a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o funeral_n of_o the_o reverend_a richard_n meggot_n d._n d._n and_o late_a dean_n of_o winchester_z decemb._n 10_o the_o 1692._o at_o twickenham_n by_o william_n sherlock_n d._n d._n dean_n of_o st._n paul_n master_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o chaplain_n in_o ordinary_a to_o their_o majesty_n imprimatur_fw-la geo._n royse_n r._n r_o mo_z in_o christo_fw-la patri_fw-la ac_fw-la dom._n dom._n johanni_n archiep._n cantuar._n à _fw-la sacris_fw-la dome_v decemb._n 18._o 1692._o london_n print_v for_o w._n rogers_n at_o the_o sun_n over_o against_o st._n dunstan_n church_n in_o fleetsteet_n 1693._o a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o funeral_n of_o dr._n meggot_n decemb._n 10._o 1692._o i_o phil._n 23_o 24._o for_o i_o be_o in_o a_o strait_a betwixt_o two_o have_v a_o desire_n to_o depart_v and_o to_o be_v with_o christ_n which_o be_v far_o better_a nevertheless_o to_o abide_v in_o the_o flesh_n be_v more_o needful_a for_o you_o st_n paul_n write_v this_o epistle_n to_o philippi_n from_o rome_n where_o he_o be_v in_o bond_n for_o the_o gospel_n but_o though_o his_o body_n be_v confine_v to_o a_o prison_n his_o soul_n his_o great_a divine_a soul_n be_v at_o liberty_n to_o visit_v the_o church_n he_o have_v plant_v to_o advise_v and_o counsel_n and_o comfort_v they_o to_o increase_v their_o knowledge_n and_o to_o confirm_v their_o faith_n to_o inflame_v their_o zeal_n and_o to_o spur_v they_o forward_o to_o more_o perfect_a attainment_n in_o all_o piety_n and_o virtue_n the_o philippian_n seem_v great_o concern_v lest_o the_o progress_n of_o the_o gospel_n shall_v be_v hinder_v by_o st._n paul_n imprisonment_n and_o lest_o they_o and_o the_o whole_a church_n shall_v be_v deprive_v of_o the_o labour_n and_o ministry_n of_o so_o great_a a_o apostle_n shall_v this_o persecution_n extend_v to_o life_n as_o they_o have_v reason_n to_o fear_v it_o will_v as_o for_o the_o first_o st._n paul_n assure_v they_o that_o his_o bond_n be_v for_o the_o furtherance_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o his_o imprisonment_n be_v take_v notice_n of_o both_o in_o the_o court_n and_o city_n which_o make_v man_n curious_a to_o know_v what_o that_o doctrine_n be_v which_o he_o preach_v and_o for_o which_o he_o suffer_v bond_n and_o this_o publish_v the_o gospel_n more_o effectual_o than_o his_o preach_v can_v have_v do_v v_o 12_o 13_o etc._n etc._n as_o for_o the_o second_o he_o tell_v they_o he_o be_v no_o far_o concern_v either_o about_o life_n or_o death_n but_o that_o christ_n may_v be_v magnify_v in_o his_o body_n if_o he_o live_v his_o life_n be_v whole_o devote_v to_o the_o service_n of_o christ_n and_o of_o his_o church_n if_o he_o die_v it_o will_v be_v for_o his_o own_o great_a advantage_n to_o i_o to_o live_v be_v christ_n and_o to_o die_v be_v gain_v vers_fw-la 20_o 21._o and_o this_o make_v it_o a_o hard_a choice_n to_o he_o whether_o he_o shall_v desire_v to_o live_v or_o die_v whether_o he_o shall_v get_v rid_v of_o his_o bond_n and_o make_v his_o escape_n out_o of_o a_o troublesome_a world_n into_o the_o region_n of_o ease_n and_o rest_v to_o reap_v the_o fruit_n of_o his_o labour_n here_o in_o the_o eternal_a enjoyment_n of_o his_o lord_n who_o he_o have_v so_o faithful_o serve_v or_o whether_o he_o shall_v live_v to_o encounter_n with_o a_o thousand_o difficulty_n and_o death_n in_o the_o service_n of_o christ_n and_o of_o the_o soul_n of_o men._n what_o i_o shall_v choose_v i_o wot_v not_o for_o i_o be_o in_o a_o strait_a betwixt_o two_o have_v a_o desire_n to_o depart_v and_o to_o be_v with_o christ_n which_o be_v far_o better_a nevertheless_o to_o abide_v in_o the_o flesh_n be_v more_o needful_a for_o you_o be_v there_o ever_o such_o a_o dispute_n as_o this_o before_o that_o a_o man_n who_o be_v as_o certain_a to_o go_v to_o heaven_n as_o he_o be_v to_o die_v who_o have_v himself_o be_v snatch_v up_o into_o the_o three_o heaven_n and_o have_v his_o mind_n possess_v with_o strong_a and_o vigorous_a and_o lively_a idea_n of_o the_o glory_n of_o that_o place_n who_o have_v see_v and_o hear_v such_o thing_n as_o can_v not_o be_v express_v who_o see_v a_o crown_n a_o glorious_a immarcessible_a crown_n prepare_v for_o he_o i_o say_v that_o such_o a_o man_n shall_v make_v any_o question_n what_o he_o shall_v choose_v whether_o immediate_o to_o take_v possession_n of_o this_o crown_n and_o kingdom_n or_o to_o live_v long_o in_o this_o world_n to_o suffer_v bond_n and_o imprisonment_n hunger_n and_o cold_a and_o stripe_n and_o all_o the_o ill_a usage_n which_o he_o have_v so_o often_o meet_v with_o for_o no_o other_o reason_n but_o still_o to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n and_o to_o enlarge_v the_o border_n of_o christ_n church_n what_o a_o contempt_n be_v this_o not_o only_o of_o the_o little_a pleasure_n and_o satisfaction_n but_o even_o of_o all_o the_o misery_n of_o life_n what_o a_o triumph_n be_v this_o over_o the_o world_n over_o all_o the_o frown_n and_o terror_n of_o it_o what_o a_o triumph_n be_v this_o over_o self_n such_o a_o degree_n of_o self-denial_n as_o the_o gospel_n itself_o do_v not_o command_v which_o be_v in_o some_o sense_n to_o deny_v heaven_n to_o deny_v all_o the_o joy_n of_o christ_n presence_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o do_v good_a for_o it_o be_v to_o delay_v to_o put_v off_o heaven_n to_o adjourn_v his_o own_o happiness_n that_o he_o may_v live_v the_o long_a to_o serve_v his_o great_a master_n though_o with_o great_a difficulty_n and_o labour_n what_o love_n be_v this_o to_o his_o lord_n what_o love_n be_v this_o to_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n it_o be_v certain_o the_o most_o perfect_a imitation_n of_o the_o love_n of_o christ_n that_o be_v possible_a to_o man_n christ_n so_o love_v we_o as_o to_o come_v down_o from_o heaven_n to_o live_v a_o laborious_a life_n and_o to_o die_v a_o accurse_a death_n for_o we_o this_o great_a apostle_n so_o love_v his_o lord_n and_o so_o love_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n that_o he_o make_v it_o his_o choice_n to_o stay_v some_o time_n out_o of_o heaven_n and_o to_o encounter_v all_o the_o misery_n and_o terror_n of_o this_o life_n to_o serve_v christ_n and_o his_o church_n where_o be_v this_o divine_a spirit_n now_o to_o be_v find_v let_v we_o my_o belove_a brethren_n who_o be_v entrust_v also_o with_o the_o care_n of_o soul_n by_o the_o great_a shepherd_n and_o bishop_n of_o our_o soul_n blush_v to_o think_v how_o far_o short_a we_o fall_v of_o this_o example_n let_v this_o inspire_v we_o with_o a_o flame_a love_n and_o zeal_n for_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n for_o who_o christ_n die_v and_o make_v we_o at_o least_o content_v to_o deny_v ourselves_o some_o of_o the_o ease_n and_o security_n and_o pleasure_n of_o life_n to_o serve_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n which_o he_o have_v purchase_v with_o his_o own_o blood_n but_o to_o keep_v myself_o within_o some_o bound_n i_o shall_v brief_o discourse_n on_o these_o two_o head_n which_o be_v very_o proper_a for_o this_o occasion_n and_o very_o proper_a to_o my_o text._n first_o the_o great_a reward_n of_o faithful_a pastor_n and_o minister_n of_o christ_n and_o how_o much_o it_o be_v for_o their_o advantage_n to_o be_v remove_v out_o of_o this_o world_n st._n paul_n be_v very_o sensible_a of_o this_o which_o make_v he_o desire_n to_o depart_v and_o to_o be_v with_o christ_n which_o be_v far_o better_a second_o how_o necessary_a the_o life_n of_o such_o man_n be_v to_o the_o church_n and_o what_o a_o great_a loss_n it_o be_v when_o god_n remove_v they_o out_o of_o it_o nevertheless_o to_o abide_v in_o the_o flesh_n be_v more_o needful_a for_o you_o 1._o let_v we_o then_o consider_v in_o the_o first_o place_n the_o great_a reward_n of_o the_o faithful_a minister_n of_o christ_n and_o how_o much_o it_o be_v for_o their_o advantage_n to_o depart_v and_o to_o be_v with_o christ._n now_o i_o do_v not_o here_o intend_v a_o comparison_n between_o heaven_n and_o earth_n good_a god_n what_o different_a thing_n be_v these_o and_o what_o christian_a doubt_n whether_o heaven_n be_v a_o happy_a place_n than_o this_o world_n heaven_n whither_o no_o trouble_n or_o sorrow_n can_v follow_v we_o no_o persecute_v sword_n no_o persecute_v tongue_n where_o we_o shall_v be_v deliver_v from_o all_o the_o want_v necessity_n and_o infirmity_n of_o the_o body_n from_o hunger_n and_o cold_a and_o nakedness_n from_o wrack_a pain_n and_o languish_a sickness_n where_o there_o be_v eternal_a ease_n and_o rest_n and_o joy_n without_o labour_n without_o discontent_n without_o quarrel_n where_o our_o soul_n shall_v be_v perfect_v in_o knowledge_n and_o in_o love_n where_o we_o shall_v dwell_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n see_v he_o as_o he_o be_v and_o know_v he_o even_o as_o we_o be_v know_v where_o
we_o shall_v dwell_v with_o christ_n adore_v his_o love_n behold_v his_o glory_n and_o be_v transform_v ourselves_o into_o the_o likeness_n and_o image_n of_o his_o glory_n we_o have_v but_o obscure_v imperfect_a conception_n of_o these_o thing_n now_o heaven_n will_v outdo_v our_o high_a expectation_n as_o much_o as_o the_o most_o perfect_a state_n of_o happiness_n in_o this_o world_n always_o fall_v short_a of_o what_o we_o expect_v and_o this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o all_o good_a man_n it_o be_v a_o mighty_a happy_a change_n they_o make_v when_o they_o remove_v from_o earth_n to_o heaven_n but_o there_o be_v different_a degree_n of_o glory_n in_o the_o next_o world_n proportion_v not_o only_o to_o our_o different_a attainment_n in_o virtue_n but_o to_o those_o different_a trust_n and_o service_n which_o we_o have_v be_v employ_v in_o and_o have_v faithful_o discharge_v here_o we_o read_v of_o the_o reward_n of_o a_o prophet_n that_o he_o who_o give_v a_o cup_n of_o cold_a water_n to_o a_o prophet_n in_o the_o name_n of_o a_o prophet_n shall_v have_v a_o prophet_n reward_n which_o must_v signify_v some_o peculiar_a reward_n that_o shall_v be_v bestow_v on_o prophet_n we_o know_v so_o little_a of_o the_o other_o world_n that_o we_o can_v conceive_v what_o these_o different_a reward_n shall_v be_v the_o prophet_n daniel_n represent_v it_o by_o a_o external_a glory_n 12_o dan._n 3._o and_o they_o that_o be_v wise_a shall_v shine_v as_o the_o brightness_n of_o the_o firmament_n and_o they_o that_o turn_v many_o to_o righteousness_n as_o the_o star_n for_o ever_o and_o ever_o but_o our_o saviour_n represent_v this_o by_o a_o different_a degree_n of_o rule_n and_o empire_n 12_o luke_n 42._o 43_o 44._o and_o the_o lord_n say_v who_o then_o be_v that_o faithful_a and_o wise_a steward_n who_o his_o lord_n shall_v make_v ruler_n over_o his_o household_n to_o give_v they_o their_o meat_n in_o due_a season_n this_o be_v the_o honourable_a character_n of_o gospel_n minister_n in_o this_o world_n that_o they_o be_v ruler_n in_o god_n household_n to_o instruct_v and_o feed_v they_o with_o the_o word_n of_o life_n and_o their_o reward_n be_v proportion_v to_o their_o work_n blessed_n be_v that_o servant_n who_o his_o lord_n when_o he_o come_v shall_v find_v so_o do_v of_o a_o truth_n i_o say_v unto_o you_o that_o he_o will_v make_v he_o ruler_n over_o all_o that_o he_o have_v what_o this_o rule_n signify_v in_o the_o other_o world_n be_v a_o mystery_n to_o we_o especial_o since_o we_o have_v fancy_v the_o other_o world_n to_o be_v only_o a_o state_n of_o contemplation_n not_o of_o action_n where_o we_o shall_v have_v nothing_o to_o do_v but_o to_o see_v god_n and_o to_o love_n and_o to_o praise_v he_o but_o no_o service_n to_o do_v for_o he_o but_o we_o know_v there_o be_v different_a order_n of_o angel_n who_o be_v employ_v in_o great_a trust_n and_o office_n arch-angel_n angel_n throne_n dominion_n principality_n and_o power_n which_o be_v name_n of_o rule_n and_o government_n though_o we_o know_v not_o what_o their_o power_n and_o authority_n be_v nor_o how_o they_o govern_v in_o like_a manner_n our_o saviour_n promise_v his_o apostle_n very_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o that_o you_o which_o have_v follow_v i_o in_o the_o regeneration_n when_o the_o son_n of_o man_n shall_v sit_v on_o the_o throne_n of_o his_o glory_n you_o also_o shall_v sit_v upon_o twelve_o throne_n judge_v the_o twelve_o tribe_n of_o israel_n 19_o matth._n 28._o the_o like_a we_o may_v see_v in_o the_o parable_n of_o the_o pound_n and_o talent_n he_o who_o have_v gain_v ten_o pound_n have_v rule_n over_o ten_o city_n and_o he_o who_o gain_v five_o pound_n have_v rule_n over_o five_o city_n for_o these_o servant_n to_o who_o the_o lord_n give_v these_o pound_n and_o talent_n to_o improve_v plain_o signify_v his_o steward_n and_o the_o minister_n of_o his_o spiritual_a kingdom_n for_o no_o other_o person_n have_v in_o so_o peculiar_a a_o manner_n this_o honourable_a character_n of_o the_o servant_n of_o christ_n throughout_o the_o gospel_n and_o if_o there_o be_v order_n and_o government_n among_o the_o angel_n themselves_o why_o shall_v we_o think_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o like_o this_o among_o glorify_a saint_n if_o angel_n be_v the_o minister_n of_o god_n there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o think_v that_o heaven_n be_v a_o state_n of_o mere_a rest_n and_o contemplation_n especial_o when_o happiness_n consist_v in_o action_n and_o if_o christ_n have_v any_o minister_n of_o his_o spiritual_a kingdom_n in_o the_o next_o world_n it_o be_v most_o reasonable_a to_o think_v that_o those_o shall_v have_v the_o great_a authority_n and_o be_v employ_v in_o the_o noble_a service_n who_o have_v be_v his_o faithful_a steward_n and_o minister_n in_o this_o world_n for_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n and_o in_o heaven_n be_v the_o same_o church_n though_o their_o state_n be_v very_o different_a and_o therefore_o they_o do_v not_o lose_v their_o relation_n to_o christ_n nor_o their_o station_n in_o his_o church_n by_o remove_v to_o heaven_n it_o be_v a_o sacerdotal_a kingdom_n our_o high_a priest_n be_v king_n and_o therefore_o a_o priest_n of_o jesus_n how_o mean_a soever_o this_o be_v think_v now_o will_v be_v one_o of_o the_o high_a character_n in_o heaven_n what_o the_o happiness_n of_o this_o be_v we_o can_v tell_v but_o we_o know_v that_o there_o be_v no_o empty_a title_n in_o heaven_n but_o every_o degree_n of_o dignity_n there_o signify_v a_o peculiar_a degree_n of_o happiness_n and_o what_o a_o advantageous_a exchange_n than_o be_v it_o for_o a_o faithful_a minister_n of_o jesus_n to_o be_v remove_v from_o earth_n to_o heaven_n for_o let_v we_o consider_v what_o the_o state_n of_o christ_n minister_n be_v in_o this_o world_n what_o it_o be_v in_o st._n paul_n '_o s_z day_n he_o tell_v we_o 2_o cor._n 6._o 4_o 10._o in_o all_o thing_n approve_v ourselves_o as_o the_o minister_n of_o god_n in_o much_o patience_n in_o affliction_n in_o necessity_n in_o distress_n in_o stripe_n in_o imprisonment_n in_o tumult_n in_o labour_n in_o watch_n in_o fast_v by_o pureness_n by_o knowledge_n by_o long_a suffering_n by_o kindness_n by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n by_o love_n unfeigned_a by_o the_o word_n of_o truth_n by_o the_o power_n of_o god_n by_o the_o armour_n of_o righteousness_n on_o the_o right_a hand_n and_o on_o the_o left_a by_o honour_n and_o dishonour_n by_o evil_a report_n and_o good_a report_n as_o deceiver_n and_o yet_o true_a as_o unknown_a and_o yet_o well_o know_v as_o die_v and_o behold_v we_o live_v as_o chastened_a and_o not_o kill_v as_o sorrowful_a yet_o always_o rejoice_v as_o poor_a yet_o make_v many_o rich_a as_o have_v nothing_o and_o yet_o possess_v all_o thing_n which_o describe_v a_o most_o laborious_a life_n a_o scene_n of_o want_n of_o difficulty_n of_o suffering_n a_o perpetual_a exercise_n of_o passive_a virtue_n to_o reconcile_v the_o most_o appear_a contradiction_n to_o live_v and_o struggle_v and_o contend_v in_o this_o world_n and_o to_o fetch_v their_o comfort_n and_o support_v from_o heaven_n this_o indeed_o be_v not_o always_o the_o state_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n nor_o of_o the_o minister_n of_o it_o but_o yet_o in_o the_o great_a external_a prosperity_n of_o the_o church_n the_o minister_n of_o religion_n who_o discharge_v their_o trust_n with_o diligence_n and_o faithfulness_n find_v many_o difficulty_n to_o encounter_v the_o care_n of_o man_n soul_n be_v itself_o a_o mighty_a trust_n and_o who_o be_v sufficient_a for_o these_o thing_n consider_v but_o the_o charge_n st._n paul_n give_v to_o timothy_n 1_o epist._n 4._o 11_o etc._n etc._n let_v no_o man_n despise_v thy_o youth_n but_o be_v thou_o a_o example_n of_o the_o believer_n in_o word_n in_o conversation_n in_o charity_n in_o spirit_n in_o faith_n in_o purity_n give_v attendance_n to_o read_v to_o exhortation_n to_o doctrine_n neglect_v not_o the_o gift_n that_o be_v in_o thou_o which_o be_v give_v thou_o by_o prophecy_n by_o lay_v on_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o presbytery_n meditate_v upon_o these_o thing_n give_v thyself_o whole_o to_o they_o that_o thy_o profit_v may_v appear_v to_o all_o take_v heed_n to_o thyself_o and_o to_o thy_o doctrine_n continue_v in_o they_o for_o in_o do_v this_o thou_o shall_v both_o save_v thyself_o and_o then_o that_o hear_v thou_o here_o be_v work_n enough_o to_o employ_v the_o whole_a man_n and_o our_o utmost_a care_n and_o diligence_n and_o prudence_n work_v for_o the_o study_n for_o the_o closet_n for_o the_o pulpit_n as_o the_o same_o apostle_n exhort_v and_o charge_v timothy_n to_o preach_v the_o word_n to_o be_v instant_a in_o season_n out_o of_o season_n to_o reprove_v rebuke_n exhort_v with_o all_o long-suffering_a and_o doctrine_n 2_o tim_n 4._o 2._o but_o yet_o though_o there_o be_v
labour_n and_o diligence_n in_o this_o it_o will_v be_v a_o delightful_a work_n be_v our_o labour_n always_o bless_v with_o success_n can_v we_o rescue_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n from_o the_o dominion_n of_o their_o lust_n and_o from_o the_o power_n of_o the_o devil_n can_v we_o turn_v they_o from_o darkness_n to_o light_n and_o from_o the_o power_n of_o satan_n unto_o god_n but_o we_o must_v often_o expect_v to_o labour_v all_o might_n and_o catch_v nothing_o we_o must_v contend_v with_o the_o lust_n and_o vice_n of_o man_n must_v bear_v their_o folly_n their_o frowardness_n their_o reproach_n and_o censure_n and_o injury_n be_v thought_n troublesome_n pragmatical_a and_o busybody_n for_o our_o charitable_a exhortation_n and_o reproof_n and_o watchfulness_n over_o their_o soul_n and_o when_o the_o church_n be_v at_o ease_n and_o rest_n from_o without_o how_o often_o be_v it_o rend_v and_o tear_v in_o piece_n with_o schism_n and_o heresy_n as_o st._n paul_n forewarn_v timothy_n the_o time_n will_v come_v when_o they_o will_v not_o endure_v sound_a doctrine_n but_o after_o their_o own_o lust_n shall_v they_o heap_v to_o themselves_o teacher_n have_v itch_a ear_n and_o they_o shall_v turn_v away_o their_o ear_n from_o the_o truth_n and_o be_v turn_v unto_o fable_n 3_o 4._o ver_fw-la and_o what_o infinite_a labour_n and_o difficulty_n do_v this_o create_v to_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o heal_v the_o breach_n of_o the_o church_n to_o confute_v heresy_n atheism_n infidelity_n and_o to_o be_v scorn_v and_o persecute_v for_o it_o with_o a_o bitter_a rage_n and_o zeal_n that_o st._n paul_n may_v well_o add_v but_o watch_v thou_o in_o all_o thing_n endure_v affliction_n do_v the_o work_n of_o a_o evangelist_n make_v full_a proof_n of_o thy_o ministry_n 5_o verse_n we_o ought_v not_o indeed_o to_o be_v discourage_v by_o such_o difficulty_n as_o these_o because_o our_o reward_n will_v be_v great_a in_o heaven_n but_o it_o will_v be_v a_o happy_a day_n when_o our_o warfare_n shall_v be_v accomplish_v when_o we_o shall_v cease_v from_o our_o labour_n and_o our_o work_n shall_v follow_v we_o when_o we_o can_v say_v with_o st._n paul_n i_o have_v fight_v a_o good_a fight_n i_o finish_v my_o course_n i_o have_v keep_v the_o faith_n henceforth_o there_o be_v lay_v up_o for_o i_o a_o crown_n of_o righteousness_n 2._o thus_o to_o die_v be_v their_o gain_n nevertheless_o it_o be_v more_o needful_a for_o the_o church_n that_o they_o shall_v abide_v in_o the_o flesh_n and_o a_o great_a loss_n it_o be_v to_o the_o church_n when_o they_o die_v i_o need_v not_o use_v many_o word_n about_o this_o for_o the_o case_n be_v plain_a the_o death_n of_o every_o good_a man_n who_o be_v very_o useful_a to_o the_o world_n in_o what_o way_n soever_o he_o be_v useful_a be_v a_o very_a great_a loss_n for_o death_n put_v a_o end_n to_o his_o do_v any_o more_o good_a in_o this_o world_n but_o as_o to_o take_v care_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n be_v to_o do_v the_o great_a good_a to_o mankind_n because_o the_o happiness_n of_o our_o soul_n be_v of_o the_o great_a concernment_n to_o we_o so_o to_o lose_v a_o faithful_a and_o a_o prudent_a guide_n must_v be_v the_o great_a loss_n we_o indeed_o of_o this_o church_n have_v great_a reason_n to_o bless_v god_n that_o he_o have_v send_v forth_o so_o many_o able_a and_o painful_a labourer_n into_o his_o harvest_n that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o loss_n of_o every_o good_a man_n that_o can_v much_o affect_v we_o at_o ordinary_a time_n for_o there_o be_v great_a number_n of_o wise_a and_o good_a man_n to_o perpetuate_v a_o succession_n of_o able_a and_o faithful_a guide_n but_o a_o st._n paul_n be_v at_o any_o time_n and_o in_o any_o age_n of_o the_o church_n a_o great_a loss_n nay_o man_n who_o be_v much_o inferior_a to_o st._n paul_n but_o yet_o fit_v with_o peculiar_a ability_n to_o serve_v the_o church_n at_o some_o certain_a season_n and_o in_o some_o difficult_a circumstance_n be_v a_o very_a sensible_a loss_n at_o such_o a_o time_n when_o their_o service_n be_v most_o needful_a a_o man_n of_o council_n and_o conduct_n who_o be_v fit_a to_o sit_v at_o the_o helm_n and_o know_v how_o to_o steer_v in_o a_o storm_n be_v a_o great_a loss_n in_o time_n of_o difficulty_n and_o trouble_v when_o the_o church_n be_v assault_v on_o all_o hand_n and_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o avoid_v one_o mischief_n or_o inconvenience_n without_o run_v into_o another_o a_o man_n of_o goodness_n and_o temper_n who_o know_v how_o to_o govern_v his_o own_o passion_n and_o how_o to_o soften_v and_o manage_v the_o passion_n of_o other_o man_n be_v a_o very_a sensible_a loss_n when_o the_o passion_n of_o man_n be_v break_v loose_a and_o disturb_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n and_o even_o threaten_v the_o ruin_n of_o it_o a_o man_n of_o learning_n and_o sound_a judgement_n who_o can_v distinguish_v between_o truth_n and_o error_n in_o all_o its_o most_o artificial_a and_o flatter_a disguise_n be_v a_o great_a loss_n when_o old_a error_n be_v revive_v and_o new_a one_o broach_v when_o we_o must_v dispute_v over_o again_o the_o very_a be_v of_o a_o god_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o article_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n a_o man_n of_o great_a diligence_n and_o industry_n courage_n and_o resolution_n to_o defend_v the_o truth_n to_o oppose_v heresy_n and_o schism_n to_o preserve_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o integrity_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v a_o very_a great_a loss_n when_o the_o church_n be_v encompass_v and_o assault_v with_o busy_a and_o restless_a enemy_n a_o man_n of_o a_o exemplary_a life_n and_o untainted_a virtue_n who_o shine_v like_o a_o light_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o a_o crooked_a and_o perverse_a generation_n who_o maintain_v the_o decline_a honour_n and_o repuration_n of_o religion_n and_o true_a virtue_n be_v a_o mighty_a loss_n in_o a_o profligate_v age_n when_o man_n be_v grow_v such_o stranger_n to_o the_o sincere_a practice_n of_o virtue_n and_o religion_n that_o they_o begin_v to_o think_v there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n but_o i_o can_v go_v on_o no_o far_a the_o very_a mention_v of_o these_o thing_n bring_v the_o fresh_a idea_n of_o our_o decease_a brother_n to_o mind_n and_o the_o afflict_a sense_n of_o that_o great_a loss_n which_o we_o suffer_v by_o his_o death_n it_o become_v we_o to_o reverence_n and_o adore_v the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n even_o when_o we_o can_v understand_v the_o reason_n of_o it_o we_o be_v certain_a god_n be_v never_o want_v in_o his_o care_n of_o his_o church_n and_o yet_o have_v we_o be_v make_v judge_n of_o this_o case_n we_o shall_v have_v think_v it_o a_o very_a ill_a time_n to_o have_v spare_v he_o he_o be_v abundant_o furnish_v with_o all_o good_a learning_n both_o for_o use_v and_o ornament_n he_o be_v a_o accomplish_a scholar_n and_o a_o well_o study_v divine_a he_o know_v book_n and_o read_v they_o and_o judge_v of_o they_o he_o be_v a_o scribe_n instruct_v unto_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n who_o like_o a_o housholder_n can_v bring_v forth_o out_o of_o his_o treasure_n thing_n new_a and_o old_a 13_o matth._n 52._o he_o have_v careful_o peruse_v the_o ancient_a philosopher_n orator_n and_o poet_n to_o discover_v what_o nature_n teach_v which_o give_v he_o a_o true_a knowledge_n and_o great_a value_n for_o the_o excellency_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o gospel-revelation_n he_o have_v true_a and_o clear_a notion_n of_o religion_n and_o he_o be_v master_n of_o they_o he_o know_v why_o he_o believe_v any_o thing_n and_o be_v neither_o prejudice_v nor_o impose_v on_o by_o popular_a opinion_n he_o be_v a_o hearty_a and_o zealous_o assertor_n of_o the_o doctrine_n worship_n government_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n he_o see_v nothing_o material_a which_o can_v be_v change_v for_o the_o better_a which_o make_v he_o jealous_a of_o innovation_n as_o not_o know_v where_o they_o will_v end_v he_o be_v a_o friend_n to_o all_o sincere_a christian_n pity_v their_o mistake_v and_o bear_v with_o their_o frowardness_n but_o do_v not_o think_v that_o christian_a charity_n require_v he_o to_o sacrifice_v truth_n or_o good_a order_n and_o government_n to_o the_o pretence_n of_o peace_n and_o unity_n he_o be_v for_o several_a year_n a_o very_a diligent_a and_o constant_a preacher_n to_o a_o numerous_a auditory_a till_o his_o own_o diocesan_n who_o know_v his_o worth_n and_o the_o weakness_n of_o his_o constitution_n and_o be_v desirous_a to_o preserve_v he_o for_o the_o service_n of_o the_o church_n provide_v this_o place_n where_o we_o now_o be_v for_o his_o ease_n and_o health_n and_o retirement_n where_o he_o live_v many_o year_n a_o constant_a preacher_n though_o his_o labour_n be_v then_o divide_v