A sermon preached at the funeral of reverend Mr. Will. Whitaker, late minister of…

3. To you that are of this Parish, though you have not that cause of complaint, which many have upon their change of Ministers, yet I cannot but charge these things upon you.

Remember how he came to you: wherein there was not only your importunity, but the determination of it, as a weighty case of conscience, by divers Reverend Ministers of the City, to whom it was referred; that he was as it were torn away from a People, to whom his labours and conversation was most acceptable: where when he preached his Farewell Sermon, there was not only a flood of tears; but the Lamentations of many were so loud, ⟨p. 20⟩that his own voice could scarcely be heard. Yet to you he came, as 'twas judged he was in conscience bound, for greater advantage of doing good here, than another might probably have; that you sitting under the Ministry of such a Son, of such a Father, [I will thank that man that will show me such a Father and Son left in England] Oh what Christians was it expected you would be? Have you answered the expectation of God and man in this matter? If not: How are you able to think of it? and to stand under your own thoughts? that such an one, who many a time hath adventured to go into the Pulpit, when others judged it more proper he should have gone into his Bed? That such an one, who hath done so much, I cannot say how much for the saving of your souls? That such an one, who hath spent his strength, and life, and now lays his bones amongst you, shall stand forth in the last day, and say, Lord I could not persuade them to come to Christ, that they might have life? I did not do the work of the Lord negligently amongst them, their consciences can witness? How many of you that shall sleep with him in the same dormitory, will be afraid of him, when you shall rise together, and go together to Judgement? Could we suppose there might be a Dialogue between you in your passage from the Grave to the Barr, how would you then say,

Remember how he came to you: wherein there was not only your importunity, but the determination of it, as a weighty case of conscience, by divers Reverend Ministers of the City, to whom it was referred; that he was as it were torn away from a People, to whom his labours and conversation was most acceptable: where when he preached his Farewell Sermon, there was not only a flood of tears; but the Lamentations of many were so loud,