Pauls Last Farewell, Title page – To the reader
Paul's laſt Farewel, OR A SERMON, PREACHED At the Funerall of that Godly and Learned Miniſter of JESUS CHRIST, Mr. THOMAS BLAKE.
By Anthony Burgeſſe, Paſtor of the Church at Sutton-Coldfield in Warwickſhire.
With a Funeral ORATION made at Mr. Blakes death by Samuel Shaw, then Schoolmaſter of the Free-School at Tamworth.
march .25. LONDON, Printed for Abel Roper, at the Sun againſt S. Dunſtans Church in Fleet-ſtreet. 1658.
To the Reader.
READER,
THat I might ſatisfie the deſire of ſome worthy Freinds, I do here preſent unto thee a Sermon (with very little alteration) preached at the Funerall of that Godly and Learned Miniſter of Jeſus Chriſt, Mr. Blake, now with God: Being the rather induced thereunto, becauſe I know the memory of his Name, will be very gratefull and welcome to ſuch who were acquainted with him. How ſadly his death was laid to heart, the deportment of many at that time did abundantly manifeſt, and Although I cannot ſpeak the ſame which Nazianzen affirmeth concerning the Funeral ſolemnities of Baſil, how that many thouſands were there preſent, ſome whereof by the violent preſs were killed, being happy in this (as he Rhetoricateth) that they dyed with him, as alſo that Jews and Heathens did strive with Christians, who ſhould pour out greater plenty of Tears, yet ſo many declared their Affections by weeping eyes, that we may ſay, Behold how they loved him. But I forbear this ſad ſubject. The Lord Christ, that chief Shepherd of ſouls provide for his Church ſucceſſively in all ages ſuch Paſtors, who ſhall feed his People after his own mind, and that with Truth, Zeal and Concord they may be found doing his work, when their Maſter ſhall come.
Sutton-Coldfield, Octob. 19. 1657. Thy ſouls well-willer, Anthony Burgeſſe.