musket, and run to the army, and be the foremost in any hazardous expedition, which cost him his life; for when Colonel Holland and Colonel Ashton, with their regiments, went to take Wigan, though the town was taken, yet this zealous champion got shot in the shoulder, and another bullet was in the thigh; he was brought to his daughter's in Bolton, and there, about a fortnight after, died of those wounds; but, with invincible courage, uttered many gracious expressions near his end; indeed, he was of an undaunted spirit, having made his peace with God, and living in assured hopes of heaven, he feared not death. 9. John Busick, who married my uncle William Critchlaw's younger daughter, was a singular good man; though but poor in the world, yet rich in faith; he lived and died in Bolton; had a sensible spirit: groaned much after the salvation of his relations; left me a text to preach upon as a funeral sermon, which at present I have forgot. He died about twelve years ago, and left a hopeful son, who died not long after him; little can I say for the rest of relations, though Henry Marsden and his wife Mary (my uncle William Critchlaw's elder daughter) were professors, and I hope godly, though my acquaintedness with them (as to intimacy) engageth me to say less of them they lived and died in Longworth, in the house wherein my good mother was born. 10. Francis Critchlaw, my mother's second brother, was a sincere, resolute, zealous Christian; my grandfather used to say of him, this lad that comes out of the Moors hath more zeal than you all. He was my intimate, dear friend. I scarce ever was in his company without sensible advantage. He was very useful in dis a course, especially in asking pertinent and profitable questions, with which he was furnished abundantly in his younger days, in those frequent conferences they maintained. He was, indeed, a very judicious, solid, experienced Christian; Mnason; an old disciple, long trained in the school of Christ; very powerful in prayer; pithy; short. I have heard Luke Hoyle (my good old, dear friend) tell a strange relation that in the parlour at my father's house, at a private fast, many Christians being present, when my uncle Francis was at prayer wonderfully carried out in affection, and strong wrestlings, all on a sudden a bright shining light, far brighter than the sun, shone in the room; it dazzled and astonished them all; my uncle gave over, they rose off their knees, were amazed, said nothing, but looked one upon another; heard no voice. It continued about a quarter of an hour, as long as one might have gone to the further side of the little meadow and back again, as Luke Hoyle hath told me, who was there present. This was a little before the wars: in the heat and height of the bishops' tyranny over godly ministers, some whereof fled into Holland, others into New England; and I can remember something of the warm spirit of prayer in those days, though I knew nothing of the forementioned passage. But this I can well remember, that, when at my father's house, they had a private fast, when I was a child, they set up a singing about the doors, that when the apparitor (one A. Hulton) came, he might not hear them pray. This, my good uncle Francis, was the instrument to bring me to be minister at Coley, in Yorkshire; for coming over to see some friends here, he acquainted them that I preached. Luke Hoyle and Anthony Wilson came over for me this time twenty-eight years ago, viz. at Michaelmas (which is this week, A.D. 1678) as that was 1650: and I never had cause to repent my coming. This same good uncle, also, brought my father Angier into Lancashire, where he continued forty-six years. This good man, who, indeed, was one of a thousand (though low in the world), was about seventy when he died, which was about the year 1669. I preached his funeral sermon at Bradshaw Chapel, on Gen. 1. 24, May 8, 1669. His death was seasonable and sweet to him, but much lamented by all that knew him. 11. Hugh Critchlaw, a third brother of my mother's; a good man, though the world did not do in his hands neither. He travelled to, and lived some time at, Shrewsbury; at last got safe to his journey's end I hope. He was a little man, very purblind, of a very sweet, loving temper, though not so zealous as his other brothers. 12. Ralph Critchlaw, my mother's youngest brother, the most proper, witty man of them all: he married Mr. Cross's sister (a worthy minister, who was preacher at Friday Street Church, in London, with whom I have preached there.) That marriage occasioned my uncle to travel abroad, and at last settled at Wrexham, in Wales, where he kept a grocer's shop; got a great estate; was justice of peace in the State's times, when I went first to visit him. He was a godly man; though not much better for his greatness, yet I believe a savour of godliness abode on his heart to his dying day. Those four brothers, and some other Christians, kept meetings together in their younger days for conference and prayer; and when they spent time in prayer, they ordered it so as one spent such a time in confessing sin ; another in begging personal mercies; another in begging public mercies; another in thanksgiving, &c.; in which work they took liberty to expatiate themselves, and found wonderful assistance, and enlargement, and many signal returns of prayer. This uncle Ralph had one son, called Joseph, and several religious daughters; some whereof are living at this day; himself died about the year 1659, his wife and his son died since. 13. Alice Rigby, mother to my cousin Mary Holt, in Bolton, was my mother's own cousin; a precious woman; one of a thousand; living with Susannah Lea, in Little Bolton, where my brother and I were tabled when we went to Bolton school. She lived a widow many years. She was a mighty wrestler with God; a humble, serious, self-denying soul; much in communion with God; strong in faith; faithful in good works; patient in afflictions; useful in her generation; went to rest many years ago; her daughter following her steps, though through manifold afflictions. 14. Richard Heywood, my own dear father, who told me upon his death-bed, that sixty-four years before that, God had convinced him of his undone state, and drawn out his heart to close with Christ, and though he had many failings, yet to that day he never took his leave of Christ. He died March 1, 1677, whose life I have elsewhere writ.* 15. Alice Heywood, my own dear See the Works of the Rev. Oliver Heywood, Vol. i. pp. 579–586, edited by the late Rev. W. Vint, with an invaluable Life of Heywood prefixed, by the Rev. W. Slate. mother, whose life is writ in this book; both at rest with God. 16. Hannah Crompton, Thomas Crompton's wife, my eldest sister, living in Breekinst; a very uprighthearted, zealous woman; of a savoury spirit; plain hearted. She was wrought upon young, and my mother said of her, that she had as much comfort as one could have in a child; for since her conversion she never had occasion to call it in question. Oh what days had mother and daughter together in prayer! She had much faith, much love, patience, self-denial, tenderness of spirit. She died Dec. 4, 1673. 17. Thomas Crompton, her husband was a man of singular parts and piety; stupendous memory; a forward professor, that constantly attended duties of fasting and prayer; yet (as I observed) would not be persuaded to kneel upon a cushion when he went to prayer; he was something inclined to melancholy, yet a good man; very humble and self-denying; under standing in all matters within his sphere; was very useful every way; snatcht away after a few days' sickness, April 26, 1673. 18. John Crompton, their eldest child, whom his father brought up a considerable time in his calling (weaving fustian); but the youth had a great desire to be a scholar; they set him to school at Bolton with Mr. Taylour; at Ormskirk with Mr. Chorley; he profited exceedingly; was sent to Cambridge; was admitted of Christ's College under Mr. Stanford, now at Kendal; but he not minding him, he frequented Mr. Abraham Brooksbank's lectures, and came on wonderfully in all sorts of literature; and, indeed, he was of admirable natural parts; very industrious; And see Ol. Heywood's Works, ut supra, Vol. i. pp, 586–594. inquisitive; and very covetous of learning. He profited beyond his equals. After he had taken his bachelor's degree he was chaplain to Mr. Dymmock, at Symmond's Wood, in Lincolnshire, where be did good, getting that gentleman off from vain sports, and training up his sons. He lived several years in that family; commenced Master of Arts in Cambridge; married Mr. Gibbons (that famous London minister's) widow; then he did something towards conformity; was minister at Scremby; an excellent preacher; very sober in his conversation; diligent in his studies; he also taught scholars privately in his house, and was of very great use. His discourse with me, and letters to me, so far as I am able to judge, spake him truly serious; thus he writes-" Dear Uncle, your serious, cordial, and affecting exhortations have been always most welcomely entertained in my poor breast, and I hope it will please God (who keepeth covenant and mercy) to maintain and cherish, by his spirit and blessing, some of that lively sense, and savoury relish of religion, and piety, which hath so sweetly breathed in the souls of our pious ancestors, teaching us to know the God of our fathers," &c. But that too fenny country not being suitable to the temper of his frail body, diseases, agues, fevers knocked at his door; at last entered; and took down that frail tabernacle, Dec. 25th, 1675, about the thirty-first year of his age. 19. Mary Pickup, his eldest sister, my sister's eldest daughter, marrying one Robert Pickup, near Tockholes Chapel, in Blackburn parish, was a very serious, gracious, young woman, forward for good things, bore a child; died in January, 1672: her child dying shortly after. 20. Mary Hunt, my second sister, wife to Nicolas Hunt of Horwich, was a woman of very gracious spirit. She was a comely person as to the body, but her chiefest beauty was within; her disposition was very desirable, but the graces of the spirit shined illustriously in her. She gave herself much to secret prayer, going every morning and evening into a poor cote by the fold side, and there easing her heart to God in prayer. But she was too good for this wicked world. God took her home betimes. She died A. D. 1648. She left an only daughter, yet living, Esther Hunt. Her father married again, had six sons by the latter wife: an honest man: he died A. D. 1676, his wife also being dead before him. 21. John Heywood, my eldest brother, was exceeding loving, and plain-hearted, like my mother; and, though in his younger days, he was drawn aside by company; yet, God, (I am persuaded) did him saving good towards his end. He was very affectionate in his tears, groans, and prayers; hating what he had before loved; and gave signal testimony of a work of grace. I believe God remembered covenant for him. He went beyond sea into one of the English plantations, and died there, September, 1664, about thirty-eight years of age, or forty. 22. Richard Heywood, his son, was something dull, heedless, and conceited; fell into sin; but grace made use of some sharp rods to whip folly out of him, and drive him home to God. He had a sore disease on his body: it was a scurf like the leprosy; and he had sad trials in his new condition. And, oh, what horror of conscience had be he even roared by reason of the disquietness of his spirit. At last he got hold of Christ in a promise; and his mind was stayed on God. Sober, judicious Christians of the neighbourhood had very good hopes of his safe condition; and that though he lived most of his time in much misery, he died in the Lord, March 25th, 1675. 23. Alice Bradley, my youngest sister, married to Samuel Bradley, in Ainsworth. Though her nature was ruffed and knotty, more than any of my father's children, yet God, in mercy, awakened her conscience; and smoothed her rough disposition by his grace; and by some afflictions she had in her husband; (though it is verily hoped God did him saving good before his death, which was eight years before his wife died.) Rough timber must have many blows, to hew it even, and fit, for his building. She lived several years a widow, and met with many trials with her six children. Oh what bitter sorrow had she for her former disobedience to her parents; the stubbornness of some of hers called her old sins to remembrance; and her heart was kindly humbled. She kept up communion with God's people; and, at last, was removed to a better society in glory, May 9th, 1677. 24. Nathaniel Heywood, my dear, very dear brother, and worthy minister of the blessed gospel: au useful instrument of good to many souls. After many labours, fears, temptations, persecutions, grievous bodily pains, and a holy life, he yielded up his precious soul into the hands of his heavenly Father, December 16th, 1677, whose sweet and savoury life I have elsewhere fully recorded.* 25. Elizabeth Heywood, my dear and lovely wife, whose life is writt * See Oliver Heywood's Works, ut supra, Vol. i. pp. 452-505. ↑ Ib. pp. 574-578. in this book, died and so went to keep her perpetual sabbath of rest with her God, on Lord's-day morning, May 26th, 1661. 26. Mr. John Angier, her very worthy, and honoured father: a strong pillar in the house of God: the honour of the ministry: the comfort of his country; an earthly angel for holiness; a spiritual father of many souls: a wise master builder of the church; a bright star in our horizon, of the first magnitude, set or fell into the earth, September 1, 1677. See his life.* 27. Mrs. Margaret Angier, his wife, (sister to Justice Mosely of the Ancots, by Manchester,) a choice and gracious woman; a mother in Israel, though childless; a relief to the poor; an ornament and support to the congregation and family; a cheer and succour to her husband; and a useful member of the church of God; a gracious, humble, close-walking, public-spirited Christian; she died of a tympany, after some years weakness, on Friday, October 29th; was buried at Denton, in the chapel, on Monday, November 1, 1675. Her own mother, being ancient, also died at Denton some two or three years before; and her own sister, Mrs. Mary Crowther, she died at Denton of a tympany about a year after, buried at Manchester, both good women; I am persuaded are safely landed in heaven; blessed be God. 28. Esther Heywood, two years older than myself, married to Wil liam Whitehead about the year 1648; they lived together at Bent hall, in Louthersdale, in Craven, some years; but came into Little Craven; where he maintained intercourse with John Massy and other savoury Christians, and days of prayer. He was a gracious, Heywood's Works, Vol. i. pp. 519-574. judicious, Christian; gave himself to reading and prayer; and was grown so pregnant that Mr. Tilsley, Mr. Bradshaw, and many ministers much delighted in his company, and intimate converse with him. His life deserves a bis tory, being a nonsuch for a private Christian. But to this Esther Whitehead, his wife, (my dear, and only sister) for whom I thought I could never do enough, (since her son had sold Benthall to Rowland Mitchell and had ten children, and no calling, removed into Lancashire, now lives in Bolton, and is hopeful, but low in the world, and could not help his good mother,) she being very tender, and sickly, and could work little, I gave three pounds a year for maintenance. She lived in a parlour by herself in Roger Crook's house, that married her daughter Alice; went much abroad to private days in several places, for her company and assistance was much desired in serious societies, wherein she was very useful, having excellent natural parts, much grace, and great zeal and tenderness, very like her mother, going about doing good; she had perfected her work, and now had nothing else to do but die, as fruit fully ripe, dropped off. Her disease was a weakening her strength by the way, till her moist humours were converted to dryness. All the time of her sickness she was of a composed frame. She began on Tuesday night with a weakness; indeed she had often complained of weakness. The Sabbath before, she said "I must leave coming, I am not able to come to Bolton," which was about a mile and half from her. On Monday night she was very cheerful, and said—“ I am a great cheat, I can sit and talk; folks would think I ailed nothing; but let me rise, I am not |