Thomas Lowrey, Coggeshall

The Woolpack Inn, Coggeshall

Dale also writes about Thomas Lowrey

Thomas Lowry was a Scotchman. He succeeded Mr. Meighen, who was sequestered at Great Braxted, and afterwards went to Harborough in Leicestershire, (inducted Feb. 24, 1649,) and received a moiety of Whitworth rectory to supplement his salary, which was very small. He declined to be lecturer at Maldon, to which he had been appointed June 12, 1649. On his ejection, he came to reside at Coggeshall.* He preached in his own house.

An extract has been given from his funeral sermon for Mr Sames. He preached another at the funeral of Mrs Brockwell, at the close of which he said:—

"Now this woman whose funeral we solemnize was in my apprehension a pious, prudent, profitable, sober and peaceable woman. If she was not so good, and so pious and prudent as she did show for, you that are without a fault throw the first stone at her. Though her life might be somewhat obscure and reserved, yet I cannot but think 'the root of the matter' was in her. Then whatsoever things are honest, and lovely, and of good report, that were in her, let us do, and the God of peace shall be with us."

His own funeral sermon was preached by Mr. Gouge, April 2, 1681 :—

Text — Psalm xci. 16. I have read concerning a king that in the bequeathments of his will he made a deed of gift of all from the heavens to the centre of the earth. Such is the riches of God and the infiniteness of his love, that unto his servants he gives all from the centre of the earth to the centre of the heavens; he gives them what is sufficient upon earth, and what is saving in heaven, he gives them throne blessings and foot-stool blessings; and so you find the largeness of God's heart to his people, both, in upper and nether springs, in eternal and temporal distributions of love, an assurance of which we have in these words, 'With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.' Observe, First, Life is one of the primest flowers that grows in nature's garden. Secondly, It is God that is the fountain and spring of life. Thirdly, Length of life, and satisfaction with it, is a further blessing which God bestows upon his godly people ....

Although the departure of our reverend friend and brother ought to be matter of greater sorrow than I see among you; yet God honoured him with a double crown, a crown of long life on earth, and I question not but with a crown of salvation in heaven .... 

God did satisfy him with life, by the life of grace and taking him up into his love; and God did afford him a competency of outward things to the last. This is life, when a man has his name written among the living in Jerusalem. Let churches be reviled and contemned, yet they are the Jerusalem of God; and to be enrolled a true member in a true church is a glory next to the glory of heaven. Thus our friend in his last sickness, upon some discourse of his hopes, gave that for one ground among many others, 'Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house and the place where thine honour dwelleth.' This servant of God was one that laboured much among you; but what is there of his labours to be seen? You have had able ministers among you; there has been much seed sown among you; but whore is the harvest? If ever you would honour any minister, honour him by receiving his labours into your hearts and lives. God hath ' watered' you with wine, yea, with the blood of many of his servants; but if this blood be found amongst an unprofitable people, it will be dreadful for you at last. "Ye that remain, children of the deceased servant of God, remember his counsels and example, and do not wound him now he is dead. Let it not be his reproach afterwards, that any of you should prove a wicked son or an ungodly daughter ..... So let us live, that God may satisfy us with long life for evermore." — Bufton's MSS.

* "1661, May 28.— Obadiah, Sonne of Tho. and Bridgett Lowrye, vicarii. 

"1662, Sep. 28.— Robert, Sonne of Thos. Lowrye, vicarii."— Reg. Bap.