FUNERALS OF A RIGHT REVEREND FATHER IN GOD PATRICK FORBES OF CORSE BISHOP OF ABERDENE 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 REVERENDISSIMI IN CHRISTO PATRIS PATRICII FORBESII A CORSE EPISCOPI ABREDONIENSIS TVMVLVS A multis omnium ordinum collachrymantibus variegato opere exornatus PROV X. 7 The memorie of the Iust is blessed Hieronym Epist. ad Pammachium quae incipit Senato vulneri Plus sensimus quod habuimus postquam habere desivimus ABERDENE Imprinted by Edward Raban 1635. INDEX SERMONVM Aliorumque opusculorum quae funebri hoc libro continentur A TABLE Of the Sermons and other Wrytinges contayned in this Funerall Booke PATRICII Episcopi Effigies cum diebus nativitatis obitus tempore ac loco sepulturae inscriptione marmoris sepulchralis A Dedicatorie commendation of the Worke and of the deceassed Patrick Forbes late Bishop of Aberdene with some Funerall poesies by Master David Lindsay Person of Belhelvie and Moderator of the Presbyterie of Aberdene Arthuri Iohnstoni M. D. Medici Regii Epigramma de hoc Tumulo Ioannis Lundini Carmen dedicatorium in commendationem totius libri A Funerall Sermon preached by Doctor Robert Baron pag. 1 A Funerall Speach by Doctor Alexander Scrogie 58 A Sermon Funerall by Doctor William Guild 69 A Sermon intytled Holinesse to the LORD by Doctor Iames Sibbald 94 A Consolatorie Sermon by Doctor Alexander Rosse 149 Some Letters with some other Monuments concerning the Godlie entrie of PATRICKE FORBES of CORSE to ihe Bishopricke of ABERDENE and his happie government and blessed departure to Coelestiall joye viz. A Letter of King IAMES of glorious memorieâ— to the Arch-Bishops and Bishops of Scotland 178 Letter of the Arch-Bishops and Bishops of Scotland to PATRICKE FORBES Laird of Corse 179 The Arch-Bishop of S. Andrewes to Master Thomas Mitchell 181 The same Arch-Bishop to the Laird of Corse 182 The Laird of Corse to Master Thomas Mitchell 183. and 184 The Ministers of the Diocesse of Aberdene to PATRICKE FORBES Laird of Corse 185 Certificatio D. PATRICIO FORBES de Corse in Episcopatum Aberdon electo 186 Pricuratorium ad exhibendam certificationem de electione Episcopi 189 Diploma Regium de provisione PATRICII FORBESII Episcopi Aberdonensis 192 Letter of the Arch-Bishop of S. Andrewes to Master Thomas Mitchell 195 Instrument anent PATRICKE Bishop of Aberdene his admission to the said Bishopricke 196 Letter of a most Reverend Father in GOD Iohn Spotswood Arch-Bishop of S. Andrewes and primate of all Scotland to PATRICKE FORBES of Corse Bishop of Aberdene in the tyme of the said PATRICKS sicknesse 198 Letters to Iohn Forbes of Corse after his Father's decease written by the sayd Arch-Bishop now also Lord high Chancellour of the Kingdome of Scotland 199 And by the Right Reverend Fathers in GOD IOhn Guthrie Bishop of Murray 201 Thomas Sinsarffe then Bishop of Brechin now Bishop of Galloway 208 Iohn Maxvell Bishop of Rosse 210 Adam Ballendine Bishop of Aberdene 213 David Lindsay Bishop of Edenburgh 214 Advertisment to the Reader 215 Pars Epistolae Magistri Ioannis Setoni ad Adamum Episcopum ABERDONIENSEM Ibidem Davidis Leochaei Oratio Funebris in obitum PATRICII FORBESII Episcopi Aberdoniensis 217 IOANNIS FORBESII Filii Sermo Funebris Consolatorius 235 Ejusdem Metrum Consolatorium 295 Ejusdem dissertatio de Visione Beatifica 296 Sequuntur Epitaphia quaedam Metrica quorum Auctores sunt RObertus Gordonus 326 Iacobus Sandilandius 331 Andreas Ramsaeus 332 Patricius Panterus 334 Georgius Wishartus 336 Gulielmus Leflaeus 343 Arthurus Iohnstonus 344 Gulielmus Iohnstonus 346 Gulielmus Gordonus 347 Robertus Magnus 352 Ninianus Campbellus 354 Robertus Watsonus 359 David Leochaeus 360 Ioannes Lundinus 370 414 David Wedderburnus 373 Gulielmus Wallas 374 Robertus Dounaens 375 Ioannes Armour 377 Alexander Gardenus 381 Ioannes Raius 382 Thomas Wallas 383 Ioannes Hammiltonius 388 Gulielmus Lauderus 389 Patricius Iamisonus 393 Iacobus Gordonus 395 421 Ioannes Kempaeus 396 Iacobus Keythus 397 423 Georgius Robertsonus 398 Ioannes Taylor 399 Alexander Dounaeus 401 Ioannes Forbesius 403 405 Sir Alexander Cummin 406 Patricke Maytlan 408 William Wishart 409 Thomas Mitchell 411 M. I. L. P. A. 417 Alexander Garden 418 Alexander Whyt 424 Iohn Iohnston 426 Edward Raban 428 FINIS PSAL. cx Dixit DOMINVS Domino meo Sede ad dextram Meam donec ponam inimicos tuos scabellum pedum tuorum Gregor part 1. Curae Pastorales Cap. 1. Ars est artium regimen animarum Psal. 37.37 Marke the perfect man and beholde the vpright for the ende of that man is peace Gregor Nazianz. Orat. 20. Que est funebris in Basilium magnum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 id est omnibus lex erat virtutis Vnto all hee was a Law of Vertue Natus est ad diem 24. Augusti Anno Domini 1564. Piè in Domino obdormivit sub horam tertiam matutinam in confinio noctis aurorae pridie Paschatis 28. Martii Anno Domini 1635. Sepultus est die nono Aprilis proximè sequuti in Templo Cathedrali Dioeceseos Aberdoniensis illic ubi duorum ejusdem quondam Sedis Antistitum videlicet Gavini Dumbari ad dextrum Davidis Cuningamii ad sinistrum PATRICII latus distinctis quidem ac separatis proximis tamen contiguis compositae monumentis reliquiae conquiescunt PATRICIVS FORBESIVS A COIRSE EPISCOPVS ABERDONENSIS ET CONSILIARIVS REGIVS Pectoris indicio data frons est quoeque profund Corde latent tacitis reddit imago notis Hoc vultu pietas probitas constantia candor Sinceri referunt archetypos animi R G sculp Marmori sepulchrali cum gentis familiae muneris insignibus incisa sunt haec verba 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Apoc. 7.10 Hic requescit vir incomparabilis fulgentissimum quondam Scotiae sidus PATRICIVS FORBESIVS Episcopus Aberdoniensis Rector prudentissimus Pastor Fidelissimus Praedicator eximius Scriptor egregius Consiliarius Regius Studii generalis Aberdoniensis Instaurator Cancellarius novae professionis Theologicae in eodem fundator Baro de Oneil Dominus à Corse Qui placidè ac pie obiit pridie Paschatis 28. Mart. Anno Dom. 1635. Aetat suae 71. Caetus Stella Sacri Pastorum Gemma Regentum Deliciae CORSAE Gloria Cura Poli. SALUS PER CHRISVUM NEMO TOLLAT QVI DEUM TIMET Benigne Lector postremorum hujus inscriptionis verborum hic sensus est Vâ— nemo hoc operimentum auferat neque ossa heati praesulis Patricii vel ejus cineres seu pulverem effodiaâ— ut alius ibi sepeliatur neque alium mortuum reliquâ—is ejus superinâ—iciat Nam eâ—si in casu extremae necessitatie hoc Elisâ—i reliquiis in sepulchro quiescentibus contigisse le gimue attamen haud vrgente ejusmodi necessitate inhumanum videtur mortuum super mortuum mittere ideoque id fierâ— Patres Antâ—siodorenses haud immeritò prohibuerunt Can. 15. Humandâ— igitur fidelum reliquiis spatia laxanda sunt ut loquitur Ambrosius lib. 2. de
Ioanne Walker Rectore de Kinkell Testibus ad Praemissa vocatis et requifitis Ita est Georgius Mercer Notarius Publicus in Praemiss rogatus requisitus ad haec manu propria Ita est Thomas Davidson Notarius Publicus ac Testis in Praemissis ad haec rogatus requisitus manu propria Letter of a most Reverende Father in GOD Iohn Spotswood Arch-bishop of Saynct-Andrewes To Patrick Forbes of Corse Bishop of Aberdene in the tyme of the sayd Patrick's sicknesse To my verie Reverend good Lord and Brother My Lord the Bishop of Aberdene My Reverend good Lord and Brother I Never thinke of your Lordship nor haue occasion to wryte but my griefe encreaseth for want of your L. assistance and counsell in these necessarie tymes for our Church But wee must submit our selues to the will of GOD which I pray may bee done by vs patientlie and willinglie The Chancellar came this morning to me in Leith c. I rest with my Prayer to GOD for your L. Leith 16 May 1633. Your L. most assured Brother SAYNCT-ANDREWES Letter of a most Reverend Father in GOD and most honourable Lord Iohn Spotswood Arch-bishop of Saynct-Andrewes Primate and Lord high Chancellar of Scotland To Doctor Iohn Forbes of Corse vpon the report of the Godlie death of his Father Patrick Forbes of Corse late Bishop of Aberdene To my Reverend and loving Brother Doctor Iohn Forbes of Corse MOST DEARE BROTHER IF it bee true which is commonlie sayd and I verilie belieue that great sorrowes are lessened when others partake of the same then may your griefe bee much eased considering the numbers that beare a part with you in this great losse In so necessarie a tyme to bee bereaved of such Counsell and Comfort as GOD had furnished him with I meane your worthie Father for the directing of some and strengthening of others I know not what it portendeth to our Church When Bishop Elphinstone the Founder of your Colledge was layde in Graue the tradition is that a voyce was heard cry Tecum Gulielme Mitra sepelienda and that the Pastorall Staffe brake in pieces Hee was certaynlie an excellent man and I may truely say since him vnto your Father there arose not the lyke in that Church What say I in that Church Everie man can speake of that hee hath knowne and seene and for my selfe I speake trueth So wyse judicious so graue and gracefull a Pastor I haue not known in all â—ny tyme in anie Church Not to speake of his learning in all sortes of Divinitie of his prudencie in Church-governement of his solid advysses in matters of State or of the manie gracious conferences I haue had with him in private I shall never forget the answere hee gaue to some Brethren who desired of vs a Letter to his Majestie for dispensing with their obedience to the order praescribed in the ministration of the holie Sacrament when all had consented to wryte as they desired And Will you sayd he justifie the doctrine of these men who haue called the reverend gesture which we vse Idolatrie raysed such a schisme in our Church Till they bee brought publicklie to confesse their Errour or Heresie rather I shall never bee yeelding for my part It was before indifferent nowe I esteeme it necessarie in regard of the false opinions they haue dispersed to retayne constantlie the forme wee haue receaved With such a zeale and courage did hee in that matter expresse himselfe as they that made the motion were strickeÌ„ dumbe Surelie I my selfe that never behelde him without reverence did heare him that day with wonder To remember these things it doubleth my sorrow But hee was come to yeares and this Age not worthie to enjoye him anie longer Let mee say this without flattrie Our losses are some way recompensed in your selfe GOD hath given you both Grace and Learning and the expectation is great which the Church hath of you Goe on therefore and bee comforted Nothing in lyfe I coÌ„fesse hath troubled my selfe so much as the death of them I loved the death of your worthy Father in particular But wee must yeeld to that Great Ruler and knowe that Hee disposeth most wyselie both of persons and of thinges Hee is gone from vs to a better Societie vnto which I wish wee may all bee gathered in GOD His good tyme. I rest Dairsie the 2. of Aprill 16â—5 Your faythfull and assured Brother SAYNCT-ANDREWES Letter of a right Reverende Father in GOD Iohn Guthrie Bishop of Murray to Iohn Forbes of Corse in recordation of his Father Patrick Forbes of Corse late Bishop of Aberdene To my Reverend and deare Brother Iohn Forbes of Corse Doctor in Divinitie REVEREND AND DEARE BROTHER THE tydinges of the departure of your most Reverend Father put a sore knell to my heart and doubtlesse that wound had gone deeper if with Iob the thing that I was afrayde of had not come vnto mee At my last loosing from him which yee remeÌ„ber was fewe days or rather houres before his dissolution I had no small wrastling in my Breast betwixt Ioye and Griefe Griefe I say and no wonder beeing to parte from One who was to mee in place of manie and see his face no more Yet had I beene vnthankfull to GOD and vnduetifull to him with whose soule my soule was so nearlie knit if I had not rejoiced in that grace of GOD which I saw so aboundantlie in him made manifest by the gracious speaches which at that tyme dropped froÌ„ his lips These two evills which haue bene accustomed in extremities to affect the strongest moved him not at all not acerbitas doloris Sleepe had departed from his eyes appetite to meat or drinke was gone thus nature had fayled Medicine could no more worke yet all so patientlie endured yea so kyndlie and graciouslie accepted as was wonderfull Neither did the feare of Death which is omnium terribilium terribilissimum vexe him Hee was not at that tyme to begin his acquaintance with It as he at that instant professed to our great comfort who heard him and therevpon called to mynde a memorable storie which he deduced at length to our great admiration Death was become familiar to him and esteemed to bee in lucro He was not as a tree hewen down by violence but as a sheafe of corne comming in due season into the barne Having served his Master aboue 70 years hee could say with Hilarion Egredere anima mea quâ—modo mortem formidabo quae me meo creatori sit redditâ—ra What the renowned Arch-bishop of Canterburie Lanfranck prayed often for That hee might die such a death as hindered not his speach was granted to your most Reverend Father more having his speach articulate and distinct as ever memorie and judgement aboue all that could haue bene expected His last trust to me which was his greatest care on earth coÌ„cerning the filling of that Sea with a man furnished as the necessitie both of tyme place requyreth
Light our State may now bemoane Our Common-wealth her Atlas wants Relligion a sonne His blood amongst the best as borne so was Hee bred But what were those if grace divine had not Dame Nature clad If Learning joyn'd with Wit if Grace with Gravitie If prudent carriage bee in pryce if matchlesse Modestie Then in a word I vow if Vertue lodg'd below Hee was the worthiest wight for one my selfe did ever know Full fourtie yeares and fyue his course of lyfe I kende O let mee liue his holie lyfe and make his happie ende 3. SONG STâ—rne Death now doe thy best or worst and spare not For thee and all thy dreadfull Darts I care not I stand not for thy fead or friendship eyther Short since thou slew my Sonne and now my Father And tho my selfe thou kill thou 'lt not devoure mee I hope to follow them who went before mee Tho for a space thou soule and bodie sever In spyte of thee this Sainct shall liue for ever Whiles hee was heere Nature and Grace contended Whose hee should bee they both their forces bended His vertues liue and shall doe what thou may To his great glore shall after Ages say Loe here intomb'd this marble stone lyeth vnder Wits high Perfection and our Ages wonder Mr THOMAS MICHELL Person of Turreff Sacrat To the Immortall Memorie of that Reverend Father in GOD PATRICKE FORBES By the Mercie of GOD Bishop of Aberdene Lord of his Majesties Secret Counsell Chanceller and Restorer of the Universitie Laird of Corse and Baron of Oneill LYke as in May the countrey Sheep-herdling Pulling the paynted Beauties of the Spring Doubts with her selfe whether to make her chose The Pansey Lillie Violet or Rose The yealow red the purple greene the blew Or thousand-thousands of some other hew Even so my Muse when as her selfe shee rayses And bends her selfe to poynt our Prelates Prayses This Field such rare things offers to her view That mute shee stands and bids her Taske Adieu His various Vertues muster in such store Aboundance straynes her more than Want before For neyther Zeuxes nor Apolles can Paynt the perfections of so rare a Man His Majestie his Port his Court his Grace Did liuelie portray foorth his Worth his Race As his Grand-fathers in our Civill Warres Wer formost formost eke in setling Iarres So hee in both did beautifie his Clan Formost in Peace in Warre a valiant Man As for his trueth in whyt let it bee paynted Which never time with spot or stayne once taynted His loue to Learning his delight in Arts Quickned the vigour of his naturall parts Both humane things and heavenly things he knew All thinges were subject to his Soule her viewe Lyke as an other Prelate sayd of late Hee knew not what it could bee to forget Even so from him was hid nothing at all Betwixt the moving and th'vnmoving Ball. This knowledge of the things created mov'd him To loue their Maker so who so had lov'd him That ravisht with His loue hee preacht His Name To his owne Servants much lyke Abraham Not lyke these Barons whose commoditie Makes vp their owne their servants pietie Who sheare their Flocks who slay them but to feed them Who scorne who care not how their Pastors leade them To come heare his wisdom meÌ„ did stryue Lyke Bees contesting for their honey hyue His House a Colledge was of Pietie A Compend of an Universitie Where sweete Ambrosia filde and never cloyed And blest all those that this sweete foode enjoyed Where who were given to vertuous contemplation Did finde a world of happie contentation Whence sprung that sparke which now succeeds his Syre The brighest laÌ„pe within the Scots Empyre Such Vertue Worth such Wit such Pietie Made Court and Church his Suters both to bee For Court and Church admiring both his fame The Court his counsell crav'd the Church the same Thus hee who rul'd his owne House so of late Did rule his Lords in the Cathedrall Seat And who of late gaue counsell in small things Became the Counsels Counsell Light of Kings The absence of this shyning Light hath made All faythfull Workers in Christs Vineyard sad And makes them all with watrie Eyes to pray That such a Light dispell their Clowds away The absence of this Light as one reported A faythfull man who then in Court resorted Did moue our Soveraygne so that oft hee sayd I know no Worthie worthie to succeede Through absence of this shyning Light wee see Th'eclipses of this Universitie Her Sunne 's gone downe and darkned is her Day Come Phosphor come come driue her clowds away Thus shortly with my countrey Sheep-herdling I pulled haue some Beauties of the Spring But while I looke vpon the Ground alone Pulling this houre mee thinks I pulled none The Field's replenisht as it was before And fragrant Odours wax aye more and more Mr IOHN LVNDINE Professor of Humanitie In the Universitie of ABERDENE In Honour of the Right Reverend FATHER IN GOD PATRICK FORBES Bishop of Aberdene Baron of Corse and Oneill one of his Majesties most Honourable privie Counsell c. IF all the Gifts that Nature could afford If all Perfection Arte could adde to Nature If in high Place to serue and not debord If good workes done what could a creature Could haue procur'd deaths respite or delayes Braue CORSE had past Methusala his dayes M. I. L. P. A. SACRAT To the Immortall and Blessed Memorie of that Honourable and Reverend Father PATRICKE Late Bishop of Aberdene Chancellar and Restorer of the Vniversitie there One of his Majesties most Honourable Privie Counsell c. Who departed this present lyfe vpon the 28 of March 1635. EPITAPH I. YOu sacrad Swans that in Shiloah swim And dip in Dew Divine your candid Quills Which Great IEHOVAH EL and ELOHIM In Silver Showrs and Lectean Streames distills From Sacred Sion and from Hermon Hills Lend me some lurid Lines and wofull Verse To honour this most Honour-worthies Herse Whose Concaue keepes inclosed and confynd The mortall Moold of a most matchlesse Man The Manor late of his immortall Mynd With all great gifts and Graces garnisht then Now in a Sege Coelestiall inshrynd Whose wondrous Worthinesse so playne appear'd That Wisdome wondred the World admir'd What Part perexcellent did anie Sperit Of his Condition Qualitie and Case Possesse expresse here practize and inherite But that this Great DIVINE with wondrous Grace And Pow'r-perswading proov'd in everie Place Most evidentlie exquisite and wyse Unparallell'd here PRELATE PATRICK lyes II. OUr holie HELIE is inhumed heere A pious Prelate prudent sans a Piere So soundlie sage so solid and sublime That Pennes vnpolisht never shall exprime So wyselie wyse wrought with the Word Divine That Faculties profound can not define Perfectlie polisht in the precious parts Of all the humane and the heavenlie Arts That perfect did if that Perfection can Heere bee immured in a mortall Man Who proov'd a Patterne to the Pastors all Conformlie that before
vpon these Thrones aboue Then let hope of this allay your cresses heere Lift vp your heades yee drouping Saincts for your releasse drawes neare I know Viators thinke their LORD makes long delay But with the weyght of endlesse blesse Hee 'll recompence His stay V. And art thou gone deare ghost C. Yes I haue stay'd too long For I must goe and beare my part of our triumphing Song Whereof I know one day yee shall sustaine your parts And sing the Praises of the Lambe with jubilating heartes Meane tyme present your selues with heaven erected eyes And recommend your faynting hearts your weakned hands knees To him whom GOD hath made Brabeutes of your host Hee heares your cryes Hee sees your teares not one of them is lost As wee haue joyfull proofe who are triumphers now The lyke estate vndoubtedlie Hee will vouchsafe on you Vnder the hope whereof I bid you all Goodnight Till yee enjoy what ye expect and Faith bee chang'd in sight ARTHURI IONSTONI M. D. MEDICI REGII EPIGRAMMA DE HOC TUMULO Quem Reverendissimo Patri PATRICIO FORBESIO IOANNIS FORBESII Filii pietas marmore aere perenniorem excitavit FORBESIOS hîc cerne duos sine compare patrem Et natum secli sidus utrumque sui Ante dedit vitam nato pater omine laeto Nunc patrem nati vivere cernis ope Plus meruit natus quam cepit clauditur aevo Quam dedit annorum limite vita caret Nobili Clarissimo ac Generoso Domino Domino IOANNI FORBESIO Domino à CORSE Baroni de ONEIL c. Universitatis Abredoniensis Rectori Magnifico S. S. Theologiae Doctori eximio ejusdemque in Academia Regia Professori dignissimo Musarum Abredonensium acerimo vindici ac protectori haec qualiacunque Oratoria Poetica variorum auctorum munuscula serio commendar IO. LVNDINVS in Academia Regia Humaniorâ—m Literarum Professor Facultatis Artium pro tempore Decanus MAgne Heros magni soboles generosa parentis Magna perantiquae spesque decusque domus Cui veterum assurgunt tituli juvenilibus annis A quo semidei nobilitantur avi Accipe quae sacrae mittunt tibi sacra Camaenae Accipe quae sacri praeses Apollo Chori Dona ferunt manibus nam sunt sua dona Poetis Parva licet magnis dona petenda Deis Hic laudes percurre tuas percurre tuorum Picta hic insigni laude trophaea feres Hic sua virtuti sua sunt hic praemia laudi Hic digesta leges fortia facta Patris Ut pia Pierides sic dulcia praelia miscent Arma parat Vates Rhetor arma parat Fervidus hic dubiis medius Mars errat in armis Stringit hic nivea tela Minerva manu Delius hic Clypeum laterique accommodat ensem Totaque Thespiadum saevit in arma Cohors Nulla prius traxit plures in praelia vates Palma triumphalis palma nec vlla trahet Quaeque suos confert pulchra in certamina vires Praestat officium quaeque Camaena suum Magnaque cum faciant se nil fecisse faâ—entur Maxima sunt meritis inferiora tuis Plura etiam nemo est qui se debere negabit Et majora animo vel magis aequa tuo Nostra vel imprimis quae jam sua rura Thalia Possidet auxiliis auspiciisque tuis Per te ruris opes mihi Mantua laeta ministrat Mantua sacrilegis nuper adempta Getis Hinc tibi serta parant sacrantque aeterna Camaenae Frigoribus nunquam depositura comam A SERMON Preached at the Funerall of the R. R. Father in GOD PATRICKE FORBES Late Lord Bishop of Aberdene In the Cathedrall Church of that Dioces the 9 of Aprill 1635 by ROBERT BARON Doctor and Professor of Divinitie and one of the Ministers of GOD'S Word in the Burgh of ABERDENE REVEL CHAP. xiiij VERS 13. Blessed are the dead which die in the LORD THis Sentence may justlie bee called an Heavenly Sentence and that not onlie in these generall respects for the which other passages of Scripture are so called but also for speciall causes or reasons For it was delivered to Saynct Iohn by a voyce from Heaven It telleth vs that perfect happinesse is not to be found in earth but in Heaven that none may exspect or attayne therevnto but these who liue and die in a League with Heaven and as it were in the armes in the bosome of the King of Heaven and that they can not come to it but by death which is to them Ianua Coeli the Gate of Heaven The LORD furnish vs at this tyme with a competent measure of heavenlie Grace and fill our souls with heavenlie thoughts that this our present exercyse may tende to the glorie of Him that dwelleth in the Heavens and to our benefit who exspect one day to see His glorious His beautifull and louelie Countenance there In this Sentence we haue onlie two things to consider to wit the persons of whom the Spirit of God here speaketh and the blessednesse attributed vnto them The persons who are the subject of this proposition are the godlie who haue departed this lyfe Yee haue a description of them in these words The dead who die in the Lord where by the dead wee must not with Ambrose and Alcazar vnderstand these who are spirituallie or misticallie dead to the world and to sinne neyther will we follow the phantasticall conceit of Aureolus who did vnderstand by the dead here spoken of these who by monastical vowes haue sequestrated themselues from the world and the ordinarie conversation of men But wee must here vnderstand these who are naturallie dead or whose souls are separated froÌ„ their bodies Neither must we limitate the subject of this proposition to those who were dead before S. Iohn heard this voyce in Pathmos as if blessednesse were here ascribed to them only others being excluded who were to die thereafter But the words of this propositioÌ„ must be vnderstood cum ampliatione terminorum as the Summulists call it that is they must be ampliated or extended to al differences of tyme. For the meaning of this sentence is not onlie that the dead who haue alreadie died in the Lord are blessed but also that these who hereafter shall die in the Lord shall by death attayne vnto perfect Happinesse and Blessednesse The description of the persons to whom Blessednesse is here attributed consisteth of a generall part coÌ„mon to all and of a particular part limitating this description to the Elect. To die is common to all it is the way of all the earth To die in the Lord is the way not of all but of some few or the last part of that narrow way which few doe finde And to this is another way opposite which is the way of manie even that broadway which leadeth to destruction in the which all doe walke who are not in Christ. So then if wee consider the generall part or the genus of this description together with the
That noble and valorous Earle ROBERT DEVEREUX Earle of ESSEX who suffred in the yeare 1601 for his rebellion and died verie Christianlie as Historicians report being desired by the Pastors who were present at his execution to laye aside all feare of death ingenuouslie confessed that although hee had beene in manie extreame daungers and consequentlie had looked death oft tymes in the face yet hee had never looked vpon it without much horrour and feare But our worthie Prelate was so wonderfullie assisted and strengthened by the Spirit of GOD agaynst the terrours of death that in all these conflictes and wrastlinges which in his bodie hee had with death hee seemed rather to bee a spectator than an actor And this his more than ordinarie carriage continued still with him vntill hee breathed out his Soule into the Bosome of his Master To conclude then I haue spoken somewhat of this most Reverende Praelate but much short of his worth graces If any of you think that I haue said too much of his vertues truelie I will professe to you that I thinke farre more of them nor I haue sayde neyther dare I speake all that I thinke lest my speaches seeme to these who know him not or loue him not to proceede from a flattering humour I will not say of him as VELLEIUS PATERCULUS sayde of SCIPIO AEMILIANUS that in all his lyfe hee neyther did nor spake nor thought anie thing but that which was prayse worthie a speach not hyperbolicke onlie but impious but as Metellus Macedonicus sayde of the same man to his sonnes when they were going to his Buriall Goe my sonnes and celebrate his Exequies you shall never see the Funeralls of a greater Citizen so I will saye nowe to you Goe celebrate the Funeralls of our Venerable and moste worthie Bishop you shall never see the Funeralls of a worthier Praelate whyle you liue And so I ende beseeching God to giue to vs all as hee gaue to him grace to liue in the LORD to the effect that we also may die in the LORD AMEN A FVNERALL SPEACH In commemoration of the right Reverend Father in GOD PATRICKE FORBES of CORSE late Bishop of ABERDENE Chancellour and Restorer of the Universitie thereof one of his Majesties most honorable Privy Counsel a jewell both of Church and State Baron of ONEIL c. Delivered Apr. 12. 1635. by ALEXANDER SCROGIE Doctor in Divinitie and ordinarie Minister of Gods word in the Cathedrall Church of ABERDENE THE beholding of this place over-shadowed with a darke and dolefull countenance vpon this vnacceptable occasion GOD so ordering and disposing the wayes of men by his providence giveth vs just cause of heavines for the losse of that Graue and Reverend Praelate and ever worthie Diocesane a Man of eminent and best place amongst vs whom albeit wee had cum necessitate amittendi and haue lost him cum spe recipiendi and so are comforted with the will of the LORD that must be done yet not to haue feeling of that which so nearlie concerneth vs were not patience but blockish stupiditie contrarie the example of Heathen and Sayncts and the Lord IESUS mourning for Lazarus the destruction of Hierusalem and hard heart of the Iewes This is a praecursorie judgement and punishment So God maketh a way for his judgementes to come vpon a Church or kingdome when insensiblie and graduallie hee eateth out the heart and strength of a State and so by degrees weakeneth and praepareth it for a fatall blow that so without resistance hee may ruine it as pyking out and taking away nowe a prudent and experienced Counsellour and then another out of the way and those that pray for the welfare of the Nation and wrastle mightilie with God for the peace of it the Charets and Horse-men of the land the staffe and the stay and pillars of the house and so by degrees departing himselfe a new judgement in his anger entereth in rowme thereof Then Trueth and Holinesse commonlie depart and Ministers begin to bee corrupt the Prophet is a foole and the spirituall man is mad the power and puritie of the trueth and the good and olde way departeth and so idolatrie groweth and Sects encrease and a perilous desolation and change of all things enseweth What mischiefe followed the death of Samuel David Salomon and Iosias The Gothes after the death of Ambrose made in that same place irruption and setled the seat of their kingdome When Augustine ended his dayes in defence of the grace of GOD the Vandales crueltie and errours succeeded And after the death of blessed Martin Luther the bloodie Spaniards invaded Germanie and tooke Wittenberg And shall wee not wit when GOD departeth but bee as Sampson GOD by death hath taken away within this short space a great number of rare and worthie men both for wisdome and learning which were Ornamentes and Lightes in this Diocie and wee see no great evidenes howe to fill vp this gap It is an ancient proverbe Vivorum oportet meminisse and why then should there not bee made an honourable mention of them who haue died in the Lord because they liue to God Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Sayncts and shall it seeme vnto vs superfluous at such tymes as these are to heare in what manner they ended their lyues he hath so exactly recorded in Scripture in what sort they haue closed their dayes on earth that hee descendeth even to their meanest actions as what meat they longed for in their sicknesse what they spake to their Children or Friendes howe they framed their Testamentes where they haue willed to bee buried yea the verie turning of their faces to this or that side the setting of their eyes the degrees whereby their naturall heate departed from them their cryes groanes breathinges panting and last gasping hee hath solemnlie commended to all generations And GOD by the Prophet hath for ever commended to the Church David his Epitaph and Funerall Song of wicked Saull and Ionathan his sonne He decoreth them as if God from Heaven had said that the Captaynes of the Armies of Israell should not bee convoyed to the graue without honour and teares And no lesse they who haue deserved well of the Church and Common-wealth who haue put to flight the enemies with the sword of their mouth and of the Spirit than they which haue slayne them with the mouth and edge of the Sword and by Armies God maketh an honourable commemoration of them that did assist his service and cause and giveth them their glorie that doe any thing for him Which Christ applyeth to the woman that anoynted him So that it is not onlie lawful but also profitable that the godlie lyfe manners and vertue manner and forme of the death of the faythfull servands of God worthie of aeternall prayse bee recommended to future ages that they may bee acquaynted therewith So the care of the
motus vniversa vocalia sint veritatem mente concipiat toto â—am habitu ornatu resonat So was hee learned in this learned Citie where there is the Seat of Learning wyse in ordering and governing GOD'S House faythfull impartiall and solid in judging discret in admonishing compassionate in correcting full of power and authoritie in censuring and rebuking to reduce the inordinate and when neede was to cutt off evill examples from the Flocke In dispatch of businesse speedie and with great dexteritie alwayes provident and carefull to advance the Gospell and paynfull even in the tyme of his sicknesse Without all carnall and base feare of men not bowed with boastes to betray the Church or daunted and discowraged from executing his office with great cowrage spirit resolutenesse of mynd contending with them that contended with God and fighting a good fight both in defence of the truth expugnation of heresies schisms and seditions brought in by adversaries And which is a speciall mark descerning a faithful Pastor from an hyreling who seekes his own things Hee was not given to filthie lucre but hating covetousnes all simoniacal practises all cunning covetous dealing not corrupted by brybes non erat manâ— porrecta ad accipiendum collecta ad dandum But in word and work benevolent charitable and hospital Not as Tacitus lib. 1. spake of Otho Opes perdere iste sciet donare nescit An honourable patterne of pietie and humanitie to all a lover and favourer of good men a comfort to the best a terrour and a wound to enemies and the worst inclyned And as Augustine spake of Cyprian Multi erat meriti multi pectoris multi oris multae virtutis In outward carriage and actions graue modest and constant procuring reverence of all that beheld him And which is especially worthie of mention and imitation he was sincere vpright being within what he seemed without Not as Tertullian saith of certain Philosophers Mimicè affectaÌ„t veritatem affectando corrumpunt For as Seneca says of Clemens Nemo potest diu personam fictam ferre But this integritie and constancie appeared in him vnto the ende it was not onlie a naturall inclination in him but a spirituall and gracious disposition At last being over-taken with a longsome and grievous disease which he did beare with his accustomed cowrage and constancie not vsing any word of impatience complaint or motion showing any discontent with God but with a quyet invinceable vndaunted heart as an immoveable Rocke â—phelde himselfe by Fayth and Hope resting in GOD his Saviour only lamenting his infirmitie in this That it vnabled him from the discharge of his Office as hee had done when Health lasted And yet in tyme of his weaknesse his Memorie and Senses beeing perfect hee caused carrie him diverse tymes both to the publicke meeting of the Ministerie and ordinarilie to the Church to the publicke worship of GOD vvhere hee was an attentiue and comfortable hearer And at last extremitie of sicknesse and death drawing neare hee was compelled to keepe home in Divine conference with all that visited him in speach jocund and pleasant vttering diverse Christian Apophthegmes before death often saying That hee had passed the halfe of death alreadie Pulchâ—a res est consummare vitam ante mortem vt mors pauca inveniat quae abolere possit And laying aside all other care hee composed himselfe whollie vnto that heavenlie lyfe and with that store of Comforts which hee had taught others prepared himselfe to death to yeeld his dayes peaceablie and with good resolution 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 VVherein hee shewe great contentment and willingnesse to die and change this lyfe with a better For hee knewe by his singular wisedome and pietie Nihil esse stultius quam ad praemia coelestia non obsequio voluntatis accurrere sed necessitatis vinculo invitum trahi And for his farther comfort receaved the holie SACRAMENT of the Bodie and Blood of the LORD IESUS CHRIST vvith great devotion in the companie and together with diverse Reverend and Godlie Men the Ministers of both the Townes vnto whom hee verie heartilie in token of his agreement and comfort hee had of their fellowship in his lyfe gaue his Blessing and recommended them vnto the Grace of GOD. After which strength and speach fayling hee gaue diverse tokens to them who were present of a mynde setled and established by Fayth and Hope in assurance of the Mercie of GOD in the remission of his sinnes And then the extremitie of paynes chased that Soule of his out of the tabernacle of this flesh which the Angels haue carried vnto the Bosome of his Father ABRAHAM being delivered from the wearisomnesse and perils of this lyfe and now eateth the Fruits of his labours and his Conscience the comfort of his former fidelitie and with vnspeakeable joye awayteth for our comming thither A SERMON Preached at the Funerall of the R. R. Father in GOD PATRICKE FORBES Late Lord Bishop of ABERDENE In the speciall Church of the Citie of ABERDENE called Saynct Nicolas the xij of Aprill 1635. By WILLIAM GUILD Doctor of Divinitie Chaplane to his Majestie and Minister of GOD'S Word in the foresayd Citie LUKE II. VERS 29. LORD now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy Word THese words dearly beloved in our Lord and Saviour which I haue read in your present audience according to the opinion of some are the words of Prayse and of others are the words of Petition Of Prayse olde Simeon in them having now gotten the performance of that Promise made vnto him That hee should not see Death till hee saw the LORD' 's Anoynted and having the Babe CHRIST IESVS in his arms he prayseth GOD for this performance and acknowledgeth That now Hee was letting him depart iâ— peace for his eyes according to His word of promise made vnto him had seene his Salvation And those who so expound this Text haue for their warrand the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the present tyme. Some agayne both Ancient and Moderne make these wordes to bee the wordes of Petition and to contayne the holie desire of this happie olde Man wherein now having gotten in his lyfe-tyme a sight of his promised and longed-for Saviour whyle Hee was presented in the Temple he desireth now a peaceable and happie departure as having seene Him who is the death of Death and LORD of Lyfe after whom hee longed In which Text we haue to consider 1. That there is a Departure out of this lyfe 2. That this is commoÌ„ to the Servants of GOD aswel as to the wicked therefore sayth old SIMEON Now LORD let thy servant depart 3. Wee see how the death of GOD'S servants is called to wit a Dimission or freedome to depart 4. The difference betweene the death and departure of the Godlie and the wicked to wit the one is in Peace the other not 5. From
piouslie preached the Trueth powerfullie mayntayned the same couragiouslie ruled in this Church prudentlie died at last most comfortablie and nowe resteth wee hope vvith CHRIST IESUS in Glorie aeternallie To whom with the Father and the holie Spirit be ascribed all Honour Glorie Majestie Prayse Power and Dominion for ever and ever world without ende AMEN HOLINESSE TO THE LORD OR A SERMON Vpon the 36 Verse of the 28 Chapter of Exodus In Commemoration of the most worthie and Reverend Praelate of blessed memorie PATRICK Bishop of ABERDENE Preached by IAMES SIBBALD Doctor of Divinitie and Minister of Sainct NICOLA'S Church of Aberdene Apr. 16. 1635. EXODUS xxviij vers 36. And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold and graue vpon it lyke the engravings of a signet HOLINESSE TO THE LORD THE CONTENTS I. THe Introduction Our purpose n. 1. Intention of Gods Spirit here The dignitie of the high Priests garments n. 2. II. The first part Of the plate or holie crowne What it was n. 1. What signifieth a crowne n. 2. What signified this crowne of Priesthood n. 3. The crowne of Christians n. 4. The crowne of Christian Bishops n. 5. The Pope his crowne touched n. 6. III. The second principall part The Inscription HOLINESSE TO THE LORD The words explayned n. 1. GODS Great Name n. 2. IV. HOLINESSE belonging to the LORD divided into three branches The first branch HOLINESSE belonging to GOD considered in Himselfe What is HOLINESSE n. 1. HOLINESSE essentiallie belongeth to God n. 2. His Holinesse substantiall n. 3. Dependence of our holinesse from it n. 4. The infinitnesse of it n. 5. His goodnesse admired in beholding our impuritie n. 6. V. The second branch How Holinesse belongeth to God in respect of his wayes The first degree Hee neyther doeth nor willeth evill n. 1 The second degree Hee willeth not evill in anie condition nor for anie ende whatsoever n. 2. The third degree Impossible it is for Him eyther to will or doe evill n. 3. The fourth degree Hee hateth vnholinesse and that infinitelie n. 4. Praedetermination to evill contrarie to His Holinesse n. 5. Evasions of the praedeterminants rejected n. 6. The objection taken from Gods concurrence answered first n. 7. The second answere n. 8. The argument from giving power to sinne and from permission thereof answered n. 9. Our evill is from our selues n. 10. VI. The third branch HOLINESSE belongeth to God in respect of all that pertayne to Him The whole world His holie Temple n. 1. Man a more holie Temple n. 2. Man's holinesse at his creation n. 3. His holinesse in his restauration n. 4. Great necessitie of holinesse now in all men n. 5. Our defect herein lamented n. 6. The Holinesse of the Priest how great it should bee n. 7. VII Transition to the prayse of the Bishop of ABERDENE Reasons of his renewed prayse n. 1. His judgement n. 2. Learning n. 3. Prudence n. 4. His eloquence n. 5. His magnanimitie n. 6. His holinesse in advancing Gods glorie n. 7. His care to advance Learning n. 8. His care of planting Churches n. 9. His integritie n. 10. His holinesse in private lyfe and death n. 11. The Conclusion n. 12. I Haue made choyse this day of this Text both that I may aedifie you in Holinesse and that I may performe that duetie and pay that debt which I owe to the Vertues and Memorie of our Holie Reverend and Worthie Praelate of blessed memorie The holie Prophet Moses in praeceeding verses in this now read and in some following after setteth downe the direction of GOD concerning the Holie Vestments of Aaron and his sonnes who were to succeed him in the Office of the high Priest Glorious were those Vestments giving the high Priest more than a humane splendor Glorious 1. considered in themselues and with reference to the high Priests Dignitie and one of the most precious things in the world highlie esteemed and most carefullie kept by the Iewes as you may see at length in Iosephus Whence Iesus the sonne of Syrach speaking of this Eccles. 45.7 sayth that God beautified or blessed the high Priest with comely Ornaments and cloathed him with a Robe of glorie Hee put vpon him perfect glorie and strengthened him with rich Garmentes And vers 13. Before him there were none such neyther did anie stranger ever put them on but onelie his children and his childrens children perpetuallie 2. Much more precious yet were they in respect of their signification which was 1. of the incompable excellencies of Christ Iesus that great high Priest for ever who is the ende of the Lawe adorned with all perfections whereby hee is to GOD most acceptable and most venerable to vs. 2. Of the excellencie required in those of that place whether vnder the Law or vnder the Gospell which challengeth greater perfection That sayeth Beda which outwardlie did shyne in the Ornamentes of the Priestlie Vestmentes should inwardly be deeplie seated in the mynds of our Priestes being spirituallie vnderstood and should outwardlie shyne glorious in their actions aboue the ordinarie vertues of the faythfull It is not anough for them to be lyke vnto other men though good for the Priestlie Authoritie sayth Ambrose requireth a singular weyght of vertues and a most serious endevour therevnto So Greg. Nazianzen speaking of sainct Basil sayeth that hee accounted the vertue of a private man to stand in fleeing of evill and attayning to some degree of goodnesse But that it is blameable in a Praelate not to bee excellent since even by his excellencie scarce can hee drawe people to a mediocritie of vertue The Christian Church hath thought it good to enjoyne her Priestes even an outward habit and conversation differing from that of others But much more different and much more excellent should bee the inward disposition and vertues of their mynd which is before God of great pryce Let the Priests be cloathed with Salvation and the Sayncts shall shout for joye PSAL. cxxxij 16 In the wordes which I haue read a singular piece of this holie Vestment is commanded to be made to wit the plate of the holie Crowne having this inscription HOLINESSE TO THE LORD Let vs consider 1. The Crowne it selfe 2. The inscription of it The accomplishment of this commandement heere concerning it is set down EXOD. xxxix 30 And they made the plate of the holie Crowne of pure golde wrote thereon a wryting lyke to the ingraving of a signet HOLINESSE TO THE LORD SO LEVIT viij 9 And hee put the Mitre on his head also vpon the Mitre even vpon his fore-front did he put the golden plate the holie Crowne which the Lord commanded Moses ECCLESIAST xlv 12 He set a crowne of gold vpon the mitre wherein was ingraven HOLINESSE an ornament of honour a costlie worke the desire of the eyes goodlie and beautifull Here it is called a plate of golde EXOD. 29. a crowne of holinsse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
It was as it were a semi-circle from the one eare to the other vpon the fore-front of the mitre tied behind with a blew lace EXOD. xxviij 37 And thou shalt put it on a blew lace that it may be vpon the mitre vpon the fore-front of the mitre it shall be Iosephus sayth that beside the ordinarie Cap of the Priestes the high Priest had another which a golden crowne did compasse in a threefold order His words are these The high Priests Hat was such as the other Priestes vsed on which there stood another sewed therevnto and flowrished with Hyacynthyn This after a triple order was environed with a golden crowne in which there were divers vessels of gold made after such a sort as may be seene in that herbe which we call Daccharus and amongst the Grecian Herbalists Henbane But the Scripture though verie exact in the description of these garmentes mentioneth no such thing Howsoever the plate was the ornament and as it were the crowne of the high Priests crown And indeed it was a kynd of crown covering a good part of the head from the one eare to the other before vpon the Mitre A Crowne was appoynted to adorne the head the most eminent and most absolute part of the bodie to declare that it signified the greatest and most excellent thing No greater thing amongst men than Vertue and the reward thereof Honour as the Philosopher calleth it Therefore a Crowne was vsed to signifie Holinesse Ingine and Learning Cowrage and Victorie and finallie high Dignities Ioye and Felicitie therein All this was signified by a Crowne Hence whatsoever in lyfe is perfect and excellent even the top ende consummation and perfection of everie thing is so called He that sayth a Crown sayth al this Ecclesiasticus 1.2 The feare of the Lord is Honor Glorie Gladnesse a Crown of rejoycing Ecclesiasticus 25.6 Much experience is the Crown of old men the feare of God is their glorie Plinie sayth that a Crowne was not given of olde to anie but to GOD. The Hebrew Doctors make a three-folde Crowne of Kingdome of Knowledge and of Priesthood Of which last wee are now more particularlie to speake This Crowne was given to the high Priest by God 1. Because he was a type of Christ who is not only a Priest but also a King a King whose Kingdome is â—n everlasting Kingdome and whose dominion hath no end DAN vij 14 And this is marked by Clem. Alexandr who sayeth that the golden Hat of the high Priest exalting him did signifie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Royall power of our Lord. 2. To signifie the dignitie of his priestlie Office and the excellencie or Crown of Vertues wherwith such should be adorned both then and now For if the dignitie of high Priests was so great vnder the Old Testament and their Vertues answerable therevnto how much greater is the dignitie of Priesthood vnder the New Testament and of Vertues requyred to it 2. COR. 3.7 If the ministration of death written and ingraven in stones was glorious c. how shall not the ministration of the Spirit be rather glorious For clearing this it shall not be amisse shortlie to looke to the Crowne of all faythfull Christians Wâ— finde in the ancient Monumentes of the Christian Church that all Christians after Baptisme were crowned This ceremonie indeede was not vsed before Tertullian nor in his tyme as appeareth by his booke de corona militis Yet was it in vse in the tyme of Nazianz. as appeareth by his 23 Oration where hee desireth Hero the Philosopher to come to him that he might crowne him So Orat. 40. So Chrysost. Homil. ad baptizatos concerning the vertue of Baptisme Severus Alexand. lib. de Baptismo most playnlie expresseth it So the forme of Baptisme according to the forme of the Ethiopians All Christians are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Royall Priesthood 1. PET. 2.9 Nothing is so Royall sayth Leo Serm. 3. in annivers die suae assumptionis as that our soules being subject to GOD should rule the bodie Nothing more Priestlie than to consecrate to GOD a cleane conscience to offer to Him vnspotted sacrifices of pietie vpon the Altar of our heart Unspeakable is the matter of joye that wee haue through the benefit of Baptisme wee are fred thereby from the servitude of Satan Therefore sayeth Tertullian When one is baptised the Devill perceaveth him planâ— liberaâ—â—m truelie delivered out of his hands And Nazianzen calleth Baptisme a freeing of vs from servitude Yea by it wee are advanced not onlie to Liberâ—ie but also to the Dignitie of GODS Children for it is the washing of the new birth TIT. iij. 5 Hence Chrysost. By Baptisme we become free and not onlie free but also righteous and not onlie that but also Children and not onlie Children but also Heyrs and not only Heyrs but also the Brethren of CHRIST and joynt-Heyres with Him Hence also another of the Ancients calleth Baptisme Coelestis Regni comparationem the obtayning of the heavenlie Kingdome By it CHRIST becommeth our Crowne In that day the LORD of Hostes is vnto vs for a Crown of Glorie and for a Diademe of Beautie ISAI 28.5 And wee by it obtayne a title to the incorruptible Crowne of Glorie which vndoubtedlie wee shall receaue if wee as a Royall Priesthood or Priestlie Kings fight valiantlie the Battels of the LORD This is that Crowne of lyfe which the LORD hath promised to them that loue Him IAM 1.12 Which none getteth but he that stryveth lawfullie 2. TIM 2.5 And which everie one receaveth that doeth so Be thou faythfull vnto the death and I will giue thee a Crowne of Lyfe REV. 2.10 This is that incorruptible Crowne 1. COR. 9.26 And which fadeth not 1. PET. 5.4 The beautifull Crowne of Amaranthus sayeth Clemens Alex is layd vp for him that doeth well it is Heaven alone and not the earth that can bring foorth this Flowre This onlie Flowre fadeth not and hence hath this name To this purpose Sever. before cited sayth that at this Ceremonie the prayer was The Lord make you worthie of His heavenlie Kingdome and in stead of this corruptible crowne crowne you with the Crowns of Righteousnesse and good workes To signifie and remember these things was this Crowne given to all Christians If the dignitie of all Christians if their combates cowrage and hope bee so great how much more is it with the spirituall rulers whose duetie is to leade and bring them to the Crowne According to the ancient phrase all Christian Bishops are summi Sacerdotes high Priests albeit in the third Councell of Carthage this Title was forbidden because by some abused to cherish their ambition Great is their preheminence great and manie their battels wherein if they acquyte themselues worthilie there abydeth them a farre more glorious Crowne than others 1. PET. 5.4 The Civicke Crowne or Garland was much esteemed of
Church amongst vs wee could haue wished to liue private Ministers rather than in the rowmes wee are called vnto But in such Callinges as you knowe better than anie of our selues the burthen care of the Charge must no more deterre vs than these outward showes of Honour and ease allure vs. To seeke Places of this kynde may well bee thought Ambition but to refuse and draw back when GOD calleth is Disobedience and if it be done for the eschewing of vexations it is farre from the Christian courage resolution we should all haue Now wee are assured if anie man did ever come to this Place by GOD'S calling you are hee whether wee consider the instance made in the last Vacancie of that Sea by all the Ministers and Gentlemen of the Countrey which wee perceaue his Majestie doeth not forget or your owne behaviour in it that by the moyen of none direct or indirect hath made sute to bee preferred And therefore as wee from our heartes thanke GOD who hath put it into his M. heart to goe this way so wee must in the Name of GOD and by the loue you beare to the mayntaynance of His Trueth request and require you to accept the Calling assuring your selfe that wee for our partes howe long it pleaseth GOD to vse our service here shall not bee wanting by His grace in anie thing that becommeth the Brethren of our Vocation towardes you And our certayne hope is that notwithstanding all these fightes wee endure with enemies without those that should be friends within our GOD shall giue vs strength to beare out and by His Blessing in the ende justifie to the world our proceedinges wherein having you to bee a labourer and worker with vs wee shall bee so much the more encouraged As to the rest that should be done for your formall entrie wee remit the care thereof to him whom it concerneth and commit you at this tyme and ever to the protection and blessing of Allmightie GOD. YOVR LOVING BRETHREN Saynct-Andrewes Pa. B. of Ross. Io. B. Cathness Ia. Glasgow An. Lismorensis Al. B. of Murray Edinb 5. Febr 1618 Letter of the Arch-bishop of Saynct-Andrewes To Master Thomas Mitchell To my verie loving Brother Master THOMAS MICHELL Minister of GOD'S Word BRother I haue receaved your Letter and am glad you choosed rather to send a bearer than come your selfe at this tyme. My earand was chieflie to signifie vnto you that wee haue obtayned his Majestie 's consent for placing the Laird of CORSE at ABERDENE which you and I much desired in the last Vacancie And I trust in GOD nothing shall proue more profitable to His Church and a better man to beare downe the enemies of all within those partes than this I looke daylie for his Majestie 's Warrand to the Chapter to conveane and proceede in that Election and how soone it commeth will sende to you the particular instructions anent the proceeding praying you to advertise me whither to sende my Letters as soone as you can And so to the next occasion I rest Edinb 16. Febr. 1618. Your loving Brother SAYNCT-ANDREWES Letter of a most Reverende Father in GOD IOHN SPOTSWOOD Arch-bishop of Saynct-Andrewes To PATRICK FORBES Laird of CORSE To my verie loving Brother The Laird of CORSSE SIR AS I was closing the former Letter a pacquet came to mee from Court contayning a Licence to the Deane and Chapter of Aberdene to meete and elect a worthie person to that place which now vaketh with a private recommendation of his Majestie for your selfe Of this I thought meete to giue you signification Because howe soone the Licence can passe the Seale I will send it with such directions as are fit for the orderlie proceeding of matters Neyther will I insist with you not to declyne the Place vpon the scruples mentioned in your Letter seeing wee haue given you sufficient satisfaction there-anent and that nowe thankes to GOD wee are in the expectation of a good peace Rather I will beseech you consider what the state of this tyme and the Church of GOD in it craveth at your handes I shall not mention the publicke enemie or yet our Politickes who I am perswaded did never heare of anie thing more to their discontentment than your nomination for this Place Onlie be pleased to looke vnto our selues and you shall see there was never more neede to keepe a Church from disorder As yee wryte of your selfe GOD is my witnesse I could wish to bee vnknowne in the world and serue GOD in the obscurest place rather than where by His Providence I am casten But wee are not at our owne choyse and so must you thinke Where GOD calleth To runne away it is not Modestie but Rebellion and Disobedience GOD giue vs in this short tyme to bee wyse and faythfull and to despyse all thinges in respect of the Reward proposed on which if wee holde our eyes wee shall never bee discowraged by the malice of the wicked I take my leaue and rest Your assured Brother SAINCT-ANDREWES Edinb 16. Febr. 1618. Letter of the Laird of CORSSE to Master THOMAS MITCHELL To the Right Worshipfull my deare Brother in CHRIST Master Thomas Mitchell Minister of the Gospell at Vdney RIght Worshipfull and deare Brother after heartie Salutation the Letters which together with yours are come to mee from the South leade mee to thinke that you haue guessed rightlie at the purpose of the Arch-bishop's entreatie For even this same night I haue receaved a Letter from all the Bishops in Edinburgh together with his Majestie 's Letters to them and to the lordes of his highnesse Secret Counsell verie playnlie and peremptorilie appoynting me for your Bishopricke Nowe his Majestie 's Letter is both so free and peremptorie as truelie it hath casten mee into great anxietie of mynde so as I stand much in need of your counsel and Prayers to GOD for directiō I haue sent you herewith the copy of his M. Letter that you may so much the better consider what difficultie of resolution I am put vnto The LORD bee my Counsellour Thus referring the issue of all to GOD and commending you heartilie to His Grace I rest ever Keith 13. Febr. 1618. Your assured loving Brother P. FORBES of CORSE Another Letter of the Laird of CORSSE To M. THOMAS MITCHELL To my Worshipfull and deare Brother Master Thomas Mitchell Minister of the Gospell at Vdney RIght Worshipfull and deare Brother after all heartlie salutation I receaved your Letter this thursday after noone the xij of March After the recept of the Letters whereof I sent you a copie I wrote backe a long Letter to the Bishops whereby to excuse my selfe and to lay off the burthen they had moved his Majestie to lay vpon me But agaynst my expectation I haue reported nothing but a more vehement insisting and that with certification that by declyning the Calling I will incurre his Majestie 's bitter indignation and the imputation of contemning GOD'S Vocation and the
the Altar fall And doe divinelie worship as the Word Clearlie commands the Ever-living LORD His Sentences so sage so sweet and calme Flow'd from him flowantlie lyke Floods of Balme His Proaves and his Pedegree I passe That honourable and ev'r worthie was Yet vnto them and vnto all this Land His Lyfe lent Light and as a Starre did stand Praeshyning still and with so solemne Show That all the World his Christian carriage know Vnto the poynct and period wherein His Soule ascended from this Sinke of Sinne While softlie breathing from his Breast his Breath Hee sleeped sweetlie as disdayning Death And with vs left an Ever-living Fame A notable Renowme and Noble Name III. PASCH-DAY the Sonne of Righteousnesse arose And Hee the day before his course did close T' attend the triumph of that Glorious Day That all the Righteous should remember aye His Soule ascending boue the chrystall Coome While that its Reliques in this terren Tombe Heere lyes it there aye Haheluiah singes To magnifie the Mightie KING of Kinges And prostrate lowe before the Mercies Throne Duelie adores the TRINITIE-TRINE-ONE Enjoying justified the rich Reward To all the Pious promisd and prepar'd A Guerdon Great past Compasse and Compare For their blest Workes that follow them vp there Where Peace and Pleasure haue no period But endlesse are as th'Ever-living GOD And where with Heavēly Hoasts of holy Saincts Hee ev'r and ev'r there Haleluja chants Mr AL. GARDEN ADVOCATE Vpon the much-lamented death of the most Reverend Father in CHRIST BISHOP PATRICKE Late Lord Bishop of ABERDENE c. EPITAPH WIthin this Casket is inshrynd Who now triumphs ov'r Death's Assyze In whom with Skill Grace was combynde To make a Praelate of rich pryze A faythfull Steward hee was still Who sterved none through want of Food Dispensing all his Masters will Rejoycing in the peoples good In Church or Civill-Policie Few could to him bee parallell Day-starre hee was of the Clergie Nay Pillar of the Common-weall VVealth was not his Petition VVith gift of Heritage content Honour without Ambition His worth procur'd and good Descent And to bee short hee nothing wanted To make him Mirrour of this Age This trueth by all men must bee granted Few so victorious left the Stage VVhich makes vs act in mourning Verse Sad Interludes now ov'r his Hearse ANOTHER SOme holde it rare to finde voyde of deceat A wittie States-man or without oppression One bearing rule nay carelesse in conceat Of Coyne to see a Church-man by Profession Loe here intomb'd then doeth a Phoenix lye VVho liv'd all three and did vnspotted dye Mr IAMES GORDON Then Student New Minister of GOD'S Word at Kearne EPITAPH Vpon the death of PATRICK FORBES Late Bishop of Aberdene OF all this All the Universall frame The Beautie BRITANE is and ABERDENE Gives both a Grace and Grandour to the same For all is singular that there is seene But eminent aboue these all is One The chiefe and highest honour of that Towne Late Praelate PATRICK glorie of the Gowne BRITANE this All He grac'd ABERDONE And was an Ornament to all alone MISAKMOS Mr IAMES KEYTH A THRENODIE Vpon the Lamentable and ever to bee deplored death of the most Reverend Father in CHRIST PATRICKE Late Bishop of Aberdene One of the Lordes of Privie Counsell and Right Honourable Laird of Corse and Baron of Oneill HIs Birth sad Muse his lyfe his death passe by And all that follow'd these and doe not pry In these transplendent rayes of Vertues light Which looking to may thee bereaue of sight But in thy passing by take once a glance And make that glance his prayses to advance First in his birth which is but least of all But great indeede but here to mynde I call His vert'ous lyfe by all so still renown'd That with it as a Garland Birth was crown'd His godlie lyfe with glistring Winges of Fame Doeth to all ages eternize his Name As in his mortall lyfe to CHRIST hee liv'd So now with CHRIST vnto CHRIST he dy'd Wee doe our Neighbour misse but his hath found CORNELIUS wee cause for to resound The hills and dales with sorrow hee with joy Wee for our Sheepherds losse not hee for why His Sheepherd hee hath found hee now is crown'd VVhich fills his heart with joy makes ours to sound VVith griefe away from vs to PAUL hath gone Our TIMOTHIE his precepts everie one How hee hath kept to show which makes our heart VVith joy with griefe for him to burst to smart For vs. Ah ABERDENE Ah ABERDONE Thy Light 's eclyps'd from thee thy joy is gone My Muse wold speak but it doth blush for shame Not being worthie to sound out His Fame Mr ALEXANDER WHYT Student in Divinitie ON THE DEATH OF THE RIGHT HONOURABLE AND REVEREND FATHER IN GOD PATRICK FORBES BISHOP OF ABERDENE WEE neede not bee lugubrious For this sweete holie One Who now from vs away is reft Vnto that heavenlie Throne For now hee weares the Diademe Of Glorie Immortall For his good workes in Heaven shyne Lyke Starres coelestiall But to the LORD Omnipotent Who him hath princelie crownd Let vs giue thankes and eke His prayse With heart and voyce resound A rarer Man could not bee found As this on earth to dwell For hee in Vertues all but most In WISEDOME did excell His vertuousnesse for to expresse It is but all in vayne Because to all are manifest His Vertues without stayne A Godlier could not bee found All mortall men among Who for his good and godlie lyfe Vnto the Heavens is gone IOHN IOHNSTON Student in Philosophie In the King's Colledge of Aberdene Raban's Regrate For the present losse of his very good Lord Patron and Master PATRICK FORBES Bishop of Aberdene Baron of Corse and Oneill Who most Peaceablie and Godlie departed hence to a Better lyfe vpon Easter-Even about 3 aclocke in the morning at his Pallace in Olde Aberdene adjacent to the Cathedrall Church in the 71 yeare of his Honourable Age and the 17 yeare of his Godlie Governament March 28. Anno 1635. BEholde Alace Here lyeth ONE VVho on this Earth Compare had none A Learned Patron Wyse and Graue A Consull good What would you haue Chiefe Orator of Scotlands North. The World can not afford his VVorth A Prelate and a Pastor good VVho in due tyme gaue Heavenlie Food At Morne at Noone and Evening tyde Vnto His Flocke sweet IESUS Bryde The Poore with Meat Hee fed also None hungrie from His House did goe A CROSSE into His Badge Hee bore And follow'd CHRIST who went before But halfe a day for to prepare For CORSE with HIM an Heavenlie Share Then Death Where is thy Sting Let see And graue Where is thy Victorie Your Honour in the Dust is spred PATRICRE now reygnes with CHRIST His Head Death 's but a Passage to convoy Such Sayncts into their Master's Ioy. The LORD prepare vs lesse and more To follow Him Hee 's gone before Good Sirs I am bihind the rest I