Golden remains of Sir George Freman, Knight of the Honourable Order of the Bath being choice discourses on select subjects.

PREFACE.

THE great charity the Author had for souls (lest any should take example by seeing him drink) and the desire he had of ma∣king what restitution he could, was the reason he desired me to set out his Trea∣tise against Drinking after his Death. And as I who was constantly with him must needs know him better than any other; so I think my self obliged to do him that right, as to let the world know he was not the Man they gene∣rally took him for. I can justly say I never knew any one of a more tender Conscience: after he had been in com∣pany, if upon inquiry into himself he found he had committed a sin in drink∣ing too much, or done any thing he thought extravagant, he would very much lament himself, and hath sent for the company he was with, and given them good advice, perswading them to a holy life. He has made resolutions to

drink nothing but small Beer, which he hath kept till the violence of his fits seized on him so severely, that he has been forced to drink some Wine to re∣lieve him from them; but hath been ex∣treamly troubled, and said to me, what a miserable condition am I in, that these fits should force me to that I would fain quite cast off; and would take it with great caution, and say, Lord give a blessing so far as I may lawfully pray. For his Family Duties, he was care∣ful there should be Prayers morning and evening. For some time he had a Mi∣nister in the House which said the Church Prayers twice a day; when he was gone, he performed the duty him∣self: and when he was not able by rea∣son of his illness, he order'd one of his Sons to do it. Several times when he rose from Prayers, he would give his Servants good instructions: And when he could not go to Church by reason of the violence of his Fits, he would speak to me to take care that his Children and Servants went; and bid me tell them the reason why he did not go, lest

they should take example by his staying away, which he said he would never do if it pleased God he had his health. It was his constant practice before he went abroad, though it was never so lit∣tle a way, first to go to his Prayers and beg a blessing of God. For his Chari∣ty in giving Alms, he had bowels of mercy, he seldom gave Alms but he shed tears of compassion for their misery: And when they return'd thanks in pray∣ing for him, he would say to me, they do me much more good by their prayers, than I can do them with my Alms: What a mercy it is that I have so much plenty who deserve no more than they! On the Lords day he had many of the Poor dined with his Servants, which he would speak to with a friendly kind∣ness, and look on them with much joy, that they received refreshment at his Table. He gave yearly Pensions, one to a very ancient Widow, and another to an ancient Gentleman, who died, and then he gave it to his Brother, be∣ing in the like want. He relieved seve∣ral Knights and Gentlemen in their

distress, feeding, cloathing, and assi∣sting them with mony towards the bury∣ing their dead. And every Christmass he gave money to the Poor of Betch∣worth and Brockham: And as an en∣couragement to Charity he used to say, it is the best way of putting money to use, to give it to the Poor. As he was thus eminent in this Virtue of Alms∣giving, so he was no less in that hard∣est part of Charity, which is forgiving Enemies. He received as much wrong as a slanderous tongue could do him, but was so far from returning evil for evil, that contrary to that, he asked me what he should do, to do that party good; my answer was, I knew no way but Prayer: which he immediate∣ly betook himself to, after a solemn manner on his knees with me; and af∣ter that told me, he had Prayed at Church and in his bed for that party, and though he received the wrong, yet he first desired to be reconciled. I could give several other instances of his re∣turning good for evil, for he never bore malice against any, but still endeavour∣ed

to overcome his Enemies with kind∣ness. His Charity to souls was so dif∣fusive, that he wrote several short de∣hortations from sin, and exhortations to a holy life, and used to cast them privately about the streets, that some finding them might by the grace of God be wrought upon to forsake their sins. One of the Papers I have by me, with these words in it, Fear to do ill, for thou know'st not how soon death may overtake thee. He was very just in all dealings, careful to pay his debts, and in accounting would ra∣ther be a loser than any should suffer by him. He many times used this ex∣pression, Whose Ox have I taken? He was humble, kind and courteous to the meanest of his Neighbours, and ne∣ver slighted any Gentleman for his po∣verty; but used them with as much re∣spect as those that had great Estates. He was a Loyal Subject to his King, a true Son of the Church of England, and very much against Popery. He was a loving Father to his Children, a very kind Master to his Servants, and

(I must ever owne it) he was a most tender loving Husband to me: which he shewed in taking care to the utmost of his power to provide for me, and to his last in his extraordinary kind ex∣pressions to me on his death-bed. Above two years before his death a great Affli∣ction befell him, which brought much anguish on his spirits, so that when he hath been at Prayers with his Family he could scarce bring out his words for tears: and he being naturally melan∣choly, great afflictions must needs lie heavier upon him and be harder to over∣come, had he not had a great support from Heaven. But through Gods grace they turned so much to his advantage and weaned him so from this world, that his discourses to me were as Sermons treating of Death and the happiness of the next world. He said the day of our death might very well be called the day of our birth, giving us a greater en∣largement than when we came from the inclosure of our Mother's womb: And told me he and I should do as my Lady Falkland advised her friends, not love

one another too much, but endeavour to wean our affections, knowing one must go before the other: telling me also of one, that when he had word brought him of the death of his only Son, said, I knew I begat a mortal. When troubles were on him, he would say, Heaven will recompence all, Heaven is a sweet place; there is no disturbance, but all Peace and Love. He hoped he might overcome his troubles, which he could never have done, had he not had a greater succour than any on Earth: but God was all in all to satisfie his soul. He used to say, all my strength is in God, had I not depended on the Holy Jesus I had been dead e're this. He could not lay himself to sleep but with some of these expressions, Jesus is my strength; God is a very present help in trouble: in him we live move and have our being: It is he that perform∣eth all things for us: All my fresh springs are in thee O Lord. He used to have the Italian Testament, Bishop Hall's Book called, The Balm of Gilead, with other good Books at his beds-head;

which he would read in before he went to sleep, finding some comfortable sen∣tence suitable to his condition, of which he would discourse with me as he laid himself to rest. He used in great trou∣bles to take the Bible and open it at ad∣venture, and then read what he first found; which often hath been so suitable to his condition, that he hath received great comfort, and writ the places down, which I have by me. His heart was so much set on Heaven, that he wonder'd how any Religious person could concern himself for any of these vain and transitory things: and would use this expression of D^r Hammond, Let God govern the world. And when he heard of any false reports he said, Let us not trouble our selves, but consider how we stand in the sight of God. He was very fearful of taking Gods name in vain: Insomuch that when Fits seiz∣ed violently on him, and pain made him cry, O Lord! he was troubled lest he had broken that Commandment, who (said he) is able to help me but he in this my great extremity? He could not

endure to hear any one swear, and ha∣ted a lye. He wrote some of our blessed Saviours Sermon on the Mount, which he intended to write out, resolving to get it by heart and make it his practice, but death seized him before it was fi∣nished. He had a great love to the Word of God; and said to his Sister on his death-bed, I love Gods word, and I fear him. When he first waked in the morning he said, God be blessed that I have lived to see the light of ano∣ther day, Lord grant that I may spend it to thy service; and that Collect of the Church, Prevent us O Lord in all our doings, &c. And when he rose crossing his Arms, he said, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Amen; and then he said the Lords Prayer which he had a high veneration for; afterwards he read a Psalm. He did not use long Prayers, but short Ejaculations often both day and night. When I have waked in the Morning, I have seen him lifting up his hand with so great devotion that it hath moved my affection. He delight∣ed

much in discourses of Religion, and holy Meditations: and hath told me in his bed, he hath had such sweet Me∣ditations, as have raised him even to Heaven. I am not able to express how excellently he would speak of his love to the Holy Jesus, and the blessed Trini∣ty. He said he loved God above all, and not any thing in comparison of him; and that he would be a Martyr for God. If he were sure his sins were for∣given, and the pain of death over, he could willingly leave this world: for he desired to be dissolved and to be with Christ. He hath reckon'd to me the many dangers he had escaped, and the many blessings he had received: admi∣ring the great goodness of God that had preserved him to that present, and had given him time to repent of his sins, and bestowed many undeserved blessings on him. He told me he had desired some temporals, which God denyed him; but he look'd on it as a mercy, and clearly saw that it was better for him to be in that very condition God had placed him in; and would often speak

of Gods Providence. He was a great lover of the company of Divines; and could not abide to see them slighted. He had several of them in his prayers, and desired the benefit of theirs for himself. Satan would tempt him to lay aside his confidence in the mercies of God: but he resolved and armed him∣self by faith against those assaults; and hath said to me that he could as plainly see Satan in his malicious designs and temptations against him, as if he saw him with his bodily eyes. And some∣times Satan tempted him to infidelity, but he did resist him and presently said the Creed. I heard him say on his Death-bed, Satan would tempt me, but I will not believe him: And then said, I believe in God, &c. which made me think he had the same temptations then, which he had told me of at other times: And that that good God that had sustain'd him to that time, would not then leave him, but strengthn'd his faith to the last gasp. About half a year before his Death he had many scru∣ples, which proceeded from the tender∣ness

of his Conscience, and made him full of fears lest in this or that he had offended: and though when company came to see him, he seem'd as chearful as he could; yet when they were gone he would be troubled for any word or action he might offend in: and did examine himself of his former life with sorrow for all he had done amiss. He had very humble thoughts of himself, and would judge and blame himself ra∣ther than others: and often say a proud Man could not go to Heaven. He was of a very sweet disposition, and so ten∣der hearted that he could not endure to see any creature in misery: and hath told me of one that put his only Son to death for delighting in putting out the eyes of birds, thinking he would be a cruel Man. And though he was thus tender hearted, yet upon a good account he had great courage, as he hath shew∣ed in his readiness to serve his King, in the Surrey rising, and at other times, though he never had the fortune to be in any action. He was a very good Scholar, understood Hebrew, Greek,

Latine and Italian, and had the French Tongue as perfect as a Native. He had great skill in Musick, and delight∣ed very much in it. He had a great love to any he thought loved God. Once a poor man came begging, that said he had been taken by the Turks, and used very cruelly; but rather than he would deny Christ, he would be torn in pieces: I cannot express how much my Husband rejoyced to hear him say so, and he was so taken with him, that he gave him both Money and Cloaths. There was a poor Woman that used to sit with the rest of the Poor at his Servants Table, and he heard she had the report of a good Woman, he took her to his own Table, and used her with much respect. He had such humble thoughts of himself, that for some time he would not allow himself decent Burial: but afterwards he consented to it, and desired his Neighbours might accompany him to his Grave. He often desired me to be bu∣ryed in the vault by him. I have some∣thing in memory of a dream that he told me of when he waked a little before

his last sickness; he dream'd that the day of Judgment was come, and the Lord appearing in the clouds, and cal∣ling the Elect, he was left behind; up∣on which being grievously afflicted he prayed earnestly, and the Blessed Jesus look'd back and called him: and he went with great joy, and was received into Heaven with the rest of the Elect. He was full of fears as to his future condition while he was here: But now I question not but he is received into the joy of the Lord. He was a sickly man for many years, troubled with Convul∣sion Fits and shortness of breathing, which made him fear sudden Death, and pray dayly against it: But his last sickness was the Yellow-jaundice, with a very sore throat and a violent▪ Feaver. And though he was in very much pain, he bore it with a great deal of patience, speaking comfortably to all about him: so that they said they never were with any one that made a better end. He was much in Prayer, I think I heard him say the Lords Prayer near twenty times in one day, when he was so weak

that he could hardly bring out his words. He desired me not to be troubled, and said God would provide for me, and prayed God to send us a happy meet∣ing: He often told me, his Prayer for me was, That God would bless me with the Blessings of his right hand and of his left. I cannot remember half the Heavenly Expressions he had when Mr. Benson the Minister of our Parish prayed by him. He said to me, Mr. Benson is a good Man, he speaks so sweetly when he speaks of God. He de∣sired the Bell might be rung, and asked many times after it, if it did not ring. He departed this life on the 10^th day of May, 1678. being Friday, the day after Ascension: And I hope he hath received the benefit of the precious Passion, and glorious Resurrection and Ascension of our dearest Lord, and ever blessed Saviour Jesus. He had former∣ly desired me not to be by him when he was dying, lest seeing me should make him unwilling to leave this world; and lest I should by any sudden passion di∣sturb his soul departing▪ But at last

he very much called upon me not to leave him, so I stayed with him to the last: and though my trouble was not to be ex∣pressed, yet (I thank God) I did not in the least disturb him. He endured much pain in his sickness, but at last I could not perceive he had any, but his breath grew shorter and shorter, and so he went away without the least gasp or groan. His thoughts and discourse were much of death long before; he would say our life was but as a dream, or the shadow of a dream, and as a va∣pour. And when he saw any disturbed for fear of losses in this world, he would say none are ever undone till they come to Hell. He loved much to dispute a∣bout Religion, but once being disputing against Predestination, and fearing he had spoken something irreverent, he was extremely afflicted; I never saw any one express more sorrow, and writ what I here set down, and have under his own hand by me: I did immediately strip my self of it, and threw my self down before the Throne of Grace, by which it had no propriety in me:

I did it whatever it was to vindicate God's mercy: I have committed my cause to God who knows my thoughts, and let him deal with me according to his infinite goodness and wisdom: let Satan do what he can against me, I know my Saviour is the Captain of my Salvation. I have here endeavoured to give what ac∣count I can of my dear Husbands life; but I know I come very short of what might have been observed by one of a better memory, that had been with him so much as my self. I hope the Christi∣an Reader, into whose hands these Pa∣pers shall come, will pardon all imper∣fections in the Stile or Method, and make the best use of what was so well design'd by the Author. The fulfilling of whose Will in setting forth his Book, and discharging my duty, in clearing him to the world, is the only cause I venture to appear in Print,

Sarah Freman.