ble of thein. I shall point but to a few things, which, though less heinous in their nature, tend to the contempt and disrespect of the clergy.

And first, the least imputation of covetousness doth a great deal of mischief this way. And you know it will be reckoned covetousness in you, which is not so in others. You will be more blamed for taking your own, than they for encroaching on their neighbours. And therefore, to prevent this imputation, so far as the meanness of a minister's provision, and necessity of his family, will permit, he should show himself frank and liberal in his dealings, especially with the poorer sort.

Another occasion of contempt is, the too much frequenting the company of the laicks, and a vain and trifling conversation among them. It was a wise saying, whoever he was that spoke it, Quotidiana clericorum cum laicis conversatio contemptibiles ipsos reddit. And that of Hierom to Nepotian is very observable, Facilc contemnitur clericus si ad prandium invitatus sæpius veniat. A minister, in his conversation, ought carefully to avoid all foolish and excessive jesting, and immoderate mirth. I could never think it a good character of a clergyman, to call him a merry fellow, or a notable droll; and yet I do not condemn all cheerfulness and freedom, nor the innocent exercise of wit: but it is one thing to make use of these now and then, when they come in our way-and another, to search and hunt after them; and those who have the knack of it, are ready enough to fall into excess.

A third thing which will bring a clergyman into contempt, is, an unallowable patience in hearing his master dishonoured by the oaths and profane talk of those of whom he standeth in awe. My brethren, if we had no more but the common principles of ingenuity and honour, they might make us resent these as greater affronts than if men should spit in our faces: and yet this is but one of the meanest engagements that lie upon us, to check these exhorbitances with the greatest severity.

I shall name but another, and it is this: when men, on design to avoid this contempt, would seem to dis

claim their employment, by imitating the habit and deportment of secular persons; when they study the gentleman so much, that they forget the clergyman. If we be ashamed of our own employment, no wonder if others despise it. Far different were the thoughts of that worthy gentleman, and excellent minister, whom I named before, that sweet singer of Israel, Mr. Herbert, who, the same night that he was admitted into the office of the ministry, said to his friend, "I now look back on my aspiring thoughts, and I think myself more happy, than if I had obtained what I so ambitiously thirsted for. And I can now behold the court with an impartial eye, and see plainly, that it is made up of fraud, and titles, and flattery, and many such other imaginary painted pleasures. My greatest ambition from henceforth shall be, that I bring glory to my Jesus, whom I have this day taken to be my master and governor; and am so proud of his service, that I will always observe and obey, and do his will, and always call him Jesus my master. I will always contemn my birth, and any title or dignity that can be conferred upon me, when I shall compare them with the title of being a Priest, and serving at the altar of Jesus my master.'

I am afraid I have encroached too far on your patience. I shall close all with a serious obtestation of our great apostle to Timothy; which you may believe I durst not utter in my own name, but in the name of the great master of us all: I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing, and his kingdom: preach the word, be instant in season, and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. And the Lord of his mercy, so assist and prosper us all in his own work, that we may be the happy instruments of advancing his kingdom, and the welfare of souls, through Jesus Christ our Lord. To whom, &c.

SERMON

PREACHED AT THE FUNERAL

OF THE

REV. HENRY SCOUGAL, A.M.

BY GEORGE GAIRDEN, D.D.

PHIL. I. 21.

For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. IT hath been the usual practice of all nations in the world, of whatsoever religion, sect, or persuasion, to leave upon record to after ages, the lives and memorable actions of those who have been eminent among them for great or good actions. And however this practice may have been abused, sometimes to serve the interest of a sect or party, or other undue ends; yet that the memory of good men ought thus to be transmitted to posterity, may be deduced both from Scripture and common reason; it being fit thus to manifest the grace and goodness of God in men, and thereby to advance his glory and kingdom; and to make their light so shine before others, that they may be useful instructions to the world, and incentives to follow their examples. To this we owe the remembrance of all those good and great men recorded in the Old Testament: nay, on this is grounded the establishment and purity of our most holy religion. We have left us the memorials of the life and

doctrine of our blessed Lord and Master in the holy gospels, and the acts of his Apostles, whom he sent to convert the world. And the pious Christians of succeeding ages, according to this pattern, were careful, both by public discourses and writings, to awaken their own and after times, with the remembrance of the zeal and piety of holy and devout persons.

And now, if, by the general practice and consent of all men, records of exemplary piety and goodness be thus useful to posterity, even though they be strangers to the persons of those whose lives and actions are transmitted to them; I am sure we have much reason to think, that some seasonable and useful meditations, at such a time and in such a place as this is, may have some influence on our minds, when we have here before us the remains of our departed friend, who hath so lately left this world; whose presence and conversation was so comfortable to us; whose innocence and goodness were so exemplary; whose good-will, affection, and beneficence were so sincere and universal; whose remembrance is so dear to us; who was so much the stay and honour of our church, and so universally beloved and esteemed by all. Sure the sense of all these, and the sight of all this funeral attendance, cannot but cast our souls into some deep thoughts. And to this I doubt not but your hearts bear witness. Would I could say something useful for your meditations, and suitable to your present temper and this subject! God assist and direct our thoughts.

When I reflect upon the life and spirit of our friend, (of the which I have had the honour and happiness to have been so frequent an observer,) and when I consider the constant temper and disposition of his soul, as to this and the other world, the great resignation of his mind, his willingness to stay here, that he might do some service to his ever-blessed Maker and Redeemer; and yet his cheerful thoughts and apprehensions of that happiness that is above, and his ardent breathings after it: methinks I hear always from him the words of St. Paul, To me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

I shall not trouble you with any large explanation, nor with the various readings of these words; we shall only consider them in their most obvious sense and meaning. The blessed Apostle being in bonds at Rome, writes this letter to the Philippians, to exhort them to a perseverance in the faith of Christ, and to have their conversation suitable to it. And, that they might not be discouraged by his bonds, he tells them the happy fruits of them, how much they had conduced for the furtherance of the gospel; that the knowledge of his suffering with such constancy for that religion which he had formerly so zealously opposed, was spread throughout that city, and manifest in the palace itself: so that many thereby were converted to the faith of Christ, and others strengthened in it, and made more bold to preach the gospel; so that Christ was preached everywhere, by some, out of envy at the glory and fame he acquired in planting the gospel there, and by others, in sincerity, and out of love and good-will. So that he hoped, whether by life or death, Christ should be magnified in him; if he lived, by his constant preaching his gospel, and living his life; if he died, by signing the truth of it with his blood: For me to live is Christ. "The whole of my life in this world, the end of my living here, the great aim of all my thoughts, and designs, and actions, is Christ; to be endued with his Spirit, and lead his life; to spread his gospel, and enlarge his kingdom. I have no other design than this. God knows, and the world sees, whether I mind riches, or pleasures, or glory among men. No: I have consecrated my life and spirit to my blessed Lord and master; and they shall be employed in his service. Christ is my life: so that I live; yet not so much I, as Christ that liveth in me.”

Few words, but full of sense and truth. They are not like those airy expressions which, when searched into, have nothing but fancy and imagination at the bottom of them; but they contain the very marrow of Christianity, and the whole of a Christian spirit; the complete character of his life, and a perfect instruction for ours. And this will appear if we consider a little more distinct