The Life and Death of Thomas Wilson, Title page – Table of contents
THE LIFE AND DEATH OF Mr. Tho. Wilson, MINISTER OF MAIDSTONE, In the County of Kent, M. A.
Printed in the Year 1672.
To the Christian READER, Especially those of Maidstone in Kent, who were Hearers of, and held Communion with Mr. Wilson.
HOw great the force of examples is to draw Men to good or evil, is evilent to the World by daily experience. The Governours of Families and Parishes, are usually the Looking Glasses, by which inferiours dress themselves. And most look rather to their doings then their sayings. Hereupon the Oratour tells us, Non solum obsunt superiores, quod illi ipsi corrum patitur, sed etiam quod cotrumpunt: plusquam exemplo quam peccato nocent. Waters do not more constantly vary their savour, according to the veins of the Soyl, through which they slide, nor Brutes their natures according to the Climates, in which they live, then men their conversations, according to the examples that are set before them. There is a persuasive power in rational precepts, but a compulsive power in real patternes. It is recorded of Elies sons (men of vicious lives) that they made (i e) by their examples, The Lords people to transgress, 1 Sam. 2. 24. And the Apostle rebukes Peter to his face for his Iudaizing in those words, foreign, 2 Gal. 14. foreign, Why dost thou bring the Gentiles under a necessity? Why dost thou necessitate them to judaize? Why dost thou ferre them by thy example to live as do Iews. VponUpon this account God commandeth the Iews, to suffer no Caänanites amongst them. They shall not dwell in thy Land, ne forte peccare te faciant in me. A Lapide &c. Saint: Least they make thee sin against me (i e) by their examples, Exod. 23. 32, 33.
The mind of man like Jacobs sleep, receiveth the tincture and colour of those objects that are presented to it. As the air in which we live, hath a strong influence upon our bodies, and inclines them to health or sickness; so hath the pattern of those amongst whom we live a strong influence upon our Souls, to incline them to vertue or vice. Joseph quickly learns the Court Dialect, to swear by the life of Pharaoh, by living amongst Courtiers, Israel becomes guilty of that horrid sin of Idolatry, by their habitation in Egypt, for the golden Calfe, was first fassioned and formed in the Iron Furnace. They who walk in the Sun are taun'd insensibly; and before they are aware.
Thus also there is a sweet power and holy efficacy in good examples to draw men to good. Justin Martyr acknowledgeth, that he was converted by observing the pious lives and patient deaths of the Martyrs. The holy conversation of Theodosius in his Family, turn'd his whole Court into a Nursery of Religion. The strict life and gracious carriage of the Baptist, had so much power on Herod (though bad enough, and above all fear of John, for any thing he could do against him) that he reverenceth him, heareth him gladly and doth many things, Marks 6. …0. The Sanctity of John had a commanding beauty with it, his Holiness had an awing Ma…esty in it, which conquered and triumphed in the Conscience of the King. Peter Martyr tells us (Loc Commun. Part. 1. Cap. 1.6.) of a deformed Woman (whose Husband was therein like her) which by looking daily on beautiful Pictures, brought forth fair and comely Children. Its certain God is pleased to give us in his Word, and in the World, many examples of humble, morti…ed self denying Christians, that we beholding …hem, might resemble them; Therefore he proounds them in the holy Scriptures, not only for our encouragement in the ways of Godliness, Jam. 5. 10. Heb. 1. 2. But also for our imitation, that we may walk as we have them for an example, 2 Cor. 11. 1. Phil. 3. 17. 20. He sets up those shining lights in the World, not for men to play with or to play by, but for men to work by, to be directed by them in the ways of Life; And our not improving their holy patterns hereunto, is one cause why he takes them from us so soon. If Children and Servants will play by that Candle which is given them to work by, no wonder if he who set it up, put is out, and leave them in the dark.
Reader, I do here present to thy view in this little Treatise, a great examples of Godliness, one that did not only foreign, but also foreign, foreign, not onley divide the word aright, but also order his conversation aright. Though he hath been dead some years, yet as Abel being dead, he speaketh to the living by the good example of his life. What Nazienzen saith of the Baptist (who is called the voice of one that cryeth in the Wilderness,) that he was tota vor All voice, made up of voice; a voice in his Habit, a voice in his Diet, a voice in his Dwelling a voice at Home, a voice Abroad, a voice in the Pulpit, a voice out of the Pulpit, a voice in the works and life. So I may speak of this ma… God without flattery (that is impossible, he being dead) or falshood (many a live can attest it) that he was all voice; A voice in his Doctrine, and a voice in his Conversation, a voice in his Language, a voice in his carriage, a voice in his Food, in his Rayment, in his Family, in the Street, as well as in the Church. O what a lively pattern of zeal, love, faith, humility, Heavenly mindedness, courage for, and Constancy in the Truth did he set before you, who had the happiness to live under his Ministry. Be you followers of him as he was of Christ, let his zeal inflame you, his love draw out your hearts more to your God and his People, let his humility make you low in your own eyes. His Heavenly mindedness lessen your esteem of the World and all therein and his magnaminity of Spirit, encourage you in the ways of Truth and Holiness against all the opposition that you meet with. Look often on him with the eye of your minds, till you are transformed into his likeness. Can you not remember how often your Spirits have burned within you, whilst be hath been opening Scripture to you; Have not your hearts sometimes been carried up to Heaven in his Prayers. Were you never above in the Mount with him at a Sacrament? when your souls spake with Peter, Lord 'tis good to be here, O let us build a Tabernacle, and no more go down to a vain empty World. O they are blessed that dwell in thy House, they do ever (and me without infinite cuase) praise thee. Beware you do not abate in your Sacred affections, that you do not leave your first love, that you draw not back and decline in Religion.
I believe many of you are ready to say with Job, O that I were as in the days of old, as in the days when God preserved me, when his Candle shined upon my head, when the Almighty was yet with me, Job 29.28 O that I were as in the days of ola, as in the days when I sate under Mr. Wilsons Ministry; O that I could hear such Sermons, joyn in such Prayers, partake of such Sacraments, enjoy such seasons for my soul, and see such gracious examples. When you are wishing thus; consider what a mercy it was that you enjoyed him so long; Alas, how many Parishes never had such a Pastor one Month? then bewail your folly in making no better use of him while you had him. Let all your complaint be of your selves, for your unfruitfulness and unprofitableness under such excellent means, and Spiritual opportunities; And let you care be to make the most of him, more by practising those wholesome precepts, which you remember he gave you, and by writting in your lives after that Copy which he hath set you. I know his memory is dear to you, and your love was great to him, I beseech you, manifest the truth of your love by doing that which (you know) he loved so much. Did he not tell you often. I have no greater joy then to see my Children walking in the Truth. In a word, Zeno Cittiana, when he consulted with the Oracle how he might live well, was answered; foreign. If he were of the same colour with the dead. Its certain you will live well, if you live like them that died in the Lord. The Prince of the Powers of the Air, (i e, the Devil) liveth in them, who live according to the course of the world, Eph. 2. 2. The world though it often changeth its customs, and fassions, yet never for the better, as the Camelion, it turneth in to any colour but white, so that if you will live, according to most amongst when you live, you may do, and be any thing, but what you ought to do and be. But if you be of the colour of them that sleep in Jesus, and resemble the dead in Christ, your lives will be unblameable, your deaths peaceable, your names after death honourable, and your resurrections at the great day comfortable. That you may be followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the Promises, and in special, that you may be your Pastors Joy and Crown or Rejoycing at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Is the Prayer of your Affectionate Servant in Christ Jesus, G. S.
THE CONTENTS.
Chap. 1.
HIs Birth, Education at School and Vniversity.
Chap. II.
His removal from the Vniversity, with the occasion.
Chap. III.
His first Living in Surry.
Chap. IV.
His second living in Hampshire.
Chap. V.
His third living, with the success of his journey into Cumberland.
Chap. VI.
His removal to Otham in Kent, with the occasion of it.
Chap. VII.
His great success at Otham in Kent, with his faithfulness there.
Chap. VIII.
His care to sanctifie the Sabbath.
Chap. IX.
His appearance at a Visitation about the Prayer against the Scott.
Chap. X.
His fresh prosecution by the Arch-Bishop, with a strange Providence.
Chap. XI.
Strange Providences, Mr. Wilson's freedom obtained by Sir Ed. Deering, with his character of Mr. Wilson.
Chap. XII.
His removal to Maidstone.
Chap. XIII.
His care for Otham, and for Reformation at Maidstone.
Chap. XIV.
His extraordinary diligence and labouriousness on the Lords day.
Chap. XV.
The great pains he took with his people on the Week-days.
Chap. XVI.
His diligence on all occasions to do good, and his way of Preaching.
Chap. XVII.
His carriage in his Family.
Chap. XVIII.
The Reformation which was wrought by his means and Ministry in Maidstone.
Chap. XIX.
His Courage.
Chap. XX.
His Zeal.
Chap. XXI.
His Faith and Heavenly mindedness.
Chap. XXII.
His natural parts, and great humility.
Chap. XXIII.
His Wives, and Children.
Chap. XXIV.
His Sickness and Death.
After the Chapters, are annexed the Articles objected against him in the Arch-Bishops Court, with his answers to them.
Verses on his Death.