John Janeway

John Janeway.—This extraordinary person was the son of Mr. William Jancway, and born at Lilley in Hertfordshire, October 27, 1633. He was educated first at Paul's school, London, under the care of the excellent Mr. Langley, where he made great progress in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, mathematics, and astronomy. Afterwards, he was sent to Eton college, where the eyes of many were upon him, as the glory of the school and the wonder of the age: and at the period of seventeen he entered King's college, Cambridge, when the electors contended for (he patronage of so admirable a youth. He afterwards became fellow of the college.

In addition to his great learning, he was endowed with many excellent ornaments of nature. His deportment was candid and agreeable, courteous and obliging. Though he was exceedingly admired and caressed, he did not discover the least vanity or pride. His learning was mixed with much modesty and prudence; and he had great command of his passions, by which he was preserved from the follies and vices of youth. But, hitherto, he was wholly uncon

• Funeral Oration for Mr. Blake.

cerned about his best interests. He did not trouble himself about religion, or (he salvation of his soul. But God, who had chosen him to shine as the sun in the firmament of glory for ever, was pleased, at the age of eighteen, to enlighten his mind by the power of his grace, convincing him of sin, and his need of a Saviour. Mr. Baxter's "Saints' Everlasting Rest" was principally the instrument of promoting his conversion to God. The important change soon became manifest to all. His time and his talents were now so much employed in the pursuit of future happiness, that he found little leisure, and less delight, in the contemplation of the moon and stars. He now tasted the sweetness of studying the mind of God in his word; and was most concerned to please and to enjoy him for ever. He pitied those who were curious in their inquiries about almost every thing except the knowledge of themselves and Jesus Christ. "What things were once gain to him, he now counted loss for Christ. Yea, doublh ss, he counted all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus; and did count them but dung, that he might win Christ." Though he did not look upon human learning as useless, but exceedingly profitable when suitably employed; yet, when fixed on any thing short of Christ, and not employed to his glory, he considered it as a sword in the hand of a madman.

In this state of mind, Mr. Janeway began to think how he could best improve his present attainments, and direct all his future studies in the most proper channel. He was particularly concerned to express his love and thankfulness to God, who had called him out of darkness into his marvellous light. He, therefore, addressed many letters to his relations and friends, in which he wrote so judiciously and profitably upon divine subjects, that they were more like the productions of old age than a person of his years. He could not help announcing to others what he had seen, and heard, and felt. To plead the cause of God, to exalt his dear Redeemer, and to bring sinners to Christ, Avas the only object he had in view. But his uncommon gravity, his striking majesty, his pathetical expressions, his vehement expostulations, and his close applications, can be seen only in his own words.

Before he was arrived at the age of nineteen, writing to his father, who was then in great distress of mind, he thus addressed him:—" The causes of your desponding and melancholy thoughts, give me leave, with submission, to guess. The first, I think, is your reflecting upon your entering into the ministry without that reverence, care, and holy zeal for God, love to Christ, and compassion to souls, Which is required of every one who undertakes that holy office. It may be there was a respect to your living in the World, rather than your living to God. Be it thus, be it not so bad, or be it worse, the remedy is the same. These have in them a wounding power, which will be felt to be grievous, when felt as they are in themselves. But continual sorrow and sad thoughts keep the wound open too long, and are not available to produce a cure. Wounds, indeed, must first be opened, that they may be cleansed. They must be opened, that their filth may be discovered, in order to their being purged and healed. But no longer than till the Balm of Gilead is applied, that they may be healed. When Christ is made use or aright, he leaveth joy and comfort; yet a constant humility of spirit is no way inconsistent with this peace with God.

"A second cause of your heaviness may be, a sense of the state of the people committed to your care. And, indeed, who can help mourning over people in sucli a condition? Objects of pity they are, especially because they pity not themselves. 1 have often wrestled with God, to direct you in the path of duty concerning them, which, I am persuaded, is your request also. Now, after seriously examining yourself, what your conscience doth conclude to be your duty, do it; and be sure you do it: you are then to rest upon God for his effectual working. And this is no more the cause of heaviness to you, than the opposition which the apostles found was to them, who, notwithstanding, rejoiced in tribulations.

"You may have some thoughts and cares concerning your family when you are gone. Let faith and former experience teach you to drive away all such thoughts. Your constitution and solitary habits may also be some Cause of melancholy. But there is a duty which, if properly observed, would dispel all. This is heavenly meditation, and the contemplation of those things to which the christian religion tends. If we walk close with God in this duty, only one hour in the day, oh, what influence would it have on the whole day; and, if duly performed, upon the whole life! I knew the nature and usefulness of this duty in some measure before, but had it more deeply impressed upon me by Mr. Baxter's " Saints'Everlasting Rest;" for

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which I have cause for ever to bless God. As for your dear wife, I fear the cares and troubles of the world take off her mind too much from walking closely with God, and from earnest endeavours after higher degrees of grace. I commend God unto her, and this excellent duty of meditation to all. It is a bitter sweet; bitter to corrupt nature, but sweet to the regenerate part. I entreat her and yourself; yea, I charge it upon you, with humility and tenderness, that God have at least half an hour in a day allowed him for this exercise. Oh, this most precious soul-reviving, soul-ravishing, soul-perfecting duty! Take this from Jrour dear friend, as spoken with reverence, faithfulness, and ove.

"One more direction let me give. See that none in your family satisfy themselves in family prayer, without drawing pear to God twice a day in secret. Here secret wants may be laid open. Here great mercies may be begged with great earnestness. Here the wanderings and coldness in family duty may be repented of and amended. This is the way to get sincerity, seriousness, and cheerfulness in, religion. Thus the joy of the Lord will be your strength. Let those who know their duty do it. If any think it is unnecessary, let them fear lest they lose the most excellent help to a holy, useful, and Joyful life..

"Take some of these directions from sincere affection; some from my own experience; and all from a compassionate desire for your joy and comfort. The Lord teach you in this and in the rest. I entreat you, never rest till you have attained to true spiritual joy and peace in the Lord. The God of peace afford you his direction, with the foretastes of his comforts in this life, and the perfection of them, in the enjoyment of his excellency and holiness, through Jesus Christ."

Having arrived at the age of twenty, he became fellow of his college. He wrote many pathetical letters to his brothers, followed by his prayers and tears for a blessing. He often addressed them individually, in private conversation, when he earnestly recommended Christ, and affectionately urged them to seek an interest in him. And these his labours were not in vain. He was supposed to have been the spiritual father of his own natural father, and several of his brothers, who will have cause to bless God, to eternity, that they ever received his instructions. He spoke to all his brethren in the language of the apostle: Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for you all is, that you may be saved. This will best appear in his own words, in a letter addressed to them.

"Distance of place," says he, "cannot at all lessen that natural bond whereby we are one blood; neither ought it to lessen our love. Nay, where true love is, it cannot. Respecting my love towards you, I can only say, that I feel it better than I can express it. But love felt and not expressed is little worth. I clesir -, therefore, to make my. love manifest in the best way I can. Let us look on one another, not as brethren only, but as members of the same body, of which Christ is the head. Happy day will that be, when the Lord will discover this union! Let us, therefore, breathe and hunger after this, that so we may all meet in Christ. If we be in Christ, and Chiist in us, we shall be one in each other.

"You cannot complain of the want of instruction. God hath not been to us as the dry and barren wilderness. You have had line upon line, and precept upon precept. He hath planted you by the rivers of waters, it is indeed the Lord alone who makelh fruitful; yet we arc not to stand still and do nothing. There is a crown worth seeking to obtain. Seek then by earnest and constant prayer. Keep your souls in a praying frame. This is a great and necessary duty; yea, a very great privilege. If you can say nothing, come and lay yourselves in humility before the Lord. Through mercy I have experienced what I say; and you may believe me when I say, that there is more sweetness to be got in one glimpse of God's love, than in all that the world can afford. Oh, do but try! Oh, taste and see how good the Lord is!

"Beg of God to make you sensible of your lost and undone state by nature, and of the excellency and necessity of Christ. Say unto God, 'Let me be any thing in the world if I may be enabled to value Christ, and be persuaded to accept of him as he is tendered in the gospel. Oh that I may be delivered from the wrath to come! Oh, a blessing for me, even tor me!' and resolve not to give.it up till the Lord hath in some measure satisfied you. Oh! my bowels yearn towards you. My heart works. Oh that you did but know with what affections I now write to you, and what prayers and tears have been mingled with these lines • The Lord set these things home, and give you a heart to apply them to yourself.

"Give me leave to deal plainly with you, and come closer to you. I love your souls so well, that I cannot bear the thoughts of their being lost. Know this, that there is such a thing'as the new birth; and except a man be boAi again, he cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. This new birth hath its foundation laid in a sense of sin, and iri a godly sorrow for it, and a heart set against it. Without this, there can be no salvation. Look well to yourselves. You will see that you are in hell's mouth, without this first step; and nothing but free grace and pure mercy is between you and a state of damnation. The Lord deliver us from a secure and a careless heart. Here you see a natural man's condition. How dare you then lie down in security? Oh, look to God for your soul's sake! Without repentance, there is no remission of sin; and repentance itself will lose its labour if it be not of the right kind. Prayers, and tears, and groans, will not do without Christ. Most persons, when they are made in some measure sensible of their sins, and are under fears of hell, run to duty and reform some things, and thus the wound is healed, by which thousands fall short of heaven. For if we be not brought off from trusting in ourselves, and from our own righteousness, as well as our sins, we arc never likely to be saved. We must see our absolute need of Christ; give <up ourselves unto him; add count all things but dross and dung in comparison of his righteousness. Look therefore for God's mercy In Christ alone.

"The terms of the gospel are,Repent and believe. Gracious terms! Mercy for fetching! Mercy for receiving! Do you desire the grace and mercy of God? I know you do; and even this desire is the gift of God. Hunger after Christ. Let your desires put you upon endeavours. The work itself is sweet. Yea, mourning and repentance themselves have more sweetness in them than all the comforts of this world. Upon repentance and believing comes justification; and afterwards sanctification by the Spirit dwelling in us. By this we become the children of God; are made partakers of the divine nature; and lead new lives. It is unworthy of a christian to have such a narrow spirit as not to act for Christ with all his heart, soul, and strength. Be not ashamed of Christ; nor afraid of the frowns of the wicked. Be sure to keep a conscience void of offence; and yield by no means to any known sin. Be much in secret prayer and in reading the scriptures. My greatest desire is, that God would work his own work in you."

Such was the spirit of his letters addressed to his brethren. He observed this method with every other means of instriiction. He often visited them for this purpose alone; when lie most faithfully addressed each according to his necessity. On one of these visits, observing that one of his brothers slept at family prayer, he embraced an early opportunity of shewing him the magnitude of his sin, and the just desert of such contempt of God. The Lord was pleased to apply his instructions as a dagger to his heart; and, though he was only about eleven years of age, it was supposed to be the means of his soul's conversion to God. The change wrought in his young brother gave him great comfort and encouragement. Having occasion to write to him soou after, he reminded him of what the Lord had done for his soul, and urged him never to rest till he enjoyed good evidence of the change. "I hope," said he, " that pod hath a good work to do in you, for you, and by you; yea, I hope he hath already begun the work. But, oh! take not up with some beginnings, faint desires, or lazy seekings. Oh, remember your former years! One may weep a little for sin, and yet go to hell for sin. Many who, under some such work, shake off the sense of sin, murder their convictions and return to folly. Oh, take heed! Jf any draw back, the Lord will take no pleasure in them. But I hope better things of you."

His great love and compassion for souls will appear from the following address to one of his near relations. Having shewn how much it is beneath the christian to have his heart anxiously set upon any thing in this world, he adds, "Oh, what folly is it to trifle in the things of God! But I hope better things of you. Did I not hope, why should I mourn in secret for you, as one cast out among the dead? Oh! what shall I do for you, besides pouring out my soul like water? and give my God no rest till he graciously visit you with his salvation? till he cast you down and raise you up? till he wound you and heal you again?"

Mr. Janeway" Was mighty in prayer, and his soul was frequently so transported in the duty, that he almost forgot whether he was in the body or out of the body. His converse with God was so familiar, and attended with such^ divine consolation to his soul, that, when he engaged in this duty, he often found the greatest difficulty to leave it off. He could, by happy experience, testify, that wisdom's ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. In his approaches to God, like Jacob, he wrestled with the Lord, and was ever unwilling to rise from off his knees without his Father's blessing. He conversed with God as a man with his friend; and on all occasions of importance sought his direction and his blessing. His prayers were no vain obhtions; but were often remarkably heard and answered. We shall give the following instance as worthy of being preserved.

His father, being deeply exercised with affliction, and under painful apprehensions about the safety of his state, he said to his son, "Oh, son, this passing into eternity is a great thing! This dying is a solemn business, and enough to make any one's heart ache, who hath not his pardon sealed, and his evidences clear for heaven. I am under no small fears as to my own state for another world. Oh that God would clear his love! Oh that I could cheerfully say I can die, and am able upon good grounds to look death in the face, and venture upon eternity with well-grounded peace and comfort J" Mr. Janeway, seeing his dear father so deeply afflicted with despondency, presently retired for the purpose of wrestling with God in prayer. He most devoutly prayed, that God would lift up the light of his countenance upon him, and fill his soul with joy and peace in believing; that so he might leave the world with joy. Arising from his knees, and coming to his father, he asked him how he did, but received no immediate answer. His father continued some time unable to speak, but wept exceedingly. After recovering himself, he burst forth into these expressions: "Oh, son! Now he is come! Now he is come! Now he is come! I bless God, I can die. The Spirit of God hath witnessed with my spirit that I am a child of God. Now I can look up to God as my Father, and to Christ as my Redeemer. I can now say, This is my Friend: this is my Beloved. My heart is full, it is brim-full. I can hold no more. I now know what that means, The peace of God which passeth understanding. That fit of weeping which you saw me in was a fit of overpowering love and joy. It was so great, that I could not contain myself, nor can I express what glorious discoveries God hath made to me. Had that joy been greater, I question whether it would not have separated my soul and body. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name; who hath pardoned all my sins, and sealed that pardon. Oh! now I can die. I bless God, I can die. I desire to depart and to be with Christ."

The son was partaker of his father's blessing on two accounts. First, that his father was so clearly satisfied about the safety of his state. And, secondly, that this was

so evident and immediate an answer to his prayer. Young Janeway, therefore, broke forth in strains of the highest joy and praise, saying, " Oh blessed, and tor ever blessed, be God for his mfinite grace! Oh, who would not pray unto God. Verily, he is a God hearing prayer, and that our souls know right well." He then told his father how much he had been affected with his d: spondency; that he had just been praying with all earnestness for his soul; and how wonderfully the Lord had answered his prayer. Upon this, his father felt his joys still increased, and exclaimed, saying, Now let thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation. When I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. On! how lovely is the sight of a smiling Jesus, when one is dying! How refreshing is it, when heart, and flesh, and all things fail, to have God for the strength of our heart, and our portion for ever!" He then departed to be numbered with the blessed.*

Upon the death of his father, Mr. Janeway endeavoured to fill up that relation, in the tender and affectionate care of his mother, sisters, and brethren. His excellent example, prudent instructions, and holy practice, had the desired effect. Those who were older than himself, as well as the younger branches, loved and revered him.

Having returned, after some time, to King's college, he there continued till he was invited to become domestic tutor in the family of Dr. Cox. Here he did not disappoint the expectations of his employer. His deportment was so sweet and obliging, and his conversation so spiritual and holy, that he gained the esteem and admiration of all. But, on account of his ill health, he was obliged to relinquish the situation, to try a change of air, and reside with his mother. Here he continued in a weak and languishing condition, in the prospect of death, but not afraid to die. He was even ashamed of desiring life, and said, " Is there any thing here more to be desired than the enjoyment of Christ? Can I expect any thing here below comparable to that blessed vision? Oh that crown, that rest which remaincth for the people of God! And, blessed be God, I can say it is mine. 1 know that when the earthly house of this tabernacle is dissolved, I have a building of God, an house not

• Mr. William Janeway, the father of Mr. John Janeway, was minister of Lilley in Hertfordshire, then of Harpenden,aod afterwards of Kelsall in the same county. At his death, he left a widow and eleven children, several of whom became worthy ministers of Christ.

made with hands; and therefore I desire not to be unclothed, but to be clothed upon with Christ. To me to live is Christ, and to die is sain. Through mercy I can now speak in the language of the; apostle: 1 have fought a goodjighl; henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of riglileousness."

Perceiving one of his relations much troubled at the

f>rospect of his death, he charged him not to pray for his ifej unless it should be more for the glory of God. "1 wish you," said he, " to keep your mind submissive to the will of God concerning me. The Lord draw you nearer to himself, that you may walk with him; and if I go to him before you, I hope you will follow." Afterwards, the Lord was pleased so far to restore him, that his friends were in hopes of his perfect recovery. And while God thus remembered him, he did not forget God. His words to an intimate friend discover his deep sense of the love of God. He said, "God holds mine eyes most upon his goodness, his unmeasurablc goodness; and upon the promises which arc most sure and firm in Christ. His love to us is greater, more sure, more full, than ours to ourselves. For when we loved ourselves so as to destroy ourselves, he loved us so as to save us."

Mr. Janeway, writing to a friend under perplexing fears about the state of his soul, thus addressed him: "Oh! stand still and woudcr. Behold and admire his love! Consider what thou canst discover in this precious Jesus. Here is ;i sea; cast thyself into it, and thou shalt be compassed with the height, and depth, and breadth, and length of love, and be filled with all the fullness of God. Is not this enough? Wouldst thou have more? Fling away all excepting God. For God is a sufficient portion, and the ouly proper portion of the soul. Hast thou not tasted, hast thou not known, that his love is better than wine? He is altogether lovely. And while I write, my heart doth burn. My soul is on fire. I am sick of love. But now, methinks, I see you almost drowned in tears, because you feel not such workings of love towards God. Weep on still; for love, as well as grief, hath tears. And tears of love, as well as others, shall be kept in God's bottle. Know that they are no other than the streams of Christ's love flowing to thee, and from thee to him. Christ is thus delighted in beholding his beauties in those whom he loves."

Mr. Janeway, however, was not always on the mount He had his cloudy days, as well as others. His sweets were sometimes turned into bitters. He was painfully assaulted by Satan's temptations. The enemy was permitted to come upon him as an armed man. As, in the case of the apostle, lest he should be exalted above measure, the enemy was suffered to buffet him; and it would have made a christian's heart ache to have heard how this gracious man was exercised with Satan's dreadful temptations. But he was well armed for the painful conflict. Having on the shield of faith, wherewith to quench the fiery darts of the wicked one, he came off a complete conqueror. In the trying contest, he sent up strong cries and tears to the Lord for fresh supplies of grace.

* This holy man was much afraid of spiritual declension, both in himself and others. He ever laboured to maintain a tender conscience; and took notice of the smallest departures of his soul from God, as well as God's withdrawing* from him. His great concern was to build sure, by being rooted and grounded in the faith. He also exercised a similar godly jealousy over his intimate friends and relations. To one of his brothers he wrote thus: "You live in a place,'* said he, "where strict and close walking with God hath few or no examples. God's own children are too apt to forget their first love. Our hearts are prone to be careless, nnu to neglect our watch. When conscience is put off with some poor excuse, religion withers; he who once seemed a zealot, becomes a Laodicean; and he who once appeared an eminent saint, may afterwards come to nothing. It is too common, to have a name to be alive, and yet to be dead. Read this and tremble, lest it should be your case. When wc are indolent and asleep, our adversary is most awake. I consider your age; I know where you dwell; I am no stranger to your temptations; therefore I cannot help being afraid of you, and jealous over you. Let me remind you of what you know already. Remember what meltings of soul you once had; how solicitously you once inquired after Christ; and how earnestly you seemed to ask the way to Zion, with your face thitherward. Oh, take heed of losing those impressions! Be not satisfied with a slight work. True conversion is a great thing, and very different from what most persons take it to be. Therefore rest not in mere convictions, much less in a lifeless and formal profession.

"There is such a thing as being almost a christian; as looking back unto perdition; as being not far from the kingdom of heaven, and falling short at last. Beware, lest thou lose the reward. The promise is made to him that holdelh fast, holdeth oat to (he end, and overcometh. Labour to forget the things which are behind, and reach unto the things which are before. He who is contented with just enough grace to escape hell and get to heaven, and desires no more, may be sure he hnth none at all, and is far from the kingdom of God. Labour to enjoy converse with God. Strive to do every thing as in his presence, and for his glory. Act as in the sight of the grave and eternity. Let us awake and fall to work in good earnest. Heaven and hell are before us. Why do we sleep? Dulness m the service of God is very uncomfortable, and at best will cost us dear; but to be contented in such a frame is the certain sign of a hypocrite. Oh, how will such tremble when God shall call them to give an account of their stewardship, and tell them they may be no longer stewards! Oh, live more upon the invisible realities of heaven, and let a sense of their excellencies put life into your performances! For your preciseness and singularity you must be content to be laughed at. A christian's walking is not with men, but with God. He hath great cause to suspect his love to God, who does not delight more in conversing with God and being conformed to him, than in conversing with men and being conformed to the world. How can the love of God dwell in that rtian who liveth without God in the world?''

This shews how anxious he was himself to be undeceived, and to undeceive others. Here we see his delight, his treasure, his life, his all. The great love he had to Christ and the souls of men made him desirous to spend and be spent in the work of the ministry. Accordingly, at the age of twenty-two years, he entered upon the sacred office under a deep impression of its importance and the worth of souls. Yet alas! he never preached more than two sermons; which, it is said, he delivered with such clearness and freedom, such tenderness and compassion, such power and majesty, as greatly amazed those who heard him. He understood the glorious mysteries of the gospel, and what he delivered was the language and experience of his own heart. His two sermons were from Job xx. 21. "Acquaint now thi/self with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee."

During the closing scene of life Mr. Janeway seemed wholly employed in the contemplation of Christ, heaven, and eternity. He lived as a stranger in the world, and in the constant prospect of a better state. Like the worthy patriarch, "he looked for a city which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God." His meditations, his discourse, his whole deportment, all made it appear that he was fast ripening for glory. He was never satisfied unless he was employed in those pursuits which brought him nearer to God and the kingdom of heaven. Hereby his faith was increased to full assurance. The Lord often called him up to the mount and let him see his glory. He often feasted upon the fat things of God's house, and enjoyed mauy foretastes of future blessedness. From his own happy experience, he could say to others, ^M Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Come unto me, and I will declare unto you what he hath done for my soul."

In the midst of all needful worldly comforts he longed for death ; and his thoughts of the day of judgment greatly sweetened all his enjoyments. He said, "What if the day of judgment were to come even this hour? I should be glad with all my heart. I should hear such thunderings, and behold such lightnings as Israel did at the mount; and I am persuaded my heart would leap for joy. But this I am confident of, that the meditation of that day hath even ravished my soul; and the thoughts of its certainty and nearness is more refreshing to me than all the comforts of the world. Surely nothing can more revive my spirit than to behold the blessed Jesus, who is the life and joy of my soul." It required no small degree of patience and self-denial to be kept so long from him whom bis soul loved.

Mr. Janeway at length found himself in a deep consumption, but was not afraid. The spitting of blood did not in the least intimidate him, who enjoyed an interest in the blood of Christ. During the progress of his complaint, he was seized with dimness in his eyes, which ended in the total loss of his sight. Being in expectation of his departure, he called his mother, and said, " Dear mother, I am dying; but I beseech you be not troubled. Through mercy I am quite above the fear of death. It is no great matter. I have nothing that troubles me, excepting the apprehension of your grief. I am going to Him whom I love above life." From this fainting fit the Lord was pleased ttf revive him; and for several weeks his soul was so devoutly employed in the contemplation of Christ and heaven, that he almost forgot his pains and sickness. His faith, his love, and his joys exceedingly abounded. He frequently exclaimed, "Oh that I could let you know what I feel! Oh that I could shew you what 1 now see I Oh that I could express a thousandth part of that sweetness which I now find in Christ! You would then all think it worth your while to make religion your chief business. Oh, my dear friends, you little think what Christ is worth upon a death-bed! I would not for a world, nay, for a million of worlds, be now without a Christ and a pardon. I would not tor a world live any longer; and the very thought of the possibility of a recovery makes me tremble."

When it was said that the Lord might again raise hira up to health and strength, so as to live many years, he said, "And do you think to please me with that? No, friend, you are mistaken, if you think that life, and health, and the world are pleasing to me. The world hath quite lost its excellency. Oh, how poor and contemptible is it in all its glory, when compared with the glory of that world which I now live in sight of! And as for life, Christ is my life. 1 tell you, it would please me incomparably more if you should say to me, ' You cannot possibly hold out long. Before to-morrow you will be in eternity.' I¹ tell you I do so long to be with Christ, that I could be content to be cut in pieces, and to be put to the most exquisite torments, so I might but die and be with Christ. Oh, how sweet is Jesus! Come, Lord J< sus, come quickly. Death, do thy worst. Death hath lost its terrors. Through grace, I can s^y, death is nothing to me. I can as easily die as shut my eyes. I long to be with Christ. I long to die."

To his mother he said, "Dear mother, I as earnestly beseech you as ever I desired any thing for you in my life, that you would cheerfully give me up to Christ. I beseech you do not hinder me now I am going to glory. 1 am afraid of your prayers, lest they should pull one way and mine another." '1 hen, turning to his brothers, he thus addressed them: "I charge you all do not pray for my life. You wrong me if you do. Oh the glory, the unspeakable glory that I now behold! My heart is full, my heart is full! Christ smiles, and I am constrained to smile. Can you find in your hearts to slop me, now I am going to the complete and eternal enjoyment of Christ? Would you keep me fron my crown? The arms of my blessed Saviour are open to embrace me. The angels stand ready to carry my soul into his bosom. Oh! did you but see what I see, you would all cry out with me, Dear Lord, how long? Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly. Oh, why are his chariot wheels so slow in coming!"

A minister having spoken to him of the glories of heaven, he said, "Sir, I feel something of it. My heart is as full as it can hold in this lower state. I can hold no more. Oh, that I could but let you know what I feel! "Who am I, Lord; who am I, that thou shouldst be mindful of me? Why me, Lord, why me! and pass by thousands to look upon such a wretch as I! Oh, what shall I say unto thee, thou preserver of men! Oh, why me, Lord, why me! Oh, blessed, and for ever blessed be free grace! How is it, Lord, that thou shouldst manifest thyself unto me, and not unto olliers? Even so, Father, because it seemed good in thy sight. Thou wilt have mercy, because thou wdt have mercy. And if thou wilt look upon such a poor worm, who can hinder? Who would not love thee, oh blessed Falher! Oh, how sweet and gracious hast thou been to me! Oh, that he should have me in his thoughts of love, before the foundations of the world!"

Thus he continued admiring and adoring the sovereignty Of divine grace. As he experienced the intermissions of triumphant joy, he thus cried: "Hold out, faith and patience, yet a little while, and your work is done. What is the matter, oh! my soul? What! wilt thou, canst thou thus unworthily slight this astonishing condescension of God? Doth it seem a small matter, that the great Jehovah should deal thus familiarly with a worm? And wilt thou pass this over as a common mercy? What meanest thou, oh my soul, that thou dost not constantly adore and praise this unspeakable love! Doth God deal graciously and familiarly with man, and are his love and praise too good for him? Why art thou not, oh my soul! swallowed up every moment with his free, unparalleled, and everlasting love? Stand astonished ye heavens, and wonder ye angels, at this infinite grace! Was ever any one under heaven mdre beholden to this grace than I? Oh, help me to praise the Lord, for his mercy endureth for ever!"

One of his brothers having prayed with him, his joys became unutterable; and "I believe," says our author, "that it exceeds the highest strains of rhetoric to set forth to the life what this heavenly man delivered." He broke out in such words as these: "Oh, he„is come! he is come! Ob, how sweet, how glorious, is the blessed Jesus! How shall I speak the thousandth part of his praises! Oh, for

words to set forth a little of that excellency! But it is inexpressible. Oh, how excellent and glorious is the precious Jesus! He is altogether lovely. Oh, my friends, stand and wonder! Come, look upon a dying man and wonder. Was there ever greater kindness? Were there ever more sensible manifestations of rich grace f Oh, why me, Lord? why me? Surely this is akin to heaven. And if I were never to enjoy more than this, it is more than a sufficient recompencc for all the torments that men and devils could inflict. If this be dying, it is sweet. This bed is soft. Christ's arms, and smiles, and love, surely would turn hell into heaven. Oh that you did but see and led what I do! Behold a dying man, more cheerful than you ever saw a man in health and in the midst of his sweetest worldly enjoyments! Oh, sirs, worldly pleasures are poor, pitiful, sorry things, when compared with this glory now in my soul. Why should any of you be so sad, when I am so glad? This is the hour that I have waited for."

Mr. Janeway took his leave of his friends every evening, hoping that he should see them no more till the morning of the resurrection. He exhorted them to make sure of a comfortable meeting in a better world. He entreated those about him to assist him in praises. "Oh," said he, "help me to praise God! Henceforth, to eternity, I have nothing else to do but to love and praise the Lord. I have my soul's desires on earth. I cannot tell what to pray lor which is not already given me. The wants capable of being supplied in this world are supplied. I want only one thing, and that is a speedy lift to heaven. I expect no more here. I desire no more. I can bear no more. Ohj praise! praise! praise! that boundless love, which hath wonderfully looked upon my soul, and hath done more for me than for thousands of his children. 'Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name!' O my friends, help me, help me, to admire and praise him, who hath done such astonishing wonders for my soul! He hath pardoned all my sins, and hath filled me with Iiis goodness. He hath given me grace and glory, and no good thing hath he withholden from me. All ye mighty angels, help me to praise God. Let every thing that hath being help me to praise him. Praise is my work now, and will be my work for ever. Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!"

During his sickness he found the word of God sweet to his soul, especially the fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of John's gospel, and the fifty-fourth of Isaiab. He often, with abundant joy, repeated those words: With great mercies will I gather thee. A short time before his death, he said, " I have almost done conversing with mortals. I shall presently behold Christ himself, who loved me and washed me in his blood. In a few hours I s hall be in eternity, singing the song of Moses and the Lamb. I shall presently stand upon mount Sion, with an innumerable company of angels, and the spirits of just men made perfect, and JEsus the mediator of the new covenant. I shall near the voice of much people, and be one amongst them, saying, Hallelujah! salvation, glory, and honour, and power be unto the Lord our God 1 Yet a little while, and I shall sing unto the Lamb, Worthy art thou to receive praise, who hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation, and hast made us kings and priests unto uod, and we shall reign with thee for ever and ever. And who can help rejoicing in all this ?*'

The day before his departure, his brother James having been praying for him, he said," I thank thee, dear brother, for thy love. I know thou lovest me dearly; but Christ loves me ten thousand times more. Dear brother, come and kiss me before I die." Having kissed his cold dying lips, he said, " I shall go before thee to glory, and I hope thou wilt follow after." A few hours before his happy exit, he called together his mother, and sisters, and brethren, to give them one more solemn warning, and pray for them before he departed.

His affectionate mother being first called, he thanked her for her tender love to him; and desired that she might see Christ formed in the hearts of all her children, and meet them all with joy in the day of judgment.

He prayed that his elder brother might be wholly taken up with Christ and love to souls, and be more holy in his life, successful in his ministry, and finish his course with joy.

For his brother Andrew, living in London, he prnyed that God would deliver him from the sins of the city, make him a fellow-citizen of the saints, and of the household of God. "O that he may be," said he, " as his name is, a strong man, and that 1 may meet him with joy."

To James he said: "Brother James, I hope God bath given thee a goodly heritage. The lines have fallen to thee in pleasant places. The Lord is thy portion. Hold on, dear brother; Christ and heaven are worth striving for. The Lord give thee abundance of his grace."

To his brother Abraham, he said: "The blessing of the God of Abraham rest upon thee. The Lord make thee the father of many spiritual children."

To his brother Joseph he said: "Let him bless thee, O Joseph, who blessed him that was separated from his brethren. My heart hath been working towards thee, poor Joseph; and I am not without hopes that the arms of the Almighty will embrace thee. The God of thy father bless thee.

To his sister Mary he said: " Boor sister Mary, thy body is weak, and thy days will be filled with bitterness. The Lord sweeten all with his grace and peace, and give thee health of soul. Be patient; make sure of Christ; and all is well?'

To Sarah he said: " Sister Sarah, thy body is strong and healthful. O that thy soul may be so too! The Lord make thee a pattern of modesty, humility, and holiness."

To his brother Jacob he said: "The Lord make thee an Israelite' indeed, in whom there is no guile. O that thou mayest learn to wrestle with God, and not go without a blessing!"

And of his youngest brother Benjamin, then an infant, he said: "Poor little Benjamin! O that the Father of the fatlferlcss would take care of thee; and that thou who hast never seen thy father on earth, may see him with joy in heaven. The Lord be thy father and thy portion."

He then said to them all: "O that none of us may be found among the unconverted in the day of judgment! O that we may all appear, with our honoured father and dear mother, before Christ with joy; and that they may say, 'Lord, here are we, and the children whom thou hast given us!' O that we may live to God here, and live with God hereafter. And now, my dear mother, brethren, and sisters, farewell. I leave you a short time. / commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among them which are sanctified. Aud now, dear Lord, my work is done. / have fought a ood fight, I have finished my course, I have kept thejaith; enceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness. Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly," and he presently departed. He died in the month of June, 1657, in the twenty-fourth year of his age; when his remains were interred in Kelshall church, where his father had been minister.

The foregoing account of this extraordinary young man was originally published with the recommendatory testimonial

of four eminent presbyterian ministers, giving their attestation to the truth of the narrative.* A late popular writer observes, that, if ever mortal lived the life of an angel while upon the eartli, Mr. Janeway seems to have been the man. And he adds, " that his death-bed scene, above all others I have either read or seen, appears to have had in it the largest share of divine communications."+ Wood denominates Mr. Janeway a zealous presbyterian.^ His three brothers, William, Jaiiies, aud Abraham, were all ejected nonconformists in 1662.$