CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 3 1924 104 015 189 Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924104015189 •#'v,i|y^Kfigi§ii|; m^,^^: ^ 3 SERMON On the Occafion Of the juftJy Lamented DE A T H of the truly Reverend Mr, yOHN HOfVE, Deceas'd April' the 2cl, Preach'd to his Congregation, Jpril 8. 1705/ And Publifh d at their Requeft. By jfoh^ Spademan^ Minifter of ;he GOSPEL We are your Rejoicing, even as you alfo are ours in the Day of the Lord Jefus. 2 Cor. I. 14. L TsiD OH: Printed by R. Tookey, for 7hi>: parkhurft^at the Bible sn- Three Crowns iaCheap.Jide^ ncav Mercers-ChappeL 17O' C i ] To my fincerely Honoured F r i e n ds^ Mrs, Margaret Howe, Dr. George Howe, Mr. John Howe, Mrs. Philippe Collet, Mr, James Howe; With other near RELATIVES of , the DECEAS'D. My Worthy Friends, IF either the Defire of hlm^ 'O'hoin the All-wife Vif^ofer hath tranflated^ or yours, ( differing in this fmgk Matter from His) had inVited me io preach a Funeral Sermon for your excellent Rela- tive, I Jhould ha^;e found a real WwiUmgnefs to Juch a SerVtce ; and have judg'd it more eligible to have been wholly fiknt, than haVe fpoken fo fe"^ Things, as are mention d in this Trafiical Difiourje, concern- ing Him : He indeed receiyd, jrom the Father of L^hts, fo great a Variety of both ISlatural and Chrijiian TerfeSlions, that He was 7iot only a pining Light, and Ornament of his ^ge, hut aninyiting Ex- ample of Univerjal (Joodnefs. The Exercifes wUreof toward Men, did flrmgly recommend him to the Eflmn of thofe from whom his Judgment in fome Things dif- A 2 ^^'■^^'^V. ii The Dedication. agrikd. So that, {tho' He was moji remote from Jeeking Homur on tJj'is Emlj) He had that prlpci- pal ^compenje e/ Tiety^ in. this Life^ a Good Name J whkh mufi prejem Him from Oblivion, tho all his near ^elat'ms, and Acquaint ance, p.ou'd IludioMfly conceal his juji Traijes : Nor can He warn a Monument to make Him live in following /iges^ whofe Excellent Writings have gam'd the approv- ing Suffrage of thofe who are capable Judges ; and They will be valued, fi?htle a %elif) o/Good Senfe, and Genuine Piety is found among Men. All this I peaks pur Lojs^ and of Im Chunh, ;?./, and of the Illation, to be the greater ; a>id I per j wade my /elf. Very few of his Order, haVe been fo (^enmilly Lamented : {Which is a Tribute due to his real IVortlr) 'But the Obedience, and Refignation of your Faith have been the more grateful to Him who hath called you to make fuch an Offering, And whofe mighty Hand alone is able to bind up this Wound, and both fuftain and guide you in your Trogrejs to the fame Happmcfs which he now poffeffeth : If this plain Dijcourje may cofitribute unto this Bleffed Tfeftgn, this will induce )o:i toexcujethe publtp?ing of it, and the 't)efeHslphich a>e Very obvious in Your Affectionate Faithful Servant, In our Common LORD, J. Spademan. (■ i ) A SERMON .- P R E A c H E D on the Occafion of the greatly Lamented D E A T H Of the truly Reverend Mr. John Howe; who Deceas'd, April the 2d, 1705. 1 Timothy III. 14. Bptt continue thm in the thingf which thou hafl learned^and hajl been ajfuredofj J\noiP- ing of rjphom thou ha3 learned them. ! 1 S feafonably fuppofed that the Mantle which fell from the Prophet Elijah, as he was taken up into Heaven, was highly valued, and carefully prefer ved by his Difciple Eli/ha^ efpecially, when he experienced a Miraculous Virtue B annexed rp ( 2 ) aiinexed to it : The Waters of Jordan, being divided when this Carraent was applyed to 'em 5 as we read, 2. Kings II. 1 4. Indeed, when your late tnoft Worthy^ Prf^or (who may juftly be ftyl'd an Elijah of this Age) wastranflated by Death, He left no Garment which has zny Virtue to recommend it : But (which is far more important) before his Tranflation, ha let. fall fuch Holy Inrtruftions, and HeavenlyXouncells, as, thpo* Divine Affiflrance, are able to dry up the Waters oi cxceflive Grief, and open a Paffage into the Celeftial Canaan, into which himfelf hath entered. It is not neceflary, or is it my DefigH, to open frefti Springs of Sorrow, for fo very grievous a Breaoh as the hand of God hath made, by reprefenting the exceeding Lofs which his Family^ and Relatives, this Sociefy, yea, the whole City and Nation, hath fuftained: There is the jofteft Reafon, with Heart-affeding Sorrow, to repeat EHjhas Words, ufed on the Occafion now mentioned, 2i Kings 2^ 1 2. My Father, My Father, the Chariots of; ffrael, (England') and the Horfemen thereof. The Death of one Elijah, who had the Spirit of Prayer, whereby to open Heaven, and bring down refreftiing Showers of BJeffihgs on a whole People 5 The Death, I fay, of One fuch, muft be a Pobliek, and Common Lofsj never enough to be dcplor'd. The Attiring of this Place, and of many affembled in it, fpeaks it to be a Houfe of Mourning, but our Concernment here, is not to indulge a fruitlefs Sor- row, which can neither bring him back to Vs, or af- G(^ our Happy Afcentto Hi*!?, which is far more eovetab-'e, and will certainly be attained, by continu- ing in thofe Things rvhich rve have learned, knowing and eonlidering of xohom v»s have learned them. 'YkCn \ \ ( '3 ) - this excellent Advice, given by the Apof^le P'aul to his Difciple ThMothf, j have judged a more proper 'fubjeft of your Meditation, on this Occafion, than an 'Encomium of yourdeceafedPaftorjWhofe trnjy humble Mind made Him difcover an Averfnefsto any Funeral Solemnities, or Difcourfcs, which had a Tendency to magnifie Hini, and gain publick Applaufe: He hated the fo/ifidiftg a Tritmpef, before Him, living and dying. ^ am not appointed to perforrae fuch a fervice, (tho' but a reafonable Tribute to his Memory) only the fenfe of my own Duty has enduced me to difcourfe -fomething from the Scripture that hath been read, .which will, (thro' the Divine Bleffing) affift, you to improve this feverc difpenfation, and comply with the apparent Defigne of his Office and MiniftrationSo 'Tis evident, That fudi a Providence loudly proclaims the Vanity of Humane Life, the unalterable Law of Mortality, which rauft becKecuted on the very beft inhabitants of this World; fothat neither the Brighuji ^>/aej,orgreateft ferviceablenefs,neitherthe Ufeof the moft promifing Means, or the moft ardent and united fupplications for the prolonging of Life, can exempt any' from the end of all the Living ^ Which therefore, ought to be laid to Hearts But I judge it moft ufefiil, that our Meditatiohs correfpond with the CharaBer which was eminently peculiar to Htm^ whom God hath taken away from us 5 and whofe long excellent Miniftry befpeaks every one of us, in the language of the Text : But continue thou in the things^ &c. knorvfng of whom thou haji learned them, Tis generally agreed by Interpreters, That the Apoftle, in the latter part of the Verfe, intends him- B 2 felf. C 4 J re!'f,.aiKl that,not only, or principally, as invefted with the Apoftolick Office, butasdiftinguilh'd by (otnetbing in his Temper, ConduLT: and Condition: Which did ftrongly oblige his Difciploi to continue in the things they had kiLrmcl, and being duely confider'd, would ettcclailly engage 'em nnto this Pradlice. . The preceding Context leads us to this Explication, where, without once mentioning his Arpoftolick Com- miffion, or the Miracplous Gitts by which He con- firmed his Doftrine, he only reprefents to Timothy 1-. I r, ii.Thon hajl fully known, for for a long time haft fully ohicw qA ) my doctrine , /f2 anncr of life,piirpofe. faith, longfnffering^charity^ patience, perfecutions, affiiSions ,which caK.-: jfnto me -^ pWm\y intimating, that the Life and Pra'^ice, the Sufferings and Afflidions of one who Teacheth the Golpel of Chrift, carrie a mofl: cpgei^ Argument, and ftrong efficacy to engage them who are taught, to a firm Perfevering in the Truth and Duties of the Chriftian Religion^ Which were(withr out all doubt) the Things which Timothy hjd learned of this Apoftfe, vvhofe Office and Defigne led him to Teach the hofy Doctrine and Rules of the Gofpel. The Text thus clear'd, offers to our Gonfideration, 3 twofold important Inftrudion. L The poflibility, and danger, of departing from the Truths and liHle of the Gofpel, isfuppofed. irJA fuitable, and (in its own nature.) efFedual Pre? fervative againfl: this Evil is provided, viz. Theaftua! Knowing, and due Cc«i(idermg of the Charafter- of Uittt^oi vs?bomthey have beea learn'd. As to the formeis. 1. I. The Poffibility, and Danger, of forfaking- tlie Truths and Rule of »the Gofpel : The fuppofing of fuch a thing (in the Text) might feem to carry an af- front to one of Timofht's excellent Piety. Him, this Apoftle, calls his otr-fr (or legitimiite^ Son in the Faith, I. Tim. I. 2. And his dearljklovtd son, 2. Tim. f. 5. Yea, (as fome lear-ned Men, with great probability conclude) the Pillar, and ground of the Truth, i. Tim. HI. 15. (Tor there is now neceflity of giving thi^ Gharafter, either to a particular Church, or even the UniverfalJ However i\\:X be, 'tis unqueftionable that Timothy was not only a fincere, but a very emi- nent believer, who had made an uncommon proficiency, under the Teaching, and Inllitution of the Apoftle 'Baul-^ who, thereupon did give H/V/ the Office of an Evangeliji,(hr more confiderable than that of a Bifliop or even a Metropolitan, which hath been affigned to Hitn without ground,) yet, notwithflanding, this Ex- hortation to him, carrieth a plain fuppofition, that it- was (confidering the Cafe abftradly from the divine Purpofe) poffible, even for Him, not to continue in the things- which he had learned of fuch a Teacher as the Apoftle Paul; Who therefore, judged it neceffary to fortify Him, by this earneft Advice and fuitable Di- reftion. And We (hall perceive juft reaCbn to extend the fuppofition unto All, who have learned, even of the beft Inftrudors, the Sacred Truths and Duties of the Gofpel, if we refleft on the various Gaufes-of de- parting from 'em; As I. The Native vicious Inconftancy and • Inftsbility of Human ^Minds : None are, by renewing Grace, ma(fe Peffed, and delivered iroui. all remaining, De- feds CO ''feSts as to the Ghriftian State 5 Ir we are not kept anJ guarded by Divine Power, we are in continual Dan- ger of departing from the Living GoJ. Who would have fufpeded any Mutablenefs in thofe Jfraelltes, who heard the Majeftick, Terrible Voice of God, pro- mulgating his Law on Mount Sif/ai, (whom fome Jerri^) Authors have magnify'd, as if Tbey had all been p.. . advanc'dabove the Miniftring Angels:) On ^!!c, 47. which Occafion, They moft folemnly ob- lig'd themfelves to kear, and do all that the Lord their God Jhotdd /peak. Deut. 5. 27. And yet fo unftable were their Hearts that theji quichly C within lefs than forty Days, J turaed /(ide out of the Way, tphich God had commanded them. Exod. 52. 8. Yea when the Son of God, the Great Prophet,, was rais'd up, and fent to the fame People among whom he was approv'd of God, by the moft ftupen- doils Miracles ( fuch as none other had ever wrought, ) One of which, -vitj. The multiplying 0f the Loaves, ( by which many Thoufands were fed J carried fuch con- viaive Evidence, that tTie Speftators profefs'd, This is of a Trnth^ that Prophet thatjhonld come into the World. John 6. 14. Yet, the very next Day, manypfthefe very Perfons, who were Chriji's Difciples, departed from him, and tcaik'd nf' more with him. V- 66, On this Suppofition of our vitious Inftability, the Apofile grounds the carneft Advice, Let him that thinketh he fiandeth, take heed ieft h» fall, i Cor. 10. 12. 2. The ftrong delufive Workings of remaining Un- belief. This Root of Apoftacy, is not totally kill'd and deftroyed, even In thofe who have the Spirit of Faith. Hence we find the Apoftle cautioning them, whom Hg i!(^\Q^ Holy Brethren, Partakers of the Hea- venly (7) wm!j Calling. Heb. 3. 1 to take heed, hjl ih'ere be iu them an evil Heart of Unbelief in departing from the living God. V. 12 How apt are we to admit into our Minds, a Sufpicion, lefttheGofpel-Revelation, fhou'd be a cunning devis'd Fable, a meer Invention of He- ceivers, who for their own Intereft have fram'd this Doftrine, efpecially, when any are obferv'd to pre- tend a Zeal for it, whrle they deny it in their Works, and turn it into an Engine of advancing Secular Pow- er and Advantage: Like thofe, whom the Apoftle de- fcribeth by (hxs infamous Charader. i Tim. 6. ,5. counting Religionto be an Income, or Gainfal Bufi- uefs, as that Paffage ought to be rend red, 5. The various Difcouragements which attend a' conftant Belief and Praftice of the Gofpel 5 which the ApofHe had his Eye upon in the immediately preceed- ing Context ^ where he mentioneth' the Perfecutions and AfflidionSi which ftil! followed him, inthedif- eharging of his Office 5 And fubjoins, V, 12, Tea^ and all that will live godly in Chrift Jefus, Jhalf'fnfftr Perfecution, by the reviling Tongnes, or ( when God permits) by the oppreffive Hands of evil Men: Thefe Eyons, in the Way of our Duty, have terrify'd many out of it, who have been a(ham'd or afraid to conti- nue in that Courfe, ( which thoV. moft unjaftly ) hath the reproachful Name of a Se^, andis every where fpoken againft. A&s 7%. 22; The Experience of all Places and Times, informs us how ftrong and dange- rous Impreflions have been made, by the Reproach < and Contempt, the Crofs and Sufferings which attend the faithful Service of Chrift : Even while the Memo- ry- of our Redeemer was recent, his Blood as it were, . yet yet warm, and his Apoftks alive, and fhining as Lights in the World : There was caDfe of a forrow- fuU Complaintof this Kind. 2. Tm.\.\ 'y.Thou knowejl hove that all they which are in Jjia^ be turndjrom me. The true Reafon of -this inexcufable deferting may be dif- covered in the following Part of the Chapter, viz.. They were ajhamed of the Jpojile's Chain, they judg'd it both diOionourable and hazardous to perfift in the Communion of One, who gain'd nothing among Men but difgracing Bonds, and diftrcfling Torments. 4. The ftrong Impreffions made by wordly Allure- ments; There is not a more Dangerous Enemy to our Souls, and which fo powerfully dilTu: deth from continuing in the Things they have learn'd ( of the mofl: excellent Teachers, ) than the Love of this World : Wherever this prevails, it ftifleth all theConvi£ti- Oi^s of Reafon and Confcieiice, it baffleth the Force of all the Arguments which demonftrate the Divine Original of the Gofpel, and the unfpcfikable Impor- tance of the Truths and Councels contain'dinit. Xhere have been, and will be many, to whom the Account given of Demos, is juftly applicable. 2 Tiw. 4, lo-. Demos hath for fakett kjc^ ( and confequently the Things he had learn'd of me } having loved this pre' fent World. And never, I think, v. as there greater Danger from this Snare, than' in the Age wherein we live; in which a Paganijh Efteem and Admirati- on of Riches and Greatnefs renders all the vaft Con- cerns of the other World defpicable, and without Force: Tis moft amazing, that Chriftians ftiould be fo blinded, as not to difcern, what the Pagan Cicero has complain'd of. Corrupti Morcs^ dcpravntiquc funt adn.iratione Divitiarnm. The Manners of Men are corrupted and deprav'd, by the admiring of Riches. C 9) jth and laftCaule of thh Dinger is tlie Seduaion and Enticement of wicked Men, which the Aportle remarks in the Fetfe immediately preceediug. But evil Men and fidnco's Jbitll wax worfi and worfidecehhg^ &c. 'Tis a fad Reflexion, that too raanv Good Men feem contented, only to fave theif own Souls, without feekiug to allure and draw others into the Path of Life ; But evil Men fet themfelves to infeft others, and en- gage them in the fame pernicious Courfes: Thofe who want Learning to difpute and reafon againfl: Truth and Holinefs, fail not to employ the little Wit they have, in ridiculing the moft Sacred Things, like the Scofurs predifted by the Apoftle Feter, a. Ep, §. 5. Z)» godly Men, walking after their own Lufis, who fupply the Want of Argument by prophane Je(is and Railery on the Cofpel and thofe who fc- rioully and heartily believe it. To which they often add the enticing Baits of Liberty, Pleafure and Gain, which carry a mighty Force, efpecially with Tounger lerfons, whofe Age maices 'em unfufpicious and in- confiderate. Hence, fo many in their Touth quite caft off all the Bands of a Pious Education, whilft they guard not againft the Dangerous Enticement of Sinners , which is earneftry injoyned by the Royal Preacher, Prw. i. 10. whofe notorious Defeftion from the Worfhip of Cod, is affign'd unto this Caufe. » King. II. 5, 6, Having thus leprefented the Danger of not conti- nuing in the Things which have been learn'd of thofe who have inftrufted us in our Holy Religion, We proceed in the td, Plape to confider the Prefervative againft this C Danger r ic J batiger, hid down in the latter Part of the Text, 'knorcing^ ( or corficering ) ofnhom thott haft learned item. q. d. I apprehend, thou wilt be ftrongly tempt- ed to deftrt ihc Dcdrine and Praftice which have bf'cn deli\ ered to thee 5 but if thou duly remembreft my Character and Conduft, how I ha-ve demean'd ray Ttrlf, jn my whole Courfe, this will be an apt and fiii- table Means to eftablrfh thy Refolution of adhering fo the Things thou haft learned of me. In difcourf- ing on this Apoftolick Prefcription, we (hall, [i.] State the proper Efficacy of the Prefervative in its general Nature. [2.] Lay down the Particular Characlcrs of a Teacher, which moft direftly contribute unto the pre- ferving from the Danger mentioned. The Former is neceffary to prevent Miftake, the Latter to en- gage and animate our holy Purpofe of continuing in the Truth and Duty of the Gofpel. As to I. The ftating and explaining the proper Efficacy of wTiat is prefcribed, to preferve us from the Dan- ger above related , it will be ufeful to obferve the fol- lowing Particulars, 1. That this is not to be underftood, as if the bare Authority of any Ordifrarj/ Teacher, were a fufficient Ground of Obligation to continue in the Things we have learned of him. This can't be fuppof d, with- out a moft dangerous altering the very Nature of Faith, which is always to be built on ^ Divine Tefti- mony, as the Apoftle aflerts, Rom. 11. 17. So then Faith cometh hy bearingy ( or Teftimony ) and hearing ^ the Wofd ofQod. We ought not give tliis Deference to even an Angel from Heaven, much lefs to the moft excellent Teachers, that their fiiigle Authority (hould oblige us. We are coramanded by our Lord^ in this Sente, To call no Man our Father upon Earth., Matth. 2:;. 9. /'.e. not to admit anyone v.-homfoever ( who ads inhiso^n Name ) to have a Dominion CA'er our Faith: Only, the fupream Origittal Truth, the ElelTedGod fpeakingby his Son, and thofe whom He commiffioneth, is abfolutely to berelyed on. The Bcr^ans are dignify'd with the Title of Noble, or high- born Perfons, becaijfe when the Apoftle Paul firfl: . preach'd to 'em. They fearch'd the Scriptures daily., whether thofe things were fi. Afts 17, 1 1. Mi^ch more i$ ir our Duty to examine all that we learn of our Mi- niftcrs, by the fame infallible Rule, that we mny not be the real Difciples of any other Mafter befides him whofe Natne is put on us, in our Baptifm. Om Faith and perfevering Obedietjce to the Gofpel, mufi: not ftand in the VVifdom, ( or Authority ) of Men, but in the Power ( and Veracity ) of God, i Cor, 2. 5. 2. This is to be underftood in Subordination to the internal effeftual Agency of the Divine Spirit, by whom, as the principal Efficient, God doth ftablijh all Believ- ers inChriH, as the Apoftle afferts, 2 Cor. i. 21, 22. The Sealing and ImprefEng of our Minds and Hearts by the Heavenly Signet, is abfolutely needful! unto our continueing in theThings we have learn'd 5 all our own Efforts and Endeavours will never preferve us from Deteftion and drawing back unto Perdition, without the po^verful Working of the Holy Spirit, who alone can fix our wavering Minds, and furnifh with Strength torefift, and overcome, the moft dangerous C 2 Aflaults < 12 ) AffauUs that we can be expos'd to'r Therefore the A- roflle, befiles this feafonable Councel taT$mot^n^,€3r- iJtrftly pr.ivcth for him^ hjl Ferfi of this Epi/Ilc, The Lord JcO's Chrifl be with thy Spirit 5 as knowing, that vviihour rhe inward Vital Pre fence of the Redeemer, all vother Helps will be infufficient, andunfuccefsful; and we are obiig'J to add unto our Ufe of the Means here perfcribed, fervent and continued Supplication, for obtaining the mighty Aid of the Z)/i'//7e67'^>//,whom God hath gracioufly promis'd to give to thofe who ask biw. Luke II. 13. But, 5, The Efficacy of fuch a knowing and confider- ing of him of whom we have learn'd, deriveth ( in the ufual Method of Providence ) from the native Prevalent Force of Example: When the Praffice of a Minifter agreeth with his Doftrine, this doth ftrongly recommend and imprefs the Things that are taught by him.' Wheras a Pradice, that is contrary to the moft holy Rules and Inftruftions, (huts up and bars the Hearts of thofe who obferve this Difa- greement. Hence the Blefled God, while hefpakeby Prophets, callM none to the Prophetick Office but Holjy Perfons, as we read, Lvk. i 70. 2 Pet, i. 21. And 'tis weH known that where the Qualifications of Officers in Chriftian Churches are defcribed, the Principal Strefs is laid upon a holy and unblameable Life. I Tifa. 3. Titus i On this Defign, that the Example of thofe who teach others, might powerful- ly convey their Doftrine into the very Hearts and Confciences of Men*: And this Confideration gives a fad Occafion ot obferving,hovv great a Judgement and tremendous Plague, a vicious ungodly Miniftry is to a People, which ufually is much more influenced by the C 13 > the Manners of their *?'eadiers, than by ^11 the Ar- guments and Councels which are propoi'd by them; One ftraying Guide, who himfelf leads the way in a Courfe of Sin, draws many after him.intothe famede- flruftive Rath. This provok'd the terrible Difpleafure of God againft the Jewi(h Priefts, againfl: whom he draws a moft fevere charge. Mai. 2. 8. But ye have dc farted, out of the Way ; ye have caufed many to jiuffiUe at the Law. Not the greateft Learning, or moving Eloquence, not the moft accurate obferving of external Forms, can compenfate for a DefeA as to Holinefs of Converfation ; which leads to the Fourth And jaft Reflexion, viz. That the knowing and confidering of theChriftian Pradiceof aTeacher, is a moft apt Means to prevent or remove Prejudices againft the Things which have been learn'd. Cou- ftant Experience attefts the Truth of this. Many have acknowledg'd that it was their obferving the Juftice and Temperance, the Patience and Humility of thofe who faffer'd as evil doers, which convinc*d them of the Divine Authority of the ChriftianDo^rine. Therefore the glorious Founder of the Chriftian Church.did not only furniftithe firft Publiftiersof the Gofpel, withthe Prophetiek. Spirit, and Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Ghoft, but repleniftied them with all the Fruits of lUgh- teoufnefs and imiverfal Goodnefs: They coui^ make a joft and fafe Appeal,"to all who had Opportunity of obferving, in the Apoftle's Language,! Thef. 2. to. Te are voitnejfes, and God aifo, hop hojily, and Jnjily^ &nd Hnblameahiy vee behaved our felves among you that believe^ *Tis a very memorable Paffage, which I have met with Girbutt- In a Learn'd and judicious Author, ' If theCof- ' pd C faith he j were im)W to be planted agaia, ail ' the ( 14 ) * the Miracles in the World, I think, would not make * it take, while our Morals are as they are. AMi- ' racle may ftrike a little Wonderment at firft, but good * Morality f i. e. a holy Converfation ) it finks, it ' foaks to the Heart ; Perverfnefs may fay a Miracle is ' from the Devil ^but who can fay,that good Morality ' is from the Devil? This will be furticient,! hope, to prevent Miftake, concerning the Nature and kind of tliat'Eflficae'y which beloiigs to the Means here di- rected to -J I now proceed in the 2 Place, to lay down the particular Chara^ers of a Teacher which moft diredly recommend, and im- prefs the Things which have been learn'd of him ^ which will bring the Difcourfe to the forrowful Cir- ciimftances of your prefent State ^ Where (as I have before fignify'd) T (hall not attempt to draw a full Defcription of Him, whofe Deceafe we juftly lament, (.which is always a confiderable Part of a Funeral Difcourfe^ ) but confine my felftofome Ihort Memo- rials of him, which agree with my prefent Dclign^ which will be a far greater Advantage to you than to hear his juft Praifes fet forth by the Tongues of Men and of Angels: This later could only yeild an evanid Delight, which can no ways contribute to^ our chief fntereft, I mean the Salvation of our Souls 5 which, thro' divrne Affiftance, will be furthered by the following Accountofthofe fpecial Chara&ers which are moft apt to engage unto a continuing in the Things that we have learned : As, I. Knowledge in the Myftery of Chrift. a clear Un- derftanding of, the Council of God, that relates to the Salvation of loft Sinners. Without this,an honeft Mind may ( »5 ) may deceive otliers, becaufe it felf is liable to be de- ceived. This our Apoftlc appeals unto, in the firft Place where he: makes a Defcription of himfelf K lo. Thou hafl fully known my Do&r'we, ( i. e. how confo- nant to the Scriptures ; ; And puts the Ephejians in Mind, that He was furniflit with this facred Know- ledge, by which he was rendred a wife Mafter-Bnilder in the HoufeofGod, Eph. 3. 5. I (haH not flatter your latQ Teacher, when 1 affirm, that God had given Him an uncommon Skill in the Word of Righteouff- nefs, from whence He always drew all that he taught. He had peculiar Advantages for underftanding the Oracles of God, a large Fund of natural Endowments, improved by fuperadded Preparatives unto the Study of the Scriptures ^ a richTreafure o^ Human Learning:^ C defpis'd by none but the ignorant, ) .particularly a thorough JTnowledgeof Pagan Theology, by which he wa5 enabled to defcry the Shortnefs and Miftakes.ef Human Reafon, which Faculty he very well under- ftood to ufe, insubordination unto Chriftian Faith, whofe Myfteries He was able to free from the Obje^i- ons of Cavillers. But that wTrich mod: of all affiled his Searching and iight Underftanding of the Scriptures, was his very early and growing exemplary Pie/;/, which hath the Pro- mife of divine Teaching and lilumination.He took Care to wa(k the'VefTel, that it might be receptive of Divine Communications. To all fheTe, he ad- ded Unwearied _ Diligence, Htiwitity and Prayer, which was the Delight and Solace of his whol 'W e Life. In fuch a Courfe, He was fafe from the lUu 'iions of Fancy, and the Specious Errours that man^r sGreat Wits have been entangled with. His very ex- cellent i-dlent tifefu! Writings are a PubHck Teftimony of Mis Thing .' Moft ju^iy might He ufe the Apology, ffiaae by the Apoftle P««/ when he was cenftjr'd and reproaeh'dwith belflgraadj hntrntrntmid^ bntfit^k fmh the Wwds efTmh und Sekrmft, h^t ad. i%. This Wifdom enabled him to eonflrm the Truths of the Oofpelwiihoreper and moft eonvirieing Evidenetj 8nd repfefent the Chrifiim Sfkme, in its native un- exceptionable Comelinefs. -'ndfhould we not continue in the Things we have learn'd of fuch a SiribeJvfirH&- ■d Huto the Kingdom of Heaven^ A* Sccoi/d Charafter, which has a peculiar Aptnefs to recommend an^ imprefs divine Things, is god Ij/ Since- yity^ with which all the fin: Publiftiers of tiie Gof- pel were adorn'd, and it did mod eminently fhine in the Condud of the Apoftle Paul, who takes frequent Occafion to mention it, becaufe fome, either from Ignorance or Malice, taxed him with the Want of ir, as if he had ai^ed according to Worldly Politicks 2 Cor. I. 12. Our rejoycing is this^ the Tejiimonj of onr Coftfcicfice^ that in Simplicity and godly Sincerity^ not TKPtth fiejhly Wifdom^ We have had our Converfation tn the World,, and more abundantly to youvpards. And he more largely infifts on this Qualification of thofe who have the Office of iftftrufting others, i Ihef. 2. 3) 4> 5- 6.. I know the Imputation of Infincerity, and Hypocrify, hath been very frequent, againft the ftioft upright excellent Servants of God 5 thus when the Accufer, could not fatten a Charge on the Life of Holy Job, he taxeth him with a mercenary and in- fincere Difpofition of Mind. Job. i. Doth Job ferve Qod for nought? * F. Paul * r 17 J * The wife Council of God permits thefe unrigh- teous and very nneafy Accufations; toexcrclfe and de- raonftratethe Reality and Truth of hisServ.wrs tove and Devotednefs to him : Of which your deccaPd Faftor gave nioft conviftive Evidences, throughout the whole Courfe of his Miniftry^ by a noble and ge- nerous contemning of the World, and Secular Ad- vantages, and a Steady aiming at the Honour of God, inallhisConduft audlVliniArationSifothat ^,.,,;- .,' theCharaaer givenoi aLearned andexcel- lent Defender of the Kroteftant Caufe, dofii truly be- long to him.' z/fZ-.Many excellencies there were in him, for which hi? Memory remains ^ but above all was hisCj'oir»,thathe nnfeignedly fought God's Gtory, and . the Good of Mens Souls ^ And nothing doth fo ftrong- ly recommend the Things that we hgve learned, as an AfTurance of the Holy Sincerity of the Tcachei", \v\io can have no Defign to corrupt^the Word of God,, for the Sake of tli^ Greate ft World y Advantage. V. 2. Cor. 2. 17. For vpe are mt as mdvy^ xohich corrupt the Word of God; But as ofSiucerity^ but as of God, in the Sight of God ^ fpeah toe iff Chrift. We have known few in our Age, to whom, this folemn Froteftation of the Apoftle is more truly applicable than to H/'w, of whom you have learn*d5 and what can juftify the not continuing in the Things taught by him > A * F. TmI relaceth that Pope AdrUn, < one of the honefleft of hii Order ) charg'd Luthir, and his Followers, with Hypocrify, and afling againfl Con- fcience, in which chey were perl'waded of the certain Truth o( the A«w//& Tenentt, but diflembltd their Sentiments in fut. cen[tUntit ttmffertfcr indubitate I' iifhitiii Rointmfingtnit altrimtnUi E pert efftrt ctfa fatillima atitguert qutlU duMint, ciitnn m faniatt, ftlva cbi (fprtgl' inte n^ Ifloria AA Con- cilio de Trento, L. i. That Pope hath not been flngiilar in hit Canfuce, c^ian ■which nothing could be more unjuft. D g Which he did not count dear tohimferf, that he might finifh his Courfe with Joy^ and the Miniftry he had received for the faving of Souls 3 for which he had the moft tender Regard, to thedrfregarding of all other and lower Interefts, We may juftry apply to him, the Account given by this Apoftle, of EpaphroditMs. Phit. a. 30. For the Work of Chrift^ he was nigh unto De^th^ not regarding his Life. I might mention va- rious Inftances of this moft tender and fervent Love lo Soufe, as his impartial and faithful reproving ofSin^ without ^thout ^efpc^ of Perfbnsj his EaJiPfefs af Aecefi. his condefcending to the loweft, and indeed becoming all things to all, that he might gain the more; But I muft not omif that hright Evidence of his divine Love to Men, I mean his Readinefs to afilft all the Neceffitous and Diftrefs'd, that he had Opportunity of doiiig Good unto.' Very few have been fogoveru'd as He, by the Jpothegme^ of our Lord. // // more blef- fed to give, tka» U receive. A&s 20. 35. H'n Charity was not a narrow Spring, limited and confined to a fmall Spot, but like an Ocean^ fent forth refrefhing Streams without Diftinftion. How; oft have the Bow- els of out Peffecuted Brethre^ in a Neighbour King- dom, thofe generous C('«r/c//3rjF of the Faith, been re-. freth'J by his Concern for them) When it is the re- proachful Chara-^er of our Age, that all feek their own Things, are intent on buildingtheir own Houfes, and raifing their Families, He was intent on buildingup Living Tef«pks unto God, in all the Ways which might contribute to the prefeiit and everlafting Hap- pinefs of Men. In this Cburfehe not only laid iip for^ himfelf an undecaying Treafure in Heaven, but us'd the beft Method to entail a divine Blefling on all his Offspring. Sm^ly the Inftruftions, the Councels and- Exhortations of fuch an one, ought never to be for- got^ or (lighted, when they could proceed from no other Principle, than a.moft unfeigned Love to God, and Affeftion to thofe among virhom he laboured, A j^tk Recommending Chara^ef of a Ktinifter of th& Gofpfil, is ChriiJian Patience under A$i^s. Hypothefij-) ig aplicable in this cafe. It may almoft be defpaired, that thofe who refus'd and re- jefted theMefTages brought by him, but retainM hard and obdurate Hearts, (hou'd be perfwaded to Repen- tance, and Holiaefs, by any other Miniftry. 4. It ought further to be confider'd,That the Things learned of him, were a moft precious Trufi or Dcpo- fitum committed to thofe who have learnM them. The Orginal term ?-«V6x( wliichi&tranll- t ;y/.4a9nf 21. V ajej^ hafi been ajfitred, in fome Greek ""' '"" ■ Copies,byafraallvariation,chang*d is in- to a Verb that (ignifieth to commit; or entruft^ and this reading hath been preferred by fome Tranjlatiotts. This cant be queftion'd, that Divine Truths, and Inftrudions, have the Charafter of a Sacred Truft, which is to be preferv'd with utmoft Care and F - delity. The very Light of Nature, the Didates of Reafon, difcover this obligation: So that all agree in condemning the bafe Injuftice of him, who betrays a Trurt,and is negligent in preferving that which isdc- pofited with him, and the Crime is judg*d the more hei- nous, and inexcufable, by how mnch the Dtpojitum^ the Thing committed to another, is more precious and va- luable- Who but a blinded Infidel, will deny the incom- parable Value of Sacred and Divine Truths, which are of a Heavenly Original, and are a principal Treafure committed to the Church. How folemn a Charge was given to Timothy y i Ti». 6. 20. Timothy^ keep that (-25) hai which is committed to thy Irnfl. And it is repeated 2 Tim, 1. ISf.tkatgoodThitJg roh/ch was committed to thcc kcep.q.d.G'we aW Diligence" to guard the excellent De- pbftum of the Go(pel, which thou hafl: been entrufted with.The fame Obligation is laid on us, who learn'd "the fame Gofpel, which rauft defervc a far more fol- licitous Concern than any of the precious andadmir'd Treafures of this Earth, which are guarded with greateft Care. But if we continue not in the Things we have learn'd, we are guilty of the worft ln)u(iice, and Unfaithfulnefs to others, and of gteateft Vnkind- ftefs'to bux felves^ for the things we have learn'd, are tiOt made onr Proprletjr, to do with 'em as we p|eafe^ But we are oblig'd to tranfmij: them to others of the iiicceeding Age, that they who life up after us, may enjoy the fame bleffed Atlvantage. Pfd. 78. 5, 6, How great is the Crime of a Parent, wha having re- ceiv'd a fair Patrimony ,or Honour,doth waft the Eftate, and forfeit *the Honour, which he ought to transmit to thofe that arc to fucceed him. If thofe of this Ge- neration, (kould betray the Civil Rights and Liberties of the Nation, which have been tranfmitted by their Anceftors, and entail Poverty, and Slavery on the fuc- ceeding Generations ; How unpardonable would fuch a Condudt be judg'd? But the depriving of Pofterity of the Light and Efficacy of Gofpel Truth, is an In- jury, an In juftice unfpeakably greater ; Becaufe the for- mer only affeds the Temporal, and leffer Intercfts of Men, but the latter endangers their Souls, and eternal Felicity .* And who would not tremble at the Thought of fuch Guilt, if he really believes, and expefts a fu- ture Judgment, in Which a Severe Account muft be given of this Sacred Talent, that hath been entrufted with him. To behold him Shining as the Sun in the Kingdom of his Father, and your felves caft into ou- ter Darknefs: To fee him crown'd with never-fa- ding Life and Glory, and your felves fhut up in the Place of Torment: What Heart can I^^ar the very Thought? But nothing is more tinqueftionable, than that there is but one Pajfage, one Path to Heaven, where he had never come, if he had not continued himfelf in the Things which he firft learned, and af- terwards taught. Nay, if you fhould depart from the- holy Truth and Duty, in which you have been inftruft- ed by Him^ notwithfta'iding the tender Love he bore- to you, He muft ftand forth as a Witnefs, and Accu* fer, to aggravate your Guilt, and greaten your Con- demnation. I fhall conclude with the Advice of the Apoftle, to his dearly beloved PhiUpftans^ applyed to the prefent Subjeft Phil. 4. 9. Thole Things, which n''t have both learned, and received^ and heard, andfien- ly:HlM do: And the God of Peace Jhall he vpith jotf. F I NI S.. BOOKS written hy the Reverend Mr. John Howe. THE BlelTednefs of the Righteous opened, &c. His Treatife ot Delighting in God. The Living Temple.- Or, A Defigned Improvement of that Notion, That a Good Man is the Temple of God. In 2 Vol, The Reconcileablenelsof GodsPrefcience of the Sins of Man. Self-Dedication. Difcourfed in the Anaiverfary Thanks* giving of a Perfon of Honour, for a great Deliverance. A Difcourfe relating to the much lamented Death, an3 folemn Funeral, of oar Incomparable, and mofl: Gracious Queen MART^ of moft Blelftd Memory. The RightUfeofthat Argument in Prayer, from the Name of God, on the Behalf of a People thatprofefs it. A Sermon at the Funeral of the Reverend Mr. Matth^Mead. Two Sermons PreachM at TW/ow, 5«/tf/;J i on Rom. 6. 13. Of Thoughtfulnefs for the Morrow. With aa Appendix coa- eerning the immoderate Dcfire of Fore-knowingThingsixTcdme. ■ Of Charity, in Reference to other Men's Sins. A' Sermon at the Funeral of iMr. RiehArd Mms, M. A. The Redeemers Tears wept over loll Souls .• In a Treatife on Luke 19 41, 42. With an Appendix. Wherein fomewhatis Qccalionaly difcourfed, concerning the Sin againft the Holy GV.ofl-, and how God is faid to Will the Salvation otthemthac- Perifh. A Sermon, direding what we are to do after a ftricT: Enqui- ry, whether or no we truly love God. A- Funeral Sermon for Mrs. Efther Samffon^ the late Wife of BcrySamffon^ Doflor of Phyfick. The Carnalicy of Religious Contention.- In two Sermons, preached at the iVJerchants-Ledure in Broad'H-reet^ , ^ A Sermon /flr Reformation of Manners. A Sermon at the Funeral of Mrs. Hammond. A- Sermon preach'd on the Day of Thanlgiving, .i>fcf«»lvr 2. 1597. A Funeral Sermon for the Reverend Dr. Bates. ^..Galm and Sober Enquiry concerning the Poffibility of a Trinity' ^ooks written hy tk "^eyerend Mr. John Howe. Trtaity ' in the God-head. A Letter to a Friend, concerning a Poftcript to the Defence of Dr. Sherlock's Notion of the Trinity in the Unity, relating to the Calm and Sober Enquiry upon the fame Subjeft. A View of that Part of the late Gonfiderations by //. H. about the Trinity : Which concerns the (bber Enquiry on t^iat Subjeft; Some Gonfiderations of a Preface to an Enquiry concernig the pccafional Conformity oe Diflenters, &-c. A Difcourfe on Colof. i, z. Shewing, what may moft hopeful- ly be attempted to allay the Animolities among" Proteflants that our Divifions may not be our Ruin. A Sermon preach d at the Funeral of Mr. Peter riack^B. D. Two Oifcondes ; ifi' Concerning Man's Enmity to God ; the zd. Man's Reconcilation with God. The Redeemer's Dominion over both Worlds, Vifible and iQTifible. A Funeral Sermon for the Reverend Mr. Richard Fttirdough. J^ Sermon preach'd iVev. thejffe. 1703. on Celoff. i. 13. A Difcourle of Patience, relating to the Expeftation of Fu- ture Blefledneff, with an Appendix, being the laft Book, be publiQi'd.