~ REVEREND BRECK GRAVESTONE INSCRIPTION ~ Reliquiae Terreftres Theologi vere venerandi
ROBERTI BRECK fub hoc Tumulo confervantur.
Pars cceliftis ad coelum myriadum angelorum et
ad Spirits Justorum qui perfecti funt, abiit. Ingenii
penetrantis : Quoad Vires naturales, vir fuit am
plifiimae mentis et judicii folidi una cum animi Fortitudine fingulari.QUOAD Partes acquifitas fpectat, in Linguis
qux Doctae praefertim audiunt admodum pe
ritus : -- Literarum politarum menfura parum
communi.inftructus ; et Quod Aliis fuit dificile,
ille Virtute Genii proprii et Studiis coarctis
feliciter fubegit.In omnibus Theologia Partibus verfatiffimus, et
vere orthodoxus Scriba ad Regnum Coelorum
ufquequoque infitutus : Officio pastorali in Eccle
fia Marlburienfi, ubi Spiritus Sanctus illum con-
ftituit Epifcopum per xxvii Annos, fideliter, fedulo,
pacifice, multaque cum Laude, functus eft.DOCTRINE AE Revelatae, una cum Cultu et Regi-
mine in Ecclefii [s] Novanglicanis inftituto, Affertor
habilis et ftrenuus.AD Confilia danda in Rebus arduis turn publi
cis turn privatis, Integritate confpicuus et
Prudentia intru6iifimus.SINCERE dilexit Amicos, Patriam, et univer
fam Chrifti Ecclefiam.DENIQUE, Pietatis, omnis Virtutis focialis, et
quoad Res terrenas, Moderaminis, Exemplar.IN Doloribus afperis AEgritudinis ultimae Patientia
ejus Opus perfectum habuit; et fi non ovans, ex-
pectans tamen et placide difcefit.Natus Decemb. 7, 1682.
Denatus Januar. 6, 1731.
Prophetae ipfi, non in
Seculum vivunt.
Beneath this mound are preserved the earthly remains of that truly venerable theologian, ROBERT BRECK. His celestial part has gone to the myriads of angels in heaven, and to the spirits of the just made perfect. He was of a discriminating genius; and by nature a man of enlarged mind and sound judgment, united to uncommon courage of, spirit. As to his acquired parts, he was in the learned tongues exceedingly skilful, and he was furnished with no common measure of polite literature. What to others was difficult, he easily mastered by the force of his genius and his close application.
In every department of theology he was well versed, and a truly orthodox scribe, thoroughly instructed unto the kingdom of heaven. He peacefully discharged the duties of the pastoral office in the church at Marlborough, over which the Holy Ghost had made him Overseer, with diligence, fidelity, and great success for 27 years. Of Divine Revelation, and of the doctrines, institutions and principles of the . Churches of New England, he was an able and strenuous advocate.
In giving counsel, in matters both public and private, he was conspicuous for his integrity and wisdom. He sincerely loved his friends, ; his country, and the whole Church of Christ. He was, in short, an exemplar of piety, of every social virtue, and of moderation in worldly desires. In the severe pangs of his last sickness, he finished his work in patience, and if not in triumph, yet in hope, he peacefully departed.
Born December 7, 1682. Died January 6, 1731.
Even prophets do not live forever.[The above translation is the one printed in Barber's Historical Collections of Massachusetts. The Latin inscription on the stone has been carefully re-copied, and certain minor errors in Barber's transcription corrected.]