We do assemble that a Funeral
With grief and sorrow we may solemnize,
Whereat 'tis proper, that to mind we call
The Greatness of our Loss; the qualities
And Usefulness of our deceased Friend,
Whose Pilgrimage on Earth is at an end.
Envy and Malice must be reigning Vices
In those who will not bear to hear his Praise;
To Speak well of the Dead, true Grace advises;
'Tis Baseness that Reproach on such doth raise.
Such justly may expect Retaliation,
Who do begrutch to others Commendation.
Tho' I pretend no skill in Poetry,
Yet will adventure once to Mourn in Verse
Rather than such a Worthy, dead should ly
Without a due Encomium on his Herse:
Grief will find Vent, and Fulness of affection
How to express our selves will give direction.
Let's first remark, That GOD should him incline
In's early days to try with all his might
For skill to Write and Cypher, in a time
When other Youths such Learning did but slight;
Yet he redeem'd his Time most carefully
And made in's Learning, good proficiency.
GOD bless'd his Care and Pains, that he attain'd
With little help from others, useful skill
Wherein he out-shone others, that he gain'd
Preferment in the Town, Esteem, good Will;
From meaner Posts made gradual Ascent
To Offices of Trust, Care and Moment.
In Medicine he practised his skill
Expending Time and Money in the Cure
Of Sick and Wounded, with compassion still.
This did the Love of all to him procure;
Many Confess, his kindness did abound
By helpfulness unto his Neighbours round.
For many Years, the chief Affairs in Town
Prudential, he manag'd carefully
With good Acceptance, unto his Renown
Perform'd his Trust in all things faithfully;
So that the Governour did him prefer
In Military Trusts a part to bear;
And in the Civil Government he stood
Commissioned, to Punish Vice and Sin,
For many Years; His Care and Prudence good
And Faithfulness were well display'd therein.
He always shew'd Pacifick disposition,
Trying to end all jarr's by Composition.
He gave himself to GOD in's Youthful days
Profess'd Religion; and his Family
Were well Instructed, Pray'd with all always
His good Example was before their Eye.
His Pray'rs were heard, his House (the Lord be Prais'd)
With hopeful numerous Offspring GOD hath rais'd.
GOD grant that all of his Posterity
May imitate his Virtues, and may say
His GOD shall be our GOD, Him faithfully,
We'l Serve until our Last and Dying day:
And never will our Fathers GOD forsake;
But for our GOD sincerely will Him take.
His famous crowning work was His great Care
That Gospel-Worship, Gospel-Ministry
In Norton, Dighton , Other Places near
On good Foundations might Setled be:
He joy'd in Hope, that now were laid Foundations
Of Piety for many Generations.
Maestus Composuit;
With grief and sorrow we may solemnize,
Whereat 'tis proper, that to mind we call
The Greatness of our Loss; the qualities
And Usefulness of our deceased Friend,
Whose Pilgrimage on Earth is at an end.
Envy and Malice must be reigning Vices
In those who will not bear to hear his Praise;
To Speak well of the Dead, true Grace advises;
'Tis Baseness that Reproach on such doth raise.
Such justly may expect Retaliation,
Who do begrutch to others Commendation.
Tho' I pretend no skill in Poetry,
Yet will adventure once to Mourn in Verse
Rather than such a Worthy, dead should ly
Without a due Encomium on his Herse:
Grief will find Vent, and Fulness of affection
How to express our selves will give direction.
Let's first remark, That GOD should him incline
In's early days to try with all his might
For skill to Write and Cypher, in a time
When other Youths such Learning did but slight;
Yet he redeem'd his Time most carefully
And made in's Learning, good proficiency.
GOD bless'd his Care and Pains, that he attain'd
With little help from others, useful skill
Wherein he out-shone others, that he gain'd
Preferment in the Town, Esteem, good Will;
From meaner Posts made gradual Ascent
To Offices of Trust, Care and Moment.
In Medicine he practised his skill
Expending Time and Money in the Cure
Of Sick and Wounded, with compassion still.
This did the Love of all to him procure;
Many Confess, his kindness did abound
By helpfulness unto his Neighbours round.
For many Years, the chief Affairs in Town
Prudential, he manag'd carefully
With good Acceptance, unto his Renown
Perform'd his Trust in all things faithfully;
So that the Governour did him prefer
In Military Trusts a part to bear;
And in the Civil Government he stood
Commissioned, to Punish Vice and Sin,
For many Years; His Care and Prudence good
And Faithfulness were well display'd therein.
He always shew'd Pacifick disposition,
Trying to end all jarr's by Composition.
He gave himself to GOD in's Youthful days
Profess'd Religion; and his Family
Were well Instructed, Pray'd with all always
His good Example was before their Eye.
His Pray'rs were heard, his House (the Lord be Prais'd)
With hopeful numerous Offspring GOD hath rais'd.
GOD grant that all of his Posterity
May imitate his Virtues, and may say
His GOD shall be our GOD, Him faithfully,
We'l Serve until our Last and Dying day:
And never will our Fathers GOD forsake;
But for our GOD sincerely will Him take.
His famous crowning work was His great Care
That Gospel-Worship, Gospel-Ministry
In Norton, Dighton , Other Places near
On good Foundations might Setled be:
He joy'd in Hope, that now were laid Foundations
Of Piety for many Generations.
Maestus Composuit;