ALL a a Christianor 〈…〉 corpora Christi membra , Dei templa . Tertul. de resurr. carn. Christian mens bodies are b b 1 Cor. 6. 15. Members of Christs Body , c c 1 Cor. 6. 19. and Temples of Gods Spirit ; and are therefore in decent and comely manner to be laid vp in their d d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Dormitoria . Vide Durant . de ritib. lib. 1. cap. 23. sleeping chambers or their e e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cubilia . Esai . 57. 2. resting places , as the Prophet Esay termeth them . A decent and comely Sepulture then is due to all Christian corps . But more then so , with some solemnitie may this office well bee performed to those , in whom the Holy Ghost manifested a more speciall residence by f f 1 Cor. 12. 4 , 6 , 11. a more plentifull measure of spirituall endowments , and more powerfull operations flowing from the same , while they liued ; and whom , hauing obtained g g 2 Cor. 12 , 27. 30. a more eminent place in Christs body , God hath made instruments of more than ordinary good to his portion and people here . h h 1 Sam. 25. 1. Samuel dyed ( saith the Storie ) i i 〈◊〉 Sam. 3. 20. a Prophet of God , k k 1 Sam. 7. 15 , 16. and Ruler of Gods people , and all Israel assembled to his buriall , and mourned for him .

This being apparant , good ground there is for this solemne Assemblie , which the decease of our right worthy , and deseruedly beloued , and much respected Christian Brother , M. RICHARD STOCK , a graue and reuerend Father in this our Church , a faithfull Minister and seruant of Iesus Christ , and the vigilant Pastor of a neighbouring Congregation , for the performance of this last Christian office to the l l 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Resiquiae . Hinc I●l . Scaligeri epit●ph . Scaligeri quod reliquum esi . remainders of him with vs , hath occasioned at this present .

Concerning whom & his deportments , howsoeuer very much might iustly be spoken , and be spoken iustly by my selfe , not from others reports , but of mine own knowledge , hauing bin m m Test●s oculatus : qu〈…〉 auritis d 〈…〉 m praefer Plaut. Trucul . 2. 6. quos sccundae notae testes appellat . Sen. quaest. n●t . l. 4. c. 3. Nam & serur 〈…〉 & sia●er●us visa solent , quam audita narrari , & in tertium nas transf●sa facilius coaces●unt . Goff●id . vit Be●n . l. 1. prae●●t . contra quam Apuleius : cui Florid . 1. Pluris est . au 〈…〉 us t●s●is uni● , quam ocula● de●e . an eye witnesse of them , as hauing beene familiarly and inwardly acquainted with him ever since the fourth yeere of his abode in the Schooles of the Prophets , and shortly after the time of my first accesse thither ; ( for there was no more distance betweene our two standings ) yet neither will the streights of time permit it , nor will it be very needfull so to doe ; his life , and courses , and constant labour in the worke of the Word , being so well knowne , not in this , or the neighbour places onely , but thorow-out the whole City , wherein he constantly continued the worke of his Ministery by the space of well neere thirty yeeres . I will endeuour therefore to contract ( what I well may ) that which I shall speake of him , and hasten to those things that more neerely concerne our selues .

And to beginne with the times of my first notice of him . As in his first beginnings he was of eminent note in the Colledge he liued in , both for his vnweariable industry , and his singular proficiency in those studies of humanitie , that are as n n Theologiae anc●llari . handmaids to Diuinity , and helpe to lay a good ground for any future profession ; So his care was so o o Pietatem huma●ita●i intercalarem facere . to entertwine pletie and humanitie the one with the other , that p p Tanquam subtemen & stamen . as web and woofe they ranne on euer along together through the whole course of his studies . Nor was he carefull onely of this practise himselfe , but ( according to that of the Apostle , q q Hebr. 10. 24. Obserue one another , r r 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Quod ex Prou. 27. 17. tractum vid●tur . to whe● on to godlinesse and well-doing ; ) hee was no lesse forward to incite others thereunto ; and not to incite them onely thereunto , but to assist them therein , and to afford what helps he could ( which well also he could doe ) unto any that were either desirous , yea , or willing , but to imbrace them . In which kinde I cannot without iust note of ingratitude but acknowledge my selfe much indebted vnto him ; and haue cause ( with many others , beside my selfe , much my betters ) to blesse God that euer we came acquainted there with him . In a word , while he staied in the Colledge ( which his desire was to haue done longer then he did , if opportunity had serued ) s s 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Greg. Naz. in B●sil . he gaue before hand , ere he came to it , euident signes of one likely to proue t t 〈…〉 . a skilfull Master-builder in Gods worke , and u u ●uk 〈◊〉 16 a winner of many soules to God .

Nor was he one of those a a 〈…〉 . rathe-ripe wits , that promise faire in the blossome , but faile in the fruit ; that like Comets , blaze brighter than the fixed starres for a time , but after a while vanish and come to nought , the matter of them being wholly either spent or disperst . But his proceedings in publike were correspondent to his beginnings in priuate . When it pleased God b b 〈…〉 . to call him out and set him apart to that imploiment that he had ordained him to before , he proued a painfull , a faithfull Minister of Christ , a skilfull , a powerfull dispenser of Gods Word . If any demand proofe hereof : not to insist vpon his constant and incessant imploiments , with generall approbation and applause both of religious and iudicious , continued for so many yeeres ( as was before said ) together , not a Sabbath intermitted , wherein ( if health serued ) he preached not twise , either in his owne charge ( where he was frequentest ) or elsewhere abroad ; besides his catechisings of the younger sort at certaine times in the weeke dayes , and other such offices as to the pastor all function are necessarily annexed , and are priuately to bee performed ; wherein also he was no lesse diligent than in the execution of his publike Ministery . Not to insist ( I say ) upon this ; ( which yet were sufficient proofe of it : ) As the Apostle saith to the Corinthians , c c 〈◊〉 Cor. 〈◊〉 . 1 , 2. You are d d 〈…〉 . the seale of my Apostleship , and e e 〈◊〉 Co● . 9. 〈◊〉 , my f f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 letters testimoniall . So may I well say of this our reuerend Brother : So many Christian soules professing themselues to haue had their first effectuall calling and conuersion from him , ( in which kinde , I suppose , not many in this City may compare with him ) besides the multitudes of those that acknowledge themselues to haue been edified , built up , and bettred by him , are the seale of his calling , and of g g 2 Cor. 13. 3. Christ speaking in him , and not verball or vocall , but reall letters testimoniall of the efficacy of his ministery , through h h 1 Cor. 3. 6 , 7. Gods blessing thereupon .

An i i Iacob . de Vorag . in A●dr . s●rm 4. obscure Author saith , that the Apostles were like Fishermen , the succeeding Ministers like Huntsmen : k k Pis●atores praedicatores primitiu● , Matth. 4. 19. qu● vno 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 multitud 〈…〉 capiunt , ●uc . 5. 6. Ioan. 21. 6. Act. 2. 41. & 4. 4. the Apostles like fishermen that catch many at one draught ; l l Praedicatores moderni vt venatores , Ier 9. 16. qui cu● clamo●ibus & laboribus multis vix vnam feram capi 〈…〉 the succeeding . Ministers like Huntsmen , that with much toile and clamour , running up and downe all day , scarce take one Deere or Hare ere night . And such indeed is the hard condition of many of Gods seruants , that notwithstanding their faithfull and painfull discharge of their duty , they are enforced to complaine with the Prophet , m m Es●● . 53. 1. who beleeueth our report ? and , n n Es●i . 49 4 I haue laboured in vaine ; scarce able to produce or instance in any one , of whom they can with some good ground of assurance presume , that they haue gained him at least to God . But well might this our Brother , through Gods blessing vpon his labours , stand out and say , not of one or two , but of troupes , in the words of the same Prophet , o o Esai . 8. 18. Behold I and the Children , that God hath giuen me ; and with the Apostle , p p 〈◊〉 Cor. 4. 15. These haue I begotten to God by the Gospell of Christ Iesus .

Yea more than that ; well assured I am , that diuers now famous lights in Gods Church , and faithfull Ministers of his Word , doe professe to haue lighted their candles at his lampe , yea some of them to haue receiued their first beginnings not of light only , but of spirituall life and grace , ( without which all light be it neuer so great , is no light , but meere darknes ) from his Ministery . It is no small honour for a man to winne , and it were but , any one soule : ( q q Iam. 〈◊〉 ●0 . He hath saued a soule , saith St. Iames ; as a matter worthy the glorying in . ) For r r Matth. 16. 26. to win a soule is to win more than the whole world againe is worth . But what an honour is it then to be , not the winner of a soule , but the winner of such as proue winners of soules , and so s s 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plut. de 〈◊〉 . 〈…〉 ct. cum princip. by winning of some one immediatly , to be a mediate meanes of winning many others by him ? t t Dan 12. 3. They shall shine ( saith he ) as the Heauens , u u 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Iun. that instruct ; and they x x 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 iustifi 〈…〉 . Ian. ad 〈◊〉 conuertentes . Geneu . & Reg. Bibl. Angl. that conuert others , as the stars . And how gloriously then ( suppose we ) doth this our y y 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . blessed Brother z z Matth. 13. 43. shine now in the Kingdome of God , that was an instructer of those that were instructers of others ; that was a conuerter of those that were conuerters of others themselues ?

Many then ( as a a 〈◊〉 . 1. 16. the Holy Ghost saith of Iohn the Baptist ) did this our Brother winne to the Lord . Many ( I say ) he wonne ; though all he could not : that was more then b b 〈◊〉 18. 6. 〈◊〉 . 19. the Apostle himselfe was able to doe . But many yet he wonne , and his desire 〈◊〉 Thess. 3. 2. and endeuour ( with c c Rom 10. 1. 1 Cor. 9. 19. 22. & 10. 33. the same Apostle ) was to win all ; his own especially , of whom he vsed to protest , that it was more comfort to him to winne one of them , than to winne twenty other . But some refractary spirits ( as d d Psal. 58. 3 , 4 , 5. 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . Ier. 6. 16 , 17 , ●8 . ●9 . 30. who almost doth not ? ) he met withall , that would not be reclaimed ; that by their crosse carriage were as e e Quod de Cananaeis , Iosh. 23 13. thornes in his eyes , and as goad●s in his sides , and f f Quod de Sodomitis , 2 Pet. 2. 7 , 8. De Hebraeis , Psal 106. 33. a vexation of heart to this faithfull seruant of Christ : Whom , if any of them bee yet liuing , the Lord vouchsafe mercy , and better mindes to , and g g Act. 7. 60. 2 Tim. 4. 16. lay not this sinne of theirs to their charge . And if there be any of those that liued any long time under so painfull and powerfull a Ministery as his was , that remaine still vnconuerted , vnreclaimed , vnreformed , let them feare and beware of that dreadfull censure of the Apostle , h h 2 Cor. 4. 4. If our Gospell be yet hid , &c. And let such know , that not i i Mat. 10. 14 Luk. 9. 5. & 10. 11. Act. 13. 51. the dust of his feet , but the sweat of his browes , and the teares of his eyes , and his k k Esai . 49. 4. strength wasted with them , and his spirits spent vpon them , shall one day rise vp in iudgement against ●hem to make their doome l l Matth. 10 15. the heauier , if by timely repentance it be not preuented .

But because a man may winne others , and yet lose himselfe ; m m Non salutis esse dispensatorem , hoc est salutis etiam esse participem , Aug. epist. 140. he may saue others , and yet not saue himselfe : ( n n Animam faciunt , etiam qui non habant . Contra quem Sen. Non faciunt animum , quia nec habent . they may beget life in others , that haue none in themselues . ) The Word may worke by a man , and yet not worke on him : He may be o o Per lapideum canalem transit aqua ad arcolas , in canali lapideo nihil generans , sed tamen hortis plurimii fructum affert . Aug. in Ioan. ●r. 5. like a treene or a stonegutter ( saith Augustine ) that conueigheth water into a garden , but receiueth no benefit thereby it selfe ; or like p p Hermae , siue Statuae Mercuriales . Ier. 31. 21. the hand on the high way that pointeth others the way , which yet it neuer walketh it selfe ; or † † 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Diogenis dictum . Stob. c. 23. Quod & de Peripateticis Cleanthes ●sur●auit . Laert. like an Harpe ( saith the Heathen man ) that maketh others melody , or * * Antisthenem Diogenes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dixit , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Din Prus. orat . 8. a Trumpet , that soundeth loud , but heareth nothing it selfe ; or “ “ Aqua baptismatis baptizatos ad regnum caeleste mitt●t , & ipsapostea in cleacam descendit . Gregor. in Euang hom. 17. like to the baptisme water ( saith Gregory ) that helpes men to Heauen ward , and goeth after downe to the sincke it selfe : He may q preach to others , and not preach to himselfe ; he may conuert others , and yet r r 〈…〉 prooue a s s 〈…〉 castaway himselfe . ( And yet it is t t 〈…〉 seldome seene , that much good is done , where a due u u 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Method . apud Epishan . haeres. 64. concent is not betweene tongue and hand , betweene lip and life . ) This our Brother therefore was none of those x x Qui dicunt & non faciunt . M●tih . 23. 3. that say and doe not : but y y 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Basil. in Psalm . 63. Quod iussit & gassit . Bern. epist. 42. & in Cant. 20. Non verbis solum praeduans , sed exemplis . Idem de temp. 51. 〈◊〉 de Origen● Euseb. hist. lib. 6. cap. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as he taught , he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Isider . Pelus . lib. 2. 〈…〉 st. 251. & 〈…〉 st. 271. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Itaque Menander . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Suadet loquentis vita , non oratio . Plutare . de leg . poet . & praecept . pol t. Et Gregor. Nazian. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Qui docent tantum 〈◊〉 faciunt , ipsi praeceptis suis detrahunt pondus . Bonum quidem est recta & honesta praecip●re : sed nisi & facias , mendacium est . Lactant. instit. lib. 3. cap. 16. Nisi & 〈◊〉 que praecipit , soluta praecepta sunt . Qui praecipiunt , nec saciunt , abest ab cis sides . Praeceptus 〈◊〉 suis fidem de●abit , qui quod verbis astr●re conatur , r●●psa resoluit . Ibid. lib. 4. cap. 23. wrought : His z z 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Isid. 〈◊〉 l●b. 2. epist. 275. doctrine and his practise concurred , and went hand in hand together : His actions were , though a a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Gregor. Nazian. in Easil . silent , yet reall and effectuall Sermons of that he preached in the Pulpit : The course of his b b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Pluta●e . de Stoic . repugn . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Si 〈…〉 cat . epist. 37. Concordet sermo cu● vita . S●nec . epist. 75. Ad legem suam quisque vi●at , 〈…〉 vita d●ss●ntiat . Idem epist. 20. life was consonant to the tenour of his teaching . And c c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Isid. Pel. lib. 3. ep. 3●● . both ioyning and conspiring in one , were a meanes to draw on many , who d d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Ibid. Qu●● erimobten p●ret , 〈…〉 . 235. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Aristot. Ethic. lib. 10. cap. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . by the one alone paraduenture had not easily beene wonne . In a word ; for his teaching , I doubt not but that they will giue him the best testimony that heard him oftest ; and for his life they that knew him best . For he was not a flash ; one of those that shew all in a Sermon , or that spend all vpon some one curious good worke , that they minde to make their Master-piece . But both in his life and teaching he held on such a tenor , that the more men , e e Vt enim de pictore , scalptore , fictore nisi artifex iudicare ; ita nisi sapiens non potst perspicere sapientem . Plin. l. 1. epist. 10. wise and iudicious at least , were acquainted with either , f f Miror magis , quô magis intelligo . Idem de Euphrate ibid. the more they reuerenced and admired him for either .

There are two things ( saith one ) that make a compleat man . g g 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Isid. l. 2. ep. 131. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Ibid. ep. 175. ex . Mat. 10. 16. ●ntegritie and Iudgement : the one whereof 〈◊〉 but h h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Idem ibid. Non est vera simplic●as , nisi animiocul● , et plus sit , qui fallere nolit , et cantus sit , quo falli non possit . Bern. de praecept . & dispens. lame and maimed without the 〈◊〉 ; and in many oft they doe not meet . But an happy coniunction of them both was there in this our Brother . For the proofe whereof I may well referre my selfe to the iudgement , both of those that so frequently desired to make vse of him , for the ouersight of their last wils , and for his assistance by way of direction , in the disposing of their estates : ( and we know all , how cautious men are wont to be in that kinde : ) As also of those reuerend Brethren , of the Ministerie as well as other , who , either by letters or otherwise , out of all parts of this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Vt animi scasa elequt , & apte possi , & li● err a●●deat . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . T 〈…〉 . 3. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Tim. 2. 2. T it 1. 6 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 G●eg . N●k . in Ba●il . & Is●● . Peld . 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 302. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Mat. 5. 19. Isid. ib 〈…〉 . cp. 235. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Greg. Naz. ib d. Realme ( I speake what I know ) did vsually seeke to him , as to one more then ordinarily able to giue them satisfaction , for the resolution of their doubts .

These two then ( as he saith ) make a compleat man indeed . But there is somewhat more required to make a compleat Minister , to wit , ⁱ that he can ᵏ speak his mind fitly , ( for what vse of l l 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Schol. A●siaph . Plut. Muti siquidem 〈…〉 est ? Esai . 56. 10. Innocens & absque sermine conuersatio , quantum exemplo prodest , 〈…〉 no● 〈◊〉 Hier●ad Ocean . a mute Messenger ? ) and that he m m Ier. 1. 17. Act. 4. 29. Ephes. 6. 19. Tit. 2. 15. dare doe it freely . ( For n n Quis tibi 〈…〉 Dei non audebit ? Ambr. ep. 29. Itaque Greg. Naz. ad Eunom 5. Oij 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . N●si sid●liter dixcrim , vobis erit 〈…〉 sum , mibip 〈…〉 o , 〈◊〉 . Tuneo itaque damnum vestrum , timeo damnationem m●am , fi tacuero . 〈…〉 . 99. of whom is courage and freedome of speech required more then of Gods Messengers ? ) Nor was this our worthy Brother defect 〈…〉 e in either .

For , as for the former , how well able he was , not to expresse only , but to v 〈…〉 sse to , nor to confirme alone , but to commend also , that that he deliuered , with cleere method , sound proopes , 〈…〉 je words , fit phrase , pregnant similitudes , plentifull illustrations , pithy perswasions , sweet insinuations , powerfull enforcements , allegations of antiquitie , and variety of good literature ; that both the learnedst might receiue satisfaction from him , and the very meanest and dullest also might reape benefit by him : and so as might well o o D 〈…〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Plin. See . l. 1. cp. 20. & 〈◊〉 relinqu●bat . Val. Max l. 8. c 9. leaue an impression in the hearts and mindes of his hearers ; they cannot bee ignorant , that for any space of time heard him . In a word , in this kinde he was such an one * * Quem imitari plurimi concupiscant , poucissimi pussint . Plin. de ●●nton . l. 5. cp. 10. as many stroue to imitate , not many of them matched .

Againe , because it is in vaine to be able to speake to good purpose , if a man dare not vse his tongue ; if , as he said sometime of the Eretrians , he be p p 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Themislod●● apud Plut. in Them . & in a● ophth . like the Sword-fish , that q q Nam & gladio lingua consern solet . Diogenes de spur●a di●●i●ne à pulchro pros●cta , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . L●●rt . Et Apul . florid . 3. vt gladius vsu splendescit , situ rubiginat . ita vox in vagina silentij condita diutino torpore hebttatur . Sed & s●r●o diuinus glad●us dicitur , Esai 49. 2 , Ephes. 6. 17. hath a sword , but hath no heart ; or like some cowardly companion , that carrieth a weapon about him for a shew , but dare not draw it , or make vse of it , though iust occasion thereof bee offered : For his freedome of speech therefore in reprouing of sinne , and that euen to the faces of the gr 〈…〉 est , both in publike and priuate , when occ 〈…〉 on required it , I doubt not but there are many here that are well able to testifie , and some accidents made it to bee more publikely knowne , then his desire was that it should haue beene .

Much hath beene spoken , and much more then I entended ; and more time taken vp then I made account of . And yet much more might be added , then hath beene spoken , if time and strength would permit . Many things I haue touched , and rather pointed at then insisted on . And yet many things ( I know ) many among you will misse , that might as iustly haue beene spoken of , and that ( it may bee ) some of you will deeme should not haue beene omitted . One , his Zealous and earnest pursuit of reformation of some prophanations of the Sabbath ; wherein he preuailed also for alteration of some things in that kinde offensiue , as well r r For their meetings on St. Themas day . with the maine body of the City , as s s For their Moonday feasts . with some particular societies : An other his discreet carriage in the catechizing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . dep●up●●t . Id 〈…〉 que in A 〈…〉 al. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Quibus gemina sunt Philostrati illa cp. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 &c. Itaque quod Plin. l. 6 cp 27. Facilis 〈◊〉 ; nonfacilis electio . est enim ex 〈…〉 s eius l●rga materia . of the younger sort ; the males apart one day , and the females another ; the riper and forwarder first in the presence of the ruder and rawer , and the ruder and rawer apart by themselues after the departure of the former , that they might both reape what fruit might bee by hearing them , and yet receiue no discouragement by being heard of them : A third his pious care and diligence in the religious instruction and education of those that were vnder his priuate charge , children and others : Some one thing , some another . And I co 〈…〉 sse , with Nazianzene in somewhat the like case , 〈…〉 at it is herein with me , ᵗ as with one in a field or a 〈◊〉 , replenisht with faire flowers of all sorts , who w 〈…〉 casteth his eye on one , another offereth it selfe to him , and while he is catching at that , another commeth in his way , and while that pleaseth his eye , another withdraweth it to it selfe : And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Greg. Naz. in Patrem . as the rings or circles that rise on the surface of the water , when a stone is cast into a standing poole , they come so thick one vpon the neck of another , that , as if they stroue for place , they iustle out either other : so such variety of passages presenteth it selfe to me , that while I looke after one , I lose and let slip another , and when I would fetch that vp againe , another choppeth in , as contending for roome with it : And if I should pursue and insist vpon euery particular , that either others might expect , or that might iustly challenge a place here time and speech would faile mee before matter to speake of .

To draw toward an end therefore together with his end ; the end of his labours , but the beginning of his resi , the end of his worke , but the receipt of his reward : In these and the like imploiments publike and priuate , hee spent his time , he spent his strength , x x Sicut l●●erna se consumit in seru 〈…〉 um al●orum . Iac. de Vorag . de Ioan Bapt. 6. like a torch or taper , wasting and consuming himself , for the behoofe and benefit of others , y y Esai . ●9● . ha 〈…〉 g his worke with God then , and his reward for it from God now . And for these emploiments principally it was that he desired recouery of health and strength ; vnto the performance whereof also ( though therein iniurious to himselfe , and contrary to his owne desires ) he oft strained himselfe , and that in the middest of his infirmitie and weaknesse , not to the vncertaine hazard onely , but to the euident impeachment and impairing of either . z z Esai . 38. 2● . What is the Signe , said Ezekias , when he was promised recouery , that I shall goe vp to the house of the Lord ? as desiring continuance of life and recouery of health for no one end more then that . And therfore also was this our Brother so desirous of recouery , that he might repaire to Gods house againe , that he might returne to Gods worke againe . To which purpose the very last Lords day before his decease , hauing after many relapses recouered a little strength , he made shift to get out to a neighbour Congregation , there to ioine with Gods people in publike performance of such solemne seruice of God as that day is vsually spent and emploied in . And hauing held out to the end with them in both parts of the day , he reioiced much therein , that he was able so to doe ; the rather because thereby he conceiued some good hope , that hee should be strong enough ere long , to returne to his wonted worke and employment againe . But the Lord saw it better ( for * * Psal. 135. 6. Ephes. 1. 11. his will appeareth by his worke ) to put an end to his incessant labours here , and to translate him to the place of his endlesse rest else where . The gaine is his ; the losse ours , min●●wne ( among others ) not the least . The Lord sanctifie it vnto vs , and to those whom any way it concernet 〈…〉 ; and vouchsafe in mercy to repaire it , by raising vp many alike qualified and endowed in his roome . With whom now leaue we him , and returning home to our selues , afford we a reuerent and religious care to those instructions , that for the fitting and preparing of vs vnto the way that he is gone before vs , shall out of Gods Word be deliuered vnto vs .

BEfore was a long discourse Abrahams Death . of Abrahams life : here is a report in few words of his death .

Wherein ( to come to Of it foure Particulars . them directly without further preface , because much time is already spent ) wee may consider these particulars :

1 1 Quis , Who. Who died ;

2 2 Quando , When. How he died ;

3 3 Q●omodo , How . When he died ; and

4 4 Quô , Whither . Whither he went when he died .