A sermon preached at the funeral of Thomas Shadwell, Esq. late Poet-Laureat, and Historiographer-Royal, who was interred at Chelsea, November 24, 1692 by Nicholas Brady ...
IS Death then a Blessing? Is that King of Terrours an Object of Desire? Is the common Aversion of human Nature a thing fit to be courted and embraced? Can the first Curse of God upon Sin and Disobedience become a just Matter of Interest and Advantage? Is Blessedness the Companion of Rottenness and Corruption? And does it dwell so meanly and reti•edly? How much mistaken then are the Generality of Mankind, who seek for it in the noisy Tumults of a busie Court, amongst a glittering Collection of Gold and Jewels, in the divertive Society of the Witty, and the Beautiful;
IS Death then a Blessing? Is that King of Terrors an Object of Desire? Is the Common Aversion of human Nature a thing fit to be courted and embraced? Can the First Curse of God upon since and Disobedience become a just Matter of Interest and Advantage? Is Blessedness the Companion of Rottenness and Corruption? And does it dwell so meanly and reti•edly? How much mistaken then Are the Generality of Mankind, who seek for it in the noisy Tumults of a busy Court, among a glittering Collection of Gold and Jewels, in the divertive Society of the Witty, and the Beautiful;
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when it is only to be found within the silent Chambers of the Grave, amongst a ruinous Heap of Dust and Ashes, with mouldring Bones, and putrifying Carcases.
when it is only to be found within the silent Chambers of the Grave, among a ruinous Heap of Dust and Ashes, with mouldering Bones, and Putrifying Carcases.
that it needed no less than a Divine Authority to usher it in, and a Celestial Herald to Proclaim and Recommend it, And I heard a voice from Heaven, saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead.
that it needed no less than a Divine authority to usher it in, and a Celestial Herald to Proclaim and Recommend it, And I herd a voice from Heaven, saying unto me, Write, Blessed Are the dead.
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But is there no Distinction in the Grave? no sort of Difference between the Godly and the Wicked? Is Blessedness the common and indifferent Lot of both? In vain then do we wish or endeavour to die the Death of the Righteous,
But is there no Distinction in the Grave? no sort of Difference between the Godly and the Wicked? Is Blessedness the Common and indifferent Lot of both? In vain then do we wish or endeavour to die the Death of the Righteous,
to have the happy Entertainment, when he casts his Eyes backwards, of a well-spent Life; and the comfortable Prospect, when he looks forwards, of a Blessed Immortality;
to have the happy Entertainment, when he Cast his Eyes backwards, of a well-spent Life; and the comfortable Prospect, when he looks forward, of a Blessed Immortality;
to have those Words continually ringing in his dying Ears, of Well done, good and faithful servant, as a due Character of his Life past, and enter thou into the joy of thy Lord, as a happy Draught of that which is to come;
to have those Words continually ringing in his dying Ears, of Well done, good and faithful servant, as a due Character of his Life past, and enter thou into the joy of thy Lord, as a happy Draught of that which is to come;
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and since we find Blessedness annexed to that Condition, it should forcibly engage us to endeavour its Attainment. Blested, &c. In my following Discourse therefore upon this Solemn Occasion, I shall insist upon these two Particulars.
and since we find Blessedness annexed to that Condition, it should forcibly engage us to endeavour its Attainment. Blessed, etc. In my following Discourse Therefore upon this Solemn Occasion, I shall insist upon these two Particulars.
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1. To die in the Lord, is a thing so valueable in it self, and attended with Circumstances so precious and considerable, that we cannot suppose its Purchase to be easie;
1. To die in the Lord, is a thing so valueable in it self, and attended with circumstances so precious and considerable, that we cannot suppose its Purchase to be easy;
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his Mercy is truly infinite, but so are also his Justice and his Truth; nor will he so far be swayed by that, tho his beloved his darling Attribute,
his Mercy is truly infinite, but so Are also his justice and his Truth; nor will he so Far be swayed by that, though his Beloved his darling Attribute,
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He, who totally applies himself to the Enjoyments of this Life, and manages his time as if there were no other, can never expect any Comfort or Satisfaction,
He, who totally Applies himself to the Enjoyments of this Life, and manages his time as if there were no other, can never expect any Comfort or Satisfaction,
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he is tied and wedded to the things of this World, and it is a tearing him from all that he values or esteems, to bring him to that Passage which leads into another.
he is tied and wedded to the things of this World, and it is a tearing him from all that he value's or esteems, to bring him to that Passage which leads into Another.
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if he looks upon that World which he is about to go into, he has made no Acquaintances there, secured no Interests, engaged no Friendships, to render his future Abode delightful and agreeable:
if he looks upon that World which he is about to go into, he has made no Acquaintances there, secured no Interests, engaged no Friendships, to render his future Abided delightful and agreeable:
But how shall he die in the Fear of the Lord, whose Days have been consumed in the Contempt of his Commandments? Or how shall he die in the Favour of the Lord, whose Life has been full of rebellious Provocations? He may die indeed under the Terrours of the Lord, but not in his Fear;
But how shall he die in the fear of the Lord, whose Days have been consumed in the Contempt of his commandments? Or how shall he die in the Favour of the Lord, whose Life has been full of rebellious Provocations? He may die indeed under the Terrors of the Lord, but not in his fear;
and were every one of us certified how long he has to live, it might seem tolerably safe, to devote some part of our Life to Sin and Folly, reserving at the same time a considerable Portion,
and were every one of us certified how long he has to live, it might seem tolerably safe, to devote Some part of our Life to since and Folly, reserving At the same time a considerable Portion,
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but he may wake in another World, and yet finds himself to be unprepared for it? Can any Man be secure of dying in the Lord, that takes no care to go to Bed in his Favour,
but he may wake in Another World, and yet finds himself to be unprepared for it? Can any Man be secure of dying in the Lord, that Takes no care to go to Bed in his Favour,
but are we sure that to-morrow is our own? And may not our Case be like the rich Man's in the Gospel, whose Soul was required of him that very night? The Disappointment in this Case is so very dreadful, being not only the loss of a few hours which we proposed to our selves here,
but Are we sure that tomorrow is our own? And may not our Case be like the rich Man's in the Gospel, whose Soul was required of him that very night? The Disappointment in this Case is so very dreadful, being not only the loss of a few hours which we proposed to our selves Here,
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but if it operates upon us no farther, it only enhances the Heinousness of our Transgressions, by making every offence become a sin against Knowledge.
but if it operates upon us no farther, it only enhances the Heinousness of our Transgressions, by making every offence become a since against Knowledge.
And therefore we find the Holy Apostle, when he compares together the three great Christian Graces, giving the Preference to that which is Practical, to the prejudice of the others which are chiefly Contemplative.
And Therefore we find the Holy Apostle, when he compares together the three great Christian Graces, giving the Preference to that which is Practical, to the prejudice of the Others which Are chiefly Contemplative.
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but if we will give our selves the useful Labour of considering Matters more strictly and deliberately, we shall find, that let us take it which way we will, to such as die in the Lord, death is a Blessing.
but if we will give our selves the useful Labour of considering Matters more strictly and deliberately, we shall find, that let us take it which weigh we will, to such as die in the Lord, death is a Blessing.
First, Then, let us consider Death as a Passage out of this World, and in relation to that Notion of Death we shall find, That blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.
First, Then, let us Consider Death as a Passage out of this World, and in Relation to that Notion of Death we shall find, That blessed Are the dead which die in the Lord.
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A considerable Instance of their Blessedness, or that wherein (as to this particular) it especially consists, is assigned by the Holy Ghost, in the Words immediately consequent to my Text;
A considerable Instance of their Blessedness, or that wherein (as to this particular) it especially consists, is assigned by the Holy Ghost, in the Words immediately consequent to my Text;
God often tries him with Temptations and Afflictions, and his Conscience is always keeping him to his Task of working out his salvation with fear and trembling;
God often tries him with Temptations and Afflictions, and his Conscience is always keeping him to his Task of working out his salvation with Fear and trembling;
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all whose Advantages he has found to be but Vanity, and all its Entertainments Vexation of Spirit: Nay further, he reflects upon what he is to leave with Comfort and Satisfaction;
all whose Advantages he has found to be but Vanity, and all its Entertainments Vexation of Spirit: Nay further, he reflects upon what he is to leave with Comfort and Satisfaction;
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Those few good Men which he leaves behind, and to whom his Soul is chiefly linked on this side Heaven, 〈 ◊ 〉 hopes to see again with ineffable Delight;
Those few good Men which he leaves behind, and to whom his Soul is chiefly linked on this side Heaven, 〈 ◊ 〉 hope's to see again with ineffable Delight;
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A considerable Instance of their Blessedness, or that wherein (as to this particular) it especially consists, is given us by the same Holy Spirit, in the last Words of this Verse, whereof my Text is part:
A considerable Instance of their Blessedness, or that wherein (as to this particular) it especially consists, is given us by the same Holy Spirit, in the last Words of this Verse, whereof my Text is part:
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as the Prospect of those Joys which are laid up for them which die in the Lord; and the Sound of those Words ringing in their dying Ears, Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you, from the foundation of the world.
as the Prospect of those Joys which Are laid up for them which die in the Lord; and the Found of those Words ringing in their dying Ears, Come you blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you, from the Foundation of the world.
Then shall their Saviour enumerate their good Actions, and set before their Eyes those works which follow them, laying them down as the Reasons of their blessed Entertainment.
Then shall their Saviour enumerate their good Actions, and Set before their Eyes those works which follow them, laying them down as the Reasons of their blessed Entertainment.
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How pleasing and agreeable must the Surprize then be, when they find every Instance of Charity and Compassion, which they formerly extended to their distressed Brethren, accepted and rewarded as fully and effectually,
How pleasing and agreeable must the Surprise then be, when they find every Instance of Charity and Compassion, which they formerly extended to their distressed Brothers, accepted and rewarded as Fully and effectually,
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Then every Action of Piety and Devotion, every Advancement in Godliness and Holiness, every Christian Combat and Struggling with Temptations, every single Act of Faith and Resignation, shall have its due Commendation and particular Regard.
Then every Actium of Piety and Devotion, every Advancement in Godliness and Holiness, every Christian Combat and Struggling with Temptations, every single Act of Faith and Resignation, shall have its due Commendation and particular Regard.
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as so many Offerings of a sweet smelling savour! Then shall their Redeemer know his own by these their Fruits, and confess them before his Father which is in Heaven;
as so many Offerings of a sweet smelling savour! Then shall their Redeemer know his own by these their Fruits, and confess them before his Father which is in Heaven;
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The Scene is so glorious, and so transcendently inviting, that it needs no •oil, no Painter's Art of Shades and darker Colours, to give these brighter ones more Splendor and Vivacity;
The Scene is so glorious, and so transcendently inviting, that it needs no •oil, no Painter's Art of Shades and Darker Colours, to give these Brighter ones more Splendour and Vivacity;
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and therefore it needs not to be set off, by comparing it with the miserable condition of such unhappy Wretches, whose Works are said to go before them unto Judgment:
and Therefore it needs not to be Set off, by comparing it with the miserable condition of such unhappy Wretches, whose Works Are said to go before them unto Judgement:
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for eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it enter'd into the heart of man to conceive the things which God has prepared for them that love him.
for eye hath not seen, nor ear herd, neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive the things which God has prepared for them that love him.
and I cannot but do his Memory that Justice, to declare, that during the time of my Acquaintance with him, I found in him a most zealous Affection to the present Government, a great deal of Honesty and Integrity, a real Love of Truth and Sincerity,
and I cannot but do his Memory that justice, to declare, that during the time of my Acquaintance with him, I found in him a most zealous Affection to the present Government, a great deal of Honesty and Integrity, a real Love of Truth and Sincerity,
an inviolable Fidelity and Strictness to his Word, an unalterable Friendship wheresoever he professed it, (and however the World may be mistaken in him) a much deeper Sense of Religion,
an inviolable Fidis and Strictness to his Word, an unalterable Friendship wheresoever he professed it, (and however the World may be mistaken in him) a much Deeper Sense of Religion,
than many others have, who pretend to it more openly: His natural and acquired Abilities made him sufficiently remarkable to all that he conversed with,
than many Others have, who pretend to it more openly: His natural and acquired Abilities made him sufficiently remarkable to all that he conversed with,
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and cannot be unknown to any here present, very few being equal to him, in all the becoming Qualities and Accomplishments, which adorn and set off a complete Gentleman:
and cannot be unknown to any Here present, very few being equal to him, in all the becoming Qualities and Accomplishments, which adorn and Set off a complete Gentleman:
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and therefore it is but cold Justice in a Friend, who received from him, during his Life, all the Marks of a true Affection, which shall make his Memory dear to me,
and Therefore it is but cold justice in a Friend, who received from him, during his Life, all the Marks of a true Affection, which shall make his Memory dear to me,
His Doath seized him suddenly, but could not unprepared, since (to my own certain knowledge) he never took his Dose of Opium, but he solemnly recommended himself to God by Prayer,
His Doath seized him suddenly, but could not unprepared, since (to my own certain knowledge) he never took his Dose of Opium, but he solemnly recommended himself to God by Prayer,
These Considerations give me good Grounds to hope, that this dead man is blessed; because from thence I have reason to believe, that he died in the Lord.
These Considerations give me good Grounds to hope, that this dead man is blessed; Because from thence I have reason to believe, that he died in the Lord.
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