The Saints Loss and Lamentation, Title page verso – Letter
THE SAINTS LOSSE AND Lamentation
A SERMON PREACHED AT THE FVNERAL of the VVorshipfull Captaine HENRY WALLER, the Worthy Commander of the Renowned Martial Band of the Honourable City of London …
To the Right VVorſhipfull, the Preſident, Captaines and Gentlemen, exerciſing Armes in the Artillerie Garden of LONDON, Righteouſnes, Strength, and Peace.
Renowned Worthies,
THe honour which I beare you next my God, my King, my Church, by the intreaty of ſome of you hath now forced this rude peece into publike view. I'le cenſure it, to ſave others the labour, farre, unworthy of ſo many eares and eyes that it had and is like to have, and by my owne …udgement, once having the cenſure of the eare, it ſhould never have come to the ſecond of the eye; but others have paſſed it, and thus much I dare ſay for it, it is truth. The end of its comming to you is twofold; 1. To minde you of your weaknes; death hath made a ſhrewd breach among you, and ſet upon you in the very front, nor in the reare, and ſtro…ke as the very body, not at the flanks, your chart is unwheeled, and your horſemen throwne; … your Captaine is taken off your …eads. O… … ſoule is heavy while I ſpeake it. 2. To repa… your ſtrength, and there is but need of it, Mee thinkes I ſee Micaiahs viſion, the hoſt of Iſrael ſcattered as ſheep that have no ſhepheard; Should the hoſt of the Lord … thus? Come and let me counſell you; Profanenes, Pride, and Diſcenſion are enough… ſcatter an army, that lie as thicke at graſhoppers, as duſt into the wind; when Holines, Humility, and Love ſet … as walls about them, that they feare … force: I … accuſe you, but as my belo…ed br…th… I … you. Take heed that the unholy thing … not found among you, walke humbly towards God and man, be not all Captaines, and love as brethren, keeping the unity of the ſpirit in the bond of peace; Then aske ioyntly of God a Captaine, and aske in faith, hee will appoint a man to goe before you in righteouſnes, courage, and the feare of the Lord. having thus to you, I would alſo, were I worthy, ſend a word about this matter t our Honoured Senators; Be ſure ye iudge for God in this great buſines, and account it not your ſmalleſt Honour, if yee ſomething deny your ſelves for the glory of God, your Cities flower, and your countries good; al which lie ingaged in this deſigne. Theſe might I ſee effected, your Captaine, and your ſtrength revived, my God in both glorified, I ſhould have content enough, though many cenſures. For this I come forth, though I die, yet if the name of that Honoured head may live, whoſe praiſe with God is farre more glorious, though I ſuffer yet if ye may be the better and the ſtronger for it, it is my great reward. The care of this your ſtrength I ſhall ever commend to the Lord of Hoſts, he ſtrengthen you in righteouſnes, guard you with ſalvation, make you victorious by faith, and triumphant conquerors in his glory: In him I r…ſt,
Your hearty Orator, and fellow-Souldier in Chriſts Artillery, GEORGE HVGHES.