And thus, at length, this blessed man meekly yielded up his blessed soul into the hands of his blessed Saviour, that had so dearly bought it, sancti- fied it, and sealed it by his holy and blessed Spirit.
Beloved, I think there were but few men of later times, of whom we had more, and a more general loss, than of this worthy man. His servants lost a kind and loving master ; his children lost a most tender and careful father ; his friends, a true, cordial, and hearty friend ; the professors of the law, a special ornament of it ; the ministers especiall}', a sweet encourager ; the poor clients, a loving patron ; the richer sort, a grave, wise, and judi-
5G0 THE bride's longing.
cious counsellor ; religion and justice, a groat supporter ; the country where he lived, a fixithful magistrate. So that here is the loss of many.
But what hath he lost ? He hath attained to that which he desired so earnestly, he hath joined himself to Christ and left behind him a monument of mortality, the sad remembrance and remainder of him, his dead body. He hath made an happy change, of eartli for heaven ; of the company of men for the company of perfect souls and angels in heaven ; of troublesome employments here for glorious employments for ever. So that he is no loser.
He hath left behind him likewise another sweet memorial and remem- brance of him, as sweet as the ointment of the apothecary, unto the church and people of God.
He lived, to end all, in the best times that have been in the church since the apostles' times all his dnjs. Ho was born under the gospel and lived under the gospel. He began to favour the best things, even from his youth. And God lengthened his days very long for the good of us. Therefore God miraculously, almost, preserved his weak worn body. It was much that such a spirit should endure in such a body so long under such diseases. But, at length, being full of days, and full of honour with all good people, God having blessed him in his children (for his children's children inherit his blessing), in the comfort and assurance of an happy change, he yielded up his blessed soul, and triumphant spirit, into the hands of God, whom he had loved ; whose cause he had owned hero in the world, in the midst of this sinful generation, and whom he professed, even unto death ; whose coming he desired so earnestly ; where, and with whom, we now leave him.
And for you, beloved, that fully know, as the apostle Paul saith, * his purpose, his manner of life, his faith, his long-suflering, his charity, patience,' &c., 2 Tim. iii. 10, I beseech you, let not his memory die with him ; but let those vu'tues that were in him live in you, so long as you live. ' If there be anything praiseworthy, or of good report' (as indeed there was much in him), ' think on these things,' Phil. iv. 8. If there were any infirmities in him (as, I think, there were as few in him as in any man), love hath a mantle to cover them. He was a gracious man every way ; one that adorned the doctrine and gospel of Christ in every- thing. Therefore, I beseech you, as the apostle saith, ' be followers of him, as he was of Christ.' We must one day give an account to God, not only for what sermons we have heard, but for the examples of those amongst whom we have lived ; how we have profited by the lights that God hath set before us in the world, whether we have imitated their examples or no. We must give an account for all the good we might have received, not only by the means of salvation, but also by the precedents of worthy persons set before us.
I beseech you, in the bowels of the Lord Jesus, * think on these things,' and ' the peace of God be with you ! '
END OF VOL. VI.
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