now he had nothing more to do, but to refign his Soul into the Arms of his Redeemer; which he was heard to do just before he expir'd, faying, Come Lord Jefus! Come quickly!

So liv'd and fo dy'd this Eminent Servant of God, whofe Memory is bleffed, and will be precious in the account of all who knew the excellent Gifts and Abilities God was pleas'd to bestow on him.

The Remembrance of these, and of the Vertues and Graces that fhone in him, juftly aggravate our Sorrow; and it would argue Stupidity, not to mourn on fuch an occafion as this. The Lofs of fo well qualify'd a Minifter, and of so faithful a Friend, may well afflict us deeply. Yet are we not to mourn as 1 Theff. 4. those who have no hope, because we have reason 13. to conclude that he is enter'd into everlasting Reft, and has gain'd infinitely by dying. It will be well, if the Grief occafion'd by his Decease become a godly Sorrow, by a juft Aplication of our Thoughts to the Voice of God's Providence, which speaks fo loudly to us in this fevere Affliction.

May you, who are Members of this Congregation, remember how he watch'd over you in the Lord for the space of about Twenty Years, and how he ceas'd not to warn you night and day A&s 20. 31. with Tears; may you follow his Faith, confidering the End of his Converfation. Ask Counsel Heb. 13. 7. by your Prayers, of the great Shepherd and 1 Pet. 2. 25. Bishop of your Souls in all your Difficulties; refign your felves to his Conduct, and beg earneftly that he would give you another Paftor Jer. 3. 15. according to his own Heart, who may feed you with Knowledg and Understanding. Remember particularly, the preffing Exhortations your

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late Minister so often made you, to continue unanimous, and to cultivate Charity and brotherly Love among your felves; that God may ftill extend the Wing of his Protection over you, and provide for the Neceffities of your Pfal. 132. Souls; that he may bless the Provifion of his Houfe, and fatisfy the Poor with Bread. And conftantly regard the bleffed Hope which is fet before you, that Reft which remains to the 1 Cor.9. 24. People of God. So run that ye may obtain; fo labour that ye may enter into this Reft; that you may rejoice together with your Paftor in the Day of the Lord, when the many Souls converted and edify'd by his Miniftry, fhall Phil. 4.1. be his Crown, his Glory, and Joy; when he shall furrender his Charge to the Great Shepherd, faying, LORD here am I, and the Children thou hast given me.

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All who knew the Value of this Great and Good Man, muft needs partake of the common Sorrow which his Death has occafion'd: But what words can exprefs the piercing Grief of one, who is left in the folitary State of Widowhood by so tender a Husband! and with what Compaffion fhould we address our Prayers to the Father of Mercies, and God of all Confolation, to fupport her under this heavy Stroke, and to teach her a becoming Submission to his Will in fo trying a Cafe? A Cafe that calls loudly for our Commiferation, and may well make her cry out with the faddeft Accent of Sorrow, Job 19.21. Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my Friends! for the Hand of God hath touch'd me. Yet let not her forrowful Soul utterly refuse to be comforted, fince it ought to be accounted a Favour of Divine Providence, to have been related to fo valuable a Perfon; and fince it has pleas'd

pleas'd God, for the mitigation of her Trouble, to give her the Satisfaction of obferving his Chriftian Behaviour during his long Sicknefs, and of hearing fo often the gracious Words that proceeded from him; fo as to give her juft reafon to believe, his righteous Soul is now in a happy State, waiting for the Refurrection of his Body, while fhe has good Hope, thro Grace, in a little time, to enter by the fame Steps, into that Reft which he has already attain'd.

To conclude; Let us all account our felves Pilgrims and Strangers here, as the Patriarchs did; and as fuch, let us abstain from worldly 1 Pet. 2. 11. Lufts, which war against the Soul. Let us make it appear that we are in queft of a better Country, by withdrawing our Affections from this World, and fixing 'em on the things above. Let us keep the Eye of our Faith intent on that Kingdom which can't be remov'd; and let us be conftantly doing our Lord's Will, that whenever he fhall call us hence, being found fo doing, we may enter into this State of Joy and Reft, which remains to the People of God, whither Chrift, our Fore-runner, is already enter'd, and into which he will receive all those who love and wait for his Appearance.

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