Funeral Sermon of Jane Papillon, Title page – Dedication
OF Long Life and Old Age. A Funeral Sermon, Occaſion'd by the DEATH OF The much Honour'd, Mrs. Jane Papillon, Who departed this Life, July 12th, 1698. Aetat. 72.
By John Shower.
LONDON, Printed for J. Fawkner, at the Talbot on London-bridge, 1698.
To the much Honour'd, Thomas Papillon, Eſq
THE following Sermon was Preach'd, and is now Publiſh'd at your Deſire. Your near Relation to the Extraordinary Perſon Deceas'd, and that which I have the Honour to bear to You, doth manifeſtly determine my Choice to whom to Addreſs it.
You will not, Sir, expect in this Epiſtle, that I ſhould give the World an Account of Your Eminent Qualities, after the manner of Modern Dedications. The Averſion I ought to have for Flattery, and that which You have of any thing that looks like being Flatter'd, beſides the Cenſoriouſneſs of this nice Age, (which will not bear the Praiſes even of thoſe who very well deſerve 'em,) make this Point ſo tender to be touched, that I dare not adventure to draw Your Character. However, if Your Children and Grand-Children, following the Worthy Examples of their Parents, in great part are, and the Reſt like to be, Excellent Examples unto Others; that, Sir, is a living Panegyrick upon You, which You cannot eſcape.
Ʋpon the like Reaſon, I have ſaid ſo very little of the Deceaſed. Your poſitive Prohibition not ſuffering me, to do her that Juſtice which the Audience expected. I ſhould otherwiſe have mentioned her Exemplary Piety and Devotion; the great Moderation of Her Principles and Temper; Her Concern at Heart for the Diviſion among Proteſtants; Her ſtrict Obſervation of the Lord's Day, in Publick, and Family Worſhip; Her extraordinary Care to take a frequent Account of the State of her Soul, and of her Progreſs towards Perfection; Her Love to all Good Men, of whatſoever Denomination; Her Prudent Administrations at Home, and her diffuſive Charity Abroad; (a Charity not confin'd to a Party, meaſur'd only by the Merit and Neceſſity of the Objects.) And to her Honour, I ſhould have taken Notice of the Wiſe and Succeſsful Education of her Children; and the great Regard ſhe had to the regular Behaviour of her Servants; on whom ſhe endeavour'd to leave ſome lasting Impreſſions of Religion.
In ſhort, I would have declar'd, that ſhe had diſcharg'd the Duties of every Relation, as a Wife, Mother, Miſtreſs, Friend, Neighbour, &c. in that manner, as perhaps there have been few ſuch Examples of Piety and Prudence, in our Age. In not doing this, I obſerved Your Orders; which I ought to mention, as a just Excuſe for that Defect in my Sermon.
Dear Sir, May all the Bleſſings of an Holy and Honourable Old Age, which I have named, be long Yours! May it pleaſe God, to ſatisfie You with long Life, and afterward ſhew You his Salvation! This is the Hearty Prayer, of
SIR, Your Affectionate, Obliged Nephew, and Humble Servant, John Shower. London, Nov. the 3d. 1698.