The Lives of Sundry Eminent Persons, Part 1 · Biography 17
The Life and Death of Mr. Thomas Wadsworth, who Died Anno Christi, 1676.
THomas Wadsworth was born of honest Parents, December 15. Anno Christi, 1630. in the …arish of Saviours, or Saint Mary-Overees, in Southwark.
Whilst he w…n Infant he had such a dangerous Thrush in his Throat, that the Milk which was …en into his Mouth (not having a right, and free Passage) came out at his No…e. And he was grown so weak within the Month, that in the Judgment of those about him, he was given up for Dead. Yea, the Nurse that had him in her Lap, thought to have laid him out as a dead Corps, onelyonly forbore till they had done Dinner; in which space (the Nurse thinking that he had expired with a Grone) the Child gave a Keck, whereupon she putting her Finger into his Throat, pull'd out the Core, which being taken away, opened a free and straight passage for the Breast-Milk to go down his Throat.
In this Infants weakness, his Parents seeking God earnestly for his Life, did dedicate him to the Office and Work of the Ministry (if God should please to make him sit and capable, as Hannah did her Samuel to the Lord; he was a very dutiful and obedient Son to his Mother. He was an ingenious and apt Scholler in the Free-School in that place of his Nativity, where the strict, yet Skilful Master (encouraged by the Liberality of his Father) found him every way ready to receive Instruction, and about the sixteenth year of his Age, being fitted for Accademical Studies, he was sent to Cambridge, and his Father being familiarly acquainted with the Reverend and Pious Dr. Samuel Bolton, who at this time was Lecturer of that Parish, and Master of Christs Colledg… in Cambridge, who had often examined him in his Fathers House, and found him not onelyonly Religiously disposed, but well accomplished with School-Learning; by his adivce, be was admitted into Christs Colledge, under the Tuition of Doctor Outram, who much respected and valued him as long as he lived.
Before he went to Cambridge, he shewed that he was one of a tender Conscience, for when he was a Boy, having taken a fair Tulip out of another Man's Garden he gave it to his Father, who (sometime after) asking him where he had it? Upon his Fathers admonition, and his own confession of his childish folly (as St. Austin did his) it was often afterwards a great trouble to his Conseience, and kept him humble and watchful. So early did he begin …o be startled at the least sin.
On a Lords Day, going into the Work-House in his Fathers Yard, and loitering there a while, he heedlesly clapt his hand on a Tenter-Hook, and tore it very much; whereupon he resolved no more to mispend his time on the Lords-Day; but wholly to apply himself to the Religious observation of it; which resolution he ever after adhered to, and observed, whether at home or abroad.
Being now in the university, he made a good proficiency in the Learning which might make him most Instrumental for the winning of Souls to Christ, that being his cheifest Design in the Service of his Generation; in order whereunto, we find him associating himself with an honest Club of Schollers, of his own, and other Colledges, who were not onelyonly daily conversant in Philosophical Exercises, but did frequently meet to promote the great business of real Godliness, and growth in Grace, and to make experiments on their own hearts of that Religion when they should be called to impart to others.
And it seems he began betimes to communicate what he had received of the Grace of God; for not long after his being of that Colledge, he observed a young Scholler of very good Parts, and of a good Humour, but having nothing of real Godliness, whom he would seek, and single out and talk with, to draw him off from vanity, and to engage him to mind the concerns of his precious and immortal Soul. And it pleased God that in a short time, that same Scholler fell sick unto Death, and upon his Death-bed sent for our Mr. Wadsworth, to whom he declared how much he was affected with what he had formerly said unto him in his Health, thanking him for the love and care he had shewed for the good of his Soul; he also bewailed his own Folly in declining such an ones Company, and requested his earnest Prayers with him, and for him. And Mr. Wadsworth dealt freely and most compassionatly with him, and afterward he so comforted this dejected Penitent, that he gave good evidence of a real work of Grace wrought upon his Heart, and Dyed very comfortably, to the great joy of the Instruments.
He kept a Diary or Note-Book, which he began (as it seemeth) Anno Christi 1650. wherein it appears that he kept a strict narrow watch over his Heart, took notice of the abarrations and wandrings of it, and of Gods gracious dispensations towards him; which for brevity sake I omit, referring t… Reader to his Life written much larger, and Printed for Tho. Parkhust, Anno C…sti 1680.
Anno Christi 1652. He being yet but Bachilor of A…s, it pleased God to take away his aged Father by Death, whereupon his worldly concerns called him home to the place of his Nativity. Here, when he had performed the last Offices to his Dying, and Dead Father, and was comforting his sorrowful Mother, and instructing the Family; he was importuned by some godly Christians of his acquaintance, to exercise, and imploy his Talents in Preaching the Gospel as occasion should be offered.
And this motion upon their Invitation he readily Embraced; and by his Preaching gave such evident Proofs of his Experimental Knowledge, Utterance, and his Zeal for God and his Glory, that upon the Death of Mr. Morton (a very Reverend and Worthy Minister) the Parishioners of St. Mary Newington-Buts, having heard him Preach, and being satisfied of his Learning, Piety, and Ministerial Abilities, Petitioned for him to those who were then in Authority, and Feb. 16. 1652. he was ordered to the Rectory, as a Godly and Orthodox Divine. And this was very Remarkable in his Election; yet, though the Parishioners were divided into two several Parties, and both went with their Petitions unto Westminster to have a Minister setled among them, neither Party knowing the others mind, yet, they both pitched upon him, for whom the unanimous Parishioners did easily obtain a Grant.
Probably, much about this time, he was chosen a Fellow of Christs Colledg, whereof he was a Member before; yet, by the advice of Dr. Bolton, afore-mentioned, who was the Head of the House, and his special Friend, he resolved to accept of the charge at Newington, where he was so unanimously desired, and where he might (as he thought) have a better opportunity of doing good to Souls, which thing was most upon his heart.
Having now a Pastoral charge, his next business and care was to proceed to Ordination, and having after a strict Examination, and Profession of his Faith, been solemnly set apart to the Ministerial Office by Fasting and Prayer, and the laying on of the Presbitery's Hands in a… great Congregation, in the Church of St. Mary-Ax, London: He, like a good Husband-man, considering what course to take for the best advantage of the People, now committed by God to his charge, and resolved to Catechize them, which he was very zealous to do, which also he did with very great and good success.
On the Lords days in his own Family, when his great work was over in the Publick Congregation, he had his Sermons repeated, and himself Prayed, and sung Psalms with them: And being well instructed of his Lord and Master, and remembring the Apostles charge. 2 Tim. 4. 2. Preach the Word: be instant, in season, out of season, &c. About this time, there being a great and long Frost, when poor Watermen were hard put to it for a Subsistance, he set up an expository Lecture, for four or five mornings in a week, which he continued at least two months together, and his Labours were attended with God's special Blessings: for it proved a means of turning several Persons from the evil of their ways to God, and some that had lived loosly, could, with humility and thankfulness acknowledge, that a work of Grace was then wrought upon them, so that there were the Seals of his Ministry, and of that Truth, Prov. 25. 11. A word spoken in season, &c.
Thus this painful Servant of God continued in the work of his Ministry, till he was forced to resign that Benefice to one Mr. James Meggs, in the twelfth of King Charles the 2d. and in the month of August, he pretending a legal title to the place.
Yet the great God, who had made much use of this choise Instrument in his work, would not as yet let him lye by useless. For besides his Lecture on Saturday mornings at St. Antholines, and sometimes also there at five a Clock in the evenings on the Lords day, and for some time on Munday-Nights at Margaret Fishstreet-Hill, London; where, by the concourse of Auditors, it was evident that his Labours were much valued; he was, by the Parishioners of Lawrence-Poultney (in whose Hand the Presentation to the Place then was) chosen to be their Minister, where he continued (being then a Widdower) in the House of his worthy Friend, Mr. Robert de Luna, Merchant, till that Black Bartholomew Anno Christi 1662. at which time, he, with many Hundreds more of his Brethren, were cast out of their Places, and Imployments.
At the request of his Friends, he Preached a Farewel Sermon to them on Saturday-night before that dismal day, though they spake not to him till that very day at Dinner, and requested him to Preach upon that Text, Mal. 3. 16. Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another, and the Lord hearkened, and heard, and a Book of Remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought on his Name.
Having Dined, he went aside to his Meditations. He would often say; Blessed be God, if I have but a little time to premeditate and digest my matter, I am never at a loss for words on my Masters Ambassy. 'Twas observed by his Friends, who most conversed with him, and in whose House he sojourned for some time, that he was a Praise-worthy man in all his Deportment, of singuler Piety, and a constant promoter of Holiness in the Families wherein he resided. He used to be much raised in his Spirit when he came from Preaching, especially from the Table of the Lord, being then as in an Heaven upon Earth.
He would with much Prudence reprove sin in any Person, of what Quality or Rank soever. That might rightly be said of him, which is Recorded of Mr. H. Latimer, Martyr. He did behave himself as a faithful Messenger of God, being afraid of no man: Telling all Degrees their Duties faithfully and truly, without respect of Persons, or any kind of flattery.
He cared not much to converse with the Rich, except it were to bring them off to works of Charity. When, in the things of this World he met with Disappointments, he used to pass them over as not much concerned. In Discourse he was very mild, and would suffer others to speak, and having heard them, he would without Passion, and with Judgment and clearness return an answer to them.
If he heard one Christian speak bitterly against another, he would say, that probably he meant better than he expressed himself: and if what he said could be taken in two Senses, it ought to be Interpreted in the best. Those who were best acquainted with him, observed that he was a Prudent Man, very serious, and usually very chearful. Going in Frost and Snow to Preach, a Friend meeting him, said, that he pittied him in regard of his bad Journy; to whom he charfully answered, that it was to do his Masters Work; and going, it was no Burden to him to serve so good a Master, though he passed through many Difficulties.
He had early Impressions upon his Heart (as we heard before) for the strict Sanctification of the Lords Days, which continued with him so long as he lived. For several years it was his usual Practice, when he rose out of his Bed on those Days, with a chearful Heart and Voice, to sing a Psalm, or part of it; for the putting of his Heart into a spiritual frame for the Work of the Day; or to repeat that Salutation of the Heavenly Host, Recorded, Luke 2. 14. Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth Peace, Goodwill towards Men. And by such means his Spirit was much raised, zealously to perform the Lord's Work. He was for the due Sanctification of the whole Day, not only in the publick Congregation, but in his Family, and amongst his Friends: And if he heard any of them talk about Worldly businesses, he would with Candour rebuke them, saying, St. John when he was in Dalmos, was in the Spirit on the Lords Day.
His Humility was such, that speaking to one of his near Relations; he said, if it were possible that I could do so much Work for God as any man upon Earth doth; I would not care whether it were known that there was such a Man as I in the World or no. So little did he regard the applause of men in what he did; and truly neither did he regard the reward of men: For when he was told of some Presents; which, by some of his Neighbours were sent to some of his Brethren in the Ministry, and being demanded whether they had been with him; he answered duplicate page duplicate page no: Saying, that he was not sorry that he was passed by in that way. Yea, (said he) I am heartily glad that I had none of their Presents, that so I may receive my Reward from my Master; for I am never better pleased then to think that after I have done his Work, Jesus Christ hath all my Reward in Reversion for me.
Yea, he used to express some trouble when any of the meaner People brought him any small thing. For though he thankfully accepted of their kindness, yet he would signifie that he desired not to be burdensom to them. Yea, he used greatfully to accept of Favours though never so small. One bringing of him a little cordial Water, being ill after his Preaching, with his Eyes lifted up to Heaven, he said, what am I, or my Fathers House, that God is so mindful of me a poor Creature? Oh! Blessed be God.
His impartiallity in judging of differences among his Friends and Acquaintance was remarkable. And he used to advise his Friends to watch for opportunites to seek God in private, wherein himself also was very frequent.
When a Door was opened to him to Preach at Theobalds, though he met with many Difficulties, yet was he partly necessitated to abide there for the health of his Family, and God encouraged him by a great confluence of Hearers, to whom his Labours were very grateful.
His Charity was manifested to his distressed Brethren, in making many Collections for them in the places where he Preached; and he had a singular faculty in disposing his Hearers to give liberally. Himself was not given to filthy lucre, nor of a covetous mind; he was charitable to the Poor, and affable in conversing with Christians of the meaner rank. He would often say, he rejoyced to send them away in a chearful frame, because they were Gods Creatures, and it was Godlike to make the hearts of the Poor merry: he would not have those of his Family too hard in buying things of poor People; saying, they would rejoyce if they had a good price for their Commodities which they carried about to sell.
And farther to shew his freedom from Covetousness: when T. S. the Son of his second Wife, by a former Husband, was dangerously sick of the small Pox, and by his Death Mr. Wadsworth would have gotten six hundred pounds; yet he called his godly Friends together, and again, and again, sought the Lord for the recovery of him, and prevailed, and upon his restauration to Health, in the like solemn manner returned thanks unto God for the same.
Whilst he was at Newington, many overtures and motions were made to him for the change of his Condition, but he hearkened to none of them; having before fixed his Eye upon one, unto whom, after mature deliberation, he made known his affections, and her Parents consented that she should match with him. She was a vertuous young Gentlewoman, of a good Family, being a younger Daughter of Henry Hasting, Esq; of the Parish of Newington-Buts.
By her he had born to him, Octob. 3. 1661. a Son, named Henry Hastings: but the Pious Mother, lived not above ten days after his Birth; dying Octob. 13th. next following, and her Son soon followed his Mother, dying Novemb. 15. at Nurse. After which, he sojourned for a short time with his good Friend Mr. O. S. and afterwards with Mr. De Luna. And having continued a Widdower about two years, he was recommended to a virtuous Widdow Mrs. Margaret Sharp; Daughter to Henry Gibs of Bristol, Esq; and the Relict of Mr. Tho. Sharp, Merchant; about November 1663. to whom also he was conjoined in Marriage.
She had a Son by her former Husband, who also left a Daughter (Lucy Sharp) whom he had by a former Wife: This Daughter being Consumptive, did not long survive the Marriage of her Mother in Law; but in her sickness did greatly bless God, for her being thereby Related to Mr. Wadsworth, whose Instructions, and Prayers she found to be succesful for the good of her immortal Soul.
Mr. Wadsworth, about this time, for his Health-sake, lived mostly at Theobalds, yet came to Preach to his Congregation in Southwark. By this Wife he had a Son born to him, Octo. 10. 1666. named Josiah; whose Mother became sickly, insomuch as Jan. 3. 1667. left her Husband a sorrowful Widdower again. This Son Josiah lived about five years and an half, to the great comfort of his Father; but March 25. 1672. he followed his Mother, he was very dear to his Father, who was much affected with, and afflicted for his loss, yet set a fair Copy to others of much Christian Patience, and submission to the will of God.
After this he continued a Widower about the space of Three Years, and then Married a Third Wife, Anno, the sole Daughter of Collonel Markham, of an Ancient Family, and a Gentleman of his Majesties Privy-Chamber; by whom he had first Anna, then Hester, after her Thomas, and lastly Nathanael. These Four he left alive when himself died; but his youngest Son, when he was about a Year and half old, departed this Life to rest with his Father, who died about a Twelvemonth before.
In the time of perfect Health he was mindful of a Change, and used often to Pray, That God would prepare him and his for Sickness, Death, and parting. About half a Year before his last Sickness, being taken with an exceeding sharp Pain, when it was over, he said, That he would not have been without it, because of those Joys which he found accompanying of it. About this time he left his House in Theobalds, and came to one in Pickle-Herring; this was about Three Weeks, and odd Days before he Died.
About Octob. 16. 1676. He was chearful in the Morning, but in the Afternoon his Pain came upon him; yet did he possess his Soul in more then ordinary Patience, nor was willing to send for a Doctor till Octob. 24. after his having been in extream pain Night and Day for a Week together. Then by the great importunity of his Friends, he was prevailed with, and sent for one who was in great Reputation, both for Skill and Practice.
The Doctor at his first Visit Judged it to be the Stone, not doubting but that he would do well notwithstanding. This was Octob. 24. the Night after he slept well, which he considering, said to some of his Friends, That he was like a Man that had gone over a Precipice, and looking back, trembled to see the Danger he had passed. For (said he) when I was in pain, God supported me; and now I stand amazed to consider how I got through. He would often say, when he saw others in great pain, That he was afraid of Dying, because of those Antecedent pains; but he was not afraid to be Dead, knowing that then he should for ever be with the Lord.
On Wednesday the 25th, he rose pretty chearful, and spent some time in Reading, but after Dinner his pains returned again; and he began to complain of Sin, saying, Ah! vile Sinner! God is carrying me back again into the Wilderness to afflíct me, and withal he expressed some sorrow of Heart, but without the least Murmering.
There he bad his Wife to Read the 88th Psalm; and by that time she had done, divers Friends came into Visit, and bemoan him; and about Seven a Clock at Night came in his Wives Brother, Mr. W. Gibs, and his Wife, who greatly respected, and loved him dearly. They discoursed with him about taking an House nearer London then Theobalds: To whom he replied, with great calmness of Spirit; Yea, God will provide me a Country, viz. an Heavenly.
Then his former Wives Son, [Tho. Sharp,] being to go to Sea, he said unto him thus, It is not likely that we Two shall meet again hear, and he (with Tears) gave him a most Pathetical Exhortation, to mind his Souls Spiritual and Eternal Welfare, to Serve God Holily, Righteously and Soberly, in this present World. The Night following his Pains returned with much acuteness.
On Thursday Morning, the 26th Day, he had again sharp pains; and in the Afternoon some Ministers, and Christian Friends met, earnestly to seek the Lord in his behalf. And his pain returning again, he said, He was in an Agony, but not in a Bloody one: And what are all my pains to those which Christ suffered for me. And his Friends Prayed earnestly, that God would give him Faith and Patience; he often said, Though thou killest me, yet will I trust in thee. And when they were importunate with God, that he would spare his Life, and restore him to Health, he said, Ah! poor useless, sinful, wretched Creature, that they should be so earnest for my Life. And when their Prayers prevailed not for his ease, he would be often stilling and quieting himself with this of Holy Job, What shall I say unto thee, O thou Preserver of Men? One Minute in Heaven will make amends for all this pain.
On Fryday (the 27th) his pains continued, yet his Doctor said, There was no danger. Towards the Evening he had some intermission, and Read in his own Book, concerning the Immortality of the Soul, and Faiths Triumph over the Fears of Death. That Night some choice Friends sat up with him: when being again Racked with grievous pain, he spake to this purpose, O! the wonderful Mysteries of th… Providence of God! who can see a Job cast out upon a Dunghil, filled with Botches and Boiles, forsaken by his Friends, and worried by Satan: and yet at that very time God had not a more choise Servant on the Face of the Earth, nor one more dear unto him then he was.
Two of his Congregation coming to see him, said, If it should please God to take him away, then they should be a scattered Flock, as Sheep without a Shepherd: To whom he Answered, The great Shepherd of his Flock liveth still, and shall to all Eternity; who, I doubt not, will take care of you.
On Saturday Morning, (the 29th Day) his intimate Friend Mr. O. S. came, by whose help he made his last Will and Testament, Constituting his Wife his sole Executrix: And when he had thus set his House in Order, he took his leave of the World, and told his Wife he had now done with Wife and Children. And being asked how it was with him, as to Soul concerns? he answered, I Bless the Lord, I have no Cloud upon my Spirit, yet if my God should give Satan leave, he may put me into an Agony before I Die. He also repeated that of Solomon, The Soul knows its own Bitterness, and a Stranger intermedleth not with his Joy. He told a Minister thus, All my Self-Righteousness I disown, and I trust only unto Christ, and hope that I have a Gospel-Righteousness. In the Evening, seeing his wife weep, he said, I pray thee weep not; but (with Hezekiah) turn thy Face to the Wall, and Pray.
That Night as he grew weaker his pains grew stronger; but when an acute pain was over, he would oft say, Now this pain is over, I shall know it no more. And to one that stood by, whom he thought not to have walked acuratly, he said, Now see the benifit of a good Conscience: when they had given him something to provoke him to sleep, though his Speech was somewhat interrupted with pain and drowsiness; after a little slumber, he said, I long to see a People Rich in Spiritual Graces, as well as in Spiritual Priviledges: But surely God hath here a Peculiar People, a Royal Priesthood, that Serve him Day and Night in Sincerity.
On the Lords Day in the Morning, (the 29th Day) his Wife asking him whether he knew her: what (said he) not know thee: not know my Wife: thou wouldst make me think that I am going to Triumph before I am. Yet was his Triumph not many Hours after: for about One Clock that Lords Day, (on which Blessed Days he had used to be much in an Heavenly frame,) this choise Servant of the Lord resigned up his Spirit into the hands of his Heavenly Father.
After his Death, his Body being opened, there was taken out of his Bladder a Stone in the shape of an Egg, which did then weigh betwixt Three and Four Ounces.
He Died October the 29th, Anno Christi, 1676. And of his Age, 46.
An ELEGY on the Death of the Reverend Mr. Thomas Wadsworth.
WEll may the Church now wash her Wounds in Tears,
When her best Blood from ev'ry Vein appears:
If the sound Members be cut off so fast,
Sure the whole Body 'ill pine away at last:
For when our Right Hands, and Eyes are gone,
The sorry Stump will feel Consumption;
And every one, like that Disciple, cry;John 11. 16.
Let us go Partners in his Fate, and Die.
The Ark is Israel's Charet; but when Death
Pursues its chiefest Horsemen out of Breath,
Well may our Wheels be taken off, and we
Be driven to dispair of Remedy.
If God proceed to fill his Garners so
With Lab'rers which we need so much below,
Such Chaff as we do almost justly fear,
God hath no Israel to be gathered here.
And if provoked Justice should begin
To whet its Sword, and thrust its Sikle in;
O! dreadful Harvest: when the Reaper claims
The whole for Fewel to Eternal Flames.
God's naked Vineyard cannot but decay,
If skilful Dressers be thus call'd away.
And how can we expect but that they will,
When we're thus Barren in a Fruitful Hill:
Laden with such wild Grapes, as Veng'ance hath
Adjudged to the Winepress of his Wrath.
The firmest Stake in all our Hedge we see
Pluck't up by the same Hand successively,
And God's just Counsel sure of us in store,
Is to lay wast, and to Replant no more.
Hedges of Thorns there are, not for defence,
But only set to gore our Innocence.
Wild Bores of th' Roman Forrest may Invade,
By us there can be no resistance made;
For at these Breaches they'l come in, and then
Whose skill or strength, shall drive them out agen?
The little Foxes spoil our tender Fruit,
And who can take them, 'nless the Keepers do't?
Doctrine and Worship, like Two Clusters stand
Expos'd to be snatch'd by ev'ry Hand;
And they that boldly dare call Evil Good
May give us Poison next instead of Food.
Well may the Philistins now proudly Boast,
When all our Champions leave the wounded Host,
Now, that the danger's greatest, and they think
In heat of War to give us Blood to drink:
So we, who hop'd to see Goliah fall,
Follow our Leaders to their Funeral.
When such as these Defie God's Mighty Name,
Who shall stand forth to vindicate the same?
For they that knew best how, have left us here
To strive at once with Ignorance, and Fear.
Suspecting Error, 'tis an easie Crime
In weaker Eyes to shun the Truth sometime:
And when our Light is gone, Men in the Dark
Will bring their Tinder to a Wild-fire Spark.
When Reason climbs the Throne, we stand in doubt
Whether our Faith may cast this Hagar out.
But now those Eagles face the Sun, whose Flight
Hath made their Faith to vanish into sight:
No Vail's within the Temple: therefore they
Have open Vision, and perfect Day.
These Palm-Trees once adorn'd our Sion Hill,
And though by Death cut down, they flourish still;
But in an other Soil, and Country where
They only now a weight of Glory bear,
And other Pressures taken off, they soar
Above those Skies they could not reach before.
No other Canaan now, but that is known
With Milk and Honey always overflown.
Rivers of Pleasure run on ev'ry Hand,
Like Chanels cut thro-out this Promist Land:
From future danger they're escap'd, whilst we
Survive to feel the threatned Misery:
For 'tis most certain when the Bridsgrooms Friends
Are called home, God's Marriage-Treaty ends;
Which, after such remisness, and neglect,
Is but what Foolish Virgins might expect.
Thus what they feared, and predicted too,
May be accomplish'd in our final Woe:
And though the Messengers are gone, we find
Their Message in full force shall stay behind,
Like to that Church above, Truth will appear
To shame Despisers, yet Tryumphant here.
Among that throng who have so lately fled
Out of their Bodies to embrace their Head,
This Man of God hath taken Wing, to tast
whether the best Wine be reserv'd till last:
There he is proving what he prov'd before;
Now in the Ocean, then upon the Shore.
That Immortality of which each Line
Partakes, and thereby proves it self Divine:
Thus in his Book, besides his own intent,
He rais'd himself a lasting Monument,
Wherein his Name shall live, and Readers come
Like Devout Pilgrims, visiting his Tomb.
And as his Faith the Fears of Death o'recame,
So shall those Papers evidence the same.
For what he had by Reason taught long since,
He after learned by Experience.
His Agonistic Tortures and his Pains
Scru'd up his joyful Soul to higher Strains
Of Tryumph, and when Nature strugled, he
Obtain'd by Grace the greater Victory.
Wonder and Pity both were mov'd in those
Who were Spectators of his Pangs and Throws.
Well might all such conclude, that saw him then,
That Dying Saints are somewhat more then Men;
For when he smarted most by's Fathers Rod,
Still our dear Thomas cry'd, my Lord, my God;
As seeing now his wounded Hands and Side,
Whom he had Preach'd, through weakness Crucifi'd:
Thus Patience had its perfect works: at length
Like one, whose Conflict had encreas'd his Strength,
He Tryump'd over all, and did commit
His Soul to him that had Redeemed it:
His Course so finish'd, he at last sat down,
And he that first won Souls, then won the Crown.
These works now follow him, while he's possest
Of 'is full Reward in everlasting Rest:
Faithful in all God's House, like Moses, still
H'obey'd the Sov'raign Legislative Will;
Observ'd the Pattern in the Mount, although
Mens wanton Fancies would not have it so;
But by God's Post attempt to set their own,
As if that were too weak to stand alone.
'Twas not Event, but Duty, which his Eye
Fix'd as the Measure to be guided by.
His Courage in his Warfare was so great,
Nothing could ever force him to retreat;
But still he kept his Ground, as who should say,
If I lose that, I also lose the Day.
Therefore let Enemies do what they can,
My fear of God hath drown'd the fear of Man.
Thus did he sow in Tears, till now at last
To him this low'ring Stormy Season's past,
And his full Sheaves of Glory make amends
For light Afflictions, with what far Transcends,
He liv'd Belov'd, and Di'd Bewail'd, and such
Wh' enjoy'd him most, enjoy'd him not too much.
His Bodies Earthen Vessel henceforth must
Be laid up silent in its Native Dust
Until that Matter when the Trump shall sound,
Start with a better form out of the Ground.
He walks in his Uprightness: But the Sense
Of this his Sleep should make our Diligence.
That when with Christ the Judg among the Train
Of Saints and Angels he shall come again,
Thus in that General Assembly, we
May sing these Sion Songs Eternally.
S. O.
Not worthy to unloose
The Latcher of his Shoos.