RIGHTEOUSNESS Encouraged and Rewarded with an Everlasting Remembrance. IN A SERMON AT The FUNERAL of the Right Worshipful Sir Roger Bradshaigh of Haigh, Knight and Baronet. Who died at Chester on Monday, March 31, and was Buried at Wigan, Friday Apr. 4. 1684. By RICHARD WROE, B. D. Prov. 10. 7. The Memory of the Just is blessed; but the Name of the Wicked shall rot. Eccles. 44. 7. They have left a Name behind them, that their Praises might be reported. LONDON, Printed for Benj. took at the Ship in St. Paul's Churchyard, 1684. To the Right Worshipful Sir ROGER BRADSHAIGH OF HAIGH, KNIGHT and BARONET. SIR, SInce this Sermon was preached at your Request, and is now made public through your Importunity, it challenges a Right in your Patronage, and being you will needs have it so, that it must appear abroad, you are like to answer for the Imperfections of it. I hope you know me so well as to believe me when I assure you, that the Notice I had both of the Occasion and your Desires, were equally unwelcome and surprising; and yourself and divers others well know, that the Circumstances I was then in, both straitened my Time, and rob me of that Freedom of Mind which was requisite for such an Undertaking. But since you were pleased to judge so favourably of the ensuing Discourse upon hearing of it, as to desire a Copy, and upon Perusal to think it fit for the Press, and urge the Publication, I have yielded to your Importunity, being loath you should be denied any thing that is in my Power to grant, and take this Opportunity to tell the World how much I honour you, and value myself upon your Esteem and Friendship. And I must be so just as to acknowledge those real Respects and frequent Obligations which I have received ever since I was first known at Haigh: For which being able to make no other Requital, I offer you this small Testimony of my Gratitude, as an Earnest of further Payment when I have any thing better worth your Acceptance: And it will be abundant Satisfaction to myself, if I may any way contribute to the Honour and Reputation of your Family, or the Memory of your deceased Father. I reckon myself happy that I was so well acquainted with his Worth, as to be able in some measure to do him Right; and that the Character I have drawn of him was so well approved by those that heard it, and were able both to judge and witness the Truth of it. But I shall think myself more happy, if by recommending one so useful in his Generation, of such approved Loyalty and Integrity, I may not only publish his Worth, but provoke others to an Emulation of his Fame, by an Imitation of his Pattern. I know you need no Arguments to encourage you to copy out his Example, who already inherit the Excellencies which were so commendable and Praiseworthy in him, being Paternae Virtutis, Haeres & Aemulus, the Resemblance of his Merit, no less than the Heir of his Fortunes, as if his Religion and Loyalty had descended on you, together with his Name and Estate, that all might survive in One, and conspire to make him as much Immortal as this State will allow. And long may the entail remain on your Family in an uninterrupted Line and Succession, that his Name may be perpetuated in his Posterity; and as he left the World with Comfort and Satisfaction to see you matched into an Honourable Family, and with a Virtuous Consort, whereby you are doubly blest with the Increase of a considerable Income, and an hopeful Issue; so, if departed Souls be at ill interested in our Affairs, or it be any Accession to the Felicity of the other State, to rejoice at the Welfare of those they leave behind them, he may glory in the Prospect of a Lasting Progeny, and survive in their Remembrance through many Generations. And since we cannot recall him, whom God has been pleased to take from us, 'tis You must retrieve that Loss which we justly lament; who are fixed in that Orb in which he so regularly moved, and thence dispensed so kind an Influence to all the Neighbourhood. Go on then (Sir) to tread in your Father's Steps; be as true to the Religion you profess, as constant to the Practice of it, as Faithful and Loyal to your King, as serviceable to your Country as he was, and you have all along hitherto eminently approved yourself to be. And may you long and many Years live to enjoy the Blessings wherewith God hath enriched you, that when you also must lie down in the Dust, your Name may be echoed out in the Praises of the People, and your Fame survive in an honourable and precious Remembrance. So prays Your Affectionate and very humble Servant, Richard Wroe. PSAL. 112. 6. The Righteous shall be in Everlasting Remembrance. AMong the several Encouragements to Virtue and good Living, there is none more persuasive to Noble and Generous Minds, than that by their good Deeds they shall perpetuate their Names, and make their Memories precious to after Ages. For this State being the Scene of Mutability, One Generation still passing away, and another coming, That which is present makes the chiefest part of our Entertainment here; but the Impression of things past and gone is soon worn out, and the Remembrance of Persons that were before us, easily lost and forgotten. Virtue alone survives our Fate, and lives in the Memories of Posterity; and thereby purchases that Immortality which our frail Condition in this lower World will not allow. Though our Persons cannot be privileged from the Arrests of Death, but early or late we must stoop to his inevitable Stroke, yet the Names and Memories of good Men shall be registered in the Records of never dying Fame. The righteous shall be in everlasting Remembrance. And indeed, miserable were the State of Mortality, were there no hopes to survive in the minds of those that live after us: Did we at once cease to be, and to be remembered, Death were a dismal Silence. If when our Bodies are consigned to the Grave, our Names also must be buried in eternal Oblivion, it would increase the Horror of those darksome Caverns, and Extend the Conquests of the King of Terrors. But the Hopes of being enroled in the Catalogue of those whose Names are Perfumed, and their Memories Precious: This gives a Comfortable Prospect beyond Mortality, and refreshes our drooping Spirits with the Cheerful Assurance of an Everlasting Remembrance. And what greater Encouragement can we have to Virtue and Piety? Or what can be more necesiary to alleviate the Miseries of Mortality, and allay those shivering Fears that arise from the Sense of our own Frailty, or the Grief that attends the loss of our nearest Friends, and dearest Comforts of this Life? For alas! We need no other Argument of our own transitory Vanity than the Experience of all that have gone before us, in the Characters of whose Dust we may Read our own Epitaphs. We have frequent Instances of Humane Frailty, and oftentimes sad ones too; Witness that which now lies before us. One, who ought to be had in Remembrance, and will certainly be so among all that knew his Worth, who are no fewer at least then they that knew his Person. One, whose loss cannot easily be forgotten, being as generally lamented now he is dead, as he was universally beloved while he was alive. One, whose loss is as extensive as was his Influence, and may be Read in the sorrowful and dejected looks of all here present. And were but Tears sufficient to enshrine his Memory, your Orator could more easily bear a part, than in the just Tribute of his deserved Praise, which he can better conceive then express; but is too much affected with the inward Sense to be able to give a Description of it. He had long since learned, but never till now so intimately experienced, that Curae leves loquuntur, ingentes stupent. That little Passions easily find vent and disburden themselves, whilst great Occasions of Grief and Sorrow lie long smothered, and cannot without difficulty be expressed. And therefore I hope my Concern may Apologise for me in what I shall fall short, though I shall endeavour to enbalm his Memory after the Modern Invention, without Mangling, Cutting, or Wounding. Now that we may hear him tho dead, yet speaking to us, and his Example may be (however Silent) yet prevailing Oratory with us, I shall first enforce the Arguments which these Words contain to Virtue and Piety, that we may learn to imitate the Righteous in his Life, that so we may share with him in his Remembrance after Death. The Words I take to be plain and intelligible; and suppose that every one that is but meanly Conversant in Scripture knows, that Righteousness (especially in this Book of Psalms, and that of Proverbs) is taken sometimes in a general and complex Notion, as comprehensive of all Religion, sometimes in a particular and restrained Sense, for the Virtue of Charity and Liberality. I shall discourse of it chief in its general Acception. The Words may be understood two ways; either, First, As an Argument to persuade to Noble and Virtuous Undertake. Or Secondly, As a Description of that lasting Glory and Renown which Men purchase by their Righteousness and Virtue. Who would not tread the Paths of Righteousness, that considers that therein he is sure to meet with Honour and Glory? And he that keeps close to those Paths shall certainly be rewarded with Renown and Praise. So that consider them with Reference to ourselves, and they are a Spurr to Virtue: with Relation to others, and they are a Trumpet to their Fame. We'll first examine how cogent an Argument, and effectual inducement to Righteousness it is to be had in Remembrance: And next see how the Righteous Person has deserved it, and in what Sense he shall never be forgotten. I consider the Words as an Argument to persuade to Virtuous and Noble Undertake, in as much as by the Practice of Righteousness men certainly arrive at Esteem and Honour. There is something of Ambition twisted in our very Natures, which grows up with us, and diffuses itself through the whole course of our Actions. Ambition I call it, though perhaps it deserves a better Name, being not the Vice somuch as the bent of our Nature; our Natural Inclination rather than a flaw in our Constitution, and does not debase, but rather perfect our Nature. Now this as it is most apparent in great Spirits, so does it then produce effects Worthy of itself when it meets with a Gallant Temper and Generous disposition of Mind. Yea, it often lurks where it is openly disclaimed and disavowed: We have Stories enough to Witness how many Sparks of Ambition have oft lain smothered and raked up under Sackcloth and Ashes, and how much Pride is oft concealed under the veil of comely, but affected Humility. Yea the greatest decryers of Applause and Glory, have oft been its most eager Pursuers, and they that have writ Tracts against Vainglory have prefixed their Names to their Bacon's Sermon Fid. Montaign Essays. Works, lest the World should either not take notice of them or forget to praise them, more or less it levens most Men, who fain would be what they think they ought to be, and so imagine themselves greater than indeed they are. Men (Narcissus like) first, fall in love with themselves, and then the Pleasure they take in fancying their own Worth, inflames them with desire that others be acquainted with it. Thus a Secret Ambition Spirit's men's Designs, and to purchase a Name sets them on Work: To this the World owes its greatest Undertake, and its Worthies in all Ages have here cast the Anchor of their Hopes, though they have sallied out from distant Ports, and steered divers Courses, and their desires have all centred in this one point, to have their Names inserted into the Catalogue of the World's Worthies, and be enroled among the Sons of Fame. Thus many have attempted to climb up to the height of Honour, that they may be in view of all the World: Others have thirsted for Power and Sovereignty, that their Names may strike Terror into the Sons of Men: Some have Studied to eternize their Names by Wisdom: Others by Acts of Bounty and Beneficence: Yea some have embraced Death that their Fame might Survive their Lives: And too many inferior Souls make themselves Notorious by their Vices, and so their Names be recorded to Posterity, care not though they be the Brands of Shame and Infamy. But he has made the Happy Choice who is known to the World only by his Virtues, and is Famous for his good Deeds. For 'tis the great Prerogative of Virtue to be beholden to none but herself, and its Praises are as itself Immortal. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Virtue survives Mortality, and lives in the Names and Memories of its Deceased Patrons, and gives the truest Title to an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. And herein lies the Advantage that Righteousness gives above any other Pretenders to Fame and Glory, that its Lustre cannot be lessened by any Tract of time, but rather increases with continuance, and Shines more Bright and Glorious: Whereas other Monuments of Fame are worn out and eaten with the Rust of Time, or Withered with the Blasts of Envy, and after a few years Consume and Perish. So the Founders of Babel, who said, let us make us a Name, and thought to eternize themselves by building a Tower high as Gen. 11. 4. their own Ambition, had their Names buried in the Ruins of that Fruitless attempt; When as Pious Abel though Sacrificed on his own Altar to his Brother's Malice, yet has his early Piety transmitted to Posterity, and shall through all Ages be known by the Epithet of Righteous Abel. The Favours of Fortune, Riches, Power, or Honour, may secure a Man's Credit while he lives, but if he have no other Deserts, his Fame will expire with him: These might beget him Admirers who through Fear or Flattery would cry him up whilst alive, who when dead would be ready first to trample on him. For though Vice may at first Sight dazzle men's Eyes, and Glow-worm-like cast a glimmering in the Night, yet its Lustre vanishes when Men discern what it is, and time discovers the Imposture: Whereas Virtue if for some while it lie hid and obscured, yet at last usually it breaks out with the greater splendour, and makes Men condemn their own Blindness that did not sooner discover its Worth and Excellency, and such is its attractive Comeliness that it easily captivates the beholders, and Men cannot but admire and commend it in others, though they are sensible of the want of it in themselves. This made the Ancient Worthys of the World, who bettered the Age they lived in by their good Examples, be deified for it even by their Contemporaries, who though greater in Power and Place, yet wanted Virtue to make them much greater than indeed they were. Thus Nimrods' mighty Power though it made him great and terrible, yet could never procure him Adoration, whilst others far inferior in Dominion and Sovereignty, yet excelling him in Goodness, were honoured for their Virtue whilst alive, and worshipped for it after they were dead. And if it happen that Righteous Persons live without any notice taken of them, and die unregarded, yet the World has made them amends by setting an higher estimate upon their Worth, because they so long looked of it; and being they did not value them enough whilst living, they have oft deified them when dead. It was this gave Birth to most of the Heathen Gods, viz. The Esteem the World had for their Virtue and Goodness: For being they were the best of Men here, they thought it pity they should be any less than Gods hereafter. Thus Virtue never misses her reward, but finds it if not here, in a future State. And who would not run where the Prize is certain? Or who would refuse to Fight where the Victory assures a Crown? What more pleasing motive to Man's Ambitious temper, which makes him greedy of Applause and Renown, then to propose that to his Choice, in whose embraces he is sure to meet with his desired Content? What more forcible enducement to Religion and Piety, than to be assured that it will procure the most durable and untainted Reputation? Would the Men of Honour seriously weigh this, they would easily be convinced, that the Crown of Glory is not to be attained but in the way of Righteousness. Secondly, And so I pass on to consider the Words as a Description of that lasting Renown which Men purchase by their Righteousness and Virtue; to show how they shall be in Remembrance. The Psalmist tells us (Verse 9) His Righteousness remaineth for ever, his Horn shall be exalted with Honour. The latter refers to this Life, the former to his future Happiness: He shall be honoured by Men here, and rewarded by God hereafter. First, He shall be had in Honour here. The Son Ecclesiasticus 44. 8, 9 of Syrach tells us, there be that have left a Name behind them, that their Praises might be reported: And there be which have no Memorial who are perished as if they never had been, and are become as though they had never been born, and their Children after them. But these were Men whose Righteousness hath not been forgotten, and he adds, their Glory shall not be blotted out. Glory not Verse 13. only belongs to the Righteous, but is peculiarly entailed on their Posterity. The Reason of this is that Obligation of Gratitude which Nature herself lays upon Men: Praise and Esteem is justly due to merit, and therefore Nature which Commands us to be just, obliges us to pay the Tribute of Esteem and Praise Huic uni non posuimus legem, tanquam satu Natura cavisset. where it is due. And never was there any Law made, nor need we any to bind us to this, Supervacuum enim est in id quod imus impelli (as Seneca rightly observed) we need not the force of Humane Laws where Nature has pre-engaged us. And all Sen. de Ben. Lib. 4. C. 17. Men do it; even Sinners love those that love them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (so it was anciently Read) even the Gentiles Luke. 6. 32. Beza, and Luc. Brug. do so. And this being the bent of our Nature, makes the Impressions of Gratitude proportionable to the Benefits we have received: In which is founded both our Religion to God, our Honour to our Parents, and our Obedience to our Superiors. For since in God we live, and move, and have our Acts 17. 28. being, we should be highly ingrateful if we did not acknowledge that we own all that we have to him. But what shall we render to the Lord for all his Benefits? Our Goods extend not to him: The Divine Beatitude receives no Accession from any thing we can do, or bestow: Yet to adore him for his Bounty, and esteem his Kindness, and Worship him with Fear and Reverence, these are Duties which even Gratitude calls for to so great a Benefactor. And to our Natural Parents, what can we pay less for their tender Care of us in our helpless Infancy, than Respect and Honour, and a like careful Regard of them in their decrepit Age? And the same debt we own to our Princes and Governors, under whose happy Influence we enjoy the Blessings of Peace and Safety, which justly Merit the Returns of Obedience and Loyalty. Thus the Obligations of Gratitude are of large Extent: and thereon too is founded the Honourable Remembrance of Virtuous and Worthy Men, and a constant Tribute of Praise paid to their Memories by grateful Posterity. To this I add, that in this respect chief may that promise seem to be made good, wherein Godliness hath the Promise of this Life, Namely of that which is 1 Tim. 4. 8. most valuable in this World: And what that is, let the Wise Man tell you, A good Name is rather to be chosen than great Riches (Proverbs 22. 1.) and (Ecclesiastes 7. 1.) A good Name is better than precious Ointment. For the great Happiness of this World consisting chief in Idea, and being more imaginary than Real, he that hath a good Name because he deserves it, has all the Satisfaction that he can receive in himself, and that others can bestow: And a Man cannot be more Happy than in a well acquired Reputation, and an Esteem justly purchased by his Worth and Merit. And though Virtue be many times the only Reward to itself, yet God is oftentimes pleased to Crown Righteousness with Glory here, for an Encouragement to others, and the Praise of them that do well. But these are only Generals. I mention two or three Particulars wherein will be more evident, that there is no such real Honour, or desirable Glory, as accrues even here to Men from their Righteousness and good Deeds. And that. 1. In the design of God. 2. In the Opinion of Men. 1. In the Design of God, who hath contrived every thing for the Advantage and Encouragement of Virtue and real Goodness. God hath said, them 1 Sam. 2. 30. that Honour me, I will Honour. Now Righteousness in his Image, and bears a great Likeness and Resemblance to him; and as he delights to see it in the Sons of Men, so he is pleased to Esteem himself honoured thereby: Which made the Wise Man (when advising to the Practice of it) say, hereby thou shalt find Favour and good Understanding in the Sight of God and Man. And it is the Voice of Righteousness, Who so findeth me shall obtain Favour of the Lord. Pro. 8. 35. Yea it is God's promise to the Righteous, I will deliver him, and bring him to Honour. And David thus Is. 91. 15. triumphed in his Abundant Sense of the Divine Favour Ps. 92. 10. Mine Horn shall be exalted like the Horn of an Unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh Oil, intimating the Honour and Dignity that he would confer on him. Hence such Men are mentioned in God's Word with Appellations of Honour: Abraham his Friend, Moses his Servant, David a man after his own Heart, Nathanael an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no Guile. And their Virtues are recorded as the lasting Trophies of their Glory and Renown: The Faith of the Patriarches, the Meekness of Moses, the Patience of Job, the Uprightness of Josiah, the Constancy of Daniel, to the Honour of their Memories and the Praise of their Righteousness, which the Son of Syrach thus Ecclesiasticus 44. 7. Sums up, All these were honoured in their Generations, and were the Glory of their Times: They have left a Name behind them that their Praises might be reported. The Holy Spirit of God which inspired the Authors of Sacred Writ, hath affixed Characters of Renown, and Remarks of Praise, to the Names of Religious and good Men: And Honourable are the Titles of the Righteous, equal even to Kings and Princes: For when in one Evangelist it is said, King's desired to see Christ's day, it is said in another, Righteous Men desired to see it: For they are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Sons of God, the Children of the most high, and God himself disdains not to be called their Father. And Christ the Son of God is become their Elder Brother, since he came into the World for the sake of Righteousness, and hath exalted Humane Nature to the highest pitch of Dignity, by uniting it to his own Divinity. And the Holy Ghost contributes no less to the Honour of the Righteous whom he condescends to inhabit as his Temple: And greater Honour cannot be done to Mortal Nature than to lodge so Noble a Guest, to entertain God himself, and converse with Divinity. And if Righteousness be so honoured by the Sacred Trinity, we may conclude its Esteem is great amongst their Glorious Attendants, the winged Train of Angels and Arch-Angels: And so Scripture tells us of them, they rejoice to Minister for the good of such Men while they live, they receive the Souls of such as die in the Lord with Joy and Triumph, and transport them into the Regions of Rest and Bliss. Secondly, Righteousness is Honourable in the Opinions of Men. I mean of all Sober and Rational Men, and the estimate of all others I reckon of small value. I know the Devil has long sought to obtrude upon the World what he taught Macchiavel to insinuate that Religion and Righteousness are low and mean Principles, unfit for Governors, and great Men; and has hoped to laugh them out of Countenance, and render them ridiculous by his Agents, Profane and Atheistical Men. But Wisdom is justified of her Children, and in spite of Hell and Sinners, Virtue has yet the Vogue of the World, and Vice (though too oft in Fashion) could never yet obtain an Universal Reputation and Esteem. No, 'tis Vice alone that is sordid and contemptible. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Plat. All Wickedness is dishonourable, and Sin the Disgrace both of our Natures and Persons. It brings disgrace to Families, and wounds the Reputation of the Great Ones: It stains the Blood, and leaves a mark of Infamy on the Pedigree: It Exposes Men to Scorn and Contempt, and makes their Names odious to Posterity. Whereas Righteousness ennobles Men, and adds Degrees of Worth to Persons of Honour, and Advances the Reputation of the great Ones of the World. Chief in three things, First, It makes their Persons valuable. For 'tis Goodness only in Conjunction with Greatness that makes Men truly Honourable, and Power and Grandeur without Piety is but what the Apostle says of other Graces without Charity, as sounding Brass, and a tinkling Cymbal. The great Titles of the World are but empty Names without the Addition of Virtue, and they only have been truly great who have been exemplary therein. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. It is Virtue alone that is deservedly Honourable, and hath always crowned its Followers with Esteem and Renown. Heathen Rome was not more Famous for the extent of its Dominions than for the Virtues of its Inhabitants: Which made Saint Augustin say of them, that though God would not give them Heaven because they were Heathens, yet he gave them the Empire of the World, because they were Virtuous. So true is that of the Wise Man (advising to the Heavenly Wisdom of being Religious.) Exalt her Pre. 4. 8, 9 and she shall promote thee: She shall bring thee to Honour when thou dost embrace her: She shall give to thine Head an Ornament of Grace, a Crown of Glory shall she deliver to thee. Secondly, It makes their Memories precious. 'Tis their Names that are delivered down to Posterity with Characters of Renown, who have been Good as well as Great, and they shall be had in Honour when the Sons of Fame shall sleep in the Dust of Oblivion, and their Names rot with their Monuments. 'Tis true the Memory of the wicked is sometimes also transmitted to after Ages, as it is said of Erostratus, that he fired the Temple of Diana only to get him a Name, though it were never mentioned without that brand of Infamy. But we may say of all such what our Saviour does of the giver of Offences, It were better for that Man if he had never been born: It were better to have our Names buried in Eternal Silence, than to have them (like Jeroboams) made the Note of Infamy, and the Monuments of our Shame. But a good Name is a sweet Perfume, and Righteousness makes Men Immortal, and Virtue outlasts the Succession of Ages. Let Solomon's words conclude this, The Memory of the Just is Blessed, but the Name of the Pro. 10. 7. Wicked shall Rot: And again, as the Whirlwind passeth, Verse 25. so is the Wicked no more, but the Righteous is an Everlasting Foundation. Thirdly, It makes their loss great and Unvaluable. Alas! the World is not sensible what Advantages good Men bring and secure to it: though it be spared for the few Righteous Sake that are therein, though its Blessings be derived chief from them, yet generally it is not known, or not regarded. But when we are deprived of them, than we become sensible of their loss as we do of other good Things, carendo magis quàm fruendo, more by the want than the Edjoyment of them, and then begin to grow sensible how much we suffer by their absence, when we have no Hopes ever to behold them present again. We daily part with our Friends and Acquaintance, and however their Relations may be afflicted, the World in general seems little concerned, nor loses much by it; but when the Righteous Perisheth, whose Example was so prevalent, whose Excellence was so admirable, whose Influence was so Beneficial, it spreads a Darkness over all the Neighbourhood, and Clouds all Faces with the Blackness of Sorrow and Sadness. When they are taken away who have left but few like behind them, than Men too late begin to be affected with their Worth, and recount their Praises, and pay their first Veneration in Mournful Obsequies, and attend them to their long home with such a passionate Procession, as we read of David and his Men to Mount Olivet, (2 Sam. 15. 30.) and David went up by the ascent of Mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and all the People that was with him went up, weeping as they went up. A Solemn Lamentation, and day of bitter Sorrow and Mourning that was: And would to God we had not this days sad Occasion to parallel that Prospect of Sorrow and Sadness; to see all the People Weeping, in a Sense of their loss, for the value of his Person, to the Honour of his Memory, for all these Conspire this day to swell the Channel of our Grief, and no wonder then to see it so freely burst out. Which leads me to another Subject, of which much more may be said than I have hitherto discoursed of this, could my time allow it, or your patience bear it. One, who ought to be had in Remembrance, and I hope it will be as everlasting as this Place and its Inhabitants; I wish I knew how to contribute to its Duration by such a Character of his Worth as you expect, and I am sure he well deserved. I have this to Encourage me, that I can scarce mention any thing to his Praise, of which I have not as many Witnesses, as Auditors: but withal this discouragement, that I must conclude his Character as the Queen of Sheba did of Solomon's Glory, half hath not been spoken. 'Tis sometimes the Orator's infelicity that his Subject is too Copious; and now if ever inopem me Copia fecit, where so much is to be said, it is not easy to know where to begin, yet more difficult to know where to make an end. I will not therefore detain you with every thing that may be said, and most of you know; nor trace his Character through all the Relations he stood in; as in his Domestic Capacity and Government, wherein was remarkable, the Chasteness of his Conjugal love (which was mutually answered, and resembled the Shine of two Tapers, lighted but with one Flame) the goodness of a Father's Care, and the Sweetness of a Master's Rule. But I am loath to touch on this, being too tender a Theme both for you to hear, and me to enlarge upon, and would serve only to swell that Channel of grief which the design of this discourse is to assuage. I will but mention his Hospitality and good House-keeping: Plenty and welcome were never wanting at his Table; and he was not like the Churl that loved to eat his Morsel alone: no man entertained both acquaintance and Strangers with greater Freedom and Affability. I am loath to omit his kind and obliging Temper, which made him always Grateful and Acceptable, and that Generous Kindness and Cheerfulness of Spirit which was always discernible in him toward his Tenants, Dependants, and Followers. And what was Kindness towards all, was Charity to every one that stood in need of it, and he had not only a cheerful Heart but a liberal Hand, which I never knew contracted or shut up, when any just Occasion called him to stretch it out; but I have oft been a Witness of his forward Bounty, that he might provoke others by the Example of his own cheerful Liberality: Nor did he disperse only what was superfluous to himself, but what was needful to others, he gave not only the Crumbs that fell under his Table, but cast his bread upon the Waters, the needy and necessitous, that (like that thin Element) creep on, cold, murmuring, and tremulous. His personal Qualifications I cannot at large decipher; nor shall instance in any negative Virtues; that he was not Obnoxious to those Vices which are incident to persons of Place and plentiful Fortune: Not to Pride and Censoriousness: Not to Violence and Oppression: 1 Sam. 12. 3. No, he might safely expostulate in samuel's words, whose Ox, or whose Ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? Or whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received a Bribe to Blind mine eyes therewith? It is easy to acquit him from fraud, or Malice, from Injury and Injustice from ignoble and dishonest Designs, from Reach and Circumvention. But, privati & plebeii hominis est ut vitio careat. It may be the Character of a mean and ordinary Person to be free from Vice, but for those that exceed others in place and quality, it is a shame not to outstrip them too in what is Excellent and Commendable. I will therefore insist on two things for which he is to be honoured, and I hope will be so in a long and precious remembrance among all good men, His Religion to God, and his unshaken Loyalty to his Prince: Which were equal and uniform through his wholelife. 1. His Religion was true Protestant: Not that of late falsely so called, but that which is by Law established, the Religion of the Church of England. In which he was happily educated and instructed in his greener years by the care and direction of the right Honourable James Earl of Derby; to whom he was entrusted by his faithful Guardian John Fleetwood of Penwortham, Esq; to whose Religious designs, and the joint endeavours of his Virtuous Consort, he owed the early Impressions of Piety, and in that Family first commenced Protestant, and was thence sent into the Isle of Man, where the Principles he had already imbibed, were soon cultivated and improved under the Umbrage of that Religious, Loyal and Great Man: as indeed his Example could not but have a prevailing Influence, who was so great a Patriot both of Religion and Loyalty, that he died for both. He being hereby seasonably retrieved from the Errors of Popery (in which the rest of his Relations were trained up) revived the Religion of his Ancestors, and restored new lustre to his Family by the choice of a better Profession. An happiness which he thankfully acknowledged, and frequently blessed God for, and always owned a grateful Veneration for it, to the Memory of that Excellent Person, and a true value for his Honourable Family. Nor did he only take up his Religion upon trust, but understood the Constitution of it, and acquainted himself with its Principles, and studied to defend it, and was zealous to maintain it, and true to it. So false was that slander (which had no other ground but Spite and Ignorance) that he was a Church-Papist, a Calumny as Black as their Malice that forged it, and believed only by them who knew him not. But so blind is some men's mistaken Zeal, as to brand every thing to be of the Romish fashion, that is not shaped after the Geneva-Cut: and so spiteful is some men's Envy, that they leave no Engine unplayed to batter a man's reputation: and they well knew that nothing would sooner blast his Credit amongst Vulgar and unthinking men. But (God be thanked) the Calumny long since blown off, and the aspersion so clean wiped out, that there remains nothing of it, unless shame in them that were ever so much imposed on as to believe or report it. Would to God we had as much evidence of the sincerity of all men's Profession, as we had of his; manifest in all those respects by which a man can approve himself a faithful Member, and dutiful Son of the Church of England: viz. his Constant resort to God's House and Ordinances; his affection to the Prayers of the Church, and devour joining in them and Solemn of use them bothin the Church, and his own Family: his frequenting the Holy Sacrament, not only in public, but also his desires of it in private when debarred the Privilege of going up to the House of the Lord: and now more especially at his latter end, when in view and prospect of death, he resolved to meet it with the refreshing Comfort of the Bread of Life. An undeniable Argument, not only of the Sincerity of his Profession, but of the Power and Influence of his Religion, which was not only even and uniform through his Life, but enabled him to conclude it with a pious deportment at his death. Of which I have the following account from a reverend Person that ministered to his dying comfort. On Easter-day in the Morning he earnestly desired to receive the blessed Sacrament, and whilst the Elements were preparing I suggested several things proper to his Condition, and asked him several Questions as to the state of his Soul, of which he gave me a very satisfactory account, that he had been sensible of his declining Condition a great while, and hoped that he had made his peace with God: that he was hearty sorry, and truly penitent for all his Sins, and put his whole trust in God's mercy: that he freely and hearty forgave all men, and as hearty desired forgiveness at their hands: and desiring absolution received it with great humility and comfort, During the Prayers and Celebration of the Sacrament, I observed him to express great Zeal and Devotion, by his steadfast looks, and fixing his eyes upon me, especially at the time of receiving; and also by repeating the Prayers after me, which last he failed not to do even within an hour before he died: for he continued Sensible to the very last, and God was pleased to take him to himself in a calm and gentle way without any Convulsions of Pain or Impatience. At my last waiting on him it was desired he might be recommended to the Prayers of the Church, which were then beginning at the Choir, and it was observable that he died immediately after those Prayers were offered up to God for him. A Comfortable end when the Soul expires in pious raptures, and ardent ejaculations, and ascends up in the incense of devout Prayers to the place of rest and repose. 2dly. But I must not forget his Loyalty, which next to his Religion was most dear to him, and most conspicuous in him. And indeed where should we hope to find true and steady Loyalty, but in a genuine Son of the Church of England? In him both commenced together, and he gave early proofs of his Loyalty in an Age wherein it was judged a Crime: when Rebellion looked gay with success, and Sacrilege had Providence to gild it over, yet even then he Judged not the Cause by its Success, but the righteousness of it, and durst be honest in spite of bad times. And since God in his mercy turned the Captivity of our Zion, how firm and unshaken his Fidelity and Allegiance have been, how loyal his endeavours in all the relations of his public qualifications, or private Capacity, is too well known to need either a Description or Enlargement. The King (who is a great Judge of Men, and was well acquainted with his Worth) entrusted him with those Offices which witnessed the Esteem he had both of his Faithfulness and Ability, and received so good an Account of the Discharge of his Trust in each respect, and such undeniable Assurances of his Affection both to His Person and Government, that he not only Honoured him with a peculiar respect, but was pleased to bestow those Marks of His Royal Favour on himself and Family, which testified the just Sense he had of his Deserts and Honesty. His Country judged him a true Patriot no less than a good Subject, and therefore made choice of him for their Representative in Parliament, in which Station he served many Years with great Diligence and Faithfulness; and in the Recesses of that Public Employ, was not less serviceable to his Country at Home, then Faithful to their Interest Abroad: For he was a Constant Attender on all Public Business, and evermore Active and Industrious in the Service of His King and Country, which he always preferred before any Diversions of his own, or (what was most grateful to him,) the Cheerful Entertainment of his Friend. Not like some who live only to themselves, but grudge the Public any benefit of the Talents which God has put into their Hands; who contrive how to spend their Time, Health, and Wealth wholly to their own Ease and Satisfaction; who as if they were born to great Estates merely to gratify themselves, not to do good withal, shuffle off all Offices of Trust and Service whereby Men of Estates and Interest may promote the good of the Place they live in. But he was ready to spend and be spent for the Common good, which he both rightly understood and truly valued, making all his Designs subservient to the great end of Government, the peace and welfare both of Church and State, and directing all his Actions thereunto by the constant Measures of Loyalty and Allegiance. For he was none of those who of late seemed to have unlearnt their Allegiance, and repent of their former Loyalty: Nor of them who when we were ready to be overwhelmed with the Torrent of Popular Madness, were willing to swim with the Stream: Nor of those who would Trim the Boat, and so they could seem to keep it even, care not much which way they Sail. But he was still the same Man, and the same good Subject: One who made nothing worse; but endeavoured to make every thing better: To say all in a word, One Immovably Honest, unalterably Loyal: For which he shall live in the Memories of all that knew him, and long be had in Honour and Remembrance. Secondly, There is yet another part of the Remembrance behind, which is most properly Everlasting, viz. before God hereafter. His Righteousness remaineth for ever (Verse 9) It shall come in Remembrance before God, when the Righteous shall receive a Reward, not of Merit indeed, but of Favour; who though they cannot claim it of right, yet in Gods Esteem do best deserve it; though they cannot challenge it as a Crown due from his Justice, yet they shall receive it from his Mercy. And could we but raise our Souls in Contemplation high as their Happiness, it would be a powerful Encouragement to an Imitation of their Virtue: For than we should be in some Measure able to imagine how mean and despicable this World's Felicity must needs appear to Glorified Spirits, to whose complete Happiness all the Content and Satisfaction we meet with here bears no more Proportion, than this spot of Earth we tread on to the unbounded vastness of the wide-stretched Heavens. For when they are once exalted into those Blissful Regions, they shall outshine others in Glory, as far as they outstripped them in Goodness here, and receive a recompense of reward proportionable to their Righteousness and good Deeds; and when the Son of God has received them into those mansions of Bliss which he has prepared for Holy Souls in the Kingdom of his Father, then shall their Righteousness break forth as the Morning Sun, and exceed the Stars in Lustre and Beauty. The Heathens imagined that their deceased Hero's were transformed into Stars, and having enlightened the lower World with their Beneficence and good Examples, did after Death ascend to Gilled the Heavens with new Light and Brightness: and were it true, yet it falls far short of that splendour that shall encircle the Inhabitants of the new Jerusalem, for the Mat. 13. 43. Righteous shall Shine forth as the Sun, in the Kingdom of their Father. Yea as Stars disappear at the approach of the Sun, so shall the Sun itself vanish at the appearance of that resplendent Glory, when the Sun of Righteousness shall shine in his Meridian Lustre, and fill his Kingdom with the Brightness of his presence, then shall holy Souls rejoice in his light, with fullness of joy, and transports of pleasure, and glory to behold their Saviour interceding for the Righteous, and welcoming such as come under that winning Character into Eternal Embraces, where they shall be blesied to endless ages, and happy in an Everlasting Remembrance. AN ELEGY UPON Sir ROGER BRADSHAIGH, KNIGHT and BARONET. April the 4th 1684. I. WHat mean these Echoed Groans, and Panic Fears, And Showers of Tears? Why does a gloomy Fog, choke and destroy Our Easter Joy? Why one day Public Mirth, and on the Morrow As Public Sorrow? What's the Surprise, whence is this Mourning Bred? Alas! the Great, the Good Sir Roger's Dead. II. In Loyal veins if Loyal blood e'er ran, This was the man. Did Love, and Peace 'mongst Mortals ever rest? Here was the Breast. Did Justice ever dwell with Humane State? Here was its Soul, here was its Seat. If Heart, and Tongue true unisons e'er were: Then it was here. And hath the Virgin-Church a truebred Son? Then this was one. Does Charity once in an Age appear? She took her Lodgings here. And yet this Loyal, Loving, Peaceful, just, Sincere, Kind, Genuine Son must yield to dust. III. Tell not this News in Caesar's Court, lest he Should Mourn as much as We. Be silent Fame! lest he for one long day Should not the Sceptre sway. Should Phoebus one days space deny to throw His Beams, the World would i'll, and Stupid grow. And should Great Charles but half that time dispense, No Act of Justice, no kind Influence: This blessed Eden, and this fruitful Isle, Would thence become a Frozen, barren Soyl. Peace then! let not the Meanest, Smallest Part, Of this our Sorrow seize Kind Charles' heart. iv Tell not the Loyal Party this, lest they, (Losing so Strong A Fort) should Fear betray. Conceal this Mournful Sense from Just men's sight, Lest feebled Justice take a Second flight. Let Peaceful Souls be Strangers to this Fate; Lest it Alarm, and ruffle their calm State. O tell it not to Zions Sons! lest thy, Amazed, forbear to thank, forget to Pray. Where Charity now moves in a large Sphere, Lest it closeup her hands; tell it not there. This News despoils of Joy, this robs of Rest, The Loyal, Loving, just and Hospitable Breast. V But 'tis too late; Fame cannot be withstood, (Fame swift to broach bad News, slow to bring good) Then let this Public mouth loudly Proclaim The Old-man's Glories, and the Youngman's Name. Tell it abroad! that though a Glorious Star, Is set, yet still another does appear. Tho the Old Phoenix from our Coast is flown, Yet here's another Strong and sprightly grown. One, that inherits with Impartial Hand His Father's Virtues, with his Fathers Land. May he do equal Good in equal Space, As Worthy Heir of such a Worthy Race. And when Life's stock shall all exhausted be, Then may he scale the Walls of blessed Eternity. EPITAPHIUM. Hic jacet in Tumulo, Pacis, Patriaeque satelles; Qui coluit Caroli faedera, jura Dei. Cujus dicta simul Clarissima facta ferebant, Vultu Laetus erat, Liber & ille Manu. Hunc dilexerunt omnes, hunc Caesar amavit: Hunc exornavit Gloria, Forma, Lepos. Vivat, & immensum vigeat productus in Aevum; Morbis, Morte vacet: Sic petiere pii. Fata tamen vincunt; illorum Nemo Catenam Solvere, Conatus frangere Nemo potest. Fallor, non jacet hic: Animus transivit ad Astra Lucida, & hic tantùm Pulvis & Umbra jacet. S. Shaw A. M. FINIS.