Eighteen sermons preached upon several texts of Scripture by William Whittaker, late minister of Magdalen Bermondsey, Southwark ; to which is added his funeral sermon preached by Sam. Annesley.

TO THE READER.

Reader,

THou art here presented with some Sermons preached by that solid and judicious Divine Mr. William Whi∣taker: Whom the Supreme and Soveraign Disposer (in whose hands are the life, breath, and time of all men) a few months since was pleased to take to himself. After which dark and very afflictive Providence, his sor∣rowful Relict, and some faithful Friends, made it their business to single out of the ma∣ny Sermons which in the course of his Mi∣nistry he had preached, some few which they should judg most fit for the Press, and them to publish to the world. What progress they have made in this Ʋndertaking (as full of zeal towards the living, as of affection to∣wards

the dead), thou wilt see by that which is here exposed to thy view: 'Tis by this means that these Sermons are brought to light; concerning which I do stedfastly hope, that as they who have promoted the printing there∣of, will have no cause to repent of the pains they have taken in the collecting and publish∣ing of them; so, that they who shall buy and read them, will have no cause to repent either of the cost they shall be at in buying, or of the time they shall spend in the perusing of them.

'Tis sad, very sad, that so good a Man, so useful a Minister, in the midst of his days, maturity of judgment, ripeness of parts, heigth of serviceableness, should so suddenly be snatcht away from us; but the Lord hath done it, in whose Will it becomes us to acquiesce. And we have this to alleviate the sadness of this dispensation, though he be dead, all is not dead with him; his person (to our great grief) is gone, but (to our great comfort) some of his profitable labours are left behind. 'Tis too true, the having a few select Sermons will not countervail the loss of himself; but things being as they are, we must make the best of what we have, when we cannot have what we would. When we cannot enjoy him∣self, we must be glad of any thing that was his; as Elisha was glad, though he had but

the Mantle of Elijah, that dropt from him when he ascended to Heaven.

Reader, The great thing design'd in the publication of these Discourses, being the promoting of thy good, thou canst not but apprehend thy self the more strongly obliged, to receive them with all thank∣fulness, and to peruse them with all se∣riousness. Do not mistake thy self in any fond imagination, that the thing mainly aimed at in this work is the per∣petuating of the Name and Memory of the Author deceased, (though 'tis pity that should ever be forgotten), or the making of his choice abilities somewhat more publickly known to the world, (though 'tis pity too they should not better be un∣derstood): No, (so far as I can judg of the ends of others), I think I may con∣fidently aver, that the furtherers thereof had higher things in their eye; viz. the advancing of Gods Honour, and (next to that) of the spiritual and eternal good of immortal Souls. Which if so, then surely as thou art greatly indebted to them for their singular love, so thou shouldst be very earnest with the Lord in prayer that these great ends may be ac∣complished.

We know too well, by variety of in∣stances, what a disadvantage it is to the labours of godly Ministers, when they are put forth after their death, by others, and not by themselves: For, up∣on this, they often want the Authors own last hand in the perfecting and polishing of them; and (besides) the world is the more apt to question, whether they be natural and genuine. Now as to the first of these inconveniencies I can say nothing, (I not having had the oppor∣tunity of perusing these Sermons), and therefore can be no competent Judg, whe∣ther they do or do not lie under that de∣fect. But as to the later, I can assure all who may desire satisfaction therein, here is nothing but what is the genuine issue of the Author himself: The word is posthumous, but not in the least spu∣rious. These Sermons were taken from his own mouth, by a very exact and ac∣curate Noter; and so printed without any considerable alteration (as I am cre∣dibly informed). And I do not doubt, but that such who knew the Father, will find so much of his image in the whole work, as that they will presently con∣clude it to be his very Child.

I must not commend what I have not seen: Yet though I may not commend the Preacher from the Sermons, I may commend the Sermons from the Preacher. He therefore being one who knew much of the Mysteries of the Gospel, that had a large stock of knowledg, Humane and Divine; that was an able Minister of the New Testament, a Workman that needed not to be ashamed: I say, he being such a person, I may well presume what was done by him to be well done, and that much good may be expected thereby;* 1.1 as was the man, so was his strength. And I am very confident, that none who concur with me in these apprehensions, will meet with any dis∣appointment.

Reader, I'le say no more of what is here done, I wholly commit it to Gods blessing and thy Christian candour: But as to the Author, how much could I say! What a large Panegyrick, without any falshood or partiality, might I make of him! how eager is my Pen to run out in giving the world a full Narrative of his singular worth and excellent endowments! But I must keep it in; considering, I am writing but a compendicus Preface, which will not admit of so large a Subject.

'Twould be an injury to the living (though none to the dead), if such an one as our departed Friend should not be drawn at his full length (and I hope I shall find that done by some other hand); I must con∣tent my self with a shorter draught of him, only to shadow out some of his most lovely features and lineaments, without filling of them up: My hearty Affections commands me to do so much, the strict bounds of a Preface will permit me to do no more.

And where shall we take a view of this excellent person and not have something in our eye praise-worthy and commendable? View him as a Man, he was of a most sweet disposition, a most ingenuous temper, a most obliging, affable, courteous, winning, deportment, and made up of love; all honey, no gall; who ever either did or could charge him with a sowre, morose, ugly nature? And what an advantage is such a temper and carriage to all! especi∣ally to Ministers! 'tis pity that Grace and good Nature should ever be parted; the lat∣ter makes a little of the former go a great way, (as a little Sugar is enough to sweeten the Wine that is not sharp and rough): the one makes a person amiable to God; the other, to Men.

View him as a Scholar, he was a very learned Man; one richly accomplished in all parts of good literature. His skill in the several Languages, his insight into all Philosophy, Philology, &c. but especially into Theology, was such, that if any should attempt to diminish or disparage his Learn∣ing, they must give me leave to say of them, Either they did not know him, or else they do not know themselves. His natural abilities were very good, which by study and industry he had highly improv'd: He was not one that lov'd to make a noise ('tis your shallow waters that use to do so); but he had well digested and mustered the most considerable parts of true Learning. And I am confident all will concur with me in this Character of him, who are not under a spirit of malevolence and detraction; of that naughty humour to engross all know∣ledg to themselves, and to lessen the worth of those (let them be who they will) who are not of their own way and party.

View him as a Christian, he was sincerely gracious and godly (which puts a greater beauty and luster upon him than all his na∣tural or acquired endowments whatsoever). He was another Nathaneel, without guile; another Jacob, of a plain spirit; one of a tender conscience (of which some great

turns in his life were a very signal demon∣stration); one who made it his daily ex∣ercise to keep a conscience void of offence towards God and men. And surely such who saw the blamelesness and holiness of his life, could not but judg this of him, That he was a person truly fearing God. All the several graces of the Spirit were (more or less) auspicious in him; but not any one more than Humility: O how eminent was he in this grace of graces! what a pattern was he thereof to all who observed him! He was 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, high in Gifts, Parts, Grace, Service; low in nothing but only in his own thoughts. How meanly did he always speak and think of himself? how highly of others, yea, of many who were much his inferiors! Did he use to exalt himself and depress others? no! in lowliness of mind he esteemed them bet∣ter than himself (wherein I would to God we could all imitate him).

View him as a Minister, and (as such) I think I may say of him, Not many did e∣qualize him, very few did excel him. He was a sound, solid, profitable Preacher; and in all the other works of the Pastoral Office: as he was eminently fitted for it, so he was eminently faithful in the discharging of it. Should I particularize the several

Graces, Qualifications, Duties, which the Word sets down concerning Ministers, we should find them all to be in, and done by our deceased Brother; and that too in a very great proportion. He was no loyterer in the Vineyard, but a diligent and painful labourer in the work of his great Lord and Master. He sought not himself but the good of others: and I verily believe of him, there were but few amongst his Brethren who were more above the temptations of vain-glory and filthy lucre, than he was. Great was his soundness in the Faith, he held fast the faithful Word, and the form of sound words; preach'd no other Gospel than what Christ and the Apostles had preach'd before him; started no fond and novel Opinions, but kept to the Faith once delivered to the Saints. He was no corrupter of the Word of God; but as of sincerity as of God, in the sight of God spake he in Christ (as the great Apostle once said of himself 2 Cor. 2.17.); no Hay and Stubble was by him laid upon the Foundation; nothing came from him but the sincere milk of the Word. In his preaching the everlasting Gospel he was no trifler; O how much was he above the wis∣dom of word! 'twas not polite language, but solidity of matter which he minded; what might reach the conscience rather than what

might tickle the ear, or please the fancy, that was regarded by him. And as his Doctrine was without taint, so his Conversation was without stain or blemish; he preached well, and (which is much* 1.2 harder) he lived well too: as he taught others, so he did him∣self; there was an excellent harmony be∣tween his Doctrine and his Practice; he holding forth the Word of life not only in the Pulpit, but in his whole course. His ten∣derness, towards weaker and dejected Chri∣stians, his Prudence in counselling, advi∣sing, debating, ordering all his Ministerial concerns, his admirable conjoyning the wis∣dom of the Serpent with the innocency of the Dove, his meekness and patience in bearing wrongs and unkindnesses; with many other of his excellent properties, I must pass over; lest whilst I remember him, I should forget my self.

Once more let us take a view of him in his Relations; whilst God continued his Parents, what a loving, obedient, dutiful Son was he! when they were taken away, how did he honour their memory, and (which was much higher) how did he in all things tread in their steps! He was indeed optimi patris optimi filius, an excellent Son of an excellent Father; where, as he succeeded in the place of his Ministry, so also in his Graces.

And (which in these times is as a thing somewhat rare) he kept to the last that tincture which he had first received in his pious education. What a tender and affe∣ctionate Husband he was, the daily tears, deep sorrow of his disconsolate Widow do abundantly testifie: and for the rest of his surviving Relations, who of them do not greatly lament his death! he was a prudent, faithful, hearty Friend, and he was in my loss (amongst many others). Who had fur∣ther experience of the truth and valuable∣ness of his friendship than my self? which doth very much heighten my grief for the loss of him. But this year hath prov'd fatal to me, it having pleased God therein to re∣move two of the truest, ancientest Friends I had in the world; this in the Ministry for one, and* 1.3 one of the Laity for another.

And was he such a person, in all these respects so amiable, so accomplished? what cause have we then with all seriousness to resent that sad Providence which hath made such a breach upon us! How much have we lost in one Whittaker! and shall we not be sensible of our loss? yet withall, how should we bless the Lord that ever we had him, and that we enjoy'd him so long! that though he be gone, yet we have here left behind

something of him. And (chiefly) how should we endeavour to write after that fair Copy which he hath set us! to follow him who was such a follower of Christ! He lived Christ, and therefore to him death was gain. The good Lord grant we may all so live and so die.

Reader, I'll detain thee no longer; only pray, That all the Helps afforded to thee by the living, by the dead, may be blessed to the furtherance of thy salvation through the supplies of the Spirit. I am (whilest I am)

Thine in our Lord Jesus to serve thee. Tho. Jacomb.

Jan. 27. 1672.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Judg. 8.21.
• * 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Chrysost. in Actu A∣post. Hom. 30.
• * 1.3

  Mr. William Sommers Merchant in London.