A funeral sermon for that faithful and laborious servant of Christ Mr. Richard Fairclough…

Nor were his Labours confined within that narrower verge; his Name and worth were too well known abroad to let him be engrossed by one single Parish: in how many places did he scatter Light, and diffuse the Knowledge of ⟨p. 54⟩God, wheresoever, within his reach, the opportunity of a Lecture, occasional or sixth did invite!

Nor were his Labours confined within that narrower verge; his Name and worth were too well known abroad to let him be engross'd by one single Parish: in how many places did he scatter Light, and diffuse the Knowledge of ⟨p. 54⟩God, wheresoever, within his reach, the opportunity of a Lecture, occasional or fixt did invite!

The state of things in those days making it necessary (and not hindering) that what was to be done for the preservation of Common Order, must be by the spontaneous Associating of the Pastors of many Congregations; how did he inspirit those Assemblies! The deference that was given to him even by very reverend Persons of great value, and much exceeding him in years, with the effectual influence he had upon all their affairs (manifestly aiming at nothing but the promoting of Religion, and the common good) were only arguments of the commanding Power of true worth: And the good effects upon the People showed, how much could be done by a naked, undisguised recommendation of ones self to mens Consciences in the sight of God: Nor would his Brethren of greatest value (and divers there were in those parts of very great) think it any detraction ⟨p. 55⟩from themselves to acknowledge much more to the wise, modest, humble activity of his Spirit in their common concernments, than I shall be willing to arrogate to him. He was, upon the whole, a very public Blessing in that Country while he kept his public Station in it: And when the time approached of his quitting it, he eminently showed his constant, great Moderation in reference to the controverted things that occasioned his doing so in all his reasonings with his Brethren about them. And it further appeared in the earnest bent of his endeavours to form the minds of his People, as much as was possible, unto future Union under the conduct of whoso should succeed him in the serious care of their Souls; and to a meek, unrepining Submission to that present Separation which was, now, to be made between him and them; whereof the extant abridgement of sundry his later Sermons to them, are an abundant Testimony; (though such a repression of their Sorrows, it was not possible to them