The Dead Yet Speaking, Biography 55
The Life and Death of Edward Deering, who dyed Anno Christi 1576.
EDward Deering was borne of a very ancient family in Kent, and carefully brought up both in Religion, and Learning: From School he went to Cambridge, and was admitted into Chris…'s College, where he profited exceedingly, and became a very famous Preacher, as may appear by his most learned and holy Sermons, and Tractates full of heavenly consolation. He never affected nor sought after great titles of preferments, and therefore rested content with his Fellowship in that Colledge; and only Comensed Batchelor of Divinity: yet afterwards he was made a Preacher in St. Pauls Church in London: and having worn out himselfe with his labours in the worke of the Lord, he fell sick, and discerning his approaching death, he said, in the presence of his friends that came to visit him; The good Lord pardon my great negligence, that (whilest I had time) I used n…t his precious gifts to the advancement of his glory, as I might have done: Yet I blesse God withall, that I have not abused these gifts to ambition and vain studies. When I am once dead, my enemies shall be reconciled to me, except they be such as either knew me not, or have no sence of goodnesse in them; for I have faithfully, and with a good conscience served the Lord my God. A Minister standing by, said unto him, It is a great happinesse to you, that you dye in peace, and thereby are freed from those troubles which many of your brethren are like meet with. To whom he answered, If God hath decreed that I shall sup together with the Saints in heaven, why doe I not goe to them? but if there be any doubt or hesitation resting upon my spi…it, the Lord will reveale the truth unto me. When he had layen still a while, a friend said unto him, that he hoped that his minde was employed in holy meditation whil'st he lay so silent… to whom he answered, Poore wretch, and miserable man that I am, the least of all Saints, and the greatest of Sinners; yet by the eye of Faith I beleeve in, and look upon Christ my Saviour: yet a little while, and we shall …ee …ur hope. The end of the world is come upon us, and we shall quickely receive the end of our hope which we have so much looked for: Affl…ctions, deseases, sicknesse, griefe, are nothing but part of that portion which God hath allotted to us in this world. I…'s not enough to begin for a little while, execept we persevere in the fear of the Lord all th… dayer of our lives, for in a moment we shall be taken away. Tak… heed therefore that you doe not make a pastime of, nor dis-esteem the Word of God: blessed are they that whil'st they have tongues, use them to God's glory. When he drew near to his end, being set up in his bed, some of his friends requested him to speak something to them that might be for their …dification, and comfort: whereupon the Sun shining in his face, he took occasion from thence to say thus unto them: There is but one Sun in the world, nor but one Righteousnesse, one Communion of Sts … If I were the most excellent of all creatures in the world: if I we… equall in righteousnesse to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, yet had I reason to confesse my selfe to be a sinner, and that I could expect … salvation but in the righteousnesse of Jesus Christ… For we all sta…d in need of the Grace of God: And as for my death, I blesse God I feel, and find so much inward joy, and comfort to my soul, that if I were put to my choyse whether to die, or live, I would a thousand times rather chuse death, then life, if it may stand with the holy wi… of God: and accordingly shortly after the slept in the Lord, Anno Christi 1576.
What greater Simptomes can there be of grace
Then to be penitent; the greatest race
A Christian can desire to run, is this
Fron earths base centre, to eternall blisse.
This race our Deering run; he spent his time
Whilest here he liv'd in studying how to clime
To Heav'ns high Court, true v…tue was his prize,
And God the object where he fixt his eyes:
Faith, Hope, and Charity did sweetly rest
Within the Councell Chamber of his brest:
And to conclude, the graces did agree
To make a happy soul, and that was he.