A token for children. Being an exact account of the conversion, holy and exemplary lives and joyful deaths of several young children. / By James Janeway, Minister of the Gospel. : To which is added, A token, for the children of New England. Or, Some examples of children, in whom the fear of God was remarkably budding before they died; in several parts of New England. Preserved and published for the encouragement of piety in other children.

EXAMPLE II. Of a Child that was admirably affected with the things of God, when he was between Two and Three years Old; with a brief ac|count of his Life and Death.

1. A Certain little Child, whose Mother had dedicated him to the Lord in her womb•• when he could not speak 〈◊〉〈◊〉, would be crying after God, and was greatly desirous to be taught good things.

2. He could not endure to be put to Bed without Family duty, but would put his Parents upon duty, and would with much devotion kneel down, & with great patience and delight, continue till duty was at an end, without the least expres|sion of being weary; and he seemed

never so well pleased, as when he was engaged in duty.

3. He could not be satisfied with Fa|mily duty, but he would be oft upon his knees by himself in one corner or other.

4. He was much delighted in hearing the Word of God, either Read or Preach|ed.

5. He loved to go to School, that he might learn something of God and would observe and take great notice of what he had read, and come home and speak of it with much affection; and he would rejoyce in his book, and say to his Mother, O Mother! I have had a sweet lesson to day, will you please to give me leave to fetch my book that you may hear it?

6. As he grew up, he was more and more affected with the things of another world; so that if we had not received ou•• information from one that is of undoubted fidelity, it would seem incredible.

7. He quickly learned to read the Scripture, and would, with great Re|verence, Tenderness and Groans, read till tears and sobs were ready to hinder him.

8. When he was at secret prayer, he would weep bitterly.

9. He was wont oftentimes to com|plain of the naughtiness of his heart, and seemed to be more grieved for the Cor|ruption of his Nature, than for Actual Sin.

10. He had a vast Understanding in the things of God, even next to a wonder, for one of his age.

11. He was much troubled for the wandring of his thoughts in duty, and that he could not keep his heart alway fixed upon God, and the work he was about, and his affections constantly raised.

12. He kept a watch over his heart, and observed the workings of his Soul, and would complain that they were so vain and fooli••h, and so little busied about Spi|ritual things.

13. As he grew up, he grew daily in knowledge and experience, and his carriage was so heavenly, and his discourse so ex|cellent and experimental, that it made those which heard it, even astonished.

14. He was exceeding importunate with God in duty,; and would plead with God at a strange rate, and use such ar|guments

in prayer, that one would think it were impossible should ever enter into the heart of a Child; he would beg, and expostulate, and weep so, that sometimes it could not be kept from the ears of Neighbours; so that one of the next house was forced to cry out, The prayers and tears of that Child in the next house will sink me to Hell, because by it he did con|demn his neglect of prayer, and his slight performance of it.

15. He was very fearful of wicked company, and would oft beg of God to keep him from it, and that he might never be pleased in them that took delight in displeasing of God: And when he was at any time in the hearing of their wicked words, taking the Lords Name in vain, or Swearing, or any filthy words, it would even make him tremble, and ready to go home and weep.

16. He abhorred lying, with his Soul.

17. When he had committed any fault, he was easily convinced of it, and would get in some 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and secret place, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with tears beg pardon of God, & strength against such a sin. He had a friend that oft watched him, and listned at his Cham|ber-door,

from whom I received this Narrative.

18. When he had been asked, whether he would commit such a sin again, he would never promise absolutely, because he said his heart was naught; but he would weep and say, he hoped by the Grace of God he should not.

19. When he was left at home alone up|on the Sabbath days, he would besure not to spend any part of the day in Idleness & Play, but be busied in praying, reading in the Bible, and getting of his Catechism.

20. When other Children were playing, he would many a time and oft be praying.

21. One day a certain person was dis|coursing with him, about the Nature, Offi|ce••, and Excellency of Christ, and that He alone can satisfie for our Sins, and merit Everlas••ing life for us; and about other of the great Mysteries of Redemp|tion: he seemed savingly to understand them, & was greatly delighted with the dis|course.

22. One speaking concerning the Re|surrection of the body, he did acknow|ledge it; but that the same weak body that was buried in the Church-yard, should be raised again, he thought very strange, but

with admiration yielded, that nothing was impo••••••ble to God; and that ••very day he was taken sick unto death.

23. A Friend of his asked him whether he were willing to dye, when he was first taken sick; he answered, No; because he was afraid of his state as to another world: Why Child, said the other, thou didst pray for a new Heart, for an humble, and sin|cere Heart, and I have heard thee; didst thou not pray with thy heart? I hope I did, said he.

24. Not long after, the same person asked him again, whether he were willing to dye? He answered, Now I am willing, for I shall go to Christ.

25. One asked him what should be|come of his Sister, if he should dye and leave her? He answered, The Will of the Lord must be done.

26. He still grew weaker and weaker, but carried it with a great deal of sweet|ness and patience, waiting for his change, and at la••t did cheerfully commit his Spirit unto the Lord; and calling upon the Name of the Lord, and saying, Lord Je|sus, Lord Jesus,— in whose bosome, he sweetly slept, Dying as I remember, when he was about Five or Six years old.