Life and Death of Henry Jessy, Title page – Elegy
THE LIFE and DEATH OF Mr. HENRY JESSEY, Late Preacher of the Gospel of Christ in London;
VVho, having finished his Testimony, was Translated the 4th day of September, 1663.
VVritten for the benefit of all, especially such as were acquainted with his godly conversation, and Pertakers of his unwearied Labours in the Lord.
VVith an Elegy upon the Death of Mr. WILLIAM BRIDG.
The menory of the Just is blessed.
Prov. 10.7.
He being Dead, yet speaketh.
Heb. 11.4.
The Righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
Psal. 112.6.
And Samuel dyed, and the Israelites were gathered together, and Lamented, and Buried him.
1 Sam. 25.1.
Anno Domini 1671.
To the Christian READER.
Reader,
THe divine Oracle from the mouth of Holy David, tells us, that the Righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance, Psal. 112.6. And in the mouth of wise Solomon, That the memory of the just is blessed. Prov. 10.7. Both Father and Son agree in this, That the just shall be remembred when they are dead, and praised for their Goodness, and good deeds, long after they are dead; the just man shall be to everlasting memory, as Mr. Ainsworth translates, Psal. 112.6. and, when persons living in after ages, shall remember the just, already dead, they shall bless them, and highly esteem them; they shall speak of them, after their death, with praise; Gracious souls leave a sweet sent behinde them: And it hath been used by the Saints, in all ages, to erect Monuments of the righteous, to posterity, as a memorial to preserve their Names to all generations. Some men, for their own remembrance, have set up the most lasting materials, Pillars of Marble, or Pyramides of Stone; As Absalon, of whom it was said, 2 Sam. 18.18. That he in his life time, did take to reare up, for himself, a Pillar, and he called it after his own Name, because he had no Son to keep his Name in remembrance. The Author of this ensuing Narrative, or History of the life and death of Mr. Henry Jessey, hath erected a Paper Monument for him for posterity as a memorial, to preserve the Name of this worthy man of God to succeeding ages. The subject of this Narrative, was so well known in his day, and so much esteemed, and honoured, by good men, of all persuasions, in his life time, and at his death, that he needs not any letters of commendation from my Pen, and if I were desirous to give him his due praise, and publish to the world, his learning, piety, humility, gravity, industry and diligence in his Masters work, I am prevented, this Author hath done it to my hand; Et frustra fit per plura quod fieri potest per pauci ora, It's invain to do that by many, which may be done by few. How the Author hath performed his undertaking, I leave thee (Christian Reader) to judge. If I mistake not, thou wilt find a holy man, a Gospel Minster in this litle piece, set out to the life, read and judge. There is but one piece of his worth and excellency which I shall especially glance upon, and that is, the admirable Gospel spirit, wherewith the Lord was pleased to bless and adorne him, above many of his Brethren: I mean, that spirit, whereby he was carried out to love, and do good too, all Saints, of what opinion or perswasion soever, though in some things differing from himself; where the foundation was held, he did love, though in some super structures he could not joyne, where he saw the Image of the Father, and the Spirit of the Son, there he could not but love and delight. And therefore as Christ said to Mary, that the love which she manifested unto him, should be published to her praise and honour wherever the Gospel should be preached: So give me leave to say that the love which Mr. Henry Jessey did bear, and manifest to the Saints, the members of Christ, deserves to be published to his praise and honour, while the Gospel shall be preached. I only adde this desire, that we had more Henry Jessey's, more Saint-lovers, qua such, yea, that all who profess Faith in Christ Jesus, did sincerely love all Sts. though in some circumstantial things, they may differ one from another. I long to see this spirit poured forth more abundantly. I shall exceedingly rejoyce (through grace) if I may live to see it so; & while I live, I shall not cease to pray, that it may be so; and in the mean time subscribe my self, Reader, if thou be a Saint,
He that desires to love thee, and all Saints in Christ Jesus.
Ʋpon the Death of Mr. WILLIAM BRIDG, another faithful and painful Labourer in the Lords Vineyeard, who died whilst this Narrative was in the Press.
LIke to the Lamp that spendeth liberally
His Oyl, that we may do our work thereby.
Or like the sparkling Star, that shineth bright,
Directing of the Traveller by night.
Or like the Sun, that chaseth by his Rayes
Darkness before him, and his Beams displayes
From his bright Zodiack, that the Earth may spring
With fruitful crops, and them in season bring.
So Bridg dispers'd his fruitful beams whilst here,
But now he's fixed in a higher Sphere.
You that have skill, sorrow, & joy to blend,
Somwat of both upon this Prophet spend:
Grieve for your loss, and yet rejoyce in this,
He's gone from trouble, to a place of bliss.
Mourn, that you did no more improve his pains,
And yet rejoyce, that he now reaps the gains.
Weep, that so bright a Lamp, no longer shin'd,
Yet joy in those choice works he left behind.
Mourn, that such Lights do set, when that is don,
Joy in that place, needs not Moon, or Sun,
Which never shall be stained with a night,
But hath Eternal glory for its light.
And let those darkned intervals you see;
Increase your longing in that place to be:
For here are changes; Prophets, they must dye,
Yet let me that Expression mollifye.
If the Philosopher of old could say,
All of me shall not dye, then sure we may,
Trancendently affirm of Bridg, that he,
Yet lives, and shall to perpetuitie:
He lives in Heaven, on Earth he doth the same;
There, in his Soul; here, in his works, & name
And though his Body now be turn'd to dust,
Yet at the Resurrection of the just,
Each atome shall be gather'd, for to raise
A glorious Fabrick to his Makers praise:
And Soul and Body joyntly then shall sing,
Grave, where's thy Conquest, Death, where is thy Sting.
We now in Triumph shall ascend on high,
Having obtain'd, through Christ, the Victory.