599: 
 
? G 
 
\TheJirm Belief of a future Reward a powerful 
 Motive to Obedience and a good Life. 
 
 SERMON 
 
 PREACHED 
 
 A T 
 
 CHRIST CHURCH 
 
 In BOSTON, 
 
 AUGUST 20. 1765. 
 At the FUNERAL of the 
 
 Rev. TIMOTHY CUTLER, D.D. 
 
 LATE RECTOR OF SAID CHURCH. 
 
 By HENRY CANER, A. M. 
 
 MINISTER OF KING'S CHAPEL. 
 
 Fublifh'd at the Requeft of the Wardens and Veftry of 
 Chrift Church. 
 
 BOSTON: 
 
 PRINTED BY THOMAS AND JOHN FLEET IN CORNHJLL, 
 
 MDCCLKV . 
 

 
 - 
 
[ 3 1 
 
 THE FUTURE REWARD 
 
 SUITABLE MOTIVE OF RELIGION. 
 
 HEBREWS XL 26. 
 
 For he had refpeft unto the recompense 
 of the reward. 
 
 TO difengage yourfelves fometimes from the 
 little interefts and amufements of life, to 
 call off the mind from fenfual purfuits to 
 ferioufnefs and recolle&ion, is both highly ufe~ 
 ful in itfelf, and is alfo matter of pofitive duty, 
 recommended in various precepts of holy writ. 
 
 By a long and clofe attention to the plea- 
 fures, the bufinefs, but efpecially the vanities of 
 life, men grow infenfible to things of more 
 fokrou confequence; the mind gradually ac 
 quires 
 
 M180580 
 
lilfc \ [ 4 1 
 
 quires a kind of habitual flupidity as to fpiritual 
 pleafures, and in confequence of this a fatal dif- 
 relifh of them too ; for the faculties of the 
 mind as well as of the body, are improved and 
 brightned by proper exercife, and acquire their 
 various taftes of pleafure and averfion from the 
 objefts upon which they are chiefly employed, 
 
 As this is a flate which oftentimes infenfibly 
 fteals upon a Chriftian, from that neceflary in- 
 tercourfe with fcnfual objefts which the condi 
 tion of his nature requires ; it becomes a matter 
 of great importance, frequently to examine the 
 temper and difpofition of the foul; its love and 
 averfion, its fatisfa&ion and diftafte, that we 
 may be enabled to judge, whether its chief 
 pleafure be rational, and becoming the dignity 
 of its high original ; but efpecially to look for 
 ward to that folemn period, which muft fhortly 
 clofe the fcene of all prefent enjoyments, and 
 lay open an unclouded prolpetft of eternity. 
 To render this profped defirable now, and a- 
 greeable when it arrives, the example recorded 
 in the text may be highly ufeful, fince neither 
 the troubles nor temptations of this life, can 
 have much influence upon him, who by a lively 
 faith and fteadfaft hope has refycft to fhe re- 
 commence of the reward* 
 
 The 
 
[ 5 ] 
 
 . The author of this epiftle, at the 6th verfe 
 of this chapter had laid down this general pro- 
 pofition, that God is a re-warder of them that 
 diligently feck him ; and that the belief of this 
 proportion is neceffary to invite our addrefles 
 and application to him ; to encourage us in the 
 way of godlinefs, to confirm our diligence and 
 perfeverance, and more efpecially to animate 
 and fupport us under the affli&ions and perfe- 
 cutions which at any time befall us. In proof 
 of what he had aflerted, he proceeds to exem 
 plify the truth of it, by adducing fundry in- 
 ftances of holy men, who, in virtue of this faith, 
 (i. e. the firm belief that God would finally 
 reward them for their fufferings) had chear- 
 fully undergone the fevereft inftances of per- 
 fecution, and had even laid down their lives in 
 the joyful expectation of a glorious reward, 
 which God had referved for them in heaven. 
 The particular infiance in the text, by a pe 
 culiar difpofition of divine providence, did not 
 indeed proceed to this laft extremity, God 
 having preferved this man to become the in- 
 ftrument of a moft wonderful and gracious 
 ceconomy, which, agreeable to the purpofes of 
 his wifdom, was then ripe for being difclofed 
 to the world. But in the firmnefs of his vir 
 tue, 
 
C 
 
 tue, the ftrength and refolution of his faith, 
 and his confidence of an invifible reward, he 
 expofed himfelfto very great trials, and even to 
 the apparent danger of laying down his life a 
 facrifice to his faith* 
 
 He had a great intereft in the Egyptian 
 court, and flood fair for being advanced to the 
 higheft honours and interefts of it ; and yet he 
 voluntarily reje&ed and defpifed thefe advan 
 tages, in profpeft of a future recompence ; 
 chufing, as the apoftle fays, rather to fujfer 
 affiiSion -with the people of God, than to enjoy 
 the pleafures of fen for a feafon. 
 
 We fee then what force there is in this mo 
 tive of a future reward, when firmly believed. 
 We fee what influence it had in fa6t upon 
 thofe many worthies whom the apoftle hath re 
 corded. Why is that influence abated in latter 
 ages ? Is the reward lefs certain to us than it 
 was to them ? Or is the profpeft of it obfcur d 
 under the prefent clifpenfation of the gofpel ? 
 Nay verily, it is glorioufly opened and enlarged* 
 We have not only their teftimony, but a cloud 
 of witnefles befides, inviting us to run the race 
 that is jtt before us with faith and patience, 
 
 looking 
 
[ 7 1 
 
 . 
 
 looking efpecially to Jefits the author andfini/her 
 of that faith, who for the joy that was fet before 
 him, endured the crofs, dejpijlng the Jbame, and 
 is now poffefled of the reward, being fet down 
 at the right hand of the throne of God. 
 
 Blefled be God ! we are not called to fo 
 fevere ah exercife of our faith, we have neither 
 refitted, nor have we been required to refift 
 unto blood, in our warfare with fin. So much 
 eafier is our task, than that which fell to the 
 lot of God s faints under the old diipenfation, 
 or than that which became the portion of thofe 
 champions who were firft charged with propa 
 gating the new. They are the pleafures, not the 
 per&cutions, the honours, not the terrors of the 
 world, with which we are required to contend ; 
 die riches and interefts, the ambition and vani 
 ty, the lufis and corruptions that folicit our 
 regards ; thefe caft a veil over the profpeft of 
 future glories, and dim the brightnefs of the 
 unfading crown of immortality. But if our 
 religion has provided us with motives that are 
 diffident to fupport men under perfecutions 
 and fufferings, furely the fame motives fhould be 
 allowed fufficient to conquer the paflions and 
 pleafures, the lufts and vanities of the world, 
 with all other finful temptations that befet us. 
 
 Some 
 
 
[ 8 ] 
 
 Some indeed have refined upon the apoftle's 
 doftrine, by declaring, that however the profpeft 
 of a reward might be admitted as an encourage 
 ment to men under the former fervile difpen- 
 fation, yet it is unworthy to enter into the re 
 gards of a chriftian, who ought to be influenced 
 by more generous motives, nor admit any thing 
 as an encouragement to duty, but what folely 
 terminates upon the love of God and Chrift; 
 every thing but this, they efteem felfifh and 
 mercenary, unworthy the fpirit of the gofpel. 
 This I apprehend to be refining upon the 
 chriftian religion, fince not only the old tefta- 
 ment worthies looked forward to the glories 
 which fhould after be revealed, but the chriftian 
 faints and martyrs were encouraged to contend 
 for the prize of their high calling, to prefs 
 forward towards it, and to have rejpeft to the 
 recompence of reward, to the crown of life, 
 which God hath referved for fuch as love him. 
 Nay, and to put the matter beyond all difpute, 
 our blefled Saviour hirnfelf is faid to have 
 endured the crofs,for the joy that was fct before 
 him. We may therefore very well efteem this 
 motive as a lawful fpur and incentive to duty, 
 which is confefledly allowed to have animated 
 the faints under the old teftament, and martyrs 
 under the new, and even to have attracted the 
 regards of the captain of our falvation himfelf. 
 
[ 9 1 
 
 Befides,.it ought to be confidered, that the 
 very reward itfelf, which is held forth to en 
 courage us, can in its own nature have no 
 weight or influence, till the love of God has 
 taken place in the heart. They diftinguifh 
 therefore without a difference, who make the 
 love of God, and the defire of a future reward 
 inconfiftent with each other. For wherein 
 does the future reward coniift, but in the 
 enjoyment of God, and thofe pleafures which 
 perpetually flow from the blefied vifion of him, 
 and the capacity of tianfcribing continually 
 his perfections ? But as great a happinefs as 
 this is, it cannot, when truly under flood, be 
 fought after, or even defired, by tliofe who are 
 d-eftitute of the love of God. A man muft 
 have a real affe6tion for God, muft be renewed 
 after the divine image, in righteoufnefs and true 
 holinefs, before he is really capable of having a 
 due rejp&& to the recommence of -reward, before 
 he can feel the want, or perceive the excellency 
 of it, or be at all influenced by it. They quite 
 miftake the thing, and fhew themfelves to be 
 entirely ignorant of the nature of the future 
 ftate, who imagine it to confift in any thing, 
 but a larger participation of God's moral per 
 fections, and a conftant eternally uninterrupted 
 
 B improvement 
 
[ 10 ] 
 
 improvement in them. This is the heavenly 
 lite, to be conftantly beholding, admiring, 
 praifing, imitating God, and improving in new 
 and further degrees of moral and fpiritual 
 perte&ion : And in this alfo confifts the future 
 reward. To look for any other, or to enter- 
 tertain any other lower notion or conception 
 of it than this, is rather to expeft a mahome- 
 tan paradife than a chriflian heaven. 
 
 And I wifh this were more thoroughly con- 
 lidered and weighed than I fear it commonly 
 is. I am perfuaded it would have a good effect 
 upon mens lives, and would perhaps teach 
 foine people to fear and tremble at their con 
 dition, who think themfelves in a fair way to 
 heaven : For too many look upon the future 
 ftace rather as a place than a condition. It is 
 like fome fine and healthful climate (they think) 
 where, as there will be no place for pain or 
 evil, or mifery, for ficknefs or forrow, for trou 
 ble or difappointment ; fo it will abound with 
 the moft agreeable pleafures, the moft ravifhing 
 delights and entertainments, that their hearts 
 can wifh for. But then unfortunately they too 
 often form their notions of the pleafures and 
 entertainments they (hall receive, from thofe 
 
 enjoyments 
 
[ M 1 
 
 enjoyments with which they have. been chiefly 
 delighted here, only they imagine that they will 
 be fome how or other greatly improved and re- 
 find beyond what they have ever yet experienced. 
 Now where fuch fenfual notions as thefe pre 
 vail, 'tis no wonder that men fhould be carelefs 
 and negligent of their lives, lince if they have 
 but time to ask mercy and forgivenefs of God 
 and to allure him that they have no hatred or 
 aveiiion to him, but .[are fincerely deiirous of 
 going to heaven, they conclude they have done 
 enough to engage the divine companion, and 
 that God will therefore undoubtedly hearken 
 10 their requefts. But now fhould thefe men 
 have their eyes open d, and be taught to fee 
 that heaven and a future reward are quite dif 
 ferent things from what they have all along 
 apprehended them to be, that they confift in a 
 divine temper and difpofition of foul, which is 
 form'd after the image of God, and participates 
 of his nature and perfections, and that in pro 
 portion to the degrees of this fpiritual improve 
 ment, are the degrees of their happinefs and 
 enjoyment ; that thefe joys and that happinefs 
 are impoflible to be entertained or embraced, 
 but by thofe who have previoufly acquired fuch 
 a conformity to the image of God. I fay if 
 
 B 2 all 
 
[ la } 
 
 all this were firmly entertained, and men em 
 braced thefe, which are the true notions of future 
 happinefs ; they would be in much lefs danger 
 of misjudging their own condition, and would 
 be more felicitous of acquiring that holinefs 
 here, without which they will never be admitted 
 to fee God hereafter. 
 
 It is a folly for any man to flatter or deceive 
 himfelf in a matter of fuch infinite concernment 
 as that of eternal happinefs, but 'tis terrible to 
 think of an everlafting exiftence in mifery= 
 The affair in regard to each muft be fettled 
 fn this life, after which it becomes irreverfible. 
 The future judgment makes no real alteration, 
 it is only declaratory of what we ourfelves 
 eftabiifh, by our own good or ill conduft in 
 life. The capacity will indeed be enlarged 
 after that event, to feel a full flow of happi 
 nefs, or the full weight of God's wrath refpec- 
 tively, according to the fentence of each. But 
 they are in a conditional ftate of election or 
 reprobation previous to that period, and would 
 they but impartially weigh their own temper 
 and difpofition, and conduft towards God, they 
 might nearly form a judgment of their ftate, 
 and by thus judging themfelves by a proper 
 care and circumfpe6lion might be led to pre 
 vent the judgment of God. T , 
 
Thus have I endeavoured to illuftrate ancf 
 confirm the apoftolic dodbrine in the text, by 
 proving that it is lawful to have refpeft to the 
 recompence of reward, And if this doftrine 
 be true, what a noble motive is it, to fupport 
 the chriftian under the greateft troubles and 
 difficulties that can befall him in this life ? 
 
 The force of this motive would appear in 
 deed to greater advantage by confidering the 
 nature of that reward which we are thus en 
 couraged to afpire after. But in truth, of this 
 I am able to fay but little for the things 
 that God hath referved for us in heaven, are too 
 big for utterance, or even for conception. 
 The mind is overborn and finks under the 
 weight of its own images, when it labours to 
 comprehend the glories of tfie future ftate. 
 Glorious things are indeed fpoken of the city 
 of God in the holy fcriptures ; but a perfect 
 and diftinft image of them is beyond mortal 
 apprehenfion. And therefore it is that the 
 joys and glories of that ftate are reprefented 
 by crowns and fceptres, and fuch other enfigns- 
 of royalty and fplendor, as imply the greateft 
 dignity and enjoyment thac we are acquainted 
 with. Imperfect however as our conceptions 
 
 are. 
 
[ '4 1 
 
 are, they are fufficient to animate our fortitude 
 under triak and temptations, and to inlpire us 
 with diligence and induftry in the work of the 
 Lord, fmce we have the higheft afTurance that 
 our labour fliall not be in vain in the Lord. 
 
 Even that folemn employment of ours (my 
 reverend brethren) filled with fb many cares 
 and inquietudes, and requiring fo much firm- 
 nefs and diligence, fo much wifdom and pru 
 dence to render it fuccefsful, if it be difcharged 
 with integrity and a good confcience, will meet 
 with a reward infinitely beyond all the labours 
 and difficulties of it ; for they who are thus 
 wife we are told fliaU fltine as the bnghtnefs of 
 the firmament, and they that turn many to righ- 
 teoufnefs as the flars for ever and ever. 
 
 Were it indeed poflible for me to reprcfent 
 the joys of that blefled kingdom, and the never 
 fading pleafures that flow at God's right hand 5 
 could I defcribe the exalted fatisfadion that 
 arifes from the blefled vifion of God, from the 
 company and converfation of faints and angels, 
 of cherubim and feraphim, the noble army of 
 martyrs, the fpirits of juft men made perf eft, 
 the general aflembly and church of the firft- 
 
 born. 
 
<S JJ 
 
 born, but above all from the fmiles of Jefus 
 the redeemer, the mediator of the new cove 
 nant ; could I paint thefe, and the thoufand 
 other excellencies and entertainments with 
 which that ftate abounds in their proper co 
 lours, and were your faculties alfo enlarged and 
 flrengthned to apprehend them ; then fhould 
 I not doubt of perfuading every one here pre~ 
 fent to defpife the difficulties, the dangers and 
 temptations that befet them in this mortal 
 ftate, tho' they were indeed much greater and 
 more numerous than they truly are, 
 
 In view of this recompence, and fupported 
 by the profpeft of this glorious reward, our 
 departed friend and brother was not only en 
 couraged to difcharge the important dudes of 
 that ftation to which the providence of God 
 had call'd him, with fidelity and diligence ; but 
 was alfo enabled to undergo a long and grievous 
 weight of affliction, which the fame wife and 
 righteous providence thought fit to lay upon 
 him, with exemplary patience, fortitude and 
 refignation. Earneftly defirous indeed he was 
 to bring glory to God, and to promote the 
 happinefs and falvation of men, particularly 
 of the flock committed to his charge by # 
 
 further 
 
I It ] 
 
 farther exercife of his miniftry, yet referred 
 .his dcfires to the will and wifdom of his blef- 
 fed matter, who beft knows how to difpofe of 
 his fei vants, and what inftruments to employ 
 for effcfting the purpofes of his grace. Few 
 men indeed have had a larger opportunity of 
 exercifing the minifterial fun&ion, or fewer in 
 terruptions in it ; and very few I am perfuaded 
 have made a more faithful and diligent ufe of 
 the opportunities afforded them. For above 
 thirty, years (I fuppofe) he was fcarce de 
 tained a day, by ficknefs or fuch like accident, 
 from officiating in the public duties of the 
 church; but it pleafed God in his righteous 
 providence, for the laft nine years of his life, 
 to lay him under an incapacity for public fer- 
 vice. Such a long couiie of preceeding health 
 was certainly a very fingular bleffing of God, 
 which this worthy perfon failed not to improve 
 to the beft advantage of himfelf, and of the 
 people committed to his charge. 
 
 As he was born and educated in this neigh 
 bourhood, he was fo generally well known a- 
 mong you, that I can offer little in the way of 
 ehara&er concerning this faithful fervant of 
 p but what nxoft of you are already well 
 
 acquainted 
 
L '7 I 
 
 acquainted with; It may however be a fatis- 
 faftion to fome who had lefs knowledge of him 
 to be infrm'd ; that under the advantage of a 
 good natural capacity, joined with fingular dili 
 gence and application, he made an early pro 
 ficiency in ufeful literature, and was according 
 ly foon diftinguifhed as likely to become emi 
 nent in his profefllon. As he turned his mind 
 chiefly to theological ftudies, and the cultiva 
 tion of thofe languages that might afTilt him 
 in acquiring a competent knowledge of'ecclc- 
 fiaftical hiftory, he had foon a call to the fnini- 
 ftry in a neighbouring government. ' The ducies 
 of this itation he difcharged with indefatigable 
 diligence and fidelity, and acquired the univerfal 
 love and refpeft of his people. But he was not 
 fuffer'd to continue long here. His learning, 
 and piety, his wifdom and prudence, joined with 
 an excellent fpirit of government, recommend 
 ed him to a ftill more public employment, and 
 he was accordingly chofen to prefide over a femi- 
 nary of learning which had then newly been 
 eftablifhed. This preferment he enjoyed with 
 honour to himfelt, and with the approbation 
 of the public, till in the courfe of reading and 
 critical enquiry, he found himfelf under a necef- 
 lity of conforming to the church of England. 
 This event occaflon'd his difmiffion from that 
 
 C honourable 
 
honourable employment ; and it may juftly 
 as well as charitably be fuppofed, that nothing 
 but the obligations of confcience could have 
 induced him, under the burden of a large and 
 increafing family, and without any certain prof- 
 pefts, to throw up all prefent vifible fupportc 
 In this critical junfture however he providen 
 tially received an invitation to qualify himfelf 
 for performing the minifterial office in this 
 church. He look'd upon this as a difpofition 
 of divine providence in his favour, and there 
 fore readily accepted the invitation, and pro 
 ceeded to England to offer himfelf for holy 
 orders. His reputation for learning and good 
 morals, with the recommendatory teftimonies he 
 carried from hence, foon procured him what he 
 defired, and moreover engaged the notice of 
 many eminent perfons at both univerfity's, from 
 each of which he received the compliment of 
 an honorary degree of Dodor in Divinity. After 
 a fhort fby in England he returned and entered 
 upon the duties of his parifh. 
 
 How faithfully in word in doftrine and ex 
 ample he has fince difcharged the paftoral office, 
 you, his peculiar charge, his dear children in 
 the gofpel, with whom he travailed in birth 
 that Chrift might be formed in you, are beft 
 
 able 
 
L '9 ,]' 
 
 able to teftify. But others alfo can witnefs-td'- 
 his wifdom and prudence, to his tender care"' 
 and folicitude to preferve peace and unity in 
 the church, or to reftore it where it was want 
 ing. He was inflexible indeed in his principles/ 
 thefe he accounted facred. And as he had de 
 liberately entertained a high opinion of the 
 conftitution of the church of England, fo he 
 was ever zealous in its defence. At the fame 
 time he took particular care not to vary from 
 its rules, but endeavoured to fupport its in- 
 terefts and preferve its authority with great 
 integrity. His firmnefs and zeal, his attach 
 ment and perfeverance in the true faith and 
 principles of the chriftian religion deferve the 
 greateft notice, at a time when fo many fit 
 loofe to the fundamental articles of it, think 
 lightly of the great myfteries of our redemption 
 by Chrift, and if they flop (hort of barefaced 
 infidelity, plunge into the gulph or dead fea of 
 latitudinarianifm, under the fpecious name of 
 morality. 
 
 In ftiort our departed friend was a wife, a 
 learned, and pious man, a good chriftian, a 
 faithful fteward of the myfteries of God, a tried 
 foldier and champion of Jefus Chrift, who ia 
 profpe& of the recompence of the reward that 
 
 C 2 was 
 
was fet before him defpifed the frowns and flat 
 teries of the world, maintained his great mafters 
 caufe with undaunted courage and fteadfaft re- 
 folution, and is now (we truft) enter'd into the 
 poflelfion of the joy of his Lord. 
 
 It may poffibly be obje&ed that I have fallen 
 Ihort of faying what this great and eminently 
 worthy perfon deferved I am fenfible I have 
 fo. Let it be my apology, that for very many 
 years I have had the honour of an intimate 
 friendihip with him ; and I chofe rather to be 
 deficient, than by faying all that he deferved, 
 to open the voice of flander, or provoke the 
 fting of envy. I will venture to add, that it 
 will be no unbecoming teftimony of our regard 
 to pray that the great Lord of the harveft will 
 fend forth more fuch faithful labourers into his 
 harveii 
 
 As to you whom nature and family connec 
 tions had render'd more particularly dear to 
 him, who were happy- in. his l ve > guided by his 
 counfels, and comforted by his prefence, you 
 cannot indeed but mourn the lofs of a tender 
 husband and an affe&ionate father; yet let both 
 remember from whofe wife and righteous pro 
 vidence the vifitation is derived, and let that 
 
 compofe 
 
compofe your minds. Blefs God that the en 
 joyment was continued to you fo long, that he 
 was not gathered to the grave but in peace and 
 in a good old age. Be perfuaded to caft your 
 hope and truft upon that rock of ages, who is 
 a never failing refuge to fuch as confide in him. 
 Make him then your friend, your husband^ 
 your father, and your comforter. Submit your 
 wills to his with a perfect refignation, and he 
 will lead you fafely by his counfel thro' this 
 wildernefs of forrow and affliction,, and after 
 that beftow on you " the recompence of the 
 reward," a never fading crown of life and glory. 
 
 And now as to you the people of his charge^ 
 to whom God had entrufted the care of your 
 fouls ; you cannot eafily forget this your fpiricual 
 father ; tho' God had for feme years paft fuf- 
 pended him from his paftoral duty, and hath 
 now called him to himfelf, yet you cannot but: 
 remember with gratitude, his former work and 
 labour of love. Call to mind his frequent ex 
 hortations and earneft entreaties, that you 
 would hearken to the voice of Jefus Chrift in 
 the gofpel, that you would clofe with the terms 
 of falvation 1 offer'd by him, and by repentance, 
 faith and obedience get an intereft in the pro- 
 
 miles* 
 
[ 22 ] 
 
 mifes of the new covenant. He has led you 
 with affectionate tendernefs, as a fliepherd does 
 his flock. He has fed you with the fincere 
 milk of the word, that you might grow thereby, 
 and be nouriihed up unto life eternal. Being 
 a ready fcribe, inftru&ed in the will of God, he 
 brought forth out of his treafures things new and 
 old, and made you ^abundant partakers of fpiri- 
 tual things. He ceafed not for above thirty 
 years to warn every man, and teach every man 
 that he might prefent you faidtlefs before the 
 throne of glory ivith exceeding joy both to him- 
 felf and you.-^-He is now gone to give account 
 of his ftewardflhip to the great Lord of all, 
 who referveth the recompence of reward for 
 fuch as have been faithful in his fervice. Recall 
 to mind his admonitions and pious inftrudrtions, 
 fo, altho' he be dead, he (hall yet fpeak to you 
 in thofe falutary do&rines and godly exhorta 
 tions, he formerly delivered. 
 
 And while you thus bear in remembrance his 
 faichfulnefs and diligence in your fervice, be not 
 unmindful to {hew kindnefs to his houfe. The 
 widow and the fatherlefs are always entitled to 
 the tendereft regards, but more efpecially fo, 
 where particular connections and obligations 
 concurr to recommend them to your notice and 
 
 affe&ions, rr* 
 
 lo 
 
To conclude, having the recompence of the 
 jreward in view, a glorious crown of life and 
 immortality, let us all both minifters and peo 
 ple after the worthy example of our departed 
 brother, determine to be fteadfaft and unmove- 
 able in the faith and obedience of the gofpel, 
 in fpite of all the difficulties and difcourage- 
 ments that may befet us, relying on the grace 
 of Chrift, who in like manner in profpe-fl of 
 the joy that was fet before him endured infi 
 nitely greater trials than fall to the lot of any 
 of us. And how inexpreffible will that joy be 
 to every one who (hall thus in the faith and in 
 the fear of God, perfevere unto the end. 
 How refrefhing a confolation in particular will 
 every confcientious paftor of the chriftian church 
 find in himfelf, when at the clofe of his la 
 bours, when the evening of life begins to 
 lengthen his fhadbw and the grave threatens 
 to caft a veil of darknefs- around him, he can 
 look back on a life early dedicated, and faith 
 fully fpentin the fervice of God, and his church? 
 How chearful thoughts, and what comfortable 
 expe&ations will he have on his death bed? 
 When he (hall have good ground to hope, that 
 as he has endeavoured to fit and prepare others 
 for that fokmn fcene, and for a happy change^ 
 
 fo 
 
C H 
 
 fo by the merits and mediation of his ever 
 blefled redeemer his own fins fhall be blotted 
 out, and his labours accepted before the great 
 tribunal. How happy to be 'able to fay with 
 the great apoflle, e< I have fought a good fight, 
 I have kept the faith, I have finifh'd my courfe, 
 henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of 
 life." How much happier ftill to hear that 
 bleiled welcome of his Lord, " Well done 
 good and faithful fervant, thou haft been faith 
 ful over a few things, I will make thee ruler 
 over many things, enter thou into the joy of 
 thy Lord." 
 
 Let me fhut up this whole difcourfe with 
 that exhortation of the apoftle dire&ed alike 
 to all whether paftors or people. 
 
 " My beloved brethren be ye fteadfaft un- 
 moveable always abounding in the work of the 
 Lord, knowing that your labour {hall not be in 
 vain in the Lord." 
 
 To God the Father the Son and the Holy 
 Ghoft be all Glory and Honor Dominion and 
 Power now and forevermore. AMEN. 
 
THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY