A Relation Of that which happened at the first visitation of the Illustrious Prince of Orange , on Munday the 14. of Aprill , Anno 1625. in the afternoone , about foure of the clocke .

WHereas diuers persons of quality , did often times request mee , to visit the Illustrious Prince of Orange , in the time of his sicknesse , which I feared to doe , in regard of my weakenesse ; yet , not to incommodate my selfe , and specially his Excell : I thought ( the more , because I very well knew his Excell : did yet sometimes reade Letters , and because I had vnderstood by the Worshipfull Doctor Walleus , professor of Diuinity in the Vniuersity at Leyden , that his Worship comming from thence , at the request of some of the Lords of the Councell , had visited his Princely Excell : whom after many religious and godly speeches he had left very well prepared ) with a briefe and short Letter of exhortation and comfort , in stead of a parley in presence , to haue taken my leaue of his Excell : But as I was busie herewith , Master Secretary Iunius sent for me to come vnto his Excell : who was very desirous to haue me come vnto him . Considering that it was Gods will , and knowing it to be my bounden duty , in regard his Excell : hath obliged vs so much vnto him , I omitted that which I had in hand , and presently I went with the same messenger that came for me : Beseeching the Lord to strengthen me , and to grant his blessing , that it might bee for his honour and glory , for the comfort of his Excell : and for the edification of all good men .

Being come to the Court , and hauing somewhat rested my selfe , I was by the aforesaid Lord Secretary , and the Chamberlaine brought into the Chamber where his Excell : lay , who very kindely entertained mee , putting forth his hand and bid me welcome , and made me to sit downe at his Beds side . Whereupon the people dismissed the Chamber , except the aforesaid Secretary , Doctor Rumpf , and the Chamberlaine , who remained at the Beds-side , to heare and take notice of , all the speeches that happened , although vnseene of his Excell : his P. Excell : demanded of me , how I did , what sickenesse I was troubled withall , and whether I amended , as also of my appetite , meate , drinke , and sleepe : Of which when I had satisfied him , his Excell : begunne to speake of his owne sickenesse ; demanding of me what Doctor Rumpf thought of it : Which when I had told him , his Excell : answered , I am of that opinion also . Complaining of his Ague and hot Feuer , which did much trouble him ; and it seemed , his Excell : bewayled them that were constrayned to vse much Physicke . Whereupon I said ; we must looke vnto God , without whose pleasure there cannot one hayre fall from our heads , and in regard of his diuine decree , our time cannot be shortened . Whereupon his Excell : answered , I hold it to be so also , and I am resolued : Hereby I tooke occasion , His Excell : faith of Gods prouidence . to shew vnto his Excell : the misery which man is subiect vnto in this life , and how happy we are , that we haue that sure comfort which the Lord hath so abundantly reuealed vnto vs in his Gospell . Whereupon his Excell : said , It is true . Then I said further , You may please to consider , the great mercy God shewed vnto your Excell : all the time of your gouernement , making you an incomparable Prince of your time , whose actions the whole world admires , and specially in regard the Lord hath freed you from so many eminent perils and dangers , and doth now so mercifully shew this great fauour and mercy vnto you , in visiting you with so Fatherly a chastisement ; leading you , as it were with his hand vnto a blessed end , giuing you so long and moderate a sickenesse , wherein hee doth continue your vnderstanding and perfect speech , not onely to serue the Countrey , as your Excell : yet doth , but also to practise that which is for your euerlasting saluation : where to the contrary , that good Lord , of happy memory , Count William Lodwicke of Nassau , at the beginning of his sickenesse did loose his speech , his strength , and his vnderstanding : whose last words were vpon the comfort which I spake vnto him , Count Williams last words in his sicknes LORD be mercifull vnto me for thy beloued Sonnes sake ; which we miserable wretches doe not in due time consider . Now I doe not doubt but your Excell : doth make a good vse of this affliction , that you may enioy the perfect fruits of the Christian Religion which your Excell : hath so long maintained and propagated ; and this fruit is a comfort both in life and death vnto our consciences , consisting herein , that we wretched sinners , may haue a reconciled and mercifull God . If the fauourable countenance of a King be the life of the Subiects ( as Salomon saith ) how much the more ( said I ) is the mercifull fauour of God ? Then I said further , ( considering his Excellencie did hearken so attentiuely vnto me ) Gracious Lord , the reformed Religion doth most clearely and profoundly set forth vnto vs , our misery , and doth giue vs the onely and soueraigne remedy against the same , with the onely way for our reconciliation with God , through Iesus Christ his onely beloued Sonne our Sauiour , who doth bestow all his benefits on them that lay hold vpon him in true faith and repentance , of whom God doth testifie in the holy Scriptures : Matth. 13.17 . This is my beloued Sonne , in whom I am well pleased ; Iohn 14.6 . He is the way , the truth , and the life ; No man commeth to the Father , but through him , neither is there saluation in any other : Acts 4.11 . for there is no other name giuen vnder heauen whereby wee must be saued ; 1 Cor. 1.30 . Who of God is made vnto vs Wisedome and righteousnesse , 1 Cor. 3.11 . Sanctification and Redemption ; For , other foundation can no man lay , then that which is laid , which is IESVS CHRIST ; Acts 13.39 . Rom. 3 24. Ephes. 1.7 . Col 1.14 . Iohn 5.11 . By him euery one that beleeueth is iustified ; By whom wee haue Redemption and reconciliation with God through his bloud , euen the forgiuenesse of sinnes : whereof Iohn witnesseth , Hee that hath the Sonne , hath life . And therefore we can haue no other communion with God , then through him ; and this is the onely , ancient , true , and euerlasting Gospell , which God himselfe hath reuealed vnto our fore-Fathers in Paradise , and afterwards by his Patriarkes and Prophets hath published vnto his people , by all the ceremonies in the old Testament , and hath sithence in the new Testament so gloriously reuealed it vnto vs Gentiles , which in fore times were not of the people of God , and doe now through his infinite mercy so abundantly enioy it .

Hereupon I rehearsed vnto his Excell . that the Memorable late Count William Lodowicke of Nassau , in his sicknes receiued tydings that the Arch-duke Albertus , being very sicke , went vnto the shrine of our Lady , at a place so called , whereto many goe in pilgrimage ; Scherpenheuvel , there to receiue according to the Popish custome , remission of his sins , wherat the Noble Count hartily laughed , reioycing and praising God ( although in faint words ) that he had laid a better foundation in his heart , and had receiued a better light . Whereupon his Excell : Notable words of his Excell : said , Count William had Scherpenheuvel continually with him ; His Excell : thinking that I did not vnderstand him , rehearsed them again more plainer . I say ( said he ) beating two or three times vpon his brest , Count William had Scherpenheuvel continually with him : Iust said I , Noble Lord , Count William had no neede to goe to Scherpenheuvel for comfort , for hee had his onely comfort Iesus Christ in his heart : soe doe I meane too , said his Excell . After these speeches I shewed vnto his Excell : the example of Hezekiah , 2 Kings 20. Esay 38. whom God by his Prophet caused to be told , That hee should put his house in order , for he should dye & not liue . The King was deadly sick , but yet did not dye , for that was hidden in Gods diuine decree , whereupon when the king had humbled himselfe before the Lord , the Lord added fifteene yeares more vnto his life . So ( said I ) if the Lord should tell your Excell : so , in this sicknesse , which is a messenger of God , and a fore-runner of death , and death will follow , but the Lord in his mercy hath hidden from vs the time when .

Whereupon when his Excellence had giuen mee to vnderstand that hee felt hee should dye of this sicknesse , His Excel : is of opinion that hee should dye of this sicknes , and doth desire to be prepared for it . I exhorted him to reconcile himselfe with God , with whom at this present hee had to doe , that hee might then with a quiet Conscience , expect whatsoeuer the Lord should dispose of his person . Whereupon his P. Excell : answered , So I doe , then I said further , it is requisite that aboue all things we doe humble our selues before the Lord by reason of our sinnes which are contrary vnto the most holy commandements of God . And in their nature are abhominable in the sight of the Lord , who are the occasion of Gods wrath , and of all plagues temporall & Eternall , for which the sonne of God suffered so much on the Crosse . Wee must haue an vpright hatred of them , condemne them and be ashamed of them , & according to the example of the Saints confesse them before the Lord . And the strickter wee are in this perticular , and the more wee powre out our hearts before the Lord , the more capable wee shall be with ioy and thankefulnesse to receiue the riches of Gods mercy .

And when I had shewed vnto his Excell : some parts of Scripture wherein is promised mercy and forgiuenesse of sinnes vnto them that shall truly repent , his Excell : opened his mouth and said , I haue Sinned , and presently after with a more vehemency , that the very teares stood in his eyes , hee said , I haue Sinned grossely : Whereby I was much moued , declaring vnto him that this was an acceptable offering vnto the Lord , Psal. 51. Such a broken heart will the Lord not despise : Shewing him the abundant ioy and comfort all repentant sinners haue in the Lord Iesus Christ , who is the onely and perfect attonement for our sinnes : Hee is our Righteousnesse , who can onely stand before the Lord , and he is our life , which I had a little before more largely insisted vpon : but hauing shewed a few more , as , Esay , 53.1 . 1 Iohn 2.1 . 2 Hebrewes 10. I demanded of his Excell : if in his heart , hee did not comfort himselfe with them . Whereupon his Excell : with his hands closed , confessed his faith , saying , I take my refuge vnto the great mercy of God : His Ex : doth confesse his faith and confidence in Christ Iesus . Phil. 1.6 . And I beleeue that Iesus Christ died for mee on the crosse , in whom I put all my trust : and these words hee said twice together . Whereupon I said , this is a true christian faith , the Lord , from whom all good gifts commeth be praised , that hee hath giuen vnto your Excell : so great a gift as this faith is , and grant to fulfill this worke in you . Then I said further , in such a heart as this is , doth the Holy Ghost worke all desire and loue vnto righteousnesse : His Ex : earnest desire to serue the Lord better then he confessed to haue done . Psal. 130. Whereupon his P. Excell : said . It repenteth mee that I haue not serued the Lord better then I haue done : I confesse I haue not serued him enough : I will pray him to strengthen mee . This ( said I ) is most Christianly spoken , and so must all faithfull Christians doe : If thou O Lord ( saith Dauid ) marke mine iniquities , O Lord who shall stand ? But , mercy is with thee that thou mayst bee feared .

If there were no mercy with God , no man were able to serue him , but now the forgiuenesse of sinnes is an Article of our christian Faith , we are all miserable sinners before the Lord , and doe all stand in need of his mercy : It is true said his Excellencie . Then I spoke vnto his Excell : comforts from the word of God , that his Excell : might patiently take this crosse vpon him , not doubting but that it would bee for the comfort and saluation of his soule , saying , that his Excell : would doe well to delight himselfe in the meditating vpon that great worke of God which hee did for vs , in suffering his Sonne not to be an Angell , for Angels , but to be man , for to redeeme many , whose manhood , doctrine , miracles , obedience , bloodshedding death , resurrection , and assention to heauen is all for our good , onely in faith constantly beleeuing them as if they had here happened before our eyes , and as if wee with the Apostles had seene the word of life with our corporall eyes , 1 Iohn 1.13 . whereof Iohn speaketh 1 Iohn 1.1.3 . The selfe same IESVS doth now sit at the right hand of God , desiring and expecting that all those that beleeue in him , to be with him , and to behold his glory , of which glory in regard of our soules after death , as also in regard both of soule and body at the day of iudgment , Iohn 17.24 . I rehearsed vnto his Excell : certaine places of Scripture : Whereupon when his Excell : had spoken these words , His Ex : words of the ioyes of heauen . We cannot conceiue this , it is aboue apprehension , I said , the Angels themselues cannot conceiue this great wonderfull worke of God , but doe delight in the contemplation thereof : We must beleeue and admire it , giuing thankes vnto the Lord that he hath revealed so much vnto vs as doth ( against the misery which wee haue in this life ) in some measure giue vs a taste of the ioyes of the life to come : and thereupon I rehearsed vnto his Excell : what ioy and gladnesse the Apostles had vpon the Mount , when they did but onely see a glympse of the heauenly glory ; and so I alluded also that many times in my sicknesse I was there-with so reioyced and comforted , that I felt a taste of the heauenly ioyes within mee .

Whereupon his Excell : enquired for some places of Scripture which I had mentioned vnto him , especially of those that spoke of the Prayer of Christ , and of the ioyes of the life to come , which I repeated vnto him , telling him , that hee should not disturbe himselfe too much , and if hee could not endure much speech , to imploy his minde with good thoughts , or if he could to let some body reade by him that which should fall into his Excell : minde , for the word of God is fruitfull : and so here with I thought to haue taken my leaue , excusing my selfe , fearing least I should haue beene ouer-trouble-some vnto his Excell : but his Excell : detained mee longer with these questions , There bee some , said he , that haue much in their mouthes , but they haue no deeds , their words and their deeds doe not agree , and such there be many .

Whereunto I answered that those kinde of people were of two sorts , some are but hipocrites which doe not meane with their hearts what they say , but doe onely seeke to please men : those bee but like painted tombes , of whom Christ speaketh . The Gospell is like vnto a net which catcheth both good and bad fishes . In the Lords field groweth both wheate and tares , and therefore we must not bee offended at it , for such there hath beene in the Apostles times , and euer will bee . Verywwell ( said his Excell : ) those haue it not in their hearts , but when they repent they shall be saued . These people are dead in their sinnes ( said I ) they haue no spirituall life , and are not yet borne againe , and if they will be saued they must bee made aliue by the spirit of God , and be borne againe . But it is otherwise with them that haue a good resolution in their hearts and thereupon vowe to performe it , although the deed doe faile them , they may stumble and fall , but the one more then the other , yea they may fall heauily , whereof wee haue examples in the word of God these haue the spirit of God and are borne anew , but they are feeble and weake , like vnto a weakely man , he hath a good will to goe , but hee cannot so fully performe it , and they are grieued for these imperfections and are sorry for them . The Apostle himselfe , sheweth vs the inward combats betweene the flesh and the Spirit ; for , what I would , that doe I not , but what I hate that doe I. Rom. 7.

The spirit of God is not alwaies a like , for as the winde doth sometimes blow harder then other , so it is with the spirit of God , and God doth deale thus with his children , to humble them and make them know that it is not in their strength , but that it is a speciall gift of his grace . The seed that falleth into the ground doth bring forth a seuerall quantity of fruit , in some a hundred , in some sixty , and in some but thirty . Christ will not breake a bruised reed , neither will he quench smoaking flaxe , and therefore the Lord doth not despise such . We are all weake , and are to striue with flesh and bloud all the dayes of our life , but this fight doth not happen alwayes alike , sometimes when wee trust too much to our owne power , and doe neglect the meanes which the Lord hath ordained to preserue vs , the Lord doth giue the Diuell leaue to tempt vs , and this the Lord doth doe , that we ( being lifted vp againe ) might confesse our weakenesse , and be the more carefull of our wayes , as wee may see by the examples of Dauid and Peter , and in the meane time they that turne vnto the Lord and beleeue in him , haue eternall life .

Hereupon his P. Excell : said , So doe I vnderstand it also , but , there be some that thinke they can haue faith and repentance when they please , they thinke it is in their power , but I know it must all come from God , and it is he that must giue it . It is true , said I , your Excell : saith very well , and hee vnto whom the Lord doth giue it , doth feele it , and doth shew it according to the measure as he hath receiued it : but they that let themselues be perswaded they can haue it at their pleasure , are deceiued ; for who is he that hath a sparke of Gods grace in his heart , that would not be willing to be released from his sins , and to doe good continually , if hee could doe it at his pleasure ? The daily experience teacheth all good Christians that doe throughly examine their liues , that many times they cannot doe as they would doe . I haue a little before shewed vnto your Excell : the example of the Apostle Paul vpon this subiect , who complaineth , that he cannot doe what hee would doe . It is the Lord that worketh in vs both the will and the deed ; for wee haue not one good thought of our selues , Christ saith . Without mee you can doe nothing , wee haue not so much as the power ouer our naturall body , much lesse ouer our spirituall .

Then his Excell : said , There bee some that would faine haue Repentance , but they cannot obtaine it ; whereupon I answered , they that haue a true and hearty desire vnto repentance , that is , the spirit of newnesse of life , those haue it already , and shall haue their desire ; such hungry and thirsty soules the Lord will satisfie , saith Christ , partly here in this life , and perfectly in the life to come . And to this purpose tendeth that sweet call of Christ , Matth. 11. Come all vnto mee , yee that are weary and heauy laden , and I will ease you . Hereby I tooke occasion to relate vnto his Excell : the examples of two men , the one a Minister , who in his sicknes , could not in his hart be perswaded to relye vpon the mercy of God , which he would so faine haue done ; the other , of a man who in his sicknes complained of a hard & stony heart , not being able to repent of his sinnes which formerly hee had often done . His Excell : demanded how it went with them : the first ( said I ) was of a Minister demanded , if he could not remember whether in former times hee had reioyced in the mercies of God , ( he said ) yes , many times , then said the Minister vnto him , Be of good comfort , when that darke cloud and houre of tryall shall bee past , it will come againe , and you shall haue your desire , at which words the man so reioyced , and presently praysed the Lord , and thanked the Minister who spoke this comfort vnto him ; saying , this comfort could not come into my minde . The other man had a Minister to come vnto him , and intreated him to pray vnto the Lord for him , and he himselfe would pray also as much as he could , which he hauing diuers times done , found himselfe to bee altered , wherefore he praised God , this said his Excell : was well done . Then his Excell : demanded for some Chapters which treated of the Lords Prayer , and of the ioyes of heauen ; whereof hauing satisfied his Excell : I tooke my leaue of him , wishing him ease in this affliction , and a blessed successe from the same : wherefore his Excell : did thanke me , saying , that hee could very well endure to haue mee come oftner vnto him .

This action lasted aboue an houre , hee being yet reasonable strong and able to speake , and was very desirous to heare the word of God .

BEtweene the first and the second visitation on the fasting day , being the 6. of Aprill , I vnderstood of Doctor Rumpf , Doctor vnto the King of Bohemia , that his Excell : had his Bible lying open before him , of which I was very glad , and considering that when I was with his Excell : hee was twice desirous to haue some places of Scripture read vnto him ; not knowing if euer I should see his Excell : any more , I thought good to send vnto him a note of certaine Chapters for him to reade , in regard he found himselfe to bee reasonable well , that so he might imploy his time in this exercise : and whereas the said Doctor at that time was to goe vnto his Excell : I requested his worship to take this note along with him , and deliuer it vnto his Excell : intreating him to take notice of his Excell : disposition , and accordingly , either to deliuer , or detaine it .

A note for his Excell :

Examples of comfort for repentant sinners , Luke chap. 15. and chap. 7. from the 36. verse to the end , Psal. 51. and 130.

To comfort vs in the loue of Iesus Christ , and to stirre vp our hearts vnto holy meditations , Iohn 17. Rom. 5.

To withdraw our hearts from earthly things , & to moue vs to the desire of the ioyes of heauen , the two last Chapters of the Reuelation .

The next day the said Doctor told mee that hee had deliuered it vnto his Excell : himselfe , who presently layd it in his Bible .

The second Visitation .

ON the 12. of Aprill , being Tuesday , in the forenoone about tenne of the clocke , her Excell : the Princesse of Portugall , requested mee by a Messenger , to come vnto the Prince : In regard it was not likely that I should stay there long , I went , and was presently brought vnto his Excell : where I found not onely the said Princesse of Portugall , but the Princesse of Orange that now is , with a great company of Lords , Nobles , Officers , the Lord Vosbergen , and others vnknowne vnto me , being come to his Excell : and being set downe at his beds side , I demanded of him how he felt himselfe ; whereupon he answered , I am well resolued : thrusting vp his Cap from his eyes , he setled himselfe to talke with me , and presently spake these words . I haue read those Chapters which you sent vnto me , they were very excellent Chapters , I doe thanke you for them , but I cannot remember them all : I cannot repeate any particulars , but I haue remembred the substance , is not that well ? Yes , gratious Lord ( said I ) but your Excell : hath troubled your selfe too much , and that was not my intent , for which I sent them ; for if your Excell : remember , I told you , you should haue a verse or two read vnto you , of that which should come into your Excell : minde , that so you might imploy your minde in meditating on good thoughts , and not to reade whole Chapters , which were too tedious : But sithence your Highnesse hath pleased so to doe , the time is very well bestowed , and I am sure it will doe your Excell : good , for it is the holy word of God , written for our comfort . Your Excell : doth very well to keepe the substance in your minde , which is the point of true Repentance , and the comfort thereof , and therein consisteth all ?

Repentance hath these three branches , 1 A true and vnfained sorrow for sinne . 2 Faith in Christ Iesus . 3 A holy resolution to amend our liues .

Whereupon his Excell : said , His Excell : doth confesse his sinnes , and bewaileth that his repentance is not so well as it ought to be . you doe very well sometimes to come and visite me : And then his Excell : spake with a speciall earnestnesse : This is all that troubleth me , whether my repentance be sufficient enough for my sins , for I haue offended the Lord grieuously , and I constantly beleeue if I haue true repentance , that al my sinnes are forgiuen ; for Christ his sake I will pray the Lord to giue me true repentance , more then I haue yet had : Hereupon I said , your Excell : must not presume vpon your Repentance , but with an humble and lowly heart , confesse and bewaile your sinnes , as your Excell : also without doubt not fainedly , but from your heart , as it appeareth , and GOD knoweth it ; and therefore your Excell : repentance is conformable to the repentance of al true repentant sinners , which are set downe vnto vs in the word of God . Whereupon I did rehearse vnto his Excell : the very words which the children of God had vsed at the time of their repentance , Esay 6.4.6 . Ierem. 14.20 . of Dauid , Psal 32.5.38.5.19.51 . of the Publicane , Luke 18.13 . of the Prodigall Sonne , Luke 15.18.19 . &c. And so I put his Excell : also in minde of that which hee had read in the aforesaid Chapters . I said further , it is a great matter to trouble ones selfe in the perfection of our repentance : the man in the Gospell said , Lord , I beleeue , Marke 9.24 . helpe thou mine vnbeliefe .

Your Excell : knoweth , that here in this world wee can haue no perfection , neither of repentance , nor of faith : The godly lament their imperfections , and so doth your Excell : The most of our perfection in this life ( saith an ancient Father ) consisteth in the acknowledgement and the bewayling of our imperfections . Therefore the more you are , ( according to the example of all the faithfull seruants of God ) troubled with your sinnes , ( as appeareth by the trouble your Excell : hath of the sufficiency of your Repentance ) so much the more may you assure your selfe , that your repentance is vpright and acceptable vnto the Lord : Dauid saith , I confesse my sinnes ; Psal 38. for there is no rest in my bones , because of my sinnes : for mine iniquities are gone ouer my head , and as a waighty burthen they are too heauy for me . Your Excell : must also consider the subtilty of the diuell , who as an enemie of our saluation , commonly towards our latter end doth most of al striue with vs ; Esay 1 18. 1 Iohn 1.7 . but your Excell : must likewise know , that although our sins were as Crimson , they shall be made as white as Snow , euen through the precious bloud of Iesus Christ , which clenseth vs from all our sinnes : and therefore consequently that our Faith and Repentance is vnperfect . Vpon such repentance as this your Excell : repentance is , the Lord will without doubt worke in your heart a speciall ioy and comfort , and so I shewed vnto his Excell : from the Psalms of Dauid , that his repentance was true repentance : & when I had rehearsed some places of Scripture to confirme it , & to comfort his Excell : he answered , I will pray the Lord to strengthen mee : His Ex : is well contented , and is resolued . I am now at rest , and am resolued . Whereupon I committed him to the Lord and tooke my leaue of him , and before I went away , her Excell : the Princesse of Portugal requested me to come in the afternoone againe . I said , I was loath to bee ouer trouble-some vnto his Excell : but I was the more emboldned , because doctor Roseus , Minister of the word of God at the Hage , told me that he had beene with his Excell : and found him very well at rest .