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

4. And now, my Dear Brethren of the Ministry, know you not that there is a Seer and a great man fallen this day in Israel, and we are weak, though under some enlargement of liberty? The Protestant interest needs such Champions: 'Twas a William Whitaker that gave the Beast a deadly wound in the Chair, and this William Whitaker, whose work lay most in the Pulpit, was well able to stop the mouths of gainsayers. Practical godliness wants such a Barnabas, Acts 11.24. Who was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and Faith, and much people was added unto the Lord. And alas my Brethren we want such a Gospel-Bishop. Titus 1.7, 8, 9. Who was blameless as the Steward of God: not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine; no striker, not given to filthy lucre, but a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate, holding fast the faithful word, &c. I do not remember that ever he came among us, but we were all ready to rise up and call him blessed, his presence was so refreshing. Should I trace him from his Cradle to his Grave, you will find nothing but what was lovely. Gal. 1.15, 16. It pleased God to separate him from ⟨p. 24⟩his Mothers womb, and to call him to his grace, there's none can name the time of his unregeneracy: and to reveal Christ to him, that he might preach Christ both in City and Country, and he consulted not with flesh and blood. In the fifteenth year of his age he was admitted in Emanuel College; whose first Tutor gave him this direction, which he constantly observed, viz. To note every day what, and how much he studied, that in after times reflecting on his life past, he might repent of the time he had lost. While himself was a Pupil, he was as it were a Tutor to many Tutors of the College, diverse of the Fellows desiring, and receiving direction from him in the Oriental Tongues. Dr. Holsworth then Master of the College took such notice of him while a Freshman, that he gave him the Keys of the College-Library, and appointed him Tasks in translating Eustatius upon Homer, wherein he did so much, as is scarce to be imitated. But why should I be so particular in the former part of his life? Let it suffice to say in short, His Piety, Learning, sweetness of Disposition, Candour and Ingenuity were so eminent, that he was loved and honoured of all that knew him;