The fight of faith crowned, or, A sermon preached at the funeral of that…

IT was not my intendment to have appeared thus publicly, but being requested by the near Relations of this worthy Minister deceased to print my Sermon, (which by their appointment was preached) I knew not well how to withstand their importunity. Indeed I was the more willing to let these lines be published, that I might raise a Pillar of Remembrance to the precious name of Mr. Stubs. The Subject-matter treated on is the Christian Combat and Crown. O blessed Crown which cannot be fully pencilled out in its orient colours, though an arch-angel should take the pencil. The Roman Emperors had three several Crowns set upon their head; the first was of Iron, the second of Silver, the third of Gold. God sets three Crowns upon the Elect, Grace, Joy, Glory. What should we thirst after but this incomprehensible bliss! Did our thoughts dwell above, we should live sweeter lives. The higher the Lark flies, the sweeter it sings. Cyprus was anciently called Macaria, the blessed Island; but it is more true of Heaven, it is the blessed Island. 'Tis a place where sorrow cannot live, and joy cannot die. It may be compared to the fields of Sicily, where there is continual Spring, and flowers all the year long. Could our Meditations mount up to the Empyrean delights, how would the World disappear ⟨image 3⟩and shrink into nothing! [Greek or Hebrew]