of the chief instruments who were employed in carrying on this great work, but what is still more important, that I should have been permitted to share its blessings. And though the first instruments, chosen by God to begin the work, are all taken to their eternal rest, yet such has been the goodness and compassion of him with whom is the residue of the Spirit, that many have since been raised up, who follow the faith, simplicity, and zeal of their great predecessors."

27. How faithfully and diligently he laboured among you, all these years, I need not say, nor how holily, and justly, and unblameably, he behaved himself. Ye are witnesses, and God also, that his conversation was, at all times, and in all respects, as becometh the gospel. He was serious, watchful, and circumspect; humble, meek, and gentle; benevolent and kind, temperate and devout. Above all, his patience, and resignation, under a very long, painful, and most complicated affliction, has been most exemplary and almost unparalleled. Never, I believe, was a murmuring or unkind word heard to fall from his lips, or an impatient or fretful look observed in his countenance; but confidence in God, tranquillity of mind, resignation of will, meekness of spirit, with gentleness and long-suffering, were the habitual tempers of his soul.

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"I should not think myself worthy," says he, (on a slip of paper which I found among his MSS.) "to bear the name of a disciple of Jesus, if I had not learned to be kind to all men; nor shall I think that any man has attained much of his Lord's spirit, who has not universal benevolence to all mankind, and who cannot act the part, wherever prudence permits, of a brother towards his friends and towards his enemies. This may seem a high attainment, and so it is; yet all this, and more, is required by the gospel of the Son of God. May my future life be spent at my Redeemer's feet, in learning this and every other lesson of his grace, till, having fully put on the Lord Jesus Christ, I may with joy be finally received into his everlasting kingdom!"

28. During his long and severe affliction, many of you were in the habit of calling occasionally upon him, and can attest the truth of my testimony concerning him. I appeal to you, whether you did not always find him resigned, composed, and possessed of a hope full of immortality, and frequently rejoicing in that hope with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Many were the instructive and edifying remarks which he made, and many the comfortable and

encouraging words which dropped from his lips, although frequently in the midst of pain and anguish, that might have exhausted the patience of an apostle. But

"His God sustain'd him in his final hour,

His final hour brought glory to his God."

According to the words of our text, "the hope of Israel in whom he trusted," and who never left nor forsook him, was "his Saviour in the time of trouble," and he was enabled to acquiesce fully in whatever appeared to be the divine will concerning him.

The following fine lines of the poet, which I find inscribed with his own hand, on the title-page of the memoirs of his life, were fully exemplified in him: With the patriarch's joy,

"Thy call I follow to the land unknown:

I trust in thee, and know in whom I trust:
Or life or death is equal; neither weighs,
All weight in this-O let me live to thee!"

29. But you shall hear the testimony of one who attended him all along, and was with him night and day. The dear partner of his joys and sorrows, now left to mourn the loss of him who was accustomed to soothe her distresses, and help her to bear her burdens, writes as follows:

My mind has been so deeply and continually afflicted during this suffering season, that it is not easy to collect my thoughts sufficiently to give you the account you desire of my beloved husband.

"For many months God was sensibly preparing him for the last trying scene, and he was particularly led to consider, and thirst after, the faith which Abraham possessed, 'when he staggered not at the promise of God, through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God:' he also frequently expressed earnest desires after more of the spirit of praise and thanksgiving, often repeating those lines of our hymn,

'I cannot praise thee as I would,
But thou art merciful and good.'

And considering the length and severity of his sufferings, I never saw any one who appeared to be so strengthened according to the glorious power of the Lord, unto all patience and long-suffering, with joyfulness.'

"On Wednesday, April 28, he was seized with a violent shivering fit, which was followed by a strong fever. Many fits rapidly succeeded the first, till he was reduced to a state of the most extreme weakness, which prevented his conversing much with any one, yet what he did say at different times, could we recollect it, would fill many pages.

"On Sunday, May 2, when he was supposed to be very near death, I asked him if he had any particular advice to give me? he replied, "Only live near to God, live looking unto Jesus, live much in the spirit of prayer, and beware of carnal Corinthians,' meaning, as I well understood, half-hearted professors; those who are neither cold nor hot.

May 5, waking out of a slumber after a fit, he said, 'I see a great multitude engaged in the worship of God, and I shall be with them.' Once, on my saying, perhaps you may revive again, and be able to come into the dining-room,' he replied, 'I shall go to the upper courts above.' At another time he spake nearly as follows, 'I am the resurrection and the life, he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never die. Believest thou this? Yea, Lord, I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God.' And then, addressing himself to me, he added, The Lord is thy keeper, the Lord is thy shade on thy right hand, the Lord shall preserve thee from all evil, he shall preserve thy soul; I speak this to you, my dear.'

"On May 9, he repeated with much earnestness, 1 Pet. i. 6, 7. 'Ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, (if need be,) ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations; that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise, and honour, and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ: and then added, Unto you who believe he is precious.' He frequently said, 'To me to live is Christ, to die is gain.' At one time he repeated these lines:

'My God! the spring of all my joys,

The life of my delights,

The glory of my brightest days,
And comfort of my nights!

"In darkest shades if thou appear,

My dawning is begun :

Thou art my soul's bright morning-star,

And thou my rising sun!'

*On Tuesday, May 11, in the midst of a violent fit, I heard him whisper, We have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep ;' I said, 'But are now returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls,' he immediately replied, in broken words, with great energy, 'It was all of grace, free mercy in Christ Jesus.' After the fever abated that evening, and he began a little to revive, his soul was abundantly filled with divine consolation; he seemed at a loss to express the joy he felt, his love to Christ, or his views of God's boundless mercy and infinite compassion: he said, 'I seem all happiness.' Notwithstanding the fever frequently confused his thoughts, and affected his recollection, a strength of intellect appeared almost to the last that was amazing.

"During one of the following nights, he cried out, "O happy, happy spirits, I see you, I see you all, and I am coming to you. They are waiting for me, and I must go,' and clapping his hands, he shouted, Victory, victory, my Jesus, and my all!' To one of his nurses, he said, For Christ's sake make sure of an interest in him; it is neither Paul, nor Apollos, nor Cephas, nor any other creature, but Jesus Christ the corner-stone: build upon him as the sure foundation.' While taking a little refreshment, I perceived him deeply engaged in prayer, and distinctly heard the following words: That an abundant entrance may be administered unto us into the eternal kingdom.' Soon after he said to me, 'The Lord give you the bread of life.' I answered, 'I am sure he will give it you, and I trust I shall partake of it;' he replied, 'I doubt not but you will,' and spoke with sweet confidence of our being mutual partakers of the blessings of the kingdom.

"He several times bore testimony to the strength and spirituality of our union; that it was not a common union, or a union that would be dissolved by death: on the contrary, that it would only be strengthened and refined, and that in the heavenly world we should meet to be eternally reunited.

"To one of the nurses that attended him, he said, 'I have not a shadow of doubt; my evidence is as clear as the noon-day sun!" At another time, 'I have nothing but glory and heaven in my view; my heart is full of God; my cup runneth over!' He told her he should be glad to leave some further dying testimony, that his friends might be satisfied, but that he was so low he could not converse with them;' she replied, 'You have given us proof enough; then,' said he, tell them God is love: I know and feel him so!' Having had a very severe fit, and being extremely weak after it, he said, 'What a mercy it is that the Lord careth for the

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righteous!' a person present replied,' He does, and it shall be well with them ;' 'Yes,' said he, 'well, for ever and ever, glory be to God! The nurse giving him a little drink, with his hands clasped, and his eyes lifted up to heaven, he entreated her to love the Lord Jesus with her whole heart: O,' said he, the sinner's Friend! never forget the sinner's Friend!'

"May the 14th, in the evening, he appeared very earnestly engaged in prayer, but I could only hear these words, Lord, make us wise unto salvation!' On my going to him, he said, (with peculiar tenderness taking my hand,) My dear love, sweet is thy voice to me: God bless you.' These were the last words he spoke to me, for a fit presently came on, which was followed by a very painful and restless night.

"On May the 15th, after being in extreme pain, when we thought him past speaking, about two o'clock in the afternoon he opened his eyes; and as the nurse was giving him a little wine with a teaspoon, he suddenly stopped her, and pointing with his finger upwards, he said, ' Hark, do you not hear? they are come for me: I am ready, quite ready.' A few minutes after, she spoke to him again, he said, Stop, say nothing but glory, glory!" These were the last words he ever spoke. After a very painful struggle, which lasted more than four hours, his happy spirit took its flight, about 25 minutes past 7 o'clock in the evening.”