SIR ROBERT HARLEY'S FUNERAL SERMON. XXXV (17). He was one that did swim deep in the tide of fasting and humilia- tion. I have seldom seen an heart broken upon such a day as his was wont to be. He was one that did stand in the gap; that did sigh and cry for the abominations done in the land, and for it God set a mark upon his fore- head. Though his castle was ruined, yet God set a mark upon him, when the naked sword, that messenger of death, walkt the land, and lookt keen upon you; and God set His seal of safety upon his dear Lady. That noble Lady and Phcenix of Women dyed in peace ; though surrounded with drums and noyse of war, yet she took her leave in peace. The sword had no force against her, as long as God preserved her, He preserved the place where she was. And the Man cloath'd with linnen set a mark also upon the forehead of his children ; for when they with the castle were surrendered up, God made their enemies to treat them gently; he had his jewells sent safely to him by the hand of Providence. (18). He was (I know not how oft) chosen by his country to the High Senate and Court of Parliament, and there (that I may speak within my knowledge) he was a bright and glorious star in that shining constellation as some stars are more excellent than others, so was he there. He was a man of fixed principles ; religion and solid reformation was all the white he shot at. He appeared all along for a setled ministery, and the liberall maintenance thereof. He procured the ordinance for settling the ministers at Hereford ; his compasse, without trepidation or variation, stood con- stantly right to that pole, the good of his country and gospell, which he kept ever in his eye. And though his losse were vast in those destroying times, yet he laboured not for recompence of his private losses, nor receiv'd any in the world. He was very zealous against Superstition and Heresie, and for Church Government. When one of the Parliament said to him, " Sir Robert Harley, why are you thus earnest for Presbytery ? you see it is so opposed that it is inva,n to seek to settle it." He replyed, " Let us so much rather be earnest for it, though we gain it by inches ; what we obtain now with much difficulty and opposition shall be of use one day, when there shall not be heard so much as the sound of a hammer." (19). He could (when he was put to it) live by faith. In the wars, when the stream of his estate (which should have maintain'd and watred
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=