my own resentment of this melancholy providence, I could most sincerely adopt the lamentation of David over Jonathan: "I am distressed for thee, my brother: very pleasant hast thou been unto me." In our lives we were not much divided, either as to time or place: how far we may be so in our deaths, He only knows, in whose hands are our times and our breath. However, if I indulge my affection for a dead friend, so far as to say what I have known of his doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, charity, patience, and the end of his conversation; I hope I may easily find an excuse. Nor shall my particular regard for him prompt me to say any thing but the "words of truth and soberness;" what I have sufficient foundation for, from the long intimacy that subsisted between us, and more particularly from those papers he has left behind him, which evidently discover the genuine, growing Christian, under all the pressure of bodily infirmities.

He appears to have been sanctified from the womb, and walked with God" almost as soon as he could walk at all. We find him very early in life devoting himself to the glory of God, and desiring nothing so much as to spend and be spent in the service of the Redeemer. He "walked humbly," and for years together he walked so "closely, with God," that few days passed in which he has not recorded some special transactions be tween God and his soul. For a considerable time he laboured under great temptations, doubts, and fears; and he frequently and bitterly laments the power of unbelief: but at length, after mentioning a sermon he had heard from these words, " But God commendeth his love towards us, in that while we

'

were yet sinners Christ died for us" (Rom. v. 8), he adds, I had such ravishing views of my Redeemer's love as I scarcely ever felt my will seemed entirely given up to my Lord; and I now 'find no happiness but in looking to a dying and glorified Saviour. I have for a few days past found my heart more taken off from earth, and resolved 'for heaven, than usual; and, blessed be God! I have felt the comfort of it. I find that where there ' are any reserves, or unwillingness to part with every thing for the enjoyment of the Redeemer, there is certainly some uneasiness and distress; but when the whole heart is given up, the consequence is joy unspeakable and full of glory."

Very soon after, occurs this remarkable observation, which, especially considering how long

ago

it was made, is highly deserving our notice: I had,' says he, remarkable freedom of spirit in devotion this morning: I hope I was more firmly resolved than ever to give up my whole heart to God, and to be as religious as possible. The generality of Christians (as it hath been with myself) are too apt to be easy under very 'low attainments in religion; and to make themselves, rather than the pure word of God, a rule for one another: may my gracious God grant that I may be striving with the greatest eagerness after perfection! I am sensible, the more holy I grow, the more happy; and if the spirit of Christianity did more prevail, we should see more 'cheerful Christians.'

I am afraid of being tedious, and therefore pass on to the first appearance of those dreadful symptoms, which afterwards increased so much upon

him that he was" in deaths oft," and his life little better than a series of disorders.

.

'Last night,' says he, I was taken with spitting of blood at first I thought part of my lungs was come up. This circumstance so impressed me with the frailty of my nature, that I was engaged 'with more earnestness and importunity than ordinary to beg of God to fit and prepare me for my final exit. Reflecting on the miseries and infirmi'ties which attend our present state, and the glorious descriptions which the word of God gives us of the heavenly world, the thoughts of death were 'far more desirable than life; and I was ready to long to depart and be with Christ. However, as God has been pleased to make me an instrument ' of doing some service in the church already, and 'might have more for me to do, I was willing to 'wait his time; and made it my earnest prayer to 'God, that for me to live might be Christ; and to 'die, gain.-Lord, refine my soul, and make it more meet for the sublime enjoyments of the 'world of happy spirits; and then take me to thy'self, when, and where, and how thou pleasest.'

And afterwards, when his life was in some danger, he says: I hope I am so resigned to the will of God, as not to be over-solicitous what may be 'the event. May my soul be dressed, and then, Come, Lord Jesus, whenever thou pleasest. The interest of thy church is, I hope, the strongest motive to engage me to be detained from thine embraces. May I do what I can while my life 'continues! I have been a most unworthy creature, and abused my privileges and advantages; but I fly to that Fountain which cleanses from all sin.'

The frequent returns of those violent symptoms must necessarily have weakened his constitution, and rendered the services of the pulpit peculiarly difficult and painful; and we cannot wonder if his public performances were not so frequent, so long, and so lively, as usual. He was and greatly lamented it :

sensible of this himself,

This day,' says he, I declined preaching on the account of my disorder, which I thought might be greatly increased by it; and the per*suasion of my people induced me to it. I hope I

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can truly say, that it is not for the sake of ease 'that I thus relax, but with expectation that I may be better fitted for future service. Silent Sabbaths, if it should please God to multiply them, 'would be my greatest grief. Oh it is delightful to be spent in the service of such a Master!'-And a little after he adds: Under an apprehension that my disorder was likely to prove mortal, I 'made my most ardent supplications to the Throne ' of Grace, that I might be in a prepared posture to 'meet my last summons, and that I might behave with the calmness and composure of a Christian in the views of eternity. I prayed earnestly for my people, and my family, that God would graciously provide for them, if he should please to take me off."

It is obvious to remark, that a life thus spent in close communion with God, and constant near views of death, must needs be comfortable to himself, though his great and increasing disorders prevented it from being so useful to others. When I came to him the evening before he died, I found bim in just the same situation as I have represented

him to you ;-glad that he was so near home; contented to live, but willing to die. When he desired me to offer up a few petitions for him (as he had not strength to pray for himself), he never intimated the least desire of life, but only that faith and pa'tience might hold out; that he might not be over' come in this last conflict, and' (as he expressed it) be shipwrecked so near home.'

He was all the Saturday, walking through the valley of the shadow of death; in which his pains were so violent, that he once said, he was afraid his heavenly Father was displeased with him;' but upon being put in mind, that "whom the Lord loveth, he chasteneth; and scourgeth every son whom, he receiveth," he said, That was a comfortable thought: and added, "let patience have her perfect work."-After this he said little his difficulty of breathing increased fast upon him; till, at length, Death pitying his distress, opened his gates -and he flew away to glory.

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I could most compassionately bear a part in the common grief. But it would ill become our subject, which leads me rather to suggest to you the consolations of God. Shall we, then, be cast down at his advancement? Shall it be a mournful spectacle, to behold a faithful saint with a lively hope breathing out his soul into the arms of his gracious Redeemer?

But I will not open your wounds afresh.-Instead of complaining under the hand of God; and regretting the loss of that comfort and assistance which you have received from the prayers, the care, counsel, and example, of our deceased friend, "be ye also followers" of him: "Let your faith