to screen them from the bitter invective; and scurrilous abuse, so often heaped me already. Lord I have lived in hope, I have prayed in hope, I have labored, suffered, and waited, in hope; and by thy grace I will die in hope.-Can I love such a world as this? And shall I not think more delightfully of the inheritance of the saints in light, and the uniting love and joyful praises of the heavenly choir ? What is heaven to me but God? God who is life, and light, and love, communicating himself to blessed spirits; perfecting them in the reception, possession, and exercise, of life, and light, and love, forever ? read often that triumphing chapter, Rom. viii. and conclude, who shall separate us from the love of God? If life have not done it, death shall not do it Lord thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee. Therefore I know that I am beloved of thee; and come to thee in the confidence of thy love, and long to be nearer in the clearer sight, the fuller sense, and joyfuller exercise of love forever. Father into thy hand I commend my spirit. Lord Jesus receive my spirit. Amen."* "I am going," said Dr. Owen but two days before his death, in a letter to a friend, "I am going to him whom my soul has loved; or rather, who has loved me with an everlasting love, which is the whole ground of all my consolation. I am leaving the ship of the church in a storm; but whilst the great Pilot is in it, * Baxter's Works, folio, vol. iii. upon them, and upon the receivers, and advocates of them, by those, who “speak the loss of a poor underrower, will be inconsiderable. Live, and pray, and hope, and wait patiently, and do not despond; the promise stands invincible, that he will never leave us, nor forsake us.* Halyburton, when dying, thus addressed those around him. "Here is a demonstration of the reality and power of faith and godliness. 1, a poor weak and timorous man, once as much afraid of death as any one: I, who was many years under the terrors of death, come in the mercy of God, and by the power of his grace, composedly and with joy to look death in the face. I have seen it in its paleness, and all the circumstances of horror that attend it. I dare look it in the face in its most ghastly 'shape, and hope to have in a little time the victory over it Glory, glory to him! O what of God do I see! I have never seen any thing like it! The beginning and end of religion are wonderfully sweet! I long for his salvation, I bless his name! I have found him! I am taken up in blessing him! I am dying: rejoicing in the Lord! O,I could not have believed that I should bear, and bear cheerfully as I have done, this rod, which has lain on me so long. This is a miracle. Pain without pain! You see a man dying a monu ment of the glorious power of astonishing grace!" Some time after he said, "when I shall * The Christian's Consolation, page 74. evil of the things which they understand not." 66 be so weakened as not to be able to speak, I will give you, if I can, a sign of triumph when I am near to glory." This he did! for when one said, "I hope you are encouraging yourself in the Lord," not being able to speak, he lifted up his hands, clapped them, and quickly after expired.* "It will not be long," said Mr. Toplady, "before God takes me; for no mortal man can live after the glories which God has manifested to my soul." Mr. Ryland cried out "Happy, happy, happy! O what ease of body! O what ease of soul !" Mr. Brewer said, "O what a world am I going to! Here all is sin, and all is sorrow, but there everlasting joy. Jesus is standing to receive my spirit. My flesh and my heart faileth, but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.t Dr. Romaine in his funeral sermon on the death of Hervey thus writes respecting him, "He had long desired to depart and to be with Christ, which he knew was far better than to abide in the flesh; but he waited patiently for the Lord's time; and when it was come, he thus expressed the thankfulness of his heart; "Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy most holy and comfort * Buck on Religious Experience, page 207. The young may learn from the foregoing account, the importance of early able word for mine eyes have seen thy precious salvation.”* "I have," said Dr. Romaine himself just before his dissolution, "the peace of God in my conscience, and the love of God in my heart. I knew before, the doctrines I preached to be truths; but now I experience them to be blessfugs. Jesus is more precious than rubies, and all that can be desired on earth is not to be compared with him. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty! Glory be to thee on high, for such peace on earth, and good will to men." "I am full of confidence," said Dr. Doddridge," there is a hope set before me. I have fled, I still fly for refuge to that hope. In him I trust. In him I have strong consolation and shall assuredly be accepted in the beloved of my soul."+ The following, are among the last words of Dr. Finley. When informed by Dr. C. that he was probably near his end, he raised himself upon his pillow, and broke out," then may the Lord bring me near to himself—I have waited with a Canaan hunger for the promised land. Oh! how sweet are the promises of God! Although I have earnestly desired death as the hireling pants for the evening shade, yet will I wait my appointed time. Some time af *Hervey's Works, vol. v. page 124. piety. Though your breasts, my young friends, now beat high with hope, and "You are more ter he spoke as follows, "A Christian's death is the best part of his existence. Blessed be God, eternal rest is at hand: Eternity is long enough to enjoy God. This has animated me in my severest studies." On being asked whether he would prefer to live, or to die? He replied," To die." cheerful, sir," said one of the 66 company. Yes, I rise or fall as eternal rest appears nearer or farther off."-Addressing himself to those who were present, he said, "Oh! that each of you may experience what, Blessed be God, I do, when ye come to die!" Waking one morning he exclaimed, "Oh! what a disappointment have I met with; I expected this morning to have been in heaven." At another time, “Oh! I shall triumph over every foe! The 'Lord hath given me the victory? I exalt, I triumph. Oh! that I could see untainted purity." Again he said, "Lord Jesus, into thine hands I commit my spirit. I do it with confidence, I do it with full assurance. I know that thou wilt keep that which I have committed unto thee." A clergyman present having said, “I am come, dear sir, to hear you confirm by facts, the gospel you have preached, Pray how do you feel?" The doctor replied, Full of triumph. I triumph through Christ. Nothing clips my wings but the thoughts of my dissolution being prolonged. Oh! that it was to night. My very soul thirsts for |