A commentary

If the Author be of force to commend a Work the more, this Work may receive no small commendation from the Author of it: for, he was a man of a profound judgement, strong memory, sharp wit, quick invention, and unwearied industry. He was in his Ministry very powerful, and that unto all turns, as we speak. When he had to do with tender and troubled consciences, he was a Barnabas, a son of comfort: but when he had to do with impudent and obstinate sinners, he could make his face hard and strong, and show himself like to Boanerges, the sons of thunder. Grave, sober, and temperate he was in his carriage; and yet, with his entire familiar friend, he could be modestly pleasant. God gave him a great measure of patience; and he had in his very body that which tried his patience: for, it appears, that he carried a torturing stone in his bladder fifteen years together, and upward. I have heard it credibly reported, that fifteen years before his death, he was by a skilful Chirurgeon ⟨image 6⟩searched; and that, upon that search, there was a stone found to be in his bladder: whereupon he used such means as were prescribed to him for his ease, and found such help thereby, as he thought, that either the Chirurgeon which searched him, was deceived; or that the means which he used, had dissolved the stone. But time, which manifesteth all things, showed, that neither his Chirurgeon was deceived, nor yet his stone dissolved: for, it continued to grow bigger and bigger, till at length it came to be of an incredible greatness. After his death he was opened, and the stone taken out; and being weighed, found to be 33 ounces and more in weight; and in measure about the edge, fifteen inches and a half; about the length, above 13 inches; about the breadth, almost thirteen inches: it was of a solid substance; to look upon, like to a flint. There are many eye-witnesses besides my self, who can justify the truth hereof. A wonderful work of God it was, that he should be able to carry such a stone in his bladder, and withal to do the things which he did. He was a close Student, witness the many Treatises which time after time he published in print. He was also a diligent Preacher; for, constantly he preached ⟨image 7⟩twice on the Lords Days:

If the Author bee of force to commend a Work the more, this Work may receiue no small commendation from the Author of it: for, hee was a man of a profound iudgement, strong memory, sharp wit, quick inuention, and vnwearied industry. He was in his Ministery very powerful, and that vnto all turns, as we speak. When he had to doo with tender and troubled consciences, he was a Barnabas, a sonne of comfort: but when hee had to doo with impudent and obstinate sinners, hee could make his face hard and strong, and shew himself like to Boanerges, the sonnes of thunder. Graue, sober, and temperate he was in his carriage; and yet, with his intire familiar friend, he could be modestly pleasant. God gaue him a great measure of patience; and hee had in his very body that which tried his patience: for, it appears, that he carried a torturing stone in his bladder fifteen yeers together, and vpward. I haue heard it credibly reported, that fifteen yeers before his death, he was by a skilfull Chirurgion