Secondly, Let me speak a few words to you of this Parish, the Auditors of this worthy Minister. There is scarce one man of a hundred that understands the tie and obligation that is betwixt a Minister and his people. O the love and affection that ought to be betwixt them! Paul •ells the Galatians, that they could a plucked out their eyes for him if need were. Chrysostom tells us, that when Mile• was taken away by death from his people, their hearts ⟨p. 412⟩sunk with sorrow; and such love had they to him, that they called all their children by his name, and got his picture engraven on their rings. And I have read of Chrysostom, that when he was banished from his people, there was not a corner in the City, but was full of people weeping and lamenting. The loss of a godly Minister is a public loss, therefore there ought to be public mourning; it is a soul loss, and therefore, methinks, every one of you should weep and mourn; you have lost your common father; you of this congregation have lost your spiritual father, your spiritual shepherd; you have lost your eyes, your guide; and indeed it is you that are his flock that must commend your Minister, by practising that which he preached: said the Apostle, 2 Cor. 3. 1. Do we again begin to commend our selves, or need we, as some others, Epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? Ye are our Epistles written in our hearts, known and read of all men. As if the Apostle should say, do we need letters of commendation? is it necessary that we should spend time in commending our ministry; you are out letters of commendation, your holiness and piety commends a Minister above all other things. As when a man comes into an Orchard or Vineyard, said Chrysostom, and sees every thing skilfully handled, and neatly •fimmed, he need not spend time in commending the Vine-dresser, or Carpenter, the work it self commends them. So ought it to be among you: when we preach the Funeral Sermons of Ministers, we must look into his Parish or Congregation, and see what letters of commendation there are; whether the proficiency of the Auditors commend their Ministers. I grant, it is not always true, God doth not always give success to a godly Minister, but the worst is yours; I had almost said the curse is yours, but I will speak modestly, the worst is yours.
Secondly, Let me speak a few words to you of this Parish, the Auditors of this worthy Minister. There is scarce one man of a hundred that understands the tie and obligation that is betwixt a Minister and his people. O the love and affection that ought to be betwixt them! Paul •ells the Galatians, that they could a pluckt out their eyes for him if need were. Chrysostom tells us, that when Mile• was taken away by death from his people, their hearts ⟨p. 412⟩sunk with sorrow; and such love had they to him, that they called all their children by his name, and got his picture engraven on their rings. And I have read of Chrysostome, that when he was banished from his people, there was not a corner in the City, but was full of people weeping and lamenting. The losse of a godly Minister is a publick losse, therefore there ought to be publick mourning; it is a soullosse, and therefore, methinks, every one of you should weep and mourn; you have lost your common father; you of this congregation have lost your spiritual father, your spiritual shepherd; you have lost your eyes, your guide; and indeed it is you that are his flock that must commend your Minister, by practising that which he preached: said the Apostle, 2 Cor. 3. 1. Do we again begin to commend our selves, or need we, as some others, Epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? Ye are our Epistles written in our hearts, known and read of all men. As if the Apostle should say, do we need letters of commendation? is it necessary that we should spend time in commending our ministry; you are out letters of commendation, your holiness and piety commends a Minister above all other things. As when a man comes into an Orchard or Vineyard, said Chrysostome, and sees every thing skilfully handled, and neatly •fimmed, he need not spend time in commending the Vine-dresser, or Carpenter, the work it self commends them. So ought it to be among you: when we preach the Funeral Sermons of Ministers, we must look into his Parish or Congregation, and see what letters of commendation there are; whether the proficiency of the Auditors commend their Ministers. I grant, it is not alwayes true, God doth not alwayes give successe to a godly Minister, but the worst is yours; I had almost said the curse is yours, but I will speak modestly, the worst is yours.
