the crosse then his soule could not had beene locally separated from his body but his soule was locally separated from his body or else he dyed not truly therefore the body of Christ nor yet his soule was not euery where then And as it was then so is it now for his body is the same which then it was and hath the same proprieties which then it had And if his body nor yet his soule Of his Saints were not euery where then neither be they euery where now It followeth Of his Saints The Hebrew word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lachasidau which is as much to say as Of his deerely beloued ones or of his tender hearted meeke and mercifull ones or of them of whom he hath pittie and on whom he hath mercy For the Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chasid importeth such as to whom God sheweth mercy and so are made also to trust and rely vpon his mercy and goodnesse and to shew themselues pittifull mercifull and godly in their conuersations It occurres much oftner in the booke of the Psalmes than in all the rest of the Bible Most commonly it is translated by the Septuagint in their Greeke translation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 n = a Deut. 33.8 2 Sam. 22.26 2 Chron. 6.41 Psal 4.3 12.1 16.10 18.25 30.4 31.23 31.6 37.28 50.5 52.9 c. holy once 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 n = b Psal 89.19 a Sonne once 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 n = c Mic. 7.2 venerable or religious and once 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 n = d Pro. 2.8 reuerencing In our English Bibles also of the new translation I finde it diuers waies translated Most commonly Saints n = e 2 Chron. 6.41 Ps 30.4 31.23 37.28 50.5 52.9 79 2. 85.8 97.10 132.9 16. 145.10 148.14 149.1 5 9. Pro. 2.8 sometimes holy n = f Deut. 33.8 Psal 16.10 86.2 89.19 145.17 thrice godly n = g Psa 4.3 12.1 32.6 twice mercifull n = h 2 Sam. 22.26 Psal 18.25 and once the good man n = i Mic. 7 2. Out of which I gather that by Saints in this place are meant Gods Elect and beloued children effectually called iustified and sanctified people that are holy righteous sober and godly Thus haue I gone thorow with the words of the text taking word by word Now let vs gather into one summe the totall of the things which haue beene deliuered touching the meaning thereof Precious that is to say of great esteeme very profitable and honourable in the sight of the Lord that is to say in the iudgement of the Lord and in his account is the death that is the bodily death of his Saints that is to say of his elect whom he hath called and sanctified and to whom he hath vouchsafed his speciall fauour and the grace to liue soberly righteously and godlily in this present world denying vngodlinesse and worldly lusts Thus haue I done with the first thing touching the meaning of the words The second followeth touching the parts of the Text. The parts of the Text. THis Text hath two parts First a proposition or theme secondly an argument of confirmation or a proofe thereof The proposition is this that the death of the Saints is precious precious is the death of his Saints The proofe is in these words in the sight of the Lord. In the proposition there be two things to be considered First the subiect or antecedent Secondly the attribute or consequent The subiect containes the matter whereof the speech is in these words of the text The death of the Saints The attribute shewes what is spoken of this matter in these words is precious And thus haue I done with the second branch of my promise The third remaineth which is concerning the instructions that arise from this Text which I will propound vnto you according to the order of the parts as now yee haue heard them The Instructions FIrst then I haue to begin with the proposition and namely with the subiect or antecedent thereof in these words of the text the death of the Saints Neither let any man maruell that I beginne with the last words of the text first The learned doe see the reason for it For the parts are inuerted in the order of the text The proofe being inserted betweene the consequent and the antecedent and both the consequent and the proofe being set before the antecedent But let the inuerted parts be placed in order and the text stands thus The death of his Saints or the death of the Saints is precious in the sight of the Lord. In this order the parts doe plainly appeare and this order must I follow To proceede then with the subiect the death of the Saints first note this that in the Scripture there is a twofold death attributed to the Saints the one spirituall and the other bodily The spirituall death attributed to the Saints The spirituall death attributed to the Saints is likewise double one before their calling most miserable and wofull another after their calling most blessed and comfortable Before their calling they are dead in sinnes and trespasses Ephes 2.1 4 5. As the Apostle saith And you hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sinnes And againe a little after But God who is rich in mercy for his great loue wherewith he loued vs Euen when we were dead in sinnes hath quickened vs together with Christ What death in sinne or spirituall death is This spirituall death is a priuation of communion and fellowship with God and of the grace of God quickening vs together with Christ and is incident to the elect together with the reprobate before their calling Three branches of spirituall death in the Saints But after their calling they haue experience in themselues of another manner of spirituall death of which there be these three branches first vpon the right vnderstanding of the doctrine of the Law to be brought to see and feele that they are dead and most wretched 1. A death at the comming of the commandement and that there is nothing in themselues saue matter of death and eternall damnation by reason of their sinnes and so they are stirred vp to seeke succour elsewhere Thus Paul died as he saith But when the commandement came Rom. 7.9 sinne reuiued and I died That is to say when I had the right vnderstanding of the commandement of God and had considered well of it sinne did rage and trouble my minde which had lyen still before and by reason of my sinne I saw nothing in my selfe but matter of death and damnation and so I was driuen to seeke helpe in Iesus Christ that my soule might be saued Secondly the Saints are dead to the Law 2. A death vnto the Law Gal. 2.19 as the Apostle saith For I through the Law am
A Curse become a Blessing OR A SERMON PREACHED IN the Parish Church of S. John the Baptist in the I le of Thannet in the County of KENT at the Funerall of that vertuous and worthy Gentleman Mr. PAVL CLEYBROOKE Esquire By WILLIAM STONE Preacher of Gods Word on Tuesday September 17. 1622. REVEL 14.13 Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth yea saith the Spirit that they may rest from their labours and their workes doe follow them LONDON Printed by Iohn Haviland for William Sheffard and are to be sold at his shop at the entring in of Popes-head Alley out of Lombard street 1623. TO THE WORSHIPFVLL AND VERTVOVS GENTLEWOman Mistris MARY CLEYBROOKE Grace and Peace WEre there nothing else to proue that the death of the righteous that is of euery beleeuing and repentant sinner is a most excellent blessing of God euen this were sufficient that it is pretious in Gods sight For what can befall to the deare children of God which is an excellent blessing of his vnto them if that for one bee not such a blessing of which he saith that it is pretious in his sight Of all terrible things death seemes most terrible but it is not so indeed to them that be in Christ to whom many things happen more bitter and heauy than death it selfe This Sermon being a little enlarged beyond that which was deliuered in the latter points of the text I present vnto you to whom of right it belongs It is all that I am able to offer vnto you in token of my thankfulnesse for the loue and kindnesses both of the dead and of the liuing Accept it I beseech you reade it at your leisure and I pray God to blesse this little mite that it may both further your present comfort and the saluation of your soule Your Worships in the Lord WILLIAM STONE TO THE READER CHristian Reader thou hast here in few words the definitiue sentence of the Holy Ghost touching the death of the Saints that Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints From which after the exposition and diuision of the Text is obserued first that there be Saints vpon earth Secondly that these same Saints be liable to bodily death Thirdly that they be the Lords and that after a speciall manner And fourthly that their death is precious which being further confirmed by the iudgement of the Lord is both comfortable to them that mourne and directs euery one how to iudge aright of all things and euents Pray reade meditate and practise and the Lord giue the increase December 5. 1622. Farewell W. S. A FVNERALL SERMON PSALME 116.15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints BEfore I say any thing of the occasion of this our meeting let vs first consider this present Text and the instructions thereof Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints It is a matter of great consequence and a ground of no small comfort to vnderstand aright what to hold of the death of the Saints For to the vngodly it seemes a very jest and a laughing sport They are glad to see the death of the best men and most zealous because then they thinke that all things shall goe presently as they desire to haue it And to the godly themselues it seemes fearefull and miserable for the present time Now touching this matter the sentence of the Holy Ghost is propounded vnto vs in the words which yee haue heard to this effect That it is precious in Gods sight Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints In handling this Text both for helpe of memory and plainenesse sake I will obserue this method first declare the meaning of the words Secondly shew the parts thereof And lastly handle the seuerall instructions from thence arising In giuing the meaning of the words I will follow the order of the Text first declaring them seuerally as they lye in the Text and then gather into one summe that which hath beene said both plainly and briefly Precious Precious The originall word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 jakar which the Septuagint translate most commonly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 n = a 1 Sam. 3.1 2 Sam. 12.30 1 King 5.17 and 7.9 10 11. and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 n = b Iob 28.10 Psal 72.14 Prou. 20.15 Isai 43.4 which signifie precious once 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 n = c Zach. 11.13 approued once 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 n = d Ezek. 28.13 profitable good or commodious and once 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 n = e Prou. 1.13 of great price and worth In our English Bibles of the new Translation it is rendred most commonly precious n = f 1 Sam. 3.1 and 26.21 Prou. 3.15 and 6.26 and 12.27 and 20.15 and 24.4 sometimes costly n = g 1 King 5.17 and 7.9 10 11. once noble n = h Ezra 4.10 once better n = i Eccles 9.18 and once goodly n = k Zach. 11.13 In the sight Neither can I but remember what one hath noted saying Dicitur autem pretiosum quod rarum non omnibus obuium est that is to say That thing is called precious which is rare and not to be met with of all Out of this I gather that Precious in this place is as much to say as of great esteeme an excellent thing exceeding profitable good and honourable In the sight 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 begnene The Hebrew signifieth in the eyes Properly the Eye is that member of the bodie whose faculty is to see lightsome things and to direct our way Now diuers members of the body of man are attributed to God as the head the hands the heart the feet and here the eyes but not properly but figuratiuely for properly God hath no such members The eyes of God The Eyes of God doe signifie either first the good will and fauour of God n = l Psal 17.8 and 33.18 34.15 1 Pet. 3.12 as in that speech of the Psalmist The eyes of the Lord are vpon the righteous And of Iob n = m Iob 36.7 He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous Or secondly the prouidence of God n = n 2 Chro. 16.9 as in that speech of Hanani the Seer to Asa King of Iudah For the eyes of the Lord runne to and fro throughout the whole earth Or thirdly the knowledge of God that so wee might vnderstand that God is not ignorant of any thing but knoweth all things both secret and apparant past present and to come as perfectly and throughly as if he looked vpon them and saw them with his eyes Thus Solomon saith The eyes of the Lord are in euery place Prou. 15.3 beholding the euill and the good Or else finally the iudgement and account of God touching any thing whatsoeuer as in this place touching the death of the Saints The sight
husband after the death of the first Rom. 7.2 3 4. Ninthly that they which liue should not henceforth liue to themselues but vnto him which died for them 1 Cor. 5.15 and rose againe Tenthly that we might know the loue of Christ vnto vs 1 Ioh. 3.16 and publish it vnto others Eleuenthly that whether we wake or sleepe we should liue together with him 1 Thess 5.10 Twelfthly that we should not doubt to lay downe our liues for his sake 1 Ioh. 3.16 and the brethren Thirteenthly that he might abolish sinne Fourteenthly that he might abolish death Rom. 6.10 the wages of sinne These bee the ends of the death of Christ 2 Tim. 1.10 but the discharging of the Saints from bodily death is none of them Obiection But if among the ends of Christs death this be reckoned for one that he might abolish death it seemeth then that the Saints should not die For what is it to abolish death if it be not quite to take it away that it should not bee at all How death is abolished Answ If ye vnderstand it of death eternall which is the second death it is quite taken away in respect of Gods elect according to that speech of our Sauiour Christ Iohn 11.26 Whosoeuer liueth and beleeueth in mee shall neuer die The second death hath no power on the Saints As saith Saint Iohn Reu. 20.6 Blessed and holy is hee that hath part in the first resurrection on such the second death hath no power But if ye referre it to the first death to wit the death of the body the sting of it is taken away so that it is no more a curse for the sinnes which wee haue committed nay it is turned into a blessing and made a ioyfull passage and entrance into heauen But if yee apply it to the death of the soule which is another kinde or another branch of the first death that also is vanquished ouercome and we recouer out of it when we are spiritually quickned with the life of grace 1 Cor. 4.11 Ephes 4.18 called by S. Paul the life of Iesus the life of God and it is also called the life of the spirit And though this death hang about vs as long as we are in this tabernacle Rom. 8.23 Rom. 7.24 and make vs groane within our selues and crie out with the Apostle O wretched man that I am who shall deliuer mee from the body of this death Yet it cannot hurt vs and it daily abateth as the life of grace increaseth And when our change is come we shall be fully and for euer discharged from it For death is vanquished but the time is not yet come that it must be vtterly destroyed For the Apostle hath taught vs that it is the last enemie that shall be destroyed 1 Cor. 15.26 The last enemie saith he that shall be destroied is death It is captiuated and brought vnder the power of Christ the Conquerour and comfort your selues euery kinde of death shall be fully destroyed and quite abolished in the due time Reason 2 Secondly the Saints must die the death of the body because it is an infirmity which we are forced to endure in this nature Now Christ hath not suffered to free vs from any infirmity to which our bodies are made subiect without sinne but to take away the venome of it and to sanctifie it vnto vs that that which at first came by meanes of sin and in it selfe is a curse for sin the wages thereof may be turned into a blessed meanes to further our happinesse And thus also we are weary and hunger and thirst and feele paines many and manifold although Christ also hath suffered all this for vs. Conceiue it then that in respect of the Saints death is abolished both the first and second of the soule and the body as it is the wages of sinne for what haue we to doe with the wages of the workes which we doe not attend but yet we must still suffer it as it is an infirmity to which our bodies are made subiect and we must passe thorow it as it is the way and gate into that glorious life in the kingdome of heauen Reason 3 Thirdly the Saints must die that the discerning of the elect from the reprobate may bee reserued vnto the last day the day of iudgement According to the words of the Prophet Malachi Mal. 3.18 Then shall yee returne and discerne betweene the righteous and the wicked betweene him that serueth God and him that serueth him not Now if onely the reprobates wicked men and hypocrites did die and the elect not die then might it bee discerned who were elected and truly sanctified before that day come Reason 4 Fourthly that it may appeare no vaine word which God spake to Adam saying Gen. 3.19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat thy bread till thou returne vnto the ground for out of it wast thou taken for dust thou art and vnto dust shalt thou returne Reason 5 Fiftly that by tasting of bodily death they may feele Gods mercy the sweeter in freeing of them from death eternall which they had likewise deserued and learne to set the more store by the riches of his mercy and accept it the better and be prouoked to seeke it and also receiue it with the earnester desire and the greater thankfulnesse To that end are wee forced to passe thorow the death of the body And indeed let vs consider well the pride of our owne nature the false ouerweening and vaine selfe-trust wherewith we be puffed vp how stubborne we be against the Lord and at how low a rate we prise his goodnesse and wee shall finde that to doe vs good and to bring vs to life he must be faine to make vs passe thorow the gates of death And why To keepe vs in awe and humble vs to make vs to know our selues and how rich he is in mercy in his dealing with vs to the intent we may yeeld the more honour and reuerence to our onely wise immortall and good God And may say euery one of vs alas I might iustly haue beene sunken before this day to the bottome of hell and if God were not wondrous mercifull what is due to my whole life for my manifold sinnes I haue deserued to die not only the death of the body but the second death euen the death of soule and body eternally Thus you see how it is good for the Saints to be kept in awe and taught humilitie by being appointed to die Reason 6 Sixtly that they may be made partakers of the glorious resurrection at the end of the world For to borrow a similitude from the Apostles words 1 Cor. 15.36 as the corne which is sowen is not quickened except it die so is it with vs wee cannot partake of the resurrection of the iust except we die For they that remaine aliue at the comming of the Lord shall
of all towards his latter end And this I dare auouch that the Saints of the Lord can be discerned by no one signe better than by a due respect to the Ministers of the Word For our Sauiour saith He that receiueth whomsoeuer I send John 13.20 Luke 10.16 receiueth me and hee that despiseth you despiseth me As he that despiseth a Minister in respect of his calling and faithfull paines in his Ministery doth euidently bewray himselfe neither to haue any grace nor yet to desire any because the grace which either he hath or can desire ordinarily is attained by the Ministery as I could shew at large so hee that loueth and reuerenceth a Minister for his workes sake as this worthy man did he doth shew that he hath found the ministery of the Word to be the power of God to his saluation 5. A louer of the Saints He honoured the Saints and made much of them that were truly religious but vile and naughtie persons in whom was no religion nor knowledge of God were odious in his sight and their fond delights and vaine mirth and pastime were a vexation to his heart Which is one good note of a childe of God as the Holy Ghost doth witnesse saying that he shall abide in Gods Tabernacle Psal 15.1 4. and shall dwell in his holy hill In whose eyes a vile person is contemned but he honoureth them that feare the Lord. 6. A man gracious in his talke He delighted much to conferre of points of Religion and of the present estate and duties of a true Christian And in his conferences hee would often complaine of the rifenesse of sinne of the negligence and bad doings of diuers in the Ministery of the omitting of the due execution of iustice for sundry ordinary offences of the corruption of his owne flesh and of his owne vntowardnesse and dulnesse in Gods seruice and inueigh seriously and to good purpose against excessiue drinking and other vices of the times 7. Patient vnder the Crosse He was patient vnder the crosse of which he hath had much and long experience more waies then one For it pleased the Lord to exercise him certain yeeres before his death with diuers temptations both inwardly and outwardly in all which hee abode constant submitting himselfe quietly to the will of God making vse of all to the glory of his name and being so farre from being discouraged that his zeale his loue of the truth his patience and other vertues encreased still to his dying day 8. Sober and graue He was a sober graue discreet frugall temperate and chaste man Hee contented himselfe with plaine apparrell and neither affected costlinesse nor new fashions therein He went alwaies plainer and a great deale more meane than many others which in estate were farre inferiour to himselfe 9. Without ambition He was not ambitious He coueted no titles of honour nor places of publike seruice but wondred at others what they saw therein to couet and desire the same and contented himselfe with his owne estate 10. Not high minded He was nothing high minded but made himselfe equall to them of the lower sort according to the Apostles rule Rom. 12.16 Be of the same minde one towards another Minde not high things but condescend to men of low estate 11. A louing husband He shewed alwaies great loue and fidelitie to his wife He was a very carefull father for the godly liuing and well-doing of his children 12. A carefull father 13. A vertuous master He banished from among his seruants many horrible vices which as they be vsuall now adaies in great Families so no doubt they will pull downe the fearefull iudgements of God vpon them I meane swearing and swaggering and such other enormities and he so gouerned admonished and ordered them that some haue departed out of his house more godly sober frugall and honester men than they were before they came vnto him 14. A perfâ—rmer â—â—nsel â—â—f good duties at home He performed himselfe the ordinary duties of Religion in his house at home if no Preacher were present 15. Prouident in his businâ—sses Hee was wise and prouident in managing his affaires and left none of his buâ—inesses at six and seuen but was a carefull ouerseer of all himselfe 16. Bountifull to the poore Hee was plentifull in releeuing his poore neighbours a peaceable liuer and one that put vp a great number of trespasses 17. Peaceable 18. Able and willing to giue good aduice He afforded his counsell willingly for their best direction that stood in need of it and especially for the good estate of the place and Parish in which he liued vnto the people whereof and to many others he bare good affection Neither did he manifest his affection in word and tongue onely but by shewing himselfe forward in any good cause for their instruction and profit any manner of way The truth whereof if we did not sufficiently see whilest wee enioyed him I doubâ— we shall too well feele by wanting of him now he is gone 19. No nouice in vertue Neither was hee a nouice in the practise of any of these things but a well experienced souldier of many yeeres standing 20. Constant to the end in well-doing And vnto all this was added constancie and perseuerance vnto the end His well-doing was not by fits nor for a while only as it hath proued by some but till the end of his daies Witnesse his bountie and liberall contribution to haue the Word often preached Neither was hee weary of that which hee did Nay he was so farre from being weary that notwithstanding both the death of one of them that ioyned with him and that the vnfaithfulnesse of some which haue fallen from their word had caused him to be at more charge than at the first he had thought of yet of his owne accord hee charged himselfe somewhat further than his owne compartners in that businesse did know of And being motioned to some course whereby to be discharged from all he spake no word to approue of it but all to the contrary Then it being signified vnto him that some further course must be taken and what was expected his answer was that it was as little as could be August 5.1622 And all this not long before his last sicknesse By which it appeares how his minde was setled not to faint in well doing but to continue to the end 21. Mindfull to set his house in order before his sicknesse Hee was taken in the night with a dead palsie in halfe his body on August 15. 1622. Before his last sicknesse he had made his will and set his house in order But in the time of that sicknesse which was about the space of nine daies hee had but little vse of his speech neither was he able to expresse himselfe in diuers things to the vnderstanding of his friends which appeared by certaine tokens