A DISCOURSE Delivered in Two Sermons, PREACHED in the Cathedral at ELY, in September 1684.  
Not long after the Death of the RIGHT REVEREND FATHER in GOD PETER GUNNING Late Lord Bishop of ELY.  
By HUMPHREY GOWER D. D. Master of St John's College in Cambridge and one of the Prebendaries of ELY.  
CAMBRIDGE, Printed by John Hayes, Printer to the University. For John Creed, Bookseller there. 1685.   

To the Right Reverend Father in God FRANCIS Lord Bishop of ELY and Almoner to His MAJESTY.  
My LORD,  
IT is now near five months since this Discourse was delivered in Two Sermons in your Lordship's Cathedral Church at ELY. So long have I been able to keep it confined to that privacy, for which it was intended, notwithstanding many endeavours that were used to make it Public. I had no reason to be easily persuaded to offer to the world any thing so mean on so Great a Subject. That, which might serve well enough from the Pulpit to express my own Duty and Reverence to the Blessed Memory of this Holy Prelate, and could raise suitable Affections in that one Auditory for which these Sermons were composed, will not, perhaps, deserve Pardon coming from the Press and presented to the Public view. It may be expected from a Discourse of this nature, that carries in its Title Page the Great Name of Bishop GUNNING, that it should bear some proportion to the Excellent Subject, adorn the Great and Good Man's memory and render Him Lovely and Admirable in the Lively expression of His Character, as He really was in the Perfections of His Soul and the whole Tenor of His Life. But that's an undertaking far above My reach and beyond the Power of any words that I know. If so Happy a Performance may be reasonably expected from any Pen, My Lord, it must be Yours; You best understand and can best Express what an inestimable Treasure the World lately Enjoyed, and now Laments as lost, in Your Renowned Predecessor. But, if the Important Affairs that take up your time and the many Duties of that High Station, in which God and the King have so happily placed You, will not allow Your Lordship leisure to oblige our Age and Posterity in this particular, I hope some other will be found ready, and, in some good Degree, qualified for such an undertaking.  
In the mean time I have suffered myself to be overruled by my Friends, but especially Your Lordship, whose Commands I do not use to dispute; but still delight to Observe and Obey the least intimations of Your Pleasure, as well now that You are Bishop of the Diocese as when You were Master of the College. But nothing made Me yield more patiently to the publishing of this imperfect Account of my late Dearest and most Honoured Lord, than some comfortable Hopes, which arose within Me, that it might be a means to provoke and hasten some other to draw up a just and complete History of His Lordship's Life. For these papers are such, as they cannot forestall, but may well Encourage and quicken a performance so  in its self, so due to the Bishop's memory, and so profitable for the Public.  
That I have inscribed them to Your Lordship's Name, I hope, My Lord, You can easily pardon, because You could not expect that it should be otherwise: Nothing of this kind can be so properly offered to any other as to Yourself: You were that Great Prelate's most intimate and many ways endeared Friend; You are his most Worthy and wished for Successor; You tread in his steps and most happily Imitate his Virtues: In all things You appear a Prelate after his own heart, the very Person, whom (had it been in His power) the Holy Man would have named, to that Honour, before any other in the World.  
That Your Lordship may live long for the further Service and Benefit of the Church, and to the manifold increase of Honour and Happiness to Yourself both in this and a better World, is the daily Hearty Prayer of, My Lord,  
Your Lordship's most obliged 
 and Dutiful Servant 
 HUMF. GOWER. St John's College in Cambridge Febr. 12. 1684/ 5   
II. KINGS 2. 11, 12. 
And it came to pass as they still went on and talked, that behold, there appeared a Chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder, and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.  
And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof: and he saw him no more, and he took hold of his own clothes, and rend them in two pieces.  
THis Church hath so lately lost a Prophet, and a Father, I mean a most Venerable and holy Bishop, and these words do so expressly commemorate such a loss; that I can easily believe you to be already in some apprehension of a discourse on that sad subject. And indeed, prepare to renew your mourning. If you have been yet able to make any truce with your sorrows for so inestimable a loss, you are like now to have occasion to break it off, and to return a while to funeral and melancholy meditations. I fear I cannot touch, tho' never so gently, that tender part without being troublesome and grievous unto you; and somewhat unseasonable too, now that your breach is so happily repaired, and good amends made you for what you have lately suffered: And yet I must venture it. I can forbear no longer, I have held my tongue hitherto and kept silence, even from good words, but it was pain and grief to me. A great man is fallen amongst us; and shall none of us cry out, and lift up his voice in weeping and mourning, and go before the people, and lead them on, and teach them how to be affected, how to express their sorrows at the Grave of so Honourable and Renowned a Person? It may be some satisfaction to me, and not unprofitable to you, to spend this hour (my first before you in this place, since that mournful day) in considering and discoursing of that great common calamity, which then befell us.  
What tho' it cost us some fresh tears? Our whole stock is not sufficient worthily to express all the degrees and particulars of our loss: It can never be better spent: You scarce ever had, ever can have juster and greater matter for repeated and even perpetual lamentation; You, I say, of this Church, of this City and Diocese. For God has lately taken from you your Bishop, a Prophet, a Pastor of his own sending, and after his own heart; a spiritual Father, a vigilant Guide and Guardian of your souls: You have lost an excellent Governor, a watchful Overseer, a faithful Instructor, an able Pilot, an affectionate Friend, a charitable Neighbour, an hospitable Entertainer, and a bountiful Benefactor.  
Thus much, at the least is yours: this is your share in the public Calamity that we now deplore: public, I say; for so it is, if ever the death of a single man and a subject can be such. It is not a private and domestic sorrow, not the mourning of one place or people, that I now invite you to: there is not a good man alive, that knew this Bishop, but laments his death. Were the greatness of the loss as generally known and as well understood, as it is certain and sad, there would be as many mourners for this death, as there are Christians in the world, and a lamentation as Universal as the Catholic Church. Therefore, when we discourse of this late Great man, when in Him we lament our loss, it will become us to entertain resentments, and frame expressions, as near as we can, suitable to his worth, and our sense of it. There can be no danger of being too excessive in our weeping and mourning; whilst our Grief is Christian, and that we sorrow not as men without hope: nor can the expressions of it be extravagant, whilst they endeavour to signify no more than a loss as great as could well happen by the death of one man.  
It is one of the least considerations that we can have of him, that he was ours: If we will lament becomingly at this Tomb, our cry must be double, like that of Elisha in my Text, it must mount apace, rise still higher, and express more and more abundantly in every note; My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof. Elisha, you hear, claims the interest of a son in the departing Prophet: And I have reason to think that those of this Church and Diocese had as good cause to love and Reverence their late Bishop as a Father, as any Congregation ever had so to esteem their Pastor; since any less than Apostles have been employed to feed and govern the Christian Flock: But Elisha soon passes from so private and particular a consideration to the much more considerable interest, which the public had in that wondrous man. The chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof.  
And that is it, which, in the case before us, is most to be regarded. We have lost a Father, 'tis true, and such a one as your own memories and happy experience can better represent unto you then the best of words, or the most affectionate and advantageous report, that can be made. But even that, which seems so much yours, must likewise be accounted to the Church: He could not have been such a beneficial Father to you, had he not been as useful and as excellent a Son to the Holy Church: All that we can say or think to embitter our own particular share in this loss does but enhance and aggravate that much more deplorable of the public. For in your late holy Prelate the whole Catholic Church of God on Earth, but in an especial manner, this blessed part of it, the Church of England did enjoy whatever almost could be Good and Great in a Christian and a Scholar. He lived and died the great Instance and Example of his age of extraordinary natural Endowments most wonderfully improved, vast Learning graced with the greatest Modesty, incomparable worth and profound Humility. In him hath the Church lost one of the most perfect patterns of a Christian Bishop that She ever had: Furnished he was with all the Gifts and Graces, that are requisite to make a man most amiable and useful. His unfeigned and exemplary piety, devout and holy Life, his searching and comprehensive understanding, lively and quick apprehension, ready and retentive memory, His solid judgement, unwearied industry, and, an effect of these, His accurate and almost Universal Knowledge, especially in that which is the end and perfection of all, the Doctrine of the Holy Scriptures and the whole sacred Text, as they rendered him the wonder and delight of all that knew him, whilst he was here; so (it is to be hoped) those Great Accomplishments have shed abroad such happy influences in this Kingdom as will not perish with the present age, but spread and propagate to succeeding times, and both to us and our latest posterity bring forth fruit for the use and benefit of the Church.  
And here, methinks, I am willing to enjoy with you, a while, the refreshment of this comfortable, and well grounded hope; and thence to take occasion to alter my stile a little, and to speak of the Churches gain rather than Her loss, to congratulate as well as condole with Her on the account of this great man. For the Lives of such men as He, even after death, like the blood of Martyrs, give nourishment and increase to the Church: Their fame and memory remains, when they are gone, and shall be for ever blessed. As they were honoured in their Generation and were the glory of their times, so have they left a name behind them, that their praises might be reported; And with that name an Example too, which will live tho' they are dead: And those their Praises and good Examples are most powerful exhortations to suitable practice and imitation. Their good actions are so many good Doctrines, backed and seconded by the best motive, and the most persuasive and convincing application. 'Tis thus that Holy Church enjoys Her Bishop still, and I hope ever will, by the blessed effects of his eminent abilities and exemplary Life; tho' He himself is gone and is seen no more. And it is thus that he being dead yet speaketh, and teaches more powerfully from the Grave, than he could formerly from the Pulpit. For his Life was a better Sermon than He or any man else could ever preach. A mere repetition of the chief Heads of it fully and faithfully performed, would furnish you out a much more useful one then this of mine, hasty notes and imperfect, and mostly taken at a distance, and, by the shortness of the time, now to be made shorter. It must be a juster account, that must duly inform the world with what an excellent spirit He was endued, how full of God and all good things, how conscientiously and faithfully He spent his hours, how industrious he was in private, and how laborious in public, how covetously He hoarded up, and yet, how liberally He scattered abroad the richest treasures of knowledge Humane and Divine, how holily He taught, and as holily lived.  
By this great instance, amongst others, the world may see and be convinced that a man may be as great and good in this, as in any other age of Christianity. That the highest and most Heroical representations of virtue are not mere scheme and fiction, but very real and practicable things; such as may be indeed reached and effectually attained. For these did all live and appear and flourish in the Holy Prelate, whom you lately lost, and we now lament. In him we have seen plainly and eminently exemplified what before (perhaps) we had only read in the Rule, conceived in Theory or Idea, or could apprehend and fancy as most desirable and lovely in the Character of a Bishop. All which being well considered, I hope I may be allowed to insist on this Illustrious instance of glorified Elias, and the words of his renowned Successor Elisha, as being such as may very easily be accommodated to our present business, and may help us to meditations proper for this occasion.  
For what is the death of Saints but their entrance into glory? Every good man, at his death, ascends as really, tho' not as visibly as Elijah, and is made as certainly happy as he. Their bodies, indeed, go down to the Grave, and mingle again with the dust, from whence they were taken, so to remain till the happy hour of an indissoluble reunion to their souls shall consummate the bliss of which that better part had taken possession immediately after it was dislodged from the body: the spirit springs upwards as soon as ever it feels itself free from the clog and weight that pressed it down: the soul of every Saint mounts as swiftly towards Heaven as Elijah himself, tho' carried up in a flaming Chariot with Horses of fire. Therefore well and wisely has the Church chosen to celebrate the day of their death, as the happiest and most memorable of their lives; and such as better deserved to be accounted (as it was styled) their birthday, then that, on which they were born into the world. For than they truly begin to live when to us they die: Whenas, that which we commonly call our Birth, is indeed but the first step we take in our advance to death: There is a short passage between the womb and immortality, called life; but indeed it lies all along in the region of Death, to which we are enrolled subjects as soon as we enter on that path of mortality, and are not a moment free from the malignant influences of his dominion, till we are got to the end of it, and have sheltered our bodies in the Grave, and our souls in the hands of him that gave them. Then, and not before, are we freed from the imperfections and encumbrances of flesh and blood, from all the hidden snares, the silent and secret encroachments of Death, who gins its approaches as soon as we begin to live: for than he first finds us on his own ground, and within his reach, and instantly quarries upon his prey: As soon as we were born we began to draw to our end: And there is no standing still in this walk of Death; for man that is born of a woman never continueth in one stay: He that lives most healthfully dies daily: In the midst of life we are in death, and every moment ripens us for the Grave; to which we are still posting as fast as the wings of time can carry us. Our very health is a kind of sickness, and whilst we seem to gather strength and lay up plenty of provision to prevent the ruin or decay of our frail nature, we are really, all that while, but making further advances towards our latter end: Death is at work as well as we. In vain do we endeavour to entrench and fortify against the assaults of that obstinate and unrelenting enemy. An enemy it is that cannot fail of victory either by undermining or by storm, by lingering consumptions or more acute and violent distempers. Death will certainly demolish our strongest hold, and easily reduce the tottering tabernacle, which we possess and would still gladly defend, to ruin and rubbish, dust and ashes, out of which it was first reared, and to which, according to its Maker's doom, it must return by an unavoidable dissolution. But when we are once arrived at that period, and have received the last blow of Death, and happily passed the common Gate of Mortality, we are no longer in its power: For what is said of the Head is true of the members; That being once dead they die no more, 
Rom. 6. 9  death hath no more dominion over them. That then is the blessed hour, that completely delivers the sons of men, who through fear of death, were all their life time subject unto bondage. It is at that fatal moment, as it is called, which seems to reduce us to the lowest, most lamentable and helpless condition, that the Righteous man first feels his shackles fall off, and himself set free, far out of the reach of the malice of Men or Devils. For by dying he has overcome his last enemy which is death. Strange victory! But yet certain; such almighty efficacy in itself, and such a quickening influence on his members has the Death of our Head the Lord Christ; who having first himself overcome it, teaches and enables us to triumph in Death over Death itself.  
'Tis true the victory is not, in all respects, complete, till we have destroyed and spoiled, as well as vanquished, this King of Terrors: But that last Enemy cannot be so absolutely subdued till the last day, when Death shall be swallowed up in victory; that is finally and for ever; so slain as never to revive; for after that, it shall be no more: Then likewise shall the little victory of the grave be blasted, and the poor remains, we left behind us, wrested out of the jaws of Death, and restored to us: But how? Not worsted and worn, as they were by course lodging in the dust, and long captivity in the dark dungeons of the Earth; but all fresh and new, and wonderfully changed for the better: That which was swon in corruption will be raised in incorruption. It's dishonour will be turned into glory, and its weakness into power; of a natural body, as we left it, it will be raised and presented to us all over spiritual and heavenly.  
The same indeed, we had before: For tho' it be most true, 
1 Cor. 15. 50.  that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God; that is, as the Apostle immediately explains himself, Corruption cannot inherit incorruption; yet we know that this mortal must be quickened, and have learned to believe the resurrection of the flesh, 
Job 19 26, 27.  and are assured that we ourselves, and not another for us, in our flesh shall see God; Even after worms have destroyed our bodies.  
It will therefore be the same, I say; and yet not that vile thing, which once it was, but changed and fashioned like unto his glorious body, who was the first fruits of them that slept, and who is the resurrection and the life. Prudent therefore and pious is the Church's choice in celebrating the death under the notion of the nativity of such, to whom the day of their death must needs be better than the day of their birth, according to the observation of the Royal Preacher. 
Eccles. 7. 1.  For than it is, that they are born members of the Church Triumphant, not only heirs but possessors of Eternal life. For they shall not come into condemnation, but are actually and properly passed from death unto life: Their Saviour hath wiped away all tears from their eyes; 
Revel. 21. 4.  and to them there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.  
This alone is life properly so called; in comparison of which, that of this world, which hath usurped the Name, is a very Death, only that it continues longer, is more vexatious and tormenting then Death itself. Born, indeed, we are, but unto trouble, 
Job 5. 7.  as the sparks fly upward. Cares and fears, tears and temptations, doubts and disappointments distract the mind; whilst the body, which partakes in those agonies of the soul, is also miserably subjected to racks and tortures of its own, to pains and diseases that would be desperate and insupportable, were they not, as it were, the earnest and Harbingers of Death, which puts an end to all those tragical miseries of life. And is not this a goodly thing, for men to be so fond of, as generally they are, that is itself so great a disease, that nothing but death can cure? That therefore is often called for, even by those, who yet are much unprepared for such a remedy. But how welcome then are, or aught to be, the approaches of Death stingless! Such it is to those that die the death of the righteous, as they all do, to be sure, that have lived their life; which was well known and considered by the Holy Prelate, whom I now commemorate.  
Conscious to himself of a race happily run, of talents well improved, and a fight well fought; with a clear conscience and an undisturbed mind, in a well grounded reliance on the Mercies and Merits of his Redeemer, the Holy Man, like just and devout Simeon, or this very Elias in the Text, humbly prayed for his departure, in my hearing (as I kneeled by him) tho', as I have reason to believe, against his will, as well as without his knowledge: For He seemed to mind nothing but his God, his eyes then shut, and his words whispered; tho' both before and after he spoke strongly and aloud. It was the only Prayer I ever heard him make, to which I could not hearty say Amen. I could have wished that He should still have walked before the Lord in the Land of the Living, and therefore must confess was afraid He would be heard, and that God would not deny him the request of his lips, but would bestow Death upon him; so pressing and importunate was his Prayer; for He seemed to groan earnestly, like St Paul, 
2 Cor. 5. 2.  to have that his earthly Tabernacle dissolved, and to be clothed upon with his house from heaven. And yet were those breathe of his soul sent up to Heaven with that same Christian resignation and submission to the Divine will, which so qualifies and recommends a Good man's Prayers, that they cannot fail of a favourable audience and success. Thus He, whose Conversation had been so much in Heaven, even whilst Himself was on Earth, did in heart and mind thither ascend, even before his soul could get lose from the troublesome embraces of the body: And thus like Elijah, He was not only carried, but went up to Heaven.  
That Holy Prophet gladly mounted up into his Heavenly Chariot, leaving most willingly Elisha, and the world below: The whirlwind itself was not in more haste than He; the Chariot and Horses and Fire could not move quicker and fly swifter than did his own ardent desires toward his everlasting bliss. So did our dying Bishop joyfully part with all that He valued here on Earth, and, in a chariot of fire, mounted unto the Heavens; if I may be allowed so to style the , that snatched him from us. But if that may seem too remote a Metaphor; I know I can truly say, that his soul still soared higher and higher in raptures of fervent and devout desires of being dissolved, and being with God his exceeding great Reward.  
This, indeed, was most like the fire, in which Elijah ascended unto Heaven: A fire that needed no fuel but the devout mind that kindled it: A fire that burnt but consumed not: Such a fire as warms and heats the Holy Angels themselves, and kindles those Divine Ministers into a flaming fire: And, perhaps, They were the Chariot and the Horses in the Text. Prompt and ready they are to execute all the commands of their great Maker, and most cheerfully do those Triumphant spirits of Heaven fly down to secure and assist Holy men on Earth and promote the happiness of Militant Saints. But Angels or clouds, or whatever it was, fiery it did appear; a fit emblem of that Heroic Zeal that did so illustriously discover itself and shine forth in the life of that great Prophet: A zeal for the honour of him that sent him, like that which afterwards, in a more Divine manner, appeared in our blessed Saviour, of whom Elias himself was a type and, in some sense, a forerunner, as well as the Baptist, who came in his Spirit and Power: A zeal it was, that even consumed him, stuck nearer and closer to him, than any earthly concern of his own; A zeal that He durst own and stand to before the Searcher and Judge of hearts; 
1 Kings 19 10, 14.  I have been very jealous, saith He, more than once, for the Lord God of Hosts: It vexed his righteous soul to see the Apostasy of a whole nation, as He reckoned, from God and all goodness; The children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine Altars, and slain thy Prophets with the sword: the desolation of the Church lay heavy on the Good man's heart.  
For Ahab walked in the sins of Jeroboam; 
1 Kings 12. 28, etc.  who, for fear the heart of the people should turn again to their Lord the king of Judah, that he might secure his usurpation and establish himself, thought it necessary to invade the Religion as well as the Government of the Nation: And so he sets up Gods of his own, and made Priests of the lowest of the people, such as were not of the sons of Levi; and therefore, having no lawful Ordination, uncapable to succeed in the holy Function; 
Verse 33.  and he ordained Feasts and made Sacrifices according to his own fancy; even as he had devised in his own heart. 
Ecclus 48. 1.  Then stood up Elias the prophet as fire, and his word burnt like a lamp, as it is expressed by the son of Sirach. Even then, when there was not a man on Earth to second him, did he courageously keep his ground, assert the Church and its cause, and made stout and vehement protestations against the Schism, and all their unreasonable and irreligious Innovations: Full of God and the Commission, that He had from Him, He put himself in the gap, withstood the torrent of Apostasy that had overrun the land, boldly rebuked vice and called often and aloud both to Prince and People, to return to God and his Holy Church. The haughty and bloody Jezebel with all her cruel instruments, and the many hundred Prophets of Baal, and of the groves, that did eat at her table, could not persuade or fright him from his integrity: still the holy fire was kept alive in his religious breast, and flamed brightly out, on all occasions, into acts of devotion, and zealous undertake for the honour of his God: This I say, was the fire that seems, at the last, to have kindled for him even the wings of Angels, and turned them into a flaming Chariot and Horses, with which He ascended unto a place of Bliss prepared for him; according to that in the first of the Maccabees: Elias for being zealous and fervent for the Law, 
1 Maccab. 2. 58.  was taken up into heaven. It pleased God to reward his signal piety with signal and singular Honour; And, for that and other reasons best known to his Divine wisdom, He made him an exception from the general rule, exempting him from the common fate of all men, by taking him up alive to himself in a visible and most wonderful manner.  
It is not my present business, nor was it my design, or at all in my thoughts, when I chose this Text for my Theme, to draw a parallel, betwixt the Prophet Elias and our late Bishop; And yet I judge this a proper part of my discourse for the mention of that holy zeal for God and every good thing, which was so visible and lovely in that excellent Person. God had enriched his mind with many extraordinary endowments, which rendered him eminent and honourable, above most of his generation. But nothing deserved and procured him a greater veneration and awe from all that knew him, than the unblemished sanctity of his life, his zeal for God and our most Holy Religion, and his own steady, uniform, and exemplary obedience to those Evangelical precepts, which he so faithfully preached and recommended unto others. The day would fail me, before I could recite the many Evidences and Instances that may be given of what I say. But it is not my business to write the Great man's Life, as he must, and that, very voluminously, who undertakes to do him right in this particular. His discourses, designs, endeavours, undertake, his labours and his studies, almost every thing that he did or said, capable of expressing the piety of the heart, discovered the Holy frame of his Spirit, and convincingly proved to those that conversed with him, what Elijah's miracle did to the widow of Sarepta, that he was a man of God, 
1 Kings 17. 24.  and that the word of the Lord was in his mouth.  
Nor could so sincere a Piety towards God be in the Bishop any more than in the Prophet without a suitable love and religious regard to his Holy Church. But this was so eminent in our Prelate, and is so famously known at home and abroad, and his praises, on this account, are so acknowledged and received in all our Gates, that I shall not need to justify this part of his Character, by alleging here any of the very many instances of his zeal in opposing the attempts of the late Schism and Rebellion. He did not forbear to protest publicly against the Faction even when it was most formidable: And in a Sermon preached before the University in St Maries Church in Cambridge, He urged them vehemently and convincingly to publish a formal protestation against the Rebellious League. And they to whom he spoke were sufficiently disposed to comply and close with so Christian and Loyal an exhortation. For the spirit of Error and Delusion, of Faction and Fury, which had long before broke lose and ravaged far and near, confounding and subverting all Orders of men and things, had not been able to poison or corrupt that bright and wholesome Fountain of Learning and Religion, tho' situated in the midst of the enemy's quarters, and perpetually surrounded and infested with boisterous Troops of Rebels. The good Work was therefore presently begun and soon finished; But could not be published in the name of the whole Corporation, and consequently not at Cambridge, because one man, who alone could hinder it, would not permit it to be done. But I have not only Charity enough to hope, but sufficient Reason to believe, that He soon repent of the opposition He had made, and became quite of another mind. But however, printed it was, tho' most of the impression was seized at London, before it could get abroad; And this Renowned Nursery of Learning and Loyalty did not lose the honour of getting the start of her equal Sister, and giving her an excellent pattern and encouragement by so early and laudable an undertaking.  
In this conscientious zeal for the Church, did our Bishop and many others, to their lasting comfort and Renown, faithfully persevere, to the loss of all they had in this world, but their lives: And those lives, which God gave them for a prey, were cheap and vile in their own eyes in competition with their Loyalty and Religion; for which the Bishop was ready and resolved, and (sometimes) very likely to resist even unto blood. Every place, where this Good man sojourned, after He was driven from his study in Cambridge, can furnish out various evidences of his pious and restless endeavours for the benefit of the public. His time was always usefully spent, in confirming those that stood, supporting them that were falling, raising up them that were down, encouraging the faint-hearted, and reducing them that were gone astray. In the very worst of times, when the Rebellion was rampant, and the bloody Usurper had killed and taken possession, than did our Elijah, even in Samaria, in the Rebel's Metropolis, in spite of all their menaces and malice, courageously stand up, and in words assert, and in practice perform his duty to God and to the Church: And to him gladly flocked Loyal multitudes of Religious and true hearted people, to celebrate those Holy Offices (to which they were by Law obliged) in private houses, when by armed violence they were forced out and driven from the Churches.  
Now, can you believe that this Heroic Instance of Primitive Christian Loyalty and Zeal, could be alleged for the justification of Factious and Schismatical Conventicles? But what hath not been said and done to give life and countenance to the beloved, tho' desperate, Cause? It might have been hoped that such an instance of integrity and honest perseverance in obedience to the Church, in a time of trial and danger, would have wrought some relenting in Her persecutors, and made them more mindful of their own duty for the future. But instead of that, the thing has been represented as an argument or defence for the illegal meetings of Nonconformists. One would think this could not be intended for good earnest: but be that as it will, I am sure the Bishop's answer was very ingenious and apposite; and it was to this purpose, that, as our present Sovereign was rightful King of England, even when hid in the Royal oak, and Cromwell an Usurper, tho' at Whitehall and in the Throne; so was He a regular Preacher, and his meeting at Exeter-house a true Congregation, of the Church of England; whenas the Objectour tho' preaching at St Paul's Cross, would be still a schismatic, and His assembly of Separatists a Conventicle even in the Cathedral Church of Canterbury, or St Paul's in London.  
But thus as I was saying, did this Apostolical man endure hardship as a good Soldier of Jesus Christ. God having not given him the Spirit of Fear, but of Power, of Love, and of a Sound mind. Like his Lord and Master He went about doing good, in meekness instructing those that opposed themselves; and was instant in season and out of season reproving, rebuking, exhorting with all long-suffering and Doctrine. Thus spent he his days of mourning, either privately wrestling with his God in Prayer for the remnant of Israel; that He would turn the Captivity of his people, and be favourable and gracious unto Zion, and build up the walls of Jerusalem; or in public contending with the enemies of the Church; disputing both in public and private with the most Powerful and skilful of the Adversaries of both kinds, Romanists and others; with equal zeal and knowledge, convincing or confounding the gainsayers. For He was a Workman that needed not be ashamed. God had given him many talents, and grace to improve them, so that as none could be more desirous, neither was there any more able to serve the Church then Himself. Once He was seized whilst He was in these Holy Exercises, and by special Order carried before the Usurper himself: who expostulated with him as Ahab did with Elijah, as a troubler of Israel: But then so affectionately and solidly did the Apostolical man, like St Paul before Felix, reason of those things, for which He was called in question; that, whether the wretch that heard him, had sense enough left to make him tremble, or no; certainly, he was not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke; but, having vouchsafed to bestow some few good words on the Church-Prayers, sent away the Good man, without using any further violence, at the present.  
But thus far have I been carried by the Consideration of that Holy Fire of Zeal which flamed in Elijah's breast, to speak of that which was so plainly discernible in our late Prelate. But leave we now that blessed Prophet to the happy rewards of his Love and Labours, and leave gazing too at his wondrous ascent, the Whirlwind, the Fire and Flames, the Chariot and Horses that conveyed him strangely and safely to some of the many mansions in the Father's house. And let us look down a while and observe and listen to the behaviour and lamentation of the forsaken and desolate Elisha.  
Elisha was the humble Friend, both the companion and servant of Elijah: He was Prophet-elect, being, by Divine direction and designation, to succeed his Master. But why should he lament then? Why this outcry when his Master was taken from him? Was there any thing so sad and grievous to either of the two in this translation, that might justly provoke Elisha to such a transport of grief as he seemed to express when he cried out, and took hold of his own clothes and rend them in two pieces? He himself well knew, and had been reminded by other sons of the Prophets, often enough, of what would happen, and he expected it at that time, and was come thither resolved to be present at it: Elias himself could not persuade him to stay behind; so that there could be no great surprise in the case. Besides, it was a very glorious Exit for his Master, whom he saw in State and Triumph ascending up towards Heaven. Here was no room, one would think, for sorrow, no reason for lamentation; No sick bed nor dying groans; Nothing of agony or pain, nor ought of that ghastly pomp of Death, that commonly renders the passage to the other state terrible and uneasy, even to the best of men, and very uncomfortable and grievous to their friends. Or was it for himself that Elisha thus laments, because now he had lost his Master, who was taken from his head, and therefore could no longer assist him by his presence and advice? But what loss could that be to him, who had the Spirit of God, for his assistance, was a Prophet himself, and now that Elijah was gone, the Principal and Father of them all?  
But well might He grieve for all this: Not, indeed, on the account of his Master, in whose case there was nothing at all dismal or deplorable, but for himself, and for the public, there was much matter of sorrow: And those considerations of a just grief seem to be expressed in the Phrases of his lamentation: My father, my father, The chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof. The first speaks (as we have observed already) his own private interest in the Prophet. He had lost a Guide and Governor, a faithful and able Teacher and Director: And such are very frequently and deservedly styled Fathers in Holy Writ; and accordingly they that are so taught and governed are called Sons; as several times in this very Chapter, as well as in other places. The Spirit of God indeed, could, and would, and did abundantly supply Elisha with all things necessary for his Prophetic Office. But still he had lost a sure Friend, a pious Companion and wise Guide of his life; and that's enough to make his mourning appear decent, and to justify all the expressions of his sorrow. But Elisha stops not at this reflection on his own loss: That consideration was presently swallowed up by greater. The Church and Kingdom had in Elijah lost a main ornament and support; and that is it, which is expressed in the following very elegant and significant Phrases: The chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof.  
The appearance, which Elisha then had before his eyes, of a chariot and horses of fire, made the comparison the more seasonable, and might be sufficient to prompt him to it. But that was not the only reason, if it were at all any occasion of that figurative allusion. It is like he would have used the same expression, tho' he had seen the Prophet expiring on a bed, instead of mounting towards Heaven in a chariot; as it was by King Joash applied to him himself, 
2 Kings 13. 14.  when fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. The whole world is a loser by the death of a good man; more especially than was that Kingdom and people so, by the loss of so excelling a person as was Elijah: This truly was a becoming argument for the lamentation of a Prophet: For when the righteous man perisheth, or is taken away, tho' others do not, yet, they that are like himself will consider it, and lay it to heart. He, indeed, hath hope in his death, and enters into peace, and is refreshed and comforted in Abraham's bosom: but they that are left behind; they, particularly, that lived near him, within the direct influence of his good deeds and holy example, are really damnified by his death; as will soon appear by weighing the expressions, in which Elisha here bemoaneth the public loss in the person of the great Elijah.  
The chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof. A Metaphor taken from war, and so very aptly bestowed upon a Champion of the Church Militant. Chariots anciently were, and Horsemen still are a main strength and protection to a people, to defend them from, and prevent, as also to repel and suppress the insults and invasions of their enemies. Formidable was the force of Chariots of war in the land of Canaan, when the Israelites came to dispossess the former inhabitants, and to plant themselves in that fruitful country: Insomuch that the house of Joseph, 
Josh. 17. 16. Verse 17.  tho' a great people and of great power, excepted against the portion allotted to them by Joshua, because the enemy, that was in possession, had chariots of Iron: and so, all along, we find the power of those Princes expressed by the number of their Chariots and Horsemen, both before and after the conquest of the Country by the Israelites. Accordingly, it is particularly observed in the description of King Solomon's strength, 
2 Chron. 1. 14.  that he gathered Chariots and Horsemen, and had a thousand and four hundred Chariots and twelve thousand Horsemen, which he placed in the Chariot-cities, and with the King at Jerusalem. Nay, the invincible force of the armies of the Lord of Hosts is expressed by the inspired Psalmist with an allusion to this powerful provision for war; where he sings that the chariots of God are twenty thousands even thousands of Angels; 
Psalm 68 17.  of which, perhaps, as I noted before, a party were commanded out to fetch Elijah, and were the same that convoyed that great Prophet in his ascension unto Heaven: For they are sent forth to minister for them, 
Heb. 1. 14.  who shall be heirs of salvation. But there were many more of them appointed afterwards for a Guard to his successor Elisha against the Horses and Chariots of the Syrian King; when at the Prayer of that Prophet, 
2 Kings 6. 17.  the Lord opened the eyes of the young man his servant, and he saw, and behold the mountain was full of horses, and chariots of fire, round about Elisha. And perhaps there were two armies of them encamped about Jacob to keep and conduct him and his in safety in his return to his own Country: 
Gen. 32. 1, 2.  for it is said the Angels of God met him, and he called the name of that place Mahanaim; which dual word may imply that there were two Camps or Companies of that Heavenly Host. So that this bright Militia of Heaven is always ready to execute the orders of their Sovereign Lord, whether they be to honour and protect his Loyal Subjects, or confound his Enemies. And we know what dreadful havoc and slaughter has been made by a destroying Angel in the space of three days, nay even in a night. The Fire and Chariots and Whirlwind had orders, as we find in the Text, to attend, assist and adorn the Triumphant ascension of Elias: But in another case, the very same are to be dispatched as messengers of God's wrath, the Instruments and Executioners of his vengeance. 
Isa. 66. 15.  For behold the Lord will come with fire and with his chariots like a whirlwind to render his anger with fury and his rebuke with flames of fire.  
From what hath been said it is evident enough, that, when Elisha styled Elijah the chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof, he intended thereby to express him to be the great Strength, Defence and Support of the Kingdom: And so he was in a most eminent manner; being extraordinarily commissioned and impower'd by God to protest against the abominations and Apostasy of that people; and to endeavour the restitution of Religion, the Reformation of manners, and Establishment of Affairs in the whole Kingdom: In this Office and Administration Elisha succeeded him, and was accordingly, when he lay on his death bed, saluted and acknowledged, as the chariot and horsemen of Israel, by the King himself, as I observed before.  
But not these two extraordinary Prophets only, but all the sons of the Prophets, all that are sent by God, and set apart to be Guides and Pastors of a people, I say all and every of these, as far as they are true to their trust, and worthily discharge their duty, are strengths and defences to the places, where they live, and so, in some proportion, the chariot and horsemen thereof. Nay, so is every virtuous and good man, in some degree. Sodom itself had escaped its so much merited and long provoked destruction, if ten righteous persons could have been found in the whole City; And, one single Just man might have been sufficient to have indemnified all Jerusalem, 
Jer. 5. 1.  as appears from the Prophet Jeremiah. Every good man is a public good: He helps to stave off Judgements and bring down blessings upon a people. Just Lot saved Zoar, and the prayers of Nehemiah raised up again, and repaired the ruins of Jerusalem. They have an interest and favour in the Court of Heaven: 
Psal. 34. 17.  The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry: They who make most conscience of their own duty, make the best Solicitours for others. 
John 9 31.  If any man be a worshipper of God, and doth his will, him he heareth. And therefore the Church hath always given thanks for them, as Public blessings, praising Almighty God for the good Examples of all Holy men and women in general, as well as for Bishops, Priests and Deacons. But such as by their very Function and office are Holy to the Lord, such whose very business it is to bless and mediate for the people, and to guide and teach them; these, I say, are in a more especial manner, Protection and Defence, the Chariot and Horsemen unto the Church and Nation, unto which they do belong: And this they are chief on the account of their Prayers, their Precepts and their Practice.  
GOD is most likely to hear the Intercessions of those whom He Himself has appointed to intercede. Abimelech King of Gerar was not presently to be pardoned on the account of the Integrity of his heart, and the Innocency of his hands, which he pleaded, and was by God, in some sort allowed, but by the prayers of Abraham: God would have his mercy and blessings descend in a regular way, and what he might have given out directly and immediately from himself, was not to be bestowed till the Prophet had prayed, 
Gen. 20. 7.  Restore the man his wife, for he is a Prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live. When God had denounced heavy Judgements by his Prophet Joel he prescribes it as one means to avert those impending evils that Prayers be made by the Priest. 
Joel 2. 17.  Let the Priests the Ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the Altar. Nor did St James think it sufficient to advise the sick man to pray for himself, but remits him to God's officers, appointed for that purpose, the public Mediators and Intercessors for the people. 
James 5. 14.  Let him call, saith he, for the Elders of the Church, and let them pray over him. But how very effectual the fervent prayers of such men sometimes are, appears sufficiently from the instance here before us of the great Elijah, singled out by St James for the same purpose, and alleged soon after the words already cited. 
James 5. 17.  He, I say, who, though a man subject to like passions as we are, opened and shut the Heavens at his pleasure, kept up the dew and rain, but brought down showers of fire; so that all things happened according to his word. 
1 Kings 17. 1.   
The Ministers of God's holy Word and Sacraments, in respect of one part of their Function, are God's Ambassadors to the people; but, in this of prayer, they are their Agents and Solicitours with God, constituted by himself as a sort of Mediators for and amongst men, Masters of Requests, resident on Earth, appointed to present and offer up the petitions of the people to and in the name of the one great Mediator between God and Man: 
1 Tim. 2. 5.  And to him those addresses cannot but be the more acceptable as coming in his own Method and way, and through those hands, to which he has committed so great a power as to bind and lose in Heaven and on Earth, a power not vouchsafed (as St Chrysostom somewhere expresseth it) either to Angels or Arch-Angels, or any other of the most glorified favourites of Heaven.  
If then persons set aside and consecrated for the service of God and his Church be ordinarily acceptable, and powerful Intercessors; how much does this Church and Nation, and, indeed, the whole Christian world own to the pious Devotions of the Holy Prelate, of whom we are now speaking! Twice a day, most duly, besides his family Prayers, He offered up to Heaven, either in the Public Congregation, or (when his health could not allow that) more privately, his daily Homage and Sacrifice of Morning and Evening Prayer and Thanksgiving, according to the Prescript of the Church of England. He that had so throughly studied and did so perfectly understand the Beauties and Excellencies of the English Liturgy, and so frequently and affectionately recommended the conscientious and devout use of it to all, both Clergy and others; and had himself received great Spiritual Comfort and Advantages by a long and Religious attendance on it: He, I say, as you will easily believe, could not allow himself in the least neglect of it, but went to it and called for it as his daily bread, the necessary food and refreshment of his soul.  
I need not tell this Congregation, I am sure, how Solemn and Reverend his approaches were to this Sacred place, how Holy and Saintlike his behaviour here. Almost every thing that Good man did or said was edifying and instructive; but nothing could well be more so, than his devout deportment, when he had audience with his God. The Faith and Fervency, the Humble, yet Restless and Irresistible importunity of his Spirit struggling and contending with God in Prayer could not be concealed from those that saw him, but flamed up from his heart into his eyes, and discovered itself by so many natural indications of Holy and transported Affections, that the Example was enough to rouse and warm the most sluggish and frozen Devotion of any that did observe him. It is no wonder that his devout Soul found so Divine a relish in those Prayers, to which He attended with so much Reverence and Religion. The Prayers of the Church are a dead letter to none but such as bring dead hearts to them, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. disc. 16.  as our Martyred Sovereign observed long since. And I dare say, that all that use them, unless the blessed effect be hindered by prejudice or profaneness, do experience that those united and well advised Devotions are most excellently contrived to kindle and keep alive in us such pious dispositions of mind, as are most suitable to that duty.  
I shall not presume to conduct you from the Church to the Good man's Closet, or pretend to reckon how often in a day He was upon his knees. He that did nothing for ostentation, and understood so well the Reward reserved for good things done in secret, knew how to conceal those Addresses from the eyes of man, which He intended only for the notice of his God. But his constant and steady Practice of all Christian duties, the general Holiness of his Life, the visible delight He took in Prayer (that great Privilege as well as Duty of mankind) besides other Evidences, that could not always be kept from the observation of those that had the honour and happiness to be near him, serve to assure us, that He watched unto Prayer, prayed always, without ceasing, and at all seasons, according to a due understanding of those expressions in Holy Writ. It was to him a pleasant performance, of which He could not be weary. What a Benefactor (I say) then was He to this Church and State, which had so great a share in his public and private Petitions sent up to a Gracious God with such an unfeigned Piety and ardent Zeal! 
Luke 18. 1.  Shall not God hear his servants that cry day and night unto him? He that asked such a question when He was on Earth, will be sure to answer such prayers now he is in Heaven. And then I am sure the public has received manifold advantage from the Bishop's earnest supplications put up in the behalf of the whole Kingdom; The interest of which was as dear to him as his own Soul, and for which He was almost hourly breathing out fervent ejaculations, 
Rev. 5. 8.  and night and day praying exceedingly. The prayers of Saints, we are told, are as golden vials full of odours; and those odours are sacrifices of sweet savour, unto the God of Heaven. Such Sacrifices of Supplications, Intercessions and giving of Thanks, was this Holy Prelate almost constantly offering up unto Almighty God, for the King and all in Authority, for the Holy Catholic Church, and for all Men.  
Three most signal Favours and Blessings on this Land within our memories I have often heard his Lordship mention with most feeling and affectionate expressions of Religious Gratitude and Joy. The first was that Abundance of Heavenly Graces which adorned the Person of our late Martyred Sovereign, and those particularly which did so Gloriously shine forth in him under the most barbarous indignities and bloody violence offered him by the Rebels: Another was that stupendous revolution of Affairs brought about by the miraculous Providence of God in the Restitution of His present Majesty and the Church in Honour and Peace, to the astonishment and confusion of the Adversaries of them Both. The Third was the wonderful disappointment and most happy Discovery of the late Fanatical and Republican Conspiracy against the Life of His Sacred Majesty and His Royal Brother. And to these He added that more Public and General Mercy of God in appearing so seasonably and so mightily for the defence of our common Christianity, by putting a hook in the Nostrils of the Turkish Leviathan, and pulling him back again, and humbling him even to the dust; when he seemed to himself and us in possession of his prey, and to have little to do but to kill and eat. These were Bounties and Largesses of Heaven, that filled the heart of the Holy Bishop with daily Hallelujahs: He could hardly ever speak of them without tears of Joy: And doubtless they relished the more comfortably to his Soul, because he had reason to apprehend them as so many Gracious returns and answers to his Prayers.  
In short, That Kings and Princes do again enter into the Gates of our Cities, and the Regal Throne is not dishonoured and polluted by Usurpation, that our Judges are restored as at the first, 
Isa. 1. 26.  and our Counsellors as at the beginning; that our Holy Religion is secured to us by the reestablishment of the most Apostolical constistitution of this Church; that we do not eat our bread with carefulness, 
Ezech. 12. 19  and drink our water with astonishment; But free from oppression either foreign or domestic we do or may lead quiet and peaceable lives in all Godliness and honesty: All this, I say, and all else in this world, that is or aught to be dear to Men and Christians, we own under God to the fervent Prayers of such Holy Men as this, of whom we are now speaking: In this respect therefore they are not unworthy of the Compellation in the Text. 
Greg. Nyss. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  Since Prayer itself is such sure armour and defence, such a shield and buckler, and mighty Protection both day and night, as we know it is, the Holy Men that are assiduous in this devout exercise, and expert managers of so powerful a weapon of our Christian warfare may well be esteemed the Chariot and Horsemen; that is, a great strength and defence to the Church and Nation, in which they live, and for which most especially they are concerned.  
BUT such they are still on another account; and that is, as they labour in the word and doctrine; when to their Prayers they add Precepts, and join Instruction to their Intercession: By one they prepare and bespeak Mercies; by the other they qualify the People and make them capable to receive them: The choicest Blessings of this life, will turn at last to no comfortable account, if we are not, by a right use of them, something bettered, and so made fit for another. Now these men I speak of are to teach us how to make that Saving Use of them; For they are Messengers of God sent by him with full Commission and ample Instructions to make known the the whole will of God for our salvation. It is true, 
Rom. 10. 13. 14.  that whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved: But they cannot call on him that do not believe in him, which they cannot do, unless they have heard of him; nor can they hear of him without a Preacher, and that Preacher must be sent.  
Nor is this Office of Teaching necessary only for the first publishing of the Gospel: Otherwise, our Saviour needed not to have assured his Apostles, as he did, of his presence with them and their Successors even unto the end of the world: 
Matth. 28. 20.  The Teaching part of their Office might have been dispatched in a few years, if it had been sufficient for the edification and establishment of the Church to have the foundations of it laid by publishing the Christian Faith to the whole world. But we know that God gave Apostles, 
Ephes. 4. 11, 12, 13.  Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the Ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come in the Unity of the Faith, and of the knowledge of the son of God unto a perfect man; unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. And that's a work that will be still in doing, in some particulars at least and in some persons, so that we shall never be perfect enough in this world to stand in no need of our Teachers.  
To them it appertains to strengthen the diseased, 
Ezek. 34. 4.  heal the sick, bind up that which is broken, seek that which is lost, and bring back that which is driven away: And there will be sooner want of labourers than work for them in all these particulars of their employment. It is the faithful Teacher's part to deliver to the people that which He hath received of the Lord, to withstand the oppostion and contradiction of those that would obtrude any thing contrary to the form of sound words, and to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the Saints: He is not only the Watchman, that observes the approach of the Enemy, but the Warrior also and the Guard that repels him. He descries afar off and gives notice of all the sly malicious designs and attempts of Heretics and Innovatours, all that lie in wait to deceive, that would invade the vineyard of the Church, either by open Violence, or private and Treacherous insinuations. He countermines the secret and wily workings of the Moles and Foxes, as well as fortifies against the furious assaults of wild Boars and other rampant Beasts of prey. He encourageth the Righteous man to persevere in the happy course that he hath begun, applauds his progress in the paths of Piety, bids him look forward and press on to the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 
Phil. 3. 14.  He plains and smooths his way before him by removing the impediments and slumbling-blocks of scruples, doubts and difficulties, strengthens his Conscience, administers cordials and comforts, and never leaves till he has conducted him safe to the blessed end and Reward of all his troubles and endeavours. The sinner he warns of the danger of his sin, and delivers his own soul by endeavouring to save his. He lifts up his voice like a trumpet and spares not; but shows the people their transgression and the house of Jacob their sin. He tells them of the danger they are in, and points to the gaping precipices that are in their way ready to swallow them up into everlasting destruction. He speaks, exhorts, rebukes with all authority, fearlessly he sets his face and prophesieth against them.  
And now tell me, does not such a one as this, that thus in all things approves himself as the Minister of God, deserve to be styled chariot and horsemen, a great support and defence of the people? Such an one was Elijah here mentioned: and such an one too was the Holy Bishop, whom I commemorate in this discourse. You have read the history of the former, and so know well what the Scripture saith of Elias, of his constancy in his Religion, and his many dangers in endeavouring to instruct the people in their duty, and reclaim them from their foul Apostasy, and bring them back to the Church and worship of God.  
Nor are you or the world ignorant of your late Bishop's great Abilities and as great Industry in Teaching. You I say of this Church especially can tell of his wisdom, 
Ecclus. 44. 15.  and this Congregation can show forth his praise. You are happy witness how He ministered the gifts that He had received, as a good Steward of the manifold grace of God: You saw with wonder, and perhaps, not without pity, how unmerciful He was to his own body, that He might be profitable to your souls, by his indefatigable labours in Preaching and in Catechising: And not you alone but all that ever had the happiness to be under his charge, or near the places of his Residence, were, or might have been, not only witnesses, but partakers of the benefit of his labours in the public. He was never weary of doing Good; and tho' his body, unable to keep pace with the zeal and eagerness of his mind, languished and fainted in the service; yet could He never be persuaded in his age and weakness to abate any thing of the toils and hardships of his younger and stronger days. He knew God had entrusted him with much, and therefore was very intent on the great account He was one day to give of the use and improvement of so great a treasure. He had always a steady eye on that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. A deep and Religious meditation on this made him covetous of his time, fearful and impatient of omitting any opportunity of doing good; for which He could not but be sensible that He was admirably qualified and prepared.  
'Tis true, and He knew it well, that a Bishop may be able to give a very good account of the trust reposed in him, tho' He be not often in the Pulpit or the Desk: He may be apt to teach and do it effectually, tho' He make not many Sermons, in the vulgar use and signification of the word: If He makes due inquisition into the merits and manners of his Clergy, and takes full pains and care to instruct by way of Conference or otherwise, to advise, commend, rebuke, encourage, discountenance, reward, and cesure as often and as far as occasion shall require; He, I say, that shall constantly and conscientiously discharge these and such other acts of Government; as He will not abound with spare time for other purposes, so will He thereby most certainly benefit and edify the Church much more than He can do by Sermons and such like set and Solemn Discourses to the people; however industrious He may be and frequent in that employment.  
But the Great Good man, that I am speaking of thought He had time and strength enough, for more than was or could be reasonably expected from him. And truly I fear He was much mistaken in the judgement He made of the ability of his body. Indeed, nothing could be too much for his soul: His mind and memory (admirably stocked and stored) plentifully furnished out matter and words, whenever He had occasion for them.  
Few men have acquired a more general, perfect, and comprehensive knowledge in most parts of Learning than He himself had. But in Theology, in the study of the holy Scriptures and all Antiquity useful for the explaining and illustrating the Doctrines and Mysteries of our holy Religion, He was so very extraordinarily versed, that it is hardly possible for any to labour therein more fruitfully and successfully then did this Prelate. The foundation of so many Excellencies were laid in his Nature, his Temper and Constitution. For (as I have shown already) God had furnished this chosen vessel with all that was requisite for the great improvements and purposes, for which He was intended. His Industry from his very Youth was extraordinary and beyond Example; for the supporting of which God had provided him a strong body, and a firm health, which lasted him many years; and, as his Physicians and Friends thought, might have held out much longer could He have been persuaded to have remitted somewhat of his continual pains and severities to himself.  
But He was not convinced by such their careful and affectionate remonstrances for his health. I wish in this one particular He would have been governed more by others than himself; for perhaps in this one only could they advise him better. He found such delight in preparing his thoughts for the public, and so much pleasure after the performance, that He had no leisure to observe how greatly his body had suffered, and paid for that satisfaction of his mind. It was meat and drink, exercise and recreation, life and health to him to be searching the Scriptures, comparing and pondering on the lively and holy Oracles of God, and then to deliver his happy and well digested meditations to the people: He was well when He was thus employed, as He thought and said; Whereas, indeed, too often this was no more but that He was well-pleased. That cheerfulness and complacency of mind, which is the present natural reward and consequent of a conscientious discharge of duty, that testimony and approbation which a mans own breast pays to his sincerity and worthy endeavours, this Good Bishop I believe, often interpreted as an effect of health, and the natural strength of his own body; or at least, placed too much of it to that account. The weakness and decay, which He felt in himself and could not but acknowledge, He wholly ascribed to other causes, but would impute nothing of it to his immoderate pains in Studying and Preaching.  
But, had He been convinced that those his labours, by night and day pressed too hard on his enfeebled body and impaired his health; I question whether the argument would have prevailed to have made him spare himself, as much as his Friends desired. And for this I have reason from what I have heard him say, particularly a day or two before his last sickness, when observing his languishing looks, and being in private with him I took the boldness, to insist more vehemently than ever I had done on this subject; For He then with some warmth and earnestness told me that He would never be persuaded to indulge his ease to the neglect of any opportunity of doing good, & propter vitam vivendi perdere causas. He desired to live no longer, than when whilst he might be serviceable to the Church.  
But to return: It is no wonder, that so great natural Endowments carefully cultivated by unwearied industry and assiduous application did multiply into so vast an increase, and turn at last to such excellent account, as we know they did in this Bishop: Especially, if we consider, that He prayed as hard as He studied. He well knew that without God He could do nothing; that in order to the happy searching the Scriptures and full comprehending the revealed will of God and the Sacred mysteries of our Holy Faith, there was need of special assistance from the Holy Spirit; and the blessing of him that teacheth man knowledge, and conducteth the pious enquirer into all Truth; That otherwise it was in vain to rise up early or to sit up late. Therefore, like Daniel, 
Dan. 10. 12.  He set his heart to understand and chastened himself before his God, and his words were heard, or, as the Psalmist, 
Psal. 138. 3.  He called upon God, and he heard him, and endued his soul with much strength: Thus was our Holy Bishop made wise unto salvation, and profitable to his Generation, for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: In a word, as it follows in the place to which I allude, 
2 Tim. 3. 17.  A man of God perfect and throughly furnished unto all good works. And you have heard and seen his wisdom and his worth; and not you alone, but many thousands of others, all people and places wherever and with whomsoever He had converse, can bear true testimony that He gave as freely as He had received, and, like a Scribe instructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven, was continually spending and pouring out his inexhaustible Treasures of Sound Doctrine and Edifying Knowledge, to the unspeakable delight and advantage of those, that came to be instructed by him.  
And they came in great numbers, not of this Nation only, but from abroad and remoter Countries. For that which He did in the Church was the least part of the pains He took, and of his labouring in the Word and Doctrine. But this is no time and place for a particular account of such matters. It is well enough known, that his house was rarely without some Foreign Visitant led thither by the far-spread fame of the Renowned Bishop: Scholars from almost all parts of the Christian world, Greeks and Latins, flocked to him; whom they found, like a true Apostolical Bishop, Given to hospitality and apt to teach. 
1 Tim. 3. 2.  His doors and his purse were open to receive and relieve them that were in want; and his heart and mouth always ready to instruct those that desired to be informed.  
A great part of his time was spent in explaining and justifying to strangers and others the regular and Catholic constitution of the Church of England, and in asserting Her Doctrine and Discipline and whole entire frame against the opposition of Her Adversaries, the Romanists, and all other Recusants of various denominations amongst ourselves. And these unwearied endeavours of this Holy Man God has been pleased to crown often with good success. Many thereby have been confirmed in the Communion of the Church, with whom Bigots of Rome, or other Zealots of the Schism had been dangerously tampering. Several quite spirited away by such Emissaries and Agents He retrieved and brought back again to their Reason and Religion. Foreigners have parted from him not only filled with admiration of his own worth, but also highly satisfied with the excellent Frame and Order of this Church, which had before been ignorantly or maliciously represented to them: And the report which they have accordingly made to their own people at their return home has rebounded back and been brought hither again, to the great praise and honour of this Christian Catholic Church, so happily established in this Land. These (I say) are things well known to many, but not to be by me at present branched out into any of their many great instances, or expanded to their due advantage. That, if done according to the dignity of the subject and the great abundance of the matter it affords, would be a more proper Theme for a just volume then the few narrow Pages of a popular Sermon. It sufficeth me to have said enough on this Head, to show, that this Prelate was a worthy Champion of our Faith, and an able Defender of the Church, and therefore very capable of such a compellation as Elisha, on the account of the like excellencies, gave to Elijah: The chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof.  
THE last thing I shall insist on, as a reason or justification of that great Title, is the great good that is done, and the mighty advantage that accrues to the Public from the Lives and Examples of Good and Holy men, especially those of a Sacred Character. Certain it is, that men are generally convinced and guided more by their Eyes then Ears. Precepts and Exhortations affect the mind but slowly and weakly, whilst Actions and Examples move strongly and with power; so that if they be but advantageously represented and duly attended to; they are winning and persuasive, and have a very quick and almost irresistible influence and efficacy in soliciting the consent of the will, and prompting it to imitation. For virtue moves practically, as Plutarch expresseth it, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Peric.  moralising the beholder, and, as it were, transforming him into its own likeness: It draws him to imitation neither able nor willing to resist that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, as the same Author well styles the influence of a Good Example. Our Blessed Saviour himself, tho' anointed to preach the Gospel by the Holy Ghost, which He received without measure, and tho' assisted with all the powers of the Godhead, 
Col. 2. 9  which dwelled bodily in him; tho' God immediately from Heaven, in an audible voice, bespoke and prepared for him and his Gospel attentive Audience, dutiful Reception, and Universal Obedience and Conformity, as to the words and will of the declared Son of God, 
Mat. 17. 5.  in whom He was well-pleased; And tho' He himself taught with Authority, and spoke as never man did, 
John 7. 46.  according to the frank confession of his most bloody Enemies; and all wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth; 
Luke 4. 22.  Yet would He not rely on that voice from Heaven or his own Divine Rhetoric on Earth, for the Success of his undertaking, without the assistance of a further Testimony and demonstration of the Excellency of his Doctrine; and that was his own Example. Therefore He appeals and refers them to what He did as a confirmation of what He taught: 
Mat. 11. 29.  Learn of me, saith He, for I am meek and lowly of heart. And when He had given them a manifest proof of that virtue, stooping to so low and mean an Office as the washing of his Disciples feet, He tells them He had given them an Example that they should do as He had done. 
John 13. 15.  Nay, this Divine Preacher, sent from God and descended from Heaven, even in his farewell Sermon would not trust to the efficacy of those his last words, without adding the further and more powerful argument of his Example; 
Matt. 15. 9, 10.  teaching his disciples obedience to himself by his own obedience to his father, and Love for one another by his own Love to them. Which argument St Paul not able to find a better, repeats and urges when He would enforce the same duty: walk in Love, 
Ephes. 5. 2.  saith He, as Christ also hath loved us. And St Peter, when He was to recommend the most difficult duty, even suffering patiently tho' wrongfully, and for doing well, found it necessary to have recourse to Example rather than precept: And whether should He go for that, but to him, who taught both by his Life and Death? Even to our Saviour Christ, 
1 Pet. 2. 20.  who, saith He, suffered for us, leaving us an Example, that we should follow his steps.  
And this practice of our Saviour is an awful Precept to all his followers, but especially to those whom He sent as his Father sent Him, that they in like manner, should not be only Teachers but Doers of his will; that so they may more happily confirm and propagate their Doctrine by their Practices, according to the Example of their Lord and Master. They that do otherwise, whatever they say, are rather Enemies than Friends, do really more oppose than promote the Cause they would seem to own: St Paul warneth the Philippians to mark, 
Phil. 3. 17.  that is, to emulate and imitate those that walked after such an Example as He had given, but to apprehend of others as the enemies of the Cross of Christ. That great Apostle had often denied himself innocent and lawful Liberties, that He might the more effectually gain others to the performance of necessary duties: Not because we have not power (says He to the Thessalonians) but to make ourselves an example unto you to follow us. 
2 Thes. 3. 9  And therefore not to them alone did He come in more than Word only (as he expresseth it in his first Epistle to them) but others, and on other occasions, He frequently provokes to follow his Example, to be followers of him, 
1 Thes. 1. 5.  to be followers together of him; Using frequently other exhortations of the same kind. Great pains did He take, and much watching and mortification did He use and undergo, lest that by any means, 
1 Cor. 9 27.  when He had preached to others, He himself should be a castaway. After such Authorities as these, I need not tell you, that a good Life is the main Ingredient or the Grand Qualification, which the Philosopher requires in him that sets up for a Teacher; and for this reason, because it is not the discourse, but the opinion the Auditory has of him that speaks, that instructs and edifies those that hear him.  
Such, indeed, are the most of men; They will not lead but follow: You cannot persuade them even to happiness or Heaven, unless you go before them. It cannot be denied, but that this is their fault and folly: They are not so wilful and blind in Temporal concerns. But when you advise them to quit present and palpable for future and invisible advantages and satisfactions, they require encouragement from your own Example for so doing. If they observe their Teacher to do otherwise himself then He would persuade them, they are apt to suspect or pretend that his Doctrine is impracticable or doubtful; or that some design, forgery, collusion, some dishonest artifice and practice is in hand and ready to be imposed upon them. But our blessed Saviour, who himself took such care to enforce his Doctrine by his example, forgot not, for all that, to condemn this madness of the people, and to cure or prevent it, if possible, for the future; by commanding obedience even to the Scribes and Pharisees, as being the appointed public Guides and Doctors of the Law: And yet in the same breath, He took care to caution against, the contagion of their bad example: The Scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses seat. 
Matt. 23. 2, 3.  All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not you after their works, for they say and do not. So that it will prove but a bad plea at the last dreadful Tribunal, and a worse comfort after the Sentence of condemnation, for any to say, that they would have done better had they seen their Teacher do so, and that they chose to go out of the way for his good company, tho' they had all the reason in the world to believe and He himself told them, that they trod the paths of death, and that the end of that road was ruin.  
But since it is so, that the Holy Life of the Teacher is the Life of his Doctrine, and that He is the most successful Instructor that preaches by his good Example; The great Prophet in the Text, and the great Prelate, of whom I speak, do from hence derive another good plea to the meaning of the Phrase in the Text, and may justly be esteemed to have been in their generations chariots and horsemen; as that signifies Strength and Defence unto the Church and Commonwealth to which they did belong. If the lips of the Priest are to keep knowledge; If the Teachers be, also on that account, the Guardians of our Faith; If sound Doctrine be the shield and buckler, the Spiritual Safeguard and Protection of Religion and consequently of the people that profess it, and the dispensers of it be therefore themselves Chariots and horsemen; when the virtue of a good Example, Holiness of life, upright and unblameable Conversation shall be joined to their other Excellencies, a great Strength and Ornament will thereby be added to them; and being now thus completely armed, safe and invulnerable all over, they will appear still more redoubted and accomplished Champions; and so further qualified for that honourable compellation in the Text. This is that which helps to put to shame the Adversaries of the Church, and as such it is recommended by an Apostle to a Bishop, by St Paul to Titus, 
Tit. 2. 7.  that to the incorruptness of his Doctrine He should be sure to add that of his own Example: In all things, (saith He) showing thyself a pattern of good works, that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. A great victory easily obtained: If we run not upon the Enemy's weapons, they will either cast them away or turn them upon themselves. 
Verse 8.  Sound speech that cannot be condemned, as the Apostle there expresseth it, and a suitable practice must needs either convince or confound the Gainsayers: They will, sure, be silenced if they are not satisfied, which last, another Apostle hopes well from the influence of a good Example, which He enjoins on this very consideration; 
1 Pet. 3. 1, 2.  That if any obey not the word, they also may without the Word be won over, whilst they behold such chaste conversation coupled with fear. There are those that desire occasion, 
2 Cor. 11. 12.  as St Paul tells us in one place; 
1 Tim. 5. 14.  therefore we must be sure to give the Adversary no occasion to speak reproachfully, as He admonisheth in another. Very busy are the Enemies of Religion, always endeavouring to discountenance and undermine the Professors of it. This is the way to countermine those deceitful workers, to blow up their Treacherous trains, and expose and defeat their malice. This therefore is very good service to the Church, both as it is a means to secure what She hath already gotten, and also to enlarge Her conquests: And surely then such Holy Warriors may with good reason be styled as we see they are, The chariots of our Israel and the horsemen thereof. They fear not the utmost malice of the world; In the thickest of the Enemy they stand invulnerable and secure: Their breastplate of Urim and Thummim, soundness of Doctrine and integrity of Life, is proof and an impenetrable defence against all the fiery darts of Men or Devils.  
Thus was Elijah clad, thus armed he contended earnestly and successfully for the Faith: His conversation was in Heaven, long before he himself ascended thither. He lived a great pattern of holiness to his Age: His very actions, whilst his tongue was silent, were so many rebukes to that apostatised people; For even by his refusing to comply with them He upbraided and rebuked their abominations. The terror of Death from the bloody hand of Tyranny did make him fly, indeed; but could not shake his Integrity: This his constancy in the Faith and Worship of God gave as great Testimony to the Truth as his Preaching did: so that Elijah taught by his deeds as well as by his words, and edified the Church both by his Doctrine and his Example.  
And did not our Holy Prelate so too? Did not He show his Faith by his Works? Ye are witnesses and God also how holily and justly and unblamably He behaved himself among you that believe. For ever blessed be our Gracious God, who, (to the great advantage of his Spouse the Church and the public Good) did furnish this his servant with such large measures of his holy Spirit and all Heavenly graces, that He became a burning and a shining light; and could not be more admirable for his extraordinary parts and vast improvements than He was truly venerable for exemplary Piety and Holiness of life.  
Had I not already very much transgressed the limits of my time, I would boldly enlarge on this Head, as I easily might, secure and fearless of seeming to any of you to say to much, or being too lavish in the commendations of the Holy man. It is a Theme scarce capable of Figure or flattery. His very enemies could not but acknowledge the uprightness of his conversation even when He stood before a Committee of them, impeached and arraigned for his Loyalty and Religion. They could find no occasion, tho' diligently sought for, against him, except in that which concerned the Law of his God. They granted He was a man of Good Life; but that, they said, made him the more dangerous, for that such men did all the mischief: A good testimony from the mouth of the Enemy, of what I was before saying, that nothing confounds them more than the unblameable Lives of such as profess, and pretend a regard to Religion, and obedience to the Church. When they could not censure his practice, they would needs question his Sermons; nay, rather than fail, pick quarrels with his very Texts; as they did with his choice of one that, it seems, had too much Loyalty in it for their purpose; and that was some of the first Verses of the thirteenth Chapter to the Romans; to which their Venerable Prisoner appositely replied, that He was come prepared to justify his Sermon, but did not expect to be called upon to answer for his Text: But it seems, in the afternoon, He had chosen a more innocent piece of Scripture for the subject of his Discourse; and that was the Benediction of the Peacemakers: Blessed are the Peacemakers: But when it was alleged by his accusers, that He had observed that League-makers were not Peacemakers, this Text could no more excuse his Sermon then the other Sermon his Text.  
This Pastor certainly, if any, was an Example to his flock, 
1 Pet. 5. 3.  in St Peter Phrase, to the believers, in St Paul's; and that in all the particulars there mentioned. 
1 Tim. 4. 12.  In word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.  
That He was a faithful Minister of Christ, a conscientious dispenser of the Word, and Steward of the Mysteries of God, You have heard already under another Head, and knew it well before by your own observation and experience. 
Acts 11. 24.  He never shunned to declare unto you all the Council of God. For he was a good man, (that I may apply the Character of St Barnabas to this Saint of ours) and full of the Holy Ghost and of Faith, and added much people unto the Lord. Very much pains He took to convince and reclaim Recusants of all sorts: He invited them to frequent conferences; in meekness instructing those that opposed themselves, answering their arguments, resolving their doubts, removing their scruples, and silencing all their Cavils against the established Doctrine and Discipline of the Church, and this he did ofttimes with most happy success: For the Word of God, in his mouth, was quick and powerful.  
But O how sincere and great was his joy when He found God had made him an instrument of bringing back a wand'ring and a lost sheep! How did his humble gratitude issue forth of his very eyes, discovering to all, that saw and observed him, his religious soul triumphing in the spiritual victory, and at the same time hearty ascribing it unto Heaven! But when overgrown and stubborn prejudices, pride, obstinacy or stupidity made his charitable endeavours ineffectual, 'tis true, the Good man seemed troubled; He sighed and prayed and sent many a pitying and lamenting look after the hardened and unrelenting wretch; but, for all that, knew how to be content, and, tho' He might say, as the Prophet in the person of our Saviour, I have laboured in vain, 
Isa. 49. 4.  I have spent my strength for nought, yet withal He could comfortably add that which immediately follows; my judgement is with the Lord, and my work with my God. His prayers and his pains were accepted by his great Master in Heaven, who set him on work, and from thence returned in showrs of blessings and comfort on his head, and into his own bosom. But when this was done, when to the Laws, and the weighty considerations of public safety and quiet, common utility and general experience of the mischievous effects of the separation (all which pleaded strongly on his side) I say, when to these He had added his own public and private endeavours to remove all, if there were any real conscientious scruples and difficulties in the case; He was far from thinking it an Usurpation upon consciences, to remit refractory persons to the Civil power to be proceeded against by legal prosecutions, the likeliest means then remaining, not only to prevent the increase of their numbers, but to bring themselves to Church, and thereby give them opportunity to hear and hearken to further instructions, more attentively and effectually then otherwise they would have done.  
But I must hasten to an end. As for his Common converse it was pleasant, affable and courteous, and yet still grave and highly becoming his Sacred Character. That doubtfulness and fear which his Venerable Presence, his high Station and Quality, together with his great and just Renown did frequently produce in strangers at their first approach, was by the easiness of the access they met with, by his humble and courteous deportment, and all-obliging affability and condescension soon converted into perfect Delight and Love. So sweet and heavenly a temperament there was in him of Greatness and Goodness, of Meekness and Majesty, of Gravity and Courtesy, of every thing, indeed, that is amiable and Reverend; that it was impossible to know him well and not to Honour and Delight in him. Something like this has perhaps been fancied in many, but the whole Character was hardly ever more truly applied to any then to this Bishop.  
If ever that which we call Good nature did abound in any man, it did in him; but so refined, beautified and set off by Religion, that surely it scarce ever shined with more lustre and loveliness in any then in our Prelate. Even they that went from him disappointed of their hopes (which none did that had not unreasonably entertained them) could never find in their hearts to be displeased with him: So much reason did He always give for his denial, such kind pains would He take to satisfy the Petitioner, tho' He could not grant his request, so loath was He to dismiss him from his presence till He had scattered all signs of discontent (if any did arise) from his countenance, That it was evident the Good Prelate was more troubled that He could not give, than the other that he did not receive.  
The subject of his discourse, as far as Decenty and Company would allow, was generally about matters of Religion and Learning. It was his great business to be doing or receiving good; considering that so employed He was most acceptable to that One Master, whose service He had chosen. He gladly put all that came near him upon discourses of things of which they were most likely and able to give the best account, which was the most probable way to oblige them and benefit himself: Tho', for the most part, Those, who He seemed to hear and confer with for his own instruction, He really taught and sent away better informed in the very things wherein they thought themselves to excel. Never was that Apostolical qualification of a Bishop's being apt to teach more eminently present then in him; Whether we consider the word as it signifies ability, or else inclination to instruct and edify others. Of the first I have discoursed already: The other is as famously known as that.  
Some greatly Learned men have been noted to be very reserved in conversation, as if they envied or grudged the world, or, at least, their company, the riches of their discourse; That they could seldom be persuaded to deliver their judgements, or that, when they did, it was in so dark and perplexed a manner that it edified but little: Much further were they from freely giving the reasons of their opinion, and submitting them to the debate and examination of others.  
But it was quite otherwise with the Bishop: He was as an open fountain, free, plentiful and communicative: Always ask and answering questions in all parts of Learning, but especially such as might conduce to the clearing of obscure places of Scripture, or the confirming some Doctrine or Article of Faith, or some other Theological Verity. For that was the end of all his Studies; To this. He directed all his endeavours; and well understood how to keep and use other Arts and Soiences in due subordination and subserviency to the study of Divine matters, to the knowledge of God and his own duty; for which He knew He was born, and which He desired and valued above all other acquisitions in the world. This eager bent of his heart framed and seasoned all his conversation, giving it the tincture of his inward thoughts; so that it plainly appeared, out of what abundance it was that his mouth spoke.  
In my Text it is observed that the chariot and horses of fire appeared whilst the two Prophets walked and talked together. Some will be guessing at the particulars of their discourse. But, whether we consider the men, the occasion, or that part of the conference which is recorded, we have reason to conclude that it was all holy and good, relating either to God's honour on Earth, or the now approaching felicity of Elijah in a better place. But sure I am, that our Holy Prelate was almost constantly speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God: It was the language of his Life and Health, of his hail and Youthful days, as well as of his Old Age and the bed of sickness and death. And truly, in all other Religious respects, as well as this, his Death was but like his Life, his latter end exactly conformable to his more early days. I could not observe of him (as Pliny from his friend, 
Nuper me cujusdam amici languor admonuit optimos esse nos dum infirmi sumus. Plin. Ep. 26. lib. 7.  did of all men) that He was best in sickness. A pious disposition of mind expressed by a constant uniform Tenor of Holy and Devout Practice had been very visible through the whole course of his Life, and it accompanied him to the last. He had no new promises and professions of Reformation to make; 
Tales esse sani perseveremus quales nos futuros profitemur infirmi: ibid.  as the same Author in that same Epistle intimates, and common experience shows to be the custom of men on the bed of sickness: He had lived so as He would be contented to die; and all the usual or necessary business of the sick bed, Repentance, Mortification and Holy Vows had been the happy Work of his strongest and healthful days. By a Religious use of those frequent Communions, which, to his everlasting Praise, this Holy Bishop established or practised weekly in all places where He lived, and which were subject to his Jurisdiction, He had nourished and increased in his Bosom a watchful and wary disposition of mind, that kept him perpetually upon his Guard; his Saviour's Death and his own being always so before his eyes, that He could not easily be surprised by the most hasty summons to leave the world. Indeed his whole Life was, in a manner, a perpetual Fast and Mortification, and so a good preparation for Death. Plenty of all things flowed round about him, but for the use of others rather then himself. His study and his business was his meat and drink; for of any other He had as little regard and made as little use, as was well possible to flesh and blood. He that had writ so irrefragably for the Fasts of the Church, kept them as rigidly himself. But that sufficed him not: He obliged himself to so many others, that they who knew not what Excellent Use his mind made of those hours of Abstinence might suspect that so much severity to his body, inclined somewhat towards a fault.  
I am very sensible how my Subject grows upon my hands, which makes me grow burdensome to your patience. Much matter and many thoughts crowd in upon me; which I must refuse, remembering where and what I am about; that it is a Sermon and not an History that I have in hand. However, methinks, I should not omit one thing which was most remarkable in the Bishop, and is very proper to be mentioned in a Pulpit; and that is his Charity, which is another of those Virtues wherein the Apostle would have a Bishop be Exemplary.  
Take this in its full latitude, of love both to God and man, it was as eminent in your late Prelate as any other of those many Christian Graces, wherewith God had adorned and blessed that Excellent man. As it relates to the doing kind and charitable Offices, the good Bishop did so transcend in it, that He seemed nothing more than a provident and faithful Steward for the public and the poor. But I know not how to apply myself to this particular Head, where to begin or where to end. In the conclusion of a long discourse and your tired patience, to undertake a new Theme of so vast an extent, that it cannot be treated and displayed, as it ought in as much time as I have already spent in all the other particulars, must needs be to the injury either of the Subject or the Auditory. I will leave it therefore to speak itself. Let the Scholars He has supported in the University of Cambridge; His several large Endowments and bountiful Benefactions in that place; Let the crowds of poor fed daily at his door, and from his Table, the Widow, the Fatherless and the Stranger, indigent foreigners, distressed Travellers, and the other various objects of Charity publicly fed, clothed and relieved, or privately supplied by him with a plentiful hand; Let these, I say, since they are many, speak first: Let them all, according to their Age and Abilities, in their several Capacities and Languages, rise up and bless and publish the Praises of him, whom living they experienced a careful Father, a liberal Patron, and munificent Benefactor. Then there will be nothing left for me to tell you; but that as He lived so He died: What He had not charitally spent by retail before; He did so dispose of all together and in the lump, by his last Will and Testament, in which He has taken care that all the remaining part of his Estate shall be laid out for the augmentation of poor Vicaridges; A Charity as prudent and pious in the kind as bountiful in the measure of it.  
Thus Lived; and thus Died this Great and Holy Bishop in the Seventy first year of his Life, a Good Old Age as He had made it to himself and others, by having endeavoured and done so much good in it; but not without hard travail, lassitude and toil which He had brought and imposed upon himself, by considering more the willingness of the Spirit than the weariness of the Flesh, and striving to live too fast in the best sense; that is, to be more useful and serviceable than his Health and Strength (tho' He had a great share of both) was able to endure.  
Whilst God afforded him the use of his senses and his tongue, He employed them (as He was wont) in Prayers and Praises and other Discourses that tended most to his own comfort, and to the Edification of the standers by. Whilst I waited on him, which I thank God I had the Happiness to do, before his sickness had too much ruffled or discomposed his thoughts, He was frequently putting up ardent Prayers for the Welfare and Prosperity of the Church: He could not forget to recommend that to the care of Heaven with some of his last breath, which had ever been much dearer to him then his own Life, which He had spent in the service of it, with no less benefit to the Church, than Honour and Satisfaction to Himself: When ever the fiercer assaults of his  began to remit, and afford him some interval of ease, He presently returned to the Beloved Subject; and the next words we heard were concerning the Church. His serenest thoughts were spent on this, and He seemed unsensible of pain, and to forget that He was sick, whilst He was Praying for the Health of the Spouse of Christ. Once particularly, in my hearing, did He make a large and solemn declaration of his devout thanks, which, said He, I render to Almighty God with all the powers of my mind, and from the depth of my soul for his most wonderful Mercy to mankind in his Eternal Son our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Then, after some more words to the same effect, He repeated that Verse of the thirty first Psalm. Blessed be the Lord, 
Psal. 31. 21.  for he hath showed me his marvellous kindness in a strong City; the Holy Catholic Church, raising his voice very strongly when He so interpreted and applied the Psalmist's Phrase. Then again He proceeded to speak of the Church of England, which He did with so much Honour, Reverence and Affection, that not my words nor any other but his own are able to express it. Often have I heard him preach and often dispute, and still oftener Discourse privately in the Justification and Honour of the Reformation, as it was contrived and managed and now stands by Law Established in these Kingdoms: And this He always did with a fervency and zeal worthy of the Excellent and Deserving Subject: But these his dying expressions, methoughts, outdid all that ever He had used before. In few words (which I dare not pretend to repeat) He fully expressed his admiration of the Beauty and Soundness of the constitution of the Church of England; and applauded the unvaluable Happiness of the Nation in it, and blessed the goodness of God for it, and owned it for the unspeakable Comfort of his Soul, and his Glory that He had lived, and now should die, a member of it.  
Thus hearty and highly was this Church esteemed and honoured by this most Learned and Holy Man: Such were his last, his dying thoughts and expressions concerning it; and agreeable hereunto had been the Profession and Practice of his whole Life. As He lived so He died a Zealous assertour of our Reformation. For this He had appeared and acted several ways, so often and so successfully, that He was long since become come very formidable to our Adversaries in the Church of Rome; who at length, found it expedient to caution their Emissaries against contending with Him. None understood the true state and full compass of the Controversy between the two Churches better than himself, or could with more Evidence and Conviction make out the Warrantableness and Regularity of the English Reformation, the Canonical proceed in it, the Excellent Pattern proposed and imitated by it, the most Apostolic and truly Catholic Constitution that did arise from it, and all the happy Advantages that were obtained by that blessed undertaking; to which we own, as our Bishop with much thankfulness and comfort was wont to acknowledge and avouch, that, at this day, by a singular felicity, we enjoy the envied Communion of a Church the most exactly conformable to the Primitive and purest of any other Christian Society upon Earth.  
On the other side, He knew as well how most effectually to expose the Uncatholick impositions and anathemas of the Romish Church, and to show plainly how unlike She is become to Her First Self, how prodigiously deformed and overgrown with monstrous Innovations in Doctrine and Discipline, how unchristian in Her Usurpation, and in Her Tyranny insupportable: To explain and maintain such Truths as these was the business of the Bishop's study, spent a great deal of his Time, and was some part of his daily work, even to the last.  
But all this could not secure the Good Man from the malicious? and impudent Calumnies and Railing of such as were Enemies to Him, because they were so to Religion and the Public. The most Heavenly Innocence is not Antidote sufficient against the venom of the Tongue; that is, it cannot prevent the malignant assaults of a Serpentine brood of people, that will be vomiting out poison, tho' they cannot hurt: Malice will be gnawing at the most entire and solid Virtue; which, tho' it be impenetrable armour, and a sure defence, yet is it still the Envy and Aim of those men, 
Psal. 57 4.  whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their Tongue a sharp sword. All the Zealous endeavours, I say, of our Learned Bishop against the Romanists, and his many Victories and Successes in that Cause, could not hinder, (as, doubtless, you remember, and not without much indignation, at the very thought of it) but that the Faction voted and reported this unwearied Champion of the English Church a very Papist. But it was at a time, indeed, when it seemed very behooveful for their purposes, that the best Subjects and the best Churchmen should be so reputed: And, accordingly, it was in such good company that the Bishop suffered: For almost all the Loyal Nobility, Clergy and Gentry fell under the same injurious imputation.  
But all that popular Madness and Malice did but serve to exercise and Illustrate new Graces in our Holy Prelate, and bring still further into the light the more hidden and undiscovered Beauties of his soul. By this means it did appear how smoothly and evenly He could go through or lie under good and evil report, and how perfectly He had learned from the Apostle both to labour and suffer reproach. 
1 Tim. 4. 10.  All their tumult and noise was not able to discompose the sweet calmness and serenity of his mind, which the inward testimony and applause of his own Conscience had made sure and perpetual to him. The slanders and clamours of people against him could not rise higher and louder than his Wishes and Prayers for them. He blessed as fast as they could curse: And when the rage of the Rabble began to swell high, and at last became threatening and dangerous, yet was He not then concerned for any interest of his own; so much were his thoughts possessed with the generous apprehensions He had for those miserable people themselves, and the fatal Mischiefs which their unbridled Fury might bring upon the Government and the Public.  
But I have done; The time will not admit of any more: I must leave both the Deathbed and the Grave of this Great Man: And I am e'en glad that I am to proceed no further. You could bear, it seems with the prolixness of my Discourse, whilst I was speaking of his Life, but may not perhaps, so well endure the galling of your Memories with sad Reflections upon his Death. Elisha himself could not look on with Patience when Elijah was parted from him, tho? He saw him ascending into Heaven: Nor can you, I dare say, reflect upon the last Hours of your late Bishop's Life, tho' they were the last of his labours too, without troubled and sorrowful hearts: For it is to your almost irreparable Loss, tho' to his unspeakable Advantage that He was taken from you. To conclude therefore.  
Let Virtue have its perfect work; 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plut. Peric.  that effect, I mean, upon you, which the Moralist tells us is natural unto it; that is to dispose men not only to Praise or Admire things well done, but likewise to imitate the doers of them. I dare say, this Holy Bishop's memory is precious to you, and you would do it Honour: Then use your best endeavours to practise his Doctrine and imitate his Virtues: Recollect some, atleast, of the many Divine Precepts and Rules He has often, with so much Religious vehemence, delivered, explained and pressed upon you from this place; and make conscience to put in practice those his Pious Admonitions, which you know the Holy Bishop recommended both by Word and Deed. This, as it will best express your esteem of him, by testifying your value of his Advice and your confidence in his Abilities and Integrity; So will it likewise speak your care and kindness for yourselves. Such practice made your Bishop Famous and Honourable here, and has raised him, without doubt, to a very high degree of Glory in another world. The same means will produce the same happy effects for you that they did for him: Imitate, I say, his Excellencies all of you, in your several Stations, as far as they are imitable by you, and persevere in well doing; And than you will not fail to be made partakers of those inestimable Rewards of Glory and Immortality, which God hath laid up for them who diligently seek him; which that we may all endeavour faithfully and constantly, God of his infinite mercy grant; to whom be glory and honour and praise now and for evermore. Amen.  
THE END.