it doth call for double honour Now this honourable respect of the aged especially if godly must be expressed 1. By reverent gestures Thou shalt rise up before the hoary Lev. 19. 32. head and honour the face of the old man 2. By giving them the precedencie in speaking in all cases to be debated Elihu said I am young and ye are very old Job 32. 6 7. Adolescens bis interrogatus respondeat Bern. wherefore I was afraid and durst not shew mine opinion I said Dayes should speak and multitude of years should teach wisedom 3. By testimonies of due estimation to their persons even at those times when there may be occasion to blame some of their practices Rebuke not an Elder but intreat him as a Father 1 Tim. 5. 1. 4. By submitting unto their grave and gracious counsels Likewise ye younger submit your selves unto the elder The Apostle 1 Pet. 5. 5. Philem. 9. stileth himself Paul the aged to prevail with Philemon to yeeld unto his advice 5. By preferring them if in all other regards comparison be equall in discoveries of love and estimation As it was agreed upon betwixt Paul and the Disciples that he should rather lodge at the house of Mnason an old Disciple then any Acts 21. 16. where else By thus doing we shall witnesse to the world that our judgements are rectified and our conversations are ordered by the word of truth and that therefore we account the hoary-head to be a Crown of glory if it be found in the way of righteousnesse Now having concluded my discourse upon the Text I know it is expected that I should speak unto the occasion of our meeting concerning this Reverend Father whose Funeral we now celebrate I will premise this that a full Narrative of his long well-spent Life cannot be expected from my report at this time but I hope that it will in due time be drawn up and handed unto you for his honourable remembrance and for imitation unto posterity by One who wasfully acquainted both with his Life and Death In generall this I dare assert with confidence wherein I doubt not your consent that his hoary head was a Crown of glory for it was found in the way of righteousnesse Through Gods good providence he had a long time worn this his Crown for he was well nigh Fourscore years old Notwithstanding this his great age yet through unusuall divine indulgence his strength was not labour and sorrow for he Psal 90. 10. was neither afflicted with the Stone or Gowt or Cramp or any Cough but he laboured only as I have often heard him say under the disease of weak old age That which is recorded of Abraham may be applied to him That he died in a Gen. 25. 8. good old age an old man and full of years Neither were the abilities of his minde abated but his understanding and memory continued strong even unto his end As all his Works published do proclaim his incomparable learning in all kindes so those which were lately printed do witnesse that Academicall studies when he was young were fresh and ready for improvement in his old age And the promise made to the righteous man was verified in him He shall bring forth Psal 92. 14. fruit in old age he shall be fat and flourishing In all which regards whether we consider the continued healthfull frame of his body or the uninterrupted fruitfullnesse of the gifts and graces of his spirit it may be truly said of him in reference to his death That he is come to his grave in a full age like as a Job 5. 26. shock of Corn cometh in in his season But that I may not anticipate the intended Narrative of his whole Life I shall only declare two or three passages towards the end of his dayes When he looked upon the weakning distempers which had caused him to keep his bed as the Arrest of death he was pleased through his love to my worthlesse self to give order that I should be certified of his weaknesse that he might be remembred before the Lord in my prayers and also that I might be requested as from himself to perform the like office of respect for him which I had lately done for his Reverend neighbour Mr Whitaker by preaching his Funerall Sermon Upon this intelligence the next morning I hastened unto him to witnesse mine unfeigned love and honourable respect of him as also to put this work which I have now performed with his approbation upon an abler hand but finding him altogether unwilling to excuse me I thought it more meet to undertake it then to distemper his spirit by my refusall By reason of his very great weaknesse he could not speak much but that which he said was weighty and savoury which I will faithfully relate His words were these I am now conflicting with my last Adversary though I beleeve the sting is taken out Nature will struggle but I humbly submit unto the good pleasure of God I heartily beg the pardon of my many sinnes especially of my want of sedulity and fidelity in my publick and private charge hoping to be washed with Christs blood and desiring to be translated out of this restlesse condition I expect daily yea hourly to be translated into that everlasting rest which God hath prepared for them who are interested in his Christ And I pray God to blesse you and his whole Ministery every where These were his last words unto me upon which I might much enlarge my self but I leave the improvement hereof and of his laborious exemplary Life unto your conscientious endeavours Although he be now dead yet he still liveth by his worthy Works already printed unto which I hope many more which be left ready for the Presse will be added for future profit in the Church of Christ I conclude with hearty desires that this sad providence in his death may be sanctified unto us all and especially unto his nearest Relations through Gods rich grace in Jesus Christ FINIS The Narrative of the Life and Death of Mr GATAKER Mr THOMAS GATAKER or GATACRE for so he wrote himself till of later years to prevent miscalling occasioned frequently by the view of the letters he changed it into GATAKER was a branch of an ancient Family so firmly by Gods providence planted in Shropshire that the stock hath continued in the same House carrying the Name of its owner and known by the title of Gatacre-Hall by an uninterrupted succession from the time of K. Edward the Confessor His Father Mr Thomas Gatacre being not the eldest sonne of William Gatacre was designed by his Parents to the study of the Law in order to which he was a student at the Temple During the course of that institution he occasionally coming to visit some Kinred then high in place and power was often present at the examination of some Christian confessors of the Gospel in those severe times wherein Satan armed all his
righteousnesse which is attended with a Crown of glory upon earth will undoubtedly bring that which is very much better in heaven Hearken what our Saviour promiseth The righteous shall shine forth as the Sun in the Kingdom Mat. 13. 43. of their Father And observe the expectation of David upon this account As for me I will behold thy face in righteousnesse Psa 17. 15. I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likenesse Though I may not spend words in illustrating these passages yet I wish that the aged would seriously consider how much is comprehended in this glorification and this satisfaction assured upon the righteous at the generall resurrection 3. Who doth not upon such grounds as have been hinted desire to die the death of the righteous as that wretch Num. 23. 10. Balaam did therefore wisedom would work endeavours to attain righteousnesse in the time of life I remember a passage in the promise made by the Angel concerning the successe of John the Baptist his Ministry He shall turn the disobedient Luke 1. 17. to the wisedom of the Just There is singular wisedom amongst the righteous as in other regards so herein because as they intend the best good as their end so they seek to accomplish it not only by wishings and wouldings but by the reall use of the means sanctified for the obtaining thereof Let us therefore herein make imitation 4. The unrighteous shall not finde any favour with God because of their gray heads when he cometh to judgement Somewhat was before suggested to this purpose therefore now I will onely mention two Scriptures which may be awakening to aged persons sleeping in security Though a Eccl. 8. 12 13. sinner do evil an hundred times and his daies be prolonged yet it shall not be well with the wicked Forbearance is no acquittance but God will be sooner or later upon their bones with blows of vengeance And their shutting out of heaven is so certain that the Apostle taketh it for granted that none will question it Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit 1 Cor. 6. 9. the Kingdom of God How can you old people give credit to these expressions of divine severity without resolutions to look out after righteousnesse 5. You aged ones are the greatest monuments of divine patience which should leade you unto repentance and the Apostle giveth in two considerations to adde strength unto this argument viz. 1. Because otherwise your hearts will be more and more obdurate and your selves become lesse and lesse able to reform 2. Because through your abuse of Gods forbearance his wrath will be kindled and encreased against you Weigh I pray you his words Despisest thou the riches of his goodnesse Rom. 2. 4 5. and forbearance and long-suffering not knowing that the goodnesse of God leadeth thee to repentance But after thy hardnesse and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thy self wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgement of Jer. 13. 23. God I have been the more earnest in pressing the reformation of the aged sinners because it is attained with difficulty through their accustomed continuance in wickednesse Secondly I shall bend my advice to the aged who are through Gods grace really righteous These persons are to be perswaded unto reall gratitude to the Lord who hath set a Crown of glory upon their gray-heads The Psalmist cals Psa 148. 12 13 Senes ad gratiarum actionem excitare upon old men to praise the Name of the Lord This is one of Mr Cartwright inferences from the Text. And doubtlesse such aged people have abundant cause to be thankfull unto the Almighty 1. For drawing forth the thred of their lives to so great a length 2. And especially for converting them unto the way of righteousnesse First You may be moved to praise God for your old age by these Meditations 1. Because his Highnesse is the maintainer of our lives and the lengthener of our daies Notwithstanding the means Deut. 30. 20. Act. 17. 28. used whether ordinary or extraordinary food Physick c. to continue our daies upon earth yet it must be acknowledged that the Lord holdeth our soul in life And here let it be Psal 66. 9. Deut. 8. 3. remembred that Gods blessing giveth strength to bread and efficacy unto all other means of health Consider also how much of Gods wisedom power goodnesse patience c. hath been daily yea hourly exercised for your preservation Minde likewise from how many thousands of dangers his hand of providence hath secured you both in the time of fool-hardy youth and unwieldy old age Upon such like thoughts the holy Psalmist thus expresseth himself to the Lord Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour Psal 71. 6 8. 9. all the day 2. Because by stroaks of death ten thousand have fallen on your sides on your right hands and yet it doth not come Psa 91. 7. nigh to you What multitudes of men and women and children more likely to have lived long then your selves are dead and gone but your selves still abide in the Land of the living The good young King Josiah is deadly wounded by an Arrow And old Eli the Priest of the Lord fell from his 2 Chro. 35. 23 24. 1 Sam. 4. 18. seat backward and his neck brake What great numbers have lost their lives some in war and others in times of peace yea very many much more fitted for the service of Church and Common-wealth then your selves In this regard you should look upon your selves as reserved to magnifie the God of your lives and mercies 3. It is threatned as a judgement upon a Family when there is not left one aged person belonging to it There shall not be an old man in thy House These words speak much displeasure 1 Sam. 2. 31. against Eli Whereas it is an honour to have old stakes standing to support a Family which issued out of an ancient stock Like as old Oaks are accounted an ornament to a Park though they bear neither fruit nor leaves This is one promise made to the man who feareth God Thou shalt Psa 128. 6. Pro. 17. 5. live to see thy childrens children And Solomon tels us The glory of children are their Fathers 4. Because your many years have enriched you with manifold Et senes magis experientiâ valent itaque major corum solet esse dignitar Mercer experiences and this is judged by some Expositors to add much unto the Crown of old age This I might enlarge by manifesting the advantages of old mens experiences both in reference unto their own comfort and the service of others The holy Psalmist relieveth his drooping spirit in an estate of desertion by improving of Gods ancient administrations I have considered the dayes of old the years of ancient Psa 77. 5 10 11. Plena est voluptatis senectus Si illâ scias
of faith Gal. 6. 10. 2. For perpetuity they must not be weary of works of charity Gal. 6. 9. Charitas quae defini potest nunquam vera fuit Aug. And doubtlesse if love be true it will be constant for a friend loveth at all times 3. For quantity it should be encreased and it will be to their high commendation if their works of mercy as of other kindes be more at the last then at the first And therefore Rev. 2. 19. covetousness should be cashiered as the cut-throat of charity Moreover I might perswade from the authority of Saint Paul sobriety temperance and gravity For temperance let Tit. 2. 2. 2 Sam. 19. 35. old Barzillai be an example unto the aged whose moderation in reference to the dainties of a Court tendred unto him was very great And let the sad consequences of Noah Gen. 9. 21. Alto aetas alios mores postulat his intemperance give caution for sobriety unto all ancient persons whatsoever As for gravity it 's a vertue opposed to lightnesse and apishnesse It should be expressed in countenance speech and apparell c. But these things I must not enlarge And I will only name what the Apostle addeth in relation to old women They must not be false accusers His word suggests that false accusers are devil-like having 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tit. 2. 3. Ioh. 8. 44. Iam. 3. 6. tongues set on fire by hell This may be a sufficient watchword to warn them to keep at a distance from such exorbitances The last thing which I will advise all ancient persons unto is constancy and perseverance in waies of righteousnesse according to all the former directions I would propound the resolution of David when old and gray-headed for your imitation I will hope continually and will yet praise thee more and Psa 71. 9. 14. more c. You should be unmoveable like unto old Oaks deeply rooted which are not turned hither and thither this way and that way by every contrary winde Remember the speech of old Polycarpus when tempted to Apostasie God hath been my good Master for 85 years therefore I will not forsake him As Arguments to move endeavours after steddinesse both in the profession and practice of the truth take these short particulars into your serious consideration 1. In the winter of your age you may probably be assaulted with violent storms When thou shalt be old saith Christ to Peter another shall gird thee and carry thee whither Ioh. 21. 18 19. thou wouldest not This spake he fignifying by what death he should glorifie God 2. You are in danger of declining Good old Ely towards 1 Sam. 2. 22. with cap. 3. 13. the end of his life was wofully cooled in his zeal for God as his indulgence towards his Sons did manifest And when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other 1 King 11. 4. gods and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God as was the heart of David his father These examples may give you an Alarum for neither high parts nor saving grace will secure you from porttall apostacie therefore you should be watchfull 3. God doth not change or abate in his goodnesse toward you but he speaketh unto you as to old Israel You are borne Isa 46. 3 4. by me from the belly which are carried from the womb And even to your old age I am he and even to hoar hairs will I carry you Now should not Gods immutability in his favours notwithstanding your great unworthinesse engage you strongly to hold close unto his Majesty without any backslidings 4. Your fruitfullnesse in age will add to your comfort when you die and to your honour afterwards The promise of God speaketh thus much Thou shalt come to thy grave in Job 5. 26. a full age like as a shock of Corn cometh in in his season Unto which might be added St Pauls experience I have fought a 2 Tim. 4. 7 8. good fight I have finished my course I have kept the faith Henceforth is laid up for me a Crown of righteousnesse which the Mortem plenus expeto Seneca Lord the righteous Judg shall give me at that day Having finished my Exhortation to the aged I shall direct my counsell unto them who are young wherein I will be the shorter because I have been so large in the former and I will cast mine advice under three heads First To seek the lengthening of their lives that they may attain the Crown of glory which belongeth to the hoary head And for this end 1. Let them warily decline all life-endangering practises I will instance in some Quarrellings fightings whereby many in the flower of their age lose their lives wherof there are sad experiences every where Whoredom is another life-shortning Pro. 2. 18. Pro. 7. 11. sin Solomon telleth us that the Harlots house inclineth to death her paths unto the dead And he foretelleth the young man what will be the consequence of that course Thou shalt mourn at the last when thy flesh and thy body are consumed And unto both the former I may add drunkennesse and gluttony for as the strength of nature is wasted and the body is filled with diseases through intemperancy and by reason hereof the forementioned evils of quarelling and whoring are much fomented The words of Solomon are here considerable Pro. 23. 29 30 31 32 33 34. Who hath wo who hath sorrow who hath contentions who hath wounds who hath rednesse of eyes They that tarry long at the wine they that go to seek mixt wine c. At the last it biteth like a Serpent and stingeth like an Adder Thine eyes shall behold strange women yea thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast Finally Take heed of all such wayes of wickednesse which may justly bring you under the Magistrates sword or expose you to the deadly blows of divine displeasure Bloody Psal 55. 23. and deceitfull men shall not live out half their dayes 2. Let them betake themselves unto such courses whereunto God hath promised length of dayes The Lord in the fifth Commandement perswadeth every child to honour and obey his parents upon this consideration that thy dayes Deu. 5. 16. may be prolonged Yea the whole course of obedientiall conformity unto all Gods Commandements is pressed by this argument What man is he that desireth life and loveth many Ps 34. 12 13 14. dayes that he may see good keep thy tongue from evil and thy lips from speaking guile Depart from evil and do good And Diodate Contingere solum iis qui justè viverunt c. quod sit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Piscator Hujus vitae brevitas longiore in summa beatitate vita compensatur Cart. 2 Tim. 2. 22. some Expositors do suggest from my Text that walking in the
Ministers of the Gospel whom God hath ordained to bring sinuers to Christ that they might be 2 Cor. 5. 19 21 the righteousnesse of God in him And howsoever the carnall and unthankful world disregard us yet the Lord doth so highly value this our work that he will certainly abundantly recompense it They who turn many to righteousness shall shine Dan. 12. 12. as the Stars for ever and ever Whereas men do most esteem and most liberally reward such who are instruments to restore their health to raise their outward estates and to preferre them unto places of greatnesse in the world The most high God who setteth a higher price upon holinesse will make it manifest at the last day that those who study to bring men into the waies of righteousnesse shall be most advanced It hath been looked upon as an honourable employment to set the Crown on a Kings head and doubtlesse it is no lesse but far greater to be an instrument according to divine institution to crown sinners with righteousnesse Consider that this was foretold by an Angel as an exceeding great honour to be put upon John the Baptist Christs harbinger Many of Luk. 1. 16 17. the Children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God and he shall go before them in the spirit and power of Elias to turn the disobedient to the wisedom of the Just The fourth and last inference by way of Information is this viz. That therefore the death of aged godly persons should be much lamented David and all Israel wept over dead Abner upon this consideration A great man is fallen 2 Sam. 3. 31 34 58. Now who are to be esteemed great if not those who are rightfully crowned And such are the aged being found in the way of righteousnesse The Prophet Isaiah bringeth in the ancient amongst those persons of highest place and power Isa 3. 2. whose removall doth weaken both Church and State And this is one strain in Jeremiah his Lamentations The Crown is fallen Now in a safe sence though not the same Lam. 5. 16. we may apply it unto the death of the meanest whose hoary heads were found in the way of righteousnesse but it is singularly applicable when an ancient prudent pious Minister is translated by death Such a providence upon the death of Isa 3. 2. 2 Kin. 2. 12. Elijah caused Elisha to cry out My Father My Father the Charet of Israel and the horsemen thereof And truly such occasion of mourning is administred this day upon our losse of the Reverend Learned and godly man whose Funerall we now celebrate Neither doth his death alone but the dissolution of sundry other grave and gracious Ministers of the Mr Walker Dr Gouge Mr Whitaker Gospel not long since in the Neighbourhood call for our tears and lamentations before the Lord. The Lord rightly affect us with these stroaks and give us the sanctified improvement of them through his grace The second Use followeth which is for reproof of three Vse 2. Of Reproof sorts of people 1. Of those aged persons who seem to be ashamed of their old age by taking courses to hide it that they might be accounted young whereas my Text tels us that the hoary head is a Crown and the same wise Solomon saith elsewhere Pro. 20. 29. The beauty of old men is the gray-head And the Apostle Paul speaketh of his old age as his credit and that which should render him the more respectfull Being such a one as Philem. 9. Illi canos tingendo praecipuam reverentiae praerogativam dedecore afficium Vellendi sunt non pili sed cupiditaces Clem. Alex. Paul the aged Some of the Ancients took occasion in their daies to blame very sharply such persons who either picked out their gray hairs or else did colour them artificially that they might not be reputed old And this advice was added to the reproof that they should rather pluck up their lusts then pick out their gray hairs as rendring them many thousand times more unlovely and dishonourable Beleeve it you gray-headed persons that your covetousnesse frowardness hypocrisie and unrighteousnesse do make you reproachfull whereas your age with holinesse would be your honour 2. Of those whose wicked conversation doth cast dis-reputation upon the Crown which God by their many years hath set upon their heads That Proverb is appliable unto them As a Jewell of Gold in a Swines snout so is a fair woman Prov. 11. 22. Dignitas in indigno est ornamentum in luto which is without discretion Complexion doth not so much beautifie as folly doth blemish such a person In like manner it is very unseemly to see silver hairs soyled with a sinfull debauched conversation How do oaths lies scurrilous cursed speeches and other wickednesses cast mire and fasten rust upon the Crown of old-age In dealing with these gray-headed sinners I may apply those words of Moses Do ye thus reward the Lord ye foolish people and unwise Is this the requitall Deut. 32. 6. which you return unto God for his many years patience exercised towards you and the manifold experiences with long-continued goodnesse showred down upon you Do not you your selves look for better fruit from the trees which you have carefully preserved many winters and painfully watered many Summers But if these convincing expostulations will not awaken and reform these people who are weather-beaten in wickednesse and by long soaking in sin are habituated to do evil I must minde them of that heavy message delivered from the Lord by the Prophet Isaiah The sinner being an hundred years old is accursed The old impenitent Isa 69. 20. sinner whatsoever his place his parts or his respect in the world be is accursed Gods curse is not only threatned but already in a great measure executed upon him He is cursed cursed in his soul and cursed in all his enjoyments and concernments during the time of his impenitency and unreformednesse Patientia laesae vertitur in surorem Here I might be large in discovering the expressions of divine displeasure against people old in evils as in years whose decayed decrepid withered weakened bodies might expect pity The Prophet Jeremiah saith I am full of Jer. 6. 11. the fury of the Lord I will pour it forth upon the aged and him that is full of daies And Gods threatning runneth thus that neither he himself nor those whom he will incense against them shall have any compassion upon the old man or him that 2 Chro. 36. 17. Deut. 32. 25. stoopeth for age or the man of gray hairs 3. Of them who make the aged the objects of their derision Mr Cartwright hath this note upon the Text that God hath by this Crown of gray hairs vindicated the aged from all the discredit which their stooping or other infirmities might seem to expose them unto And it is observed by some Natant Hebraei non senilem
sed decrepitam significari aetatem Cajet in Text. that though decrepid old age be suggested in the language of the Text yet Solomon doth assign it the Crown This I suggest the rather to give a check unto the young wanton wits which are apt to break jests upon the aged because of some seeming uncomelinesses which accompany that condition of life Guilty in this kinde was he who scoffingly asked the old man whose body was crooked by reason of old age Whether he would sell him a bow These green heads do not consider the greatnesse of this sin in Gods account who puts this fault into the catalogue of such miscarriages which usher in desolating judgements viz. The childe shall behave himself Isa 4. 5. proudly against the ancient And this sin is the more hainous and provoking when those aged persons are abused whose near Relations Offices of honour accompanied with the power of godlinesse do call for all expressions of respect and esteem Solomon is smart in his reproof of children who in this kinde offend towards their naturall parents The eye that mocketh at his Father and despiseth to obey his mother the Pro. 30. 17. Ravens of the valley shall pick it out and the young Eagles shall eat it How many times are those brought unto the Gallows as the confessions of some in such cases have manifested through Gods just judgement who have been chargeable with guilt of this kinde And how heavy was the hand of God upon many little children for mocking Elisha the Prophet There came forth little children out of the City and mocked 2 Kin. 2. 23 24 him and said unto him Go up thy bald-head Go up thou bald-head And he turned back and locked upon them and cursed them in the Name of the Lord and there came forth two she-bears out of the wood and tare fourty and two children of them How far this derision of the man of God did reach I now enquire not whether to his Function with relation to his Master Elijah lately taken up into heaven or only unto his baldness But this is notable that childishnesse and ignorance will not secure such from divine revenge who do dare to deride the aged What therefore may they expect who have more years on their backs and should have more grace in their hearts then to adventure upon this sinfull provocation But yet there is a higher step of aggravation to be added viz. when righteousnesse it self which is the chiefest Crown of the aged is the object of mens derision when meerly the tenderness of mens consciences and their exact walking according to the Word of God doth lay them open unto the jears of men The Apostle telleth us that such despise not man 1 Thes 4. 7 8. only but God also and he rendreth a double reason thereof viz. because God hath called us to holinesse and hath likewise given us his Spirit to work it I remember the words of Solomon which are appliable to my purpose whoso mocketh the Prov. 17. 5. poor reproacheth his maker And the speech as Mr Cartwright noteth upon the place extends unto jearing at any bodily defect or deformity whatsoever whereof God is willing to be accounted the Authour How much more will the Lord interpret those derisions to reach himself which people shall dare to cast upon his own image in his servants which is Quiopus aliquod ridet ridet illius opificem Mercer their Crown and beauty For if God take himself to be concerned in the creatures affliction how much more then in that which tends to his perfection This way of wickednesse argueth a gracelesse frame of heart and to them who walk in it may be applied the sharp words of the Prophet Against whom do you sport your selves Against whom make you a wide Isa 57. 4. mouth and draw out the tongue Are ye not children of transgression a false seed Ishmael by mocking Isaac made way Gal 4. 29 30. with Gen. 21. 9 10. Psa 1. 11. for his own rejection and doubtlesse they are not farre from ruine who have travelled so long in sinne that they are got into the Chair of Scorners When I remember the heavy curse given out against Cham for mocking his old Father Jer. 9. 21 22 25 Noah for it 's conceived that he was thus far guilty when in an uncomely posture by reason of his drunkennesse I tremble to think what will become of them who break brinish jests with prophane Satyricall spirits upon Gods servants for their sanctity We reade in holy Story that Michol Davids wife despised him in her heart and spake tauntingly to him upon his zealous dancing before the Lord and the holy Ghost hath concluded the History with this report Therefore 2 Sam. 6. 16 20 23. Michol the daughter of Saul had no childe unto the day of her death And ordinarily this cursed course is attended with the heavy curse of everlasting spirituall barrennesse The Lord grant that these hints may through his blessing give some check unto that prophane boldnesse which too frequently breaketh forth amongst the children of men I proceed to the third Use which shall be for triall For Vse 3. Of Examination it much concerneth all sorts to know how this righteousnesse may be discerned which is a Crown of glory to the hoary head The necessity of this enquiry may be manifested by these two considerations 1. Because there are several mistakes in this matter of righteousnesse amongst men For there are many who only appear outwardly to be righteous when the inside discovereth Mat. 23. 28. the contrary being full of hypocrisie And there is something like unto justice which is highly esteemed amongst men though it be abomination in the sight of God Luk. 16. 15. 2. That we may neither arrogate nor deny this Crown to our selves groundlesly and also that we may be the better able to judge unto whom we are bound to give this honour which God hath put upon them For as it is the duty of all so it is the care of Gods people in this particular as in other cases to guide themselves by discretion and judgement Psa 112. 5. Four notes of the righteous Now those whom God accounteth truly righteous may be known 1. By their unlimited respect unto Gods whole will revealed in his word as the rule of their obedience for the matter of it This is the character given of Zachary and Elizabeth They were both righteous before God walking in all the Commandments Luk. 1. 6. and Ordinances of the Lord Therefore here the Query must be both What is the rule of our conversation and Whether our endeavours be extended according to the rules of the Scripture universally For multitudes steer their course rather according to the compasse of humane Ordinances Isa 29. 15. then divine Institutions And amongst them who seem to have recourse unto Scripture guidance many are meerly partiall picking
bosome according to his own word that the liberal shall be made fat For he did not so exhaust himself in his life but that in his last Will he did also bequeath unto the poor of the Parish of Redrith 50lb to Ten of his Bretheren in the Ministery whose wants and distresses especially if occasioned by the iniquity of the times he did consider with compassion 50lb i. e. to each of them 5lb and to eight Widows of Ministers 5lb apeece in all 40lb to them Thus his good works both went before him and followed him also to Heaven whereby likewise he hath left behind him the lustre of a good Name for the imitation of them who survive Justice is presupposed to Charity for God hates robbery for Isa 6â— 8. sacrifice And Mr Gataker was exactly just in giving every man his due though he remitted of his own right very frequently so that he was according to the Hebrew phrase imitated by the writers of the N. T. a just man that is a kind equitable person of a mild disposition no severe exacter of his own and a free dispenser of Gods gifts so that his Righteousness endures for ever both to his honour upon earth and to his happiness in Heaven In and about his death to which the course of his declining days leads us eminent were his Patience and Faith the latter attended with a deep sense of his own sinnes which he acknowledged unto God and to him only was that confession needfull for as to men his conversation was as a Bishops ought to be irreprovable 1 Tim. 3. 2. The first stage to his decease for morhus est via ad mortem was a fainting fit that surprized him on Friday night July 7th or rather on Saturday morning July 8th This he made no great account of for he disturbed not the rest of a servant by calling for assistance because he had at sundry times such deliquia or faintings wherein he gave Nature leave to work out her victory over those vapours or viscous humours that oppressed her Yet thus far he made use of it that he compared his infirmity to that of Seneca which according to his relation the Physicians of that age called meditationem mortis and wished it might prove to him a preparation for his dissolution The indisposition not ceasing with that fit discovered it self within a short time to be a Tertian which how gentle soever yet falling upon a person of his age and crazy temper that had long supported a weak frame with a very regular course of diet made his condition doubtfull to his Phisician one of learning and worth that imployed his best care and skill about that Patient that he looked on as a considerable Person to the whole Church July 17. Having published his Will and taken such order as he thought fit for the settlement of his outward estate he composed himself to God His Tertian growing too strong for Nature and Art both resolved it self into an almost continued Feaver the extream heat whereof was very painfull Yet during those conflicts he shewed a sweet calmness of minde a heart weaned from the world to which he had no affection though he had a remembrance exactly serving for ordering his Charity even to the last and in one word he represented a soul wholly submitting to Gods good pleasure He profest more then once that no outward thing troubled him so much as the condition of that Reverend Minister Mr Sainthill who had but lately undertaken Mr Gatakers Charge upon the uncertain title of Life which now failing so early besides the expectation of his friends that Minister he foresaw was likely to be unsetled and to suffer some inconvenience Though friends and Physicians give him incouraging words at visits yet he sensible of his inward decayes could not be flattered into vain hopes of long continuance earnestly contending that he was not to expect miracles His expectation of Gods dismission was so fixed that being consulted whether he would appoint any one Person to perform the last office for him he not startled at the question appointed Mr Ashe to be intreated to undertake that work because he had done the same at his last Wives funerals And one opportunity casually offered it self to set forward that design for July 18. Mr Ashe out of a kinde respect to Mr Gataker sent him two Funerall Sermons preached by him one at Mr Whitakers the other at Dr Spurstows Childes interment This gave occasion to Mr Gataker in the return for that favour to request the last that he could be capable of Upon the receipt of a Letter to that purpose Mr. Ashe on the Saturday following visited his deer and dying friend who then told him That he found him conflicting with his last adversary He knew the sting was pulled out but nature would struggle These and other expressions Mr Ashe writ down and related at the end of his Sermon That day being 22th of July in the afternoon he called for some Papers of Mr Baxters sent to him by the Author with a desire of his judgment concerning them He wished some short Notes for the perusal of them had been his last work to be read over to him in which something he altered and having dictated a Letter to that his Learned and much Reverend Friend appointed that with the Animadversions inclosed to be sent unto him So vigorous was his minde in a body drooping and dropping into the dust He had now given over the use of Physick as to any prolongation of life for he said he would struggle no more because he found that what was prescribed for the refreshing of nature opprest it rather therefore he would wait the Lords leisure An ancient servant that attended on him desiring leave to rectifie the bedcloathes and saying withall Sr Your head doth not lye right he answered It will lye right in my Coffin July 25. at One in the morning death began to seize on his left foot from which the spirits retiring he felt the deadness of that part and a very sharp pain in the part of the leg adjoyning to it He called for his Sonne and told him he feared he should have a difficult death He then commanded two Surgeons to be sent for to look upon his leg whom he required to tell him whether or no his foot were any whit discoloured It seems he had conceived some fear of a Gangrene but being satisfied that there could not be any ground for such an apprehension he rested with patience In the evening of that day being visited by Mr Sainthil and lying in great anguish with violence of heat he prayed for pity and patience support here and a comfortable issue July 26. Early in the morning full of pain gasping and panting he cried out How long Lord how long come speedily But though death had made an incroachment upon his outward perishing part yet his inward man felt no decay for with a full use of reason he
Latialibus vestita saltem vocibus At quum perinde ut displicet silentium Non Verba suppetant paria votis mihi Visum est ab ipso mutuari Mortuo Quae vivus olim fudit Et sic optimè Illius expedire se Laudes valent Vt proprio Sol explicat se Lumine Squalida luctifico tundantur pactor a planctu Habeutur hi versus D. Gatakeri inter alios tum ipsius tum aliorum in calce Prlectionum D. Whitakeri de Ecclesia Perfundat teneras lacryma salsa genas Omnibus in vicis adsit pullata caterva Pellantur subitò gaudia cuncta procul A terris superas abiit Whitakerus ad auras Aetatis nostrae gloria fama decus Quo magis ornatum vix fando accepimus unquam Doctrinâ ingenio religione fide Linguarum nemo plus cognitione valebat Arsoniam spectas Tullius alter erat Cum Graiis quisquis sermones nectere Graios Audiret patrio crederet ore loqui Hebraeae nemo feliciùs abdita linguae Exploret sensus elicitátve probos Ingenium quantum facundia quanta quot esset Artibus excultus scripta relicta docent Praecipuè ornabat divina scientia mentem Atque huic juncta soror religionis amor Fidus praeco Dei humani figmenta cerebri Rejecit pendens semper ab ore Dei. Sincerè populo divina oracula tradens Ad Christum docuit quae via recta ferat Exemplum pietatis erat virtutis imago Doctrinae culmen religionis apex Mens humilis purusque animus patiensque laborum Corpus immuneris vita referta bonis Frons hilaris faciles aures pectusque fidele Sermo pacificus lingua diserta fuit Os verax mites oculi gravitate refulgens Vultus cor placidum dextra benigna bonis Cum virtute atque arte alios superaverit omnes Haec dubium laus an latior illa siâ—t Sed quid ego conor Whitakeri exponere laudes Quem laudare satis nemo poeta queat Quid laudo cujus cunctas celebratur ad oras Nomen quae Christi numina sancta colunt Cujus scripta diserta opus aere perennius omni Anno Dom. 1594. Jam passim volitant docta per ora virûm Scripserat haec quondam Gatakerus de Whitakero Heros quum superas scanderet ille domos Scriberet haec pariter Whitakerus de Gatakero Si nunc in vivis esset ut antè fuit Convenisse tibi constat Whitakere vicissim Quám bene conveniunt Gatakere tibi T. D. ON THE Death of the Excellently Learned and Pious Mr GATAKER IF Man created Upright so had stood Should This though less Ill yet have had more Good For what while militant on earth he knew Angels themselves desire to look into And above Natures best his Grace so high Hath of her worst obtaind the Victory Whereto while Death it self Perfection gives By 's Doctrine and Example still he lives With us too though departed that is gone Having learn'd all here where more is to be known W. W. Carmen Elegiacum in obitum M ri THOMAE GATAKERI R di Theologi politioris literaturae Fautoris simul ac Restauratoris optimi OCcidit heu summi fulgoris stella corruscans Occidit ut surgat stella decora poli Lumina non pereunt è terrâ sumpta fruuntur Majori coelis luce micante Deo Vixit ignaros potuit quoscunque docebat Tà m vitae exemplo quà m prece voce manu Juppiter in terris linguâ sua flumina vibrans Voce tonans pravos terruit inde pii Justitiae celebrem retulit pietate Noachum Praeconem Moses moribus alter erat Quà m docuit didicit Gatakerus vivere multos In Christo docuit sic didicitque mori Docto scribenti calamo de sortibus olim Supremum tandem sors tulit atra diem Non sic fata solent quae te Gatakere merentem Siverunt Juvenem maesta tulêre senem Vllo si doluit Pietas vel maesta querelas Tempore perfudit jam bene flere decet Si literae lacrymas unquam sparsere politae Cum fulcrum recedit jam doluisse licet Te dolet Vrbs celebris dolet Anglia maesta Prophetam Ereptum templis te decus ipsa suis Cuncti te flemus te ploraremus in aevum Si non constaret te coluisse Deum EPITAPHIUM HIc situs est qui dum docuit dum scripsit ab omni Omnigenae laudis puncta recepit Abit Intravit coelum postquam Gatakerus amaenum Quod loquar omnigenae puncta salutis habet Expirantis GATAKERI Apostrophe ad Fratres superstites Pastores Anglicanos THOMAS GATAKERUS Anagr. Vrge mak hast to us FArewell bright-shining-stars yet ere I part I le leave the sense of my last gasping heart With you dear souls For strayt my spirit must Be thron'd in bliss my body turn'd to dust Behold the wildbore-hereticks whose powre Deeply's engag'd Gods vineyard to devoure Vrge and be valiant 2 Pet. 2. 5. Noah's now had need Prove mighty Nimrods to run down this breed Behold ye Fox-like-Schismaticks who trade 2 Cant 15. Gods vine to ruine Ah our Church is made A den of theeving Foxes These conspire Like Sampsons Foxes to set all on fire Vrge here pursue them by all means you may Dumb-dogs prove useless to devour this prey Since Sheepe-skin-Wolves do ramble Sheepheards look Now to your Lambs use well your Sheepheards crook The Tyger-Ranters rage This Hectors face Is much disguis'd to th'Churches sad disgrace Pluck off his vizard and unrip his state That all Gods flock may see this Tygers fate Romes ravenous blood-hounds from their hellish den Are rays'd by th'sound of th'Devils horn oh then You Israels Watchmen their hid traces find Wound them and make them leave their prey behind The Pope hath got Arithmetick in 's Crown Who multiplies his Popedoms up and down Each Church erects a chair 't is sad to see So many plead infallibilitye Divide and multiply this Artist cryes From such division do my summes arise United force is strong let your band be A threefold cord of love and unity See and condole our shaken Churches state Which walking-earth-quakes totter'd have of late These sure would counted be an heav'nly nation ' Cause all their motion is meer trepidation Isa 66. Who trembles at Gods word shall favour find Whilest word-less Quakers shall go down the wind Vrge here fear not i' th strength of God be strong A quaking host can never stand out long The Church a Lilly is ' mongst thorns oh strive To lop these thorns and make the Lilly thrive Ye Pilots are i'th'Churches Ship sayl on Though through a sea of blood to mount Sion And now methinks grim death 'gins to appear Which once was dismal now my soul doth chear It s sting is gone and now 't will me advance To just mens souls made perfect in one glance My last sand's run my life I 'le breathe out thus Vrge Souls in preaching and mak hast to us Vrge God in praying and mak hast to us Vrge Christ in all things and mak hast to us J. STILLINGFLEETE D. Joh. Coll. Cant. Socius On the Death of that Reverend and eminently Learned Divine Mr THOMAS GATAKER WHo 's this that lyes thus breathless dolefull sight The worthy Gataker That beauteous light Hath left our Hemisphere Ah! he is gone Who was the glory deem'd of Helicon The Muses joy is fled a magazine Of Learning 's here blown up The Sisters nine Could they but rate their loss such hath it been With tears they 'd make an other Hippocrene Poor house of clay oh how it empty lyes The furniture's remov'd to Paradise Angels have hence convigh'd the jewell-mind Nought but the cabinet is left behind Adieu young Nestor seldom have we seen An head so gray and parts so fresh and green His speech to deck such flowers he could bring In ages winter one would swear 't were spring But now for florid language we may find Dumbe Rhetoricke with silence cryes her mind Oh! mind your latter ends death 's sometimes late But who could ere his life perpetuate We thought his preaching done but here we have One Sermon more and for his text the grave Be faithfull you who Sions walls do keep Watchmen themselves must once be laid to sleep W. TWYNE Fell. of St Joh. Coll. in Camb. In obitum Viri Clariff Doctissimique M ri THOMAE GATAKERI 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 PLectro paulisper posito festiva sonante Jam melos attonitae modulantur triste Camaenae Ingeminatque Caput praeclarum linquere terras Tum sic effatae Quae vestram insania mentem Exagitat Parcae vel quae malesana medullas Intùs agit rabies ut converratis in unum Quisquilias gemmasque Rosam Carpatis algam Delicias mundi sécli miracula quaevis Haud secus ac faeces vulgi Sordesque profanas Amoveatis adhuc tantaene sororibus irae Quò tandem effûgit quaeve occupat iste locorum Abdita qui quondam praeclarâ nominis omnes Famâ praestinxit nulli pietate secundus Mens polita Deûm proles germana Minervae Mercuriique domus Musis digna teneri Pieria ac charitum sedes hortus amaenus Tam docto Calamo referunt accepta Camaenae Cedro digna sed meruere insculpier auro Hic quoniam Culmen virtutis Contigit altum Quo nullum patitur sublimius infera moles Terrestris sedes quaerit recipitque Deorum Hunc inter populos illustris fama perennat Longéque transfert multùm venerabile nomen J. T. Ad Tumulum THO. GATAKERI Londinatis S. S. Theol. Bacc. EXuviae cujus GATAKERI Plura referre Haud opus ad laudes vox ea sola satis GUIL DUGARD Schola Merc. Sciss Moderator FINIS