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the perfections of his nature, we are bound to believe, that justice and judgment are the habitation of his throne.

It must afford you sensible satisfaction, that you discharged the duties of your relation to him with fidelity; as you have neglected nothing to lengthen out a life so valuable and dear. But his day was come to fall; the unchanged decree of heaven must bring forth. His death is the result of unerring wisdom, and perfect moral rectitude. Therefore, instead of finding fault with God's administrations, hush every rising murmur, quietly acquiesce. Eye with attention the hand which smites you; patiently submit to the rod by which you were chastised. Then shall meat come out of the eater, and sweetness out of the strong; your afflictions shall be your blessings. We wish you the light of God's countenance, the support of his gracious spirit. He is able to comfort you in all your tribulations. He can administer abundant consolation. You have lost but a stream, God is a fountain. In him all fulness dwells. To him we invite you to look, and under the shadow of his wings to seek refuge. May this afflictive providence be sanctified to you; may it be the happy means of preparing you to follow your departed consort into the world of spirits; that you may be happy with him in the enjoyment of God for ever. This, dear Madam, is our ardent wish, and with this, we must close our address to you.

2. The children of the deceased, next claim our attention.

Afflicted Friends,

Considering the heavy loss you sustain, and the keen sensibility it must occasion, I feel myself at a loss, in what language to address you. The near relation which subsisted between the deceased and you, together with the paternal tenderness he exercised toward you, must necessarily cause his death to be greatly lamented. By his removal, you have experienced the loss of a father, nay, more than a father, a kind parent and a faithful minister. Should I dwell upon the dark side of this dispensation, it would but open the springs of grief; it would but enlarge the tide of sorrow. I wish not to give you pain, but rather administer comfort, to your sorrowful

hearts. Though your dear parent is gone, never more to be an inhabitant of this our world, you have this source of consolation, that his death is his eternal gain. He has exchanged worlds infinitely to his advantage. Methinks there was a crowd of angels who surrounded his dying bed, commissioned from the court above, to take the charge of his departing spirit, and see it safely lodged in the embraces of his Redeemer. Charity forbids us to place him, but in the bosom of Abraham, surrounded with kindred spirits, solacing himself at the fountain head of delight, and drinking full draughts of the river of pleasure, which flow at God's right hand. He died but to live, and to live in a more happifying and exalted man. ner, than when here on the earth. You have no reason to lament his death, as a loss to himself; for while for him to live was Christ, so for him to die, was gain.

The calamity is yours, and great indeed is it, in every view. While you feel the pain, forget not the hand which caused it ; but remember that submission is your duty. Let God be your refuge, and his name your strong tower. In this day of adversity, repair to him for protection. Let it be your chief care, to have a sanctified improvement of this providence. Then may you say, it is good for you that you have been afflicted. You will never more be blessed with the private counsels or public instructions of your father. Remember the past; let them enter into your hearts, copy them in your lives, and you will be wise for yourselves. We commend you to God, who is able to sanctify this dispensation, and over-rule it to your everlasting good.

3. Let me in the next place, address myself to the bereaved church of Christ, and congregation in this place..

Men, Brethren, and Fathers,

You have occasion to sing of mercy and of judgment. Of mercy, in sparing the life of your worthy Pastor for so many years to you; of judgment, in that he is called away, leaving you as sheep without a shepherd. Your loss, it is probable, is in some respects irreparable. It is scarce to be expected, that you will ever be blessed with another so able, faithful,

skilful instructor. I have in time past viewed you as one of the most privileged people on this side heaven. O, what a price have you had in your hands to get wisdom! what a blessed chance for a glorious immortality! But, alas! the labours of your Minister are over with you. He has done his work, and is called home to receive his reward. Your eyes will see him no more; his voice will no more be heard among you. He will no more set before you the character of Jehovah, and delineate his glorious perfections. He will no more bring into your view your natural depravity, or your ill desert for sin No more unfold the riches of God's grace in the gift of his Son, display the banner of his cross, and invite you to take shelter there: No more explain the god-like, glorious doctrines of grace contained in the gospel; point out the necessity of regeneration, and saving conversion, and show wherein they consist: No more vindicate the doctrine of imputed righteousness against gainsayers; or urge the importance of true holiness, exhorting you to follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. He will no more reprove the vicious, detect the bypocrite, or perform any branch of the ministerial office. You, who are heads of families, will no more hear the solemn counsels of his mouth, and his pathetic entreaties, to take care of your own souls, as well as those of your children. You, who are young, will no more be called upon by him, to remember your Creator in the days of your youth, to forsake the foolish and live, and go in the way of understanding. He has bid a final adieu to this desk, to this house, to this people of his charge. He will never give you another warning to flee from impending danger, nor another invitation, to hasten to the mountain of safety. Lo, his tongue cleaves to the roof of his mouth, and his lips are sealed in death. Never forget his past labours among you; his prayers and tears, his cries and entreaties, with and for you. Be humble under the mighty hand of God. Consider the ground of this sore bereavement. Reflect upon the improvement you have made under the ministry of this eminent teacher, whose labours you so long enjoyed. Take the warning gvien you by the providence, and be quickened thereby

to prepare for your own departure. May a merciful God, who hath broken, heal you, and he who hath wounded, bind you up. Brethren, we commend you to God, and the power of his grace, who is able to build you up, and finally give you an inheritance among them which are sanctified through faith in the Redeemer.

4. I am naturally led, on this occasion, to address myself in a few words, to my fathers and brethren in the work of the ministry.

Reverend Sirs,

Not only one of our fellow-mortals is called away by death, but also a fellow-labourer in the vineyard of God. Not only a man, a Christian, but an eminent minister of the Gospel. He was intrusted with a like office as we; he was engaged in the same cause with us. But neither his office, nor his eminence, could secure him from the stroke of death. May we not justly lament over this man of God in the expressive language of Elisha, as he saw the prophet Elijah ascending from earth to heaven-My Father, my Father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. Well may we cry out, Our fathers, where are they; and the prophets, do they live for ever? Hereby are we solemnly admonished that we must die. How doth it become us to shake off sloth, and be active in our Master's work! We are intrusted not only with. the care of our own souls, but also the souls of our people. Let us awake to the greatest of all concerns-the salvation of men. It should be our care to follow the example of Christ, that we may be patterns to our flocks in virtue and true piety. How ought love to God and benevolence to men to excite us to discharge the duties of our office with fidelity! Let us keep future realities much in view, and with an eye to the day when we must give an account of our stewardship, let us pray for our flocks, warn sinners of impending destruction, and exert ourselves as under-shepherds, to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God. Let us pursue them to the gates of death with our entreaties and admonitions. Let us cry aloud, and not spare, lift up our voices like trumpets, and show sinners their

transgressions and sins. Knowing the terrors of the Lord, let us persuade men to be reconciled to God. With bowels of compassion and tenderness, let us feed the sheep and lambs of Christ's flock with the sincere milk of the word, that they may grow thereby. Let us take heed to ourselves and to our doctrine, and continue in them; for in so doing, we shall both save ourselves and those that hear us. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, we shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

To conclude. Let one and all lay it to heart, that they must die; and now in this their day, attend to the things which belong to their peace, lest they be hid from their eyes. AMEN.

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