Enchiridion judicum, or, Jehosaphats charge to his judges, opened, in a sermon before the Right Honourable, the judges, and the right worshipful, the sheriffe of the county palatine of Lancast. Together with Catastrophe magnatum, or, King Davids lamentation, at Prince Abners incineration. In a sermon meditated on the fall, and preached at the funeral of the Right Worshipful John Atherton of Atherton Esq; high-sheriffe of the county palatine of Lanc.
Livesey, John.
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AN Elegy upon the never sufficiently deplored Death of my noble Friend John Atherton of Atherton, Esq High-Sheriffe of Lancashire.
ENvious Death! what's thy design? t'undo
Our Gentry, Clergy, and our Country too;
Lancashire's poor; in one year there are gone
Three Pillars, Holland, Ashurst, Atherton.
Could Paracelsus men (as birds) revive,
Great John within one hour should bee alive.
Or in his room, shouldst thou dispense, would I
Prepare for my accounts, and gladly dye.
Could tears or prayers thee from the dead regain,
Who would not sigh, and pray, and weep amain?
There were in Caesar many Marii,
'Tis true in thee more, both did live and die;
I dare avouch it, contradict who can
Each part of thee could make a perfect man:
Envious Death! summe up thy gains and tell,
What hast thou got? This body, in this cell.
His noble soul was pure etherial fire,
His heart and thoughts did far above aspire
The Crowns and Scepters of most potent Kings
Hee held their Diadems inferiour things.
Thou could'st not such a soul surprize: 'Tis
fled
From Earth to Heaven, where not one tear is shed.
Page 305There is no pain, but pleasure,
there's no trouble;
Life is eternal there; here but a bubble.
No moans, no groans, now no complaints can come
From him; There's joy and triumph in their room,
Blest soul! thou art in peace, and well dost know
One hour in Heaven's worth thousands here below.
