A curse become a blessing: or, A sermon preached in the parish church of S. John the Baptist, in the Ile of Thannet, in the country of Kent, at the funerall of that vertuous and worthy gentleman Mr. Paul Cleybrooke Esquire. By William Stone preacher of Gods word: on Tuesday, September 17. 1622.

THE OCCASION OF this meeting.

NOw as touching the occasion of this our meeting, this first I say, that that which the Holy Ghost doth here teach vs to hold of the death of the Saints in gene∣rall, Christian charitie doth binde vs to conceiue concerning our worthy bro∣ther departed in the faith of Christ. For if the death of Gods Saints be precious in his sight, and our assured hope be, that he was one of his Saints; why should wee not conceiue assured hope that his death was precious, and that his soule is blessed? Now that charitie bindeth vs thus to conceiue of him I will make it manifest. For besides that there is no euidence to the contrary, and cha∣ritie euermore iudgeth the best: wee haue also sufficient euidence, wherupon to conclude according to the iudge∣ment of charitie, that he liued and died a Saint. I say, according to the iudgement of charitie. For as the iudge∣ment of certaintie belongeth vnto the Lord: so the iudgement of charitie belongeth vnto vs, that serue the Lord.

Let vs therefore take a briefe view of such fruits (accor∣ding

to which alone, being charitably interpreted, true charitie doth iudge) I say of such fruits and signes as haue appeared both in the time of his health, and also in the time of his sicknesse vntill his death.

First then,* 1.1 to beginne with his Religion: he was nei∣ther Popish nor Schismaticall, nor any way factious, nei∣ther was he a Neuter or Nullifidian, which is too com∣mon a vice, but a professed Protestant and an open Pro∣fessour of the true faith of Christ. Neither was he a cold or lukewarme professour (as many are, who haue no care of Religion) but a forward and zealous one: one that had his Fathers name written in his forehead,* 1.2 as the faithfull are described in the Reuelation. For hee would make it appeare vpon euery iust occasion, of what Religion hee was, and without feare of any man maintaine the truth, and such points of euery mans dutie as belong thereun∣to. Neither could hee endure to heare it trodden vnder foot, nor any to bee spoken against for maintaining thereof.

* 1.3He did so feare that glorious and fearefull name of the Lord his God, that he stucke to put the paper, in which he saw any of the titles of the blessed Trinitie written, to any dishonourable vse.

* 1.4He was a diligent frequenter of the holy Exercises of Religion, and a furtherer thereof by his trauell, credit, money, and other waies; and a constant Communicant according to the order of the place, from moneth to mo∣neth. Yea, and when he was not able to trauell a foot to the Church, he vsed helpes that he might not be absent. And as he did himselfe, so he caused his houshold to doe. So that he and his houshold became an example of fre∣quenting their Church, and often receiuing of the Com∣munion.

* 1.5He loued, reueren••ed, and fauoured any faithfull Mi∣nisters and Preachers of Gods word. And whereas dou∣ble diligence in preaching is a cause why many cannot

brooke the Preacher, this was one special thing which drew his affection vnto him. He loued Preachers for labouring painfully in the Word and Doctrine. Ac∣cording to the Apostles rule;* 1.6 and to esteeme them ve∣ry highly in loue for their workes sake. As touching my selfe, I doe with thankfulnesse acknowledge the greatnesse of his loue manifested towards mee diuers waies, and most of all towards his latter end. And this I dare auouch, that the Saints of the Lord can be discerned by no one signe better, than by a due re∣spect to the Ministers of the Word. For our Saui∣our saith; He that receiueth whomsoeuer I send,* 1.7 recei∣ueth me; and hee that despiseth you, despiseth me. As he that despiseth a Minister in respect of his calling, and faithfull paines in his Ministery, doth euidently bewray himselfe neither to haue any grace nor yet to desire any, because the grace which either he hath or can desire, ordinarily is attained by the Ministery, as I could shew at large; so hee that loueth and reueren∣ceth a Minister for his workes sake, (as this worthy man did) he doth shew that he hath found the mini∣stery of the Word to be the power of God to his sal∣uation.

* 1.8He honoured the Saints, and made much of them that were truly religious: but vile and naughtie per∣sons in whom was no religion nor knowledge of God, were odious in his sight, and their fond de∣lights, and vaine mirth and pastime were a vexation to his heart. Which is one good note of a childe of God; as the Holy Ghost doth witnesse, saying: that he shall abide in Gods Tabernacle,* 1.9 and shall dwell in his holy hill; In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that feare the Lord.

* 1.10He delighted much to conferre of points of Reli∣gion, and of the present estate, and duties of a true Christian. And in his conferences hee would often

complaine of the rifenesse of sinne, of the negligence and bad doings of diuers in the Ministery, of the o∣mitting of the due execution of iustice for sundry or∣dinary offences, of the corruption of his owne flesh, and of his owne vntowardnesse and dulnesse in Gods seruice; and inueigh seriously and to good purpose against excessiue drinking, and other vices of the times.

* 1.11He was patient vnder the crosse, of which he hath had much and long experience, more waies then one. For it pleased the Lord to exercise him certain yeeres before his death, with diuers temptations both in∣wardly and outwardly: in all which hee abode con∣stant, submitting himselfe quietly to the will of God, making vse of all to the glory of his name, and being so farre from being discouraged, that his zeale, his loue of the truth, his patience, and other vertues en∣creased still to his dying day.

* 1.12He was a sober, graue, discreet, frugall, temperate, and chaste man. Hee contented himselfe with plaine apparrell, and neither affected costlinesse, nor new fa∣shions therein. He went alwaies plainer, and a great deale more meane, than many others, which in estate were farre inferiour to himselfe.

* 1.13He was not ambitious. He coueted no titles of ho∣nour, nor places of publike seruice: but wondred at others, what they saw therein, to couet and desire the same; and contented himselfe with his owne estate.

* 1.14He was nothing high minded, but made himselfe equall to them of the lower sort; according to the Apostles rule:* 1.15 Be of the same minde one towards ano∣ther. Minde not high things, but condescend to men of low estate.

* 1.16He shewed alwaies great loue and fidelitie to his wife.

He was a very carefull father for the godly liuing and well-doing of his children.* 1.17

* 1.18He banished from among his seruants many horri∣ble vices (which as they be vsuall now adaies in great Families, so no doubt they will pull downe the feare∣full iudgements of God vpon them) I meane, swea∣ring and swaggering, and such other enormities; and he so gouerned, admonished, and ordered them, that some haue departed out of his house, more godly, so∣ber, frugall, and honester men, than they were before they came vnto him.

* 1.19He performed himselfe the ordinary duties of Re∣ligion in his house at home, if no Preacher were present.

* 1.20Hee was wise and prouident in managing his af∣faires, and left none of his bu••inesses at six and seuen, but was a carefull ouerseer of all himselfe.

* 1.21Hee was plentifull in releeuing his poore neigh∣bours; a peaceable liuer, and one that put vp a great number of trespasses.* 1.22

* 1.23He afforded his counsell willingly for their best di∣rection that stood in need of it, and especially for the good estate of the place and Parish in which he liued; vnto the people whereof, and to many others, he bare good affection. Neither did he manifest his affection in word and tongue onely, but by shewing himselfe forward in any good cause for their instruction and profit any manner of way. The truth whereof, if we did not sufficiently see, whilest wee enioyed him: I doub•• we shall too well feele, by wanting of him now he is gone.

* 1.24Neither was hee a nouice in the practise of any of these things, but a well experienced souldier of many yeeres standing.

* 1.25And vnto all this was added constancie and perse∣uerance vnto the end. His well-doing was not by fits,

nor for a while only, as it hath proued by some, but till the end of his daies. Witnesse his bountie and li∣berall contribution to haue the Word often prea∣ched. Neither was hee weary of that which hee did. Nay he was so farre from being weary, that notwith∣standing both the death of one of them that ioyned with him, and that the vnfaithfulnesse of some, which haue fallen from their word, had caused him to be at more charge, than at the first he had thought of; yet of his owne accord hee charged himselfe somewhat further, than his owne compartners in that businesse did know of. And being motioned to some course, whereby to be discharged from all, he spake no word to approue of it, but all to the contrary. Then it be∣ing signified vnto him, that some further course must be taken, and what was expected, his answer was, that it was as little as could be.* 1.26 And all this, not long before his last sicknesse. By which it appeares how his minde was setled not to faint in well doing, but to continue to the end.

* 1.27Before his last sicknesse he had made his will and set his house in order. But in the time of that sick∣nesse, which was about the space of nine daies, hee had but little vse of his speech; neither was he able to expresse himselfe in diuers things to the vnderstan∣ding of his friends, which appeared by certaine to∣kens to be a great griefe vnto him. And because of this, we doutlesse want much of that testimony of his faith which he would haue giuen vs, if he had had the liberty of his speech.* 1.28 But yet some few things he vt∣tered now and then which were vnderstood; as that a certaine Minister which was with him all the time of his sicknesse, had done him much good, which when the Minister heard, hee entreated him to render the whole praise thereof vnto God alone, who blesseth the weake endeuours of his seruants in the mini∣stery

for the good of his people. Which thing hee also did, as appeared by the present motion of his hands and eies. Againe hee said; that God accepteth the heart, and the desires thereof. And when he was told that his words, which were imperfect to vs, were perfect to God, and that God vnderstood what hee did desire; he answered, yea: and gaue vs such tokens as he was able, that hee knew so much. Further he said; God giueth vs some refreshing and reioycing, that we may be able to passe thorow: expressing (as I con∣ceiue) the comfort of his owne soule, which God gaue him in his extremitie. And his last speech that I vnderstood, was this, that wee are lesse than nothing before him.

* 1.29In all his sicknesse, from the first morning thereof, (for he was taken in the night) hee was very willing and desirous to haue praiers duely and often vnto the Lord. Sometimes he himselfe would call for the per∣formance of this duty. Hee desired vs to pray vnto God for him and with him.* 1.30 And when the motion was made vnto him, while his sense continued with him, if it were deferred but neuer so little, for any cause whatsoeuer, he himselfe would hasten it; saying, When? when? as he was able.

I am not able to speake al, which of so worthy a man might truly be spoken. And in that which I haue spo∣ken, you are not to vnderstand me, as though I went about to maintaine, that he had no infirmities, or that he neuer failed in any particulars: for alas,* 1.31 in many things wee offend all. And highly is that man to bee commended, whose generall course is such, as I haue now set downe, although he faile through infirmity in many particulars.

And the things considered, and weighed in the ballance of charity, which haue beene spoken, wee may be bold to conclude according to the iudgement

of charity, that hee is in the number of those Saints whose death in this place, the Holy Ghost pronoun∣ceth precious in the sight of the Lord.

Now what remaineth? but first that those whom he hath left behinde him, who in his life time were the neerest and dearest vnto him, doe set before their eies so godly a patterne, and striue by all meanes to re∣semble him to the vtmost. It was Elishaes request when Elijah was taken from him, that a double portion of his spirit might bee vpon him.* 1.32 Aske (said Elijah) what I shall doe for thee, before I bee taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be vpon me. And when Dauid had giuen order, and Solomon was made king, Dauids seruants, (as saith the text,) came to blesse their Lord king Da∣uid, saying;* 1.33 God make the name of Solomon better than thy name, and make his throne greater than thy throne. And the king bowed himselfe vpon the bed, shewing his good acceptance of his seruants words. Euen so wish I, that the vertues of the deceased may bee doubled vpon the liuing. And I beseech them all by the mer∣cies of God, that the remembrance of the things, which (as I was able in respect of mine owne know∣ledge) I haue now rehearsed, and of all other good things, which they haue knowne and seene to bee in him, farre better than my selfe, may be so imprinted in their hearts that they may neuer be forgotten, but that in the whole course of their life they may imitate and follow them, and adde more thereunto, that as they inherit his lands and goods▪ so they may inherit his reputation and good report▪ and that with much more honour and greater fame than hee did enioy it himselfe.

Finally it resteth, that both they and wee all, which remaine aliue, and are left behinde him, doe humbly beseech the Lord to sanctifie vs wholly, and to grant

vs that the life which wee now liue in the flesh, wee may liue by the faith of the Sonne of God, that when∣soeuer God shall call vs, our death may bee precious, and we may sleepe in Iesus: and sleeping in him wee may be brought with him, and be glorified with him by the full fruition of God himselfe the chiefest good: To which most gracious and most glorious God, the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy Ghost, be all praise, honour, and glory, both now and for euermore. Amen. Amen.

Notes

• * 1.1

  M^r. Cleybrooke was 1. A zealous pro∣fessor of the true Faith.
• * 1.2

  Reuel. 14.1.
• * 1.3

  2. A great reue∣rencer of Gods Name.
• * 1.4

  3. A diligent fre∣quenter of religious Exercises.
• * 1.5

  4. A true friend to faithfull Preachers.
• * 1.6

  1 Thess. 5.13.
• * 1.7

  John 13.20. Luke 10.16.
• * 1.8

  5. A louer of the Saints.
• * 1.9

  Psal. 15.1, 4.
• * 1.10

  6. A man gracious in his talke.
• * 1.11

  7. Patient vnder the Crosse.
• * 1.12

  8. Sober, and graue.
• * 1.13

  9. Without ambi∣tion.
• * 1.14

  10. Not high min∣ded.
• * 1.15

  Rom. 12.16.
• * 1.16

  11. A louing hus∣band.
• * 1.17

  12. A carefull fa∣ther.
• * 1.18

  13. A vertuous master.
• * 1.19

  14. A perf••rmer ••••nsel ••••f good du∣ties at home.
• * 1.20

  15. Prouident in his busin••sses.
• * 1.21

  16. Bountifull to the poore.
• * 1.22

  17. Peaceable.
• * 1.23

  18. Able and wil∣ling to giue good aduice.
• * 1.24

  19. No nouice in vertue.
• * 1.25

  20. Constant to the end in well-doing.
• * 1.26

  August. 5.1622.
• * 1.27

  21. Mindfull to set his house in order before his sicknesse. Hee was taken in the night with a dead palsie in halfe his body: on Au∣gust. 15. 1622.
• * 1.28

  The godly speeches vnderstood in his sicknesse.
• * 1.29

  22. Hee was desi∣rous of praier in his sicknesse.
• * 1.30

  He died of ••n Apo∣plexie On August. 24. 1622.
• * 1.31

  Iames 3.2.
• * 1.32

  2 King. 2.9.
• * 1.33

  1 King. 1.47.