The pious Life and Death of MR. josiah SHVTE Who left us on the 22. day of June. 1643.  
FArewell to my tears, I'll weep no more; let those that can find no other expressions for their grief, than what their showering eyes afford them, bewail our departed Prophet in a silent language of a tear, and weep out Elegies for their souls great loss. I must find out some other means to empty my full bosom; not that I would willingly part with the remembrance of our josiah, nor poure out all the sad thoughts his death hath left, for even my melancholy is welcome to me, whilst he is the subject of it, but I would transcribe some reverential conceit which my contemplative grief hath written on my heart, that may perhaps be better red on my paper, for within me they have now a confused method, and take up so much of me, that they scarce leave room for other thoughts, which the times fruitfulness and serious debate do continually dictate to me. I may freely admire thee now, for thy modest ears are deaf to our applauses, and thy well-bred life was above our flattery, so that I shall have no cause to check myself, whilst with praise and wonder I run over the verity of thy merit: neither shall our inquiry begin at the last act of thy life, wee will cursorily at least examine every scene of it, and will look back even from thy cradle to thy grave, and we shall find thee consecrated even from thy infancy to the service of thy great Master; thou wast the son of a Prophet, of a religious and faithful Minister, who was blessed with five more, every one of which with a careful and pious hand he led through all their studies, till he brought them from the school to the Pulpit: and when as in eminent Candlesticsts he had there placed them, as so many burning and flaming Lights, as there wanted no worth to make him perspicuously happy but heaven itself, he left this world engaged to him for those happy Legacies in a full age.  
We will not here any further search after the religious courses of thy pious Brothers, yet while we bemoan thee, we cannot but lament the considerable loss of thy neighbour-Brother, who was fainted some few yeers before thee, whose various Learning, whose devout industry, whose divine gifts, made his life also admired, and his death lamented of all that heard of him, being brother as well to thy desert as blood.  
When we take a view of thee, and examine all thy merit, we need no other description of a true Father of the Church, and a true Protestant, and let those who shall hereafter have occasion to writ such a Character, remember reverend Shute, and make him their pattern.  
We will first consider him as a man, how well he did instruct himself, and preach to his own soul, and we shall here find that his ordinary conversation was a continued Lecture.  
He was of a disposition sociable, and affording Nature onely such refreshments as might enable her to assist him in his holy employments, for they were but as so many preparatives for study. To all he was generally affable, to none severe, never discovering any austerity but against an impudent sinner. He was known almost to all, acquainted but with a few: he kept a civill correspondence with many learned men, but those that he chiefly bestowed his leisure houres with, he choose rather for their free and innocent friendlinesse, than for any eminency of their parts, rather studying books than men, yet conversing with the best, that he might not quiter be a stranger to the times he lived in. His greatest wealth was the riches of content, his greatest expense( next to his Books) was his charity: he could never find himself touched with any thing like covetousness, but when his small treasure could not afford relief for some that were the objects of his pitty.  
He was long happy in a virtuous Wife, but never was a Father, though he ●… n shewed himself so to those that were fatherless. He knew not how to be proud, and could as ill endure a corrupting flattery. In brief, he was of so caven a spirit, so happily tempered, that he was master of his passions, and had no unruly humour predominant in him. I could lay down out of the observation of his life, so many divine, so many moral rules and precepts, that his very example were direction enough how we should steer our actions and affections; but these are the slightest pieces of his worth.  
Let us look upon him in his proper sphere, and inquire how fit a man he for his sacred function, how he was qualified to be an ambassador from the Court of heaven, and how he might be well worth our wonder, for it will appear that all the eminencies which do disperse and divide themselves amongst several other men did meet in him, what was it that any one man of his profession might boast off, which he was not master off; his gravity and preaching countenance did chastise every careless and wanton hearer, so that to wear his picture near our eye or heart, or to suppose him looking upon us, were enough methinks to fright away a sinful thought; devotion hovered about him, when he was addressing himself to pray, and his whole gesture held a warm zeal even in a frozen bosom, whilst his piercing words fell from him they begot private sighs in those which joined with him, to witness that their hearts breathed out the same requests, all his ejaculations were the sober dictates of the spirit, they were not fierce nor sudden raptures huddled up, conceived, and born in a hasty minute; his zeal though fervent was modestly ordered considering to whom he spake, nor did he on the other side tie himself to a few set words, as if the Almighty were to be appeased with spells, but well fitted Petitions varied as often as any occasion offered themselves; and when he had as it were prepared the attentive soul by prayer, and begged a blessing upon his houres discourse; he so cheerfully, so sollidly addressed himself to the work of a heavenly Creator, that he presently had possession of our eyes ears and hearts, he seldom( unless some other occasion called for it) varied his text, or leaped from place to place to start a new Subject, he commonly preached one piece of Scripture with such learned perspicuity, such a pious pleasancie, and did so heighten our religious appetites that we were sorry for the parting sands, and languished for the next hour to finish that which to day he had perhaps but only cut out, and divide for another dayes exercise; in his delivery he was neither affencted nor loose, having such a command of his tongue and voice, that he could handsomely fit them for every Subject: at a funeral he preached so powerfully in the behalf of death, that he made some desirous not to live, others to live better; nor did any return from him without beneficial conviction of their own mortality, so pathetically would he solemnize the passion of our Saviour, that his hearers might well laugh at the superstition of a crucifix, which only reacheth the Gazers eye, or but slightly toucheth the abused soul, when as he imprinted in every heart Christ crucified, by representing every circumstance of his Passion; and so to the life, as if he were bleeding afresh, and were again stabbed and wounded by us that were his sinful Auditory, by those means he became master of our consciences, which stood in awe of his words, and were powerfully subdued to his saving doctrines, nor did he administer sharp things only, he had balm for the broken and contrite heart, soft and gentle persuasions to awe a trembling soul, he never denounced judgement but his eyes were big with tears, he was none of those thunderers who represent God in all his terrible attributes and shadow over his mercy and compassion. He rather alured then terrified a straying conscience, and rather endeavoured to bring it home to the Fold then drive it farther from safety, and though he did dress his ministry with all the winning advantages and pious allurements of spiritual rhetoric, though the weeds he clothed it in were imbroadered with all the faculties of learning, with golden Sentences, and precious Meditations, which did catch the attentions of every auditor. Yet this Kings Daughter( for so is the word well preached) was all glorious within, the matter which was the inside was rich and substantial, those whose capacities went along with him understandingly might receive instruction to their souls comfort, so well did he complye with the meanest hearer; The more delicate apprehension of the Nobility and Gentry,( which was still part of that religious Auditory) was so advisedly suited, that he did as it were court them from their sins and by a holy insinuation did even steal into their bosoms: and so powerfully convince them of their vanity, that they always carried home with them new resolutions; and the most sober, the most learned persons( for some such were almost always part of his Auditory) discovered in every Sermon such a digesture of general learning so many full expressions of a scholar, of a sound Preacher, of a holy man, that they could have even kissed the Pulpit in approbation of those blessed Truths sent down from it.  
There might you see the graver Divines, willing to improve their knowledge and their piety by that summary duty which might be found in every dayes Lecture; and there might be seen the young men of the Cassock lately set up in their Trade for souls, enabling themselves for their sacred employment, so attentively fixing their whole souls on him, as if they had a desire to assimilate themselves to every excellency of his; and eyeing of him as if they were learning to put on his reverend gesture which gave life to all that fell from him, the other how to borrrow his unaffected art and faculty of utterance, another how to wove his reading and meditation with such cunning and advantage to his own soul, that he might be able to communicate the benefit received thereby to others of that holy Function; another carefully observing his method, in purpose to revive his after-Labours by so rare a model. Thus he was a President for all men, yet was there such a mixture of holinesse in all these perfections, as if he onely had been ignorant of them. And wonder not that this Tower of David made so faire a show, and so many dwelling eminences; for he had a foundation large and faire, Grace laid the first ston, and perseverance built upon it; a connexion of piety and good works was the mortar and Cement, Faith was the Butteresse, the holy Spirit was the Master-wheele, by whose divine influence every thing was disposed; Nature lent all her aid to make the work perfect, for,( is so many Labourers whose proper employments were herein necessary) shee sent an open imposition, a retentive memory, a searching wit, a trying judgement; and here were all the sorts of Art which makes the superstructure, as indefatigable industry, inquisitive study, curious observation, satisfying experience, and the useful extractions of books and antiquities.  
Let it bee the boast of others, that they are able to perform the most sacred ministerial Office, without being much beholding to learning( that necessary hand maid to divine knowledge) whilst we pitty, and laugh at the ignorance of those zealous Doctors; it will be worthy admiration to his lasting famed, that he was not content to make himself intimate with the whole Scripture, and have every Text ready to confute an Adversary, or convince a Sinner, but he did run over the whole body of Learning; siping from every part of it, as from so many flowers some serviceable notions, which being by his holy Art digested, as by the subtle Chimistrie of the Bee, helped to make up that honey, the sweet and cordial Lectures which he frequently entertained us.  
he red the Bible in that original Language, in which the happy Secretaries to the holy Ghost penned it, that he might bee the more flowing with the true intention of every word and expresson of it; making himself acquainted with those learned languages, because he would look back into the first essence and purity of things, before the perplexing variety of human conceit had speckt itself upon it; that he might examine upon what grounds and reasons, the ancient Expositors, and Fathers, have founded the numerous volumes, which at this day do furnish our Libraries; doing this not out of a proud curiosity, or to defend error: but out of a reverend fear of assenting to their new opinions of any how well soever esteemed, if he find them dissonant to their ancient verities, which he studiously attained too by going so far backward into the unfailed learning, and wisdom, which was behind him.  
But I'll sum up no more of his parts, but will abruptly leave his many abilities in the mid way; seeing every Sermon of his  told us how generally, how admirably, he was qualified( for they were not the elaborate issues of many dayes, so much time not being allowed him) but they were the digested quintessence of his former labours, to which his leisure onely gave him leave to add a little else, but meditation and method.  
There is yet something behind, which will give more lustre to his precious memory; it is possible wee may find his parallel, if wee rely upon his qualifications of learning, and strong parts; but where shall wee find so much integrity, one so like those faithful Disciples, whose immediate tutor Christ himself was, one that so deservedly may bee styled an Apostle of Christ, by his prime Excellencies. Let us first look upon him as approved of by his great Master, to take care of those souls, amongst whom he expired; behaving himself much like that shepherd, that gave his life for his sheep; for it is well known, he spent himself so without intermission in his study and his Pulpit, that his unstinted houres, which wanted part of that immoderate exercise, which his Spirits had settled into diseases: which pressed upon him so violently in his latter yeeres, that he often preached in pain, in faint sweats, nay, sometimes in blood, of which he had many witnesses; nor could he be won from his Station wherein his conscience  told him God had set him, by any richer invitations, or Livings offered him by his friends of a greater value, which he often refused. When he had brought his neighbours soul half way to heaven, to leave them to a new Convoy, who might rather direct them in a crooked course, or bring them back again, then help them forward( for he would lament the paucity of conscientious Guides) he was always so far from that almost epidemical crime of temporizing, that he was looked upon as a perfect Antagonist to the time he lived in, as if he had scorned to bee a Favourite to that predominant power, under which the evils he lamented, received their continuance and growth. His well-settled soul, was still kept within its religious Center, and could never bee cojured out by all their powerful charms which ambition scatters, to inveigle the opinions and judgements of her opposites. When at any time he saw any indirect designs on foot, which some great Agents in Church and State kept going, either to put more setters upon the Subjects, or new designs on Religion; he would never bee courted to bawd his tongue to make Apologies for their Innovations, nor could bee silenced from declaiming against the dangerous attempts of the first Troublers of Israel, and there needs no greater Conviction of the corrupt Genius of those dayes; that he, and some men of his form were so long left unpreferred, whilst the dignities of the Church( which should have been the reward of men singular for their piety and ability) were taken up by such, who rather studied and practised the politics then duty.  
And when afterwards the winds were quiter turned, when storms and foul weather threatened every one that came into the new Rodes, he did not forsake the Anchor of a holy resolution, but rather endured sharp blasts of envy and malice, disdaining a wavering compliancy to the fatal alterations of our giddy times, which drew from him many a tear, and private groan; neither could he refrain from a more open expression of his grief, though there were danger in his very sighs, because they seemed to thwart the affections of such, as were hurried another way by their own violencie; he would modestly complain of the miscarriage of those above him, and with a warm and warrantable zeal, be angry with such among the giddy people, who would not for the confusion they were headlong running into; no bold face sinner could escape him without a reasonable reprehension, no destructive doctrines, no false glosses, no schismatical tares could be sowed by the malice or ignorance of any, but he would carefully set himself to the weeding them out betime, least the seed of them should prove fruitful, and scatter themselves in his well-kept Garden,( for such is a parish well instructed) he was so true a lover of union and true Devotion, that the dividing Separatist, and suspicious Papist's received a wound from him, at almost every Lecture.  
To conclude, he was a furious and eager Opposite to all those things that interrupted our Peace, and sullies the face of Truth; that we must needs complain that Truth and Peace have lost their chief Champion.  
Neither did he encounter the enemies of the times with a loud voice, but moderately and calmly overthrew them; having learned the breaking of a flint with much easiness upon a cushion, scorning that vain glory, and the servile ends which makes some partially and uncivilly raise against the present mischarriages, ssmply on purpose to anger the power of those, whose interest commands them to stop their mouths, that they may undeservedly g●ine the title of a prerogative Martyr, and hazard their preferments in expectation of some better Guardian. So reaching at a dignity by their hot ambition; which they were never likely to reach by their lukewarm devotion. But his divine soul knew no indirect ends, the Cathedrall honour, had never any magnetick influence; upon his conscience, his eyes, and his heart, were always towards heaven; as if from thence he expected a bishopric, and desired no other preferment, then what was there laid up for him, being so strait minded, that he slighted the mitre to make himself sure of a crown.  
It is time, that I should make hast to his mortality, least when I have enquired after, and called together all his worth, some may think him more then a man.  
Let us therefore look upon his declining, and wee shall find an Evening becoming such a day, glorious even in his Sun-set, neither could wee look for any other Catastrophee at the last scene, when all the rest of his life was so well acted; he lived fifty five yeares to learn how to die well( for indeed his whole Age was no otherwise employed) at last, Nature being over-wrought, groaned under many infirmities, with which Conflict, he a great while passed over; till death which could not bee deferred further, and heaven which could not longer bee without this Guest, agreed here to summon him by a swooning fit, which as soon as he had retired out of his Pulpit into his Chamber, suspended his Spirits, and had thrown him on the ground; had not a lucky friend ( whose fortune it was to close his eyes at last) then by chance rescued him from the fall, after this, his disease pursued him so close, that it took him from his profession, and thus he accounted death, even before death to be forced from his Pulpit, there he interred himself willingly, and expired his soul, being then nearer, and on its way to heaven.  
But blessed man, thou madest thy bed thy Pulpit, and finding thy soul upon her wing, thou didst almost after thy usual method, betake thyself to thy Text; which was, commanding Monasillable death, yet before thou didst enter upon it, thou didst prepare thy few and happy auditors by a most devout and pathetical prayer, wherein all the world was beholding to thy extraordinary charity; and may thy bleeding country, thy distressed Brethren, thy melancholy Friends, and even thy peevish e●emies feel the blessing which in thy last words thou didst beg for them; when thou hadst, as if thou didst intend them, so many Legacies, summed up all things which were necessary for us, thou didst bequeath thy soul into the hands of him that made thee, and suddenly after didst fall asleep, he that shall with a contemplative soul observe all this, and yet want a Sermon to teach him how to die well; when Reverend SHUTE now, very near a Saint preached, from his death-bed to him will hardly bee brought to a sense of saving mortification; should his blessed angel descend, and bring down instructions more immediately from Gods mouth, how he must die, to live immortally.  
Nor did this man of God go to his grave with more funerals, he had more true mourners, then follow the hearse of a departed Prince; such put an affencted grief, with their dissembled blackness: and at these stately Obsequies, there is no circumstance like sorrow but a contrite solitariness; when as here wanted no Pagets of mortality, nor borrowed Sadues to attend him to the house of death in his melancholy train,( which was made up of thousands besides his drooping kindred, it was hard to find out a dry eye or face, wherein grief did not apparently show itself.  
The Nobility and gentry could not but command their tears, or were willing to bestow that Courtfull shower, in acknowledgement of the many blessings they derived from him, the dejected Clergy hung down their heads, as if they had lost the credit of their profession; his sad Parishioners, who for so many yeeres had received the bread of life by his faithful ministry, looked pale and disconsolate, as though they had feared a succeeding famine; and the rest of the weeping crowd who had heretofore gathered up, whilst he shook the three of life to all that came, by their lamentations and plenteous sighs, did witness that they had souls sensible of the injury which death had done them by taking away him, who always stood sentinel for all his Auditors, and gave them a timely alarum against the surprisal of their Arch-enemy the devil.  
Well then, might his learned friend have spared his funeral Lecture, for there were no eyes present which needed pumping, no hearts which were not already melted at the burial of this Faviourite, but his words were cordial to us, when he excellently shewed us, how he had fought a good fight, finished his course, and kept the faith, and was gone to receive that crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge had laid up for him.  
Let us therefore wipe our eyes, seeing wee are so well assured of his happiness, least wee seem to envy him in his blessed repose, and the reward of his righteousness, to hope it is as certain, as that the Almighty is merciful, and that he hath prepared for him a kingdom and crown of immortality.  
Yet, it is said there wants not those that dare more then doubt of his souls bliss; O desperate uncharitableness, even against their own souls.  
If our God bee so severe, that the well-drest soul which never went without its true judgement cannot bee admitted, what shall become of those, who have nothing but rags of vanity, and paths of pretended zeal to cloath their sinful nakedness.  
O my God, if there bee no room in heaven for this good, this vigilant shepherd: where shall the poor flock bee folded, when wee are driven out of this life; Is not the gate of blessedness narrow enough, but must wretched men straighten it yet further, if so much, so pure piety cannot enter, how shall profaneness and accumulated sin struggle thither; that forward intruder, that will make himself of Gods jury, and dare peremptorily condemn the just and innocent, passes a severe sentence against his own soul.  
But heaven and earth whose darling he always was, have listed him above the reach of their violent malice, and will ere long take some revenge for his injury, and whilst God and man having now divided him betwixt them, shall take care the one of his soul, the other of his famed, and shall eternize him in the Register of the Saints: when the memory of those dragges of men who are professed enemies to mortality and learning, unto piety, and almost to all the true and essential parts of Charity and Religion, shall bee odious to posterity, to which they have given a wound, to their furious and unlimited zeal and practise, which will scarce bee well carried by many succeeding Ages; Yet even for those malignant Spirits his soul left a Blessing: whilst he begged of the Almighty ( whether he was about to go) to enlighten and amend their blind-fold eyes, and to pardon their wilful and malicious blindness. Thus instead of repaying the gull of his detractors with bitterness, he took them into his prayers, and so sacrificed for their sins, a benefit bestowed upon them against their will and merit.  
Come hither then all ye that have an aim to heaven, and set yourselves to study the life and death of this holy man. What wee cannot perform by his precepts and pious instructions, let us reach at by his example and imitation, thus he may live with us in despite of death, and preach saving doctrines, though he be for ever silenced, thus every godly bosom may make itself his tomb, which being adorned with any resemblance of his better part, will more fully evidence his worth: then a shining Marble, where partial Inscriptions do most times flatter their dead Guests; and are therefore justly suspected as no more then a funeral compliment. Yet it were both pitty and ingratitude, we should tempt them who hath so often awaked us from our sinful Lethurgy, before we had huddled him up in the common dust, without some memorial where it is laid up.  
go on then, and you whose souls were above thirty yeares obleiged to him, deliver him up to be interred in your intended Monument, that when aged Time hath worn out all those who have been witnesses of his worth, his parts and piety, those stones may tell his happy story, by offering his Epitaph to every Reader.  
FINIS.