Selected quad for the lemma: death_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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A54873
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A funeral sermon upon the sad occasion of the death of Mordecai Abbott, Esq. preach'd the 17th of March 1699-1700 by John Piggott.
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Piggott, John, d. 1713.; Abbott, Mordecai, d. 1700?
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1700
(1700)
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Wing P2220A; ESTC R28440
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25,005
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96
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he most delighted in was such where he might either do good or receive it and indeed I may say that like the Master he serv'd he went about doing good for as he sought out Objects to exercise his Charity upon so he would thank his particular Friends when they told him of any that were deserving of his Alms and would as chearfully relieve 'em in the most generous and noble manner He was never deaf to the Complaints of the Poor and Miserable nor blind to the Marks of their Poverty neither did he shut his Heart his Purse or his Door against 'em he did not only wish 'em well and give them soft language but afforded 'em solid Supplys He was truly that liberal Man whom Solomon speaks of that deviseth liberal things For as he was created in Christ Jesus to good Works so he did abound in all the Fruits of Righteousness and Charity which are by Jesus Christ to the Praise and Glory of God the Father And tho he was thus rich in good Works yet his charitable Distributions were never attended with the sound of a Trumpet but dispers'd to multitudes in the most silent and secret way He deliver'd the Poor that cry'd and the Fatherless and him that had none to help him the blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon him and he caused the Widow's heart to sing for joy Yet in all this he observed the Rule of our Saviour as near as possible not letting his right hand know what his left hand did He gave very liberally tho very privately to encourage the bringing up of a Pious and Learned Ministry in Ireland and understanding that such a Design was forming in London he offer'd most generously to encourage it but before it could be accomplish'd cruel Death fetter'd those hands that were always active in dispensing the most noble Charities And I think it no contemptible Branch of his Character that he paid a deference and respect to all that were of the Sacred Order of the Ministry under what denomination soever they passed Tho his Ears were not servilely boar'd to any for he did not look on 'em as Lords of his Faith but Helpers of his Joy Yet I say he was not wanting to afford 'em the Testimonies of his Respect He gave liberally to support several Lectures particularly he encourag'd that which is carried on in this Place for he was a Gentleman of universal Charity to all that bore the Image of Christ He was very tender of the Reputation of all Men and as he could not endure to hear the Follies of Men made a matter of Diversion so he always deeply resented the Reproaches and Calumnies that are too commonly the Sauce of Conversation and look'd upon a Man's good Name as too valuable to lie at the mercy of every Jester so that I may say he was as free from rash Censures as he was from deserving ' em He was always ready to compose any difference betwixt contending Parties which he did with that dexterity and impartiality that that Man was suspected to have a very bad Cause that declin'd his Arbitration As to his acquitting himself in his publick Imploy it was with that Honour that few Men in an Age do he was so little charm'd with the glitter of Wealth and his Mind was so imbu'd with the Principles of the Christian Religion that he thought it below him to raise his Estate by the mean practices of Craft or Violence Bribery or Oppression He fear'd God and honour'd the King and did not meddle with those that are given to change His Loyalty to his present Majesty William the King of Great Britain and Ireland and the remarkable Services he has done in contributing towards supporting the Credit of the Nation at a time when it run very low are too well known to need reciting here Should I speak of him as a Husband a Parent a Master or a Friend I may say without an Hyperbole he had few Equals under Heaven for never did I see a more affectionate Husband tender Father pleasant and faithful Friend Yet all these things that I have mention'd and a great many more I have not time to name that are lovely and of good report could not prevent his being seiz'd with a mortal Sickness Psal 89. 48. For what Man is he that liveth and shall not see Death Shall be deliver his Soul from the hand of the Grave Selah His Illness was more violent and dangerous than was generally apprehended till within a day or two before his Death he then being ask'd concerning his hopes of eternal Life declar'd They were fix'd on the Satisfaction and Obedience of Christ and that upon the Righteousness of the Redeemer alone he rested for the pardon of his Sins and everlasting Happiness But immediately after this he grew delirious and so was render'd uncapable of discoursing distinctly concerning Divine things yet even while he was thus indispos'd he desir'd me to pray with him and told me that he heartily joyn'd Indeed a few hours before he dy'd he lay a little compos'd and we imagin'd that some revival would have ensu'd so apt are we to flatter our selves with the belief of that which is the matter of our earnest Wishes But alas one hour sunk all expectation of Life and the next put a Period to it Thus liv'd and dy'd that admirable Person whose Decease has occasion'd this Discourse and tho he be dead yet he speaketh and his Works praise him more in the Gate than I have done from the Pulpit Is he dead he is not gone out of the World but remov'd to a better part of it he has only chang'd his Place his Company and Work Therefore you his sorrowful surviving Half and the rest of his mourning Friends should not think on him as lost but as set at liberty not as decaying among the Clods of the Valley but as shining on an illustrious Throne Stop your Tears for were he sensible of your Grief and capable of making a pause in the midst of his Hallelujahs he would say to you that survive Weep not for me but weep for your selves Therefore let us all think what Improvement to make of this sudden and surprizing Providence And those things that 't is proper to instruct us in I shall but just name and conclude Let this Providence put us on the most serious Consideration In the day of adversity consider says the wise Man Let us consider and reflect upon the vanity and uncertainty of human Life surely when so bright and vigorous a Flame is so suddenly extinguish'd that Scripture is eminently fulfill'd that says Verily Man in his best Estate is altogether Vanity Let us learn a holy Indifferency to the things of this World let us be convinc'd how ineffectual are all kind of means to preserve Life when the Decree is gone forth If the Skill of Physicians if the melting Affection of a Wife and the fervent Prayers of Ministers could have prevented the Death of our Friend we had not been mourning here at this time Therefore let us adore the Soveraignty of God who acts as he pleases and gives no account of his Matters to the Children of Men. Let us trust in the Lord who changeth not and submit to his disposing Will which is directed by Wisdom and Love Finally prepare to follow Be ye also ready walk with God while you tarry here that when he calls you out of this lower World he may take you into his blissful Presence and say Mat. 25. 21. unto each of you Well done thou good and faithful Servant thou hast been faithful over a few things I will make thee Ruler over many things enter thou into the Joy of thy Lord. FINIS