The Christians victory over death a sermon at the funeral of the Most Honourable George Duke of Albemarle, &c. : in the Collegiate Church of S. Peter, Westminster, on the XXXth of April M.DC.LXX / by Seth, Lord Bishop of Sarum. Ward, Seth, 1617-1689. 1670 Approx. 64 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 20 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A67564 Wing W818 ESTC R12260 13799260 ocm 13799260 101920 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A67564) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 101920) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 854:16) The Christians victory over death a sermon at the funeral of the Most Honourable George Duke of Albemarle, &c. : in the Collegiate Church of S. Peter, Westminster, on the XXXth of April M.DC.LXX / by Seth, Lord Bishop of Sarum. Ward, Seth, 1617-1689. [2], 36 p. : port. Printed for James Collins ..., London : 1670. "Preached and published by His Majesties special command." Imperfect: Portrait of George Monck, Duke of Albermarle, lacking. Reproduction of original in Cambridge University Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Albemarle, George Monck, -- Duke of, 1608-1670 -- Sermons. Church of England -- Sermons. Bible. -- N.T. -- Corinthians, 1st, XV, 57 -- Sermons. Death -- Religious aspects -- Christianity -- Sermons. Funeral sermons. Sermons, English -- 17th century. 2000-00 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2001-12 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2002-01 TCP Staff (Michigan) Sampled and proofread 2002-01 TCP Staff (Michigan) Text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion The Christians Uictory over Death . A SERMON AT THE Funeral of the Most Honourable GEORGE Duke of ALBEMARLE , &c. In the Collegiate Church of S. Peter WESTMINSTER , On the XXX th of April , M.DC.LXX . BY SETH Lord Bishop of SARUM Preached and Published by his Majesties special Command . LONDON , Printed for Iames Collinsat the Kings-headin Westminster-hall , M.DC.LXX . The Christians Uictory over Death . I. COR.XV.57 . But thanks be to God , who giveth us the Victory , through our Lord Iesus Christ. WHosoever he was who first said of Wisdom ( or Philosophy ) that it is Contemplatio Mortis , hath recommended a considerable document to the World. Not that the continual Poring and meditating upon Death ( precisely and nakedly considered ) is a matter so much becoming a Philosopher . But because the true Theory of the consequents of Death , is not only the most excellent , but also the most concerning part of humane Knowledge . It is that Theory , which influences the Actions of all living men ; which steers their courses , and gives rules and measures to them in all their concernments . As , for instance . The true determination of the Question betwixt the Christian Theory and others ( especially that of Epicurus ) concerning the state after Death ( the Mortality or Immortality of the Soul , the Account and Iudgment after Death , the Resurrection of the Body , and the Rewards of Eternity : ) will decide the Questions of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 & , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Good or Evil , Prudent or Imprudent , Brave or Contemptible in the Lives or Actions of Men. If Death have Dominion over the Whole man , and if it be an Extinction of the Soul as well as a Corruption and Dissolution of the Body ; If there be no Rewards or Punishments to follow , and could we be sure of all this ; Then to deny our present Affections and appetites , or to put our selves upon hazardous and difficult designs , upon the Contemplation of something to betide us after death , is very Imprudent , Foolish , and Ignoble . If on the other side , the end of this mortal life be the beginning of another state , a state of happiness or misery , to be dispensed according to the Christian Theory ; Then to prefer things light and Temporal , before those which are weighty and eternal , is Beastly , sottish , and Contemptible . It is the business of our most Learned Apostle , here in this Chapter , under the Comprehensive Title of the Question concerning the Resurrection , to compare and to examine the Christian and Epicurean Theories , in reference to the State of the vitâ functi . The Corinthian ( Epicurean ) Philosophy had begun like a Cancer , to eat out the Doctrine of the Resurrection , and here he labours earnestly to retrive it . He proves the truth of the Christian Doctrine , and ( because veritas est una ) in so doing he shews the falshood of the Epicurean Hypothesis . From the Resurrection of Christ he infers the truth of the General Doctrine of the Resurrection ; and for the truth of Christs Resurrection , he appeals to more than 500 Witnesses . He shews the many Absurdities of Epicurizing under a Profession of Christianity ; and answers that fond Objection about the manner of the Resurrection , and the body that shall arise . He weighs the Physical and Theorical opinions , and the practical Corollaries of them . The Natural Philosophy of one Opinion is , That We shall die to morrow ( toti moriemur . ) Of the other , That we must all live for ever . Of these Opinions , One tends to corrupt good manners ; the other to rectifie and ennoble them : One inclines and leads men to the Work of the Beast in Man ; the other , to the Work of the Lord. The Logick of One is this , Let us eat and drink , for to morrow we shall die ; The Inference of the other is this , Let us be stedfast , unmoveable , always abounding in the work of the Lord , forasmuch as we know , that our Labour is not in vain in the Lord. The Epicurean Imposture , by the assistance of a violent Lust , an ungovernable rage , Actuated and Heightned by provocation , or inflamed by the spirit of Wine ; may furnish out a Hector to a Duel ; and prompt him on to die as a fool dieth . But the foundation of Great and Heroical Performances , the just and rational , the Considerate and Sedate , the constant , perpetual , and uniform contempt of Death in all the shapes thereof , is only derived from the Christian Principle . This inspires passive valour into the hearts of men , and furnishes invincible Martyrs for the Stake ; This excites Active Courage , and Equippes and furnishes Heroical Souldiers and Generals for the Field . To this the World is indebted for the Glorious Example of this day ; and to this we are indebted for this Triumphal 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Text ; O Death ! Where is thy sting ? O Grave ! Where is thy Victory ? The sting of Death is sin , the strength of sin is the Law : But thanks be to God , that giveth us the Victory , through Iesus Christ our Lord. The words of my Text resolve into two General parts . 1. A Proposition or Christian Principle , God through Christ giveth us the victory over death . 2. An inference to Christian practice . 1. In reference to God , Thanks be to God. 2. In reference to our selves , Let us be stedfast , unmoveable . As for the Inference , I shall only be permitted to Conclude with it , and am forced to be very contracted in my Observations . The Proposition may be considered two ways . 1. Objectivè and in Thesi , and so it lays down the general Case of Believers , as it stands ( 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) in the truth of nature , and so it gives us this universal Theorem or Observation , viz. Every true Christian is through our Lord Christ victorious over Death . Or , God through Christ gives to every Christian the victory over Death . 2. Subjectivè and in Hypothesi , as it bears a part in St. Pauls Triumphant 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and then it affords us this more restrained and particular Observation , viz. Through Christ it is given to some Believers , even here in this Life , to attain to a setled contempt of Death , enabling them to triumph over it . Of these two Observations very briefly . I. Christ has procured to every true Christian or Believer the Victory over Death . Now the Assertion of the truth of this Proposition , the Explication and particular tractation of the Causes , and the Deduction , and enforcement of the Consequences of it in reference to God and Man , is so Apparently the entire Argument of the Gospel , that it is needless , among Christians , to insist on the proof of the Observation : Briefly ; the Gospel hath delivered to us both the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of it . First , For the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . If either ( according to the Doctrine of Epicurus ) we suppose Death to dissolve the Soul , as well as to corrupt the Body of a man ; Or if the Soul of a man shall survive , and Death shall immediately enter it into a state of infelicity to be filled up , and eternized by a miserable Resurrection under the stinging of a worm that dies not , and the tormenting rage of a Fire that never shall be quenched . In either of these Cases ( in the Figurative Language of the Scripture , which speaks of Death as of a Person ) it may be properly asfirmed , That Death is too hard for such a man , that it gets the victory , and holds the Dominion over him . But if on the other side , the state of a man be advanced and bettered by his Dissolution ; So that upon good Consideration , it be desirable to him to be Dissolved . If when Death shall have done its utmost , the Essential part of man , The Man that is in Man , shall be surviving , surviving in joy unspeakable ; to be compleated in a Glorious Resurrection , to be continued and increased to all Eternity . Then he who doth not perish by the hand of Death , nor is thrown by it into a state of infelicity , but passes through death into endless Life ; this man is properly victorious over Death . Now this is the Effect and Summary of the Gospel , to this every part of it , one way or other , doth relate , it every where assures us , that this is the condition of every true believer , Whosoever believeth in him shall not perish , i. e. shall not cease to be , ( much less do worse ) but have everlasting Life ; viz. he hath the victory over Death . Secondly , Again for the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . The whole series of this affair is per omnia Causarum genera , from the first occasion of the difference , to the last performance of the Victory , abundantly delivered in the Gospel . This tells us , that by the Law sin entered into , the World , and death by sin , ( i. e. death temporal and death eternal . ) So that the sting of death is sin ( or the Consequent of sin ) and the strength of sin is the Law. It tells us , that death reigned over all ; in as much as all men had sinned . That by the Law no flesh could be justified , though it was ( in its nature ) holy , just , and good ; Yet it was become the ministry of condemnation . That to take away the strength of sin ( which is the Law ) God sent his Son made under the Law , to redeem them that were under the Law ; that to disarm death by taking away the sting thereof , a He who knew no sin was made sin ; b That sin might not reign in us , and death might no more have the Dominion over us ; That we might not c be under the Law , but under Grace , d He humbled himself to Death , even the Death of the Cross. e There , He , ( his own self ) bare our sins in his own body ; f There he abolished in his flesh the Law of Commandments , slaying the enmity thereof ; g There , He blotted out the h hand-writing , and took it out of the way , nailing it to his Cross. i There he died , that by his death he might destroy him , that had the power of death , even the Devil . k There he spoyled Principalities and Powers , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ● ostentavit eos , triumphing over them in it . Thus Christ , the Captain of our Salvation , obtained the Victory over death and hell , obtained it for himself , and for all his faithful Souldiers and followers ; Thus all of them have certitudinem objecti , Every true believer is victorious over death in truth , and in rei veritate . But every one hath not in this life certitudinem subjecti ; This is not a general Interest , to which men are entitled by Christianity , but a special Grace and priviledge , dispensed according to the peculiar prerogative of Gods Will and Pleasure . Though Christianity , and a just power of Contemning Death may be reciprocal , yet Christianity and the actual exercise of the contempt of Death , do not by necessity evince one another . There are Children of light which walk in darkness , working out their Salvation with perpetual fears and tremblings . There are ( on the other side ) some , that having no Charity , are yet so far transported as to give their Bodys to be burned . There is a way that seemeth right unto a man , but the end thereof are the paths of death . So that the second Observation is limited , and particular : viz II. Through Christ it is given to some Believers to attain in this life , to a settled contempt of death , and enabling them to triumph over it : This was the Case of St. Paul in the Text , and the Case of many others , He giveth us the victory , saith St. Paul. To clear this Observation , I ought to shew how Christians come to obtain this priviledge , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ( by and through Christ. ) To perform this fully , it would be requisite to lay before you the Doctrines of the Merits of Christ , and of the Grace of God , and of the Application of them by Believers . But being restrained by the occasion , I shall only endeavour to shew , that Christ ( and He indeed alone ) hath given his followers such a System of principles , as is apt and able to bring them to a Rational contempt of Death . Now this he hath done , 1. By the Theory which he hath left the World concerning the State of the Vitâ functi ( or Deceased . ) 2. By the assurance which he hath given the World of the truth of that Theory . No other Theory ( supposing it to be true ) is in its nature able and apt to bring men to this heroic state . No other dissenting Theory is or can be true . Annihilation and misery Nature abhors , and the only ground of a rational Contempt of death , is a just expectation to advance and better a mans estate by dying . This expectation arises only from a good Conscience ; To reduce a man to a good habit of Conscience , nothing is powerful enough beside the powers of the World to come , a right understanding , and a deep Consideration of the Pe●sonal Rewards and Punishments of the World to come . Now the true Theory concerning Personal Rewards and ●unishments , was first of all clearly delivered to the World by our Lord Iesus Christ : For , 1. He it is that hath cleared the personal capacity of the rewards of the World to come . 2. He it is who hath delivered plainly and clearly the Administration of the Rewards themselves . 3. Christ has cleared the Capacity of personal rewards ; and this he hath done by his Doct●ine concerning 1. The Immortality of the Soul , and 2. Of the Resurrection of the body . First , For the Immortality of the Soul. Although the simple Apprehension of spiritual Beings ; The judging things contrary to the representation of sense ( as in the distance and magnitude of the Sun , Moon , and Stars ; ) The forming universal Pr●positions ; The Reasoning and Reflecting power of men ; The strugling betwixt the Sensual and Intellectual part of man. The Lashes of Conscience , in Wicked men , always forecasting g●ievous things . Although , these and many other indications of Nature do evince , that there is in living men something incorporeal and immortal . And although beside and above these Indica●ions , there are many passage in the Law and the ●rophets , from whence the immortality of the S●ul may be Concluded , ( in Consequence whereof , both before and during the t●me of Christ , All the Sects of the Iews , except the Sadduces ; And ( I think ) All the Philosophers , except Epicurus , did declare for the Doctrine of an Immortality . ) Yet it is truly said of Christ , that he did 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; that he cleared or brought to light the Doctrine of Immortality . The Opinions which ruled the World before him ( both of the Philosophers and of the Rabbins ) were not only false but pernicious ; They still made Death the King of Terrors , and were so far from Establishing● that they overthrew the Capacity of Personal Rewards and Punishments after Death . These are the Consequences of all those Hypotheses which either destroy the substance of the Soul with Epicurus ; Or the individual permanency of the Soul with the Platonists , the Peripateticks and the Stoicks . Or which assert the Metempsychosis of Souls , passing from Men to Beasts , or Men , with the Pythagoreans and many of the Iews . And these were the Imaginations which had possessed the World before the Ministry of Christ. If the Soul were a Crasis or Harmony , a Modus or Motion of the Body , it would then be dissolved in Death , it would cease to be or sleep in the lifeless . Atoms whereof the Body was composed . But He hath taught us , that men may Kill the Body , and not be able to hurt the Soul ; from whence it follows , that the Soul is a distinct and permanent subsistence . If the Immortal part in man were a Delibation of the God-head ; or Intellectus agens , or the Soul of the World , and upon Death were back again refunded into them ; the Individual nature would be destroyed ; But He hath taught us , that this is still preserved , that the Souls of Abraham , Isaac , and Iacob , are distinctly preserved in the hand of God. If Souls did transmigrate from men to beasts , or from one man to another , who could be rewarded ? Pythagoras , or Euphorbus ? he hath instructed us , that the Soul doth not shift and flit from one body into another , but in their departure , when they go hence , they pass into Everlasting Habitations . Lastly , He hath informed the World , that not only the souls of the Righteous , but of the Wicked also , are Immortal . That as the soul of Lazarus , so also the soul of Dives , was permanent and existent after Death . Thus Christ hath cleared the Doctrine of Immortality , and ( in respect of the soul ) the capacity of personal Rewards . 2. Moreover , to fill up and c●mpleat the capacity of the whole person , and so render it intire , He hath delivered to the World the Doctrine of the Resurrection of the Body ; namely , that the time is coming when Death shall be finally swallowed up in Victory . That He himself shall then descend from Heaven with a shout ; with the voice of the Arch-Angel , with the Trump of God , and the Dead shall rise . That the dead in Christ shall rise first . That what is sown in Corruption , shall be raised in Incorruption . That all men shall rise with their own bodys , both Just and Unjust ; that the hour is coming● that all that are in the Grave shall hear his voice and come forth . That the Sea shall give up the Dead which are in it ; And Death and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shall deliver up the dead which are in them . That those that have done good , shall go into the Resurrection of Life ; and those that have done evil , shall go into the Resurrection of Condemnation . Thus hath our Lord Christ cleared the Principle and foundation of a Generous Contempt of death , by bringing to Light the Capacity of Personal Rewards in the World to come . But , 2. He hath clearly delivered the whole method and Administration of Rewards themselves , Inchoate and particular in our decease . 2. Vniversal , Consummate in the great Day of Retribution , at the time of the general Resurrection . In the Gospel we are taught , that immediately upon our Dissolution , the Souls of the Righteous enter into a state of happiness , and the souls of the wicked into a state of Infelicity . For the former , to be dissolved is to be with Christ ; for the latter , to die is to become miserable . Say to the Righteous , it shall be well with him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , they die in the Lord , they rest from their Labours , their works follow them . Say to the Wicked , it shall be ill with him ; the Other is comforted , but he shall be to●mented ; Lazarus died , and immediately was carried by Angels into Abrahams Bosome ; The rich man died and was buried , and presently we find him in Hell , in Torments . But the great and final distribution of Rewards , the Circumstances and intire Oeconomy of the General Judgment , as it is delivered only , so it is delivered punctually , and exactly , in and by the Gospel . This tells us , That God hath appointed a Day , wherein he will Judge the World. That Christ is ordained of God , to be Iudge both of Quick and Dead . That he shall come in the Clouds , and every Eye shall see him . That the Powers of Heaven shall be shaken , and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in Heaven , and they shall see him coming in the Clouds with power and great glory . That he shall send his Angels , with a great sound of a Trumpet , and they shall gather together the Elect from the four Winds , from one end of Heaven to the other . That he shall sit upon the Throne of his Glory . That all Nations shall be gathered before him ; We must all appear before his Judgment Seat , to answer for the things done in the body , whether they be good or evil . That he shall separate the one from the other , as the Shepherd divideth the Sheep from the Goat , That the Books shall be opened , and the dead shall be Judged out of those things which are written in the Books . That every secret thing shall be brought to light , the secret Counsels of the Heart , the hidden Works of Darkness , shall be revealed , and he shall Render to every one according to his Deeds . That this sentence shall be pronounced , upon the blessed , Come ye blessed of my Father , &c. And this upon the cursed , Go ye cursed , &c. Finally , that upon the sentence given , the righteous shall enter into joy unspeakable and full of Glory ; And the Wicked shall pass into a state of everlasting torment , where shall be weeping , and wailing , and gnashing of teeth . These are those Powers of the World to come , whereof the Apostle speaks . As there are movimenta mechanica ( mechanical powers ) whereby the motion of bodies is excited and regulated ; So Rewards and Punishments are movimenta spiritualia , those spiritual powers , which excite and regulate the motions of the Soul ; and that which gives to these their utmost force and moment , is this Consideration , That they are to be Eternal . This Consideration is able effectually to affright men from base and ignoble Actions , and to inspire them with noble and heroical designs , to raise them above all worldly things , and bring them to a Rational contempt of Death ; And this is that Theory which Christ hath delivered concerning the state of the Vitâ functi . But Secondly , Christ hath not only delivered , but he hath also assured the world of the truth of this Theory . He confirmed the truth of his Doctrine , the Divinity of his precepts , the certainty of the Rewards , and punishments of the world to come , the infallible performance of his promises , and his threatnings . Not by giving the world a set and series of imaginary principles of vain Philosophy , and Science falsly so called , engendring strifes and everlasting disputations . Not by bare Assertions , and confident Repetitions only , as did the Epicureans of old ; And as is the manner of some in our daies , who have taken up their principles amongst our selves Not by Phantastical obscure Ratiocinations , concerning Numbers , Vehicles , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or the like ; But by evidences plain and convincing , by proofs sensible and experimental , partcularly accommodate to the eviction of the truth of the matter in question , and to the conviction of all mankind ; By raising Lazarus and others from the dead , he at once gave an experiment of the immortality of the Soul , and of the Resurrection of the body , of the capacity of eternal Rewards and Punishments . Of all his Doctrines he gave infallible , sensible , undeniable proof , by the purity of his Precepts ; The Sanctity of his Life ; The Testimony and witness of his Death . By fulfilling all the Prophesies concerning him ; By his Predictions and his Miracles ; By a thousand several instances of supernatural Wisdom and Power ; By his glorious Resurrection , his Visible Ascension ; By sending down the Holy Ghost on the Apostles ; By enabling his Disciples and his Followers to work Signs and Wonders ( in one word ) by innumerable Arguments . Thus the Captain of our Salvation , the Author and Finisher of our Faith , hath cleared the Foundation and Principle of Heroic Actions , in exhibiting to the World , the Grounds and Causes of a just and rational contempt of Death . ANd now , blessed be his Holy Name , who by his Grace , applying those Principles to the hearts of the Professors of Christianity , is pleased in all Ages to raise up Christian Heroes for a Testimony to the energy of his eternal Gospel . And in particular , Blessed be his Name , who in our Time , and in our Nation , hath been pleased to raise up that Great and most Honourable Person , the Illustrious GEORGE Duke of ALBEMARLE , that Great and most eminent and uniform despiser of Death ; That Glorious Performer of Heroic Actions . Concerning whom I am obliged ( though very briefly and scantly ) to speak His Country the source of many Gallant men . His Extraction from a generous , ancient , eminent Family ; His early Addiction to Arms , the School wherein he was trained ; the degrees by which he ascended , His youthful essays , His virile Performances both at Sea and Land ; in Forreign Countrys , in England , Ireland , Scotland , ( All memorable , and such as will be great in Story ) shall not detain you . The little which I intend to speak , shall take its Epocha from that time , when God was pleased to raise him up to be our Deliverer , to call him forth and show him openly upon the Theater of the World ; making him a spectacle to Angels and to men . Since this time , if we shall well consider him , in every Circumstance , I conceive I may , without flattery or partiality pronounce ; 1. That a greater Action hath not been performed , than that of the Restauration . 2. That a greater Person than He , concerning whom we are speaking , hath not b●●n : produced in many Generations ; And these are the two things which I shall propose to your Observation . To enter into the places of Rhetorick , and to expatiate in a formal Panegyrick , were to violate your patience , and offend the manes of him , to whom we perform this parentation . He was a man Great of Performance , little of Speech , no lover of wast words , or fine composed Orations , but a great Affecter of what was short and plain , easie and inaffected . In compliance with this Character of him , I shall briefly and plainly intreat you to consider , That for a man to exert an Heroical performance , two things are requisite . 1. There must be the exercise of Vertue , ( Prudence , Fortitude , Iustice , Temperance , and their subordinate vertues ) in an eminent manner : And 2. There must be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , something divine and extraordinary . An eminent opportunity , an Object Arduous and Honourable ; And a Success that may have in it an evidence of something supernatural . Consider how all these Circumstances were combined and constellate in that marvellous work of the Restauration . 2. Moreover , seeing that Honor est in honor ante , and lies in the Apprehension of Spectators , who alwaies have one eye on the prosperity , as well as an anoth●● 〈◊〉 the merit of a person ; And who do not give a final Judgment , ante obitum supremaque funera . Therefore to estimate the greatness of this Person , I shall intreat you to consider , 2. The perseverance of his vertue , 3. The Felicity wherewith it was attended . 1. For the Glory of the Restauration . The greatest advantage of Honour ( with God and Man ) which can befall a Military Person , is not to slay his thousands , or his millions , but to be made a Repairer of the Breaches of his Country , and a Restorer of paths to dwell in : For this there must be Opportunity ( if there be no breaches , there can be no repairer , ) For this , God gave him Opportunity . How great , alas ! were the Breaches , how gaping , how desperate were the Wounds of these sinful , miserable Nations ? Hell had broke loose upon us , and Confusion had obtained and held a Dominion of 20 years . The Flower of our Nobility , Gentry , &c. cut off by the Sword of the Rebellious ; How were the mighty fallen ! I may not stand to make a gradation of our miseries , — Quanquam animus meminisse horret — Yet I must repeat it , the King and the Priest ( the best of Kings , a most excellent Prelate ) fell under the Swords , rather under the Axes of an impious Rebellion . The Sun was turned into Darkness , the Moon into bloud , the Stars thrown from their Orbs. Our Religion abolished , our Foundations overturned , our Laws abrogated . The Government of Church and State dissolved , the Governours Banished , imprisoned , murdered . Instead of Religion ; Atheism , and Infidelity , Fanatick Rage and wild Enthusiasm : Instead of Liberty and property , the voice of Sequestrations and Plunders , Decimations , Transportation , Imprisonment , were heard in the Land. Our Kings and our Princes were among the Gentiles , the Law was no more , the Prophets received no Vision from the Lord. How often did his Majesty attempt a Restitution ! How often was he disappointed ! He came to his Own , but his Own received him not : they said , This is the Heir , Come let us Kill him , and the Inheritance shall be ours . God permitted them to fill up the measure of their Iniquities , to baffle every attempt for a Restitution . He suffered them to ride over our heads , Tinkers , and Coblers , and Draymen , &c. to become Lords over his Inheritance . And now behold a Wonder of Providence and Mercy , Behold , we said our bones are dry , our hope is gone , we are clean cut off . When presently and unexpectedly , the Glory of the Lord appeared for our deliverance . Re , summa stante tegulâ , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . As it was with Gideon , Iephtah , Samson , and other Heroes of old , the Spirit of the Lord came upon this Great Captain . It prompted him to an heroical Design , it filled him with Prudence , Fortitude , Iustice , Temper , and Sobriety , to an heroical degree . Immediately he was not disobedient to the Heavenly motion , but he forthwith proceeded to the performance of Actions able to justifie the belief of a Divine Assistance . By a deep Prudence , and an impregnable Taciturnity , he confounded the wisdom of the Wise , and he put to shame the pretended Spirit of the fanatical Enthusiasts . He hampered the Crafty in their own Snare , in the Net which they laid for others privily , was their foot taken . Such was his Courage , that though an Host of men were prepared against him , yet he did not fear . Audite posteri ! if my voice would reach it , I would speak to the Generations which are to come . By his Courage and his Prudence , Himself ( at first alone in the Design ) without any Confidents or Correspondents , being then in an unsure conquered Country ; friendless , moniless , unarmed , and unprovided . Taking to him the help of a few cold Streamers , in the Compass of a few weeks , without the expence of one drop of bloud , He scattered the invincible Armies and Armadoes of the Rebellious , which had so long subjugated these Nations , and made themselves terrible to their Neighbours . He reduced into Obedience all the Cities , Towns , Castles , Forts , Armies , Navies , Magazines , of England , Scotland , Ireland , and our Foreign Plantations . He broke the Heart of Rebellion , tore up the roots of Anarchical Tyranny , and of Fanatical Usurpation . By Temperance , Vigilance , and strenuous Activity , God blessing his endeavours , he brought all things into his power . And when he had them there , when these Nations trembled under ambiguous Expectations , and the wondring world were gazing and conjecturing which way the moment of his prodigious fortune would incline him ; He chose the way of Conscience and Religion . The fatuous glaring Lustre of a prosperous Usurpation could not seduce him . But imbracing the well-weighed dictates of a sober , solid , Christian understanding , he sacrificed all his acquisitions to Honour and Justice , plainly Heroical and Divine . He restored to every Man his own ; to the King he restored the Throne of his Royal Predecessors ; to the Nobles their Honours and ancient Priviledges , ( tribute to whom tribute , fear to whom fear , honour to whom honour belonged . ) To the whole Nation he restored their Religion , their Laws , their Liberties , their Properties , ( And to some of the Regicides he repaid their due . ) Thus was God pleased by the ministry of his hand ( at a time and in a manner unexpected , by a surprize of grace and bounty ) to turn our Captivity as the Rivers in the South , to fill our mouths with laughter , and our tongues with joy . O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his Goodness , and ( by their Gratitude and Obedience ) declare the wonders of this Heroical transaction , Surely here was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , This was the Lords doing , and it will be marvellous in all succeeding Generations ; He it was that sent Redemption to his people by the hand of this Great Leader , as of old he did to Israel by the hand of Moses . Concerning this whole Transaction I shall only say , it cannot be parallel'd out of the Rolls and Records of the Generations which are past , and it will be remembred and admired in the Generations which are to come . This was the State of that Glorious Action . 2. In the next place , towards an estimate of his person , be pleased briefly to reflect upon his Demeanour afterwards ; consider how all his following Actions were answerable to this grand leading performance , and were in their kind Great and Heroical . Did ever any person ( after so great an Action ) exceed him in the temper and sobriety of his mind , or in the Dutifulness , usefulness , the strenuous labour , the Constancy and final perseverance of all his following performances ? After that ( by the mercies of God ) the publick affairs were composed , and by the Bounty of his Gracious and Grateful Soveraign , His own private Affairs were setled . Did He use any Insolencies ? Offer at any Extravagancies ? Attempt any Exorbitancies ? Side with any Factions ? Make any Intrigues ? Cherish any Resentments ? Nay , but entirely and absolutely , ( without any the least reserve , ) He devoted himself to the service of his King and Country , and to the support and preservation of those Great Interests of Church and State , which God by his Ministry had Restored . Riches and Honour did not corrupt and soften him to Ease and Luxury ; They did not abate , but animate and inflame his Courage and his Industry . He did not say , Soul take thine ease , thou hast goods laid up for many years , eat , drink , and be merry . He did not say , Let others labour , and let others fight , Let me enjoy my self a little before I go hence , &c. But on the other side , If ever any living man did studiously decline employments , because they were easie ; and offer himself to others , because of their Difficulties ; embracing with a greedy magnanimity the very labour and Danger of them , certainly He was that person . To omit the industrious execution of his other Offices , wherein no man could exceed him , the vigilant and laborious performance of his place of General , which obliged him to a Constant , perpetual care of all his Majesties Forces , and to a vigilant eye over all the Nation ( and the like . ) When God was pleased to send upon the Cities of London and Westminster that tremendous Plague , and every one by an eager flight withdrew themselves from the danger , how earnestly did he petition that he might stay at Westminster ! There he staid , and by the exceeding hazzard and indefatigable labours of his person , and by a pious , timely , prudent erogation of his Charity , he was a succour and support to a languishing Nation , a dying people . When the War grew to an excess of fierceness , how promptly and desirously did he profer himself to the Engagement ! I need not stand upon this Argument , Non ignota loquor . This was his disposition , this was his practice , such was his Constant behaviour to the last . No man ever exceeded him in the perseverance of his merit . 3. To compleat the estimate of his person , It remains that we speak a word of his Felicity . 1. The experience that he had of it in this Life . 2. The Hope of his Injoyment of it in the other . 1. As for his temporal felicities ( received at the hand of God ) they may be reduced to three orders , 1. Personal . 2. Domestical or Oeconomical . 3. Popular , or Political . 1. That great things might be done by him , God was pleased to bestow upon him great Endowments ; Many and great Deliverances , Great and Glorious successes . Notwithstanding the undervalue of some who think themselves the Wits , Non est magnus cui non Fuit ille magnus . God had bestowed upon him , A large understanding , A deep judgment , A capacious and a Retentive memory , An admirable faculty of dispatch of business , A strong compacted Body , A solid mind , not apt to be elevated or depressed , An invincible Courage , A sedate and uniform contempt of Death . Each of these hard to be equalled , all together never to be exceeded . To reserve him for honourable and great performances , he bestowed upon him a thousand eminent , and great deliverances ; I believe there is hardly any man living , who had been more often or more dangerously ingaged , yet ( I have often heard him say that ) he was never considerably hurt , or wounded , God covered his head in the day of Battel , and in time of danger he whelmed him under the hollow of his hand . St. Paul gives the Corinthians a Catalogue of the Perils from which God had delivered him . He fil'd up and vastly exceeded the Catalogue of St. Paul. From perils of Robbers , from perils from his own Country-men , from perils among Strangers , from perils in the City , from perils in the Field , from perils in the Sea , from perils among false Brethren , from perils by the plague , from perils by war , from perils of Assassination — from perils innumerable , the Lord delivered him . To set upon him his own stamp and signature of Honour , God blessed his Counsels , and gave a wonderful success to his endeavours . No age can equal that success of the Restauration ; He never felt into any Great Disaster in his profession ( which is the common fate of great Commanders ) And even where the issue of the whole matter hath not been very prosperous , God hath ordered his part so , that he hath come off with immortal Honour and Reputation . Such was his personal felicity . Moreover , God blessed him in his oeconomical Relations , He was certainly the best Husband in the world , and he received the requital of faithfulness and love , they twain were loving in their Lives , and in their Deaths they were not divided . He was the best Father in the world , and God was pleased to bless him with a Son of eminent abilities , of body and mind , fitted for the support of his Honour , and the continuance of his Name and Family . He lived to see him entred into the service of his Country , ( as Hanno entred Hannibal , against the Romans , so ) he entred him in the Loyal Antifanatical House of Commons . He lived to see him disposed of in a very Honourable marriage , seasoned by himself in the principles of Vertue , and Religion , Honour and deep Loyalty , Disposed to follow him in the ways of Honour which himself had traced , and in Gods due time to become a support and ornament of his Country . Lastly , God blessed his endeavours with honour and acceptance of men , of all that are good and honest in the Land , from the King that fitteth upon the Throne , to the meanest Beggar in the street . The Souldiers looked upon him as their Father , and were ready and ambitious to live and die with him . The body of the people loved and honoured him , nay ( God forgive them ) they believ'd and trusted in him . They thought he could do all things , ( as Martha said unto Christ , Lord if thou-hadst been here , our Brother Lazarus had not dyed ) how oft hath it been said by common people , If the General had been here , the City had not been burned ? He was the Favorite of the Parliament , the Dearling of both Houses , they confided in him , they loved and revered him . And his Love was Reciprocal . His Heart was upon them for their Religion and Loyalty , he mourned for their divisions ; exceedingly laboured the uniting of both Houses , and the Continuance of this Parliament . But incomparably beyond all his other worldly felicities , was the constant , uninterrupted , Ardent Affection of His Soveraign Lord and Master . He conferred upon him Riches , and Honours . He Cherished him in His Royal Bosome . He pursu'd him with perpetual Ardors without Intermission or abatement . No shadow of Suspicion , no Cloud of Iealousie , no Qualm of Satiety arose , from the first Moment of his Services , to the last moment of his Life . Nay , his Love to him is stronger then Death , His Affection follows him after death , in a paternal tenderness towards his Son. In the glorious Parentation of this Day ; What can a pious Prince do more then to deliver his remains to be deposited in the Sepulture of the Kings of England , and his Renown to be preserved in the memorials of all Posterity ? These are some few Instances of the favour God shewed to this Great Person in this World. It is true , that all worldly felicities in this life are not to be valued without the hopes of his felicity in Heaven ; I shall speak therefore one word of that , and so Conclude . 2. Here indeed we are in loco lubrico , concerned to be reserved and Wary ; What shall we say ? or what shall we not say ? We know the hard Censures of Fanatical , factious , disappointed , envious persons ; But I know likewise , that we have not so learned Christ. In all that I have spoken , or shall speak concerning him , I would not be understood to pretend , that he was exempt from humane failings , and Infirmities , Quisque suos patimur manes ; But his vertues were great and eminent , his merits known to all the world . Surely he had no failings comparable to the envy and ingratitude of his detractors . Moreover we have a gratious God , a merciful Redeemer , an High Priest sensible of our Infirmities ; And we have reason to believe that his Infirmities were washed away by the blood of Iesus . What we have seen and heard , we may be admitted to speak , and I have had the honour to be ( in some measure ) a Witness of his Conversation . For the last 7 years ( at least ) of his Life , I had the honour and happiness of a free Conversation with him . Towards his latter daies ( especially since his bodily Infirmity began to prevail upon him ) My addresses were more frequent then before . When I had opportunity , I waited on him in the Country ; When I perceived the approaches of Death , I attended him carefully and often . I was with him in his Agonies , I assisted in his last Christian Offices ; I heard his last words , and his dying Groan . Utì Imperatorem decuit , I saw him dye erect in his Chair . And lastly , I had the honour to close his Eyes . This I speak , not to boast of the particular honour which he was pleased to do me ( his Conversation was universally such , towards all mankind , humble , easie , and familiar ; I am perswaded that hardly any did ever exceed him in this part of the greatness of his mind , he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the self same person in every position , never depressed , never elated by his fortune ) but I mention these particulars only ad faciendam fidem . In reference to the Duties of the second Table , His performances were so eminent in all relations , that the mention of them is needless . Tell me , all ye that would detract from his honour , was he not an Incomparable Subject , Husband , Father , Friend , Citizen , Commander ? I shall only speak a word in reference to the first Table . His Religion did not indeed consist in talking , canting , boasting , ( of priviledges or atteinments ) censuring , or disobedience . But it was solid , real , and substantial ; And it had these marks . Through all the Varieties of his life , he adhered constantly to the true reformed Protestant Profession , and was a Lover of the Doctrine , Discipline and Government of the Church of England . He was a great detester of Sacriledge ; he hath often told me with Ioy and Resolution , that he never had or would have in the Compass of his Estate , any part that had ever been devoted to pious Uses . He was constant in attendance on Religious Duties ( Prayers , Sermons , &c. ) and would not depart hence without the Viaticum Christianorum , the Communion of the Body and Blood of his Redeemer , which he received with all the Testimonies of Penitence , Devotion , and Comfort . He discovered alwaies an awful reverence towards the Majesty of God , and an abhorrence towards the Profanation of his Name . As for the truth of the Graces of a Christian Spirit , the surest time to judge of them is the time of trial ; the time of the greatest trial , is the time of Sickness and the approaches of death ; And in reference to these , I am perswaded that , If self-denial and resignation to the Will of God ; If patience and meekness , and a deep humiliation under the mighty hand of God. If a promptness to die and a desire to be dissolved . If a Conscience satisfied and rejoycing , in the discharge of duty towards God and Man. If Faith in Christ and a comfortable hope of Salvation . If freedom from terrors and scruples , to which even good men are liable . If all these ( sealed with a clear and perfect understanding to the last moment , and with a gentle , placid and decorous Exit ) are any grounds whereby to judge of a Christians estate in reference to the World to come , then the World hath reason to be perswaded of the happy Condition of this Great person . As he was not an ordinary person : So his trial was not the ordinary trial of men , it was not in outward matters , but in his body ; his plague was the plague of the heart , without a metaphor : I saw his heart opened , and upon sight of what was there , it was generally concluded , that there was the Seat of the Distemper whereof he died . His visitation was tedious and long , in 12 months space he very seldom slept , or took any rest within his bed , but suffered all that while an internal painful strangulation . He bore all this with an Heroic patience and meekness without murmuring , or complaining ; As a lamb that is dumb , so opened he not his mouth . He would not indeed hasten his release , but he rejoyced when he saw it coming ; about three days before his death he foretold the time of it plain enough , with joy and Satisfaction ; Two daies before it , he told me , That no man in England ( that was his word ) was more willing or more desirous to die then himself . That he had discharged his Conscience to God , His King , His Country . That he hoped he had left his Son setled in a good Condition , and that God had a blessing for him ; And he hoped that he ( himself ) had made his Salvation sure . The evening before his Death he said several times , that that day had been better than any of his former , and that the next day he should be better then he had been in all his Life . From whence we all concluded , that the next day would be the day of his departure , which happened accordingly ; for about nine of the Clock in the next morning ( soon after he had been recommended to God in the Prayers and Offices of the Church ) he fell into a short agony of the duration of about two or three minutes , he gave one inward Groan , and a little subsiding in his Chair , he gently and placidly yielded up the Ghost . This was the Exit of this Illustrious person ; when his heart and strength failed , God was the strength of this heart , and we have reason to hope and to believe , that he is his portion for ever . That his eminent contempt of death ( so remarkable to all the world ) was drawn from the Christian Principles . So that he Sang within himself St. Paul's Epinikion , O Death Wherefore I conclude with St. Paul's Inference , Let us give thanks to God who giveth us the Victory , Let us give thanks to God who hath given us the great Example of this day . Let us run with patience the race that is set before us , looking up to Jesus the author and finisher of our Faith , Let us be stedfast , unmoveable , alwaies abounding in the Work of the Lord , forasmuch as we know that our Labour is not in vain in the Lord. FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A67564-e160 Joh. 3. 16. Rom. 5. 12. Ibid. Rom. 3.20 . Gal. 4.4,5 . a I Cor. 5. 2 b Rev. 6. 14. c Rom. 6.14 . d Col. 2.14 . e Phil. 2.8 f Pet. 2.24 . g Ephes. 2.15.16 . h Col. 2.14 . i Heb. 2.14 . k Col. 2.15 . 1Thes . 4 . Act. 24 . ● Joh. 5. 2● ●p●c . 20.14 ●● . 5. 29. 〈…〉 .10 . Ap●c . 10 . Apoc. 1.7 . Mat. 24 . Ibid. 31 . Mat. 25. 3. Ibid. 32 , ●poc . 20.12 . Cor. 4. 5. ●●m . 2.9 . ●Cor . 11 . 〈…〉 .11.21 .