A Burning and a Shining Light: A SERMON Preached at the Funeral OF The late Reverend Mr. James Wrexham, Minister at Haversham in the County of Bucks.  
By John Hammat, M. A. and Vicar of Stanton-berry.  
LONDON, Printed for Nath. Ponder, in the Poultry, and Thomas Watson, Bookseller in newport-pagnel. 1685.   

TO THE READER.  
Reader,  
THIS plain Sermon had not seen the Light, had it not been for the Sake, and Desire of that dear People, to whom my Reverend Brother, and myself had a joint Relation; and to preserve his Memory amongst those, who had the Happiness to know him, and the Grace to love him. The Death of good Ministers (who are our Chariots and Horsemen) is a sad Omen, and 'tis a sadder, they die no more lamented. It is reported of Philo the Jew, that he wept when he heard of the Death of any good Man: but there are but few Philo's now: Good Men live unbeloved by the generality, and die unbewailed. I speak not this with respect to my Brother, it pleased the Lord to place him more happily than most are; his Auditors rejoiced in his Light while he lived, and when dead, with great Lamentation carried him to his Grave. May God bless these few Lines to do that good that is intended, and I shall be satisfied, and none will have Reason to be dissatisfied.   

Upon the Death of that Pious and Profound Divine, Mr. James Wrexham.  

(I.)  
BLESSED with the Sight of Artificial Men  
Ranked in a Gallery, thus did I deem,  
Are these their own Survivors in this room?  
Or are th'grave's Prisoners lose, and hither come?  
I mused upon the matter once again,  
And second Thoughts corrected my Esteem.  
Then I confessed,  
These man are sprung from Brains and Heart,  
The Progeny of Love and Art.  
Then a new thought my mind possessed,  
This is a teeming and improving Age,  
I'll Paint a Soul. A Soul as dear as fair,  
O, 'twill be rare!  
When 'tis invested in its lively hue  
Our Conversation we'll renew.  
I hasted to my work, rapt with a pleasant rage.   

(II.)  
I got such Colours as I judged most fit,  
The Flame colour, I thought would do,  
Together with the heavenly Blue,  
My Knowledge was th' enlightened Air;  
My Heart, the Chair  
In which the Darling of my Thoughts did sit.  
I took my Pencil and began to draw,  
I scarce had drawn a Line,  
But, lo! I saw  
An Heavenborn Muse, the gravest of the Nine.  
Said she, What mean those Colours there?  
I answered readily,  
A Soul is in my Eye,  
A splendid Soul. I'll paint it on this Table here.  
The Flame will show its quick Ascent,  
The Blue will show its Element.  
O how I pleased myself, that my account was fair!   

(III.)  
But pleasant Errors are but children's Plays,  
She with a gentle smile replied,  
The blue and the bright-flowered Curtains hid  
What shines unenvied on the other side.  
But these  
To Mortals do forbid the glorious Rays.  
Moreover,  
Thou'lt draw a Shine, but canst thou paint the heat,  
The Vitals of his Soul, and how his Heart did beat?  
Canst thou discover  
His quick and mighty Zeal?  
Pure Zeal that issued from above,  
Composed of Prudence and of Love.  
Canst paint the Pleasures which into his Soul did steal?  
Towering Eagles, winged Boys,  
Are but faint Emblems of Devotional Joys.  
A golden Mouth doth fall within thy bounds,  
But canst thou paint his heavenly sounds?  
She further said,  
His depths of Learning cannot be portrayed  
By your poor Pencil— He has done it with his Quill.   

(IV.)  
He was the Jonah of the Age;  
Buried alive: In horror's Gulf involved,  
Yet undissolved.  
The Artist was too wise t' engage  
To draw sad Agamemnon's Face,  
When he his Iphigenia did bewail,  
But overcast it with a Veil,  
And left it to Spectators to spell out the Case.  
Tremble, weak Hand, none of thy strokes can show  
How he did conflict with the Fiends below.  
He went into the deeps to learn;  
And O, the pious mysteries he did there discern!   

(V.)  
But, lo! our Jonah comes a shore,  
And the Leviathan never touched him more.  
Then cheerfully he went,  
Wither he was most wonderfully sent,  
He preached unto his Ninevites, Repent.  
His Words were , of an heavenly rise,  
Which spared the Person, but consumed the Vice.  
O how his Hearers were to him enchained,  
Whilst he the Sacred Text explained!  
He sick'ned there,  
In Moses Chair.  
And he with Moses on the Mount did die,  
With Canaan in his Eye.  
But can your Colours tell  
The Glories of an heavenly Throne?  
O whither, whither is he gone!  
This said; she left me all alone.  
I stood amazed— And down my Pencil fell.    

Upon the Death of that Faithful Servant of Christ, Mr. James Wrexham.  

COME Tears, ye pearly dews; your Forces join,  
To wash the Body of a great Divine.  
Lament, O England, at a Prophet's Tomb,  
One Pillar's fall doth sorely shake the Room.  
Late monstrous Stars did look us into fear,  
What think we, when our kind Stars disappear?  
Needs must a dreadful Darkness us surround,  
When Lamps are Tapers watching under Ground.  
Ha'rsham, Lament. Thy pleasant Sermon Bell  
Is turned into a doleful Funeral-Knell.  
You were the Field, where he bestowed his Pains,  
In hopes to reap your Graces for his Gains.  
Your Chancels Northern part bedew with Tears,  
In memory of your former golden Years.  
Ah, Loss on Loss! What Heart can this abide?  
The young one sleeping by th' old Prophet's side.  
Children, Lament. Your Catechist is gone,  
Your Morning's overcast, which lately shone.  
Both Young and Old, Lament your mighty Loss,  
Ye wore the Crown, but now you bear the Cross.  
But he, whose Heart doth not Lament his fall,  
Deserves to be lamented most of all.    

A BURNING AND A Shining Light, etc.  JOHN 5.35. 
He was a burning and a shining light, and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.  
OUR Saviour in the Context speaks of four Witnesses, who attested that he was the Christ, the Son of God; his Father, his Works, the Scriptures, and John the Baptist. The Testimony of John Baptist (which was argumentum ad hominem) he produced ex abundanti, q.d. The Testimony of a wise and good man, weighs with men; and such a one John Baptist was esteemed to be by you, (the Jews we know had a great Veneration for him, and many of them have at this day) ye consulted him concerning the Messiah, he denied that he was the Person, and bore witness of me, and ye rejoiced in his Light, the light of his Life, and the light of his Ministry. This I might insist on, and expect that ye should believe, because of his witness, who was a burning and a shining Light, a Prophet that might be credited; but I receive not Testimony from man; I have greater Witnesses; neither do I speak it out of Ambition, but for your Edification and Salvation.  
The Text contains first, an Encomium which our Saviour gave of John Baptist, either after his Imprisonment or Death, (Divines determine not which) his evident it was when he was taken off from his public Ministry.  
He was a burning and a shining Light.  
Secondly, A Reprehension of the Jews for being so soon weary of his Ministry. Ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his Light. Or, if you will, an Account of the great Minister and Prophet John Baptist: He was etc.  
Thirdly, an Account how the Jews (to whom he was sent) behaved themselves under his Ministry: Ye were willing etc.  
You have in the Text these four Observables.  
Doct. 1. First, Faithful Ministers are burning and shining Lights, or Candles, or Lamps, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Candela, Lueerna: He was a burning and shining Light.  
Doct. 2. Secondly, These burning and shining lights will be extinguished. He was, etc. He was, but now is extinct, burns and shines no more to you; Alas, that we must say so now of our Reverend Brother, he was a burning and shining Light: how soon is this great Lamp put out? How splendidly did he shine, and cast his Rays farther than this Parish; but now he is gone; why so soon, it behoves us seriously to inquire.  
Doct. 3. Thirdly, The generality are pleased with a faithful Minister only for a little time. And ye were willing to rejoice, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, for an hour; it signifies a short season, an hour being a small part of time. When a Minister is newly come to them, they are pleased with his blameless Life, and affecting Sermons, they flock to hear him, and admire at the gracious Words that proceed out of his Mouth, as the Jews did at Christ, Luke 4.22. Yea, are ready to adore him, as the Lycaonians, Paul and Barnabas. Acts 14.11, 12. etc. But alas, the Scene is quickly changed, his serious Exhortations, and Reproofs, and holy Life prick their Consciences, and disturb them in their pursuit of sinful Gains and Pleasures: or some malicious Tongues bring up evil Reports of him: and then they hate and despise him, as much as before they loved and honoured him. Blessed be God, I cannot say this of you: you were constantly forward to attend on the Ministry of the word (which is the Glory of this Parish; Oh that you might never lose it.) Your Pastor died lamented by you, (as well he might) 'tis your Grief that you had but a short season to rejoice in his Light: Ah, short indeed! but three or four years did he burn and shine amongst us, and he is extinguished; he did not go out of himself, as some Hypocrites, who blaze for a little time, but wanting a stock of Oil, having not the root of the Matter in them, go out in a snuff, and leave a stink behind them: no, God extinguished him, who burned strong and bright, until God did it; yea brighter and brighter, the longer he continued. But it may be said thus of many; ye see it is of John Baptists Auditors in my Text, and of the Lycaonians in Acts 14.  
Doct. 4. Fourthly, Some Hypocrites will rejoice for a time in a faithful Minister; yea; glory that they have such a Minister: So the Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies, ye were willing to glory in his Light, the Expression is full, ye were willing, ye were forward to do it, ye pleased yourselves in doing it. These are called by Divines, temporary Believers, who have a Faith (as one elegantly describes it) that buds, and blossoms with some tastes, and joys in the things of God, but never comes to Fruit. They are likened by our Saviour to stony ground, Mark 4.16, 17. which hath not Earth enough for the seed to root in, and therefore it is scorched and withered as soon almost as it springs up.  
Doct. 5. Fifthly, and lastly, God observes how Ministers discharge their Function, and how their People are under their Ministry. He observes what Ministers burn and shine, and who do not; and who hate and scoff at the Word, and who rejoice in it, yea, and what effect it hath on our Lives. Oh, how careful then should both Ministers and People be, since God's Eye is upon them? You see God took notice that John Baptist was a burning and a shining light, and that the Jews were willing to rejoice but for a season in his light; and the same Allseeing Eye observes you, and me, and every Minister and his Auditors.  
We shall insist on the first Doctrine, taken from the Character Christ gives of John Baptist.  
Doct. Faithful Ministers are burning and shining Lamps, or Candles.  
It was usual with the Jews, to call a Person, that was eminent for knowledge and a good Life, Lucerna, a Lamp: hence those Titles of the Rabbis, lucerna legis, the candle of the Law, for one versed in the Law: and lucerna looi sui, for one famous in the Place where he lives. And the Scripture (you see) makes use of the same Metaphor. There are other Metaphors in Scripture by which Ministers are described, as Salt, Stars, etc. But we will keep to the Metaphor in the Text, and inquire briefly, first, why they are compared to a Lamp or Candle. Secondly, why they are said to be burning Candles. Thirdly, why shining. And lastly, apply it.  
First, Why are they called Lamps or Candles. The Reasons are, first, because 'tis a dark Place in which they shine, Earth, which is sadly overspread with Ignorance, and Infidelity. Over the Minds of most, there is such a thick darkness that they know nothing of the things of God; and the best see but through a Glass darkly. The brightest part of the Earth, is but a Dungeon compared with Heaven, where the Lord God and the Lamb is the Light. We are sent to give Light to the Children of the Night, and therefore are fitly compared to Candles.  
Secondly, Because our light is but small, and reaches but a little way; so that there is need of many Ministers to enlighten the World.  
The Sun gives Light to the whole Earth, and other Luminaries borrow their Light from it, and therefore Jesus Christ is compared to the Sun, he is Fons Lucis, the Fountain of Light, from whom Ministers have theirs. Some Ministers are bigger Candles than others, and Stars of a greater Magnitude, but yet they are but Candles, and Stars, they are not the Sun. Every faithful Minister hath boundless desires of doing good, he would have (if possible) what St. Chrysostom desired, all the World for his Auditory, and a Voice like Thunder, that might reach them, he would instruct, and save all; but alas, he can instruct but few; he is but a Candle, whose rays reach not far.  
Thirdly, They are called Candles, because they endure but a short time. A Church indeed God will ever have; the Gates of Hell cannot prevail against it: it lives in the Flames, as the Bush, its emblem. Exo. 3.2. But particular Members, and Pastors, as well as others die. Some burn longer than others, but they that burn longest, burn but a time; and usually, they that burn clearest, are soon out, as our Reverend Brother, and divers other famous Divines. And hence also, because of their Frailty, and Mortality, they are called earthen Vessels; We have (says the Apostle) this Treasure in earthen Vessels, that the excellency of the Power might be of God, and not of Man. 2. Cor. 4.7. On therefore you that have good Ministers, walk in their Light while they shine amongst you; for you cannot enjoy them long, they will be extinguished. Zach. 1.5. Your Fathers, where are they? and the Prophets? do they live for ever? No, they die as other Men.  
Fourthly, As they are called Candles, because they will burn out; so because they waste in giving Light, their Spirits, and Strength, are exhausted in studying, and preaching, etc. It was a great Comfort to our Bishop Jewel (of blessed Memory) when he was on his Deathbed, that his Body was wasted away in the Labours of his holy Calling: the same we may say of our Brother, He spent himself in the Work of the Ministry: and, as St. Austin desired, that Death might arrest him, aut precantem, aut praedicantem, either praying, or preaching; the Sickness that was the Death of our Brother, seized him Praedicantem, while he was preaching. Jer. 6.29, 30. The Bellows are burnt, (that is the Lungs of the Prophets) The Lead is consumed of the Fire, (the Exhortations, Affections, etc. of the Prophets) by which they endeavoured to draw the People from their Sins, as the Founder, by Lead melteth the Silver in order to the purifying it from Dross. woe to those, for whom they have been spent in vain, Reprobate Silver shall Men call them, for the Lord hath rejected them.  
Fifthly, and lastly, Because there will be no need of Ministers in the Morning of the Resurrection, as there is not of Candles, when we have the Light of the Sun. We expect a brighter time than this before the Resurrection; when the Earth shall be filled with the Knowledge of the Lord, as the Waters cover the Sea; which will be at the re-ingraffing of the Jews; but it will not be day until the Sun of Righteousness comes in the Clouds: and therefore, even then, there will be need of Ministers; otherwise God had not appointed (as he hath) that there should be Pastors and Teachers, until all the Elect are called, and the Body of Christ perfected, which will not be e'er the end of the World. Ephes. 4.11, 12, 13. And he gave some Apostles: and some Prophets: and some Evangelists: and some 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 to 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. To boast that we are above Ordinances (as some do)  the Body of Christ is perfected, shows Ignorance and Pride, and imputes imprudence to the Alwise God, in ordering that there should be a Ministry till that time: but then (when the Body of Christ is edified) the Ministry will cease, all darkness will be dispelled, we shall see Face to Face, and know as we are known.  
The second thing to be enquired into, is, why they are called burning Candles.  
Ans. It is because of the Zeal, the fervour of their Affections, by which they warm the cold, benumbed Affections of their People, and kindle in them good Desires, and Resolutions, (or rather the Spirit of God by them.) O, that there are no more such Ministers! How lifeless are the Souls of our People under our Ministry, because we do not burn? How can we expect that they should be affected with our Sermons, when the Word of Life seems to die in our cold, and heartless preaching it? Oh, that God would fire our Affections, that we might be instrumental to kindle good Affections in others. I have read of a Man that gave this reason for his forsaking Paris, that he perceived their Sermons were every day colder than other, so that he feared if he tarried there longer, he should be spiritually frozen to death. I relate not this to justify Separatists, but to give a hint of the Mischief of careless preaching. We want burning Ministers in this frozen Age. Plain Sermons, preached with Affection, will do more good than the most learned, coldly delivered. Eusebius tells us of a Heathen, that came to an assembly of Bishops, to discourse the Articles of Faith; and when the learned'st of them looked one upon another, fearing to encounter with him, because of his acute Parts; one esteemed the meanest for Learning, with great Ardour of Affection, told him, that unless he believed in Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, he should be damned; and therefore it was in vain to cavil, he must subject his carnal Reason to Faith: which so wrought upon him, that he embraced the Christian Religion, and was baptised; saying, he could answer Reason with Reason, but he could not resist the Authority with which that Bishop spoke. Lucerna, ut luceat, ardere debet; we must burn that we might shine. They who have not good Affections, do not, cannot give light to others into the most spiritual Mysteries of Christianity; their Sermons are dry and jejune, more like the Discourses of the Heathens, than Gospel Sermons: It is seldom that they touch upon the Vitals of Religion, and when they do it's superficial and insipid to a sanctified Sense: neither do they shine in their Conversations; for it is Zeal that makes a Person active for God.  
The third thing to be enquired into, is, why they are called shining Lamps, or Candles. Ans. It is because they give light by their Doctrine and Example. The Learning of some is lost for want of Zeal; and the good Affections of others for want of Knowledge: and there are some Hypocrites that shine, and seem to burn, to have a concern for the Glory of God, and Happiness of Souls, in the Pulpit; but darken the light of their Doctrine by their wicked, scandalous Conversations. Zeal without Knowledge, is fitly compared to the Fire of Hell, which hath Heat, but no Light: and they that have Learning and not Grace, to the Toad, who (as Naturalists say) hath a Jewel in his Head, but Poison in his Belly. Theresore we must both burn and shine, have Knowledge, Zeal, and a holy Conversation.  
Appl. But alas, alas! are there not some that want a Head, and more that want a Heart for God? and (O that I had not cause to say it) too many that want both, and are scandalous in their Conversations? I know this Age hath afforded as many holy and learned Ministers as any, but yet there are too few; and therefore they have cause to lament, from whom God hath taken a faithful Minister. Oh, what a Mercy is it to benighted Souls, (whose way is covered with Snares, and who have a seducing Devil whom they are prone to follow) to have a faithful Minister, to call them when out of the way, and show them the Way of Life, and light them along in it? What a mercy is it to have a zealous Minister to warm our frozen Hearts, and quicken us in the way of God? How indifferent should we be, what became of the Interest of God, and of our Souls; how should we settle on our Lees, if not stirred by his lively Exhortations? Alas, that blind Sinners should be so insensible of it. Some are glad when their Lights are gone, because they reprove their beloved deeds of darkness; but oh, how will they repent it, when they are plunged into everlasting darkness? Oh, Haversham, Haversham! thou hadst this mercy, but thou hast lost it; thou art a Candlestick, but thy Candle is gone; you had a burning and a shining Light, his Knowledge and Example shined to you, his fervent Affections warmed you; how gloriously did this Parish shine with his Light? it drew the Eyes of the Inhabitants round about, and made them admire at God's goodness to you. But now your Candle is out, and how great is your Darkness! I need not insist on this to move you to lament your loss; I see you are sensible of it: neither will I endeavour to stop your Sorrow. Weep on, your loss requires your Tears; and I must bear a part with you. You have lost a faithful Pastor; I, a dear and faithful Brother. How oft have we taken sweet Counsel, and walked to the House of God? How oft have I been refreshed by his Heavenly Discourse, and Prayers? Ah, my Brother Wrexham! distressed for thee; very pleasant hast thou been unto me.  
But what have we done to provoke the Lord to inflict this heavy Judgement upon us? Are there any that did not prise him? (would to God there were not) if there be, they have been instrumental of pulling down this Judgement: For God will not long vouchsafe his Mercies to those that despise them. Are there some who love Darkness, and wished that their Light might be removed, that so they might undisturbed enjoy their Lusts? Lo! he is extinguished. He will show you your Sins, and trouble your Consciences no more by his Reproofs, Exhortations, etc. But know ye, that the Light, which through him hath already shined into your Souls, will leave you inexcusable, and aggravate your Condemnation without Repentance. John. 3.19. This is the Condemnation, that light is come into the World, and Men love Darkness rather than Light, because their Deeds are Evil. They who have had, and abused most Light, will sink lowest in the dark and bottomless Pit.  
Again, Are there not some who grew more cold, while he burned amongst us? who by an Antiperistasis were cooled by his heat? God threatened the Ephesians with the removal of their Candlestick, for losing their first Love. Rev. 2.4, 5. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do thy first works: or else I will come unto thee quickly, and remove thy Candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. And behold! your Candle is removed.  
Again, Are there not some Hypocrites, who have but a name to live, to whom God may say, as he did to Sardis, I have not found thy Works perfect before God? some Works thou hast done; thou hast given me bodily Worship; but there wants a Heart, and good Intentions, and therefore they are not perfect. God threatened that he would come suddenly, as a Thief, upon this Church, and they should not know at what Hour. And lo! God is come suddenly upon us, and with a surprise snatched away our Candle. Hypocrites hid their Wickedness, and by their Cheats impose upon the World, and Gods Judgements steal upon them. Oh! will there be yet a Hypocrite in Haversham?  
Again, Are there any proud Professors in this Place, who think they have Knowledge enough, and Grace enough, and have no need of Ministers? (God knows your secret Thoughts) For this Pride God threatened to spew the Laodiceans out of his Mouth. Rev. 3.16, 17. So then because thou art lukewarm, neither hot, nor cold, I will spew thee out of my Mouth: because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with Goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. Oh that God might not spew out you!  
Again, Not to insist any longer on particulars; We have not improved this Light, we were idle while the Candle Burned; and therefore God hath taken him away; we were unfruitful, while God by him dressed us, and therefore the Labourer is called out of the Vineyard. Unfruitfulness is the desolating Sin of Churches. Luke 13.7. Behold, these three years have I come seeking Fruit, and found none: cut it down, why cumbreth it the Ground? It is thought, the three years of our Saviour's Ministry is intended, he now being entered upon the last half year of it. And it is but three or four years, that your faithful Minister laboured among you, and he is taken away. O, doth not this Judgement sound through your Ears, Repent, Repent, and bring forth Fruit? for the Axe is not only laid, but strikes at the root of the Tree.  
Use. Secondly, Are faithful Ministers burning and shining Lights? then they are to be reproved who despise and hate Ministers. Light is pleasant, one of the most comfortable of God's Creatures, and Ministers are Lights, why then are not Ministers loved? So great a love and value of God's Messengers had the Church of Old, so much were they affected with the blessed News of Peace which they brought, that they cried out with Admiration, as if they could not express it, How beautiful upon the Mountains are the Feet of him that bringeth good Tidings, that publisheth Peace, that bringeth good Tidings of Good, that publisheth Salvation, that saith unto Zion, thy God reigneth, Isa. 52.7. Yea, they esteemed the removal of their Teachers more grievous than the sorest of temporal Calamities. Isa. 32.20. And though the Lord give you the Bread of Adversity, and the Water of Affliction, yet shall not your Teachers be removed into a Corner any more, but thine Eyes shall see thy Teachers. And 'tis reported of St. Chrysostom's Auditors, that they said, they could better want the Sun, than Chrysostom. But such is the Blindness, and Atheism of this Age, that the everlasting Gospel is despised, and God's Ambassadors who publsh it: their Auditors set at nought all their Counsels, and will have none of their Reproofs: Instead of working for God and their Souls, they play, and sin, while the Candles burn and shine to them, in the Hand of God, and do wish that they were extinguished. Oh, what will be the end of this, but the loss of the Gospel, unless God gives timely Repentance! Ye judge yourselves unworthy of it, and of Eternal Life; and the Dust of the Feet of Gods despised Ministers, will be a Witness against you, and make your Condemnation more dreadful, than Sodoms, or Gomorrahs': as you may see in Math. 10.14, 15. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your Words: when you depart out of that House, or City, shake off the Dust of your Feet: Verily, I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for the Land of Sodom, and Gomorrah, in the day of Judgement, than for that City.  
Use. 3. Thirdly, Are Ministers Lights? then let Ministers improve the Talents that God hath given them for the Instruction, Conversion, and Salvation of Souls. Mat. 5.15, 16. Neither do Men light a Candle, and put it under a Bushel; but on a Candlestick; and it giveth light to all that are in the House. Let your light so shine before Men, that they may see your good Works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.  
Secondly, You that have a faithful Minister, prize and love him, and walk in his Light while ye have him. We also had one lately, but now he is extinguished: take warning by our loss, and provoke not God to take away yours likewise.  
I know it is expected that I should speak something of our Reverend Brother. I shall not give you a full draught of him. Omitting his Justice, Temperance, etc. I shall draw some parts, which were extraordinary; And this I can do but imperfectly; for, as Pliny says, Pictores absolutain Faciem, raro, nisi in pejus depingunt, Painters seldom paint a very beautiful Face, but with disadvantage. He was wholly devoted to his Ministerial work, not being careful about the Affairs of this World: He did (as the Apostle Paul exhorted Timothy) give himself to reading, and studying the Word; avoiding Society, but with such as might improve him, either in his Knowledge, or Grace. He was Lucerna Legis & Evangelii: An Apollo's, mighty in the Scriptures: It was his great Delight to study, and preach them. Before he came to this Parish he constantly preached twice a day, and had many Auditors. He was both a Boanerges, and a Barnabas: And God blessed his Ministry, for the awaking of Sinners, and edifying, and comforting of Saints. He knew how to divide the Word of God aright, and to give to every one his Portion in due season. He shined in the Doctrinal part of his Sermon, and burned in the Applicatory. He preached with such Life and Power, as you might perceive he had servant desires to do good to his Auditors: both in prayer, and preaching, he excelled most of his Brethren. He was a great admirer of free Grace, and delighted to preach and meditate on it; and while meditating on it, was once (as he told a Bosom-Friend, he was shy of speaking of such things) so ravished in a Journey, that for twelve Miles he road weeping, and crying, Lord, how good art thou, how bad am I! how good art thou, how bad am I! and was troubled, that his Thoughts were so soon diverted by his arrival to the end of his Journey. But he did not always live in Raptures. He had his Night, and a long and dismal Night it was, for it lasted three quarters of a year together. It pleased the Lord to exercise him with strange, and dreadful Temptations, which forced him to retire to his Wife's Friends; never I believe was Heman, or any Saint, for the time, in greater depths, than our blessed Brother was; the Arrows of the Almighty stuck fast in him, and his Terrors drank up his Spirits; None can express the horror that was in his Soul. I have been with him, when (though he could not do it fully) he hath expressed it in such dreadful manner, that it was enough to make one's Heart tremble to hear him. Oh! said he, if I were to lie in Hell, but a hundred, or a thousand years, I should not be so much troubled; but Eternity breaks my Heart into ten thousand pieces. O, I have eaten of the Tree of Knowledge, and neglected the Tree of Life, and now the flaming Sword turns every way, to keep me out of Paradise. O, said he, I am a Pillar of Salt, enough to season a Nation; the wretchedest, the most unfortunate Creature, that ever God's Earth bare: I shall be lower in Hell, than Cain, or Judas, or Nero: Oh, why did the Knees prevent me? Why came I out of my Mother's Womb? Many such Sentences fell from him. Ah Sinners, do not your Hearts tremble to hear it? If this was done to the green Tree, what will be done to the dry? If a Saint, a Holy, Faithful Minister suffered so much, what will you suffer unless you repent? Oh, how apt are Sinners to bless themselves, and condemn those, who in their lowest estate are a thousand times better than they in their best; as the Pharisee censured the Mourner at Christ's Feet, who was in better Condition than himself. But know, that a wounded Conscience, is better than a stupid Conscience, and wholesome trouble, than false, and rotten Peace.  
But that Gath and Askelon might not rejoice, that the uncircumcised might not triumph, God did not leave his Soul in Hell; he remembered him in his low estate, for his Mercy endureth for ever. God restored comfort to his Mourner; but by degrees, lest he should be overwhelmed, a glimmering light breaks into his Soul, by which he read the name of God, which is, the Lord God, gracious, and merciful etc. As he styles himself in Exod. 34.6, 7. He had high Thoughts of the mercy of God, which so affected him, (though he knew not of his Interest in it) that he was forced (like Joseph) to seek a Place to weep in. After this, his Lips were opened, that he might show forth God's Praise: and he preached on Jonah 2.4. Then said I, I am cast out of thy sight; yet will I look again towards thy holy Temple. Soon after (while his hope of Mercy was but small) God visited him with a very sore sickness, in which he was nigh unto Death; but the Lord restored him, and this dumb Ezekiel prophesied again, and was a burning and a shining Light to you, amongst whom God settled him, according to his desire. You, among the many thousands of England, were the People of his Love and choice. For when a Reverend Brother told him in his sickness, he came to offer him Preferment: Heaven, Heaven, cried this holy Man of God: No, replied his Friend, it is Earthly Preferment, and where would you have it? he readily answered, at Haversham. Oh Haversham! how unworthy art thou of the Love and Labours of such a Minister? And what sought he here, but the Gain of your Souls? How did he spend himself for your Salvation? How earnestly did he exhort, how compassionately warn you; how forward was he to instruct, and comfort you? How ready was he, when you were sick, to pray for you, and relieve you? He was a burning and a shining Light. I need not say much: ye are Witnesses, and God also, how holily, and unblamably he behaved himself among you. That little he continued with you, he had much Peace in his Soul, and comforted others, with the Comfort wherewith he himself was comforted of God.  
In his last Sickness, he was no less, than in his Health, concerned for the Happiness of your Souls. Frequently did he lift up his Hands, and pronounced the Blessing, The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father, and the comfortable Fellowship of God the Holy Ghost be with you all Amen. Adding always, What would you have more? One thing troubled him in his Sickness, that Professors should have no more love one for another, seeing they are Members of the same Body, and are so earnestly pressed by our dear Saviour, and by his Apostles to this Duty. Is it not enough that the World hates you, but you must hate one another? such was his concern for you. As for himself, he was full of Peace and Comfort, and freely resigned himself to God, saying to his Wife, mourning by his Bed, this is God's World, and we are his Creatures; and should not God do in his own World, what pleaseth him. I asked him, whether Jesus was not now sweet to him: Oh, yes, replied he, unexpressibly sweet. A little before his departure, I said to him, your Body is weak, but I hope your Faith is vigorous; Yea, replied he, blessed be God, it is very vigorous. Then I asked, whether he had no Cloud, nothing of Fear upon him? he replied, no, I bless the Lord, not any: and not long before, he told a Friend, he did not know one Promise in the Bible, that he could not apply to himself.  
Thus we see that Scripture verified; Mark the perfect Man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is Peace. Though God hide his Face from him, for a time, yet in his last years he had Peace, and died triumphing over Sin and Satan. And now this great Light shines amongst the glorious Lights above, while we in this dark Vale bewail our irreparable Loss. Help, Lord, for the godly man ceaseth, for the Faithful fail from among the Children of Men.   

THE EPITAPH.  

HEre lie interred a Learned Saints Remains.  
O the rich Mineral which this Ground contains!  
He had a vast Ambition to be Good,  
That that would make him Great, he understood.  
He knew the way to rise was low to fall;  
Who seemed to aim at nothing, aimed at all.  
Witty he was, and Wise. His ready Wit  
To his commanding Judgement did submit.  
God's Book he trusted, but men's Books did try;  
God's Book the Touchstone was, he tried 'em by.  
God's Book and He, how well were they agreed!  
He licked the Leaves, and they his Soul did feed.  
And, that he might be perfect in his Rules,  
He forty weeks learned in Temptations Schools.  
He was a Bright Divine, Who clearly saw,  
The Precincts of the Gospel and the Law.  
He was an earnest Preacher of the Word,  
As one that knew the Terrors of the Lord.  
He watched his Flock, with so concerned an eye,  
As if he feared starved Souls revengeful cry.  
Sleep Sacred Dust. When Christ shall rend the Skies,  
Then thy concealed Worth with Thee shall rise.   
FINIS.