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

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 ⟨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.

Being sensible of his approaching death, he was exceeding solicitous for the Town and Parish, whereof he was Minister. Its a worthy speech of Laelius in Cicer. de Amicit. Mihi non minori Curae est, qualis respublicae post mortem meam futura sit, quam qualis bodis sit. My care is as great what shall become of the Common-wealth when I am dead, as what it shall do while I live. So this good man was very anxious what should become of this people, when God should call him away. As Moses before he died, was careful to appoint a Successor, that might lead Gods people (whom he had brought into the borders) into the Land of Promise the Earthly Canaan. So Mr. Wilson before he died took care for a Successor that might further that good work which he had begun through grace, in many of them, and be helpful to conduct them to their Heavenly Canaan. To this end he called some of the Town, who were wise and