Invincible Realities demonstrated in the holy Life and Triumphant Death of Mr. John Janeway, sometimes Fellow of Kings Colledge, Cambridge.

CHAP. I.

An account of him from his Childhood to the seventeenth year of his Age.

MR. John Janeway was born Anno
1633. Octob. 27. of Religious
Parents, in Lylly, in the County
of Hertford. He soon gave his
Parents the hope of much comfort,
and the symptoms of something more than
ordinary quickly appeared in him, so that some
which saw this Child much feared that his life
would be but short, others hoped that God had
some rare piece of work to do by or for this
Child before he died; he shewed that neither

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of them were much mistaken in their conjecture
concerning him. He soon out-ran his superiours
for age in learning. And it was thought
by no incompetent Judges that for pregnancy of
wit, solidity of judgement, the vastness of his
intellectual, and the greatness of his memory,
that he had no superiours, few equals considering
his age and education.
He was initiated in the Latine tongue by his
own Father; afterward he was brought up for
some time at Pauls School in London, where he
made a considerable proficiencie in Latine and
Greek under the care of Mr. Langly. When
he was about eleven years old he took a great
fancy to Arithmetick and the Hebrew tongue.
About this time his Parents removing into a
little Village called Aspoden, had the opportunity
of having this their Son instructed, by a learned
neighbour who was pleased to count it a pleasant
diversion, to read Mathematicks to him being
then about twelve years old; and he made
such progress in those profound studies; that
he read Oughthred with understanding, before
he was thirteen years old. A person of quality,
hearing of the admirable proficiency of this Boy,
sent for him up to London, and kept him with
him for some time, to Read Mathematicks to
him; that which made him the more to be admired
was, that he did what he did with the
greatest facility. He had no small skill in Musick
and other concomitants of Mathematicks.
In the year 1616. he was chosen by that
Learned Gentleman Mr. Rous the Provost of
Eton Colledge one of the foundation of that
School being examined by provost and posiers in
the Hebrew tongue, which was thought was beyond
president. Where he gave no unsuitable
returns to the high expectations that were conceived
of him.
After a little continuance at Eton he obtained
leave of his Master to go to Oxford to perfect
himself in the study of Mathematicks, where
being owned by that great Scholar Dr. Ward
one of the professors of the University, he attained
to a strange exactness in that study, nothing
being within the reach of a man but he
would undertake and graspe. That great Doctor
gave him great help and incouragement, and
looked upon him as one of the wonders of his age,
loved him dearly, and could for some time after
his death scarce mention his name without tears.
When he had spent about a quarter of a year
with Dr. Ward at Oxford, he was commanded
to return again to Eton, where he soon gave
proof of his great improvement of his time
while he was absent; by making an Almanack,
and calculating of the Eclipses for many years
before hand; so that by this time he had many
eyes upon him as the glory of the School. That
which put an accent upon his real worth was
that he did not discover the least affectation
or self-conceit, neither did any discernable
pride attend these excellencies. So that every

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one took more notice of his parts than himself.
At about seventeen years old he was chosen to
Kings Colledge in Cambridge, at which time
the Electioners did even contend for the patronage
of this Scholar. He was chosen first that
year, and an elder brother of his in the sixth
place; but he was very willing to change places
with his elder brother; letting him have the
first, and thankfully accepting of the sixth place.
Besides his great learning, and many other
ornaments of nature, his deportment was so
sweet and lovely, his demeanour so courteous
and obliging, even when he seemed unconverted,
that he must be vile with a witness that did not
love him. Yea many of them which had little
kindness for morality, much less for grace;
could not but speak well of him. His great
wisdom and learning did even command respect,
where they did not find it: he had an excellent
power over his passions, and was in a great measure
free from the vices which usually attend such
an age and place.
But all this while it is to be feared, that he
understood little of the worth of Christ, and his
own soul; he studied indeed the heavens, and
knew the motion of the Sun, Moon and Stars,
but that was his highest; he thought yet but little
of God, which made all these things, he
pried but little into the motions of his own
heart; he did not as yet much busie himself, in
the serious observation of the wandring of his
spirit; the Creature had not yet led him to the
Creator; but was still too ready to take up with
meer speculation, but God who from all eternity,
had chosen him to be one of those, who
should shine as the Sun in the Firmament for
ever in glory; did when he was about eighteen
years old, shine in upon his soul with power;
and did convince him what a poor thing it was
to know so much of the heavens and never come
there. And that the greatest knowledge in the
world without Christ, was but an empty dry
business. He now thought Mr. Bolten had some
reason on his side, when he said; "Give me the
most magnificent glorious worldling, that
ever trod upon earthly mould, richly crowned
with all the Ornaments and excellencies of nature;
art, policy, preferment; or what heart
can wish besides; yet without the life of grace,
to animate and ennoble them; he were to the
eye of heavenly wisdom, but as a rotten carcase,
stuck over with flowers; magnified
dung, guilded rottenness, golden damnation."
He began now to be of Anaxagoras's
mind, that his work upon earth, it was to study
Heaven and to get thither, and that except a man
might be admitted to greater preferment than
this world can bestow upon her favourites, it
were scarce worth the while to be born.

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CHAP. II.

Of his Conversion with visible proofs thereof.

THE great work of Conversion, it was not
carried on upon his soul, in that dreadful
manner, that it is upon some, that God intends
to communicate much to, and make great use
of; but the Lord was pleased, sweetly to unlock
his heart, by the exemplary life, and Heavenly
and powerful discourse, of a young man
in the Colledge, whose heart God had inflamed
with love to his soul, he quickly made an attempt
upon this hopeful young man, and the
spirit of God did set home his counsels with
such power, that they proved effectual, for his
awakening; being accompanied with the Preaching
of these two famous worthies Dr. Hill, and
Dr. Arrowsmith, together with the reading several
parts of Mr. Baxters Saints Everlasting
Rest.
Now a mighty alteration might easily be descerned
in him, he quickly looks quite like another
man. He is now so much taken up with things
above the Moon and Stars that he had little leisure
to think of these things only as they pointed
higher. He began now not to tast so much sweetness
in those kind of studies, which he did so
greedily imploy himself in formerly. He now
began to pity them which were curious in their
inquires after every thing but that which is most
needful to be known, Christ and Themselves, and
that which sometimes was his gain, he now
counted loss for Christ; yea doubtless he esteemed
all things but as dung and dross in comparison
of Christ and desired to know nothing but
Christ and him crucified. Not that he looked
upon humane learning as useless: but when
fixed below Christ and not improved for Christ;
he looked upon wisdom as folly, and learning
as madness, and that which would make one
more like the Devil more fit for his service, and
put a greater accent upon their misery in another
world.
Mr. Janeway now begins to cast about how he
might best improve what he did already know,
and to turn all his studies into the right chanel;
grace did not take him off from, but made him
more diligent and spiritual in his study. And
now Christ was at the end and bottom of every
thing; how did he plot and contrive how he
might most express his love and thankfulness to
him who had brought him out of darkness into
his marvellous light; to this end he sent up and
down packets of divine letters, in which he did
discourse so substantially and experimentally of
the great things of God, that it would not at all
have unbecome some gray head to have owned
what he did write.
He was not a little like young Elihu, whose
words he used to excuse his freedom with persons
of years, whose souls he did dearly pity.

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He said daies should speak, and multitude of
years should teach wisdom, but there is a spirit
in a man and the inspiration of the almighty
giveth them understanding; I am full of matter,
the spirit within me constraineth me, behold my
belly is as wine which hath no vent, it is ready
to burst like new bottles, I will speak that I may
be refreshed, &c. O then how sweet was the
favour of his graces! He could not but speak the
things which he had seen and heard, and even invite
all the world to tast and see how good the
Lord was.
He began first with his Relations, begging
and wooing of them to think of their precious
and immortal souls, and to lay in speedy provisions
for a death-bed and eternity. O with
what compassion did he plead the cause of Christ
with their souls! What Pathetical expressions
did he use, what vehement expostulations, how
frequent, how particular in his applications to
them? O with what gravity and majesty would
he speak of the mysteries of the Gospel.

CHAP. IV.

His Particular addresses to his brethren, for their souls good and the success thereof.

HE wrote many Letters of this nature, and
desired oftentimes to be visiting his brethren
that he might particularly address himself
to them and see what became of his letters,

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prayers and tears, and he was very watchful
over them, ready to reprove and convince them
of sin, and ready to incourage any beginnings of
a good work in them, To instance in a particular
or two.
One time perceiving one of his brothers asleep
at prayer in the family; he presently took occasion
to show him what a high contempt it was
of God, what a little sense such a man must have
of his own danger, what dreadful hypocrisie,
what a miracle of patience that he was not
awakened in flames. After he had been a while
affectionately pleading with him, it pleased the
Lord to strike in with some power and to melt
and soften his brothers heart when he was about
eleven years old, so that it was to be hoped that
then the Lord began savingly to work upon the
heart of that Child. For from that time forward
a considerable alteration might be discerned
in him. When he perceived it he was not
a little pleased. This put him upon carrying on
the work, that conviction might not wear off till
it ended in conversion. To this end he wrote
to him to put him in mind of what God had
done for his soul, begging of him not to rest
satisfied till he knew what a thorow change and
effectual calling meant. I hope, said he, that
God hath a good work to do in you, for you,
and by you; yea I hope he hath already begun
it. But O take not up with some beginnings,
faint desires, lazy seekings; O remember your
former tears, one may weep a little for sin and
yet go to Hell for sin; many that are under
some such work, shake of the sense of sin, murder
their convictions and return again to folly.
O! take heed! if any draw back the Lord
will take no pleasure in them; but I hope better
things of you.
He would also observe how his brethren carried
it after duty, whether they seemed to run
presently to the world with greediness as if
duty were a task, or whether there seemed to
be an abiding impression of God and the things
of God upon them.
His vehement love and compassion to souls
may be further judged of by these following
expressions, which he used to one of his relations.
After he had been speaking how infinitely
it was below a Christian to pursue with
greediness the things which will be but as gravel
in the teeth, if we mind not the rich provision
which is in our Fathers house. O 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 not mourn in secret for you as one cast
out among the dead? O what should I do for
you but pour out my soul like water, and give
my God no rest till he should graciously visit
you with his salvation; till he cast you down
and raise you up, till he wound you and heal
you again.
Thus what with his holy example, warm and
wise exhortations, prayers, tears and secret
groans, somewhat of the beauty of Religion

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was to be seen in the family where he lived.

CHAP. V.

His great love to, and frequency in the duty of Prayers: with remarkable success.

HE was mighty in Prayer, and his spirit
was oftentimes so transported in it that
he forgot the weakness of his own body and
of others spirits; indeed the acquaintance that
he had with God was so sweet, and his converse
with him so frequent, that when he was
ingaged in duty he scarce knew how to leave
that which was so delightful and suited to his
spirit. His constant course for some years was
this. He prayed at least three times a day in
secret, sometimes seven times, twice a day in
the family or Colledge. And he found the
sweetness of it beyond imagination, and injoyed
wonderful communion with God, and
tasted much of the pleasantness of a Heavenly
life. And he could say by experience that
the waies of wisdom were waies of pleasantness,
and all her paths peace. He knew what it
was to wrestle with God and was come to that
path that he could scarce come off his knees
without his Fathers blessing. He was used to
converse with God with a holy familiarity as a
friend, and would upon all occasions run to
him for advise, and had many strange and immediate
answers of prayer. One of which I
think it not altogether impertinent to give the
world an account of.
His Honoured Father Mr. William Janeway
Minister of Kelshall in Hartfortshire being sick,
and being under somewhat dark apprehensions
as to the state of his soul, he would often say
to his son John: O son! this passing upon eternity
is a great thing, this dying is a solemn
business and enough to make any ones heart
ake, that hath not his pardon sealed, and his
evidences for Heaven clear. And truly son I
am under no small fears as to my own estate for
another world. O that God would clear his
love! O that I could say chearfully I can die,
and upon good grounds be able to look death
in the face and venture upon eternity with
well grounded peace and comfort!
His sweet and dutiful Son made a sutable reply
at present; but seeing his dear Father continuing
under despondings of spirit though no
Christians that knew him but had a high
esteem of him for his uprightness he got by
himself and spent some time in wrestling with
God upon his Fathers account, earnestly begging
of God that he would fill him with joy
unspeakable in believing, and that he would
speedily give him some token for good that he
might joyfully and honourably leave this world
to go to a better. After he was risen from his
knees he came down to his sick Father and asked
him how he felt himself. His Father made no
answer for some time but wept exceedingly
a passion that he was not subject to and continued
for some considerable time in an extraordinary
passion of weeping, so that he was
not able to speak. But at last having recovered
himself with unspeakable joy he burst out into
such expressions as these. O Son! now it
is come, it is come, it is come. I bless God I
can dye: The spirit of God hath witnessed with
my spirit that I am his child: now I can look
up to God as my dear Father, and Christ as
my redeemer, I can now say this is my friend
and this is my beloved. My heart is full, it is
brim full: I can hold no more. I know now
what that sentence means, the peace of God
which passeth understanding, I know now what
that white stone is wherein a new name is
written, which none know but they which
have it. And that fit of weeping which you
saw me in, was a fit of overpowering love and
joy, so great that I could not for my heart contain
my self: neither can I express what glorious
discoveries God hath made of himself unto
me. And had that joy been greater, I
question whether I could have born it, and
whether it would not have separated soul and
body. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that
is within me bless his holy name that hath pardoned
all my sins and sealed the pardon. He
hath healed my wounds and caused the bones
which he had broken to rejoice. O help me
to bless the Lord! he hath put a new song into my
mouth: O bless the Lord for his infinite goodness
and rich mercy! O now I can dye! it is nothing.
I bless God I can dye. I desire to be dissolved
and to be with Christ. You may well think
that his sons heart was not a little refreshed to
hear such words, and see such a sight, and to
meet the messenger that he had sent to Heaven
returned back again so speedily. He counted
himself a sharer with his Father in this mercy,
and it was upon a double account welcome,
and it did so wonderfully satisfie his Father and
as it was so immediate and clear an answer of
his own prayers, as if God had from Heaven
said unto him thy tears and prayers are heard
for thy Father: thou hast like a Prince prevailed
with God: thou hast got the blessing:
thy fervent prayers have been effectual: go
down and see else.
Upon this, this pretious young man broke
forth into praises and even into another extasie
of joy that God should deal so familiarly
with him; and the Father and Son together
were so full of joy, light, life, love and praise
that there was a little Heaven in the place.

CHAP. XVII.

His last Sickness, and Death.

AND now the time draws nigh, wherein
his longings shall be satisfied; he is called
to his last work; and truly, his deportment
in it, was honourable; his carriage so eminently
gratious, so meek, patient, fruitful, joyful
and thankful, that it made all his friends stand
and wonder as being abundantly above their experience
and reading; and those Christians that
saw him, could not but admire God in him, and
look upon him as one of the most singular instances
of rich grace, and even bless God that their
eyes ever saw, or their ears ever heard, such
things; and had such a sensible demonstration of
the reality of invisibles.

He falls into a deep Consumption.

His body is now shaken again, and he falls
into a deep Consumption; but, this messenger
of God did not in the least damp him. Spitting
of blood, was no ghastly thing to one that had
his eye upon the blood of Jesus; faint sweats
did not daunt him that had always such reviving
cordials at hand. It's matter of joy to him,
that he was now in some hopes of having his
earnest desires satisfied.
After he had been a while sick, a sudden dimness
seized upon his eyes; by and by his sight
quite failed; and there was such a visible alteration
in him, that he and others judged these
things to be the symptoms of death approaching.
But when he was thus taken, he was not
in the least surprized; but was lifted up with
joy to think, what a life he was going to, looking
upon death it self as one of his Fathers servants,
and his friend that was sent as a messenger
to conduct him safely to his glorious palace.
When he felt his body ready to faint, he called
to his Mother and said, "Dear Mother I
am dying, but I beseech you be not troubled;
for, I am through mercy, quite above the
fears of death, it's no great matter I have nothing
troubles me but the apprehensions of
your grief. I am going to Him, whom I
love above life.
But it pleased the Lord to raise him again a
little out of this fainting fit, for his master had
yet more work for him to do before he must receive
his wages. Although his outward man
decaied apace, yet he is renewed in the inward
man day by day: his graces were never more

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active, and his experiences were never greater.
When one would have thought, he should have
been taken up with his distemper, and that it
had been enough for him to grapple with his
pains, then he quite forgets his weakness; and is
so swallowed up of the life to come, that he had
scarce leisure to think of his sickness.
For several weeks together, I never heard
the least word that favoured of any complaint,
or weariness under the hand of God; except,
his eager desire to be with Christ, be counted
complaining, and his haste to be in Heaven be
called impatience. Now's the time when one
might have seen Heaven and the Glory of another
world realized to sense. His faith grew
exceedingly and his love was proportionable,
and his joys were equal to both.
O the rare attainments! The high and divine
expressions, that dropped from his mouth! I
have not words to express what a strange, triumphant,
angelical frame, he was in, for some
considerable time together. It was a very Heaven
upon earth, to see and hear a man admiring
God at such a rate, as I never heard any, nor
ever expect to hear or see more, till I come to
Heaven. Those that did not see cannot well
conceive, what a sweet frame he was in, for at
least six weeks before he died. His soul was
almost alwaies filled with those joys unspeakable
and full of glory. How oft would he cry
out; O, that I could but let you know what I
now feel! O, that I could show you what I see!
O, that I could express the thousandth part of
that sweetness that I now find in Christ! You
would all then think it well worth the while to
make it your business to be religious. O my dear
friends, we little think what a Christ is worth upon
a death-bed. I would not for a world, nay
for millions of worlds, be now without a Christ
and a pardon. I would not for a world be to live
any longer: the very thoughts of a possibility
of recovery, makes me even tremble.
When one came to visit him, and told him,
that he hoped it might please God to raise him
again, and that he had seen many a weaker man
restored to health, and that lived many a good
year after: And do you think to please me
said he by such discourse as this? No,
Friend, you are much mistaken in me, if you
think that the thoughts of life, and health, and
the world, are pleasing to me. The world hath
quite lost its excellency in my judgement. O
how poor and contemptible a thing is it in all
its glory, compared with the glory of that invisible
world which I now live in the sight of!
And as for life, Christ is my life, health and
strength; and I know, I shall have another
kind of life, when I leave this. I tell you it
would incomparably more please me, if you
should say to me, You are no man of this
world; you cannot possibly hold out long; before
to morrow you will be in eternity. I tell
you I do so long to be with Christ, that I could be
contented to be cut apeices, and to be put to the

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most exquisite torments, so I might but die, and
be with Christ. O, how sweet is Jesus! Come,
Lord Jesus, come quickly. Death, do thy worst!
Death hath lost his terribleness. Death, it is
nothing. I say, Death is nothing through
grace to me. I can as easily die as shut my
eyes, or turn my head and sleep: I long to be
with Christ; I long to die; that was still his
note.
His Mother and Brethren standing by him he
said; "Dear Mother, I beseech you as earnestly
as ever I desired any thing of 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 rest and glory. I am afraid of
your prayers, lest they pull one way and mine
another."
And then turning to his Brethren he spake
thus to them, "I charge you all, do not pray
for my life any more: you do me wrong, if
you do! O that glory, the unspeakable glory
that I behold. My heart is full, my heart is
full. Christ smiles, and I cannot choose but
smile: can you find in your heart, to stop me
who am now going to the compleat and eternal
injoyment of Christ? Would you keep
me from my Crown? The arms of my blessed
Saviour are open to imbrace me; the Angels
stand ready to carry my soul in his bosom.
O, did you but see what I see; you
would all cry out with me, how long, dear
Lord, come Lord Jesus come quickly! O,
why are his Chariot-wheels so long a coming!"
And all this while he lay like a triumphing
conqueror, smiling and rejoicing in spirit.
There was never a day towards his end but
as weak as he was he did some special piece
of service in, for his great Master. Yea, almost
every hour did produce fresh wonders.
A Reverend, Judicious and holy Minister
came often to visit him, and discoursed with
him of the excellency of Christ, and the glory
of the invisible world. Sir, said he, I feel
something of it; my heart is as full as it can
hold in this lower state; I can hold no more
here. O that I could but let you know what I
feel!
This holy Minister praying with him his
soul was ravished with the abundant incomes of
light, life and love; so that he could scarce
hear it, nor the thought of staying any longer
in the world, but longed to be in such a condition,
wherein he should have yet more grace
and more comfort, and be better able to bear that
weight of glory; some manifestations whereof
did even almost sink his weak body, and had
he not been sustained by a great power, his
very joys would have overwhelmed him; and
whilst he was in these extasies of joy and love,
he was wont to cry out,
"Who am I Lord, who am I, that thou
shouldst be mindful of me! Why me Lord,
why me, and pass by thousands and look upon

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such a wretch as me. O, what shall I say,
unto thee, O thou preserver of men? O, why
me Lord, why me? O blessed, and for ever
blessed, be free grace! How is it, Lord, that thou
shouldst manifest thy self unto me, and not
unto others, even so Father, because it seemeth
good in thy eyes, Thou wilt have mercy because
thou wilt have mercy. And if thou
wilt look upon such a poor worm who can
hinder! Who would not love thee! O blessed
Father! O how sweet and gratious hast thou
been unto me? O, that he should have me in
his thoughts of love, before the foundations of
the world."
And thus he went on, admiring and adoring
of God, in a more high and heavenly manner
than I can clothe with words. Suppose what you
can on this side Heaven; and I am perswaded
you might have seen it in him. He was wonderfully
taken with the goodness of God to him
in sending that aged experienced Minister to
help him in his last great work upon earth.
"Who am I", said he, "that God should send to
me a messenger one among a thousand meaning
that Minister who had been praying
with
him with tears of joy."