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

¹Mr. Thomas Brand was born at Leaden Roothing, in the County of Essex, in the Year, 1635. his Father was Mr. Thomas Brand, a Dignitary of the Church of England, the mentioning of this, unavoidably leads me to obviate the only plausible Objection against his being so zealous a Dissenter, to which I need say but this: His chief Zeal was neither for, nor against any Party whatsoever, but for the vigorous promoting of the sound Knowledge of those Doctrines wherein we are all agreed, and of that Holiness which we all commend, tho' too few practice: ⟨p. 4⟩And this right Christian Temper he exercised towards the Conforming Clergy. He spake honourably of the Piety and Learning of some, and never let fly indecent Reflections, or bitter Invectives against any, but maintained and increased this commendable Moderation all his Life. Those who were intimately acquainted with him could not perceive his leaning to any Party whatsoever, but when any Discourse tended to partiality, he did industriously divert it to downright Godliness, ⟨p. 5⟩or to somewhat useful to promote it. He was never without some Project for doing good, and could as soon cease to live, as cease to be attempting the doing good to Souls.

¹Mr. Thomas Brand was born at Leaden Roothing, in the County of Essex, in the Year, 1635. his Father was Mr. Thomas Brand, a Dignitary of the Church of England, the mentioning of this, unavoidably leads me to obviate the only plausible Objection against his being so zealous a Dissenter, to which I need say but this: His chief Zeal was neither for, nor against any Party whatsoever, but for the vigorous promoting of the sound Knowledge of those Doctrines wherein we are all agreed, and of that Holiness which we all commend, tho' too few practice: ⟨p. 4⟩And this right Christian Temper he exercised towards the Conforming Clergy. He spake honourably of the Piety and Learning of some, and never let fly indecent Reflections, or bitter Invectives against any, but maintained and encreased this commendable Moderation all his Life. Those who were intimately acquainted with him could not perceive his leaning to any Party whatsoever, but when any Discourse tended to partiality, he did industriously divert it to downright Godliness,