,image3 ,sarah's ,death ,bed ,,sarah',s ,,death ,,bed ,,stories ,,of ,,boys ,,and ,,girls ,,who ,,loved ,,the ,,saviour ,a ,token for ,children ,,extracted ,,from ,a ,,late ,,author1 ,by ,john ,wesley1 ,a4,m4 ,new ,york3 ,,published ,,by ,,carlton ,,porter1 ,,sunday-,,school ,,union1 #bjj ,,mulberry ,,street4 ,,contents --- ,,little ,,sarah ,,howley ,a ,,happy ,,boy ,,happy ,,mary ,,praying ,,charlie ,a ,,poor ,,but ,,happy ,,boy ,a ,,babe ,,in ,,christ ,,the ,,minister',s ,,daughter ,,little ,,jacob',s ,,faith ,,jacob',s ,,sister ,,susannah ,,the ,,merchant',s ,,son ,,pious ,,little ,,peter ,,the ,,dutiful ,,daughter ,a ,,token ,,for ,,children4 --- ,,little ,,sarah ,,howley4 ,,miss ,,sarah ,,howley1 when she was between eight and nine years old1 was carried by her friends to hear a sermon1 where the minister preached upon ,matt4 xi1 #cj1 ,my yoke is easy1 and my burden is light2 in the applying of which scripture the child was mightily awakened1 and made deeply sensible of the condition of her soul1 and her need of ,christ3 she wept bitterly to think what a case she was in2 went home1 retired into a chamber1 and upon her knees she wept and cried to the ,lord as well as she could1 which might easily be perceived by her eyes and countenance4 #b4 ,she was not contented with this1 but got her little brother and sister into a chamber with her1 and told them their condition by nature1 and wept over them1 and prayed with them4 #c4 ,after this1 she heard another sermon upon ,prov4 xxix1 #ae ,he that1 being often reproved1 hardeneth his neck1 shall suddenly be destroyed1 and that without remedy2 at which she was more affected than before1 and was so exceedingly solicitous about her soul1 that she spent great part of the night in weeping and praying1 and could scarcely take any rest1 day nor night1 for some time together2 desiring with all her soul to escape from everlasting flames1 and to get an interest in the ,lord ,jesus3 ,o what should she do for ,christ6 what should she do to be saved6 #d4 ,she gave herself much to attending upon the word preached1 and still continued very tender under it1 greatly relishing what she heard4 #e4 ,she was very much in secret prayer1 and was usually very importunate1 and full of tears4 #f4 ,she could scarcely speak of sin1 or be spoken to1 but her heart was ready to melt4 #g4 ,she spent much time in reading the ,scripture4 #h4 ,she was exceedingly dutiful to her parents1 very loath to grieve them in the least3 and if she had at any time 7which was very rare7 offended them1 she would weep bitterly4 #i4 ,she abhorred lying1 and allowed herself in no known sin4 #aj4 ,when she was at school1 she was eminent for her diligence1 teachableness1 meekness1 and modesty1 speaking little1 but when she did speak1 it was usually spiritual4 #aa4 ,she continued in this course of religious duties for some years together4 #ab4 ,when she was about fourteen years old1 she broke a vein in her lungs1 7as is supposed17 and often spat blood1 yet did a little recover4 #ac4 ,in the beginning of ,january1 she was taken very bad again1 in which sickness she was in great distress of soul4 ,when she was first taken1 she said1 ,o mother1 pray for me1 for ,satan is so busy that ,i cannot pray for myself2 ,i see ,i am undone without ,christ1 and a pardon6 ,o1 ,i am undone to all eternity6 #ad4 ,her mother1 knowing how serious she had been formerly1 did a little wonder that she should be in such agonies2 and asked her what sin it was that was so burdensome to her spirit8 ,o mother1 said she1 it is not any particular sin that sticks so close to my conscience1 as the sin of my nature3 without the blood of ,christ that will damn me4 #ae4 ,her mother asked her what she should pray for1 for her8 ,she answered1 ,that ,i may have a saving knowledge of ,jesus ,christ2 and that ,i may have an assurance of ,god's love to my soul4 ,her mother asked her why she spoke so little to the minister that came to her8 ,she answered1 ,it was her duty with patience and silence to learn of him4 #af4 ,one time when she fell into a fit1 she cried out1 ,o ,i am going2 ,i am going3 but what shall ,i do to be saved8 ,lord ,jesus1 ,i will lie at thy feet2 and if ,i perish1 it shall be at the fountain of thy mercy4 #ag4 ,she was much afraid of presumption1 and dreaded a mistake in the matters of her soul1 and would be often putting up ejaculations to ,god1 to deliver her from deceiving herself4 ,to instance in one1 ,great and mighty ,god1 said she1 let my faith be a true faith2 that ,i may not be a foolish virgin1 having a lamp1 but no oil4 #ah4 ,her father bade her be of good cheer1 because she was going to a better ,father2 at which she fell into a great agony1 and said1 ,but how do ,i know that8 ,i am a poor sinner1 who wants assurance2 ,o for assurance6 ,this was her great1 earnest1 and constant request to all who came to her1 to beg assurance for her2 and she would look with so much eagerness upon them1 as if she desired nothing in the world so much as that they would pity her1 and help her with their prayers4 ,never was a poor creature more earnest for any thing than she was for assurance and the light of ,god's countenance4 ,o the piteous moan that she would make6 ,o the agony that her soul was in6 #ai4 ,the ,lord's day before that on which she died1 a kinsman of hers came to see her1 and asked her whether she knew him8 ,she answered1 ,yes1 ,i know you1 and ,i desire you would learn to know ,christ4 ,you are young1 but you know not how soon you may die6 and1 ,o1 to die without ,christ is a fearful thing6 ,o1 redeem time6 ,o1 time1 time1 precious time6 ,being requested by him not to spend herself1 she said1 ,she would fain do all the good she could while she lived2 upon which account she desired that a sermon might be preached at her funeral1 concerning the preciousness of time4 #bj4 ,some ministers who came to see her earnestly entreated the ,lord to give her some token for good1 that she might die in full triumph3 notes of the same nature were sent to several churches4 #ba4 ,after she had long waited for an answer to their prayers1 she said1 ,well1 ,i will venture my soul upon ,christ4 #bb4 ,considering the pains and agonies that she was in1 her patience was next to a wonder3 ,lord1 said she1 ,lord1 give me patience1 that ,i may not dishonour thee6 #bc4 ,on ,thursday1 after long waiting1 great fears1 and many prayers1 when all her friends thought she had been past speaking1 to the astonishment of her friends1 she broke forth thus1 with a very audible voice1 and cheerful countenance3 ,lord1 thou hast promised that whosoever come unto thee thou wilt in no wise cast them out3 ,lord1 ,i come unto thee1 and surely thou wilt in no wise cast me out2 ,o1 so precious6 ,o1 so glorious is ,jesus6 ,i have thee6 ,blessed and glorious is ,jesus2 he is precious1 he is precious6 ,o1 the admirable love of ,god in sending ,christ and free grace to a poor lost creature6 #bd4 ,her soul then seemed ravished with the love of ,christ4 ,and while she was engaged in magnifying of ,god1 her father1 brothers1 and sisters1 with others of the family1 were called1 to whom she spake particularly as her strength would give leave4 ,she gave her ,bible as a legacy to one of her brothers1 and desired him to use that well for her sake2 and added1 to him and the rest1 ,o make use of time to get ,christ for your souls3 spend no time in running up and down1 or in playing3 ,o get ,christ for your souls while you are young6 ,remember now your ,creator before you come to a sick bed3 put not off this great work till then1 for then you will find it hard work indeed3 ,i know by experience the devil will tell you it is time enough2 and you are young1 and what need you be in such haste8 you will have time enough when you are old4 ,but remember the words of a dying sister4 ,if you knew how good ,christ is6 if you had but one taste of his sweetness1 you had rather go to him a thousand times than stay in this wicked world4 ,i would not for ten thousand worlds part with my interest in ,christ4 ,o1 how happy am ,i that ,i am going to everlasting joys6 ,i would not go back again for twenty thousand worlds2 and will you not strive to get an interest in ,christ8 #be4 ,after this1 looking upon one of her father's servants1 she said1 ,what shall ,i do at the great day1 when ,christ shall say to me1 ',come1 thou blessed of my ,father1 inherit the kingdom prepared for thee8' and shall say to the wicked1 ',go1 thou cursed1 into the lake that burns for ever6' ,what a grief is it for me to think that ,i should see any of my friends that ,i knew upon earth1 turned into that lake which burns for ever6 ,o that word1 for ever6 ,remember that for ever6 ,i speak these words to you1 but they are nothing except ,god speaks to you too3 ,o pray that ,god would give you grace6 ,and then she prayed1 ,o ,lord1 finish thy work upon their souls3 it will be my comfort to see you in glory2 but it will be your everlasting happiness4 #bf4 ,on ,friday1 after she had had such lively discoveries of ,god's love1 she was exceedingly desirous to die1 and cried out1 ,come1 ,lord ,jesus1 come quickly6 ,conduct me to thy tabernacle4 ,i am a poor creature without thee2 but1 ,lord ,jesus1 my soul longs to be with thee3 ,o when shall it be8 ,why not now1 blessed ,jesus8 ,come1 ,lord ,jesus1 come quickly6 ,but why do ,i thus speak8 ,thy time1 my ,lord1 is the best3 ,o1 give me patience4 #bg4 ,on ,saturday she spoke but little1 being very drowsy1 yet now and then she dropped these words1 ,how long1 ,o blessed ,jesus8 ,finish thy work1 holy ,jesus3 come away1 ,lord ,jesus1 come quickly6 #bh4 ,on the ,lord's day she scarcely spoke any thing4 ,she requested that notes of thanksgiving might be sent to those who had formerly prayed for her1 that they might help her to praise the ,lord for that full assurance which he had given her of his love2 and seemed to be swallowed up with the thoughts of ,god's free love to her soul4 ,she often commended her spirit into the hand of the ,lord4 ,the last words she was heard to utter were these1 ,lord1 help1 ,lord ,jesus1 help6 my ,lord ,jesus1 blessed ,jesus6 ,thus on the ,lord's day1 between nine and ten o'clock in the evening1 she sweetly slept in ,jesus1 and began an everlasting ,sabbath1 ,february #ai1 #afgj4 ,a ,,happy ,,boy4 ,a ,,little ,,child whose mother had dedicated him to the ,lord in infancy1 when he could not speak plain would be crying after ,god1 and was greatly desirous to be taught good things4 #b4 ,he could not endure to be put to bed without prayer1 but would put his parents upon it1 with much devotion kneel down1 and with great patience and delight continue till it was concluded1 without the least sign of being weary4 ,he seemed never so well pleased as when so engaged4 #c4 ,he could not be satisfied with family prayer1 but he would often be upon his knees by himself in one corner or another4 #d4 ,he was much delighted in hearing the word of ,god either read or preached4 #e4 ,he loved to go to school1 that he might learn something of ,god1 and would take great notice of what he had read1 and come home and speak of it with much affection4 ,he would rejoice in his book1 and say to his mother1 ,o mother1 ,i had a sweet lesson to-day3 will you please to give me leave to fetch my book1 that you may hear it8 #f4 ,he quickly learned to read the ,scripture1 and would1 with great reverence1 tenderness1 and groans1 read till tears and sobs were ready to hinder him4 #g4 ,when he was at secret prayer he would weep bitterly4 #h4 ,he was wont often to complain of the wickedness of his heart1 and seemed to be more grieved for the corruption of his nature1 than1 for actual sin4 #i4 ,he was much troubled for the wandering of his thoughts in prayer1 and that he could not always keep his heart fixed upon ,god1 and his affections more constantly raised4 #aj4 ,he kept a watch over his heart1 and observed the workings of his soul1 and would complain that they were so vain and foolish1 and so little busied about spiritual things4 #aa4 ,he was exceedingly importunate with ,god in prayer1 and would plead with ,god at an unusual rate2 and he would beg and expostulate1 and weep so1 that sometimes it could not be kept from the ears of the neighbours3 so that one in the next house was forced to cry out1 ,the prayers and tears of that child in the next house will sink me to hell6 because by it he did condemn his neglect of prayer and his slight performance of it4 #ab4 ,he abhorred lying with all his soul4 #ac4 ,when he had committed any sin1 he was easily convinced of it1 and would get into some corner1 or secret place1 and with tears beg pardon of ,god1 and strength to guard against it4 #ad4 ,when other children were at play1 he would be praying4 #ae4 ,a friend of his asked him1 when he was first taken sick1 whether he was not willing to die8 ,he answered1 ,no6 because he was afraid of his state as to another world4 ,why1 child1 said the other1 thou didst pray for a new heart1 for an humble and sincere heart1 and ,i have heard thee3 didst thou not pray with thy heart8 ,i hope ,i did1 rejoined he4 #af4 ,not long after1 the same person asked him again1 ,if he was willing to die8 ,he answered1 ,now ,i am willing1 for ,i shall go to ,christ4 #ag4 ,he still grew weaker and weaker1 but behaved with a great deal of sweetness and patience1 waiting for his change4 ,at last1 calling upon the name of the ,lord1 and saying1 ,lord ,jesus1 ,lord ,jesus6 he sweetly slept1 dying when he was between five and six years old4 ,,happy ,,mary4 ,,mary ,a41 when she was between four and five years old1 was greatly affected in hearing the word of ,god1 and became very solicitous about her soul1 weeping bitterly to think what would become of her in another world1 asking strange questions concerning ,god1 and ,christ1 and her own soul4 ,so that before she was full five years old1 she minded the one thing needful1 and chose the better part4 #b4 ,she was wont to be much in secret prayer1 and many times came from her knees with tears4 #c4 ,she would choose such times and places for secret prayer as might render her less observed by others3 and endeavoured to conceal what she was doing when she was engaged therein4 #d4 ,her mother being full of sorrow after the death of her husband1 this child came to her and asked her why she wept so exceedingly8 ,her mother answered that she had cause enough to weep1 because her father was dead4 ,no1 dear mother1 said the child1 you have no cause to weep so much1 for ,god is a good ,god still4 #e4 ,she was a dear lover of faithful ministers4 ,one time after she had been hearing ,mr4 ,whitaker1 she said1 ,i love that man dearly for the sweet words he speaks concerning ,christ4 #f4 ,her book was her delight2 and many times she was so strangely affected in reading the ,scriptures1 that she burst out into tears1 and would hardly be pacified3 so greatly was she taken with ,christ's sufferings1 the zeal of ,god's servants1 and the danger of a natural state4 #g4 ,she often complained of the corruption of her nature1 of the hardness of her heart1 that she could repent no more1 and be no more humble and grieved for her sins against a good ,god2 and when she thus complained1 it was with abundance of tears4 #h4 ,she was very conscientious in keeping the ,sabbath1 spending the whole time in reading or praying1 learning her catechism1 or teaching her brothers and sisters4 ,one time when she was left at home on the ,lord's day1 she got some other little children together1 with her brothers and sisters1 and told them that it was the ,lord's day1 and they ought to remember it to keep it holy4 ,she then told them it was to be spent in religious exercises all the day1 except so much as was taken up in the works of necessity and mercy3 then she prayed with them1 and among other things begged that the ,lord would give grace and wisdom to them1 7little children17 that they might know how to serve him4 #i4 ,at another time a near relation of hers being in some straits1 made some complaint1 to whom she said1 ,i have heard ,mr4 ,garter say1 ',a man may go to heaven without a penny in his purse1 but not without grace in his heart4' #aj4 ,she had an extraordinary love to the people of ,god3 and when she saw any who she thought feared the ,lord1 her heart would even leap for joy4 #aa4 ,when she was between eleven and twelve years old1 she sickened of the plague1 in which she behaved with admirable patience and sweetness1 and did what she could with ,scripture arguments to support and encourage her relations to part with her1 who was going to glory1 and to prepare themselves to meet her in a blessed eternity4 #ab4 ,she was not many days sick before she was marked with the complaint which she first saw herself1 and was greatly rejoiced to think that she was marked out for the ,lord1 and was now going apace to ,christ4 ,she called to her friends and said1 ,i am marked1 but be not troubled1 for ,i know ,i am marked for one of the ,lord's own4 ,one asked her how she knew that8 ,she answered1 ,the ,lord hath told me that ,i am one of his dear children4 ,and this she spoke with a holy confidence in the ,lord's love1 and was not in the least daunted at the approach of death2 but seemed greatly delighted in the apprehension of her nearness to her ,father's house4 ,and it was not long before she was filled with joy unspeakable in believing4 #ac4 ,when she lay dying1 her mother came to her1 and told her she was sorry she had so frequently reproved and corrected so good a child2 ,o mother1 said she1 speak not thus3 ,i bless ,god1 now ,i am dying1 for your reproofs and corrections too3 for1 it may be1 ,i might have gone to hell1 if it had not been for your reproofs and corrections4 #ad4 ,some of the neighbours came to visit her1 and asked her if she could leave them4 ,she answered1 ,if you serve the ,lord1 you will come after me to glory4 #ae4 ,a little before she died1 she had a great conflict with ,satan1 and cried out1 ,i am none of his4 ,her mother seeing her troubled1 asked her what was the matter8 ,she answered1 ,satan did trouble me1 but now1 ,i thank ,god1 all is well4 ,i know ,i am none of his1 but ,christ's4 #af4 ,after this she had a great sense of ,god's love1 and a glorious sight1 as if she had seen the very heavens open1 and the angels coming to receive her2 by which her heart was filled with joy1 and her tongue with praise4 #ag4 ,being desired by the bystanders to give them a particular account of what she saw1 she answered1 ,you shall know hereafter3 and so in an ecstasy of joy and triumph1 she went to ,god when she was about twelve years old4 ,,praying ,,charlie4 ,,charles ,,bridgeman had no sooner learned to speak1 but he betook himself to prayer4 #b4 ,he was very prone to learn the things of ,god4 #c4 ,he would be sometimes teaching those persons that waited upon him their duty4 #d4 ,he learned by heart many good things before he was well fit to go to school4 ,and when he was sent to school1 he carried it so that all that observed him1 either did or might admire him4 ,o1 the sweet temper1 the good disposition1 the sincere religion which was in the child6 #e4 ,when he was at school what was it that he desired to learn but ,christ and him crucified8 #f4 ,so religious and savoury were his words1 his actions so upright1 his devotions so hearty1 his fear of ,god so great1 that many were ready to say as they did of ,john1--,what manner of child shall this be8 #g4 ,he would be much in reading the ,holy1 ,scriptures4 #h4 ,he was desirous of more spiritual knowledge1 and would be oft asking very serious and admirable questions4 #i4 ,he would not stir out of doors before he had poured out his soul to the ,lord in prayer4 #aj4 ,when he ate any thing1 he would be sure to lift up his heart unto the ,lord for a blessing upon it2 and when he had moderately refreshed himself by eating1 he would not forget to acknowledge ,god's goodness in feeding him4 #aa4 ,he would not lie down in his bed till he had been upon his knees2 and when sometimes he had forgotten his duty1 he would quickly get out of his bed1 and kneeling down upon his bare knees1 ask ,god's forgiveness of that sin4 #ab4 ,he would rebuke his brethren1 if they were at any time too hasty at their meals1 and did eat without asking a blessing2 his check was this3 ,dare you do thus8 ,god be merciful to us6 this bit of bread might choke us4 #ac4 ,his sentences were wise and weighty1 and might well become some ancient ,christian4 #ad4 ,his sickness was a lingering disease3 against which1 to comfort him1 one tells him of possessions that must fall to his portion2 ,and what are they8 said he1 ,i had rather have the kingdom of heaven than a thousand such inheritances4 #ae4 ,when he was sick he seemed much taken up with heaven1 and asked very serious questions about the nature of the soul4 #af4 ,after he was pretty well satisfied about that1 he inquired how his soul might be saved8 ,the answer being made1 ,by the applying of ,christ's merit by faith3 he was pleased with the answer1 and was ready to give any one that should desire it an account of his hope4 #ag4 ,being asked whether he had rather live or die8 he answered1 ,i desire to die1 that ,i may go to my ,saviour4 #ah4 ,his pains increasing upon him1 one asked him whether he would rather still endure those pains or forsake ,christ8 ,alas6 said he1 ,i know not what to say1 being a child3 for these pains may stagger a strong man2 but ,i will strive to endure the best ,i can4 ,upon this he called to mind that martyr1 ,thomas ,bilney1 who1 being in prison the night before his burning1 put his finger into the candle to know how he could endure the fire2 ,o1 said the child1 had ,i lived then1 ,i would have run through the fire to have gone to ,christ4 #ai4 ,his sickness lasted long3 and at least three days before his death he prophesied his departure1 and not only that he must die1 but the very day4 ,on the ,lord's day1 said he1 look to me2 neither was this a word of course1 which you may guess by his frequent repetition1 every day asking till the day came indeed1 ,what1 is ,sunday come8 ,at last1 the looked-for day came on2 and no sooner had the sun beautified that morning with its light1 but he falls into a trance1 his eyes were fixed1 his face cheerful1 his lips smiling1 his hands and arms clasped in a bow1 as if he would have embraced some blessed angel that was at hand to receive his soul4 ,but he comes to himself1 and tells them how he saw the sweetest body that ever eyes beheld1 who bid him to be of good cheer1 for he must presently go with him4 #bj4 ,one that stood near him1 as now suspecting the time of his dissolution nigh1 bid him say1 ,lord1 into thy hands ,i commend my spirit1 which is thy due2 for why8 thou hast redeemed it1 ,o ,lord1 my ,god1 most true6 #ba4 ,the last words which he spoke were exactly these3 ,pray1 pray1 pray1 nay1 yet pray1 and the more prayers the better all prospers2 ,god is the best physician2 into thy hands ,i commend my spirit4 ,o ,lord ,jesus receive my soul3 now close mine eyes3 forgive me1 father1 mother1 brother1 sister1 all the world4 ,now ,i am well2 my pain is almost gone1 my joy is at hand4 ,lord1 have mercy on me4 ,o ,lord1 receive my soul unto thee4 ,and thus he yielded up his spirit unto the ,lord when he was about twelve years old4 ,a ,,poor ,,but ,,happy ,,boy4 ,a ,,very poor child1 of the parish of ,newington-,butts1 came to the door of a friend of mine1 in a very lamentable case3 it pleased ,god to raise in the heart of my friend a great pity and tenderness toward him3 so that he took him out of the streets1 who had nothing at all to commend him to any one's charity but his misery4 ,my friend1 seeking the glory of ,god1 discharged the parish of the child1 and took him as his own2 yet there seemed to be little hopes of doing good upon him1 for he was a very monster of wickedness1 and a thousand times more miserable and vile by his sin than by his poverty4 ,he was running to hell as fast as he could go1 and was old in vice when he was but young in years3 we scarcely hear of one so like the devil in his infancy as was this poor child4 ,what sin was there that his age was capable of1 which he did not commit8 ,what by the corruption of his nature1 and the abominable example of little beggar boys1 he was indeed arrived at a great pitch of impiety4 ,he would call names1 take ,god's name in vain1 curse1 swear1 and do all kinds of mischief2 and as to any thing of ,god1 he was worse than a heathen4 #b4 ,no sooner had this good man taken this creature into his house but he prayed for him1 and laboured with all his might to convince him of his miserable condition by nature1 and to teach him something of ,god1 the worth of his own soul1 and that eternity of glory or misery to which he was bound4 ,and1 blessed be ,god1 it was not long before the ,lord was pleased to let him understand that it was himself who put into his heart to take in this child4 ,the ,lord soon blessed his instructions1 so that an amazing change was seen4 ,in the space of a few weeks he was convinced of the evil of his ways2 no more calling of names1 swearing or cursing1 no more taking of the ,lord's name in vain4 ,his company1 his talk1 his employment1 were changed1 and he was like another creature4 #c4 ,and this change was not only an external one1 but he would get by himself1 and weep and mourn bitterly for his wicked life4 #d4 ,he was still more and more broken under a sense of his undone state by nature2 often in tears1 and bemoaning his lost and miserable condition4 ,when his master spoke of the things of ,god1 he listened earnestly1 and took in with much eagerness and affection1 what he was taught4 ,there was seldom any discourse about religion in his hearing1 but he heard as though it were for his life4 #e4 ,thus he continued seeking after the knowledge of ,god1 till the sickness came into the house1 with which he was smitten4 ,at his first sickening the poor child was greatly amazed and afraid2 and though his pains were great1 and the distemper very tedious2 nevertheless1 the sense of his sins1 and the thought of the condition that his soul was still in1 made his trouble ten times greater4 #f4 ,he was in grievous agonies of spirit2 his former sins stared him in the face1 and made him tremble4 ,the poison of ,god's arrows did even drink up his spirits2 the sense of sin and of wrath were so great that he knew not what to do4 ,the weight of ,god's displeasure1 and the thought of lying under it to all eternity1 broke him even to pieces1 and he bitterly cried out1 ,what shall ,i do6 ,i am a miserable sinner1 and ,i fear that ,i shall go to hell4 ,his sins had been so great and so many1 that there was no hope for him4 ,he was not by far so much concerned for his life as for his soul3 what would become of that for ever4 ,now the plague upon his body seemed nothing to that which was in his soul4 #g4 ,he not only cried out against his swearing1 lying1 and other outward notorious sins2 but was in great horror for the sin of his nature2 the vileness and original corruption of his heart4 ,for this he was in so great anguish that the trouble of his spirit made him forget the pain of his body4 #h4 ,he very particularly confessed and bewailed his sins1 and some sins so secret that none in the world could charge him with4 #i4 ,he would ask others whether they thought there were any hopes for him1 and would beg of them to deal plainly with him2 for he was greatly afraid of being deceived4 #aj4 ,being informed how willing and ready the ,lord ,jesus ,christ was to accept of poor sinners1 and being counselled to venture himself upon ,christ for mercy and salvation1 he said he would fain cast himself upon ,christ1 but he could not but wonder how ,christ should die for such a vile wretch as he was1 and he found it one of the hardest things in the world to believe4 #aa4 ,but at last it pleased the ,lord to give him some hope that there might be mercy for him1 the chief of sinners2 and he was enabled to lay hold upon that1 ,come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden1 and ,i will give you rest4 ,nor was it long before he was full of praise and admiration of ,god2 so that1 to speak in the words of one that was an eye and ear witness1 he was so full of joy and praise that he longed for heaven4 #ab4 ,he now grew exceedingly in knowledge1 experience1 patience1 humility1 and self-abhorrence4 ,he prayed before1 but now the ,lord poured out upon him the spirit of prayer in an extraordinary manner2 so that now he prayed more frequently1 more earnestly1 more spiritually than ever4 ,o how eagerly would he beg to be washed in the blood of ,jesus6 ,and that the ,king of kings1 and ,lord of lords1 who was over heaven and earth1 would pardon and forgive him all his sins1 and receive his soul into his kingdom4 ,and what he spoke was with so much life and fervour of spirit1 that it filled the hearers with astonishment and joy4 #ac4 ,he had no small sense of the use and excellence of ,christ1 and such longings and breathings of his soul after him1 that when mention has been made of ,christ1 he hath been ready to leap out of his bed for joy4 #ad4 ,the ,wednesday before he died1 he lay in a trance for about half an hour1 in which time he thought he saw a vision of angels4 ,when he was out of his trance1 he asked his nurse why she did not let him go8 ,go6 whither8 said she2 ,why1 along with those lovely gentlemen1 said he2 but they told me they would come and fetch me away upon ,friday4 ,and he repeated these words many times1 ,upon ,friday next those lovely gentlemen will come for me4 #ae4 ,he was very thankful to his master1 and very sensible of his great kindness in taking him out of the streets when begging1 and he admired the goodness of ,god1 which put it into the mind of a stranger3 said he1 ,i hope to see you in heaven1 for ,i am sure you will go thither4 ,o blessed1 blessed be ,god1 that made you to take pity upon me2 for ,i might have died1 and have gone to the devil1 and been damned for ever1 if it had not been for you4 #af4 ,the ,thursday before he died1 he asked a friend of mine what he thought of his condition1 and whither his soul was going8 for he said he could not still but fear1 lest he should deceive himself with false hopes4 ,at which my friend spoke to him thus3--,if thou art but willing to accept of ,christ1 thou mayest have ,christ1 and all that thou dost want with him4 ,thou sayest thou fearest that ,christ will not accept of thee6 ,i fear that thou art not heartily willing to accept of him4 ,the child answered1 ,indeed ,i am4 ,why1 then1 if thou art unfeignedly willing to have ,christ1 ,i tell thee he is a thousand times more willing to have thee1 and wash thee1 and save thee4 ,and now at this time1 ,christ offers himself to thee again2 therefore1 receive him humbly by faith into thy heart1 and bid him welcome1 for he deserveth it4 ,upon which words the ,lord discovered his love to the child2 and he gave a kind of leap in his bed1 and snapped his finger and thumb together with abundance of joy4 ,and from that time forward1 in full joy and assurance of ,god's love1 he continued earnestly praising ,god1 desiring to die1 and to be with ,christ4 ,and on ,friday morning he sweetly went to rest1 using that expression1 ,into thy hands1 ,o ,lord1 ,i commit my spirit6 being not much above nine years old4 ,a ,,babe ,,in ,,christ4 ,,john ,,sudlow was born of religious parents1 in the county of ,middlesex1 whose care was to instill spiritual principles into him as soon as he was capable of understanding them1 whose endeavours the ,lord was pleased to crown with the desired success4 #b4 ,when he was scarce able to speak plain he seemed to have a very great awe and reverence of ,god upon his spirit1 and a strange sense of the things of another world4 #c4 ,the first thing that much affected him1 and made him endeavour to escape from the wrath to come1 and to inquire what he should do to be saved1 was the death of a little brother4 ,when he saw him without breath1 and not able to speak or stir2 and when carried out of doors1 and put into the ground1 he was greatly concerned1 and asked whether he should die too8 ,being answered yes it made so deep an impression on him1 that from that time forward1 he was exceedingly serious2 and this was when he was about four years old4 #d4 ,he was now desirous to know what he might do that he might live in another world1 and what to avoid1 that he might not die for ever4 ,and1 being instructed by his parents1 he soon laboured to avoid whatsoever might displease ,god4 ,now the apprehensions of ,god1 death and eternity1 laid such a restraint upon him1 that he would not1 for a world1 have told a lie4 ,he was much taken with reading the book of martyrs1 and would willingly leave his dinner and go to his book4 #e4 ,he went to his father and mother with great tenderness and compassion1 and entreated them to take more care of his brothers and sisters2 and to take heed lest they should go to hell1 and be ruined for ever4 #f4 ,the providences of ,god were not passed by without his minute observation4 ,in the time of the plague he was exceedingly concerned about his everlasting state1 and was very much by himself upon his knees4 ,the following prayer was found written in short hand after his death4 #g4 ,o ,lord ,god and merciful ,father1 take pity upon me1 a miserable sinner3 and strengthen me1 ,o ,lord1 in thy faith1 and make me one of thy saints in heaven4 ,o ,lord1 keep me from this poisonous infection2 however1 not my will1 but thy will be done4 ,o ,lord1 if thou hast appointed me to die by it1 fit me for death1 and give me a good heart to bear up under my afflictions4 ,o ,lord ,god1 and merciful ,father1 take pity on me1 thy child4 ,teach me1 ,o ,lord1 thy word2 make me strong in faith4 ,o ,lord1 ,i have sinned against thee2 ,lord1 pardon my sins4 ,i had been in hell long ago if it had not been for thy mercy4 ,but1 ,o ,lord1 if thou hast appointed me to die1 fit me for death1 that ,i may die with comfort4 ,and1 ,o ,lord1 ,i pray thee to help me to bear up under my afflictions for ,christ's sake4 ,amen4 #h4 ,he was not a little concerned for the whole nation1 and begged that ,god would pardon the sins of this land1 and bring it nearer to himself4 #i4 ,about the beginning of ,november1 this child was smote with the distemper1 but he behaved with admirable patience under the hand of ,god4 #aj4 ,these were some of his last expressions4 ,the ,lord shall be my physician1 for he will cure both soul and body4 ,heaven is the best hospital4 ,it is the ,lord1 let him do what seemeth good in his eyes4 ,again1 ,it is the ,lord that taketh away my health2 but ,i will say as ,job did1 ',blessed be the name of the ,lord4' ,if ,i should live longer1 ,i should but sin against ,god4 ,looking upon his father1 he said1 ,if the ,lord will but lend me the least finger of his hand to lead me through the dark entry of death1 ,i will rejoice in him4 #aa4 ,when a minister came to him1 among other things1 he spake something of life4 ,he answered1 ,this is a wicked world3 it is better to live in heaven4 #ab4 ,an hour and a half before his death1 the same minister came again to visit him1 and asked him1 ,john1 art thou not afraid to die8 ,he answered1 ,no1 if the ,lord will comfort me in that hour4 ,but1 said the minister1 how canst thou expect comfort1 seeing we deserve none8 ,he answered1 ,no1 if ,i had my deserts1 ,i had been in hell long ago4 ,but1 replied the minister1 which way dost thou expect comfort and salvation1 seeing that thou art a sinner8 ,he answered1 ,in ,christ alone4 ,in whom1 about an hour and a half after1 he fell asleep4 ,,the ,,minister',s ,,daughter4 ,,tabitha ,,alder was the daughter of a minister in ,kent1 who lived near ,gravesend4 ,she was instructed in the ,holy ,scriptures by her father and mother2 but there appeared nothing extraordinary in her till she was between seven and eight years old3 #b4 ,about which time1 when she was sick1 one asked her what she thought would become of her if she should die8 ,she answered that she was greatly afraid she should go to hell4 #c4 ,being asked why she was afraid she should go to hell8 ,she answered1 because she did not love ,god4 #d4 ,again1 being asked how she knew that she did not love ,god8 she replied1 ,what have ,i done for ,god ever since ,i was born8 ,and beside this1 ,i have been taught that he that loves ,god keeps his commandments2 but ,i have kept none of them4 #e4 ,being farther demanded if she would not fain love ,god8 she answered1 ,yes1 with all my heart1 if ,i could1 but ,i find it a hard thing to love one ,i do not see4 #f4 ,she was advised to beg of ,god a heart to love him3 she answered1 ,i am afraid it is too late4 #g4 ,upon this1 seeing her in such a desponding condition1 a friend of hers spent the next day in fasting and prayer for her4 #h4 ,after this1 that friend asked her how she did now8 ,she answered with a great deal of joy1 ,now ,i bless the ,lord2 ,i love the ,lord ,jesus dearly2 ,i feel ,i do love him4 ,o1 ,i love him dearly4 #i4 ,why1 said her friend1 did you not say yesterday you did not love the ,lord1 and that you could not8 ,sure1 said she1 it was ,satan hindered me4 ,but now ,i love him4 ,o blessed be ,god for the ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 #aj4 ,after this she had a discovery of her approaching dissolution1 which was no small comfort to her3 ,anon1 said she1 7with a holy triumph17 ,i shall be with ,jesus4 ,i am married to him3 he is my husband3 ,i am his bride3 ,i have given myself to him1 and he hath given himself to me1 and ,i shall live with him for ever4 #aa4 ,this language struck the hearers with astonishment4 ,she still continued in a kind of ecstasy of joy1 admiring the excellence of ,christ1 rejoicing in her interest in him1 and longing to be with him4 #ab4 ,after a while1 some of her friends1 who stood near her1 observed a more than ordinary earnestness and fixedness in her countenance2 they said one to another1 ,look how earnestly she looks1 surely she sees something4 #ac4 ,one asked her what it was that she fixed her eyes upon so eagerly8 ,i warrant1 says one1 she saw death coming4 #ad4 ,no1 said she1 it is the glory that ,i saw1 it is that on which my eyes were fixed4 #ae4 ,one demanded of her1 what the glory was like8 ,she replied1 ,i cannot tell what1 but ,i am going to it3 will you go with me8 ,i am going to glory4 ,o that you were all going with me to that glory6 ,with these words her soul took wings1 and went to the possession of that glory4 ,she died when she was between eight and nine years of age4 ,,little ,,jacob',s ,,faith4 ,,jacob ,,bicks was born in ,leyden1 in the year #afeg4 ,he was visited with sickness upon the #fth of ,august1 #affd4 ,in his distemper he was very sleepy till near his death1 but when he did awake he was wont still to fall a praying4 #b4 ,once when his parents had prayed with him1 they asked him if they should once more send for the physician8 ,no1 said he1 ,i will have the doctor no more2 the ,lord will help me2 ,i know he will take me to himself4 #c4 ,when his parents had prayed with him1 he said1 ,come1 now1 dear father and mother1 and kiss me3 ,i know that ,i shall die4 ,farewell1 dear father and mother2 farewell1 dear sister2 farewell1 all4 ,now shall ,i go unto ,god and ,jesus ,christ1 and the holy angels4 ,father1 know you not what is said by ,jeremiah8 ',blessed is he who trusteth in the ,lord4' ,now ,i trust in him1 and he will bless me2 and in #a ,john ii1 it is said1 ',little children1 love not the world1 for the world passeth away4' #d4 ,away then all that is in the world1 away with all my pleasant things in the world2 away with my dagger1 for where ,i go there is nothing to do with daggers and swords2 men shall not fight there1 but praise ,god4 ,away with all my books3 there shall ,i learn true wisdom without books4 #e4 ,his father said1 ,my dear child1 the ,lord will be near thee1 and uphold thee4 #f4 ,yea1 father1 said he1 the ,apostle ,peter saith1 ',god resisteth the proud1 but he giveth grace to the humble4' ,i humble myself under the mighty hand of ,god1 and he shall help me and lift me up4 #g4 ,o1 my dear child1 said his father1 hast thou so strong faith8 #h4 ,yes1 said he1 ,god hath given me so strong a faith in himself through ,jesus ,christ1 that the devil shall flee from me3 for it is said1 ,he who believeth in the ,son hath everlasting life1 and he hath overcome the wicked one4 ,now ,i believe in ,jesus ,christ my ,redeemer1 and he will not leave nor forsake me1 but shall give unto me eternal life1 and then ,i shall sing1 ,holy1 holy1 holy1 is the ,lord of ,sabaoth4 ,then1 with that word1 ,lord1 be merciful unto me a poor sinner1 he quietly breathed out his soul1 being about seven years old4 ,,jacob',s ,,sister ,,susannah4 ,,susannah ,,bicks1 the sister of ,jacob ,bicks1 was born in ,leyden1 in ,holland1 ,january #bd1 #afej1 of religious parents1 whose great care was to instruct their child1 and to present her to the ministers of the place to be publicly instructed4 #b4 ,it pleased ,god to bless this to her soul1 so that she had soon a true relish for what she was taught1 and made an admirable use of it in time of need4 #c4 ,she was a child of great dutifulness to her parents1 and of a very sweet1 humble nature2 and not only the truth1 but the power and eminence of religion did shine in her4 #d4 ,in ,august1 #affd1 when the pestilence raged in ,holland1 as she felt herself very ill1 she broke forth in these words1 ,if thy law were not my delight1 ,i should perish in my affliction4 #e4 ,her father coming to her1 said1 ,be of good comfort1 my child1 for the ,lord will be near to thee and us3 he will not forsake us1 though he chastens4 ,yea1 father1 said she1 our heavenly ,father doth chasten us for our profit1 that we may be partakers of his holiness2 no chastisement seemeth for the present to be joyous1 but grievous2 but afterward it yields the peaceable fruits of righteousness to them which are exercised thereby4 #f4 ,after this1 with her eyes lifted towards heaven1 she said1 ,be merciful to me a sinner1 according to thy word4 #g4 ,she greatly abhorred sin1 and1 with much grief and self-detestation1 reflected upon it2 but that which lay the closest to her heart was the depravity of her nature4 ,she often cried out in the words of the psalmist1 ,behold1 ,i was shapen in iniquity1 and in sin did my mother conceive me4 ,she could never lay herself low enough under a sense of that sin which she brought with her into the world4 #h4 ,that scripture dwelt much on her tongue1 ,the sacrifices of ,god are a broken heart2 a broken and contrite spirit1 ,o ,god1 thou wilt not despise4 ,o for that brokenness of heart1 said she1 which flows from faith1 and for that faith which is built upon ,christ1 who is the alone and proper sacrifice for sin4 #i4 ,then she discoursed of the nature of faith1 and desired that the #aath of the ,hebrews should be read unto her3 at the reading of which she cried out1 ,o what a steadfast faith was ,abraham's1 which made him willing to offer up his own and only son6 ,faith is indeed the substance of things hoped for1 the evidence of things not seen4 #aj4 ,her father and mother1 seeing her1 burst into tears2 upon which she pleaded with them to be patient under the hand of ,god4 ,o1 said she1 why do you weep over me1 seeing you have no reason to question3 but1 if the ,lord takes me1 it shall be well with me to all eternity8 ,you ought to be well satisfied1 seeing it is said1 ',god is in heaven1 and doth whatever pleaseth him4' ,and do you not pray every day that the will of ,god may be done upon earth as it is in heaven8 ,now1 father1 this is ,god's will1 that ,i should lie upon this sick bed1 and die of this disease2 shall we not be content when our prayers are answered8 ,i will1 as long as ,i live1 pray that ,god's will be done1 not mine4 #aa4 ,doth not1 said she1 the pestilence come from ,god8 ,why else doth the ,scripture say1 ,shall there be evil in the city which ,i have not sent8 ,does it come from the air8 ,and is not the ,lord the ,creator and ,ruler of the air8 ,or if they say it comes from the earth1 hath not he the same power and influence upon that too8 ,what talk they of a ship that came from ,africa8 ,have you not heard long ago1 ',i will bring a sword upon you1 and avenge the quarrel of my covenant1 and when you are assembled in the cities1 then ,i will bring the pestilence into the midst of you8' #ab4 ,after this1 having taken a little rest1 she said1 ,whether in death or life1 a believer is ,christ's1 who hath redeemed us by his own precious blood from the power of the devil2 then1 whether ,i live or die1 ,i am the ,lord's4 ,o why do you afflict yourselves thus8 ,but what shall ,i say8 ,with weeping ,i came into the world1 and with weeping ,i must go out again4 ,o my dear parents1 better is the day of my death than the day of my birth4 #ac4 ,she then desired her father to pray with her1 and to request of the ,lord that she might have a quiet passage into another world4 #ad4 ,her father1 observing her to grow very weak1 said1 ,i perceive1 child1 thou art very weak4 ,it is true1 sir1 said she1 ,i feel my weakness increasing1 and ,i see your sorrow increasing too1 which is a part of my affliction4 ,be content1 ,i pray you1 it is the ,lord who does it2 and let you and ,i say with ,david1 ',let us fall into the ,lord's hand1 for his mercies are great4' #ae4 ,she laid a great charge upon her parents not to grieve for her after her death1 urging that of ,david3 while the child was sick he fasted and wept3 but when it died he washed his face1 and sat up1 and ate1 and said1 ,can ,i bring him back from death8 ,i shall go to him1 but he shall not return to me4 #af4 ,being very feeble1 she said1 ,o that ,i might quietly sleep in the bosom of ,jesus6 and that till then he would strengthen me6 ,o that he would take me in his arms1 as he did those little ones1 where he said1 ',suffer little children to come unto me1 for of such is the kingdom of heaven3 and he took them in his arms1 and he laid his hands on them1 and blessed them1' ,i lie here as a child3 ,o ,lord1 ,i am thy child1 receive me into thy gracious arms4 ,o ,lord1 grace6 grace6 and not justice6 ,for if thou shouldst enter into judgment with me1 ,i cannot stand3 yea1 none living would be just in thy sight4 #ag4 ,then she said1 ,o what is the life of man6 ,the days of man upon earth are as grass1 and as the flower of the field1 so he flourishes3 the wind passeth over it1 and it is gone1 and his place knows him no more4 #ah4 ,she added1 ,my life shall not continue long4 ,i feel much weakness3 ,o ,lord1 look upon me graciously1 have pity upon my weak distressed heart4 ,i am oppressed1 undertake for me1 that ,i may stand fast and overcome4 #ai4 ,she was very frequent in spiritual ejaculations1 and it was no small comfort to her that the ,lord ,christ prayed for her1 and promised to send his ,spirit to comfort her4 ,it is said1 continued she1 ',i will pray the ,father1 and he shall give you another ,comforter4' ,o let him not leave me6 ,o ,lord1 stay with me till my battle and work is finished6 #bj4 ,soon after1 she said1 ,none but ,christ2 without thee ,i can do nothing6 ,christ is the true vine6 ,o let me be a branch of that vine6 ,what poor worms are we6 ,o dear father1 how lame and halting do we go on in the ways of ,god and salvation6 ,we know but in part1 but when that which is perfect is come1 then that which is imperfect shall be done away4 ,o that ,i had attained to that now6 ,but what are we ourselves8 ,not only weakness and nothingness1 but wickedness3 for the thoughts and imaginations of a man's heart are only evil1 and that continually4 ,we are by nature children of wrath1 and are conceived in sin1 and born in unrighteousness6 ,o this wretched and vile thing1 sin6 ,but thanks be to ,god1 who hath redeemed me from it4 ,o ,lord1 take me to thyself4 ,behold1 dear mother1 he has prepared a place for me4 #ba4 ,yea1 my dear child1 said her mother1 ,he shall strengthen you with his ,holy ,spirit until he hath fitted and prepared you fully for that place which he hath provided for you4 #bb4 ,yea1 mother1 replied she1 it is said in the #hdth ,psalm1 ',how lovely are thy tabernacles1 ,o ,lord of hosts6 ,my soul doth thirst and long for the courts of the ,lord3 one day in thy courts is better than a thousand3 yea1 ,i had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my ,god than dwell in the tents of the wicked4' ,read that psalm1 dear mother1 wherewith we may comfort each other4 ,as for me1 ,i am more and more spent1 and draw near my last hour4 #bc4 ,then she quoted ,job's words1 ,i know that my ,redeemer liveth1 and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth3 and though1 after my skin1 worms destroy this body1 yet in my flesh shall ,i see ,god4 #bd4 ,then she said1 ',marvel not at this1 for the hour is coming in which all that are in their graves shall hear his voice1 and come forth2 those that have done good unto the resurrection of life4' ,see1 father1 ,i shall rise in that day1 and then ,i shall behold my ,redeemer3 then will he say1 ',come1 ye blessed of my ,father1 inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world4' ,behold1 now ,i live1 yet not ,i1 but ,christ liveth in me1 and the life that ,i now live in the flesh1 is by faith of the ,son of ,god1 who loved me1 and gave himself for me4 ,i am saved1 and that not of myself1 it is the gift of ,god2 not of works1 lest any man should boast4 #be4 ,my dear parents1 now we must part1 my speech fails me3 pray to the ,lord for a quiet close to my combat4 ,her parents replied1 ,ah1 dear child6 how sad is that to us1 that we must part8 ,she answered1 ,i go to heaven1 and there we shall find one another again3 ,i go to ,jesus ,christ4 #bf4 ,then she comforted herself to think of her precious brother and sister4 ,i go to my brother ,jacob1 who did so much cry and call upon ,god to the last moment of his breath3 and to my little sister1 who was but three years old when she died3 who1 when we asked her whether she would die8 answered1 ',yes1 if it be the ,lord's will4' ,i will go to my little brother1 if it be the ,lord's will1 or ,i will stay with my mother1 if it be his will4 ,but ,i know that ,i shall die and go to heaven4 #bg4 ,after this1 her spirit was refreshed with a sense of the pardon of her sins1 which made her to cry out1 ,behold1 ,god hath washed away my sins1 ,o how ,i do long to die6 ,the ,lord is my shepherd3 although ,i pass through the valley of the shadow of death1 ,i will not fear1 for thou art with me3 shall ,i not suffer1 seeing my glorious ,redeemer was pleased to suffer so much for me8 ,o how was he mocked and crowned with thorns1 that he might purchase a crown of righteousness for us6 ,must ,i not exalt and bless him while ,i have a being1 who hath bought me even with his blood6 ,behold the ,lamb of ,god1 that taketh away the sins of the world6 ,that ,lamb is ,jesus ,christ1 who hath satisfied for my sins4 #bh4 ,my end is now very near2 now ,i shall put on the white raiment1 and be clothed before the ,lamb1 that spotless ,lamb1 and with his spotless righteousness4 ,now are the angels making ready to carry my soul before the throne of ,god4 ',these are they who have come out of great tribulation1 who have washed their robes1 and made them white in the blood of the ,lamb4' ,she spoke this with a dying voice1 but full of spirit and of the power of faith4 #bi4 ,her lively assurance she farther uttered in the words of the apostle1 ,we know that if this earthly house of our tabernacle be dissolved1 we have a building of ,god1 which is eternal in the heavens2 for in this we sigh for our house which is in heaven2 that we may be clothed therewith4 #cj4 ,there1 father1 you see that my body is this tabernacle1 which now shall be broken down2 my soul shall now part from it1 and shall be taken up into paradise1 into that heavenly ,jerusalem4 ,there shall ,i dwell and go no more out1 but sit and sing1 ,holy1 holy1 is the ,lord ,god of hosts1 the ,lord of ,sabaoth6 ,her last words were these3 ,o ,lord ,god1 into thy hands ,i commit my spirit3 ,o ,lord1 be gracious1 be merciful to me a poor sinner4 ,she died the first of ,september1 #affd1 between seven and eight in the evening2 in the fourteenth year of her age4 ,,the ,,merchant',s ,,son4 ,,john ,,harvey was born in ,london1 in the year #afed3 his father was a ,dutch merchant3 he was piously educated under his mother1 and soon began to hear ,divine things with delight4 #b4 ,the first thing observable in him was1 that when he was two years and eight months old1 he could speak as well as other children do usually at five years old4 #c4 ,his parents1 judging that he was then too young to send to school1 let him have his liberty to play about their yard1 but instead of playing1 he found out a school of his own accord near home1 and went to the schoolmistress1 and entreated her to teach him to read2 and so he went some time to school without the knowledge of his parents1 and made a very strange progress in his learning1 and was able to read distinctly before most children knew their letters4 #d4 ,he was wont to ask many serious and weighty questions about matters which concerned his soul and eternity4 #e4 ,his mother being greatly troubled upon the death of one of his uncles1 this child came to his mother and said1 ,mother1 though my uncle be dead1 do not the ,scriptures say he must rise again8 ,yes1 and ,i must die1 and so must every body1 and it will not be long before ,christ will come to judge the world1 and then we shall see one another again3 ,i pray mother1 do not weep so much4 ,he was not then quite five years old3 by which her sorrow for her brother was turned into admiration1 and she was made to sit silent and quiet under that trying providence4 #f4 ,after this his parents removed to ,aberdeen1 and settled their child under a schoolmaster there1 whose custom was upon the ,lord's day in the morning1 to examine his scholars concerning the sermons they had heard the former ,lord's day1 and to add some other questions1 which might try the understanding and knowledge of his scholars4 ,the question that was once proposed to his form was1 whether ,christ had a mother8 ,none of the scholars could answer it1 till it came to ,john ,harvey1 who1 being asked whether ,christ had a mother8 answered1 ,no2 as he was ,god he could not have a mother2 but as he was man he had4 ,this was before he was six years old4 #g4 ,one day1 seeing one of his near relations come into his father's house distempered with drink1 he went to him1 and wept over him1 and besought him that he would not so offend ,god1 and hazard his soul4 #h4 ,he was a conscientious observer of the ,lord's day1 spending all the time either in secret prayer1 reading the ,scriptures and good books1 learning his catechism1 or hearing the word of ,god4 ,and he was not only careful in the performance of these duties himself1 but was ready to put all that he knew upon a strict observation of the ,lord's day4 #i4 ,he was very humble and modest1 and hated any thing more than necessaries1 either in clothes or diet4 #aj4 ,when he perceived either his brother or sister pleased with their new clothes1 he would reprove their folly2 and when his reproof signified little1 he would bewail their vanity4 #aa4 ,once he had a new suit brought from the tailor's1 which1 when he looked on1 he found some ribands on the knees1 at which he was grieved3 asking his mother whether these things would keep him warm8 ,no1 child1 said his mother4 ,why then1 said he1 do you suffer them to be put there8 ,you are mistaken if you think such things please me3 and1 ,i doubt some that are better than us may want the money that this cost you1 to buy them bread4 #ab4 ,at leisure times he was talking to his school fellows about the things of ,god1 and the necessity of a holy life4 ,that text he much spoke on to them1 ,the axe is laid to the root of the tree1 and every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire4 #ac4 ,after this his parents removed not far from ,london1 where he continued till the year #affe4 ,he was then sent to the ,latin school1 where he soon made a very considerable progress1 and was greatly beloved of his master4 ,the school was his beloved place1 and learning his recreation4 #ad4 ,he had a word to say to every one that he conversed with1 to put them in mind of the worth of ,christ and their souls2 and their nearness to eternity3 insomuch that good people took no small pleasure in his company4 #ae4 ,he bewailed the miserable condition of the generality of mankind1 7when he was about ten years old17 that they were utterly estranged from ,god4 ,though they called him ,father1 he said1 yet they were his children by creation1 and not by any likeness they had to ,god1 or any interest in him4 #af4 ,thus he continued walking in the ways of ,god3 in reading1 praying1 hearing the word of ,god1 and spiritual intercourse2 discovering thereby his serious thoughts of eternity1 which seemed to swallow up all other thoughts2 and he lived in a constant preparation for it1 and looked more like one that was ripe for glory than an inhabitant of this lower world4 #ag4 ,when he was about eleven years and nine months old his mother's house was visited with the plague2 his eldest sister was the first that was visited with this distemper2 and when they were praying for her1 he would sob and weep bitterly4 #ah4 ,as soon as he perceived his sister was dead1 he said1 ,the will of the ,lord be done1 blessed be the ,lord6 ,dear mother1 you must do as ,david did3 after the child was dead he went and refreshed himself1 and quietly submitted to the will of ,god4 #ai4 ,the rest of the family held well for some days1 which time he spent in preparing for death4 ,meantime he wrote several meditations upon different subjects1 particularly upon the excellence of ,christ4 ,he was never well but when he was more immediately engaged in the service of ,god4 #bj4 ,at the end of fourteen days he was taken sick1 at which he seemed very cheerful2 though his pains were great4 #ba4 ,his mother1 looking upon his brother1 shook her head3 at which he asked if his brother was marked with the complaint8 ,she answered1 ,yea1 child4 ,he asked again whether he was marked8 ,she answered nothing4 ,well1 says he1 ,i know ,i shall be marked3 ,i pray let me have ,mr4 ,baxter's book1 that ,i may read a little more of eternity before ,i go into it4 ,his mother told him he was not able to read4 ,he said1 ,then pray by me and for me4 #bb4 ,his mother asked him whether he was willing to die and leave her8 ,he answered1 ,yes4 ,i am willing to leave you and go to my heavenly ,father4 ,she answered1 ,child1 if thou hadst but an assurance of ,god's love1 ,i should not be so much troubled4 ,he answered1 ,i am assured that my sins are forgiven1 and that ,i shall go to heaven3 for1 said he1 here stood an angel by me1 that told me ,i should quickly be in glory4 #bc4 ,at this his mother burst forth into tears4 ,o mother1 said he1 did you but know what joy ,i feel you would not weep but rejoice4 ,i tell you ,i am so full of comfort that ,i cannot tell you how ,i am3 ,o mother1 ,i shall presently have my head in my ,father's bosom1 and shall be there where the four and twenty elders cast down their crowns1 and sing hallelujah1 glory1 and praise to him that sits upon the throne1 and to the ,lamb for ever6 #bd4 ,upon this his speech began to fail him1 but his soul was still taken up with glory2 and nothing now grieved him but the sorrow that he saw his mother to be in for his death2 a little to divert her he asked1 ,what she had for supper8 ,but presently1 in a kind of rapture he cried1 ,o what a sweet supper have ,i making ready for me in glory6 #be4 ,but seeing all this did but increase his mother's grief1 he asked her1 ,what she meant thus to offend ,god8 ,know you not that it is the hand of the ,almighty8 ',humble yourself under the mighty hand of ,god3' lay yourself in the dust and kiss the rod1 in token of your submission to the will of ,god4 ,upon which1 raising himself a little1 he gave a lowly bow1 and spake no more6 but went to rest in the bosom of ,jesus4 ,,pious ,,little ,,peter4 ,,peter ,,melville1 from the commencement of his illness1 received much satisfaction from reading the ,bible and other serious books2 and after the first month or six weeks1 was not known to read any other4 ,the short history of ,jesus ,christ1 by ,mason1 afforded him great satisfaction4 ,in prayer he joined most heartily1 and his eyes1 while his friends were engaged in this exercise1 were always raised toward heaven4 ,during his painful illness1 which lasted four months1 he was remarkably patient1 and much distressed at the idea of giving trouble4 ,from these circumstances it was concluded that his mind was seriously disposed4 ,fourteen days1 however1 before his death1 being much worse and unable to leave his bed1 his anxious parents1 desirous to know his real state1 asked him if his mind was easy8 ,at first he appeared inclined to evade the question2 but the question being repeated he burst into tears and cried out1 ,i have been a very great sinner1 ,i do not feel a love for my ,saviour1 nor see him with an eye of faith4 ,different texts of ,scripture were mentioned which directed him to cast all his care on the ,lord4 ,these appeared to comfort him in a degree1 and he then said1 ,what a charming place heaven is4 ,it being observed that great advantages frequently resulted from a long illness1 he expressed his sense of it by exclaiming1 ,what a dreadful place must ,i have gone to had ,i been cut off at once4 ,the next morning he was asked if he wished to converse with a minister8 on his answering in the affirmative1 the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,w4 was requested to visit him2 and was the instrument1 in the hands of ,god1 of composing his mind4 ,the next day he requested that ,watts' ,psalms and ,hymns1 which he was very fond of reading1 might be brought to him2 and when his father came to his bedside he pointed to the #bc;d psalm1 and asked if it was not a very sweet one8 ,on ,saturday following he expressed a wish to have a ,bible and prayer book purchased for him1 in which1 together with his hymn book1 he wrote his name4 ,on ,thursday1 the #gth of ,april1 being much worse1 he was again asked if his mind was comfortable1 to which he replied1 ,no2 ,i am the greatest of sinners1 and ,satan tempts me to sin4 ,everything was said that could be thought of to compose him1 and soon after he became more tranquil1 and appeared delighted with the idea of heaven1 requesting to have a description of that blessed place read to him4 ,this had been done some time before1 and had made a lasting impression on his mind4 ,but when he made the request he added in a low voice1 ,i am afraid ,i shall never get there1 because ,i do not love my ,saviour as ,i ought4 ,being asked again how he found his mind1 he answered1 ,a little better2 but ,i wish to love my ,lord and ,saviour2 and ,i hope to be able to do it more and more4 ,on being reminded that it was ,good ,friday1 he talked much of our ,lord's great sufferings for his people2 and while speaking of the blessed ,lamb that had been crucified on that day1 he desired the #beth hymn of the third book of ,watts to be read to him4 ,all mortal vanities1 begone4 ,on the evening of this day he appeared to feel much of what had been said to him by the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,h41 who had visited him frequently4 ,saturday night was spent in great pain--he had but few intervals of ease4 ,when he was told such things were from the ,lord1 he replied1 ,the ,lord is good1 yes1 the ,lord is good to them who put their trust in him4 ,when he expressed his gratitude to his weeping parents for their attention to him1 and his mother had told him that it was the ,lord who enabled them to do any thing for him1 and mentioned his glorious ,saviour as the blessed object of all his gratitude1 he turned his thoughts to heaven and said1 ,then ,i hope to love him now2 and what rapture will it afford me to meet all my dear friends with him in glory4 ,he spoke for some time on the subject with great energy2 and on being told that he would fatigue himself1 he replied1 ,it is not fatiguing1 it is rapturous2 and particularly expressed a hope that not one of his family would be wanting2 adding1 ,what a disappointment shall ,i feel if you are not there4 ,he seemed much refreshed by this conversation1 and went to sleep with a sweet smile on his countenance4 ,in the afternoon he was still more composed1 and told his mother he would talk a little2 when he again dwelt most sweetly on the goodness of the ,lord to his soul1 and the happiness of meeting his parents and friends in glory4 ,in the night1 being asked if he did not love the sinner's friend1 he replied1 ,i wish to do it1 and in heaven ,i shall do it more1 adding1 ,no one ever loved him one part in a thousand so much as they ought to do4 ,he frequently prayed for patience1 being subject to great pain4 ,seeing his mother weep1 he asked her why she cried4 ,she replied1 ,that she could not help it4 ,i hope1 said he1 the ,lord will give you strength4 ,on the ,monday1 being again frequently asked if ,jesus was precious1 he at times nodded his head1 and at others said1 ,i hope he is1 and that he will be more so by and by4 ,but soon after that he said1 ,i am a great sinner1 and am afraid ,i shall be disappointed in all my hopes of heaven4 ,but being exhorted to cast all his unbelieving thoughts away1 and put his entire trust in his blessed ,redeemer1 whose arms were underneath him1 he replied1 ,then ,i am safe4 ,again he thanked his parents for their care of him1 and when it was repeated that it was all the ,lord's doing1 ,then1 said he1 you are the instruments1 and what a blessed thing it is to have parents who guide and instruct us in the way2 and added1 ,o what will become of those children who idle about on the ,sabbath day1 who swear and steal4 ,o shocking6 shocking6 ,o what a blessing to have good parents4 ,on requesting to see his brothers1 they came to him2 and taking them by the hand1 he asked them how they did4 ,to his little brother ,henry he said1 ,be a good boy1 do not run about with idle children1 and tell ,philip what ,i say1 learn your catechism1 also read your ,bible4 ,perceiving that his eldest brother cried1 he said1 ,why is ,john weeping8 ,weep not for me1 weep for yourselves4 ,what a blessed change1 said a friend1 will it be1 from such a sick bed as this to the joys of heaven6 to which he added1 ,to be in the arms of my ,redeemer1 to see him face to face1 and behold his glories in heaven3 ,o how admirable6 ,o what are the glories of an earthly kingdom when compared to this3 but as the drop of a bucket to the ocean2 yea1 no mortal can describe the joys of heaven4 ,when he again sweetly dwelt on the happiness of meeting all his friends there1 ,where1 said he1 we shall meet to part no more for ever2 and there shall be no more death2 which he twice repeated4 ,in the night he was much buffeted by ,satan4 ,about four o'clock in the morning1 he appeared to be dying1 and in a low voice1 said1 ,may you all keep the commandments1 and love ,god evermore4 ,weep not for me1 ,i am not worth weeping for4 ,being in an agony of pain he was directed to the source of all good4 ,soon after he appeared easier1 and said1 ,truly the heart is willing1 but the flesh is weak1 and if the heart is willing1 never mind the voice4 ,being reminded of the joy he would feel at hearing his ,lord say1 ,well done1 good and faithful servant1 enter thou into the joy of thy ,lord2 he exclaimed1 ,amen1 so be it1 and spoke no more4 ,great are the troubles of the righteous1 but the ,lord delivereth out of them all1 was the last text repeated to him1 to which he nodded his head1 and then calmly fell asleep in ,jesus1 aged twelve years and three months4 ,farewell1 dear babe1 with all thy sacred store1 ,in triumph landed on the heavenly shore2 ,sure nature form'd thee in her softest mould1 ,and grace1 from nature's dross1 refund the gold4 ,,the ,,dutiful ,,daughter4 ,,elizabeth ,w4 ,,orchard was born ,march #f1 #agie1 at ,melksham1 in ,wiltshire2 and from an early age was very dutiful to her parents1 and much attached to her school and books4 ,in #ahjb her father removed from ,newport1 in the ,isle of ,wight1 to ,bath2 where he and his family attended the ,rev4 ,mr4 ,j4's chapel4 ,soon after their arrival at ,bath1 ,elizabeth and ,william her brother were admitted into the ,sunday school belonging to ,argyle chapel2 from the time of ,elizabeth's admittance1 she seemed to read her books with understanding and profit2 and during the week1 it was always her study to get her task by heart against the returning ,sabbath4 ,her partiality for her teachers was great3 especially for ,miss ,s41 whom1 when she was taken ill1 she longed to see4 ,the tickets that were given to her in the school1 as tokens for good1 she valued much2 and expressed a wish to return them1 that she might obtain a hymn book1 the reward she was entitled to4 ,a shilling that was given to her by the committee at ,christmas1 for learning her book1 with one that she had borrowed of her brother1 she laid out in the purchase of a ,testament2 which she preserved with great care till her departure4 ,during her illness1 ,elizabeth often reproved her brother and sister1 saying1 ,if you are not better you will certainly go to a place of misery4 ,on every occasion she discovered a great love to prayer2 and when by weakness she was prevented from going to chapel1 she learned her tasks2 and what she did learn and hear1 was1 by a ,divine blessing1 deeply impressed on her mind4 ,for the last five weeks before her death1 she was not in the least terrified at her approaching dissolution2 but conversed with pleasure on her departure4 ,her father asked her one day1 when in great pain1 whether she loved the ,lord and ,saviour ,jesus ,christ8 to which she answered1 ,yes1 ,i do1 and ,i shall soon be with him in glory4 ,mr4 ,b41 one of the teachers of the school1 called to see her2 and after conversing with her some time1 asked her1 ,if she should like to go to heaven8 to which she answered1 ,yes4 ,on ,april the #bdth1 when in great pain1 on viewing her hands1 she said1 ,o father6 the blood ran from the hands of ,jesus ,christ when he was nailed to the cross1 and that was done by wicked men1 but ,i shall go and see him in heaven4 ,at another time1 when her parents1 talking of the sufferings of ,christ1 said that he died to save good children1 and would take them to sit with him on his throne for ever1 and would give them crowns of glory4 ,to which she answered1 ,it seems1 father1 as if ,i could see him4 ,on the same day she said1 ,i do hope when my body dies1 that ,god will receive my soul to heaven4 ,after this she related to her parents the account of the rich man in the ,gospel2 observing that he was tormented in hell1 and could not so much as obtain a drop of water to cool his burning tongue1 while poor ,lazarus was carried to ,abraham's bosom1 where he was crowned with happiness4 ,she was visited by her much beloved teacher ,miss ,s41 whom she had long wished to see2 and to whom1 with the rest of the teachers of the school1 her parents say they shall be always thankful for the good instruction they gave their dear departed child2 and hope that the committee and teachers of the school at ,argyle chapel1 and of every other similar school1 will be encouraged by this instance of the good effects of religious advice in a child only nine years old1 to go forward in their endeavours to bring young sinners to ,christ4 ,she was much struck with a passage of ,scripture in ,revelation1 that ,mr4 ,j4 preached from3 ,they shall be clothed in white4 ,o1 said ,elizabeth1 ,i expect to be clothed in white too4 ,and as her mother was sitting by her bedside reading1 she said1 ,if ,god will let me1 ,i will keep places for you who may be left behind4 ,her brother she advised not to play so much1 but to be a good boy1 mind his book and school1 and pray to ,god to make him truly religious2 or he would go to a place of misery after death4 ,being told that she was very ill1 she replied1 ,i must bear it with patience3 though1 in fact1 she longed to be gone4 ,when she was very weak1 and death stared in her face1 her parents carried her from one room to another2 but in no place could she find ease4 ,she1 however1 contemplated with satisfaction the day when she should eat of the tree of life that grows in the midst of the paradise of ,god2 ,there1 said ,elizabeth1 ,i shall never thirst1 nor never sin1 but behold the ,lamb1 who will lead me to fountains of living water4 ,after lying one day in a doze1 she opened her eyes and said1 ,mother1 ,i have seen an angel4 ,her mother asked her where8 ,she pointed to the place where she dreamed that she saw him4 ,and1 being asked if she should like to go with him1 she answered1 ,yes4 ,there ,i shall see his face1 ,and never1 never sin2 ,there from the rivers of his grace ,drink endless pleasures in4 ,her parents now hung mournfully around her bed1 and concluded that the ,lord was going to release her4 ,they saw clearly that she could not survive long4 ,being raised up on the following ,sabbath in bed1 by pillows1 and seeing the children in the street at play1 she observed to them about her how improper it was that they should profane the ,sabbath1 and that they ought to be at chapel1 and that ,god would be very angry with them4 ,her father had some time before carried her out for the benefit of the air1 daily4 ,and being out with her the ,sabbath before her departure1 she pressed him to carry her to chapel2 which he did1 but was soon obliged to return with her1 when she exclaimed1 ,farewell1 chapel2 farewell1 ,mr4 ,j42 farewell1 my beloved teachers2 farewell1 my dear schoolfellows2 and soon after she said1 ,farewell1 brother and sister2 farewell1 father and mother4 ,i charge you all to meet me in heaven1 that we may spend an eternity of happiness together there4 ,and on the #bgth of ,may1 #ahjd1 after a few struggles1 the feeble springs of life stood still1 and her happy spirit took its flight to the paradise of ,god4 ,,books ,,for ,,sunday ,,schools4 --- #bjj ,mulberry-street1 ,new ,york4 ----- ,,idle ,,dick ,,and ,,poor ,,watchmaker4 ,originally written in ,french1 by ,rev4 ,,cesar ,,malan1 of ,geneva4 ,with ,illustrations4 #ahmo41 pp4 #hb4 ,price1 #ae cents4 ,,mountains ,,of ,,the ,,pentateuch4 ,conversations on the ,mountains of the ,pentateuch1 and the ,scenes and ,circumstances connected with them in ,holy ,writ4 #ahmo41 pp4 #bjb4 ,price1 #bc cents4 ,,life ,,of ,,john ,,bunyan1 ,author of the ,pilgrim's ,progress4 ,by ,,stephen ,b4 ,,wickens4 ,six ,illustrations4 #ahmo41 pp4 #ccf4 ,price1 #ca cents4 ,,the ,,two ,,doves3 ,or1 ,memoirs of ,margaret and ,anna ,dove1 late of ,leeds1 ,england4 ,by ,,peter ,m',,owan4 #ahmo41 pp4 #hh4 ,price1 #ag cents4 ,,the ,,motherless ,,family4 ,two ,illustrations4 #ahmo41 pp4 #if4 ,price1 #ag cents4 ,,thomas ,,hawkey ,,treffrey4 ,parental ,portraiture of ,thomas ,hawkey ,treffry1 who died at ,falmouth4 ,april #ai1 #ahba1 aged eighteen years4 ,by ,rev4 ,,richard ,,treffry4 #ahmo41 pp4 #aga4 ,price1 #ba cents4 ,,uncle ,,william ,,and ,,his ,,nephews4 ,nine ,illustrations4 #ahmo41 pp4 #fa4 ,price1 #af cents4 ,,my ,,grandfather ,,gregory4 ,with ,illustrations4 #ahmo41 pp4 #aaf4 ,price1 #ah cents4 ,,my ,,grandmamma ,,gilbert4 ,by the ,author of ,my ,grandfather ,gregory4 ,illustrated4 #ahmo41 pp4 #aci4 ,price1 #bj cents4 ,,the ,,converted ,,jewess3 ,a ,memoir of ,maria ------4 #ahmo41 pp4 #ajg4 ,price1 #ah cents4 ,,no ,,king ,,in ,,israel2 ,or1 ,the ,importance of ,discipline4 ,by a ,sabbath-,school ,teacher4 #ahmo41 pp4 #ed4 ,price1 #ad cents4 ,,the ,,jew ,,among ,,all ,,nations4 ,eight ,illustrations4 #ahmo41 pp4 #agh4 ,price1 #bb cents4 ,,the ,,kingdom ,,of ,,heaven ,among ,children2 or1 ,twenty-five ,narratives of a ,religious ,awakening in a ,school in ,pomerania4 ,from the ,german1 by ,,charlotte ,,clarke4 #ahmo41 pp4 #ajd4 ,price1 #ah cents4 ,,the ,,feather ,,and ,,song ,,bird4 ,illustrated4 #ahmo41 pp4 #gb4 ,price1 #ad cents4 ,,the ,,nest ,,and ,,egg4 ,illustrated4 #ahmo41 pp4 #ge4 ,price1 #af cents4 ,,the ,,animalcule ,,and ,,gall ,,insect4 ,illustrated4 #ahmo41 pp4 #gf4 ,price1 #ad cents4 ,,the ,,ant ,,and ,,spider4 ,illustrated4 #ahmo41 pp4 #gf4 ,price1 #af cents4 ,,the ,,fly ,,and ,,honey ,,bee4 ,illustrated4 #ahmo41 pp4 #ha4 ,price1 #ae cents4 ,,the ,,flower ,,and ,,fruit4 ,illustrated4 #ahmo41 pp4 #gg4 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