The Speedy Coming of Christ to Judgment, Title page – Errata
THE Speedy Coming OF CHRIST to Judgment, Represented in a FUNERAL SERMON, On the Death of Mr. Benjamin Ashurst, Who deceased the 11th of September, 1687.
By William Bates, D. D.
LONDON, Printed for J. Robinson, at the Golden Lion in S. Pauls Church-Yard, MDCLXXXVII.
To his Honour'd Friend, HENRY ASHURT, Esq.
SIR,
I Have complied with your desire in publishing the following Sermon upon the Death of your Dear Brother. The Soveraign Disposer of all things has been pleased to take away in a few Years several Persons very near to you in the Consanguinity of Nature, and younger than your Self: a solemn Call to remember you, that the last Day of your present Life is approaching that will be attended with its Night, and to excite you to prepare for your great Change from Time to Eternity. You have indeed peculiar Obligations and Encouragement to be Religious in a degree of Eminence; whose Father was so bright a Light, and Guide to all his Relations in the Everlasting Way, by his Holy Counsels and Heavenly Conversation. Of him I could speak many excellent Things, were not his Goodness so universally known, that Detraction it self could never fasten an unworthy Imputation upon him.
It shall suffice to give this short Character of him sincerely: He was adorn'd with all Divine Graces, and by their conspicuous Exercise was singularly eminent among the Saints. He made so particular an Application of that general Precept, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart, and with all thy Soul, with all thy Strength, and with all thy Mind, as if it had been solely given to himself: the Love of God inflam'd his Heart, and shin'd in his Life. This made him one day in a week (besides that which is Sacred by Divine Appointment) to withdraw himself from the Business of the World, that he might more freely enjoy Communion with the blessed Object of his Spiritual Desires. His Piety was in Conjunction with all those Vertues that are requisite to accomplish a Christian: Temperance and Purity of Manners, Justice and Equity in his Commerce with others, and those Vertues that cast a more lively Lustre, and have an attractive force upon Men. A rare Humility, an amiable Meekness, condescending Affability and Sweetness, compassionate Charity and Beneficence to the Souls and Bodies of Men, were really exhibited in his Deportment and Actions. He was so lovely in his Conversation, so loving to all, that he was beloved of all. The uniform and regular Tenor of his Life obtain'd this Testimony, that was given to our Blessed Master, he did all things well. A constant Serenity reigned in his Countenance, the visible sign of the Divine Calm in his Breast, the Peace of God that passes Understanding. And for an entire Conformity to our Saviour, that the Image of his meek suffering Evil, as well as his zealous doing Good, might radiantly appear in this chosen Saint, the Divine Providence call'd him forth to a very sharp Tryal; for being under the afflicting Severities of the Stone, and by the Advice of his dear Friends perswaded to submit to the dangerous Remedy of Cutting, with what resigned Submission did he yield himself to the Will of God? With what Tranquillity did he expect the issue either of surviving or dying? You remember his words before that terrible Operation, When I walk through the Valley of the shadow of Death, I will fear no Evil: When so great a Wound was made in his Flesh as an open passage for Death to enter, and such cruel pains followed as struck the Spectators with trembling, he endur'd them with an inspired Patience and Constancy. Thus God was pleased to perfect dear his Servant by Sufferings.
Your descent from such a Father should be a powerful Incentive to you to imitate his admirable Example: you should consider whose Name you bear: to be a faint Copy of so bright an Original, as it is below your Duty, so I am perswaded will not satisfy your Affections. Methinks a sacred Ambition should inflame you to excel in all Holiness and Godliness, that the living Image of your Father's Graces may be clearly visible in your Person and Conversation. Proceed, dear Sir, in the everlasting way, wherein you are so happily advanced; be always aspiring, and with Zeal endeavouring to obtain the Coelestial Prize. I unfeignedly recommend your self, your Excellent Lady, and your Family to the Divine Blessing. I am with great Respect,
Sir, Your affectionate and faithful Servant, W. BATES.
Books newly printed for J. Robinson at the Golden Lion in St. Paul's Church-Yard.
A Short Description of the Blessed Place and State of the Saints above, in a Discourse on the words of our Blessed Saviour, Joh. 14. 2. Preached on occasion of the Death of the Reverend Mr. David Clarkson. By Will. Bates, D. D.
The Way to the Highest Honour, a Funeral Sermon on John 12. 26. Preached upon the Decease of the Reverend Dr. Tho. Jacomb. By the same Author.
A Plain Representation of Transubstantiation, as it is received in the Church of Rome, with the Sandy Foundations it is built upon, and the Arguments that clearly evert and overturn it.
Errata corrigenda.
PAg. 8. line 5. for was, read be. l. 7. f. Appetite, r. Appetites. P. 11. l. 18. f. conveyed, r. conceived. P. 25. l. 6. f. 'tis, r. til. P. 28. l. 6. f. Judgment, r. Judgments. P. 65. l. 3. f. Atheist, r. Atheists.
There is now in the Press the Third Edition of Dr. Bates's Harmony of the Divine Attributes, &c.