NOthing can afford so much comfort and support, in the day of Calamity or Death, as the Conscience of a well­spent Life; a faithful discharge of our Duty, being the Sole-Rational proof of our sincerity, and our sincerity being the only solid ground of Hope, and assurance towards God. If our heart ( i.e. our Conscience) condemn us not, then have we confidence towards God, 1 John 3.21.

This is a Lesson our Saviour has taught us by his own Example here in my Text; very well [Page 2]knowing that the time of his Death and Cruci­fixion was very near at hand, that he might fortifie himself against all the Terrours of it, by confirming and strengthening, his Hope of that Joy that was set before him, he enters up on a survey of his past Life, recollects all his performances, reflects upon his Actions, and calls himself to an account concerning the Discharge of that Trust which God had com­mitted to him, of the great Work which he had undertaken for the Salvation of man, and the Honour of God: And finding upon a just and Impartial Reflection that he had through the whole course of his Life, acquitted himself faith­fully and vigorously, his Soul rejoyceth within him, and he breaks out into expressions of holy Confidence and an assur'd and earnest expecta­tion of the Reward of his Obedience and Faith­fulness. I have glorified thee on the Earth, &c. And now O Father, glorifie thou me with thine own self, &c.

Thus I have in part explained the words al­ready, having given you an account of the Occasion, Design and Tendency of them: As they belong properly and peculiarly to our Sa­viour, they imply two things.

First, His Faithful Discharge of his Prophe­tick Office; I have glorified thee, &c. This con­sisted especially— 1. In publishing the will of God to the World, as he himself explains it more fully in the following part of the Chap­ter. — 2. In the proof and evidence he gave of his Commission from God, and the Divinity of his Doctrine, which was, the Wonderfulness of his works, and the unparallel'd Sanctity of his Life.

Secondly, His Expectation of Reward, con­sisting in the exaltation of his Human Nature, and it's admission into a participation of that Glory, which he enjoy'd with the Father from all Eternity. And now O Father, Glorifie thou me with thine own self, with the Glory which I had with thee before the World was.

But if we consider that Christ is the Christi­an's great pattern, that his Life is propos'd to us, as an Example to our Obedience, that his peace and joy is in some degree the Portion and Blessing of every faithful Disciple, and fol­lower of his, and that lastly his exaltation and Glory is the Original and Idaea, by which our's shall in it's due proportion be form'd and mo­delled, I may very well be allowed to interpret [Page 4]the behaviour of our Lord in my text as an Ex­ample set us all in general, containing matter of Instruction and Advice to all Christians, which may be resolv'd into these two Propo­sitions,

1st. That there is a Work given every one of us to sinish, a Duty prescrib'd each of us by the Conscientious performance of which, we may glorisie God on the Earth.

2dly. That a Christian's Comfort and As­surance in Death, if rational, ought to flow from the Conscience of a faithful discharge of this Duty.

§ 1st. That there is a work, &c. The Duties of human Life are of two sorts — First, such as are common to all as Men and Christians.—Secondly, such as are proper and peculiar to some men as engag'd in distinct Callings and Professions As Men and Christians, Sobriety, Purity, Truth, Justice, Charity, Meekness, Long-Suffering, Devotion, Faith, Self-Resigna­tion, Obedience, and such like are the works which God hath pre-ordain'd that we should walk in: These are Reflections and Raies of the Divine glory, these are the Tracks and Chara­cters of the Divine Image, these are the Or­naments [Page 5]and true Excellencies of a Christian, in comparison of which, the Celebrated Exploits of the Heathen-Gods, Jupiter, Hercules, Bac­chus, &c. are, as Lactantius speaks, but child­ish braveries, the blind Sallies of an impo­tent passion, of an Unballasted Impetus: By the constant and sincere practice of these, we exalt and perfect our Natures, advancing them into a nearer participation of the Divine Image; by the constant and sincere practice of these, we procure the peace, the security, the Wel­fare and Prosperity of human Society; And finally, by the constant and sincere practice of these, we adorn the Gospel of Christ, pro­mote the Honour of God, and shew forth the praises of him who called us out of Darkness into his Marvellous Light; for nothing does more convincingly manifest and publish to the World the Honourable Notions we entertain of God, the Purity and Power of our Christian Faith, than a Life imploy'd and spent in these works; for by this we openly proclaim to the World, that we do not believe that a Holy and good God can be pleas'd with any thing but Holi­ness and Goodness, or that any Sacrifice can be so acceptable to him as the Imitation (accord­ing [Page 6]to our power) of his Divine Perfections.

Besides these Duties common to all Christi­ans, there are others which flow from our distinct Professions and Callings; Every man's Calling, whether he be a Pastor in the Church, or a Ruler or Officer in the State, whether he be a Trader, Physician, &c. doth more pe­culiarly exact some distinct kind of Vertue; As Watchfulness in Pastors, Integrity in Ru­lers, Justice in Traders, Tenderness in Physici­ans, and such like, and in all, Industry and Diligence: Nor doth it a little import the Ho­nour of our Religion, and the welfare of hu­man Society, that every man do faithfully dis­charge the particular and distinct Duty of his Calling; nor can he neglect it without invol­ving himself in the guilt of trampling under­foot the most powerful obligations; for this, the abilities God endow's him with, this, the trust God commits to him; this, the Depen­dencies others have reasonably fixt upon him; this, the general Covenant suppos'd entred into by every Member of a Community, that he will be useful and helpful in his place; this, the Interest of the publick, and the glory of God loudly calls and presses every man to; it being [Page 7]impossible, that Decency and Order in human Affairs should be preserv'd, that the Beauty and Harmony of Divine Providence should be maintain'd, that the mutual wants and necessi­ties of Mankind should be ministred to, and supplied, or the Honour of God supported and upheld in the World, unless men be faithful in the discharge of the Duties of their several Cal­lings and Professions: This is that the Apostle exhorts to, Rom. 12.6, 7, 8. Having then gifts differing according to the Grace that is given to us, whether Prophecy, let us Prophesie accord­ing to the Proportion of Faith; or Ministry, let us wait on our Ministring; or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on Exhortation: He that ruleth, let him do it with diligence The same Faithfulness and Diligence men are else­where in Scripture exhorted to, in their secular and Prophane Callings.

You see then what the works are which God prescribes us to walk in, namely, the works of our general Callings, as we are Men and Chri­stians; and the works of our distinct Professi­ons, as we are dedicated to different imploy­ments in Church or State. You discern in the next place the natural Bent and Tendency of [Page 8]these works towards the glorifying God on the Earth. This, then is the Post which you are to make good; this is the station you are to fill; this is the Province you are to adorn; you can­not otherwise acquit your selves with a good Conscience towards God or Man. And hence it follows—

§ 2dly. That the Faithful discharge of our Duty is the only Rational ground of our Assu­rance towards God. 'Tis true and confessed on all hands, that the Death and Merits of Christ is the great cause of our Peace and Reconci­liation with God; that through him, through him alone, all Christians are to expect the pardon of their sins, and the acceptance of their performances; That when we have done all, we are unprofitable Servants: And that the most unblameable and pious Life that ever was yet led upon Earth (except that of Christ's himself) could never be able to under­go the Test, the Tryal of God's strict Judg­ment: And therefore our Deceased Friend, notwithstanding the nature and number of his good works not easily to be parallel'd (though I wish they were) by many Instances in this Age, gave us this short account of his Faith [Page 9]and Hope the day before his Death, I trust in the mercy of God.

But though all this be true, 'tis all nothing to the point in hand; for though Christ dyed for all, yet all have not a like or equal ground of Hope: Tho the Death of Jesus be sufficient to attone for the sins of all, yet all are not actu­ally pardoned: The Question therefore is, what gives men a good Claim and a just Title to the Benefits of Christ's passion; and what is the clearest proof of the goodness of our Claim? and then nothing is more evident than that this is a faithful discharge of the Duties of Life, a finishing the works God gives us to do. These are the proper effects of saving Knowledge, and a saving Faith; These are the very Essentials of Repentance towards God; These are the kindly Operations of Love unfeigned; These are the proper tokens of the Divine presence, and the Residence of God's Spirit within us; These lastly are the natural and genuine fruits of an enligthned understanding, and renew'd mind: These therefore are the best proofs and evi­dences of our claim to all the Benefits of Christ's Death and Merits, and consequently the most Rational Foundation of our Peace and Com­fort [Page 10]in our Latter end. This is evident from the Examples of all Righteous and good men, whose Comfort in Death is wont to be pro­portiond to the Piety and Sincerity of their Lives; hence (not to multiply Instances) that of Saint Paul, 2 Tim. 4.7, 8. I have fought a good fight, I have finisht my Course, I have kept the Faith; henceforth, there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness, which the Lord the Righteous Judge shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but to them also that love his appearing. Here we have the confident expectation of a Crown, but 'tis a Crown of Righteousness; and if we examine the ground of this confidence of St Paul, it is, that War which he prosper­ously waged, those conflicts which he had suc­cessfully maintain'd against the World, the Flesh and the Devil; his Indefatigable Perseve­rance in the Race of Vertue and Goodness set before him: And finally, his stedfast and un­shaken adherence to the Faith of Christ, in despight of all the malice and fury, with which he was assaulted.

Thus have I briefly insisted on the words of my Text, as reserving room for that which is a more fair and lively Comment on it, the [Page 11]Life of our deceas'd Friend. And here in pur­suance of my method, I should be obliged to begin with an account of his behaviour, in his particular profession; but having resolv'd to say nothing, but what I either personally know, or have full and unquestionable proof of, I will pass over this part of his Life, as that to which, I am in a great measure a stranger; though I can­not forbear recommending to you two Rules, which he thought necessary for the Christian Conduct of Trade— First, That Traders should carefully avoid the grasping at, and embracing so much business, as should make their Trade encroach and intrench upon their Religion, that they should not suffer their time and their hearts to be engros'd by the love and pursuit of Worldly gain, to the neglect and ruin of their Eternal Interest.— Secondly, That they should propose and design an Increase of their Charity in proportion to the Increase of their Wealth. And now I proceed to the Life of our departed Friend, with regard to the general Obligations he lay under as Man and Christian, wherein we meet with these two things considerable, His Religion towards God, and his Charity towards Man. These two divided and shared his whole [Page 12]Life between them, there being very few Acti­ons of it which might not be referred to the one or other, as the source and Principle of them.

First, Of his Religion towards God. This was that to which he dedicated and devoted himself betimes; He remembred his Creator in the days of his Youth; Nor was he more early than constant in this, for he persisted stedfast in it to the end; his Religion had no Interruption, no Intermission; I could never find that there was any the least period of his Life, which he abandon'd and gave up to an Indulgence of sin and folly. 'Tis true, as you all know, he was sometime misled in point of Judgment; but 'tis as true that under all the changes of Times and Opinions, he retain'd his Sincerity and his Zeal: An Opinion of greater strictness of Life, and a more lively relish and savour of spiritual things amongst those of the separation first tempted him out of the bosom of our Church: and a deep sense of the manifold Impieties and dreadful mischiefs which attended separation first mov'd him to return to us; for this rais'd many scruples and perplexities in him, and made him reasonably doubt that God could not be the Author of that way. The method he [Page 13]afterwards took for a full and just Information of himself; namely, impartial Examination of our best writings, conference with our Ablest men, together with incessant prayers to God for the Illumination of his Spirit, the time and man­ner of his Return, his open acknowledgment of his errour, his publick profession of Repen­tance, his solemn and earnest Invitation of others to return to the paths of Truth and Peace, and his successful Industry in recover­ing those whom he had been Instrumental to pervert, sufficiently demonstrate the Sincerity and Integrity of his heart: And those two ex­cellent Treatises he has writ for the disabusing those of the separation, have made an abundant Compensation for the Errours he was betray'd into through frailty & weakness of Judgment.

But I come now to his Religion, such as it was since I knew him; and so I'le say some­thing of his own personal behaviour towards God, and of his zeal to propagate the fear of God among others.

As to his own behaviour, the Character of the Godly man in the Psalmist was truly his. Blessed is the man that walketh not in the Counsel of the Ʋngodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, [Page 14]nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his de­light is in the Law of the Lord, and in his Law doth he meditate day and night, Psal. 1.1, 2. He was a man that did abominate all Compa­ny wherein any thing was either said or done to the disparagement of Vertue, or Dishonour of Religion: He was so far from partaking in the guilt of any such thing, that he never wan­ted the courage to reprove and rebuke it: And as all filthy and sinful Communication was an Abomination, so all trifling and unprofitable Communication was a burden to his Soul: And therefore it was, that his Conversation was re­duc'd within so narrow a compass, that he had very few Confidents and Intimates, and very little Company besides that of his near Relati­ons and the Poor; this he was with regard to Negative Righteousness. As to positive Righ­teousness, it may be truly said of him, that his delight was in the Law of the Lord, whether this be to be inferred from meditation or practice, this could not but appear to every one that convers'd with him, for he was richly furnisht with Scripture Knowledge, he had treasured up the richest Portions of Divine Writ, he had digested them into nourishment and strength, [Page 15]and he was grown so familiarly acquainted with them, that there was no Doctrine of Faith, or Duty of Practice, for which he could not readily urge several the most pertinent Texts of Scripture, and not only cite the words, the Chapter, the verse, but give a very Rational ac­count of the Spirit and design of them, and of their coherence with the Context. But his Re­ligion, though it was, as it ought, begun and founded in Knowledge, yet it did not, like that of many men, terminate & end in it too, but was perfected and finished in Practice He was wont to place all Religion in three things, Contempla­tion, Adoration and Imitation.

As to the first, that of Contemplation, which is to the other two, like Oyl to Flame that nou­rishes and supports it: You may ghess by his Knowledge in Divine things, that he was no stranger to it. However one thing there is which deserves to be recommended to your Imita­tion, which is this; after long experience, his Soul was grown weary of fruitless Specula­tions and Barren Controversies, and his Medi­tations were of late wisely confined to these Ex­cellent Subjects, the purity and holiness of God, the riches of his Love and goodness to man­kind [Page 16]manifested in Jesus, and the blessedness of a future state, into which last, he was very late­ly more particularly and Industriously inqui­sitive, beginning several discourses with me on that Subject, and carrying 'em on with no little Pleasure and Satisfaction.

As to Adoration, he complained, I confess to me, that of late he could not put up his Petiti­ons with that Vigour and Importunity, with that close Application and Intention of Spirit which he had formerly done; but withall he added, that as to one part of Adoration that of Praise and Thanksgiving, his Soul did abound in that, and he ever found himself exalted and lifted up in that Exercise. This part of Adoration he was wont to account as a maintaining Com­munion with the Heavenly Inhabitants, and a joyning with the Church triumphant in their Hallelujahs. Upon which ground, as also be­cause the purpose and devotion of his heart to­wards God in respect of his Faith, Love, and Obedience continued stedfast and unmoveable, I was inclin'd to impute the Alteration he com­plain'd of, not to any abatement of his sincerity or zeal, but to the heaviness of his Age, and the Decay of his Spirits.

As to Imitation of God, he conceived that to consist mainly in doing good, of which I shall say somthing presently under the head of Cha­rity, having first, according to the Order I pro­pos'd, taken notice of his zeal in propagating the fear of God amongst others, which was no less eminent in him than the Piety of his own De­meanour towards God. He never let slip any op­portunity either of reproving and discounte­nancing vice, or of preaching up and recom­mending vertue, and this he did with that gra­vity and authority, and with that Goodness and Charity, with that Evidence of Scripture back't with strength of Reason and Experience, that he seldom missed of doing some good by it. He was extreamly Solicitous to instruct Youth in the Principles of our Religion, for which purpose he had a Catechism of his own composing con­taining the grounds of our Christian Faith, which he did industriously imprint not only on the memories, but judgements and hearts of young people he did often inculcate the necessity and usefulness of Writing Sermons, and repeat­ing em at home; he did often bewail the Cor­ruption of Conversation, and recommend the advantage of gracious and good Discourses in [Page 18]our daily and familiar Entercourse with one ano­ther: he was zealous for the observation of Family-Duties, and in all this was eminently exemplary himself: His Resolution was that of Joshua, Chap. 24.15. As for me, I and my House will serve the Lord. Nor can it be unknown to many here how successful he was in this, what a spirit of Religion and Goodness reigned in his Family, and what lasting impressions of both, his endeavours made in his Children; and were it not that I should oppress their Modesty, and incur (it may be) an imputation of flattery which I detest and scorn, I would insist more largely upon this Topick, as a Noble encourage­ment to the watchfulness and Industry of Fa­thers and Masters over their Children and Fami­lies: from this his Charity to the Soul, I pro­ceed.

2ly. To that which relates to the External state of man; this was the second thing proposed to be spoken to, after his Religion towards God, His Charity towards man. This was that in which he conceived the Imitation of God most pro­perly to consist, he was alwaies wont to have in his Mouth that of the Prophet Jeremy, But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he under­stands [Page 19]and knows me that I am the Lord which exer­cise Loving kindness, Judgment and Righteousness in the Earth; for in these things I delight, saith the Lord, Jer. 9.24. This therefore was the Vertue wherein he was Eminent and Exemplary; to this he so wholly gave up his Heart and his Life, that I may safely say, he did in some degree renounce his own business and his own Interest, that he might with less distraction and better success attend the Concerns of the poor and miserable. 'Tis true, (that I may her antici­pate the Objection of some sort of men) the Charities he undertook and engag'd himself in, were too many and too great to be carried on upon his own single stock or particular fund; he had therefore assistance many waies; and much from many good men, I believe, here present: but 'tis as true too, that he was not only a faith­ful Steward and dispenser of other mens Bounty, but also bountiful himself even to the diminu­tion of his estate. To go on therefore to the point, several Hundreds of Prisoners were by him, with great travail and expence set free; Nay, Prisons themselves were set free from some op­pressions and cheats that had obtain'd in them, and rendred more hospitable and tolerable to [Page 20]the miserable Inhabitants Fees being reduced to a Lower rate, and Maintenance and Provision for Prisoners much better setled: several entan­gled estates were by his care, prudence and la­bour clear'd and preserved: Many desolate Or­phans found in him the tenderness and compas­sion of a Father, and many desolate Widows the Care and Protection of a Husband: How ten­der and liberal he was to very many Relations that stood in need of him, is well known to many here. Finally, such Numbers of Poor were relieved by him, that he was continually throng'd by flocks of his Clients, (as he called them) and he could scarce pass any street where the Blessings of some one or other succour'd by him, did not light upon him. Nor did his Charity exert it self only in the Relief of the poor and needy, but also in ministring to every sort of necessity and misery of mankind; he com­forted the afflicted, rescued the oppressed, ad­vised and counselled the Ignorant, and sub­dued the Obstinate by the sweetness of his ad­dress, by the meekness of Reason, and an ex­traordinary Spirit of Religion, which discover'd it self in all his Discourses: In Sum, what Job said of himself, may be with truth applied to [Page 21]this good man. I deliver'd the poor that cried, and the Fatherless and him that had none to help him: the blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me; and I caused the Widows heart to sing for joy. I put on Righteousness, and it cloath­ed me; My judgment was as a Robe and a Dia­dem: I was Eyes to the Blind, and Feet was I to Lame; I was a Father to the poor, and the cause which I knew not, I search't out, and I brake the Jaws of the wicked, and pluck't the Spoyl out of his Teeth, Job 29.11, 12, &c. Here I should have concluded with this general account, were there not in his Charity three things so emi­nently and peculiarly remarkable, that they de­serve never to be forgot, his Meekness, his Industry, and his Delight in doing good.

First. His Meekness. He had a Text to this purpose which he did often repeat, Let it not grieve thee to bow down thine Ear to the Poor, and to give him a friendly answer with Meekness, Ecclus. 4.8. And he liv'd up to this Rule; no sourness or churlishness of Speech, no impati­ence or insolence of Behaviour did ever imbit­ter his Alms or Relief to the needy: Charity was not a greater Ornament to Him, than his Sweetness and Meekness was to his Charity: He [Page 22]would often hear not only tedious and imperti­nent, but also rude and passionate discourses, with matchless Patience and Goodness, having regard to the miseries, not the frailties of those who addressed themselves to him.

Secondly, His Industry. He had often in his Mouth that of the Psalmist, Blessed is he that considers the Poor, and that of Job just now ci­ted, The cause that I knew not, I search't out: And accordingly he did with indefatigable pa­tience sound the depths, and fathom the bottom of every cause; and when he did with great so­licitude and earnestness of mind, study, con­trive and consult what method was most likely to prove effectual for the redress of the misera­ble; and when he had fixt upon it, he set his heart so much upon the accomplishment of his design, that there were seldom, if ever, any dif­ficulties so great, which he did not one way or other remove or surmount: And he never thought much of the time or Travail which he bestowed thus: So intent was he upon the ex­collent works of Charity, that he pursued them panting, and almost breathless; and I have some­times heard him regret the weakness and Infir­mity of his Age, and express his Fear, lest he [Page 23]should live to those years, wherein, through de­fect of strength, he might be utterly useless. Indeed, his decayed body was not at length able to undergo all the drudgery which so ma­ny and considerable designs of Charity did re­quire; and therefore, for several his last years, he maintain'd a Servant on purpose to receive and execute his Directions

One passage under this head I forgot in the Pul­pit, and it deserves not to be omitted in the Press, which is, that he was often advised and pressed to go into the Country for his health sake; against this, he urged many scruples, which though they appear'd not to others of sufficient weight, yet he could never bring his mind to it; What shall my Poor then do? said he, 'tis even best for me to dye in my Station and in my Imployment.

Such was his Vigour, such his Industry. And God was pleas'd to bless him with suitable suc­cess; so that 'tis not easy to express his Felicity in mollifying the most obdurate Creditors, in reducing them to terms of Moderation and Charitable composition, in reconciling diffe­rences, and in sweetning the most alienated and exasperated minds.

Thirdly, His Delight. It was one of his dar­ling [Page 24]Propositions which he set a high rate up­on, That the Life of Man is to be estimated by the usefulness of it; and accordingly that porti­on of his Life was always most delightful and va­luable to him, wherein he was most succefully active in some design of Charity; his Spirit re­joiced within him, when God had blessed him in the accomplishment of any good work; and I may confidently say, that never Souldier en­tertain'd Victory, or Trader the increase of his Wealth with a truer satisfaction than he did the successes of his Charitable Labours. I con­fess, that taking notice, how much he was pleas'd with reflecting upon and repeating him­self several of his atchievements, and with hear­ing the ecchoes and rebounds of them from o­thers, I grew sometimes jealous of him, lest Dead Flies should corrupt this Oyntment, and a silly af­fection of Praise and vain glory should blast his Charity, and bereave him of the Fruit and Re­ward of it; but upon narrower Inspection into the Root of this matter, I found that this sprung from the pleasure he took in the Comfort and Happiness which he procur'd to others: his pious Soul, as it did suffer in the misery, so did it exalt in the Prosperity of his Brother, as he was ready [Page 25]to weep with those that wept, so also to rejoyce with those that rejoyced, and so much the more when­ever God had made him the Instrument of their Joy, so that it was not his own praise that creat­ed his Satisfaction, but the good procur'd his Neighbour, and the honour which did from thence redound to God.

Shall I now after all, add his Justice, In­tegrity and Diligence in all his dealings and undertakings? His Simplicity and Can­dour, his Ingenuity, Meekness and Humility in all his Conversation? His Plainess, Sincerity and Zeal towards his Friend, shewing it self especially in his tenderness for his Eternal In­terest? The sweetness and obligingness of his carriage, not towards his Children only, but even towards the meanest that had any Relation to him? Shall I add his Christi­an Moderation, and Comprehensive Charity, for all peaceful, humble, and upright Christi­ans of every persuasion? Shall I insist upon his Purity and Heavenly mindedness, not only to an Indifference, but (I may almost say) even Contempt for the things of this World, Wealth, Power, Honour, and the Ostentation of Life? Shall I finally remember his Strictness and So­briety, [Page 26]which was such, that I had much ado to remove some Scruples out of his mind about the use of such things, as I judg'd necessary to the support of his age, and the maintenance of his health and strength? These and other Ver­tues of our deceas'd Friend, I might insist upon, and in all this, I should have the testimony and approbation of all that knew him: But the time would fail me, and I have said enough, enough to do right in some measure to the memory of this Excellent person, for the Righteous shall be had in everlasting Remembrance; enough to ad­minister unspeakable comfort and satisfaction to his Relations, and enough, I hope, to excite and stir up all that hear me this day to the Imi­tation of this good man's Vertues, especially when we shall add the consideration in my text, that this will fortifie us against all the Terrours of Death; this will give us comfort and Assu­rance in the approaches of it. Then shall we be able to assure our selves that we are the Children of God, when we imitate his goodness, and re­joyce, as he doth, in the works of Mercy and Charity: Then shall we be able to assure our selves that we are the true followers of Jesus, when we are led by the same spirit, when we [Page 27] glorify God upon Earth, and finish the works which he has given us to do: And then shall we be able to lye down in the assured expectations of a bles­sed Resurrection. This was the happy state of this excellent man; Death was his Meditation, Death his Expectation; and when he met it, he met it with a chearful and serene soul; the Last words I had from him when I bid him my last farewel on Sunday, were, You and I shall meet again in another World, I do not question it at all. Ah! that we could all live so as to have no fears, no doubts about eternal Life when we are come to dye! O think of the blessedness of such a state! and then remember that this assurance arises from the conscience of a well spent Life, that no­thing but a faithful discharge of our steward­ship can enable us to meet God with comfort, and give us an Inheritance with Saints in Glory, and enrol us amongst the Spirits of Just men made perfect.