A TRUE RELATION of the right Christianly departure, or Death, of the most Noble Earl Philippus Lodovicus, Earl of Hanaw and Rieneck, Lord of Muntzenbergk, etc. Uncle to the Count Palatine. Who blessedly deceased, in the Lord, on Sunday the ninth of August 1612. betwixt eight and nine of the clock in the Morning, being returned from his great embassage for England. Faithfully penned by JOANN APPELIUS Preacher at Alten-Hasell. Translated out of the German tongue by S. R. PSALM 146. 4. 5. Man's breath departeth, and he returneth to his earth: then his thoughts perish. Blessed is he that hath the God of JACOB for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God. LONDON: Printed for NICHOLAS BOURNE, and are to be sold at the entering in of the Royal Exchange, and at the sign of the Angel in Paul's Churchyard. 1612. To the Christian Reader. WHereas other men have laudably described the Art of well living and well dying; I hope it will not be misconstrued if we do verify the same, by the examples of those, whom we have seen departed Christianly. Know you therefore (loving Reader) that the departure of my noble and gracious Lord (of blessed memory) is described by us, to the end that it might serve unto my Noble and Gracious Lady and her dear Children (as unto a distressed Widow and Orphans) for a godly Instruction and Consolation unto Patience: considering also, that particular examples move the heart more effectually, then general Precepts or Rules; and because the departure of my gracious Lord is full of Comfort and Edification, we thought it not amiss (being induced by many religiously-affected minds) to communicate the same also unto others, which (no doubt) will be taken in good part by all religious Christians, as it is meant by us. Farewell. TITUS 1. 15. Unto the pure are all things pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving, is nothing pure, but even their minds and consciences are defiled. A TRUE RELATION of the Christianly departure of the Noble Earl Philippus Lodovicus, etc. Uncle of the Count Palatine. THE Noble Earl of Hanaw and Reineck, having happily ended aiourncy of great weight, and being by God's grace returned unto his Dominions, did take againc in hand the careful government of the same. The Air being very hot, his Excellency, towards the evening, went divers times, in his Coach, into the Woods to recreate himself. It happened the 29. day of july last passed, that his Excellency went with some of his Co●nc●● and Servants from his Court to a Pond (called Krebsbach) where Lobster's are fed, and feeling himsclfe some what ill did take his rest a little in the fields. The next day notwithstanding he went to the accustomed Wéeke-Sermon, and unto public Prayers at the Church in the old City: but the Sermon being ended, he felt himself not well, and went to rest on his bed. The 31. of july and first of August, the weather being very hot, and he feeling great heat in his body, was led into divers rooms for to rest and take the fresh air. The 2. of August, by the counsel of Physicians, he was let blood, and took Physic, whereby he found himself so restored that he put on his garments, and went to visit his loving Wife, lying in Childbed, who some few days before was delivered of a goodly Son. On the same day his Excellency called to him one of his counsellors, and reasoned with him about divers matters, but chief concerning the Church of Hanaw. The third day of August being Monday, his Excellency fell sick again, and began to prepare himself for a blessed and Christian departure, with a wonderful constancy and courage, giving an account of his faith with a singular zeal in the presence of his Wife and Children, who were called to him for that purpose. And although he had comforted his wife in very good sort, admonishing her also unto Christian patience, yet notwithstanding (she being retired) he took his leave of his Children, and others that were about him, in the presence of divers of his counsellors and Courtiers, in a very religious manner he spoke unto every Child in particular, praying over them, and giving his blessing unto them, adding thereunto his fatherly admonitions unto true piety and virtue, thus committed them unto the protection of Almighty God through jesus Christ: Even as we read Genesis 49. of the holy Patriarch jacob. All this he did with such comfortable words, and resolute mind, that the whole room was filled with the sighs and tears of the beholders, who wondered at the same, and thankhd God for that rich measure of his spirit bestowed on him. The heaviness of our sorrow made that we could not remember the very words of his prayers and admonitions, but the Christian Reader may partly understand what they were, by that which followeth, and happened the Thursday following. The speech unto his Children being ended, he spoke unto his Council in general, and unto every one in particular, of those things that concerned the Church and School, the Country and Subjects, and so took his leave of them. The Council being retired, divers Gentlemen, Courtiers, came unto him at his request, and with many tears and sighs, taking their dear Lords hand, went with a sorrowful heart from him. divers Citizens dwelling in the old and new Town, came at his citation also before his bed, he spoke very comfortably unto them, and stretching his hand out unto them, with much sorrow, they took their leaves of him: this being done, his Excellency asked whether there were any body else to take leave of him. The Preachers of both the Cities were likewise called for, and he declared in their presence, that his singular desire was, to receive yet once before his end (with his house) the holy Supper of our Lord jesus Christ, even as the Lord jesus had ordained the same shortly before his death and Passion. He added hereunto a farther exposition of his demand: that his request was not grounded on Superstition, or on that error, that ex opere operato, the same were meritorious: but whereas he had been a certain time in foreign Countries, and had not found the fit occasion to receive the same in the Church and Congregation of the faithful, his request was to receive, for the strengthening of his weak Faith, and to testify his Profession yet once again before God and the World. The Preachers had nothing to reply unto such a reasonable and religious request, and therefore performed the same out of hand. The Confession which his Excellency at that time uttered with Christian attention, was after this manner: viz. I Thank my GOD from the bottom of my heart, in the Name of my Lord jesus Christ, that I have lived unto this day: in which I am able to receive, yet once again before my departure out of this world, the holy Supper of my Lord jesus Christ. I never had a more joyful banquet then this: I have sitten at the Table of great Kings and Princes, where all things were costly, and pompously prepared, but the cheer of the Cross of Christ, as now it is set before the eyes of my Soul, appears more glorious unto m● O my dear Preacher, I protest before thee, as the ordained Minister of jesus Christ, that I do speak these words without hypocrisy, from a true joy, and desire which I have to enjoy the body and blood of jesus Christ in Faith, through the operation of the holy Spirit. Afterward he continued his speech thus: I Praise and thank my God, that he hath created me a man, with reason and understanding, that he hath preserved my body, Soul and limbs until this hour, delivered me from many sorrows and dangers, bestowed on me very much good, exalted me unto great honour; and chiefly, that he hath so directed the going out and in of my late Voyage, that I am returned unto mine in good health and disposition. And whereas now a days many and divers Religions are found in Europe, I thank my God, that he hath let me come unto this Religion, where I do seek my salvation only in his mercy declared unto us in jesus Christ. For I know by experience, and do also testify the same openly, that I have found in all my griefs and temptations, a firm comfort in the confession of this my Faith, being grounded only on the Writings of the holy Prophets and Apostles of the old and new Testament I am therefore assured in my heart that this is the true Religion and Confession of God, whereby sure salvation is to be found, and hoped for. I thank likewise all those good men, whom God hath employed as means and instruments, by whosecare, service and diligence I was brought unto this profession. I will also that my Children be brought up and persevere therein. Besides this I admonish you Pastors to be faithful and diligent in your charge as hitherto you have been, that so you may give a good account unto God. And now I place myself before God's face, as a poor sinner that hath deserved Hell and eternal death: but I believe firmly that jesus Christ, true God and Man, is my Saviour: (who as the Lamb of God, hath boren my sins upon the Cross, and delivered me out of the power of Satan) and that he will, before my end, strengthen my weak faith with his holy Supper. I testify also before God and you his Ministers, that I have forgiven, and do forgive with my heart all those that have offended me: and I pray likewise for pardon, for we are men, and the righteous man falleth seven times a day. And because many men have thought that I bear an evil heart against my dear brother Count Albrecht, etc. I protest that I always was truly and brotherly affected, and my Conscience doth witness unto me, that concerning our controversy (which I have submitted unto the Law) I am not altered against him: and I do not in that regard fear the judgement seat of GOD: Have you therefore a care to tell him thus much from me: Pray and admonish him also to let the Law have his course, and to deal faithfully with my Widow and Orphans, the Lord will reward him for it, and he shall keep a good conscience. Finally, I testify by this holy Supper, that if it please the Lord to restore unto me my health, (which I do fully leave to his good pleasure) I will to his praise and honour amend my life, endeavouring that which is good, and shunning all wickedness; yet all this only by his help, grace and assistance. Thus did his Excellency give a true and constant profession of his Faith, not with one breath, but at divers times as his strength would permit. The dutch Preacher of the old City, before the Communion made a short Sermon: some fourteen did communicate: the action was concluded with the accustomed thanksgiving and prayers. Monday about the Evening, his Excellency's Steward came unto him, and conferred with him about matters that belonged to the Court, and the education of his children: but that night he could not sleep, therefore he caused godly psalms to be sung, and he himself sung also. Tuesday the .4. of August, having passed a heavy night, he found himself reasonable well, so that he clothed himself, intending to visit his wife, but being overwearied he left it. He caused divers letters to be brought before him, which he sealed with his own hand, and went to take the air at the window: toward night he felt himself again weak. The 5. of August, he caused his last Will and Testament, which was sealed up, to be brought unto him, and did read the same, and willed something to be added thereunto, concerning his Chamberlain, which being done, he gave the same unto his Chamberlain, charging him to deliver the same unto his Counsel. Next morning there came unto his Excellency the Noble Lady Emilia of Orange, Sister of his wife, from Heydelberg, whom he received with tears, and said: Many have stood weeping about my bed, but none could break my heart, and provoke my tears but your Ladyship. About the same time came divers of his servants home from the Sermon made on the monthly prayer-day, and his Excellency would hear of every one of them some good doctrine, or comfortable sentence brought from thence, which being performed by them, he heard it with great contentment. His wife came also the same day again to visit him, whom he received with kind and comfortable words, and shortly after she went from him. The evening and night approaching his Excellency became very heavy, so that not only the Physicians with their Art, but also the Divines with their consolations had enough to do: at his Excellencies request divers penitenciall Psalms were sung, namely, the sixth, thirty-eight, and others. I took occasion at the same time to comfort his Excellency with the hope which yet we had that God would prolong his life, and make him overgo, by patience, the smarting pains and weaknesses of his body, but when as I perceived by his words and countenance that such comfort was not acceptable unto him, I went on, and said that his Excellency had not only to look what were good for himself, but also for his Country and poor people, affirming, we do not envy heaven and life everlasting unto your Excellency, but what if the Lord God would preserve you to be a comfort and protection of this Country and Church yet certain years, as it happened in Ezechia, would not you follow this will of God? The King Ezechia himself required such prolongation chiefly, for the Church and Country's sake. The same night I propounded unto him the words of our Saviour Math. 11. 28. Come unto me all ye that are weary and laden, and I will ease you. The Doctor rehearsed the sentence joh. 6. 37. Him that cometh to me I cast not away. Whereupon his Excellency repeated often these words, Come, and Not cast away, resisting therewithal his temptations, and said finally, Ah my Lord jesus, I come unto thee, thou wilt not cast me away. Besides this, he said unto the Preacher of the old City, Now I seel your comfort, the virtue of Christ's blood doth now refresh my heart, I feel now the forgiveness of my sins, and that I am a child of God and heir of life eternal. The next Morning his Excellency desired to be removed into a large room newly built, because (as he had told unto his Chamberlain) the dead body might the easier be prepared by the Physicians for the burial. In this new room, came unto him his wife, with the aforesaid Lady of Orange, and there he subscribed and sealed divers Letters. ●… The sixth of August, before the breaking of the day, came unto him at his request the Lady of Orange, and he spoke with her about the Prince Palatins widow at Herdelberg, the Duchess of Bovillon, and other friends, telling her what he would have said and written untothem: hereupon he said unto her in french Ah my loving and virtuous Lady, I am a sick man! Rehearse unto me some comfortable sentence. She answered: My dear Lord and Brother, I see you so richly furnished with the comfort of God's holy spirit, that I cannot comfort you any further. His Excellency urging to have from her, out of God's word, some sentence, she alleged the words of our Saviour, john 3 16. God so loved the world, that he hath given his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life: and added, comfort yourself herewithal my dear brother: his Excellency answered, well said my Lady; This is the greatest and surest comfort of the faithful: with this comfort will I die happily: I beseech my loving God from my heart for such a blessed departure, through the virtue of the satisfaction of my Lord jesus Christ. Whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it unto you. O Lord jesus Christ I commit my Soul into thy hands, now and at all times. His Excellency caused the German Bible to be given to me, and desired to hear some observations on the 91. Psalm, but the french Preacher entering, drew him some comforts out of the 90. and 91. Psalm: Then his Excellency said unto the Preacher, Ah, I am a very sick man! I have had a heavy night, but I confess that my sins have deserved this and more than this; yet I comfort myself with the mercy of my Lord jesus Christ, by whose virtue and intercession, no heavier cross shall be laid on me than I shall be able to bear; he knows what is best for us, he dissembleth not with us, I rely on him. The Preacher answered, your Excellency be comforted and be patiented: Christ is that good shepherd that giveth unto his sheep everlasting life; he hath received them into his hands from his Father, and keepeth them faithfully, that none of them be taken out of his hands: your Excellency hath heard, believed and followed the voice of the said Shepherd. That is it (said his Excellency) which now the devil setteth before me, and troubleth me, because I have not heard and followed the voice of my Shepherd. The Minister answered: The Devil always followeth his old custom, from whence he is called a Liar and a Murderer: for he lieth accusing your Excellency not to have heard nor followed at all, the voice of Christ your shepherd. It is plain that your Excellency never despised the same, but heard and followed it, though it may be not always with such earn●●nesse and zeal as was required. And what if your Excellency had not yet heard nor followed the voice of that good shepherd? it is not yet too late to do the same: you read in the 95. Psalm, 7. 8. To day if you will hear his voice, harden not your heart: This present hour and moment is promised in the holy Scriptures. Pray yet in Christ jesus his name for the pardon of your sins, and this day they shall be pardoned unto you, for so speaketh and promiseth God: As true as I live, I desire not the death of sinners, but that they repent & live. The Lady Emilia being present, his Excellency said unto her, this night I could not understand nor receive consolation, but now I understand and receive it very well. Hereupon I answered, The Lord be praised, that now your Excellency receiveth the same, Confirmet Deus quod operatus est. Psal. 68 This day his Excellency caused certain little Prayer books (with which he often had used to exercise himself) to be brought to his bed, and ordained for every Child one, for a remembrance, writing therein their sundry names, and adding there unto his Christian vow and fatherly admonition. The eldest Son Philippus Mauritius, received from his Father the German Bible, which his Excellency had taken along with him in Bohemia, France, England, and other Countries, and in the which he did read, or caused to be read every Morning and Evening certain Chapters, whereof he noted with black, green, or red Ink, the chief heads, and on the Margin wrote the true uses thereof in short words, as a faithful Minister should do in his calling. Hence it appeareth that his Excellency hath sought the Lord jesus his Saviour (according to his commandment john 5.) in the Scriptures only, and hath found him, and in him life eternal and true salvation. The words written for his eldest Son were these: MY Son PHILIPPUS MAURITIUS, Count of Hanaw: Fear GOD, and keep his Commandments. I have been this night in great anguish, I have thought on many things, which I wish you could know, my Child; yet this I tell you: Keep thyself all thy life time close unto thy God, his help and assistance is necessary unto thee, would to God that I could write, the great richesses of his mercy, goodness and faithfulness, experimented by me these former days. I have the foretaste of the eternal glory: The Lord help thee unto me in due time. Amen. In these pangs of death I do desire to be delivered, and to be with my Lord jesus Christ. O jesus Christ thou faithful Saviour, how do I love thee? thy promises are true, thy love is great, thy heart is faithful towards me; I commend my Spirit into thy hands, thou faithful God, thou hast delivered and sanctified me. Lord, I wait on thy salvation. Thy faithful Father PHILIPPUS LODOVICUS. The second Son Willelmus Reynhart received his book with these words: MY dear Son, serve thy God with thy whole heart, in spirit and truth; I have destinated thee thereunto: Esteem it not to be a shame for thee to serve GOD and his Church. GOD is the greatest Lord, thy Creator: Keep in honour the true service of God: Obey and serve thy dear Mother, under whose heart thou hast line: Honour and serve thy eldest Brother as thy Lord, for such is the ordinance, and also my will: Bear with him; if thou be in the right then art thou happier than he: if thou dost not walk uprightly in thy ways, than art thou not happy. love thy Brother and Sisters from thy heart: Love thy house, do good unto the poor according to thy ability, then shall the Lord bless thee: Beware of drinking, dissoluteness and unclean speeches, as of fire: Honour thy state: Be industrious in all things: Read and practise continually the 119. Psalm: Let thy Astrologians be the 28. Chapter of Deutronomium. PHILIPPUS LODOVICUS Thy faithful Father unto death. The eldest Daughter, Lady Charlotte Loisa, received her book, with these words: Fear, Honour and love thy GOD from thy heart: have his Commandments continually before thine eyes; take thy delight therein: Honour with a filial obedience thy loving Mother: Keep thy mouth close with a lock: Esteem honesty and modesty above all the treasures of the world. God bless thee my loving Child. Thy faithful Father unto death. The second Daughter, Lady Amalia Elisabetha, received her book, with these words: Have GOD before thine eyes: Honour thy Mother with obedience: Keep honesty and modesty, that will be thy best jewel and riches. Thy faithful Father unto death. The youngest Daughter, Lady Catharina juliana, received her book with these words: Dear Child, be virtuous; Have thy Creator before thine eyes; Fear thy God all the days of thy life; Love thy Saviour, who shed his precious blood for thee; Break thy evil will; Be humble and obedient: Humility, Honesty, and Silence do more adorn a Lady, than either Pearls or other costly jewels. Thy faithful Father unto death. His Excellency caused also the lately borne Lord to be brought before his bed, he sighed heartily over him, touched him with his hand, and prayed, that the Lord would also bless that Child, and give it grace to be well and Christianly brought up. These Children being thus blessed by his Excellency, and committed unto God, I do not doubt but that these sighs and prayers are pierced through the clouds and come unto God, yea are written in his book, and that we shall see in due time the effects thereof abundantly, according to the true promise of God, Esa. 65. 23. My elect shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth in fear, for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their buds with them. Also Psal. 145. 19 The Lord will fulfil the desire of them that fear him, he also will hear their cry, and will save them. The Lord, according unto his great mercy, grant unto these blessed Children, even the same spirit, by whom they must be blessed, that they may always have before their eyes, the zealous prayers and sighs of their father, for to stir them up unto true piety and virtue, not despising and losing (as wicked Esau did) the blessing, but keeping it on them, according to the promise: I show mercy on thousands that love me and keep my commandments. His Excellency being risen a while, that his bed might be made, looked on his new Chamber-clarke, stretched his hand out unto him, and said, I have not yet taken leave of you, I will do it now. Think on your Oath, and calling; hold God before your eyes, be faithful unto him, and you shall keep a good conscience, and, no doubt, be faithful unto me and mine. The Lord give thee grace thereunto. Due of his Counsellors coming into the Chamber as his Excellency was to lie down again, his Excellency stretched his arms out, and said, with great affection. Ecce Divinum Miraculum, Hominem iam mortuum, viribus tamen adhuc integrum. Lo a divine miracle, a man already dead, yet having his full strength: for his Excellency did feel himself yet strong, thence he feared a heavy departure. His Excellency caused divers things to be read unto him, out of a little Song-booke Printed in Lubeck, Anno 1607. which beginneth thus: Ache Gott wen solemnising iches klagen. Mein Angst unnd Ellend schwer Ich mocht will gar verzaghen Wann Herr dein trost night were, etc. And took the same unto him, and in the margant wrote these words, This song have I used many years: and commanded as soon as he should be departed, to lay the same (the book being opened) upon his heart. On the said day did his Excellency call before him all the Ministers of the old and new City, whereunto were joined some Country Ministers, with whom his Excellency did discourse of the true faith and christian departure, and told unto them, that he would not be in this his weakness without a Preacher. His Excellency did often sigh, and pray from his heart, for mitigation of his pains and shortening of the pangs of death, as also for an understanding end, besides this, uttered many excellent and comfortable speeches, to the joy and admiration of the assistants, which were not remembered, nor noted, because no body did think that death was at hand, yet whereas many of them were repeated by him the Friday ensuing, I have set them down in writing. On Friday the 7. of August, when his Excellency no doubt did feel that the hour of death did approach, and that his heart was full of Godly comfort, his Excellency began again to speak with a singular zeal, of the misery of this life, of the death of a Christian, and of eternal salvation: I was present at that time, and did admit no other than myself: from that time forward, the chiefest speeches which I noted were these. Should I not keep that which I have promised unto my God? I have promised to follow him, when and whether soever he do call me. He calleth me now, I am now upon the way, should I turn back again? Should I thrust myself again into such unquietness? I thank God that I am thus far delivered thereof. Should I pollute myself again with sin, from the which my Lord jesus Christ hath freed me? Ah my dear friends (thus he spoke unto us the assistants) how well should your matters stand, if they stood, as mine do? Ah loving Sirs, I have seen the glory of God, what care I for this world? I have kissed the hem of the garment of my Lord jesus Christ, I do now climb on the Ladder of jacob unto heaven, toward my God and Saviour, should I be so sottish as to take a piece of wood for a piece of Gold? What if many millions of Gold were given unto me to spend, I would account it nothing: worldly things do perish. Whilst his Excellency was speaking these things, he cast his arms from him, and said, all things do now stink unto me: tell this unto my Children, and chiefly unto their Steward, that they do not endeavour for worldly matters, but that they put their trust on God. Ah my dear people, how much trouble have you with me miserable creature? I will thank you all in heaven, some of you will shortly follow me. My wife gave me leave to travail into England, why should she not give me leave to go unto my loving God, yea, said I: into that Celestial Engelland where the holy Angels praise God, as they did at Bethlem? And when I would comfort his Excellency with the hope of recovery of his health, he answered very earnestly these words. My loving Minister, can you counsel me with a good conscience, that I should thrust myself again into this wicked and troublesome world? On Friday Morning his Excellency charged to shut all the doors and to admit no man unto him, that he might not be seen uncovered because of the exceeding great heat. But about the Evening, beginning again to speak very comfortably of eternal life, he cried twice with a loud voice, Open all the doors, let all my people come in, that they may see how joyfully I die, that they all, may be comforted by my example. He thought also on his Wife in Childbed, and said: How well and wisely doth the Lord ordain all things? he hath delivered my Wife from the pangs and labour of Childbirth, that she should not have two griefs at once: she will the sooner pass over the grief of my departure. The Physicians counseled his Excellency not to over-weary himself by too much speaking, whereunto he answered, Should I not speak of my loving God? he hath given me a tongue to that end. They did likewise dissuade him from taking the fresh Air, by opening of a window: his Excellency answered, Should I not behold the fair heavens, whether I shall come anon? When his Excellency did see, through the window, his new built Turret, and spoke of it: I said, This is a fair Turret, but your Excellency knoweth well which is the spiritual Turret of our souls, from thence shall you receive help and consolation: his Excellency said hereupon, good-night, and caused the window to be shut, and looking on his bed, said, Christ hath suffered for me at the fearful Cross, I am not worthy of this ease: I answered, your Excellency is worthy of it, and seeing God hath given you the same receive it thankfully. Lying on his bed he stretched his right leg on the side, stoke his hand on it, and said, O you dear leg, you have had a long time no rest, your rest draweth near. One of his Exceilencies serving-men going out of the Chamber, his Excellency commended unto me his diligence and faithfulness. His Excellency did lift up to heaven his hands and eyes very often, and said, O thou great and strong God, Thou almighty God, Thou holy God, Thou good and true God, and added always thereunto some short and fervent prayer. Doctor Luther calleth such prayers Stossgebete, that is, thrusting, or thronging prayers, because they come from the zealous heart with force, and are cast out before the mercy seat of God, according unto the speech of the 55. Psalm, Cast thy burden upon the Lord. His Excellency did also often repeat these sentences, Psalm 50. verse 15. Call upon me in the day of trouble, so will I deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. Psalm 91. 15. He shall call upon me, and I will hear him, I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him, and show him my salvation. Philip. 1. 23. I desire to be loosed and to be with Christ. Psalm 27. 14. Hope in the Lord, be strong, comfort thine heart, and trust in the Lord. I depart in peace and in joy, should not I be glad? I have obtained of my God what I demanded, yea, more than I requested. His Excellency could not be satisfied with the 23. Psalm The Lord is my shepherd: he caused me to read the same three times: and as once I read these words, yea, though I should walk through the dark valley, his Excellency said, that dark valley is now unto me reasonable light. O Lord stay (thine anger) from me, that I may be refreshed before I go hence. He made likewise very good use with the two last verses of the 38. Psalm. Forsake me not O Lord, be not thou far from me my God. Haste thee to help me, O Lord of my salvation. Hence it appeareth that man consisteth of flesh and spirit, that the old and new Adam dwelleth in him, and that these two are always in combat one against another, as long as man liveth here. And when man is cast, by the Counsel of God, into the Oven of misery, and is tempted by the heat of the Cross, than Soul and Body, Flesh and Spirit fight one against the other. The worldlings have no feeling of such a Spiritual combat, but God's children feel the same every day, and pray, O Lord, Lead us not into temptation▪ yet lead us according unto thy will, but deliver us soon from the Euill-one, and from all that might hinder our salvation. Hence it cometh that the true believers when they feel such a combat betwixt the Spirit and the Flesh, or see and hear it in others, that they hold it for a good token, according unto the saying of Saint james, Cap. 1. 2. My Brethren, count it exceeding joy when you fall into divers temptations. Also verse 12. Blessed is the man that endureth tentation. The unbelieving worldlings, and Hypocrites, who know not how wonderfully God dealeth with his Saints, hold it for an evil sign or token, and speak with derision of it, which they would not do if they understood the example of our Saviour jesus Christ, who was tempted three times by the Devil. Also, if they knew that all things do turn good unto those that love God. Also, that they must be made like unto the Image of his Son, Rom. 8. Hence it fell out, that his Excellency, besides these excellent speeches of consolation (feeling in his heart the testimony of God's holy Spirit) did utter sometimes words of complaint and sorrow, by the frailty of his sinful flesh, and of old Adam, yet sought finally the victory. He complained sometimes of the misery of this life, of the manifold sins whereunto the corrupt nature is subject, of the fearfulness of death, of the pains of hell, and said: Ah I miserable sinful man: O Lord hast thou forgotten me, wilt thou show no more mercy? Is thy mercy turned to anger? etc. even as David speaketh in the 77. and 88 Psalms, Also my pains are too great, I can suffer them no longer. And whereas these words did seem to come from unpatience against the gracious help of God, his Excellency was comforted and admonished by me and other assistants, with many good and holy sentences, unto Christian patience: it is not need to set them down here. His Excellency did receive this comfort, and did correct his former unpatience with these words. Ah, I do provoke my God unto anger by my unpatience, I will do it no more. If I have received from God good things, I will bear patiently the evil: he will not forsake me, he hath not forsaken me yet, I will prescribe unto him no measure: forsake me not O Lord, that I forsake not thee. Besides went on thus: Ah what a heavy battle is before me? whereupon I told him, your Excellency is now in the estate, wherein your Lord jesus Christ was when he was in the agony Luke 22. 44. the said Lord Christ hath over-wonne, he calleth now unto himself, all those that are weary and laden, Mat. 11. 28. he is the Captain in this combat, follow you him with patience and faith, and no enemy shall be able to hurt you. His Excellency did not fear death, for he was ready and willing to die, but only the terror of it, setting death before his eyes (by the weakness of the flesh) as a fearful Tyrant, and as the Giant Goliath, who terrified the Israelites. But I comforted him immediately, as followeth. Death indeed was terrible because of our sins, but she is no more horrible unto those that are in jesus Christ, for he (as the true David) hath vanquished death. Did not your Excellency hitherto pray for a blessed end? Hath not Christ promised, that he will give whatsoever we do pray for unto the Father in his name? joh. 16. Doth not the 145. Psalm say, that God doth what the good demand? and the 12. God heareth the sighs of the faithful? and the 34. God delivereth the righteous out of all fear. Your Excellency will not tread under feet your prayers and deep sighs, for they are pierced through the clouds. I will saith the Lord, up, and set him at liberty, Psal. 12. Besides I propounded unto his Excellency the comfort of the 1 Cor. 15. 55. O death where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory? Hence I took occasion to show to compare the death of the faithful, unto a bold and proud Soldier who hath no weapons, and whose threatenings are in vain. These words took away that fear of his Excellency, & after divers groanings, keeping himself quiet, he said: One combat is now past: which words I heard with great joy, and thanked God for it. The Saturday drawing near, his Excellency was desirous to speak again with his wife, and the Lady of Orange. They came presently, and with them the Lady Charlotte Loyse, he spoke with them in order, and they with comfortable speeches and abundance of tears took their leave again of him: he said unto his daughter Charlotte, Well, my dear daughter, remember me thy father, who always intended to do thee good, fear the Lord: be virtuous and honest, and no good shall fail thee. On Saturday the 8. of August, did some of his Council ask what they should say unto his loving Brother Count Albrecht, if it would please God to take his Excellency unto himself, he answered: Tell him good night, and let him know that I have always meant well and brotherly, though he and some others could or would not always acknowledge the same. It needs not to write of this matter any further. His Excellency charged them also to say farewell, in his name, unto the Archbishop and Prince Elector of Ments, the Abbot of Fulda, the Count Wolffgang E●●est of Henburgk, etc. and told his Chamberlain, by whom, and on what occasion this should be performed. On this Saturday his Excellency caused, for a time, all the assistants to void the chamber, and I remained alone with him, he began to enter with me into an holy discourse of the estate of the souls of the righteous in heaven, and how far we are bound, and able, as long as we are in the militant Church, to pray for ourselves and our brethren; yea, for all men: I made along discourse hereof unto his Excellency, wherein he had a very good liking. The greatness of his pains made him to complain, yet by my comfort did gather courage, and said in Latin, Mors mea gloriosa erit, my death shall be glorious, as if he would have said; What do I trouble myself? all will be well and glorious. On Saturday night, the Sunday approaching, and the hour of death drawing near, a very great conflict was seen in him, and said in his lamentations: Ah, God hath forgotten me! it is unpossible that I should be succoured, I cannot hold fast your consolations: thus turned himself from me, & complained of an unspeakable heat and cold, & how he stood with one foot only, upon a high mountain, and was to leap over a water that sprung out of the mountain. These words did much move the hearts of the assistants, and of me likewise; chiefly because his Excellency said that he could not receive my consolations. Hereupon I told him that he was to bear those sufferances, that made him complain, as our Saviour did upon the Cross, My God, my God why hast thou forsaken me? and the Prophet David, Psalm 18. The sorrows of death compassed me about, etc. And whereas his Excellency had turned himself from me, and could not receive comfort, I went to the bed, fell about his neck, and spoke in great earnest these words. My gracious Lord, I beseech and admonish your Excellency to take to your heart my consolations (which I shall draw out of God's holy word) as from the Minister of Christ. It is now Saturday, the Sunday is at hand, then do we speak in the Church, in the exposition of the Catechism of the crucified Lord jesus Christ: let us now also speak of him. These words moved his Excellency to turn himself again towards me, and to give ear unto those comfortable grounds and sentences which I did allege out of God's holy word, as the Lord at that time did put into my heart: and I did chiefly draw some meditations from the 23. Psalm, (in which Psalm his Excellency did much delight, as we said before) saying, your Excellency shall now be brought unto those green Pastures, and sweet waters, that refresh the soul, whereby your soul, to the praise of God, shall also be quickened. It is true that the way unto those blessed Pastures and springs, is a dark valley of death, full of thorns, the door also is very narrow. But your Excellency be of good cheer, for you have hitherto courageously overcome the thorns of sin, and the darkness of the terrible death, through jesus Christ, who is the light, the way, the truth and the life. Go on fight on, in jesus Christ's name, you are almost at the end, there remaineth but two steps, and two blows, than all is won. Your Excellency setteth now his right foot out of the dark and thorny valley, into the pleasant pastures of God. jesus Christ our Saviour (who also went this way, yea, a far painefuller) standeth in the midst of these pastures and the holy Angels with him, they wink at you, and call you unto them, and do long to receive you into their company. There is prepared a Table for your Excellency to sit at, with Abraham, Isaac, and jacob: you shall drink there the overflowing Cup of Heavenly joy, your head shall be anointed with the true oil of gladness, seeing you have fought and overcome so valiantly in jesus Christ. By these zealous speeches, and other, was taken away the tentation and fear of Hell, through the grace of our Lord Christ, who permitteth us not to be tempted above our ability and power. His Excellency laid both his hands in my right hand, and I laid my left hand on his head, and thus gave a very good attention unto those things which were alleged by me. The Physicians did admonish his Excellency to sleep, whereupon I said, in the name of the Lord Christ do I lay my hand on your head, I beseech him to strengthen and refresh you. Thus he took a little sleep, and I went out of the room: but being awaked again, I was called for, and his Excellency said unto me, that I should lay again my hand on his head in the name of the Lord Christ, I did it, and he fell in sleep again. On Sunday about nine of the clock in the morning, (which was the day of his deliverance) something was brought unto him for to eat, and to get rest, the Physicians said, that then all would be well. His Excellency answered, if it should be better after my sleep, than I desire no more of this, only I wish for so much strength, that I may commit my soul unto my Saviour, and speak yet once with my wife. Thus did we void the room in hope of rest, leaving only his Steward with him. When we thought that his Excellency took rest, Lo, his Steward kneeled before his bed, and said with his Excellency the Lords Prayer. We being entered his Excellency lift up his head and eyes, and cried out with a joyful voice, Now am I once delivered, and struck his breast with his hand, saying: O dear heart, how hast thou been tormented and martyred? thou shalt now be comforted. Then called he for his Wife, but for certain reasons, and for to decline those heavy lamentations, it was not done. Then said his Excellency unto his Steward, bid my Wife good-morrow, and tell her I leave this world joyfully and willingly. The Bell rung for the Sermon in the old City: his Excellency said, Never did that Bell sound so in my ears as now it doth: I answered, This Bell calleth your Excellency now, to the song of Angels, of which you told me before yesterday. Then said his Excellency, Well, Let us sing: thus laid down his head, and began to sing the song of the Angels, Luke 2. (which is used in the German Churches) Glory be to God in the high heavens, etc. We followed after him. Then began his Excellency to sing the 118. Psalm, verse 24. This is the joyful day indeed, Which God himself hath wrought, Let us be glad and joy therein, In heart, in mind and thought. We followed again, with a low and wear voice. Then came his Excellency to the 116. Psalm: I love the Lord because my voice, And prayer heard hath he, etc. Thus was to be seen the Spirit of Adoption in the heart of his Excellency. And when we spoke together for to prepare ourselves to prayer, His Excellency noted the same, and commanded us to kneel down, and to pray: he repeated every word zealously, but chiefly the Lords Prayer, and the Articles of Christian faith: and when those that were about him did comfort his Excellency with some good sentence, he repeated the same after them, as long as his tongue could do it. I feared that too much speech might have hindered his Excellency, therefore I broke of, and after a while rehearsed unto him the words of our Saviour, joh. 3. God so loved the world that he hath given his only begotten son, etc. And I asked whether his Excellency understood them: then he turned his eyes on me and said the word, I have told it. These short words did I report unto the assistants, and added, that his Excellency had abundantly declared which was his Faith, Hope, and Comfort, wherein he lived and now was to die, namely, the only begotten Son of God. Besides this, I cried often unto his Ercellencie these words. O Lord jesus Christ, I commit my Spirit into thy hands, thou hast delivered me, thou true and faithful God. Whilst this was repeated unto his Excellency he rendered his spirit quietly, and blessedly. The words of our Saviour, wherewithal I comforted him at his last hour, were before (without my knowledge) propounded unto him by the Lady of Orange, and by himself written in his German Bible, so that by God's providence the same were alleged by me: for he intended to die therein both willingly and happily. Thus departed his Excellency, after the ending of the Sermon in the old Church, and the Prayer conceined for his Excellency and other Christian Magistrates. And this is the plain and true relation of the blessed departure of his Excellency, out of this wicked world, from whence we have to take instruction and example to live according unto God's holy will, preparing ourselves, as he did, tunely, with true Faith, Hope, and Love, that when the hour of death comes, we may in Christian patience departed well comforted, both willingly and blessedly. This grant unto me and all believers, the father of mercy by his holy Spirit, for the only propitiatory Sacrifice of his dear Son, and our Saviour jesus Christ. Amen. MATTHEW 10. 22. He that endureth to the end, he shall be saved. APOCCALIPSE 2. 7. To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God. FINIS.