The life and funeral sermon of the Reverend Mr. Thomas Brand Dr. Samuel Annesley

Upon Reverend Mr. Brand.

Ʋpon Reverend Mr. Brand.

When Primitive Devotion, Zeal and Love Fled back to the' Ark like Noah's weary Dove, Heaven left some Sparks behind, to let us see What once we were and still we ought to be; Some few good Men, and this was one, to save A sinking World, not only just but brave: Nobly he stemmed the Tide; vast Seas roll by And dash the Rock, but could not mount so high: The firm Foundation could not sink or start, 'Twas deep and sure, a meek and humble Heart. The noisy Bar the Road to Wealth and Fame He shuns those gaudy Toys below his aim, The despised Gospel all his Thoughts did claim: Nor rashly did the sacred Charge invade, He chose it as an Office, not a Trade, Trembling the weighty Task he undertook, But when engaged did never backward look. His Zeal alike well placed and well designed; Neither luke-warm, nor raging, cold nor blind: Sworn to no Party, in no Interest he But that of common Christianity. ⟨image 72⟩So sweet, so affable, his Mind, and Face, He proved, Good-nature was no Foe to Grace. His Charity, like Heaven's, confined to none; Not, even the worst but shared his Rain and Sun, Tho' with a kinder Influence still he viewed Those few, who spite of the' Fashion, dared be good. Improved even old Disciples, gained the young, And dropped Instruction from his silver Tongue. These had his Soul, and his true Friendship tried, With these he prayed, for these he lived and died. Loved 'em so well, that when Heaven called away Almost he's in a strait to go or stay. Till Meditation did the Clouds remove And showed the Glories of tho Blest above. What Mansions in his Fathers-house prepared, What Joys by Mortals never seen nor heard: Then like the Hart whom the hot Chase invades, Who plunges in the Brook from his loved shades, His thirsty Soul breaks out with eager hast And finds those Streams of Bliss he died to taste.