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

CHAP. VII. His great success at Otham in Kent, and his faithfulness there.

HE was one that did divide the Word aright, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, a Boanerges, a Son of Thunder, in Preaching the Law, to awaken secure senseless sinners, that his hearers might say of him, as one of the Ancients, of St. Pauls Epistles, Non tam verba quam To•itena audiebant, &c. That they heard not so much words as Thunders, when they heard him opening the dreadful curses of the Law, and the terrible wrath of God against sin and sinners. Many a one hath come to him, as the Gaolor to the Apostle, trembling and crying out, Sir, what shall I do to be saved? To whom he was a Barnabas, a son of sweet consolation, and could so display the exceeding abundant riches of Divine grace in the Lord Jesus Christ, as to draw and attract their hearts to a cheerful compliance with it, and hearty acceptation of it. He as a faithful Steward gave every one his portion, terror to whom terror belonged, and comfort to whom comfort, whereby (the Holy Ghost setting in with the Word,) a numerous issue ⟨p. 11⟩of new born children were begotten to Christ. He preached there according to the command in season, and out of season, not only twice every Lords day, but also every holy day, and at Funerals, though the persons interred were poor, and nothing could be expected for his pains.

HE was one that did divide the Word aright, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, a Boanerges, a Son of Thunder, in Preaching the Law, to awaken secure sensless sinners, that his hearers might say of him, as one of the Ancients, of St. Pauls Epistles, Non tam verba quam To•itena audiebant, &c. That they heard not so much words as Thunders, when they heard him opening the dreadful curses of the Law, and the terrible wrath of God against sin and sinners. Many a one hath come to him, as the Gaolor to the Apostle, trembling and crying out, Sir, what shall I do to be saved? To whom he was a Barnabas, a son of sweet consolation, and could so display the exceeding abundant riches of Divine grace in the Lord Jesus Christ, as to draw and attract their hearts to a cheerful compliance with it, and hearty acceptation of it. He as a faithful Steward gave every one his portion, terrour to whom terrour belonged, and comfort to whom comfort, whereby (the Holy Ghost setting in with the Word,) a numerous issu