Abraham's decease A meditation on Genesis 25.8. Delivered at the funeral of that worthy…Abrahams decease A meditation on Genesis 25.8. Deliuered at the funerall of that worthy…
Abraham's decease A meditation on Genesis 25.8. Delivered at the funeral of that worthy servant of Christ, Mr. Richard Stock, late pastor of All-Hallows Bread-street: together with the testimony then given unto him. By Thomas Gataker B. of D. and pastor of Rotherhith.Abrahams decease A meditation on Genesis 25.8. Deliuered at the funerall of that worthy seruant of Christ, Mr. Richard Stock, late pastor of All-Hallowes Bread-street: together with the testimonie then giuen vnto him. By Thomas Gataker B. of D. and pastor of Rotherhith.
Thomas Gataker 1574–1654London: printed by John Haviland for Fulke Clifton, 1627London: printed by Iohn Haviland for Fulke Clifton, 1627
[6], 62, [2] p. · 16k words · STC 11647 · ESTC S102880
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2 In the shunning and avoiding of all evil. Be as careful to shun sin e•ery day, as thou wouldest ⟨p. 33⟩be, if it were to be thy dying day, tDo not that (saith he) to day, that thou mayest repent thee of to morrow. Yea, do not that, (say I) to day, that it may be too late to repent of tomorrow. There is hardly any man to be found so desperate, if he believe at least that he hath a soul to save, that uwould wilfully abandon himself to any evil act, if he thought but that he should or might die instantly upon the deed done. When thou shalt therefore be incited to the doing of ought, that thy conscience informeth thee to be evil, do but think thus seriously with thy self; Would I do this, if I were to die to day, or if I were to die as soon as it is done? And yet how knowest thou, but that thou mayest die in the doing of it, but that this puff of thy life may puff out, ere it be done? Thou mayest be taken with aBelshazzar, bAmmo•, and cEla, besides dothers, amidst thy cups, or upon thine ale-bench: Thou mayest with eZimri and Cozbi (and the like hath befallen others too) be smitten fin thine unclean bed, yea in the gact of thine uncleanness: Thou mayest with *Core and his complices, be swept away, in thy rebellious courses against Minister or Magistrate; or amidst thy frivolous suites, and malicious pursuits of
no means would be more effectual to keep us continually within compass, than the serious consideration of the frailty and the uncertainty of our life, how soon and how suddenly it may
2 In the shunning and auoiding of all euill. Be as carefull to shunne sinne e•ery day, as thou wouldest ⟨p. 33⟩be, if it were to be thy dying day, tDoe not that (saith he) to day, that thou maist repent thee of to morrow. Yea, doe not that, (say I) to day, that it may be too late to repent of tomorrow. There is hardly any man to be found so desperate, if he beleeue at least that he hath a soule to saue, that uwould wilfully abandon himselfe to any euill act, if he thought but that he should or might die instantly vpon the deed done. When thou shalt therefore be incited to the doing of ought, that thy conscience enformeth thee to bee euill, doe but thinke thus seriously with thy selfe; Would I doe this, if I were to die to day, or if I were to die as soone as it is done? And yet how knowest thou, but that thou maist die in the doing of it, but that this puffe of thy life may puffe out, ere it be done? Thou maist be taken with aBal•asar, bAmmo•, and cEla, besides dothers, amids thy cups, or vpon thine ale-bench: Thou maist with eZimri and Cozbi (and the like hath befallen others too) be smitten fin thine vncleane bed, yea in the gact of thine vncleannesse: Thou maist with *Core and his complices, be swept away, in thy rebellious courses against Minister or Magistrate; or amids thy friuolous suites, and malicious pursuits of ⟨p. 34⟩thy brethren. Thy lie, or thy vaine oath may bee thy hlast word; thy drunken health thy ilast draught; thy fraud, or thine oppression thy last deed. In kthe twinckling of an eye, in the turning of an hand, while thou art but llooking after some sinne, as mLots wife looking to Sodome ward, (n She turned her but, and she was turned) maist thou sodainly be snatched away, with thy pminde defiled, though thy hand yet vnsoiled. And certainly qno meanes would be more effectuall to keepe vs continually within compasse, than the serious consideration of the frailtie and the vncertaintie of our life, how soone and how sodainly it may rflit away from vs.
tUt quotidiè pridiè caveat, ne faciat, quod se pigent postridiè. Plaut. Stitch. 1. 2.Vt quotidiè pridiè caueat, ne faciat, quod se pigent postridiè. Plaut. Sti•h. 1. 2.
u[Greek or Hebrew]. Zaleuc. legum proem. Nuper me amicicuiusdam languor admonuit, optimos esse nos, dum infirmi sumus. Quem enim infirmum avaritia aut libido solicitat? non am•ribus seruit, non adpetit honores, opes negligit, nemini inuidet, neminem desp•cit; a• ne sermoni•us quidem malignis aut attendit aut alitur. Innoxiam in posterum, si contingat evadere, vitam distinct. Plin. Sec. l. 7. ep. 25. [Greek or Hebrew]. Tyr. Max. dissert. 41.〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Zaleuc. legum prooem. Nuper me amicicuiusdam langu•r admonuit, optimos esse nos, dum infirmi sumus. Quem enim infirmum auaritia aut libido solicitat? non am•ribus seruit, non adpetit honores, opes negligit, nemini inuidet, neminem desp•cit; a• ne sermoni•us quidem malignis aut attendit aut alitur. Innoxiam in posterum, si contingat euadere, vitam destin•t. Plin. Sec. l. 7. ep. 25. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Tyr. Max. dissert. 41.
dIta Archias caetèr•qu• tyranui Thebanioppressi sunt, cum is vino plenus, literas coniurationis indices puluino subi•cisset. Plut. de Socrat. gen. & sympos. l. 1. c. 3. & in Pelopid.
iAccadion [Greek or Hebrew]. Sed & Erasi[…]us sari fato […]. Ath•nd. 10. A•ginascil. vi[…], ut F•stus, q ā [Greek or Hebrew] Erasm. Ch[…]. 4. ce••. 8. adag. 2. L. Valla m•d•c […], dumb sip ••o•em haurit; Ap. S[…] seius, c[…] hausisset. P[…]. 7. […]. 53.Accadion 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Sed & Erasi〈…〉us sari fato 〈…〉. Ath•nd. 10. A•ginascil. vi〈…〉, vt F•stus, q ā 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 Erasm. Ch〈…〉. 4. ce••. 8. adag. 2. L. Valla m•d•c 〈…〉, dumm •sip ••o•em haurit; Ap. S〈…〉 seius, c〈…〉 hausisset. P〈…〉. 7. 〈…〉. 53.
kDumb resp[…]s, quod aiunt, v••sa▪ Respect 3. musque nos, jam murtal[…] aderit. Sen. de •ra. lib. 3. cap. 43.Dum resp〈…〉s, quod aiunt, v••sa▪ Respect 3. musque nos, iam murtal〈…〉 aderit. Sen. de •ra. lib. 3. cap. 43.
qNulla res magis proderit, quam c•gitatio mort•litatis. S•n. de•ra. l. 3. c. 42. Nih•l •què profuerit ad temperantiam […] •erum, quam srequens cog•tat•o breais au•, & huius inc•rti. Idem ep. 114.Nulla res magis proderit, quam c•gitatio mort•litatis. S•n. de•ra. l. 3. c. 42. Nih•l •què profuerit ad temperantiam 〈…〉•erum, quam srequens cog•tat•o breais au•, & huius inc•rti. Idem ep. 114.
rExcisa sestine avolat. Psal. 90. 12. Anima a torpor segregata, vento si niles avolamus. Hieron. ep. de Psal 90.Excisa sestine auolat. Psal. 90. 12. Anima a •orpore segregata, vento si niles auolamus. Hieron. ep. de Psal 90.
3. In embracing of all good occasions. Be sas careful every day to entertain any occasion of well-doing, as thou wouldest be, if it were to be thy dying day. tLet us do good (saith the Apostle) while we have utime, and opportunity so to do: considering that if we neglect it now, when it is offered, we know not whether it will ever be offered us again. xSay not (saith Solomon) to thy neighbour, Go and come again to morrow, if thou hast that by thee wherewith 5thou mayest help him. And, awhatsoever thou doest (saith he) do it, as with all diligence; for there is no ⟨p. 35⟩work, nor wisdom in the grave that thou goest to: so without delay; because bthou knowest not what evil may come, that may cut off all future opportunity of well-doing, either by taking thee from the means, or the means from thee. And as che that observeth the wind shall never sow; so he that regardeth the clouds shall never reap. But especially d neglect not the means of that main work, (f To day, saith he, if you hear his voice, harden not your hearts, but ghearken: And, hNow while the acceptable time is, while it is the day of salvation, we beseech you, receive not the grace of God offered you in vain.) of ilaying a good foundation for the obtaining of life eternal; and the klaying hold of all opportunities that may tend thereunto. For this, if it be not first done, dismal and desperate will thine estate be, if death suddenly surprise thee. Whereas if it be once well and substantially done, ldeath shall never be able to raze or to rip up thy work, come it never so soon after, or so suddenly upon thee. It is with us in this case, as it is for our wills. A man that hath not his Will made before hand, if he be suddenly taken with dead Palsy or lethargy, is mthereby utterly disabled to do ought therein, or to settle his estate. Whereas if a man have before time made and finished his will, though he have no time or ability, being so taken, now to recognize it, yet nhis will standeth firm and good still for all that, and shall as well take effect as if he had seriously now again considered of it, and signed and sealed it the second ⟨p. 36⟩time.
3. In embracing of all good occasions. Be sas carefull euery day to entertaine any occasion of wel-doing, as thou wouldest be, if it were to bee thy dying day. tLet vs doe good (saith the Apostle) while wee haue utime, and opportunitie so to doe: considering that if we neglect it now, when it is offered, wee know not whether it will euer be offered vs againe. xSay not (saith Solomon) to thy neighbour, Goe and come againe to morrow, if thou hast that by thee wherewith 5thou maist helpe him. And, awhatsoeuer thou doest (saith he) doe it, as with all diligence; for there is no ⟨p. 35⟩worke, nor wisdome in the graue that thou goest to: so without delay; because bthou knowest not what euill may come, that may cut off all future opportunitie of wel-doing, either by taking thee from the meanes, or the meanes from thee. And as che that obserueth the wind shall neuer sow; so hee that regardeth the clouds shall neuer reape. But especially d neglect not the meanes of that maine worke, (f To day, saith he, if you heare his voice, harden not your hearts, but ghearken: And, hNow while the acceptable time is, while it is the day of saluation, we beseech you, receiue not the grace of God offered you in vaine.) of ilaying a good foundation for the obtaining of life eternall; and the klaying hold of all opportunities that may tend thereunto. For this, if it bee not first done, dismall and desperate will thine estate be, if death sodainly surprise thee. Whereas if it be once well and substantially done,
s[Greek or Hebrew]. Lucian. in Nigrin. Sed propera, nec te venturas differ in horas. Qu• non est ho•iè, cras minus ap•us erit. Ovid. remed. l. 1.〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Lucian. in Nigrin. Sed propera, nec te venturas differ in horas. Qu• non est ho•iè, cras minus ap•us erit. Ouid. remed. l. 1.
u[Greek or Hebrew]. Tempus ut noris, jubet. Sed [Greek or Hebrew] iste tempestivum tempus est. Auson. ex P[…]i sent.〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Tempus vt noris, iubet. Sed 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 iste tempestiuum tempus est. Auson. ex P〈…〉i sent.
xProu. 3. 28. Praeceptum de […]icordiae operibus non differendis. Aug. de verb. Dom. 59. Cum potes henefa••re, noli differ. Polyc•rpi nom, ep. ad Philip.Prou. 3. 28. Praeceptum de 〈…〉icordiae operibus non differendis. Aug. de verb. Dom. 59. Cum potes henefa••re, noli differre. Polyc•rpi nom, ep. ad Philip.
In like manner, those that neglect now the means of their salvation, in hope of having them, and making use of them time enough hereafter, if either death, or some osuch disease, suddenly smite them, as is wont to deprive of, or disturb the use of understanding and reason, they are thereby utterly disabled to do ought therein. Whereas those that are now careful to make a good use of them, and neglect not the grace and mercy of God therein now vouchsafed them, having preconciled themselves to God once, and made their peace with him; though death should take them so suddenly, that they have not time so much as to think on it, yet their qpeace with God shall stand firm and sure; nor shall the want of opportunity or ability to do ought then, any whit impeach or impair their everlasting well-doing.
In like manner, those that neglect now the meanes of their saluation, in hope of hauing them, and making vse of them time enough hereafter, if either death, or some osuch disease, soduinly smite them, as is wont to depriue of, or disturbe the vse of vnderstanding and reason, they are thereby vtterly disabled to do ought therein. Whereas those that are now carefull to make a good vse of them, and neglect not the grace and mercy of God therein now vouchsafed them, hauing preconciled themselues to God once, and made their peace with him; though death should take them so suddenly, that they haue not time so much as to thinke on it, yet their qpeace with God shall stand firme and sure; nor shall the want of opportunitie or abilitie to doe ought then, any whit impeach or impaire their euerlasting wel-doing.
oM•rhus […] ••abilis, qui […] officiat, mentem con•utiat. Se•. cp. 58.M•rhus 〈…〉••abilis, qui 〈…〉 officiat, mentem con•utiat. Se•. cp. 58.
4. In the manner of doing all that we do. Be careful to do, whatsoever it is that thou doest, ras sincerely, as uprightly, as thou wouldest do it, if thou wert to do it, when thou art a dying; or as thou wouldest do it, if thou thoughtest thou shouldest die as soon as it were done, that presently after the doing of it, thou shouldest depart this world, and go to give an account of the doing of it to God. So do, I say: for sso (for ought thou knowest) thou mayest do. And therefore, not only, when thou hearest now, so hear, as if this were the last Sermon thou should hear, as with tEutychus it had like to have been; so pray, when thou prayest, as if that might prove the last prayer thou shouldest make; (for the manner of preferring and ⟨p. 37⟩commencing of it, I mean, though not for the matter of the suit commenced) but so ueat and drink too, as if that might be thy *last meal; so buy and sell too, as if every bargain thou makest, might be the last that ever thou shouldest make: yea, so follow not thy serious affairs only, but thy lawful disports and delights too, as one that mayest xin an instant as well be taken away, (thy life lying in thy breath, and thy breath being but a blast) as others not a few before thee have been, either yin the one, or zin the other.
4. In the manner of doing all that we doe. Bee carefull to doe, whatsoeuer it is that thou doest, ras sincerely, as vprightly, as thou wouldest doe it, if thou wert to doe it, when thou art a dying; or as thou wouldest doe it, if thou thoughtest thou shouldest die as soone as it were done, that presently after the doing of it, thou shouldest depart this world, and goe to giue an account of the doing of it to God. So doe, I say: for sso (for ought thou knowest) thou maist doe. And therefore, not only, when thou hearest now, so heare, as if this were the last Sermon thou should heare, as with tEutychus it had like to haue beene; so pray, when thou praiest, as if that might proue the last prayer thou shouldest make; (for the manner of preferring and ⟨p. 37⟩commencing of it, I meane, though not for the matter of the suit commenced) but so ueat and drinke too, as if that might bee thy *last meale; so buy and sell too, as if euery bargaine thou makest, might be the last that euer thou shouldest make: yea, so follow not thy serious affaires onely, but thy lawfull disports and delights too, as one that maist xin an instant as well be taken away, (thy life lying in thy breath, and thy breath being but a blast) as others not a few before thee haue beene, either yin the one, or zin the other.
r[Greek or Hebrew] Respect 4. [Greek or Hebrew]. Zaleuc. leg. proem. St•b. tom. 2. c. 42. Ita Se• ep 61. Hoc •nimo tibi hanc epistolam scribe, tanquam cum maximè scribentem mars eu••atura fit.〈non-Latin alphabet〉 Respect 4. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Zaleuc. leg. prooem. St•b. tom. 2. c. 42. Ita Se• ep 61. Hoc •nimo tibi hanc epistolam scribe, tanquam cum maximè scribentem m•rs eu••atura fit.
sDic tibi dormitur•; Potes non expergis•i. Dic experrecto; Potes non dormire amplius. D•c exeunti; Petes non reverti. Dic revertenti; Pates non exire. Se•. cp. 49.Dic tibi dormitur•; Potes non expergis•i. Dic experrecto; Potes non dormire amplius. D•c exeunti; Petes non reuerti. Dic reuertenti; Pates non exire. Se•. cp. 49.
*Ob•jt repent […]. Manlius Torquatus, cum in coena plac•ntam appeteret; P. Quint us Scapula, cum apud Aqu lium Gallum coenare•; D[…]s Sauf•ius cum domi sae pranderet P[…]n. lib. 7. cap. 53. Jerm. 41. 1, 2.
1. ain a good old age, or with a good hoary head; for that the bWord properly and primarily soundeth; and it is accounted ca further degree than the former.
c[Greek or Hebrew] plus est quam [Greek or Hebrew] & [Greek or Hebrew] quam [Greek or Hebrew]. D. Ki[…]hi. Vide D•us. obs•r• l. 6. c. 13. Sencctus l•ssae aetatis, non f•actae nomen est. Sen. ep. 26.〈non-Latin alphabet〉 plus est quam 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 & 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 quam 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. D. Ki〈…〉hi. Vide D•us. obs•r• l. 6. c. 13. Sencctus l•ssae aetatis, non f•actae nomen est. Sen. ep. 26.
Good (I say) not (as some) morally; as dwell spent, well employed, replenished with deeds and employments ⟨p. 38⟩spiritually good: (albeit, no doubt, Abraham's old age also, as well as his younger time so was:)
Good (I say) not (as some) morally; as dwell spent, well employed, replenisht with deeds and emploiments ⟨p. 38⟩spiritually good: (albeit, no doubt, Abrahams old age also, as well as his younger time so was:)
dDis••dens in grat•a. […] in Gen. 15. quo etiam abire vid•tur C•rysest. b•m. 37. & Philo, Sed & Hugo. Boni in•p ent […] […] bonis o•eribus; & implentur m•ritis operum suorum.Dis••dens in grat•a. 〈…〉 in Gen. 15. quo etiam abire vid•tur C•rysest. b•m. 37. & Philo, Sed & Hugo. Boni in•p ent 〈…〉〈…〉 bonis o•eribus; & implentur m•ritis operum suorum.
Or ihail and healthy, as we say; kfree for the most part from such lannoyances and troublesome infirmities, as that age is wont to be infested withal: though not, it may be, so fresh and vigorous as mMoses, or so able and active as nCaleb, are near their ends said to have been:
Or ihaile and healthy, as wee say; kfree for the most part from such lannoiances and troublesome infirmities, as that age is wont to be infested withall: though not, it may be, so fresh and vigorous as mMoses, or so able and actiue as nCaleb, are neere their ends said to haue beene:
death shall neuer be able to raze or to rip vp thy worke, come it neuer so soone after, or so suddenly vpon thee. It is with vs in this case, as it is for our wills. A man that hath not his Will made before hand, if hee bee sodainly taken with dead Palsie or lethargie, is
thereby vtterly disabled to doe ought therein, or to settle his estate. Whereas if a man haue before time made and finished his will, though he haue no time or abilitie, being so taken, now to recognize it, yet
his will standeth firme and good still for all that, and shall as well take effect as if he had seriously now againe considered of it, and signed and sealed it the second
cEccles. 11. 4. Incipe: virendi rect• qui prorogat ho[…], Rusticus expectat dumb defluat anmis: at ille Labitur, & labetur in omne volubilis aevum. Horat. l. 1. cp. 2.Eccles. 11. 4. Incipe: virendi rect• qui prorogat ho〈…〉, Rusticus expectat dum defluat anmis: at ille Labitur, & labetur in omne volubilis aeuum. Horat. l. 1. cp. 2.
mQuia in eo qui testatur, cius temporis quo testamentum facit, integritas mentis exigitur. Digest. l. 28. tit. 1. l. 2 Et Cod. Just. l. 6. tit. 22. l. 9. Sancimus tale testamen•ū hominis, qui in ipso actu testandi aduersa vasetudine t[…]us est, pro nihilo esse.Quia in eo qui testatur, cius temporis quo testamentum facit, integritas mentis exigitur. Digest. l. 28. tit. 1. l. 2 Et Cod. Iust. l. 6. tit. 22. l. 9. Sancimus tale testamen•ū hominis, qui in ipso actu testandi aduersa vasetudine t〈…〉us est, pro nihilo esse.
nSurdus & mutus testamentū fa•ere non potest: sed si qu•s post testamē tum factum, valetudine aut quolibet alio casu talu esse ceperit, ratum nihilominus permanet testamentum Digest. […], 28. ••t. 1. l 6. Q•od meant sana factum est, stat testamentum, etiam si furor mox sec•tus fu•rit. Cod. Just. l. 6. tit. 22. l. 9.Surdus & mutus testamentū fa•ere non potest: sed si qu•s post testamē tum factum, valetudine aut quolibet alio casu talu esse ceperit, ratum nihilominus permanet testamentum Digest. 〈…〉, 28. ••t. 1. l 6. Q•od ment• sana factum est, stat testamentum, etiam si furor mox sec•tus fu•rit. Cod. Iust. l. 6. tit. 22. l. 9.
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Ob•jt repente 〈…〉. Manlius Torquatus, cum in coena plac•ntam appeteret; P. Quint us Scapula, cum apud Aqu lium Gallum coenare•; D〈…〉s Sauf•ius cum domi s•ae pranderet P〈…〉n. lib. 7. cap. 53. Ier•m. 41. 1, 2.
xNullis evidentibus causis ob•e•e, dun calceantur matutino, duo Caesares; &c. omnes usque ndeò sani atque tempestivi, ut de progr•d•endo cogitarent. Pl•. ibid. Particular 3. Quando. Time When. Branch 1. Exposition 1.Nullis evidentibus causis ob•e•e, dū calceantur matutino, duo Caesares; &c. omnes vsque ndeò sani atque tempestiui, vt de progr•d•endo cogitarent. Pl•. ibid. Particular 3. Quando. Time When. Branch 1. Exposition 1.
yCn. Bcbius, cum à puero hor•e quaesisset; C. Serui••us, cum in soro ad tabernam flaret in fratrem innixus; Bcbi•s Jud•x dumb und•monium differri jub•t, M. Terentius dumb in sorrow tabellas s•rihi•; C. Julius Medicus, dumb inungit, specillum per oculos •rabens. Pliu. ibid.Cn. Bcbius, cum à puero hor•e quaesisset; C. Serui••us, cum in soro ad tabernam flaret in fratrem innixus; Bcbi•s Iud•x dum vnd•monium differri iub•t, M. Terentius dum in soro tabellas s•rihi•; C. Iulius Medicus, dum inungit, specillum per oculos •rabens. Pliu. ibid.
zRisu exanimatus est Philemon Co•ius. Val. Max. lib. 9. cap 12. Terpander ficu per lusum in esingesta. Trypho. antholog. lib. 1. cap. 37. Drus•us Claud•j Imp. sil•us pyro. Sueton. Claud. cap. 27. Mr. H. Mor••s in the Tennis-court with the racket in his hand.
