No. IX. DEATH'S ALARUM: Funeral Sermon . ON THE RIGHT REVEREND JOSEPH HALL, BISHOP OF NORWICH. BY J. WHITEFOOT. TO THE REVEREND HIS MUCH-HONORED FRIEND ROBERT HALL, D.D. ELDEST SON TO THE RIGHT REVEREND JOSEPH, SIR, It is an undoubted Canon of the Apostles, That the Elder that rules well, and especially that labours too in the word and doctrine, should be counted worthy of double honour; such an one was your reverend father, by the good report of all men, and of the truth itself. And the double honour that the Apostle allowed him, he was once, by the bounty of his Christian Prince, worthily possessed of; though of late, as we all know, he was muzzled from the enjoyment thereof. But envy itself, (and if there be any thing worse) cannot deprive him of his double honour: one part whereof he hath already enjoyed in his life-time, in the hearts, tongues, and pens of those that lived with him, in this and other nations. The second part remains still due to him, after his death; which he cannot want, whiles there are any living whose tongues are capable of giving a true praise. This poor piece was designed to that just end; that is, next to the glory of God, to the due honour of his faithful servant. That it is no more worthy of his name, is a second part of my sorrow, for his death. It contains a short representation of him taken in haste, as all pictures are which are done after the party's death; yet might it have been done nearer to the life, had it not fallen into a very unskilful hand: but besides that, it hath the common disadvantage of all writings, which are but the dead shadows of the living voice; and therefore no marvel, if this wants much of that little grace and vivacity, which it might seem to have in the delivery. Such as it is, Sir, it was, without consulting my voice, voted to the Press, by them that heard it, and as much desired by them that heard it not, because they heard not of it, till it was past the reach of the ear. And they were neither few, nor slight persons that were much discontented at their absence from the too private Commemoration of so worthy a person, caused by the sudden determination of the time. To give them some satisfaction, I was enforced to yield to the publication of these notes. Whereto I was also encouraged, because promised, by the kind judgements of them that heard them, that they could not but find some good entertainment from most men, for his sake, of whom they represent so willing, though weak, a remembrance. I hope also they may afford some present satisfaction to the many, that justly expect a better account of his Life; which in your name, by whom it is best able to be done, I here presume to promise, in convenient time; and that the rather, because I am not ignorant of your being furnished of some modest and yet remarkable collections thereof, left by his own Pen. I doubt not but that you esteem it a special part of your owne duty, as well as your honour, to follow the straight steps of his industrious and holy life. And to afford the president thereof to the imitation of others, will be a kindness very seasonable in these evil days. And very useful it may be after many others of the ancient Bishop's lives, now forgotten, than which it is certain there never were any more saint-like, since those of their predecessors the Apostles, towards a demonstration that prelacy, and piety, are not such inconsistent things, as some would make them; and that the men which are of, or for, that order, should not be excluded (as by the monopolizers of that name they now are) from the number of saints; and consequently not debarred from that which is now asserted to be the common interest, and indefesible right of all saints of whatever persuasion; that is the liberty (if not of discipline, yet) of worshiping God, according to their conscience, and the best light of their own understanding. To conclude: your nearest relation, claims the prime interest in whatsoever shall pretend to your Father's name; and therefore, this, Sir, which is to be reckoned inter parentalia, is with the Author, Your's at command, To serve you in the Lord, From my Study in St. Peter, Norwich, Nov. 10, 1656. J. W. |