A Survey of the Sum of Church Discipline, To the reader 1 – Poem 3
TO THE READER, ESPECIALLY The Congregation and Church of Iesus Christ in Hartford upon Connecticutt.
THe eternall blessed Lord, whose waies of mercy to his redeemed ones (as his judgements to others) are unsearchable and past finding out, hath through the contrivances of his infinite wisdom, reserved many glorious discoveries of the for ever to be adored depths and riches of his grace in Jesus Christ, to this last age of the world. And as he hath fitted instruments for the holding forth of the mystery of Christ (the hope of glory) in that great plot and work of redemption, and application with much evidence and power to the gaining of many souls to himself: So he hath in a speciall manner caused the truths concerning his visible government of the Saints in this world, in communion and fellowship with himself, and one with another, according to the order of the Gospel, as with more glory to break forth, so with more power to lay hold upon the spirits of many, then in former times: So that not contenting themselves with mixt fellowships, and other pollutions in the things of Christ (the abhorred errors and mistakes of their former waies) and not finding incouragement for what they desired according to God, in the places of their then sojourning: They were provoked to make many inquiries on earth, and send up many cries to him, whom their souls loved in heaven, to know where he fed his flock at noon.
The favour and faithfullnesse of the Lord Jesus (the King and head of his Church) was not wanting to his people in this thing. He answered the desires of many in carrying them into this wildernesse, where they acknowledge themselves to have received warmth and refreshing under his wings, he sent out his light and his truth, and led them to his holy mountain, and his tabernacles.
Among others (dear Brethren) we have been sharers in this rich priviledge, a large portion hath been carved out unto us, by the hand of our blessed God in the things of his kingdom, and grace: we have for many years lived under his shadow, been fed with the dainties of his house, injoied the full improvement of the large abilities of faithfull watchmen and overseers for our good, to whom our comforts and welfare in every kinde have been pretious.
But the only wise and holy God, for our great unworthinesse hath lately made a sad breath upon us by the death of our most dear Pastor (the Author of the ensuing Treatise) whereby our glory is much eclipsed, our comforts not a little impaired, and our fears justly multiplied. The stroke is direfull and amasing, when such a stake is taken out of the hedge, such a pillar from the house, such a Pastor from his flook, in such a time and place as this.
It is not our purpose or is it sutable to our condition and relation, to lay out the breadth of the excellencies wherewith through the abundant grace of the Lord he was inriched and fitted for the service of his great name, or if we were willing to improve our selves in that kinde, have our pens received an anointing for such an imploiment; what, we expresse is onelyonly to put you and our selves in minde of the unvaluable losse we have sustained, that our hearts being deeply and duly affected under that sad afflicting providence, we may look up to the holy one of Israel our Redeemer, who teacheth to profit, that instruction may be sealed up unto us thereby.
He was (as you well know) one of a thousand, whose diligence and unweariednesse (besides his other endowments) in the work committed to him, was almost beyond compare. He revealed the whole counsell of the Lord unto us, kept nothing back, dividing the word aright. His care was of strong and weak, sheep and lambs, to give a portion to each in due season, delighting in holy administrations, which by him were held forth in much beauty and glory. In this work his Master found him, and so cal'd him to enter into his glory. Some of you are not ignorant with what strength of importunity he was drawn to this present service, and with what fear and care he attended it. The weight and difficultie of the work was duly apprehended by him, and he lookt upon it, as somewhat unsutable to a Pastor, whose head and heart and hands, were full of the imploiments of his proper place.
Besides, his spirit mostly delighted in the search of the mystery of Christ, in the unsearchable riches thereof, and the work and method of the spirit, in the communication of the same unto the soul for its everlasting welfare, some discovery whereof may hereafter be presented to the world, as the Lord gives liberty and opportunity.
Such strength of parts clothed with humility, such clear and high apprehensions of the things of God, with a ready cheerfull condescending to the infirmities of the weak (which was his daily study and practice) are not often to be found among the sons of men, nor yet the sons of God in this world.
The present discourse was finished by himself in the time of his life, and sent neer two years since to be made publique, but the Lord in whose hands all our works and waies are, determined otherwise. That sad providence was entertained by him in reference to the present work, with much contentednesse and humble submission to the good pleasure of the most high, and if he might have injoyed the liberty of his own judgement and desires, no further discoveries should have been made to the world of these his labours, they should have been buried in everlasting silence; but at last he was overborn and condescended to what now is again endeavoured, though before the full transcribing, he was translated from us to be ever with the Lord.
The Reader may well conceive, had the judicious Author lived to peruse the Copy now sent, the work would have been more compleat, and perhaps some additions made in some parts thereof. But we have not yet had the happinesse to finde among his papers what was intended in that kinde.
We have little more to say at present, but to let the Reader know, that nothing is added to, or taken from the Authors primitive Copy for the substance of it; and to assure him that his unwillingnesse to make his thoughts publique, did not arise from any doubts in him concerning the truth of what is held forth in the present disputes, for he was abundantly satisfied therein: As he beleeved so he spake, but other considerations retarded his resolutions to that work.
It hath been rightly observed that disputations in Religion, though they are sometimes necessary, yet they are usually dangerous, by drawing commonly the best spirits into the head from the heart, and, if extraordinary …re be not taken, abating pious affections towards God, and love towards men. But you (Brethren) who knew him, are witnesses of the prevailing lively power of the rich grace of God, in the heart and life of this Author in all respects, even unto his very end, the Lord who taught him from his youth, and enabled him then to declare and hold forth his wondrous works, forsook him not when he was gray-headed, but he went on in the strength of the Lord God, making mention of his righteousnesse, even of his only.
There were some workings in his thoughts before the sending away of the first Copy, to have recommended these his labours in an Epistle to this Church, and thereby left them (to use his own expressions) as his last legacy to us: Though these thoughts of his were not then prosecuted, yet there being necessary occasion upon this great turn of providence to intimate a few words unto the Reader at this time, we thought it not amisse to acquaint you, our beloved Brethren, with those former purposes of our most dear Pastor, whose remembrance we hope will be for ever pretious with you all, that you may look upon this work (the result of many thoughts and praiers) as the last breathings of his love towards you, for your establishment in these present truths. It shall be our endeavour that in due season you may have other of his labours among you, in your daily view for your further comfort and edification, and so may still hear him speaking to you in this way, whose lively voice you can hear no more. And we shall not cease to look up to the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of mercies, and God of all consolations, for you, and for our selves, that we may be duly sensible of the price that was in our hands, effectually humbled under any misimprovements, and conscientiously prosecute the advantages yet continued, least a worse thing happen to us, our candlestick be removed, and we left wholly desolate, in this time of the Lords riding circuit over all his Churches, and that hour of temptation which is even now over the face of the whole earth.
Your Brethren in the fellowship of the faith of the Gospel, and deep follow-sufferers with you in this great losse, EDWARD HOPKINS. WILLIAM GOODWIN. Hartford upon Conecticutt, the 28. of Octob. 1647.
In obitum viri Doctissimi THOMAE HOOKERI Pastoris Ecclesiae Hertfordiensis, Novangliae, Collegae sui.
A Starre of heaven whose beams were very bright,
Who was a burning, and a shining light,
Did shine in our Horizon fourteen years,
Or thereabout, but now be disappeares:
July the seventh six hundred fourtie seaven,
His blessed soul ascended up to heaven.
He was a man exceeding rich in truth;
He stored up rich treasures from his youth.
While he was in the Ʋniversity,
His light did shine, his parts were very high.
When he was fellow of Emmanuell,
Much learning in his solid head did dwell.
His knowledge in Theologie Divine,
In Chelmesford Lectures divers years did shine.
Dark Scriptures he most clearly did expound,
And that great mystery of Christ profound.
He had a singular clear insight, in
The souls conversion unto God from sin:
And in what method men come to inherit,
Both Christ and all his fullnesse by the Spirit.
He made the truth appear by light of reason,
And spake most comfortable words in season.
To poor distressed sinners and contrite,
And such as to the Promises had right.
Which did revive their hearts and make them wonder:
And in reproof he was a sonne of Thunder.
He spake the Word with such authority,
That many from themselves to Christ did fly,
His preaching was full of the holy Ghost,
Whose presence in him we admired most.
He did excell in Mercy, Peace and Love,
Was Lion-like in courage, yet a Dove.
He from the largenesse of his royall heart,
His treasures was most ready to impart.
To many Ministers he was a father;
Who from his light, much pleasant light did gather.
The principles he held were clear and strong:
He was to truth a mighty pillar long.
I can affirm I know no man more free
From Errors in his judgement, then was he.
His holy heart delighted much to act
The will of God, wherein he was exact.
No other way could with his spirit suit;
His conversation was full of fruit.
He was abundant in the work of God
Ʋntill death came, and heaven was his abod.
At his last clause Christ found him doing well,
His blamelesse life, but few can parallel.
The peace he had full thirty yeares agoe
At death was firm, not touched by the foe.
Of all his daies and times, the last were best:
The end of such is peace, he is at rest.
His lipps, they were a spring and tree of life,
Ʋnto his people, family and wife,
In which much wisdome, health and grace was found,
Are sealed up, and buried under ground.
If any to this Platform can reply
With better reason, let this volume die:
But better argument if none can give,
Then Thomas Hookers Policy shall live.
SAM. STONE, Teaching Elder of the same Church at Hartford with him.
On my Reverend and dear Brother, Mr THOMAS HOOKER, late Pastor of the Church at Hartford on Connectiquot.
TO see three things was holy Austins wish,
Rome in her Flower, Christ Jesus in the Flesh,
And Paul i'th Pulpit; Lately men might see,
Two first, and more, in Hookers Ministry.
Zion in Beauty, is a fairer sight,
Then Rome in Flower, with all her Glory dight:
Yet Zions Beauty did most clearly shine,
In Hookers Rule, and Doctrine; both Divine.
Christ in the Spirit, is more then Christ in Flesh,
Our Souls to quicken, and our States to blesse:
Yet Christ in Spirit brake forth mightily,
In Faithfull Hookers searching Ministry.
Paul in the Pulpit, Hooker could not reach,
Yet did He Christ in Spirit so lively Preach:
That living Hearers thought He did inherit
A double Portion of Pauls lively spirit.
Prudent in Rule, in Argument quick, full:
Fervent in Prayer, in Preaching powerfull:
That well did learned Ames record bear,
The like to Him He never wont to hear.
'Twas of Genevahs Worthies said, with wond…r,
(Those Worthies Three:) Farell was wont to Thunder;
Viret, like Rain, on tender grasse to shower,
But Calvin, lively Oracles to pour.
All these in Hookers spirit did remain:
A Sonne of Thunder, and a shower of Rain,
A pourer-forth of lively Oracles,
In saving souls, the summe of miracles.
Now blessed Hooker, thou art set on high,
Above the thanklesse world, and cloudy sky:
Doe thou of all thy labour reape the Crown,
Whilst we here reape the seed, which thou hast sowen.
J. COTTON.
In sepulchrum Reverendissimi viri, fratris charissimi M. THO. HOOKERI.
AMerica, although she doe not boast
Of all the gold and silver from this Coast,
Lent to her Sister Europe's need, or pride,
(For that's repaid her, with much gain beside
Herbert In Church militant.In one rich Pearl, which Heavens did thence afford,
As pious Herbert gave his honest word)
Yet thinkes, SHE in the Catalogue may come
With Europe, Afrieke, Asia, for ONE TOMBE.
E. ROGERS.