It was not long after his coming to Malden that a sickly Constitution so prevailed upon him, as to confine him from his Publick Work for some whole seven of Years. His _Faithfulness_ continued when his _Ministry_ was thus interrupted. The Kindness of his Tender Flock unto him was answered in his Kind Concern to have them served by other Hands. He took a short voyage unto another Country for the Recovery of his Health; which, though he recovered not, yet at his Return I find him comforting himself with inserting of this Passage in his Reserved Papers: Peradventure the Lord Removed me for a season that he might set a better Watchman over his Flock, and a more painful Laborer in his Vineyard. This was one thing that I aimed at in Removing (to help the People's Modesty in the case), and I believe the Lord aimed at it, in Removing me for a season. His Faithfulness now appeared in his _Edifying Discourses_ to those that came near him; much bewailing the want of a Profitable and Religious conversation in so many that profess Religion. And that yet he might more _Faithfully_ set himself to do Good, when he could not Preach he _Wrote_ several Composures, wherein he proposed the edification of such Readers as are for plain Truths, dressed up in a _Plain Meeter_. These Composures have had their Acceptance and Advantage among that sort of Readers; and one of them, the _Day of Doom_, which has been often Reprinted in both _Englands_, may find our Children till the _Day_ itself arrive. It pleased God, when the distress of the Church in _Malden_ did extremely call for it, wondrously to restore his _Faithful Servant_. He that had been for near Twenty Years almost _Buried Alive_, comes abroad again, and for as many years more, must, in _Publick Usefulness_, receive the Answer and Harvest of the Thousands of Supplications with which the _God of his Health_ had favoured him. How _Faithfully_ did he now Deliver the _Whole Counsel of God_! How _Faithfully_ did he Rebuke _Sin_, both in his _Ministry_ and _Discipline_! How Faithful was he to the _Work of God_ in the Churches of _New-England_, and grieved at every thing that he thought had any Tendency to incommode that Glorious Work! But how _Patient_, how _Loving_, how _Charitable_ to such as in lesser Matters differed from him! How Faithful was he in the Education of his _Family_! A very Abraham for his Commands unto them, to _Keep the Way of the Lord_! A very David for his charge unto them to _Know the God of their Father and Serve Him_! His long Weakness and Illness made him an _able Physician_ for the _Body_ as well the _Soul_. As he was _Faithful to the Death_, so he was _Lively to the Death_.