I should be loth to give flattering titles to any man whether alive or dead; for in so doing my Maker would soon 1take me away as Job saith. It was well spoken by that 2learned Minister who preached at the funeral of the Earle of Essex (a kinsman of this Earls) That funeral encomiastickes of the dead do often prove confections of poison to the ⟨p. 33⟩living; for many whose lives speak nothing for them, will draw the example into consequence, and be thereby led into hope, that they may press a hackney Funeral Sermon to carry them to heaven. And St. Austin if I be not much mistaken, doth somewhere bitterly inveigh against those Ministers who were overlavish in the commendation of the dead, telling us, That there are many who are 3commended where they are not, and in the mean time tormented with fire unquenchable where they are. Sure I am that a learned Bishop doth quote a sharp censure (though in another case) of a Popish Casuist concerning Noblemen's Chaplains, saying, that few confessors of great men went to heaven, because by their base flattery they became guilty of soul-murder, and for want of telling them of their faults, destroyed both their own, and their Patrons souls. And therefore God forbid that I should say any thing this day for the hurt and disadvantage of the living, whilst I am speaking in the praise and commendation of the dead. And yet notwithstanding all this I should be loth to offend in the contrary extreme. For I am not so straitlaced 4or superstitious, as when any mans life hath been eminently remarkable and exemplary, lest I should be guilty of Idolatry in adoring him, to commit sacrilege in robbing both the dead of his just praise, and the living of an useful pattern for their imitation. And besides, (as the forementioned author saith) Though common 5graves have no inscription, yet Marble Tombs are not without some Epitaph. Heroical examples should not go with a common pass, but with a Trumpet. And therefore I doubt not, but I may safely say without the lest suspicion of flattery or falsehood concerning this honourable person,
I should be loth to give flattering titles to any man whether alive or dead; for in so doing my Maker would soon 1take me away as Job saith. It was well spoken by that 2learned Minister who preached at the funeral of the Earle of Essex (a kinsman of this Earles) That funeral encomiastickes of the dead do often prove confections of poyson to the ⟨p. 33⟩living; for many whose lives speak nothing for them, will draw the example into consequence, and be thereby led into hope, that they may presse a hackny Funeral Sermon to carry them to heaven. And St. Austin if I be not much mistaken, doth somewhere bitterly enveigh against those Ministers who were overlavish in the commendation of the dead, telling us, That there are many who are 3commended where they are not, and in the mean time tormented with fire unquenchable where they are. Sure I am that a learned Bishop doth quote a sharpe censure (though in another case) of a Popish Casuist concerning Noblemens Chaplianes, saying, that few confessors of great men went to heaven, because by their base flattery they became guilty of soul-murder, and for want of telling them of their faults, destroyed both their own, and their Patrons souls. And therefore God forbid that I should say any thing this day for the hurt and disadvantage of the living, whil'st I am speaking in the praise and commendation of the dead. And yet notwithstanding all this I should be loth to offend in the contrary extreme. For I am not so straitlaced 4or superstitious, as when any mans life hath been eminently remarkable and exemplary, lest I should be guilty of Idolatry in adoring him, to commit sacriledge in robbing both the dead of his just praise, and the living of an useful patterne for their imitation. And besides, (as the forementioned author saith) Though common 5graves have no inscription, yet Marble Tombes are not without some Epitaph. Heroical examples should not go with a common passe, but with a Trumpet. And therefore I doubt not, but I may safely say without the lest suspicion of flattery or falshood concerning this honourable person,
- 1Job. 32. 22.
- 2Mr. Vines.
- 3Laudantur ubi •on sunt, & t•rquentur ubi sunt. Bishop Halt.
- 4Dr. Tuckney at the funeral of Dr. Hill.
- 5Mr. Vines.
