Funeral Sermon of Edward Lawrence, Title page – Dedication
The Perfect Man deſcribed in his Life and End.
IN A Funeral Diſcourſe Upon Pſalm XXXVII. 37.
Occaſioned by the DEATH Of that Pattern of Uprightneſs Mr. EDWARD LAWRENCE.
By Nathanael Vincent, M. A. Miniſter of the Goſpel.
Whereunto are added ſome Paſſages out of Two Letters, written by Two Excellent Miniſters concerning Mr. Lawrence; who were well acquainted with him, and with the Worth of him.
LONDON: Printed for B. Aylmer, at the Three Pigeons againſt the Royal Exchange, in Cornhill. 1696.
Mr. VINCENT's Funeral Diſcourſe Occaſioned by the DEATH of Mr. EDWARD LAWRENCE.
TO THAT CONGREGATION Who had Mr. EDWARD LAWRENCE For their PASTOR.
My much reſpected Friends!
WHen I preached this Sermon, which now I preſent eſpecially to you; I was ſo far from having the leaſt thought of Printing it, that I had not written ſo much as one word of it; and when your Deſires were expreſs'd that it might be Publiſh'd, I diſcovered a great averſeneſs, becauſe I knew how much averſe my deceaſed and moſt true Friend was from a Diſcourſe relating to Himſelf; and much more would he have been againſt the Printing any thing concerning Him. But your reitereated Deſires prevailed, being ſeconded by that Argument, that Mr. Lawrence himſelf went contrary to the declared Will of an Eminent Chriſtian, in Preaching a Funeral Sermon, and giving him his deſerved Commendations: Adding, that becauſe that Excellent Saint was againſt his Preaching, therefore he was the more forward to do it. So that I have only made bold to mete the ſame Meaſure to my Friend who is dead and gone, which He did mete to his Friend that died before him.
This Sermon for the Subſtance of it was taken from my Mouth in Short-hand, and brought to me written out in Long. And ſince you have importuned the making of it publick, I deſire you may give it a ſerious peruſal.
A perfect Man is the moſt glorious and lovely of all viſible Creatures. How much of the Image of the inviſible God does ſhine forth in him! The Grace of God in Truth whereever ▪tis wrought, what a bleſſed Change does it make! Out of the rubbiſh and ruins of corrupt Nature, there is built an Holy Temple for the living God! And in this Temple how is He honoured and ſerved! The perfect Man hath an high Aim, and a commendable Emulation; he deſires to do the will of God on earth, as it's done in heaven. And Heaven is eſteemed a bleſſed place, becauſe there he ſhall be able fully to do what he does deſire.
I have heard your deceaſed Paſtor expreſs his longings to be in an holy and happy Eternity. Tho he had many other Loads, Sin was his heavieſt Burthen; and perfect Holineſs was look'd upon as a great part of his expected Bleſſedneſs. He was a powerful and a profitable Preacher; and this muſt be added, that he preached continually. His ſerious Looks, his edifying Communication, which adminiſtred Grace to the Hearers; his holy, juſt, and unblameable and ſhining Converſation, were greatly inſtructive; and by theſe he was ever ſpeaking to all that obſerved him, that it was much for their Intereſt to be like him. And now being dead, he yet ſpeaks to you, that the Counſels he gave you, which are the Counſels of God, ſhould not dye with him, nor be buried in Oblivion. The Flock of ſuch a Paſtor ſhould be Eminent for Contempt of the World, ſerious Holineſs, and Heavenly-Mindedneſs, elſe they will be far from reſembling their Faithful Shephard.
I cannot wiſh you better, than that the Lord would direct you to ſettle under a Miniſter moſt like him who is taken from you; and who will naturally care for your Spiritual Eſtate. I wiſh his Family may be cared for by that God, whom he ſerved in Truth and Sincerity, whoſe mercy is from everlaſting to everlaſting upon them that fear him, and his righteouſneſs unto childrens children, to ſuch as keep his covenant, and remember his commandments to do them.
Earth is emptying apace of them who are ripe for Heaven; I wiſh the Death of thoſe that are gone, may make both Miniſters and Saints that remain and ſurvive, to be more lively and diligent in their Lord's Work! The Time of Labour is ſhort; but to Eternity it will be found, that labour is not in vain in the Lord.
My Friends, I commend you and yours to the Great Shepherd of Souls, and to the Word of his Grace; and wiſh your Perfection and Peace, living, dying, and for ever.
Your Servant for Jeſus ſake, NATHANAEL VINCENT.