A Relation Of that which happened at the first visitation of the Illustrious Prince of Orange, on Munday the 14. of Aprill, Anno 1625. in the afternoone, about foure of the clocke.

WHereas diuers persons of quality, did often times request mee, to visit the Illustrious Prince of Orange, in the time of his sicknesse, which I feared to doe, in regard of my weakenesse; yet, not to incommodate my selfe, and specially his Excell: I thought (the more, because I very well knew his Excell: did yet sometimes reade Letters, and because I had vnderstood by the Worshipfull Doctor Walleus, professor [Page] of Diuinity in the Vniuersity at Leyden, that his Worship comming from thence, at the request of some of the Lords of the Councell, had visited his Princely Excell: whom after many religious and godly speeches he had left very well pre­pared) with a briefe and short Letter of exhortation and com­fort, in stead of a parley in presence, to haue taken my leaue of his Excell: But as I was busie herewith, Master Secretary Iunius sent for me to come vnto his Excell: who was very de­sirous to haue me come vnto him. Considering that it was Gods will, and knowing it to be my bounden duty, in regard his Excell: hath obliged vs so much vnto him, I omitted that which I had in hand, and presently I went with the same messenger that came for me: Beseeching the Lord to streng­then me, and to grant his blessing, that it might bee for his honour and glory, for the comfort of his Excell: and for the edification of all good men.

Being come to the Court, and hauing somewhat rested my selfe, I was by the aforesaid Lord Secretary, and the Cham­berlaine brought into the Chamber where his Excell: lay, who very kindely entertained mee, putting forth his hand and bid me welcome, and made me to sit downe at his Beds side. Whereupon the people dismissed the Chamber, except the aforesaid Secretary, Doctor Rumpf, and the Chamberlaine, who remained at the Beds-side, to heare and take notice of, all the speeches that happened, although vnseene of his Excell: his P. Excell: demanded of me, how I did, what sickenesse I was troubled withall, and whether I amended, as also of my appetite, meate, drinke, and sleepe: Of which when I had satisfied him, his Excell: begunne to speake of his owne sickenesse; demanding of me what Doctor Rumpf thought of it: Which when I had told him, his Excell: an­swered, I am of that opinion also. Complaining of his Ague and hot Feuer, which did much trouble him; and it seemed, his Excell: bewayled them that were constrayned to vse much Physicke. Whereupon I said; we must looke vnto God, with­out whose pleasure there cannot one hayre fall from our heads, and in regard of his diuine decree, our time cannot [Page] be shortened. Whereupon his Excell: answered, I hold it to be so also, and I am resolued: Hereby I tooke occasion,His Excell: faith of Gods prouidence. to shew vn­to his Excell: the misery which man is subiect vnto in this life, and how happy we are, that we haue that sure comfort which the Lord hath so abundantly reuealed vnto vs in his Gospell. Whereupon his Excell: said, It is true. Then I said fur­ther, You may please to consider, the great mercy God shew­ed vnto your Excell: all the time of your gouernement, ma­king you an incomparable Prince of your time, whose acti­ons the whole world admires, and specially in regard the Lord hath freed you from so many eminent perils and dan­gers, and doth now so mercifully shew this great fauour and mercy vnto you, in visiting you with so Fatherly a chastise­ment; leading you, as it were with his hand vnto a blessed end, giuing you so long and moderate a sickenesse, wherein hee doth continue your vnderstanding and perfect speech, not onely to serue the Countrey, as your Excell: yet doth, but also to practise that which is for your euerlasting saluati­on: where to the contrary, that good Lord, of happy memo­ry, Count William Lodwicke of Nassau, at the beginning of his sickenesse did loose his speech, his strength, and his vnder­standing: whose last words were vpon the comfort which I spake vnto him,Count Willi­ams last words in his sicknes LORD be mercifull vnto me for thy beloued Sonnes sake; which we miserable wretches doe not in due time consider. Now I doe not doubt but your Excell: doth make a good vse of this affliction, that you may enioy the perfect fruits of the Christian Religion which your Excell: hath so long maintained and propagated; and this fruit is a comfort both in life and death vnto our consciences, consisting here­in, that we wretched sinners, may haue a reconciled and mer­cifull God. If the fauourable countenance of a King be the life of the Subiects (as Salomon saith) how much the more (said I) is the mercifull fauour of God? Then I said further, (considering his Excellencie did hearken so attentiuely vnto me) Gracious Lord, the reformed Religion doth most cleare­ly and profoundly set forth vnto vs, our misery, and doth giue vs the onely and soueraigne remedy against the same, [Page] with the onely way for our reconciliation with God, through Iesus Christ his onely beloued Sonne our Sauiour, who doth bestow all his benefits on them that lay hold vpon him in true faith and repentance, of whom God doth testifie in the holy Scriptures:Matth. 13.17. This is my beloued Sonne, in whom I am well pleased; Iohn 14.6. He is the way, the truth, and the life; No man commeth to the Father, but through him, neither is there saluation in any o­ther: Acts 4.11. for there is no other name giuen vnder heauen where­by wee must be saued; 1 Cor. 1.30. Who of God is made vnto vs Wisedome and righteousnesse, 1 Cor. 3.11. Sanctification and Redemption; For, other foundati­on can no man lay, then that which is laid, which is IESVS CHRIST;Acts 13.39. Rom. 3 24. Ephes. 1.7. Col 1.14. Iohn 5.11. By him euery one that beleeueth is iusti­fied; By whom wee haue Redemption and reconciliation with God through his bloud, euen the forgiuenesse of sinnes: where­of Iohn witnesseth, Hee that hath the Sonne, hath life. And therefore we can haue no other communion with God, then through him; and this is the onely, ancient, true, and euer­lasting Gospell, which God himselfe hath reuealed vnto our fore-Fathers in Paradise, and afterwards by his Patriarkes and Prophets hath published vnto his people, by all the ce­remonies in the old Testament, and hath sithence in the new Testament so gloriously reuealed it vnto vs Gentiles, which in fore times were not of the people of God, and doe now through his infinite mercy so abundantly enioy it.

Hereupon I rehearsed vnto his Excell. that the Memorable late Count William Lodowicke of Nassau, in his sicknes receiued tydings that the Arch-duke Albertus, being very sicke, went vnto the shrine of our Lady, at a place so called, whereto ma­ny goe in pilgrimage; Scherpenheuvel, there to receiue accor­ding to the Popish custome, remission of his sins, wherat the Noble Count hartily laughed, reioycing and praising God (although in faint words) that he had laid a better foundati­on in his heart, and had receiued a better light. Whereupon his Excell: Notable words of his Excell: said, Count William had Scherpenheuvel continually with him; His Excell: thinking that I did not vnderstand him, rehearsed them again more plainer. I say (said he) beating two or three times vpon his brest, Count Williā had Scherpenheuvel continually with him: Iust said I, Noble Lord, Count William [Page] had no neede to goe to Scherpenheuvel for comfort, for hee had his onely comfort Iesus Christ in his heart: soe doe I meane too, said his Excell. After these speeches I shewed vn­to his Excell: the example of Hezekiah, 2 Kings 20. Esay 38. whom God by his Pro­phet caused to be told, That hee should put his house in order, for he should dye & not liue. The King was deadly sick, but yet did not dye, for that was hidden in Gods diuine decree, where­upon when the king had humbled himselfe before the Lord, the Lord added fifteene yeares more vnto his life. So (said I) if the Lord should tell your Excell: so, in this sicknesse, which is a messenger of God, and a fore-runner of death, and death will follow, but the Lord in his mercy hath hidden from vs the time when.

Whereupon when his Excellence had giuen mee to vnder­stand that hee felt hee should dye of this sicknesse,His Excel: is of opinion that hee should dye of this sicknes, and doth desire to be prepared for it. I ex­horted him to reconcile himselfe with God, with whom at this present hee had to doe, that hee might then with a qui­et Conscience, expect whatsoeuer the Lord should dispose of his person. Whereupon his P. Excell: answered, So I doe, then I said further, it is requisite that aboue all things we doe humble our selues before the Lord by reason of our sinnes which are contrary vnto the most holy commandements of God. And in their nature are abhominable in the sight of the Lord, who are the occasion of Gods wrath, and of all plagues temporall & Eternall, for which the sonne of God suffered so much on the Crosse. Wee must haue an vpright hatred of them, condemne them and be ashamed of them, & according to the example of the Saints confesse them before the Lord. And the strickter wee are in this perticular, and the more wee powre out our hearts before the Lord, the more capable wee shall be with ioy and thankefulnesse to receiue the riches of Gods mercy.

And when I had shewed vnto his Excell: some parts of Scripture wherein is promised mercy and forgiuenesse of sinnes vnto them that shall truly repent, his Excell: opened his mouth and said, I haue Sinned, and presently after with a more vehemency, that the very teares stood in his eyes, [Page] hee said, I haue Sinned grossely: Whereby I was much moued, declaring vnto him that this was an acceptable offering vn­to the Lord,Psal. 51. Such a broken heart will the Lord not despise: Shewing him the abundant ioy and comfort all repentant sinners haue in the Lord Iesus Christ, who is the onely and perfect attonement for our sinnes: Hee is our Righteousnesse, who can onely stand before the Lord, and he is our life, which I had a little before more largely insisted vpon: but hauing shewed a few more, as, Esay, 53.1. 1 Iohn 2.1. 2 Hebrewes 10. I demanded of his Excell: if in his heart, hee did not comfort himselfe with them. Whereupon his Excell: with his hands closed, confessed his faith, saying, I take my refuge vnto the great mercy of God: His Ex: doth confesse his faith and con­fidence in Christ Iesus. Phil. 1.6. And I beleeue that Iesus Christ died for mee on the crosse, in whom I put all my trust: and these words hee said twice together. Whereupon I said, this is a true christian faith, the Lord, from whom all good gifts commeth be praised, that hee hath giuen vnto your Excell: so great a gift as this faith is, and grant to ful­fill this worke in you. Then I said further, in such a heart as this is, doth the Holy Ghost worke all desire and loue vnto righteousnesse: His Ex: earnest desire to serue the Lord bet­ter then he confessed to haue done. Psal. 130. Whereupon his P. Excell: said. It repenteth mee that I haue not serued the Lord better then I haue done: I confesse I haue not serued him enough: I will pray him to strengthen mee. This (said I) is most Christianly spoken, and so must all faithfull Christians doe: If thou O Lord (saith Dauid) marke mine iniquities, O Lord who shall stand? But, mercy is with thee that thou mayst bee feared.

If there were no mercy with God, no man were able to serue him, but now the forgiuenesse of sinnes is an Article of our christian Faith, we are all miserable sinners before the Lord, and doe all stand in need of his mercy: It is true said his Excellencie. Then I spoke vnto his Excell: comforts from the word of God, that his Excell: might patiently take this crosse vpon him, not doubting but that it would bee for the comfort and saluation of his soule, saying, that his Excell: would doe well to delight himselfe in the meditating vpon that great worke of God which hee did for vs, in suf­fering [Page] his Sonne not to be an Angell, for Angels, but to be man, for to redeeme many, whose manhood, doctrine, miracles, obedience, bloodshedding death, resurrection, and assention to heauen is all for our good, onely in faith con­stantly beleeuing them as if they had here happened before our eyes, and as if wee with the Apostles had seene the word of life with our corporall eyes,1 Iohn 1.13. whereof Iohn speaketh 1 Iohn 1.1.3. The selfe same IESVS doth now sit at the right hand of God, desiring and expecting that all those that be­leeue in him, to be with him, and to behold his glory, of which glory in regard of our soules after death, as also in regard both of soule and body at the day of iudgment,Iohn 17.24. I rehearsed vnto his Excell: certaine places of Scripture: Whereupon when his Excell: had spoken these words,His Ex: words of the ioyes of heauen. We can­not conceiue this, it is aboue apprehension, I said, the Angels themselues cannot conceiue this great wonderfull worke of God, but doe delight in the contemplation thereof: We must beleeue and admire it, giuing thankes vnto the Lord that he hath revealed so much vnto vs as doth (against the misery which wee haue in this life) in some measure giue vs a taste of the ioyes of the life to come: and thereupon I rehearsed vnto his Excell: what ioy and gladnesse the A­postles had vpon the Mount, when they did but onely see a glympse of the heauenly glory; and so I alluded also that many times in my sicknesse I was there-with so reioyced and comforted, that I felt a taste of the heauenly ioyes within mee.

Whereupon his Excell: enquired for some places of Scripture which I had mentioned vnto him, especially of those that spoke of the Prayer of Christ, and of the ioyes of the life to come, which I repeated vnto him, telling him, that hee should not disturbe himselfe too much, and if hee could not endure much speech, to imploy his minde with good thoughts, or if he could to let some body reade by him that which should fall into his Excell: minde, for the word of God is fruitfull: and so here with I thought to haue taken my leaue, excusing my selfe, fearing least I should haue beene [Page] ouer-trouble-some vnto his Excell: but his Excell: detai­ned mee longer with these questions, There bee some, said he, that haue much in their mouthes, but they haue no deeds, their words and their deeds doe not agree, and such there be many.

Whereunto I answered that those kinde of people were of two sorts, some are but hipocrites which doe not meane with their hearts what they say, but doe onely seeke to please men: those bee but like painted tombes, of whom Christ speaketh. The Gospell is like vnto a net which catch­eth both good and bad fishes. In the Lords field groweth both wheate and tares, and therefore we must not bee offen­ded at it, for such there hath beene in the Apostles times, and euer will bee. Ʋerywwell (said his Excell:) those haue it not in their hearts, but when they repent they shall be saued. These people are dead in their sinnes (said I) they haue no spirituall life, and are not yet borne againe, and if they will be saued they must bee made aliue by the spirit of God, and be borne againe. But it is otherwise with them that haue a good resolution in their hearts and thereupon vowe to per­forme it, although the deed doe faile them, they may stumble and fall, but the one more then the other, yea they may fall heauily, whereof wee haue examples in the word of God these haue the spirit of God and are borne anew, but they are feeble and weake, like vnto a weakely man, he hath a good will to goe, but hee cannot so fully performe it, and they are grieued for these imperfections and are sorry for them. The Apostle himselfe, sheweth vs the inward combats be­tweene the flesh and the Spirit; for, what I would, that doe I not, but what I hate that doe I. Rom. 7.

The spirit of God is not alwaies a like, for as the winde doth sometimes blow harder then other, so it is with the spi­rit of God, and God doth deale thus with his children, to humble them and make them know that it is not in their strength, but that it is a speciall gift of his grace. The seed that falleth into the ground doth bring forth a seuerall quantity of fruit, in some a hundred, in some sixty, and in some but thirty. Christ will not breake a bruised reed, nei­ther [Page] will he quench smoaking flaxe, and therefore the Lord doth not despise such. We are all weake, and are to striue with flesh and bloud all the dayes of our life, but this fight doth not happen alwayes alike, sometimes when wee trust too much to our owne power, and doe neglect the meanes which the Lord hath ordained to preserue vs, the Lord doth giue the Diuell leaue to tempt vs, and this the Lord doth doe, that we (being lifted vp againe) might confesse our weakenesse, and be the more carefull of our wayes, as wee may see by the examples of Dauid and Peter, and in the meane time they that turne vnto the Lord and beleeue in him, haue eternall life.

Hereupon his P. Excell: said, So doe I vnderstand it also, but, there be some that thinke they can haue faith and repentance when they please, they thinke it is in their power, but I know it must all come from God, and it is he that must giue it. It is true, said I, your Excell: saith very well, and hee vnto whom the Lord doth giue it, doth feele it, and doth shew it according to the measure as he hath receiued it: but they that let themselues be perswaded they can haue it at their pleasure, are deceiued; for who is he that hath a sparke of Gods grace in his heart, that would not be willing to be released from his sins, and to doe good continually, if hee could doe it at his pleasure? The daily experience teacheth all good Christians that doe throughly examine their liues, that many times they cannot doe as they would doe. I haue a little before shewed vnto your Excell: the example of the Apostle Paul vpon this sub­iect, who complaineth, that he cannot doe what hee would doe. It is the Lord that worketh in vs both the will and the deed; for wee haue not one good thought of our selues, Christ saith. Without mee you can doe nothing, wee haue not so much as the power ouer our naturall body, much lesse ouer our spirituall.

Then his Excell: said, There bee some that would faine haue Repentance, but they cannot obtaine it; whereupon I answered, they that haue a true and hearty desire vnto repentance, that is, the spirit of newnesse of life, those haue it already, and [Page] shall haue their desire; such hungry and thirsty soules the Lord will satisfie, saith Christ, partly here in this life, and perfectly in the life to come. And to this purpose tendeth that sweet call of Christ, Matth. 11. Come all vnto mee, yee that are weary and heauy laden, and I will ease you. Hereby I tooke occasion to relate vnto his Excell: the examples of two men, the one a Minister, who in his sicknes, could not in his hart be perswaded to relye vpon the mercy of God, which he would so faine haue done; the other, of a man who in his sick­nes complained of a hard & stony heart, not being able to re­pent of his sinnes which formerly hee had often done. His Excell: demanded how it went with them: the first (said I) was of a Minister demanded, if he could not remember whe­ther in former times hee had reioyced in the mercies of God, (he said) yes, many times, then said the Minister vnto him, Be of good comfort, when that darke cloud and houre of tryall shall bee past, it will come againe, and you shall haue your desire, at which words the man so reioyced, and presently praysed the Lord, and thanked the Minister who spoke this comfort vnto him; saying, this comfort could not come into my minde. The other man had a Minister to come vnto him, and intreated him to pray vnto the Lord for him, and he himselfe would pray also as much as he could, which he hauing diuers times done, found himselfe to bee altered, wherefore he praised God, this said his Excell: was well done. Then his Excell: demanded for some Chapters which trea­ted of the Lords Prayer, and of the ioyes of heauen; where­of hauing satisfied his Excell: I tooke my leaue of him, wi­shing him ease in this affliction, and a blessed successe from the same: wherefore his Excell: did thanke me, saying, that hee could very well endure to haue mee come oftner vnto him.

This action lasted aboue an houre, hee being yet reaso­nable strong and able to speake, and was very desirous to heare the word of God.

The second Visitation.

ON the 12. of Aprill, being Tuesday, in the forenoone a­bout tenne of the clocke, her Excell: the Princesse of Portugall, requested mee by a Messenger, to come vnto the Prince: In regard it was not likely that I should stay there long, I went, and was presently brought vnto his Excell: where I found not onely the said Princesse of Portugall, but the Princesse of Orange that now is, with a great company of Lords, Nobles, Officers, the Lord Vosbergen, and others vnknowne vnto me, being come to his Excell: and being set downe at his beds side, I demanded of him how he felt him­selfe; whereupon he answered, I am well resolued: thrusting vp his Cap from his eyes, he setled himselfe to talke with me, and presently spake these words. I haue read those Chapters which you sent vnto me, they were very excellent Chapters, I doe thanke you for them, but I cannot remember them all: I cannot repeate any particulars, but I haue remembred the substance, is not that well? Yes, gratious Lord (said I) but your Excell: hath troubled your selfe too much, and that was not my in­tent, for which I sent them; for if your Excell: remember, I told you, you should haue a verse or two read vnto you, of that which should come into your Excell: minde, that so you might imploy your minde in meditating on good thoughts, and not to reade whole Chapters, which were too tedious: But sithence your Highnesse hath pleased so to doe, the time is very well bestowed, and I am sure it will doe your Excell: good, for it is the holy word of God, written for our comfort. Your Excell: doth very well to keepe the sub­stance in your minde, which is the point of true Repentance, and the comfort thereof, and therein consisteth all?

Repentance hath these three branches,

• [Page]1 A true and vnfained sorrow for sinne.
• 2 Faith in Christ Iesus.
• 3 A holy resolution to amend our liues.

Whereupon his Excell: said,His Excell: doth confesse his sinnes, and be­waileth that his repentance is not so well as it ought to be. you doe very well sometimes to come and visite me: And then his Excell: spake with a speciall earnestnesse: This is all that troubleth me, whether my repen­tance be sufficient enough for my sins, for I haue offended the Lord grieuously, and I constantly beleeue if I haue true repentance, that al my sinnes are forgiuen; for Christ his sake I will pray the Lord to giue me true repentance, more then I haue yet had: Hereupon I said, your Excell: must not presume vpon your Repentance, but with an humble and lowly heart, confesse and bewaile your sinnes, as your Excell: also without doubt not fainedly, but from your heart, as it appeareth, and GOD knoweth it; and therefore your Excell: repentance is con­formable to the repentance of al true repentant sinners, which are set downe vnto vs in the word of God. Whereupon I did rehearse vnto his Excell: the very words which the children of God had vsed at the time of their repentance, Esay 6.4.6. Ierem. 14.20. of Dauid, Psal 32.5.38.5.19.51. of the Publi­cane, Luke 18.13. of the Prodigall Sonne, Luke 15.18.19. &c. And so I put his Excell: also in minde of that which hee had read in the aforesaid Chapters. I said further, it is a great matter to trouble ones selfe in the perfection of our repen­tance: the man in the Gospell said, Lord, I beleeue, Marke 9.24. helpe thou mine vnbeliefe.

Your Excell: knoweth, that here in this world wee can haue no perfection, neither of repentance, nor of faith: The godly lament their imperfections, and so doth your Excell: The most of our perfection in this life (saith an ancient Fa­ther) consisteth in the acknowledgement and the bewayling of our imperfections. Therefore the more you are, (accor­ding to the example of all the faithfull seruants of God) troubled with your sinnes, (as appeareth by the trouble your Excell: hath of the sufficiency of your Repentance) so much the more may you assure your selfe, that your repentance is [Page] vpright and acceptable vnto the Lord: Dauid saith, I confesse my sinnes; Psal 38. for there is no rest in my bones, because of my sinnes: for mine iniquities are gone ouer my head, and as a waighty burthen they are too heauy for me. Your Excell: must also consider the subtilty of the diuell, who as an enemie of our saluation, commonly towards our latter end doth most of al striue with vs;Esay 1 18. 1 Iohn 1.7. but your Excell: must likewise know, that although our sins were as Crimson, they shall be made as white as Snow, euen through the precious bloud of Iesus Christ, which clenseth vs from all our sinnes: and therefore consequently that our Faith and Repen­tance is vnperfect. Vpon such repentance as this your Excell: repentance is, the Lord will without doubt worke in your heart a speciall ioy and comfort, and so I shewed vnto his Excell: from the Psalms of Dauid, that his repentance was true repentance: & when I had rehearsed some places of Scripture to confirme it, & to comfort his Excell: he answered, I will pray the Lord to strengthen mee: His Ex: is well contented, and is resolued. I am now at rest, and am resolued. Whereupon I committed him to the Lord and tooke my leaue of him, and before I went away, her Excell: the Princesse of Portugal requested me to come in the after­noone againe. I said, I was loath to bee ouer trouble-some vnto his Excell: but I was the more emboldned, because doctor Roseus, Minister of the word of God at the Hage, told me that he had beene with his Excell: and found him very well at rest.

The third visitation.

THe same day about three of the clocke in the afternoone their Excellencies the Princesse of Portugal and Orange did let mee vnderstand that they were with the Prince, and that they did expect me there, Whereupon I went, and com­ming thither, I found the Prince very weake of body but of good comfort;His Ex: is of good comfort. for when I asked his Excell: whether hee was well at rest, He answered, yes as well as euer hee was. Then I said, the Lord bee praised for it; vpon such repentance and faith as I haue found in your Excell: I did expect this mercy [Page] from the Lord, & that according to the promise of Christ, to ease them that are weary and heauy laden that come vnto him; and to giue the victory to them that doe fight so well: Such a quiet peace and rest is the life of our soules, yea, it is the Kingdome of God within vs. And here I exhorted his Excell: to continue so vnto the end, rehearsing certaine pro­mises, wherein the Lord doth promise the helpe and conti­nuation of his mercy vntill the end. Wee poore sinners are bound to vse the meanes which the Lord hath ordained, but without the holy Ghost this worke cannot be vndertaken nor continued. His Excell: said, So doe I hold it to bee also; It must all come from God, and I will pray him to strengthen mee. His Ex: christi­an declaration of Gods mercy. Hereby I tooke courrage to speake thus vnto his Excell: Gratious Lord, your Excell: hath spoken very religiously, saying, that it must all come from the Lord, and that you will pray vnto the Lord to strengthen you; The Lord will bee prayed or his mercies, and that honour doth onely be­long vnto him, and wee ought to doe it with a willing mind, and with all chearfulnesse, and that in regard hee doth so gratiously promise to heare vs. The Apostle Iames doth also exhort vs to this duty, If any bee sicke among you (saith he) let him call for thee elders of the church, Iames 5.14. and let them pray for him. May it therefore please your Excell: that we doe al loyntly call vpon the name of the Lord, and you to pray with vs, as much as is in your power. His Excell: answered, when you please. His Ex: is de­sirous to haue payers said at his beds side. Whereupon we all fell vpon our knees before the Lord, and prayed with teares. Prayer being ended, I set my selfe downe againe to comfort his Excell: as the Lord should put it into my minde, amongst other things speak­ing of the pleasant fruits of affliction, and of the difference betweene the death of the Saints and the wicked, and of the profitable change which they doe make, who in true faith end their pilgrimage, out of this vale of misery, leauing these earthly tabernacles, and goe to dwell with the Lord, and how happy and how precious death is vnto them, because it end­eth their misery, and doth transport them vnto the desired hauen of rest, euen the Kingdome of glory. At these speeches [Page] his Excellencie harkened with an extraordinary attention, turning himselfe vnto mee, and looking very stedfastly vpon mee, which made me to admire it; at length with great reioycing, hee approued my words, saying, So doe I be­leeue also, I am resolued; then I said vnto his Excell: It plea­sed GOD to let mee administer his holy word vnto his Excell: of happy memory, Count William of Nassau, in the time of his sickenesse, and so God hath ordained, that I should doe vnto your Highnesse, although in great weake­nesse, I doe therefore in all humility beseech your Highnesse, graciously to ponder this my meane seruice vnto you, tru­sting that it will not goe without a blessing from the LORD, for I know with what heart I haue done it; whereupon his Excell: said, I thanke you for troubling your selfe so much with my person; and presently after, be­cause I did not well vnderstand his Excell: hee said, You haue done me very good seruice. And when I thought herewith to haue taken my leaue of his Excell: his Excell: kissed his hand and reached it forth vnto mee, so that it made the teares to runne downe my eyes, saying; your Excell: may please to bee of good comfort, and and without doubt the LORD will giue you a hap­py issue from this affliction. And so I withdrew my selfe, hauing taken my leaue of the said Princes­ses.

In this action, although I was very weary of body, yet I reioyced in GOD, and so did both the said Prin­cesses, Praysing the Lord, in the midst of their sorrow, for the Religious and Christian behauiour of his Excel­lencie.

The fourth Visitation. Being on Wednesday the 13. of Aprill in the fore­noone, about 10. of the clocke, which was his Excell: dying-day.

AT this time was I fetched againe to come vnto his Ex­cell: whom I found to be much altered, and be was not likely to liue long; although, when I asked his Excell: how he felt himselfe, he said, It is much alike as it was yesterday. And whereas I perceiued his Excell: to be very weake, I comfor­ted him with these places of Scripture, 1 Cor. 10.13. Heb. 4.15.16. Rom. 8.28.38.39. Whereupon his Excell: answered, I am resolued, and there is nothing in the world that troubleth me, Very religious words of his Excell: before his death. onely this; whether my Repentance be as sufficient for my sinnes, as it ought to be; I am sorry that I cannot serue the Lord as I would doe; The Lord strengthen me; I am at rest. With these words his Excell: gaue sufficiently to vnderstand, that he was at rest in his minde. Wherefore with all my power and ability, I sought more and more to strengthen his Excell: in this particular, whereunto I found my selfe much addicted: and to this end I put his Excell: in minde of all the speeches which hee had spoken; and first, I put him in minde of his repentance for his sinnes; secondly, of his faith in Iesus Christ; and thirdly, of his religious purpose to amend his life: all which speeches I approued with the word of God, and thereupon I told his Excell: that we were commanded, to them that were thus prepared, to lay open vnto them the whole treasure of Gods mercy, and his faithfull promises in Christ Iesus: Wherefore your Excell: must make a good vse of this affliction, and by the fruits thereof, shew and acknowledge the loue of God, according to his word, for he correcteth him whom he loueth: Pro. 3.12. And your Excell: shall finde that death is life, according to Gods promise, He that beleeueth in me, Heb. 12.6. it passed from death vn­to life. I desire, saith Paul, to be loosed, and to be with Christ; [Page] for death vnto me is aduantage; Psal. 1.23.21. 1 Cor. 5.1. If our earthly tabernacles be de­stroyed we haue a building giuen vs of God in the heauens. And thus I exhorted his Excell: to set himselfe at peace, reioycing in his Sauiour Iesus Christ, in whose name, I (as a seruant of Christ) did pronounce vnto his Excell: forgiuenesse of all his sinnes, which he did from his heart repent of; which the Lord himselfe doth promise to ratifie and approue: Your Excell: Matth. 18 18. said I, hath euer beene a sincere Prince, hating all falshood and lyes, and your Excell: hath also meant it with your heart, whatsoeuer you haue said in the premisses; for your Excell: knoweth, that this is not a time to flatter any body in so weighty a matter as this is, whereon your Excell: saluation dependeth: Therefore your Excell: may please to bee stedfast in the onely comfort wee haue both in life and death; and wherein your Excell: hath beene so long resolued to liue and dye in, with the children of God, without whom I doe here protest before the Lord, to know no other saluati­on for my selfe,His Excell: last words. Of his conten­tednesse in the true comfort of the children of God. nor for any other Christian: whereupon I demanded his Excell, of this comfort, out of the first questi­on of the high-dutch Catechisme; His Excell: answered, This is my onely comfort: I know none other, and this is my onely refuge, whereby I purpose to remaine: which sweet words of his Excell: were as a Crowne to this holy worke, and a certaine signe that the spirit of God had throughly wrought in his heart. Then I said vnto his Excell: your Excell: may now expect (ouer and aboue the Lawrell wreath wherewith the Lord hath crowned you here in this life) to be crowned (with all those Kings and Princes, that with true faith haue kissed the Sonne of God) (as your Excell: hath done) with an immor­tall and euerlasting Crowne of glory in the world to come. After these words were ended, his Excell: said, (though with great trouble) I cannot well speake any more: whereupon I left his Excell: wishing him a happy end, which I saw to draw neare. At this Visitation were present the chiefest Officers of his Excellencie.

The last Visitation. When his Excellencie lay a dying, and departed this world.

IN the afternoone about foure of the clocke, I was by two Sergeants requested to come vp vnto his Excell: Being come into the Chamber, I found his Excell: His Excell: can­not speake any more, but hath his perfect vn­derstanding. to be toward his last end, his speech hauing left him, and was not able once to cast vp his eyes. I spake at his Excell: eare, Being your Excell: speech doth now faile you, thinke now in your heart (which the Lord doth behold and search thorow) vpon your Saui­our Iesus Christ, who is now the onely life and comfort of your Excell: And when I did perceiue his Excell: gaue suffi­cient signes that he vnderstood me, I did, at the request of the Princesse of Portugall (who stood by mee, and with wee­ping eyes beheld his Excell:) say prayers,Prayers is said. there being like­wise present, the Comitties of the High and Mighty, the Lords Estates generall, the Lord Ʋosbergen, and other Lords to me vnknowne, also the chiefest seruants of his Highnesse, with two Doctors, Doctor Rumpf, and Doctor Ʋalentius, who did all fall vpon their knees before the Lord, and prayed with bitter teares for his Excell. After prayer was ended, I spake againe at his Excell: eare; saying, If your Excell: hath vnderstood me, and that you are yet comforted in the Lord,His Excell. gaue a sign to shew that hee did vnderstand it, and that he was well con­tented. I pray let me know by touching my hand; whereupon his Ex: presently hold me so fast by my hand, that I could scarce get it out, vntill such time as the strength of his life went from him; and then I spake once more these words vnto him, Lord Iesu receiue my spirit, Lord Iesu haue mercy vpon me. His Excell: did yet sufficiently shew that hee vnderstood it; whereupon we once againe went vnto prayers, and prayed with such fer­uency, as any Christian might imagine.Prayer is said once more. And afterwards be­tweene 5. and 6. of the clocke, this noble Prince rested in the Lord, in the prayers of the beholders, so sweetly, as euer I [Page] saw man dye, without the least motion of his body, and with­out any interruption of his breath.His Excell: pleasant death. And thus dyed this fa­mous Champion, Prince Maurice, &c. in the 58. yeare of his age, hauing Gouerned little lesse then 40. yeares. Hee was held of all true-hearted Patriots, a precious and chosen Instrument of Gods glory, specially for Gods Church, and these Countries. He will be by some more lamented after his death,An Exhortati­on vnto all the Inhabitants of this Land. then he was beloued of them in his life. But I pray and exhort all faithfull Inhabitants of this Land, to take to heart these few ensuing admonitions wherewith I will conclude this my Narration.

The Lord hath within these few yeares taken from vs that faithfull Prince Count William Lodowicke of Nassau, &c. and hath sithence visited this Land with heauy plagues, famine, high-waters, strong-warres, as is yet at this time, besides the extraordinary besieging of the City of Breda, and now moreouer smites vs for our sinnes with this deepe wound; and that in such a time, when all the world would iudge we stood in most neede of this great Prince. Will the Lord then vtterly forsake vs and goe from vs? It seemeth so: and certainely this is no vaine imagination, but the King of all Kings, and the Lord of all Lords, whose iudgements are iust, and whose wayes are vnsearchable, can and will (according to his infi­nite mercy who hath so many times miraculously saued these Countries, for his holy name, and welbeloued Sonnes sake) keepe vs, if wee, (as well Rulers as Sub­iects) doe hate our sinnes, betimes turne vnto him, and doe vprightly walke before him, in his holy lawes which are not vnknowne vnto vs.

And this is that which wee must doe, if wee will make a good vse of Gods iudgements, that he may turne them from vs, and if wee desire to haue the Lord to blesse this Countrey and State; otherwise wee all see, if wee are not blinde in heart, how the LORD doth threaten vs, and which certainely once will come vpon vs, if wee remaine snorting in our carnall security, and [Page] then wee shall not finde any mercy with the LORD. It is not any inward nor outward meanes will bee able to saue vs, if the LORD turne from vs: And therefore those are the best people, who aboue all things seeke to appease the wrath of the most Highest, who ruleth the hearts of all Kings, and so labour to obtaine his fauour, that with a good conscience they may both liue and dye in his feare, and thereunto they vse all possible meanes, according to their vocation, to employ it for the seruice of the com­mon good; and this confirmeth a State, and bringeth the blessing of God ouer the whole Countrey; but here I take leaue with the Prophet Ieremie, to say; O earth, earth, earth, Ier. 22.29. heare the word of the LORD: What word? the word of the Sonne of GOD: Remember from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and doe thy first workes, or else I will come against thee shortly, and will remoue your Candlesticke out of his place, except thou amend. I pray the Lord this may bee well practised. That all higher powers, and those of meaner sort would take example of the Religious and godly de­cease of this Noble Prince of Orange, whose soule vn­doubtedly is now in glory with the Lord Iesus Christ, waiting for the blessed resurrection of the dead, which the Lord of his mercy grant vnto vs. Vnto whom, as most due is, bee all honour, prayse, and glory, for euermore, Amen.

For as much as concernes those that harden themselues in their sinnes, by the abusing of Gods mercy, and by ex­ample of those Saints that haue fallen, and are risen vp againe, (for such there euer hath beene, and yet are) must know if they haue not a desire of their condemnation, Quod non sint exempla cadendi, nec in peccatis iacendi, sed cauendi & si cecideris, resurgendi; that is to say, that those be no examples to fall, nor yet to lye still, but take heed wee doe not fall or if wee bee fallen, that wee rise vp againe. Who is so foolish that will goe breake his owne shinnes, because hee seeth his fellow by a fall hath broken his, and is whole [Page] againe,Rom. 6.12. shall wee continue still in sinne, that grace may abound? God forbid; they that are led by the spirit of GOD, are a­fraide of such thoughts, for so much as concerneth the di­uell, with all his wicked complices, and vncleane spirits, who cannot endure, and doe nothing but scorne and deride the children of God, in whom the Angels doe reioyce. Wee must not stumble at these, for Christ himselfe saith in the Gospell, that their iudgement will bee hard enough for them to beare; and therfore it is needlesse here to speake any more of them, and therefore I end: Beseeching the Lord to re­straine the diuell, and mercifully to saue his people in this great tempest, wherein the whole Chri­stian world doe so fearefully striue with one another.

So be it.