A sermon preached at Westminster May 26. 1608 at the funerall solemnities of the Right Honorable Thomas Earle of Dorset, late l. high treasurer of England by George Abbot ... ; now published at the request of some honourable persons, very few things being added, which were then cut off by the shortnesse of the time.

A SERMON PREAched at Westminster May 26. 1608. AT THE FVNERALL SOLEMNITIES of the Right Honourable Thomas Earle of Dorset , late L. High Treasurer of ENGLAND . ISAIAH 40. 6.

A voice sayd , Crie . And he sayd , What shall I crie ? All flesh is grasse , and all the grace thereof is as the flower of the field .

7. The grasse withereth , the flower fadeth , because the spirit of the Lord bloweth vpon it .

HEe that looketh into this Chapter , shall see it to be a Prophecie of the comming of Christ : of his appearing in the flesh , and his taking of our humane nature vpon him , so to bring grace and saluation to as manie as should beleeue . And this , touching the comming of Christ , is not nakedly layd downe , but with an intimation also of his fore-runner Iohn the Baptist , the very words being vsed ( to make it the more notorious ) which are repeated in the third Chapter of Saint Mathew , 2 2 Matth. 3. 3. The voice of a crier in the wildernesse , prepare the way of the Lord : make his paths straight . But to fit men so much the more , to embrace that mercy which should be offred by him , this sound reason is brought ; that of our selues we are mortall , corruptible and transitorie , and that therefore it is good that we should haue something else to rest our soules vpon . For we consist but of flesh , and that is like vnto the grasse . And if we should imagine other men to be better then our selues , yet they are but as we are : for all flesh is grasse , and all the grace thereof is as the flower of the field : Therefore it is best to trust to something els ; and that must be the sonne of God , the Sauiour of the world , the Redeemer of mankind , the mighty God of Iacob . I shall not at this time speake any thing concerning the comming of Christ , but shall rather insist vpon the opening of the reason which leadeth vs vnto Christ Iesus . Which that it may bee the more strongly imprinted in vs , it is not barely deliuered , but with a kinde of Preface , or solemne introduction , A voice said , Cry : And he said , What shall I cry ? The whole may be diuided into these two parts , A preparation , and A proclamation . The proclamation is the maine , consisting of the latter words , All flesh is grasse , and all the grace thereof as the flower of the field , &c. In the preparation , are two circumstances : A commandement , what should be done : And the Prophets composing of himselfe to the performance of it . Of all which in their order , as God shall giue assistance .

A voice said , Crie .

2 We shall little need to inquire , what voice this is which speaketh to Esay . For that , whereunto the Prophet would hearken , is only the voice of God . That which spake out of the mount , in the twentieth of Exodus , when the law was giuen downe to the people of Israel , b b Exod. 20. 1. God spake these words and said . That which called to c c 1. Sam. 3. 4. Samuel , in the dead time of the night , and badde him go , and doe a message to old Eli. That whereof Dauid could say , d d Psal. 29. 4. The voice of the Lord is mightie : the voice of the Lord is glorious . The veritie , the authority , the maiestie of that which is vttered , doth declare so much . This biddeth the prophet Crie : not speake only ; much lesse whisper ; but with an extention of his voice to deliuer his message . This must not be as that was when God passed by Elias , e e 1. Reg 19. 12. in a soft and still voice : nor as that , where , to describe the mildenesse of our Sauiour , it is said of him ; f f Matth. 12. 19. He shall not stirre , nor crie , neither shall any man heare his voice in the streets : but it is rather like that of Ionas the prophet , who entring into Niniue g g Ionah 3. 4. cried and said , Yet fortie daies , and Niniue shall be destroied . Or as that in our prophet Esay , h h Isa: 58. 1. Crie aloud , and spare not : lift vp thy voice like a trumpet . Heere must be such a noise , as would mooue a man that were musing , would whet him that were dull , would rowse him that were slumbring , would awake him that were sleeping . So carefull is God , that we should heare this lesson , and lay it vnto our hearts .

3 Hence we may perceiue the heauinesse and dulnesse of our nature , when in a matter so cleere , we need such a noise to remember vs of our mortalitie . For set aside the word of God , Philosophy and experience may informe so much vnto vs . The Churches and Church-yards thorow which we do passe , the tombes of other men , the going before vs of our parents and our kinsfolkes , of our friends and acquaintance , might proclaime this vnto vs . What should we need any crying ? or why should we lacke any speaking ? We may see this well enough● So many men as wee meet , so many mortall creatures . X●rxes though but a heathen man , yet could make this vse of his sight : For when he beheld from the top of his high tabernacle , the huge numbers in his armie , as i i Herodot , in Polymma . Herodotus writeth , he broke forth into teares , and yeelded this reason of it , that of all that multitude ( which was so great , that for ought we reade , there were neuer in the world so many souldiers at once compacted into one armie ) within one hundred yeres there should not one person be remaining aliue . And if we would not see it , yet feele it we may . For as we reade in S. Austen , the aches of our bones , the heauinesse of our bodies , the deafenesse of our eares , the dimnesse of our sight , the baldnesse of our heads , the grainesse of our haires , are signes of a house that is ready to fall to the ground . k k August . de 12. abusionum gradibus . Tom. 9. Dum oculicaligant , aures grauiter audiunt , capilli fluunt , &c. hac omnia ruitur am iam iamque domum corporis citò praenunciant . Hee alludeth to an old house , whereof when the walles doe moulder and fitter away , the roofe is vncouered , the timber is disiointed , it is an euident argument , that it will not be long before this house fall . Such tokens of the mortalitie of our bodies , are those decaies and imperfections . But Sathan doth so deafe vs , and the world doth so blinde vs , and our flesh maketh vs so senselesse , that wee neither heare nor see , nor feele that which lieth so hard vpon vs , And therefore Gods voice must call vnto vs : A voice said , Crie .

What shall I crie ?

4 The Herald is in readinesse , to doe as he is commanded . And that is the highest part of his dutie . What God enditeth , he writeth : what God will bid , hee will performe . So Ezechiel was taught , l l Ezec. 3. 17. Heare thou the word at my mouth , and giue them warning from me . And againe , m m Ezec. 33. 7. Thou shalt heare the word at my mouth , and admonish them from me . In like maner in the new Testament , our Sauiour taking his leaue of his Disciples , biddeth them , n n Matt. 28. 19. Go , and teach all nations , baptizing them in the name of the Father , and the Sonne , and the holy Ghost , Teaching them to obserue all things , whatsoeuer I haue commanded you . And S. Paul to the Corinthians , o o 1. Cor. 11. 23. I haue receiued of the Lord that , which I also haue deliuered vnto you . Thus the Minister should depend vpon the mouth of his Master . Saint Paul could say to Timothy his scholar ; p p 1. Tim. 6. 20. O Timotheus keepe that which is committed to thee . Whereupon Vincentius Lyrinensis very elegantly doth descant , What is it that thou must keepe , q q Vin● . contr. haeres . cap. 27. That which is committed to thee , not that which is inuented by thee : that which thou hast receiued , not that which thou hast deuised : a matter not of thy witte , but rather of thy learning . If the Preacher of the Gospell doe keepe him to this rule , he himselfe shall be safe ; and as for the speeding of it , let him leaue the euent to God . The Physicians of Egypt , as t t Diodor. Antiquit. lib. 2. 3. Diodorus Siculus doth report , had this rule prescribed to them , that they should make their practise according to a booke deliuered vnto them from ancient Physicians , and approued writers . If any followed the rule and prescript of his booke , though his Patient did miscarie , yet hee was not blamed for it . But if any went besides his booke , though his Patient did well , he lost his life for his labour . We that are Physicians of the soule may make some vse therof . We must teach by the booke . The burthen of our song must be with the old prophets , Thus and thus saith the Lord . If he command we must speak ; what he willeth , we must cry . So much of the Preparation . And now to the Proclamation .

All flesh is grasse , &c.

5 Heere the speech is so significant , that euery word hath his weight . Flesh it selfe intendeth corruption . When it is likened to the grasse , it more noteth our mortalitie . When the word All is added , it designeth the generalitie of the doome which is giuen . When the grace and beautie is named , it demonstrateth that there is no hope to the contrarie . The spirit of the Lord blowing on it , sheweth the reason of the whole . Of ech of these very briefly . When flesh is named heere , and it is not said , a liuing creature , or a spirit , nay not so much as that which is ordinarie in the Scripture , a man , it implieth a dissolution . For our flesh is propagated from Adam , and of him it was said , f f Gen. 3. 19. From the earth thou wast taken , because thou art dust , and to dust shalt thou returne . This continueth on his successors , who deriued their flesh from him . It is written of t t Gen. 5. 8. 11. 14. 27. Sheth and Enosh , and Kenan , and Methuselah , that they liued nine hundred yeeres ; but it is added touching ech of them , And he died , And he died . Dauid witnesseth this for other men , u u Psal. 49. 10. He seeth that wisemen die , and so doe the ignorant and foolish . Of all flesh , that is true which Saint Bernard deliuereth , x x Bern. de gradib ▪ humilitat . Nascimur , morimur : We are borne , and then we die . And in another place , y y In festo S. Martini . In terra orimur , interra morimur , &c. In the earth we haue our beginning , and in the earth we haue our ending , returning into that , from whence at first we were taken . Thus God hath decreed that there should be a succession of one man after another . And as in the greatest shewes , when one hath had his turne , he is to be gone , and to leaue the place to them that follow , and if he should desire to keepe himselfe on the stage , and by no meanes to depart , he should be verie iniurious vnto those who are to succeed : so it is heere in mens liues ; one hath his turne before , another hath his turne afterwards , but the first must yeeld to the latter , when his time is once accomplished ; els he shall doe wrong to succession . Yet this going away and departure out of this world , God hath appointed to be the meanes to aduance men vnto heauen . Our corruption is the way vnto our incorruption . For God meaning for to crowne with the garland of immortalitie , those that haue striuen lawfully , doth not come downe to them to honour them vpon earth , but calleth them vp to him , so to glorifie them in heauen . Which thing Saint Chrysostome well considered , when he spake in this maner : z z Chrysost in Ep. ad Philip. Homil. 12. He would haue thee to striue below , but he crowneth thee aboue : for the crowne is not in this place , where the striuing is ; but in a glorious place . Doe you not see heere , that such champians and cha●et-driuers , whom they doe most honour , are not crowned below in the place of trying masteries , but the King calling them vp putteth on their garlands there . God doth take with his children the verie selfe-same course . Their fight must be on earth , but their reward in heauen . And thither they may not come , till they haue put off this body . Their flesh is as a veile which keepeth them from beholding the purity of that secret one . a a Exo. 26. 31. In the tabernacle which Moses made , there was a veile which was hanged vp betweene the holy place , and the holy of holies . This was made of foure substances , that is , blue silke and purple , and scarlet , and fine linnen , which as b b Ios. de bel . Iud. Lib. 6. 6. Iosephus telleth vs , and Saint c c Hier. Epist. 128. Hierome after him , did represent the foure elements , of whom our flesh consisteth . Such a d d Matth. 27. 51. veile was afterwards in the temple at Hierusalem , which at the death of our blessed Sauiour did rent from the top vnto the bottome , at which time a man might haue beheld the very Sanctum Sanctorum . So when our flesh , this veile , which keepeth vs from beholding the inuisibilitie of that mightie one , shall be rent and torne in peeces by dissolution and by death , we shall behold our Creator , but neuer vntill that time . e e Chrys. Hom. ● . in 2. Cor. The old house must to the ground , that so the tenant of it , may ascend vnto God by a kinde of remooue , till the building be new repaired .

6 In the next place , our flesh is compared to the grasse . Grasse , than which nothing is more common ; nothing more vile . Which groweth , and in an instant is cut downe , and then withereth , & is either deuoured as fodder , or if it be of a bigger size , f f Matt. 6. 30. is burned in the ouen , as Christ himself speaketh . Dauid vseth the same comparison : g g Psal. 103. 15. The daies of man are as grasse : as a flower of the field , so flourisheth he . Which is thus expressed by Gregory : h h Greg. in Psa. 5. Poenitent. Man may be compared to the grasse , quia per natiuitatem viret in carne , per iuuent utem candescit in ●●ore , per mortem aret in puluere : Because by his birth , hee is greene in his flesh , by his youth he is white in his blossome , by his death he is drie & withered in the dust . Such is the shortnesse and vncertaintie of our life . Saint Iames doth liken it to a i i Iac. 4. 14. vapour , that appeareth for a little time , and afterward vanisheth away . Saint Peter compareth it to a tent or k k 2. Pet. 1. 14. tabernacle , which is soone vp and soone downe . The old l l Diod. Sie . Antiq. li. 2. 1. Egyptians called our houses , by the name of Innes , where we lodge for a night , and are gone in the morning . Tully termed our life a m m In Cat. Ma●or . lodging , Ex vita ista discedo , tanquam ex hospitio : I depart out of this life , as out of a lodging . Iob calleth it a n n Iob. 14. 2. shadow . And in another place , o o cap. 7. 6. My daies are swifter than the shuttle of a weauer . Saint Basil doth liken our life vnto a p p Basil. in Hexam . Homil. 5. dreame , where a man seeth glorious shewes , and is wonderfully pleased with them , but after a little while he awaketh , and all is nothing . Homer compareth men vnto q q Homer . Iliad. 5. leaues , which peepe out of the tree , and then grow bigger and bigger ; at last they are at the greatest , fresh in shew , and greene in colour ; but then they fade and decay , and are driuen off with the winde . Some other say , that a man is but like vnto an apple , which if it be let alone will at length be ripe , and of it selfe will fall vnto the ground , but peraduenture before that time , it is shaken off by a blast , or cropped off by a violent hand . Lastly , other haue likened our being heere in the world vnto a game at chesse , where there be degrees of men , Kings , and Knights and common Pawnes , amongst whom , one is caught away , and by and by another : but howsoeuer on the boord they differ in their degree , yet when the game is ended , and they are swept all into the bagge , there is none better than other , the meanest lieth aboue , and the greatest is vnderneath . Thus both the spirit of God , and the iudgement of wise men , by significant similitudes would riuet it in into vs , and fasten it as with a naile into our cogitations , that our daies are but vanitie , our continuance heere but momentame , our abode on earth but vncertaintie .

7 Now lest it should be said , that with some it may bee thus , but with other otherwise , it is farther added , that All flesh is grasse . Men are all of the same molde , and returne to the same substance . The wise woman of Tecoah could speake in generall to Dauid , r r 2. Sam. 14. 14. We must needs die , and we are as water spilt on the ground , which cannot be gathered vp againe . Heere shee ioineth herselfe with Dauid , My Lord we needs must die , you a man , and I a woman : you a Soueraigne , I a subiect . Dauid himselfe knew this , when lying in his death-bed , he spake thus vnto Salomon , s s 1. Reg. 2. 2. I go the way of all the earth . Death is the way of all flesh . So holy Iob , t t Iob 30. 23. I know that thou wilt bring me to death , and to the house appointed for all the liuing . So S. Paul to the Hebrewes , u u Heb. 9. 27. It is appointed vnto men that they shall once die , and after that commeth the iudgement . Where the indefinite proposition is equiualent to a generall . Death , saith Seneca , is the x x Senec. Epist. 70. ad Lucilium . hauen , whither euery ship must go : some come sooner , and some come later , but there they all must ariue . Perhaps when a ship is entring into the mouth of the hauen , there commeth a blast of winde , and driueth it out againe ; but that will not serue the turne , it must backe to the same place . The speech is true of all , y y Innoc. 3. de cont. mund. lib. 1. Vitaperpetuo auolat , neque potest retincri : mors quotidie ingruit , neque potest resisti . Life alway flieth away , and cannot be held backe : and death daily doth grow on , and cannot be resisted . In this one point all conditions are alike . The yoong may , and the old must . The difference is no more , but the z z Sen. Ep. 26 one come vnto death , and death commeth to the other . Death , saith Saint a a Bern. de conuers . ad cleric . cap. 14. Bernard , non miseratur inopiam , non diuitias reueretur , &c. pitieth not the pouertie of one , nor standeth in awe of the riches of another , it spareth not the parentage of any man , nor his behauiour , nor his age ; for the old it standeth ready in the gates , for the yoong it licth in ambush . The Poet could say of death , that it is that , b b Horat. Carm. Lib. 4. Ode 7. Quò Pius Aeneas , quò Tulius diues & Ancus , whether Aeneas with his piety , and Tullus with his riches , and Ancus with his valour did go . Puluis & vmbra sumus : we are but dust and shadow . Nay it is a thing so assured , that in a sort a man may say we are more certaine to die , than that euer we were borne , since there is but one way onely to come into the world , but a thousand waies to goe out of it , as c c Greg. Naz. orat . 40. Gregorie Nazianzene obserued , as , by fire , and by water , by the teeth of wilde beasts , by famine , or sword , or pestilence , and infinite meanes besides . And as the rule is generall for persons and for degrees , so also is it for places ; no one place being exempt or priuileged from death . Which d d Xenoph. in Apolog. pro Socrat. Socrates himselfe did rightly vnderstand , when after his condemnation being told by his friends , that if he would giue liking thereunto , they would by violence take him from the officers , or otherwise conuey him away ; he not onely gaue no consent to that proiect of theirs , but also smiled at them , asking whether they knew any place , without the territorie of Athens , to the which death might not approch . And as pretie a speech was that of e e Ammian : Mercellin . hist Lib. 16. Sigon . de Occid . Imp. lib. 6. Hormisda the Persian , who being by his king sent in ambassage to Constantius the Roman Emperour , was caused by Constantius to walke vp and downe , to view the citie Rome . There hee beheld the glorious monuments of the place , the Capitol , the Pantheon , the Temple of peace , the Forum of Traian , the Amphitheater , and the Bathes , with many other matters of excellent workemanship . But being asked by the Emperour what he thought of Rome , or what was his iudgement concerning it , he replied , that it was the most glorious Citie , that was in the world ; and that as hee supposed , there was not such another in all the earth : but this , saith he , doth please me , or as other report it , this one thing doth displease me , that I see men die at Rome , as they doe in other places . The speech was most true , and fitteth all other cities . We all then may resolue , that wheresoeuer we be , or of what calling soeuer , we must come to the gates of death . That we might not hope to auoid this , the Patriarkes and the Prophets haue gone that way before vs : That wee may not dread the sharpnesse of it , the Sonne of God himselfe by sustaining death in his flesh , hath sanctified death vnto vs .

8 A man would haue thought , that by this time sufficient had beene sayd . But yet farther to imprint all into our cogitation , the Prophet speaketh on , All the grace thereof is as the flower of the field . The grasse withereth , the flower fadeth . As if he should haue subioyned , that if in the life of man there be any thing more faire , more amiable , more goodly , more specious , more illustrious than the common qualitie , yet this is but like to the flower . The flower is more sightly than the grasse , more pleasing vnto the eye , more fragrant vnto the smell : yet it endureth the common qualitie of withering and fading . Yea many times the fairer and the gayer the flower is , the sooner it is gathered and cropped off by the hand . So it is with those things which this world esteemeth most glorious . Authority , estimation , youth , beauty , pompe , strength , all the delights of this earth are transitorie and vaine . Dauid setteth men as high as possibly they may go , f f Psal. 82. 6. I haue sayd , Ye are gods , and ye all are children of the most High : but he bringeth them downe as low , But yee shall die as a man : and ye Princes shall fall like others . There be many things in this world of high esteeme with men , goodly houses , glorious clothes , daintie fare , curious gardens , musicke , baths , plate and possessions : yet of these S. Austen sayd truly , g g Aug. de catechiz . rudibus cap. 16. Quamuis insana gaudia non sint gaudia : Although these mad and foolish ioyes are in trueth no ioyes , yet be they as they are , and let them delight as much as possibly they can , aufert omnia ista vnafebricula , if there come but one fit of an ague , the comfort of them is gone . To the same purpose Saint Basil : for when hee hath described the glory and the ornaments of Princes and great persons , he addeth : h h Basil. in Hexam . homil. 5. That if there come but one ill night , one little touch of a feuer , some paine of the side , or imperfection in the lungs , abijt illa vniuersa scena , all the play is marred , the shew is quite disgraced . Where wee may note , that Saint Basil doth terme our life but a play : And so also doth Saint i i Chrys Con● . 2. de L●zaro . Chrysostome , likening men vnto stage-players , among whom one is a King , a second stands for a Captaine , a third serues for a Mariner , and other haue other parts ; but this is only while they are vpon the stage : for the shew being ended , they are then but themselues , all fellowes , and all alike . Euen so in life there is difference , there be degrees of callings ; but in rottennesse and the graue the best and worst are equall . There no difference may be found betweene k k 2. Sam. 14. 25. Absason with his beautie , and l l Luc. 16. 20. Lazarus with his blaines . There it is true which m m Lucian . in Necromant . Lucian causeth one to report , that when he came amongst the dead , he could there see no difference betweene Nireus the faire , and Thersites the foule : betweene Irus the begger , and Vlysses the Prince : betweene Pirrhias the cooke , and Agamemnon the king . Now if these things be so , why doe men set their hearts on the glory of this world ? Nay , why do Christian men embrace it , and admire it , and adore it , and doat vpon it , since Heathen men haue discouered the vanitie thereof , and done strange things about it ? That n n A●n . Syl● . ● Blond . Decad. 2. 6. Platin . in Caelest. 3. Saladine who was so great an enemie to the Christians , and wan from them the Holy land , lying vpon his death-bed , gaue charge that his inner garment , his shirt as it may be thought , or rather his shrowd , being put on the end of a speare , should be carried before his coarse now going to be buried , and that a Herald should crie , that Saladine the great Lord and Gouernour of Asia carried nothing away with him but that shirt or that shrowd . Where if it should be obiected that he grew to this contemplation , when immediatly he was to leaue the world , I may tell you of other persons , who in their strength and vigor haue had as good meditations . o o Dion . Histor. lib. 66. Titus that Romane Emperour hauing set out shewes and spectacles for a hundred daies together , to demonstrate the magnificence of that Empire , on the last day of those sights , in the presence of all the people did breake foorth into teares , vpon a consideration , that all that pompe was vanished and dissolued into nothing . It is sayd of p p Plutarch . in vit. Aemil. Paulus Aemilius , that when he had his triumph for three whole dayes together , he ioyed no way apparantly ; as neither on the other side , he gaue testimonie of griefe for the death of one of his sonnes , who died a very few dayes before the time of his triumph ; with which patience he also tooke the death of another of them within a few dayes after . But albeit in all that , he did beare himselfe with great constancie , yet in another case hee had other cogitations . For q q Tit. Liu. lib. 45. hauing ouerthrowen in battell Perseus the king of Macedonia , and hauing chased him vp and downe , so that there was small hope to escape , Perseus writeth letters to him , that he would yeeld into his hands his kingdome and his person ; which when Aemilius had receiued , he could not stay from weeping , remembring the inconstancie and mutabilitie of all states and conditions . So did that noble r r Tit. Liu. lib. 25. Marcellus in his entrance into that rich citie Syracusae , when he had long besieged it , and at last by composition it was surrendred vnto him ; the teares trickled from his eyes , to see so woorthy a place now brought into captiuitie . s s Appian . de bellis Puni●is . Scipio another Romane , when he saw the citie Carthage raced downe vnto the ground , though it had beene enemie to his countrey , yet could not forbeare to weepe , to thinke that empires and nations were so subiect to ouerturning . Thus did the grauest and wisest men that were among the olde Romans , in the happiest and most glorious things that euer did befall them while they were heere amongst men . Such meditations as these were , would well become Gods best seruants , to lay it vnto their heart , that the heigth of earthly felicity being taken in it selfe , is but store of the lightest vanitie . Grasse is no better than grasse , and flowers are no better than flowers : these fade , the other withereth .

9 The reason of the whole now followeth : The spirit of the Lord bloweth vpon it . God dissolueth all at his pleasure ; and marke with what facilitie this matter is brought about ; but as with a puffe of the winde , or as with the blast of the mouth . That breath which made the world , can marre a man in a moment . The Lord sayth of himselfe , t t Deu. 32. 39. I kill , and I giue life : I wound , and I make whole : neither is there any that can deliuer out of mine hand . Hanna the mother of Samuel , in her song remembreth this ; u u 1. Sam. 2. 6 The Lord killeth , and maketh aliue : bringeth downe to the graue , and raiseth vp . And my Prophet in the same Chapter whence my text is taken , * * Isa. 40. 23. He ( speaking of God ) bringeth the Princes to nothing , and maketh the Iudges of the earth as vanitie . These things teach vs the Lords power , and his sway ouer men . Hee setteth them in a standing place like sentinels in a watch , and when he list he dischargeth them : When he calleth for the greatest , there is no way of auoiding , there is no meanes of withdrawing , there is no place for absenting , there is no course of resisting . And so I end this Proclamation .

10 What I haue spoken all this while touching the maine of my text , is verified in that spectacle which is now before our eyes , which can not chuse but be vnto vs a memoriall of mortalitie . For heere we are to celebrate the funerall solemnitie of an honourable personage , a graue Counseller of Estate , a great Officer of the Crowne , a faithfull seruant vnto his Maiestie . Touching whom , since you expect that something should be sayd , I shall draw the beginning of that which I must deliuer , from a witnesse beyond all exception ; and that is the late Queene of euerlasting memorie . Her Maiestie not long before her death being pleased , as 〈◊〉 seemeth , with some speciall piece of seruice which his Lordship had done vnto her , grew at large to discourse touching this Noble man , as an honorable person , and a Counseller of Estate , in writing hath aduertised me . Her Highnesse was then pleased to decipher out his life , by seuen steps or degrees : The first was his yoonger daies , the time of his scholarship , when first in that famous Vniuersitie of Oxford , and afterward in the Temple , ( where he tooke the degree of Barrister ) he gaue tokens of such pregnancie , such studiousnesse and iudgement , that he was held no way inferiour to any of his time or standing . And of this there remaine good x x The life of Tresilian in the Mirrour of Magistr. Epist. pr●fix . Aulic . Barth . Clerke . tokens both in English and in Latine published vnto the world . The second was his trauell , when being in France and Italy , he profited very much in the languages , in matter of story and State : ( whereof this Common-wealth , found great benefit in his Lordships elder yeeres , in the deepest consulations that belonged vnto this kingdome . ) And being prisoner in Rome for the space of foureteene daies , ( which trouble was brought vpon him by some who hated him for his loue to religion , and his dutie to his Soueraigne ) he so prudently bare himselfe , that by the blessing of God , and his temperate kind of cariage , he was freed out of that danger . The third step which her Maiestie did thinke good to obserue was ( vpon returne into England ) his comming vnto her Court , where on diuers occasions he bountifully feasted her Highnesse and her Nobles ; and so he did to forren Embassadors . At that time hee entertained Musitians the most curious , which any where hee could haue , and therein his Lordship excelled vnto his dying day . Then was his discourse iudicious , but yet wittie and delightfull . Thus he was in his yoonger daies , a scholar , and a traueller , and a Courtier of speciall estimation .

11 The fourth step of his life , noted by her most sacred Maiestie , was his imployment of higher nature , in Embassages beyond the seas . As first , when his Lordship was sent to the French King Charles the ninth , partly to congratulate his mariage with the daughter of Maximilian the Emperour , and partly about other weighty affaires touching both the kingdomes . At which time his Lordship was so honorably attended with Gentlemen of choice qualitie ; and was so magnificent in his expence , as was admirable to the French , honorable to his countrey , and gaue much contentment vnto his Soueraigne . * * Holinshed An. 13. Eliz. The Chronicles at large relate the maner of it . Secondly , when afterward in a seruice of tickle nature , he was imploied into the Low Countries , where notwithstanding the sharpe sight which by some was caried ouer him , yet his Lordship behaued himselfe so warily and discreetly , that no blame could be fastened on him . The fift time obserued was , his temper and moderation after his returns from thence , when her Maiestie to giue contentation to a great personage , in those daies of high imploiment , was pleased to command him vnto his owne house , there priuately to remaine till her farther pleasure was knowen . Where his Lordship did beare himselfe so dutifully and obsequiously vnto her Highnesse command , that in all the time of his restraint , for nine or ten moneths space , hee neuer would endure either openly or secretly , either by day or by night to see either wife or childe . A rare example of obedience , and obseruance vnto his Soueraigne . The sixt degree which was noted by that most renowmed Ladie , was the time that his Lordship was Counsellor , before that he was aduanced to that high office , which afterward he bare , in which time he daily shewed great diligence and sound iudgement , in her weightiest affaires . The last of all was that space , wherein he held the roome of Lord High Treasurer of England , in which place she noted the continuall and excessiue paines , and care which his Lordship did take in her businesse , his fidelitie in his aduices , his dexterity in aduancing of her profit . Thus it seemed good to that Queen of blessed memory , in particul●● discourse touching her faithfull seruant . This was while his Lordship liued : and since his death , his Maiestie that now is , the most religious , the most learned , the most iudicious King , that this land euer enioied , ( as I haue beene aduertised from persons of high qualitie ) hath beene pleased diuers times to giue many excellent speeches before the Lords concerning him , as his Highnesse had done formerly , while this noble man did liue . Heere , may I not say with the Poet ? y y Horat. lib. 1. Epist. 17.

Principibus placuisse viris , non vltima laus est : To please great Princes is not the least commendation .

Nay I may change the verse , and alter it in this fashion :

Principibus placuisseistis , ter maxima laus est . To please such Princes as these , is a very great commendation .

And indeed , these were most gracious testimonies of two such Soueraignes to their seruant , who desired much to please them with loyaltie and fidelitie , with vigilancie and care , with industrie and diligence , incredible , but vnto those who did know it . And neuer was there any Noble man , who with more humble agnising , with more feeling and affectionate gratefulnesse did entertaine the fauours of his Soueraignes , than this honorable person did , as may fully appeare by many w●●ds in his last will , recommending to his posteritie , a speciall grace of his Maiestie , in sending a Ring vnto him , which he wisheth his to keepe , as a iewell of highest value , thorowout all generations . The words are worth the reading , but they are too long to rehearse in this place .

12 Now for other parts of morall vertues , how many rare things were in him ? Who more louing vnto his wife , that Honorable Ladie , the mirrour of all true vertue ? It is a most worthy testimonie , that he hath giuen thereof , and hath left it to be 1 1 The words which his Lordship in his last will vseth of his Ladie are these : Inprimis , I giue , will , and bequeath vnto the Ladie Cicely Countesse of Dorset , my most vertuous , faithfull , and dearely beloued wife , not as any recompence of her infinit merit towards mee , who for her incomparable loue , zeale , & hartie affection euer shewed vnto me , and for those her so rare , many , and reuerent vertues , of chastitie , modestie , fidelitie , humilitie , secrecie , wisdome , patience , and a mind● repleat with all pietie and goodnesse , which euermore haue and do abound in her , deserueth to be honoured , loued and esteemed aboue all the transitory wealth and treasure of this world , and therefore by no price of earthly riches can by me be valued , recompensed or requi●ed : To her therefore my most vermous , faithfull and intirely beloued wife , Not , I say , as a recompense , but as a true token and testimony of my vnspeakable loue , affection , and estimation , and reuerenc● long since fixed and setled in my heart towards her , I giue , will and bequeath , &c. recorded for those that shall come after . Who more kind vnto his children , and to his Grand-children ? Who more fast vnto his friend ? who more moderate to his enemy , if truth were once found out , and staining imputations were wiped away from the integritie of his Honor ? Who more true of his word ? It was a noble testimonie , which a most Honorable personage gaue of his Lordship since his death , in a right worthy assemblie , that in much conuersation and concurrence in many causes , of great waight and importance , hee neuer heard him speake , or in earnest affirme that which he found to be otherwise . What noble man in our time was more giuen to hospitalite , and keeping of a great house ? Hauing liued , seuenty and two yeeres ( for so was his age accounted ) and being married more then fifty and three yeeres , vnto one and the selfe same Lady , he kept house for fortie and two yeeres in an honorable proportion . For thirtie yeeres of those , his family consisted of little lesse in one place or another , than two hundred persons . But for more then twentie yeeres , besides workmen and other hired , his number at the least hath beene two hundred and twenty daily , as appeared vpon checke-rowle . A very rare example in this present age of ours , when house-keeping is so decaied . Who more magnificent than than his Lordship in solemne entertainments ? as ( besides other particulars ) was manifested not long since abundantly to the world , when his Maiestie with the Queene and Prince together with a great part of the Nobilitie , spent diuers daies at Oxford . Who was euer more desirous to doe wrong vnto none ? His Lordship bought no land , but hee commonly paid more for it , than it was worth , yeelding this reason of it , that it would the better prosper and continue in his name and posteritie . In his Will how carefull was he , that all debts should be paid ? yea though there were no specialty whereby it might be challenged , yet if it might appeare that ought was due vnto any man , his charge is to his Executors that they should giue satisfaction . The like also for wrong done to any one whatsoeuer ( whereof he protested before the eternall Maiestie that he did not remember any . ) And if there should grow difference betweene his Executors and any person demanding , his hearty praier and desire is to the Deanes of Windsore , Westminster , and Pauls ( for so his Lordship doth ranke them ) to heare , order , and determine all controuersies depending . Which if they refuse to doe , which he hopeth they will not , or if the partie claiming shall not obey their award , he leaueth them to the ordinarie course of law , but chargeth and requireth his Executors to answer them in all Courts of Iustice immediately , without all delaies whatsoeuer . Vnto those honorable parts , I may adde a great many more : As his good and charitable disposition toward his Tenants , of whom ordinarily , he tooke lesse fines by a third part , than by other Lords is vsually accustomed ; and his Farmers held his Farmes , as is well knowen to the world , but at reasonable rents : As his releefe to the poore in pinching times of dearth . a a From the 28. of May to the 15. of August , so much as cost 154. li. 14. s. 7. d. In the yeere 1597. which was a time of the greatest scarcitie that euer we did know , his Lordship sent into Sussex of his free gift vnto six parishes store of Danske Rie bought at Billingsgate . Diuers other yeeres , and namely this present yeere 1608. his Lordship hath caused weekely certaine quarters of Wheat , to be caried from his owne Granary at Lewes in Sussex , and to be sold in the market to the poore , at a farre b b After 26. s. 8. d. the quarter , when other men ordinarily sold for 40. s. the quarter . lower rate than the price which commonly men did take . And that this his Lordships bountie might continue after his death , by his last Will and Testament he hath bequeathed a thousand pounds for the erecting of a Granarie at the place which last I named , for the vse and benefit of poore people in those parts : And two thousand pounds as a stocke for the storing of that house against times of dearth and scarcitie . Vnto this he hath also ioined a thousand pounds to be bestowed on the building of a Chapell c c 〈…〉 where his ancestors doe lie , and where his Lordship desired that his bodie might be enterred . These are fruits of a liuely faith , and so must be reputed .

13 But because a right beleefe and religion toward God is the highest point of all , I may not heere omit to say something touching that . There are arguments most euident to demonstrate vnto all men , that his faith was agreeable vnto the word of God , and according to the profession of the renowmed Church of England . In that famous Vniuersitie of Oxford , where his Lordship for more then sixteene yeeres was our Honorable Chancellor , it was his speciall care to substitute such vnder him as were most sound for Religion , which the wiser sort did obserue , although common men did not marke it . As he kept downe with the one hand all nouelties , and humours in opinions , which laboured to set trouble in the Church and Common-wealth , so with the other hand to the vttermost of his power he depressed the Priests and Iesuits , which haue vsed too much to that place ; not to the Vniuersitie , which God be praised is free from all such imputation , but to some few of the Citie , who embrace their old superstitions . In that place this I can witnesse , that his Lordship neither openly nor secretly did euer giue countenance vnto any that was backward in religion . And on the other side , that there was neuer any thing soberly and wisely proposed which might forward true pietie , which his Lordship did not further ; as I could by many particulars make plaine to whomsoeuer . Touching the education of those honorable plants his grand-children , his Lordship was euer carefull that they should be trained vp in the trueth of religion , farre from Poperie and idolatrie . His charge was vnto their Tutour ( as I well knew in his life time ) that as he would answer him in the day of the last iudgement , before the face of Christ , that he should traine them vp in the trueth of the religion professed now in England . How angry would he be , when he was at his Countrey house , if they came not duly to praiers ? He neuer could endure that they otherwise should be matched , than where was sound religion . Concerning his owne soule , when the last yeere he was sicke , besides ordinarie praiers , he composed himselfe to God by d d At Horseley . receiuing the holy Sacrament of the Lords Supper , when he looked to depart the world . But two daies before he died , deuoutly and religiously he heard a Sermon at home in his Lordships owne e e At Dorset house . Chapell . Nay to let all other things passe , how holily and Christianly in his last Will and Testament doth he commend his soule vnto God! I must professe when I saw it first , it did very much affect me . And because it cannot chuse but giue very full contentment to all reasonably minded , yea perhaps may doe much good vnto other by the example , I thinke it not amisse to read the very words , that his owne hand hath deliuered . These they are : First therefore as a liuing creature most bound thereunto , I heere throw downe and prostrate my selfe in all humility and thankefulnes , at the foot of my Creator , Redeemer , and Sauiour , rendring vnto his diuine Maiestie my most lowly , hearty and infinite thanks , in that he hath vouchsafed to create me a man indued and infused with soule and reason , and fashioned like vnto the image of his owne eternall Sonne , that might haue made me a brutish and soule-lesse beast , to haue fed and grased vpon the earth , like vnto those irrationall liuing creatures of the field . But especially in that he hath pleased to make me a Christian man , whereby in this life I may ioy and reioice with the sound and badge of that glorious name , and when I goe from hence I may thereby , and through the mercies and goodnesse of Iesus Christ depart and die in assurance and comfort of my soules and bodies saluation and resurrection , and to rest at his right hand , in the fruition of those celestiall and vnspeakable ioies and blessednesse that neuer shall haue end . To him therefore my most mercifull and omnipotent God , and into the hands of his inexplicable and eternall goodnesse , I giue , will and bequeath my soule , firmely and assuredly trusting , beleeuing and freely confessing , That by the death and passion of his Sonne Iesus Christ , and by his onely mercy , meane and mediation for me , and by none other , and not by any good worke or merit of mine owne ( although I must acknowledge , that I am bound vpon paine of damnation , to doe as many good works as possibly I can or may ; all which when I haue done , yet am I but an vnprofitable seruant , and a sinfull creature full of all iniquitie ) I shall liue and partake with his Saints in his heauenly kingdome , of that eternall and inexplicable blisse and happinesse which he hath prepared for his elect , of which number ( through his infinite mercy and goodnesse ) I doe confidently and stedfastly hope , know and beleeue that I am one .

14 These things did God prouide should be in his Lordships lifetime , that those who did loue and honour him ( of whom I must euermore acknowledge my selfe to be one , and so bound by due desert ) might haue the more comfort , in , and after his death . Which must needes be confessed to haue beene on the sudden : and yet such as hath befallen many good and godly men ; yea choice persons amongst Gods seruants . I need not giue example , how many in a moment haue beene drowned at sea , or in other riuers ; or haue beene slaughtered in the warres ; or murthered by their enemies ; or stifled in their beds ; or passing thorow the streets , haue beene beaten downe with a tile , or slaine with a stone throwen from a f f Iustin. li. 25. wall , as some write that Pyrrhus was , or haue had some such matter as the tower of g g Luc. 13. 4. Siloah to fall vpon them . I need not runne to h h Pli● . ●at . hist. lib. 7. 7. Anacreon the Poet , who in an instant was choaked with the kernell of a raisin , or to i i Ibidem . Fabius , who drinking milke was strangled with an haire . Neither need I flie to k k Tull. in L●lio . Scipio that admirable Romane , who being ouer night so honored by his countrey-men , that the Senators and the people of that citie , together with the Latines and other their confederates , in solemne fashion brought him home to his house , the next day he was found dead . I may speake of our owne age , wherein many persons of honour , men of learning and of great reuerence haue suddenly beene called out of the world ; touching whom for any man to giue a bitter censure , standeth not with any rule of charitie or pietie , yea of common Christianitie . And for the ages past , I might tell you of Petrus l l Nich. Hospital . in Tumulis . Castellanus , Bishop sometimes of Orleans , who being preaching in the pulpit , fell suddenly downe and died . I might remember you of that woorthy and most renoumed Emperour , m m Matth. Paris in Richard . Frederike Barbarossa , who going for Palestina , to recouer the Holy land out of the hands of the Saracens , which he thought to be a seruice most acceptable to Christ , and for effecting whereof , he left his countrey and friends , yet by the way as he passed , in the presence of many of his armie , was suddenly drowned in the riuer Sapheth . I might mention the yoonger n n Hier. Epist. 19. Tom. 9. Marcellin . Lib. 30. Valentinian an Emperour indued with many most rare qualities : yet being on a time much offended that the Sarmatae and Quadi , two barbarous nations , had broken in vpon the Empire , and speaking loud and passionately concerning that matter , he brake some veine or some thing els within him , and presently so died . Notwithstanding Saint * * Ambros. de obit. Valentinian . Ambrose making a funerall Oration or Sermon for him , giueth him most singular commendation , and doubteth not but that his soule was in peace and rest with God . Yea albeit at that time Valentinian had not receiued the Sacrament of Baptisme , yet Saint Ambrose is resolued that propter voluntatem & votum Baptismi , for his desire and wish that he had to be Baptised , the Lord had receiued him to mercy . Where I may not forget a speech which he vttereth in that Sermon , Iustus quacunque morte praeuentus fuerit , anima eius in refrigerio erit : The righteous man , by what kind of death soeuer he be ouer taken , or hastily caught away , his soule shall be at rest . I might rehearse the example of Iouian another famous Emperour , who was the man that freed the Roman armie from the danger whereinto Iulian the Apostata going against the Persians had brought it . In the o o Socrat. Hist. Eccl. li. 3. 19. midst of their perill , the Captains and souldiers assured both of his vertue and his valour , proclaimed him for their Emperour . But he being a zealous and most resolute Christian , and knowing that they not long before , ( to giue contentment to Iulian ) had turned Heathens and Infidels , made answer that himselfe professing for Iesus Christ , would neuer take vpon him any gouernment ouer Gentiles ; which made them by and by returne to the Christian faith . Yet this holy and worthy Emperour , p p Theodor. Hist. Eccl. Lib: 4. 4. like to the Sunne breaking foorth after a fearefull storme , was presently caught away , and taken out of mens sight . For going in health to bed , he was found dead in the morning ; and no reason of that hastie change could be imagined , but that either he had taken too q q Solon . Hist. Eccl. Lib. 6. 6. liberall a supper , or was choaked with the sauour of new lime on the walles of the house where he lay , or with the smell of bad coles , r r Hier. Epist. 3. ad Heliod . foetore prunarum , as Saint Hierome doth deliuer it . Nay I might tell of Iosiah , whom Ieremy did terme , the breath of their s s ●am. 4. 20. nostrels , the Anointed of the Lord , yet saith withall , that he was taken in their nets , that is , was caught away suddenly . * * 2. Chron. 35. 23. He went into battel against Pharao Necho , and there was wounded and slaine . Iustine Martyr speaking of this most godly king , and the maner of his death doth make this obiection , t t Iustin. Martyr . Quaest. 79. why the wicked did not say that Iosias was so slaine , and died in such a fashion , because hee ouerthrew their idols and their altars . Whereby he doth intimate , that the maner of men is to giue a hard iudgement on the good as well as vpon the bad , if any thing extraordinarie , especially in their death , do befall them . Saint u u Hieron . in Psa. 93. ●om. 7. Hierome noteth the same , where hee writeth thus : Solent aliqui dicere , Some men vse to say , He who was slaine had not beene killed vnlesse he had beene a fornicator , or had committed some sinne . The house had not fallen vpon him , vnlesse he had beene a malefactor . He had not suffered shipwracke , had hee not beene an offender . But see what saith the holy Scripture , Et sanguinem innocentem condemnabunt : They shall condemne euen innocent bloud . Though the person be innocent , yet God sometimes doth suffer the euill man to condemne him . This may well be a lesson to men in our time , that they be not too quicke , nor nimble in giuing vp their verdicts or censures of other men . Especially since God disposeth all at his pleasure . Since he hath said , that * * Eccl. 9. 2. All things come alike to all : and the same condition is to the iust and the wicked , to the good and to the pure , and to the polluted ; to him that sacrificeth , and to him that sacrificeth not . Which is to bee vnderstood of externall and outward things ; since the parties that speake this , haue their owne breath in their nostrils , and it may be their owne case , if God should so determine it : it being true that this noble man spake in another cause , the very houre that he died , x x Eccl. 38. 22. Heri mihi , hodie tibi . Hodie mihi , cras tibi : It is my turne to day , and it may be yours tomorrow . I might amplifie this point much farther , but I end it with that saying of the Apostle Paul , What y y Rom. 14. 4. art thou that condemnest or iudgest another mans seruant ? He standeth or falleth to his owne master .

15 Yet , that truth may not be concealed in the matter which now I handle ; as God dealt with this noble person somewhat extraordinarily in taking him from among vs , so it may be well supposed , that he gaue him more than an ordinarie coniecture , or suspicion , that his death was not farre from him . The last yeere when he returned after his greeuous sicknesse , he spake it more than once to his honorable friends , that he had setled his soule and composed it to another world , whensoeuer God should call for him . Soone after he began to dispose of all those worldly things , which the Lord had lent vnto him . Of late it was his common speech , I am now an old man , therefore this , or therefore that , as I my selfe can witnesse . The day before he died , writing with his owne hand to one of his grand-children , he more than once in that letter vsed this or the like phrase , After my death : and , when I am dead and gone . The last morning of his life , it was noted by those who were neerest about his Lordship , that he was apparently longer at his priuate meditations , then commonly hee did vse . But the words of his will , written with his owne hand may giue great satisfaction to a man of a hard conceit , that he did fit himselfe to mortalitie , whereof in the former yeere he had had a warning peece . I will read his Lordships owne words , in which letech man iudge , whether it may not bee thought that there was some instinct more then ordinarie . Thus then his will beginneth : The eternall God of heauen and earth , the Father , the Sonne , and the holy Ghost , guide and prosper this mine intent and purpose , which in their name I heere take in hand and begin . Because it is a trueth infallible , such as euery Christian ought not onely perfectly to know , and stedfastly to beleeue , but also continually to meditate and thinke vpon , namely , that we are borne to die ; That nothing in this world is more certaine then death , nothing more incertaine then the houre of death , and that no creature liuing knoweth , neither when , where , nor how it shall please Almightie God to call him out of this mortall life : So as heere we liue euery houre , nay euery instant a thousand waies subiect to the sudden stroke of death , which ought to terrifie , teach and warne vs to make our selues ready as well in the preparation of our soules to God , as by the disposition of all our earthly fortunes to the world , whensoeuer it shal please the heauenly power to call vs from this miserable and transitory life vnto that blessed and euerlasting life to come : Therefore , &c.

16 Yet to all this I may adde , that by vs who are liuing , there is an vse to be made of these th●ngs : For Exempl . ●mori●ntum sunt documenta viuentium ; The examples of men dying are the instructions of the liuing . When in this present spectacle wee may sensibly beholde , that life is so vncertaine , that we may say with Plinie , z z Plin. Nat. Hist. li. 7. 51. Whereas there be in men innumerable signes of death , there is no assured signe of safetie and of securitie in the yongest or the strongest : let vs remember the counsell of our Master and Sauiour , b b Matt. 24. 42. Wake therefore : for yee know not what houre your master will come , either by death , or by the last and generall iudgement . Let vs be like the wise c c Matth. 25. 4. virgins , euer readie with oile in our lamps ; the oile of faith and good life . Let vs say to our selues as God sayd to d d 2. Reg. 20. 1. Hezechiah , Put thine house in an order , for thou shalt die and not liue . Let vs speake thus to our soules . Let vs not weaue the spiders-web ; that is , bestow all our labour vpon that which is but vaine , but weake , and of no profit . Let vs not fasten our selues to this transitorie world , making that to be our ioy , our comfort and delight ; but let our minde be setled on some thing of higher nature . Let vs daily pray to God as Moses sometimes prayed , e e Psal. 90. 12. Teach vs so to number our daies , that we may apply our hearts vnto wisdome : which must be the wisdome spirituall , celestiall and eternall . And this is so much the rather to be desired in this life , because as we reade in Salomon , f f Eccle. 11. 3. if the tree doe fall toward the South or toward the North , in the place that the tree falleth , there it shall be , that is , as g g Olymp in Eccl. 11. Bern. Sermon . paru . 49. Olympiodorus , and Saint Bernard do expound it , as a man doth die , either in the fauour or the disfauour of God , so he must remaine immutabiliter & irretractabiliter , without changing or recalling . Therefore men while they doe liue should cary themselues warily , as being euer assured , that they are in the eye of God , and that he is among them in their greatest consultations , and most honourable assemblies . h h Psal. 82. 1. God standeth ( sayth Dauid ) in the Congregation of Princes ; he is a Iudge among Gods . A Iudge to see and examine them , a Iudge to strike and call vnto him , whom and when it pleaseth him . Let him euer be before our eyes , that when he shall send for vs , we may appeare with readinesse , with alacritie and with confidence before the Throne of his Grace . Which God the Father grant vs for his Sonne Christ Iesus his sake : to both whom with the Holy Ghost be laud and praise , and glorie , now and euermore .

Amen .