A funeral sermon on the death of that learned & excellent divine the Reverend Mr. Samuel Willard, Pastor of a church of Christ in Boston, and vice-president of Harvard Colledge. Who deceased Sept. 12. 1707. aetatis suae 68. / By Ebenezer Pemberton, A.M. ; To which is annexed, a poem, on the same sorrowful occasion, by the Reverend Mr. Benjamin Colman.

A funeral sermon on the death of that learned & excellent divine the Reverend Mr. Samuel Willard, Pastor of a church of Christ in Boston, and vice-president of Harvard Colledge. Who deceased Sept. 12. 1707. aetatis suae 68. / By Ebenezer Pemberton, A.M. ; To which is annexed, a poem, on the same sorrowful occasion, by the Reverend Mr. Benjamin Colman.

Table of contents

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Title page

The Epistle DEDICATORY TO THE Congregation Lately under the PASTORAL CARE Of the Reverend Mr. SAMUEL WILLARD.

Besides small Literal Mistakes, & false Stops, there are these ERRATA's which disturb the sense.

The following BOOKS Written by the late Reverend and Learned Divine Mr. Samuel Willard, to be Sold by Benjamin Eliot at his Shop under the West End of the Town-House in Boston.

A Funeral SERMON On that Learned and Excellent DIVINE The Reverend Mr. SAMUEL WILLARD▪

APPLICATION.

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Title page

A POEM, On ELIJAHS Translation, Occasion'd by the DEATH of the Reverend and Learned, Mr. SAMUEL WILLARD.

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A Funeral Sermon ON THE DEATH OF THAT Learned & Excellent DIVINE The Reverend Mr. SAMUEL WILLARD, PASTOR of a Church of CHRIST in Boston, and VICE-PRESIDENT OF HARVARD COLLEDGE. Who Deceased Sept. 12. 1707. Aetatis Suae 68.

By Ebenezer Pemberton, A.M.

To which is Annexed, A POEM, on the same Sorrowful Occasion, By the Reverend Mr. BENJAMIN COLMAN.

BOSTON: Printed by B. Green, for Benj Eliot, & Sold at his Shop under the West end of the Town House 1707

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The Epistle DEDICATORY TO THE Congregation Lately under the PASTORAL CARE Of the Reverend Mr. SAMUEL WILLARD.

DEAR FRIENDS,

THE Great God, who is the only Fountain of true Honour, has imprinted that Majesty and Beauty on true Excellency & Piety, that they command Esteem and Reverence from all that observe them. And the more Eminent any are in Intellectual or Moral Perfections, the more diffusive in their Goodness; the greater Honour is due to them when Living, & when Dead. Such as have been Publick Benefactors to the World by their Worthy Deeds, [Page] challenge the most Publick Acknowledgements. And to deny their Memory this just Tribute, will argue an heavy Imputation of Ingratitude and Injustice, both to God and Them. This seems agreeable to the Natural Notices of what is Good and Excellent, which are ingraven on the Minds of all men.

Hence the Very Unletter'd Nations have had many Contrivances, some odd enough, to Eternize the Memory of their admired Hero's.

That Part of the Heathen World, that has been better Disciplined, has always had an Honourable Regard to the Names of their Departed Friends, who either for Wisdom, or Courage, or Vertue, did singularly deserve of the Publick. Funeral Panegyricks were made to Celebrate their Praise; & the greatest Care was used to transmit their Names with all Marks of Honour to their Latest Posterity.

The People of God themselves have in all Ages accounted it a part of Piety, Justice and Charity to pay deserved Respects to the Memory of Great and Good men.

The Jews were famous for this: They were wont to prepare the Bodies of their Worthy's for their Funeral by Costly Spices, [Page] Rich Odours and Perfumes. This we have an account of at the Death of Asa. 2 Chron. 16.14. To which Custome possibly the Wise man alludes, when he tells us, A Good Name is better than precious Oyntment, Eccl. 7.1. Decent Sepulchres were provided for their Interment; and Funeral Elegies made in their Praise. Their Names were not mentioned without a Blessing on their Memory: And agreeably the Rabbins seldome quote any Person of this Figure, but with that Form of Honourable Commemoration, viz. Such an One of Blessed Memory.

The Primitive Christians accounted it no small part of their Religion, to do Suitable Honour to the Memory of their Deceased Saints, especially Martyrs, and faithful Pastors. They took care that the very Ashes of their Martyrs should not be treated as Common Dust: They were wont to Enshrine their Remains of Mortality in Tombs, & Erect Monuments, on which were Inscribed their Names, Quality and Character. Funeral Orations were made upon them: And they had Publick Records, called their Diptychs, in which their Names were Enrolled with all Circumstances of Honour. And in a little time they were prone to pay a Reverence, [Page] to a fault great, to the very Dormitorys of those that Slept in Jesus. To be sure in a few Ages they came to pay undue Honour to their Memory; which open'd the way to that Superstition, and Idolatry in their Invocation, and Worship of Saints, which the Church of Rome has been for many Ages Infamous for.

And tho' it becomes us to avoid all that was Superstitious, and faulty herein practised either by Jew or Gentile, Christian or Infidel; yet it seems agreeable to the Light of Reason & Revelation to perpetuate the Memory of our Worthies, and to mention their Names with due Respect. The Wise man tells us, Prov. 10.7. That the Memory of the Just shall be blessed; i. e. shall be praised as some; or shall be with praises, as others read it. And it is a Command given, Heb. 13.7. Remember them that have the Rule over you, who have spoken to you the Word of God, whose faith follow, considering the end of their Conversation. Indeed a great care is necessary that in all the Praises we give to departed Saints, we ultimately respect the Glory of God, who was the Giver of all their Valuable Endowments: Their Worthy Actions must be set forth in a manner suitable, and with a [Page] just design, to incite the Living to an Honourable Imitation of them. And thus there will be no real Inconsistency, but an admirable Harmony, between Praising the Dead, & Instructing the Living.

I cannot therefore but think that I have done but my Duty, what Christianity allows, & Invites to, in giving some Account of the Gifts & Graces of that Excellent Person, who was lately Serving God, and the Interest of this Congregation here below; but is now giving his Attendance on the Throne of the Lamb Above: And am perswaded it may be many ways advantageous, especially to this Flock of Christ; to gratify the desires of many, by a Publication of what of his Character was deliver'd in the following Sermon, in which I have the satisfaction to have said Less, than I am fully perswaded, was his Due. And sure I am, this short account of this Servant of God may, thro' the Blessing of Heaven, be of considerable Service to us, that have so long Sat under his Shadow, and have had our Souls, if not our own fault, often refreshed with his Dispensations.

The Great & Good things that are justly spoken of him, should lead us to magnify Christ the Fountain from whence all his Accomplishments were derived; and teach us what Honour is due to God in whom all Perfections do Concenter. They tend to inspire us with Gratitude [Page] to Heaven for the bestowment of so Rich a Blessing on us, and for the Continuance of the same for so long a season; and so to breathe into us the Spirit and Temper of Holy Bernard, who on the Death of his Brother Gerard broke out into that flight: ‘Lord, Thou hast given, and Thou hast taken away; tho' we grieve that Thou hast Taken away, yet we cannot forget that Thou didst give him.’ His Character may Excite us to a strict Examination of our selves, whether our Improvement of so great a Blessing has been proportionable to our advantages, which hereby have been singular; and may lead us to a solemn Consideration of that Awful Account we have to give up to God of so Rich a Price we have had in our hands; & how Speechless we shall be found if at the last we appear Strangers to Christ, and his Holiness. It may serve to promote our Humiliation, and Repentance for our past barrenness under such Manuring, as Heaven has afforded us, by the Care, Wisdom and Fidelity of This his Servant: It may direct our Endeavours after, and Prayers for a Successor, that may Enjoy a double Portion of his Gifts and Graces, to fit him to Stand in the Gap that is made in our Hedge. In a word, it may animate us to a due Imitation of his Holy Example, and to a just value for, and holy Improvement of what of his WORKS are left in our Hands, by which tho' DEAD, He yet Speaketh aloud to us.

[Page]By his Printed Works He has Erected himself a Monument, that will Endure when the Famed MAUSOLEUM's of the World shall moulder down, and be buryed in their own Ruines. These will render his Name a Rich Perfume to such as are acquainted with them, and have a true Relish for Pure and Undefiled Religion. These contain a Rich Treasure of Gospel Truths, which are adapted to advance our Christian Knowledge and Practice. In Them we have the Depths of Divine Wisdom and Grace, in the Salvation of Sinners discover'd, from its first Design and Projection in the Dayes of Eternity, to the Consummation of the Redeemeds Blessedness in the Kingdom of Glory, where Hope shall be turned into Fruition, and Faith into Open Vision.

Here (a) we have the Soveraignty and Freeness of Divine Grace displayed, and the Stability of the Believers Salvation asserted in the Account of those Transactions between the Father and Son before the Foundations of the World were Laid, concerning the Redemption of Lost man, when the Counsel of Peace was between them. Here (b) we have the Tenour, the Duties and Blessings of the Covenant of Grace Open'd: A Covenant under the Vows of which we were brought in BAPTISM, which we are called to Renew [Page] at the TABLE of the LORD; and which is the Foundation of all our Hopes for Eternity. Here (c) we have the Essential Characters of the truly Blessed Man. Here (d) the Polluted Sinner is directed to the true Fountain to cleanse in. Here (e) the Condemned Rebel is instructed in the true way, how he may Stand in the Judgment. Here (f) the Desponding Soul has a Remedy against Despair. The Prodigal Sons of men are here (g) drawn with the Cords of Love & Mercy to their Fathers Arms, to the Service, Table, and Entertainments of his House. Here (h) we are taught what value to put upon Divine Truths, and how to improve Wisdoms Market. Here (i) the Carnal lazy Professor is Admonished of the Evil & Danger of Barrenness in God's Vineyard. And (k) the Hypocritical warned of the Peril of Formality in Religion. The Sorrowful Christian has here (l) a Cordial provided to keep him from fainting. And (m) the Deserted Soul is instructed how to improve the Hidings of God's Countenance, so as to have the Joyes of his Salvation [Page] restored. Here (n) the Tempted are directed how to understand the Wiles of Satan, and how to behave themselves in their Christian Warfare, so as to come off more than Conquerors. In a word, the true Believer is here (o) acquainted with his Dignity & Priviledge, being Adopted into the Line of Heaven; and what the PORTION he may live in Expectation of, and shall fully Possess, when his Warfare shall be Ended, and he safely Conducted to his Fathers Presence, where he shall SEE CHRIST AS HE IS.

The Valuable Treatises, in which we have these Heavenly Lessons; together with a considerable number of Choice Sermons on particular Occasions, are Improvable Talents, which we must Account for before the Judge of the World. And it becomes us to take these, and improve them, as Elisha did Elijah's Mantle, which dropt from him on his Translation; and see what Wonders of Grace, may, thro' the Spirit of Blessing, be done by them on our Hearts.

And, I Trust, the Relation I stand in to you will allow me with importunity to press on you, as well as on my own Soul, Some few Words of Counsel and Admonition, which our departed Pastor often inculcated in the Course of his Ministry, & which are worthy to be Written on our Souls with Indelible Characters. viz.

[Page]Let us Labour to lay a good Foundation of Christian Knowledge, as the foundation of Practical Religion. His whole Ministry was wisely fitted to lay this foundation in us; and the want of it in many of his Charge he was wont pathetically to Lament. This Knowledge we must Endeavour to get, and improve in: which is necessary both to Truth and Growth in Grace. Without it our Affections are but blind Powers: they may be moved, and made Tumultuous, but not well regulated, and all the Impressions made on them will soon be Effaced.

Let us take care that all our Knowledge be Practical. To this End he open'd the Mysterious Doctrines of Religion; and set forth Christ in his Mediatorial Al-sufficiency; That we might be Encouraged to Duty by that Provision made for our Assistance, and Acceptance in Obedience.

Let us be Admonished not to Abuse the Doctrine of that Spiritual Impotence, which has invaded Humane Nature, to Sloth and Negligence. He with Sorrow observed in Conversing with Sinners, how they would fly to this as an Excuse for their being Strangers to the Power of Godliness. But we must remember, our Weakness lyes in our Wills, it is chosen & obstinate; and is seen in resisting the Grace which is offered, and which is sufficient for us; and therefore can never Excuse in the Eyes of an Impartial Judge.

[Page]Let us Use utmost Caution that we do not take up with a Presumptuous Confidence for true Faith. This is a Rock on which Millions have been dasht to pieces. This Servant of God was frequent in Warning against this, and in asserting the purifying influence of Saving Faith; and that an Unholy Believer was the greatest of Contradictions. Let us see then that our Faith do not separate Christ's Ephod from his Scepter: That it be not a Dead, but a Living Faith; that will purify the heart, work by love, and overcome the World.

Let us be careful how we take our State to be Regenerate without Examination: Too many it is to be feared, think they were Converted at such a Season, when they were under Legal Terrors, and afterward had some sensible Consolation; and they have recourse to this ever after, without trying themselves by their After Lives, which have the black Marks of the Unsanctifyed upon them. This cheat we have been often warn'd not to put on our own Souls.

Let us be careful to Sanctify the Sabbath of God. The Observation of which will have a great influence upon the whole of our Religion, as has been often Inculcated on us.

Let us remember the Solemn Cautions Enter'd in the Name of Christ against Apostacy, & all approaches to it, either in Principle or Practice.

Let us be careful, in the discharge of the Duties of our several Relations, to Adorn the Doctrine of God our Saviour.

[Page]Let us take the Counsels of God, which called us to Proficiency in the School of Christ, to be Stedfast, Immoveable, alwayes Abounding in the Work of the Lord, knowing our Labour will not be in vain.

These things, and many more, which we have Learned, Received, and seen in him, Let us do; and the God of Peace will be with us. The Great Shepherd of the Sheep will feed, lead, and defend this Flock.

In this way we shall Erect for him the most Honourable Monuments in our hearts; & his Memory will be always fresh, and his Name pleasant to us thro' the Dayes of Eternity.

I shall not add, But that the GREAT LORD and Head of the CHURCH may Shower down all Spiritual Blessings on This Congregation; That the Kingdom of Christ be here advanced by the Conversion of the Unbelieving, and Improvement of the Believing in Holiness: That you may always Enjoy the Means of Grace, & Divine Influences on them; that your Breach may be well Repaired; that your Houses may be Bethels; and every Soul a Living Temple; & that we may all meet together at last in the HOLY of HOLIES Above, and be FOR EVER with THE LORD.

Shall be the Constant Prayer of Your Affectionate Friend & Servant EBEN. PEMBERTON.

Boston, Octob. 16th. 1707.

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Besides small Literal Mistakes, & false Stops, there are these ERRATA's which disturb the sense.

PAge 38. l 1. after men, add does. l. 11. for (are) r (is). p. 41. l. 24 dele (at). p. 44. l. 26. for (Distriction) r. (Distinction). p. 46. l. 5. for (to) r. (thro') p. 73. l. 15. after (and) add (we). p. 74. l. 15. for (had stained) r. (did threaten to stain). l. 16. dele (did threaten).

The following BOOKS Written by the late Reverend and Learned Divine Mr. Samuel Willard, to be Sold by Benjamin Eliot at his Shop under the West End of the Town-House in Boston.

1 SPiritual Desertions Discovered & Remedied: being the Substance of Divers Sermons, Preached for the Help of Dark Souls labouring under Divine withdrawings, from Psal. 30, 7. Thou didst hide thy face & I was troubled.

2 The Fountain Opened: or the Great Gospel Privilege of having Christ Exhibited to Sinful men, wherein also is proved that there shall be a National Calling of the Jews, from Zech. 13.1. In that Day there shall be a Fountain Opened, to the house of David, and to the Inhabitants of Jerusalem for Sin and for Uncleanness.

To which is Annexed a Discourse of Evangelical Perfection, or how far the Gospel requires believers to Aspire after being compleatly perfect, from Math. 5.48. Be ye therefore perfect, as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect.

3. The truly Blessed Man: or the way to be happy here and for ever: being the Substance of Divers Sermons, Preached, on Psalm XXXII. throughout.

4. The Peril of the Times displayed, or the Danger of Mens taking up with a Form of Godliness but denying [Page] the Power of it: from 2 Tim. 4.5. Having a Form of Godliness but denying the power thereof.

5. Morality not to be relyed on for Life: or a brief Discourse discovering the One Thing wanting, which leaves the Legalist short of Eternal Life: from Mark 10 21. One thing thou lackest.

6 Loves-Pedigree: or a Discourse shewing the Grace of Love in a Believer to be of a Divine Original: from 1 John 4 19. We love him because he first loved us.

7 The Christians Exercise by Satans Temptations: or an Essay to discover the Methods which this Adversary useth to Tempt the Children of God, and to direct them how to Escape the mischiefs thereof: from 2 Chron. 21.1 And Satan stood up against Israel and provoked David to Number the People.

8. Walking with God the Great Duty and Privilege of true Christians: in Two Sermons: from Gen 5.24. And Enoch walked with God.

9. The Man of War: A Sermon Preached to the Artillery Company at Boston: from 1 Kings 9.22. These were men of War.

10. The best Privilege: A Sermon wherein the great advantage of Enjoying the Oracles of God is displayed, and the Duty of such as have them is urged: from Rom. 3.1, 2 What advantage then hath the Jew, &c.

11. The fear of an Oath: or some Cautions to be used about Swearing, if we would approve our selves truly Godly: from Eccl. 9.2. As he that feareth an Oath.

12. The Checkered State of the Gospel Church: being the Substance of a Sermon prepared for and in part Preached on Septemb. 18. 1701. being a Day of Publick Fasting and Prayer: from Zech. 14.6, 7. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark. But it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord, not day, nor night; but it shall come to pass that at evening time it shall be light.

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A Funeral SERMON On that Learned and Excellent DIVINE The Reverend Mr. SAMUEL WILLARD▪

Matthew XXIV.45, 46.

Who then is a faithful and wise Servant whom his Lord hath made Ruler over his Houshold, to give them meat in due season?

Blessed is that Servant, whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

IN the Conclusion of the former Chapter, our Lord-Redeemer entertains his Disciples with a Praediction of those Desolations, that were coming upon the Jewish Nation; In the final Destruction of their City and Temple, their Polity and Worship; in which He would appear in the visible terrors of his Wrath, and the Triumphs of his Power [Page] and Justice: and is therefore stiled his Coming. Upon this Praediction his Disciples came to Him as He sat on the Mount of Olives, and put two Queries to Him, viz. When shall these things be? i. e When will the final Ruin of Jerusalem Commence? The other Enquiry was, What shall be the sign of thy Coming, and of the End of the World? This I understand to be distinct from the former; and to refer to the Final Judgment. The reason why the Disciples joyn these two Queries together, may be this, viz. They had haply Entertained that Mistake, which prevailed in that day, that the End of the World, or Final Judgment, would either Synchronise with, or immediately follow upon, Jerusalems Destruction. Our Saviour returns an Answer to both these Questions; which tho' not fitted to gratify their Curiosity, yet was wisely adapted to promote their praeparation for these his Awful Appearances. He particularly acquaints them with some of the infallible Prognosticks and Fore-runners of his Appearance in the Clouds of Heaven, to Judge the Quick and Dead. For I can by no means perswade my self to subscribe the Opinion of some Grotius, Dr. Hammond. Criticks of no common figure in the Learned World, who look upon the whole of our Saviours Discourse in this Chapter, to look no further than the Destruction of Jerusalem: But must think that a great part of this [Page] Discourse has a principal aspect upon the Final Judgment. Now Christ applies the Doctrine of this his Personal Appearance to Judge the World, to Engage them to greater diligence and watchfulness, in their preparation to meet Him, when He shall be revealed from Heaven in flaming fire, and with the Retinue of Mighty Angels. This their preparation He further Excites them to, from two Considerations, the Suddenness of his Appearance, and the certain Blessedness of such as shall be found diligent and faithful in their Masters Work at his Coming▪ The latter of which Arguments is contained in our Text. The words read, tho' in their general scope are applicable to all Believers; yet nextly and peculiarly they belong to Christ's Faithful Ministers; who are in an appropriate sense the Servants of his House, the Stewards of his Family, and the Shepherds of his Flock. In them we may observe two principal parts.

1. We have the Character of a true Gospel Minister; which is drawn.

(1.) From his Relation to Christ. He is Christ's Servant, and Christ is his Lord. And every Gospel Minister is his Servant, not only by the common profession of Christianity, but special designation; by their particular as well as general Calling.

(2.) From his Work, i. e. to Rule and Feed Christ's Houshold▪ this is Essential to the Office [Page] of a Steward in a Family, to assign to every Servant his Work and Provision. He has the Care and Order of the other Servants committed to him. The Church is Christ's own House, the Houshold of Faith; and this must be cared for: fed with the Word and Bread of Life; govern'd & order'd according to Christ's Institutions, who is the Great LORD of the Houshold.

(3.) From those Vertues and Endowments which qualifie him for his Post, and which are to be Exercised in the discharge of the Duties thereof, viz. Fidelity and Wisdom. He must be a Faithful and Wise Servant; faithful to keep the charge and trust committed to him; and wise to discharge it in the best manner, so as best to serve the end of it; the Good of Christ's Family, and the Honour of the Great Master of it.

2. We have the reward of that Servant, who is wise and faithful in the Service assigned him. He shall be Blessed when his Lord comes; which undoubtedly intends not barely that he shall obtain true blessedness, but an Eminent degree thereof, in proportion to his wisdom and fidelity.

I shall not Endeavour to grasp all these things into one Doctrine; But shall consider them distinctly in that order in which they have been observed to lie in our Text. So that there are these four things to be considered.

[Page]1. The Relation that a Gospel Minister bears to Christ, He is his Servant.

2. The Work incumbent on him, to Feed and Rule Christ's Flock.

3. The Virtues and Endowments that are necessary to the true discharge of this Work. Fidelity and Wisdom.

4. The Distinguishing Reward, that shall be given unto him, by his Lord at his Coming.

I. We are to Consider the Relation that an Evangelical Pastor stands in to Christ: He is the Servant of Christ. The Great Doctor of the Gentiles glories in this Relation, and challenges the acknowledgment of it from others, 1 Cor. 4.1. Let a man account of us as the Ministers of Christ, & the Stewards of the Mysteries of God. The Honour of this Relation belongs not only to the Exalted Station of an Apostle; but to the meanest in the Sacred Function in the Successive Ages of the Church.

It must be acknowledged that there are several Wayes in which Men, and other Creatures, may truely come under this Denomination. By Creation, all Creatures are his Servants: For He is Lord of Heaven and Earth: He has an unalienable Propriety in, and an absolute Supreamacy over all Creatures therein, as they are the Works of his hands. Subjection to his Government well becomes the State of the highest Order of Created Beings. The bright Angels. [Page] of Light, who Excel in Strength, are at his Command, and obey his Will. He stands at the Head of the Lower Creation, and leads forth Creatures Animate, & Inanimate to Serve him, at his Pleasure. The Sun, Moon, and Stars in their Courses; Stormy Wind, Hail, Snow and Vapour, in their places are under his Command, and fulfill his Will. Thus all men as they are the Creatures of God, are his Servants. He spake the Word, and we Started into Being at his Creating Call: He made us, and not we our selves; Let us come before the Lord our Maker, and give him the Glory due to his Name.

All professed Christians are his Servants by External Vocation; visible Dedication, and solemn Stipulation. In Baptism we are openly consecrated to the Service of the Living JEHOVAH: And did solemnly renounce all other Service, unless in Subordination to Christ: And so we stand obliged to Christ as our Master by our own free Consent and Compact; to which Heaven and Earth are Witnesses.

All Believers are the Servants of Christ by Redemption, and the UNCTION of the HOLY ONE. They are not their Own, for they are bought with a price, their Spirits and Bodies are his Propriety. He has formed them for himself; and their Ears are bored to the Posts of his Door. And these are of his Family.

But in a more Appropriate Sence, Evangelical Pastors are the Servants of Christ's Family, by a peculiar Separation to Special Service; [Page] by which they are distinguished not only from the World, but from the rest of Christs own Houshold. By a special Deputation He has Set them over his house; He has given them a Commission to represent his Person, and Praeside under him in the great Affairs of his Visible Kingdom, Worship and Service. To be separated to the Work of the Gospel is not the peculiar priviledge of an Apostle, but common to every ordinary Gospel Minister. Christ has not left the Work of his House in Common, but has drawn a Sacred Inclosure about it, to keep out vain pretenders, that would take this Honour to themselves. A Liberty of Prophesying, as asserted by some, is indeed but a liberty to overturn the Order of the Gospel. All are intruders, and guilty of an Invasion upon the Sacred Office of the Ministry, that have not their Mission from Christ. For how shall they Preach unless they be sent? And who shall send them but Christ whose Ambassadors they are? No man taketh this Honour to himself, but he that is Called as was Aaron. This authority the Apostles, who were the first Heralds of the Everlasting Gospel, were immediately by Christ invested with: But this is mediately communicated to Christs ordinary Ministers, as their Successors. And these are not of men, tho' they are by men, by whom they are authorised to dispense the Unsearchable riches of Christ. Their Message they receive from Christ, whose Messengers they are. Their [Page] solemn Charge is given in his Name, and by his Authority they act. Agreeable hereto the Elders of Ephesus, tho' appointed by an ordinary Call, are said to be made Overseers of the Flock by the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Christ, Act. 20.28. And none but such can Administer the Word and Sacraments with Authority, or a reasonable prospect of Success. The Service that every Gospel Minister is Engaged in has an immediate respect to Christ: He assigns them their Work: Of his Revenue they are Maintained; and to him they must finally give up an account. Thus in a peculiar sence they are the Ministers of Christ; and only the Servants of their People for Christs sake. They are the Stewards of his Houshold; Labourers in his Vineyard & Harvest; Whose Province is to Sow, Plant, Cultivate and Manure the Soil of the Church, that Garden of Christ. And this their Relation to Christ tells us that their Station is high and honourable; their Charge most important; and their Account awful: That to contemn, insult, and outrage their Character, will be interpreted as an insufferable Indignity offer'd to Christ himself; and that their Master will highly resent it as such.

II. In the Second place we are to Consider the Work of Gospel Ministers. The relation of Servants necessarily infers Work, and Service for their Lord. And the special Service, which they are called to, is to Feed, Rule and Order Christs Family. [Page] They are Rulers over his Houshold to give them their Meat in due Season. How honourable is their Work! How difficult their Post, and the Service thereof! The dignity of their Station and Employment would well become the Excellency, and its difficulty requires the power, purity, and activity of the Highest Angels, that incircle the Throne of God. Their Work consists of two parts, and we may Consider them distinctly.

1. The Work of an Evangelical Minister is to Feed Christ's Family. Christ's Flock must be fed, and his Houshold must have suitable Provision made for them. And this by Office belongs to Christ's Servants, to whom he has committed the Word of Reconciliation. These are under the most Solemn Obligations, and awful charge to take care of this; as they would not be found Idle Shepherds, Slothful Servants, and Unfaithful Stewards, by their Lord at His Coming; and be Animadverted on as such. What Christ pathetically inculcates upon Peter, has a respect to all the Messengers of Peace, John 21.15, 16, 17. Simon Son of Jonas lovest thou me more than these? — Feed my Lambs— Feed my Sheep— Feed my Sheep. The same address He makes to every Pastor with the like Expressions of Endearment. This therefore is a principal, and essential part of their Office Work, to give the other Servants of God's Family their Food.

This Food must be Spiritual: Such a Provision [Page] as may be a proper Entertainment for the Soul: as may be suited to the Nature, Necessities, Spiritual Appetite, and Cravings of an Immortal Spirit, As bodily Food does answer the wants of the Body. Proper Food is Pabulum Vitae. It is necessary to the preservation, growth and nourishment of the outward man: It is suitable in its nature and design, to confirm and encrease the strength and health of the Body: To repair the decayes of Nature, and maintain it in a due Temperature and disposition to discharge the proper functions of life. Now in Analogy to this: Spiritual Food is whatever tends to beget, maintain and improve the true spiritual life of man. To nourish the Soul with Divine Knowledge, which is the proper food of the Understanding; to beget and strengthen, to encrease and nourish the Divine Principles of Grace and Vertue in the heart; to advance the Soul from one degree of Vertue to another; from it's Infant to a more virile State; To restore it from it's decayes and spiritual languishments to an athletick and healthy Condition; This is to afford it suitable food. And this is the business of the Stewards of Gospel Mysteries. Christ sends his Servants on this very Errand to open blind eyes, to soften hard Hearts, to awaken secure Consciences, and Edify the Body of Christ. And to feed Christ's Flock is to instruct their ignorance, inlighten their darkness, to nourish them with [Page] spiritual wisdom and vertue; to use proper methods to render their knowledge productive of an Heavenly Conversation, and to turn the principles of Truth into living principles of Action: It is to heal the wounded spirit, to comfort the Disconsolate, to raise up the Dejected, to encourage the Fearful, confirm the Wavering, reduce the Straying, to spur up the Loytering, and strengthen the Weak, that they may advance to higher degrees of the Divine Nature and Life. The Servants of Christ cannot indeed by any vertue of their own, or by the proper force of their Dispensations convey life and strength to the Soul: Paul may plant, and Apollos water, but God gives the increase: He blesses Zion's Provision, and cloaths her Priests with Salvation. They therefore are said to feed Christ's Family, when they use the Means Ordained for their Spiritual Nourishment. Now there are several Duties, in the discharge whereof, this food and nourishment is to be afforded to a People.

To this end the Word of Truth must be dispensed, and applyed. In which the mysterious methods of Divine Wisdom and Grace must be display'd, and unfolded: By this the knowledge of God and Christ is to be propagated, whom to know is Life Eternal. The Preaching of the Gospel is a wise and condescending method in which Christ is pleased to carry on a Treaty of Peace with Rebel Sinners. It is a proper [Page] Remedy for the spiritual ignorance and blindness, the forgetfulness and inconsiderateness of men. It is admirably adapted to rouze the secure and stupid out of their Spiritual Lethargy; to convince them of their sin and misery; to turn them from the Error of their wayes, and transform them into the Image of Divine Purity. It is fitted to build up Saints in Faith, Holiness and Comfort. Agreeably we have this Encomium given of this Word of Grace, the Dispensation whereof is committed to the Gospel Ministry: 2 Tim. 3.15, 16. It is able to make Wise to Salvation: It is profitable for Doctrine, for Reproof, for Correction, for Instruction in Righteousness. This is the (a) good Seed by which Sinners are begotten, and translated into the Kingdom of Light and Grace. By this Saints are (b) nourished, and made to thrive in all the dispositions of Holiness. In this the Wells of Salvation are open'd, whence the disconsolate may draw Water with Joy. And in the right dispensation of this the Servants of Christ are helpers of the Believers Joy (c). This Word they are oblig'd to dispense as they have Opportunity in their Private Applications to their People; and in the Publick Service of Gods house.

Again, they are to Feed the Houshold of Christ by a due Administration of the Seals of [Page] the Covenant, the Sacraments of BAPTISM and the LORD's SUPPER.

They are Authorized to Baptize: Mat. 28.19. By Baptism they Enroll Souls in the Number of Christs Servants, and acknowledge them as the visible Subjects of his Kingdom. Hereby they bring them under the Wings and Bonds of the Covenant; under the Care and Government of Gods Family; and intitule them to the provision of his Domesticks.

By a due Administration also of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper these Shepherds are to Feed the Flock of Christ. Herein Christ himself is set forth as the proper Food of Souls. His Flesh is Meat indeed, & his Blood is Drink indeed; & these are here under the sensible and lively Symbols of Bread & Wine, Exhibited for the nourishment of Grace. Christ's Ministers are to prepare their People for this Spiritual Banquet; lead them to it, that there they may be Royally Entertained with the Heavenly Manna, the Bread of Angels; which tho' not suited to the Gust of a Carnal Appetite; yet affords Superiour Satisfaction to the Spiritual Senses of the Divine Nature in the renew'd; and it is Wisely designed by it's Author to Maintain, Strengthen, and Perfect the Divine Life. And hereby we are to be sustained in our passage thro' this Wilderness, till we shall arrive safe at the good Land of Promise.

Again, Ministers must feed their People by [Page] their Prayers, both Publick and Private. * By their private and secret addresses to God for their Charge, and the success of their work. For this they must daily bend their Knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in an holy agony, wrestle with God to obtain the best of Blessings for themselves, and for their Flock.

Jacob's Ladder on which Angels were seen to ascend and descend, is thought to be a lively Emblem of a Gospel Minister; who is first to ascend to Heaven in holy Meditation & Prayer; and then to descend in holy Dispensations to his people. In this way they are to storm Heaven, and with holy violence wrest down the Blessing; give God no Rest till he comes and breathes his Holy Spirit upon them.

Ministers are also to nourish their People by their Publick Prayers. But then they must see that they be proper for nourishment: Not dark, mysterious, and unintelligible discourses; but proper addresses to Heaven, suitable to the Majesty, and Purity of the Presence they approach; and the state, wants and circumstances of Immortal Souls, whose Case they are to carry before the Throne of Grace. Their Prayers must not be Doctrinal, but Devotional: Thus there must be a care that they do not give their people [Page] Stones instead of Bread. And by these well order'd Prayers, they will afford true food to Souls. And not only as these Prayers are Means Sanctify'd, and approved to procure the Dews of Divine Grace: But also as they have a natural tendency to refresh and cherish the Souls of Gods People. These have a proper aptitude to inkindle Divine Breathings in their hearts; to inspire them with the true spirit of Devotion, to refine and purifie their carnal affections, to help them to some spiritual views of the beauty and excellency of Christ, and thereby to cherish the vital flame of Grace, and make it burn with greater heat and light. The experience of the Faithful will set a seal to this; that their hearts have been many times by the Prayers of their Pastors, rapt up to Heaven in Holy ardours, dissolved in love; their Souls pleased, and profited to no common degree.

In fine, they are to feed them by their Good Example. † They are under the awe of a strict Command from their Lord, to be Examples to the Flock; In Word, in Conversation, in Charity, in Spirit, in Faith, in Purity, 1 Tim. 4.12. The want of this in Ministers has a fatal tendency to destroy Souls; to harden the prophane and dissolute, to make them think all Religion to be no better then a cheat and fiction; and it tends to [Page] make the more serious to stumble, and despise the Altar of the Lord. The wicked Lives of such will read loud Lectures of Atheism and Irreligion; while in their Discourses they talk like Angels of Light. And many will give more credit to the Life they live, than to the Doctrine they Preach. Their good Example will be many ways beneficial: This will inform others in their duty, in their spiritual danger, and proper remedy: and Examples are the most easie and compendious way of Instruction: This will afford motive and incentive to encourage and inflame persons to press forward in the Service of God, and pursuit of the Heavenly Prize. Hence it is given as the property of the good Shepherd, that He goes before the Sheep. Joh. 10.4. They must labour to go before them in all parts of the Christian Life, and thereby recommend it to their choice and practice, they must be, as far as may be, instances of the comforts and joyes of Religion. Thus they are in all things to imitate the Great Shepherd of the Sheep; and this will be a Noble and Divine way of feeding the Flock of Christ. These are the several ways in which the Servants of Christ are to feed his Houshold; and if they neglect it, they must do it at their Utmost Peril, and know they must answer for it at the Grand Visitation of the Great Shepherd and Bishop of Souls, which is expected.

[Page]2. We must consider the other part of their work: Which is to Rule, Inspect and Order the Houshold. As the Church is a Society distinct from the World, so it must be under a distinct Polity. A Government suitable to it's Nature, Constitution, & End, was undoubtedly appointed for it. A Society without Government will be but an Ephesian Rout. There can be no Unity or Harmony between the parts of a Body Politick, if all its Members are in a State of Equality, and of the same Use & Service; But Confusion & Disorder will devour all that is good & beautiful without a Miraculous Interposition of Heaven. And this can on no terms be allow'd to be the State of the Church; that House and Temple of the Living God; who is a God not of Confusion but of Order. Now this Government lyes primarily upon the Shoulders of the Lord Jesus Christ; who is King of Zion, and Head of his Church. By his governing Providence he preserves and defends it against all the assaults of the combined force and malice of Earth & Hell. He has fixed it on a Rock, and the Gates of Hell shall never move it. By the Secret Power of his Word, and the unconquerable influence of his Spirit He rules in the Hearts of his People. And as the Great Law-giver of his Church. He has ordained Laws, Orders, Ordinances, Sacraments and Censures. All which are appointed for the due regulation of this Special Society. He does not Administer these in his own Person, for He is long [Page] since with drawn as to Bodily Presence from his Militant Flock; and appears at the head of his Triumphant People in Glory: And has appointed Officers, who, during his absence, are to act in his Name, and to see that his Laws, and Orders, made for the Government of his Visible Kingdom, be observed and executed; and the charge of these is committed to the Evangelical Pastors. I shall not here dispute who are the First Recipients of the Keyes of Christ's Kingdom. Thus much seems evident beyond contradiction, that it belongs to the Ministers by Office to Exert this Power; that by their hands the Keyes are to be turned both in Opening and Shutting the Kingdom of Heaven; that they act herein under Christ, by a power derived from him, what subordinate Helps to them, or what concurrence soever of others with them, in the Exercise of this power, may be thought requisite. The Pastor is therefore in our Text styled a Ruler over Christ's Houshold: And submission to Spiritual Guides as such, is an indispensible duty. Heb. 13.17. Obey them that Rule over you in the Lord; who watch for Souls, as those that must give an account. Their Power is not Secular but Spiritual. The Rods, Axes and Swords of Civil Government, are not the Instruments of their Government. Their (a) Weapons are not Carnal, [Page] but Spiritual; yet mighty thro' God to dismantle the Strong holds of the Kingdom of Darkness. Their Authority is not Legislative, but only Executive. They are not (a) Lords of God's Heritage, nor have they (b) Dominion over the Faith of his People: They are to govern, not by their own will and humour, but by the Laws of Christ; according to the Orders appointed by his Sovereign Authority, and Governing Wisdom, who alone is Lord of Conscience. In the Exercise of this Power they inspect the Houshold of Faith; give every one their meat in due season. By this Authority they Preach, Pray, & bless their Charge; by this they administer Sacraments, Censures: And in the regular discharge of this their Trust they can't be impeded, without a Breach upon the Authority of their Great Lord and Master.

III. We must consider those Vertues and Endowments which qualifie Ministers for their Station and Work, and are to be exercised in the discharge of the duties of it. And these are Fidelity and Prudence: They must be Faithful and Wise Stewards. We must consider these distinctly, as they are exercised in the discharge of the Trust committed to them. And,

(1.) The Gospel Minister must be Faithful. He is a Steward, & it is required of a Steward to be (c) faithful. Hence we have that charge, [Page] 2 Tim. 2.2. That these things be committed to faithful men. The Charge committed to them is great, of the highest importance: On the faithful management whereof, the Honour of God, the good of Immortal Souls, and their own peace and Salvation, does not a little depend Fidelity supposes a Trust committed or reposed; and intends a conscientious regard to all the parts of it, as it respects Christ, their Flock, and their own Souls. Now this Fidelity obliges, and disposes to the observation of such Rules as these, viz.

1. Fidelity obliges the Gospel Minister to make the Honour of Christ, and the good of Souls, the governing design of his Ministry: The End is the Rule to direct our judgment and choice of means: A corrupt design in Spiritual Guides will corrupt their whole Ministry; For that will be correspondent to that which is their primary intention, and last design in their work. If a Minister be under the governing influence of a worldly or ambitious spirit, all his administrations will, in probability, be suited to the depraved inclinations of that evil spirit: This will prophane his most solemn and sacred performances. There will be infinite hazard that his Doctrine, his Conversation, and Discipline be all prostituted to base selfish designs; and that the whole of his Ministerial Dispensations be calculated to the Meridian of Honour or Gain; which he makes his ruling Interests. [Page] If it will serve this worldly design, he will appear like an Angel of Light, all flame and zeal in the Cause of God; he will speak like an Apostle with Fiery Tongues, as if he had been filled with the Holy Ghost: But if another scene be open'd; and he perceive that zeal for the purity of Gospel Truth, for the chastity of Divine Worship, and beauty of Holiness, will not advance, but contradict his carnal designs; no wonder if we should see his zeal chill'd, and a time-serving indifferency take its place, and his courage wholly Exstinguished by a pretended Discretion. There will be great danger that such will disguise Truth, varnish over Error, and rebate the edge of the Word, that Sword of the Spirit, lest presumptuous haughty Sinners be too deeply wounded. There is nothing tends more to corrupt the Fidelity of Ministers, than false ends; for this will be a false byass to disorder them in their whole Walk: Hence they are solemnly charged to take the oversight of Christ's Flock, not for Filthy lucre: 1 Pet. 5.3. Such Buyers and Sellers Christ will ere long come and Whip out of his Temple. Neither must their own Applause and Repute govern them. It was part of Luthers Litany, for the Church, A Doctore Glorioso, Good Lord deliver us. It was the Apostles profession, that of men they sought not Glory, 1 Thes. 2.6. And it was the high Commendation given by Paul of Timothy, Phil. 2.20, 21. [Page] I have no man like-minded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, and not the things that are Jesus Christs. Christ's Servants if faithful, must be inspired with purity of intention in their Dispensation of the Means of Grace: They must imitate the good example of the ancient Stewards of the Mysteries of God; who could say, as 2 Cor. 4.5. We preach not our selves, but Jesus Christ the Lord, and our selves your Servants for Christs sake. Thus Fidelity requires that they have the Honour of God, and the Eternal Salvation of Souls, always in their Last View; and then all their Endeavours will be levelled to promote these blessed designs: and this will not permit them to debase their Heavenly Calling to mean, earthly designs. If they be faithful, they will be jealous for the Glory of Christ; & thirst after Souls,(a) travail in birth with them till Christ be formed in them: They will Preach, Pray, Reprove, Exhort, and Perswade, as those that have a just sence of the value of Souls, and of that weight of sin and misery that lies upon them; and as resolved to do all that they can to rescue them from Everlasting Burnings, and lead them to the Kingdom of Unperishing Glory. Thus with the Flames of Zeal and Love, and with the strength of unbroken resolution, they must prosecute their Masters Work; that they may [Page] save Sinners from Death, enlarge the Kingdom, and extend the Empire of Christ over the lost Rebel Sons of Adam.

2. Fidelity requires the Servants of Christ to furnish their own minds with a suitable measure of Divine Knowledge. (a) The Priests lips are to preserve knowledge, and we must ask the law at his mouth. Ministers are appointed Guides to direct lost Souls to Glory: but if the blind lead the blind, the issue will be unsafe; they may both expect to fall into the pit of Everlasting Darkness. An Ignorant Minister cannot be faithful: A Sun without Light, is not a greater Solaecism, than such an one: He must know every part of his duty, otherwise He cannot do it faithfully. Evangelical Pastors are to be Ready Scribes, well instructed for the Kingdom of Heaven; they are to be like the good Housholder that brings out of his treasure things new and old. Mat. 13.52. It is not a small degree of knowledge that will be sufficient to quality a person for the faithful discharge of the Ministerial Office. There must be a considerable acquaintance with the Learned Tongues, and Liberal Arts, which are subservient to Divinity: And a good Divine will make it his great care to transfer the spoils of other Arts, to the Service of the Temple. It was a Barbarous Age when there was reason of that complaint, [Page] viz. Graece nosse suspectum Erat, Hebrai [...]e prope Haereticum; and such ignorance will make it a dark Day with the Church of God: It will be cover'd with Clouds of Error & Ignorance. It was a Comprehensive Petition which was once made by a Grave Divine, when taking his farewell, for his bereav'd Flock, viz. That God would not leave them under the influence of a Dark Lanthorn, nor yet under the false light of an Erratick Fire; which would bewilder them in the by-paths of simplicity. Ministerial Fidelity will engage persons to use utmost care to be neither of these; that the light they give may not be faint thro' want of due knowledge, nor false thro' Error.

This Knowledge must be attained in an ordinary way, by much Study, Meditation and Prayer: For we are not born with it: Nor in this Age can we expect to be qualify'd for this Work by a Miraculous Descent of the HOLY GHOST in Tongues of fire, which was the priviledge of the Apostles on the Day of Pentecost. We may not without daring presumption depend on Extraordinary Visions, nor Immediate Inspiration; but on the blessing of God on our Endeavours. This Faithfulness must govern us in our Study, as well as in the Pulpit. And the care any take to accomplish themselves with knowledge to an uncommon degree, is to be esteemed true fidelity to those under their Pastoral Care; [Page] whose Service they are thus preparing themselves for. All Ministers should labour to deserve the Character of Apollos, a man Eloquent, and mighty in the Scriptures: They should fear to run like Ahimaaz, on a Message, without suitable tidings to carry to a people. They that are faithful will dread that Charge, 1 Tim. 1.7. who are desirous to be teachers of others, understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

3. Fidelity requires that they keep not back any part of the Counsel of God from their Flock. A Steward cannot be faithful, if he with-hold any part of that portion, which belongs to the Servants of the Family: What Christ has appointed for them, they must give them in due season. The Holy Scriptures are a Sacred Repository of Divine Truths; they are comprehensive of all Articles of Faith, and Rules of Duty; and these must be open'd. The Truth as it is in JESUS, is perfective of the Understanding in Divine Knowledge, and Directive of the Christians practice: And no essential part of this can be concealed, without the guilt of Sacriledge to God, and Injustice to the Souls of men; and both will infer unfaithfulness. The great design of Divine Revelation, is to retrieve Sinners from their state of sin and misery, and advance them to a state of Holiness, and compleat Blessedness: The whole Counsel of God is of Service to carry on this design of Grace.

[Page]It is to this end requisite that men be informed what was that state of Honour, Holiness and Perfection, in which Man was at first Created; How he was placed at the Head of the Visible Creation as Lord of the Lower World; How bright with the Beauty of Holiness, and Glory of the Divine Image, and what happiness he stood a Candidate for. They must be acquainted how this glorious Son of the Morning is fallen, his pomp and glory laid in the dust: How he revolted from God as his Sovereign Lord, and Supream Good; and put himself under a foreign Jurisdiction: What permanent Depravation and disorder in all his powers is contracted; What impotency has invaded his Nature, and what Treasures of Divine Wrath he is become Heir of; How the Infection and Pollution, together with the guilt of the first transgression is intailed as a cursed Inheritance upon all the Progeny of Apostate man.

They must be instructed in the blessed design of God to raise up, out of the corrupt mass, & rubbish of the Apostacy, some Glorious Monuments to illustrate the Honour of Sovereign Grace: The method in which this great affair was carried on to success, according to the Infallible Counsel of God: The Scheme of Apostate mans Recovery, which was projected, and methodized by Unerring Wisdom; How all the Divine Attributes herein meet in an adorable Harmony, and have a favourable aspect upon [Page] guilty man; must be, as far as is clearly revealed, explained and set in a proper light. There must be a discovery how the Three Persons in the GODHEAD do concur in this Design; and what part of mans Salvation is in the Word of God assigned to the distinct Agency of each Person. Ministerial Fidelity requires a Declaration of the nature of man's Redemption, the method in which it was impe [...]rated, and must be apply'd. To this end Sinners must be informed in the Doctrine of Christ's Person, who was true God, and real man; In the Doctrine of his Offices; in the truth, necessity and perfection of his Satisfaction, and the prevalency of his Intercession; In the extent and power of his Government; in the light and wisdom of his Instructions. To this end they must be instructed in the Doctrine of the Person and Office of the Blessed Spirit: In the nature and necessity of Regeneration, without which there can be no application of Redemption to Captive man.

The tenour of the Covenant of Reconciliation must be laid open; the duties it enjoins, the demands it makes of Sinners, the Blessings it offers; and the inseparable connexion between the duties and promises of this Covenant must be declared: And the nature, design and import of the Seals of the Covenant, Baptism, and the Lords-Supper, must be unfolded.

In fine, The Servants of Christ must labour [Page] to give Sinners a true view of the UNSEEN WORLD: They must set before them Future Misery in its Reality, Extremity, and Interminable Duration: And Future Blessedness in its Fullness and Certainty, Excellency and Eternity. Thus Fidelity requires that Articles of Faith, and Rules of Life, Promises and Threatnings, be dispensed according to Divine Revelation: And this gave the Apostle Paul boldness in making his Appeal to those that had been under his Tuition, and to take his Leave of them with this solemn address. Ye know—How I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you; wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am PURE from the BLOOD of all men; for I have not shunned to declare unto you all the COUNSEL of God, Acts 20.20. and 26, 27.

4. Fidelity requires that Ministers deliver nothing as the Counsel of God, but what they are fully perswaded is so. Ministers are Christ's (a) Ambassadors, and the Fidelity of such requires, that they deliver no Message in their▪ Masters Name, but what their Commission directs to▪ and will bear them out in. And their Commission runs thus. Mat. 28.20. Go teach all Nations—to observe all things that I have commanded you. They are (b) Stewards, and as such, must bring forth and dispense nothing but what their LORD has committed to them. They are [Page] (a) Watchmen, and are bound to receive the Word at CHRIST's mouth, and to warn Sinners from Him. Hence they cannot be faithful in delivering any thing in the Name of their Great Master, but what they have received from him. The contrary would be to abuse his NAME and AUTHORITY; to fix his Royal Stamp upon their own Wares. They must not therefore be wise in their Administrations above what is written: but must have all their Doctrines approved by the Law and by the Testimony. It is a Divine and Apostolick Canon, 1 Pet 4.11. If any man speak, let him speak, as becomes the Oracles of God; i. e. what is agreeable to the Form of sound words there laid down; and the Analogy of Faith there delivered to the Saints. Their Doctrine must contain nothing as Divine, but what can be proved, either by Express Scripture, or by just and necessary Consequence there-from. They must not make more Articles of Faith, nor Rules of Duty, than the Gospel has made: And what they deliver must be only with the same degree of Certainty, that they stand in the Oracles of Heaven: Doubtful things must be delivered only as Doubtful; Certain, as Undoubted: What are doubtfully true, or undoubtedly false, will but ill become the Mouth of an Ambassador of the God of Truth. They must not think to refine Gospel [Page] Truths; or blend them with their own mistaken vain Conjectures; which will make a medley no way wholesome to the Souls of men. And indeed nothing has been more injurious to the Church of Christ, than for persons of the Sacred Character to publish their own Whims, the freaks of wild Enthusiasm, and the Rants of an over-heated Imagination for the Unerring Counsels of Heaven. First to form a Module of Notions in their own heads, and then to strain Scripture to approve their preconceiv'd Schemes, to torture it to confess truths it is a stranger to; this is every way unworthy the Character of a Gospel Minister, and is most prejudicial to the Sacred Interest of the Gospel: Fidelity commands here a Caution; how else can they come with a, THUS SAITH THE LORD.

5. It requires that they Employ all their Talents in this Work. Our great Lord has distributed his Talents among his Servants with an admirable variety according to his Sovereign pleasure: and none has reason of just Complaint; for he is Lord of his own, and is a debtor to no man. (a) There are Diversities of Gifts, tho' the same Spirit. Some enjoy Gifts more Excellent as to Nature & Kind, more as to Number, and greater as to Degree, than others. (b) One Servant has but One Talent, and another two, and a third five. There is a great difference as to the Natural [Page] and Acquired Abilities of Christs Servants; and as to Grace as well as Gifts. All the Stars that appear in the Firmament of the Church, are not of equal Magnitude, nor do they shine with equal brightness. There is a vast difference as to the Opportunities of Exercising these different Endowments, which arises from their several Stations, or parts of the Vineyard they are Set to labour in. There is a great difference also as to their Name, and repute in the World, and consequently, as to their Interest, Influence, and Authority over others. Now all these are improveable in their Masters Service, which they are to Occupy for his Honour, till He come▪ And they cannot be Faithful if they do not improve all these, in their just proportion, to the advancement of the great Work they are Engaged in. For to whom God has given much, He requires the more. (a) God expects a proportion between mens Receipts and Returns. Hence it is not sufficient for one Servant to say, he does as much as some others, who are undoubtedly faithful, whereas he ought to do more Service than they, who have not equal Ability and Opportunity. He that has but two Talents will be faithful, if there-with he gaineth but two; but he that hath five will be unfaithful if he gaineth not five more. Their Work is so Excellent, and difficult, that it deserves and needs the greatest [Page] Abilities. The most Exalted Capacities will here find Employ, more than they will be able to goe thro'; tho' their Knowledge was as quick and extensive as the Intuitions of Angels. None of their Talents are to lye by without improvement; none must be imbezled, or misplaced upon other things, neither upon affairs of State, nor Trade. For tho' men may not be able to charge them with neglect of their duty, yet they will fall under the charge of Christ, who has given them their Abilities.

All the Talents committed to the Ministers of Christ are consecrated to the Service of Christ in his Church: and what is it less than Sacriledge to alienate them? They must Employ them in proportion to what they have received, if they expect the EUGE at last from the Mouth of Blessing: Well done good and faithful Servants.

6. It requires the greatest Impartiality in all their Administrations. Partiality is a Crime of unpardonable Guilt in Civil Rulers, but of a much heavier Imputation in Ecclesiastical. To have respect of Persons argues Injustice, and infers Unfaithfulness. Ministers should imitate their Lord and Judge, who is (a) no Respecter of Persons; before whom the Poor and Rich, the Base and Honourable stand upon the same Level. Indeed as to the Manner of Application [Page] to Persons of differing Characters, there may, & many times ought to be a Difference, but not as to the Matter. The High & Low, the Master and Servant have one and the same Rule of Life: They must enter the same Strait Gate, and walk in the same Narrow Way, if ever they arrive safe at the Port of Blessedness. The Gospel has not made that Sin in the Poor, which is not (Caeteris Paribus) in the Rich. All Souls are of equal price in the Sight of Christ, and ought to be so in ours. Hence with what Awfulness and Majesty is that charge given; 1 Tim. 5.21. I charge thee before God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Elect Angels, that thou observe these things, without preferring One before another; doing nothing by Partiality. They must not be byast by favour and affection, in their Masters cause; They must search every Wound to the bottom, and bear witness against the Sins of all in their Administration of Censures and Reproofs. It will be their honour and duty to approve themselves the true Sons of Levi; (a) who said to his Father and to his Mother, I have not seen him; neither did he acknowledge his Brethren, nor knew his own Children; that he might observe God's Word, and keep his Covenant. The practice of the Apostles must be their Rule. (b) They must Warn every man of his danger, and Teach [Page] every man his Duty; that every man may be presented at last Perfect in Christ.

7. It requires Unwearied Application, and Unstinting Resolution in the Discharge of the duties of their Post. The Honour of their Lord, the Excellency of Immortal Souls, that are in the last hazard of Eternal Perdition, the solemn Charge they are under, and the strict account they must live in expectation of, do demand, and are pressing arguments to move them to the greatest watchfulness, diligence and constancy in their work. The necessities of their Flock do importune and challenge this of them. Without this application they can have no good prospect that their work will be crowned with success; but have reason to fear lest their labour should be under the blast of Heaven. Sloth and negligence is inconsistent with Fidelity. To do the work of the Lord Negligently, is to do it Deceitfully; and such as are thus guilty, will never fullfil their Ministry. It has been faithfully observed by Dr. Bates. a Great Divine, what a vast difference there is between the work of an Artificer and a Minister: ‘The Statuary with long labour cuts the Marble to form it into a noble Image, but he leaves his work at his pleasure; and when he resumes it, the Matter being durable, it is in the same state towards finishing, as when he left it.’ But it is not so with the hearts of men, which Ministers are at work upon. Flesh, [Page] World and Devil are joyned in a cursed Concert to ruine their work, and to deface all good impressions that at any time are made upon the hearts of their People: And their diligence is equal to their policy and malignity in counter-working Christ's Labourers. Worldly cares and carnal pleasures easily divert the thoughts of the awakened Soul, and so damp and stifle the Convictions, with great difficulty and labour wrought within them: Satan like a Bird of Prey watches the seed of the Word as soon as sown, and picks it up, that it may not take root; and is ready to sow tares in the room of good Seed. The greatest diligence and watchfulness is necessary to prevent his ill designs. By sloth and negligence there is advantage given to the Evil One: while the Labourer slept, the Enemy soweth Tares, Mat. 13.25. When a Holy Spark is struck into the Soul, either by publick or private addresses; and seems to have taken hold, how soon is it quenched? Good resolutions are easily dampt; devout desires and affections chill'd; and the Heart that seem'd to melt and flow at the Presence of God in an Ordinance, is often by the next Ordinance grown as hard as the adamant: And thus the work of Christ's Ministers is often undone, nay, goes backward, rather than forward. And what resolution and pains are enough to withstand and vanquish this opposition, and carry on the desired work to success? Sure we may be, that [Page] the work is like to be left undone, unless God's Servants are patient, unwearied, & faint not in their labours. Hence the Apostle with the greatest solemnity, and authority lays this charge upon them, 2 Tim. 4.1, 2. I charge thee before the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the Quick and Dead at his Appearance and Kingdom, Preach the Word, be instant in season, and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. This diligence and application must be exercised in their preparations for their publick Dispensations; without which they can't well expect to prosper. It was an awful word spoken Mr. Shepard Camb. by an Excellent Person, whose praise has been thro' out these Churches: viz. ‘;God will curse that mans Labours, who lumbers up and down in the World all the week; and then on Saturday afternoon goes to his Study.’

There must be also the Exercise of an indefatigable Spirit in all their applications to their Flock, if they would maintain their Fidelity. They must give way to no discouragements. Want of success and reproach, hopes and fears must not move them from their duty. No present Evil, or Advantage must prevail upon them to stand still, and see the Truths of the Gospel undermined, or adulterated; but must couragiously make head against the most popular Errors, and common Immoralities, in the face of the greatest outward danger. Truths must [Page] not be concealed, nor the strictness of Gospel precept relaxed to gain the favour of men, of what figure soever; for thus their trust would be betrayed. The Temper and Resolution of the Apostle will well become every Servant in Christ's Family. Acts 20. [...]4. None of these things move me, neither count I my life dear to my self, so that I may finish my Course with joy, and the Ministry that I have received of the Lord Jesus. This Resolution and Application to their work is necessary, that they may stand before Christ's Tribunal Pure from the Blood of Souls.

(2.) Prudence is another Vertue that is a necessary qualification of the Stewards over Christ's Houshold, which must be exercised in the discharge of every part of their Function. They must be Wise, as well as Faithful: This is a perfection, by which we not only consider and judge aright of things in their general nature, and understand Truth and Error, Vertue and Vice; but also it enables to take a view of things in their various circumstances, and to form a right judgment of particular cases, and well to determine what is most fit, proper, and expedient to be done in that variety of Cases, which are to be expected when we come to practice. When the right end is fixed, Wisdom directs in the choice of those means that are best adapted to attain the design: And agreeably, ²¹ the [Page] Chief among the School-men define Wisdom to be Recta Ratio Agibilium. A due knowledge how to conduct our selves in the performance of those things which are incumbent on us; so that our work may succeed. The Wiseman has more intelligibly described this Vertue to the same purpose: (a) The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, and (b) Wisdom is profitable to direct. Carnal Policy, or Serpentine Subtilty, if not temper'd with a Dove-like innocency, [...] not an Ornament, but a reproach to an Ambassador of the King of Heaven. There are vile arts of insinuation, which suit well enough the Character of the Emissaries of Hell, who are cunning to deceive; which must not be accounted any part of the Character of the Ministers of Truth, who must be wise to win Souls. They must not only consider what is duty, but also in what method this may be done to the greatest success. Prudence includes great Praecaution to obviate difficulties, and evils that may threaten their work with unsuccessfulness; and Sagacity to espy and improve all advantages to carry on their laudable designs. It is impossible for me fully to set forth this vertue in its nature, excellency and power; or in that influence it ought to have upon this Sacred Order of men, in their faithful discharge of the duties of their Place. I shall only hint [Page] at a few Cardinal points, to which Ministerial Prudence must always have respect, viz.

1. Ministerial Wisdom must be Exercised in a suitable Care and Caution not to Expose their Character to Contempt. There is a just Reverence due to the Character of God's Ambassadors, which cannot be lost without Evident dammage to their Masters Service. Few People are so Metaphysical as to abstract the Calling from the Person: to contemn the Person of a Minister & yet reverence his Office. It must be allowed therefore as a standing Maxim of Wisdom, that Ministers must be careful to Maintain that Reverence, which is due to them for their Work sake. Indeed many times Vile and Profligate men will load them with contempt tho they are never so circumspect: Their very Character is enough to Expose them to the scorn and banter of some, whose Vices have sunk them below the vilest parts of the Creation, who are lost to all sense of what is virtuous, good and sacred▪ But they must be careful not to deserve such rude treatment. That by their foolish anguarded Conversation, they do not invite the Profane to ridicule and insult them. And it must be acknowledged that they are the Criminal Occasions too often of that Contempt and Indignity which is cast on them. Hence we have that advice given to Titus, and to every Minister in him, Tit. 2.15. Let no man despise thee. Which Precept must be observed by avoiding every thing [Page] that will make them appear Vile, Mean & Little in the eye of the World. And this Prudence is to be seen in.

To this End Prudence directs and requires Ministers to avoid Vice and Immorality. For this will wound the best Reputation, and Expose to Contempt. And renders these Servants of God in a peculiar manner Vile. Thus Eli's Sons rendred themselves Vile. This will darken the LIGHTS of the World; and render the SALT of the Earth insipid; and no Wonder then they are of no Account.

To this End they must take heed of Ignorance. Knowledge is a good Medium to preseve their Character; but Ignorance will render them contemptible in the Eyes of Good and Bad. This may sometimes be from want of Natural Abilities; and the defects of Nature are not to be Exposed, but Pitied. But this defect should keep them from invading that Office, where Knowledge is necessary; and Ignorance challenges Contempt, being Exposed to open view. There is good instruction in that Admonition that dropt from a Witty Pen, ‘If Owls would not be hooted at, let them keep close within the Tree, and not Perch upon the upper bows.’

Again, To this End Wisdom directs to avoid every thing that will argue a Servility of Temper: All Sordid Complyances with men of Corrupt Affections. They must take heed not to use any mean Acts of flattery to insinuate themselves into [Page] the favour of Men. They must not stoop to any thing below the Dignity of their Station, to gain the Esteem of the World. All Methods of Dissimulation and Flattery argue a mean and little Spirit, which is the proper object of Contempt. Thus they must Watch against every thing that is contrary to true Generosity, or Greatness of Soul▪ which should appear in their whole Deportment; and which will make them Venerable in the Eyes of the World. They must avoid all Actions that will argue them to be under the influence of Narrow and Stingy Principles. Fear and Cowardise, an immoderate Opinion of, and Fondness for the Pomp and Grandeur of the World; Too nice a regard to circumstances, & Shadows, and a disregard of Substantial Realities, will Tarnish the Glory of the brightest Character, and invite the Contempt due to a Little and Mean Soul.

To this End they must be careful not to go to the Utmost Limits of what is Lawful. What others may do without Scandal and Reproach, Ministers many times may not without Exposing their Character. Thus also all affectation, affected [...] Modes of Speech, Gesture, &c. And a Spirit of Popularity are to be shun'd, if they would observe the Rules of true Prudence: For all these debase the High Calling of the Ministry, and destroy that Respect and Reverence, which is requisite to a succesful discharge of their Office.

[Page]2. Prudence must be Exercised in forming a Right Judgment of Things, Persons, and Seasons, for the more Succesful discharge of the several parts of their Trust. There is a great variety of Circumstances which may have an aspect upon each of these, which must be understood in order to our carrying on our Work to the best advantage.

There must be a right Judgment of Actions and Things. The Apostle layes it down as a necessary point of true Knowledge and Judgment to Approve the things that are Excellent, or which differ, Phil. 1.10. There is a vast difference between things, and without the knowledge hereof we can never make a Wise choice, which should be made according to the value, and rate that things bear. Some things are Essential and Fundamental, without which neither Grace here, nor Glory hereafter can be Expected; other things are Circumstantial: Some things are Duties by Divine Institution, other things are so only from Principles of meer Prudence: Some things are the Weightier Matters of the Law, other things are but as the Tithings of Mint & Cummin: Some are Gnaws, others Camels ▪ Some are Moats, and others Beams, as our Saviour calls them: Some are indispensibly Necessary, other things are Expedient Pro hic ad nunc. And most frequently the Moral denomination of Actions, and especially as to their degree, does depend upon circumstances, which are Variable. Now Wisdom must discern between these, and the judgment [Page] must conclude and determine accordingly. For things must be pressed, insisted on in proportion to their necessity and excellency. The want of Prudence to make this judgment, is many times highly prejudicial to the Work of the Ministry.

Again, there must be a right judgment of Persons. Without this they can never divide every one his Portion aright. All respect to Persons is not a Criminal Partiality; but there is a consideration of Persons, and a distinguishing regard to them, which will argue no common Wisdom in the discharge of their Pastoral Care. There is a great difference in the Tempers of Persons to be treated with; nay a great variety is observable in the Frames and Dispositions of the same Person at different Seasons. That address that may be suitable to Melt one, may Exasperate another; that, which may be fit to Gain a man at one time, may have a tendency to Alienate him at another, and to fill him with prejudice against the Truth. Every man has some Quality, that renders him Accessable, and capable of perswasion, which if understood and wisely addressed would afford an happy prospect of Success. And tho' Religion will not allow Ministers to gratify the Vitious humours of men, yet Wisdom requires that care be taken to improve their tempers to the best advantage, to recover them from the Error of their Wayes. Wisdom requires a Distinction to be made between these [Page] that are of a different Growth and Improvement in the School of Christ. (a) Some are Children and they must be fed with Milk; Some are Strong Men, and they can bear Strong Meat. (b) Some are Lambs in Christs Flock, and these must be gather'd with our Arms, and carryed in our Bosomes; Some are with Young, and these must be led with great tenderness, gentleness and compassion▪ There is a great difference in the diseases that Christs Flock may be infected with; which requires a different application▪ What is Obstinacy in one, is a Pitiable Infirmity in another; and the obstinate are to be sharply reproved; and the Weak to be pityed, and by degrees strengthen'd.

There is a difference to be observed between the Civil Characters of men, which Ministerial Wisdom directs to a due care not to make a breach upon in treating with them. They are not to be soothed up in any Evil wayes; Sin must not be suffer'd to ly upon these; the Rich and High are to be charged in the Name of Christ to perform the Duties, and shun the Sins, of their Station; their Sins are to be reproved▪ but Prudence directs that all this be done in a way consistent with that distinction that Providence has made. Nathan in reproving David has Set Ministers a Pattern to Write after. Superiors must not be insulted, nor exposed to the [Page] Contempt of those that are under them: The reproofs given them must not be Satyr which will Sting, but such Wise Remonstrance of their reproveable Actions, as shall at once convince of their own Error, and the respect and love of him that makes it.

Again, Wisdom requires a right Discerning of Times, and to act according to a true judgment of them. It is the Character of the Wise man, That his heart discerneth time and judgment, Eccles. 8.5. One season may afford an happy Conjunction of favourable Circumstances, which may promise Christ's Ministers greater success in one part of their work, than another season may. Now a Word spoken in season has its peculiar beauty and advantage. Ministers are not to be Time-servers to promote their own secular designs; but they must be Time-servers in suiting their Dispensations to the advantages that every season may peculiarly afford them to do good to Souls. A word seasonable at one time may not be so at another. Providences which are various, call for that at one time, which they do not at another. And Wisdom obliges to a right Consideration, and Application proper to a day of Adversity, and to what is proper for a day of Prosperity. There are Truths of the day to be open'd and defended; Errors of the day to be detected and confuted; Sins of the day to be Witnessed against. And Prudence directs the Servants of God to a regard to these. There are [Page] some Seasons more proper than others to treat with the same Persons; and these must be watch'd for, and improved. This point of Wisdom Abigail critically observed in her treatment with the Churl Nabal. And [...] the want of this many times Pearls are Exposed before Swine, and Holy things are thrown to Dogs. In these things therefore Ministers are to Exercise a discerning judgment: and so approve themselves Wise as well as Faithful.

3. Prudence must temper, regulate and proportion the expressions of their Zeal. Zeal is a Grace necessary to every Christian; and is required to an Eminent degree of those that watch for Souls. These are stiled Angels, who are Flames of Fire: They are to be like them in a warm Indignation against Sin, in a burning love to Christ and Immortal Souls, and in holy ardours in the Service of God. Lukewarmness and indifferency of spirit in the Cause of Christ, and of perishing Souls, will be a reproach to their Work, and Master; and tends to make Sinners indifferent and careless about the great interest of Eternity: whereas a well regulated zeal in the Advocates for God and Souls, will be a proper medium to make Sinners in earnest in working out their own Salvation. But all is not true zeal that men call so; what many times assumes the name is but a degenerate passion, a fury raised in their own cause, and not in Gods: It [Page] is a fire indeed, but an unhallowed one, not kindled at Gods Altar, that neither came from Heaven, nor ascends thither. It is therefore requisite that this affection be under an holy Goverment; which must be managed by that true wisdom that comes from Above. Prudence must direct it to a Right Object; for without that it will be a zeal not according to knowledge: the matter of it must be good; it must be placed upon true Catholick Christianity; and not on the Religion of a Party. It must be founded upon right and durable Principles, which right Reason, and the Holy Word of God will justifie; and not built upon unaccountable Impulses, nor designed to serve the Interests of any particular party; Prudence here is profitable to direct.

Again, Wisdom will see that it be exercised in ways consistent with Charity and Christian Compassion; and not with the corrupt ferment of wrath and bitterness to the persons of any. It must also Regulate the Measure and degree of this affection. It must take care that it be only in proportion to the value and importance of the thing, about which zeal is exercised. It must not with the same heat be exercised about Modes and disputable Rites, as about the Essentials of our Christian Faith, and Practice. The same degree of zeal is not due to Tithing Annise, Mint and Cummin, as to Righteousness, Mercy and Peace, which are the weightier matters of the Law; and the very vitals of [Page] and undefiled Religion. Herein therefore Wisdom teaches them to make a difference in the expressions of their zeal; and not to pursue every thing with equal heat, earnestness and passion. And this zeal, thus attemper'd and proportioned to the weight of objects, and according to these rules directed by Prudence, will help Christ's Ambassadors to carry on the Treaty of Peace with Sinners to advantage.

4. Prudence is to direct them in the right management of their addresses to men. And there is a great degree of Prudence necessary to the right ordering of the Publick Discourses of Christ's Messengers: That they may know what to say, and what not; to determine in what Order, Method and Manner to treat of Divine Truths, that they may have the best influence upon their Audience. The Understanding is the Leading Faculty in the Soul, under the influence of its Light and Conduct the Will, Affections, and all the executive powers are to be exercised. Hence Religion must first in order of nature have possession of this power; and consequently this Faculty must be first informed, and Wisdom will direct the Servants of God, like wise Master Builders to lay here the Foundation of true Divine Knowledge.

It will also instruct what things are to be taught in the First Place, and what Principally to be insisted on, with greatest frequency and inculcation. It must direct in the Choice of [Page]Subjects suitable to the state and necessities of a People.

Wisdom must teach also in what Manner the Truths and Laws of Heaven are to be promulgated. That they be dispensed with Gravity, without Affectation; with Zeal and Courage without Temerity; with Authority without Usurpation; with Tenderness and Affection without the Weakness of humane Passion. It must direct in the Dress and Language of their Discourses. This must be Intelligible, Pertinent, neither too Laboured nor too Negligent, most expressive of the notions to be communicated, and free from that Pomp of Words that will obscure the Matter discoursed of: this latter must be avoided, left there be reason to say of a Discourse, as the Philosopher did of a Tragedy: It was a good One, if a man could have seen it for words. And as to the Language of Discourses, a difference must be allow'd, and is proper on several accounts: One Subject will allow greater Ornament of Language without any ostentation, than another; an Address to the Affections will admit that Language which may not be so proper when the Understanding for its information is immediately apply'd to; there is a difference here also to be allowed between one Auditory and another; between common Discourses, and such as are made on some special Occasion; and there is a difference between the Natural and Acquired Gifts of Preachers, some [Page] being able to speak with greater Strength, others with more of Ornament and Politeness. Now Wisdom is to consider these different circumstances, to suit the Language to the Subject, Occasion, and End.

Again, This must direct to the best method of discoursing: This can't be always the same, a variety of Subjects to be treated on, will not allow it. But Prudence will teach that Discourses be made always in the most easy, natural, and intelligible method, that the matter will allow. This will be not only helpful to the Memory in retaining, but to the Understanding in taking a just view of things.

In all these things the Wisdom of the Heralds of the Everlasting Gospel is to be displayed, to promote the good Entertainment of their Message.

And thus we have finished the Consideration of their Qualifications. We proceed to the last thing.

IV. Lastly, We are to Consider that Distinguishing Reward that will be given them when their work is done. They shall be Blessed. Here two things.

1. They shall obtain the Reward of Blessedness.

2. This their Reward shall be distinguishingly great.

1. The Wise and Faithful Servant shall obtain the Reward of Blessedness. This reward comprehends [Page] in it a perfect freedom from all disquieting Evils, and the full possession of all Satisfying Good. The Nature and Excellency, of this reward, we are not able in our present Embodied State, to take a comprehensive view of. We have not Faculties enlarged to that Capacity, nor refined to that Purity, and Clearness, nor Exalted to that Strength and Vigour, which are necessary to Entertain, and bear an Open View of Future Glory. The Object is too Vast and Bright, and our Understanding too weak, narrow, and earthy. A Sight of it in its true beauty, brightness and fullness, would dazle, confound and overpower the mind; & Mortality must sink under the very sight of that weight of Glory. God has seen meet in condescention to our Infirmity, to represent this under the shadow of such Earthly Things which have most of Profit, Pleasure and Honour in them: But after all, the Reward is Great and Excellent, beyond thought and expression.

This however we may be sure of is contained in it, viz. That these Blessed Ones, during their State of Separation from the Body, shall be safely lodged by their Lord, who has the KEYS of the INVISIBLE WORLD, in the Paradise of God, a place of inconceivable Refreshment; a Place so bright and serene, as not to need either Sun or Moon to Enlighten it. Where they shall Enjoy the happy Society of Angels and Perfected Spirits; nay, of CHRIST [Page] himself; with whom they shall live in the Exercise of the wisest acts of Endearment, and in the highest Expressions of mutual Love and Friendship. There their Employ will be that of Angels, every way suited to the Perfection of Glorify'd Saints. There they shall be fully freed from all that Sin that here infested them; from all those sufferings that here griev'd them; from all those Labours that here wasted their Spirits; from all those Enemies that were here shooting their envenom'd arrows to wound their peace. There the Divine Image which was here begun, will receive its finishing strokes: Their knowledge will be without Error, or faulty Ignorance; their Holiness without Defect; their Love in its Perfection; and their Joy in its Fullness: and all their Enjoyments will be agreeable, not to a State of Tryal, which is now over, but to a Life of Rewards.

In the Day of the Final Judgment they shall appear as true CHILDREN OF THE RESURRECTION: Their Bodies shall be Transfigured according to the Glory, Purity & Perfection of the Resurrection Body of the Son of God. They shall appear in all circumstances of Honour before the General Assembly of Hell, Earth and Heaven▪ And when the affairs of this Day are finished, they shall ascend with their Glorify'd Master, above the visible Heavens; and with Him Enter in Triumph into the City of God; and shall Sit down with him upon his Throne, & shall [Page] be FOR EVER WITH HIM to behold and Partake in his Glory. But after all, How small a Portion is Known of it! tho' more than enough to pronounce them Blessed.

2. The Reward of Wise and Faithful Ministers shall be Distinguishingly Great. I am not ignorant that the Doctrine of Degrees of Glory has been holy disputed in the Schools. The Affirmative seems so agreeable to the Principles of Right Reason, and so clearly revealed in the infallible Oracles of Truth; that to me it appears more than Problematical. The Schoolmen indeed and Doctors in the Church of Rome build this upon a rotten Foundation, viz. The different degrees of Merit in Good Works. But their Error ought not to shake the true foundation of this Doctrine; which appears with a clear Light in the Sure Word of Prophesy. Here we are taught to distinguish between the Reward of a Prophet, and the Reward of a Righteous Man, Mat. 10.41, 42. The Parable of the Talents appears to assert & justify different degrees of Glory: Luke 19.16, 17, 18, 19. Where we find every Servant received from his Lord in proportion to his Improvement of what had been committed to him. And the Truth flows not from a bare Circumstance of the Parable; but from the Main Scope of it, which was to Excite Christians to an Improvement of their Talents in proportion to what they had received; and the Argument to engage to it is that their Reward shall be Proportionable. He that [Page] gains ten Pounds shall be Ruler over ten Cities; and he that gains five shall Rule over five Cities. This Doctrine also is asserted by the Apostle as an Argument to engage the Corinthians to abound in Works of Charity & Liberality, 2 Cor. 9.6. He that Soweth Sparingly shall reap Sparingly; But he that Soweth Bountifully, shall reap Bountifully. In which there would be no force or motive if there be not a Distinction between the Rewards of the blessed. And this point seems still to be set in a fuller Light, in the 1 Cor. 15.41, 42. There is one Glory of the Sun, another of the Moon; another Glory of the Stars; for one Star differeth from another Star in Glory: So also is the Resurrection of the Dead. Many other places might have been brought to have given in their Testimony to confirm the Doctrine asserted; but it seems needless, Scripture appears for it, and has nothing, that I know of, against it: Nor do any of the pretended Arguments against it seem to be of any force. This will not infer a real Imperfection in the blessedness of such Saints as Enjoy a Less Degree of Glory. A Star is as perfect in its order as the Sun, yet they shine with a different Lustre. And I do not at present see any Absurdity in allowing a different Strength and Capacity in the blessed. Every Soul shall be full of Glory, but One may be capable to contain more than another. Saints are not Imperfect when they first Enter upon their Inheritance; yet a growth and improvement seems [Page] reasonable to be allow'd them. Knowledge is an Essential part of their happiness; and in this undoubtedly they will be always making Advances. The knowledge of Angels to be sure was improved by the Coming of Christ, and the Gospel Revelation made to the Church, Eph. 3.10. And yet before that, they were perfectly blessed; tho' this their increase of knowledge must add to their Glory.

Again, This will not conclude any Imperfection in the Interest that the Least Saint has in the Merits of Christ, which purchased this Glory, and the highest Degrees of it. The Graces of Sanctification in this Life are the purchase of Christs Righteousness; yet there is not an Equality of these conferred upon believers here. And Different Degrees of Grace in this Life seem as inconsistent with an Equal Interest in the Merits of Christ, as Different Degrees of Glory in the Next. But the Truth appears to me to lye thus. The Meritorious Obedience and Sufferings of Christ were a Refusable Price in themselves, which God was at Liberty to accept or refuse, antecedently to his own Promise: And so was at liberty to accept it for Whom, and to what Degree He saw meet. By free Compact between the Father and Son it was agreed to be accepted for the full Pardon, Justification and Happiness of all God's Chosen and Sanctifyed, and for the purchase of a greater degree of Glory for some, that should distinguish themselves in higher degrees of [Page] Holiness. And all this may be and yet an Equality be asserted in their Election, Adoption, and Justification.

Now, if there be such a gradual difference in the Glory that shall be revealed in the Saints; Doubtless, those that have been Wise and Faithful Stewards in Gods House here, will obtain a proportionable Exaltation in the Kingdom of Glory. Their Lord will distinguish them by Particular Marks of Honour there, as they have distinguished themselves here in Zeal and Fidelity in his Service. The Service they are now called to is Honourable, Great, and Difficult; the Discouragements they meet with, the Temptations they conflict with, the Self-denyal they must Exercise, are all Peculiarly great; if therefore under all they maintain their Post, are Wise and Faithful, their Reward will be as Peculiar. They are now placed in a Station of Honour and Dignity, if they are Faithful to their Trust, Christ will not Degrade them in the other World. And this distinguishing Glory the Prophet Daniel refers to, Dan. 12.3. And they that are Wise shall shine as the Bightness of the Firmament; and they that turn many to Righteousness as the Stars for Ever and Ever.

APPLICATION.

USE. I. This tells us what need Gospel Ministers have of the PRESENCE OF CHRIST [Page] with them. To Rule and Feed Christ's Flock, is a Work, which who is sufficient for? The dreadful Office of Watching, not only for their own, but the Souls of others, is enough to make the most Strong and Perfect of meer men to tremble. And if we add to these the consideration of their own Weakness, Sins, and Imperfections; the obstinacy of Secure, Proud Sinners, that they have to do with; the many strong Temptations that continually assault them, & the many circumstances of discouragement they are under; we must conclude that without a Superior Influence to Sustain, Encourage, and Strengthen them, they will infallibly faint in their Work: and resolve with the Prophet to Speak no more in the Name of the Lord. How rich and sweet must then that Promise of Christ, made to them, be? Mat. 28.20. Lo! I am with you to the End of the World.

USE. II. This assures us that not the Success, but the Wisdom and Fidelity of Ministers will be the Measure of their Reward at Last. The Wise and Faithful shall be blessed, what ever their Success be. The most Wise and Faithful are not always the most Successful. The Prophets, who were honoured with the brightest Visions, were many times dispatch'd in judgment, to blind Eyes, and harden Hearts; to a People of an uncircumcised Ear; and to such as would [Page] hear but not do. Thus (a) Isaiah, (b) Jeremiah, (c) Ezekiel. But our Text affords Encouragement: tho' their Unsuccesfulness may be for the present an insupportable burden to them, & may fill them with dread and horror, yet shall not Rob them of the least degree of their Reward. It assures them that their judgment is with the Lord, and their Work with their God; and tho' Israel be not gathered, they shall be glorious in the Eyes of the Lord. And nothing shall abate the fulness of their Joy.

USE. III. This sets before Christ's Labourers the Strongest Motives to be diligent in their Masters Vineyard. Ministers ordinarily have little or nothing on this side Eternity to encourage them, but much on the contrary; there is the frowardness of some, the wickedness of others, and the difficulty of their work at the best, which if flesh and blood were consulted with, would make them lay down their Office: But they have a glorious Prospect beyond the Grave. They have the Promise of a Reward that will infinitely compensate all they undergo in their Masters Service. And are assured that the Honour done them at last will be in proportion to their Diligence & Application to the Work of the Lord. And surely the Prospect of this is sufficient to inspire them with Zeal, Courage, Vigour and Unfainting Resolution.

[Page] USE IV. This affords both Direction, and Incentive to the People of God, in Praying for their Ministers.

It directs a People to Pray that God would qualifie them for their work, and assist and prosper them in the discharge of it: That they may find Mercy to be faithful and wise in Feeding & Ruling Christ's Houshold: that those Gifts and Graces may be multiplied upon them; in the faithful improvement whereof they may Save their own Souls, and the Souls of them that hear them.

It affords also the most Moving Arguments to Engage a People to the constant Exercise of this duty of Prayer for their Pastors. For if this be their Work, which has been now laid down; if these the Qualifications necessary to the due discharge of the duties of their Function; then we may be sure they need much of the Divine Presence and Blessing, and much of the Prayers of their People, as a medium to obtain these. The very nature of their work contains in it the most powerful motives and perswasives hereto. It tells a People that if they have any tender regard to the honour of Christ, if any Love to his Spirit, if any true Compassion to their own Souls, and the Souls of others; if any respect and tenderness for Christ's Messengers, they must with the most pressing instances, constantly address the Throne of Grace in their behalf.

[Page]Let then the consideration of these things move this Assembly before the Lord this Day, to lift up their Hearts and Eyes with the greatest efforts of Faith, and ardours of Devotion to God for his Blessing upon all his Servants; and in especial manner for that Unworthy Person, who now addresses you in the Name of the Lord. Pray with incessant importunity, that God would give him a Double Portion of the Spirit, Gifts and Graces of his Ascended Master and Father, who has lately been snatcht from his Head; That he may enjoy the Presence of Christ with him, to assist & strengthen him to his work; to make him faithful to Christ, and wise to win Souls; that he may fulfil his Ministry, and give up his Account with joy to the Great Bishop of Souls. Suffer therefore that address made by the Apostle, Rom. 15.30. Now I beseech you Brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of his Spirit, that ye strive together with me, in your Prayers to God for ME.

USE V. Hence the Death of WISE and FAITHFUL MINISTERS is a great Judgment, which calls for deep Resentment. These are to be number'd among the First Rate Blessings of a People. They are the Purchase of the Death, and the Gifts of the Ascention of our Enthroned Jesus. And in proportion to their value, must the loss of them be rated. God threatens his [Page] People to take away the Prophet, (a) as one of the highest Expressions of his anger. When therefore he comes and executes that threatening, he expects it be suitably resented: and it will be laid to heart by every Soul whose flesh trembleth for fear of God, and is afraid of his Judgments.

THIS necessarily brings me to the SORROWFUL SUBJECT, which has been the occasion of my present Meditations: To take a view of that Awful Rebuke of Heaven upon this Whole LAND, & on this CONGREGATION in particular, in the sudden Departure of that Eminent MAN OF GOD, who has been for so long a time the Light, Joy and Glory of this Place: By whose Translation God has given us reason to a great degree to take up that Lamentation; The joy of our heart is ceased, our Dance is turned into Mourning; The Crown is fallen from our heads; For THIS our heart is faint, and our eyes are dim.

I must freely confess, I never had any fondness for Funeral Encomiums; unless when Gifts and Graces have been Eminent & Distinguishing; when the Honour of Christ the fountain from whence they flow'd, Justice to the Dead, and the Good of the Living, do demand them; and when the Merits of the Departed leave no room, at least no necessity for the paint of Flattery.

[Page] Sure I am, on this present Melancholly Occasion, the just sense I have of my own Peculiar Share in this Loss, makes it more eligible to take my place in the Silent Train of Mourners, that nothing might interrupt the Sighs & Tears of a wounded Spirit; than to appear in this Desk. But the Duties of my Station require, that at present I chain up my passions, suppress my own sorrows, and bank up the swelling Tide of Grief; that it may not disturb me, while I am paying to the Memory of my Translated Father, that Just Tribute, which all, but the Ignorant and Envious, will acknowledge due by all the Laws of Justice and Gratitude.

I am deeply sensible how every way Unequal I am to my present Province, to do his Memory justice; and what danger I am in of slurring his Character by my unskilful hand. I have neither Art to draw his Picture, nor yet to set it, when drawn, in a true Light, that it may be seen to advantage. What Livy says of the Roman Orator, discourages me: That to give Cicero his just Encomium, Cicerone Laudatore opus est. To give a Great man his just praises, requires the skill of One as Great. However, Duty to Christ, whose Servant he was, and with whose Gifts and Graces he was conspicuously adorned; a just honour for the Memory of a Prophet of no common Figure, a Pastor, Father and Friend, do constrain me to rise up and Call him Blessed; and command me to Essay his CHARACTER.

[Page]His DESCENT was Honourable, from a Sage Patriot in our Israel; whose Wisdom assigned him a Seat at the Council-Board, and his Military Skill, and Martial Spirit intituled him to the Chief Place in the Field: But in no External regard could be more Honourable than in being the FATHER of such a SON.

In Him Bountiful Heaven was pleased to cause a Concurrence of all those Natural and Acquired, Moral and Spiritual Excellencies, which are necessary to constitute a Great Man, a profound Divine, a very considerable Scholar, and an Heavenly Christian. In the light and influence of these Perfections he appeared as a Star of the First Magnitude in the Orb of the Church.

The God of Nature was pleased with a Liberal Hand to bestow on him those Natural Intellectual Endowments, which laid the Foundation of Great Improvement in Knowledge. And did from his Youth praesage Uncommon Service for God and his People, which his Master had designed him for. In Natural Endowments, he appeared as the Elder Son among many Brethren: In these very few, if any, could pretend to stand upon a Level with him. The Natural Capacity of his Soul was of that Distinction, that it seem'd an undeniable Confutation of the Doctrine of the Equality of Souls; and left it no longer Problematical.

His Phansy was Copious, tho' not Luxuriant, [Page] but most Correct, being Obsequious to the Dictates, and kep't under the Strict Guard of a well poised judgment: By which it was restrained from those lawless Luxuriances & Extravagances, which this power is Subject to, when it has broken loose from the Government of a well-informed Understanding. His Apprehension was quick, his Reason bright, and his Judgment exact and solid: which made him banish such things as trivial, as were not capable of Improvement to advance his Soul, either in its Intellectual or Moral Perfection. His Understanding was of Great Prospect: His mind filled with bright Images of things; inricht with a vast number of noble Ideas, and knew well their several Connexions, Relations and Dependencies, how to separate, and how to unite them in deep searches after Truth. He had a deep thought, and penetrating Sagacity to make a just Estimate of things on sudden Emergencies; which made him justly Esteem'd One of the Wisest Men, that has been known, of his Order, in Our Land. His Natural Genius and Spirit seem'd superior to all narrow selfish Interests; not govern'd by Rules of Carnal Policy, nor byast by private views; but appear'd almost uncapable to be under the commanding influence of any thing, but what appeared Great, Good and Honourable. He had a Native Modesty, which continued in his advanced years, seldom known in Conjunction with Gifts of [Page] so Conspicuous an Elevation; which might seem to some to Vail the Brightness of some of his Publick Appearances; tho' in the Opinion of others was but a Foil to his greater Excellencies.

These Gifts of Nature in him were Advanced and rendred more bright by Great Improvements of Hard Study, Intimate Acquaintance with Many of the most Celebrated Authors in the Learned World, by long Experience and Constant Prayer. He was well Versed in the Principal parts of Substantial Learning; which furnished him with that Knowledge, which was requisite for a Wise Master Builder in the House and Temple of the Living God. He always affected that Learning, which was least for Pomp and Ostentation, & most for Service; the Knowledge of Things more than of empty Words & Names: And he must be allowed the Character of an Uncommon Schollar; If the Knowledge of those things, which perfect the Understanding, may be allowed Worthy of the title of Learning. And I think it is High Time to reject other Knowledge, which does not Better or Improve the Mind, which does not Profit, but only Amuse, as Unworthy of the Specious Title, at least unfit to IMPROPRIATE the Name of Learning.

Divinity was his Favourite Study; and in the pursuit of this most Excellent & Divine Knowledge, he engaged not only from Duty, but Inclination. And Excelled to an Eminent degree in the [Page] Knowledge of the most Abstruse parts of Theology. And a Great Divine must of necessity be a Great Clerk.

He was a Judicious Textuary. Like Apollos a Man mighty in the Scripture. His common Publick Discourses were a Demonstration of this; but especially those Judicious and Elaborate COMMENTARIES, made in the School of the Prophets, upon several whole Books of the Divine Oracles, remain as a Lasting Monument of this skill.

His Knowledge in Systematical Divinity was celebrated by all. He had a Body of Divinity well digested in his head. And was careful to hold fast the Form of Sound Words. His Knowledge was not like a Light in a Dark Lanthorn: But out of the Treasury of his Head and Heart was able to communicate to others. He had a great Dexterity in confirming Truths by Incontestible Arguments, and to Set them in an Advantagious Light; to Explain them fully, and Apply them with the greatest Clossness and Pertinency. This was observable in the Discharge of the Common Duties of his Pastoral Care: But this his Knowledge appeared with a peculiar Lustre in his CATECHETICAL LECTURES, which if Published, would be found One of the best Bodies of Divinity, that has been known.

In Controversy he was a Champion, a Worthy of the First Stength, Skill, and Courage. He [Page] was qualifyed for it by a clear Head, a cool Thought, and Inflexible Principles. He was able to weild the Sword of the Spirit to the Terrour of Gainsayers; to their Confutation, tho' not always to their Conviction: And has once and again sheathed this Sword of the Spirit in the Bowels of Triumphant Errors. And was every way fit to be Set for the Defence of the Gospel.

He was an Excellent Casuist. Where the Perplexed and Scrupulous might have their difficulties Eased, their doubts resolved with Safety. When any Cases of Conscience came under his thought, he was wont to handle them with Wise Caution, and admirable Compassion; He deliberated Maturely on all circumstances, and laid the Whole by the Unerring Rule, and with great judgment determined agreeably.

All that knew him, and were Competent judges of his Worth, must do him the Honour and Justice, to Acknowledge these Gifts were Eminent in him. And these rendred him as Capable as any man to direct the Sons of the Prophets, and Young Divines in their Theological Studies; & I believe was as oft as any addressed to on this Head. His DIRECTIONS to the Candidates of the Ministry, left in the hands of many, are of great Value and Service, and will be a Testimony how Safe and Skilful a Guide he was.

As he was Excelling in Gifts, so he was no [Page] less Eminent in the Graces of Christ. He had A Sanctifyed Heart as well as a Well-Regulated, Logical Head; and was a Scholar of great Proficiency in the School of Christ. His Graces Consecrated his Gifts, and made them appear with a more observable lustre, with Life as well as Light. All the Vertues of the Divine Nature and Life were visible in his Holy Walk: Which openly discover'd his Soul to be A LIVING TEMPLE of the LORD JEHOVAH, where his Throne was prepared, his Image set up, and his Spirit dwelt. With what warm Transports of Affection and Admiration would he discourse, or hear of the Wonders of Divine Grace Unveil'd in the whole Method of the Redemption of man? How low did he bow in profound Reverence and Adoration of the Spotless Sovereignty of God in the Mysterious Dispensations of the Kingdom both of Grace and Providence? How jealous was he in his whole Conversation of the Honour of Sovereign Grace? How fearful lest any thing should betray it, or cloud its Glory? How thoughtful also least Grace should be abused unto Wantonness? And how careful in all his Dispensations to guard against this Mystery of Iniquity, and to set out the Glory of Divine Grace, and the Beauty of Holiness in their proper Lustre and Admirable Harmony? His Zeal was what became an Apostle; tho' flaming in the Cause of Christ, yet was temper'd by Love, and guided by Prudence. [Page] No pretence could make him transgress his own Line; and from the duties of his own Post nothing could move him. His Spirit was truly Pacifick; and could sacrifice every thing but Duty for Peace: And accounted nothing too dear, but Truth and Holiness, for the purchase of it. He was a Lively Example of Self-denyal, and seperation from the World, of Patience under the reproaches of men, and Sufferings from God, and of Resignation to the Absolute Supremacy of Heaven under the Darkest Dispensations. The most black and sorrowful Providence never caused him to hang his Harp on the Willows, or so put him out of Tune, as to unfit him to Sing a Zions Song of Praise: But he could discourse of, nay realize, the Excellency and Glory, the Majesty, Righteousness and Grace of his Masters Kingdom, even when Clouds and Darkness were about his Throne.

No man had a deeper sense of the Poverty, Impotency and Depravation of Humane Nature by the Apostacy; nor any a clearer view of the Fulness of that Provision made in Christ for the Sinners Righteousness and Salvation. The Body of Sin was his constant Burden, which he bewailed, groaned under, & expressed his longing desire to be freed from in some of his latest hours. Meditation, which gives Life and Power to Grace, was his Exercise and Delight; and to what good purpose he performed this, may be seen in many SACRAMENTAL MEDITATIONS, [Page] penned for his own Use, which are left behind him. He undoubtedly lived under the View of the UNSEEN WORLD, which he is now gone to, & is filled with the Glory of.

These Gifts and Graces in Conjunction made him in a great degree Equal to the Station his Lord had fixed him in. And this was the Stage on which they appeared with beauty, and acted their Part with Glory. All that has been said, in describing the Evangelical Pastor under the Doctrine, belong to his Character: whose Picture therein I was designedly drawing. And his Wisdom and Fidelity in their most comprehensive sense, in Feeding and Ruling the House of God, are justly Celebrated thro' these Churches.

At first in his younger Years, his Master committed to his Pastoral Care a Flock in a more obscure part of this Wilderness: But so great a Light was soon observed thro' the whole Land: And his Lord did not design to bury him in obscurity, but to place him in a more Eminent Station, which he was qualifyed for. The Providence that occasioned his Removal to this Place was an Awful Judgment upon the whole Land; yet was Eventually a Mercy in this respect, that it made way for the Translation of this Bright Star to a more Conspicuous Orb; where his Influence was more Extensive and Beneficial; and in this it was a great Blessing to this Congregation, to this Town, nay, to all New-England.

[Page]With what Prudence and Faithfulness, Diligence and Impartiality, he discharged the duties of his Pastoral Office to this Flock, GOD, CHRIST and ANGELS are Witnesses; and I doubt not but he has received the Testimony hereof from many in the World of Perfected Spirits, who have been Blessing God for him, as the Instrument by whom they have been led to Glory: And I trust there are many yet Living, and now Standing before God, who are the Seals of his Ministry, and will be his CROWN and JOY in the Day of the Lord. In his whole Ministry he expressed a true love and zeal for Christ, and tender compassion to Immortal Souls: There was light, heat and life in all his Addresses to them, which argued he well understood the worth of Souls, and had a just sense of their miserable Apostate Circumstances.

His Discourses were all Elaborate, Acute and Judicious; Smelt of the Lamp, & had nothing Mean in them. His Common Sermons might have been pronounced with Applause before an Assembly of the Greatest Divines. The Matter of his Publick Discourses was alwayes weighty; His Subjects well Chosen; suited to the State of his Flock, and every way adapted to make them Wiser and Better. The Articles of Faith he Opened and Confirmed; The Duties of Holiness he Explained, and Enforced with the most powerful Arguments; and with an Address suited to melt the Rocky Heart, to bow [Page] the Stubborn Will, to humble the proudest Sinner, and charm the deafest Adder. The Manner in which he deliver'd his Discourses was agreeable to the Matter. In respect of both he Spoke as became the ORACLES of GOD: With Gravity, Courage, Zeal and Prudence, and with tender Bowels to perishing Souls. His Language was always good; His Stile Masculine, not Perplexed, but Easy as well as Strong. And when the Matter required it, no man could speak with a greater Pathos and Pungency.

He applyed himself to Wounded Consciences with great Skill, Faithfulness and Tenderness. He searcht their Wounds to the bottom, and made Application of Terror or Comfort, as their State called for, and as became a Wise, Tender and Faithful Physician: And he knew how to be a Son of Thunder to the Secure and Hardened; and a Son of Consolation to the Contrite and Broken in Spirit.

His Publick Prayers were always Pertinent and Pathetical, animated with the Spirit of Devotion; and in them an Uncommon Compass of Thought was observable. In the Whole of his Work he was Laborious, careful to redeem time, and was instant in season and out of season in his Masters Service.

His Affection & Tenderness to THIS HIS DEAR FLOCK was singular. He might have said with the Apostle, that he could have imparted with the GOSPEL his own SOUL to them.

[Page]As a Wise and Faithful Steward over this House of Christ, he gave every man his Portion in due Season. And might at his Departure have called Heaven and Earth to Record, That he had not shun'd to declare the Whole Counsel of God, and was Pure from the Blood of all men.

He went before this Flock as a Good Shepherd, Gathering the Lambs with his Arm, carrying them in his Bosome, and Gently driving those that are With Young: And is now gone to the GREAT Shepherd of the SHEEP; whose Flock he here Watch't over, Lead, Fed and Defended.

He took his FAREWELL of us at the TABLE of the LORD; and shall Enjoy no more such Fellowship with him, till we come to Eat Bread and Drink New Wine with Him; in our Fathers Presence.

AND how deeply should we resent the hand of God herein Stretch't out against us?

GOD Calls this Whole People to lay it to Heart, and to improve this Awful Providence to awaken to Repentance.

His Removal is a Great Judgment upon the whole Land. He was a Great Blessing to it by his Faithful Warnings, Counsels, Prayers and Tears, Life and Doctrine. He was a Main Pillar in our Building, which is Weakened by his fall; A Main Stake in our Hedge is pluck't up, which has made a wide Gap, & made the whole [Page] Wall about this Vineyard to totter. He was a Great part of the Chariots and Horse-men of our Israel; A Faithful Watchman, Quick to espy danger, and Faithful to Sound an Alarm: And has often Warned this People of Evils Approaching, and against their Sins the procuring Cause of them. He was alwayes ready to stand in the Gap in times of greatest hazard.

And it ought never to be forgotten, with what Prudence, Courage and Zeal he appeared for the good of this People, In that Dark and Mysterious Season, when we were assaulted from the Invisible World. And how Singularly Instrumental he was in discovering the Cheats and Delusions of Satan, which [...] stained our Land with Blood, and did threaten to deluge it with all manner of Woes.

It is a Critical Season he is removed in; as dark a Day as ever passed over this Land; and it is well, if it be not a Praesage of greater darkness; I am Sure the Setting of so Bright a Star will make it so.

We had scarce dry'd our Eyes for the loss of One * SAMUEL, but Providence opens anew the Fountain of our Tears by Afflicting us with the Death of ANOTHER. It is well if the Conjunction of their Funerals be not Portentous of further, and greater Calamities: I am sure it will be so if it be not laid to heart.

[Page]It is a Humbling Rebuke to the Whole Ministry. By this Stroke of Heaven a Considerable part of their Strength, Wisdom, and Beauty is Gone; and a Cloud drawn over their Glory. Their Union, which is both their Strength and Glory, in the most Critical Seasons, & Hours of Temptation, is well known in a great Measure to be owing to his Wisdom, and Temper. And God Grant! That we may not too soon feel the sad Effects of this blow from Heaven upon that Order. I cannot but here observe, That the Younger Ministers alwayes repaired to him, and found him their tender Father, their faithful Counsellor, sure Guide, and Powerful Guardian. These he cherish't under his Wings, and was tender of their Persons and good Names: And often interposed to put by those Thrusts that were made to Wound their Reputation; and they have now lost the Best Friend that Many of them ever had a this side Heaven.

His Removal is a Frown upon the School of the Prophets, which has been for several years under his Faithful and Prudent Inspection. And God has now come to the Sons of the Prophets, and taken their MASTER from their Head. And they have Reason to Lament after him as Elisha did after Elijah; My Father, my Father, the Chariots of our Israel and the Horsemen thereof.

[Page]This Judgment has the Blackest Aspect upon this Congregation, who have long Lived under, and rejoyced in this Light. But this Light of our Israel is Quenched, or rather has quitted our World of Darkness, and is fixed in a Brighter Firmament.

GOD hereby tells us that He is very angry with us; and expects that we should see to pacify His Displeasure.

GOD's Voice herein is loud to Sinners that have been Deaf to the Charms of this Wise Charmer; whose hearts have not been wounded by those Arrows of the Almighty which have been Shot by his Strong and Skilful Hand. And the Language of it is, that they forthwith Encline their Ears unto the Voice of Wisdom, lest God withdraw his Spirit, as well as Call Home his Ambassador; for then they will be Sealed up unto Ruine, and all the Reproofs and Counsels of his Servant will be heavy Items to Inflame their Reckoning.

GOD calls aloud to Loose Professors, that they Gird up the Loyns of their Mind.

And expects that the Best of us now make a just & sorrowful Reflection upon our Barrenness.

In a word, This Solemn Providence should influence all of us to Search and Try our Ways & Turn unto the Lord; lest He go on to Smite us in His Wrath, and at last quite REMOVE OUR CANDLESTICK, AND HIDE THE THINGS OF OUR PEACE FROM OUR EYES.

[Page] USE VI. The Consideration of the Reward reserved for such, sets before us what should Moderate our Sorrows for the Departure of Christ's Faithful Servants.

The Loss of Such is Great; and we shall be stupid if we do not lay it to heart. The very thought of parting with them, whom we loved as our own Souls, is full of Darkness: And their actual Removal cannot but fill a sensible Soul with bitterness and wormwood.

But we must remember, we must not Weep for them, but for our selves. Our Loss is their Gain: They have run their Race, finished their Course, and have laid hold of Eternal Life: They Dyed in the Lord and are Blessed. The thoughts of what State of Happiness they are gone to, should mix joy with our deepest grief. Love to them would not allow us, were it possible, to pluck them out of the Arms of their Redeemer, where they are solacing themselves; to call them back to this World of Sin and Darkness, which we our selves are groaning for a Deliverance from.

Let this therefore asswage our griefs for the Death of that Prophet, over whose Tomb we have been now dropping our Tears.

He is Enter'd into his Masters Joy, and is possest of that immarcessable Crown of Glory, which with patience and agony of Soul he has been contending for. He is now free from the [Page] stains of Sins, and pains of Suffering: He will never more cry out under the Weight of a Body of Death, nor ever-more be assaulted by the Grand Adversary of Souls. His Righteous Soul will be no more grieved with the impure Conversation of the Wicked; nor wounded with his own Infirmities. His Knowledge of God and Christ, his Love, Holiness and Joy are now in their Perfection. The Reward he has received is undoubtedly of Great Distinction, in proportion to his Prudence, Zeal, Diligence and Fidelity in his Masters Service.

And will not this relieve our mournful thoughts? Is it no Consolation, for us to reflect on that State of Unstained Purity, Perfection, and full Satisfaction he is advanced to? Is it no Comfort under our Sorrows, to think, with what Congratulations of Triumphant Joy many of his Spiritual Children did welcome his safe Arrival to those Bright Realms of Light? And how all Heaven rung with new Anthems of Praise on this Occasion? To think what Honour was done him at his Admission into the Heavenly City by his Lord-Redeemer, Ange [...] and the whole Assembly of the First-born? Is it no Joy to us to take a view of that Ocean of Delight he Swims in? What Bread of Angels he feeds on? How Bright and Massy the Crown his Master has fixed on his Head? Surely it cannot but please us to realize, that he that a few days since was with us viewing God and [Page] Christ in the Dark Glass of Ordinances, is now Standing in his Masters Presence, and has a Satisfying, & Transforming View of his FACE and GLORY. To consider with what fullness of Desire & Satisfaction his Purify'd, Strengthen'd and Enlarged Powers behold the Glory of God, and drink down full draughts of those Rivers of Truth, Goodness and Delight, that flow from the LIGHT of his COUNTENANCE: With what Transports of Soul he flings himself, and lays down his Crown before the THRONE of GOD and the LAMB; This cannot but afford us some present Refreshment.

Do we not Rejoyce? When we Consider what Society he [...] Associated with, who are most Knowing and Friendly; What Noble Service he is Employed in: While with Angels & Crowned Saints, he is Shouting forth HALLILUJAHS to the Honour of the LAMB that was Slain, who Redeem'd him, and Washed him in his Blood, & has now presented him without SPOT before the Throne of God.

These thoughts should in some measure dry up our Tears; at least should turn our Grief into the Chanel of Godly Sorrow.

What Remains but that we follow this Servant of God, as he followed Christ: That we [Page] Imitate his Love, his Faith, Holiness and Patience in Well-doing. We have the Same Master to Serve▪ the Same Spirit to assist us, and the Same Glory to Entertain us, if we are faithful to the Death.

Thus let us prepare to follow: And this will give us a Comfortable Prospect, that when the time of our Dissolution shall come, we shall Goe to HIM, nay to CHRIST, which is infinitely better; And shall have our part in the WORK, and REWARDS of our Father's Kingdom.

Let us now therefore Comfort our selves and one another with THESE THINGS.

AMEN.

Notes

(a)

Vide. His Treatise of the Covenant of Redemption.

↵

(b)

His Covenant Keeping the Way to Blessedness.

↵

(c)

His Discourses on the XXXII Psalm.

↵

(d)

His Fountain Opened.

↵

(e)

His Treatise of Justification.

↵

(f)

His Remedy against Despair.

↵

(g)

His Penitent Prodigal.

↵

(h)

His Heavenly Merchandize.

↵

(i)

His Barren Figtree.

↵

(k)

His Peril of the Times.

↵

(l)

The Mourners Cordial.

↵

(m)

His Book of Desertion.

↵

(n)

His Christians dayly Exercise.

↵

(o)

His Child's Portion,

↵

(a)

1 Cor. 4.15.

↵

(b)

1 Pet. 2.2▪

↵

(c)

2 Cor. 1.24.

↵

*

A Minister will do more good, sayes Austin, Pietate Orationis, quam facultate dicendi.

↵

†

Copia Operum Egregia Copia fandi. Austin.

↵

(a)

2 Cor. 10.4.

↵

(a)

1 Pet. 5. [...].

↵

(b)

2 Cor. 1.24.

↵

(c)

1 Cor. 4 [...].

↵

(a)

Gal. 4.19.

↵

(a)

Mal. 2.7.

↵

(a)

2 Cor. 5.20.

↵

(b)

Luke 12.41.

↵

(a)

Ezek. 33.7.

↵

(a)

1 Cor. 12.7.

↵

(b)

Mat. 25.15.

↵

(a)

Luke 12.48.

↵

(a)

Act. 10▪ 34.

↵

(a)

Deut. 33.9.

↵

(b)

Col. 1.28.

↵

21

Aquinas.

↵

(a)

Prov. 14.8.

↵

(b)

Eccl. 10.10.

↵

(a)

Heb. 5.12.

↵

(b)

Isa. 4 [...].11.

↵

(a)

Isa. 6.9, 10.

↵

(b)

Jer. 6.10.

↵

(c)

Ezek. 33.31, 32.

↵

(a)

Isai. 3.2.

↵

*

The Reverend Mr. Samuel Torrey.

↵

§

§

§

[Page]

A POEM ON ELIJAHS Translation, Occasion'd by the DEATH of the Reverend and Learned Mr. SAMUEL WILLARD, Late Pastor to a Church of CHRIST in Boston, and Vice-President of Harvard Colledge in Cambridge.

By Mr. COLMAN, V. D. M.

Coelo Musa beat.

Hor. Carm. Lib. 4. Od. 8.

—Nec meus audet

Rem tentare pudor, quam Vires ferre recusent.

Hor. Ep. 1. Lib. 2.

BOSTON: Printed for Benjamin Eliot, 1707.

[Page]

A POEM, On ELIJAHS Translation, Occasion'd by the DEATH of the Reverend and Learned, Mr. SAMUEL WILLARD.

I Sing the MAN, by Heav'ns peculiar Grace,

The Prince of Prophets, of the Chosen Race,

Rais'd and Accomplisht for degenerate Times,

To Stem the Ebb with Faith & Zeal Sublime;

T' assert forsaken Truth, to Check the Rage

Of rampant Vice, and cure a Wicked Age.

Such Times need such a Prophet, & in his Death

Is quencht the Light of Israel, and their Breath.

Plain was the Saint, his Soul by Grace refin'd,

His Girdle mean, but much adorn'd his Mind:

In Face, as well as Mind, above the Toyes

Of this vain World, and all its sensual Joyes▪

[Page]Simple in Diet, negligent of Dress,

Hairy and rough his Robe, (a) meet to express

One Mortify'd to things of Time and Sense,

To Truth & things Divine a Love Intense.

Jealous for Israel (b), & the LORD OF HOSTS,

Disdain'd to see HIM Rival'd by a Post,

Mourn'd his forsaken Covenant, & Worship lost.

Courageous, dar'd Alone to stand the Shock,

Of num'rous Priests of Baal (c), & to deride their Stock.

Fac'd feirce Tyrannous Powers, told their Crimes,

And shames deserv'd, the Judgments of their Times.

His & Truths Triumphs Glorious: Strange to say!

A debaucht Nation Convert in a Day (d),

And sham'd, enrag'd Impostures fled away!

A wondrous Saint; Inspir'd, Imploy'd & Led

By Heav'nly Love; by many Wonders fed (e).

The Care of Heav'n, the Darling of his GOD,

Signally Sav'd, cheer'd by his Staff and Rod.

Voracious Ravens yield Him up their Prey:

Glad Angels to his Succour wing away:

[Page]And Heav'n, to show its Empire more, commands

Hopeless Relief from famishing Widows hands.

He Pray'd, (f) the Sealed Heav'ns witheld their Rain;

He Pray'd, the op'ned Clouds discharge again.

Provokt, He askt; (g) strange blazing show'rs of Flame

Stream down, and Sodoms Day renewed came.

He struck the Floods, (h) the refluent Waves divide▪

His Mantles Breath drove back the flowing Tyde.

What aild thee, O astonisht Sea, to fly?

Jordan! from Joshua's dayes thy Banks not dry!

Yet Greater Wonders view: He spake, the Dead (i)

In Sin, or Grave, lift up their fallen Head:

Witness the happy Mother, fully won▪

To Heaven as she receiv'd her raised Son:

Blest Work of Grace! the Mercy of the Mean

Illustrious, as the Saving Change, is Seen▪

Not less Miraculous the Prophets Fasts,

Labours and Travels (k) gloriously Surpast:

His Strength and Application, as his Trust

Noble and vast, Angelick and August:

[Page]In publick Toils consum'd, of Life profuse,

Exhausted in retired holy Muse,

On the deep things of God, & Mysteries Abstruse.

Such Labours Bounteous Heav'n is wont to Crown

With Heav'nly Visions, Light & Joyes unknown.

So Heav'nly Glories dazled Moses Eyes (l),

And Lab'ring Paul (m) was caught to Paradise.

No less Elijah to his Saviour dear,

No less his Cares & Toils, his Pray'rs & Tears;

Nor less wou'd Heav'n his suff'ring Soul to cheer.

The GOD of Israel past before the (n) Cave

In Majesty, as 'erst the Law he gave,

And frightned Nature seem'd to seek a Grave.

Tempests and Flames, & Earthquakes marcht before,

Speaking the Terrors of Almighty Pow'r;

These usher'd in the small still Voice of Grace;

His Soul grew Calm, Serene the troubled Place:

Husht as the Winds were all his boist'rous Fears,

The Humble Saint, call'd forth by God, appears;

With Mantle wrapt about his face he stood,

Afraid to hear, nor wisht to see his GOD.

[Page]Yet left the Hero as his GOD we show,

Or He ‖ Elate with Visions, vain shou'd grow,

At times his Passions did the Man betray,

That Saints have Sin, & Prophets are but Clay.

Too Tim'rous midst his Triumphs; (o) left to fly

A Womans Rage and Threats, and wish to die.

Desponding (p) moan'd Christ of his Church bereft,

And not a single Saint in Israel left.

All to hide Pride from Man, to show how Vain (q)

We are at Best, and undue Tho'ts restrain.

GOD is the Light (r), in whom's no Shade at all,

To Him in prostrate Adorations fall.

Created Brightness ever has its Blots,

And even Persia's Idol has its Spots.

Yet Admiration, Reverence and Love

Are due to Saints on Earth, or those Above.

Sure the curst Spirit that hates is born of Hell,

Nor is less Monster then foul Jezebel:

She Murd'rous sought his Blood(ſ): Ahab his Name

(Dearer than Life) with sland'rous lies defames(t):

And both invet'rate Hate, & deadly War proclaim.

[Page]Yet Spite of Envy, Spite of Malice curst,

VERTUE shall live: see bloated Fiend, & burst!

See the fair Name Immortal in my Verse!

See the Strew'd Glories on the Hero's Herse!

A Name imbalm'd shall be the Just Mans lot,

While Vicious Teeth shall gnash, & Names shall rot.

Return, my Muse, and Sing his faithful Care,

And noblest Trust, in happy (u) Bethels Chair.

Hail, Venerable Seat! from Jacobs dayes (w)

Sacred to Israels GOD, and to his Praise!

Blest evermore with Visions! the Resort

Of Holy Angels! Heav'ns Inferior Court!

Hail dreadful Place! th' Eternals blest Abode!

The Gate of Heav'n, and the House of GOD!

Blest place of Inspiration!—

Here stood the Spacious Colledge, Israels pride:

And here th' Illustrious Seer did preside.

Stately the Dome, worthy the Beauteous Train,

Religion pure devoted to Maintain,

And to the Age to come the Laws Divine explain.

Richly Endow'd by every pious Zeal,

Studious of Zions Glory and her Weal:

[Page]Blest Tribute! dear to Heav'n: A pious Aid

Given to Christ, and liberally repaid

In richer Blessings to the Church and State;

So He returns us what we Consecrate.

Hence Israels Chiefs, & hence her Teachers came;

Hence Truth & Grace, hence issu'd Light & Flame;

Hence Men Renown'd, & of Celebrious Fame.

Micaiah one: from foul Illusion free,

Faithful to God, and Ahab true to thee (x)!

Kings trembled as he Spake and Homage paid,

Of Truth and the Superior Man afraid.

Elisha too, to greater Glories born,

Was hence: and high exalted is his Horn!

These beauteous Sons were the blest Prophets pride,

Under his Wing they bloom'd, & flourisht by his Side:

Paid him a Reverence profound and true,

To Heav'ns Election, Israels Suffrage due.

Them, as by Office bound, He did Inspect,

Taught heav'nly Truth, and Errors did correct:

Cherisht the Good, & form'd their Manners well,

But searcht out Vice, th' Infection to expel.

[Page]Meek and Majestick; Affable and Grave,

Lowly & Good; and all that's Great and Brave.

He Overaw'd and Charm'd: Base hearts he won,

And perfected where Goodness was begun.

To them His Lectures on the Holy Law,

Sublime they were, new Mysteries they saw:

Like Him with Heav'nly Light & Joyes Inspir'd,

Their ravisht Minds the Sacred Deeps admir'd.

They saw the promised MESSIAH's dayes (y),

And the Glad Schools resounded with his Praise.

They Sang the Baptist (z) in their Prophets Spirit,

And blest the Saint Elect that shou'd Inherit.

They Sang of the * Transfigur'd Saviours Rayes,

What Fav'rite Saints, from Heav'n it self, to gaze,

On Glories yet Unknown; and Talk of High

Mysterious Truths; into which Angels Pry,

And pass in Transports Immortality.

They Sang his High Ascent, & Gifts † Ineffable,

The Cloven Tongues of Fire on Pentecost that fell,

And what Great Type shou'd all these Wonders Figure & Foretell.

[Page]Thus taught, they waited long the Great Event,

Foresaw the Day, Amaz'd at the Portent:

Stupendous Grace and Power they view'd, Ador'd

The Sov'rain GOD, and Pry'd into his Word.

And now the Saint had his Last Visit made,

His Solemn Charge ▪ and final Blessing said.

His Weeping Sons receiv'd his last Adieu,

With eager Eyes their Breath departing View,

And following far behind to Jordans ‖ Brink they drew.

Each Emulous to Succeed, but well prepar'd

To welcome Him whom Heav'n had Heir declar'd▪

ELISHA He (a)! The Wisdom of the choice

Applauded with United Hearts and Voice.

Un-envy'd in the Schools, had long out-shone

In Gifts Divine, and Rival there was none.

Glorious the Seers Fidelity was here,

And Heav'ns Good Conduct Splendid did appear.

Nor Blood, nor Name, his upright Zeal retard,

Gods Choice & Will he simply did regard;

Whom Heav'n accomplishes it will reward.

The happy Youth cleav'd to his Fathers feet,

Ministring (b) to Him with a Duty meet;

[Page]From his Oraculous Lips askt Counsel Sage,

And had the Pray'rs and Blessings of his Age.

Yet there remain'd the last and dy'ng Bequest,

And the Wise Son had ready his Request.

"Say, now at Parting, (c) what I shall bequeath!

Trembling He fell the Prophets feet beneath,

Grieved to part, afraid to speak his Tho't,

Conscious how vast the Blessing was he so't:

With Mouth in dust he said,—"May I inherit

"A double Portion of thy Blessed Spirit!

"O might my last and highest Wish have place,

"An Em'nent Measure of thy Gifts and Grace!

Divine Ambition! to be Wise and Good!

So he his Fame and Interest understood.

Modest his Wish, He only askt a part,

And Heav'n gave all, (d) even an Equal Heart:

Obvious the Truth, from Sacred Record known,

None came so near Elijah as his wondrous Son.

'Twas at high Noon, the Day serene and fair,

Mountains of Lum'nous Clouds roll'd in the Air,

When on a sudden, from the radiant Skies,

Superior Light flasht in Elisha's Eyes:

[Page]The Heav'ns were cleft, & from th' Imperial Throne

A Stream of Glory, daz'ling Splendor, Shone:

Beams of ten Thousand Suns Shot round about,

The Sun and every blazon'd Cloud went out:

Bright Hosts of Angels lin'd the Heav'nly Way,

To guard the Saint up to Eternal Day.

Then down the Steep Descent, a Chariot Bright,

And Steeds of Fire, swift as the Beams of Light.

Wing'd Seraphs ready stood, bow'd low to greet

The Fav'rite Saint, and hand him to his Seat.

Enthron'd he Sat, Transform'd with Joyes his Mein,

Calm his gay Soul, and like his Face Serene.

His Eye and burning Wishes to his GOD,

Forward he bow'd, and on the Triumph rode.

* "Saluted, as he past the Heav'nly Croud,

"With Shouts of Joy, and Hallelujahs laud.

"Ten thousand thousand Angel Trumpets Sound,

"And the vast Realms of Heav'n all eccho'd round.

They Sang of Greater Triumphs (e) yet to come,

Their next Descent to wait the SAVIOUR Home:

And the glad Errand (f) of the Final Day,

The raised Dust of Saints to bring away

In equal Triumph, and in like Array.

[Page]Thus midst Inspir'd, Sublime, Prophetick Songs,

(Sweet Melody) the Vision past along.

The Prince of Air Accurst fled swift the Light,

And heav'nly Sounds, more grating than the Sight;

Blaspheem'd, & rag'd & gnasht in furious Spite.

Elisha saw: (g) "My Father, loud he cry'd,

"My Father! Israels Safety! and her Pride!

"More wer't Thou our Defence and Glory far,

"Then all our Chariots & strong Troops of War▪

"Thy Pray'rs & Pow'r with God did more secure

"Our Tott'ring State, and naked Coasts immure▪

"Than all our Arms.—

He said: Nor more cou'd see: Immense the space!

The Flying Glory now had gain'd the Place

Of Light never to be seen by Mortal Eye (h):

Nor longer (i) gaz'd he on the closing Skie.

With Anguish seiz'd (k) his goodly Robes he rent,

Himself, the Church, & Schools did sore lament.

The Prophets Bliss cou'd not his Tears restrain,

He wept their Loss, in His Eternal Gain.

[Page]Nor yet in Useless tears staid he to vent

His mighty Griefs, on Greater things Intent:

The Mantle faln (l) with Joy surprizing spy'd,

Laid the dear Pledge close to his panting Side

Sov'rain Receipt! his fainting heart reviv'd.

By it Install'd in the blest Prophets Place!

With it receiv'd his Spirit and his Grace!

The Sacred Banner flying in his Hand,

Display'd his Empire, on the distant Strand;

Nature Obsequious, to his dread Command.

Triumphant-wise, the pensive Conqu'ror stood,

The precious Relick wav'd, and smote the flood:

"Where is the LORD, (m) Elijahs GOD? He cry'd.

Th' Obedient Waves again in haste divide.

He pass'd: the ravisht Prophets saw; confest

The Miracle of Grace, and thankful blest

Th' Eternal SPIRIT, and his Glorious Rest (n).

O'rejoy'd they run the Saint Elect to meet,

And bow (n) beneath the bright Successors feet.

They breathe their Pray'rs & Blessings in his Arms,

Cheer his sad Soul, & their own Passions charm

[Page] [...] within 'em glow (o), their Graces burn

[...] speak Mysterious Oracles in their turn:

[...] their Mind, Transform'd (p) their very Mein,

[...] Superior Grace and Beauty seen.

[...] Holiness and Truth sweet their Accord,

And Faith their Consolation did afford,

Elijahs more Illustrious Second (q) Coming with his LORD.

FINIS.

Notes

(a)

2 Kings i.8. St. Mat. iii.4.

↵

(b)

1 Kings xix.10.

↵

(c)

xviii.22, 27.

↵

(d)

v.39.40.

↵

(e)

xvii.6, 9, 16.xix.5, 7.

↵

(f)

St. James v.17.

↵

(g)

2 Kings i 10. St Luk ix 54.

↵

(h)

2 King. ii.8.

↵

(i)

1 Kings xvii.22, 24.

↵

(k)

1 Kings xix.8.

↵

(l)

Exod xxxiv.6.

↵

(m)

2 Cor. xii.4.

↵

(n)

1 Kings xix.11, 12, 13. Exod. xx 18, 19.

↵

‖

2 Cor. xii 7.

↵

(o)

1 Kings xix.3, 9. St James v.17.

↵

(p)

v 14, 18.

↵

(q)

Psal xxxix.5.

↵

(r)

1 John i.5.

↵

(ſ)

1 Kings xix.2.

↵

(t)

xviii.17.

↵

(u)

2 Kings ii.2, 3.

↵

(w)

Gen. xxviii.12, 17, 19.

↵

(x)

1 Kings xxii.8, 19, 28.

↵

(y)

St John viii.56.

↵

(z)

Mal. iv.5. Mat. xvii.12, 13. Luke i.17.

↵

*

St. Mat. xvii.2, 3. Luke ix.31.

↵

†

Psalm lxviii.18. Act ii.3, 4. Designed to resemble the Ascent meditated on, and to represent the Poverty of Number and Rhime to express the Unspeakable Gifts.

↵

‖

2 Kings ii.7.

↵

(a)

1 xix.16, 19.

↵

(b)

2 Kings [...]ii.11, 12.

↵

(c)

2 Kings ii▪ 9.

↵

(d)

1 Kings iii.5, 9, 10, 1 [...].

↵

*

Mr. Standen.

↵

(e)

Acts i.9, 10.

↵

(f)

St. Mat. xxiv.31.

↵

(g)

2 Kings ii.12.

↵

(h)

1 Tim. vi. 1 [...].

↵

(i)

Acts i.11.

↵

(k)

2 Kings ii.12.

↵

(l)

v.13.

↵

(m)

v.14

↵

(n)

v.15.

↵

(n)

v.15.

↵

(o)

St. Luke xxiv.32.

↵

(p)

Exod. xxxiv.30.

↵

(q)

St. Mark ix.4.

↵

Information about this book

Title statement

A funeral sermon on the death of that learned & excellent divine the Reverend Mr. Samuel Willard, Pastor of a church of Christ in Boston, and vice-president of Harvard Colledge. Who deceased Sept. 12. 1707. aetatis suae 68. / By Ebenezer Pemberton, A.M. ; To which is annexed, a poem, on the same sorrowful occasion, by the Reverend Mr. Benjamin Colman.

Pemberton, Ebenezer, 1672-1717.

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI :

Date

2007-01.

ID [DLPS]

N01116

ID [TCP]

N01116

ID [STC]

Evans 1329

ID [STC]

Evans 1295

ID [NOTIS]

APX3592

ID [IMAGE-SET]

1329

ID [EVANS-CITATION]

99020361

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This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal. The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.

Series

Early American Imprints, 1639-1800 ; no. 1329.Early American Imprints, 1639-1800 ; no. 1295.

Notes

(Evans-TCP ; no. N01116)

Transcribed from: (Readex Archive of Americana ; Early American Imprints, series I ; image set 1329)

Images scanned from Readex microprint and microform: (Early American imprints. First series ; no. 1329; 1295)

Source

— A funeral sermon on the death of that learned & excellent divine the Reverend Mr. Samuel Willard, Pastor of a church of Christ in Boston, and vice-president of Harvard Colledge. Who deceased Sept. 12. 1707. aetatis suae 68. / By Ebenezer Pemberton, A.M. ; To which is annexed, a poem, on the same sorrowful occasion, by the Reverend Mr. Benjamin Colman., Pemberton, Ebenezer, 1672-1717., Colman, Benjamin, 1673-1747. Poem on Elijahs translation ....

Extent

[16], 80, [2], 14 p. ; 17 cm. (8vo)

Printed by B. Green, for Benj. Eliot, & sold at his shop under the west end of the Town House.,. Boston: :: 1707.. (Signatures: A-G^8.) (Errata note, p. [15], 1st count.) (Bookseller's advertisement, p. [15-16], 1st count.) ("A poem on Elijahs translation occasion'd by the death of the Reverend and learned Mr. Samuel Willard ... By Mr. Colman ..."--14 p. at end, with separate title page. "The Poem was apparently issued also separately from the Funeral sermon of Ebenezer Pemberton, to which it is annexed."--Evans, entry 1295.)

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