A39658:255
The balm of the covenant applied to the bleeding wounds of afflicted saints First…
The balm of the covenant applied to the bleeding wounds of afflicted saints First composed for the relief of a pious and worthy family, mourning over the deaths of their hopeful children; and now made public for the support of all Christians, sorrowing on the same or any other account. To which is added, A sermon preached for the funeral of that excellent and religious gentleman John Upton of Lupton esq; by John Flavell, preacher of the gospel at Dartmouth in Devon.The balm of the covenant applied to the bleeding wounds of afflicted saints First composed for the relief of a pious and worthy family, mourning over the deaths of their hopeful children; and now made publick for the support of all Christians, sorrowing on the same or any other account. To which is added, A sermon preached for the funeral of that excellent and religious gentleman John Upton of Lupton esq; by John Flavell, preacher of the gospel at Dartmouth in Devon.
London: printed for J. Harris, 1688
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
I am sure the Graces and gracious Performances of David, Hezekiah, and Josiah, with all the other dignified Saints, were intended and propounded as Patterns for our imitation; and no doubt but private Christians may measure by their Pattern. Beside, it is abundantly more safe to relate the Virtues of the Saints when they are dead, than whilst they were alive: for now there is no danger of provoking pride and vain-glory in them that are praised, but much hope of provoking an holy emulation and imitation in them that hear them.
I am sure the Graces and gracious Performances of David, Hezekiah, and Iosiah, with all the other dignified Saints, were intended and propounded as Patterns for our imitation; and no doubt but private Christians may measure by their Pattern. Beside, it is abundantly more safe to relate the Vertues of the Saints when they are dead, than whilst they were alive: for now there is no danger of provoking pride and vain-glory in them that are praised, but much hope of provoking an holy emulation and imitation in them that hear them.
Well then, Absit invidia verbis: Suffer me this day to erect a Pillar to perpetuate the Memory of this deceased Worthy, to pay the tribute of my Tears due to that mournful Hearse, and to engage you to imitate those Excellencies of his, which I shall with equal truth and modesty display this day, that we also may be duly affected with the Rebuke of God upon us, and mourn over it before him.
If when an eminent Commander in any Army falls, the whole Army is affected and concerned with his death; The mourning Drum, the Lance and Ensigns trailed; The Robes of Honour all in Sables vailed. Let it not be thought much, Christians should express their sense and sorrow in sighs and tears, for so useful and worthy a man as God hath this day removed from among us, whose Character I shall give you in the following imitable particulars.