IT is well known, that the particular occasion of this Meeting, is, to celebrate and solemnize the Funeral of that worthy man, Sir THOMAS CREW, one of the Kings Sergeants: in regard of whom, I made choice of this Text. If I wanted matter to speak of him, he had many natural excellent parts, which did commend him. I might speak of the quickness ⟨p. 112⟩of his wit, of the firmness of his memory, of the readiness of his expressions, of the clearness and solidity of his judgement, able to penetrate into the depth of things, &c. And for his ability in his particular calling, I might say many things. He was a man very eminent in his calling; he was one of the Oracles of the Law, in his time; one, that had gathered very long and large experience, and wonderful great dexterity in that Profession. And surely, (Beloved) these things are not to be neglected by us, though to God-ward they are not much regarded. ⟨p. 113⟩For natural parts, the Devil excels, and hath more then any man; but yet to men-ward, they are to be esteemed; for they vindicate men from the reproach and obloquy of the World. They will say, Such a man was a religious man, but he had no skill in his calling; a good man, but unlearned. Now then it takes away reproach and disgrace from Religion, when it can be said, This was an excellent man in his Profession; and withal, a very excellent good Christian. It is the guise and fashion of proud Profaneness, to lay Religion as low as they can; ⟨p. 114⟩they will take away or diminish all parts from religious persons, as near as they can, that Religion it self may seem vile and contemptible. For, if Religion once should win credit, then their baseness would appear the more; and that their pride will not endure. Wherefore, if these things be to be regarded, in regard of men; we ought to thank God for it, when Grace is graced with excellent parts. Therefore, God sometimes vouchsafeth to men that are truly religious, excellency of parts; otherwise, Grace is lovely in it self: But as a precious Stone and Pearl set ⟨p. 115⟩in Gold, is more precious and glorious; so Religion, set in the stem of Nature, and excellent parts, hath more lustre and beauty, and the larger improvement.
IT is well knowne, that the particular occasion of this Meeting, is, to celebrate and solemnize the Funerall of that worthy man, Sir THOMAS CREW, one of the Kings Serjeants: in regard of whom, I made choise of this Text. If I wanted matter to speake of him, hee had many naturall excellent parts, which did commend him. I might speake of the quicknesse ⟨p. 112⟩of his wit, of the firmenesse of his memorie, of the readinesse of his expressions, of the clearenesse and soliditie of his judgement, able to penetrate into the depth of things, &c. And for his abilitie in his particular calling, I might say many things. Hee was a man very eminent in his calling; hee was one of the Oracles of the Law, in his time; one, that had gathered very long and large experience, and wonderfull great dexteritie in that Profession. And surely, (Beloved) these things are not to be neglected by us, though to God-ward they are not much regarded. ⟨p. 113⟩For naturall parts, the Devil excells, and hath more then any man; but yet to men-ward, they are to be esteemed; for they vindicate men from the reproach and obloquie of the World. They will say, Such a man was a religious man, but hee had no skill in his calling; a good man, but unlearned. Now then it takes away reproach and disgrace from Religion, when it can be said, This was an excellent man in his Profession; and withall, a very excellent good Christian. It is the guise and fashion of prowd Prophanenesse, to lay Religion as low as they can; ⟨p. 114⟩they will take away or diminish all parts from religious persons, as neere as they can, that Religion it selfe may seeme vile and contemptible. For, if Religion once should winne credit, then their basenesse would appeare the more; and that their pride will not endure. Wherefore, if these things be to be regarded, in regard of men; wee ought to thanke God for it, when Grace is graced with excellent parts. Therefore, God sometimes vouchsafeth to men that are truly religious, excellencie of parts; otherwise, Grace is lovely in it selfe: But as a precious Stone and Pearle set ⟨p. 115⟩in Gold, is more precious and glorious; so Religion, set in the stemme of Nature, and excellent parts, hath more lustre and beautie, and the larger improvement.
