Divine nature, to lead new lives, to have a suitableness to God. It is unworthy of a Christian to have such a narrow spirit as not to act for Christ with all one's heart, and soul, and strength, and might. Be not ashamed of Christ, be not afraid of the frowns and jeers of the wicked. Be sure to keep a conscience void of offence, and yield by no means to any known sin; be much in prayer, and in secret prayer, and in reading the Scriptures. Therein are laid up the glorious mysteries which are hid from many eyes. My greatest desire is, that God would work his own great work in you. I desire to see you not as formerly, but that the Lord would make me an instrument of your soul's good, for which I greatly long."

CHAP. IV.

His particular Addresses to his Brethren, for their Soul's good, and the Success thereof.

He wrote many letters of this nature, and desired often times to be visiting his brethren, that he might particu larly address himself to them, and see what became of his letters, prayers, and tears; and he was very watchful over them, ready to reprove and convince them of sin, and ready to encourage any beginnings of a good work in them. To instance in a particular or two:

One time perceiving one of his brothers asleep at prayer in the family, he presently took occasion to show him what a high contempt it was to God, what a little sense such a man must have of his own danger, what dreadful hypocrisy, what a miracle of patience that he was not awakened in flames. After he had been awhile affectionately pleading with him, it pleased the Lord to strike in with some power, and to melt and soften his brother's heart when he was about eleven years old, so that it was to be hoped that then the Lord began savingly to work upon the heart of that child; for from that time forward a considerable alteration might be discerned in him when he perceived it he was not a little pleased. This put him upon carrying on the work, that conviction might not wear off till it ended in conversion. To this end he wrote to him, "to put him in mind of what God

had done for his soul: begging of him not to rest satisfied till he knew what a thorough change and effectual calling meant. I hope, said he, that God hath a good work to do in you, for you, and by you; yea, I hope he hath already begun it. But, oh! take not up with some beginnings, faint desires, lazy seekings. Oh! remember your former tears; one may weep a little for a sin, and yet go to hell for sin; many that are under some such work, shake off the sense of it, murder their convictions, and return again to folly. Oh! take heed: if any draw back the Lord will take no pleasure in them; but I hope better things of you."

He would also observe how his brethren carried it after duty, whether they seemed to run presently to the world with greediness, as if duty were a task, or whether there seemed to be an abiding impression of God, and the things of God, upon them.

His vehement love and compassion to souls may be further judged of by these following expressions, which he used to one of his relations. After he had been speaking how infinitely it was below a Christian to pursue with greediness the things which will be but as gravel in the teeth, if we mind not the rich provision which is in our Father's house. Oh! what folly is it to trifle in the things of God! But I hope better things of you: did I not hope, why should I not mourn in secret for you as one cast out among the dead? Oh, what should I do for you but pour out my soul like water, and give my God no rest till he should graciously visit you with his salvation; till he cast you down and raise you up, till he wound you and heal you again.

Thus, what with his holy example, warm and wise exhortations, prayers, tears, and secret groans, somewhat of the beauty of religion was to be seen in the family where he lived.

CHAP. V.

His great love to, and frequency in the Duty of Prayers:

with his remarkable Success.

He was mighty in prayer, and his spirit was oftentimes so transported in it, that he forgot the weakness of his

own body, and of other's spirits. Indeed, the acquaintance that he had with God was so sweet, and his converse with him so frequent, that when he was engaged in duty, he scarce knew how to leave that which was so delightful and suited to his spirit. His constant course for some years was this: he prayed at least three times a day in secret, sometimes seven times; twice a day in the family or college: and he found the sweetness of it beyond imagination, and enjoyed wonderful communion with God, and tasted much of the pleasantness of a heavenly life. And he could say by experience, that the ways of wisdom were ways of pleasantness, and all her paths peace. He knew what it was to wrestle with God, and was come to that pass, that he could scarce come off his knees without his Father's blessing. He was used to converse with God with a holy familiarity as a friend, and would upon all occasions run to him for advice, and had many strange and immediate answers of prayer: one of which I think it not altogether impertinent to give the world an account of.

His honoured father, Mr. William Janeway, minister of Kelshall, in Hertfordshire, being sick, and being under somewhat dark apprehensions as to the state of his soul, he would often say to his son John, "O, John! this passing upon eternity is a great thing; this dying is a solemn business, and enough to make any one's heart ache, that hath not his pardon sealed, and his evidences for heaven clear. And truly, son, I am under no small fears as to my own estate for another world. Oh, that God would clear his love! Oh, that I could say cheerfully, I can die; and upon good grounds be able to look death in the face, and venture upon eternity with well grounded peace and comfort!'

His sweet and dutiful son made a suitable reply at present; but seeing his dear father continuing under despondings of spirit (though no Christians that knew him but had a high esteem of him for his uprightness), he got by himself, and spent some time in wrestling with God upon his father's account, earnestly begging of God that he would fill him with joy unspeakable in believing, and that he would speedily give him some token for good, that he might joyfully and honourably leave this world to go to a better. After he was risen from his knees, he came down to his sick father, and asked him how he felt himself. His father made no an

swer for some time, but wept exceedingly (a passion that he was not subject to), and continued for some considerable time in extraordinary passion of weeping, so that he was not able to speak. But at last, having recovered himself, with unspeakable joy he burst out into such expressions as these: "O son! now it is come, it is come, it is come. I bless God I can die: the Spirit of God hath wit nessed with my spirit that I am his child. Now I can look upon God as my dear father, and Christ as my redeemer : I can now say, this is my friend, and this is my beloved. My heart is full, it is brim full, I can hold no more. I know now what that sentence means-The peace of God which passeth understanding. I know now what that white stone is wherein a new name is written, which none know but they which have it. And that fit of weeping which you saw me in, was a fit of overpowering love and joy, so great that I could not for my heart contain myself: neither can I express what glorious dis coveries God hath made of himself unto me. And had that joy been greater, I question whether I could have borne it, and whether it would not have separated soul and body. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name, that hath pardoned all my sins, and sealed the pardon! He hath healed my wounds, and caused the bones which he had broken to rejoice. O help me to bless the Lord! he hath put a new song into my mouth. O bless the Lord for his infinite goodness and mercy! Oh, now I can die! it is nothing; I bless God I can die. I desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ." You may well think that his son's heart was not a little refreshed to hear such words, and see such a sight, and to meet the messenger that he had sent to heaven returned back again so spee dily. He counted himself a sharer with his father in his mercy, and it was upon a double account welcome, as it did so wonderfully satisfy his father; and as it was so immediate and clear in answer of his own prayers, as if God had from heaven said unto him, thy tears and prayers are heard for thy father: thou hast, like a prince, prevailed with God: thou hast got the blessing: thy fervent prayers have been effectual: go down and see else.

Upon this, this precious young man broke forth into praises, and even into another ecstasy of joy, that God should deal so familiarly with him: and the father and

son together were so full of joy, light, life, love, and praise, that there was a little heaven in the place. He could not then but express himself in this manner: Oh, blessed and for ever blessed be God for his infinite grace! Oh, who would not pray unto God! Verily he is a God that heareth prayers, and that my soul knows right well! And then he told his joyful father, how much he was affected with his former despondings, and what he had been praying for just before with all the earnestness he could, for his soul, and how the Lord had immediately answered him. His father hearing this, and perceiving that his former comforts came in a way of prayer, and his own child's prayer too, was the more refreshed, and was the more confirmed, that it was from the Spirit of God, and no delusion. And immediately, his son standing by, he fell into another fit of triumphing joy, his weak body being almost ready to sink under that great weight of glory, that did shine in so powerfully upon his soul. He could then say, Now let thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation. He could now walk through the valley of the shadow of death, and fear no evil. Oh, how sweet a thing is it to have one's interest in Christ cleared; how comfortable to have our calling and election made sure? How lovely is the sight of a smiling Jesus when one is dying! How refreshing is it, when heart, and flesh, and all, are failing, to have God for the strength of our heart, and our portion for ever! Oh, did the foolish, unexperienced world but know what these things mean; did they but understand what it is to be solaced with the believing views of glory, to have their senses spiritually_exercised, could they but taste and see how good the Lord is, it would soon cause them to disrelish their low and brutish pleasures, and look upon all worldly joys as infinitely short of one glimpse of God's love! After this, his reverend father had a sweet calm upon his spirits, and went in the strength of that provision, that rich grace laid in, till he came within the gates of the New Jerusalem: having all his graces improved, and showed so much humility, love to, and admiration of God, contempt of the world, such prizing of Christ, such patience, as few Christians arrive to, especially his faith, by which, with extraordinary confidence, he cast his widow and eleven fatherless children upon the care of that God, who had fed him with this manna in his wilderness