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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a7439ce --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #67064 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/67064) diff --git a/old/67064-0.txt b/old/67064-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 6f39a29..0000000 --- a/old/67064-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,1470 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Character and Happiness of them that die -in the Lord, by William Dealtry - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - - -Title: The Character and Happiness of them that die in the Lord - A Sermon, preached October 13, 1822, in Park Chapel, Chelsea, on occasion of the death of the late Rev. John Owen, M.A. - - -Author: William Dealtry - - - -Release Date: January 2, 2022 [eBook #67064] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CHARACTER AND HAPPINESS OF -THEM THAT DIE IN THE LORD*** - - -Transcribed from the 1822 J. Hatchard and Son edition by David Price. -Many thanks to the British Library for making their copy available. - - - - - - THE CHARACTER AND HAPPINESS OF - THEM THAT DIE IN THE LORD. - - - * * * * * - - A - SERMON, - - PREACHED OCTOBER 13, 1822, - - IN - - PARK CHAPEL, CHELSEA, - - ON OCCASION - - Of the Death of the late - - REV. JOHN OWEN, M.A. - - MINISTER OF PARK CHAPEL, AND ONE OF THE SECRETARIES OF - THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. - - * * * * * - - BY - - WILLIAM DEALTRY, B.D. F.R.S. - - RECTOR OF CLAPHAM, SURREY, AND OF WATTON, HERTS; AND - LATE FELLOW OF TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE. - - * * * * * - - _PUBLISHED BY REQUEST_. - - * * * * * - - London: - - PRINTED FOR J. HATCHARD AND SON, - 187, PICCADILLY. - - 1822. - - * * * * * - - * * * * * - - PRINTED BY J. S. HUGHES, 66, PATERNOSTER, ROW. - - * * * * * - - TO - THE PRESIDENT, - THE VICE-PRESIDENTS, - AND THE OTHER MEMBERS - OF THE - British and Foreign Bible Society, - THIS SERMON - IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED. - - * * * * * - - - - -A SERMON. - - - REVELATIONS xiv. 13. - - _And I heard a voice from heaven_, _saying unto me_, _Write_, - _Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth_: _Yea_, - _saith the Spirit_, _that they may rest from their labours_; _and - their works do follow them_. - -THE solemnity with which the doctrine contained in this passage is -introduced, and the remarkable way in which it is confirmed, declare -loudly its value and importance. - -Amidst the visions of the Apocalypse, St. John had just beheld an -emblematical representation of the Church of Christ, and of its Almighty -Protector: a Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, with a hundred and forty and -four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads: the -faithful followers of their Lord in a corrupt and degenerate age; the -first fruits to God and the Lamb; when his attention was directed to -three angels, charged severally with the high commissions of bearing the -everlasting gospel to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people: -of proclaiming the utter overthrow of the mystic Babylon; and of -denouncing the divine vengeance upon all her adherents. The days thus -prefigured were to be days of hardship and persecution: the gospel, it is -intimated, would not prevail without a conflict, nor would Babylon fall -from her pre-eminence, without a hard struggle to maintain her -ascendancy. _Here_, therefore, as we read, _is the patience of the -saints_; much need will there be to them _that keep the commandments of -God_, _and the faith of Jesus_, to possess their souls in patience, and -to cultivate that meek and enduring spirit, which shone forth in their -crucified Redeemer. In order, then, that under these trying -dispensations, there may be no want of encouragement to maintain -constantly the faith of the gospel; and, if necessary, to resist even -unto blood, striving against sin; the inspired Apostle immediately and -abruptly proclaims, _I heard a voice from heaven_,—a voice therefore of -truth infallible, and of authority not to be controverted,—_Saying unto -me_. _Write_,—leave it as a lasting record for the instruction of all -future generations:—_Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from -henceforth_: _from henceforth_, probably implying, that from the period -of this conflict between light and darkness, the doctrine here announced -should be more generally known and understood:—_Yea_, _saith the Spirit_: -the declaration is sanctioned by HIM, who is the Source of all -inspiration; _yea_, they are blessed: they are removed from this world of -trial, _that they may rest from their labours_, _and their works do -follow them_. - -In attempting to explain this passage more at large, I shall consider, - -I. The persons described, and, - -II. Their happiness. - -It will remain for me, then, to offer some remarks, more particularly -belonging to the present afflicting occasion. - - * * * * * - -I. We are to consider the persons described. - -These are the _dead which die in the Lord_. - -The occurrence of similar expressions in other parts of the New -Testament, {4} may serve to prove, that the person here designated under -the title of _Lord_, is the Lord Jesus Christ. And wherever this -phraseology is found, we have a decisive testimony, in addition to that -afforded by innumerable other passages, to the transcendent dignity of -our blessed Redeemer. To substitute for the term _Lord_, the name of any -created being, of St. John for example, or St. Paul, would be to render -the clause altogether destitute of rational meaning. It is intelligible -only on the supposition, that He who once suffered on the cross, and who, -in the Isle of Patmos, manifested himself in glory to his beloved -disciple, is, _God over all_, _blessed for evermore_. - -Who then are the persons that _die_ in the Lord? - -The connexion of this passage with the description of those turbulent -times, to which the vision more immediately refers, would perhaps justify -the application of it, in the first instance, to those who lose their -lives in the cause of the gospel: but the passage is doubtless to be -interpreted in a larger sense; and must apply to multitudes in all ages, -whether dying in the usual course of Divine Providence, or driven from -the earth by the hand of persecution. That such is the view taken of the -matter by our Church, we are continually reminded, when the intelligence -is most seasonable and most impressive. While we are standing around the -grave to discharge the last tribute of regard to those whom we loved in -life, and whom we now seem to have lost for ever, then it is that she -proclaims to us by the mouth of her minister, _Blessed are the dead_, -_which die in the Lord_. - -We need, however, look little farther than the expression itself, to be -convinced that it must have a restricted and peculiar application; and -that it can by no means include the whole body of those who are baptized -into the christian faith, or who continue to make a profession of -Christianity. _He that believeth_ on the Son _hath everlasting life_: -{5} when a blessing, therefore, is pronounced upon them that die in the -Lord, it must belong to those who die _in the faith_:—that die in the -cordial belief of the great doctrines of revelation, and under the -influence of their practical and renovating power. Do you ask, What is -the nature of this faith? Our Church will return the answer. _The right -and true christian faith is not only to believe that holy Scripture and -all the_ (_aforesaid_) _Articles of our faith are true_: _but also to -have a sure trust and confidence in God’s merciful promises_, _to be -raised from everlasting damnation by Christ_. {6a} This faith, -therefore, is not a vague or unfounded dependence upon the mercy of God: -it is a TRUE _trust and confidence_, _and a_ STEDFAST _hope of all good -things to be received at God’s hand_. {6b} _This is the true_, _lively_, -_and unfeigned christian faith_: _and is not in the mouth and outward -profession only_, _but it liveth and stirreth inwardly in the heart_. -{6c} Here then is the great point of distinction between those who only -_talk_ about religion, and those who are the subjects of its effective -influence: between those to whom the kingdom of God comes in _word_, and -those who receive it in _power_. - -Wherever this sacred principle is found, it is accompanied by the -forgiveness of sins: by faith we are justified: the guilt of our past -transgressions is taken away, and we are accounted righteous in the sight -of God. Thus then we are admitted into a new state, and a new relation -to the Father of mercies. By believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are -brought from that state of alienation and hostility in which we had -previously lived, and through the merits of our Redeemer, are reconciled -to God, and become members of his spiritual household. A person of this -character belongs to the class mentioned in the text: he has come to the -Friend of sinners: he is united to him as the branches are united to the -vine, and dying in this state, he dies _in the Lord_. - -Now, as a subject of the practical and renewing influence of faith, such -a man will be reformed in his dispositions and conduct: _if any man be in -Christ_, there is a new creation, _he is a new creature_: they, _that are -in Christ Jesus_, walk, _not after the flesh_, _but after the spirit_. -And this is a most important consideration. The dispositions and conduct -of such a man cannot be derived from the corrupt nature with which he was -born into the world; but are, in some degree, conformable to the spirit -of Christ, and manifest the influence of that spirit upon the heart. -They are to be viewed, not as independent of a lively faith, but as -intimately connected with it, and necessarily growing out of it. _It -doth not lie dead in the heart_, _but is lively and fruitful in -__bringing forth good works_: {8a} and, although distinct from the other -graces and virtues of the christian character, may be considered as the -root of them all. Faith, working by love, is the grand principle of the -renewed nature of man: and thus, living by faith in the Son of God, and -thus keeping his commandments, being justified from his sins by the word -of Christ, and sanctified from his corruptions by the Holy Spirit, he is, -if faithful to his calling, advancing in knowledge, and love, and -holiness, even to the end of his days. - -While, therefore, we do not deny that even at the eleventh hour, a sinner -may, for the first time, repent and be forgiven; and that, _by faith -given him of God_, _he may embrace the promise of God’s mercy_, {8b} and -_die in the Lord_; for he possesses that principle which, if his days -were prolonged, would cause him to _walk_, _not after the flesh_, _but -after the spirit_: yet the most satisfactory evidence that the person -dies in the fear of God, and in the faith of Christ, is to be gathered -from the testimony of his _life_: and if we want a stable confidence with -respect to his future state, the question is not so much how he _died_, -as how he had _lived_. - -If these views be correct, it is very possible for a man to die an -undisturbed and easy death, and yet not to _die in the Lord_. - -Imagine, for instance, the case of a confirmed infidel: why should he be -disturbed at the approaching termination of life? The event was not -unexpected: and, according to his notions, there is nothing to apprehend -beyond it. To betray symptoms of alarm, is virtually to abandon his -principles; and, although he may tremble in his heart, the very _pride_ -of infidelity will counsel him to bear up with apparent resolution. - -Tranquillity in death may arise from a variety of causes: from -constitutional apathy, from weariness of the world, from gross ignorance -of true religion, from a hard and unfeeling conscience: and, therefore, -taken simply by itself, without any good evidence that it rests upon a -right foundation, it can never be admitted as a proof, that the man who -possesses it, is duly prepared for his change. - -Neither can we repose with much confidence in this matter upon -theological knowledge and an orthodox creed. - -Their value we mean not to disparage; but they cannot stand in the place -of true religion. So decisive on this subject is the great Apostle of -the Gentiles, as to assure us, that although a man _understood all -mysteries and all knowledge_, and could speak with the tongue of an -angel, these distinctions alone would profit him nothing. It is indeed -to be feared, that all knowledge on religious questions, which is purely -speculative, instead of humbling and improving the mind of him that -possesses it, tends rather to puff it up; and with whatever confidence we -may rest in a dying hour upon the correctness of our views, it is -possible for us to be as far from the kingdom of God and his -righteousness, as the most ignorant of our species. - -Neither can we lay much stress in this argument upon vehement and -rapturous transports. - -In many cases, they may be traced to the notions and habits of the -particular class of professing christians to which the individuals -concerned had previously attached themselves: and in some other cases, -they are connected with high-wrought feelings or constitutional warmth of -character, both totally independent of the influence of religion. God -forbid that we should be supposed to throw discredit upon that holy and -heavenly joy, which has often cheered the heart of the christian in the -last moments of existence, as if he were already on the verge of heaven. -We are careful only to guard against the delusion, which is satisfied -with frames and feelings: these are not necessarily derived from the -communion of the Holy Ghost: and if it were possible, under such an -excitement, to give in the alleged cause of the gospel our bodies to be -burned, we might still perish for ever. - -In various instances, from the diseased state of some parts of the bodily -frame, so fearfully and wonderfully made, it becomes physically -impossible for the most devoted christian to bear his testimony to the -truth on the approach of death: the tongue, which had perhaps announced -to others the glad tidings of the grace of God, may be silent: the eye -may be dim: the intellect, apparently failing with the flesh and the -heart, may have sunk into hopeless lethargy: and yet, with the evidence -before us of his christian life, we are persuaded that such a man dies -_in the Lord_. - -We should not hesitate to come to the same conclusion in many cases, -where, while the senses are still comparatively perfect, and the mind is -still capable of expressing its feelings, there is little manifestation -of inward joy. It is doubtless refreshing to stand by the bed of a dying -man, who can declare, “I am at peace with all men, and God is at peace -with me: and from this blessed assurance, I feel that inward joy, which -the world can neither give nor take from me:” {12a} but who shall presume -to dictate to the Spirit of God in what manner the faith of his servants -shall be tried, or how they shall be made ready for their change? It is -recorded of one of the most eminent divines of the last century, that, as -the time of his departure drew nigh, whenever any questions were directly -put to him concerning his prospects of eternity, his answer usually was, -“I cannot say much.” “I rely,” he observed, “on the promises for -strength in time of need. There was a time when I should have been very -unhappy to have had so little of sensible comfort; but I have seen reason -to believe, that one of the most acceptable exercises of true christian -faith consists in patiently waiting God’s time, and in relying -confidently on the written word. For many years, I have been -endeavouring to live from day to day, as a pensioner on God’s bounty: I -learn to trust him, and he sends the manna without fail.” {12b} And why -should we not hope favourably of many others, who are tried even by -strong doubts and fears concerning their spiritual state? Is it not -affirmed concerning our compassionate Saviour, that a _bruised reed he -will not break_, and the _smoking flax he will not quench_? Has he given -the invitation of mercy to all that are weary and heavy laden, and -assured us, _him that cometh unto me_, _I will in no wise cast out_? -Where there is a truly broken and contrite heart, these promises will -undoubtedly be fulfilled. Let us have the evidence of poverty of spirit, -of hungering and thirsting after righteousness, of earnest and unremitted -appeals to the Saviour of sinners for that mercy which he offers to all -that ask it; and we will indulge the persuasion, that this contrite -spirit shall not be despised, that this humble penitent dies _in the -Lord_. - -From these observations concerning the description of persons mentioned -in the text, I proceed, - - * * * * * - -II. To consider their happiness. - -This is represented to consist in two particulars. - - 1. They rest from their labours. - - 2. Their works do follow them. - -1. _They rest from their labours_. - -The word _labours_ may include all the harassing occupations and -afflictions of the world. Man, by the condition of his birth, is _of few -days and full of trouble_: every rank in society, and every period of -life, have their several trials; and we shall not be released from them -till we find a shelter in the tomb. To all the ordinary afflictions of -mortality, the servants of Christ are as fully exposed as the rest of -mankind: and we know that they have likewise troubles peculiar to -themselves. For, look into the New Testament; examine the representation -there given of the nature of the christian calling; consider the -exhortations, precepts, promises, so abundantly scattered through the -sacred pages, to stimulate and encourage us to fight the good fight of -faith: observe yet further in what manner the Apostles prosecuted the -work of their salvation; with what zeal, vigilance, self-denial, -perseverance, they encountered the hostility of the world, the evil -propensities of their own nature, and the spiritual adversaries of their -peace: with what energy they pursued their race, with what armour they -were girt for the christian conflict; and then judge how arduous are the -labours which belong to that heavenly calling! We grant, that in many -respects, those were days of singular hardship; but the spiritual -enemies, and the spiritual trials of the child of God, are in all ages -essentially the same; and with regard to the world, according to the -scriptural use of that term, while the great springs of human action -remain unchanged, and so long as there is a visible distinction between -the children of this world and the children of light, the christian will -always find himself in a hostile land; and will prove, in his own person, -that through much tribulation he must enter into the kingdom of God. -For, observe any individual of exemplary piety; how stands the world -affected to him? Does it favour his principles? Does it follow his -example? Does it rejoice in his light? Only let him be as heartily in -earnest on matters of religion, as sober reason must itself admit that he -ought to be: only let him _abound_ in the work of the Lord with a -spiritual as well as with a temporal object in view: only let him -seriously and conscientiously endeavour to walk worthy of his vocation, -and sooner than he shall be exempt from troubles, his foes shall start -up, as it were, from his own household; he will find enemies among those -with whom he might hope to take sweet counsel, and walk to the house of -God as friends. - -But it is the happiness of them which die in the Lord, that they _rest_ -from their labours. - -There is an important sense, in which rest may be attained, even during -this present life; it is the promise of Christ to all that take upon them -his yoke and learn of him; and that promise is fulfilled in our -reconciliation with God, in peace of conscience, and in that meekness, -patience, and contentedness of mind, which are among the fruits and -evidences of Christ’s religion. - -But the rest, of which the Spirit in this place assures us, commences at -the hour of death. And how beautiful is the image! To the man wearied -with labour, what prospect is so pleasing as that of repose? What sound -so sweet as the promise of rest? Observe, then, the disciple of Jesus -Christ; tossed amidst the waves of this troublesome world: harassed, not -merely by the common afflictions of mortality, but by troubles -exclusively his own: conscious, moreover, that while he remains on this -stage of being, his vigilance never must be relaxed, and his warfare -never can cease: how welcome to him must be the end of his probation! A -deliverance from sin, and care, and temptation, and pain! An escape into -that peaceful abode, where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary -are at rest! - -Let it not be inferred from these statements, that life and its labours -are regarded by the Christian as a grievance hard to be borne; and that -there is in his mind an impatient eagerness to be released from them. -Although, in this earthly tabernacle, he may groan being burthened, and -earnestly long to be dissolved, yet are these feelings and desires kept -within the bounds of christian resignation. Convinced that all his -trials are permitted by infinite wisdom and infinite goodness, he learns -to be content with his state, to run with patience the race set before -him, and cheerfully to commit himself to the divine disposal. Still, -however, he cannot but be painfully sensible of the perils and troubles -of his earthly pilgrimage; and we may imagine with what holy pleasure he -will look back, when landed in a better world, upon that dark and -tempestuous ocean which he so lately traversed! With what inexpressible -joy he will turn from the scene of his afflictions, to the rest which -remaineth for the people of God! Where is the reasonable man among us -who would not devoutly pray, according to the language of our Church, -that when he shall depart this life, he may rest in Jesus? Happy to each -of us will be the day which shall release us from our earthly troubles, -and call us to a state unmixed with pain, and undisturbed by -apprehensions of evil! - - * * * * * - -2. The second ground of happiness to them that die in the Lord is this, -that _their works do follow them_. - -Faith, working by love, as we have already remarked, is the -characteristic distinction of the children of God; and it is here -expressly assumed, that they adorn their profession by the performance of -good works. - -The phrase, _their works_, must be understood of that entire course of -conduct, which has its foundation in christian principles; of well-doing, -whether it respects the duty which we owe to God, to our neighbour, or to -ourselves; of obedience to the commandments; of the exercise of all -christian dispositions, and especially of that love and of those works of -mercy, which our Saviour has so strikingly inculcated, both by his -precept and example. - -These _works_, it is said, _do follow them_. All that the world calls -great, or pursues with avidity, we are doomed, at the hour of death, to -leave behind us. Our wealth will not follow us; our dignities and -honours will not follow us. In this sense we brought nothing into the -world, and it is certain that we can carry nothing out; but if we die in -the Lord, the works which we have done for his name’s sake, will go as -witnesses on our behalf, to testify the grace of God which was in us, and -the manner in which we dedicated our talents to his honour and praise. - -The meaning of the expression is, that although we are justified “freely, -by God’s mercy, without our deserts, through true and lively faith,” {19} -yet shall we receive, at the last day, a gracious recompense according to -our works. To this purport, many passages might be cited from the sacred -writings; and these, not merely of a general nature, but referring to -particular instances of piety, both in doing and suffering according to -the will of God. Do men, for example, revile and persecute us, and say -all manner of evil of us falsely for Christ’s sake? _Rejoice_, saith our -Lord, _and be exceeding glad_, _for great is your reward in heaven_. Do -we _sow plenteously_? We _shall reap_ also _plenteously_. Are we -diligent in the work and labour of love? _God is not unrighteous_ to -forget it. Do we _turn many to righteousness_? We shall _shine as the -stars for ever and ever_. We may state it as the fair inference from -these, and a variety of other considerations, that the more faithfully we -improve the talents committed to our trust, by employing them to the end -for which they were given, the more patiently we endure tribulation, and -the more zealously and perseveringly we devote ourselves, in the spirit -of christian love, to the glory of God, and the good of our -fellow-creatures, the greater, in some mysterious sense, shall be our -reward at the resurrection of the just. - - * * * * * - -Among the individuals who have been raised up in these latter days, for -the benefit and consolation of mankind, few can be mentioned who have -either been engaged in works more important, or who have brought to the -task abilities more remarkable, integrity more perfect, and devotedness -more entire and unremitted, than your lamented Minister. In speaking of -him to his own congregation, to those who, besides being acquainted with -his public labours, enjoyed the advantage of his personal ministry, and -beheld him amidst the charities of private life, I may be supposed to -address myself to a partial audience; but the very circumstance of the -following observations being delivered in the place where he was best -known, and where his character could be most fairly appreciated, will be -some pledge, at least, for their general truth and correctness. - -My first recollections of your late Pastor carry me back to the early -period of my residence in the University of Cambridge. At that time, I -had no personal acquaintance with him; but it was impossible even then to -listen to his sermons without being impressed with the persuasion that he -was a man of no common abilities, and of no ordinary character. {21} The -history of many following years in which he discharged the various and -important duties of a parochial Minister, warrants the assertion, that -had he continued in such a situation with competent leisure, he could not -have failed to stand in the first rank among his brethren. So long as -the opportunity was afforded him, his parochial labours were -indefatigable; and there are many individuals still living who can bear -witness to his success. - -But he was called to appear chiefly in a different character: and, by a -course of circumstances, which it is here unnecessary to detail, his name -has, for the last eighteen years, been associated with some of the most -extensive operations of christian benevolence. In ceasing to be the -minister of a parish, he became more entirely the servant of the public. - -When his ardent and charitable mind first interested itself in the cause -of the British and Foreign Bible Society, he little anticipated, I -believe, either the formidable nature of the service which he undertook, -or the continually growing demand which it would urge upon his time and -attention. Happily, however, if it required extraordinary endowments, it -found in him a person suited to the task, and willing to spend and be -spent in the promotion of its christian object. I know of no -qualification demanded by that Institution of its Secretary, which he did -not remarkably possess; nor of any emergency that befel it, in which he -did not rise to the level of the occasion: and when to this it is added, -that the progress of the Society afforded ample scope for his various -powers, and that, perhaps, in no other situation could they have been so -fully called forth, or employed so beneficially to mankind; it seems -reasonable to conclude, that Providence smiled upon his undertaking, and -sanctioned the prosecution of it. - -The conviction, indeed, that there exists a directing providence, -over-ruling for its own high purposes the pursuits and occupations of -men, when they, perhaps, little suspect it, might lead us to observe, -with some interest, the way in which he had previously become qualified -for this particular appointment. It is of great importance to the -welfare of the Society, that its Secretary should be well acquainted with -modern languages. Your deceased Minister had not only a singular -facility in acquiring this knowledge, but it so happened, that in his -early travels, he had cultivated that talent, and had made himself -familiar with the manners, and habits, and modes of thinking, which -prevail in different parts of the Continent. Little did he anticipate, -when engaged in these pursuits, to what account they would be turned! -And little would any one have imagined, while looking at the youthful -traveller, that he was thus training, however unconsciously, to be the -effective agent of a Society, which should, ere long, arise to embrace, -within the sphere of its benevolence, _every nation_, _and kindred_, _and -tongue_, _and people_: and that in the very countries which he now -visited to gratify a laudable curiosity, he should hereafter appear as -its accredited representative. - -Those who may hereafter furnish us with a complete description of his -character and talents, will have much to tell, which, in this brief -sketch, I can scarcely notice. They will speak of the fertility of his -imagination; of the quickness of his perception; of his lively and -innocent wit; of the soundness of his judgment; of his almost intuitive -knowledge of character; of his extemporaneous and commanding eloquence; -of the facility with which he could turn his mind to any subject proposed -to him; of his unwearied diligence and unconquerable resolution: and, -particularly, of that cheerfulness of disposition, and that frankness, -candour, and urbanity, which seemed to be interwoven with his nature. -But upon these and similar topics I have no leisure to dwell. The great -excellence in his character to which I would most particularly advert, is -the consecration which he made of all his talents to the best and noblest -objects. - -In early life he had shown no disinclination to lend himself to pursuits -unconnected with religion: and it is said, that, like many of his young -contemporaries, he took a strong interest in political questions. But -from the period of which I now speak, and for some years previous to it, -he had ceased, in any sense of the word, to be a party man. To the king -he was a loyal subject, and the radical and blasphemous spirit of the day -he beheld with feelings of serious concern: but on questions purely -political, I know not that I ever heard him deliver an opinion: he was -occupied by higher things: he determined to have nothing else in view -than the glory of God, and the benefit of mankind. - -For this object he lived; and it is not too much to say, that for this -object he died. Nor can we be surprised, that his strength eventually -proved unequal to the abundance of his labours. - -When I consider how deeply his mind was often affected by a sense of the -responsibility connected with his official situation; when I reflect upon -the many important discussions, both private and official, in which the -concerns of the Society necessarily engaged him: when I look at his -numerous journies, on its behalf, into all parts of the kingdom; at the -multitude of crowded meetings in which he poured forth the treasures of -his powerful mind; and at the extensive correspondence which he -maintained with the agents and friends of the Institution in every -quarter of the world; not to mention the valuable publications, which, -during that interval, he found leisure to compose, and his weekly -ministrations in this sacred place; it is to me matter of surprise, not -that he finally sunk under his exertions, but that, for a period of -eighteen years, he could bear up under those incessant and overwhelming -occupations. - -In stating that he consecrated his talents to the glory of God, and the -benefit of his fellow-creatures, I tacitly assume that he was influenced -by christian motives. It is, indeed, difficult to conceive by what other -motives he could possibly be influenced. By becoming a gratuitous -Secretary to the British and Foreign Bible Society, all worldly views he -seems deliberately to have renounced. Had he thought it right to employ -his great abilities with a view to secular interests, there can be little -doubt that he would have been eminently successful: but he had a higher -and a nobler aim; and the motives by which he was guided were, as I am -well persuaded,—and I know that I speak the sentiments of those who were -most intimately conversant with him,—among the best and purest that can -enter into a human bosom. The principle which carried him on in his -laborious career, through evil report and good report, till his frame was -worn out and exhausted, was the divine principle of love to God and love -to man. This principle, and this alone, could have sustained him under -his manifold difficulties, and have kept him stedfast and immoveable in -the work. And did he ever express any concern that he embarked in this -cause? Was it a source of regret to him, that he had left out of sight -his worldly interests, and on account of his devotedness to the Society -had exposed himself to discomforts and disquietudes, which assailed him -even to the last? Every person who was acquainted with him will bear -witness to the contrary; and a short record of his own, subjoined to some -notes concerning the progress of the Institution, and written apparently -within the last few months, will, by most persons, be deemed conclusive -as to the same fact. The sentence runs thus:— - - “How sweet to have toiled in this work! And, if wasted with labours - more abundant, he is compelled to withdraw —. _I have done_.” - -The last words occurring at a short distance from the other: as if, after -a pause for reflection, he had felt himself convinced that his strength -was already worn out, and that in this great cause he should labour no -more. - -The situation which he so long held in the Society required a man of a -large and liberal mind; and such he was in the best sense of the word. -His was not that spurious liberality which looks upon all creeds with -equal indifference, and regards all as equally unimportant; his own views -were clear and decided: he was in heart, as well as by profession, -cordially attached to the doctrines and discipline of that Church, of -which he had the honour to be a Minister. But upon matters of inferior -moment he loved not to dwell: his delight was, without compromising any -of his principles, to contemplate the points upon which Christians can -agree, rather than to provoke debate on those in which they may differ: -and instead of indulging a spirit of harshness, even towards those whose -sentiments he totally disapproved, his conduct was uniformly that of -candour, and kindness, and benignity. - -I have hinted at certain painful circumstances, which, in addition to the -weight of his ordinary labours, very frequently came upon him from some -hostile quarters. This is not the place in which I could persuade myself -to enlarge upon such a subject; and were not the fact too notorious to be -entirely overlooked, I should have passed it over in silence. It is -consoling, however, to observe, that the hostility which your valued -Minister was called to sustain, arose entirely from his attachment to the -important work in which he was so assiduously engaged, and from the -diligence and success with which he pursued it: and if he had a personal -enemy, that enemy had most assuredly a friend in him: in his mind no -feeling of harshness could ever remain. - -“I have witnessed with no little pleasure,” observes a common friend, -“his conduct and demeanour when he was provoked into,—I should rather -say, for it is _that_ I mean, when he bore, with unperturbed and -inexhaustible good humour, what would have provoked almost any other man; -and when he suffered to remain in the quiver arrows which he could have -sent forth with unerring aim and vigour.” I have, myself, seen him on -many such occasions, and a harsh or unbecoming word never, in my -presence, fell from his lips. The only feeling, I am persuaded, that he -ever entertained towards his most determined opponents, might be -expressed in the words of our Liturgy;—“That it may please thee to -forgive our enemies, persecutors, and slanderers, and to turn their -hearts: We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.” - -The pain arising from this unremitted hostility was doubtless much -alleviated by the kindness of his numerous friends. There was, indeed, -something in his character and deportment peculiarly suited to gain the -affections of all that approached him; and seldom has any man, within the -circle of his acquaintance,—a circle, which included some of the most -distinguished individuals both in Church and State,—been more highly -esteemed, or more generally beloved. The regard entertained for him on -those parts of the Continent, which he visited a few years ago, and from -which he transmitted to this country so much interesting and important -religious intelligence, is well known to many of my hearers: and there is -reason to believe, that the friends of the Bible Society abroad will feel -his removal, in common with ourselves, not merely as a public loss, but -as the loss of a friend and a brother. {30} - -But the great source of his consolation, and the crown of his rejoicing, -was the wonderful progress of his beloved Institution. Was every -successive year charged with new troubles and additional anxieties? But -the great work was also steadily advancing. Were there many adversaries? -But a great door and effectual was opened; kindred Societies, both in the -Eastern and Western world, were not only rising in rapid succession, but -were effectually communicating their own spirit to many subordinate -Associations, within the sphere of their respective influence: and -testimonies were continually pouring in, from all quarters, of the moral -and religious effects consequent upon this increased diffusion of the -Holy Scriptures. These things abundantly compensated him for all his -anxieties; and he dwelt with especial delight upon the prospect now -apparently opening before the face of all people, of life and immortality -brought to light by the gospel. - -Does any person then demand where are the works that shall follow him? -The appropriate answer would be, Where are they not? They are to be -found in every region of the globe: wherever the word of God has run, and -been glorified through the agency of this Institution, or of the -Societies to which it has given birth: and into whatever lands the gospel -of Christ shall, by these means, be extended, there will be recognized -the effect of that mighty influence, to which, under the divine blessing, -he so largely contributed. - -Let it not be supposed, that in connecting his name and exertions so -intimately with the progress of that great work, which is now carrying on -throughout the earth, I detract from the honour which is due to other -labourers in the same ample field; they also will have their reward: and -there are none who would join more heartily in every sentiment which I -have here ventured to express, than those who have toiled with him in the -same service, and borne, in common with himself, the burden and heat of -the day. Were I merely to transcribe their own recorded declarations, -transmitted to me within the last few days, they would confirm the -strongest statements which have hitherto been made of his important -services. - -We are often reminded, that, amidst the bustle and tumult of public -occupations, there is great danger lest personal religion should be -forgotten, and lest, even while endeavouring to promote the salvation of -others, we should be tempted to neglect our own. - -In admitting the propriety of this remark, I cannot allow that it is -applicable in the instance before us. I might refer to the unaffected -humility of the deceased as often manifested in his ready deference to -others: “I have seen him yield,” says a near observer, “with the -simplicity of a child, to persons inferior to himself in understanding -and knowledge.” I might advert to his unshaken trust and confidence in -God. When difficulties were more than usually formidable, he was -frequently heard to repeat, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” -This was not, as repeated by him, merely a well-sounding quotation; he -acted upon the principle; he staked upon it his ease, his prospects, his -reputation, and his life.—I might appeal to the impression of his friends -concerning the habitual seriousness of his character, and the pleasure -which he took in conversing with them upon sacred things. Christian -conversation was at all times delightful to him; and by him was always -conducted in a becoming spirit. Whatever, indeed, might be his vivacity -upon other subjects, and however unrestrained within the limits of -innocent mirth the course of conversation, if any observations were -introduced of a religious tendency, he instantly checked his imagination, -and restrained the sallies of his wit. This circumstance is more -particularly worthy of remark, because he possessed, naturally, a -cheerfulness and liveliness of disposition, which, in his early days, -might seem almost to border on volatility: and, till disease had weakened -his frame, he continued through life to have such a flow of animal -spirits, that it must have required no ordinary check to keep them within -regular bounds. But on serious subjects he was always serious. I speak, -here, of the whole period within which I was honoured by his -acquaintance. Of late years, this feature in his character appears to -have been particularly remarked. “Ever since his severe and tedious -illness in 1818,” says a correspondent, “I observed in the whole of his -conversation and deportment increased gravity and seriousness. He seemed -to have death and eternity most deeply impressed upon his mind; and, on -many public occasions, he repeated with great emphasis those striking -words; _Work while it is day_; _the night cometh_, _when no man can -work_!” - -It must be acknowledged, that even the most judicious friends may form an -incorrect estimate of the religious character and christian virtues of -those who stand high in their affectionate regard. To see the interior -of a person’s mind, we should follow him into retirement; and by doing -so, as far as it is possible in this case, we shall, I think, discover -much evidence of a mind devoted to God. - -Among the papers of our late valued friend, I find one which he kept for -some years suspended in his study, containing a few verses of Scripture, -calculated to give him courage and confidence when in great hazard of -being tempted to unfaithfulness in his ministerial duty. {35a} In -another paper are several passages, from which, as it is stated in his -own hand-writing, he was “accustomed to derive the greatest relief, -support, and direction.” {35b} What an instructive lesson would it have -afforded to behold him, in his many afflictions, thus casting himself -upon the goodness of God, and reposing in the comfort of his exceeding -great and precious promises! - -On one occasion, when much depressed by very painful intelligence, he -writes; “I sought comfort from meditation on the word of God; -particularly, I was much relieved by reflecting on the passage; _In the -multitude of sorrows that I had in my heart_, _thy comforts refresh my -soul_. Oh, for faith in the divine promises, and the faculty of applying -them wisely and effectually to my own condition!” At another time, being -greatly afflicted, and finding that a friend was yet more troubled than -himself; “The comparison of situations,” he observes, “threw me upon my -knees, and made me bless God for the kind proportion in which he had -measured out my chastisements.” - -Of a somewhat similar description are the following extracts:— - - “April 23. Humbled myself before God many times this day, having - been astonished to find such powerful corruptions within me. I - betrayed a great hastiness of spirit yesterday evening; this is a - sign that the grace of God has not been improved as it ought to have - been. I will, by God’s assistance, watch against this propensity. - And, oh, that I may never again offend him, or wound my conscience by - falling into that snare of the devil! _Let every one of you be slow - to wrath_. - - “Sunday, April 24. Have humbled myself before God, this morning; and - do resolve to watch and pray that I enter not into temptation. May - the Lord pardon all my sins, and secure me, by his grace, from - falling into them again! Amen.” - -It ought to be recollected, that the writer was a man of remarkably fine -temper. - -My next extracts respect his ministerial duties:— - - “August 9. Endeavoured to put Dr. A.’s advice into execution, to - bear the people to whom I was about to preach, fervently to the - throne of grace. - - “April 22. This day I performed a very interesting service in - baptizing two adults, (young ladies) * * * * * I pray God, that the - beneficial memory of it may continue with me, and with them, till the - day of our death.” - -At a somewhat later period, he again expresses the affectionate interest -which he took in their welfare, and the hope which he entertained of -their progress in true religion. - -Most, if not all of these passages, were written many years ago.—What, it -may be asked, was the state of his mind as he approached the termination -of life? - -Just before he was taken ill, his family read to him, by his own desire, -the Book of Job, with Scott’s Observations; and being placed at that time -under certain outward circumstances of discomfort, he was in the habit of -applying what was read to his own case. The progress of disease -presently incapacitated him, either for reading much himself, or of -giving his attention to others. But I learn, from different friends, who -had sometimes the opportunity of speaking to him, that his mind was -always most awake to subjects of religion; and that, whenever he could be -roused to mental exertion, these were the subjects which recalled, for a -time, his decaying energies. The Sunday-week after his seizure, when one -of his daughters was sitting with him, he laid his hand upon a book on -the table, and asked what it was. Being informed that it was the Life of -Hooker, he immediately began to repeat, in the words of that excellent -man; “I have lived to see this world is made up of perturbations; and I -have long been preparing to leave it; and gathering comfort for the -dreadful hour of making my account with God,—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, shew mercy to me; for I plead not -my righteousness, but the forgiveness of my unrighteousness, for his -merits who died to purchase a pardon for penitent sinners! And, since I -owe thee a death, Lord, let it not be terrible, and then take thine own -time; I submit to it: let not mine, O Lord, but thy will, be done!” This -passage, it seems, he was much in the habit of repeating, doubtless from -its expressing the views and feelings which he habitually entertained. -In one of his last letters to the same daughter, he writes in these -terms; “My frame has been so shattered, that I must not expect it to be -_speedily_, perhaps, never thoroughly repaired. There is nothing I wish -to live for, but the service of my Divine Master; and if I may but be -favoured with the testimony of having pleased him, and possessing an -interest in his love, I shall be willing to live or to die, as to him may -appear best. Oh, my dear daughter, this should be our first, our last, -our invariable object; we cannot dispense with its consolations in -sickness, or its support in death.” - -The only remaining paper to which I shall refer, was written when he was -deprived by sickness of the privilege of public worship. {40} - - “What a mercy it is,” he observes, “that, as well from the nature of - God, as from his condescension, and the tenor of his promises, we can - have access to him in privacy and solitude, when precluded, by - sickness or other impediments, from worshipping him in public, and - with the congregation of his saints. Of this mercy, I, who during - many months have been confined to my bed, my chamber, or my house, - desire to be deeply sensible, and to make it the subject of my most - devout and grateful thanksgiving:—_Pray to thy Father which is in - secret_:—_ask_,—_seek_,—_knock_,—_draw nigh unto God_; and every - other direction of a similar tendency are of unlimited application; - and the promises annexed to them may be depended on, as engaged to be - made good as often as the direction is spiritually complied with, and - faithfully performed. - - “_Private_ worship, which consists in acts and offerings of prayer - and praise, is the peculiar and spiritual duty of the invalid; and - the privileges annexed to it are peculiarly his property. In this - worship he ought to abound; he cannot perform it too frequently, and - in proportion as he abounds and perseveres in the performance of it, - may he expect the promised blessing. He may confess his sins, and - supplicate the mercy of God in Christ, as frequently as he feels the - guilt of the former, and his need of the latter;—he cannot confess or - supplicate too often, he cannot ask too much, or with too great - importunity; if he apply for spiritual things, and apply in faith, - God’s ear is _ever_ open to his cry; he will hear those that call - upon him; he giveth liberally; and on those who ask abundantly, he - will bestow abundantly, that their joy may be full. - - “Nor is the invalid tied down to any particular form of words or mode - of service. Having only God and himself to consider, he has no other - concern than to make known his wants, and give expression to his - feelings in such terms as are best adapted to lay open his heart to - that God, who, he knows, seeth in secret, and who requireth to be - worshipped in spirit and in truth. He may, therefore, consider - himself at full liberty to contemplate the mercy of a reconciled God, - in all the variety of its boundless dimensions; the privileges of - acceptance, justification, and adoption, the unsearchable riches of - Christ, and the immeasurable consolation of the Spirit, as a property - of which he is invited freely to partake: he may come boldly to the - throne of grace, he may obtain mercy and grace to help him in every - time of need, and look up continually with unfeigned hope and - increasing confidence to that God who, over and above the future - inheritance of the saints in light, will _here_ supply all our need, - according to his riches in glory, by Christ Jesus.” {42} - -In contemplating a man of this character, of piety so scriptural, and of -talents, which, for variety and power, are rarely to be found; we might -perhaps have expected, that he would long be spared to assist in carrying -on that work of mercy, which, through the divine goodness, had already -prospered so wonderfully in his hands; but,—God’s thoughts are not our -thoughts, nor His ways our ways:—he has been taken away in the midst of -his usefulness. We might have expected, that in his last hours he would -have been permitted to testify of that Saviour whom he served, and of the -power of that gospel which he had laboured to spread throughout the -world. But, such was the mysterious appointment of Providence, his -vigorous mind seemed to sink under the weight of the disorder which was -fatal to the body. Would it not have been better, we are ready to ask, -that he should be called away by a sudden death? No; for to God it -seemed otherwise: and, although he was for several weeks previous to his -dissolution able to say little, and although it was difficult, towards -the close of life, to excite in him any sensible apprehension; yet since, -if ever he was roused to any portion of his former energy, it was when -the chord of religion was touched; since there was something within which -answered to that sound, when all besides was silent, the testimony thus -given was neither unsatisfactory nor unimportant. How strong in his mind -must have been the influence of that heavenly principle, which, amidst -the wreck of his mental, as well as bodily powers, could still survive, -and still give proof of its existence! - -And shall we be sorry, as men, without hope, for them that sleep in -Jesus? _I heard a voice from heaven_, _saying unto me_, _Write_, -_Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth_;—_Yea_, -_saith the Spirit_, _that they may rest from their labours_, _and their -works do follow them_. It becomes us to be thankful, in the behalf of -our brother, that he now rests from all his anxieties; that the cares, -and conflicts, and vexations of life, can disturb him no more. Some of -these trials were deeply painful; but if we could ask what now are his -thoughts of them, and what are his present sentiments of the course which -he pursued, would he tell us, think you, that he repents of his -devotedness to the cause of piety and truth? That, if his days could be -recalled, he would be less active, less zealous, less persevering? Does -he wish that he had listened more to the voice of man, and less to that -of conscience? That instead of consecrating his talents to the highest -purposes, he had employed them to secure worldly distinctions and worldly -emoluments? Did he, while yet struggling with the evils of mortality, -record, in the very midst of his trials, how sweet it was to have toiled -in this work? And does he repent of his exertions, and his sacrifices, -now that he rests from his labours, and his works do follow him? If it -were no subject of regret to him in _this_ world, is it such in the world -to which he is gone? Oh, if we could at present perceive, as we shall -know hereafter, the vanity and emptiness of all earthly things, when -contrasted with those which are spiritual and eternal; how earnestly -should we seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness! And how -trifling would all other objects appear, when compared with that great -object of promoting the glory of God! - -To him, whom we now bear in our affectionate recollection, we are well -persuaded that to die was gain. Ours is the loss: and how deeply it is -felt, this present assembly can witness. But shall we mourn then for the -great cause to which his labours were devoted? And especially for that -Institution, which is now deprived of his services? Did the success of -it depend upon human talent or human energy, the loss might indeed be -irreparable: but whatever becomes of the agents of the Society, if it -have the sanction of God, it cannot fail to prosper. Whatever be the -fate of the Society itself, the work which it has so successfully -laboured to promote, will eventually triumph. The ways of God will, ere -long, be known throughout the earth, his _saving health among all -nations_. _For_, _from the rising of the sun_, _even to the going down -of the same_, _my name shall be great among the Gentiles_: _and in every -place incense shall be offered unto my name_, _and a pure offering_; _for -my name shall be great among the heathen_, _saith the Lord of Hosts_. -Already, as we may venture to hope, has an impulse been given, which -shall not be destroyed till it has reached the farthest nations of the -globe. Amidst all the conflicts and disappointments of the world, Divine -Providence is still steadily accomplishing its plans of mercy and -benevolence, and in due season they shall all be fulfilled. In -expressing our gratitude for having been permitted to see the progressive -advancement of the kingdom of Christ in our own days, and to share in the -privilege of making known more extensively the glad tidings of salvation, -let us recognise our duty and zealously discharge it. Let the death of -those that have toiled in this service, stimulate the industry of them -that survive: let every event of this kind be felt as a call to increased -energy and activity in all good works: that when this world of strife and -perturbations shall close upon us, we too may _die in the Lord_: and, -finally, with all his faithful people, may have our perfect consummation -and bliss, both in body and soul, in his eternal and everlasting glory. - - * * * * * - - * * * * * - - THE END. - - * * * * * - - * * * * * - - - - -FOOTNOTES. - - -{4} See, particularly, 1 Corinthians xv. 18. 1 Thessalonians iv. 14, -16. - -{5} John vi. 47. - -{6a} Homily on Salvation. - -{6b} Homily on Faith. - -{6c} Ibid. - -{8a} Homily on Faith. - -{8b} Homily on Salvation. - -{12a} Life of Hooker. - -{12b} Life of the Rev. Joseph Milner. - -{19} Homily on Salvation. - -{21} It was about this time that the report of his remarkable -qualifications as a minister attracted the attention of the late -excellent Bishop Porteus, under whose patronage he accepted the curacy of -Fulham, and to whose unalterable kindness, during all the remaining days -of that venerable Prelate, he ever professed himself to be deeply -indebted. - -{30} A premature report of Mr. Owen’s death having been spread upon the -Continent, letters have already arrived, expressing the deepest concern -and sympathy at the distressing intelligence. - -{35a} For instance: - - “There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel, against the - Lord.” Proverbs xxi. 30. - - “The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed - after him.” - - “_No_ weapon that is formed against thee _shall prosper_: and every - tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn.” - Isaiah liv. 17. - - “I, even I am he that comforteth you: Who art thou, that thou - shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man, - that shall be made as grass?” &c. - -{35b} Such as: - - “Nevertheless, though I am sometime afraid, yet put I my trust in - THEE.” Psalms lvi. 3. Prayer Book version. - - “Or, what time I am afraid, I will trust in THEE.” - - “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him: and he shall bring - it to pass.” Psalm xxxvii. 5. - - “My soul, wait thou only upon God, for my expectation is from _Him_.” - Psalm lxii. 5. - - “Trust in him _at all times_: ye people, _pour out your heart before - Him_.” Psalm ii. 8. - - “Let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me: - and _he shall make peace with me_.” Isaiah xxvii. 5. - -{40} Probably in 1818. - -{42} I cite the above passages, under the conviction that they express -the genuine feelings of the writer. In some cases, I should be disposed -to consider extracts from journals, &c. when taken alone, as of rather -questionable authority. - - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CHARACTER AND HAPPINESS OF THEM -THAT DIE IN THE LORD*** - - -******* This file should be named 67064-0.txt or 67064-0.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/6/7/0/6/67064 - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - - -Title: The Character and Happiness of them that die in the Lord - A Sermon, preached October 13, 1822, in Park Chapel, Chelsea, on occasion of the death of the late Rev. John Owen, M.A. - - -Author: William Dealtry - - - -Release Date: January 2, 2022 [eBook #67064] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CHARACTER AND HAPPINESS OF -THEM THAT DIE IN THE LORD*** -</pre> -<p>Transcribed from the 1822 J. Hatchard and Son edition by David -Price. Many thanks to the British Library for making their -copy available.</p> -<h1><span class="GutSmall">THE CHARACTER AND HAPPINESS -OF</span><br /> -<span class="GutSmall">THEM THAT DIE IN THE LORD.</span></h1> - -<div class="gapdoubleline"> </div> -<p style="text-align: center"><span class="GutSmall">A</span><br -/> -<b>SERMON</b>,</p> -<p style="text-align: center"><span class="GutSmall">PREACHED -OCTOBER 13, 1822,</span></p> -<p style="text-align: center"><span -class="GutSmall">IN</span></p> -<p style="text-align: center">PARK CHAPEL, CHELSEA,</p> -<p style="text-align: center"><span class="GutSmall">ON -OCCASION</span></p> -<p style="text-align: center"><b>Of the Death of the late</b></p> -<p style="text-align: center"><span -class="smcap"><b>Rev</b></span><b>. JOHN OWEN, M.A.</b></p> -<p style="text-align: center"><span class="GutSmall">MINISTER OF -PARK CHAPEL, AND ONE OF THE SECRETARIES OF</span><br /> -<span class="GutSmall">THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE -SOCIETY.</span></p> - -<div class="gapshortline"> </div> -<p style="text-align: center"><span -class="GutSmall">BY</span></p> -<p style="text-align: center"><b>WILLIAM DEALTRY, B.D. -F.R.S.</b></p> -<p style="text-align: center"><span class="GutSmall">RECTOR OF -CLAPHAM, SURREY, AND OF WATTON, HERTS; AND</span><br /> -<span class="GutSmall">LATE FELLOW OF TRINITY COLLEGE, -CAMBRIDGE.</span></p> - -<div class="gapshortline"> </div> -<p style="text-align: center"><i>PUBLISHED BY REQUEST</i>.</p> - -<div class="gapshortline"> </div> -<p style="text-align: center"><b>London</b>:</p> -<p style="text-align: center">PRINTED FOR J. HATCHARD AND SON,<br -/> -187, PICCADILLY.</p> -<p style="text-align: center"><b>1822</b>.</p> - -<div class="gapspace"> </div> -<p><a name="pageii"></a><span class="pagenum">p. ii</span></p> - -<div class="gapmediumline"> </div> -<p style="text-align: center"><span class="GutSmall">PRINTED BY -J. S. HUGHES, 66, PATERNOSTER, ROW.</span></p> - -<div class="gapspace"> </div> -<p style="text-align: center"><a name="pageiii"></a><span -class="pagenum">p. iii</span><span class="GutSmall">TO</span><br -/> -THE PRESIDENT,<br /> -THE VICE-PRESIDENTS,<br /> -AND THE OTHER MEMBERS<br /> -<span class="GutSmall">OF THE</span><br /> -<b>British and Foreign Bible Society</b>,<br /> -THIS SERMON<br /> -IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED.</p> - -<div class="gapspace"> </div> -<h2><a name="page1"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 1</span>A -SERMON.</h2> -<blockquote><p style="text-align: center"><span -class="smcap">Revelations</span> xiv. 13.</p> -<p><i>And I heard a voice from heaven</i>, <i>saying unto me</i>, -<i>Write</i>, <i>Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from -henceforth</i>: <i>Yea</i>, <i>saith the Spirit</i>, <i>that they -may rest from their labours</i>; <i>and their works do follow -them</i>.</p> -</blockquote> -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> solemnity with which the -doctrine contained in this passage is introduced, and the -remarkable way in which it is confirmed, declare loudly its value -and importance.</p> -<p>Amidst the visions of the Apocalypse, St. John had just beheld -an emblematical representation of the Church of Christ, and of -its Almighty Protector: a Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, with a -hundred and forty and four thousand, having his Father’s -name written <a name="page2"></a><span class="pagenum">p. -2</span>in their foreheads: the faithful followers of their Lord -in a corrupt and degenerate age; the first fruits to God and the -Lamb; when his attention was directed to three angels, charged -severally with the high commissions of bearing the everlasting -gospel to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people: of -proclaiming the utter overthrow of the mystic Babylon; and of -denouncing the divine vengeance upon all her adherents. The -days thus prefigured were to be days of hardship and persecution: -the gospel, it is intimated, would not prevail without a -conflict, nor would Babylon fall from her pre-eminence, without a -hard struggle to maintain her ascendancy. <i>Here</i>, -therefore, as we read, <i>is the patience of the saints</i>; much -need will there be to them <i>that keep the commandments of -God</i>, <i>and the faith of Jesus</i>, to possess their souls in -patience, and to cultivate that meek and enduring spirit, which -shone forth in their crucified Redeemer. In order, then, -that under these trying dispensations, there may be no want of -encouragement to maintain constantly the faith of the gospel; -and, if necessary, to resist even unto blood, striving against -sin; the inspired Apostle immediately and abruptly proclaims, -<i>I heard a voice from heaven</i>,—a voice therefore of -truth infallible, and of authority not <a name="page3"></a><span -class="pagenum">p. 3</span>to be controverted,—<i>Saying -unto me</i>. <i>Write</i>,—leave it as a lasting -record for the instruction of all future -generations:—<i>Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord -from henceforth</i>: <i>from henceforth</i>, probably implying, -that from the period of this conflict between light and darkness, -the doctrine here announced should be more generally known and -understood:—<i>Yea</i>, <i>saith the Spirit</i>: the -declaration is sanctioned by <span class="smcap">Him</span>, who -is the Source of all inspiration; <i>yea</i>, they are blessed: -they are removed from this world of trial, <i>that they may rest -from their labours</i>, <i>and their works do follow -them</i>.</p> -<p>In attempting to explain this passage more at large, I shall -consider,</p> -<p>I. The persons described, and,</p> -<p>II. Their happiness.</p> -<p>It will remain for me, then, to offer some remarks, more -particularly belonging to the present afflicting occasion.</p> - -<div class="gapspace"> </div> -<p>I. We are to consider the persons described.</p> -<p>These are the <i>dead which die in the Lord</i>.</p> -<p><a name="page4"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 4</span>The -occurrence of similar expressions in other parts of the New -Testament, <a name="citation4"></a><a href="#footnote4" -class="citation">[4]</a> may serve to prove, that the person here -designated under the title of <i>Lord</i>, is the Lord Jesus -Christ. And wherever this phraseology is found, we have a -decisive testimony, in addition to that afforded by innumerable -other passages, to the transcendent dignity of our blessed -Redeemer. To substitute for the term <i>Lord</i>, the name -of any created being, of St. John for example, or St. Paul, would -be to render the clause altogether destitute of rational -meaning. It is intelligible only on the supposition, that -He who once suffered on the cross, and who, in the Isle of -Patmos, manifested himself in glory to his beloved disciple, is, -<i>God over all</i>, <i>blessed for evermore</i>.</p> -<p>Who then are the persons that <i>die</i> in the Lord?</p> -<p>The connexion of this passage with the description of those -turbulent times, to which the vision more immediately refers, -would perhaps justify the application of it, in the first -instance, to those who lose their lives in the cause of the -gospel: but the passage is doubtless to be interpreted in a -larger sense; and <a name="page5"></a><span class="pagenum">p. -5</span>must apply to multitudes in all ages, whether dying in -the usual course of Divine Providence, or driven from the earth -by the hand of persecution. That such is the view taken of -the matter by our Church, we are continually reminded, when the -intelligence is most seasonable and most impressive. While -we are standing around the grave to discharge the last tribute of -regard to those whom we loved in life, and whom we now seem to -have lost for ever, then it is that she proclaims to us by the -mouth of her minister, <i>Blessed are the dead</i>, <i>which die -in the Lord</i>.</p> -<p>We need, however, look little farther than the expression -itself, to be convinced that it must have a restricted and -peculiar application; and that it can by no means include the -whole body of those who are baptized into the christian faith, or -who continue to make a profession of Christianity. <i>He -that believeth</i> on the Son <i>hath everlasting life</i>: <a -name="citation5"></a><a href="#footnote5" -class="citation">[5]</a> when a blessing, therefore, is -pronounced upon them that die in the Lord, it must belong to -those who die <i>in the faith</i>:—that die in the cordial -belief of the great doctrines of revelation, and under the -influence of their practical and renovating power. Do you -ask, <a name="page6"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 6</span>What is -the nature of this faith? Our Church will return the -answer. <i>The right and true christian faith is not only -to believe that holy Scripture and all the</i> (<i>aforesaid</i>) -<i>Articles of our faith are true</i>: <i>but also to have a sure -trust and confidence in God’s merciful promises</i>, <i>to -be raised from everlasting damnation by Christ</i>. <a -name="citation6a"></a><a href="#footnote6a" -class="citation">[6a]</a> This faith, therefore, is not a -vague or unfounded dependence upon the mercy of God: it is a -<span class="GutSmall">TRUE</span> <i>trust and confidence</i>, -<i>and a</i> <span class="GutSmall">STEDFAST</span> <i>hope of -all good things to be received at God’s hand</i>. <a -name="citation6b"></a><a href="#footnote6b" -class="citation">[6b]</a> <i>This is the true</i>, -<i>lively</i>, <i>and unfeigned christian faith</i>: <i>and is -not in the mouth and outward profession only</i>, <i>but it -liveth and stirreth inwardly in the heart</i>. <a -name="citation6c"></a><a href="#footnote6c" -class="citation">[6c]</a> Here then is the great point of -distinction between those who only <i>talk</i> about religion, -and those who are the subjects of its effective influence: -between those to whom the kingdom of God comes in <i>word</i>, -and those who receive it in <i>power</i>.</p> -<p>Wherever this sacred principle is found, it is accompanied by -the forgiveness of sins: by faith we are justified: the guilt of -our past transgressions is taken away, and we are accounted -righteous in the sight of God. Thus then we are admitted -into a new state, and <a name="page7"></a><span -class="pagenum">p. 7</span>a new relation to the Father of -mercies. By believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are -brought from that state of alienation and hostility in which we -had previously lived, and through the merits of our Redeemer, are -reconciled to God, and become members of his spiritual -household. A person of this character belongs to the class -mentioned in the text: he has come to the Friend of sinners: he -is united to him as the branches are united to the vine, and -dying in this state, he dies <i>in the Lord</i>.</p> -<p>Now, as a subject of the practical and renewing influence of -faith, such a man will be reformed in his dispositions and -conduct: <i>if any man be in Christ</i>, there is a new creation, -<i>he is a new creature</i>: they, <i>that are in Christ -Jesus</i>, walk, <i>not after the flesh</i>, <i>but after the -spirit</i>. And this is a most important -consideration. The dispositions and conduct of such a man -cannot be derived from the corrupt nature with which he was born -into the world; but are, in some degree, conformable to the -spirit of Christ, and manifest the influence of that spirit upon -the heart. They are to be viewed, not as independent of a -lively faith, but as intimately connected with it, and -necessarily growing out of it. <i>It doth not lie dead in -the heart</i>, <i>but is lively and fruitful in </i><a -name="page8"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 8</span><i>bringing -forth good works</i>: <a name="citation8a"></a><a -href="#footnote8a" class="citation">[8a]</a> and, although -distinct from the other graces and virtues of the christian -character, may be considered as the root of them all. -Faith, working by love, is the grand principle of the renewed -nature of man: and thus, living by faith in the Son of God, and -thus keeping his commandments, being justified from his sins by -the word of Christ, and sanctified from his corruptions by the -Holy Spirit, he is, if faithful to his calling, advancing in -knowledge, and love, and holiness, even to the end of his -days.</p> -<p>While, therefore, we do not deny that even at the eleventh -hour, a sinner may, for the first time, repent and be forgiven; -and that, <i>by faith given him of God</i>, <i>he may embrace the -promise of God’s mercy</i>, <a name="citation8b"></a><a -href="#footnote8b" class="citation">[8b]</a> and <i>die in the -Lord</i>; for he possesses that principle which, if his days were -prolonged, would cause him to <i>walk</i>, <i>not after the -flesh</i>, <i>but after the spirit</i>: yet the most satisfactory -evidence that the person dies in the fear of God, and in the -faith of Christ, is to be gathered from the testimony of his -<i>life</i>: and if we want a stable confidence with respect to -his future state, the question is not so much how he <i>died</i>, -as how he had <i>lived</i>.</p> -<p><a name="page9"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 9</span>If these -views be correct, it is very possible for a man to die an -undisturbed and easy death, and yet not to <i>die in the -Lord</i>.</p> -<p>Imagine, for instance, the case of a confirmed infidel: why -should he be disturbed at the approaching termination of -life? The event was not unexpected: and, according to his -notions, there is nothing to apprehend beyond it. To betray -symptoms of alarm, is virtually to abandon his principles; and, -although he may tremble in his heart, the very <i>pride</i> of -infidelity will counsel him to bear up with apparent -resolution.</p> -<p>Tranquillity in death may arise from a variety of causes: from -constitutional apathy, from weariness of the world, from gross -ignorance of true religion, from a hard and unfeeling conscience: -and, therefore, taken simply by itself, without any good evidence -that it rests upon a right foundation, it can never be admitted -as a proof, that the man who possesses it, is duly prepared for -his change.</p> -<p>Neither can we repose with much confidence in this matter upon -theological knowledge and an orthodox creed.</p> -<p>Their value we mean not to disparage; but they cannot stand in -the place of true religion. <a name="page10"></a><span -class="pagenum">p. 10</span>So decisive on this subject is the -great Apostle of the Gentiles, as to assure us, that although a -man <i>understood all mysteries and all knowledge</i>, and could -speak with the tongue of an angel, these distinctions alone would -profit him nothing. It is indeed to be feared, that all -knowledge on religious questions, which is purely speculative, -instead of humbling and improving the mind of him that possesses -it, tends rather to puff it up; and with whatever confidence we -may rest in a dying hour upon the correctness of our views, it is -possible for us to be as far from the kingdom of God and his -righteousness, as the most ignorant of our species.</p> -<p>Neither can we lay much stress in this argument upon vehement -and rapturous transports.</p> -<p>In many cases, they may be traced to the notions and habits of -the particular class of professing christians to which the -individuals concerned had previously attached themselves: and in -some other cases, they are connected with high-wrought feelings -or constitutional warmth of character, both totally independent -of the influence of religion. God forbid that we should be -supposed to throw discredit upon that holy and heavenly joy, -which has often cheered the heart of the christian in the <a -name="page11"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 11</span>last moments -of existence, as if he were already on the verge of heaven. -We are careful only to guard against the delusion, which is -satisfied with frames and feelings: these are not necessarily -derived from the communion of the Holy Ghost: and if it were -possible, under such an excitement, to give in the alleged cause -of the gospel our bodies to be burned, we might still perish for -ever.</p> -<p>In various instances, from the diseased state of some parts of -the bodily frame, so fearfully and wonderfully made, it becomes -physically impossible for the most devoted christian to bear his -testimony to the truth on the approach of death: the tongue, -which had perhaps announced to others the glad tidings of the -grace of God, may be silent: the eye may be dim: the intellect, -apparently failing with the flesh and the heart, may have sunk -into hopeless lethargy: and yet, with the evidence before us of -his christian life, we are persuaded that such a man dies <i>in -the Lord</i>.</p> -<p>We should not hesitate to come to the same conclusion in many -cases, where, while the senses are still comparatively perfect, -and the mind is still capable of expressing its feelings, there -is little manifestation of inward joy. It is doubtless -refreshing to stand by the bed of <a name="page12"></a><span -class="pagenum">p. 12</span>a dying man, who can declare, -“I am at peace with all men, and God is at peace with me: -and from this blessed assurance, I feel that inward joy, which -the world can neither give nor take from me:” <a -name="citation12a"></a><a href="#footnote12a" -class="citation">[12a]</a> but who shall presume to dictate to -the Spirit of God in what manner the faith of his servants shall -be tried, or how they shall be made ready for their change? -It is recorded of one of the most eminent divines of the last -century, that, as the time of his departure drew nigh, whenever -any questions were directly put to him concerning his prospects -of eternity, his answer usually was, “I cannot say -much.” “I rely,” he observed, “on -the promises for strength in time of need. There was a time -when I should have been very unhappy to have had so little of -sensible comfort; but I have seen reason to believe, that one of -the most acceptable exercises of true christian faith consists in -patiently waiting God’s time, and in relying confidently on -the written word. For many years, I have been endeavouring -to live from day to day, as a pensioner on God’s bounty: I -learn to trust him, and he sends the manna without fail.” -<a name="citation12b"></a><a href="#footnote12b" -class="citation">[12b]</a> And why should we not hope <a -name="page13"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 13</span>favourably of -many others, who are tried even by strong doubts and fears -concerning their spiritual state? Is it not affirmed -concerning our compassionate Saviour, that a <i>bruised reed he -will not break</i>, and the <i>smoking flax he will not -quench</i>? Has he given the invitation of mercy to all -that are weary and heavy laden, and assured us, <i>him that -cometh unto me</i>, <i>I will in no wise cast out</i>? -Where there is a truly broken and contrite heart, these promises -will undoubtedly be fulfilled. Let us have the evidence of -poverty of spirit, of hungering and thirsting after -righteousness, of earnest and unremitted appeals to the Saviour -of sinners for that mercy which he offers to all that ask it; and -we will indulge the persuasion, that this contrite spirit shall -not be despised, that this humble penitent dies <i>in the -Lord</i>.</p> -<p>From these observations concerning the description of persons -mentioned in the text, I proceed,</p> - -<div class="gapspace"> </div> -<p>II. To consider their happiness.</p> -<p>This is represented to consist in two particulars.</p> -<p class="gutindent">1. They rest from their labours.</p> -<p class="gutindent">2. Their works do follow them.</p> -<p><a name="page14"></a><span class="pagenum">p. -14</span>1. <i>They rest from their labours</i>.</p> -<p>The word <i>labours</i> may include all the harassing -occupations and afflictions of the world. Man, by the -condition of his birth, is <i>of few days and full of -trouble</i>: every rank in society, and every period of life, -have their several trials; and we shall not be released from them -till we find a shelter in the tomb. To all the ordinary -afflictions of mortality, the servants of Christ are as fully -exposed as the rest of mankind: and we know that they have -likewise troubles peculiar to themselves. For, look into -the New Testament; examine the representation there given of the -nature of the christian calling; consider the exhortations, -precepts, promises, so abundantly scattered through the sacred -pages, to stimulate and encourage us to fight the good fight of -faith: observe yet further in what manner the Apostles prosecuted -the work of their salvation; with what zeal, vigilance, -self-denial, perseverance, they encountered the hostility of the -world, the evil propensities of their own nature, and the -spiritual adversaries of their peace: with what energy they -pursued their race, with what armour they were girt for the -christian conflict; and then judge how arduous are the labours -which belong to that heavenly calling! We grant, that in -many <a name="page15"></a><span class="pagenum">p. -15</span>respects, those were days of singular hardship; but the -spiritual enemies, and the spiritual trials of the child of God, -are in all ages essentially the same; and with regard to the -world, according to the scriptural use of that term, while the -great springs of human action remain unchanged, and so long as -there is a visible distinction between the children of this world -and the children of light, the christian will always find himself -in a hostile land; and will prove, in his own person, that -through much tribulation he must enter into the kingdom of -God. For, observe any individual of exemplary piety; how -stands the world affected to him? Does it favour his -principles? Does it follow his example? Does it -rejoice in his light? Only let him be as heartily in -earnest on matters of religion, as sober reason must itself admit -that he ought to be: only let him <i>abound</i> in the work of -the Lord with a spiritual as well as with a temporal object in -view: only let him seriously and conscientiously endeavour to -walk worthy of his vocation, and sooner than he shall be exempt -from troubles, his foes shall start up, as it were, from his own -household; he will find enemies among those with whom he might -hope to take sweet counsel, and walk to the house of God as -friends.</p> -<p><a name="page16"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 16</span>But it -is the happiness of them which die in the Lord, that they -<i>rest</i> from their labours.</p> -<p>There is an important sense, in which rest may be attained, -even during this present life; it is the promise of Christ to all -that take upon them his yoke and learn of him; and that promise -is fulfilled in our reconciliation with God, in peace of -conscience, and in that meekness, patience, and contentedness of -mind, which are among the fruits and evidences of Christ’s -religion.</p> -<p>But the rest, of which the Spirit in this place assures us, -commences at the hour of death. And how beautiful is the -image! To the man wearied with labour, what prospect is so -pleasing as that of repose? What sound so sweet as the -promise of rest? Observe, then, the disciple of Jesus -Christ; tossed amidst the waves of this troublesome world: -harassed, not merely by the common afflictions of mortality, but -by troubles exclusively his own: conscious, moreover, that while -he remains on this stage of being, his vigilance never must be -relaxed, and his warfare never can cease: how welcome to him must -be the end of his probation! A deliverance from sin, and -care, and temptation, and pain! An escape into that -peaceful abode, where the wicked cease from troubling, and the -weary are at rest!</p> -<p><a name="page17"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 17</span>Let it -not be inferred from these statements, that life and its labours -are regarded by the Christian as a grievance hard to be borne; -and that there is in his mind an impatient eagerness to be -released from them. Although, in this earthly tabernacle, -he may groan being burthened, and earnestly long to be dissolved, -yet are these feelings and desires kept within the bounds of -christian resignation. Convinced that all his trials are -permitted by infinite wisdom and infinite goodness, he learns to -be content with his state, to run with patience the race set -before him, and cheerfully to commit himself to the divine -disposal. Still, however, he cannot but be painfully -sensible of the perils and troubles of his earthly pilgrimage; -and we may imagine with what holy pleasure he will look back, -when landed in a better world, upon that dark and tempestuous -ocean which he so lately traversed! With what inexpressible -joy he will turn from the scene of his afflictions, to the rest -which remaineth for the people of God! Where is the -reasonable man among us who would not devoutly pray, according to -the language of our Church, that when he shall depart this life, -he may rest in Jesus? Happy to each of us will be the day -which shall release us from our earthly troubles, and call us to -a state unmixed <a name="page18"></a><span class="pagenum">p. -18</span>with pain, and undisturbed by apprehensions of evil!</p> - -<div class="gapspace"> </div> -<p>2. The second ground of happiness to them that die in -the Lord is this, that <i>their works do follow them</i>.</p> -<p>Faith, working by love, as we have already remarked, is the -characteristic distinction of the children of God; and it is here -expressly assumed, that they adorn their profession by the -performance of good works.</p> -<p>The phrase, <i>their works</i>, must be understood of that -entire course of conduct, which has its foundation in christian -principles; of well-doing, whether it respects the duty which we -owe to God, to our neighbour, or to ourselves; of obedience to -the commandments; of the exercise of all christian dispositions, -and especially of that love and of those works of mercy, which -our Saviour has so strikingly inculcated, both by his precept and -example.</p> -<p>These <i>works</i>, it is said, <i>do follow them</i>. -All that the world calls great, or pursues with avidity, we are -doomed, at the hour of death, to leave behind us. Our -wealth will not follow us; our dignities and honours will not -follow us. In this sense we brought nothing into the world, -and it is certain that we can carry nothing out; but if we die in -the Lord, <a name="page19"></a><span class="pagenum">p. -19</span>the works which we have done for his name’s sake, -will go as witnesses on our behalf, to testify the grace of God -which was in us, and the manner in which we dedicated our talents -to his honour and praise.</p> -<p>The meaning of the expression is, that although we are -justified “freely, by God’s mercy, without our -deserts, through true and lively faith,” <a -name="citation19"></a><a href="#footnote19" -class="citation">[19]</a> yet shall we receive, at the last day, -a gracious recompense according to our works. To this -purport, many passages might be cited from the sacred writings; -and these, not merely of a general nature, but referring to -particular instances of piety, both in doing and suffering -according to the will of God. Do men, for example, revile -and persecute us, and say all manner of evil of us falsely for -Christ’s sake? <i>Rejoice</i>, saith our Lord, <i>and -be exceeding glad</i>, <i>for great is your reward in -heaven</i>. Do we <i>sow plenteously</i>? We <i>shall -reap</i> also <i>plenteously</i>. Are we diligent in the -work and labour of love? <i>God is not unrighteous</i> to -forget it. Do we <i>turn many to righteousness</i>? -We shall <i>shine as the stars for ever and ever</i>. We -may state it as the fair inference from these, and a variety of -other considerations, that the more faithfully we <a -name="page20"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 20</span>improve the -talents committed to our trust, by employing them to the end for -which they were given, the more patiently we endure tribulation, -and the more zealously and perseveringly we devote ourselves, in -the spirit of christian love, to the glory of God, and the good -of our fellow-creatures, the greater, in some mysterious sense, -shall be our reward at the resurrection of the just.</p> - -<div class="gapshortline"> </div> -<p>Among the individuals who have been raised up in these latter -days, for the benefit and consolation of mankind, few can be -mentioned who have either been engaged in works more important, -or who have brought to the task abilities more remarkable, -integrity more perfect, and devotedness more entire and -unremitted, than your lamented Minister. In speaking of him -to his own congregation, to those who, besides being acquainted -with his public labours, enjoyed the advantage of his personal -ministry, and beheld him amidst the charities of private life, I -may be supposed to address myself to a partial audience; but the -very circumstance of the following observations being delivered -in the place where <a name="page21"></a><span class="pagenum">p. -21</span>he was best known, and where his character could be most -fairly appreciated, will be some pledge, at least, for their -general truth and correctness.</p> -<p>My first recollections of your late Pastor carry me back to -the early period of my residence in the University of -Cambridge. At that time, I had no personal acquaintance -with him; but it was impossible even then to listen to his -sermons without being impressed with the persuasion that he was a -man of no common abilities, and of no ordinary character. <a -name="citation21"></a><a href="#footnote21" -class="citation">[21]</a> The history of many following -years in which he discharged the various and important duties of -a parochial Minister, warrants the assertion, that had he -continued in such a situation with competent leisure, he could -not have failed to stand in the first rank among his -brethren. So long as the opportunity was afforded him, his -parochial labours were indefatigable; and there are many -individuals still living who can bear witness to his success.</p> -<p><a name="page22"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 22</span>But he -was called to appear chiefly in a different character: and, by a -course of circumstances, which it is here unnecessary to detail, -his name has, for the last eighteen years, been associated with -some of the most extensive operations of christian -benevolence. In ceasing to be the minister of a parish, he -became more entirely the servant of the public.</p> -<p>When his ardent and charitable mind first interested itself in -the cause of the British and Foreign Bible Society, he little -anticipated, I believe, either the formidable nature of the -service which he undertook, or the continually growing demand -which it would urge upon his time and attention. Happily, -however, if it required extraordinary endowments, it found in him -a person suited to the task, and willing to spend and be spent in -the promotion of its christian object. I know of no -qualification demanded by that Institution of its Secretary, -which he did not remarkably possess; nor of any emergency that -befel it, in which he did not rise to the level of the occasion: -and when to this it is added, that the progress of the Society -afforded ample scope for his various powers, and that, perhaps, -in no other situation could they have been so fully called forth, -or employed so beneficially to mankind; <a -name="page23"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 23</span>it seems -reasonable to conclude, that Providence smiled upon his -undertaking, and sanctioned the prosecution of it.</p> -<p>The conviction, indeed, that there exists a directing -providence, over-ruling for its own high purposes the pursuits -and occupations of men, when they, perhaps, little suspect it, -might lead us to observe, with some interest, the way in which he -had previously become qualified for this particular -appointment. It is of great importance to the welfare of -the Society, that its Secretary should be well acquainted with -modern languages. Your deceased Minister had not only a -singular facility in acquiring this knowledge, but it so -happened, that in his early travels, he had cultivated that -talent, and had made himself familiar with the manners, and -habits, and modes of thinking, which prevail in different parts -of the Continent. Little did he anticipate, when engaged in -these pursuits, to what account they would be turned! And -little would any one have imagined, while looking at the youthful -traveller, that he was thus training, however unconsciously, to -be the effective agent of a Society, which should, ere long, -arise to embrace, within the sphere of its benevolence, <i>every -nation</i>, <i>and kindred</i>, <i>and tongue</i>, <i>and -people</i>: and that in the very <a name="page24"></a><span -class="pagenum">p. 24</span>countries which he now visited to -gratify a laudable curiosity, he should hereafter appear as its -accredited representative.</p> -<p>Those who may hereafter furnish us with a complete description -of his character and talents, will have much to tell, which, in -this brief sketch, I can scarcely notice. They will speak -of the fertility of his imagination; of the quickness of his -perception; of his lively and innocent wit; of the soundness of -his judgment; of his almost intuitive knowledge of character; of -his extemporaneous and commanding eloquence; of the facility with -which he could turn his mind to any subject proposed to him; of -his unwearied diligence and unconquerable resolution: and, -particularly, of that cheerfulness of disposition, and that -frankness, candour, and urbanity, which seemed to be interwoven -with his nature. But upon these and similar topics I have -no leisure to dwell. The great excellence in his character -to which I would most particularly advert, is the consecration -which he made of all his talents to the best and noblest -objects.</p> -<p>In early life he had shown no disinclination to lend himself -to pursuits unconnected with religion: and it is said, that, like -many of his young contemporaries, he took a strong interest <a -name="page25"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 25</span>in political -questions. But from the period of which I now speak, and -for some years previous to it, he had ceased, in any sense of the -word, to be a party man. To the king he was a loyal -subject, and the radical and blasphemous spirit of the day he -beheld with feelings of serious concern: but on questions purely -political, I know not that I ever heard him deliver an opinion: -he was occupied by higher things: he determined to have nothing -else in view than the glory of God, and the benefit of -mankind.</p> -<p>For this object he lived; and it is not too much to say, that -for this object he died. Nor can we be surprised, that his -strength eventually proved unequal to the abundance of his -labours.</p> -<p>When I consider how deeply his mind was often affected by a -sense of the responsibility connected with his official -situation; when I reflect upon the many important discussions, -both private and official, in which the concerns of the Society -necessarily engaged him: when I look at his numerous journies, on -its behalf, into all parts of the kingdom; at the multitude of -crowded meetings in which he poured forth the treasures of his -powerful mind; and at the extensive <a name="page26"></a><span -class="pagenum">p. 26</span>correspondence which he maintained -with the agents and friends of the Institution in every quarter -of the world; not to mention the valuable publications, which, -during that interval, he found leisure to compose, and his weekly -ministrations in this sacred place; it is to me matter of -surprise, not that he finally sunk under his exertions, but that, -for a period of eighteen years, he could bear up under those -incessant and overwhelming occupations.</p> -<p>In stating that he consecrated his talents to the glory of -God, and the benefit of his fellow-creatures, I tacitly assume -that he was influenced by christian motives. It is, indeed, -difficult to conceive by what other motives he could possibly be -influenced. By becoming a gratuitous Secretary to the -British and Foreign Bible Society, all worldly views he seems -deliberately to have renounced. Had he thought it right to -employ his great abilities with a view to secular interests, -there can be little doubt that he would have been eminently -successful: but he had a higher and a nobler aim; and the motives -by which he was guided were, as I am well persuaded,—and I -know that I speak the sentiments of those who were most -intimately conversant with him,—among the <a -name="page27"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 27</span>best and -purest that can enter into a human bosom. The principle -which carried him on in his laborious career, through evil report -and good report, till his frame was worn out and exhausted, was -the divine principle of love to God and love to man. This -principle, and this alone, could have sustained him under his -manifold difficulties, and have kept him stedfast and immoveable -in the work. And did he ever express any concern that he -embarked in this cause? Was it a source of regret to him, -that he had left out of sight his worldly interests, and on -account of his devotedness to the Society had exposed himself to -discomforts and disquietudes, which assailed him even to the -last? Every person who was acquainted with him will bear -witness to the contrary; and a short record of his own, subjoined -to some notes concerning the progress of the Institution, and -written apparently within the last few months, will, by most -persons, be deemed conclusive as to the same fact. The -sentence runs thus:—</p> -<blockquote><p>“How sweet to have toiled in this -work! And, if wasted with labours more abundant, he is -compelled to withdraw —. <i>I have -done</i>.”</p> -</blockquote> -<p>The last words occurring at a short distance from the other: -as if, after a pause for reflection, he had felt himself -convinced <a name="page28"></a><span class="pagenum">p. -28</span>that his strength was already worn out, and that in this -great cause he should labour no more.</p> -<p>The situation which he so long held in the Society required a -man of a large and liberal mind; and such he was in the best -sense of the word. His was not that spurious liberality -which looks upon all creeds with equal indifference, and regards -all as equally unimportant; his own views were clear and decided: -he was in heart, as well as by profession, cordially attached to -the doctrines and discipline of that Church, of which he had the -honour to be a Minister. But upon matters of inferior -moment he loved not to dwell: his delight was, without -compromising any of his principles, to contemplate the points -upon which Christians can agree, rather than to provoke debate on -those in which they may differ: and instead of indulging a spirit -of harshness, even towards those whose sentiments he totally -disapproved, his conduct was uniformly that of candour, and -kindness, and benignity.</p> -<p>I have hinted at certain painful circumstances, which, in -addition to the weight of his ordinary labours, very frequently -came upon him from some hostile quarters. This is not the -place in which I could persuade myself <a name="page29"></a><span -class="pagenum">p. 29</span>to enlarge upon such a subject; and -were not the fact too notorious to be entirely overlooked, I -should have passed it over in silence. It is consoling, -however, to observe, that the hostility which your valued -Minister was called to sustain, arose entirely from his -attachment to the important work in which he was so assiduously -engaged, and from the diligence and success with which he pursued -it: and if he had a personal enemy, that enemy had most assuredly -a friend in him: in his mind no feeling of harshness could ever -remain.</p> -<p>“I have witnessed with no little pleasure,” -observes a common friend, “his conduct and demeanour when -he was provoked into,—I should rather say, for it is -<i>that</i> I mean, when he bore, with unperturbed and -inexhaustible good humour, what would have provoked almost any -other man; and when he suffered to remain in the quiver arrows -which he could have sent forth with unerring aim and -vigour.” I have, myself, seen him on many such -occasions, and a harsh or unbecoming word never, in my presence, -fell from his lips. The only feeling, I am persuaded, that -he ever entertained towards his most determined opponents, might -be expressed in the words of our Liturgy;—“That it -may please thee to forgive <a name="page30"></a><span -class="pagenum">p. 30</span>our enemies, persecutors, and -slanderers, and to turn their hearts: We beseech thee to hear us, -good Lord.”</p> -<p>The pain arising from this unremitted hostility was doubtless -much alleviated by the kindness of his numerous friends. -There was, indeed, something in his character and deportment -peculiarly suited to gain the affections of all that approached -him; and seldom has any man, within the circle of his -acquaintance,—a circle, which included some of the most -distinguished individuals both in Church and State,—been -more highly esteemed, or more generally beloved. The regard -entertained for him on those parts of the Continent, which he -visited a few years ago, and from which he transmitted to this -country so much interesting and important religious intelligence, -is well known to many of my hearers: and there is reason to -believe, that the friends of the Bible Society abroad will feel -his removal, in common with ourselves, not merely as a public -loss, but as the loss of a friend and a brother. <a -name="citation30"></a><a href="#footnote30" -class="citation">[30]</a></p> -<p><a name="page31"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 31</span>But the -great source of his consolation, and the crown of his rejoicing, -was the wonderful progress of his beloved Institution. Was -every successive year charged with new troubles and additional -anxieties? But the great work was also steadily -advancing. Were there many adversaries? But a great -door and effectual was opened; kindred Societies, both in the -Eastern and Western world, were not only rising in rapid -succession, but were effectually communicating their own spirit -to many subordinate Associations, within the sphere of their -respective influence: and testimonies were continually pouring -in, from all quarters, of the moral and religious effects -consequent upon this increased diffusion of the Holy -Scriptures. These things abundantly compensated him for all -his anxieties; and he dwelt with especial delight upon the -prospect now apparently opening before the face of all people, of -life and immortality brought to light by the gospel.</p> -<p>Does any person then demand where are the works that shall -follow him? The appropriate answer would be, Where are they -not? They are to be found in every region of the globe: -wherever the word of God has run, and been glorified through the -agency of this Institution, or of the Societies to which it has -<a name="page32"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 32</span>given -birth: and into whatever lands the gospel of Christ shall, by -these means, be extended, there will be recognized the effect of -that mighty influence, to which, under the divine blessing, he so -largely contributed.</p> -<p>Let it not be supposed, that in connecting his name and -exertions so intimately with the progress of that great work, -which is now carrying on throughout the earth, I detract from the -honour which is due to other labourers in the same ample field; -they also will have their reward: and there are none who would -join more heartily in every sentiment which I have here ventured -to express, than those who have toiled with him in the same -service, and borne, in common with himself, the burden and heat -of the day. Were I merely to transcribe their own recorded -declarations, transmitted to me within the last few days, they -would confirm the strongest statements which have hitherto been -made of his important services.</p> -<p>We are often reminded, that, amidst the bustle and tumult of -public occupations, there is great danger lest personal religion -should be forgotten, and lest, even while endeavouring to promote -the salvation of others, we should be tempted to neglect our -own.</p> -<p>In admitting the propriety of this remark, I <a -name="page33"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 33</span>cannot allow -that it is applicable in the instance before us. I might -refer to the unaffected humility of the deceased as often -manifested in his ready deference to others: “I have seen -him yield,” says a near observer, “with the -simplicity of a child, to persons inferior to himself in -understanding and knowledge.” I might advert to his -unshaken trust and confidence in God. When difficulties -were more than usually formidable, he was frequently heard to -repeat, “If God be for us, who can be against -us?” This was not, as repeated by him, merely a -well-sounding quotation; he acted upon the principle; he staked -upon it his ease, his prospects, his reputation, and his -life.—I might appeal to the impression of his friends -concerning the habitual seriousness of his character, and the -pleasure which he took in conversing with them upon sacred -things. Christian conversation was at all times delightful -to him; and by him was always conducted in a becoming -spirit. Whatever, indeed, might be his vivacity upon other -subjects, and however unrestrained within the limits of innocent -mirth the course of conversation, if any observations were -introduced of a religious tendency, he instantly checked his -imagination, and restrained the sallies of his wit. This -circumstance <a name="page34"></a><span class="pagenum">p. -34</span>is more particularly worthy of remark, because he -possessed, naturally, a cheerfulness and liveliness of -disposition, which, in his early days, might seem almost to -border on volatility: and, till disease had weakened his frame, -he continued through life to have such a flow of animal spirits, -that it must have required no ordinary check to keep them within -regular bounds. But on serious subjects he was always -serious. I speak, here, of the whole period within which I -was honoured by his acquaintance. Of late years, this -feature in his character appears to have been particularly -remarked. “Ever since his severe and tedious illness -in 1818,” says a correspondent, “I observed in the -whole of his conversation and deportment increased gravity and -seriousness. He seemed to have death and eternity most -deeply impressed upon his mind; and, on many public occasions, he -repeated with great emphasis those striking words; <i>Work while -it is day</i>; <i>the night cometh</i>, <i>when no man can -work</i>!”</p> -<p>It must be acknowledged, that even the most judicious friends -may form an incorrect estimate of the religious character and -christian virtues of those who stand high in their affectionate -regard. To see the interior of a person’s mind, we -should follow him into <a name="page35"></a><span -class="pagenum">p. 35</span>retirement; and by doing so, as far -as it is possible in this case, we shall, I think, discover much -evidence of a mind devoted to God.</p> -<p>Among the papers of our late valued friend, I find one which -he kept for some years suspended in his study, containing a few -verses of Scripture, calculated to give him courage and -confidence when in great hazard of being tempted to -unfaithfulness in his ministerial duty. <a -name="citation35a"></a><a href="#footnote35a" -class="citation">[35a]</a> In another paper are several -passages, from which, as it is stated in his own hand-writing, he -was “accustomed to derive the greatest relief, support, and -direction.” <a name="citation35b"></a><a -href="#footnote35b" class="citation">[35b]</a> <a -name="page36"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 36</span>What an -instructive lesson would it have afforded to behold him, in his -many afflictions, thus casting himself upon the goodness of God, -and reposing in the comfort of his exceeding great and precious -promises!</p> -<p>On one occasion, when much depressed by very painful -intelligence, he writes; “I sought comfort from meditation -on the word of God; particularly, I was much relieved by -reflecting on the passage; <i>In the multitude of sorrows that I -had in my heart</i>, <i>thy comforts refresh my soul</i>. -Oh, for faith in the divine promises, and the faculty of applying -them wisely and effectually to my own condition!” At -another time, being greatly afflicted, and finding that a friend -was yet more troubled than himself; “The comparison of -situations,” he observes, “threw me upon my knees, -and made me bless God for the kind proportion in which he had -measured out my chastisements.”</p> -<p><a name="page37"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 37</span>Of a -somewhat similar description are the following -extracts:—</p> -<blockquote><p>“April 23. Humbled myself before God -many times this day, having been astonished to find such powerful -corruptions within me. I betrayed a great hastiness of -spirit yesterday evening; this is a sign that the grace of God -has not been improved as it ought to have been. I will, by -God’s assistance, watch against this propensity. And, -oh, that I may never again offend him, or wound my conscience by -falling into that snare of the devil! <i>Let every one of -you be slow to wrath</i>.</p> -<p>“Sunday, April 24. Have humbled myself before God, -this morning; and do resolve to watch and pray that I enter not -into temptation. May the Lord pardon all my sins, and -secure me, by his grace, from falling into them again! -Amen.”</p> -</blockquote> -<p>It ought to be recollected, that the writer was a man of -remarkably fine temper.</p> -<p>My next extracts respect his ministerial duties:—</p> -<blockquote><p>“August 9. Endeavoured to put Dr. -A.’s advice into execution, to bear the people to whom I -was about to preach, fervently to the throne of grace.</p> -<p>“April 22. This day I performed a very <a -name="page38"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 38</span>interesting -service in baptizing two adults, (young ladies) * * * * * I pray -God, that the beneficial memory of it may continue with me, and -with them, till the day of our death.”</p> -</blockquote> -<p>At a somewhat later period, he again expresses the -affectionate interest which he took in their welfare, and the -hope which he entertained of their progress in true religion.</p> -<p>Most, if not all of these passages, were written many years -ago.—What, it may be asked, was the state of his mind as he -approached the termination of life?</p> -<p>Just before he was taken ill, his family read to him, by his -own desire, the Book of Job, with Scott’s Observations; and -being placed at that time under certain outward circumstances of -discomfort, he was in the habit of applying what was read to his -own case. The progress of disease presently incapacitated -him, either for reading much himself, or of giving his attention -to others. But I learn, from different friends, who had -sometimes the opportunity of speaking to him, that his mind was -always most awake to subjects of religion; and that, whenever he -could be roused to mental exertion, these were the subjects which -recalled, for a time, his decaying energies. The -Sunday-week after his seizure, <a name="page39"></a><span -class="pagenum">p. 39</span>when one of his daughters was sitting -with him, he laid his hand upon a book on the table, and asked -what it was. Being informed that it was the Life of Hooker, -he immediately began to repeat, in the words of that excellent -man; “I have lived to see this world is made up of -perturbations; and I have long been preparing to leave it; and -gathering comfort for the dreadful hour of making my account with -God,—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, shew mercy to -me; for I plead not my righteousness, but the forgiveness of my -unrighteousness, for his merits who died to purchase a pardon for -penitent sinners! And, since I owe thee a death, Lord, let -it not be terrible, and then take thine own time; I submit to it: -let not mine, O Lord, but thy will, be done!” This -passage, it seems, he was much in the habit of repeating, -doubtless from its expressing the views and feelings which he -habitually entertained. In one of his last letters to the -same daughter, he writes in these terms; <a -name="page40"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 40</span>“My -frame has been so shattered, that I must not expect it to be -<i>speedily</i>, perhaps, never thoroughly repaired. There -is nothing I wish to live for, but the service of my Divine -Master; and if I may but be favoured with the testimony of having -pleased him, and possessing an interest in his love, I shall be -willing to live or to die, as to him may appear best. Oh, -my dear daughter, this should be our first, our last, our -invariable object; we cannot dispense with its consolations in -sickness, or its support in death.”</p> -<p>The only remaining paper to which I shall refer, was written -when he was deprived by sickness of the privilege of public -worship. <a name="citation40"></a><a href="#footnote40" -class="citation">[40]</a></p> -<blockquote><p>“What a mercy it is,” he observes, -“that, as well from the nature of God, as from his -condescension, and the tenor of his promises, we can have access -to him in privacy and solitude, when precluded, by sickness or -other impediments, from worshipping him in public, and with the -congregation of his saints. Of this mercy, I, who during -many months have been confined to my bed, my chamber, or my -house, desire to be deeply sensible, and to make it the subject -<a name="page41"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 41</span>of my most -devout and grateful thanksgiving:—<i>Pray to thy Father -which is in -secret</i>:—<i>ask</i>,—<i>seek</i>,—<i>knock</i>,—<i>draw -nigh unto God</i>; and every other direction of a similar -tendency are of unlimited application; and the promises annexed -to them may be depended on, as engaged to be made good as often -as the direction is spiritually complied with, and faithfully -performed.</p> -<p>“<i>Private</i> worship, which consists in acts and -offerings of prayer and praise, is the peculiar and spiritual -duty of the invalid; and the privileges annexed to it are -peculiarly his property. In this worship he ought to -abound; he cannot perform it too frequently, and in proportion as -he abounds and perseveres in the performance of it, may he expect -the promised blessing. He may confess his sins, and -supplicate the mercy of God in Christ, as frequently as he feels -the guilt of the former, and his need of the latter;—he -cannot confess or supplicate too often, he cannot ask too much, -or with too great importunity; if he apply for spiritual things, -and apply in faith, God’s ear is <i>ever</i> open to his -cry; he will hear those that call upon him; he giveth liberally; -and on those who ask abundantly, he will bestow abundantly, that -their joy may be full.</p> -<p><a name="page42"></a><span class="pagenum">p. -42</span>“Nor is the invalid tied down to any particular -form of words or mode of service. Having only God and -himself to consider, he has no other concern than to make known -his wants, and give expression to his feelings in such terms as -are best adapted to lay open his heart to that God, who, he -knows, seeth in secret, and who requireth to be worshipped in -spirit and in truth. He may, therefore, consider himself at -full liberty to contemplate the mercy of a reconciled God, in all -the variety of its boundless dimensions; the privileges of -acceptance, justification, and adoption, the unsearchable riches -of Christ, and the immeasurable consolation of the Spirit, as a -property of which he is invited freely to partake: he may come -boldly to the throne of grace, he may obtain mercy and grace to -help him in every time of need, and look up continually with -unfeigned hope and increasing confidence to that God who, over -and above the future inheritance of the saints in light, will -<i>here</i> supply all our need, according to his riches in -glory, by Christ Jesus.” <a name="citation42"></a><a -href="#footnote42" class="citation">[42]</a></p> -</blockquote> -<p><a name="page43"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 43</span>In -contemplating a man of this character, of piety so scriptural, -and of talents, which, for variety and power, are rarely to be -found; we might perhaps have expected, that he would long be -spared to assist in carrying on that work of mercy, which, -through the divine goodness, had already prospered so wonderfully -in his hands; but,—God’s thoughts are not our -thoughts, nor His ways our ways:—he has been taken away in -the midst of his usefulness. We might have expected, that -in his last hours he would have been permitted to testify of that -Saviour whom he served, and of the power of that gospel which he -had laboured to spread throughout the world. But, such was -the mysterious appointment of Providence, his vigorous mind -seemed to sink under the weight of the disorder which was fatal -to the body. Would it not have been better, we are ready to -ask, that he should be called away by a sudden death? No; -for to God it seemed otherwise: and, although he was for several -weeks previous to his dissolution able to say little, and -although it was difficult, towards the close of life, to excite -in him any sensible <a name="page44"></a><span class="pagenum">p. -44</span>apprehension; yet since, if ever he was roused to any -portion of his former energy, it was when the chord of religion -was touched; since there was something within which answered to -that sound, when all besides was silent, the testimony thus given -was neither unsatisfactory nor unimportant. How strong in -his mind must have been the influence of that heavenly principle, -which, amidst the wreck of his mental, as well as bodily powers, -could still survive, and still give proof of its existence!</p> -<p>And shall we be sorry, as men, without hope, for them that -sleep in Jesus? <i>I heard a voice from heaven</i>, -<i>saying unto me</i>, <i>Write</i>, <i>Blessed are the dead -which die in the Lord from henceforth</i>;—<i>Yea</i>, -<i>saith the Spirit</i>, <i>that they may rest from their -labours</i>, <i>and their works do follow them</i>. It -becomes us to be thankful, in the behalf of our brother, that he -now rests from all his anxieties; that the cares, and conflicts, -and vexations of life, can disturb him no more. Some of -these trials were deeply painful; but if we could ask what now -are his thoughts of them, and what are his present sentiments of -the course which he pursued, would he tell us, think you, that he -repents of his devotedness to the cause of piety and truth? -That, if his days could be recalled, he would be less active, <a -name="page45"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 45</span>less zealous, -less persevering? Does he wish that he had listened more to -the voice of man, and less to that of conscience? That -instead of consecrating his talents to the highest purposes, he -had employed them to secure worldly distinctions and worldly -emoluments? Did he, while yet struggling with the evils of -mortality, record, in the very midst of his trials, how sweet it -was to have toiled in this work? And does he repent of his -exertions, and his sacrifices, now that he rests from his -labours, and his works do follow him? If it were no subject -of regret to him in <i>this</i> world, is it such in the world to -which he is gone? Oh, if we could at present perceive, as -we shall know hereafter, the vanity and emptiness of all earthly -things, when contrasted with those which are spiritual and -eternal; how earnestly should we seek first the kingdom of God -and his righteousness! And how trifling would all other -objects appear, when compared with that great object of promoting -the glory of God!</p> -<p>To him, whom we now bear in our affectionate recollection, we -are well persuaded that to die was gain. Ours is the loss: -and how deeply it is felt, this present assembly can -witness. But shall we mourn then for the great cause to -which his labours were devoted? And <a -name="page46"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 46</span>especially -for that Institution, which is now deprived of his -services? Did the success of it depend upon human talent or -human energy, the loss might indeed be irreparable: but whatever -becomes of the agents of the Society, if it have the sanction of -God, it cannot fail to prosper. Whatever be the fate of the -Society itself, the work which it has so successfully laboured to -promote, will eventually triumph. The ways of God will, ere -long, be known throughout the earth, his <i>saving health among -all nations</i>. <i>For</i>, <i>from the rising of the -sun</i>, <i>even to the going down of the same</i>, <i>my name -shall be great among the Gentiles</i>: <i>and in every place -incense shall be offered unto my name</i>, <i>and a pure -offering</i>; <i>for my name shall be great among the -heathen</i>, <i>saith the Lord of Hosts</i>. Already, as we -may venture to hope, has an impulse been given, which shall not -be destroyed till it has reached the farthest nations of the -globe. Amidst all the conflicts and disappointments of the -world, Divine Providence is still steadily accomplishing its -plans of mercy and benevolence, and in due season they shall all -be fulfilled. In expressing our gratitude for having been -permitted to see the progressive advancement of the kingdom of -Christ in our own days, and to share in the privilege of making -<a name="page47"></a><span class="pagenum">p. 47</span>known more -extensively the glad tidings of salvation, let us recognise our -duty and zealously discharge it. Let the death of those -that have toiled in this service, stimulate the industry of them -that survive: let every event of this kind be felt as a call to -increased energy and activity in all good works: that when this -world of strife and perturbations shall close upon us, we too may -<i>die in the Lord</i>: and, finally, with all his faithful -people, may have our perfect consummation and bliss, both in body -and soul, in his eternal and everlasting glory.</p> - -<div class="gapspace"> </div> - -<div class="gapshortline"> </div> -<p style="text-align: center"><span class="GutSmall">THE -END.</span></p> - -<div class="gapshortline"> </div> - -<div class="gapspace"> </div> -<h2>FOOTNOTES.</h2> -<p><a name="footnote4"></a><a href="#citation4" -class="footnote">[4]</a> See, particularly, 1 Corinthians -xv. 18. 1 Thessalonians iv. 14, 16.</p> -<p><a name="footnote5"></a><a href="#citation5" -class="footnote">[5]</a> John vi. 47.</p> -<p><a name="footnote6a"></a><a href="#citation6a" -class="footnote">[6a]</a> Homily on Salvation.</p> -<p><a name="footnote6b"></a><a href="#citation6b" -class="footnote">[6b]</a> Homily on Faith.</p> -<p><a name="footnote6c"></a><a href="#citation6c" -class="footnote">[6c]</a> Ibid.</p> -<p><a name="footnote8a"></a><a href="#citation8a" -class="footnote">[8a]</a> Homily on Faith.</p> -<p><a name="footnote8b"></a><a href="#citation8b" -class="footnote">[8b]</a> Homily on Salvation.</p> -<p><a name="footnote12a"></a><a href="#citation12a" -class="footnote">[12a]</a> Life of Hooker.</p> -<p><a name="footnote12b"></a><a href="#citation12b" -class="footnote">[12b]</a> Life of the Rev. Joseph -Milner.</p> -<p><a name="footnote19"></a><a href="#citation19" -class="footnote">[19]</a> Homily on Salvation.</p> -<p><a name="footnote21"></a><a href="#citation21" -class="footnote">[21]</a> It was about this time that the -report of his remarkable qualifications as a minister attracted -the attention of the late excellent Bishop Porteus, under whose -patronage he accepted the curacy of Fulham, and to whose -unalterable kindness, during all the remaining days of that -venerable Prelate, he ever professed himself to be deeply -indebted.</p> -<p><a name="footnote30"></a><a href="#citation30" -class="footnote">[30]</a> A premature report of Mr. -Owen’s death having been spread upon the Continent, letters -have already arrived, expressing the deepest concern and sympathy -at the distressing intelligence.</p> -<p><a name="footnote35a"></a><a href="#citation35a" -class="footnote">[35a]</a> For instance:</p> -<blockquote><p>“There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor -counsel, against the Lord.” Proverbs xxi. 30.</p> -<p>“The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are -blessed after him.”</p> -<p>“<i>No</i> weapon that is formed against thee <i>shall -prosper</i>: and every tongue that shall rise against thee in -judgment thou shalt condemn.” Isaiah liv. 17.</p> -<p>“I, even I am he that comforteth you: Who art thou, that -thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son -of man, that shall be made as grass?” &c.</p> -</blockquote> -<p><a name="footnote35b"></a><a href="#citation35b" -class="footnote">[35b]</a> Such as:</p> -<blockquote><p>“Nevertheless, though I am sometime afraid, -yet put I my trust in <span -class="smcap">Thee</span>.” Psalms lvi. 3. -Prayer Book version.</p> -<p>“Or, what time I am afraid, I will trust in <span -class="smcap">Thee</span>.”</p> -<p>“Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him: and he -shall bring it to pass.” Psalm xxxvii. 5.</p> -<p>“My soul, wait thou only upon God, for my expectation is -from <i>Him</i>.” Psalm lxii. 5.</p> -<p>“Trust in him <i>at all times</i>: ye people, <i>pour -out your heart before Him</i>.” Psalm ii. 8.</p> -<p>“Let him take hold of my strength, that he may make -peace with me: and <i>he shall make peace with -me</i>.” Isaiah xxvii. 5.</p> -</blockquote> -<p><a name="footnote40"></a><a href="#citation40" -class="footnote">[40]</a> Probably in 1818.</p> -<p><a name="footnote42"></a><a href="#citation42" -class="footnote">[42]</a> I cite the above passages, under -the conviction that they express the genuine feelings of the -writer. In some cases, I should be disposed to consider -extracts from journals, &c. when taken alone, as of rather -questionable authority.</p> -<pre> - - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CHARACTER AND HAPPINESS OF THEM -THAT DIE IN THE LORD*** - - -***** This file should be named 67064-h.htm or 67064-h.zip****** - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/6/7/0/6/67064 - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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