of the LORD was being read to him, he gently passed away.' In the same century died Aletta, the mother of S. Bernard. Although a lady of high birth and position, she was often to be seen alone and on foot, on the road between Fontaines and Dijon, visiting the cottages of the poor, and carrying provisions and remedies to the sick and afflicted, and administering instruction and spiritual consolation to them. She never allowed her domestics to assist her in these offices; so that it might be truly said that her left hand knew not what her right performed." On her death-bed, "She requested that the Holy Communion might be administered to her, and feeling strengthened after its reception, she desired that the Clergy would sit down to the feast she had provided. While they were at table, she sent for her eldest son Guido, and desired that he would request the company to repair to her chamber when the repast was ended. When they were assembled, and standing round her bed, Aletta calmly announced that the moment of her departure was at hand, and entreated their prayers. The Ministers of the LORD began to read the Litany, Aletta herself making the responses, as long as her breath lasted; but when the choir reached the versicle, By Thy Cross and Passion, Good Lord, deliver us,' the dying woman, commending her soul to GOD, raised her hand to make the sign of the Cross, and in that attitude she expired." Devotions. (As in the last Chapter, p. 120, except the Lesson.) Wisdom iii. But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of 1 Eadmer, quoted in Essays by R. W. Church, M.A., 1854. N GOD, and there shall no torment touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery, and their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace. For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality. And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for GOD proved them, and found them worthy for Himself. As gold in the furnace hath He tried them, and received them as a burnt offering. And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble. They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their LORD shall reign for ever. They that put their trust in Him shall understand the truth: and such as be faithful in love shall abide with Him: for grace and mercy is to His saints, and He hath care for His elect. But the ungodly shall be punished according to their own imaginations, which have neglected the righteous, and forsaken the LORD. For whoso despiseth wisdom and nurture, he is miserable, and their hope is vain, their labours unfruitful, and their works unprofitable: their wives are foolish, and their children wicked: their offspring is cursed. Wherefore blessed is the barren that is undefiled, which hath not known the sinful bed she shall have fruit in the visitation of souls. And blessed is the eunuch, which with his hands hath wrought no iniquity, nor imagined wicked things against GOD: for unto him shall be given the special gift of faith, and an inheritance in the temple of the LORD more acceptable to his mind. For glorious is the fruit of good labours: and the root of wisdom shall never fall away. As for the children of adulterers, they shall not come to their perfection, and the seed of an unrighteous bed shall be rooted out. For though they live long, yet shall they be nothing regarded and their last age shall be without honour. Or, if they die quickly, they have no hope, neither comfort : in the day of trial. For horrible is the end of the unrighteous generation. 2 Tim. iv. I charge thee therefore 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. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an Evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the LORD, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing. Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: for Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia; Titus unto Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. Alexander the copper smith did me much evil: the LORD reward him according to his works: of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me : I pray GOD that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the LORD stood with me, and strength : ened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the LORD shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom: to Whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. CHAPTER XII.-THE DEATH OF THE FAITHFUL. We must not seek to copy the death-beds of the righteous, but their lives. Balaam wished to die the death of the righteous, but his last end was like that of God's enemies, because his life had been such. These holy men of whom we read teach us how to die, by first teaching us how to live. The confidence, and peace, and joy, nay, the exultation and triumph of departing saints, are not the property of death-bed penitents, but the crown of long and faithful service. Yet to all it is profitable to behold the death of the righteous; it quickens penitence; it inflames love; it fills with faith in God; it gives a glimpse of Heaven before the time, as much as we can bear, and enough to urge our steps on the narrow way. In 1600 the very learned, wise, and pious Richard Hooker, Rector of Bishopsbourne, fell asleep in CHRIST. Shortly before his death he received Absolution, and the Sacrament of the LORD's Body and Blood; after which there was perceived in his face "a reverent gaiety and joy," and on the following day he lay in deep silence, until his friend, Dr. Saravia, inquired his thoughts. He replied, "That he was meditating the number and motions of angels, and their blessed obedience and order, without which, peace could not be in heaven; and oh, that it might be so on earth!" After which he added, "I have lived to see this world is made up of perturbations; and I have been long preparing to leave it, and gathering comfort for the dreadful hour of making my account with GOD, which I now apprehend to be near; and though I have by His grace loved Him in my youth, and feared Him in mine age, and laboured to have a conscience void of offence to Him, and to all men; yet if Thou, O LORD, be extreme to mark what I have done amiss, who can abide it? And therefore, where I have failed, LORD, show mercy to me; for I plead not my righteousness, but the forgiveness of my unrighteousness, for His merits, Who died to purchase pardon for penitent sinners. And since I owe Thee a death, O LORD, let it not be terrible, and then take Thine own time; I submit to it; let not mine, O LORD, but let Thy Will be done." Then he slumbered, and after a time added, "Good Doctor, God hath heard my daily petitions, for I am at peace with all men, and He is at peace with me; and from that blessed assurance I feel that inward joy, which this world can neither give, nor take from me; my conscience beareth me this witness, and this witness makes the thought of death joyful. could wish to live to do the Church more service; but cannot hope it, for my days are past as a shadow that returns not." A quiet sigh put a period to his last breath, and so he fell asleep.' I The saintly George Herbert died as he lived amongst his flock, at Bemerton, A.D. 1632. The Sunday before his death, he rose suddenly from his bed or couch, called for one of his instruments, took it in his hand and said, My God, my God, My music shall find Thee, Shall have his attribute to sing. 1 Life by Isaac Walton. |