A74716:39
The last visitation
The last visitation: conflicts and death of Mr. Thomas Peacock bachelor of divinity, and fellow of Brazen-nose-College in Oxford. Published by E B from the copy of that famous divine, Mr. Robert Bolton, late minister of Broughton in Northampton-shire.The last visitation: conflicts and death of Mr. Thomas Peacock batchellor of divinity, and fellow of Brasen-nose-Colledge in Oxford. Published by E B from the copie of that famous divine, Mr. Robert Bolton, late minister of Broughton in Northhampton-shire.
London: printed for William Miller, 1660
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
He received a letter from a friend very respective,1 and much respected of them both: wherein were written these very words: I heard, I know not how true, that our dear Christian friend Mr Peacock is in great danger: which hath much grieved and afflicted my heart, and wrung from me very bitter tears. If his extremities be such, his tentations are very like to be sore. Tell him from me (as one who did ever, with dearest intimateness know and converse with him) that I can assure him in the word of life and truth, from a most just and holy God, whose Minister I am, That he is undoubtedly one of his Saints, designed for immortality, and those endless joys in ⟨p. 48⟩another world. When it was read to him; at those words I can assure him, &c. (he said) Oh, take heed, take heed, do you think he would or durst assure you, unless he knew on what grounds? I did deceive my self, now God hath revealed more. Another time one requested him, that he would make his friends partakers of the least comfort that the Lord bestowed upon him, as they had been partakers of his grief. If I had it, I would willingly communicate it. Search and take notice of the least. How should I have any, since God denieth the means? do you think sense is a fruit of faith? Yes, at this season, although the husbandman hath sown much, yet he seeth nothing above ground. Applications do not prove, hold your peace, my heart is broken. ⟨p. 49⟩Then the promise is yours. I would gladly ask you one thing, Now you will ask twenty. Do you seek for grace in your heart? I cannot. How then can you know whether it be there or no? It is dead. The Lord in whose hand the disposing thereof is, dispose it for your good and his glory. I thank you. What do you think of that place, Whose sins you remit, they are remitted, &c. You know how far they may go. Howsoever, Sir, the bargain is not now to be made between God and you. Shortly after came one whom he much esteemed. Oh I love (said he) your company, for the graces in you, and much more to the same purpose. Suddenly he brake out into this ejaculation, Oh God, reconcile me unto thee, that I may taste one dram of thy grace, by ⟨p. 50⟩which my miserable soul may receive comfort. One secretly willed that man to desire him to repeat it again. Do not trouble me with repetitions. There being a sermon, he bade them about him go thither.