The Life and Death of Thomas Cawton, Frontispiece – To the reader
A…nt 54 Au…uſt 7th. 1639
… quando … mus Tan…en … by W•• Richardson York H… Strand
THE LIFE and DEATH OF THAT HOLY and REVEREND MAN of GOD Mr THOMAS CAWTON,
Sometime Miniſter of the Goſpel at St. Bartholomew's behind the Royal Exchange, and lately Preacher to the Engliſh Congregation of Rotterdam in Holland.
With ſeverall of his Speeches and Letters, while in Exile, for his Loyalty to the Kings moſt Excellent Majeſty.
To which is annexed, A SERMON Preach'd by him at Mercers Chappel, Febr. 25. 1648. not long after the inhumane beheading of His Majeſty; for which he was committed Priſoner to the Gate-houſe in Weſtminſter.
Publiſhed with the Approbation of ſeveral of his Brethren, Miniſters of the Word in London.
London, Printed for Tho. Baſſet under S. Dunſtans Church in Fleetſtreet. And R. Hall at the Ball in Weſtminſter Hall. 1662.
To the Worſhipfull, Sir ANTHONY IRBY Of Boſton in Lincolnſhire, Knight. And to his Virtuous and Religious Lady, KATHERINE IRBY, My much honoured and obliging FRIENDS.
In token of my Thankfulneſs for their Love to my Father while impriſoned, and my ſelf at preſent,
I with due obſervance and Humility, offer this poor Paper-gift, wiſhing them what ever they can want or wiſh.
THOMAS CAWTON, Fil.
To the Reader.
Good Reader:
THE Exemplary Lives of God's faithfull Servants ſhould be unto us like the Pillar of Cloud Heb. 12 1.to the Iſraelites in their journey to the promiſed Land; for by them we have guidance, encouragement, and ſupport in our way to Heaven. Every individual perſon is adviſed by Prov. 2. 20Solomon to walk in the way of good men, and to keep the paths of the righteous. And perſons of all ſorts are called upon by St. Paul to be Heb. 6. 12.followers of them who by faith and patience inherit the Promiſes. As it was a precious priviledge unto God's Iſrael of old, that he Exod. 13. 21, 22.took not away the Pillar of the Cloud by day, nor the Pillar of Fire by night from before the people, ſo is it to be accounted a very rich mercy unto us, that we have in all times, both of proſperity and adverſity men eminently gratious, who have gone before us through the wilderneſs of this world to glory. For as young Scollars are edified in learning by ſeeing Rules verified in Examples; ſo are Chriſtians built up in their faith and obedience, by perceiving the conſcienciouſneſs and confidence of others in their converſation. The bleſſed Apoſtle greatly COmcommended the believing Theſſalonians, that they became 1 Theſ. 1. 6.followers of ſuch who received the Word in much affliction; with joy of the Holy Ghoſt. And his charge unto the Philippians is conſiderable. Phil. 4. 9.Theſe things which you have heard and ſeen in me, do, and the God of peace ſhall be with you. Hereunto may be added the Argument whereby he perſwadeth Timothy to perſevere in God's Truth and fear, 2 Tim. 3. 10, 11, 12,Continue thou in the Truth which thou haſt learned, for thou haſt known my Doctrine, manner of life, purpoſe, faith, long ſuffering, Charity, Patience, Perſecutions.
In tendency to this improvement, we have encouraged the printing of this enſuing Narrative of the Life of Mr. Thomas Cawton, our Reverend and much endeared Brother. His neceſſary tranſplantation for health's ſake, from an Aguiſh air in Eſſex unto London, made way for our acquaintance with him, where upon frequent and familiar converſe with him, he became more and more precious in our account. We experienced him a man both learned and pious. He was Orthodox and laborious in his Miniſtry. In his whole converſation, both perſonal and relative, he held forth much ſweetneſs, with meekneſs of wiſdom, and the power of godlineſs. Notwithſtanding the variety of changes with which he was exerciſed, in regard of the Times, and manifold Tranſactions, he was ſtill ſteady in his courſe, walking with God, and by faith ſeeing him who is viſible. As his company was comfortable to us while we enjoyed it, ſo was his removall grievous when he was baniſhed from us. It would be eſteemed a uſeleſs tautologie, if we ſhould atteſt that which this Hiſtory of his holy and fruitfull life repreſenteth to view and imitation. Therefore we ſhall detain thee no longer from peruſing this Narrative, which is drawn up by an able and faithfull hand; but commending thee with this and all other means of thy ſpirituall advantage to the bleſſing of the Almighty, through Chriſt, in him we remain,
May 24. 1662. Thy ſoul-friends and Servants,
Arthur Jackſon.
Edm. Calamy.
Simeon Aſhe.
James Nalton.
Tho. Watſon.