Sermon at Funeral of John Bigg, Title page – To the reader
A SERMON PREACHED at the FUNERAL OF Mr. John Bigg.
To which is added, Another SERMON upon the ſame Subject.
ALSO, A NARRATIVE of Mr. BIGG's CONVERSION, &c.
By R. DAVIS, Miniſter of the Goſpel.
LONDON: Printed for ROBERT PONDER. MDCXCI.
TO THE READER.
INſtead of an Epiſtle Dedicatory, I ſhall only briefly acquaint thee with the Reaſons that induced me to print theſe Sermons: and why they came forth ſo long after they were preached. I have ſometimes ceaſed to be a Friend to the Preſs, and never intended to print them at all, though often put upon to do it: But the Lord, the Redeemer, whoſe Bleſſing and Power made Clay and Spittle to open the Eyes of the Blind, was pleaſed to own theſe ſo, as to make them of great uſe to ſeveral. Their Entreaty, with divers others, prevailed with the Widdow of the Deceaſed, to importune me further, ſo that her Importunity joyn'd with theirs obtained upon me, at leaſt to redeem (when I could) now and then a little time from the great Work of Christ, that is upon my Hands to ſet them in order, and ſo venture them into the World. There fell in alſo another cogent Motive, viz. The Conſideration of the falſe and lying Stories ſcattered through City and Country concerning me and the Doctrines I preach, made me willing to let all know (if they pleaſe to read) what thoſe Doctrines are, and ſo they may make a better Judgment afterwards. And I do aſſure thee theſe Sermons contain the chief Subſtance of what I preached here in the Country: Therefore I have made ſome Additions hereunto, and Alterations ſuitable to my main Scope in preaching this Year paſt. Had the Men of the World only caſt Dirt, it would have been more tolerable. Better could not have been expected from them, but to act according to their Nature. But this has been piercing, that the Truths of Jeſus have been wounded in the Houſe of Friends. Here a ſufficient Occaſion is given for a pathetick Lamentation; But tell it not in Gath, and publiſh it not in Askelon, &c. VVhatever Blows ſome aim at one another, they all fall upon their holy Profeſſion. whilſt a too eager Vindication is perſued of our good Names and Reputation from undue and unjuſt Calumnies, The Name of Jeſus and his Goſpel may be expoſed to greater Reproach. This made me chooſe to lie ſtill with a Gag in my Mouth, whilſt I was, and am ſtill cloathed with Sambanettoes, than uſe the Methods I might to aſſert my wronged Innocency, leaving it to God, the Judge of all, to vindicate his Name and Goſpel in his due time, and in his own way (which I am certain he will.) And as for me, let my Name lie in the Duſt, provided it may make for the Honour of Chriſt, and the Furtherance of his Goſpel. I am endeavourring to learn this Leſſon, to rejoyce in Reproaches (from whatever Tongues they come) as well as in Infirmities for Chriſt's Sake; and I would preſs after that meek Spirit of the Goſpel; that being defamed to intreat, viz. To intreat Chriſt on the Behalf of my Defamers, and entreat them in the Bowels of Mercy to lay aſide their Enmity againſt the Lord Jeſus his Truths and VVays.
Reader, I ſhall add no more, but commend thee to God and the Word of his Grace, which is not only able to tranſlate thee out of Darkneſs into the Kingdom of his dear Son; but alſo build thee up therein, and give thee an Inheritance among them that are ſanctified. And now the God of Peace, that brought again from the Dead our Lord Jeſus, that great Shepherd of the Sheep, through the Blood of the everlaſting Covenant, make thee perfect in every good Work to do his Will, working in thee that, that is well-pleaſing in his Sight, through Jeſus Chriſt, to whom be Glory for ever and ever. Amen.