USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Roxbury > History of the First Church in Roxbury, Massachusetts, 1630-1904 > Part 8
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NEHEMIAH WALTER.
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THE CORLET ELEGY.
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himfelf; always efteeming his Place well fupply'd by Mr. Walter, and fully confiding in his Skill, Prudence and Dili- gence. And on Mr. Corlet's Death (Anno 1687 Aet. 77) Mr. Walter, to exprefs his Gratitude and Honour to the Memory of fo deferving a Perfon, publifh'd an Elegy done in blank Englifh Verfe; beginning with a modeft Apology for its appearing in that Form, and in that Language. - Mr. Stone, the late worthy and aged Paftor of Harwich, having made his chief Progrefs in School Learning under that very excellent Divine, the Rev. Mr. Nehemiah Hobart of New- town, had his laft Preparation for the College by Mr. Walter ; whom he daily attended at his Chamber in Cambridge, travelling thither on Foot every Morning, though above a Mile from his Father's Houfe; and for whom he ever main- tained a very high Efteem.
Mr. Walter early began to acquaint himfelf with Church Hiftory; in which he grew to be very well verfed: particularly in thofe Branches of it referring to the firft Ages of Chriftian- ity, to the Romifh Apoftacy, and the Proteftant Reformation. - He was well ftudy'd too in the Popifh Controverfies; in the Lutheran, and in the Arminian Controverfies; alfo in the Difciplinary Difputes among Proteftants; - impartially reading the Controverfial Writings on all Sides, and weighing their feveral Arguments with his beft Skill. Particularly he took this Method to fettle his Judgment in the Epifcopal and Prefbyterian Controverfies (or thofe between the Church and Diffenters in England, and between Prefbyterians and Congregationals) confulting the moft eminent Writers on each Side of the Queftion: and after much Deliberation, he fell in with the way of the Churches in New England as thinking their Conftitution and Practice in general, with refpect to Worfhip, Difcipline and Order, moft conformable to Gofpel-Inftitution and primitive Practice, as well as to the
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Principles of the Reformation, refpecting the Rights of Confcience and private Judgment, the Perfection and Obliga- tion of the Scripture-Rule and the Supremacy of Chrift as fole Head of the Church. Accordingly, he was firmly attached to the Congregational way: but ftill preferved a Candour for pious People of a different Perfuafion; and indeed was fometimes ready to think, that certain Modalities in Religion, wherein Proteftants vary from one another, had an immoderate Strefs laid upon them.
With him the holy Scriptures were the Teft of Orthodoxy and Meafure of Truth. He took the Word of Chrift for the Guide of his Thoughts in Religion, and from thence form'd his Sentiments upon the feveral Doctrines, which have been the Subjects of fo many warm Controverfies in the Church from Age to Age. - He had a Reverence for the Memory of many of the primitive Fathers, and had a juft Value for their Writings: but an equal Refpect for many of the Divines of the Reformation, and in Truth to thefe he rather gave the Preference in his Judgment, on fome Accounts. He had a peculiar Efteem for the famous Calvin, among the firft Reformers; and among the more modern Englifh Divines, he had a diftinguifhing Value for the learned Dr. Owen, and for the great Mr. Howe, whom he feem'd in fome Regards to prefer above all: Though at the fame Time he ufed to exprefs an Affection and Refpect for many others as Dr. Bates, Mr. Charnock, Mr. Flavel, Mr. Richard Taylor, &c. He very much approved the Affembly of Divines Confession of Faith, and Catechisms; and in particular greatly priz'd the Affembly's fhorter Catechifm. However, ftill he had not fo learned Christ, as to take any Man or Sett of Men for his Standard, and to fubject his Faith to any Scheme of Divinity, or his Confcience to any Model of Religion, what- ever, of meer human Contrivance. No; but Divine Revela-
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tion, as it is contain'd in the facred Scriptures, was what he repair'd to as the Fountain of Theological Truth, and made that the only Rule of his Judgment, in Matters of Faith and Worfhip; ever efteeming that a Rule fufficient, obliging, and limiting, both as to Principles and Practices in Religion. Guided by the Light of Scripture, he embraced thofe great and important Doctrines of the Reformation; the fame that are contain'd in the 39 Articles of the Church of England, and the fame that have been commonly profefs'd and preach'd in the Churches of New England. - Neverthelefs he care- fully avoided all Extreams; and in particular, equally oppofed Arminianifm on the one Hand, and Antinomianifm on the other, always wifhing the Churches and Miniftry of New England might be exempted from both: Yet he would fpeak charitably of fome Divines, that leaned to either of the Extreams, and always took Care to preferve a Distinction between Perfons and Opinions; being very fparing in his Cenfures upon the former while he readily bore his Teftimony againft the latter.
With fuch a happy Temper and Furniture of Mind, with a Judgment thus poiz'd and fixed, and with an eftablifh'd Character of Piety, he at firft set out in the World as a Can- didate for the Miniftry; his Pulpit Performances meeting with uncommon Acceptance. - There feems to have been a fpecial Interpofition of divine Providence, in his firft Introduction into Roxbury Pulpit; which perhaps may be worth relating. And it was thus, as the Fact lies in the Memory of one of us, that heard the Account of it long fince. - Mr. Walter had entertain'd Thoughts of travelling abroad; it's fupposed, with a View partly to making further Improve- ments in Knowledge; and had actually befpoke his Paffage in a Ship for Ireland, or England. But it fo happen'd in Providence, that when the Veffel only waited for a Wind, he
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on a Saturday Afternoon receiv'd a Meffage from Roxbury defiring of him a Sermon on the Morrow. Accordingly, he then went, and preach'd there (as it was faid) for the firft Time; greatly to the Satisfaction, both of Minifter and People. They had for a confiderable while been feeking a Colleague for their aged Paftor, the famous and venerable Mr. John Eliot (the fame who has ufually been celebrated as the American Apoftle) and among feveral very worthy Candidates, whom they had often heard, their Inclinations were fo divided, as to retard their Proceedings. But upon hearing Mr. Walter, they were inftantly very much united in him, and haft'ned to invite him to conftant Preaching among them, with a Profpect of Settlement in due Time; which, it was faid, occafion'd the putting off his intended Voyage. The good old Minifter was fo charm'd with this young Gentleman's Preaching, that on the firft Day of hear- ing him, he ftay'd the Church after Evening Service, and was for putting it immediately to Vote, whether they would give him a Call. But the Honble Joseph Dudley, Esq. (after- wards Governor) then prefent, notwithftanding he had conceiv'd a high Opinion of Mr. Walter, yet appeared in oppofition to fo fudden a Motion, and perfuaded Mr. Eliot to defer it for a while. - After a fhort Delay, he receiv'd an unanimous Call; the Brethren of the Church making their Choice on Lord's Day July 15. 1688 and the Inhabitants of the Town, in publick Affembly, on Lord's Day, Sept. 9. approving and confirming it. Mr. Walter upon the Call given him, though it was then a dark and threatning Seafon, in the Reign of K. James II, a profefs'd Papift, and in the Adminiftration of Sir Edmund Andross, Governor of New England, a Tool of the Court, and grievoufly tyrannizing over the poor People here, yet had the Courage to enter into the Miniftry, at fuch a critical
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Juncture, and devote himfelf to the Service of Christ in thefe Churches.
On Wednesday, October 17. 1688 (in the 25th Year of his Age) he was publickly and folemnly ordained, with the laying on of the Hands of the Prefbytery. Mr. Walter himfelf (purfuant to the former Ufage among us) preached the Sermon on that Occafion; which was from 2 Cor. iv. 7, But we have this Treafure in earthen Veffels that the Excel- lency of the Power may be of God, and not of us. - Mr. Eliot (then in his 84th Year) prefided in his Ordination and gave the Charge. And though a Diftinction was wont to be made between the Characters of Paftor and Teacher when two Minifters were together in the fame Church (one of them being ordain'd under the former Name, and the other under the latter) Mr. Eliot notwithftanding faw fit to join both Names or Characters in Mr. Walter's Ordination. And on their Return from the Solemnity, he took Occafion pleafantly to fay to Mr. Walter, - "Brother, I've ordain'd you a Teaching Paftor: but don't be proud of it; for I always ordain my Indians fo."
After this, Mr. Eliot did not long furvive: for on the 20th of May 1690, he died; having been Minifter of Roxbury from Sept. 1632. and being worn out with Age, and with abundant Labours, in the Service of Chrift and Souls, as well among the Indians as Englifh. But it was a great Satisfaction to him, that he faw his People, before his Death, fo peaceably and happily fettled under Mr. Walter's Miniftry. And it is well known, how for the Year or two they were together, Mr. Walter ferved in the Gofpel with his venerable Colleague, even as a Son with a Father, full of filial Duty and Affection; and what a vaft Efteem and Parental Love that ancient Gentleman had for his Young Colleague, how he honoured him before his People, and almoft intirely devolv'd upon
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him all publiek Offices of the Miniftry, from a Senfe of his fuperior Abilities. Mr. Eliot wou'd often make the Remark, that well beaten Oil was required for the Service of the Sanctuary; and to that, he ufed to compare Mr. Walter's Sermons. He would therefore feldom preach; that fo he might not hinder his People from the Benefit of his defirable Colleague's Labours, and might himfelf enjoy the Privilege of hearing him. This we find taken Notice of in the Memoirs of Mr. Eliot's Life, written above fifty Years ago, by the late very excellent Dr. Cotton Mather; where we have the Pleafure of feeing Mr. Walter thus characterifed : - " A Perfon young in Years, but old in Discretion, Gravity and Experience; and one, whom the Church of Roxbury hopes to find a Paftor after God's own Heart." It follows, "Who being, by the unanimous Vote and Choice of the Church there, become the Paftor of Roxbury, immediately found the venerable Eliot embracing and cherifhing of him, with the tender Affections of a Father. The good old Man, like Aaron, as it were difrobed himfelf, with an unfpeakable Satisfaction, when he beheld his Garments fpread upon a Son fo dear to him. After this, he for a Year or two before his Tranflation, cou'd fcarce be perfuaded unto any publick Service; but humbly pleaded, It would be a Wrong to the Souls of the People, for him to do any Thing among them, when they were fupply'd fo much to their Advantage, otherwife." - And it's faid the good old Gentleman, when he preach'd at any Time in the Morning would excuse the Meannefs and Brokennefs (as he called it) of his Performance, but would conclude with faying, "My dear Brother here will by'n'by mend all." --
Thus, Mr. Walter gave early Prefages of his future Emi- nence; and he has all along, from Youth to advanced Age, fhewed himself a Workman that needed not to be afhamed; a burning and fhining Light, both in the Pulpit and out of it;
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and through a long Life, abundantly anfwering the high Expectations he had raifed in his younger Days. - He was Owner of all the valuable Qualifications, intellectual and moral, neceffary to conftitute an eminent Character, whether as a Chriftian, or a Divine.
He certainly exhibited a bright Example of perfonal Holinefs; which is of the firft Confideration, and the grand Requifite in the Chriftian Profeffor, much more in the Chriftian Minifter. He gave very convincing Evidences of vital Experience in Religion, to a high Degree. He liv'd the Chriftianity he preach'd; fhewing his Faith by his Works, and having his Fruit unto Holinefs, in all its various Exercifes. He was moft exemplary for Hatred of every Sin; and an Inftance of the correcteft Morals appear'd ever devoted to the Service and Honour of Chrift; exprefs'd a deep Concern for the Advancement of his Kingdom and Intereft; mani- fefted an ardent Love to God, and warm Benevolence to Men; a great Mortification to the World, and Abftraction from earthly Concerns; an habitual Equanimity, and Con- tentment with his outward Condition; Refignation in Adver- fity, and Moderation in Profperity; Freedom from Envy at others rifing Reputation, or flourifhing Circumftances, and from all undue Elation with the pecular Refpects univerfally paid to himfelf; was remarkable for his domeftick Tendernefs, and Endearingnefs towards his People; for his Humility and Modefty, which made him decline fome publick Honours that were offer'd him, and very much to avoid publick Appearances; was remarkable for an habitual, conftant Serioufnefs, Solidity, Veracity and Uprightnefs; was ftrictly temperate, exactly juft, and exceeding con- fcientious in all his Ways; was moft apparently fpiritually minded, and of a heavenly Converfation; walking by Faith, not by Sight; and adding to his Faith, Fortitude. For,
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though he was low of Stature, and had a thin and feeble Body, as well as a low and weak Voice; yet he poffefs'd a great Soul, had a fingular animal Vivacity, with a good Meafure of natural Firmnefs and Courage, which being fanctify'd, were of Advantage to him, when call'd to appear in the Caufe of God our Saviour. He had a Zeal of God, and this according to Knowledge; being happily temper'd with Meeknefs, Lenity, and Charity, govern'd by Prudence, and recommended by a vifible Sincerity and Lowlinefs of Heart. - He was of a moft ingenuous Spirit, abounding in Candour; was a candid Difputant, a candid Hearer of Sermons, a candid Interpreter of others Words and Actions; exceeding diftant from all Cenforioufnefs and Detraction, from all Bitternefs and Acrimony; yet was a faithful Friend, and knew not to give flattering Titles, nor ufed he flattering Words, or airy Compliments. Very refpectful was he to his Superiours, though fervilely obfequious to none; full of Condefcenfion to his Inferiours; and in Honour preferring his Equals. He was of a moft placid and pacifick Temper, never embroil'd himfelf in Controverfy, kept out of all Con- tention, and ever followed the Things that made for Peace. - He was very averfe to entangling himfelf in the Affairs of this Life; whatever Occafions there might fometimes be for it, as having a numerous Family, and an Income fmall, comparatively. However, being fuch a great Lover of Learning, he gave three of his Sons a liberal Education, by the Affiftance of generous Friends, and at the Expence of fome Self-denial at home. - He was inclined to live as retired, and to keep as much in his Study, as poffible, for devotional, as well as literary Purpofes; and his Work was almoft his only Recreation. The Confequence of this, his Friends thought to be Gain to them on fome valuable Accounts, yet a Lofs to them by the Infrequency of his
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defirable Vifits. Though he was but feldom abroad, in Company, and did not affect Abundance of it at home, yet was eafy of Accefs and receiv'd his Vifitors with much Courtefy and Affability. There was a vifible Sweetnefs, under all his Referve; and in Converfation, where he might ufe a Liberty without Danger of giving Offence, he was modeftly free and facetious, pleafant, and entertaining; always ingenious, always communicative and inftructive; but never loud and noify, nor over-talkative; never affuming, nor overbearing, nor indecently interrupting, in any Debate or Difcourfe: nay, rather flow to fpeak, as well as flow to wrath, but fwift to hear, and readier to attend to others, than to exert himfelf. Neither did he love Trifling and meer Amufement; but was always grave, in the midft of Chearful- nefs, and wou'd ever (if he might) be difcourfing on Topicks that were ferious, or important and profitable; or otherwife be filent. His Converfation turned much on the State of Learning, and what pafs'd in the letter'd World, but more efpecially on the State of Religion, in the profeffing World; or elfe on fome religious Subject, commonly fuch as he had lately been reading on; and wou'd often cite remarkable Paffages (efpecially from Authors in the French Language) which we were not fo likely to have met with. Indeed, above all, he lov'd to be talking of a glorious Christ, and the Grace of God in Him, of his Truths and Ways; the Affairs of his Kingdom here, and the Hope laid up for his People hereafter. - He ever bore upon his Heart the Concerns of the Chriftian Church, in general; but efpecially thofe Parts of it in Great- Britain, Ireland, France, and Germany; and was very inquifitive about the State of Things in them. Nothing, of that Nature, lay more on his Thoughts, or nearer his Heart, than the Safety and Profperity of the Proteftant Intereft. His Heart, like Eli's, trembled for this Ark of God; greatly
4
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lamenting to hear of Degeneracy among Proteftants, at home or abroad, whether in Principles or Manners; but equally rejoicing in well attefted Informations of a Revival of pure and practical Religion any where. - He thankfully admir'd the Conduct of Providence in bringing about the Settlement of the Crown of Great-Britain in the illuftrious Houfe of Hanover; and fcarce ever made a Prayer, at leaft, in Publick, but one of his moft fervent Requefts to God was for the Security of the Proteftant Succeffion to the British Throne.
Simeon's Character was his, a juft Man and devout. He gave himfelf to Prayer, as well as to the Miniftry of the Word. He appeared to have habitually much of the Spirit of Grace and Supplication, and to be much in the Practice of Ejacu- latory Prayer. Befides his ftated Prayers in Private and in Publick, and other occafional ones, particularly in his paftoral Vifitations of the Sick, and at Funerals, Catechifings, &c. he affociated with his People at their Family Meetings for religious Exercifes, where he conftantly made one of the Prayers, whoever preached, or read the Sermon. - And he always appear'd eminently qualify'd both with the Gift and the Grace of Prayer: nor is it eafy to fay, in which he feem'd moft to excel. His Prayers were a continued Series of raifed, but unaffected Devotion, filial Reverence and Con- fidence towards God, Faith in the Mediator, Self-Abafement, Zeal for the Caufe and Honour of Chrift, Love to his Church and People, Afpirations after fpiritual Bleffings in heavenly Places in Chrift Jesus. - For the Matter of his Prayers, they were adjufted to thofe peculiar Doctrines of the Gofpel, which he ever contended fo earneftly for. And indeed it was a Maxim with him, that as thofe Practices muft be bad which one can't pray over, fo thofe Principles may well be fufpected, which cannot properly be turned into Prayer. This, he thought, look'd with an unfavourable Afpect on the
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Arminian Scheme, in particular: the Friends of which are wont to pray Calviniftically, how differently foever they may preach. - And for the Manner of his Prayers, they were all in a very natural Method; appofite to the Occafion; exprefs'd in the eafieft and moft proper Language; fententious and concife; argumentative, and enliven'd with pertinent Scripture Pleas; utter'd with a fubmifs Voice, and with a Mein the ferious, humble, affectionate; in the whole never prolix. There was this remarkable in his Prayers, that he frequently called on the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord, more directly and explicitly than is ufual. Particularly it was his con- ftant Practice in the Adminiftration of the Lord's Supper, to addrefs one of the Prayers to the Son of God; adoring his Divine Perfon; giving him the Glory of his Divine Excellencies manifefted in the Works of Creation and Providence, but efpecially in the aftonifhing Work of Redemption; acknowl- edging Him in his mediatorial Offices; celebrating his won- drous Love, in his Humiliation and Sufferings for his People; profeffing Repentance for Sin, and Faith in the Blood of Christ, as the only and perfect Atonement for Sin, and in his prevalent Interceffion, as our Advocate with the Father; profeffing to embrace the Promifes, as in him; renouncing all Sin, as againft him; engaging to do all Duty, as unto him, in his Name; expreffing a Dependence on him alone, for Righteoufnefs and Strength; and a Hope in his Power and Grace, as raifed from the Dead, and exalted to be Prince and Saviour, Head of his univerfal Church of Men and Angels, and Head over all Things to the Church, which was now alfo commended to his fpecial Care. - Another Thing we fhall take Notice of, is, that as he never practifed giving Characters of deceafed Persons in Funeral Sermons, fo his Prayers at the Houfe of Mourning were calculated to affist the Devotion of the Living, rather than to honour the Name
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of the Dead. So averfe was he to Flattery, that he ftudioufly avoided all Appearances of it, and all Approaches to it .- [For this Reafon, in part, he declined preaching on a certain great and annual Occafion, when chosen to do it.] - When he catechifed the Children of his Flock, befides praying with them, he was wont to give them a fhort and familiar Lecture on fome Part of the Affembly's Catechifm: which Practice he continu'd fo long as his Strength would well allow him.
As a Preacher, he was juftly admired by all that heard him, and has been often recommended for a Pattern.
The Matter of his Preaching confifted of the great Things of God's Law and Gofpel. He often entertained his Hearers with affecting Meditations on the guilty, depraved, con- demned, undone Eftate of the Race of Adam by Nature, in Confequence of the firft Apoftacy, and by means of their increafed Wickednefs; and on thofe eternal Miferies here- after, which they are every Moment expofed to. Whereby he labour'd to awaken the Confciences of Sinners, to alarm their Fears, and excite their Concern to obtain the Salvation which is by Jesus Christ. - And then his moft beloved Themes were the wondrous Counfels and Works of the Divine Trinity, refpecting this great Salvation; the Divine Father's Appointment and Miffion of his Son to purchafe it for us, and of his Spirit to reveal and apply it to us. Thefe were, either directly or reductively, the Subjects of his Preach- ing, in general. - More particularly, his frequent Theme was the admirable Perfon of Christ in his two diftinct Natures, of God and Man; his glorious Office of Mediator, in its various Views, Acts and Exercifes; his aftonifhing Humiliation and Sufferings, Atonement for Sin, and Satis- faction to Divine Juftice; his perfect active and paffive Obedience, its infinite Value and Merit, and the everlafting Righteoufnefs brought in thereby; his victorious Refurrec-
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tion, his triumphant Afcenfion into Heaven, and his Exalta- tion there to the Government of the whole Creation, and the Mediatorial vital Headfhip of his People; his continual Sympathy with them, and prevalent Interceffion for them, as their merciful and faithful High-Prieft; and his final Appearance, as the great Judge of Quick and Dead, when he fhall be glorify'd in his Saints, and admired in all them that believe. - Alfo the Divine Excellencies of the Holy Spirit, the Neceffity of his Miffion and Agency, and eminently of his fpecial and efficacious Grace, or faving Influence on the Hearts of Men; convincing them of their Sin and Mifery, enlightning their Minds in the Knowledge of Chrift, renewing their Wills, and both perfuading and enabling them to receive Chrift, in all his Offices, and for all his Benefits; to turn to God in and through Chrift, and chufe the glorious God, in Chrift, as their fupreme Ruler, Portion and End; to embrace the Promifes, to live by Faith and to look for the Mercy of the Lord Jefus Chrift unto eternal Life. In Sum, he preached Repentance towards God, and Faith towards our Lord Jefus Chrift, teftifying the Gofpel of the Grace of God, in its Requirements and its Encouragements, it's Pre- cepts and Promifes; often taking occafion to fet forth the many invaluable Privileges of Believers, both here and here- after; and the infinite Wifdom, Holinef, Juftice, Truth, and Grace of God, difplayed in the whole of their Salvation.
On fuch Subjects as thefe, Mr. Walter laid out very much of his Miniftry. But at the fame Time, while he conftantly affirmed thefe Things, it was to the End that they which have believed in God, might be careful to maintain good Works. Well knowing, that Men are fanctified through the Truth, he preached the Truth, even as it is in Jesus. He was a Preacher of Righteoufnefs, in the whole Scripture-Meaning of this Character. He adapted his Preaching to the bleffed
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