Appleton Faithful and wise Servant THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES Commodore Byron McCandless Mr. DIS COURSE i t Qccalioned by the DEATH of . . Dr. Wigglefworth* A faithful and "Wife Servant, had in Honour, throughout the Churches. DISCOURSE Occafioned by the much lamented DEATH OF THE Rev. EDWARD WIGGLESWORTH, D.D, H DLL is Profeffor of Divinity in HARVARD College, Cambridge; Who departed this Life, January 16. 1765. In the 73d Year of his Age. Having faithfully and laudably difcharged the Office of PROFESSOR, for more than 42 Years. By NATHANIEL ATTLETON, A.M. Paftor of the fir ft Church in CAMBRIDGE. Forafmuch as an excellent fpirit, and knowledge, and underftanding, and {hewing of hard fentences, and diflblving of doubts, were found in the fame Daniel. And they that be wife fhall fhine as the brightnefs of the firmament. The Prophet DANIEL. BOSTON, NEW-ENGLAND: Printed by RICHARD and SAMUEL DRAPER, and THOMAS and JOHN FLEET, 176;, . Funeral SERMON ON THE Rev. Dr. WIGGLESWORTR 2 CORINTHIANS, VIII. 18. The Brother^ -whofe *Praife is in the ) throughout all the Churches. AS we are not told who this brothei was that the apoflle fent with Titus on a fpecial occafion to Corinth ; fo there can be only conjecture about the matter. Several names arc mentioned, fuch as Barnabas, that fon of confolation, and Silas, and Apollos, and Mark ; and efpecially Luke, who wrote the gofpel which goes by his name, upon the account of which gofpel he became fa mous in all the churches. The extraordinary chara&er here given of this brother might be as defcriptive of him, and as clearly point him out at that day, as if he had been exprefsly mentioned by 956? 6 A Funeral Sermon on the t by name. But it is not material, nor to our prefent purpofe, to know who he was : For all that we have to do is with the ihort, but high commendation which is given of him. AND here we may obferve firft of all that he is fliled a brother ; by which is underflood not merely a chriftian brother, a believer, and brother in Chrifl : But a brother and companion in the gofpel miniftry; a fellow -worker unto the kingdom of God: Equally engaged and concerned with the other minifters, kl eftabliihing and promoting the gofpel. IN the next place, we may obferve the commen dation thar is given of this brother minifler. > He was had in pralfe and high commendcition. There were excellent accomplifhments, and ami able qualities in him, which flione forth fo con- fpicuoufly, that he was highly efleemed and greatly jefpe&ed. We may fuppofe he was in high repu tation for his eminent gifts of knowledge, \vifdom, filth, zeal, and fledfaftnefs, with which he was endowed by the fpirit of God. FURTHER, let us confider the extenfivenefi of this high efteem and reputation he was in. \Vhofe praife is throughout all the churches. Which is to be underflood not only of the members ; but of the minifters of the churches. His gifts and ac compli fliments were fo fuperiour and exteiifive, that they were not confined to any particular church, or to any private- and retired corner of the vineyard, \vherc Rev. Dr. WIGGLESWORTH. 9 where his gifts and graces would be out of general view, and very much buried in obfcurity : But God fo ordered it that his rare accompliftiments ftiould be publickly known and acknowledged. We may fuppofe his preaching, his writings, and other mi* niflerial fervices^ rendered him very famous even in all the churches. Very likely he was well known to the apoftles, and other miniflers of Chrifl in general, who difcerned the excellent qualities he was endowed with ; and gave forth fuch high commendations of him, as fpread his fame through all the churches ; fo that they were all filled with the high praifes of him. AGAIN, let us confider the particular point rot which he was more efpecially had in fuch high reputation : And that was with reference to the gofpel. Wbofepraife is in the GOSPEL ; or for the gofpel. Whatever his knowledge and accomplifh- ments were as to other things ; yet it was for his knowledge of Chrift, and of the great things of the gofpel, that he became fo famous in the churches. He was well inftru&ed, and, we may fuppofe, eminent for his knowledge, in the things of God and the diilinguilhing points of chriftianity. And if this brother was Luke the evangelift (which was the prevailing opinion of the ancients) he was emi*- nently inftructed in the gofpel hiftory ; and fo ift the .do&rines and principles of chriftianity. We may well fuppofe him to be mighty in the fcriptures ? and that he, like the great apoflle Paul, reafoned with the people out of the holy fcriptures, opening anil 8 A Funeral Sermon on the and alleging that Jefus was the Chrift. A&s xvii. 2, 3. His difcourfes on thofe points were highly efteemed ; and great weight was laid on his judgment in difficult points of the gofpel, in matters of controverfy, or of doubtful difputation. BUT then we may conclude further, that his praife in the gofpel, throughout all the churches, was for the known ftedfaftnefs of his faith, and the uniformity of his temper and behaviour with this gofpel he profeffed, preached up, and recommended to others. His knowledge and faith, his temper and manner of life, were all of a piece, and accord ing to the gofpel : Without which we cannot fuppofe that his praife would have been in all the churches. LASTLY, I would obferve the emphatic article that is here affixed to this brother. The brother. It is not faid we have fent with Titus a brother, but the brother, by way of diflinftion, and eminency above the other brethren in the miniftry : And as one peculiarly fitted for the fervice upon which he was fent. He was pitched upon as the brother, the very man above all the reft to be employed in the fervice he was fent upon. No man like minded, no man fo eminently fitted for the bufinefs he was employed in. AFTER fuch a large opening the text (by which the fuitablenefs thereof to the prefent difpenfation of Divine Providence may very obvioufly appear to every one) I proceed for the further illustration of the fubjeft toconfider. ift, Rev. Dr. WIGGLESWORTH. 9 I ft, Some of tbofe gofpel qualifications which de- (ervedly intitle a man to uni'verfal praife ; to the praife of all the churches. 2diy, To fet forth what a diftinguijhing favour and blejjed attainment it is, to be juftly intitled to univerfal praife. 3dly, Make feme proper improvement, fuitcd to the folemn and forrowful o^LJion that leads us to thefe meditations. I. LET us confider fome of thofe gofpel qua lifications, -which defervedly intitle a man to uni- verfal praife ; the praife of all the churches. AND here I will begin with i ft. Exlenfiue knowledge in the great things of the gofpeL KNOWLEDGE is an efTential article in a great and good man. For the foul to be without knowledge, it is not good.* And there is no knowledge fo fublime, fo enlarging, and enobling to the foul, as the knowledge of God, and the things of God ; the knowledge of Chrift, and the way to falvation by him : And this is life eternal, to know thee the only true God, and fofv.sChrift whom thou. haftfent.\ The learned and great apoflle Paul, who mufi be allowed to be a good judge of knowledge and B learning, * Prov. XIX. 2. f John XVII. 3. to A Funeral Sermon on the learning, as to the excellency and ufefulnefs of it, declares that he counted all things but lofs, for the excellency of the knowledge of Chrifl Jefus his Lord.* In the chriftian fcheme of falvation, which is contained in the holy fcriptures, are hid all the treafures of divine wifdom and knowledge ; confe- quently it mud needs be a very laudable attainment, to have a good and thorough acquaintance with the holy fcriptures, thofe oracles of divine truth : To be able not only tcrf|ecite the words of the holy fcriptures ; but to fee and underftand the meaning of the fame. It is very praife-worthy to be able fo to fearch the fcriptures, as to compare tranfla- rions \vi;.h the original ; and to compare fpiritual things with fpiritual ; one portion of fcripture with another ; fo as, inftead of being carried away with the found of words, to gain the true fenfe and meaning of the feveral places ; and thereby to gain a clear and comprehenfive view of the gofpel fcheme of falvation ; and fo of the various truths and duties therein contained. MOREOVER, this knowledge of ihe gofpel that ii truly laudable, and would recommend to public efteem, is a good acquaintance with the various fenfes that have been put upon places of holy fcrip ture; and fo the various fentiments, fyftems and principles of chriftianity, that have or do prevail in the world, whereby they may be able to put a mark upon dangerous errors, which have been broach ed by ignorant men, who have wrefted the holy fcriptures; and to point out the truth as it is in, Jefus. FURTHERMORE* * Phil. in. g. Rev. Dr. WIGGLESWORTH. n . FURTHERMORE, another very laudable point of knowledge in the things of God, is to underhand the ground and foundation of our holy religion j and to get acquainted fo far both with the internal and external evidence of the divine authority of the holy fcriptures, and fo of the truth of chriftianity, as to be able to convince gainfayers, and to vindicate the glorious truths of the gofpel from the captious cavils, or mere fubtle obje&ions ftarted by men of corrupt ?ninds y given to perverfe difputings, and dejli- tide of the truth : And to be able to fet in a ftrong and convincing light, the arguments to prove the holy fcriptures to be given by infpiration of God ; and confequently that the gofpel fcheme of falva- tion is built upon a fure foundation, upon which we may fafely venture our fouls and the eternal concerns of them. Now, fuch an extenflve knowledge of the gofpel, and fo of the foundations of our holy religion, is fuch a neceflary and excellent attainment, that thofe who make a laudable proficiency herein, merit highly of the .church of God. Such men have been in one age and another the pillars of the church ; the external props by which the church . has been kept from finking into utter igno rance and infidelity. sdly. Soundnefs of -principles ; adhering dofely to the gofpel, 'without adding thereto, or diminijbing, or varying therefrom, is very fraife-ivorthy. B 2 FOR, 12 A Funeral Sermon on the FOR, altho' orthodoxy, or fcundnefs of principle?, may be an uncertain phrafe, inafmuch as the va rious fefts that are' in the world, lay claim to this character ; yet, as chriftians of all denominations profefs the gofpel to be the only fure and unerring rule of faith and manners ; fo thofe principles mutt be founded, which come the neareft to the flandard. Confequently, thofe perfons who not only profeffedly, but really endeavour to fquare their faith and practice by the doctrines and pre cepts of the gofpel, are to be had in honour. And where this evidently appears to be the care and en deavour of any perfons, fo as neither to preach, publifh or vent any thing as a neceiTary article of faith, but what is plainly demonflrated by the word of God; it muft needs recommend them to the church of God, which is built upon the founda tion of the apoftles and prophets, Jefus Chrift being the chief corner flone.* And therefore thofe teachers who have fo much knowledge, wifdom and humility, as not to be wife above what is written, and make this their ccnflant inquiry, in all their fearches after divine truths, what faith the fcripture? and whenever they fpeak in away of teaching, fpeak as the oracles of God ; and ap peal to thofe written facred oracles, according to the true genuine meaning of the fame, for the truth of what they alTert, .are highly to be commended, and deferve the praifes of all the churches of Chrift : Which will appear by confidering the dreadful errors, fuperftitions, corruptions, and idolatries, the church fell into, when they departed from this only If, 39. Rev. Dr. WIGGLESWORTH. 13 only unerring rule, and fee up an infallible head on earth ; and taught for do&rines the traditions and commandments of men. AND how well did thofe glorious worthies de- ferve of the church of Chrift, who boldly and courageoufly began a reformation, and ftrenuoufly endeavoured to reduce the church to its original foundation, the holy fcriptures? And howjuftly are the names of thofe firfl reformers handed down with honour throughout all the proteftant churches in the world ? But, inafmuch as even the reformed churches have not gotten fo compleatly upon the original bafts as is to be defired ; it mud needs be very praife-worthy for thofe who are fet up to be teachers of others, to labour to fix them more and more upon the gofpel foundation, without the par ticular fchemes, fyftems, or inventions of men j or indeed fo much as the expreffions of men in fuch grand myflerious points, wherein ive know not bow to order our fpeecb by reafon of darknefs. . The gift of opening the holy fcriptures ; fet ting forth the truths and duties contained therein, in a true, diftintt and dear light, is what recom mends teachers to the churches of the Lord Jefus. THIS implies a capacious mind, a clear head, extenfive knowledge, diftinft ideas, and reach of thought, obtained, or improved, by much reading and ftudy, a careful weighing matters, and laying ihem together. And fcirely fuch natural endow ments, 14 A Funeral Sermon on the ments, improved by clofe application to meditation and reading, juftly claim the high efteem of the churches of Chrift. And fuch will be refpe&ed and honoured by all the lovers of truth, and the diligent fmcere inquirers after it. How are perfons inftrucled, and greatly edified, who let at the feet of fuch learned doctors whofe ideas lie clear and dif- tinct ; and what benefit have the written labours of fuch men been to the chriftian world ? And how have their learned cxpofitions, wherein they have unfolded the holy fcriptures, and their other inge nious and judicious difcourfes, brought and preferred light and knowledge in the church ? And how have the names and memories of fuch learned authors been handed down and fpread abroad in the chrif tian church, with high honour and efleem ? ^thly. THE gift of confirming divine truths and enforcing duties, in a flrong, convincing and moving manner, jultly claims the praifes of all chriilians. THIS is a gift as ufeful and necefiary, in irs place, as the former, for the church of Chrilh It is not fufficient to fet truths and duties before perfons, merely to enlighten their underftanding?, and en large their minds ; but, as all divine truths have reference to practice, to which there is a natural backwardnefs, and great oppofition, from the world, the things of the world, the corrupt cuftoms of the \vorlJ, the enticements and the examples of finners ; fo Rev. Dr. WIGGLESWORTH, 15 fo ihere needs \varm addrefTes to the confcience, to the paffions and afFeclions of the foul, yea to all the fprings of action. People need, not only to be told their duty, and fhown what it is ; but to be urged to it, and in a moving manner be expoftu- lated with about it. Confequently, the compleat preacher, or teacher, will have his eafy, clear and plain inftru&ions warnTd and animated, as if his tongue had been jufl touched with a /he coal from of the altar. His writings will be pungent, as well as clear and pertinent ; and all the great arguments of the gofpei for a chriflian temper and practice, will be fet in fuch array, as may ferve not only to excite and engage the attention, but to roufe the confcience, to enkindle the affections ; yea, and with the concurring influence of the divine fpirir, to perfuade the will, and convert the man. And Oh ! how much is the church of God obliged to fuch awakening preachers; and for fuch practical and pachetic writings of theirs which are extant, and lodged in chriftian families ! And what a multi tude of precious faints will rife up at the judgment and call fuch preachers and authors blefled, for the blefled effects of their faithful labours upon their fouls ? And with what refpeft and affection are fuch faithful fervants of Chrift fpoken of among the people of God, and how are their practical Writings recommended, fpiead, and handed down from one generation to another ? 5thly. A fpecial gift of difcerning of fpirits ; accurately diflinguifhing between truth and error ; 1 6 A Funeral Sermon on the error ; between greater and lejjer matters of chriftianiry ; between things clear and plain, and thofe that are doubtful ; between ejjentiah and circumftantials'm religion. THIS is a mod ufeful and even neceffary gift for preachers and teachers of the gofpel ; and the want of it has caufed the greatefl difturbances and confufions in the church. Truth and error, altho' eflenrially different from each other, yet oftentimes pur on fuch fimilar appearances, that it requires a {harp and penetrating eye to difcern the difference, fo as to diftinguifh the truth from the error. Error is oftentimes gilded over with fuch fpecious and plaufible arguments, and communicated in fuch artful and equivocal terms, that minifters, as well as others, have fwallowed them down as truths ; and only fome fingular gift of difcerning has been able to difcover the error, and the danger thereof that was couched therein^ BUT then again, what fevere contefts have there been among the churches of Chrifl ; and how have they been thrown into feuds and quarrels ? How have they loft their charity one for another ? How have they feparated and withdrawn commu nion from each other ? Yea, how have they in their turns perfecuted one another even unto death ? And al! this for want of difcerning between the greater and the lefler matters of the gofpel, the eflemials and only circumftantials of religion ! But now, when God endows any of his fervants with an Rev. Dr. WIGGLESWORTH. 17 an eminent fpirit of difcerning in thefe matters, fo as to fee what faith that is which was once deli vered to the faints, to be contended for ; and what are matters of lefs importance, and not worth con tending about ; what matter is this of thankfgiving to God ? and how highly do fuch deferve of all the churches, who give them to fee that the matters in which they differ are not worth driving or breaking charity about; and who are inflrumental of perfuading chriflians, notwithflanding the little differences in opinion and practice, to maintain cha rity and communion one with another ? How de- fervedly are they in the praife of all the churches within their knowledge and influence, who are able in any meafure, with the wifdom and difcerning of the aportle Paul, to conciliate them in matters of difference about leffer things, as he did, Rom. xiv. about eating, or not eating certain meats, or ob- ferving, and not obferving certain days ; concerning which he advifes not to judge nor to defpife one another ; but, being fully perfuaded in their own minds, he would have them charitably to believe as to each other, that they did what they thought moil pleafing to Chrift. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord ; for he gheth God thanks : He that eateth nof, to the Lord he eateth nof, andgiveih God thanks, 6th ly, Zeal for the great truths and duties of chriftianity ; but duly tempered with charity and prudence, challenges high honour and refpeft from the churches of Chrift. C :8 A Funeral Sermon on the . ALTHOUGH there is a blind furious zeal about matters comparatively fmall, which is to be dreaded ; yet there is a zeal that is truly laudable. // is good to be zealoufly affeEled always in a good thing?* And Chrift purifies to himfelf a peculiar people, zealous of good works. \ How commendable muft it be for teachers and preachers, who are fet for the defence of the gofpel, to appear zealous, bold and courageous for the truth, fo as to defend it againft all the daring attempts of deifts and infidels, and fuch like vile oppofers of chriftianity P Surely the church of God is greatly indebted to thofe chriftian heroes, who inftead of being aftiamed of the gofpel of Chrift, or afraid to appear in his caufe, have openly profeffed him before perfecuting kings and emperors, and have facrificed their very lives in the caufe ; and fubmitted to the moft cruel tortures that men or devils could invent, rather than re nounce the chriftian caufe ? Thefe glorious mar tyrs are defervedly had in praife throughout all the churches ; and their names had in everlafting re membrance, whofe zeal and courage conquered the heathen rage, and can fed the gofpel fo to fpread, that it became a general obfervation that the blood dj the riUitiji's ^as the feed of the church. AND as to thofe who have not been called to refift unto blood ; but yet have had a zeal to appear openly in the defence of chriftianity, and of any of its important truths and duties, they deferve very highly of the church : For if it had not been for fuch zealour * Gal. IV. 18. f Tit. II. 14. Rev. Dr. WIGGLESWORTH. ly zealous and careful watchmen upon the walls, ro give faithful and feafonable warning, the church would have been robbed of one important truth and duty of chriftianity after another, till it would have been ftript of every thing that is purely chriftian, and carried back to the religion of the heathen, or fomething worfe. BUT then, a zeal that is truly commendable will not be fevere and cruel, though it fhould have power in its hand ; but is regulated by charity and goodnefs. It is not a zeal that rafhly thinketh or fpeaketh evil of others ; but being qualified with love and charity, don't allow itfelf to think any evil, without fufficient foundation for it; but hopeth all things, and believeth all things it pofllbly can, upon any good foundation, in favour of them ; ready to put as favourable contractions upon their fentiments and ways as they will poffibly bear; This zeal is allb dire&ed by wifdom and pru dence, carefully avoiding all rafhnefs and precipi tancy, and every thing that is fierce and cruel, which fiery zeal prompts to ; but wifely confiders the perfons with whom it has to do, and the times and circumflances of things. And now how much are the churches indebted to fuch who though zealous for God and his caufe, are candid and charitable, prudent and cautious in all their meafures ? And how are uproars in towns and churches flilled, party rage and fury allayed, and all things brought to peace an$ kept in it, by the happy influence of fuch a temper . p C 2 ythly. 2o A Funeral Scrmvn on the 7th!y. Stedfaftnefs in the truths and ways of God is highly commendable. BY which I mean not a rigid fixednefs or inflexi bility againft arguments fufficient to change our minds ; for this would be obflinacy and perverfnefs, rather than a rational or gracious ftedfaitnefs ; which fledfaftnefs is oppofite to that ficklenefs of temper, and wavering difpofition, that keeps men fo loofe and unhinged, that they hardly know their own minds, much lefs may others depend upon them. Now fuch unflable fouls, liable as the weather cock to be turned by the wind, and fo to be like children toiTed to and fro by every wind of doc trine, very much difparage their character. U ' nftablt: as water ,t hey Jhall not excel!.* WHEREAS the ftedfaft man is he, who having ex amined the ground of his faith and praHce,and find ing himfelf upon a good foundation, remains fixed and fteady. He is not fuddenly moved by fophiftical and fubtle arguments, or plaufible appear.mces of things; but will examine and obfcrve things care-' fully ; and not change his mind or conduct, till upon a careful and thorough weighing of the matter, he finds it reafonable. AND furely it mud be highly to the commenda tion of fuch as are appointed the guides and inflru&ors of others, that they be firm and fleady in their principles, and able to defend them. And theft: t Ccn. XLV. 4. Rev. Dr. WIGGLESWORTH. 21 thefe churches are greatly indebted to fuch fteady and faithful guides, to whom, under God, it is very much owing that they have hitherto been preferred upon their foundation ; when they have been fo vehemently aflaulted by ignorant and illiterate intruders, who have thrown many of the churches into confufion, and threatned their over throw. If it had not been for a number of fteady chriftians, minifters and fpiritual guides (of whom the late deceafed among us was an eminent one) thefe churches would have been much fhaken, if not overthrown ; therefore fuch juftly claim a praife thro' all the churches. otbly. I may add that diligence, conflamy and affi* vity are very recommending qualities. THESE added to the forementioned qualities, render a man very illuftrious, and fpread his name and fame throughout the churches, far and near. It was by the diligence, the activity, and the abun dant labours of fome upon facred, and others upon ecclefiaftical record, that they have rendered them- felves famous in all ages of the church, even to this day. But I may not enlarge. Therefore, pthly. Sincerely aiming to honour God with all his gifts, and carefully endeavouring to exemplify all the graces and virtues of the chrijtian in his own life, mufl needs recommend to the praife of all the churches wko Jball fee and hear of the fame. THIS 22 A Funeral Sermon on the THIS is the crowning point of any great man's character. It is THIS that makes the man's face to flitne. It is THIS that puts a luftre upon all the rich endowments of nature, or of education. It is THIS that adorns the man in every office, in every ftation and relation of life. It is THIS that puts a glofs, yea a real beauty and excellency upon all performances. Then it is that minifters and other do&ors of divinity recommend their difcourfes, and fet forth the beauty and excellency of divine truths, and give a certain force and energy to them, viz. when they exemplify their do&rines and their counfels in their own temper and carriage. When minifters and fpiritual guides live as the gofpel teaches them, and as they teach others from the gofpel, evcnfoberly, and righteously, and god/y,'m the world : Then, I fay, they do in an eminent man ner adorn the dodtrine of God our Saviour. THIS will caufe their lights to Jbine before men ; and others feeing and hearing of their good 'works ; of their exemplary piety, holinefs and goodnefs, will not only have them in great reputation and honour, but will be induced to be followers of them ; and from their bright example to glorify our Father which is in heaven. II. LET us now proceed to confiderwhat a diftin- gui/bing favour and blefjed attainment it is, to have fuch endowments, natural or acquired, and fuch a gracious temper and behaviour, as juftly to claim the praifes of all the churches. IT Re*u. Dr. WIGGLESWORTH. 23 IT is an high commendation which is here given of this brother minifter in the text, That his praife in the gofyel 'was throughout all the churches, inti mating hereby that there was fomething uncommon in him ; and that God had enabled him, in a very diftinguilhing manner, to recommend himfelf to the high efteem and praife of all the churches ; which fuppofes the forementioned, and fuch like accompliiliments, in an eminent degree, were found in him. His praife in all the churches, is not to be underflood as if he was only a very popular man, who by voice and gefture, and flow of words, gained the vulgar popular applaufe ; but that he had fuch real excellencies and accomplishments as recommend ed him to the apoflles and minifters, and to all the wife and underftanding and judicious among them ; who were able to difcern the things that differ. AND that it is a diftinguifhing favour and bleffed attainment to have fuch endowments of mind, and fuch other good qualities, as juftly re commend to the high efleem of all wife and good men, will appear, if we briefly confider a few things. i ft. That they are only great and good qualities which 'will recommend to the efteem and refpeft of wife, great and good men. THE. illiterate vulgar and weak people maybe carried away with noife and {how, and fome little popular arts, without any thing fubftantially good and excellent. The brother in our texc was not 24 -d Funeral Sermon on the not fuch an one : But his qualifications were fuch as recommended him to the wife and the belt judges of true worth : Confequently, there mult have been excellent endowments and fuperiour qualities found in him, to recommend to univerfal efteem. And now it muft needs be a great favour and fpecial blefling, to be fo richly endowed as to gain, and that very defervedly, an univerfal efteem. Every good gift, and every perfect gift, is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights. He is the former of our bodies, and the Father of our fpirits ; and he forms and unites them together in a manner we know not how ; from whence arife the various capacities, geniufes and inclinations among the children of men. And he who has the difpofing of all things in providence, orders out the various advantages, and gives the various inclinations to improve the fame, for the enlarging the mind, and enriching it with a greater variety of ufeful knowledge. And whenever their natural powers and acquired knowledge are fancti- fied, and converted to the greateft and beft pur- pofes, it is by the grace of God. And therefore when there are fuch diftinguifliing endowments of nature, providence, and grace, found in any, as give them a diftinguifliing efteem among the wife and good, it muft be looked upon as a diftinguifli ing favour to fuch, and ftiould be acknowledged by them and their friends to the glory of God. For what haveany which may claim diftinguifliing efteem, but what they have received ? and therefore, whilfl fuch receive honour and praife of men, they ihould give the glory to God. sdly. Rev. Dr. \VIGGLESWORTH. 25 idly. It is a rare thing to have thefe good qualifies fo united in the fame fubj eft, and info confpicu- ous a manner as to gain univerfal ejleem and reputation. THOSE good qualities which deferve commen dation and praife, are for the moft part difperfed among the children of men. To this man is given one eminent gift, to that man is given another. Some have iuperiour natural powers ; but no education to cultivate and enlarge them. Others have good na tural powers, and good education ; but they have violent paffions, fuddenly moved and carried to great excefs ; befides other bad natural tempers. Others again have all thefe advantages, good capacities, good temper, good education to the great en largement of their minds ; but no grace to fanftify them, and fit them for their mafler's ufe ; and fo they cannot be in that high efteem in the churches, and with the faithful in Chrifl Jefus. 1 But then again, fuppofmg the man excellent for nar tural powers and for great improvement of his mind by education, and a good natural temper, and all fan&ified by divine grace ; yet, alafs ! how often has the chara&er of fuch an one been ilurred by fome fin or folly that he has fallen into . p which has been as the dead fly in the ointment of the apothecary t that fendeth forth a ft inking favour, and brings a blot and difgrace upon him that is in reputation for ".vifdom and honour* LA STL Y here, There are fome excellent perfons who upon all accounts deferve and have the high D commendations * Ecclsf. x. i. 26 A Funeral Sermon on the commendations of all who are acquainted with them : But they are not much known ; their light is as it were put under a buftiel ; their lot is in fome remote and retired corner of the vineyard j and fo they live and die pretty much in obfcurity. So that, upon the whole, to have perfons of fuch fuperiour accomplishments, fanedly give them great efteem and an high character in the church of God. THE gifts of nature, even all the powers of the mind, with the natural genius, difpofition and tem per ; and all the advantages for improvement and enlargement ; and all that virtuous and gracious turn of mind, with good behaviour ; and all the laudable aftions and performances, whereby pcrfons recommend themfelves to the high efteem of others, are from God even from the very firft to the laft : And that very honour and efteem that arifes from hence comes of him ; and is a favour of divine providence thankfully to be acknowledged to God's glory, and improved to his honour. GOD'S giving a man high efteem and reputation, gives him great advantages of doing much for the honour of God and the good of mankind : And in this way he is to exprefs his thankfulnefs to God for any fuchdiftinguifhing favour. The fentiments, the principles, the counfels, the admonitions, the examples of fuch will be weighty and influential, in proportion to the character they bear, and the efteem and honour they are had in, among mankind. Surely then it concerns fuch to fhow their thank- fylnefs Rev. Dr. WIGGLESWORTH. 29 flilnefs to God for his diltinguilhing favours to them ; by being fo much the more careful in all their fayings, and in all their writings they fend forth into the world : And fo much the more cir- cumfpeft in all their conduct, becaufe the eyes of people naturally fix upon them : Nothing is more common than for perfons to defend themfelves in that which is ill, and unguarded, and fo cannot otherwife be excufed; by faying it is no more than fuch and fuch who bear the beft of characters have faid or done. Confequently fuch men whom God favours with high reputation and character, cannot better (how their gratitude to him for the fame, than by a mod guarded, circumfpe INTER EFFERENDUM, HABUIT JOSEPHUS TAYLOR, Confultiffimus vir omnis DIVINI atque humani juris, quern juvenum xmulantium ftudia coetus habuifTe conftat," T. Livu, 1. i. 18. [ 3 ] ORATIO FUNEBRIS ACTUM eft! vitam perfecit WIGGLES- WORTH abfolvitque mortalera ! Sic voluit Pater omnipotens.- Fautores virtutis ac humani generis amantes, vita defuncti, recordatione uti fempiterna vigeant, a viventibus repetere prope fuo jure debent. Grams quidem et animus monet, inhumanum, quo tempore talium corpora terra con- dantur, eodera et memoriam oblivione deleri. Hoc fi debitura ulli poflulandum fuiflet, cui reftius quam ei, cujus funebria jufta jam nunc facimus ? At tem- poris exiguitas, rigor hiemis, atque juventus mea, quo minus oinnes perpulchras viri illius venerandi, cujus reliquiae fuper iftud trifle feretrum ponuntur, virtutes etiam leviter attingam, aut moeftis cognatis amicifque debitas adhibeam coiifolationes, vetant. ALIIS C 4 I ALII s liceat, aulaeis retraftis, mores in confpe&u ponere fuaviflimos, qui inde ab initio eum ad finem ufque vitas praeclarum reddidere. Penes alios fit arbitrium illecebras depingendi eas, quce intimo fermoni erant decori ; eorumque, quibufcum ipfi Confuetudo erar, corda conciliarunt. Alii delineent id virtumm fidus quod pe&us illuftravit : Horum in munera non mihi eft in ammo irreprare ; et hanc ob caufam plurima vitas omamenta filentio pra?tereo. ECCE finis mortalium univerforum ! En viri cxitus honeftiffimi integerrimique, redimitus oliva ! Afpicite reliquias viri, non folum de academia, fed de republica etiam optiine merjti ! quern vivum omnes boni in fummo habebant honore; quern mortuura fummo moerore iugem. Quis exuvias iftius, jam quidem numero caelitum adfcripti, confpicere poteft, qui non fimul in me- moriam revocet, quas facukates infigues, qua^ r.obi- liffima? virtutes per rotam vitam effuiferint ? Ii?, qua fane doftum efHciunt, aliis fere omnibus longe praeftitit. In illo acerrimum ingeniuiii, mens faga- ciffima, tenax memoria, rerum re Protect their fons, and lave them from the tomb : Could meeknefs, charity, and ev'ry grace, That e'er combin'd t' adorn a human foul, Their vot'ries fnatch from death's rapacious jaws, Sure thou 1 , bleft fhade, hadft ne'er become his prey. Ye indigent, bewail the gen'rous man, Whofe heart humane has felt for your diftrefs ; Whofe lib'ral hand has oft fupply'd your wants, And dealt it's Godlike favours all around. He is no more ! no more fhall ye partake Thofe kind reliefs he bounteoufly beftow'd. Ye children of the dear departed faint, Witnefs your parent's love, whofe tender bread Felt all your joys, partook of all your griefs. "Wife were his counfels, gentle his reproofs : In ev'ry aft parental love appear'd : His conduct tended to excite efteem. And filial piety within the bread. But But now. alas ! of fuch a tender fire Bereft, what words can fpeak the depths of woe \ The matchlefs Grecian painter, when he drew The horrors in each countenance, exprefs'd At fig'it of Iphigenia facrific'd, Near Aulis, on the cruel Grecian ftiores, Defpairing of his fkill to repreient Her agonizing father's deep diltrefs, Conceal d his face beneath his mantling robe. And wifely left the world to guefs thai grief, That anguifh which his penal could Hot paint. Thus ceaie, my pen, t' attempt th' unequal talk, To picture woe which filence better fpeaks Than all th' expreffive language mortals ufe. Ye friends of virtue, friends of the deceas'd, Come mingle tears, and vent your gen'rous fighs ; Weep o'er the man, whofe tongue was wont to charm, Your captivated hearts j while in difcourfe From his warm breall, by focial virtues fir'd, You catch'd. an equal flame. True was his triendlhip, for his open heaVt Nor knew" deceit, nor brook'd the leaft difguife. Serene his; ten>fg| undiiturb'd by cares ; His cnind, fedate in ev'ry fcene of life, Diiplay'd the chrillian, who unmov'd by ills, Can fit and fmile, while earth's foundations fnakc. AVhile fome, whofe lives for virtue were renown'd. Who pafs'd for chriftians of diltinguiih d rank, Cou'd only boaft of fome few fhining deeds, Like fcatter'd ftars o'er Other's vail expanfe ; His ev'ry year, with virtuous actions crown 'd, Glow'd like the milky way, thick fet with ftars. Witnefs, ye. walls, where contemplation rciga'd ; Where he his thoughtful hours, unweary'd, fpent, "Witnefs the fervour of his heav'nly mind ; How [ 4 ) How, while he mus'd on themes divinely Bright* His raptur'd foul to empyrean flties Has wing'd it's way, and view'd the bleft abodes, Where joys perennial dwell, whence blifsful ftreams Of pleafures, ever new, flow without end ; And ravifh'd faints forever tune their voice, To fmg that love which rais'd them to thofe feats. Then has he wifh'd to quit his earthly frame, Which kept his foul a pris'ner here confin'd, And long'd to join th* aifembled choirs above, To prove thofe joys, and mix his fongs with their's. Let this our forrows foothe, and dry our tears, That death, the laft of foes, has loft his fting. Has prov'd a friend to lonfe the weary foul, And raife it to the realms of endlefs blifs. Now he imbibes full draughts of heav'nly joy, From living fprings faft by the throne of God ; His foul is free to range the azure fields, And fweets inhale from ev'ry fragrant flow'r. Ceale then, ye tears, and ceafe, each murm'ring figh; Be ev'ry paffion hufh'd. He reigns with Chrift. 1L Ye, who furvive, thofe virtues make your own, Which fhone confpicuous thro' his holy life : This will embalm his precious mem'ry more Than panegyrics of fublimeft ftrain. SYMPATHES, . >- .-...-,. . -^.^ UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. APR 28 19 WWT) 10-URC ocT07i JUL131991 Form L9-32m-8,'57(.C8680s4)444