A Funeral Sermon for Nathaniel Oldfield, Sermon

A Funeral Sermon for Nathaniel Oldfield · Sermon

p. 1A Funeral Sermon.

HEB. 13.7.

Remember them who have the Rule over you, who have ſpoken unto you the Word of God; whoſe Faith follow, conſidering the End of their Converſation.

THE Suitableneſs of this Paſſage to the preſent Solemnity, and to the Mournful Occaſion of it, is ſufficiently apparent. The Direction here given, concerning the Peoples Duty, with reſpect to their Miniſters, is entire, and p. 2may be underſtood without examining the Context. One would think it very eaſie to determine, of what Miniſters the Apoſtle ſpeaks, whether ſuch as were yet alive, or ſuch as were dead; did not our Tranſlation favour their Opinion, who would make the Original Word a Participle, rather than a Subſtantive, (foreign;) contrary to the more general Senſe of moſt Learned Interpreters and Criticks, who read the Words thus, Be mindful of your Guides, or Rulers, and remember them who have had the Rule over you; i. e. who have been, and were your Spiritual Guides. That 'tis of theſe he ſpeaks, is manifeſt by what follows; Who have ſpoken to you the Word of God; or have been your Inſtructors in the Faith; and who have kept the Faith, and finiſhed their Courſe: For he adviſes them to follow their Faith, and to conſider the happy End and Exit of their Converſation.

AS to the Duties unto Deceaſed Miniſters here mention'd, it cannot p. 3be denyed, but they are applicable in part to other Good Men, departed this Life: For when private Chriſtians dye in the Lord, we are not to forget them, and are obliged to imitate their Faith and Patience; and to that end, to conſider their Converſation in this World, and how they got ſafe into another. But the Apoſtle ſpeaks here of their Paſtors and Teachers, the Miniſters of the Goſpel, and ſuch of their Spiritual Guides as were departed this Life. With reſpect to theſe, we have two things to conſider. Firſt, The Account that he gives of them, as to their Perſons. Secondly, The Duty of ſurviving Chriſtians towards them, after their Death.

1. FIRST, As to their Perſons, the Apoſtle gives us an account of them in four Things. 1. As to their Name, They are Guides and Rulers, foreign. 2. They have ſpoken to you the Word of God, have been Preachers of the Everlaſting Goſpel. 3. He teſtifies their Exemplary Faith, propoſing p. 4them as Patterns. 4. Their Conſtancy and Perſeverance in Faith and Holineſs to the laſt; Conſidering the End of their Converſation.

2. HAVING thus deſcribed their Perſons, he mentions three Duties towards them. 1. To Remember them. 2. To Follow their Faith. 3. As a Motive and a Means thereto, to Conſider their Converſation, and the happy End of it; Remember them who have had, &c. I ſhall firſt explain theſe ſeveral Particulars in the Text, in the order mentioned; and then Apply my Diſcourſe to the Solemn Occaſion of this Aſſembly, viz. the Breach which God hath made amongſt you, by the Death of my Reverend and worthy Brother.

1. FIRST, As to the Perſons here deſcribed: They are called Rulers and Guides, for ſo the Original Word imports; ſuch as have the Guidance and Inſtruction of others, by Authority or Office. It is ſometimes uſed for Civil Rulers, ſometimes for Eccleſiaſtical; and for the General of an Army, p. 5for the Captain of a Regiment, for the Governour of a Town, and ſometimes for a Principal Perſon amongſt others, Acts 15.22.

THE Sacred Writers make uſe of this Word, for ſuch as were eſtabliſhed to feed the Flock of Chriſt, and had the Over ſight of Particular Churches, ſo Ver. 17. Obey them that have the Rule over you, and ſubmit your ſelves; for they watch for your Souls, as they that muſt give an account; the like 24. ver. Salute all them that have the Rule over you, and all the Saints; 'tis doubted, whether St. James, who was Biſhop of Jeruſalem, was then alive; and more, whether the Apoſtle directs this Epiſtle to all the Churches in Judea, or only to the Converted Jews in Jeruſalem. I ſhall not go about to decide it. 'Tis plain, that theſe Rulers, theſe Warchmen are the ſame, who in the Text had ſpoken the Word of God, or preach'd the Goſpel.

TO this purpoſe we find that Clemens Romanus, who is the moſt Antient Writer of the Chriſtian Church, p. 6next the Apoſtles, (the ſame Clemens who is mentioned by the Apoſtle himſelf, Phil. 4.3.) in his Epiſtle to the Corinthians, uſeth this very word very frequently for * foreign, p. 2. foreign, p. 30. foreign, Ib. p. 73. St. Clemens Rom. Epiſt. 1. ad Corinth. 4to. Edit. Patr. Junij Oxon. 1633.Goſpel Miniſters, Biſhops, ſuch as preach'd the Word of God, and were over 'em in the Lord, and ſeveral of them in one Church, making uſe ſometimes of the one Name, ſometimes of the other,

OUR Bleſſed Saviour is called the Head, the Husband, the Shepherd, the Lord of his Church, which imports Authority; and the Church is his Body, his Spouſe, his Flock, his Family and Houſhold; and his Miniſters are called Rulers of his Houſhold, Mat. 24.45. When he was about to leave the World, he declared that all Power in Heaven and Earth was committed to him, and commiſſioned his Apoſtles to make Diſciples by baptizing and teaching, promiſing his preſence with them p. 7therein to the end of the World: And when he aſcended up on high, he gave Gifts to Men, as part of his Dowry, not only Prophets, and Apoſtles, and Evangeliſts, who were empowered by Miracles as a Divine Atteſtation, to prove their Authority to reveal and publiſh the Rule of Faith and Life, but Paſtors and Teachers, to open and apply the Rule they ſealed and delivered.

HE hath determined in his Word, that every Church ſhould have a Paſtor, one or more; he hath ſtated the Nature of the Miniſterial Office and Power, to proclaim Repentance and Remiſſion of Sins, to turn Men from the power of Satan to God, to edifie the Body of Chriſt, and to gather, feed and govern the Churches of Chriſt, to rule as well as teach the Flock, to judge who ſhould be publickly taken into the Church by Baptiſm, or caſt out; to rebuke thoſe that are diſorderly, and ſee that all things be done to the Edification of the Church, to bind over the impenitent, p. 8who are contumacious, to the Bar of Chriſt, and reject 'em from the Communion of the Church, and to abſolve the penitent, and comfort 'em, and by themſelves, or others, to look after the Poor, and viſit the Sick, &c. He hath deſcribed the Perſons that he would have to be ſuch Officers, by their requiſite Qualifications; he did not appoint a neceſſary Work to be done, and leave it to the wide World who ſhould do it: And that will help to determine, who are the individual Perſons, that are fitteſt according to Chriſt's Deſcription.

I DISPUTE not, whether there hath not been, and ought not to be, a diſtinction of Powers and Perſons in Eccleſiaſtical Government, or whether an abſolute Equality muſt not neceſſarily be attended with very ill conſequences; or whether Miniſters do not need Order, and Rule, and Government among themſelves, as well as every other Company and Society of Men in the World. But that which I argue from this Text, is this, That they p. 9who preach the Goſpel, are to Guide, Overſee and Rule their own Flock, according to the Holy Scripture.

THEY are the Servants of Chriſt in his Work, and your Servants for Jeſus ſake. They pretend not to Dominion over your Faith, or to be Lords or Owners of the Flock, but to be Helpers of your Joy; by their care the Sheep are to be ſed, guided, preſerved, healed and brought home. They are Rulers over Chriſt's Houſhold, but not by ſecular Force and Rigour, not to compel Men to the Faith and Obedience of the Goſpel, otherwiſe than by Truth and Love, by Inſtruction and Perſwaſion, and declaring the Mind of Chriſt in his Word. You are not to obey Miniſters as Civil Magiſtrates, that rule by the Sword, but thankfully receive the Truths they teach, and the Mercies they offer. Our Weapons in the Chriſtian Warfare are not Carnal, but Spiritual, to Edification, not deſtruction, not coercive, but miniſterial: We are to inſtruct and warn, to reprove p. 10and exhort with Faithfulneſs and Seriouſneſs, in the Name of Chriſt, and with his Authority, which as it is another thing from the Power of a * See Dr. Hammond's Paraphraſe and Annotations on 1 Pet. 5.1, 2, 3. Acts 11.30. Acts 20.28. Heb. 12.7, 17. 1 Tim. 1.17. 1 Theſ. 5.12. Tit. 3.10. 1 Cor. 12.28, &c.1 Pet 5:11 Pet 5:21 Pet 5:3Acts 11:30Acts 20:28Heb 12:7Heb 12:171 Tim 1:171 Thess 5:12Titus 3:101 Cor 12:28Magiſtrate, ſo by vertue of the Order and Inſtitution of Chriſt, it is very different from the private Counſel and Admonitions of one Friend to another. The ſame works are not done with the ſame Authority, Efficacy, Certainty or Order, by a private hand, as by publick Officers. For in this caſe you are obliged to Submit your ſelves in the Lord, to whatever is made known to you to be according to the Will of God, revealed in his Word. 'Tis true, if we exceed our Commiſſion, you are not to receive us, but if we keep to the Words of Chriſt, he that deſpiſeth our Meſſage, Deſpiſeth not Man, but God. You know how earneſtly the Apoſtle admoniſhes to this purpoſe, 1 Theſ. 5.12, 13. We beſeech you, Brethren, to mind them who p. 11labour amongſt you, and preſide over you, foreign, in the Lord; i. e. in the things of the Lord, and according to his Order; and that admoniſh you, and to eſteem them more than exceedingly, foreign, in love, for their Work or Office ſake: And let the Elders who rule well, foreign, be counted worthy of double Honour, or Recompence, as the Original Word often ſignifies, 1 Tim. 5.17, 18.

I MAY be blamed by ſome, for ſaying thus much; but there are certain Seaſons, when it is expedient (at leaſt not unfit) for a Man to praiſe the Country or the Family to which he belongs, or the Society to which he is related: And therefore I here take the Liberty to Magnifie mine Office, tho' I ſhould become a Fool in glorying, 2 Cor. 12.11. As to the Inſtitution, Commiſſion, and Authority of the Miniſtry, it is not of Men, or by Man, but by Jeſus Chriſt, and God the Father, who raiſed him from the dead, Gal. 1.1. they received their Miniſtry from the Lord, Col. 4.17. he makes 'em Overſers, p. 12Acts 20.28. Timothy is called the Servant of the Lord, 2 Tim. 2.24. Miniſters by their Office are as it were his Menial Servants, that approach nearer to his Perſon than others, and are employed in his particular Buſineſs. They are Stewards over the Houſe and Family of God, Tit. 1.7. Luke 12.42. which is no mean ſtation. They are called Preſidents, Guides, Rulers, Shepherds, Planters, Husbandmen, Paſtors, Ambaſſadors for Chriſt, and the Glory of Chriſt, and the Miniſters of his Spiritual Kingdom, Angels of the Churches, Builders of his Church, &c. By Baptiſm to initiate Diſciples unto Chriſt, and by the other Sacrament to confirm them, to feed 'em with the ſincere Milk of the Word, to intercede for them in Prayer, to bleſs them in the Name of Chriſt, to convey his Meſſages, Inſtructions, Counſels and Comforts to 'em, which without his Inſtitution and Appointment they could no more do, than a Meſſenger can carry a Pardon to a condemned Perſon, which his Prince never p. 13ſent. No man taketh the Honour to himſelf, but he that is called of God.

2. THEY are deſcribed to be ſuch as have ſpoken unto you the Word of God. To feed the Flock, by ſound Doctrine. Serious Study of the Holy Scriptures, and diligent Preaching of the Word, is no little part of the Buſineſs of a Goſpel-Miniſter. Simon Peter, loveſt thou me? Feed my Sheep, feed my Lambs. As Stewards of the Houſhold, they are to provide for the Family; as Shepherds, to feed by Teaching. And it is in great Wiſdom and Mercy to the Souls of Men, that our Bleſſed Lord has appointed ſome Perſons on purpoſe to devote themſelves to this Work; that they may be able to inſtruct the Ignorant, and eſtabliſh the Wavering, and comſort the Sad, and recover the Backſlider; to awaken, warn, convince and encourage Others in the Chriſtian Warfare. And whatever ſome pretend, that there is no ſuch need of Preaching now, as there was in p. 14the Infancy of the Church; yet in all Ages, this is the ordinary Means, which God hath appointed, and is wont to bleſs, for the Converſion and Salvation of Souls, 1 Cor. 1.21. It pleaſeth God now, as well as formerly, by the fooliſhneſs of Preaching to ſave them that believe. And it is the Commiſſion of our Saviour for the Miniſterial Office, that they Preach the Goſpel to every Creature. And this, not only to plant a Church, but to carry on its growth; it is for the perfecting of the Saints, and for the edifying of the Body of Chriſt. The Miniſtry of the Goſpel may be needful to Converts, and Believers, and real Saints, and is ſo, there being ſomething ſtill lacking to their Faith and Comfort. And they had need to be put always in Remembrance of the things they do know, that they may be rooted and eſtabliſhed in the Truth, 1 Pet. 2.12.

IT is wonderful to Obſerve, how our Saviour rather choſe to Convert Men by the Preaching and Miracles p. 15of his Apoſtles, than by his own; how he would not fully convert Paul without the Miniſtry of Annanias, tho' he ſpake to him from Heaven himſelf, and reaſoned with him againſt his Perſecution; how he would not fully convert Cornelius and his Houſhold, without the Miniſtry of Peter, tho' he ſent an Angel to direct him to a Teacher, nor would he convert the Ethiopian Eunuch, without the Miniſtery of Phillip; nor the Goaler without the Miniſtery of Paul and Silas, tho' he wrought a Miracle to prepare for his Converſion. Our Lord knew the Neceſſity that the Infants of his Family had of ſuch Nurſes, and he will keep up the Honour of his own Officers, whom he hath appointed for ſuch an End and Uſe.

HOW much the Welfare of the Church depends upon the Miniſters and Teachers of the Word, and how little the Beauty and Glory of Religion can ever be kept up in the World, if Miniſters do not labour in the Word and Doctrine, will p. 16very eaſily appear, to ſuch as conſider, how Religion has declined and been loſt, by the Ignorance, and Unfaithfulneſs, and Negligence of thoſe that ought to have Preached the Goſpel of Chriſt: And how the Denial or Contempt of the Miniſtry hath alway been accompanied with the growth of Atheiſm, Infidelity, and Prophaneſs. How ſolemnly does the Apoſtle charge the Elders of the Church of Epheſus, Acts 20.28, 30. Take heed unto your ſelves, and to all the Flock, over which the Holy Ghoſt hath made you Overſeers, to feed the Church of God which he hath purchaſed with his own Blood, and to warn every man, leſt they be perverted by falſe Teachers, &c. And how expreſly to the like purpoſe, are they required to labour with their utmoſt ſtrength in this Work, 1 Tim. 1.17. 1 Cor. 16.16. 1 Theſ. 5.12. They are To give themſelves continually to Prayer, and the Miniſtry of the Word, Acts 6.4.

AND how needful is it that they ſhould do ſo, who are to unfold the p. 17Mind of God to others; to teach them what they muſt know, believe and do, avoid, and hope for; who have ſo many difficulties to explain, and ſo often need the Tongue of the Learned, and a good ſhare of Prudence, to ſpeak a Word in Seaſon: To acquaint their Hearers with their ſeveral Maladies and Remedies, Dangers and Duties, to hold forth the Excellency of Chriſt, ſo as to make him receiv'd and obey'd, admired and loved; and to be diligent in ſuch Work in ſeaſon, and out of ſeaſon; managing all, as under an Awe of God, and with ſincere Compaſſion and Love to Souls.

SUPPOSING the Word of God here to be the Written Word, I need not enquire curiouſly, how much of Divine Revelation, or the Written Word, was then extant, when the Apoſtle wrote this Epiſtle, (which is thought to be about the fifty ſeventh, or fifty eighth year of our Bleſſed Lord, while he was a Priſoner at Rome, and towards the end of his firſt Impriſonment p. 18there.) All the New Teſtament ſeems to be then written, ſave the Epiſtles of St. John, and his Revelations, and the Second Epiſtle of St. Peter. 'Tis certain, that the whole Word of God in the Holy Scriptures, is to be explained, and applyed by Preaching, and that this is a principal part of a Miniſters Work. They therefore who pretend to the Miniſterial Office, according to the order of Chriſt, and yet either deſpiſe, or neglect the Preaching of the Word, one would think, either do not underſtand their Office, or are not faithful to it.

3. ANOTHER Thing concerning theſe Deceaſed Miniſters the Apoſtle mentions, is, their Exemplary Faith. They would not have been propoſed as Patterns, with reſpect to Faith, if they had not been Famous and Exemplary, as to the Clearneſs of their Minds, and the Soundneſs of their Doctrine. Follow their Faith. Doubtleſs he means it of ſuch, who as to Knowledg, and firmneſs of Perſwaſion, p. 19concerning the Truths of the Goſpel, and fruitfulneſs in ſuitable Effects, did in Spirit and Practice, ſhew themſelves Believers. They would not otherwiſe have been named, as fit Examples for the People to follow, as to their Faith. You find Miniſters are exhorted to Take heed to their Doctrine, 1 Tim. IV. 16. and to continue therein, that they May ſave themſelves, and them that hear them, and to ſpeak the things that become ſound Doctrine, 1 Tim. VI. 3. They are to keep the Doctrine of the Goſpel pure and uncorrupt, and to feed the People with the ſincere Milk of the Word. For if the Doctrine, which ſhould promote Faith and Holineſs, ſhould be depraved by the Miniſters of the Word, how is it poſſible that true Chriſtianity ſhould ſpread and flouriſh, or be preſerved and continued? What need have we to beg, that God would give and continue ſuch Paſtors after his own Heart, as may feed his People with Good Knowledge and Sound Ʋnderſtanding. They p. 20muſt hold faſt the faithful Word that they have been taught, that they may be able, by ſound Doctrine to exhort, and convince Gain-ſayers, Tit. 1.6, 9. Chap. 2.1. Such Speech that cannot be condemned, that he who is of the contrary party may be aſhamed. And how comfortably and uſefully may they preach to others, who are firmly perſwaded of the Truth of what they ſay; who believe and live the Truths they deliver? This is a great help to Miniſters in their Work, and a great Advantage in order to Succeſs.

THESE here, whoſe Faith is mentioned, were alſo Exemplary in all the Fruits of Faith: They lived up to the Doctrine they preached, and therein others are exhorted to follow them. They repreſented in a Holy Life, the Doctrine they taught, and ſo glorified him, in whoſe Name they diſpenſed it. By Humility and Meekneſs, Moderation and Self-denial, Zeal for the Glory of God, Mortification of Corrupt Affections, Contempt of the p. 21World, Readineſs for the Croſs, Condeſcenſion and Patience towards All, Heavenly-mindedneſs, &c. In all things, Miniſters ſhould ſhow themſelves Patterns of good works, and be Examples unto Believers in Word, in Converſation, in Charity, in Spirit, in Faith, in Purity, Tit. II. 2, 7. 1 Tim. IV. 12.

THIS is the moſt likely Method to have Succeſs: For tho' it may now and then poſſibly fall out, that the Seed of Divine Truth, * Dr. Spurſtow's Medit. on a Debauched Miniſter Medit. XX. 8vo.like Corn ſown by a Leprous Hand, may grow up into ſome fruit; yet how ſmall is the Good, that is wrought by his Doctrine, in compariſon of the great Hurt that is done by the diſſolute Life of ſuch a Miniſter? Is it likely, that he, that in the Pulpit pleads for Honour unto the Perſon of Chriſt, for Obedience to his Commands, and Faith to be exerciſed in his Promiſes, and when he is out of it, contradicts all that he p. 22hath ſaid, by a ſenſual practice; is it likely he ſhould ever win many Diſciples to Chriſt? Will Men ever hearken to ſuch, who decry Drunkenneſs, and Wantonneſs, and Covetouſneſs, &c. as the way to Deſtruction, and yet turn not their own feet from walking therein? will they not ſay, Phyſician, heal thy ſelf? or thou Hypocrite, Firſt caſt the Beam out of thine own Eye, and then ſhalt thou ſee clearly to cast out the Mote that is in thy Brothers Eye.

HOW can He be a Pattern to Believers, in thoſe Graces he is a Stranger to? How can he kindle Heavenly Affections in the Souls of others, when he feels nothing himſelf? How can he ſpeak of Divine Truth, according to the Excellency, and Neceſſity, and Importance of it, if he doth not believe, and live, and obey it himſelf? We may as well think, that a Heretick may teach you the Truth, as well as the Orthodox; and a Schiſmatick teach you Unity and Peace, as well as a Catholick Peaceable Paſtor; p. 23or a Man ignorant of Regeneration, and the Grace of God, may teach you that which he knoweth not himſelf; or an Enemy to Piety and Charity, teach you to be Pious and Charitable, as well as any other. The voice of Jacob will do little good, if the Hands be the Hands of Eſau. They that are unholy, and unexperienced as to real Godlineſs, they have a ſecret Enmity in their Hearts againſt that Holineſs, which they ſhould daily preach, which is a Clog at their Feet, and a Gag in their Mouths, as to ſome Truths and Duties. They will ſome way or other harden, and embolden others in their Sins, as well as make themſelves, and the Offering of the Lord contemptable, by ſhewing, that they do not believe what they ſay. How can you think they ſhould lead you in the way of Holineſs, who never walked i… … themſelves? or guide you to …, and conduct you in the Chri…Warfare, who are Servants of the World, the Devil, and the Fleſh, againſt p. 24whom they muſt Exhort you to Fight.

HOW dreadful will be the Account and Portion of ſuch Evil Stewards, and Unfaithful Guides, who preach to others, and yet periſh! As the Men that were employed to build the Ark of Noah, yet were not ſaved in it. He that winneth Souls is wiſe; but it is he only, that ſhall do, as well as teach the Commandments, who ſhall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven, or ever come there. The Judge himſelf hath told us, that many in his Name may have propheſied, and preached, and caſt out Devils, and yet ſhall be diſclaimed, as Workers of Iniquity. And it is certainly more eaſie to make ten good Sermons, than to practice one; and to expoſe and declaim againſt all Sins, than to relinquiſh any.

HOW terrible is that known paſſage of Chryſoſtom, with relation to this? Saying, That he is perſwaded, that very few of thoſe who are entruſted with the Goſpel, and Care of Souls, p. 25are likely to be Saved; and that he apprehends the far greater part will be damned. For this Work, ſaith he, requires a Soul more than ordinary; He had need have a thouſand Eyes in his Head, and have them all awake, &c. How ſevere are the Pſalmiſts Words, and how upbraiding of Ungodly Miniſters, Pſal. 50.16, 17. What haſt thou to do, to declare my Statutes, or that thou ſhouldſt take my Covenant into thy Mouth? ſeeing thou hateſt Inſtruction, and caſteſt my Words behind thee. How muſt ſuch a Man be confounded in Preaching againſt his own Sins, and pronouncing Damnation againſt himſelf? And with how little Succeſs can he pray for the People of his Charge, when he himſelf is not reconciled to God. S… for the Elders of the Church, when ſick, ſaith the Apoſtle, and the Prayer of Faith ſhall ſave the Sick, but 'tis the ſervent Prayer of a Righteous Man, James V. 14, 15.

4. HE mentions their Conſtancy and Perſeverance in Faith and Holineſs, p. 26'till the happy End, and Exit of their Converſation. And this he exhorts them to Conſider, to review, to reflect upon; and that not tranſiently, but with deep Attention; not once only, but again and again. To conſider what their Carriage and Deportment hath been in publick, and in private; what was their Behaviour in every Relation and Condition, as keeping a good Conſcience, both towards God and Man; and this not for a ſtart, for a little while, for a few Years only, and then drew back or turned afide: But conſider The End of their Converſation. How they finiſhed their Courſe with Joy. Their Beginning, and Progreſs was commendable, and their latter End was anſwerably good and ſafe, deſirable and happy, either by a natural death, in the Peace of God, or with the Crown of Martyrdom by a violent one.

I SHALL not need to enquire, how far the Apoſtle may here refer to the Death of the firſt Martyr Stephen, and of James the Son of Zebbedee, who p. 27both exerciſed their Miniſtty at Jeruſalem, and ſuffered Martyrdom there, as 'tis thought did the other James, the Brother of our Lord, ſeveral years before the date of this Epiſtle to the Hebrews.

II. LET us conſider what is the Peoples Duty to ſuch their Deceaſed Miniſters and Paſtors. It is threefold. 1. To Remember them. 2. To Imitate them in Faith and Holineſs. 3. In order to this, to Conſider ſeriouſly, and often their Converſation, and the happy End of it.

1. REMEMBER your Spiritual Guides, who have had the Inſtruction and Conduct of your Souls, and faithfully diſcharged their Office. Remember them, ſo as to be thankful to God for their Gifts and Graces, and for all the Flelp and Aſſiſtance, you had by their Doctrioe and Example, while they lived, and for all the Goodneſs and Grace of God towards them, in enabling them to do or ſuffer his Will, with their Supports, Perſeverance, p. 28Aſſiſtances, Encouragements, and Victory. Remember them, ſo as to bewail your Loſs, and lay to Heart their Removal. Remember how much more you ought to have valued their Miniſtry, and how much better you might have improved it; (the very thoughts of what you would do, if God would again have tryed you in that kind, might herein be your Help.) Remember what Counſels, what Warnings and Reproofs, what Encouragements and Conſolations, you have ever had by their means. Remember with what an Awe of god they were wont to Pray, with what a Zeal for Chriſt, and Love to Souls, they did uſe to Preach; with what humble Condeſcenſion, Meekneſs and Charity, and unblameable Converſation, they lived in this World.

REMEMBER them in your Thoughts and Affections, and in your Words and Actions; ſo as on all fit Occaſions to expreſs your Love to their Memory. Be ready to ſhew that you do not forget them, by your continued p. 29Reſpects and Kindneſs to the Living, for the ſake of the Dead: I mean, the many deſpiſed Widows, and Fatherleſs Children of Worthy Miniſters. Think often of them, how God honoured them, to bring many Souls to Chriſt, and to build up Others: How ſucceſsfully they managed, and comfortably finiſhed their Work. Think what, and where they now are, what they are delivered from, what they enjoy, how they are employed, &c. Don't be afraid to think often of your Deceaſed Miniſters, and Friends: 'Tis a plain Duty, and a help to many Duties, to have our Converſation in Heaven with Chriſt, and the Spirits of Juſt Men made perfect. To think of our Holy Relations and Acquaintance, and eſpecially Ministers, who are got ſafe to Heaven: It may aſſiſt and animate us, in our Spiritual Warfare. And much of the Comfort of the Life of Faith depends upon it. They are part of the Family of Chriſt, to which we are adjoined, if by Faith we are p. 30united to him, Heb. XII. 22, 23. We have no reaſon to believe, that they Forget us whom they have left behind; and certainly there is none, why we ſhould Forget them. Let us remember them with Pleaſure, Honour, and Love; and ſpeak of them with Reſpect and Gratitude.

CAN we think with Pleaſure of ſuch a Friend or Miniſter, of ſuch an Acquaintance or Relation, whom we tenderly love, that is many Miles diſtant from us, here upon Earth; and ſhall we be unmindful of thoſe who are in Heaven? It ſhould be a Complacential Thought, to conſider, that ſuch a Father or Grand-father, ſuch a Husband or Wife, ſuch a Child or Brother of yours or mine, are now with Chriſt, in the Boſom of his Love in glory. That ſuch a Miniſter of Chriſt, who was my Spiritual Father, or by whom I was edified, ſtrengthened, or comforted for many Years, hath overcome, and is at Reſt, has fought the good Fight, and finiſhed p. 31his Courſe. While we are following after, they have attained: While we are in Tears and Conflicts, they are in Joy and Glory: While we are waiting at the door, they are entered within the Vail. 'Tis our Duty to Remember them. And,

2. TO Follow their Faith, that is, the Doctrine they preached, believed, profeſſed, and obeyed; or their found Doctrine, and Practical Godlineſs. Or their Faith may be conſidered, as regarding Doctrines to be believed and profeſſed, Promiſes to be embraced and depended on, and Precepts to be obeyed. Such a Faith, as realized the other World to them, and help'd to crucifie them unto this. Such a Faith, as was the Evidence of things unſeen, whereby they were enabled to walk in Self-denyal, Patience, and ſtedfaſt Obedience, 'till they came to the End of their Faith and Hope. In ſhort, we muſt follow them, as holding the Myſtery of Faith in a pure Conſcience, and expreſſing p. 32the Power of it in a fruitful Converſation.

YOU ſee, in what it is your Deceaſed and Holy Friends, and Miniſters are to be followed, it is in their Faith, and in the Principal Actings and Fruits of it, ſo far as they kept The Example of Chriſt in their Eye, and followed him, for no farther does the Apoſtle require it, 1 Cor. XI. 1. the Pattern of Chriſt is propos'd for Imitation in all Ages of the Church: We are no leſs obliged to it, than the Apoſtle who prays for the Philippians, that the ſame Mind might be in them, that was in Chriſt, Phil. 11.5. And therefore have we boldneſs in the day of Judgment, ſays another Apoſtle, becauſe We are in the World, as he was in it, 1 John IV. 17.

OUR Lord is the only Infallible and Supream Pattern, whom tho' we cannot follow in his Miracles and Merits, and what was peculiar to him as Mediator; yet hath he ſet us an Example, that we ſhould tread in his p. 33ſteps, in Obedience to his Father, in Zeal for his Glory, in Submiſſion to his Will, in Patience under Suffering, &c. He gave us an Example of Subjection to Parents, Obedience to Magiſtrates, Painfulneſs in Preaching, Frequency in praying, and in going up and down the World doing good, in Forgiving Enemies, in Charity to all Men, &c.

AS to all other Examples, tho' there may be ſome things Imitable, there are others, wherein we ſhould be cautioned not to do the like; as in Noah and Lot, David, and Solomon, &c. Even St. Peter was a Rock, and an Excellent Apoſtle; but we ſhould ſplit upon that Rock, if we ſhould follow him in all his ways: If we follow him into the High Prieſts Hall, if we imitate him in making bold with Temptation, inſtead of following Chriſt, we may be brought to deny him. Therefore St. Paul expreſly cautions us, how far we are to follow his Example, Phil. IV. 8. Finally, my p. 34Brethren, whatſoever things are honeſt, juſt, pure, lovely, of good report; if they have any vertue, any praiſe, think of theſe things, which you have both learned and received, and heard, and ſeen in me, do theſe things, and the God of peace ſhall be with you.

HOWEVER, granting the Life of Chriſt only be a perfect Copy, yet the good Examples of our Brethren, and Fellow-Chriſtians, are a merciful Help, and Aſſiſtance to us in the way to Heaven. We ſee by their Faith and Patience, that our Duty is practicable. That they who dwelt in ſuch Bodies as we, and were ſurrounded with the like Temptations, and had as many Hindrances and Difficulties, and no more, or better Aſſiſtance or Encouragement than we, have yet been enabled to pleaſe and glorifie God, and are got ſafe to Glory. We are not the Forelorn Hope, not the firſt Aſſailors in the Spiritual Warfare, we are not ſet in the Front of the Battle; many of our Fellow Chriſtians p. 35have lived and dyed in the Faith, have overcome the World, the Fleſh, and the Devil, in that very way, that we are called to do it.

MANY of our Fellow Soldiers have fought the Good Fight, gained the Victory, and received the Crown. Their Example tells us, that the Difficulties and Conflicts that we fear, are no other than they have experienced. They complained as much we can, of inward Corruption, and outward Temptation; of an unfaithful World, and a buſie Devil, and a deſperately wicked Heart; and yet by the Grace of God they have Overcome. We have a Cloud of Witneſſes, among our particular Friends and Acquaintance, whom we have known and loved, whom we have ſeen and heard, with whom we have convers'd and diſcours'd: And it is a great Encouragement, to conſider we are to follow Them. For why ſhould we be diſheartned, as if that were Impobſſile to us, which the Grace of God hath enabled them to do and ſuffer?

p. 36TIS one great Deſign of God's Gifts, and Graces to Some, that they may inſtruct and edifie Others. The path of the juſt in this ſenſe, is a ſhining Light: We are to Shew forth the Word of Life in our Converſation, that we may direct others in the way: And by our Zeal, we are to provoke many.

AND when the Precept is exemplified into Pattern, and the Commands of Chriſt made legible in the Lives of Chriſtians, we are the more encouraged to obey. This hath more Influence than meer Law, and naked Authority. We find that Examples ſtrangely affect us, and the Lives of Holy Perſons, writ with Truth, and Judgment, and Caution, have a ſingular Advantage to attract our Imitation. When Charity and Humility, Self-denial and Patience, Piety and Devotion, are characterized in the Practice and Actions of the Saints, they are written as it were with Light, notwithſtanding ſome mixture of Darkneſs, from Humane Paſſions, and Failings, p. 37for which in all Men there muſt be Allowance. That Holy Examples are apt to affect the Mind more deeply than Holy Laws alone, is evident by the Malice of the Devil, and his Inſtruments againſt the Holy Scriptures, exemplified in the Godly, more than againſt the Scriptures themſelves; they can better bear the Precepts of a perfect Rule, than the imperfect practice of them in a Holy Life. They have burnt Martyrs, that could endure good Books.

SUCH Examples may be of Uſe, both to Quicken and Enoourage us.

1. TO quicken and excite our Diligence, to this purpoſe the Apoſtle makes mention of them, Chap. VI. 12. Be not ſloathful, but be ye followers of them, who by Faith and Patience inherit the Promiſes. To cure the Sloath and Lazineſs of Chriſtians, he ſaith this, and to ſtir them up to Holy Diligence; with this Encouragement in the following Words, that if they follow p. 38their Guides in their Faith in Chriſt, they will find him an Unchangeable, never failing Saviour: For it is added, Jeſus Chriſt, the ſame yeſterday, to day, and for ever. i.e. He will certainly receive, forgive, aſſiſt, preſerve, and ſave them, as he did their Deceaſed Guides. If we follow them, we ſhall find the ſame Comfort, and meet with the ſame Reward.

HOW may the Temper, and Spirit, and Carriage, of ſuch Exemplary Chriſtians, ſhame our Negligence? Their Humility and Zeal, their Gravity and Seriouſneſs, their continual Awe of God, and Apprehenſion of his Eve, their conſtant Watchfulneſs over Hearts, Words and Actions, may be conſidered to humble and ſhame us: When I think how diligently they improved their Talents, how faithfully and fervently they attended their Work, how their Hearts were in it, and how much they did in a little time, and how God was with 'em in abundant Succeſs, it ſhould ſhame and p. 39quicken me. Do I pray, or preach, or live at that rate of Seriouſneſs, Integrity, Self-denial, and Devotedneſs to God, as they? Durſt they have indulged themſelves, and pleaſed themſelves, and allowed themſelves the Liberty which I take: Were they guilty of ſuch Omiſſions and Neglects as I am? Am not I more ſlight and formal, ſeldom and heartleſs in Prayer, than they were wont to be, &c.

IF we have the ſame Spirit of Faith, with the Holy Perſons, whoſe Examples we read or hear of, theſe things will quicken and aſſiſt us, for ſo the Apoſtle argues, 2 Cor. IV. 13. We having the ſame ſpirit of Faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I ſpoken, we alſo believe, and therefore ſpeak. And if they do not move us, and excite us to follow them, in their Faith and Obedience, it is a ſign that we are not partakers of the ſame Spirit.

p. 402. NOT only as to Duty, but let us conſider 'em for our Encouragement and Comfort. Whatever Difficulties we may meet with in the Chriſtian Race, the Conſideration of theſe Examples may encourage our Faith, and Patience, and Perſeverance. They found the Sweetneſs of Dependance upon God, and the Succeſs of a Life of Faith, and had gracious Anſwers to Prayer, and ſuitable Help in every time of need: They could ſet to their Seal that God is true, and the Scripture true; and never any Word of his, in which they regularly truſted, did ever fail them. And is it no Encouragement, for us to be able to ſay, Lord, our Fathers truſted in thee, and were delivered; they truſted in thee, and were not aſhamed; they cryed to thee, and thou didſt anſwer them: They have told us what thou didſt for them: How Good was God, and Faithful, how Wiſe and Gracious! The Word of the Lord is tried, in ſix and in ſeven Troubles they found it true.

p. 41AND we that live in the latter Ages of the World, have a greater Cloud of Witneſſes than others; we have the Benefit of the Experience of all the Saints, that have gone before us. They can tell us what they have found, of the falſe Cavils, Slanders and Objections of Unbelief; of the Folly and Diſingenuity of our Carnal Fears, of the Fraud of the Devil's Suggeſtions, of the certain Accompliſhment of God's Promiſes, and a good Iſſue of all Events, if we wait on the Lord and keep his Way.

AND as to many of them, we may obſerve, with what admirable Patience they endured greater Trials, ſharper Pains, and longer Exerciſes, without Murmuring, and without Fainting, than ever yet we have known. How Diligent, Heavenly and Fruitful were ſome of them, under leſs Advantages and Help than we? The Examples of the Poor may ſhame many of the Rich: The Examples of ſome p. 42young Converts, may ſhame Old Diſciples: Religious Children may ſhame many Parents. There are younger Brethren, by whom the Elder are outgone. Such who were new-born but lately, who exceed them that were in Chriſt many years before.

HAD not they, whoſe Faith you are exhorted to follow, the like Temptations as you meet with? Have not you the ſame Rule to walk by, the ſame Promiſes, Aſſiſtances and Encouragements in the way to Heaven? Are your Wants to be ſupplied, Diſeaſes to be cured, Difficulties to be conquered, Burdens to be endured, more, or greater, or other, than what they met with? And was not Death the Paſſage to Glory, as to all of them, and ſometimes by Lingering, Painful Sickneſs, Antecedent to dying? Therefore you may, and ſhould take Heart by their Examples, and follow their Faith.

HOW you ſhould do ſo, I will ſum p. 43up in * See Mr. Baxter's Life of Faith, 4to. Chap. XXII. p. 585. And Mr. D. B's Chriſtian Commemoration and Imitation of Saints Deported. 120. 1691. Where theſe things are more fully expreſs'd.better Words than my own. Let us fix upon the ſame Ends, to Glorifie God and Enjoy him; let us chooſe the ſame Guide and Captain of our Salvation, let us believe the ſame Goſpel, and build upon the ſame Promiſes, let us obey and truſt to the ſame Spirit of Holineſs and Comfort; let us live upon the ſame Truths, and exerciſe the ſame Graces, and watch againſt the ſame Sins and Corruptions; let us chooſe, prefer and uſe, the ſame Company, and other helps and means of Grace, and under all the Trials and Temptations of this Life, act the ſame Faith, and Patience, and Hope unto the End; and we ſhall finiſh our Courſe as they did, and inherit the Promiſes as they do. In order whereto,

III. LET us conſider the End of p. 44their Converſation. Be mindful of your Deceaſed Miniſters, that you may obſerve the happy End of their Converſation, and ſo be aſſiſted to follow their Faith. Their Converſation and Courſe of Life was agreeable to their Faith, agreeable to the Doctrine they believed and taught, and their End was anſwerable: They lived in the Faith, and they dyed in the Faith, The End of their Converſations; an End attended with Victory and Deliverance, the ſame Word that is uſed for Eſcape, 1 Cor. X. 13. Conſider what Difficulties they met with, and yet did overcome; their Faith did not fail, their Hope did not periſh, their Courage did not faint. They endured to the End, and finiſhed their Courſe, came off with Victory, and are got ſafe to Everlaſting Reſt.

THE Conſideration of this, their happy End, knowing what they were, and what we are, ſhould encourage us to Follow them. It ought to raiſe our Deſires and Hopes, fix our Reſolutions, p. 45anſwer our Doubts, ſcatter our Fears, make Death leſs formidable, and the thoughts of Heaven more familiar, and ſo excite and forward our Preparations for it: That following their Faith, we may with them at laſt receive the End of our Faith and Hope, the Salvation of our Souls.

I NOW come to the other Part of my Subject, to ſpeak of Your Deceaſed Paſtor. Not that I deſign to give you the Hiſtory of his Parentage, Birth and Education, before he came to London, that is, before my Acquaintance with him, or yours; but ſome Account of his Example, as a Chriſtian, and as a Miniſter of Chriſt; that being the more ſenſible of your Loſs, you may take the more care to improve it.

AND tho' I feel my ſelf a real and hearty Mourner with you, as for one whom I highly eſteemed and loved, p. 46and had a great deal of Reaſon to do ſo; I ſhall yet take care, that my Affection may not prompt me to ſay any thing concerning him, that cannot be well atteſted, either by my own Knowledge, or by ſome of you who now hear me: As knowing that I ought not to ſpeak any thing that is not true, of a dead Friend, any more than raiſe an Evil Report of a living Enemy. But I ſpeak to thoſe, who knew his Doctrine and manner of Life, Purpoſe, Faith, Patience, Love, Longſuffering and Charity.

1. HE was, (conſidered as a Chriſtian) a lively Inſtance of inward Godlineſs and Real Religion. He believed and practis'd what he preached to others. He lived in the firm Perſwaſion and Expectation of the Inviſible, Everlaſting World, and in diligent Preparation of himſelf and others for it. Humility, the Badge of our Relation to Chriſt, was his Cloathing and Ornament, endeavouring to approve himſelf to God, and to the Conſciences p. 47of Men, as in the ſight of God, Not as pleaſing Men, but God who ſeeth the Heart, 2 Cor. X. 14, 15.

PRAYER was his Delight, Strength and Excellency. I have hardly heard of any more abundant in Prayer, more Conſtant and Conſcientious in it, with the like Variety, and Fervour upon all Occaſions. Beſides what you had the Aſſiſtance of in Publick, in his Family and Cloſet every day, and alſo with his Wife, with that Seriouſneſs and Frequency, that 'twould be thought incredible, ſhould I name Particulars. And many times early in the morning before day, after the Example of his Bleſſed Maſter, he wreſtled with God in Secret Prayer. He taſted the Sweetneſs, and reaped the Benefit of ſuch Converſe with God.

AT other times, the Thought of God, (and how often in a day did he think of God!) and the very Name of God, was wont to ſtrike him with a becoming p. 48A we and Reverence. His whole Life was almoſt a Life of Prayer, which made his Face to ſhine, and his Grace to thrive, and gained him ſo much of the Divine Preſence in his publick Work, that ſometimes you might manifeſtly diſcern that God was with him. He never went about to compoſe nor preach a Sermon, without moſt ſerious, earneſt Prayer beforehand, with a particular Reference to that Occaſion. He gave himſelf continually to Prayer, as well as to the Miniſtry of the Word. Acknowledging the moſt and beſt of his Knowledge and Learning he got upon his Knees.

PRAISE and Thankfulneſs to God for all his Mercies, was a great part of his daily Prayer, and made up much of his Religion. The Love of God, and the joyful Praiſes of our Redeemer, were his conſtant and moſt hearty Service. They that knew him beſt, can witneſs how much he delighted in Singing the Praiſes of God, p. 49and how ſtated a part of Family-worſhip he made it every day.

THE Hely Scriptures were his continual, Delightful Study, as a Treaſury of Divine Wiſdom and Knowledge. He deſpiſed all Books of other Learning, in compariſon of this: And next to the Bible, he moſt eſteemed ſuch Practical Books, as Mr. R. and Joſ. Allen's, and Mr. Corbet's Kingdom of God amongſt Men, &c.

THE Lords-Day was his Peculiar Delight, and the Solemn Worſhip of it the Joy of his Soul: He was then and thereby revived, tho' he had been ill all the Week before: And when confined to his Chamber, by Pain and Languiſhing Sickneſs, (ſo as he could not attend the publick Aſſemblies,) how would he lament, the ſlight Sabbaths he thought he kept, and made Others keep? but could add, Thanks be to God, it was otherwiſe formerly.

p. 50HIS Relative Religion in his Family, was moſt ſtrictly Chriſtian, and Exemplary. His Affection to his Relations, evidenced in his Concern for their Souls, and particular Recommendation of their Caſe to God, by Prayer, upon all Occaſions, aggravates their Loſs in his Death, but will make his Memory precious with them.

AS to his Carriage and Behaviour abroad, he thought the Life of a Miniſter, in ſome reſpects, was ſcandalous, if it were not Exemplary, and managed with greater Strictneſs, than that of Ordinary Chriſtians. What a Guard did he keep upon the Door of his Lips! how watchful was he over his Words! how ſhie of ordinary and common Converſation, upon this Account, becauſe he could meet with ſo little ſerious and profitable Diſcourſe, even amongſt Thoſe, of whom it might have been expected! With what Prudence and Faithfulneſs would he often begin ſuch Diſcourſe, as became a p. 51Miniſter, and a Chtiſtian? ſuitable to the Circumſtances and Conditions of thoſe he converſed with? And where there was Occaſion for it, with like Wiſdom and Fidelity, would he admoniſh and reprove, to the hazard, ſometimes of loſing their Friendſhip, whom otherwiſe he had reaſon to value. But he knew, how to be ſevere againſt the Sin, and not diſcredit and expoſe the Sinner; he knew how to ſearch the Conſcience, and yet ſo far ſpare the perſon, as not to exaſperate and provoke the Spirit.

WHEN ſome time ſince I viſited, and prayed with him, (which I lament I did no oftner,) enquiring concerning the State of his Soul, with Relation to God, and the other World: Whether all were well and calm within; he told me, that through the Grace of God, he could appeal to Him, concerning his Integrity; that he hoped, He had found mercy to be Faithful. Thro' the whole of his long Sickneſs, he had no Diſcouraging Fears, but p. 52a ſerious, ſteady Truſt, and a wellgrounded Hope in God, through the Merits of his Saviour, without high and full Aſſurance; which, he ſaid, was not ordinarily to be expected here, where Grace is ſo Imperfect. And yet ſometimes he hath experienc'd Extraordinary Conſolations. He hath been ſound alone, all in Tears; when upon Inquiry, what it was that troubled him, and made him ſad, he anſwered, he was very far from Grief: It was not Sorrow that made him weep, it was from Abundance of Inward Joy.

HE often prayed for more Faith and Patience, deſiring that Patience might continue, and have its perfect Work. And God granted it: For he had a calm, compoſed Spirit, under very long languiſhing, and ſome painful Operations: He ſubmitted to the hand of God in all, without murmuring. And when every Body about him ſeemed greatly concerned, he himſelf was not. p. 53Conſider his Patience, you that were Eye-witneſſes of it; and Take my Brethren the Prophets, who have ſpoken to you in the Name of the Lord, for an Example of ſuffering Affliction, and of Patience.

HIS ſerious Piety, was crowned with an Extenſive Charity. Beſides his Charity in Relieving the Poor, (in order to which he made Conſcience, to lay aſide a fit Proportion, of whatever the Providence of God allowed him; and that as ſoon as he received it, which he never after looked upon as his own:) Beſides that ſort of Charity, he was in Principle and Practice, very Charitable, to thoſe from whom he differed in Opinion. He loved All Men, in whom he could diſcern any thing of real Goodneſs. He did not confine the Church of Chriſt to a Party, or endeavour to make Proſelytes to Any: For he was of none, but that with all Chriſtians, for Chriſt, againſt the Devil.

p. 54HE did not think it the Excellency of Zeal, to go further than needs, from thoſe he did not fully agree with. He uſed the Lord's Prayer in Publick, and once a day in his Family, and thought he did his Duty therein. He had a Zeal for Truth, but likewiſe for Piety and Peace, for Love and Good Works: He remember'd that his Maſter was the Prince of Peace, and his Meſſage the Goſpel of Peace, that his Office was to be a Meſſenger of Peace, and that we are to follow after Peace as well as Holineſs, and that Bleſſed are the Peace-makers. He was ſenſible how much the Intereſt of Real Religion is weakened, when the Bond of Peace is broken; and that when we bite and devour one another, we are in danger to be conſumed one of another. He was therefore an Enemy to Cenſorious Heats and Bitterneſs, and all ſuch Narrow Principles as deſtroy Love. He was of a truly Healing and Catholick Spirit. I wiſh he may be Imitated p. 55in theſe things, by all who knew him.

I MENTION theſe Particulars, the rather, concerning his Perſonal Piety, to confute the Cavils of thoſe, who would run down all the younger Miniſters in groſs, as more looſe than their Predeceſſors. This is an Artifice of the Devil, to hinder their Uſefulneſs; but the Foundation of it, I am perſwaded, is either Miſtake or Calumny. For what if one or two Candidates for the Miniſtry, be now and then heard of, who are taken in the Snare of the Devil, and fall from Hopeful Beginnings, ſo as to diſhonour their Profeſſion, or quit it; ſhall the reſt, who are Humble, Sober, Diligent, and Serious, be leſs eſteemed? Was there ever in any Age, any ſort of Calling, or Profeſſion of Men in the World, whereof there may not be Some found, who are a Reproach and Blemiſh to the reſt? Would it not be very unjuſt, that Elder Miniſters, who are Wiſe and p. 56Learned, Upright and Exemplary, ſhould loſe the Reverence and Honour that is due to them, if there ſhould happen to be ſome Few of their Age and Standing, who come ſhort of ſuch Qualifications? I do here moſt heartily thank God, and Rejoice in Hope, as to the riſing Generation, that I know many, (and hear of more,) of the younger Miniſters, who are well qualified for their Work, by improving, growing Parts and Learning, and reſolved Induſtry after more; with deep Seriouſneſs and Integrity towards God: And therefore will deſerve the Eſteem and Encouragement of all that know them.

2. LET me now Conſider him as a Miniſter of Chriſt. He was apt, and ready to Teach, fit for Publick Service, and Succeſsful in it. How much did he anſwer the Apoſtle's Character, To be Blameleſs, as a Steward of God, not ſelf-will'd, not ſoon angry, not given to Wine, not Contentious, not given to filthy p. 57Luce; a lover of Hoſpitality, a lover of good men; ſober, juſt, holy, temperate, holding faſt the faithful Word, as he had been taught; able, by ſound Doctrine, to exhort, and to convince Gain ſayers; making it his buſineſs to ſave himſelf, and them that heard him, 1 Tit. VII. 8, 9. His Heart was in his Work, and he wholly gave himſelf to it. He did not ſeek great things to himſelf: The Honour of Chriſt, and the Salvation of Souls, was what he aimed at, and longed for, and laboured for.

AND ſuch was his unwearied Diligence, in the well Improvement of his Time, that he quickly grew Rich in all Spiritual Giſts, by the Bleſſing of God on the diligent hand: And from time to time he increaſed conſiderably. He found it true, That to him that hath, and uſeth well what he hath, to him ſhall be given, and he ſhall have more abundantly. He knew the Weight of the Miniſterial Work, p. 58to watch for the Flock, to ſtrengthen the Weak, to confirm the Strong, to ſatisfie the Doubtful, to reſolve the Scrupulous, to anſwer Caſes of Conſcience, &c. And who is ſufficient for theſe things, without a great deal of Induſtry, in hope of Divine Aſſiſtance? He knew the Difficulty of his Work, to evidence Truth to the Conſcience, to awaken Sinners to Repentance, and then to manifeſt Chriſt the Redeemer, and Saviour of Sinners; to Reprove ſome with Meekneſs, and others with Sharpneſs; to pour Balm into Wounded Spirits, and to ſpeak a Word in ſeaſon to the Wearied Soul; to difference the Sheep from the Goats, the Precious from the Vile, &c. And to manage all this with a deep ſenſe of the Worth of Souls, and the ineſtimable Price wherewith they were purchaſed, and the Aweful Account that he muſt hereafter give to the Great Shepherd. The Conſideration of theſe things, made him Diligent, and reſolved, and unwearied in what he undertook, ſo long as he was Able.

p. 59THO' he were as well able, as moſt, with very little Preparation, to ſpeak pertinently and uſefully upon any Subject; yet he made Conſcience, not to give to God that which coſt him nothing. He would not utter that in publick, which he had not conſidered, and digeſted, and prayed over. He durſt not preſume, in the Name of Chriſt, to vent raw and indigeſted Notions, which he had not well thought of; or to entertain his Hearers, with any looſe and rambling Thoughts, that came next into his Head.

AS to his Style, he was not for an affected Strain of Words; yet far from taking any ſuch Liberty, as argued Indiſcretion, or expoſed to Contempt. He hath given ſufficient Proof, upon ſeveral Occaſions, that he was Maſter of the beſt Language, whenever he pleaſed to make uſe of it; but had the Wiſdom, to ſuit his Words, as well as Matter, ſo as p. 60might beſt anſwer the End, of doing Good to thoſe to whom he Preached.

YOU know very well, that Preaching was that part of his Work, wherein his Heart was more eſpecially engaged: And that he durſt not ſpeak to ſecure, drowſie Sinners, concerning God and Chriſt, Heaven and Hell, in a cold and careleſs manner. He knew the weightieſt Matter, without lively Application to enforce it, is but like Bullet without Powder. With what tender Affection, would he invite Sinners to Chriſt? With what moving Expoſtulations, would he addreſs himſelf to all ſorts? In fuitable Expreſſions to Young and Old! With Clearneſs he would Open, and Apply the Doctrinal Articles of Religion, and, by Catechiſing, inſtruct the Ignorant. With Strength and variety of Arguments, he enforced the Duties of Chriſtian Practice. And how readily did he embrace all Opportunities of doing good in this p. 61kind, to the utmoſt of his Strength, and beyond it?

HE would often uſe the Expreſſion of the Apoſtle, I am not ſent to baptize, comparatively, but to preach the Goſpel, which is the Power of God to the Salvation of the Soul. Not that he neglected the Adminiſtration of the Sacraments: For, beſides the Lord's Supper, which he adminiſtred every Month, he had great Succeſs in bringing many Adult Perſons to be Baptized, in the publick Congregation, ſometimes ſeveral in one day.

HE was careful to follow his Publick Teaching, with Private Inſtruction and Viſits, eſpecially of the Sick; ſo far as his Relation to ſo many, and bodily weakneſs would permit. With Tenderneſs would he apply Comfort to the Mourners in Sion. He was skilful in binding up the Broken in Heart. Many reſorted to him upon that Account. And with Compaſſion p. 62and Gentleneſs he would deal with Offenders, in order to their Recovery. How earneſtly did he deſire, and ſeek, the Peace, and Holineſs of his People? His very Soul was grieved, if he heard of any of them, walking diſorderly. He could ſay, with the Apoſtle, I have you in my heart, and God is witneſs, how greatly I long after you all, in the Bowels of Jeſus Chriſt, 1 Phil. 7.8.

YOU Remember, concerning his Preaching, how practically both for Matter and Manner, he inſiſted on the Great Things of Religion: He did not amuſe his Hearers, (whom he conſidered, as near the Grave and the Eternal World,) with Controverſies, which they need not underſtand; and concerning which, Wiſe and Good Men may have different Sentiments, and yet be Wiſe and Good, be accepted of God, and bear with one another.

He carefully avoided Extrems, in p. 63opening and applying the Truths of the Goſpel. He was wont to exhort Men, to work out their Salvation with all Diligence, and to ſtrive to the utmoſt, to enter into Heaven; and yet after all, to truſt and relye only on the Mediation and Righteouſneſs of Chriſt. He preach'd, and prov'd, the Neceſſity of an Imputed Righteouſneſs, and yet urg'd the neceſſity of an Inherent One. That the Prieſtly Office of Chriſt, and his Sacrifice for Sin, might be honoured, and yet the Holy Ghoſt, in his ſanctifying Influence, may be honoured too. He did not make Morality the whole Duty of Man; nor yet deceive the People, by ſaying, that Chriſt repented for them, and Believed for them. He magnified the Special Grace of God, in the Converſion of a Sinner, and yet preached Repentance towards God, as neceſſary to Forgiveneſs, with Faith in our Lord Jeſus Chriſt: Without curiouſly determining which is firſt, when both are needful, and never parted. He laid the whole ſtreſs of our p. 64Salvation on Jeſus Chriſt. He aſcribed the Beginning, Progreſs, and Finiſhing of all Spiritual Good, entirely to the Free-grace of God. And yet the Impenitence, Unbelief and Damnation of Sinners, he juſtly charged on their own Wilfulneſs, in hearkening to the Devil. And if this be Legal Preaching, what is it to preach the Goſpel of Chriſt?

ACCORDINGLY we find, that God honoured him with great Succeſs. He had Eminent Seals of his Miniſtry, at his firſt Beginning, and many more afterwards: He was a good Man, and full of the Holy Ghoſt and Faith, and much People were added to the Lord. There are many of you, who bleſs God, that you ever ſaw or heard him. You are his Witneſſes, that he did not run in vain, nor labour in vain. His Preaching was made effectual to the Converſion of many. His Tong… was a Tree of Life unto many: You will be his Crown of Rejoycing, in the day of the Lord. And if they that be wiſe, ſhall …ine p. 65as the brightneſs of the Firmament; and They that turn many to Righteouſneſs, ſhall ſhine as the Stars for ever, Dan. XII. 3. We may believe, he will have a proportionable Reward.

HIS extraordinary Application to his Work, and Diligence in it, (which haſtened his Death,) may increaſe his Glory. Tho' ſome make a Queſtion, whether a Miniſter, who Converts many Souls here; or another, that is as faithful and diligent, and yet hath not ſuch Succeſs; Which of theſe ſhall have the moſt Glory in Heaven. Some think the Second, becauſe the one had much Encouragement and Comfort here, which the other had not, for want of Succeſs; and yet might ſay, Tho' I have laboured in vain, and ſpent my ſtrength for nought; yet ſurely my Judgment is with the Lord, and my Work with my God. I ſhall not loſe my Labour, Iſa. XLIX. 4. And as the Apoſtle ſpeaks, 2 Cor. …. We are unto God, a ſweet Savour of Chriſt, in them that are ſaved, and in them that p. 66periſh. 'Tis certain he bare you much upon his Heart, in daily Prayer, in order to the Succeſs of his Miniſtry among you: And gave Thanks to God for any ſuch Fruit, for any Service he had been enabled to do for your Souls. And was affected with your grateful Senſe of it, teſtified by your Kindneſs to him, in his laſt Sickneſs, which he thankfully acknowledged.

SOME of you will never forget the Laſt Sermon he preached in Publick, when with much Difficulty he was brought into the Pulpit, how he ſpake as in the View and Senſe of another World, with what ſerious Affection he prov'd and preſs'd the Obligation we are under, Whether we live, that we live to the Lord; or whether we dye, that we dye to the Lord; ſo that, Whether we live or dye, we are the Lords, Rom. XIV. 8. and that if we be thought beſides our ſelves, or ſober, it is for your ſakes. 2 Cor. V. 13. How agreeable to the Senſe of his Heart, was it for him, from ſuch a paſſage to ſay, Let p. 67me be eſteemed a Fool, or a Madman, and beſides my ſelf, if I may but gain One Soul; let the Devil roar againſt me, if I can but ſnatch the Prey out of his Jaws; let him calumniate and revile me, if I can but weaken his Kingdom. But when by ſuch an Eſſay, he was made ſenſible of his own Weakneſs, and found himſelf really diſabled for publick Service, he then declared he was ſatisfied; Now, ſays he, I know my Work is done.

IF any of you are ready to Object, that his Work might not have been done ſo ſoon, if he had prudently managed his Health and Strength, and not ſhortned his Days by Over-doing. I grant, that his Zeal and Fervour, and unwearied Diligence, tho' from a good Principle, might, as to Humane Proſpect, have been managed ſo, as to continue his Uſefulneſs longer. But let us take heed, not to blame him too much for Imprudence in this matter, unleſs we are certain, p. 68that we know what it is to long for the Salvation of Souls, to be filled with Love to Chriſt, and to live above the Love of Life, at the rate he did. However, * Dr. Gilpin of Temptation. 4to. Part. III. Chap. 15.it may be reckoned as one of Satan's Temptations, to the moſt diligent and uſeful Miniſters, by overdoing, to lay a Snare for their Lives; laviſhing their Strength, in a Prodigality of Pains, for the good of Souls, which, like a Thief in a Candle, immediately waſts them; whereas a better husbanded Strength might be more advantagious, by continuing the Light longer: And yet their Ends are ſo ſincere, their Work ſo pleaſant, and their Hearts ſo enflamed with Zeal, that they ſeldom obſerve, as they might, that the Devil is glad of the Opportunity, to deſtroy them with their own Weapon.

THIS many of his Freinds took Notice of; among others, that Great and Good Man, Mr. Baxter, who very p. 69much eſteemed and loved him, (not long before he left this World,) he ſent him this kind Meſſage, That he ſhould take heed, leſt he ſpent too faſt. That Mr. Baxter loved him, I reckon to his Honour: He was one of many, who thank'd God for the Aſſiſtance he received, as a Chriſtian, and as a Miniſter, from the uſeful Books, Preaching, and Converſation of that Excellent Man: I freely concur with him therein, having reaſon to thank God upon the like Account.

HE was Fervent in Spirit, ſerving the Lord: His own Soul was fill'd with Zeal, to kindle Holy Fire in the Souls of others. He was willing to ſpend, and to be ſpent: And hereby he waſted, and at laſt conſumed himſelf. He ran faſt, and was the ſooner at his Journies-End. But if we judge of our Days and Time on Earth, by the good we do in this World, and the Progreſs we make in preparing for another; that is, if we judge by weight, and not by meaſure; He p. 70lived long, he dyed old, and full of days. Many a Man with a grey Head, had not lived ſo much, tho' he might have been longer in the World: For he lived more in a Year, than many do in ſeven. He did more Service in leſs than Thirty three Years, than many do in Threeſcore. Tho' we reckon God took him off in the midſt of his Days, and in the midſt of his Miniſtry; it was not too ſoon for Him, tho' it may be for you. He was ripe and ready.

And conſidering his long languiſhing Pains and Weakneſs, (under all the Attempts and Endeavours for his Recovery, which Humane Art, Skill and Care, with the Earneſt Prayers of many for Succeſs, could contribute:) We may ſay, that God was kind and Gracious to call him home. He did not ſo properly take away his Life, as * Non tam ereptam ei vitam a Dijs Immortalibus, ſed Donatam Mertem. Cicero concerning Craſſus.beſtow Death. Or to uſe the Words of † Dr. Sam. Anneſly, concerning Dr. Drake.an Eminent, Elder Prophet, p. 71who went to Heaven the ſame day, (Elijah and Eliſha, an Aged Paul, and a Young Timothy, within few hours) who ſpeaking of Another on the like Occaſion, ſaith, That he went out like one of the Lamps of the Sanctuary, with a ſweet perfume: So hath my Dear Brother left this World, and left a Good Name, as of a pretious, ſweet ſmelling Odour, behind him.

AND now He is gone, ſhould I ſay any thing further to Surviving Relations, and to you that ſate under his Miniſtry; I ſhall but open another Sluice of Sorrow. If I ſhould conſider him as a Husband, I might ſpeak to Her, who ſo carefully and diligently aſſiſted him in his long Sickneſs, and beſeech her to Remember, how he was the Guide of her Youth; to Remember his Love to her Perſon, and his Love to her Soul, and beg of God, that ſhe may experience the promiſed Bleſſing, Iſa. LIV. 5. Thy Maker is thine Husband, the Lord of Hoſts is his Name, and thy Redeemer p. 72the Holy One of Iſrael, the God of the Whole Earth ſhall he be called.

FOR his Children, who may yet be more profited by our Prayers, than Counſel; let us pray to God, that as their Father's Memory is Bleſſed, his Poſterity after him may be ſo. And we may do this with the more Hope, becauſe there is the Entail of Covenant Mercy, to be pleaded from Generation to Generation, both on the Father's Side, and on the Mother's; as being both deſcended from Excellent Chriſtians, and Eminent Miniſters. Upon which Accounts, you are encouraged to truſt God, as to the Children. Hoping that their Father's God, and their Grand Fathers God, will be their God, and Guide.

SHOULD I conſider him as a Son, as a Brother, as a Kinſman, as a Friend, &c. and how he carried it in each Relation, I muſt be very large. You are ſenſible of your Loſs, be thankful to God for him. Remember p. 73his Example, follow his Faith, think of him with Pleaſure, and not with Grief; not as loſt, but as delivered, and crowned, and at Reſt in Everlaſting Joy.

TO You who attended his Miniſtry, and ſhall behold him no more in the Land of the Living, nor ever hear him more in this, or any other Pulpit; let me add a few Words; Remember him who hath ſpoken to you the Word of God. Eſpecially be careful to practice the Sermons, you have heard him preach, and ſeen him live: Imitate whatſoever you ſaw of the Image and Life of Chriſt in him; and write down any thing that was very remarkable, that you ever heard from him in Publick or Private; any thing that did particularly affect you, or may be of Service to you.

YOU have been favoured with a Succeſſion of ſuch Burning and Shining Lights, as are not ſet up in every Candle-ſtick. Remember the Sound p. 74Inſtructions, the Faithful Warnings, the Earneſt Exhortations, the Fervent Labours, and Exemplary Lives of your Deceaſed Guides. What Fruit may God expect from you, after ſuch a Seeds-time as you have had! Your laſt Miniſter had a Lean, Withered, Waſted, Conſumed Body, that you might be fat and flouriſhing in the Courts of the Lord.

BUT You are of two Sorts: Either you have profited by his Miniſtry, or not. If the former, you have reaſon to be thankful to God. You that have been convinced, and awakened by his Preaching, that have been touched at the Heart under his Miniſtry, who have often gone away ſtriking of your Breaſts, and with Weeping Eyes driven to your Knees, when you came home, and obliged to come to him again, ſaying, Sir, what muſt I do to be ſaved? You cannot but feel and lament this Loſs. Your affectionate Tears are his Commendation. And of ſeveral of you he might p. 75ſay, with the Apoſtle to the Corinthians, Tho' you have ten thouſand Inſtructers in Chriſt, ye have not many Fathers; for in Chriſt Jeſus I have begotten you by the Goſpel, 1 Cor. IV. 15. To the like purpoſe I might ſpeak to Others, who have by his Aſſiſtance, been built up in their Holy Faith, confirmed, ſtrengthened, encouraged, eſtabliſhed and comforted.

THERE is another Sort, who reap'd no ſuch Advantage by him. His Death is a ſharp Reproof to ſuch. How far unprofitable Hearers may be guilty of the Death of their Miniſters, as well as an Unfaithful Miniſter of the Blood of Souls, may deſerve your Conſideration. With how many did he prevail, but could not with you! He ſhall now be a Reprover to you no more. Be perſwaded to look back, and think with your ſelves, what earneſt Entreaties he uſed with you, in the Name of Chriſt, beſeeching you to be reconciled to God. p. 76How he longed for your Salvation: How he ſtudied, and prayed, and waited for Succeſs. Be not deceiv'd, not a Sermon he ever preached, or a Conviction you ever had under his Preaching, but muſt be accounted for. Tho' the Man be dead, and the Miniſter be dead; yet his Meſſage doth not dye, and ſhall not fall to the Ground. Tho' all Fleſh be Graſs, and the Glory of it as the Flower of the Field, yet The Word of the Lord abideth for ever, and not a Tittle of it ſhall be unaccompliſhed.

IT will be ſad indeed, if he that ſpent his Health, and Strength, and Life, for you, ſhould be obliged at laſt to Witneſs againſt you, and to ſay, (tho' not with ſuch compaſſionate Words and Tears as formerly,) Lord, I did Inſtruct, Admoniſh, and Exhort them, in ſeaſon, and out of ſeaſon; but could not perſwade them to leave their ſins, and come to Chriſt, that they might have Life. I told them of the Danger of their preſent p. 77State, and what was like to be the End of it. I told them plainly, again and again, that now only was the time to be reconciled to God; I opened to them the Goſpel-Covenant, and ſhewed them the Riches of God's Grace in Chriſt, and his Readineſs, and Sufficiency to ſave the chiefeſt of Sinners, and that his Blood cleanſeth from all ſin. But they would not conſider, they would not regard, they would dye! O with what concerned, and awakened Souls, ſhould We Miniſters ſtudy, preach and pray, when every Sermon, for ought we know, may witneſs againſt Some of thoſe that hear it, in the day of Reckoning! O pity Us, and therein your Selves! for We do not deſire the woful day, Lord, thou knoweſt.

WHAT would you have us ſay * See more to this purpoſe, in Mr. B's. Sermon of Judgment. 8vo. p. 30, 34., in the Day of Judgment, if God ſhould ask us? Did you tell this Sinner of his need of Chriſt, of the p. 78Miſery of his Natural, Sinful State, of the Glory of the World to come, of the Vanity of this &c. Should we lye, and ſay, we did not? We muſt unavoidably bear Witneſs againſt you, and ſay; Lord, we did what we could, according to our weak Abilities, to reclaim them: Indeed our own Thoughts of Everlaſting Things were ſo low, and our Hearts ſo dull, that we muſt confeſs we did not follow them ſo cloſe, nor ſpeak ſo earneſtly as we ſhould have done: We did not cry ſo loud, or lift up our Voice as a Trumpet to awaken them, (Iſa, 58.1.) We confeſs we did not ſpeak to them with ſuch melting Compaſſion, and with ſuch Streams of Tears beſeech them to regard, as a Matter of ſuch great Concernment ſhould have been ſpoken with; we did not fall on our Knees to them, and ſo earneſtly beg of them for the Lord's ſake, to have Mercy upon their own Souls, as we ſhould have done. But yet we told them p. 79the Meſſage of God, and we ſtudied to ſpeak it to them, as plainly and as piercingly as we could. Fain we would have convinced them of their Sin and Miſery, but we could not: Fain we would have drawn them to the admiration of Chriſt, but they made light of it, Mat. 22.5. We would fain have brought them to the Contempt of this vain World, and to ſet their mind on the World to come, but we could not: Some Compaſſion, thou knoweſt Lord, we had to their Souls, many a Weeping or Groaning Hour we have had in ſecret; becauſe they would not hear and obey; and ſome ſad Complaints we have made over them in publick: We told them, that they muſt ſhortly dye, and come to Judgment; and that this World would deceive them, and have them in the duſt: We told them, that the Time was at hand, when nothing but Chriſt will do them good, and nothing but the Favour of God would be ſufficient for their Happineſs: But we could never get them to lay p. 80it to Heart. Many a time did we entreat them to think ſoberly of this Life, and the Life to come, and to compare them together, with the Faith of Chriſtians, and the Reaſon of Men, but they would not do it. Many a time did we entreat them, but to take now and then an hour in ſecret, to conſider, Who made them, and for what he had made them, and why they were ſent into this World; and what there Buſineſs here is, and Whether they are going, and how it will go with them at their latter End: But we could never get the moſt of them to ſpend one hour in ſerious thoughts of theſe weighty Matters. Many a time did we entreat them to try, whether they were Regenerate or not; whether Chriſt and his Spirit were in them, or not; whether their Souls were brought back to God by Sanctification; but they would not try: We did beſeech them to make ſure Work, and not leave ſuch a Matter as Everlaſting p. 81Joy or Torment, to a bold and mad Adventure; but we could not prevail. We entreated them to lay all other Buſineſſes aſide a little while in the World, and to enquire by the Direction of the Word of God, what would become of them in the World to come; and to judge themſelves before God came to judge them, ſeeing they had the Law and Rule of Judgment before them: But their Minds were blinded, and their Hearts were hardned, and the Profit, and Pleaſure, and Honour of this World, did either ſtop their Ears, or quickly ſteal away their Hearts, ſo that we could never get them to a ſober Conſideration, nor ever win their Hearts to God.

This will be the Witneſs, that many hundred Miniſters of the Goſpel muſt give in againſt the Souls of their People at that day.

But to draw to a Cloſe, Let us all be affected with his Death, ſo as p. 82wiſely to improve it. The Removal of ſuch an one, at his Age, is a Publick Loſs; not only to his Family, and to the Congregation; but to the Poor, to the City, to the Nation; to the Church of Chriſt. One of a clear Head, and warm Heart; who underſtood, believ'd and obey'd the Goſpel. One of a Peaceable, and Publick Spirit; Abundant in Prayer, and of an Exemplary Life, and of Extraordinary Diligence to do Good: Being fitted for it, as he was filled with Love to Chriſt, and the Souls of Men, to carry on the great Deſign of Faith and Holineſs, to the utmoſt of his Power, in the Station God had put him: And full of Thoughts and Care therein to abide with God. But mourn not for Him. Some ſorrowful Concern, 'tis true, is unavoidable, if you are ſenſible of your Loſs; and 'tis alſo fit and becoming: For 'tis a Judgment upon any, and a Reproach upon a Miniſter, to dye unlamented: As if his Life were of no Uſe, and the World were p. 83weary of him. But you need not mourn for Him, when you Conſider Who he was, and Where he Now is, being exalted to a higher Sphere of Action and Enjoyment, for which through Grace and Holy Diligence he was prepared: And ſo for ever delivered from all Pain and Sickneſs, from Sin and Sorrow, Corruption and Temptation. If you follow his Faith and Patience, you ſhall meet him again, in Unutterable and Endleſs Joy.

HEREUPON you will do well to admit the Thought, that all your other Miniſters are mortal and dying, and that you your Selves are ſo: And therefore ſhould improve their Lives and and Labours, as you ſhall wiſh you had done when They are Dead, or when You your ſelves are ready to dye.

TO Conclude, Becauſe He alone who made this Breach, hath the Reſidue of the Spirit, and can ſupply it; let me adviſe you, tho' the Shepherd be p. 84ſmitten, yet that the Sheep do not ſcatter. Let not this Breach occaſion Others; but Agree together, and take the beſt Advice you can, in looking out ſpeedily for a Suitable Supply. And the Lord direct you to a Man after his own Heart, that may be like-minded with my Deceaſed Brother. And whatever you have received, and heard, and learnt, and ſeen in Him, as a Follower of Chriſt, that do; and The God of Grace, and Peace, be with you. Amen.

FINIS.