I cannot leave him yet, his sickness lasts long, and at least three days before his death, he prophesies his departure, and how strange a prophecy? not only that he must die, but fore-telling the very day, On the Lords day (said he) look to me. ⟨p. 40⟩Neither was this a word of course, which you may guess by his often repetition, every day asking till the day came indeed, What, is Sunday come? At last the looked-for day came on, and no sooner had the Sun beautified that morning with his light, but he falls into a trance; What (think ye) meant his blessed soul, whilst the body it self used such an action? his eyes were fixed, his face cheerful, his lips smiling, his hands and arms clasping in a bow, as if he would have received some blessed Angel, that there was at hand to receive his soul; but he comes to himself, and tells them how he saw the sweetest boy that ever eyes beheld, and bids them, Be of good cheer, for he must presently go with him. One standing near, as now suspecting his time of dissolution, bids him say, Lord, into thy hands I commend my spirit; 1Yes (said he) Into thy hands, Lord, I commit my spirit which is thy due; for why? thou hast redeemed it, O Lord my God most true. Who will not believe this child now sings in Heaven, that so soon had learned this Davids Psalm on earth? I cannot hold my self, nor will I hold you long; but how may I omit his heavenly ejaculations? Beloved, I beseech you pardon me whilst I speak his words, and I will promise you to speak no word, but the very same formally which were his own: Pray, pray, pray, nay yet pray, and the more prayers the better all prospers: God is the best Physician: into his hands I commend my spirit: O Lord Jesus receive my soul. Now close mine eyes, forgive me father, mother, brothers, sister, all the world. Now I am well, my pain is almost gone, my joy is at hand, Lord have mercy on me, O Lord receive my soul unto thee. Where am I whilst I speak these words? Blessed Saint, now thou singest in Heaven, God hath bid thee welcome, the Angels are hugging thee, the Saints rejoice with thee, this day is the Crown set on thy head, this day is the Palm of victory in thy hand now art thou arrayed in the shining robes of Heaven, and all the Host do triumph at thy coronation. Sweet soul, how am I ravished to think upon thee! What joy is this?
I cannot leave him yet, his sicknesse lasts long, and at least three dayes before his death, he prophesies his departure, and how strange a prophecie? not onely that he must die, but fore-telling the very day, On the Lords day (said he) look to me. ⟨p. 40⟩Neither was this a word of course, which you may guesse by his often repetition, every day asking till the day came indeed, What, is Sunday come? At last the lookt-for day came on, and no sooner had the Sun beautified that morning with his light, but he falls into a trance; What (think ye) meant his blessed soul, whilest the body it self used such an action? his eyes were fixed, his face chearfull, his lips smiling, his hands and arms clasping in a bow, as if he would have received some blessed Angel, that there was at hand to receive his soul; but he comes to himself, and tells them how he saw the sweetest boy that ever eyes beheld, and bids them, Be of good chear, for he must presently go with him. One standing near, as now suspecting his time of dissolution, bids him say, Lord, into thy hands I commend my spirit; 1Yes (said he) Into thy hands, Lord, I commit my spirit which is thy due; for why? thou hast redeemed it, O Lord my God most true. Who will not believe this child now sings in Heaven, that so soon had learned this Davids Psalm on earth? I cannot hold my self, nor will I hold you long; but how may I omit his heavenly ejaculations? Beloved, I beseech you pardon me whilest I speak his words, and I will promise you to speak no word, but the very same formally which were his own: Pray, pray, pray, nay yet pray, and the more prayers the better all prospers: God is the best Physician: into his hands I commend my spirit: O Lord Jesus receive my soul. Now close mine eyes, forgive me father, mother, brothers, sister, all the world. Now I am well, my pain is almost gone, my joy is at hand, Lord have mercy on me, O Lord receive my soul unto thee. Where am I whilest I speak these words? Blessed Saint, now thou singest in Heaven, God hath bid thee welcome, the Angels are hugging thee, the Saints rejoyce with thee, this day is the Crown set on thy head, this day is the Palm of victory in thy hand now art thou arrayed in the shining robes of Heaven, and all the Host do triumph at thy corronation. Sweet soul, how am I ravished to think upon thee! What joy is this?
- 1Psal. 31.5.