^*). .>.^^^. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 1.25 iim 13.2 1= 2.2 til iM — ^ 1^ III 2.0 UUi. 1.4 1.6 6" V] * / ^ '^> (9/^' Photographic Sciences Corporation \ s ,v LO' \\" %^ o^ >> 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBS1ER,N.Y. 14580 (716) 372-4502 ^V"" ^-u~ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques :\ <\ Technical and Bibliographic Notas/Notas tachniques at bibliographiquas The< to th Tha Instituta has attamptad to obtain the beat original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the imagea in tha reproduction, or which may significantly change tha usual method of filming, are checked below. L'Institut a microfilm^ la mailleur exemplaire qu'il lui a itt possible de se procurer. Las details de cet exemplaire qui »ont peut-dtre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger una modification dans la methods normale de filmaga sont indiqute ci-dessous. The! possi of th filmii n n n □ n D Coloured covers/ Couverture de coulaur Covers damaged/ Couverture endommcgie Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaur^ et/ou pellicuiie Cover title missing/ La titre de couverture manque Coloured maps/ Cartes g6ographiques en couleur Coloured ink (i.e. other t^an blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre quo bleue ou noire) Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ Relii avac d'autres documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La re liure serr^e peut causer de I'ombre ou do la distorsion lo long do la margo int^riouro Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pagea blanches ajoutAes lors d'une restauration apparaissant dans lo toxto, mais, lorsque cela Atait possible, cos pages n'ont pas M filmtes. Additional comments:/ Commentairas supplimentaires; □ Coloured pages/ Pages do couleur CI Pages damaged/ J Pages endommagios □ Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restauries et/ou pelliculies r^ Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ D Pages dicolor^es, tachaties ou piquies Pages detached/ Pages detach^es rV] Showthrough/ Transparence □ Quality of print v&ries/ Quality inigale de I'impression □ Includes supplentontary material/ Comprend du materiel supplamentaire □ Only edition available/ Souie idition disponible Origi begii the li sion, othei first sion, or illi The I shall TINL whic Mapi diffe entir begii right requ meth Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata stips. tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure th^ best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partieilement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata. une pelure, etc., ont iti filmies A nouveau de facon A obtenir la meilleuro image possible. This item is filmed at the reduction ratic checked below/ Ce document est film4 au taux de rMuction indiqui ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 2SX 30X ^ r ^^ J 12X 16X aox 24X 28X 32X :ails du jdifier une nage The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks to the genarosivy of: La Biblioth^us de la Villa de Montreal The images appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract specifications. L'exemplaire film6 fut i'ep;'oduit grAce it la g6n6rosit6 de: Lc Bibliothdque de la Ville de Mon;rial Les images suivantes ont 4t6 reproduites avec le plus grand soin. compte tenu de la condition et de la nettet6 de l'exemplaire f ilm6, et en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the back cover whnn appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impression. Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprimie sont filmis en commen^ant par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la dernidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont film^s en commenpant par la premidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la dernidre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol -^ (meaning "CON- TINUED "t, or the symbol V (meaning "END"), whichever appMes. Un des symboles suivants apparattra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbols —»- signifie "A SUiVRE", la symbols y signifie "FIN". Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure ar6 filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The follov g diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent fttre filmis d des taux de reduction diff6rents. Lorsque le document est trop grard pour Atre reproduit en un seul clich6, il est filmi d partir de I'angle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche h droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images n6cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m^thode. rrata to pelure, n ^ 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 Btt BLESSED COI BLESSED i TWO ^ fel E R M O N S^ PREACHED IN ST. ARMAND^ LOWER CANADA. SOON AFTER THE DECEASE OF Mrs. Hannah Cook, Of THAT PLACE. WITH A LETTER TO HER HUSBAND. BLESSED ARE THEY THAT MOURN, FOR THEY SHALL BE COMFORTED. Mat. 5 4 BLESSED ARE THE DEAD Wlf^CH DIE IN THE LORD. Rer. 14. IS. MONTREAL : PRINTED Br NjIHUM MOWER 1 » 1 n G I K ^.-^^ « •• U 501061 f Frelicksburgh, St. Armand, February, 1810. MY DEAR SIR, IN compliance with your requeft and that of other friends, long ago fignified, and fcveral times repeated, I have at length prepared for the prefs the two Sermons which you begged pie to publift. For fome time i propofed printing a few copies only, for the fatisfaftion of thofe peribns who chiefly regretted the death of the deceafed, and who wiihed to have a written memorial of her. But under the hopes that thefe Sermons may be ufeful to a larger clafs of readers, and particularly to my people in this neighbourhood, I have determined to publifh them without any referve. The character and conduit of the deceafed are highly worthy of praife and imitation, and it will always afford me pleafure to make the memory and influence of her example as extenfive as poflible. This is due to her, efpecially from me, and in this place. I am therefore happy, thus openly, to com- jnend her zeal in contributing to the advancement of the Church here— both the Qutward and fpirit- ual building of our Lord— and to obferve that her Jove of Chrift was fo fincere that it did not admit of her being bigotted to any particular form or fyf- tern of worlhip or government in his Church ; in which fhe was educated a Prefbyterian. I am ftill more happy to evidence in her life and death the power and fpirit of true religion in a faithful fervant of our Lord, hoping that it may have fome efFecT: in pxciting the love of many which is fo cold, and in pifingthem from lukewarmnefs in religion and want of faith in Jefus Chrift to prai^cal holjneis and jpurer knowledge in his fervicc and kingdom. I am aware that at the time of my preaching her funeral Sermon, fome of my hearers, but not thofe of them who were beft acquainted with her, thought that I fpoke too confidently of her removal to certain and increafed happinefs. My fentiments were not then haftil^ exprefled, and my refleflion on Ihem fmce that time nas confirmc 1 me in the fame conclufions. I am therefore glad Of the delay which has taken place with regard to my publifliing them, as it has afforded mc opportunity for exartiming and review^ ing them, befides fome other advantages. It has enabled me to publifh in addition to the Sermons part of the Letter Mfs. C. Marvin wrote from your houfe a few days after the death of Mrs. Coojt to Mrs. M. Hooker, at Middlebury — and a copy of the Epitaph, ' which you and your friends there, have caufed to be infcribed on the Tc^mb-flone to be brought from that place.* You will perceive that I have . made fomt addi- tions in the latter part of the firft*&erTn'oni and you will find it, I hope, lefs incomplete in that part at leafl, than it was in its firft form, when my time was fo circumfcribed iii preparing it for delivery. For the reft — ^this Sermon and the other are very iiearly the fame as you heard them preached. In the firft, you will recolleft, I was more particular in reprefenting the death of the righteous than earneft in calling on my hearers to prepare for it. To fol- low up this laft objed I addrefled them again on the fubjeci : with a fimilar view therefore I fnall publifh my fecond Sermon. In writing them, plain truths and matters of facH: of the moft interetting nature fully engaged my attention, and in publifliing them I fhould wifh to keep intirely to thefe, for the fake ♦ Middlebury, AddisoD County, Vermont. v^ ^I ^tt^rf, .•"'P'"0^ement of my fubjea, and the moft ufeful information of myrraders ^ ncreafing pleafure you continually find in reading ie wh rh";1.P"'"r ^^- . * »>"?« »hat the littl! 3ne which I have fubmitted to you wiU be a oleaf ^blvTi^^h'^'"? ^'^''^^ *° their^numb^',^!^ dS of r^H T ?T '* ."'^'y contribute to the maUeft degree do that, I am rewarded. If it do W t°„M!7„°"' ='"y S°°''':"N6t unto us be the praife Jut to the name of the Lord. To him belongeth ighteoufhefs, but unto us confufion efface." Your feithful Friend and Servant, Ce diflblution of this frail body, " When man goeth \o his long home, and the mourners go about the ftreets ;" " When the dull fliall return to the Earth as it was j and the fpirit fhali return unto God who gave it :" And it finifhes with thefe memorable wordsj " Let us hear the con- clufion of the whole matter ; Fear God, and keep Ills commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God (hall bring every work into judg- ment, with every fecret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." Preparation for death and judgment is the objeft for which we fhould confider " Man going to his long home, and the mourners going about the flreetsl'* To perfuade us to this is the whole object T fion, and [he foul ifes that for her, 1 Gur ap« e hopes, us, and us. For us all do ) us, and ; is ever is always LND THE lapter of 1 of men. I the days not, nor [ have no be death, hen man irners go ill return tli return hes with the con- and keep : duty of nto judg- be good, the obje6l ng to his ibout the ole object of this book of the Royal Preacher. To perfuade you t this is my obje<^ in now addrcfllng you. But on this occasion I (hall be brief and general in dif- courfingon the book and text now before us, that I may be more particular in fetting forth to you the lail words and conduft of our filler who is gone to her long home, and in refleding on the many rea- fons we have to mourn for her. Her words will yet fpcak to you, I hope, and confirm the Preacher, and aflift you and me in attending to the conclufion of t!ie whole matter—the duty of man, and his ever- lalHng reward. FirR — Confidcr Solomon, his life and preaching. Solomon was particularly calculated, prepared, and excrcifed, and experienced, to enable h' n to teach true wifdom. He was fet up by God on high-^ confpicuoufly — to be a teacher and inftruder of his people. In the firft year of his reign he aiked wifi dom of God to judge his people ; and becaufe he c'lofe this before any thing elle, God gave him alfo riches and honor, fo that' there was no king like him. He was endowed by Providence with every worldly blefTmg that the human heart defiresi, Jlow- er, riches, plcaliires, all that this world can afford, were granted to him. Profperity, numerous family, great pofleflions, were increafed to him. He had, he tells us, all that his eyes or heart defired. But what was the confequence of all this ? He was full and forgat God, and turned to the temptations of the world, the flelh, and the devil. He did not fear God, and keep his commandments, and remember his Creator, and death and judgment. His con- ducl: fliewed that * « Hardly ftiall a rich man enter into the kingdom of Heaven." Through the Pro- vidence and grace of God, however, he repented of * Mat. 19. 23. 13 Id n I*- \ his nns, and returned to the Lord ; of v/hich I tlilnk- we have lufficient evidence in the books written by him, efpeciallythebookof Ecclefiaftcs, works meet for repentance. Hiy Proverbs are moft memorable axioms for the ccnducl: of life, containing a moft excellent fyftem oi morality. Ecclefiaftcs iojlows, fetting forth the folly of VvTorldlinefs, and looking to and endir.r in the whole duty of man. <' Fear God and keep'his commandments, for this is the whole duty of m.an. For God fhall bring every work into judgment, with every fecret thirg, whether it be good, or Vi^hetJier it be evil." 1 hen comes theSong of Songs, containing an allegory, illurtraiive of the myftical union between Chrift and his Church, and expref- five of the joy and love prevailing in the commu- nion of him and Saints. But it is fo high a ftrain of figurative and fpiritual devotion that tew in this body and world well undcrliand it, which particu- larly fhould ' each us to think lowly of ourfelves in our fpirtual acquirements. The Book of Ecclefiaftes is our prefent fubjecl of contemplation. The burden of it, the fum of it, is, " Vafifty of vanities, faith the Preacher, all is vani! ty : Vanity and vexation of Ipirit." Ihat is, all wordly power, riches, pleafures, all wordiy things, without the bleffing of God on them, our truft in him, and oar praife of hmi in :ind for them, are vain, and incapable of affording true or lading joy. « I know, fays Solomon, that \here is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his liix^ ;'* chat is, to ufc them with a grateful and cheer- ful temper, and to do good to others with them. Vexation of fpirit, fiiys he, they will be, if we put GUI truft in theni,fct our heart on them, or on any kind of covetouihefs. To prevent our doing tliis, " It is better, fays he, to go to the houfe of inourn' i II ing, than to goto the houfc of feaftinH = for that IS the end of all men, and the living wiU lay it to Jus heart. Sorrow is better than lauditer : for by tae ludnefi of tlie countenance the heart is made better. Ihc heart of the wife is in the hoiife of woummg ; but the heart of fools is in the houfe of fi'."f ;. K "T^,"^'' wifdom, how much truth is fct forth here ! Oh ! that wc would lay it to heart, r.nd confiaer the end of all ,Tien ; that we would prepare and provide for our own end and contcm- piate and improye this wifdom of Solomon. But, o proceed. « In the day of profperity, fays he, be joyful ; but in the day of adverfify coniider : God all.) mh let tne one 6yer againl^ the other, to the end that man fhould find nothing after him." God has fo chequered human Jife that we cannot /r«« the praj.nt torefee what will be hereafter ; or hnd any thing upon the whole to complain of, or order for tiie better. I muft go on to the jnd of his conclu- hons ; Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth— your long Lome— and death— and ind-- fn " A 1 /?""°' """^ ''*«" O" his valuable wordt 1 muft haften to the commentary on them particu- f,lZFr'"* *" "' ^^ '^^ P'-'^f^n' °ccafion, and ubj.a ot our mournmg. But let me recommend to your fenous attention this book oi the Divine ^teacher : let me requed your perulal of it in this day of adverdty, your fortlier confidering it this v-vemng under the view in which it is offered to you, reprefenting to you the vanity and vexation of wondaneis and the importance and profitablenefs of Gocmneis. I mufl faj a few words, ho^^ ever, on long home':"' '^' '"'P''"'^'"'' °^ " ^*" S°"'^ ^^ ^ "Man goeth to his long home.' — Ths r<-- J.au.ns which this text fuggefts are pkafm^r to the ^ood, but alarming to the wicked. The} bring , f near to us that place and those things which we have been travelling towards and providing for in this world, and which we fliall when we depart hence, reap and inherit. If we have followed the fpirit of God, and cultivated his grace, we Ihall draw nearer to him, and his good things, in another w^orld : but if we have followed after things temporal only, the defues of this world, and the flefli, to thefc things then there will be an end, and we fliall be fit only for the prefence of the devil and his angels ; and we iliall be configned to their vexation of Ipirit and dcf- pair, their long, their laiHng,everlatting, mifcry, and torment. Good men confidcr that they are Gran- gers and pilgrims on earth travelling to, a far bet- ter country ,^and they remember *^.it here they have no continuing city. * " They defire a better coun- try, that is, an heavenly." ' They look forward to that comfort, that reft, that communion with their Lord in Paradifc which in their journey through this world they have but imperfectly enjoyed, which yet has been their greateft happinefs here.' Having linilhed their cpurfe, their voyage through this world, they will be landed fafe on promifed fliorcs where the wicked ceafe from troubling and where the weary are at reft — ^v^^here there Ihall be no more death, nor forrow, nor crying, nor pain. There they will not be ftrangers or pilgrims but at home, and at reft, arrived at good things in Para- dife, w^hich they prefled towards while on earth. But to the wicked their race on earth being ended, their landing place and abicjing place will be angels. Strangers indeed to God and his goodnefs and the riches of Jefus Chriil, they have no peace any where, nor any inheritance with him, * "neither part nor h^t in this matter,"' but have only t " treafured up wrath againft the day of wrath, and revelation ot the righteous judg- ment of God." Be not companions with them. Go not out among them. Follow not their track wliieh leadeth to hell. Follow after righteoufnefs, peace, Godlinefs— | " Godlinefs which is profita- ble to all things, having the promife of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." Follow the example of her who is gone before you— de- parted this life— wIiQ prayed and defircd that you might follow after, to her long home, and happy mheritance with our Lord—that country— better country— Paradife of our-L^rd, toward which flie always lool?:ed and travelled while here a Pilgrim on earth, and a fojourner in this tabernacle of claj?. She is now abfent from the body and this world, and prefent, I truft, with our Lord : Happy I be- lieve in her rcleafe from the teniptations, the bur. den, the attacks, of the world, the flefh, and the devil ; no longer afraid of falling from the love of God, or falling into his terrors, but in her view even of thefe— pall dangers and efcapes— increafed in her exercife of prefent freedom, love, and joy. Her body flceps in the grave, as the body of Jefus did ; and her foul is at reft, i hope, with him in Paradife : § « To day in Paradife"— fmce her death, there. Her crofs is finifhed ; and his crofs is ta her more glorified. She is gone to him, I truft, whither he went before— to fee him more perfect, iy, and commune with him more uninterruptedly^ * Acts 8. 21. -f Hca. 2. 5. i I Tim. 4. 8. § Luke 23. 43, 14 ! i quite uninterruptedly ! O happy region of depart* ed Spirits, bleff^d in our Lord, * " Who reft from their labours, and theif works do follow them 1" Works done for heavenly places, everlaftirfg habita- tions, which are the reward of the righteoufnefs of Chrift and of faith in him ; Works, which for his fake will be juftifed and remepibered by Jyim and tjpem at their joyful fentence at the laft day, and their entrance into Heaven. O Paradife, re- gained by Chrift ! happy home 1 longed for, not loft — foufid and arrived at by all who ^it in him, by all who Jiave come upto jiiip, learnt of hirp, and looked to his reft, and perfevered to the end ; and made Paradife in this world their profped, their defire, and expeda^tion, and their home^ when they have finifticd their foi^rfe, their journey here ! I muft for a few moments preach Chrift, ftmply Chrift, the author and-|^^her of all reft to our fouls — of all happinefs here on earth, and in Paradife, and in Heaven, f " Behold ! a "greater tha*l Solo- mon is here ;" the promjfe of his Gofpel is come unto us ; the Spirit ot God — the Comforter — has defcended on earth ; happinefs forever is offered to all men •, — J " things which the Angels defire to look into 1" Solomon, I have Ikewed you, was great in form and comelinefs, of worldly power, honor, and riches, and that he tried and pofleffed all es^rthly things and pleafures, and finally px'o- nounced them, in themfelves, feparate from the blefiing of God, " vanity of vanities, all vanity, yea, vexation of fpirit.*' Jefus was laid in a man- ger ; the world knew him not, and his own received him not ; ^^ had not iL'hcre to lay his head. He rode into Terufalem on an Afs ; and was perfecut- ^d, torn^ented, and crucified. He preached, and ,f Rev. 14. 13. + Mat. 12. 4'2. I I Vtiiftx 1. \1. proved by his life and death, that his kinjrdom vv*i^ ^/./ of this wc rid; that mere earthly things a;- Vanities indeed. He was offered by the devil the kingdoms of this world, and the glory of them, but he laid to him, for mir example, * " Get thee hence batan, for it is written, Thou flialt worfhip the Lord thy God, and him only Ihalt thou ferve."— He fpake to his followers while he was on earth, and now Ipeaks to us by his word, and his fpirit from Heaven, f^iying, f « Whofoever wiU come after mc let him deny himfblf, and take up his crofs, and fol ow me. ' "What ftiall it profit a man if he iiuli gam the whole world and lofe his own foul ? f 'Vp- -r?"^'! \ "'^'' ^""^ ^^ exchange for his foul ? nis IS the Gofpel edition, Chrifl's fum- ni;iig up of the preadiing of SolomoB, of the du- ty ^nd mtereft of man, of the vanity of this world, and of the mfinite value of the next. He pofTeffed jjothing here and he died on the crofs, to Le our louls, and to fhow us that we muft fuflbr with him here ; be carelefs— not anxious— for earthly things s and rich towards God, and in treafure in Heaven! He is our perfecl: preacher and example ; and he has given us infpired lefTons of wifdom to falva- tion, and apofl es and martyrs, to confirm and ex- plain more fully his doftrine and precepts, and in Sit'oTGolnlf ^^'^' " ^^-^^- P^— ^ Remember, and copy after the f-ilth, hope, and love of St Pau , and of the other Apoftles and of many of their hearers-^their ilrength-fuperi. on y oyer the trials and afflidions of this world, and the., nghteoufnefs, peace, and joy in the Holy C^ft, through Jefus Chrift : And'think not, (^l "-.^ D^ie^^ti^a yuu oerore now,; that you cannot * Mat. 4. to. f Mark 8. 34, 35. 57. ! ! I i ■ { 1(5 imitate them— refemble them, in many and mod refpeds, except their miraculous and prophetic pow- ers. God is with you as he was with them ; and through Chrift ftrengthening you, you alfo can do all tilings; He arid tbey tell you lb. Since their days on eaf th, many have believed and fhewn it ; and I hope you alfo have feeh it in fome inftances, and experienced it in fome degree. I have, I know ; thanks be to God ! ihd I now have an opportunji ty of giving you proofs of his power and fpirit exhibited to us In the hfe and death of a fifler de- parted in Ghrift, lately, very lately indeed, living among us, and worfliipping here. ^ It is a hard and a pleafmg duty that I am arrived at. Pleafmg to fet forth her example, but hard for me to do juftice to it, and to perform my du^ ty with Chriilian fortitude; hard— grievoils~tc make her an inftrufter of righteoufnefs in fpeak- ing of her death—an inftance of riches in Chrift in fpeaking of our lofs, her going to her long home, and our reafon to go about the ftreets mourning* But it is pleafmg that fhe fhould ftill recommend Chrift to you, and prove to you the wifdom of Solomon : that though * " being dead fhe ihould yet fpeak to you," and that by me, her friend and your friend* TTemember thy Creator, and fear God and keep his commandments, were words of advice conftant- ly in her mouth and memory, and duties eminent- ly fet forth in her life and converfation. She pub- liihed them to all around to the beft of her power by precept and example, with meeknefs, yet confi- dence in the caufe of Chrift. Her faith and love of Jefus, how ftrong they were ! How they excited her to praiie him and to fervc him, and to encou- * ileb. 11. 4. ill ^7 rage others to do iikewife ! How fhe delighted in his word and all the fcripture of God, and heard and read, and quoted, and talked of it, with readinefs and perfpicuity, and with the fpirit and the under- ftahding allb ! What an example to Chriftians, to all the fervants of our Lord, and efpecially to his min- ifters ! How fhe exhorted all men to turn to God, to tafte of his heavenly gifts and' his word, and to flee from fm, and wrath, and puniftiment to cohie ! yet, with all her zeal for good things, Ihe did not tranfgrcfs the peace and order, and kindnefs and forbearance enjoined by the Gofpel. She ftrength- cned the weak, and confirmed the flrong in our Lord ; and never, no never, was afhamed to con - fefs him before all men, her only hope and right- eoufnefs. At the fame time flie Confeffed her own unworthinefs, and abafed hcrfelf. She magnified him, and humbled herfelf. But now fhe is exalted to great honor and gk)ry, and we are humbled, and that is our honor and gain. Chrifl confefTes her his faithful fervant, before God ; and when he comes in the glory of the Father, and with the holy Angels to judge the quick and the dead, he will contefs her, praife her, and glorify her, before the afTembled world. May we now humble our- felves, and honor him in contemplating her exam- ple, and may we then fliare with her, and join her in praife and glory ! Often before nou', fecretly and aloud have I ad- mired her truil in God, and her glorying in him only, plainly declared, and hei milling no opportu- nity of honoring him. Aloud I avail myfelf of this one, oiiered to me of exprefling my gratitude to On;l. and to ^i''i* his ii^Tvant" fo^ witnrffinrr invfplf and witneffing to you, his praife fet forth by her, her love of all holy things, and her help and en- couragement to me to love and to praife him alfo. w li !i I. ( p l'» 2L Often has flie ftrengthencd and refrcfhcd tnc by licr pious convcrfation, and her kind communion ot interclh in God and the Cliurch, and by her counlel, yea counfel, good for my foul, and for my benefitting all fouls committed to my w?tching and helping ; and this I am now glad to tell them of, and here to acknowledge in my and their name. Fervently flie prayed for the increafe of the Church hero ; fhe greatly contributed to it ; and flic truly rejoiced in it. Any part, and every part of the Univerfal Church of Chriil was dear to her. Any worfliip of him, and any image of him, in any foul or fervice was agreeable to her, and enlivening to her. Wherever Ihe faw it, fhe met it with pleaf- \ire, and wilhed it * " God fpeed." She joined in all the fervice of this Church with heart and voice, in form and fpirit. And the more fhe was acquaint- ed with it the better Ihe liked it. She recommend- ed it to all ; and ihe begged every one to go up and worfhip, to pray, and hear the word, and fpeak and iing forth praiie in this houfe of God. Some things in the fyftem of our Church which w^re new to her, fo far from being prejudiced againft, Ihe ad- mired, and liked to join in. She told me herfelf, the lalt day but one I faw her, that if flie recovered flie wiuied, fhe longed to fall down on her knees before God in this houfe, to worfliip him in that humble and profi:rate poiVure, that bending, fl:oop- ing of the body as well as foul in his fervice. Rut' her body is laid in the grave, and her foul is depart- ed from us. No more fliall we fee her here, or be- nefit by her living example. No more fliall I have the advantage, the afliltance of her joining and helping in the fervice of the Church, or fettmg it forth to good imitation by her conduct or converfa- * 2 John, 10. '9 lion. This is my lofs ! this is yrur \oh ! and tlie Ms of the Church of ChrHt here o„ en th ! 'Il.is s what I ought to lament-what I fliould, and what I do greatly deplore Here I am humbled, caft down tontnte indeed i 1 am deprived, deftitute of ifrl '';^ fupporter and f.iend of the Church. 1,1 .H Tf t^'^J ?"'.«="'»>• vilitation. I am hum- bled ! I feel I dderve it. I acknowledge the chaf- dT/' ?T'?'r? ^T'^ °^ ^'"^' ■" 'hb his provi. dcnce. I fee n htted upto rebuke me for fin, to beckon nie to greater watchfulnefs and diiiffencc oyer myfe If and others, myfelf in particular I ciently of the fnend I have loft, the friend whom Ood gave me and now hath taken away. Now I fee my want, and my lofs. That voice which fo to L. i-.T'T'' ?^ '.^^ "" "^°'-« fpeak comfort Profit, 1 "' ''"" •" ^''}^''^ ^'^ «»*'^« ^° ?'«=«&"' =ind pu Stable to me, is changed, deprived indeed, fad and forlorn ! How flie welcomed me to it on my iirft arrival in this land-hailed me as a meffeno-erof peace, a bnnger of good tidings, an ambaffador of houfe 1 I '^ ''^'" '"■">^^' =""1 ft"^in.? to fulfil tbero, and in my prefent and future exercife of hu- miUty-HiiMiLiT Y ! that foundation of all Religion i And now Wc are Jnimbled ! Now is flie an iSftrui Oh" ?l^°°'^ '" "' '" *'"= ^<^rdiu\ hands of God. iJft . that M'e may improve it to our lafting benefit and recorapenfc to come^to her and ou? joy in raradile and in Heaven ! when and wl,^r^ ,ii t„„„,„ lliall be turned into gladnefs, and hope into com. plete enjoyment, to thofe who have been truly hum- 20 till!! in. ble and penitent here. Oh ! that I may alTift you all in your humiliation, in this your and our fervicc and forrow, and turn it to profit in this our day and life of preparation for perfect peace, and perfed happinefs 1 May 1 help all her friends in partirular, and her Hufband above all ! This is my heart's de- fire and prayer ; and fucccfs in this will be my greateft comfort and fatisfaiflion, for the fake of Je- fus Chrift, and fqr the fake of his afflidted fervant and fervants. To you. Sir, her afili(ftcd Hufband, I feel bound by every duty and tie of love and gratitudq to God, to her, and to yourfelf, to (hare and footh your for- rows — to comfort you and build you up in the faith ahd goodnefs of our Lord. Hope and prof- ped of doing this particularly engages me, and af- fords me comfort ; and I fliall be happy in many an opportunity, I truft, of fandtifying our forrow s together, raifing our affections to Hcaven, and fit- ting ourfelves for communion of faints above. Let us begin the work now, and look to our long home, and manlians in our Father's kingdom, before we go through the flreets mourning on our way to our manuons on earth. Little, at leafl not much, did I think the other day that thofe words of the Prophet which I dif- courfed upon lafl Sunday would fo foon te fo parti- cularly applicable to us. * " For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt, I am black : af- . tonilhment hath taken hold on me. Is there no balm in Gilead ? Is there no phyfician there ? Why then is not the health of the dq^ughter of my people recovered ?" — There is balm — there is a Phy> fician, here, I hope j and that your health, and th^ health of my people, will be recovered. ^IS *Jarea)iah8. 21. 2?, 21 Chrift fends to you, and offers you comfort and # Comforter the Spirit of Godiinels, to heal the bro- ken hearted, ;md to lighten the burden of your woe. I am his mimfter, and the word of comfort is com. rniued to me. It is full of fuccour and falvation. It docs not condemn, it does not rebuke your for. row, but It would moderate it, and improve it af, ter a Godly manner, teaching you to hope, to truft in the refurreaion and the life of Jefus and of all thofe that fleep in him ; teaching you to mourn for your fins, and to be comforted in brinmne: forth truits of repentance. Abraham mourned, and wept for Sarah > Jacob for his fon Jofeph, fuppcfmg he had been torn by wild beafts ; and Jofeph and his brethren for their father Jacob ; and not ^o mourn ;or good men is reproved by God hjmfelf. f « The righteous perifheth, and no man layeth it to heart • and merciful men are taken away, none conftderinff that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come." Here is an example for you in your mourn- ing 5 and comfort, approbation, indulgence for you in your exercife of forrow. In forrow and fuffcr' mg you are made like unro Chrift, in forrowing af. ter a godly manner, in fuffering patiently, in la- menting the evil of fin and its confequcnces, and alfo the feparation of lover and friend. He loved thofe that loved him, and wept with thofc that wept. He loved even his enemies, and even unto death. Never was there forrow like unto his for- row or fufferings like unto his fufferin^s. David the fon of Jeffe faid, and after him more truly laid, no doubt, t the fon of David and of God * Isaiah 57. 1. +This divine book (the Psalms) appears to have been *K- Manual „f *K«C.v.. -,f /V ,1 : . l . '' ..." "*^*' "^C" 'M conclusion of his last su aay pper, is generally su fleshy pposed jpon good groyods. to have sung a hymu taken ft who at the and that om it : who r^f 22 V « T^iy tears have been my meat day and night. My foul is call down within me. All thy wwes and thy billows arc gone over me. Yet the Lord will command his loving-kindners in the day time, and in the night his ibng (liall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life. Hope thou in God, for 1 fhall yet praife him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.*' Thus David, and a greater than David, poured out his foul in afflicTicn ; and do thou imitate hmi, and praife God forever. Praife him in t " ihe pa- tience of the faints," whofe example h's word lias fet before you, and in your imitation of jr.. Imitate Jefus Chrift, who always faid,and wilhed,Thy will, O God, not mine, be done. Remember his fufl'er- ings for you, He, juil and*^ innocent—you, tinjuft and a fmner. Yet, for his fake, your fufferings are fhort and lightened, and your future joy and gbry perfed and eternal. He has overcome all your e- nemies, and death, and the grave ; and after a few years you will do fo too, though you have not yet, as this fad day fhew^. \ " In the world you have tribulation ; but be of good comfort, he has over- come the world." Follow his fteps here, and you will follow him, and all who have followed him, to Paradife and to Heaven ; and be with them there at God's right hand forevermore j Be with her IP^B^HMM^Mi* ^■■■''M* **"**■* **<**" **"" pronounced on (he cross, the biv;inr, dj? of tbc twenty-'^ocorid Tsalm : *^ Mv (lod, my i% ' ■ i y ist thou forsaken me ?" anil txpircd with a part of the thirty-first Tsalm in his mouth; *' Into thy hands I commifad my spirit." Tcitullian, who flourished at the beginning of the fh'rd cen- lurv, mentions it, as if it were then an allowed point in the fhu'rch, that " almoi* all the Psalms ^re spoken in the person i)f Christ, being addressed by the Son to theFaiher, that is, by Christ to God." Bishop Home's Preface to his Commentary pn the Hook of Pbalnis ^Psjilm 42. ■f UcY. 14. 12. X John 16. 33. night, r w-wes e Lord y time, iiui my thou in health poured Lte hmi, I he pa- )rd lias Imitate hy will, s fufl'er- i, nnjuft ings are id glory your e- er a few not yet, ou have IS over- and you him, to ;m there ^ith her ten me ?" is inuutii; whom you have fo lately and fo lonjr feen— nare' of yourfclf ; Again with hcr-ncvcr to be fenaratej time ot Gcd. Suffer witli his Son. your Re
  • ,-m er ; and feek to his Spirit, th« only Comforter. To Him I muft commend you, and to the word of his mouth, and in thy heart : that is the word oV faith which we preach." Search ihat, and draw near to I.ini in prayer. Prayer will raife you to communion with God and « converfation in Hea- ven and the word will fhcw you things to come good things, pafling man's knowledge, fpcaki^J peace to you, and leaving peace with you. Liulf can Hay to you, but often may you turn to them • and tJiey are fountains ever near to you, and inex' hauftib e of waters of comfort fprii Jng'uJ to e4r lading life. Draw from thefe cifter„s,''and « tifte and lee how gracious the Lord is ;" that t« his companions fail not, but are new every morning- " tha mlove 1 « he chaftcns you for your prffiV that you fliould be a partaker of his holinefs," his good things on earth and in Heaven-a panakcr with us here below for a little while, and then 4h your deareft partner forever and e;cr. § « "„ " lencepoffefs your foul :" and || "let patience have' .sp?h;i:S!--S-J^;^^^^^^^ her Tn?do"? ht '""^^ ""t""' ^^ =^» --■"" nere, and do, I believe, lay to heart the death of D ofitl" -""^ P''^°"- '^'^'= '""ft acceptable and piofitable improvement -to you, and all, which I can * Horn. 10. s. § Luke 21. 1 L «ni. 3. 22, ^3. y. 3- t ^fob. 12. 10. \l Jataes 1. 4. Iniii^- >*. furtlicr make of this occafion, I im well pcrfuadci^, is to defcrihc the concluding fcene of her life. Firft, however, I could wilh t^ recommetid to your con- fi deration and example^ her education in early pie- ty ; for from a child fhe wa* brou^>;ht up by her grandmother In the knowledge of the Scriptures and of faith in Jefus Chrift : and fhe has been a proof of the truth and excellence of Solomon's proverb, * " Train up a child in the way he fliould ^o : and whc'n he is old, he will not depart from it." She took pleafure in the petformancti of religious duties in her youngell days, and always loved the Lord, and his houfe, and Ibrvice. Frequently has ihe told me this, and for your improvement I Ihould like longer to dwell on it, and on her progrefs in grace and knowledge ; but it is time for mc to pr(v teed to the laft fcene of her life and piety on earth, fo abundant is it in inftru6lion. For your lakes t wiih you could all have been prcfent at it, and now that 1 could well lay it before you. Immediately on my arrival on Friday about noon, flic begged mc to pray with her, at the flime time obferviiig that Ihe had but little tin.c for this world: I anxiouiiy performed the f )lemh oilicc to the bcft of my power. Efpecially I befceched the Almighty Ruler over all things to leave her amongll us for the fake of the Church as well as for that of her houfehold and friends ; and fo to ftrerigthen us in conforming to his perfcfl: will, that at all events it fliould be blelTed to us. Indeed his will tlut Ihe fliould depart feemed fo ftrongly marked that wc could fcarcely exped her to remain among us- She was more anxious about us and our future lives than for her own re< overy. She did not wiOi to recover, except for a few minutes once or twice, * Tiov. 22. 6. entertaining a fr. int defire to continue a little longer in her old habitation, which is fo natural to the human foul, was incrcafcJ by foine cefTation of pain and was encouraged too readily by us. But faithful her fortitude in Chrift. Her flrength was conhderable ; and her earndlnefs to improve her time in humbling herfelf, ferving us, and glorifying God, feemed to increafe as (he drew nearer to (ro- ing to him, and to leaving us. She praifed him Ml 1?.^^^ ^"^ ""^eferved goodnefs to her during all her life and for his fupport of her faith in Te- fus in licr laft extremity. She prayed to him for her hufband, and for all people, and cfpecially for their increafe in the kingdom of Chrift, and for its wide and fpeedy fpread here and every where.— Une addrels flie made to us was particularly im. prellive, on account of the order and compofure, behdes the length and earneftnefs with which fhe Ipoke to us. She begged us to avoid the evil and tollow the good which we ever witnefled or remem- bered in her. She intreated parents who were pre- lent to * « bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord ;"— to teach them to remember their Creator in the days of their youth. * She recolleacd the children flie had an- Iwered for m Baptifm, and begged the other fpon- "f^i';^' them who were prefent to attend to their Uiri tian education. She defired me f " to declare all the counfel of God'' to his people : to warn them by the terrors of the law, and encouracre them with the delights of the Gofpel : to prefs upon nieir minds and confcien^cs the great duties of keep- "i;^ tae c>ai)bath-day holy, and of excrciling family prayer. To my pious regard and that of all her fi'i H 1^ ♦K| 1m\ 6. 4. D f Acts 20. 27. m 1 M 1 f h H !|l.!i :i;i'.! t|ii 26 friends flie affeaionately recommended her hulband. To God flie committed him and herfelf ; and truft- ing in him that judgeth righteoufly, flie relied in- tirely on the fure mercies of Chrift. Strength of body now failed her— pain increafed — at intervals only could her foul furmount the burden and diftrefs of the body, and raife itfelf in pious ejaculations to her Lord. At one time flie recovered a little, but fi on flie dropped again, and fank beyond hope of relief in this world. As flie approached another, flie proved and faw her riches there : and fuch was her comfort in them, and her faith in Jefus, that flie earneftly defired a hymn might be fung. Her refolution imparted itfelf to her friends, and they raifed a fong of adoration — pleafmg to God and Angels, and foothing, though forrowful, to all who heard it. In the laft verfe of it flie joined with a clear and ftrong voice, fuch was tlie warmth and harmony of her foul. Pain feemed for a fliort time forgotten or relieved, and all the powers of evil driven away. Yet they were not quite overcome, but they foon became fliort and wavering, and flie more ready and earnefl: for pure and fpiritual life and liberty. Humbly, faithfully, and fervently, flie often cried out, * " Come Lord Jefus, come quickly :" t " L^d Jefus receive my fpirit ;" yet added, " 1 hy will O God be done !'* A fliort time before Ihe expired, after fome painful ftrugglcs, flie faid, " It is finiftied.'* StiU ftie endured a little longer fuffering ; offered up a few fupplications, and raifed herfelf in her bed. Then, laftly, looking up, flie faid, " 1 fee the glories of Chrift*s kingdom." Thefe were her lafl words. JL iiv~ II iiijivixi; \JiKJ Vt ii \Jl.l th out a ftruggle or a groan. So gradual, fo imper- * [lev. 12, 2a. + Acts 7. 5». iband. I truft. :ed in- creafed int the tfelf in ne flie in, and As flie riches nd her hymn itfelf to ition — though ft verfe ; voice, :r foul, elieved, et they became earneft umbly, d out, rd Jefus God be er fome Still ihe p a few Then, Dries of words, d with- ► imper- ^7 ceptible was the departure of her fpirit, the fepa- ration of foul and body, that we hang over it in ' fufpenfe for many minutes. But flie is gone ! Gone to her Lord in Paradife ! Her foul is there — redeem- ed from an earthly body and world ; free to praife him purely and perfedly without any interruption or failure of love, or joy, or happinefs. Her body is at reft in the grave, " afleep in Chrift," waiting its redemption alfo, and glorious liberty, till he fliaU call it forth, and raife it again, and unite it with the foul, to be fpiritualized and glorified together, and fitted for perfect and eternal happinefs with the Lord in Heaven, there to reign triumphant in Chrift, the Redeemer and Rewarder of all who die in him. She died in him you have feen : and death hath no fting, and the grave is no burden or terror to her now. Through this vale of tears, and the val- ley of the fliadow of death, flie is gone to her long home, and we fliall go through the ftreets mourn- ing. But though * " weeping may endure for a night, joy cometh in the morning." f " Here we are ftrangers and fojourners for a fliort time, as were all our fathers," and foon fliall we be again with her, and the fpirits of all juft men departed, if we go the way which flie has travelled before us, under the guidance of God and the Gofpel of his Son Jefus Chrift, who went through this world, and death and the grave, | to make ftraight a high- way for all them that will walk therein. Coniider her as gone on a journey before you, ar- rived in a delightful country, yea, in Paradife and heavenly places, and expecting you to join her in fo- ciety of faints above, if you have had with her com- munion of faints below. This communion in part continues, and though flie is a greater ftranger than «=■ Psalm 20. 5. + l Chroa. 29. 15. J Vide Isaiali 35. 8. 48 formerly to this earth, and is to vifit this tmperfcft land no inore,yct you are not llraiigiTS to c;ich otlicr. You have trcal'urc togctlvcr in llcarcn : yours above and beyond this world is incrcaled. You have toRethcr • " one faith, one hope, one love, one fpirit, in our Lord Icfus Chrift. One God and Fath- er of all, who is above all, and through all, antl in you all." Follow on to greater riches and more blcU'ed communion in him and in heaven : and may 1 help vou on your way home— long, evcrlafting home I hire ■ t ";is forrowful now, yet always rejoic inff "Vorrowing and fcparaled from her we mourn for,' at prcfent, and from our fins, but always i^joic- inc and united in comnmnion with our Lord and famts. Weep, when you remember her, but con- tinue to prailb God with her, though y..u are m dif- ferent manfions. You are not m a ttrange land,t and vour homes arc not far apart, long Icparate. Remember her, and much more your Lord : and fine the fongs of Zion, in concord to hin.. as you ately did wYth her, and in Heaven you will be to- gether with her § « harping with your harps, and fintrine a new fong before the throne ot God. I "Lift UP your eyes to the hills whence cometh vour help. Look tiyour long home, and run with Jadence^he race thai is fet before you. Ihe Lord h at hand ; and he ftall preferve thy gomgs out and thv coming in, from this time forth, and even or- Ivermore." f " I" him truft, and though he Hay thee yet Ihall he be thy falvation." More I cannot fay. ' 1 cannot exhort you further this day. I com. mend you all to him. I pray you go in peace, and come again here, further to improve the forrow and the fcrvice of this day. . F.pke.. 4. 4. 8.0. + « Cor. 6. 10. J V'''jf »'"> 1*7. 29 Lay to heart the death of the righteous, and live fo that your laft end may be like her's. Mourn for your fins, and for your lofs on earth, but be com- forted in a Redeemer, and in riches in Heaven. Add to my comfort by making her ftill an inaru. mentofgood and gain to yourfcives in your future lives, and by her yet fpeaking to you more powc r- fully than I can fpcak. I am comforted in f ving fpoken to you her funeral difcourfe— .her call to righteousnefs, and dying admonitions, which * " cry to you from the ground." Oh f" keep them and ponder them in your heart. Praife God in all the things you have heard and feen, as thcyr are told unto you ;** and comfort one another m telling them again and fliewing forth his glory, 1 cr happinefs, and yours to come ; which God oi his inhnite mercy daily increafe ! Go in peace to your tabernacles on earth, and in heart and foul travel on towards your laft manfion of heavenly blifs and reft. Be ready to depart, and to go to the Lord : and may your long home be with him, and with all his faints who are gone he-, fbre, and with thofe who have yet to follow ! May we be I « one fold under one Shepherd,*' JefusChrift our Lord ! § « Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jefus, that great Shepherd of the iheep,through the blood of the ever- lafting covenant, make you perfed in every good work o do his will, working in you that which is well pleafmg in his fight, through Jefus Chrift j to whom be glory forever and ever AMEN. *Gen.4. 10. f LukcS. 19. 20. 13.20.21, + John 10. 1 5. §Heb. m LET i \ I on ; adv; imp furt theii C( '% go a jed flea this depa bein and have efpec the ^ man deat] by o fittec him, fatio we h t"i NUMBERS 23. 10. LET ME DIE THE DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS, AND LET MY LAST END BE LIKE HIS ! I HOPE that the occafion and fubjedl of our laft meeting here made a good and deep impreflion on you. I hope that it continues to our prefent advantage, and that we may follow it up to greater improvement : that we are prepared and difpofed further to confider the death of the righteous, and their laft end. " Man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the ftreets." This was the particular fub- jed of our laft contemplation and difcourfe^ in rc- fleding on one of us— -one of our number here, in this very place a few weeks ago — a fifter, a faint, departed, being gone to her long home ; and our being called upon, moved, and drawn out, in body and fpirit, to go about the ftreets mourning. We have mourned, I hope to our comfort and profit, efpecially thofe who were principally called upon by the vifitation of God-— comfort and profit in feeing more clearly the happinefs of the righteous in their death, and the good propofed and' prepared for us by our being humbled under the hand of God and fitted more faithfully to fubmit to him, to ferve him, and to truft in him only. In his late difpen- fat ions, and in preparation for all future ones, may we have learnt to fay and fee * « all things work iv/getiici iur guuu 10 Inoic wno love uoa :" tiiat t " it is good for us to have been afflicted :'* and to * Rom. 8. 28. f Psaim 119. 71. n . m have been, and belonged to, the houfe of mourn- ing ! rhis houfe is the houfe of mourning — of forrow for our fins, for our unworthincfs, for our fo much dcferving only the chaftifements of our Lord. Our Lift meetmg in it was a mournful one ; one of la- mentation over the confequenccs of original fin, the death of fallen man, the feparation of lover and friend, of brother and fifter, the interruption of our happinefs. Yet it was good for us to have been heie, and it is fo now alfo, I truft, for our prepara- tion for future happinefs. But this houfe of God is alfo the * " the gate of Heaven," the way to Pa- ladife and Chrift, to our mourning being turned into rejoicing, our forrow into' joy, joy in the goodnefs of our Lord, and his riclics in Heaven.-- — However, here on earth, the Houfe of God, the Church of God, every Chriftian, is fometimes, yea frequently, fad and caft down, perfecuted and tor- mented, as our great Head was, the Son of God himfelf ; to fliew that nothing in this world is per- fect or lafling, truly found or happy in its nature, except what is fit for, come down from, and intend- ed for Heaven ; and alfo to fticw that + '-^ here we muft fuffer with Chrift ao ho did, ibai 7 be glorified with him." The houfe of God l^ hief place for our learning and improving thele /ii^s, our entering into, and partaking of, his forrow on earth, and his joy in Heaven ; our preparing for J " a houle not mad? with hands, along home, eter- nal in the Heaven;:," before we depart hence, and the mourners go about theftreets. This chief place of preparation therefore is pleafant and defirable to thnff! tn tion of ivc been prepara- of God y to Pa- turned in the Lven." — rod, the nes, yea ind tor- of God d is per- nature, I intend- here we ■J be ■' hief rrow on .ring for nc, eter- ice, and lief place irable to ravelling I place of rcfrcflimcnt for them, to help them to ffo on their way rejoicing, till they come to tlieir ^1!^ dweS'7'^'' T T /:"^'^^- ^-^ '^^^y dehg t to iZl]Zri " ^"^^ T ^^^ ^o^rts ; and Mf they ^L^V'^^'l'^f'^^ gone to her long home, and for tJie ofs of whom we have mourned, reioic greater pleafure in future worfliip Jiere than in any thing elle on earth, if her life were prolonged" Bu? ftVcomnr -^ '" ^T''' ^^PP-^f«' -d iLe per- te^ct communion with our Lord, than this houfe, or any place on earth^can afford. She has left us -'an example of the believers- in our Lord : and t « the memory of the jufl is blefTed - and hiked to u is o.r memory of her, if it encourage and aflift us in prcpariP . for dying the death of ?he righteous and or our l..ft end being like her's. This w^s fet bt fure you in our lal difcourfe, and in it you lud a hi i^ht example of the death of the righteous. Sure- a Tli?r ^;^;^f;^^,^"^ouragcment for confidering fl : i l^^ '^''^^'\ot the righteous ; and though 1 !; . r T7 '^^'!^ ^" the character and condulof t.^^ ciecealed, yet in recommending to you the life or ttie righteous, I w^uld remind you alfo that her •' Vt r. 1 ^? H ''^'^' "^^^ ^^^^ o^ ^^»e righteous. V y chief objecl atprefent, is, to exhort and per- fnad. you to hve the life of the righteous, that your I^Jit end may be like his. "^t^your all tnZ}''^^^^'^'''' ^^ >'°^ ^ *^^^ «f ^^^e vanity of tr^ ^''^^ c.xry thing here below, feparate t.om godhnefs. 1 fl.ewed you the humilitv a^d uiierings of Chrilt on earth,' and the ad-antage of ipuit and joy of faith, hope, and love in our Lord ^1 I I * 1 Tim. 4. 12. + Pfov. 10. 7. I :l| € 34 in the life and death of any and all faints — the hap* pinefs of drawing nearer to our Lord. 1 would now efpccially perfuade you to turn to him, to come to him, to trull only in him -, to prepare for him againft any hour when he may viut you in any dii- penfation of life jr death, mercy or judgment ; to be ready efpecially for death, * " for ye know not at what hour your Lord may come." Firll, I Ihall obferve that all men wiili to die the death of the righteous^ In the next place I Ihall ex- hort you to prepare for this without delay : and laftly I fliall treat of the reward and happincfs of being always prepared. AU men wifh to die the death of the righteous. The words of my text, " let me die THii death OF THE RIGHTEOUS, AND LET MY LAST END BE LIKE HIS," wxre fpoken by the unrighteous prophet Balaam, who.contrary to hisT&owledge of the will of God, would go to Balak with a defire of curfmg Ifrael. The Lord let him go, but forced him to pro- nounce ablefling inllead of a curfe on that choien people, whom the wicked prophet wi(hed deflroyed. The enemies of our Lord were his friends ; and though he could not help them as a prophet, yet he Gounfelled and aflitted them in their great wicked- nefs, in feducing and debauching the children of Ifrael. Such were his covet oufnefs and wickednefs that he is frequently mentioned in fcripture as be- ing notorious for his impiety ; yet, his wifli was, that he might die the death of the righteous. And this is the wifli of every man, however unrighteous his life may be. wicked !" Men may occupy themfelves in the ac- quirement or abufe of wealth or power, and in the * Mat. 24. 42. + Isaiah 57. 21. 35 Jndulgenre of finful pl.afures or cxccflcs, but they will derive irom iheic things only poor and tran- fient enjoy niciit indeed ; followed, at leaft, by re- morfe, if noL accompanied with it ; and ending in trouble and rnllbry. * " A wounded fpirit who' can bear'*— a coid'cicnce full of oflence againfl Qod and man ? It is arraiJ of both, yea, even of itfelf ; it caiis up terror, uiid dark and difmal profpecls ; t " Like I he troubled fea, it cannot reft." Re* flcifkion on the p.ift will fometimes Ihew that there is no profit, no fure or lading peace or plcafurc in thefe pafiing vanities, and worldly fenfual gratifica- tions. Rcafon will fometime$ look forward, and fay, whither do thefe things tend, and where am I going, and what fhall be their and my end ? 4. day of vifitation or adverfity will fometimes hap- pen, and prove that there is no good ftore or foun- dation laid up againft the time to come — againft the life after this.^itte. Confcience will fay, that there is a day of future account and reward, when } " tliefe ihiUl go away into cverlafting puniihment, but the righteous into life eternal." Though the wicked endeavour not to believe the word of God, and this fentence out of it, yet they cannot alto- gether 4ift>elieve this warning of their own con- fcience. It will rife up againft them, and whifper to them, (except they are hardened indeed) that fin perfiiled in, fliall be puniflied, and that the wages of it are death and mifery evcrlafting. Sin will ever leave a fting behind : and § " the fting of death is fin." Every man, the wicked as well as the good, know that they muft die, and fear, at leafi:, it they •will not Kplif»\rf« 11 " ofif^ir tliicfVjA iiir1rrrnp»T>.> '* Tl-i/axr *Prov. !8. 14. + Isaiah 57. 20. +Mat. 25. 46. § 1 Cor. 15. 66. { lieb. 9. 27. m ill ! I H, f f'l :i; 1 I "i il cannot altogether, or long, drive tlili out of their thoughts and proi'pcas, though they may put away the God of peace and lalvation far from them, and fay unto him, • « Depart from us, for we d'efirc not the knowledge of thy ways. Wliat is the Al- mighty that we fhould ferve him ? and what prolit fhould wc have, if we pray unto him ?" Sicknefs will vifit them or their friends, imd tell them that this body cannot laft ; that it murt die. Death will draw near to them, and fay to tliem, in their own cafe or danger, or that of others, ere long, I'oifr hour muft come. Then will they fay, can they dare to fay, " Let me die the death of the righteous and let my laft end be like his." This is their de! fire, their wiflicd for end ; and they would entertain a hope of tills, could they hope in the God of Plope. This would be their prayer, could they look up to him as their acknowledged Lord and Mafter ; could they alk in faith ; did they truft in prayer and fcrv- ing him. Think of the mifery of not being able, bold to offer up this prayer with faith and hope—of havinjr no comfort, oi cxpcdation of happinefs, in the life after this— of looking forward to a dreadful death and judgment. Confider the latter end of the wicked, and learn wifdom. About to depart from this body and world, from corruptible and faded things below, to enter into a ftate where no fort or degree of pleafure, or eafe, or comfort, lightens the burden of fm and woe, muft make the near prolped of death dreadful indeed. In this world, God fends refreftiing rain and fun- Ihine on the evil and the good, but alter this life the wicked will have no portion of comfortable light, or refrefliment, from God, or any other fource. He will put them far away from him then, and con-. * Job 21. 14. 15. .37 '^T^J':^^:ir:r'^"^'^^^y> to wait this ; they would * « r;,v .. ?i ' . '^ ^'^''^'^^"^ Departed S t| i ll/l "'"•«"'' T"^ ''■'""''''' ?Cc™'i »rs2, ■:;*/:*" u"""'- " ot their torment alcendeth im fr.r-^ * uieimoice and tlj, y have no reft day nor'^iSx'""" r^" 'T ' that this is frrJnH,,-. »i ^ """^ ""git- Remember poor, all n.,:,.i;?^,P'„^^™^^"^iy«^"g. rich and • ' " r-^r-— >c my people and iiearers cipcciaL * Luke 23. 3 ^-.,uw;:;-Lri^-i;^- ^^:^'^;:';^"f"--'' I ,|!.i 38 }y ; and fervc the Lord in fear, and rejoice unto liim with reverence. Kifs the Son, (come unto him) left he be angry, and fo ye perilh from the right way J if his wrath be kindled „ yea, but a little ; but iilelFed are all they that put their truft in him.* You have confidered the death of the wicked ; you are perfuaded of their fears of it ; you are fcn- lible that they all wifli to fay, " Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my laft end be like his." The next object of my difcourfe is to exhort ycu to prepare without delay for dying the death of the righteous, Firft of 2^11, 1 n^uft perfuade you of the danger of delay, and then fliew you that a righteous life is the only preparation, and that your righteoufnefs muft be built on Jefus Chrift, f " for other foundatior? can no man lay." Every wife mau muft remember and fay with Sol- omon, I " Thou knoweft not what a day may bring forth," and muft be aware of the uncertainty of human life. The book of jod abounds with fo many warnings to this purpofe, that if people woul4 but frequently read it, they would not forget any more than David did, that § " there is but a ftep between them and death :" that " the days of man are as grafs ; for the wind paffeth over it, and it is gone." The flighteft obfervation muft Ihew that death comes at all times to different perfons : that it viiits the young as well as the old, the ftrong as w^ell as the weak : that fome linger long on a bed of ficknefs, while others are but a fliort time ill : that where it is little expected it often happens : that fome die fuddenly, and not many arrive at old age. J *Vido Psalm 2. 10. 11. l2.0Id Translarion. +1 Cor. 3. 1 + Prov. 27. 1. § iSani. 20. 2. P^alu: 103. 15. 16. cjoice unto ; unto him) I the right , little ; but \ him.* e wicked ; ou are fcn- e the death E like his." \ort you to ath of the e danger of IS life is the ifncfs nmft bundatior? y with Sol- may bring ;ertainty of ds with fo ople would forget any s but a ftep ays of man it, and it is : Ihew that ins : that it ong as well n a bed of le ill : that >pens : that at old age. • II <1T\/^»1 ■!<■ -i 39 yet how little is it confidered by moft people to tlieii* own warning and advantage. Even when they lofe near relations, or dear friends, how foon they for- get that they are gone into a better or a worfe ftate ; and that they themfelves alfo muft foon die. I do not fay that they forget the death ot their friends but that they forget the confequences of it, and the warning oi it : they regard not their own and their triends interefts and inheritance in life eternal Let not this be the cafe uith any of us, efpecially with thnie who are now affected by the death of our tnend. It is intended for our improvement at all events, and for the increafe of future happinefs to all who are afiecTied by it. I muR fpeak of her whom we now mourn for, the cafe neareft to our prefcnt feelings. She has died the death of the righteous, and has gained indeed by her ex change of the imperfect glories of Chrift's kingdom in this world for the higher glories and enjoyments oi it in Paradife. What happinefs to her to fee and enter into thefe ! what comfort to us to believe in her going there ! what encouragement to prepare and endeavour to follow after—to have our confola- tion alfo in Heaven, our affeclions fet onthinjrg above » what joy in the Holy Ghoft to look forward to and cxpecT: more perfeA and uninterrupted communion ^ith oar Lord and all faints * "in the midft of the Paradife of God !" This is the purchafe of the death ot Chrift the reward and effeas of faith in him. 1 his is the confequence of the life and death of the righteous. But I muft return to my more immedi- at^e argument,^ the proof of the uncertainty of life. b..e, thelofsof whomin this world we now lament* how lately, a few Sundays ago, was flie in health! and m the enjoyment of as much happinefs as this ^— — -^ I , II I !■ * Key. 2. 7. inl il: !i % I 1)1 < i Hi nil I i\\t'< 46 life and this place can afford ; for the laft time* flid was here, ihe received the facrament of our Lord's Supper ! How little did we expecl that fhe would be fo foon removed from worfliipping God here to cel- ebrating his praife in purer realms of blils and har- mony ! How little do yoii cxpecl, any of you j per- haps, here, that in a few Weeks you will alfo be re-' moved into another world and life ! Yet, in all prob- ability, it will be the cafe of fome one of you here--- one of us — God only knows whom; Perhaps more than one of us, perhaps myfdf. This may be your or my laft meeting here, my laft addrefs to you ; fo certainly, that I need not lofe timt in pcrfuading you of it. I would improve it to more profitable dif- courfe. Oh ! that this, perhaps my laft addrefs to you, may prepare you better than any former one^ for death ! may prepare you and me for dying the death of the righteous. You are convinced that you may die very foorii Now remember alfo, that this life only is your time of probation atid preparation for another : that you muft work here t " while it is day, for th6 night cometh when no man can work :" that every oncS fliall } " receive [^tbc reward cf~\ the things done in his body, according to that he hath doiie, whether it be good or bad :'* that if any one in this world per* fift in § " turning away from him that fpeaketh from Heaven,*' " there remaineth no more facrifice for fins, but a j:ertain fea,rful looking for of judgment^ and fiery indignation." Remember, that if you do not die the death of the rigliteous, your laft end will not be like his, but niiferable indeed ! more fliockins: than anv thins: we can conceive, much lefs defcribe ! Repentance to falvation muft be in this * Eiistcr-day, fliP festival of the ri'siirrcction of owr I>ord. iJohn 9.4. ^2 Cor. 3. 10. § ilcb. 12. 25. autl 10. 26. _1L World and none are fliut out from Jt, for » " God mould come to repentance." f " But; exceot ve re IJie beft of us is deficient in doin? our duty to we ftaU r.^"" "'■'""■ ^'^"5* >■""' b"' =* ""'<= ^="7 back, TurfS, w '!Jf';y/'f»%«ffion^- If we look into our W Ta"^ ^""^ "?'">■ f^"lts and failures in Po-l «r "'^ '?!"'* ' =»fo"'not fufficiently given to God We are blind becaufe we do not look imo ourfelves. and becaufe we do not try ourfelves by the righteoufnefs of Chrift. When we know him ou?'i1 '"^'f"*^ deftruc-live nature, we Ihall abh^or our gmit, and confefs our unworthinefs. When we iL^h.'/''lVh'^''r- '™« the mercy of God! ■ w- fl..ll h "^ ']'' °r'y ^"" ^°^ '^^ finfiil creatures w. fliall be moved to } « godly forrow, which work- and live unto nghteoufnefs-righteoufnefs which !Zchrir"'^/t^r' '^"Sh faith in that of ; i" •? V ' *."'* '^''"^'' ™"ft be accompanied with from th. h O*^ ." ™"V"'^ h"^'- This is required PnL ''•'^ °^ "' ' '^"t '''^y ^''O have forgotten conHnnir" T ""''''^"''^^"'^^''"^^"'edonewrong continually, without meafure I may fay, how ereat IZTr ^^ '^'7 "^^'^ ' Yet thefl ar^e'invitefto turn to God and believe in his Son, and repent of heir fans, and be faved. § « Though their fins be a.s fcarlet, and red like crimfon of a leep^bloody dye indeed, yet they ihall be pard'oned, if^fey bJwil! ling and obedient to follow the law and the gofpel. Ifaey are fpared from death and deftruclion that , ^ ^. _-. .^.^ ^.^^^^^^^5-^^^ aiiu live ^o iiod and ^ A *J2 Paerj. 9. + Lt!kel3. 3. F 1 2 Cor. 7. 10. § Isaiah 1. 13. ;; i 4a 1 1 liii 4ii rightcoufners. They arc called upon while it is time, to eicape damnation. * " Behold, now is the ac- cepted time J behold, now is the day of falvation," if they now turn to the Lord with mourning for their lins, praying foroivcnel's, and following after righteoufncfs. Let i hem not think to put off re* pcntance ; this is increaling their fui, their danger, and their dilliculty. They know not how long, how short a time, I fliould fay, they have to live i and let them not wait for the day of ficknefs or ad- verfity. Adveriity cannct be greater than their prc- fent Hate, except that of bcinjr finally and complete- ly loll : and fitknefs may quite difable them — will certainly in fome degree—from .eing their loft ef- tatc, and from turning to God and thcfure mercies of Chrift, and laying hold on the means and helps to tht redemption and renewal of a lick and flillen foul. Oh ! let not them, or any of us, harden our hearts, as in thcday of provocation, when well nned and believed not God, but to-day, while it is day, let us hear his voice, and enter into his reft ; believe in his Son and obey him. Let us nozu prepare, and be ready, for dying the death of the righteous. Death is that event and time of our cxiftcnce in which we enter into a new ftatc of greater happinefs or niifery, according to our rigliteoufiicls or unright- foufnefs performed here. Then our probation is ended, and our ftate of reward or puniihment com- mences If we have been righteous, it is full of comfort ; if unrighteous, full of terror. Reafon, confcience, our fpirit, witncls to thcfe things — to our prefent and future ftate. At any time during life, or on the confines of death, they are able to witnefs to thefe things. We know, or might know our ftate, if we would aik ourfelves vt^lirthrr «.c ^n^ vfxAv to * '2 C i.r. C. 2. IS time, the aC' nation," ing for ig after : off re* danger, N' long, to live 1 fs or ad- icir pre- UTiplete- Ti — will ■ loft ef- niercies id helps id fallen den our ellnned day, let ilieve in , and be « tcnce in appineft anright- ation is nt corn- full of Reafon, — to our ing life, witnefs mrftate, 43 die the death of ilic righteous. But alas ! howfcl- doni moil men alk thcnilclves this Important .juef- tion ; therefore, how little in general are they pre* pared to anfvver it, rather how afraid in general are they to alk or anfwcr any fuch queftion. If this be their condition, liowever, I fhould fay, that they, for the moft part at Icaft, arc not prepared to die the death ot the righteous, becaufe they have not lived the life of the righteous. Men's own underftandings tell them pretty clearly that if they would have the reward of a righteous man, they muft live the life of a rigliteous man ; and that as they labour for any thing, luch iiiall be their harveft. The word of God, which few never hear, tells them plainly, * '« Be not deceived ; God is not mocked : for whatfoever a pan foweth, that fhall he alfo reap. For he that foweth to his acfli, fhall of the ^efh reap corruption : but he that foweth to the fpirit, fhaU of the fpirit reap hfe evcrlafting." Rcalon and obfervation, fair- ly confulted, would alfo ihev/ ihat Chriftian right- eoufnels is the only true rigliteoufnefs ; and that of ourfelvcs^—our own working without the grace of i.od, we are not equal to it : and the revelation of Jeius Chriit tells us, that of ourfeives we are not fuf- hcicnt even to think any thing as of ourfeives, right- eous m the light of God ; but that through faith in ins bon, we are fuflicient for all righteoufhcfs. I Willi that I could enlarge on this comlbrtable theme, but I muft confine myfelf to a few plain remarks. fne world, the ileih, and the devil, are combined againft us ; v/c are naturally difpofed to ferve them • t '^ the carnal mind is enmity againft God." Yet we muft overcome all thefe diificultics if we would be righteous. How can we think, propofe, exped, or «. i,,„j ..^,1,^ „x* .^.ij3 ^ liguLiiig agamit ouiicives .1 * Gal. 6. 7. 8. + Uoin. 8. 7. 44 I, fiil I l"r '• .1 . I ! and our own nature ; refifting and conqucHng fa many enemies ? Believe only tiiat you can do it, and that great will be your reward and profit in dointij it, and it will be done. Believe only in the pt^wer of God, through Jefus Chrift offered to you. Believe that He, the Son of God, lived and died en earth for our fakes, to give us the Spirit of God, to renew in us all right'="^!ifnef^. Believe in his fufferings, znd his love for -v^ ■ ox this object, that we might love him and obey ..im, and be righteous and happy. Believe in his love for us, and his pur chafe of heav* enly powers and happinefs for us, and we muft love him, and ufe and cultivate his gifts, and refift and refufe every thing at enmity againft him. Believe all this ; and our love of him, and his love for us, will make us dwell in him, and he in us ; and then the world, the flelh and the devil, cannot prevail over us; for *"if God be for us, who can be againft us?** But without God en our fide, without faith in his Son, and in his gifts and promifes,we cannot have de- fire or encouragement, power or fpirit, to work out the righteoufnefs of a Chrift ian, to fee the happineft of one, to exped the reward of one— to love the Lord our God with -^11 our heart, and every neighbour as ourfelves, and as a brother ; we fliall be unequal to living the life of the righteous, and therefore dying the death of the righteous. Jefus Chrift is the only way to happinefs and to Heaven. If we do not build on him we cannot raife up any work of righteouf- nefs, or treafure in Heaven : and where he is preach- ed, his covenant of filvation declared to us, we can- not have any excufe for not accepting it, and con- forming to it. For what can any man fay in de- fence of himfelf, who difregards the chief good and blelling on earth, the Gofpel of our Lord, which eve* * Rom. 8. 31, •♦5 ry righteoti, man fays, is the only way to nVt,teouf. n.ft, and which, when fairly fc.rched and foS and help, fron. Heaven ? What doe? he dcfev^e v • o cares not for all the olfcrs and pron.ifc, the ' <••« ngsandgoodneftofonr Lord; for p^v u C does not deferve to die the death of the riffhtcoV : and he wdl not ; for he has not fouriu or endel , ' ed after or lived the life of the righteou"7t^ - * rore h.s aft end wiU not be with the Lord. B hope and trufi that none of you from this day r-' - day win e >t is day") will henceforth be SL< .- 1 n eSll.!'""' ^'''"'' ^'T'^ Sood, the one tl r. needtul-tlie preparation of your fouls for God v-i fi.r Heaven. I truft t_hat you are perfuaded?! t,-: mmed, 50 prepare without delav for dvin-r the dr . , h of the righteous. To confirm you in du^'refolutioa I (hall proceed to the lail arRuineiU propofeL Laftly, I am to treat of the reM'ard and hapoinefi of bemg always prepared to die the death of the righteous. ^ I have fliewn you that the only prennration for a happy death, Is, to work out ri J.t'eo.JfS "o ft^' to the ipirit to overcome the world, throufh faith and love m Jefus Chrift ; in ftort, to be a tru^e Chrif? Cod Jh^ u ""k". <^''"fi'=".» to tea friend of ^00, and to keep hrs commandments • " doino- -Al hings lieanily astotheLord. and not unto men;" firvJn" r. ^ ''«/'"n.«™.es. but always a Chriftlnr. .ill^ the Lord and waiting for him, that cor. t vi^at hour he xydl, you may be found watcliir,.., and eady to enter into his future kingdom. Thisis be- ing always prepared to die the death of the righteous. » t'olos. 3. 23. It'; I '' i\m Confulcr now the reward and happincfs of being ai A-ays ready for the coming of our Lord. 1 hink of tlie con-. fort of being ready to be abfcnt from the body, and prefcnt with the Lord : to be releafed from this body of fm and death, from the inhrmilies of our nature, and from this fallen and corrupt world, in which the bell ftrangcr and pilgrim in it is not free from labour, and care, and forrow. Think of being ready to go to that ftatc where nei- ther temptation from without or within ourfelvcs, nor ficknefs, nor anxiety of any kind, fliall diilurb or diftrcfsus : where there flvall be " no mcjrc death, norforrow, nor crying, nor pain." And if we are ready to go, we are aifo willing to wait the good time of our Lord ; to remain here fervants and fub- jc^s of preicnt humility, and heirs of future glory- comforted in the opportunity of growing in gract? and knowledge, and adding to our treafure in Heaven* of acquiring a brighter crown of glory- comforted in the opportunity of helping our own fouls, and the fouls of thofe dear to us in this world, in becoming more fit and prepared for more perfect communion with thofe who arc gone before us, and with our Lord and all faints ; rejoiced, and again I lay, rejoiced, in looking forward to the Paradife of our Lord, and to good things, fuch as ^ "eye hath not feen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man." Thefe are the comforts and rewards prefcnt to us and in perfpcdlive, of being always ready for our Lord. Ihefe are the fruits of t " a conCcience void of oflence towards God and man. This is the confequence of our heart not condemning us, and of our being J " ready always to give an anfwer to every man that alketh us a reafon of the hope that is in us** — hope in Jefus Chrift our Lord *1 Cor. 2. 9. tActs 24. 16. +1 Peter 3. 15. 47 Can I add to tlicfe proofs of the hanpincfs of I.ff> ing prepared to die tlic death of (he ri-hteous ? I Can. by turning to the hfc and death of the riirht. eous, Icen or known to us. See Daniel in the den of lions ; Shadrach, Mefliath, a>i,l Abednejro, ready to go to our Lord tlirough the fiery furnarc ; andircour J ,.rd or his Anget. prefcnl with them he den ami the furnace, • " flopping the ntouths ot lions, anil t ■'ffliclion, which IS but tor a moment, worketh for us a far more ex-- IZ"V"'!, ?t<='-"^' weight of glory ; while we look not at the things which arc fecn, but at the thingi which are n<,t leen : for the things which are fee... are temporal : but the things wffich are not fben arc eternal. § « If ye are^Chrift's ye p« tions. When we reOeft , n ^^ ^'^'"^ ^°n''°'«- -nd flattering ^roC&iiiTV^^ ^^^^"^ '^"'""on and ren.cmb^er'^ iTfte i ff „"' '^^^^''f '■"^"^• monlygood healths in ,! ('^"^ * ^^''of imcom- the importance of LL ,„?['' P'^'^P^'^^. and ^vhere difappointmentrafe T„. V"^"'" '" "^'"''". the cruel fpoiler, death In' l^"""""' ""'' ^l'"* turb the peace of the r A, "S!i P""'"^' '° dif- that witnefled the heaven! T'- r ^*'"''' ''"^ ""«= ourdear friend viewed?^/ '°'"P°'^^^' ^ith which and heard herwhrelaWin"."';^'?''"''''' '^'" ^"'h. ing hymns, pr'ainng nd g SJ^'^.T "'"' '''"8- ment doubt a future ftL If - 'a^ '^J '°'' *'"«^ mo- • nghteous ftall receive air/- ''"'^'"'i"' '" ^^''^^ the which (hall fucceeT the tlT"' J^ TT^ '^^"^'^^ have experienced whtle ftLh{L„r^"''"'°"^»'''^y Maker here on earth I '•'"''^""y ^rving 'their rai-/K--seSL? un- liolySpim than eVcr: her i^ ii -^ attention to rcJigion and religious duties had becnV for fume time, daily increafing. She made us a vific about the 20th of March. 1 mention it, becaufe there was fomething uncommonly fcrious and im- prefTive in the converfition of otir fiiciid, which I could not but remark at the time, Kcliginn was the principal fubjcdl ,of her converfuibn, and \ht exprcfled thcgreatclt aftxtety, that we fliould dtvorc our lives more entirely to the fcrvite of our Makcf, and obfcrved that when flie looked back upon lome years of her paft life, Ihe was fhockcd at the luko- warmnefs of her affcdions towards her Saviour, and determined hereafter to live more to his glory and her own immortal interelL Sht exprcflcd the mod fenfible gratitude towards her excellent paftor ; whofc pious example and exhortation, fiie faid, had been the means of awakening her to a greater fenfc of her duty. She faid that fhe had lately fpent a con* fidcrable part of every day and evening in reading ferious books and in religious converlation, to in-» crcafe her 2eal in the fervice of God. At parting (lie faid to me with an air of folemnity, which I fliall never forget j " we lliall perhaps meiet but a few times more on earth j remember that a preparation for death is of the utmoft importance, endeavour With all diligence to cultivate the feeds of grace, that are fpringing in your heart, and may you continue faithful to the folemn profeflion you have made," — She left us and I law her no more until a few hours before her death. She had fome time, before her death, a dream,* *0n the fubjeA of dreams, live opinions of perfons arc various, and every reader is left to enjoy hie own opinion. The letter men- tions fafts merely, without any comment, and of the truih of the fads there can be no doubt. Many of our readers will doubi'eu? rccolleft the cafe of the younger lord Lyttleton, who, when in perfe A health, dreamed of the l!n.eof his death, which happened according to his dream. Editors. ^3 which (he communicated to a number^of her friends fome time bef^„e her iilnefs. I am not in . habit of P^ymp; nriuch attention to dreams } yet this was of fo remarkable a nature, that I cannot but relate it. bhe dreamed that an angel appeared to her and told ^er he had come for her, and (he muft^o with him • fing a hymn firfl, and began Watts' cradle hymn, and lang uncommonly clear and plcafant, until Hie came to the line, " Soft and cafy is thy cradle/' When fhe awaked. Afcerwards, on the evening be- fore (h, was taken ,11, flie Paid, that Ihe had again, in a dream, feen an angel, who told her (he had noth- ing more to do here and mud go with him. She went to bed .v>parently in much better h^alth than ulual ; but awaked in ibout two hours, in mofl vio- Jent diltrefs, from which fge found no relief but in cleath. Ikr Jiforder was of the moll diftrefline kui\ ; y,t (he bore it with the moll exemplary pa- tience, aid never exprefTed a hope or (I may fay) a wiih to recover, *' / // » I did nor know that fhe was in fo dangerous a fitu- ation u-itil Thurfday afternoon, and on Friday morn- mg I arrived at Mr. Cook's about eleven, and found her alive, though llie was thought to be dying. She had her fenfes perfcdly and exprefled great fatisfac tion, that me was permitted to fee me once more and gtve me her Lift inftru6tions. Her bodily ftrength was nearly exhaiifted, but that of her mind was not in the leaft impaired: her voice was quite clear and articulate, but had a hollow found which made every thing fhe faid much more impreffive : and it did nnt appear to fatigue her much to talk. She diligentlv improved this privilege, and ceafed not to exhort thofe prefent to make a ufeful improvement of the Solemn fcene we were then wicneinng, to adore the |i'! 34 goodncfsof God in all his difpenfations, apd to fub^ mit with chterful refignation to his divine will. Soon after I went into the room, Ihc gave me her hand j it was cold, and covered with a death- like per- fpiration j «* take hold of this ice," fhe faid -, I prefT- cd it with both mine and was moft deeply afFeded ; fhe fixed her eyes upon my face and with a look of tender compaflion, faid, " 1 know. My Dear, that you will fenfibly mourn the lofs of me, but you muft not murmur at the juft chaftifements of your Heavenly Father :— bow with humility and cheerfulncfs to his wife and juft decrees :— bear it conftantly in your mind that you muft Ihortly follow me—And O ! that you might be enabled fo to live — that you may on your death- bed, receive that divine afliftance which at this moment fupports me, and which even in the agonies of death, raifes me above bodily pain, and will foon, 1 truft, tranfport my foul to endlefs happi- nefs." She compofed herfelf a (hort time, and then offer- ed up to the throne of grace, a moft excellent and afFeding prayer, that God would confole her dear, afilided huft:)and, and her other de^r friends j flie prayed for all people, her enemies as well as others j that finners might be brought to fee the evil of their ways, and turn to the Lord and live -, moft fervently did Ihe pray for the intereft of Zion, that Chrift's kingdom might be built up and eftabliihed through- out the earth, and laftly, for herfelf, that God would have compaflion on her weaknefs, and enable her, to the laft, to bear her pains with Chriftian patience, that he would be her ftafFand fupport through the dark valley of the Ihadow of death -, that he would grant her a quick and eafv oaflaffe to the arm«5 nf ln*.r lour i that ftie might join her dear departed frien finging eternal hallelujahs to God the Father, the Son, and God the Holy Ghuft i Amen. whPni^J 1i ""^"'^ ^^^ moments to be dyin<. of God rprZ. i T • -P ','^^' '"PP°" "1^— O Lamb -y Jcrusi^;Po"rSiy!-.'"^' '"^''•'^"'^■'' "- herfelfaw*',';!'' ^"°" 8™^ ^^fi^-". ^•nd. after repofin.. tha (he m Jh'r 7°r '' """""\her exhortations to us! appearing a little mo^e favoi;bt ^Toi'T""^' anxjous chat 11. Ihould takeTnrm^rf medic.r "pon her to tafe . \Za , ^^'th^efore prevailed, ib much pain j that I mav hi ?.. ' • u ^*''" '"^ of my Saviour. Thsdav T ^^^^ ^"^^^ P'l^^^'^ce in Paradife where Th. ^' ^ ^'""P^ ^^ ^^ "^''^ ^^'"1 wretched finners. of whom Ta^tlf c^i^-P.^llJ a-'/ be to uod. who throueh the merits" of I, ;^ «' hath granted me peace and pardoTZm i"! ^''"• -ghrall be made LfiWe of SS™ JLt'C i« " y and devote your lives more fully to the fervice of the Lord. Remember the injunflions of a dying friend, and endeavour to live to the glory of God, in the ftrid performance of every chriftian duty ; be con- ftant and regular in family prayer, and will you, Mr. Stewart, preach it to your people, exhort and per- fuade theni nor to negleft this moft eflential duty j— declare to them, " the whole counfel of God.'* Dif- play to them, the terrors of the law, and the delights of the golpel. May God blefsyou, and profper your pious exertions for building up his Church here in the wildernefs, and may you be the means of per- fuading many fmners to turn to the Lord, that they may find mercy." — Mr. Stewart told her that it would be his chief happinefs to remember and fulfil her requefts ; he prayed God that he might profit by her pious example, and was confident the impref- fions of that rnoment >yould never wear away. She thanked him, for all his goodnefs to her, and look- ing at us all, (he faid, " do not mourn to excefs ; I leave you in the hands of God, perfeverem the good work you have begun, and we Ihall foon meet again never more to be feparated.'* Again furveying u.«« as we were weeping around her — " mourn not for me,'* Ihe faid, " but for yourfelves — to this fituation you muft all be brought, how foon you know not — be ready therefore, that you may not be called away iinprepared." Being confiderably fatigued, (lie beg- ged we would leave her and go and take fome re- fiefhment, v/hile fhe flept. We went and flie flept quite cafy for fome time. After this, her turns of diftrefs grew more fi equcnt, fhe thought herfelf go- ing fa^-, and defired that we would all fit down by her ; The then requeued me to fing a hymn, in which (he joined, rather feebly at fii ft, but, when we <;am^ tp the laft verfe. ncc of the fing friend^ rod, in the ; be con- II you, Mr. t and pen- al duty J— od." Dif- he delights ofper your ch here in ns of per- , that they ler that it rand fulfil ight profit he impref- way. She and look- excefs ; I n the good neet again veying un rn not for is fituation now not — tiled away d, (lie beg- fome re- d flie flept ;r turns of lierfelf go- t down by i, in which I we qAtn^ 57 " Jcfu8 can make a dying bed"^* her voice rofe and I tiilnk I never heard her fine id clearly in my life. Mr. Stewart then oraved wirh Ll ^hich (he faid afforded her grearrS Jnt / ""-'; 1.^' P-p!^ -"^d in ; L requeftSTat I^^ might all come into the room that\e might be a advice. She had her rcafon to the laft^and after J fevere turn of djftrefs, in which (he lad Zved to wards the fbre-fide of the bed, Where i was fminT ihe caft up her eyes, and faying in a fervent manned "I fee the glories of Chrift's kingdom/^Tr?DTrit departed without a ftruggle, at juft poWk iSe ed"'as"Sr '^h'h^'-^^ "^^^' ^"^ rather fncrea? ed as her Itrength diminifhed. The funeral was at ended at eleven o'clock on the next Sabba h f a^ there >^ as a large colledion of people and many fin cere mourners for the dca.h'of^his trul'^u; * Z^^ .^°"'^ ^<^ ft^^t «nd fear to die ? What tim rous worms we mortals are ! Death IS the gate of endlefs joy, And y-t wc dread to enter there. The pains, the groans, the dying ftrife. Strfl we flinnk back again to life, . Fond of our prifon and our clay. ^W^r'^^h'''? "^^"'^ ^°"« and meet. My fou fhould ftretch her wings in halle, Flv fearlefs through death's iron gate. Nor fcei the terrors as (he pafs'd. Jefuscan make a dying bed Feel foft as downy pillows arc. While on his breaft I lean my head. -Tina Drwthe my iifc out fweetly there. lit I'll.:, III -is, • ! ( t ! INSCRIPTICN M^anArED ok the tomb-stokk Movt ro bk tlac,t> orirt ^Up O^A^n Of M«. „. COOK, ,^ ^„, BV.ML^a.ov^^ AT tbI r^S EASTERN PARt Of THE SEIGNIORT Of ST. ARMAnZ lO/rSR CANADA, ARMAND^ HERE SLEEPS THE BODY OF Mrs. Hannah Cook^ Wife of GEORGE COOK, Esquire, of this Seigniory. In the various charaAeis of Wife, Neighbour and Friend, flie faithfully took her pattern from ' the religion of Jesus. She died as Ihe Jived, like a Chriftian, on the 21ft of April, A. D. 1809, aged 42 years. Reader! would'ft thou be ufeful and happy here, and blefTed forever ? Imitate her example. " Bleffid are the dead which die in the Lord:* Jerus can mate a dying bed Feel foft as downy pillows are, While on his breaft 1 lean my head. And breathe my life out fweetly there. i^M if ~?![^^!*9njai«-^ '-ISi^ 'GROUND AT TBS ONGkKGAriON IS f 5T. ARMjIVD^ OK, -SQUIRE, ghbour, and ■tn from on the 2ift years. py here, and mple. V