A SERMON Preached at the FUNERAL OF Mr. Thomas Lamb July 23. 1686.  
By RICHARD LUCAS M.A. Vicar of St. Stephen's Coleman-street.  
LONDON, Printed for Sam. Smith at the Prince's-Arms in St. Paul's Churchyard. 1686.   

IMPRIMATUR.  
July 24. 1686. Hen. Maurice R more. Archiepiscopo Canl. à Sacris.   

To the Reverend Mr. JOHN LAMB Rector of Wheathampsted in Hartfordshire, etc.  
SIR,  
THough I expect this Sermon should be encountered by two sorts of censures; First, of those who Envy that goodness which they will not imitate; and for the Vindication of their own worthlesness and barrenness, detract from the Excellence and Fruitfulness of others: Next of those, who may be disgusted at the courseness and heaviness of it: Yet this could not discourage me from the publication of it: For as to the former, if they could deserve my consideration, I am sufficiently fortified against 'em by being conscious to myself, that I have impartially followed strict Truth, either personally known to me, or abundantly attested; As to the latter I think verily, they do me no great wrong, for I agree thus far with 'em, that the discourse is by no means equal to the subject: But in this I have this comfort, that thought it can give no Lustre or Dignity to the subject, it may receive both in some measure from it, and so may prove useful in despite of its flatness. Besides, Examples of this nature ought not to be stifled or suppressed, as being such excellent Vindications of our Christian profession, such brisk reproaches and convincing reproofs of the Coldness and Irreligion of evil men, and such excellent Incentives of Emulation to the good. And yet after all this, I think verily, I should never have suffered this discourse to have seen the Light (such was my value for it!) had I not been overruled, as you know, by the importunity of such, whose Friendship I have no ground to question, and to whose Judgement, I have just ground to pay a deference: Now that it is published, it doth of Right belong to you; to whom I offer it, and entreat you to accept it, notwithstanding its imperfections; as a testimony of my Respect for you, and of my kindness for the Memory of your dear Father, and my dear Friend departed, I am  
SIR, Your Affectionate Friend, and Humble Servant RICHARD LUCAS.   
JOHN 17.4, 5. 
I have glorified thee on the Earth, I have finished the works which thou gavest me to do.  
And now O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self, with the glory which I had with thee before the World was.  
NOthing can afford so much comfort and support, in the day of Calamity or Death, as the Conscience of a well-spent Life; a faithful discharge of our Duty, being the Sole-Rational proof of our sincerity, and our sincerity being the only solid ground of Hope, and assurance towards God. If our heart (i.e. our Conscience) condemn us not, then have we confidence towards God, 1 John 3.21.  
This is a Lesson our Saviour has taught us by his own Example here in my Text; very well knowing that the time of his Death and Crucifixion was very near at hand, that he might fortify himself against all the Terrors of it, by confirming and strengthening, his Hope of that Joy that was set before him, he enters up on a survey of his past Life, recollects all his performances, reflects upon his Actions, and calls himself to an account concerning the Discharge of that Trust which God had committed to him, of the great Work which he had undertaken for the Salvation of man, and the Honour of God: And finding upon a just and Impartial Reflection that he had through the whole course of his Life, acquitted himself faithfully and vigorously, his Soul rejoiceth within him, and he breaks out into expressions of holy Confidence and an assured and earnest expectation of the Reward of his Obedience and Faithfulness. I have glorified thee on the Earth, etc. And now O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self, etc.  
Thus I have in part explained the words already, having given you an account of the Occasion, Design and Tendency of them: As they belong properly and peculiarly to our Saviour, they imply two things.  
First, His Faithful Discharge of his Prophetic Office; I have glorified thee, etc. This consisted especially— 1. In publishing the will of God to the World, as he himself explains it more fully in the following part of the Chapter.— 2. In the proof and evidence he gave of his Commission from God, and the Divinity of his Doctrine, which was, the Wonderfulness of his works, and the unparallelled Sanctity of his Life.  
Secondly, His Expectation of Reward, consisting in the exaltation of his Human Nature, and its admission into a participation of that Glory, which he enjoyed with the Father from all Eternity. And now O Father, Glorify thou me with thine own self, with the Glory which I had with thee before the World was.  
But if we consider that Christ is the Christian's great pattern, that his Life is proposed to us, as an Example to our Obedience, that his peace and joy is in some degree the Portion and Blessing of every faithful Disciple, and follower of his, and that lastly his exaltation and Glory is the Original and Idea, by which ours shall in its due proportion be formed and modelled, I may very well be allowed to interpret the behaviour of our Lord in my text as an Example set us all in general, containing matter of Instruction and Advice to all Christians, which may be resolved into these two Propositions,  
1st. That there is a Work given every one of us to sinish, a Duty prescribed each of us by the Conscientious performance of which, we may glorify God on the Earth.  
2dly. That a Christian's Comfort and Assurance in Death, if rational, aught to flow from the Conscience of a faithful discharge of this Duty.  
§ 1st. That there is a work, etc. The Duties of human Life are of two sorts— First, such as are common to all as Men and Christians.— Secondly, such as are proper and peculiar to some men as engaged in distinct Callings and Professions As Men and Christians, Sobriety, Purity, Truth, Justice, Charity, Meekness, Long-Suffering, Devotion, Faith, Self-Resignation, Obedience, and such like are the works which God hath preordained that we should walk in: These are Reflections and Rays of the Divine glory, these are the Tracks and Characters of the Divine Image, these are the Ornaments and true Excellencies of a Christian, in comparison of which, the Celebrated Exploits of the Heathen-Gods, Jupiter, Hercules, Bacchus, etc. are, as Lactantius speaks, but childish braveries, the blind Sallies of an impotent passion, of an Unballasted Impetus: By the constant and sincere practice of these, we exalt and perfect our Natures, advancing them into a nearer participation of the Divine Image; by the constant and sincere practice of these, we procure the peace, the security, the Welfare and Prosperity of human Society; And finally, by the constant and sincere practice of these, we adorn the Gospel of Christ, promote the Honour of God, and show forth the praises of him who called us out of Darkness into his Marvellous Light; for nothing does more convincingly manifest and publish to the World the Honourable Notions we entertain of God, the Purity and Power of our Christian Faith, than a Life employed and spent in these works; for by this we openly proclaim to the World, that we do not believe that a Holy and good God can be pleased with any thing but Holiness and Goodness, or that any Sacrifice can be so acceptable to him as the Imitation (according to our power) of his Divine Perfections.  
Besides these Duties common to all Christians, there are others which flow from our distinct Professions and Callings; Every man's Calling, whether he be a Pastor in the Church, or a Ruler or Officer in the State, whether he be a Trader, Physician, etc. doth more peculiarly exact some distinct kind of Virtue; As Watchfulness in Pastors, Integrity in Rulers, Justice in Traders, Tenderness in Physicians, and such like, and in all, Industry and Diligence: Nor doth it a little import the Honour of our Religion, and the welfare of human Society, that every man do faithfully discharge the particular and distinct Duty of his Calling; nor can he neglect it without involving himself in the guilt of trampling underfoot the most powerful obligations; for this, the abilities God endow's him with, this, the trust God commits to him; this, the Dependencies others have reasonably fixed upon him; this, the general Covenant supposed entered into by every Member of a Community, that he will be useful and helpful in his place; this, the Interest of the public, and the glory of God loudly calls and presses every man to; it being impossible, that Decency and Order in human Affairs should be preserved, that the Beauty and Harmony of Divine Providence should be maintained, that the mutual wants and necessities of Mankind should be ministered to, and supplied, or the Honour of God supported and upheld in the World, unless men be faithful in the discharge of the Duties of their several Callings and Professions: This is that the Apostle exhorts to, Rom. 12.6, 7, 8. Having then gifts differing according to the Grace that is given to us, whether Prophecy, let us Prophesy according to the Proportion of Faith; or Ministry, let us wait on our Ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on Exhortation: He that ruleth, let him do it with diligence The same Faithfulness and Diligence men are elsewhere in Scripture exhorted to, in their secular and Profane Callings.  
You see then what the works are which God prescribes us to walk in, namely, the works of our general Callings, as we are Men and Christians; and the works of our distinct Professions, as we are dedicated to different employments in Church or State. You discern in the next place the natural Bent and Tendency of these works towards the glorifying God on the Earth. This, then is the Post which you are to make good; this is the station you are to fill; this is the Province you are to adorn; you cannot otherwise acquit yourselves with a good Conscience towards God or Man. And hence it follows—  
§ 2dly. That the Faithful discharge of our Duty is the only Rational ground of our Assurance towards God. 'Tis true and confessed on all hands, that the Death and Merits of Christ is the great cause of our Peace and Reconciliation with God; that through him, through him alone, all Christians are to expect the pardon of their sins, and the acceptance of their performances; That when we have done all, we are unprofitable Servants: And that the most unblameable and pious Life that ever was yet led upon Earth (except that of Christ's himself) could never be able to undergo the Test, the Trial of God's strict Judgement: And therefore our Deceased Friend, notwithstanding the nature and number of his good works not easily to be paralleled (though I wish they were) by many Instances in this Age, gave us this short account of his Faith and Hope the day before his Death, I trust in the mercy of God.  
But though all this be true, 'tis all nothing to the point in hand; for though Christ died for all, yet all have not a like or equal ground of Hope: Tho the Death of Jesus be sufficient to atone for the sins of all, yet all are not actually pardoned: The Question therefore is, what gives men a good Claim and a just Title to the Benefits of Christ's passion; and what is the clearest proof of the goodness of our Claim? and then nothing is more evident than that this is a faithful discharge of the Duties of Life, a finishing the works God gives us to do. These are the proper effects of saving Knowledge, and a saving Faith; These are the very Essentials of Repentance towards God; These are the kindly Operations of Love unfeigned; These are the proper tokens of the Divine presence, and the Residence of God's Spirit within us; These lastly are the natural and genuine fruits of an enligthned understanding, and renewed mind: These therefore are the best proofs and evidences of our claim to all the Benefits of Christ's Death and Merits, and consequently the most Rational Foundation of our Peace and Comfort in our Latter end. This is evident from the Examples of all Righteous and good men, whose Comfort in Death is wont to be proportioned to the Piety and Sincerity of their Lives; hence (not to multiply Instances) that of Saint Paul, 2 Tim. 4.7, 8. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my Course, I have kept the Faith; henceforth, there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness, which the Lord the Righteous Judge shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but to them also that love his appearing. Here we have the confident expectation of a Crown, but 'tis a Crown of Righteousness; and if we examine the ground of this confidence of St Paul, it is, that War which he prosperously waged, those conflicts which he had successfully maintained against the World, the Flesh and the Devil; his Indefatigable Perseverance in the Race of Virtue and Goodness set before him: And finally, his steadfast and unshaken adherence to the Faith of Christ, in despite of all the malice and fury, with which he was assaulted.  
Thus have I briefly insisted on the words of my Text, as reserving room for that which is a more fair and lively Comment on it, the Life of our deceased Friend. And here in pursuance of my method, I should be obliged to begin with an account of his behaviour, in his particular profession; but having resolved to say nothing, but what I either personally know, or have full and unquestionable proof of, I will pass over this part of his Life, as that to which, I am in a great measure a stranger; though I cannot forbear recommending to you two Rules, which he thought necessary for the Christian Conduct of Trade— First, That Traders should carefully avoid the grasping at, and embracing so much business, as should make their Trade encroach and entrench upon their Religion, that they should not suffer their time and their hearts to be engrossed by the love and pursuit of Worldly gain, to the neglect and ruin of their Eternal Interest.— Secondly, That they should propose and design an Increase of their Charity in proportion to the Increase of their Wealth. And now I proceed to the Life of our departed Friend, with regard to the general Obligations he lay under as Man and Christian, wherein we meet with these two things considerable, His Religion towards God, and his Charity towards Man. These two divided and shared his whole Life between them, there being very few Actions of it which might not be referred to the one or other, as the source and Principle of them.  
First, Of his Religion towards God. This was that to which he dedicated and devoted himself betimes; He remembered his Creator in the days of his Youth; Nor was he more early than constant in this, for he persisted steadfast in it to the end; his Religion had no Interruption, no Intermission; I could never find that there was any the least period of his Life, which he abandoned and gave up to an Indulgence of sin and folly. 'Tis true, as you all know, he was sometime misled in point of Judgement; but 'tis as true that under all the changes of Times and Opinions, he retained his Sincerity and his Zeal: An Opinion of greater strictness of Life, and a more lively relish and savour of spiritual things amongst those of the separation first tempted him out of the bosom of our Church: and a deep sense of the manifold Impieties and dreadful mischiefs which attended separation first moved him to return to us; for this raised many scruples and perplexities in him, and made him reasonably doubt that God could not be the Author of that way. The method he afterwards took for a full and just Information of himself; namely, impartial Examination of our best writings, conference with our Ablest men, together with incessant prayers to God for the Illumination of his Spirit, the time and manner of his Return, his open acknowledgement of his error, his public profession of Repentance, his solemn and earnest Invitation of others to return to the paths of Truth and Peace, and his successful Industry in recovering those whom he had been Instrumental to pervert, sufficiently demonstrate the Sincerity and Integrity of his heart: And those two excellent Treatises he has writ for the disabusing those of the separation, have made an abundant Compensation for the Errors he was betrayed into through frailty & weakness of Judgement.  
But I come now to his Religion, such as it was since I knew him; and so I'll say something of his own personal behaviour towards God, and of his zeal to propagate the fear of God among others.  
As to his own behaviour, the Character of the Godly man in the Psalmist was truly his. Blessed is the man that walketh not in the Counsel of the , nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and in his Law doth he meditate day and night, Psal. 1.1, 2. He was a man that did abominate all Company wherein any thing was either said or done to the disparagement of Virtue, or Dishonour of Religion: He was so far from partaking in the guilt of any such thing, that he never wanted the courage to reprove and rebuke it: And as all filthy and sinful Communication was an Abomination, so all trifling and unprofitable Communication was a burden to his Soul: And therefore it was, that his Conversation was reduced within so narrow a compass, that he had very few Confidents and Intimates, and very little Company besides that of his near Relations and the Poor; this he was with regard to Negative Righteousness. As to positive Righteousness, it may be truly said of him, that his delight was in the Law of the Lord, whether this be to be inferred from meditation or practice, this could not but appear to every one that conversed with him, for he was richly furnished with Scripture Knowledge, he had treasured up the richest Portions of Divine Writ, he had digested them into nourishment and strength, and he was grown so familiarly acquainted with them, that there was no Doctrine of Faith, or Duty of Practice, for which he could not readily urge several the most pertinent Texts of Scripture, and not only cite the words, the Chapter, the verse, but give a very Rational account of the Spirit and design of them, and of their coherence with the Context. But his Religion, though it was, as it ought, begun and founded in Knowledge, yet it did not, like that of many men, terminate & end in it too, but was perfected and finished in Practice He was wont to place all Religion in three things, Contemplation, Adoration and Imitation.  
As to the first, that of Contemplation, which is to the other two, like Oil to Flame that nourishes and supports it: You may guess by his Knowledge in Divine things, that he was no stranger to it. However one thing there is which deserves to be recommended to your Imitation, which is this; after long experience, his Soul was grown weary of fruitless Speculations and Barren Controversies, and his Meditations were of late wisely confined to these Excellent Subjects, the purity and holiness of God, the riches of his Love and goodness to mankind manifested in Jesus, and the blessedness of a future state, into which last, he was very lately more particularly and Industriously inquisitive, beginning several discourses with me on that Subject, and carrying 'em on with no little Pleasure and Satisfaction.  
As to Adoration, he complained, I confess to me, that of late he could not put up his Petitions with that Vigour and Importunity, with that close Application and Intention of Spirit which he had formerly done; but withal he added, that as to one part of Adoration that of Praise and Thanksgiving, his Soul did abound in that, and he ever found himself exalted and lifted up in that Exercise. This part of Adoration he was wont to account as a maintaining Communion with the Heavenly Inhabitants, and a joining with the Church triumphant in their Hallelujahs. Upon which ground, as also because the purpose and devotion of his heart towards God in respect of his Faith, Love, and Obedience continued steadfast and unmoveable, I was inclined to impute the Alteration he complained of, not to any abatement of his sincerity or zeal, but to the heaviness of his Age, and the Decay of his Spirits.  
As to Imitation of God, he conceived that to consist mainly in doing good, of which I shall say something presently under the head of Charity, having first, according to the Order I proposed, taken notice of his zeal in propagating the fear of God amongst others, which was no less eminent in him than the Piety of his own Demeanour towards God. He never let slip any opportunity either of reproving and discountenancing vice, or of preaching up and recommending virtue, and this he did with that gravity and authority, and with that Goodness and Charity, with that Evidence of Scripture backed with strength of Reason and Experience, that he seldom miss of doing some good by it. He was extremely Solicitous to instruct Youth in the Principles of our Religion, for which purpose he had a Catechism of his own composing containing the grounds of our Christian Faith, which he did industriously imprint not only on the memories, but judgements and hearts of young people he did often inculcate the necessity and usefulness of Writing Sermons, and repeating 'em at home; he did often bewail the Corruption of Conversation, and recommend the advantage of gracious and good Discourses in our daily and familiar Intercourse with one another: he was zealous for the observation of Family-Duties, and in all this was eminently exemplary himself: His Resolution was that of Joshua, Chap. 24.15. As for me, I and my House will serve the Lord. Nor can it be unknown to many here how successful he was in this, what a spirit of Religion and Goodness reigned in his Family, and what lasting impressions of both, his endeavours made in his Children; and were it not that I should oppress their Modesty, and incur (it may be) an imputation of flattery which I detest and scorn, I would insist more largely upon this Topick, as a Noble encouragement to the watchfulness and Industry of Fathers and Masters over their Children and Families: from this his Charity to the Soul, I proceed.  
2ly. To that which relates to the External state of man; this was the second thing proposed to be spoken to, after his Religion towards God, His Charity towards man. This was that in which he conceived the Imitation of God most properly to consist, he was always wont to have in his Mouth that of the Prophet Jeremy, But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understands and knows me that I am the Lord which exercise Loving kindness, Judgement and Righteousness in the Earth; for in these things I delight, saith the Lord, Jer. 9.24. This therefore was the Virtue wherein he was Eminent and Exemplary; to this he so wholly gave up his Heart and his Life, that I may safely say, he did in some degree renounce his own business and his own Interest, that he might with less distraction and better success attend the Concerns of the poor and miserable. 'Tis true, (that I may her anticipate the Objection of some sort of men) the Charities he undertook and engaged himself in, were too many and too great to be carried on upon his own single stock or particular fund; he had therefore assistance many ways; and much from many good men, I believe, here present: but 'tis as true too, that he was not only a faithful Steward and dispenser of other men's Bounty, but also bountiful himself even to the diminution of his estate. To go on therefore to the point, several Hundreds of Prisoners were by him, with great travail and expense set free; Nay, Prisons themselves were set free from some oppressions and cheats that had obtained in them, and rendered more hospitable and tolerable to the miserable Inhabitants Fees being reduced to a Lower rate, and Maintenance and Provision for Prisoners much better settled: several entangled estates were by his care, prudence and labour cleared and preserved: Many desolate Orphans found in him the tenderness and compassion of a Father, and many desolate Widows the Care and Protection of a Husband: How tender and liberal he was to very many Relations that stood in need of him, is well known to many here. Finally, such Numbers of Poor were relieved by him, that he was continually thronged by flocks of his Clients, (as he called them) and he could scarce pass any street where the Blessings of some one or other succoured by him, did not light upon him. Nor did his Charity exert itself only in the Relief of the poor and needy, but also in ministering to every sort of necessity and misery of mankind; he comforted the afflicted, rescued the oppressed, advised and counselled the Ignorant, and subdued the Obstinate by the sweetness of his address, by the meekness of Reason, and an extraordinary Spirit of Religion, which discovered itself in all his Discourses: In Sum, what Job said of himself, may be with truth applied to this good man. I delivered the poor that cried, and the Fatherless and him that had none to help him: the blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me; and I caused the Widow's heart to sing for joy. I put on Righteousness, and it clothed me; My judgement was as a Robe and a Diadem: I was Eyes to the Blind, and Feet was I to Lame; I was a Father to the poor, and the cause which I knew not, I searched out, and I broke the Jaws of the wicked, and plucked the Spoil out of his Teeth, Job 29.11, 12, etc. Here I should have concluded with this general account, were there not in his Charity three things so eminently and peculiarly remarkable, that they deserve never to be forgot, his Meekness, his Industry, and his Delight in doing good.  
First. His Meekness. He had a Text to this purpose which he did often repeat, Let it not grieve thee to bow down thine Ear to the Poor, and to give him a friendly answer with Meekness, Ecclus. 4.8. And he lived up to this Rule; no sourness or churlishness of Speech, no impatience or insolence of Behaviour did ever embitter his Alms or Relief to the needy: Charity was not a greater Ornament to Him, than his Sweetness and Meekness was to his Charity: He would often hear not only tedious and impertinent, but also rude and passionate discourses, with matchless Patience and Goodness, having regard to the miseries, not the frailties of those who addressed themselves to him.  
Secondly, His Industry. He had often in his Mouth that of the Psalmist, Blessed is he that considers the Poor, and that of Job just now cited, The cause that I knew not, I searched out: And accordingly he did with indefatigable patience sound the depths, and fathom the bottom of every cause; and when he did with great solicitude and earnestness of mind, study, contrive and consult what method was most likely to prove effectual for the redress of the miserable; and when he had fixed upon it, he set his heart so much upon the accomplishment of his design, that there were seldom, if ever, any difficulties so great, which he did not one way or other remove or surmount: And he never thought much of the time or Travail which he bestowed thus: So intent was he upon the excollent works of Charity, that he pursued them panting, and almost breathless; and I have sometimes heard him regret the weakness and Infirmity of his Age, and express his Fear, lest he should live to those years, wherein, through defect of strength, he might be utterly useless. Indeed, his decayed body was not at length able to undergo all the drudgery which so many and considerable designs of Charity did require; and therefore, for several his last years, he maintained a Servant on purpose to receive and execute his Directions  
One passage under this head I forgot in the Pulpit, and it deserves not to be omitted in the Press, which is, that he was often advised and pressed to go into the Country for his health sake; against this, he urged many scruples, which though they appeared not to others of sufficient weight, yet he could never bring his mind to it; What shall my Poor then do? said he, 'tis even best for me to die in my Station and in my Employment.  
Such was his Vigour, such his Industry. And God was pleased to bless him with suitable success; so that 'tis not easy to express his Felicity in mollifying the most obdurate Creditors, in reducing them to terms of Moderation and Charitable composition, in reconciling differences, and in sweetening the most alienated and exasperated minds.  
Thirdly, His Delight. It was one of his darling Propositions which he set a high rate upon, That the Life of Man is to be estimated by the usefulness of it; and accordingly that portion of his Life was always most delightful and valuable to him, wherein he was most succefully active in some design of Charity; his Spirit rejoiced within him, when God had blessed him in the accomplishment of any good work; and I may confidently say, that never Soldier entertained Victory, or Trader the increase of his Wealth with a truer satisfaction than he did the successes of his Charitable Labours. I confess, that taking notice, how much he was pleased with reflecting upon and repeating himself several of his achievements, and with hearing the echoes and rebounds of them from others, I grew sometimes jealous of him, lest Dead Flies should corrupt this Ointment, and a silly affection of Praise and vain glory should blast his Charity, and bereave him of the Fruit and Reward of it; but upon narrower Inspection into the Root of this matter, I found that this sprung from the pleasure he took in the Comfort and Happiness which he procured to others: his pious Soul, as it did suffer in the misery, so did it exalt in the Prosperity of his Brother, as he was ready to weep with those that wept, so also to rejoice with those that rejoiced, and so much the more whenever God had made him the Instrument of their Joy, so that it was not his own praise that created his Satisfaction, but the good procured his Neighbour, and the honour which did from thence redound to God.  
Shall I now after all, add his Justice, Integrity and Diligence in all his deal and undertake? His Simplicity and Candour, his Ingenuity, Meekness and Humility in all his Conversation? His Plainess, Sincerity and Zeal towards his Friend, showing itself especially in his tenderness for his Eternal Interest? The sweetness and obligingness of his carriage, not towards his Children only, but even towards the meanest that had any Relation to him? Shall I add his Christian Moderation, and Comprehensive Charity, for all peaceful, humble, and upright Christians of every persuasion? Shall I insist upon his Purity and Heavenly mindedness, not only to an Indifference, but (I may almost say) even Contempt for the things of this World, Wealth, Power, Honour, and the Ostentation of Life? Shall I finally remember his Strictness and Sobriety, which was such, that I had much ado to remove some Scruples out of his mind about the use of such things, as I judged necessary to the support of his age, and the maintenance of his health and strength? These and other Virtues of our deceased Friend, I might insist upon, and in all this, I should have the testimony and approbation of all that knew him: But the time would fail me, and I have said enough, enough to do right in some measure to the memory of this Excellent person, for the Righteous shall be had in everlasting Remembrance; enough to administer unspeakable comfort and satisfaction to his Relations, and enough, I hope, to excite and stir up all that hear me this day to the Imitation of this good man's Virtues, especially when we shall add the consideration in my text, that this will fortify us against all the Terrors of Death; this will give us comfort and Assurance in the approaches of it. Then shall we be able to assure ourselves that we are the Children of God, when we imitate his goodness, and rejoice, as he doth, in the works of Mercy and Charity: Then shall we be able to assure ourselves that we are the true followers of Jesus, when we are led by the same spirit, when we glorify God upon Earth, and finish the works which he has given us to do: And then shall we be able to lie down in the assured expectations of a blessed Resurrection. This was the happy state of this excellent man; Death was his Meditation, Death his Expectation; and when he met it, he met it with a cheerful and serene soul; the Last words I had from him when I bid him my last farewell on Sunday, were, You and I shall meet again in another World, I do not question it at all. Ah! that we could all live so as to have no fears, no doubts about eternal Life when we are come to die! O think of the blessedness of such a state! and than remember that this assurance arises from the conscience of a well spent Life, that nothing but a faithful discharge of our stewardship can enable us to meet God with comfort, and give us an Inheritance with Saints in Glory, and enrol us amongst the Spirits of Just men made perfect.  
FINIS.