The Way to the Highest Honor, Title page – Errata
THE WAY TO THE Highest Honour. A FUNERAL SERMON, On JOHN xii. 26. Preach'd upon the Decease of the Rnd THO. JACOMB, D.D. April 3. 1687.
By William Bates, D.D.
LONDON, Printed for J. Robinson, at the Golden Lion in S. Pauls Church-Yard, MDCLXXXVII.
TO THE Right Honourable ELIZABETH Countess-Dowager OF EXCETER.
Madam,
I Present a Sermon to your view, that drew forth your Tears in the Hearing, and is like to be a revival of your Sorrow in Reading; but I could not without Indecence decline the inscribing it to your Name. 'Tis design'd to the precious Memory of one, whose Piety and Prudence had render'd most worthily and affectionately respected by you: One who for Forty Years faithfully served you in the Affairs of your Soul, and in that long space there was a continual Circulation of Favours on your Part, and Observance on his. As his Presence and Counsel, and Example in your Family was an excellent Blessing and dearly prized by you, so in proportion your afflicting Grief rises for the loss of him. But you are instructed to be content with the Divine Disposal: And our Gracious God by withdrawing intermediate Comforts, calls you to more intimate and Heavenly Communion with Himself.
I might here take a just occasion to speak of your eminent Vertues, and of your serious Religion that crowns the rest: For then Praise-worthy Excellencies may be duely and safely represented, when he that Commends is not in danger of falling into Flattery, and the Person Commended is not in danger of being swell'd with Pride: And such is your excellent and conspicuous Goodness, that it reflects a Lustre upon your Nobility, and is above Verbal Encomiums; and your rare Humility is most relucent amongst your other shining Graces. But 'tis needless to illustrate that Worth that is so visible to all.
I shall only observe, that as you have been so happy as to find Wisdom, the true Spiritual Wisdom that directs us to our Last and Blessed End, the Wisdom that excells Rubies, and by an incomparable Comparison all the admired Things in the World: So the promised Reward of Wisdom has been your Portion: Length of Days are in her right Hand, and in her left Hand Wisdom and Honour. You are now come to Old Age, and are apt to complain (such is your zealous Piety) that, your Strength being spent, you are useless, and with Impatience desire a Dismission from hence. But as a Servant that stands and waits upon his Master's Pleasure, as truly serves him, as he that is most industrious in his Business; so by an humble patient waiting upon your Heavenly Lord, till he shall call you to the Blessed State Above, you as truly please and glorifie him, as when your active powers were fresh and lively, and you went about doing good.
Be encouraged, Good Madam, with unfainting Perseverance to expect the final Reward: For your Salvation is nearer than when you first believed. Let the Love of Christ always reign in your Heart, and the Crown of Glory be always in your Eye, that you may finish your course with joy. These are the most unfeigned Desires of him who is,
Madam, Your very humble and faithful Servant, William Bates.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
A Short Description of the Blessed Place and State of the Saints Above. In a Discourse on the Words of our Saviour, Joh. 14.2. Preached on occasion of the Death of Mr. David Clarkson. By W. Bates, D. D.
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.
PAg. 29. in the Margent, for foreign r. foreign. P. 102. l. 6. for ruines r. ruin'd. P. 104. l. 11. dele our selves.