A Complete Body of Divinity, Eulogy
THE Author's CHARACTER Extracted out of the Funeral Sermon on his much lamented Death, By the late Reverend Mr. Ebenezer Pemberton his Colleague, from Matth. 24.45, 46,— Towards the Cloſe—.
THIS neceſſarily brings me to the SORROWFUL SUBJECT, which has been the occaſion of my preſent Meditations: To take a view of that Awful Rebuke of Heaven upon this Whole LAND, and on this CONGREGATION in particular, in the ſudden Departure of that eminent MAN OF GOD, who has been for ſo long a time the Light, Joy and Glory of this Place: By whoſe Tranſlation God has given us reaſon to a great degree to take up that Lamentation; The joy of our heart is cenſed, our Dance is turned into Mourning; The Crown is fallen from our heads; For THIS our heart is faint, and our eyes are dim.
I muſt freely confeſs, I never had any fondneſs for Funeral Encomiums; unleſs when Gifts and Graces have been Eminent and Diſtinguiſhing; when the Honour of Chriſt the fountain from whence they flow'd, Juſtice to the Dead, and the Good of the Living, do demand them; and when the Merits of the Departed leave no room, at leaſt no neceſſity for the paint of Flattery.
SURE I am, on this preſent Melancholly Occaſion, the juſt ſenſe I have of my own peculiar Share in this Loſs, makes it more eligible to take my place in the Silent Train of Mourners, that nothing might interrupt the Sighs & Tears of a wounded Spirit; than to appear in this Desk. But the Duties of my Station require, that at preſent I chain up my Paſſions, ſuppreſs my own Sorrows, and bank up the ſwelling tide of Grief; that it may not diſturb me, while I am paying to the Memory of my Tranſlated Father, that Juſt Tribute, which all, but the Ignorant & Envious, will acknowledge due by all the Laws of Juſtice & Gratitude.
I am deeply ſenſible how every way Unequal I am to my preſent Province, to do his Memory Juſtice; and what danger I am in of ſlurring his Character by my unskilful hand. I have neither Art to draw his Picture, nor yet to ſet it when drawn, in a true Light, that it may be ſeen to advantage. What Livy ſays of the Roman Orator, diſcourages me: That to give Cicero his juſt Encomium, Cicerone Laudatore opus eſt. To give a Great Man his juſt Praiſes, requires the Skill of One as Great. However, Duty to Chriſt, whoſe Servant he was, and with whoſe Gifts & Graces he was conſpicuouſly adorned; a juſt Honour for the Memory of a Prophet of no common Figure, a Paſtor, Father and Friend, do conſtrain me to riſe up and Call him Bleſſed, and command me to Eſſay his CHARACTER.
HIS DESCENT was Honourable, from a Sage Patriot in our Iſrael; whoſe Wiſdom aſſigned him a Seat at the Council-Board, and his Military Skill, and Martial Spirit intituled him to the Chief Place in the Field: But in no External regard could be more Honourable than in being the FATHER of ſuch a SON.
IN Him Bountiful Heaven was pleaſed to cauſe a Concurrence of all thoſe Natural and Acquired, Moral and Spiritual Excellencies, which are neceſſary to conſtitute a Great Man, a profound Divine, a very conſiderable Scholar, and an Heavenly Chriſtian. In the light and influence of theſe Perfections he appeared as a Star of the Firſt Magnitude in the Orb of the Church.
THE God of Nature was pleaſed with a Liberal Hand to beſtow on him thoſe Natural Intellectual Endowments, which laid the Foundation of great Improvement in Knowledge. And did from his Youth praeſage Uncommon Service for God and his People, which his Maſter had deſigned him for. In Natural Endowments, he appeared as the Elder Son among many Brethren: In theſe very few, if any, could pretend to ſtand upon a Level with him. The Natural Capacity of his Soul was of that Distinction, that it ſeem'd an undeniable Confutation of the Doctrine of the Equality of Souls; and left it no longer Problematical.
HIS Phanſy was Copious, tho' not Luxuriant, but moſt Correct, being Obſequious to the Dictates, and kept under the ſtrict Guard of a well poiſed Judgment: By which it was reſtrained from thoſe lawleſs Luxuriances and Extravagances, which this Power is ſubject to, when it has broken looſe from the Government of a well-informed Underſtanding. His Apprehenſion was quick, his Reaſon bright, and his Judgment exact and ſolid: which made him baniſh ſuch things as trivial, as were not capable of Improvement to advance his Soul, either in it's Intellectual or Moral Perfection. His Underſtanding was of great Proſpect: His Mind filled with bright Images of things; inrich'd with a vaſt number of noble Ideas, and knew well their ſeveral Connexions, Relations and Dependencies, how to ſeparate, and how to unite them in deep ſearches after Truth. He had a deep Thought, and penetrating Sagacity to make a juſt Eſtimate of things on ſudden Emergencies; which made him juſtly eſteem'd one of the Wiſeſt Men, that has been known of his Order; in Our Land. His Natural Genius and Spirit ſeem'd ſuperior to all narrow ſelfiſh Intereſts; not govern'd by the Rules of Carnal Policy, nor biaſs'd by Private Views; but appear'd almoſt uncapable to be under the commanding influence of any thing, but what appear'd Great, Good and Honourable. He had a Native Modeſty, which continued in his advanced Years, ſeldom known in Conjunction with Gifts of ſo Conſpicuous an Elevation; which might ſeem to ſome to Vail the Brightneſs of ſome of his Publick Appearances; tho' in the Opinion of others was but a Foil to his greater Excellencies.
THESE Gifts of Nature in him were Advanced and rendred more bright by great Improvements of hard Study, intimate Acquaintance with many of the moſt Celebrated Authors in the Learned World, by long Experience and conſtant Prayer. He was well Verſed in the Principal parts of Subſtantial Learning, which furniſhed him with that Knowledge, which was requiſite for a Wiſe Maſter Builder in the Houſe & Temple of the Living God. He always affected that Learning, which was leaſt for Pomp and Oſtentation, and moſt for Service; the Knowledge of things more than of empty Words and Names: And he muſt be allowed the Character of an Uncommon Scholar; If the Knowledge of thoſe things, which perfect the Underſtanding, may be allowed worthy of the title of Learning. And I think it is high Time to reject other Knowledge, which does not Better or Improve the Mind, which does not Profit, but only Amuſe, as unworthy of the ſpecious Title, at leaſt unfit to IMPROPRIATE the Name of Learning.
DIVINITY was his Favourite Study; and in the purſuit of this moſt Excellent and Divine Knowledge, he engaged not only from Duty, but Inclination. And Excelled to an eminent degree in the Knowledge of the moſt abſtruſe parts of Theology. And a great Divine muſt of neceſſity be a great Clerk.
HE was a Judicious Textuary. Like Apollos a Man mighty in the Scripture. His common Publick Diſcourſes were a Demonſtration of this; but eſpecially thoſe Judivious and Elaborate COMMENTARIES, made in the School of the Prophets, upon ſeveral whole Books of the Divine Oracles, remain as a laſting Monument of this Skill.
HIS Knowledge in Syſtematical Divinity was celebrabrated by all. He had a Body of Divinity well digeſted in his head. And was careful to hold faſt the Form of ſound Words. His Knowledge was not like a Light in a Dark Lanthorn: But out of the Treaſury of his Head and Hea… was able to communicate to others. He had a great Dexterity incon…irming Truths by inconteſt…ble Arguments, and to ſet them in an advantagious Light; to Explain them fully, and Apply them with the greateſt Cloſeneſs and Pertinency. This was obſervable in the diſcharge of the common Duties of his Paſtoral Care: But this his Knowledge appeared with a peculiar Luſtre in his CATECHETICAL LECTURES, which if Publiſhed, would be found One of the BEST Bodies of Divinity, that has been known.
IN Controverſy he was a Champion, a Worthy of the firſt Strength, Skill and Courage. He was qualified for it by a clear Head, a cool Thought, and inflexible Principles. He was able to weild the Sword of the Spirit to the Tenor of Ga…ſayers; to their Confutation, tho' not always to their Conviction: And has once and again ſheathed this Sword of the Spirit in the Bowels of Triumphant Errors. And was every way fit to be ſet for the Defence of the Goſpel.
HE was an Excellent Caſuiſt. Where the Perplexed and Scrupulous might have their difficulties Eaſed, their doubts reſolved with Safety. When any Caſes of Conſcience came under his thought, he was woat to handle them with wiſe Caution and admirable Compaſſion: He deliberated maturely on all Circumſtances, and laid the Whole by the unerring Rule, and with great Judgment determined agreably.
ALL that knew him, and were competent Judges of his Worth, muſt do him the Honour & Juſtice, to acknowledge theſe Gifts were eminent in him. And theſe rendred him as capable as any Man to direct the Sons of the Prophets, and Young Divines in their Theological Studies; and I believe was as oft as any addreſſed to on this Head. His DIRECTIONS to the Cand…dates of the M…ſ…y, left in the hands of …ay, are of great Value and Service, and will be a Teſtimony how ſafe and skilful a Guide he was.
AS he was Excelling in Gifts, ſo he was no leſs Eminent in the Graces of Chriſt. He had a Sanctified Heart as well as a well-Regulated Logical Head; and was a Scholar of great Proficiency in the School of Chriſt. His Graces Conſecrated his Gifts, and … them appear with a more obſervable luſtre, with … as well as Light. All the Vertues of the Divine Nature and Life were viſible in his holy Walk: Which openly diſcover'd his Soul to be a LIVING TEMPLE of the LORD JEHOVAH, where his Throne was prepared, his Image ſet up, and his Spirit dwelt.
WITH what warm Tranſports of Affection & Admiration would he diſcourſe or hear of the Wonders of Divine Grace naveil'd in the whole Method of the Redemption of Man? How low did he how in profound Reverence and Adoration of the ſpotleſs Sovereignty of God in the myſterious Diſpenſations of the Kingdom both of Grace and Providence? How jealous was he in his whole Converſation of the Honour of Sovereign Grace? How fearful leſt any thing ſhould betray it, or cloud it's Glory? How thoughtful alſo leaſt Grace ſhould be abuſed unto Wantonneſs? And how careful in all his Diſpenſations to guard againſt this Myſtery of Iniquity, and to ſet out the Glory of Divine Grace, and the Beauty of Holineſs in their proper Luſtre and admirable Harmony? His Zeal was what became an Apoſtle; tho' flaming in the Cauſe of Chriſt, yet was temper'd by Love, and guided by Prudence. No pretence could make him tranſgreſs his own Line; and from the Duties of his own Poſt nothing could move him. His Spirit was truly Pacifick; and could ſacrifice every thing but Duty for Peace: And accounted nothing too dear, but Truth and Holineſs, for the purchaſe of it. He was a lively Example of Self-Denial, and ſeparation from the World, of Patience under the Reproaches of Men, and Sufferings from God, and of Reſignation to the Abſolute Supremacy of Heaven under the darkeſt Diſpenſations. The moſt black and ſorrowful Providence never cauſed him to hang his Hary on the Willows, or ſo put him out of Tune, as to unfit him to Sing a Zion's Song of Praiſe But he could diſcourſe of, …ay realize, the Exceliency and Glory, the Majeſty, Righteouſneſs and Grace of his Maſter's Kingdom, even when …nds and Darkneſs were about his Throne.
NO Man had a deeper ſenſe of the Poverty, Impotency and Depravation of Humane Nature by the Apoſtacy; nor any a cleater view of the Fulneſs of that Proviſion made in Chriſt for the Si…ers Righteouſneſs and Salvation. The Body of S… was his conſtant Burden, which he bewailed, groaned under, and expreſſed his longing Deſire to be …iced from in ſome of his lateſt hours. Meditation, which gives Life and Power to Grace, … his Exerciſe and Delight; and to what good purpoſe he performed this, may be ſeen in many SACRAMENTAL MEDITATIONS, peaned for his own Uſe, which are left behind him. He undoubtedly lived under the View of the UNSEEN WORLD, which he is now gone to, and is filled with the Glory of.
THESE Gifts and Graces in Conjunction made him in a great degree Equal to the Station his Lord had fixed him in. And this was the Stage on which they appeared with beauty, and acted their part with glory. All that has been ſaid, in deſcribing the Evangelical Paſt…r under the Doctrine, belong to his Character; whoſe Picture therein I was deſignedly drawing. And his Wiſdom and Fidelity in their moſt comprehenſive Seaſe, in Feeding and Ruling the Houſe of God, are juſtly Celebrated thro' theſe Churches.
AT firſt in his younger Years, his Maſter committed to his Paſtoral Care a Flock in a more obſcure part of this Wilderneſs: But ſo great a Light was ſoon obſerved thro' the whole Land: And his Lord did not deſign to bury him in obſcurity, but to place him in a more eminent Station, which he was qualifyed for. The Providence that occaſioned his Removal to this Place was an Awful Judgment upon the whole Land; yet was Eventually a Mercy in this reſpect, that it made way for the Tranſlation of this bright Star to a more Conſpicuous Orb; where his Influence was more Extenſive and Beneficial; and in this it was a great Bleſſing to this Congregation, to this Town, nay, to all New-England.
WITH what Prudence and Faithfulneſs, Diligence and Importiality, he diſcharged the Duties of his Paſtoral Office to this Flock, GOD, CHRIST and ANGELS are Witneſſes; and I doubt not but he has received the Teſtimony hereof from many in the World of Perfected Spirits, who have been Bleſſing God for him, as the Inſtrument by whom they have been led to Glory: And I truſt there are many yet Living, and now Standing before God, who are the Seals of his Miniſtry, and will be his CROWN and JOY in the Day of the Lord. In his whole Miniſtry he expreſſed a true Love and Zeal for Chriſt, and tender Compaſſion to Immortal Souls: There was light, heat and life in all his Addreſſes to them, which argued he well underſtood the worth of Souls, and had a juſt ſenſe of their miſerable Apoſtate Circumſtances.
HIS Diſcourſes were all Elaborate, Acute and Judicious; ſmelt of the Lamp, and had nothing Mean in them. His common Sermons might have been pronounced with Applauſe before an Aſſembly of the greateſt Divines. The Matter of his Publick Diſcourſes was always weighty; his Subjects well choſen; ſuited to the State of his Flock, and every way adapted to make them Wiſer and Petter. The Articles of Faith he Opened and Confirmed; the Duties of Holineſs he Explained, and Enforced with the moſt powerful Arguments; and with an Addreſs ſuited to melt the rocky Heart, to bow the ſtubborn Will, to humble the proudeſt Sinner, and charm the deafeſt Adder. The Manner in which he deliver'd his Diſcourſes was agreable to the Matter. In reſepect of both he ſpoke as became the ORACLES of GOD. With Gravity, Courage, Zeal and Prudence, and with tender Bowels to periſhing Souls. His Language was always good; his Stile Maſculine, not Perplexed, but Eaſy as well as Strong. And when the Matter required it, no Man could ſpeak with a greater Pathos and Pu…ency.
HE applyed himſelf to Wounded Conſciences with great Skill, Faithfulneſs and Tenderneſs. He ſearch'd their Wounds to the bottom, and made Application of Terror or Comfort, as their State called for, and as became a Wiſe, Tender and Faithful …ſician: And he knew how to be a Son of Thunder to the Secure and Hardned; and a Son of Conſolation to the Contrite and Broken in Spirit.
HIS Publick Prayers were always Pertinent & Pathetical, animated with the Spirit of Devotion; and in them an Uncemmon Co…aſs of Thought was obſervable. In the Whole of his Work he was Laborious, ca…l to redeem Time, and was inſtant in ſeaſon & out of ſeaſon in his Maſter's Service.
HIS Affection & Tenderneſs to THIS HIS DEAR FLOCK was ſingular. He might have ſaid with the Apo…t…e, that he could have imparted with the GOSPEL his own SOUL to them.
AS a Wiſe & Faithful Steward ever this Houſe of Chriſt, he gave every Man his Portion in due Seaſon. And might at his Departure have called Heaven & Earth to Record, That he had not ſhun'd to declare the Whole Counſel of God, and was Pure from the Blood of all Men.
HE went before this Flock as a Good Shepherd, Gathering the Lambs with his Arm, carrying them in his Boſom, and Gently driving thoſe that are With Young: And is now gone to the GREAT Shepherd of the SHEEP; whoſe Flock he here Watch'd over, Led, Fed & Defended.
HE took his FAREWELL of us at the TABLE of the LORD; and we ſhall Enjoy no more ſuch Fellowſhip with him, till we come to Eat Bread and Drink New Wine with him, in our Father's Preſence.
AND how deeply ſhould we reſent the hand of God herein ſtretch'd out againſt us?
GOD calls this Whole People to lay it to Heart, and to improve this Awful Providence to awaken to Repentance.
HIS Removal is a great Judgment upon the whole Land. He was a great Bleſſing to it, by his faithful Wornings, Counſels, Prayers & Tears, Life & Doctrine. He was a main Pillar in our Building, which is Weakened by his fall; a main Stake in our Hedge is pluck'd up, which has made a wide Gap, and made the whole Wall about this Vineyard to totter. He was a great part of the Chariots and Horſe-men of our Iſrael; a Faithful Watchman, Quick to eſpy Danger, and Faithful to ſound an Alarm: And has often Warned this People of Evils Approaching, and againſt their Sins the procuring Cauſe of them. He was always ready to ſtand in the Gap in times of greateſt hazard.
AND it ought never to be forgotten, with what Prudence, Courage & Zeal he appeared for the Good of this People. In that Dark and Myſterious Seaſon, when we were aſſaulted from the Inviſible World. And how ſingularly Inſtrumental he was in diſcovering the Cheats and Deluſions of Satan, which did threaten to ſtain our Land with Blood and to deluge it with all manner of Woes.
WE had ſcarce dry'd our Eyes for the loſs of one *The Rev. Mr. Samuel Torrey.SAMUEL, but Providence opens anew the Fountain of our Tears by Afflicting us with the Death of ANOTHER. It is well if the Conjunction of their Funerals be not Portentous of further, and greater Calamities: I am ſure it will be ſo if it be not laid to heart.
IT is a Han…y Sebuke to the whole Miniſtry. By this ſtroke of Heaven a conſiderable part of that Strength, Wiſdom and Beauty is gone, and a Cloud drawn over their Glory. Their Un…on, which …spen… their Strength and Glory, in the moſt Critical Seasons, and Hours of Temptation, is well known in a great meaſure to be owing to his Wiſdom and Temper And God grant! That we may not too ſoon feel the ſad Effects of this blow from Heaven upon that Order. I cannot but here obſerve, That the Younger Minſters always repaited to him, and found him their te…der Father, their faithful Counſellor, ſure Guide, and powerful Guardian. Theſe he cheriſh'd under his Wings, and was tender of their Perſons and good Names: And often interpoſed to put by thoſe Thruſts that were made to wound their Reputation; and they have now ſoft the Beſt Friend that many of them ever had a this ſide Heaven.
HIS Removal is a Frown upon the School of the Prophets, which has been for ſeveral Years under his faithful and prudent Inſpection. And God has now come to the Sons of the Prophets, and taken their MASTER from their Head. And they have reaſon to Lament after him as Eliſha did after Elijah; My Father, my Father, the Chariots of our Iſrael and the Horſemen thereof.
THIS Judgment has the Blackect Aſpect upon this Congregation, who have long Lived under, and rejoyced in this Light. But this Light of our Iſrael as Quenched, or rather has quirted our World of Darkneſs, and is fixed in a brighter Firmament.
GOD hereby tells us, that He is very angry with us; and expects that we ſhould ſee to pacify his Diſpleaſure.
GOD's Voice herein is loud to Sinners that have been Deaf to the Charms of this Wiſe Charmer; whoſe Hearts have not been wounded by thoſe Arrows of the Almighty which have been ſhot by his ſtrong and skilful Hand. And the Language of it is, that they forthwith encline their Ears unto the Voice of Wiſdom, leſt God withdraw his Spirit, as well as call Home his Ambaſſador; for then they will be ſealed up unto Ruin, and all the Reproofs and Counſels of his Servant will be heavy Items to Inflame their Reckoning.
GOD calls aloud to Looſe Profeſſors, that they Gird up the Loyns of their Mind.
AND expects that the Beſt of us now make a juſt and ſorrowful Reflection upon our Barrenneſs.
In a word, THIS ſolemn Providence ſhould influence all of us to ſearch and try our Ways and turn unto the Lord; leſt he go on to ſmite us in his Wrath, and at laſt quite REMOVE OUR CANDLESTICK, AND HIDE THE THINGS OF OUR PEACE FROM OUR EYES.
ERRATA in the PREFACE.
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