Invisibles, realities, demonstrated in the holy life and triumphant death of Mr. John Janeway,…

His Retire into the Country; and His first Sickness.

HE now leaves the Doctors house, and retires himself into the Country, to his Mother and eldest Brother; who did not spare to use their utmost diligence and tenderness to recruit the decays of nature: but hard study, frequent and earnest prayers, and long, and intense meditations, had so ruinated this frail Tabernacle, that it could not be fully repaired: yet, by Gods blessing upon care, and art, it was under-propped for some time.

Whilst he was in this declining condition, in which he could have little hopes of life; he was so far from being affrighted, that he received the sentence of death in himself with great joy; and wrote to his dearest relations, to dispose them to a patient compliance with such a dispensation, as might separate him and them for a while: And to wean their affections from him, he solemnly professed, that as for himself, he was ashamed to desire and pray for life. O, saith he, Is there any thing here, more desirable than the enjoyment of Christ? Can I expect any thing below, comparable to that blessed Vision! O, that Crown! that Rest which remains for the people of God! and (blessed be God) I can say, I know it is mine. I know that when this Tabernacle of Clay shall be dissolved, that I have a house, not made with hands; and therefore I groan, not to be unclothed, but to be clothed upon with Christ. To me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Whilst he was in this declining condition, in which he could have little hopes of life; he was so far from being affrighted, that he received the sentence of death in himself with great joy; and wrote to his dearest relations, to dispose them to a patient compliance with such a dispensation, as might separate him and them for a while: And to wean their affections from him, he solemnly professed, that as for himself, he was ashamed to desire and pray for life. O, saith he, Is there any thing here, more desirable than the injoyment of Christ? Can I expect any thing below, comparable to that blessed Vision! O, that Crown! that Rest which remains for the people of God! and (blessed be God) I can say, I know it is mine. I know that when this Tabernacle of Clay shall be dissolved, that I have a house, not made with hands; and therefore I groan, not to be uncloathed, but to be cloathed upon with Christ. To me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.