were known, be deemed the more honourable charac ters, the people of the world themselves being judges.

It is not, however, here meant to be insinuated, that pious persons never form too harsh a judgment concerning their neighbours. A certain precipitancy of temper, and a vehemence about points of doctrine, or a contracted acquaintance with some sect.or party, often betray them into mistakes of this kind. Yet whilst we censure a seeming want of charity in others, we should be careful not to fall into real uncharitableness ourselves: and not to condemn any religious persons, merely for abiding by the standard of the Bible; lest we should be guilty of condemning the Bible itself, while we are fondly valuing ourselves on our superior christian charity.

But the person of whom we speak, though attached to the church of England; both in respect of its geuuine doctrine, worship, and discipline, was equally a cordial friend to pious persons among the dissenters: though, undoubtedly, his more intimate connexions lay among those of them who accorded in doctrine with his own church. His rule of judgment, therefore, ought not to be considered as merely having respect to party; nor was it determined by a minute regard to his own sentiments in disputable points; but it was formed on the great outlines of doctrine and practice, which are evidently contained in the Scriptures.

4. Our attention should next be directed to the composed manner, in which this honoured and useful servant of God, looked forward to the approach of death. Though he was in general healthy and of a good constitution, yet for a long time before he died,

he was sensible that he grew old, and often spake of his nearness to the eternal world, with a serenity, that shewed these reflections to be familiar, and even satisfactory, to him: and when indeed it became evident that the solemn season was arrived, there was no occasion to conceal his real situation from him. He considered his sickness as a summons from his gracious Lord, and calmly prepared to comply with it: being surrounded by his children, and commending them and their's to the blessing of that God and Saviour, whom he had trusted, and with whom he had walked; recommending to them his service and salvation, and then calmly resigning his spirit into his gracious hands; he put many in remembrance of dying Jacob, blessing his twelve sons, and then yielding up the ghost:-and the impression made upon the minds of those who beheld the tender, instructive, solemn, and animating scene, will probably not soon be effaced. "Mark the perfect man, and behold the up'right; for the end of that man is peace."

This is by no means intended, as a delineation of the whole character, which we are considering; but merely as an attempt to point out a few of its most distinguishing and undeniable features, and such as were most obvious to those who were the best acquainted with him; whether they might understand the principles from which they resulted, or not.Were we to examine minutely, every part of his conduct, in domestick, relative, commercial, and private life, and to descant on it in the style of panegyrick, much more might be adduced worthy of commendaon and imitation. If, on the other hand, every part

should be rigorously scrutinized, it is not denied, that blemishes might be descried; nay, that even faults might be found. Doubtless, some have been observed, and perhaps lamented, by those who were much conversant with him: but nothing inconsistent with strict probity, enlarged benevolence, genuine piety, and deep humility. The Evangelists have delineated a perfect character in the history of Christ; but no other can be found among the whole human race: however, were men in general, in their several stations, enabled to act in the manner that hath been described, how would the miseries of the world be prevented, removed, or mitigated! How harmless, peaceful, and useful would they be to each other, in their families, connexions, and in civil society! How happy would they be in themselves! And how happy would they render all around them! When this shall become the general character of mankind, (as it will, when they shall become true christians,) then wars will cease throughout all the earth, and men will only contend with each other, who shall most abound in love and good works.-We proceed therefore,

II. To consider some of the religious principles, which gave rise to these peculiarities of character and

conduct.

We may conceive of these, as similar to the internal construction of a watch, from which, though unseen, arises its exact outward motion. The whole of what will be adduced on this head, is virtually comprised in the words of the text, of which, the love of Christ forms, as it were, the centre.-In the introduction, some observations have been made on St. Paul's

leading motives and consequent conduct: and it may here be added, that the same principles must form the main spring of holy activity in the heart of every real christian; and that a measure of the same constraining love of Christ was the real source of those distinguishing circumstances, in the character and conduct of our honoured friend, concerning which we have been discoursing.

It cannot be expected that a full delineation of christian principles can here, be given. For this, the reader must be referred to the Scriptures, especially to the New Testament, to that book which this servant of God studied day by day thence imbibing those instructions which, by divine grace, formed that character for piety and beneficence, which hath been commended to the reader's consideration and imitation.But it may be proper to point out some of those principles, evidently founded in Scripture, which he was known by his more intimate friends to hold; and which, centring in the love of Christ, seem to have been most influential on his practice.

If we consult the Bible, we find that man is there considered as standing related to God, his Creator, Governor, and Judge. From this relation arise duties and obligations, at once very strict and extensive, and very reasonable and necessary: and we need that redemption of the death of Christ, of which the apostle speaks, only in consequence of having acted inconsistently with those relations and obligations.-A rational, dependent, and accountable creature, that has received. all his powers and possessions from God, and is here in a state of preparation and probation; whose soul is immortal, and whose body must shortly die and at length

rise again; who must appear before God in judgment, and be placed in a state of unchangeable and eternal happiness or misery, according to his conduct in this present world: I say, such a being must be allowed to stand in a very important situation; and he who considers this doctrine of his relation to God with hearty self-application, must consider himself his servant in all that he does, and his steward in all that he possesses; and he must regard it as his duty, interest, and wisdom, to use and do every thing with reference to the will, favour, and honour of his Sovereign Lord, his liberal Benefactor, his holy heart-searching Judge, and the righteous Arbiter of his eternal condition. But who is there that has fulfiled, or is disposed thus unreservedly and heartily to fulfil, these duties, in their large and spiritual extent? Hence therefore results at consciousness of guilt, and liableness to condemnation at the tribunal of God. This the apostle intimates, when he says, "then were all dead." While St. Paul "measured himself by other rules that the holy, spiritual, and perfect law of God, "He was alive without

the law: but when the commandment came, sin "revived, and he died." So long as men judge of their own conduct by the general maxims and customs of the world, and by the ordinary rules of judg ment; they will not readily be induced to plead guilty before God. But" by the law is the knowledge of "sin" and he who understands the extent, spirituality, reasonableness, and excellency of the two great commandments, "Thou shalt love the LORD thy God, "with all thy heart;" and "Thou shalt love thy

neighbour as thyself:" he that judges all his former