and Brother which we have now brought to be shortly deposed in the Lap of our common Mother the Earth was the House wherein his great Soul did for a time reside even as ours do whilst we live in these Bodies we bear about and this House of ours or State of Life is presented to our View more distinctly in its Corruptible Foundation Immutable Station Inevitable Dissolution 1. Corruptible Foundation The material Principle is but of a terrene Quality 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 earthly in its Original and Composition The first Man is of the Earth earthly a 1. Cor. 15.47 so frail be sure since the Fall that there is no soundness in it whose Foundation is in the Dust crushed before the Moth b Job 4.19 more easily mouldering away when God doth but lay his Hand on it than a Moth is bruised betwixt a Mans Fingers yet that little Animal weaker than a Worm may when disposed of at the Pleasure of the Almighty overthrew this Foundation Neither is the Foundation frail but also it hath 2. A mutable Station The State of the Soul in this Life is not fixed but in a perpetual Motion and therefore the Apostle appositely compares this earthly Body wherein we sojourn a little as an Inn unto a Tabernacle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hypallage Earthly House of this Tabernacle or as Beza would render it by a Figure the Tabernacle of our earthly House it being as moveable an Habitation as it 's a frail Foundation Some would derive the Word from an Hebrew Root which signifies he dwelt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Others from a Greek signifying a Shadow Sith a Tabernacle at the first was composed of Boughs and Leaves for the shading of Persons from the Heat and Wet But not to be curious about the Name our Body may be aptly enough compared to the thing called a Tabernacle or Tent which was very obvious to St. Paul who had exercised himself in Tent-making c Act. 18.3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For 1. The very erecting of a Tent or Tabernacle whether we consider it under a Civil or Military Notion doth import the brevity of the Inhabitants stay in it When the Apostle Peter writes d 2 Pet. 1.13 I think it meet as long as I am in this Tabernacle to stir you up by puting you in remembrance He intimates That he had not long to live and was willing to live to the best purpose by doing the most good during his short stay As when the Israelites built themselves Tents being in a travelling Posture not having any certain Habitations And as they were upon the way Sojourners and Strangers so are all of us in the Body for here have we no continuing City e Heb. 13 14. Though alas we may see some such Fools in their own practical Judgments feathering their Nests with the silly Birds that think not how soon it may be removed Yet even an Heathen * Gorgias Leonâ—ih in Stobaeus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who neither considered the Cause nor knew the Remedy could by the Eye of a natural Understanding call it A rotten fleeting little Cottage of short duration wherein the Soul must not stay long before the bodily frame of Nature will soon be taken in pieces by Death 2. The carrying of Tents and Tabernacles about doth further note the state of Pilgrims and Travellers that pass from place to place as we do move without rest whilst in the Body So the Prophet elegantly makes use of the Comparison f Isay 38.12 Mine Age is departed and is removed from me as a Shepherds Tent Which is set up a little while for Shelter and removed to another Pasture at pleasure As it is reported of the Nomades in Scythia as well as Numidia that they always remove their Tents with their Cattle which plainly sets forth our State here to be no less Transitory than Temporary and therefore the Apostle might well liken it to a Tabernacle especially if we consider further what he opens to our View and that is 3. The inevitable Dissclution of this earthly Tabernacle which is so temporary and transitory 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if it were dissolved Which Supposition with reference to the Consequent doth evince that without all dispute it will be dissolved or taken down as a Tent that is loosed and laid up when the Siege is raised the City obtained and the War ceased It may be as a Tent is sometimes cut asunder and trod underfoot or burnt up So the Body by some violent Death may be sooner demolished than otherwise in the ordinary course of Nature it would be But tho it escape that Violence it cannot be long before it fall in pieces of its own accord For dust thou art and unto dust thou shalt return g Gen. 3.19 Though thy Constitution thy Care and Labour with timely Advice of Physitians may help a little yet here is no stay long for the Life of thy hand to allude to that Expression of the Prophet h Is 57.10 It is appointed unto all Men once to die and then this Tabernacle will unavoidably give way for true Beleevers to go into that Receptacle which is nextly described in my Text viz. II. A Building of a more noble Structure peculiar to the Saints who do immediately pass into it upon the Dissolution of their earthly Tabernacles even a State of Glory provided by God for the separate Souls to enter into and abide in immediately after Death 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 We have a Building of God an House not made with Hands eternal in the Heavens When a Period is put unto the Scene of this Life much the same Word radically with this that signifys a Tabernacle then the Saints Souls who have acted their parts therein shall forthwith pass into those Mansions which our Saviour went before to make ready for the Reception and Entertainment of his Followers i John 14.2 I know some do expound this Building to be only the glorified Body But if we well consider this description in my Text which I shall presently open with reference to the 7th and 8th Verses in this Chapter noting the Souls immediate Passage out of the Body into this Building we may nextly and most fitly take it for the Glory with which the sanctified Soul upon its departure is forthwith cloathed and afterwards wherewith the Body shall be adorn'd at the Resurrection The Building we see is set forth to our View from Four Circumstances 1. The Architect the Founder and Builder 'T is a Building of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This Mansion Seat of Glory is no other than the Paradise of God k Rev. 2.7 a rare Work where all due Proportions are observed and all Ornaments rightly chosen and placed ravishing the Eye of the Beholder Not only is it in a general Way the Paradise of God as he is the Author of the whole Creation
as some of you with weeping Eyes as from the Word of God which I have hitherto treated on for your Edification so to hear somewhat upon this doleful Subject this faithful Minister of Christ whose Remains we are about to lay up for a blessed Resurrection The little I am able to say at this time shall be upon good Grounds having been not less than Thirty Years familiarly acquainted with him neer half the time of his stay in this Tabernacle Aged about Eighty five Years He was the Son of the Reverend and Learned Mr. Henry Hurst Minister of the Gospel at Mickleton in Gloucestershire where he lived to a good old Age labouring in the Lords Vineyard there with great Success not many Years since about Five or Six This hopeful and everyway obedient Son of so careful and tender a Father when well ripened for the University in School-learning wherein he did excel the ordinary Rate was placed in Oxford under the inspection of his pious and diligent Tutor Dr. Henry Wilkinson who finding him to make a quick yet happy Progress in Philological and Philosophical Studies adorn'd with the real practise of Piety was heartily ready to help him to a Fellowship in Merton College where being elected into that Society as it were tinctur'd with the Virtues of invincible Ocham profound Bradwardin and Evangelical Wickliff all of that Foundation He soon became a very notable Disputant How have I known him whilst Batchelor of Arts with great modesty yet with equal Dexterrity and Strength to brandish his keen Arguments in the Schools when an Opponent and to answer with Judgment quickly and distinctly when Respondent with much Applause at the coursing Exercises as they were then called In a while after now somewhat above Thirty Years ago he was singularly noted for his Solid and Orthodox Sermons before the whole University Three of which from Rom. Chap. 7. verse 7. the latter part cutting the very Sinews of Pelagius and Socinus in some of their Doctrines He was desired to Print under the Title of The Natural Mans Blindness Oxford 1659. In an Epistle to the Reader of which the Doctor his Tutor writes there That the Author viz. our deceased Friend who hath grown much since in Learning and all that 's really Praise-worthy was sufficiently known to him and many others to be a Godly Learned and Orthodox Divine who through his Modesty and low Opinion of himself denyed for a long time his Consent to the making of those Sermons of publick use and had supprest them altogether but that through importunity he was prevailed with This with the great Esteem he had in the University the freedom of Speech he used in preaching and his holy and exemplary Life occasioned his being chosen by the majority of the Parishoners Votes to be Rector of Matthew's Friday-street London notwithstanding the Fame of the then Candidates one of which was the present Bishop of London-Derry There it was being in the Neighborhood to the place where I was then employed that I renewed mine Acquaintance with him whom I ever found to be one of very great Humility and Affability of an excellent natural Temper and great Moderation very Ingenuous and Judicious most ready to communicate his Thoughts upon due Deliberation in a friendly way whenever desired being acted by an unfeigned Principle of Love to Christ and Christians affording Relief and prudent Advice to some in some pusling yet practical Cases wherein several of our Brethren in the Ministry have often met with pertinent and solid Resolutions the consideration of loosing an Advantage in the like for future may now sadly accent our Griess One Case he was called to state and resolve publickly in the Morning Exercise at Cripple-Gate 1661. Whether well composed Religious Vows do not exceedingly promote Religion from Psal 116.12 14. But the Year after notwithstanding his Moderation after solemn seeking of God by Prayer with Fasting because he could not declare his Assent and Consent to all and every thing contained in the Liturgie he was at the lamentable Bartholomew-tide ejected with Two thousand more of his Brethren from his Benefice and the Exercise of his publick Ministry which latter yet he would tell his Friends he lived in Hopes some time again in some Respects to be restored to In the mean time he took all Opportunities because a Necessity was laid upon him to preach the Gospel to do what he could for the good of Souls both more privately and publickly For to say nothing of his Treatise afterward printed called The Revival of Grace with the Vigour and Fragrancy of it Shewing the Benefit of Sacramental Communion April 1678. dedicated to the very Learned the Right Honourable Arthur Earl of Anlglesey in whose Family he had an opportunity of exercising his Ministry as being then his well esteemed Chaplain He had several Invitations amongst them who well knew his moderation and Worth to preach several times publickly in his Native Country where none informed against him as well as at Ashford in Kent when he went thither to visit the Relations of his former Wife And when there was an Indulgence of Liberty we may find him in the morning Exercise against Popery very learnedly after his usual manner shew from Acts 26.2 That Kings and Emperors are not rightful Subjects to the Pope After that he being one not likeing to flatter or be flattered we find him better enabled to give a Satisfactory Answer to that practical Question How may we best cure the Love of being flattered October 1682. which he did well perform at the continuation of the morning Exercise * in his Sermon upon Proverbs 26.28 Since in October last resolving practically How may we enquire after News not as Athenians but as Christians for the better managing our Prayers and our Prayses for the Church of God From Acts. 17.21 In his Funeral Discourse in this Month Thirteen Years ago upon the departure of that useful Minister Mr. Thomas Cawton who had done much work in a little time may be seen what a Pattern he set before his Hearers from Luke 12.43 Besure he was ever ready to do good and unwilling to decline any Service that lay in his Power when invited to it His judicious Annotations upon Exekiel and the Twelve lesser Prophets in the Continuation of Mr. Poole's were so well approv'd That he was desired since to take some further pains of that Nature about some other parts of the Holy Writ But God hath eased him of that Work he was almost prevailed with to undertake as well as of what he was urg'd to perform at Oxford you who were his constant hearers will all bear witness he was in Labours more abundant m 2. Cor. 11.23 Besides his weekly Lectures at High-gate you can very well tell in all his Ministerial Offices what pains he took amongst you and how affectionately solicitous he was to bring your young Ones to the knowledg of God by his
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The EARTHLY AND HEAVENLY Building Opened in a SERMON ON 2d Corinthians Chap. v. Verse 1. AT THE FUNERAL OF THE Late Reverend Minister of Jesus Christ Henry Hurst M. A. Sometime Fellow of Merton Colledge in Oxon. Preached and published at the earnest Desires of his Relatives and People By Richard Adams M. A. sometimes Fellow of Brazen-Nose Colledge in Oxon LONDON Printed for John Weld at the Crown between the Temple-Gates in Fleet Street MDCIC ERRATA PAge 2 line 21. r. Mutable p. 3. l. 2. after as r. in l. 6. in Marg. r. ◠p. 9. l. 24. after of r. a. p. 12. l. 24. r. may p. 13. l. 12. after Disciples r. with this in my Fathers House saith he there are many p. 14 l. 24. r. preserv'd p. 16. Marg. r scibilis p. 17. Marg. r. Emanare To the much respected Mrs. DOROTHY HVRST the sorrowful Widow of Mr. HENRY HVRST late Minister of the Gospel together with his People who desired the Preaching and publishing of this ensuing Sermon THO I am sensible of several Failures in this Discourse which Second Thoughts might have somewhat amended by expunging altering or adding somewhat which came to the Ear Yet that I might not incur more Censures by varying much from what was preached I have altered added or omitted nothing material further than what is requisite betwixt the Pulpit and the Press That what you have made current by your Approbation and Desires may hopefully pass with fewer censorious Remarks To you the disconsolate Relict of the Deceased I heartily wish for the allay of your Grief and composure of your Spirit That you would seriously deliberate upon what that excellent young Gentlewoman in her Day Mrs. Katherine Stubbs said to her Husband on her Death-bed desiring him not to mourn for her upon this strong Reason That she was not in a Case to be mourned for but rather to be rejoiced of for that she should pass from Earth to Heaven from Men to holy Angels Cherubims and Seraphims to holy Saints Patriarchs and Fathers yea to God himself Changing Persons I doubt not but upon the departure of your most pious Son Arthur you have heard your own dear Husband that Righteous Abel as I may allude comforting of you his Wife from the same unanswerable Reason And being Dead he yet speaketh a Heb. 11.4 I pray you hear his Voice Now is the time you should hear his Voice from God As you know the Day before he was summoned hence in his last Sermon He was pressing the People to Day to hear God's Voice If you now stop your Ears and do not mind it his surviving Son and Daughter your dear Children who will yet a while be more led by their Mothers Example than by her Directions will heardly believe their Fathers present Joys I question not but their Father said to You at your last great Mourning as Elkanah said to his Wife Hannah b 2 Sam. 1.8 Dorothy Why weepest thou Why eatest thou not And why is thy Heart grieved Am not I better to thee than Sons Thy Maker is thy Husband the Lord of Host is his Name c Is 54.5 Doth not he say unto you now Am not I better than Ten Husbands Let these dearest young ones know that you really believe it by your cheerful Carriage that when Nature hath had its Course with decencie and they begin to consider what it is to want such an earthly Father as they had they may begin to hope and say Our Heavenly Father will be better to us than Ten earthly Fathers Add not therefore to your sweet Childrens Loss by casting your self into their Father's Grave which you are likely to do if you immoderately mourn over it You know what your excellent Husband's last Lecture at High-gare was as if it sounded his own Knell from Luke 2.29 Lord now lettest thou thy Servant depart in peace for mine Eyes have seen thy Salvation To you that were of his Congregation and special Charge having in the close of the Sermon urged a steddy Practice of what your worthy Pastor did deliver and recommend to you I shall add little more Yet I would be your Remembrancer of what he recorded in his Sermon at the Funeral of Mr. Cawton as his Words spoken to his People viz. Prize a Guide that will be faithful to your Souls keep the Unity of the Spirit into which you are called by the Gospel and seek God earnestly for both I shall add no more but heartily begg of God That he would take care of the mournful Widow and hers and of the Widowed People And supply all your Wants upon the departure of so obliging a Relative through Jesus Christ the best Husband and chief Shepheard In his Hands He leaves you who looking to Jesus doth commend you all to God and to the Word of his Grace which is able to build you up and give you an Inheritance among all them which are Sanctified d Act 20.30 Your Souls Friend and Servant in our dear Lord Christ Richard Adams April 24. 1690. 2. Cor. Chap. v. Verse the 1st For we know that if our earthly House of this Tabernacle were dissolved we have a Building of God an House not made with Hands eternal in the Heavens THE very First Particle in my Text doth introduce it as a Confirmation of that the Apostle had last asserted in the precedent Chapter wherein he shews how far the Reward of the sincere Ministers and Members of Christ doth surpass their Suffering Having premis'd a distinction of the inward and outward Man which last when adorn'd with a Saints Eye aims not at the things which are seen they are but temporarie and so lye under a disparagement but at the things which are not seen they are eternal and so most desirable as may by a due comparing of Circumstances further appear from that Two-fold Prospect which the quick sighted Apostle doth present to our View in the Words read Wherein we have The STATE ACT of a Believer Cognitum Cognitio 1. The State or Thing known of a true Believer who hath a double Residence one at Present another Future one here another hereafter one above another below One visible which is the Object of the bodily Eye and seen by it the other invisible which is the Object of the spiritual Eye not seen by the Eye of Sense but only by the Eye of Faith And therefore by a Metaphor drawn from Architecture the believing Soul comes under our Consideration As in her LOWER and VPPER Habitation In the Text 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Former is called an House of the same Nature and Structure with that of Unbeleevers The Latter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Building of another nature a more stately Structure proper to the Saints The First is no other than the organized Body unto which the Soul is at present united As e're while the Corps of our deceased Friend