftor of
Yarmouth, was blefled with a
daughter named Prifcilla, who at
the age of eleven, left this world,
having firit given demonstration^
of an exemplary piety.
She was one remarkably grave,
devout, ferious j very inquiiitive
about matters of eternity.; and in
her particular calling very diligent:.
She
She was nevcrthelefs troubled with
fore temptation and exercifes a-
bout the ftate of her own foul :
The anguifh of her fpirit, about
her body of death, caufcd her to
pour out many tears and prayers ;
and flic preffed, that fome other
pious children of her acquaintance,
might with her keep a day of hu-
miliation together, that (as (he
exprefled it) they might get pow-
er againft their fin ful natures.
But it pleafed God at length to
blefs the words of her godly moth-
er, for the quieting of her mind.
It was her fingular happinefs, that
Ihc had fuch godly parents 5 but it
was her opjnion and cxpreflion,
\vetruft too much to the prayers of
our parents, whereas we Ihould
yray far otiir (elves.
At laft, flie fell mortally fick.
In the beginning of her ficknefs
ihe was afraid of dying j for, faid
:he, I know of no promife to en,
courage
courage me. She could not bu'c
own that fhe had in fomemeafure
walked with God ; yet fhe com-
plained, that fhe*' had not found
God meeting her in her prayers,
and making her heart willing to
be at his difpofal and that the
pride of her heart now lay as a
load upon it. She owned, that
fhe had many thoughts of Jefus
Chrift, and that it grieved her
that fhe had finned againft him*
who had done and died for her.
But many days were not paft,
before fhe could profefs herielf
willing to die, with fome affurance
of her then going to eternal bleff-
ednefs. Many thanks and loves
did fhe now render to one of her
fuperiors, declaring, it was be-
caufe they had curbed her, and
reftrained her from finful vanities,
And fbe faid, were I now to choofe
my company, it ihould be among
the people of God; I fee plainly
that *
that they are the only company^
She was not without her conflicts
in this time, wherein one of her
fpeeches was, damnation, that is
the worft thing of all, but Chrift
is of all the heft : I find it fo ;
Chrift is to .me wifdom, righte-
oufr.efs, fandtification and re-
demption. She told her father
the knew fbe was made up of all
manner of fin ; but faid me, I
hope God has humbled me, and
pardoned me in the merits of the
Lord Jelus Chrift. Unto her af-
fe6tionate mother me laid, mother,
why do you weep, when I am
well in my foul ? will you mourn,
when I am fo full of joy ? I pray
rejoice with me.
When fire was extremely fpent,
{he faid unto her parent, O my
father, I have been much troub-
led by Satan, but I find Chrift is
too hard for him, and fin, and alL
She now faid, I know now that I
lhall
ihall die j and being afked, wheth-
er flie were afraid of death ; with
a fweet fmile (he replied, No
not I, Chrift is better than life.
And fo (lie continued in a mod
joyful frame, till (he died : a
little before which, it being the
Lord's day, (he aflked, what time
of the day it was ? and when they
had told her, 'twas three of the
clock, (he replied, what is the
Sabbath almoft done ? Well, my
eternal Sabbath is going to begin
wherein i (hall enjoy all felicity,
and (ing hallelujahs to all eterni-
ty. And hereupon (he quickly
fell afleep in the Lord.
EXAMPLE III.
MR. Nathaniel Mather, died
Odober 17, 1688, at the
age of nineteen, an inftance of
more than common learning and
virtue. On his grave ftbne at-
Salem *
Salem, there are thefe words de-
iervedly infcribed, The ajbcs of an
bard jludent, agoodjibolar, and a
great chrijiian^
He was one, who ufed an extra-
ordinary diligence to obtain ildll
in the feveral arts that make an
accomplished fcholar ; but he was
more diligent in his endeavours
to become an experienced chrift-
ian.
He did with much folemnity
enter into covenant with God,
when he was about fourteen years
old. And afterwards he renewed
that folemn action, in fuch form
as this : " I do renounce all the
vanities and wretched idols and
evil couries of the world.
44 I do choofe, and will ever
have, the great God, for my beft
good, my laft end, my only
Lord. He (hall be the only one,
in the glorifying and enjoying of
whom
whom {hall be my welfare ; and
in the ferving of whom fliall be
my work.
" I will ever be rendering unto
the Lord jefus Chrift, my prop-
er acknowledgments, as unto my
prieft, my prophet, and my king,
and the phyfician of my foul. I
will ever be ftudying what is my
duty in thefe things, and wherein
I find myfelf to fall ihort, I will
ever count it my grief and (hame;
and betake myfelf to the blood of
the everlafting covenant.
" Now humbly imploring the
grace of the mediator to be fuf-
ficient for me, I do as a further
folemnity, hereunto fubfcribe my
name^ with both heart and hand."
leaving done this, he did for
tbe reft of his life walk with
watchfulnefs and exactnefs.
He would keep whole days of
prayer and praiie by himfelf :
And he would fet himfelf to con-
M fider
_
fider much on that queftion
What (hall I do for God ?
He was much in meditation,
and often wrote the chief heads
of his meditation. He would
read the fcripture, with a note and
a wifh fetched out of every verfe :
And at night, he would afk,
1. What has God's mercy to
rne been this day?
2. Whathas my carnage to God
been this day ?
3. If I die {his night, is my im-
fnortal fpirit fate ?
Many more fuch imitable things
are in the hiftory of his life (di-
vers times printed at London) re-
ported of him.
EXAMPLE IV.
ANN Grccnousrh, the daugh-
ter of Mr. William Green-
ough, left the world, when (he
was
'59
but about five years old, and
yet gave aftoniihing difcoveries
of a regard unto God and Chrift>
,and her own foul, betore Hie went
aw r ay. When (lie heard any thing,
about the Lord Jefus Chrifc, fne
would be ftrangcly Irani ported,
and ravifhed in her fpirit at it ;
and had an unfpcakable delight
in catechifing. She would put
ilrange queihons 'about eternal
things, and make anfwers herfelf
that were extremely pertinent.
Once, particularly, fhe aikcd, are
not we dead in fin ? and prefently
added, but I will take this away,
the Lord Jefus Chrift (hall, make
me alive. She was very frequent
and conftant in iecfet prayer, and
could not with any patience be
interrupted in it. She told her
gracious mother, that ihe there
prayed for her ! and was covetous
of being with her mother, when
flie imagined ftich duties to be
i6o
going forward. When fhe fell
fick at laft of a consumption, fhe
would not by any fports be divert-
ed from the thoughts of death,
wherein ihe took fuch pleafure,
that fhe did not care to hear of a-
ny thing elfe. And it fhe were
alked, whether ilie were willing
to die ? fhe would carefully re-
ply, ah, by all means, that I may
go to the Lord Jefus Chrift.
EXAMPLE V.
AT Bofton, 1 3d. 3m, 1694,
there died one Daniel Wil-
liams, in.the i8th year of his age.
There was a collection made of
fome of his dying fpeeches.
Being afked, whether he loved
God ? he replied, Yes, I love him
dearly ; for Lord, whom have I
in Heaven but thce ?
He
ifil
He was much concerned for
poor perifhing Ibuls. He would
fay, Oh, that I had but flrength,
how would I pray and figh, and
cry to God, for the poor world,
that lives in fin and pride !
On the day of his death, being
full of pain , he fa id, Jefus Chriit
bore more than this, and he died
for me ; and (hall I be afraid to
die, and go to him ?
Then faid he, O death, where
is thy fting ? O grave, where is.
thy victory ?
EXAMPLE VI.
Early piety exemplified in Eliza-
beth Butcher. SECTION I.
Containing ,-/ brief account of her,
from her birth in Jiffy 1709, to*
her fir ft remarkable " illnejs in
September* 1716.
it 1 LIZ A BETH Butcher,
JLf daughter of Alvin and
Elizabeth Butcher of Boiton, was
M 2
born July I4th, 1709. Her par-
ents gave her up to God from the
womb, and as foon as (he was
capable of fpeaking, they began
to inilrud: her in the things of
God.
2. When flie was about two
years and an half old ; as fhe lay
in her cradle, fhe would afk her-
felf that queftion, what is my
corrupt nature ? and would make
anf wer again to herfelf,it is empty
of grace, bent upon (in, and only
to fin, and that continually. She
f.eok great delight in learning her
catechifm, and would not wil-
lingly go to bed without faying
fome part of it.
3. She being a weakly child,
, her mother carried her into the
"country for health: And when
flie was about three years old, and
at meeting, fhe would let with
her eyes fixed on the minifter, to
the admiration of all that fat a-
bout
163
bout her, whofaid that grown up
people might learn and take ex-
aSnple of her. She took great
deligl-f: in reading, and was rea-
dy ana willing to receive inftruc-
tion.
4. But nothing more extraor-
dinary as we remember appeared
in her, till (lie came to be about
fix years old. Then fhe began
to enquire concerning God, and
the nature and affairs of her foul,
and fhe faid, (he was afraid fhe
had not lived up to that end for
which fhe was made. She was
afked what was the end Hie was
made for ? The child anfwere-i
to glorify God : But I am afraid
I have not lived to the glory of
God as I mould have done. She
was told that (lie muft pray to
God that he would pleafe to par-
don her fins, and give her grace
to ierve and glorify him.
5. She was not contented with
164.
the bare reading of God's word,
but would frequently a(k the mea-
ning of it. And when ihe was
at her work, ihe would often aik
where fuch and fuch places of
fcripture were, and would men-
tion the words that (lie might be
directed to find them.
6. It was her practice to carry
her catechifm or forne other good
book to bed with her, and in the
morning (he would be fitting up .
in her bed, reading before any of
the family Were awake beiides
her.
7. One day as me was lifting
by the fire, aiked Why our firft
parents eating the forbidden fruit 1
was counted fin to them ? At an-
other time flie afked, who were
meant by the wife and foolilh
virgins ? And what was meant
by the oil in the lamps ? A Ihe
was reading a fermon of Dr. Cot-
on Mather's ihe aiked who was
meant
meant by the goodly cedar ? And
when Ihe was told, fhefaid, --
and vrho are meant by the fpwls
that are juft pledged ? fhe was
told they meant little children;
and Chrifl called them to come
to him. But, faid flie, how can
I v\hoam but a child go to Chrifl?
being informed, (he faid, But
will Chrifl accept of me ? fhe
was anfwered yes, and feveral
places of fcripture were mention-
ed for her encouragement.
SECTION II.
Containing a fhort account of her
in her Jirfl illnefs from Sept.
1716. to Feb. 1717-18.
I. TN September 1716, ihe was
JL taken ill, and in her fick-
nels behaved herfelf with fuch
wonderful patience as all that
came
came near admired. She would
often put up that reqneft, heaven-
ly father, give me thy Chrift,
give me thy grace, and pardoa
all my fins, for Jems Chrift s
fake, Amen. Then me laid,
V/hat is fandtification ? and made
anfvver to herfelf ; it is the work
of God's free grace. What are the
Benefits which in this life do ac-
company or flow from juftifica-
tion, adoption and fandlincation ?
they are afllirance of God's love,
peace of con(cience, joy in the ho-
ly ghoft, ijicreafe of grace, and
perfeverance therein to the end.
2. Being afked, if me was wil-
ling: to die, and go to Chrift ; (he
faid, yes : But child you fend for
Mr. Sewall to talk with him, and
hear what he had to fay to her ?
the child anfwercd, Mr. Sewall
may give me encouragement as
you do. But except God f peaks
to me too, all will fignify nothing.
Well
Well child, fiiid her mother, wait
upon God ftill, who will in his
own time I hope fpeak peace to
my foul. Mr. Sewall was lent
for, but he was not at home.
8. She was told for her en-
couragement, that fhe was a lamb
of Chrift's flock ; and that he haci
faid, he would take the lambs in
his arms, and carry them in his
bofom j and fuffer little children
to come unto me, and forbid them
not, for of fuch is the kingdom
of heaven ; and you know that
promife in Pr'ov. 8. 17. I love
them that love me, and thofe that
feek me early (hall find me. The
child anfvvered ; if the Lord will
pleafe to help me, I will feek him.
She was told that the Lord would
help her, and was exhorted to
trull in the free grace and mercy
of God through thrift. Oh faid
the child : 1 am willing to accept
of Chrift, but 1 am afraid Chnft
is
is not willing : Anfwer was made-
that if fhe was willing to accept
of Chrift, that to be fure Chrift
was willing to accept of her : She
anfwered, I am willing.
9. Awhile after fhe faid ; I
will venture my foul upon Chrift,
and if I perifh, Lord, it fhall be
at the fountain of thy mercy : For
thou haft promifed, that whofo-
ever cometh unto thee, thou wilt
in no wife caft out ; O Lord, I de-
fire as I am able, to come unto
thee, to come unto thee, and 1 am
fure thou wilt not caft me off.
And fhe was compofed for fome
time : But fatan aflaulted her a-
gain in fitting her fins before her ;
and flie cried out, Oh the fin of
my nature, (unlefs my foul be
fprinkled with the blood of
Chrift,) is enough to undo me,
were I guilty of no other.
10. About a month before her
death, on the Sabbath in the after-
noon
noon, flic faid toher mother, now
Phave a believing fight of Chrift :
now Chrift ismine, and I am his :
Oh, how fweet is Chrift : Oh he
is fweer, he is fweet ! and if you
did but tafte and feel what I do,
you would long to be gone. Then
ihe faid ; come Lord Jefus, come
quickly ; Dear Jefus, fweet Jefus,
come quickly, then fhe faid :
Lord Jefus give me patience,
give me patience to wait thy
time, for thy time is the beft time :
Lord Jefus give me patience.
II. Her mother fat weeping
by her, and to comfort her, the
child faid, dear mother, though we
part now, it will be but a little
while before you will follow and
come to me : And that will be a
happy meeting for us, to meet at
the right hand of Chrifl: in the
great day. Then fhe thanked her
mother for the inftructions and
corrections (lie had given her,
N j
170
and (aid, had it not been For them
I might have gone to hell ; but it
won't be long now before the
bleffed angels will come and carry
rhy foul to the bofom of Chrift ;
Oh I long to begone to that bleiT-
ed place : fweet Lord Jefus, come
quickly.
12. A while after Hie (aid my
pain is great which I undergo to
go to Chrift ; but not fo great as
the pains Chrift underwent for
me ; Oh I wonder, that Chrift
fhould be fo willing to die for me,
who am fo great a (inner.
13. Mr. Sewall was fent for
again : but before he came the
child was fo fpent with extreme
pain and much fpcakirig, that flic
was not able to fay any thing to
him. In the night fne afked the
young woman that watched with
her, to read the 25th of Matthew
to her.
14. One morning fhe afkcd ;
where
1ZL
vvhere is that place of fcripture ?
eat O friends, drink, yea drink
abundantly, O beloved. The glafs
itanding on the table, flic aikcd
to have it turned, and faid ; my
glafs is almoft run, my work is
almoft ended.
15. Oil Thurfday was three
weeka before her death, her moth-
er feeing an alteration in her, faid,
my child is flruck with death.
Upon which (lie replied, Is death
come, and am I prepared, am I
prepared ? She lay ftill fome time,
and then faid, O death where is
thy fting : O grave where is thy
victory, and what wilt thoti gain
by this thing ?
16. There was a perfon (lie had
a peculiar refpedt for, and defired
her mother when fhe had oppor-
tunity, to fpeak to her ; for Ihe
\vas afraid (lie did not coniider
her foul and eternity.
ZZi
37. The Lord's day foUowinp;
Ihe laid over the 2jd Pfalm, arid
when (he had concluded it, her
mother afkecl her ; it (he was not
afraid to pals through the dark
valley of the fliado-w of death ?
ihe an (we red ; no, for God hath
promifed that he will never leave
me nor for fake me, neither wit!
he fufTer me to leave or forfake
him.
1 8. She lying in great pain day
and night, would often fay. Lord
Jeiiis give me patience, that 1 may
not diihonour God. She faid, Oh
if I Ihouid be deceived at latt, aiu!
deceive others, and they think 1
am good, O how miferable ih all
I be forever ?
19. Her aunt Stone being pref-
ent., and the child being in great
pain, and complaining of thofe
about her, for refufingtodo fome-
-thing for her, which {'he found re-
iicvcd her, but they were fearful
of
of overdoing, fhe faid, They dc
riot pity me, but I hope Chrift
pities me, and will prepare a place
for me. A little while after, be-
ing reftlefs with her pains, fhe
checked herfelf, faying, Why
do I complain ? Chrift tndurt'4
more than this for me : I wonder
how he did to bear it. And a
little while after, hearing it thun-
der ; 'ihe faid, It thunders, I am
afraid God will kill me with it ;
but whether he kills me with that,
or with this pain, if 1 may but go
to Chrift, it will be well.
20. The Tuefday following
Mr. Sewall came to fee her, and
after fome diicourfe, he afked her
on what fhe depended for falva-
tion ? ihe replied, on Chrift, and
the promiies. He laid, well
Child, hold fa ft thy faith, and
frill truft in Chriii. Then ihe
laid, Oh' f long to go to that bleff-
ed place, He aiked her what
N 2 bl'.-ficd
(fed pl.iLe ? (he notreadiJy s;%
iwering, he laid, do you mean
heaven ? (he anfwered, yes : And
when he was going away, de fired
him to remember her in his Pray-
crs : And afked him when we
would come again to Tee her ?
21. .Two perfbns being in the
room, they laid to one another ;
this child has been a child of af-
fliction all its days. The child
replied ; and it is for my good.
22. She had another combat
with Satan, and (kid, he would
perfua.de her that Chirft was
withdrawn from her ; and fhe
cried out, Oh what (hall I do, Oh
what iliall I do ? I ara undone I
(lie laid, O Lord, caft me not out
of thy fight : caft me not away
from thy pretence, and take not
holy ipirit from me : Reftore
unto me they joy of thy ialva-
tion, and uphold me with thy free
Spirit ; never leave me*nor for(ake
me :
rne : But guide me by thy Coun-
fcl while here, and afterwards re-
ceive me to thine heavenly king-
dom : And this I alk for thy fon
Jdus ChrifVs fake ; and in tefli-
mony of my defires and allurancc
to he ru-ard, I lay, Amen.
23. She was comforted again
in the night -5 And the watcher
fitting by herbedflde, about mid-
n i g I u , heard her lay ,
Yonder, Yonder, up above,
Sits my faviour, cloathM in love,
And there's my 1 mil ing God.
24. She laid, (he had ibm^thing
to lay to Mr. Sewali the next time
he ihould conic to fee iier : and
being a Iked what it was, fhefiid,
(he would thar.k him for the ma-
ny prayers he put up for her, for
God had heard and anfwered
them.
25. At another time fhe Taid
concerning Chrift ; why is his
Chariot fp long ^ coming ? Why
ftay
ftay fo long the wheels of his
chariot ? for me to ft ay is pain .$
but to die is gain.
26. Mr. Prince coming to fee
her the Monday before her death,
ihe defircd him to pray with her.
He laid, well, and what (hall ws
pray for now ? fhe replied, that I
xtiay have a faying knowledge of
Chrift, that God would pleafe to
jpardon all my fins, and prepare
me for death my great and laft
change.
27. The day following, her
pains abated, and flic itemed to
be better for 2 or 3 days ; and no
one perceived her to draw near
her change, till a few minutes fee-
fore (lie was taken fpcechlcfs, the
child laid, fomething clicuiked
her : Her mother felt of her hands,
and finding them in a cold fwtat,
and her countenance alter, fhe
laid, my child is ngoing : Ah
mother, faid the child, ib mufl
you
*77
you as well as I. She faid feme-
thing more ; but her fpcech and .
fpirits failing, we could not un-
derftahd her.
She breathed her foul into the
.arms of Chrift on Friday, the
1 3th of June, 1718, being eight
*years and juit eleven months old.
E X A M P -L E X.
;. RS. Abiel Goodwin, who
t Bofton, O