The life and death of Mr. Tho. Wilson, minister of Maidstone, in the county…

That piety which did shine so brightly in his life, did wonderfully sparkle in his death. The messenger which God sent to call him hence, (for morbus est via ad mortem) was a violent Fever, which he welcomed, as knowing it was sent by a gracious Father to call him home to his Fathers House. No guest comes at any time a miss to him that keeps a constant Table, no providence, no not death it self comes at any time amiss to him that is always ready, and dieth daily while he liveth. His Lamps were burning, his Oil was ready in his Vessel, when the Bridegroom came.

THat piety which did shine so brightly in his life, did wonderfully sparkle in his death. The messenger which God sent to call him hence, (for morbus est via ad mortem) was a violent Feaver, which he welcomed, as knowing it was sent by a gracious Father to call him home to his Fathers House. No guest comes at any time a miss to him that keeps a constant Table, no providence, no not death it self comes at any time amiss to him that is always ready, and dieth dayly while he liveth. His Lamps were burning, his Oyl was ready in his Vessel, when the Bridegroom came.

His Fever had continued but a little while, before his friends did Prognosticate, that it would prove mortal, and remove him from thence, whom they loved as their own souls, and under whose Ministry they had sat with so much delight. But what he had been in the course of his life, the same did he continue to be to his death; Though his disease was violent, and his fits often acute and sharp, yet he ⟨p. 59⟩never complained, he might groan, but he never grumbled; his pain might cause him to mourn, but it did not make him murmur; he reverenced the rod in the hand of his Father, and that Cup which his Father gave him to drink he submitted to. In his extremity his Faith and patience would eminently shine forth to the honour of God and comfort of those that visited him.

His Feaver had continued but a little while, before his friends did Prognosticate, that it would prove mortal, and remove him from thence, whom they loved as their own souls, and under whose Ministry they had sat with so much delight. But what he had been in the course of his life, the same did he continue to be to his death; Though his desease was violent, and his fits often acute and sharp, yet he