low as uncertain and perishing. He never found himself, on any other account, under such perturbation, nor shewed the like, as upon the decease of the young Prince of Orange, who, from a child, had been committed to his instruction and tuition; and whose death (as he often affirmed) he bewailed out of pure charity, and not for any private loss that himself might sustain thereby: Because the confidence he had of his excellent disposition, and expectation of his longer life, had raised him to the hope that he would prove a useful instrument for the good both of the state and the church. From that time he seemed to be more than ever drawn off from worldly things, and used to speak of them with a certain loathing and disdain. The frame of his mind was also discovered, by a frequent interrupting of his accustomed course of reading the Scriptures in order in his family, and turning to some select chapters, such as Job xiv. Eccles. iii. and iv. Psalm xlix. and cxliv. From whence he took the occasion of such discourses, as shewed what meditations he was customarily taken up with.

In the last week wherein he lived in health, being in his garden accompanied by a friend, and walking up and down therein, as he was wont, with great pleasure, he gave order what he would have done in the dressing of some trees, and then added, "If I

live till the spring time, they will afford me a "pleasant sight; but if not I shall be in a garden far "more pleasant." When his friend interposed and said, There was no cause why he should presage such a thing to himself, seeing he was sound and lively,' he received a rebuke from Dr. Rivet to this purpose : "The time is now come that I am to be treated after "another manner; my age is so far declined and hasting to an end, as plainly to declare that death (which none can be exempted from) stands at my door: "And truly death is the principal matter that I "meditate on; GoD is my witness, that I desire not "its delay, but am ready with a cheerful mind to "embrace it, yea even this day, if the will of GoD were so."

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'On the same day he was entreated by Mr. Hulsius, the pastor of the French church at Breda, that on the next day, being December 25, he would preach a thanksgiving sermon after the celebration of the Lord's Supper; which he consenting to do, chose for his text

Psalm

Psalm exliv. S, 4. Lord, what is man that thou takest knowledge of him, or the son of man, that thou makest account of him? Man is like to vanity; his days are as a shadow, that passeth away. In his sermon he had

an eminent assistance from GOD, and delivered his matter with a strong and a clear voice, and great liberty of speech; and chiefly applied his discourse, to shew what favour and honour God had vouchsafed unto man, as well in causing that the Son of GoD should be a man, as in giving him for our nourishment unto eternal life; from thence teaching the notice GOD took of mortal men, and how it had pleased him to embrace them in his favour, and to magnify them.

And in speaking to the answer of the Psalmist, Man is like to vanity, he touched upon the loss of the prince, whose instructor he had been, which was then fresh in memory; but with words no way inclined to flattery, but becoming the matter and person that he spoke of, and which breathed forth nothing but pure affection: Withal taking notice of the goodness of GOD, who in the midst of his judgments had shewed mercy to the house of Orange, to which he had granted a new offspring, (a son being then bern) that the dying hope of that noble family might be revived before him. At length he closed with a meditation of death, an example of which, (said he) seeing young men that are strong, have before them in a young man snatched from the earth in the flower of his age and strength, it ought to be often revolved in their minds, and deep thoughts of approaching death to be entertained, which admits of no return to life: "What is man? (said he) nothing "but flesh, obnoxious to putrefaction: A flower that "springs up to-day, and to-morrow is cut down: "Even a vapour that appeareth for a little time, and "then vanisheth away, like the breath that proceedeth "out of my mouth." For the cold being great that day, did so condense his breath, that it might be seen of all to whom he was preaching.

When the sermon was finished, he returned home as lively and well as he had been seen for some years past; nor did he the next day feel any decay of his former strength. But on Thursday, which was the twenty-seventh of December 1650, he began to complain of a pain below his navel; and refusing to

eat

eat any supper, desired that a clyster might be given him; but it was to no purpose, the liquor being driven back again with greater force than it was injected. That night was passed over, partly in bearing of his sharp pains, and partly in serious discourses. On Wednesday morning, the complaint of his pain was increased, and he desired that the use of a clyster might be repeated; which was done accordingly, but with no better success than the former. Then were two physicians sent for, and they suspecting that the former clysters either had not been skilfully injected, or else were not strong enough, made trial of the like means once and again, but with the same success as before: For a glutinous humour had already fast locked up the passage against

all remedies.

On the next day, which was Tuesday, they prescribed pills of aloes washed, and on Friday the infusion of rhubarb, either of which did sufficiently agitate his body, but effected nothing, neither was any way opened for their passage, the expulsive faculty being weakened and dulled, so that it could give nature no assistance. The wind shut up in his bowels tormented the sick man, his belly was swollen, and he was afraid to touch either meat or drink, lest thereby his grievance should be increased. There were no proper means unattempted, nor any kind of help by clysters, fomentations, or baths, but which were made trial of, until by the stubborn disease, that resisted all remedy, he was brought unto death, the twelfth day of his sickness; the history of which we shall now prosecute more at large.

1

On the second day after his disease had seized him, he, well understanding the nature of it, declared what the event would be: "Not (saith he) that I would "neglect remedies; that I may please my friends, I " will do whatsoever is thought meet to be done, being secure as to the issue, which I commit to the provi"dence of GoD:" Then he asked his niece, Mrs. Mary Moline, what she conceived of his disease, which he thought would prove mortal: And when she answered, that her opinion was the same, yet that he had no reason to fear any thing, having been long prepared to follow GOD when he should call; that the time of his life hitherto had been long, if it were crowned with an happy and glorious end. "Thou

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"Thou speakest right, (said he) and I pray thee al ways address thyself to me with like speeches; and "while my sickness continues, depart not from me day nor night: Promise me now that thou wilt keep a "cheerful countenance, and that thou wilt speak no"thing to me but what may administer joy and support "to me; although I fear not death, yet I fear the trial "of those pains, which I have always had a very sharp "feeling of."

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Then suddenly turning his speech unto God, he said: "Great GOD! thou art my Father, thou hast given me both life, and a new life; thou hast taught me from my youth, and I have declared thy won"derful works, forsake me not now in my old age. "Hitherto through thy peculiar favour thou hast pre"served me sound in my body, and my faculties and "the functions of my mind have not been impaired; "so that a little before I was oppressed by this disease, "I found myself as apt and ready for the exercise of my vocation, as in my flourishing youth: O Lord "GOD! if it be thy will that I should longer attend upon thy service, thou canst assuage my disease in one moment: But if thou hast decreed otherwise, "lo, here is thy servant; thy will be done. This one "thing I beg with most inward affections, that thou "wilt make me conformable to thy good will: Let "not thy good spirit depart from me, that in this "conflict thy strength may make me a conqueror. "Accomplish this, O Lord, for thine own sake And "seeing thou hast employed me in thy work, grant "that I may die an honourable death, and such as may "be an example unto others: That I may stand fast "in that sound doctrine which I have taught, and "may make a good confession thereof before wit

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nesses, that thereby thy church may be both in"structed and edified. Let me apply to myself by a "lively faith all the promises of the Gospel, and let "them put forth their efficacy in me, unto my joy "and eternal consolation, that nothing in the world, "neither affliction nor distress, may separate me from "thee, or cause me to doubt of thy love and favour. "Thou knowest my weaknesses and infirmities; per"mit not the grievousness of my pain to cast me "into impatience or murmuring: Either make my "pains tolerable, or furnish me with fortitude and

constancy sufficient to bear them: That I may not

"offend

"offend with my tongue, keep thou the door of my "lips."

The remainder of the day was taken up with pains, the use of remedies, and the visits of friends: When the night came on, he earnestly intreated Mrs. Rivet, his wife, that she would retire herself into the next chamber, not only because she was afflicted with a vehement cough, but also that he might remove her from the grievous sight of himself when tormented with his pains, and because he found his tender affections more moved at the sight of her than any other person. So none remained with him but his niece, Mrs. Mary Moline, and two of the household servants. But who can

particularly relate the speeches which he uttered, and in a manner poured forth, that night and the day following, (which was Thursday, December 29,) with an affection and ardour inexpressible, breathing from his heart nothing but repentance, faith, charity, and holy zeal! In a word, he implored the mercy of God, with the greatest self-denial and abasement of soul, confessing himself to be a miserable sinner, and casting away all confidence in any good thing which he had done in his life; yea, speaking of that with very great contempt, he accused his own defects, and ascribed unto God the glory of his good works; often repeating such expressions as these:

"It is GOD that hath wrought the work for me: "Shall I allege or plead my own righteousness before ❝ him? Far be that from me: If I should justify "myself, my own mouth would condemn me; I will "rather open my sin before him, in a most humble "confession of it, and pray that he will increase in me the grace of true repentance; yea, let him wear "out this body with sorrow, it matters not, so he give "to me a broken and a contrite heart, which is a sa"crifice acceptable to himself; as for my part, I do "most willingly offer up myself. Accept, O Lord,

this imperfect sacrifice, and supply the defects there"of by the perfect righteousness of that great high"priest, who, through the eternal Spirit, offered him"self unto GoD without spot. Let me be accepted

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as a living sacrifice, holy, and well-pleasing unto "GOD, which is our reasonable service. Crucify, O "Lord, this old man, that the body of sin may be "utterly destroyed, and I may rise again unto a "new life: The wages of sin is death, but the gift

of