forces to suppresse that dawning light which threatned ruin to his kingdom of darknesse The harshnesse of those proceedings together with the constancy of the good though simple Christians that with evidence of truth and resolution of minde maintained Faith and a good conscience were of great moment with him to facilitate the entertainment of that purer doctrine of the Gospel which began to shine into his soul This being apprehended by his Parents they jealous of his change sent him over to Lorain in Flanders and to win him to a compliance in religion setled upon him an estate in Lease of 100lb per annum old rent but like St Paul Phil. 3. he counted all outward advantages as nothing in comparison of the knowledge of Christ Jesus Therefore his Father perceiving his unchangeable stedfastnesse in that choice which had nothing to prejudice it but the seeming novelty recalled him and with great displeasure revoked his own Grant which yet could not take effect without the Sonnes consent But the young disciple had already learned the hard lesson of self-denyall and forsaking all to follow Christ Therefore to preserve his conscience he gave up that which had been the bait of Apostasie Now the Lord that hath promised to his faithfull followers satisfaction for all their losses raised him up Friends by whose means and advice he pursued his studies at Oxford and in process of time when not only the clowds of ignorance and superstition were dispelled but also the showers of blood were blown over he took upon him the publick Ministry of the Gospel He was houshold Chaplain to Robert Earl of Leicester and Pastor of St Edmunds in Lumbertstreet London In that Parsonage-house by his Wife Margaret being of an honest Family of the Pigots in Hertfordshire among other Children he had this Sonne Thomas born Sept 4. A. D 1574. In his Childhood he was so addicted to those means which his Parents applied him unto for the implanting in him the seeds of good literature that he needed a bridle rather then a spur for his love of Learning equall to that admirable capacity wherewith the Father of Lights had furnished him was so active in the acquiring of it that his Father hath often gently chidden him from his book Neither were his nimble wit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Greg. Naz. Epitrph Basil sharp reason and vast memory perverted to be the instruments of that debauchery wherewith the corruption of our nature doth too often stain and deflower our first dayes for he had a lovely gravity in his young conversation so that what Greg. Nazianzen said of the great Basil might be averred of him that he held forth Learning beyond his age and a fixedness of Manners more considerable then his Learning Having happily dispatched his tyrocinnia of first exercises in the Grammer-Schools wherein he overcame by strange industry the difficulties which that age destitute of many helps our present dayes enjoy conflicted withall and outstripped many that ran in the same course before he had compleated sixteen years A. D. 1590. He was by his Father placed in St Johns Colledge in Cambridge Not long after his settlement there his Father being called by God to receive the reward of his labours left him not wholly destitute yet not sufficiently provided for any long continuance of his studies there But God that hath engaged his truth and mercy to the upright even for their seed also Psal 112. 1 2. especially when the Sonne doth not degenerate or thwart the providence of God by a forfeiture of his title to the Promises provided friends and means for him who was by an hidden counsel then designed to be an instrument of doing service to the Church of Christ Thus the fruit was not nipped in a promising bud by the frost of want Now not from meer favour but from merit upon the proof of his Learning he was chosen Scholer of that worthy Society wherein he continued his Studies with unwearied diligence and happy success till he with Abilities answerable to his Degree commenced Master of Arts. Take for an instance of his Industry this viz. that he was a constant Auditor of that eminent Light of Learning Mr Jo. Boys who read a Greek Lecture in his bed to certain young Students that preferred antelucana studia before their rest and ease The Notes of those praelections he kept as a treasure and being visited by Mr Boys many years after he produced them to the no small joy of the good old man who professed himself made some years younger by that entertainment Then was contracted that streight friendship betwixt Mr Gataker and that faithfull servant of Christ Mr Rich. Stock which continued untill the death of this Reverend Minister as appears by the testimony given unto him at his Funeral An evidence of the good esteem which Mr Gataker had now acquired for his Learning and Piety was this that a College being then to be erected by the munificence of the Countess of Sussex the Trustees of that Foundress Persons eminent for Zeal and Prudence did choose him to be one of that Society They transplanted him into that new Nursery of Arts and Religion being confident that he would as he did by Christs assistance prove fruitfull for the ornament and benefit of that Seminary Indeed they laid hold of him before the house was fit for inhabitants fearing lest so fair and promising a flower should be taken up by some other hand But while the College was in building that he might not lose any opportunity of doing good he retired to Mr William Aylofes house in Essex who had gained him that he might instruct both himself in the Hebrew Tongue and his eldest Sonne in Literature proper to his age In this Family partly by his own inclination and partly by the incouragement of the Governours thereof he performed holy Duties for the instruction of the whole houshold expounding a portion of Scripture every morning that the Sunne of Righteousness might as constantly arise as the day brake in upon them In this Exercise whereby he laboured proficere prodesse both to edifie others and himself he dispatched the Epistles of the Apostles the Prophecies of Isaiah and a good part of the book of Job rendring the Text out of the Original Languages and thence delivering cleer explications and also deducing usefull observations Dr Stern then Suffragan of Colchester visiting the Mistress of the Family to whom he was neerly related happened to be present at this Exercise when Mr Gataker explicated the first Chapter of St Pauls Epistle to the Ephesians which is known to be most pregnant of deep divine mysteries This portion of holy Writ he treated upon with so happy elucidations that the judicious Doctor much satisfied with the performance and admiring the indowments of Mr Gataker exhorted him instantly to take holy Orders whereby those Gifts might be authorized for publick use and improved for the building up of the Church and withall
tell their children and their children another generation This hath been the custome of Gods Psa 78. 1. Psa 66. 16 20. Num. 33. 1 2. Worthies in all ages according to his command whereby themselves have received comfort others benefit and God glory And this I seriously perswade though I have not leasure to enlarge it Let future ages understand the most remarkable passages of Gods Providence which you have experienced whereby sin may be rendred odious and Christ with the waies of faith and holinesse may be represented precious to the souls of succeeding ages 3. They should endeavour to clear both their own credit and consciences in reference unto all their conversings in the world This I propound from the example of Samuel when he was old and gray-headed pointing only at the Story 1 Sam. 12. 1 2 3 4 5. which is well worth consideration and imitation And in this practice let the honour of Religion be rather vindicated then your own Give God the glory of your own unreprovable conversation and for your known miscarriages expresse your repentance which will produce both present inward peace and future reputation Thirdly The aged should possesse their souls with patience This is one of the particulars which St Paul adviseth Titus to presse upon old men viz. that they be sound in patience This Tit. 2. 2. grace of patience considered under a threefold notion is needfull and would be commendable in them 1. Patience in waiting for the full accomplishment of all Gods Promises You have need of Patience saith the Apostle Heb. 10. 35. that after ye have done the will of God you might receive the promise And St James propounds the practice of the Husbandman to perswade this Behold the Husbandman waiteth Iam. 5. 7. for the precious fruit of the earth and hath long patience for it I may tell you whose heads are gray whose lives have been a long seed-time in waies of well-doing Behold the fields are Ioh. 4. 35. white already to harvest Your time of reaping is at hand therefore hold up your heads and hopes in a patient expectation of your recompence of reward 2. Patience in forbearing those who load you with provocations In this case let David be your Example who silently 2 Sam. 16. 10. without yeelding unto motions made for revenge submitted unto that affliction with which God did exercise him through the cursings of Shimei With how much contempt doth the Lion the King of Beasts passe on his way notwithstanding the barkings of angry dogs Therefore you aged ones who are crowned both with gray-hairs and graces Look upon your selves as ready to set foot into your palace and to take possession of the Kingdom prepared for you and hereupon with a holy scorn slieght all the clamors and snarlings of them who speak evil of you because you refuse 1 Pet. 4. 1 4. to run with them into the same excesse of riot 3. Especially Patience in a calm and chearful bearing of all those infirmities and afflictions which are wont to accompany old age Remember that your age is your Crown and therefore carry it with contentment though it cause your heads to ake M. Cartwright upon my Text hath this note Adversus senectutis incommoda difficultates recreare debet That the holy Ghost doth purposely tell the aged that the hoary head is a Crown that by this consideration he might releeve them under all the grievances which attend that condition of life M. Muffet upon my Text speaketh thus Old age is born up by these two staves 1. Life well-spent 2. Hope of future glory And Bishop Hall hath this expression in his Meditations and Vows I account old age the best age 1. Because the inconveniences of it are only bodily with a better estate of minde 2. Because nearer to dissolution Hereunto he addeth this Story When a man told a Philosopher that he was sorry to see him so old he returned this answer Be sorry rather that ever I was young to be a fool Many such like Meditations might be added to check frowardnesse to maintain patience under all the pressures of old age but I shall referre to the fore-mentioned priviledges which appertain unto them whose hoary heads are found in the way of righteousnesse Fourthly They should be sound in faith 1. Both in the doctrine Tit. 2. 2. of faith in the truth of the Scripture having had long time for triall to discern betwixt things which differ and therefore in reference to Fundamentals at least they should be able to say with David to God Concerning these thy Testimonies Psa 119. 152. Rom. 4. 19. Luk. 2. 25. Deut. 34. 1. I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever 2. And in the grace of faith being strong in confidence whereby they shall with old Abraham glorifie God and with old Simeon go singing to heaven It was an easie thing with Moses to die when God had shewed him the promised Land And it 's a good sight to behold ancient Christians carried out of this world with full sail of assurance hearing them to speak as Job did I know that my Redeemer liveth Iob 19. 25 26 27. and though after my skin worms destroy my flesh yet in my flesh I shall see God whom I shall see for my self c. It well becometh them likewise in times of trouble to pleade their old experiences with bold confidence Why withdrawest thou Psa 74. 11 12. 71. 17 19 21 thine hand even thy right hand pluck it out of thy hosome for God is my King of old Whereas their infidelity is the more inexcusable in it self and the more provoking unto God because manifold providences both in former and later years have evidenced unto them Gods power and truth They Psa 106. 21 22 23 24. forgat God their Saviour which had done great things in Egypt wondrous things in the Land of Ham and terrible things by the Red Sea therefore he said that he would destroy them c. they beleeved not his Word And hence it was that both Moses Numb 20. 12. Luk. 1. 18. and old Zechary were so severely dealt with for their incredulity Fifthly They should be sound in charity This the Apnstle Tit. 2. 2. addeth to the former And it is very reasonable in many regards for as they have long lived upon Gods love so they have received most kindenesses from men in manifold exigences and the necessities of their old age do call for continued and renewed compassion from time to time Here I shall only touch upon three Rules to guide this grace in its exercise 1. For purity their love should be most enlarged upon the account of piety As it was the praise of Titus that his 2 Cor. 7. 15. inward affection was more abundant whilest he remembred the obedience of the Corinthians When speciall kindenesse is shewed towards them who are of the houshold
that morning ordered the continuation of a weekly relief to certain poor and also of some small monethly Pensions to some Widows for a season caused his Physician to be consulted about taking something that might procure rest was erected to a more cheerfull disposition inquired after News and discoursed freely yet confest himself to be in pain About three of the Clock that afternoon feeling some great change after that putting forth of nature he called for his Sister Sonne and Daughter to receive his last charge Thus he spake unto them My heart fails and my strength fails but God is my fortress and the strong rock of my salvation Into thy hands therefore I commend my soul for thou hast redeemed me oh God of Truth To his Sonne he turned his discourse thus Sonne you have a great charge look to it instruct your Wife and family in the fear of God and discharge your Ministry conscientiously To his Sister a Gentlewoman two years elder then himself he said Sister I thought you might have gone before me but God calls for me first I hope we shall meet in Heaven I pray God bless you His Daughter he admonished to minde the world less and God more for that all things without piety and the true fear of God are worth nothing He advised that his Sonne Draper being a man of means would entertain some godly Minister into his house to teach his children and instruct his family He exhorted them all to concord which he hoped the rather because he had cleerely setled his Estate so as to prevent differences He inlarged himself in each a little wishing all to lay to heart the words of a dying man After this he desired that all should withdraw and leave him to his rest which he hoped was at hand but all his conflicts were not yet accomplished July 27. His voice began to be less intelligible the putrid preternatural heat having furred up his mouth as is usuall in Feavers yet his understanding and senses also were very quick and active About six of the Clock in the evening he called for his Sonne to recommend his soul unto God by prayer and endeavoured to express what he desired but not so cleerly as to be well understood yet by his gestures he gave assurance that he understood perfectly and concurred fervently with the devotions used on his behalf Within an hour after nature being quite spent he gave up the Ghost and was translated into that Rest which he so often and earnestly had desired to finde in another world because he could obtain none in this Greg. Naz. in Epitaph parentis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thus after the 43 years inspection of this pious and diligent Pastor of Redrith he left his flock returning to the great and chief Shepheard of our souls from his gracious hands to receive an incorruptible Crown of glory And of his flock I may take up the words of Greg. Naz. to Basil concerning the condition of that Church whereof Gregories Father had been Bishop You see how full of sadness and trouble this destitute flock appears making question whether ever it shall enjoy another discreet shepheard but very confident it shall not receive an equal to their deceased Paster and resolved to acquiesce satisfied in their lot if they can obtain one that shall be not much worse For his Person the express whereof though often importuned by deer friends he would never allow to be taken either by pencil or sculpture He was of a middle stature of a thin body and of a lively countenance fresh complexion that looked young when he came to teach at Lincolns Inne and yet was grey betimes that made him be thought elder then he was because he had long appeared ancient in the eye of the world of a choicely temperate diet of a free and cheerfull conversation addicted to study but not secluding himself from fit company of a quick apprehension sharp reason solid judgment vast memory which by Gods mercy continued fresh to the last of his days He was helluo librorum one that did not vainly increase his Library for shew but chose Books for use which he made of them so happily that he had conquered a strange portion of Learning and made it serve him upon all occasions He was not so great a Treasurer as a free dispencer of those riches of the minde which he did communicate readily expeditely cleerly He was an ornament of the University and of that Society designed for the study of Law a light of the Church the Salt of the place where he abode a loving Husband a discreet Parent a faithfull Friend a kind Neighbour a curteous entertainer of strangers a candid encourager of Students a stout Champion for the Truth yet a lover of Peace preserving the unity of Charity where there was a difference of judgement an adversary to novel fancies as well as to antiquated superstitions in Religion of a Christian magnanimity to despise the world and therefore resolute through bad report as well as good to maintain a cleer conscience Briefly he was a faithfull Shepheard and a fit myrror for Pastors as well as an exact pattern for people Satur vitae tanquam conviva recedit Hor. who having almost completed 80 years departed full of life but being dead yet speaks in his living monuments of sound Learning A Catalogue of the Works of Mr THOMAS GATAKER B. D. now extant OF the nature and use of Lots 4o. 1. Edit 1619. 2d Edit reviewed corrected and enlarged 1627. A just defence of the same against Mr J. Balmford 4º 1623. Thomae Gatakeri Londinatis Antithesis partim Gulielmi Amesii partim Gisberti Voetii de Sorte Thesibus reposita 4º 1638. A discourse of Transubstantiation with a Defence thereof 4º 1624. Davids Instructer The Christian mans care The Spiritual watch The Gain of Godliness with Self-Sufficiency The Just mans Joy with Signs of Sincerity Jacobs Thankefullness Davids Remembrancer Noahs Obedience An Anniversary Memorial of Englands delivery in 88. Sorrow for Sion Gods Parley with Princes with an Appeal from them to him Eleazers Prayer a Marriage Sermon A good Wife Gods gift A Wife indeed Marriage Duties Deaths Advantage The benefit of a Good Name and a Good End Abrahams Decease Jeroboams Sonnes Decease Christian Constancy Crowned by Christ These published first severally in 4º were after collected into one Volume in Folio The Decease of Lazarus in 4o. St Stephens last Will and Testament 4o. A Defence of Mr Bradshaw against J. Canne 4o. Gods Eye on his Israel 4o. A Mistake removed and Free-Grace c. in Answer to J. Saltmarsh 4º 1646. Shadows without Substance a Rejoynder adversus eundem 4º 1646. Mysterious Clouds and Mists c. an Answer to J. Simpson 4º 1648. M. Anthony Wottous Defence 8o. 1641. A true Relation of Passages between Mr Wotton and Mr Walker 4º 1642. An Answer to Mr. G. Walkers Vindication 4º 1642. A Vindication of the Annotations on Jer. 10. 2. 4
it doth call for double honour Now this honourable respect of the aged especially if godly must be expressed 1. By reverent gestures Thou shalt rise up before the hoary Lev. 19. 32. head and honour the face of the old man 2. By giving them the precedencie in speaking in all cases to be debated Elihu said I am young and ye are very old Job 32. 6 7. Adolescens bis interrogatus respondeat Bern. wherefore I was afraid and durst not shew mine opinion I said Dayes should speak and multitude of years should teach wisedom 3. By testimonies of due estimation to their persons even at those times when there may be occasion to blame some of their practices Rebuke not an Elder but intreat him as a Father 1 Tim. 5. 1. 4. By submitting unto their grave and gracious counsels Likewise ye younger submit your selves unto the elder The Apostle 1 Pet. 5. 5. Philem. 9. stileth himself Paul the aged to prevail with Philemon to yeeld unto his advice 5. By preferring them if in all other regards comparison be equall in discoveries of love and estimation As it was agreed upon betwixt Paul and the Disciples that he should rather lodge at the house of Mnason an old Disciple then any Acts 21. 16. where else By thus doing we shall witnesse to the world that our judgements are rectified and our conversations are ordered by the word of truth and that therefore we account the hoary-head to be a Crown of glory if it be found in the way of righteousnesse Now having concluded my discourse upon the Text I know it is expected that I should speak unto the occasion of our meeting concerning this Reverend Father whose Funeral we now celebrate I will premise this that a full Narrative of his long well-spent Life cannot be expected from my report at this time but I hope that it will in due time be drawn up and handed unto you for his honourable remembrance and for imitation unto posterity by One who wasfully acquainted both with his Life and Death In generall this I dare assert with confidence wherein I doubt not your consent that his hoary head was a Crown of glory for it was found in the way of righteousnesse Through Gods good providence he had a long time worn this his Crown for he was well nigh Fourscore years old Notwithstanding this his great age yet through unusuall divine indulgence his strength was not labour and sorrow for he Psal 90. 10. was neither afflicted with the Stone or Gowt or Cramp or any Cough but he laboured only as I have often heard him say under the disease of weak old age That which is recorded of Abraham may be applied to him That he died in a Gen. 25. 8. good old age an old man and full of years Neither were the abilities of his minde abated but his understanding and memory continued strong even unto his end As all his Works published do proclaim his incomparable learning in all kindes so those which were lately printed do witnesse that Academicall studies when he was young were fresh and ready for improvement in his old age And the promise made to the righteous man was verified in him He shall bring forth Psal 92. 14. fruit in old age he shall be fat and flourishing In all which regards whether we consider the continued healthfull frame of his body or the uninterrupted fruitfullnesse of the gifts and graces of his spirit it may be truly said of him in reference to his death That he is come to his grave in a full age like as a Job 5. 26. shock of Corn cometh in in his season But that I may not anticipate the intended Narrative of his whole Life I shall only declare two or three passages towards the end of his dayes When he looked upon the weakning distempers which had caused him to keep his bed as the Arrest of death he was pleased through his love to my worthlesse self to give order that I should be certified of his weaknesse that he might be remembred before the Lord in my prayers and also that I might be requested as from himself to perform the like office of respect for him which I had lately done for his Reverend neighbour Mr Whitaker by preaching his Funerall Sermon Upon this intelligence the next morning I hastened unto him to witnesse mine unfeigned love and honourable respect of him as also to put this work which I have now performed with his approbation upon an abler hand but finding him altogether unwilling to excuse me I thought it more meet to undertake it then to distemper his spirit by my refusall By reason of his very great weaknesse he could not speak much but that which he said was weighty and savoury which I will faithfully relate His words were these I am now conflicting with my last Adversary though I beleeve the sting is taken out Nature will struggle but I humbly submit unto the good pleasure of God I heartily beg the pardon of my many sinnes especially of my want of sedulity and fidelity in my publick and private charge hoping to be washed with Christs blood and desiring to be translated out of this restlesse condition I expect daily yea hourly to be translated into that everlasting rest which God hath prepared for them who are interested in his Christ And I pray God to blesse you and his whole Ministery every where These were his last words unto me upon which I might much enlarge my self but I leave the improvement hereof and of his laborious exemplary Life unto your conscientious endeavours Although he be now dead yet he still liveth by his worthy Works already printed unto which I hope many more which be left ready for the Presse will be added for future profit in the Church of Christ I conclude with hearty desires that this sad providence in his death may be sanctified unto us all and especially unto his nearest Relations through Gods rich grace in Jesus Christ FINIS The Narrative of the Life and Death of Mr GATAKER Mr THOMAS GATAKER or GATACRE for so he wrote himself till of later years to prevent miscalling occasioned frequently by the view of the letters he changed it into GATAKER was a branch of an ancient Family so firmly by Gods providence planted in Shropshire that the stock hath continued in the same House carrying the Name of its owner and known by the title of Gatacre-Hall by an uninterrupted succession from the time of K. Edward the Confessor His Father Mr Thomas Gatacre being not the eldest sonne of William Gatacre was designed by his Parents to the study of the Law in order to which he was a student at the Temple During the course of that institution he occasionally coming to visit some Kinred then high in place and power was often present at the examination of some Christian confessors of the Gospel in those severe times wherein Satan armed all his