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JOHN STRAGHAK, D.a rrTTr^->Vl= HE^Mf OF ra& '^W, w'.^ AND'fUBUSiim .AT THE ' C0NCJi£G4TI0J^* %"- mmmm ,v*' ,|i KlNa8T0Ni|lUP?|RtASADA : PRlNTfiD B¥ qpARLES' KENDALL, mmmm^ t^Em&s^iBiii ^' MA %, mp wm 1^^^^^? 'T ■. ^««iiMi^'-<^,^: X ^^N^ r- " ^-i- JhotMthty mett wk mon. From unofuoidabk the:' mpamfimg the fmlonutig fet^ \€^Jse had i^^^art iif iw9 ^Offi tofreparvjt, an J his feelings fveri tiot vet^j^pourabkfir fiudy* Ifitieafiedf Why then was itfullffbed ? he anfwem that it^oHU done in eomj^iance mtkh the treqmfi of the Congre^ ga^on^jmd wi(h a%new that the efimabk tharoMer ofhis^m- tvahk Friend might ln%U!ie general^ inown^ h&wever imfer^ feafyjietekd. * ^ '. 4th chap. 16, 1 7 & 1 1 vtrtet. ^^^^/rv^ /?»^ remain, jhJfmtau%hi ii^> *?^^KK^^ ^^^^ ^^ *^^^ cl ; t^- ■JMM 1 ! Xo bear June, wea^ Ttied who labour under gr^ fay that it becomes a quilUty eveyy change evinces a#[ioil unpar pine and lament on a could not be prevente grief fliould not be indulgelrti| good, and neither eafes prefei^^ recals tholtohofe lofs we deplo ehriftian bwfciren, what comfor tions like thefe afford ? We muft .-^ to fupprefs the moft amiable jiart of our nature, before we can h(«i, tjjgm without impatience. St. Paul offers no cqilSations of this kmd ; ne was better acquainted with mankind, and knew too well the value of thofe fources of comfort which the gofpcl he preached affords to all his adherents, to addrejfethem mthe cold, , unfeeling language of Heathen philofophy He fpeaks to the Theffalonians, in their true Character, as rational and immortal^ beings ; and he points out the certainty of a blelied c. ternity as the grand pillar of true confolation. - « But I would not have you tobe ig||orant,breth- « ren, concerning them which #eap|p, that « yc Ibrrow not even as oth©r^w|^^ave no « hope, for if we believe thafi|«|P^ and « rofe again, even lb them aifo, wITch^eep in « Jefus, wiU God bring with hini-"- lie that believes iii the reiurrec^ion of Chnft believes alfoinhis own refurreclion, and from this he derives comforts which can never tail. It is tQ * i.ThdT. diapter4,yer. 13 and 14* '^ to m tU] evi lati( IP s ill he > o * rned 1 ature, [ience. d ; he . ^ and ces of ifFords e cold, , hy. — — r true eings ; jffed c-» . >lation. - jbreth- p, that ave no sd and fleep in Je that )elieves this he It is tQ tlieft that tfie Ap( to it^r^the attentic bt^JBL^hej:omi life, wei \n this chapter, wiflies the Theffalonians, who, and unavoidable misfor- ^ed to many temporary fg the fuper ftition ot tHeii? embraping the Chriilian reiigipn. 13 have our griefs and difappoint^ liable to meet with them, as well _ ilonians, I ftiall eoniyir tfe confo- latiolUBpEd by the ApoHle at fome length, prayin^Almighty God that they may mako fuch an impreffion upon our hearts as to ex^ tinguifh that fpirit of repiriingin which we are fo apt to indulge ; and that -we may be enabled while we feel like men to blefs^. as our Saviour did, the hand that chaftifes us. ' The fir ft confolation arlfmo; from our belief in the refurre(f?ion of Chrift, is our convidion that all his foUow^ers fhall rife with him. Any one who confiders that he came into this v^Qvld without any agency of his own that he enjoys many precious benefits, and is enabled by jiis fuperior powers to turn things to his advaritage which are adverfe by nature, p\uil lo(!]p?i.«jl^rward with horror to tlie time when hialfxiftence fball ceafe. We are fg much imptefl'ed with tb.e certainty of living, again that death is deprived of half his terrors j but were we convinced that the ftroke of his dart was to put an end to our being, his ap- proach would be much more terrible. We liave indeed heard it aflerted that the dread ' of annihilation is imaginary j that few men A 2 If' I "i--- feqiielitly ib\t the •oduceis at lAai wliat y and %muld regard it^ and ^ llorror which it is IMd t^ ^ feiaeiftd. We iiiuft adnait l:©0 thou^lds aiid Ifemiiareaftbrf many^ ^ _^.^ fbasin ths days of youthj^hiie da' |>^s at a diftance, and long life i x^rd ftitimty ; and it may fif pfeh tliat tfwi wicked, who are th^ir vaft demerits, are more afrai inent than the lofs of being. But tSe^giddy arnd the froward canh^it decide, becaufo they have not confidered tlve great imiportance of the fubjed ; and with the wicked it is only one fear predominating over anoth^ which leads them to prefet what they fuppofe the kfs evir. The peifon who is qualified to ap- preciate the excellence of continued exiftence is he that has made the beft ufe of that part which. is already paft. He who !has been a good mem- ber of fociety, an exemplary parent and a faith- fal friend ; who has freely cherifhed thofe af- fedions, which give vahie and int^reft to life^ will quickly dHcover that annihil^l^ is fright- ful : that it Hops forever the glorl^fiimprove* ments which he was contetoplatMllInd ren* ders ^ his former exertions ufelefs. When he looks into his heart and examines the amiable afFedions, which he had often moft willingly indulged, he feels the greatefl deprcilion to think that they muft be broken, never again to be renewed — that thofe fiiculties which he had been in the daily habit of perfeding ihall what tingu Tk and t they c rendei defpaii them- iife, n confer] eould ( v/hich How fituatio of giddy "e they Bce of is only which fe the to ap- ence is which, I mem- t faith- ofe af- o life^ fright- prove- d ren- ben he miable llihgly ton to again ich he Z ^^tt:h-'^^^ that he has^do^, S^ ;bfc|K « had nwe* beetr, and that Ife^S let^^He -thejefore who can iiJtfeB bnflS.. |gl2^e| deprecates annJlitiS Z^^' l^tm!^ ^^ confiders it a puniamentWI* IJ^^^^^S^i'tude, and oiot to- be thoUffht ^v5^r *''''T- ^^""^ tbofe' tender cSn, ^exioi^refltafund^r, which he had forS m the prefent life f Shall they pafs a,,^y hS *hepathlefs txack of a bird in the air which i^ no morefeen ? Shall this body, wkh KL^ advamages^of fhape and convenience, be loft",! the maft of earth never to unite ag^in' or o AnH i*Tf ''*,/':°'**^ furrounding' duU And fhall that living principle which direft; WW .='"'*„^°'"^'"'=s ; derives wifdom fronr what ispaft and anticipates the future, be ^' tingn.fted like a taper in the night ? ' ^^ .J^^l'f^^^r^soccuTKd to°the virtuous and the wife among the Heathea : but -ila, ♦ S^Sf*"^^ .they diftraa^d thS : Stir i^ '"'''■^ '"'^' and heightened tS „ J**" "^f "'^ <^o»fol«ion attending t^nj—ndt even the confcioufnefs of a good itf^lV^'-K^''^''S fuppofition that he wha conferred exiftence would probably prolong* eould efface that nnxiety about the^f^tueli^t' wJuch they were opprefed. iituation? De we fmccrcly believe that Jefus p. ♦■ *J: m mm ■HP % ro^Aom the dead ? Hav« ^ ierioufly cOnfi J. cr€d this article of faith ? (fbr it is not a bare unnjeaning afTent, it is a heartfelt con^aioa that -js of ufe.). If fuch j^ 6ur belief, ^Aiall certainly rife with hiiB. And it is noHKar- tial reforreclipn. Both our bodies anllouls llliill arife, |ipt defiled with the corr^ops >vhich they. may have contraaed m tl^K^ ' but they ih# rife a purified bodya3L |Pled lolil, capabla of . exertions and of lik^ment^ at prefent inconceivable- Well theref^e might the Theflalonians comfort one another with t^e certainty of their future refurredi on-— it jas fufficient to diffipate the gloom which darkened their fouls, and to foften the moil ktter calamities of life*^ - The fecond conibktion is that «^ the dead la Chrift" ihall not only rife with him, but they^ " fliall rife firft/' Z' In thefe words the Appfl:Ie plainly intimates that all ihall arife, thofe who do not, as w^U as thofe who dp,, believe ; but that believers have the privilege of rifing firil. They, are the com- panions of Chriil, they meet him ||rfl that they may become more confpicuous to thofe who, have rejec1:edtheGofpeL At this moil awful mo- inent the fea and land ihall giv€ up their dead, all who have ever beea in the world ; thofe .who have lived only a minute, as well as thofe who have lived a long life, ihall obey the dread- ful found of the lail trumpet. What a confola- 'lon to Chriilians to know that their recepti-on yconfiA 3t a bare all nd muls ops ed :e might er with :jQn-— it I .which ie moil dead m ut.they: dmates well as rs have lecom- lat tliey fe who. ful mo- r dead, ; thofe s thofe dread- onfola-- ;epti'Qn 9 will be gracious 5 that our Redeemer will re X"^.??:?.!:^:^^^?::: T^_^y -=jy •»=!- -f: 'f.T ■! of . r , . '^"^^"On. «j^x^.. v.«« 1.41 ^ uut me aay ot tnujBph IS come, and they are now to poifeTs a bie«pr,mmortality, after: having Offered the ^^wfV"* ^'^ portion, of their exiftence. What holy raptures muft the Thefialonians have ™*J» *'«"§ told o£ this bleffed change : tfeat thefJwouWbe? received by Chrift in the Heav- ens, aad«l theiP foKrows he turned into iov. We ar9^cct»ftotned to hear thefe glad tidings from our earheft.years, and becoming ind^:. ferertt.from habit, they do not fiifficiently inter, eit our feelmgg. But: bad we remained igno- Jul A 2'^' J^mortality, liU we could have &A -n"' importance-.-had we been like the iirlt Chnfiians, who knew the mifery of uncer- f^T K*^^'^}^ them we fliould. have been filled w.th the. rnoft exqaifite delight at the , T*«i^„ r**^' exprefled bySt. Paul. And we fhall ftiU feel tlm delight, if we reflea^ar.: rowly upon our frtuation. , Gur hearts will: overflow with gratitude to our Heavenly Fath- er, who hath.accepted a ranfom for, 4, and taught us^o look with pious confidence for a^ hfe^after this, filled with the pureft felicity; hrT "^X- -^^^ experience this invigoratinfi- hope, this internal joy, which the wirld cl tW ouf L-T/*^' away, it is t« be feared that our belief favours too much of indiffcr. S: /""u- *^^* ^°^y "^^^ tMt precious affec-lion for: thin^ above, which conftitutes tfee happmefs of the fmcere Chrifliaa in the If i i 1 r srefent life. For he who is truly aware of tha mifery that muft accompany total uncertainty in a matter of fuch importance as a fature Itatx; of ex^ence, xmxik derive the moft fc^idxonfo- lation from the affurance that hefhaU li^our Saviour in Heaven. There is no perfon^of ro* fleaion, who has not a(ked nimfelf, when he difcovered that a felicity equal to ^^s^^^P^ tions can never be obtsdned on e^h, where- can k be obtained ? And as foon as iTperceives clearlv th^^t it may be enjoyed m ti;^ lite to come; iie is enabled to bear with refignati^on aU- the viciffitudes which can happen to nim here -^ he can-ies inrhis breaft a fovereisn antidote to ^U the evils k life. He is in the hands of God, and his tranfitory fufferinga may yidd him. fruit lo all eternivy. We can eafily bc^ir con- finement for a few days, when we know that we ihali then be free. It is thofe evils which, admit of no remedy, which prefent no hi^peok future mitigation, whici 5U the mind with del- t)air. But \here are no fuch caLimitieo belong- Lk to mankind confidered as immortal bangs, unlcfs tl ey bring them upon themfelves. » indeed we ncglea the falvntion offered us inthe Gofpel, and inftcad of imitating the perfections of our bleffed Redeemer, copy the vile and the profligate ; we fhall ftrk to a depravity which Admits of no remedy. It r^ vicious habits and difpofuions that prevent future liappmels ; it is that wilful neglca of our duty proceedmg from hardened unbcuet wnica -^^ciu^i-. ^= .. .-. the bciufits of Chritt's holy millioa ; :md which mill t softlia '^ ;rtainty ire ftat^ Ixonfo- liBlour n of ro* ;:hen he conccp- , whcrc^ perceives J life to latioc all- m here*, tidote ta ;.of God, ield hiia. 3c:^r con- low that lis which-, o hope of with def- eo belong- al beings, Hves. If ius in the tcrfections le and the ity which habits and pinefs ; it jroceeding :\nd which laciakes the day of reAirre^ion a day of wailng;, .of laii^sntation and difmay* It is evident therefore that Ciie Apoftle would not have advifed the Thcifalonians to ccmfort oneii^her with thefc words, had they bce!# wicked; for in ^hat cafe a firm belief in th^ refurre^ion, inftead of giving them confola- tion, would have given a keenf*r pain to the ftings of confcience, and made them rather de- fire the total extin^ion of being than to rife at 4he laft day. Can the wicked look for comfort in meeting a Judge whofe counfels they have defpifed, and whofe friend&ip they have ijpurned ? Can fuch lock for joy in a fentence, which is pronounced according to the deeds done in the body. It becomes us then, my Chriftian brethren, to walk as our Saviour waikedjbefore we can comfort one another with the certainty of living happily after we have left this vak of contention, tnalicc and diforder. On this condition only flisdl we be transformed in t« new creatures, and tranlported to a place of abode where there are no griefs. Do not theii forget that you have fomcthing to do ; that you mult guard your hearts from the al- lurements of the world ; and that if you de- iirc to rife firft, you muft have done much more than alTume the name of a Chriftian. You muft have imitated the moral character of Jefus, and endeavored to put on thofe graces with which he was adorned, and which he fo anx- loiiflv ^erc^mm^idG t€% iil! Kfo follov/£!r5?. XJn- Icis ye do this, the great and folcmn day ot ret* 1^2 ever be \^itli the Loipd. , ^ . of Heaven, according to the penecu" proportion Aave reached l^ *\\*f'£e tent in that bkf- fed abode. If^ -^P^i .-r heard, neither hath eye hath not feennorjariieaj^ ^^ ^^ it entered into the heart oi j,. the joys prepared forAebleffedm^^ would be vain ^l^^^^^^V*!,,, the force of Ian* genius; ^^'"'^^fff^J^fttoSrimant.imag^^ guage, and poilellea 01 UK ^.^^ ^^ IJmi to attempt to ej bit tojo ^^^^ adequate defcnption of the pleMU dife, yet (fince ^^^ ^^^^^3^^ fome offhe fources ly) we may be able to Jate lorn .^ ^^.^ from which thefe plcafures jow^ .^ ^j^j, this we d.fcover that '^.^[^^"^^""^.nvinced of life, we fliaU be more tl»=^« 5J^j,;\ ji^es and the abfolute -^* l,^"lich U never of preparing tor tlut luu^ not of of joy. dead m Heaven, not only ley may oportioft that blef- iares that her hath conceive >aven. It powerful ce of Ian* ant imagi-* : view an s of Para-, rlafs dark- :he fources f in doing mcein thi« nvinced of y^ lives and (hall never iie firft place heaven wiU l.ii-nlt'lPQ ffC- I I. feniauoi^s as agreeable as they did painful whSe they «^<*« prefent. This is in a gtcat meafur* the €_^ 5dth the unavoidable^e^s of We. A man fof example who has puflied b« way te ^.T^^ «rith probity and honOBt, wh^ ^as rifeB^«* fpite o^ enn. the jarring ««««?ft%«f."i^*t tkcontumely of fuperidrs, feels a fohd pkafure h. retracing the fteps of hw ptogrefe. Ito i^ duftry, attention and f<*briety, the npMg?*'*^ <,f his intentions, the patience with which he bore difappointments, fiU his trand with a iat. isfaftion of no trsnfient nature. ■ If then the reeolleaion of what is paft be a fource of great pleafure even before we depart hence,it cannot fail of being equally fom heaven. At that happy period the pleafure wiU be mh- Stely more exiifite, becaufe our faculties will be fo much enlarged that we fl>a» f« .J?. '^^"I^ ment aU the actions of our Uves,^nd difting^^J more clearly the dangers and difficulties with whkh we hidbeen furrounded. Is is however obvious that in aating this great fatiBfaaion, we ftill proceed upon the prefumption that our lives have been virtuous— that we have j:n- deavoured at all times to demean ourfclvcs as became the difciples of the ow ly Jefus. Some have indeed argued againft the PoffiWity of any reclleclion in heaven. 'I ►'ey have aid •that were we to remember in that blcfled place all the fcenes in which we have been engaged, inftcad of being Ri-aufial we fticmld carry abng with us a perpetual fource of mifcry. Percuv- ") much" wickednels gnd iwiiy, io »»«^« sng a ■ V- y r ■:^ wretcHcdnefs and diforder, the faints in hea^-m would feel anew all thofe pains, forrows and dilappointments which had afflifted them while on e^th ; and every moment that they looked down upon this vale of mortabty would pre- fent a pfaure at which they would (hudder.--- But thofe who think in this ^a^ner have not given fuf&cient attention to the fubjeft. Ihey fudffe by the fame narrow rule that we mult ufe in this ftate of ignorance and degraaation .; they make no allowance for the great extenfioa of lur faculties ; for the knowledge of the mo- tives of individuals which are "fefent con- cealed ; much lefs do they confider that we &all be infinitely better acquainted with the di- vine government. Another circumftance, not frcqulntly noticed, ^iU tend greatly to dimin- iKnful emotions ; which is that njen.even ihe moft abandoned, will not appear fo wicked aswc conceived that they w*re while we re, '^rn^dTntlUprld-welhludifcoverf^^^^^^^ to Draife in thofe whom we fuppofed the molt h7dcS villains. We fliaU find that they were ratW objefts of pity than o anger-.-that they were labouring under a terrible diiorder which dro^fe them'headlong as it were to the :oir,miffion of crimes. We ihall recolkft th^ thofe, who are given up to all kmds of v ce «-^-re once innocent babes ImiUng on Uuir :^>ther-s\nec, full of fin,pli:ity -^ a^-- What mull add very much to thib iat.. ac- JUlll IS »v,u- a tiic dcllzr^'^ of rrovidence. ^'or are \vc iieavcti vs and 1 while looked Id pre- Ider,-— .ve not They e mufi: iation;, Ltenfiou the mo ent con- that we h the di- nce, not 3 dimin* en, even ) wicked lc we ro- )niething the moK hat they ger— that diibrder, ■re to the Dlka that s of viccj on their i affection, is latistac- jTood, tor- or are wc ^^fuppofe that the fnares and temptations tnal environ mankind will excite much commifera- tion, becaufe we {hall then fee the juftice and gobdnefs of God uniting in one benevolent ftreamj and we fliall reft afTured that no man is tempted above what he can bear. There is confequently no good reafon for fuppofing that the recollection of the pall will be accompanied with uneafinefs to the inhabitants of heaven. If it were to fill the purified foul ^^dth forrow and remorfe, it would not be found in the re- gions of blifs ; but that it muft exift there i^ evident from this one argument, that to deprive Us of it would extinguiih our being, and be to- tally incompatible with continued exiftence. How could we underftand the juftice of our fentence at the laft day, if we had no recollec- tioxrof ,th^ paft'^ Be affured, my brethren; that as the remorfe arifing from the recolledion of an ill-fpent life becomes one of the moft prolific fouixes of mifery to the damned, fo will the re- colledion of a well-fpent life be one of the moft excellent fources of felicity to the bkfl'ed. It is indeed difncult to compare the narrocv {?r>nceptions which we have at prefent, with thofc enlarged views which fliall fill our minds when they arc purified. But as we may very eafily conceive that many of the motives and reafons which guide our afFe(fHons and judg- ments at prefent will have no weight when our profpccls are extended ; fo tholij i ndearing con« nCxionS which Wr hlVP formf»i^ thf\f(^ /-r^-nnc*^^ ions which have nouriHicd the moft amiable I > ■ ■ £ o^ember without delight that our con- XSn "with whl fatisfaction &aU v^ rLeS thatwe boldly &PPO>^'-'l; ^ f ^ ■ nt^ of flander and. maliee ; and that we ronSdlcf^lLitablea^^h^^^^^^^ ftuns with the corroding daxt '^\/»S^*"'rin S»fc?f dfmterdlrf haolto more d.ffi<»k ',.dl,. Ou. McUy in he.«n Ml Jto »ifc vacate more »n'='*"'=° ^i -- ,_i- enioyment from backward, and to ^^P^fjf ^V^ormer difap- "'A ^s recol- can we without DUT con- ingeable rinciples ihall we :he good that we ;, thmigU gratitude ippear ift Ihey are e difficult ts of the the reed- will be at;- haa pain^ noft lively 3hritt into it fins. .Ualfo arlfe xiftence,he . reach the Vccordingly rward than yment from >rmer difap- as on earth, ;A;p„ o^ ^^^^^ ^^_ may be aalpgy • LOW pof- rife from lich muU nual em- exiftencc the good- )tive3 for €jfe duties of enjoy-, id tiRcor- [Hoft folid It is the le humble ledg"^ ben- tidry: places in heaven that is^ :^ not as a Lhe offering pal part ot l^e glorious in his prei- )ur humble TC thofe du- rreateH hap- ^inefs on created beings. We cannot indeed offer up to Godour prayers with the fame pu* rity as the angek around his throne ; but we can be grateful^ we can love him as our friend and benefactor ; pouT out our hearts before him, entreat his forgivencfs, offer up our thankf-* giving and implore his affiftance ift cultivating thofe wtues which are the moft grateful ia heaven* » r The goodnefs of God will manifeft itfelt more and more in every thing that weconi template. Our thirft for knowledge will be gratified in its fuUefl extent. Ihofe myftcrie« of nature, which baffled the mofl: feilful phr- lofophers, will appear clear and fimple before us. It is then that we Ihall be able to reconcile the numerous evils of this life wiihlhe mercy and juftice of the Supreme Being. Thofe evih which at prefent diftrad us fo much, and fiib many good men with doubt and hefitation^—- the prefent, the paft, and much of tlie future will appear before us 5 and OR all fides we Ihali perceive the goodnefe of God operating with UTiabating vigour to increafe the felicity of ail his creatures. We ihall probably perceive millions of worlds filled with rational inhabit- ants gradually imjwroving and drawing nearer to perfection. We Ihall alfo behold with inex* iprcfiible delight all our brethren of mankind deemed worthy of joining the hoft of heaven,, and uniting their voices with thofe of faints [and angels in the praifes of their Creator and [Redeemer j and among them we mall quickly #'':■' r ■ 2a^.' ffi^v^r the virtuous friends we Had loft. Wcr &gai\fe»ow them again; in Bsradife, and thein company ^wiil add new channs to our felicity* We fhall remember with renewed iatisfaclion* tlie mutual affiftance which we? gave each other in this vak of tears ; the tribulation which^we had fuffisrcd and the virtues which we hadcul* tivatedi Our children tooj whom we had per<^ haps followed to an early grave after we had. infpired them with the love of virtue and of truth, fhall fly to meet us with> joyful counte- nances, embracing us- with gratitude and afFec- ^on—they will cry out, " To you, O blefled' ** parents, we are chiefly indebted for our feli- ** city ; you watched over our early years ;— — you planted in our hearts the feeds of virtue ;. you guarded us from temptation ',: you taught. us the principles of true religion y and though *^ God caUed us from earth before we had an^ ** opportunity of proving our gratitude by our " affeclion for the benefits which you beftow- " ed i^pon us, you were the inftruments under ^ our Creator of placing us here." What ex- quiiite delight, my brethren, will the righteous enjoy at an addrefs like this* Surely nothing can equal it, unlcfs what they experience .in their immediate communications with God him{el£ k Such, my brethren, are fome of the fources qf felicity which the good may rationally anti- cipate in heaven. To advance in virtue, to im- prove our faculties, and to praife God, will be cc al [id thein felicity* isfaclionf :hother hich^we hadcul* hadper# wc had and xjf eountc* nd afFec-- ) bleffed' our feli- lars ; — - virtue ;. 11 taught [though had an- I by our beftow- lS under ""hat ex- ighteous nothing ience .in th God : fources Ily anti- e, to im- will be tttS In dlfdiarging thefe various duties wefiiaQ experience tlie mcxft inexpreflible joy^ , Whit Iheo are a. few ye^r* «f forraw and difafppint* fnent ? The greater our tribula^t|^h«5ri|j U^ gr^ter.oar haj^nefe hereaftci:^ ' :^-^t t^fc thittga comfort your- hearts, and hailen- not only to bc^tn, but to adijance ia ^at bleffed courfc of iifie^ wtkh flxaU continue tirough aU eternity. . ■ -i-a'tSftir,.,^.i HfMrn^^r- 2^ ; ' m THESE reflections have been fuggeft^dJ^ by the lofs of our Venerable Minifter, with which our hearts have been deq>ly pierced r for it is natural to have recourfe to thofe con- folations, which teach us re%nation, wjiile they fan^fy our fbrrowk- ^ ' ' ' Any outline of the charader of this truljr amiably man, which I could give from this plaCdf, would be but a very imperfect fhadoW of the original ; but even an attempt at this, the fhortnefs of my time has prevented : and it is^ thelefs neceffary, as you are all well acquainted with the excellence of his life and convtrfati0n. There is not one prefent whom he has not flruck with reverential awe from this facred place, and impreffcd with love and veneratioit- for that religion whi£h his own condu^uni- fcMrmly adorned. Endued with a dear anid comprehenfive mind^ SI quick apprehenlion, a prompt memory, a fleady and piercing judgment, and an extenfive Knowledge of human nature,, he was moft em- inently qualiiied to difcharge with fidelity and fuccefs, the duties of his profeilion. His piety was deep-felt, rational, fervent but unofl^mta- tious.- In hispaftoral duties, he was ailidiri % diligent and attentive. His fpiritual and .r;v.i'al influence was always directed t0 the nouriih- ment of pure religion, anci to preparing us for that inininrtality announced in the Gofpel. It afforded lr\r> tiie greateft delight to fee bis ■r\ii'i'lrn/\'r»*'>'i*ii 'ir»/-| i-fte^nAc l-itrtrifv in r»#ad /V» • 1 n H 11 — fter, with pierced r thofe con- OB this truljr thisplaetf, oW of the this, the : and it is: lequairtted ivierfatfen. e^ has not his facred ^^eneratioit- adu^'uni- five mind^ lemory, a 1 extenfive J moft em- deiity and His piety unoi^mta- ailidm s and .filial. ie nouriih- sparing us^ he Gofpel. to fee bis I d/v»- an/4 11^1 fihy, exercifmg mutual affbaion and reffara,^ and beccmung as one family. He fought to yeclaim.lhe vicious by forbearance, charity and goQtJenefs ; vir« iie confidered a contagious 4ileale, which ^was jrather to ue treated with agreeablethanharfh medicines. He was there- tore wiUing to praife every ftep of ameiilment, and ever anxious to alhire to virtue by convm- Cing the wicked <^.f the folly of their choice Uis tendcmeis for their failings, the intereft whjch ne took in their diftrefs, andthc pleafrnff %nd laiperceptible manner by which he re- claimed^them, beguiled them into virtuous hab- us, .aiid:%guentJy retained them in the paths pt hohneis. ^ ^ * i. ; We, my brettt^n, who have enjoyed his fo- ciety, who have experienced the warmth iwid puntjr of his friendfhip,^o Jiave benefitedlby his mftruclion, can heft eftimate thegreatnefe ^>t the lofs which wre nd«r lament. His was lot a Jife of eafe and continued funihine.- At length, indeed, his fituation became pleafant ; ^ut^he had many obftacles to concper before aie fat.dowa here in the midft of his parilhion. ;rs and ^nends. In acquiring the knowledge ^^Hich qualified him for that ardueus and im- '^!:K'^^^''f^.^''''* ^H^^ ^e ^^^ chofen, he met nth difficulties which a mind JeCs vigorous nd peifev6ring would have never been able p lurm<)unt. After fixing his religious prin- :^ples, and attaching himfelf to the Churdb of ^rJgland from a thorough conviclfion of theex- eJlence of he»*-^'>'^t»'i"-£! i ^^ ^' •^•__ _ - sj.. a — w^iiiiVw M.iiU, Liiv pi Xu'U Live pU*« i \ hiK M rlty of her worihip and difcipline, lie deferred taking orders that he mia;ht not hurt the feel- ings of at. aged and reipe<5table father, who vt-as of a different perfi::ifion ; and he exercifed this magnanimous forbearance for maiiy years till his father, ftruck with the greatnefs of his facrifiet, and the unequivocal proof of the ex- celtence of his charaaer, befought him to fol- low Lis own inclination ; thus exhibiting z moil amiable and ftriking contention between filial love and parental affection. After he had obtained authority to difchargc the functions of the holy miniftry of Chrift, we behold him leaving the more attractive and promifmg paths to eminence and fame, and devoting himfelf to the inftruftion of the- poor Indians. Attending to their wants with un- wearied alTiduity, he laboured to infpire them with living Chriftianity, and met with a de- gree of fuccefs proportioned to his adive and rational zeal. At this period we find him tranflating the fcriptures into the Indinn Ian- Gua^e ; ftriving to win t^em by labours of iovc, and all with fo little parade or oftentation, ' that his mofl intimate friends were unacquaint- ed with the extent of his exertions. Whenl civil commotions arofe he did not hcfitate amo- ment between inicreil and principle. Neither power, convenience, nor family connection hid weight nath him. lie fought not like otliers to bend the inftitutions of the church to his private advantage-— he had fworn allegi-j ancc to his king j he had become a vQiuntary deferred : the feel* ler, who exercifed uiy ycitrs efs of his )f the ex- im to fol- libiting Z I between difchargc of Chrift, §i£live and ame, and f the poor with un- pire them vith a de- aclive and find him ndinn Ian- labours of I dentation, i nacquaint- IS. When I itate a mo- . Neither connection t not like he church! 'orn allegi' ^member of the Prot6ftant Church of Englr.nd, and he ftood up boldly in defence of both. He difdained timid compliance and bafe pre- varication — what he thought wrong h#=; con- demned without hefitation. His independent mind was far above all time-ferving expedients'. His principles and opinions wjere openly avow- ed*, and forced refpeclfrom thofe who had not the courage to imitate him. He became a cen- tre of communication to the opprelTed Loyal- ills — he nouriflied and encouraged that tender attachment which they difplayed in the hour of T^enl and diftrefs ; and neither threats nor im- pnfonmcnts frightened or deterred him from proteamg and relieving thofe who durft con- fefs their attachment to their king and p-ov- ernment. His principles were fcverely tned on many occafions, and they derived new luf- tre from every trial. AtJength he retired fiom his native coun- try from the parifh in which he had been loner iettled, after feeing the labours of many ycart totally deftroyed by the horrors of war, and that Chnlhan charity, forbearance, iuftice and benevolence with which he had endeavoured to infpire the Indians, transformed by arms in- to the moft vindidive rage and favage ferocitv.' His truft in God flill enabled himlo fupport this dreadful calamity, which muft, of all oth- ers to a feehng mind have been the moft bitter 1 he fame vigour of mind, the fame anxiety !l P^^^^i'^5^ *J%^^ys knowledge which had lucceeucu ui fuitenhig Indian manners were V M V v ^^-m " faxam l-i 26 now applied with fingular delicacy and addrefs to the reformation of the foldiery, when he w^as appointed chaplain to a provincial regiment. He made the vicious afhamed without becom- ing angry. No forbidding looks, no cutting r*eproaches difcouraged or enraged the wieked, and they heard him' gladly. He was regarded by all with efteem and veneration, and fo far was his prefence from rcprefling innocent mirth, that it always increafed confidence and joy. Finding the fmall lalary paid him as chap- lain inadequate to the maintenance of his large family, his noble foul difdained to befiege the commander in chief with harrafllng petitions and importunate attendance. He chofe rather to devote his leifure time to the inftruclion of youth. Many perfons now the moft refpecta- ble in the provinces, were trained to Heady and early habits of induftry and obedience at his feminary. They were taught to refpec^ reli- gion, and to think with ferioufnefs and reve- rence on facred fubjecls ; and they were able, from the inftrucl:ion which he gave them, to lay the foundation of that virtuous and reli- gious conducl from which they as wxll as their connexicms and friends have derived fo much advantage and delight. Aware of the diilicul- ties, the toils and folicitudc of t!je profclllon of a teacher, calculated to ihake the muft vigor- ous frame and enfeeble the ilrongcll mind, he was willing to encounter thei;n that he might. be ufcful i confident that the real dignity ot a profcilion depends ioldy iipon Us utuity- .27 alirr^Hrf^T "";?' '■^■^ftaWiflied, and theLoy- TttarLT • ? i°^^ *° '^^°'^ ^»e had become attached ,n t],e days of tribulation, and who had rendered themfelves confpicuous in ^1 ing thofe honourable principles whicirhe nro felletl and admired Thp ua ^X T r P of hl^noft ufcfiiflife wfbeTnl,^^^^^^^^ .nflrucuon of this ^. rill, by prece^t^anS ™! tne greatnels of his merits ; but he always ore ferved his independence by his laudable econ" *^i , t ptace m lus own mi »h tlTlu'-T"^ --- eminently^l? He ^>aa the fitisraclion to behold his children growing up around him, poffeflbd of all h.V eftnmble ,ua!ities which iLke hem fpSf Ue members of fociety ; and fome of them be coming remarkably eminent for ttlZZ' fional talents. He lived to fee them all fbtH^,l ;"a;S^-nr'^^''^^^^'^''^-^'--^-^^%^^^^ His fuccefs as a minifler of Chrift has br^r, Sffi'n"!;, 'i -'^o-cgation t!:ZX iicreakd, and the better they knew him td norc-fincere and ardent we/e thelT w' .'^ re pea. It was not only i„ his difcourfes fro T'^ your%lut;'af ;j^ '"KS? ^^.I'i -ten u-,vak';ned the fcelin^^. of ihof^'^ho lud been lonff dead to religion, but his life was x Uving example of what he preached^ ^ever iast1,ere more harrnony love and a&aionm any familv than in his. As a hufband, he was tender, a&aionate, confidcrate and manly.-- As a parent, he was kind without being im- nropedyTndulgent ; he knew beyond moft men n to t mper firmnefs with kindnefs, and pa- rental authority with winning attention His love for his children was frequently mamfefted nt the expenfe of his pcrfonal eale and com- fort \ he Lrivedmore pleafure from conferring benefits on them than fn>m indulging his moft favourite and innocent inclinations. He fpared lo cKpenfe in giving them a good educatioP and in qualifying then, to appear with adva^v taTC in the world. He procscded upon ti.c S^nd principle that by infpiring hischikcren ■ |!{^^tlK- nobleft virtues and cultivating their ;;inds he would unite them "lore cbHy t^ o-'h-r, and leave a furer protcaioi to tne ^;un'cr branches of his family than lilvcr and gS' The elder would be able and cageHrom principle to afiift the younger and 1^/? ^ 'c nhre of a father. It hath pka ed Almie,ht> ?'o-1 to rc-ul-r this unneccfury, by fpanng his own nred," us life till his f.mily are all cttlcd , but I e purity and excellence of his plan ca neve fad to rvoduce the warmcil gi^titude to p « and [l^iioft 1-nourable -d affc "h ■ vte behaviour fSong dv.ldrcn. And s cvi^^ ;:L. ...;n flUI -.inDcar in thofe gratclul aitcn- donV'thofe tender anxietle, andih.it cagcru.:^ ml -mS 29 to adminifter comfort to a difconfolate mother which the children of my venerable friend will unqueftionably difplay. By this they will jut tify the generous facriiices made on their ac- count by an indulgent father, which perfons of lefs virtue and magnanimity were apt to confidr er as rather improvident. " The pleafantnefs of his manners endeared " him to his friends and acquaintance. His " converfation was remarkably cheerful and mitructive, without ever derogating from '-' the gravity of his character, or leillning for a <' moment in the minds of the compajiy tlie *' refpecl due to his fituation." He may -Uk truly named the father of the Epifcopal Church in this Province ; and a moil worthy father he hath been — ever ready and williiig to ad- vife and inilruct his younger brethren in dU'- charging their duties and teaching them how to furmount the diillculties which fell in their way. Alas ! my friends, the lofs which you have fuilained will be mod feverely felt. I too have loil my fpiritual fithcr and friend, who for nearly twelve yearn hath treated me with the warmeil aftedion and efieem. Who is there here whom he hath not inftruclcd ? And who did not reverence, love and admire him,? The tender connexions of private life give a warmth and intereft to the li^rt far ftrongcr than thofc which arc produc^by the exploits of the hero or the labours Hftlic ilatefman ; and among thcfc the connexion which ftbhlls bvtwccti a wortliy clcrgynruin and an auCviiv;n- H '»A- o ■*#-^-» ate cono-reMtion is of the moft endearing kina. It becomes an union of hearts and intenTiona, direaed by the pureil principles ; and when a clergyman departs to give an account ot b« flewardftiip, the people lofe their conductor to everbfting life. This my brethren is your ftt- uation. Bat ' if the labours oi om- decealed friend have made a proper impreffion, they will roufe in your breafts a noble emhufiafrr. to im- itate his conduci, and to become m all rdpfctts what he wilhed you to be. We are iiot ac- quainted with the connexion wmch punhed laints Hiay have v.-ith this world, but we are willins: to cherift the generous notion that the influence of their bleffed example vviU be a fource of happlnefs to them in heaven. Per- haps our deceafcd friend ^^YJ^r'^^'-^^'f':':! the erraces for which he v/as diftingui&cd have found fmcere imitators ;--that "s chanty, his domcilic virtues, his regular difcharge of all his chriftian duties, have been transfufed into his people, who afllduoufly praaife them. In this way he will have the felicity of perce.v- insr that he is had in cverbiUng rcmenibrancc ; for thofe whom hi. life and convcnation flia 1 have thus purified, will bequeath t!ie fame vir- tues to their children and depcndents-lo fl -U the virtues and holy influence of our fpintual ^uidebe tranli»ittcd to thelatcft pofterity. We ^ too apt taJkt Kniits to the mfluenceof are holy livc5-"-wJ»: too ready to fuppofe that thf ♦ivtues of the righteous die wit b them ; but amorc accurate inquiry wUl prove to u. ler's ringj kind. ntentions-, d when a ant of his iductor to s your fit- L' deceaied I, they will afin to im- all refpeds re liot ac- :h purified 3Ut we are m that the will be a .ven, Per- e to fee that liihed have lis charity, lifcharge of transfufed Laife them. ' of percciv- lenibrance ; riatlon Iha'i 'le fame vir- rits— fo lliall our fpirltual )ilcrity. We influence of Aippofe that A'ith them ; prove t^ us 1 -r" ■ that they laft forever. How many men', un- confcious of it themfelves, are pointed out as proper objects of imitation ; an^ thus infpire men of other ages and nations vsrith the love of virtue. Their lives and adions are juftly held up to mankind as lights to illumipe their way. What a glorious diilindion ! Whiyre is there a man who is not anxious to obtain it— -but no one can ever poffefs this pre-eminence who does not defer ve it. Now, my brethren, this inefti- mable diilinclion truly belongs to our venera- ble minifter who has been juft called hence.^ lie dill lives in our hearts ; his virtues {hall fliine forth in our lives \ and he fhall from fuc- celTivc imitations be had in cverlafting remem- brance. Let this animating view, my brethren, in- fpire you with confidence and fanctify your I grief. Happy is he whofe lofs we deplore, iHis gain is infinite by the change. In our Fath- [er's houfe are many manfions ; his will be bright and fplcndid as his talents, his piety, and his virtue were extenfive, pure and ico- Imovcablc. ^' J3 \ v.. ■it*** *^': ill i