Sermon at Funeral of Thomas Gouge, Title page – Dedication
A SERMON Preached at the FUNERAL Of the Reverend Mr THOMAS GOVGE, the 4th. of Novemb. 1681. At S. Anne's Blackfriars; With a brief account of his Life.
By JOHN TILLOTSON, D. D. Dean of Canterbury, and Chaplain in Ordinary to His MAJESTY.
LONDON, Printed by M. F. for Brabazon Aylmer, at the Three Pigeons against the Royal Exchange in Cornhill, and William Rogers, at the Sun against S. Dunstan's Church in Fleetstreet, 1682.
TO The Right Worshipfull THE PRESIDENT, THE TREASURER, And the rest of the worthy Governours of the Hospital of Christ Church in LONDON.
WHen upon the request of some of the Relations and Friends of the Reverend Mr. Gouge deceased, and, to speak the truth, in compliance with mine own inclination to doe right to the memory of so good a man, and to set so great an Example in the view of all men, I had determined to make this Discourse publick; I knew not where more fitly to address it than to your selves who are the living pattern of the same Vertue, and the faithfull dispensers and managers of one of the best and greatest Charities in the world: Especially since he had a particular relation to you, and was pleased for some years last past, without any other consideration but that of Charity, to employ his constant pains in Catechising the poor children of your Hospital; wisely considering of how great consequence it was to this City, to have the foundations of Religion well laid in the tender years of so many persons as were afterwards to be planted there in several Professions; and from a true humility of mind, being ready to stoop to the meanest office and service, to doe good.
I have heard from an intimate Friend of his that he would sometimes with great pleasure say, that he had two Livings which he would not exchange for two of the greatest in England, meaning Wales and Christ's Hospital: Contrary to common account, he esteemed every advantage of being usefull and serviceable to God and men a rich Benefice, and those his best Patrons and Benefactors, not who did him good, but who gave him the opportunity and means of doing it. To you therefore as his Patrons this Sermon doth of right belong, and to you I humbly dedicate it; heartily beseeching Almighty God, to raise up many by his example that may serve their generation according to the will of God, as he did. I am
Your faithfull and humble Servant Jo. Tillotson.