The life of Mr. John Hieron with the characters and memorials of ten other worthy ministers of Jesus Christ / written by Mr. Robert Porter ...

CHAP. VI. Of his Ministerial Endowments, and of the discharge of his Ministry.

THE qualifications of this Worthy Man I shall give you summarily. He was a good Man, as it's said of Barnabas, he was a Learned Man, he had much of Egypts Gold and Treasure, and brought it all to Gods Tabernacle. He was well read in Books and good Authors, a very studious man: He was well seen in History, and very frequently in converse made an excellent use thereof. He had a sharp judgment, he was a great Master of Me∣thod, had digested his Tutors Method of preaching thoroughly: He had a very strong memory, which continued to the last; so that if there were any doubt about the quantity of any Syllable, he had a Verse ready to shew what it was. He had searched into Chronology of Scripture, knew much about it, and was ready in it. But he was almost a Non-such in his Bible; you could not name a difficulty, but he was ready to give the unfolding of it, or what was said to it. He was most ready in the references of one Scripture to another, and could readily turn to them. He had an excellent faculty in expound∣ing Scripture, in opening a Chapter, he opened his Text with great clearness. He had a gravity in Countenance and Carriage, and in his Delivery. He was a Mall of unsound Opinions, though he did not delight in preaching Controversies, yet when it fell in his way, his matter naturally leading to it, he would so distinctly state Contro∣verted points, and leave them so clear, that there would scarce seem to be any thing of controversie in them. He was a close and wise reprover. He was a powerful presser to duty; he was excellent in

Instruction, skilful to direct to means, very compassionate in dealing with tender, troubled Souls, able to give strong Cordials, and very discerning to know to whom to give them. In a word, he was a Scribe instructed to the Kingdom of God, had Treasures, and could bring forth things new and old. He was a good and faithful Steward of the Mysteries of God; he was able and apt to teach, furnished both with an Heart well headed, and an Head well hearted; he was skilful, and faithful, a sound Believer of what he preached, zealous for God, no body that heard him could suspect him of being in jest, all must conclude he was in earnest, and that his words were in his heart, and that they came out thence. His breath was warm, which testified Life within, and heartiness for God.

Sect. 2. As to the discharge of his Ministry I must be a little more particular. He did shew his qualifications, his sincere ends in entring into the Ministry by his conscionable fulfilling his Ministry received of the Lord, doing the work of a Minister, making full proof of his Mi∣nistry, he▪ was a Workman, and a working man, a dextrous labou∣rer in Gods Vineyard, a painful and skilful Husbandman whom God had instructed to discretion, and had taught him. He dispensed Ho∣ly Mysteries, the Word and Sacrament as a Minister of Christ; and a faithful Steward of the Mysteries of God.

1. He was well satisfied about the Doctrine of the Lords day, as a Christian Sabbath; and accordingly he did earnestly contend with the Profaners of the Lords day, zealously prest its sanctification, and in his own practice was a practical Sabbatarian. This would appear both from what he did at Ashborne, and also after at Breadsall. But take for proof what follows. Some time after his setling at Ashborne, the Book for Sports on the Lords day came forth; and presently was the fear of Gods Commandment cast off (the applications of the Sabbath to the ends of it's institution being one of those bands and cords, that corrupt nature would fain break, and is glad of any pre∣tence to cast away) Unbridled youth presently took the liberty gran∣ted; and Tidings being brought to Mr. Hieron, he got to Mr. Pegge, a Man of Authority in Ashborne to accompany him▪ and coming to them, they found Boys and Youths shooting at the Butts, and only one man with them; and being demanded why they did so? The man answered that the Bishop gave them leave. How doth that ap∣pear said Mr. Hieron? The man answered; on such a Sabbath day I came through Eccleshall (where then the Bishops seat was) and saw there a Bear baiting▪ Mr. Hieron rejoyns, that's no proof, for the Castle is at some distance from the Town, and the Bishop might be

said, If it offended them he would forbear, and so the Company parted.

But a while after he went to another Company, got together on the like occasion, where he met with a man who argued the King allowed it, and those would not part.

Mr. Taylor in his Life having preached about the Observation of the Lords-day, and therein reproved that bad Custom which the Butchers of that Town used of selling Meat on the Lords-days in the Morning. When Bishop Wright afterwards came to visit there, some, who were loath to for go that bad Custom, dealt with him in private about it, and so far gained on him, that in his Charge or Speech he mentioned it, and used this instance, Suppose a Labouring Man receives his Wages so late on the Saturday night, that before he can get home, the Shops are shut up, and no Meat then to be bought, shall not the poor Man therefore have a chop of Meat to his Dinner the next day (with great noise the Bishop added) God forbid. Mr. Hieron, well understood this reflection, and others took so much notice of it, as to take en∣couragement from it. Yet notwithstanding Mr. Hieron preaching up∣on the Commandments, when he came in course to the Fourth Com∣mandment, returned upon the reproof of this sin; and raising an Ob∣jection, but some may say my Lord Bishop gives us leave. He an∣swered, Suppose that were so, Whether is it reasnable to regard what one Bishop might say in a private place, more than what that Bishop, and all the Bishops in England had said in Parliament And ha∣ving the Statute of 3. Caroli with him in the Pulpit, he read it to them, and told them, there were but so many years passed, since this was enacted by Kings, Lords, and Commons; and that this Bishop on whose Authority they so much relied, was one of the Number, being then Bishop of Bristol. This put them a little to a stand, yet one of them said, he would notwithstanding hear what such a Gentle∣man, not far distant, would say to it. Whether they reformed or not, I cannot well say, but Mr. Hieron did his duty with Zeal and Courage These instances may suffice to illustrate and prove this head.

2. He was a Man that filled the Sabbath with its proper Exercises. It was a painful day to him, yet not▪ grievous, because the day was his delight, and holy employment was his refreshment. He prayed, he read the Scripture, and expounded it; he sung Psalms, he cate∣chised and expounded the Catechism, he preached twice a day, and this he did with that holy zeal and earnestness, that sometimes (espe∣cially in the spring of the year) he hath been so sore upon the Mon∣days, that he could not endure to sit; but was forced to walk about

in his Room, whilst he was able, and then to try if he could find out any other postures which might be more easie to him than sitting was. He stuck close to his people, gave them their full provision, and when the necessitics of some Neighboring places called for a supply, he hath sometimes preached thrice a day rather than his own people should be shortned. He very rarely exchanged with any body on the Sabbath, kept his own Vineyard, and kept to it. Breadsall wanted preaching when they sought for him, but never wanted after they found him. He administred both the Sacraments in their Seasons, and for the instructing and admonishing part of discipline he was abundant in it. He taught publickly, and from house to house, warning every one, and teaching every one. The younger he catechised in the Con∣gregation, the elder at home went to their Houses, called them to his. The Sermons preached at Church were repeated in his house, all his willing Neighbours were welcome, and for some time considerable numbers did frequent those repetitions. And for their encouragement so to do, he would sometimes in the week-day invite to Supper such as came to Repetition and Prayer on the Lords-day, and after Supper let them play and use some fit Recreations, and be innocently as merry as they would, being no enemy to harmless mirth in its own proper season. He took all occasions to do them good. I have cast some sorrowful looks at that place since he was thrust out of it, as fearing that Vineyard was like to become as the Sluggards field, having loft his cultivation of it.

3. He confined not his labours within his own charge and precincts, but was ready and frequent in week-day work abroad. His Fountain was dispersed abroad, and Rivers of Waters in the Country Villages. He assisted in upholding most Lectures, and then there were many, by putting his hand to them. He set up a Monthly Lecture at Dale-Abby, which for some time he only preached at himself, but after∣wards a Congregation being there gathered by him, other Ministers came in to his assistance, and made that single Lecture a double one. This Exercise was kindly embraced by the people at Dale, and was well frequented, till the anti-religious Spirit arose in 1662. and then the Ministers who were to preach hearing of an armed Rabble coming from Derby to break them up; after they had advised with the people, resolved to desist and desperse themselves, and so gave way to those furious Bigots. Let a Bear robbed of her whelps meet a man rather than a Fool in his folly, Prov. 17. 12. This glorious Victory they obtained, to scatter a Meeting whose only crime was serving God, and to put an end to a Meeting there, where Vision was very rare, and Preach∣ing much needed. So ended this, and most of the Meetings in the

Countrey. This was about July, I think, and in August following, the Ministers now disturbed were silenced, not by a rude self-calling, and self-raising Rabble, but by a formality of Law, which in Gods time I hope will appear to be according to that phrase, Psal. 58. 2. a weighing of the violence of Mens hands in the earth, an holding balances in hands, the emblem of Justice, as if they would propor∣tion punishments to faults, but tilled and turned the Scale by revenge∣ful malice, and to curry favour with the Enemies of all Righteousness, sentenced an Innocent, useful Seed of Men, whom God would ne∣ver cast off, though they cast them out. And I am not without hopes that some of them may live to have a Paphnutius's kiss from a Constan∣tine's mouth, Amen, if God see that good.

4. Where ever he preached at home, or abroad, he preached the Word, he was a Scriptural Preacher, not Chaff, but Wheat was sown by him; not Niceties and Subtilties, but sound Doctrine, well digested truth in significant words was delivered by him. Gingling, tickling the Ear, patching and painting the Face of Truth, daubing with intempered Morter, were things he practised not, yea, he ab∣horred them. His Sermons were no flattering glasses, but true clear Mirrours to shew Men the true Complexion of their Souls.

He had Art enough, but he concealed it, he had much Learning, but it all served Divinity; he had Logick and Philosophy enough, but he planted no Aristotles Grove by the side of Gods Altar. He had method enough to divide a Text, but he never crumbled a Text; he divided the Word into fit Portions, he never strained a Text, but would be sure to give you the proper fruit from such a branch of Scripture. I never knew him impertinent. Indeed if ever Man pro∣phecyed according to the proportion of Faith, if ever Man compared Spiritual things with spiritual, if ever man spake as the Lords Mes∣senger, in the Lords Message, as is said of the Prophet Haggaii; Hag. 13. if ever man filled his Vessel at the Holy Fountains, if ever man took his Words from one Shepherd, if ever man brought light to Scripture from Scripture, and made it to interpret it self, he did. Blessed be God there are many such, and he must be ranked amongst such men. His Sermons on heads of Divinity, his Discourse of Spiri∣tual joy, prove what I say.

5. He managed the Holy Sacraments with a great deal of care, fear, pains, and circumspection, according to the weight and worth of those high and Holy Misteries.

As for Baptisme he very rarely administred it in private, and never but where necessity and charity required it. His constant way was this, The second Lords day after the birth, he appointed the Children

to be brought to the Church, and there after Evening Sermon made all the Congregation Witnesses; and if any had offered to go out, he would call to them, and tell them there was great need they should all understand the Baptismal Covenant. He never opened the Service-Book after the Ordinance of Parliament required to shut it, and ap∣pointed the Directory to take place; yet I doubt not, but he gave as clear instructions, as powerful exhortations and charges, and put up as pertinent Prayers, as that Book or any other Form for that Office, doth or can afford.

As for the Supper of the Lord he administred it quarterly; had alwayes a preparation Sermon, and many times two, when he could procure help; he took great pains in taking an account of, and in∣structing his Communicants: If any had miscarried, he failed not to admonish them: He made great Observations how he found them: He had his searching Questions about Conversion, about Title to Eter∣nal Life, about Repentance,

Do not all acknowledge it necessary? Have you repented? If not, why not now? Are we not frail? Time short and uncertain.

He had his excitations to the cure of Souls, and indeed he was no way wanting to help his People to san∣ctifie God in their near approach to him.

6. He was very exact in performing his duty to his People, but very moderate in requiring his legal dues from his People: He took little of the Poor, and gave them much: And for others in lesser things he took what they brought, and made no strict inquiry: He forbore some smaller things till some took occasion to deny them to be due, and then being obliged to maintain the Rights of the place, he ordered his Clark to demand them: He was forbearing; After his ejection he found many had not reckoned with him of several years, he sued only one, (not of his Parish that denyed any Tithe to be due to him, and led away as much at one time as was of a considerable value. This he might not bear, so applyed to the Justices, who up∣on the hearing adjudged him his own with the penalty upon the un∣just with-holder, but he only took his own and what he had spent, and a Shilling to his Servant, and returned the rest. If it might not have been a detriment to the place for the future, I am apt to think he would have sitten down with loss, for his design was the Peoples benefit; he sought not theirs but them, and that he might gain upon them, he ws content to be a Looser. He was a good Towns-man as well as a good Minister. There are two clear Instances.

• (1.) He procured a Relaxation and Mitigation of their Assessments by clearing it to them then in power, that there was reason for it, and improving his interest in them, procured ease.
• ...

• (2.) There was a Town-Stock in Breadsall, which being sent out among them in small summes, was frequently endangered to come lame home: Mr. Hieron oft advised, it might be laid out in Land, which they never would yield to, but when there was a prospect of his going out (he having promised them Ten ••ounds if they would buy Land) they accepted, and he as good as his word gave them his Ten Pounds, and so there is Land that yields Three Pounds per An∣num, setled on Trustees for the use of the poor of Br••adsall.

7. His Heart was much set upon Success and Fruit among his own People, that in that place he might be able to say that there was Fruits, yea, all manner of pleasant Fruits, new and old, laid up for thee, O beloved. Cant. 7. last. This appeared sundry ways.

• (1.) He was pleased that God had given him a People that were frameable to an outward conformity; but Oh! where is the Jew in∣wardly? The power of Godliness? He was no Formalist himself, and he could not take up with shapes of Christians; but longed to see real Heart-Christians.
• (2.) He was full of thoughts of heart when he found not his desi∣red success attend his work, and would break out thus; How shall I do more? How shall I do better? How shall I pray more? How shall I preach better?
• (3.) The Fruit he had in Breadsall, (as blessed be God he had some.) Oh! it was as the first ripe Fruits: Oh! a Breadsall-Chri∣stian was as a Joseph, as a Benjamin to Old Jacob: They were in his Bowels; his Soul cleaved to them; they were his Joy and Crown.

8. He was a man of Hospitality and Charity▪ Strangers and Friends found him so in courteous entertainments: No good man needed to seek a publick House in Breadsall to lodge in, nor strain to reach Derby. The Church had a Gains at Breadsall. And for his Charity; his lending and his giving was considerable: It extended it self to all the Poor in Breadsall, in Bread, in Coats, in Corn, in Mo∣ney; yea it extended to poor Christians distant from him. After he had left Breadsall-Living he sent Money thither to be disposed as he directed: He devised liberal things, forecasted in hard years to re∣serve Corn for the poor; though it sometimes proved to his outward loss. Thus was he full of the good Word of God, and of good Works. His Acquaintances, Neighbours, Kindred, will testifie these things. I could on this head be more large and particular, but this taste may suffice; they that knew him can inlarge upon these hints; they that knew him not may take their measures from these short touches. To conclude, he was a good man, and that his Re∣ligion

was not barren, but had the most undeniable Evidences, even those that Jesus Christ will go upon in the day of Judgment.

9. He was a bold, sharp, close reprover of sin, and yet very tender and compassionate in dealing with tender Consciences, afflict∣ed, wounded Spirits. Some of his great Neighbours while at Ash∣born did profane the Sabbath, and openly drunk healths in the Market place; he as boldly reproved it, as they did impudently commit it; and this when the War came on, made him to be represented as a Round-head, and by the instigation of those Neighbours, he was one of the first in Ashborn that had his House broken in upon by Sir Francis Wortleys Party, he taken, and impriso••ed by them; and as by the words they let fall, he understood, it was in revenge of his Reproofs. He was an hearty enemy to sin, struck at it with his spi∣ritual weapons with all the strength of his arm: He launced festered sores: He attacked sturdy resolved sinners with resolute charges: He beat down sin so, that some touched with Antinomianism, thought him too legal, and a••ked him, by what warrant Ministers under the Gospel preached the Law so much; he readily answered; The words of their Commission were a sufficient warrant, citing that Scripture, Mark 16. 15, 16. and added, Is not that as terrible a preaching of the Law as any Minister now doth, or can practise. To which the Objecter made no reply. But on the other hand, though he lifted up his voice against sin, like a trumpet, yet he neither cryed nor lift up his voice, when he had to deal with bruised reeds, then he bound up their Wounds charily, and had the Oyl of Joy for them that were in the Spirit of H••aviness: He feared to make the heart of the righ∣teous sad: Here he preached the Gospel, he beat down profaneness, but lent an hand to them that were cast down for sin, to lift them up. Many disquieted hearts would make to him, and he would coun∣s••l and comfort them, and shew them where the Rest for their Souls was.

10. He backed his Doctrine with a good Life: He was the same man out of the Pulpit, that he was in it: He was a Preacher, and a Pattern; what People heard from him, they saw in him: He was all Voice, Mouth, and Life, his Conversation was a visible Sermon: He was a follower of Christ, mighty in word and deed. He mani∣fested a spirit of knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord. We may say of him, as the Woman of her dead Husband, Thou knowest that thy Servant did fear the Lord. No profaneness went from him into any place where he taught: His Doctrine was a pure lip, and his Life exemplary; his Doctrine was pure and savoury, his Breath sweet, and his Life tinctured with holiness in every turn of it. He

came, as John Baptist, in the way of Righteousness; he lived in all good Conscience; his walking was in simplicity and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom. He condemned not, confuted not, his Do∣ctrine by contrary practice; but he confirmed it, established it, and justified the Wisdom he taught. He wrought with both hands ear∣nestly, as some are said to sin. He pulled not down with one hand, what he built up with the other; he spoke with his feet, and taught with his fingers. He spake convincingly sound Doctrine, stopping Gainsayers mouths, and he lived convincingly: They could not re∣tort, nor reflect, nor say, Physician, heal thy self. His blameless Life stopped the mouth of iniquity.

11. He was a man of much Prayer, and so a man of much Grace. He pressed Prayer much, he practised it more. He gave himself to Prayer. His Grace exceeded his gift, though in the gift of Prayer he was very great. He prayed with all Prayer, Publick, Family, se∣cret Prayer. He went through the parts of Prayer, was large in Confession of Sin, was very particular in thankful acknowledgment of Mercies, and an earnest Petitioner for Grace and Mercy, for all Spiritual Blessings; a pleading Intercessour for all that he was bound to pray for. He not only prayed, but made a Collection of Prayers, called sober People together, and went to them where Prayer was made. He called People frequently to days of Prayer. He carried the Churches abroad, and our Kingdoms and Churches upon his heart, and spread their case before the Lord. He was an hearty Protestant, and a true enemy to Antichristianism. He was a Prophet in Sack-cloth; because of the great Apostasie. He was very sensible of Romish Idolatry. Oh! how much of his heart might one feel, when he prayed, Down with Babylon. Oh, how have I heard him lay his praying hand upon Babylon, and cry, as if he would not take off his hand, till he had pulled it down, pleading from their Heresie, Tyranny and Idolatry, as if he would have no denial. He was very serious in Prayer, and a great admirer and acknowledger of Grace, when he mentioned any good in himself, or them that joyned with him, it was with much humility, and alwayes spake thus, or to this purpose: And if there be any good in us, not unto us, not unto us, but to thy Grace be the Glory. From a thread to a shooe-latchet he would not take from Grace.

12. He magnified and dignified his Office by humility, by great moderation in things that are Problems amongst good men, by a great steadiness. When any body mentioned any good done by him, he would say, Give Glory to God, this man is a sinner. I never knew that he estranged himself from his Conforming Brethren, that were

before his Intimates; but he kept up his honour of them, and love to them. He kept his post, was no bending Osier; he deliberated m••ch, and then fixed. He had been conformable; but I believe, not with any great liking, and was not willing to choose that way a∣gain, and condemn his laying it aside, and therefore would do neither less nor more, but put himself into Gods hands; and chose to keep his peace, though he lost his place; and for any thing that ever ap∣peared, never repented; nay, he had great satisfaction. One once asked him, Do you not repent? What do you mean, says he, the leav∣ing of my place? No; I am far from that, for I have done nothing therein, but what I have taught you to be your Duty. Rather lose all, than sin against ••od; and if▪ Breadsall Parsonage was the best Bishoprick in England, I must do again what I have done. And thus he said more than once; for my part I never knew him staggered.

13. In the works of his Ministry, which are not to me so clearly Ministerial works, he went further than most other Ministers.—I shall instance in Marrying people; he stood upon it in very great strictness to have a full assurance of Parents consent, and a due pub∣lication of the Marriage intended. And in Burials his way was, if he preached a Funeral Sermon, for which he had Money, he would (sometimes at the least) give it to the Poor. If no Sermon were be∣spoken, he would take the People into the Church, and give them an Exhortation of the length of some ordinary Sermons; and this he did, because People at such times are more serious and impressible, and he was for catching hold of all opportunities, as impotent People were at the troubling of Bethesda's waters.

14. In the places of his Ministry he had great respect, and ever bore great affection to those places; the care of them lay upon him. He had a great regard to Ashborn all his time, and a mighty concern for Breadsall. The Cures passed into other hands, but the Care was upon him. He would go to Breadsall, while he was near it, though called a Wolf for his pains by his successor. He put himself to many inconveniences by his first remove, that he might be near them; he took up with a strait house, that he might be at hand for his Peoples service, and that he might live among a People that were his Hearers, though not his Parishioners, namely at Little-Eaton.

Notes

• Sect. 1.