RObert Harris was born in a dark time, and place, at Broad-Campden in Glocester-shire; his Father was looked upon by the chiefest in that Country, as a very wise and understanding [Page 2]man; his Mother was (confes­sedly) a very devout and cha­ritable woman; under these prudent and pious Parents hee spent his childe-hood; But it did not a little afflict this their Son to his dying day, that even then hee was more willing of play, than of reading the Scrip­tures to his Parents at their call. So soon as hee was capable, his Parents (having designed him for the Law, or the Mini­stry, according as his parts should prove) set him to the Free-School of Chipping-Camp­den, where hee soon found a double inconvenience. First, The School-masters were often changed by the defalcation of their salary through some de­fault. Secondly, Some of them proved very fierce and cruel, which, hee would often say, [Page 3]was the bane of many school­boies; and though for his own part, hee never felt (to his re­membrance) the smart of any Rod in any School, yet the daily executions done upon o­thers, brought such a trembling and sadness of spirit upon him, that hee could not bee quite rid of so long as hee lived.

From that School hee was removed to Worcester, where all the week hee was under the tuition of Mr. Bright, and on the Sabbath under the Reve­rend Pastor, the learned Dr. Robert Abbots.

From thence hee was remo­ved to Magdalen Hall in Oxon, being allied to the Principal, Mr. Lyster; There hee shew­ed an excessive desire of know­ledge, and studied the more, because hee had little help ei­ther [Page 4]from the Principal, or his Tutor; But all this while hee was too too ignorant of the waies and truths of God.

At length (his Tutor leaving the Hall) hee became Suter to the Principal, that one Mr. Goffe of Magdalen-Colledge might bee the man; This Mr. Goffe was voiced to be a very good Logi­cian and Disputant, but with­all a Puritane, which occasioned the Principal (being Popish) to disswade the choice, but his kinsman persisted in his sute, and would have no denial, not out of love to Religion, but to Learning onely. Mr. Goffe having received him, calls him to a concurrence with other Pu­pils in reading the Bible, Prayer, and Repetition of Sermons: This course did somewhat per­plex the new Pupil. First, hee [Page 5]knew few, if any, of the Se­niors, who ran that way; and on the other side, hee was not able to confute the practice. In this case hee would (as him­self reported) in his study fall down and intreat the Lord, either to discover the false­hood, if his Tutor had any de­sign upon him to seduce him, or if this way were pleasing to God, that then the Lord would confirm him in it. Not long after hee came to a reso­lution, bought a Bible, took excessive pains in reading that, and other Authors in Divinity. In the mean while his Tutor puts off his Pupil, because hee did not earn his mony, for his Tutorage: Only thus it should bee (said his Tutor) Wee will continue our studies together, Ile read Philosophy with you, and you [Page 6]Greek with mee; From Greek, they passed to Hebrew, where­in they had also the concur­rence of some other of the Fellows, whereof one was af­terward President. And how­ever Mr. Harris was not then compleat Batchelor in the Hall, yet the company accepted of him, finding him studious, and as ready in his Grammar as themselves: Besides this, his Tutor and himself agreed to read Calvins Institutions by turns, the one reading a chap­ter this day, and giving an ac­count thereof to the other, and the other to do the like the next day; and this they did so long continue, as their other occasions and exercises would permit.

After hee was a while Batche­lour of Arts, hee had a minde [Page 7]to try what his fitness was for the Pulpit (because else hee must to the Law) and having prepared himself, hee offers his pains at Chipping-Campden; but such were those times, that in the greater Town hee did not know where to procure a Bible for the reading of his Text; At length hee was directed to the Vicar there, the Bible could hardly bee found, being not seen some months before, at last found it was, and the Preacher furnished, who chose for his Text the words of St. Paul, Rom. 10.1. The Ser­mon was heard with much ap­plause, onely the Preacher would often say, that hee lost by the bargain. First, His heart grew bigg upon it, next, his carnal friends call upon him, to give over University-studies, [Page 8]and to come amongst them, as being now learned enough. His Father also (ha­ving many children yet to pro­vide for) was willing to ease his charge, and thereupon applied himself to some persons of qua­lity in the State, and of eminen­cy in the Church, in order to some preferment. But his son declined publick imploy­ment for the present, and be­came humble suter to his Fa­ther, that what hee was plea­sed to bestow upon him as a Patrimony, hee would allow it to him in Oxon, for the per­fecting of his studies. This, with much ado, was obtained, and to Oxon hee returned a joyful man. Long hee had not been in Oxon before a fear­ful Plague invaded that place, the University was dissolved, [Page 9]few left behinde. In this case hee was at a stand again; Home hee durst not go, whither else hee knew not, till by a provi­dence (the progress whereof is not known) hee was invited to Mr. Doylys, five miles distant from Oxon. This Mr. Doyly was an Antient Gentleman (of a most Antient Family of the Doy­lyes in Oxon-shire) a great friend to the Gospel, and his wife a woman of an extraordi­nary knowledge and piety; To them Mr. Harris goes for the present.

There hee found one Mr. Prior, a prudent godly man, of an excellent spirit, but much weakned with the stone and gout. This Mr. Prior was then over-burdened with preaching, both on the Sabbaths, and at extraordinary Fasts then en­joyned [Page 10]by occasion of the plague. In meer pitty Mr. Harris holp him a turn or two, but then was so set upon by the Gentleman, the Incumbent, with others, that hee could not withstand their importunity; There hee must sit down, and there preach during the Fast at least. Hee told them hee was not ordeined, and durst not meddle with any thing but preaching, neither, and that, but till hee could bee authorized. This was accepted, the work goes on, large requitals hee re­ceived from the good Gentle­man, and his wife, and much incouragement hee found from the people. And thus it con­tinued till God appeared in a­nother call.

Now was there a fearful E­clipse upon the Church; a con­stellation [Page 11]of Ministers were at once darkened. Amongst the rest those three shining Stars, Mr. Dod, Mr. Cleaver, and Mr. Lancaster. Hereupon Sir Anthony Cope (who had before placed, and now lost Mr. Dod, at Hanwell, and Mr. Cleaver at Drayton) became suter to his Brother Doylye (so hee was by marriage) for Mr. Harris. The motion was unwelcome on all hands, Mr. Doylye being un­willing to lose Mr. Harris; yet (after a long debate) it was thought most conducible to the publick, that it should bee so, and so it was.

Mr. Harris, with much grief and fear goes to Hanwell, where hee found that Country in this posture; Preach hee might and welcome, but Pastors they would own none but their old. The [Page 12]conclusion was, that hee would preach to both Congregations united, so long as Authority would permit, and so long as there was any hope of recover­ing their former Pastors. This gave some satisfaction, but not sufficient, for the quarrel was this, You are not throughout of our Pastors minds.

It fell out, that at the same time Mr. Whately entred the Pulpit at Banbury, and bore a great part of the peoples dis­pleasure. For howsoever they could not except against his preaching (hee being a man of singular parts) yet upon the account of dissent from their Antient Teachers, hee was also distasted; and the truth is, they both had a sad time of it, a great while, notwithstanding all the wisdome and moderation of [Page 13]Sir Anthony Cope, and Mr. Dod, to the contrary.

Well, this world lasted not long; Archbishop Bancroft, find­ing no compliance in the si­lenced, presents two Chap­lains to the two fore-named Churches, upon a pretence of a lapse. Sir Anthony Cope thinks it now high time to stir, and sit­ting then in Parliament, hee takes one or two of the house with him, and presents his Clerks to the Archbishop. Af­ter a long contest the Arch­bishop was content that Sir An­thony Cope should present. How­beit, because hee had spoken in Parliament against insufficient Ministers, with some reflexion upon the Bishops, the Arch­bishop could not but resent this, and therefore refers both his Clerks to his ablest Chap­lain [Page 14]to bee examined. The Chaplain (having it seems his lesson) brings in the Clerk de­signed for Hanwell (declined by Mr. Harris) altogether in­sufficient, being indeed a grave and discreet divine. The o­ther was returned Mediocritèr doctus. The Bishop not plea­sed with this last account, speaks to Bishop Barlow then present, to undertake Mr. Har­ris; The Bishop, being a man active and witty, and was glad of the office, falls upon his work, tries his Examinate a little in Divinity, but most in other Learning and Greek, where the Bishops strength lay, but so long they both Greeked it, till at last they were both scoted, and to seek of words, whereupon they both fell a laughing, and so gave up. The [Page 15] Bishop went in to the Arch­bishop, and there (as Mr. Harris expressed it) set him as much too high, as his Chaplain had set his fellow too low. Upon this return the Archbishop was content to admit of Mr. Har­ris, but upon condition that hee might have Hanwell. This was easily granted, for the Pa­tron had before offered it, and Mr. Dod was there present to desire it; Onely the stick was, That hee was fearful to succeed a Divine so famous, which answer of his did not much please the Archbishop, though at present hee courted Mr. Dod.

Well, now they have a new Pastor at Hanwell, which begets a new tumult; withall Drayton is also furnished with one Mr. Scudder, a prudent man: And now there were three united, [Page 16]not onely in judgement and Christian affection, but in affinity. Mr. Harris, marrying Mr. Whatelyes own Sister; And Mr. Scudder his Wifes Sister. These three met a while week­ly, and alternatim translated, and analysed each his Chapter, but their publick employments soon took them off this.

Shortly after there befel Mr. Harris his Wife, upon her first childe, a great and long af­fliction, which was (as Mr. Dod told him) but to season and fit him for his work; and himself would often say, that hee had been quite spoiled, had hee not been thus taken down, for young Ministers know not the ground they tread upon, till God laies them flat.

This cloud blown over (and some other storms from abroad, [Page 17]the weather seemed to clear up over him; the people began to rellish his Ministry, and no small comfort is found in the Proximity of many Divines. On the one hand there was Mr. Cleaver, a solid Text-man; on the other Mr. Lancaster, a most humble and self-denying man; for whereas hee was by birth a good Gentleman, and had been Fellow of Kings Colledge in Cambridge, where being called to sundry publick Lectures and Speeches, hee delivered him­self in as pure Latin (to use the words of that Master of Speech, Dr. Collins) as ever Tully himself uttered, having no Notes before him, but what hee wrote upon the nails of his fingers; yet this man, thus ac­complished in all Arts, con­tented himself with a living un­der [Page 18]40. l. per annum, and made no noise of any learning at all.

But above all the rest, the most respected was Mr. Dod, touching whom hee was fully of Mr. Cartwrights minde, who held him the fittest man in the Land for a Pastoral function; A man able to speak to any mans capacity, and never out of the Pulpit; for all his discourses were Sermons, and that with such a mixture of delight, as would take with any man. The truth is, hee was a very elo­quent man, both in English and Latin, so facetious and pithy, that Mr. Harris would often say, If all his Apophthegmes were collected, they would exceed all that Plutarch in Greek, or o­thers in Latin, since have pub­lished. For some years Mr. Har­ris had the happiness to live [Page 19]with and by this Reverend man, and that in such a conjunction, as greater could not bee.

Mr. Dod, (bearing the same respect to the new Preacher, as Mr. Goffe had done to his new Pupil) they studied together, and daily read a Chapter in the Original together, and when Mr. Dod beg [...]n to preach again in another Diecess, hee would not expound a Text, preach a Sermon, answer a Case of Con­science (whereof many were daily brought to him) without his concurence with him, so highly was that Eminent Di­vine pleased with him, yet still would hee blame him for his reservedness and unwillingness to put forth himself. The truth is, Mr. Dod was abundant­ly satisfied in his Successor, which is rarely seen, and was [Page 20]pleased to own and honour him much: And on the other side, Mr. Harris accounted himself happy in the injoyment of such a Mnason, from whom hee learned much. But this happi­ness had its end; Mr. Dod was called thence into Northampton­shire, and in his absence God made this supply; Sundry young Students resorted to Hanwell, where his little house was a little Academy. Among others, hee took much comfort in Mr. Pemble, (who would do nothing without him, especial­ly in Divinity) as also in Mr. Capel, V. Mr. Va­lent. Mar­shall in the life of Mr. Capel. who in his sore conflicts and temptations, made much use of him in private, as also in his known Treatise of Tempta­tions.

But time wears and eats out all these temporary comforts; [Page 21]hee lived to see an end of Mr. Pemble, Mr. Capel, and most of his Sojourners; an end of three Patrons in a Succession, and their respective Wives and La­dies, an end of all the antient Preachers of the Country, and of most of his Contemporaries, together with the most emi­nent Professors of those parts, as also an end of four of his Sons in their full strength; and at length hee lived to see himself and his name buried at Hanwell.

During his being there, hee had sundry calls to London, now to the Cross, now to the Parliament, and sometime to the Country-feasts, which gave occasion to many invitations to places there; The Auditory that most won upon him was, St. Saviours in Southwark, and there could hee have spent his [Page 22]life, if hee could have reached so great Assemblies. From thence hee was invited to les­ser Churches, but something or other still intercepted; Hee had in probability closed with Al­dermanbury, had not the then Bishop Laud complemented him thence, commending his Cle­rum at Oxon, and promising him more preferment than hee thought hee should merit. O­ther offers were made to him then, but he ever met with some cross providence about them.

At length hee came to this conclusion, even to end where hee began, as to his own par­ticular, though hee would not condemn others in their re­moval. At Hanwell hee went over many Scriptures; his peo­ple found least good from that which cost him most pains, and [Page 23]that was the Epistle to the Co­lossians, which hee preached throughout. Hee conceived then, that hee could not speak too highly to a people so taught, but upon further ac­quaintance hee found that hee could not go too low, so that (as some of his hearers after told him) his pains upon that Epistle was lost upon them. His Sermons upon Historical Scrip­tures took best with the most, but with himself, and the more spiritual sort, the Book of the Canticles prevailed most, the Notes whereof hee was often pressed to publish, but refused, upon a double reason. 1 A great part of his Notes were lost, and died with Dr. Preston (whom hee would call a need­less ingrosser of others Notes) And 2 Hee less satisfied him­self [Page 24]in his elder years, in divers passages of that mysterious Book. Although there are, who upon less experience, and far less learning, dare vent their con­ceits upon such difficult Scrip­tures, so confidently, as if themselves had been Pen-men, rather than Commentators. Were the world at leisure to hear old men speak, it might bee Tanti, to collect those dispersed papers, and it is yet hoped that some neer relations (who best understand his Character and Method in penning) may take some pains therein for the pub­lick good. Mean while wee go on, where wee left Mr. Harris preaching at Hanwell.

There hee continued about forty years, A constant and pain­ful Preacher, both upon the Lords daies, and upon other oc­casions, [Page 25]which were many, for hee found there an accustomed course of Preaching upon such Festival daies (then so called) which might not enterfeire with the Lecture or Market ad­jacent, which hee maintained; especially on the Easter, and White-mondaies, at which times troops of Christians from all quarters, many miles distant, flocked to him, as innocent Doves to the windows, without any Superstition.

Thence on the morrow were they entertained at Banbury by Mr. Whately; what a fair of souls was then held at Hanwell and Banbury, by these two Bro­thers! How did Religion flou­rish? How did Professors thrive? In truth, the Preachers carved out sound wholesome food, and their hearers came [Page 26]with good appetites, expecting (what they found) both milk and meat, and did grow thereby. In those daies the Preachers laid aside all aiery notions, and curious speculations; They sought meet words and matter, in a plain method and Doctrine, Reason and Use, accommoda­ting themselves to every ca­pacity, and God gave them a plentiful harvest in that Coun­try.

These occasions at home, (together with a natural book­ishness) made him less forward to engage himself in Lectures a­broad; Onely hee was in a combination at Dedington, in Oxon-shire, and for some time engaged alone at Stratford up­on the Avon, where hee had each fortnight a great conflu­ence of the chiefest Gentlemen, [Page 27]and choicest Preachers and Pro­fessors in those parts; Among others, that noble and learned Knight, Sir Thomas Lucy of Charlcot, may not bee forgot­ten, who was pleased to cast a special eye of favour upon him. About this time a great living was offered to him in the Country, touching which he was very indifferent, and the truth is but indifferently dealt with in it, which gave him occasion to say, That hee never bore any thing more impatiently, than the abuse of Religion to base private ends, and that car­nal policy would render pro­fession despicable at least, whilst some men took such a liberty to themselves, in e­quivocating, and daubing, and the reason of such mens suc­cess, was not because they [Page 28]had more wit than others, but more boldness to do and say what others durst not.

At Hanwell yet wee finde him, where hee lived in much prosperity; The Neighbour­hood in the Borders much fre­quented his Sermons, from whom hee received greatest Seals of his Ministery, and much countenance from the chiefest in that Country, where yet lives a Person of Honour, who makes it his work to set up shining lights in those parts, where so many (within memo­ry) have been extinguished.

Howbeit, although he found such incouragement from a­broad, wee must not forget his own people at home, who were so far subdued to a conformity, that there was (sometimes) no family in the Town, wherein [Page 29]Gods Name was not in some measure called upon, nor any person who refused to bee pre­pared by him for the Lords-Supper.

And as the Lord did thus bless his labours, so likewise his estate too; himself would ob­serve a sensible blessing on it; for though his means was not great, and his children (for whom hee kept a School-Ma­ster) many, and the resort to his house not little by occasion of Sabbath, and sundry weekly Lectures in his Parish, yet was hee of the growing hand, which made him to conclude, That there was a secret blessing on house-keeping, For I am not able (quoth hee) to give an account of my expences, and of Gods sup­plies. Thus things stood with him in those times of peace.

Now begin those cloudy times, and his sadder daies; now Troops and Armies march to­wards those Quarters about Edge-hill, where they sit down, and there is fought a bloody battel upon the Lords day, about four miles distant from him; notwithstanding (which he took for a great mercy) hee heard not the least noise of it, till the publick work of the day was o­ver, nor could he believe the re­port of a fight, till a souldier be­smeered with blood & powder came to witness it. From that time forward his troubles mul­tiplied; now hee was threatned with this, now with that Gar­rison; here hee was a Round-head, and there a Malignant; still op­pressed with a succession of souldiers quartering upon him, yet still hee kept his standing. [Page 31]In his family some of his guests would joyn with him in Fami­ly-duties, wherein hee was al­waies constant, albeit his de­votions were by some enter­tained, and by others scorned, because not mingled with book-prayers. In the Con­gregation hee held on his course, every Sabbath, and the most of his quarterers being Leaders and Officers, were the more civil towards him and his; onely at one time the then com­pany were so outragiously blas­phemous, that hee could not forbear that Text, James 5.12. Which did so nettle some, that they damned themselves to Hell, if they did not shoot him, if in case hee preached on that Text again, which was (as they con­ceived) purposely chosen a­gainst them; The next day [Page 32]hee went on upon the same Text, as yet unfinished, back­ing what hee had said before, when a souldier (in his eye) takes his Carbine, fumbles a­bout the lock, as if hee intend­ed somewhat, but the Preacher (conceiving it done onely to disturb him) goes thorow his work without any further news of his souldier.

Thus continued hee upon his work in those sad daies; and though hee had a call to the Assembly at London, yet because there was (as hee seriously thought) less need of him there, than in the Country, hee con­tinued his station, till hee saw his tenements in the neighbour­hood fired, wood, and nurse­ries of wood destroyed, himself threatned, and at last enforced by a Scottish Commander to [Page 33]shift for himself, some of his neighbours also being now rea­dy to betray him, therefore to London hee went.

Thither hee came a sad man; To the Assembly hee went, where hee found much more undone, than done; there hee heard many excellent men, but still hee travelled with his peo­ple, his wife and children left behinde. Rest hee found none, till Gods providence set them down in safety by him; Then went hee with more comfort to the Assembly, yet still did hee Antiquum obtinere, i. e. hear all, and say little.

Upon his remove, his Books and Notes (some few except­ed, which hee had preconvey­ed) together with all his goods left, were seized, his living given to another, but that might have [Page 34]been soon supplied, having ma­ny offers made him from many Ceasts, and Country-Commit­tees.

The first, which hee listened to, was the Temple; but finding that Church (upon trial) too hard for him, hee desisted; at last hee was sent to Buttolphs-Bishopsgate, there (though over­matched also with a great Con­gregation, yet being necessita­ted to do something for his fa­mily now come to him) hee took up, during his abode at the Assembly.

But some while after, himself, with four more Divines, were commanded to Oxon then un­der suspension. This imploy­ment hee often professed that hee did studiously decline, up­on a double account.

First, The Committee for [Page 35] Hamp-shire had freely called him to Petersfield, and thither hee would have gone gladly.

Secondly, Hee had long dis­continued the University, and therefore looked upon himself as most unfit for such a service; but in conclusion, hee was told, That such who would not bee entreated, must bee command­ed, and so was ordered to pre­pare for his journey. Now was hee exceedingly perplexed; to Petersfield hee goes, tells them how it stands with him, to them hee could not suddenly come, and desires them to think of some other Minister, or else to take the care upon them­selves for the supply of both Churches (for two they were) and to pay the Preachers im­ployed out of the revenewes. They liked neither offer, onely [Page 36]they would wait a while in hopes of his setling with them. In the mean, they desired him to provide men to his own liking; this put him to much care and trouble; For a time hee procured some from Oxon, and those parts; After hee had employed friends for the pro­curing of others (for at this time Preachers were scarce) two were with much ado provided, the one whereof gave no good content; In the end hee was put upon it, either to quit Oxen, or Petersfield, the one hee durst not decline, the other hee did to his exceeding grief, because hee could not seal up such respect and thanks to that Coun­ty which was due from him.

No less trouble had hee at Buttolphs Bishopsgate (it being no easie matter to content Citi­zens) [Page 37]much ado there was be­fore that place could bee sup­plied to all their mindes.

In the mean, amongst many Libels cast out at Oxon against other Preachers, one especially took a survey of Mr. Harris his Livings and Revenewes, hee reckons up all hee could hear of, past, present, and to come, and had hee heard of the rest, which at several times were of­fered him, haply they had all been put into the Inventory. Upon notice given of such a Pamphlet, Mr. Harris wrote to some friends (which letters are already extant) for his own vindication in the main, how­beit he professed to his friends, that it would and should bee matter of humbling to him whilst hee lived, that hee had given the least advantage to an [Page 38]adversary; for however hee stood clear in his own and others consciences (who best knew him) that hee was far from the allowance of non-residency and pluralities, yet to men who knew not all passages, there was some appearance of evil, which hee took to heart, the more be­cause hee found Gods afflicting hand upon him, and his, thence forward.

To return to Oxon, there things stand but untowardly, whilst the Preachers sent are li­belled by their own Mothers chil­dren on the one hand, and with­all challenged into a disputa­tion by one Mr Erbery, and his followers on the other: Such a motion or challenge (it seems) was made, which Mr. Harris utterly disliked (observing that disputes in that nature send a­way [Page 39]each party more strength­ened in their opinion, than they found them) notwithstanding his Brethren did not think it fit for them to decline it, onely they desired his concurrence so far, at least, that hee would be­gin the work with prayer. Ac­cordingly they met, and the issue was, that all were censu­red, some for speaking, others for their silence; in this latter rank hee was willingly pla­ced.

About this time comes the Chancellour (the Earl of Pem­broke) to visit the University, who, pro more, bestowed degrees upon Scholars there, amongst whom Mr. Harris (who never thought himself the better Scholar or Preacher thereby) was admitted Doctor of Divi­nity, which, had it not been the [Page 40]favour of his betters hee had re­fused; But hee had learned, That an empty hand from a Prince, and a naked title from his Chancellour, must be counted an honour.

By this time many Headships (before voided) were now to bee supplied. Dr. Harris pro­fessed, that forasmuch as it was noised, That these reforming Preachers, came thither to play their own game, namely, to thrust out others, and to usurp their pla­ces, therefore hee would keep him to his old course, viz. to stand si­lent, without opening his mouth for any Headship at all.

Well, the best places are soon disposed of, neither any news of any for him, till a Noble man, of the other University, mentioned him, whereupon hee was assigned to Trinity Col­ledge; [Page 41]This some of his friends stranged at, considering that hee was (though the meanest in his own eyes) yet the eldest man, and one who had suffered more by the times, than any, if not all the rest.

For his own part hee said little, but inquired for the Head deprived, and into the nature of the place. As touching the Head of that house, hee was not willing to meddle with his place, if hee could finde fa­vour to hold it, and to that pur­pose forbore as long as could bee permitted. And as touch­ing the place, the smalness of the Colledge, and the Scituation thereof, did abundantly satisfie him, who never desired any more than what would keep him from distractions in his studies. The onely thing stuck [Page 42]at, was a Parsonage annexed to the Colledge.

But understanding the di­stance to bee small, and the conditions easie (viz. eight Sermons per annum) hee the more inclined to it, though af­ter, upon further inquiry hee could not satisfie himself under two Sermons weekly; Howe­ver there hee sate-down, and took a great deal of contentment in the Fellows of that Colledge, betwixt whom and him there was ever a fair corresponden­cy.

But at the Parsonage hee found the greater part (not­withstanding they had been long taught) very ignorant, and wedded to their old customes, and (which hee looked up­on as a sad Omen to the place) no sooner did any there set his [Page 43]face towards Heaven, in any special manner, but the Lord took him out of the world, some few, very few excepted. Some motion was now made by the Committee at Oxon for his re­moval to New Colledge, upon the avoidance of it, but the motion began without him, and was stifled by him, when ex­ception above was taken by some against his uncapableness, being no Winchester-man. In truth (as hee professed to his friends) hee desired a little Col­ledge, rather than a great, hee being a man very much addicted to privacy and his book, which made him often to say, That were Trinity-Colledge a compe­tency without the Parsonage, hee would not leave it for any place, unless it were for some Hospi­tal; so much had hee seen into [Page 44]the vanity and cumber of the world.

In his l [...]tter daies hee began to grow weary of journies, whereupon some well-affected Citizens in Oxon (moved there­to in a Sermon preached to them by Dr. Cheynell) made some overtures to him to read a Catechism-Lecture, or some Brinciples of Religion (as hee thought fittest) in one of their Churches; in lieu whereof they would allow him (at their charges) an Assistant at his Parsonage. The motion was good, the exercise needful, on­ly it was questionable how such a work would take in such a place amongst wits and Scho­lars; yet because hee had be­moaned himself to God in pri­vate, That his comfort was little in the place where hee preached, [Page 45]and had made it his humble sute That the Lord would not lay him aside, but some way employ him, whilst any ability was left him, because (I say) hee had thus prayed, and this motion imme­diately succeeded, hee durst not sleight it, but set upon the work with much acceptance and assistance, the Lord giving strength beyond his years; and thus hee continued preaching once a Sabbath at his Parsonage, once weekly in the City, and constantly in his turn at the U­niversity, and that not onely in English, but in Latin also. Yet wee are not at the end of his travels; when he had now freed himself of secular affairs, pla­ced all his children, left himself nothing else to do, but to pre­pare himself and wife for their graves, having lived about fifty [Page 46]years together, it pleased the Lord to exercise him strange­ly.

His wife, most religiously bred, born of Parents eminent­ly pious, a most constant wor­shipper of God all her time, who seldome rose from her knees with dry eyes, was deli­vered up to Satans buffetings, to such horrours of minde, and hellish temptations, as smote a grief and terrour into all specta­tors.

Then (as hee would often say) God made it appear to all Behol­ders, that the best man is no more than God makes him hourly; the re­ceiving of grace, the keeping of it, the use of it, the comfort & the en­joyment of it, is all from him. Nor is this true onely in supernatu­ral graces, but in the gifts of na­ture too, our wits, senses, phan­tasies, [Page 47]are all in his hand, nor are the wisest men any thing, any longer than hee continues them so.

This good woman was a sad instance of all this, whose temp­tations were so fierce, so hor­rid, and withall so subtle, that they put the ablest men to their wits to answer, and her poor self beyond her self, sundry experienced Preachers and Pro­fessors visited her; and her Hus­band (who had satisfied many others) could give her no peace. One day when shee was complaining that shee want­ed comfort, O saith hee, what an Idol do some make of comfort, as if their comfort were their Christ!

Amidst all these trials, these comforts hee took notice of, 1 That shee was kept from [Page 48]blaspheming the Highest (as she still stiled God) and from hurt­ing her self or others. 2 That this affliction awakened him and his children; for they all ac­counted her the most conscien­cious and innocent among them. 3 It put him upon more work, than his age would bear, that so hee might call out his thoughts upon business, and not eat up his own heart. And Last­ly, It wrought in him an holy despair of all creature-comforts; for now hee enjoyed neither childe, nor friend, nor meat, nor sleep, having her continually in his eye, ear, and heart, and all friends fearing to come in sight, lest they should wound themselves, or trouble her. Onely instant prayers were con­tinued for her upon all occa­sions, and I doubt not still are [Page 49]in that City and Country, which gives hope that the Lord may yet please to make the end comfortable, and the con­quest glorious.

However (as her Husband would say) The difference is not great whether comfort come in death, or an hour after, since comfort assuredly would come. And thus for the present wee leave her tossing upon the waves and billows of Temptation (yet under a general expectation of a blessed Issue in the best time) and return once, and but once more, to her Husband now en­tring into the Haven of rest.

After a long and laborious life (tedious perhaps to him who reads it, but more grie­vous to him who underwent it) wee come at length to his long and painful sickness, sick­ness, [Page 50]I say, That usual Harbin­ger of death.

In the Summer hee began to droop, Dr. Ba­thurst. Dr. Willis. and finding a decay, sent for two Physicians, well known to him and his by former experiences, and eminently known in the University, to whom hee would profess, That hee used means meerly in obedi­ence, but for his own part, hee could live, and durst dye; His Physi­cians (as himself professed) had proceeded so far, as Art and Learning could carry them, but herein they would lose of their worth, that they had to deal with complicated diseases, which were seldome removed, but most of all with old age, a disease which was never cured. His first encounter was with a vehement Pleuritical pain in his left side, to which was adjoyned a Feaver, as al­so [Page 51]a great defluxion of Rheume and oppression of his lungs with flegm, and now when after di­vers weeks, all these Assay­lants seemed well nigh-van­quished, through the tender care of his skilful Physicians, yet still haeret lateri, That ene­my which had so long lodged in his bosome, brake forth in­to an Empyema, which hee ex­pectorated daily in so great a measure, for the space of two months, or more, that hereby (together with some fits of his old disease, the stone and stran­gury) hee was not able to speak much to those that visited him.

And herein hee made good what hee had often said in his best strength, viz. that little must bee expected from him on his death-bed, which pro­phetically [Page 52]occasioned his pen to report (fearing his tongue might not then utter) his ad­vice and counsel to his family many years before his death; Indeed, hee rather forbore to speak, because hee perceived a design to make his words pub­lick, which hee was utterly un­willing to, neither would hee consent that any thing of his life or death should bee pen­ned; nay, hee could never bee perswaded at any time to sit, that his shadow might re­main, so desirous was hee, that all of him might be buried with him. And albeit hee spit up those lungs, which hee had wasted in the Pulpit, yet could not that light of grace bee so smothered under his bushel, but oftentimes the beams thereof would shine forth, and himself [Page 53]would breathe out himself in pithy speeches, and savoury discourses.

At his first sickness, being de­sired to admit of company, hee answered, I am alone in company, it is all one to mee to bee left a­lone, or to have friends with mee, my work is now to arm my self for death, which assaults mee, and I apply my self (as I am able) for that great encounter. Accord­ingly hee spent his whole time in meditation, prayer, and in reading Gods book, especial­ly the Book of the Psalms, the Prophecie of Isaiah, and St. Johns Gospel, where hee took exceeding delight in the 10th. 14th. 15th. 16th. 17th. Chap­ters of that Evangelist.

After, when his long nights, and short sleep were tedious, when hee could not now rise, [Page 54]or sit upright to read, hee would command others to read unto him, and then would col­lect the chief useful things con­tained in the Chapter, expound­ing any thing hard in it, and sweetly feeding on the rest.

Still would hee exhort hi [...] visitants and attendants to get Faith above all: It is your victory, your life (would hee say) your peace, your crown, and your chief peece of spi­ritual armour; howbeit get on all, go forth in the Lords might, and stand to the fight, and then the issue shall bee glo­rious; onely forget not to call in the help of your General; do all from him, and under him.

On the Lords day hee would not hinder any from the pub­lick, for any thing to bee done [Page 55]for him, till Sermons were end­ed; then would hee say, Come, what have you for mee (meaning something of repetition) to which hee would attend so di­ligently, as that hee would summe up the heads of every Sermon, and say, O what ex­cellent truths are these! Lay them up charily, you will have need of them.

When friends came to visit him, hee would say, I cannot speak, but I can hear; yet being asked where his comfort lay, hee answered, In Christ, and in the free Grace of God. To one that told him, Sir, you may take much comfort in your labours, you have done much good, &c. Hee answered, All was nothing without a Saviour. My best works (said hee) would condemn mee; Oh I am ashamed of them, being [Page 56]mixed with so much sin: Oh I am an unprofitable servant, I have not done any thing for God as I ought; Loss of time sits heavy upon my spirit: Work, work a­pace, assure your selves nothing will more trouble you, when you come to dye, than that you have done no more for God, who hath done so much for you.

Sometimes he would breathe out himself thus, I never in all my life saw the worth of a Christ, ner tasted the sweetness of Gods love in that measure, as now I do: Therefore being asked what should bee done for him, hee answered, Do not onely pray for mee, but praise God for his un­speakable mercy to mee; and in particular, that hee hath kept Satan from mee, in this my weak­ness. Oh (saith hee) how good is God! entertain good thoughts of [Page 57]him; However it bee with us, wee cannot think too well of him, or too bad of our selves.

The sense of Gods good­ness was deeply imprinted on his heart to his very last; and therefore in all his Wills, this legacy was alwaies renewed, I­tem, I bequeath to all my children, and their childrens children, to each of them a Bible, with this In­scription, None but Christ. At what time hee was visited by two Reverend Doctors, Dr. S. Dr. C. which were his choice friends, who before they prayed with him, desired him to tell them what hee chiefly requested? hee an­swered, I praise God hee supports mee, and keeps off Satan: Beg that I may hold out, I am now in a good way home, even quite spent, I am now at the shore, I leave you tossing on the Sea. Oh [Page 58]it is a good time to dye in. Yet nearer his end, being often ask­ed, How hee did, hee answered, In no great pain (I praise God) onely weary of my unuseful life. If God have no more service for mee to do here, I could bee gladly in Heaven, where I shall serve him better, freed from sin and distractions. I pass from one death to another, yet I fear none; I praise God I can live, I dare dye. If God have more work for mee to do here, (as that Antient said, Domine si tibi sim necessarius non recuso, &c. Po­mer. to which hee seemed to allude) I am willing to do it, al­though my infirm body bee very weary.

Desiring one to pray, That God would hasten the work, It was asked, Whether pain, &c. put him upon that desire? Hee replied, No: But I do now no good, I hinder others which might [Page 59]bee better imployed, if I were not: Why should any desire to live, but to do God service? Now I cease from that, I do not live.

By this time the violence of his distempers and advice of his Physicians forbad speech, yet did hee call upon his atten­dants to read the Scriptures to him constantly, especially upon a Son of his with him to pray with him frequently; and whilst life and language lasted, hee concluded all prayers with a loud Amen.

Hee slumbered much the nearer hee came to his last sleep. Once upon his awake, hee found himself exceeding ill, called for his Son, and taking him by the hand, said, Pray with mee, it is the last time in likeli­hood that ever I shall joyn with you, and complaining to him of [Page 60]his wearisomeness, his Son an­swered, There remains a rest, To whom hee replied, My Sab­bath is not far off, and yours is at hand; Ere that, I shall bee rid of all my trouble, and you will bee eased of some.

At length this ruinous Fort which (onely in obedience to his great Commander) had held out beyond his own de­sire, and all mens expectations, from the height of Summer, to the depth of Winter, comes to bee yeelded up. About Sa­turday even, hee began to set himself to dye, forbids all cor­dials to bee administred, upon whatsoever extremity, gives his dying blessing to his Son, (who onely of all his children was with him) and (upon his request) enjoyns him to signi­fie upon occasion in that Coun­try, [Page 61]where hee was longest known, That hee lived and died in the Faith which he had preach­ed and printed, and now hee found the comfort of it: Something else hee began to speak, but his distempers interrupted his de­sires, and from that time never entertained any discourse with the sons of men, onely com­manded the 8th. of the Romans to bee read to him. And here­in God was exceedingly good to him in the return of those petitions put up for him that af­ternoon, by those two eminent Divines, and his dearest Bre­thren above mentioned; for whereas his distempers gave oc­casion to fear that his death would bee exceeding painful, yet was it so easie, that his son and other attendants, could but guess at the particular time of [Page 62]his departure; his breathings were easie and even, his eyes open and full of water, till at the last (having lifted them up towards Heaven) they closed of themselves, and his soul, without the least motion or re­sistance of body, entred into rest, whilst wee below were entring into the day of rest. For then began hee a perpetual Sabbath in Heaven, when wee began ours on Earth, twixt twelve and one on Saturday, Decemb. 11. 1658. Hee died in a good old age, and full of daies, having out-lived fourscore years, much bewailed by the Colledge, by the City, and whole Univer­sity. Thus have wee for the sa­tisfaction of some, and the silen­cing of others, given you a plain and impartial narrative of the life and death of this eminent [Page 63] Divine, collected partly out of his own letters, and partly from their mouths, who best understood him; Let us now look upon himself within him­self, and there see what was in him, for the imitation of all. Dr. Harris was (confessedly) a man of admirable prudence, profound judgement, eminent gifts and graces, and furnished with all qualifications which might render him a compleat man, a wise governour, a pro­fitable Preacher, and a good Christian.

Here is a large field, but I shall contract and speak in few.

First, Look upon him as a Christian, because that was his and our greatest ornament; Hee was a man that had much ac­quaintance with God, much [Page 64]communion with him in private meditation and devotion, ac­counting those his best daies, wherein hee had most converse with him.

One in his sickness asking him how hee did, Oh, saith hee, this hath been a sweet day, I have had sweet communion with God in Jesus Christ. Hee was none of them that were all for promises and priviledges, mean while neglect duties. Hee made them his exercise, but not his Christ. Hee was much in the work of those severer points of Reli­gion, as private humiliation, mortification, and self-denial, whereby hee gained the con­quest of himself. In truth, hee was (as far as is consistent with humane frailty) Master of his corruptions, whatsoever pas­sions, reason, appetite, language, all.

The Lord wrought upon him betimes; Though hee knew not the Preacher or Sermon that converted him, yet his course was, in the daies of his strictest examination, to set down his evidences for salva­tion in writing, now in Proposi­tions from Scripture, now in Syllogisms; These hee often subscribed to, in a book kept for that very purpose. But these evidences were best read in the course of his life, which was an exact walking with God in Piety, Charity, Humility, Patience, and Dependence on him. Hee was none of those who sate in Moses Chair, but did not the things which them­selves taught: Hee had well digested that Fathers Precept to Preachers; Either preach not at all, or live as you preach. His [Page 66]life was the Commentary upon his Doctrine, his practice the counterpart of his Sermons; what was said of that precious Jewel, In the life of B. Jew­ell. was true of him, That hee adorned an heavenly Do­ctrine with an heavenly Life. In a word, hee did vertere ver­ba in opera, hee lived Religion, whilst many discourse onely. Hee was much more than hee seemed to bee; hee loved not to make a noise in the world, accounting it much better to do, than to speak.

His Charity to the poor was no less discreet, than private. When hee met with just ob­jects of Charity, his hand was more ready to give, than his mouth to proclaim it. Justice (they say) should bee blinde, and know no difference of per­sons, but Charity should have [Page 67]her eyes in her head, and one eye especially on the houshold of Faith. It is true, hee was no friend to idle lazy persons, who live on the sweat of others brows, like Pharaohs lean kine, devouring the fat, yet no whit the fatter; These hee looked upon as the Pests of the Com­mon-wealth, nor could hee think it Charity to relieve such to the prejudice of the publick, and to their own destruction: But Gods poor were his, and lay neer his heart. Hee that shall survey his large bills of week­ly and quarterly allowances (besides round summs to poor Ministers, especially their Wi­dows and Orphans, who never knew the Donor) and shall ex­amine his Legacies in his Will to charitable uses, cannot but acknowledge his charity (what­ever [Page 68]others think of him) did exceed the proportion of his re­venewes. Though naturally hee were of a stout and mas­culine temper, yet through grace hee had attained a very humble spirit. Hee was low and mean in his own eyes, and had more undervaluing thoughts of himself, than all the world be­sides had of him; very sensible hee was of that enemy which hee much complained of, viz. Discouragement, which hee cal­led the childe of Pride and Un­beleef. It must needs bee a great measure of humility that could keep a man low under such abilities, attainments, and such general applause. Hee was wont to say, That hee va­lued no man for his gifts, but for his humility under them; neither would hee expect much from [Page 69]any man, were his parts never so great, till broken with af­fliction and temptation.

It was his observation, That the humblest Preachers converted most souls, not the choicest Scho­lars, whilst unbroken.

Sometime hee would use this speech, which though it seem­ed to speak a contradiction, yet hath it much truth in it, It is better to bee an humble Devil, than a proud Angel. Hee never affected Popularity, Pulpits, Printing, &c. As one conscious to himself, of I know not what unworthiness. Neither ever came hee thus abroad in pub­lick, but when haled by im­portunity.

Secondly, Consider him as a Man in his Morals; first, whe­ther in the Government of his particular self, or family, or his [Page 70] greater trusts, you shall alwaies finde him like himself, excel­lent, and (almost) without an equal.

Hee was exactly temperate, confining himself to hours for diet, sleep, &c. Hee would of­ten say, That hee had rather pour liquor into his boots, than into his mouth, between meals. V. Serm. called Drunkards Cup. A strict observer of those Laws of so­briery, which St. Paul had prest upon Ministers, and which hee himself had publickly printed for others; hee eat sparingly and seasonably, which (doubt­less) was one great means of preserving such a vigour of spi­rit, to so great an age; his one­ly play-time, was Saturday in the afternoon, then hee would unbend, and disburden himself, by some harmless recreation ad Ruborem onely. Hee was a [Page 71]man of an excellent carriage, and sweet behaviour, whereby hee wonn much upon all; grave without affectation, pleasant without levity; Indeed hee did never love to hear himself talk, and was therefore by some thought too reserved, but when hee knew with whom hee had to do, hee was communi­cative enough. No man more candid, nor fuller of civility, none more open and free to entertain or return discourses. Hee was very cautious ere hee struck a league of intimate friendship with any man, but when hee had once done it, hee was cordial, firm and con­stant, his head, his hand, tongue, pen, feet, purse, all were now no longer his own, but his feiends. It is said of the French, that whatever [Page 72]cloaths they wear, whatsoever garb they accost you in, be­comes them so well, as if nothing else did. And our Doctor had this advantage (as a great Cri­tick in men, Mr. R. M. as well as books observed of him) That what­soever hee did or spoke, became him.

It was a very rare thing to see him angry; If at any time others folly had discomposed him, or their sin (the greatest folly) had provoked him, yet could hee quickly command himself, and convert his pas­sion into wholesome instru­ction.

Though hee had great parts and acquirements, yet hee would never sleight or under­value, much less contemn or discourage any, whom he found right in the main.

In his censures hee was ve­ry sparing, gentle to others, se­vere onely to himself.

Hee had a special gift of for­getting injuries, but would offer none; his memory never served him better, than for any civilities received, to which hee would industriously make what proportionable returns hee could. Hee was very fear­ful, lest hee should give any occasion of suspition that hee forgot or neglected any, be­cause hee could not readily re­collect mens names, insomuch that hee would say, If hee lived long bee should forget his own name, with him in Valerius.

At meals hee was usually comical and facetious, yet still would hee enquire of the pub­lick, or of particular Towns, or Families, whence hee would [Page 74]alwaies extract something for prayers or praises in his returns after meat.

In his Family hee had (a­mongst the rest) that compre­hensive qualification of a good Bishop, that hee ruled well his own house. His method in the education of his children was this;

In general, his care was to maintain his authority over them (which is much pressed by a Reverend Divine) yet even that authority was equally tem­pered with lenity and gravity: Mr. Hil­ders. on Psal. 51. Lect. Hee could love them without fondness, and rule them with­out rigour. In particular, as soon as his children could use their tongue, they were taught to repeat the history of Scrip­ture; so soon as they could well feel their feet, they were set [Page 75]to school; when they could re­collect any portion of a Chapter, read, or bring home any pas­sage of a Sermon, hee would in­struct them in the fundamen­tals of Religion. When child­hood was gone, hee called upon them for the practice of Reli­gion, and hee diligently ob­served their private perfor­mance of religious exercises.

Their Mother, in the mean while, was no less careful to inculcate their Fathers instru­ctions; still, as they grew up, hee diligently observed their capacities, inclinations, but e­specially constitutions, whence hee could make a shrewd guess at that sin which after would prove the darling corruption, that accordingly hee might so shape their callings, as that sin might bee least succoured, and [Page 76]most subdued. His Rule was, When you are youths, chuse your callings; when you are men, your wives; onely take mee along with you, it may bee old men may see farther than you. Thus, whilst hee condescended to them, and they submitted to him, all were gratified.

Though hee had a numerous Issue (yet through Gods bles­sing upon his estate) hee dispo­sed of them in no mean employ­ments: Hee sent many to the Universities, some to Mer­chandise, &c. To his Sons bred in the University, hee would say, Study work more than wa­ges; To those bred in the Ci­ties, hee would say, Do not waste a half-penny, and you will not want a penny. So well did they all improve, as his advice, so their own time and parts, [Page 77]that they became Masters of their particular callings, from whence hee received no small comfort. Hee acknowledged it a great mercy to his dying day, that none of his children were blemished, either by na­ture, or in their reputation; hee was one of them, in whose chil­dren, that slander of the Pa­pists, concerning the ungracious­ness of the children of the mar­ried Clergy, receives a real con­futation. Hee buried many Sons in their prime, some in forein parts, others at home, and some followed shortly after him, yet have wee comfortable hopes to conclude upon a ratio­nal Charity (grounded upon the pious letters from those a­broad, and from that particular account of themselves, who died neerer home) that they all [Page 78]met in Heaven. I forbear to speak of those remaining, who need not my attestation, On­ly I crave leave to sprinkle some fresh tears upon the grave of one that hears mee not; Mr. Tho. Harris of Madg. Col. Oxon. once my dearest and intirest friend, who was eminently learned be­yond his age, an ornament to the Noble Foundation whereof hee was a Member; once the joy of his friends, still their sor­row, whose remembrance makes my wounds bleed afresh, and if I misguess not, this arrow from Gods hand, stuck deep in the Fathers heart to the very last.

For his Servants, there are some men yet living, that served him in his younger daies, who bless God that ever they came under his roof, where they re­ceived the beginnings of grace, and such a measure of know­ledge, [Page 79]as hath kept them from warping in these giddy times.

Amongst his Antient Flock, where (by the way) hee ne­ver administred the Sacrament, without a religious Fast of a whole day, and after in his small Colledge, hee managed all affairs with such prudence, that hee was both feared and loved. In the Colledge especially, his Government was such, that it caused a wonder, for whereas that Colledge was famous for factions, there was not in his time any complaint made to a­ny Visitors. In truth, the Foun­dation there, honoured him as a Father, and hee looked upon them, and loved them as chil­dren, accordingly hee sealed up his love to them in his last Will and Testament.

Hee hated the shadow of [Page 80]Bribery, and Blancht Bribery, as hee called Gifts. Examples are known in the Colledge, of Gratuities refused, long after fair and free Elections.

Lastly, Look upon him as a Scholar, and here wee have him in his proper element; it must bee acknowledged, that though hee left the Universitie early, and preached constantly, yet being a retired man, a constant Student, and of great parts, hee had mastered all manner of learning qualifying a Divine In the sacred Languages, especially the Hebrew, hee was ve­ry exact.

His Clerums speak him a pure and polite Latinist, one of which preached and printed so long since, hath undergone the test, and gained the approba­tion of all knowing men in that [Page 81]language; The other younger by full forty years, yet of as good a complexion, and of as vigorous constitution, as its elder Brother, and it is to bee hoped may in due time bee made as publick.

What his abilities were in Argument, hath occasionally appeared in the Colledge-Exer­cise in the Chapel, where oft­times in the unexpected ab­sence of the Opponents, hee would ex tempore, take up the cudgels, and make good their ground. In these exercises hee manifested himself a subtil, clear, and ready Disputant, without any grains of allow­ance, either for age, or discon­tinuance.

His choice learning lay where hee made least shew of it in publick, viz. in Chronology, [Page 82]Church-History, Councils, Case-Divinity, and his insight into the Fathers.

But his parts were best known in the Pulpit; his gifts in prayer were much above ordi­nary; his affections warm and keen, his petitions pithy and sinewous; his language perti­nent, unaffected, and without Tautologies; Oh how hee would boy up a dull and sink­ing spirit! how hee would warm a cold and frozen heart! how would hee carry a mans self out of himself, and by de­grees lift up the soul Heaven­ward!

His Sermons are well known in Print, his works commend him in the gate; The particular excellency of Nazianzen, Basil, Chrysostome, Austin, Ambrose, Bernard, seemed all united in [Page 83]him. It was hee who taught Rhetorick to speak in our Mo­ther-tongue, and hee may bee stiled (without falshood or flat­tery) The English Oratour: His Doctrines carried Light with them, his Application, Heat; his Reproofs were weighty, his Exhortations melting: But of this enough, lest wee hear, as hee did, who spent much time in the commendation of Hercu­les, Quis unquam vituperavit? what either Christian or Scho­lar, but approved or commend­ed him? Would you know the worth of his Sermons, read them (though read, they come short of the same preached) read them again and again, and labour to read them with the same spirit they were preached, and you shall finde the excel­lency of them.

Among his excellencies, which were many in preaching, these were not the least, that hee could cook his meat, to make it rellish every palate; hee could dress a plain discourse, so as that all sorts should bee de­lighted. Hee could preach with a learned plainness, and had learned the Art to conceal it. Hee had clear notions of the highest points, and proper lan­guage to make them stoop to the capacity of the common hearer.

His way in contrivance and penning of Sermons, was this,

1 Hee did so contrive the parts of his Text, and points thence, as might give most scope in his Application, where­in his, and a Sermons excellen­cy consists. Therefore, was hee wont to say, in a Sermon hee con­trived [Page 85]the Uses first; Hee would handle the same Texts and points often, yet still would hee pen new Applications shaped to the quality and con­dition of his Auditory.

2 For penning, when hee began, hee would never take pen from Paper, or turn to any book, till hee had written all.

In his younger time, about twenty years together, hee penned exactly, and could without much ado, preach the same verbatim; hee was wont to say, That hee had a fluid and waterish memory; I can (would hee have said) quickly remember any thing of my own, and as quickly forget it again; yet doubtless his memory was very vast and tenacious; for albeit sometimes hee had short notes in his Bible, and that rarely, yet [Page 86]did hee never use them, more than when hee preached a Cle­rum of late years, hee glanced once upon his Papers. His custome was, immediately after hee had heard a Sermon, to set down the heads thereof, I do not know that ever hee forgat any main head, and seldome misplaced them; upon Fast­nights hee would repeat two, and sometimes three Sermons that day delivered, in the same order as delivered.

Discoursing with a friend a­bout memories, hee said, That his memory never failed him, which hee presently explained, because hee durst never trust it.

Hee would say, that a Preacher had three Books to study; first, the Bible, secondly, himself, thirdly, the people.

Hee looked much to the Ordinance and Relation twixt Pastor and People, and would say, That preaching to them was but one piece of the Pastors duty; Hee was to live and die in them, as well as for, and with them.

Hee complained much of the large insisting upon Doctrinal parts of points, when little or no room was left for Applica­tion; and found that few, either in Cities, or in the Universitie, bended themselves to inlarge upon Uses; which made Ser­mons to differ little from Divi­nity-Lectures; and though all Preachers could not easily en­large themselves there, yet hee would still call upon them to accustome themselves to it. Hee would relate a passage of Mr. Dod, concerning Mr. Cartwright, who often preached [Page 88]at Hanwell, occasionally in his daies) Mee thoughts (said Mr. Dod) whilst I heard him the Doctrinal part of his Sermon, I was in Heaven, but when hee came to Apply, I sometime thought, that had I been in his place, I could presently apply his point more closely.

Many young Preachers resort­ed to him for counsel, both for their private studies, and the Pulpit. Hee would perswade young men, for many reasons, to pen largely, and to keep their Notes for all Emergen­cies, often commending Mr. Dods words, who professed, That hee would rather preach an old Sermon ten times, than speak any thing new without prepara­tion. Hee would say, That hee would have a Preacher able to exceed himself upon just occa­sion, [Page 89]and not alwaies to kee pthe same pace. Although this held not alwaies in himself, for (ge­nerally) his hearers commend­ed those Sermons most, which cost least; and himself would say, That hee never came off with worse comfort and content to himself, than when hee was in appearance best provided; and hee gave his reason, not because hee had used diligence in pre­paring (for that was duty) but because then hee was aptest to presume upon himself, and to neglect his dependence on God.

Many took his advice for books in Divinity, to whom hee would open himself freely; some hee would perswade to read Ames his Medulla, Tileni Syntagma, Bucanus, and such like; To some others hee [Page 90]would commend Aquinas his Summs (which Dr. John Rey­nolds was wont to call that abso­lute body of Divinity) Melchior Canus, and of late Mr. Bowles his Pastor Evangelicus; But still would hee call upon all to read the Text in the tongues, and to Analyse Chapters. This hee perswaded Mr. Pemble to, and set him upon the Book of the Preacher, Ecclesiastes (which hee accounted a very hard Book, till hee met with that brief, but pithy exposition of that incomparable Divine Dr. Edward Reynolds) and after that upon Zachary. When hee was consulted with about Wri­ters, hee would ask what they aimed at in a Writer, for men had their several excellencies. For Acuteness hee would com­mend Mr. Baine, and his second, [Page 91]Dr. Ames, Mr. John Ball, Mr. Capel, &c. if they attended the spiritual part of Divinity, hee would leave them to Dr. Sibbs; If the Rational, to Dr. Preston, if the Historical to Bishop Usher. For solid Preachers, hee much prized Dr. Saundersons first works (to his latter hee was a meer stranger) Mr. Randall, Mr. Hildersham, Dr. Reynolds, &c. And for all the requisites in a Preacher, both for matter, method, elocution, pronuncia­tion, all, hee would often say, That hee seldome met with an abler man than his Brother Whateley of Banbury.

His judgement being asked upon Commentators, hee would say, that hee was now more of Dr. J. Reynolds mind than ever, concerning Calvin, for upon experience (would [Page 92]hee say) I finde that most of the late Writers do but des­cant upon his plain song, and the Jesuites were very Pla­giaries, who will first rob him, and then rail at him.

Next to him hee would commend sundry later men, as Pareus, Rivet, Mr. Cartwright especially, together with some Popish Writers, as Maldonate, (whose wit and learning hee commended better than his spi­rit.) Before him, Learned Masius, Modest Ribera, and (for ought he found by him) Honest Estius. Being asked about the best E­ditions, hee would say, that what was said of Homer, was true of the Fathers, and the first Popish Writers, viz. That was the best still, which was least corrected. Of the Antient Fa­thers, hee would say, that un­less [Page 93]it were for their Polemical, and Historical parts, their wri­tings were more for devotion and affection, than for their judgement and understanding.

For Modern Authors, this was his Opinion generally, that what English-men did ex profes­so, undertake, they did best per­form. No men beyond them in expounding Scriptures, in answering Papists, Arminians, &c. None equal to them in the Pulpit, or in Practical, or Case-Divinity; and herein hee held Cambridge very happy in her Whitakers, Downhams, Dave­nants, Perkinses, to omit many more; and at Oxon hee would lay one J. Dr. C. Reynolds (to pass in silence a younger Reynolds, and his Son-in-Law born a School­man) in the ballance with hundreds, as a man never suf­ficiently [Page 94]admired for his humi­lity, as well as for his learn­ing.

For Schoolmen, hee liked ma­ny things in them, but onely their awkward and ignorant quo­ting of Scriptures, and multi­plying useless Questions, with needless obscurities.

For Lutherans, hee commen­ded divers of them for Learn­ing and Industry, but disliked their tartness.

Arminius (though none of the best) hee liked better than his Disciples and Successors, who were more desperate and dangerous in the five controver­ted Points, than many Papists.

As for Socinianism, hee held it but a kinde of Blancht Ma­hometism. Generally, hee ob­served this, That those Pa­pists, who were most conver­sant [Page 95]in the Scriptures, came nearest to us; the same of the Lutherans also, as Chemnitius, Gerrard, Hemingius, &c.

For our condition at home, hee was sparing to say much, yet some things lay much up­on his spirit. As

1 Hee complained, that the Power of Godliness, and Ex­ercise of Love, and Self-denial, were much abated in these lat­ter daies. Hee did much be­wail the vast difference (in garb and practice) twixt new and old Professors.

2 That the indulgence yield­ed to tender consciences, was much abused to prophaneness, whilst men of no conscience most pleaded that liberty of chusing their own Churches and Teachers, and on the mat­ter abandoned all.

3 That the liberty of Pro­phecying, which some pretend to, was abused to meer licen­tiousness, and confusion; some making none, some all Prophets and Preachers.

4 That in the University, few could bee called constant Students, but the most made a short work of it, and posted into the Pulpit before they un­derstood their grounds, so that few were inabled to encounter Emergent Errours.

5 That in the Church, men were in extreams; some pres­sing nothing but Law, others preaching nothing but the Gos­pel and Christ.

6 Hee complained of the want of catechising, and prin­cipling youth, the want of which hee saw by experience, occasioned the peoples giddi­ness.

7 But most of all hee be­wailed the readiness of many to side and make divisions; hee did not love to use, or to hear used, dividing names and titles, which occasioned him often to relate Mr. Greenhams Answer to Trea­surer Cecil, who being asked on which side the blame lay in that great Rend betwixt the Bishops and Anti-Bishops, answered, that the fault was on both sides, and in neither side; for (said hee) the godly-wise on both sides bear with each other, and concenter in the main, but then there bee selfish, peevish spirits, on both sides some, and these make the quarrel.

Hee applied this to our times, and distinctions of Presbyterian and INDEPENDENT. Men of humble and sincere hearts, though different in Opinions, can and do walk together, pray [Page 98]together, and love one another; but men, who wholly look at their own interests, blow the coals, and fare, as if the Opi­nions were irreconcilable, and every one to bee disaffected to Christs cause, who goes not their pace and path.

For his own part he did pro­fess freely, that he was not con­vinced of some things earnest­ly pressed touching Church-Government; hee did not con­ceive any one external form to bee so essential to a Church, but that it might still deserve that name, though under a Presbyterian, or Independent, or Episcopal form, so long as it was kept within the bounds of those general Rules left in the Scriptures. It is true, some of these had been abused to Tyranny, and the rest might in [Page 99]time bee abused also, but the use and abuse of things are far different; hee would not com­mend either one side or other in their rigid exactions in some cases.

For Presbytery, though hee thought that B. Bilson could never (with all his learning) disprove the being of lay El­ders in the Apostles times, yet hee thought it not so easie a thing to prove the perpetuity of such an Ordinance to the worlds end, especially so cloa­thed, and attended with all those Perquisites which some heretofore called for; hee thought that there was some reason in that distinction of Ju­ris Humani, and Jure Humano, what ever his Application was, who first used it; but for the thing it self, sith it is not alto­gether [Page 100]disproved, but allowed, yea, once commanded, and not since retracted (for ought hee knew) hee saw no reason why any man should, eo nomine, bee aspersed, because a Presbyterian, by any Dissenting Brethren.

For the other of Independen­cy, hee confessed that it was a politick way, and free from much trouble and opposition, for who shall oppose the Mini­ster, when all are of his mind before they are admitted? not­withstanding hee could never satisfie himself, (though upon occasion hee often desired it) in some Particulars. As

1 What warrant there is to take out of anothers flock his best sheep, and to entertain them without his consent or testimony? hee asks whether a­ny man would bee willingly so [Page 101]served, were it his case; and further offers, whether this would not open a gap, that so soon as a member is offended with his own Pastor (haply upon deserved reproof) pre­sently to bee received of ano­ther.

2 To leave the cullen sheep in a hard condition, for hee asks how they are looked upon? and truly, the Answer must bee, little otherwise than on Heathen. The Minister may preach to such, and what more may hee do to these, when the chief are gone?

3 This way seemed to him to bee very destructive to that relation between Pastor and People.

4 Further, hee conceived this way of gathering of Churches into private places [Page 102]and companies, to bee prejudi­cial to Gods publick worship, experience shewing us, that in many places of late, the publick ordinances are mostly disused, preaching onely excepted, which might bee vouchsafed to Cannibals, if they would hear.

Lastly, For Congregations to consist of members at such a distance, as that one should live in the North, another in the South, &c. many miles asun­der, where there shall bee little inspection on the Pastors part, little communion and edifica­tion on the Peoples part, this, hee would say, hee did not un­derstand, nor could hee finde any precept in the word, or a­ny president or practice there­of in Antiquity, so long as wee speak of Churches constituted, and out of persecution, banish­ment, [Page 103]&c. These things hee did sparingly write or speak with much fear and grief.

Amongst the rest, hee did very much bewail the so much sleighting of solemn Ordination of Ministers, the function being so sacred, the work of the Mini­stry so important, and the Mini­ster of so Publick Concernment; hee could but wonder, when as in all other offices, there is such a solemnity at mens instalments and augurations, that a Mini­ster and Embassador of Jesus Christ, should bee silently ad­mitted, without fasting, prayer, and publick solemnity.

Thus for the publick; as to private Passages, it were end­less to write all his Observa­tions, hee being a man very ob­serving. Ile name a few.

In his sickness hee would occasionally vent himself thus.

For his children, hee refer­red them to an old Will, made Anno 1636. at what time his children were many and small.

A Copy of that Advice to his children (though it be not of such general use to his imme­diate children, as the case now stands) yet being of use to theirs and others posterity, is thought fit here to bee added.