to pass through without very grievous symptoms: Such as a burning fever, delirium, and vomiting of his excrements: And thereupon he began to be affiicted with much solicitude, while his mind was intent upon the thoughts of the grievousness of these symptoms: And in frequent ejaculations he sent up short and ardent prayers to God about it.

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My GoD, (said he) have mercy upon me; deliver "me from the opprobrium which I fear: For thou art "gracious."

And smiting his belly, he said, "This is a bag of “filth, a sink, and collection of griefs: But thanks "be to my GoD, that he hath afflicted me in this more "ignoble part; my heart in the mean time remaining strong, and my brain free and clear, so that I might "have liberty to meditate upon thy power and goodness.

This favour, O Lord GoD (which is invaluable), re❝serve for me, that my mouth may utter nothing but "what breathes forth charity, praises, and thanksgiv"ings: O that it may not be defiled with this filthi"ness: (namely, the casting up of excrements.) Let "this building be brought down where its ruin be66 gan, which let me behold as one set on high with a constant and peaceful mind, even a mind elevated to "spiritual things, which with all earnestness I follow "after; knowing that flesh and blood cannot inherit "the kingdom of God, neither can corruption inherit in"corruption.

And in the ensuing night he did often inculcate, "Who is mortal man, that thou shouldest so magnify “him, and think upon him? He is like to vanity:

Flesh, and a wind that passeth away. With how ❝ small a thing are the strongest among men cast "down? By a vile excrement, by a little obstruc"tion, which no remedies can open! Thou hast "done this, O thou eternal One; thus it pleaseth "thee, and I would have it so too: Let it be done

to me according to thy word: I am in thy fa"therly and gracious hands, I fear nothing; thou "art my safeguard, and my exceeding great reward.” Then he repeated in the Hebrew tongue that sentence out of Lament. iii. 24. Thou art my portion, saith my soul.

And seeing those that stood by him, were always speaking to him of good things, "Well done, (said he) cease not to strengthen me, unto that end Gon

"will supply you with matter for discourse, for he "is not only present with the sick himself for his "aid, but also with them that are called to succour "him; for he is nigh unto all that call upon him ❝ in truth."

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Then he again poured forth his prayers for the church of GOD, saying, "O Lord, it is thy pos"session, which thou hast purchased with thine own "blood: Forsake not thine own work; let an holy "jealousy be kindled in thee, lift up on high the "arm of thy power, and bring down the audacious "ones, which tyrannize over thy flock; rebuke thou "the negligent, that heal her wounds slightly: reduce "into the way those that wander; and strengthen "that which is ready to fall through division. Gather "both the one and the other to thyself into one body, "building them upon the foundation of the prophets "and apostles, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone, in whom all the building fitly framed "together, groweth into an holy temple in the Lord." And then making a little pause, he added, "I have "been one of those builders; I have brought what "I received from the Lord, that I might put to my "helping hand with others towards the building of this "temple; and I myself shall be a living stone in this "spiritual house."

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"He suffered no day nor night to pass over without his prayers for the House of Orange. "Thou hast "afflicted it, O Lord, (said he) but we beseech thee "let it not be destroyed: Let this branch grow up, "which if it be thy good pleasure, may come to be a "fruitful tree in its time: Let all acknowledge that "good to come from thee; and that thou alone canst give "both being and well-being. How great folly is it to put confidence in man, and in the son of man, who is "nothing! His breath goeth forth, and then his best "contrived thoughts perish."

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On the next day, which was the first of the year 1651, and the Lord's day, when he first beheld the light, he said, "O Lord, thou hast granted unto me to see the beginning of the year: Thou hast measured "out my time unto the middle of this age:" Then he asked what hour of the day it was, and what weather?

The young prince, [our King William the third] born but a little before.

weather? When it was answered, that the weather was very sharp and severe, he was afraid it might hinder his son's journey to him: Whereupon_he addressed himself to GoD after this manner:

"O my GoD, bring my son unto me, that I may "see him, embrace him, and bless him before I die." Then turning to his wife, he said, "Dost thou think this "earnest desire to see him proceeds from some carnal "affection? Nothing less! Truly I love no man any "more according to the flesh: I earnestly desire his "eternal salvation; and I hope to have those discourses. “with him, which may increase his zeal in adorning "his spiritual vocation: (His son was a minister.) I "have yet spirit and utterance sufficient for that work. "Let none be hindered from coming to me: It is "usual for a man in my station, by admonishing "others, publicly to make confession of his own faith. "Not for the sake of a little vain glory, O Lord, thou "knowest: For it little concerns me to be approved "unto men, provided I may approve myself unto "GOD: But I desire the salvation of many, and to "give testimony to the truth of those things which I "have publicly taught."

This day also was taken up with the visits of friends; and amongst others that came, there was Colonel Verneuil, and some more officers in the garrison, of which two or three were of Poictou; unto whom he said, "I rejoice that I have opportunity to make a "confession of my faith before you that are my coun"trymen; and I pray you to keep it in memory, "and give testimony of it where it shall be necessary: "For you see before your eyes a man (weak indeed, "but) without guile, who solemnly protesteth, That "he hath never published in his writings, nor taught "with his lips, any thing that did not agree with the "sense of his heart, and the doctrine which hath "been delivered to us by the prophets and apostles; "which is the same with that which is found in the "confession of faith of our churches, in which I "have lived, and in which I purpose to die. The "Lord God Almighty confirm you in that faith, "so that nothing moye you from it: For what will "it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose "his own soul? Seek ye first the kingdom of GOD, and "the righteousness thereof, and then all other things shall be added to you. Learn to number your days: And

"get

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get a wise heart. Look upon me, and let me be an example unto you: It is but eight days since I "preached to you of man's frailty, being myself in "health, and lively at that time, and now you see "the truth of what I said, in myself: Certainly "what is visible to us, and set before our eyes, hath

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a more persuasive power, than words which only "beat the ears." And then taking his leave of them, he added, "The Lord deliver you from the allure"ments of the world, and give you an increase of "his fear, and of all spiritual and temporal gifts." A while after there came to him the worthy Snellen, burgomaster of Breda, unto whom he cheerfully gave an account of the nature of his disease, with the causes and consequence thereof; and then said, "Praise "be to GOD who hath given me to know the end "of my life: I should be the most ungrateful of all 66 men, if I were not contented with that measure "and term of life, which he hath afforded me; and "if I should not acknowledge his great goodness, and provident care of me in the whole course of my "life. Especially I give him thanks for laying out "this place for me to pass my old age in, amongst good men, with whose kindness I have been re“freshed, and to whom, for their multiplied favours "towards me, I can never make a sufficient return "of thanks. Of your sincere affection (most worthy Sir) in a special manner I have had experience, for "which I give you my hearty thanks, and in your person to your whole corporation, which I beseech you to signify to them; and to intreat for me, "that they will give me a place of burial large enough for me and my wife, who will quickly "follow me." When he had thus expressed himself, he dismissed him with prayers for the welfare of him and his family.

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About evening he desired to be helped out of his bed, and to sit in a chair; where he perceived the swelling of his belly to reach to the pit of his stomach; which gave him apprehensions that his end drew near; wherefore sending for Mr. Dauber an eminent civilian, he imparted to him his purpose of adding a codicil to his will: And in order thereto he sent for the town-clerk and the two consuls, and having fully declared his mind to them, the business being done and sealed, he began to discourse of another settlement

settlement, by the resignation of himself and his into the hands and unto the care of GoD, expressing his assurance of the blessing of GoD upon his : And then added, “That he did exceedingly rejoice, that "he should leave behind him a wife excelling in vir"tue, and motherly affection to the children of her hus“band; and also a son that was a good man, and stu"dious of peace, who would be a father to the three "little ones, whose guardian he was appointed by that "codicil."

And for this last office he rendered unto them his thanks, and to the council of the city in general; and in particular blessed each of them and their families. And when they were departed, he went to his bed again; and seeing nobody stand about him but his little family, he said to his niece, "My daughter, "do not depart from me, but persist with me in "the duty of prayer. Do not fear to rehearse all "those words to me which GoD shall suggest unto "thy heart or mouth; this sweet and pleasing com"munication shall help to pass over this night with "the more ease. And GoD will be with us, and "assist our good intentions: He will help our weaknesses, and afford us matter of supplications, and "thanksgivings. Such discourses are pleasing unto "him; he attends unto them that fear him, when they "talk together of those things that belong to the salva❝tion of their souls."

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And then, as one in a rapture, he said, "My "GOD! thou hast drawn me, and I was drawn! "Thou hast known me from my mother's womb, "with a merciful and efficacious knowledge: Thou "hast called me by name: Thou hast bored mine

ears, and I was attentive: I have declared thy "message in the congregation, and thy word was "sweeter than honey in my mouth. Who am I, O "GOD! but dust and ashes, an earthen and a frail "vessel, into which notwithstanding thou hast been

pleased to pour an holy liquor, and seed of immor"tality. Thou livest, and thou makest me to live; "I shall not die, but live for ever, with that life "which is hid with Christ in GoD. Blessed and holy is "he which hath a part in the first resurrection: Över "him the second death shall have no power. Behold I am dead, and also raised from the dead: I live

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