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It is obvious that these sentiments cannot but be unfashionable and unpopular; and must exceedingly deduct from the character of every religious man, in the opinion of the world, how much soever he lays himself out in doing good to the bodies and souls of his fellow creatures.

Numbers indeed are not aware that they who believe the Bible do thus, in their judgment, condemn the world around them; and they can therefore bear with many true Christians, on account of their philanthropy, having never approached near enough to understand this unpopular subject. It is proper that such persons should be undeceived, and should know that every one who believes the word of God, however kind and obliging to them, entertains the most serious apprehensions concerning the state of their souls, and is far more alarmed for them than they are for themselves. There are also others, who have some sense of religion, and secretly assent to this offensive doctrine; but, joining much with the world, they deem it convenient to disguise their sentiments. Nay, they frequently behave in a manner so in-. consistent with a serious conviction of this kind, that they are never suspected of it. They conform to the world, and seem to be a constituent part of it: and who could imagine that they join with the scripture in the condemnation of it? These are indeed the more popular characters; yet, if their sentiments were fully known, perhaps they would meet with less favour, than they who profess their opinions without disguise, and separate from the pleasures and vanities of the world, and from a needless intercourse with it upon that account.

The latter are certainly the more honest men, and would probably, if the whole truth were known, be deemed the more honourable characters, 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 genuine 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; for this class of them appeared to him to be most earnestly seeking the salvation of the souls of men. 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 арproach 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 committing them and theirs 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 upright; for the "end of that man is peace.'

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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 domestic, relative, commercial, and private life, and to descant on it in the style of panegyric, much more might be adduced worthy of commendation 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 has 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 gene`ral 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 of the present discourse, some observations were 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 features 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, as before stated, 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, centering in the love of Christ, seem to have been most influential on his practice.

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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

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