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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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