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

The great Assembly once renowned, (Whose fame in Foreign parts did sound) Displaced on Earth, in hast remove Their Session to their House above. Seraphic Twice went first 'tis true As Prolocutor, it was his due: Then Boroughs, Marshal, Whitaker, Hill. Gouge, Gataker, Ash, Vines, White, still Sharp Swords scon'st cut their Sheaths, Pern, Strong, Spurstow, Tuckey, Calamy, they throng The Gate of Bliss, as if they fear That Heaven would fill, ere they got there. ⟨p. 94⟩But why such wast, Death, hast no measure? Dost think 't no Theft to rob the Treasure Of the Church? or art become so wise, To seize first on the richest Prize? Or are thy Laws so strict they can't, The Benefit of the Clergy grant? Or is't thine aim to cast the stone, Where thou mayst kill many in one? Thou needst not shake the Pulpit Glass, Look with what hast the Sand doth pass. Their work though great, is quickly done, And too soon out of sight, they're gone.

The great Assembly once renown'd, (Whost fame in Forraign parts did sound) Displac'd on Earth, in hast remove Their Session to their House above. Seraphick Twisse went first 'tis true As Prolocutor, it was his due: Then Borroughs, Marshal, Whitaker, Hill. Gouge, Gataker, Ash, Vines, White, still Sharp Swords scon'st cut their Sheaths, Pern, Strong, Spurstow, Tuckey, Calamy, they throng The Gate of Bliss, as if they fear That Heaven would fill, e're they got there. ⟨p. 94⟩But why such wast, Death, hast no measure? Dost think 't no Theft to rob the Treasure Of th'Church? or art become so wise, To seize first on the richest Prize? Or are thy Laws so strict they can't, The Benefit of th'Clergy grant? Or is't thine aim to cast the stone, Where thou mayst kill many in one? Thou needst not shake the Pulpit Glass, Look with what hast the Sand doth pass. Their work though great, is quickly done, And too soon out of sight, they'r gone.

They can't themselves who others save, Nor though great Clerks, decline a Grave. Scarce have I fully dried my eyes For one, but straight another dies; Now Wilson's gone, that gallant mind, That lofty soul that thither inclined Whilst here, and always did aspire, To join with the Celestial Quire. Whose head a Living Library, Whose heart the Ark wherein did lye The Law, whose Prayers could Heaven storm, Whose Preaching Sodoms did reform. Oft did he break the stony heart, Then bind it up with Heavenly art. His Life the Gospel did expound, And's Comment in the Text was sound.