LIVING LOVES BETWIXT CHRIST AND DYING CHRISTIANS A SERMON Preached At M. Magdalene Bermondsey in Southwark near London June 6. 1654. At the Funeral of that faithful Servant of Christ Mr. Jeremiah Whitaker Minister of the Gospel and Pastor of the Church there With a Narative of his Exemplarily holy Life and Death By SIMEON ASHE his much endeared Friend and Brother Together with POEMS and ELEGIES on his Death by divers Ministers in the City of LONDON The Righteous perish and no man layeth it to heart and merciful men are taken away none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come He shall enter into Peace they shall rest in their beds each one walking in his uprightness Isai 57. 1 2 London Printed by T. M. for Ralph Smith at the Bible in Cornhil near the Royal Exchange 1654. The Licencer's Epistle to the READER IT is reported in the life of Ambrose that when he Ambrosii vitâ per Paulinum scriptâ flebat amarissimè quotiescunque fortè nuntiatum illi fuerat de cujuscunque sancti obitu sacerdotis c. Isa 57. 1. heard of the death of any holy Ministers he would weep very bitterly The like I read of Philo that when he came into any Town or Village and heard of the death of any good man there dwelling he would mourn exceedingly becauâ—e of the great losse that place and the whole Church of Christ had received thereby How much more cause have we of this age to lament our condition who have in few years lost so many precious Saints and so many Reverend Learned and godly Ministers Surely this sad providence of God speaks with a loud voice that miseries and calamities are hasting upon this Nation For the righteous perish saith the Prophet and no man layeth it to heart and merciful men are taken away none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come Thus Austin died a little before Hippo wherin he dwelt was taken And Paraeus before Heilderbergh was sacked And Luther immediately before Germany was overrun with waâ— and bloodshed * Mr. Scuddar Mr. Greslâ— Mr. Ferrihj Mr. Ludlam Mr. Nat. Ward Dr. Gouge Dr. Hill Mr. Walker Mr. Conaut Mr. Wilson Mr. Paramoor Mr. Gataker c. And now of late years many eminent Lights have been extinguished in this Nation to fore signifie the great darknesse that is coming upon us Amongst which I cannot but reckon my revereâ—d brother Mr. Jeremiah 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Whitaker at whose Funeral this ensuing Sermon was preached If I should enter upon his commendation I might truly say what Nazianzene doth of his sister Gorgonia That I have more cause to fear least I should speak below then above the Truth for he was a burning and a shining light in this our Israel a Messenger and an Interpreter one among a thousand a Bezaleel in Gods Tabernacle a true Nathanael that by his integrity humility constancy charity publicknesse and peaceablenesse of spirit and by his diligence and faithfulnesse in preaching the Gospel made his life both amiable and desirable He was yet not he but the grace of God with him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Naz. Oratio Funebris in laudem Patris sui c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And though I will not say what Nazianzene saith of Athanasius that to commend him were to commend Vertue because all Vertues were contracted in him yet this I will say which is also said of Athanasius That he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 An Adamant and a Load-stone To all that conversed with him he was as a Load-stone to draw their hearts to love him but in the cause of God in reference to the truths of Christ he is as an unconquerable Adamant He was a Jeremiah both in mourning for and witnessing against the sins of the times He was a second Whitaker though not so eminent in learning as to be what is In vita D. Whitakeri Oratio Funebris said of him Mundi miraculum Academiae oraculum yet he was which is also said of him sound in the faith one that had no private opinion that did not in veteri viâ novam semitam quaerere seek out new pathes of his own but kept the old way and the old path That had a great wit without any mixture of madnesse It is very disputable to me whether he preached more by the heavenlynesse of his Doctrine or by the holinesse of his life Sure I am he had this peculiar dispensation That he preached as effectually by his death as by his life or Doctrine For the manner of his sicknesse and death speaketh to all that saw it or shall now know it by reading this Sermon 1. That the best of men are subject to the worst of Diseases That all things come alike to all that no man knoweth love or hatred by all that is before him 2. That though the Lord cause his chlldren to passe through the waters and through the fire yet he will be with them so as the waters shall not overflow them nor the fire burn them Though they are troubled on every side yet they are not distressed though perplexed yet not in despair though persecuted yet not forsaken though cast down yet not destroyed For so great was the patience that God measured out to this our dear Brother that though he groaned yet he never grumbled though he often mourned yet he never murmured nay though he often roared by reason of the greatnesse of his pain yet he always justified and magnified God and this he did so constantly and in such a degree and proportion that as it is said of Job so it will be said by the Saints that succeed us for their mutual consolation and encouragement Ye have heard of the patience of Whitaker He had an ulcerated flesh but a sound and whole spirit and that made him bear his infirmity he had a stone in the bladder but a very tender and soft heart he had a body gangren'd but a soul unbelepred with sin I heard him often say with thankfulnesse That under all his bodily sufferings he had a blessed calmnesse and quietnesse in his spirit that God spake peace that though he roared for pain yet the devil was chained up from roaring upon him It was no small delight to me to behold the tears that were shed at his Funeral Not that I was glad that there was such cause of sorrow but to see in these dayes especially wherein the godly Ministery is so much undervalued a Minister that neither lived undesired nor died unlamented of whom it may be said as is of Stephen That devout men carried Stephen to his burial and made great lamentation over him But I will not detein the Reader from beholding these things more largely related in the following Sermon by one that was his fidus Achates and as dear to him as Jonathan to David The Lord sanctifie this example to all that shall hear
Christum quam timet gehennam Bern. Amanti nihil impossibile nihil difficile Aug. only but to die at Ierusalem for the Name of the Lord Iesus for whom I have suffered the losse of all Much was lost already and life it self was now at stake Let all go saith Love for Christ Love looketh upon nothing as impossible or as too difficult to be undertaken The fearful Hen will flie fiercely at the devouring Creatures which would devoure her chickens and the timorous sheep will turn head upon a mastiff dog to secure her beloved Lamb. Love is strong Cant. 8. 6 7. as death many waters cannot quench love neither can the floods drown it Mary whose bosome was full of burning love to Christ is a rare example of that metall and fortitude which love breedeth in Christs friends She seeking Christs dead body and meeting with the Gardener as she imagined she speaketh thus Sir if thou hast borne him hence tell me where thou hast laid him and I will John 20. 15. take him away Neither the ghastly looks of a dead body could affright nor the weight of it discourage her resolutions to bear it away Though she was not able good soul by her own strength to carry such a burden yet her love made her confident that she could do it and therefore was resolved to undertake it 12. All these forementioned actings and adventures of love in Christs friends do arise neither only nor principally from self-advantages received from him but from his excellencies and respect to his honour Because of Cant. 1. 3. the savour of thy good ointments thy Name is an ointment poured forth therefore do the Virgins love thee And in this Saint Paul centered as the last end of his love that Iesus Christ might be magnified in him whether by life or Phil. 1. 20. John 6. 26. death Whereas when Christ is looked after rather for loaves then for his divine lovelinesse it 's rather to be judged a trucking with him then a loving of him When men seek Est mercatura non amicitia Amor amicitiae non acquiescit in aliqua extrinseca adoptione sed quaerit amatum Aqui only to serve their turn of Christ as it were by merchandizing they may be called friends to themselves but will never be reputed faithful friends unto him This discovery lies inward and close in our bosoms in which regard the more cautiousnesse is needful that we may not be deceived Lastly and for our help in the former I adde this as the conclusion of this search upon which I have held you so long That sincere friendship unto Christ will raise rejoycings in our hearts upon his advancement though this may seem to tend to our personal detriment Here the words of Christ to his drooping Disciples fearing that themselves should be damnified by his departure from them are very considerable If you loved me you would John 14. 28. rejoyce because I said I go unto the Father John the Baptist is a rare instance to evidence this character of true friendship for he being told that Christ was likely to carry away credit from him returned this answer He that hath Joh. 3. 29. 30. the Bride is the bridegroom but the friend of the Bridegroom which standeth and heareth him rejoyceth greatly because of the Bridegrooms voice This my joy therefore is fulfilled He must increase but I must decrease And the Apostle Paul Phil. 5. 16 18. was another example of this ingenuous love Some saith he preach Christ of envy and strife supposing to adde affliction unto my bonds Notwithstanding Christ is preached and I therein do rejoyce and will rejoyce Make application hereof and ask your selves this question whether you can be content that Christ should be set upon your shoulders and that your credit should be cropt rather then it should hinder his shine and prospect can you lay your selves down in the dust that the crown may be sâ—t upon Christs head can you willingly be little or nothing in the account of the world that Christ may be all in all among the children of men By sincere answers returned upon serious considerations of all these foregoing particulars you may be able to give a right judgement of your own estate whether you be in deed and in truth friends to Jesus Christ Vse 3 The Use of Exhortation followeth wherein I am to bespeak your love unto Jesus Christ And O that I knew what Arguments to use that I might prevaile with you to become friends unto Christ Might not the remembrance of the forementioned Reasons wherefore beleevers love him being faithfully pressed upon your spirits be hopefully operative for this end Take into your consideration 1. His incomparable beauties 2. His famous exploits 3. Your former rich receipts 4. Your future expectations from him and hereupon command your soules to give in their answer whether it be not reasonable that you should love Christ But forbearing the enlargement of those heads I will deal with you upon principles of self-love to love the Lord Jesus So many and so precious are the priviledges belonging unto them who are thus affected that David knew not how to desire more at the hand of God Look thou upon me and be merciful unto me as thou usest Psal 119. 132. to do unto those that love thy name Shall I mention and do little more then mention some particulars 1. Thus you shall work your selves into Christs bosom which will be no small advantage I love them that love Pâ—ov 8. 17. me said our Lord long since It is reported that Vespasian commanded a large recompence to be given unto a woman Item Vespasiano adamato that fell in love with him and ordered that it should be recorded that such a summe of money was given upon that account More beautiful wil Christ be unto his friends That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance and I Prov. 8. 21. will fill their Treasures Riches substantial riches substantial riches making treasures and all this by the right of inheritance shall be the reward of them who love Christ 2. Hereupon you may confidently expect familiar fellowship with Christ and his Father which is the Christians Heaven upon Earth If any man love me my Father will love him and I will love him and manifest my self to him and Joh. 14. 21 23. we will come unto him and make our abode with him 3. Hence issueth assurance that all events and exercises shall prove spiritually advantageous Also we know that Rom. 8. 28. all things work together for good unto them who love God Every winde will undoubtedly bring in their profit and their gain shall come in at every doore 4. And the Crown of glory is promised to them who love the James 1. 12. Lord. Now if you shall demand How may we kindle the fire of love in our brests towards Christ I answer 1. By informing your selves
father therefore beloved for his fathers sake I here forbear to discover how Beleevers begotten again 1 Pet. 1. 3. Isa 9. 6. 1 Cor. 15. 49. by Christ as the everlasting Father do bear his image but this I propound as the reason of Christians mutual love As the inward affection of Titus was more abundant towards 2 Cor. 7. 15. the Corinthians whilest he remembred their obedience And as it 's reported of Beucer and Calvin that they loved all them in whom they could espy aliquid Christi any thing of Christ So doubtlesse it is with all others who are friends unto Christ Reas 4 Because of the habitation and operation of Gods Spirit in their hearts The Apostle Paul calleth this love Col. 1. 8. love in the Spirit And the Apostle Saint John discoursing of this Christian affection and consequently of Gods dwelling in us being thereby evidenced giveth in this as the confirmation of both Because he hath given us of his Spirit 1 Joh. 4. 12 13. This I place as the last Argument because it is the true reason which maketh all the former concluding For neither spiritual relation nor divine injunction nor Christs image upon the Christians soul could have any commanding influence to draw forth this holy love amongst Believers if God did not co-operate by the power of the holy Ghost Thus from the confirmation I proceed to the Application of the Doctrine which I shall make in four Uses viz. 1. Conviction 2. Examination 3. Comfort 4. Exhortation Vse 3 Hence two sorts of persons are cashier'd as people who are strangers to friendly fellowship with Jesus Christ First Such who are rather enemies then friends unto the people of God as their own consciences witnesse to themselves and their practices proclaim to the world this being their design and endeavour if they could effect it to ruinate them in their comforts and lives altogether They have said in their desires though not with their lips Come let us cut them off from being a Nation that the Psal 83. 4. name of Israel may be no more in remembrance Whatsoever shew of love unto Christ these persons make among men doubtlesse they are adversaries to him as sundry passages surrounding the last quotation do clearly express Keep not Psal 83. 1 2 5. thou silence O God hold not thy peace and be not still O God Lo thine enemies make a tumult and they that hate thee have lift up the head they are confederate against thee As 2 Sam. 3 17. Joab took Abner aside to speak peaceably but smote him under the fifth rib that he died So these though they smile upon Christs face with a salute yet they stab his body or as one wittily expresseth it they kisse the mouth and tread upon the toes Such unfriendlinesse to godly Christians 1. Argueth an unregenerate estate The upright in his Prov. 29. 27. way is an abomination to the wicked And he that loveth not those who are like God is one of the children of the Devil 1 Joh. 3. 10. 2. And is not consistent with meetnesse to be made partakers Col. 1. 1â— of the inheritance of Saints in light For it is not a heaven but a hell rather to be confined to the company of 1 Joh. 3. 14 15. such as are hated He that loveth not his brother abideth in death c. As this doctrine falls thus heavy upon all those who are enemies rather then friends unto ordinary Christians so upon such especially who are professed adversaries to the Ministers of Christ You know how the holy Ghost doth stigmatize Ahab who hated Michaiah that he was a man who sold himself to do wickedness whereas unto true Gospel 1 Kings 21. Rom. 10. 15. Beleevers the very feet of them are beautiful who bring the glad tidings of peace Secondly those much more are by this doctrine set aside as no friends to Christ who are Boutefeuz and Incendiaries seeking to kindle coals of contentions and to increase the flames of discontent and animosities among the people of God This practice proveth them to be Factors for the Devil and exposeth them to the wrath of God It was an evil spirit that made division betwixt Abimelech and the men of Shechem The Devil is pictured with a cloven foot Judg. 9. 27. to signifie that it 's his work to cause and continue divisions in the world And those who sow those seeds of discord are Prov. 6. 16 19. reckoned by Solomon among them whom the Lord hateth and who are an abomination unto him Vse 2 From this open Conviction I proceed unto Examination because there are many who upon trial will not be found real friends unto Gods people though they be not such notorious opposites as were described in the former Use Therefore take those discoveries of them who are right in their loves to real Christians First from the object of love viz. Sanctifâ—ing grace There are many lovely qualifications in Gods faithful servants Mark 6. 20. which an ingenuous moral man may value as Herod reverenced John the Baptist but it 's holiness which is the loadstone to draw the love of the regenerate Christian Because Saints therefore excellent in a gracious eye And hence Psal 16. 2. Eph. 1. 15. 2 Cor. 7 15. followeth universality of Love to all such and the abounding of respect according to the increase of Grace Secondly from the qualities of his friendship It is accompanied 1. With an honourable estimation of them The heirs of heaven do honour such who sear the Lord. Psal 15. 4. Psal 16. 2. 2. And with complacency All my delight saith David is in them Thirdly from the Effects of this love viz. 1. Readiness to perform real offices for their comfort Thus S. Paul proved the sincerity of the Corinthians love by 2 Cor. 8. 8 24. their contribution for the relief of poore Saints 2. And compassionate sympathies when they are in trouble To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his Job 6. 14. friend By this David did demonstrate his real respects unto some who ill deserved them When they were sick my cloathing Psal 35. 13 14. was sackcloth I behaved my self as thoâ—gh he had been my friend These short hints I leave to your amplification and faithful application that your selves may understand whether your love unto godly Christians be such as will evidence your regenerate estate Vse 3 The third Use is for the comfort of all them who can in this grace of Christian love and friendship approve their sincerity unto God not doubting but that Christ himselfe will give the like testimony unto them herein as he did unto Lazarus in the Text. Our friend For 1. It is no small priviledge to partake in the love of all heavens favourites and this love is mutual Those who are cordial friends to Christians are cordially beloved by Christians which is a matter of much joy to
as examples of faith and holinesse he addeth these words All these died Reasons The reasons are not only 1. Because of Adams sin transmitted Sin entereth into the world and death by sin Rom. 5. 12. 2. And by reason of Gods determination with reference to his own glory many wayes to be manifested in the consequence of death It is appointed unto men once to die and after this the judgement For upon these Heb. 9 27. accounts the wicked who are Christs enemies do die also But there are peculiar Reasons wherefore Christs and the Churches friends do die I will not here speak unto that which was extraordinary in this death of Lazarus viz. for the glory of God Verse 15. that the Son of God might be glorified thereby and for the sakes of them who should beleeve upon the observation Ver. 4. of Christs power in a miraculous raising him from the dead I will only instance in those ends which God intends in a way more ordinary with respect unto his people themselves 1. Sometimes that they may be secured from common calamities coming upon the world As men do house their cattel before the storme falleth Thus God takes away Isa 57. 1. the righteous from the evil to come wherof the case of Josiah is a famous instance 2 Chro. 34. 28. 2. That they may rest from their labours both of service Rev. 14. 13. and suffering when their task and exercises are over when their work is done and the Lord hath sufficiently proved and purged them by variety of providences both crosse and comfortable in this world then he calleth them off this stage and causeth their departure hence 3. That they might enjoy immediate communion with Christ in heaven which is farre better then the best condition Phil. 1. 23. Heb. 12. 23. attainable in this life and that their spirits might be made perfect in glory before the day of the general Resurrection when their souls and bodies shall be reunited There are many profitable Uses to be made of this Doctrine Application which I shall only point at Vse 1. Therefore natural death is not the greatest evil neither are those comforts whereof death doth deprive the best good because it is absurd to imagine that the most godly shold undergo the heaviest evils and be stript of the chiefest comforts This inference is obvious and might be usefully enlarged But I must forbear Vse 2. Therefore death is not alwayes to be looked upon as a demonstration of Gods anger against them who die neither is any sicknesse bringing death to be judged a signe of divine wrath and severity Lazarus Verse 3. Christs friend died and it was said before He whom thou lovest is sick This is alledged as the reason of the death of Jeroboams childe because there was some goodnesse in him 1 Kings 14. 13. Hezekiah was sick unto death and it 's conjectured that his disease was the Plague both because of the swelling mentioned and the medicine advised Let them take Isa 38. 21. a lump of figs and lay it for a plaster upon the boile And how sad Jobs condition was I need not to relate who yet according to Gods own testimony was a man of incomparable piety Satan smote Job with sore boiles from Job 1. 8. 2. 3. Job 2. 7 8. the sole of the foot unto his crown And he took him a potsheard to scrape himselfe withall and he late down among the ashes This I do rather note 1. Because people are subject to censure severely those who undergo unusual afflictions When the Barbarians saw the venomous beast Acts 8. 4. hang on Pauls hand they said among themselves No doubt this man is a murtherer vengeance suffereth not him to live 2. Because by this uncharitable censoriousnesse men do expose themselves unto Gods displeasure Hence it was that the Lord thus spake unto Eliphaz the Temanite My wrath is Job 42. 7. kindled against thee and against thy two friends for you have not spoken of me the thing that is right Vse 3. Therefore Gods people should the rather hold up with hope comfort and patience under all sorts of their sufferings here because their death which is certain will put a period an end unto all Though the Sea Nubecula est citò transibit be stormy yet the voyage is short we shall ere long come safe to shoare For this cause we faint not though the outward man perish suppose rotting and unsavoury 2 Cor. 4. 16 17. c. for this light affliction is but for a moment Do you not remember how the holy Martyr comforted his fellow-sufferer viz. that death would cure the one of his blindnesse and the other of his lameness And doubtlesse in this sense it may be said safely that death unto the godly is the best Physician curing them perfectly of all diseases whatsoever Therefore chear up ye Saints of God under all your grievances upon the thought of death Say to your selves as the good Martyr did But one stile or two more and then I am at my journeys end Vse 4. Therefore Gods servants should be the more industrious in doing all the good which possibly they can with speed because they must die and death will take them off their work This is Solomons inference Whatsoever thine hand findeth to do do it with thy might for there Eccles 9. 10. is no work nor device nor knowledge nor wisdome in the grave whither thou goest How did our Saviour bestirre himself when he knew that his houre was come What a great deal Joh. 13. 1. of good work did he then dispatch in a short time And it seemeth to be the reason why Paul at Troas preached till midnight because he was ready to depart on the morrow The Acts 20. 7. nearer unto the center the swifter is the motion Famous Doctor Sibbs would say Could we suppose sorrow in heaven this would be our sorrow there that we did no more work for God before we came thither to receive so great wages Vse 5. Therefore we all should be perswaded to improve our Christian friends both Ministers and others in all their gifts graces and experiences so much as may be and that with speed because they must die Upon this ground the Prophet Zachary quickeneth obedience Thus saith the Lord of hosts Turne ye now Zach. 1. 4 5. from your evil wayes Your fathers where are they And the Prophets do they live for ever Our Saviour is often in this exhortation having foretold his own departure Yet a little while is the light with you walk while John 12. 35. Eph. 5. 8. Mat. 5. 16. John 5. 35. you have the light As all godly ones are called light So Ministers are the lights of the world John was a burning and a shining light Beloved death will blow out these your candles and your Torches therefore while they live while they
viz. 1. Because of the graces with which he was enriched 2. Because of the Comforts with which he was refreshed As for the first Love-tokens are real messengers of his love who sendeth them and what surer signes of divine love then the graces of the holy Ghost Now of these the Lord had given him in measure more then ordinary That which was hinted before in his love to the Lord Jesus expressed by laborious couragious endeavours to advance his praise and to continue communion with him doth manifest that he was very rich in Grace but thereunto I will add five more graces which were very shining in his crown 1. Tendernesse of heart Who ever knew man of a more melting frame before God whether in confessions petitions or thanksgivings Is there any one living that can say I have sometimes joyned with him in Prayer and he shed no teares How did his own sinfulnesse though no more then the ordinary imperfections of the fairest Saints on earth the evils of the times and the testimonies of Gods displeasure breaking out break his heart into pieces Truly I beleeve that for the space of many years he did never come off from the serious consideration of these things with dry eyes And how many thousands would account it a signe of much love from Christ if they could finde such thawings in their frozen breasts 2. Meeknesse of spirit With this precious Jewel he was adorned richly Who ever saw him transported by passion on a fire through foolish anger or disguised by discontent Though he would be warm for God yet he was a man of a cool spirit meek like Moses in all his own concernments Among many other manifestations hereof this one was remarkable that when upon warm disputes with men of dissenting principles and opinions his spirit was so even that unhansome provocations would not discompose him Hereof I could give instances but I must forbear 3. For Patience he may well be called a second Job Many who saw him under his racking pains so frequently reiterated and so long continued are confident that God did put him and keep him in his furnace to be a pattern of patience unto posterity It 's true he did roar many times till his throat was dry but who ever heard him speak one word of murmuring or discontent because of Gods afflicting providence He himself indeed would sometimes through tendernesse charge himself of impatiency because he made a noise whereas that expressed only Natures sensiblenesse not sinful frowardness And when accusing himself in that kinde causelesly he was minded of Christs roarings though free from all sin he would be silent I confesse that in desires to be dissolved he would take up Jobs complaint Wherfore is light given to him that is in misery and life unto the bitter in soul Which long for death but it cometh not and dig for it more then for hid treasures c. for my sighing cometh before I eat and my roarings are poured out like waters Job 3. 20 24. But he always concluded with submission unto the good pleasure of God When he had been asked how he did this was frequently his answer The bush alwayes burning but not consumed and though my paines be above the strength of nature yet they are not above the supports of grace 4. The Lord gave him so much of the Spirit of grace and supplications that his soul was never out of tune for that service Most of his words when under torment were holy complaints and prayers to God some of them I will record that they may not be forgotten O my God help Father of mercies pity Do not contend for ever consider my frame that I am but dust My God that hath made heaven and earth help me O give me patience and inflict what thou wilt If my patience was more my pain would be lesse Dear Saviour where are thy bowels Why doest thou make me an astonishment to my self and others Why doest thou cover thy self with a thick cloud that our prayers cannot passe Blessed is the man that endureth temptation Lord this is a sad temptation stand by me and say It is enough Am I not thy servant Consider Lord that I am thy servant O these bitter waters of Marah Lord drop sweet comfort into these bitter waters of Marah O the blood of sprinkling Lord Lord the blood of sprinkling That blood which extinguisheth the fire of thine anger O that it might allay my burning pains I am in a fiery furnace Lord be with me as thou wast with the three children bring me out refined from sinne When I have sailed through the Ocean of these paines and look back I see none of these can be wanting I flie unto thee O God hide me under the shadow of thy wings till these terrible storms be over-past 5. God added Humility as a crown to all his other Graces which did shine very bright in the eyes of all who were acquainted with him Hence it was that he would converse familiarly with the poorest Christians and with them who were of low parts for knowledge This his ordinary expression of himself before God spake loud Poor worm sinful wretch O pardon my transgressions for they are very great Hereupon he would weep much when he was told how much he was prayed for wondering at Gods goodnesse that so worthless a wretch should have so much interest in the hearts and prayers of the people of the Lord. And his language in his Will reports how little he was in his own eyes The words are there I desire that at my Funeral there may be no pomp but that so poore a worthlesse wretch may be privately laid in the ground Thus from the rare Graces received I proceed to the rich Comforts vouchsafed as manifestations of Christs singular love towards this Saint of the most High God O what kisses of Christs mouth and what embraces from the arms of his love were bestowed upon this man of God! He enjoyed all along his afflâ—cted condition an uninterrupted assurance of Gods fatherly love in Christ In his addresses to God he constantly claimed propriety My God and my Father His inward peace and joy were the support of his heart under all his gâ—inding paines He was confident of mercies mixtures with all his grievous distempers not at all doubting of the Sanctification of them through grace Thus he spake many times in his Applications to God Consider and save me for I am thine How long Lord how long shall I not be remembred yea I am remembred blessed be thy Name This is a fiery chariot but it will carry me to heaven Blessed be God that hath supported me hitherto and he that hath delivered will deliver Thou Lord never forgettest them that put their trust in thee Alwayes when the extremity of pain was over he would with smiles speak of Gods mercies Though trembling took hold upon him when his violent paines began yet he would with confidence say Now in
The doleful story of his ruin'd state And his three friends which acted Satans part He on his flesh and these upon his heart Who by disputing him unto a curse Would make his spirits tormeÌ„ts the far worse Were by Gods wise disposal sent to show The strength he on his Champion would bestow Thus Painters put dark grounds where they intend To overlay with finest gold lend By deeper shadows luster to that face On which they mean their choicest skill to place Thus workmen season much with sun wind Those greatest beams which must the building binde Whilst smaler peeces haply are put in When they come bleeding from the wood green Oft where is greatest grace God's pleas'd to send Great conflicts those great graces to coÌ„mend As the six finger'd Giants sword did bring The more renown to little Davids sling The vanquisht Lion and the conquered Bear Prepar'd that holy head a Crown to wear The Angel wrastled first and then did bless And made the greater servant to the lesse Pain was to great for thee Gods grace for pain And made the greater serve the lesse again Thy pains serv'd thee to glory and did sit The head on which a Crown of life must sit This is Gods method to fetch joy from grief To turn our sorrows unto our relief To save by killing and to bring to shore By the ships planks which was quite broke before And thus a barren womb first took the seed Which did six hundred thousand people breed That seed too must from knife and alter rise And be before a fire a sacrifice Great Preacher of thine heavenly Fathers will Thy tongue did many years with Manna fill Thy life out-preacht thy tongue O blessed strife Thy sicknesse the best Sermon of thy life Before each Doctrine must be prov'd anew Thine end was one great proof that all was true Before thou preacht by weeks but now by houres Each minute taught thy mourning Auditors Each patient groan and each beleeving eye Was a new Sermon in Brachygraphy When nature roars without repining words Grace in the mouth wheÌ„ in the bowels swords In midst of torments to triumph o're hell To feel Gods Arrows yet his praises tell Through thickest clouds to see the brightest light In blackest darkness to have clearest sight And with our Lord to cry my God my God Upon a Crosse under the sharpest rod. This is indeed to preach this is to show Faiths triumph over natures greatest wo. Then welcome fiery SerpeÌ„ts scortching sting Which did thee thus to th' brazen Serpent bring Then welcom Whale which though it first devour Renders at last the Prophet to the shore Well might'st thou bear the stone which death did throw Who hadst the white stone the new name to show Wel mightst thou be with such an ulcer calm Whose soul was heal'd before with heavens balm When spirits wounds are cur'd though nature groan An heart of flesh can heal a back of stone Let conscience have her feast and let flesh roare This pain shal make the others joy the more As many times those flowers most fragrant smell Which nearest to soÌ„e noisom weeds do dwel Thus have you seen the forge most clearly glow On which the Smith doth drops of water throw Keen frosts make fire the hotter deep night Causeth coelestial lamps to shine more bright And by a dear Antiperistasis The childs distress sweetens the father kiss A wounded body yields to a sound soul The joys of this do th' others paines controle As in the day that the Sun beams appear All other lesser stars do disappear When heaven shines and divine love doth raign The soul is not at leasure to complain Internal joyes his heart so well composes That they have judg'd their flames a bed of Roses Mr. Gataker Mr. Whitaker But what shall England do from whence are lopt Two of her richest acres to heaven dropt By losse of these two acres shee 's more poor Then if she'had lost a hundred Lordships more 'T were a good purchase to gain these agen By giving to the sea all Lincoln-fen Two little mines of gold do far surpasse Huge Mannors where th' whole vesture is but grasse Learn we by them what al men wil once say One Pearch of heaven 's worth the whole globe of clay Ed. Reynolds D. D. To the memory of Mr. Jeremy Whitaker powerful in Prayer and Preaching pious in life patient in sicknesse c. NAy now forbear for pity sake give o're You that would make the Clergy none or poor We are made miserable enough this year That we have lost our Reverend Whitaker Losâ—e above Deans and Chapters had but he Liv'd stil preacht Ziba take all for me Nay I beleeve had Sacrilegious hands Finger'd our poor Remains of Tyths Lands Whilst he surviv'd they had but sin'd in vain Whitaker would have pray'd them back again As Luther did a young mans soul repeal Giv'n to the Devil under hand and Seal A Chariot and an Horsman we have lost In whose each single pray'r incamptan Host How have I heard him on some solemn day When doubtful War could make all London pray Mount up to heav'n with armed crys tears And rout as far as York the Cavileers Have you not seen an early-rising Lark Spring from her turf making the Sunne her mark Shooting her self aloft yet higheâ— higher Till she had sung her self into heav'ns Quire Thus would he rise in pray'r and in a trice His soul become a Bird of Paradise And if our faint devotions prayers be What can we call his lesse then Extasie On his Preaching If with th' Almighty he prevailed so Wonder not that he wonders wrought below The son of consolation and of thunder Met both in him in â—thers are asunder He was like Luke Physitian of both kindes Wrought cures upon mens bodies and their mindes The falling sicknesse of Apostasie Dropsie of drunkennesse prides trimpany The Megrim of opinions new or old Palsy of unbelief Charities Cold Lusts burning Feaver Anger 's Calenture The Collick in the conscience he could cure Set the souls broken boneâ— by holy Art He hath dissolv'd the stone in many a heart Harder then that he dy'd of O come in Yee multitudes whom he hath heal'd of sin And thereby made his debtors pay him now Some of those tears which he laid out for you Interest-tears I mean for should you all Weep over him both use and principal 'T would wash away the stone which covers him And make his Coffin like an Ark to swim Now wipe thine eyes my Muse and stop thy verse Thy ink can only serve to black his herse Yet stay I 'le drop one tear sigh one sigh more 'T is this Although my Poetry be poor O what a mighty Prophet should â— be Had this Elija's mantle falne to me Oh might I live his life I 'de be content His sore diseases too should me torment And if his Patience could mine become I would not be afraid